I am a huge fan of reality tv books, dating show books, game show books, etc, so I was excited when I got approved for this ARC. Unfortunately, this bI am a huge fan of reality tv books, dating show books, game show books, etc, so I was excited when I got approved for this ARC. Unfortunately, this book was far from what I expected. I expected a fun read, but this book was far from fun. It was very long and drawn out, and pretty boring. The entire read felt flat and lacking, with much of it feeling irrelevant. I did not enjoy the characters, I did not enjoy the uneventful plot, and the steamy moments were more of a cringe than hot. 2 stars. Thank you NetGalley, HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, and Kathryn Freeman for this ARC....more
"I know black history. It's not my fault it reads like a horror novel."
"Out of everybody, why me?" "Because you've been dying to scream, and I hoped i"I know black history. It's not my fault it reads like a horror novel."
"Out of everybody, why me?" "Because you've been dying to scream, and I hoped if I pushed you long enough, you'd scream for us too."
Camp Lanier is a YA horror based on the urban legend of Lake Lanier. It focuses heavily on racism and the horrible acts and treatment we, as black people, still receive today.
After being sold out by her so-called friends, Taylor Washington is given an ultimatium- either do 2 years in jail or work a summer in Camp Lanier. Taylor chooses the work release program at Camp Lanier, believing it should be a breeze. That is until unexplanable things start happening. Almost immediately upon her arrival, Taylor sees a little girl running around in a white dress, but quickly learns she is the only one who can see this girl (ghost). And then Taylor's new friend, Mia, goes missing, Taylor knows something isn't right. After some digging, Taylor learns the dark, ugly truth of what has been happening at Camp Lanier for the past few decades and is determined to bring it to an end.
Camp Lanier is a quick and very interesting read, captivating from start to finish. I loved the paranormal aspect of it and how the author was able to incorporate facts and history into the book. At the end of the book, the author provides us with the horrific historical truth of just some of the violent things that happened in Oscarville and Lake Lanier. The reveal isn't as twisted as one would expect, however, given the nature of the book, it is no surprise and adds to the primary topic presented in this book- racism. I admired Taylor and how she felt it was her duty to make a change.
Thank you NetGalley, Sterling & Stone, and Sylvester Barzey for this riveting arc!...more
I love a dark romantasy that has intense world-building and strong characters, and Night of Death and Flowers has just that. It is the first book of aI love a dark romantasy that has intense world-building and strong characters, and Night of Death and Flowers has just that. It is the first book of a duology and the author was kind enough to gift us with an extensive glossary and pronunciation guide, which came in handy while reading this novel. Rebecca L. Garcia takes us deep into a dark world, one creatively crafted that is filled with dark magic, blood oaths, and gods and goddesses - everything that makes a fantasy worth reading.
The Harvest is coming - a tournament where 11 witches will be killed in order to find Dahryst's new elder. Dahryst is home to witches with many different powers, ranging from dream magic to creation magic, and for Callista Bellevue, it is a place she must protect. Callista is the only one of her kind, with a magic so dark she only shares it with one other being the God of Death. Callista is determined to stop this vicious, inhumane cycle and end the tournament for good, but then she is met by Azkiel, the God of Death himself, and things take a turn.
The world-building in this book is outstanding! It is carefully crafted, slowly depicting the layers and darkness to this immersive world. The characters are all different, with unique powers that set them apart. And of course, with such strong characters, we will almost inevitably see strong character development in a book such as this one. Callista and Azkiel have an enemies-to-lovers relationship, and it is intense (with him being the God of Death). The plot was thick and escalated at a steady pace, which made this book an easy page-turner for me. I enjoyed everything about this book, however, when the plot started to take off and with every twist, I found myself continuously asking one question- did the people not know of the prophesy? It seemed a bit absurd considering how dependent the people of Dahryst were on their gods and goddesses. Aside from that, this book was entirely captivating and consumed me from the very first page! I am already anticipating the next book of this duology!
Thank you NetGalley and Rebecca L. Garcia for such a riveting read!...more
Body Check is a spicy sports romance, and also Elle Kennedy's first hockey romance. I personally enjoyed this one! I loved Hayden and Brody's relationBody Check is a spicy sports romance, and also Elle Kennedy's first hockey romance. I personally enjoyed this one! I loved Hayden and Brody's relationship and the turns it took. The chemistry was there, the spice was definitely there, and not to mention the "playing hard to get" factor made everything much better. Both Hayden and Brody have their own battles they're fighting and their own reasons for not jumping to pursue each other. With Hayden already having a complicated relationship with her father and feeling like she has to compete with whatever hockey team he currently owns and now with his newest scandal, forming a connection with star hockey player Brody Croft is the last thing Hayden Houston needs..but she just can't help it. This spicy rom-com is perfect if you want a quick, fun read, one with steam and banter. The pacing is great and so are the characters and plot. 4 stars!
Thank you NetGalley, Harlequin- Romance, and Elle Kennedy for this read!...more
The Hunter's Gambit is a fun, quick read, definitely entertaining if you love vampires and magic. This book has strong characters, both human and vampThe Hunter's Gambit is a fun, quick read, definitely entertaining if you love vampires and magic. This book has strong characters, both human and vampire, and a strong start, which I appreciated. However, as the story progressed, the plot unfortunately didn't seem to strengthen. Kazan is a blacksmith who specializes in forging weapons and swordcraft. As she journeys to another village with the intention of selling some of her crafts, her caravan is attacked by vampires. She is then taken to the Citadel to become their queen for three days. Her queen's title is more that of a captive, with a promised death by the end of the three days.
The pacing is quite fast, which I enjoyed, however, with the majority of the book detailing Kazan's three days in the Citadel, I would have expected more action. Majority of the book is her roaming around, trying to find a way to escape. She does have a sexual connection to both Adrius and his seneschal, Remy, however, it wasn't built up in a way I would have preferred. Unfortunately, it felt like the plot was underdeveloped, which is disappointing because this story had so much potential.
Thank you NetGalley, Angry Robot, and Ciel Pierlot for this ARC!...more
Secret of Rose Briar Hall is a mix of historical fiction, thriller/ mystery, and romantic suspense, with a very gothic feel. I requested the audiobookSecret of Rose Briar Hall is a mix of historical fiction, thriller/ mystery, and romantic suspense, with a very gothic feel. I requested the audiobook via NetGalley because I figured it would add a lot more intensity to the novel, however it was a great disappointment. The story itself is quite flat and nothing how I expected it to be, but the story paired with the audio was disastrous. The narrator whispered throughout the entire reading, which made listening almost unbearable. 2.5 stars, rounded up.
Thank you NetGalley and HighBridge Audio for this audio!...more
Indigo Spring is the second installment of A Series of Four Seasons, following True Winter. True Winter was a truly captivating read and Indigo SpringIndigo Spring is the second installment of A Series of Four Seasons, following True Winter. True Winter was a truly captivating read and Indigo Spring did not disappoint! Although Indigo Spring is next in sequence, it can be read as a stand-alone. This book follows different main characters and a different storyline, however I would recommend reading True Winter first if you really want to be wowed!
In this book, we are introduced to Drew, another judge in the House of David. As part of the House of David, Drew works to obtain and secure powerful ancient artifacts and prevent them from getting into the wrong hands. Unlike Eden, aka the Grim Reaper, who is a wild card (bk 1), Drew is very level-headed and thinks before he acts. He is also very secretive but views it as a means of protection. His way of dealing with certain situations usually helps him until his best friend Veronica experiences major life changes. After the death of her brother, Veronica is overcome by guilt and needs her best friend, however he can not show up for her in the way she needs. She then finds a new love interest, Winston, and she is absolutely taken by him. He is perfect. He listens to her, he is present, and he helps her get through hard times. He gifts Veronica with an ancient necklace, which is said to have belonged to the Norse goddess Freya, and tells her it will help her through her healing process. This necklace does the exact opposite. Winston notices the drastic mental decline in his best friend and rushes to find the connection between Winston and the secret organizations before it is too late. Drew is tasked with saving his best friend, discovering Winston's true motive, protecting the Dark Summer fragment, and uncovering the truth of what is really happening in Chattanooga involving the blood of Mary all at once. The twists and discoveries made along the way are absolutely mind-blowing!
Indigo Spring is quite different from the True Winter, but I enjoyed it just as much. This book is more of a psychological thriller, with several mind-bending, jaw-dropping moments. The author did a great job of bringing us back to the setting of the first book and bringing back a few of the characters I have already come to love. It was interesting seeing the drastic difference between Eden from the first book and Drew from this book. They are two completely different characters, and although I absolutely loved Eden, I also found myself loving Drew's character as well because he is such a mystery. I can appreciate the author not sticking to one character type, especially considering the brutal work of the House of David. Veronica was a character I initially had mixed emotions about because of how weak she was, but that all went out the window the second Winston stepped in. Her weakness and vulnerability made her psychological breaks much more intense and created that perfect eerie atmosphere. As far as Winston goes, I guessed the deal with him from one of his first interactions with Veronica, however when it was revealed towards the end, I had so many questions! That, along with the shocking ending and encrypted messages have me eager for the next book in this series!
Thank you NetGalley and Q.K Petty for another riveting read!...more
True Winter is one of the best books I have read to date! I'm not sure what genre I'd catergorize it in - it's a mixture of many. It is a thrilling, cTrue Winter is one of the best books I have read to date! I'm not sure what genre I'd catergorize it in - it's a mixture of many. It is a thrilling, creative fantasy with historical fiction incorporation, along with an occult theme and a bit of psychological drama - needless to say, it is very unique and captivating!
The action starts from the prologue, where we are introduced to the story of the Chains of Peter. That is the first of many powerful ancient artifacts in this book, all being very dangerous if they end up in the wrong hands. Following the prologue, we meet Eden, a judge of the House of David, but best known as the Grim Reaper. Eden is in Mobile, Alabama, in search of the Chains of Peter. Instead, he finds his half-brother, Orion. Orion is the opposite of Peter in almost every way, except for the fact that he is not bothered when he witnesses Eden slaughter many men with his bear hands (and his scythe, True Winter). The House of David's purpose is to keep all religious ancient artifacts out of the hands of the evil cult, Seditio, and ultimately take down the cult. Welding Series Four weapons (True Winter, Sweet Fall, Dark Summer, and Indigo Spring), and having the protection of artifacts such as the Finger of God, which prevents one from dying and promotes rapid healing, the House of David judges and acolytes set out to find most dangerous members of Seditio- Whiteface and Mary. Along the way, they face several unexpected challenges and twists, many being from within their own house (of David).
True Winter is a fast-paced read, with a strong, intense plot and wonderful world-building. This is my first Q.K Petty read, and he has such a way of writing, one that will suck you in completely. The characters and storyline were solid throughout, and I appreciated the levels of intensity throughout the book. There are several dark and disturbing parts, but also many action-packed areas as well as more tender moments (Eden's self-discovery journey, Orion's loss, etc). I did guess who the leader of Seditio was fairly early on in the read, however it didn't ruin the book for me. Instead, it had me looking forward to the next book in this series even more because boy, is this character twisted! 5 stars, hands down!
Thank you NetGalley and Q.K Petty for this outstanding read!...more
Heart On Thin Ice is a sports rom-com that follows two individuals, Nick and Alyssa, and their journey through dealing with trauma and grief. Going inHeart On Thin Ice is a sports rom-com that follows two individuals, Nick and Alyssa, and their journey through dealing with trauma and grief. Going into this book, I was excited because I love a good sports romance, however, this was not what I expected. This book focuses more on the traumatic experiences both Nick and Alyssa experienced and less on their romantic adventure. The romance and chemistry felt very lacking, as well as the comedy. Unfortunately, this book was not my favorite. I also found myself disliking Nick towards the end. His attitude towards Alyssa's response when he helped her was very off-putting. I had mixed feelings about Alyssa as well, however, for different reasons. What she experienced in the past was very traumatic, but the fact that she held onto it for so long was a bit ridiculous and immature (her reason for not wanting to help the church). This book was a difficult one for me to really enjoy. 2.5 stars, rounded up.
Thank you NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and Katie Kennedy for this ARC!...more
The Nurse's Lie is the second book of The Perfect Nurse series, and it is just as captivating as the first. It can be read as a standalone, with the aThe Nurse's Lie is the second book of The Perfect Nurse series, and it is just as captivating as the first. It can be read as a standalone, with the author providing a great backstory and previous details from the first book throughout this second book, however, I do recommend reading The Perfect Nurse first.
In this book, we pick up where we left off in the first book. Darcy has ran after committing something unspeakable, however she is still struggling with retrograde amnesia, and as a result, she knows not what she has done. She is out of Chicago and now living in Florida, caring for an elderly man who is in his early stages of dementia. He does, however, recall certain crucial information- his son is not who he appears to be and is hiding a terrible secret. Darcy, being the individual she is, takes it upon herself to find out this secret. Meanwhile, her family back in Chicago is harboring their own secrets, which Darcy has no idea of.
This book is a great follow-up to the first book, with our main character back on her own and in a completely different environment. I enjoyed the dual POV and dual settings, with both Darcy and her sister Pippa sharing telling their stories, however I didn't feel like this book was as gripping as their first. There is more going on, and the cliffhanger at the end has me anticipating another book, however I wasn't as jaw-dropped as I was by the first book. This book is still a great and entertaining read, especially if read after the first.
Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture, and Daniel Hurst for this ARC!...more
The Perfect Nurse is a quick suspenseful read, full of twists and turns. The suspense is slowly built, which adds a lot to the story itself. In this bThe Perfect Nurse is a quick suspenseful read, full of twists and turns. The suspense is slowly built, which adds a lot to the story itself. In this book, we follow Darcy, who seems to suffer from paranoia and is also dependant on sleep aids and sedatives in her everyday life. Darcy is a nurse and is passionate about her job, but lately she has been feeling like she might need a change. One day, she is called to care for an elderly couple, with the wife suffering from the early stages of dementia. All is going well, until Darcy gets suspicions that the couple may be faking the whole thing. She is determined to find out what is really going on, and when she finally does, the truth is quite shocking! As entertaining as it was, this book was a 3 star read for me. The first half seemed to drag on a bit, whereas the second half was where the action started. I guess you could consider the first half a slow build-up. At some point, it did start to feel like a different story, which caused me to have mixed feelings. I would have also preferred Darcy's truths being revealed more towards the end of the book as opposed to midway. Aside from that, the story itself was great! After reading the blurb, I admittedly had something completely different in mind, but the plot was still great. My jaw dropped at the big revelation, and by the end of the book, I was ready for the next one!
Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture, and Daniel Hurst for this riveting ARC!...more
I received this ARC courtesy of NetGalley and unfortunately, it was very difficult for me to get through. The writing was very weak and amateur, whichI received this ARC courtesy of NetGalley and unfortunately, it was very difficult for me to get through. The writing was very weak and amateur, which concluded to a poor story-telling. The story itself focuses on Amelia Barlowe (Millie), a single mother of two who has just lost her job. She decides she needs a change of pace and studies to become a dentist's assistant. Not long after enrolling in school, she receives an offer that is too good to be true. Now she finds herself going to school, working for a horrible money-hungry, selfish boss, all while still parenting. At some point, she finds out her boyfriend has been cheating on her (witj his fiance) and decides to come up with a plan to get payback on both him and her jerk boss. That is the premise of the first half of the book. The second half felt like a completely different book. It was difficult to follow along because everything felt so underdeveloped, and a lot of it felt pointless (like her going to school to become a dentist's assistant). I also did not like the constant mention of Millie being a single mother. It did not come off as empowering, but instead a hindrance. Many of the decisions she has made throughout the book were not decisions a single mother would make, which was very contradicting. Also, if she hated her boss so much, why did she stay? This book was far from my favorite - it felt sloppy, rushed, and poorly put together. Unfortunately, 2 stars....more
Death At The Drive-In is the thirteenth installment in the Southern Ghost Hunter mystery series. It is a cozy paranormal mystery and can be read as a Death At The Drive-In is the thirteenth installment in the Southern Ghost Hunter mystery series. It is a cozy paranormal mystery and can be read as a stand-alone.
Verity Long is a ghost hunter in Sugarland, which is home to both the living and dead. When Frankie's girlfriend, Molly, is possessed by the ghost of a teenage boy who died in a drive-in, Verity is determined to find out what happened and save Molly.
This is a cute and cozy mystery with lots of fun and banter! The characters and scenes are hilarious, and the incorporation of gangsters and mysteries from the past made this quite the page-turner!
Thank you NetGalley, Author Collective 20, and Angie Fox for this wonderful, fun ARC!...more
A Murder At The Movies is the second installment of Ellie Alexander's new series, A Secret Bookcase Mystery, and it's the perfect cozy mystery!
Since A Murder At The Movies is the second installment of Ellie Alexander's new series, A Secret Bookcase Mystery, and it's the perfect cozy mystery!
Since hosting an epic mystery fest, Annie Murray's small, quaint town of Redwood Grove has been receiving a lot of publicity. When an independent filmmaker from L.A. reaches out to Annie asking if she can help her, Annie can not refuse. She agrees to help plan a mystery film weekend in Redwood Grove and host the premiere of the filmmaker's newest movie, Midnight Alibi. During the premiere, however, something unexpected happens. Infamous film critic, Martin Parker, plunges from the balcony to his death. Annie is now working alongside her former criminology professor turned detective, Dr. Caldwell to find out who murdered Martin Parker.
I love this series so much! I love how the author seems to make the murder victims characters with the most unlikable traits (in both this book and the first book). It keeps us wondering and trying to piece together clues as to who committed the murder. I love the romantic tension between Annie and Liam - they're definitely enemy to lovers! I was so consumed by this murder mystery that it wasn't until close to the end that I wondered about Scarlet, Annie's best friend who was murdered. I went into this book hoping to find out what happened to her (given how the first book ended), however, the story was so good I can't be disappointed for not finding out. And then the ending brings us right back to Scarlet, and now I am on the edge of my seat all over again! I am so ready for book #3!
Thank you NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and Ellie Alexander for another wonderful ARC!...more
What a twisted ride! I can always depend on Lisa Jackson to deliver a gripping, suspenseful, unputdownable read!
After trying to end things with her lWhat a twisted ride! I can always depend on Lisa Jackson to deliver a gripping, suspenseful, unputdownable read!
After trying to end things with her lover, Gideon Ross, Brooke Harmon finds herself in a situation that's impossible to get out of. Gideon will not let her go. He is obsessed and will rather die before letting her leave him. Things get out of control when Gideon starts stalking Brooke, showing up to her home as a pizza delivery guy, and even watching her daughter. Brooke needs to put an end to this without her family finding out or, even worse, getting hurt.
This book is quite the page-turner! It is riveting and I was consumed from the very start! Gideon is a nut job, but his character makes the book so interesting! What makes the book even more interesting is that every character has their own secrets! Unfortunately, the ending was predictable, however the story as a whole was so good that the lackluster ending didn't do much harm, in my opinion.
Thank you NetGalley, Kensington Publishing, and Lisa Jackson for such a suspenseful ARC!...more
The Quit List is such a sweet closed door romance! It is fast-paced and fun, with the romance and banter between Holly and Jax being absolutely perfecThe Quit List is such a sweet closed door romance! It is fast-paced and fun, with the romance and banter between Holly and Jax being absolutely perfect! I loved the two as individuals and even more as a couple. The chemistry was definitely there and undeniable, no matter how hard they tried. Jax is the perfect guy, no matter how many times he said they don't exist!
Thank you NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and Katie Bailey for a wonderful book/ audio....more
Magic In The Air is a cute and magical read, with delightful characters and such a charming setting. This enchanting fantasy book is both sweet and sMagic In The Air is a cute and magical read, with delightful characters and such a charming setting. This enchanting fantasy book is both sweet and spicy, perfectly balanced to create a beautiful romance.
Olivia Ayala lives in the small town of Addersfield, Rhode Island. This cozy town is special, not only because it is home to her and her son, but because it is home to many other witches like herself. Olivia runs Sugars Spells Bakery with her partner and close friend Jill. These two, along with their other friend, Parker, protect Addersfield and all the magic that flows through the town.
Draven James is a journalist from NYC who ends up in Addersfield in search of answers to the questions he has about his mother. It wasn't until his mother died that he found out she was a witch, and unfortunately, one who had lost her magic after attempting to share it with someone. Addersfield has been his mother's home, and Draven feels the people of the town have failed his mother after she lost her magic and wants them to pay. He believes magic is the cause of all his problems, and if he can expose magic, better yet, destroy it, he will get his revenge. What Draven did not plan on, however, was to fall in love. When he meets Olivia, sparks fly, and it is the start of an internal battle within Draven. As bad as he wants to expose witches and magic, he also wants to win over Olivia, who has also sworn off love after she was rejected by her son's father for being a witch. Olivia, however, has her suspicions and knows she can not trust Draven, but she is not quite sure why.
This is a story of dealing with grief, the power of strength and love, as well as trust and betrayal. Draven and Olivia share an instant bond, but both have their secrets. It is not made any easier with Olivia having cerebral palsy. She is used to rejection, judgment, and being disappointed, and as a result, she always has her guard up. Draven is grieving, and it is hard for him to see anything but hate.
I loved watching both Draven and Olivia learn to be truthful and transparent and come to trust each other. The spice is definitely, however I felt the romance could have used a bit more building. The story also felt flat a lot of the time, dragging on a little more than I would have liked. The first half had a lot of constant comparison, with Olivia comparing Draven to her son's father and Draven comparing himself to Olivia's son, Daniel. It was a lot of comparison, and when we finally got past it, there was a lot of spice. A little too much in my opinion, considering how under-developed the story itself felt. The ending, however, was lovely! I love a well-deserved happy ending, which both Draven and Olivia got!
Thank you NetGalley, Rising Action Publishing, and Adrianna Schuh for such a magical ARC!...more
I absolutely loved this cute romance story! It's a love at first sight, he falls first romance between a pop star and an actor. It is light-hearted anI absolutely loved this cute romance story! It's a love at first sight, he falls first romance between a pop star and an actor. It is light-hearted and so sweet, and I enjoyed every minute of it!
Millie is one half of the pop duo The Sirens, and Luca is an A-list actor. When Millie agrees to perform at the half-time show for the VIP Charity Match, she had no idea she'd be meeting the handsome Luca. When Luca first sees Millie, sparks fly! It's love at first sight! Their story is so heart-warming and sweet, and I loved the two as a couple. They both deal with issues that come along with fame, like hate on social media, drama, and internet trolls, but Millie seemed to get the worst of it. It was beautiful to see how they were there for each other throughout it all. This is a cute cuddly romance, and I am looking forward to seeing how Kayla and Asher get on in the next book!
Thank you NetGalley and Hailey Frost for this beautiful ARC!...more
Such a fun and enjoyable travel through time! This book highlights some of the greatest fashion pieces many of us have become familiar with through fiSuch a fun and enjoyable travel through time! This book highlights some of the greatest fashion pieces many of us have become familiar with through film. Palace Costume & Prop Co. serves as home to many of the unique, creative, and not to mention award-winning pieces we have seen throughout the years in films such as Bonnie and Clyde, Austin Powers in Goldmember, and Beloved. Details about the pieces are given to us in interview form, which I personally loved. I feel it gives the reader more of an understanding of the pieces' purpose, the designers, stylists, and collectors' inspirations, as well as fun and fond memories at Palace Costume. The latter half of this book graces us with beautiful and colorful pictures, all of which are creative, unique, and fun!
Thank you NetGalley, Chronicle Books, and Mimi Haddon for this beautiful ARC!...more
Cassandra Harlow is an exceptional lawyer at top law firm, however, she is struggling with her role in a predominantly male company. She has to work tCassandra Harlow is an exceptional lawyer at top law firm, however, she is struggling with her role in a predominantly male company. She has to work twice as hard as her male counterparts and unfortunately, all her hard work never seems to cut it. Cass looks up to her colleague and friend/mentor, Sara O'Neil, who is on track to becoming partner. When Sara dies, Cass automatically knows something is wrong. She knows her friend would never kill herself. Cass starts to dig for the truth and learns her friend was part of an elite female only members club. Secrets start unfolding, and it becomes clear that this clique is a dark secret society and might also be the cause of Sara's death.
This book is a great book that focuses heavily on misogyny and inequality in the workplace. The setting is perfect, and the characters, although not memorable, were still good. Unfortunately, the pacing didn't always feel steady, falling flat more often than I would have liked. It did pick up later on in the book, however, which helped bring the book into a great closing. Great storyline with great twists! 4 stars!
Thank you NetGalley, HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, and Rhiannon Barnsley for this compelling ARC!...more
Loading...
