Tag: ARC Reviews

Anthology Review: Mine This Winter

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Rating: 5 out of 5.

Title: Mine This Winter

Author: Multiple Authors

Release Date: December 1st, 2022

Page Count: 1,282

Start Date: November 7th, 2022

Finish Date: December 4th, 2022

Review:

Crushing It

Very cute and short read. There are things that I’d wish had been drawn out a bit more, but other than that it was a very cute read. I enjoyed it a lot.

Auld Lang Sighs

Ever read a book that is drawn out and full of miscommunications? Ever wish it wouldn’t be so drawn out? Read this story then. There’s some build up, but not much. It’s a very cute story with a bit of steam. I want to read more about this couple!

Snowfire

I really love that one of the main characters is an ex-con. I also loved that the other one was career driven and was very passionate about what she did. I’d love to see back stories about both of these characters. Especially what happened to the dancer.

Merry and Bright

This story covers something that a lot of holiday stories don’t. It’s not about somebody who finds love when they are least expecting it. It’s about somebody who feels unappreciated and wants to get away from her home life for a  bit. It’s a really wholesome story. I enjoyed it very much.

Four Nipple Sam

I can’t say that I loved this story, but I can’t say I hated it either. It was okay. It was really cute. There are things that I feel should have been detailed more that were glossed over in my opinion. I also think that other things should have been done differently. I’d read more works by this author.

Love on the Lifts

I really enjoyed this story a lot more than I thought I would in the beginning. I had thoughts that it was going to go on a different path than it did. It really was very wholesome!

Naughty List

This story was fun and spicy. It was also very sweet. I really enjoyed the story and the characters. I actually would have liked to see more of this story if I’m being honest.

Mistletoe Mishap

There was a bit of cringy angst in the story, but other than that it was really great. There’s a part in the beginning that I wish had been drawn out a little more. Other than that, this was a really adorable story. I loved the couple in this story! They were just so cute!

Don’t Leave

This story was very short, but very sweet. Two people who are trying to get away from their family and their jobs rent a cabin. Only they didn’t rent the cabin. They rented a room. It all winds up working out, and it turns out they have some mutual connections!

Highland Vows

I enjoyed this story. It was rich with a culture that I’m not really familiar with. I really enjoyed learning about it. I also loved that the main character in the story is a photographer. I’d have loved to see more of this story. I’ll have to track down the story that’s referenced at the end of the book. It’s definitely worth it.

Captivated by You

I really would have loved to see so much more to this story. It’s short and sweet and to the point. I’d really love to get to know the characters more. Maybe the author will one day write more on them. Who knows? I also love that this takes place in Georgia, and that the author is from Georgia!

Toys for Tats

This story was really adorable. I was kind of expecting more steam than there was. Not that I’m complaining on how it was. I was just expecting more. I was really hoping to hear at the end of the story I’d hear all about how this is part of a series. I was fully intending to get the series or put it on my wish list. No such luck! I’ll still check out other works by the author.

Flirting for the Holidays

I thought this would be full of a lot of miscommunications and angst. I wasn’t crazy about the idea, but I prepared myself anyways. It wasn’t. I really want to see more into this world! I’ll have to look to see what the author has out!

The Next Tomorrow

This was a very adorable and short read. I really loved getting to see the author’s writing style. I think I would have liked to seen some of the parts of the book prolonged just a little more. I’d have also liked to see more of the past. Especially from the male lead’s point of view.

Yule Be Mine

I think this is a very cute story that has a lot of potential. I really would have liked to see more of the back story and more of the scenes a little more drawn out into better detail. I also really didn’t care for the main lead at all. I get her reasons for being the way she was, but not her actions. I’ll just leave it at that.

It’s All About David

This is a MM romance. I was convinced that there was a full novel set in this world with all the references about their best friends and them being so in love. I would love to see one. I would also love to see this story turned into a full novel as well. I would suggest another read through though. Just to clean it up a bit.

Lie To Me

This was an okay story. It was cute and gave some very adorable vibes. Not to mention it had furbabies! Who doesn’t like a story with a sweet pet? I feel like there could have been more. I just can’t quite put my finger on what it’s missing for me. I didn’t dislike it though. I found it very adorable.

ARC Review: Never Ever Getting Back Together

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Rating: 5 out of 5.

Title: Never Ever Getting Back Together

Author: Sophie Gonzales

Release Date: November 29th, 2022

Page Count: 374

Start Date: November 14th, 2022

Finish Date: December 2nd, 2022

Review:

Story: I was very hesitant to start this book. I was worried it might be full of too much cringe. I was completely wrong. I am so glad for that. I started to read another book by this author. I had to set it down. Not because it was a bad book. I was just really burned out on reading at the time. Because of this book, I have now gotten her entire collection in audiobook. I really want to see this as a movie. I want to see many of these things actually happen. Including a part of the ending. This book was full of drama and comedy.

Characters: One of our main characters is Maya. She’s cheated on with the other main character, Skye. When it comes to light, he lies to everybody and tells them that she just couldn’t accept being broken up with. He makes it seem like Maya is unstable and irrational. I really felt for her. Most of us have been there at one point. I wanted to dislike Skye, but it seems like he was just as dishonest with her as he was with everybody else. 

Critiques: I wouldn’t call this a critique as much as a personal preference. I would have loved to see certain things played out a little more. Something happens towards the end that I really would have liked to see how that fully played out. It’s kind of why I’d love to see this in a movie!

Final Thoughts: Maya is so quirky. Skye is too. There are times that they really grated on my nerves, but they really are so cute together! I loved this story. I loved that while they were on this show for their ex, they fell for each other. I’ll probably reread this again quite a few times. I wish there were a sequel to it! I need to see how things go from there!

Book Review: Blood Union Part One by Vela Roth

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Rating: 5 out of 5.

Title: Blood Union Part One

Author: Vela Roth

Release Date: July 20th, 2022

Page Count: 574

Start Date: November 15th, 2022

Finish Date: November 28th, 2022

Review:

Story: There’s something I saw referenced in books that I had a theory on. I got too excited about this series. So I read the blurbs for future books. Don’t judge me. I was correct on my assumption/theory. I can’t even begin to explain or replicate the sound that came from me when it was proven I was right. I’m just glad that I was alone and my family wasn’t around. Anyway. I’m so ready to read book six now. I’m also afraid to read book six. It’s the final book that’s out. This has quickly become one of my favorite series of all time. Any book in this series or by this author will be on my instant buy list. I won’t even need to know what they are about!

Characters: I’ve fallen for many of these characters throughout the series. I’m pretty sure that my review readers are getting sick of hearing about me gushing about all of them. I’d love to just live in this world. Even if it’s just for a day.

Critiques: To quote Cher from Clueless, AS IF!

Final Thoughts: I really wish I had the talent to narrate these books so that they could be turned into an audiobook. If they ever get put into audiobooks, I will be automatically buying them. I’ll even use it as an excuse to listen to the books again! I also really hope to see this series turned into a television show one day! It’s a possibility. It’s so good! I knew I’d love this book the moment I got the first copy in the mail. I wasn’t wrong. I wasn’t expecting to love it as much as I did. Or fall in love with the world and the characters as much as I did, but here we are! I need more people to read this book so we can chat about it! 

ARC Review: Now & Then by Katie Rae

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Rating: 4 out of 5.

Title: Now & Then

Author: Katie Rae

Release Date: November 16th, 2022

Page Count: 221

Start Date: November 9th, 2022

Finish Date: November 21st, 2022

Review:

Story: This story really packed so much into it. I’m still amazed and impressed that the author told so much in the amount of pages they did. It showed present day and parts of the past. I’d have loved to see more of the past and maybe even some parts later on in present day. I’m not complaining or saying that the book didn’t give enough details. It was amazing. I’m just a nosey person and I’m not done being in the lives of the characters in this book.

Characters: I could relate to both Hailey and Walker. They have both been through so much. They came out of it and kept going. The things they went through would always be there. The pain. The struggles. The hurt. It shaped them into who they grew up to be, but it didn’t define them. I would have loved to see more points of view from Jake. I’d actually like to see his story period! He’s such a great guy!

Critiques: I only have one. The blurb. It’s written in a way that makes me think that we will only see Hailey’s point of view. We get multiple points of view. This is probably just a “me” critique. It doesn’t really affect the story. It’s just off to me.

Final Thoughts: I really enjoyed this story. It was so beautiful. I really felt so emotional in many ways. I have never wanted to walk into the book to hug characters like I did with this one. I’ve also never felt as inspired and hopeful about a couple before either. Walker and Hailey are just beautiful. They are beautiful separately too. There’s one part I’d of liked to see an actual ending to and not just a reference, but that’s just a personal preference. The cover is gorgeous too!

Esperance Blog Tour

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Borrow or Buy Here

Twelve strangers. Six marriages. One year in Esperance.

Amryn has many reasons to hate the empire. Her latest is her forced marriage to General Carver Vincetti, better known as the Butcher. If he learns even one of her secrets, he will kill her. And Amryn has many secrets. Not only is she an empath with forbidden magic, she’s also a newly recruited rebel intent on destroying the empire—starting at Esperance.

Carver knows the rebels have infiltrated the remote temple of Esperance. His job is to hunt them down before they can wreck the emperor’s new peace. Despite the demons that haunt him, Carver is intent on his mission—but he’s not prepared for Amryn. From her fiery red hair to her surprising wit, his new wife has captured his attention. The attraction that flares between them is undeniable. Now he just has to determine if she’s the enemy.

When the newly married couples become targets in a violent game, Esperance becomes more dangerous than anyone anticipated. Carver and Amryn are about to discover that no one is exactly who they appear to be—especially each other.

Esperance is book one in a New Adult fantasy romance series by Amazon bestselling author Heather Frost. If you love enemies-to-lovers romance, surprising twists, and an action-packed story you can’t put down, you’ll love Esperance!

Heather Frost is a #1 Amazon bestselling YA author who loves epic stories with breath-stealing romance. She is the author of the Seers trilogy and the Fate of Eyrinthia series. Her books have been Whitney Award Finalists and Swoony Award Finalists. She has a BS in Creative Writing and a minor in Folklore, which means she got to read fairy tales and call it homework. When she’s not writing, Heather likes to read, travel, and re-watch Lord of the Rings. She lives in a beautiful valley surrounded by towering mountains in northern Utah. To learn more about Heather and her books, visit her website: http://www.HeatherFrost.com

Interview With Carter

Hello Carver, thanks for stopping by! Would you mind telling us a little about yourself?

Hello, I’m Carver Vincetti. I’m a general in the Craethen Empire’s military, and I’ve recently returned from the front in our war with Harvari. You may have heard that I was wounded, but I’m fine now. Completely. I’m ready to serve the emperor in this new capacity at Esperance.

That’s right—you’re about to get married to a stranger. Can you tell us a little about that?

Of course. The emperor decided that peace in the empire could be strengthened by arranging marriages between the eligible elite in all the kingdoms. Each kingdom offered a candidate, and the emperor paired everyone up. Now we’ve all come to the remote temple of Esperance to get married and live for a year, without distractions or outside biases.

And you really don’t know who you will be marrying? Even though you are a favorite of the emperor’s?

Well . . . can you keep a secret? The emperor learned that some rebels may have infiltrated the temple—they might even be some of the candidates that were sent here to be married. So, the emperor asked me to investigate everyone at Esperance, and make sure this venture succeeds. As part of that, I asked the emperor if I could marry Amryn Lukis. I’ve never met her, and I don’t know anything about her, but she’s from Ferradin, and that was one of the last kingdoms to be brought into the empire. There are some lingering anti-empire sentiments there, which means Amryn might very well be an enemy to watch.

“Keep your friends close but your enemies closer”, then?

Yeah, something like that.

How did you feel when you learned about your impending arranged marriage?

Honestly? I was a little wary. Hesitant, even. I always wanted to get married and have a family, but I’ve been fighting a war for years, and marriage has been the last thing on my mind. But I’m happy to serve the emperor however I can, so I will marry Amryn Lukis.

Where did you grow up?

In Westmont, near the coast. I may be biased, but I think it’s the most beautiful place in the empire.

You’re from a large family. Do you enjoy having so many siblings?

Saints, yes. I was lucky enough to grow up in a home filled with family, laughter, and love. I’m the oldest brother, though I do have an older sister. And I’m by far the favorite uncle to my niece and nephew, though some of my brothers might disagree.

Did you always want to be a general?

Going into the military was always my dream; it’s a family tradition that I’m very proud of. My father is High General of Craethen, and I’ve always admired him and wanted to be like him.

Who is your best friend?

Argent Vayne. He’s the future emperor, but he’ll always be the boy who told me it would be a great idea to jump off the royal stables roof when we were little. All jokes aside, I think he’ll make an incredible emperor one day, and I’m honored to have him as my friend.

What is most important to you?

My family. I would do anything for them.

What quality do you most value?

Loyalty.

If your mother had to describe you in three words, what would they be?

Oh no. *Chuckles* Well, as a child, she probably would have labeled me as reckless, irreverent, and vexing. Today . . . well, she might actually say the same. But I’d like to think I’ve grown over the years. I calculate risks before I take them. I joke, but I can be serious. As for being vexing . . . I’m definitely still that.

My Review:

I will have a more detailed review later, but I can’t help but to tell you how much I loved this book. I knew going into it that I would love it though. This author is so talented. She has a way with words that just draw you in and keep you hooked. If you haven’t already read them, I’d also recommend her Fate of Eyrinthi series. It’s so beautiful. I can’t wait to read more of it. I’ve read all three and the two novellas. I’m not going to lie. This book is different than that series. That’s not a bad thing though. I loved it and can’t wait to read it again. I can’t wait to read more books in this series. I’ll be buying a physical copy when I can.

ARC Review: Compassion by Xavier Neal

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Rating: 4 out of 5.

Title: Compassion

Author: Xavier Neal

Release Date: November 18th, 2022

Page Count: 412

Start Date: November 16th, 2022

Finish Date: November 18th, 2022

Review:

Story: I was both leery and curious about this book. I decided to dive into it anyway. I’m glad I did. This was a really hearty book. It did contain some spicy scenes. They flowed nicely with the story. I really loved the overall message of the story. It’s really heart wrenching. It’s also beautiful and inspiring. I think what I love the most is that it covers a topic that nobody really likes to talk about. It talks about how some military people are treated after they are no longer in service. I do feel the need to say that this covers a bit heavier topics than most people would probably be comfortable with. It also has abusive conversations. Especially between the mother and the daughter.

Characters: I am so inspired by Jaye. She is a librarian for a private school. She is also such an amazing person. She puts up with so much and she just keeps on being her amazing self. I absolutely love it. She finds a homeless man going through her trash and decides to show him kindness she feels he deserves. Everything changes from there.

Critiques: None

Final Thoughts: I’m not going to say that this was a favorite book for me. I most likely won’t be reading it again. However, I really did enjoy the story. I fully believe it will make a wonderful and heartwarming movie one day. The message is so powerful. I was definitely brought through many feels while reading this book. I’m definitely glad that this book came into my world. I fully recommend it.

ARC Review: Overtime by Rebecca Barber

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Rating: 5 out of 5.

Title: Overtime

Author: Rebecca Barber

Release Date: November 17th, 2022

Page Count: 294

Start Date: November 7th, 2022

Finish Date: November 16th, 2022

Review:

Story: This is the fourth book that I’ve read by this author. I’ve enjoyed every single one of them. She has managed to give each story a unique spin while still keeping the character complexity of the other stories! I was so excited to find out that this book was for Luca. He’s Sienna’s brother from another book. She’s a firecracker! From what I can see, there will be two more books in this particular series coming out next month. I am looking forward to reading both of them!

Characters: I was so excited to get to know Luca better. I didn’t really see him as a “book boyfriend”. I just really thought he was a great guy by the way he treated his sisters. I was so right about him. He’s just such an amazing guy and getting to know him in this book was amazing. He winds up meeting Elise. She’s an amazing lady. She was a teacher. She had amazing friends! I really adored Jax. I couldn’t get enough of his bubbly personality and want to read more about him!

Critiques: None

Final Thoughts: This author has a fantastic writing style. I absolutely love her books. She finds a way to put a unique spin on everything she writes. I’m looking forward to reading other books that she has written. This book has just the same amount of sweet and spice as all of her other books that I have read have. She’s quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. I fully recommend this book and all of her others.

ARC Review: Killer Revenge by Rosemary Willhide

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Rating: 5 out of 5.

Title: Killer Revenge

Author: Rosemary Willhide

Release Date: November 17th, 2022

Page Count: 286

Start Date: November 7th, 2022

Finish Date: November 15th, 2022

Review:

Story: I finished this book ten days ago. I’ve been behind on reviews, but I also really wanted to process this one. I really enjoyed this book very much. If I could give it a hundred stars I would. It’s intense. It’s attention-grabbing. It’s everything. That ending though. It’s really stuck with me. This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I promise you it won’t be my last.

Characters: So the story follows Abby who’s house sitting for her sister who’s moved into a beautiful home in a small town. It’s a disaster from the moment she gets out of her ride share. I found it really hard not to empathize with her through the entire story. There were other characters I really adored. Including the author and the book store owner. There were characters I didn’t like. Especially the ex and the narcissist.

Critiques: None

Final Thoughts: I think the ending of this book is going to stick with me for a very long time. I will be reading this book again in the future. If I could, I’d buy all the books in this series in paperback. There’s three out right now, but I have a feeling we will see many more. At least I hope we will. I fully recommend this book!

ARC Review: The Bezos Blueprint by Carmine Gallo

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Rating: 4 out of 5.

Title: The Bezos Blueprint

Author: Carmine Gallo

Release Date: November 15th, 2022

Page Count: 261

Start Date: November 5th, 2022

Finish Date: November 13th, 2022

Review:

I came into this book thinking it would be this big to do about how amazing Bezos is. I was fully expecting it to talk about his accomplishments and what have you. It wasn’t though. It talks about great business strategies and gives great examples. I really felt like I learned a lot I actually bought a copy to highlight and take notes the next time I read it. I got my mother a copy too. It makes me feel like I could plan things and achieve great things.

ARC Review: Endgame by Bianca Borell

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Rating: 3 out of 5.

Title: Endgame

Author: Bianca Borell

Release Date: November 17th, 2022

Page Count: 418

Start Date: November 7th, 2022

Finish Date: November 12th, 2022

Review:

Story: This book both made me happy and drove me absolutely insane. If you want a fast paced read, this isn’t the book for you. That’s not a complaint. I just wanted to point out that it’s a very drawn out story. It takes place through many years. There’s some heat packed through the story as well. There were parts that I would have liked to have a bit more explanation to. They were kind of just explained in a glossed over paragraph or two. That’s a personal thing and not a statement on the book itself.

Characters: Our main characters are Amelie and Levi. Amelie’s brother and her parents are secondary characters that are close to being main characters. I had a love hate relationship with both Amelie and Levi. I could relate and empathize with both of them, but there were times that they just drove me insane. I wanted to shake them many times through the book. The brother also got on my nerves as well. He was “supportive” of his sister. As long as she didn’t do anything he was uncomfortable with. I’ll leave it at that to keep from getting into spoilers.

Critiques: None really. Most of my criticisms are basically personal and not because of the book itself.

Final Thoughts: I really did enjoy this book very much. There were parts of the book that really felt so inspiring! I rooted on the characters during those time periods. There were also periods of time where I just wanted to scream at them. Especially when I felt they were being impossible! I’m still glad I read it. I can’t wait to read other books by this author.