“Rest assured, I know how to go to war.”

The way this became my FAVORITE read of the year so far.

Brigid Kemmerer knocks it out of the park with her adult fantasy debut.

WARRIOR. A king who wants to protect his kingdom the only way he knows how. PRINCESS. A princess caught between destiny and desire. ASSASSIN. An assassin tasked to taking them down.

Asher, Ky, and Jory's relationship is so important to me. From the betrayals, to the vulnerability with no one else except each other.

"I said the debt is owed to me."

A wonderful start to the Braided Fates trilogy, full of political intrigue, betrayal, and heart breaking warming moments.

AND I read this during the 2026 U.S. Open QF's match between Ben Shelton and Carlos Alcarez, so you KNOW I was down bad.

Give me the next book NOW.

tropes // childhood friends, found family, MMF, royal engagement, touch her/him & die, why choose, arranged marriage, forced proximity, political intrigue

tw // violence, slavery, confinement, blood, sexual content, death, injury & injury details, cursing, body horror, death of parent (off-page), abuse, toxic family relationships and dynamics, classism

" 'Soulmates whose destiny is written in the stars.' "

Rhapsody Of The Stars is my first by Bhat, and it won't be my last. A beautiful, lyrical take on a musical romance of the century.

Sophia Kade and Kairo Knight are soulmates; destined for a heartbreak and love lost. Kairo Knight is everything you want in a rockstar; hot, musical, loyal to a fault. Sophia Kade; devasting childhood, but has a good heart.

When they meet, their connection is instant. Even when she kidnaps him, you can tell that Kairo feels something for her. I'll be honest, I don't like the miscommunication trope, but their relationship is something for the books. Even through all the twists and turns they go through, you can tell they love each other; despite them not knowing it themselves.

Everyone needs to read this, whether you're a music lover or simply a contemporary romance reader.

I cried by the ending, it was simply beautiful. And the last 3 chapters? Tear my heart in half, Bhat. You forever hold a piece of my heart.

"I want you, Sophi, more than my next fucking breath,"

tropes // musical romance, soulmates

tw // kidnapping, toxic relationship, death, car accident (referenced), miscarriage (blink and you miss it), death of parent, child abuse, suicidal thoughts

#2022arcs #jannatbhat #2022releases #contemporaryromance #romance #arcreviews #musicalromance #rhapsodyofthestars

“ ‘Welcome to Lakeridge Psychiatric Facility.”

OUT NOW.

A dark romance thriller retelling of Slenderman.

Part of the Twisted Legends Collection, Under The Cover of Darkness is by Emma Luna.

Can I just say that Addison Mitchell and Dylan Matthews are perfect for each other. I loved their relationship with each other; the intense pull, the fast-in-love, the vulnerability with each other in the first five minutes.

I feel so bad for both Addison and Dylan. My heart bled for them throughout the entire novel, feeling their loss and struggles as if I was in their shoes.

Even though Under The Cover of Darkness hit so many hard hitting topics, it was amazing. Emma Luna paints such a vivid image that you fall in love with.

This was such a wild ride, and keeps you locked in from the very beginning. It’s one that you just keep thinking about long after you finish.

There was so many twists and turns, so many theories, and you would never know. Like just that ending was so incredible and shocking, it leaves you wanting more.

A dark romance fit for the darkest souls. Beautifully haunting.

Do be wary of the trigger warnings and don’t read if anything (bothers) you even in the slightest.

“I don’t think it’s realistic for two people who have never met to suddenly start talking about the heavy stuff.”

“ ‘I always survive even when I shouldn’t.’ “

“ ‘I will always be here if you need me, Addy. I think… I think I love you.’ “

Tw // graphic rape, forced institution, mental hospital, hallucinations, violence, blood, gore, anorexia, suicide attempt (off-page, past), alcoholism, addiction, drug addictions, gaslighting, sexism, slurs, death, family death, loss of parents, child death, suicidal ideation, toxic relationship (off-page, past), physical abuse