Beneath the Cursed Veil by Kel Carpenter and Aurelia Jane

4 Stars

My captor, my enemy, and my fated mate.

I’m the best bounty hunter in the business. I find lost artifacts that people would kill to possess. I’m also broke. When a notorious leprechaun offers me a job I can’t refuse, I realize too late I’m not hunting an object.

The contract was simple; steal the prince, escape unseen.

Spoiler alert: I failed. Horribly.

The moment I step into the fae kingdom beyond the veil, I feel it—someone watching me. Waiting for me.

King Vareck.

He’s nothing like I imagined—fierce, unyielding, and as cursed as the frozen lands of Faerie. An ice-cold ruler whose very presence bends the room to his will. He shouldn’t care about a thief like me, but we have one thing in common.

Vareck is more than just a king—he’s the man who has haunted my dreams for years.

And apparently, I’ve been in his too.

The difference?

He’s been searching the nine realms for me, and I never thought he was real.

Now that he’s found me, he has no intention of letting me go.

Curses cliffhanger endings. I loved the magic Meera had. It was different and unique. The way she uses it makes the book. When she meets Vareck she is all set to hate him for so many reasons. The tension between them is amusing. I loved that he kidnaps her … after she kidnaps him. The ending made me so mad but the next book is out and I just need to find time to read it.

Book 1 Faeted Seasons

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Cold as (N)ice by Ginny Sterling

3 Stars

A new hockey team, a new location, a new family - what happens when a marriage of convenience becomes all too real?

Barrett Coeur takes on a maid as a favor to a teammate, but he quickly finds himself in over his head. Having sworn-off marriage, focusing on hockey and gaming, he’s blindsided when he learns his new employee, Irene, is pregnant… and the stipulations laid before him by his agent.

Irene is struggling to make ends meet, haunted by past mistakes and wary of trusting anyone with her deaf son—especially when it comes to the handsome man sporting a man-bun. When Barrett makes her an unexpected offer, she agrees to a loveless marriage to protect her child and give him a life she couldn't provide on her own.

When her ex reappears and threatens their new lives, will her marriage become a refuge and the key to saving her heart?

This was just so sweet. It was short and sweet and flowed nicely. I get why Barrett and Irene wanted the marriage of convenience. They both had reasons for wanting a marriage of convenience. The move from convenience to all in love was really quick but I still liked it. Will be reading the other books even without the on page heat.

Book 1 Sticks and Vows

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Dewey Belong Together by Ann Whynot

2 Stars

Librarian Maxine Peters lives her life behind the scenes. By day, she's a buttoned-up cataloguing whiz in the basement of the Green Valley Public Library. By night, she's secretly dominating in an online role playing game as the legendary Maximus_Damage. Her in-game persona has the skills to back up the hype. But every hero has an enemy; every saga,a villain. And by her own invitation, Maximus’ arch nemesis, Wrath, has just landed in Green Valley.

Jonathan Owen is not at all who Maxine expects when she meets Wrath face to face. Eager to leave the past in the game, Jonathan takes this golden opportunity to win Maxine's heart. There's just one wrench in that plan: he may have, on a few occasions, acted like a bit of a jerk online. And to his puzzlement, she has taken their fun rivalry to the level of epic dislike. When Jonathan and Maxine are unexpectedly alone for a weekend, secrets are revealed that make love hard and hatred even harder. Jonathan quickly learns fighting his own demons will take more than one elite gamer. And Maxine, who is busy rebooting her life in Green Valley, might not be up to the task.

When real life starts to override the game, can Maxine and Jonathan find a way to make it work? Or will it be game over for this player versus player adventure?

I really wanted to like this book but I just didn’t like it. There was anxiety about the long distance between Max and Jonathan. I also struggled with Jonathan being all in with Max well before meeting her AND believing she was actually a man. There was just pacing issue with the book and it was just a meh kind of read.

Book 3 Green Valley Library

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Knot the one They Want by Harper Lennox

3 Stars

I thought I'd finally found my fairy tale with the Blackwood Pack.

Four drop-dead gorgeous and filthy rich alphas, ready to claim me as their own?

It was a dream come true.

Until I presented myself to them on our mating night and all four of them turned and walked away, leaving me half-marked and completely humiliated.

I'm clearly not the one they want.

And they blame me for not being the omega who ran away from them.

I try everything I learned in omega finishing school to make my new alphas change their minds, but with my first unmedicated heat approaching fast, I'm starting to think plastic smiles, a perfectly decorated nest, and gourmet meals aren't going to be enough to thaw these frigid hearts.

You know what? Fine. They don't want the perfect omega?

I'll become their pretty little nightmare instead.

The pack pissed me off so much in this book. Evie and the guys are forced into this mating but they are scent matches. The guys refuse to complete the bond for their first omega and they want to hurt her. Which the accomplish so much that they nearly kill her from an incomplete bond. After her near death experience most of the guys cave to their need for her but Damian holds out longer. It was so frustrating that they didn’t make up for being dicks to her and she just kind of accepts it. And to the surprise of no one the first omega comes back for more drama. Overall, it was fine.

Book 1 Claimverse

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Diamond in the Dark by Poppy Jacobson

3 Stars

I sold myself to three ruthless Irish gangsters, giving up my hard-won freedom to save my mafia family.

Rian is a cold mastermind who thrives on my tears, degrading me and praising me in equal measure.

Cormac is a sadist who revels in pushing me past my limits, until I can’t tell the difference between pain and pleasure.

Liam, the psychopath, craves my blood along with our bliss. His worship terrifies me as much as it reassures me.

Our dark bargain binds us together, but in my years away from the mafia, I’ve learned to be more than a fragile pawn. I’ve fought harder battles than these men could ever imagine, and I’ll continue to fight, even as they threaten everything I’ve built.

Giving into their violent devotion means giving up my freedom—and I was meant to be free.

I don’t usually read mafia books but Poppy Jacobson has converted me to reading them. I loved this book so much. I loved Ginevra and how no nonsense she was. Even though Rian, Cormac, and Liam were strong willed characters and they were gone over for Ginevra. Ginevra gives up her life to be with them and they work so well together. Definitely reading the rest of the books.

Book 1 Savage Jewels

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Gods of Vengeance by Michelle Heard

4 Stars

I was born into the Cosa Nostra, so I've always known an arranged marriage loomed in my future.

When the Capo dei Capi of the Cosa Nostra comes to Sicily to give his approval for his cousin, Stefano, to take me as his bride, I know my fate is all but sealed. Marrying Stefano is the last thing I want, but being a woman, I don't have a say in the matter.

Damiano Falco is merciless and rules the Cosa Nostra with an iron fist. Everyone fears him and won't dare go against him.

I'm still trying to accept that I'll have no choice but to marry Stefano when Damiano utters the last word anyone expects to hear.

"No."

He doesn't give his approval, nor does he offer any explanation.

But if I think his refusal will set me free, I have another thing coming. Instead, my bags are packed, and within hours, I find myself sitting on a private jet with the head of the Costa Nostra.

The ruthless man doesn't tell me anything, and I have no idea what my future holds.

To say I'm terrified is the understatement of the century.

This was a very dark and twisty story. I loved how Damiano basically kidnaps Gabriella with certain plans for that all blow up in his face. She doesn’t mind the kidnapping or being held by him. I loved watching him come to grips with not being able to give her away to another mafia person and deciding to keep her. I loved how things play out with the bad guys though they got off way to easy.

Book 5 Kings of Mafia

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Cruel Devotion by JP Sina

3 Stars

A woman forced into an engagement...

Ripped from my bed, my loved ones in pieces,

I'm dragged through the forest, bound in chains.

Soon, I'll find where the lines of sanity blur.

But I won't go down without a fight.

 

A monster, undeserving of love...

I'd once been a man, but now lived as a beast.

Scouring the lands for virgins, I rarely make it home without a bite.

Distracted by a sweet scent, I find someone unworthy.

I'm keeping her.

 

A man, more monstrous than his brother...

I was the real wolf in sheep's clothing.

And I loved and lived for no one but him.

When he brings home a bunny, I can't help but have a taste.

Mine.

This is a dark romance with dubious consent. There isn’t a lot to it between world and character development. If you are looking for a quick and dirty dark romance this is the book for you. I enjoyed it for what it was and will read other books by this author.

Book 1 Monsters of Darkness

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Chasing the Wild by Elliott Rose

4 Stars

I’ve always done what was expected of me. Layla Birch, the good girl.

Forced to grow up too fast. To take care of everything myself. I had a plan. Only, I didn’t count on him. Colton Wilder. The cowboy nearly twice my age. He’s my dream man. One who takes care of me, gives me a job, and makes my pulse thud harder every time he comes near.

My ex-boyfriend’s father.

The nights are long and cold on top of this mountain. As the snow grows thicker and the tension builds between us, we’re both inching closer to a line we shouldn’t cross. Each day, it grows harder to resist the man who looks at me with longing in his eyes. It’s tempting to forget about being the good girl for once. No one would find out. Would they?

Super spicy romance with a younger/older relationship. I loved how it played out and how MMC waited for her to finish school before claiming her. He knew how important her education was and even though it killed him to wait for her it was so sweet how he did.

Book 1 Crimson Ridge

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Wrong Witch to Hex With by Molly Harper

3 Stars

As the youngest of three sea witch sisters, Linney Seaworth lives a secluded existence in her family’s secret cottage on Moonshadow Cove, the far side of Starfall Point. Together, the Seaworths wield magic derived from the surrounding waters to keep the human population safe from paranormal threats. But Linney has always longed for a more adventurous life ... which is exactly what she gets when handsome newcomer Gray Brockhurst shows up on the Island.

Gray just inherited one of Starfall’s oldest ghost tour companies. Even though he’s never believed in ghosts, he’s continuing the family business to honor his late grandfather, who relished in sharing the island’s lore. But Gray is thrown for a loop when a lovely local interrupts his tour and changes his entire world view. Apparently, ghosts are all too real, and he’s been offending them with inaccurate stories during his “performances.”

But soon the Seaworths face a bigger problem: A deadly enemy has been unleashed, and it’s unlike anything they’ve ever encountered. As Linney and Gray work together to stop it, the attraction brewing between them just might be the most powerful magic of all.

This book was just ok. It built on Starfall Point series so there isn’t a lot of world building. My issue with the book was it felt rushed and there wasn’t a lot of character development. Yes it built on Starfall but these characters are new. I did enjoy it just wanted more. I am hoping the next two books will give more.

Book 1 Moonshadow Cove

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Here for the Cake by Jennifer Milliken

4 Stars

A week on an island sounds like the stuff of beach dreams, but for Paisley Royce, it's a nightmare. Her little sister is marrying her ex-college sweetheart, and Paisley is serving as maid of honor. To add insult to injury, nobody will let Paisley forget she’s single.

Bachelorette weekend changes everything when she runs into her old college frenemy, Klein Madigan.

Klein is still intelligent and funny, and somehow time has only made him more attractive.

Paisley is Klein’s ‘one that got away’, not that he’d ever admit it to her. A colossal misstep (and one terrible kiss) in college sealed their fate.

Or so they thought.

Klein’s an aspiring author allergic to social media. Paisley owns a digital marketing agency.

A brilliant plan is hatched: A trip across the country for a week of faking out her family in exchange for her firm marketing his work.

One hastily scrawled and signed contract on a bar napkin later, Paisley and Klein embark on a journey of tension, only one bed, and fake dating shenanigans.

Paisley’s goal is to survive the week.

Klein’s plan is to enjoy the sun, sand, and wedding cake.

But then there’s a scorching kiss to make up for that bad one in college.

And another kiss in a lighthouse during a thunderstorm. A gentle palm on Paisley’s lower back, and a reassuring hand squeeze under the table.

Everyone is convinced Klein and Paisley are the real deal, but as the week wears on, they begin to wonder if the only people they’re kidding are themselves.

Such a light, fast and easy read. I loved Klein and Paisley. They made such a cute couple. I also enjoyed how things played out between all of the couples. People definitely got what they had coming once everything played out.

Book Here for the Cake

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Problematic Summer Romance by Ali Hazelwood

4 Stars

Maya Killgore is twenty-three and still in the process of figuring out her life.

Conor Harkness is thirty-eight, and Maya cannot stop thinking about him.

It’s such a cliché, it almost makes her heart implode: older man and younger woman; successful biotech guy and struggling grad student; brother’s best friend and the girl he never even knew existed. As Conor loves to remind her, the power dynamic is too imbalanced. Any relationship between them would be problematic in too many ways to count, and Maya should just get over him. After all, he has made it clear that he wants her gone from his life.

But not everything is as it seems—and clichés sometimes become plot twists.

When Maya’s brother decides to get married in Taormina, she and Conor end up stuck together in a romantic Sicilian villa for over a week. There, on the beautiful Ionian coast, between ancient ruins, delicious foods, and natural caves, Maya realizes that Conor might be hiding something from her. And as the destination wedding begins to erupt out of control, she decides that a summer fling might be just what she needs—even if it’s a problematic one.

I love the age gap drama in this book. Conor is so firm on not being with her because she is too young but she is all in. Even though he was all no we can’t be together he also didn’t want her to be with anyone else either. It brought for a drama filled book that kept me entertained.

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Ice Cold Player by Nikki Hall

4 Stars

A deal with the devil...

Gavin

Anyone but her. Eva Adams—the entitled, picture-perfect cheer princess. Incapable of empathy, patently manipulative, and absolutely beautiful. I can’t afford her drama—I just want to play my last year of hockey without being kicked out of TU, but there she is on my first day back. Crying. In a weak moment, I make her an offer. An agreement I never thought she’d take. Except she surprises me, and now I’m faced with a dilemma. Protect my secrets…or win the girl.

Eva

Anyone but him. Gavin King—the rebellious, coffee-slinging hockey god. Arrogant, irreverent, and way hotter than he has any right to be. Despite the lady tingles, I’d be happy to spend my last year at TU without seeing his face—or his tattoos—again. It should be easy. I have cheer, I have my friends, and I have nowhere to live. To my eternal frustration, he offers me a solution…for a price. When I take the deal, I can’t help wondering what else I’ll give him before the end.

I loved this college hockey book. The characters were interesting, and I loved the plot. The way Gavin and Eva interacted made for a fun read. You will have so much empathy for Eva with a family like hers who needs enemies. Can’t wait to read future books in the series. Best character is Henry the duck.

Book 1 Beyond the Ice

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Claimed by Cthula by Wendi Gogh

3 Stars

MONSTER SPEED DATING—sounds fun, right?

Except my life as a marine biologist takes a slippery turn when I mistake a cthulhu for an octopus, only to find him seated across from me on date night.

Now, every time I turn around, he’s there.

Watching.

Winking.

Waiting until I succumb to his charm.

But I’m not ready for love. I have my studies, a mission to save the ocean, and a secret darker than the deepest depths of the sea.

This was a very cute read but felt very rushed. The secy time was different and interesting. The relationship was very quick. I liked the writing enough to try another book by her.

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Being Pucked by Rosemary Johns

2 Stars

An NHL star player pucked up my life, and now I have one rule: Avoid all ice hockey players.

But when I run to my hometown, desperate for a fresh start, I find that it's easier said than done. My dad is the coach of the newest team in the NHL and offers me the job of PR Director to these gorgeous players who are walking disasters.

They say that cocky hockey players are obsessed with their sticks. It turns out that three of them are also obsessed with me.

First, there’s the charming, playboy captain. Then there’s the scorching-hot twins. One brother is a fighter on the ice but has the heart of a golden retriever, when he takes off his skates. The other is intense and tattooed but sweetly protective. Yet they’re all hiding secrets that could blow apart the team.

My job is to keep these three out of trouble. But will I break my one rule for them? Their careers depend on winning this season, and my new life depends on beating them at their own game.

Will falling for hockey players puck up my life again? Will my heart be broken or is this my second chance?

The ending killed the book for me. There was no reason to have this as two books for this pack. I liked the book overall and the characters. I loved Robyn’s never sleeping with another hockey player to immediately sleep with another hockey player. The backstory of each of the guys was interesting and helped move the story. I overall, I probably will pick up book 2 but just not right now.

Book 1 Bay Rebels

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Jasper Vale by Devney Perry

3 Stars

Eloise Eden’s pride and joy is her family’s hotel in Quincy, Montana. Her lifelong dream is to own The Eloise Inn. All she has to do is prove to her parents that she’s the epitome of responsible. That her days of being duped and making reckless decisions are history. She’s so close she can taste it.

Until after one weekend in Las Vegas, she comes home married to a stranger.

Jasper must have put her under a spell with those soul-deep eyes because after a single night together, they woke up husband and wife. Her only hope is to keep this marriage a secret until it’s annulled. Then she’ll pretend it never happened.

Except Jasper begs her to stay married. To fake it for three months so she can accompany him to a wedding. Maybe she’s lost her mind to agree. But her brooding husband seems desperate. It’s only three months, right? Then she’ll say goodbye to Jasper Vale, and with any luck, hello to her new hotel.

Oh Jasper. I loved him so much but he’s so stupid too. I connected with Eloise. She’s ignored so much and just wanted to be seen. Yes she’s made mistakes in the past but the way the family deals with it is to make her feel useless. The big shooting at the end really didn’t add anything to the story other than to show the matriarch of the family doesn’t take responsibilities for her own mistakes.

Book 4 The Edens

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Talk about Rivalry by Jarica James

3 Stars

I’m an omega destined to never find her mates…

I can’t scent potential mates, my heats are messed up, and my own scent is nonexistent, meaning scent-matches are not in the cards for me.

The worst part is that I’m in love with my best friend’s brother, Maverick, and Taylor, a sassy omega I can’t get enough of. Even if they were interested, I can’t stand the thought of being left heartbroken when they do find their mates.

When Maverick is asked on a date… and he accepts, I know I have to do something. I recruit Taylor to help me sabotage this date before it’s too late.

He agrees, but the only problem is he brings his best friend Leo along, and the new beta in town makes it very clear he wants a date in exchange for his help.

My world is thrown into chaos as we all grow closer and small slips of scents start to hit me. They think there’s hope, I’m too scared to agree.

My doctor thinks he has a solution, but am I willing to risk the potential heartbreak if he’s wrong?

The back and forth with Lindsey irritated me so much. Lindsey was all about we aren’t scent matches so we can’t be together but she didn’t have a scent until later in the book. So even though the guys were all in and wanted her no matter what she hemmed and hawed about being together. She kept running away from that and it irritated me so much and if not for this I would have enjoyed the story more.

Book 2 Rockwood Valley Omegaverse

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Not Safe for Work by Nisha J Tuli

3 Stars

Two workplace enemies find themselves in close proximity on a tropical company retreat that challenges their assumptions—and just might make them to fall for each other—in this romcom by a beloved TikTok author.

Engineer Trishara Malik once dreamed of being the first woman of color to smash the glass ceiling at WMC Purcell, but after years of dealing with white male privilege and blatant nepotism, she watches her hard-earned promotion go to her nemesis, Rafe Gallagher—the boss’s son. Teetering on the edge of burnout, Tris is stunned when she’s picked to attend WMC's corporate leadership retreat in Hawaii. It’s a chance to revive her stalled career and compete for a coveted spot in an executive training program—plus, three weeks in paradise! The only downside? Rafe is her co-attendee.

Tris plans to avoid Rafe entirely, but when she arrives in Maui, a booking error has them stuck sharing the honeymoon suite. Sure, it’s not all torture. Rafe is a smoldering ten—okay fine, an eleven—but after years of competition, they can barely stand being in the same time zone. As they vie against each other during aptitude tests and team-building exercises, Tris begins to realize Rafe might not be the villain after all. With her dreams at stake, can she learn to trust the man who might have been standing in her corner all along?

This was a cute read. I loved Tris and Rafe’s story. Their banter made the book enjoyable. The workplace harassment was so frustrating and how it was handled was even worse but accurate to real life.

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Lights Out by Navessa Allen

4 Stars

I want someone with a soul as black as night. Someone who would burn the world down for me and not lose a single minute of sleep over it.

Trauma nurse Alyssa Cappellucci doesn’t need any more kinks. She likes the one she’s landed on just fine. To her, nothing could top the masked men she follows online. Unless one of those men was shirtless, heavily tattooed, and waiting for her in her bedroom. She dreams about being hunted by one in particular, of him chasing her down and doing deliciously dark things to her willing body. She never could have guessed that by sending one drunken text, those dreams would become her new reality.

I want things most people don’t, craving darkness and depravity instead of light and love.

Joshua Hammond has an infamous father—the kind of man that true-crime podcasts love talking about. He’s spent his life avoiding the limelight, but his online persona is another story. At night, he posts masked thirst traps for his millions of fans to drool over, but one follower has caught his eye: Aly. After reading a comment begging him to break into her house wearing a mask, he decides to take her up on her offer.

Together, Aly and Josh live out their darkest fantasies, unaware that Aly has captured the attention of someone else. Someone with far more sinister intentions than a little light stalking. As Josh turns from predator to protector and the stakes heighten, he must ask himself how far he’s willing to go for the woman he’s obsessed with.

I caved to all the Instagram reviews and I am happy about it. I loved this book so much. It is a dark romance that is more like a grey romance. The Joshua is such a teddy bear character that you just love him even though he is stalking Alyssa. He only stalks cause he doesn’t know any other way to get close to her. I enjoyed Josh’s interactions with Alyssa before and after the reveal of his identity. The way he interacts with her cat is so sweet and amusing. I just really enjoyed this book.

Book 1 Into Darkness

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Must have been Love by Carrie Elks

3 Stars

Inheriting a rundown bar from the father who abandoned me should be my chance to start over.

Instead, it puts me directly in the path of Hudson Fitzgerald—single dad, small town royalty, and the most insufferable man I’ve ever met. He’s rich, broody, and way too good-looking for my peace of mind.

Oh, and he wants me gone.

But I didn’t come here just to tuck my tail and run away. I came to prove I’m not the hot mess everyone thinks I am. Even if that means going head-to-head with Hudson every single day.

He thinks I’m chaos in a crop top. I think he’s a control freak with a stick where the sun doesn’t shine. But beneath all that tension is something else. Something electric.

And when he kisses me? Let’s just say, for a man who claims he doesn’t do messy, he sure knows how to make a mess of me.

I was only supposed to be here long enough to fix up my bar. I never meant to fall for the man who runs this place like he owns it.

But in a small town like this, love has a way of sneaking up on you.

The book was ok. I really hated Hudson and I can’t really forgive him for what he did to Skyler. I loved Skyler and all of the secondary characters, particularly Skyler’s brother and Hudson’s sister. Hudson had a lot going on and some of that might explain his issues but the way he handles some things in the book just frustrated me throughout. It didn’t matter what anyone told him he was determined to believe what he thought and push everything else away.

Book 1 The Fitzgeralds

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