Branded by Saffron Kent

My Rating: ⭐

Spice Rating: 🌶🌶🌶

Blurb: 

Pen Pal meets Yellowstone in this dark, western romance featuring a college student using a false identity to exchange spicy letters with a prison inmate, only to be hunted down when the convicted cowboy is released.

It all began with letters. Every word he wrote etched itself into my mind, into my soul. I had no choice but to fall in love with him.  
Was it really so bad that the letters were part of a pen pal program, sent from a penitentiary?
Or that they weren't really addressed to me?

It's not as if he'd ever find out the truth.
It's not as if I'd ever get to look those eyes that are as blue as the sky over his ranch he left behind. 
Or that I'd ever get to feel his work-roughened hands dominating my body as he does my fevered dreams.

Until one afternoon when I find myself standing in front of him—pretending to be someone I am not. 
But the joke's on me because for all my pretenses, his deception is much crueler.
The hardened, dangerous, impossibly beautiful man is nothing like the man in the letters.  
And it's too late for me to run.

My Review:

Okay, okay! I know I always try to see the best in every book I read, and I am definitely not a quitter, and yes, for the record, I did finish this one. I kept going even when I felt like my brain was threatening to unravel, mostly because I was already about 90% in and it just didn’t make sense to stop at that point. I hate writing reviews like this, but I’d rather explain what didn’t work for me than just slap a low rating on it and move on.

This book actually started with so much promise. A dark romance with a locked-up cowboy and a pen-pal situation? I was immediately intrigued and fully on board. The setup alone had me thinking this was going to be right up my alley.

Where things started to lose me was with the character dynamics. The FMC came across as very immature, which made the age gap between her and the MMC feel a little confusing rather than intentional. Arsen fit that rugged, masculine cowboy archetype perfectly, the kind of man you can easily picture building fences and working cattle, but Reverie (and listen, I didn’t choose the names, I’m just reporting them) felt like she existed in a completely different world. I understand wanting unique names in a sea of Haydens and Erics, but this pairing just felt mismatched.

While the FMC’s immaturity was at least consistent, her ability to stand up to the MMC after being kidnapped felt less believable. The constant whining quickly became overwhelming, especially when her internal dialogue jumped to, I think I love him territory. That emotional leap just didn’t land for me.

The MMC also didn’t quite hit the mark. His attempts at dominance never crossed into sexy for me and instead felt uncomfortable in a way that pulled me out of the story. I never want to yuck anyone’s yum, but certain scenes, particularly involving intimacy in disturbing contexts, were not something I personally found appealing.

By the end, the romance itself felt improbable, and I struggled to fully buy into their love story.

And finally… the repeated use of the word snatch. Lord, help me. It completely broke my concentration every single time. It hit the same way wet folds do for me, instant mental shutdown.

All that said, this book will absolutely work for someone. The concept is there, and I can see why it might click for the right reader; it just wasn’t for me.

 Silver & Blood by Jessie Mihalik

This is going to be an updated review to add the audiobook review.

My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⯩

Spice rating: 🌶🌶

Blurb: 

On a deadly mission to kill the mythical beast that has been haunting her woods, a desperate mage finds her fate intertwined with the handsome and powerful man who saves her.

There’s something in the woods…

Untrained and barely armed, Riela reluctantly agrees to enter the forest and kill the deadly beast that has been attacking her fellow villagers as she’s the only mage available—or so she thought. When one beast turns into two, she fears her death is at hand, but unexpected aid from a scarred, strikingly handsome man with dangerous moonlit magic means a second chance at life—and an opportunity to learn more about her own fickle power.

After being rescued and healed from her fight in the forest, Riela awakens in a magical castle complete with a gorgeous library, a strange wolf, and the surly man who saved her life. Riela soon learns Garrick is not a mortal mage at all—he’s a powerful Etheri sovereign who has been locked out of his kingdom in Lohka for nearly a century, and his powers are weakening.

Trapped in his castle and surrounded by the treacherous woods, the spark of attraction between Riela and Garrick slowly ignites into fiery desire. But the more they discover about Riela’s magic, the more suspicious Garrick grows of her identity. As they unravel the secrets connecting Riela’s past to Lohka, the tenuous threads of trust between them begin to fray because Riela’s life—or her death—might be the key to regaining everything Garrick has lost.

My Review:

I wanted to leave some of my original impressions because adding the audiobook completely shifted my perspective on this story. Immersive reading truly changed the experience for me. Hearing the narrators bring these characters to life made everything feel richer and more emotionally grounded. Their voices added layers of feeling and personality that I didn’t fully pick up on during my first read, making the characters feel more real and lived-in.

One of my absolute favorite elements was the house where much of the story takes place. It gave me strong Howl’s Moving Castle vibes, with a touch of Casita from Encanto, and honestly, it felt like a character all its own. There was something so comforting and magical about it. The narrators’ voices, in particular, created a false sense of safety at times—hard to explain, but incredibly effective. There was warmth and comfort woven into the listening experience, and I highly recommend reading this one alongside the audiobook. I noticed and appreciated far more on my second pass, which ultimately bumped this story from a solid three-star read to a confident four (and maybe even four-and-a-half).

This book came very close to being a new favorite for me. While it didn’t completely sweep me off my feet, it left me feeling genuinely satisfied and happy with the journey. The story opens strong, immediately drawing you into its world, which set the tone beautifully. The magic system is well thought out and easy to engage with, and Riela is a compelling protagonist. As the only mage in her village, she carries a lot of responsibility, and her resilience and strength made her easy to root for from the start.

After a brutal encounter with a mysterious beast, Riela’s path takes a cozy and familiar turn when she’s rescued by Garrick—quiet, mysterious, and living in a magically protected castle complete with a library and a wolf companion. The comfort-fantasy vibes are strong here, and honestly, that’s where this book shines. The romantic tension builds naturally, and the slow-burn elements are enjoyable, even if the story occasionally follows a familiar path.

While some parts of the plot are predictable, the pacing generally keeps things moving, and the revelations are spaced out in a way that maintains interest. There are moments that feel quieter or transitional, but they also contribute to the cozy, atmospheric feel of the story rather than detracting from it.

The romance leans heavily into attraction and longing, which may feel more infatuation-driven at times, but there’s enough chemistry to keep it engaging. It also feels like intentional groundwork for future installments, leaving plenty of room for emotional growth and deeper connection down the line.

Overall, this is a charming and enjoyable romantasy, especially for readers who appreciate lighter stakes, comforting settings, and immersive vibes. The world is inviting, the magic is intriguing, and the audiobook elevates the experience significantly. While it didn’t quite reach favorite status for me, it was a genuinely pleasant read—and one I’m glad I revisited in a different format. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Survival of the Mated: Lust & Lollipops by Lola Glass

Lust & Lollipops

by Lola Glass

My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Spice Rating: 🌶🌶🌶

(To be fair there wasn't a lot of spice, but it was got.)

Blurb:

I've been thrown out of a plane and dropped on an island full of gorgeous, massive men.

Did I mention that said men are all magical fae guys competing for the right to marry me?

Yeah, it's a mess.

Every man on the island has the same two

Defeat his competitors, and win my heart.

Luckily, I know one of the guys.

We're not exactly friends, but I can kind of trust him.

Working together secretly, we have to keep the truth hidden and play the game alongside everyone else… because there's no way off this island without becoming someone's mate.


*SURVIVOR meets magic and epic love in this fun, steamy standalone romance with a happily ever after!

 My Review: 

I have been counting down the days for this audiobook to be released, so when it popped up on NetGalley, I nearly lost my mind. Excited doesn’t even begin to cover it. There are only a few things in this world that instantly lift my mood, chocolate, Mexican food, and a Lola Glass book, and this one delivered that same warm, happy, serotonin-boosting comfort I’ve come to love from her stories.

The audiobook was absolute perfection. The narrators fit the tone of the story so well, and with how light, fun, and airy this book was, the softness of the male narrator’s voice really sealed the deal for me. You know the kind of voice that makes you melt a little? Yeah… that one. Wink, wink.

This was one of those books that felt like a cozy escape, pure comfort and complete happiness from start to finish. The plot was engaging and playful, giving major Survivor vibes but with mated fae. Watching the fae compete, survive, and try to win the affection of the human they’re compatible with was such a fun concept. In this world, fae women are incredibly rare, and male fae must find a mate or they will literally fade away. The stakes are high, the tension is delicious, and every single fae is desperate to find their match. Honestly? I was hooked immediately.

Cameron and Molly’s dynamic was one of my favorite parts. Cameron has been Molly’s bodyguard for four years, a constant presence in her life, someone she’s grown used to leaning on and trusting. So when everything suddenly changes, it shakes up their entire world, and I loved every second of watching that shift happen. The chemistry, the emotional connection, the slow realization that things aren’t quite what they used to be… chef’s kiss.

This book was pure fun. I flew through it in about three hours, and paired with the audiobook, it felt completely immersive. The story came alive in the best way, and I genuinely couldn’t get enough. After an anxiety-filled read before this one, this book was exactly what I needed, refreshing, comforting, exciting, and just plain joyful. Lola Glass truly knows how to write stories that feel like a hug, and this one absolutely hit the spot.

The Savage Land Series by Stacey Marie Brown

 Savage Lands Series

by Stacey Marie Brown

This is going to be a little different than my other post because this 
post is going to have the reviews for the first three books in the series.

Savage Lands book #1
Blurb:

Almost twenty years after the barrier between Earth and the Otherworld fell in the Fae Wars, Budapest is balancing on the precipice. A battle for dominance is brewing between the elite fae and the privileged humans in Eastern Europe. The prejudice between the sides is bubbling with hate and violence.

Nineteen-year-old human, Brexley, has grown up in privilege, but not without heartbreak. After being orphaned, she is taken in by General Markos, living in a walled city rife with power grabs and ruthless political games. Then one night the course of her life changes, and Brexley is thrown into the most feared prison in the east. Halalhaz, the House of Death—where you go in but don’t come out.

She must learn to live with the worst of fae and human criminals. The rule of hierarchy puts humans on the bottom, where the only way to survive each day is to make alliances with the fae.

Here she meets the sexy, vicious legend, Warwick Farkas. A myth among man and fae. He is as brutal, cruel, arrogant, and as lethal as the lore says he is, ruling the prison with unchallenged authority. Brexley can’t deny an intense draw to him, one that might cost her life.

If The Games don’t take her out first—A fight to the death where only one survives.

My Review:

I sat with this book longer than I meant to, and somehow still managed to read three books in a day and a half. Savage Lands by Stacey Marie Brown absolutely consumed me.

I was hooked from the premise alone: a prison filled with fae, humans, demons, and other mythical creatures? Yes. Immediately. Where do I sign up? From the very first pages, this story had its claws in me, and I devoured it.

The book opens with Brexley and Caden robbing trains for fun, because they can. They’re essentially human royalty in a world where humans are at war with the fae. Raised together, Brexley has always known privilege, but she’s restless, adventurous, and desperate for more than the life she’s been handed.

That hunger for danger is what gets her caught and thrown into a fae prison where survival beyond the first day is basically unheard of. No one escapes. No one lasts. Brexley is beaten, broken, and brutalized more times than I can count, and honestly? She should have died just as many.

This book is pure anxiety and adrenaline, and it fully confirms that I am deeply, irrevocably in love with depraved men. I inhaled this story. I’m a sucker for intricate plots, morally gray characters, and creatures and personalities you can’t find anywhere else, and Savage Lands delivers all of that and more.

The tension will eat your soul alive. Does he want her… or does he want to kill her? Sometimes, there isn’t much difference. One hand could snap her neck, and I hate to admit it, but I loved every second of that dangerous, unhinged energy.

The side characters are thoughtfully crafted and unforgettable, adding depth to an already brutal world. This is a mythical dystopia where cruelty is the norm and humans are just as monstrous as ever.

I picked up this series while searching for something different, and Savage Lands hit the mark perfectly. Dark, intense, and impossible to put down.

My Blurb:

Brexley has endured starvation and survived torture and even Warwick Farkas, the brutal legend who still haunts her like a ghost, spilling into her thoughts and life. His betrayal made her a prisoner of Killian, the gorgeous Fae Lord of Budapest.

There her life takes another unforeseen twist, something that will change the fragile alliance between the humans and the fae, and Brexley finds herself in the middle.

As weeks go by, Brexley also discovers Killian isn’t the malicious leader she was told about. As they spend more time together, their relationship begins to shift. However, when an old acquaintance turns up, she is given the chance to escape the sexy fae leader, and her entire world explodes.

Brexley is thrown into a nefarious web of politics, desire, betrayal, lies, and truths that will shatter her foundation and who she is, what she believes, and who can be trusted. No longer is there a clear line between good and bad.

Hunted by both sides, Brexley is on the run and must untangle all the lies, deceit, and deceptions, before she becomes another victim in the wild lands.

My Review:

Next in the series is Wild Lands, and honestly? The title does not lie. This book was WILD.

It was so good, and somehow even better than the first. There’s deeper character development, stronger emotional connections, and a much heavier focus on the delicious tension between Warwick and Brexley. Their relationship evolves into this intoxicating love-hate enigma that had me absolutely feral for more. The tension… oh, the tension. I truly don’t know what I would do if a man kept whispering filthy things in my ear only to turn around and say I wasn’t his type.

Actually—yes, I do.
I would combust. 💥

We also meet more characters in this installment, and every single one of them is a standout. I’ve realized I have a soft spot for books with sarcastic sidekicks who double as comic relief, and these delivered perfectly, dirty-mouthed, hilarious, and endlessly lovable. On top of that, the representation in this book made the reading experience even richer and more exciting.

The action and anxiety never let up. Not for a second. My heart genuinely could not catch a break. You’d think somewhere across a six-book (or more?) series there would be downtime, but nope. Not here. It’s nonstop action: murder, chaos, running for survival, betrayal, found family, and did I mention the sexual tension? Because you could absolutely cut it with a knife. I swear the pages themselves were steaming.

So far, I am completely hooked on this series and loving every second of the ride. Wild Lands is intense, addictive, and ridiculously fun, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone looking for a dark, thrilling, emotionally charged good time.

My Blurb:

Kidnapped by the notorious rebel group, Provstat, Brexley finds her connection goes deeper than she ever imagined. Reunited with old acquaintances and an uncle she never knew, Brexley is thrown into the vicious world of politics, where human and fae leaders will do anything to come out on top. Here dangerous associations and meticulous plots are far more dangerous and cutthroat than any game she survived in Halálház. If her life wasn’t complicated enough, her relationship with the infamous legend is growing stronger. The more she tries to untangle the link between Warwick and her, the thicker it wraps around them both, entwining them in a world between life and death, where brutal passion and fury collide. When whispers of a coveted magical substance, called the nectar, start buzzing louder, Brexley’s strange bond to the fae book leads her on an unexpected journey. One that brings her closer to the answers she seeks. But once she opens the door, all the secrets and lies of her past come flooding out. Truths she’s not ready to face. And betrayals that cut bone deep.

My Review:

Next up was Dead Lands, and this one was… more of the same. I’m not sure if it was because I tore through these books in a single day or if this installment just didn’t hit as hard, but I’ll be honest, I got bored.

This is the book where the tension finally breaks, and while that part wasn’t bad, it felt like too much was happening all at once. Brexley never gets a moment to breathe. Disaster follows her everywhere, nonstop, and while I can sense that there’s a bigger explanation coming, we only get a small taste of it here.

Brexley is clearly something more, and so is Warwick, but no one knows what either of them truly are. The death count keeps climbing, and disturbingly, it all seems tied to Brexley. Whatever she’s becoming, it isn’t healthy. As I read on, I found myself wanting to scream at the characters to just listen to each other. No one listens. Ever. It’s like, “We know they want us dead… so let’s casually go stand out in the open and see what happens.” I cannot deal with that level of stupidity.

That said, this doesn’t mean I’m giving up on the series, not even close. I’m still invested. I want to see Brexley grow, make smarter choices, and finally step into whatever she’s meant to be. I’m hoping the next books deliver that growth, because the potential here is still very much alive.

The Serpent's Sin by Kathryn Ann Kingsley

 The Serpent's Sin 

by Kathryn Ann Kingsley

My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Spice Rating: 🌶🌶🌶

Blurb:

To destroy the vampires who killed her family… she must become one of them.

Nadi is trapped in a deadly alliance with Raziel Nostrom. After a honeymoon soaked in blood and desire, they make a pact—to take down his criminal family together.

Now Nadi is at the heart of the Nostrom empire, pretending to be a vampire. If her act slips even for a moment, they will tear her apart.

Raziel holds Nadi’s life in his hands. And her heart… His wicked smile sets her body aflame, drawing her closer and closer. Still, he is a born killer—alluring and utterly ruthless. He could turn on her in an instant.

But Raziel is not the only one in his family with a taste for betrayal…

When his brother and sister approach her with proposals of their own, Nadi faces a desperate choice. Will she stand by Raziel, as the world turns against him? Or seize the perfect chance to destroy his family forever?

My Review:

Chaos, cruelty, desire, this book thrives in the gray space where love and destruction blur together.

The Serpent’s Sin wastes no time throwing you back into the wreckage left behind by book one. The uneasy partnership between Nadi and Raziel shifts into something far more dangerous: an alliance fueled by obsession, violence, and undeniable attraction. Every interaction crackles with tension, and nothing about their connection feels safe, or sane.

This installment leans hard into the darkness. The world is brutal, the characters are morally corrupt, and the stakes are higher than ever. But what truly elevates this book is how much deeper it goes emotionally. Raziel, who was already compelling, becomes painfully human as his past is peeled apart piece by piece. His family history is twisted, toxic, and formative in ways that explain so much of the monster he’s become. Watching him reveal those scars to Nadi adds unexpected vulnerability to a character who thrives on control.

Nadi, meanwhile, is standing at a crossroads. Her lifelong hunger for vengeance collides with feelings she never planned for, forcing her to confront who she is beyond revenge and whether her loyalty is as unshakable as she once believed. The internal conflict she faces makes every choice feel heavy, and dangerous.

Just when you think you’ve caught your breath, the story rips the ground out from under you. The pacing is relentless, the twists hit hard, and the ending arrives far too quickly, leaving that familiar mix of shock, frustration, and desperate need for more. Raziel’s family only becomes more infuriating, the power dynamics grow more volatile, and the line between love and ruin completely disappears.

This is how you do a sequel, raising the emotional stakes, deepening the characters, and making the wait for the next book feel downright cruel. I am beyond ready to see just how far Nadi and Raziel are willing to go to finish what they started.

 Dom Com by Adriana Anders

My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Spice Rating: 🌶🌶🌶

Blurb:

An experienced Dom and a baby sub must keep their kink-lives a secret after discovering they've just become office mates and professional rivals in this super-steamy contemporary romcom, perfect for fans of Lana Ferguson and Tessa Bailey.

My Review:

 I absolutely love when I get approved for both an ARC copy and the audiobook at the same time. It feels like winning the reader lottery. Being able to read along while listening adds this extra layer of immersion that makes the world the author created feel richer, fuller, and more alive in my head, and this book benefited from that so much.

I loved this book. Truly. I loved everything about this book. It was sweet, laugh-out-loud funny, deeply romantic, undeniably hot, and, most importantly, it had an actual, engaging plot that kept me invested from start to finish. This wasn’t just a romance you read; it was a romance you experienced. There were so many moments where the characters felt less like fictional creations and more like real, living people navigating real emotions, insecurities, and desires. The entire story played out in my mind like a rom-com movie, which feels especially fitting given how close the title itself is to that vibe.

Let’s get into it.

The story centers around our FMC, Rae, and opens with her stepping into a Dom/Sub club, already an intriguing and bold start. Rae is at a point in her life where she’s ready to stop pouring every ounce of herself into everyone else and finally do something for her. She’s a hard worker, a giver, the kind of person who constantly shows up for others, and now she’s craving something exciting, something just a little reckless, something that lets her let go of control. Of course, she has no idea what she’s really walking into… and that’s when Grant enters the picture.

Grant sees Rae, intervenes when she needs it, and becomes completely transfixed by her. Their connection sparks quickly, but what really worked for me was how their relationship grew. It wasn’t rushed, it wasn’t hollow, it was cute, satisfying, and surprisingly tender. There were multiple moments where I caught myself smiling like an idiot, kicking my feet, and fully giggling because their chemistry was just that good.

And can we talk about the audiobook for a second? Because the narrators absolutely nailed it. They brought so much personality, emotion, and life to these characters that it elevated the entire experience. Every line felt intentional, every scene felt vivid, and it added an extra layer of joy that made me even more attached to the story. This is one of those books where the audiobook isn’t optional, it’s a full enhancement.

If you’re in the mood for a cozy romance that still delivers mind-altering smut, this book is a perfect pick. Pair it with the audiobook, trust me on this. The narration, the chemistry, the balance between sweetness and heat, it was exactly what I needed, exactly when I needed it. A total comfort read with spice, heart, and a whole lot of fun. 💕🔥

Bound to the Broken Crown by Astoria Hope

Bound to the Broken Crown

By Astoria Hope

My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

Spice Rating: 🌶🌶

Blurb:

A prince cursed to destroy everything he touched. Until he touched her.

Isca never dreamed her gift for sensing emotions would draw the eyes of princes—let alone the Assembly of Mages. Brought to court under the guise of diplomacy, she quickly learns her secret task: soothe the beast raging under Prince Emrys’ skin and deliver his heir back to the Assembly to forge into a weapon. Refusal means her family’s ruin.

But Emrys is not the monster she expected. Yes, he’s volatile. Yes, he’s destructive and dangerous. Beneath the curse, she glimpses the man—giving, fiercely protective, and unbearably lonely.

To the Assembly, Isca is a tool. To Emrys, she’s a temptation he cannot afford. He pushes her away to protect her, even as his eyes betray the truth: she is the only thing keeping him from drowning.

He could break her with a touch. She could bind him with a heartbeat. While their enemies scheme to use them as pawns, desire threatens to undo every wall they’ve built.

Together, she and Emrys could shatter the Assembly’s chains. But that would mean laying bare her betrayal—the one thing with the power to destroy both the man and the monster.

Bound to the Broken Crown is book 1 of the Magebound Courts Trilogy featuring a tormented cursed prince, the empathic mage sent to calm his inner beast, and their slow-burn romance. This book contains spicy content and graphic combat violence, Suitable for readers aged 18+

My Review:

This novel opens a romantasy series with an expansive, fairy-tale inspired foundation that blends political intrigue, emotional tension, and a carefully developed romantic arc. Drawing inspiration from Welsh mythology, the story centers on two princes locked in a long-standing struggle over succession, each representing opposing ideals of rule and power. To prevent the conflict from destabilizing the realm, the Mage Assembly intervenes by placing an outsider at court, an action that sets the entire narrative in motion.

Prince Emrys stands at the heart of the story as a ruler shaped by pain, responsibility, and an internal battle that threatens both his humanity and his crown. His arc is handled with care, allowing readers to witness the cost of leadership, the weight of guilt, and the endurance required to survive prolonged suffering. His characterization balances strength and vulnerability, making him a compelling and emotionally resonant figure. The story also explores his relationship with his twin brother, presenting a nuanced portrayal of rivalry layered with loyalty, restraint, and unspoken care.

Isca, an empath mage drawn into the royal conflict, offers a contrasting perspective grounded in emotional awareness and resilience. Though her arrival is politically motivated, her presence introduces a thoughtful examination of duty versus choice. Her magic adds depth to the worldbuilding, moving beyond familiar elemental systems and hinting at broader possibilities that may be explored later in the series.

The romance unfolds gradually, prioritizing emotional connection and narrative relevance over immediacy. The tension builds organically alongside the plot, resulting in a relationship that feels earned and integral to the story rather than incidental. Intimate moments are driven by character growth and circumstance, reinforcing the overarching themes rather than distracting from them.

In tone and scope, the novel reads like a serialized epic, combining court maneuvering, internal conflict, and moments of quiet intimacy with higher-stakes confrontations. The pacing balances action with reflection, allowing both the political landscape and the emotional arcs to develop naturally. While the focus remains on a single kingdom in this installment, the broader world is clearly positioned for expansion, particularly through unresolved political threads and characters whose loyalties and natures remain uncertain.

As the first entry in an interconnected romantasy series, this book successfully establishes a richly layered foundation. With its emphasis on character-driven storytelling, intricate relationships, and a slow-building romantic core, it offers a strong start and leaves ample room for future exploration. Readers who enjoy emotionally charged fantasy with thoughtful worldbuilding and restrained yet powerful romance will find much to anticipate in the books to come.