Veiled Justice by Heather G. Harris

 Veiled Justice 

by Heather G. Harris

My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Spice rating: 🫑

Synopsis: 

Murder has crashed the party, so justice won’t wait for an invitation.

Champagne, caviar… and a corpse. This high-society party wasn’t meant to end in murder. When my brother calls me to investigate the brutal stabbing of a female ogre at the charity ball of the season, the glittering magical elite quickly become a sea of suspects.

Everyone who’s anyone was there, but glamour has given way to something far darker. Someone’s playing a deadly game, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. It’s my job to cut through the beauty and lies to find a killer hiding among the rich and powerful.

As a police inspector with the Connection, I’ve seen plenty of strange things, but this case reeks of entitlement, secrets, and old money with something to hide. Then the King of the Ogres storms in. Furious and formidable, he demands justice. Stopping him from tearing through the guest list is almost as hard as keeping my mind on the case, because rage and power look annoyingly good on him.

But when a dryad turns up dead at another elite event, I realise I’m chasing a serial killer who thinks they’re too rich to face consequences… and they’re setting my brother up to take the fall.

With a rookie partner finding his feet and my talking-bird sidekick offering sharp advice (and sharper insults), I’m racing against the clock to solve the case before my brother faces the lethal justice of the Other realm…

Immerse yourself in The Other Detective Series – perfect for fans of supernatural crime, complete with a fierce heroine, gritty murder investigations, and a slow-burn romance.

My Review: 

A murder crashing a high-society charity ball sets the stage for a sharp, magic-tinged mystery that pulled me in from the first page. Stacy, an inspector for the Connection, is everything you want in a lead, smart, steady, and entirely unfooled by the glittering elite who immediately turn into a buffet of suspects. Her talking bird companion, Loki, insults her with great enthusiasm (“pigdog” being his affectionate favorite), yet beneath the sass there’s a surprising warmth that gives their partnership real charm. Then there’s Krieg, the Ogre King, once just a towering stereotype of fury and brute force, now revealed to have depth, vulnerability, and a magnetic presence that makes every scene he shares with Stacy crackle with possibility. The case begins as a single murder with no obvious motive, but the investigation spirals into a web of privilege, secrets, and escalating danger as a second body drops and a serial killer emerges, one rich enough to believe consequences are for other people. Stacy’s brother is suddenly in the crosshairs, her rookie partner is scrambling to keep up, and the Other realm is breathing down her neck. It’s gripping, twisty, and layered with character dynamics that make the mystery feel alive. I thoroughly enjoyed the entire ride and can’t wait to see where Stacy and Krieg’s relationship, and the series, go next.

A Silence of Shadows by Annie Anderson

A Silence in Shadows

by Annie Anderson

My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice Rating: 🌶🌶

Synopsis:

In a kingdom built on lies and blood, some bonds cannot be broken.

Merrit Locke runs Lock & Key, a neutral bar at the edge of vampire court territory, keeping her head down, her past blank, and her telepathy a secret. Until Prince Kieran Veyne walks through her door.

He’s beautiful, dangerous, and far too observant. When a violent ambush forces Merrit to act, Kieran sees just enough to draw the wrong conclusion, believing she’s a rare seer. A lie Merrit must uphold when he drags her into a world of velvet deception.

To use her, he makes her part of his court.
To shield her, he tells the world she’s his lover.
To protect her, he makes the lie look real.

Now Merrit must navigate a palace of monsters and masks, all while pretending to belong to the one man who unnerves her most. But when blood is spilled and an ancient bond awakens, the line between truth and desire grows perilously thin.

And in a court of shadows, even lies can taste like fate.

A Silence of Shadows is the first in a world of interconnected standalone romantasy novels—complete stories linked by blood, magic, and courtly deception. Expect one dangerously charming vampire prince, a mute heroine with mind-reading abilities, and a fake relationship that turns into something all too real. Mature themes and dark romantic tension included. Reader discretion advised.

 My Review:

A Silence of Shadows delivers the kind of dark, fast-paced romantasy that immediately sweeps you into its world and refuses to let go. From the opening pages, the story thrums with danger, political intrigue, and emotional tension, the kind that had me visibly reacting while reading in public. That’s the level of immersion this book brings.

Merrit Locke is an unforgettable FMC. Her strength, sharp humor, and sheer resilience had me rooting for her instantly, and the way her nonspeaking representation is handled feels thoughtful, respectful, and deeply meaningful. She’s a heroine who fights for her survival and her autonomy, and it’s impossible not to connect with her.

Prince Kieran Veyne may start off guarded and difficult to read, but the more the story unfolds, the more he grows on you. Their dynamic, hidden truths, reluctant trust, and a deliciously complicated bond, creates a tension that simmers beneath every chapter. Once the Whisperbound connection is revealed, the emotional shift between them feels natural and incredibly satisfying. Watching their relationship develop, especially with the symbolism of the Astria flowers (bonus chapter readers, you know), was one of my favorite parts of the book.

The worldbuilding is rich without ever feeling overwhelming. Vampires, shifters, witches, fae, demons, mages, Annie Anderson balances it all with vivid, gothic atmosphere and cinematic detail. The side characters are compelling enough that I was already hoping for their stories before I even turned the last page. And yes, if we get more of the shadow fae or “Enzo” in future books… I will absolutely lose it.

What really anchors the novel, beneath the action and courtly deception, is the emotional core: healing, chosen family, survival, and learning to trust in a world built on secrets. By the end, I wasn’t just invested, I needed more.

A Silence of Shadows is intense, magical, and addictive in the best way. Fans of vampire romances and immersive romantasy worlds will find so much to love here. I’m already counting down to book two.

The Nightmare Bride by Shaylin Gandhi

 The Nightmare Bride 

by Shaylin Gandhi

This is nothing like I have read before.

My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice Rating: 🌶🌶 (It was worth it!)

Synopsis: 

He’s planning their wedding. She’s planning his funeral.

Life in a remote, storm-wracked swamp isn’t all bad—Harlowe has a crumbling manor to call home, thread to patch her dresses (again), and almost enough to eat. Sure, the eldritch storms that sweep the bayou inflict hallucinatory nightmares on everyone in their path, but Harlowe would never dream of leaving. Not when her best friend, Amryssa, needs her.

Then Amryssa’s father arranges her marriage to a sadistic prince, and Harlowe does the she takes her friend’s place at the altar, determined to get close enough to drive her dagger through the prince’s heart.

Except Harlowe’s new husband isn’t what she expects. Instead of cruelty, she finds charm, a quick wit, and a sparkling gaze that makes her pulse quicken. Worse, the prince proves inexplicably immune to the storms. But if he isn’t the monster everyone fears...who is he?

As the nightmares increase and threaten Amryssa’s very existence, Harlowe races to uncover the manor’s secrets—and her husband’s. Soon, she must decide what matters the man she vowed to destroy, or the woman she swore to save.

My Review:

I’m honestly struggling to put my feelings into words, The Nightmare Bride by Shaylin Gandhi absolutely consumed me in the most beautifully horrific way imaginable. I pick up a pen to organize my thoughts, but this book refuses to sit quietly in a corner of my mind. It’s still screaming, whispering, haunting… and I mean that as the highest compliment.

From the very first chapter, the storyline grabbed me with its originality and fresh perspective. Our FMC isn’t swooning over the MMC from page one, far from it. She’s focused on one thing, and one thing only: keeping her best friend alive. Her obsession isn’t romantic; it’s raw, fierce loyalty. And that twist on the typical dynamic? Perfection.

This book is an intoxicating blend of love, betrayal, and creeping horror, stitched together flawlessly and topped off with an ending that left me staring at the wall in awe. If you’re craving something that defies expectations, something unique in tone, plot, atmosphere, and character, this is absolutely the book you should be picking up.

I didn’t even want to race through it. I wanted to savor every eerie detail, every emotional beat, every shadowy reveal. And yet… I still devoured it in a single day. The imagery? Stunning. Vivid. Almost cinematic. Gandhi paints scenes that feel like they’ve crawled off the page, reached into your chest, and claimed a little piece of your soul.

And then there’s Kyvan. Oh, Kyvan. A deadly prince who’s anything but predictable. He radiates major Flynn Ryder energy, that perfect blend of humor, charm, danger, and heart-stopping beauty. He’s instantly unforgettable, and genuinely one of the best MMCs I’ve encountered in a long time.

If you want a story that keeps you on edge, makes you question reality, and leaves you wondering whether you might also be slipping into a nightmare of your own… this is the one. The Nightmare Bride isn’t just a book, it’s an experience. One you’ll want to lose yourself in again and again.

 Captured Stars by Claire Abbot 

IF I could tell you over and over again why I love Alien Romance you would think me insane... I mean a little.

My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice rating: 🌶🌶🌶 

(HE CAN CHANGE HIS PEEN INTO WHATEVER HE OR SHE LIKES)

SYNOPSIS:

On the frozen moon of Erevon-9, Dr. Mira Hunt breaks the laws of her own species when she spares the life of an alien commander imprisoned beneath glass. Elion Quinara was once a god among the stars—until humanity turned his light into fuel.

When he opens his eyes, their souls collide. A psychic bond fuses them—mind to mind, heartbeat to heartbeat—blurring the line between science and surrender.

Now every breath binds them deeper, every secret unravels the war that doomed them both.

And in the darkness between worlds, love might be the most dangerous experiment of all.

Lush world-building • Alien x human • Fated mates • Emotional, slow-burn intensity

My Review:

“Captured Stars” by Claire Abbot absolutely surprised me in the best way possible. For an alien romance, it doesn’t lean entirely on the love story, and honestly, that made it even more fascinating. Instead of drowning us in insta-love or predictable tropes, Abbot gives us a taste of a much bigger universe, one filled with danger, moral conflict, and a whole lot of mystery. It felt like the beginning of something epic, which is exactly why I found myself wishing this was a full-length novel. I wanted to sink deeper into the world, peel back more layers of the characters, and really live in the tension and emotion between them.

The worldbuilding had me hooked. Everything from the icy, isolated moon to the complicated geopolitical conflict felt rich yet tantalizingly unexplored. And the aliens, wow. Unique, vivid, and so thoughtfully designed that I could already imagine fan art exploding across the internet. You can tell the visual inspiration behind this story is going to be phenomenal.

Now, I read alien romance like I change my clothes, frequently and with enthusiasm. If alien romance was the only genre left on Earth, trust me, I would be perfectly content. And since there were zero Goodreads reviews when I checked, I decided mine needed to be a bit of a deep dive.

The story begins through the eyes of Mira, our brilliant FMC and a scientist stationed on a remote frozen moon. Humanity is entangled in a morally gray mission: stealing the life force of an alien race capable of powering entire worlds with a single being’s energy. It’s as wild and ethically messy as it sounds, and of course, it sparks a brutal war. I mean… who wouldn’t fight back if their very essence was being harvested?

Mira is knee-deep in this dark project when everything changes, her captive alien awakens.

Enter Elion.

Beautiful, terrifying, and heartbreakingly desperate, he bonds himself to Mira in a moment of panic and instinct. Humans are the enemy, the reason his people are dying, yet Elion chooses survival. In those breathless, emotionally charged moments, he does the unthinkable, he links his fate to a human scientist who never expected to be anything but his jailer.

The story may be short, but it radiates heart. It’s surprisingly emotional and incredibly engaging, the kind of novella that wraps itself around your attention and refuses to let you go until the final sentence. When I finished, I had that bittersweet ache of I’m not ready to leave this world yet.

I truly, truly hope this is only the beginning of a series. There’s so much potential here, and I’d love nothing more than to follow Elion and Mira’s journey, whether it leads to healing, rebellion, or something even more profound.

Claire Abbot, if you see this: I’m ready for book two. And three. And four.

The Monsters Who Marked me by Sophia Vale

The Monsters Who Marked me

by Sophia Vale

Man, IDK there's just something about morally gray men that make me question everything in life. I am on a Why choose, Reverse Harem Kick and they never fail.

My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 
Spice Rating: 🌶🌶🌶🌶

Synopsis: 

🔥 Three ruthless kings. One stolen girl. And in Palermo’s underworld, love is the deadliest sin.

Kidnapped from my bed, I wake in a marble cage—its air thick with smoke and secrets.
Dante Volpe, the silver-tongued fox, smiles like sin and speaks in threats that sound like worship.
Marcus Bellanti is control wrapped in muscle, every word a command, every touch a punishment I crave.
And Cassian Moretti… my ghost. The boy I loved, now a scarred man who burns for revenge—and me.

They say I’m the key to a broken empire.
But every look, every bruise, every kiss binds me tighter to the men who destroyed me.

Now, the city trembles, loyalties splinter, and I have to choose—
Betray my heart, or burn with them.

Because in Palermo, desire isn’t salvation.
It’s the blade that ends you.

✦⚜️ This story doesn’t ask for consent—it takes it. ✦⚜️

It’s a collision of blood and desire, where danger wears a beautiful face and pleasure leaves bruises.

Hearts are caged, rules are broken, and every touch drags you deeper into the fire.

Read it for the heat, stay for the heartbreak…

And remember—some sins don’t want forgiveness.

✦ 🩸 ✦ ✦ 🩸 ✦✦ 🩸 ✦

My Review: 

From the opening chapters, the atmosphere is thick with danger, desire, and shifting power dynamics. The three central men, each with his own brand of menace, devotion, and damage, create a volatile orbit around the heroine. Their histories with her, and with each other, generate a constant tension that drives the story forward. While the narrative leans heavily into morally gray relationships and non-traditional consent dynamics, Vale uses those elements to explore trauma, identity, and the complicated ways people cling to the ones who’ve shaped them, for better or worse.

What really elevates this book is the character development. Internal conflict is where the story shines most. You can feel the push and pull between fear and attachment, resentment and longing. The emotional stakes are high, and the characters’ responses, raw, messy, and sometimes painful, make the journey feel immersive. The romantic and erotic moments are intense, but they serve the storyline rather than overshadow it, adding to the complexity instead of simply providing shock value.

Plot-wise, the pacing stays tight. High-pressure confrontations, emotional revelations, and expanding world-building give the story momentum without overwhelming it. The new layers of the Palermo criminal world feel thoughtfully integrated, answering long-standing questions while setting up intriguing possibilities for future books.

What lingers long after finishing, though, are the emotional beats. Some scenes leave a bruise, in the best way, because they’re grounded in character vulnerability rather than drama for drama’s sake. Longtime fans will find this to be one of the standout books of the series. For newcomers, it’s worth starting from the beginning so the full emotional impact lands. This story doesn’t shy away from exploring shadowed corners of love and power, and it finds unexpected beauty in the process.

Bold, atmospheric, and charged with tension, This book is gripping, one that’s likely to stay with readers long after the final page.

 Brimstone by Callie Hart

This is my most anticipated read of the year, and it didn't disappoint!

My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice Rating: 🌶🌶🌶

Bare with me, I’m going to try my best to write this with minimal spoilers. I will be quoting the book and sharing my feelings, so if that counts as a spoiler for you, this is your chance to turn back now.

Baby… when I tell you I waited for this book? I waited like my life depended on it. I bought it in every format because Kingfisher is GOD TIER for me. Quicksilver rewired every cell in my brain, and once I knew Brimstone had a release date, I counted down like it was a sacred event. I read plenty of books filled with morally dark, devastatingly gorgeous men, but there is something about Kingfisher, with those swirling tattoos and that feral devotion, that lights a fire in my soul.

Brimstone delivered everything I hoped for and more. Nearly seven hundred pages, and I devoured every one. This installment dives deeper into characters we only glimpsed in book one, filling in lore and emotional beats we were craving. It had angst and longing, yes, but it also had humor, tenderness, and friendships that felt as powerful as the romance. There’s a moment where Fisher growls, “All right. Fine. I’ll drink from you, Saeris. But not out of any love I have for the gods. I’ll do it to make you come on my tongue and my fingers. I’ll do it to make you scream.” And tell me that doesn’t summarize exactly why this series has me by the throat.

I read while listening to the audiobook, my new favorite way to immerse myself, and it made the world come alive. The worldbuilding is immaculate. The little creatures? My entire personality at this point. When Fisher snarled, “What do you think I’m doing? I’m saving the fucking fox!” I nearly threw my book across the room because I felt that in my soul. And don’t even get me started on the animal companions. I will always be weak for them.

This book had me crying, screaming, kicking my feet—literally. I kept shouting “PERIOD!” because there was no other reaction. The dynamics between Fisher and Carrion are truly amazing.

Saeris calls out, “Fisher.”
He answers, “Hmm?”
“Stop.”
And he snaps back, nostrils flaring, “I can’t help it if he doesn’t want to live.”
That line alone? I ascended.

And then, because this book refuses to let you breathe, there are the softer moments. The moments that cracked my chest open. When Fisher murmurs, “You forget that I’m a winter creature, Saeris. I don’t crave the attention of the sun. The snowcapped mountains, the forest, the frozen river… those places are my home. You are home.” I swear my heart actually combusted.

The spice? Perfectly balanced. Enough to burn, never enough to overshadow the tension and the unraveling mysteries. And then that cliffhanger at the end? That massive, breath-stealing WTF moment? I am still spiraling. I don’t even know how I feel yet, trust is huge for me, but that’s all I’ll say.

As soon as the paperback drops, I’m annotating it like a woman possessed. I have theories. I have suspicions. And with book three rumored to be the final installment for Fisher and Saeris, I already feel one particular theory clawing at me.

If you haven’t gone feral for this series yet, if you haven’t picked up book one or two, I am begging you: join the beautiful hysteria that has become my entire personality.

My Ex-Boyfriend's Brothers by Rebel Bloom

 My Ex-Boyfriend's Brothers

By Rebel Bloom

Hold Tight this is a wild ride!

My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Spice Rating: 🌶🌶🌶🌶 (It wasss Hot!)

If you ever wonder why I Rate things three stars I do have a whole blog for this, but I will tell you again. I love this book, and I thought it was the cutest, but I don't think I will ever pick this book up again. I will on occasion think of it. I don't have the best memories, but scenes will pop into my head. That is a three star for me.

Synopsis:

Getting over your ex by getting under someone new is normal.
Getting with your ex's three brothers while planning his wedding? That's next-level chaos.

I'm Maggie, and according to my ex, I'll never be "perfect" enough. Too curvy, too messy, too… me. So when he asks me to plan his wedding, I should've said no. Instead, my bank account screamed yes—and now I'm stuck planning his perfect day alongside his three sinfully HOT older brothers.

There's Jackson, the tattooed bad boy whose touch makes my common sense vanish. Luke, the broody billionaire who gets everything he wants. And Ryan, the globe-trotting charmer whose dimpled grin makes me burn up in places that would scandalize the mother-of-the-bride.

I swore I'd keep things professional. Really, I did. But when Jackson pins me against the venue wall, Luke's late-night meetings turn unprofessional, and Ryan's pre-wedding photoshoot ends with me in my birthday suit... Let's just say my ex's wedding is the least of my problems. Between hiding hickeys from my ex, becoming besties with his bride-to-be, and trying to remember which brother left which mark, I'm in way over my head.

And if my groom-zilla ex finds out? I could lose more than just my career—I could lose the three men who finally make me feel like I'm everything.

My Ex-Boyfriend's Brothers is a steamy reverse harem rom-com with enough heat to melt the wedding cake before it hits the table. HEA guaranteed!

My Review:

Last night I decided to pick up a completely random book, and fate led me straight to My Ex-Boyfriend’s Brothers. And listen, if the title alone made you raise an eyebrow and think, Is this book really about what I think it’s about? Then yes, you are absolutely correct. Also, we should be friends, because clearly we are on the same chaotic, romance-loving wavelength.

I’m a sucker for a good reverse harem romance. Truly, I will root for people finding happiness in whatever dynamic works for them, as long as there’s chemistry and consent, and in this case, that happiness happens to be with all of her ex’s brothers. Honestly? Iconic behavior.

Imagine minding your business and one of them confesses he’s been secretly pining for you… and then the other two confess the exact same thing. Not one, not two, but three men admitting they've been waiting for you for six whole years? I would have simply passed out on the spot. The setup alone had me hooked, and the author really leaned into the tension, the longing, and the “is this really happening?” energy that makes reverse harem stories so addictive.

The plot itself was surprisingly cute. Even with all the wild dynamics and tangled history, it still had that cozy, sweet undertone where you can’t help but root for everyone involved. And let me just say, the villain? Still the same terrible villain all the way through. Karma did its thing, and when it came, it came deliciously.

By the end, the reverse harem dynamic worked out in a way that felt satisfying and balanced. Everyone ended up exactly where they needed to be, happy in their unconventional little love bubble. And yes, if you look past the whole shared-brothers aspect… it’s adorable. But let’s be real, that part also makes it kind of hot. No shame here.

Overall, it was a fun, spicy, surprisingly sweet romance that didn’t take itself too seriously, and I enjoyed every messy, chaotic page of it. If reverse harem is your thing, or if you’re reverse-harem curious, this one is definitely worth a read.

Bite: A Dark Vampire Romance by C.J. Primer

 Bite: A Dark Vampire Romance

by C.J. Primer

There are a ton of things that I want to add to my blog post but there aren't enough words to get it all together. Here is a review for the book Bite.

My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice Rating: 🌶🌶🌶🌶

Synopsis: 

I was running out of options. Jobless, hungry, and exhausted, with no clue what to do next.

Then help came in the form of a business card.

Bite: an underground blood agency matching consenting donors with vampires willing to pay a premium for live feedings.

One bite may not be so bad. It could fix a lot of my problems.

But then one bite turns into two, and the next thing I know I’m standing at a donor gala, catching the eye of the most powerful man in the room.

James Devereaux, vampire king of the Northeast. A vamp who never drinks from the same human twice.

Until me.

He offers a deal I can’t a year as his exclusive donor in exchange for enough money to set me up for life.

There’s just one catch– it isn’t only my blood he wants.

Bite is a dark modern vampire romance that includes scenes and situations that may be triggering for some readers. If you’re unsure or unfamiliar with dark romance, please review the full list of trigger warnings inside this book before reading. This standalone novel has no cliffhangers and guarantees a happily-ever-after (HEA) for the main characters.

My Review: 

Vampires are the reason I fell in love with monsters in the first place. If I were ever given the chance to become one? I’d say yes before the question even finished leaving their lips. Bite taps directly into that obsession. It follows a woman who’s down on her luck and desperate to make money fast, so desperate that when her friend recommends a vampire feeding site, she actually considers it. And honestly? Getting paid to let gorgeous, powerful vamps feed from you sounds like a win-win. Nothing like being a live-in, warm-blooded donor… right?

The premise hooked me instantly. It’s seductive, dangerous, and somehow still feels grounded in the very human struggle of needing a break. The idea of being matched with elite vampires, earning stacks of cash, and maybe, just maybe, finding something deeper along the way? Total fantasy fuel. And while the vampires in this world don’t view love the same way humans do (and yes, I pouted about that), watching the FMC try to navigate her connection with a vampire who has spent centuries being an arrogant, emotionally constipated menace was so satisfying. The way he starts to unravel around her? I lived for that.

If you crave a story that blends a solid plot with vampires, intensity, emotional tension, and a whole lot of spice, this is absolutely your next read. I don’t know if there’s going to be a second book, but I need to know where their story goes. If there is more coming, I will be first in line, fangs out and ready.

Beneath the Silvern Pond by M.A. Brown

 Beneath the Silvern Pond

by M.A. Brown

My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice Rating: 🌶

Here me out it's Novella November and this short read is worth it!

Synopsis:

Lucrecia is expected to attract a wealthy suitor whose money can save her family from ruin... but what happens when she becomes obsessed with the creature living in the pond instead?

Beneath the Silvern Pond is a dark summer Frog Prince, reimagining.

I just found out there is a book before this one and I am excited! 

My review: 

“Beneath the Silvern Pond” swept me up far more than I expected for such a short story. I’m not even sure if it’s part of a series yet, but honestly? I hope it becomes one, because this little novella has so much potential simmering beneath the surface. Just so we’re clear from the start, I went into this blind, and I came out pleasantly surprised.

What really hooked me from page one was the author’s writing style. It felt poetic, lyrical, haunting, and somehow both soft and razor-sharp at the same time. For a story of its length, it managed to captivate me instantly, pulling me into a world that, frankly, both fascinated and disgusted me (in the best way). The disgust comes not from the content being poorly done, but from the time period itself; this is a historical setting where women were treated like currency, sold off to the highest bidder for status, lineage, or wealth. And the author did such a phenomenal job capturing that raw injustice that you can’t help but feel it.

Some lines were so gorgeous and emotionally loaded that I had to stop and reread them. A few favorites:

“My breaths slowed. I could almost imagine that if I stayed this way long enough that I might begin to grow moss. My skin might become stone, and I would cease to feel anything other than the gentle stroking of the shallows against my soul.”

Tell me that isn’t absolutely stunning.

“Dozens of eyes peeled my flesh, dissecting me, stripping me bare. I was a flower pressed into glass admired for my beauty and not my worth.”

The imagery? Devastating and perfect, and here is the repulsion.

“‘My, my, she is a willowy slip of a thing,’ the lord commented… ‘Are those hips of hers wide enough to bear sons do you think?’ Not a compliment then.”

These lines cut deep, and they’re meant to.

Despite its brevity, the story held my attention from start to finish, and then some. And let’s not forget one of the best parts: this is a sapphic romance with a monster twist. If you know me, you know I am always here for a good monster romance, and this one delivered just enough to make me crave more.

In the end, Beneath the Silvern Pond was a beautifully dark and captivating read. It left me wanting more, in the best way, and I genuinely hope the author continues this world or expands the story. There’s so much magic and meaning hidden between these pages, and I’d happily dive back into its depths.

Carnival Nightmares by Selena Winters

 Carnival Nightmares 

by Selena Winters

My Rating: ⭐

Spice Rating: 🌶🌶🌶🌶

Just because this wasn't for me doesn't mean this isn't going to be for you. If you like your men unhinged in the weirdest way possible this one is for you.

Synopsis: 

In the once-quiet town of Willow Creek, my life was a steady beat, a rhythmic routine, until the carnival stormed in, a whirlwind of chaos and danger.

Under the neon lights and haunting melodies, Cade's eyes found mine—piercing, intense, sending shivers through my soul. He was a dark storm, a looming shadow over my every move.

Cade's obsession was relentless, his desire a madness that knew no bounds. Like a predator, he stalked me, every step a calculated move in his sinister dance. I tried to resist, but his twisted charm was a siren's song, pulling me deeper into his carnival of nightmares.

Reality blurred into illusion, and I found myself ensnared in a sinister game, where every shadow whispered secrets and every smile hid a threat. In Willow Creek's heart, where nightmares walked freely and darkness reigned, I faced a chilling in a stalker's eyes, love and obsession are one.

As the carnival lights dim and darkness falls, I stand at a crossroads. Will I succumb to Cade's dangerous embrace, or will I fight to break free from his deadly grip?

Carnival Nightmare is a dark stalker novella with heavy subjects that some readers may find triggering. There will be access to a full list of the warnings at the beginning of the book. This story has no cliffhanger and ends with a HEA.

My Review: 

Carnival Nightmares by Selena Winters had a premise that immediately caught my attention, a dark romance set within a twisted carnival. I want to love carnival romances. I keep hoping to find one that truly captures that eerie, wicked atmosphere while still delivering characters and chemistry I can invest in. Unfortunately, this book wasn’t that experience for me.

From the start, something about it just didn’t click. It wasn’t one specific issue so much as an overall feeling that kept pulling me out of the story. While I appreciate dark themes and morally gray characters, the execution here didn’t land in a way that made me want to continue with the series.

The FMC didn’t resonate with me, and I found it hard to connect with her motivations or emotional journey. On the other side, the MMC’s unhinged behavior wasn’t the kind of dark or dangerous that feels compelling, it veered into territory that felt chaotic without purpose, making it difficult for me to root for the romance or even fully engage with the plot.

Overall, Carnival Nightmares had all the ingredients for a dark, atmospheric carnival romance, but the dynamic between the characters and the tone of the story ultimately didn’t work for me. I genuinely hope others enjoy it, but this one just wasn’t a match for my tastes. If anything, it reminded me that I’m still on the hunt for that perfect carnival romance, dark, decadent, and wicked in all the right ways.

 Mean One by A.B. Cynthe 

My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice level: 🌶🌶🌶🌶

(Look, is this unhinged? Yessss, but does that make me want to read it more? Why yes, yes, it does. The more people tell me something is unhinged and or they leave a review that says, "What did I just read?" I'm all in.

Synopsis:

'Tis the season for revenge.

And that's all it says! I mean, i just knew there was going to be a good time between these pages. And before you come for me, yes, I like my mean morally gray but leaning to black. 

My Review: 

Last night I dove headfirst into Mean One by A.B. Cynthe, and honestly? I’m still reeling. I grabbed this novella thanks to a chaotic TikTok review, and let me tell you right now, it absolutely did not disappoint. This 97-page fever dream is packed with pure, unfiltered hate, revenge, and just enough smut to make your brain short-circuit. And if anything on this planet has the power to permanently rewire your neural pathways… it’s Grinch smut. Yes. You read that right. And before anyone asks, yes, the names have been changed, because copyright is a thing and apparently sanity is not.

I genuinely don’t know who I was as a person before reading this book. What do you mean his peen is hairy all over? How do I go back to my regular life after that? How do any of us? Monster girlies, rise up, this one’s for every single one of us who reads unhinged romance for a good time and absolutely no regrets.

This novella is going to make you question your moral compass, your taste in men, your reading habits, and possibly your life choices. You will finish it in a state of stunned silence, blinking at the wall and whispering, “What in the unholy Christmas hell did I just experience?”

Please, for the love of everything wicked and green, read the trigger warnings. This is a dark horror retelling, emphasis on dark, and it does not end the way you think it will. Because seriously… WTF was that ending?! I’m still processing. And I kind of want more.