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Wicked Tales & Wild Romances

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Step into a sanctuary of Wicked Tales & Wild Romances, where we explore the most captivating corners of dark fantasy and heart-tugging rom-coms. This is more than just a reading log; it’s a collection of Curated Chronicles for the Modern She-Wolf who isn’t afraid to get lost in the shadows or fall for the monster. ​Whether it’s a slow-burn magic system or a spicy contemporary trope, every story here is chosen to be Wildly Devoured.

  • LOVE ME STALK ME

    BY Laura Bishop. Pub Date 12/2/2025

    Rating:

    PUBLISHER’S SYNOPSIS

    When overworked department store manager Izzy Russo downloads an AI boyfriend app to fill the emotional void left by her inattentive real one, she thinks she’s just venting to a harmless chatbot named “Caleb.” In reality, she’s been pouring her deepest, dirtiest fantasies into the ears of Callahan Knight—her store’s brooding new head of security.

    Because Cal? He’s been listening. The moment he saw Izzy, he knew she was his. Did he hack her phone? Absolutely. But who could blame him? A woman like Izzy deserves to be cherished by someone who truly knows her worth—and he’ll do anything to be that man.

    So when Izzy finally sees her boyfriend for who he really is, and the danger she’s unknowingly been caught up in, Cal is ready to protect her, no matter the cost. Even if it means revealing the truth.

    She might not have meant to build the perfect man. But he’s here now. And he’s never letting her go.

    REVIEW

    This was a good introductory Stalker romance. Morally Grey, but we’re talking LIGHT gray. The stuff that happens to Izzy because of her ex is a different story. That’s definitely the darkest part. I really enjoyed the relationship development between Izzy and Cal, and all of the other characters were also well fleshed out. Amanda has a story of her own coming and Izzy’s family probably isn’t going away soon, and that’s a good thing. Their banter is hilarious and I LOVED Nonna.

    The spicy scenes were fantastic. You would expect something dark from the description regarding the AI, and maybe I’m desensitized, but I thought the MMC used it in the most wholesome way given how dark romances like this tend to get. Don’t get me wrong, the sex scenes are still explicit and petty hot, but the overall lead up and motivations from our “stalker” are a romantic dream.

    I recommend this for those who enjoy a dark romance but really want that white (gray) knight vibe as a change of pace.

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

  • PSYCHO SHIFTERS

    BY Jasmine Mas. Now Available from Harlequin Trade Publishing!

    Rating 4*

    PUBLISHER’S SYNOPSIS

    These alpha males think they own me.
    After growing up with nothing, I’ve finally found my path to freedom: I’m a shifter, a warrior who transforms into a monster.
    All I have to do is survive bootcamp.

    I didn’t count on my three 6’5 roommates-slash-trainers. Covered in tattoos, jeweled, and horned, these are like no men I’ve ever dealt with before.

    They don’t think I belong.
    They don’t think I can fight.
    They don’t think I’m strong enough for war.
    They don’t think I can shift.
    I’m about to prove them wrong.

    Jax, Ascher, and Cobra are going to be devastated when they discover my truth…just wait until they see my shifted form.

    REVIEW

    This reverse harem fantasy is wild. I really liked this book. The world is massive, with the first three books covering three different realms.

    But we’re here to talk about the first book, even though I immediately moved on to the 2nd and 3rd. There is a lot of spice (not with the MFC) and tension. It’s 100% the kind of read you want if you’re looking for something that is a guilty pleasure. It’s the reality TV of reverse harem fantasy romance. We don’t get the full characterization of any of the characters. You like them, but not really love them. It’s all lust, nothing deep, but again: guilty pleasure. If you want some hot quick trashy fantasy, read this. Again, I immediately read the rest of the series as it was available on KU, so this did scratch an itch for me. It’s a compliment. However, I highly recommend listening to the audiobook. It’s PACKED with excellent voice talent reading you to filth.It honestly MADE the first book for me and gave me a deeper appreciation for the rest of the series. Honestly, without the audiobook setting the scene for me, I would have struggled with this book.

    Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade for the advanced copy in exchange for a fair and honest review!

  • HE SEES YOU WHEN YOU’RE SLEEPING

    BY Alta Hensley. Pub Date 9-16-25

    Rating:

    PUBLISHER’S SYNOPSIS

    “It’s the night before Christmas and I’m alone in the house…

    Popular jewelry influencer Chloe Hallman is steeling herself to spend another holiday on her own. Instead, she finds herself drawn to two different guys… a smoldering hot fan of her secret, seductive online persona, and a sexy fireman named Jack who looks out for her in their NYC neighborhood.

    She has no idea that I know her better than she knows herself. Her deepest secrets, her darkest desires—she’s careful, but I’ve been watching, never leaving footprints in the snow outside her home.

    Jack was the first responder to the accident that stole a beautiful young woman’s family two Christmases ago, and he’s been quietly guarding her ever since. When Jack uncovers Chloe’s secret account, his obsession only grows. Both he and Chloe are drawn to the darkness that mirrors their own.

    She’s my Christmas wish come true. And I’m hers. She just doesn’t know it yet.“

    THOUGHTS

    Stalker romances have become a real “thing” lately, and some of them are super dark, some of them are less dark. This one falls into a less dark category. I liked both characters. I think this is a good introductory romance into this specific trope, because it would be irresponsible to jump directly into the deep end of stalker romances.

    The spicy scenes have a sweet kinkiness to them, and you can easily see this beckoning an after dark Lifetime type movie. The MMC is a very protective guy who knows what he is doing is creepy and actually cares about it. The FMC has a hidden side and there are real life consequences she is trying to avoid. They also meet one another and like one another in the wild, which, again, adds a sweetness to the story.

    Highly recommend for those curious about the trope but not wanting to go into darker territory quite yet.

    Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Harper Voyager for the advanced copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.

  • KNOT THEIR BURDEN

    By Melissa Huxley. Audiobook. Pub Date 10/21/25

    Rating 3*

    PUBLISHER’S SYNOPSIS

    “Sage was perfectly content in her little bubble, working and living as a Beta at a large company. Keeping in her own lane and not making any waves.

    Until the universe decided to give her an abrupt status change.

    When a far from ideal development occurs and throws everything in her life into utter chaos, Sage is forced into an unforgiving world of Alphas, brutality, and pack politics.

    She is nothing like the Omega they imagined, and they are far from the Alphas she pictured.

    Can four alluring Alphas give her back some semblance of her life and give her the freedom she fears is slipping through her hands? Or will she be stuck in a world where she is destined to be owned and destroyed?”

    REVIEW

    If you are looking for a trashy reverse harem werewolf romance this is a good, quick read to fill that need. When I say trashy, I mean that in a good way. The way that some reality TV is bad for you but it’s a guilty indulgence. This has a ton of spice (obviously), and the narrators do pretty well, although I’m not a huge fan of the breathy drama ‘sexy’ voice. It makes it feel a little cheesy, although it kind of is. The characters don’t have a lot of depth, but that’s part of the charm. It was a nice “Brainbreak” from the normal dark romance subject matter that I’ve been injecting into my brain lately, but just as many chili peppers.

    Thanks to NetGalley and Tantor Audio for the advanced Audiobook copy in exchange for a fair and honest review!

  • MURDER KINGDOM

    A Graphic Novel by Fred Van Lente, Chris Panda, and Becca Carey. Pub Date 05-20-25

    Story Rating: 4*

    Art Rating: 4*

    PUBLISHER’S SYNOPSIS

    Tanith and her best friend are trapped overnight in a fantasy-themed amusement park where someone is killing the employees in the gruesome fashion of the original fairy tales! They have to unravel the mystery before they become the next victims and live never ever after…

    Once upon a time, in a strange land called Florida, a masked psycho starts murdering cast members of the Storybook Kingdom theme park in ways identical to the gory original Grimms’ Fairy Tales. Princess-turned-detective Tanith is the only person who can unmask the killer before she and her friends are all Dying Unhappily Never After!

    THOUGHTS

    This was a tight graphic novel. It was basically serial killer at a theme park, fairytale meets slasher story. The art was great and gave some really great moments where the fairytale cross over was super apparent and gave dark, early Grimm Brothers vibes. I enjoyed it.

    Thanks to NetGalley and Mad Cave Studios for an advanced ebook copy in exchange for a fair and honest review!

  • 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!

  • 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!

  • 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!

  • 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.

  • 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!