Roxy Taylor: Claimed by the Orc King

 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/244947406-claimed-by-the-orc-king

Book Blurb:

A fated mates monster romance featuring an orc king, a portal to a brutal fantasy realm, and a heroine who refuses to kneel.

Thena came to FantastiCon to survive the weekend with minimal human interaction and maximum sarcasm. She didn’t plan on catching the attention of a seven-foot orc painted in war green—or the way her pulse stutters when he looks at her like she’s already his.

Viggo Klausson isn’t a cosplayer. He’s the High Chieftain of the Eastern Orcs, stranded in the human world while searching for the mate fate promised him. The moment he scents Thena, the bond snaps tight.

Then a portal drags her into Korule—a fractured kingdom where women are rare, power is carved in blood, and claiming a mate can start a war.

Thena refuses to become anyone’s prize. An ancient magic awakens inside her, and suddenly she’s not just the king’s fated mate.

She’s dangerous.

Viggo may be steady. He may be patient. But when enemies circle, he does not hesitate to bare his teeth.

He found his mate.

Now he has to earn her.

Tropes:

*Netgalley ALC *Orc MMC x Human FMC *Portal fantasy *Fated Mates *Danger 

*Magic *Spice *Age Gap *touch her and 💀 *Protective MMC *Possessive MMC *Romantasy

*Monster Romance *Forced Proximity *Powers awakening *mental health rep

Thoughts:

Thena (FMC) is used to people taking advantage of her, even though she's strong and fierce when she needs to be she feels like she's never quite fit in and maybe has become a "yes" woman in the process agreeing to help others when it puts her in a position she doesn't want to be in just because she doesn't want to let someone down.  

During one of these times she has agreed to take a job from an aquaintance to help out with photography at Fantasycon at least here she won't be the only one being looked at she is over 6 feet tall and used to people staring at her she's not used to feeling small (ever) until she runs into Viggo a cosplayer who has made a name for himself as a handsome Orc... his costume is really realistic and his special effects make up is seriously amazing... it seems so real.

Thena finally able to leave feels like she's being followed (and she is) Viggo has followed her and one touch from him changes the entire course of her world next thing you know he is saying weird things like that they are fated mates, 2 others emerge and it turns out his brothers are there too... Viggo as it turns out is not a cosplayer at all but a real orc... a King and he has come to earth to find his mate and now he has decided to take her to his homeworld which they go to via portal.

Now Thena is in a strange land, being told that she is in danger and will be unless she finalizes her mate bond with Viggo... yea not happening she just met this guy, and there are so few unbonded women in this society that if other men know she's there she could cause a world war for one of these men to claim her... just awesome! 

Her main goal now is getting back home but is that even possible?  Also the longer she's in this new world the more she realizes that maybe there isn't anything back home that really matters since she had a lack luster life there and she spent a lot of time alone. 

Thena continues to fight against her bond with Viggo even though she feels it too, she's entirely too stubborn for her own good and throughout the whole situation Viggo is patient and caring waiting for her to come to the conclusion that he already knows they were made for each other and will find each other in each life time.

Some Likes:

I like the fated mates aspect, Thena is strong willed and Viggo loves her just as she is flaws and all, She struggles with anxiety/panic attacks and Viggo helps her thru them.

The portal fantasy world with magical elements, Thena once in this new land it awakens a power inside of her she didn't know she had making her even more rare (and causing more danger for her and her travel companions).

I liked that the spice didn't over power the plot

I liked how patient Viggo was with Thena... she continued to fight him (about everything) and he continued to put her needs and wants first throughout their time together. 

Thena was hard for me to like throughout the book but does have some personal growth at the end at least and finally figures out that she has been putting up a fight against things she actually wants to happen and making things harder on herself... and everything else. 

Some Dislikes:

I feel this might have been a bit longer than it needed to be and long winded padded out with pop culture references, metaphors and comparisons... orcs arn't going to understand any of these... but oddly enough never ask about it.

I truly struggled with Thena she was supposed to be a "strong" "powerful" woman but the fact that she's in this new world she knows nothing about, she doesn't know how to stay safe, she doesn't know what the protocols are and she doesn't know the true dangers that are out there and she is so stubborn that she is constantly fighting against anyone who is trying to help her stay safe while she's there... she's told to stay somewhere she decides to leave and go for a walk leading to a battle and several injuries/deaths... that could have been avoided if you just stayed in the room that they told you to stay in girl!  She came across as naive, immature and selfish putting others at risk just because she wanted to do x, y or z.

To be honest some of the time with how much Thena pushed Viggo away... I was like maybe he would be better off with a different partner.  

Did you read this one?  What did you think about it?

Ruby Ellis: Nighthowl

 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/239998437-nighthowl

Book Blurb:

I escaped from Hell and landed on my soulmate’s doorstep.

After experiencing the unimaginable at the hands of monsters, I wake up in another world.

With the help of the woman who nursed me back to health, I avoided the witch hunters sweeping through the land and journeyed to the main village. Bolstered by the rumors of a human living there, I storm into the Alpha’s lodge just in time to find my sister, Rowan, bleeding out on the floor.

The desperate need to save her triggered something in me.

Magic.

Rare magic that The Moon blessed me with.

Incredible magic that can heal.

But that isn’t all that I discovered.

My soulmate is here too.

He is Alpha of the Nighthowl pack, and my sister’s new brother-in-law.

Forced to live under the same roof, Griffin sees my fractured parts, and offers to help me carry the load.

Can I trust him with all of my demons?

Together, can we mend what has been broken?

Tropes:

*Indie Author *Wolf Shifter MMC x Human FMC *from another world *Magic

*Strangers --> More *Fated mates *Spice *found family *Protective MMC *touch her and 💀

*trigger warnings  *healing journey *paranormal *age gap 😅 *insta lust/love

Thoughts:

After the ending to the first book I really wanted to know what happened next Ramsey made it to camp just in time and finds out that she has a fated mate (Griffin) and he's a wolf shifter... this is a lot to process especially after all she's been through.

Ramsey has been in this new world for the same amount of time as her sister and is adapting well, she is so strong and has had to rely on herself for everything from a young age taking care of her 2 younger sisters and putting herself through nursing school these skills can help in this new world too especially with her new found magical abilities.

Griffin (MMC) is so patient and respectful of Ramsey he knows that she has been through a traumatic series of events and he is willing to wait as long as he needs to and gives her the feeling of safety to the point where she feels open to sharing her experience with him when she's ready.

This was a fast paced shifter romance, it is very insta lust/love but it works for the story since we are talking about fated mates, the world building is simple and easy to follow and that also goes along well with the story line.  This is book 2 in this series and I would recommend that you read them in order to get the full story as book one meshes with book 2. 

This story blends humor, romance, action, drama and a beautiful healing journey.  Ramsey is so used to taking care of others it's nice to see someone put her first and Griffin is so attentive and sweet (I love him!).

While the romance itself is very sweet, check your trigger warnings before reading Ramsey's revealed history is of a sensitive nature but handled with care and I love how her healing journey never felt rushed as she began to feel safe in her surroundings and learn to trust her fated mate. 

I love the siblings together they all care for each other so much.

Ramsey is fierce and a baddie she's determined to not let the past get in the way of her future and even works towards learning to defend herself.

I'm just going to come out and say it, I love this series! so good and I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

Have you read this one?  what did you think?

Olivia Preya: The Pretend Playbook

 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/251992547-the-pretend-playbook

Book Blurb:

The comeback role was supposed to change Elara Johnson’s life. The fake boyfriend was never part of the script.

Fresh off a broken engagement, the former child star arrives in Scotland with one final chance to reclaim her career. All she needs is enough publicity to make the world pay attention.

Brody “Big” Gammon needs a comeback of his own. After a suspension and a final warning from his team, the notoriously reckless rugby star must prove he can stay out of trouble. Dating a beautiful actress could be the perfect play.

They agree to pose for the cameras, sell the romance, and keep their feelings out of it.

But every staged touch leaves Elara wanting something real. Behind closed doors, Brody awakens desires she spent years suppressing, while she slips past defenses he never intended to lower.

Soon, the only performance left is pretending neither of them is falling.

Tropes:

*Netgalley ALC *Sports Romance (Rugby) *Actress FMC *Scottish MMC x Canadian FMC

*family drama *Playboy MMC *Fake Dating *Spice *Triggers  

Thoughts:

Elara's life is falling apart she recently found out her fiance was cheating on her with a co-star, she was a child actress but the work has dried up since she was black listed for something out of her control and she was told by her agency that if she doesn't accept this role being offered for a job in Scotland... they will be dropping her, so she ends her relationship with her toxic guy and heads to Scotland.

While in Scotland at least she is close to her grandmother and able to stay in her grandmother's home, there is always comfort when seeing her favorite person, and she even makes friends with a few locals.

Brody "Big" (MMC) is a handsome playboy... but recently his antics have been a bit too much over the top and he is in trouble if he can't turn around his image his team will give him the boot no matter how good he is on the field.  In comes the plan to clean his image up... he will get into a just for show relationship with a woman of their choosing to help put a shine on his image... and he needs to not receive any negative publicity for the next few months, oh and he needs to mentor/coach a young girls rugby team.

While Brody isn't fully for the idea... he's more skeptical when the woman that is going to be his girlfriend is Elara... the woman he met and made a bad first impression on recently when he thought she was a fan girl at a local pub... she was not she just wanted a menu he was sitting in front of, this will go over well.

Elara needs more good press for her upcoming movie and Brody is a big enough sports star to cause extra interest from the fans, this is truly a win/win relationship.

Elara since her relationship ended realizes that she has missed out on some of lifes joys including sexual exploration and having some fun... while being in a "relationship" with Brody could put a stopper on those plans... do they really have to?  people think they are in a relationship anyways she can do casual right?  no one gets hurt when this relationship comes to a natural agreed upon end in a few months.

As time goes on Brody shows up he is sweet, caring, protective and loyal to his "fake" girlfriend Elara... one might say this doesn't even seem fake anymore.

Elara's past comes back to haunt her in big ways since her toxic ex can't seem to get the hint that she has moved on with her life, and her mother who dropped her for a wealthy husband when she wasn't able to get acting jobs returns to shake things up... gah both of them made me so mad!

Ashley J. Hobbs and Thomas Bestwick were the narrators and I felt they did a good job with the book, it's just too bad it couldn't have been a duet.  

I enjoy a good fake dating --> more story and this delivered on that, Brody while I wasn't sure at first if I was going to like him because he did have a bit of an ego on him turned out to be such a sweetheart... especially when it came to his girlfriend.  Elara I was so ready for her to be able to shine again after she had been living under a dark cloud with her toxic ex.

I wasn't totally into Brody being such a player to the point where he got a vasectomy because he knew he would be getting with too many people and wanted to have less of a chance of pregnancy... like what you are in your 20's this was over the top ridiculous.

Would have liked more information on some of the plots but over all this was an enjoyable read/listen and would like to check out more of the series

Have you read this one?  What did you think? 

Lola Glass: Where the Werewolves Run

 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60228772-where-the-werewolves-run

Book Blurb:

I'm supposed to be a monster.

I grew up believing my mom and I were the only werewolves alive.

But then I learned about a town where men and women aren't wolves, but lycans: hairy monsters that are forced to change with the moon. And I would be like them, if not for my dad.

He discovered a cure, used it on me and my mom… and then ran away with us.

Questionable decision, right?

So I stole the research and headed into the town, determined to get the cure into the hands of the lycans.

But the town hates outsiders almost as much as they hate my family.

The only person who will even have a conversation with me is the hot guy who runs the town's diner, and he only talks to me when no one else is around to hear.

If the lycans find out who I am, they'll kill me. But if they don't, I'll never be able to cure them.

Regardless of my fate, I'm not leaving this town until everyone in it has a chance to take the cure… even if that means embracing the connection I have with the diner guy.

Because I think we might be fated mates.

Tropes:

*book challenge group -> werewolves *Fantasy *shifter romance  *State challenge Alaska

*Fated Mates *Cozy romance *touch her and 💀 *Cliffhanger  *protective MMC

Thoughts:

Kass (FMC) is awkward and shy around guys, she is a wolf shifter and honestly has been lonely, her mother never wants to tell her about her past or talk about her father who passed away before she was born but when she finds her father's old journals detailing the small town in Alaska he went to help with a cure for their condition where they turn into werewolves.

Going alone without telling her mom (who would be against the idea) she shows up to the small town expecting to be accepted by others like her (wolf shifters) and present them with the journals, learn more about herself and go from there... but as soon as she gets to town she finds the townspeople unwilling to accept new comers, she didn't get the warm welcome she was hoping for... but she's stubborn and not willing to give up that easily.

Keaton (MMC) is handsome... he doesn't want Kass in town either but he seems to be nicer to her than anyone else has been including letting her take a shower at his place... and occasionally feeding her at his diner... Keaton is drawn to her in ways he doesn't understand yet.

Can Kass trust anyone in this town?  Her father's picture is on a dart board after all and no one is giving answers freely... but she does feel safe with Keaton. 

Once Kass confides in Keaton who happens to have gone to school for chemistry (naturally... as this will help with working on the formula her father had created)... but will anyone in town be open to being a test subject, it's unconfirmed if this formula worked or not.  Will the townspeople ever welcome Kass?

Ok so before you read a Lola Glass book you have to understand that these books all share similar characteristics (or at least the ones I've read have) --> nothing is that in depth the world building in these stories are usually basic but easy to follow, the character building is not that deep... I knew this going in so I wasn't expecting an epic shifter romance with great world building and amazing back stories.  

That being said these books are good for if you are looking for a light, cozy, and fluffy read and I enjoyed it for what it was, I do plan to continue the series to find out what happens next.  There were a few plot points that I didn't feel made too much sense with how things were going but I just went with it.

Kass is way too forgiving as far as I'm concerned she's trying to help the townspeople (who turn into Lycans and can't control their wolf form) as they actively destroy her items and attack her multiple times throughout the book... at some point I think I would have tossed the ingredients list at our man Keaton and left for a safer place to stay.

Once Keaton finally started to let Kass in he was really sweet and protective, Kass was still trying to figure out what they even were to each other so I'm sure this relationship will continue throughout the rest of the series.

Have you read this one?  What did you think? 

Genevieve K. Thomas: The Spellbound Cottage

 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/256132801-the-spellbound-cottage

Book Blurb:

Cottage Checklist:
✔️ Fix the leaking turret
✔️ Find a new home for the pixies
✔️DO NOT fall for the hot handyman

Freshly single and heartbroken, Beatrix Bilberry moves to a tumbledown cottage in the magical village of Little Sparrow.

But her new home comes with unexpected company: gnome infestations, troublesome pixies, a melodramatic ghost haunting the attic, and Barnaby, an adorably sleepy hearth dragon.

Her annoyingly handsome neighbour Angus takes delight in teasing her about the impossible renovation work. Tall, tattooed, and effortlessly charming, Angus has a way with people and animals that makes him far too easy to fall for… to everyone, it seems, except Beatrix, as his careless comments grate on her nerves.

Besides, Beatrix has no time for romance. Winter is approaching fast, and she’s racing to restore the cottage before the first snowfall. She’s promised her family a magical festive season – and she’s determined not to let them down.

Beatrix works around the clock, but with a complete lack of plastering skills and magical creatures constantly undoing her hard work, she soon realizes there’s only one way to fix Spellbound Cottage. She’ll have to swallow her irritation and accept Angus’s help…

But when the meddling cottage keeps locking them in rooms together, Beatrix realizes she’s facing something far more dangerous than rebuilding a home: opening her heart to love again.

Tropes:

*Netgalley ALC *Fantasy *Romance *Magic *Cozy Read *Low Stakes *Fixing up the cottage

*Found family *Magical beings/paranormal *Artist FMC *Farrier MMC *Mystery 

*enemies --> more *Small town romance *closed door

Thoughts:

Beatrix (FMC) is dealing with a lot right now her grandmother passed away recently, her relationship from college ended and her father is trying to talk her into taking a job she really isn't interested in working at a tourist shop, but she is determined to pave her own path... what keeps jumping out at her is a cottage for sale in the same place she grew up in, she does have some money now from her inheritance and it would be nice to have a place to call her own.

Once she gets to The Spellbound Cottage she is determined to make it her own she knows it's a fixer upper but she can do this... on her own if possible... only things keep getting in the way of her efforts including a ghost in the attic, pixies in the roof, and other characters like the aquatic creature living in the well.  The home came with a hearth dragon but she doesn't know anything about taking care of dragons... and all of these projects are becoming overwhelming quickly.

Another issue she has is she keeps running into Angus the handsome Farrier who works for friend/neighbor nearby, he is honestly helpful and kind (picking on her occasionally like a flirty flirt) but she is stubborn and determined to do everything on her own she isn't a fan of him and considers him a bit of a "Frienemy"... until she finally drops that idea and realizes she could use some help.

Then there is the mystery of what happened to the former owner of the cottage... he just disappeared one day and no one knows what happened... and his girlfriend disappeared the year before?  Was it foul play?  Or something else involved like Fae?  

This was a cute, low stakes, cozy read.  The romance elements of the story are more on the back burner and the focus was more on fixing up the cottage and dealing with the situations preventing the fix up from happening.  

This had a enemies --> more vibe but I didn't think it was necessary as it was a one sided feeling from Beatrix.  I enjoyed the found family (townspeople) vibes and loved the dragons element they were cute like having a cat.  

While I don't mind cozy vibes... it was almost too cozy like to the point where there isn't much happening, it was a bit repetitive with Beatrix revamping her to-do list every few chapters, and felt like I was just listening to a home improvement show with magical elements at times.  

The narrator did a great job with the characters and I liked the whimsical vibes of the story.  

have you read this one?  What did you think? 

\

Piper Rayne: Chasing Smoke

 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/250157993-chasing-smoke

Book Blurb:

I've been running toward burning buildings for a decade. Then my best friend's widow smiled at me for the first time in two years, and I knew right then I was in trouble.

After Caleb died, I made a promise—I’d take care of his wife. Keep an eye on her. Check in on her. Make sure she kept on living.

Collins insists she’s fine. She’s not.

So when she finally agrees to let me help pull her out of her grief, I vow to stand beside her however long she needs me, no matter how much it costs me.

Collins isn’t supposed to smile at me like she does. She’s not supposed to let me in. And she definitely isn’t supposed to be the best part of my day.

She was Caleb’s. I know that.

The problem is, I can't stop wondering what it would be like if Collins wasn't just someone I was meant to protect.

But mine.

Tropes:
*Hambright PR ALC/ARC *Small town romance *Firefighter MMC *Best Friend's Widow

*Forbidden romance *Friends --> More *Spice *Slow Burn *He Falls First 

*Grief/loss *Secrets revealed *Green flag MMC

Thoughts:

Collins (FMC) has been going through the motions of life but has not been living for the past few years ever since she got a knock on the door from her husband's best friend Ansel telling her the worst news her husband wasn't coming home to her rushing to the hospital she didn't make it in time to say goodbye and now she's in their home the one that she thought they would grow old in and raise their children in but it's just her and her memories.

Ansel has been dealing with grief in his own way his child hood best friend Caleb passed away in the line of duty and he wonders all the ways that things could have gone differently.  There is someone he knows who is grieving as well and he knows his friend wouldn't want Collins living the way she has been, she hasn't been the same since he's been gone and he wants to help her get out and start living again.

This is a sweet small town, slow burn romance I loved how patient Ansel was with Collins showing up regularly and they honestly did start out as just friends he wanted to help her find herself again and have some fun again but over time things just progressed naturally, the pacing went well as Collins worked through stages of grief and along the way she discovers that maybe she didn't know everything about her husband this totally rocks her world and now on top of grief she is dealing with anger that will remain partially unresolved because the person she's mad at isn't here anymore... how can she move forward when she's now questioning her whole relationship. 

Ansel and Collins the more time they spend together the more it just feels natural for them to be actually together... but they know that people will judge them, it's a small town and along with it will be the rumors of when their relationship actually started... even though it's no one's business and these feelings didn't come until recently.

I appreciated that Collins while she did want to move forward with Ansel recognized that she needed to work on herself and be ready for this relationship before moving forward she wasn't the same person she used to be and wanted to be able to be in the right space mentally to move forward with a new partner, her grief was so real and heartbreaking but so was her journey of self discovery and growth. 

Ansel was so sweet, he was willing to wait for Collins to be ready to move forward with him and never pressured her to move faster than she was ready he was on her time all while he deals with his own thoughts of knowing it's wrong to want to be with his best friend's widow... but if it's wrong why does everything with her feel so right? 

This is a full cast narration and they did an amazing job with this story:  Maxine Mitchell, Connor Crais, Jason Clarke, Callie Dalton, JF Harding, Aaron Shedlock, Stephen Dexter and Jill Smith --> if you love audio books and want to check out this book do yourself a favor and grab the audio book.

This story had me invested in Collins finding herself again and being able to not forget the past but be able to move forward and live in the present, and I loved Ansel he's such a sweetheart.  Ansel and Collins slow burn, friends to more relationship was everything! 

There were some things that left me wondering what ended up happening so I'm hoping we will find out more in the next book, and I am looking forward to the next book in the series.  

Have you read this one?  What did you think? 

C.K. Darling: Ashes and Sparks

 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/253515332-ashes-and-sparks

Book Blurb:

One night in Savannah was supposed to be enough. Then she walked into his fire station and became his boss.Blake McCallister has spent two years working toward his investigator certification and eighteen months carrying an unsolved case that cost him someone he couldn't afford to lose. He has a theory. He just needs someone good enough to prove it.

Ashley Torres has built her entire career on being the most qualified person in a male-dominated room. She came to Peachwood Grove to crack a cold arson case. She did not come to complicate things with the man from that one night in Savannah.

They're both disciplined. Both professional. Both completely aware that what happened in Savannah should stay there. Too bad the evidence board doesn't care.

Ashes and Sparks is a steamy, tension-packed romance set in small-town Georgia—where the case is cold, the chemistry is anything but, and one night was never going to be enough.

Tropes:

*High Gravity ALC *One night stand --> More *work place romance *fire/arson investigation

*Firefighters (MMC & FMC) *FMC is a baddie *Grief & Survivor guilt *Mystery 

*Spice *State Challenge Georgia (repeat) *Novella *Found Family *Small Town Romance

*Forbidden Romance *Latina FMC *Insta Lust 

Thoughts:

This story starts out hot and heavy several weeks earlier when Ashley and Blake meet in Savannah they both decide on a one night only, no strings attached just fun night, they get first names only no last names no phone numbers they think they will never see each other again and with no last name they can't look each other up and that's what they think they have until...

Six weeks later Ashley heads to Peachwood Grove to help with an arson investigation, she is used to being a female in a male dominated profession and she is really good at her job, she is hoping that she can make a fresh start in this new small town if she does well with this cold case investigation she might land a permanent spot.

This story picks up where book one ends so while this can be read as a stand alone I would recommend reading the books in order.  Blake has been working towards his investigator certification and has spent his time and effort working over time on arson investigations along with his regular work, just when he thinks he is going to be able to slide into the open investigator position at his station he sees a blast from his past... Ashley his one night stand from several weeks earlier is coming into his life and in a big way... she is now his boss and he is going to be assisting her with the investigation.

They are both adults, this doesn't have to be a thing they'll make it work.

Sparks fly in this fun fast paced small town romance as they work together to solve the mystery of who has been setting structural fires, trying to build a case against who they think is behind everything before they strike again.  

This was a cute and quick listen and the narrators did a great job bringing this story to life! 

This was more insta lust/love which I'm not usually a big fan of but due to the length of this story it worked well.  These two had great chemistry and had some funny moments where they were using work terms in a way to describe other things that they really meant... making it a bit awkward for their co-workers.

It was a little bit repetitive and It did spend maybe more time than it needed to on the arson investigation leaving it to feel like a how to solve a fire related crimes manual at times, but over all I enjoyed this book and I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.  

Have you read this one?  What did you think?