Academy of Six by AK Koonce and Aleera Anaya Ceres

2 Stars

Deadly monsters live in all of us. The Academy of Six has just never seen a monster as terribly mundane as Izara Castillo. And that is a dangerous problem.

She has four semesters to not only understand her supernatural abilities, but harness them as well. Everything at the Academy is a disaster, from Interdimensional Travels through hell to the other hell they like to call Gym. Bullies push her, test her, and simply try to kill her. A few broodingly protective roommates and a scary fake boyfriend could help.

Or make her life impossibly harder. Pretend to date the emotionally detached demon, they said. What’s the worst that could happen, they said.

It’s make or break within this prison of a school. If she succeeds, she’ll finally know what she’s capable of, who she truly is, and where she came from. If she fails…she dies.

There is no world building or character development. You’re dropped into this story with no explanation as to why things were the way they were. I liked the idea of the series but needed more to fall for the book. Like why I should care about anyone or anything in the book. I may try the next book to see if it gets better but I need a break.

Book 1 Origins of the Six

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Tanglewood Witches by Genevieve Jack

3 Stars

Bound to each other by unexpected magic...

Hauled out of bed by a brutish soldier and tossed into a stone cell, the last thing Alena expects is to come face to face with wealthy businessman Orpheus. The rake almost tricked her into his bed once and is the one man she's tried to avoid ever since. To her utter dismay, she learns he's her new partner in a forced mission: to acquire a celestial weapon, one protected by the gods.

Orpheus never anticipated meeting anyone like Alena, let alone deceiving her. Could their immediate connection be due to a common secret—ancestral magic? To win this game of the gods thrust upon them, he'll have to earn her trust again and heal old wounds before it's too late.

The biggest surprise for both of them? Surviving their quest is just the beginning. Together, they have the potential to build a dynasty of powerful witches and wizards. All it will take is a book, a tree... and a dragon.

I loved the first part of this book with Alena and Orpheus. The story was cute and interesting to see how things they did led to what happens in future books. Where the book lost me was when it switched to one of their daughters. It just seemed out there because it wasn’t clearly marked in the book. All of a sudden we had new characters being named and I flipped back to see what I missed. It was ok. Interested in seeing how book two plays out.

Book 1 The Three Sisters

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Gargoyle Gripe by Sabrina Cassidy

3 Stars

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Part of Monster Mate Mayhem

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Chasing Goldie by Holly Robards

2.5 Stars

Ever been stuck between an alpha and a hard place?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Book 2 Lost Girls

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Magical Makeover by Brenda Trim

4 Stars

Divorce comes as a relief when you discover your husband is a walking cliche and having an affair with a woman half your age. When life gives you lemons... give yourself a magical makeover!

One day I'm married, living in the triangle, and working as a head nurse at one of the country's best hospitals. The next, I've shed a hundred and seventy-five pounds of idiot and find myself encountering ghosts, dragons and pixies while taking care of a sick patient.

Losing my sanity didn't seem like the worst thing to happen since I moved back home with my mom and nana. But I have to make the best of this mess for the sake of my children. And I refuse to give my ex the satisfaction of knowing he literally drove me crazy.

I didn't mind rolling with the punches... I just never imagined those hits would come in the form of magic. Witches, shifters, and Fae don't exist, right? This new world I've discovered is dangerous.

The Tainted want to kill me, innocent paranormals want my help, and the son of Hades needs me to find demons. Give me an Ibuprofen, and watch out. I'm not about to stand by and let someone else ruin my life.

I'm a middle-aged woman on a brand-new mission, and nothing's going to stop me.

This was a different book in a good way. Phoebe is older and human but becomes magical with a very steep learning curve. The pacing in the book was nice and I liked all the characters. Phoebe is very determined to do her best by everyone and at times does to much. It doesn’t end with Phoebe ending up with anyone yet and I can’t wait to see how it plays out.

Book 4 Midlife Mysteries and Magic

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Blood Moon by Jillian Graves

3 Stars

Hazel loves working her bar and seeing her supernatural regulars. She occasionally needs to blow off steams, but anonymous strangers work for that until she meets Vlad. She thinks he’s an excellent lay but is definitely running away when she finds out he’s the owner of the night club that just opened a crossed from her bar that is trying to close her down. Will they find their HEA?

This was a super spicy short story. I wanted more world building and character development but for a short story it was really good. Loved the main characters story and seeing them get their HEA. Will definitely check out other books by this author.

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Surviving Contempt by Jade Thorn

4 Stars

Melody has started her new coven and she’s trying to build allies with the council and covens all while taking on her aunt. Her aunt is determined to take down the current power and take over the world to form her ideal world. This would destroy everything Melody holds dear and she will do anything she can to fix it so her aunt is no longer a worry. Will Melody and her men succeed?

This one was so long. It felt like it should have been two books, but I am not complaining as everything major was wrapped up. I loved this series and this book wrapped up the story nicely. There are some plot points left unanswered, but she has a new series coming out in November that will hopefully answer some of them. Melody and her men get their happy ending. I am curious to see if they show up in the next book. Overall, the series was worth the read and you should check it out.

Book 5 Of Magic and Contempt

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Breeding Contempt by Jade Thorn

4 Stars

Melody’s new coven demands she finds a witch mate and start popping out babies to help the coven. She hates losing control of herself and refuses. She has to figure out what is the correct route she needs to take so she has control of herself without burning any bridges as she needs allies to take on her aunt. Will she be able to win over some covens and the council for the help or will her and her mates be left on their own?

I liked seeing Melody call people out on the bull shit in this book. There is prejudice everywhere and she’s not willing to put up with it anymore. This book continues Melody’s growth and changes. She comes into her own more in this book. She accepts her mates and the direction her life is taking her. There are some big battles and confrontations in this book with some introduction to new characters that seem vital to the story. Can’t wait for the last book to see how things work out.

Book 4 Of Magic and Contempt

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Civil Contempt by Jade Thorn

 

4 Stars

Melody is trying to graduate early as Adolphus is not safe. There’s a new admin who has allowed all out war on Melody. She needs to find a way to protect those she loves, and they all need to figure out who is going to help her and those working with her aunt.

Melody keeps fighting for those she loves. She keeps growing and learning in this book. There was even more drama in this book from her fellow classmates. Some of the solutions she and the men come up with are interesting and it does progress the story. I really want some of the people harassing her to get their comeuppance. There are more men introduced to her that it looks like she’s going to end up with. Still ends on a cliff. Can’t wait to see what they all come up with to take out all the bad guys.

Book 3 Of Magic and Contempt

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Held in Contempt by Jade Thorn

4 Stars

Adolphus isn’t the safe space Melody hoped it would be. There is petty bullying going on and Melody just wants to survive. They are still working on a good way to get her out from under numerous geas. When they find the way to get safe will they be able to handle the consequences?

I love that the guys are willing to wait for Melody to be ready to mate with her. They are pushed to claim her but know she needs them to wait. Everything with Carla is just weird and it will be interesting to see how that plays out. Overall, it was a good addition to the series and I can’t wait to see what happens next.

Of Magic and Contempt book 2

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Beneath Contempt by Jade Thorn

4 Stars

Melody is the strongest witch in several generations. She’s bound to her Aunt Georgia. She’s forced to bond with shifters for her pack. When she finally hits her majority and needs to go off to Adolphus Academy where she’s been ordered to go after the Apex, Dean, Ryan, Oz, Nick, and Justin for the rest of the coven. She would do anything to prevent this from happening but when she’s not given an option will she find a way to keep everyone safe?

Jade Thorn has been on my TBR for a while and I was looking for something to read and settled on this book. Boy, was I glad to pick this one up. I blew through the book, and it was so good. It hit so many feelings for me. It’s on the darker side and Melody was the right mix of sweet and strong. I love that the guys figure out some of what is going on and start working with her. It ends on a slight cliffhanger ending but is minor and the next book is available.

Of Magic and Contempt book 1

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Ruled by Magic by Zara J Black

 

1 Star

Lord Commander Leo Rahl gave Livet a choice, to take the 15 years in prison for exposing the magical elite or 6 months of being his toy. She opts for the 6 months figuring it won’t be that bad. He can do whatever he likes to her and there is nothing she can do. Will she regret her decision to take Leo’s deal?

So I borrowed this book twice cause I forgot I read it, that is how forgettable it is. I wanted to like it but it just came across as an abusive relationship vs a dark, BDSM esq book. I don’t usually have a problem with dark or Dub/Con but this one crossed a line. Some people might be ok with the content and there’s no judgment for my morals it crossed a line. There was a lot of public humiliation, and this would have been fine but she hated it. None of it was for her pleasure but all his. He wanted revenge on her and it twisted into love at some point but I never felt the connection. Overall, the writing style was good and I will probably give the author a second chance but this book wasn’t for me.

Book 1 Ruled by Magic

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