Red City is a tragically poetic story; absolutely torturous, beautifully written, and devastating. Just when you think “things can’t get worse, right?” they do. Prepare yourself because this story is mind boggling in the best and worst way. This breathtaking story had me in its clutches from the moment I finished chapter 1. I swear I was gasping and sending my friend screaming voicenotes each chapter because I was completely gagged with this story. Red City is magnificent! Truly a work of art that I believe needs to be studied.

Marie is a writing POWERHOUSE! Her storytelling is eloquent, poetic, lyrical, and yet straightforward & simple to read. She captured my attention with her troubled characters, their complex emotions, developing storylines, and intricate magic system. It’s seriously unlike any book I’ve ever read before. It’s perfect for the fantasy reader that loves an urban setting, a heaping load of mob drama & corruption, a whole lot of magical warfare, and a splash of romance. Seriously READ THIS BOOK! You will NOT regret it.

Infinity stars!

Are you fkn joking me rn!!!!?! Like seriously! What kind of sorcery is Gretchen sprinkling into her books?? I am speechless. Flabbers absolutely gasted. Taken aback! Shook! I literally just finished Smoke & Scar 10 mins ago and I’ve been sitting here in stunned silence.

If you love fantasy books that play out like D&D campaigns with super rich-detailed (but not overly fluffed) world-building, incredible characters, and plots that are thicccccccc (with like a million C’s) this is the perfect book for you. This book will take you on a literal journey through hell, spit you out, and then drag you back in by the hairs of your chin (clocked). It’s so good!! So so so so good!! The stars above are not enough stars for this book. Spectacular gimme 14!!!!

Do yourself a favor and buy two copies of this book because you’ll want to throw the one you’re reading across the room. Your jaw will be ON THE FLOOR, and your vocal cords roughened up from screaming and gasping. You’ve been warned.

A huge thank you to Gretchen, Scarlett Press, & the team at Netgalley for allowing me read Smoke & Scar before trad-pub day. On to book 2 we go!

Yall, ISTG I don’t remember a book that’s ever made me laugh THIS MUCH! Pot Shot by Laura Piper Lee was a trip. I was instantly hooked from page 1. It’s hilarious, wholesome, and will absolutely pull at your heartstrings (so make sure to have your handy-dandy tissue box near you).

As a girly that 🍃partakes🍃 and unfortunately struggles with PCOS related health issues, this book made me feel absolutely seen; heard; understood. Everything else within the story, the laugh-out-loud banter, the yearning, and tension was just the cherry on top. I loved every second of this read and I swear I didn’t want the story to end. I savored it for as long as I possibly could and wish I could delete my memory and read it all over again. It was INCREDIBLE!

A million thanks you’s to Laura & Union Square and Co. for allowing me to read Pot Shot before it hits shelves everywhere!

Silas & Alina have had me so feral since The Poisoner. Like It’s not normal. If I could sprout fangs right now, I know my gums would be itching to pierce into BOTH of them.

Just like book 1, The Arachnid is dark, twisty, and morbidly funny & sexy. It will have your emotions all over the place— angry one moment, stunned the next, and then hot & bothered a second later. You truly feel the push & pull between these two deadly characters, and as the story unravels it just keeps you wanting more.

Just like everyone else, the ending had me at the edge of my seat. My flabbers? Gasted!. I need book 3 NOW! I fear I’ll be in a book slump until I have the next book in my hands. Pray for me, yall.

A huge thank you to IV Ophelia, Simon & Maverick, and of course, Netgalley for allowing me to read & listen to the Arachnid before it hit the shelves!

A Spell for Heartsickness was far more than I imagined. I went in expecting a cute, magical story that would have me giggling and kicking my feet, but I found myself in an emotionally captivating journey. It’s a profound story of love, sacrifice, and grief where the stakes are so high they had me biting my nails until the very end.

I loved that Alistair also included a murder mystery. It was brilliant and woven so well into Briar & Rowan’s story that it never overshadowed the romance or plot. Instead it provided the threads needed to tie the story together for a truly incredible conclusion.

I absolutely adored Briar and Rowan; my only wish is that I had more time with them. While it’s bittersweet to say goodbye, I’m beyond excited to dive into Alistair’s other works. If they’re even half as enchanting as A Spell for Heartsickness, I know I’ll be completely smitten!

A huge thank you to Alistair Reeves and the incredible team at Podium for the opportunity to enjoy an ALC of a Spell for Heartsickness. I can’t wait to add a physical copy of this beautiful story to my shelf!

I’ve been sitting with my thoughts about Heir of Illusion for a minute because this book snatched my proverbial wig right off my scalp. I did not expect the wild turn of events at the end and I need book 2 as soon as humanly possible. You know how there are some books that are simply ✨unput-downable✨ this was the one for me for February. I’m so ready to relisten to it. Please please pleeeeeeeease do yourself a favor and read/listen to it immediately.

Heir of Illusion is an action-packed fantasy with so many twists and turns that’ll leave your head spinning and heart racing. It’ll keep you on the edge of your seat and needy for more of Mommy Ivy & Zaddy Thorne (At least I am).

100/10 recommend! Heavy tension, yearning, and a slow burn that’s worth the wait and doesn’t overshadow the plot.

P.S: the same narrator that voices Arges from Whispers of the Deep voices Thorne 👀 your ear holes are in for a TREAT!

Madeline, Zando Projects, & Slowburn, thank you so much for allowing me to read Heir of Illusion before pub day! 🫶 love yall big time!

Y’all know I love a good monster romance, but throw in a country accent, a cowboy hat, and dirty pair of work boots, and I’m all yours.

As a first-time Hazel Mack reader “Live, Love, Lasso” did not disappoint! This book is hilarious, sexy, and constantly had me asking myself, “who’s the villain here?”.

I LOVED the chemistry between Lemon & Furyon. Their banter had me cackling, and the spice had me blushing, sweating, & needy. Seriously it’s so delicious!

Have your mop and an extra pair of panties ready because it’s about to get HOT! Don’t say I didn’t want ya.

A huge thank you to Hazel Mack & the team at Podium for allowing me to listen to Live, Love, Lasso before release day!

Friend Challenge recommendation! ❤️🥳

Sebastian & Thio’s story was surprisingly sweet, emotional, and sooooo sexy. Just when I thought “oh yeah, this is just gonna be a cutsie book” I was so wrong. This book had me so SAT. I’m obsessed. Have your tissue box ready, baddies, because although this story is funny and cute, it’s going to pull at your heartstrings.

One Night Only was a fun, easy, and tension-filled read. It had me giggling, kicking my feet, and pulling at my hair because of the fast-slow burn. (Once you read you’ll understand exactly what I mean lol)

Like others have pointed out, there was quite a bit of repetition regarding scenes and thoughts that the characters were having about each other, but beside that I rather enjoyed myself.

What I loved most was that Laura detailed each scene generously without adding any fluff. I felt like I was running through Paris with Abby, and biking with her & Lewis on their way to see the Swiss waterfalls. It’s truly not easy to write details without having to add more than necessary, but Laura did this incredibly. Kudos!

Laura, thank you so much for reaching out and allowing me to read your book prior to it’s debut! I can’t wait to see what you have in store for us and where you’ll take us next.

If Ilya Rozanov was the God of Love (Eros) and Shane Hollander was the newly single man Eros had his eyes on. Absolutely delicious! Short, sweet, & super duper sexy! Perfect for when you need a little pick me up and a whole lotta spice.

I am quite literally kicking myself for not reading this book sooner. It’s Different This Time is the epitome of a classic 90’s second chance Romance movie. Perfect for my decrepit millennial heart lol.

It’s Different This Time was beautifully written without the fluff and unnecessary use of “big words”; it was just easy & fun. It had me giggling, kicking my feet, crying, wrecked, and absolutely enamored with June, Adam, and NYC. I’ve never been to the Big Apple, but experiencing New York through June eyes & memories made me feel like I was there. (It also gave me major FOMO because I dream of visiting one day). I’d also like to point out that Joss did such an incredible job detailing June & Adam’s emotions without over complicating it. You could feel their sadness, anger, grief, and most of all the love and electricity of their tension radiating off the pages. Revisiting their past and experiencing their developing/growing love was my absolute favorite.

I have literally NO notes. I only wish I could have more of June & Adam; their love blossoming, their success with their careers, etc. but knowing where they were at in the end was enough. I love them so much your honor! 😭😫❤️

A huge thank you to Joss, the team at Dell/Balentine, & Netgalley for allowing to read It’s Different This Time. I can’t wait to have a copy of this incredible book on my shelf.