About the Book:
A mysterious murder. A family torn apart. A hunt for answers.
Arrested for their parents’ murder and on the verge of being found guilty, Gage and Cooper Finn, two high school basketball standouts, are aided in a jailbreak. A shadowy organization known as The Roamers recruits the boys to track and hunt down vampires under deep cover so other humans remain as much in the dark about the existence of supernatural beings. Their orders on a new case lead them to an abandoned warehouse and a clue, a young newly-formed female vampire named Jamie, who opens the door to discovering what happened to their parents. It’s a shaky lead, and they don’t know if they should trust the vampire. Things become more dangerous as Gage catches the attention of Sela Winters, the daughter of the leader of The Roamers. Sela’s connections give them access to files that threaten to divide Gage and Cooper as they split up to solve this mystery – if betrayal doesn’t sink its fangs into them first.
Will the brothers find answers before they turn on each other?
My Thoughts:
The Brothers Finn is the first book in the series that follows Gage and Cooper as they navigate being the main suspects in their parents’ murders. Though the story starts abruptly with a sudden shift in timeline after the first chapter, the rest of the story keeps pace and draws the reader right in.
There are hunters on one side, known as The Roamers, who secretly hunt down vampires, thus keeping their existence a secret from the humans. As Gage and Cooper navigate this world, they also try to find out who was responsible for the murder of their parents.
Readers are drawn into a world where the supernatural live among humans but are not known. The relationship between the brothers is strong despite their clear character differences and this makes it all the more interesting to read about their journey. Each one has their own opinion and approaches things differently. The other characters in the story only add to the main plot and thus we have a fast-paced engaging read, with the main characters being forced to re-think all they have known and perhaps even make friends with a vampire.
I really enjoyed reading this book and meeting all the characters and am definitely looking forward to more of their adventures!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
About the Book:
The fourth and final book in the bestselling Blood of a Fae series…
“I see forever with you by my side. Because long after these scars have faded away to nothing, I’ll still be standing beside you. You and I? We’re eternal.”
Beware the dread curse of Three…
In the aftermath of the war between Pendrath and its neighbors, peace has finally come to Camelot. But for Morgan Le Fay and her friends, the calm is short-lived. A storm grows on the horizon. As a terrible evil that has been waiting hundreds of years begins to sweep through the land, Morgan and Draven must race to the aid of their allies, leaving their youngest and most vulnerable new family member in the care of trusted friends.
The sword, the spear, the grail’s mystery…
As the tide of war takes them across kingdoms and into greater peril, Morgan and Draven embark on a quest to destroy the three objects of untold power–the grail, the sword, and the spear. Together, the pair will find answers to questions lost in the mists of time. Answers to questions so terrible, they never even thought to ask.
Blood calls to blood, the dark shall rise,
Forged by the gods under sacred skies.
For the love between these bonded mates is not just an everlasting one forged in blood.
You might even call it divine.
My Thoughts:
This is the final book in the series and honestly, I did not want the story to end. I couldn’t imagine a world without Morgan, Draven, the Exmoors and everyone else in their circle.
“There is darkness in all of our souls. But there is also light. Just because the darkness threatens doesn’t mean the light won’t win out in the end.”
The author makes realistic, though heart-breaking, decisions when it comes to character deaths which play important roles in the plot advancement as well as development of the central characters. Their grief, trauma, heart-break, love for one another all drive their actions as well as the need to save the people of Camelot and it’s neighboring places.
This book sets the stage for Morgan’s final quest to destroy the grail, the sword and the spear through which she discovers truths not only about herself, but her family and her origins. As she moves to confront this truth, it’s a race against time to save the people she loves. The finale though slightly predictable, is very well executed and provides the much needed closure to this beautiful series!
We all need the kind of love Morgan and Draven have. This can be felt from this one quote: “Be everything you truly are. That’s all I’ll ever ask of you, my silver one.”
With this concludes my journey through Blood of a Fae, a series that I highly recommend for fans of retellings of legends with magic, romance and adventure all wrapped up in one!
About the Book:
Sometimes destiny is written. Hers was concealed.
When Cate travels from Oregon to university in England, she expects her gravest dilemma to be finding coffee instead of tea, but she’s got bigger problems—much bigger. At Staton University, nothing is quite what it seems. Even her own identity. Unbeknownst to Cate, a prophecy deems her as destined to defeat a ruthless enemy in a magical land, placing a target squarely on her back. Now, someone on campus is stalking her, and a narrow escape sends her through a mysterious portal, assisted by two irresistible boys. Yet the fantastical new world is even more treacherous with rival kingdoms and imminent war. Falling in love wasn’t part of the plan, but what’s a girl to do? A fresh start was all she wanted—a few new friends in the dorms with a trusty latte in hand—not war, an estranged biological father who is king, or a star-crossed love straight out of Romeo and Juliet (hopefully without the dying part). As the battle looms, Cate must solve the mystery of the prophecy and decide who in her circle is trustworthy before the place she now calls home is destroyed.
Don’t miss this new Young Adult Romantic Fantasy from debut author SK Horton that’s like Alice in Wonderland meets Love and Gelato. Featuring swoon-worthy romance, court intrigue, backstabbing villains and so much mor, it’s perfect for fans of Melissa Albert’s The Hazel Wood, Lauren Roberts’ Powerless, and lovers of all things romantasy!
My Thoughts:
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
A huge thanks to BookSirens and the author for the advance copy!
Book Release Date: June 11, 2024
The story follows Cate as she travels to London to attend university. She hopes to settle down and make friends and have a typical university experience. Little does she know that not everything is as it seems and things are going to change for her, very quickly.
It took me some time to get into the story as it was confusing at the start. It was not very clear what the author wanted to show and how the characters fit into the story. The character development is slow and at times it felt as though they did not have any depth. However, as the story progresses, we come to know more about the characters, how they fit into the story and then it all makes sense.
AS Cate discovers her powers and tries to learn how to use them, she is also in the middle of an unexpected love triangle and hiding from her father (someone she did not know existed until then) for as long as she can manage. At times, her every thought is of her foster family and the love she has for them, which is something I really liked.
The story then progresses well and the plot, though a little predictable, is quite enjoyable to read. I enjoyed reading this book in the end and, though it is a one time read for me, I think it was worth it. I do look forward to reading more books by the author.
About the Book:
What happens when the boy you crushed on in high school—the one who crushed your heart—turns up 6 years later…and he needs your help?
Natalie Henderson was that girl in high school. The invisible one lost in her books; going unnoticed in the hallways. Until he paid her attention. Matthew Barkly was that boy in high school. The star of the soccer team and all-round Mr Popular, and he’d started noticing her. Under the guise of studying together, Natalie was swept into his spotlight and started believing that perhaps she wasn’t invisible after all. But turns out…it was all a lie.
Six years later, Natalie is taking her first steps into adulthood. Leaving behind the shy, awkward girl from high school and embracing her new role as a nurse in a busy hospital, she has everything carefully planned out. Until her one and only crush comes barrelling back into her life, disrupting everything.
Matthew is a national soccer hero and has the world at his feet. He’s also wondering if any of it—fame, attention, money—is worth it. And then he sees her again. The one he always wanted, the one he can’t forget. Grasping at any opportunity to spend time with her; he begs Natalie to pretend to be his girlfriend to help fix his playboy image. Unbelievably, she agrees to play along, and soon the lines between what’s fake and what’s real are blurred and all those long-forgotten feelings are flaring back to life.
But as Natalie navigates the pitfalls of fame and media attention that follow ‘dating’ a celebrity sports star, will the distrust and uncertainty from their past stand in the way of them becoming something more in the present? Or will Natalie have the courage to believe that Matthew could possibly notice her…for real this time?
Find out in this delightful celebrity romantic comedy with a splash of fake dating and no third act breakup. Noticing Natalie is a closed-door romance that will make your heart swoon with steamy kisses and has no explicit content.
My Thoughts:
Happy Publication Day to Noticing Natalie and author Belinda Mary!
I loved this novella! There are no other words for it. It is sweet, funny and full of warmth. The book is a quick read and follows Natalie and Matthew as their story comes to light both in the present and the past. Natalie and Matthew meet in high school, develop a sweet friendship that’s leading to more when a misunderstanding pulls them apart.
Fast forward six years, circumstances bring them back face to face and as they discover that their feelings for each other never changed, perhaps they have a second chance after all. This novella has all the tropes that one could want in a sweet romance right from second chances to fake dating, friends to more and no 3rd act breakup.
Matthew is sweet and patient which I admire and his feelings for Natalie are genuine. Natalie on the other hand is one of those girls who truly doesn’t know how beautiful she is inside and out and is finally discovering her confidence in herself. As the two characters grow together we are in for a swoon-worthy romance.
I was fortunate enough to be a part of the eARC team for the author and I am grateful for the opportunity to read this prequel to the Love Always series, a series whose characters I adore.
Dear readers! If you haven’t read the Love Always series, don’t hesitate to pick up the books or even add them to your TBRs! They are truly worth reading!
About the Book:
“And so at last, you reveal what it is you want from me. My story. The answer is no.”
“I’ve saved your life twice by now. You owe me, and you can’t run from me here.”
There are some things you can’t escape.
In a first-class aircraft cabin, on a red-eye flight from Singapore to Europe, sit two extraordinary passengers. They’re on the run. And they’re both vampires.
Cheng’s origins reach back to ancient China, while Henry is a vampire who can thrive in the day. For all intents and purposes, they are enemies. Despite the chasm that separates them, they share a tragic connection rooted in the past, a connection which resulted in her becoming his people’s most dreaded adversary.
A chain of events has thrown them together and in return for saving her life, Henry wants her story.
What did Cheng do to make his people hate her so much? How far will she go to redeem herself? How many people will she entangle in the process?
And who is hunting them both?
The is the tale of her origins, told in midflight, vampire to vampire.
I came across the author’s eARC reading campaign on Instagram and was instantly drawn to the book by the premise. I quite enjoy reading about the supernatural and this book teased at something different in the genre. Vampire’s sharing their story during a flight! I was intrigued to say the least and joined the team to read and review this book!
I am grateful to the author for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book blew me away from the start. The narrative is smooth and flows so well that the reader doesn’t pause even when it shifts from person to person, past and present but almost always told in first person. This is a story of origins, friends and enemies, love and honor among other things. Though slow to start, the story picks up pace towards the middle and gets more and more interesting as it unfolds with layers of Chinese history interspersed with the narrative.
There are multiple plot lines in this story and the author weaves them together seamlessly, without giving away anything very easily. It is a slow burn novel that takes time to unravel, drawing the reader in and ensuring that the attention of the reader is on the characters at all times. I was wholly invested in Cheng and curious to know her story. This is also a book that deals with a identity crisis, addressing the questions of ‘Who am I?’; ‘Who do I want to be?’ Cheng goes through so much in her life with friends, love, and makes a whole lot of enemies up until a point where when she does good, it is not always seen in the same light.
Henry was an interesting character to pit against Cheng, striking wits right from the very beginning. His angle and interest were not always clear but as the story progresses, it is easy to see how important he is to this entire story. This story is told as a conversation between Cheng and Henry in the present with narrations of the past from Cheng’s point of view. There are some 3rd person POVs (very limited) to add some more perspective to the story telling.
I truly fell in love with each of the characters as well as their journeys. If this is how the origins are presented, I am truly looking forward to reading more about the characters and the events that unfold.
About the Book:
The course of true love never did run smooth, but with Phoebe MacLeod it always gets a chance. Perfect for fans of Jo Watson and Mhairi McFarlane.
Everyone remembers their first love. Jess Thomas definitely does. So, it’s more than a little awkward when Jess’s first love, Jamie Ferguson, turns out to be the best man at the wedding she’s catering for. And more than a little insulting when he doesn’t appear to remember her at all.
Since Jamie broke her heart (via text!), 10 years earlier, Jess has sworn off romance. And with a booming catering business to focus on, she’s doing OK. She has no interest in revisiting the past.
But when Jess’s car breaks down on a country lane, she has no choice but to accept Jamie’s help. Now, Jamie is determined to show Jess he’s a new man. But can guys like Jamie ever really change? And if she gives him another chance, is she setting herself up for a fall?
My Thoughts:
Never Ever Getting Back Together is a wonderful second chance romance that follows Jamie as he tries to win back Jess’s trust. What started off as one or two incidents caused by mutual misunderstanding on both sides led to Jess almost hating Jamie. I found the two of them to be quite loveable and the story was fun to read!
The story dives right into the present and slowly brings up events of the past as Jess and Jamie start to spend more time with one another. I found that the writing was easy to follow and the author spent enough time exploring the characters. This is a heart-warming story that is wonderful for a summer or beach read but truly can be read anytime.
Overall a warm and fun romance that will engage readers and is a light enough read making it all that more enjoyable.
About the Book:
Set in a magical world, Madison’s Peculiar Adventure depicts the perils of bullying and the shortcomings of adults in intervening.
10-year-old Madison lives in an orphanage run by the eccentric directress Madam Eve.
When Wendy fades away overnight, Madison has reasons to believe Madam Eve is behind her disappearance. Together with Lena and Amanda, she sets out to discover the truth.
Their only witness is the puckish hobgoblin Wendy spoke to before she vanished into thin air.
Will Madison and her friends ever find out what happened to Wendy?
My Thoughts:
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Madison’s Peculiar Adventure is a quick read that follows Madison as she arrives at an orphanage run by the eccentric Madam Eve. As she tries to adjust, she makes a few friends and notices sudden disappearances among the children. Curiosity gets the best of her as she tries to uncover the truth. The story deals with the themes of bullying, learning to be courageous and standing up to people.
As much as all this is there, I felt that the writing could have been better. The descriptions were short and not detailed which made it a little difficult to picture what was happening. Also, the characters are not described in detail and so it is difficult to connect with them. However, I believe that the story has potential and an important message. With a little more depth to it and of course many more pages to accommodate the details, this would definitely be quite enjoyable to read.
I am indeed looking forward to reading about Madeline’s new adventures!
About the Book:
A ritual murder at a Mumbai temple exposes the city’s dark secrets and ravages the personal life of a detective in this sequel to The Blue Bar.
Amid incessant rains pounding down on Mumbai, Senior Inspector Arnav Singh Rajput is called to a shocking crime scene. A male body is found dismembered on the steps of a Kaali temple. Drawn into his flesh are symbols of a tantra cult. The desecration of a body at a Hindu place of worship puts the city on edge and divides Arnav’s priorities: stopping a fanatic from killing again and caring for his wife who’s struggling through a challenging pregnancy.
Then video footage of the murder is uploaded onto the account of a Bollywood social media influencer, triggering twists in the investigation Arnav didn’t see coming. Caste systems at war. A priest under suspicion. And an anonymous threat that puts his wife’s welfare at risk. When more bodies are found, the savagery of the city begins to surface—and Arnav fears that no one is safe from a bigger storm brewing.
My Thoughts:
This is a dark crime thriller/ murder mystery that brings to the surface the truths of the caste system and various beliefs among people. It is horrifying but true and resonates very deeply. The story is gripping and pulls the reader into a rain filled journey through Mumbai as Senior Inspector Arnav tries to uncover the person or persons behind a string of murders which seem to have some religious connection as well as suspected underworld connections. This book follows the characters introduced in Book 1, The Blue Bar, but can be read as a standalone like I did. There are some brief references to events in the first book, but they eventually make sense as we read through The Blue Monsoon.
What can I say about the characters? They are diverse, interesting, intriguing with so many different shades and layers. It takes time to peel back each layer and author Damyanti does just that. It’s very hard not to develop a connection with each of the characters, each of them playing an important part in driving the plot. Tara is an example of the kind of strength we can only strive towards while Pia is your typical teenager who has been through something traumatic but is still able to move past it enough to live a normal life. She is surrounded by love and care and that is beautiful. I also formed a deep respect for Arnav and his way of thinking, the respect he has for people as well as his no-nonsense attitude. These are just some of the characters in the story and being the main ones, I have focused on them. The supporting characters (including a Bollywood social media influencer, an ex-cop, a priest, a tantric, workers at a hair factory and so on) are many and have their own purpose for being in this story. Each of them add a new layer to the plot as it progresses and reaches the climax.
The author has indeed done a lot of research to write about the police procedurals, religious and tantric beliefs, caste system and how people are treated as well as the lives of people in Mumbai, especially those who cannot afford most luxuries. It is devastating to read about their plight and life, but it’s something I believe we can learn from, especially their determination and drive. Another aspect is Tara’s condition and paralysis, how it affects her and those around her, her insecurities, the love of the people who care for her. The author has taken time to focus on these as well as each of the specific relationships in the book. There is a layer to all of it that remains with us even after finishing the book.
Having talked about the characters and various themes of the story, I would also like to comment on the author’s style of writing. The story is very well-written with a flow that will pull the reader in. The words seem to just flow off the page and into the mind of the reader, painting pictures of the events as they unfold and giving us enough perspective to imagine the characters as they move about or interact. This is truly a masterpiece of storytelling and a book I truly enjoyed despite the themes involved.
I highly recommend this book for all fans of Crime Thrillers and Murder mysteries. The Blue Monsoon is one for the shelves and TBRs, this is a must-read!
About the Book:
A high-intensity personal trainer
The secret to Brooks’s success as a Manhattan gym owner? Being motivated to disprove everyone who ever doubted him. So he’s not about to let a perky newcomer like Izzy tarnish his reputation. Even if watching her lead a salsa class on his premises gets his own heartbeat raised…
His beautiful British rival
Every time influencer Izzy slams Brooks in her fitness blog, her book sales soar. But when their escalating media feud forces them to be up-close-and-personal for two weeks, she realizes there’s much more to Brooks than that lean and muscled body.
And a competition that’s got their hearts racing…
Soon Izzy and Brooks are finding all kinds of creative ways to work up a sweat. A passionate workout is easy, but can their rivalry give way to a lasting partnership?
My Thoughts:
Two to Tango is a fun filled rom com that follows Brooks and Izzy as they interact with one another. The story starts off with a rivalry between the two main characters and eventually turns to love.
It was easy to read and follow the story and though quite predictable, it was thoroughly enjoyable. I loved the characters and the close bonds that they share, especially Brooks and his circle of friends. What was unique for me about this story was the career path of the two characters. It was refreshing to read about what they do and the passion that they had for the same was well portrayed by the author. Through many ups and downs, Brooks and Izzy find a common rhythm and understanding, adapting their ways to incorporate the best of both their ideas.
Things do come together in the end and sometimes, it brings out the best! I think this classic enemies to lovers rom com is just what all of us need to come out of a stressful day or just unwind.
About the Book:
Old money. New secrets. One killer party.
Scoring an invitation for membership to the exclusive Legacy Club in New York City is more than an honor. It gives you a lifetime of access to power and wealth beyond any prep school doors and guaranteed safety and security as Legacy Club members always look out for their own. That is, after you make it through a rigorous week of events and the extravagant gala, the Legacy Ball.
So it’s not surprising when Excelsior Prep seniors Bernie Kaplan, Isobel Rothcroft, and Skyler Hawkins are nominated as Legacies; their family pedigrees have assured their membership since birth—even if they’re all keeping secrets that could destroy their reputations. But scholarship kid from Queens Tori Tasso? She’s a surprise nominee, someone no one saw coming. Tori’s never fit in this world of designer bags, penthouse apartments, and million-dollar donations. So what did she do to secure her place?
The night of the Legacy Ball is supposed to be the best night of these seniors’ lives, a night of haute couture, endless champagne, and plenty of hushed gossip.
Everyone expects a night of luxury and excess. No one expects their secrets to come out.
Or for someone to die trying to keep them hidden.
My Thoughts:
A huge thank you to NetGalley, PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group, Razorbill for the eARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.
The Legacies is a book with just the right amount of mystery and intrigue mixed with the drama of the upper class that will draw the reader in right from the beginning. The story is told from different characters’ points of view as well from a neutral stand point. The neutral standpoint focuses on what happened after the ball and on the death of one of the students. This information is not revealed until much later and adds to the mystery of the plot. The rest of the story takes us back to the start of the week where the students nominated to join the club of the elite are made to go through different tasks every day leading up to a presentation in the end.
The story revolves around six kids from Excelsior Prep and how they navigate their induction into the Legacy club. For five of them, it was a no brainer to be nominated, but tori’s nomination was a curve ball that no-one saw coming. The author handles each of the characters quite well, giving us glimpses into who they are and why they do what they do or react the way they do. Each one is as complicated as the next and there are different shades and layers to them which we peel back step by step as the story progresses.
This story brings out the many secrets that are being kept which all culminate in one unexpected end, the death of a student and an unknown reason for it. Only few people know the truth and whether they will tell it or not is what drives the plot. I quite enjoyed reading this book which to some extent reminded me of series like Gossip Girl but it had it’s own twist to it which sets it apart. There is mystery, intrigue, teen drama, some romance and a whole lot of secrets to deal with. I do look forward to reading more books by the author.