Hot Wolf in the City by Honey Phillips

3 Stars

Working 9-to-5 has never been this wild!

Desperate for a fresh start, Julie jumps at a chance to work for the boss of TalkToMe, the country’s fastest growing social network. The job's location, the enigmatic Monster Island, only adds to its appeal - she won’t be tempted to make another foolish mistake.

She didn’t expect her new boss to be the hottest, most tantalizing man she’s ever met - even if he does growl his orders and has an oddly arousing habit of sniffing her.

Derek might be a werewolf residing in the heart of Monster Island, but he sees himself as a businessman rather than a monster. Until his new assistant arrives, awakening all of his most primitive instincts.

He knows she’s human. He knows she’ll never stay. But the need to claim her is growing stronger every day…

Can Julie resist the primal allure of her werewolf boss, or can a beauty really love a beast?

Solid read. Nothing earth shattering happens. Wish there was more world building and character development as it was lacking. I wanted more history with Derek and Julie. The insta love was expected. If you’ve read her other books this lines up with them. It’s part of a multi-author series and I am curious about the other books to see if some of my issues are fleshed out.

Part of Monster Mate Mayhem

Amazon

Promo Yve Vale

✨ Enter a world of magic, mystery, and supernatural beings! ✨

This sizzling paranormal why choose romance will have you spellbound from start to finish. 

Follow Shayla as her wish to be null is shattered, and she’s thrust into a dangerous world of vanishing magic, disappearing supernaturals, and five tempting love interests who will make your heart race.

Are you ready to heat up your reading list?

Hexed: Shadowcraft Academy #1 

https://books2read.com/ShadowcraftAcademy1

Jinxed: Shadowcraft Academy #2

https://books2read.com/ShadowcraftAcademy2

Cursed: Shadowcraft Academy #3

https://books2read.com/ShadowcraftAcademy3

Blessed: Read this bonus novella After the series

https://dl.bookfunnel.com/spmx8dpdo1

Prepare for:

🥰 Fated mates

💔 Rejected mates

🦾 Protective alphas

⚠️ Forbidden romance

🎒 Dark academy vibes

🥵 Steamy scenes (including M/M)

🔍 Mystery and family secrets

Witness the magic of Shadowcraft Academy. Pick up your copy today! 

Content warning: Contains mature themes, bullying, and violence. See Yve Vale’s website for more details.

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Alcott Hall by Emily Rath

3 Stars

The Lady has an offer.

The Vicar has a Confession.

Lady Madeline Blair is on a mission. Her eccentric late aunt left her a small fortune with one condition: to claim it, Madeline must marry by New Year’s Eve…which is now only three weeks away! When she receives an invitation to spend Christmas at Alcott Hall, she sees this as the perfect chance to snag herself an unsuspecting beau. She will be generous with her inheritance, providing him with a comfortable living. All he has to do is agree never to claim his rights as her husband.

Five years ago, Charles Bray left Finchley and never looked back. It was too painful to dwell in the past. So, when duty calls him home, he returns, heart heavy, to a town full of ghosts. Seeking any distraction, he sparks an unlikely friendship with a quiet young lady who makes him a surprising offer too good to refuse.

And then there's John...

I so wanted to love this book but Charles irritated me too much and I wanted Madeline to end up with John. John and her deserved better than Charles waffling behavior. I also had issue with some modern idioms being used. I also remember blowing through the other books and this one I kept putting down. Overall it was just fine.

Book 3 Second Sons

Amazon

Burnt Heart by Mae Pierce

2 Stars

It wasn't a proposal, like I expected. But a break-up.

In the shadowy underworld of Greenich Bay, even my status as the Orazio heir couldn’t shield me from heartbreak. Jesse, Logan, and Briar, the ones I trusted most, shattered me after five years of love. No proposal, just betrayal. Vengeance drove me into the arms of my ex-fiancé, a rival crime family scion.

Let them see how quickly I can move on. They don’t need to know that our arrangement is fake.

But with my life in danger, I am forced to rely on them again. They use the opportunity to beg for my forgiveness. But the pain from their betrayal still smolders. How can one mend a scorched heart?

We broke our girl's heart.

A desperate, last ditch decision severed us from our soulmate. Dark secrets drove us to wound the woman we cherished. Now, we must confront our past to secure our future. When Adelaide becomes a target of a ruthless enemy, determined to end her life, we won’t stop until we earn her back.

Healing a burnt heart is never easy, but our unwavering devotion burns hotter than ever.

I liked the idea of this book but the actual implementation didn’t work for me. The guys majorly screwed up and were forgiven way too fast for what they did. They were stupid and then expected an apology would fix all they broke. That’s all they do is apologize and nothing else. I am going to pass on 2.

Book 1 Toxic Hearts

Amazon

Gargoyle Gripe by Sabrina Cassidy

3 Stars

When your witchy family has lived on Monster Island for generations there’s certain standards to uphold.

Too bad my only claim to magic is being able to heal people through baking. A power my ex-fiancé Brad never fails to give me grief over. After he cheated and left me, I buried myself in pastries. It was better to be alone than to trust my heart to anyone else.

But when Drake, my secret crush, a tall, brooding gargoyle hot enough to stop me in my tracks, comes in for my famous banana bread, I offer to whip him up a batch quickly.

Betrayed by bread, it backfires and creates a temporary matebond between the two of us. Now we have a month of being stuck together—every time we’re more than ten feet away we pass out.

It should have been too claustrophobic having a seven-foot stoic gargoyle following my every step, but Drake is easy going, considerate, and too hot for the tiny kitchen. But my temporary mate is carrying scars from his past and getting him to open up is harder than tempering chocolate in a heat wave.

As the month continues, it’s harder to remember the “temporary” part of the matebond. My quiet life alone now seems lonely, and I can’t forget the feel of Drake’s massive wings wrapped around me.

When Brad resurfaces, demanding I help him or he’ll sabotage my floundering efforts, his threats could blow up everything I’m trying to rebuild.

Because when the month is over, I don’t think I’m going to be able to sever this temporary matebond.

Gargoyle Gripe is a sweet monster romcom about a love forged in cookie dough and bad reality TV shows.

I liked this better than Hot Wolf in the City by Honey Phillips. It felt like a complete story. I still want more world building but this time the characters felt developed. I loved Drake as he was a sweetheart and Evie was also another marshmallow character. They worked together and I want more with them and their friends.

Part of Monster Mate Mayhem

Amazon 

Chasing Goldie by Holly Robards

2.5 Stars

Ever been stuck between an alpha and a hard place?

In a world where mages, faes, and humans coexist, I, Goldie, am taking a stand – swearing off the male species entirely. Ironically, all of them start throwing themselves at me with almost supernatural fervor the minute I make my vow. All except for one man, that is...

When I move into a crumbling Victorian mansion, I didn't know my unexpected inheritance would come with a neighbor who is a rugged alpha bear shifter with an alpha complex.

He also comes with not one, but two baggage-laden brothers and a knack for turning my blood into molten lava. Oh, and did I mention the weird habit of finding myself in one of their beds each morning?

My grumpy neighbor does *not* appreciate my friendly nature, and now we are locked in a heated feud that may bring down the whole house.

As darker threats close in from both our worlds, we'll need to bury the porridge to navigate the fine line between hate, love, and survival.

This book was so slow moving and it felt discombobulated. I also struggled with liking the characters. The ideas was there but wasn’t implemented well. If it was reworked a little bit, it would work so much better. Also maybe because it is book 2 there isn’t a whole lot of world building which led to confusion because even though the description says magical it doesn’t come across that way. I might try another one just to see if it gets better.

Book 2 Lost Girls

Amazon 

Claim and Don’t Tell by Rory Miles

4 Stars

In my world, nothing is more important than finding a pack that’s the perfect scent match.

But what happens when your matches also happen to be forbidden?

Welcome to my personal hell.

My name is Quinn, and I can never have the pack that’s meant for me.

An unexpected turn of events has me out of a job and my apartment in the same week. When my mom and stepdads set off on a tour of the world and ask me to house sit, I can’t say no.

Everything is fine until they show up, needing a place to stay while their condo is remodeled. How am I supposed to get my life together with their scents messing with my head?

They’re everything I shouldn’t want, but the way I respond to them is hard to deny. Good girls don’t kiss and tell… but bad boys just might.

Can I get my life together and make my mother proud, or will I fall into the arms of a forbidden pack?

Meet the pack: Brady, the protective and broody one. Austin, the quiet but possessive one, and Dylan, the wild and dangerous one.

I loved this book. Quinn knows her scent match is her stepbrothers but doesn’t want to ruin her mom’s HEA and decides to not acknowledge them as her mates. The one brother does know but he keeps it from the other ones and that backfires in the best way possible. Love how it all plays out and how their respective parents handle the relationship. It worked out so nicely.

Book 1 Forbidden Scent

Amazon 

Beauty and the Orc by Finley Fenn

1 Star

She was ruined by an orc. Now his enraged ex wants to finish the job…

In a world of orcs and powerful men, Kitty Clarendon is a bubbly, beautiful woman about town — until she’s dumped by her benefactor and thrown onto the streets. And as she’s drowning her sorrows, she meets… an orc.

He’s rash, reckless, and on the rebound — but his laugh is contagious, his touch warm and wicked. And for one perfect, forbidden night, he’s all Kitty’s darkest dreams come true…

But by morning, there’s only shame. Regret. And the orc quickly makes his escape, abandoning Kitty to a devastating discovery…

She’s been compromised. With his… orcling.

But the orc never returns, and Kitty is left ill, impoverished, and hopeless. Until finally, another orc finds her. Varinn, of Clan Grisk.

The first orc’s best friend.

And… his very recent ex.

Varinn can’t hide his jealousy, or his bitter, broken rage — but he refuses to leave Kitty behind. And soon she’s under his stern supervision, and on her way to Orc Mountain. Back to the orc who so cruelly spurned her. The orc who’s been losing his own battles, and still longs for Varinn’s firm handling… and his heart.

And can Kitty bring two hostile, heartbroken orcs back together, for her orcling’s sake? Or will they break her own heart, too?

This book never ended. It was so long and repetitive with no forward movement in the story. I hated how passive Kitty was and let herself be abused by everyone. Varinn was just a dick and the other was so troubled. The one who was troubled was an addict and that was handled nicely in the book. Overall, this was by far the worst book in the series.

Book 8 Orc Sworn

Amazon 

Andorra Sector by Lexi C Floss

2 Stars

Katriana Cardona

My life ended the moment the X-Clan found me.

Bitten.

Turned.

And claimed by him.

My genetic markers label me as a rare omega. But inside, I'm all female alpha. And I will not heel. Not even to the Alpha of Andorra Sector.

Ander Cain promises me protection.

A new world of pleasure and pain.

But he wants all of me in return.

Even if it means taking me by force.

I'll be damned if I give up my inner fight. I spent the last twenty years battling the walking dead. These wolves won't know what hit them when I'm through.

Ander Cain

My life began the moment I found her, my darling little mate. She's the force of nature Andorra Sector needs to give us hope for a future. A reason to keep going and to protect our lands from the zombie infestation beyond.

Yet she refuses to play by our rules.

Born in a time where humans will do anything to survive, she's not used to the pack hierarchy or the laws our kind abides by. Oh, but she'll learn. And I'll thoroughly enjoy being the one to train her.

Katriana Cardona can fight me all she wants, but in the end, she will be mine. Whether she submits or not.

This story was an interesting concept by MMC was a dick throughout and he didn’t grovel enough to earn the forgiveness of FMC. He changes her into an omega against her will and then without explaining anything to her just expects her to follow the rules. I was so mad throughout this book. I loved the writing style and the concept so I will try another one.

Book 1 X-Clan

Amazon

Promo Cover Reveal Yve Vale

💜 Enchanting Her Monsters Cover Reveal! 💜

Prepare to be swept away by the thrilling finale of Yve Vale’s Bewitching Monsters series. 

When the hot guys from the bar revealed their hidden monsters, I was stunned and intrigued. A world of magic exploded, and I found myself tangled in a dangerous mystery. ️ 🔎

As if that wasn’t enough, it turns out I'm a witch, too! 🪄 This, I did not expect! 😲

My magic may be the key, but my heart is at stake. It aches for them. I can't turn away from these monsters who've become… something more. Now, the biggest challenge might be convincing them to see me, the real me, before it's too late! 💜

Pre-order Enchanting Her Monsters and get ready to escape into a world of magic, monsters, and sizzling romance! 🥵

https://books2read.com/bewitchingmonsters3

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Echo by Seven Rue

1 Star

No one would be looking for me.

Or so I thought.

I ran away from the vile man my mother left me with, hoping to start over again in a different town.

But deep in the Alaskan wilderness, where I chose to run off to, there wasn’t a place I could settle down.

After days of walking and getting lost, I found shelter in a cabin, far away from civilization.

Until one day, they arrived.

Three brothers, one stronger and more complex than the other. They let me stay, and the more time that past, the closer I got to each of them. I soon realized that all three had an effect on me, and I couldn’t deny the feelings I felt when I was around them.

Our bond grew strong, and before leaving the cabin to go home with them, they promised me to keep me safe forever. But when the two people I wanted to leave behind came looking for me, promising me to be a family again, I had to decide if I wanted to spend the rest of my life with them, or the three men who took care of me.

I struggled with this book. Between her and the guys ages plus how sheltered she was it was a whole lot of ick. Add in how FMC was tracked it all made 0 sense. It is a skip for me.

Book 1 Echo

Amazon

Hearts of Stone by Sam Hall

4 Stars

These four gargoyles tell me I’m their fated mate.

That they’re sworn to protect me.

That they’ll do anything to keep me safe.

And if I agree to become theirs?

They’ll spend every night anticipating my every wish and making sure every single one of them come true.

Including the ones I don’t dare admit, even to myself.

But if the gargoyles can perform miracles for me, they can do that for others,

And that puts a target on all of our backs.

People have been trying to harness the power of the gargoyles for centuries,

And now that I’ve awakened them, our enemies won’t stop until all of us fall under their control.

I really enjoyed this one but was left wanting more at the end of the book. It felt unfinished. I want more in this world and more with the gargoyles. Plus all the magical beings need their due. I also figured out the bad guy well before the ending but it was still a good read to get to the end.

Amazon Amazon 

Pirate Witch by Marie Mistry

4 Stars

My name is Nilsa.

I am the last living Shadow.

Mate to six broken immortal pirates.

And now the world knows.

For centuries, the Eagle of Galmere has been butchering the other races to create the Mortal Cure, an elixir that gives her the illusion of immortality. The human queen’s obsession with living forever has crippled empires, maimed countless innocents, and enslaved hundreds more—including my men.

I'm the only one capable of ending her blood soaked reign, but what if the cost is far worse than we'd ever imagined?

This is one of the best series I’ve read lately. It flowed nicely and the characters were well written. I loved the give and take between FMC and her men. The solution for taking out the evil queen was amazing but one scene broke my heart but it was needed for reasons. Would love to see some of the secondary characters stories.

Book 3 Deadwood

Amazon 

Alpha of Bleake Isle by Kathryn Moon

 

4 Stars

He's waited half a century to choose an omega.

Lord Ronson Cadogan can stall no longer. He needs an omega and he needs an heir.

Settled on the obvious perfect choice, and determined to see his fate through, Ronson can't afford to wait for the next ceremony to claim what he is owed. If only he was more excited about the match.

They call her the mouse.

Mairwen Posy knows precisely who the Alpha of Bleake Isle will choose, and it certainly isn't her. In fact, it's so predictable it's almost boring.

Resigned to her fate of disappearing into the background, Mairwen takes the role of observer, distracting the ache of being left out with the entertainment of dragonkin society's unfolding stories.

All is as expected, until the sudden twist in a familiar plot sends Mairwen in the least likely direction, right into the arms of the alpha.

I loved this take on alpha and omega. I loved Mairwen and Ronson. Mairwen was overlooked by everyone including Ronson until he realized she was the best option. The getting there was an interesting read. I loved how they connected and the journey they take to get their HEA. I loved Ronson’s right hand man and so want him to find his forever woman and be blocked as much as he blocked Ronson from having Mairwen. Can’t wait for more books.

Book 1 Dragonkin

Amazon 

Liar Witch by Marie Mistry

4 Stars

My name is Nilsa.

I am the Shadow of the Moon.

Born to end the life of the Eagle of Galmere.

And I have failed.

Ever since I left my pirates, things have gone from bad to worse. Now, stuck in the darkest part of the Claw—the mine that serves as a prison for supernaturals and humans alike—there's no way to return the sea and the men I've slowly begun to trust.

Instead I'm forced down into the depths of the earth, where ancient things lurk in dark, forgotten places. The key to my freedom is in dubious alliances with dangerous creatures. The only thing we have in common; we want to kill the Queen.

When I'm finally reunited with my pirates, will we be able to find my final mate and end the Queen's vile reign? Or will their vow to her and my secrets ruin everything?

Starts right where book 1 ended. You get way more information on everyone and why they are the way they are. There is so much movement in the story. It was a good read and I loved how things played out. Again, it ends with a complete story but more to come with the conclusion.

Book 2 Deadwood

Amazon