reading-giraffe

[reading-giraffe]

This scene will never not live in my head

[reading-giraffe]

Savage Hate by Amanda Richardson (Savage Hearts book 1): Review

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Available via Amazon on Kindle Unlimited (FREE), Paperback, and Audiobook! (If you shop using my link, I'll earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support 🙂)

Summary

Lennon Rose, Silas, Jude and Damon graduated from high school in small town Greythorn. Graduation night, Lennon changed Silas/Jude/Damon's life for the worse. 10 years later, Lennon comes back to Greythorn after catching her fiancee fucking his assistant from behind. She starts working as a receptionist at local tattoo studio, Savage Ink, since she has basically nothing but the clothes on her back and she's desperate for a job. She takes the job knowing it's owned by Silas, Jude, and Damon -- who happen to be three of the nation's most coveted tattoo artists. She learns the darker side of their mission and gets tangled in their tangled web of secrets, violence, and small town drama with local cult, Church of Rapture.

---------------------

Lennon Rose

I think Lennon is a very interesting character. Her parents seemingly felt like being parents when she was born but then changed their minds. They let her fend for herself for her whole life, essentially. Yes, she had access to their fortune in theory. But she didn't get any attention, love, or kindness from her parents. She claims that she ate out of garbage cans when her parents up and left on vacations.

After fleeing her shithead fiancee in NYC and a lot of therapy, Lennon enters Savage Ink studios ready to start fresh and learn other parts of her that she's suppressed out of survival instinct.

Silas/Jude/Damon

I feel like Richardson didn't really get too much into each of the men in this book all too much. Maybe Jude/Damon a bit? I'd be interested to see what the other 2 books in the series feature. Nevertheless, these men are dark and scary and HOT AS HELL!!!

Fun little fact about Jude:

...even though he has zero ink on his body, his cock is covered in tats. And there are several piercings along the top in a row, neatly spaced out. Seven. There are seven. Like a ladder.

It can be difficult to introduce 4 characters simultaneously so I expect the other books to build off of each other. Fingers crossed!

------------

10000000/10 WOULD RECOMMEND

Holy hell y'all the spice is off the charts!!! The scene where her ex shows up at the studio begging for her back IS IT! IT'S THE ANSWER!

Wright: What, you're going to enact revenge by fucking this guy in front of me? Lennon: No. I'm not going to fuck him. I'm going to fuck all three of them. Damon: Be quiet as we fuck the shit out of your ex-fiance, or we will find a very inconvenient place to tattoo you. 🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵

I know this is going to haunt him forever -- just like the image of him fucking Darcy is going to haunt me forever. Tit for tat -- except, instead of a tat, it's going to be three guys fucking me at once.

Need I say more? At 247 pages, this is a quick read that packs a goddamn punch. RUN DON'T WALK.

If you shop using my link (in the tile below), I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support! 🙂

[reading-giraffe]

Tower of Dawn: Review

Available on Kindle, Hardcover, and Audiobook via Amazon. (If you use my link to shop, I'll earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support 🙂)

🌶️

Summary

Chaol and Nesryn set of to Antica so Chaol could get healed by the world's top healers after being damaged in his spine and unable to walk. They arrived as a couple, but they're not doing too great. Chaol's pride is damaged too much to let Nesryn *ride*.

So, they arrive, and start getting the lay of the land. The royal family is mourning the loss of their youngest daughter and they're not just going to hand over an army to help Aelin defeat the Valg.

Nesryn splits off and starts learning about their Rook rider army with Prince Sartaq. Chaol begins a healing program with Yrene Towers. They go on their own separate adventures and end up falling in love along the way. I don't want to spoil too much, but THIS IS THE SPICE that Chaol was missing in book 2 with Celaena.

By the end of the book, Chaol, Nesryn, Yrene, and Sartaq have all learned some SHOCKING news about the Valg, Queen Maeve, and are ready to rejoin forces with Aelin to "make the world a better place".

Sartaq

LOVE. Sartaq and Nesryn are just...perfect. They admire each other, but I'd argue unequally. I think Sartaq admires Nesryn more. And, as my wise Chinese grandmother said, "Always be with a man who loves you more than you love him". It's kinda fucked up, but she's not wrong y'all. I'm so happy for Nesryn and Sartaq.

Yrene Towers

How can someone who is passionate about helping others be so callous at the same time?? Idk but I love Yrene's quirks. I see why SJM wrote Yrene into existence. Who else could love Chaol? He's so proud and keeps claiming that he doesn't need help. Yrene doesn't give a single squirt of duck shit and forces help upon him, cornering him with her healing powers and forcing him to move past his trauma to emerge as a decent human being. I don't get it, but I respect it.

---------------

5/10

Idk I feel like switching to Tower of Dawn after "Where is my wife" was SUCH let down. Maybe that's what SJM's intention was and why she built Chaol/Nesryn into the "meh" characters? The whole book was pretty slow up until the very end when all of the JUICY details about the Valg, Maeve, spiders, healers and firebringers were revealed. Did it have to be a WHOLE ASS 33h audiobook? It was okay.

At least Chaol isn't as annoying anymore. His link to Yrene sets me on FIRE

Shop on Amazon! (If you shop using my link, I'll earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support 🙂)

[reading-giraffe]

Neon Gods: Review

Amazon: Paperback, Kindle, Audible, and AudioCD. (If you shop using this link, I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support!)

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ wawaweewa

Summary

This is a contemporary retelling of the Hades/Persephone love story. In this retelling, the characters are mortal humans. No fantasy powers, dragons, or creatures.

After being seemingly ambushed by her mother, Demeter, and Zeus with a publicly announced arranged marriage, Persephone flips her shit. And rightfully so -- Zeus is widely regarded as the most powerful and terrifying king of gods in Olympus. In her last ditch effort to save her life, Persephone runs away to the one part of Olympus Zeus can't touch her.

On the other side of the River Styx, Persephone is greeted by Hades. Hades is feared as well, but not for the same reason that Zeus is. Apparently, Hades does a really good job of keeping up the reputation of dark, twisty, and shadowy on the other side of the river. While in the lower city, Persephone gets to know Hades for he truly is.

Persephone and Hades make a bargain to keep her safe from Zeus. THIS is where the S P I C I E S T scenes come into play. (I'm still sweating)

Eventually, Zeus, Demeter, Hades and Persephone have to figure out a long-term solution which peaks almost at the very end of the book.

**The epilogue is just pure smut y'all

-----------

Persephone

Ever since Demeter gained power and influence in Olympus, Persephone has put on an image of the "happy, smiley, golden girl". The picture of purity. What Katee Robert doesn't really go into is Persephone's depraved adventures before Hades, but she hints at it that's for damn sure!!

The character of Persephone Robert has created is the clever, independent, sexually secure, emotionally intelligent woman we all strive to be or have in our lives. All of her decisions throughout the book only make sense. And, how could we forget the cherry on top -- she's a dog person.

My favorite part of her character development is how she learns to enjoy showing off exactly how depraved she is. But only when Hades is there to ground her.

Hades

[reading-giraffe]

Highest Bidder: Review

Available via Amazon on Kindle Unlimited (FREE), Paperback, and Audiobook. (If you shop using my link, I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support 🙂)

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Summary

Daisy is a free-spirited 21-year old girl searching for her soul after suffering the tragic loss of her precious mother, Shannon. She finds herself serving martinis to the patrons of notorious sex club, Salacious Player's Club. One of my favorite quotes in the book is from Daisy on page 60:

Because who doesn't want a gin martini while they're getting publicly railed?

Daisy is living out of a van when she meets Ronan Kade.

Ronan Kade is the older, disgustingly rich silver fox regular at Salacious. In fact, he spends SOO much time at the club it should tell the reader how sad he must be that he has nothing better to do than f*ck people at the club when he's not working.

Ronan finds purpose in taking care of Daisy, and she finds purpose in showing him how worthy of love he is. Little does Ronan know that Daisy is hiding a major bombshell secret during their whirlwind romance (and it's honestly pretty fucked up)!

--------------------

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by JEMLIN (@jemlin_c)

Daisy

I'm just going to say it: Daisy's stupid. I would feel guilty about it, considering she's grieving her dead mother, but I don't. She's a 21-year old woman who decided to make poor decisions and she got herself into this very strange situation where she can't take care of herself. She's not diabetic, but she just forgets to eat so much so that she passes out on the reg. WTF?? I get that sometimes getting affordable food is hard, but that's not even a problem for Daisy. She simply FORGETS to eat. I mean she can barely keep herself alive people!!!

Ronan

Obviously, we love a daddy. He's experienced, rich, understands what love is, and is a giver. Literally. Ronan is a self-proclaimed Pleasure Dom:

It means I like to be in control, but I like to bring my partner pleasure. I like being able to control when they come, how they come, and how often they come.

So OF COURSE we love Ronan. Need I say more?

-------------------------

5/10 - I would not recommend this book.

I don't like Daisy, but Ronan absolutely carries the whole book. Also, I feel like Sara Cate went a little strong on the whole "daddy" thing. There are points in the book where it just feels too...IN YOUR FACE that its not very realistic.

I don't know about you, but when I seek contemporary romance books, I'm looking for that realistic feel. Of course they're not all that realistic, but you get what I mean. This one was just too outlandish for me to believe that this could happen in real life.

I will say that the scene where Ronan and Madame King tag-team Daisy is a FUCKING WINNERRRRR so if anything read the book for that one scene

If you choose to shop using my link (in the tile below), I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you again for your support! 🙂

[reading-giraffe]

Working on a review of Neon Gods by Katee Robert 👀

[reading-giraffe]

Nesrin: Hey just FYI I'm not into you anymore and I'm going to be with Sartaq in the mountains for 3 weeks. Please feel free to explore Irene. TTYL Chaol: *freaks out* Chaol: *realizes* Chaol to Irene: hey you wanna come over? Irene: 😏

[reading-giraffe]

Twisted Emotions: Review

Check it out on Amazon - available on Kindle Unlimited, Paperback, and Audible! (If you shop using this link, I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.)

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Summary

Nino Falcone is 2nd to the Capo of the Camorra and self-proclaimed sociopath - he claims to have no emotions. In fact, his friends and family get annoyed with him frequently because he comes up with reasonable and logical solutions to problems that most of them get really emotional about. He also happens to be one of the fiercest fighters to exist in the mafia underworld. He has been cage fighting for his whole life and feels no remorse killing and torturing others.

When push comes to shove and the Camorra and Famiglia are at a crossroads, Nino proposes a marriage between the families to increase trade and peace across the mid-west and eastern parts of the United States. The Camorra and Famiglia leads decide that Nino Falcone and Kiara Vitiello are the eligible respective family members for the marriage.

Kiara, at the ripe ol' age of 19, is scared shitless. She is the only child to survive her parents. Her father was brutally murdered by the head of the Famiglia for being a traitor, and her mother was killed incidentally as well. Kiara was sent to live with her aunt and uncle, who resented her because of her traitorous father. In fact, a different uncle brutally raped her at age 13 several times as punishment for being related to her traitorous father.

Kiara and Nino navigate their arranged marriage in an unexpectedly heartwarming story. Nino quickly deduces that Kiara is a victim of rape and teams up with his brothers to publicly humiliate and murder the rapist in her honor. He is also extremely patient with her, slowly working to earn her trust. She, in turn, reveals to Nino that perhaps he's not as cold-hearted as he thought.

-------------

Nino Falcone

YOOOO not gonna lie Nino reminds me a whole lot of my HUSBAND!! I'm convinced that, in another life, Nino Falcone makes an excellent mafia attorney. Not only is he logical and clever, but he uses it to rationalize his "simulated" emotions. For example: He understands that Kiara has a traumatic history and that, in order for her to trust him, he has no choice but to adjust his behavior to make her comfortable around him. It's just how people work!! and I LOVE THAT FOR THEM.

"I can cuff one of my hands to the headboard. What do you say? That would give you a sense of safety, don't you think?"

There is probably no better match for a person with sexual trauma than a logical, level-headed human being who can think through the consequences of their actions before they even do anything.

Kiara Vitiello/Falcone

I have had the privilege of not undergoing the trauma that Kiara went through so I don't understand her extreme fear and flinchiness.

I do think that, for someone who experienced brutal sexual trauma caused by a male, for her to be suddenly thrust into a home filled with sex-driven, aggressive men is probably fucking terrifying. I mean Nino, Remo, and the other men living in this house are I N S A T I A B L E. Luckily they don't Kiara catch wind of their sexual needs or activities.

All things considered, I'm impressed with how Kiara worked with Nino to grow their relationship and make the best out of a shitty situation. Super extra double bonus for Nino and Kiara for boosting her confidence and encouraging her to step out of the shadow of shame into the spotlight, commanding respect from her family that previously hated her (for things she never even did).

--------------------------

Who I would recommend this book for:

Anyone who can stomach depictions of child rape, molestation

Anyone who can stomach a child becoming an orphan and entering foster care

People who are okay with spousal infidelity when it is mutually agreed-upon

Mostly, if you are into mafia stories and can follow the intricacies that can come with it, this is the book for you. I was a little overwhelmed by the mafia plotlines. It got a little complicated for my tiny, smooth brain. But if you can't follow the plot lines, the romance is still superb.

Despite the dark, twisty beginnings of Kiara and Nino, their love story ended up being one of the most heartwarming stories I've read in a while. Maybe because I can relate to a history of sexual trauma, but having a partner who listens, understands, is hypervigilant and overly communicative is a great match. A partner like that helps you heal from your past.

But also...makes for a BANGIN sex life. Kiara and Nino explore a lot for Kiaras' psyche's sake but also for pleasure 😛

If you purchase this book using my link below, I earn a super small commission. Thanks for your support 🙂

[reading-giraffe]

You're seriously telling me I have to read a book about Chaol after "Where is my wife"??

[reading-giraffe]

Just started Tower of Dawn. Please don't tell me this whole book is about Chaol

[reading-giraffe]

Empire of Storms: Review

Amazon (If you shop using this link, I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.)

Summary

Okokok so Aelin's team is officially assembled. We've got:

Aelin

Rowan

Aedion

Dorian

Lysandra

Gavriel

Fenrys

Lorcan

Elide

Manon

Fam is trying to figure out how to re-situate in Terrasen. Long story short, the lords of Terrasen are like "Who do you know here?" and send fam on their way telling them to try again later.

The Ironteeth witches are ordered to sack Rifthold, destroy Aelin's iconic glass wall, and kill King Dorian. By the end of it, Rifthold is sacked, glass wall is destroyed, but Dorian is saved by Manon who obviously has heart eyes for the guy 😍

Manon gets into an epic throwdown with her grandmother during which she makes her escape, tells her Thirteen to escape, and learns that she's half Ironteeth and half Krocken witch.

Y'all, the lineages of these people is KILLING MEEE

Aelin = Mala + Gavin Havilliard

Manon = Ironteeth + Krocken

Elide = Human + Ironteeth

Aedion = Gavriel + Human

you get the gist. At some point in the book, SJM points out the fortuitous gene-scrambling and how all of these people are intersecting at a very interesting time for the universe. THANK YOU for pointing that out ma'am!

Manon and Elide flee, the 13 scramble out of there, and Manon ditches Elide in a forest. Poor limpy Elide is doing her darn best to find Aelin. Lorcan Salvaterre is stalking Elide because he, too, is tryng to find Aelin by blood oath order of Queen Maeve 👿. Lorcan and Elide start falling for each other, and Elide's dark twisty background comes to light.

Fam ends up meeting Captain Rolf at Skull's Bay and some CRAZY shit goes down.

Truths come to light, Fam + Manon + Lorcan/Elide meet up with military friendos at the marshes/beach and a huge battle ensues against Maeve's forces. Maeve is a sneaky bitch and ends up taking Aelin for torture and severing the blood oath bonds with Gavriel and Lorcan. Poor Fenrys is stuck bound to her, but tbh I doubt he would leave if he could because his twin is one of her sex slaves.

------------------

Elide Lochan + Lorcan Salvaterre

THEY'RE SO CUTE!! I love how Lorcan uses his magic to support Elide on her limp. This is a typical love story by SJM where they are standoffish for a bit, then they get to reveal their dark twisty stories, and they fall in love. But are they mates? Is it possible for a fae male to be mates with a human female?? Is she secretly FAE?!

Also, love the little detail that Elide's mother is Marian -- the woman who saved Aelin's life at the cost of her own when Aelin was 8. Elide and Aelin share this unique bond in that way.

---------------

"Where is my wife?"

I am so emotional having just finished this. I listen to the audiobooks on my commute to/from work and I was fighting back tears as I was driving. I'm going to need to have a TOG hangover for a bit before I start the next one. Now that I'm married (pretty recently actually) and I'm starting to understand what it would mean for my husband to be taken so brutally like Aelin was, I was so impacted by the ending scene.

Out of all of the books so far, this is a very eventful one. I couldn't follow all the intricate plotlines very well, but that could be because I didn't have the visual book and was just listening to it. I wish the audiobook came with a map or a timeline or something so I could track what was going on.

Because Empire of Storms is so eventful, I don't want to put too much in this post because I don't want to spoil it.

Audiobook, paperback and hardcover versions on Amazon

[reading-giraffe]

Those Three Little Words: Review

Amazon (If you shop using this link, I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.)

🌶️🌶️🌶️

Summary

Eli "Horny" Hornsby is just that: a slut. He's a hot hockey player and he knows it, and decides to give in to temptation on his fateful birthday night with his best friend's little sister, Penny Lawes. Recognize the name? Yep, Pacey Lawes' little sister. Penny works for the Vancouver Agitators hockey team as a social media manager. The kicker? She gets pregnant. This story is Penny and Eli's relationship as it builds through her pregnancy. There are a lot of ups and downs, some of which are emotionally exhausting. How they navigate pregnancy and their own relationship is ultimately pretty heartwarming, all things considered. This is a feel-good read.

---------------

Penny

I don't really know quite where to place her. The book starts off with her making a stupid mistake, but the rest of the book is her claiming she's not stupid while continuing to make stupid mistakes. But at least then she can blame it on pregnancy brain. Penny is an odd cookie, to say the least. She's got...unique ways of coping with issues. It makes sense when her older brother, Pacey, gets super protective of her. At least she's a woman of conviction. When she wants something, she gets it. Not everyone is emotionally intelligent enough to identify their emotions, coping skills, and talk about it with the people involved. It just so happens that Penny is not emotionally intelligent LOL

Eli

Even though Eli is a whore, he does a really good job of reining it in when Penny gets pregnant. He also commits to taking care of her LITERALLY in a snap. I'll give it to him, he handles Penny's oddities and pregnancy hormones with grace and patience. All of this while Pacey is breathing down his neck and he's navigating his own childhood trauma and the feelings Penny dredges up. Eli is a great example of "just because they're a slut doesn't mean they're a bad person". Okok that and HE'S A SEX GOD. There's something about a hot man who is still obsessed with his baby mama while she's pregnant that screeeams "infatuation" to me.

-------------------

200/10 would recommend

So far in the Vancouver Agitators seres by Quinn, I think this one is the most emotionally intriguing book. Eli and Penny face so many challenges with their family and frends while also dealing with each other. And themselves, honestly. Penny is trying to figure out pregnancy, and Eli is trying to figure out how to accept love having grown up without any love. Full disclosure, they spend a lot of the book denying their sexual attraction to each other which doesn't make any sense to me. But once they give in -- PREGNANCY SEX

🔥🔥Audiobook features one of my faves, Teddy Hamilton! Audiobook, paperback available on Amazon.

[reading-giraffe]

Kiss and Don't Tell: Review

AMAZON (If you shop using this link, I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.)

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Summary

Pacey Lawes (aka hottie hockey player) is just chilling with his boys in Banff when the tornado of a human named Winnie stumbles in on their boys' trip. Winnie has no choice but to stay with the boys because of extreme weather conditions, but it's for the best because she gets to know Pacey. Though, Pacey recognizes her and can't quite place it. They fall in love, have not sex, and decide to pursue a relationship despite a distance of 3hrs. Only THEN do Pacey and Winnie overcome the small fact that Winnie used to date Pacey's half-brother.

--------------

Winnie

Dude, Winnie is all over the damn place!! Obviously it's for good reason having just gone through a huge loss. It's no wonder she attracts people who want to parent or take care of her. She has such an adventurous heart but it seems like she doesn't know where to direct her energy. She's frantic, wild, and clueless. But I love it. We all have an inner Winnie, amirite?

Pacey

Unggggg I'm a slut for daddy Pacey. He's paternalistic without being overbearing. He is so thoughtful and communicative with Winnie. I love how he isn't shy about expressing his emotions and attraction to her as they're getting to know each other. On top of that, he gets along with his boys. Truly nothing hotter than a guy with his dudes. Why didn't he talk about Winnie's ex being his estranged half-brother earlier in their relationship, who f*cking nows?

--------------------

30/10 WOULD RECOMMEND

Ok so clearly I'm a hockey romance gal. The spice in this one?? HOT AF. He's obsessed with her, and she's obsessed with him. She's ALSO not afraid to put a finger in his 🍑 *hyperventilating* but it blows his mind!!!

The groveling, courting, pursuing, and DEVOTION all peaks towards the end of the book and it's like cocaine

But that doesn't mean that the rest of the book is slow, necessarily. Just know that it BUILDS.

Audiobook and paperback available on AMAZON

[reading-giraffe]

Nocticadia: Review

AMAZON

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Lilia Vespertine is a diamond in the rough: beautiful, intelligent, resilient, impoverished, and traumatized from losing her mother to a horrific incident. She finds herself strolling onto Dracadia University's campus on a red carpet that various university staff have laid down for her, seemingly thread-by-thread. While studying at Dracadia, Lilia investigates her mother's death and starts connecting the dots in this book's thoroughly fleshed-out and interconnected plotline. Devryck Bramwell, one of the professors, is dark, mysterious, and is one of the only human beings alive who could help Lilia figure out what happened to her mom. While researching together, Lilia and Devryck get a little ~frisky~ and both of their dark, twisted histories come to light as more twisted together than they ever could have imagined.

--------------

Lilia Vespertine

Having come from a background of poverty and trauma, Lilia is fully aware of where she likely fits into the cogs of the world. She is incredibly resilient and hardworking. After being dealt a sh*tty hand of cards, Lilia has no choice but to take advantage of a crazy opportunity to enroll as a student at one of the nation's top universities. Honestly, she faces questions that so many college girls face -- how do I pay the bills? I was impressed when she took on an on-campus job and research assistantship in addition to a full-time course load. When she decided to try other ~creative~ ways of earning money, my respect for her peaked! Despite committing herself to her sister, mother, studies, work, and research, she somehow had the bandwidth to advocate for her romantic and sexual needs as well. Lilia is the smart, hardworking, loyal, and sexual woman we all strive to be.

Devryck Bramwell

You now, Devryck grew on me. When Keri Lake first introduced him, he seemed like he used his medical condition as an excuse to be an absolute raging prick. Sure, he's privileged with old money, novel research he inhrited from his father, and enough autonomy from the university to do whatever the hell he wants without question. But the moment he started realizing the hardship his most underprivileged student was going through, he went waaaay out of his way to help in the only ways he knew how. Of course, this was only after he scammed her out of her ~other~ way to make money. (I mean really, the least he could have done is pay her for the video 🤷‍♀️) He generally takes a back seat compared to Lilia plot-wise. But Professor Bramwell in the bedroom? HEYOOO he tooootally got off on the professor/student kink even though he kept teasing her about HER liking it. I love a hot, slightly older man who is well-groomed, rich, logical, and "touch her you 💀"-type.

--------------

Would I recommend? 10/10 YES

I wasn't sure what I was getting into with this one -- especially after Haunting Adeline. The plot was way more interesting that I thought it would be, and clearly Keri Lake put a good amount of thought into it. I am impressed with the whole fictional parasitic infection, history of the parasite, how it connects with American colonialism, and modern medicine. I am biased, working in infectious disease. But that should make Lake's work all the more impressive, right?

As far as the 🌶️ goes, SHE'S SPICY. You're not going to get anywhere close to the 🔫 scene in Haunting Adeline, but the spice is just crazy enough without me wondering if I need medication.

Ultimately, I think Nocticadia is a great book as we approach 🕷️👻 spooky season. This was a pretty lengthy read (~700pgs) but plot, spice, character development, and pace was wonderful!

Paperback and hardcover available on AMAZON

If you use my link to purchase the book, I make a tiny commission. Thanks for your support! 🙂

[reading-giraffe]

Heir of Fire: Review

AMAZON

**prefacing this with an apology: I've been super busy lately and haven't had the chance to write a post about books in a while. FEAR NOT - I am still reading like crazy. It'll take a bit for me to remember how I felt about the books and my posts might be a little short for the interim.**

🤌(PG-13 spice + mega sexual tension)

So I guess Celaena is just out here in Wendlyn now? And she's being trained by hottie Rowan who is ~definitely not~ related to her

...coolcoolcool well he's tatted, tan, and broody so sign me the f*ck up. 🥵 Rowan and Celaena/Aelin start getting to know each other, share their dark twisty stories, and establish that they may or may not be mates?? Enter the Valg, skinwalkers, and several creepy crawly beasts. Including Maeve, who seems like a cocky assh*le frankly. It 🔥warmed🔥my heart (ha get it) when Celaena/Aelin stomped Maeve's cocky ass down and freed Rowan from his blood oath. The tension between Aelin and Rowan has me wiggling in my seat as I'm listening to the audiobook y'all. I am ready to explode.

Dorian and Chaol are trying to hold down the fort while the King is still doing evil sh*t and they start becoming friends with Aedion, who is Aelin's cousin. TBH when SJM introduced Aedion, I was confused. He was sooo obsessed with Aelin it almost made me believe he was incestuously in love with her? Turns out, it's not the case. He is, like Dorian, a slut however. No shame in slutting it out, just calling it how it is.

Speaking of Dorian, he randomly decides he has recognized this healer who has been right in front of him for years?

Get it Sorscha girl. Too bad she doesn't even get to 2nd base before the King goes apesh*t and imprisons Dorian, who gets possessed by a Valg prince.

By the end of the book, Aelin has returned to Rifthold to follow up with Chaol, Arobyn, Dorian, and the King. She's a sneaky little bugger, changing her appearance to look like Arobyn and using fake names.

ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE PLANET (seemingly), Manon Blackbeak enters the scene. Manon is mommy af. The iron teeth, iron nails, cutthroat nature of the Ironteeth witch clans is so f*cking badass. They are recruited by the Duke/King to drive the carefully bred wyverns ahead of whatever war is being planned. And some of the witches are forced to breed 🤮 more valg?

Also, enter sad, depressing Elide Lochan who is just...around. Apparently Manon takes an interest in Elide. Is this some girl power bond? Whatever the case, they team up with Caltain to destroy Morath and let the witches+Elide scape this weird prison they ended up in.

-------------------------

Sorscha

LISTENNNNNNNNNN I'm a sucker for a HIPAA-compliant healthcare worker. Sorscha is clearly meant for her line of work. But DAMN is she thirsty for Dorian and such a coward!! The whole time I'm listening to the book, I was shouting in frustration just waiting for her to smoosh her face to any part of him! 2/10 because she does good shit and we're thankful for her, but she's boring, docile, and doesn't stand up for her own needs/wants.

Manon Blackbeak

Mommy? Sorry. Mommy?? Sorry. Hot DAMN Manon is a firecracker. She is the *it* girl of the ironteeth witches. F*cking ruthless, but by the time Caltain explodes her moral compass is starting to shine through her bloodthirsty exterior. Does her affinity for Abraxos not say it all? I mean, c'mon. Abraxos is a poor abused bb who is out for blood, but is addicted to sniffing wildflowers?! Manon is a softie too, on the inside. Deeeeep deep inside, but still there. 500000/10 LOVE. Cannot wait to see if/when she encounters Aelin.

Aedion Ashryver

I don't know why I feel so gross saying this, but 🥵🌶️ I wish Aderlan's whore would show me why he has such a reputation. Actually, I know why it feels gross -- he's a loyal little brother character. But still, Aedion can practice fertilizing me any day. I love his cocky mask he puts on to fly under the radar while maintaining this reputation that keeps him ON the radar at all when it comes to Rifthold's politics. Between that and his reputation as an absolute beast on the battlefield, he's a solid 7/10.

Rowan Whitethorn

🥵🥵🥵

Ex-f*cking-use me??? I'm sorry, my panties have spontaneously evaporated. Hottie, ex-almost-father, dominant, all-knowing, powerful fae male ROWAN *cough*daddy*cough*. He has this wonderful game of push and pull with Celaena/Aelin while they're training that keeps me coming back for more (and her too). Clearly, Rowan and Aelin are meant for each other. And the moment he takes the blood oath for Aelin IN FRONT OF MAEVE!!!! F*ck off. I'm done. Dead. Rowan wins. 10000/10.

----------------------

10/10 would definitely recommend this one. Heir of Fire is where the TOG series plot starts to ramp up, in my opinion. So many more major characters are introduced, their relationships are progressing, and the diversity in SJM's fictional universe continues expanding. There's flirting, killing, threatening, disappointment, pining, brooding, groveling, GAH. I'm sitting on the edge of my seat waiting to see who is going to live/die, develop powers or not!

Kindle, Audiobook, paperback and hardcover available on AMAZON

[reading-giraffe]

Review: Right Man Right Time

Kindle Unlimited, Audible, and paperback via AMAZON

🌶️🌶️🌶️

Ollie Owens is a 21-year old journalism student who accidentally finds herself kissing a random dude at a bar our of desperation. Little does she know, the man is 31-year old Vancouver, BC hockey hotshot Silas Taters 🥔. Having just gone through a doozy of a breakup, Silas is interested in figuring out how to keep his ex away from him. Silas and Ollie make an agreement to be in a fake relationship. A huge feature of their fake relationship is sexual tension that you can cut through with a f*cking butter knife. Finally, they admit that it's not fake and then all hell breaks loose when a miscommunication and misunderstanding happens.

-------

FMC: Ollie is freaking awesome! I love her wittiness, confidence, and open communication. Even when she's not confident, she opens up to Silas and tells him what she needs so she can face her fears. That kind of communication is so important in a relationship. Her wildly honest communication was the first green flag I saw in her. Her commitment to protecting the people she love is amazing. My only issue was, in the end, how she didn't stand up for herself when Silas came crawling back to her. He hurt her feelings so bad, especially while her whole life was crumbling down around her. If it were me and Silas came groveling, I would make him wait for a response and let him stew a bit while I absorb his apology. He literally told her "You're dead to me." Why did she take him back in the blink of an eye after he said such hurtful things to her? I guess the d*ck was really that good.

MMC: Daddy Silas. Such a great guy. He is a perfect, doting boyfriend who has been hurt just enough that you just know he's sensitive. I love watching his confidence grow while he's with Ollie. Was he harsh at the end? Yeah. I think his apology could have been way more impactful.

-------

Okay so first of all, SILAS HAS A JACOB'S LADDER PIERCING. *cue salivation* holy fcking sh*tballs. Also, something that's super hot is Ollie's feelings for him. It's not all that often that we see a FMC who goes out of her way to tell and show the MMC that she cherishes him, telling him that he's "worth it". She has such enthusiasm when they f*ck in that way, which is super hot.

Also, Ollie loves giving head.

Would I recommend this book? HELL YES!! I was fucking bawling by the end. In fact, after I finished the book, I went back and re-read the last few chapters because I loved them so much. While I feel like the ending was rather rushed and Silas could have done more to apologize, I still loved the ending. Actually, I wish there was an epilogue that included a proposal, but I digress.

This was my first Meghan Quinn book, and I can confidently say it will not be the last.

Available on Kindle Unlimited, Audible audiobooks, paperback on AMAZON