Heliacle Rising by C.C. Davie

2.5 Stars

Amylia has been raised to be the wife of Lord Drakon’s son. She and her brother have been his ward since their family was slaughtered. She knows she once had magic but doesn’t now. When some magical people show up to make a deal with the lord her life is thrown for a loop. Secrets are revealed and Amylia will never be the same again.

This was an interesting read. There were parts of the book that I enjoyed but more that were just no for me. One of my biggest issues was how the sexual assault was handled. There was no warning that it was going to happen and then it was just brushed aside after her rescue. They acted like it never happened. That was the biggest issue but there were others. FMC was weak and also very stupid. I didn’t like her love interested either as it was an older established couple. It came across as grooming. It would be a skip for future books for me.

Book 1 The Wytchling Chronicles

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Monsters Den by Jillian West

4 Stars

Emerson has a high energy toddler she’s juggling with a full-time job that doesn’t pay enough. She’s trying to pay off the debt of her ex-boyfriend to his pack and she refuses to do it on her back. When her land lady/ babysitter gives her notice she’s not sure what she can do but her friend gives her an out and chance for a fresh start. With no other options she hopes for the best and jumps. The pack follows her and demands the money they feel she owes them. When she finds out the club, she is working at has another side to it she asks her boss for a chance. This means she will be the plaything to monsters but it is worth it if it gets the debt paid down faster. The owners have a policy that one of them has to give her a try to see if she will work. What they don’t plan on is falling for her. Will they let her pass and move onto the client or will they never let her go?

Knew how this book was going to play out but I loved the getting there. It was super spicy and each of her men were different and brought different things to the relationship. I loved how Emerson was with each of them. There is an actual plot in the book and that kept me reading to see how things were going to play out. I would love more books in this world.

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Princess or Knot by MP Starkweather

2 Stars

Isabelle was banished from her home after a tragic accident. Many years later she’s ordered home by her parents as they sold her to a pack. Since she has no rights as an omega she heads home and hopes for the best. What she wasn’t expecting was her childhood friend the crowned Prince Drake Brighten to be there and save her by claiming her for his pack. He just hopes his parents don’t flip out when they find out as they blame her for the tragedy that befell the family many years ago.

I wanted to like this book. It was an interesting concept and I liked parts of it but couldn’t get behind the nonchalance the characters had towards the killing of the King and Queen. They also never speak of the other mates. Like here are these mates to the Queen…the queen is dead and they no longer exist. The book felt rushed and incomplete. Like what happened to her family who tried to sell her or the guy who was trying to buy her. The writing was done well but the story needed work.

Book 1 Pack Next Door

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Tease by Melanie Harlow

2 Stars

Felicity wasn’t thinking when she blurted out, she was engaged. The only person she knew who could help her was her best friend Hutton. He’s a billionaire nerd who isn’t interested in more. Or that’s what she thinks. He’s been in love with her for years but never wanted to chance losing her as a friend. He’s not sure this is a good idea but will do anything to help her. When all is done will they be able to walk away from each other?

I was so bored with these characters. Neither would have a conversation and the led to all the hurt feelings. If they had sat down and had a conversation a lot of their issues wouldn’t have been. Yes, that’s the whole point of the book but it got really old really fast. Felicity also was so wishy washy through most of the book and when she was thinking/talking it felt like she was whining. It was an interesting concept, and the writing style was good. I just didn’t like the characters.

Book 3 Cloverleigh Farms Next Generation

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Good as Gold by Sarina Bowen

4 Stars

Matteo has had a ruff year. He’s lost his best friend to a freak accident and that’s made him want to go home. When he gets there, he finds his childhood friend Leila is single. He’s always wanted her but when she married their best friend, she was off limits. Now that she’s single all bets are off. When she tells him the one thing, she wants is a baby, can he give it to her and walk away?

I enjoyed this book a lot. There wasn’t any high angst in it. I loved how Leila and Mateo were so closed off on their true feelings for each other. Everyone else in the book knew and tried to encourage them both to open up. Both had their reasons for being closed off and it was interesting to watch them work through it and come out on the other side. It made for a fun read.

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Tethered by Kitt Lynn

3 Stars

Livia waited three years for Bronwyn to agree to their mating. Now that they are mated, she hopes it will be like the stories she loves but the reality is completely different. She spends most of her time alone and only sees her mate for a bit at night. He is away from home working on mysterious things for the pack and he doesn’t share what he’s doing. When there is a chance for Livia to help will Bronwyn let her?

This one was a continuation of the series I’ve already reviewed the short stories. Like them this one was good. I really enjoyed the ending of the book and I am interested in seeing the next book. Livia was able to grow into her own but it took a little bit too much time. I also wasn’t a huge fan of Bronwyn. I never felt he really made up for all the bull he put her through for most of the book. He loved and wanted Livia and was willingly mating her but then ignored her because he was too busy protecting the community. He eventually realizes his mistakes but just starts spending time with her. No real apology. The ending did make up for it sort of. Good solid read.

Book 4 Hund Valley

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Anger Bang by Avery Flynn

3 Stars

Thea Pope is a paleontologist just trying to get by. She’s expected to go to her sister’s 80s-themed wedding that will be aired on the silver screen. Forced to participate in this whole thing makes Thea anger even more so when she finds out her sister didn’t even want her there. When her sister pushes her too far she decides to pick the one man there the bride can’t stand, the groom’s brother, Kade. It’s petty to sleep with the groom’s brother just to get back at her sister but she doesn't care. What could possibly go wrong?

It was ok straight romance. Lots of humor and low conflict. A very anticlimactic fight between the characters. It wasn’t bad but also not one of my favorites. Good way to spend a couple of hours reading.

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