Never List by Jade Prestley

3.75 Stars

They said the Choosing was a gift.

They never told me I was playing a deadly game.

Four rulers. Monsters cloaked in crowns.

They’re not just powerful—they’re primal.

And now, they want me.

I wasn’t supposed to be part of the Choosing.

I forged my way in, wearing a stranger’s face, chasing whispers of my lost sister.

I planned to seduce. To manipulate. To survive.

But I didn’t plan on them.

The way they watch me like prey.

The way their magic coils around mine like a promise.

The way they say my name like they already own it.

Each man wants to break me in his own way. Take me in his own way. Together? They might unmake me entirely.

One girl. Four princes. No escape. No salvation.

Only pleasure sharp enough to cut.

I found this book interesting. The premise and most of the writing was done well. My biggest issue was the pacing. It seemed like some of the months with the guys were focused on the guys and other times it focused on the issues Rylee had. It was still a fun read and I can’t wait for book two particularly cause this one ended on a cliffhanger.

Book 1 The Never List

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Strictly the Worst by Carrie Elks

3 Stars

Linc Salinger and I have nothing in common. He’s a smooth PR executive; I’m his disciplined office rival.

And he’s just stolen the project I’ve been working on for months.

After tough negotiation I manage to bargain my way back on, but there’s a catch. We have to travel to a tropical island and present to the client together.

Sharing a beach cottage with only one bed, we plan to stay professional. But the island's magic starts to thaw our animosity, sparking unexpected chemistry. Every laugh and touch intensifies our connection.

It’s obvious there’s no future between us.

He’s a confirmed player. And I’m a single mom with a teenage daughter and a home that’s falling down around us.

So I make a bargain with myself. A few nights of pleasure in paradise and then we’ll head back to New York and pretend this never happened.

We can go back to being at each other's throats the way we always have.

The only problem is, Linc doesn’t seem to get the office memo…

 

This was my least favorite book by this author. It was cute and I liked Linc and Tessa. I just really struggled with the overall story. Linc deserved a better story.

Book 5 The Salinger Brothers

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Hunger in His Blood by Zoey Draven

4 Stars

 I’ve loved Kaldur of House Kaalium since the first moment I laid eyes on him. He’s a sinfully charming, lore-smoking playboy with a smile that makes me see stars. As the High Lord of Vyaan, his vast power and wealth extends throughout the entirety of our nation—and he’s as untouchable as he is devastatingly handsome.

Me? I’m a lowly human keeper on his grand estate. An orphan with no family. A dreamer, who lives in the adventure of my own fictional stories. I couldn’t be more beneath his notice or unlike the plethora of pretty, clever socialites who warm his bed.

For two years, he has no idea I even exist…until one afternoon, a tiny cut on my palm changes everything. He discovers that I’m his kyrana, his blood mate. The one female that will sate his vampiric hunger and calm the berserker rages of his race. I thought every dream I’d had was finally coming true—my winged prince finally come.

Until Kaldur breaks my heart so callously, reinforcing every pain and insecurity I’d ever had.

And when he realizes his mistake and sets his mind to winning me back? He’ll have the fight of his life if he thinks I’ll ever give him my heart again.

Kaldur was an idiot throughout this book but does make up for it … eventually. I loved Erina’s sunshine personality and when it gets less so because of him made me so mad and sad. Overall, it was a good story and added to the original series.

Book 3 Brides of the Kylorr

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Ryker by Samantha Lind

3 Stars

After years of trying to get back home to be closer to my daughter, I finally secured a spot on the newly expanded San Francisco Shockwaves.

Juggling being the newly appointed Captain of the team and taking on full-time fatherhood to a teenager sends my life into chaos.

I quickly find myself needing someone who can pick up the pieces and keep my life in order as I certainly can’t do it alone.

I just never thought my savior would be the sexy woman next door- the one I can’t keep my mind or eyes off every chance I get.

This was a perfectly fine hockey book. I liked Ryker and Avery slowly falling for each other. Ryker’s daughter was an amazing side character and brought a lot to the story. The three of them together made a good read. The co-parenting was also a bonus. They worked together to make sure their daughter was happy and well adjusted.

Book 1 San Francisco Shockwaves

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Bone King and Starling by Elizabeth Stephens

4 Stars

They call him the bone king.

A massive, beast of a male who worships the gods and is all too willing to provide them their sacrifices. Human sacrifices. He and his warriors have come to visit Winterbren, a poor little village on the outskirts of Wrath and my home.

I’ve never been more grateful to be a thrall, for my low status will ensure that I remain outside of his notice. But when he requests — nay, requires — a willing female to warm his furs for the duration of his stay, his selection falls to me. All I can do is pray to the gods that I survive the night…

And beg the bone king for mercy.

This book has some very dark elements but was such a good read. You do end up dropping into the story without much world building but you get the gist the more you read. I want more in this world and with these characters. I loved Calai and Starling particularly when she saves him. Again dark themes plus virgin and so much spice.

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Always a Fake Bridesmaid by Carrie Ann Ryan

4 Stars

The moment Ewan McBride entered my life, my world tilted on its axis.

When we part, I promise him I owe him anything for saving my daughter’s life.

What I didn’t expect?

Being his fake date to a wedding—in two days.

It was only supposed to be a favor, but we can’t deny the attraction.

Only he lives a state away and my life is in Colorado with my daughter and the Montgomery's.

This can only be one night that feels all too real.

Yet I know walking away will be the hardest thing I ever do.

This was a short and spicy read. I loved Ewan and Livy. It is an insta love but it works. I so want more details on the wedding drama but that wasn’t what the book was about so I get why it wasn’t included.

Book 1 Clover Lake

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Sing Sweet Nightingale by Rebecca Rennick

4 Stars

Lottie Pickle is known to the world as Alexandria, the famous glittering pop star. But the limelight is starting to burn and the things that once appealed to her as a young aspiring singer no longer shine with the brilliance of newly formed diamonds. Not to mention her overbearing momager who works her to the bone to make hit after hit. In the only way she knows how to escape life in her gilded prison she dawns a disguise and runs away. All the way to the small, quiet, unknown town of Snowberry, Montana. Here she hopes to blend in and enjoy her small piece of sanctuary in the woods. Sanctuary that's interrupted by the town's mayor and-unbeknownst to her-owner of the cabin she's renting. But there's more to the tall dark and handsome Hunter Evans than just being town mayor, he's also a wolf shifter. And that's not all, supposedly she's his mate. What more could a girl have to deal with while hiding from the paparazzi, a controlling mother, and millions of fans? Nothing much, just a blackmailing mob boss elf who wants the town of Snowberry for himself. Caught between the unspoken rules of the non-human world and his need to protect his newly found mate, Hunter must decide; break the rules and keep the girl, or follow the rules and possibly lose his mate and the well-hidden haven they've built for non-humans?

This was such a cute cozy para romantic comedy. I loved every minute of reading it. Has some very spicy parts as well. Hunter and Lottie and the side characters were well written and so loveable. I did want more with the mom getting her due. It ended up feeling like a foot note to the overall story but felt like it was more apart of the story. Will definitely be picking up the next book.

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