
ajs.library finished a book
25w

Sight Unseen
Alexis Marie
From viral online writing sensation Alexis Marie comes a lush contemporary fantasy debut that blends a slow-burn romance with mystery and magical intrigue when the lives of a fatally cursed woman and a single father with a complicated past collide—just as their quaint small town becomes a power-hungry serial killer’s hunting ground. Veda Thorne is living on borrowed time. After exhausting every magical cure for the fatal curse trapped inside her, she’s accepted her fate. But Veda’s self-imposed isolation begins to crack when she’s asked to tutor Antaris, a child whose pain calls to her own. Hiram Ellis left his wealthy, prejudiced family years ago. Now unexpectedly thrust into single fatherhood, he returns to his hometown, determined to build a life far from the cold privilege that stifled his own childhood. The last thing he expects is to be drawn to the fiercely protective, sharp-tongued woman helping his son. When a trail of enchanted spider lilies leads Hiram and Veda to discover their deadly tie to a prolific serial killer, they’re forced to set aside their differences to unearth long-buried secrets. But the truth is as deadly as Veda’s curse, and both come at a devastating cost. As victims mount and motives emerge, their greatest challenge is choosing to trust and love each other.

ajs.library started reading...
25w

Sight Unseen
Alexis Marie
From viral online writing sensation Alexis Marie comes a lush contemporary fantasy debut that blends a slow-burn romance with mystery and magical intrigue when the lives of a fatally cursed woman and a single father with a complicated past collide—just as their quaint small town becomes a power-hungry serial killer’s hunting ground. Veda Thorne is living on borrowed time. After exhausting every magical cure for the fatal curse trapped inside her, she’s accepted her fate. But Veda’s self-imposed isolation begins to crack when she’s asked to tutor Antaris, a child whose pain calls to her own. Hiram Ellis left his wealthy, prejudiced family years ago. Now unexpectedly thrust into single fatherhood, he returns to his hometown, determined to build a life far from the cold privilege that stifled his own childhood. The last thing he expects is to be drawn to the fiercely protective, sharp-tongued woman helping his son. When a trail of enchanted spider lilies leads Hiram and Veda to discover their deadly tie to a prolific serial killer, they’re forced to set aside their differences to unearth long-buried secrets. But the truth is as deadly as Veda’s curse, and both come at a devastating cost. As victims mount and motives emerge, their greatest challenge is choosing to trust and love each other.

ajs.library finished a book
25w

Our Funny Love Story: Book 1 of the Resistance Series (Resistance: A BIPOC MM Romantic Drama Set in Tokyo)
Byrd Koto
A comedy of errors, until fate reveals its twisted sense of humor. Eizo Kamada, a former college baseball player turned hotshot web serial novelist, lands his a flagship fantasy series with an ambitious publisher. The catch? He’s partnered with an opposing force of nature - a brusque and foul-mouthed editor named Ran Miyamoto. With the clock ticking down fast, they must set aside their mutual contempt and make their project a success, or risk ruining everything they strove for. But forging a common ground doesn’t come easily. Not when they are pulled into frustrating one-upmanship games; games that threaten to peel back their carefully constructed facades and unravel the secrets buried deep inside them. For readers who Dual third-person POVSlow burn dislike-to-loversGrumpy x SunshineUnstoppable force x Immovable objectMeta-narrativesPerfect for fans of Sally Rooney, Alexis Hall, Cat Sebastian, and modern danmei such as Run Wild and Reply to Keats, this is Book 1 of a duet which ends in HEA.

ajs.library TBR'd a book
26w

The Wrath of the Fallen (Gods & Monsters, #4)
Amber V. Nicole
With the return of Samkiel, the rightful heir to the throne, tensions grow in the remaining realms. Battle lines begin to form between those pledging their loyalties to either Samkiel or Nismera.War looms on the horizon, and Samkiel must deal with his growing, untempered power. Without the ring of Oblivion, the dark ancient force living under his skin begins to lash out. Meanwhile, an ancient power calls to Dianna, plaguing her dreams with messages of retribution. Samkiel, seeking to protect the woman he loves, sets out on a desperate search for answers, but the solution will mean a dangerous voyage to the one place he dares not go. The Otherworld.Forces, primal and eternal, have taken notice, forcing Ig’Morruthens and gods to work together on a quest to reclaim an object capable of unraveling reality. An unlikely bond is formed in blood and fire, leaving all affected with no choice but one—save the realms or themselves.It is a race against time as Nismera hunts for Vincent and Camilla, seeking what they stole. Her thirst for power and her armada only grow stronger as she rampages across the realms.As new enemies emerge with debts of their own, demanding payment in blood, can Dianna and Samkiel find a way to reclaim the realms and his rightful throne? Or will their love burn them to the ground and consume everything they are trying to build?

I don’t believe I’ve ever read a horrantasy before but oh my god do I need more! The concept for the story was so intuitive, the idea of a feeding grounds and vampires, but also the dystopian-esque feel to it. I thought the plot of this was really well done in the size of a novella, with fleshed out characters and world-building, just enough to leave you wanting more! I really liked the mystery surrounding Serun, and hopefully leads into an explosive book two. I just genuinely think this had to potential to be an amazing full-sized novel and it left me wanting to read on so much more!
Thank you so much to Shaina and MTMC Tours for the eARC, and this is my honest review!

ajs.library TBR'd a book
27w

Her Realm of Night : Sparks fly between former immortal lovers in this urban fantasy Greek Mythology retelling
Charlotte Slater
“They were in the realm of the dead… the rules of the mortal world didn’t apply here.”Centuries after the fall of the gods, Robin, Goddess of Night and the Hunt, lives trapped between two attending mortal university by day and slaughtering criminals by night.It’s an uneasy balance, but when her ex shows up out of nowhere, she knows things are only going to get worse. After all, the reappearance of the God of Death is never a good sign.With reapers being taken, ancient power stirring, and chaos warping the Underworld, everything Robin holds dear is threatened. What will she sacrifice to restore balance? And who can she trust in a world of monsters, magic and unending suffering? Read what everyone's saying about Her Realm of Night:'Absolutely fantastic and an easy 5 stars! Twists and turns you don't see coming . . . cannot wait for book 2!' ' - NetGalley reviewer 'The story was so well developed and had me invested in the characters and what would happen next. I'll be on the lookout for the next title that drops from this author!' - NetGalley reviewer 'A solid, well-executed paranormal mythological retelling with a likable FMC, an engaging setup, and enough world-building to keep things moving without drowning in lore.' - NetGalley reviewer'Not only is Charlotte Slater a fantasy writer who knows her field, but also one with a voice that kept me hooked. Hoping for more to come!' - NetGalley reviewer'I really enjoyed this book! The lore was fantastic, I loved the characters and the plot twists were great. I’m excited to see where this story goes!' - NetGalley reviewer'This was so fun!! I really liked the characters, plot and writing style. Different from other books I've been reading lately, which I loved!!' - NetGalley reviewer 'Refreshingly different from a lot of other books around. The emotional arcs were impressive and real, and the more I got into this book, the faster I read it, well into the night! I'm looking forward to more from this author.' - NetGalley reviewer

ajs.library started reading...
29w

Our Funny Love Story: Book 1 of the Resistance Series (Resistance: A BIPOC MM Romantic Drama Set in Tokyo)
Byrd Koto
A comedy of errors, until fate reveals its twisted sense of humor. Eizo Kamada, a former college baseball player turned hotshot web serial novelist, lands his a flagship fantasy series with an ambitious publisher. The catch? He’s partnered with an opposing force of nature - a brusque and foul-mouthed editor named Ran Miyamoto. With the clock ticking down fast, they must set aside their mutual contempt and make their project a success, or risk ruining everything they strove for. But forging a common ground doesn’t come easily. Not when they are pulled into frustrating one-upmanship games; games that threaten to peel back their carefully constructed facades and unravel the secrets buried deep inside them. For readers who Dual third-person POVSlow burn dislike-to-loversGrumpy x SunshineUnstoppable force x Immovable objectMeta-narrativesPerfect for fans of Sally Rooney, Alexis Hall, Cat Sebastian, and modern danmei such as Run Wild and Reply to Keats, this is Book 1 of a duet which ends in HEA.

ajs.library finished a book
29w

Moonflower: The Script of Serun
Shaina Anastasi
MOONFLOWER by author Shaina Anastasi is a horrantasy novel, book one of the Script of Serun series. It blends horror, fantasy, and a splash of romance in a dystopian setting. The goddess of Kepler vanished fifty-seven years ago, taking the light with her. Since then, darkness has consumed the world, and creatures of the night have emerged from the shadows to take control. Twenty-eight-year-old Saya Claymore and her young brother have been trapped in a Feeding Ground for ten years. The Bleeders of Darkovish refuse to let them leave unless it’s by death at the fangs of a nightwalker. Saya and her friends are planning their escape, but as they edge closer to freedom, something better left in the dark threatens to make a move. Will they survive, or will whatever is hiding in the shadows emerge to take a bite? If you love The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, Anathema by Keri Lake, The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa, slowburn romance, political intrigue, horror with your romance, and dystopian with your fantasy—you will love MOONFLOWER.

ajs.library started reading...
29w

Moonflower: The Script of Serun
Shaina Anastasi
MOONFLOWER by author Shaina Anastasi is a horrantasy novel, book one of the Script of Serun series. It blends horror, fantasy, and a splash of romance in a dystopian setting. The goddess of Kepler vanished fifty-seven years ago, taking the light with her. Since then, darkness has consumed the world, and creatures of the night have emerged from the shadows to take control. Twenty-eight-year-old Saya Claymore and her young brother have been trapped in a Feeding Ground for ten years. The Bleeders of Darkovish refuse to let them leave unless it’s by death at the fangs of a nightwalker. Saya and her friends are planning their escape, but as they edge closer to freedom, something better left in the dark threatens to make a move. Will they survive, or will whatever is hiding in the shadows emerge to take a bite? If you love The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, Anathema by Keri Lake, The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa, slowburn romance, political intrigue, horror with your romance, and dystopian with your fantasy—you will love MOONFLOWER.
Karina does it again, creating such a tense and vivid story enshrouded in mystery and suspense, set in a not-so-distant future that is harrowing to read - for its foreseeability and the idea that life could indeed devolve this way.
The tension between Nate and Mia was THROUGH THE ROOF, and the duel POV was a great insight into their psyche’s and their developing relationship, making the story incredibly immersive. The Grave Matter reference had me SCREAMING, and the shocking ending gives way to a much needed book 2!
Thank you so much to Karina and Lauren (@literaryloveontheline) for the eARC and this is my honest review!

ajs.library started reading...
30w

A Discovery of Witches
Deborah Harkness
A richly inventive novel about a centuries-old vampire, a spellbound witch, and the mysterious manuscript that draws them together. Deep in the stacks of Oxford's Bodleian Library, young scholar Diana Bishop unwittingly calls up a bewitched alchemical manuscript in the course of her research. Descended from an old and distinguished line of witches, Diana wants nothing to do with sorcery; so after a furtive glance and a few notes, she banishes the book to the stacks. But her discovery sets a fantastical underworld stirring, and a horde of daemons, witches, and vampires soon descends upon the library. Diana has stumbled upon a coveted treasure lost for centuries-and she is the only creature who can break its spell. Debut novelist Deborah Harkness has crafted a mesmerizing and addictive read, equal parts history and magic, romance and suspense. Diana is a bold heroine who meets her equal in vampire geneticist Matthew Clairmont, and gradually warms up to him as their alliance deepens into an intimacy that violates age-old taboos. This smart, sophisticated story harks back to the novels of Anne Rice, but it is as contemporary and sensual as the Twilight series-with an extra serving of historical realism.

ajs.library finished a book
30w

Vanguard: A Dark Post-Dystopian Romance
Karina Halle
Her kiss may be deadly, but he’s indestructible. Erasmia "Mia" Baxter is her agency's most lethal operative, genetically engineered to have poisonous saliva. But having the kiss of death is hell on her social life. Her future holds no romance, no family, no intimacy of any kind—only killing for her country. When her special ops group hears rumors that America's first enhanced soldier—Vanguard—may be more deadly weapon than savior, Mia is tasked with infiltrating his inner circle to investigate. What she finds is a former military asset with a hidden dark side—and the only man she can kiss without consequence. Intoxicated by the obsessive passion rising between them, Mia falls deeper into lust with each new sensual encounter. But the closer they become, the more she realizes there might be truth to the rumors. Vanguard is changing—becoming more violent, more devious, less…human. And the truth of her identity might push him over the edge entirely. In a world where heroes and monsters are separated by the thinnest of lines, Mia must Is the man she's falling for worth saving? Or is he the weapon he was created to be—one that will destroy her first?A dark romance special ops spy thriller with a post-dystopian sci-fi bent—VANGUARD has the gripping twists and turns of BLACK DOVES paired with the seductive intensity of Runyx’s DARK VERSE series.


ajs.library started reading...
30w

Vanguard: A Dark Post-Dystopian Romance
Karina Halle
Her kiss may be deadly, but he’s indestructible. Erasmia "Mia" Baxter is her agency's most lethal operative, genetically engineered to have poisonous saliva. But having the kiss of death is hell on her social life. Her future holds no romance, no family, no intimacy of any kind—only killing for her country. When her special ops group hears rumors that America's first enhanced soldier—Vanguard—may be more deadly weapon than savior, Mia is tasked with infiltrating his inner circle to investigate. What she finds is a former military asset with a hidden dark side—and the only man she can kiss without consequence. Intoxicated by the obsessive passion rising between them, Mia falls deeper into lust with each new sensual encounter. But the closer they become, the more she realizes there might be truth to the rumors. Vanguard is changing—becoming more violent, more devious, less…human. And the truth of her identity might push him over the edge entirely. In a world where heroes and monsters are separated by the thinnest of lines, Mia must Is the man she's falling for worth saving? Or is he the weapon he was created to be—one that will destroy her first?A dark romance special ops spy thriller with a post-dystopian sci-fi bent—VANGUARD has the gripping twists and turns of BLACK DOVES paired with the seductive intensity of Runyx’s DARK VERSE series.


ajs.library finished a book
30w

The Throne of Broken Gods
Amber V. Nicole
"Then, Samkiel, you will know this is how the world ends." But it was not this world. No, it was mine. It was Dianna. The world quakes in fear as the last shred of Dianna's humanity is ripped from her. As it should. Grief consumes Dianna, burning away any semblance of good within her and threatening the budding relationship between her and Liam. Now, Liam must pull her back from the brink of complete damnation before time runs out.


ajs.library finished a book
31w

The Scum Villain's Self-Saving System: Ren Zha Fanpai Zijiu Xitong, Vol. 3
Mò Xiāng Tóng Xiù
[SATISFACTION POINTS +500!] To save his sect from destruction, Shen Qingqiu has at last submitted to Luo Binghe—though he wishes people would stop saying it like that! Unfortunately, they’re not wrong. Luo Binghe has finally made his desire for his old master clear. For all that Shen Qingqiu longs to return to their peaceful days together on Qing Jing Peak, he knows it’s impossible now that Luo Binghe has darkened into a true demon lord. But as Shen Qingqiu begins to uncover more of Proud Immortal Demon Way’s hidden plot, including his host body’s own backstory, he realizes he must learn to see Luo Binghe for who he truly is if either of them are to survive.