Review: Something Wicked by Falon Ballard

About the Book

To save a world in turmoil, a would-be prince teams up with a magically gifted courtesan—but the most dangerous game may be trusting each other in this spicy, swoony fantasy romance from the USA Today bestselling author of Change of Heart.

"Intricate, sensual, and filled with all the best elements romantasy has to offer." —India Holton, author of The Ornithologist’s Field Guide to Love

The Uprising has overthrown Avon's monarchial rulers, and a decree has been issued. Candidates for the first presidential election will be selected by the completion of a special task: to kill the former monarch of their home province.

Callum, the son of the recently dethroned king, is determined to be in the running. But coming to terms with patricide will require the help of Lady Caterine, a Gifted courtesan at La Puissance, Avon’s premiere sex club.

Lady Caterine has always had the magical ability to manipulate the emotions of anyone who experiences an orgasm in her presence. If Callum can only open up to Cate, he will be able to commit the newly fated murder without suffering the guilt and take his place as the rightful candidate from his province. But Callum has a deep-seated mistrust of the Gifted. And the last thing he expects is to be confronted with an undeniable connection with Cate that neither of them understands or wants.

With the fate of the country at stake, Callum and Cate search for ways to bare themselves to each other, and discover a darker force building within La Puissance, one that might ruin the future of Avon forever. To stop Avon from falling to ashes, they must sacrifice everything they have . . . even if it requires betraying each other.

Review

Something Wicked has an undeniably beautiful cover; however, that is one of the few things it has going for it. All characters, main and background alike, lacked depth and personality. It was hard to actually feel invested in their journeys. Additionally, the romance between Cate and Callum felt underdeveloped and rushed. I felt nothing. There was no genuine emotional development, only attraction. The mate bond they share felt more like a shortcut than a meaningful element of the story. There were a few swoony, worthy, and memorable moments between them. Although the potential was there as the inspiration. Something Wicked is marketed as a Moulin Rouge! inspired romance, but the mark was unfortunately missed.

Callum’s prejudice against the gifted was another missed opportunity. His bias toward Cate was resolved far too quickly, especially considering how little meaningful interaction they shared beforehand. The shift felt unearned and glossed over too quickly. It would have been interesting to see Callum struggle internally as his feelings for Cate grew and question what he had originally believed. The narrative also didn’t allow for Callum to properly grieve after the loss of an important figure in his life. He appeared to grieve briefly and was seemingly fine by the next chapter.

The story lacked cohesion and little worldbuilding. Diary entries and letters were an interesting concept; however, they revealed major background and plot details far too early. This robbed the main narrative of suspense and diminished the impact of later twists.

Final Thoughts

Despite its striking cover, Something Wicked did not provide the depth, romance, or immersive storytelling I was hoping for. Instead, it offered a large cast of unforgettable characters, failed to deliver a fully realized world or an emotionally resonant story.

Buy on Amazon Kindle | Audible | Hardcover

Review: Edge by Tracy Clark

Edge, the fourth installment in the Harriet Foster series, doesn’t ease you into the story. It throws you right into the action of a mysterious new drug that is leaving bodies behind with no explanation, few leads and time running out. Non discriminant with its victims with the only thing tying them together, its name, Harriet Foster and her team find themselves at the heart of a case that hits too close to home. 

Not only chasing a drug that seems to be a silent killer, but Detective Harriet Foster is also battling the fallout from her last case and the quiet doubts surrounding her career. When the investigation turns personal and hits close to home, the stakes get higher, and the story goes from your typical investigation to something more intimate and unsettling.

The book balances the external race against time with Harri’s internal reckoning. Her determination is fueled not just by duty but by empathy. The case is constant but so is her fear of failing again, not being able to come back from the edge herself. That dual tension progresses the book temperature with a sense of urgency. The toll of this case leaves you asking the question whether Harri can survive it.

This is a crime thriller that is emotionally charged and equally elevates the characters and plot. The danger is real, and we feel it on every page. As the threat gets closer to someone and the tension tightens, it becomes unbearable which makes this not one you want to put down. It examines the cost of addiction, the domino effect of crime and the emotional toll carried by those who try to stop it. If you are a fan of high-stake investigations and stories that blur the line between professional obligation and personal cost, this is one worth diving into. Not just this book but back read the previous to enjoy a wonderful series with an exceptional female protagonist. 

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Review: A Cozy Holiday by Denise Stone & Kels Stone

About the Author

One grumpy city veterinarian. One hot single dad. And a winter cabin full of naughty decisions just waiting to happen, in this holiday novella by bestselling authors Kels & Denise Stone.

After walking in on her boyfriend mid-thrust with someone who wasn’t her, Joy Winters is labeled an emotionally unavailable workaholic. One too many wines later, she drunkenly books a last-minute getaway as far from New York City as her dignity will take her. The reindeer sanctuary on the property needs a veterinarian. Joy is desperate for a distraction.

Enter Jamie Wilder: mustache-haver, reindeer wrangler, and Joy’s host in Cranberry Hollow, Maine. He’s just trying to keep the sanctuary running and his twins happy through another chaotic holiday season—not fall for the snappy city vet. But as Joy throws herself into helping his animals, Jamie starts to feel that warm feeling he hasn’t felt in his heart (or other places) for a very long time.

Review

Overall, A Cozy Holiday is exactly what the title and description allude to, a cozy holiday novella. Although the characters could be overly quirky and a bit childish (specifically Jamie’s sister), it is undeniably charming, cute, and enjoyable. The strongest aspect of this novella was the relationship between Jamie and Joy. They completely sell the book with their comedic, heartfelt, and chemistry-filled moments.

The weakest point lies in Joy’s relationship with Jamie’s kids. The development there felt rushed and superficial. Additionally, I also didn’t love that Joy moved to Cranberry Hollow. The small town lacked any distinct personality, and I would have loved for her story to end differently, perhaps with her moving back to the city with Jamie and his twins. But this is a holiday novella, so I can’t complain too much.

Final Thoughts

A Cozy Holiday delivers exactly what it promises: a cute, cozy holiday novella with plenty of charm. Although some aspects of the story feel undeveloped and unsatisfying, Jamie and Joy’s romance carries the story.

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Review: Hate Me Like You Mean It by Kyra Parsi

About the Book

He’s the undisputed loathe of my life. My blood-sworn nemesis.

And the man whose toilets I have to scrub for the next thirty days.

How’s your week going?

It’s inspiring, really—the son of a single mother from humble beginnings rises to become one of the most successful men on the planet, then goes off to exact revenge on the spoiled, bratty heiress he’s been dying to strangle since preschool.

The wicked little witch that—allegedly—had his mother fired just to get rid of him.

The self-centered, ungrateful hellion who—allegedly—has never touched a kitchen glove in her life.

It’s so satisfying, such delicious due justice, watching him corner her into striking a deal to be his maid for a month.

Too bad he’s so full of sh*t.

“Hatred” barely scratches the surface. “Enemy” is too mild a term.

It’s twenty years of pent-up frustration, rivalry, taunting, and resentment coming to a head.

Thirteen years of quiet heartbreaks, stolen glances, and unrequited butterflies getting buried deeper.

And thirty days of playing with fire… until we finally push each other just a little too far, our flame starts to burn just a little too bright, and all the secrets we tried so hard to hide come spilling into the light.

Dominic Crawford has always been the villain in my story, and I’m the fool who fell head over heels in love with him anyway.

Review

Hate Me Like You Mean It had all the potential to be an entertaining romantic follow-up to Failure to Match, but unfortunately, it never quite finds its footing. Admittedly, the book did start strong. Parsi clearly defined why Alice and Dominic have issues. And although Dominic’s interference with Alice’s employment feels borderline toxic, I was prepared for the chaotic journey that would occur. I was, in fact, rooting for this story.

Almost every aspect of Hate Me Like You It is chaotic. From Dominic and Alice to how supporting characters talk and react. I can’t recall if I noticed it in the previous books, but here everything is heightened. Most of the time, I was able to go with the flow and appreciate the fun. Other times, it felt off and over-the-top—the comedic timing didn’t quite land or blend well with the story.  One of the biggest hurdles is the pacing. Many scenes lacked smooth transitions and felt choppy and drawn out. It really hurt understanding time perception.

Additionally, a bit past the midpoint in this story, the plot started to drag. Moments between Dominic and Alice felt repetitive, didn’t add anything meaningful, and began to be annoyingly predictable. The drama with Alice and Rachel felt unnecessary and unoriginal. I found myself wishing the story had gone in a more thoughtful or fresh direction. The reveal about Dominic’s mom is also highly predictable, which lessens the weight of a moment that should’ve landed with more surprise or depth.

There are some high points in Hate Me Like You It. Parsi’s fun banter shines through, and the addition of Dominic’s POV through old journal entries is a surprisingly strong element. They help round out his character in ways the main narrative sometimes doesn’t.

Final Thoughts

Hate Me Like You Mean It is an unfortunate downgrade from its predecessors. With uneven pacing, predictable twists, and drama that doesn’t quite hit the mark, it left me disappointed and wondering if this was an early draft of the story. There is some good, such as the witty back-and-forth, which is genuinely fun and reminds you of what made Failure to Match such an enjoyable read. But overall, it didn’t feel quite as polished. Thank you to Kyra Parsi for providing this arc! Hate Me Like You Mean It was released on December 2, 2025. 

Buy on Amazon Kindle | Paperback

Review: Maybe One Day by Catherine Bybee

If you’ve been following the D’Angelos from the amazing series by bestselling author Catherine Bybee, then her latest, Maybe One Day, will feature the heart and matriarch of the family, Mari D’Angelo. She is long overdue for the next chapter of her life. After raising her family, it’s time for her to live again. At front and center, we experience a mother rediscovering her femininity, taking a chance to choose to love again and redefining her life beyond the expectations of familial obligations.

If you are a woman over 50, who thought your life was over, all you need is the right person to bring out a new vibrancy to spark the next chapter of your life. Mari D’Angelo is a heroine you can’t help but fall in love with. She is a strong, devoted mother and grandmother, and a hardworking business woman that has built a wonderful life for her family after the death of her late husband. In terms of love, there wasn’t a second thought about it being considered part of her life again. When her best friend Rosa suggested a singles cruise, little did she know her second chance would sail into her life, resuscitating a vibrancy that ignited a spark waiting to be relit.

When James enters her life, it’s undeniable how unexpectedly perfect they are together. That spark, going from dim to light, captures a tender, mature real connection that is refreshing and honest. Their union is a blend of the rediscovery of the beginning of falling in love with the vulnerability of starting over in a place of life where so many don’t believe it will ever happen again. Or simply just don’t believe they can.

There are a few things that stand out in the book for me that I feel many of you will relate to. You have Mari’s loyalty to her late husband, her fear of disappointing her adult children, and whether real love can develop as she navigates her internal conflict. That’s why you will love James. He’s patient, understanding and his devotion to her enables him to be in the trenches with her because he sees not only someone special but worth waiting for. Their relationship, a slow-burn but magical, beautiful and a purity that you just can’t help but root for them.

There’s another moment that I absolutely loved. When they first kiss, and as she feels youthful again, James finds the joy of her rediscovering herself as a woman. This moment was so profound because it paralleled the perception that Luca had confronted her about why she wanted a relationship, weren’t they enough for her just being their mother and grandmother. No, Mari wasn’t just a mother and a grandmother, she was a woman. A woman who lived her life and fulfilled her obligations as a mother but was entitled to reclaim her identity as a beautiful woman who deserved to be loved and taken care of also.

Maybe One Day makes you believe in love all over again. Mari’s story isn’t just about her finding love. It’s about the courage to step beyond the defined role of mother to woman again, healing yourself after moving on from losing the love of your life, the quiet, fulfilled opening of your heart when you thought that part of your life was over. This book was a reminder that it’s never too late for love and that sometimes the best chapters of life are the ones we never expected to write.

Whether you're already hooked on the series or meeting the D’Angelos for the first time, please dive into the series and read them in order. I want your experience for this book to come full circle. I promise you will not regret it and love it more.

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Review: Home Sweet Holidays Collection: Snow Place Like Home by Laura Pavlov & You Better Not Pout by Mia Sosa

About the Books

Snow Place Like Home by Laura Pavlov

After a devastating breakup, a sunny veterinarian goes home to the mountains to lick her wounds—and savor a holiday snack—in this heartfelt story from Laura Pavlov, author of the Blushing series.

At her brother’s wedding, Goldie Jacobs brushes shoulders with Ace Bonetti, his childhood best friend turned Hollywood hotshot. Ace has been crushing on Goldie ever since high school, and seeing her again reminds him exactly why. They spend one toe-curling night together, then part ways, expecting nothing more. But when those moments under the mistletoe felt so right, how can they ever let each other go?

Laura Pavlov’s Snow Place Like Home is part of Home Sweet Holidays, a cookie-sweet collection of holiday romances sure to bring color to your cheeks. Read or listen to each story in a single heart-fluttering sitting. And to fully immerse yourself in the charm of the season, don’t miss a special message from each of our holiday heroes!

You Better Not Pout by Mia Sosa

A freshly broken-up couple agrees to grin and bear it for their family’s sake in a story about the healing power of the holidays from Mia Sosa, USA Today bestselling author of The Worst Best Man.

Juliana and Eric called off their engagement—but Christmas with the family is just around the corner, so things are going to get awkward, fast. Unless, of course, they pretend the wedding is still on. But the holidays are gonna holiday. And the only thing harder than pretending they’re still in love is trying not to fall for each other all over again.

Mia Sosa’s You Better Not Pout is part of Home Sweet Holidays, a cookie-sweet collection of holiday romances sure to bring color to your cheeks. Read or listen to each story in a single heart-fluttering sitting. And to fully immerse yourself in the charm of the season, don’t miss a special message from each of our holiday heroes!

Review

As the holidays approach, I decided to dive into the Home Sweet Holidays collection. The first I read was Snow Place Like Home. I didn’t hate it, I didn’t love it. There’s no drama, not really any emotion. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a quick brother’s best friend story set around the holiday.

From the two, You Better Not Pout was my favorite.  I enjoyed the idea of a recently broken-up couple having to pretend to still be together for the holidays. There was a scene where they slipped up, and it was entertaining to watch them try to stay on course. I really loved the cues that Eric and Juliana still cared for each other and were going through a rough patch. I will say that their eventual reconciliation felt rushed and underdeveloped. Eric had a conversation with Juliana’s mother, and suddenly everything made sense. It wasn’t that philosophical to me.

Final Thoughts

Despite lacking deeply layered drama or slow-burn romance, the Home Sweet Holidays collection shows promise. The stories are short, light, and festive for those looking to get into the holiday spirit. While Snow Place Like Home felt a bit flat and predictable, You Better Not Pout delivered a more engaging, emotional story, even if its resolution was a bit rushed.

Buy on Amazon Kindle | Audible (Snow Place Like Home) Book 1

Buy on Amazon Kindle | Audible (You Better Not Pout) Book 4