Claimed by Her Monsters

By Lexi Davis

On Halloween night, a storm brings danger, and three men who claim me as theirs. After being tossed from my latest foster home, a mysterious stranger takes me to a living, breathing mansion where nothing is as it seems. The house watches, the halls whisper, and I soon meet Mick, Caspian, and Alister, my protectors, or something far more dangerous.

As a ritual looms before midnight, I must decide: fight and die, or yield and survive. Amid haunted-house vibes, high-stakes tension, and crackling chemistry, I navigate a story where monsters lurk both outside and within, and my heart may already belong to them.

Lexi’s writing shines in this short, intense tale. Her characters feel fully realized, her heroine is fierce, and the romance is steamy yet satisfying with a guaranteed HEA. Perfect for fans of fated mates, found family, grumpy–sunshine dynamics, forced proximity, and protective heroes.

 

The Covenant of Blood 

by J.S. Living

Review: The Covenant of Blood by J.S. Living
⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3/5)

If you like Dracula-inspired lore, this book offers a bold twist: Elizabeth Bathory-Tepés, daughter of Dracula and the infamous Blood Countess, sets out on a centuries-long quest to find her mother, confront her blackouts, and save her father’s soul. Gothic atmosphere, folklore, and historical figures blend into an ambitious supernatural tale.

The worldbuilding is immersive, with journals and letters adding emotional weight, but multiple POVs, slow pacing, and too many subplots sometimes muddy the impact. Elizabeth and the supporting cast are intriguing yet underdeveloped, and the romance scenes lean on clunky euphemisms that break the tone. Similar character names add more confusion.

Overall, The Covenant of Blood is imaginative and atmospheric, but uneven in execution. Fans of dark, lore-heavy vampire stories with historical flavor may still enjoy its dramatic scope.

 

 Darkness Folding

by Zoe Conley 

I haven’t read the other book in this series, but this one works as a standalone told from Juliet’s POV.

I loved Juliet’s growth, she starts strong and becomes an unapologetic, empowered heroine. The story blends politics, scandal, lies, betrayal, manipulation, danger, longing, love, and secrecy. There are jaw-dropping twists, emotional highs and lows, and characters you’ll root for (and yell at).

One highlight for me was the council news breaks between chapters, which added depth and tied perfectly into the plot. And that ending, absolutely the kind that leaves you desperate for the next page. I can’t wait to see what’s next!

Death is Only the Beginning

by Acacia Warmerdam

Review: Death Is Only the Beginning

Death Is Only the Beginning is a beautifully immersive romantasy that weaves together forbidden love, mythology, and self-discovery. Èmilia Reinhart’s journey, caught between haunting visions of the past and the pull of forbidden desire, creates a story that’s as intimate as it is otherworldly. Warmerdam’s writing shines with lyrical prose and rich atmosphere, blending myth and modern settings seamlessly. The dual timelines, forbidden romances, and slow-burn tension add layers of depth, while the character growth keeps the story grounded and compelling.

This book is a promising start to the Goddesses in the Moon series, romantic, haunting, and unforgettable.

Slow burn, explicit romance

Childhood friends to lovers

Stepbrother tension & second chances

Myth and memory intertwined

To Cage a Wild Bird

by Brooke Fast

I have so many thoughts about this book, and I had to write them down right away! I was lucky enough to get both the eBook and audiobook, which made diving in even more exciting. The premise instantly grabbed me, and as a die-hard romantasy lover, I couldn’t wait to get started. I never mind when a story follows the beloved romantasy “blueprint”, give me the heart-stopping action, the slow-burn romance, and the fierce FMC any day. And this book delivered on all of that.

I was completely captivated by the heroine, her strength was forged from trauma, and it made her incredibly relatable. I love a fierce FMC with just a touch of toxic independence, especially when she’s paired with an MMC who’s there to help her face the darkness and fight for revenge. That dynamic is one of my favorites, and this book executed it beautifully.

The audiobook deserves its own shoutout, the narrator brought so much emotion and intensity to the characters that it made the story feel even more immersive. It truly made the action scenes hit harder and the quieter moments more heartfelt.

While there were moments where the pacing felt a little choppy and the romance occasionally felt a bit rushed, those were small bumps in an otherwise thrilling ride. The world, the action, and the high-stakes tension kept me hooked from beginning to end.

If you’re craving an action-packed dystopian romance with danger, revenge, and forbidden love, this one needs to be on your TBR, bonus points if you grab the audiobook too!

 

Too Cursed to Kiss 

by J. Morgyn White

Too Cursed to Kiss is a dark, twisted urban fantasy romance that had me hooked from start to finish. Harlan Madson is a feisty, spunky heroine who just wanted a quick payday, until she’s framed for murder, cursed by a deadly ring, and caught in the path of the mysterious and dangerously alluring Waldemar Forndaur.

The story is packed with shadow-soaked magic, reality-warping monsters, and sizzling chemistry, keeping me guessing with every twist. The humor is wicked, the stakes are high, and the characters, especially Harlan, are impossible not to root for. A wild, thrilling ride I devoured in one sitting.

The Everlasting

by Alix E. Harrow

🌿 The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow – Audiobook & Book Review 🌿

Some stories you read, and others completely consume you, The Everlasting is absolutely the latter. From the first chapter, its looping, dreamlike rhythm pulled me in until I felt like I was watching The NeverEnding Story unfold before me.

🎧 Audiobook Magic:
The narration was pure enchantment. The voice work flowed so smoothly that it felt like the story was being whispered straight into my imagination. The narrator didn’t just read the book, they breathed life into it, making every scene shimmer with emotion and wonder. I rarely listen to an audiobook without reading along, but this one made the experience feel twice as rich. It was worth every minute.

At the heart of this tale are Una Everlasting and Owen Mallory, written with such aching tenderness that their love feels almost too intimate to witness, like discovering a box of letters never meant to be read. But this isn’t just a romance. Harrow explores mythmaking, empire, and the stories that shape civilizations, crafting a narrative that’s both epic in scope and heartbreakingly personal.

The second-person POV took a moment to adjust to, but it ultimately made the experience even more immersive, drawing me into the story’s haunting cycle of love, loss, and return.

The ending left me wrecked, in the best possible way. It was devastatingly perfect, and when it was over, I didn’t want more story; I just wanted to hold onto it.

✨ Final Thoughts:
This is one of those rare books I’ll revisit again and again, both on page and in audio. Truly, The Everlasting has earned its place among my all-time top three reads.

 

 

Vesseless by Courtney L. Winn

⭐ Vesselless by Courtney L. Winn – Review ⭐
What a debut! Vesselless hooked me from the very first line and didn’t let go, with short, addictive chapters that made it impossible to stop reading. At the heart of the story is Nizzara, a fierce and layered heroine whose dynamic with Dagen kept me invested and eager to piece together every clue. The premise, gods and mortals as vessels, is fresh and fascinating, and once the pacing kicks in around the 25% mark, it’s a true page-turner. The worldbuilding was intriguing but sometimes uneven, shifting between ancient and modern vibes, and I wanted more development around the realm-crossing concept and romance, which went from zero to fully committed a bit too fast. The spice level is very mild (about 1.5/5) and the repeated mentions of Nizzara’s celibacy slightly overshadowed the tension. Still, I loved the concept, the heroine, and the pacing, and the cliffhanger ending has me excited for book two. I landed at about 3.75 stars and recommend this one for fans of Metal Singer or The Ever Seas. me still trying to piece together the last 10% an hour after finishing is doing something right.

 

Moon Witch by Grace Zhu

✨ Moon Witch Review ✨

First off, let’s talk about the cover. Absolutely enchanting. The kind of cover that makes you stop mid-scroll, stare a little too long, and whisper, “you’re coming home with me.” The promise of a whimsical fairytale with a dark little twist was irresistible, and I couldn’t wait to fall down the rabbit hole (or in this case, slip through the veil).

Eva and her best friend Alice tumble into another world that looks magical at first glance but quickly shows its shadows. Castles, gowns, power struggles, a mysterious hierarchy, it’s all there. And honestly? It was fun tagging along on their journey out of this wonderland as much as in.

Now, confession: this book wasn’t fully for me. But, big but, I can absolutely see why someone else might fall head over heels for it. If the premise catches your eye, you should give it a try, because there’s enough sparkle here to charm the right reader.

💜 The Bright Spots

·         Orion. He’s the star for me. His POV chapters felt richer, the writing sharper, and the character depth miles ahead. Every time he appeared, the story lit up, and I’d honestly read book two just to spend more time with him (also… “help me bathe” trope? I will never not eat that up).

·         Devin. Another highlight, every scene with him pulled me in.

·         The Setting. The lush visuals, manor-house vibes, and elegant details of this world were gorgeous. The gowns, the rooms, the way everything looked, it was easy to picture, and I loved getting swept into those aesthetics.

🖤 Where It Wobbled for Me

·         Eva never quite clicked. She felt one-dimensional, and I couldn’t connect with her the way I wanted to. Her relationships, especially with Cassius and Alice, didn’t have the chemistry or depth I was hoping for. In fact, I often found myself more worried about Alice than Eva did.

·         The dialogue sometimes felt like filler, especially between Eva and Alice. Instead of moving the plot, it circled without much payoff.

·         The camera, such an intriguing object! It was set up as important, but didn’t really come into play the way I expected. Maybe book two will deliver that moment.

🎭 Final Thoughts
This book is marketed as New Adult, and while the romance and spice lean that way, Eva’s voice often read younger, almost like a teenager figuring things out. Still, the pacing was a win for me, the story jumped straight into action, and the world-building was refreshingly easy to grasp.

 A Game of Fallen Stars

by S.E. Berkeley 

 

I truly enjoyed diving into this book, it’s a beautifully written slow-burn, grumpy/sunshine paranormal romance that had me hooked from the very first page. The contrast between the MMC and FMC is so sharp yet compelling, and it’s impossible not to root for them as they navigate their way toward a well-earned happily ever after. I also really appreciated the thoughtful representation woven into the story, the FMC is midsize, and the cast includes LGBTQ characters. And I can’t go without mentioning the cover: it’s stunning and perfectly reflects the atmosphere and mood of the book.

The story begins with Ethan, our MMC, on the phone with his narcissistic mother, who berates him for his life choices. Having left behind a high-stress job to retreat to a remote cabin, Ethan is seeking peace and much-needed space from her constant criticism. With encouragement from his sister, and thanks to the boundaries he’s been working on in therapy, he finally manages to end the call. The quiet moment doesn’t last long, though; after his sister leaves, Ethan steps outside and witnesses something extraordinary plummeting from the sky.

What he finds is unlike anything he could have imagined: a glowing, humanoid figure with no memory of who they are or why they’ve come to Earth. As Ethan cares for them, this being slowly transforms from a mysterious, light-filled entity into Star, a curious and endearing woman who is both innocent to the ways of the world and eager to explore it. Their dynamic is captivating, Ethan, the loner trying to respect boundaries while struggling with his undeniable attraction, and Star, whose openness and wonder make her utterly lovable. The romance builds slowly, but the payoff is worth every single moment.

Beyond the central romance, the book shines with its rich lore and supporting characters, each of whom adds depth and nuance to the world. It’s clear the author put an incredible amount of care and detail into the story, making it feel fresh and original. The writing itself is both engaging and lyrical, and the character development was a real highlight for me.

Overall, this is a story that balances heart, magic, and romance in a way that feels truly unique. I’d love to see this expand into a series, I’m eager to learn more about the “stars” above us and the mysteries they hold.

Death takes a Detour 

by Shereen Vedam

⭐⭐⭐

This book immediately drew me in with its fast-paced plot and intriguing premise. Abbie Grimshaw’s journey, recovering from tragedy, discovering her powers, and stepping into the role of protector, felt both compelling and heartfelt. The supernatural elements and the mix of characters with unique abilities added an exciting dynamic, and the story kept me turning pages.

That said, because the story moves along at such a rapid pace, there were moments where I wished for a little more breathing room. Some scenes and character developments felt rushed, and I think slowing down in certain places could have allowed for even deeper emotional impact. Abbie’s transition into her role as a Grimm, for example, might resonate even more if her discoveries and struggles were given more space to unfold.

The characters themselves are vivid and well-developed, which makes them easy to connect with. Still, a few of the secondary characters’ powers and motivations could have used more explanation or backstory, as I occasionally found myself wanting additional context to fully understand their place in the group.

Overall, this is a well-written and engaging start to a series. The pacing, action, and strong central character make it a page-turner, while a bit more depth and slower build in certain areas could elevate it even further. I’m excited to see where the series goes next.

 

 Winter and the Immortality Thief 

by Brien Feathers

Winter and the Immortality Thief is an absolutely captivating start to the Volynian Tales series. From the very first page, I was pulled into a world of swords, sorcery, political intrigue, and, of course, dragons.

What stood out most to me was the strength of the characters, particularly Dawn. She isn’t admirable because of her thieving or cunning ways, but because of the fierce love she carries for those she cares about, especially her brother. Her determination to protect him, even at great personal cost, makes her an incredibly compelling protagonist. I found myself rooting for her every step of the way.

The plot itself strikes a perfect balance between dark fantasy and slow-burn romance. It’s layered with politics, rebellion, and the constant question of loyalty and betrayal. Brien Feathers has a real gift for weaving a strong storyline with characters who feel multidimensional and human, even in a world filled with sorcery and dragons.

The dynamic between Dawn and Ilya added so much depth. Their unlikely friendship highlights the complexities of identity and prejudice, while also contrasting Dawn’s hardened pragmatism with Ilya’s unexpected innocence. Through them, the novel sheds light on the persecution of the Osukhan people in a way that feels both personal and powerful.

On top of that, the worldbuilding is rich and immersive, blending religious conflict, political tension, and a magic system that feels fresh and fascinating. The dragons and immortal tsar raise the stakes even higher, creating a story that is both epic in scope and intimate in its emotional weight.

Overall, Winter and the Immortality Thief delivered exactly what I was hoping for: a dark, engaging fantasy with characters I genuinely cared about. It’s a strong foundation for the Volynian Tales series, and I’m excited to see where the story goes next.

 Unraveled by Abbey Fox

Who doesn’t love a Beauty and the Beast retelling? Add a darker edge, sprinkle in some delicious spice, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for a story that completely hooked me. Honestly, I could rewatch Beauty and the Beast a thousand times and never get tired of it, though I still remember bawling my eyes out when someone stole my VHS copy back in the day (yes, I’m dating myself here, but it’s worth it for the nostalgia!).

In this version, Mia is our fiery, book-loving Belle, only she’s not just a dreamer, she’s a fierce librarian with some serious backbone. She hates the Fae, convinced they’re nothing but monsters…until she’s kidnapped by Ash, the devastatingly powerful Fae King. Forced into his world, her beliefs begin to unravel, and the chemistry between them crackles with every interaction.

Ash isn’t just your typical brooding beast, he’s dangerous, magnetic, and hopelessly drawn to Mia. He’s convinced she’s the key to breaking his curse and saving his people, and watching him fall for her is chef’s kiss perfection.

This story gives you everything: fated mates, sizzling tension, rich world-building, and that perfect mix of dark romance and fairy-tale magic. I devoured it and now I’m desperate for more adventures in this world!

 The Imrati Trials by Lizzy Gayle

✨ ARC Review ✨

📖 Initial Thoughts:
From page one, I knew this story wasn’t going to play nice, and I loved it for that. The author throws you into a whirlwind of betrayals, shifting alliances, and a magic system brimming with possibilities. Every time I thought I had a handle on where things were headed, another sharp turn yanked the story in a completely new direction. The ending? Let’s just say I closed the book, stared at the wall, and muttered “No way…” more than once.

👑 The Premise in a Nutshell:

·         Illegitimate daughter of a ruthless king.

·         A stolen inheritance of her sister’s magic.

·         Flight from a kingdom that wants her blood.

·         A warrior with his own deadly agenda: to assassinate the king through the Imrati Trials, a magical tournament with a princess’s hand at stake.
All of this wrapped in an allies-to-lovers thread, danger at every turn, and a high-stakes competition.

⚔️ What Worked for Me:

·         The romance arc that simmers alongside the action.

·         The competition, the Imrati Trials felt electric, easily my favorite part.

·         That finale. The last 20% turns into a sprint, and the cliffhanger is the kind that leaves your heart lodged in your throat.

🌍 Where I Struggled:
The story builds a vast world, multiple kingdoms, a layered magic system, and a host of magical creatures. While I loved the ambition, I often wished the narrative slowed down to let each element breathe. The exposition occasionally felt rushed, and the Trials especially deserved more spotlight given their central role.

💭 Final Impressions:
This is a story that demands your attention, fast-paced, twist-heavy, and bold in scope. The weaker pacing in places didn’t overshadow how much I enjoyed being swept into this world. And with that ending? There’s no question, I’ll be lined up for the sequel the moment it drops.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (rounded up for the ending alone!)

 City of Promise and Light

by M.B. Atkins

⭐⭐⭐⭐

City of Promise and Light throws you headfirst into a dark, magical world where nothing comes easy for Sybil. She starts out a bit whiny and overwhelmed (and honestly, I wanted to shake her a few times), but watching her grow into her power kept me hooked. The two MMCs add a fun twist, will it be a love triangle or a why choose? Either way, I’m invested.

What stood out most to me is how real the themes felt. Sybil’s desire for stability and freedom hits close to home, and the villains echo the kind of power-hungry figures we see too often in the real world. It’s dark, heavy at times, and definitely not a lighthearted fantasy, but if you stick with it, it’s so rewarding.

M.B. Atkins delivers a debut that’s bold, thought-provoking, and full of heart. I’ll definitely be picking up book two.