justabooktrovert's reviews
1065 reviews

Okay, so I have to admit, this book and I had a bit of a journey. I borrowed it from KU not once, but twice last year, and both times, I stalled out around 25%. Which is weird, because stepbrother romance? That’s usually my jam. But for whatever reason, I just wasn’t feeling it. Maybe it was a mood thing (because let’s be real, mood reading can be a b*tch).

Fast forward to today and book 2 just released, and my curiosity won out. So, I gave it another shot, determined to finish it so I could dive into the sequel. And honestly? I’m glad I did, but I also can’t help but feel like there was a lot of untapped potential here.

The story allegedly leans on two big tropes: stepbrothers (or former stepbrothers?) and marriage of convenience. But the thing is, both of those elements kind of faded into the background. Rather than fully embracing the delicious tension those tropes could bring, the book felt more like a bi-awakening, friends-with-benefits college romance. Fun, but missing that extra spark that could’ve made it great.

Character growth? Solid. 
Chemistry? Definitely there. 
Spice? Oh yeah, plenty. Maybe even a little too much, because after a while, the steamy scenes started to feel a bit repetitive, and I found myself skimming. 

What I really wanted…what I was craving, was more emotional depth, more intimacy outside of the physical. And while the book does get there eventually, it takes its sweet time, and by then, I was already feeling that lack.

Overall, it was a good read, but I wanted more. More tension, more emotional connection, more of those tropes being fully utilized rather than just existing in the background. Will I read book 2? Probably, because I’m intrigued. But this one, for me, landed somewhere in the middle.

Presidential Wars from this series was my favorite, so I didn’t just read Royal Scoundrel, I inhaled it! As a prequel to the Frat Wars series, this novella gives us the origin story of Charles’ dads, Archie and Dash, and it was everything. 

Seeing Archie and Dash’s love story unfold two decades before Presidential Wars was everything. 

The banter? Impeccable. 
The chemistry? Off the charts. 
The emotions? Yeah, I totally teared up at the end, no shame. 

Saxon James gave us just enough to leave me both satisfied and desperate for more. If only this were a full-length novel because I would absolutely read an entire book of these two.

Short but oh-so-sweet, this novella is the perfect treat for fans of the series. If you loved Presidential Wars, this is a must-read. Highly recommend!

The story would have been stronger if Hunter had clarified why he wanted Adam as his fake date. Using Adam’s appearance as "shock value" to get back at his snobbish mother felt shallow. Overall, it’s a very short but decent read, though it has a few problematic elements.

This is super short, with seemingly likable characters, but we don’t really get to know them since the story is so brief. Still, it’s a good quick read, though I definitely wished for more!

Bent Backwards takes us through the same timeline as Bent, but this time from Ethan’s POV and it’s just as intense. While Oliver’s longing felt painfully unrequited in Bent, here we see Ethan drowning in just as much (if not more) obsession, denial, and angst. He may be better at lying to himself, but his feelings for Ollie were undeniable, and watching him finally fall and fight to make things right, was incredibly satisfying. Paired with Bent, this is an emotional rollercoaster of a love story. Just a heads-up for readers who dislike cheating, but if you love angst with a rewarding HEA, this one won’t disappoint!

This is a sweet and sexy novella that I loved every bit of! With fun banter, sizzling chemistry, and a feel-good romance, it’s the perfect pick-me-up when you need a light and uplifting read.

This gives us Sam’s POV, and I loved revisiting this story through his eyes! While it was great to see his perspective, it was a bit bittersweet experiencing how he perceived Lane’s reluctance for a relationship. Still, that epilogue made it all worth it. A fantastic companion to the original!

This was a new-to-me author, and I was intrigued by the premise. The storytelling was solid, and I started out strong, fully invested in the characters and their dynamic. However, just over the halfway mark, I struggled to stay engaged. The story felt unnecessarily long, which slowed the momentum for me. That said, I’m a mood reader, so it could have been a me problem. Still, it had its strengths, and I’d be open to reading more from this author in the future.

Okay, Iron Flame was a lot. This sequel hits the ground running and does not let up. The stakes are higher, the twists are wilder, and Violet is once again put through absolute hell (seriously, can she catch a break?). If you loved Fourth Wing, you’ll probably be just as hooked on this one.

What really stood out to me? The action is intense, the emotional gut punches land hard, and the world-building deepens in a way that makes everything feel even more immersive. Violet continues to be a badass, even when she’s barely holding it together, and her character growth is one of the book’s biggest strengths. The romance? Still very much there, though it sometimes takes a backseat to the growing war and political intrigue. And I loved seeing more development for the side characters. They really get a chance to shine.

That said, this wasn’t a perfect read for me. The pacing felt uneven; some scenes dragged while others raced by too quickly. A few plot twists leaned a little too much on convenience, and there were moments where the internal monologue and dialogue became really repetitive. But despite those issues, I was completely invested.

And then there’s the ending. My heart? Absolutely shattered. Just when I thought I had processed the emotional wreckage, boom…that final twist landed and left me reeling. Thankfully, I have Onyx Storm ready to jump into, because I need answers.

Overall, Iron Flame delivers on action, angst, and high-stakes drama. It’s not perfect, but it’s an addictive, emotional ride that kept me flipping pages late into the night. Definitely worth the read. Just brace yourself for some serious emotional damage.

As the fifth book in the Accidental Love series, Not Catching Love leans more into Xander’s personal healing than the romance itself. With his struggles left undiagnosed and untreated, much of the story follows his journey toward better mental health rather than the development of his relationship with Derek. While I appreciated that love wasn’t depicted as an instant fix, the romance took a backseat, making this feel more like Xander’s self-growth story than a love story.

Derek, though caring, wasn’t as engaging as other characters in the series. His mixed signals regarding boundaries added some frustration to their dynamic. Still, it’s a thoughtful read with a strong focus on mental health, offering a different but meaningful take on love and self-acceptance.