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vrstal's reviews
549 reviews
The Priest and the Adders by E.N. Laurier
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
4/5.
Content Warnings for book: Christianity, religious guilt, body horror, erotic horror, blood, gore, r slur, ableism, child abuse, internalized homophobia, sex with others on page
Kink: D/s themes, public sex, voice kink, tentacles, monster genitalia, praise kink, JOI, humiliation
Peter, Malachi, Cane. The Priest and the Adders is an interesting MMM horror-romance novel focusing on themes of Catholicism, corruption arcs, and falling in love with fallen angels.
I think I expected more going into this than I got — more horror, more eroticism, more something. The writing was enjoyable though, and I found the flashbacks valuable to understanding Peter’s psyche. I really loved Malachi. Sometime the connection between Malachi and Cane - and Cane and Peter - felt a bitch stretched. On poke band supernatural beings aren’t tied to our concepts of love, but on the other I wish we got more emotional moments between Peter and Cane.
There are certainly events of corruption and deception, but anything truly horrific happens off-page. I understand though, as those sorts of gory details not every author wants to focus on. So if you’re worried about gore, don’t be alarmed. Feel free to read this book.
I really enjoyed the imagery at the end when they all fuck, it was descriptive and l fascinating.
Overall, for those wanting a religious horror-ish romance featuring angels and devilish decisions, check this book out!
One thing to note for readers whom it matters: there are more detailed sex scenes with others and masturbation scenes than between the main throuple.
Thank you to the author for the ARC opportunity.
Content Warnings for book: Christianity, religious guilt, body horror, erotic horror, blood, gore, r slur, ableism, child abuse, internalized homophobia, sex with others on page
Kink: D/s themes, public sex, voice kink, tentacles, monster genitalia, praise kink, JOI, humiliation
Peter, Malachi, Cane. The Priest and the Adders is an interesting MMM horror-romance novel focusing on themes of Catholicism, corruption arcs, and falling in love with fallen angels.
I think I expected more going into this than I got — more horror, more eroticism, more something. The writing was enjoyable though, and I found the flashbacks valuable to understanding Peter’s psyche. I really loved Malachi. Sometime the connection between Malachi and Cane - and Cane and Peter - felt a bitch stretched. On poke band supernatural beings aren’t tied to our concepts of love, but on the other I wish we got more emotional moments between Peter and Cane.
There are certainly events of corruption and deception, but anything truly horrific happens off-page. I understand though, as those sorts of gory details not every author wants to focus on. So if you’re worried about gore, don’t be alarmed. Feel free to read this book.
I really enjoyed the imagery at the end when they all fuck, it was descriptive and l fascinating.
Overall, for those wanting a religious horror-ish romance featuring angels and devilish decisions, check this book out!
One thing to note for readers whom it matters: there are more detailed sex scenes with others and masturbation scenes than between the main throuple.
Thank you to the author for the ARC opportunity.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry
Reckless Impulse by Ryder O'Malley
Did not finish book. Stopped at 46%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 46%.
Can’t tell if it’s me or the book. Just wasn’t working.
Light Me Up: A M/M Lamp Romance by Sabrina Cross
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
4/5. <i>Highlights may contain spoilers. Read at your own risk.</i>
<b>Content Warnings for book:</b> Unsafe substance use
<b>Kink:</b> Electricity play
I mean. It is what it says. This was really funny and I could do with small shots of humor for days like these.
The Projector by Larkin Bryne
challenging
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content warning: Gore
I can’t even say that I get it but what an interesting approach to prose, to a building dread, and to the idea of meeting the self.
I can’t even say that I get it but what an interesting approach to prose, to a building dread, and to the idea of meeting the self.
Currency in Flesh: a dark paranormal romance by Heather Nix
Did not finish book. Stopped at 30%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 30%.
DNF on 1/22/2025.
Not the book, it's me. I think the dynamics plus the humiliation kink when the MC has gone through such tremendous abuse is a framing (?) that doesn't work for me.
Not the book, it's me. I think the dynamics plus the humiliation kink when the MC has gone through such tremendous abuse is a framing (?) that doesn't work for me.
sWitch: a dark sapphic rom-com by Kat Blackthorne
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
5/5.
Content Warnings for book: Dubious consent, cheating, image-based SA (revenge porn), bullying and cyber bullying, family dysfunction, partying, coercion, non-consensual filming by antagonist,
home break in/stealing, alcohol use
Kink: D/s vibes, JOI, virtual sex, public sex, daddy kink
Remy and Fauna — such a cute couple! Opposites attract, size difference, so utterly in love. A little drama and angst, and a happy ending. What else could you want in a book?
Honestly, I won’t pretend I didn’t have like a good five minute cry of relating to Fauna so much. While it’s not necessarily the focus of the narrative, her neurodivergence was so relatable. It’s the small things that authors capture that are so important in representation and being seen — my room is practically a shrine to all my abandoned hobbies I still love but haven’t returned to. The importance of comfort items and the fear most of all of showing sides to yourself others might view as too childish (or in my case, ‘incorrectly’ performing my gender) to someone who you want to trust and to love. Maybe it was because it was 1am when I was reading this book but genuinely it hit me right in the feelings.
I also really liked the casual openness around sex and Remy being a stone top. Queerness and queer desire can look different in many ways, and seeing that sort of representation is a good thing. Also, while I can see people might complain scissoring isn’t “realistic”, just as it’s written here — it’s not about the focus of it even in a fetish way. It’s a form of intimacy for these two characters, and just one way they achieve it within the book.
It’s funny, it’s dark, it’s sexy and I love Remy and Fauna both. I loved the casualness of queer characters around them and their own personal experiences, such as Lennon who is non-verbal.
Blackthorne is also a very good writer, in my opinion! The POVs were distinct from one another, the explicit scenes well written, and I could feel the chemistry between the two characters. I don’t usually like “rom-coms” because it’s not my type of humor, but this one was genuinely funny.
Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a fun, spicy sapphic read with some edge!
The Harper Of Bedlam by Wren V. Lothaire
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
4/5. This book was provided as an ARC.
Content Warnings for book: Dubcon (due to heat)
Kink: light breeding kink, biting
A short and hot erotica with a trans man orc and a nonbinary satyr, Talon and Mavros. One heat causes them to come together (hah!)
Since Talon is aware of “classes”, I’m not sure if this touches a little into LitRPG? Or maybe the world-building intends to explore a class adventurer system. Regardless — that may not be the main point but I find the world building fun!
I am curious to see how Talon’s adventures expand, and that he gains some self-confidence and recognizing him being an omega isn’t a flaw. The little touch of angst was well done. And can we talk about Lothaire’s writing? Seriously, so good.
Gambler's Conceit by Raissa Phoenix, Adara Wolf
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
5/5. Highlights may contain spoilers. Read at your own risk.
Content Warnings for book: Child abuse and CSA (not on page), noncon, dubcon, self-harm, suicidal ideation, mentions of domestic violence, unprotected sex, survival sex work, anxiety, panic attacks, power imbalance, guns, violence, death, attempted cheating, slut shaming, unsafe breath play
Kink: Unnegotiated D/s, daddy kink, pain play, impact play, voyeurism, breathplay, dacryphilia, Master/sir, group sex
I loved this!
So I haven’t read a lot of dark romance lately — horror, yes, but there’s a difference. Anyway, it’s been awhile since I’ve been able to dig into one and thoroughly enjoy it. Gambler’s Conceit is a great first of the year read!
We have polyamory, platonic connections between Caleb, Havoc, and Vortex along with Seven getting all the protectors he could handle.
Phoenix and Wolf are adept at making it so we are able to tell who’s POV it is, being unique from each other despite the fact they are men who share some similar traits (a desire for Seven and generally strong and domineering). If I had to pick a favorite, I am a sucker for Havoc — he is like a guard dog for Seven. Very cute (don’t tell him I said that!)
Vortex the Daddy has the most “soft” energy, and then Caleb is the head of this group with his domineering sadism, sharp wit and most of all wanting everyone to get their enjoyment. While it’s still building up slowly in this book, I can easily see how all four of these men slot together even if they’re not all equally romantically in love with one another. Seven is the hinge that connect their lives.
The last 30% had a lot of tension but it came out okay — I was almost sure it’d be a cliffhanger lol. It is a HFN with the story going to continue soon, and I’m excited to see how it goes with the problems this group will be facing!
Also, yeah, the sex scenes are pretty hot.
Content Warnings for book: Child abuse and CSA (not on page), noncon, dubcon, self-harm, suicidal ideation, mentions of domestic violence, unprotected sex, survival sex work, anxiety, panic attacks, power imbalance, guns, violence, death, attempted cheating, slut shaming, unsafe breath play
Kink: Unnegotiated D/s, daddy kink, pain play, impact play, voyeurism, breathplay, dacryphilia, Master/sir, group sex
I loved this!
So I haven’t read a lot of dark romance lately — horror, yes, but there’s a difference. Anyway, it’s been awhile since I’ve been able to dig into one and thoroughly enjoy it. Gambler’s Conceit is a great first of the year read!
We have polyamory, platonic connections between Caleb, Havoc, and Vortex along with Seven getting all the protectors he could handle.
Phoenix and Wolf are adept at making it so we are able to tell who’s POV it is, being unique from each other despite the fact they are men who share some similar traits (a desire for Seven and generally strong and domineering). If I had to pick a favorite, I am a sucker for Havoc — he is like a guard dog for Seven. Very cute (don’t tell him I said that!)
Vortex the Daddy has the most “soft” energy, and then Caleb is the head of this group with his domineering sadism, sharp wit and most of all wanting everyone to get their enjoyment. While it’s still building up slowly in this book, I can easily see how all four of these men slot together even if they’re not all equally romantically in love with one another. Seven is the hinge that connect their lives.
The last 30% had a lot of tension but it came out okay — I was almost sure it’d be a cliffhanger lol. It is a HFN with the story going to continue soon, and I’m excited to see how it goes with the problems this group will be facing!
Also, yeah, the sex scenes are pretty hot.
The Thyline's Mate: A Dark Sci-Fi Alien Romance by E.K. Datura
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
4/5.
<b>Content Warnings for book:</b> Noncon, dubcon, violence and death (not between MCs)
<b>Kink:</b> Unnegotiated D/s, free use, primal play, knotting, praise kink, CNC, spanking
A hot and enjoyable romantic erotica. It’s dark in theme - mind the CW - but it’s a nice morsel for someone wanting a quick dark read with lots of “you’re mine”. The Thylines were a cool alien race conception, and I liked Nova. I appreciated this didn’t immediately result n a pregnancy ending too.
No critiques here, just fun!
<b>Content Warnings for book:</b> Noncon, dubcon, violence and death (not between MCs)
<b>Kink:</b> Unnegotiated D/s, free use, primal play, knotting, praise kink, CNC, spanking
A hot and enjoyable romantic erotica. It’s dark in theme - mind the CW - but it’s a nice morsel for someone wanting a quick dark read with lots of “you’re mine”. The Thylines were a cool alien race conception, and I liked Nova. I appreciated this didn’t immediately result n a pregnancy ending too.
No critiques here, just fun!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Rape, and Violence
Returning to You by Rochelle Wolf
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
4/5. <i>Highlights may contain spoilers. Read at your own risk.</i>
<b>Content Warnings for book:</b> N/A
<b>Kink:</b> N/A
Short, cute little sapphic Hanukkah romance. I enjoyed Dana and Miri’s character both. I think what I loved best besides the cuteness was the author’s strength in writing, where I really felt the pang of hurt Dana was feeling initially, the anxieties, and then the hope. When it’s this short a novella without much time for characterization, that’s skill!
<b>Content Warnings for book:</b> N/A
<b>Kink:</b> N/A
Short, cute little sapphic Hanukkah romance. I enjoyed Dana and Miri’s character both. I think what I loved best besides the cuteness was the author’s strength in writing, where I really felt the pang of hurt Dana was feeling initially, the anxieties, and then the hope. When it’s this short a novella without much time for characterization, that’s skill!