Die for Me by Shirlene Obuobi

My Rating: 

Spice Rating: 

Blurb: 

What my eyes are showing me can’t be possible. Can’t be real. Because if they are, then I have to accept that Julian Conrad has been alive for a very long time.

Too long to be human.

A stay-up-all-night, smart, spicy romance following a doctor who finds herself falling for an alluring, much-younger man with a deadly secret

Sean’s not in the market for love. The only female, let alone Black, interventional cardiologist at her hospital, she’s watched too many of her male colleagues divorce their first wives to marry younger models—and then there’s the abusive relationship she’s spent the better part of her early 30s healing from. Her passions are reserved for her best friend, her goddaughter, and her job.

Then she meets Julian. Brooding, beautiful and eleven years her junior. In short: A bad idea.

Julian pursues her in a way that sets off alarm bells in her mind, but she finds herself unable to resist their undeniable chemistry—even starts fantasizing about him in dreams that feel altogether too real. They also have a lot in common despite their age gap. So, to hell with it: If men can date younger, why can’t she? But the more Sean gets to know him, the more impossible Julian seems: He has a depth and sorrow to him that’s beyond his years, and sometimes there’s a look in his eyes that’s less than human, and leaves her feeling more like prey. Plus, Sean herself has been exhibiting odd symptoms—memory lapses, a lack of restraint that's unlike her, persistent exhaustion—that all trace back to Julian, making Sean feeling more than a little afraid. Who—or what—is she falling, irrevocably, in love with?

Extraordinarily transfixing, suspenseful, and addictive, Die for Me is nothing short of a seduction.

My Review:

I first picked up Die For Me because Shirlene posted the cover, and it stopped me cold. I wanted to read this book with everything in me. THIS cover is beautiful!

From the very first chapter, this story sinks its teeth in and refuses to let go.

Julian is utterly magnetic, and dangerous. Every scene he’s in feels charged seductive, volatile, and threaded with this intoxicating duality that keeps you slightly off-balance. His voice alone is enough to hook you. And then there’s Sean, who grounds the entire story beautifully. She’s sharp, self-assured, deeply committed to her life and the people she loves and she never lets herself disappear in someone else’s orbit.

What completely surprised me, though, was the depth of the book’s exploration of aging and time. In a culture obsessed with youth, Die For Me leans into the beauty, inevitability, and even the discomfort of growing older, especially as a woman. It’s thoughtful, layered, and at times unsettling in the best way. Where romance often romanticizes eternal youth, this story complicates that desire, adding tension and introspection that really lingers.

There’s a quiet truth woven throughout: every wrinkle, every ache, every lesson earned is part of what it means to truly live.

I agree with other reviews, this gave a very nostalgic feeling but sharper, darker, and far more haunting. The writing, the tension, the characters it’s all hypnotic. There’s this constant undercurrent of dread tangled up in the seduction, and even when I thought I knew where things were going, my heart was still pounding every time something felt just slightly… off.

And Sean? She’s easily one of my favorite protagonists in a long time. She’s strong in a way that feels real secure in herself, grounded in her mortality, and unwilling to be diminished. I admired her constantly. Her love for herself, her dog, and her chosen family feels so vivid and genuine it practically radiates off the page.

This book intrigued me with its stunning cover but what I found inside far exceeded anything I expected.

Shirlene has crafted something bold, atmospheric, and deeply original an intoxicating blend of womanhood, desire, and myth that lingers long after the final page. I’m already desperate for more. Definitely, will be reading everything from this author.

Devour Me by Emily Rath

My Rating: 🟊🟊🟊🟊🟊

Spice Rating:  🌶🌶🌶

Blurb:

Dáinn the Devourer has spent the last two hundred years of his undead life reluctantly bonded to a dark witch, doing her dirtiest work. Devouring corrupt souls may not be satisfying for a wraith, but it keeps him fed.

Sent on a job to Burr Island, Dáinn is forced by his mistress to devour the soul of a powerful rival witch, Jasper Prescott. Dáinn is busy devouring the witch when he’s interrupted by a human. With one word, this human does what no being has ever done…she takes his breath away.

Forced to stop feeding, Dáinn is shattered as the soul he was devouring slips back inside the dying witch. Who is this human? And what dark magic must she possess to stop a wraith? The more Dáinn learns about Birdie Rhodes, hapless historian and sometimes shop girl, the more determined he is to become part of her world.

Sweet Birdie works for the witch Dáinn was ordered to devour. Now Jasper Prescott is on the hunt too. For answers. As a powerful witch, with a coven at his command, Jasper will stop at nothing to find out what magical mischief is happening on his island. Why is a wraith haunting his tea shop? Which fellow witch wants him dead? And who the hell is Birdie Rhodes?

Dáinn, Jasper, and Birdie become entangled in a magical love affair which could lead to their ruin.

My Review:

Devour Me by Emily Rath completely pulled me in from the very first pages and never really let go. The world felt grounded and believable even with all the magic woven through it, and the storytelling was so engaging that I flew through it. What truly made this book stand out for me was the characters. Birdie, a human historian, Jasper, a grumpy witch, and Dàinn, a wraith, each brought something unique and compelling to the story. Their chemistry together was incredible, and I loved how distinct each of their points of view felt while still blending seamlessly into the overall narrative. Even the side characters stole scenes for me, especially Pickles and Hortie who added so much charm and personality.

I honestly adored this book on every level. The pacing was fast, the romance was addictive, and the magic added the perfect touch of chaos and intrigue. It is an MMF paranormal romance that somehow balances heart, tension, and spice without ever feeling overwhelming. I loved the dynamic between the three main characters, and I have to say Dàinn completely stole my heart. I did not expect to get so attached, but here we are. That ending absolutely wrecked me in the best way and I immediately needed the next book. This series already feels like it is going to take over my life.

Cold Hearted by Julie Hall & Leia Stone

 Cold Hearted by Julie Hall

and Leia Stone

My Rating: 🟊🟊🟊

Spice Rating: 🌶

Blurb:

To save my kingdom, someone must die. Every hundred years, a curse descends on Faerie, ravaging its lands and killing its people. For the last two millennia, the Summer Court princess has always been the one to stop it. Now it’s my turn. I’ve been preparing to become one thing my entire the perfect assassin. My mission is simple. Travel to the mirror realm, find an Ethereum Lord, return to Faerie with his magical heart. But when I step through the portal, something goes horribly wrong, and I find myself at the mercy of Zander, a handsome royal guard who has taken me captive. Zander is arrogant, stubborn, and infuriatingly gorgeous, but I’m forced to play by his rules so that he will present me before his leader, the Ethereum Northern lord. Then my mission will resume. Cut out his heart and get back to Faerie. The only problem is, Zander has secrets, and when I find out what they are, they change everything, making me question if what I was taught my entire life was a lie. Now I’m left with an impossible choice. Fail my task, and everyone and everything I’ve ever known and loved perishes. Or complete my mission and destroy the one thing I never knew I needed to love. Cold Hearted is a full-length fantasy romance stand-alone with an HEA! This book is perfect for fans of enemies-to-lovers, fated mates, and forced proximity.

My Review:

Cold Hearted ended up being such a cute and surprisingly fun adventure read. From the start, the premise hooks you in right away: our FMC has one mission, kill the guy with royal blood in order to save her realm. Simple enough in theory… right? Except nothing about this journey turns out to be simple, and watching everything unfold is half the fun.

What really stood out to me was the FMC herself. On paper, she’s trained to be an assassin, skilled, prepared, and raised for a deadly purpose. But in reality? She’s so much softer and more endearing than you’d expect. She gives total “girl next door who accidentally got assigned a life-or-death mission” energy. She’s a dreamer at heart, constantly letting her thoughts drift and overanalyze and spiral in the most relatable way. That contrast between her deadly training and her gentle personality makes her incredibly likable and easy to root for.

And then there’s the humor, honestly, it was such a nice surprise. The book doesn’t take itself too seriously, and those lighter moments really balance out the tension of the mission. I found myself smiling more than I expected, especially during the interactions between the characters.

The forced proximity trope also works really well here. Being stuck together while technically being enemies on opposite sides of a deadly goal creates this constant push and pull that keeps the story engaging. And of course, the chemistry builds in a way that feels natural and fun to watch unfold. You can really see how they start to fit together, even when everything about their situation says they shouldn’t.

Overall, if you’re in the mood for an adventurous fantasy read with action, banter, forced proximity, and a slow-burn connection between two very well-matched characters, Cold Hearted is definitely worth picking up. It’s fun, it’s easy to get lost in, and it delivers that satisfying “watching them fall in love while everything is chaotic” experience that just works.

City of Iron and Ivy by Thomas Kent West

City of Iron and Ivy

by Thomas Kent West

My Rating: 🟊🟊🟊🟊

Spice Rating: 🌶 🌶

Blurb:

This beguiling historical romantasy debut blends dark academia with the glamour of Bridgerton, as a scholar of magic investigates her sister’s murder—perfect for fans of Heather Fawcett and H. G. Parry.

In an alternate London alive with botanical magic, Elswyth Elderwood is a thorn among roses: a bristly, scarred scholar in a world of socialites. Her sister Persephone is the opposite: a graceful debutante seeking a marriage that will save their family from ruin. At least, until Persephone is murdered.

Suddenly the last scion of her house, Elswyth must abandon her studies and find a wealthy husband. She is thrust into a London fueled by floromancy: hedge witches sprout nightshade from their fingertips, high-born ladies weave gowns from wildflowers… and a serial killer called the Reaper transforms his victims into plant-human hybrids.

When clues suggest the Reaper is a powerful nobleman, Elswyth’s search for her sister’s killer and her hunt for a husband become one and the same. But she is drawn to bastard-born archaeologist Silas Blackthorn—who may have dark, twisted secrets of his own.

Elswyth must determine friend from foe and lover from liar—or suffer the same fate as her sister.

My Review:

This story follows Elswyth as she navigates a dangerous London season, balancing the pressure to marry and save her family with her determination to uncover the truth behind her sister’s murder.

What really stood out to me was the botanical magic, this alternate London, where the elite wield plant-based powers, felt fresh and immersive. Some of the darker, more grotesque uses of that magic were especially memorable and added a unique edge to the story. Elswyth herself is a strong, compelling lead, scarred, blunt, and very much an outsider, which made her easy to root for.

The mystery kept me engaged, with plenty of twists and layered characters that had me guessing throughout. I also loved the found family elements, those relationships added warmth and balance to an otherwise dark story.

That said, the book did feel a bit too long, especially in the middle where the pacing dragged and my interest in the central mystery started to dip. The romance with Silas didn’t fully work for me either, though I did appreciate how things played out in the end.

One thing that really elevated the experience was the audiobook narration, I genuinely loved it. The narrator brought Elswyth and the world to life in a way that kept me invested even during the slower parts.

Overall, despite some pacing issues, this was an addictive, atmospheric read with a fascinating magic system, a gripping mystery, and a heroine I won’t forget anytime soon.

 The Wicked by Rebecca Johnpee

My Rating: 

Spice Rating: 

Blurb: 

Rebecca Johnpee bursts onto the dark romance scene with The Wicked ―where a mafia and heist romance collide in a scorchingly intense and unforgettable tale.

Elio

They call me “The Wicked.”

I’ve earned that name with blood, silence, and the weight of every secret I carry.

As head of the Marino Family, nothing slips past me. Not lies. Not weakness. Not fear.

But when she enters my world…everything tilts.

Zahra

I’m dangerous—and I’ve had to be.

I grew up with men who treated bullets like sugar cubes.

I’ve risen from the streets to create the most notorious gang of thieves in the country. But after a job goes wrong, my crew and I are held captive by The Wicked, and I’ll do just about anything to take advantage of it. Even if it means working with The Wicked and pulling off the biggest heist I’ve ever dreamed of.

I’m dancing with the devil, and the cost might be my body–my very soul.

But I’m willing to pay the price if it means I get him…

My Review: 

Have you read The Wicked by Rebecca Johnpee?! Because I am fully obsessed and not even trying to hide it.

Elio has completely ruined me in the best way. I’m talking “wrap him up with a bow for my birthday” levels of attachment. I said what I said.

I picked this up through my Book of the Month subscription after a book club member practically nudged me into it, and I’m so glad I listened. I paired it with the audiobook and honestly? Zero regrets. That combo pulled me straight into the world.

At the start, it gave me strong “Atlantis crew” vibes, and I was immediately hooked on the group dynamic. A morally gray team of thieves who don’t trust anyone and refuse to get emotionally close? It just worked. And yes, I know people had opinions about the nicknames, but honestly, it made sense. When you’re all hiding secrets and surviving off distrust, of course you’re not using government names and sharing your life story.

And if you stick with it, those nicknames? They hit different once you learn the stories behind them. Some of them are genuinely heartbreaking.

But Elio… Elio is on another level. He’s intense, controlled, blunt, and completely shut off from emotional noise in a way that feels so intentional. I won’t label anything outright, but I definitely picked up on those neurodivergent-coded traits, and it added so much depth to his character for me. An autistic-coded MMC with power, precision, and emotional distance in a brutal world? I was eating it up.

Now I’m just impatiently waiting for book two like my life depends on it, because I need more of this world, and more Elio immediately.

The Thorns Remain by Jennifer Hartmann

 The Thorns Remain

by Jennifer Hartmann

My Rating: 🟊🟊🟊🟊🟊

Spice Rating: 🌶🌶

Blurb:

I used to be someone: an up-and-coming writer, a doting father, a husband who believed he was the center of his wife’s universe.

Then everything crumbled.

Thanks to Benjamin Grant, I became a joke. A divorced man. A shell. Thirsty for revenge, I needed him to feel the weight of loss like I did.

Enter Josie—Benjamin's wife and the key to my vendetta. My aim was to infiltrate her life, seduce her, and use that to hit my enemy where it hurt most. It was supposed to be straightforward. But as any writer knows, stories rarely stick to the script. Now I’m caught in a plot twist I never intended to write.

Vengeance was the goal, and Josie Grant was my way in.
I never meant to fall in love with her.
Now?
There’s no way out.

My Review: 

I’ll admit it, when I first picked this up, I wasn’t completely sold on the male POV. It threw me for a second. I wasn’t sure if I was going to connect with it the way I usually do with her books.

And then Jennifer Hartmann did what she always does. She broke me anyway.

There’s something almost unfair about the way she writes, like she quietly lures you in, lets you settle, and then slowly pulls the ground out from under you. I don’t think I’ve ever finished one of her books without feeling a little cracked open afterward, like my heart has been handled too carefully and too roughly all at once. And yet… I keep coming back. Every single time.

This story is heavy with revenge, but it’s not just about anger, it’s about what anger becomes when you let it live in you too long. Evan’s mission is to make the man who destroyed his life feel even a fraction of his pain. It’s raw, consuming, and at times almost painful to watch unfold, because you can feel how badly he believes he needs this.

But revenge doesn’t stay neatly contained. It spills. It twists. It takes more than it promises. And in chasing destruction, Evan ends up standing in the wreckage of his own making, only to find something he never expected blooming in the ruins.

And that’s what makes it hurt in the best way: love showing up in the middle of devastation. Not clean. Not easy. Not deserved. Just… real.

If there’s anything this book left me sitting with, it’s this: revenge feels powerful until it isn’t. Until it costs more than it gives. And sometimes the hardest thing isn’t getting even it’s choosing to stop, breathe, and let yourself live outside of the pain that’s been driving you.

It made me uncomfortable. It made me think. And, like every Jennifer Hartmann book I’ve read, it left a mark I won’t easily shake.

 Night Witch by Jaymin Eve

My Rating: 🟊🟊🟊🟊🟊

Spice Rating: 🌶🌶

Blurb:

Night Witch is the sequel to the instant New York Times bestseller Spellcaster with an intense enemies-to-lovers arc, a steamy heat level, magical creatures, super high stakes, and an epic family saga.

Be careful what you witch for.

Welcome to year two at Weatherstone College…

Last year, after coming face to face with darkness and lethal monsters, Logan Kingston, my sworn enemy and sometimes ally, brought my first year to an explosive ending. There’s a bond between us that I can’t explain, but I just know he’s hiding something. Maybe I don’t fully trust any spellcaster, but there’s no denying my draw to him.

My Review:

I went into Night Witch thinking I’d just enjoy it… and instead I lost sleep, lost self-control, and completely lost the ability to put it down.

Jaymin Eve is already an auto-buy author for me, but this book just cemented why. She builds worlds that feel alive, characters that refuse to be one-dimensional, and romances that somehow manage to be both explosive and deeply tender at the same time. Every time I pick up one of her stories, I know I’m about to be hooked, and this one had its claws in me immediately.

From the very first pages, this book moves. It’s fast, addictive, and overflowing with magic, tension, and heat. Paisley and Logan completely surprised me in the best way. After the first book, I wasn’t expecting this level of softness and devotion between them, but I ate it up. Logan is firmly in his “protect her at all costs” era (and honestly? unhinged about it in the best way), while Paisley is a powerhouse FMC who never fades into the background. Their chemistry doesn’t just simmer, it burns. The yearning is real, and yes, the spice absolutely delivers.

The atmosphere is another standout. Think dark academia layered with witches, warlocks, elemental magic, and fated bonds, it feels fresh, immersive, and just a little bit dangerous in the best way. Add in a found family that actually feels warm, loyal, and alive (especially Paisley’s family), and the emotional stakes get even richer.

And the pacing? I made the mistake of thinking “just one more chapter” and suddenly it was way past my bedtime. No regrets.

What I loved most is how much the characters have evolved. Where there was tension and mistrust before, there’s now full commitment. Logan and Paisley are all in, emotionally, magically, and romantically. There’s forced proximity, shared danger, and constant unraveling of mysteries that keep them pressed together on every page. Watching Logan soften while still being intensely powerful made him even more compelling this time around.

This book is the perfect continuation of Spellcaster and really should be read in order, the payoff is worth it. The stakes are higher, the romance is hotter, and the world feels even more expansive. I won’t spoil anything, but Paisley truly comes into her power here, both in her magic and in her bond with Logan.

By the end, I was just sitting there thinking: how did this get even better than the first one?

If you love high-chemistry fantasy romance with witches, found family, emotional growth, and spice that actually delivers, Night Witch is absolutely worth the obsession.