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: 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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Review: The Broken Queen by Ashley Munoz

November 8, 2025 by · Leave a Comment

THE BROKEN QUEEN
Series: Rake Forge Royals #2
Author: Ashley Munoz
Genre: Dark, Mafia Romance
Release Date: November 7, 2025

The final book in the Royals of Rake Forge duet is now here!

She was always ours.

Ours to protect.

Ours to love.

Yet, we were forced to watch as she stepped into another’s arms, completely out of reach.

We didn’t have any regrets in choosing to revive our father’s deadly legacy…we knew what threat faced this family and how much danger Presley was in.

Regardless of what our family thinks, it was worth it.

She was worth it.

We’d still burn down the entire world if it meant Presley was finally free of her burden.
We’d made amends by allowing her to remain free of us in the process.

But when someone is sent to the manor in a body bag, things begin to take a different shape.

The distance between our worlds shrinks, with it comes an opportunity to right our wrongs.

But if there’s only one chance to have Presley’s forgiveness, I’ll make sure she gives it to my brother.

Whatever it takes to heal my broken queen.
*This is a duet, and is encouraged to be read in order.*

AMAZON

Frenzied hearts often did reckless things, and once ours lacked the tether to the only person who ever made our worlds make sense, we indeed became reckless.

It’s been almost a week since I finished this book and I still find myself thinking about it. It kept me at the edge of my seat with a hand around my throat the entire time I read it and I swear, I think some parts of it just outright broke me. BROKE ME.

My sky fell, Gio. You were always supposed to hold it up.”

This book doesn’t take off immediately after the end of book one. It’s been almost a year and GOD that hurt. Presley’s pain was a visceral thing in this story, and there are parts of it that I fear I will just never get over.

I don’t want to have to tell you to fix what’s broken. I just want you to find the pieces and put them back together.”

If you haven’t read book one yet, don’t read reviews of book two. Go in absolutely blind. Trust me on this. I also recommend you read the first book prior to reading my review. You can’t say I didn’t warn you. Here we go.

Presley’s heart is shattered into pieces by the two men who have always owned her heart. Being able to compartmentalize her life and her duty to protect her family is what keeps her going. And of course, Adrian’s quiet and unobtrusive understanding also helps. When I tell you that I ended up falling for this man even though I know he was hiding something huge, I mean I fell. And I’m still not over it. But I digress.

The twins never stopped looking out for Presley, even though they have very different outlooks on things. Gio pines for the girl he’s never stopped loving, while Kingston doesn’t think he deserves and has made piece with the fact that he wants to do everything in his power to help his brother get her back, and walk away himself. But we all know what they say about the best laid plans, right.

When danger comes to Presley’s door stop, the twins are the only ones with the ability to not only get her out of the mouth of danger but keep her safe. And so they come crashing back together, with all the regressed pain and unresolved hurt, they’re back in each other’s orbit. And oh but it hurt so good.

All I do is care. I care so much, I can’t sleep. I can’t think. I am eternally frozen in this place where I broke you. It was the worst thing I could have ever done, and I’m sorry. You have no idea how sorry I am. I know I can’t fix it. I can’t go back.

I was not prepared for the roller coaster of emotion that this book will put me through. I raged, I cried, I swooned, and then I cried some more. I fear parts of this book just broke me irreparably.

I absolutely LOVED Presley and her fierce nature. I love a woman who can rescue herself and Presley is a force to be reckoned with. I loved that the twins amplified her fierceness and didn’t try to run over her.

The story was a high octane and action packed ride of betrayals and buried secrets. And woven into it was a romance full of pain and redemption. This book had me in a completely chokehold from beginning to the jaw dropping finish.

If you love a gritty mafia romance with a fierce FMC and two brothers who will give up everything for the woman they love, look no further.

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Review: The Pawn by Natasha Knight

October 31, 2025 by · Leave a Comment

THE PAWN
Series: War of Hearts #2
Genre: Dark Romance
Author: Natasha Knight
Release Date: October 29, 2025

I rule a kingdom built on blood.

Brutality is my legacy.

The moment I saw Allegra Moretti, I knew I had to have her.

The night I planned to make her my wife, my enemies attacked.

They took her from me.

They did not know the monster they unleashed.

I burned the world down to bring her home.

Now, I’ll go to war for her.

I will tear our families apart and I will deliver her enemies to her in pieces.

Allegra is my queen and I will destroy any man who dares hurt her.

AMAZON

I still hate you,” I tell him what I’ve told him before although it’s not true. I know that now. “You can hate me all you want. It won’t make you any less mine.”

The heart pounding conclusion to the War of Hearts is here and WOWZA. What an ending. I think I may have spent the entire book with my jaw on the floor.

Angry kissing. Angry fucking. It’s our love language.

Cassian was impossible not to love as a villain in book one. But as a man desperate to rescue the woman he realizes means more to him than revenge? BE. STILL. MY. HEART.

If you haven’t yet read book one, don’t read my review, because it will reveal some mild spoilers of the first book. I’ll try to limit it to the bare minimum, though. Allegra is violently kidnapped and wakes up in her waking nightmare, facing the depths of a betrayal she had assumed but never realized the full extent of. And oh how deep it goes. This woman survives hell a second time over and my heart broke for everything she goes through. But her fierce warrior heart shines through every moment and I loved her character arc and her growth. Because she goes from surviving in her world to really being her own hero and I loved that. This is not a woman afraid of death and violence and doesn’t shy away from making her enemies pay.

Now Cassian. Man. I didn’t think it was possible to love this man even more than I did in book one when he was mean and pushing Allegra away. But Cassian who has comes to terms with his feelings and will protect his woman at any cost? SWOON.

It’s not often that a book takes me by surprise with a plot twist but this one managed to completely blind side me. When I tell you I was reeling, I mean jaw on the floor and completely blown away. I didn’t see that coming at all and I love that it took me by surprise that way.

This was an epic conclusion to a deliciously dark and gritty duet and I sincerely hope we’ll get more in this world because I NEED Jet’s book desperately. 

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Review: Stand Your Ground by Kandi Steiner

October 24, 2025 by · Leave a Comment

STAND YOUR GROUND
Series: Kings of the Ice #5
Genre: Contemporary, Sports Romance
Author: Kandi Steiner
Release Date: October 24, 2025

I wrote up the contract myself.
Legally binding. Crystal clear.
No strings. No feelings.
Just sex — and two million dollars in exchange for my time and expertise.

Carter Fabri may be Tampa Bay’s newest rising star, but off the ice, he’s all Bambi eyes and inexperience. He’s a virgin in desperate need of lessons in dominance, seduction, and everything in between.

And I happen to be just the woman to teach him.

I don’t need his money.
But I do need what it can give me.

I’m thirty-two, cut off from my family, and one bill away from drowning in student debt. The fantasy I’ve built around my lifestyle is getting harder to maintain. This pay day would secure the lifestyle I’ve worked too hard to let slip through my fingers and finally give me the chance to save for something I’ve always wanted — something I’ve never told anyone about.

So, I take Carter on as my student. I lay out every rule, every boundary, every carefully controlled term of our arrangement.

What I don’t plan for is how quickly he’d catch on — or how much I’d enjoy letting him take the reins.

This was supposed to be a lesson in power.
But somewhere along the way, I stopped being the one in charge.

I thought I could keep my heart out of it.
I thought I’d accounted for every risk.
But some consequences you can’t predict — no matter how carefully you draft the terms.

AMAZON

We were exact opposites; her dominant and me submissive, her confident and me insecure, her living carefree while I struggled to feel adequate every day I woke up.

My whole heart right now. Carter Fabri stole it and I never want it back!

Livia Young was elite in every way, and I’d been ruined from the first sight of her.

Would you believe me when I tell you that this was the book I was least looking forward and almost decided to skip on? I know, I’m judging my own self right now. But in my defense, my fictional tastes tend to gravitate towards dominant men. I love them possessive, dominant, cocky, and a little mean. And Carter? He’s the golden retriever that I never saw coming. So while a Domme FMC with a submissive MMC isn’t usually my cuppa, something about this blurb just called to me. And I am so glad that I gave it a shot because it just became one of my favorite books in the series.

Livia Young was impossible not to love. I. love a strong and fierce FMC, and this woman was a true bad b*tch. A woman who made an amazing career for herself, was confident, and had no qualms about taking what she wants when it came to her sexuality. So was it any wonder that inexperienced and bumbling Carter was infatuated with her.

Haven’t you figured it out yet?” I leaned in, my voice low and steady. “I’ll give you anything you ask for.”

And while golden retriever MMCs aren’t usually my thing, I fell so hard for Carter and his insecurities. And there’s just something about an eager to please virgin MMCs, especially when said MMC is the rising star in the NHL. I loved his quirkiness, his insecurities, his honesty, and his pining. GOD did I love his pining.

Carter goes to Liv with an unorthodox proposal; to teach him how to be confident and to be a rockstar in the bedroom. Enter a mutually beneficial contract for them both that doesn’t quite stay as emotionless as Liv hopes.

The more I learned about Livia, the more I realized that still waters run deep with her. My heart broke for her in parts but I absolutely loved the way that Carter was there for her. He’s so supportive of her and notices her every quirk, even those that her closest friends may miss. I loved the way that he knew her.

I was in love with Livia Young. And I had no fucking clue how to survive it.

Their chemistry was absolutely incendiary and this may have been one of the spiciest books in the series. Because those spicy lessons of theirs? HOLY OVARIES on fire batman!

I adored this book. And the preview into the next one? I AM FERAL. FERAL. I need it!

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Review: Half-Light Harbor by Samantha Young

October 23, 2025 by · Leave a Comment

HALF-LIGHT HARBOR
Series: Scottish Isles #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Samantha Young 
Release Date: October 23, 2025

I went to Scotland looking for answers about my past. The last thing I expected was getting trapped on a private island with my stoic, brooding, gorgeous contractor.

Ramsay McRae is a man with secrets. He prefers the company of his dog to people and silence to any semblance of politeness. He says I’m too young, too sweet, too innocent.

Only he doesn’t know the truth. That I’m haunted by a crime that tore my life apart two years ago. I’ve come to Half-Light Harbor not just to start over, but to bring the monster who killed my parents to justice.

The last thing I need is a tortured Scot distracting me from my mission. But when his restraint snaps and my walls crumble, the results are explosive.

We say it’s only a no-strings-attached affair. A temporary moment to burn out this fire between us.

However, when my search for the truth brings danger to my door, it’s Ramsay stepping in to protect me. But it might be the secrets from his past that tear us apart forever…

AMAZON

“You don’t have a ‘me problem.’ You just want a domineering bastard in your bed.” He took a step toward me. “Domineering bastard at your service and happy to oblige. Now take off the bra.”

A brand new series from one of my favorite authors? YES please and thank you. And make it a romantic suspense, with a broody, reclusive, and mysterious alpha male with a dirty mouth and a past shrouded in dark secrets? *kicks feet giddily*

You, sir, have a very dirty mouth.”
His eyes roamed my face. “You liked it.”
“I did.” I blushed inwardly. “To my surprise.”
“I liked how much you liked it.”

Tierney is a woman who grew up not wanting for much, with successful parents and the life of a socialite. But they also raised her to appreciate everything that she has, so this is not your spoiled society princess. When the tragic death of her parents turns out to be something more than it seems, Tierney is determined to get to the bottom of it. She moves to Half-Light Harbor not only to escape but also to continue to work to bring those responsible for tearing her world apart to justice.

Tierney was impossible not to love. There was such a fierceness to her. This woman is loyal to her friends and loved her parents. She’s not afraid of doing the right thing, even when it costs her everything.

Ramsay is the island recluse. No one knows much about this man and his past is shrouded in mystery. He won’t ever let anyone close enough to know what still haunts him, aside from his best friend Quinn. When Tierney hires Ramsay as the contractor for her in, the sparks between them is immediate. And while the attraction definitely goes both ways, Ramsay is determined to fight it. He thinks Tierney is too good for him, too young for him, and just too close for comfort. So what’s a man to do? Agree to a no strings hookup situationship, that definitely is going to have strings that are going to come out in the best of ways.

Her gaze dropped to my crotch where my c*ck proudly tented my joggers. “Well, you certainly have a lot of stamina for a man of your advanced years.”
Little brat. I curbed my smile, covering it with a glower. “In ten seconds, I’m going to take care of my situation myself and leave you to deal with your own. Unless you bend the f*ck over.”
“You know you should really psychoanalyze why you are able to string together so many fully formed sentences when it comes to sex but not when it comes to normal, everyday conversation.”

We also get to meet secondary characters, like Ramsay’s best friend Quinn, his sister, and Tierney’s best friend, London. And while I’m excited for all of their books, I’m especially excited for Quinn and his second chance romance because you just know that the grovel should be epic. But I digress.

There is a strong suspense element that runs flawlessly in parallel with the romance. And I absolutely loved the way it all came together. Would I have loved a bit of a longer grovel from Ramsay? Sure. But he also did make up for everything in a way that only he was capable, so I couldn’t stay mad at him.

I’m also a sucker for dogs in books, and I loved Ramsay’s adorable alaskan malamute pup who also fell for Tierney as hard as he did. 

Samantha Young is a New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author. She’s been nominated for several Goodreads Choice Awards. Samantha writes adult contemporary and paranormal romance, YA urban fantasy and YA contemporary fiction and is currently published in 31 countries.

She resides in Scotland.

 

Connect with Samantha

Website: http://authorsamanthayoung.com

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Review: The Villain by Natasha Knight

October 23, 2025 by · Leave a Comment

THE VILLAIN
Series: War of Hearts #1
Genre: Dark Romance
Author: Natasha Knight
Release Date: October 22, 2025

My life changed the moment I saw Cassian Trevino standing in the shadows of my father’s study.

A ruthless villain in a suit, he’s the head of a rival mafia family.

I should have been safe.

Instead, I was trapped by the man my brother betrayed.

Cassian came for blood.

But he took me instead.

Now I’m his possession.

His obsession.

He demands my surrender. He wants my body, my heart and soul.

And the most dangerous part? My heart has already betrayed me.

But the truce between our families is fracturing. We stand on the brink of a mafia war.

Loving my enemy isn’t only forbidden. It could be the deadliest betrayal of all.

Author’s note: This is a dark mafia romance. NO cheating. Check TW on my website.

AMAZON

Let me tell you something about our world. There are no heroes. We are all villains.”

I don’t know what Natasha puts in her books that make me inhale them each and every single time. It’s the best sort of book crack and this book was no exception. I inhaled it in one sitting was shacking in need for the conclusion.

Allegra Moretti finds herself in the crosshairs of a dangerous man with an even more dangerous bargain. Following the death of her father, her bumbling brother takes over the criminal empire. Only he ends up owing the wrong man a lot of money. And that man is going to take his sister as collateral until he pays it back.

Cassian Trevino is a brutal man and I know what brutal men are capable of.

When grown man tremble at his feet, Allegra fights Cassian tooth and nail. Sometimes almost too much that it made me want to shake her. But I also loved watching her rile him up. This woman is no victim, she fights him with everything she has and I loved her viciousness almost as much as I loved her inevitable surrender to their connection. Because who doesn’t love them some hate sex?

I’m going to make you come so fucking hard you forget how much you hate me,”

But I digress.

There are just as many questions raised for every answer that we get. The more you learn about Cassian and his secrets, the more questions we get for Allegra. I was so intrigued by Cassian and his tumultuous relationship with his step brothers, especially Jet (who I’m hoping will be getting his own book).

And that cliffhanger? Luckily I have book two already or I would have been rocking myself in a corner somewhere, because it was BRUTAL.

And it’s not just sex. Sex would be easy. A simple, human need satisfied. No, this is something far more dangerous. This is possession. A whole other level of need.

 

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Review: Beyond The Blue Horizon by A.L. Jackson

October 7, 2025 by · Leave a Comment

BEYOND THE BLUE HORIZON
Series: Moonlit Ridge #4
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: A.L. Jackson
Release Date: October 7, 2025

I should have known I’d break the promise I made when I found her stranded in a blizzard…

Feisty as hell and the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever seen.
With the cutest kid and her grandmother in tow, she’s completely off limits.
I don’t get involved with women like that.
I learned long ago I don’t have the ability to love.
My life is sordid and danger is always hiding in the shadows.
Only I can’t turn my back on them when I realize she’s in trouble, and I insist on them staying in a cabin at the motel I own.
As penance for my sins, I promised my life to protecting others.
Except she becomes so much more.
A need I don’t recognize. A desperation that burns beneath my flesh.
One kiss, and I’m falling for her.
One touch, and I’m at her feet.
But when my dark past comes back to haunt me, I’m in a race against time to save the only woman I’ve ever loved. Only it may be the demons that have been chasing her that destroy what we built…

AMAZON

I told you I had nothing left to give, so why do I want to give you everything?”

Oh Theo Mallin, the man you are.

I have been obsessed with the Moonlit Ridge world since book one, and the chokehold it now has on me is beyond words. Ever since the small preview in the previous book, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on Theo’s book. And don’t you just love when a book you’re eagerly anticipating not only meets your expectations but blows them away.

Now if you’re like me and love the heroine in trouble trope, you’ll love this series but especially this book. Piper is clearly running from something when she comes crashing into Theo’s life. And I mean that literally. He rescues her when her car loses control on a snowy road and crashes with her adorable son and sassy grandmother. Luckily they’re all unharmed, but her car is totaled, and leaves her stranded. But of course, not on Theo’s watch, who immediately steps into rescue mode. Now while this had the insta attraction/connection vibes, which aren’t usually my cuppa, it simply worked here.

Theo is a protector through and through. He will stop at nothing to help Piper, even if she pushes him away at every turn.

I shouldn’t be thinking of you every second of the day and every long moment of the night. But there you always are, in the periphery of my sight.”

Piper is clearly running and her secrets run deep, but we don’t know the full extent of them. And I love the way that AL Jackson feeds you snippets of it, morsel by morsel, through flashbacks and revelations. The puzzle pieces slowly connect and the twists were absolutely jaw dropping. Though, I did put the pieces together pretty quickly, it was still a non stop action packed ride that I enjoyed thoroughly.

The chemistry between Theo and Piper was absolutely incendiary. It was a slow burn full of chemistry and angst.

Fine.”
“That seems to be your favorite word when it comes to me.” His mouth was suddenly back to my ear. “And I can promise if I had you, it wouldn’t just be fine.”

If you love heroines in trouble with an absolutely SWOONY protector MMC who will spare nothing to protect the woman he cares about, you need this book in your life. I adored Piper’s little boy. He was one of the best secondary characters and the connection with him and Theo was everything. And I also loved her sassy grandmother who doesn’t mince words.

The romance was epic and the action was non stop. I simply can’t get enough of this series and I’m already dying for the next book.

A.L. Jackson is the New York Times & USA Today Bestselling author of contemporary romance. She writes emotional, sexy, heart-filled stories about boys who usually like to be a little bit bad.

Her bestselling series include THE REGRET SERIES, CLOSER TO YOU, BLEEDING STARS, FIGHT FOR ME, CONFESSIONS OF THE HEART, FALLING STARS, and REDEMPTION HILLS novels. Get her latest enemies-to-lovers, second-chance romance, NEVER LOOK BACK, available now!

If she’s not writing, you can find her hanging out by the pool with her family, sipping cocktails with her friends, or of course with her nose buried in a book.

Be sure not to miss new releases and sales from A.L. Jackson – Sign up to receive her newsletter https://geni.us/ALJacksonBookClubB  or text “aljackson” to 33222 to receive short but sweet updates on all the important news.

Connect with A.L.

Newsletter: https://geni.us/ALJacksonBookClubB

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Review: The Lost Kings by Ashley Munoz

September 27, 2025 by · Leave a Comment

THE LOST KINGS
Series: Rake Forge Royals #1
Author: Ashley Munoz
Genre: Dark, Mafia Romance
Release Date: September 26, 2025

From the creator of the bestselling Stone Riders series comes an all-new romantic suspense described as “John Wick meets The Summer I turned Pretty,” with an angsty love triangle between twin brothers.

I was always told people grew roots where they were planted.

But mine developed between the hearts of two brothers.

For as long as I could remember, they were my protectors, living on the opposite end of the manor.

It was when I turned eight that I realized the truth. The twins were never supposed to protect me. It was the other way around and I would grow up to be the one that kept our family safe.

As time went on, they were forced to watch while I was broken and reshaped into the weapon needed to break us free from the cage our family had been forced into.

I always assumed the twins understood.

But when I became old enough to accept my fate, they slapped it away and tried to show me a different choice.

Even with my heart in their hands, I tried to make them see that there was no other path for me to walk.

They left, abandoning the family and destroying those roots that had kept us together.

Without them, we were forced to align with a powerful enemy.

But the twins returned when it was discovered how close I became with our rival.

I assumed it was to reclaim my heart, but it was to declare war.

We stood on opposite sides, but somewhere in the middle was my broken heart, still held between two lost kings.

AMAZON

I just simply couldn’t understand the draw of being with one man when two was an option.

If you’ve read Ashley’s Rake Forge University series, you’re going to love the next gen spinoff featuring the daughter of The Joker.

I have been eagerly devouring any hints into this book for months now. It’s an MFM and it’s a love triangle and I was desperate to find out more. Is the love triangle between the twins? Or is the love triangle between the twins and another man? And after reading this book, I’m still desperate for answers.

I didn’t want him looking at her. I didn’t want him falling for her. He couldn’t. Not when I was fairly certain I already had.

Presley is the daughter of Kyle “The Joker” and with the weight of her father’s empire and sins on her shoulders. From the time she was old enough, she was training to take it over and all the dangers that come with it, including her father’s enemies who never stop coming for him.

Gio and King are the twin sons of Taylor and Juan from King of Hearts and are Presley’s best friends. And from the time they’re old enough to recognize the emotion, they’ve been in love. Though the odds are forever stacked against them with who Presley’s family is.

The story is told in equal parts of past and present. Though I’m not usually a big fan of a lot of flashbacks, it really worked here to give you just enough understanding of their past in order to connect with what is happening in the present.

It was an angsty, slow burn of a story that tugged on the heartstrings right before it ripped them to absolute shreds. I have no idea what I’m going to do with myself until the conclusion. I love the usual spin on mafia male heir with Presley being the tough queen that she is. Her training at the hands of her father’s uncle was ruthless and she grew into a fiery woman but one who can still get her heart crushed by the two men who she never got over.

If you love a forbidden romance with plenty of angst, emotion, and heat, then you’re not going to want to miss this one!

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Review: Brutal Reign by Monica Kayne

September 12, 2025 by · Leave a Comment

BRUTAL REIGN
Series: Bratva Kings #3
Genre: Dark, Mafia Romance
Author: Monica Kayne
Release Date: September 12, 2025

Hope King was supposed to die by my hand. Instead, she became my obsession.

For five years, I’ve hunted the Triad princess. The daughter of my enemy. The woman who haunts my every waking moment.

When I find her on her wedding day, I don’t eliminate her like I was ordered to—I marry her instead.

She thinks I’m the monster who destroyed her world, and she’s right. But she also shattered mine—carving a void in my soul that only she can fill.

Now she’s trapped in my compound, in my bed, in my life. She can fight me all she wants, even plan her escape. But Hope is mine now, and I’m never letting her go.

Brutal Reign is a dark mafia romance that includes forced marriage, accidental pregnancy, and a secret child. It has no cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily-ever-after. Can be read as a complete standalone.

AMAZON 

“You can run from me, angel moy. I love to chase. But when I catch you, and I will, I won’t let you go.”

Oh but I am loving this series. Monica has quickly become of my favorite dark mafia romance authors and this book hit every spot, even those I didn’t know I had.

Hope and Pavel’s story was deliciously addictive. A Triad princess and the Bratva king? Yes please!
Pavel’s syndicate and the Triad ran by Hope’s father have been at war, until everything comes to a deadly end one night. When the syndicate realizes that the woman who managed to escape was the daughter of the now dead triad leader, Pavel is sent in to eliminate the threat. But when he comes face to face with Hope, he knows he can’t kill her, so he lets her go. Only to come crashing back into her life on her wedding day to the next Triad leader and marry her instead, whether she wants it or not.

The story was such a thrill ride of a story. It had non stop action and I loved the dynamic between Hope and Pavel so much. The way that he’s so ruthless and deadly but will burn the world down for her? Swoon. And while she hasn’t yet come to terms with her reality, you see her feelings for the brutal man who’s fiercely protective of her bleed through every passing day.

And the mouth on this man? Lord have mercy. The dirty talk was definitely hitting. I also loved Hope’s tenacity. She wasn’t brash or impulsive, but quietly thoughtful. I appreciated that she wasn’t the cliche FMC in a forced marriage that runs into danger at the slightest inconvenience. I loved her balance of vulnerability and understated strength.

If you’re looking for a dark and sexy mafia romance with great characters and an addictive story, look no further!

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