Always Lost in Words

A SCAR IN THE BONE

By Sophie Jordan, Pub Date 10-14-2025

Rating:

PUBLISHER’S SYNOPSIS

“It’s been a year since Tamsyn transformed. From royal whipping girl in the palace of Penterra to the bride of Fell, the Beast of the Borderlands. From the enemy in the Beast’s bed to the wife he sacrificed himself to save. From an ordinary girl…to a dragon. And not just any dragon—a powerful fire-breather…and the best hope to keep magic from flickering out forever.

With Fell gone, torn from her side in the dangerous swirling mists of the Crags, Tamsyn is heartbroken and alone among the dragon pride. An unwelcome outsider still learning to survive in this fiery skin of hers within a new cutthroat society, she trains in the arena until her muscles burn and her blood spills. Slowly, Tamsyn forges herself into a warrior in the shadow of Fell’s enigmatic brother, Vetr, whose silver eyes track her with distrust…and maybe something more.

But is Fell truly beyond her reach? Their bond pulls at her, as fiercely as the drive to protect both humans and dragonkind from the growing threat posed by Stig, once her closest friend, now a relentless enemy determined to hunt her down and destroy her—and with her, all things magic.

Magic stirs in the darkness, strengthening all who believe in it. But will it be enough to save Tamsyn, the pride, the kingdom…and a fiery love fated to endure for centuries, as deep as a scar in the bone?”

THOUGHTS

This book was absolutely heart wrenching but in the best way possible. There was a very tasty love triangle and enemies at every turn. There’s revenge, romance, intrigue, and anything else you could ask of a good fantasy. I adore Sophie Jordan, but I had not read her fantasy before this prequel series to Firelight. In other words, I have not read the Firelight series, but if it’s anything like this one, I probably need it on my TBR stat.

This is not a standalone and you need to read the first in the prequel series before you dive into this one. There’s no way you can appreciate the depths of the betrayals and the highs of the revenge scenes if you don’t. I love a good romantasy and this was a FEAST!

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the advanced copy in exchange for a fair and honest review!

Uncategorized

THE PRINCESS KNIGHT

BY G.A. Aiken. NOW AVAILABLE FROM KENSINGTON BOOKS!

Rating:

PUBLISHER’S SYNOPSIS

“LONG LIVE THE QUEEN

Gemma Smythe dedicated her life to the glory of battle. With her fellow War Monks, she worshipped the war gods, rained destruction on her enemies, and raised the dead when the fancy took her. Until her sister Keeley became the prophesied Blacksmith Queen, and Gemma broke faith with her order to journey to the Amichai Mountain and fight by Keeley’s side.

The Amichai warriors are an unruly, never-to-be-tamed lot, especially their leader-in-waiting, Quinn. But when the War Monks declare support for Gemma’s ruthless younger sister Beatrix, the immaturity of her key ally is the least of Gemma’s problems. She has to get to the grand masters, dispel their grudge against her, and persuade them to fight for Keeley and justice. If her conviction can’t sway them, perhaps Quinn’s irritating, irreverent, clearly unhinged, ferocity will win the day . . .”

THOUGHTS

BOOK 2 in the series, and it’s still a really great fantasy series. I would class this as an epic akin to stories like LOTR, though what can honestly compare to Tolkien? There are various races and species represented from all over the fantasy genre and it is honestly hilarious if you’re into nerd culture. You definitely cannot treat thisnlike a standalone, regardless of the changes in POV between books. It’s just a real feel good series and I’m about to jump into the final one. Get on board…or saddle up. Whatever you prefer.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the advanced copy in exchange for a fair and honest review!

Uncategorized

THE EMPRESS

BY Kristin Cast. Pub NOW AVAILABLE FROM BLOOM BOOKS

Rating:

PUBLISHER’S SYNOPSIS

“The Arcana aren’t just figures in a tarot deck—they’re real. Terrifyingly real. That’s what I learned when I found a tarot card in the snow and was yanked from my world and into Towerfall. The first thing the people of this harsh, cruel realm did was try to kill me, and they probably would have succeeded if Kane hadn’t taken me to his hideout in the woods and nursed me back to health.

I don’t know if I can trust him. He’s too hot to be good news, he’s definitely hiding secrets, and I’ve already seen him kill two people to protect me. If I hadn’t just been helplessly dumped into his world, the blood on his sword and his dark, brooding mood would have me running in the opposite direction.

But right now, convincing the Kingdom of Pentacles that Kane and I are married is my best chance of getting into the palace, and back to my own world.

Because there’s something wrong with Towerfall. Something deeply, deadly wrong. And if anyone finds out Kane and I aren’t really husband and wife?

Well, then both of us are dead.”

THOUGHTS

I am usually not a fan of the “fell through a portal” trope, but it was a Kristin Cast book, so I thought I’d give it a try. It was pretty well executed. It was fun, sexy, and fantastical. The FMC kind of bugged me at times, but I enjoyed the setting and the magic aspects. It was definitely different and I will absolutely be checking out the next installment when it comes out.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bloom Books for the advanced copy in exchange for a fair and honest review!

Adventure Fantasy Historical Fiction Paranormal Supernatural Survival

A LAND SO WIDE

BY Erin A Craig. Pub Date 9-9-25

Rating:

Publisher’s Synopsis:

“Like everyone else in the settlement of Mistaken, Greer Mackenzie is trapped. Founded by an ambitious lumber merchant, the village is blessed with rich natural resources that have made its people prosperous—but at a cost. The same woods that have lined the townsfolks’ pockets harbor dangerous beasts: wolves, bears, and the Bright-Eyeds—monsters beyond description who have rained utter destruction down on nearby settlements. But Mistaken’s founders made a deal with the mysterious Benevolence: the Warding Stones that surround the town will keep the Bright-Eyeds out—and the town’s citizens in. Anyone who spends a night within Mistaken’s borders belongs to it forever.

Greer, a mapmaker and eccentric dreamer, has always ached to explore the world outside, even though she knows she and her longtime love, Ellis Beaufort, will never see it. Until, on the day she and Ellis are meant to finally begin their lives together, Greer watches in horror as her beloved disappears beyond the Warding Stones, pursued by a monstrous creature. Determined to rescue Ellis, she figures out a way to defy Mistaken’s curse and begins a trek through the cold and pitiless wilderness. But there, Greer is hunted, not only by the ruthless Bright-Eyeds but by the secret truths behind Mistaken’s founding and her own origins.

Playfully drawing from Scottish folklore, Erin A. Craig’s adult debut is both a deeply atmospheric and profoundly romantic exploration of freedom versus security: a stunning celebration of one woman’s relentless bravery on a quest to reclaim her lost love—and seize her own future.”

THOUGHTS

Erin A Craig understands how to write atmospheric settings, interesting characters, and stories that take bites of folklore and ties them tightly to strands of simple and realistic settings. Each one is like a delicate web made from the delicate memories of life, knots of horror, and amber droplets of love and yearning that traverse along its edges.

Basically, I’m a fan behind all the waxing poetic.

A Land So Wide is an interesting mash up of manifest destiny and ancient evil, clashing on the shores of untamed wilderness. At times of felt like a condemning parallel to how the colonies were settled, with an eldritch horror in place of disease. I cannot explain that further, you will just need to read it. I enjoyed the characters and the ending. Craig always leaves us devastated yet satisfied, and, as always, waiting for the next story to burst forth from her brain and into our greedy hands.

Thanks to Netgalley and Pantheon for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest, fair review.

Fantasy Romance RomCom Spicy🌶️ Supernatural Witchy!

DEALING WITH A DESPERATE DEMON

Post author By Lady Nightwolf
Post date September 23, 2025
No Comments on DEALING WITH A DESPERATE DEMON

By Charlotte Stein. Pub Date 10-07-2025

Rating – 4.5*s

PUBLISHER’S SYNOPSIS

Nancy has just about given up on finding her special person when Jack Jackson—big, scary and the town loser—walks into her bookstore. He’s apparently even more desperate for help in the romance department than she is. And after a bit of gentle persuasion, he finally accepts her guidance in securing his dream girl. Practice dates, lessons in tenderness—you name it, she can teach it.

There’s just one problem: his dream girl might have more than an issue with his dating skills. Because Jack isn’t just a little clueless; he’s actually the demonic son of Satan, from the deepest depths of hell. He’s spent his entire long underlife dragging evildoers to their fates, while really trying not to live up to his dad’s expectations.

Now, it isn’t just about getting a date with his dream girl. He needs to become a better man to win over the woman he’s been cosmically bound to, in a Beauty and the Beast style pact. If he fails, everyone he cares for will face a terrible fate. Luckily for him, Nancy may well be the witch she’s always tried to pretend she wasn’t. She can save him, he knows it—and she’s starting to know it too. Even if every day spent with him is an agonising reminder that she isn’t the girl he’s fated for.

But as the deadline approaches she’s starting to wonder… Could it be that she’s finally found her Prince? Or is she about to lose her heart to hell?

THOUGHTS:

I love a Charlotte Stein book, and this one was a pretty good supernatural romance. It was a very grumpy sunshine, he fell first romance. The secretly cinnamon roll-esque grumpy lead and a sunshine bookworm with a healthy bit of CPTSD gives it a little more bite.

I think the best part of this book is the way the “I can’t tell you about my curse” plays out. As always. It leads to misunderstandings and misadventures, but it goes beyond that, too, because Jack is also up against Nancy’s self doubt and the fact that she has no idea that Jack is holding a candle for her, and he hasn’t the slightest idea that the flame has been lit on hers, too.

As always, the spicy scenes are SPICY and Stein is able to keep the problems relatable, even with a sentient truck involved.

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for the advanced ebook copy in exchange for a fair and honest review!

Fantasy Graphic Novels Romance Witchy!

MORGANA AND OZ VOLUME 3

By Miyuli, Pub Date 9/25/25

Rating 4.5****

PUBLISHER’S SYNOPSIS

“Morgana Winterberry belongs to a long line of witches, while Oz belongs to the rival vampire clan. After lifting a magical curse on the vampires, Morgana makes an uneasy truce with them, very much against her family’s warnings.

Morgana and Oz plan to work together to investigate who cursed the vampires in the first place, and who summoned the ghouls that are stalking the forest. Much to Morgana’s worry, signs point to someone in her family using her powerful ancestor Neil Winterberry’s grimoire.

As Morgana tries to understand her stronger but more volatile magic, and learn more about her mysterious great-great-grandfather, she starts hearing a chilling and all too familiar voice in her head.

It will take a witch and a vampire, growing closer every day, to get to the bottom of things.”

REVIEW

This is one of the cutest Webtoon series on the site and I love how magical and a little dark it is, and the plot comes with some seriously adorable artwork. Volume three gets us a little further into the backstory of Morgana’s family and deepens her relationship with Oz into friendship, dipping its toe into something possibly more (they are totally still crushing on each other). I love the characters and how adorably suspicious her brother is about what’s going on. We get more of a reveal on what might be going on with Morgana’s magic and Oz’s past.

There is still so much life left in this story, and I am here for it. I love an adorable graphic novel and this series delivers every time.

Thank you to NetGalley and WEBTOON UNSCROLLED for the advanced ebook copy in exchange for a fair and honest review!

After Dark Contemporary Fiction Spicy🌶️ Thick Babes

COME OUT COME OUT

By Alexia Onyx. Pub Date 8/26/25

Rating 3.5*s

PUBLISHER’S SYNOPSIS

“She’s creeping slowly toward death. He’s determined to keep her alive.

Aiden

My little wraith torments herself in a desperate attempt to escape from the pain that runs deep in her veins. I could be that escape if she’d only let me. I will own her pain, her suffering, and her pleasure. I just need her to see me.

Skye

Every day is a burden that pushes me closer and closer to my end. I always found the notion of death romantic; I never could have predicted how right I would be.

Contains mature themes.”

REVIEW

I was pretty psyched to receive this audiobook as an ARC. Grayson Owens is one of my top masc audiobook readers. I also read that this was a super dark romance with a thick lady main and I’m all about that representation.

The premise was interesting, the narration was great, and the story was very spicy. I saw the pattern for Aiden’s corporeal visiting hours almost right away. I also like Skye, though there is a good reason for the self harm trigger warnings, so if they bother you I advise either skipping this one or proceeding with extreme caution.

I am into the cat and mouse thing that has been a recent trend in erotica romantic fiction and this story had plenty of that in it and Aiden’s obsession with Skye was at the exact right pitch. It was mostly fantastic.

I really enjoyed this up until the very last scene, which left me in existential crisis mode a little. It was super great until that point, but it kind of felt like it was trying to one-up similar books and sort of overshot it from enjoyable and hot f*##$% up to disturbing. Again, I loved it up until the end. It was so nice having a bigger body represented in one of these obsessive romances, but I feel like the HEA could have ended better. I wish I could say more, but I don’t really want to spoil it. Some people may find it to be very Romeo and Juliette coded, so if you’re into that you would probably really like this, but R&J has never really been my cup of tea. I will definitely be going back to listen to a few scenes again because it is good and although I didn’t like the ending, the rest was worth the listen.

Thanks to NetGalley and Tantor Media for the advanced audiobook copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.

After Dark Contemporary Fiction Cozy Mystery Paranormal Spicy🌶️ Supernatural Thick Babes

LOVE AT FIRST FRIGHT

By Nadia El-Fassi. Pub Date 09-16-25

Rating

PUBLISHER’S SYNOPSIS

Rosemary Shaw’s ability to see the dead has never scared her. In fact, it’s secretly inspired most of her horror novels. Now at twenty-nine, Rosemary is an acclaimed author, and her most successful book is about to be a blockbuster movie. The film set is in a beautiful manor house in the English countryside, and it’s no surprise there are ghosts hanging around. But ghosts are something Rosemary can handle; she’s not so sure how to deal with her infuriatingly handsome leading man, who is all wrong for the role.

Ellis Finch is a longtime Hollywood heartthrob with a secret of his own. He’s tired of playing the action movie hero and would much rather be gardening with his sweet dog, Fig. Frankly, he’s getting too old to maintain the industry’s standards of what a man should look like. Starring in a historical horror movie will be perfect for his new image, until he finds out that the author tried to get him kicked off the project, but Ellis won’t go down without a fight.

Amidst filming the movie and the chemistry-filled feuding between Rosemary and Ellis, Hallowvale manor comes alive, literally. Trying to balance the mayhem of her writing deadlines, an adorable ghostly dog, and a pair of Regency-era women who are definitely nothing more than friends, Rosemary is at risk of telling Ellis her secret, or worse—falling for him.

REVIEW

I really love a good paranormal romance and this had a very interesting premise, but when it came to executing it? NAILED IT.

I loved the enemies to lovers trope and how well executed that relationship was and how realistically the author executed Rosemary’s ability to see ghosts. They presented it much like how you would expect it would in real life with having to mask that you’re chatting with people others can’t see. The side plot involving Ellis and his struggles with being who he is authentically also felt very much borrowed from real life.

But I can’t leave this review without talking about the romance piece. Honestly, I just expected a somewhat basic contemporary feel good supernatural romance type vibe, but holy sh** did I get so much more. This book is super hot. It trussed me up and ROASTED me with how deliciously spicy it was. I definitely discovered things about myself. It explores a few kinks in a very consenting way. You may want to make sure you’re not in a public place while reading (unless you’re into that).

Overall, definitely one of my FAVORITE books of 2025!

Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine for the advanced ebook copy in exchange for a fair and honest review!

Adventure Cozy Fantasy Romance Spicy🌶️

A TALE OF MIRTH & MAGIC

By Kristen Vale. Pub Date 08-05-2025

Rating:

PUBLISHER’S SYNOPSIS

“Elikki may not have a family, but she has her fierce independence, boundless charm, and enough talent as a jewelry artisan to make a living on the road. Unfortunately for some, she also can’t yet manage to control her chaotic magic. . . and her temper. Sweet, soft Barra lives a quiet life with his mas and three sisters, managing the books for his family’s business. All he wants is to blend in and not make waves—a bit tricky, as a nearly eight-foot-tall purple half-giant.

When Elikki lands in hot water after dealing with a particularly rude customer, Barra finds himself helping her flee the constables. With a bounty on her back—and a severe crush forming on his end—they decide to travel together to the next town. So begins a journey filled with cozy inns, delicious meals, heaps of excellent sex, and a sprinkling of danger. As their adventures bring them closer together and the threat of capture rises they find themselves changing in surprising ways. He’s given up on finding love. She’s always refused to try. But traveling together, they may discover unexpected, powerful romance and stronger self-identities—if the bounty hunters don’t get them first.“

THOUGHTS

Both Spicy with a capital “Ssss” and incredibly cozy fantasy. I loved both characters. Elikki is a total charisma queen with a tough past that really seems to get in the way of her finding happiness at times, and Barra is a calm king, with a loving family, relatively routine life, but still plenty of heartbreak. But there’s just something about Elikki that sets his world ablaze, and Barra is the calm, loving presence that may be enough of an anchor for Elikki to find her higher self.

The world building was great, with a lot of focus on cozy food, comfortable beds, pretty places, and plenty of magic. It was the best kind of palate cleanser and calming adventure. I really adored it.

Thanks to NetGalley and Forever Publishing for an advanced copy in exchange for a fair and honest review!

Contemporary Fiction Romance RomCom

Maid for Each Other

By Lynn Painter

Pub Date 7/15/2025

4.5*s

Publishers Synopsis:

“As a professional cleaner, Abi Mariano never thought her apartment would have any sort of infestation, but because of a building-wide outbreak, she now needs somewhere to stay for a week. As a part-time student with two jobs, she doesn’t have many options. Then the solution presents itself: the owner of the penthouse she cleans is out of town for the week. She normally wouldn’t consider it, but he’s literally never around (she hasn’t even met him). It goes great…until one morning she finds two strangers in the kitchen. They’re the parents of the penthouse owner and they seem to think they’ve heard all about Abi—not as their son’s maid, but as his girlfriend.

Declan Powell has always put his career first, working his way up to become an executive at his company, but he still has his sights set on the next level. When his parents mention that they met his girlfriend, “Abby,” he all but chokes on his escargot. As wonderful as it sounds that she was just darling, he doesn’t actually have a girlfriend—he made her up to get everyone off his back. When Dex finds out who Abi really is, he makes her a proposition: pretend to date him, and he’ll provide everything she needs during their little arrangement. What harm would it do? It’s purely business, no pleasure…right?”

REVIEW:

Maid for Each Other is a great contemporary read, very Cinderella-esque. The pacing is good, the plot is excellent and the characters are really likeable and well rounded. Abi is a scrappy little thing that reminded me of Elizabeth from the show New Girl. She was very much one of those “I’ll do this because we agreed on it but it won’t change who I am and I am totally going to mess with you” types, while Dex was a career minded guy who was all dollars and suits up front with some hidden depths that weren’t just ab-deep. Total ice berg.

This is one of those easy contemporary reads. Not necessarily cozy, but the kind where there is plenty to puzzle out and where you want to race full speed to find an HEA. It got me through a significant reading slump. This was my first Lynn Painter book, but it will definitely not be my last!

Thank You NetGalley and Berkeley Publishing for an advanced ebook copy in exchange for this review!