When Grumpy Met Sunshine by Charlotte Stein - eARC Review

 

DESCRIPTION
A steamy, opposites-attract romance with undeniable chemistry between a grumpy retired footballer and his fabulous and very sunshine-y ghostwriter.

When grumpy ex-footballer Alfie Harding gets badgered into selling his memoirs, he knows he’s never going to be able to write them. He hates revealing a single thing about himself, is allergic to most emotions, and can’t imagine doing a good job of putting pen to paper.

And so in walks curvy, cheery, cute as heck ghostwriter Mabel Willicker, who knows just how to sunshine and sass her way into getting every little detail out of Alfie. They banter and bicker their way to writing his life story, both of them sure they’ll never be anything other than at odds.

But after their business arrangement is mistaken for a budding romance, the pair have to pretend to be an item for a public who’s ravenous for more of this Cinderella story. Or at least, it feels like it’s pretend—until each slow burn step in their fake relationship sparks a heat neither can control. Now they just have to decide: is this sizzling chemistry just for show? Or something so real it might just give them their fairytale ending?

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
ISBN: 9781250867933
Pub Date: 6 Feb 2024


REVIEW
Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

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

This book was everything. If you love a good slow-burn, grumpy-sunshine, opposites attract, steamy, work romance, then this one is for you!

I have to gush over the MMC Alfie, who is a former athlete selling his memoirs (but he’s not a writer) and the FMC Mabel, who is a ghostwriter. This duo was just thoroughly enjoyable in all regards. For me, there was so much laughter and delight—absolute pure satisfaction from this story. 10/10 highly recommend!

#GrumpySunshine #Romance #OppositesAttract #SlowBurn #Spicy #CharlotteStein #WhenGrumpyMetSunshine #WorkRomance #StMartinsPress #NetGalley

Protecting the Gray Wolf by N. J. Walters - eARC Review

 

DESCRIPTION
If they want his immortality—they’ll have to take it…in the second deeply sexy and bold Lone Wolf Legacy series from New York Times bestselling author N.J. Walters.

I’m used to other wolves coming for me. They want their chance to try and take out the infamous Gray Wolf. And every single one of them fails—because lone wolves aren’t like the others…we’re stronger. Harder. Meaner. Immortal.

But it also means I’m alone. No pack. No alpha. Just the three of us—white, gray, and black. Two too many, if you ask me.

But with power-hungry mages gunning for us, I don’t have the luxury of reflection. They’re in New York City, and I Will. Hunt. Them. Down.

Which is when I see her, and every cell in my body is on alert, filled with the kind of primal longing I never knew I was capable of. Luna West may be human, but there’s some kind of thread connecting us. Call it destiny, fate…or voracious animal hunger.

I know she’s bait. She’s meant to tempt me, to make me weak. But even if I could resist her, I’m not sure I want to.

Because I’ve never denied my wolf anything…especially the chance to raise some serious hell.

And I’m not about to start now.

Each book in the Lone Wolf Legacy series is STANDALONE:
* Taming the White Wolf
* Protecting the Gray Wolf

Publisher: Entangled Publishing, LLC (Ebook)
ISBN: 9781649376800
Pub Date: 12 Feb 2024


REVIEW
Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.5/5)

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

I read the preceding book in this standalone, interconnected series, Taming the White Wolf, and absolutely loved it. So I just knew Protecting the Gray Wolf would deliver, and may I say…it absolutely did!

For me, this story was an easy, quick read with great pacing. There was so much going on beginning with a setup from the White Wolf that turns into the Gray Wolf, Kade, doing his best to resist the meticulous, measured, and very tempting artist, Luna. These wolves have their innate need to mate, so the steam factor in the story did not disappoint!

Full of action, thrill, spice, and mystery, Protecting the Gray Wolf is really an exciting paranormal romance. The author does a fabulous job with this genre/subgenre, so the third installment in this series, the Black Wolf’s story, is really calling to me now.

#Paranormal #Romance #Shifter #Werewolf #ProtectingtheGrayWolf #NJWalters #Entangled #NetGalley

Sanctuary of the Shadow by Aurora Ascher - eARC Review

DESCRIPTION

Some follow their destiny.

Others fall for it.

For humans, Salizar’s is a place of mystery and wonder. For Harrow, it’s a place to hide from those who slaughtered her entire clan. A haven where she can disguise both her abilities and who she really is.

Until he arrives.

He has no recollection of who—or even what—he is. He only knows that he’s a monster, with wings and powerful abilities never seen before. But beneath the layers of rage and isolation, one glimpse into those inky black eyes reveals a soul that calls out to the loneliness in Harrow.

And so she chooses him.

She is drawn to the mystery of him, her unquenchable need for his kiss. And as powerful enemies align and conspire against them, Harrow knows their only hope is escape.

Now, with every secret she unlocks from his past, a shadow from her own whispers free—luring enemies who will stop at nothing to get their final revenge on Harrow. And she’s given them the perfect weapon…because her winged beast is not what he seems.

But maybe it’s time they finally learn—neither is she.

Publisher: Entangled Publishing, LLC (Ebook)
ISBN: 9781649374110
Pub Date: 9 Jan 2024

REVIEW
Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.5/5)

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

Sanctuary of the Shadow is one heck of a carnival ride. What an intriguing storyline! I love the dark carnival them with an amnesia-affected shadow beast and a powerful young fortune-teller as the main characters.

This fast-paced story will have you feeling like you are speedreading through the journey of Harrow and Raith. I suppose I was expecting more of a slow burn, but it. is. not. and I am just fine with that. I also admire that Harrow has strong friendships in this story; it helps identify the layers of her personality.

I loved the inclusion of important themes like consent, deceit/grudges/revenge leading to forgiveness and redemption, personal growth and forging a path forward. All of these themes are packed in for a quick ride, and I am so beyond excited to find out what happens next in this series!

#Fantasy #YA #Romance #SanctuaryoftheShadow #AuroraAscher #Entangled #NetGalley

To Kill a Shadow by Katherine Quinn - eARC Review

DESCRIPTION
An illusory and atmospheric fantasy horror about a kingdom left to darkness...

Jude Maddox knows nothing of love or even light. He knows only his grim duty as the Hand of Death, to lead the Knights of the Eternal Star into a land filled with nightmares and certain demise. It’s only when he sees her—a young woman with wild, amber eyes who’s as fierce, defiant, and swift as the shadow beasts themselves—that he feels the warmth of life in his blood...

The other Knights may fear their lethal commander, with his hard, merciless demeanor. Outcast Kiara Frey sees only a leader, a man who knows how to survive. Someone like her. But wanting him is as treacherous as the shadows themselves...and just as seductive.

With a kingdom on the verge of collapse, the Knights must now venture into the darkest heart of the land and uncover the secrets of the misted shadows, where evil will prey upon their minds and feast on their flesh.

It will betray their senses.

It will surpass their nightmares.

Most of them will die.

But they have no other choice. Because the only way to fight the darkness...is to become it.

Publisher: Entangled Publishing, LLC (Ebook)
ISBN: 9781649374370
Pub Date: 28 Nov 2023


REVIEW
Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

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

Wow! This is one enthralling, intense story by Katherine Quinn. There is so much going on, and the world-building is just superb. Chef’s kiss!

The FMC and MMC are layered and complex, and I loved getting to know them—though I know we are only getting started (with this series?) and grazed the surface with Kiara and Jude.

What surprised me the most about this book (because I have a tendency to go in blindly) was the eeriness of the setting and the well-paced plot. The writing is so well done that I could not put this book down. Cannot wait to read more!

#Fantasy #YA #Romance #ToKillaShadow #KatherineQuinn #Entangled #NetGalley