Review: The Summer of Lost Things

The Summer of Lost Things by Jenn Bennett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was so cute! Perfect little summer time read. It was entertaining, easy, and had me hooked! Treasure hunting with childhood friends, summer time feels, action, drama..all the things! The one thing that reallllly got to me was the constant use of the term Wags. I know why they used it, but all I could think was Wives And Girlfriends lol. I really enjoyed this one and can see myself reading it every summer as a lil pick me up.

Childhood friends

Single POV
Treasure hunting
Family secrets
Relationship drama
Family drama
Found family

Review: Shadows of Sparta

Shadows of Sparta by C.R. Jane
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

So who has been gatekeeping C.R. Jane from me?! This book was SO GOOD. The attention to detail, characters, and story line were all phenomenal. Helena was after the strongest man, and honestly, I get it. I cannot wait for books 2 and 3 in this trilogy. The cliffhanger ending in this book has me needing to know what happens!

“I’ve dreamed of this...and told myself it was madness.”
“Then let us be mad together.”

Single POV
Greek Mythology
Forbidden Romance
Found Family
Helen of Troy retelling-ish
Dark Romance

Review: Just Playing for Keeps

Just Playing for Keeps by Lauren Blakely
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Leave it to Lauren Blakely to have me crying at 7:39 in the morning at an ending I knew was coming lol. I have loved every book by Lauren that I have read. The story as a whole and the attention to detail is something that I loooove with all of her books. Remy and Lake were as perfect as could be. Both having their own lives and issues, but finding a way to make everything work out in their favor.

If you haven't read a book by Lauren Blakely, this is your sign to pick one up!

This is book 2, but is an interconnected standalone. If you haven't read book 1, that's okay! It doesn't take away from this story.

Grumpy / sunshine
Fake dating
Hockey romance
Workplace romance
Best friends brother

Review: Carl's Doomsday Scenario

Carl's Doomsday Scenario by Matt Dinniman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

NEW ACHIEVEMENT! The Sequel That Slaps:
You approached Book 2 cautiously, fearing disappointment. Instead, it slapped you with greatness and stole another 5 stars from your heart.
Congrats! You are now powerless to escape this series.

Goddamnit, Donut!

Review: Dungeon Crawler Carl

Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

NEW ACHIEVEMENT! Unexpected Obsession:
You have found a new 5 star read that you were absolutely not prepared for. While you thought you wouldn’t like this book, you somehow ended up loving it way more than you’d ever admit out loud.
Congrats! You’ve been emotionally compromised!

Goddamnit, Donut!

Review: The Measure

The Measure by Nikki Erlick
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Such a great read! Very tru to what is happening in real life. It was tough keeping up with the characters at first, but once I got more in to it, it was much easier to keep up with. Seeing all the different POVs was great. I feel like each character really showed what life would truly look like if this happened. Each with different choices and different reactions. I thought the ending was so sad, only for it to pull the rug from under me and slap me on the way down.

Multi POV
Dystopian

Review: Bad Boy Era: A Best Friend’s Twin Brother Small Town Sports Romance

Bad Boy Era: A Best Friend’s Twin Brother Small Town Sports Romance by Amy Daws
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I'm going to be real honest here... The book almost lost me in the first 25-50%. I am so glad I stuck it out though. I went in blind to this book, and was not aware of any of the tropes. I was very pleasantly surprised by what happened after she found out his secret, and the trope that came after. (I still have not looked up the tropes so I don't want to spoil anything). Anyway, I love the idea of a love matchmaker who can find love for everyone but herself. A fun and enjoyable read. The narrators were great, and I was very happy to listen to Connor Crais AND Teddy Hamilton. Connor Crais did such a wonderful job.

Narrators:
Connor Crais - MMF
Erin Mallon - FMC
Teddy Hamilton
Emma Wilder

Tropes:
Best friends brother
Irish rugby player / matchmaker
Small town
Forced proximity
Found family

Review: Roulette Rising

Roulette Rising by Brandy Hynes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have enjoyed the other books in this series so much, but this one was harder for me to get into. What really caught my attention were all the spicy scenes, because, omg. *chefs kiss*. I think those are what really kept me going while reading this one lol. I was fun and addictive, and over all a great book in the series with tying everything together and still letting us see characters from the other books. I loved KORT, but the Noire Brothers have my heart.

Review: When Sparks Fly

When Sparks Fly by Monica Murphy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A light and fun rom-com that left me feeling all the feelings. This was a low stakes, addictive read. Not super deep. The cover of this was so fun and is definitely what drew me in! My first Monica Murphy book and it was very enjoyable. Tor Thom & Kelsey Navarro Foster did a great job bringing Wyatt and Rachel to life.

Grumpy / sunshine
Single dad
Small town boy / city girl
Dual POV

Review: Game On

Game On by Navessa Allen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Unpopular opinion maybe, but book one is still my fav... I don't exactly know what it was about this one that I didn't like. I had a hard time staying on track reading it. HOWEVER, it was still a banger?! I honestly cannot explain it. I loved it, but there was just something that felt off to me personally.


Enemies-to-lovers
Forced proximity
Fake dating
Rom-com
Morally gray MMC
Black cat FMC
Blackmail
Kidnapping
Power imbalance
Age gap
Betrayal and redemption
Dark past
Revenge

Review: Sacred Vow: A Dark Romance

Sacred Vow: A Dark Romance by Sheridan Anne
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Omg lol. Chapter one instantly had me hooked because what was that?!

This was so perfect. Funny, addictive, dark, suspenseful. I was laughing so much through out this. At the same time, the spice in this book will have you begging for more. *chefs kiss*

Some was so out of pocket I could not help myself lol.
Live streaming?! No way.
The texts from grandma?! Omg.
"My wife"?! Dead.
3 months?!! You're kidding.

Brb, omw to download more books by Sheridan Anne!

Review: Vanguard

Vanguard by Karina Halle
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Yes, yes, yes. 10/10. No notes. Loved, loved, loved!

I never thought another Karina Halle book would top Grave Matter, but we have a contender! Vanguard was everything I wanted AND MORE. I am SAT for book two. I cannot wait to see what happens! Died. Dead. Me.

Superhero / Spy
Dystopian
Hidden identity
Her kiss kills - literally

Review: Jujutsu Kaisen, 0

Jujutsu Kaisen, 0: Una oscuridad resplandeciente by Gege Akutami
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Read this and then watched the movie on Netflix. It was exactly the same and I loved every second of each of them. I cannot wait to start reading them all!

Review: The Butcher's Masquerade

The Butcher's Masquerade by Matt Dinniman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

NEW ACHIEVEMENT! “AnD SO The lioN fEll iN lOVe WiTh The LaMB.”:
✔ The Sixth Floor
✔ Twilight Reference
✔ The Hunting Grounds
✔ The Butcher’s Masquerade
✔ Your last shred of emotional stability (still missing)
Congrats! You didn’t skip anything and now this series owns you completely.

Goddamnit, Donut!

Review: After the Rain

After the Rain by Amber Palmer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As someone who is not an eldest daughter, I still felt ALL the emotions in this book. I cried countless times, and enjoyed every min of it. I was so excited to read Cleo's book. I was not ready for the heartbreak I would feel (in the best way!). The love they still held for each other is something so relatable to me and my relationship. I loved Grady for continually showing up, and I loved Cleo for how strong she was with her past. Seriously such a great read.

Dual POV
Dual timelines
Second chance
Forced proximity
Slow burn

Review: Meet Me at the Lake

Meet Me at the Lake by Carley Fortune
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was such an emotional read with so much love. I love love loved this read and am so glad I picked it up! This was my first Carley Fortune book and I am 100% going to be reading more.


Dual POV
Grief/loss
Second chance
Dual timeline

Review: Chasing the Wild

Chasing the Wild by Elliott Rose
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was sat. Devoured this book in one day and loved every min of it. I will say I had a better time reading it than listening. I had to stop listening to it because the narrators just did not work for me. Could this book have been shorter? Sure, BUT you would have missed out on all the HOTTT scenes. I did see a review mention that their relationship was surface level, and I could see that, but also, I went into this book knowing it was going to be spicy and I got exactly what I came for. Loved.

Dual POV
Ex's dad
Age gap
Cowboy x Vet-tech
Small town
Spicy

Review: Bouquets & Buckles

Bouquets & Buckles by Elliott Rose
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Short, sweet, and to the point. The point being spicyyyy. Lost the Christmas in all of it, but I enjoyed the ride.

Review: Where Dreams Fall

Where Dreams Fall by R.L. Caulder
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“In a world in which dreams are guarded and nightmares are unsanctioned, one woman's unraveling mind may hold the key to everything the empire fears.”

This is 100% a book you are going to want to have on your TBR. Quite literally meet the man of my dreams. I mean... Elysia's dreams.

If R.L. Caulder writes it, I'm gonna read it.

Elysia is the FMC we all love. Her character growth through out the book was remarkable. I loved getting to share this journey with her. I also LOOVEED me some of Rhune. A man willing to put everything on the line and break all the rules just to be in her orbit? Yes, please. Not only Rhune, but his brothers too.

I am riding a roller coaster of emotion and my heart doesn’t know which way to gooooo.

I am already dreaming of book 2.

Thank you R.L. Caulder & Podium Entertainment for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book. Not only that, but BIG thank you to R.L. for also allowing me the opportunity to beta read for you. This book, like all your others, is phenomenal. I love the way your mind works to create characters I can love and relate to in so many ways!

I could go on and on about this book, but this is a spoiler free zone. ;) From BETA reading, to ARC reading, I already know I will be reading this again and again.

Just add it to your TBR and give it a read. I promise you won't be disappointed.

Review: The Dungeon Anarchist's Cookbook

The Dungeon Anarchist's Cookbook by Matt Dinniman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

NEW ACHIEVEMENT! Off the Rails in the Best Way:
Book 3 being set on a train should’ve been a clue...
but you still weren’t prepared for the plot to derail you the way it did.
Congratulations! You’re officially owned by this series.

Goddamnit, Donut!