Happy Friday!
My thoughts are a bit longer this week. It was an average-size reading week for me, but I’m anticipating next Friday being quite large. There are SO MANY books releasing over the weekend and early next week; I can hardly stand it.
Are you super excited about anything? Hit me up! I’m always looking for something new to read.
Since my thoughts are so long this week, I’m ending the intro now. 🙂
As always, all images and descriptions are from Amazon. As an Amazon Associate, I earn commission from qualifying purchases.
Be well, and happy reading!
Paige
When Chaos reigns, April Fool’s is no joke.
April Vincent knows she’s Bloodline, but has yet to learn what it means. All she knows is her glassblowing skills are more on point than they’ve ever been. It’s as if the fire itself obeys her every whim.
But on April 1st, the universe turns her world upside-down. First, her gambling-addicted father shows up out of the blue, on the run from an angry casino owner. Then all her new projects begin to systematically break before completion. When sexy dragon shifter Gray Verro wanders into April’s gallery, his presence is the first taste of calm she’s had in days.
For Gray, the beautiful artist embodies everything he desires in a mate, but despite being a former bodyguard, Gray is barely enough to protect her from the otherworldly thugs hunting her. Hell, he may not be enough for her, period.
Forced into hiding with Chaos at their heels, April’s dragon guardian has no choice but to call in his five closest friends and fellow bodyguards for help. The six are tasked with protecting her against an enemy they all know well enough to fear, but for April, the presence of six enticing shifters begins to awaken dormant powers, and along with them desires far too powerful to deny.
April’s Fools is a standalone novel in the highly erotic “Fate’s Fools” reverse harem series. It features six shifter heroes and a talented glassblower heroine who captures their hearts and ends with a happily ever after.
Paige's Perspective
Progress: Finished
Prospect: I will read this author againÂ
Positives: I enjoyed the interactions in this book. The characters communicated clearly with each other, and we didn't have to deal with miscommunications getting in their way.
Problems: I had missed a previous book, so I was a wee bit behind on some events that had taken place. Wasn't necessary to have read it, but I like to be in the know. My fault.Â
It was my con to end all cons. Three billionaire brothers looking for a surrogate.
All I needed was just one of them to choose me.
I never imagined it would be all three.
My name is Memphis King, and I’m a trailer park princess, but my thick-with-manure surrogacy application would suggest otherwise. Rich-blooded debutante. Yale graduate. Tennis champion. Yeah, right.
The truth is I have one brother in jail, another brother in rehab, and my con-artist ex just took off with all my money. I didn’t want to play this grift, but my ex left me no choice…
To say I was a little shocked when the gorgeous AF Remington brothers wanted to hire me as their surrogate, would be like saying the sun is a little warm up close. And I was about to be engulfed in flames…
Especially, when the brothers asked me if I wanted to do the job the old-fashioned way…
There’s Remington, the chief executive hunk. Driven by power, I love the way he makes me submit.
Boone is a sensitive and caring doctor, who is determined to examine every inch of my body.
And then there’s Wells the tortured artist. He loves to paint me like one of his French girls. And when he looks at me, I feel like my ship is about to sink.
I know the game is over the second they find out I’m not their Ivy league queen with impeccable baby-making genes. But these playboys have their secrets too…
Turns out, I might not be the only one running a con here.
18+ Only. Meet the Surrogate is an extra spicy laugh-out-loud standalone why choose romance. HEA guaranteed!
Paige's Perspective
Progress: Finished
Prospect: I'll read more by this author.
Positives: I'm not a fan of books starting with keeping secrets, but Rebel Bloom made it palatable. I really liked how there wasn't a plot to pit two women against each other, pleasantly surprised. I don't want to say more to ruin it.
Please note that despite my long-winded explanation below about what I felt was a huge problem, I am and continue to be a fan of this author. This subject touched a nerve for me.
Problems:Â
The harem isolates and prevents our FMC from leaving because they are upset. In the book, the FMC calls out the harem's abusive behavior. The FMC's observation is good, but the lack of action is concerning. A more realistic solution would be to provide the FMC with no-strings-attached support and sustained proof that the harem's actions were an anomaly.
As someone who cares deeply about the well-being of others, I find it concerning when behaviors and fast resolutions like this occur in romance books. In real life, these behaviors often serve as a precursor to sustained and increasingly more abusive behavior. It's rare that a simple apology and promise that it won't happen again is enough to break the cycle. The pattern usually involves tension building, an incident, reconciliation, and calm. You can read more about the cycle of abuse and its stages at https://www.choosingtherapy.com/cycle-of-abuse/.
If you or someone you know is in an abusive situation, there are resources available to help. For readers in the most prevalent countries on this blog, I've included some numbers you can call. If you need a number for your country and want to avoid leaving an internet history, please email me a theme request with a setting in your country featuring an ice cream parlor scene, and I'll send you the applicable number. Remember, you are not alone, and there is help available.
US: 800.799.SAFE (7233)
US: The Deaf Hotline:Â (206) 812-1001
UK:Â 0808 2000 247
Australia: 1800 RESPECT
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A curse that binds her, a love that could free her, and a dark secret that threatens to destroy them all.
I was born a princess. Now I’m accused of murder.
Sentenced to die by my cruel stepmother, I was abandoned in the frozen wilderness by her loyal Huntsman. I should have perished in the snow, but then a magical house saved me.
And not just any house. The enchanted home of seven sexy men hiding secrets all their own.
They call themselves dwarves, though they’re the largest men I’ve ever seen.
Dex is their enigmatic leader, fiercely protective of me from the moment I arrive on their doorstep.
Twins Lars and Clay, with their playful teasing, bring light back to my heart after all I’ve been through.
Byron, a talented sorcerer, uses his powerful magic to shield me from danger, while gentle Niko charms my heart and reminds me there’s good in the world.
Roan’s wounded soul calls to me, and the silent, savage Ozias is a mystery I desperately want to unravel.
Together, these irresistible men have sworn to protect me, and I’m falling for each of them.
But the vampire queen hunting me harbors a dark secret, one that has poisoned me since I was a child. If I can’t break free from the deadly curse she’s placed on me, my seven alluring protectors will be the first to fall.
In a world where fairytales are twisted and true love knows no bounds, can we defy the fate coming for us or will darkness devour our chance at a happily ever after?
Indulge yourself in this steamy reverse harem fairytale retelling of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves with seven hot protective heroes, a strong heroine, vampires, spice, and more!
As this is a series, there will be a cliffhanger in all books except the conclusion. The series will end with an HEA.
Paige's Perspective
Progress: Finished
Prospect: Will definitely read more by this author.
Positives: Fantastic retelling of the Snow White fairy tale!! I absolutely loved it, and I really liked our FMC.
Problems: I don't feel like I have a good grasp of the men. Â There are a lot, so it was unavoidable IMO. Â There are more books in the series, so I'm sure we will get to know everyone better.
What does the war between good and evil have to do with a crazy-haired, nature-loving, hippie yoga instructor? Nothing, until three, mind-numbingly sexy brothers crash my life and send it spiraling out of control.
After losing my mother, I thought I had all my ducks in a row—my own yoga studio, an awesome gay bestie, and a cute place in the artsy part of town. It turns out the father I never knew has been in my life all along. The strangers are Warrior Angels sent on a mission to find me. And with each one I meet, weird powers start to awaken.
Our attraction seems unstoppable, but being with the brothers means facing my father’s troubling past and who that makes me. Soon, I’ll need to accept my supernatural destiny or watch Hell come for me.
*Queen of the Fallen is a steamy Paranormal Romance with a sassy, awkward but funny heroine, and her three drool-worthy Angels who don’t mind sharing. If you love steamy romances that make you feel naughty, this standalone from Bestselling Author Stephany Wallace is perfect for you. Start now!
Paige's Perspective
Progress: Finished
Prospect: I'll read more
Positives: I totally cried at the end. Â I didn't think I was as invested as I was. I really liked our FMC, and her relationship with her bestie and how you can be a soulmate with someone but not be romantic is beautiful. Â I totally believe in soul friends. Soul sista, if you are reading, hi! I totally thought about you while I read this:)
Problems: I think this should have been split into two books. Â I didn't feel the romance between our FMC and all of the characters. I also wanted to learn more about our FMCs parents and see more interactions, I feel that could have been fleshed out a bit more.
There’s someone after me. My body knows. My senses know. They are after me, and they won’t stop until I succumb.
I have enough going on without this new facet of my life. I have three guys who all are trying to claim me in one way or the other. I have school. I have a job at the bar, and, I still fill in at night for the academy, as their janitor.
Then there’s the suitemate who reminds me that I’m human every five seconds. Some days I think we’re friends. Others, I lock my door at night. It’s our thing.
My scent is getting me in trouble. Yeah, I knew that shifters scented their mate in different ways, but I’m attracting a whole hell of a lot more than shifters. Jinns, warlocks, demons, shifters, and vampires alike are flocking to the bar for a look and maybe a grab at what one alpha called the new, ripe peach in the Moonlight. I’m wearing the amulet Josephine told me to but it doesn’t seem to deter the perverts.
Being walked home by Storm, someone attacks us. I scream. I flail. I trip, fall and hit my head. I see blood on my hands and hear ringing in my ears. Whoever has been stalking me has finally caught their prey–and their prey is me.
I was just about ready to accept Storm as my second mate…but I may have waited too long.
Urban Academy Semester 3 is the third story in the brand new Urban Academy series by bestselling author Mazzy J. March. The first books follow the story of Valentina’s new life in the city at The Academy where she learns that the world is much broader and more varied than she ever dreamed and sometimes a human girl’s fate may twine with that of another kind of being. Or three.
Paige's Perspective
Progress: Finished
Prospect: I'm probably going to keep reading
Positives: I have never felt simultaneously disconnected and invested in a book. These are so short, and I really am not feeling the love between our FMC and the harem, but damn. Something keeps dragging me back in to read more. The world-building is quite impressive, and the characters are getting so fleshed out. The subplots are expertly crafted, and I'm enjoying trying to solve everything that's going on.
Problems: I do not love the length of each book, and the interactions between our FMC and the harem are just okay—more of a cooked and soggy pepper than a ghost pepper.
How do you keep five demons and a witch from breaking the law?
I rolled the dice and fate turned on me. A trip to the other side of the portal changed my life forever. One accidental pregnancy and a near-death experience later, I’m in the back of a car taking me straight to Stoneward Asylum with my five baby daddies right next to me.
The prisoners don’t take too kindly to new arrivals. I might only be here for a few weeks, but that’s plenty of time to learn the ropes. There’s a new demon squad on the playground and when they decide to challenge the Blackwood Five, all I can do is hope that we don’t become chopped liver before our trial starts.
The Council is determined to serve justice, but between the baby and the prison war, I don’t know which will get me first.
Paige's Perspective
Progress: I did it, I read it.
Prospect: Yup, I'm going to read the next one.
Positives: I like the growth of our characters, and the relationship between our FMC and her father is changing and becoming more positive, I like to see it.
Problems: I still hate the harem for what they did to our FMC. Â So they stuck around, whoop-de-do. Â I need some giant groveling, and more explanation about how she'd have slept with them all anyway and gotten pregnant. But I'm invested, so there you go.Â
Paige's Perspective
Progress: Finished it
Prospect: ADORED these characters, will read book 2
Positives: I laughed out loud so much reading this. Â What the heck was even happening? Loved all the characters.
Problems: The ending seemed rushed. Â It sounds like this was originally going to be a stand-alone. Â I could see that, I was able to infer what happened and accepted the HFN. Â However, I am really glad the author decided to write a sequel, because I want to know for SURE what happened, why, and who the player(s) were.Â
