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by April Asher. Pub date 2/7/23

Supernatural Singles, Book #1

4*s. Best enjoyed when you need a little magic and romance in your life.

For my review of Violet’s story:

Publisher’s Synopsis:

“For her entire life, Rose Maxwell trained to become the next Prima on the Supernatural Council. Now that she’s stepped down, it’s time for this witch to focus on herself. And not think about her impulsive one-night stand with Damian Adams, a half-Demon Veterinarian who she can’t get out of her head. Neither of them is looking for a relationship. But when Rose is sentenced to community service at Damian’s animal sanctuary it becomes impossible for them to ignore their sparking attraction. A friends-with-benefits, no feelings, no strings arrangement works perfectly for them both.

After a sequence of dead-end jobs, it’s not until Rose tangos with two snarly demons that she thinks she’s finally found her path. However, this puts Damian back on the periphery of a world he thought he left behind. He doesn’t approve of Rose becoming a Hunter, but if there’s one thing he’s learned about the stubborn witch, it was telling her not to do something was one sure-fire way to make sure she did.

Working―and sleeping―together awakens feelings Damian never knew he had…and shouldn’t have. Because thanks to his ex’s hex, if he falls in love, he’ll not only lose his heart―but his humanity.”

Review:

I was very excited to be approved for the next installment in the Supernatural Singles series. In Not Your Ex’s Hexes, we get the chance to see the next Maxwell sister, Rose, find her happiness. If you haven’t read the first installment, you can see my review here: https://alwayslostinwords.blog/2023/04/30/not-the-witch-you-wed/.

Asher has a talent for writing MCs with troubled or stressful pasts that are working to turn over a new leaf. The story of Rose and Damien is not an exception.

After losing what was essentially Rose’s predetermined path in life when her older (by a few minutes) sister Violet comes into her powers, she’s a bit thrown off. She’s been training for the Prima position her whole life, and though she’s not upset that her sister is now in that position, it leaves Rose with a freedom of movement she’s never before had. Plus, not being forced into a bonding with a truly awful tiger shifter also frees her to dive into the dating pool if she so desires, or just a one night stand, and one thing she finds she desires is a certain half demon that catches her eye at Potions Up who helps her forget for one night. 

However, after Rose and her friends try to save two malnourished horses from a farm that turns out to be Damien’s animal rescue (and yes, those were horses he had JUST rescued), she ends up seeing a lot more of Damien than she ever thought she would. Unfortunately, Damien has his own problems that have put his heart firmly on the shelf for his own self-preservation and it’s a major problem when Rose seems to be the one person with a ladder tall enough to reach it. Falling in love is a literally threat to his very humanity. But when his brother gets involved, he realizes he may already be in the fire. 

I really enjoyed this installment in the series. From the previous installment, it felt like Rose always had to the be responsible one, whose life was driven by the structured traditions of the Supernatural world. It was really great to see her come tumbling out of that and into a fresh world where those expectations were no longer trying to stuff her into a box. I also loved the super broody Damien and the love of animals that brought their hearts together. This one felt slightly grittier than the first, but also cozier? Not sure if that makes sense. They seem to be getting better now that the world building is done. Bring on the heat!

Thank you to Netgalley, April Asher, and St. Martin’s press for an advanced e-copy of this book in exchange for this book! 

By April Asher, 3.5*s

Publisher’s Synopsis:

“Magic-less witch Violet Maxwell wants nothing to do with alpha wolf shifter Lincoln Thorne—the man who broke her fragile, teenage heart. But when the two of them are forced by arcane Supernatural Laws to find mates, Violet and Lincoln agree to fake-date their way to a fake-mating in order to conjure themselves some time.

The joke’s on them. When old feelings make a reappearance—along with Violet’s magic—they both realize there’s nothing fake about their feelings. But there are old secrets and looming threats that could snatch away their happily ever after, again. One thing’s for sure: magic doesn’t make dating and love any easier.”

Review:

Not the Witch You Wed was a spectacular novel that took me very little time to read, but stuck with me after! I couldn’t wait for the next installment. 

The MCs are definitely the kind you want to root for. They’re both fighting against an outdated system in the Supernatural world, laws that have no place in the modern age. Seeing Violet come into the powers that she never thought she had (while trying to hide them because of forced sup marriage laws-blah!) and finding someone she can trust with her secrets and her heart was absolutely empowering and heartwarming. On top of that, I’m always ready for a plus sized heroine who is strong willed and kickass. Plus, Lincoln fighting to get out from under the shadow of his overbearing father and fight for peace in his community against centuries of bloody tradition while reuniting with the one woman he has never been able to forget was…kind of hot, to be honest!

Such a cute romantic supernatural comedy! Packed with shifters, witches, magic and heat, and so many amazing characters that you can’t help but want future stories about. I loved the dynamic between Violet and Linc. Stories of enemies to lovers with history almost always have the delicious tension, especially when there’s a fake engagement involved. No matter how hard Violet tried to fight her attraction to Linc and remember how much he hurt her, she also was in a position to remember all the ways that they fit perfectly, and Link wanted to tell her what really happened, but was literally unable to. The truth was, they both never lost their feelings for one another, nor would they have been able to, but you’ll have to read it to see what I mean with that. 

Overall, it’s a great story with good people finding happiness, and that alone is well worth the read!

by Francesca Zappia. Pub Date 3/28/23

4.5*. Best enjoyed when you need a dark fairy tale.

Publisher’s Synopsis

“Two roads lead into a dark forest. They meet at Greymist Fair, the village hidden in the trees, a place kept alive by the families that never leave. The people of Greymist Fair know the woods are a dangerous and magical place, and to set foot off the road is to invite trouble.

When Heike, the village’s young tailor, discovers a body on the road, she goes looking for who is responsible. But her quest only leads to more strange happenings around Greymist Fair.“

Review:

Zappia was inspired by the original, much bloodier version of Grimm’s fairy tales while writing Greymist Fair. With witches, Death, blood thirstly wargs, deadly woods, cannibalism, and many more darker themes, this story told in parts has them all. 

I honestly had started this book awhile back and when I picked it back up after the first story I suddenly could not put it down. I was absolutely transfixed. Not only did this feed my inner child, but it also fed my horror-loving adult side. The stories were both dark and emotional, somewhat humorous at times but so very human. Like most of Grimm’s fairy tales, not all of them had a happy ending but every single one played on the others, building an absolutely enchanting overall story with well-rounded characters and a delicious atmosphere.

If I can find a special edition copy of this I would be remiss not to add it to my library in much the same way you would be remiss not to add this to your TBR if you have at all found the above intriguing. And perhaps it was because of the many smaller stories that made this world feel so rich. We got to know the backgrounds in a deep way; the lore was laid out for us in a detailed way and the history of Greymist Fair had such gravity it almost felt real (which is a part of the story that cannot be ignored).

I highly recommend this book to you. Thank you so much to Netgalley, Francesca Zappia, and Harper Collins for the advanced copy in exchange for this review. 

by Evelyn Skye, pub date 4/18/23

4*s, Best enjoyed when you need a moment with a kick ass heroine experiencing extreme survival.

Publisher’s Synopsis

“A price must be paid.

Elodie never dreamed of a lavish palace or a handsome prince. Growing up in the famine-stricken realm of Inophe, her deepest wish was to help her people survive each winter. So when a representative from a rich, reclusive kingdom offers her family enough wealth to save Inophe in exchange for Elodie’s hand in marriage, she accepts without hesitation. Swept away to the glistening kingdom of Aurea, Elodie is quickly taken in by the beauty of the realm—and of her betrothed, Prince Henry.

But as Elodie undertakes the rituals to become an Aurean princess, doubts prick at her mind as cracks in the kingdom’s perfect veneer begin to show: A young woman who appears and vanishes from the castle tower. A parade of torches weaving through the mountains. Markings left behind in a mysterious “V.” Too late, she discovers that Aurea’s prosperity has been purchased at a heavy cost—each harvest season, the kingdom sacrifices its princesses to a hungry dragon. And Elodie is the next sacrifice.

This ancient arrangement has persisted for centuries, leading hundreds of women to their deaths. But the women who came before Elodie did not go quietly. Their blood pulses with power and memory, and their experiences hold the key to Elodie’s survival. Forced to fight for her life, this damsel must use her wits to defeat a dragon, uncover Aurea’s past, and save not only herself, but the future of her new kingdom as well.”

Review

Damsel is a novelization of the upcoming movie by Netflix of the same name starring Millie Bobby Brown. I was excited to get an e-copy of this ARC given the premise, which takes the “Save Yourself” heroine trope and pumps it up super high octane. And it delivered! 

I didn’t expect Elodie to be as well prepared as she was, nor for this to be what is a fantasy survival thriller—two of my favorite genres smashed together into one awesome story. This may seem cliché, but this is NOT your typical fairy tale love story. It’s gritty, bold, and ultimately powering. Tradition is the true villain of this story. 

Elodie is the eldest daughter in a remote Dukedom, Inophe, where famine and drought reign supreme. She has grown up in harsh conditions caring for their people. When the chance comes for her to be married to the prince of Aurea in exchange for the goods and services needed to support the population she has helped protect her entire life, she is eager to be able to provide something more than just solace. However, what she doesn’t know until it’s too late is that she’s not meant to be a true princess of her newly adopted land, but a sacrifice to the dragon who provides the true power that provides the abundance to the people of the land. 

Elodie finds that she has not been the first—there have been 2400 princesses that have been sacrificed in the proceeding eight centuries, and not all of them have gone quietly. She finds maps, resources, and magic that have helped those before her that she is able to take advantage of. But will she be able to escape the lair of the dragon, or will she become just another pile of moldering bones deep in the heart of Aurea? 

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Random House for the advanced copy in exchange for this review. 

By Anne Marie Wonder & Tara Lawall

Pub date 3/7/23

4.5*s, Best enjoyed when you need a good laugh at yourself.

PUBLISHER’S SYNOPSIS

“A laugh-out-loud collection of illustrated scenarios that perfectly captures the tribulations of being an adult human in the twenty-first century. 

Whether pondering the overwhelming plethora of nondairy milk options that drag out your coffee shop experience or grocery trip by a solid half-hour, trying to figure out why you always have a fork that never matches all of your other forks, or wondering why a salad costs $30 (the lettuce costs extra!), this exploration of modern life and its toll on our collective sanity invites readers to revel in the hilarity of these shared experiences. Poking fun at the things we all do to make life more bearable, like crystal healing, picking the perfect email sign-off, eating fancy cheeses, or Botox, this is the perfect sassy gift for birthdays, holidays, graduations, or any other day that needs some comic relief.”

REVIEW

There were a lot of mixed advanced reviews for There are Too Many Milks, but I found it hilarious. The pictures really drive home the anxiety of current life. However, you really need to be able to laugh at yourself and the world around you to truly enjoy and understand the point of this book. It’s a picture book of true commiseration for modern adult humans that exploits the maddening volume of choices we face daily and the expense that comes with making good choices and creates a literal and figurative portrait detailing why what should be a simple process of grocery shopping/getting lunch/etc  often turns into an epic journey. It also emphasizes why we’re all so tired these days from decision fatigue and why we consistently make poor choices for ourselves in the current generation. It’s a daily multiple choice question with 25 answers. There are just too many freaking milks.

Thank you to Netgalley and Chronicle Books for access to this advanced copy.

by Jenna Wolfhart, pub date 8/1/22

3*s. Best enjoyed when you need a quick and dark fae story.

Publisher’s Synopsis

“When the vicious fae king catches Tessa stealing powerful gemstones from his mines, he demands a cruel punishment. She must leave her family and friends behind and become his future human bride.

Tessa has never stepped foot inside the glittering fae city until now—no mortal is allowed. There, things are far more monstrous than she ever dreamed. King Oberon humiliates her, terrorizes her, and threatens those she loves.

But when she escapes, someone far worse finds her. The lethal Mist King, the enemy fae who trapped her people beneath the reign of King Oberon in the first place. The one who destroyed human cities and watched them burn.

He takes her captive and then offers her a deal.

Become the first mortal to kill a fae king, and he will free her people.

But the mists beyond the kingdom walls are dangerous, ruthless, and mesmerizing…and so is he. As Tessa fights her growing desire, she must make a choice.

Her dagger can kill only one fae. Which king will it be?”

Review:

Of Mist and Shadows is a pretty decent overall story. It has some very dark themes involving forced marriage, torture, and murder. 

King Oberon’s reign has been long and horrible in the land without night. It’s the only place that the people of his lands can be safe, however. Were they to cross the bridge into the misty woods, they would be plunged into night and most likely the jaws of one of the many shadow monsters that hide amongst the trees. King Oberon is obviously a horrid overlord, but is the Mist King the villain that Tessa and the other members of Oberon’s kingdom have been lead to believe?

Although I enjoyed this story, I had a rough time with Tessa’s character. She was pretty immovable in her thoughts and was far more stubborn than someone who had her experiences should be to the proof that was right in front of her. Granted, she’s grown up in an oppressive village under the threat of constant violence, but you would think she could see through the gaslighting of King Oberon, especially with how he killed her father and tortured her. 

However, despite my issues with the main character, I loved many of the supporting personalities, and I can’t wait to get to know them better in the next installment. I also was left with so many unanswered questions. What ARE the gods? What happens to King Oberon’s previous mortal wives and children? Are the human kingdoms across the sea intact? Will Tessa ever find her family who escaped into the Mist after the wedding? You’ll be asking these, too. Luckily for you, the next installment, Of Ash and Embers, is available now!

Thanks to Netgalley and Victory Editing for the advanced copy in exchange for this review. 

Kate M Williams, Pub Date July 31, 2022.

4*s. Best Enjoyed:

Publisher Synopsis (Random House Children’s):

“The beach read you have been dying for! When ten of America’s hottest teenage influencers are invited to an exclusive island resort, things are sure to get wild. But murder isn’t what anyone expected. Will anyone survive?

Everyone knows Unknown Island—it’s the world’s most exclusive destination. Think white sand beaches, turquoise seas, and luxury accommodations. Plus, it’s invite only, no one over twenty-one allowed, and it’s absolutely free. Who wouldn’t want to go?

The mysterious resort launched with a viral marketing campaign, and now the whole world is watching as the mysterious resort opens its doors to the First Ten, the ten elite influencers specifically chosen to be the first to experience everything Unknown Island has to offer. You know them. There’s the gamer, the beauty blogger, the rich girl, the superstar, the junior politician, the environmentalist, the DJ, the CEO, the chef, and the athlete.

What they don’t know is that they weren’t invited to Unknown Island for their following—they were invited for their secrets. Everyone is hiding a deadly one, and it looks like someone’s decided it’s payback time. Unknown Island isn’t a vacation, it’s a trap. And it’s beginning to look like the First Ten—no matter how influential—are never coming home.“

My Review:

This was my first “influencers go to an island for some sort of preview, end up in some real hot water” YA horror novel. To be honest, I stan! There are similar books like this one available or upcoming that you may want to check out if you enjoyed this one. 

Told through revolving POVs, Never Coming Home follows a group of influencers invited to an island paradise that turns out to be anything but. The rooms they have are sorely lacking the advertised amenities. Buildings are far from finished. There are zero staff staying for the weekend, meaning they must rely on themselves for everything. At one point, one of our influencers sees a very deadly sea snake in the pool. 

Right away after breakfast one of our influencers ends up dead in a way that was clearly deliberately targeted toward that person. The group can’t figure out at first if it this is just a fluke or maybe revenge for something that person may have done, but they soon find out that it is because all of them have secrets. Everyone has done something cause the death of another person in some way, whether deliberate or not. 

Soon, the members of the group begin dying in a myriad of very specific ways and there is no way to contact anyone outside. It doesn’t help that the locals avoid that island like the plague. 

Will they be able to uncover the killer before they all die at their hands? Or will the unfinished hotel buildings in this false paradise become their tomb?

The ending of this book is very surprising. I had my suspicions throughout, but there are some twists and turns that would make a rollercoaster junkie a little nauseous. If you’re up for some darkness in paradise, I highly recommend adding this to your TBR. 

Thanks to Netgalley and Random house for the advanced ebook in exchange for this review. 

By Julia Bennet, Pub Date 2/2/2023

3.5*s. Great Historical romance pick by an independent publisher!

PUBLISHER’S SYNOPSIS

“A defiant Victorian wife fights to escape a bad marriage but her love for a forbidden man jeopardizes her chance at freedom.

James Standish knows how to play society’s game. He’ll follow the rules, marry a virginal debutante, and inherit a massive fortune. At least, that’s the plan until he meets Francesca Thorne. She’s not the sort of woman a respectable gentleman like James could ever marry—not least because, strictly speaking, she’s married already.

Francesca is determined to flout convention and divorce her philandering husband. When James sweet talks his way into her life tasked with convincing her to abandon her dream of freedom, she’s unprepared for the passion that flares between them.

Torn apart by conflicting desires, James and Francesca must choose whether to keep chasing the lives they’ve always wanted or take a chance on a new and forbidden love.”

REVIEW

The Worst Woman in London follows two very interesting main characters. Francesca is a woman bent on escaping her marriage of roughly a decade to a spouse that has taken on many mistresses and doesn’t care to give her much of a glance since he found out that she wasn’t the naïve young woman he thought he needed to marry (this becomes a plot point later in the book). James is a respectable gentleman who must toe the line of polite society in order to inherit his aunt’s title and fortune.

When Francesca’s estranged husband requests that James meet with Francesca with an offer of a heavy allowance in exchange for her dropping her pursuit of divorce (strictly to stop embarrassing him, of course), James is surprised to find a woman with a backbone of iron unwilling to budge. She’s not at all the woman that his friend has been describing to him the last nine or so years as cold and unwelcoming. Instead, he sees a fire and passion that he finds quite intriguing, and he can’t quite blame her for her ire given that her husband not only has been keeping mistresses, but doing so in a very public and quite embarrassing way.

James is not the man that Francesca assumed, either. He seems to understand her predicament and her feelings. They form a sort of friendship that quickly leads to secret feelings. However, if Francesca is going to get all she wants from this divorce—her freedom and a possible ability to remarry if she so chose—she needs to avoid further scandal at all costs. James is in the same position. He knows that in order to inherit, he must be prepared to let his thoughts of Francesca go and do what is expected of him. Marry a respectable debutante who can sire an heir to his aunt’s fortune and title and eventually inherit it himself. 

However, as James and Francesca’s friendship develops into something more, they both must question if the futures they had planned for themselves are really what they most desire or if what they truly need is each other. 

I really enjoyed this one. It explored what divorced looked like back then, and how hard it was for a woman to obtain one when she was part of polite society. A man could absolutely flaunt his affairs in the face of society but even a whiff of scandal from a woman—true or false–and her entire reputation was in tatters. It is enough to boil my feminist blood to see how poorly women have been treated and disproportionately blamed for all of society’s ills when the majority had no true society-given power (but of course, it was also imposed on them by all other women in a self-feeding patriarchal societal system…), but I digress. 

Applying our modern sensibilities to the less than well-aged parts of past society is what I like most about historical romance and is also why the feminist undercurrent of these books is so appealing. Watching women take back their power is a personal kink and if you agree with me, you’ll find this book to be one of the ones where the heroine is what we all aspire to be and the hero is just what we want. 

Thank you Netgalley and Julia Bennet for the advanced ebook in exchange for this review.