This book was horrible. It felt very off compared to the previous 6 books and I didn’t understand why. Cas was behaving like an obsessive abusive boyfriend and not like the lover that I had seen him as in the previous books. I think I am done with this series even if more books come along, because it simply was not for me any more.
2/5 Stars
This was a fantastic read – suggested to me by my best friend. The characters were hilarious, real, and awkward in all of the best ways. The story was surprising, and well written. The book did get negative feedback because it went viral on TikTok, but I really enjoyed reading it and I’m glad it was suggested to me. I will absolutely pick up the rest of the series to read, but it might be some time as there is a huge line of other books to get to!
5/5 Stars
This book was supposed to be a cozy comfort read, but it was just a bad book with no hooks to keep me interested. I borrowed it from the library on a whim as it was promoted to me (and now I see it everywhere, go figure) and at least it was a fast read, so nothing lost. The characters were bland, the situation unrealistic. I forgot it was on my library list.
2/5 stars
The Christmas Tree Farm, by Laurie Gilmore. I needed something easy on the brain, and this was available at the library so I picked it up. It is your typical hallmark-esc romance, except r-rated with some sex thrown in. I could not take this book seriously. The part where he found her vibrator in the couch was just hilarious to the point of being unbelievable (in specific, their discussion around it, not the actual act, that part I could see happening). Not a literary masterpiece, but it was what I was looking for. Just a nice simple read.
3/5 stars
Dungeons & Drama, written by Kristy Boyce. This was a YA book chosen by my book club – and it started off really rough with a young woman who had stolen her mom’s car, and without a license, drove it. Her “punishment” was to work at her Dad’s store. Pretty sure if that was me, I would have gotten into a lot more trouble. It was difficult to suspend reality for that. The cover was absolutely adorable, and that’s where my interest in the book stopped.
3/5 stars
A pretty brainless romance, which I was looking for. A city girl heads to the country for Christmas to escape her overwhelming life, meets a fellow musician, then her family shows up with all of their own issues, and even her ex-boyfriend shows up. In true Debbie Macomber style though it all works out in the end and everyone lives happily ever after. It’s basically a Hallmark movie in book format. Not a fantastic earth shattering read, but I wasn’t expecting it to be, so no big deal. Sometimes I just want to shut off my brain for a while.
2/5 stars
MALLORY DUNLIN
Fleeing a dangerous wizard, Safira takes a job at a remote, sorcerous Spire in the center of a water-horse’s lake. She expects to be alone, but the elemental creature strikes a bargain with her: he’ll water her garden if she’ll talk to him. He’s beautiful, naive, and hungry for companionship—but behind those ice-blue eyes is a merciless immortal. To touch a water-horse is to become his possession. If she lets herself follow the forbidden lure of his voice, not even a sorcerer can save her. He says all he wants is the sound of her voice. The stories tell a different tale. Words won’t ever be enough. And one way or another, he’ll have her.
Heat Level: Hot **
S.A. HEIDEN
Hugh Baum is tasked to get approval from the Kingdom to expand the Baum Bowyer business, but the magistrate in charge holds a 50 year grudge against the Fae. Hugh could have found a way to work around it, but when Lisette, the beautiful and fierce baker comes to town, both males are distracted by her presence. The rivalry between Hugh and Acworth intesifies as Lisette tries to dodge their advances and establish her family bakery. She has no interest in a courtship and is having a hard enough time keeping the business afloat. Unfortunately, Magistrate Acworth is a cruel and corrupt Fae, and when his sights are set on Lisette, only trouble ensues.
Heat Level: Smoldering **
In order to be a bit spoiler-free for anyone else who may be participating in FaRoFeB I’ve decided to post these one day later than the books are received. For anyone unfamiliar with the event, it’s a fantasy romance book give away done in December, much like an advent calendar. It used to take place in February, hence the ‘feb’ at the end, but now there’s lots of different events for FaRo lovers, all year long. It’s a great way to check out new authors and find some hidden gem reads – if you’re into fantasy romance, at least.
The first book of the giveaway is How to Marry a Winged King, by A. J. Lancaster, which is a Cinderella retelling. I’m in the middle of reading something else right now and I tend to only read one book at a time (and one audio book at a time) but we’ll see where this one ends up in my TBR pile. Have you read it before? Let me know in comments! Keep in mind that this is a judgement free zone, it does not matter what people choose to read, so long as they’re reading.
Normally I take a bit of a break between series books, but I enjoyed the 1st book to the Blood and Ash series so much, that I immediately jumped into Kingdom of Flesh and Fire. Poppy has found out that everything in her life was a lie, including her love interest, Casteel Da’Neer.
Watching Poppy come to terms with all of the lies she has been told was a fantastic moment spread throughout the book, and showed her growth from the first book. She’s strong, brave, and doesn’t back down from what she believes in. I’ve finally found a character I can appreciate. I also have my moments of annoyance with Poppy. She repeats herself (and her thoughts) a lot, and portions of the book were a slow read. It built up though, and the final quarter was amazing and over before I knew it.
Kieran is probably one of my favourite characters, despite his smaller role. The bond he has with Casteel and his friendship with Poppy is beautifully written. I’m expecting more of this in the third book – the author is very obviously building up to a threesome, I’m just not sure when it’s going to happen.
Keep in mind all of the triggers from the first book, because those haven’t gone anywhere. There’s a lot of violence, a lot of sex, and a lot of everything mixed together. I’m OK with it but you might not be, and that’s OK too.
4.5/5 stars
The Nomadic Reader 