Review: Poisoned Ivy by Ava Rani

About the Book

Never Have I ever meets Rory Gilmore's college years in this decadent college romance that equal parts passion, privilege and mystery.

Malena Amin is two people.

At home, she the respectable, rule-abiding daughter that her controlling family expects. At her prestigious Ivy-League University, she’s the risk-taking, adventurous woman that she wants to be. With parents who demand to know her location settings at all times, Malena uses a secret phone and secret bank account to make her double life possible.

But when her tutoring job falls through, she hits a snag in funding that double life. So, Malena sets her eyes on the prize money from a National feature-writing contest through the school paper. And when she intercepts an invitation to an ultra-exclusive secret society on campus—she has the perfect story.

She’ll attend, lay low, and get an inside look.

Unfortunately, she’s discovered early in the night by the notorious playboy and Hastings Media heir: Conrad Hastings.

The frustratingly attractive Conrad doesn’t aspire to anything other than a good time. But when his newspaper-magnate father discovers that he’s delinquent on work for the school paper, Conrad needs to complete it before his father can make good on an ultimatum. So, he agrees to let Malena into the secret society—temporarily— if she agrees to share a byline on the article they’ll write together. Conrad fulfils his obligations, and Malena gets the inside look she needs for the contest.

But, the two soon discover an art world mystery hidden between lavish parties and Gothic libraries. And more concerningly: a palpable spark between them. With new clues unraveling before them, mounting desire they can’t ignore and Malena’s web of lies threatening to collapse—their partnership becomes a lot more than a simple deal.

Review

Poisoned Ivy was precisely what it was advertised to be—a blend of Gilmore Girls and Never Have I Ever. I absolutely enjoyed this cozy mystery and most everything that it offered me. The only criticism that I have is that the mystery was the weakest part. It didn’t seem that exciting, and at times, the plot was about it. I didn’t feel as invested in the mystery as I did in everything else.

The main characters were such a hit with me. Since arriving at Westchester, Malena has been living a double life. She hides her true self from her family out of fear that they would disown her. Malena's struggles were appropriately and heartbreakingly explored during Poisoned Ivy. As was her determination, which was one of my favorite traits. She was determined to win the award and find her freedom, willing to do whatever it took. Like Malena, Conrad had a complicated relationship with his family. Though it mostly was with his dad. Outwardly, Conrad is seen as less than his brothers and “dumb”. But the truth is that he’s not dumb, he’s just unmotivated. I loved seeing his transition and him finding his groove.

No big surprise that I loved Malena and Conrad together. I loved the angle of them working on an article together. That immediately sold me on the book. With Conrad, Malena was able to be herself without feeling expectations or judgment. He kept showing up for her, and even when she didn't voice her needs, he heard her and met them. Malena challenged Conrad and supported him in ways his family had not. The friendships were equally impressive. I loved Malena and her friend group. Conrad’s friend group was great, too, but there was one specific scene in the back half of the book where Ishani’s friendship shone the brightest for me.

Final Thoughts

I really loved Poisoned Ivy. Although the mystery is the book's weak point, it excels in other aspects, such as the main characters, who are both undergoing compelling personal growth amid their complex family dynamics. Additionally, the romance and side friendships were absolutely fantastic.  I am unbelievably excited to read the second book in this series.

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Review: Immortal Dark (Immortal Dark Trilogy Book 1) by Tigest Girma

About the Book

The Cruel Prince meets Ninth House in this dangerously romantic dark academia fantasy, where a lost heiress must infiltrate an arcane society and live with the vampire she suspects killed her family and kidnapped her sister.

It began long before my time, but something has always hunted our family.

Orphaned heiress Kidan Adane grew up far from the elusive society of vampires she was born into, where human bloodlines gain power through vampire companionship. She is obsessively protective, mildly nihilistic, and willing to do anything to save her loved ones. When her sister, June, disappears, Kidan is convinced a vampire stole her—the same vampire bound to her family bloodline, the cruel yet captivating Susenyos Sagad.

To find June, Kidan must infiltrate the elite Uxlay University—where students study to inherit their family fortune and select vampire companions. Kidan must study an arcane philosophy, work with four enigmatic students, and survive living with Susenyos—even as he does everything to drive her away. It doesn’t matter that Susenyos’s wickedness speaks to Kidan's own violent nature and tempts her to surrender to a life of darkness. She must find her sister and kill Susenyos at all costs. When a murder mirroring June’s disappearance shakes Uxlay, Kidan sinks further into the ruthless underworld of vampires, risking her very soul. There she discovers a centuries-old threat. And June could be at the center of it. To save her sister, Kidan must bring Uxlay to its knees and either break free from the horrors of her own actions or embrace the dark entanglements of love—and the blood it requires.

Review

I must applaud the author for the time that she put into developing the world within Immortal Dark. There were a lot of unique and interesting concerts – such as the house rules and concept of what each location of a vampire bite does— that I thought were genius. I loved that the author incorporated parts of her culture within the story. Those things really elevated the story to me and made this fantasy stick out from the rest.

What hinders my rating for this book is the overall story. The concept was there, but the execution was lacking. I had such a hard time understanding what was going on. Readers are thrown into this complicated world, and it’s difficult to understand at first. There’s no time to sit and take in the information. I read multiple passages multiple times and still barely comprehended what was being explained. Even things that I loved about the magic system—such as the house rules—I can’t say I had a complete understanding of how it worked.

As for Kidan, she was a decent main character. At times, she felt like a spectator, rather than someone willing to take action. She had such a hatred for vampires; however, very little did she take the time to find out their weaknesses. I did love the friendships that she found, and there were some high points between her and Susenyos. However, her relationship with her sister, June, wasn’t as effective as it could have been. Kidan’s entire mission started to locate her twin, and the connection between them felt like the weakest relationship within the book. I wish the author had started the plot before June went missing to build that relationship.

Final Thoughts

Although Immortal Dark features interesting concepts and an intense atmosphere, the book suffers from a slow and convoluted plot. This results in forgettable moments, characters, and a disconnected narrative. Furthermore, the main character feels sidelined and uncurious in her mission and story.

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Review: So I Married an Alien by Lyonne Riley

About the Book

What’s a girl to do when her cat dies and a plague wipes out most of the male population? Why, she marries an alien, of course!

Amara is a party girl with a boring day job, on the search for meaning in her life. When she applies to the Galactic Matching Program looking for an alien husband of her own, she’s paired with Roth’kar, a four-armed Karthinian with adorable antennae. Four arms may present problems when it comes to buying new clothes, but Amara’s excited to find out what else her new husband can do with them.

Roth’kar was raised in poverty on a ship in deep space, scrounging for enough to live. His plan to escape? The Matching Program, where all he has to do is please a human bride for thirty days to earn full residency on Earth, and then he’ll be free to do as he pleases. Though the planet is overrun with strange, dangerous animals—spiders, disgusting!—Roth’kar is thrilled to finally feel the sun on his face.

But he didn’t expect his new wife to be sweet and thoughtful, teaching him the value of kissing, the thrill of clubbing, and the simple joy of a walk in the park. As Roth’kar falls for Amara, will his plans change?

This is a sweet and spicy rom-com (with a little bit of angst) about a strong and silent alien seeking a new life, and the fun, earnest human woman who just wants someone to love. You can expect weird peen, lots of steam, cultural confusion and a heartfelt HEA.

Review

Surprisingly, this was very delightful and charming. Any issues that I have had with this story are minor or long forgotten. I’m pretty sure that I smiled the entire way through. Roth’kar and Amara were great. After losing her cat, Amara was lonely and impulsively signed up for an alien husband. She wasn’t quite sure what to expect; however, she followed through and maintained her soft heart. Roth’kar grew up in poverty, which led him to sign up for the matching program. I have to say that Roth’kar might have been my favorite. Not only was he utterly adorable, but I also enjoyed seeing him experience a new planet and learn from Amara. He was also willing to learn and make things simpler for Amara.

I wouldn’t necessarily call this book plot-heavy. For the most part, it certainly is “vibe”. I am certainly not complaining. The vibes were great and helped develop Amara and Roth’kar’s relationship.

Final Thoughts

So I Married an Alien understands what most expect from a rom-com. It’s a feel-good book with a charming and endearing relationship between the main characters.

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Review: Burn Bright by Krista & Becca Ritchie

About the Book

He's a rich jock with a larger-than-life family. She's a punk-rock nerd with a troubled past.

Ben Cobalt is number six. Not sixth place—in fact, he’d be considered at least third draft pick for the NHL if he didn’t quit hockey during college. And he’s not sixth-in-line for any throne. Though, most consider his larger-than-life, billionaire family American royalty.

He is the sixth-born Cobalt.

Out of a normal family of seven, he might get lost in the shuffle. But being the black sheep of the Cobalt Empire comes with its own intense spotlight. After he hits a major low at college in Philly, his four older brothers convince him to move in with them in New York City. Transferring to Manhattan Valley University—piece of cake.

Living in an apartment with all of his brothers while harboring a giant secret among a family who’s more tight-knit than a secret society—total effing chaos.

He has to find a way out of the tense living arrangement, especially as he clashes with his oldest brother Charlie. Ben turns to an unlikely source for help. A grumpy, punk-rock girl with a troubled past who's already pissed off one Cobalt brother.

So when an undeniable attraction ignites, Harriet Fisher is expecting the flames to die out. Except…what happens when they don’t? Falling for a Cobalt brother with secrets might be a Shakespearean tragedy she can't rewind.

BURN BRIGHT is the first book in the Cobalt Empire series, a new adult romance series about legacy, loyalty, and love.

Review

Since finishing Burn Bright, I’ve tried to write this review several times. Each time, I failed—unable to find the words to describe my reading experience.  Truthfully, I should have kept a cry counter because my tears stained my pages several times. The short and sweet answer is that I loved Burn Bright. I give it five glowing stars, and there are a few days when I don’t stare at the copy on my desk and long to read it for the first time again.

It was an experience. An experience that I’ve been longing for since finishing Some Perfect almost ten years ago. I’ve shouted it off numerous roof tables and I am not afraid to repeat it—the Cobalts hold the number one spot in my heart from this universe. I was skeptical that the Cobalt Empire series would ever happen, and now that it has, I’m still in disbelief. The Cobalts and all their dramatic, royal glory are at the forefront of this series.

Ben Cobalt—my sweet Pippy, who sees the good in the world and is so compassionate, was the perfect candidate to start this brand-new series. The series begins with Ben harboring secrets—gut-wrenching secrets that will later be revealed. He just transferred to a new university and will be living with his older brothers for the first time in years. In Some Perfect, Ben was vocal about being an outcast in his family. Even as a new adult, Ben still feels that way. Though this time we get his internal thoughts, which felt like a dagger to the heart. He’s afraid that he’ll hurt his family. He believes that one of his brothers—Charlie—would rather that he be dead. Burn Bright is mostly about Ben’s journey and his beautiful relationships. The main one is his relationship with Harriet Fisher. Another being the relationship with his brother—specifically, his relationship with Beckett, who mirrors Lily Calloway’s relationship with Rose Calloway. Beckett’s impact on Ben’s life is the center point in the book and has a heavy impact on Ben’s journey and growth.

Harriet quickly became a favorite of mine. One, she’s very cool. Two, she’s tough, and despite having odds stacked against her, she’ll endure. Three, she is brilliant. That’s something that she tried to hide, and as she grew, she realized that it’s something that she should be proud of. One of the choices that she must make is whether she wants to pursue music or medicine. Both avenues through which she can heal people.

Like Ben’s, her story is heartbreaking. Her reasoning for wanting to be a doctor relates to her complicated relationship with her family. I do wish that Harriet’s trauma had been better fleshed out. There was a scene with her and Charlie that was quickly brushed over. I hope it would have never occurred, and if it had to happen, then I wish the authors had taken the time to discuss her trauma sensitively. What she went through influenced several of her actions, and she deserved more.  

Besides her and Ben, I really enjoyed her relationship with Tom Cobalt. They hurl insults at each other, but deep down, they love each other. It reminded me so much of Rose Cobalt and Lo Hale’s relationship.

Ben and Harriet’s romance? Perfection! I have no notes. I have scribbles in my book about how much I love them—individuals who had met previously before attending the same university. Ben considered them “friends”; Harriet hilariously disagreed. Their emotional connection is off the charts, coupled with state-of-the-art banter, support, and a remarkable journey. And dare I say their romance was decided by fate?

I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t talk about the heads of the empire—Rose and Connor.  They raised their children to be loyal and confident. Ben might not have seen it at first, but he is a child of them. All the Cobalt siblings are. It was absolutely a dream come true seeing glimpses of Rose and Connor being parents. Also, a dream come true? The sibling dynamics and the Wednesday Night Dinners. Once again, the Cobalt are a dramatic bunch of individuals, and one thing they are going to do is have each other’s backs. And Harriet’s. She’s stuck in this family for life and fits in just fine.

Final Thoughts

Burn Bright is a powerful and immersive story that follows the emotionally charged romance between Ben and Harriet. Beyond their beautiful relationship, the novel delves into profound emotional journeys, healing, and the powerful dynamics of exceptional sibling bonds. Be warned, this book is massive, and although this is the first in the series, there is a lot of history behind it. The authors do a commendable job of laying out the rich history; however, for a more comprehensive experience, I recommend reading previous books. This five-star-worthy book offers numerous memorable moments with Ben and Harriet and call-backs for returning readers. Be prepared with tissues for this massive, unforgettable, and emotionally resonant journey.

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Review: Hot for Slayer by Ali Hazelwood

About the Book

When a vampire slayer loses all his memories, the only person who can help him is the vampire he’s tried to kill for centuries in this unforgettable short story by #1 New York Times bestselling author Ali Hazelwood.

When Aethelthryth—“Ethel” to her modern-day Manhattan neighbors—finds her sworn nemesis Lazlo Enyedi with no memory of who or what they are, an ancient hunt becomes an unexpected chance at forbidden passion. He’s crashing on her couch, solving her sudoku puzzles, and looking at her like she’s his eternal flame (minus the whole bursting-into-ashes part). As his memories slowly return, Ethel realizes she might be in danger of losing more than just her head…

Ali Hazelwood’s Hot for Slayer is part of Scared Sexy, a deliciously dark collection of Halloween romance where things that go bump in the night might just steal your heart. These seductive stand-alone stories blend chills and heat in the perfect Halloween treat—each designed to be devoured in one sitting.

Review

Hot for Slayer acts as a decent kick-off to the spooky season. In no means should this novella be taken seriously. It’s pretty ridiculous and often fun. Ethel is undeniably an Ali Hazelwood FMC with her quirks and interesting humor. She is the star of the show. She and Lazlo have known each other for centuries. She’s a vampire, he’s a vampire slayer who’s been assigned to hunt her. It’s a simple plot with an amnesia plot, and she’s forced to take care of him. Unfortunately, Lazlo felt less like a character and more like. A trope, which made the romance a little less effective and predictable for me.

Final Thoughts

Hot for Slayer is a short, entertaining read. It’s comedic and lighthearted. Perfect for this fall season.  There is a lot of information dumping, and the romance isn’t life-changing, but it’s worth a shot.

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Review: Fake-Off with Fate by Whitney Dineen

Fake-Off with Fate by Whitney Dineen leads off in the new small town romance series where love falls in Maple Falls.

We are introduced to Ashlyn. She is definitely the type of heroine you can't help but root for all the way. She finds herself unexpectedly having to step into her father's shoes as Mayor of the town while trying not to fall for the captain of the new hockey team. Unsure between helping her dad and doing what she wants to do with her life, getting involved with someone here is something that is not in the cards.

Setting the bar high for our expectations of this being the town where hockey players fall in love, Jaime is handsome, charming and the perfect person to root for. After recently getting his heart broken publicly, this new opportunity reuniting with his former coach to escape into this new small town should be the new start he desperately needs.

The chemistry between these two, a craved slow burn, blended with the fake dating trope keeps you paced to want those pages to keep getting flipped. The beauty of their friendship evolving along with their vulnerability of taking a second chance, gives us a well deserved hea that was worth every moment.

Beyond their story, we are are introduced to a wonderful town that comes alive from the people who make it special. While we journey through these two healing from their hearts being broken, we are surrounded by emotional, feel good or just simply moments that make you smile sprinkled with lol moments to fill the time.

This was a charming romcom that will sweep you off your feet. If you love fake dating and friends to lovers, then you should add this one to your reading list.

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