Tag Archives: Romance

Blog Tour ARC — The Secret Service of Tea and Treason — India Holton — Dangerous Damsels #3

“Tighter, (…) in case I break free and strangle you.”
(…) “I’m not scared of that.”
“Then why are you restraining me?”
“I’m hugging you.”
“But you’ve already done that.”
“Alice, sweetheart, you deserve all the hugs I can give.”

Genre: Romance, Historical Fiction, Fantasy
Actual Rating: 4.5 stars
Spicy Meter: 2 fire emojis
Content Warnings: Describes violence, ableism, and kidnapping. Contains sexual content.

“The Secret Service of Tea and Treason” follows Alice, also known as Agent A, and Daniel Bixby, also known as Agent B, two top operatives of the Agency of Undercover Note Takers as they are forced to go undercover as husband and wife in order to infiltrate a pirate party and hopefully save the Queen.

This is the end of a wonderful trilogy and oh, did India Holton end it with a bang. The Dangerous Damsels series is all for that enemies to lovers trope, and although fake dating had been mentioned throughout other books of this series, none of them really embodied it as truly as Alice and Daniel did. I am just glad this wasn’t an excruciating slow burn, I don’t think I would’ve been able to survive.

Alice and Daniel’s rival-ness was also unparalleled—in previous books we would get two main characters that were essentially working for contradicting organizations, but through “The Secret Service of Tea and Treason” we get to see two main characters that are forced to work together because they literally work for the same government agency. And touching on the subject of the other books of the series, it was great to see some old and familiar characters sprinkled here and there, it was such a fun addition.

I’ll be recommending this series for the longest of times, I am absolutely in love. I would give everything to read this series again for the first time, with its quick banter, comedic delivery, and admirable chemistry between the characters, this series will have your heart racing both for the steamy kisses and for the actual adventurous, action-packed scenes.

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: April 18, 2023

Small PSA: For my anime and manga lovers, this was a true ode to Spy x Family, with a lil’ twist. Grab this book if you’ve been enjoying that story.

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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The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels — India Holton — Dangerous Damsels #1

“We have only three laws in our Society, Cecilia. No killing civilians. Pour the tea before the milk. And no stealing each other’s houses.”

Genre: Romance, Historical Fiction, Fantasy
Actual Rating: 4.5 stars
Spicy Meter: 2 fire emojis
Content Warnings: Describes violence, kidnapping, drug use, and death of parent. Contains sexual content.

What do you get when you cross Regency Era romances with Star Wars and pirates? Well, “The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels” indeed. This novel follows Cecilia Bassingwaite, a pirate-witch of sorts that thrives in Victorian society as part of the Wisteria Society, and Ned Lightbourne, an assassin set to kill Cecilia, but who falls in love with her instead. Both going rogue, they set out to work against Ned’s employer, whose plan is to destroy England along with all its presumptuous women pirates.

This was such a creative and fun read, unique to the extreme. It was most literally a cross between period dramas like Bridgerton and science fiction and fantasy books, series, and movies. Both Cecilia and Ned were so very likable and fun to follow. I would’ve read this in a single sitting if I had had the chance.

I would absolutely recommend this read, specially if you’re looking for a unique historical romance read, filled with action and snarky banter. May all enemies (or would-be assassins) to lovers stories aspire to be as good as this.

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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.

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

Publication Date: April 4, 2023

Lizzie Blake’s Best Mistake — Mazey Eddings — A Brush With Love #2

“You don’t understand what a privilege it is to know you. (…) You don’t understand how it changes a person to hear you laugh.”

Genre: Romance
Actual Rating: 5 stars
Spicy Meter: 4 fire emoji
Content Warnings: Revolves around an unplanned pregnancy. Describes and discusses panic attacks, living with ADHD, and very emotionally abusive and gaslighting parents. Contains explicit sexual content.

“Lizzie Blake’s Best Mistake” follows, well, Lizzie Blake, a baker with ADHD, after a one-night stand ends with her being pregnant. But one-night stands are her thing and they definitely used a condom… an expired condom, that is—hence the baby that’s now growing inside of her. And so in comes Rake, the one-night-stand-turned-baby-daddy, who is an Australian businessman that is offered the opportunity to move to the States. Rake decides to move across the globe and is eager to take on the responsibility of being the father—but Lizzie doesn’t do relationships, and least of all under these conditions. So they’ll be friends and coparents and ignore the definite spark that keeps growing between them.

This book broke me. It absolutely shattered me. Seeing how people treated Lizzie because of her ADHD and life decisions tore me apart. Rake was literally the perfect bundle of Australian sunshine that Lizzie needed to bring structure and, most of all, understanding to her life. I am not the biggest fan of unplanned pregnancies in books but holy did I love this read. This trope was carried perfectly, I don’t see how Mazey Eddings could’ve made this book any better.

I would highly highly highly recommend this series in general, but if you were to read only one book by Mazey Eddings, then definitely let that be “Lizzie Blake’s Best Mistake.”

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A Brush With Love — Mazey Eddings — A Brush With Love #1

“No one doubts you constantly do your best. We all admire you so much for how hard you work. But some days, your best can be a B, and some days your best can even be a C, or some days, it could mean doing nothing at all but just breathing.”

Genre: Romance
Actual Rating: 4 stars
Spicy Meter: 2 fire emoji
Content Warnings: Describes and discusses panic attacks, mental illness, and death of parents. Contains explicit sexual content.

“A Brush With Love” follows Harper and Dan, two dental students, as they literally crash into each other’s lives. Harper is in her last year of school, while Dan is just a first-year student—but they’re roughly around the same age… that’s because Dan didn’t even want to be a dentist to begin with, but that’s a longer story. This pair immediately clicks but Harper is set on not being distracted for her last semester, she must end this perfect run with a perfect GPA, no matter what that might mean for her mental health.

I loved that this book was more than just a romance—it tackled topics from mental health to emotional abuse and gaslight by figures of authority, such as parents—but that’s also what made it a bit iffy for me at times. I couldn’t see Harper’s behaviors as things actual people would do in real life, but I guess that’s what fiction’s for, right?

I would recommend this book to readers looking for a sweet romance and who aren’t to off-put by the topic of dentistry. I can openly admit that I wasn’t that interested on the dentist school portion of this novel—but I was also willing to withstand some anatomy lessons in order to see Harper and Dan’s happily ever after.

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Go Hex Yourself — Jessica Clare — Hex #1

“I can’t change the past, but it’s no wonder that I can’t keep a familiar.
No one wants to serve a monster.
Certainly no one wants to kiss one.”

Genre: Romance, Fantasy
Actual Rating: 4.5 stars
Spicy Meter: 4 fire emojis
Content Warnings: Discusses parental death, child abuse, and emotional abuse. Contains explicit sexual content.

“Go Hex Yourself”, the first installment in the Hex series, follows Reggie Johnson, a pretty average young adult, as she finds the perfect job in a newspaper ad: being an assistant for her absolute favorite card game, Spellcraft: The Magicking. But she might’ve been a bit wrong on what the position entailed, since they’re actually spell-crafting—Reggie is being recruited to be an actual witch’s familiar (aka an apprentice, of sorts). That’s okay. The pay is great, the old witch is quirky but nice, it includes room and board… the only problem is her boss’s nephew. Ben Magnus is insufferable and selfish and just plain out always in the way. But when Reggie finally comes to realize magic is real and this isn’t some LARPing thing, Ben is the only person she can trust, especially after people around them, including her witch boss, start getting cursed left and right.

I will be completely honest here. The only reason I read this book was because I was contacted to read an advanced copy of the second book in this series, but oh, did I not know what I was missing. How did “Go Hex Yourself” go under my radar? I have no clue, but this series could easily become one of my favorite, right up there with Lana Harper’s The Witches of Thistle Grove series. We’ll see where the second installment goes, but the potential is clearly there.

I love witchy romance as much as the next gal, but I am here to scream at the top of my lungs that “Go Hex Yourself” is more than just spice. With complex characters that have just as complex back stories and being told through different points of view, this book did not fall flat on just lust and sexiness. I related to Reggie at a ridiculous level and I was right there along for the ride, being as surprised and horrified as she was at all things magic—and being just as undeniable attracted to a not-so-evil evil warlock.

I feel like “Go Hex Yourself” caters to every reader, not just fantasy and witchy romance readers—so, if you’re looking to explore genres (or if you already know you love witchy stories, either way) this book is perfect for you.

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The Charm Offensive — Alison Cochrun

“I don’t think happily ever after is something that happens to you, Dev. I think it’s something you choose to do for yourself.”

Genre: Romance
Actual Rating: 5 stars
Spicy Meter: 2 fire emoji
Content Warnings: Discusses mental illness and panic attacks, ableism, racism, and homophobia. Contains sexual content.

“The Charm Offensive” follows Charlie Winshaw, a tech entrepreneur turned reality TV star, and Dev Deshpande, a producer for said reality TV show. This TV show, Ever After, is set to find the perfect princess for the perfect prince. But Charlie is all but perfect, and he isn’t even sure why he’s looking for a princess. So, when Charlie and Dev suddenly click, they definitely can’t act on it. Dev isn’t looking to be anyone’s little secret (he’s over that), and Charlie has a contract signed. And so Ever After continues.

There has not been a single Alison Cochrun book that I haven’t loved—but “The Charmed Offensive” takes the cake and has every single cherry on top. This book made me feel so many things—yes, love, but also frustration and self-consciousness and just plain mad at both main characters at different points in time.

I connected so much with the characters and the story, I can’t not recommend to every single person I’ll come across. If you still haven’t read this gem, and you like queer romances, then what are you waiting for? Grab this without hesitation.

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