Lady Wolf's Library

Hemlock Island

August 15, 2023

by Kelley Armstrong. Pub Date 9/12/23

4.5*s. Best enjoyed when you need a delicious survival horror thriller–which should be ALWAYS!

Publisher’s Synopsis

“Laney Kilpatrick has been renting her vacation home to strangers. The invasion of privacy gives her panic attacks, but it’s the only way she can keep her beloved Hemlock Island, the only thing she owns after a pandemic-fueled divorce. But broken belongings and campfires that nearly burn down the house have escalated to bloody bones, hex circles, and now, terrified renters who’ve fled after finding blood and nail marks all over the guest room closet, as though someone tried to claw their way out…and failed.

When Laney shows up to investigate with her teenaged niece in tow, she discovers that her ex, Kit, has also been informed and is there with Jayla, his sister and her former best friend. Then Sadie, another old high school friend, charters over with her brother, who’s now a cop.

There are tensions and secrets, whispers in the woods, and before long, the discovery of a hand poking up from the earth. Then the body that goes with it… But by that time, someone has taken off with their one and only means off the island, and they’re trapped with someone—or something—that doesn’t want them leaving the island alive.”

REVIEW:

Set on an island in Lake Superior, Hemlock Island is a supernatural thriller that throws together murder mystery, greed, betrayal, revenge, and the occult into a delicious and perfectly baked hotdish perfect for anyone who loves a good horror novel. It felt very much in the same vein as Riley Sager and Grady Hendrix’s novels – big fan! Strained relationships and betrayal star alongside severed arms, hex circles, and bone windchimes, creating an atmospheric survival horror that really makes you wonder if they’re ever going to get off of that island.

Being from the Duluth area, Lake Superior has always been prominently featured in my life and memories. It made it that much easier to imagine a secluded island with a single isolated house surrounded by the cold waters of the largest of the Great Lakes, and to know exactly how cold that water can be. The smells and atmosphere are honestly unmatched, and I would love to read more stories that feature the setting.

The twists and turns in this story were great. The mystery kept me turning page after page, absorbing each gory and mysterious detail. The mystery was kept largely mysterious, the gore was properly gory, and the is-it-or-is-it-not-a-murderer was like a constant pull. It felt like I was in a macabre Edgar Allen Poe story of a girl who is slowly pulling a bucket out of a dark well, overtaken by some force with an unknowable name that has existed since time immemorial. The conclusion was also extremely satisfying, with equal parts “that checks” and “holy shit” which you don’t always get with stories like this. I’m not going to say I found it fair, but life rarely is and the perfection of horror like this is that it is tied up, even if the bow isn’t the prettiest. The satisfaction is that it’s there, fair, and was a bloody good time.

Overall, Hemlock Island is a great read and Kelley Armstrong is an author you need to have on your watch list if you don’t already. I was a fan of her YA back in the day, but I’m so ready for more adult horror!

Thank you to Netgalley, the author, and St. Martin’s Press for this advanced copy in exchange for this review. I really loved it and can’t wait to see what Armstrong has for us next!
Brittle

July 25, 2023

by Beth Overmyer, Pub Date 8/15/23

3.5*s. Best Enjoyed when you need a break from reality.

Publisher’s Synopsis:

“After the murder of her father – which no one but her believes happened – Verve just wants to hold her family together and take on the role of provider. Unfortunately, a cruel fae lord believes she knows the location of an ancient magical weapon and steals her away to Letorheas, realm of the fairies. The fae lord seems to want something from Verve that goes beyond the weapon, something that many doubt she can provide. Verve must find a way to navigate the strangeness of Letorheas and embrace a destiny more intertwined with the fae than she would like to believe.”

Review:

Brittle was a surprising novel. I’m not sure if there will be another installment, but I enjoyed reading it and finished it in a few short days.

Verve has always tried to be the responsible middle child, and has also always been close to her father, who is away at war. However, when he returns in the middle of the night to talk to her and tells her that there is a secret hidden war being fought and not to trust anyone, not even those she knows without verifying who they are, she’s a little stunned. He tells her he will explain and to meet her at a neighboring farm. When she follows his instructions, she finds herself face to face with her father’s dead body in the barn, which disappears before she can bring anyone else to the spot.

Soon, strange events begin to happen, and neighbors and family become…something else. And when Verve is taken far from home and into another realm entirely, it appears that the secrets that her father imparted upon her may reveal a dangerous, fae-killing weapon at the center of a tremendous power struggle.

As she works out a way to escape this strange land and strange, ever changing mansion she finds herself in, she realizes that her captor may be interesting in more than just the secrets that Verve is hiding. Fae fall in love quickly, and it seems he is no exception. But he’s not the only one interested in her and what she’s hiding, and she soon finds herself stuck between warring factions.

Cally Temple

She may be the key to victory for either side, but her survival and family mean far more to her. She must keep her head in the game and her heart far away if she’s going to come out on top…but that may be harder than she thought.

This was a totally different fae romantasy than I am used to. The romance was not the prominent theme, and it was far more on the lore and the fight than it was on matters of the heart. There’s actually a bit of a coerced marriage scenario stuffed in here that is thankfully mutually beneficial. For that reason, this one’s not super high on my romance scale, but for a dark fantasy story, it’s very well done!

Thank you to Netgalley and Flame Tree Press for the advanced copy of Brittle in exchange for this fair and honest review.
The Last Witness

July 6, 2023

by Claire McFall. 3*s

Best enjoyed on the beach. *smirk*

Publisher’s Synopsis:

“Heather agrees to go camping with Dougie and his friends because she’s desperate to get closer to him, and a secluded beach sounds like the perfect place. But the trip takes a sinister turn that brings Heather’s plans to a violent end.

One by one, the group begins to vanish.

A year later, Heather knows she’s just lucky to be alive. And now, people are asking for answers, or else she will be the one to take the blame. But the truth about what happened on that trip is far more terrifying than anyone knows…”

Review:

This book had so many twists and turns. It jumps between present day and the past to the events that landed Heather in a mental hospital. It’s a thrill ride of supernatural proportions, with twist after interesting twist. Heather is lucky she’s alive…but not for the reasons we’re lead to think.

It starts simple enough—Heather and her friends plan a camping trip to a remote Scotland beach. She’s super hyped because her friend Dougie, who is also her crush, will be there with them. But so will her best friend’s meat head boyfriend. Things quickly go awry when they find out the meathead brought alcohol and something isn’t exactly right at the beach. When Dougie and Heather stumble across an ancient cairn and an interesting broach from inside, it seems to trigger something that no one is prepared for.

One by one, their friends begin to disappear. At first, it seems like their friend just hitched a ride out, tired of Vince’s meat-headed shit. But then the car stops working, and another of their friends vanishes, and members of their party suddenly start getting sick. Shadows seem to move of their own accord and each new disaster causes further paranoia.

Something is happening. The question is, is it supernatural, or is it human? Is it brought on by the strange tales regarding the beach they are on of pagan worship and blood sacrifice, or is it just the flickers of the fire and quiet isolation of the country that is making them see all that the most macabre things that their imaginations can muster? Or could it be that Dougie and Heather, in taking the broach from the cairn, have set in motion events that are beyond their control?

Heather, now imprisoned in a mental hospital awaiting trial, is one of the last remaining members of the group and the only one who knows the events that occurred on that weekend months ago that is able to talk about it. The other member of their party has been in the hospital in a coma, and is the only person who could save her from begin convicted of the murder of their friends.

As the truth is slowly revealed layer by layer, and the events of the past collide inevitably with the present, we find that the rotten core of it is something far darker and more malicious than we could have imagined.

The twist at the end of this was pretty good. I did enjoy The Last Witness and thought it was a pretty good story. I did not see the ending coming and it made me enjoy it that much more!
The Chessmen Part 1

July 5, 2023

Books 1 & 2, by Lorraine Heath

Book 1, The Counterfeit Scoundrel, 4*s

Pub Synopsis:

“Born into an aristocratic family, yearning for a life beyond Society’s strictures, Marguerite “Daisy” Townsend is an enterprising sleuth. Hired to obtain proof of a wife’s infidelity, she secures a position in the household of the woman’s lover, never expecting to be lured into the seductive blackguard’s arms herself.

Devilishly handsome, David Blackwood, known widely as Bishop, quickly realizes the enticing maid is interested in far more than dusting. She aims to uncover his sins. Although tempted by the dangerous beauty, he can’t risk her learning the truth: his affairs are chaste. As a boy who witnessed his mother’s abusive relationship, Bishop now helps desperate wives escape unhappy marriages.

Yet when he is accused of murdering the husband of a “paramour,” he is forced to seek Daisy’s assistance in proving his innocence. As their perilous search draws them into a web of deceits, they can no longer deny their simmering desire. Once secrets are revealed, will Daisy’s counterfeit scoundrel give up the scandalous games he plays and surrender his heart into her keeping?“

REVIEW:

Lorraine Heath never ceases to entertain me with her romances, which are always packed to the gills with intrigue and tension, the two things I find most important in a romance.

As an investor, Bishop understands how a well planned investment now can lead to a big payoff later, and that’s why he took all the hurt from his childhood and is now secretly getting back at his father for the pain and heartache he caused him by buying everything out from under him and ruining his reputation as much as possible. That includes helping women like his mother get out of abusive or loveless marriages by posing as their lover to help them obtain a divorce from their spouse. No one knows these affairs are facades and are affairs in name only. If anyone knew they weren’t, the women would be in trouble and he would no longer be branded as a rake. This is why his newest servant, Daisy, is a bit of a problem for him. The moment he sees the strangely poised and incredibly beautiful maidservant, he knows he’s in trouble.

Daisy is far more trouble than he realizes, however. After all, Daisy isn’t simple maidservant. She’s a Private investigator who has been hired by the husband of one of his fake mistresses to sus out what is really going on with his wife, and the best way for her to do that is to infiltrate his household. What she wasn’t prepared for during this undercover mission was to discover this sensuous and intriguing man who makes her weak in the knees and heated in all the wrong places.

As they circle one another, slowly uncovering one anothers’ secrets, they will soon uncover a secret danger that indelibly ties them together. Will exploring the heat between them only lead to heartbreak and danger? Or is it the one thing that will save them both?

This was an excellent start to a new series by Lorraine Heath, a true mistress of historical romance. I’m so happy this is the first in a series, and I had to read this one before I started on the story of Lord Knightly. So glad I did.

Book 2, The Notorious Lord Knightly, 4*s, Pub Date 7/27/23

Pub Synopsis:

“A scandalous book by an anonymous author takes London by storm, and everyone is convinced its villainous “Lord K” is the greatly admired Earl of Knightly. Heartbroken that he left her at the altar, Miss Regina Leyland impulsively sought revenge by revealing the true Knightly to the world but never expected the uproar to bring enemies to her door. To keep her identity hidden, she must trust the one man with the power to destroy her.

Furious to be the object of notoriety and gossip, Knightly confronts the lady he suspects of penning the tome only to discover she is no longer the naïve innocent he was forced to betray, but a woman of strength and conviction, who will bow before no man.

Knightly and Regina pretend a reconciliation to salvage their reputations and throw the ton off their scent. But false friendship soon turns to powerful passion. When truths emerge, threatening all they hold dear, they must face the consequences of their past if their story is ever to deserve its happily ever after.”

REVIEW:

After finishing this one, I really can’t wait for the next book in the Chessmen series. Listen, I have major respect for Lorraine Heath. She’s been one of my favorite romance authors since…ever. I’m a big Historical Romance fan. Okay, you caught me. I’m just a romance fan. Historical…Romantasy…etc… I think it’s the tension. It must be, because I love thrillers and horror also. And Heath? She knows tension. She knows intrigue. I sometimes feel like she may know me, because she gets real down deep in there and pulls me straight in. I’m a poor fish hopelessly caught in her word net.

The story of Knight and Regina starts off far before the events of the book. The story does jump timelines and perspectives, so we get to see what went wrong between them that caused such broken hearts and hurt feelings. Now, Regina wants to move on, but not without some small revenge. But this small revenge may have a profound effect on her future prospects, unbeknownst to her when she anonymously publishes a rather erotic tale of a young lady and her adventures in love with a certain Lord K.

Obviously, everyone thinks that Lord K is Knightly. And they have their suspicions eventually on who the author could be. He still cares about Regina in a big way, and calling off their wedding was a little…outside of his hands. He had a good reason, but he can’t tell her what that is. He’s been sworn to secrecy by the person who caused their greatest heartbreak.

And because he still loves her, he is going to make sure he does his part to secure her a better future, an olive branch that Regina reluctantly grabs onto. Because she still has feelings, too. Dangerous feelings. And Regina and Knightly may need to explore those feelings if they ever plan to move on from one another. But what if those feelings are more than just surface? Are they setting themselves up for more hurt, or are they setting themselves up for a chance at a future neither thought they could ever have?

This one was GOOD. The complex relationships, navigating society’s strict structures. Avoiding the pitfalls of finding one another in the dark of a garden at a party? Fantastic. This one is all ‘Love is messy’ and ‘Is Revenge served cold really a thing?’ Yeah. I read it one night. I may not have slept more than three hours. Was it worth it? Yup. 100%. And I’d do it again, Heath. Matter of fact, I may insist on it when the next Chessmen is within reach!

Thank you Lorraine Heath, Netgalley, and Avon and Harper Voyager for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for this review. It was a delight and I cannot wait for the next installment!
Dead of Winter

June 21, 2023

by Darcy Coates. Pub Date 7/11/2023

4*s. Best Enjoyed

Publisher’s Synopsis:

“When Christa joins a tour group heading deep into the snowy expanse of the Rocky Mountains, she’s hopeful this will be her chance to put the ghosts of her past to rest. But when a bitterly cold snowstorm sweeps the region, the small group is forced to take shelter in an abandoned hunting cabin. Despite the uncomfortably claustrophobic quarters and rapidly dropping temperature, Christa believes they’ll be safe as they wait out the storm.

She couldn’t be more wrong.

Deep in the night, their tour guide goes missing…only to be discovered the following morning, his severed head impaled on a tree outside the cabin. Eight drops to seven and it becomes clear that someone in the group is killing for sport. “

REVIEW:

I’m sure if you’re a long time lurker—first time caller—you may know that I absolutely LOVE survival thrillers. This was my first Darcy Coates book and it will not be my last. Her writing is fantastic. Granted, I had a feeling I knew exactly what was happening from the beginning, which was later confirmed for me, but she still kept me in suspense on a lot of the events. It also made me want to keep reading. It was a bloody, gory book, and I felt the tension to my marrow, which is exactly what I love about stories like this.

When Christa’s boyfriend finally convinces her to come on a trip with him into the mountains in winter, she is packed up—if not entirely ready–to go. Maybe this is exactly what she needed to shake the ghosts that have haunted her for the last few years. Plus, Kiernan grew up in the area and is the one person she feels she can trust, so coming out of her comfort zone in order to make him happy is important to her. However, when a sudden snowstorm blows in out of nowhere, separating Kiernan and Christa and stranding the tour group in a cabin in the woods, all bets are off. A member of their group is most likely dead and there’s no way to call for help.

They soon have a bigger problem on their hands as members of their group are brutally murdered one by one, their heads impaled on the tree outside of the cabin door and their beheaded bodies are found in shocking places. Suspicions turn inward. Someone in this cabin is picking them off one by one.

As tensions grow and supplies dwindle, the group needs to figure out who the killer is before they all starve to death or end up as gruesome ornaments hanging from the creepy pine outside.

The descriptions are absolutely horrific and the characters are so well thought out that they feel like real people. You also can’t help but root for Christa, who may have made some mistakes in her past, but is definitely a survivor. I highly recommend this story!

Thanks to Netgalley, Darcy Coates, and Poisoned Pen Press for the advanced e-book in exchange for this fair and honest review!
What Happens in the Ballroom

May 12, 2023

by Sabrina Jeffries, pub date 3/28/23

3.5*s, Best Enjoyed when you want a romantic escapade filled with intrigue and comedy.

Publisher’s Synopsis:

“A young military widow, Eliza Pierce is enjoying both freedom and financial success as part of Elegant Occasions. When her late husband’s best friend, Nathaniel Stanton, the Earl of Foxstead, hires Elegant Occasions to help another young widow of an officer become part of high society, Eliza wonders why. Is the woman a relative? Or is she the earl’s mistress and her adorable toddler his child? If so, why does he take Eliza in his arms every chance he gets . . .

Foxstead’s family situation makes it difficult for him to marry, so his visceral attraction to his best friend’s widow is an unwelcome complication. Burdened by family secrets and those of his commanding officer, he’s determined to do his duty even when it means being around Eliza every day. But how can he resist when the fetching Eliza keeps tempting him to break his own rules? For if he dares to expose the truth, will she ever forgive him? Or will she banish him from her life forever . . .“

Review:

Here’s what I really love about Sabrina Jeffries: her characters are consistently well written, the plots are almost always exceptionally tantalizing, and the romance leaves an ache in your heart until it’s requited. Often, the biggest draw for RR is that society is so strict that it makes the amorous situations a little hotter, but with Jeffries, I’m often skipping it to get back to the romance. It’s not because the adult situations aren’t delightful, but her plots and storytelling are just THAT. GOOD.

The Designing Debutantes series has been great so far. I’ve loved both installments. A Duke for Diana, the first book in the series, was great, with a bit of a grumpy v sunshine vibe. What Happens in the Ballroom is much more of a ‘proper lady with a hidden side’ situation.

I loved how independent Eliza was, with very little interest in giving up any of her freedoms, even though she enjoys the handsome Lord Foxstead, her late husband’s bestie…probably a little more than she should. But who is this mysterious Jocelyn that he has taken in and who is the father of her child—is it Foxstead? She can’t start anything with someone who might tarnish the reputation of Elegant Occasions, her and her sisters’ company. Heaven knows their parents did enough tarnishing that they’ve been working hard to polish out. Eliza is right. Foxstead and Jocelyn do have secrets – but are they the ones that Eliza is thinking they are?

Foxstead is all in for Eliza, though, with no interest in Jocelyn. It’s Eliza’s curves that he wants next to him when he wakes up, her blond hair he wants to see spread across his pillow. He has no idea which woman was describing when talked about his wife being a cold harpy – Eliza is enchanting, warm, whip smart, and undeniably sensuous. But will the secrets he holds ruin any chance he may have with this incredibly exciting woman that he can’t get out of his head?

Overall, this was another great book from Jeffries. There’s one more sister left and I can’t wait to read about her and her mysterious stranger—but you’ll need to read the first two to understand what I’m talking about.

Thanks Netgalley and Kensington Books (always a pleasure!) for the advanced copy in exchange for this fair and honest review.
Mountains Made of Glass

May 9, 2023

By Scarlet St. Clair. Pub Date: 3/7/23

5 (very smutty)*s. Best enjoyed when…you have some ‘me’ time.

This is not your average fairy tale retelling. This is super new-adult. Lots of anatomy, lots of heat, and lots of seggsual content. Reader discretion advised.

Publisher’s Synopsis:

“I wanted to answer, to whisper yes into the space between us, but I was afraid.

All Gesela’s life, her home village of Elk has been cursed. And it isn’t a single curse—it is one after another, each to be broken by a villager, each with devastating consequences. When Elk’s well goes dry, it is Gesela’s turn to save her town by killing the toad that lives at the bottom. Except…the toad is not a toad at all. He is an Elven prince under a curse of his own, and upon his death, his brothers come for Gesela, seeking retribution.

As punishment, the princes banish Gesela to live with their seventh brother, the one they call the beast. Gesela expects to be the prisoner of a hideous monster, but the beast turns out to be exquisitely beautiful, and rather than lock her in a cell, he offers Gesela a deal. If she can guess his true name in seven days, she can go free. Gesela agrees, but there is a hidden catch—she must speak his name with love in order to free him, too.

But can either of them learn to love in time?“

Review:

This is definitely an NSFW book. I have no problem with heavily erotic novels—I’ve ready Anne Rice’s Sleeping Beauty amongst others—but I wanted to preface this with that little caveat. That said, this is some hot hot heat.

Basic Plot ,Beauty and the Beast retelling: Elven king is cursed, the only way to break the curse is for someone to guess his name and say it out of love. Woman is trapped in a situation she doesn’t want to be in, accidentally kills another elven king (oops) while trying to break a curse, gets taken by the brothers of the dead and cursed elven kings, and they make her the prisoner of the cursed one. Presumably so she can break the curse, but also because they are assholes and want to torture their brother, possibly.

That’s the basic plot. Obviously our heroine wants to make her way home. She has trauma. She is part fae, which isn’t great when you live amongst humans, but may be worse if you hate fae because that means you kind of hate yourself. At the same time, there’s an undeniable sexual attraction between the Thorn King and our Geselda, the heroine. Like, major heat. A million Scoville. And it doesn’t help that everyone seems super horny all the time around the palace, and those who aren’t are either tiny pixie jerks or are spreading around magic lust dust to make everyone else feel hot and heavy in all the right places.

Now, given the above, this could go incredibly wrong and super corny/gratuitous, or it could go very well. Luckily for us, we’re talking about St. Clair, here. Author of Adrian x Isolde (King of Battle & Blood). She knows how to handle a hot scene, and she writes the shit out of it in this book. Like, woah. I honestly dug the whole thing. Had to drop my kindle a few times to keep from getting my fingerprints burned off. Honestly, can’t wait for the next one. Really hope theirs a next one. This was well worth the super sleepless night, and my spouse would agree.

Thanks to Netgalley, the author, and Sourcebooks for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest (too honest?) review. I had already purchased it, but I was still grateful for the chance to review it more formally for NG 😉

Sam Verdegaal on Deviant Art
Queen of Roses

May 6, 2023

Blood of a Fae #1

By Briar Boleyn, Pub date 4/15/23

5*s. Best enjoyed when you need an adventure with some enemies to lovers slow burn.

Publisher’s Synopsis:

“A doomed love, a dangerous mission, and a kingdom on the brink of war…
A cast-off princess…

Born into a life of duty and sacrifice, Morgan Pendragon’s destiny has never been her own. Rumored to carry the tainted blood of the fae in her veins, her birthright is stolen from her when she is a mere child. Growing up in the shadow of her brother the king, she has been promised to the goddesses when she comes of age. So, when her brother commands that she seek out a fae weapon of legendary power, Morgan seizes the chance to break free from the chains of her fate.

A dangerous temptation…

As she travels, Morgan finds herself drawn into a strange group of outcasts, led by a dark and enigmatic warrior whose sharp wit and fierce beauty set her heart ablaze. But while Morgan struggles to reconcile her desires with her duty, she and her new comrades discover dangers that await them beyond anything in their wildest nightmares.

A slumbering kingdom awoken by blood…

Believed to have vanished generations ago, a fae kingdom dreaded by mortals is ascending once more, bound to reclaim what was lost by violence and bloodshed. As the fae world, with its intricate web of lies and mysteries, is slowly revealed to Morgan, she is led to the terrible realization that the secrets she carries in her blood make her a greater threat than she could ever have imagined.”

Review:

I need to preface this review by revealing that this is a darker take on Arthurian legends, and I am NOT usually a fan of the tales that spring from the mythical Camelot. I usually find them excessively boring and unoriginal. I really struggle with them. However, Queen of Roses was an absolute DELIGHT. There are quite a few trigger warnings for it and some dark material here, so you need to be prepared for that, but it really sets the tone of this darker version of Arthur and his kingdom.

Often, Morgan (Morganna in some instances), Arthur’s half sister, is painted in a negative light by authors or put in a position where she is the villain. This story flips that on its head.

Morgan watched her father kill her fae-blooded mother. And then had to live with that fact. Now, Morgan lives in a very human kingdom where anyone with fae blood is heavily persecuted and sometimes killed. The only thing that really saves Morgan is that she is King Arthur’s sister. As a child and because she is part fae, she was passed up for the throne. She is to be sent to the temple when she turns 21 to study under the High Priestess Merlin, a fate she’s not exactly thrilled with, but one she must accept. After all, it would get her away from Lord Florian, the son of Arthur’s most trusted advisor, who terrorizes her at every turn.

However, it also becomes a matter of survival. Any resistance on her part could mean trouble for those she cares about most like her friends Galahad and Lancelet, and Kaye, her youngest brother, who means everything to her and is the one person in her life that loves her for exactly who she is.

What she’s not expecting is for Arthur to come to her with an important task, one that could save the kingdom. She is threatened with dire consequences should she resist or fail, and is sent with the bare minimum in the way of supplies and protection. One of her protectors is the handsome but infuriating and always grumpy new head of the Royal Guard, Kairos Draven, whose rumored past is one of terror and violence.

As their journey progresses, Draven and Morgan find themselves relying on one another more and more, and Morgan begins to suspect that there is more to Draven then what she was told. But before she can find her way into the cracks she finds in his armor and into the spaces that reveal a far kinder heart, the two are joined by a third party, one that makes Morgan question if her heart and body really belong locked away in a temple, and one that Draven is suspect of, not because he’s competition, but because his motives are suspect, and he may be posing more of a danger to Morgan than just heartbreak.

The major vibes throughout this one were: enemies to lovers, a little love triangle, duty bound, deep secrets revealed, betrayal, interesting magic, and surviving/escaping abuse.

I truly loved this story and I’ve already preordered the next installment!

Thank you to Netgalley and Starwater Press for an advanced copy in exchange for this honest review. Opinions herein are my own.
Not Your Ex’s Hexes

May 3, 2023

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!
Not the Witch You Wed

April 30, 2023

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!