Tag Archive for: 5 Stars

One Golden Summer

One Golden SummerTitle: One Golden Summer
Author: Carley Fortune
Series: Florek Brothers #2
Genre: Romance
Format: Audio
Pages: 382
Length: 11h 51m
Narrator: A.J. Bridel
Source: Borrowed
Reason: Just Because
Rating:

My Thoughts

I discovered Carley Fortune when her debut came out in 2021. I instantly fell in love with EVERY SUMMER AFTER and each subsequent book since then. 

ONE GOLDEN SUMMER is my favorite of Fortune’s novels. I adored Alice and Charlie. I loved their interactions and all the fun they had together at the lake during the summer. I loved that this story is a companion to EVERY SUMMER AFTER and that we get to finally see Charlie’s happily ever after. I loved revisiting the same lake and getting to see Percy, Sam, and Charlie again. It made this story that much more special.

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First-Time Caller

First-Time CallerTitle: First-Time Caller
Author: B.K. Borison
Series: Heartstrings #1
Genre: Romance
Format: Audio
Pages: 437
Length: 11h 55m
Narrator: E.J. Bingham, Hathaway Lee
Source: Owned
Reason: Book of the Month
Rating:

My Thoughts

FIRST-TIME CALLER was such a cute Sleepless in Seattle type romance. I adored everything about it. I loved both Lucie and Aiden, and Lucie’s make-shift family. I loved the banter, the spice, and even the parts where I cried. I’m so glad I chose this as my February Book of the Month pick.

I listened to the audiobook, even though I have the physical book. I loved the audio! E.J. Bingham, who voices Aiden, sounds so much like Neil Patrick Harris.

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Phantasma

PhantasmaTitle: Phantasma
Author: Kaylie Smith
Series: Wicked Games #1
Genre: Romantasy
Format: Audio, Hard Cover
Pages: 497
Length: 13h 14m
Narrator: Laura Horowitz
Source: Owned
Reason: Book of the Month
Rating:

My Thoughts

I absolutely adored PHANTASMA. It read as a dark gothic romantasy. Yum! I thought the levels of Phantasma were a creative nod to Dante’s Inferno and the nine circles of Hell.

I loved the characters, especially Blackwell and Poe (even though Poe’s just a cat). I thought Smith’s depiction of Ophelia’s struggle with OCD was very realistic and enlightening of how true OCD affects its victims.

While some of the spicier scenes made me roll my eyes, I really adored the banter and tension between Ophelia and Blackwell. (I’m sorry but no guy’s penis is so big around that a 5’9” woman can’t grab it without encircling it completely. Well, unless she has such small hands that that’s all people would notice about her.)

Anyway, I’m definitely looking forward to the next installment.

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Onyx Storm

Onyx StormTitle: Onyx Storm
Author: Rebecca Yarros
Series: Empyrean #3
Genre: Romantasy
Format: Audio
Pages: 527
Length: 23h 52m
Narrator: Rebecca Soler, and more
Source: Library
Reason: Just Because
Rating:

My Thoughts

Holy crap! That ending! Why do I read these series before all the books are out?! It’s going to be torture waiting for the next book. I feel like I did after watching Avengers: Infinity War for the first time–numb, sad, and trying to be hopeful despite the crushing weight of grief. So many tears! So many! Rebecca Yarros certainly knows how to hook her readers and stomp all over their hearts.

From the instant I started reading ONYX STORM, I was hooked. I wanted to know everything and make sure my favorite characters made it out of the story alive. I loved learning more about Andarna and seeing more of the world than in previous books.

I’m excited to see where this series goes next and I’ll be on pins and needles waiting for the next book.

Additional Narrators: Teddy Hamilton, Justis Bolding, Jasmin Walker