Monday, October 6, 2025

Katie Bailey: The Quit List


2025 read:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/196018590-the-quit-list

Holly Greene is feeling like she is getting too close to 30 without completing some of the things she would have liked to have done by now like going on more adventures and finding "the one" it doesn't help that she has been pining for her ex-college boyfriend who is now her boss when they broke up he told her "it wasn't their time" but it appears now isn't their time either and she's tired of waiting for him to notice that she's been there all along he's just stringing her along and she's sick of waiting.

Holly decides to get out of her comfort zone and go on a series of dates at the same bar,  each one seems to be worse than the last, seriously where are these guys coming from?  she says exactly what she wants in her bio so why does she keep getting a bunch of oddballs who are already in a relationship and want a side piece or just want a one night stand?  On one of these nights Jax the handsome mountain man bartender comes to help get rid of her current date and also gives her a bit of tough love by telling her that she is going about finding "the one" all wrong... taking this to heart Holly shortly after this asks Jax to be her dating guru.

Only Jax while observant is not a "true love" "one love" kind of guy due to some issues he has with his father growing up and seeing how his relationships went he doesn't want to go down that same path and that's why he keeps up his walls and doesn't due long term commitments he is a no strings attached kind of guy, or is he?  The more time he spends with the beautiful Holly the more he can't remember his reasons for not wanting more if he were to find the right woman could she be right in front of him?

Holly knows that Jax isn't looking for the same things in a relationship as she is they have talked about it plenty of times and his response has always been anti long term relationship... but the longer she spends time with him she can't help but see how caring he is and he is really doing his best to help her when he didn't have to especially since he's trying to set up his new business maybe she can help him too she works at the hotel and always has lots of ideas to promote which go no where because her boss (yes the ex) squashes all of her ideas.

Jax is also working towards his new career goals of being a wilderness guide and he is well on his way he's been certified and is working on fixing up his cabin all he needs is a novice to take with him and since his sister is newly pregnant (she is the lead FMC from Season's Scheming's) Holly volunteers herself to go she has been looking for adventure after all and she can help promote his business win/win Holly just will have to keep her distance from her growing feelings towards her dating coach, no big deal.  

The longer these two spend together the closer they get but will Jax ever give up his bachelor ways?  

*city girl/country boy  *Opposites attract  *one tent/forced proximity  *dating coach  

*no spice (some mentions of nudity)  *dual POV  *banter  *afraid of commitment MMC

*golden retriever MMC *Super slow burn  *Rom Com

My thoughts on this book:

While this was a funny & cute quick read with likeable lead characters and side characters, I didn't feel all that invested in their relationship since it was such a slow burn that it took them till around 70% to even kiss... leaving me feeling like while they were together as friends during most of the book their time together as an actual "couple" of any sort was short and more rushed.  

At some point a long the way of reading the book I kind of got a bit bored nothing was really happening "couple" wise and it took me a bit to get back into it... too much time is spent with Jax's inner monologue of being "interested" but not the "right guy" per Holly's list that she made and Holly spends too much time still looking for "the right guy" on the dating app when me as the reader is honestly getting frustrated with our leads talking to each other about Holly's dating life but not about what is in front of them that they are into each other.  

Just ok for me will still read more from this author but if you are not into books that feature the above mentioned things I wouldn't put it on the top of your read list.   


Friday, October 3, 2025

ARC Opportunities October 3, 2025

 

If you are looking for a new author/your next read consider being an ARC reader/reviewer I have been doing a lot of ARC reads this year and finding a lot of new to me authors with amazing books that don't always get the hype that the more popular authors get.  

Leaving reviews matter especially for Indie authors the more reviews that a book has the more it gets shown to others as an option to read.  

Thank you for supporting Indie Authors ðŸ’“

If you are an author with an upcoming ARC opportunity and want me to place it in my next ARC opportunities blog post let me know!  

I've added good reads links for if you are interested in the book but can't commit to the ARC read and review timelines.   These ARC opportunities were taken from the authors original posts. 

Ella Walker Henderson:  Wings of Night

 

Good Reads:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/241587156-wings-of-night?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=FLtPgkyemY&rank=1

 

Sign up link:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfDejF9rzHczapEyV4dlq0xB8EonfdefQkUEJ-8psYq33iqxA/viewform

 

ARC signups are open for my new dragon rider series, Dark Sky, starting with book 1, Wings of Night.

Release date: Nov 11

ARCs go out: Oct 11

Word count: 117,000

First person POV

Tropes: trials, dragon selection, enemies to lovers, found family, dragon rider, military training camp, banter

My books are low on spice and high on tension

Link to form in comments!

No one believes she deserves to be a rider. Except for him. But he may be her greatest threat of all.

Zaydah has dreamed her whole life of becoming a rider of the creatures in the sky. In a kingdom always at war, there’s no greater honor than joining their ranks. She and her best friend, Brev, have trained every day for the last ten years to earn their place and follow in their fathers’ footsteps.

In the Black Mountains, where the military sprawls over its hilltop base, not everyone remembers their fathers as heroes. The king has forbidden their last names to be spoken aloud. Enemies won’t forget the wrongs of decades past.

Zaydah and Brev vow to watch each other’s backs and do whatever they can to succeed. They’ve always been an unstoppable team, and neither of them can trust anyone.

But secrets thrive in the Black Mountains. Nothing can prepare Zaydah for what she’ll uncover, and everything could tear her and Brev apart, most of all, the prince and his unusual interest in Zaydah.

 

Sheila Fowler:  Summer Nights in Willow Creek

 

Good Reads:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/235433140-summer-nights-in-willow-creek?ref=nav_sb_ss_3_21

 

Book Sprout Link:  https://booksprout.co/reviewer/review-copy/view/235847/summer-nights-in-willow-creek?fbclid=IwY2xjawNLvYBleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFuQTc2NGdoQXljZHBFRDhmAR4OW3jxjs0Oj0Z7rtSdIDFjjDWimdWpU9-KXvlU_BLCug4uCt3GaX1Rpc1ZBQ_aem_QJbTWcQctd-5lwA7SU-IhA

 

Mia Anderson's camera has captured the biggest stars in Hollywood, but it's been years since she felt a real spark behind the lens. Burnt out and questioning her choices, she retreats to her picturesque hometown of Willow Creek for the summer, hoping to rekindle her passion for photography.

She doesn't expect to run into Jason Lawson, her childhood best friend, now running the local animal shelter with a dedication that both inspires and bewilders her. As Mia rediscovers the joy in her art by helping Jason's rescue efforts, their friendship rekindles into something deeper, forcing her to question everything she thought she wanted.

But just as Mia finds herself falling for Jason and the charms of small-town life, a dream job offer from LA forces her to choose between the glittering career she's worked so hard for and a life filled with purpose and love in Willow Creek.
Set against the backdrop of warm summer nights, charming small-town festivals, and lovable furry friends, "Summer Nights in Willow Creek" is a heartwarming tale of second chances, self-discovery, and the courage to follow your heart. Will Mia find the perfect shot of happiness, or will her chance at true love fade like an overexposed photograph?

Sometimes, you have to go back to where you started to find where you truly belong.

O.D Emma Somewhere in the Dark

 

Good reads:  couldn’t find a link yet

 

Sign up link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScnmXEanRCgz-qZzZogaop38Y8l1-qNcVccTsyj1ojLVEHHNg/viewform?fbclid=IwY2xjawNLvkhleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFuQTc2NGdoQXljZHBFRDhmAR4qCJh21D-MI5W2XyH8Se2A9EzcEHbM1BylKpt-H-OolQ0IJQfc2AwU7MRgCA_aem_TY_C6lIKNyHUgoH1j_birw

 

Somewhere in the Dark 🌌

🪦COMING 2026🪦

There are much worse things than dying.

🩶

Growing up, I had always expected to find my escape outside of that trailer. Away from the screams that echo through the halls, away from the covered up bruises and hollow apologies. But life had other plans, dragging me back into the nightmare of my childhood home. And now I find myself torn between keeping my mother safe from the monster who haunts the house and finding freedom in the arms of a long lost childhood friend who is fighting his own ghosts.

🩶

My name is Nova Harper, and I promise you there are much worse things than dying.

 

**read the trigger warnings list before signing up for this one

 

Louise Hudson:  Sleigh Another Day

 

Good Reads:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/222852107-sleigh-another-day?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=YCjzgFufgp&rank=1

 

Sign up link:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScIXhgaM-_zSpcUWT9xf-qwOioJZEFl6bjKduQBcqY0bO8IiA/viewform

 

📣Calling all ARC Readers 📣

Louise Hudson is looking for romance readers who love these tropes!

🛷Sleigh Another Day 🛷

🎄Small town

🛷Grumpy sunshine

🎄Tattooed MMC

🛷Only one sleigh (resourceful 😉)

🎄Strangers to lovers

If it sounds like something you'd love then join us and sign up to ARC read this novella.

(Although it's book three in The Nativity Series it can be read a standalone - but the others in the series are available on KU)

Release Date: November 11th.

 

Daniel Georgiev Suncatchers

 

Good reads:  Couldn’t find a link yet

 

Sign up link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc1xVIfXL_KiXjnyDGQx36By61fGCP2smSN5hncZZh3zTdJ6Q/viewform

 

è Author didn’t put a blurb but did put some tropes:

Snow dystopian fantasy, found family, friendship, long game villain, survival 

Delia Duke:  Cadence of the Storm

 

Good Reads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/242207788-cadence-of-the-storm?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=3Z3uqXNFq2&rank=4

 

Sign up link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfEfW1tn5wBgThMQUUiHOFd4SG2jXXFiYbmiMEj1OqtdwBuVA/viewform

 

Two worlds. One storm.
Can we survive the chaos—or will it consume us both?


My goals were simple, even if my life wasn’t. My world was black and white and straight lines.
That is, until Risha Verma crashed into it. With her radiance, creative expression, and that burning chemistry, she enveloped me to my core.
She gives me closure I didn’t know I needed. She makes me a better man; I didn’t realize I wanted to be. And, she opens my eyes to a world I didn’t know I yearned for.

My life was a struggle between control, peace, and independence. I was trapped between the weight of expectations and dreams of an elusive future. Breaking free would brand me rebellious, while every mistake would carve my present. I live in two one I can’t escape, and one I can never fully claim.
That is, until I cross paths with a devastatingly gorgeous Ryan McAlister. We have nothing in common—our goals, our lives, our futures couldn’t be further apart—yet he awakens a storm I’ve fought so hard to silence. Beneath all the differences, we are alike. And he stirs a storm in me I never saw coming.
I let myself get swept into it—playing along, surrendering to its rhythm, pretending the moment could last forever. And then, everything unravels, and I realize I was never meant to belong to this storm.

Amy Yorke:  Alchemy & Ashes

 

Good reads:  couldn’t find a link yet

 

Sign up link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd_e6B-p-BD5h6afleUhh6LKtFZGdgz3RyWhbtec46GhuS-Xw/viewform

 

ALCHEMY & ASHES, a new spicy, action-packed romantasy is almost here, and I’m looking for ARC readers and street team members to read early copies mid-October before the 11.11.25 release!

If you love:

✨Enemies to lovers

⚔️Feminine rage

✨He falls first and harder

⚔️Slow burns with lots of ~yearning~

✨Elemental magic

⚔️Antiquity-inspired settings

✨Courtly intrigue

⚔️Sibling rivalry

You’ll love this book!

 

The daughter of a failed rebellion. The king that unalived her father. A love that could destroy them both.

Sylvie has always lived in her sister Adria’s shadow. But at the Great Festival, she finally has her chance to step into the light: by striking down God-King Ronan, the man who destroyed her family. Adria may have led the rebellion, but Sylvie will be the one to finish it.

Ronan has spent years rebuilding a kingdom broken by the war that claimed his father and shattered his faith. But peace has come at a price. Surrounded by enemies and burdened by secrets too dangerous to reveal, he’s losing control: of his court, his magic, and maybe even himself.

The closer Sylvie gets to Ronan, the more she’s drawn to the man she vowed to unalive. Wanting him would mean betraying not just her sister, but her people and the memory of her parents. Trusting Sylvie could cost Ronan the throne—or his life. Because even if Sylvie refuses to strike, Adria won’t hesitate to finish the job.

The road to the throne runs through his heart. And only one sister will claim it.

 

Ari Roper  Bite Me

 

Good Reads:  COuldn’t find a link yet

 

Sign up link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfF-_du-h5CJxOtt2BkppFBCWt73RrHlCxmj4-Je-h5QSDe6A/viewform

 

When nerdy senior Max Carter and his best friend Lucas spot the new girl at Graybridge Academy, they immediately decide she’s definitely a vampire. Pale, always in black, carries a parasol, and those too-green eyes that don’t look…normal.
It’s a joke, obviously. A dumb, nerdy joke.

Except… she actually is.

Her name is Eris, and she’s just trying to survive the hell that is private school. After years of homeschooling by her very weird (very careful) vampire uncle, she’s been shoved into the V.I.P. cover—Vanguard Scholars, totally human, very gifted—which means half a year at Graybridge and then an early jump to college. Keep a low profile. Pass her classes. And under no circumstances bite anyone or hold eye contact too long.

Then there’s Max—local honors goblin/D&D enthusiast—who won’t stop talking to her. He’s weirdly charming in a “human disaster with flashcards” way, and Eris can’t decide if she wants to sit with him at lunch or climb out the window. Lucas is 100% convinced she’s a vampire…but only in a fun, Twilight-is-real way—and Max thinks she’s playing along.

When a rival vampire starts making trouble on campus and a string of “pranks” turns ugly, Max lands squarely in the middle, forcing Eris to choose: keep pretending to be a normal, socially awkward senior…or bite back and save the boy who’s been making her laugh for the first time in years.

Will Max ever realize he was right? Will Lucas ever stop talking about his vampire conspiracy? And will Eris actually pass algebra before she accidentally violates a few school policies—with fangs?

 

 

Ava Wylde:  Silent Spaces

 

Good Reads:  Couldn’t find a link yet

 

Sign up link:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfyccu8LABBFh4NENRToKj8LR0gAVmQYppsnFI5isDhiVL80Q/viewform

 

Author Ava Wylde is looking for ARC readers for her upcoming Romantic Thriller, Silent Spaces! Please sign-up below!

What to expect:

❤️Protective MMC

☠️Shared past trauma

❤️Touch Her and ðŸ’€

☠️Betrayal

❤️Comedic Relief

☠️Found Family

Blurb:

Natalie-

I'm in my final year of the forensic behavioral analysis program. My life hasn't exactly been rainbows and butterflies but if I can do anything right, it's this. Until I decide to join my roommate for a night out and everything goes south, fast. I can't let it distract me from finding the person, or people, who took my family from me. But keeping on track through additional trying times proves to be more challenging than I anticipated.

The Widow Maker-

I've spent seven years dormant, irrelevant, dead to the world. Everyone thought I ceased to exist so I rolled with it. I became a functioning member of society, I lived out my urge to devour souls without so much as a police report, setting aside my audacious displays for a quiet life. That is, until my world collided with her.

I'm caught up between needing to protect her and knowing she'll out me when she figures it out. If she figures me out. I should skip town. But my prey is ripe for the picking on a college campus. I can't let an undergrad throw me off, now. Not after so many years of making my way work for me.

 

N.A.  MCD  Jack My Lantern

 

Good reads link:  couldn’t find a link yet

 

Sign up link:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdkrglUdBhuuRcqMqEUmREMBQcSpblOEvoxYP8jdKIHXGWT9A/viewform

*read the what to expect section it is lengthy

 

Have you ever wondered what would happen if you made a wish for something insane and it actually came true?

What if I told you there’s a catch?

You must give back to the Patch.

Prepare yourself to meet Jack, standing at a delicious 8’ tall, drool worthy broad shoulders, deep glowing eyes that will keep you hypnotised- oh did I mention he has knotting vines…

Get ready to devour this short Halloween inspired erotica that will have you craving pumpkin spice

ARCS TO BE SENT OUT OCTOBER 10th

 


Thursday, October 2, 2025

Andrea Jenelle: When Jess Wainwright's Curiosity was Satisfied


Wainwright Sisters Book 4

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/221992364-when-jess-wainwright-s-curiosity-was-satisfied

I got this from book sirens after I saw the author's post about being in need of more reviews for her book, I haven't read the first 3 books and this was the first book I've read by this author, even though it's in a series I didn't feel that I was lost starting with the 4th in the series and do plan to eventually go back and read the first three books.

Jess Wainwright is a teacher she loves what she does and has recently obtained a microscope for her class room and she has big plans for it as it will help with her future discussions with her class on insects specifically the dragonfly.  

Cadoc is a handsome and wealthy self made man as a miner's son he used to work in the mines with his family after a tragedy happened leading to the death of his older brother and his mother he took it into his own hands to invent ways to improve visibility and working conditions for those still working in the mines.  

Cadoc Morgan is the school superintendent and even though his niece and nephew (which he currently has custody of) are at the school being taught by Jess he wants more from her than just having her educate the children.  Cadoc generally has no problems getting a woman's attention, except for when it comes to the beautiful school teacher so he gets her attention a different way by having his nephew help him steal her microscope.

Jess is furious she can't believe the nerve of this man taking what belongs to her and the school!  Even if he is the superintendent that doesn't give him the right to take what he wants when he wants.  After a confrontation with this blackguard she finds out that he is willing to give the microscope back to her but it will cost her is she willing to pay the price?

Jess after careful consideration and discussion with one of her sisters she still lives with decides that maybe it wouldn't hurt to take a chance and put herself out there to get her microscope back even if it comes back to her one part at a time.  What's the worst that could happen really?  

It took me a bit to get into this story but once it got going I finished it pretty quickly.  In the beginning before you truly get to know Cadoc you find the fact that he took the microscope in the first place then made a wager that could potentially ruin Jess's reputation and career as a teacher is really low, but throughout the book you find out he really is a caring guy who became man of the house at an early age and took the role as care giver to his younger sisters and now his niece and nephew he really is a family man with a big heart and some rogue like ways.

What we have here is a story about a man who really likes a woman but since he's used to a more one night stand kind of situation he doesn't know how to show it properly and misbehaves (taking the microscope) to get the attention he wants from his love interest.  Once the bet happens steam and sparks fly pretty regularly the back and forth of this power struggle is great I liked that our FMC Jess turned things around on him several times throughout the book getting the upper hand she's not going to give him a win, he needs to earn it.  

I also enjoyed the side characters both our MMC and FMC had a loving and supportive family who only wanted what was best for them.  Our couple are both stubborn will they be able to find true happiness together or will they let it slip out of reach?  Also will Jess get her microscope back or will she lose the wager and quite possibly her heart in the process?  

I do plan to read the rest of the series at some point!  have you read anything by this author?  have you read this series?  what did you think about it? 

*ARC Read  *Book Sirens  *Historical Romance  *Working class  *spice  *spinster FMC 

*inventor/self made man MMC  *death of parents (mentioned this is in the past) *illicit wager 

*handsome Rogue  *Boss (MMC)/Teacher (FMC) *enemies to more  *slow burn 




Wednesday, October 1, 2025

Lola Lockhart: Seeds of Betrayal


 Book 2 University of Mountain Springs

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/221655958-seeds-of-betrayal

I grabbed this 2nd book from book sirens after I finished reading the 3rd book in this series (I haven't read the first book yet... but plan to) even though it's in a series they can be read as a stand alone book.  I would recommend reading them in order however if you want 0 spoilers for how things are going with other couples as they make appearances throughout the books.

To start off with Tara and Alfie have a wild night that ends in trespassing in one of the university buildings they are caught on camera kissing then going off camera where something unknown happens and shortly after the sprinkler system goes off potentially ruining a lot of projects in the process... they didn't have anything to do with it but since they can't 100% prove it and the college can't prove that they did anything to set it off they are sentenced to community service around the campus with each other over the duration of the summer break.

Alfie may have had something to do with their lighter sentence since his wealthy family donates a lot of money to the school and his mother is part of several boards... she is quite intimidating and pushy especially when it comes to her sons and what she thinks they ought to be doing even going to great lengths to set up arranged marriages, well Alfie saw his older brother Drake get roped into a marriage like that and it's not for him he's not going to do it so naturally he does what any rational person would do when told he is needed to go on a joint family vacation with the potential "wife's" family... he lies and says he already has a girlfriend only he doesn't and his family is coming to town to meet her in just a few short weeks... he's got this he just needs to find a "girlfriend" to go a long with this wild plan.

In comes Tara (Alfie's best friend's younger sister) they had a night together that they really haven't talked much about and clearly there is chemistry but they can be in a fake relationship, fool his uptight rich family into thinking they are together for real and then go their separate ways no big deal!  right?  

Alfie has always been a quiet guy who keeps to himself and also bottles up his emotions he wouldn't want to embarrass the family name after all.  His family are pretty into proper lineage and overly high expectations of life direction (except for his grandparents his grandfather passed away but gave him his love of science and his grandmother is a delight). 

The more time they spend together the closer they get, lines get crossed and completely obliterated at times and as much as they try to keep walls up it's hard to when you are with someone who sees you for who you are and still wants to be there for you.  

Alfie and Tara both have trust issues for different reasons to work through and this becomes an ongoing issue throughout the story line leading to a bit of no communication at times and walls going back up just when they were starting to come down.   

This was a cute college romance with a side of humor and some really sweet moments between our couple.  I did find the no communication situation a bit much at times and was hoping that they would just get themselves together sooner it was clear to everyone at that point that there were real feelings just kiss and make up already!  

I enjoyed the banter between our couple and loved the side characters as well looking forward to more books in this series!  

*College Romance  *Older Brother's best friend  *protective MMC  *Fake Relationship  *Grumpy/sunshine  *some spice  *slow burn  *RomCom  *Dual POV  *Found family

*grand gesture from MMC  *ARC  *Book Sirens



Denise Grover Swank: It Runs in The Family

  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/248110966-it-runs-in-the-family Book Blurb: Seeing the future is a questionable gift. Seeing your own ...