Book Review: A Lesson in Thorns by Sierra Simone

A Lesson in Thorns (Thornchapel #1)

by Sierra Simone

Release Date: March 19, 2019

Source: Gift

Goodreads

When librarian Poe Markham takes the job at Thornchapel, she only wants two things: to stay away from Thornchapel’s tortured owner, Auden Guest, and to find out what happened to her mother twelve years ago. It should be easy enough—keep her head down while she works in the house’s crumbling private library and while she hunts down any information as to why this remote manor tucked into the fog-shrouded moors would be the last place her mother was seen alive. But Thornchapel has other plans for her... 

As Poe begins uncovering the house’s secrets, both new and old, she’s also pulled into the seductive, elegant world of Auden and his friends—and drawn to Auden’s worst enemy, the beautiful and brooding St. Sebastian. And as Thornchapel slowly tightens its coil of truths and lies around them, Poe, Auden and St. Sebastian start unravelling into filthy, holy pleasure and pain. Together, they awaken a fate that will either anoint them or leave them in ashes… 

I tried to go into this one with not too high of expectations. We all saw this book take over booktube and bookstagram and everyone was just RAVING about it. I didn't want to overhype it for myself, but I was definitely excited to finally pick it up. 

When this book began, I was sucked into the story. I absolutely loved the gothic setting in an old English mansion and a ruined chapel. There was a lot of mystery and magic and intrigue surrounding what happened there 12 years ago and now with the six kids are back as adults. I really like that we got first person POV with Poe, but we also got 3rd person limited chapters for the other characters. Poe was so intriguing and unique and I loved her dilemma and struggle to come to terms with her feelings for both Saint and Auden. The relationships in this book were so interwoven and complicated and I loved it!

That being said, this book was definitely more of a relationship driven novel. With the mysterious atmosphere and this ritual looming in the future, I did expect more of a plot and more secrets to come to light. There were some secrets revolving around the family and, seeing as Poe was working the library, I expected so many more answers and a much more complex past than we got. While I know that we have a book two and will probably get some more answers, I wish it had a more complex level of secrets and answers than what we got. 

I'm so happy I finally read this book. I am definitely intrigued by what's going to happen in book two. If you want a unique romance that doesn't stray away from the steam, you have to pick this up.

Book Review: Release by Aly Martinez

Release

by Aly Martinez

Release Date: January 5, 2019

Source: Author

Goodreads

Growing up, Ramsey Stewart branded my soul in ways time could never heal.

At twelve, he asked me to be his girlfriend. 
At thirteen, he gave me my first kiss. 
By sixteen, we’d fallen in love, planned a future together, and had our eyes set on the horizon. 

Love never fails, right? 
But for Ramsey, it did. 
Love failed him. 
I failed him. 
The entire world failed him. 

At seventeen, Ramsey was convicted of killing the boy who assaulted me. 

Move on, he wrote in his first and only letter from prison.
Start a new life, he urged. 
I don’t love you anymore, he lied. 

There was no such thing as giving up on Ramsey. Love may have been our curse, but he was mine—then, now, and forever. 

So here I am, twelve long years later, waiting for a man I don't even know to emerge from between the chain link gates.

Going into this one, I decided to not even read the synopsis and go in blind. When it started, I enjoyed how the author decided to show us how the two characters met and how their friendship bloomed over their childhood. All you knew in the beginning was that the guy was in prison and had cut off communication from the main character. We get to see Ramsey and Thea learn to really trust each other when they're young, become best friends, and then become lovers. The relationship in this was very strong and this book was as much about their development as it was about their second chance in the future. 

I was surprised that their past took up about half of the book. Normally, when a couple shares a past that's important, the author usually gives us about 20% of the book on the past. Instead, we didn't get to see Thea and Ramsey trying to understand their relationship when he's released from jail until halfway through the book. That being said, I wish we got more of them in this stage of their relationship. I felt like we watched them in agony over how to be together again and, once they were, it was just over. If we got more of them trying navigate the world actually being together, I would have loved this even more. 

I will say, there were definitely some surprises thrown into this book that I was not at all expecting. I was very invested in Thea and Ramsey's relationship and would recommend this if you want an emotional second chance romance!

Book Review: Wolfsong by TJ Klune

Wolfsong (Green Creek #1)

by TJ Klune

Release Date: June 20, 2016

Source: Gift

Goodreads

Ox was twelve when his daddy taught him a very valuable lesson. He said that Ox wasn’t worth anything and people would never understand him. Then he left.

Ox was sixteen when he met the boy on the road, the boy who talked and talked and talked. Ox found out later the boy hadn’t spoken in almost two years before that day, and that the boy belonged to a family who had moved into the house at the end of the lane.

Ox was seventeen when he found out the boy’s secret, and it painted the world around him in colors of red and orange and violet, of Alpha and Beta and Omega.

Ox was twenty-three when murder came to town and tore a hole in his head and heart. The boy chased after the monster with revenge in his bloodred eyes, leaving Ox behind to pick up the pieces.

It’s been three years since that fateful day—and the boy is back. Except now he’s a man, and Ox can no longer ignore the song that howls between them.

I HAVE FOUND AN ALL-TIME NEW FAVORITE BOOK AND I AM DECEASED.

Seriously. This book wasn't even on my radar until I saw my friends Lacey and Chandler talking about this series. I immediately put it on my wishlist and didn't even hesitate to pick it up when I received it as a gift. I was a die-hard Twilight fan in high school and this book gave me all of those feels and so much more. I absolutely loved the pack (this is paranormal-werewolves) and the importance of the pack to these people. Your pack is your family and you make your family. The bonds in this book were just so strong and I was just obsessed and in love with every single one of the characters.

As for the characters, Ox is such a special character that I will cherish forever. I absolutely adored him when we met him in the beginning and he felt like he wasn't special. The way he developed and really came into his own in this book was just so endearing and I just wanted to give him a big hug. Then, his SUPER slow burn and angsty romance with Joe was EVERYTHING and I was rooting for that ship from the start. I think TJ Klune handled their relationship very well and developed it (from when Joe was 10 and Ox was 16) very tastefully and realistically. At no point did I feel grossed out by the age difference, which is important considering the characters are so young when this book begins.

Like I said, I adored everything about this book. The book is very character driven and the plot is slow at times, but I never felt bored or disinterested. The slow parts of this book were so important to the plot and allowed characters to develop and relationships to solidify. I loved the paranormal aspects of this story and am already dying to read book two so I can see more of my favorite characters. You HAVE to pick up this book and fall head over heels for these characters. 

Book Review: The Rebel King by Kennedy Ryan

The Rebel King (All the King's Men Duet #2)

by Kennedy Ryan

Release Date: November 18, 2019

Source: Kindle Unlimited

Goodreads

Ambition. Revenge. Love. 

Raised to resist. Bred to fight. Survival is in my blood and surrender is never an option.

Though surrender is what Maxim Cade demanded of my body and heart, I had other plans. We were fast-burning fascination and combustible chemistry, but the man I trusted with everything was a trickster. A thief who stole my love. If what we had was a lie, why did it feel so real? The man I swore to hate will have it all, and wants me at his side. But power is a game, and we're the pawns and players.

Facing insurmountable odds, will we win the world, or will we lose it all?

Rita Award-winning author Kennedy Ryan delivers the gripping conclusion to the All the King's Men Duet.

How does Kennedy Ryan continue to write breathtaking romances while making such important, impactful messages in the process? I absolutely loved The Kingmaker and knew that The Rebel King would be no different! 

After that cliffhanger of book one, I knew we would be in for a ride in this book. I loved how this started out as more of a suspenseful book and I honestly had no idea how our characters were going to make it out of that situation. Nothing was drawn out, though, which I really appreciated. So much happened in this romance and really tested Lennix and Maxim's relationship. I loved how much they went through in book one and how much they were fighting to stay together in this book. That relationship is so strong and I was in awe over how much that respected each other and would sacrifice everything for one another. 

While I'm really not a fan of political books, Kennedy Ryan wrote this in a way where I felt like there wasn't a strong political message she was trying to shove down our throat. I really appreciated the look at Native American culture and injustices, but she tastefully looked at the political climate of the US and didn't try to show how everything could be "fixed." I loved how Lennix was working on the presidential election and how important that was to her life. Maxim's support was so endearing and I enjoyed how closely they had to work and prioritize different aspects of their lives and their relationship. 

Overall, this duet was AMAZING and unlike anything I've read. I loved the power and pride we got from Lennix's character and the power and passion we got from Maxim's character. These are two people I won't forget anytime soon and this is a romance I will remember for a very long time.

Book Review: The Wives by Tarryn Fisher

The Wives

by Tarryn Fisher

Release Date: December 30, 2019

Source: Publisher 

Goodreads

Imagine that your husband has two other wives.

You’ve never met the other wives. None of you know each other, and because of this unconventional arrangement, you can see your husband only one day a week. But you love him so much you don’t care. Or at least that’s what you’ve told yourself.

But one day, while you’re doing laundry, you find a scrap of paper in his pocket—an appointment reminder for a woman named Hannah, and you just know it’s another of the wives.

You thought you were fine with your arrangement, but you can’t help yourself: you track her down, and, under false pretenses, you strike up a friendship. Hannah has no idea who you really are. Then Hannah starts showing up to your coffee dates with telltale bruises, and you realize she’s being abused by her husband. Who, of course, is also your husband. But you’ve never known him to be violent, ever.

Who exactly is your husband, and how far would you go to find the truth? Would you risk your own life?

And who is his mysterious third wife?

WHAT DID I JUST READ. 

The first 50% of this book was intriguing and I knew it was building up to something. So many different scenarios were running through my head as our main character learns more about her husband and is forced to reevaluate the nature of their relationship. Once that 50% hits, though, this book TURNS IT ON and I literally couldn't put it down until I reached that last page. 

And what a last page that was. I STILL don't know what I truly believe or think actually happened. I'm not a thriller reader and am pretty new to the genre, but I honestly did not see that twist coming. Tarryn Fisher kept me on my toes for the entire book and, once again, blew me away with her talented writing. 

If you want a book that will freak your mind out and make you think, you HAVE to pick up The Wives. I haven't read any book like this one and know that I never will again. Tarryn Fisher has this magic of creating such unique storylines, weaving beautiful sentences together, and forcing you to take a hard look at the characters. You have to pick this up when it comes out!

Book Review: Crown of Coral and Pearl by Mara Rutherford

Crown of Coral and Pearl (Crown of Coral and Pearl #1)

by Mara Rutherford

Release Date: August 27, 2019

Source: Publisher 

Goodreads

For generations, the princes of Ilara have married the most beautiful maidens from the ocean village of Varenia. But though every girl longs to be chosen as the next princess, the cost of becoming royalty is higher than any of them could ever imagine…

Nor once dreamed of seeing the wondrous wealth and beauty of Ilara, the kingdom that’s ruled her village for as long as anyone can remember. But when a childhood accident left her with a permanent scar, it became clear that her identical twin sister, Zadie, would likely be chosen to marry the Crown Prince—while Nor remained behind, unable to ever set foot on land.

Then Zadie is gravely injured, and Nor is sent to Ilara in her place. To Nor’s dismay, her future husband, Prince Ceren, is as forbidding and cold as his home—a castle carved into a mountain and devoid of sunlight. And as she grows closer to Ceren’s brother, the charming Prince Talin, Nor uncovers startling truths about a failing royal bloodline, a murdered queen… and a plot to destroy the home she was once so eager to leave.

In order to save her people, Nor must learn to negotiate the treacherous protocols of a court where lies reign and obsession rules. But discovering her own formidable strength may be the one move that costs her everything: the crown, Varenia and Zadie.

I haven't read nearly as many YA fantasy books lately as I used to, so when this book showed up from the publisher, I was so intrigued and couldn't help but pick it up as soon as I could!

If you're a person who loves an atmospheric read, you're going to love this book. The sea was such a central part to this story, especially in the first 100 pages, and was a part of Nor's soul, even when she left it to live in the castle in the mountain. It was so cool getting to learn where Nor came from and how their whole society worked. I did think the buildup took too long and I wish the action started with the royalty earlier than 180 pages in, but once Nor finally left her home, things started getting more dangerous and more unknown and I couldn't stop reading. 

Nor is a twin and I really loved her dedication and loyalty to her sister. In their world, they competed their entire lives to be the most beautiful in order to be chosen to marry the prince, so I loved how close they were even while they had to live with that kind of weight on their shoulders. There was also a romance that I wasn't the biggest fan of (the pacing was a bit weird), but I am definitely intrigued to see what's going to happen in the next book!

Book Review: Manhattan by Kandi Steiner

Manhattan (Becker Brothers #3)

by Kandi Steiner

Release Date: December 18, 2019

Source: Author

Goodreads

Everyone knows not to fall in love with your best friend.

But when your best friend is Michael Becker, it’s impossible not to.

He’s everything our town knows a Becker brother to be: devastatingly handsome, charming as a thief, and the icing on the cake — a sentimental musician who’s never without his guitar.

And he was mine. At least, that’s what I’d convinced myself.

Our bond was born in elementary school, strengthened by circumstance and the promise to always be there for each other, no matter what. And the best thing about my life was being friends with Michael Becker.

Until it was the worst.

I watched him fall in love with someone else, and helped patch him back up when she left him behind. But when he drops the bomb that he’s moving to New York, I realize it’s my last chance to tell him how I feel. And I ask him to make one more promise.

One summer. One list of adventures to remind him that our small town has more to offer than memories of the girl who left him behind.

One last chance to tell him I’m in love with him.

And I’m just dumb enough to believe that maybe he could love me, too.

I am trash for Kandi Steiner's writing. Every new book, I utterly devour the story and am always left wanting more. I have loved the first two books in the Becker Brothers series and couldn't wait to return to this small town! 

When we started this book, I was surprised that it was going to take place during the summer after Mikey and Kylie graduated from high school. The other two books are definitiely adult romances, so this was new for this series. Kylie has always loved Mikey (thought he never knew because they were just best friends) and it was so sad seeing how hurt she was that Mikey pretty much dropped her when he was dating Bailey for two years. I loved the plot of Kylie showing Mikey how amazing their their town was so that he wouldn't leave at the end of the summer. Their little adventures were adorable and I loved the fun little things, especially the mudding! 

While I do love a good friends to lovers romance, I felt like this one turned out a little too predictably pertaining to a certain character. I called a certain plot point about 20% in and was disappointed when I was right. Also, I really loved how Kylie was dedicated to honoring her mother's memory by taking a gap year, but I didn't really like how she changed her plans at the end because of Mikey. I wish she stayed true to her plans and really discovered herself the way she had planned to. I do think I'm being more picky because that's how I typically read new adult books. It's harder for me to connect with teenagers trying to find their place in the world, so I judge their decisions and actions more than normal. 

Overall, this was an adorable romance in the Becker brother world. I do think Mikey is my least favorite brother so far, so that might be why I didn't love this book as much of the others. But I am DYING for Jordan's books and can't wait to see how this series ends!