Review: Of Spindles and Nightfall by J. Ann Curtis

October 11, 2025 by · Leave a Comment

OF SPINDLES AND NIGHTFALL
Series: The Villain’s Kiss #3
Genre: Dark, Gothic, Fantasy Romance
Author: J. Ann Curtis
Release Date: October 1, 2025

Rumpelstiltskin meets The Serpent and the Wings of Night in this spicy, fairy tale retelling.

Never make a deal with a demon—especially the demon arch king.

Aryana, the vampire princess, has spent her life as a weapon in her uncle’s cruel kingdom. But when the demon arch king, Zarathos, steals her away, she is thrust into a world more treacherous than anything she could have imagined.

Zarathos’s presence is suffocating, his dark power intoxicating. He claims she has the ability to turn straw into gold—a lie. But the real truth is far more terrifying. He needs her for the deadly demon trials, and he’ll stop at nothing to bend her to his will.

Bound together by a bargain neither can escape, Aryana must fight for Zarathos in the trials, even while the magnetic pull between them grows with each passing moment. The more time they spend together, the deeper she’s pulled into a world of lust, power, and ruthless peril.

Zarathos will never let her survive the trials. She’s nothing more than a pawn in his plans. But as the fire between them burns hotter, Aryana wonders if the demon king has claimed more than her life—has he taken her heart as well?

Of Spindles and Nightfall is a standalone, dark gothic fantasy romance—a reimagining of the Rumpelstiltskin tale, filled with vampires, demons, and a deadly love that could destroy them both. Perfect for fans of possessive shadow daddies, forbidden passion and dangerous bargains.

AMAZON 

She had once been the flax, and he the expert spinner, but somewhere along the way, their roles had reversed. Now, he would gladly be a thread woven into her masterpiece.

I am a sucker for a fairytale retelling. And my obsession with Once Upon a Time show also instilled my obsession with all things Rumpelstiltskin. So when I saw the blurb for this dark gothic fantasy romance, I couldn’t jump on it fast enough.

I was immediately sucked into the story, though I did wish it was written in first person POV at times.

If you love a true enemies to lovers, this story delivers an epic one with a vampire princess and the arch demon king who she strikes a dangerous bargain with. I immediately loved Aryana and her fierceness. A vampire princess who grew up under her cruel uncles brutality disguised as training, it assured her feelings of being the outsider. Her drive to protect humans was single minded and the more you learn about her past, the more you understand it.

Zarathos kidnaps Aryana and thrusts her in a world even more cruel that her uncle. Stuck in an impossible situation, she strikes a deal with the arch demon for what she thinks may be her salvation, but she doesn’t even know the true dark depths of.

I will say, if you’re expecting a full fairy tale retelling, this isn’t that. It’s more of a nod to the original fairy tale but with its own unique twist that I really enjoyed. You have two equally tortured characters who don’t know just how alike they are.

This story is dark and gritty, with parts being truly gruesome and hard to read. The reader is thrust in the middle of a vicious demon trial, where only the strong survive. It’s kill or be killed and Aryana proves to be a strong contender. I loved watching Zarathos fall for her almost as much as I enjoyed her fall for him, despite their best efforts not to and being enemies.

The story is a slow burn but has plenty of sizzle mixed into a dark and gritty world building, action, secrets, betrayals, battles, and deals signed in blood.

It was an entertaining read that kept me turning the pages well into the night!

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Review: Scorned Beauty by Victoria Paige

October 8, 2025 by · Leave a Comment

SCORNED BEAUTY
Series: Scorned Fate #5
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Mafia
Author: Victoria Paige
Release Date: September 26, 2025

She can never be seen on his arm in public because she’s the hired help.

Sloane Scott has a reputation.
She’s the go-to cleaner for the New York mafia.
Discretion is unspoken if not written in blood.
No sleeping with my clients is her unwritten rule, so why the hell does the arrogant boss of the De Lucci crime family play a starring role in her steamy dreams.

Dominic “Dom” De Lucci has a reputation.
He’s the scion of two prominent crime families and New York’s most eligible villain.
Sought after for alliances, he has his pick in an arranged marriage.
But no one makes his blood simmer more than the off-limits beautiful cleaner for the mob with a voice made for seduction and a body made for sin.

When their attraction sparks to explosive levels, they give in and agree to certain rules.
What they have isn’t a relationship.
No dating. No giving gifts. No drama.
And, especially, no falling in love.
Just sex exclusively with each other.

So when Dom takes another woman as his “fake” date to formal events, Sloane understands because it helps cover their affair.
And their arrangement works for a while, until the most important rule is broken.

AMAZON 

I wanted to fight her demons, even if one of her demons was me.

When a grovel is listed as one of the tropes, you best believe I will be all over it. And all over it I was. I binge read this story in one sitting!

Debating what to do with you,” I murmured. “Debating what to call you. Girlfriend sounds so immature.”
“And what have you decided?”
“Wife sounds better.”

Sloane is a nurse student by day and a cleaner for the mafia by night. Her troubled brother inadvertently ensuring that she continues to stay in the crosshairs of the Russian Bratva, while her friendship with Bianca kept her in close proximity with the Italian mafia.

Dominic is Bianca’s cousin and a man who’s been obsessed with Sloane. I loved his single minded intention with her even though I wanted to throttle him for always keeping her at arm’s length. Sloane is not exactly looking for the complications of a relationship herself, so when Dom offers her a mutually satisfying arrangement that centers around multiple orgasms, she agrees. Though she keeps him at arm’s length herself.

But then Dom screws up and he does so epically. And as the dominoes of his mistake begin to fall, they unravel the man he knows himself to be. To say that he’s tortured by what happens is an understatement. I loved the way the author chipped away at his human side with the regret of his choices. But I will say, it made his grovel so much more satisfying.

I would call this mafia light. It touches on some dark undertones but doesn’t fully get immersed in the dark depths of it all. There is a sassy dialogue and witty banter with humor that adds another lighter layer which helps offset some of the darker themes and topics that are touched on in this story.

I loved Dom’s grovel to his HEA with Sloane and I loved the way that Sloane made him work for it. If you’re looking for a sexy mafia romance with a possessive MMC who messes up big but grovels bigger, definitely give this one a shot!

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Review: Rising Reign by Tessa Hale

September 24, 2025 by · Leave a Comment

RISING TEIGN
Series: The Wolves of Crescent Creek #3
Author: Tessa Hale
Genre: Why Choose Romance, PNR
Release Date: September 24, 2025

Love means sacrifice. And that’s what I’ve done: given everything to keep those I care about safe.
Now, I’m back where it all began, trapped with the architect of my nightmares. And this time, I know he won’t stop until he breaks me.
But my wolves won’t stop either. They’ll do anything to bring me home and end the one who has me in his sights.
Only there are more monsters and enemies than we ever could’ve imagined, and when new secrets are revealed, it will take everything we have to defeat them…

Book Three in the Wolves of Crescent Creek Series.

If you haven’t met the wolves yet, their story begins in Crescent Kingdom.

AMAZON

You should want to stay far away. Because when my resolve breaks, I’ll fuck you so hard I’ll imprint myself on your bones. You’ll never be free of me. And you’ll want to be. Because I’m destined for your nightmares, not your daydreams.”

The much anticipated conclusion is finally here! I have been waiting for three books for Ender to finally give into the inevitable. While I loved all of Wren’s mates, there was just something about Ender’s form of brokenness that just called extra harder for me. And boy did he make it worth the wait.

Wren’s strength really shines through in this book. First her survival at being captured and tortured at the hands of her sadistic father and his pack once again before her rescue. Then she’s back with her mates, training for the day that she will inevitable face him again.

We get introduced to Ender’s mysterious source, and when you find out exactly who he is, oooh man. I am hoping that we get that book next because holy WOW.

There’s a lot of relationship development that happens in this book with a splash of action in the very begging and at the end. Admittedly, the final battle did feel a bit anticlimactic for how fast everything wrapped up. But then again, I still enjoyed it, so I can’t complain much.

This brought a delicious combination of sizzling and suspenseful that had me reading it in one sitting. A satisfying conclusion to a great trilogy!

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Review: Finding The One by Kristen Ashley

September 14, 2025 by · Leave a Comment

FINDING THE ONE
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series: River Rain #7
Author: Kristen Ashley
Release Date: September 9, 2025

Their parents being family friends, American/English aristocrat, Blake Sharp, and Scottish playboy Alasdair Wallace were thrust together all through their childhoods.

Blake thought Dair was a filthy, obnoxious, little boy bully.

Dair thought Blake was a spoiled, prissy wee miss.

Then Blake grew up to be a beautiful, loving woman who took care of everyone and made amazing pistachio muffins. And Dair grew up to be a protective, fun-loving, hard-living professional rugby player.

In the meantime, they’d both been deeply betrayed by lovers.

When their paths cross again, Blake is still reeling from her fiancé’s treachery and what she learned about herself during it.

Dair thinks he’s recovered from a marriage to a woman who was not at all what she seemed, and now he’s smitten by the woman Blake has become.

So smitten, he has every intention of exploring what they can grow to be together.

But their combined family history is filled with secrets and lies. Secrets and lies that explode in their faces.

And while they deal with that, ghosts from the past rise up and threaten to haunt their future.

Is what they built together strong enough to hold true?

Or will their personal demons tear them apart?

AMAZON | iBOOKS | NOOK | KOBO | GOOGLE PLAY

 

You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. But when you laugh, I see a wee bit of that little girl I knew, except she isn’t unhappy like she was always unhappy.”

Now I love me a good redemption story ARC, particularly when it’s a female one. And Blake had a beautiful story to boot. Growing up with the mother she had and the family dynamic she did, it’s no wonder that she had some rough years. But seeing the way it molded her into the woman that she is today; caring, compassionate, yet oh so vulnerable to the hurts of the past, was all that more satisfying.

Alasdair Wallace was a typical KA alpha but with a Scottish brogue. Did we get the usual “babe”, no we got “hen”, and I was so here for it.

This was a beautiful story of redemption and soul mates, and I loved the way that Blake and Dair got together. They grew up together, but there was no love lost between them. Well, mostly Blake, who felt like Dair picked on her when they were kids. Now here they both are, years later, at Blake sister’s wedding. Dair, now divorced for several years and knows exactly what he wants and who he wants it from. Blake, narrowly escaping a disastrous wedding to a cheater and not looking for a repeat. Dair sees Blake and goes after her with a single minded intent. And while she tries to fight the pull for a little while there, Dair is impossible to resist.

If you’ve read any KA book, then you already know how well she can write a beautiful relationship development and this was no different. I loved the way that the family dynamic was effortlessly woven in to their story to make it all that much better. The interworking of Dair and Blake’s broken families healing something in this book was incredible to read about. And right as I was starting to grow a bit bored with everything being just too relationshipy for these two, we got the tension in the best of ways.

I have to say that I loved the conflict in the romance because it also just fit. It fit both of these characters so well that the conflict happening felt as natural as them resolving it.

If you’re looking for a beautiful romance with some crazy family twists, amazing secondary characters, a conflict with a delicious grovel, and a two characters who are entirely too easy to root for, you’ve found your next read!

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Review: The Reluctant Siren by Lexi Blake

August 15, 2025 by · Leave a Comment

THE RELUCTANT SIREN
Series: Texas Sirens: Legacy #2
Genre: Erotic Romance, Suspense
Author: Lexi Blake
Release Date: July 29,  2025

Harlow Dawson went through something terrible while working a case in Los Angeles. She fell in love. To be fair, the love part wasn’t so bad, but the betrayal left her devastated and in police custody. She returned home to decide how to move forward. One thing was for certain. Her life wouldn’t include Jensen Wiley. Two years later she’s back on her feet, working with her best friend, and building her business. She’s been falling for a new guy at The Hideout. Niall Griffen makes her feel safe. Until she learns his secret at the worst possible time.

Jensen Wiley has spent years working his way up in the criminal organization that took his brother’s life. The only thing that ever threatened to break his need for revenge was meeting Harlow Dawson. She became his partner until he realized she was being drawn into the darkest part of the organization. He had very little time to get her out and didn’t think she would go quietly. He knows his betrayal saved her life, but he hasn’t stopped loving her. Now they’re in the same city and he needs someone watching over her. He means to keep his distance until she walks right into the middle of his mission.

Niall Griffen has worried about his best friend, Jensen, for years. When Jensen asks him to watch over the woman he loves, Niall reluctantly agrees. The trouble is he falls for her too. If nothing happens, he doesn’t feel there’s any reason to talk to his friend about their unrequited love triangle. But after one night together changes everything, Niall knows he needs a new plan to make sure no one gets their heart broken. The good news? Harlow comes from a family with an interesting dynamic. He just might be able to make this work for all of them.

Things begin to unravel when Jensen’s past comes back to haunt him and the man he’s been hunting threatens to turn the tables on him. Protecting Harlow is now the only priority and might just send them all right into the relationship they all need.

AMAZON

What do you want, Niall?”
“A chance to show you exactly how good I can be for you, Harlow Dawson.”

If you haven’t discovered the deliciously steamy small town series full of kooky residents and kinky f…romance, you’re seriously missing out. I loved Lexi’s Texas Sirens series and I’m absolutely loving the second gen spinoff with this series.

If you read Siren Unleashed and you loved the uber protective Chase and Ben, prepare for their firecracker of a daughter. And of course for Chase’s crazy brand of overprotectiveness.

This, like all in this series is a D/s, menage MFM romance and yes, it’s as good as it sounds.

Now if you know me then you know I love me a second chance romance. And I especially love when he grovels. And here we get not one but two completely obsessed with her alpha men. We have Jensen, the guy who broke her heart years ago and she never forgave. And we have the sweet and dominant Niall, who unbeknownst to Harlow has some secrets of why he’s there.

Sprinkle in some danger, action, the kookiness that only Ian Taggard and his company can bring, and you have yourself a sexy page turner. And did I mention the second chance?

Do you want a sincere apology?” He didn’t think so, but he needed to give her the option. If he could do this with tenderness, he would.
“Fuck you, Jensen, and fuck your apologies.”
Hate sex it was then.

Harlow was fierce and kickass. I loved how fiercely independent she was. I also loved the way she let the men soothe her harder edges. I love the balance the men brought. And you know I loved the spice!

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Review: The Kingpin’s Call Girl by Annika Martin

July 25, 2025 by · Leave a Comment

THE KINGPIN’S CALL GIRL
Series: Moonlit Ridge #2
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Annika Martin
Release Date: July 25,2025

I’m not a call girl; I’m a college student—playing dress-up to find my sister.

One night. One assignment.

Get invited to the table. Memorize names. Get out.

Easy—until he walks in.

Luka Zogaj isn’t just powerful.

He’s lethal. Savage. Worshipped and feared like a god.

And when he sees me, he buys me.

Not for a night. For two weeks.

Now I’m living a double life—student by day, owned by a monster by night.

He doesn’t know I’m living a lie.

But every time he touches me, I forget who I am.

He’s the last man I should want.

And the only one who’s ever made me feel like this.

AMAZON

I just paid you for fourteen nights with a few grand extra thrown in. You’re mine, same as that jacket there. If you try to hide, I’ll find you. If you leave town, I’ll find you even faster. For the next two weeks, you are mine and mine alone.”

Oh Annika, you sure do know the way to a girl’s heart.

Now it’s been a minute since I read a book by this author, and I have no idea why. I forgot that Annika was THAT girl when it comes to writing some of the most delicious MMCs. If you didn’t know, just read Dark Mafia Prince and thank me after. But I digress.

The second Annika released the title to this book, I was immediate intrigued. But when I read the blurb, I absolutely had to have it. A dangerous criminal and the innocent college girl he buys thinking she’s a call girl? TAKE. MY. MONEY.

When I tell you that I devoured this book in one sitting, I mean I gobbled it right up.

Edie is desperately searching for her missing sister and manages to get herself into quite the pickle. The pickle being her being forced to pretend to be a call girl to try to gather information on some dangerous people. Get in and get out. Until she catches the eye of the most dangerous man in the room, Luka Zogaj. And oh Luka, the savage that he was.

You hate me, don’t you? I’m an awful man who takes whatever he wants without paying. A beast who hurts the good people of the world just because he can. And now you belong to me, and I’m gonna make you come again, and I’m gonna make you crave me, and there’s not a goddamned thing you can do about it.”

Now did I want to judge Edie for her naiveté at times? Sure! But then I remembered that she’s on her own, desperately searching for her sister, and my judgy braid would just shut off. I loved how she wasn’t afraid of Luka almost as much as I loved the way he got off on her scorn and sass.

Somewhere along the line, somebody messed with your head and left you high and dry. Probably your daddy…
I’m your daddy now,” he says, entering me slowly, stretching me over the sink and working me how he wants

This story had everything; the grit, the suspense, the chemistry and the sizzling romance. The villain was somewhat predictable, but I think it may have meant to be with plenty of hints thrown along the way.

It was one of those books that I devoured in one sitting and was thrilled to see would be a series, because I desperately need more. If you love a sexy and gritty mafia romance, you need this book in your life. Trust me on this now and thank me later, mkay?

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Review: Eclipsed Empire by Tessa Hale

July 16, 2025 by · Leave a Comment

ECLIPSED EMPIRE
Series: The Wolves of Crescent Creek #2
Author: Tessa Hale
Genre: Why Choose Romance, PNR
Release Date: July 16, 2025

One secret tore my life apart. It sent me running from the place I thought I would be safe, right into the path of untold enemies.


But when my life is in danger, the wolves I thought I’d lost for good are the ones who come for me. And they’ll burn down the world to keep me safe—even if none of us trusts each other anymore.


With every moment we’re forced together, every whispered apology and stolen touch, my resolve to keep them at a distance weakens. And when I realize just how much each of these men has come to mean to me, that resolve crumbles to dust.


Only there are more secrets to uncover—all our pasts lurking in the shadows. And when the monsters emerge from the darkness, there’s no escaping them this time…

**Book Two in the Wolves of Crescent Creek Series. If you haven’t met the wolves yet, their story begins in Crescent Kingdom.**

AMAZON

My little warrior would live to fight again. She would regain her strength. And I would vanquish every threat to her well-being from this Earth.

How was this cliffhanger even more painful than the first book? I am not OK. NOT. OK. What do I even do with myself until Sept? This is sadistic, Tessa Hale. Why am I slightly turned on here? Let’s switch topics, kay?

I have been chomping at the bit ever since that killer cliffhanger in book one. If you haven’t read book one, don’t be reading my review because it will have some mild spoilers of book one though I will try to give away as little as possible.

This book starts off immediately where the first one ended; Wren back in the pits of hell but at someone else’s hands and her mates desperately trying to find her. Not going to lie, there were so many moments that I wanted to punch Ender in the throat, I lost count. I get that he’s tortured, but his toxic skepticism toward Wren was starting to wear on me. Luckily he got the wake up call that he needed and I will say his atonement was deliciously violent and satisfyingly torturous. While I wish Wren wasn’t as understanding to him and made him work for more with her, I also understand why she didn’t. I just happen to be a bit more spiteful than our girl I guess.

I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness, but I will spend the rest of my life making sure you’re safe.”

I swear, I fell even harder for the guys in this book. Seeing their fierce protectiveness of Wren come out along with those who questioned her in the end of the first book go through hell of beating themselves up over it was delicious. I loved her further bond with Brix, along with Puck and Locke. Kingston has some work to do and that’s not even touching our tortured man, Ender. I just know book three is bound to be epic.

I devoured this installment just as quickly as book 1 and eagerly anticipating the final book in this fantastic trilogy!

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Review: At the Edge of Surrender by A.L. Jackson

July 15, 2025 by · Leave a Comment

AT THE EDGE OF SURRENDER
Series: Moonlit Ridge #3
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: A.L. Jackson
Release Date: June 16, ,2025

A surprise single dad, small town romantic suspense…

I’m the last guy on the planet who should be a dad. My life is chaos. My sins written dark and deep.
So, imagine my surprise when my doorbell rings and I open it to find the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever seen standing on the other side.
And she’s holding the hand of a little girl who looks just like me.

Emery tells me her sister, the child’s mother, is dead.
I feel like dirt since she’s a woman I can hardly remember, and it’s no wonder Emery doesn’t trust that I’m worthy of caring for her niece.
But I can’t turn my back, and I insist on raising Maci.
So, we strike a deal—she’ll stay with me for one month to ensure the little girl is safe.

Emery tries to hate me for who I am, but neither of us can resist the attraction that blazes between us.
One brush of her hand, and she has me on my knees.
One kiss, and I’m falling fast.
Soon, we find ourselves tangled in my sheets.

But when it’s discovered her sister’s death wasn’t accidental, the secret life I’ve been living collides with the past Emery has tried to keep hidden.
And when the fiends come back to finish the job they started, I’m in a race against time to save the two people who I’ve come to love most…

AMAZON

You shouldn’t look at me that way, Emery.”
“What way am I looking at you?”
“Like you want to surrender.”

Swoon. When I tell you that AL Jackson can write one hell of an MMC, this is what I mean. Kane Asher is the epitome of a tortured character. I loved him so much.

Now do I love a surprise pregnancy trope? No. Do I like it even less when it’s not the FMC’s baby? Yes. But if anyone can make me love it, it’s this author. And I was honestly blown away at just how well it worked in this story. Kane is a lone wolf and doesn’t spend more than a night with a woman. So imagine his surprise when he learns he has a daughter he knew nothing about and the woman to deliver the news is the sister of the mother who tragically passed away.

Now Emory took me a minute to warm up to. She was so hard on Kane and judged him so much that it was frustrating at parts. I understand her rationale but it was just too much of it also.

The story itself was gripping and Jackson writes a suspense like no other. It had twists and turns, it had chemistry galore, and it was another fantastic installment in one of my favorite series. 

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

Facebook: https://geni.us/ALJacksonFBB 

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Review: Rush The Edge by SJ Sylvis

June 4, 2025 by · Leave a Comment

RUSH THE EDGE
Series: Blue Devils Hockey #2
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: S.J. Sylvis
Release Date: May 22, 2025

A brother’s best friend, enemies-to-lovers, hockey romance by Amazon Top 50 and USA Today bestselling author, S.J. Sylvis.

I never would have moved to Chicago, if I had known he would be there.

Moving to a brand new city to share an apartment with my older brother was bad enough.

Becoming neighbors with Kane Barlow, my brother’s arrogant pro-hockey-playing best friend, was just the cherry on top of the dumpster fire my life has become.

Did I mention that Kane is also the guy I had a secret fling with years ago?

I haven’t seen him since and let’s just say his icy glares and frigid demeanor are reason enough for me to get my own place.

Little does he know, I’m in Chicago for a reason that has nothing to do with him. So what if his snide remarks and attempts to get under my skin are wildly entertaining? I came here for stability – not distractions, and definitely not the kind with infuriating smirks.

But the more we clash, the more the tension between us shifts. His icy glares turn into heated glances, and our aversion to being around each other quickly morphs into secret trysts and spicy moments we swore we didn’t want.

The line between love and hate is razor-thin – and this time, we’re both rushing towards the edge.

AMAZON 

She was the girl I was never supposed to look at, let alone touch. Except, I did, and I haven’t been the same since.

Know what I love more than a second chance romance? A second chance romance written by SJ Sylvis. I knew I would fall for Kane the second he made an appearance as the hothead secondary character in Play the Game. Then we got a peak into layers in Skate the Line but nothing compares to being in his head and finally understanding what makes him tick.

Kane fell fast and hard for his best friend’s sister, Daisy, back when they were teenagers. But then she broke his heart and he’s spent years trying to erase his feelings. When suddenly the blast from his past is not only back in his life but living with her brother who just so happens to be Kane’s neighbor, he quickly finds out that feelings, though tainted by anger and resentment, are still there.

God, I’ve missed you.” Such a bitter truth.
“No you haven’t,” she says quietly.
“I have,” I argue. “But I hate myself for it.”

The push and pull between these two almost drove me to the brink. I loved it as much as I wanted to shake them both in parts. Kane and Daisy are equally stubborn so obviously each gives as good as they get. The chemistry was sizzling and the slow burn definitely notched it up a point. But when they finally give in? INCENDIARY! I also loved the way he would take care of Daisy, especially after he learns about her condition.

Addiction comes in all forms, and mine is her.

My only quibble is that I wish Kane got a bit more closure with his mom but it was still satisfying so I can’t complain much.

If you’re looking for a deliciously dirty hockey player who still pines the girl he never got over, a friends to lovers to enemies back to lovers, and lots of sizzle in between, definitely check this one out.

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

Connect with S.J. Sylvis

Website | https://www.sjsylvis.com/

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Leave a Comment · Filed Under: All Reviews, Contemporary Romance · Tagged With: , , ,

Review: His Dark Vendetta by Katelyn Brehm

May 1, 2025 by · Leave a Comment

HIS DARK VENDETTA
Series: Bonded in Blood #2
Author: Katelyn Brehm
Genre: PNR
Release Date: May 1, 2025

SIOBHÁN

Once upon a time, I thought he’d be my happily ever after. Now, I’m not sure I’ll survive his dark vendetta.

I’ll never be safe. My found family is as dangerous as the one I escaped. I need to run, but Luca Moretti has other plans. My family murdered his father, and he wants me to pay the price.

Kidnapped and trapped by the man I wanted as a lover but is now my enemy, I wait for him to break me like he broke my heart.

We’re a modern-day Romeo and Juliet. Except in our version, Romeo tries to kill Juliet.

LUCA

Desire. Obsession. Revenge. The end of my blood feud is within reach. And it starts with her.

The New England dons granted their blessing—if I play by the rules, vengeance is mine. One life for my father’s.

But blood demons need Sources, and as a capo, I need to earn. Even with the feds breathing down my neck.

Each day I dodge bullets and the law, she chips away at my walls until there’s nothing left but the truth. An unwanted truth that shatters my resolve to break Siobhán Connelly and instead make her mine.

******

HIS DARK VENDETTA is the second book in the Bonded in Blood series. Each book is an interconnected standalone Paranormal Mafia Romance with a guaranteed HEA.

AMAZON

I’ve spent my whole life trying to get away from this world, and you keep running to it.”

If you haven’t started this series yet, this is your sign. If you like mafia and pnr, and you like your romance spicy, this is definitely your sign.

While this is a standalone in an interconnected series, I highly recommend reading in order. You will get a much better appreciation of the backstory of Luca and the betrayal that costs him everything. This book starts out in the aftermath of that, and if you haven’t read the previous book, you may not fully appreciate the redemption arc that takes place here.

I love the unique spin of vampires with the blood demons of this series. But I especially love the combination of dark mafia with spicy paranormal. Luca is a made man who has lived and breathed his revenge for years. He’s made mistakes that have cost him everything, including almost his life. And now, his vendetta is just a breath away. And the woman he once was drawn to is his ultimate Judas. Or so he thinks anyway.

I love a Romeo and Juliet vibe, and this brought it in spades. Luca and Siobhan are meant to be enemies. After all, Siobhan’s family is behind the death of Luca’s father. So what’s a man to do? Kidnap the woman he once lusted after with every intention to kill her, obviously.

This was such a wild and quick paced ride. I loved the warring families dynamic and I loved Luca’s redemption arc. The romance was romancing and I loved the slow burn of it.

If you’re looking for a unique PNR read, definitely check this out.

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