book_lover_irl's reviews
437 reviews

If you thought book one of The Alliance series, with Nero, was a wild ride with an alpha-h0le, touch her and ☠️, stalker vibe… then hold on tight and hop on the crazy train for book two with King. It is absolutely fan-eff!ng-tabulous. Truly a lovely, unhinged story with my newest favorite a$$h0le, cinnabon, morally gray, sweetly scary man, King! 

King, The Alliance #2, is a slow burn, enemies to lovers romance with smoking h0t chemistry between the two MCs. It includes one of my most favorite tropes ever -- he falls first and he falls  H A R D. The way King and Savannah's relationship unfolded was beautiful and convoluted (as one would imagine if one character kidnaps the other character.)

Somehow S.J. Tilly has managed to make King both more lovably saccharine and terrifying than Nero. I fell in love with King’s desire to make Savannah happy at all costs, as well as the way he owned her s3xually, playing her b0dy like a finely tuned instrument, but always with her c0nsent. (C0nsent is paramount for me -- and h0t!) I adored King's insane possessiveness (only in a book boyfriend. IRL it'd be a hard pass.) His stunt with Savannah's exes... Priceless. Who even thinks this way? Love it.

Savannah is a great FMC who stands her ground and does not take her lumps lying down. Sometimes she’s prone to insecurities but the more she’s around King the more confidence she gains. 

I love that S.J. Tilly's FMC are curvy and full figured. I appreciate that they are described with thick thighs and butts that jiggle. As a plus size woman, it is so refreshing to read about characters who aren't all flat stomachs and skinny minis. Representation matters in all of its different forms.

The plot was solid. The tone and angst level varied to keep the listener engaged. It had medium pacing. The sp!ce was fabulous. There was just enough sm*t to keep me happy and mix well within the plot, without turning into an audiobook p0rn0. Have I mentioned the chemistry between King and Savannah yet?!

The narrators, Jack Calihan and Chloe Ryan, were the same for both Nero's and King's books. I enjoyed the way they played each character. They brought emotionality and depth to their performances, enhancing the reading / listening experience.

I highly recommend this book.

Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
POV: Duet
HEA: Yes - 2 epilogues is a bonus
Cliffhanger: No
Tropes: He falls first, Mafia / Organized Crime

INSTAGRAM: @Book.Lover.IRL 
STORYGRAPH: Book.Lover.IRL
GOODREADS: Book Lover IRL

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I loved this book
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I really liked this book
⭐️⭐️⭐️ I liked this book
⭐️⭐️ Meh…  bored or annoyed
⭐️ Seriously? Not worth it

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ INFERNO. P@nty melting
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Blazing h0t
🌶️🌶️🌶️ Now we’re talking
🌶️🌶️ Meh… uninspired missionary
🌶️ Does weak f0replay count?

SUMMARY
Payton - Running away from home at 17 wasn’t easy. Let’s face it though, nothing before, or in the ten years since, has ever been easy for me. So when a man walks through my open patio door, stepping boldly into my home, I should be scared but I must be more broken than I realized, because I’m... intrigued.

Nero - The first time I took a man’s life, I knew there’d be no going back. No normal existence in the cards for me. So instead of walking away, I climbed a mountain of bodies and created my own destiny. I was fine with that. Content enough to carry on. Until I stepped through those open doors and into her life. I should’ve walked away. Should’ve gone right back out the door I came through. But I didn’t.
Now her life is in danger and I’ll happily paint the streets red to protect what’s mine. And Payton is mine. Whether she knows it or not.

REVIEW
I put off reading Nero or any book from The Alliance series because I heard they were dark. I fancy myself a fan of dark romance, but I am quickly learning that I only like *some* dark romance. In particular I dislike dark bully romances. Apparently I am a big stickler for enthusiastic consent and less comfortable with humiliation and degradation. With my curiosity rising, I decided to tackle Nero and oh boy, am I glad that I did!

... REST OF REVIEW COMING SOON ...

QUOTES

Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

POV: Duet

HEA: Yes

Cliffhanger: No

Tropes: Mafia, Stalker, Touch her & be unal!ved

INSTAGRAM: @Book.Lover.IRL 

STORYGRAPH: Book.Lover.IRL
GOODREADS: Book Lover IRL

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I loved this book

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I really liked this book

⭐️⭐️⭐️ I liked this book

⭐️⭐️ Meh…  bored or annoyed

⭐️ Seriously? Not worth it

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ INFERNO. P@nty melting

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Blazing h0t

🌶️🌶️🌶️ Now we’re talking

🌶️🌶️ Meh… uninspired missionary

🌶️ Does weak f0replay count?

Fast paced, suspenseful plot. Great action mixed throughout the story and fabulously engaging. Keeps you guessing about what surprising twist would happen next. 

Sizzling s3xual tension between Aurora and Misha was to d!e for. His over the top possessive vibe had my toes curling. He literally couldn’t control himself when he went ham on anyone who harmed her. Then in the next moment his amazing tenderness and sweetness while taking care of Aurora (((chefs kiss))).

Also the world building — I haven’t read many mafia romances so I’m unsure if this is unique to the Destroy Me / Corrupted Royals series. The war college that trained criminals from across all walks of life and strictly enforced a no murder on the grounds (but all other forms of violence and torture were fair game) was a genius and novel idea. I loved envisioning it like an adult, dark and spicy version of Hogwarts. I mean they were both set in castles. 😊

The narrators, Samantha Cook and Duncan Cole, were perfect for this story. Normally I’m not a huge fan of accents because I think many narrators struggle to stay in character. That wasn’t the case and I AM HERE FOR IT. Soooooo s3xy. I think both Cook and Cole are new-to-me narrators so I definitely plan to find more books read by them. 

Overall - fabulous story! Highly recommend it. I look forward to continuing with the series. 

Check the TWs. There is copious amounts of extremely GRAPH1C VI0LENCE, including torture, awful detailed descriptions of violent acts of torture and injuries. 

Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
POV: Duet
HEA: Yes
Cliffhanger: No
Tropes: mafia, touch her and unal1ve

INSTAGRAM: @Book.Lover.IRL 
STORYGRAPH: Book.Lover.IRL
GOODREADS: Book Lover IRL

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I loved this book
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I really liked this book
⭐️⭐️⭐️ I liked this book
⭐️⭐️ Meh…  bored or annoyed
⭐️ Seriously? Not worth it

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ INFERNO. P@nty melting
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Blazing h0t
🌶️🌶️🌶️ Now we’re talking
🌶️🌶️ Meh… uninspired missionary
🌶️ Does weak f0replay count?

.SUMMARY: Neon Gods is an insanely hot and surprisingly fun retelling of the Hades/ Persephone myth but with a twist -- Hades is the good guy! TBH, I know very little about mythology so I’m unsure how this compares to stories closer to “cannon”. 

REVIEW: I listened to the audiobook for Neon Gods over the course of a week. It was an engaging read that mostly kept my interest peaked. I loved Katee Robert's ability to weave Greek mythology tidbits into the modern world and urban cityscape. The mix of mythology into present day was impressive and flowed effortlessly throughout the story. 

The unfurling of both Hades' and Persephone's personalities was on point. Watching Persephone grow into herself as she dropped her "mask" was satisfying. I adored that she didn't seem to have body image issues and went for the pleasure she desired. It was endearing to see Hades' heart began softening towards Persephone. I loved his protectiveness over her from the moment he met her. 

There was a fair amount of sm*t in the book.  Fabulous spicy scenes.  Consent was front and center in all s#xu@l interactions, which I think is incredibly  H O T.  Thankfully, no dub con here! 

It was clear that there would be some type of fallout when Persephone fled Olympus. As the reader, we just weren't sure when or how that fallout would happen. The book waited until the very last minute to unravel and resolve the plot tensions, which sadly made the ending feel abrupt. The pacing was fantastic, until approx the last 90 minutes. The ending felt rushed and disappointingly brief. Don't get me wrong, the story was still really good and I definitely plan to continue with the series. 

Hermes and Dionysus were quite the pair of side characters. Hermes made me giggle so many times, even though I wasn't sure if I could trust her. She was hard to figure out. I cannot wait to see where their stories will take them in future books of the Dark Olympus series. I'm hoping that being inside Hermes' head will help us understand her better.

Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
POV: Duet
HEA: Yes, HFN
Cliffhanger: No
Tropes: mythology, he falls first, exhibitionism

INSTAGRAM: @Book.Lover.IRL 
STORYGRAPH: Book.Lover.IRL
GOODREADS: Book Lover IRL

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I loved this book
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I really liked this book
⭐️⭐️⭐️ I liked this book
⭐️⭐️ Meh…  bored or annoyed
⭐️ Seriously? Not worth it

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ INFERNO. P@nty melting
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Blazing hot
🌶️🌶️🌶️ Now we’re talking
🌶️🌶️ Meh… uninspired missionary
🌶️ Does weak f0replay count?

Harmony is a club girl and we all know the role that club girls have in motorcycle clubs... 

I was intrigued at the unique plot idea to write a MC novel from a club girl’s POV but honestly I was also prepared to hate it. I am addicted to MC books but I *loathe* club girls and the way women are treated in general (including the old ladies). Why is a club girl good enough to bang but never have a serious relationship with

Addison Jane did not disappoint with this novel idea. I enjoyed the even pacing and plot twists. The themes around found family, loyalty, honesty and trust were raw and beautiful.

I adored the fabulous characters and really took a shine to them. They were both fierce and tender, funny and crass. Kit and Harmony were fabulous together and had great banter. 

With all the foreshadowing, I cannot wait to see where Optimus and Chelsea’s adventures take their relationship in book two of this series. 

In summary, I laughed, gasped in surprise, huffed in frustration and even got teary eyed at one point. I truly enjoyed this book and recommend it if you like MC books with a twist. 

Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

POV: Dual

HEA: Yes

Cliffhanger: Yes

Tropes: motorcycle club, insta-love, he falls first, touch her and ☠️

INSTAGRAM: @Book.Lover.IRL 

STORYGRAPH: Book.Lover.IRL
GOODREADS: Book Lover IRL

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I loved this book

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I really liked this book

⭐️⭐️⭐️ I liked this book

⭐️⭐️ Meh…  bored or annoyed

⭐️ Seriously? Not worth it

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ INFERNO. P@nty melting

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Blazing hot

🌶️🌶️🌶️ Now we’re talking

🌶️🌶️ Meh… uninspired missionary

🌶️ Does weak foreplay count?

Let me start by saying Addiction and Obsession by Vivian Wood REALLY NEEDS to come with a content warning. When I checked, I did not find any CWs or TWs in the beginning of the audiobooks, physical books, or even on the author's website. There are some very sensitive topics

(eating disorders, alcohol addiction, miscarriage, and car accident / medical trauma)

discussed in explicit detail. Given the depth and length that the sensitive topics are discussed, it is irresponsible to forego the CW.

This duet delves into two types of addictions while exploring the budding relationship between Sean, a tattoo artist, and Harper, a model. In Addiction, the story begins when Harper walks into Sean's tattoo parlor and he is struck with insta-lust. We begin Obsession by exploring the cliffhanger that we left off on from book one. 

What comes next is more a study in the two MCs addictions -- their inner dialogue and cognitive dissonance, convoluted feelings, physical sensations and experiences, as well as descriptive details -- than it is a spicy romance. Don't get me wrong, there are definitely some spicy dark-ish scenes, including BDSM. However, there are also long stretches where the plot's sole focus is the MCs relationships with their addictions, not each other.

I went into this book relatively clueless, so I was conflicted as I began navigating the tough topics. As a person in the recovery community, the MCs inner dialogue, faulty reasoning, and selfish thoughts while under the influence resonated with me. Much of their struggles mirrored my struggles of deciding to get clean and then the challenges during early recovery. If nothing else, this novel nails what it is like to live under the oppressive feelings of addiction — until the end of the second novel when it gets a little too HEA too quickly. It is a fictional novel, so I'll give the author leeway to deviate from real life and wrap up the story with a cute little bow / HEA. However, real life recovery, specifically early recovery, is BRUTAL. 

If you are in early recovery for

alcoholism, drug use, or eating disorders

, I highly recommend taking a step back from this story and evaluating where you are with your mental health and recovery. Parts of the story could absolutely be triggering and / or cause cravings.

Do I recommend this novel as a spicy romance novel? No. It doesn't delve deep enough into the couple's relationship enough for me. Do I recommend this novel as a study of addictive thoughts and actions? Absolutely.

Overall I highly recommend this duet — IF you check the CWs, are in a good place with your mental health and NOT in early recovery for any addictive behaviors or substances. 

Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
POV: Dual
HEA: Not yet?
Cliffhanger: Yes
Tropes: Addiction, bad boy/good girl, rich MMC, BDSM

INSTAGRAM: @Book.Lover.IRL
STORYGRAPH: Book.Lover.IRL
GOODREADS: Book Lover IRL

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I loved this book
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I really liked this book
⭐️⭐️⭐️ I liked this book
⭐️⭐️ Meh… bored or annoyed
⭐️ Seriously? Not worth it

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ INFERNO. P@nty melting
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Blazing hot
🌶️🌶️🌶️ Now we’re talking
🌶️🌶️ Meh… uninspired missionary
🌶️ Does weak foreplay count?

Let me start by saying Addiction by Vivian Wood (and it's duet partner, Obsession) REALLY NEEDS to come with a content warning. When I checked, I did not find any CWs or TWs in the beginning of the audiobooks, physical books, or even on the author's website. There are some very sensitive topics

(eating disorders, alcohol addiction, miscarriage, and car accident / medical trauma)

discussed in explicit detail. Given the depth and length that the sensitive topics are discussed, it is irresponsible to forego the CW.

Wood's book, Addiction, delves into two types of addictions while exploring the budding relationship between Sean, a tattoo artist, and Harper, a model. When Harper walks into Sean's tattoo parlor, he is filled with insta-lust. What comes next is more so a study in the two MCs addictions -- their inner dialogue and cognitive dissonance, convoluted feelings, physical sensations and experiences, as well as descriptive details -- than it is a spicy romance. Don't get me wrong, there are definitely some spicy dark-ish scenes, including domination, restraints and pain for pleasure. However, there are also long stretches where the plot's sole focus is the MCs relationships with their addictions, not each other.

I went into this book relatively clueless, so I was conflicted as I began navigating the tough topics. As a person in the recovery community, the MCs inner dialogue, faulty reasoning, and selfish thoughts while under the influence resonated with me. Much of their struggles mirrored my struggles of deciding to get clean and then the challenges during early recovery.  If nothing else, this novel nails what it is like to live under the oppressive feelings of addiction (until the end of the second novel when it gets a little too HEA too quickly. But it is a fictional novel, so I'll give the author leeway to deviate from real life and wrap up the story with a cute little bow / HEA.)

If you are in early recovery for

alcohol or drug addiction, or eating disorders

, I highly recommend taking a step back from this story and evaluating where you are with your mental health and recovery. Parts of the story could absolutely be triggering and / or cause cravings.

Do I recommend this novel as a spicy romance novel? No. It doesn't hit enough on the couple's relationship enough for me. Do I recommend this novel as a study of addictive thoughts and actions? Absolutely. 
 

Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 

Spice:  🌶️🌶️🌶️ 

POV: Dual

HEA: Not yet?

Cliffhanger: Yes

Tropes: Addiction, bad boy/good girl, rich MMC, BDSM

INSTAGRAM: @Book.Lover.IRL 

STORYGRAPH: Book.Lover.IRL
GOODREADS: Book Lover IRL

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I loved this book

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I really liked this book

⭐️⭐️⭐️ I liked this book

⭐️⭐️ Meh…  bored or annoyed

⭐️ Seriously? Not worth it

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ INFERNO. P@nty melting

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Blazing hot

🌶️🌶️🌶️ Now we’re talking

🌶️🌶️ Meh… uninspired missionary

🌶️ Does weak foreplay count?

This is probably showing my naïveness, but what does it mean when the author says a character “claps their a$$ cheeks” and “flutters their butt”. Like I can’t even picture what that would look like? Is it because I’ve never been to a strip club? 

In any case, on to the actual book review — This wasn’t my normal read. I struggled to get through it because parts of the writing seemed repetitive. No shade intended but perhaps the author could’ve used a thesaurus to broaden the words she used to describe people, things or situations that she referred to on a regular basis. 

The MCs were interesting and semi-unpredictable and this helped keep me invested enough to keep reading. The FMC was entirely too ready to throw hands (ALL.THE.TIME) and was always running her mouth. I didn’t love the chip on her shoulder but it was understandable because of the way her ex treated her. The MMC was also a hothead but had softer edges that made me like him more than the FMC. 

Overall the read was okay, plot fairly predictable and pacing a happy medium. I doubt I’ll read further in the series. I need a break from motorcycle clubs for a while. 

Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
POV: Duet
HEA: HFN
Cliffhanger: No
Tropes: MC, pregnancy, single parent

INSTAGRAM: @Book.Lover.IRL 
STORYGRAPH: Book.Lover.IRL
GOODREADS: Book Lover IRL

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I loved this book
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I really liked this book
⭐️⭐️⭐️ I liked this book
⭐️⭐️ Meh…  bored or annoyed
⭐️ Seriously? Not worth it

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ INFERNO. P@nty melting
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Blazing hot
🌶️🌶️🌶️ Now we’re talking
🌶️🌶️ Meh… uninspired missionary
🌶️ Does weak foreplay count?

I flew through the Forge Trilogy in a week. The story of Jericho Forge and India Baptiste was dramatic, passionate, and powerful. The two MCs were damaged souls who had rough starts in life. They scrabbled by and fought valiantly to make something out of their lives. They both wanted more and wouldn't stop until they succeeded.

Jericho was a major alpha-hole who was relentless and merciless in his pursuits, both professionally and personally. Before he met Indie, his sole goal in life was revenge. India was a scrappy, brilliant and fierce FMC whose headstrong determination to "play the man, not the game" was a joy to read. She did not bow to anyone's demands.

The plot twists in book three (although slightly predictable) were extremely entertaining and engaging. They kept me hanging on, turning page after page, so I could discover what happened next in the MCs journey. The final twist at the very end of the book was surprising and I was here for it!

I highly recommend the Forge Trilogy. All three books kept my interest and spurred me to read the next one so I could see how things worked out. 

Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
POV: Dual
HEA: Yes (in 3rd book of trilogy)
Cliffhanger: in books 1 and 2 of trilogy
Tropes: Rags to Riches, Billionaire, Marriage of Convenience

INSTAGRAM: @Book.Lover.IRL 
STORYGRAPH: Book.Lover.IRL
GOODREADS: Book Lover IRL

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I loved this book
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I really liked this book
⭐️⭐️⭐️ I liked this book
⭐️⭐️ Meh…  bored or annoyed
⭐️ Seriously? Not worth it

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ INFERNO. P@nty melting
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Blazing hot
🌶️🌶️🌶️ Now we’re talking
🌶️🌶️ Meh… uninspired missionary
🌶️ Does weak foreplay count?

The story of Jericho Forge and India Baptiste is dramatic, passionate, and powerful. The two MCs are damaged souls who had rough starts in life. They scrabbled by and fought valiantly to make something out of their lives. They both want more and won't stop until they succeed.

Jericho was a major alpha-hole who was relentless and merciless in his pursuits, both professionally and personally. Before he met Indie, his sole goal in life was revenge. India was a scrappy, brilliant and fierce FMC whose headstrong determination to "play the man, not the game" was a joy to read. She did not bow to anyone's demands.

So far I highly recommend the Forge Trilogy.  Book two was as good as book one. They have kept my interest and spurred me to read the next book so I can see how things work out. Onto the third book to see if there is a HEA!

Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
POV: Dual
HEA: Not yet - maybe in book 3?
Cliffhanger: Yes
Tropes: Rags to Riches, Billionaire, Marriage of Convenience

INSTAGRAM: @Book.Lover.IRL 
STORYGRAPH: Book.Lover.IRL
GOODREADS: Book Lover IRL

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I loved this book
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I really liked this book
⭐️⭐️⭐️ I liked this book
⭐️⭐️ Meh…  bored or annoyed
⭐️ Seriously? Not worth it

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ INFERNO. P@nty melting
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Blazing hot
🌶️🌶️🌶️ Now we’re talking
🌶️🌶️ Meh… uninspired missionary
🌶️ Does weak foreplay count?