Falling for a Different Type of Relationship

The Never After series by Emily McIntire is one of the most interesting series that I have read before. Her concept with these, are that the main character falls in love with the villain. For example, the first book in the series is Hooked, where Wendy falls in love with Captain Hook. Now, these stories don't take place in the same setting or plot as the movie. Emily McIntire changes the narrative to be a more mafia style, dark romance that really changes how the story ends. 

Most recently, Emily McIntire wrote Hexed, in which Prince Eric falls in love with Ursula. This book ended up being one of my favorites in the series as I enjoyed the relationship between Venesa (Ursula) and Enzo (Eric). 

Venesa Andersen has never been good. She wasn’t good enough for her parents, and she isn’t good enough for the gangster uncle who took her in after they died. But she’s cunning. Beautiful. Dutiful to her uncle’s demands. And she doesn’t have time for a moral compass, anyway. When her runaway cousin returns to their coastal southern town, she brings a man with her…and Venesa soon realizes he’s the only one who’s ever seen her for her.

There’s just one problem: she can never have him.

Enzo “Loverboy” Marino is a wealthy businessman by day and prince of the underworld by night. Underboss to a notorious mafia man, he answers to no one except his father, the strongest don in the Northeast. When he’s tasked with marriage, Enzo doesn’t think twice.

Until he meets his fiancée’s cousin.

When plans unravel and temptation sings its siren song, they’ll both have to choose what’s more important: duty to their families, or a forbidden love that was never supposed to be.

This series is particularly fun because you can see each piece of the original story take its place. Such as characters, words, monumental moments and symbols. When it clicks as to what Emily McIntire has hidden each thing as, you feel very proud of yourself. 

In this book Bastian references Sebastian, we still get the famous "but daddy, I love him" quote and Enzo gives Venesa a seashell necklace. Just like the one Ursula has in the movie. Overall, although it is a very smutty book, the plot is still to die for and I found myself not being able to get enough.

Falling for the Twisted Series Finale

Moving back onto campus a week early means that you have plenty of extra time to read. After being so busy, I finally finished the Twisted series by Ana Huang. When I tell you that the whole series did not bore me, I mean it. I can confidently say that with each book of the series, I continued to fall deeper into love with each character that I got to know and that she introduced. Ana Huang has been a popular TikTok author with her King of Wrath series being popular as well. She definitely is one of my top favorite authors and one that I could easily recommend to a dark romance reader.

The story follows Stella Alonso, a fashion influencer and aspiring designer, who finds herself in a difficult spot after being fired from her job at a fashion magazine. Desperate to secure a brand ambassadorship and fund her dream of launching her own fashion line, she reluctantly agrees to a fake-dating arrangement with Christian Harper, the enigmatic CEO of Harper Security and her apartment building’s landlord. Christian is known for his cold demeanor and morally gray actions, yet he is drawn to Stella. Their dynamic becomes even more intense when a stalker from Stella’s past resurfaces, forcing her to move into Christian’s penthouse for protection. Their relationship, built on convenience, slowly evolves into something far deeper and more complicated than either of them expected.

Twisted Lies was the fourth and final book in the series. This book was honestly just as satisfying as the first and the ending gave me all the conclusions I needed. Stella was such a fun character from the beginning and she had a lot of character development that was easy to pick up on. Christian was the same way and really started to grow on me, even though I liked him from the beginning.

Throughout this entire book, I never knew what was going to happen next in Stella and Christian's relationship. The plot got better and better and it was fun to see old characters returning and seeing their stories start to wrap up. It makes me very happy to read the first book in a series and see the development that those characters made by the end of the fourth book. Although you aren't directly reading their story anymore, you can still put all of the pieces together and watch them find their happy ending.

Overall, finishing the Twisted series was sort of disappointing because I did not want to put it down. I cannot wait to read the King of Wrath series and continue to support Ana Huang for her amazing work.

My New Favorite Series: Falling Hard for Twisted Games

After reading the second book of the Twisted series by Ana Huang, Twisted Games, in only 3 days, its safe to say that it is for sure my new favorite series. If you see me reading at all this week, I am either finishing book 3 or in the process of reading book 4. I cannot put this series down because I am absolutely addicted.

Stoic, broody and arrogant, elite bodyguard Rhys Larsen has 2 rules: 1) Protect his clients at all costs 2) Do not become emotionally involved. Ever. He has never once been tempted to break those rules...until her.

Bridget von Ascheberg. A princess with a stubborn streak that matches his own and a hidden fire that reduces his rules to ash. She's nothing he expected and everything he never knew he needed. Day by day, inch by inch, she breaks down his defenses until he's faced with a truth he can no longer deny: he swore an oath to protect her, but all he wants is to have her to himself.

Because she's his. His princess.

Regal, strong-willed and bound by the chains of duty, Princess Bridget dreams of the freedom to live and love as she chooses. But when her brother abdicates, she's suddenly faced with the prospect of a loveless, politically expedient marriage and a throne she never wanted. And as she navigates the intricacies-and treacheries-of her new role, she must also hide her desire for a man she can't have.

Her bodyguard.

Her protector.

Her ultimate ruin.

Unexpected and forbidden, theirs is a love that could destroy a kingdom...and doom them both.

Bridget and Rhys' love was one like no other as throughout it all they stuck together. They had very short moments of not being with each other but the book moved very fast through those moments which I appreciated. As much as I love getting more character development when the characters are far apart, they typically just have moments of dread or complaint during this time.

Ana Huang has deemed this book a stand alone from the first but I believe it is very vital to read the first book before this one to truly understand the repeat faces as well as the background information. Unlike A Court of Thorns and Roses, the first book in this series is not a bore and is very easy to read if you enjoy the characters like I did.

Stars: 5

Spice: 4

A New Favorite Series? Twisted Love Review

I have seen the Twisted series by Ana Huang all over stores and TikTok. It has been on my reading list for forever but this week I finally indulged and read it thanks to getting a hard copy at the ONU Thrift Club's Blind Date with a Book event. I recommend this book to people who have enjoyed their TikTok romance reads as well as steamy brothers best friend romances. 

He has a heart of ice…but for her, he'd burn the world. Alex Volkov is a devil blessed with the face of an angel and cursed with a past he can't escape. Driven by a tragedy that has haunted him for most of his life, his ruthless pursuits for success and vengeance leave little room for matters of the heart. But when he's forced to look after his best friend's sister, he starts to feel something in his chest:

A crack.

A melt.

A fire that could end his world as he knew it.

Ava Chen is a free spirit trapped by nightmares of a childhood she can't remember. But despite her broken past, she's never stopped seeing the beauty in the world...including the heart beneath the icy exterior of a man she shouldn't want.

Her brother's best friend.

Her neighbor.

Her savior and her downfall.

Theirs is a love that was never supposed to happen-but when it does, it unleashes secrets that could destroy them both...and everything they hold dear.

Ava and Alex's relationship was never one that was ideal throughout the entirety of the book. But that's the sort of romance books I tend to enjoy since I can see how they play out in the end. It did not take me very long to fall in love with both of the characters even though Alex was very standoffish in the beginning. I felt that Ava and I were very similar as we are both bright people who look for the positive in everything and tend to keep a cheerful demeanor.

Typically I will just rent out books from my library at home to read but due to me loving this series so much and having three weeks before I even go home, I bought Kindle Unlimited just so I can finish the series. Safe to say I am really looking forward to the rest of this series and I hope that it is just as good as the first.

Stars: 5

Spice: 4

The Final Nail in the Hot and Hammered Series

Tools of Engagement by Tessa Baily is the final book in the Hot and Hammered series. It still continues down the path of home renovations but this time focuses on the final Castle family member's life drama. This final book shows us just how one uncle trying to raise his sister's daughter alone can grab hold of your heart at the wrong time.

Everything in Bethany Castle's world is organized, planned and styled to perfection. That is why the homes she designs for her family's real estate business are the most sought-after in town. The only thing not perfect? Her track record with men. She's on a dating hiatus and after helping her friends achieve their dreams, Bethany finally has time to focus on her own: flip a house, from framework to furnishings, all by herself. But her older brother runs the company and refuses to take her seriously.

When a television producer gets wind of the Castle sibling rivalry, they’re invited on a new show, Flip Off, a competition to see who can do the best renovation. Bethany wants bragging rights, but she needs a crew and the only member of her brother's construction team willing to jump ship is Wes Daniels, the new guy in town. His Texas drawl and handsome face got under Bethany's skin on day one, but the last thing she needs is some cocky young cowboy in her way.

As the race to renovate heats up, Wes and Bethany are forced into close quarters and banter as they remodel the ugliest house on the block. But Bethany's perfectly structured life is one kiss away from going up in smoke and she knows falling for a guy like Wes would be a flipping disaster.

Wes was a character that I did not prefer in the second book of the series, but this book has definitely changed my mind about him. I always love reading about single men trying to navigate the world of raising a sassy elementary-level girl. Bethany also not knowing how to deal with children also elevated the comedy of the situation

Like I have said in the other reviews of the first two books of the series, if you like a cute romance and house flipping like HGTV, this series is absolutely perfect for you. Hot and Hammered is a series unlike any other thanks to Tessa Bailey. I feel that if houses are not quite your thing, you should still check out any other book that she has made because they are all fantastic!

Stars: 3/5

Spice: 4/5

When Happily Ever After Needs a Renovation

Love Her or Lose Her is the second book in Tessa Bailey’s Hot and Hammered series and while it didn’t completely match the magic of the first book for me, it still delivered an engaging story. I genuinely enjoyed reading it, even if I didn’t connect with the characters quite as deeply. Rosie and Dominic’s personalities were a bit harder to love, but they’re flawed in a very raw and human way, which sometimes made it difficult to support them, but also made their journey feel more real.

The story follows Rosie and Dominic Vega, a seemingly perfect couple who’ve lost their spark over the years. Once high school sweethearts, best friends and completely obsessed with each other, they’ve now fallen into a routine that feels more like strangers sharing a space than partners in love. Dominic, a former soldier, has retreated emotionally, giving Rosie little more than grunts and blank stares, even though he’s still a loyal husband and a reliable provider. But Rosie wants more. More passion, more communication, more connection and she’s finally ready to stop settling.

Encouraged by her fiercely supportive group of girlfriends, Rosie makes two big decisions: she’s going to chase her lifelong dream of opening a restaurant and she’s going to fight for her marriage, starting with marriage boot camp. And not just any marriage boot camp, this one’s led by a laid-back, eccentric therapist who’s all about feelings, incense and emotional vulnerability. But just when it seems like everything is finally falling into place, Rosie uncovers a secret Dominic’s been keeping.

Overall, Love Her or Lose Her is a heartfelt second-chance romance that explores what happens after the honeymoon phase ends. While I personally didn’t adore the characters as much as in the first book, I appreciated their growth and the emotional weight of their story. I enjoyed how Tessa Bailey wrote a story based on real-life problems that aren't typically read about or talked about overall. Rosie and Dom’s journey isn’t perfect, but it’s honest, messy and ultimately hopeful.

Stars: 3/5

Spice: 4/5

A Must-Read for HGTV Lovers and Romance Fans

The first time I read Fix Her Up by Tessa Bailey, I knew it was a book I’d come back to. And now, after a re-read, I can confirm that it’s just as fun, steamy, and satisfying the second time around. I only read this book which is the first in the series and have decided that I wanted to reread this book and finish up the series. I first read this book in October of 2023, and my opinions have not changed. If you love home renovations, HGTV marathons, and swoon-worthy romance, Fix Her Up is a book you need on your shelf.

Georgette Castle grew up in a family of home renovation pros, but instead of following in their footsteps, she pursued a career as a children’s party planner. With this, her family and much of the town see her as the “kid sister” rather than a serious businesswoman. Tired of being overlooked, Georgie embarks on a personal makeover, complete with a business revamp, a wardrobe overhaul, and a bold new approach to dating.

Enter Travis Ford, former baseball star and her older brother’s best friend. After an injury ends his career, Travis finds himself stuck in a town that only sees him as a washed-up athlete. When Georgie proposes a fake relationship to help them both shift public perception, her as a grown woman and him as a reliable professional, he agrees. But as their pretend romance heats up, real feelings start to blur the lines between fantasy and reality.

The first time I read it, I loved the slow burn and chemistry between Georgie and Travis. On the re-read, I caught even more of their small, heartfelt moments that make their romance so fun to read. While the story isn’t centered around home renovation, the setting and family business give it that cozy, small-town, fixer-upper feel. If you love watching house flips and interior makeovers, this book has that same satisfying charm.

Overall, Tessa Bailey is a romance author I would recommend to any reader, whether you've read romance before or if you are just dipping your toe into the genre. Her books are all super fun to read aren't too long and don't drag out either. You definitely will fall in love with at least one of her characters and find a resemblance within yourself.

Stars: 4

Spice: 4

Less Smut, More Heart: Why I Loved Daydream

Some of you readers or even TikTok users have heard of Icebreaker by Hannah Grace (Maple Hills Series #1). If you do not know this book here is a quick rundown for you: 

A college hockey romance about Anastasia, a competitive figure skater, and Nate, the captain of the hockey team. They are forced to work together when their teams must share a rink, but their initial rivalry turns into an unexpected romance.

This book has since sparked so much controversy on TikTok due to parents being deceived of it's content. They thought this book was just a cute little romance, but when they had their teenager reading smut (sex) that's when they drew the line. I however truly enjoyed this book, so much so that I just recently read the most recent book in the series, Daydream (Maple Hills Series #3). 

Here is my review of Daydream!

When his procrastination lands him in a difficult class with his least favorite professor, Henry Turner knows he’s going to have to work extra hard to survive his junior year of college. And now with his new title of captain for the hockey team, which he didn’t even want, Henry absolutely cannot fail. Enter Halle Jacobs, a fellow junior who finds herself befriended by Henry when he accidentally crashes her book club.

Halle may not have the romantic pursuits of her favorite fictional leads, but she’s an academic superstar, and as soon as she hears about Henry’s problems with his class reading material, she offers to help. Too bad being a private tutor isn’t exactly ideal given her own studies, job, book club, and the novel she’s trying to write. But new experiences are the key to beating her writer’s block, and Henry’s promising to be the one to give them to her. They just need to stick to their rule book, and not fall in love.

This book was super cute and way less smutty than Icebreaker. Halle and Henry have become my new romance book babies as I just adore them so much. Similar to Night Shift (which I wrote about in a previous review), I could really relate to Halle since she is a cute book reader and writer. She also is a people pleaser and although she takes on a lot more than I could in the book, it was still nice to see some representation for the people who work too hard.

Stars: 4

Spice: 2

Adorable but Annoying? My Review of Night Shift

Night Shift by Annie Crown was the most adorable romance I have read in a while. I believe I found this book on either TikTok or Instagram before it came out. Since then, it has been sitting on my reading list, waiting to be read. Driving an hour and a half to my boyfriend's house is always the perfect time to read a romance, and this one hit the spot.

Kendall Holiday spends her Friday nights exactly where she wants to be. With her head buried in a spicy romance novel while she works the night shift at her university's library. She knows she could join her friends for a weekend of drinks and college parties, but she likes her alone time, so she tells herself she isn't hiding when she gets lost in the pages of fictional love stories.

But that all changes when Vincent Knight, captain of the basketball team, turns up with an injured wrist, a sour mood, and a pressing need for poetry recommendations for a class he hates. Vincent is tall, smart-mouthed and challenges Kendall like no one has before. Suddenly, she's falling headfirst into her very own romance novel, but it takes a lot more truth than tropes to get to a happy ever after in real life.

As a reader who focuses on tropes and happily ever after, it was fun to read a book where the main character was the same way. Kendall was always looking at her relationship with Vincent through tropes or scenes from books she had previously read.  It was nice to be able to have a character that I could relate to in this non-typical way.

This book was a short read, which I enjoyed because it meant that the scenes did not drag on too much and neither did the relationship between Vincent and Kendall. I will mention that I did not enjoy how much conflict and miscommunication there was between these two characters. It became repetitive and made me feel annoyed with the author.

Stars: 4

Spice: 3 

Love on the Line: A Review of Hook, Line, and Sinker

Hook, Line, and Sinker by Tessa Bailey is a sweet conclusion to the Bellinger Sisters series. While it may not have quite lived up to It Happened One Summer, this sequel is still a heartwarming romance filled with growth and humor.

This book follows Hannah Bellinger, the younger and more understated of the two sisters. Unlike her sister, Piper, who thrives in the spotlight, Hannah has always seen herself as the supporting character in other people’s stories. Working as a music production assistant, she returns to the charming fishing town of Westport for a film project, determined to prove herself in her industry. With no place to stay, she ends up crashing at the home of her close friend, Fox Thornton.

Fox is Westport’s resident ladies’ man, though he puts on a carefree facade. Fox struggles with insecurities and believes he’s only worth a good time. However, what Hannah doesn’t realize is that Fox has secretly harbored feelings for her all along. Unlike his usual flings, his connection with Hannah feels different and he’s terrified of ruining what they have and disappointing someone who deserves better. As they spend more time together, their friendship begins to blur into something more, forcing Fox to confront his fears of unworthiness and Hannah to recognize that she doesn’t have to settle for a background role in her own life.

Though it may not have had the same spark as the first book, Hook, Line, and Sinker is still an enjoyable, easy read for romance lovers. The town of Westport continues to be a charming town for love stories. If you enjoy contemporary romance with lovable characters and a touch of small-town magic, the entire Bellinger Sisters series is definitely worth the read!

Stars: 3

Spice: 2

It Happened One Summer: The Perfect Book for Your Next Vacation

If you're searching for the perfect summer read, It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey is a must-read. This Schitt’s Creek-inspired, Hollywood-to-small-town novel is an enemies-to-lovers story. This book is perfect for small-town vacations or just sitting on the beach!

Piper Bellinger, a glamorous and carefree LA aristocrat, is living her best life until one night of reckless partying lands her in trouble. Her stepfather decides it’s time for a wake-up call, cutting her off financially and sending her to a small, working-class fishing town in Washington to prove she can be responsible. Piper finds herself in a world where no one is impressed by her status, especially Brendan Taggart. Brendan is the town’s no-nonsense sea captain who has little patience for Piper’s flashy lifestyle. He doubts she’ll last more than a few days in a place so far removed from her glamorous comfort zone. 

At first, I found Piper a bit difficult to love as she felt like the stereotypical spoiled rich girl. But as the story progressed, I couldn’t help but fall for her character development. As someone familiar with small dockside towns, this book does a wonderful job of putting you right into the setting.

I already can’t wait to continue with the Bellinger Sisters series as I’m not ready to say goodbye to these characters just yet! Whether you’re a typical romance reader or just dipping your toes into it, It Happened One Summer is a fantastic pick for your next beach read.

Stars: 4

Spice: 2

The Finish Line (The Ravenhood #3)

The Finish Line by Kate Stewart is the final book in The Ravenhood Trilogy. While it took time for me to fully connect with the series, I ultimately fell in love with its characters. The story picks up after the events of Flock and Exodus, centering on secrets, betrayal, love and loyalty.

If this book interests you, I highly recommend reading the first two installments before continuing, as this review contains spoilers, and the summary may not fully make sense without prior context.

After being told to leave Triple Falls and never return, Cecelia has moved on but remains haunted by her past and the choices she made. Tobias, unwilling to let her go, is determined to prove himself and win her back. However, their journey is anything but easy. Cecelia has grown stronger and refuses to accept anything less than honesty and commitment. As Tobias seeks redemption, more is revealed about the Ravenhood’s mission, its criminal activities and the weight he carries.

This book is not for the faint of heart due to its violent elements, but every moment keeps readers on edge. Tobias’ growth throughout the series makes him a strong contender for the title of “book boyfriend,” despite his flaws. His transformation from a closed-off leader to a man willing to risk everything for love is one of the novel’s most rewarding aspects.

Stewart masterfully crafts a finale that is as heartbreaking as it is satisfying. Overall, The Finish Line delivers a powerful and emotional conclusion to a series filled with challenging themes. It is a book I will continue recommending to dark romance readers for months to come.

Stars: 4/5

Spice Level: 4/5