Rachel Anthony: Twisted Shot

 

Skate Me Home Series book #2 

I ARC read the first book and jumped right at the chance when I saw the second book available!  If you love hockey romance you will want to add this series to your list.

This is the second book but it could potentially be read as a stand alone, there is cross over from characters in the first book as this is about the FMC from book one's best friend Mila and The MMC's from the first book's team mate Theo.

From the first book we know that Mila is a beautiful flirty flirt and Theo is the strong, handsome but quiet type not saying more than he needs to in any given situation he is private about his life and in this book it really opens the door to find out more about why our guy is the way he is... turns out he is from a wealthy family (like private jet family money) but he has always been seen as the odd man out in his family they view his Hockey career as more of a "hobby" and his wealthy successful brother's look down on him for other reasons including his speech impediment, and don't get him started on his father.  

Because of his awful family Theo has grown up feeling inadequate, out of place and has made a habit of staying out of the spot light as much as possible, he wouldn't want to embarrass the family name.  It's also led to him watching from a distance and when it comes to Mila she's everything he's not --> poised, outspoken, breathtakingly beautiful... what would she even see in him?  

When he agrees to take in his party guy team mate Jesse as a room mate to help him stay on the right path he agrees to more than just new living arrangements he gets talked into hosting a Halloween party.  This is not his idea of fun when he likes a quiet night in but it also is an opportunity to be everything he's usually not he wants to be that guy who says all the right things he wants to be smooth and maybe he can get a taste of what things would be like if Mila would look his way just this once, he hasn't realized she's already noticed him.  

A chance encounter with a masked stranger at a Halloween party is driving Mila to distraction, her masked stranger was handsome, forbidden, made her feel wanted like no one else has recently, maybe ever... especially not her cheating ex-boyfriend who is also in a management role at her work and has been trying to sabotage her efforts with getting a new contract with the hockey team Theo is on and the job wouldn't have even been possible without her since she works in PR and helped Jesse (her best friend's little brother and basically her little brother too) out of a sticky situation.    

Mila begins to receive messages from an anonymous number and knows it's her masked man and wonders who it could be but could her masked man be the man she had already been thinking about frequently her sweet but shy Theo, and if it is why won't he just come get her?  Will Theo be able to be himself with Mila and come out of the shadows to take what he wants?  Or will he stay hidden behind the mask?

This is a hidden identity romance that will have you cheering on Mila and Theo, their relationship is beautiful.  I love the growth they share together and their big hockey family adds humor and maybe a little drama at times.  Theo steps up for Mila when he's needed most and I loved the way Mila handled Theo's older brother he's seriously awful if you have a friend like Mila you know she has your back.   

I really enjoyed this book and thank the author and book sirens for my advanced copy!  Not so patiently waiting for my next read from this author.  

*Hockey Romance  *hidden identity  *friends to more  *Slow burn  *some spice  *dual POV

*fierce FMC  *found family  *opposites attract  *broody MMC  *ARC read  *Book Sirens

*book boyfriend goals

Book 1 blog post:  https://elbyslibrary.blogspot.com/2025/08/rachel-anthony-blocked-shot.html

Kat Paige: Storm in A Teacup

 ARC read 2025

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/232924067-storm-in-a-teacup

Book #3 Love in Edinburgh series

Linny Jenkins was engaged while this was supposed to be a happy time... she broke it off due to her fiancé being the king of red flags good thing she dodged having to spend the rest of her life with him especially since she's already dealing with an eye disease (Retinitis Pigmentosa) that is slowly taking away her vision... she truly doesn't need to waste her time looking at that guy anymore except when she's out for a walk at night she sees him sitting outside with friends not knowing what else to do she kisses a random handsome guy sitting on a bench, did she plan for this no, was it the worst decision also no.

Ben Pyeon  (MMC) (our guy on the bench) is brooding after recently confessing his love in a big way for his best male friend only to find out that he doesn't return his love in that way how could he do this now he has wrecked this relationship, he recently admitted his feelings to himself of being bi-sexual even if he can't admit it to the rest of his family and friends yet and with this blow he has been keeping to himself avoiding all gatherings where David might be present.  Linny comes into his life like a whirlwind giving him a kiss that has for once taken him out of his brooding but then she leaves just as quickly as she came into his life.

Linny works at an Antique shop that her aunt owns and lives above it with her cat.  Many months after encountering the handsome stranger she runs into him again... it's a small world, he and his sister now own the cafe next door to their shop and the pair begin to pick up where they left off in a way forming an alliance they both need a date to upcoming events to shield them from having awkward encounters. Linny's cousin is getting married and her ex is also a member of the bridal party (he is the grooms cousin).  Ben needs Linny to help prove to his family that he has moved on from his confession and can get things back to normal again between him and his best friend.

What is the harm in extending their "relationship" they keep things casual go to these events together and then have a "break up" after the wedding... no big deal it will be fine.  Only the more time they spend together the more feelings get involved and walls start to break down Linny is dealing with some really tough issues with her medical condition and her ex did a number to her heart... is she even ready to let another person in after what happened last time?  She did say she was done with relationships after all.

Ben is a sweet and sensitive guy and while trying to get out of love with his best friend finds himself drawn to the beautiful girl above the antiques shop... and her wonderful Cat too.  But will they be able to make a go of a real relationship after they have been lying to most of their family and friends about their relationship?  

This book deals with a lot of sensitive topics but it's well done.  Ben and Linny's "fake" relationship grows naturally over the course of the book and doesn't feel forced they have you rooting for them to cross out the "fake" part of their relationship as they were on the fence of friends to more frequently throughout the book and led to some suspense of will they or won't they.

It took me awhile to get into this book but once I was into it I was all in.  I really enjoyed all the loveable side characters  as well like Ben's sister and her partner and even his friend (yes that friend) who all stuck by him even when he was trying to push everyone away.  Linny has a quirky aunt who regularly discusses the ghosts that are in their shop and it gives a nod towards the Ghost Whisperer show (early 2000's Jennifer Love Hewitt show).  

Linny's ex is something else... upgrade to Ben already!    

*Rom Com  *ARC read  *some spice  *Dual POV  *fake dating  *Black cat x golden retriever 

*Visually impaired FMC  *Found family  *Bi MMC  *Mental health rep  *Scotland

Trigger warnings:  mentions of miscarriage (in the past), past emotional/verbal abuse by an ex 

Terra Weiss: Fake Off

 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/236913225-fake-off

ARC read 2025

Sydney (FMC) is the beautiful girl next door type... which is what she was for Brooks Kingston (MMC) she is also his best friends younger sister, completely off limits as he promised his friend he would never touch his sister... and even though he worked hard for this not to happen she gets under his skin every time she's around she's a force of nature to his soul... and the current local weather girl for their home town station.

Sydney doesn't want to be the "weather girl" forever she wants to be promoted to being a sports reporter... and she was promised this ages ago by her boss, only now she has competition from a smarmy co-worker who thinks he's the greatest gift to the station... well he's not she has worked hard too and knows that she will do amazing in this role it's hers for the taking!

Brooks is a NHL hockey star but back in town for rehab with an injured shoulder, while staying with his sick grandmother and taking care of her our couple ends up making quite the show together while Sydney is giving a weather report from the frozen pond behind Brook's grandmother's house he is getting ice time and with some rowdy beavers making a television premiere it is tv gold...everyone in town is soon talking about the chemistry between these two.  

Sydney didn't see it that way Brooks has always been a grade A jerk for no reason... but she does really want this promotion and the station feels that having the inside scoop on a local Hockey King's recovery would be great for their ratings... maybe she could put aside their grievances for the greater good of her career so naturally she suggests what any rational person would... a fake relationship just short term then they could break up with no hard feelings and he could go on his way of being a ladies man... not her problem.

Brooks at first against this idea... I mean they can't stand each other why would this work out even short term?  Besides he doesn't do relationships... he does one night stands and he knows Sydney is a relationship girl and he did tell her brother he wouldn't go near her this has disaster written all over it.  But he does care about is his grandma and her health and seeing how happy she is seeing them together on and off TV he doesn't want to cause her excess stress with her current health condition... he could go along with this they both love his grandma she's the most important lady in his life.

Very quickly things escalate to his meddling grandma talking Sydney into moving in with them in her house so she can help take care of Brooks while he rehabs his shoulder and help Brooks take care of her and her dog... Sydney didn't sign up for this part but she loves his grandma and doesn't want to stress her out so next thing you know she's living with them in his childhood room with him of course there is only one bed... she can do this it's temporary once he is healed and goes back to the big leagues it will be over and she will be free to pursue her dream job.  

Sydney is in for a wild ride dealing with growing feelings towards Brooks... or were they there all along hidden under the surface?  Can they lie to the whole town, their families, her brother is livid about this arrangement especially when he catches them in a "not so fake" situation in a hot spring.  Extra drama occurs when there are hidden secrets and traumas to get through.  Brooks worries about his hidden secret would Sydney run for the hills if she knew?  But he isn't the only one with secrets and what will happen if their lies get exposed would that threaten Sydney's promotion? 

This is a really cute small town romance with plenty of laugh out loud moments Brooks and Sydney are likeable and you want them to find their happy ending (hopefully together).  I love the grandma she is caring, sassy and meddling in all of the best ways.  Sydney's parents are so supportive and her brother is too... in his own way.

I love hockey romance books and this is one of the best ones I've read this year, it was cute the relationship felt like a natural progression from their childhood relationship (even though that was rocky at best).  If you are in your hockey era add this one to your list! 

There is spice in this book but it was just the right amount to not over power the story line.  

*ARC read *Book Sirens *Fake relationship *Hockey Romance  *enemies --> more 

 *one room/one bed *forced proximity  *brother's best friend  *mental health rep 

*Grumpy/sunshine  *small town *found family  *rom com

Prequel:  https://elbyslibrary.blogspot.com/2025/11/terra-weiss-send-off.html

Mandy Ludick The Vanishing At Verdant Hall

 ARC read 2025

A Nora Halewell Time Travel Mystery

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/235360510-the-vanishing-at-verdant-hall

Nora Halewell has inherited Greystone Manor a house with many secrets when she stumbles across a glowing book in a hidden passage and gets thrown back in time to 1892 where she finds herself in the middle of a new mystery.

This was my first book by this author so I don't know if there is another series or book that explains how time travel happens, Nora also seems to be totally fine with being thrown back in time so maybe she is already aware that this is a possibility of happening? 

While back in time Nora meets the residents of the manor they are excited about Heiress Lillian Davenant's engagement however shortly after the announcement Lillian goes missing... perhaps not everyone is excited about this news.  

Nora finding an automaton clock with secrets of it's own finds clues that lead her to hidden passages, hidden clues and hidden documents perhaps it could lead to finding the missing lady.  

This was an intriguing quick read that kept me turning pages, I did have additional questions about the world maybe these will be answered throughout the rest of the series. 

*Time Travel  *Mystery *hidden passages  *hidden documents  *disappearance  *Quick read

ARC Opportunities September 12, 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 💓

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. 

 

·       Telicia McSwan:  Hunted

*Couldn’t find on Goodreads yet

They say your first love changes you forever. They don’t warn you what happens when it turns into your worst nightmare.

At fifteen, Hayley thought she was just an ordinary girl starting over at a new school. What she didn’t expect was to catch the eye of Hunter: the most popular, magnetic, and dangerously captivating boy in school. She fell for him fast. He fell for her harder.

But when two souls crash into each other, the result isn’t always love—it’s chaos. What began as a dream romance spirals into obsession, control, and betrayal. Hayley thought she’d found her soulmate.

Several years later, she's desperate to outrun the shadows of her past and rebuild her life. But some truths don’t stay buried. Twisted emotions resurface. And one fateful day, three people and a single gunshot will change everything. One will lie. One will break. And one... will never walk free again.

https://storyoriginapp.com/reviewcopies/a798c6b0-89cc-11f0-9379-fb203e245d6c?fbclid=IwY2xjawMwD-BleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFkMDlTeXhuRE1ZQ2UybnhTAR4zOqaOC152eVLSzE0BDcuMgpFaOVvQb_8TCUdwntXy7wq-d58EGhIn4vHoNQ_aem_ly9I2SoDR29HUR_ojMqqkA

 

 

·       K. Considine Rise of Ruin

*did not see on good reads yet

Rise of Ruin is the first in a planned four-book series that blends high magic, political tension, and slow-burn reluctant-allies-to-lovers. Our FMC is a mage in her late twenties (developed prefrontal cortex!) as she navigates a world of kingdoms, fae courts, vampires, magical beasts, and ancient forces that refuse to stay buried. It’s a plot-driven narrative rooted in themes of trauma, healing, sisterhood, and found family featuring a diverse cast and LGBTQ+ representation. While the romance unfolds slowly, it doesn’t shy away from open-door moments when the time is right.

If you’re excited by immersive fantasy with emotional depth and adult characters, I’d love to send you the ARC signup link. (I may also look for certain ARC candidates for physical copies/care packages!)

 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe7TZOtXcyR0l1PYUmGQLF2IGNzl-1QkA4N9as8rPRzB33efA/viewform?fbclid=IwY2xjawMwEZlleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF1a3RPRTE3cFVWYVhTalk4AR7oxmOdAn1uqP6bGs516QViequz-8-j3BD-x0Lqq0QY3DaMbnmLdBUhUjtKgw_aem_gvjh4oY2bmi5Qxf3jZCykA

 

·       R.D.G. Lover  Inheriting Armageddon

*did not see a good reads link yet

Inheriting Armageddon is a NA/Adult Fantasy novel that features the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse as karaoke-loving, motorcycle-riding, hipster assassins. 

 

Think: Good Omens meets John Wick. 👀🖤

🩶 morally gray, multi-POV

🌃 epic urban fantasy

🐴 found family

🪽 angels and demons

🐦‍⬛ immortal assassin organization

🏍️ motorcycle gang

🎤 karaoke loving hipsters

 

As an indie author, early reader reviews mean everything! By agreeing to be an ARC reader, you are agreeing to provide an honest and timely review on Amazon and/or Goodreads prior to or surrounding the publication of Inheriting Armageddon on November 11th, 2025. (I understand not everyone will be able to post a review in such a short amount of time, and that will not disqualify you from receiving an ARC.)

 

I am so honored that you're interested in reading my work—especially if you are a return reader! Thank you so much for all of your time.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfyDx0p0mTuJBOfJ0PuYv8qT4BoBh74RpE0Cl3JvNMBn2fbuA/viewform

 

·       Vivienne L. Thorn:  Betray Me

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/241343174-betray-me?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=20RVSdOjCK&rank=8

Thank you for your interest in receiving an Advanced Reader Copy of my new book in dark college bully romance series "Devastation Game"!  I’m thrilled to announce my second full-length published work on KDP Amazon.

I’m looking for passionate readers who enjoy edgy, college-set romance to help build early buzz with honest reviews. 

If you’re selected to receive an ARC, please post your review on:

- Goodreads a day before of the book’s release. 

- Amazon within one week of the book’s release. 

 

BONUS --> Once you share your review link via direct email, you will receive the prequel novella of Devastation Game series for FREE!

 

The dark tale that began in Stalk Me continues....

 

🌊 THE STORY:

They thought they could control me.
They thought they could break me.
They thought they could bury the truth.
They were wrong.

 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfq96KVdzL3r9l8QU9X_5jCWwq-YXVSBbVTjl6etb0QKKE6aQ/viewform

 

·       Jennifer Thea Barthe:  The Saint And The Sorceress

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/238373209-the-saint-and-the-sorceress?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_27

What's worse than discovering your grandfather was a monster?
Learning you might become one too.

Seminary student Max Frost has spent seven years behind stone walls, sworn off women, worldly desires—everything that might trigger the hereditary madness that destroyed the men in his family. But when his grandfather's cryptic journal about emotional alchemy draws him from his cloistered life in Bavaria to the languid courtyards of New Orleans, Max discovers Otto Frost's legacy runs deeper than family shame.

It leads to the sorceresses sworn to kill him before he can repeat Otto's crimes. Amongst them Liberté, heir to both her grandmother's remarkable talents and the unhealed wounds from the last time a Frost betrayed her family.

As Maximilian is shattered by a longing he can’t allow for a woman he can't trust, will he stay alive long enough to uncover the truth about his grandfather's crimes? Or will he have to awaken the monster he fears within, to survive a woman with every reason to destroy him?

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf1fgObsnMZoR4hZMNI4RRxYqlS4nBVtVBkgsqLPv8VcwlBUg/viewform

 

·       Debra Nicole Vaughn:  ShadowBitten

*couldn’t find goodreads link yet

 

A world where a vampire princess defies fate, a fae lord bleeds truth into darkness and the line between enemies and soulbound lovers burns to ash. 

 

Forbidden love

 

https://form.jotform.com/251030318982049?fbclid=IwY2xjawMwFR5leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF1a3RPRTE3cFVWYVhTalk4AR73Xty3R4Lc_iF0GW0Z_F32MgJ2I5uJH3JpFId_G3_dhAqaqK0pjq2Vtvxvqg_aem_6FKxEnYPTN8AGzjSHGP7-w

 

·       Cynthia Terelst:  Hitched for a Dream

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/223865597-hitched-for-a-dream?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=PrAZVVwsTo&rank=1

Looking for ARC readers.

Hitched for a Dream: A Fake Marriage, Small Town Romance (Diamond Firetail Farm)

When my husband died, I was saddled with a lifetime of debt.

Enter Curtis, a brooding, no-nonsense American vet with a soft spot for horses. His proposal: marry him so he can stay in Australia and buy the business of his dreams. In return, he’ll make my financial woes disappear.

 

It seems like a good business transaction to me. It’s only a year of my life.

As we navigate life on the farm—from stubborn mares to nosy neighbours—I find he’s not so surly after all. Beneath his gruff exterior lies a man who knows how to mend more than just animals. He can rescue hearts as well.

 

The problem? His constant reminders that we’ll be free of each other in twelve months show his heart is not on the same track as mine.

 

At the end of twelve months my debts will be gone, but my heart may not survive losing the man I never thought I’d fall for.

 

Hitched for a Dream is the second book in a western romance series. All books can be read as a standalone. The first book, Back in the Saddle, can be made available for ARCs.

Date of release 1 October.

ARCS will be sent around 17 September.

- western

- small town

- marriage of convenience

- workplace

- grumpy sunshine

- he falls first.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc3RA0h6mN4nM-Me_k51u8nEv4hPKbad6-EhCFduryTjNxurQ/viewform

 

·       Fiona Rowan:  Unwanted Fate

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/234756531-unwanted-fate?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=XeQY0jqbqh&rank=2

Sofia - I’m going to reject my mate-bond with Luca Taylor. Just as soon as we dismantle a trafficking ring, rescue a bunch of missing omegas, and take down everyone responsible. Then I’ll reject him.  Luca is arrogant, bossy, and infuriating. He treats me like a kid and refuses to see that I’ve grown up. But when my big brother and alpha, Ryan, starts losing his mind to Moon Madness, everything changes. Ryan doesn’t want me under the same roof as him. It’s not safe. But living anywhere but with my fated mate will raise questions we can’t answer without putting Ryan in more danger. So, I agree to move in with Luca and pretend we are together. It’s fake. Temporary. Strictly for show until we can find my brother’s mate. Only Luca and I know the truth. What could go wrong?

Luca - Sofia Rivera is the last she-wolf I should want, even if she is my fated mate. She’s also my best friend and alpha’s little sister, way too young for me, a brat who drives me crazy. Oh, and she absolutely hates me. But then she turns twenty-one and everything changes. The second I catch her scent, it’s over. My wolf knows. She’s mine. And my wolf loves to hunt. She might think this thing between us is temporary, that it’s fake, but it’s been real for me since the moment I realised she was mine. I’m not letting her go easily, even if I have to pretend it’s just for show at first. I'm not afraid to fight dirty to get my girl.

 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSew15JRnu-h8uGLsmVxJdHFEhLTDgkiGRxWadf-h3bSfula4A/viewform?fbclid=IwY2xjawMwF5ZleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF1a3RPRTE3cFVWYVhTalk4AR7yhz97NE5szkNuv1IEiXATDTjW_vhtSVxAXCC9UPXmlQBxont9olEE8v-oQA_aem_usa501deSmTniEfKQtSbsA

 

·       Anneke Boshoff:  Resisting Attraction

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/240122922-resisting-attraction?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=2X90gsAtRU&rank=6

ARC Readers wanted.

Do you love the edge-of-your-seat Police dramas? If you love blood-pumping novels, why not join my ARC team for Resisting Attraction?



Title: Resisting Attraction

Series: Resisting Hearts Series

ARC sign Up: https://forms.gle/CUBQcMngAM5Azd3X6

Release: 09 October 2025

*****

Blurb

Being a cop is all I ever wanted. Making the cut for a Special Taskforce is a dream come true. I love what I do, and we always get our man.

Except one.

The one who got away and has haunted us since.

But being a failure has never been an option. I drive myself to be the best and apply everything I have to every case my Taskforce gets. I play by the book.

Until she moves in next door. I don’t like her. I don’t trust her. I refuse to fall for any of the lies that drip from her pretty lips.

Love is not for me.

When my past resurfaces, I suddenly can’t deny my feelings for the pretty girl next door. I fell in love once, and it ended tragically. I lost everything. I can’t bear for that to happen again.

Only now, it might be too late.

 

 

 

 

Paige Burns: Blushing for Mr. Stone

 ARC read 2025 

Beastly Boss love book 1

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/239804522-blushing-for-mr-stone

I am newer to this genre but saw this recommended for me on Book Sirens and wanted to grab it to ARC read before all the spots filled up... I'm happy I got this one it was a cute quick read.

Chelsea and Badak grew up as neighbors in a poor part of town Badak was a protector even at a young age and felt a pull towards Chelsea (a human) from the first time he saw her they would play together outside and he allowed her to get close enough to see the real him... what he kept hidden from many others knowing that they might not accept him for himself (since he was a gargoyle) but Chelsea didn't see that she saw through his armor and that scared him... letting someone in, letting his walls down.

Many years later Badak is the CEO for SFG Industries and Chelsea is a new employee working in the HR department even though they haven't seen each other in years she has always remembered him he was her first crush... could it have been love even back then?  

Meeting again for the first time in years Badak at first doesn't acknowledge their past which gets to Chelsea... maybe she wasn't as important to him as he was to her.  But Badak remembers her she has been under his skin, in his soul, in his heart for years and even with time and distance he feels like he is coming to life again seeing her... but she is an employee and he shouldn't have these feelings for her he wants to protect her from himself she can't get close he is a "monster" after all.  

Chelsea gets upset with Badak due to him constantly want to "protect" her from everything when she wants him to let her in she wants to know him now as Badak the man, she was already in love with him as Badak the boy and she knows he is still in there under his professional armor.

I really enjoyed this story Chelsea and Badak were so cute together and you could see that the love they had for each other was still there... but now in adult form.  I loved that Chelsea was fierce, loyal and a protector in her own way she wanted equal rights for everyone and she wanted Badak to let down his guard to let her in she knew that if he did their love could soar just as high as him when he lets his wings out.

I would have liked more back story on the monsters in this world how many different species are present?  Have they always been out in the open or were they hidden until recently?  Why is there such conflict between the humans and the other species?  There really isn't enough world building to learn much about any of this, maybe the other books in the series explain a bit more.  

The book is fairly long for the amount of repetition in the book in the back half which kind of had me skimming through some of these sections.  But over all I loved the story of true love crossing over boundaries and of wanting to create an equal world for all to live in, working together peacefully, and choosing who to love.  

*Book Sirens  *Childhood friends  *Friends to more  *boss/employee  *slow burn

*MMC Gargoyle  *Human FMC  *Grumpy/Sunshine  *Brooding MMC *Possessive/protective MMC

*fated mates  *some spice  *can't stay away from each other even when they try

Sophie Bernbaum: Love & Other Tragedies

 ARC read 2025

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/239313447-love-and-other-tragedies

I started this book without really knowing what it was about and I'm kind of glad that I went into it without knowing right away this book really took me back to my high school days filled with insecurities, thinking about cute boys and wondering if they notice me too, worrying about what will happen after high school.

The story starts with Rose (our FMC) excited about starting her senior year and looking forward to her upcoming audition for the school play along with her best friend June (who is also auditioning).  Rose is a hard worker but she has to really plan her school work and homework out to get things finished due to her ADHD diagnosis leaving her frequently thinking way too much about everything at once and not able to finish her tasks. 

Beau (our MMC) is her long time crush and June's twin brother she has been long term pining for him forever... but this year something changes and he is noticing her too, suddenly he is asking her on study dates to the library, picking her up from school and sneaking around with her to have make out sessions.  Rose doesn't get the lead in the play coming up but she does land a part and is excited to perform this year is going great what could go wrong?  

The opening night of the play someone defaces the plays poster specifically targeting Rose not wanting to make a big deal out of it trying to give herself time to figure out who to talk to she takes the evidence until she can take her next steps.  Initially thinking that this is an isolated incident it is quickly realized that whoever targeted her is targeting others in the school but who could it be?  Is it just one person or is it a group targeting multiple people?  

Rose is now in the middle of a movement another student has gathered together a group at school from the students that were targeted that want to fight back for their rights and their safety at the school.  

While Rose is trying to live her normal teenage life (now including her situationship) she is now attempting to keep up with school work, apply for different colleges, memorize lines for the various plays, and what is going on between her and Beau?  Will this last beyond graduation or does it have an expiration date? ...well that's depressing she finally has the chance to be with Beau and it might end before it even really begins. 

When the attacks continue will Rose be able to stand up and face what is happening head on?  Will her mom's even let her since everyone is now so worried about what will happen next.

This book pulled me in right away I loved our leads and how their relationship grew over the course of the book, I loved how close Rose was with her parents and her friendship with June was true friendship goals (no one else was rooting for her brother and Rose to be together more than June).  

The book deals with a lot of hard subjects but in a natural way that kept the story moving forward when I went to start the book I was going to just read the first few chapters... I ended up staying up later and reading 10.

If you are looking for your next YA read that will keep you turning pages wanting to find out what happens next put this on your TBR list.   

*Young Adult  *coming of age  *best friends brother *romance *ADHD rep *Jewish Rep

*Social Justice themes *FMC Theater kid  *MMC Baseball player  *Indie Author *slow burn

*Age appropriate for Teen readers  *sweet