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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.

  • The Lodge

    By Kayla Olson

    Rating:

    Now Available from Atria Books!

    Publisher’s Synopsis:

    “Alix Morgan just got her big break as the ghostwriter of a memoir by Sebastian Green, a former member of the boy band True North. And when he offers her a penthouse at a luxurious resort in Vermont, she jumps at the chance to work far away from her noisy, cramped apartment.

    Her career as an entertainment journalist has been building toward this dream job—after all, she used to cover True North and was one of the last people to interview former front man Jett Beckett before he disappeared. As she combs through her client’s voice memos, the specter of the missing lead singer remains, and fans are desperate to know the full story.

    But Alix also has time for some fun at this glamorous resort, where she begins ski lessons with a handsome instructor named Tyler. As Alix and Tyler fall in love on the slopes, Alix’s work takes a complicated turn—and the mystery of True North’s downfall may be hers to solve.”

    REVIEW

    Think 90s boy band craze and Charlotte Steins “When Grumpy Met Sunshine” had a baby that was conceived on the board game Clue. I really like this book. It was a little predictable for me but the romance was good and the plot was fast and the ending tied up all the loose ends.

    Honestly, I couldn’t ask for more in a romcom. I actually like when my suspicions play out and the author did it WELL. I love an HEA, and this was the perfect cozy read for a cool wintery day.

    Thanks to Netgalley and Atria Books for the Advanced Copy in Exchange for a fair and honest review!

  • If I Stopped Haunting You

    By Colby Wilkens

    Rating: 3*s. Horromance

    Now Available from St. Martin’s Press!

    Publisher’s Synopsis:

    “It’s been months since horror author Penelope Skinner threw a book at Neil Storm. But he was so infuriating, with his sparkling green eyes and his bestselling horror novels that claimed to break Native stereotypes. And now she’s a publishing pariah and hasn’t been able to write a word since. So when her friend invites her on a too-good-to-be-true writers retreat in a supposedly haunted Scottish castle, she seizes the opportunity. Of course, some things really are too good to be true.

    Neil wants nothing less than to be trapped in a castle with the frustratingly adorable woman who threw a book at him. She drew blood! Worse still, she unleashed a serious case of self-doubt! Neil is terrified to write another bestselling “book without a soul,” as Pen called it. All Neil wants is to find inspiration, while completely avoiding her.

    But as the retreat begins, Pen and Neil are stunned to find themselves trapped in a real-life ghost story. Even more horrifying, they’re stuck together and a truly shocking (extremely hot) almost-kiss has left them rethunking their feelings, and… maybe they shouldn’t have been enemies at all? But if they can’t stop the ghosts pursuing them, they may never have the chance to find out.”

    REVIEW

    This book really surprised me. I was expecting a Scooby Doo style horror/Romcom, but that was not the case. The horror in this contemporary romance is borderline The Haunting of Hill House. I love a good rivals to lovers trope and I really enjoy horror on its own. This had a mixture of both with a plentiful scoop of American indigenous representation, but set in Scotland.  All topics were important, but I admit I experienced a lot of whiplash trying to figure out what my brain should be on at any given point. Admittedly, it gave me some anxiety unrelated to the horror aspect. 

    It was still a decent horror novel and somewhat decent romance. It felt like way more of a horror than a romance, but again–I dig horror. There is a place for social justice in both categories, but with all combined? It just felt like a lot at times.

    Don’t get me wrong, I still enjoyed it. There were moments that were really spicy and moments that were really scary, and moments that where real talk left an impression.

    It’s definitely one for the book club and would be perfect for a group to read and discuss.

    Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the free advanced copy in exchange for this review.

  • How To Steal a Galaxy

    By Beth Revis. 5*s!

    NOW AVAILABLE FROM DAW!

    Publisher’s Synopsis:

    “Ada had no intention whatsoever to continue working for the rebel group that hired her to retrieve the government’s plans for a nanobot climate cleaner if they weren’t willing to pay her for it, but then they offer a different perk: an undercover mission to a charity gala where Rian will be in attendance. Rian, meanwhile, has volunteered his services for the gala believing that the rare items up for auction will attract Ada’s eye. Hoping to catch her in the act and pin her with a punishable crime, Rian has no idea Ada’s really after.

    In a high-stakes game of theft and deception, Ada plays to win…and Rian will do anything to stop her.”

    REVIEW:

    REVIS! How can you do this TWICE with the same amazing characters? Another amazing scifi space heist story with a morally grey FMC and lawful MMC set in a museum full of Sol Earth artifacts on a far off planet. The villain is finally revealed and is entirely hateable and we get more background on Ada that gives more background on the struggles of OG Earth to stay alive. Plus there’s more push and pull with Rian, which gives that little spice that amps up the tension and character dev.

    I am again super obsessed. I absolutely LOVE this short series and will recommend this to ANYONE who enjoys a good mystery/heist/scifi/romance situation. So excited for the next installment coming out soon!

    Thanks to NetGalley and DAW for the advanced ebook copy in exchange for an honest review. Loved it!

  • My Big Fat Fake Marriage

    by Charlotte Stein

    Rating: 4*s – Sweet n Spicy!

    Publish Date is March 11, 2025

    Publisher’s Synopsis:

    “Connie has always distrusted nice guys. In her experience, they’re just waiting to reveal some horrible secret. And then she meets big, adorable, Henry Samuel Beckett—editor extraordinaire, lover of bow ties, sweet and so cheery she struggles to believe he’s real.

    Until Henry Samuel Beckett—or Beck, as he’s known to most—tells her the secret underneath his sunny surface: He’s been single all his life. But in a moment of panic, he’s told everyone at his publishing house that he’s married. And when Connie, an aspiring writer herself, can’t help defending him, she ends up being the fake wife he doesn’t actually have.

    When they head off on a writing retreat, surrounded by people convinced this must be a ruse, both of them can’t help but agree. Until they share their first kiss, their first touch, their first time in only one bed. Side by side, every night, as the simmering tension builds…Connie starts to wonder if this might be real after all.”

    REVIEW:

    CHARLOTTE STEIN has quickly become one of my absolute favorite authors of thick queen contemporary romance alongside Olivia Dade. I love the dynamic between her characters and My Big Fat Fake Marriage was no exception. This one was so cute, so sexy, and 100% awesome. Deserves the all the delicious buzzwords like ‘unputdownable’ and ‘beautifully smutty’. Our mustachioed main man was all green flags and our thick queen was properly ravished and had excellent character development. 

    Love this author’s stuff and CANNOT WAIT for what she has next!

    Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced copy in exchange for this review!

  • A Lady’s Lesson in Scandal

    By Darcy McGuire

    Rating

    Available Now from Boldwood Books

    Publisher’s Synopsis:

    “Secret femme-fatale in training Millicent Whittenburg needs to escape her unpleasant betrothal. Taking matters into her own hands, she plans her eventual ruin! Then she can disappear from society to carry out the Queen’s deadly missions. Step 1: seduce the one man who despises marriage more than her!

    However, she hugely underestimates her target. Major General Beaufort Drake. Fearsome private investigator, he’s notoriously cold and visibly battle scarred. But Millie’s scandalously public kiss awakens a deeply suppressed desire in Drake. Instead of allowing them both to succumb to shame he does the unthinkable, and offers for her hand in a convenient marriage.

    Nothing prepares them for the fireworks when a fearless damsel collides with a dangerous Major General! And as their secret missions align they face their hardest test on the glittering battlefield – a week long wedding house party where there is nowhere to escape…only new and wicked lessons to be learnt!”

    REVIEW

    This was my first in this series and it was so great, even without reading the official first. I love the “mission” that the couple has in common–very important work fighting human trafficking!

    The sparks certainly fly between our MCs and despite how they started the relationship, they are stronger together fighting for a similar cause. However, I think my favorite part of these books is how absolutely supportive our MMCs are with their counterparts. Although, if they weren’t, I don’t think the FMCs would hesitate to show them the what-for!

    Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

  • Love & Other Conspiracies

    By Mallory Marlowe

    Rating:

    NOW AVAILABLE FROM BERKLEY PUBLISHING

    Publisher’s Synopsis:

    “Hallie Barrett’s life has imploded after she’s dumped by her hotshot ex, who also happens to be her coworker and the star of the online series she was producing. Without a new show to present for the company competition, she’ll be out of a job. But inspiration can come from the strangest places . . . like the most handsome guy she’s ever seen passionately discussing Bigfoot on a late-night docuseries.
     
    Hayden Hargrove made a name for himself as a cryptid expert on his hit podcast, and is intrigued by the plucky, blue-haired producer who offers him the opportunity to lead his own web show. When the production team sees that Hayden’s solo on-screen presence is bad enough to make a ghost blanch, Hallie jumps on camera too, hitting him (and his cryptids) with a healthy dose of skepticism—and enough chemistry to electrify their show to the top of the competition.
     
    As Hayden and Hallie investigate the unknown, they unearth feelings for each other that shake their beliefs to the core. In their search for Mothman, aliens, and the truth, the most elusive discovery might just be learning to love again.”

    REVIEW

    I’m a real nerd when it comes not only to books, but also supernatural stuff. Cryptids, UFOs, the paranormal–you name it, I’ve probably heard of it before. Sasquatch possibly being an interdimensional being? Yup. Poltergeist activity being a manifestation of excess preteen energy? Of course!

    That said, I was so excited to read a romcom featuring some of my favorite material. I love a good will they won’t they, high chemistry/high tension contemporary romance, and this book did not disappoint. I love seeing it on shelves and I make sure to point it out to people and say “OH, this is a good one!”

    Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

  • How to Help a Hungry Werewolf

    By Charlotte Stein.

    Rating: 3*s – Supernatural Spice

    NOW AVAILABLE FROM ST. MARTIN’S PRESS!

    Publisher’s Synopsis:

    “When Cassandra Camberwell returns to her hometown of Hollow Brook to clear out her late grandmother’s ramshackle old house, the last thing she expects is Seth Brubaker on her doorstep. Her former best friend was responsible for the worst moment of her high school life, and she can’t imagine he wants to do anything but torment her all over again.

    Until she unearths the real reason this annoyingly gorgeous beast of a man keeps hanging around: he’s an actual werewolf, who’s certain she’s the witch that will ease his suffering. But Cassie just isn’t sure if she can trust him again. So Seth offers a pact: he’ll teach her all about her undiscovered magic, and she will brew the potions he needs. No feelings, no funny business, just a witch and a werewolf striking a deal.

    Totally doable. Until they get hit with a do-or-die mating bond. And now the heat is rising, in between fights with formers bullies and encounters with talking raccoons. They just have to not give in. Unless giving in just might be the very thing they never knew they always wanted.”

    REVIEW:

    Let me preface this by saying that I LOVE Charlotte Stein books. I also LOVE witchy books. I dig Werewolf stories, and LOVE enemies to lovers romances. Why am I sugar coating? Because although I loved the ending and see the potential in a series, the first 25%-40% of this was ROUGH. Not everything. Just the dialogue between the MCs. It felt like it was one person talking to themselves. They talked the same and it really did not feel like there was any actual chemistry. The male MC had some Himbo energy, but it wasn’t pulled off well–at first!

    Although the beginning was rough and I hated the dialogue, the rest of the story was a ton of fun. Very redemptive. It’s kind of worth the bumpy road in the waybin, hut it would have been better if the dialogue hadn’t been super cringe. I almost DNFed in the beginning. But I’m really glad I stuck with it!

    Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

  • The Launch Date

    By Annabelle Slator

    Rating: 4.5*s – Ambitiously Spicy Rivals to Lovers

    Publisher’s Synopsis

    “Grace Hastings’s dream job at the popular “true love” dating app, Fate, has turned into a nightmare. Her boss is a leech, her career is stagnating, and her fiancé has just brutally dumped her. Her hope for finding her own love story is waning, and she feels like a fraud for promoting a concept she no longer believes in. When the company’s CEO offers her an opportunity to earn a big promotion, she resolves to fight her imposter syndrome to show she deserves a seat at the table.

    The opportunity? To launch a brand-new app focusing on IRL dating and genuine connection.

    The problem? She must develop and test-drive a series of “first dates” with the other person gunning for the job: notorious socialite playboy and Grace’s biggest work rival, Eric Bancroft.

    During their disastrous hikes, dangerous cooking classes, and steamy yoga sessions, they begin to realize their stark differences may just be surface level and Eric might just be the perfect person to challenge Grace’s perceptions of love, dating culture, and self-worth.”

    REVIEW:

    Absolutely ADDICTIVE friends to rivals to lovers workplace romance! Sexy, emotional, and hilarious with believable characters and excellent character development. Highly recommend starting during the weekend because you will not be able to put this down and unless you don’t need to sleep before going to your office job, weeknights are not it. 

    Loved.

    Thank you Netgalley and Avon Harper Voyager for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

  • Full Speed to a Crash Landing

    By Beth Revis

    Rating: 5* – You need to read this space heist NOW.

    Available NOW from DAW.

    Publisher’s Synopsis:

    “Ada Lamarr may have gotten to the spaceship wreck first, but looter’s rights won’t get her far when she’s got a hole in the side of her ship and her spacesuit is almost out of air. Fortunately for her, help arrives in the form of a government salvage crew—and while they reluctantly rescue her from certain death, they are not pleased to have an unexpected passenger along on their classified mission. 

    But Ada doesn’t care—all that matters to her is enjoying their fine food and sweet, sweet oxygen—until Rian White, the government agent in charge, starts to suspect that there’s more to Ada than meets the eye. He’s not wrong—but he’s so pretty that Ada is perfectly happy to keep him paying attention to her—at least until she can complete the job she was sent to pull off. But as quick as Ada is, Rian might be quicker—and she may not be entirely sure who’s manipulating who until it’s too late…”

    REVIEW:

    Beth Revis is a MASTER of space bound suspense and this book just frigging proves it. She set out to write something great to spite a critic and she absolutely did. This is a fins specimen of space heist sci-fi fiction and I almost can’t say more without giving anything away. The suspense was great, the action- amazing! And the characters–oh boy.

    Do yourself a favor and pick this one up. I’ve been recommending it to everyone who will listen, and if you’ve gotten this far, kudos–now stop reading this review and start reading this book.

    Thanks to NetGalley and DAW for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

  • Bride of the Shadow King

    By Sylvia Mercedes

    Rating: 3.5*s – High Fantasy filled with longing glances

    Now Available from Berkley Publishing!

    Publisher’s Synopsis:

    “Though she is the oldest daughter, Princess Faraine lives in the background, shunned from court and kept out of sight. She’s told her gods-gift makes her a liability to the crown, and has learned to give place to her beautiful, favored younger sister in all things.

    When the handsome and enigmatic Shadow King comes seeking a bride, Faraine is not surprised that her sister is his choice.

    King Vor is not eager to take a human bride, but he is willing to do what is necessary for the sake of his people. When he meets the lively Princess Ilsevel, he quickly agrees to a marriage arrangement.

    So why can’t he get the haunting eyes of her older sister out of his head?”

    REVIEW

    I was not expecting to be hooked from page one or for the setting and lore to be set up so beautifully. The tension between the characters in the first half was so great, but the last half had me clawing for the next page–it’s that longing feeling that clings to your heart when you see that there are two people on the page who would be happier of they could know the truth about the other. I was not expecting the level of court intrigue or the physical pain that Faraine’s magic caused her, nor where that whole thing went.

    This is a good setup for the next book, which I will have a review up for soon!

    Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing for the free copy in exchange for an honest review!