Review: Sins of the Father by Isabel Lucero

December 19, 2025 by · Leave a Comment

SINS OF THE FATHER
Author: Isabel Lucero
Genre: Dark, MM Romance
Release Date: November 17, 2025

He comes to me through a lattice in a confessional booth in my church.

He’s brash, vulgar, and confessing to things that would send him to hell, and yet, I find myself intrigued by the mysterious man.

His sinful words thrill me. His way of life, so different from my own, has me coveting excitement that’s long been missing. The more I’m around him, the more I realize how long I’ve been deprived of so much, and the more my own deviance begins to emerge.

On paper, nothing about the two of us makes sense, and there are many reasons why I should keep my distance. I try to be pious, but if anyone were to find the skeletons in my closet, I’d be excommunicated from the church.

When something from my past reveals itself, I find myself being pulled into a way of life I didn’t think would be in my future, and now I straddle the line between right and wrong. Morality vs necessity.

I’m a priest. He’s a murderer. But we’re both sinners.

AMAZON

You got me on my knees, Father. Should I make a confession?” I nod once. “I’m about to ruin your life.”

The second I saw the blurb for this book, I knew it would be my first Isabel Lucero read. I am a sucker for the forbidden and the dark, and when you throw some mafia in? Stick a fork in me, I’m done!

A priest and a killer for hire? Yes please and gimme!

You can’t have sex, and I want to be the one to fuck you. To make a priest break his vow,”

While I enjoyed the story, I feel like I may have let my expectations also get the best of me. Carlo’s character development never quite clicked for me. The priesthood element felt glossed over and just thrown in for the plot, but never really fully touched. I missed the depth of the internal struggle and that never really happened. I understand that Carlo’s choice of the church wasn’t really a choice, but being in it for as long as he was, I expected at least some internal struggle. But it just felt like a switch was flipped and he no longer thought of it. And then the direction he took at the end, felt super off. I just couldn’t buy into it. I don’t want to ruin the twist, so I won’t spoil it, but I lacked the connection to really believe or buy into the direction of Carlo’s character.

As for Javi, I absolutely loved him and his filthy mouth. I do wish we got a bit more of his backstory development, but it was also just enough to connect me with him.

And while the chemistry was there, I felt like there wasn’t enough to really make the romance element believable. It went too quick too fast, that it just sort of happened, but lacked the development and the angst I’d expect.

If you like a dark mafia romance, this would hit the spot. It probably could have been done without the priesthood element and been just as good if not better. But again, my expectations got away from me with this one. Did I enjoy it? For the most part, yes. I will definitely be reading more from this author.

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Review: Cross The Line by S Massery & SJ Sylvis

December 18, 2025 by · Leave a Comment

CROSS THE LINE
Series: Shadow Valley U #3
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: S. Massery & S.J. Sylvis
Release Date: December 11, 2025

Scarlett Wallace has hated me since the moment we met.
Fine—feelings are mutual.

When she transfers to Shadow Valley U, her dad’s brilliant idea has us living under the same roof as newly minted step-siblings, and she becomes impossible to ignore.
Too stubborn. Too tempting. Too off-limits.

But when I mess up with the wrong crowd, they demand repayment.
and unfortunately, they decide Scarlett is the perfect leverage.

She deserves a fresh start after what happened at her last school…
Instead, she gets me—her stepbrother. 
The guy who can’t stay out of trouble…and can’t stay away from her.

Protecting her means crossing every line.
Wanting her means destroying the rest.


Cross the Line is a spicy new adult romance featuring a fighter and his brand new enemy (AKA step-sister), brought to you by the bestselling authors S. Massery and SJ Sylvis.

AMAZON 

Scarlett is a temptation I can’t afford.

I love and I mean LOVE this series. And while I definitely still enjoyed this book, it just didn’t hit for me like the rest of the series has. I sat on my rating for a few days, trying to decide on a 3 star or 4 stars. I liked it more than a run of the mill 3 star read, but I also didn’t feel it packed the punch I would expect for a solid 4. So halfway we meet with 3 and a half.

Now I love a good step sibling trope, especially when it’s enemies to lovers with a splash of the bully trope. I mean YUM!

You asshole,” she bites out.
“Obviously. But an asshole who can make you come.” I lean over her. “Did you see stars?”
She grimaces. “That’s that, then.”

What’s interesting here is that I read the book in one sitting and it kept me engaged form cover to cover, but it also didn’t fully connect with me. It’s like all the ingredients were there but something was still off. I can’t tell you exactly what but there was just something missing. I loved Cross as a character, but I also felt like I didn’t know him enough. I felt the same with Scarlett. The chemistry was also there, but not enough to feel their true connection beyond surface level attraction.

They hate each other from their first meeting at their parents wedding, but I never really fully understood why. Cross’s severe dislike of Scarlett felt excessive to understand. Like a distaste, sure. But the level of hate he had for her and the way he antagonizes and borderline bullies her for it, not really. It just never clicked.

I think I would have loved the story as a duet or perhaps if it had 100-150 more pages to it. It just felt like we went from beginning to finish without a middle, if that makes sense. They hate each other for so long and I loved the slow burn of it. But then the romance felt sudden and the love element too early. The ending felt a bit rushed and while it was satisfying on the one side, it also wasn’t.

I genuinely don’t even know how to describe my experience with this book. Because I enjoyed it, but when I compare it to the first two books, it just didn’t hit the same. Would I recommend it for fans of this series? Without a doubt. It was a fun, sexy read and who doesn’t love a fighter MMC? Yes please and thank you. I may have let my expectations get the best of me with this one so definitely don’t let my rating deter you. It was a fun ride and definitely one I recommend. I can’t wait for the next in the series!

S. Massery:

S. Massery is a dark romance author who loves injecting a good dose of suspense into her stories. She lives in Western Massachusetts with her dog, Alice.

Before adventuring into the world of writing, she went to college in Boston and held a wide variety of jobs–including working on a dude ranch in Wyoming (a personal highlight). She has a love affair with coffee and chocolate. When S. Massery isn’t writing, she can be found devouring books, playing outside with her dog, or trying to make people smile.

Author Links:

Website: http://smassery.com

Goodreads: http://goodreads.com/smassery

Amazon: http://amazon.com/author/smassery

Facebook: http://facebook.com/authorsmassery

Facebook Group: http://facebook.com/groups/smasserysquad

Instagram: http://instagram.com/authorsmassery

TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@smassery

Bookbub: http://bookbub.com/author/s-massery

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/authorsmassery

S.J. Sylvis:

S.J. Sylvis is an Amazon top 50 and USA Today bestselling author who is best known for her angsty new adult romances. She currently resides in Arizona with her husband, two small kiddos, and dog. She is obsessed with coffee, becomes easily attached to fictional characters, and spends most of her evenings buried in a book!

Author Links:

Instagram: @authorsjsylvis

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sjsylvisbooks/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@authorsjsylvis

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Review: Bad Medicine by Kristen Ashley

December 17, 2025 by · Leave a Comment

 

BAD MEDICINE
Series: Avenging Angels #4
Author: Kristen Ashley
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: December 16, 2025

Willow Knightley has just been through it with her ex-mooch of a boyfriend. But sadly, he’s just the latest in a long string of men (starting at birth) who didn’t treat her right.

She decides her only recourse is to give up on men forever.

The problem is, her friend/acquaintance/one-time bodyguard, member of the Nightingale Investigations & Security team, Gabriel Stark, has targeted her as His One.

Gabe’s been through it at the hands of women too, so he knows exactly what he wants.

And he wants Willow.

Willow states her case against them being an us, but she doesn’t count on the fact that not only does Gabe love a challenge, he lives for them.

Up against an onslaught from a man who rinses his own whiskers out of the sink, Willow might not stand a chance.

But then, while the Angels are trying to figure out what’s got one of their informants very jittery, she gets a hint that there are demons in Gabe’s history, and she has to know.

The bets are on…

And luck favors a Stark.

AMAZON

You can lie to yourself,” he went on. “You can lie to me. You can fight this. Fuck, I want you to fight it. But we both know, you are not gonna win.”

No one, and I mean no one, writes an MMC quite like KA. Do they all mostly sound the same? Sure. Do I care? Not even a little. This woman has a formula that is downright addictive when it comes to her characters, and I will never get enough of it.

Bad Medicine was such a swoony read. I love when a man knows what he wants and goes after it with single minded intent. And when Gabe sets his sights on Willow, she has no hope in resisting. Though resist she tries. Willow hasn’t known a good man, though she knows what they look like, since she works with the hot commandos. Unfortunately for her, she always goes for the ones who don’t deserve her. And her most recent ex has her self esteem so far below gutter, she doesn’t know if she’ll ever date again. She wants to concentrate on herself and her business. But when the broody and handsome Gabe makes it know he wants to take it there with her, it’s too good to be true. And so she treats it as such, by pushing him away at every turn. But Gabe will have none of it. And being related to Luke Stark from Rock Chick Revenge, you know you’re in for a good time. Because those Starks don’t mess around when it comes to their women and getting what they want, or their protection. But I digress.

This was one of those stories that felt like a cozy warm blanket. There was no unnecessary drama, outside of the standard trouble the Angels find themselves in. There’s a good man who fights for his woman and the woman finally coming to realize her worth and fighting for it right along with him.

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AUDIO Review: Sweet Venom by Rina Kent

December 10, 2025 by · Leave a Comment

 

SWEET VENOM
Series: Vipers #2
Author: Rina Kent
Genre: Dark Romance
Release Date: December 2, 2025

From the New York Times & USA Today bestselling author Rina Kent comes a dangerously dark stalker hockey romance.


Can I outrun his merciless obsession?

I accidentally witnessed a brutal murder.
I froze, pretended I saw nothing, hoping I could leave it behind.
But my plan backfired, and my life spiraled downward.
Now, I’m the target of cold-blooded revenge.
Jude Callahan isn’t just a hockey god—he’s a devil no one dares to cross.
My existence disrupts his stardom, prestige, and possible serial killer career choice.
And he’s set out to make me pay for that moment of silence.
No matter how much I run or hide, he finds me, watching from the shadows.
Like a predator.
I thought he’d stop at the stalking.
Or even better, he’d kill me and finally end my misery.
But Jude has other plans.
He says I can’t die. I have to pay for my sins.
And just like that, he drags me into his depraved world, kicking and screaming.

Tropes:

  • Hockey romance x secret society
  • Antihero x Good girl
  • Enemies to lovers
  • He stalks her


This book can be read on its own but for better understanding of the world, it’s recommended to read Beautiful Venom first.

AMAZON

Please let me go.”
He shakes his head once, tsking as he pushes into me. “Don’t beg yet. We’ll get there… eventually.”

The way this audio had me in a complete chokehold for 3 days should be illegal. ILLEGAL I tells ya. But can you blame me when our lord and savior, Teddy, is narrating Jude? And I mean, JUDE. JUDE. Oh the man you are, Jude.

I don’t give a fuck who your type is. From now on, I’m your only type.”

I did a combo of ebook and audio with this and I’m so glad that I did, because this is a book you need to experience in audio. It just packs a different kind of punch when you get to experience Jude through Teddy. Trust me on this.

Yeah, well, you can have neither my heart nor my soul.”
“I will have your fucking everything, sweetheart.”

Now as for the story, while this is a standalone in an interconnected series, I do no recommend reading it out of order. You just won’t have the same level of appreciation for the story or the characters. So do yourself a favor and read Beautiful Venom first.

While I was super excited to read Jude’s book, admittedly I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about Violet. After a peak into her in Beautiful Venom, I was afraid she may be too demure for my liking. And I am so happy to say that she surprised me in the best of ways. There were so many layers to her that the more the onion peeled back, the more I liked her.

If you’ve read Beautiful Venom, then you already know the dark connection with Violet and Jude. I won’t ruin it for you by telling you what it is but it landed her on Jude’s revenge list. He’s been stalking her for months, and now he’s prepared to finally do something about it. Except Violet is nothing what he expects because she welcomes his revenge. Violet was a dichotomy of strength and weakness. This is a woman who grew up in hell but didn’t let that rot her. There’s this layer of sweet and caring in her that on anyone else would seem almost cliche, but worked here.

And Jude? I LOVED Jude.

Yes, yes… oh God.”
“I can be your god, Violet. I’ll be your fucking everything.”

But I would be lying if I didn’t tell you that another secondary character took this book from a solid 4 straight to a 5 star read for me and that was Preston. The sheer chaotic madness of this man just carried the book.

I devoured this story but that ending has me wheezing for the next book. WHEEZING. I need it. With the kind of desperation I cannot even describe to you. 

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Review: Love Me Stalk Me by Laura Bishop

December 9, 2025 by · Leave a Comment

LOVE ME STALK ME
Series: Obsessively Yours #1
Author: Laura Bishop
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: December 2, 2025

For fans of Lights Out and You comes a dark rom-com debut about a woman who confides her fantasies to an AI boyfriend app—unaware she’s really talking to her hot, tattooed coworker who hacked her phone.

When overworked department store manager Izzy Russo downloads an AI boyfriend app to fill the emotional void left by her inattentive real one, she thinks she’s just venting to a harmless chatbot named “Caleb.” In reality, she’s been pouring her deepest, dirtiest fantasies into the ears of Callahan Knight—her store’s brooding new head of security.

Because Cal? He’s been listening. The moment he saw Izzy, he knew she was his. Did he hack her phone? Absolutely. But who could blame him? A woman like Izzy deserves to be cherished by someone who truly knows her worth—and he’ll do anything to be that man.

So when Izzy finally sees her boyfriend for who he really is, and the danger she’s unknowingly been caught up in, Cal is ready to protect her, no matter the cost. Even if it means revealing the truth.

She might not have meant to build the perfect man. But he’s here now. And he’s never letting her go.

AMAZON

Goddamn, pretty girl, you look like something I should get on my knees and pray for.”

You know what I hate? When book blurbs create unrealistic expectations by drawing comparison to cult favorite books in the blurbs. Lights Out and You was a leap and a bound from what my experience with this book was, and I really wish I went in without those expectations. Would I have rated it higher? No. But I would have been less disappointed. Because man oh man, did I want to love this one. And I was really looking forward to a stalker, dark romcom. Unfortunately, I didn’t find it to be dark, stalkery, or a romcom. Le sigh.

Now as much as I loved Callahan and his big wide shoulders, full of possession and fierce protectiveness, he just wasn’t enough. Though he did carry the book on his broad shoulders and ultimately the character that had me curious enough to finish. Unfortunately for Cal, I absolutely HATED Izzy. I mean, I legit loathed her and her doormat ways. The way that she let her douchebag of a boyfriend of three freaking years absolutely annihilate her self esteem and self worth drove me batshit. And I get it, I really do. Heck, I was her once, back in my early twenties. But that doesn’t mean I want to read about it for almost 70% of the book. Because that’s how long it takes for her to finally kick him to the curb. And even when he does the unspeakable in reaction to the breakup, she still tries to shoulder some of the blame. It was rage inducing to read about. I could handle it for 30, maybe even 40%. But over half of the book? It felt like her victimhood became her entire personality and there was nothing else to her. She felt entirely one dimensional. I couldn’t connect with her for the life of me, so in turn, she began to drive me nuts, the more I read.

The stalking itself wasn’t even stalking. More like invasion of privacy at best. Cal is the head of security who gets hired for the high end retail store Izzy manages. After seeing her the night before, our man is immediate obsessed and as such, hacks her phone. Obviously. And when he overhears Izzy’s best friend convince her to download an AI boyfriend to make up for the bare minimum that her boyfriend cannot manage, he decides to hack that to and pretend to be the AI boyfriend.

I kept reading, hoping for the chapter where I can finally connect with Izzy and the romance, but sadly it just never came. The story and the development barely grazed the surface, and so the characters felt one dimensional, Izzy a lot more so. Callahan had some depth to him that I wish we got to see more of, but sadly, he got overshadowed by Izzy’s constant meh-ness. And yes, I’m making that a word. The romance didn’t sizzle. The chemistry was there and so was the potential. But it just never happened. And when we got Izzy’s drunk sexing with her AI boyfriend AKA Cal, I was cringing more than I was sweating.

Sadly, this just didn’t work for me on any front. I wanted to love it because I LOVED Lights Out, and any story in that vein is an instant attention grabber. But this was not even close to what I expected. And even when I got past that, the story just felt too meh to truly enjoy it beyond Cal’s awesomeness. Sadly, even his sexy self couldn’t save this book.

But hey, as always, don’t just take my word for it. Read it and judge for yourself. You just may love it.

View all my reviews

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DGRFave & Review: A Secret And A Lie by B.H. Eastwood

December 2, 2025 by · Leave a Comment

A SECRET AND A LIE
Author: B.H. Eastwood
Genre: Dark, Contemporary Romance
Release Date: December 2, 2025

SHE TELLS SECRETS, HE TELLS LIES

There are plenty of formidable people in Washington, D.C., though possibly none more so than me. I’m not sitting in the White House, nor have an office in the Capitol building. I’m not affiliated with the three branches of the US government whatsoever. But I’m acquainted with the players who are—intimately. I know them better than they know themselves. Same with the hot shots that make up corporate America and the moguls of Silicon Valley.

You see, I’m a keeper of secrets, of sensitive information.
I pocket the whispers in the dark, saving them for a rainy day. It makes me the most powerful woman in town, but it also makes me the most dangerous, the most feared; and therefore, the most hunted.

Unfortunately for the elite ladies and gentlemen of the upper echelon, they seem to have underestimated the bite force of an apex predator who’s been backed into a corner. Perhaps it’s time the players on this country’s board get bitten, and I won’t let anyone stand in my way—no matter how handsome he is.

He’s a complication I simply can’t afford.

AMAZON

I regret nothing. I feel nothing. I remember everything.

It’s official, I am wholly obsessed with B.H. Eastwood and her words. This book owned me for the entire day that it took me to read it, cover to cover. And I still find myself thinking about it. Power, intrigue, secrets and lies. All of them flawlessly weave a tale so sinfully dark and delicious.

She tastes like she belongs to me, like she’s mine to own, to care for, mine to love.

This book is the epitome of female rage, with revenge and intrigue thrown in for a sizzling twist.

Genevieve is a high power madam. She masterfully climbed her way to the top and she keeps her place at the top by harboring secrets from the most powerful echelon of society; the political and the corporate players alike. She knows all the deepest and darkest secrets, and that makes her a risk as much as it makes her dangerous. And now there’s a target on her back and she doesn’t know who is truly holding the trigger…

Ford is an FBI agent with a job he doesn’t want. A complication he never saw coming. And a woman he can’t have.

And that’s all the details that you’ll be getting from me.

Now what can I tell you about this book? It was a thrill ride from beginning to finish. I loved Ford’s journey to his dominance. From a man who thought he was as vanilla as they come, his dominant streak finally having the opportunity to come out was simply delicious. I mean, the mouth on this man. GAH. So good.

Genevieve was a force of her own, a predator in high heels, this is a woman who slays her own dragons and I absolutely loved that about her. I also loved the way her vulnerable side came out only with Ford and I loved the masterful way he fought for her trust and owned her body at the same time.

The twists and turns kept me at the edge of my seat. The story was a powerhouse of suspense and sizzling romance, all woven together with political intrigue. Think Mindfck meet Scandal, and yes, it was as good as it sounds.

If you haven’t read anything by this incredible author yet, you are seriously missing out. If you want a book that will grab you by the throat from the prologue and keep you at the edge of your seat until the last page, you need to read this!

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Audio Review: Bonds of Hercules by Jasmine Mas

November 19, 2025 by · Leave a Comment

BONDS OF HERCULES
Series: Villains of Lore #2
Author: Jasmine Mas
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Release Date: October 28, 2025

Available for the first time in audio, the highly anticipated sequel to the viral sensation, Blood of Hercules , this audiobook features multiple narrators! Pre-order Bonds of Hercules today!

I’ve awakened my powers, and things are not well.

When I turned twenty years old, I discovered I had horrifying secret powers, got trapped into marriage with my enemies, accidentally joined a cult, and signed up for a bloodthirsty Gladiator Competition. To make matters worse, my terrifying husbands are trying to seduce me, and my old mentors are acting really strange.

Now, someone is killing Olympians—and it’s not Titans. Things are spiraling out of control.

I’m fighting for my life and drowning in secrets.

It doesn’t help that Titans are mutating and getting stronger. Chthonics are also revolting against Olympians and ghosts from my past are coming back to haunt me.

Everybody better beware.
Things are about to get very messy.

Get ready for Bonds of Hercules from bestselling author Jasmine Mas.

Perfect for listeners who

Kickass Heroine “Who did this to you?” Extreme Enemies to Lovers Morally Gray Alpha Heros Greek Myths and Gladiator competitions

AMAZON

If I cannot move Heaven, I will raise hell.”

I have never felt so conflicted about rating a book. I finished the audio over a week ago and I have sat on my rating since. Did I love it? Not really. Did I hate it? Also no. Where do I even start?

Let’s talk narrators. About 90% of the book is in Alexis POV and I loved the female narrator. I do wish that it was duet audio because the male POVs were so rare, I would have loved to hear them more throughout the dialogue in Alexis’s POV. We also finally get a POV from Achilles, which I was really hoping for. Alas, Patro totally killed the vibe for me. My issue was that I absolutely LOATHED his character and the turn he took. The betrayal cut extra deep because I never really felt like they made up for it. Not even close. He just continued to be absolutely insufferable until the bitter end. And the male narrator for Patro didn’t help because it made him sound even snootier than he acted. Le sigh.

The story was entertaining, but it also felt too long for the amount of true plot we got. I felt the story go one way in book one, and then it took a completely different turn in this book which I still don’t know how I feel about. On the one hand, considering how much I LOATHED a certain two characters, I’m glad. But on the other hand, I feel bamboozled and I’m still bitter about it.

Alexis was great and I loved Nyx. I also fell so hard for Poco, the fierce cuteness was unreal. I also loved some of the twists, especially at the end. While I do wish we got a fully satisfying conclusion, it was clear there are more books to come in this world, and I’m excited for it. Though I have no idea how these particular male characters will ever redeem themselves in my eyes, I will definitely be reading the next book.

The spice and romance was very much a slow burn and I do wish that the payout felt worth it. I wanted more time with them, and while I was fully immersed and consumed with the story, I couldn’t help but wish we got a touch more spice for all the waiting we had. But I can’t complain too much because I still very much enjoyed it.

So now you see why I’m so conflicted, because while certain parts of this book I loved, some of it I just couldn’t vibe with. The signature humor that Jasmin writes definitely helped, because it made the audio that much more fun. But I just can’t connect with the turn the story took in the conclusion. It’s a dichotomy of feelings because on the one hand after the direction some characters took, I get it. I just wish that they didn’t take that turn. Alas, it is what it is. Would I recommend it? Sure! It was a fun audio and I’m definitely looking forward to the next book. Do I wish it ended differently? I really do.

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Review: A Vow of Shadow and Blood by Charlene Antrobus

November 15, 2025 by · Leave a Comment

A VOW OF SHADOW AND BLOOD
Series: Blood Vows #1
Author: Charlene Antrobus
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Release Date: October 15, 2025

An enemies-to-lovers romantic fantasy perfect for fans of Penn Cole, Sable Sorensen, and Rebecca Yarros.

In the Kingdom of Kalyn, humans are good for two things. Hunting and owning.

Adina Barron was bred to serve the ruling-class vampires. Owned from birth by Blackwood House, her only desire has been to keep herself and her sister safe. But Adina harbors a dark secret. She possesses the power to turn her blood into a deadly poison that kills vampires. An ability she swore never to use until she learned that her sister was dying. After discovering that vampire venom can extend life, Adina has spent the last year risking exposure and execution to hunt and kill the creatures she was born to obey.

But desperation leads to foolish mistakes, and when she accidentally reveals her power to a mysterious stranger, she is forced to make a difficult choice. Use her ability to assassinate the Crown Prince or watch her sister die.

The decision is easy, and it’s not long before Adina manages to use her wits and cunning to embed herself into the prince’s life. But making the kill is not as simple as she anticipates, especially when fate seems hell-bent on drawing the pair together. And when whispers of a war start to arise, Adina realizes that there may be bigger issues than just saving her sister.

But time is closing in, and soon she will be forced to make a choice. Her sister? Her kingdom? Or her heart? Because one thing is clear, she cannot save them all.

This is book one in Charlene’s slowburn, romantic fantasy series, Blood Vows.

AMAZON

You can either go there of your own volition, or I will drag you there myself.” “You lay a hand on me and I wi—” “You will what?” he asks before dropping his voice down low. “Moan like you have all the other times my hands have touched you. I’m not really seeing a downside for you here.”

Holy WOW. When I tell you that this book had me in a complete chokehold for the 3 days that it took me to read it, I mean I was obsessed. It’s been a hot minute since I read a fantasy romance, but this reminded me exactly what made me fall in love with the genre to begin with.

The world building? Immaculate.
The characters? multifaceted and vivid.
The story? Absolutely addictive.

This is a true enemies to lovers with a slow burn so slow, it hurts so good. But what ultimately hooked me was the premise of the story.

Adina, the FMC, is a pureblood. A human bred to serve the ruling-class vampire with the potency of their blood. Year ago, a fierce battle took place between humans and vampires. And now, the humans are living with the reality of existing for two things only; to be owned or to be hunted down like the prey they’ve become. But Adina hides a dark secret and an ability that can either be her salvation or get her killed. When her sister is in trouble, she’s forced to make a deal for her life; kill the vampire prince and one of the most dangerous and powerful vampires to exist. And to do that and get close to him, she needs to become the prince’s main blood donor.

Careful, little witch, if you keep looking at me like that, it might just make me believe that you enjoy me feeding on you just as much as I like the taste of your blood.”

I spent the first 30% of the book just trying to figure out who the true villain was and who the MMC was and you know what? I loved that! The world building had me so wrapped up that I could see it like a movie reel behind my eyes as I read.

Adina is such a fierce heroine, though at times a bit too much so that I wanted to shake her. I loved her warrior heart but I wished that she would stop to see reason at times and found her approach to things could be inconsistent at times. But this did nothing to lessen my enjoyment.

The story itself is gritty and spares no feelings. If you like a book that will hurt you in the best and worst of ways, look no further. Because I felt eviscerated in many a parts. Some of it hurt so good and some of it just plain HURT. Like scream at the ceiling and have to stare at a wall for an hour kind of bad.

And then that ending? Holy cliffhanger! I’m honestly not sure how I’m going to survive the wait for book two, but Charlene has a new rabid fan in me and I am FERAL for more in this series.

Gods, Adina, do you have any idea the power you have over me? I would destroy realms to have you. To kneel before you and worship you with my tongue.”
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Review: West Bound by Maggie Rawdon

November 14, 2025 by · Leave a Comment

WEST BOUND
Series: The Quiet Horsemen #3
Author: Maggie Rawdon
Genre: Dark Romance
Release Date: October 24, 2025

When I’m stalked and kidnapped from the convent by my father’s enemy, a cowboy hellbent on revenge, everything changes.

I’m torn from my cloistered life of simplicity, thrown into the center of a bitter fight, and held at his mercy in a small cabin in the middle of the Colorado wilderness.
There could be a silver lining though.

The quiet, bespectacled, heavily tattooed horseman has an offer: If I give him what he wants, he’ll grant the only wish I have.
He might even be the one person capable of delivering it.

It’s a dangerous temptation. Just like the way he looks at me.

If I’m honest, the more I learn about the man underneath all the scars, the more I’m questioning everything I thought I believed. Especially when he makes a confession of his own.

But the cost for our deal? It’s steep.
I’ll have to break every vow I’ve ever taken.

AMAZON

“No time for being shy now, darlin’. You wanted the fucking wolf, so get up here so he can fucking eat you.”

I love a dark romance with a splash of forbidden so obviously the second I read the blurb for this book I was salivating. I mean, talk about your trope candy.

You will definitely want to read this series in order to get the full appreciation for it. While it is a standalone in an interconnected series, the overall family story arc does continue throughout each book. And while the author does a great job giving the overall summary, you’d appreciate it more having read in order.

This story takes place right after the revelation at the end of Dark Horse with the Stocktons being this much closer to the ones responsible for (I don’t want to spoiler it but let’s just say dark things that happened in their family). This revelation sends Levi Stockton undercover as a priest to stalk (read=watch) and kidnap an enemy’s daughter who’s in training to be a nun. Sounds absolutely delicious, right? And it was, for the most part.

Admittedly, if you’re looking for that feeling of forbidden, this book doesn’t quite deliver. I did feel like it barely grazed the surface of what it could have. And while it was great in the first 20%, it kind of started slipping the further I read. I can’t quite put my finger on exactly what was missing, but it did feel like the book was just trying to be too much all at once. The nun/priest thing just felt like a trope thrown in but wasn’t executed in a way that would have me at the edge of my seat.

Zephyrine was a tough FMC for me to click with. She just felt like she was all over the place. And while I loved her in parts, I struggled with her in others.

Now all that aside, the story was fun and entertaining. Perhaps if I was reading for the steam alone, I’d rate it higher. But while I didn’t love it, it was still enjoyable and a book I’d recommend for fans of dark western romance with a touch of forbidden. I’m still invested enough to want to read the next book and super curious how it will all come together. Especially with the preview of the Stockton sister potentially being our next FMC.

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Review: What is Love by Ashley N. Rostek

November 13, 2025 by · Leave a Comment

WHAT IS LOVE
Series: The Bridge Series #1
Author: Ashley N. Rostek
Genre: Dark, Why Choose Romance
Release Date: November 8, 2025

I can’t remember a time my skin was not blemished with black, purple, and blue.

I don’t know what it’s like to breathe without the weight of fear on my chest.

From a young age, I mastered how to lie and how to hide my pain behind a practiced smile. I was never told, but I’ve always known that I need to cover my punishments beneath pretty, pastel clothes and white pearls.

I must always appear perfect. The perfect student. The perfect girlfriend. The perfect daughter.

Some days, I meet those expectations. Some days, they change to something unachievable, and pain and fear become my whole reality.

I wish I could run away, but with my family’s money and connections, I know they would find me.

My past, present, and future have already been decided without my consent and it seems like death would be my only escape. So I don’t have any choice but to continue on with my perfect façade that grows harder and harder to bear when there’s no end to my misery in sight.

That is, until someone unexpected offers me his hand in a moment I need it—a moment I can’t hold my practiced smile. Despite so much risk of being caught, I take it, and I follow him and his friends into their world of worn black leather, ripped jeans, and dangerous men on motorcycles. A world, as my mother would say, on the wrong side of the bridge.


*** Warning ***
This is a why choose romance.
This story contains triggering content. For more details, please read the Know Before You Readpage located in the beginning of the book.

AMAZON

I was a willing victim for him. One who waited and watched with held breath.

This was my first book of Ashley’s and what an intro. I’m hooked. Line and sinker.

The second I read the blurb to this book, I knew I had to read it immediately. Rich abused FMC and sons of MC members MMCs? Yes please. But nothing could prepare me to the abuse that Charlotte (Lottie) was surviving.

The story is set in high school at prestigious school where only the most privileged of the rich attend. On the outside, Lottie has the perfect life. The Kendry family is the cornerstone Kendry academy that Lottie attends. But behind closed doors lives a hell that Lottie hides from everyone. A hell that exists at the hands of her abusive (OMG I loathed her) mother. Lottie longs for a different life but knows that can never be her reality.

Monroe (Roe) is a scholarship kid from the wrong side of the tracks. He’s everything that Kottie knows she needs to steer clear from. But he’s also the only one that seems to see her and able to give her a small life raft in the hell that is her life. Then there Roe’s two best friends; Reid and Wyatt. Wyatt being the easy going flirt and Reid the one who fights any connection he feels to Lottie.

The entirety of this book is from Lottie’s POV and I longed for a peek into the guys’ POV. I’m hoping that we get that in the future books because I’m already half in love with them. This book laid the foundation to Lottie and really spares no details into the hell she has lived in. The author throws you right into the darkest depths of her emotional turmoil, insecurities and fears. It was a visceral experience.

The romance is a slow burn, which was paced perfectly with the story. The cliffhanger was an absolute killer though, and I’m not sure how I’m going to survive the wait for the next book. THE WAY I NEED IT.

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