Review: Flame and Sparrow by S.M. Gaither

About the Book

On the eve of her twentieth birthday, Karys woke to the sight of a divine creature dying outside her home.

Two weeks later, her sister disappeared, leaving nothing but a trail of blood in her wake.

Convinced the gods were responsible for the disappearance, Karys has spent the past five years plotting her revenge with the help of a cutthroat band of likeminded elven rebels. So when Dravyn—one of her world’s most powerful deities—descends upon her kingdom in search of humans worthy of serving him, Karys knows what she must do. Earning a place at the god’s side will allow her to find out what truly happened to her sister…and then destroy the gods from the inside out for what they did.

Thrown into the dazzling but deadly world of the divine courts, she must navigate complicated politics, strange magic, and dangerous trials to prove herself worthy of standing among the gods.

Among the most dangerous of these trials is Dravyn himself.

Karys knows better than to trust the enigmatic God of Fire. The flames of passion that stir between them are only divine trickery. And yet, the more she learns about him, the hotter the forbidden sparks burn. The more she begins to question all she thought she knew about the world of gods and mortals and everything in-between.

And the more she risks betraying her own secrets, which may be the most dangerous thing of all.

Review

This might be one of my top fantasy books of the year. Not sure yet. Ask me in December. However, today, I am fully prepared to gush about my love of this book. I don’t have many complaints. In fact, I don’t think I have any complaints.

Karys was such an interesting and original character. Her character development can beautifully be mapped out within this book, and I really loved reading her POVs. At the beginning of the book, she is so against the Gods, and doing everything to get revenge on them for the death of her sister. And as the book progresses, she learns new information and with that new information she struggles with everything that she has been doing and everything about her sister.

The world building within this story flows well. One of the biggest issues I struggle with while reading fantasy series is how the world is introduced and how everything works. This book does have a complex hierarchy of gods, but I was able to understand it fairly well.

Oh, and the romance. I have to give tens where tens are due. I didn’t know how deep I was invested until a specific moment within the middle of the book. It hit hard. And from that point onwards, I was solid on this book. I was solid before but this moment made me realize that this might be a five star read from me.

The last half of this book was so intense, and I was hanging on the edge of my seat. The story is so beautifully planned and well thought out, that I can’t wait until the second one.

Final Thoughts

Flame and Sparrow is a thrilling ride with a great slow burn relationship. The MMC is so sworn worthy. I love him so much. And Karys is such an interesting character with an incredible journey. I’m looking forward to the next installment.

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Review: Wildfire by Hannah Grace

About the Book

The latest in the TikTok sensation and deliciously “swoonworthy” (Elena Armas, New York Times bestselling author) Maple Hills series follows two summer camp counselors who reconnect after a sizzling one-night stand.

Maple Hills students Russ Callaghan and Aurora Roberts cross paths at a party celebrating the end of the academic year, where a drinking game results in them having a passionate one-night stand. Never one to overstay her welcome (or expect much from a man), Aurora slips away before Russ even has the chance to ask for her full name.

Imagine their surprise when they bump into each other on the first day of the summer camp where they are both counselors, hoping to escape their complicated home lives by spending the summer working. Russ hopes if he gets far enough away from Maple Hills, he can avoid dealing with the repercussions of his father’s gambling addiction, while Aurora is tired of craving attention from everyone around her, and wants to go back to the last place she truly felt at home.

Russ knows breaking the camp’s strict “no staff fraternizing” rule will have him heading back to Maple Hills before the summer is over, but unfortunately for him, Aurora has never been very good at caring about the rules. Will the two learn to peacefully coexist? Or did their one night together start a fire they can’t put out?

Review

I read Icebreaker a year ago, and it was a book that I enjoyed. I had a few issues with it which are outlined within my review, and at that point in time it was unclear if Hannah Grace would be continuing the series. She was faced with valid criticism regarding the depiction of one of her characters. She did go in to edit the book after the criticisms. To my surprise after the criticism, she signed a book deal and the next book in this series was announced.  

One of my criticisms of Icebreaker, was that there were too many characters. Wildfire is about Russ, who apparently was present in Icebreaker, but I have no memory of him. The book is also about Aurora, who I don’t think was present in Icebreaker. Both characters have serious daddy issues, and after a memorable hookup at the party, are temporarily separated due to miscommunication. But don’t worry, they end up working at the same summer camp as counselors.

The book lost me the second they got to the summer camp. It just didn’t feel like a summer camp setting. The best way to put it is that nothing exciting was happening. There was a lot of miscommunication. And although I did love Russ, I was considering DNFing this book. I forced myself to continue and when they finally got past all the hesitation, I finally went back to enjoying the book. Those parts really stood out to me.

Russ was the sweetest, and shy. He’s very adorable, and I think he’s my favorite Hannah Grace lead ever. I liked Aurora well enough. At times, she felt like Anastasia 2.0 with some of her internal thoughts and how she would say things. I'm standing to wonder if that is just a self insert on the author's part. I liked Russ and Aurora’s relationship the most when they were attempting to keep their relationship a secret. They have great chemistry, and they had a lot in common especially with their Daddy issues, but their relationship wasn’t enough to carry the entire book. Quite frankly the back and front got tiring in the beginning. And unfortunately, those high points did end, and the book felt lackluster at the end.

Final Thoughts

Wildfire is unfortunately a disappointing sequel to Icebreaker. Most of the book is plagued by lukewarmness. Something felt missing the entire time. There were a few memorable moments between the leads, but even that wasn’t enough at times.

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Review: The Secrets of Still Waters Chasm by Patricia Crisafulli

About the Book

On a beautiful September afternoon, a hike through the pristine wild of Still Waters Chasm become a path of mystery and deadly danger for Gabriela Domenici and her boyfriend, Daniel Red Deer. First, they take a side trail to an inexplicable construction site in the middle of the woods, where every tree has been cut down and a huge truck bearing strange-looking equipment is parked in the middle. As they continue their hike to the lake, they find a man convulsing with his last breaths, not far from the lifeless body of a woman. After going for help, Gabriela and Daniel return to the scene— only to find the two people and their canoe and gear are gone. It seems impossible that two bodies could revive and leave on their own, but there is no other explanation.

When she conducts a library outreach program in the rural Town of Livery, near Still Waters Chasm, Gabriela discovers a community that is both curious and suspicious. There, she meets Lucinda Nanz, an herbalist whose encyclopedic knowledge of plants for help and harm is both fascinating and troubling, and Wendy Haughton, a young woman who desperately wants to sell an old drawing of unknown origin so she can escape her abusive husband. Despite the state police's warnings to stay out of the investigation, and Daniel's urging to not get involved, Gabriela cannot stay away from Livery and Still Waters Chasm— which puts her on a collision course with yet another murder and people who will stop at nothing to prevent her from getting too close to the truth that could destroy chasm.

Review

Initially, this was intended to be a first impression look at the book but the more I read, my curiosity rose to just finish the book. I'd been exposed the series but hadn't had the opportunity to read her debut into the series, The Secrets of Ohnita Harbor. What I can say is that, The Secrets of Still Waters Chasm, has an engaging charm to it’s sleuth mystery that has you guessing who did it until the very end.

Overall, I found this to be a nice read. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters in the book. Gabriela was definitely someone who captured my interest throughout the book but let's not ignore how Agnese shined bright with her sass and humor. I love the inter-generational relationship within the book. It brings depth and relatability to the story. The book had a comfortable pace that had a silent page turning quality that keeps you engaged looking for this mystery to be solve.

Since I didn't read the first book, I can't say for sure if you need to read The Secrets of Ohnita Harbor before but after reading this one, it sounds like the first book was just as good so you might want to read that first to get acquainted with Ohnita Harbor.

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Review: Pity Party by Whitney Dineen

As we return to the wonderful small town of Elk Lake in the second book of the Pity series, Pity Party by Whitney Dineen, we dive into the life of Melissa Corner. A small bridal shop owner trying to navigate life and maintain her optimism against the pressures of meeting someone and the influences of her mother and the all surrounding soon to be brides that remind her of how out of reach that seems to be. With her track record of potential relationships not working out, her optimism seems dim until a spunky twelve year old crosses her path with her gorgeous dad that ignites a little spark.

After some unfortunate events that affected his daughter’s life, they decide to make a new start and get settled into the town that captured their interest from their previous summer. Offering the new start they both anticipated, Sammy Riordan decides to explore the town and meets an unexpected friend whom she instantly hits it off with. As their day closes with anticipation to share the wonderful news with her dad, Jamie Riordan, comes to the bridal shop and gets a surprise of his own. Not expecting her first friend to be Melissa, despite their initial sparks, he leaves an unfavorable impression that has her forgetting his initial swoon.

His daughter on the other hand, leaving such a great impression on Melissa, was surprised when she got the ok to work in the shop. As time goes on, and Jamie and Melissa get to know each other, they find a growing attraction that seems hard to resist but gets suppressed under their friendship label. With both of them having broken pasts, unwilling or unable to take a chance, they find themselves at a crossroads that forces them to face their undeniable connection or lose out on what could’ve been everything they ever wanted.

I’ve never wanted two people to run to each other as much as Melissa and Jamie. Likable and relatable, they both bring some heartache from their pasts but seeing them finding their way made this such an engaging read. There is so much to love about this book. Besides, their own story being unfolded, what a special experience was the bond that developed between Melissa and Sammy. Her not having a mother in her life, Melissa coming in at her most impressionable age, giving her that motherly and older sister vibe brought some special moments in the book. Like the preceding book, I love the female friendships involving the characters. Their fun banter and supportive relationships want you to be part of the group. What I loved about Jamie is that you rarely get the pov from a single dad who has experienced what he has. Raising his daughter as both parents with unconditional love at the beginning of those teenage years brought some special moments.

Their story told itself in the pace and time it was meant to be. I will admit being impatient wanting them to be sooner but they had to go through and experience some things that made it worth sticking around for in the end.

Another wonderful book in the series. If you have been following the series, then you can wait impatiently with me for the third book, Pity Pact. That book will center around Paige. The release date is set for early next year.

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Review: The Sweetheart Crush by Miranda Liasson

The Sweetheart Crush by Miranda Liasson brings us back to the small town of Blossom Glen. With the conclusion of another wonderful small town series, book three centers around the youngest Montgomery sister, Vivienne.

When Vivienne left town to chase after her dreams, she not only left her family but also her best friend Logan Matthews. In particular, the night before, something happened that changed their lives for what seemed like forever, burdening a lifetime friendship broken, moving their lives on without each other.

Now, twelve years later, Viv is back in Blossom Glen, working at a local shop, feeling unsure of her future, trying to get her life in order, gets an unexpected visitor that brings the past crashing down in the present. In disbelief, a familiar voice unsettles her emotions when no other than Logan comes into the shop. No longer that young boy she last saw but a man all grown up and unlike her who is living out his dreams, has become a famous author.

In attempt to softened his image, a pr moment goes in the wrong direction and Viv steps in to help her old friend. On a whim offers her his services and to her surprised he hires her bringing them back as if no time left between them. As they work on his image and spend more time together, they find their friendship blossoming into more than just friends. Only one problem, Logan must share a secret that might ruin his chance at a happily ever after. Will they stand a chance second time around?

The Sweetheart Crush wraps up the series on a beautiful note. It's always sweet seeing the friends to lovers theme but what made this series wonderful was seeing both of them being able to reconnect and get a second chance to fix the past. I loved how we see how much Vivienne grew as a person and really found herself and where she's meant to be. And Logan, allowing himself to surrender the walls, especially with the cloud of his father's legacy to find himself brought him to where he needed to be allowing both of them to be the best versions of themselves.

I'm so glad the series concluded with them. Overall, this was a wonderful series about second chances, the friendships and the unbreakable family bonds. If you haven't read the series, go back an start with the first book. Ideally, the general concept of the book can be read as a standalone but I recommend for continuity to read them in order.

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Review: Between Love and Loathing by Shain Rose

About the Book

For fans of Ana Huang and Mia Sheridan, a scorching enemies to lovers romance about a young woman who agrees to fake date a man she despises for a chance to build her dream bakery.

Fake dating my enemy so I can design my dream bakery should be easy … as long as I don't fall in love with him.

Dominic Hardy might be an award-winning architectural engineer with fancy degrees and considerable accolades, but he doesn’t know a thing about baking. He probably doesn’t even like sugar.

So when my late stepfather’s will states that Dominic Hardy is set to inherit the Pacific Coast Resort he’d painstakingly designed, as long as my bakery can be plopped in the middle of it, it’s no surprise he balks.

Yet, my jaw drops when the will further requires us to mutually approve plans for my bakery’s design.

His stuffy taste will never mix with my whimsical vibe.

But then Dominic comes to me with a proposal I can’t refuse. He’ll give me everything I want in my bakery as long as I agree to one thing.

Fake date him for five months.

Keep his ex away by pretending we’re in love.

Smile and stare into his piercing green eyes at a gala or two.

Maybe share a kiss.

Nothing extreme.

Five months of acting in love when I really loathe him and his filthy mouth.

Even when he’s using it on me.

This should be a cakewalk.

Except there’s a fine line between love and loathing, and I think I’ve made the colossal mistake of blurring it.

Review

Four stars! No doubt, no debate. Four stars! Between Love and Loathing was addicting. And exactly what I needed after falling into a pattern of mid books (Not including Collide by Bal Khabra. I adored that one). Within the first page, I become obsessed with Clara and Dominic. I loved every second of their steamy, complicated, opposite attract love story. Both had depth, and substance. And beautifully flawed. They worked so well together, and it was so exciting to see them grow and reach the conclusion. I finished the book waiting more. And I could find myself rereading this book over and over—just to relive their love story. This was my first Shain Rose book, and I’m upset with myself for not reading more of her books. She’s gold.

Final Thoughts

Between Love and Loathing reminded me why fake dating is one of my favorite tropes. The characters were just good, as was their romance. Clara and Dominic might be opposites, but they work so well together and bring out so much fire out of each other.

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