The Hurricane Wars: A Book Review

Ummmmm THIS IS MY NEW FAVORITE. It exceeded all my expectations and is definitely going to make it into my top ten favorites this year. 

I went into it knowing it had Reylo (Kylo Ren and Rey from Star Wars) vibes, and the book did not disappoint!! It has true enemies-to-lovers perfection with a cat-and-mouse theme, but without the hate and with all the spectacular banter and stolen looks and touches. I truly was drawn into Talasyn and Alaric and their chemistry from the beginning. And HOLY SMOKES does the book take a delicious turn with my FAVORITE trope!! I won't say what since it could be considered a spoiler, but once I realized where this book was going, I could NOT put it down. Also Alaric is perfection, and I'm claiming him as my new book boyfriend.

This book caught me in a chokehold, and not just from the romance perfection. I really enjoyed the world building and plot, and how these interconnect with Talasyn and Alaric. There's so much I want to know about the world, and I can only imagine how much bigger everything will get in book two. This book does place more of a focus on the romance over plot, so keep that in mind! I think this book will do very well with romantasy lovers, and although the book isn't perfect, I had the BEST time reading. Instantly preordering the UK edition because I can't resist. 

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 5
Plot/Movement: 5
Character Development: 5
Overall: 5

Thank you, Harper Voyager, for the arc!

Release Date: October 3, 2023

Trigger/Content Warnings: war violence and death, parent abandonment, one open door 

For more ratings and reviews and to see what I'm currently reading, visit my Goodreads page here! 

A Not-So-Distant Love: A Book Review

Heidi Kimball never fails to write heartfelt romances. A Not-So-Distant Love is such a good one! I was so excited to dive deep into Charlotte's story after Heart in the Highlands. I loved seeing old characters come to life again through Charlotte's perspective. She deserves her own story, and I'm so happy Heidi Kimball decided to write it. 

There's an entirely new setting in this book with Charlotte visiting America. I don't read a lot of regency romances set in America, so I liked that new experience. Right away there's some enemies-to-lovers vibes between Charlotte and Dr. Alec Galloway, and they had some great banter together. I also like how they go through their own personal journeys: Charlotte with learning patience and discovering her parents' past, and Alec with forgiving himself and rekindling his relationship with God. I do wish there was a little more forced proximity between them in the book, but I love the scenes with them together. And the ending is so sweet.

Definitely read this book if you love Heart in the Highlands, enemies to lovers, great banter, and elements of Christianity! I can't wait to read what Heidi Kimball writes next.

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 5
Plot/Movement: 4
Character Development: 4
Overall: 4

Thank you, Heidi Kimball and Covenant Communications, for the arc!

Release Date: October 24, 2023

Trigger/Content Warnings: descriptions of sickness, accidents, and death relating to doctor visits; ship explosion and death; animal wounds; family deaths recounted; mild fade to black

For more ratings and reviews and to see what I'm currently reading, visit my Goodreads page here! 

The Unmaking of June Farrow: A Book Review

No one writes like Adrienne Young. When I pick up her books, I know there's going to be characters I'd die for, a story that completely wraps me up and takes me away, and writing that feels both familiar and ethereal. The Unmaking of June Farrow was no different.

From the beginning, I was drawn to June. She is part of a legacy of women who always go mad, seeing and hearing and experiencing things that aren't there. I loved June's balance of knowing her reality and future and still hoping for a different outcome. I instantly wanted to be there for her through her journey. 

The tension in this book starts right away with the madness, and with every secret revealed I was on the edge of my seat. Once I hit the halfway point, I couldn't put this book down even if I wanted to. I never saw the twists and turns coming. My mind was blown! I've never really liked a time travel book, but if anyone could make me love one, it's definitely Adrienne Young. The whole thing was so well executed.

I did wish there was a little more romantic development in this book, but I still enjoyed the second-chance romance and how it mixed with the tension and the plot. There are SO many emotions throughout that tie everything together. My heart was ripped wide open and healed again. All in all, this book is a haunting story with secrets upon secrets and characters that feel REAL. Another winner from my favorite author.

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 5
Plot/Movement: 5
Character Development: 5
Overall: 5

Thank you, Dellacorte Press, for the arc!

Release Date: October 17, 2023

Trigger/Content Warnings: madness, deaths of family members, violence, murder, parent abandonment, one open door scene

For more ratings and reviews and to see what I'm currently reading, visit my Goodreads page here! 

Two Twisted Crowns: A Book Review

I will be shouting about this duology until the end of time. It is the PERFECT spooky fantasy teeming with romance, tense action, lore, and magic. Seriously, if you're looking for a fall fantasy book to put you in the right mood, READ THIS SERIES.

I thought that One Dark Window was a masterpiece, so I had high expectations for this sequel. And it did NOT let me down! I was delighted when I realized Two Twisted Crowns has multiple POVs and that we get even more of Elm's story. I loved him as a side character in ODW, and he absolutely deserves the spotlight in TTC. This book balances his story with Ravyn's perfectly, and I love how their different paths converge.

There's so many more secrets discovered in this book—and so many more adventures and world building details that come to life. I couldn't help but devour it as quickly as I could. Rachel Gillig has such a way with words. The writing is incredibly atmospheric, and I felt so connected to all of the characters. I even cried at the ending. I don't want to leave this story behind!

Do yourself a favor and READ THIS DUOLOGY. I can't wait for Rachel Gillig's next book. She's solidifying herself as a favorite author for me.

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 5
Plot/Movement: 5
Character Development: 5
Overall: 5

Thank you, Orbit Books, for the arc!

Release Date: October 17, 2023

Trigger/Content Warnings: possession, fighting violence and death, domestic violence, swearing, one and a half open door scenes

For more ratings and reviews and to see what I'm currently reading, visit my Goodreads page here! 

Windsong Manor: A Book Review

I LOVED how unique this romance is. It took me by surprise over and over again, and it had some lovely themes of finding yourself in difficult situations and balancing strength and kindness against adversity. I love that Nora is widowed with children—it provided some nice tension and character growth in the plot. And I especially loved that Ridley is in a lower class with some hidden secrets. He is the true star of the book with his patient and kind manner and the impact he made on all the characters. 

Overall, this was a wonderful romance to binge away. I wanted a bit more from the ending, but I still enjoyed the sweet romance, adorable moments with the Nora's kids, the horses/stables setting, and the mystery surrounding Ridley. Highly recommend to my historical romance lovers!

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 5
Plot/Movement: 4
Character Development: 4
Overall: 4

Thank you, Shadow Mountain, for the arc!

Release Date: October 3, 2023

Trigger/Content Warnings: sibling teasing and violence, mild fighting violence

For more ratings and reviews and to see what I'm currently reading, visit my Goodreads page here! 

Foul Heart Huntsman: A Book Review

Thus ends such a clever, unique saga beginning with These Violent Delights all the way through Foul Heart Huntsman. I've come to love all of the characters and their unique journeys, and I absolutely love the 1920s spy world. It will be hard to say goodbye!

This book has many more POVs than Foul Lady Fortune, and it's fun seeing all the different storylines and characters intersect. The plot definitely gets more epic in this book, with higher political stakes and more family drama. I loved seeing characters from These Violent Delights too—the perfect way to wrap everything up. 

The romance with Rosalind and Orion is delightful. I won't say much for sake of spoilers, but Orion has my whole heart. His cinnamon-roll character with his big golden heart perfectly compliments Rosalind's colder exterior. I love their banter and love. 

I did struggle to get through large sections of this book. It felt slow to me, like some of the romantic and plot tension fizzled out. It could have been entirely a reading mood thing, but I wanted to get sucked into it. That just didn't happen. I still enjoyed it though, even if it felt long.

All in all, a fantastic series ender. I will be recommending this series for years to come!

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 4
Plot/Movement: 4
Character Development: 5
Overall: 4

Thank you, Simon & Schuster and NetGalley, for the arc!

Release Date: September 26, 2023

Trigger/Content Warnings: poisoning, fighting violence and death, mild torture, descriptions of wounds

For more ratings and reviews and to see what I'm currently reading, visit my Goodreads page here!