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justabooktrovert's reviews
1065 reviews
Taken by the Lord of the Nocturne Court by K.A. Merikan
3.5
K.A. Merikan was my most-read author of 2024, so it pains me a little to rate this one under 4 stars. It has everything I usually love…MM, dark themes, fantasy; but for some reason, it just didn’t hit as hard as I’d hoped.
The world-building was solid, and I really liked the eerie, atmospheric setting. But the first 50% felt slow, and I struggled to stay engaged. I think a big part of that was the characters not fully grabbing my attention. Kyran had depth, and I felt for him and the weight of the secret he was carrying. But Luke? He just didn’t work for me. He felt like a blend of every emo/goth cliché, and I never really connected with him.
Overall, it wasn’t bad by any means, just not as gripping as I expected. A decent read, but not one that left a lasting impression.
The world-building was solid, and I really liked the eerie, atmospheric setting. But the first 50% felt slow, and I struggled to stay engaged. I think a big part of that was the characters not fully grabbing my attention. Kyran had depth, and I felt for him and the weight of the secret he was carrying. But Luke? He just didn’t work for me. He felt like a blend of every emo/goth cliché, and I never really connected with him.
Overall, it wasn’t bad by any means, just not as gripping as I expected. A decent read, but not one that left a lasting impression.
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
4.0
That ending… excuse me, what was that?! I’m still processing.
I’ll admit, the beginning of this book was a bit slow, and I kept waiting for things to really happen. But once the story hit its stride around the halfway mark, it took off.
One of my favorite things was getting different POV chapters toward the end. Not only did it keep things interesting, but I absolutely loved seeing the characters interact with their dragons.
Also, Riddoc’s and his dragon Aotrom? Absolutely perfect. Their dynamic was easily a highlight for me.
As for the storyline, I had some guesses about where things were going (some spot-on, others way off), but there were definitely surprises that caught me off guard.
I’m so glad I gave this series a chance.
And now, the real struggle: waiting for the next book.
I’ll admit, the beginning of this book was a bit slow, and I kept waiting for things to really happen. But once the story hit its stride around the halfway mark, it took off.
One of my favorite things was getting different POV chapters toward the end. Not only did it keep things interesting, but I absolutely loved seeing the characters interact with their dragons.
Also, Riddoc’s and his dragon Aotrom? Absolutely perfect. Their dynamic was easily a highlight for me.
As for the storyline, I had some guesses about where things were going (some spot-on, others way off), but there were definitely surprises that caught me off guard.
I’m so glad I gave this series a chance.
And now, the real struggle: waiting for the next book.
Love's Ace by Lee McCormick
4.0
I adored this book. Some good tropes: enemies-to-lovers, soulmates, hurt/comfort, and an accidental bond.
Wren, a weary cupid who’s never felt love himself, meets Theo, a human-turned-Enmity, his mortal enemy. They should want to kill each other, but fate has other plans. Bound together in a soulmate bond they can’t break, they fight it every step of the way… until resisting becomes impossible.
Theo was so broken, yet he still put Wren first, and Wren, in turn, became his safe place. Their connection deepened beautifully, and I loved how protective they became of each other. I was on edge, unsure how things would work out, but their sacrifices and devotion made their HEA so satisfying.
If you love high-stakes enemies-to-lovers with an undeniable bond, Love’s Ace is a must-read!
Wren, a weary cupid who’s never felt love himself, meets Theo, a human-turned-Enmity, his mortal enemy. They should want to kill each other, but fate has other plans. Bound together in a soulmate bond they can’t break, they fight it every step of the way… until resisting becomes impossible.
Theo was so broken, yet he still put Wren first, and Wren, in turn, became his safe place. Their connection deepened beautifully, and I loved how protective they became of each other. I was on edge, unsure how things would work out, but their sacrifices and devotion made their HEA so satisfying.
If you love high-stakes enemies-to-lovers with an undeniable bond, Love’s Ace is a must-read!
Make Me by Alina May
4.0
I approached this MMM Dark Romance with some hesitation, wondering if it would live up to the hype; and it absolutely did. From the very first page, it had me hooked and never let go. It’s dark and twisted (so definitely check those trigger warnings), but it’s also unexpectedly hilarious. When a dark romance thriller manages to make you laugh in between all the deliciously depraved moments, you know it’s been well written.
The dynamic between Ronan, Logan, and Dakota was everything. The banter was top-tier. The chemistry was off the charts. The way these three characters push and pull at each other made for an addictive read. One minute they’re exchanging razor-sharp insults, and the next, they’re tangled together in ways that made me want more. I devoured this book, completely hooked from the start.
For all the trauma and intense moments these characters went through, why did it take a goodbye note from a stuffed animal to make me cry? Seriously though, it was the perfect blend of heartbreak and humor. It captured just how deeply Logan and Dakota understood Ronan's grief, showing the emotional layers of their connection in such a raw and heartfelt way.
If you love dark romance with plenty of spice, sharp humor, and complex characters who will make you feel everything, Make Me is absolutely worth the read. Just be prepared to laugh, swoon, and maybe cry over a stuffed animal. Totally worth it, I swear!!
The dynamic between Ronan, Logan, and Dakota was everything. The banter was top-tier. The chemistry was off the charts. The way these three characters push and pull at each other made for an addictive read. One minute they’re exchanging razor-sharp insults, and the next, they’re tangled together in ways that made me want more. I devoured this book, completely hooked from the start.
For all the trauma and intense moments these characters went through, why did it take a goodbye note from a stuffed animal to make me cry? Seriously though, it was the perfect blend of heartbreak and humor. It captured just how deeply Logan and Dakota understood Ronan's grief, showing the emotional layers of their connection in such a raw and heartfelt way.
If you love dark romance with plenty of spice, sharp humor, and complex characters who will make you feel everything, Make Me is absolutely worth the read. Just be prepared to laugh, swoon, and maybe cry over a stuffed animal. Totally worth it, I swear!!
With This Ring by R.S. McKenzie
3.0
I love a good enemies-to-lovers story. Add an arranged marriage, especially in a Mafia setting, and I’m in. That’s why With This Ring had me intrigued right from the start. But while this was a decent read, I wouldn’t really call it “enemies-to-lovers”, more like rivals-to-married-instantly-to-lovers.
Kai and Carter definitely have some tension in the beginning, but it never quite reaches that true enemies level. Kai resists a little, sure, but Carter? He accepts the marriage without much of a fight. And the second they say “I do”? Boom, they’re all over each other.
Look, when I pick up an enemies-to-lovers book, I need the build-up. I need the tension, the push and pull, the angst. I want to feel that struggle before they finally give in. That just wasn’t here, and without that slow burn or emotional conflict, the romance felt a little too easy for me.
That said, it wasn’t a bad book. The premise was solid, and if you’re looking for a fast-paced Mafia romance with some heat, this might work for you. But if you’re craving that delicious slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers tension, you might walk away feeling a little underwhelmed like I did.
Kai and Carter definitely have some tension in the beginning, but it never quite reaches that true enemies level. Kai resists a little, sure, but Carter? He accepts the marriage without much of a fight. And the second they say “I do”? Boom, they’re all over each other.
Look, when I pick up an enemies-to-lovers book, I need the build-up. I need the tension, the push and pull, the angst. I want to feel that struggle before they finally give in. That just wasn’t here, and without that slow burn or emotional conflict, the romance felt a little too easy for me.
That said, it wasn’t a bad book. The premise was solid, and if you’re looking for a fast-paced Mafia romance with some heat, this might work for you. But if you’re craving that delicious slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers tension, you might walk away feeling a little underwhelmed like I did.
Never Will I Ever by CE Ricci
I have to give credit where it’s due: when an author can make you feel for the so-called “bad guy,” you know they’ve done an incredible job.
Never Will I Ever is proof that redemption arcs, when done right, can be just as powerful as the love stories they accompany. If you’re hesitant to give Avery a second chance, trust me, C.E. Ricci will make you believe in him.
5.0
Full Disclosure, Don’t You Dare is my #1 favorite Best Friends to Lovers MM Romance. Aspen and Keene live rent free in my head. So while Never Will I Ever is technically a standalone novel, I highly recommend reading Don’t You Dare first to fully appreciate the story, especially because this one revolves around Avery Reynolds, a character I never expected (or wanted) to root for.
When I first met Avery in DYD, I had zero desire to see him redeemed. What he did to Keene and Aspen was unforgivable, and the fallout? Completely deserved. So going into this, I wasn’t exactly eager for a redemption arc. But C.E. Ricci has a way of making me feel things I didn’t expect, and somehow, Never Will I Ever became the story I didn’t know I needed.
The summer camp setting was a fantastic backdrop for this story, adding a fresh and heartfelt element that made everything feel even more immersive.
Avery’s journey in this book is full of growth, self-discovery, and against all odds, redemption. Watching him struggle with his identity and slowly open himself up, especially through his interactions with the kids at camp, was incredibly rewarding. His relationship with Elijah, in particular, melted my heart. That kid stole every scene he was in, and by the time he called Avery after he left camp, I was a mess of emotions.
And then there’s Kaleb LaMothe, also from DYD. I loved his steady, unwavering nature. How he cared for the kids, his bond with his twin brothers, and the way he made Avery work for every inch of his affection. Their dynamic was so well done, and I genuinely enjoyed watching their relationship evolve.
And just when I thought I had my emotions under control, Ricci hit me with Aspen and Keene’s appearance at the end and I’m reminded why I love those two.
When I first met Avery in DYD, I had zero desire to see him redeemed. What he did to Keene and Aspen was unforgivable, and the fallout? Completely deserved. So going into this, I wasn’t exactly eager for a redemption arc. But C.E. Ricci has a way of making me feel things I didn’t expect, and somehow, Never Will I Ever became the story I didn’t know I needed.
The summer camp setting was a fantastic backdrop for this story, adding a fresh and heartfelt element that made everything feel even more immersive.
Avery’s journey in this book is full of growth, self-discovery, and against all odds, redemption. Watching him struggle with his identity and slowly open himself up, especially through his interactions with the kids at camp, was incredibly rewarding. His relationship with Elijah, in particular, melted my heart. That kid stole every scene he was in, and by the time he called Avery after he left camp, I was a mess of emotions.
And then there’s Kaleb LaMothe, also from DYD. I loved his steady, unwavering nature. How he cared for the kids, his bond with his twin brothers, and the way he made Avery work for every inch of his affection. Their dynamic was so well done, and I genuinely enjoyed watching their relationship evolve.
And just when I thought I had my emotions under control, Ricci hit me with Aspen and Keene’s appearance at the end and I’m reminded why I love those two.
But before I walk away, I stop myself, having one more thing to say. “Thank you.” He gives me a faint nod, brow arched in challenge. “Don’t screw it up.” Never again. Not in a million years. “Did I miss something?” Aspen mutters under his breath just as I start toward my car. I hear Keene’s low chuckle before he says, “Yeah, but it’s not my story to tell.” Warmth floods me instantly, despite the statement not being meant for my ears. Because it’s still for my benefit, even when he doesn’t owe me a damn thing. I was cruel, hateful, and the worst kind of human to them both, and most people wouldn’t hesitate to return the favor. They’d take their knowledge and fight fire with fire, letting the power it holds destroy anything in its path. Instead, he tucks it in his back pocket for safekeeping. If that isn’t forgiveness, I don’t know what is.
I have to give credit where it’s due: when an author can make you feel for the so-called “bad guy,” you know they’ve done an incredible job.
“I’m so fucking in love with you, Kaleb. So I’ll give you my all—every shameful, imperfect part of me—and I can only hope it’s worth a fraction of you.”
Never Will I Ever is proof that redemption arcs, when done right, can be just as powerful as the love stories they accompany. If you’re hesitant to give Avery a second chance, trust me, C.E. Ricci will make you believe in him.
10 Things That Never Happened by Alexis Hall
3.0
I had really high hopes for this book. A RomCom with fake amnesia? With your boss?? To avoid getting fired??? Yes, please. The premise was golden, the banter was top-tier (no surprise from Alexis Hall), and there were plenty of moments that had me smiling. But…big but here…there was one thing that really dragged this book down for me: Jonathan’s family.
Now, I love a good found-family or quirky side characters, but this? This was a lot. A bulk of the book involves Sam staying at Jonathan’s house and constantly interacting with his overly involved, chaotic family. And instead of finding them endearing, I just found them exhausting. Every time they were all in a room together, it felt like the story was spinning in circles instead of moving forward. When Sam stepped outside to get some air at one point, I honestly felt like I needed to do the same, and I wasn’t even in the book!
Because of that, the romance which should arguably be the most important part of a romance novel, felt overshadowed. I really wanted to see more development between Sam and Jonathan, but so much of their dynamic kept getting buried under the family antics. I struggled not to DNF, but I powered through.
That being said, there were great things about this book. Hall’s humor is always on point, and when the romance did get a chance to shine, I liked it. If the family dynamic had been dialed back a little to let the love story breathe, I think I would have rated this much higher. As it stands, it was just okay for me. But if you love big, meddling families in your rom-coms, this one might work better for you!
Now, I love a good found-family or quirky side characters, but this? This was a lot. A bulk of the book involves Sam staying at Jonathan’s house and constantly interacting with his overly involved, chaotic family. And instead of finding them endearing, I just found them exhausting. Every time they were all in a room together, it felt like the story was spinning in circles instead of moving forward. When Sam stepped outside to get some air at one point, I honestly felt like I needed to do the same, and I wasn’t even in the book!
Because of that, the romance which should arguably be the most important part of a romance novel, felt overshadowed. I really wanted to see more development between Sam and Jonathan, but so much of their dynamic kept getting buried under the family antics. I struggled not to DNF, but I powered through.
That being said, there were great things about this book. Hall’s humor is always on point, and when the romance did get a chance to shine, I liked it. If the family dynamic had been dialed back a little to let the love story breathe, I think I would have rated this much higher. As it stands, it was just okay for me. But if you love big, meddling families in your rom-coms, this one might work better for you!