tkeyahreads's reviews
77 reviews

This was book 3 in Stefanie’s “If Only” series and I was absolutely stoked to read Laney and Grants story. I do believe these books can be read as standalone if you WANTED, but because it is basically 3 separate love stories within a huge family/friend group with some cross-overs it’s best to read them together in this order: If Only You Knew, then If Only You Fell, THEN If Only You Hurt. 

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆
Since book one I have absolutely LOVED Stefanie’s writing which only continued throughout the series. Stefanie has a way of writing extremely emotional situations that makes you really FEEL those emotions like you’re IN THE BOOK. And yes, all 3 books were VERY emotional. If you love easy to read but emotion packed romances. You’ll love the writing in these.

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐒
I already adored Laney and Grant from the first two books. They’re introduced as children and you get to watch them grow which is amazing. Laney is fierce but broken dealing with severe PTSD from trauma no one should ever experience and Grant is  ever the patient man. THE PERFECT MAN. Reading things from their POVs as both children and adults made me love them even more. 

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐋𝐎𝐓
Simply beautiful. It was raw, emotional and hard to read at times, but the love story between those two was everything. Even though it was hard I will say the read was more relaxed than that of books 1 & 2 just because these two grew up together and ALWAYS had each other from diapers. I kind of had an idea what was going to come from Easter eggs left in the other books but leave it to Stefanie to still throw a couple curve balls in there lol! It was a beautiful conclusion to the series if I say so myself. 

⚠️THIS BOOK CONTAINS TRIGGERS SUCH AS:⚠️
- surprise pregnancy 
- Miscarriage

“𝑾𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒍𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒅𝒐𝒘 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒍𝒂𝒘𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒆𝒏. 𝑩𝒖𝒕 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝒊𝒔 𝒓𝒆𝒃𝒐𝒓𝒏, 𝒊𝒕 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒃𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈.”

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆

As always, the writing was fantastic. There were so many emotions I felt on this final journey with Wilder and Thea. I laughed, I cried, I gasped, I screamed, I cursed. ALL OF IT. The entire series was written beautifully but the final book? I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect ending. 

Don’t even get me started on the way Helen writes her spicy scenes 😮‍💨🥵🔥 they are nothing but perfect. 

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐒

Those of us who have read the series have grown to love everyone dearly. Each book introduced at least one new member to join the found family. In the end that family became something wonderful, unbreakable, bonded. 

Imagine the scream I scrumpt when Helen announced we won’t be leaving Thezmarr yet?! 

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐋𝐎𝐓

This part is hard for me to write about without spoiling, so all I will say is from book 1 all the way to book 4 Helen tied up the storyline perfectly and left absolutely no loose ends in THIS story. However she did leave just enough for us to be feral while anticipating what’s to come with her next WIP. Things from book 1 were brought into book 4 and clarified and I was able to make sense of everything so easily. THIS WAS BEAUTIFUL. 

Three words. SO. FREAKING. GOOD. 

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆

ANOTHER 3rd PERSON BANGER. I was already starting to come around to 3rd person but this book really sealed that for me. I love it now thanks 😂. This book switches between characters but is so well written and flows SO well I don’t know how Vanessa did it. It was very easy to follow along. 

But let’s talk about how there is NO SPICE in this book and it’s literally so good you don’t miss it. Everyone told me that but experiencing it for myself?! I have no words. Truly 

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐒

All of the characters were easy to love. They were introduced in a way that made them easy to love individually first…then they came together as a found family and that was beautiful. I couldn’t even name a favorite character because I loved them all so much. The fact that this is a duology and will be over once I read Forever Reign makes me sad just thinking about it. I could read 25 books with these characters in it.

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐋𝐎𝐓

Making the elements into these wonderful and creative characters is already impressive…so take that and then add a page turning storyline with quests, banter and friendships? I couldn’t put this down. Had I been able to sit and focus I would’ve finished in a single day easily. Once I zoned in I WAS ZOOMING. 

Overall this book was fantastic. I had a great time and I couldn’t have kicked off June better. Definitely recommend. 

I should’ve gotten to this book a long time ago. After reading it I am so mad I waited this long. This book was FANTASTIC. Definitely a top read of the year for me. This is the first book, a second one coming in September! 

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆

I’m trying to find the words to describe the beautiful writing of this book. First let me say I personally struggle SOMETIMES with 3rd person fantasy. Now, that doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy it, but sometimes they take me longer to read than 1st person. However, this book? I FLEW. I mean the even the friggen prologue at the very beginning was SO good. The writing flowed so well I couldn’t put this book down and when I had to for any reason I was THINKING ABOUT IT. The book had a slower pace in the beginning but once it picked up and THINGS STARTED HAPPENING it was very easy to appreciate the slower pace in the beginning chapters because it was necessary and again, made the writing flow perfectly. The buildup was everything honestly

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐒

Don’t even get me started. From the MMC Mariah 🫠 to the FMC Andrian to the rest of her court. Idk who I love more, matter of fact, IM IN LOVE WITH EVERYBODY. I’m not going to say anything else besides just read it because otherwise I’ll spoil it. 

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐋𝐎𝐓

Two words: Chosen One. I mean, you read a lot of fantasy books with that written into the plot but I can bet you’ve never read one quite like this. Add that to women taking back their power and being THAT GIRL. I mean, listen…one of the reasons I love reading so much is because I am always so in awe of how ones brain could put all of this stuff into a book. Like ??? the lord has his favorites and Tay is one of them. That beautiful brain of hers came up with this amazing storyline that I am now obsessed with. There were parts of the book that I read more than twice because I loved them so much and I found myself screaming “HELL YEAH” quite a lot. I’m excited to see how this story continues. 

This is the second book in the Forbidden Heir Trilogy. I was obsessed with book 1 (The Dagger and the Forbidden Heir) and am now also obsessed with this one. I genuinely cannot wait to see how the series concludes. 

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆:

These books are honestly perfect and the writing is both easy to read and comprehend. It’s like an in between of medium and fast paced TO ME. It’s definitely written to get straight to the plot but somehow also has great world building that isn’t confusing (not that I don’t enjoy the occasional “my head hurts trying to remember everything” heavy world building). 

Em (I call her that because we’re friends 💅🏽) writes in a way that makes you giggle. I imagine she writes just how she talks and I love that about these books. 

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐒:

Lia is the BADDEST BXTCH please. I adore her. Here in book two you kinda get to know the side characters a lot more and I fell even more in love with ALMOST all of them (😒). The different personalities mesh so well together. Jace? Hot. Obsessed with him. Gage? I adore. DONT GET ME STARTED ON SHADOW MOMMY VELI. The found family aspect is everything here. Did I mention THERE IS A WYVERN. Nox is so precious. I’d die for him. Truly. 

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐋𝐎𝐓: 

I freaking love the plot real bad. It’s a good one and it’s not too complex. Book one starts off telling you the plot throughout the series and then you watch everything unfold as you go. It creates this intense page turner that you cannot put down. 

If you like enemies to lovers, found family, wyverns, funny banter, feminine rage. All of that combined with a great storyline. Add these to your TBR bookie. 

“𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘚𝘢𝘮?”

“𝘚𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦”

This book was so sad. I needed something emotional to read and I’m glad I chose this. It’s been sitting on my shelf for awhile and I had been meaning to get to it. 

Its a short read so, I made it my mission to finish it last night but it was sad from the JUMP so I had to take several breaks and scroll through TikTok just to collect myself.

I genuinely couldn’t imagine what it would be like to have someone die, call them…and have them answer. I mean could YOU imagine? Knowing they’re never going to walk along side you again but somehow you can still speak to them on the phone? 

There was definitely some magic in this book, obviously things like that are unrealistic but what makes the story so beautiful is the second chance to say goodbye. A lot of times when we lose someone abruptly we don’t get that chance. 

I would definitely recommend this if you feel like crying because I did several times while reading this. 

Yall 🤣🤣🤣 this book was NUTS and I absolutely LOVED it so much. If you like dark romance, pick this one up. Seriously. 

Now, I dabble in the dark romance every now and then but I will say there were some parts I skimmed that were gory because I am a straight wimp with gory stuff LOL. Doesn’t change how much I loved this book at all though. 

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆:

One thing about Avina St. Graves is she is going to make me laugh. Her writing is very unique. You could be in the middle of an emotional part of the book and she will find a way to wiggle something in there to have you CACKLING. The best part? You can clearly tell she isn’t even trying to be funny that’s just sprinkles of her real life personality making an appearance in her books. It’s honestly amazing. 

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐒:

The main focus of this book is on the two main characters Blaze and Kohen and if I’m being real the both of them are absolutely batshit. I’ve seen Avina’s posts promoting this book and she says Kohen is an asshole, but he really gives big golden retriever energy. I thought he was sweet and loving and I MYSELF am in love with him fr. Now Blaze? Yall are just gonna have to read this book to understand. 

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐋𝐎𝐓

The plot in this book…I’m not even sure how to put it into words. It was good. It was A LOT but not in a bad way. The things Blaze and Kohen endured? The way they handled those things? *chefs kiss* I honestly can’t even say too much about the plot without giving anything away…so again. JUST GONNA HAVE TO READ IT.

*side note the spice in this book was FIRE. Like 🫠

I thought Lunaria was good…THIS? Was a MASTERPIECE. Definitely one of the top reads not only of the year but EVER. Yall this book is 508 pages and I read it in 24 FREAKING HOURS. 

For as many pages as it is I can’t believe I read it so fast. I was ZOOMING. It was THAT good. I loved every single page. I’m not kidding. 

THE WRITING 

You know how sometimes in books there are parts you just “gloss” over because, well to be REAL it’s just kind of a boring part of the book? THERE WAS NOT A SINGLE, NOT EVEN ONE PART of this book that was glossed over. Everything was read with full attention dying for what was to come next, page after page. This book was absolutely beautiful. I. AM. IN. LOVE. I will read this 100 times over. 

THE CHARACTERS

Lunaria is easily likable. She’s frustrating sometimes, stubborn, might make you yell “GIRL WHAT THE HELL” but she has been through a lot. GRAYLEN? Don’t even get me started. I’m in love with him. This is the second book in the series and what I LOVED was the fact that there were SO many new people introduced. So much more character building. Found family everywhere! I loved it.

THE PLOT

Now, I definitely have high praise to the plot of book 1. But even that did not prepare me for the way the plot developed into book 2. I mean, being able to sit and write something as extravagant as this is insane and impressive. I can’t FREAKING WAIT for the next book to go along with this but even more excited for the prequel novella that will answer many questions readers have after reaching this point. 

THIS SERIES IS AMAZING. And I know Kara is going to keep delivering masterpieces with each book to come. 

I. 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐃 this book. I’m very mad at myself for taking so long to read this. It everything I hoped it would be and then some. 

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆

10/10 loved. It was definitely a lighter fantasy which I will forever appreciate. I love all things fantasy but the lighter, easier to read ones are the best! Kara really did her thang with this one!

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐒

Very well written. I mean there were twists and turns all over the place. For ME, there were characters I began to love and then later on started to hate. When I thought one thing about a character Kara made sure to throw something in there to make me feel like “oh okay just kidding sorry” 

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐋𝐎𝐓

FREAKING FANTASTIC. I cannot WAIT to see what comes next. So much so that I ended Lunaria and immediately started Illuminance. Again, the plot also had so many twists and turns I had no idea what was happening or what was coming. When I thought one thing I switched and started thinking another. NONE of my theories were right. Which speaks volumes about the talent Kara has if I say so myself. 

Love love loved. Definitely recommend 💋

At this point it is safe to say I adore their writing and will read anything they write from here on out. 

I discovered them through their first book in their newest series 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗪𝗼𝗹𝗳 and had a fantastic time reading that one too. 

The banter, the jokes, the romance, the spice. Everything is perfection. The two of them have a gift for making every character extremely lovable in very different ways. What impressed me most? Is the fact that EVERYBODY IS FUNNY 😭 but in a way that fits their unique character? 

I mean, you have to be one HILARIOUS person to be able to write multiple funny people with different types of funny for each one. 

Their books are so easy to read. I read wild wild wolf in a single day and had I not been busy I definitely could’ve devoured Smoke Show in a day too.