Innamorata by Ava Reid

My Rating: 🟊🟊🟊🟊🟊

Spice Rating: 🌶🌶

(Please check trigger warnings before going into this book! It is Dark!)

Blurb:

A visionary and atmospheric gothic fantasy about necromancy, vengeance, and soul-consuming love, the first in a duology from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Study in Drowning and Lady Macbeth

Once there was an island where the dead walked the earth, and seven noble houses ruled by the arcane secrets of necromancy.

A conqueror’s blade brought them low, burning their libraries, killing their lords, and extinguishing their eldritch magic.

But defiant against the new order stands the House of Teeth and its last living members: beautiful Marozia, the heiress to the House, and her cousin, the uncanny Lady Agnes.

Though she has not spoken a word in seven years, Agnes is the true carrier of the House’s legacy. And she has her orders. She must recapture the secrets of death magic and avenge her family’s fallen honor. She must arrange the betrothal of her beloved cousin Marozia to Liuprand, heir to the conqueror’s throne, for access to the forbidden library in his grotesquely grand castle.

Revenge burns in Agnes’s heart but so do stranger passions—and it is Liuprand, the golden prince, who speaks to her soul. This passion is as treasonous as it is powerful, poisoning the kingdom’s roots and threatening to tear the already shattered realm in two.

For Agnes’s final order is the gravest: She must not fall in love.

My Review: 

I was desperate for something that would shake me awake, something sharp, strange, and a little dangerous. This book didn’t just deliver. It grabbed me by the throat and refused to let go.

I don’t think I’ve ever finished a novel feeling so conflicted. On one hand, it’s undeniably brilliant, meticulously crafted, deliberate, almost cruel in how carefully it unfolds. On the other hand, it’s deeply, profoundly unsettling. The kind of story that lingers in the corner of your vision long after you’ve closed the cover.

This book is dark. Not the trendy, aesthetic kind of dark, I mean suffocating, bone-deep darkness. It’s gory. It’s grotesque. It revels in its sharp edges. It wants you uncomfortable. It wants you squirming. It wants to burrow beneath your skin and make a home there. And maddeningly… it succeeds.

And yet, I loved it.

A huge part of that is Ava Reid’s writing. Her prose is hauntingly beautiful, almost hypnotic. She has this uncanny ability to trap you inside a single moment, a flicker of candlelight, a breath held too long, the metallic scent of blood, and make it feel monumental. All the while, she’s quietly, mercilessly building the larger narrative brick by brick. You don’t even realize how intricately it’s been constructed until the final pieces lock into place, and when they do, it’s devastating.

The political tension coils tighter and tighter with every chapter. Betrayal cuts deep. Revenge simmers. Power shifts like a blade pressed to the throat. It carries echoes of House of the Dragon, that same brutal dance of ambition and inheritance, but with an even darker, more intimate thread of necromancy woven through it. It feels ancient and rotting and alive all at once.

Would I recommend it? Absolutely.

But not lightly.

This isn’t a comfort read. It isn’t safe. It will make you uneasy. It may even make you angry. But if you crave gothic horror steeped in blood and politics, if you want something that unsettles you as much as it mesmerizes you, this story will consume you.

Just, please, check the content warnings first.

 The Split by Gigi Nally

My Rating: 🟊🟊🟊🟊

Blurb:

One girl. Two rival factions. And a captor she can't ignore.

Kota is a scrappy 21-year-old who would do anything to keep her family safe—including the dangerous job of running goods across zombie-infested South Carolina. But when she’s kidnapped in a crumbling truce between two hostile settlements, she quickly finds herself as a political pawn in a brewing war that threatens the future of humanity itself.

A single wall divides Kota’s seemingly prosperous community from the anarchists on the other side. But when Jasper—Kota’s cunning and dangerously alluring captor—unearths shocking truths about her home, it will throw everything she believes into question…

She expected Jasper to kill her. But now their fates are intertwined.

Forced to team up with the enemy settlement, Kota plunges into a shadowy world of secrets, subterfuge, and political machinations—all while fighting her growing attraction to Jasper. As tensions spiral toward war, Kota must decide where she stands.

The Split is perfect for readers who love dystopian worlds, slow-burn romance, and high-stakes action.

My Review:

A relentless, action-driven ride from the very first page, The Split delivers a gripping blend of post-apocalyptic danger, political tension, and slow-burn romance that keeps the stakes high throughout. In her debut novel, Nally crafts a world where survival isn’t just about outrunning the undead, it’s about knowing who to trust when power and fear collide.

Set in a fractured society divided between Macoby and Egal, the story layers classic zombie horror with an inventive twist: it’s not just the people who’ve turned. Animals, and even plants, have succumbed as well, creating an ecosystem where danger lurks in every shadow. The added complication of food scarcity, with infected wildlife unfit for consumption, raises the tension and gives this familiar genre a fresh edge.

At the heart of the novel is Kota, a protagonist whose journey anchors the narrative. She begins uncertain of her own strength but grows steadily into her resilience, revealing a determination fueled by loyalty and love for her family. Her character arc is one of the novel’s strongest elements, offering satisfying development as she learns to navigate betrayal, shifting alliances, and her own self-doubt.

The supporting cast is equally compelling. Jasper’s relationship with Kota unfolds gradually, avoiding cliché insta-romance in favor of something more nuanced and hard-earned. Greeley, in particular, steals scenes with her unpredictable energy and layered personality. Even secondary characters leave an impression, adding texture to an already immersive world.

The political undercurrent, questioning leadership, loyalty, and the cost of control, adds depth beyond the action. While readers may wish for a deeper exploration of Macoby’s daily life and community dynamics, the time spent in Egal provides plenty of intrigue and character interaction to maintain momentum.

Told in present tense, the prose moves at a brisk pace, growing even more intense in the second half as assumptions are overturned and the plot sharpens in unexpected ways. The final chapters land on a perfectly timed cliffhanger that makes the wait for the next installment feel almost unbearable.

For readers craving a zombie story with inventive world-building, layered character dynamics, high stakes, and a romance that simmers rather than sizzles, The Split stands out as a strong four-star debut.

Only for the Week by Natasha Bishop

 Only for the Week 

by Natasha Bishop

My Rating: 🟊🟊🟊🟊🟊

Spice Rating: 🌶🌶

Blurb: 

You are cordially invited to the wedding of Amerie Cross and Arnold Hightower.

A destination wedding in Tulum should be a breeze, but Dr. Janelle Cross—the sister of the bride and the ex-girlfriend of the groom—can’t catch a break. Between her maid of honor duties, her sister’s Bridezilla antics, and her family tiptoeing around her non-existent feelings for her ex, Janelle is desperate to let off some steam. So, when the best man, Rome, proposes they give into their undeniable chemistry, Janelle agrees, under one affair can only last a week.

What happens in Tulum doesn’t always stay in Tulum . . .

For Rome Martin, Janelle has always been off limits. She’s his best friends ex, and Rome is nothing if not loyal. But he’s never been able to get her off his mind, and now he might finally have a chance to win her over.

As the wedding brings them together, every kiss, adventure, and stolen moment feels right. Janelle and Rome agreed to live in the moment, but are they willing to risk it all for forever?

 My Review: 

Only for the Week completely swept me off my feet! From the very first page, I was utterly captivated by this gripping love story, and I loved every single moment of it. The characters felt so real, so alive, and their journeys of growth and love were absolutely heart-wrenching in the most beautiful way. My heart ached and soared all at once, I laughed, I cried, and I was fully invested in every twist and turn.

I have to admit, there were moments where I viscerally hated her sister and her mother. Honestly… I might still harbor some of that rage! Their treatment of Janelle, our stunning and strong FMC, was rooted in pure jealousy, and it was infuriating to read. Janelle, on the other hand, showed so much grace and patience, constantly trying to make things right for her sister out of love, even when her sister was being utterly unreasonable. And don’t get me started on the fact that her sister was marrying Janelle’s ex and was mad at her for it! I mean… make it make sense! If anyone should be upset, it’s the other way around. Yet, Janelle handled it all with a level of poise I can only aspire to, and I loved seeing her rise above it.

Then we get to the part that had my heart literally racing. Janelle arrives in Mexico at the wedding venue to relax before the big day, and out of nowhere, she runs into Rome, the best man, her ex's, the groom’s best friend. Oh, Rome. Where do I even begin? He is the epitome of every romantic fantasy: tall, dark, handsome, charming, and utterly attentive. But what really stole my heart was the way he saw Janelle, truly saw her, through all the chaos and the drama. He noticed how she was being treated and immediately wanted to help her unwind, protect her, and make her feel valued. And here’s the kicker: he’s had a flame for her since the moment they met, and finally, finally, he gets his chance to show her just how extraordinary their connection is.

The chemistry between Janelle and Rome is electric, intoxicating, and utterly swoon-worthy. Every glance, every touch, every shared laugh had me melting. This book is the sweetest, most romantic story I have ever read. Rome doesn’t just love Janelle, he elevates her, cherishes her, and makes all her dreams come true in ways that made my heart flutter with joy.

If you are looking for a story that is as tender as it is passionate, as heart-wrenching as it is heartwarming, “Only for the Week” is an absolute must-read. It’s a story that will stay with you long after the last page, leaving you breathless, smiling, and completely in love.

 Corrupt by Penelope Douglas

My Rating: 🟊🟊🟊⯨

Spice Rating: 🌶🌶 (Not a ton of sex, but still good)

Blurb:

 Erika

I was told that dreams were our heart’s desires. My nightmares, however, became my obsession.

His name is Michael Crist.

My boyfriend’s older brother is like that scary movie that you peek through your hand to watch. He's handsome, strong, and completely terrifying. The star of his college’s basketball team and now gone pro, he’s more concerned with the dirt on his shoe than me.

But I noticed him.

I saw him. I heard him. The things that he did, and the deeds that he hid…For years, I bit my nails, unable to look away.

Now, I’ve graduated high school and moved on to college, but I haven’t stopped watching Michael. He’s bad, and the dirt I’ve seen isn’t content to stay in my head anymore.

Because he’s finally noticed me.

Michael

Her name is Erika Fane, but everyone calls her Rika.

My brother’s girlfriend grew up hanging around my house and is always at our dinner table. She looks down when I enter a room and stills when I am close. I can always feel the fear rolling off of her, and while I haven’t had her body, I know that I have her mind. That’s all I really want anyway.

Until my brother leaves for the military, and I find Rika alone at college.

In my city.

Unprotected.

The opportunity is too good to be true, as well as the timing. Because you see, three years ago she put a few of my high school friends in prison, and now they’re out.

We’ve waited. We’ve been patient. And now every last one of her nightmares will come true.

*Corrupt is a STANDALONE dark romance with no cliffhanger. It is suitable for ages 18+.

My Review:

I’ve been pretty vocal about my complicated relationship with Penelope Douglas’s books, her stories tend to be very much a love-it-or-hate-it experience. For me, there’s rarely a middle ground: either I accept them fully at face value and let the madness unfold, or I bounce off them completely. Surprisingly, this one landed somewhere in between. It grabbed hold of me early, dragged me through the emotional wringer, and refused to let go… even when I wasn’t particularly attached to some of the characters along for the ride.

That said, I kept reading because I knew there was something waiting for me at the end, some revelation, payoff, or emotional punch that made enduring the chaos worthwhile. And honestly? It delivered. This book felt like a full-on dumpster fire rolling down the street: loud, messy, slightly horrifying, and impossible to ignore. I didn’t always like what I was seeing, but I absolutely couldn’t look away. There’s a strange compulsion to Douglas’s storytelling that pulls you forward even when you’re questioning your life choices.

And let’s be real, one thing Penelope Douglas consistently excels at is crafting unforgettable smut. Love her or hate her, she knows exactly how to write scenes that are intense, provocative, and unapologetically bold. Even when the story teetered on the edge of absurdity, those moments were executed with precision and confidence. In the end, this book may not have been a clear win or loss for me, but it was undeniably memorable, and sometimes, that’s enough.

Bloody Black by Rhiannon Hargadon

 Bloody Black 

by Rhiannon Hargadon 

My Rating: 🟊🟊🟊🟊🟊

Spice Rating: 🌶🌶

Blurb: 

He stole her throne, she's come back to reclaim it.

Anne was a reckless, arrogant royal who had never tasted defeat. After a brutal betrayal on her wedding night, Anne vanishes from the kingdom she was meant to rule. Years later, she’s returns from the grave—no longer a princess, but a terror of the seas. Known only as Blackbeard, she’s hunting down the men who destroyed her, one by one. Vengeance doesn’t come without a cost. Brutal bargains with a demon collar her, and bind her to a dark promise.

When she captures Lieutenant Robb Maynard—a too-handsome, too-calm officer loyal to her enemy—Anne intends to trade him for leverage. Instead, she finds herself locked in a dangerous game of secrets and seduction, where the greatest threat isn’t a blade—but the way he looks at her.

Like she’s still a woman worth loving.

And while she knows better than to believe in anything but pain... Anne must decide if life is worth the risk—or if trusting the wrong man will cost her everything she has built.

A full list of trigger warnings can be found on the author's website. Your mental health is important; read at your own risk.

My Review:

I have been eyeing Bloody Black since the day it was released. Between the stunning cover and all the gorgeous unboxing photos, I just knew this story was going to be something special. What I didn’t expect was how deeply it would sink its claws into me. I never thought pirate romantasy would be my genre, but after finally picking up the first book a couple of months ago, there was no turning back. I was hooked, completely and irrevocably.

This story is soaked in rage and revenge, the kind that lives under your skin and refuses to be ignored. It explores a level of anger that many people don’t understand, but I did. That absolute, bone-deep need for justice, or vengeance, feels painfully real here. Throughout the book, you’re constantly wrestling with impossible questions: Is revenge worth everything you’ve gained in this new life? Is it worth the love, the family, the safety you’ve finally found? And the hardest question of all, can you truly set aside the hatred that has been festering inside you for years for the people you love? Baby, that is one of the hardest things a person can do.

I consumed this story in one night. I didn’t sleep, I didn’t pause, I just kept going until the very end. I was completely exhausted afterward, but I wouldn’t change a thing. The emotional pull was too strong, the stakes too high. I was constantly questioning alongside the characters: Was revenge really worth it?

The audiobook narration deserves special praise because it brought this entire story to life in the most incredible way. The narrators did an amazing job capturing every ounce of pain, fury, longing, and vulnerability. The FMC’s anger felt visceral, her heartbreak raw, and her growth deeply earned. The pirate atmosphere, the tension, the quieter emotional moments, all of it was elevated by the performances. You don’t just hear the story; you feel it. The narration added depth and intensity that made the emotional moments hit even harder and the action scenes feel cinematic.

There is so much I could say about how feral this book made me, about the secondhand pain I felt through the FMC, and about the strength it took for her to confront and overcome her trauma, but I don’t want to spoil a single moment for anyone. This is a journey best experienced firsthand.

If you’re looking for an adventure filled with pain, healing, understanding, and unapologetic female rage, led by a fierce female pirate crew, and especially if you love an audiobook that fully immerses you in the story, Bloody Black is absolutely the book for you. 🏴‍☠️🔥

The Beast by Katee Robert

My Rating: 🟊🟊🟊🟊🟊

Spice Rating: 🌶🌶🌶🌶 (It's HOT!)

Blurb:

Once upon a time, I fell in love with two men. Their feelings for me were matched only by their hatred for each other.

Gaeton, with his brash charm and casual cruelty.

Beast, his lust equal to his penchant for violence.

Being with them was sinful and perfect in different ways. In the end, I couldn’t choose, and I lost them both.

Now, my sisters have tasked me with securing our power base, no matter the cost. I will do anything for my family—even if it means agreeing to the terms set by Gaeton and Beast.

The three of us. Together. But only for as long as it takes me to choose one of them once and for all.

When playing games of power, happily ever after isn’t a priority. Not even for me.

Especially not for me.

My Review:

This story dives headfirst into a bold, reworked fairy-tale world where familiar characters are pushed far beyond their traditional roles. Rather than aiming for a sweeping, lyrical romance, the novel leans into intensity, both emotional and physical, using a provocative setup to explore power, desire, and complicated relationships.

At its core, the book follows a three-person dynamic that’s messy in the best way. Conflict doesn’t come from easy villains or misunderstandings that could be solved in a single conversation; instead, it grows out of misaligned expectations, unspoken needs, and emotional vulnerability. Each character is allowed their own perspective, flaws, and motivations, which keeps the tension feeling grounded even when the plot ventures into more extravagant territory.

What makes the story stand out is how deliberately it handles communication and consent. These elements aren’t just background details, they actively shape the relationships and drive the plot forward. The result is a narrative that examines what happens when people struggle to articulate what they want, and how honesty (or the lack of it) can either fracture or strengthen a bond.

The fairy-tale inspiration adds an extra layer of intrigue, twisting a well-known story into something darker, more adult, and refreshingly unconventional. Fans of inventive retellings will likely enjoy seeing how familiar themes are reshaped to fit this world. The book also plants seeds for future installments, giving readers a glimpse of what’s coming next without pulling focus from the current story.

Overall, this is a novel that knows exactly what it wants to be: daring, emotionally charged, and unapologetically different. It won’t appeal to everyone, especially readers looking for a traditional romance, but for those interested in complex dynamics and imaginative retellings, it offers a compelling and memorable experience.

A Complement of Scoundrels by S.V. Lockwood

 A Complement of Scoundrels 

by S.V. Lockwood

My Rating: 🟊🟊🟊🟊🟊

Blurb:

There are many ways to bring down the man who betrayed you—and Myria Cadessa has thought of them all.

Cracking the Elysius Vault should’ve made Myria the richest thief in all Carintheum. Instead, it shattered her crew and left her rotting in jail while her double-crossing master walked away with everything that should’ve been hers.


But now she’s out, and it’s time to settle the score. Reunite her crew? A pleasure. Steal back everything her erstwhile leader took? And then some. She’ll just need to trick the king of all tricksters, with the law on her heels, and a troublesome new ally whose loyalties seem as conflicted as his feelings for Myria. It’s the most audacious heist she’s ever attempted, but she failed her crew once. This time, she’ll make it right—at any cost.


A Complement of Scoundrels is a bold, raucous journey through the underbelly of an empire where the devil’s rules reign, and morality, loyalty, and friendship are values few can afford. But where there’s a wit, there’s a way—and Myria has plenty of that.

My Review:

From the very beginning, this story pulls you into a whirlwind of adventure that never really lets up. Every chapter carries a sense of momentum, the kind that keeps you turning pages without realizing how much time has passed. The world itself feels richly layered and thoughtfully constructed, drawing you in until it becomes easy to forget anything outside of it. There’s always something unfolding just beneath the surface, making the experience feel immersive and consuming in the best way.

What truly stood out to me were the characters. They feel vivid and alive, each one bringing something unique to the story. I especially appreciated the dynamic between them, the tension, the loyalty, and the unspoken history that shapes their interactions. At the center of it all is a female lead who refuses to shrink herself or back down, and that alone makes the journey deeply satisfying. Watching her navigate impossible choices, simmering rage, and the promise of revenge is compelling in a way that’s hard to look away from. There’s something powerful about seeing a woman claim what she’s owed, and this story understands that perfectly.

The stakes remain high throughout, with just enough mystery to keep you guessing and questioning what might come next. Every revelation seems to open the door to even more uncertainty, creating a constant sense of anticipation. It’s the kind of book that leaves you pausing after chapters, just to process everything before diving right back in.

Interestingly enough, I stumbled upon this book completely by accident while learning a new platform, and once I started, there was no turning back. What began as a chance discovery turned into a genuinely rewarding reading experience. Sometimes the best stories find you when you least expect them, and this was one of those rare, fortunate moments.