Knot Without You by Lucy Scott Bryon

2.5 Stars

𝗜’𝗹𝗹 𝗱𝗼 𝗮𝗻𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲, 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗚𝗶𝗿𝗹𝘀.

The instant I saw King I knew he was my scent-matched Alpha, and boy did he drive that point home. The second time I met him was when my bestie, who also happens to be his daughter, introduced us. Yep, that was a plot twist I never saw coming.

My Scorned Girls have always said ‘slots before knots’ but in one night the friendship we share is changed forever by my need for King. Throw in the fact one of his enemies knows about me, it’s little wonder I stop sharing secrets with the girls. When those threats become physical I start lying through my teeth.

I don’t even tell them about Maverick who scents as good as he fights, or the doctor I accidentally claim. Of course those Alphas have deadly secrets of their own.

I know we’re living a dangerous life but the heart wants what the heart wants - and I want to call those Alphas mine. No matter the distance we try to maintain our paths keep crossing and it doesn’t take long to see that nothing is going to stop us packing - not even their Alpha rivalry.

What threatens our future isn’t telling the Scorned Girls, it’s the very reason we’ve had to keep each other a secret.

In the darkness that follows all I can do is hope they didn’t lie when they said we’d be together…because I’m not sure I want to survive, not without them.

She was never a priority for the rest of the pack. It made me so mad that all the guys put Tristan last. It was all little rejections in the pack. Everything was overly complicated between pack members. Not to mention how discombobulated things were because they tried to include things from other books. It’s a rare bad book from this author.

Book 3 Scornedverse

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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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