zoereads_22's reviews
70 reviews

Reflections of Silence by Raven Hush

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Loveable characters? Yes

3.75

Plot: 4/5šŸ“–
Spice: 4/5šŸŒ¶ļø
Overall: 3.75/5ā­ļø

Thank you to NetGalley, Raven Hush, and Little Quail Press Publishing for my ARC of Reflections of Silence in exchange for an honest review. 

"I have some mixed feelings about this book. I really wanted to love it, I really did. However, I think my taste in books has simply changing and that's okay! I also want to mention that I did not see that this is an ""erotic"" historical paranormal romance and so I was not prepared for that aspect. Am I mad about it? No, but it wasn't my favorite thing - to no fault of anyone but myself. "

"Let's start off with the fact that I did receive an unfinished eARC, so some of these criticisms may be ""fixed"", so-to-say, in the final published version. That being said, there were a few holes in the plot of the book that I feel were forgotten about because some things would be mentioned once throughout the whole book, but when they were mentioned, they were brought up with a note of importance to them. If it was important, why was it only briefly talked about and why did we never circle back around to it? Again, though, these may have been fixed in the final editing process before publication, so I'm intrigued to read again in a few days! "
When Storms Awaken by Michelle Frohman

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adventurous funny inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

5.0

Plot: 5/5šŸ“–
Spice: 2/5šŸŒ¶ļø
Overall: 5/5ā­ļø

ā€œThat blush is intoxicating,ā€ he murmured, brushing a lock of curls behind my ear, ā€œespecially when itā€™s for me.ā€ -Nik

Initially, I had a little bit of a hard time getting into the book because I was having a hard time connecting the first chapter to the rest of the book. However, after ~25% of the way through we learn the importance of said first chapter and from there it was easy going! I really don't have many complaints about the book aside from the slow-going first bit and some editing issues. 

Michelle Frohman did an amazing job of showing the readers what the story was instead of just telling us, which is always a great quality to have in an author's writing style. Not only this, but Frohman made the friendship between Diana and Tess so comfortable and easy to believe! I absolutely loved the plot and how easily the book flowed (after the initial 25%).

Overall, this was such a cozy read and I can't wait to dive into the next book of the series!
Forgotten Ashes by Kathryn Covens

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5.0

ā­ļø 5/5

Thank you so much to Kathryn Covens for the chance to read Forgotten Ashes as an ARC!

Iā€™ve never been one to really re-read any books, especially if I just finished reading them, but THIS BOOK. Iā€™ve already started a re-read of Forgotten Ashes after Iā€™ve only just finished it less than 12 hours ago.

Briar Lennox, Beta of the Othneil shifter pack and rightful Luna of the Iolite Academy shifter pack is a strong female lead with some stabby tendencies and stabby friends. The only problem? Sheā€™s latent and has a secret that could ruin not only her life, but the lives of those around her.

I havenā€™t had a book stuck on my mind and take over my personality in a few months, but Kathryn Covens managed to do exactly that. Not only was I absolutely entranced by this world and its inhabitants, itā€™s such a fast-paced and exciting read that I read the whole book in roughly 24 hours. The last time I read a book with that much constant attention and interest was in middle school, at least 10 years ago.

Seriously. Get your hands on this book as soon as possible.
Virgin Sacrifice by L.M. Ramirez

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5.0

5/5 ā­ļø

ā€œThe people we forget, the ones hiding in plain sight, were the ones who held the most secrets.ā€

I figured Iā€™d love this book but I didnā€™t expect it to become an obsession. Spoiler alert. It became a HUGE obsession.

L.M. Ramirez managed to create a story of revenge, lust, and newfound friendship and love in a way that completely envelopes the reader. The way Ramirez creates characters allowed for me to feel as though I knew them and was in the story right alongside them. I could feel the emotions that drove Luz and the obsession and hatred that fuels the Blackwell men who have found themselves infatuated and obsessed with Luz.

The twists and turns of Virgin Sacrifice kept me on my toes while the tensions between the characters had me utterly entranced. I couldnā€™t have asked for the book to be written any better and I canā€™t wait to see where Ramirez will continue to take the story.
The Desire Variable: A Nerdy and Steamy Workplace Romance by Ana D'Arcy

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4.0

4/5ā­ļø

For readers 18+

Thank you to Ana Dā€™Arcy and Love Notes PR for the chance to read The Desire Variable as an A.R.C. For an honest review!

ā€œā€˜Iā€™m standing out like a boner at a pool partyā€™ā€

If this first line doesnā€™t draw you in, I donā€™t know what else would. As you can guess from that first line, though, this is a pretty comedic read in addition to the rivals-to-lovers banter and steam throughout the book.

Is this the spiciest read Iā€™ve ever come across? No, itā€™s not. Is it still pretty spicy and serves the purpose it was intended? Absolutely! I definitely recommend The Desire Variable for those who love a workplace romance and are looking for a reasonable amount of both plot and ā€œsmutā€.
Lady Killer by L.M. Ramirez

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5.0

5/5 ā­ļø

ā€œI needed to show her that I may be a psychopath, but I was her psychopathā€

This is an ADULT 18+ read!

Thank you to L.M. Ramirez for the chance to read Lady Killer as an ARC!

I LOVED this book just as much as, if not more than, the first book. The character development and development within all the relationships hit a whole new level in this second book to the Dead Girls Club series.

The spice is definitely pretty high in this one, especially compared to the first book, so definitely read the trigger warnings and be prepared for quite a bit of adult content. That being said, the spice was immaculate and I absolutely cannot wait for the next book. These men absolutely have my heart, as black as theirs may be
Prohibited by Madeline Thorne

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dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated

5.0

šŸ„ƒProhibited by Madeline Thorne
 ā­ļø5/5
18+ ONLY - SEE TRIGGER WARNINGS
Thank you so much to Madeline for giving me the opportunity to read Prohibited as an ARC!

ā€œlike he could crack open even the smallest atoms in her body and draw out the shadows he found thereā€

This book wonā€™t be for everybody, but I absolutely loved it. I read this masterpiece during a very difficult time and it helped to get me through it more than I thought a book could. 

Evie may seem like a damsel in distress who needs saving, but sheā€™s not. Sheā€™s a damsel and she in distress, but she is anything but weak and far from needing saved (at least, according to her and the men she cravesšŸ˜‰)

Madeline Thorne is amazingly talented and I canā€™t wait to see what else her amazing mind comes up with. Plus, sheā€™s really fun to work with!
When Storms Ruin by Michelle Frohman

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5.0

ā­ļø 5/5

ā€œI am a Stormshade of the Kotova bloodline, and you cannot break me.ā€

I had originally read this book so fast that I truly thought the ending was just something I had imagined. So I read it again. Had I imagined the ending?

Nope.

This book will rip your heart out and stomp it in the dirt with NO REMORSE

I loved it. It absolutely destroyed me. I canā€™t wait for the next one.

If anyone needs me Iā€™ll be bawling my eyes out for the next week.