Tag Archive for: 5 Stars

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Review: Iron Flame

Review: Iron FlameTitle: Iron Flame
Author: Rebecca Yarros
Series: Empyrean #2
Genre(s): Fantasy, Romance
Pages: 623
Source: Borrowed
For: Personal Interest
Rating:
Sexual Content: 3.5 Flames

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There's content in this book that may be triggering to some readers. I've tried to include the possible triggers in this book at end of my review.
Goodreads Synopsis

Everyone expected Violet Sorrengail to die during her first year at Basgiath War College--Violet included. But Threshing was only the first impossible test meant to weed out the weak-willed, the unworthy, and the unlucky. Now the real training begins, and Violet’s already wondering how she’ll get through. It’s not just that it’s grueling and maliciously brutal, or even that it’s designed to stretch the riders’ capacity for pain beyond endurance. It’s the new vice commandant, who’s made it his personal mission to teach Violet exactly how powerless she is--unless she betrays the man she loves.

My Thoughts

After reading FOURTH WING, I needed to read IRON FLAME. Now that I’m done with both and the next book in the series isn’t out until January 2025, I’m wondering why I read these kinds of books before the whole series is out. Waiting is going to be torture.

I always worry a bit when it comes to sequels because so many of them suffer from second-book syndrome where the book is just a stepping stone to the finale with no real meat to it. Thankfully, IRON FLAME was just as good as FOURTH WING if not better. There was more adventure, intrigue, political mayhem, warfare, and lots more romance. It was everything I wanted in a romantasy and sequel.

This book was excruciating to read because of the non-stop suspense and action. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time wondering how it was all going to go down. I loved that Yarros foreshadowed the ending, making it not quite as shocking to me as it was to some, but still just as upsetting. Why, Yarros, why?!

I love the characters in this series, not only Violet and Xaden, but their squad as well. I loved the introduction of the new characters, especially the “Umbridge” of this world. Don’t get me wrong or anything. I hated that new character something fierce, but I loved to hate them because it takes a good writer to make you feel that kind of emotion. I also love Violet’s dragons. Tairn reminds me of my late Daxi-cat who was just as grumpy but still lovable. And, Andarna, oh Andarna. I love her SO much. I loved her “adolescent” attitude, her interactions with Violet and especially Tairn, and her fierce loyalty to Violet despite her youth.

I loved the world Rebecca Yarros has built and I loved it even more in IRON FLAME. I loved learning more about its lore and mythology. Honestly, if I could only read one type of story for the rest of my life, it would be this.

Anyway, just like its predecessor, IRON FLAME has earned a spot as one of my favorite books. I’m so glad my friend let me borrow her books. Now, I’ll be on pins and needles waiting for ONYX STORM!

Have you read IRON FLAME? If so, what did you think?

Trigger Warning

There is a trigger warning for loss of a parent, loss of a sibling, bullying, and animal deaths.

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Review: The No-Show

Review: The No-ShowTitle: The No-Show
Author: Beth O'Leary
Genre(s): Contemporary, Romance
Pages: 337
Source: Library
Rating:
Sexual Content: 2.5 Flames

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There's content in this book that may be triggering to some readers. I've tried to include the possible triggers in this book at end of my review.
Goodreads Synopsis

Siobhan is a quick-tempered life coach with way too much on her plate. Miranda is a tree surgeon used to being treated as just one of the guys on the job. Jane is a soft-spoken volunteer for the local charity shop with zero sense of self-worth. These three women are strangers who have only one thing in common: They've all been stood up on the same day, the very worst day to be stood up--Valentine's Day. And, unbeknownst to them, they've all been stood up by the same man.

My Thoughts

Ever since I read Beth O’Leary’s THE FLATSHARE back in 2021, I’ve wanted to read something else written by her. When I was searching for available audiobooks on Libby this last week, I saw THE NO-SHOW and decided to check it out.

I’m so glad I decided to read THE NO-SHOW. I absolutely adored it. Once I started reading, I didn’t want to stop. I was hooked from the get-go because I wanted to know what was going on.

I knew there had to be more to the story than just these three women being stood up by the same man on Valentine’s Day. While I read, I had to look past the obvious and hold to my wonderment of how Joseph was juggling the relationships. I’m glad I held judgment about him because I was well-rewarded.

It’s one of those feelings, happiness. One of the ones you don’t really notice is gone until it comes back.

There is plenty of swoon-worthy moments and sexual tension, but THE NO-SHOW is so much more than just a romance. It’s a story about love, forgiveness, redemption, grief, second chances, and healing. I really loved how O’Leary wrote about mental health and healing from abusive relationships (professional and romantic). It felt real and it felt raw. I loved these characters and I wanted the best for them as I read about each of their lives.

I wish I could put into words all the reasons I loved THE NO-SHOW but I feel like I’ve already said too much and I don’t want to spoil the fun for anyone else. Just know, the story’s worth it. And, if you decide to read it, listen to the audiobook. Each woman and Joseph have their own narrator. I loved listening to all four voices. Anyway, it looks like O’Leary’s on her way to becoming a new favorite author.

Have you read THE NO-SHOW? If so, what did you think?

Trigger Warning

There is a trigger warning for loss of a parent, loss of a loved one, miscarriage, abandonment, stalking, and sexual manipulation.

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Review: Fourth Wing

Review: Fourth WingTitle: Fourth Wing
Author: Rebecca Yarros
Series: The Empyrean #1
Genre(s): Fantasy, Romance
Pages: 528
Source: Borrowed
For: Personal Interest
Rating:
Sexual Content: 3.5 Flames

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There's content in this book that may be triggering to some readers. I've tried to include the possible triggers in this book at end of my review.
Goodreads Synopsis

Enter the brutal and elite world of a war college for dragon riders... Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail was supposed to enter the Scribe Quadrant, living a quiet life among books and history. Now, the commanding general--also known as her tough-as-talons mother--has ordered Violet to join the hundreds of candidates striving to become the elite of Navarre: dragon riders.

My Thoughts

I’ve been wanting to read FOURTH WING for a little over a year. I put it on hold at my library, sadly to be informed that my turn wouldn’t come for several months. I waited patiently and then when my turn was only two weeks away, my friend told me I could borrow her physical copies of both FOURTH WING and IRON FLAME. Needless to say, I jumped at the offer.

I’m so glad I finally read FOURTH WING. It was everything I wanted in a romantasy and more. There’s so much hype surrounding this and I get it. When I was reading it, I didn’t want to put it down and I couldn’t stop thinking about it in between reads. I stayed up until 2am on Wednesday night finishing it because I was that invested in the characters and the story.

I adored the characters, especially Violet and Xaden. I could feel the sexual tension between them from the very beginning and I loved it. FOURTH WING is a slow-burn romance that leaves you wanting for more. The secondary characters were amazing too. Rhiannon, Ridoc, and Liam were my favorite.

Hope is a fickle, dangerous thing. It steals your focus and aims it toward the possibilities instead of keeping it where it belongs–on the probabilities.

I loved the world in which FOURTH WING takes place. Rebecca Yarros built a beautiful world based on folktales, lore, war, power, and political drama, which is my recipe for a fantastic story. I loved the Gaelic feel to FOURTH WING thanks to the names of some of the characters, most of the dragons, and lot of the places. I also loved that riders are bonded to their dragon so we can hear their voices and get to know their personalities.

Finally, I adored the mythology of FOURTH WING. It was fascinating. The magical system with signets was fun to read about and experience.

Anyway, FOURTH WING has earned a spot as one of my favorite books. I’m glad my friend let me borrow IRON FLAME too because I need to read it now.

Have you read FOURTH WING? If so, what did you think?

Trigger Warning

There is a trigger warning for loss of a parent, loss of a child, loss of a sibling, bullying, and animal deaths.

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Review: This Spells Love

Review: This Spells LoveTitle: This Spells Love
Author: Kate Robb
Genre(s): Fantasy, Romance
Pages: 352
Source: Own
For: Book of the Month
Rating:
Sexual Content: 3.5 Flames

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Goodreads Synopsis

What if one little wish changed everything? When Gemma gets dumped by her long-term boyfriend, she reacts the way any reasonable twenty-eight-year-old would: by getting drunk with her sister, kooky aunt, and best friend, Dax. They decide to perform a love-cleansing spell, which promises to erase Gemma’s ex from her memory. They follow all the instructions, including a platonic kiss from Dax to seal the deal. When Gemma wakes up, she realizes that this silly spell has worked, except that Dax has no idea who she is either.

My Thoughts

For my 2024 challenges, I decided to focus on reading my Book of the Month books because I’m sorely behind. To help me with this focus, I used BOTM books that have been on my TBR for over a year to create my Trim Your TBR Challenge list. The number for THIS SPELLS LOVE was picked for January and I’m so glad because I absolutely adored it.

I zipped right through THIS SPELLS LOVE because I couldn’t put it down. When I wasn’t reading it, I wanted to be reading it. It hooked me right from the beginning and has left me thinking of the characters and their relationships long after I finished reading.

I adored everything about THIS SPELLS LOVE. I loved Gemma Wilde, her sister, kooky aunt, and her best friend Daxon McGuire. I loved the setting of Hamilton, Canada, just outside Toronto. The description of the people, shops, pubs, curling lanes, and the waterfront of Lake Ontario had me ready to book a plane ticket so I could experience it first hand.

Friends-to-lovers is hands down my favorite romantic trope and THIS SPELLS LOVE didn’t disappoint. Kate Robb’s execution was excellently written, producing a steamy fast-paced romance. The sexual tension between Gemma and Dax is amazing and leaves you wanting for more.

I also loved the lit bit of paranormal, in the form of a love-cleansing spell in THIS SPELLS LOVE. It was fun to see it flip Gemma’s world on its head, causing her to figure out what was truly important to her.

When I finished THIS SPELLS LOVE, I waffled over rating it 4- or 5-stars. It didn’t take me long to realize that there was nothing about it that I didn’t love. Robb’s debut has a lot to live up to, but I’m definitely looking forward to reading more books written by her.

Have you read THIS SPELLS LOVE? If so, what did you think?

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Review: Book Lovers

Review: Book LoversTitle: Book Lovers
Author: Emily Henry
Genre(s): Contemporary, Romance
Pages: 398
Source: Library
For: Book Club
Rating:
Sexual Content: 3.5 Flames

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There's content in this book that may be triggering to some readers. I've tried to include the possible triggers in this book at end of my review.
Goodreads Synopsis

One summer. Two rivals. A plot twist they didn't see coming. Nora Stephens’ life is books--she’s read them all--and she is not that type of heroine. If Nora knows she’s not an ideal heroine, Charlie knows he’s nobody’s hero, but as they are thrown together again and again--in a series of coincidences no editor worth their salt would allow--what they discover might just unravel the carefully crafted stories they’ve written about themselves.

My Thoughts

My IRL book club chose to read BOOK LOVERS for our February book. I’m glad we did because I loved it.

The enemies-to-lovers and forced proximity tropes are two of my favorites and BOOK LOVERS didn’t disappoint. The execution of the enemies-to-lovers trope was excellently written, producing a spicy slow-burn romance with some of the best bantering I’ve ever read. The sexual tension between Nora and Charlie is palpable and leaves you wanting for more.

In her author’s note, Emily Henry mentions that she loves watching Hallmark movies. Most of the movies were about some kind of rich, cold business man who leaves the big city to shut down a struggling small business and turn it into a profitable chain location. While the business man’s there, he meets a small-town girl that helps him realize life isn’t all about work or money. He falls in love and decides to stay there, dumping his equally heartless girlfriend in the big city. She said BOOK LOVERS is about her question of does the seemingly heartless ex-girlfriend get her happily ever after?

I love concept of BOOK LOVERS. I love that Nora was successful as a book agent and that she loved living in New York. I love that she loved her authors and worked hard for them. And, I especially love that she didn’t have to compromise her dreams for her happily ever after.

Maybe love shouldn’t be built on a foundation of compromises, but maybe it can’t exist without them either.

BOOK LOVERS isn’t just a heart-warming romance, it’s also a story with some meat to it. It explores complicated familial relationships, feelings of not fitting in, extreme anxiety, different types of love, loss, and healing. It hit very close to home and is as if Emily Henry wrote about my own feelings of struggling after my mom’s passing. (This isn’t a spoiler as you learn that Nora’s and Libby’s mom passed away in the first chapter.)

I honestly don’t want to say anymore because I don’t want to give anything away. Just know that BOOK LOVERS may be a fun contemporary romance AND it’s so much more! It’s my second 5-star read of the year and I look forward to reading more books by Emily Henry.

Have you read BOOK LOVERS? If so, what did you think?

Trigger Warning

There is a trigger warning for loss of a parent.

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