katvou's reviews
529 reviews

Fast-paced dark and twisted Swan Lake retelling with a revenge plot. Second book in The Royal Ballet Presents series, but can be read as a standalone.

I liked how the FMC, Maeve, had two completely different sides to her as a character. On the outside, she was a prim and proper heiress and a prima ballerina, but on the other side, she was a thrill-seeking car thief. I liked how she let her “darker” side come to the surface more and more throughout the book as she spent more time with her stepbrother, Diego.

The chemistry and dynamic between Maeve and Diego were toxic, but also hot af. They were drawn to each other immediately but both of them tried to fight back. The spice between them was spicing and there were some great banter scenes too.

Please check the TW/CW before reading!


“No one knows the real me, and that’s the only reason I’m still alive.”
“I wonder if they would notice if I broke? If I crack and spill, if I’m everything I’m not supposed to be.”
“How can I despise someone so much and want her at the same intensity?”
“The performance is a lie, but so is everything else about me. It doesn’t matter.”


I received an ARC of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review. Receiving ARC didn’t affect my opinion of the book.

Short, cringy, and funny, just pure smut filled with funny innuendos and creative names for body parts (meat sword, lovesicle, etc.). I was basically laughing the whole time I was reading and now I’m questioning my life choices.

Definitely check this out if you want something short, fun, filthy and cringeworthy.


“What kind of fun do you want to have, Pookie?”
“Can you handle me, Pookie? Once I start… I don’t know if I will be able to stop.”


I received an ARC of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review. Receiving ARC didn’t affect my opinion of the book.

Carmine and Sienna have my heart. Their story was beautiful and they have amazing chemistry! You could really feel their desire for each other from the moment they met. I need Carmine in my life!

The worldbuilding was beautifully written and I loved learning more and more about the characters and their pasts throughout the story. Reading this truly felt like watching a movie. Loved the spooky, gothic vibes.

The timeline of the book is short and events happen relatively quickly, but the plot was never rushed and the short timeline fit the plot perfectly.

I love the Nightmare Before Christmas and it was nice to see mentions of it sprinkled throughout the story.


“The smoke and mirrors dissipate, but the brick wall remains stronger than ever around my heart.”
“I’ll give a man a night, but I won’t promise any man my tomorrow.”
“Carmine Moretti is nothing I expected him to be, but somehow, he is everything I wanted him to be.”
“It’s not a question of what you can unlock, it’s a question of what you want me to unlock for you”
“I would rather her shoot me in a fit of rage than live another second of this wicked life without her. Without us.”
“He is the needle. I am the thread. Together, we will weave a beautiful nightmare from the dead.”

Short and spicy MMMFF novella with masked characters

Loved the relationship and friendship between Sloane and Simon, and when you add their friends to the mix... 🥵🔥

The chemistry between the characters was amazing, and who doesn’t love masked cosplayers? Asher’s awakening and the portrayal of different sexual orientations were well written. I loved the dynamics between the characters, and the spice was really spicing.


“This is quite the set-up, ya know. You didn’t tell me I’d be walking into a gamer-girl’s walking, wet fantasy.”
“I may not like men, but I’ll turn them all into good puppies with you together.”
“If one more person flirts with my fucking wife tonight, I’m kicking their asses.”
“You all ready to make our fantasies come to life?”
“Every one of you is a degrading loving whore—dear God.”


I received an ARC of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review. Receiving ARC didn’t affect my opinion of the book.

Short and fast-paced stepbrother romance. Part of The Clear View Country Club shared world series but can be read as a standalone.

The FMC and MMC suddenly end up meeting and becoming roommates after their parents start dating. They feel an instant attraction to each other, even though they both know they probably shouldn’t be together.

There’s a lot happening, with some mystery and suspense, family drama, and of course, spice.


“Wow. Asking your stepbrother on a date? How taboo of you.”
“Wanting her gone was one thing, but wanting her for myself is something I’m not sure I should be doing. But I’ve never been one to live by the rules, so why start now?”
“The thing about trauma is that you can act like you’re fine, and then one look, one moment, one smell or stupid dream can bring it all rushing back.”


I received an ARC of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review. Receiving ARC didn’t affect my opinion of the book.

Amazing sapphic dark fantasy romance filled with tension and banter.

Both main characters were interesting, one ruling her kingdom under the surface and the other above ground and in the sky. Vaela was more confident, knowing what she wanted and how to get it. Her sassy attitude and comments had me laughing multiple times. Nyxara on the other hand was more reserved and seemed more insecure about herself and her feelings, partially because of her past experiences.

The storyline was fast-paced and filled with action. There was a lot happening but also a lot of time for character and relationship development. The tension between Vaela and Nyxara was amazing! And they definitely had chemistry.

I couldn’t put this book down and devoured it in one sitting.


“I’ve made my move. Now, it’s only a matter of time before our deadly game truly begins.”
“Do you watch all your prisoners sleep? Or should I be flattered?”
“Careful, little siren. You’re in my domain now, and I intend to keep you indefinitely.”
"Well, well. The mighty Dragon Queen bleeds just like the rest of us."
“She’s not just afraid of my power. She’s afraid of me. Afraid of how much she wants me. Afraid of what it means.”
"If you wish to play games, siren, do not be surprised when you get burnt."
"Let me show you how a siren devours a queen."


I had the honor and pleasure of both BETA & ARC reading this book. Thank you so much, Melissa! 🖤
BETA & ARC reading didn’t affect my opinion of the book and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.

DNF after 90 pages (30%)

The blurb sounded interesting, and the beginning of the book was promising. The magic system seemed unique and had potential.

Unfortunately, the dialogue was quite clunky and awkward. There was also a lot of info-dumping during dialogue, and I didn’t really connect with the characters.

Also, the whole passage about Black faeries compared to other colors of faeries felt like a racist stereotype.

Action-packed dark mafia romance with tropes like forbidden romance, second chance and first love.

The book starts when the main characters meet at 16 and 19 and continues to follow them over multiple years. I liked how the relationship between Mina and Jude developed throughout the years, starting as a friendship but slowly developing into more.

Mina and Jude’s story went through many ups and downs over the years, but at the end they got the ending they deserved.

I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.


“Why be raised with a sense of right and wrong when your entire life is built on only doing the wrong thing?”
“You make marriage sound like a prison sentence.”
“You think you’re the only man in my life? If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were jealous.”


I received an ARC of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review. Receiving ARC didn’t affect my opinion of the book.

This book was amazing! Slow burn, alliance between enemies, Gods and Goddesses, magic, everything you need from a great fantasy book.

The FMC, Ivy Pomeroy, was bound to a ruthless king, but she wasn’t tamed by him. She was strong and fierce, sharp tongued, and fearless. At times she reminded me a bit of Aelin from ToG. Her magic was really interesting and I would love to learn more about it. The banter and chemistry between her and the MMC, Throne, were so good.

The plot was fast-paced and kept me hooked. There were multiple plot twists I didn’t see coming. I couldn’t put the book down and can’t wait to read more!


“I threw a dagger at your face, and you decided to elevate me to friend instead of enemy?”
“The reminder of how everyone sees me stings. I’m not a person. I’m a thing. A dark, monstrous creature creeping through their nightmares.”
“It seems I’m constantly on my worst behavior whenever you’re around.”
“I know we should stop, but I can’t. His skin on mine is an addiction I’ve only just begun to indulge.”


Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC! Receiving ARC didn’t affect my opinion of the book and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.

An emotional story that highlights living with mental health issues and struggles in daily life, but also a journey of friendship and love.

The story of Brax and Ophelia wasn’t an easy one. They were both struggling in their own ways and their past issues clearly affected their decisions and who they were as characters. Loved the strong friendships between the characters and how they were truly there for each other no matter what happened.

The plot was fast-paced, but never rushed. The characters were realistic and a lot of times I was able to relate to what Ophelia was experiencing. This was an emotional rollercoaster. There were some funny parts in the middle, but the ending (especially the letters) made me cry.


“I either love something intensely or not at all. Black or white. No gray.”
“I guess that’s the thing about people; you don’t really know them until you get to know them.”
“I am feeling the highs, the lows, and everything in between—all the emotions. The tornado of my life reappears, now spiraling out of control.”
“Please live—live for me.”