Book Review: Daggerbound, T. Kingfisher
The second installment to the Swordheart series about a magical sword that when unsheathed contains a man forced to protect and defend his wielder at all costs. Following shortly after the timeline of the first book in this series, this story picks up with another of the three known mercenaries trapped in swords. We met Sarkis previously, so now we’re meeting The Dervish. If you read the first book, then you’ll know (and I’m also sure you can imagine) that being trapped for eternity as an immortal in a sword can come with it’s traumas. The Dervish has hated all of his wielders… that is, until he meets Edmund. Learned Edmund—a scholar and priest—has recently decided to cut ties with his religious order, but is on one final mission to deliver a relic from one temple to another. But when a band of highway men are seconds from killing him he unsheathes the relic (aka The Dervish’s sword), and finds himself with a bonded defender who saves his life, is sexy as heck, but hates him (and did I say he’s sexy). Our story continues as this unlikely pair embark on a quest to a temple of knowledge picking up odd friends and foes along the way.
Book Review: Immortal Rose, Alexandra Bracken
In a Regency world where members of certain families have the ability to infuse fragrance with magic capable of manipulating mind, body, and emotion, a shocking murder leaves the kingdom vulnerable to a coup. The only apparent savior is a long lost relative to the ancient House Rosebourne (a prominent family in the perfumery business). After being captured, thrown in jail, and held against her will by a aristocrat and royal spymaster name Hugh, our FMC, Viola, must craft Immortal Rose—the only perfume capable of saving the King and the kingdom.
Book Review: Immortal Game, Allison Saft
Shea, our main character, is on a quest to save her sister from the fae portal world where she’s been stolen to. Thankfully, the Iron Veil that separates Otherworld from our world is lifting temporarily for a chess tournament—and thank goodness, Shea has been mastering this game since she was a child. The winner of the tournament may ask the High King of Otherworld to grant one wish, so if Shea wins she will finally rescue her sister. Given that chess is a solitary game, Shea didn’t expect the partnerships she’s fostered along the way.
Book Review: Axe Marks the Spot, Kayla Grosse
Smart, sexy, well-researched, and appropriately steamy! Kayla Grosse does it again. Are you looking for a healthy, hot, and quick read? Curious about other sexual lifestyles and open to learn? Hot for rugged lumberjacks in a way that will have you devouring this book in one sitting? Then this interconnected romance series is for you!
Book Review: First and Forever, Lynn Painter
Is this a Travis Kelce fanfic?! We all know that Lynn Painter is a diehard Swifty, so this just makes sense. However, I would argue that this leans more towards a Jason and Kylie Kelce sort of romance. Our main female character is so Kylie coded with all of her quick comments and no bullshit attitude. She’s a football fan first and then a girlfriend to a football player second which just screams Kylie to me. In conclusion, three and a half stars is a good rating. Don’t expect something out of this world or jaw dropping, but if you’re looking for a fun little romance set in the football space then this is for you. I’d recommend this book to football lovers, fans of the Kelce fam, and anyone else who loves Lynn Painters easy writing and quick banter.
Book Review: To Cage a Wild Bird, Brooke Fast
Craving those old dystopian vibes you got back in high school reading Hunger Games/Divergent? Then this is for you! This is the first book in a new Divided Fates series by a debut author. It’s technically categorized as adult due to the age of our main characters and a few steamy scenes, but the entirety of the book reads really YA (in a good way). It gave me all the vibes that I missed from my dystopian days back in high school, and the writing, world building, etc. was very easy to read which is why it feels like it leans a little bit more young adult at times.
Book Review: The Cursed Queen’s Daughter, Elly Blake
This is the second installment in the Thirstwood series. Surprisingly, I ended up enjoying this one so much more than the first book. Book one in the series was a fun, interesting read, but nothing to truly rave about… but this book made me want to recommend the entire series!
Book Review: Cover Story, Mhairi McFarlane
I rated this book 4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A huge thanks to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for sharing an advanced readers copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
I’m having a hard time putting into words how I personally feel about this book. I can tell that McFarlane is an excellent writer, but sometimes I felt as if the British terminology and current topics were going right over my head. In the end, those tidbits didn’t mean much to the book, but for me they took away from the experience. I gave this book 4 stars still though because even with those removed moments within the writing/story that I just couldn’t quite understand, the characters and plot were still amazing.
Book Review: Soul Searching, by Lyla Sage
Here for the vibes, but a little bit bored. I rated this book 3 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️
A huge thanks to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for sharing an advanced readers copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Firstly, I want to start by saying what I liked about this book: magical realism without any explanation, the spooky vibes that honestly I wound up wanting more of, and the Cartwright family whom I’m officially obsessed with.
April Recap
April was a month of few accomplishments, but it was a month with much going on. Looking back through my calendar, scrolling through my camera roll, and glancing back at my vlogs on our YouTube channel, I am able to see that I really got a lot done during this past month which makes me happy and content. I have things I want to strive towards this May, and I look back and appreciate April for how it’s pushed me forward.
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