Tag Archives: ARC

The League of Gentlewomen Witches — India Holton – Dangerous Damsels #2

“Do not look so concerned on my behalf, Captain. It is a common enough statement. For example, I myself love that house there with the wooden shutters. I love tea. I love you, and your smile, and the way you sigh in your sleep. See, common. Unconcerning. We are still enemies.”

Genre: Romance, Historical Fiction, Fantasy
Actual Rating: 4 stars
Spicy Meter: 2 fire emojis
Content Warnings: Describes violence, physical abuse, ableism, and kidnapping. Contains sexual content.

“The League of Gentlewomen Witches” follows Charlotte Pettifer, a witch and future head of the League of Gentlewomen Witches, as she tries to recover a long-lost amulet and keep it out of the wrong hands. That’s where the pirate Alex O’Riley comes in. He’s looking for the amulet as well, but for other reasons. As they team up, the tension between then grows, and perhaps the amulet won’t be the only thing stolen in the process.

The sequel in the Dangerous Damsels series is once again action-packed and completed with reluctant main characters, ones who aren’t willing to fall in love with each other.

And so, it appears that India Holton’s thing is the only-one-bed troupes and I must say I am entirely here for it. Her comedic approach to fantasy in a Regency Era setting is astounding. So many genres come into her writing and it’s amazing how she makes them work. India is really helping me fall in love with historical fiction again.

I would highly recommend this series, starting with the first installment though, as “The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels” felt like a better introduction to this mash up of genres. Nonetheless, I will be recommending this book to every single reader looking for a different and unique romantic fantasy read.

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ARC — To Swoon and To Spar — Martha Waters — The Regency Vows #4

“I can’t help thinking that he’s always held himself somewhat…apart.”
“Because he was not married?” (…)
“Because he cared about this house more than he cared about anything else. (…) It makes for a lonely existence, I suspect.”

Genre: Romance, Historical Fiction
Actual Rating: 3.5 stars
Spicy Meter: 2 fire emojis
Content Warnings: Mentions death of parent. Includes a marriage of convenience. Contains some sexual content.

“To Swoon and To Spar” is the fourth installment in The Regency Vows series, and it follows Viscount Penvale as he is set to be married for the sake of real estate. Penvale has been set on buying Trethwick Abbey from his uncle for years now, but his uncle had never been willing to sell until now and under one condition—Penvale has to marry his uncle’s ward, Jane Spencer. And they do agree to get married and Penvale does get the house, but once in the Abbey, Jane decides she’ll be faking a haunting in hopes that Penvale will scare off and leave off to London—but Penvale isn’t scared that easily and perhaps Penvale and Jane aren’t as different as they think.

I reviewed the other books in this series a year ago and they’re all equally entertaining, with the third, “To Marry and To Meddle”, being the funniest in my opinion. Working as standalone novels with a few crossovers, these novels are a fun interpretation of unusual love stories during the Regency Era.

I would highly recommend this series as a way to be introduced to historical fiction and historical romances. Martha Waters has found a way to make this historical fiction lighthearted and comedic, which often isn’t associated with this genre.

Grab “To Swoon and To Spar” if you enjoy romances with marriage of conveniences, one bed tropes, and romantic comedies.—Additionally, if you’re into the Bridgerton TV Series, there is no way you wouldn’t like this series.

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ARC provided by NetGalley and Atria Books in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: April 11, 2023

Blog Tour ARC — What The Hex — Jessica Clare — Hex #2

“You’re obscene.”
“You love it.”
“Jupiter help me, I really do.”

Genre: Romance, Fantasy
Actual Rating: 5 stars
Spicy Meter: 4 fire emojis
Content Warnings: Describes toxic relationships and mentions animal death. Contains explicit sexual content.

“What The Hex” follows Penny Roundtree, a hopeful familiar without a warlock or witch, and Willem Sauer, a 270-year-old warlock, as they participate in a downright illegal arrangement—she’ll be his familiar while he’ll teach her the magic he isn’t even supposed to partake in. But when doubts begin to rise, they have to act as a couple to justify the amount of time they’re spending together, even though they’re as different as opposites can get.

This book had all the cards stacked against it and it still won my heart over. Because, although I was looking forward to this series as a whole, I came into this sequel a bit biased and disappointed when I read it would be following Penny—I found Penny to be extremely annoying and a bit naïve in “Go Hex Yourself.” So now, tell me, why did I love this second installment so much?

Warlocks are meant to teach their familiars, and oh, did Penny have a lot to learn and Willem a lot to teach. I absolutely loved how the characters in the first installment were present in “What The Hex”. Nowadays, series tend to be more standalone-ish, and you’ll get a small crossover here and there and that’s it, but this was not the case with Jessica Clare’s Hex series. Here, Reggie from “Go Hex Yourself” was ever present in Penny’s life, be that through texting or through actual in-page time together. It was definitely different to other series I’ve experienced lately.

In general, this was a fluffy but spicy piece that’ll have you finishing up the whole 336 pages in one sitting, running for that HEA. If you like witchy and magical romances, then don’t hesitate on grabbing the Hex series—its magic system is complex enough to entertain but simple enough to understand and leave enough space for romance and some plot development.

If you click here, you’ll be redirected to Goodreads, so you can add the book to your TBR list.

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Review posted as part of a blog tour.

ARC provided by NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: April 4, 2023

ARC — The Plus One — Mazey Eddings — A Brush With Love #3

“I’ve known Jude my entire life. He lived on the same block as us growing up, and he and Collin were best friends from the jump. But he and I have always been, like, these fundamental opposites. Even as a kid he was serious; had a certain sharpness about him. And I was nothing but soft spots. (…) And he and I fought all the time. And it was always about the silliest stuff. A snarky comment, a mean look, breathing too loud . . . I could always get under his skin, and I kind of loved it. It meant he saw me.”

Genre: Romance
Actual Rating: 5 stars
Spicy Meter: 5 fire emoji
Content Warnings: Describes and discusses panic attacks, medical trauma, and war and PTSD. Contains explicit sexual content.

“The Plus One” follows Indira Papadakis and Jude Bailey, two childhood frenemies that are forced to walk down the aisle—not of their own wedding, but of Collin Papadakis’s, Indira’s brother and Jude’s best friend. Not only that, but they’re actually all living together for the few weeks before the wedding, for various reasons. Will they be able to coexist around each other? Or will their bickering ruin the party, perhaps even before it starts?

Jude was so haunted by his experiences as an emergency doctor that it killed me, Indira was so set on dealing with her emotional baggage that it inspired me. When I thought Mazey Eddings couldn’t make me fall in love any harder for a set of characters, she gave me “The Plus One.”

These novels all technically work as standalone romances, yet they’re part of a series because they take place in the same world, revolving around a mismatched group of (rather lovable) friends. Indira was never a friend of the group that stood out to me—Lizzie was my fave from book one. But gosh, Indira had my heart on her sleeve about 20 pages in.

Enemies to lovers isn’t my favorite trope, but this was carried out so perfectly I am reconsidering my biases. This was a 5-star read all-around. No beating around the bush with that.

“The Plus One” will be one of my most recommended romance read of 2023, so grab it. No need to hesitate. You’ll love this one, even if you haven’t read the other books in this series. Even if, like me, enemies to lovers isn’t your favorite set up.

If you click here, you’ll be redirected to Goodreads, so you can add the book to your TBR list.

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ARC provided by NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: April 4, 2023

ARC — Sea Change — Gina Chung

“(…) Then the image of Eriko snapping at her trainers and slamming into the other dolphins, all while continuing to circle her tank in tight, anxious spirals, comes to mind. I realize that the main difference between Eriko’s situation and mine is that she never had a choice in her entrapment, but I do. I don’t have to be stuck anymore.”

Genre: General Fiction
Actual Rating: 4.5 stars
Spicy Meter: 1 fire emoji
Content Warnings: Describes the disappearance or death of a parent, dysfunctional families, and racism. Discusses sexual content, but isn’t explicit.

“Sea Change” follows Aurora (Ro), a zookeeper at a mall aquarium, as she tries to find new meaning in life after a very special animal is set to be sold to a private investor. The aquarium Ro works at is aiming to financial ruin, so when some rich family asks to buy their giant Pacific octopus for a great sum of money, the aquarium declare said octopus sold. But this isn’t just any octopus—this is Dolores. Dolores was caught by Ro’s father in one of his expeditions before his research boat is lost at sea and him and his crew are presumed dead. Dolores is practically all Ro has left from her father, how can the aquarium sell her just like that? -queue tears-

I am going to be honest upfront: I’m completely biased when it comes to reviewing this book. I am a marine zoologist, how on Earth would I not love this? But now, hear me out, regular fiction usually bores (I need me some romance and spice, don’t judge me) so my hopes weren’t too high but oh wow, did I binged “Sea Change” in a span of 24 hours.

The concept of a vortex that’s so polluted and inhabitable that organisms started to adapt to it? Terrifying but not so far from what could actually happen. In the end, nature will always find a way, with or without us. Gina Chung’s debut novel was an ode to marine life but also a mystery exploring difficult family dynamics and a very unique character—Ro.

If you like general fiction reads and marine animals, and you’re looking for a book that’s a bit futuristic but in a possibly-realistic way, then don’t hesitate to grab “Sea Change.”

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ARC provided by NetGalley and Vintage in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: March 28, 2023

ARC — Too Soon For Adiós — Annette Chavez Macias

“My grandma used to say that the universe worked in mysterious ways. It was the only explanation I could come up with for how I’d ended up becoming a chef just like the biological father I never knew. Or how I ended up eating tacos in his restaurant almost thirty years after I was born.”

Genre: General Fiction, Romance
Actual Rating: 5 stars
Spicy Meter: 1 fire emoji
Content Warnings: Discusses parental and child death. Describes a sexual assault and physical abuse. Contains some sexual innuendos, but it’s closed doors.

“Too Soon For Adiós” follows Gabby Medina, an ex-sous-chef, as she learns to live after her mother’s death. She was left without her adopted father at a young age and now loses her mother at 29—she is all alone. That is, until a stranger introduces himself as her biological dad at her mother’s funeral. She wants nothing to do with him, for obvious reasons. But when things take a turn for the even-worse, she wants to leave the only place she’s called home and is driven to Sonrisa, New Mexico, her bio-father’s small hometown, where she’ll meet new people and grow into new places.

Do not be bamboozled by the cute cover: this book follows a heartbreaking story, and it touches on very difficult topics like terminal illness, serious debt brought on by someone else, sexual assault, domestic violence, and so much multigenerational trauma.

The romance portion of this book is closed doors, but gosh, the sexual tension between them is so palpable that although their love was slow to burn, it was 100% worth the 65% wait.

I think these are my favorite types of books—both general fiction and romance sprinkled together. It’s as close to real life as fiction gets. I loved the small town setting, I loved almost every character, I loved watching Gabby grow and learn that being soft doesn’t have to mean being weak.

I cannot recommend this novel enough. Immerse yourself in this story if you’ve enjoyed books like “Georgie, All Along” by Kate Clayborn or “Commonwealth” by Ann Patchett, where life is woven as the complicated thing it can be.

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ARC provided by NetGalley and Montlake in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: March 21, 2023

“Mijita, that’s what love is, (…) losing yourself in someone else.”

ARC — Love, Lilly — Belinda Mary

“So when did you know you were in love with me?”
(…) “You want all the details, hey?”
“Every one of them!” (…)
“I seem to recall it was an ordinary afternoon, when you had been dumped by that jerk Zack Petty. And I just looked at you and I knew. And I haven’t been able to shake the feeling ever since.”

Genre: Romance
Actual Rating: 4 stars
Spicy Meter: 1 fire emoji

“Love, Lilly” follows Lilly and Oliver, two childhood friends that have been secretly pining for each other for years now. But Oliver is Lilly’s best friend’s brother so nothing can happen between them, Lilly would just never see him that way… right? Until they kinda fall into a fake dating arrangement for a weekend. Fake dating kisses are fake kisses, right? Then why do they feel so real?

This book really did play all it’s card right. Best friend’s older brother? Check. Fake dating? Check. Double pining? Check. Childhood friends to lovers? Check. Dual POV? Check. It was the perfect combination for a cute, lighthearted read—my favorite kind of read lately. The one downfall this debut novel had was that it was the slowest of slow burns, so if you’re a fan of those (which I’m not too much of), then you’ll love this read.

I would recommend “Love, Lilly” to romance readers that aren’t looking for too much spice and like some of the tropes involved—best friend’s brother, fake dating, childhood friends to lovers.

ARC provided by Book Sirens and Belinda Mary in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: March 21, 2023

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Blog Tour ARC — A Witch’s Guide to Fake Dating a Demon — Sarah Hawley

“Why do you have horns?” (…)
“Why do you have so many questions?”

Genre: Romance, Fiction
Actual Rating: 5 stars
Spicy Meter: 4 fire emojis
Content Warnings: Mentions animal death and a fire injury. Contains sexual content.

“A Witch’s Guide to Fake Dating a Demon” is a pretty self-explanatory title, but this book follows Mariel Spark, a witch that was prophesied to be the most powerful witch seen in centuries. Mariel comes from a prestigious magical family, award-winning even, but her magic isn’t as show-y as her parents, specially her mother, had hoped. She’s great with nature and botany, but other incantations? Not so much. That’s why, by mistake, she ends up summoning a demon—yes, an actual demon that’s now set to have a soul bargain with her. Ozroth the Ruthless can’t leave Mariel’s side until he’s completed the soul bargain. So the only explanation Mariel can give her mother when she meets Ozroth is that he’s…her boyfriend? Fake boyfriend that is, but no one can know that—no one can know Mariel’s messed up this bad—at least until she’s found a solution for this whole soul thing.

This book was both comical and captivating, and I simply can’t believe it’s a debut. I literally laughed while reading. Since this novel is written in third person, we get both points of view—Mariel’s and Oz’s—which I loved. I cannot wait to see where this series goes. With complex characters and diverse dynamics between these characters, I could’ve read this book in one sitting. Oh, and Ozroth being so sweet definitely helped.

If you’ve enjoyed series like The Witches of Thistle Grove by Lana Harper and The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling, then you’ll most definitely love Sarah Hawley’s “A Witch’s Guide to Fake Dating a Demon”. With its witchy-fantasy vibes and it’s unique (and funny) close-proximity love story, you’ll be rooting for Mariel all the way.

If you click here, you’ll be redirected to Goodreads, so you can add the book to your TBR list.

Or you could click here, and be redirected to Amazon, so you can order the book.

Review posted as part of a blog tour.

ARC provided by NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: March 7, 2023

ARC — Not That Kind of Ever After — Luci Adams

“It’s our own classy ending to our own classic story, and I now know with absolute certainty that it’s better than any fairytale out there.”

Author: Luci Adams
Narrator: Josie Charles

Genre: Romance, Fiction
Actual Rating: 5 stars
Spicy Meter: 1 fire emoji
Content Warnings: Discusses cheating and contains some self deprecation and slightly unhealthy relationships. Contains sexual content, but isn’t too explicit.

“Not That Kind of Ever After” follows Bella Marble, an aspiring author and current receptionist at a publishing house, as she struggles through her changing life and, after a fit of writer’s block, decides to start writing autobiographical-ish fairytale one-night stands. Little did she expect that she’d go absolutely viral as @B.Enchanted, now she must look for more fairytales (and one-night stands) to rewrite. But this isn’t like her. And most people around her can see it, Bella just isn’t willing to hear it.

This audiobook caught me off guard to begin with. I was not expecting Josie Charles’ British accent but I must say I ended up being pleasantly surprised. Josie’s accent was soft and whimsical and I could surprisingly listen to it at 2.5x speed and still understand what she was saying perfectly (I usually can’t do more than 1.5x speed with a British accent, my ears just aren’t trained for it, I’m sorryyyyy).

This is the weirdest 5-star read. I found Bella annoying but at the same time I loved it? I was down for watching her fail and then redeem herself (multiple times), but I always knew she’d have her Happily Ever After.

This isn’t a closed door romance per se, we know Bella gets down to business a few times but we don’t see much of the details on it, if you know what I mean. It was still a super cute story and I totally see why it’s classified both under romance and under general fiction—it’s a little bit of both.

I would highly recommend this book if you’re looking for a fun read about dating in this day and age—with a cute lil’ trope at the end, but not giving that one spoiler away. All you need to know if Bella gets her Ever After with quite a guy.

If you click here, you’ll be redirected to Goodreads, so you can add the book to your TBR list.

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ARC provided by NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for St. Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: March 14, 2023

ARC — Nobody Puts Romcoms In The Corner — Kathryn Freeman

“I get the feeling you’re not a fan of romcoms.”
“Not my thing, no.”
(…) “Love isn’t your thing?”
(…) “Funny thing, love. It’s like the pot of gold at the end of that whimsical rainbow. People want to believe it exists, but evidence shows it’s just a myth.”
(…) “Tens of millions, no wait, hundreds of millions of people would disagree with you.”
“Today, maybe. But tomorrow? I bet a good number of them would find themselves agreeing with me. And the next day, a good number more.”

Genre: Romance
Actual Rating: 4 stars
Spicy Meter: 2 fire emojis
Content Warnings: Discusses death of parent, abandonment, emotional abuse, toxic relationships and cheating, and severe gaslight. Contains sexual content.

“Nobody Puts Romcoms in the Corner” follows Sally Thornton and Harry Wilson as they embark on the weirdest of love quests—recreating iconic romcom scenes on social media. Sally is Harry’s landlord of sorts, and after they recreate the Dirty Dancing lift and go absolutely viral, they have no other option but to keep it going. What they did not account for was their in-real-life chemistry. But Harry doesn’t do love. He’s seen enough to know it doesn’t exist… or does it?

This is the romcom book to take on all other romcom books. This romance was all I wanted it to be. With funny and heartwarming romcom references and oh-so sweet scene reenactments, I absolutely fell in love with this book and it’s cluster of characters—I mean, the main characters are named Harry and Sally, need we say more?

This is the perfect romcom book for romcom movie lovers. If you’re looking for an emotional but hopeful romance and are a fan of that sweet close-proximity trope, then “Nobody Puts Romcoms in the Corner” is right for you.

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ARC provided by NetGalley and One More Chapter in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: February 27, 2023

“You once talked to me about bells. Do you think it’s possible you could hear those bells with someone like me?”
(…) “Harry Wilson, what are you trying to say?”
“I don’t know. (…) I just know I care for you more than I’ve cared for anyone.”