Forbidden Freshman by Katy Archer

3 Stars

He lost a bet, now it's no girls for a month… until he meets a sassy freshman who just might be the girl of his dreams...

What can I say? I got cocky. One drunken bet and now I've gotta go girl-free for a whole frickin' month.

A bet's a bet, though, and now I have to man-up and take it… but it's gonna be impossible after last night. Ever since I saved that sassy, little freshman from a carload of sleaze bags, she's been under my skin. It's not just the fact she's a hottie. It's more about the fact that she didn't bat her eyelashes or flirt with me. If anything, she insulted me to my face and told me she could take care of herself.

And now I'm hooked. I couldn't get enough of that tomboy trash talk and now I want to know everything about her… including the secret I'm sure she's hiding. But I need to steer clear, right? I can't go falling for some girl and reneging on this bet. The consequences could get me kicked off the team… but there's something so addictive about this girl.

I have to have her. I have to make her mine.

This was fine but it too to long to get anywhere. I am all for the slow build up to the book but at some point you have to move the plot along and this book took it’s sweet time. I loved the concept that Ethan had to give up woman because he lost a bet just to find his forever in Mikayla. The biggest issues they had could have been resolved with a conversation but that would have been too easy. Overall it was fine just not my favorite book.

Book 1 Nolan U Hockey

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Gold Digger by Susie Tate

3 Stars

He’s a billionaire Duke, he owns a good ten per cent of the UK, and he’s been voted Britain's Sexiest Aristocrat, but Oliver Harding still doesn’t know what to do about the massive crush he has on his cleaner. Lottie’s clumsy and really crap at her job, but her laugh is infectious, her smile lights up the room, she’s insanely good at chess, and he can’t stop thinking about her.

Aware of the power imbalance, he sets out to make her his, and he thinks he’s getting somewhere until she seriously betrays his trust. So now he tells himself he hates her, and he makes sure everyone knows it. But once Ollie realizes that his privilege and self-absorption have made him entitled and completely blind, he’s determined to win Lottie back. A fake engagement might be a bit extreme, but his family had been getting its way for five hundred years, and the Duke of Buckingham was no different from his ancestors.

Lottie’s life is a struggle. She’s had to fight for everything since going into foster care at the age of twelve. The Duke of Buckingham, wouldn’t understand struggle if it smacked him in the face. He’s got money and family coming out of his ears; she has twenty quid in her current account and no family other than her traumatized, selectively mute eight-year-old little sister, whom Lottie is determined to keep safe.

She doesn’t have time for handsome Dukes with silver tongues. So she tells herself she’s not heartbroken when he turns on her like she knew he would, putting everything she worked so hard for in jeopardy. She needs to concentrate on survival. But Lottie underestimates just how charming Ollie can be. Or what a formidable opponent his centuries-old, innate arrogance makes him.

Oliver was a raging asshole throughout this book and doesn’t really do anything to redeem himself at all. Lottie is just trying to make ends meet and maybe get a head while raising her sister and he assumes a lot. He learns the truth and still defaults to she must be after me for money. He’s so degrading to her and doesn’t change or redeem himself. I’ve loved all of Ms. Tate’s books and this one just seemed like he was just being cruel. It was one that I put down several times and I struggled to finish it. Here’s hoping her next one hits better for me.

Amazon 

Bridezillas and Billionaires by Alina Jacobs

4 Stars

You ever have one of those really terrible days at work?

You know, where the maid of honor accuses the bride of cheating on the groom with the best man AND the groom’s father?

No? Welp...

Welcome to life as a wedding planner for the rich and entitled of Manhattan. I’ve seen it all—from the nastiest bridezilla to the most overindulged billionaire.

And Evan is the worst.

Tall, dark, and handsome, he has a ridiculously ripped body under his formal suit and runs a massive hedgefund that’s actively making the world a worse place.

I don’t even feel sorry for him when he walks away from the altar in a daze.

Well, maybe a little bit.

Enough that I now have a billionaire holed up in my teeny tiny apartment.

I regret it immediately.

My violently antisocial cat has welcomed him like a long lost brother, Evan’s half-naked six-foot-five frame is sprawled across my bed, and he’s eaten all of my lasagna.

A day and an epic screaming match later, he’s out on the street, and I have my high-stress, lonely life back.

But I can’t worry about a billionaire’s hurt feelings.

After all I have a business to run and bridezillas to corral.

But when I go to meet with my latest bride, guess-who is there smirking at me.

Evan’s decided he’s ready to move on from the cheating witch.

Who does he want as his rebound?

Me.

But I am immune to Evan’s obnoxious displays of wealth and his piercing blue eyes.

These panties are staying firmly on.

Mostly.

Except for that one time.

But it’s not like anyone’s falling in love right? Right?!

I really enjoyed the give and take between Evan and Ivy. The book itself is pure chaos with how it starts and Evan basically moves in with Ivy. She doesn’t want him there until she does. There is heartache and love and it was just a super cute read. Will definitely be picking up more books in the series.

Book 1 Weddings in the City

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Knot and Cold by RK Pierce

2 Stars

One omega's biggest mistake is about to become a Christmas miracle.

A fresh start in a new city is exactly what Danity finds when she moves several hours from home, but what she doesn't count on is the colder weather...or the freak snowstorm that leaves her stranded in the middle of town.

Forced to take shelter in a tattoo shop, Danity finds herself trapped with three sexy alphas and one gorgeous, intriguing omega. It's not ideal, but with nowhere else to go, she has to grin and bear the imperfect circumstances.

Will they all survive being snowed in together? Or will the heat between them leave them burned?

I knew this was a short story going into it but I still feel you need a complete story and this didn’t feel like it. It needed to be fleshed out more than it was. It felt like the book ended just as it was getting started. If this continues into one of the other honeyverse books than it needs to clearly say that. Overall, there are better omegaverse books out there that are full stories that I love and this isn’t one I will remember in a couple of months.

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Surprise Mother Pucker by Melissa Huxley

4 Stars

He was a one-night stand, and I’m their pregnant omega… again!?
It wasn’t meant to be anything more than a wild night. A little drinking. A little romp. Not a baby and an alpha baby daddy I can’t find, despite my best efforts.
A year and a half later, I’m a single mother out on the dating scene, falling for another alpha—Eli—and hoping his pack welcomes me when the time comes. If they are anything like him, willing to accept me and all my baggage, I may be one lucky omega.
But it turns out our meeting was anything but luck…
One surprise leads to another, and there he is, in all his glory—baby daddy number one, the man I never thought I’d see again. He’s unprepared for what I had waiting for him, causing my anxiety to build by the second.
I had so little time in my happy bubble with Eli, where the perfect life was taking form in more ways than one. And now, it could all fall into shambles… or maybe these alphas are ready to shock me once again.

I loved this book so much. Eli and most of the other guys in the pack are amazing. Kennedy was the right balance of sweet and strong. My biggest gripe was with Storm not really seeking redemption for ghosting her and giving her his pack mates name. The other problem was the drama outside the pack was rushed. She’s suspended from school and bam resolved. I wanted a little bit more with this because it was so detrimental to Kennedy and her family but it felt glossed over. Still loved the book and can’t wait for another one.

Book 3 Pucking Pregnant

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Rejected and Pregnant by the Alpha King by Via Thorn; Knotted by the Alphas by Via Thorn

2 Stars for both

Rejected and Pregnant by the Alpha King

I spent a night with the alpha king

Then he got me pregnant, rejected me, and left me for another.

I attended alpha king’s ball as a disgraced beta.

But Imagine my surprise when at the party, I come across the man of the hour himself, Aiden Summers.

Our eyes lock, and an unexpected mating bond snaps into place.Aiden and I share a hot night together, and all signs point to our union.

Then I find out I'm pregnant, and Aiden seems to have moved on with another woman.

I have a choice to make:

Do I confront Aiden and his soon-to-be Luna?

Do I leave the Andromeda Pack, disgraced and alone?

Or do I accept the proposed alliance of the alpha king of the south, allowing him to become my ally and maybe something more…

Knotted

I was rejected and left for dead

Until three alphas rescued me.

Now they want me to give them a baby.

In their pack, omegas are breeders.

And to survive, I have to become one.

Especially when my first heat is coming...

The only way to escape my past and secure my future is to be with them.

Ryder—the forbidden alpha’s son.

Kian—the sexy, violent killer.

Axel—the ruthless pack hunter.

I want them all.

But the problem is- they're forbidden, and no one tells me why.

I’m a lowly omega, raised as a pariah and despised by all.

I want a life with them.

But my old alpha is hunting me down-

And my dangerous past threatens to destroy everything.

Can I convince my alphas to claim me as their mate?

Or will I be rejected by them all when they find out what I'm hiding?

Reviewing together because it is the same comments for both books. These two books are set in a shared world and they don’t match with what the other books do. Which makes it a confusing read since I went in expecting certain things because shared world. I not only was disappointed by this but I also didn’t like the author’s writing style and just overall didn’t enjoy them. This is so disappointing as I love rejected mates.

Book 4 and 8 Forbidden Alpha Kings

Packed in the Penalty Box by Melissa Huxley

4 Stars

Molly always pictured herself as a one alpha kind of omega.

University life suited her: books and quiet evenings with her bunny were just fine, if a bit boring. Packs were messy, and she just needed to finish school, settle down with a nice alpha, and live her comfortably-ever-after.

That had been the plan, before her best friend dragged her to a chaotic hockey game and threw a wrench in everything.

When action on the ice takes an unexpected turn, #58 - Grayson Wood - comes crashing through the boards—and right through Molly’s dreams of a quiet life.

Banned from the American NHL for solving one too many problems with his fists, the bad-boy alpha holds a dangerous appeal that Molly is powerless to resist.

That is until Grayson’s ex-teammate arrives with a revelation that might just put their dreams on ice. There’s more to Molly’s new boyfriend than meets the eye: he’s not a lone alpha at all. Now her roster might be bigger than she bargained for.

Can Grayson make the save, or is it game over for their budding relationship?

I adored this book. They had such a cute meet up. I loved how Molly connected with Grayson throughout. The groveling his pack had to do to win Molly over was so good to read. Overall, if you like hockey and omegaverse this is a really good read.

Book 1 Pucking Alphas

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When She Needs Them by Jillian West

4 Stars

Chelsea never expected that she would have to move at nearly nine months pregnant. Then again, she never imagined she’d lose her daughter’s father while she was busy baking their baby, either. Heartbroken and distraught over being harassed by a disgruntled family member, she packs up and moves across Virginia with no assistance.
Arden, Lincoln, and Kase run the Blacksburg office of Shadow Security. Their instincts won’t allow them to ignore their heavily pregnant new neighbor. After all, protecting people is how they’ve made their living. Well, that and the off-the-books contracts no one will ever know about, but this mission calls for a different kind of finesse.
With her due date only weeks away and still reeling from the loss of her daughter’s father, will Chelsea be able to let her walls down long enough to let anyone in? Or will danger catch up before her neighbors can convince her they won’t let her down?

This was a super cute read. I enjoyed how all in Arden, Lincoln, and Kase were with Chelsea. They just wanted to take care of her and make sure she and the baby were ok. The big bad was meh but the rest of the story was so good. I can’t wait for the guys’ bosses story because whatever it is, it’s going to be good.

Amazon 

Falling for the Forward by Brenda Rothert

2.5 Stars

Suki Brennan is broke. After she co-signed several hefty loans for her ex’s business, he fled the country and left her working two jobs to pay his bills.
So when her new boss, a sulky pro hockey player who recently became the guardian of his three nieces, proposes a deal to help him secure permanent custody of the girls, she agrees.
If Suki fake marries Carter Stanton for one year, and pretends to be his doting wife, she’ll get half a million dollars and a clean divorce at the end. Not only will the money pay off all her debts, she’ll be able to help the girls she already adores settle fully into their new lives.
It’s a foolproof plan. At least, it seems like it. As Suki grows closer to Carter and his nieces, though, her feelings for them become very real. But does her brooding boss feel the same?

This is the first in a series. It didn’t feel like that. I have missed a couple of her newer books so this might be a spin off of another series but it doesn’t say that. I literally stopped reading multiple times to double check because I was lost. It felt like we were dropped into the middle of the story and I am missing things. It led to a lot of confusion plus just not connecting to the story/characters. If this is truly book one it needs to be fleshed out so that the book matches the description. Overall, it was a massive miss for me by an author I normally love.

Book 1 Love on the Line

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Pestilence by Laura Thalassa

4 Stars

They came to earth—Pestilence, War, Famine, Death—four horsemen riding their screaming steeds, racing to the corners of the world. Four horsemen with the power to destroy all of humanity. They came to earth, and they came to end us all. When Pestilence comes for Sara Burn’s town, one thing is certain: everyone she knows and loves is marked for death. Unless, of course, the angelic-looking horseman is stopped, which is exactly what Sara has in mind when she shoots the unholy beast off his steed. Too bad no one told her Pestilence can’t be killed. Now the horseman, very much alive and very pissed off, has taken her prisoner, and he’s eager to make her suffer. Only, the longer she’s with him, the more uncertain she is about his true feelings towards her … and hers towards him. And now, well, Sara might still be able to save the world, but in order to do so, she'll have to sacrifice her heart in the process.

Four horseman of the apocalypse how could it not be a bit on the dark side. There were a lot of dark moments but I enjoyed the story. It flowed nicely. I loved the struggle Sara is dealing with where she’s falling for him but she doesn’t want to. She doesn’t want people to die but then when it is between people and Pestilence she has to choose. I know some people were saying this book is spicy romance but I would say it’s about 2.5/3 on the spice. I don’t know if I just read super spicy books so when people say it’s spicy I expect a lot of spice and this didn’t have that at all. Saying that I don’t care if it wasn’t spicy I just liked the book. Can’t wait to read the next one.

Book 1 Four Horseman

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Briar by Evelyn Flood

3.5/4 Stars

My life has already been mapped out. Every milestone, every important moment, clearly defined and placed into a pretty little box, courtesy of my father and my apparent fiancé.

They want me to be perfect. They want me to fold, over and over, until there’s nothing left of me but what they tell me I should be.

When River, Jenson and Kai stroll into my life, it feels like a detonation. As though my veins are alight with fire. For the first time in my life, I’m awash with feeling.

But then they offer me a deal. It’s indecent. It’s wrong. It goes against everything I’ve ever been told.

But if it’s so wrong… why is being theirs the first time in my life that I’ve felt right?

I waffle on the rating for only one reason. I wanted a better formed ending. It felt incomplete. I loved the book. The smexy time was different but well done. Not a normal kink I’ve read before but it was handled well. The backstory with the guys and Briar was really well plotted out and I loved learning about all of it. The conflict between the Briar, her dad, and her sort of fiancé was engaging. What fell flat was the ending. I didn’t feel like we got enough of what happened with Briar’s dad. It’s left open ended and I want to know he got what he deserved. The sort of fiancé definitely did. Will read more by her.

Book 4 Forbidden Fairytales

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Bonded by Thorns by Elizabeth Helen

2 Stars

Four beastly princes. One awkward bookworm. An enchanted world of fae, magic, and danger.

I've always loved fairytales. I never imagined I'd actually be in one.

When my father wanders into the enchanted realm of the fae, I know I have to go after him. And when he gets imprisoned, I'll do anything to save him... Even trade my freedom for his. I had no idea I'd end up imprisoned by four fae princes who turn into beasts at night.

I have to win my freedom, and that means making a bargain with them. They must find their mates in order to break the curse. If I can help them do that, they'll set me free. Sounds simple, right?

It's not. Because against my better judgment, I'm starting to fall for these beastly princes. One is smart and sweet, the other mysterious and deadly, another flirty and confident, and the last prince... He's handsome, strong, has a wicked temper, and is dead-set against breaking the curse. Why does he want to keep me here forever?

But it's not just my freedom on the line. If I don't break the princes' curse soon, all the magic in the Enchanted Vale will be stolen by the evil—and stupidly hot—Prince of Thorns. And I'm not letting my princes stay cursed.

Not after I've fallen in love with them.

I wanted to like this one but I just couldn’t get into it. It moved at a snails pace. In addition to a pacing issue the book is literally beauty and the beast with 4 guys. This made the pacing issue more glaringly obvious. The writing was fine and I might give other books by this author a chance to see if they are better.

Book 1 Beasts of the Briar

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Siren’s Hunt by Sedona Ashe

3 Stars

After centuries spent in suspended animation, I’m hangry.

They've sent a team of sexy men to hunt me down… Let them come.

Thanks to a protective spell gone wrong, I'm what the world calls a ‘siren’.

Yep, you heard me right. I’m a siren. The lost princess of Atlantis. During the horrific battle between light and darkness, as Atlantis sank beneath the waves, I was caught in some crazy magic that changed my body and put me down for a really long nap. The humans, still greedy as ever, woke me up when they stumbled on an energy source near the heart of my home.

I battled alongside my Atlantean brothers and sisters as evil spread like a plague from city to city. We fought bravely, but in the end, I lost everything.

I have nothing left to lose.

That same darkness has continued to take over the world while I slept. My mission is to cleanse the world of evil, so I need to get busy.

It is easy to find the men with blackened hearts and drag them to their watery graves beneath the sea. But it isn’t long before the disappearances are noticed, and I go from hunter to hunted.

Cleansing the world of evil takes a lot out of a siren. So, when the three good-hearted men cross my path, I’m ready to make them bad. I just need to figure out how things work with my new anatomy…

I normally love Ashe’s books but this one needed work. There was no world building so we’re dropped in and I feel like we are missing so much information. About halfway through the story picks up and it starts to get really goo until it abruptly ended. All of the books are out and I will be seeing what the rest of series brings. Just need a break from it for right now.

Book 1 Royal Storm of Atlantis

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My Ex-Boyfriend’s Brothers by Rebel Bloom

3 Stars

Getting over your ex by getting under someone new is normal.

Getting with your ex's three brothers while planning his wedding? That's next-level chaos.

I'm Maggie, and according to my ex, I'll never be "perfect" enough. Too curvy, too messy, too… me. So when he asks me to plan his wedding, I should've said no. Instead, my bank account screamed yes—and now I'm stuck planning his perfect day alongside his three sinfully HOT older brothers.

There's Jackson, the tattooed bad boy whose touch makes my common sense vanish. Luke, the broody billionaire who gets everything he wants. And Ryan, the globe-trotting charmer whose dimpled grin makes me burn up in places that would scandalize the mother-of-the-bride.

I swore I'd keep things professional. Really, I did. But when Jackson pins me against the venue wall, Luke's late-night meetings turn unprofessional, and Ryan's pre-wedding photoshoot ends with me in my birthday suit... Let's just say my ex's wedding is the least of my problems. Between hiding hickeys from my ex, becoming besties with his bride-to-be, and trying to remember which brother left which mark, I'm in way over my head.

And if my groom-zilla ex finds out? I could lose more than just my career—I could lose the three men who finally make me feel like I'm everything.

This had pretty solid writing. I loved the guys until they believed the lie. Maggie deserved better than the guys who would believe their dick of a brother knowing all the stuff he got up too. They figure it out eventually but it takes too long. Overall it was fine.

Book 1 Ex Marks the Spot

Amazon

Promo: Elizabeth Stephens

Superheroes Need PR By Elizabeth Stephens | May 27, 2025

He’s a villain looking for a hero rebrand. She’s the marketing genius who can make it happen in this fantastical romantic comedy by the author of the Beasts of Gatamora series.

Over two decades ago, forty-eight young, gifted superheroes fell to Earth and were eventually marketed as opposing brands: heroes and villains. Now, one exceptionally gruff bad guy is looking to hop teams. Hello, PR director Vanessa Theriot.

His real name is Roland Casteel a.k.a. the Pyro. First, swap that with the less incinerating the Wyvern. Next, put him in spandex to highlight that near-godlike body. Finally, give that hero in training a heroine—if Vanessa will play the part in a pretend romance guaranteed to make the city swoon. She’s game. As shy as Vanessa is, it’s her job to be Roland’s very own Lois Lane. Who knew that fake dating would change their worlds?

But falling head over heels for real makes for a dangerous shift in the narrative. A monstrous supervillain is bringing out Roland’s bad side again. This time, it’s to save a woman who, against all the odds, is becoming the human love of his superhero life.

About the Author

Elizabeth Stephens is the author of Dark City Omega and Shadowlands Omega in the Beasts of Gatamora series. She has been living in a fantasy world since she wrote her first sci-fi story when she was eleven, and she still often gets lost in places that don’t exist. With a growing backlist of over fifteen titles, her work is best known for its diverse casts, tough heroines, wacky world-building, and villains—or beasts—who get the girl in guaranteed happily-ever-afters. When she isn’t tip-tap-typing away, you might find her enjoying the outdoors of the Pacific Northwest or traveling and making adventures of her own with her husband, tiny human, and doggo, King Louis. For more information, visit www.booksbyelizabeth.com.

All Superheroes Need PR

by Elizabeth Stephens

Montlake | May 27, 2025| 302 pages

https://books2read.com/allsuperheroesneedpr

Trade Paperback Original | ISBN 9781662523397

$3.99 Kindle e-Book | ASIN B0DJTBBNQX

$30.09 Digital Audio | ISBN 9781511350105

Choose the Bear by Sam Hall

4 Stars

I met a man and a bear in the woods, and I chose the bear.

Not just one either, but three hot bear shifters.

No sooner had I escaped my awful ex when a creepy stranger advances on me in the woods. I’m alone, exposed, vulnerable… until three massive men come charging out of nowhere to save me.

And when the creepy stranger turns scary stalker, they insist on sticking around to offer their protection.

It feels too good to be true, having them appear just when I needed them and having them offer everything I’ve always wanted. So I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop. For these three men to reveal themselves to be monsters as well.

But what if the scariest thought of all is one day losing them? What if I didn’t get to choose the bears, because they’ve already chosen me?

This was an interesting take on Man vs bear and I am all for it. Imogen was in an abusive relationship but he wasn’t the actual bad guy in this book. Which was all sorts of weird. We don’t get much with him after the first couple of chapters. There were a couple of things I wanted fleshed out more but overall it was a good story and I liked how the bad guy was handled.

Book 6 Ursa Shifters

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Knot Their First Rodeo by AJ Shirley

2 Stars

Genesis. Genesis Valentine knows exactly what she wants out of life. As a decorated journalist, she is determined to tell stories that matter, and to make a difference in the world. Unfortunately, as an unbonded omega, she’s considered a liability in the field. If she wants to take her career to the next level, she has to show her editor that she can get her scent under control. And that means taking on a pack, at least temporarily.

At almost thirty, Genesis should’ve been bonded years ago, but she refuses to be a slave to societal expectations or even biological needs. She has no interest in being owned by a bunch of alphaholes who would try to control her life and interfere with her plans. So, when she’s matched with a temporary pack of widowed alphas who have no intention of mating again, Genesis knows she’s found the perfect solution to all her problems. However, when she meets the handsome pack of silver foxes, Genesis quickly realizes she might’ve gotten more than she bargained for.

Orlando. Orlando Rossi has built a perfect life. His business is wildly successful, and his packmates’ artistic and farming ventures are equally impressive. They have a beautiful home and more money than they can spend. Perfect.

Except for the gaping hole where their omega used to be. In the decade since her death, Orlando has done everything he can to get Pack Rossi back on their feet. They’ve come so far, but he knows something is still missing.

When they take on a smart, feisty temporary omega who smells like heaven, Orlando knows immediately that everything is about to change. Unfortunately, both Genesis and Orlando’s packmates are stubborn, strong-willed, and set in their ways. Is it too late to find love again, or will Genesis be the fresh start they didn’t know they needed?

It was a good idea but all of the characters irritated me. The FMC was too young for the MMCs. Age gaps are not normally a problem but she was a very young acting character while they were very old acting characters. They had lived a full life while she was just starting. It also didn’t feel like they had worked through their trauma. All of this led to it being a miss for me.

Book 3 Knotty Omegas

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Knotting Before Them by Amy Oliviera

3 Stars

I never thought it was in a remote cabin that I’d meet fate...

I need a win. I lost my parents, lost my inspiration and now it’s time to prove myself. Without a plan B I fly to Switzerland in search of an answer.

And it’s in a remote village that I meet Theo, Noah and Wylder. They know more about me than I know myself and when heat hits me like a wall of bricks I have them to help me through.

I thought I was no one, but to these three-mountain man I am everything.

Now my time here is running out and I’m wondering if I finally found my place in the world.

This was a short and sweet book. It left me wanting more background and character development. I loved the writing style and the overarching story but just wanted more.

Book 1 Lost Omegas

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Liminal by Marie Mistry

3 Stars

My necromancy-practising murderers never expected me to rise again.

I was just the latest in a long line of gullible sacrifices to ensure their continued control over the Arcanaeum, so it shocked everyone when I woke up as a ghost and kicked them out.

For centuries now, I’ve faithfully carried out my self-appointed duties as the Librarian. I keep the vast halls of magical knowledge organised, fight the mad whims of the sentient—and interfering—building, and deal with the incessant demands of our patrons.

I have all the books and solitude I could ever want, the ability to redecorate whenever I get bored, and I can banish arcanists who refuse to follow my rules.

But the Arcanaeum has started acting out, especially when it comes to six particular patrons, all of whom want something from me.

Jasper and Dakari need my protection, but Pierce isn’t above threatening me ensure I give them both up. There’s no rule Galileo and North won’t break to get into the secret vault. And then there’s Lambert, who seems to exist for no reason other than to vex me with his smiles and... hugging.

Inconvenient, given that every time they touch me, my ghostly body cracks and breaks like glass.

To keep the Arcanaeum safe, I might just have to put my trust in all of them, but what if the cost of the building’s safety is my destruction?

I’ve loved all of Marie Mistry’s books but this one took a minute to get into. It is the first in a series so there is a lot of building going on. Once I got into it I loved the story. It was a nice set up for a new series and I can’t wait to see where it is going and how it all will play out. I mean who can hate a book set in a library with the FMC being a librarian. With everything setup I am sure I will love the rest of the series.

Book 1 Arcanaeum

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Cross the Bear by Sam Hall

4 Stars

When your boyfriend is a dud, but his brother and his pack are your perfect match…

“You’re our fated mate,” Bjorn tells me.

It’s every woman’s fantasy, isn’t it? To hear a big, tattooed bear shifter tell you that you’re the only one for him and his sleuth.

So why aren’t I falling all over myself to accept the bond?

Sounds great, but I’m not ready to be anyone’s girlfriend, mate, anything. My selfish ex left me hurt, exhausted, and burned out. I just want to have a little fun for once—not hook up with his hot brothers.

Rather than take “no” for an answer, these sexy shifters offer me a proposal.

If I surrender control to them, they’ll give me all the pleasure I crave.

Take me places I’d never dare go.

Fix my life, my heart… even my trust issues.

No strings attached, of course.

But if there are no strings, how do they keep pulling me closer and closer?

And what will happen when I no longer want to back away?

I’m about to find out whether this is a match made in heaven, or this relationship is another cross to bear.

I think this is my favorite of the series. Maddie breaks up with a dick who wasn’t her fated mates only to find out he knew she was fated to his brother and his sleuth. I loved seeing her realize this and working through everything to get to her HEA. I loved the guys she ends up with. They are perfect for her in so many ways. I wanted the MMC mother to get more of a comeuppance for everything she did to try and keep FMC and MMC apart. The story flowed nicely and I just enjoyed it a lot.

Book 5 Ursa Shifters

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Day Dreamer by Susie Tate

3 Stars

As a scruffy, disorganised daydreamer, Lucy Mayweather is like a fish out of water at the high-powered offices of her brother’s billionaire best friend. When she agreed to work for Felix, she had no idea quite how cut-throat his world – or he – would be. She just wanted to escape her reclusive life and be close to her childhood crush, hoping he might notice her.

But Lucy’s lonelier in London than she’s even been in her tiny village back home. The boy she grew up with has been replaced by a powerful, ruthless, extremely attractive man who doesn’t tolerate incompetence and who no longer seems to find Lucy’s quirks cute. Instead, he lectures her almost daily on her general crapness, and seems blind to the bullying she endures from his colleagues.

For Felix, agreeing to employ Lucy was a mistake. This shy bookworm with her head in the clouds, who wears tattered jumpers, carries multiple pens in her hair and has an obvious crush on him must be by far the worst assistant in London. But he’s always had a soft spot for the quirky little girl who lived in her own world and told the best stories. Well, now that little girl is all grown up… and he can’t stop thinking about her.

After Felix gives in to his bone-deep longing for his best friend’s little sister, he starts to feel more than he has in years. But Lucy has secrets, and Felix has trust issues. When his inability to trust her leads to a terrible betrayal and places Lucy in danger, Felix is faced with losing her forever. Because the new, hardened, traumatized Lucy is nothing like the daydreaming pushover she once was…

Like every other Susie Tate book there is so many emotions with this book. You will hate Felix so much for what he does to Lucy. She forgives him way too quickly. I don’t understand why he was so quick to believe the lies and disregard her. He threw her out of his business without actually getting anything from her which triggered her autoimmune disease with cold. He didn’t even think about it for hours. Considering he claims to love her it angered me. It did hit all the notes I look for in books and it did bring out all the feels so worth reading for me.

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Donation Clinic (Breeding Clinic) by Alexis B Osbourne

3 Stars

My biology only wants me to give into this strange alpha because I’m carrying his baby.

Kat wants a baby and has wanted one for years. As an older omega with no pack to call her own anymore, she turns to a fertility clinic for help on the path to motherhood. The constant appointments, the blood tests, and the pills will all be worth it when she can finally hold her little bundle of joy. The one she had to give up trying for all those years ago.

The problem? Her hot scent matched alpha donor wants to be more than anonymous and he’s already got a pack. Kat’s not sure that she can risk rejection again.

Liam and his two mates have always wanted a big family but they lack a breeding partner, and never found their scent match.

The opportunity the fertility clinic offers is one they can’t pass up. But when Liam immediately puts his foot in his mouth, he sends their pregnant omega running.

For the first time in forever, he aches to chase her. He can’t possibly let her go. And his pack doesn’t want to either. All three of them will make her see how perfect their pack is for her.

Can they mend the scars on Kat’s heart and neck and settle into domestic bliss before she runs away for good?

This one has updated the name to Donation Clinic. Same book I read under Breeding Clinic but the algorithm gods don’t suppress it.

I enjoy the story but not as much as other books in the series. I struggled with the goof up the clinic made and how they were just like sucks to be you, your going to have to work it out. I did love the pack and that they were all in with her. It was the perfect storm for them to get their HEA. Hit with the rest of the series and everyone was nice to learn about.

Book 3 Heatverse

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Weiner Across the Way by Amy Award

4 Stars

Kelsey Best is America's pop sweetheart and anyone who says they don't like her music is a liar and needs to be punched in the nads. And I'll do it too, because I'm the guy the NFL dubbed the meanest player in the league. Great for my career on the field, not so much for my reputation off it.

So I'm shocked as hell when Kelsey's team sends my agent a wild idea – they want a showmance between us. She's looking to dodge the media frenzy after her breakup with Hollywood's latest heartthrob, and I apparently fit the bill as her perfect distraction. My agent is convinced this fake dating stunt is the key to fixing my image. The whole world is going to hate me when we fake break up. And what happens when I fall for her? She's going to create a blank space in my heart, and I don't think I'm going to be able to shake it off.

Loved loved loved this book. Kelsey was such a sweet heart and her dog was so freaking cute in this book. I loved that Declan was all in from the very beginning and that his sister helped him get the girl. The two balanced each other out and made for a quick and easy read.

Definitely worth listening too as the narrators do an amazing job bringing the story out. I read the book first and then listened later and I would 100% recommend listening to the book. Stella Hunter and Jacob Morgan bring these characters to life and make the listen so enjoyable. I loved it so much.

Book 2 Cocky Kingmans

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Captured by the Dark Commander by Ellie Pond

4 Stars

Four hearts, one destiny.

Mermen mate in pods and one just claimed me.

I thought finding out my two best friends were mermen would be the weirdest thing about grad school.

Until a dangerously handsome man from the Mer army kidnapped me. He wants something from my friends and he’ll use me to get it.

I can’t escape him. He visits me in my dreams. He won’t let me out of his sight.

As a battle rages around us, the mysterious merman looks me dead in the eyes before commanding me to bite him if I want to live.

So I sink my teeth into his neck, not expecting him to bite me back.

Next thing I know I’m thrown through the icy surface of the Boston Harbor.

I thought I was drowning until I hear his voice in my head telling me to breathe–under the water.

Now my Dark Commander has taken me as his mate, but mermen mate in pods which means he’s not the only man who wants to claim me.

This book came up as an ad for me on insta and they always draw me in. I loved this one so much but it ends on a cliffhanger ending that made me so freaking mad. Luckily book 2 was out so I dove right in but book 2 ruined my love of book 1. This is a combo review because I couldn’t get through book 2 at all. It’s like the author put all this effort into book 1 and then was lost with how to continue the story. Which made book 2 drag so much. I read all the spoilers and said life is too short to force myself to read this and DNF.

Saying that book 1 was so good. Annabelle was an interesting character who is trying to go with the flow after being kidnapped by mermen. She ends up mated to the commander who has some issues. Basically it would be PTSD so his BFF has to tie him up every night and he sleeps in the room with them. He will become one of her mates. All of this was done really well. The relationship built nicely between the three of them until they reach the mer community and the book ended on a cliff. I am skipping the rest but I gave them all the HEA they deserve.

Book 1 Veiled City

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