Rating - 3.25 stars Thank you to Forever for the advanced copy!
Phantasma is a dark fantasy romance with gothic vibes and mystery. The story revolves arRating - 3.25 stars Thank you to Forever for the advanced copy!
Phantasma is a dark fantasy romance with gothic vibes and mystery. The story revolves around a character named Ophelia, who joins in a mysterious competition called Phantasma in search of her sister. The competition consists of a series of violent trials, and the winner is granted a wish. The book contains a lot of violent imagery and gore, and the trials are quite compelling. Overall, I found the writing to be engaging, and I was eager to unravel the mystery. The romance aspect was decent, but I didn't feel fully engaged with it. As for the plot, I felt that the execution was lacking. The pacing of the story felt off, and there were moments when the excitement leading up to each trial was insufficient. Additionally, I found the world-building to be lacking, as many things were left unexplored.
While the revelations at the end were shocking, I wasn't fully invested to fully appreciate them. I would recommend this book to those who enjoy adult romance with similarities to Caraval....more
Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager for giving me access to the early copy of The Starlight Heir.
The story follows Saraya Saab, a bRating - 3.5 stars
Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager for giving me access to the early copy of The Starlight Heir.
The story follows Saraya Saab, a bladesmith from a small village who is invited to compete for the chance to marry the crown prince of Oryndhyr. As the plot unfolds, we discover hidden truths, dangers, and an ancient prophecy about unprecedented darkness. I really enjoyed the world-building, especially the captivating mythology of the old gods and the jadu. However, the beginning was a bit overwhelming, with too much information to take in. The story has elements of classic fairytales and some predictable tropes, but despite that, I was still totally engrossed in the narrative. One thing that I think could've been better was the depth of character development for anyone other than Saraya. Also, many magical abilities and skills were only briefly mentioned, leaving a lot unexplored. It felt like the book tried to cover a lot but didn't dive deep enough into crucial aspects. The ending, while not mind-blowing, definitely left me curious about what happens next....more
Flirting with Disaster is Naina Kumar's second book, which follows the story of a sepaRating - 4.25 stars
Thank you to Dell Romance for the early copy!
Flirting with Disaster is Naina Kumar's second book, which follows the story of a separated couple stranded together during a hurricane. Meena and Nikhil had married seven years ago, but their marriage quickly came under strain within a year, leading to their separation. Now a DC lawyer, Meena is ready to finally file the divorce papers before starting her political career and a romantic relationship with someone. Little does she anticipate to get stranded with her husband during a hurricane. Will they resolve their complicated feelings, or will things become more difficult? This was such an exciting premise, and I was hooked right away. I could feel the tension between Meena and Nikhil, and I was constantly rooting for them. We see glimpses of their life before and how they fell in love. This book is heavy on the miscommunication trope, which I usually wouldn't say I like to read, but it was done well in this one. I loved seeing how they both realized the mess they made and that communication is key. You were right about that, Alan! I deeply related to Meena's struggle to be the perfect daughter to make up for the 'mistakes' your sibling made. The constant pressure to do better and be someone your parents are proud of and feeling that love is conditional on that is very straining. The only aspect I wished was explored more was their past and their relationships with their respective families. But otherwise, I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to readers who love a second-chance romance with a great deal of tension where you wish the characters would kiss already!...more
I want to extend my gratitude to Swipethebook PR for providing me with an advanced copy of Varsha Chitnis's book, "The Rules of PlayRating: 3.75 stars
I want to extend my gratitude to Swipethebook PR for providing me with an advanced copy of Varsha Chitnis's book, "The Rules of Playing with Fire."
This is one of the few books I've read where the main character is an immigrant, and it was especially relatable to me as someone who was born and raised in one country and currently lives in another. One of my favorite aspects of the book is the communication between the characters. Whether it was happy or angsty, they didn't hesitate to convey their feelings without overthinking. However, I did find the pacing of the story a bit jarring, with a lot happening all at once. It felt like they quickly started talking about having feelings for each other. Despite this, I appreciated how the author addressed social issues that still exist in the South Asian community, such as colorism, and fat-shaming. The portrayal of family and friend relationships was very heartwarming, and the last quarter of the book had a lot of unexpected twists. Overall, I found this to be a compelling and heartwarming read that I would definitely recommend to others....more
Rating - 3.75 stars Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an early copy!
A Monsoon Rising follows the aftermath of The Hurricane Wars. TalasyRating - 3.75 stars Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an early copy!
A Monsoon Rising follows the aftermath of The Hurricane Wars. Talasyn and Alaric are now married and they must navigate the court politics, learn to weave their magic together before the night of The World-Eater, all the while deceiving each other. Will they succumb to their feelings during this? I really liked the progression of their relationship and I appreciated how the author didn't downplay the effects of war. This is also a bit steamier than the previous book. I also found the writing to be easier to read as that was my main issue with the previous book, where it was very clunky. As for the negatives, I found that there were few interactions with other characters, which made them seem very one-dimensional. A lot of the time, we were told about them and what happened rather than being shown. I would have loved to get more depth in the interactions. I also found the great event anticlimactic, but that ending really left me curious. All in all, this was a decent sequel to The Hurricane Wars. ...more
I received an early copy of Oh, You're So Cold thanks to Good Girls PR. Unfortunately, it may be my first and last Saffron A. Kent novel.
While the stoI received an early copy of Oh, You're So Cold thanks to Good Girls PR. Unfortunately, it may be my first and last Saffron A. Kent novel.
While the story initially intrigued me, the writing made it challenging to follow. There was an overemphasis on telling rather than showing. The characters' love for each other was constantly mentioned but lacked depth and connection. It felt more like lust at first sight.
The representation of the Indian-American protagonist, Isadora, was underwhelming. It was limited to a few scenes where she asked for translations of Punjabi sentences. The depiction of Indian culture was exoticized, as if India were a foreign planet. A more nuanced exploration of Isadora's cultural journey would have been appreciated. Instead, it was reduced to watching Bollywood movies and wearing a saree.
Furthermore, the supporting characters were introduced with long-winded descriptions and backstories, which detracted from the overall enjoyment. Their one-dimensional personalities and poorly handled conflicts further contributed to my disappointment.
Ultimately, this book was a letdown. If you're looking for diverse representation in adult romance, I recommend exploring other works by talented desi authors. ...more
What could go wrong when you chant an incantation from a random book while drunk? Quite a lot, it turns out. An accidental demon husband and a witch sWhat could go wrong when you chant an incantation from a random book while drunk? Quite a lot, it turns out. An accidental demon husband and a witch straight out of a horror movie hunting you.
A Summoned Husband by S. J. Stewart is equal parts horror, comedy, and romance. It begins humorously with Eden and her friends confronting a demon. I enjoyed their friendship and how they stuck together no matter what. Some scenes were genuinely terrifying. I appreciated the character development and the way beliefs were questioned. It was a refreshing take that made me pause and think. This was a delicious dark fantasy that I would recommend to readers. Please check for trigger warnings, as there are quite a few dark themes covered.
Thank you to the author for providing me with an early look at the story!...more
Thank you to the publisher for the advanced copy of Fate of the Sun King!
This is the third book in the Artefacts of Ouranos series and I was really loThank you to the publisher for the advanced copy of Fate of the Sun King!
This is the third book in the Artefacts of Ouranos series and I was really looking forward to reading this. Unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. At first, it was a little difficult for me to get into as I don't remember much of what happened in the last two books. It did help jog my memory a little over 20% into the book. I really enjoyed seeing Nadir and Lor's relationship in this installment. My main gripe was with the political and magical drama. A lot of it didn't feel properly fleshed out with a lot of disjointedness in the scenes. The villains were painted as the oh so dangerous ones but that didn't really translate into their actions. A lot of the time their actions felt more like cartoonish villains which didn't help in conveying the tension. There is a lot of back and forth in the current and the past events. I was interested in the past and how it ties to what is happening in the current scenario. That being said a lot of the plot felt like it needed a thorough editing which is a shame because I was very excited to read it. While it may not have met my expectations, it still offers entertainment value for those looking for a light read. ...more
Thank you to Forever publishing for providing me with an advanced copy of The Worst Duke in London!
This novel, loosely based on one of my favorite 90sThank you to Forever publishing for providing me with an advanced copy of The Worst Duke in London!
This novel, loosely based on one of my favorite 90s romcoms, 10 Things I Hate About You, had me intrigued from the moment I heard about it. The story centers around Effie, who preferes animals to people. She was asensitive and intelligent woman and breath of fresh air. Gage, the Duke of Vale, proved to be the perfect gentleman. His supportive and adventurous nature made him a perfect match for Effie. From the very beginning, it was obvious that he was down bad for her. The spicy scenes in this book were definitely hotter than those in the previous two installments of the series. I'm particularly excited to read more about Briar and Jasper's story, based on the hints dropped throughout the book.
I would definitely recommend this steamy historical romance....more
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an early copy of the book "When We Had Forever."
I was intrigued by the premise, expecting a suspensefThank you to the publisher for providing me with an early copy of the book "When We Had Forever."
I was intrigued by the premise, expecting a suspenseful romance. However, what I encountered was quite the opposite. From the get-go, I anticipated the twist, but I continued reading, hoping that the storytelling would compensate for the obvious predictability. Unfortunately, what I got was a superficial love-at-first-sight with minimal depth and an abundance of poetic writing. Moreover, there were hardly any meaningful interactions with other characters.
I presumed that the alternating timelines would provide insight into their story, but aside from the lyrical prose, not much happened. I was particularly uncomfortable with the excessive emphasis placed on the characters' physical appearance, specifically their slenderness and abs. It felt as though one glance at the stars and a description of their physical attributes were sufficient to establish their connection.
When the betrayals and secrets within Mina's marriage were revealed, her response was nothing more than romanticizing it. The story was filled with cliches reminiscent of 90s romance novels, but in a negative way.
Overall, "When We Had Forever" is not a book that I would recommend. ...more
Thank you to Berkley for giving me access to an early copy!
Primal Mirror by Nalini Singh dives into the story of Auden Scott and Remi Danier. If you hThank you to Berkley for giving me access to an early copy!
Primal Mirror by Nalini Singh dives into the story of Auden Scott and Remi Danier. If you have followed the previous books in the series you know that the PsyNet is on the verge of collapse and in this book we explore it on a deeper level. Right from the beginning, I was invested in the mystery surrounding Auden. As with any classic Nalini Singh's story, the romance in the book is charming. I liked that Remi was not a typical changeling with high handedness though there were a few moments of it. He was very protective and supportive and I loved how he interacted with the kids of the pack. Both the main characters had a strong sense of protectiveness when it comes to their loved ones. Despite how old this series is, I always fall in love with this world and the found family trope that plays a big part in each book. Definitely recommend this, if you are a fan of Nalini Singh's previous works!...more
The Unraveling follows the story of a psychiatrist who becomes obsessed with one of her patients whom she Thank you to Atria books for the early copy!
The Unraveling follows the story of a psychiatrist who becomes obsessed with one of her patients whom she has a tragic connection with. One of the positives of the book was the writing that hooked me right in. But that's about it. I know this is a psychological thriller but the slow pace didn't really do it for me. The story is majorly told in an alternative then and now timeline which I usually like. The plot was fairly straightforward with a plot twist that I could see from a mile away. Overall, the twists and the overall plot wasn't as interesting as I expected. ...more
Thank you to Good Girls PR and the author for providing me with an early copy of the book.
Release Me by J. L. Seegars is set in tRating - 3.75 stars
Thank you to Good Girls PR and the author for providing me with an early copy of the book.
Release Me by J. L. Seegars is set in the same universe as her previous New Haven books and follows the story of Sebastian Adler and Nadia Hendrix. Nadia is on a run from her past and is hoping for a fresh start in New Haven. She encounters Sebastian, who offers to help her start fresh. I loved Sebastian's character as he was the most understanding and loving man. Like all her books, J.L. Seegars adds a lot of emotional depth to the story. It was heartwarming to see Nadia grow into herself in a loving environment. While this had a little bit of mystery about her past, we got to know it pretty much earlier on in the story. I did find the romance to be insta-lovey but didn't really mind it. The only issue I had with it was that it felt too long, and the resolution at the end felt a bit rushed. Overall, it was a pretty decent romance that readers will be addicted to....more
Thank you to Berkeley Publishing for providing an advanced copy of Sunshine and Spice!
Aurora Palit's debut romance novel explores themes of belongingThank you to Berkeley Publishing for providing an advanced copy of Sunshine and Spice!
Aurora Palit's debut romance novel explores themes of belonging, identity, and the challenges of being an outsider looking in. In the story, Naomi, a brand consultant, teams up with Dev, a man caught in his mother's matchmaking schemes, to fake-date in order to solve their dilemmas. In exchange for trying to ward off his potential matches, Dev agrees to give lessons in Bengali culture to help her rebrand his family’s local bazaar. The author does a great job in weaving together the characters' personal journeys while also shedding light on sensitive topics and cultural expectations.
I deeply related to Dev's struggle to fit in with his family's expectations and his search for purpose in his own life. It is a difficult thing to handle when the parents believe we are not capable of finding a partner for ourselves unless they interfere. Naomi's disconnect with her Bengali culture also resonated with me, as I know firsthand how difficult it can be to find a place in a community where there are so many expectations about how one should behave.
While I enjoyed the relationship between Naomi and Dev, I felt that Dev's character could have been explored in more depth. It seemed like he often resorted to making snide commentary about his culture without taking real action. I would have liked to see more character growth where his viewpoints were challenged.
Overall, Sunshine and Spice is a heartwarming and thought-provoking debut novel that explores the complexities of identity, belonging, and love....more
In exchange for an honest review, I received an early copy of "Where Sleeping Girls Lie." It's my second novel by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé, and I enjoyedIn exchange for an honest review, I received an early copy of "Where Sleeping Girls Lie." It's my second novel by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé, and I enjoyed it significantly more than her debut work.
The story begins with an mysterious death at a private boarding school, and we gradually learn how our mc is involved in the mystery. The plot is well-developed and features a diverse cast of intriguing characters. I was constantly intrigued by Sade and wondered who she truly was.
While I wasn't surprised by the resolution of the mystery, I enjoyed how it unfolded. The novel possesses all the elements of a typical YA mystery novel, but its execution made it a five star read for read for me. Although the romantic aspect was subtle, I wanted the characters to just kiss already. The tension between them was so palpable. I loved the dynamic between Sade and her love interest.
If you enjoy well-crafted mysteries that evoke a range of emotions, from rage and sadness to quiet joy, I highly recommend checking out this story. ...more
Thank you to Harlequin for providing access to an early copy!
Maya's Laws of Love is a debut romance by Alina Khawaja that follows the story of Maya, wThank you to Harlequin for providing access to an early copy!
Maya's Laws of Love is a debut romance by Alina Khawaja that follows the story of Maya, who seemingly is cursed with bad luck. On the way to Pakistan, for her wedding, she meets a stranger, who brings about wild changes in her life. From the start, I was invested in the story, seeing Maya's laws and how they shape her actions in her life. It was fun to see all the mishaps though it's unfortunate or should I say fortunate with what happens to her. It reminded me a lot of the old bollywood movies starring actors like Shahrukh Khan. Sarfaraaz was such a refreshing hero. I loved how they get to know each other and the unfortunate turns of events. I loved how Maya's outlook on her life slowly changed by the end. It was a damn good story and my roomies were equally invested when I was reading it to them. If you're into feel-good romances with a lot of funny moments, then I definitely recommend Maya's Laws of Love. I read it aloud to my roommates and they were just as into it as I was, so that's saying something. ...more
Thank you to Berkley Publishing for giving me an early copy in exchange for an honest review.
The Design of Us by Sajni Patel is a deRating : 4.5 stars
Thank you to Berkley Publishing for giving me an early copy in exchange for an honest review.
The Design of Us by Sajni Patel is a delightful romcom about workplace rivals who end up fake dating while vacationing in Hawaii. As a woman in STEM, I loved reading about a UX designer and dev falling in love. Of course, I wouldn't go for it in real life, but it's fun seeing their petty grievances and how they find each other attractive despite being annoyed. I loved Sunny and Bhanu's relationship. Bhanu was the ultimate sunshine who has social anxiety, and I loved seeing the real her once she got into the whole fake dating shenanigans. Sunny was such a sweetheart who truly deserved the best after his stupid ex left him doubting himself. It was nice how they grew during their fake dating. And the food made me want to immediately try them all as I've never tried any of the flavors discussed. I already crave for summer to try out various cool foods. Overall, this was my favorite of Sajni Patel's books that I have read so far. If you are looking for a delightful romcom, this is for you!...more
"The Next Best Fling" by Gabriella Gamez is a wild ride full of messy emotions and a whole lot of romance. The story is about a fling between two peop"The Next Best Fling" by Gabriella Gamez is a wild ride full of messy emotions and a whole lot of romance. The story is about a fling between two people who are on the rebound from their first loves, which isn't exactly a common concept in romance novels. And the author totally nailed this!
Theo, the love interest, is a breath of fresh air with his honesty. It's so refreshing to see a character be so open about their feelings. And watching Theo and Marcela's relationship develop was like watching a train wreck in slow motion—in a good way. I was constantly worried how that would end for them.
But let's talk about the messy relationships in this book. You'll be screaming at the characters to just figure it out already! I loved the concept and the way the author executed it, but there was one thing that didn't quite work for me. I just couldn't fully grasp why both Marcela and Theo were so hung up on their first loves. The author tells us why they loved them, but the interactions between them didn't quite convince me.
Also, I get that this was supposed to be a messy love story, but Marcela's constant doubts and fears started to grate on me after a while. Maybe it's just me, though. Even with all the ups and downs, the book ends with a satisfying conclusion. As Marcela says, "He wants the bride, she wants the groom. But what if all they really want... is each other?" If you enjoy some drama, this one is for you.
Thank you to @penguinteen for giving me an early copy of Heir! It was one of my most-anticipated reads of the year, and it definitely delivered.
Sabaa Thank you to @penguinteen for giving me an early copy of Heir! It was one of my most-anticipated reads of the year, and it definitely delivered.
Sabaa Tahir's new duology is set in the same world as An Ember in the Ashes, but with a whole new crew. It's been twenty years since the events of AETA, and now we're following the stories of our favorite characters' kids. The story is told from multiple perspectives, and the characters are awesome. Quil is such a sweetheart; I loved him from the start. There's never a dull moment in this book. Seeing my beloved characters again was like a warm, fuzzy hug for my soul.
Sabaa is a master Kehanni, and she shows the devastating consequences of greed, and how power can be corrupting to even those with the best intentions. We get to see new kingdoms and magic unlike anything we've ever seen before, but it all comes at a price. There were so many unexpected twists and turns, and I was constantly worried about my favorite characters.
But the romance and the banter between the main characters were everything. I also loved seeing Elias and Laia's kids, and I'm dying to know more about them. I'm on the edge of my seat, wondering what's going to happen after that ending, and I can't wait for the next book!
This is definitely one of my favorite reads of the year, and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves fantasy.
The Dawn of the Cursed Queen, the third installment in the Gods and Monsters series, delivered on my high expectations. I was thrilled to dive into thThe Dawn of the Cursed Queen, the third installment in the Gods and Monsters series, delivered on my high expectations. I was thrilled to dive into the aftermath of the realms' seal being broken.
One of the standout features of this book was the multiple PoV. It allowed me to witness events from the perspectives of both beloved and not-so-beloved characters, and it made me understand some of the characters' motivations. I loved the progression of Samkiel and Dianna's relationship and it was definitely spicier than the previous books. There were moments when Dianna's actions frustrated me, but Samkiel's unwavering understanding and acceptance of her nature was heartwarming and refreshing. And there were a few characters like Miska, who left me with a lot of questions. The last quarter of the book kept me on the edge of my seat with its unexpected twists and turns with some new characters entering the picture.
While I immensely enjoyed The Dawn of the Cursed Queen, the next book can’t come soon enough!...more
Moukthika ✧*。
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