marisalynnreads's reviews
28 reviews

For Ever by Ari Wright

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3.5

Add to your TBR if you like...
🔥Enemies to Lovers
🔥Forced Proximity
🔥He Falls First
🔥Forbidden Office Romance
🔥Baddie FMC 
🔥Billionaire, "Peacock" MMC
🔥He loves to spoil her
🔥"Make me."
🔥Found Family
🔥Meet not-so-cute

Y'all know I love good enemies to lovers, and Ari did not disappoint with this one! We have Juliet, our fiery and boss b*tch FMC, and then there's Graham, who isn't quite what he appears to be. There was a perfect mix of chemistry and tension between them, along with some great banter! I also appreciate the cultural representation that Ari includes in her stories.
Demise by Katelyn Taylor

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4.0

When Katelyn said this book was spicy, she wasn't lying! 🥵🔥 So many MMF and MM scenes; I was over here grinning like an idiot. There are so many easter eggs hidden throughout this last book!! If you're a fan of Katelyn's other series or Sinners and Stardust, keep your 👀 peeled. As always, Liam is my boo, I will compare every other golden retriever MMC to this man. 

Read this series if you like....
🖤Why choose
💀"Touch her and die"
🖤Dark academia 
💀Tatted AND Pierced MMC
🖤Cults/Brotherhoods
💀Golden retriever MMC
🖤Grumpy MMC
💀Bi-awakening

If you're like me (the more TW, the merrier), this series was made for you! If you have triggers, please check the TW before reading. 

I'm so sad the Gallows Hill series has officially come to an end!
The Perfect Boyfriend by S.E. Lynes

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fast-paced

4.0

I love a book that has you questioning the main characters' sanity through the very end. This psychological thriller had me sucked in from the very first word. The UK narration immediately drew me in, and the dual points of view between the two main characters only intensified the tension that slowly built throughout the story.

This is the first time I've read a story that begins in the second-person point of view and then switches to another. It is a very interesting approach, putting you physically in the story, pulling you in, and making you imagine the acts happening to you.

If you're a fan of gripping, fast-paced suspense, this is the perfect read for you!
Descent by Katelyn Taylor

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dark emotional sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

Descent is book two of the Gallows Hill series. This story delves deeper into the twisted dynamics of the Putnam family, the brotherhood, and the continued advancements of Skylas stalker. 

By the end of this book, Asher had me in a complete chokehold. And Liam...let's just say that book two is bringing the spice 🥵 🔥 Katelyn even throws in some unexpected MMF spice that had me cheering and fist-pumping in excitement. 

Like Deceit, this book ends on another cliffhanger with the reveal of Skylas stalker. I think I may have figured out who the stalker is, but I wouldn't be surprised if I'm caught off guard when I start Demise.
Deceit by Katelyn Taylor

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dark

4.25

Katelyn, girl, at least pull me up from the f'in cliff ledge you just pushed me over 🤣 IM SORRY WHAT, I AM DISTRAUGHT; you won "the best cliffhanger ending" award! You enjoy playing with my emotions, don't you?🫠

I normally am not a why choose/reverse harem girlie, but this book might have made me one! 

There is something here for all spicy romance fans: you have your grumpy/broody MMC Vincent, your golden retriever MMC  Liam, don't get me started on Liam, he was my favorite part of the book... I love a man that is confident in his sexuality. He had me grinning from ear to ear with his charming, witty banter. You have your secret societies; talk of witches. Did I mention this all takes place in Salem, Massachusetts? 

My ONLY dislike.... probably going to be an unpopular opinion🫣, but calling a man "daddy" gives me the ick. There's one particular scene that had me cringing because of the usage of this pet name..

.

The audiobook itself... I am a HUGE fan of full-cast audiobooks. The cast for this audiobook: Amy Hall, Devon Ryder, Edward Black, Sean Masters, and Sebastian York.... 6⭐ the perfect cast, they all portrayed each character beautifully. They truly felt hand-selected for each role. 

Well done Katelyn, you have a new reader for life!

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Add to your TBR if you like...

🖤 Secret societies or cults/covens
🖤 Age gap
🖤 Arranged marriage
🖤 Touch her & die
🖤 Virgin FMC
🖤 Why Choose

TW❌:

💀 Nonconsensual sexual contact (individual is sleeping)
💀 Cheating (not on FMC)
💀 Violence & Graphic Torture
💀 Explicit Language & Sexual Scenes
💀 Branding 
💀 Dismemberment
Recklessly Yours by AJ Ranney

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medium-paced

3.5

Two of my favorite genres, suspense and romance, together? You know I couldn't pass this one up!


This was my first AJ Ranney read, and right away, I knew it wouldn't be my last. I love an author who adds a music playlist to go along with their books, and this one fits perfectly! I'm normally not a big fan of small-town romances, but I thoroughly enjoyed this one! I loved Dylan's overprotectiveness of Hattie throughout the story and how Dylan brought Hattie out of her shell. With this story, you get your spice, your suspense, and your comedic relief, the perfect mixture. 

Being a suspense girlie though, I couldn't help but be annoyed with how blind Dylan was to her stalker. Sir, you're supposed to be a detective! Major side eye on my end when you find out who they are.


Recklessly Yours is book four of the Half Moon Lake series, but it can be read as a standalone.
Tender Is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica

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dark slow-paced

4.0

Let's go back in time to the beginning of COVID...  But imagine the government told us that every single animal in the world had the disease and it could be transmitted to humans. We mass slaughtered every animal, even our pets. But we still need to eat meat to survive, right? So the government decided why not try cannibalism, starting with the poor and underprivileged. Eventually, they start breeding humans solely to be consumed. This right here, is the premise of Tender is the Flesh.

This book was a WILD ride, right away, the first twenty pages had me wholeheartedly considering becoming a vegetarian. The conditions the "heads" are kept in are animalistic, and what is done to keep them compliant is brutal, especially for the females. As mind-blowing as it was, what's being described, for the most part, is how animals for slaughter are kept and raised today. A lot of us just turn a blind eye to what's happening to the meat we eat every day... I've for years considered becoming a pescatarian, so this book hit me hard. 

This is the world post-COVID in another dimension; this 1000% could have been the state of the world today. This book is going to stick with me for a long long time. 

I don't care what else you do in 2025, but you need to read this. 



TW: 
-Animal Abuse- just skip part two chapter six...
- Branding (off page)
- Physical Abuse/Violence
- Murder
- Cannibalism
- Child death/Infertility 
- Rape


The Guest List by Lucy Foley

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mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I'm noticing a theme in Lucy Foleys writing: multiple POVs, time jumps, and waiting to reveal the identities of the killer and victim until the very end. 

This is my second LF book, and I was honestly starting to think her writing style might not be for me. The first half of her books tend to be a bit slow-paced. I struggle to find interest in slow/cozy mysteries, my OCD needs something to latch onto. The second half of this book in particular though had all the excitement I was looking for! Some of the plot twists I didn't see coming at all—I found myself gasping out loud at one of the big reveals. 

Olivia's story absolutely broke my heart; it had me thinking back to being her age, how vulnerable and easily persuaded most young woman are. The whole story taking place on a secluded island only added to the mystery vibes.