Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry

5 Stars

 

REVIEW HAS SPOILERS BE WARNED

 

The gods sent monsters to the five kingdoms to remind mortals they must kneel.

I’ve spent my life kneeling—to their will and to my father's. As a princess, my only duty is to wear the crown and obey the king.

I was never meant to rule. Never meant to fight. And I was never supposed to be the daughter who sealed an ancient treaty with her own blood.

But that changed the fateful day I stepped into my father’s throne room. The day a legendary monster hunter sailed to our shores. The day a prince ruined my life.

Now I’m crossing treacherous lands beside a warrior who despises me as much as I despise him—bound to a future I didn’t choose and a husband I barely know.

Everyone wants me to be something I’m not—a queen, a spy, a sacrifice.

But what if I refused the role chosen for me? What if I made my own rules? What if there’s power in being underestimated?

And what if—for the first time—I reached for it?

I loved this book so much. It was the best slow burn ever. I loved Ransom and Odessa’s banter. I figured out the secret very quickly but still enjoyed the journey to get to the reveal and that reveal was AMAZING. The characters felt fleshed out but still more to learn. Even though the book ends on a cliffhanger it didn’t feel like we were left hanging on everything.

Book 1 Shield of Sparrows

Amazon 

Undeniably Corrupt by J Shamen

3.5 Stars

When my ex leaves me and my little girl penniless, the last person I expect to step in is my childhood sweetheart, Vander Moore.

It's been years since he walked out of my life, and now he's barreling back into it, seeking redemption, and making me an offer I can't refuse--to become his new assistant.

But everything has changed, including him. The broody, sinfully hot bad boy CEO doesn't trust anyone. Especially me.

It isn't long before we're butting heads and fighting at every turn.

He’s a walking red flag. One I need to stay far away from.

Except when life throws me yet another curveball and my daughter and I are forced to move in with him, I start to see the man behind the mask.

And all the tension and heat we've been resisting ignites, consuming us both.

But with each forbidden touch and toe-curling encounter, I give him another piece of my heart.

He says he'll do whatever it takes to keep me and my daughter safe. Even if it costs him everything.

But there are some things even this undeniably corrupt man can't hack his way out of. And it's coming for all of us.

The ending was so rushed. Beyond that I enjoyed the story. Cander was a marshmallow with Liora and her daughter. The interactions between them were fire. They both wanted to protect the other one from all the bad in the world.

Book 7 Boston's Irresistible Billionaires

Amazon 

Beauty and the Boardroom by Elise Faber

3 Stars

I’m not looking for forever.

My gorgeous, billionaire neighbor has decided otherwise.

I’ve been burned by enough bad ex-boyfriends to know that love isn’t in the cards for me. I work hard, keep my head down, and avoid all romantic attachments like the plague.

The only trouble? The infuriating man who lives just down the hall doesn’t seem to understand that.

Jace Henderson is beautiful, rich, and his veneer of perpetual, carefree bachelor is hiding a soft heart.

A possessive heart.

Because he’s decided he wants me.

Not just for one night.

But forever.

And the worst part is…the more time I spend with him, the more I think I want forever too

This one was fine read but a bit too much inst relationship and not enough building. I still enjoyed it a lot. Just wanted a bit more particularly after seeing the FMC in the last book.

Book 2 Eagles Hockey: Oak Ridge Vineyards

Amazon 

 

Restless Ink by Carrie Ann Ryan

3 Stars

Never falling for your best friend's ex-husband is the first rule in keeping your friendship. But just once, Thea Montgomery would like to go on a date that doesn't end in disaster.

Between her family and her bakery, she's on the top of her game. Her personal life, however, is a different story. And getting closer to Dimitri would just make things worse.

Dimitri Carr thought he had it all: a job he loved and a woman who meant the world.

Only in the end, his wife wanted something and someone else.

He knows that starting something with Thea would cross a line, but there's no saying no to the chemistry bursting between them.

Except the moment they finally give into temptation, the danger they thought they could avoid makes itself known. And if they're not careful, finding the love of their lives will the be the last thing they ever do.

I so hated the ex-wife in the book and you’re supposed to. I loved Dimitri and Thea together. They worked well and overcame a lot to get their HEA.

Book 10 Montgomery Ink

Amazon 

Loath to Love You by Ali Hazelwood

3 Stars

Under One Roof

An environmental engineer discovers that scientists should never cohabitate when she finds herself stuck with the roommate from hell—a detestable big-oil lawyer who won’t leave the thermostat alone.

Stuck with You

A civil engineer and her nemesis take their rivalry—and love—to the next level when they get stuck in a New York elevator.

Below Zero

A NASA aerospace engineer's frozen heart melts as she lies injured and stranded at a remote Arctic research station and the only person willing to undertake the dangerous rescue mission is her longtime rival.

Some stories were better than others because there was more backstory to them. I loved the writing style and how the author presented the relationships.

Amazon 

Alpha King’s Second Chance Pregnant Mate by Elara Haze and KA Iris

4 Stars

I had the Alpha King’s baby in secret.

Now fate has dragged me back- and Ryder won’t lose me twice.

Five years ago, he was my first love.

My fated mate. My forever.

Until his family showed me photos of him with another woman… and promised they'd kill me before they let me wear his crown.

So I ran- pregnant, broken, and swearing I would never trust him again.

Now I’m back in our small town, trying to give my son the childhood I never had.

But at parent–teacher night, my little boy stares up at Ryder and asks the one question that tears everything apart:

“Are you my daddy?”

Now the truth is out.

His family still hates me.

The lies that destroyed us still linger.

But Ryder’s eyes tell me one thing-- he’ll burn down anything to claim us.

But do I risk my son’s safety to admit the Alpha King is his father?

Or do I keep fighting the mate bond that refuses to die and the man who is determined to claim what he lost?

I really enjoyed this book. I loved Ryder and Jasmine. Add in their kid and Ryder’s sister the book was good. I did question how the bad guy found them. I also wanted Ryder’s parents to suffer more for their part in the separation.

Book 1 Possessive Small Town Alpha Kings

Amazon 

 

Puck Your Nanny by Sara Vincent

2 Stars

Daisy figured being a beta meant a drama-free life.

No messy mating bonds, and steady work was always easy to find. That all goes out the window when she takes a live-in nanny gig for a hockey player who's suddenly become a single "dad" to his baby half-brother. As if that wasn't enough, his pack includes two other seriously hot alphas. Not that they would be interested in a beta like her. Or so she thinks...

Nate, star forward for the Vipers, is totally in over his head. Baby duty on top of hockey? Yeah, that's a big yikes. Thank goodness for Daisy, who's a natural with the little guy. Plus, she smells amazing, but she's a beta, so it shouldn't mean anything, right? He's only ever felt this kind of pull towards his packmates...

Peter, ex-hockey star with a bum leg and a grumpy attitude, has his walls built up higher than a goalie net. But there's something about Daisy that makes him want to let his guard down. And Calvin, the Vipers' chill goalie, is pretty much smitten from the get-go. Daisy just fits with them, like the perfect puzzle piece.

Turns out, Daisy isn't the beta she thought she was. Nope, she's a late bloomer, and her inner omega is wide awake now, thanks to the three hot alphas she's living with.

The idea was there but the writing was very immature. It felt very high school writing. Add in how quickly things played out it just didn’t work for me.

Book 1 Puck You Omegaverse

Amazon