Eclipsed Empire by Tessa Hale

4 Stars

One secret tore my life apart. It sent me running from the place I thought I would be safe, right into the path of untold enemies.

But when my life is in danger, the wolves I thought I’d lost for good are the ones who come for me. And they’ll burn down the world to keep me safe—even if none of us trusts each other anymore.

With every moment we’re forced together, every whispered apology and stolen touch, my resolve to keep them at a distance weakens. And when I realize just how much each of these men has come to mean to me, that resolve crumbles to dust.

Only there are more secrets to uncover—all our pasts lurking in the shadows. And when the monsters emerge from the darkness, there’s no escaping them this time…

Book 2 starts right where one ended. I enjoyed how she got herself out of the kidnapping. I loved the guys coming together to help her hone her fighting skills. This was the best book of the series. It made sense. You saw growth in the characters. Secrets are revealed but new things are brought up. It also ends on a cliff.

Book 2 The Wolves of Crescent Creek

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Crescent Kingdom by Tessa Hale

3 Stars

Never stop running. And no matter what, never let the world know who you really are.

I’ve spent my whole life hiding. Training. Preparing. Hoping that no one will discover my secrets. What I can do. Who I am. And I’ve gotten so good at it, sometimes even I forget.

Until them.

The wolf pack with a ruthless reputation and a penchant for revenge. The protective fighter. The charming Brit. The shy hacker. The silent mercenary. The cruel assassin.

They see more than anyone ever has before. And even with demons of their own, they give me sanctuary. A place to hide, to rest, and maybe even a place to belong.

Only it turns into so much more. Because when they touch me, everything around me ignites, and nothing matters but them.

But these wolves have secrets. And those secrets bring enemies. And when they find out who I really am?

It’s not their enemies I need to fear. It’s them.

Interesting start to the series. I loved the FMC and several of the guys. There were some that just frustrated me. The cliffhanger ending was frustrating as well. This author is notorious for this type of ending with all of her books.  

Book 1 The wolves of Crescent Creek

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Pucking Feral by Lenore Rosewood

 

4 Stars

For two months, I've been hiding in the last place my NHL ex-fiancé would ever look.

The home arena of the Ghosts, his team's fiercest rivals.

And it's working. No one knows I'm here.

Until Wraith—the mute, scarred "monster" power forward fans whisper about—discovers me sick and weak in the maintenance tunnels that are his sanctuary.

Instead of turning me in, Wraith helps me hide. And when the team's new winger, Valek, discovers me, my feral-alpha-turned-personal-guardian-angel attacks him to protect me.

I finish the job with a fire extinguisher.

Now Valek's recovering in the Ghosts' pack house with a concussion, and I’m hiding in Wraith's loft.

The Ghosts are offering me a choice. A home. Protection from my ex without strings attached.

The problem? I don't know how to trust anymore.

Not when the last alpha's promises ended with me burning off my mark.

I LOVED this book if not for the cliffhanger ending. The ending was surprising and I can’t wait for book 2. The characters were well developed. I loved that FMC was all in with the one mate who everyone was scared of. I enjoyed her interactions with the rest of the mates.

Book 1 Ghostverse

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Love of My Next Life by Brit Benson

3 Stars

I calmed his demons. He created mine.

Macon Davis.

My best friend’s brother.

My tormentor.

My least favorite person.

Pothead. Delinquent.

A careless, directionless loser.

That’s what I used to believe,

but I didn’t really know him.

And when I finally saw him,

it was the best and worst thing to ever happen to me.

We burned hot and fast.

Passion. Anger. Love. Pain.

We were reckless. Naive.

We were doomed from the start.

When I finally saw Macon Davis for who he was,

we both went down in the flames.

Ends on a cliffhanger as it is a duet. There was so much teen angst in this book. It was well written and if you are looking for teen angst, I 100% recommend it. My issues with the story were because I felt Lennon was a doormat throughout this book. The culmination of everything and how the book ends made me ticked cause it was just getting good and the book ends. I'm not going to spoil the ending but the way it plays out everyone, but Lennon really sucks.

Book 1 Next Life

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Knight Awakened by B M Clemton

3 Stars

Meeting Daxton Pierce flipped it on end and made me question everything I know.

My memories and my family had been ripped from me. I have been stalked, tortured, abandoned, and betrayed… but I’m not broken.

This world is not what I thought it to be, and while my new relationships only grow stronger by the day, tensions rise, bringing new and old enemies to our door.

Only this time, I don't have to face them alone.

I’ve learned there are worse things in life than the monsters hiding in the shadows, and I’m done cowering in fear.

This just feels drawn out at this point. This is book 4 of 5. It's the same issues every book. Things that should be on screen are done off page. Like Remi meeting his parents. We do get a ton of secrets revealed finally but it ends in another cliffhanger ending.

Book 4 Black Veil University

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Knight Forsaken by B M Clemton

3 Stars

Betrayal. Chaos. Love.

I came to Black Veil for a new start. A chance to find myself again, and maybe learn how to control my unruly magic.

Instead, I've somehow bonded myself to three amazing men, found out I'm mated to my childhood best friend, and my magic grows more unstable by the day.

Danger lurks around every corner and death lingers in the air. Secrets are uncovered, questions answered, but I'm not entirely sure I'm prepared to face the truths that they bring.

Secrets are slowly revealed with each book. Key word... slowly. We still have the issue of things moving very slowly. The author also spoiled one of the new lovers which sucked since they hadn't been introduced. I'm enjoying the story but wish we had less day-to-day stuff. Another cliffhanger ending and with all the filler it irritates me.

Book 3 Black Veil University

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Knight Revelations by B M Clemton

3 Stars

I'm sorry, Dani.

Those three words echo through my mind and tug at the broken strings of my heart.

Bonds, magic, and lies seem to make up my world right now as it crashes around me.

All I wanted was a normal life, to go to college and try to put the shadows of my past behind me. Instead, my world has been turned upside down, and my bright future at Black Veil University is suddenly looking dim.

The shadows are closing in, putting those I love most at risk, and they will stop at nothing to get what they want.

I loved the guys even more in this book as well as Dani's BFF Kayla. There was a major pacing issue. The book was incredibly slow through most of the book and then sped all the way to the end which was a cliffhanger ending. It felt like the author decided the book had to end this way and wandered around to the end. This made for a less enjoyable book. It was still enjoyable but not as awesome as book 1. 

Book 2 Black Veil University

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Knight Ascending by B M Clemton

4 Stars

My name is Danica Knight and I have a secret… a life changing, whisper worthy secret that will more than likely get me killed.

Trust no one. Is the singular phrase my mother had whispered to me when she abandoned me in a small hospital at the young age of eight. It was the only memory I could remember before I came to live with my Aunt and Uncles here in the largest wolf pack in North America. After graduating High School and having been accepted into one of the most prestigious Paranormal Universities in North America. Black Veil University.

Everything is finally going as planned. Or so I thought before four insanely hot men crash their way into my life. Each with a unique connection to me, whether they want it or not. We are tied together. Lives are turned upside down, hearts are torn and shattered and those deep dark secrets that I have held hostage start to slip. But when the dark shadows of my past come knocking, I may need every little bit of help I can get.

This series has darker elements that readers should be aware of such as, strong language, PTSD from kidnapping, assault, and violence.

I enjoyed this one a lot. The description doesn't do it justice. Danica is a woman who doesn't remember where she came from. She struggles but is willing to keep pushing through. I loved the other characters. The guys she ends up with are fabulous. They want to protect her but also let her grow and change. It ends on a cliffhanger and that made me so mad but the rest of the books are out so I will be checking them out.

Book 1 Black Veil University

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Craving the Obsession by Ava Selwyn

2.5 Stars

“I’m busy. Solve your matters on your own.”

Every time James Sinclair said those words, the light in Mia’s eyes dimmed a little more.

For five years she was his wife. Sweet. Obedient. Devoted. He believed she wanted his money and status. That was why she married him at nineteen. Why she would never leave.

Until one day, a call came…

“Miss Mia Bennett, your parents died in a car crash. Please come to collect their bodies.”

Shattered, she reached out to her billionaire husband. His only reply was, “I’m busy. Solve your matters on your own.”

“Okay,” she whispered. That night, she handed him divorce papers and walked out of his life, leaving all his wealth behind.

She never wanted money. She wanted love. He gave her nothing—so she took nothing.

James thought she wouldn’t survive without him. That she would crawl back. Instead, she vanished.

And when he found her again… she was living in luxuries far beyond his reach.

For some reason, Alexander Graves, one of the most powerful, cunning, and possessive billionaires in the country, was madly devoted to his ex-wife.

Now James is unraveling. Jealousy burns him alive.

But didn’t he already get exactly what he wanted?

This ends on a cliffhanger and waiting for the next part irritates me. It also seemed like it could have been one book vs the multiple it looks like it will be. There was a lot of repeated scenes that bogged the story down. It was an interesting concept and if you like some of the Asian shorts this probably will work for you. I will pick up the rest of the books cause I need to know how it ends but I am not happy about having to read two more books for the full story.

Book 4 Possessive Billionaires, Precious Sweethearts

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No Reservations Part One by Viola Grace

4 Stars

Tormented by those who should have protected her, Olivia has one chance at an actual life and she just has to give herself with no reservations.

Born to blossom into an omega, something in Olivia’s life went wrong. Instead of having her heats and looking for her own alphas, she is defective. Her body gives her pain and she wants nothing to do with the thought of a sexual liaison with anyone.

Her sister follows her father’s footsteps and keeps her on their property and running the bed and breakfast which is a boring existence for Olivia until her heat is due and her rule against taking reservations during that time is broken by her greedy sibling. There is an emergency and they are going to be hosting a guest.

No one said the guest would be an alpha.

What follows is a meeting, a realization and a rescue that changes not only Olivia’s life, but that of her pride as well.

Argus is just going to a family wedding rehearsal when he begins hearing the phrase defective omega. He has researched a lot of omegas and there is no such thing as a defective one. When he realizes that these words are describing the dainty little woman who helped his panthers get settled, he has a quick discussion with his pride mates and they head off to rescue the omega in question. With any luck, she will choose them. If not, they will have to charm her. Either way, Olivia is theirs.

Was this book the best book ever…No but it was like kitten nip for me. I enjoyed reading this book so much. It was an interesting take on omegaverse. I loved the FMC was choosing herself vs the pack who saved her. I know it was part one of two going into it but it needed both books. I loved how the MMC Omega was with her and wanted to teach her everything and keep her. Will be reading the next one ASAP.

Book 1 The Omega Next Door

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Jagged Lies by Evelyn Flood

4 Stars

Six months ago, I had my life all figured out.

I was going to be free of this horrible town, away from the small-minded, perfect people who judged me at first glance without bothering to look again.

Nothing has changed.

And yet everything has changed.

The alphas that once acted as my shield now look at me with hatred in their eyes.

They say it’s my fault.

All of it is my fault.

But when fate decides I haven’t suffered enough, she slaps me across the face with a mating bond none of us wanted.

All of us are drowning in our pain. If we’re not careful, none of us will survive.

Not that I care.

I’m dying anyway.

I can’t believe it took me so long to read this duology. I loved the heartbreak in book one. I questioned so many things about the alphas and why they didn’t make an effort to talk with Kennedy. They just decided she was horrid and walked away. When they do finally start to realize something wasn’t right and started question I might have been super mad at all of them. When she reveals to them everything she went through my heart broke for her. She went through it and then lost them, her only family. The ending was just so much and I was glad book 2 was out and I could jump into it immediately.

Book 1 All These Broken Parts

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Beyond the Winter Kingdom by Aurelia Jane and Kel Carpenter

3.5 Stars

Faerie was a nightmare—twice kidnapped, magically bound, and held captive by my fated mate. But Eversus? That’s where the real party starts. And yes, I RSVP’d like an idiot.

Sadie’s gone. Vanished without a trace. And the only lead we have points to a realm no sane person dares to enter: a pit of smoke and ash, ruled by demons and forgotten gods. A place no fae survives.

Eversus.

Vareck—the fierce, brooding King of Faerie—is determined to be my plus one into the twin hells. He says we’re bonded. That I belong to him.

But I didn’t ask for a mate. And I had no intention of catching feelings in the middle of a hellscape.

Together, we’ll brave the realm of monsters to bring my sister home. But the deeper we go, the more I wonder if I'm the one who won’t make it back.

When a world fights to devour us, his voice is the thread I hold on to.

Because some bonds burn brighter in the dark.

And it turns out, some monsters aren’t left behind—they come with you.

I really wanted to love this as much as I loved book 1. This one was a whole lot of nothing happening. It added a bunch to the story without really moving it forward. I still liked the characters and there were new ones added with additional information added to characters from book 1. I just didn’t feel like it added enough to the first book to be awesome. It ends on cliffhanger ending. I am invested and will read the next one but it just frustrated me. The audio was good and I liked the narrators.

Book 2 Faeted Seasons

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Her Pucking Stepbrother by RJ Sterling

2.5 Stars

Being shamed out of college and forced to move back home is bad enough.
Having nothing but a thin wall separating my bedroom from my stepbrother's is even worse.
But the cherry on top?
The reminder that, before my dad and his mom ever thought to make us "family"... he was my first.
And now he hates me.
Puck my life.

Book was so freaking slow. Add in the cliffhanger ending with no next book. This is a book I would skip. MMC was an ass to FMC through most of the book and he never really makes up for it. Then the ending happened and I was so mad.

Book 1 Royal Icehole

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Loving Lady Bug Part One by Jane Handler

4 Stars

They call me Ladybug.

I’m the only female EBUG for the New York Knights. I’m starting goalie for my university team. I’m also just a beta. At least according to my knothead ex. Ugh.

But I’ll show him. I’m going to focus and find what used to make me special as a goalie so I can get signed after graduation. Even if putting myself out there is a risk.

At least I have friends who will help me. Like Tenzin, the Knight’s new alpha defender, who like me is getting over a broken heart. And Clark, the alpha forward I befriended last season who is a skating ray of sunshine.

Maybe, just maybe, I’d like to be more than friends with Tenzin and Clark. There’s something there, something that could lead to a happily ever after–even if with my past I probably don’t deserve one.

My feelings for them grow by the day, but will they still care for me once they know what I’ve done?

I really enjoyed reading this book. I was so mad when it ended on a cliffhanger ending. I liked the relationship between Swen, Clark, and Tenz. The backstory and trauma for them was interesting to read. Definitely moving on to the next book.

Book 1 Hockeyverse

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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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Bought by the Alpha by Bella Moondragon

2 Stars

I thought I was here to pay off my family’s debt…

But the Alpha King didn’t bring me to his castle to be a maid.

Isla

I’m a nobody from a struggling pack, just trying to help my family cover my brother’s medical bills. When I’m sent to the Alpha King’s palace, I expect to scrub floors—not sleep in a luxurious bed.

Then I find out the truth:

I’ve been sold to be his breeder.

King Maddox is cold, cruel, and dangerously powerful. Rumor has it he killed his first wife—and now he needs an heir or he’ll lose his throne.

I’ve never even been with a man. How am I supposed to survive this?

And worse… why does my body crave the one man who might destroy me?

Maddox

After my Luna Queen died, I vowed never to love again. But time is running out—I need an heir, and I need one now. I didn’t go looking for a breeder, but Isla arrived at my doorstep like fate itself.

She’s innocent. Untouched. Nothing like the woman I expected.

I told myself I’d use her and forget her.

But now I want more than just a breeder.

I want to make her mine—forever.

I actually liked this book if not for the ending. It ends on a cliff and there are a lof of books in the series. This is fine but to get the full story of Isla and Maddox it’s 4 books and the books are pricey for the read. In my opinion. Story wise Maddox is an idiot through and through and Isla is a freaking doormat.

Book 1 Alpha King’s Breeder

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Twisted Play By Poppy Jacobson

4 Stars

Cruel. Merciless. Wicked. If they find out the truth, I’ll lose everything—including my father’s life.

Surgery saved me, but left my family drowning in debt. The man we owe has one demand–destroy the hockey team from within.

Three obsessive, controlling men catch me spying and promise retribution for my sins. Cole is as cold as the ice beneath his skates, and he likes to hurt me. Tristan’s sweetness hides a terrifying possessiveness. And broody, frightening Coach Aleksandr? He hates me with a passion I don’t understand—but his hands tell a different story.

Their brutal touches and degrading commands break down my walls until I can’t tell where I end and they begin. With every cruel game, I fall deeper, tangled in a web of lies I can’t escape.

When you're in as deep as I am, walking away isn't an option. Surviving might not be, either.

OMG the cliffhanger ending killed me on this book. Here’s hoping she releases the next one early. I loved this very dark and twisted story. Eva is in a no win situation. She either loses her dad (which I am fine with) or she loses everything else. Since she wasn’t ok with losing her dad she gives up her freedom to get insider information on the college hockey team for the mafia. She doesn’t want to do it but doesn’t have a choice. Coach Aleksander blackmails with sexual favors to get her position on the team. She hooks up with Cole and figures it’s a one off until he catches her in a compromising position and blackmails her because he doesn’t want to walk away from her. Then sweet Tristan ends up roped in on the blackmail. The ending where the entire hockey team take issue with Tristan and Cole hurting Eva was amazing. I loved this book a lot and can’t wait for the next one.

Book 1 Cruel Games

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Angels in the Dark by Shannon Elliott

2 Stars

My guardian angels are dead set on making me whole again.

When I'm taken by him, the criminal in charge of Mathieson Enterprises, my illusion of safety shatters. He has a Midas touch that is more destructive than it is beautiful. Now, I'm broken beyond repair.

But they’re there to pull me back every time I retreat into myself.

Jay — my best friend — who hasn’t left my side in years.

Griffin — an undercover cop — who loves me before he knows my name.

Sage — a mothering doctor — who stitches me back together.

Cy and Ember — the detached mercenaries — who take me in despite themselves.

To them, my survival is a threat. This is a dangerous game they're playing. Trying to keep me safe is playing with fire.

Sometimes the only way to find your way in the dark is to light a match.

 

It is an interesting concept just poorly implemented. You have a woman who's been trafficked, abused in the worst ways possible and is finally rescued. Good so far but then she willingly has sex with her rescuer who she doesn't know is a good guy. I just have a hard time believing someone going through what she did would be ok the next day having sex. Beyond that there is way too many POV which makes it hard to follow. The book ends on a cliffhanger, and it doesn't make sense to end where it does. Very disappointed.

Book 1 Descent Into Darkness

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