8/10
Spice - 10/10 🔥🔥🔥

Can't go wrong with Rina Kent and her dark mafia romances. In her newest MM Romance, Kiss the Villain, we follow the story of Gareth, a student and his criminal law professor, Kayden. But wait, did I mention that they both are rivals and want to unalive 💀 each other?

The story is them going against each other but unable to resist the attraction that they both have for each other. They both are so possessive and so twisted, it's crazy ❤️‍🔥. The twist in the second half had my flabbers gasted , in a good way duh. The ending was good. The spice was 🤌

And the tropes - age gap, billionaire romance, student professor, dom-sub, coming out, touch him and die

Trigger warnings - gRape, non-consent kink, mentions of self harm, killing

Thank you so much @sourcebookscasa and @read_bloom for this copy! The glossy finish is 🫶

Author - @author_rina

Keywords : Mafia | Rina Kent | Age gap | Dark Romance | enemies to Lovers | MM romance

Blurb - My darkness meets a darker soul.

I’m a golden boy.
A genius law student, the heir to the Carson empire, and the dutiful son.
Or, at least, that's what it looks like from the outside.
Deep inside, I have the urge to set the world on fire.
I keep these impulses in check, rarely indulging in mayhem.
Until one night of debauchery backfires, and I'm caught by a villain.
I bury the entire ordeal with the rest of my skeletons.
That is, until that night walks into my classroom in the form of my new professor.
Kayden Lockwood.
A criminal who’s teaching criminal law.
I can't expose what he's done without unmasking my secret life.
What I can do, however, is force him to taste the poison he gave me.
In the clash of titans, Kayden and I break and crumble.
And I'm starting to realize this dangerous game may have no winners.

#harperperennialpartner

✨ 6/10

This one I would categorize as romance fiction, than a romcom, and you'll understand why soon.

Marc and Cassie are enemies (who have hooked up once in the past). Now they are forced to work together to plan the best party for their friends - Lucy and Russell. It has to be best because Russell does not have much time left.

Honestly, the book talks about death and how people cope with it. Especially the family and friends of cancer patients. Russell has decided not to take treatment and enjoy the rest of his life. It is such a delicate subject but the author has presented it beautifully.
The first half of the book is really heart warming. Cassie, as a character, is very well-written, very heart warming. Marc irritates you but in a you-know-he-means-well way.
The book is very slow paced. That's why things continue in the same manner in second half. It's only towards the end when something different takes place. If Marc and Cassie got to know some deeper stuff about each other in the middle of the book, it would have made their relationship even more impactful.

Author - @sarra_manning

Thank you so much @harperperennial for this gifted copy

The feeling when the characters on page say something, but your toes curl and heart goes giddy up ❤️🤌✨

I love romance quotes 😭👀

Tell me a quote from a book which you wished someone would say to you? 🥰

10/10
Spice - 7.5/10

I was so looking forward to read this book and it surely did not disappoint. ✨ The Rebel Seeks a Wife by Sophia Travers, is the story of Tristan Prince, the second child of the Prince family of Crownhaven. In order to become the CEO of their family company, he has to get a wife. But what happens when the dynamics between him and his best friend/bodyguard Katie, start to change?

The way Travers writes her characters is really good - they have some positives, some flaws and some insecurities - all born from their past experiences. That really helps to understand the character and relate to them. Small details are paid attention to. For example - a nickname used in chapter 5 will be recalled in chapter 30, giving a very coherent and humane touch to the characters.

And the spice! So good 👀. I don’t know if it is just me, but when the chemistry is present, the spice gives.

Two-thirds into the book, it does feel a little slow, but it picks up pace soon enough.

The banter of the side characters adds a humor element. Overall, a good read

Author - @sophiatraversauthor

Blurb: He’s the country’s most eligible bachelor. She’s the bodyguard he’s secretly teaching how to date…and the best friend he wants for himself.
Tristan Prince is trouble. He’s charming, devious, and too handsome for his own good. I’m the bodyguard in the background, and the best friend who spent the last three years swearing she’d never let her feelings for Tristan grow.
He might be looking for a wife, but I’m the last woman he’d ever marry.
My plan? Learn to date, and get over my best friend.
Until Tristan offers to teach me himself.
Coaching becomes practice. Practice flames into jealousy.
I don’t belong in Tristan’s world…
And Tristan? He belongs to someone else.

Genres
Friends To Lovers
Romance
Contemporary Romance
Forced Proximity
Contemporary
Billionaire Romance
Workplace Romance

7/10

Adeline is a new NHL Boston Bolts coach. But very few know that the goalie, JJ Hanson is her ex-bestfriend. And everyone except her knows that JJ has feelings for Adeline

One thing which I loved was the way female characters were written - especially Adeline. Halfway into the book, I wanted to give her a hug and be her friend. It's not easy being a good friend, a good daughter, ambitious , staying true to your values while people have misconceptions about you; but she does it all. Her bond with Avery is so sweet and motherly. The miscommunication trope felt a little out of character for her, but honestly she is so pure of heart, that I was willing to let it go.

On the other hand, the MMC is kinda a red flag. His decisions seem self centered. There were times whem his action jeopardized her career which felt like a major problem for his character - something which I couldn't ignore. His redemption was is in the last chapter of the book, so felt a little excused.

If you aim to read this book, I would recommend to read at least the summary of other books by the author. I didn't do that and plunged into this one. This book is a second gen book of a previous series with 3+ families/couples. There are lots of couples and children, lots of back stories and lots of epilogues crammed in the initial chapters of this book - which is sometimes confusing. Also because of the HEA of the previous book characters, Addie and JJ have no major issues in their love story except for their own insecurities and one external factor. For example - their parents own the company they play in, they are rich and mentally healthy. Thus, if any problem arises with the lead couple, it is solved within seconds, thus making them seem privileged and sometimes nepotistic too. But the good thing is that this is addressed in the book from time to time.

I liked the ending of the book. So definitely a +1 for that. Also Avery is a cutie!

✨ 3/5

What is Helena's story in The Iliad?

Shadows of Sparta is a fantasy romance retelling of The Iliad by C.R. Jane, but this time the focus is on Helena.

While reading, I realized that Helena was the trigger or rather the excuse used by the kings to wage this massive war, conquer Troy, and massage their egos. Yet nowhere is it clearly established whether she was kidnapped, ran away willingly, or was under some kind of spell. Homer says she ran away, but Homer has never been particularly good at representing women in his stories. Anyway, not to digress, Helena's story is not widely known.

C.R. Jane takes her character and weaves an interesting tale filled with magic, power, betrayal, love, and passion. I especially liked how Helena's beauty is used as a weapon or even how lust itself becomes a weapon. Menelaus is also a well-written character; as you read the book, you begin to hope for his death.

That said, this is the first book in a trilogy, which is why it feels more like an introduction than a complete story. Many elements remain unexplained, which I assume will be revealed in future books. Achilles also feels promising as a character, but it's still early. Not much about him has been revealed yet. I also didn't fully understand the Achilles-Helena arc in the book. Helena says that "he sees her," but nothing substantial has happened between them for him to make that claim.

To be honest, I loved Paris more. ;)

I think Book 2 will be a more exciting read. Secrets will be revealed, and there will be more action. I also hope to see Helena become a more powerful FMC rather than remain as helpless as she seems in Book 1.

Thank you so much @podiumentertainment for this copy.

Author - @crjaneauthor

#bookreview #bookrecommendation #booktok #shadowsofsparta

✨ 4/5

✨ An expanse of Blue is a heart touching, coming of age story of young Hawaiian Catholic girl living in United States. Instead of a book, it would be more fitting to call it diary of Aouli - she writes about her fears, dreams, crushes, expectations and secrets of their family.

✨ The book successfully captures many aspects of immigrants, Catholic guilt, how the issues of parents affect the kids, friendships, betrayals. As a teen, it can be so confusing; but it's all worth it when you find yourself. The book is just that.

✨ I would love to highlight that the book is published in an atypical fashion. Margins have been disregarded, spacing has been used to emphasize her mood, words repeated which almost gives a poetic effect. All these help to convey the story much better and connect with Aouli.

✨ Definitely go for it. Book is available to purchase.

✨ Author - @kauawrites

✨ Publisher - @epicreads (I received this arc as part of the Epic Insiders program. Thank you so much )

#hawaiian #story

🖤 Anathema is dark, gothic romantasy by Keri Lake, the first book in The Eating Woods series.

🖤 Maevyth is a human, but strange occurrences are happening with her. She knows not to venture into the misty trees, but one day situation forces her to. Life has been cruel to Zevander since birth. He is now the most calculated assassin. What happens when he captures Maevyth and things suddenly become very different.

🖤 The book has some good dark, gothic, eerie writings. The prologue itself made me shiver a little. The book is divided in 3 parts - their introduction, them meeting and the end. I liked part 1 and all the elements it introduced/described. Second and third could have had a faster pace. Also, I would have instead enjoyed part 2 about them getting to know each other, than it being due to mate bond.

🖤 3/5

🖤 Book is available on KU and all book sellers. I actually found it easier to read it on KU/digital format as it is a 600 page + hardcover. Sturdy shelf copy, but you may prefer your reading device if you read while sleeping like me :P

🖤 Author - @kerilake

🖤 Publisher - @read_bloom . Thank you so much @sourcebooks for this wonderful copy.

🖤 Dark gothic book recommendations • dark romantasy • Keri Lake • booktok • bookstagram •