Beneath Fated Bonds by Anna Hawke

 

Synopsis:

Cold. Remote. Vengeful.

When she looked at him, Nova saw a man devoid of empathy. Kane, a known antagonist during the war, had instigated the bitter, centuries long conflict between their nations. As a rare female alpha, her blood ran cold with aggression, but the wolf beneath her skin was far more enticed by him than enraged.

Once her mortal enemy, the leader of the vampire council had approached the werewolves with offers of peace. On the very night their truce would’ve been secured, an attack on the vampire nation throws their treaty into question.

When Nova and Kane are forced to work together to eliminate a threat to the immortal societies, passion ignites in the most unlikely of places. As desire builds and the stakes rise, their fates intertwine, and they must overcome their animosity—and their trauma—to defeat the threat against their nations.

My Review: 5 Stars!

Have you ever just craved reading a specific genre, a specific trope but every search you do for it, you come up empty handed? That has been me whenever it comes to urban fantasy, werewolves, and vampire romance. 

Imagine my surprise when I stumbled across all three in one book. Y'all all my fingers and toes were crossed that this would be that book. And it was. 

From the very beginning I was sucked into the chaos, the danger, into a world where vampires and werewolves attempt to work together to find peace between their nations, all while trying to locate and defeat an unknown enemy. 

Nova and Kane quickly became favorites of mine. There was chemistry aplenty between these two. Between the sass, sarcasm, witty banter, the fight for dominance, and all the swoony kisses, you can't help but root for them. In true enemies-to-lovers style, all I can say is sit down, buckle up, and enjoy the rollercoaster ride called Nova and Kane. Y'all. I loved every single minute of it! 

Intrigued and invested in this series after only one book hasn't happened to me in a while. I love when I find a new to me author that can sweep me off my feet and give me that much needed break from reality. And Ms. Hawke did just that. I found myself reading late into the night, only stopping when my kindle kept hitting me in the face, and woke up extra early because I just had to know what happened next! I can't wait to see what adventures the rest of the series will take us on! 

As for my casting *dreamy sigh*. Y'all. I'm in love! What do you think? 

Heidi Lucy Loses Her Mind by Gracie Ruth Mitchell

 

Synopsis:

Heidi Lucy has a secret—a big one. A scary, dangerous, ugly one.

There’s just one problem: thanks to a mysterious head wound, she can’t seem to remember what that secret is.

In order to regain her lost memories, Heidi sets out to retrace her steps—followed grudgingly by Soren, a faithful patron of her little bookshop and the less-than-thrilled recipient of the cryptic voicemail she can’t remember leaving.

But her journey gets derailed when one of Heidi’s customers drops dead in the middle of her shop, and it isn’t long before both Heidi and Soren come under suspicion. Something fishy is going on in Sunshine Springs, and if they want to find the truth, they’re going to have to hunt for it themselves.

Who killed the woman in Heidi’s bookshop? What secret has Heidi forgotten? And, maybe the most crucial question of all: Who gave Soren permission to look so good in a man bun?

My Review: 5 Stars

Have you ever picked up a book and within a very short time of reading it, you just knew it was going to be one of your favorites? Well, that's what happened to me the moment I started reading how Heidi and Soren met. Y'all this was probably one of my most favorite cute-meets ever! I literally felt all the emotions that Heidi and Soren were feeling and I just couldn't help but laugh so hard! It was just so stinkin' cute! And yes, I had to go back and reread it as soon as I finished it. Gah! It. Was. The. Best! 

And things only got better from there. Heidi and Soren quickly became favorites of mine and will forever hold a special place in my heart. I can't even begin to tell you how many swoony moments these two had. And no, it wasn't just the toe curling kisses these two shared that turned me into an ooey gooey pile of deliciousness! It was more about the way Soren saw Heidi. The way he was so good to her and for her. The way he loved her. He knew just what she needed and was that person for her. Always. Their relationship was so endearing and sweet. I just couldn't get enough of it. Talk about all the little dreamy sighs. Oh! And did I mention those swoony kisses?! WOWZERS! All I can say is... salted caramel ice cream anyone?! 

The mystery aspect of the book was masterfully done. My mind was going crazy right along with Heidi and Soren's trying to figure out who did it and why. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, PLOT TWIST! I finally just gave up and went with the flow. I do have to say that I was just as shocked as Heidi and Soren was when all was said and done. I love it when a book can do that to me!

I seriously loved every single thing about this book. It was so satisfying and it had every aspect that I have come to love in the books I read. It was so much more than just a romance, so much more than just a mystery, so much more than just self discovery, so much more than just a relationship. It had all of that and more tied up with most perfect bow you can imagine on your most cherished present. Ms. Mitchell has made a fan for life. I can't wait to see what she has planned next! 

As for my casting, I know he was a given, but I still love these two! What do you think?!

Forgettable in Every Way by Jennifer Peel

Synopsis:

All it takes is one person to remember you.

Jules:

A word of advice: never fall in love with an Englishman in New York. If you do, chances are that he’ll captivate your soul and never let you go. Take me, for instance. For the last thirteen years, I’ve heard “So This Is Love” on repeat every time I think of Simon Harrison. If this is love, it kind of sucks. Especially given that Simon only ever saw me as his friend before proceeding to marry my supposed best friend. The worst part is that I thought for once in my life someone saw me. That he saw me. But I was wrong. So wrong.

Or was I?

Simon:

Thirteen years ago, I made a colossal mistake without even knowing it when I let Jules Carmichael disappear from my life. I had no idea the woman I always thought of as my best mate could have been so much more if I’d only opened my eyes to see what was right in front of me. But now that I find myself divorced and face-to-face with the lovely creature again, she wants nothing to do with me, and it’s driving me mad. If she could only see that I’m not the daft younger man who let her slip away, I have a feeling we could have something unforgettable.

My Review: 5+ Stars!

Y'all. I can't even with this book! I. Can't. Even! Where do I begin to tell you how much I absolutely ADORED this book?! From the moment I picked it up and started reading, I instantly knew I was going to have the hardest time putting it down! The world around me ceased to exist and I was immersed in all things Jules, Simon, and Jack! I can't even begin to tell you how much I loved these three! 

Jules and Simon have a bit of history together. It all started in New York when Simon forgot his wallet and Jules ended up buying him a cup of coffee. What happened next was the best 9 months of Jules' life... until dear sweet, sweet little Penelope (read in the most sarcastic voice possible) pushed her way into Simon's life and Jules became a distant memory. 

But a chance meeting on the beach ten years later has Cinderella and Joan Jett battling it out in Jules' head, Simon opening his eyes to see what could have been, little Jack going on endless adventures to help Princess Jewels remember the Daft Prince, and Fate taking control of it all to make sure the long awaited happily ever after finally happens. All I can say is sit down, buckle up, and enjoy the rollercoaster ride called Forgettable in Every Way!

Gah! You guys! I NEED a THOUSAND more pages of Jules, Simon, and Jack! I never wanted this book to end! Definitely one that I will be reading over and over and over and did I mention over again?! *dreamy sigh* Absolute PERFECTION! 

And it would be remise of me not to mention Calista. Y'all. I love her! She's the perfect best friend! We all need a Calista and Jules in our lives! #FriendshipGoals! 

Just when I think I have found my new favorite book by Ms. Peel, she releases another one that blows me away, has me swooning like a school girl, and turning me into a big ol' pile of goo. Gah! I can't wait to see what she has in store for us next! 

As for my casting... *dreamy sigh* Oh how I love these two! They are perfect! Wouldn't you agree?! 

2024 Reading Challenge

Happy New Year my fellow Book Dragons! Welcome to my 8th Annual Reading Challenge!

1. A book that made you laugh: The Proximity Factor by Jennifer Peel
2. Reread a favorite series: Never Say Never by Remi Carrington
3. A book by a new-to-you author: Beneath Fated Bonds by Anna Hawke
4. A book with your favorite color on the cover: My Lucky Charm by Courtney Walsh
5. A book with 150 pages or less: One Whopper of a Love Story by Remi Carrington
6. A book with 300 pages or more: Heidi Lucy Loses Her Mind by Gracie Ruth Mitchell
7. A book published in your birthday month: Within Immortal Beasts by Anna Hawke
8. A book chosen because of the cover: Made for You by Claire Cain
9. A book you haven't read by an author you love: Covert Mission by Rebecca Deel
10. A book with a heart on the cover: Forgettable in Every Way by Jennifer Peel

Does this challenge sound like one you would love to try to accomplish? If so, feel free to join me! If you do a blog post, make sure you share the link in the comments so I can add it to my post.

2024 Reading Challenge Participants:

Happy reading my fellow Book Dragons!