radashes

[radashes]

Book review: Darkest Temptation by Danielle Lori

I have huge ups and downs with this book.

🧳 Setup:

Mila Mikhailov — sweet, naive, American — decides to randomly fly to Moscow to find her missing father… with no address, no contacts, and zero survival instincts. I love that for her.

She immediately gets herself into a dangerous situation but escapes because Ronan — who just so happens to be nearby and helps her at her lowest. Then, she ends up in his house. And that’s where the tension — and the unhinged attraction — begins. You know what I mean.

🔥 What Worked:

She falls first, but Ronan falls harder.

The Moscow setting is cold, brutal, and perfect for the dark mafia vibes.

Ronan’s internal struggle was lowkey heartbreaking. You could feel the guilt and trauma.

That one scene where he growls: “You DON’T get to die for me, kotyonok. If anyone dies between us, it will be ME. Do you understand? … You would survive without me. You would move on. I can’t imagine a world where you and all your fucking yellow don’t exist. So if you die, you’ll take me with you. Your sacrifice would mean nothing, kotyonok. NOTHING.” That line was everything.

The Russian phrases were so hot. Did I have to Google them every few pages? Yes. Was it worth it? Also yes.

The ending was actually cute. No epilogue, but I was satisfied.

🚩 What Didn’t Work (Spoilers ahead, and I have thoughts):

Mila has no self-respect. Like, none. Ronan says she is an easy p*ssy… How awful is that to hear it from a man you like!? But she doesn’t change.

Honestly, Mila is the definition of a “pick me.” She’s too good, too forgiving, too “I’m not like other girls,” and it drove me up the wall. There’s kind and then there’s just… self-destructive. People hurt her and she’s still out here offering cookies and hugs.

Her extreme environmentalist stance became exhausting. Vegan, no fur, no silk, no honey, no anything. I get loving animals, but at one point I swear she would’ve fought a bee for donating pollen. And not wanting a wedding ring because it’s “not sustainable”? Okay, ma’am.

The mafia subplot was painfully weak. That trade scene with her father felt like a bad improv skit. Ronan’s supposed to be this calculated, dangerous mobster — and yet somehow, he's caught completely unprepared. Make it make sense.

I tolerated a lot from Ronan… until that scene. The fact that he records their intimate moment without Mila knowing, and then sends it to her father for revenge? Unforgivable. I thought he was bluffing — and then he actually did it. And THEN had the audacity to get jealous when Mila’s side of the family saw it. Like sir… you sent it. That was such a low, petty move and I couldn’t come back from that. Sorry.

🧠 Some Quotes That Made Me Want to Enter the Book and Shake Mila Aggressively:

Mila: He tilted my head with the other hand to deepen the kiss, and I tasted a familiar hint of cinnamon. They chewed the same type of gum. They had history. Girl. GIRL. Chewing the same flavor gum = shared history now? If that’s the case, I guess me and Ariana Grande are trauma bonded over cinnamon Orbit. What is this logic??

Mila: “I like you.” Ronan watched me for a heavy second, then his eyes darkened: “Do you get off on embarrassing yourself?” Honestly? Same question, Ronan. We are united in this moment of secondhand shame.

Mila: “If you despise me so much just because of who my papa is, then I feel sorry for you.” Ronan: “Coming from someone who spread her legs for her papa’s enemy two seconds after meeting him. Perhaps the one who should be pitied here is you.” I need a cold compress and a prayer. This isn’t even a burn — it’s third-degree emotional arson.

Ronan: “Apparently, they don’t make girls as smart as they used to.” Mila: I was stupid. I knew it, and I accepted it. But hearing it from his lips sent a burst of fire through me. And then proceeds to beg him to ruin her in the next sentence. Way to go, girl.....

Ronan: “We both know I could have you any way I want… I have better things to do than Mikhailov whores.” He just called you a whore. He LITERALLY did. Why is your response to crawl into his lap?!? This isn’t hot. This is a self-respect emergency.

Ronan: “I get enough easy pussy. I’m not in the mood for more.” If that doesn’t send you sprinting out the door and into therapy, I don’t know what will. But no. Mila chooses to double down and want him more.

Ronan: “When someone calls you a whore, you get the fuck out of their bed,” I growled. “It’s called having a little self-respect.” Did I have to teach this girl the basics before she went home to Miami and let men degrade her? That’s Ronan himself saying it — The same guy who called her one. I cannot.

Mila: I didn’t get to finish the word because he slapped my face. It wasn’t hard, but it turned my head in surprise nonetheless. Umm... EXCUSE ME??? Not in a heat-of-the-moment romance way — just a straight-up slap. I'm sorry, but this man can never be Christian Allister’s brother. We need a DNA test ASAP. Where is the “I’ll burn the world for you” energy?? This ain’t it. I did not sign up for assault.

Mila: A few of the maid’s dress buttons were undone, giving a generous glance down her bodice whenever she bent over. And she bent over a lot. I wanted to tell her to have a little self-respect, but I wasn’t sure it would resonate coming from a girl who would have probably had unprotected sex with Ronan on the first date if he’d asked. I usually had high respect for blue-collar workers, but that one . . . What a peasant... Oh. So Mila’s not only lacking self-worth but also out here slut-shaming other women?? Wow. The hypocrisy was LOUD.

Ivan: “You have been degraded, drugged, held captive, poisoned, and God knows what else.” Mila: “I haven’t been treated that poorly.” Me: 😃🪑📦 Please pack your bags and go back to Miami. And THEN — she gives her virginity to Ronan right after this conversation with Ivan.

📉 Final Verdict:

🌟 Rating: 3/5 Stars

Like I said — I liked the first half of the book. It had potential. If this story had been wrapped up in 300 pages instead of dragging through 400, we might’ve had something solid.

The beginning was good enough to pull me in, but the second half? Frustrating. Repetitive. Endless breakfast scenes.

By the time the story finally picked back up near the end, I had already emotionally checked out. The ending was decent, but the damage was done.

If I’m being honest, Mila tanked this book more than Ronan did. Yes, Ronan was a walking red flag, but Mila handed him the pole and helped him wave it. The girl had no backbone, and her constant doormat energy made it hard to root for her.

This book could’ve been so much better if Mila had even a sliver of backbone, and if Ronan had to grovel like his life depended on it. Spoiler: he didn’t. And I’m bitter about it.

💌 Read it for:

Grumpy x Sunshine energy

That intense, unspoken obsession vibe

Cristian and Gianna’s cameo (if you’re a Maddest Obsession girly, you’ll like it here)

🚫 Skip it if you need:

A female lead who won’t repeatedly humiliate herself for a man

A male lead who protects instead of degrades

Actual groveling or consequences for toxic behavior

Now excuse me while I go reread The Maddest Obsession to remind myself what an actual protective male lead (Christian Allister) sounds like and pretend Ronan doesn’t exist.

[radashes]

TV Series Review: The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 2 (The Season Where Nobody Had a Clue What They Were Doing, Especially Belly)

Recently, I finished Season 2 of The Summer I Turned Pretty because… well, I was already in too deep. And listen — if you thought Season 1 was messy? Season 2 is a full-blown emotional trainwreck with sparkles on top. I am so tired and yet so invested.

🌊 What Worked:

Laurel’s grief arc was actually so good: She lost her best friend. She was holding everything together while her daughter was out here making a mess in three zip codes. Laurel shutting down emotionally made sense. Watching her finally break down and reconnect with Belly? That was raw. That was earned. That’s the kind of mother-daughter content I showed up for.

Steven and Taylor’s side romance >> They have more chemistry in one scene than Belly has with both brothers combined. They’re fun, flirty, awkward, sweet — and somehow more grounded than everyone else.

The house-saving plot was surprisingly decent: Okay, was it dramatic? Yes. Did it actually make me feel something? Also yes. Seeing the kids come together for something bigger than their love triangle was refreshing.

Introduction of New Characters: The addition of Julia and Skye brings fresh dynamics to the story. I love Cam and Skye moments and am really happy for my boy for getting her as a love interest. I like Skye. She has personality and actually stands for what she wants.

The cousins’ moments — finally some light: That brief scene where everyone was laughing, playing games, and genuinely having fun together to escape grief? Gorgeous. It was the one time we saw joy in the middle of the storm, and it made me ache in the best way.

❌ What Definitely Did Not Work:

Love triangle whiplash: Every episode is like, kiss Jeremiah → cry about Conrad → rinse and repeat. Sis is a teenager, sure, but basic emotional responsibility wouldn't kill her. Also, what triggers me the most is when Belly says that "a piece of my heart still beats for his brother." Like bro no one forced you to be with Jeremiah.

Jeremiah’s glow-down: He used to be sunshine. Now he's just petty, bitter, and jealous 24/7. Also, stop blaming Conrad for everything. He’s not the one making Belly play ping-pong with your heart.

Belly’s emotional intelligence hit rock bottom: I didn’t think she could get worse, but here we are. She's grieving, yes, but that doesn’t explain why she’s still stringing along two brothers, crying about both, and acting like the victim in every situation.

The funeral hookup???: Who thought this was a good idea. Like I’m sorry but grief and makeout sessions should not go in the same sentence.

Jeremiah kissing scenes were painful: I’m sorry but the chemistry just wasn’t there. Every time Belly kissed him, it felt like she was trying to force herself to move on from Conrad, not because she wanted Jeremiah. It was giving “fake it till you make it” but in the most uncomfortable way possible.

The plot is thinner than a wet paper towel: Nothing really happens here. You could summarize the entire season as “Belly has feelings and doesn’t know what to do with them.” That’s it. That’s the show.

🌪️ Spoiler Rants (because I have feelings):

Conrad is more broken than ever, and somehow hotter for it.

Jeremiah’s doing way too much and not enough at the same time

Belly has kissed Jeremiah more times on screen than Conrad — the dude she claims she’s loved since childhood. (Conrad is the guy she supposedly ends up with in the book. Make it make sense)

Belly shows up at Conrad’s college unannounced and then gets mad at him for not being emotionally available. HUH??

Conrad is clearly not ready for a relationship, and Jeremiah is only acting like he is.

When Belly was literally having a moment with Jeremiah, and then few minutes later at the same damn playhouse, she’s giggling and emotionally re-bonding with Conrad? BE SO SERIOUS. I had to pause and take a lap.

Who decided to start Season 2 by switching between past and present every 3 minutes with similar outfits and same lighting? I was sitting there like: “Wait… is this before the prom or after the funeral?” “Did they break up yet or are we at present?” “Conrad and Belly meet in the present, or are we seeing their past moments?”

Final Verdict: 🌟 2.8/5 stars

You’ll scream. You’ll cringe. You’ll question why you care so much. And then you’ll click “Next Episode” anyway. We need Season 3 because... we’re in too deep now. And we all need therapy before the new season drops.

Watch it for:

The beach views

Laurel’s arc (she deserves a whole show)

Conrad looking sad in hoodies

The soundtrack (Shoutout to Phoebe Bridgers)

Steven and Taylor being couple goals and carrying the season on their backs

The cousins trying to heal with joy (even briefly)

Skip it if:

You can’t handle secondhand embarrassment

You want the main character to grow

You need clean, logical pacing

You hate love triangles that drag forever

Is it good? Not really. Is it addicting? Painfully. Will I watch Season 3? Absolutely. With snacks. And judgment.

[radashes]

TV Series Review: The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 1

I watched The Summer I Turned Pretty (Season 1) because… well, it’s summer here and the internet wouldn’t shut up about it. People are fighting over Team Conrad vs Team Jeremiah. So I thought, “Why not see what the hype’s about?”

And now I have thoughts. Many of them. Take off your shoes and your emotional boundaries.

🐚 The Vibe:

Two hot brothers: One emotionally unavailable. One golden retriever.

A girl in the middle who probably shouldn’t be dating either of them

Beautiful lighting, even when the decisions are ugly

Everyone’s in their feelings — and no one’s in therapy

Kissing, crying, flip-flopping, repeat

Beachy, moody, soundtrack (Beautiful)

💖 What Worked (Yes, surprisingly, some things do)

The moms' friendship: Laurel and Susannah are carrying this show with their friendship. They’re layered, flawed, supportive, and somehow the most grounded characters in a house full of emotional teens.

Taylor telling Belly off was the best scene in the whole show: This girl said what the entire audience was screaming at Belly. Selfish. Messy. Emotionally oblivious. Belly needed that verbal slap and Taylor delivered.

The soundtrack slapped: You could literally be watching Belly ruin lives and then boom, a Taylor Swift and Olivia Rodrigo song starts playing, and suddenly you feel bad for her. They knew what they were doing.

Conrad's mental health portrayal (at times): When it wasn’t being romanticized, his anxiety and introvert behavior were actually shown in a way that felt real.

❌ What Didn’t Land (Grab a seat, this list is long)

The "glasses = ugly" trope: Are we still doing the tired "girl takes off glasses = becomes hot" narrative? Belly literally takes hers off and suddenly becomes desirable.

Nicole steals Belly and Taylor's clothes: What really got me was how Nicole left two teenage girls alone late at night in the dark with no clothes and didn’t even apologize?? No one held her accountable... And everyone was like “Omg, Nicole is just hurt”? Nah. Nicole needs a restraining order.

Belly’s whole personality is just… the brothers: She has no passions, no ambitions, no hobbies besides flipping between Jeremiah and Conrad.

Cam Cameron deserved better: He had personality, values, actual words to say. So naturally, Belly dropped him for the guy who can't tell her he likes her without almost dying from the effort.

Laurel and Susannah didn't monitor their teens at all: Like ever. No curfews, no boundaries, no “Hey, maybe don’t kiss both brothers under one roof.” Just vibes and wine.

The emotional intelligence of this cast is in the negatives: Nobody talks about anything. Everyone assumes. Everyone overreacts. All problems could be solved with one 5-minute conversation — but instead they cry, run away, and kiss the wrong person.

Steven is a better character, but still underused: He had more potential than half the love triangle. Why wasn’t his arc explored more?

That "I don't want you to need me… I want you to want me." Beach line: I actually paused the show. I had to. I couldn’t stop laughing. Like yes, we get what she meant… but whoever was writing Belly’s lines should be fired

🌟Final Verdict: 3.5/5 Stars

Is it messy? Yup.

Do I yell at the screen? Frequently.

Watch it for:

The dreamy summer vibes

The soundtrack that plays with your emotions

The moms who deserve awards

The “omg what are you doing??” moments every 5 minutes

Skip if you’re expecting:

Mature characters

Plot twists that actually twist

Consequences for actions

A strong, independent female lead who actually likes herself

Would I recommend it? Sure — with a side of wine and zero expectations. Will it frustrate you? Yes. Will you finish the entire thing in one weekend anyway? Absolutely.

[radashes]

Book Review: God of War by Rina Kent

Guys, if you know, I always tell you how irritating childish, spoiled female leads are to me. And I've got a perfect example to show. Ava Van Doren.

Setup:

Ava wakes up from an accident and has amnesia. Eli — the man she supposedly hated — is now her husband. She has no memory of falling in love or marrying him. Naturally, she wants answers.

Vibe:

Marriage of convenience

Broody hero x sunshine heroine (Spoiled)

Force proximity

Amnesia

Praise kink

Ava Van Doren: This girl gave me a migraine. Like, genuinely. I thought she was going to be this badass, messy, chaotic heroine with an attitude to match — especially after she smashed Eli’s Bugatti and said she hated him. That gave me hope. But no. She turned out to be the biggest disappointment of the book.

Spoiled? Absolutely.

Childish? Yes.

Petty? Constantly.

A doormat? Unfortunately, also yes.

She mixes with bad friends, knows they’re trash, and then acts shocked when people call her a brat. Jeremy and Eli called her out, and she cried victim every time. It’s not that she’s a sunshine girl — she’s a delusional girl.

She made threats like “I’ll destroy Eli,” “He’ll suffer,” “I’ll get my revenge,” and then spent the whole book eating candy, reading romance novels, playing dress-up, and begging for his attention. Where was the revenge? No, really — WHERE?

And the way she folded every time Eli gave her crumbs? Spineless. He could say the nastiest, most degrading things (I don't hate degradation kink, but his words were insulting), and she’d melt because he touched her thigh and said, “Mrs. King.” Girl, what happened to your dignity?

Every time someone tries to help her, she turns it into a power struggle. Even therapy couldn’t fix her at this point.

Also —I’m sorry, but the baby fever was suffocating. Every chapter she was crying about wanting a child. Yes, motherhood is a valid desire — but her entire character was reduced to it. It replaced growth. Replaced healing. Replaced everything.

Eli King: I thought he was going to be this dark, layered, dangerous guy. What we got was a flatline of a character with a God complex and a superiority issue, but no real charisma to back it up.

He was VILE. He said genuinely horrible things. He called women “holes,” treated Ava like trash, and the few “sacrifices” he made for her? We never saw them. Cecy told us about them in passing. No emotional impact. No POV. Just... here, feel sad because we said so.

He doesn’t grovel. He doesn’t redeem. He just takes up space, sulks, and growls “You’re my wife.” That’s it. His idea of love is controlling her outfits and telling her she’s being attention-seeking.

What Didn’t Land:

Ava’s entire character arc. She goes from brat to… slightly less brat. That’s it. And somehow we’re supposed to believe she’s matured.

The amnesia trope — wasted.

Dialogue was cringey at times. “Mrs. King” this, “stripper” that—no thanks.

Emotional healing = sex + vague apologies.

They’re supposed to be “forbidden soulmates” or whatever—but I felt nothing. More tension between me and my Wi-Fi router than between these two.

💬 Final Thoughts:

Rating:⭐ 2/5 stars

The book had the bones of something great, but the execution was straight-up awful. Even while I accepted Eli, I couldn't bring myself to connect with Ava at all. She would act irrationally on each page.

It would have been fantastic if the main characters had been a little more likable.

Would I recommend it?

👉 Only if you’re committed to finishing the series.

Will you yell “GIRL WHAT ARE YOU DOING?” 47 times while reading?

👉 Without question.

Will it entertain you?

👉 Maybe. If you're into really spoiled female leads.

Now excuse me while I reread 'God of Wrath' to heal.

[radashes]

Book Review: King of Envy by Ana Huang

If you’re the type who enjoys watching emotionally stunted billionaires self-destruct over women they can’t have, welcome. You’re home.

The Vibe:

Obsessive alpha who communicates via deadly glares and hands

Beauty and the Beast, but make it silent and Serbian

Forbidden romance

Low on plot, high on pining

Ana Huang’s signature universe crossovers

What works:

Vuk: This man is obsessed. He’s intense, reserved, terrifying to everyone except Ayana, and it’s hot. He’s the best part of this book, hands down.

Ayana: She is a supermodel. She has a functional family and no tragic past. She is..... okay. (I mean, there is nothing really special about her character. But I like her.)

ASL Representation: It’s rare to see a love interest who uses sign language and has chosen silence as a trauma response.

The crossovers: If you’re a fan of the Twisted and Kings of Sin series, the cameos here were chef’s kiss. They actually made sense, unlike some other shared universes (cough Dark Verse's Syndicator). Kai and Dante especially stole every scene they were in.

❌ What Didn’t Land:

Pacing issues: The first half is decent, but around 70% in, it just... drags. Characters start keeping secrets for the sake of “tension,” but we all know what’s going on. That “if we just talked this would be over” energy was frustrating.

The plot: Barely there. If you read the blurb, you already know the entire trajectory. No shockers, no big twist, just a long, slow emotional spiral.

Vuk being Cristian Harper, just mute edition: Obsessive, protective, emotionally constipated billionaire? Yeah, we’ve seen this man before. Vuk felt like Cristian 2.0—but this time with a tragic backstory and no spoken words. Same vibes, less dialogue.

Spoiler Zone (because we’re being real):

Ayana’s fiancé? A placeholder with zero depth. We all knew he was getting dumped.

The sex scenes? Worth the wait, but maybe a bit too delayed. When it finally happens, it hits—but girl, we were starving.

We get a spicy little setup for Maya and Sebastian—which I will be seated for.

Final Verdict:

🌟 Rating: 3.5/5 Stars

Is it the best-written thing out there? Nah. But did I eat it up like it was my last meal? Hell yes.

Read it for:

The intense stares

The unspoken obsession

Slow burn

The moment Vuk finally breaks (you’ll know it when it hits)

Skip if you need:

A fast-paced plot

Big twists

Would I recommend it? Yep. Will you scream at the characters for being emotionally constipated? Oh, absolutely. Will you love every second anyway? Without question.

[radashes]

Problematic Mafia Men in Cora Reilly’s Books

Most of Cora Reilly's male leads are straight-up toxic. They’re walking red flags disguised as "obsessed lovers." (Except for my guy Nino Falcone. He’s the rare gem in that mess)

Now, I love a good mafia-arranged marriage trope, but sometimes her stories hit weird and uncomfortable levels.

Case in point: that bizarre first-night ritual in most of her books where the couple has to prove they did it by showing the bedsheet the next day. Like, seriously? Who thought that was a good idea?

And the male leads' sky-high expectations. They marry for the sake of their kid, and the next day, boom—they expect their new wife to be the perfect mom. (Sweet Temptation) Dude, just hire a nanny and chill.

And when we say problematic, of course we can't just forget our Luca Vitiello (Bound by Honour). He cheats on his wife just because she needed time to adjust, then acts like she should just forgive him. How down bad can you be? Get a grip, man.

Reading Cora's books, it honestly feels like women are barely more than props. They’re there to pleasure the man, pop out a few heirs, and whip up a good meal. And heaven forbid they talk to another guy—suddenly, they’re getting accused of cheating. That’s not love; that’s just insecurity with a side of control issues. Possessive is one thing; throwing baseless accusations is another.

I get that her male leads are probably the most “realistic” for a mafia setup, but let’s face it—who’s reading dark romance for realism? If I wanted to see men being trash, I’d just look out the window.

In dark romance, I want obsessive, over-the-top love with the guy treating his girl like an absolute queen, not a servant.

Twisted Emotions with Nino and Kiara was the chef's kiss. I want to see Cora writing more male leads like Nino. Cora’s got talent, no doubt, but she seriously needs to rethink how she’s writing her mafia men.

We can do better than glorifying scumbags.

[radashes]

Book Request: Looking for Dark Romance novels with REAL Strong Female Lead

I’m so tired of dark romance novels with so-called "strong female leads" who turn out to be anything but. It’s like their strength is just a cover for being mean, with the whole "I’m not like other girls" attitude cranked up to eleven.

I mean, come on, why do so many authors think that being strong means:

Having no female friends

Hating your mother

Refusing to wear anything remotely feminine

Scoffing at anything pretty

Worse still, these characters are supposed to be "independent," yet the moment something big happens, they’re suddenly helpless and need the very man they were fighting against to come to the rescue.

Their protests feel like empty gestures too—like refusing to eat his food or wear his clothes out of sheer stubbornness, as if following a single request equals weakness. It’s such a tired trope.

What I’m craving is a real strong female lead—one who’s genuinely intelligent, knows how to pick her battles, and doesn’t waste energy being pointlessly difficult. Someone who’s kind, sweet, and capable of standing her ground without resorting to stubbornness for the sake of it. A character who’s smart enough to know when to accept help but doesn’t need it as a crutch every time.

There are only a handful of female leads I’ve come across who feel truly strong:

Jude from The Cruel Prince by Holly Black: Jude is a fantastic example of a strong lead. She loves wearing beautiful dresses and doesn’t shy away from embracing her feminine side, but she’s also fierce and knows how to fight. She’s smart, cunning, and holds her own in a ruthless world.

Vale from When She Unravels by Gabrielle Sands: Vale is probably my favorite female lead ever. She proves you don’t need physical strength to be strong. She’s kind, sweet, and determined to survive in an unfamiliar place.

That’s the kind of female lead I want to see more of—multifaceted, relatable, and genuinely strong in ways that feel real.

[radashes]

Book Review: The Syndicator (Dark Verse, #6) by Runyx

No hate. Just truth: This book did not hit. It was disappointing.

Maybe my expectations were sky-high because the first four books set the bar so well.

Here’s the real breakdown—spoilers included, because at this point, you deserve to know.

🔦 Spotlight overload on Luna & Dainn: The book was supposed to cover all four couples, but it felt like the whole story revolved around Luna and Dainn. They were the main focus, and everyone else got sidelined.

Dante & Amara? Ignored.

Tristan & Morana? Undercooked.

Alpha & Zephyr? Forgotten.

🕵️‍♀️ Rename it: Morana and Shadow Man Save the Day: Let’s be honest—if Morana hadn’t existed, everyone would still be clueless. She cracked every code, solved every mystery, and basically ended the book while the others stood there blinking. Shadow Man handled the action. Meanwhile, Dante, Tristan, Alpha? Background noise.

🧬 Tristan and Luna's unnecessary plot twist: Their relationship twist was completely unnecessary! It added nothing. All it did was cheapen their relationship and steal focus from the actual sibling bond they could have explored. I almost threw the book across the room. What was RuNyx thinking with that? Their first meeting was great, but then what? Zero screen time at the end.

🪑 Dante and Alpha were basically VIP spectators: These two felt like they were just sitting in the front row, watching the drama unfold. What exactly was their role here besides looking cool?

💔 Morana deserved better: Tristan was my favorite male lead, but in this book, he was frustrating. He could tell his sister he loved her but couldn’t say it to Morana? She went through so much, and he just fussed over petty things. RuNyx could’ve portrayed him as a better partner. Morana deserved more than this sad, lopsided love story.

🧠 Alpha’s memory loss left hanging: The whole series ended, and we still didn’t get Alpha’s memories back? I was really looking forward to that.

👥 The ‘family’ vibe was missing: The ending didn’t feel like “they’re all one big family.” Instead, the ending gave off “awkward coworkers at a forced team-building retreat” energy. Luna felt distant, and while her story took center stage, she didn’t seem to fit in at the end. Where were the heartfelt moments between Dante and Luna? All he did was doubt her. And Luna’s struggles were rushed through one scene like no one cared.

💁‍♀️ Luna’s character shift: I loved her in Annihilator, but here? She felt like a moody teenager on her first crush. And her reaction to meeting her own child, Xandar was So flat.

🗣️ The “Mine” line? Embarrassing: Instant secondhand embarrassment. Why would Luna randomly say this? Gave nothing but Wattpad energy. I cringed so hard that I had to close the book and stare at the wall for a few minutes to recover from this.

🛏️ No one cared about Morana in the hospital: When Morana was in the hospital, why didn’t Luna check on her or Tristan? Girl, your sister-in-law almost died.

💀 The Syndicate—big talk, no action: This villain was hyped up through the entire series as the ultimate threat. I expected an epic showdown, but it was over in two minutes. Shadow Man handled it, and everyone else, like Dante and Alpha, were chilling at home like it was a casual Sunday. The villain appeared and vanished in the blink of an eye.

🧍‍♀️ Zephyr’s mom randomly killing her dad: Came out of nowhere. And everyone was so wrapped up in Luna’s drama that no one even cared. I actually laughed because it felt so ridiculous.

🗑️ Underwhelming plot: Honestly, the main story could’ve been told in 10 pages. The rest was just filler romance and unnecessary character appearances.

💬 Final Thoughts:

Rating:⭐ 1/5 stars

This book was just okay—not terrible, but far from great. Rushed, messy, emotionally disconnected, and underwhelmed.

Would I still recommend the Dark Verse series? Absolutely—for the first four books. Would I reread this finale? Never.

I’m still glad I discovered this series, and I hope RuNyx keeps writing and creating amazing characters in the future.

[radashes]

Spotting Fun Little Goofs in Stranger Things

Some days ago, I rewatched Stranger Things, and while I was totally engaged. in the nostalgia and thrills, I couldn’t help but spot a few small mistakes or should I say, 'Movie things'.

So, I thought, why not share these fun little quirks on Tumblr? Just a heads-up—this is all in good fun, so don’t take anything too seriously.

Walkie-Talkie Range: First off, the kids’ walkie-talkies seem pretty much magic. They’re chatting across miles of dense forests and even between dimensions! In reality, those things would probably lose signal if you sneezed too hard.

Age of Technology: Stranger Things is set in the 1980s, but there are a few anachronisms. For example, in Season 2, Bob uses BASIC programming language on a computer, but the specific version of BASIC used wasn’t available until a year later than when the show is set.

Will's Birthday: In Season 4, it's revealed that March 22nd is Will's birthday. However, in Season 4, Episode 2, the day passes without any mention of his birthday, even by his closest friends and family. This was later acknowledged by the show's creators as a mistake.

Steve's Car: Steve, with his fabulous hair and all, drives a BMW 733i, but here’s the kicker: that model didn’t hit the streets until 1984, and the show’s set in 1983. Looks like Steve got his hands on some futuristic wheels!

Elle's Hair in Season 1: Eleven's hair changes length inconsistently in some scenes. Given that she has a buzz cut, any difference is noticeable, suggesting some reshoots or continuity lapses during filming.

Lucas's Wrist Rocket: Lucas’s slingshot also likes to play hide-and-seek between his front and back pockets. Guess even weapons need a break from all the Demogorgon action.

The Flashlight Brand: In Season 2, Episode 2, Bob uses a flashlight that has the Energizer logo prominently displayed. However, the specific logo shown didn't exist in the 1980s, making it a modern-day mistake.

At the end of the day, it’s these quirks that make rewatching even more entertaining. So, next time you binge the show, keep an eye out for these moments, and maybe you’ll spot some new ones too!

[radashes]

Book recommendations with 'Powerful Male Lead X sweet soft Female lead' dynamic

You know how some readers are into those Cold ML X Soft FML dark romance stories? Well, count me in! I have some recommendations for you. Please let me know if you have any recommendations as well.

Let's get into characters.

Male lead: I'm all about those tales where the guy's got this intense, possessive streak, loaded with cash and power. He's got this whole vibe, this aura that screams power. Everyone's shaking in their boots around him. But here's the twist: he's icy to everyone except for this one girl.

Female lead: She's the complete opposite—soft, sweet, not into playing the tough card. And you know what? I'm not into it when she tries those cringey, embarrassing stunts to outsmart him. No thanks. I'm more into the submissive kink, where she's polite but definitely not stupid. Smart, knows when to use her brain.

It's like this delicate balance between power and innocence, dominance and submission. Alright, for all my fellow readers of the "Cold Powerful Male Lead X Sweet Female Lead" trope:

When She Unravels by Gabrielle Sands (My favourite female lead. Mafia romances can feel repetitive/overdone. This felt fresh and different to me. The plot was interesting and I enjoyed Vale. She’s exactly how I like my fmc in a Mafia romance. Sure, she was a caged princess but she had a backbone and stood up for herself.)

The Mafia And His Angel series by Lylah James (Mafia X Runway fml ends up working as maiden in his house)

Hooked by Emily McIntire (Club owner X Enemy's daughter. Female lead was surely sweet)

Stolen Heir by Sophie Lark

Stolen Beauty by T.O. Smith

Broken Whispers (Perfectly Imperfect, #2) by Neva Altaj (This Russian mob is addicting and devilishly good. Age gap. Single Dad. “Touch her and I’ll kill you.” Damaged, unloveable hero and a mute heroine.)

Hidden Truths (Perfectly Imperfect #3) by Neva Altaj

Stolen Touches (Perfectly Imperfect, #5) by Neva Altaj

Burned Dreams (Perfectly Imperfect, #7) by Neva Altaj

Silent Lies (Perfectly Imperfect, #8) by Neva Altaj

Darkest Sins (Perfectly Imperfect, #9) by Neva Altaj (Female lead is the most understanding character. She stumbles upon a stranger with a gunshot wound and saves his life, thinking she'll never see him again. He stalks her for months, then cuts his forearm open just so he can have a reason to go talk to her again.)

Tempted by the Devil (Kings of Mafia #1) by Michelle Heard

Craving Danger (Kings Of Mafia #2) by Michelle Heard

Hunted by a Shadow (Kings of Mafia #3) by Michelle Heard

Beauty and the Assassin by Nadia Lee

An Improper Deal (Elliot and Annabelle #1) by Nadia Lee

The Darkest Temptation (Made, #3) by Danielle Lori

The Maddest Obsession (Made, #2) by Danielle Lori

Twist Me: The Complete Trilogy by Anna Zaires

Once You're Mine duet by Morgan Bridges

The Sordid Duet (Sordid, #1-2) by Nikki Sloane

The Annihilator (Dark Verse, #5) by RuNyx (It's somehow little bit like Hunting Adeline. I'll admit this was different, but the similarities.. Shadow man, Roses, Stalking, Human trafficking, Heterochromia. It just feels TOO similar.. Granted, this was way lessss dark compared to Hunting Adeline.)

The Finisher (Dark Verse, #4) by RuNyx

The Predator (Dark Verse, #1) by RuNyx

Beautifully Cruel #1 by JT Geissinger

Lorenzo by Sadie Kincaid

His Pretty Little Burden by Nicci Harris

Deadly Vows by Haley Stuart

Captured by a Sinner (Sinners, #5) by Michelle Heard

Stolen by a Sinner (Sinners, #3) by Michelle Heard

That's all that's on my mind right now. I'll add more later if anything else pops up. And, if you've got any recommendations for books with that "Cold Powerful Male Lead X Sweet Female Lead" vibe, hit me up!

[radashes]

Book review: 'Dreamland Billionaires' series by Lauren Asher

Step into the lavish world of the Dreamland Billionaire series, where dreams are as big as bank accounts, and the drama is richer than a double espresso on a Monday morning.

#1. The Fine Print: 3.5/5 stars

Rowan is a cold, emotionally unavailable heir to a massive theme park empire (basically Disney, let’s not kid ourselves), and Zahra is a creative employee who gets roped into his twisted little corporate test because he needs to fix the park before claiming his inheritance.

The vibe:

Grumpy x Sunshine, forced proximity, corporate chaos, and a lot of sexual tension sprinkled with some questionable HR behavior.

Characters:

Rowan: Your typical grumpy guy with some daddy issues. He gets oddly excited when Zahra touches his leg. Weird, right? Oh, and he's into art, which adds a bit of depth to him, but it's resolved too quickly.

Zahra: She's all sunshine and rainbows, forgiving Rowan way too easily and laughing way too much.

Cringeworthy moments:

These characters act more like teens than adults, which is kinda cringe.

Zahra describing Rowan's butt as a "firm bubble butt" was just... no.

That first kiss in the office? Totally out of place.

Rowan crawling to Zahra on the floor? Ugh, just why?

But hey, there were some good things, like the inclusion of Zahra's sister Ami, who has Down Syndrome. It's awesome to see that kind of representation in popular books.

Despite its flaws, I'll probably keep reading the trilogy because, let's be real, they're pretty addictive.

#2. Terms and Conditions: 4.5/5 stars

If Declan Kane was real, I’d fight God for him. Period.

Declan is the middle Kane brother: a stiff, brooding CEO who has to get married and have a baby to become the company’s successor. Enter Iris, his gorgeous, take-no-BS assistant who agrees to fake marry him for a paycheck and some IVF. Yes, you read that right.

The vibe:

Fake marriage, friends-to-lovers (kind of?), office romance with spice and trauma dumping.

Characters:

Declan: Dude's got serious daddy issues, but his introverted, grumpy demeanor was oddly endearing. His subtle affection for Iris and efforts to help her with dyslexia were highlights.

Iris: Queen Iris, y'all! Loved her as the strong, determined female lead. Though I felt her third act drama was a tad over-the-top, she taught Declan some valuable life lessons.

Favorite moments:

Their banter: “We both know you actually like my brain.” “I like your heart more.”

Declan's little gestures of affection: “I did some research on how people with learning differences like yours do better with verbal and written instructions.”

Would I cut the last 80 pages? Yup. Did I cry a little anyway? Also yup.

#3. Final Offer: 2/5 stars

"Final Offer" was a bit of a letdown, honestly.

Cal is the “fun” brother—the golden retriever gone rogue. He’s a recovering alcoholic who’s been given one last shot to get his life together: sell the lake house or lose his inheritance. Problem? His ex, Alana, still lives there with her daughter. Surprise! He’s also the baby daddy.

The vibe:

Second chance romance, hidden kid trope, substance abuse, and emotional wreckage.

Characters:

Alana: Yikes. She came off cold, manipulative, and emotionally detached. She uses their kid as leverage and gaslights the hell out of him. I couldn’t connect with her at all, and honestly, Cal deserved better.

Cal: Cal’s battle with addiction is the most compelling part of this book. He’s messy, broken, and fighting to be better—and you actually root for him.

Real talk:

This story dragged. We spent 400+ pages in a lakeside cabin with tension that could’ve been resolved in 100.

There’s a big focus on Cal’s sobriety and relapse—but not enough actual growth between the characters to justify the reconciliation.

That big reveal? Predictable. That ending? Rushed.

Cal carried this book on his back, and even his charm wasn’t enough to keep it from flopping. If it weren’t for the return of characters like Declan and Iris, I might’ve quit halfway through.

Final Verdict:

Best book: Terms and Conditions (Declan supremacy)

Most entertaining: The Fine Print (because chaos)

Biggest letdown: Final Offer (Cal deserved a better love story)

👉 Would I recommend it? Absolutely. 👉 Will you cringe? Definitely. 👉 Will you be entertained? No doubt.

[radashes]

Book review: 'SHATTER ME' SERIES

From “I think I like this” to “why didn’t we just stop at book three?”

Here’s how it went down for me, book by book:

📘 Shatter Me (Book #1): 4/5 stars Let’s be real: the premise hooked me, and the writing was unique enough to keep me flipping pages. But Juliette and Adam? Yeah, no thanks. Their connection felt more like trauma bonding than actual love. Adam’s “nice guy” energy was giving... stale toast.

But Warner? Oh, now that’s a character. Complex, dangerous, unpredictable—and I wanted more of him immediately.

This book was a solid start, but I could feel the best was yet to come.

🖤 Destroy Me (Novella #1.5): 5/5 stars This? THIS is what I signed up for. Warner’s POV was everything. Vulnerable, intense, and just so deeply human. His relationship with Delalieu? Low-key one of my favorite dynamics.

If you weren’t already obsessed with Warner, this novella will ruin you in the best way. I devoured it. Zero regrets.

🔪 Unravel Me (Book #2): 4.5/5 stars This book nearly had me giving it a full 5 stars. It dug into the emotional chaos of war, power, and identity. Juliette started growing, slowly clawing her way out of her shell—and it worked.

People love to drag her for being “too emotional” or “weak,” but I saw her. She’s a product of relentless trauma. Let her be messy. That’s real.

🔥 Ignite Me (Book #3): 5/5 stars Okay. Now I get the hype. This book was fire. Literal flames.

Warner was just perfect! He stepped fully into his golden-boy energy while still carrying all his broken pieces. That “lyhfml” scene? Send help. I melted.

Adam? Someone escort this man out of the building.

This was peak Shatter Me. Honestly, the series could’ve ended right here and gone out with a bang.

💥 Restore Me (Book #4): 3/5 stars Ugh. Here’s where things started to slip. The drama got messier, and not in the fun way. Miscommunication took the wheel and drove the plot straight into a wall.

Juliette started unraveling (not in the title way), and not in a way that made sense after all her growth. I still rooted for her, but I was frustrated. The girl who took control in Ignite Me felt like a stranger here.

Overall, this book felt like a reboot no one asked for.

😶‍🌫️ Defy Me (Book #5): 2.5/5 stars Honestly, what even happened here?

This book felt like filler. Important plot twists came out of nowhere with zero buildup. It was like Mafi was just tossing curveballs for the drama, not the story.

Juliette becoming Ella? Meh. Warner was still Warner, but even he felt like a watered-down version of himself. Adam continued to be irrelevant. Kenji tried to carry, but even he seemed tired.

I finished it out of obligation more than enjoyment. It felt like the soul of the story was gone.

🤷‍♀️ Imagine Me (Book #6): 3.5/5 stars Honestly? Better than Defy Me, but still not great.

The poetic writing was still strong, but the plot? Confusing. Rushed. Unfocused. Juliette lost her fire. Warner turned into a mopey version of himself. I felt like the characters were just wandering around with no clear purpose.

❤️ Believe Me (Novella #7): 5/5 stars NOW THIS is the closure I needed.

Finally, some warmth, some love, some joy. Warner was back in full swoon mode, and Chapter 8? Let’s just say I was not okay. The steam level was illegal.

The romance hit all the right spots. And getting a glimpse into their lives post-chaos felt like breathing again after drowning. It was sweet, sexy, and satisfying. Basically the epilogue the series deserved.

📚Final Thoughts: The Shatter Me series started strong, peaked at book three, and then kind of lost its way. The second half felt like an extended bonus round, with too many plot twists and not enough emotional payoff.

But still—I love these characters. Warner owns my entire heart. Kenji is the friend we all need. Juliette had her ups and downs, but her journey mattered. Even when the story lost focus, I stayed for them.

Would I recommend the whole series? Yes... with a warning. Go in knowing it’s messy. It’s emotional. It’s not perfect. But it is unforgettable.

There are some more novella like:

"Destroy Me" - Aaron Warner's point of view

"Fracture Me" - Adam Kent's point of view

"Shadow Me" - Kenji Kishimoto's point of view

"Reveal Me" - Kenji Kishimoto's point of view

"Imagine Me" - Juliette Ferrars' (Ella Sommers') point of view

"Believe Me" - Aaron Warner's point of view

Until next time, happy reading!

[radashes]

Magic Unveiled: Harry Potter Books vs. Movies

Let's dive into the enchanted world of why Harry Potter books are the real deal, leaving the movies in the dust like a sad Sorting Hat rejected from Hogwarts.

🎭 Characters Who Deserved Better

Ginny Weasley:

Books: Bold, witty, confident, throws bat-bogey hexes like candy.

Movies: Bland love interest with the emotional range of a teaspoon. Where’s the fiery Ginny who told off Harry and dated half of Hogwarts?

Ron Weasley:

Books: Loyal, funny, strategic (yes, he’s the chess master, remember?).

Movies: Comic relief and third wheel. Most of his smart moments? Handed to Hermione.

Dumbledore:

Books: Calm, wise, a master manipulator but with finesse.

Movies: “HARRY DID YOU PUT YOUR NAME IN THE GOBLET OF FIRE?!” Okay, sir, calm down.

Sirius Black:

Books: Complicated, broken, trying to be a good godfather but struggling with trauma.

Movies: Mostly a cool cloak and tragic death. Where’s the nuance?

🏰 Plotlines That Got the Vanishing Spell

S.P.E.W. (Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare):

Books: Hermione being an absolute activist queen.

Movies: Poof. Apparently elf rights were too much subplot to handle.

Peeves the Poltergeist:

Books: Constant chaos, a real Hogwarts staple.

Movies: Didn’t even make the cut. Come on, we deserved Rik Mayall’s Peeves!

Marietta Edgecombe & the DA betrayal arc:

Books: A betrayal that had real emotional weight.

Movies: Skipped. Apparently, the DA was just vibes-only.

Tom Riddle’s Backstory:

Books: Deep dive into his childhood, twisted psyche, and descent into Voldemort.

Movies: Bare minimum flashbacks. Feels like they CliffNotes-ed evil.

The Gaunt Family:

Books: Adds layers to Voldemort’s origins and the cursed nature of the Horcruxes.

Movies: Nope. Don’t worry about Voldy’s creepy hillbilly relatives.

⚡ Scenes That Deserved More Screen Time (or Any at All)

Quidditch World Cup:

Books: Intense, political, magical mayhem.

Movies: “Here’s the tent. Never mind the match. Let’s just skip to the chaos.”

The Final Battle (Deathly Hallows):

Books: Epic, emotional, with all of Hogwarts involved and character arcs completing.

Movies: Let’s just have Harry and Voldemort fly around like it's a Marvel fight.

Fred's Death:

Books: Gut-wrenching. You feel it.

Movies: Blink and you miss it. No buildup. No real goodbye.

Harry fixing his wand:

Books: Emotional closure — he fixes it with the Elder Wand before returning it.

Movies: Just breaks it in half. Cool, I guess?

🧙‍♂️ Final Verdict:

If the movies are a flashy spell, the books are a deep, ancient magic — the kind Dumbledore would whisper about.

So yes, grab your broomsticks and fly straight into the books. That’s where the real Hogwarts is.

[radashes]

Embrace Your Femme Force

Ready to navigate the chaos of life with the finesse of a catwalk queen? No fluff, no filters – just straight-up girlcore truths that hit like a reality bomb, dressed in leather and lace.

Fact one: That perfect winged eyeliner you spent an hour crafting? It's as sharp as the sarcasm you throw at life. Embrace it.

Fact two: Your self-worth isn't measured in likes or follows. It's not a popularity contest; it's about rocking your own vibe and giving zero care about the haters. You're the CEO of your own life, and your brand is authenticity.

Fact three: Forget glass slippers; real queens wear sneakers or combat boots. Unleash the badassery within, stomp out negativity, and walk your own path. Princess, you're the ruler of your kingdom.

Fact four: Your smile is your signature accessory. It outshines any piece of jewelry and radiates the kind of beauty that no filter can capture.

And the kicker: Your vibe attracts your tribe, but not everyone deserves a backstage pass to your life. Quality over quantity, darling. Surround yourself with those who lift you higher and add to your girlcore energy.