gnomepatronus's reviews
312 reviews

What an adorable novella! I love when we get little gems like this that don’t leave us hanging on side characters from the series. It’s like getting the bonus content you didn’t know you desperately needed.

This story was the perfect balance—giving us just enough to finally know what really happened without feeling like we’ve committed to a whole deep dive into characters who aren’t front and center in the main series. But honestly? If they decided to go all in and expand Wyatt and Aron’s story, I would not complain. At all.

Wyatt and Aron are just so ridiculously cute together. Their dynamic is everything—sweet, playful, and full of those little moments that make you want to grab them both and squish them into a hug. (Can I adopt them? Is that allowed?)

This novella hit the sweet spot between giving closure and leaving me wanting more in the best way. It’s a perfect little slice of happiness, and I loved every second of it!

Little Bird. Yep, we’re back with that nickname, and I still have a love-hate relationship with it. Because COME ON ALREADY!!! The story picks up right where book one left off (so YES, you must read book one first to understand the emotional chaos these characters are wading through). Book one left me rooting for Kali to push through the physical trials and discover her inner strength. But book two? Oh, this is where it all gets torn down. It’s a cocktail of self-destruction, denial, depression, doubt, determination, discovery, and devotion. That’s a lot of D’s—and trust me, there’s some of that too. 👀

Anyway, back to the book. The tension in this story is chef’s kiss—you’ll feel like that thread holding it all together is about to snap at any moment. And honestly, if it doesn’t, you might want to snap at Kali yourself. That girl, woman, FEMALE—whatever you want to call her—needed a good smack more than once. But let’s not dump all the blame on her, because there’s Jax. WAIT. Nope. I refuse to drag my man Jax through the mud. He’s perfect and can melt the ice around my heart anytime. Instead, let’s turn our attention to bird boy—yes, that one. Bird-brained, feather-shedding, arrogance-on-legs. Some of you will love his cocky attitude, but for me? Nah. Team Jax all the way.

The author nailed the high fantasy elements, weaving in new creatures and lore without ever feeling like an info dump. The emotional complexity of Kali, as she battles her own instincts to protect herself while learning to let people in, is painfully relatable—whether you’re in this fantasy world or not.

If you love easy-to-read fantasy packed with trials of the physical, emotional, and mental variety (and some serious slow burn), this is the series for you. While there’s a book three on the way, you could absolutely stop at books one and two and feel satisfied (unless you’re nosy like me and NEED all the details for every single character). So what are you waiting for? Go read it. You know you’re curious about this bird-brained mess of a world. 🖤

I went into this book 100% blind, knowing nothing except that the author was incredibly kind when I met her at a book convention in Lexington KY and that one of those January Instagram challenges listed her as a “must read.” So imagine my head tilt when I hit chapter one and saw the words “Open Marriage.”

Now, don’t get me wrong, I’ve read plenty of books where marriage comes with no doors—or where things start closed and one thing leads to a bed that’s suddenly much more crowded. But this guy? Oh, this jerk (don’t worry, we know right away he’s a jerk) takes his wife to their go-to restaurant, the one they’ve gone to for years, for their anniversary dinner and drops the bomb that he isn’t fulfilled and wants an open marriage. Like, SIR. What the hell?

Needless to say, Hadley (our FMC) is blindsided. But here’s the thing: this asshat is her high school sweetheart, the love of her life, and the only man she’s ever been with. She’s heartbroken, devastated, and clinging to the hope of saving her marriage, so she says yes. I know, I know, I KNOW…you’re probably thinking, “She should just dump him.” And trust me, I feel that. But I can also see why someone might take less than they deserve, holding on to the faint hope that it’ll bring them the love they’re wishing for.

That said, Hadley’s friends? ICONS. These women convince her that an open marriage means she gets to play too, and oh boy, does she play. Enter Connor—the accent alone is enough to melt panties. And watching Hadley step into her own power? Chef’s kiss.

I do wish the book had an extra 100 pages to fully explore Hadley’s emotional complexity, her inner turmoil, societal expectations, and the rawness of finding herself again. Some twists felt a little rushed, but one thing I loved was that Hadley fought to save herself. No one did it for her. The bonus journal entries from Hadley’s perspective were stunning and added such depth to her journey. I hope those eventually get worked into the main story because they complete her emotional arc beautifully.

While the pacing wasn’t perfect, there was so much about this story that felt raw and real. It’s a tale that’s relatable to so many, and if you don’t need the why explained to you—well, I’m sorry you understand it so deeply. For those who can’t relate, remember that not everyone makes the same choices, and if you haven’t been in those shoes, sometimes you just need to listen without judgment.

Book one gave us a glimpse into these characters, and I was dying for more Noah. Let me tell you, this book did NOT disappoint! From the very first page, it grabbed me and wouldn’t let go. We go from “we can kiss and not be a couple,” to “there’s all this tension, so let’s just get it out in the sheets,” to “no worries, we can keep it casual,” to “just because we’re having sex doesn’t mean it has to be quick and meaningless.” Every step of their relationship was packed with so much personality and chemistry. Every “SURE, guys, SURE” moment felt natural and fit perfectly with their chaotic energy.

The fake dating trope was an absolute win here. Matt, the grumpy football star, gets outed in the most humiliating way. A pants-down photo splashed across the media. (And as you can imagine, that did not go over well with the team owner) Time to fix that rep with the public and try to get a new contract. (Maybe shouldn’t have done that the year of contract renewal my dude) 

Then there’s Noah, a politician’s rebellious kid who seems to live for stirring the pot, especially when it comes to making trouble for dear old dad. (Honestly though, he dad DESERVES…well things I can’t type without getting into trouble I am sure) 

What makes this book stand out is that neither of them fits the “sunshine” role. They’re both walking disasters, a chaotic mess of sarcasm, wit, and stubbornness…well they are both assholes..LOL

But their messiness work, and makes this book so wonderful and fun to read. The confusion, the vulnerability, and the way they protect and care for each other as they navigate their feelings? It’s absolutely beautiful. Watching them grow, not just as individuals but in their relationship, made my heart ache in the best way. (Add the family stuff on top of it….OH AND THE GYM!! Fuck that Gym!)

The banter, the tension, the steamy scenes—this book delivered on all fronts. Matt and Noah’s story is everything I hoped for and more. Honestly, stop reading this review and go pick it up now. Trust me, you’ll want to experience every moment for yourself!

Oh, Atticus. Of course you, the reluctant killer, would stumble across a smart-mouthed man with bloodlust practically carved into his soul. And Jericho—oh, sweet, chaotic Jericho—he set his sights on you, threw his heart on the line, and I had no choice but to fall hard for him.

The way he flipped the script, stalked you, wore you, and then OWNED you? I was living for EVERY. SINGLE. SECOND. And just when I thought this couldn’t get better, we find out Jericho isn’t some lone wolf vigilante…NOPE, he’s part of a whole crew of killers. A whole group of them! So YES, Atticus is from a family of trained killers and meets a man from a group of killers!! How is this even real?!

BUT WAIT. It gets better. Jericho gives Atticus the CUTEST nickname that had me melting, and then he made me second-guess everything I thought about the Mulvaney boys. Are they really incapable of feelings? I don’t think so, and honestly? I think Daddy Mulvaney got it wrong with this one. Jericho has the proof and STANDS UP FOR HIS MAN! (That scene!! LOVE LOVE LOVE)

Sure, there’s a plot about a maybe-murdered family member, a dirty cop, and…other stuff? But let’s be real: if it didn’t directly tie into Jericho and Atticus’s slow-burn chaos, it was background noise. I couldn’t even tell you how it wrapped up. I don’t care.

5/5 for the relationship.
2/5 for the side plot (which, let’s face it, I barely remember).
But the cuddles, the popcorn, and all the freckles? Perfection.

It’s been almost 24 hours since I finished this book, and it’s still lingering with me. The journey Oliver takes and his path to recovery and self-discovery is nothing short of beautiful. From the moment he took that first leap back, I was rooting for him with my whole heart. His circumstances were so far beyond his control and unimaginable for most of us, but his resilience and growth made every page worth it.

Now, Sydney… Oh, Sydney. As a standalone character, she’s someone I could see myself loving in a different book. But here? She frustrated me so much for a big chunk of the story. I couldn’t root for her; I just couldn’t. She was pushing Oliver away under the guise of protecting their friendship, all while leaning on him, someone so clearly carrying deep trauma, to make herself feel better. And yes, I definitely held that against her.

But here’s the thing: my frustration wasn’t entirely fair. The real reason Sydney was getting under my skin was something I was too focused on Oliver to see. (I know those of you who connected with her from the start probably picked up on this emotional thread way before I did.) When that pivotal moment came when she finally opened up and told Oliver the truth—it hit me like a tidal wave. That’s when she broke through the walls I’d built around my heart.

I’m a crier, okay? And this book had me crying a lot. Tears of joy, sorrow, frustration—moments where it felt like my heart was being torn open and someone was pouring lemon juice into the wounds. Just when I thought I’d caught my breath, there would be another twist…yes, TWISTS—that broke my heart all over again.

This story isn’t just about recovery; it’s about connection, understanding, and the complicated ways we lean on each other when we’re at our most vulnerable. It hurt. It healed. It stuck with me.

First off, I don’t rate memoirs. It feels weird, like putting a number on someone’s actual life. Memoirs are them—their story, their heart—and not every person who writes a memoir is a writer. But that’s not the point.

Now, let’s talk about this book. I’m a die-hard Gilmore Girls fan—my number one favorite show of all time (yes, I know, not every scene aged perfectly, but it still holds a special place in my heart). When this book came out, it felt like a gift: one more moment of Gilmore Girls magic wrapped in nostalgia.

Reading it was like Lorelai Gilmore herself grabbed a pen and decided to write a memoir instead of Lauren Graham. It’s chaotic, heartfelt, funny, and full of those delightful tangents that make you think, Wait, how did we get here? It’s not just a book; it’s like sitting on at the counter at Lukes with Lorelai, drinking coffee, and talking life.

For anyone who’s ever loved Stars Hollow, this is a must-read. It’ll never replace the show, but it gives you just enough of that warm, familiar feeling to make you want to go back for a rewatch.