koistyfishy's reviews
357 reviews

3.5 Love Handles Stars ⭐️
Spicy Level: 🌶️🌶️.5/5

You know when a book title gives you a certain expectation, but then you read the book and realize you were totally off the mark? Yeah… that was this book!!! I went in expecting some kind of Valentine’s Day romance between a girl and a demon, only to end up with two characters bonding over jazz music and a song I’ve never heard of...

𝙎𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨:
We start with Asmodeus, Belial, Mephistopheles and Raum, who have all escaped from Hell, deciding to try their luck at living like humans. The problem? Asmodeus has been cursed... a curse that robs him of any kind of pleasure or sensation. He can’t taste, smell, feel, or see colour, and to top it off, anyone who might have found him "attractive" now sees him as appealing as mouldy sandpaper. He has lived in isolation, untouched and unnoticed for millennia. One night, they visit a jazz club, and Asmodeus finds himself mesmerized by a violinist on stage. Their eyes meet, and something shifts. That violinist is Evangeline and when she walks over to introduce herself, it sets everything into motion. But here’s the kicker, these demons aren’t supposed to be here, and now that they’ve broken free, they’re being hunted. And when a gargoyle tracks them down, and Evie sees their demon forms... things get complicated.

𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨:
Evangeline is interesting. She’s badass, but at times, way too chill about what’s happening. Like, girl, you just saw a full-on demon execution and your reaction is… mild concern? She has one brief moment of freaking out, and then she’s fine, which made some of her reactions feel a little too blasé. I would’ve liked a bit more depth to how she processed everything. And her mother's advice... "Maybe you should explore this"... Because apparently, almost witnessing a demon battle to the death is not a reason to run for the hills.

Asmodeus and his demon brothers are adorable. And yes, I just called demons adorable! Asmodeus, in particular, is the least attuned to human norms... probably because, for the last three millennia, no one has paid him any attention. He has no idea how to interact with people, which results in this hilariously HIMBO energy. He’s clueless about basic human customs, norms and technology - especially things like how television works. It was just stupidly cute.

I didn’t expect this to have multiple POVs, but it really added to the story. You can tell Aurora Ascher really did her research on demonology, and while some creative liberties were taken with the characters’ personalities and backstories, a lot of their story is based on traditional biblical lore. And listen, BECAUSE I am obsessed with learning random things from books, I loved going down the rabbit hole of researching who these demons were and what they stood for.

Even though he is not the main MMC in this, Belial might be my favourite. He has zero chill and the worst temper, and when he gets angry, he has "little flame" temper tantrums. It was hilarious and endearing how his brothers and Evie calmed him down. I think that's a big thing that I loved about this book, how strong the bonds were between the brothers! I loved seeing how this ragtag group of escaped demons had become a brotherhood... fiercely protective of each other in a world that didn’t want them to exist.

Now there isn't much plot to this story, but it is a fun ride! The characters carry it, and for me, that was enough. I loved watching Asmodeus and Evangeline bond over something as human as music... Seeing them connect through that, how their shared passion brought them together and changed them, was unexpectedly sweet.

There was one thing that annoyed me... The one demon's name is RIDICULOUS and I HAVE NO CLUE how to pronounce it... Mishetsumephtai. Every time I saw it, I mentally rolled my eyes and just skimmed over it because, honestly, I wasn’t about to butcher it in my head.

𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨 and 𝙈𝙞𝙘𝙧𝙤 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨::
▶ DemonXHuman Relationship
▶ Touch Her You Die
▶ Burn The World for You
▶ Band of Brothers
▶ Hidden Identity
▶ Winged MMC
▶ "Mine"
▶ "More"

Overall, this book wasn’t what I expected, but that ended up being a good thing. I went in blind and got a unique, slow-burn connection between two unlikely characters, bonded by music and shaped by their circumstances. It was fun, it was engaging, and it gave me a demon MMC who had no clue how anything worked, which is always a win. My expectations were completely shattered but in the best way possible.

Thank you so much to Kensington Publishing, Netgalley and Aurora Ascher for the gifted copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own 

4 There Stars ⭐️
Spicy Level:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

Okay, what the actual fuck is in this book?! Because holy hell, it is unhinged...like, on a whole different level than expected. Fair warning, leave your morals at the door because you cannot have many while reading this...because wow!!!

𝙎𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨:
Billie Scott is an amateur MMA fighter, desperately trying to break into the professional leagues. The only problem is she’s from an underprivileged community, with no money and no safety net. Her family runs a gang, and since she was born into that life, she’s tangled up in gang life too. A few years ago, when her gang was overthrown as the dominant force in the area, she ended up on the wrong side of Caden King. He caught her, forced her into an extremely non-consensual situation (that he filmed), and then used that leverage to keep her silent. Now, years later, their paths cross again. Caden needs a mule to transport illegal weapons, and he forces Billie to do it, threatening her with the blackmail he’s been holding over her. She wants nothing to do with him, especially because getting involved in anything illegal would destroy her shot at going pro. But, of course, forced proximity changes things... whether she wants it to or not.

𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨:
Now, I fucking loved Billie. She is a badass, a sassy queen who knows how to take a punch and throw one. But at the end of the day, she’s still a woman, and when it comes to situations with men (especially multiple men) there’s only so much she can do. The strength gap is real, and I liked that the book didn’t ignore that. But she never backs down from a challenge, and despite life being an absolute bitch to her, she refuses to give up. She has this grit that makes you root for her even when she’s making questionable decisions.

And then there’s Caden King. Probably the most fucked up MMC I have ever read. There were multiple moments where I had to stop and go, “Okay, hold on, what the actual fuck am I reading? Is this really happening right now?” And it wasn’t just once. It wasn’t twice. It was at least three times that I had to take a pause and breathe because this man is not right in the head. He is disturbed, dark, depraved, and absolutely unhinged. But did I keep reading? Of course I did!!!! Because your girl is completely fucked in the head when it comes to fictional men like this.

Many men in "Dark Romance" do not have the word no in their vocabulary, and you can guarantee that Caden King has never heard that word in his life. He has no comprehension of it. If he wants something, he takes it, and people are too shit-scared of him to tell him otherwise. So the fact that he has his sights set on Billie? There’s nothing she can do about it!!!

This is almost a modern-day, darker Romeo and Juliet. There’s a lot of gang violence, but at the same time, there’s this undercurrent of sweetness in their relationship, which makes zero sense given what they’ve been through, and yet it works. The willingness to die and sacrifice for each other is so ridiculously poetic. And when you combine that with the lyrical, prosaic writing style, this book hits on another level. Billie hates Caden for what he did to her, and yet… slowly, her perception of him shifts. Does he grovel? Absolutely not! Quite frankly, I don’t think that word is in his vocabulary either. But he exudes this raw, terrifying power, and Billie knows she’s safest with him because he would literally kill anyone who even looks at her wrong.

Caden takes "touch her and die" to an extreme level. And he proves it. Multiple times.

Now, my only real issue is that I wanted more plot. This book is extremely character-driven, focusing almost entirely on Billie and Caden’s dynamic, their attraction, and how they navigate their relationship in a world that is actively trying to tear them apart. At times, I was looking for something to happen beyond the relationship, and it just wasn’t there. The stakes in this book aren’t tied to some high-intensity external plot... the plot is them and the forbidden aspect of their relationship is the high-stakes element.

I also wanted to see a bit more development in their transition from enemies to lovers. There was a bit of a quick jump from outright hatred to love, and while we’re told "they’ve spent a lot of time together, talking, getting to know each other", I wanted to see more of that on page. It was implied rather than fully shown, and I think the slow burn would have been even better if we had seen that shift happen.

Let’s talk spice. The spice is SPICING!!! This is very much a control dynamic, with Caden being the one who takes, but he gives (if you know what I mean) just as much as he demands. He is generous with Billie, and their attraction is explosive. It’s the kind of chemistry that sizzles on page and leaves you breathless.

I have almost a hundred highlights in this book. That’s… a lot for a first read-through. But there were so many quotes, so many passages, that resonated or were just straight-up gorgeous that I couldn’t NOT highlight them.

𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▶ Enemies to Lovers ("Mafia Vibes" from Gangs)
▶ Non-Con and CNC
▶ Touch Her You Die
▶ Bully Romance
▶ Forbidden Romance
▶ Burn the World for you

and 𝙈𝙞𝙘𝙧𝙤 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▷ Forehead Kisses
▷ Car and Phone Sex
▷ Throws her over his shoulder
▷ "Crawl to me"
▷ "Mine"
▷ Washes Her Hair
▷ Grey Sweatpants
▷ Pierced MMC
▷ "Look at Me"
▷ Tattoo's Her
▷ Knife to the Throat
▷ Steamy Spicy Water Scene

and 𝙎𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙆𝙞𝙣𝙠𝙨:
➣ Squirting
➣ Tied Up
➣ Primal Play
➣ Hand Necklaces
➣ Biting
➣ Spanking
➣ Degradation and Praise

Now, would I recommend this to someone new to dark romance? Absolutely not!!! This book will make a normal person uncomfortable. The level of darkness in here is not for the faint of heart. But if you are a seasoned dark romance reader, if you love an MMC who is dominant, alpha, and would 100% kill someone just for breathing wrong in your direction, then I highly recommend picking this up.

Because holy shit, it hit all the right places!!! 

3.5 Engraved Watch Stars ⭐️
Spicy Level:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

If you want a book that is basically just sex with a tiny sprinkling of plot, then this is the book for you. There is a lot of smut; it starts early and continues at an almost constant rate throughout the book.

𝙎𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨:
Sebastian is an 18-year-old Italian who has moved to London and taken a job as a chauffeur for Savannah Meyers, the wife of the very, very famous movie star Adam Meyers. Sebastian is instantly attracted to Savannah, and the more time they spend together, the closer they become. One day, he makes her pleasure herself in the backseat of the car while watching her. Not long after, Sebastian drops his screenplay (something he has been working on for years), and Savannah picks it up, reads it, and is instantly intrigued. She shows it to her husband, and Adam makes him a proposition: if Sebastian agrees to be their "third", they will help him make the right connections to turn his screenplay into a movie and catapult him to fame. So why would he say no to that?

𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨:
This is a dual-POV story told primarily from Sebastian’s perspective, with occasional chapters from Adam. Savannah’s POV is left out, which to me felt super strategic and intentional. It almost seems as if she was meant to be "objectified" in the dynamic between Adam and Sebastian rather than being a fully developed character.

Sebastian is your stereotypical passionate and emotional Italian. He has this innocence about him, with rose-coloured glasses firmly in place, but he also has an intrinsic determination to succeed. He is intensely driven and fiercely loyal to the people he cares about. When Adam and Savannah become part of his world, he protects them as if they are his own, yearning to make them happy in the same way he craves his own success.

Adam, on the other hand is stoic, dominant, and fights to remain "controlled". He is closed off, which makes sense given his celebrity status and the need to guard himself against those who might use or manipulate him. It takes time for him to let his walls down and accept that he is developing feelings, especially because he has spent his life adhering to a traditional, heteronormative mould. Anything that deviates from that is a direct threat to his career, and reputation, and will not be tolerated. His internal struggle makes his story- arc compelling, even if it is frustrating to watch unfold and you just want to tell him, PEOPLE WON'T CARE IF YOU ARE BI!

Savannah… Savannah is selfish, manipulative, and greedy. She knows how to play the game, using Adam as a pawn to further her own ambitions. I struggled to get a proper read on her, and I think that was intentional. While this is technically an MFM romance, it almost feels like a bizarre love triangle. You’re constantly questioning whether this will develop into a fully functional throuple or if it’s merely the prelude to Adam’s coming-out story and Sebastian’s bi-awakening and their eventual MM relationship.

As I mentioned, a lot of this book is just sex. These characters have a raw, carnal desire for each other, and it is explored openly and relentlessly on the page. But at times, I found myself craving more plot. With so much focus on the sex, I wanted a little more substance to balance it out.
One thing that confused me was the side characters, specifically the dynamic between Sebastian and one of Savannah’s friend’s daughter - who is 16. Sebastian is 18, technically still a teenager, and because he’s an intrinsic flirt, I wasn’t entirely sure where their relationship was going. There were moments when it felt like it could become something, but at the same time, it never fully crossed that line. So it was a little confusing and weird since he was being sexually active with a 28 and 34-year-old.

The writing itself is stunning. The poetic prose, and the symbolism of the sun, moon, and stars… it was beautiful how it all ties into Sebastian’s romanticized view of love. Everything about his character is larger than life, and his emotions reflect that. His love isn’t simple; it’s epic!

And just when you think things are reaching some kind of resolution, the book hits you with a cliffhanger that will leave you reeling. Seriously, what the fuck kind of ending was that?!

𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▶ Billionaire Romance/Celebrity Romance
▶ MFM, MMF, FMM...??? OH I dunno if its a throuple, love triangle or eventual MM Romance
▶ Age Gap (18, 28, 34)
▶ BossXEmployee
▶ Strangers to Lovers
▶ Marriage in Trouble

▶ Fourth Act Breakup

and 𝙈𝙞𝙘𝙧𝙤 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▷ "Mine"
▷ Cages her with his arms
▷ "Good Boy"
▷ Bi Awakening
▷ Hand Necklaces
▷ Degradation and Praise
▷ "Look at Me"

Overall, this is pure steamy escapism. It’s dark, sexy, and indulgent. If you’re looking for something thought-provoking or deeply emotional, this might not be for you. But if you want a messy, tension-filled, absolutely unhinged ride? Buckle up!!!

Thank you to ValentinePR and Giana Darling for the gifted copy.
All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

2.5 Stained Glass Stars ⭐️
Spicy Level:🌶️🌶️.5/5

Calling your book Designed for Disaster might be setting yourself up for disaster... AND WOULD YOU LOOK AT THAT...

Yeah, this one was not for me! And coming off of really enjoying Aidan’s story, this just lacked everything I was hoping for.

𝙎𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨:
This follows Trent and Natalie. Natalie works several odd jobs to fund her furniture-making business and one day has a bad run-in with Coffeezilla AKA Trent at the coffee shop where she’s employed. Their encounter gets her fired, but by some twisted fate, Trent unknowingly hires her to design furniture for his grandmother (OUR NANA DEE). When Natalie, the “hellcat” from the coffee shop, shows up at Dee’s house, Trent realizes it’s her. Seeing how happy Dee seems at the sight of his supposed “girlfriend,” he persuades Natalie to keep up the act. In exchange, she gets a job at his prestigious furniture company and the chance to design a sustainable furniture line. The two must navigate their differences, explosive banter, and mutual stubbornness to figure out if there’s something more between them than just a fake arrangement.

𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨:
I really liked Natalie. She’s self-sufficient, determined, and doesn’t let anyone push her around. Right from the start, you can tell she’s guarded, careful with her heart, and burned from a bad past relationship. She’s clear about her goals and doesn’t waver in what she wants, which makes her a compelling and grounded character.

Trent, on the other hand, was the main reason this book fell flat for me. I wanted to like him, I really did! I might have developed high expectations based on the build-up of who he was based on his glimpses in the previous books... But I struggled to get past his personality. Yes, he’s the typical brooding businessman with bottled-up emotions, but his protective nature over his family and company came off more as arrogance than charm. His strained relationship with his parents (who sound like they came straight from a soap opera) creates tension in his relationship with Natalie. And while I can understand that trauma shapes people, it didn’t make me empathize with him in the way I wanted to.

The biggest problem was the lack of chemistry between Natalie and Trent. They were always at odds, they have different ideals, different outlooks on life, and different perspectives on relationships. Even in opposites-attract romances, there’s usually some aspect where the couple clicks or at least connects through their banter. With these two, it felt like they were constantly clashing, misunderstanding each other, and talking past each other. There was no sense of connection, just a series of miscommunications and unresolved tension.

Now both characters are guarded due to being hurt in the past, but instead of creating depth, it only adds to the miscommunication that drives the story. The third-act breakup felt forced, hinging on yet another misunderstanding and unfounded assumptions. While there was grovelling and begging for forgiveness after the fallout from Trent (because obviously he is the one that messes up), it didn’t feel genuine. Their relationship lacked the foundation to make me believe they could stand the test of time.

Leslie North often relies on the idea that just because two characters spend time together, the romance will naturally fall into place. And while that can work in fluffy, lighthearted romances, it just didn’t land here. I wanted to see actual development in their relationship, not just time spent together implying love.

𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▶ Workplace Romance (Boss X Employee)
▶ Enemies to Lovers
▶ Forced Proximity
▶ Fake Dating
▶ Poor Girl X Rich Boy
▶ Band of Brothers

▶Miscommunication
▶ Third Act Breakup

and 𝙈𝙞𝙘𝙧𝙤 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▷ Grovelling
▷ "Good Girl"
▷ Suit Daddy
▷ Rolled Sleeves/Forearms
▷ Nicknames
▷ Don't Stop
▷ Banter

In the end...it had some cute moments (I mean he bought her a CHURCH) and I got to see more of Nana Dee. But that doesn't fully counterbalance that for me it lacked depth and emotional resonance. So as a result, the romance didn’t feel profound or satisfying.

Thank you to Netgalley, Relay Publishing and Leslie North for the gifted copy.
All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

5 Leather Jacket Stars ⭐️
Spicy Level:🌶️🌶️.5/5

Holy shit, what *crack* is in this book?

Because I am hooked, addicted, obsessed, and quite possibly possessed! I thought I was in a fantasy slump, but it turns out I was just in an epic fantasy slump. This paranormal fantasy gave me everything I needed—dark, dirty, seductive, depraved, violent and vicious... and yet t captivates you in a way that feels almost illegal

𝙎𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨:
Evangeline Silverwood is on a mission to find her sister, who was taken by vampires one day and never heard from again. Following breadcrumbs to a small town, she takes a job as a bartender and sometimes “fighter” in illegal matches at the bar where she works, trading wins for information on her sister’s whereabouts. She finally discovers where her sister is being held and hatches a harebrained scheme to rescue her, but that means breaking into enemy vampire territory and surviving. The plan goes horribly wrong, and Evangeline is forced to become the very monster she was trained her entire childhood to kill. To make matters worse, she finds herself tied to two vampires who are basically sex on legs, Blake Marten and Riordan Graves and right in the middle of a vampire political war that is only getting started.

Evie is a fierce, badass spitfire who is so determined, committed and on a mission to find her sister, that she’ll stop at nothing until she achieves it. She is smart (and not just intellectual) but has a sense of "street smarts" that make her lethal. She uses every scrap of her wit and skill to get answers.

Then you meet these two boys, and from their first appearance on-page, it’s impossible not to fall in love with them. Their appeal is this amalgamation of taking Spike from Buffy and mixing him with the allure of Damon Salvatore. What you get is this perfect blend of all your favourite charismatic, morally ambiguous heartthrobs with the ability to seduce with just a smirk that bring a whole bunch of “holy hell, get me a fan to cool down” vibes. Their chemistry with Evie is off the charts, and their push-and-pull dynamic brings with it the kind of tension that has you practically licking your lips every time they face off or team up. Not to mention that their inevitable bond will leave you squealing and kicking your feet in delight when things get spicy.

Rohr is the new King of Vampires but is powerless in the chess game he is playing against Tyrell. He is duty-bound to his people and Kingdom and will do anything to save it from tyranny. He does not want the complication of Evie and what she means and especially does not want the complication of falling for her.

Blake... OMG THAT MAN... A walking dichotomy of emotions. He is passionate and OH SO PROTECTIVE... He cannot stand what Evie stands for and what she represents but he cannot help but be drawn to her pull. I don't want to spoil too much about their relationship BUT MY GOD... THIS MAN and their ENEMIES TO LOVERS transition was PERFECTION!

I finished this book a while ago and I can't stop thinking about it! There is this unholy synergy in the writing style and characters. The pace is fast, exhilarating and unapologetic, sweeping you away on a raw, vampire rollercoaster. Even though the prose is often violent, it’s also strangely beautiful, and every time I tried to put it down, I found myself clutching my Kindle just a bit tighter to stop myself so I could just keep reading.

𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▶ Vampire Romance
▶ Multi POV
▶ Protective, Possessive and Jealous MMC
▶ Badass, Feisty and Strongwilled FMC
▶ MFM - Reverse Harem
▶ Touch Her You Die
▶ Burn the World for You
▶ Political Intrigue
▶ Fated Mates
▶ Enemies to Lovers
▶ Shadow Daddy MMC
▶ Forced Proximity

and 𝙈𝙞𝙘𝙧𝙤 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▷ "Mine"
▷ Nicknames
▷ Rolled Sleeves/Forearms
▷ Tied Up
▷ Biting
▷ Dressing/Undressing Help
▷ She Stabs Him
▷ Tattooed MMC
▷ He takes care of her!
▷ "More"

If you need a paranormal fix that’s bold, biting, and nearly indecent in its allure, pick this up and prepare to be possessed and FERAL.... BECAUSE I AM BLOODY FERAL

Thank you so much to L.A. McGinnis for the gifted copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own 

4.5 Bastian Sandwiches Stars ⭐️
Spicy Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

THE CAKE IS NOT A LIE!!!! THERE ARE SANDWICHES... AND YOUR HUNGRY GIRL GORGED HERSELF!

Welll.... whoa. I feel like I was just on a rollercoaster the way that book threw me around with twists, turns, and unexpected thrills. I was terrified, I was thrilled... and I was just enjoying the ride.

Please note: I cannot comment on aspects of this book without mentioning spoilers from A Kiss of Iron and A Touch of Poison. If this bothers you...I would advise you to stop reading and go and enjoy those books first before continuing onward

𝙎𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨:
This picks up exactly where book two finished. Kat has been sent to the Dawn Court as a “guest,” meaning a prisoner, and Bastion is left reeling. Kat has also discovered that Cyrus was behind the Dawn King’s death, so now she must navigate yet another court, becoming another piece in yet another political chess game, while still trying to find a way home (The Night Court). Meanwhile, Bastion is also working on getting Kat home, also trying to uncover the full extent of the New Dawn King’s betrayal, especially as Cyrus becomes increasingly tyrannical with each of his new decrees.

𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨:
It is almost hard to review this without feeling like I am reviewing the entire series. I was honestly nervous about picking up this book. A Touch of Poison was the catalyst that threw me into what I called my "2024 Fantasy Slump" so I was scared the slump was going to impact my feelings of this...

I love how this grand finale showcases the tremendous detail and care Claire Sager poured into her work. It just proves how ingenious she was weaving in all the details of the intricate plot. From aspects planted way back in book one to everything across this series, readers are taken on a journey of overcoming trauma. Claire excels at showing how characters must acknowledge their trauma and integrate it into who they are, not letting it define them but also not ignoring its impact.

Kat, or Lady Katherine Ferris, was not my favourite in book one. I wanted her to stand up for herself, and be more empowered. Through all the trials she has faced, she truly blossoms. Witnessing her evolution from that meek and passive person who was desperate to survive, to someone worthy of the “wicked lady” title felt like a full-circle transformation. She is a queen in her own right, a woman who endured all manner of hardships. From having her life dictated by others, and used as a pawn by nearly everyone except Bastion she finally stands up for her own happiness. Bastion himself is still the deadly, badass presence we know, but this time we see a more emotional side, largely due to all the explosive plot twists that keep you on your toes.

This book moves at a breakneck pace, both physically and emotionally. You just start to think you have a handle on one thing, only to be thrown another curveball. If we as readers feel this way, just imagine how Bastion or Kat must be coping when they live through each bombshell.

I also love how the side characters make this world feel enormous, without ever making you feel lost if you have not read the other books.

My only criticism is that, with so many revelations, some feel rushed. At times, I wanted more buildup leading to a new twist. Occasionally, events or information come out of the left field, and I wished certain scenes had been fleshed out further instead of glossed over in a few lines before the next shock so I wish Claire would have stretched this into four books. She condensed a lot into this trilogy, and you can tell how thoroughly she planned each thread so no stone was left unturned and no open end remained unresolved. Everything is wrapped up neatly in the end. It closes out the series in a way that feels satisfying, and I loved it.

The spice factor ramps up too. The mention of cake or sandwiches or hot dogs - perhaps two sausages, one bun (whatever food metaphor you want, is a clue). The love scenes never feel repetitive; they stay fresh and organic, and I had a blast reading them.

𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨 and 𝙈𝙞𝙘𝙧𝙤 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▶ FaeXHuman
▶ Political Intrigue
▶ Intricate Magic System
▶ Shadow Daddy MMC
▶ Pierced MMC
▶ Cages Her with his Arms
▶ "Lift Your Hips For Me"
▶ "Mine"
▶ Spicy Water Scene
▶ Voyeurism
▶ Hand Necklaces

Overall get ready for a wild, fast and thrilling ride, sad at times, yet heartwarming. If you have come this far, you already care deeply for these characters and want to see them earn their happily ever after. So jump right in and enjoy the show, because you are in for a treat.

Thank you so much to Clare Sager for the gifted copy! All thoughts and Opinions are my own 

3 Bananaconda Stars ⭐️
Spicy Level: 🌶️🌶️/5

Okay, I wanted to love this, but it tried to be a little too “woke,” and I just got irritated because the wokeness never stopped.

𝙎𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨:
This follows Penelope Quinn, who is an assistant to a super-mega-popular singer named Kelsey Best, (basically our version of Taylor Swift). Kelsey is dating a football player, which means Penelope often ends up in situations around Declan and his family and becomes very close friends with Everett Kingman, Declan's younger brother. The issue is Declan sees Penelope as a little sister, and that means she is VERY off-limits for Everett, even though he has secretly been in love with her for ages. Secretly Penelope has the biggest crush on Everett but believes a professional star athlete like him will never look at a bigger girl like her. One day, Penelope needs a date for the Grampys (yes, insert eye-roll emoji here… everything’s a bloody pun in this book), so she enlists Everett, "The Love Guru", to teach her how to date so she can find someone to bring with her. And we all know how dating lessons go when both people are irrevocably in love.

Penelope actually frustrated me. And it wasn't the narration because that was fantastic... but HOW she is written. A lot of her actions happen in Everett's POV so we only see the outcome and not her internal reasoning. I wanted more insight into her thought process but most times when this happened we were in Everett's POV watching him react to how she behaved, which seemed very disconnected.

Penelope is incredibly self-conscious, hard on herself, and fixated on her self-image. Where this would get weird is Pen’s internal dialogue feels shy and apprehensive, so it threw me off when, in Everett’s POV, she would suddenly flip into doing something bold. Luckily Everett felt consistent no matter whose POV I was in as he stayed true to the character.

Everett is such a sweetheart, though he’s hard on himself because of how the world sees him. He believes that the public perception of him being the "love guru" and helping others find love, means he can’t be happy, can’t find love, and can’t be the man Penelope deserves. He has to work through that emotional journey, eventually admitting that she rocks his world.

NOW... what frustrated me is the tongue-in-cheek, satirical, “woke” elements referencing social media and pop culture. I couldn’t take it seriously when they mentioned “the Grampys” and “flip-flop” for real-life equivalents. I would’ve preferred they just use “the Grammys” or “TikTok” or “Instagram,” unless there’s some legal reason they couldn’t. Every time they said “Grampy,” I rolled my eyes because we know they mean the Grammys and I HAVE TOTALLY HEARD OTHER BOOKS CALL IT THE REAL NAMES.

Also, I read books to escape reality, especially as a bigger girl myself with insecurities. I want to be whisked away by a hot NFL player making googly eyes at me, not be reminded over and over about body positivity. A big part of the book is about accepting who you are and what you look like, regardless of shape, form, or weight. It sometimes felt like a self-help message layered into the story, and while I get it’s important, and many people will love that aspect, I felt it was hammered in too heavily. I just wanted the plot to move on... I was READING A ROMANCE... NOT A SELF HELP BOOK!

It did also take me a bit to figure out who was who in the side characters, but that’s on me. This is the first book I’ve read in the series, so I wasn’t familiar with all the side characters who already had their own stories and their role in the universe...

𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▶ Sports Romance (Football)
▶ Friends to Lovers
▶ Forbidden Romance
▶ Dating Coach
▶ It's Always Been You
▶ Celebrity Romance
▶ Plus Size Rep
▶ Banter
▶ Band of Brothers (Literally)

and 𝙈𝙞𝙘𝙧𝙤 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▷ Nicknames
▷ Dirty Talk
▷ Car Sex
▷ Squirting...

Overall, the voice acting was excellent. If you want a book with these tropes mentioned above maybe you’ll enjoy it more than I did. You might find more joy in the body-positivity angle than I did.

Thank you to Dreamscape Media and Amy Award for the gifted copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own
-=-=-=-= -=-=-=-= -=-=-=-=-

The first 5 mins into this and I am thinking.... what a COCKY man... and that is not a comment about the snake in his pants... 

4 Little Doe Stars ⭐️
Spicy Level: 🌶️🌶️.5/5

Who would have thought that a demon without a face could be the biggest cinnamon roll in the world? I’m talking cute, adorable, puppy-like squishiness!!!!

I also really appreciated that this book started with an author’s note explaining that she uses standard English, not American English, so the spelling and certain word choices are expected. And I love that she included the line about “cunt being coveted like a little puppy.” It made me giggle, and I knew from the start that I was going to have a fun time with this book.

𝙎𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨:
Reia, is considered the town’s pariah because she’s the only survivor of a tragic, horrific demon attack that wiped out her entire family. People believe she’s "demon-touched" and a harbinger of death, because the demons didn’t want to eat her. Now every ten years, a Duskwalker (Orpheus) comes to town and "steals a bride", casting a spell of protection on the village which shields the village from invading demons. Reia is chosen as tribute, even though the brides are meant to be voluntary and her choice was between being a bride to a monster or living in a dungeon. He carries her into the Vale (The place where all the demons live) and brings her to his cabin in the woods, where every day is a test of survival.

𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨:
I really like Reia’s spunk. She’s a go-getter, refusing to let her situation drag her down. She’s isolated in a cabin with a monster and could easily, like all the other brides before her, cry herself to sleep and lock herself away in a depressive state. Instead, she decides this is her life now, she’s not dead, and he hasn’t killed her yet, so she might as well make the most of it... including baking cookies, even though they have no flour and would need to get some.

Originally, Orpheus comes off as scary and elusive, but he’s also very careful. It becomes clear that he’s just lonely, searching for companionship, and everyone always leaves him. He has serious abandonment issues and suffers from grief from the people he’s brought to the cabin before (that all BASICALLY DIED). He just wants someone to live with him and share his existence. Romance isn’t really on his mind, he’s actually kind of a himbo who doesn’t understand sex or sexual gratification much, so he and Reia have to figure that out... collaboratively.

The more Orpheus is unpacked, the more you see he’s an absolute sweetheart. He’s so considerate, and yes, sometimes primal. He is a monster (duh) and he definitely has that “mine” mentality if that’s your kink. There’s also a slight breeding kink that crops up, and OF COURSE a little Stockholm syndrome.

This book does move at a slower pace and a lot of it focuses on the bucolic "country living", but without the rolling hills and livestock (BECAUSE THEY WILL ALL BE EATEN). It contains a lot of details about how they live in a demon-infested hellscape, how they survive, protect themselves, and manage day-to-day tasks like making food and protection amulets. There’s plenty of hunting, cooking, farming, and tending to the house and bathing. THERE IS A LOT OF BATHING!

Despite the slow going, I love how Reia ends up bossing Orpheus around, convincing him to open up and listen to her. It’s sweet how this girl, who lost her entire family and was outcast by her village, finds a kindred soul in a faceless demon.

𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▶ CaptorXCaptive (Forced Proximity)
▶ Beauty and the Beast Monster Romance
▶ Alphamale
▶ Spicy/Steamy Water Scenes (Bathing, a lot of bathing)
▶ Demons and Magic
▶ Cinnamon Roll
▶ Slow Burn

and 𝙈𝙞𝙘𝙧𝙤 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▷ Primal Play
▷ Fingers can't close
▷ It Won't Fit
▷ He has a tail
▷ "Mine"

Despite the blood, gore, and demons...the story turned out surprisingly wholesome and sweet, which I didn’t expect when I picked it up... but I really enjoyed it. 

4 Mi Esposa Bunny Stars ⭐️
Spicy Level: 🌶️🌶️.5/5

This is two books so this might be LONG....
Book 1 follows Angel and Emma and Book 2 follows Omar (Angel's brother) and Lyse. The overall rating is the combination of the two.

This is my first Bella Ash book, and as I have not read many organized crime books, I was not sure what to expect. But I was looking for something drama-esque, and this definitely delivered.

The two books need to be read in order, as Omar's book follows directly from Angels and while the main couples shift focus, the overarching plot continues.

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝟭:
𝙎𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨:
Angel is the oldest son in the Castillo Cartel and one day at a bar he is saved by a messenger woman when a shootout breaks out. Given the shootout was conducted by a rival cartel she not only gained a "life debt" with Angel but a target from the rival cartel, given everything she saw. As payment for her service, Angel's father orders him to marry Emma so she is protected.

𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨:
I totally thought this was originally a MAFIA novel... not Cartel... BUT I DIDN'T HATE THAT! It was a pretty easy read, and I read it pretty quickly, but that’s very much a sign of the type of book that it is. Quick and Easy.

Angel and Emma feel very superficial or generic, almost like you’re reading fanfiction. The story doesn't go very deep into anything and it seemed a pretty predictable and run-of-the-mill situation. He’s a bad boy, she’s innocent, and he’s dominating and trying to make his place in the family with his father who doesn’t want to give up power and shows "love" through punishment.

Their relationship was basically just sex. There was no development between the two of them because the only times they’re really together is when she’s feeding him or when they’re having sex. And it’s pretty much standard "vanilla sex". I expected someone who’s basically the head of a cartel, to be more sexually adventurous, and I think the most scandalous thing he did was go down on her.

The story was trippy and predictable, and pretty much what you’d expect, which I’m not going to hate on too much, BECAUSE THAT IS THE KIND OF STORY I WANTED TO PICK UP! I picked it for the organised crime-forced-marriage trope, and I got exactly that!

What I do wish is that this had more development in the love area and for Angel and Emma to not annoy me as much as they did. Emma specifically annoyed me because it was constantly said and "implied" that she has a backbone, but as the reader you never really see it... she never makes Angel work for her love. The climax of the book was solved way too quickly, and it never really resolved any of the conflicts that hinted at growth in their relationship. They jumped right back into bed together.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝟮:
𝙎𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨:
After the events of Book 1, Omar (Angel's youngest brother) is ANGRY. He decides to take revenge on the rival family which caused everything and crashes an engagement party. He proceeds to go on a little killing spree and ends up taking the future bride hostage. Hoping her "groom" can help clean up the bloody mess, given his up-and-coming political career. But things start to turn messy when he realises the woman he kidnapped is Lyse Rojas, the only daughter of the rival family he hates. And the more time he spends with her, he starts falling for her and the idea of returning her to her future husband and family becomes more and more difficult.

𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨:
Lyse and Omar's story was much MORE enjoyable than Angel and Emma and that is why I gave this book the overall 4-star rating because they carried the story.

This gave me more in terms of tropes but that is what I LOVED. It offered more of that giddy feeling and I think it was because the tension between Omar and Lyse felt heavier. This had the characters needing to work their their history and rivalry, making this a a true enemies-to-lovers and how love can overcome animosity.

The issue with the relationship development was NON-EXISTANT in this... Omar and Lyse gradually got to the point where she initiated sex with him, and it felt much more believable how these two came together. There are similarities in the brother's stories, they both keep their women "Captive" and find love through some element of Stockholm syndrome... But it was still enjoyable.

Omar is a gooey, huge teddy bear cinnamon roll and while he may be deadly with a gun, he is still romantic and cute. He has that "vibe" where he is so big people think he must be dumb, but he is super observant, which makes you want to hug him.

I also LOVED that Lyse had a backbone. She was the total opposite of Emma. Lyse made Omar earn her love, but she stood up for him and was willing to fight for him, just as he was for her. Since she grew up in the "crime" world she knows what it is like to be in a Cartel Family and the expectations of that. She just seemed more at ease, and so she and Omar's relationship had more chemistry and a better foundation.

Also, my heart melts for any man who washes a girl’s hair, and the fact that Omar did this multiple times, being gooey, sappy, cute, and romantic in the simplest ways was just so sweet.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
𝘾𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▶ Forced Proximity
▶ CaptorXCaptive Romance
▶ Alpha Male
▶ Organised Crime
▶ Morally Grey MMC
▶ Virgin FMC
▶ Touch Her You Die
▶ Burn the World for You

and 𝘾𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙈𝙞𝙘𝙧𝙤 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▷ It Won't Fit
▷ Nicknames
▷ "Mine"
▷ Chin Lift

𝘽𝙤𝙤𝙠 1 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨::
▶ Forced Marriage
▶ Biting
▶ Strangers to Lovers

𝘽𝙤𝙤𝙠 2 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨::
▶ Enemies to Lovers
▶ Kidnapping

𝘽𝙤𝙤𝙠 2 𝙈𝙞𝙘𝙧𝙤 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▶ Washes Her Hair

All in all, I had a good time with this. It had a good vibe, was super easy to read, and was distracting in the best way!

Thank you to Relay Publishing, Netgalley and Bella Ash for the gifted copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own 

5 Stalker Grumpy Cat Stars ⭐️
Spicy Level:🌶️🌶️/5

Now this was an interesting read for me, and I stand by what I said for Sticks and Stones that these books (this Series) is basically the type of book you read if you’re looking for an intro to Dark Romance. While there are a couple of triggers, it’s not overbearing or overly hard to handle, and you’re still dealing with generally a green-flag MMC.

𝙎𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨:
Briar Hart, who used to be a hockey player. One night, while painting a commission in an abandoned building, the building was set on fire. Trapped and desperate to escape she jumps from the second-story window, shattering her knee and Hockey dreams. One day, she meets Cassius Thorne and something about her intrigues him; and life keeps putting them in the same place at the same time. It turns out Cassius Thorne has access to a state-of-the-art fitness centre that could help her rehabilitate her knee. In exchange, he needs someone to pretend to be his girlfriend to pacify his parents. It’s a win-win, but we all know that fake feelings don’t always stay fake.

𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨:
Briar is angry. She was angry before her accident channelling that rage into hockey. Now she’s furious that her entire future has been jeopardised, and she has no control over pursuing it. She’s in constant pain from her injury, and she hates showing weakness or vulnerability to anyone as she doesn’t want to become the laughingstock of the university or a pity case for what happened to her. So she hides her emotions, her pain, everything and doesn't open up very easily.

Cassius Thorne is, oh my god, a gooey cinnamon roll. Not only is he popular, a quarterback, and incredibly sexy! But he’s sweet and cute and flirty, with a smirk that can melt your panties. He’s the typical type of man written by women, because of course he’s rocking an eight-pack and is sexy as hell, BUT I AM ALL HERE FOR IT!

I really liked how their relationship developed. It never felt rushed or forced, these two were just comfortable with each other and you could see how much they enjoyed each other’s company and how simply being around each other calmed them down. The relationship just felt real, meaningful, and realistic. Their emotional connection, the way they help each other through low points, and are thrilled for the other during the high points, was sweet.

I need to commend these two authors for taking two of my FAVOURITE tropes (and one normally only seen in Fantasy) and finding a way to put them into this romance... They share a bath and SHE HOLDS A KNIFE TO HIS THROAT! It was perfection! It's the stuff that made me devour this in one sitting. Just the quick, fun, real, emotional read I needed... everything!

One of my main issues though is that I wanted a cameo from Wren or Stone, I wanted to revisit them for a moment. But there was no mention of them at all, so it almost felt like this wasn't even the same universe as the previous book, just a random book that had the same university. I would have believed it if I had been told this was a complete standalone. (Though...Evan is mentioned in passing)

On the bright side, I’ve seen too many authors stretch this kind of book into multiple books (S. Massery herself being one of them) and I think I prefer something like this. The fast-paced story concludes at the end with a nice Epilogue wrap-up.

𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▶ University Romance
▶ Sports Romance (Hockey and Football)
▶ She Falls First - He Falls Harder
▶ Tending to Injuries
▶ Fake Dating
▶ Poor Girl, Rich Boy
▶ Black Cat X Golden Retriever (Reverse Grumpy Sunshine)

and 𝙈𝙞𝙘𝙧𝙤 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▷ Nicknames
▷ Undressing Help
▷ Hand Necklaces
▷ Mine
▷ Spicy/Steamy Water Scene
▷ Share a Bath
▷ Beg Me
▷ Knife to the Throat
▷ "Hold on to the..."

All in all, while the twist at the end wasn’t hard to see coming, and the ending felt slightly rushed and I wanted a bit more scenes of them IN the REAL relationship once they went "all in" I still really enjoyed this!

So if you like a grumpy black cat with claws who falls for a sexy golden retriever, and want banter and spice, I definitely recommend picking this up!

Thank you to ValentinePR, S. Massey and S.J. Sylvis for the gifted copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own