Taming the White Wolf by N. J. Walters - eARC Review

 

DESCRIPTION
The lone wolf answers to no alpha or pack. From his first transformation, he knows his destiny: to be both judge and executioner for rogue werewolves. Welcome to the spellbinding first book in New York Times bestselling author N.J. Walters intense new werewolf series.

White wolf Devlin Moore has spent nearly the last century following his destiny: hunting rogue werewolves. His fate is to be the only one of his kind—hardened, feared, and brutally ruthless. Only now, Devlin’s not alone. There are two others. And if that wasn’t unsettling enough, Devlin is drawn to New York City for what appears to be a human…

As far as Devlin can tell, vibrant artist Zoe Galvani is no threat. But there’s something about her— from her unusual eyes that look similar to the same shocking hue as his own, to his growing need to mark her as his that suggests magical forces may be at play.

Now there’s no escaping each other, or the attraction that grows stronger by the second. But no one, especially a human woman, should have this effect on a lone wolf. And just when he’s sure that having her could be his undoing…the truth steps out of the shadows.

Publisher: Entangled Publishing, LLC (Ebook)

ISBN: 9781649376084

Pub Date: 24 Jul 2023

REVIEW

Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

If you love werewolf fantasy, fated-mates, and insta-love tropes; then this book is right up your alley! I enjoy a good “lone wolf” story who finds a strong-willed, witty mate, and that’s exactly what you’ll get with Taming the White Wolf.

This was an easy, quick read with a slower pace in the first half to two-thirds of the story due to worldbuilding. The first in a three-book series, N. J. Walters integrates ancient werewolf lore into the modern world, creating a sinister air at the possibility of supernatural beings roaming amongst us at any given time.

I so look forward to the continuation of Devlin Moore and Zoe Galvani’s saga and cannot wait to see what happens with the additional characters in the rest of this series!

This review is also posted on Goodreads, here.

Till There Was You by Lindsay Hameroff - eARC Review

DESCRIPTION

Culinary student Lexi Berman, 24, has one goal: to make her late mother proud by becoming an executive chef in a Michelin-star restaurant. And she isn’t going to let anything–or anyone–get in the way. But when she meets Jake Taylor, a dive bar musician who charms her with show tunes, she makes a rare exception to her no-dating rule. After a steamy weekend together, Jake leaves for L.A. to record his demo, and Lexi never expects to see him again. And she definitely doesn’t expect him to become an overnight celebrity, with a breakout single that’s almost certainly about her famous blueberry pancake recipe.

As Jake’s star rises and the world speculates about the subject of his song, Lexi keeps the affair to herself. After all, she’s finally found her footing at her new restaurant job, and even has a prospective romance with her coworker. But when a distraught Jake turns up on her doorstep late one night, her carefully-laid plans are thrown for a loop. Though she and Jake try to be friends, things between them soon reheat faster than a bowl of Lexi's matzah ball soup. But a relationship with Jake means risking her face in tabloids, withstanding cruel internet comments, and worst of all, jeopardizing her career. As Jake’s upcoming tour approaches, and rumors swirl about him and another pop star, Lexi has to decide if holding onto her meticulously-planned future is worth walking away from what could be the perfect recipe for love.

Set both in the chaos of fame and the high stakes world of New York City restaurants, this novel sprinkles in a second chance at love and a dollop of celebrity drama to create a romantic romp that will make even the most jaded reader smile.

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

ISBN: 9781250902917

Pub Date: 20 Feb 2024

REVIEW

Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book was an emotional read for me, and I thoroughly enjoyed it! You’ll love the charm, witty banter, and intrinsic strength of the FMC.

Lexi strives toward becoming a chef, which takes grit and entails dedicating your life to the craft, spending many hours each day in the kitchen. It’s what she’s wanted since she was young, and Lexi is definitely headstrong, focused, and thrives when she’s in control.

But when she meets Georgia-boy Jake at a bar he is performing at, she realizes they have a special connection. Lexi explores that connection by going “off book” and spending the weekend with him. She doesn’t expect much more from Jake after that since he heads across the country to record his demo.

He quickly rises to stardom and reappears in Lexi’s life suddenly, right when she is just establishing herself as a working professional in a new restaurant. Jake is a successful, new artist in the music industry, and a multitude of issues ensue, especially when it comes to being in a relationship with a person not in the public eye.

Get ready for a rollercoaster ride of emotions because there will be angst and anticipation, levity and laughter, and—best of all—humor and a happy ending. This story was well-written, and I certainly look forward to more works by the author.

This review is also posted on Goodreads, here.

Grayson's Vow by Mia Sheridan - eARC Review

DESCRIPTION

A marriage-of-convenience spicy standalone romance from the New York Times bestselling author of Archer's Voice.

Some vows are meant to be broken, but others are worth risking everything for…even your heart.

Kira Dallaire is desperate. She must get married, and fast, to access the inheritance her late grandmother left her. Otherwise, she'll find herself at the mercy of her wealthy, abusive father. With little money and even fewer options, she uses her quick wit and impulsive heart to come up with a plan.

Grayson Hawthorn is losing hope. A convicted felon with limited capital and dwindling resources, his vow to resurrect his family's struggling vineyard seems destined to fail. That is, until a young woman enters his office with an outlandish proposal—a win-win business marriage he can't refuse.

But what begins as a temporary arrangement soon threatens to become more, as vibrant, spirited Kira challenges detached, arrogant Grayson to want more from life. To want more for himself. As their wills clash and fiery passion ignites, the two realize that sometimes the past creates walls too difficult to climb, and lies and deception rarely precede a happily ever after.

Publisher: Bloom Books
ISBN: 9781728285085
Pub Date: 04 Jul 2023


REVIEW

Initially reviewed on 29 May 2023

Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)

Thank you to NetGalley, SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books, and Mia Sheridan for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I typically enjoy marriage-of-convenience stories, and Grayson’s Vow was an overall good read. However, this book started at a slower pace and did not immediately garner my attention like Mia’s other works.

In this story, Kira is impulsive and reckless in her decision-making, often taking grand leaps and adhering to those choices no matter what the outcome. Grayson is hardened due to drastic past experiences, yet he is on a path of redemption to honor his late father. When they agree to marry temporarily to fulfill the terms of Kira’s inheritance, Grayson and Kira must learn to get along. There is much frustration from Grayson questioning his participation in Kira’s plan. I also felt frustrated numerous times throughout the book because most of the issues could have been solved through simple communication. Also, Kira allows herself to be treated poorly in order to achieve the end goal, while Grayson’s behavior is highly questionable at times. Although this book is not my favorite by Mia, it was entertaining, and I will certainly continue reading all her works.

This review is also posted on Goodreads, here.

Trading Places by Emily Duvall - eARC Review

DESCRIPTION
From the outside looking in, socialite Lexi North’s life looks decadently perfect, right down to her diamond-dusted nails. But you know what they say about glass houses… When one night goes horribly wrong—with the whole world watching—she’s challenged to swap lives with the salty, albeit gorgeous, man she rear-ends with her car.

For mechanic Evan Bailey, life is definitely not a party. There’s no “daddy’s credit card” for fixing up his family’s auto shop, raising his too-precocious-for-anyone’s-good niece, and getting his accounts from deep in the red to black. Which is precisely when opportunity—and celebutante Lexi North—smashes into his life.

But what should have been an easy bet gets a whole lot harder with the inexplicably hot chemistry between them. Now the only way for either of them to get what they want is to go for broke…

Publisher: Entangled Publishing, LLC

ISBN: 9781649374196
Pub Date: 26 Sep 2023


REVIEW

Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ (3.5/5)

Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing, LLC, for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is a dual-perspective redemption story that held my attention, and I completed the read within a day. The female main character, Lexi, is an entitled socialite with high public visibility who must endure life-altering changes to achieve her goal. The male main character, Evan, is a mechanic in his family’s body shop who is raising his niece while on a limited budget. Lexi and Evan’s unexpected pairing makes for an interesting enemies-to-lovers situation with a healthy dose of irritation and attraction.

The pacing of this book started off choppy with certain chapters difficult to comprehend but gradually smoothed out to a lovely conflict that was well-written and captivating. Lexi’s behavior in the first half of the book felt redundant and grating at times, but even so, it appeared she was the protagonist and Evan was the antagonist. However, during the crisis of the story, the roles appear to shift, and Evan seemed like he had a more complex dilemma than Lexi’s, which was not explored in depth (maybe there will be a book two?). I wanted more of Evan’s story in the end. I thoroughly enjoyed Lexi’s wit and personality, once given a glimpse into the real her, as well as the banter between her and Evan.

Overall, Trading Places was an enjoyable, dramatized read that left me wanting more. More insight into Evan. More insight into Mature Lexi. And more of their sizzling attraction. I cannot wait to see what Duvall brings to the table after this!

This review is also posted on Goodreads, here.

Welcome to My Blog

Hello!

Welcome to my blog in which I will share book reviews, general goings on, as well as my favorite bookish items or must-haves. I'm an avid reader but haven't really written many reviews. due to, you know, that thing called life.

Here, I plan on honing my review-writing skills, and hopefully you all will follow along with me. All opinions are my own. Thanks for checking in!