Spitting Off The Edge of The World By Courtney W. Dixon

 

Synopsis:


I found you just when I thought my life was over.

Julien Kendrick

Not only am I a recent high school graduate from a prestigious school, but I also come from money—a lot of money. So why am I miserable? No, it’s more like apathy. I crave to escape this life, while others are desperate for it. I want to feel again. To feel something, anything. The decision to leave my horrible parents and friends to spend two weeks doing what I want to do is meant to be my last hurrah, as the old saying goes. I don’t want to spend it alone, though, so I hire a prostitute I find on the street. Not only is he stunningly beautiful, but his pain calls to me.

He’s the one I want to spend my last two weeks with.

Romeo

No kissing. No holding. And no loving. Ever.

Those are the rules. They’re simple when I need life to be easier. But then along comes Julien, who pays a small fortune to have me for two weeks. This is my chance to escape my hell—a life I’ve known for as long as I can remember. My only memories are of being used and abused. I don’t even know my birth name, having lost it somewhere in my past. When our two weeks are up, I plan to run, but Julien is derailing that plan. He’s so kind to me. Gentle. I’m not used to it, but I’m greedy for it. Now, I’ll do anything to keep him.







Review:

Thank you, Courtney Dixon, for providing me with this arc.

This story opens with raw, traumatic moments, and some scenes were hard to read.

Julien decides to take control of his life.. on his terms. When he meets Romeo, their connection is instant. As their relationship develops, it becomes clear they share more than just chemistry. They both carry similar wounds and histories. Through each other, they start to find what they’ve both been missing: stability, understanding, and a chance for healing. Before the end of this book, I was a blubbering mess! lol so be sure to keep those tissues handy for this one.

This story reminded me of a mix between an M/M  version of Pretty Woman and the emotional weight of Me Before You. It’s tender, intense, and it's beautifully written. It captures what it means to rebuild yourself while allowing someone else to come into your life.

Watching Julien and Romeo move from merely surviving to finding something to enjoying the possibilities of a beautiful life together was incredibly powerful.


I'm looking forward to seeing what comes next in this series.


That said, this book tackles some heavy themes. I recommend checking the trigger warnings before diving in.

5 ⭐

Daggermouth By H.M. Wolfe

Synopsis:


Set in a corrupt surveillance state ruled by the masked elite, this true enemies-to-lovers dystopian romance that’s Conform meets V For Vendetta follows a mercenary who botches the assassination of the president’s son and ends up forced to marry him.

The first thing you’ll learn in New Found Haven is that mercy doesn’t exist. The second thing is that, from the highest glass atrium in the Heart to the windowless slums of the Boundary, the Veyra are always watching.

The last lesson is the hardest, but you must remember it: Love outside of your ring is a death sentence.

The city is carved into rings of privilege and poverty, ruled by the masked elite who will do whatever it takes to hold onto power. Obedience is demanded. Rebellion is crushed.

Greyson Serel has spent his life caught between two worlds. Publicly, he’s the flawless heir to the presidency. Privately, he’s entangled in secrets that could topple the regime. But when he’s forced into a political marriage meant to bind him tighter to the government’s brutal laws, he finds himself shackled to a bride as lethal as she is unwilling.

Shadera Kael is a mercenary raised to kill, not to wed. Yet when her bullet misses its mark, survival leaves her tied to the very man she was sent to eliminate. Trapped inside the corrupt heart of the city, she becomes both prisoner and wife, her every step watched, her every move tested.

Their union is no love story—it’s a battlefield. As secrets come to light and betrayals fester within the walls of power, Greyson and Shadera must decide between annihilating each other or burning the city to the ground together.

In a world where passion has consequences and loyalty is paid for in blood, their forced bond may be the spark that ignites a revolution. Or the fire that consumes them both.

Review: 

I received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

First, I can't express how excited I was when I got approved for this ARC!  

I'm sorry, I know this isn't about me... on to the review..


"Beautiful things are often built on ugly foundations."

Daggermouth feels like the ugly road we're already on.

Greyson is controlled and precise, unraveling in silence under the weight of power. While Shadera is lethal and defiant, forged into a weapon, unwilling to be anything else until survival forces her to change.

What happens between them isn’t just romance; it’s an ideology clashed with instinct. Trauma competes with desire.

Watching them shift from enemies to uneasy allies and then to something more dangerous felt like seeing a war unfold in slow motion.

Every interaction is charged. Every moment seems ready to explode... The writing hits hard. You feel every emotion and the overwhelming weight of injustice.

Then there’s the ending. It didn’t just surprise me...it shattered me, leaving me to figure out what TF just happened!

Visually, it felt cinematic, full of moments that need to be seen as much as read. It screams adaptation. I can't wait to see this on the big screen! Trust me, I will be there!

4.5

Bonds of Slavery by Charley Mayne

Synopsis:


Ryan’s Story Begins.

OBEDIENCE IS SURVIVAL
RESISTANCE IS PAIN

In a future where freedom has a price, how far would you go to survive?

The year is 2045. America’s war on drugs has turned into a war on its own people. Overcrowded prisons and a ruthless new administration give rise to the Chainmark Act – a brutal solution to prison population control, cloaked as justice.

Ryan Murphy, sixteen and already hardened by life on the streets of New York, becomes one of the first minors “offered” into the program. Sentenced for a crime he didn’t fully understand, Ryan is sold to Brad Wilkins, a sadistic Texas rancher who sees obedience as the only law.

As Ryan grapples with pain, isolation and control, he must learn the rules of survival in a system designed to break him. But even in the darkest corners of captivity, hope flickers – because Ryan knows that survival isn’t enough.

He wants to live.
And he wants to be free.


Review:

“One hundred and eighty years after slavery was abolished in the United States… it was brought back.”

I’ve always been the type to test my limits. You don’t really know what you can handle until something forces you to find out.

This book?
Yeah… it found mine.

Set in 2045, we follow Ryan—just sixteen—who makes one mistake. A stupid one. The kind most people would expect a slap on the wrist for.

That’s not what he gets.

What he’s forced into is brutal, dehumanizing, and honestly hard to even process at times.

I’m not exaggerating when I say this book broke me. I had to stop reading more than once just to breathe. Just to reset.


“Stay quiet. Stand still. Stay quiet. Stand still. Stay quiet. Stand still” 

This line still sits on your chest. 😭

The writing is raw and immersive in a way that doesn’t let you look away. I didn’t just read Ryan’s story, I felt every second of it. Every ounce of fear, pain, and helplessness.

Sleep didn’t exist for me.
Peace of mind was nonexistent. Not til i finished it

By the end, I wasn’t just emotional..I was gutted.

This is not an easy read. It’s not supposed to be. And it’s definitely not for everyone.

But if you can handle something heavy..something dark, suffocating, and brutally honest...this is one of those books that stays with you long after you finish it.

Just do yourself a favor...

Check the trigger warnings. Seriously.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Yes Chef By Grace Reilly

Synopsis:

If you can’t take the heat…get out of the kitchen.

After a public meltdown in the dining room of one of Manhattan’s most elite restaurants, Chef Jack Hartman is back in his South Florida hometown. Angry, grieving, and saddled with the unwanted storefront his late mentor left him, his life is spinning out of control. And that’s before Poppy Winfield, the blond, bubbly, utterly infuriating daughter of his former boss, shows up at his dock.

Poppy needs to escape. From her disapproving family, her horrible ex-boyfriend, and her reputation as someone who has never taken anything seriously. But more than that, she wants to prove herself—and she has just the plan to do it. Unfortunately, that plan involves Jack Hartman, the most arrogant, prickly, intimidating man she’s ever had the pleasure of throwing a shrimp at.

She knows Jack is desperate to come back from his unceremonious firing, so she proposes a deal: working together to open a revamped version of his mentor’s restaurant. He’ll handle the menu, and she’ll use her skill as a social media influencer to sell the hell out of its grand opening. If she and Jack can make the restaurant a success, it’ll be an accomplishment no one can deny—and a ticket for them both to return to New York.

Jack is intrigued, but only on his terms: if Poppy’s going to work for him, she must learn the ropes of the entire business. Including how to cook. From him.

As sparks fly both in and out of the kitchen and tensions reach a boiling point, Poppy and Jack are left wondering--could they be a perfect pairing? Or is this whole experiment a recipe for disaster?

My Review

Poppy, a successful lifestyle influencer seeking her family's approval, meets Jack, a talented chef dealing with the loss of his mentor and the shock of losing his job. As Jack takes on the challenge of reviving his mentor’s dying restaurant, he’s forced into an uneasy alliance with Poppy for the exposure he desperately needs.

What begins as an unwilling partnership soon evolves into a thrilling enemies-to-lovers type romance, filled with tension and undeniable chemistry.

I truly enjoyed this story. It offers strong summer vibes, charming side characters, and a heroine who is easy to cheer for. Though Jack can be frustrating at times due to his rough edges, his character growth and the sizzling dynamic he shares with Poppy made this an enjoyable and engaging read.

4⭐

Thank you, Netgally, for providing this arc in exchange for my honest review.

Madly Driven by Tiye

Synopsis:

Kensie Garrett turned her worst heartbreak into a bestselling brand. As a social-media influencer and author of a hit self-help book teaching women how to find love without losing themselves, she’s built a career on staying in command. But one reckless night threatens everything she’s created when she gives in to the magnetic pull of Canaan Jackson, the infuriating race car driver she’s despised since college.

When a private video from that night leaks, Kensie’s credibility and Canaan’s shot at racing glory are suddenly on the line. To save them both, he does the announces their engagement during a live press conference. What begins as damage control quickly spirals into a dangerous chemistry neither can contain.

Thrown together under the scorching Miami sun in the months leading up to his first Formula One race, Kensie and Canaan must outmaneuver paparazzi, past betrayals, and a passion that refuses to stay off camera. But as lies blur into truth and old wounds resurface, Kensie has to decide whether protecting her image is worth losing her heart to the one man who may know her better than she knows herself.


Review:


Kensie and Canaan hated each other. Until one unforgettable night in Jamaica..Then, they suddenly couldn't keep their hands off each other.

This book started strong... but the miscommunication & holding on to past trauma between these two went on for far too long for me..

The story itself was good, I kept wanting to scream at these two, wake up and see beyond their own nose..

If you're looking for fake dating & messy romance.. this one's for you.

3 ⭐

*I received an arc from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review*

3000 Reasons to stay By Jaime P. Bradley

Synopsis:

When a workaholic hotel manager and a Marine with big dreams collide, will she check him off her to-do list before he opens her heart to new possibilities?
Delaware single-mom Carrie Waller can’t seem to be enough. She juggles custody issues and never-ending parental demands while working at her ex-in-laws’ hotel, determined to deliver another flawless wedding even though her own love life is more neglected than a VHS rental card. The people-pleasing divorcee is so used to putting fun on the back burner that it takes crashing headfirst into a handsome guest to awaken all her dormant desires.

With retirement looming, Marine Ryan Duran is in desperate need of stability. Stress nips at the reserved thirty-seven-year-old’s heels when he attends his best friend’s wedding across the country, and he welcomes the distraction of the cute, quirky hotel manager. But when he gets back to California and his grandad offers to fund his dream business—if he’ll settle down with a wife—Ryan can’t shake the memory of near-kisses with the East Coast beauty.

When a new job gives Carrie a chance to tackle her freshly written to-do list for fun—and reconnect with the fling that got away—she breaks the safe confines of her planner and takes it. She knows their passion is temporary because her loyalty will always lie with her daughters. But as the weeks pass, Ryan becomes harder to let go. And while Ryan can’t help falling, he needs to lock down his future with a woman who’ll fulfill his meddling grandfather’s stipulations to secure funding for the veterans’ fitness center.


My Review:


Carrie has one mission: to give her best friend the perfect wedding. It seems simple if you ignore the nightmare ex-husband, his even worse parents, and the fact that her personal life is nonexistent.
She’s playing it safe, keeping her world small and manageable until she literally crashes into one of the groomsmen, which throws that plan out the window.

Enter Ryan, a Marine fitness instructor and the embodiment of San Diego sunshine, temporarily stuck in snowy Delaware. He’s there to support his friend and keep everything running smoothly. That’s the plan, right up until Carrie collides with him, making “smooth” no longer possible.
These two fight it. Hard. The tension is ridiculous. The slow burn feels almost torturous. It’s the kind of drawn-out, will-they-won’t-they drama that makes you want to yell at the pages.

But when they finally give in, it’s worth every moment.🤩
Completely worth it. This is exactly what a romance reader lives for

4.5 ⭐

I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review

The Rules by Kora Nyx

Synopsis:

She’s my stepsister. The one girl I shouldn't want... and the only one I can't resist.

Five minutes earlier she was just the new girl in class—
Chaos in human form with her sharp tongue and those scuffed combat boots,
Calling me a coward in front of everyone.
Then we were alone in the parking lot.
She stepped close.
Wrapped her arms around my neck.
And kissed me like she meant it.
Then she stole my wallet.
I was still trying to figure out what the hell just happened when my dad tackled her as she was sprinting away.
“I see you’ve already met your new stepsister.”
Stepsister.
She stares at me. I stare at her.
“Oh, you have got to be forking kidding me,” she sighs.
Because now the girl who kissed me like my life depended on it…
is living in my house.
We should stay away from each other.
But neither of us has ever been very good at following the rules.



Review:

In the history of reviewing books, I don't think I've ever clapped for any book that ends on a cliffhanger. If you've ever followed along with any of my reviews, it's quite the opposite. Although this book ends on a major cliffhanger, I'm sooo excited to read the second book in this series.

I'm so excited, I'm getting ahead of myself.

We start with Harper, stuck in East Texas with a mother who cares more about her next fix than her own daughter. Survival mode is all Harper knows. Her only real lifeline? Z—her best friend, her escape plan, her way out. They’re ready to do whatever it takes to break free… even if that means making reckless, life-altering decisions.

But before Harper can choose her own future, it’s taken from her.

Enter Silas—the father who’s been absent her entire life—suddenly deciding to play hero. He uproots her and drops her into a brand-new life in Dallas… complete with a picture-perfect home, a stepmother… and stepbrother Caleb.

Harper is a strong and fierce young woman who's dealt with a boatload of trauma in her life.

While Caleb is a sweet, controlled, structured, rule driven. His world runs on order, routines, and a rulebook he doesn’t break. Ever. That is, until he meets Harper.

"She just called me cute.... Does she mean puppy-dog cute or handsome cute?"

What starts as curiosity turns into something neither of them is prepared for. Because Harper doesn’t just challenge Caleb..she unravels him. And Caleb? He makes Harper feel something dangerously close to safe… which might be the most terrifying thing of all.

But that ending you never see coming oooh chileeeeee

Caleb's next move is gonna be one for the books. I can feel it!!!

This was a 6 star read!

I received an arc from Booksprout in exchange for my honest review

The Finish Line by Kate Stewart

Synopsis:

Secrets and Lies...

I’ve lived the entirety of my life wrapped up in subterfuge for one purpose—revenge.

Through the years, I lived more as an enigma than a man.

For so long, I denied I had a beating heart of my own.

Until her. Until she unearthed the starving vessel inside, forced me to acknowledge it, forced me to understand that I’m capable of bleeding the same as any other.

For that, we paid. We're still paying.

Yet, she demands it still, the useless heart of the ruthless thief and shameless villain she fell for. My fear is, I’m no longer that man.

With the lies I’ve told, the life I’ve led, my mistakes are beginning to catch up with me, day by day, one by one.

This is my last chance, and I have no intention of losing her again, but as the deception of my past starts to unravel and close in, shedding my humanity may be the only thing that can save us both.

Maybe it’s already too late.




My review:

“Asking permission to kiss you? Never going to fucking happen.”

This book picks up right where Exodus left off, and Tobias wastes no time reminding you exactly who he is..ruthless, relentless, and absolutely unhinged when he wants something. And he wants Cecelia back.

The difference this time? She’s not folding. Watching Tobias struggle to win her over was everything. For the first time, we get cracks in the armor. A softer, more vulnerable side that I did not expect… but fully devoured.

He’s not just fighting for control anymore; he’s fighting for the love of his life. And it changes him. In the best and most painful way.

I laughed until I cried. Then cried until I couldn’t see.

“I’ll wait for you, Trésor… as long as it takes.”

The flashbacks with him and Dom were easily some of my favorite parts. They add depth, answer long-standing questions, and hit emotionally right when they need to. Everything threads perfectly into the present.

And now I’m stuck with a decision I’m not sure I'm ready to make…
Do I read 'One Last Rainy Day'…

Because after this? I love Dom even more.
And I already know… whatever comes next is going to hurt. 

The Player's Promise by Tierney Page

Synopsis:

Anna's not looking for love. Fresh out of a divorce, she needs an escape. One reckless night of fun - and the gorgeous Irishman who buys her a drink at the bar promises exactly that. No last names, no strings, just fireworks.

Liam's used to hiding behind his game face. But after a brutal betrayal and an even messier brawl, he's lost everything: his football career, his team, and his reputation. A one-night stand with a stranger? Just the distraction he needs. He never expected to see Anna again...until she turns out to be his son's new teacher.

Anna knows she shouldn't get involved with a student's father, especially not him. But Liam's not the man the tabloids say he is. He's everything she thought she wasn't ready for. Which makes him so much worse.




Review:

This is book three in the London Heart series. To be honest, I didn’t have high hopes after reading the first book. I skipped book two and went straight to this one, and I’m glad I did, because it pleasantly surprised me. There’s just something about a single dad romance that captivates me every time, and this one really delivered. It had the perfect blend of excitement and those tender, emotional moments that us romance readers crave.


“I've lived in different places, but none of them ever felt like home until you. You taught me that love isn't about being seen. It's about being understood, it's about showing up, it's about sitting in the quiet together and still being heard. I've never truly felt success in my life until I've heard you say I love you.”

Even though some parts of the story were a bit predictable, I couldn’t put it down. It drew me in and kept me engaged. And the spice 🥵… Liam’s way with words? Unmatched.

This story gave me exactly what I came for. Honestly, that’s what matters.

3.5 ⭐️

✯★‿¸.••.¸‿NEW RELEASE: Corrupting His Wife‿¸.••.¸‿★✯

Drugged.
Kidnapped.
Held hostage.
Is her captor the savior she needs?
Or a monster from her worst nightmare?
Be warned: violence and torture (not between the H/h) and erotic scenes are inside these pages. If you like darker themes and full-on excitement, this book is for you!

Download Corrupting His Wife for 99 cents:
Direct from Author – https://books.amberdaulton.com/CorruptingHisWifeDirect
Universal - https://books2read.com/CorruptingHisWife
Amazon - https://amzn.to/3H7ssPi
Blurb for Corrupting His Wife
Kidnapping a reluctant bride is easy. Staying off her jilted fiancé’s radar is tough.
As the second-in-command of the Lozano Cartel, Enrique Briceño always gets what he wants. So when Lourdes’s father demands she marry another man, Enrique makes his move—abduction. Vowing to corrupt his sweet little captive in every wicked way imaginable, he doesn’t expect her to fight him with fire.
Cartel princess Lourdes Villegas longs for peace. Freedom. A chance to let her artist soul breathe. Yet once again, a man is pulling her strings. In Enrique’s arms, she trades one ruthless capo for another. His touch sets her ablaze, but she’s already plotting her escape.
As political alliances crumble and the streets run red, Enrique must prove he’s more than just another monster in Lourdes’s life. Because this time, love might be the most dangerous thing of all.
Read an excerpt: https://amberdaulton.com/.../releaseday-corrupting-his.../
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Cutthroat By Octavia Grant

Synopsis:

Eden Shelton was once told that you can’t spell embarrassment without MEN. She never believed it because, according to her, there was nothing better than being a wife to a loving and appreciative man. Marrying her college sweetheart seemed to make everything in her life better. But, when her rose colored glasses are removed, Eden discovers that the man she planned to walk through life forever with has secrets. Secrets that will change who she is forever.




Review:


I admit I was skeptical when I started this book. So I'm pleasantly surprised at how much I loved this

"If I'm asleep when you get home, f&%K me anyway." What?!? 🤯

Famous quote. Hell has no fury like a woman scorned, and boy did she serve him the dish he deserved and then some.
While there were some details in this book we could have lived without, but it was definitely worth it!

"It ain't no fun when the rabbits' got the gun."

I can't say too much without giving this book away. But please be warned, this book is NOT meant for everyone. 

4.5⭐️

How Not to Fall I love By Karla Sorenson

After one reckless night, Archer Evans is sentenced to community service at the local animal shelter. But the owner of the Shelter, Remi Sinclair, has no tolerance for the Archer's celebrity antics. She's like, if you're gonna do community service here.. I'm gonna make sure you work for it!! And boy does she put him through it lol.
Without much pushback, he does everything she asks. Eventually, Remi learns that everything is not black and white. And this revelation changes her whole perception.


This book had me hooked from the very first chapter! The chemistry between Remi and Archer was completely unmatched, no matter how much they fought it.... oh, and did they fight it! Sooo much that there were times I found myself wishing to tell them how foolish they were being. lol

There were moments in this book that felt personal.. I felt like they were talking to me specifically.
It gave me all the emotional reminders of why I love romance.
This story is made for romance buffs like me.. DON'T SKIP THIS ONE!

By the way.. Mrs Sorensen..
The letter...genius! I was laughing the whole time!

Solid 4 star read

Exodus by Kate Stewart

Synopsis:

Can you live a lie?

It’s a ghost town, this place that haunts me, the one that made me.

It’s clear to me that I’ll never outgrow Triple Falls or outlive the time I spent here.

I can still feel them all, my boys of summer.

Even when I’d sensed the danger, I gave in.

I didn’t heed a single warning. I let my sickness, my love, both rule and ruin me. I played my part, eyes wide open, tempting fate until it delivered.

There was never going to be an escape.

All of us are to blame for what happened. All of us serving our own sentences. We were careless and reckless, thinking our youth made us indestructible, exempt from our sins, and it cost us all.

I’m done pretending I didn’t leave the largest part of me between these hills and valleys, between the sea of trees that hold my secrets.

It’s the reason I’m back. To make peace with my fate.

And if I can’t grieve enough to cure myself in my time here, I’ll remain sick. That will be my curse.

But it’s time to confess, to myself more so than any other, that I’d hindered my chances because of the way I was built, and because of the men who built me.

At this point, I just want to make peace with who I am, no matter what ending I get.

Because I can no longer live a lie.

My Review:

I'm totally at a loss for words. this book... oh this book..😭😭😭😭

the heartbreak..

"If you had waited for me, I would have given you the opposite of nothing." 😔

No one prepared me for chapter 25.. I would never not beable to read this line without crying, 

"We love rainy days, don’t we, baby?"


"Are you happy?... So f... happy pup."😢

The nerve of this man.. after finally getting her life back on track NOW NOW NOW he shows up? MEN!!

"My future has no more room for tears." Mine either!!

This book took me through all of the emotions!! Call me sadistic because I loved it!!

Flock by Kate Stewart

 

I don’t know why I avoided this series for so long. I can honestly say I get it now.

Cecelia, at the very young age of 18, moves in with her estranged father. A father who has NEVER shown interest in her.. like ever..just so she can take over the company. In said company is where she meets Sean and Dominic. In a nutshell, Sean is the charmer women fawn after, Cecelia and Sean become a thing pretty quickly. While Dom is the moody best friend who hates everyone.. or is that just a facade?


Sean:
I loved Sean.. I mean, how can you not Hes sweet, attentive fling any girl could ask for.. (Pup is my new favorite pet name.. I'm literally cheesing just thinking about it)


Dom:
Dom is that guy you know is trouble and should stay away from.. but us women don't listen. If I'm being honest, I will never not be attracted to the guy who doesn't want me.. like literally.. So It's no surprise Cecelia falls for him too..


The ending, though.. that kinda threw me for a loop.. like what the hell just happened?
I'm so confused right now


freaking cliffhangers man...

4 Stars

His Ruin By Juliet Coven

 

Synopsis:

When Melody’s mother marries billionaire Maxwell Wilder, her life is rewritten overnight. New money. A sprawling estate. A powerful new family. And a new brother.


Kaden Wilder is everything Melody isn’t—controlled, stoic, untouchable. At first, their bond is innocent, two kids who found comfort in each other as newfound siblings.

Until something shifts.

Kaden’s affection warps to fixation, and his protection becomes possession. Every line is crossed, blurring the paths of right and wrong. Their connection burns bright from the very beginning, engulfing them both in fiery passion.

But Kaden has his own secrets that could fracture the very fabric of their love and shatter the illusion.


This is a dark romance with a HEA. Some themes may be triggering for readers. It’s encouraged to read the trigger warnings listed at the beginning of the book.




My Review:

Kaden's fixation with Melody is completely intense at times. But when Melody learns of the life he has been concealing, everything truly changes. She is left trying to make sense of feelings that don't match reality when the version of Kaden she thought she knew suddenly begins to fall apart.

If you're looking for a great taboo forbidden romance, look no further, His Ruin is it!

3.5 stars

The sinner By Sierra Simone

The Sinner is the second installment of the Priest Series. Unlike his brother, Sean Bell wants nothing to do with  God, the church, or any other part of it. Then, in true God fashion, he runs into Zanny. His best friend's little sister, who is not so little anymore. She is breathtakingly gorgeous. He insistently remind himself that he must stay away from her; she is too young for him, way too young.  Although he knows he should stay away, little Zany is practicing to become a nun; she has one final test she must pass, and that is to learn about sex. Who better to turn to than your brother's best friend? Someone you've known all your life and trust completely, what could possibly go wrong?

I’m a sinner with a dimpled smile and perfect hair, and I know how to make sin feel like heaven. 🫠🫠🫠

 These Bell Brothers are just built differently...

I'm late to the party, but good lord, I'm loving catching up!! What a ride this book was!! From start to finish, I was completely captivated by everything Sean Bell. Now I love love love Father Bell after reading the priest, I found it very hard to believe anyone else could top that. I'm so happy to report that Sean Bell definitely does.

“Well, I do feel like I should mention that I think virginity in general is an arbitrary construct designed by men as a system of control and fear. And it’s heteronormative. And limiting, because why do certain sexual acts preserve virginity and some destroy it? What if I fucked a dildo every night, but I hadn’t fucked a man? Why doesn’t anal sex count? And what if I was with someone and penetration wasn’t an option, for any number of biological or emotional or identity reasons—would that make our sex less somehow? I’d be a virgin forever?”

Excuse me while I pick my jaw up off the floor!! And have I ever thought of it that way? There were many moments throughout this book when I felt the author was speaking to me directly. 

This was for sure a 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ with a scorching spice level 🥵🥵. I simply cannot get enough

And with that, I'm off to read about the youngest brother, Aiden 😊

The Way I Used To Be by Amber Smith

 

The book starts off with 14-year-old Eden dealing with head-on trauma. With many failed attempts to tell her friends and family about said trauma. Eden decides she's just gonna keep it to herself, as many in her situation do; she believes no one will believe her. Barely coping, we watch as she handles this trauma the best way she knows how. 

“I feel these forbidden thoughts creep in sometimes without warning. Slow thoughts that always start quietly, like whispers you're not even sure you're hearing. And then they get louder and louder until they become every sound in the entire world. Thoughts that can't be undone.
Would anyone care?
Would anyone even fucking notice?
What if one day I just wasn't here anymore?
What if one day it all just stopped?”

For me, this book starts off slow. And after reading it in its entirety, I do understand why that is. I'm just impatient lol. Some of the events in this book were hard to read without crying because of how close to home this book hit. Personally, I think this book should be read by EVERYONE!! especially those who believe they are all alone. But more so for those whose loved ones have survived trauma of any kind.

This book also doesn't have a traditional HEA ending. However, it does have a holding on to hope vibe, which I felt was very fitting.

Now the question remains... do I continue this series? Have you read it? If so, is it gonna break my heart further? 😬

⭐⭐⭐.5

One killer Night By Trilina Pucci

So here's the thing… I usually go into a book blind right. Here's the down side to that. In the case of this book.. I was lost while reading this book in the beginning. I had no idea what genre this book was. This book and I had a rocky start, and I take full responsibility for that.

The meet-cute was good, but the pacing had me like, what's really happening here 🤔 I actually had to put the book down and come back to it later.

Good thing there was an audiobook, because I’m not sure I would’ve made it through otherwise.

Once the tension picked up, things started happening, and I literally couldn’t put it down.

“Because you scare the shit out of me, Goldie. You make me want shit I didn’t think I could have.”

I don’t read a ton of romantic suspense, but I am trying to branch out with my reading tastes, and this one ended up surprising me. A slow start, yes, but once it hits its stride, it becomes an addictive ride.

Overall, I ended up really liking it and would definitely recommend it.

⭐️ 3.5 stars

People Like Them By Carol Ann Eastman

People Like Them follows Cissy and her friends on their journey to fight for the right to love and live freely in the world of Eka. It’s a story about the courage to love freely, defiance, and refusing to let anyone dictate who you are.

I mentioned something similar in my review of the first book in this series, People Like Us: no one ... absolutely no one should have the power to decide who you can or cannot love. It doesn’t matter who they are or what authority they think they hold. Cissy and the friends drive that message home with incredible force.

This story is powerful and deeply relevant. It reminds us that no matter where we come from, no matter what we believe, every single one of us has a voice that deserves to be heard. In many ways, the struggles in this book mirror the world we’re living in today.

We also get glimpses into the backstories of several characters, which adds depth and helps us understand how they became the people we see now. Those moments made the story feel even more real and relatable.

By the end, I laughed, and I cheered when they stood up to authority.

If you’ve never read one of my reviews before, if you’ve never taken my recommendations seriously, let this be the one you trust. If you enjoy testing boundaries, forbidden romance, and a fiercely powerful FMC, I strongly urge you to read this book.

You can thank me later.

No Question 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Netflix, I hope you're paying attention 😉 😉