jessread-s

[jessread-s]

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review

✩🗡️✨Review:

A dazzling fantasy romance with nail-biting twists!

“Arcana Academy” follows Clara Graysword, a wielder of a magical tarot cards, after she lands herself in a false engagement with Prince Kaelis, the headmaster of a mysterious academy. 

Kova’s tarot-based magic system and academic setting immediately sucked me in to her unique storyline! I really enjoyed reading from the perspective of Clara. She is a fierce and driven fmc that is very protective of her friends and family. I was rooting for her from page one as she went from one high stakes environment to another, navigating a world of high society politics and arcane magic. This world is brought to life by Kova’s highly immersive writing and attention to detail. 

That being said, this book’s biggest pitfall is the overwhelming amount of information thrust upon readers as the world expands. Each tarot card has different spells associated with it. As interesting as I found this, the first person narration brushed over their distinctive qualities because of the character’s pre-established familiarity with magic, which resulted in a heavy dependence on the glossary. Staying on top of the spells was made more difficult by the introduction of the academy’s vast history, its rules, and the characteristics of the different houses initiates could pledge. What’s more, there were a lot of side quests, illusions, and heists that Clara took on. Numerous side characters were introduced in relation to each subplot, but none were fully fleshed out or memorable. Trying to keep track of everything bogged me down and simply became too much. My hope is that the pace of book 2 will pick up now that I am more acquainted with the world. 

Clara and Kaelis’ uncertain alliance is what ultimately kept me turning pages. They are true enemies and I loved watching their fake engagement spark very real feelings. The tension and mutual pining born from their restraint is positively heart-stopping. With trust being one-sided, their relationship is quickly put in jeopardy. I am eager to find out if they can repair it in the next installment! 

Cross-posted to: Instagram | Amazon | Goodreads | StoryGraph

[jessread-s]

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review

✩🍁🐘Review:

A cozy romantasy equal parts spice and adventure! 

“Tusk Love” follows Guinevere, a merchant’s daughter, whose dreams of adventure become a reality when her caravan is overtaken by bandits. Her only chance of survival is to travel alongside Oskar, the broodingly handsome half-orc who saved her during the attack. As the spark between them begins to sizzle, they realize that soon they’ll need to choose between their expected destinations or their blossoming romance.

“Tusk Love” is set in the high fantasy world of Exandria, the setting of the Critical Role tabletop campaigns. You don’t need to have prior knowledge of Critical Role or D&D to enjoy this book. Speaking from the perspective of someone who was not familiar with the show before picking this book up, I found myself fully immersed in the world thanks to Guanzon’s atmospheric writing, keen characterization, and detailed settings. Her charming storyline definitely has the power to convert you to the fandom if you aren’t already a part of it!

I fell head over heels for Guinevere and Oskar as an unlikely duo! Oskar is the grumpy, aloof half-orc of my dreams. His steadfast devotion to Guinevere despite his reservations about their difference in social class and the danger they encountered on the road was everything. Watching him melt during their every interaction had me squealing with delight!

Their relationship is spicy, yet sweet, empowering Guinevere to find her sense of self after being under her parents’ thumb for so long. So much of her personality and decisions at the beginning of the story revolved around her parents’ expectations of her. Watching her learn embrace her magic and transform from a timid lady to a confident adventurer brought me so much joy. The couple’s heartwarming dynamic and witty banter are truly what make this story shine! 

Cross-posted to: Instagram | Amazon | Goodreads | StoryGraph

[jessread-s]

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review

✩🩻🗡️Review:

A fun, witty romantasy with the slowest of slow burns!

“The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy” follows Aurienne Fairhrim, a healer, and Osric Mordaunt, an assassin, after they are forced to work together to cure a fatal disease, all while resisting the urge to kill each other—or worse, fall in love.

Knightley’s use of Old English helps to transport readers to the Tiendoms—an alternate fin-de-siécle UK that feels familiar, but also wholly unique. Her prose brings to life the lively atmosphere of the pubs, the hustle and bustle of Swanstone, and the former glory of Rosefell Hall among other key locations. Unfortunately, the world-building does fall flat in some respects. The different Orders and the magic associated with them, for example, are mentioned frequently, but are never really explained outside of the glossary. Flipping back and forth between the story and the glossary every time I came across a word or phrase I did not know interrupted my immersion in the world. This also happened whenever I stumbled upon heavy medical terminology without context clues and particularly raunchy jokes that made me feel uncomfortable.

Despite these minor setbacks, I really enjoyed the romance subplot, as it developed in an organic and intriguing way. Aurienne and Osric’s professions are diametrically opposed, creating an interesting dynamic between the two of them once they are forced to work together. Their verbal sparring matches are incredibly entertaining and serve as the catalyst for the war they fight with themselves. The more time they spend together, the stronger the pull becomes between them. The back-and-forth that characterizes their relationship is highly addictive, with Aurienne and Osric fighting the urges to both kill and kiss the other. The tension, yearning, and self-loathing propel the plot and sucked me further into the story. Neither one actually voices their feelings aloud, so I can’t wait to see them do that in the next installment!

Cross-posted to: Instagram | Amazon | Goodreads | StoryGraph

[jessread-s]

Thank you to Saga Press, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, for the free copy for review

✩⛏️⚗️Review:

A gripping, slow burn romantasy that won’t let you come up for air. 

“A Forbidden Alchemy” follows Nina Harrow and Patrick Colson after they uncover a world-changing secret and are thrust into a violent class war, navigating love, loss, and devastating betrayals.

McEwan draws inspiration from “Peaky Blinders” and “Six of Crows” to create a version of our world that has been transformed by elemental magic. From page one, I was hooked by the high stakes atmosphere built up by the dangerous secret Nina and Patrick are made to bear—that the siphoning ceremonies are fixed to ensure that high society families remain the only class with magic—and the war waged by Craftsmen when the truth comes to light. I read each page with bated breath as I navigated McEwan’s plot twists and her characters’ devastating betrayals. 

The romantic elements in “A Forbidden Alchemy” are what make this story so magical! I loved alternating between Nina and Patrick’s perspectives across the span of several years, because it allowed me to gauge how their motivations change over time and connect with them on a deeper level. Their development from friends to enemies to lovers despite the conflict that separates them is paced well and deeply emotional. Just as everything begins to fall into place, however, it all falls apart…and that catastrophic cliffhanger is a doozy. Readers will have no choice but to pick up book 2! Stacey, that ending destroyed me and I need you to make it better asap! 

Cross-posted to: Instagram | Amazon | Goodreads | StoryGraph

[jessread-s]

✩🍋🏝️Review:

The only thing that’s problematic is my unhealthy obsession with this book! 

“Problematic Summer Romance” follows 23 year-old Maya Killgore and 38 year-old Conor Harkness—a.k.a the man she just can’t seem to get over—after they end up stuck together in a romantic Sicilian villa for over a week. Any relationship between them would be problematic, but a summer fling might be just what they need. 

While this book can be read as a standalone, I suggest reading “Not in Love” beforehand, as it not only teases Maya and Hark’s relationship, but also establishes some of the character dynamics. I love how “Problematic Summer Romance” builds off of Eli and Rue’s love story to develop Maya and Conor’s. It was also really fun to reunite with some of my favorite characters from “Not in Love” and see what they were getting up to. 

I enjoyed how this story shifts between the past and the present to showcase how Maya and Conor’s relationship started, ended, and was rekindled. What ultimately drove them apart was Conor’s concern for the power imbalance in their relationship, which results from their difference in age. He fights his feelings and puts distance between them under the guise that he is protecting her. I loved watching Maya, who is so sure of herself and her feelings, help him realize that he is worthy of love. The tension born of their initial hesitance to pursue something “forbidden” and their charged back and forth are the driving forces of this story! They also made the moment Maya and Conor gave in to their chemistry that much more satisfying. 

This is definitely the romance of the summer!

Cross-posted to: Instagram | Amazon | Goodreads | StoryGraph

[jessread-s]

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review

✩📒🥍Review:

There is no world in which this book is not one of my favorite love stories of all times! 

“Save Me” follows Ruby Bell, a quick-witted scholarship student, after she stumbles upon a scandalous secret involving James Beaufort—the rich, arrogant, and handsome ringleader of Maxton Hall’s popular crowd. They come from different worlds, yet the more time they spend together planning the school’s annual gala, the more they question if they were meant for each other all along. 

Like many others, I picked this book up after watching the television adaptation, Maxton Hall. I fell in love with Ruby and James on the screen, but I fell for them even harder on the page! Kasten alternates between their perspectives, intimately acquainting readers with Ruby and James’ innermost thoughts, motivations, and insecurities. I felt like I really got to know them better, got to see the depths of Ruby’s determination, resilience, and compassion as well as James’ emotions, dreams, and intellect. 

Ruby and James’ rivalry turned romance is all consuming! The pacing is deliciously slow as the line between hatred and love begins to blur. The forbidden aspect with James’ dad disapproving of Ruby’s background makes their entanglement all the more satisfying when he pushes back against the confines of his family’s expectations. They go through many ups and downs that threaten to tear them apart. The moment they finally give in to the pull between them is only overshadowed by the cliffhanger at the end! 

If you’re a fan of the show, this book is a must-read!

Cross-posted to: Instagram | Amazon | Goodreads | StoryGraph

[jessread-s]

Thanks to the author for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review

✩🩺🏒Review:

Archer brought her A-game to the latest book in her Vancouver Storm series!

“Gloves Off” follows Dr. Georgia Greene and NHL enforcer Alexei Volkov as they enter a marriage convenience for their shared gain.

Georgia and Alexei are everything to me! Their relationship dynamic is captivating, both characters’ intense hatred stemming from preconceived notions of one another. Both put up walls to keep each other at arm’s length, but the circumstances surrounding their fake marriage—Georgia wanting access to her inheritance and Alexei desiring citizenship—eventually result in them being torn down. I loved watching Georgia and Alexei see new sides of one another as they learned to open up. Georgia is extremely driven, funny, and encouraging. Beneath his grouchy exterior, Alexei is caring, protective, and generous. Despite their chemistry, both characters butt heads and engage in verbal sparring matches to fight their attraction. I could not get enough of the sizzling tension and mutual pining! The more time they spend under one roof, the more they wholeheartedly embrace their marriage. Their every interaction—from sharing a bed to worrying over each other’s safety—left me swooning! The slow build up is worth it for the satisfying payoff. I had the best time reading this hate-to-love hockey romance and seriously didn’t want it to come to an end!

Cross-posted to: Instagram | Amazon | Goodreads | StoryGraph

[jessread-s]

Thanks to the author for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review

✩🐴☁️Review:

One last ride to Runaway Ranch…spoiler alert, you won’t want to dismount! 

“Ride the Sky” follows Fallon McGraw after she runs from her small hometown in search of a. Fresh start. When it all comes crashing down, it’s Wyatt Montgomery—the one person who gets under her skin—that is there to pick uptime pieces. Forced to live under one roof together, it gets harder and harder to deny the spark between them…and that there someone else who wants to put it out.

Hunter has been laying the groundwork for Fallon and Wyatt since book one and let me tell you, the wait was definitely worth it! Their loathe-to-love relationship development is immensely satisfying, spanning years. Hunter does a great job filling readers in with flashbacks that provide context for Fallon’s hatred for Wyatt and their trademark push-pull dynamic. 

In the present, Fallon’s demons catch up to her. She doesn’t want to be a burden to anyone, keeping the pain surrounding her kidnapping locked up. When Wyatt brings her home following her riding accident, she tries to push him away by showing him her worst. Wyatt, the charming cowboy that he is, refuses to walk away and takes care of her without fencing her in. The way he fusses over her by cooking her meals, massaging her hip, and taking her to PT had me in a chokehold. Fallon takes care of him too, giving him a safe space to open up about his own trauma. Throughout the weeks they spend together as Fallon heals inside and out, they slowly but surely confront the past, let go of their stubbornness, and act on four years of pining! I seriously could not get enough of their chemistry and the way helped each other find happiness. As afraid as I was when Fallon’s stalker came out of the woodwork, I knew that nothing could tear her apart from Wyatt. When they have each other, there is no storm they can’t weather. I could not have asked for a better book to conclude the Runaway Ranch series!

Cross-posted to: Instagram | Amazon | Goodreads | StoryGraph

[jessread-s]

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review

✩🥀⛓️Review:

A haunting, dark fantasy that will captivate you cover to cover. 

“Rose in Chains” follows Briony Rosewood after she is captured and stripped of her magic by enemy forces. She, alongside other survivors, are quickly put up for auction. Facing a life of servitude and imprisonment, she is sold off to none other than Toven Hearst, Scion of a family known for their cruelty. All hope seems lost…until it arises in the most unlikely of places.

Please make sure to check the trigger warnings before reading. The topics are very heavy. Take care of yourself.

Above all else, this is a story of the strength found in female friendship and resilience in the face of adversity. Despite all Briony has suffered at the hands of her oppressors—the loss of her brother, freedom, magic, and bodily autonomy—she is a character that exudes determination. For her, resistance is strategic. It looks like strengthening her mental defenses, reminding women in her situation that they aren’t alone, and absorbing as much information as she can about her captors. It is this “quiet” resistance, her intelligence, and resilience that makes her character so compelling. 

Toven Hearst is a very complex character that constantly had me questioning his motivations. It is hard to reconcile the man who treated Briony so coldly during their school years and later purchased her in the auction with the man who returns her magic to her, protects her from harm, and gives her the tools she needs to evade mind control.

Their relationship is just as layered, the line separating friend from foe blurring as the tension and yearning heightens. Soto incorporates a dual timeline in the narrative to help readers piece together which aspects of their past impact their present. 

At the same time, Soto weaves in political and fantastical elements to add depth to the story. The world she creates with her lyrical prose is immersive. While it took a moment to take everything in, once I did so, I was gripped by Soto’s plot and grew invested in the lives of her characters.

I eagerly await book 2 as I recover from the criminal cliffhanger the last chapter left off on. 

Cross-posted to: Instagram | Amazon | Goodreads | StoryGraph

[jessread-s]

✩🔥🐱Pub Day:

Thank you @sagapressbooks #SagaSaysCrew for the free book!

“A Song of Legends Lost” follows Temi, a commoner from the slums, after she accidentally invokes a powerful spirit that could hold the key to ending a centuries-long war. But not everything that can be invoked is an ancestor. And some of the spirits that can be drawn from the ancestral realm are more dangerous than anyone can imagine.

If you like…

🔥 reading from multiple povs 🐱 epic fantasy 🧡 mental health rep 🔥 plot twists 🐱 a unique magic system 🧡 working class protagonists 

Then “A Song of Legends Lost” is an absolute must-read!

Cross-posted to: Instagram | Amazon | Goodreads | StoryGraph

[jessread-s]

Thanks to @ireadya for providing me with an e-ARC and finished copy in exchange for an honest review

✩✈️🎆Review:

A travel romcom you’ll end up consuming in one sitting!

“Never Thought I’d End Up Here” follows Leah Zhang, a former model determined to get revenge on the boy who ruined her life while they are on an intensive two-week travel program in China together.

Whatever Ann Liang writes, I’ll read because she somehow manages to put everything I love and find relatable into her books. “Never Thought I’d End Up Here” is no exception.

Before embarking on her trip to China, Leah is lost, trying to live up to society’s expectations of her. I think that it is really easy to get caught up in caring too much about appearances and overthinking how we are perceived by others, as is the case with Leah. I found pieces of myself in the way Leah just wants to be liked and really enjoyed watching her reconnect with herself the more she learns to let go of this want. 

No one can write childhood enemies to lovers quite like Ann Liang! While Leah’s history with Cyrus initially serves as a source of pain, his actions throughout the book ultimately cause her to abandon her revenge plot. From applying Band-Aids to her blisters to setting flower crowns on her head, my heart melted alongside Leah’s. He helps her come back to herself and loves her unconditionally. Their relationship arc is Liang’s best yet, playing out against the backdrop of China’s most beautiful cities. 

Cross-posted to: Instagram | Amazon | Goodreads | StoryGraph

[jessread-s]

Thank you to Saga Press, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, for the free copy for review

✩🔥🔔Review:

Lynn’s romantasy debut is a Hell-of-a-good time!

“For Whom the Belle Tolls” follows Lily after her death sends her to the Afterlife. With eternity on her hands, she carves a job out for herself amongst Hell’s demons by opening a Hellp Desk. A chance meeting at that very desk has her falling for Bel, a demon general with a distractingly sexy voice, but something catastrophic is brewing, threatening to destroy everything unless they put a stop to it.

I experienced a full range of emotions while reading this one! Lynn blends themes of love, loss, and healing while also sprinkling in more humorous elements. Despite the Afterlife being under siege by enemy forces, I couldn’t contain my laughter when I came across Lily and Bel’s banter or Lily’s more colorful exchanges with the nastiest souls at the Hellp Desk. 

I really enjoyed reading from both Lily and Bel’s points-of-view. Lily’s character is very layered, her past rife with religious trauma that she unpacks during her time in the Afterlife. Bel, though very much a cinnamon roll mmc, experiences trauma of his own on the battlefield. The two find solace in their friendship, which was incredibly heartwarming. I love a good friends-to-lovers romance and Lynn comes through, taking her time in developing their relationship. Over the course of the novel, they have honest conversations, get to know each other in and out, and accept one another fully. When they finally act on their feelings after establishing a strong foundation, I couldn’t stop swooning. 

Their love also extends to Sharkie, the little girl they adopt into their family. Before her death, Sharkie went through unspeakable things. I love how Lily made her feel safe and slowly but surely coaxed her out of her shell so that she could spread her wings. I truly latched onto these characters and cannot wait to see what they get up to in the next installment! 

Cross-posted to: Instagram | Amazon | Goodreads | StoryGraph

[jessread-s]

Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review

✩🗡️ ཐི|ཋྀ Review:

A breathtaking gothic fantasy you won’t be able to put down. 

“The Knight and  the Moth” follow Sybil Delling, a young prophetess, after she is forced on an impossible quest with a rude, yet handsome knight whose future is beyond her sight.

Gillig’s atmospheric writing effortlessly transports readers to her fictional world of Traum and the five hamlets that make up the Stonewater Kingdom. I love how distinctive each region is in term of environment, but also similar in terms of customs and beliefs. Her magic system is wholly unique and deeply entangled with religious elements, which I found fascinating. Power lies not with the monarchy, but instead with Aisling Cathedral. This hierarchy creates complications for her rich cast of characters when startling revelations are made about the true identities of the Omens they once worshipped. 

I absolutely adore Gillig’s characters! With the story being told from Sybil’s perspective, you watch her discover in real time that everything she ever believed in as a Diviner is a lie. Her internal struggle to let go of the person she once was the more her faith in the Omens unravels is extremely relatable. I really enjoyed watching her step into her strength in her quest for the truth with Rory at her side. 

Sybil and Rory’s relationship is a slow burn with the most rewarding payoff. Their every interaction is full of intense yearning and their verbal sparring matches lighten up the darker parts of the story. My favorite relationship, however, is Sybil’s friendship with the gargoyle! The gargoyle is both humorous and wise. He is such a lovable character that I vow to protect at all costs!!!

The family Sybil finds in Rory, Maude, Benji, and the gargoyle after feeling so alone made my heart happy. Much to my chagrin, the final chapter threatens to upend everything, so I’m in desperate need of book 2! 

Cross-posted to: Instagram | Amazon | Goodreads | StoryGraph

[jessread-s]

Thanks to the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review

Art by @ceecee.arts

✩📓💡Review:

Soto’s YA debut proves that no matter what genre, she will always deliver!

“The Thrashers” follows an elite friend group at New Helvetia High known as The Thrashers after Emily Mills, who desperately wanted to be a Thrasher, dies. Their lives are turned upside down when her journal surfaces. As eerie messages and strange occurrences escalate, it becomes clear—Emily isn’t done with them yet.

This book gripped me from the very first page. Every time I sat down to read it, I tore through each chapter like a woman possessed, desperate to find out what would happen next. 

The novel is told from the perspective of Jodi Dillon. Jodi is the odd one out who feels like she must always prove her worth to the group to avoid being left behind, something I found entirely too relatable. Her character, much like the secondary characters, is complex and well drawn. Faced with betraying her friends of protecting herself, she gives readers a glimpse into the group’s dynamic. As the story progresses, Jodi uncovers their secrets and the role each person played in what happened to Emily. 

I thoroughly enjoyed trying to put the pieces together alongside Jodi, often falling susceptible to Soto’s misdirection tactics. I love how Soto incorporates Emily’s journal entries in conjunction with flashbacks to add intrigue. The paranormal elements kept me guessing to the very end as I tried to discern what was fact and what was fiction. 

The romance that is sprinkled throughout is absolutely phenomenal. While not the focus of the story, the stolen glances, verbal sparring matches, and tantalizing tension made my heart pound. A certain disgustingly attractive water-polo player won me over with that paint room scene!

The ending, while satisfying, adds a new twist that had me flipping back in disbelief. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for a sequel!

Cross-posted to: Instagram | Amazon | Goodreads | StoryGraph

[jessread-s]

✩📖💗Indie Bookstore Day:

Independent Bookstore Day is TOMORROW, so I thought I would spotlight some of my favorite local Indies and show them some love 💞

Some of my favorite memories have been made at independent bookstores. They are the lifeblood of local communities, serving as safe spaces for readers to connect and find their next favorite read. Not only that, but they champion diverse voices and support the local economy. Now more than ever it is important to show up for our indie bookstores to keep their doors open.

Tomorrow indie bookstores across the country will be organizing events in celebration of IBD. If you can, make sure to stop by your local indie, even if it’s just to browse. I myself will be partaking in the 2025 Chicagoland Indie Bookstore Day Crawl!

For more info, visit www.indiebound.org and/or www.chilovebooks.com

[jessread-s]

Thanks to Valentine PR and the author for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review

Art by @elizianna.the.one

✩🍾🌹Review:

A western romance sure to make you kick up your heels!

“Sawyer” follows Ava Bartlett and Sawyer Rivers after a steamy honky tonk hook-up leads to a shot at happily ever after. 

Right out of the gate, Ava and Sawyer have intense attraction that got me in a chokehold. Their connection goes beyond mere physical intimacy with both characters embracing each other fully. I love how Sawyer respects Ava’s freedom and worships her wild, especially after learning about how her ex-husband put her in a cage. Sawyer is very protective of her and I really enjoyed watching Ava’s confidence grow with him at her side to uplift her. At the same time, Ava helps Sawyer loosen up and learn how to accept help from others after spending years trying to do everything on his own. 

Both are single parents that have a deep of understanding of how exhausting the role can be. The way they take care of each other’s needs as well as their children’s while still carving out time for themselves is everything. Their unconditional love for each other and the little family they form makes their chemistry feel that much more palpable on the page. I cannot wait to see what they get up to in future books! 

Cross-posted to: Instagram | Amazon | Goodreads | StoryGraph

[jessread-s]

✩📚✨Q1 Check-in:

I’m definitely late in posting this (oops 😅), but still wanted to share some of my favorite books and reading stats.

The first three months of 2025 have been pretty great for me reading-wise 📖💗 I’m currently taking a readers’ advisory course so I can be a certified Library Technical Assistant and it has really expanded my horizons. I have a newfound appreciation for genres I previously avoided and am keeping an open mind as I head into the non-fiction unit (the one that intimidates me most)!

As we head into this next quarter, one of my goals is to get on top of reading and reviewing the ARCs I have in my library. I also want to prioritize reading books that I’ve had on my TBR for a long time!

💬 What have you been loving lately, books or otherwise?

Cross-posted to: Instagram | Amazon | Goodreads | StoryGraph