mel_c_bell's reviews
661 reviews

4.5 for audio because the male narrator makes the females sound dumb.

4.5 for audio because the male narrator makes the females sound dumb

4.5 for the audio because the male narrator made all of the females sound dumb.

Probably the most WTF and satisfying ending I've experienced in a book. 

Let me break up this review to respond to each part, because, damn.

Part 1: I fell in love with the writing, the characters, and the mood on page one! Nothing could tear me down from that high. Yeah, Mr. Man clearly had some control issues, and the whole setup screamed EMOTIONAL DAMAGE. Still, absolutely divine until..:

Part 2: OMFG “A woman?” 👀 Excuse the fck out of me… Like, I knew we were going to be introducing new faces into the mix but there's something about reading it detail for detail from the FMC’s POV. Commence the rage reading because there was no way in hell I was gonna DNF a buddy-ready because I'm a sensitive lil btch. Well…

Part 3: Mr. Man has clearly taken on more than he can handle…good 😒—and anyways we all know what's coming because she spells it out on page 2. Ni spoilers here BUT this is a romance so I can assure you it has a HEA (or maybe a HFN) 

Well, go ahead and read it. Stop being lame like I've been for the last year. 

I feel myself getting sucked back into Romantasy now because of this book. O M F G it’s so good! It is literally giving every comfort read vibe possible and I could not put it down. 

Bristol is THE FMC we’ve all been waiting for, a young woman just trying to survive in not the best circumstances who tries to make the best out of a ridiculously fantastical situation. Her mother left, then her father is found dead on the side of the road, she’s left holding the pieces together for her two sisters (who you’ll actually care about) in a small town that isn’t quite what it seems. When an unknown aunt sends a letter suggesting a significant ‘inheritance’ , Bristol isn’t shocked to learn it’s closer to a scam as she suspected, but for the sake of her family she takes a leap of faith and enters into a bargain with the fae.

Pearson’s jump into new adult is spot on, everything just hits. At first I think I was trying to compare elements to the big hitters like ACOTAR, FBAA, …Serpent Wings, maybe a lil Hunger Games, but then I realized that it was what was making it perfect. The story takes all of the loved and familiar romantasy high notes and twists them into something fresh and new; an urban’ish fantasy shoved through a portal into a near high fantasy world.  Now, I’m just really sad I have to wait for finish the story.

This is definitely one of my top top reads of 2024 and a revitalization of romantasy for me.

This is so stinking adorable. I'm not sure how you have a slow-burn romance where they FCK every chapter from chapter one, but somehow, it's a thing, and it works. I'm not usually a fan of contemporary romances because one or both of the characters grate my last nerve, but both of the love interests in this novel are just so relatable, honest, and likable. Welder single daddy romances may be my new thing.

Where do I even begin?

First, I read this 800+ page chonker in a day. Yes, I rotted on the couch and barely moved—even snapped at the Hubs a few times for daring to speak to me while I read this. Have I read the previous 5 books in this series and become obsessed, therefore needing to binge this work of literature? NO! Actually, I think I DNF'd the first book a while ago. So, why did I pick up this book? I DON'T KNOW, but here we are.

Second, F*CK Ashtyn. That's all.

Third, damn, is this book foul. I mean, F.O.U.L., and I loved every word. This book should have a CW's section that is as long as the book—so just stay away if you're sensitive to...anything.

Fourth, I went and bought the physical copy. Why? Again, IDFK but all I did know is that I needed it on my shelf, and to hold it, and to smell it... Did I buy the rest of the series? F*CK no! My auDHD is just going to have to deal.

Finally, if you've read the rest of the series, I can only assume that you understand what you're getting yourself into. You don't actually need notes from me; you can just take my word that it's worth all 800+ pages.

Carry on.

Hilarious, quick, and mildly smutty. I love a book that knows exactly what it is and doesn't try to be anything else. The title says it all.

I could not put this book down. The first chapter is literally perfect—sets us up with backstory, and tone, and then drops us headfirst into the story. Lydia is a forensic photographer for the Portland Police Bureau with a dark history full of abuse in foster homes. 

Most of the story is told between this cat-and-mouse POV swap which is reminiscent of a contemporary romance. It works! 

I wasn’t expecting to ugly face cry but the scene sneaks up on you—even though you know it’s coming—and bam! emotions! Definitely don’t want to spoil anything, just know youll be questioning your own morals before finishing.