 4 stars
Love, Rekindled: A Second-Chance Romance Collection by the 1001 Dark Nights is out now—and it's worth a read. In this romance novella collection are five different stories from some of the best authors in the game, all dealing with one of my absolute FAVORITE tropes: second-chance romance. Most of them are with characters familiar to those authors' readers from their established worlds and etc., which is extra fun if you're interested in either revisiting your author's favorite worlds OR you'd like to try your hand at a new-to-you author. (I know that stuff above is very market-y, but truly I think collections like this are a great soft sell for authors to meet new readers—it's how I get introduced to new series, because a novella is a lot less stakes than an entire novel!) In this collection: Slayed by Darkness by Alexandra Ivy Evermore by Corinne Michaels The Close-up by Kennedy Ryan Rafe by Sawyer Bennett Rough Rhythm by Tessa Bailey I requested Love, Rekindled because I am a huge fan of both Kennedy Ryan and Tessa Bailey. So let's be real, most of my thoughts here are for those two novellas in particular because I DID run right to their stories first (listen, we all do it!). Kennedy Ryan's second-chance romance with Takira and Naz had my heart, y'all, with its sweet high-school flame start and its steamy adult ending. These characters exist in a cross-section of Ryan's basketball players universe and her Reel universe, so I loved all of the references and to see these characters get their sweet happy ending. Tessa Bailey's romance was, like all Bailey stories, SMOKIN' hot. I honestly don't want to talk about this one too much because I had the best time going into it blind, but here's a little teaser quote to get you interested... "If another man called you his plaything, Lita, I would gut him." (Tell me you don't want to read that!!) As someone who hasn't read any of Alexandra Ivy, Corinne Michaels, or Sawyer Bennett before—and all of their worlds were new to me—I'll confess that I enjoyed them but don't have too much to say specifically about their individual stories. I did get intrigued though by their worlds, so those three authors have joined my growing TBR pile to try out their series soon! Thank you so much to the publisher for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
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 3.5 stars
I love visiting Kristen Ashley Land. It's a special place where the people have heart, good times are had, romance is king, and drama fuels the fun. This second romp in the Avenging Angels universe was no exception! Please stop HERE if you have not read the first book in the series, Avenging Angel. This series of interconnected standalones is best read in order. My review of Avenging Angels here. Back in the Saddle is the second story in this spinoff series from Kristen Ashley's popular Rock Chick books—which are some of my favorite romance books EVER, I highly recommend them if you're into highly dramatic, very over-the-top stories. This series takes place in Phoenix, and the main narrative hook is a Charlie's Angels concept of younger women in their thirties who right the world's wrongs while having a good time and falling in love with hot men. What's not to like?? Truly, the vibes of this series are fantastic. As someone who rereads at least two Rock Chick books every single year, my expectations for this second-generation spin-off series were through the roof. And they delivered! Avenging Angels was the romance of Raye and Cap, and it was precious. Drama, hijinks, the whole nine yards. Now we're here, with Back in the Saddle, and it's Jessie and Eric's story. Eric Turner had his introduction in the Rock Chick books—a former FBI agent who left the scene because his partner betrayed him by being a crook, Eric's had a rough go. Add in some personal life drama and he's been ready for his happily ever after for QUITE some time. Enter Jessie Wylde, the Avenging Angel who is a mixologist by day, and worried older sister by night. She's looking for her brother as he struggles with his mental illness and is on the run, and she's desperate to find him. Eric's been about Jessie since he saw her months ago, so when she needs the backup, he wades in and makes his intentions knownnnn. It's time for another adventure in KA Land... Strap in! Okay, so on to the good stuff: This installment gave me all the warm fuzzy favorites that I associate with Kristen Ashley books. Namely, that we're here for a good time and not for a literary deep dive. I say "Kristen Ashley Land" when I talk about her books because it's like Disneyland—it has its own ecosystem with its own mannerisms, rules, sense of time/place, and culture. These books don't feel current or even grounded in our universe—they're grounded in location (here, it's Phoenix) but the time period feels like its own bubble of the past and present together and the characters all act in a very particular way that doesn't feel like Reality but isn't necessarily a fantasy. It's a vibe, and I know it's a very particular one that clashes with more people than it meshes with. I'm a mesher, but you reading this might be a clasher (and that's okay). KA isn't for everyone. That being said—being in the zone in a KA book is an endorphin high like little others I've experienced in books. So I was flying high on my drug of choice once more: these stories. Eric and Jessie were very emotionally stable and wonderful characters to follow and I enjoyed their sweet romance very much. Maybe some less good stuff: Okay. So it pains me to admit this, but Back in the Saddle was not my most favorite book in the KA universe. But hold up, because I know sometimes a 3.5 star rating is seen negatively by a lot of people and I don't mean to knock this book down at ALL. It's just, we wanted different things here. I'm a person who needsssss that angst. That drama. That I-don't-know-how-they'll-make-it-past-that-hang-up push and pull in romance. That oh-baby level of steam based on extenuating circumstances and tropes like forced proximity and instant attraction fueled with angsty vibes. And Jessie and Eric's story? Was all fluff. They didn't have drama, because they were reasonable adults who loved each other and communicated. Different strokes for different folks, I know, but for me? I wanted Eric and Jessie to go through it before their happily ever after and they didn't. Couple the lack of relationship drama with a serious lack in DRAMA drama (again, reasonable adults with reasonable boundaries means everyone was too on the same page for us to get TO the drama stage) means that I was craving a drama fix that I didn't necessarily get. However, all of my quibbles here are because I'm a drama-loving, extremely over-the-top romance reader. So my fellow readers, if you like something softer and more emotionally balanced, take those signs as a positive! Regardless, I am LOCKED IN to the concepts that were teased in this book for a future Harlow story and a future Luna story. Those seem... dramatic...!!! Many thanks to the author for my copy in exchange for an honest review.  4 stars
It’s always a good day when I read a new KA book! Two friends who have orbited around each other for decades finally break the seal on the tension—will their friendship and romance remain, or will they burn up in the launch? Characters: ★★★★ Plot: ★★★ Pacing: ★★★★ Writing style: It's a KA book, so keep this in mind as her writing style is Very Dramatic and you either love it or hate it. (I love it!) Embracing the Change is the 6th book in the River Rain series, and unlike the 5th book, Fighting the Pull, this one is definitely a series continuation and should NOT be read as a standalone. Nora Ellington is a New York socialite enjoying her life as a divorcee with her adult children orbiting around her and her wonderful friend/family group filling her life with fun and drama. Her life is full, and she is happy. Part of the reason Nora's life is both of those things is Jamie Oakley. Jamie Oakley is a billionaire who's been happily married twice before and had both of those marriages end in tragedy. He's comforted his pain with his adult children, their successes, and the fact that his friend/family group is rich in love. He's happy, his life is full, and he's comfortable. Part of the reason Jamie's life is all of those things is Nora Ellington. Everyone in the River Rain family/friends dynamic knows about Jamie and Nora. They've been best friends and dating-without-dating for years. Their lives orbit each other and they're happiest when they're together. But neither one of them will break that final seal—you can't put the jack back in the box, after all, and both of them are too scared of losing what they have to try for something more. So they wind and wind that jack in the box tighter. And tighter. But then Jamie kisses Nora. PING, goes the jack in the box. Now Jamie and Nora have to deal with decades of history, deep-seated love, and reconciling with both of their problems before their foundations crumble under the strain of the "will they, won't they" cascading down around them. Ahhhhhh, it's ALWAYS good to be back in the saddle with a KA romance. These novels have something addictive in them, folks, and long-time mutuals of mine know that I can't be stopped—if it's KA, I'm there, and I'm not leaving until I've devoured it all (and likely more than once). The River Rain series is one that I was late to the party for, which I know is shocking based on what I just said. But I missed it when it was first released—I'd been making my way through KA's backlist and knew I'd get to this series eventually. Now I'm here, albeit with half of the playbook as I started with Fighting the Pull, and I'm having such an emotional time. This series is different for her and yet exactly the same. The main difference is the sheer depth of the family/friend dynamics—this isn't like the Rock Chicks with one continuous line of friends getting their moment in the sun. This series is an entire blended family of multiple generations, friends, family, and others all mushing together into each book for a myriad of different set ups. It's dense! Which makes it kind of complicated, if I'm honest, and very hard for a newer reader to get into it and have a good time without making a detailed map of the family/friend tree. However, the core of this story is the same as all KA--the romance is top-tier, the love is strong, and the sense of community and family prevailing over all gives me the warm fuzzies, every time. Nora and Jamie's story has some bumps in the road. But not too many, and it's not that hard of a journey. They're adults, after all, and they don't have time for each other's B.S.! (A take that I loved and hated, as a person who lovesss her angst but agrees that sometimes it's not needed.) Don't miss this latest installment. And if you're new to River Rain, start at the beginning with After the Climb!  4.5 stars
It feels so surreal to be talking about this third and final book in the one-of-a-kind Frozen Fate trilogy. These characters and this truly bonkers/dark/wonderful/epic storyline have held me in a GRIP all year! And we're finally here... at the end. Do NOT continue reading this unless you've read the first two books in this trilogy or are okay with lots of spoilers for the previous books. It's literally impossible to discuss anything without spoiling massive cliffhangers in books 1 & 2. Consider this your warning!! Curious about this series? Check out my reviews... My review of Hills of Shivers and Shadows. My review of Cage of Ice and Echoes. Okay, the newbies gone? Let's dive in. Heart of Frost and Scars starts exactly where the previous book left off--Frankie, our survivor and main female protagonist, has escaped the hellscape of HOSS with her lovers, Kodiak and Leo, and all three of them have been forcibly reunited with Frankie's husband, Monty, who has been on a rampage looking for his missing wife. They've been through fresh hells, all four of them, and now it's time to assess their next move(s). Denver, Frankie's abductor and Kodiak and Leo's abuser, is dead courtesy of Frankie. But Denver's legacy lives on... At the end of book two, we discovered that there's another person out there stalking Frankie and willing to do depraved things to have her. In typical Denver fashion, this posthumous information is delivered with much drama and no answers, leaving Monty, Kodiak, Leo, and Frankie all in the lurch and afraid of an unseen target. So naturally, they all move to Monty's heavily fortified and secured island. Yes, you heard that right—Frankie, her two new lovers Kodiak and Leo, and Frankie's husband, Monty, all in one unhappy pile on Monty's property. What could go wrong?? Oh, and did I mention that the Strakh men all recently discovered that they're all related?? Yes, so we've got Monty, Frankie's husband and Leo's uncle / Kodiak's half-brother. Kodiak discovers that while he's the same age as Leo, he's actually Leo's uncle as he was fathered by Rurik Strakh—Denver and Monty's father. And Denver was Leo's father. Making Monty Leo's uncle. (And they're all in love with Frankie. And they're all traumatized beyond belief but unwilling to remove themselves from the ring of Frankie's suitors.) Listen, I told people in my very first review of this series that this was a Credence for another, darker audience. And I meant it. And that's it, that's the setup—the rest is what this third novel is about, and it's best to go into it blind for best effect. My general, non-spoiler thoughts for Heart of Frost and Scars are.... 1. Pam Godwin is a masterclass in angsty, real-world, painful scenarios. She takes these characters to the very brink of reality and then gives them impossible choices. As a reader who's been around the block, I find this level of adrenaline-soaked decision making to be very...fresh. We go there, folks, and we confront the worst corners with eyes wide open. It's dark, it's extremely trigger-filled—but it's raw. There's an intensity to this writing and these concepts that I appreciate. 2. That arc of incorporating Frankie's husband into this new dynamic??? So rich. Rich with tension, angst, drama, and healing. Monty's a possessive bastard who had a monogamous marriage until a shattering abduction and now... there's other men? and they're newly discovered relatives? His raw reactions to that setup were fascinating to me and, honestly, my favorite part of this particular installment. 3. This entire series hinges on secrets and surprises, with the stakes rising with each chapter. With that, I was nervous for this third book. Would the final pay-off be worth it? Would the romance(s) break apart or mesh? How could we resolve this extreme plot? Without getting into spoilers, I think it did and it didn't. Did I love reading it? Yes. Was it a great story? Yes. Did I feel... fully satisfied, fully complete with the arcs, pacing, final reveal, and time spent with the build up? ...Not completely. But similarly to the first book, I wonder if this one needs to be sat on for some time before fully actualizing into a favorite read. Don't get me wrong—I still loved it. But there were some threads, some arcs, and some pacing moments that I didn't completely love. Truly, one of the most unique and interesting romance series currently on the market. All the kudos to Pam for making this a reality—and I am SO looking forward to more. Dun dun dun...!  4.5 stars
Another adorable win from Julie Soto. Her brand of funny + emotional + medium-stakes drama really works for me, apparently. (Even if I'm getting pretty tired of the 'published Reylo fanfiction' element of romance books these days.) Writing: ★★★★★ Characters: ★★ Plot/Pacing: ★★★★ Not Another Love Song is for us musician girlies. You know, the ones who were too involved in their high school band or orchestras—or maybe even those of us who made it to college-level bands or orchestras too, or even beyond that. If you don't love the lifeblood of being a concert musician, I don't think this novel will hit you quite the same. But for those of us who remember those days... Gwen Jackson is a early 20s violinist for the Manhattan Pops, an orchestra group that plays non-classical orchestra arrangements. She's be a respectable member of the violin section, never standing out yet never flopping, for years. So when she is unexpectedly given the first chair / concertmaster seat, Gwen's floored. Xander Thorne is the bad boy of the Manhattan Pops, arriving late and barely practicing each piece. He's a musical prodigy and the headliner for a popular rock-strings ensemble (think Vitamin String Quartet) that tours the world. He's too good for the minor leagues, and the worst thing is he knows it. Obviously, Xander and Gwen are going to butt heads with Gwen's recent promotion and Xander's absolute fixation on Gwen's performances. There's something about Gwen's raw sight reading that calls to Xander in his blood, and he must know what it is. (Gwen has no idea what he's talking about, but she's pretty obtuse in this arena.) And the two of them find themselves fascinated by the other for various reasons. Fans of Ali Hazelwood and other "Reylo" fanfiction tropes will automatically recognize the arcs of this story. Aloof yet smart, hulkingly large dark-haired man with tiny, smart yet seriously situationally stupid pretty girl fall in love with the miscommunication trope. I'll be brutal, that's what this—and apparently every other Reylo story in the canon—is at its basic level. It either works for you or it doesn't, and for me, I'm in the "it works" camp for at least a little longer. I look forward to more Julie Soto—but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that her next read freshens up the tropes a bit. (Even someone who enjoys the Reylo archetype gets tired of it.)  4.5 stars
The third mystery romance from Kristen Ashley's Misted Pines series, and my personal favorite?? This was so adorable, sweet, and engrossing. Characters: ★★★★★ Setting: ★★★★ Plot: ★★★ 1/2 Writing style: It's a KA book, so keep this in mind as her writing style is Very Dramatic and she loves a good one-sentence paragraph (like, REALLY loves it) New to the Misted Pines series? I recommend readers start with book one, The Girl in the Mist, because this series of interconnected standalone romance pairings is best enjoyed in order. My review of The Girl in the Mist (Misted Pines #1) here. My review of The Girl in the Woods (Misted Pines #2) here. Nadia Williams is trying to recuperate and figure out her life in the wake of tragedy. When the cozy cabin shows up on her online search in the quaint small town of Misted Pines, Nadia has a gut feeling that it's the right spot for her. She abandons her high-rolling Chicago life for the woods. Riggs, a single-dad bachelor who works high-end craftsmanship commissions, lives on the small lake that Nadia's rental cabin sits on. He's a good time guy, a loner who's never wanted for temporary female company, and he's not pressed about Nadia living down the way. After all, no one stays in that cabin for long. But this good time guy and this healing woman with deep secrets are about to fall into each other in a big way, as Misted Pines is becoming known for one thing in particular: murder and drama. There's a legend of ghosts on Nadia's cabin property, with a long history of renters being run off the property in the middle of the night. People died on that land violently and the community has never fully recovered. Somebody has secrets to keep, and at the heart of the mystery is Nadia's small cabin property. Riggs and Nadia are caught right in the middle of it. With an attraction between them, individual baggage behind them, and an uncertain perpetrator in the woods, these two find that sometimes fate has a path in store for you—whether you're ready for it or not. The Woman by the Lake was a romance novel that took me partially by surprise. Which is probably on me, because I knew I was a huge KA stan and I knew that I had fallen in love, slowly, with this series. Why I was totally blown away with my love for this one in particular, who knows. For frequent KA readers like myself, the Misted Pines series is very unique. Kristen Ashley is known for her romantic and plot-based drama, her usually metropolitan settings, and her very large ensemble casts. Misted Pines has very little of those tropes—it's a minimal cast (single digits!), the drama is centered squarely on the plot and not the romance element, and it's so far into small town territory that it's in the literal woods. So that means all the "fluff" is scraped away from these stories, leaving the reader with what is at the core of all great KA tales: the romance itself and the character dynamics. If you're a romance reader, odds are that you love the character dynamics. That's what those stories are often about—the feel goods, the journey to love, the dialogue, the angst between the two leads, and the emotional core of the tales. (And for the smut readers, some seriously good times in the sheets too.) The Woman by the Lake shines with its romance dynamics and the sweet love story at its core. It's bottled up feel good, and I loved every second of it. Thank you to the author for my copy in exchange for an honest review.  4.5 stars
You know what I love? I love being surprised by stories. When you’re a frequent reader, the surprises become fewer and farther between as you reread tropes and plot points. But Pam?? Pam always surprises me. And I love her for that. This story is so unique and so angsty and yes, I’m still obsessed. Plot: ★★★★★ Pacing: ★★★ Angst: ★★★★ Enjoyment: ★★★★★ This is the second book in the Frozen Fate series. You CANNOT start with this book, you must start with book one--Hills of Shivers and Shadows. Read my review of Hills of Shivers and Shadows here. Okay, now I'm writing this review for my fellow besties who have already read Hills of Shivers and Shadows. Y'all.... I'm convinced that Pam laces these books with something to make them this good. There's no other author in this subgenre that I read as obsessively as her. I don't read a lot of darker romance, but I'll always read Pam because at the end of the day, I know the characters are in love. There might be a hell of a lot of angst and pain in their journeys, but it's all coming hand-in-hand with their eventual love arc. So with that being said, let's talk about the propulsive sequel, Cage of Ice and Echoes. Frankie, Leo, and Kodiak are stranded in the Artic Circle. Their generator is broken. They've just killed their abuser, Denver, and he was the only one who knew how to fly the plane—their one source of escape from the wilderness. They're going to die out here in the dark, frigid cold without any help or way of escape. Leo and Kodiak are found-family brothers, raised in this unforgiving hellscape with Denver. They're grieving the loss of their fellow brother, Wolf, and are reeling from the fact that for the first time in their lives, they are free of Denver's abusive control. And they're both obsessively in love with Frankie. Frankie was abducted by Denver at the beginning of this series and brought to the Arctic Circle compound where it became clear to her that something very sinister lay at the heart of the compound. After a traumatic several months spent in Denver's control and orbiting around Denver's three adult "sons," Frankie finds herself entwined forever with these rugged Alaskan men. But with Wolf and Denver gone, the three remaining survivors have a lot to work out—not the least of which is their deep connections and love for each other. Can Kodiak and Leo share a woman when they both love her obsessively and see each other as brothers? Can Frankie navigate this unique romantic scenario while also dealing with the perils of surviving a starving, freezing winter? And wait, there's another wrinkle in this already crumpled story: Monty, Frankie's rich husband, isn't out of commission. Denver might have ruined Frankie's love for her husband by showing her a video of Monty cheating on her after she "left him" in her abduction, but that was Monty's one fumbling moment in months of endless pain. He's been a broken man since Frankie "left," and he's never given up. He's running himself and his fortune into the ground in an effort to find his missing wife. What will he do—and what will Frankie do—when and if he finds her? So many tangles. So many threads. So much pain, and beauty, and grace. The heart of this survivor's tale is deep in the frozen tundra, and it's time to connect some dots. Like all of Pam's stories that I've read so far, you come for that unique scenario that propels you to find out "why." And then you stay for the hard-won and emotionally fulfilling romance story arc that awaits you at the finish line. This sequel is in the middle of a trilogy with cliffhangers on both sides—there is no big closure moment here. It's the middle leg of the journey and it reads like one. A little softer, a little more focused on building the relationships vs. uncovering more secrets. After the pain and stress of the first book, I enjoyed this reprieve as a reader. And now I'm FERAL for that third book.  5 stars
I have been waiting a LONG, long time for the Rock Chicks universe spin-off series. It's here. …and it was AWESOME. My heart is full. Characters: ★★★★★ Plot/Pacing: ★★★★ Enjoyment: ★★★★★ From the Blurb: Rachel Armstrong has a burning need to right the world’s wrongs. Thus, she becomes the Avenging Angel. And maybe she’s a bit too cocky about it. While riding a hunch about the identity of a kidnapper, she runs into Julien “Cap” Jackson, who was trained by the team at Nightingale Investigations in Denver. Now he’s a full-fledged member at their newly opened Phoenix branch. It takes Cap a beat to realize Raye’s the woman for him. It takes Raye a little longer (but just a little) to figure out how she feels about Cap. As Raye introduces Cap to her crazy posse of found family and his new home in the Valley of the Sun, Cap struggles with his protective streak. Because Raye has no intention to stop doing what she can to save the world. But there’s a mysterious entity out there who has discovered what Raye is up to, and they’ve become very interested. Not to mention, women are going missing in Phoenix, and it seems like the police aren’t taking it seriously. Raye believes someone should. So she recruits her best friend Luna, and between making coffees, mixing cocktails, planning parties and enduring family interventions (along with reunions), the Avenging Angels unite to ride to the rescue. When you've waited a long time for something, it builds up in your head. Expectations, memories, that nostalgia of the past growing in effect over time... The whole nine yards. That's why sequels and spin offs are so tough for me—both in my books and in television/movies. Based on that, you could definitely say I was nervous for Avenging Angels. How could a new spin-off give me that same rush of pure joy that the original Rock Chick series gave me?? Will the vibes resonate?? Can I let go enough of my old favorites and their memories and let in a new generation?? All of those questions and others made me anxious. But y'all--when in doubt, it's always best to trust the process. KA delivered. From that very first chapter, I was hooked. Rachel, or "Raye," leapt right off the page and into my heart with her drive, her shenanigans, and her Phoenix found family. It was like no time had passed and yet, still, something fresh and new unfolding on the page. Raye might be an Angel, not a Rock Chick, but dang does she stand mighty fine next to our original leading ladies. And then there's Cap. Who I was most nervous about—I'm being honest!--mostly due to the fact that I wasn't sure if I, as a reader, could make that transition from seeing him as a young teen named "Sniff" in the original series to the badass leading man energy of a KA love interest. Again, I don't know why I ever doubted... Cap, nicknamed because of his physical similarities to a yummy bearded Chris Evans, was perfect. Assertive without being an alphahole. Competent without being annoying. Supportive of Raye's journey without being a background wallflower. He just...worked. And that worked for me in a big way. There's no other way to say this: I felt like I was coming home to this novel after being away for several years. Home might look a little different for us Rock Chick fans—we're in Phoenix, not Denver, and the cast of characters is largely new—but it was still home. I thought the balance of old to new was done perfectly in Avenging Angels. It's a new cast, but the old cast is there too in a realistic way. And the shenanigans?? OH BOY, hang on to your hat. Ridiculous in that classic KA way. Lovable in that KA way. Just... home. (At least for this KA and Rock Chick mega fan.) Can't wait for more of the Angels to get their happy endings! Thank you so much to the author for my advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.  5 stars
Honestly?? I’m obsessed. I'm not usually a dragon-shifter person, but wow did this Regency-adjacent, filthy-yet-sweet variant really hit the spot. Concept: ★★★ Plot/Pacing: ★★★★★ Romance: ★★★★★ Calling all fans of dragons, Regency romances, alpha/omega, and soft yet filthy stories... The Alpha of Bleake Isle is your kind of good time. As the one Alpha of the Bleake Isle dragonkin, it's Lord Ronson Cadogan's duty to choose an eligible omega once per decade from society as his official rut partner. The fact that Ronson hasn't chosen one in decades is... not going well. The stuffy society Beta men of the island aren't going to let him get away with this odd behavior without a challenge for much longer, and Ronson knows it. So this time, he's made it clear that he intends to pick an omega for the very first time. Mairwen Posy knows precisely who the Alpha of Bleake Isle will choose, and it certainly isn't her. In fact, it's so predictable it's almost boring. Mairwen, called "Mouse" by society, is a wallflower and observer, cursed to the sidelines due to her lack of perfume and less-than-ideal body shape. So it shocks everyone when Ronson chooses...Mairwen. (The two of them have their reasons for this choice.) Now officially "together" with no warning and no preparation, Ronson and Mairwen discover that things on Bleake Isle aren't quite as they should be... and it's up to them to fix it. But can they fix the rot at the core of Bleake Isle while facing an intense attraction to each other?? Dun dun dun. Cue that sweet, sweet romance set with a heavy dose of spice. It was no surprise to me that I enjoyed this story—I am obsessed with Kathryn Moon. I'm always going to read what she writes. Always. But I'll be honest, I wasn't expecting to fall utterly in love with this story. The dragon thing tied to the historical vibes...Those are not buzzwords for me as a reader. But then I tried it, and DAMN. I'm into it now. (Or at least, I'm into the version of it that Kathryn's given us here.) This was sweeter than I expected it to be. This was more plot-filled than I expected it to be. And it was just... perfect. I loved Ronson and Mairwen. I loved the unique spin on the alpha/omega tropes and setup. Every expectation I had was clearly blown away, and I find myself eagerly sitting on my hands now, waiting for news for more in this series/world! Thank you to the author for my early copy.  5 stars
Me: I will never read a book with the cheating trope!! Never!! Sara Cate: Bet. Me: *immediately smashes that TBR button and consumes the story* When I tell you I devoured this story, I need you to know that I mean that literally. The Home Wrecker consumed me—this polyamorous story of Caleb, Briar, and Dean was one that I never thought I'd be interested in reading but, once Sara Cate introduced me to these characters, I knew it was all over for me. I don't like books with the following tropes: cheating, established marriages, or large plots involving children/having children as a main element of the story. I also speed away from all books centered on religion. The Home Wrecker had all of my no-no list tropes. It's about an established marriage in crisis surrounding two extremely religious characters who are trying to conceive their second child and fracturing apart because of their failures. Even typing out that sentence, my body is going ICK, PLEASE, NO. Those things are (were) not for me. But I was intrigued by The Home Wrecker's premise: Briar and Caleb, our married couple, find themselves orbiting around a new man in their lives—Dean. Dean is an escort with a very open sexuality (he's bi) and a sensuality to his lifestyle that both Briar and Caleb cannot understand. Dean's happy with who he is, he's not religious, and he's not afraid of his own desires and wants. Both Caleb and Briar are afraid of so many things. When Dean's presence starts to unravel the tightly wound nest of problems at the core of Briar and Caleb's relationship, all three of them start to realize that maybe... there's something else worth fighting for in this tense cold war. The core of the story is Briar and Caleb's relationship and how Dean finds his own home and belonging within their arms--I don't want this blurb to sound like Dean is a tool for the "main pairing" to thrive. Sara Cate has written a truly polyamorous love story here and Dean's own personal arc and journey are just as important as both Briar's and Caleb's. The marriage pairing might be the sexy and taboo hook here for the marketing, but I want to highlight Dean's own individualism in this story. His happy ending is very much at play here too. If you can handle the idea of these tropes, and you're willing to explore non-heteronormative traditional endings and acceptance, then I'd love to point you toward this book. It's a fulfilling and loving story of acceptance and personal growth wrapped up in a very Sara Cate-style sexy package. Come for the spicy taboo. Stay for the feels. I promise you won't regret it. (And trust Sara on the cheating trope! I did.) Thank you so much to the author for my advanced reader copy and the wonderful goodie package!! |
Amy Imogene ReadsJust someone looking for her own door into Wonderland. Categories
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January 2025
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All reviews posted are my own and do not reflect the opinions of any other individual or entity. When applicable, reviewed titles sent to me by the publisher are noted at the bottom of each review.
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