Awkwardly Ever After by Lindsay Maple

Title: Awkwardly Ever After
Author: Lindsay Maple
Genre: Romantic comedy
Rating: 4.5 ⭐️
Book Links: Goodreads | Amazon


My initial thoughts:

I came for the witchy premise and stayed for the laughs. This was a charming rom-com that reminded me not everything in life needs a magical explanation.

The Vibe:

Romcom, friends to lovers, self discovery, lgbt

My Review:

Awkwardly Ever After immediately gave me The Craft vibes.

The story opens with a group of girls at a sleepover, trying out a spell for what feels like harmless fun. Fast forward years later, and one of them may still be paying the price for it.

Aubrey has been on what feels like a million first dates, and somehow every single one ends in complete disaster. After another failed attempt at finding love, she ends up confiding in Lex, the sister of one of her dates, convinced she's been cursed ever since that night years ago.

Lex, however, isn't buying it.

Determined to prove there's no such thing as a curse, Lex begins tagging along on Aubrey's dates. What follows is one hilarious disaster after another. I genuinely felt for Aubrey because no one should have that much bad luck... and I'll admit, there were moments where even I started wondering if maybe the curse was real.

What I loved most is that this story isn't really about whether a curse exists. It's about the stories we tell ourselves, the beliefs we hold onto, and how those beliefs can shape the way we see our lives.

By the end, I was left with my own interpretation of what had really been happening all along, and I love that the author leaves just enough room for readers to come to their own conclusions.

Overall, this was a funny, charming rom-com that had me laughing from beginning to end while still delivering a surprisingly heartfelt message underneath all the chaos.

4.5⭐️

Thank you, Harlequin Audio, NetGalley, & Lindsay Maple for providing this alc in exchange for my honest review




Synopsis:

You know what they say about hex appeal…

Aubrey is cursed. Literally. One spell gone awry in high school landed her with the most embarrassing love life ever, and now any time Aubrey is in a romantic situation everything ends up being terribly awkward. Sometimes the dates go so badly her would-be partners end up in the emergency room with... intimate injuries.

Aubrey had accepted her lonely lot in life until she meets skeptical data analyst Lex. The unlikely friends team up on a series of data-collecting dates to figure out what makes the curse tick, and what they can do to stop it… but what if that means facing the most awkward situation possible?

To break the curse, Aubrey is forced into her toughest decision date the safe, data-proven perfect candidate, or follow her heart into the unknown with the growing feelings she has for the one person she never imagined being with.

Will she ever get a shot at true love, or is she cursed beyond curing?

Blood Rising by Markus Redmond | The weight of freedom

Title: Blood Rising
Author: Markus Redmond
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: 5 ⭐
Book Links: Goodreads | Amazon


My initial thoughts:

Some stories ask what it means to fight for freedom. Blood Rising asks the even harder question: what happens after you've won? This sequel challenged me in ways I wasn't expecting.

The Vibe:

Historical Fiction, Paranormal elements, Fantasy, Mystery & Horror 


My Review:

Blood Slaves was about fighting for freedom… Blood Rising is about what comes after.

I've always believed it's one thing to overthrow the people who've oppressed you. It's another thing entirely to build something better in its place. That's exactly what this story explores.

Kwadzo is no longer just fighting to survive... he's carrying the weight of an entire people on his shoulders. He wrestles with leadership, responsibility, and the kind of man he aims to become.

Freedom comes with impossible choices. Every decision carries consequences, every victory comes with a new challenge, and the line between justice and vengeance is never as simple as it appears.

Kwadzo never has to carry this story alone. The people around him continue to shape the journey in meaningful ways, each adding another layer to the story and reminding us that no battle is ever won alone.

The way Mr. Redmond blends history, horror, and fantasy continues to amaze me. Each element feels equally important to the story, and together they create something that feels incredibly unique.

The alliances that are formed and the cultural dynamics throughout the story are constant reminders that the Ramangans are still viewed as monsters. For me, that became a metaphor for the world we live in today. I couldn't help but relate it to the experiences of Black people. No matter how much progress is made, no matter how hard we fight for equality and justice, there will always be people who choose to see us through the lens of their own prejudice instead of our humanity.

If you're coming into Blood Rising expecting nonstop bloodshed, it's definitely here. But for me, the heart of this story was what happened after the battle was won.

In all my years of reading and reviewing, I don't think I've ever read a story quite like this. And I can't wait to see what Mr. Redmond has in store for us next.

5⭐


Thank you, Kensington Publishing, Dafina & Markus Redmond, for providing this arc in exchange for my honest review



Synopsis:


Kwadzo Okoro never believed the bloody legend of Ramanga was real. Now, he stands as the leader of a new Ramanga Tribe, one that sieged the Barrow plantation in a storm of righteous carnage, liberating its formerly enslaved Africans. Reclaimed as the Crimson Plantation, it is now also home to the wronged Natives who fearlessly aligned with the Ramangans.

But Kwadzo knows that freedom is not secure. Bartholomew and Constance Crabtree, the most influential slaveholders in the region since the demise of Big Jim Barrow, are galvanizing the Lakeside community to strike back—violently. The threat they pose pales in comparison to the insidious menace of Penelope Knudsen. Her white-hot hatred, now fueled by Ramangan blood, and an ability to survive the sunlight—a power Kwadzo doesn’t have—threatens to upend Kwadzo’s advancement of Ramangan might throughout the colonies, especially as she builds a white vampire army of her own and wages an all-out war against him.

But the gravest threat comes from Rafazi. His blood fathered the rebellion, but he will not take orders from his own creation. And when Rafazi makes a deadly deal with the Crabtrees, Kwadzo is forced into a battle with his maker that he may not survive, while the everlasting freedom of every enslaved person in the colonies hangs in the balance.

Anything But love By A.E Jensen & Courtney W. Dixon | The Weight We Carry and the Love That Helps Us Let Go

Title: Anything But Love
Author: A.E Jensen & Courtney W. Dixon
Genre: MM Romance
Rating: 4.5 ⭐
Book Links: Goodreads | Amazon


My initial thoughts: 

Some books entertain you. Others quietly remind you that healing isn't always loud or dramatic..it can look like patience, vulnerability, and someone choosing to stay when life feels the heaviest.

This was one of those books for me.

The Vibe:
Mental health struggles, emotional, spicy, slow burn, Friends to lovers

My Review:
I seem to be drawn to these trauma-based romance stories. They all seem to have one thing in common: healing. Maybe that’s what keeps pulling me back to them. We could all use a little healing, couldn’t we? Anyway… I’m babbling. 🤭 Back to the review.

Jett and Wes’ story felt like I was watching two of my best friends find each other, fall in love, and show up for one another through every high and low. Every experience they endured made me feel like I was right there beside them. 🥹

Jett’s a former Olympic track runner crushed under the weight of his parents’ expectations; his struggles with mental health rang true. It was truly heartbreaking.

Wes is sunshine personified. He’s open-hearted, genuinely kind, and exactly the kind of person Jett needed. Watching him patiently love someone who struggled to believe he deserved it was beautiful.

The emotional connection between these two is where this story shines. Watching them go from idols to lovers felt natural. The romance was slow enough to be believable while still bringing plenty of chemistry that kept me turning the pages.

My only real issue was the pacing. I spent a good portion of the book waiting for the plot to start plotting, and by the time it did, the payoff didn’t have quite the emotional impact I was hoping for. Even so, it never took away from how invested I became in Jett and Wes or how much I wanted to see them find their way to each other.

This is a heavy story, but it never forgets to give you moments to breathe. Wes’ humor, the family gatherings, and watching a man slowly learn that he is worthy of being loved balanced the heavier themes beautifully.

Jett and Wes are going to stay with me for a long time. Their story hurt, healed, and reminded me that sometimes love really can meet you where you are.

4.5⭐️

I received this arc from the author in exchange for an honest review

Synopsis:
Let me in… or walk away before you ruin me.

Wes
I’ve spent my life chasing a good time; no strings, no complications, and no heartbreak. Now that I have a stable job as a physical therapist at the university, I’m ready to look for a deeper connection. Then in walks Jared “Jett” Cordier; former Olympic golden boy, track legend… and the guy I used to watch like he was untouchable. Turns out, he’s closed off, broody, and about as welcoming as a slammed door.

But somewhere between late nights and arguments that burn a little too hot, something shifts and lines blur. One heated moment turns into another, and suddenly we’re involved in something that looks a lot like friends-with-benefits. It’s supposed to stay easy, but nothing about Jett feels casual.

Jett

I had everything once. Then I lost it all—my athletic career, my relationship, my dad.

Starting over as an assistant coach is my do-over. It’s supposed to be simple: keep my head down and do my job. Then comes Wes; too loud, too charming… too much. I’m trying desperately not to be sucked in and to keep him at arm’s length. But in the end, I let him in just enough to get a taste and forget what it feels like to be falling apart.

The more time I spend with Wes, the harder it is to pretend this is nothing. I can feel my walls crumbling, and I’m afraid. I don’t know if I’m strong enough to risk everything again.

🦆 Hero Worship
🦆 Small Town Romance
🦆 Friends with Benefits
🦆 Grumpy/Sunshine
🦆 Mental Health Rep
🦆 Hurt/Comfort
🦆 Rough Start
🦆 Opposites Attract
🦆 Interracial
🦆 Pan Awakening
🦆 Sports Romance/Running
🦆 Workplace Romance

Count on me By Leigh Carron | Hooked from the very first chapter

Title: Count on Me
Author: Leigh Carron
Genre: Romance
Rating: 5⭐
Book Links: Goodreads | Amazon


My initial thoughts:
Before I begin, if you read any of my Reviews, you know I go into every new book completely blind.. If I pick up what you’re putting down while you’re promoting your book, I’m definitely gonna read it. For this book, my gut instinct was spot on!

The Vibe:
romance, emotional, spicy, secret relationship, self love

Favorite Quote:
"For the record, I'm not Home Depot. I'm DK's Bakery. Fresh baked bread served daily"


Review:

It’s stories like THIS that keep me coming back for more.

First of all, I knew from the very first chapter that this was gonna be a good time. The witty banter between DK and his brother, to Rayne aka Luna’s sassy internal monologues had me 😂😂

DK is absolutely everything. He’s confident but not arrogant, dominant but emotionally intelligent, and the way he supports Rayne without trying to fix her or diminish her power.. chefs kiss.. Now that’s a man.

The representation of self-love.. is very strong in this story..

Rayne learns to trust herself again, to own her body, her choices, and her worth. As a woman, seeing her struggle with self-acceptance and then watching her reclaim her power, especially in a world that constantly tells women to shrink, was deeply relatable. So many of us have been there, questioning if we’re too much or not enough. Rayne’s story speaks volumes as so many ppl are currently struggling with these same issues every single day.

The spice🔥🔥🔥.. Oh honey, this totally caught me off guard.. my man DK did NOT come to play.. I especially loved that he embraced HER sexuality.

The chemistry between them is absolutely scorching from jump!! These scenes weren’t just hot, every intimate moment felt earned and meaningful.

Rayne and DK are on opposite sides of their political campaign, both fighting for what they believe in. The way it all came together felt like I got behind the scenes look at an actual campaign.

Overall, this book is a must read. It’s beautifully written about 2 ppl from different backgrounds with different struggles fighting for what they believe in.. LOVE ❤️

After reading this, is what I found out that this was part of the series. 🤷🏽‍♀️ 🤦🏽‍♀️ Now I’m definitely gonna go back and read book one and the rest of her catalog cause yes!!!

5⭐

I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review

Casually Yours By Vivian Jai Lac | Sometimes Love Deserves Another Chance

Title: Casually Yours Author: Vivian Jia Lac
Genre: Romance
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Book Links: Goodreads | Amazon


My initial thoughts:

Going into Casually Yours, I wasn't expecting such a gentle story to leave such a lasting impression.

Instead of relying on big twists or over-the-top declarations, Vivian Jia Lac focuses on something much harder to write...two people rebuilding trust after losing each other. Watching Dani and Parker slowly find their way back reminded me that sometimes the strongest love stories aren't the loudest ones... they're the ones built through patience, communication, and simply choosing each other every single day.

The Vibe:

Second chance romance, rom com, friends to lovers

My Review:

This was a slow-burning romance about Parker & Dani, who were given a second chance at love. Without the over the top drama or grand romantic gestures, I normally read. While I do love those moments, Ms. Jia Lac proves in this story that they are not always needed. Showing up when it matters, and choosing each other day after day. These are the moments relationships are built on.

When Parker finally came at Dani the right way, it absolutely struck romantic gold for me. I was already invested, but that scene hit me with all the feels.

“I know that I want to be with you. Ever since we were kids, it was all I ever wanted.”

I loved the movie references throughout the book. They added another layer to Dani and Parker’s journey, making their story feel even more meaningful.

Overall, this is a beautiful story about second chances, growth, forgiveness, and the courage it takes to be vulnerable with someone who once held your heart. Dani and Parker’s journey reminded me that love isn’t just about finding the right person… It’s about doing the work to keep choosing them.

So if you’re anything like me and love a good Hallmark-style romance, this is exactly that. 🥹💕

I received this arc in exchange for my honest review
5⭐️

Synopsis:

Dani Tsai and Parker Tran grew up inseparable in middle-of-nowhere Silverpine, Oregon. She was the bookish girl, introverted and dreamy; he was the quintessential boy next door: charming, popular, and destined to be a football star. They were an unlikely pair of best friends—until they left for college and their friendship came to an unexpected end.

In the seven years since, Dani has moved on to pursue a writing career in New York City, where she’s determined to keep her distance from the boy she once called her best friend, even if it means staying away from her hometown. That is until a chance encounter brings her face-to-face with Parker again, who is now a hotshot sports marketing director on a temporary assignment in New York. He’s traded his jersey and cleats for designer suits and an Aston Martin, and even more puzzling is that he seems to think they can be friends again. Try as she might, Dani can’t resist his pull. Sparks fly, and an impulsive kiss leads to heated nights in his hotel suite. They make a tentative agreement: Until Parker leaves New York, they’ll keep things casual—just sex, no strings attached.

Easier said than done. Challenges arise as Dani and Parker attempt to keep their relationship on the down low, especially when a sudden return to Silverpine forces them to sneak around their nosy families. As revelations about their past come to light, it becomes increasingly difficult to keep feelings out of the mix. In this second-chance, open-door romance and debut novel, the lines are bound to blur between lust and something deeper. Walls begin to crumble, and Dani and Parker soon find themselves far too close for casual.

Severed heart By Kate Stewart | At some point you just gotta rip the band-aid off

Title: Severed Heart
Author: Kate Stewart
Genre: Dark Romance
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Book Links: Goodreads | Amazon


My initial thoughts:

I put this book off for far longer than I expected because I wasn't ready to have my heart broken again after One Last Rainy Day. I should've known Kate Stewart had other plans, because somehow Tyler and Delphine found a way to completely steal my heart anyway.

The Vibe:
Dark romance, emotional, Military romance, Second chance

One line that stood out to me:
"Backspace. Backspace. Backspace. Backspace. Backspace. Delete. Hold.... I'm tempted to let one slip and see how it lands"

My Review:
It took me a very long time to finish reading this book.. I was so heavy in my emotions from OLRD, I didn't want to fall for another character. As I knew this was about Tyler and his love for Deplphine.. after reading the Ravenhood series, I knew how this story was gonna end, so I prolonged that pain that I knew came with this story.

What I didn't expect was how much I would fall in love with not just Tyler.. but Delphine.. from the trauma she endured throughout her life, to what made her the woman she inevitably became, to the unconditional love she fought so hard to deny she had for Tyler.
Tyler too fought his feelings for her just the same..

"Backspace. Backspace. Backspace. Backspace. Backspace. Delete. Hold.... I'm tempted to let one slip and see how it lands....

If only you would let me show you how kind love can be, beautiful woman."

His unsent message definitely hit.. for me

Emotions aside, there was one major plot twist in this story that had me scratching my head, trying to connect the dots and see if my suspicions were right. Most of my suspicions were eventually answered within this story..., but by now you all know I'm impatient. I wanted those answers ASAP. 😂

In the end, my heart was severed.. AGAIN.. I'm scening a patteren ms stewart.. and I'm not here for it..

Okay, who am I kidding... yes I am...prepare to get my heart broken yet again.. in BOAF

5⭐️



Synopsis:

Once upon a time . . .

There lived an ambitious boy determined to become a man before his time.

And a woman, and battered soldier who recognized the scars that marred his soul—scars which mirrored her own.

Determined to help shape the warrior within him, it was their inexplicable bond that would forever alter his heart.

And the loss of that love that would redefine his destiny.

After all, nothing has ever been fair in love and war.

Upgraded By Abby Millsaps | When Your Ex Cheats and Karma Delivers

 

Title: Upgraded
Author:  Abby Millsaps
Genre: Romance
Rating: 4.5⭐
Book Links: Goodreads | Amazon

My initial thoughts:

While the racing aspect kept things exciting, & Alaric was a complete dream. Evandeline's journey kept me locked in

Read This If You Like:

Sports Romance, Age gap, Forbidden Romance


Review:

I don't think I've ever picked up a Formula 1 book before this. In fact, if you had asked me a year ago whether I'd be interested in reading about racing, my answer would have been a very confident absolutely not.

But somewhere along this sports romance journey, my tastes have apparently expanded as I found myself genuinely invested in both the racing world and the people in it.

I connected with Evangeline almost immediately. After discovering her boyfriend has been cheating on her, she's forced to rebuild her life from the ground up. What I appreciated most was that her journey wasn't just about finding a new romance. It was about finding herself again, her voice.

As someone who loves seeing mental health represented in books, I absolutely loved how authors are bringing these stories to life. As someone who has worked in the mental health field, people dealing with mental illness are treated as if they're broken or need to be fixed.
In this story, for example, Evangeline was allowed to be successful, capable, loved, and deserving of happiness exactly as she was. I would love to see more authors give characters with mental health challenges the empowerment they deserve.

And then there's Alaric.

Listen...

When your ex cheats on you and his daddy decides you deserve better... and then proceeds to prove it.. That's a level of karma I can fully support. The things this man did for her... my heart was swooning. 🥰🥰

The connection between Evangeline and Alaric wasn't built on him swooping in to save her. What stood out to me was the way he respected her, accommodated her needs, and genuinely saw her as a person. After everything she'd endured, those moments carried a lot of weight.

Overall, this was a story about healing, self-worth, second chances, and discovering that sometimes the end of one chapter can lead you exactly where you're meant to be.

4.5⭐

Synopsis:

If your ex can’t get you across the finish line, his dad probably can…

I’ve always been “too much.”
Too sensitive. Too picky. Too clumsy. Too dramatic.
As a result, I’ve mastered the art of masking.

But that doesn’t stop Alaric Steele from truly seeing me when he finds me flat on my back in his driveway, mid-meltdown.

As Team Principal of Granata Racing, Alaric is control personified. He’s almost twenty years older than me and happens to be my ex-boyfriend’s dad.

Out of desperation, I accept a new job with Granata.

Which means Alaric is also my new boss.

The most surprising part of my role working in Formula 1 isn’t the intense travel schedule or the fear of seeing my ex around the paddock: it’s navigating the surprise encounters and secret rendezvous that launch Alaric and I into a high-speed forbidden romance neither one of us ever saw coming.

But with Alaric’s career on the line, and my fear of being too much growing louder by the day, is the risk of crashing and burning worth falling for my ex-boyfriend’s dad?