#author: k.a. knight

[joysofescapism]

Book Review: Den of Vipers by K.A. Knight

Ryder, Garrett, Kenzo, and Diesel—The Vipers. They run this town and everyone in it. Their deals are as sordid as their business, and their reputation is enough to bring a grown man to his knees, forcing him to beg for mercy. They are not people you mess with, yet my dad did. The old man ran up a debt with them and then sold me to cover his losses. Yes, sold me. They own me now. I’m theirs in every sense of the word. But I’ve never been meek and compliant. These men, they look at me with longing. Their scarred, blood-stained hands holding me tight. They want everything I am, everything I have to give, and won’t stop until they get just that. They can own my body, but they will never have my heart. The Vipers? I’m going to make them regret the day they took me. This girl? She bites too.

Read my full review below the cut.

Trigger Warning: violence, graphic torture, death, gore, graphic mutilation, domestic abuse, kidnapping, self-harm, sexual abuse, blood play, gunplay, knife play, sexual violence.

I will start by saying that this book was one of those hate-to-love kinds. I really cannot believe that I enjoyed it despite the numerous groans and frustrated screams I did.

Was it the smut? Was it the mind-numbing scenes I couldn’t believe I was reading? Because it sure as hell was not the plot nor the characters.

Each time I read dark romance, I always prepare myself for a ton of suspension of disbelief. I would also remind myself what I was getting into. But, oh boy, Den of Vipers still made my eyebrow twitch despite all that.

When I first read it, I loved it. It was the time when I was binge-reading dark and mafia romance so that might be the reason. Since I was already in that headspace, I only got to compare it to the similar tropes I was already reading. But, for the second and third time, I was confused about why I loved it.

Characters

Roxy. The take-no-shit heroine, always angry and swore to fight her kidnappers, but would also jump their bones without hesitation, so there is that.

I did not like her character. She was a typical one in these kinds of books which made me sad. I wanted more strong and angry heroines but, not the one who loses their backbone when a hot guy comes. I do not mind body-betrayal tropes, but that was not executed well in this book.

She was flip-flopping a lot. If she was consistent with what she was saying and (sometimes) thinking then I might like her. But there was none of that.

Ryder. The boss man. The one who needs to always be cold and in control. His character isn’t complex, just a typical alphahole trope.

Maybe I would have liked him if he kept to his role and not said cringey things that would pull me out of my immersion.

Kenzo. The pretty boy. The least crazy among the men. I was actually quite intrigued by him, he was what I hoped was one of the complex characters.

He was the resident charmer with a few hints of insanity which he showed by… switching his facial expressions quickly. I really had too high of expectations from him.

Garrett. The big guy. He was the enforcer and the one who could crush your skull with his bare hands. He was also the hero who hated the heroine (at first, of course).

Man, I also have a lot of expectations from Garrett. If only he did not constantly call Roxy “baby” even during his breakdowns. It did not make me swoon, nope. It was out of place.

Diesel. The crazy guy. No, really, he’s absolutely sick in the head. When I read about his character I actually exclaimed “Yes! Thank f*ck!” I loved him. He was the perfect character to open the story for me.

Alright, disclaimer, just because I love me some crazy man it does not mean I want one in real life. This is fiction. Let’s be mature with critical thinking skills here. Okay? Okay.

Anyway, he was the most complex character among the four and the bar is low. He enjoyed torturing and killing people. But, he would also be holding and caring for Roxy when it was just the two of them. On the other end of that, each time they come together (heh, you got what I mean? No? Okay…) he would also sexually torture her with literal physical torture. Going at it while there was still a fresh dead body beside you was nothing new for me. I was already desensitized by it. I was shocked to see myself reading through all that.

He was all over the place and I loved it. That made me feel icky for liking a character like him. He made me question my morals, goddamn.

When Roxy said something about riding the crazy train I completely agreed.

Nevertheless, these men did not feel like authoritative figures at all. Sure, they would always say that “they run this city” but how they talk does not show that. They felt immature like those bully high school romances with gangs in them. They do not feel like mob bosses. Perhaps it’s because their power was more told to us than shown.

It was my fault for having too high of expectations since I always incorporate powerful people with silence. Which, are not these guys. They talk a lot.

One thing I like most about first-person POVs is that I can see the character’s thought process. However, the characters (especially the men) here might be distinct from each other and each had their own voice but, the supposed maturity they should have did not shine through. Again, I felt like I was reading a bully romance with edgy teenagers more than anything.

Plot

There really is not much to talk about the plot. I don’t think the people who enjoyed this book will talk about the plot at all.

I was intrigued yes. And the smut was one of those “is it legal to like this one?” kind of smut.

It was not amazingly written but the shock value upped the ante, both the smut and the plot points. It pushed my limits and it made me take a peek at my dark side.

Ending

Again, nothing to really talk about. It was the best ending the book could offer. I’m sorry. I really do not have anything to say about the whole plot of this book. It was nothing special.

Rating

When I first read Den of Vipers, I gave it 5 stars. But for the second and third time, I finally saw what I was blinded to see initially and gave it a 3-star.

The only category in my CAWPILE system that had a high score was Intrigue and Enjoyment. Which I gave enjoyment a 10. Everything else was either a meh or a fail.

Despite that, I need to give credit where credit is due. This book stayed in my head for so long. Each time I read a mafia romance after, I would compare it to this. Each time I would encounter obsessive, insane, completely unhinged alphaholes, I would compare it to this. Its craziness stuck in my head, and I consider that impressive since I read a lot. If a book does that to me, then, they did a good job.

Final Thoughts

Do I want a sequel for this series? Hard pass.

Do I recommend this to others? Two words for you. Gore and Porn. If you’re into that, then go for it.

Was this a heavy read? It is heavy on the dark side. Please read with caution and heed the trigger warnings.

Will I read this again? Nope. Not again.

GoodReads | Storygraph | Instagram

[the-calling-of-tales3]

Hello everyone, Welcome to The Calling of Tales, my name is Tayla, and I am currently 29 years old from Trenton, Ontario Canada. This is my first article and in this I am going to be doing the newbie tag question. With that let’s get started…

• Why did I start this blog?

Honestly, I don’t have friends who are interested in books and reading; they don’t even go shopping with me. So I feel alone in my reading journey and want people I can share these exciting books and world’s with, so I created an bookstagram account which has been amazing; but I want to do something more. So I’ve decided to try booktube and blogging.

2. What are some Fun and Unique things you can bring to blogging?

I’m not quite sure what I will bring yet, but I hope to bring my own opinion, and truth to these book from my perspective. I just want to connect with other bookish people.

3. What are you excited about for this new blog?

I’m excited just to start, and talk to all of you. To share my books and read and opinions the best I can. Once I find my footing in this area, then eventually I’d like to do give aways and maybe buddy reads. I know that I might be getting ahead of myself but, we will see how things go.

4. Why do you love reading?

So I want to be an open and honest person on here, and I think a majority or readers read to escape. When I was young I went through a lot of bullying and other stuff and I Hatttted reading to be honest. But I eventually found a book Frostbitten by Kelley Armstrong, at the time I didn’t realize it was a series, and it’s fourth in the specific bitten series. But when I read it, it was like a movie playing in my head, I could see all the words as beautiful images, and I was safe and free in my mind. That was comforting to me. So I continued to escape things that bothered me through reading.

5. What book or series got me into reading?

I just answered that, Frostbitten by Kelley Armstrong.

6. What questions would you ask your favorite booktubers/bloggers?

Oo this is interesting….let see.

What are you favorite reads?

What do you wish you knew before you started your channel/blog?

Where do you all get your comfy chairs lol and how do you make your bookshelves so pretty 😍

7. What challenges do you think starting a blog will be the hardest to overcome?

I think the hardest thing for me, will be able to communicate my thoughts and feelings about my reads clearly. I’ve never been in front of a camera, talking to well you guys. And I’m quite socially awkward so I think overcoming my fear of communication will be difficult.

8. When did you start reading?

I started at at early age, and of course through public school, hated that because it was always school choice reads which I never read… if someone tells me to read something nope not gonna happen. So it wasn’t truly till highschool that I got into reading and enjoying it.

9. Where did you read?

When I was younger, always somewhere quiet like my room. Now I can pretty much read anywhere except a moving vehicle….

10. What kind of books do you like to read?

I read mostly fiction books. Rarely rarely non-fiction. I just prefer to escape into something that isn’t real rather than reading about real like things. I read a bunch of different genres though, mostly YA books, but some Adult and New Adult reads as well. Fantasy, Romance, Mystery, Horror, Thriller, Sci-fi, a mix of in between.

11. What does my book collection look like?

Chaotic; that’s the only word I can use right now. Book wise I think really good. I have a bunch of Kelley Armstrong, she’s my author; I’m trying to get all of her books. I have Sarah J. Maas, Bridgid Kemmerer, cassandra Clare, Colleen Hoover, James Dashner, J.k Rowling, K.A Knight, TJ Klune, Tracy Wolff and a bunch more. Look wise my bookshelves are a mess, recently my room has moved to the basement, and being renovated. So I haven’t set up my bookshelves for my new room. So my books are upstairs and just on random old bookshelves just in random spots. When I get my new ones set up I still don’t know how I’m going to put my books up, or decorate, so let me know below how you do your bookshelves. I might need some inspiration.

[joyffree]

𝑅𝐸𝑆𝐼𝑆𝑇 (Legends and Love) by New York Times and USA Today bestselling author K.A. Knight is now LIVE!

Sanctuary is more than a band—it’s a home for the lost and broken.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭: 💗 Friends to Lovers 💗 Grumpy x Sunshine 💗 Bandmates 💗 Touch Him and 🔪 💗 Forbidden Love 💗 Found Family

[cocktailsfairytales]

💗 𝐂𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑 𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐀𝐋 💗

𝑬𝑿𝑷𝑳𝑶𝑹𝑬𝑹’𝑺 𝑹𝑬𝑽𝑬𝑵𝑮𝑬 by New York Times and USA Today bestselling author K.A Knight releases on July 31st.

Check out this stunning cover!

𝓟𝒓𝒆𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒆𝒓 + add it your 𝑨𝒎𝒂𝒛𝒐𝒏 𝑾𝒊𝒔𝒉 𝑳𝒊𝒔𝒕: https://geni.us/explorersrevenge

𝙄𝙣𝙛𝙡𝙪𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙧 𝙎𝙞𝙜𝙣 𝙐𝙥: https://forms.gle/wu9yxv56wx77ySe89

Blurb:

The first time I met Venture’s latest team, I was a nobody, but it only took one crazy stunt to change my life and turn my idols into enemies…

Five years later, I’m at the top of my game, competing with the best of the best. My stunts are bigger and better, so much so that even Venture’s golden boys have begun to take notice.

When we are all offered the same contract to find a legendary island, we must vie to be the first to the finish line. The jungle, however, can’t be controlled or predicated, and when things go wrong, all you have is yourself and those around you.

When Mother Nature decides it’s time to reclaim her land, you either get out of her way or sink into the torrent, never to be seen again.

Here we go, right into the storm.

Cover Designer: LLewellen Designs

Add to 𝑮𝒐𝒐𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒔: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/235479228-explorer-s-revenge

Find other books by K.A. Knight here: https://www.katieknightauthor.com

[cleverhottubmiracle]

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, SheKnows may receive an affiliate commission. Yes, you read that right, folks! ICYMI: Reese Witherspoon’s Book Club also has young adult book picks for all the young adults (and young at heart!) in your life. Though the multi-hyphenate doesn’t pick books for teens on a monthly basis like she does for adult readers, it seems the YA books are getting some quarterly love again. The Legally Blonde star has enlisted her beloved nieces, Abby and Draper Witherspoon, to help choose technically YA books that are great reads for adults too. (Umm … do we have the makings of a family book club on our hands?!) “I am so excited to team up with my nieces and share YA picks!” Witherspoon said in a video with her nieces in May 2024. In the clip, the trio played the “I’m passing the phone to someone” trend. Witherspoon started and shared the phone with someone who “just graduated from high school and she’s gonna read a lot of books this summer.” (Read: Abby!) The teen then passed the phone to someone “who loves a good book that will keep them on the edge of their seat.” As the lookalike Witherspoon women kept passing the phone around, with sweet and silly prompts, followers were seeing triple and getting as emotional as they were excited for the [re]launch. “To us at #ReesesBookClub, YA is a feeling. It’s a warm summer day reading in the sun, lots of nostalgia, and gushing together over the characters,” the caption said, before announcing the first book they picked together: Twelfth Knight. And yes, it was a knockout. Though it pains us to narrow the list down, keep scrolling for our favorite YA picks from this celebrity book club. Twelfth Knight by Alexene Farol Follmuth Image Credit: Tor Teen That said, how could we not include the summer 2024 YA pick, Twelfth Knight? The ultra-creative rom-com is a retelling of Shakespeare’s play by the same name. One parent called the coming-of-age story about girls who love gaming their “new favorite book of all time.” “Wonderful character growth without being didactic; diverse povs; and helps give the reader context and vocabulary for many aspects of patriarchy, feminism, microaggression, and sexuality without necessarily realizing it or knowing you wanted/needed it,” they wrote on Amazon. “I can’t wait to put this book in the hands of my kid when he’s a teenager.” Twelfth Night $14 $19.99 30% Off on Amazon.com Looking for Smoke by K.A. Cobell Image Credit: Heartdrum The fall 2024 pick had the Witherspoon women “hooked from line one.” Looking for Smoke is a thrilling and poignant novel about four members of the Blackfeet reservation. After one of their peers is murdered, the teens become people of interest in this “high-stakes whodunit” that’s as much about life on the reservation as it is about justice. Readers were grateful to be introduced to Native American culture, and author K.A. Cobell said she hopes the characters make readers “feel something.” “Like countless Natives today, they want change,” she told the book club. “They want outrage. They want their voices heard. I hope they stick with you long after the book ends.” Looking for Smoke $10 $19.99 50% Off on Amazon.com You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson Image Credit: PUSH You Should See Me in a Crown has raked in the accolades. Not only is it one of Witherspoon’s YA picks, but it is a Stonewall Honor Book, and it made Time Magazine’s list of the 100 best YA books of all time. Of all time! The novel follows the story of Liz Lighty who believes she’s too Black, too poor, and too awkward for her Indiana town. And so she formulates a plan to attend a prestigious college. All she needs is the money to get there. When her financial aid package falls through, she turns to the scholarship her school awards to the Prom King and Queen. Despite hating social media and the spotlight, she’s willing to work for the crown (and her future). But what happens when she falls for one of her fellow Prom Queen nominees? Readers loved this book that has “tons of Black girl magic.” “I couldn’t stop thinking that Black kids are so so lucky to be growing up in an era where YA books are starting to show more and more stories with us in the forefront,” one Amazon shopper said. “It went right on my favorites shelf.” You Should See Me in a Crown $8 $10.99 27% Off on Amazon.com Furia by Yamile Saied Méndez Image Credit: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers When Witherspoon chose Furia for her YA book club in 2020, she said the “fabulous” novel would “set your dreams on fire.” The book follows the [double] life of Camila Hassan. In her Argentinian home, she is a doting daughter living in the shadow of her brother’s soccer prowess. But when she takes to the field, Camila becomes “La Furia,” a powerhouse player who leads her team to the South American tournament. As she reaches for an athletic scholarship at a North American university and navigates a possible romance, Camila must decide what is most important to her — and how she will make it happen. “You know that feeling when you haven’t even finished a book and you already know you want to own it in every format available? That is what I felt as I was reading Furia. I couldn’t put this book down and I read it in just one sitting because it was so good!” one Amazon shopper said of the “must-read.” Furia $8 $11.99 33% Off on Amazon.com The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee Image Credit: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers Dearest Gentle Reader, If you are a fan of Bridgerton, you are going to be instantly hooked by The Downstairs Girl. Jo Kuan also lives a double life. During the day, the 17-year-old is a lady’s maid for the daughter of a wealthy man in Atlanta, but at night, she is the pseudonymous author of an advice column, Dear Miss Sweetie. Her column quickly becomes a hit — until the teen decides to challenge society’s ideas about race and gender. Much like the people of the ton try to uncover the identity of Lady Whistledown, people rush to identify “Miss Sweetie.” Readers loved seeing things from such a unique perspective. “Have you ever read anything about Chinese-Americans living in the Reconstructionist South? Thought not,” one Amazon shoper said. “This book provides such a necessary historical lens into highly underrepresented people and untold stories … The writing’s mesmerizing. I wished this book could never end … ” The Downstairs Girl $7 $12.99 46% Off on Amazon.com Fable by Adrienne Young Image Credit: Wednesday Books Fable is a dark and captivating tale of a 17-year-old girl who is left to her own devices and has to survive an infamously dangerous island filled with thieves and scarce resources. The “incredible tale” received more than 7 thousand rave reviews on Amazon and is the first book in a thrilling 2-part series. “Holy moly. What an adventure this story weaves. Every time Fable gets her footing, it seems to be cut out from under her. And yet, she perseveres,” one reader wrote. “Adrienne Young has a lyrical writing style that takes the reader on a fantastical journey. Every book I’ve read of hers, I finish with a great sigh and am reminded how much I love her work.” Fable $11 $18.99 42% Off on Amazon.com Source link

[norajworld]

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, SheKnows may receive an affiliate commission. Yes, you read that right, folks! ICYMI: Reese Witherspoon’s Book Club also has young adult book picks for all the young adults (and young at heart!) in your life. Though the multi-hyphenate doesn’t pick books for teens on a monthly basis like she does for adult readers, it seems the YA books are getting some quarterly love again. The Legally Blonde star has enlisted her beloved nieces, Abby and Draper Witherspoon, to help choose technically YA books that are great reads for adults too. (Umm … do we have the makings of a family book club on our hands?!) “I am so excited to team up with my nieces and share YA picks!” Witherspoon said in a video with her nieces in May 2024. In the clip, the trio played the “I’m passing the phone to someone” trend. Witherspoon started and shared the phone with someone who “just graduated from high school and she’s gonna read a lot of books this summer.” (Read: Abby!) The teen then passed the phone to someone “who loves a good book that will keep them on the edge of their seat.” As the lookalike Witherspoon women kept passing the phone around, with sweet and silly prompts, followers were seeing triple and getting as emotional as they were excited for the [re]launch. “To us at #ReesesBookClub, YA is a feeling. It’s a warm summer day reading in the sun, lots of nostalgia, and gushing together over the characters,” the caption said, before announcing the first book they picked together: Twelfth Knight. And yes, it was a knockout. Though it pains us to narrow the list down, keep scrolling for our favorite YA picks from this celebrity book club. Twelfth Knight by Alexene Farol Follmuth Image Credit: Tor Teen That said, how could we not include the summer 2024 YA pick, Twelfth Knight? The ultra-creative rom-com is a retelling of Shakespeare’s play by the same name. One parent called the coming-of-age story about girls who love gaming their “new favorite book of all time.” “Wonderful character growth without being didactic; diverse povs; and helps give the reader context and vocabulary for many aspects of patriarchy, feminism, microaggression, and sexuality without necessarily realizing it or knowing you wanted/needed it,” they wrote on Amazon. “I can’t wait to put this book in the hands of my kid when he’s a teenager.” Twelfth Night $14 $19.99 30% Off on Amazon.com Looking for Smoke by K.A. Cobell Image Credit: Heartdrum The fall 2024 pick had the Witherspoon women “hooked from line one.” Looking for Smoke is a thrilling and poignant novel about four members of the Blackfeet reservation. After one of their peers is murdered, the teens become people of interest in this “high-stakes whodunit” that’s as much about life on the reservation as it is about justice. Readers were grateful to be introduced to Native American culture, and author K.A. Cobell said she hopes the characters make readers “feel something.” “Like countless Natives today, they want change,” she told the book club. “They want outrage. They want their voices heard. I hope they stick with you long after the book ends.” Looking for Smoke $10 $19.99 50% Off on Amazon.com You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson Image Credit: PUSH You Should See Me in a Crown has raked in the accolades. Not only is it one of Witherspoon’s YA picks, but it is a Stonewall Honor Book, and it made Time Magazine’s list of the 100 best YA books of all time. Of all time! The novel follows the story of Liz Lighty who believes she’s too Black, too poor, and too awkward for her Indiana town. And so she formulates a plan to attend a prestigious college. All she needs is the money to get there. When her financial aid package falls through, she turns to the scholarship her school awards to the Prom King and Queen. Despite hating social media and the spotlight, she’s willing to work for the crown (and her future). But what happens when she falls for one of her fellow Prom Queen nominees? Readers loved this book that has “tons of Black girl magic.” “I couldn’t stop thinking that Black kids are so so lucky to be growing up in an era where YA books are starting to show more and more stories with us in the forefront,” one Amazon shopper said. “It went right on my favorites shelf.” You Should See Me in a Crown $8 $10.99 27% Off on Amazon.com Furia by Yamile Saied Méndez Image Credit: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers When Witherspoon chose Furia for her YA book club in 2020, she said the “fabulous” novel would “set your dreams on fire.” The book follows the [double] life of Camila Hassan. In her Argentinian home, she is a doting daughter living in the shadow of her brother’s soccer prowess. But when she takes to the field, Camila becomes “La Furia,” a powerhouse player who leads her team to the South American tournament. As she reaches for an athletic scholarship at a North American university and navigates a possible romance, Camila must decide what is most important to her — and how she will make it happen. “You know that feeling when you haven’t even finished a book and you already know you want to own it in every format available? That is what I felt as I was reading Furia. I couldn’t put this book down and I read it in just one sitting because it was so good!” one Amazon shopper said of the “must-read.” Furia $8 $11.99 33% Off on Amazon.com The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee Image Credit: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers Dearest Gentle Reader, If you are a fan of Bridgerton, you are going to be instantly hooked by The Downstairs Girl. Jo Kuan also lives a double life. During the day, the 17-year-old is a lady’s maid for the daughter of a wealthy man in Atlanta, but at night, she is the pseudonymous author of an advice column, Dear Miss Sweetie. Her column quickly becomes a hit — until the teen decides to challenge society’s ideas about race and gender. Much like the people of the ton try to uncover the identity of Lady Whistledown, people rush to identify “Miss Sweetie.” Readers loved seeing things from such a unique perspective. “Have you ever read anything about Chinese-Americans living in the Reconstructionist South? Thought not,” one Amazon shoper said. “This book provides such a necessary historical lens into highly underrepresented people and untold stories … The writing’s mesmerizing. I wished this book could never end … ” The Downstairs Girl $7 $12.99 46% Off on Amazon.com Fable by Adrienne Young Image Credit: Wednesday Books Fable is a dark and captivating tale of a 17-year-old girl who is left to her own devices and has to survive an infamously dangerous island filled with thieves and scarce resources. The “incredible tale” received more than 7 thousand rave reviews on Amazon and is the first book in a thrilling 2-part series. “Holy moly. What an adventure this story weaves. Every time Fable gets her footing, it seems to be cut out from under her. And yet, she perseveres,” one reader wrote. “Adrienne Young has a lyrical writing style that takes the reader on a fantastical journey. Every book I’ve read of hers, I finish with a great sigh and am reminded how much I love her work.” Fable $11 $18.99 42% Off on Amazon.com Source link

[chilimili212]

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, SheKnows may receive an affiliate commission. Yes, you read that right, folks! ICYMI: Reese Witherspoon’s Book Club also has young adult book picks for all the young adults (and young at heart!) in your life. Though the multi-hyphenate doesn’t pick books for teens on a monthly basis like she does for adult readers, it seems the YA books are getting some quarterly love again. The Legally Blonde star has enlisted her beloved nieces, Abby and Draper Witherspoon, to help choose technically YA books that are great reads for adults too. (Umm … do we have the makings of a family book club on our hands?!) “I am so excited to team up with my nieces and share YA picks!” Witherspoon said in a video with her nieces in May 2024. In the clip, the trio played the “I’m passing the phone to someone” trend. Witherspoon started and shared the phone with someone who “just graduated from high school and she’s gonna read a lot of books this summer.” (Read: Abby!) The teen then passed the phone to someone “who loves a good book that will keep them on the edge of their seat.” As the lookalike Witherspoon women kept passing the phone around, with sweet and silly prompts, followers were seeing triple and getting as emotional as they were excited for the [re]launch. “To us at #ReesesBookClub, YA is a feeling. It’s a warm summer day reading in the sun, lots of nostalgia, and gushing together over the characters,” the caption said, before announcing the first book they picked together: Twelfth Knight. And yes, it was a knockout. Though it pains us to narrow the list down, keep scrolling for our favorite YA picks from this celebrity book club. Twelfth Knight by Alexene Farol Follmuth Image Credit: Tor Teen That said, how could we not include the summer 2024 YA pick, Twelfth Knight? The ultra-creative rom-com is a retelling of Shakespeare’s play by the same name. One parent called the coming-of-age story about girls who love gaming their “new favorite book of all time.” “Wonderful character growth without being didactic; diverse povs; and helps give the reader context and vocabulary for many aspects of patriarchy, feminism, microaggression, and sexuality without necessarily realizing it or knowing you wanted/needed it,” they wrote on Amazon. “I can’t wait to put this book in the hands of my kid when he’s a teenager.” Twelfth Night $14 $19.99 30% Off on Amazon.com Looking for Smoke by K.A. Cobell Image Credit: Heartdrum The fall 2024 pick had the Witherspoon women “hooked from line one.” Looking for Smoke is a thrilling and poignant novel about four members of the Blackfeet reservation. After one of their peers is murdered, the teens become people of interest in this “high-stakes whodunit” that’s as much about life on the reservation as it is about justice. Readers were grateful to be introduced to Native American culture, and author K.A. Cobell said she hopes the characters make readers “feel something.” “Like countless Natives today, they want change,” she told the book club. “They want outrage. They want their voices heard. I hope they stick with you long after the book ends.” Looking for Smoke $10 $19.99 50% Off on Amazon.com You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson Image Credit: PUSH You Should See Me in a Crown has raked in the accolades. Not only is it one of Witherspoon’s YA picks, but it is a Stonewall Honor Book, and it made Time Magazine’s list of the 100 best YA books of all time. Of all time! The novel follows the story of Liz Lighty who believes she’s too Black, too poor, and too awkward for her Indiana town. And so she formulates a plan to attend a prestigious college. All she needs is the money to get there. When her financial aid package falls through, she turns to the scholarship her school awards to the Prom King and Queen. Despite hating social media and the spotlight, she’s willing to work for the crown (and her future). But what happens when she falls for one of her fellow Prom Queen nominees? Readers loved this book that has “tons of Black girl magic.” “I couldn’t stop thinking that Black kids are so so lucky to be growing up in an era where YA books are starting to show more and more stories with us in the forefront,” one Amazon shopper said. “It went right on my favorites shelf.” You Should See Me in a Crown $8 $10.99 27% Off on Amazon.com Furia by Yamile Saied Méndez Image Credit: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers When Witherspoon chose Furia for her YA book club in 2020, she said the “fabulous” novel would “set your dreams on fire.” The book follows the [double] life of Camila Hassan. In her Argentinian home, she is a doting daughter living in the shadow of her brother’s soccer prowess. But when she takes to the field, Camila becomes “La Furia,” a powerhouse player who leads her team to the South American tournament. As she reaches for an athletic scholarship at a North American university and navigates a possible romance, Camila must decide what is most important to her — and how she will make it happen. “You know that feeling when you haven’t even finished a book and you already know you want to own it in every format available? That is what I felt as I was reading Furia. I couldn’t put this book down and I read it in just one sitting because it was so good!” one Amazon shopper said of the “must-read.” Furia $8 $11.99 33% Off on Amazon.com The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee Image Credit: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers Dearest Gentle Reader, If you are a fan of Bridgerton, you are going to be instantly hooked by The Downstairs Girl. Jo Kuan also lives a double life. During the day, the 17-year-old is a lady’s maid for the daughter of a wealthy man in Atlanta, but at night, she is the pseudonymous author of an advice column, Dear Miss Sweetie. Her column quickly becomes a hit — until the teen decides to challenge society’s ideas about race and gender. Much like the people of the ton try to uncover the identity of Lady Whistledown, people rush to identify “Miss Sweetie.” Readers loved seeing things from such a unique perspective. “Have you ever read anything about Chinese-Americans living in the Reconstructionist South? Thought not,” one Amazon shoper said. “This book provides such a necessary historical lens into highly underrepresented people and untold stories … The writing’s mesmerizing. I wished this book could never end … ” The Downstairs Girl $7 $12.99 46% Off on Amazon.com Fable by Adrienne Young Image Credit: Wednesday Books Fable is a dark and captivating tale of a 17-year-old girl who is left to her own devices and has to survive an infamously dangerous island filled with thieves and scarce resources. The “incredible tale” received more than 7 thousand rave reviews on Amazon and is the first book in a thrilling 2-part series. “Holy moly. What an adventure this story weaves. Every time Fable gets her footing, it seems to be cut out from under her. And yet, she perseveres,” one reader wrote. “Adrienne Young has a lyrical writing style that takes the reader on a fantastical journey. Every book I’ve read of hers, I finish with a great sigh and am reminded how much I love her work.” Fable $11 $18.99 42% Off on Amazon.com Source link

[bookmoodboardcreator]

“Hurt you,” I finish. “Okay, so we take this one step at a time. I’m not asking for marriage.” I grin, and he laughs. “Just a truce, if we can manage it. I’ll stop pushing you for a reaction, and you can stop trying to choke or kill me…okay, maybe the kill me part. Feel free to choke me any time, it’s pretty hot actually.”-Roxy

"Freedom, family, work, none of it matters. Only them.The Vipers.My Vipers.I’m their girl.And I just ruined that. I refuse to be like Ryder and Kenzo’s parents. I refuse to be the bitch who ruined Garrett. I refuse to be the mother who never loved Diesel. I refuse to repeat the past."-Roxy

"With them next to me, I turn and take in their eyes. “You keep saying you don’t want to be like your father.” I look to Kenzo and Ryder. “Your mother.” I look to Diesel. “Your anger and hate.” I look at Garrett then. “But the question isn’t who you don’t want to be, but who you do want to be. I think you’ve finally decided,” I whisper, tears in my eyes. “And so have I. I want to be yours.”-Roxy

"I am imperfectly perfect. I am a lover and a fighter. I am strong and weak. I can be cruel and a killer, but also kind and a healer. I am all of those things, and loving my weaknesses means I can embrace my strengths and be just whom I want to be."-Roxy

"Slick black hair is pushed back, styled flawlessly, long on top and short on the sides..But his eyes? They are black, cold, and calculating. ... His cheekbones are high and sharp, his jaw chiselled with stubble covering it, only framing his lush, plump lips. He’s tall, around six foot three, and his suit hugs his thick thighs and arms in the most tempting way. He’s just too perfect to look at, like a model."

“It isn’t about the money, it’s about keeping my family safe. Giving Diesel a place where he can be himself, and providing Garrett with a home to retreat to and be protected,” I murmur.“And Kenzo?” she prompts.“He needs a family, people to care for and love.” I shrug.“And you?” she presses with a smile.“Me?” I repeat.“Yes, Ry, you. What do you need?” she inquires.I hesitate, and she smiles wider. “I don’t think you have ever thought about that, have you? Too busy being the best, and giving them everything they ever wanted and needed, that you never thought about what you wanted.”“I want them, my brothers. I want their happiness and safety.” I shrug."-Ryder & Roxy

"I’ve done some evil shit in my life. I’ve stepped on people. I’ve killed them. I’ve destroyed their lives and families and businesses without a blink. My hands are covered in more blood than she could ever imagine. All for them. My family."-Ryder

“No, we took it after my father died. We never wanted his name nor to have any of our success resting on his surname. We took Viper, because when you back a snake into a corner, they are more dangerous than anything. We had all been backed into those corners. By family. By grief. By money. We were all vipers…and now you are too.”-Ryder

"This guy’s facial structure is similar to the first one, but no stubble. He’s clean shaven with a slightly squarer jaw. His hair is longer on top and shaved on the sides, shoved back carelessly. He’s taller than the first and more stacked, not as put together, but hot as hell."

"He hums. “I saw in your eyes, like I said, the same ghosts we carry. Honestly, we needed someone to come here and shake us up. We were just functioning, barely a family anymore. The business and money were taking its toll, and we were all becoming cold—Ryder too serious, Diesel too wild, Garrett too angry and withdrawn…”“And you?”...“Too wandering. I kept going further and further, but you bring me home, Roxy. You bring us all back and remind us why we started this. Love and family,” he whispers."-Roxy & Kenzo

“She wasn’t a bad woman, she loved us deeply. I think Ryder forgets that sometimes. He did pay for this, though, to look after her in death. I come here a lot to speak to her, to feel close to her. To never forget where we come from and the strength of love and bonds,” I whisper into the dark...“She would have loved you, you know?” I grin. I used to find sadness here, but not now. I find it peaceful, my escape. I miss her, I always will, but she wasn’t made for this world. Too soft, too loving, too caring. My father destroyed it all. I will never let Ryder become that. He protects us, and I keep him humble…well, I try."-Kenzo

“Strategy,” he murmurs, looking back at me. “It’s all about strategy and reading people, darling, just like I read you that first day and every day since.”...... When I look back, though, he’s staring at me. “You’re the best bet I ever won, darling,” he murmurs, his fingers tracing my shoulder. “And this is now your empire too.”-Roxy & Kenzo

"His long blond hair is pushed behind pierced ears. Tattoos peek out of the top of his white shirt, which is partially tucked into ripped, faded jeans and black boots. His arms are huge and dotted with tattoos here and there, his skin golden and glistening, but he seems like the type to be covered in grease and dirt. His eyes are a bright blue and locked on me, but there’s something not quite right about them."

"Do you know what monsters fear, Little Bird?”“What?” she whispers shakily.“The bigger monster,” I whisper, licking her lips. “They fear me.” -Diesel & Roxy

“Your surrender,” I growl. “I know there is a wild one inside you, like me, just waiting to be set free. I noticed it in your eyes the first time I saw you. You will do anything to survive, like us. You’re more like us than you can imagine. You see the darkness, and you walk that line, one foot in and one foot out. Put both feet in, Little Bird, this is your world now. Filled with bloodshed and snakes. You want something, then take it. Do whatever the fuck you want, Little Bird, because the rest of the world does.”-Diesel

“Because you really don’t hate us, and you’re looking for reasons not to. There’s one. Yes, I’m a monster, Little Bird. I love people’s pain, I love my job, I enjoy killing people and making them suffer. I love protecting my family, and I do it all for them…and now you.”-Diesel

“Me? You barely know me,” she murmurs.“I know enough. You are one of us now. I will protect you like them, you entered a den of vipers, Little Bird. You choose whether to remain as our prey or shed and become a predator. Choose wisely. Not everyone is invited inside, in fact, no one is. Live or die."-Diesel

"The last one doesn’t speak, just stares at me from dark eyes. I spot his long eyelashes from here, the type girls would be envious of, but that’s the only girly thing about him. He’s massive, his arms are thicker than my whole body, and his white shirt clings to his bulging biceps and veiny forearms, indenting at his pecs and chiselled abs.His jeans are tight, like he can’t find the right size, and his hair is brown with blond streaks, styled casually to the side. Every single inch of him is covered in tattoos, and a black lip ring glistens in the light."

"I grin. “From you?”“It’s an essential, I still hate you,” he snaps, making me laugh.“Don’t worry, I hate you too.” I nod, and he smirks at me for a moment.“Open it,” he demands.I do as I’m told, and a huge grin covers my face. It’s a gun, better than my old shitty one. No, this one is fancy, and carved into the slide are the words “Vipers’ girl.” “There is no ammo in it at the moment.” He coughs.“Didn’t want me to kill you?” I grin. “Accidentally, of course!” I flutter my lashes at him, and he barks out a laugh."-Roxy & Garrett

"Roxy is so alive, so full of laughter, and if I ever tried to give her money, she would throw it in my face. Her hate, her anger matches mine, her scars mirroring my own. She is my world now, and it only shows me how desperate for love I was to not only fuck this woman, but propose."-Garrett

"She worked her way under my armour, under my ruined skin to the fighter, the warped killer beneath, and she loved him and made him love her. She is my reason to breathe now, to fight my demons every goddamn day."-Garrett

Book Rating:⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 1/2

[juleworm]

hello!! given that it is the first weekend in june, i'd like to go through everything that i read in the month of may and say if i would or would not recommend it and why. lets go !!

in chronological order of reading:

king of pride - ana huang: YES absolutely! god i loved this book. more specifically, yes i would recommend it if you like opposites attract in romance and dating, or if you like income gap relationships ( he's a billionaire, she's a struggling author ), and yes if you like incredibly hot and well written spicy scenes between characters. i honestly can't even think of a no unless you literally just hate spicy romance as a genre; even then i still think this book deserves a chance for your time. i absolutely adore this book.

2. den of vipers - k.a. knight: yes if you miss reading self-insert on wattpad and like pick me fmcs. the vipers themselves do have a lot of good character behind them, but as far as the fmc...i just really didn't like her. i did finish the entire book hoping that it would get better towards the end, but in my opinion the ending was one of the worse parts of the book and throughout it all it felt very predictable. would i generally recommend this? no. but it's definitely a hit or miss book. you'll either really like it, or not like it at all.

3. does it hurt? - h.d. carlton: yes yes yes yes yes. this was my favorite read of the month of may. i'd recommend it even more if you like witty and funny fmcs; it's sort of a dark romance version of grumpy x sunshine. it has a lot of spice and it's very creative if that makes sense? it's not just boring vanilla missionary, that's for sure. the mmcs character is phenomenal and both of them each have very full character arcs. but i wouldn't recommend it if mentions of incest and domestic abuse trigger you, or if body horror and gore triggers you.

4. never lie - freida mcfadden: yes if you're new to thrillers and want something easy to digest. definitely not if you're not new to thrillers and have read some absolutely breathtaking ones that kept you up at night. to me it had a rather predictable storyline, a twist that falls flat, and characters with absolutely zero depth or anywhere near a completed arc. i really did not like this book at all. also yes if you like a quick read; this didn't take me very long to get through.

5 + 6. there are no saints / there is no devil [ sinner's duet ] - sophie lark: yes if you like a "beginner" dark romance that doesn't stray too far into depravity, but still has a very dominant and demanding mmc. no if you've read things by h.d. carlton or other dark romance authors and that's your expectation level. this might come off as boring to you. however as this was a bit tame for me storyline wise, the spicy scenes were amazing and i did like that they were both artists. i feel like usually billionaires are business-oriented but it was cool to see a wealthy and famous artist. also yes if you like mentor romance dynamics.

7. iced out - veronica eden: yes if you like boys who are very clearly written by women ( in a good way! ). the mmc is perfectly balanced; he's as hot and dominant as he is cute and sweet and nice and thoughtful. he's pretty much the picturesque model citizen for what a girl typically would want in a perfectly healthy romantic relationship. there's very little drama between characters, which i personally liked. but no if parental death or familial death or grief/loss are triggers for you. for a more in-depth response, i did a spoiler free book review here!

if you do read any of these let me know! i'd love to see how our opinions differ :))

[ireadingbooks]

Books I Read in September

People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry - I tried not to get too excited going into this book, as hyped up books always seem to disappoint me. But this one absolutely did not. It made me smile and my heart ache all at the same time. Perfect for the last rays of summer-sunshine at the beginning of the month! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker - This was a very heavy read and I had to put it away and come back to it a couple of times. I just didn’t find the writing to be engaging enough to finish it quickly, even though it was stunning. I liked the pov of Achilles! ⭐️⭐️

The Great Ex-Scape by Jo Watson - A cute, light-hearted romance but by no means on the same level as Love to Hate You by the same author. ⭐️⭐️

It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey - Really cute and steamy, but I wasn’t the biggest fan of Brendan. His character was too bossy and a little shallow at times. ⭐⭐️⭐️

Heimat by Nora Krug - This is such an important book about heritage, culture and identity. Wonderful read. Definitely recommend!  ⭐⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie - My first time ever reading this! It was cute and reminded me of my childhood crush. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

New Horizons by Lily Lucas - The fourth book in the “Green Valley Love” series and I’ve been waiting to get to Cole’s book. However, the female heroine in the book just wasn’t it for me. Cole deserved better :( ⭐⭐️

The Legacy - Elle Kennedy. I was deeply disappointed by the final book in the Off-Campus series. Apart from Dean and Allie’s novella, I felt like all the stories were extremely out of character for the couples. The same miscommunication dispute also bothered me. I think the series would’ve been better if Elle had ended with The Score. ⭐⭐️

Diver’s Heart by K.A. Knight - I went into this book thinking it was comparable to Ugly Love (judging plainly from the cover) but I couldn’t finish this. It was badly written imo and I just have to admit that I do not like reverse harem. Not my book! (DNF)

To Love Jason Thorn by Ella Maise - Oh my god, this book blew me away. It was very much cliché and rom-com-typey but it had all the spice and I loved the characters chemistry. A little cheesy at points and I was missing a little more solving of the characters problems at the end. ⭐⭐️⭐️⭐️

To Hate Adam Connor by Ella Maise - I really liked Lucy in ‘To Love Jason Thorn’ and I was swept away by this book!!! The spice??? The heartache??? The relatable characters??? This book had it all and more and really hit home for me in more than one way. Definitely recommend! ⭐⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[joyffree]

𝑬𝑿𝑷𝑳𝑶𝑹𝑬𝑹’𝑺 𝑹𝑬𝑽𝑬𝑵𝑮𝑬 by New York Times and USA Today bestselling author K.A Knight releases on July 31st.

The first time I met Venture’s latest team, I was a nobody, but it only took one crazy stunt to change my life and turn my idols into enemies…

[readersroam]

Signed hardback & signed merch sent by the author: K.A Knight.

[nikethestatue]

Hi! How have you been doing lately?

I was wondering, who is the author that publishes her books almost monthly that you mentioned some time ago? If you don't mind me asking.

Hi I am okay! How are you?

It's the author of Den of Vipers. K.A. Knight.

She legit has a book coming on monthly basis. Tbh, I don't think they are very good, but they are copious.

[theartofreadingbykyla]

Book Review: Den of Vipers

Ryder, Garrett, Kenzo, and Diesel—The Vipers. They run this town and everyone in it. Their deals are as sordid as their business, and their reputation is enough to bring a grown man to his knees, forcing him to beg for mercy. They are not people you mess with, yet my dad did. The old man ran up a debt with them and then sold me to cover his losses. Yes, sold me. They own me now. I’m theirs in every sense of the word. But I’ve never been meek and compliant. These men, they look at me with longing. Their scarred, blood-stained hands holding me tight. They want everything I am, everything I have to give, and won’t stop until they get just that. They can own my body, but they will never have my heart. The Vipers? I’m going to make them regret the day they took me. This girl? She bites too.

18+ Reverse Harem Romance. Warning this book contains scenes and references of abuse/assault that some readers may find triggering. Along with graphic sex scenes and violence. This is a dark book.

ꜱᴇᴇ ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ ʙᴇʟᴏᴡ:

Roxy was sold by her dad to The Vipers, the strongest and merciless mafia in their town. She tried to fight and escape but it's hopeless. They will hunt her down until to her grave. They will torture you until you wish you were never born. A glimpse of them will shake you to the core, that's how powerful they are. But Roxy was no ordinary girl, she dealt with death since forever. She was used to blood and torture all her life. Maybe that's the reason why she got their attention. They want her, her blood, her body, and her heart.

First of all, I need holy water to cleanse my soul. The storyline is really dark and contains violence, abuse, and assault which may be triggering to some readers. So if you have triggers in those areas, please don't read this. But if you like dark romance, feel free to read it.

As much as alarming it sounds, I enjoyed reading this book. I love and hate how stubborn Roxy was since that's what got her into trouble but at the same time she got punished and pleasured by the Vipers lmao. Others might not enjoy reading this because the plot is kind of lacking and the book contain lots of smut which others might find enjoyable. The first half of the book is great and don't get me wrong I like the book but I think 600+ pages is not necessary. The book is detailed and long which may bore some readers. But there are still some funny scenes and don't forget the smut. The smut scenes are amazing and so spicy. Although it feels as if there's only one guy but with different personalities. I love how the scenes were laid as if they were real, the disturbing violence will gross you out which is why I give it another star. I believe that the importance of a dark romance is to make your readers feel as if the scenes are real and feel the shivers when reading them. The Vipers are not just some bad guys but they are still humans who were broken inside and that's what they have in common with Roxy. I just love how the story ended.

I give this book 4 out 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

About the Author:

K.A Knight

K.A Knight is a Romance author from a little town in England. She writes the monsters you love to hate. The crazier the better. She loves her fur babies, coffee, and a good book. Katie also has an obsession with monster flicks, and plans to re-watch them all!

[prettygalsread]

Title: Den of Vipers

Author: K.A Knight

Read: July 2020

Rating: 5/5 Stars

”We will love you effortlessly, always, even when it’s hard or hurts, when we are hateful and dark, even when we scare everyone else but you.”

I don’t even know where to begin. To say I love this book would be an understatement!!

This book is sexy, dark, twisted in all the right ways, and I couldn’t put it down! There was so much depth to the characters, each time you learned something new about them, you’d love them more. (Diesel has my heart!)

I’m a fan of “mafia/boss” books, smut and possessive a**holes and this book had a splendid amount of it all! There were some twists that I truly didn’t expect and I was completely glued in!!

The romance in the book was so beautiful. It hit all of the parties involved out of nowhere and watching it all tie together was amazing. I would totally love to be in Roxy’s shoes haha ;)

[witchybooks]

Romance TBR 2021

So I really enjoy romance and I didn’t read much in 2020. So this year i want to catch up on one of my favorite authors books. Plus there are some other books I'm interested in right now. 

Kristen Proby’s work

Kirsten Proby is my favorite romance author so I really want to catch up. I’m so behind *sobbing*

With me in Seattle Series

Burn with me Love with me Dance with me Wonder with me Dream with me You belong with me Imagine with me Wonder with me Shine with me

Boudreaux Series

Easy with you Easy Melody Easy for Keeps Easy Kisses Easy Magic Easy Fortune Easy Nights

Big Sky Series

Tempting Brook Waiting for Willa Soaring with Falon

Romancing Manhatten

All the Way All it Takes After All

Fusion Series

No Reservations

Bayou Magic

Shadows Spells

Big Sky Royals

Enchanting Sebastian Enticing Liam Taunting Callum

Heros of Big Sky

Honor

Meghan March Work

I’ve read several books by Meghan March But I want to read more. These are the series that I really want to get into.

The Magnolia Duet

Creole Kingpin Madam Temptress

The Mount Trilogy

Ruthless King Defiant Queen Sinful Empire

Sarina Bowen Work

So far there's only one series that I want to read of hers. I have read three of this series. I would like to finish it then decide to read more of hers. :) 

Truth North Series 

Bountiful Fireworks Heartland

K.A Tucker Work

The Simple Wild Duology

Wild at Heart Forever Wild

Aly Martinez Work

Guardian Protection series

Thrive 

Devney Perry Work

There are four books in this series so far. But I'm going to start with the first two.

Tin Gypsy Series

Gypsy King Riven Knight

So that's it guys! It’s a lot of books but I'm excited for all of them. Let me know if you’ve read of them. See you soon! :) 

My Goodreads Page