ARC REVIEW STARTED: 4/4/2026 FINISHED: 4/5/2026 FORMAT: Digital 🔲 LENGTH: 309 Pages GENRE: Dark Romance STEAM/SPICE: 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ /5 STAND-ALONE OR PART OF A SERIES: Book 1 of Empire of Sins
POV: 1st Person Dual POV ═════════════════════════════════════════ STAR RATING: 5 out of 5 ═════════════════════════════════════════ CATEGORY RATINGS Score 1-5 Engagement: 5— Obsessed: Unputdownable; completely absorbed.
Emotional Vibes: 5— Deep Impact: Strong emotional response; felt everything Character Attachment: 5— New fictional family; miss them already. Vibe Consistency: 5—Immaculate Vibes: Perfect, consistent aesthetic/tone. Memorability: 5— Unforgettable scenes/character that will linger. Total: 25 Rating Average: 5 (Gut Modifier ± 0.5) or (Round Up or Down): N/A ═════════════════════════════════════════ What to Expect: ✨LGBTQ ✨Mafia ✨Violence/Death ✨Past Abuse ✨Obsessive MC ═════════════════════════════════════════ Favorite Quote(s):

Being carried up to my own apartment by an unhinged Russian who won’t let me struggle up the stairs myself is weirdly … nice. ⸝⸝⸝ A gunshot cracks across the dining room. “My ceiling!” Mother screeches. I look over at my father. He stands calmly with a gun, still aimed at the ceiling. I glance up at the fresh hole right next to all the others. He always aims for the same spot when he wants us to shut up and stop. There are already fifteen bullet holes clustered up there, two of them from last New Year’s when Yulian completely lost his mind at Lev. ⸝⸝⸝ “Jesus Christ. What was that?” Kelly asks. “Was that a gunshot?” “Nyet, someone at the office got mad at the printer and kicked it.” “Are you okay? Did you get hurt?” “I’m fine. But the person got fired.” ⸝⸝⸝ When he turns back around with the kettle, I notice his knuckles are cut up fresh, bruised, and still a little bloody. “What happened to your hands?” I ask, nodding toward the damage. “Filed a complaint into someone’s face at the office. Very hands-on approach.” ═════════════════════════════════════════

Review: When I first saw the author request for ARC readers months ago I was sold on the plot of the book and KNEW I needed to get my hands on it so when I saw it arrive in my inbox, I was more than ecstatic to read this. The ONLY reason I put it down was because I couldn’t keep my eyes open to continue reading. Alexi is obviously unhinged obviously but I love how quickly he falls for Kelly and all the things he wants to provide for him but restrains himself as best as he can. Their conversations on referring to Alexi’s job as an “office job” had me giggling for all the creative ways Alexi explained his day. I also loved that anytime someone slighted Kelly in any way, he’d immediately ask for a name. This book was so fun, fast past, funny, and full of tender moments between a killer and veterinarian. I loved every moment of it and cannot wait until the next book comes out.

STARTED: 4/1/2026 FINISHED: 4/3/2026 FORMAT: Audio🎧 LENGTH: 6 hrs and 14 mins or 240 Pages GENRE: YA Horror STAND-ALONE OR PART OF A SERIES: Stand-alone
POV: 1st Person POV ═════════════════════════════════════════ STAR RATING: 3 out of 5 ═════════════════════════════════════════ CATEGORY RATINGS Score 1-5 Engagement: 3—Pleasant: Enjoyable but easy to pause Emotional Vibes: 3—Some feels: Occasional emotion; hit-and-miss.
Character Attachment: 3—Liked some but not strongly.
Vibe Consistency: 5—Immaculate Vibes: Perfect, consistent aesthetic/tone. Memorability: 4—Will remember core details clearly.
Total: 18 Rating Average: 3.6 (Gut Modifier ± 0.5) or (Round Up or Down): Round Down ═════════════════════════════════════════ What to Expect: ✨LGBTQ ✨Final Girl ✨Graphic Violence ✨Shady Adults ✨Death ═════════════════════════════════════════ Favorite Quote(s):

“I’ve been playing the part of a girl who escapes a serial killer every night for months. It’s not a game this time. The consequences are real, but we still have to play.”

⸝⸝⸝ “I turn my Black ass right around and book it back to my cabin, where I close and lock the door.”

⸝⸝⸝ “I really think we may have hired baby serial killers looking to get in some practice.”

STARTED: 4/1/2026 FINISHED: 4/1/2026 FORMAT: Audio🎧 LENGTH: 8 hrs and 3 mins or 316 Pages GENRE: Contemporary Romance STEAM/SPICE: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5 STAND-ALONE OR PART OF A SERIES: Book 4 of Offsides
POV: 1st Person Dual POV ═════════════════════════════════════════ STAR RATING: 4 out of 5 ═════════════════════════════════════════ CATEGORY RATINGS Score 1-5 Engagement: 5—Obsessed: Unputdownable; completely absorbed.
Emotional Vibes: 4—Strong emotions: Several emotional highs.
Character Attachment: 4—Really liked them; invested.
Vibe Consistency: 5—Immaculate Vibes: Perfect, consistent aesthetic/tone. Memorability: 4—Will remember core details clearly.
Total: 22 Rating Average: 4.5 (Gut Modifier ± 0.5) or (Round Up or Down): Round Down ═════════════════════════════════════════ What to Expect: ✨LGBTQ ✨Hockey Romance ✨Homophobia ✨Teammates ✨Roommates ═════════════════════════════════════════ Favorite Quote(s):

My obsession with finding a label that fits is like a rash I’m not supposed to scratch—I can’t leave it alone. So far, the one that feels the best is demisexual, since Grayson-sexual apparently isn’t an option.

⸝⸝⸝ “I can’t even explain it to you. You’ll just have to read them for yourself one day. But my point is, everybody in these damn books has, like, earth-shattering orgasms, and the sex with their partner is the greatest fucking thing to ever happen to them. I can tell you with absolute certainty, I have never had sex that good” We settle into a less than comfortable silence after that—him uncomfortable with oversharing, and me uncomfortable with the daunting task of providing the sexual experience he’s apparently read about in romance novels.

⸝⸝⸝ “That’s just the way the world is. Queer kids have to come out and straight kids just get to be who they are.”

⸝⸝⸝ “A relationship doesn’t always have to feel like work. Sometimes it can just be beautiful.”

STARTED: 3/31/2026 FINISHED: 3/31/2026 FORMAT: Audio🎧 LENGTH: 10 hrs and 7 mins or 372 Pages GENRE: Contemporary Romance STEAM/SPICE: 0/5 STAND-ALONE OR PART OF A SERIES: Book 5 of SCU Hockey
POV: 1st Person Dual POV ═════════════════════════════════════════ STAR RATING: 5 out of 5 ═════════════════════════════════════════ CATEGORY RATINGS Score 1-5 Engagement: 5—Obsessed: Unputdownable; completely absorbed.
Emotional Vibes: 5—Deep Impact: Strong emotional response; felt everything. Character Attachment: 5—New fictional family; miss them already. Vibe Consistency: 5—Immaculate Vibes: Perfect, consistent aesthetic/tone. Memorability: 5—Unforgettable scenes/character that will linger. Total: 25 Rating Average: 5 (Gut Modifier ± 0.5) or (Round Up or Down): N/A ═════════════════════════════════════════ What to Expect: ✨LGBTQ ✨Hockey Romance ✨Asexual Representation ✨Single Dad ✨Mental Health ✨Grief ✨Age Gap ✨Non-sexual Intimacy ═════════════════════════════════════════ Review: I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about the relationship between Desmond (the assistant coach) and Jack (the player) but JJ Mulder had an effective way to emphasis their friendship before anything happened. I adore these characters so much, especially with the way they grew up. It couldn’t have been easy but they became wonderful people. This was a wonderful way to round out the series, especially with the bonus POV from Desmond’s nephew.

STARTED: 3/27/2026 FINISHED: 3/30/2026 FORMAT: Audio🎧 LENGTH: 9 hrs and 12 mins or 348 Pages GENRE: Contemporary Romance STEAM/SPICE: 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ /5 STAND-ALONE OR PART OF A SERIES: Book 4 of SCU Hockey
POV: 1st Person Dual POV ═════════════════════════════════════════ STAR RATING: 5 out of 5 ═════════════════════════════════════════ CATEGORY RATINGS Score 1-5 Engagement: 5—Obsessed: Unputdownable; completely absorbed.
Emotional Vibes: 5—Deep Impact: Strong emotional response; felt everything. Character Attachment: 5—New fictional family; miss them already. Vibe Consistency: 5—Immaculate Vibes: Perfect, consistent aesthetic/tone. Memorability: 5—Unforgettable scenes/character that will linger. Total: 25 Rating Average: 5 (Gut Modifier ± 0.5) or (Round Up or Down): N/A ═════════════════════════════════════════ What to Expect: ✨LGBTQ ✨Hockey Romance ✨Grumpy/Sunshine ✨College Romance ✨Opposites Attract ✨Bisexual Awakening ✨Mental Health/PTSD ═════════════════════════════════════════ Favorite Quote(s):

I’m twenty years old, and just like that I’m bi? Something else? How the hell have I gone my entire life without knowing this about myself? I’m ashamed, all of a sudden, like it’s only just hit me how clueless I am. I’ve been queer for only a handful of months, and am already failing at it. Or, even worse, maybe I’ve been queer my entire life and am just so stupid I never noticed. ⸝⸝⸝

“‘You’re really pretty,” I hear myself say, completely unbidden. “Like my horse.'” ⸝⸝⸝

I’m shaky with the realization that I am completely fucked. I don’t want to be friends with Nate. Not even a little bit. Friends is nowhere near good enough. ═════════════════════════════════════════ Review: This series holds a special place in my heart. Ever since Max’s book, I’ve been curious about how that trauma affected Marcos, and I’m so glad we finally got to see it. My heart aches for him and Max, and how that night reshaped their lives. However, I’m happy that Marcos found his happily ever after with the biggest teddy bear out there. Nate is lovable and caring, and it truly shows in how he treats Micky (Jack). Seeing him in his element on his uncle’s ranch was such a great bonus, and the fact that Marcos went with him was even better. I adore these two, just like all the other couples in the series, and I can’t wait to read more of JJ Mulder’s works.

STARTED: 3/24/2026 FINISHED: 3/26/2026 FORMAT: Audio🎧 LENGTH: 8 hrs and 10 mins or 307 Pages GENRE: Contemporary Romance STEAM/SPICE: 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ /5 STAND-ALONE OR PART OF A SERIES: Book 4 of Hockey Guys
POV: 1st Person Dual POV ═════════════════════════════════════════ STAR RATING: 3 out of 5 ═════════════════════════════════════════ CATEGORY RATINGS Score 1-5 Engagement: 4—Drawn in: Looked forward to reading; consistently engaging
Emotional Vibes: 3—Some feels: Occasional emotion; hit-and-miss.
Character Attachment: 3— Liked some but not strongly.
Vibe Consistency: 5—Immaculate Vibes: Perfect, consistent aesthetic/tone. Memorability: 2—Already Fading; Not much stuck.
Total: 17.5 Rating Average: 3.4 (Gut Modifier ± 0.5) or (Round Up or Down): Round Down ═════════════════════════════════════════ What to Expect: ✨LGBTQ ✨Hockey Romance ✨Grumpy/Sunshine ✨Single Dad ✨Opposites Attract ✨Quirky Goalie ✨Emotional Hurt/Comfort ═════════════════════════════════════════ Favorite Quote(s):

“There’s something uniquely soul crushing about a thumbs-up emoji. It should come with a warning label: May cause existential crisis in people who overthink digital communication. It’s approval without engagement, acknowledgement without investment. It’s the conversational equivalent of a polit golf clap – technically positive, but somehow more devastating than complete silence.” ⸝⸝⸝

“I do it because I know that getting two-thirds of Forrest is better than getting one hundred percent of anyone else.” ⸝⸝⸝

“I just don’t have a lot to give.” I look up at him, trying to make him understand. “But if I did? I’d give it to you.”

STARTED: 3/17/2026 FINISHED: 3/19/2026 FORMAT: Audio🎧 LENGTH: 9 hrs and 5 mins or 304 Pages GENRE: Contemporary Romance STEAM/SPICE: 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ /5 STAND-ALONE OR PART OF A SERIES: Part of Vino and Veritas but can be read alone
POV: 1st Person Dual POV ═════════════════════════════════════════ STAR RATING: 3 out of 5 ═════════════════════════════════════════ CATEGORY RATINGS Score 1-5 Engagement: 4—Drawn in: Looked forward to reading; consistently engaging
Emotional Vibes: 4—Strong emotions: Several emotional highs. Character Attachment: 4—Really liked them; invested. Vibe Consistency: 5—Immaculate Vibes: Perfect, consistent aesthetic/tone. Memorability: 2—Already Fading; Not much stuck.
Total: 19 Rating Average: 3.8 (Gut Modifier ± 0.5) or (Round Up or Down): Round Down ═════════════════════════════════════════ What to Expect: ✨LGBTQ ✨Forced-Proximity ✨Workplace Romance ✨Coming Out ═════════════════════════════════════════ Favorite Quote(s):

“I never meant to break all my own rules tonight, but the truth is I like you way too much. So even though it’s a bad idea to jump on your roommate, I’m happier right now than I’ve been in a long time.” ⸝⸝⸝

“I’m done trying to fight all the things I feel for this man. I may end up ruining our friendship. I may even get my heart broken. But some people are worth the risk, aren’t they? I have a feeling in my bones that Kieran Shipley is one of them.” ⸝⸝⸝

“Our Roderick is a pleaser,” Audrey says, patting my arm. “So many chefs are.” “What do you mean, a pleaser?” I help myself to a slice of brie on a cracker. “You give a lot, and you hope others will do the same. And since you’re above average, they let you down a lot of the time.”

STARTED: 3/16/2026 FINISHED: 3/17/2026 FORMAT: Audio🎧 LENGTH: 5 hrs and 41 mins or 253 Pages GENRE: Dark Romance STEAM/SPICE: 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ /5 STAND-ALONE OR PART OF A SERIES: Book 2 of Constantine Brothers
POV: 1st Person Dual POV ═════════════════════════════════════════ STAR RATING: 3 out of 5 ═════════════════════════════════════════ CATEGORY RATINGS Score 1-5 Engagement: 5— Obsessed: Unputdownable; completely absorbed. Emotional Vibes: 4—Strong emotions: Several emotional highs. Character Attachment: 4—Really liked them; invested. Vibe Consistency: 5—Immaculate Vibes: Perfect, consistent aesthetic/tone. Memorability: 3—Pleasant but forgettable: enjoyable in the moment. Total: 21 Rating Average: 4 (Gut Modifier ± 0.5) or (Round Up or Down): -1 ═════════════════════════════════════════ What to Expect: ✨LGBTQ ✨Queer-Awakening ✨Forced-Proximity ✨Hurt/Comfort ✨Mafia

STARTED: 3/14/2026 FINISHED: 3/15/2026 FORMAT: Audio🎧 LENGTH: 6 hrs and 23 mins or 278 Pages GENRE: Dark Romance STEAM/SPICE: 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ /5 STAND-ALONE OR PART OF A SERIES: Book 1 of Constantine Brothers
POV: 1st Person Dual POV ═════════════════════════════════════════ STAR RATING: 4 out of 5 ═════════════════════════════════════════ CATEGORY RATINGS

Engagement – “Did this book pull me in?” Struggling: Reading felt like Effort (1) Drifting: Distracted; often chose to do other things and/or thought about reading anything else. (2) Pleasant: Enjoyable but easy to pause (3) Drawn in: Looked forward to reading; consistently engaging (4) ♥️Obsessed: Unputdownable; completely absorbed. (5) ♥️

Emotional Vibes – “How much did I feel?” Flat: No emotional reaction (1) Low emotion: Understood the emotion but didn’t feel it. (2) Some feels: Occasional emotion; hit-and-miss. (3) ♥️Strong emotions: Several emotional highs. (4) ♥️ Deep Impact: Strong emotional response; felt everything. (5)

Character Attachment – “Did I care about these people?” Not at all. (1) Couldn’t get invested. (2) Liked some but not strongly. (3) ♥️Really liked them; invested. (4) ♥️ New fictional family; miss them already. (5)

Vibe Consistency – “Did the atmosphere stay strong?” Off: Flat or mismatched tone. (1) Inconsistent: Tonal shifts that didn’t work. (2) Mixed: Some strong vibes, some disjointed spots.(3) Steady: A couple dips but overall cohesive (4) ♥️Immaculate Vibes: Perfect, consistent aesthetic/tone (5) ♥️

Memorability – “Will I remember this book?” Left no Impression (1) Already Fading; Not much stuck. (2) Pleasant but forgettable: enjoyable in the moment. (3) ♥️Will remember core details clearly. (4) ♥️ Unforgettable scenes/character that will linger. (5) ═════════════════════════════════════════ CATEGORY AVERAGE Engagement: 4 Emotional Vibes: 4 Character Attachment: 5 Vibe Consistency: 5 Memorability: 4 Total: 22 Rating Average: 4.4 (Gut Modifier ± 0.5) or (Round Up or Down): Round Down ═════════════════════════════════════════ What to Expect: ✨LGBTQ ✨Possessive ✨Forced-Proximity ✨Hurt/Comfort ✨Mafia ═════════════════════════════════════════ Favorite Quote(s):

His arms are around me. He’s trembling. “I’m sorry,” he whispers. I rub my thumb against his ribs through his shirt. I kiss his throat to tell him that I know. “I don’t want you to be unhappy,” he says. “I know.”

⸝⸝⸝

STARTED: 3/10/2026 FINISHED: 3/13/2026 FORMAT: Audio🎧 LENGTH: 9 hrs and 9 mins or 330 Pages GENRE: Romantic Comedy STEAM/SPICE: 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ /5 STAND-ALONE OR PART OF A SERIES: Stand-alone POV: 1st Person Dual POV ═════════════════════════════════════════ STAR RATING: 4 out of 5 ═════════════════════════════════════════ CATEGORY RATINGS

Engagement – “Did this book pull me in?” Struggling: Reading felt like Effort (1) Drifting: Distracted; often chose to do other things and/or thought about reading anything else. (2) Pleasant: Enjoyable but easy to pause (3) ♥️Drawn in: Looked forward to reading; consistently engaging (4)♥️ Obsessed: Unputdownable; completely absorbed. (5)

Emotional Vibes – “How much did I feel?” Flat: No emotional reaction (1) Low emotion: Understood the emotion but didn’t feel it. (2) ♥️Some feels: Occasional emotion; hit-and-miss. (3)♥️ Strong emotions: Several emotional highs. (4) Deep Impact: Strong emotional response; felt everything. (5)

Character Attachment – “Did I care about these people?” Not at all. (1) Couldn’t get invested. (2) ♥️Liked some but not strongly. (3)♥️ Really liked them; invested. (4) New fictional family; miss them already. (5)

Vibe Consistency – “Did the atmosphere stay strong?” Off: Flat or mismatched tone. (1) Inconsistent: Tonal shifts that didn’t work. (2) Mixed: Some strong vibes, some disjointed spots.(3) ♥️Steady: A couple dips but overall cohesive (4)♥️ Immaculate Vibes: Perfect, consistent aesthetic/tone (5)

Memorability – “Will I remember this book?” Left no Impression (1) ♥️Already Fading; Not much stuck. (2)♥️ Pleasant but forgettable: enjoyable in the moment. (3) Will remember core details clearly. (4) Unforgettable scenes/character that will linger. (5) ═════════════════════════════════════════ CATEGORY AVERAGE Engagement: 4 Emotional Vibes: 3 Character Attachment: 3 Vibe Consistency: 4 Memorability: 2 Total: 16 Rating Average: 3.2 (Gut Modifier ± 0.5) or (Round Up or Down): Round Down ═════════════════════════════════════════ What to Expect: ✨LGBTQ ✨Wedding Vibes ✨Forced-Proximity ✨Opposites Attract ✨Adversaries ═════════════════════════════════════════ Favorite Quote(s):

“Nothing except a time machine will erase the drunk texts I fired off last night somewhere between midnight and regret o’clock.”

⸝⸝⸝ “Is he the fun-phobic banker I thought I knew? Who is this guy who invents words to describe my hair, and has deep thoughts about my abs?”

STARTED: 3/2/2026 FINISHED: 3/6/2026 FORMAT: Audio🎧 LENGTH: 13 hrs and 3 mins or 464 Pages GENRE: Contemporary Romance STEAM/SPICE: 🌶️ 🌶️ /5 STAND-ALONE OR PART OF A SERIES: Book 2 of Heartstrings POV: 1st Person Dual POV ═════════════════════════════════════════ STAR RATING: 4 out of 5 ═════════════════════════════════════════ CATEGORY RATINGS

Engagement – “Did this book pull me in?” Struggling: Reading felt like Effort (1) Drifting: Distracted; often chose to do other things and/or thought about reading anything else. (2) Pleasant: Enjoyable but easy to pause (3) Drawn in: Looked forward to reading; consistently engaging (4) ♥️Obsessed: Unputdownable; completely absorbed. (5) ♥️

Emotional Vibes – “How much did I feel?” Flat: No emotional reaction (1) Low emotion: Understood the emotion but didn’t feel it. (2) Some feels: Occasional emotion; hit-and-miss. (3) ♥️Strong emotions: Several emotional highs. (4)♥️ Deep Impact: Strong emotional response; felt everything. (5)

Character Attachment – “Did I care about these people?” Not at all. (1) Couldn’t get invested. (2) Liked some but not strongly. (3) ♥️Really liked them; invested. (4)♥️ New fictional family; miss them already. (5)

Vibe Consistency – “Did the atmosphere stay strong?” Off: Flat or mismatched tone. (1) Inconsistent: Tonal shifts that didn’t work. (2) Mixed: Some strong vibes, some disjointed spots.(3) Steady: A couple dips but overall cohesive (4) ♥️Immaculate Vibes: Perfect, consistent aesthetic/tone (5)♥️

Memorability – “Will I remember this book?” Left no Impression (1) Already Fading; Not much stuck. (2) Pleasant but forgettable: enjoyable in the moment. (3) ♥️Will remember core details clearly. (4)♥️ Unforgettable scenes/character that will linger. (5) ═════════════════════════════════════════ CATEGORY AVERAGE Engagement: 5 Emotional Vibes: 4 Character Attachment: 4 Vibe Consistency: 5 Memorability: 4 Total: 22 Rating Average: 4.4 (Gut Modifier ± 0.5) or (Round Up or Down): Round Down ═════════════════════════════════════════ What to Expect: ✨Two Meteorologists ✨Opposites Attract ✨One Bed ✨Snowed In ✨Single Parent/Guardian ═════════════════════════════════════════ Favorite Quote(s):

“Why do important things have to be things that hurt us? Why can something only be valued and held in high regard if it’s…dark and damaging? Why can’t we keep the bright things? The lovely things? Why can’t those things be special too?”

⸝⸝⸝ “You know as well as I do that this storm will likely knock out the power. You need to be somewhere that has a generator. You need to be somewhere I won’t worry about you” ⸝⸝⸝ “More like I woke up around two in the morning curled on my side with Delilah’s fingers twisted through mine”