Blood of the Bound (Heirs of Lirien #2) To Be Updated...

I don't fear the darkness inside you...
I fear the dark world I would face without you beside me.

Available at Amazon.com

Blood of the Bound
Annabelle McCormack
Heirs of Lirien, book two
ebook, 505 pages
Published November 17, 2026
ASIN B0CZ48WS6J
ISBN 9781960883391
ARC


The crown of Lirien rests where it never should have—and its true heir has just returned from the grave.

Rykr Westhaven has survived exile, betrayal, and the death of his name. But returning to Lirien as king means facing a court that no longer recognizes him . . . and a wife they refuse to accept. To reclaim his throne, he must confront who he once was—and what he became to survive.

Seren Ragnall awakens in enemy lands, bound by love to the man her people are sworn to destroy. The rebellion that once welcomed her now brands her a traitor, and her new powers may cost her everything. As war brews, one truth

She is the blade they will use to break him. He is the crown they will use to crush her. And their love may cost them everything they still have left to lose.

Blood of the Bound is the second book in the Heirs of Lirien series, romantic fantasies set in a mythical land. Content includes violence, battle scenes and wounds, strong language, and open door, steamy romantic content.

5 out of 5 stars.

This content of this post is redacted for containing spoilers and will be updated upon the book's release.

Available in ebook | hardcover | paperback | audiobook

Previously in the series:

2026/49

The Bone Debt: A Pirate Romantasy Standalone

What sound do you think a vow makes when you break it?

Available at Amazon.com

The Bone Debt
Leah Mara
A Pirate Romantasy Standalone
ebook
Hardcover, 580 pages
Independently published November 5, 2026
ASIN B0H7CK5H18
ISBN 9781965527061
ARC


A poisoner. A pirate. The marriage they never wanted. And the dangerous quest they must complete.

Elayna Velore hates the idea of a husband. But when her mother tries to force one on her, she marries a pirate instead. One who owes her his life and leaves her alone, just the way she likes it.

Three years later, Elayna is busily curing women of their nasty husbands when one of those jobs lands her on a pirate lord’s kill list. Which brings her own husband, Captain Crimson Dyre, back to her doorstep with his smoldering smile… and a deal.

She must board his ship and help him hunt for a treasure that will free them both from the pirate lord.

But neither of them want this marriage—or to share a bed and a strange magical bond that grows stronger with each danger they face.

As they realize there is more to this treasure hunt than they thought, they risk losing their ship, their crew, and each other.

For here on the treacherous waters of Eloren Isles, every debt must be paid.

A marriage of convenience pirate romantasy standalone (no pre-reading, no cliffhanger!) that gives readers a flirty pirate captain, a vigilante poisoner, all the banter, a magical bond with mind speak, a lovely found family crew, a pet sea dragon, and so much more!

I don't have auto-buy authors. But Leah Mara is dangerously close to ending my stance on that.

A standalone tale featuring a pirate romance from the same mind that brought me Kiera and Aiden in the Rellmira Duology?

Say. No. More.

Now... my first (and admittedly, lasting) impression of Elayna: She's an arse. But, oh, how fascinated I was with the way she morally justified, and completely downplayed, that she is, at the morally grey heart of it, a serial killer. A poisoner. A savior? A woman who has unapologetically weighed, judged, and executed, to the benefit of the weak and oppressed among her society. Vengeance is the oxygen in her blood.

It's a slow burn with instant attraction and flirtatious banter between Elayna and Crimson, an MMC who maintains a backbone, can call out the bs, and is still devastatingly smitten with his wife. Magic, humor, and fast-paced action all wrapped around a cast of characters with varying moral codes. In a world of pirates, would one expect any less?

I fell completely in that moment.
Between one breath and the next,
between the stars and the sea,
I lost my heart to my wife.

Come to the dark side, Mara. Write dark fantasy romance for us.

4 out of 5 stars.

Available in ebook | hardcover | paperback

2026/48

Threshing Day (The Empyrean #3.5)

May their souls be commended to Malek.

Available at Amazon.com

Threshing Day
Rebecca Yarros
The Empyrean, book three point five
Audiobook, ~6 hours
Hardcover, 224 pages
Published September 29, 2026
ASIN B0GZ14SN6W
ISBN 9781682818084


Welcome to Threshing Day, the brutal, high-stakes trial where would-be riders at Basgiath War College fight to earn the bond of a dragon or die trying. Amid ruthless competition and dragon fire, these thirteen cadets must survive a battlefield where desperate rivals will do anything to gain an advantage and dragons decide one’s ultimate fate―and where a single choice can forge a rider…or destroy them.

Xaden Riorson, the powerful leader.
Rhiannon Matthias, the clever friend.
Dain Aetos, the dutiful rule-follower.
Liam Mairi, the kindhearted protector.
Ridoc Gamlyn, the jokester.
Sawyer Henrick, the underdog.
Garrick Tavis, the dependable aide.
Imogen Cardulo, the impulsive fighter.
Bodhi Durran, the second-in-command.
Mira Sorrengail, the fearless rider.
Brennan Sorrengail, the brilliant tactician.
Aaric Graycastle, the restless royal.
Sloane Mairi, the determined sister.

On Threshing Day, there’s only one rule: don’t die.

Brennan

Brought tears to my eyes. How dare Yarros start it off like that? "Are you a bird, Sorrengail?" Ahhh. The audio was everything. This story had a bit of it all. Humor. Emotion. Danger. Marbh is excellent.

Mira

Meh. After reading this, I fully expect Mira to die.

Xaden

Did we know the truth of what happened to the heir? Because my mind blanked. And now I know a reread of Onyx Storm is necessary before continuing to book four.

Garrick

He's pining. But not hard enough.

Dain

The baggage this man is carrying.

Bodhi

"Your climbing skills are superior to your reasoning skills." Yeah. That about sums it up.

Xaden was in the wrong here, and elsewhere. I don't know what game Sgaeyl and he were playing at, but telling Bodhi who his dragon bond was supposed to be with absolutely stole a moment from him. Whether it's meeting their eyes or hearing their voice in his head, that first intro to the dragon he would spend the rest of his life forged with should have been a pivotal life experience. Instead, Xaden is all, Not that one. You get Cuir. I didn't like it. And kudos to Bodhi for at least trying to make his own choice.

Imogen

One of the better stories. Third favorite. Garrick shines here. However...

"Say the word and I won't so much as look at another woman. Ever."

Why does she need to say anything?

Rhiannon

Forgettable.

Sawyer

Dull.

Ridoc

Ridoc's story is everything you'd expect from Ridoc, in a good way.

Liam

Always an honor with that boy.

Sloane

Second favorite. And probably the most foreshadowing of the book. I am wholly invested in seeing where her role in this saga goes. Page 197 had me. 

Aaric

I loved Aaric in Onyx Storm. I hope he continues to shine.



The posts are flying up. Theories are running wild. I'm enjoying the chaos.

4 out of 5 stars.

Available in ebook | hardcover | audiobook

Previously in the series:

2026/47

The Death Father (The Featherfall Duology #1)

You're mine to love.

Available at Amazon.com

The Death Feather
Jessica Govrin
The Featherfall Duology, book one
ebook, 400 pages
Independently published November 17, 2026
ASIN B0HDZSW22M
ARC


Crows are known to hold grudges. Noa’s kind turn them into death sentences.

Raised among the crow-shifting assassins of Nazir, Noa has never questioned the Grudge Binding. Blood names the Marked. Magic binds the assassin. And the oath ends only when a life does.

Noa has never failed.

Until the man chosen by her newest Grudge turns out to be nothing like the monsters she was raised to hunt.

Determined to discover what makes this Grudge different from all the others, Noa follows him into a world that begins to challenge everything she was raised to believe. And every step draws her closer to Nate, his best friend, sworn protector, and a powerful mage who notices far too much and protects even more fiercely.

He should be an obstacle.

Instead, Nate has an unsettling way of slipping past every defence she raises, and staying away from him proves considerably harder than killing ever was.

But Noa was raised to obey.

And the Grudge will have a life.

The one it came for.

Or hers.

The Death Feather is the first book in the Featherfall Series, an atmospheric dark romantasy filled with crow shapeshifters, deadly magic, assassins, forbidden bonds, sharp banter, political intrigue, undeniable chemistry, and meaningful spice.

This book started off so innocently that I managed to forget about the page of trigger warnings. We meet Liam. Nice guy. A kind of weird. Then there's Nate. Magical. Protective. I could see the butterflies.

It's Found Family with a Fast Burn. Rivalry, where? Blink, and you just might miss it. We're going from rivals to friends to lovers within a third of the book. This story is for readers who swoon at the romance of finding their person while surrounded by a cast of friends and family working together towards a mutual goal.

Liam. That sticky-fingered wormer was my favorite by far. Charm. Humour. Top-tier supporting character. He's just adorable.

3 out of 5 stars.

Available in ebook

2026/46

The Incendiary (The Selvaren #2)

I. Fucking. Object.

Available at Amazon.com

The Incendiary
L.J. Claren
The Selvaren, book two
ebook, 618 pages
Published September 8, 2026
ASIN B0GK9HH9K4
ISBN 9781807222178


A searing slow-burn romantasy packed with yearning and heartbreak, non-stop action and devastating plot twists, The Incendiary is the sequel to bestselling BookTok phenomenon The Silversmith.

They thought she was powerless. Now she is unstoppable.

Everything that Ary thought she knew was a lie . . .

She has been caged and controlled, lied to by the ones she loved. Now she is finally free—with untamed magic sparking in her veins.

They say she is destined to lead an army against corrupted darkness. They say the man she loves is dangerous—that she will never see him again.

But Ary is done listening to what they say. She will choose her own destiny. It's time for her to burn.

My ideal FMC is one whom has had the worst of the world thrown at her and still comes out a sweetheart. Think Suren... Auren... Tisannah.

Ary is not that gal.

Rife with gender stereotypes and crowned with that Don’t hit me, I’m just a girl privilege seeking.

Two new characters and the author still couldn’t manage to break from the mold of oversexed males and the wilting females who recoil at the audacity of a crude comment.

Ary, under disguise as Fera, has finally arrived at Commencement, firm in her quest to free Gavin from his blood oath, prove herself among her people, and assert her authority over her betrothed, Commander Elias Winterton.

She is a capable fighter. She will not yield. And she will run her defiant mouth at every possible opportunity. But strike her and she’s going to cry out for the mercy of gender privilege. Insert eye roll, deep sigh of exhaustion, and the muscle twitching urge to hurl the book into the nearest bin.

I enjoyed Elias more than I thought I would. Far more than Ary at times. And yet, at other turns, each disgusted me equally.

Gavin is his typical I-decide-what-you-deserve simp self through a timeline bounce-back of four hundred years as readers get to experience their love story.

Ary has been neglected, lied to, abandoned, and starved. She's pissed. And I get it.

But the double standard was grating on my nerves, and I desperately needed the gender disparity bullshit to cease and desist.

This author overwhelmingly writes males preoccupied with sex and innocent little women whose ears burn at any lewd quip.

Oddly enough, it was Elias, the sluttiest slut that ever slutted, that actually had a mind capable of managing multiple tasks. Now, was he love interest material?

Hell no.

And for that, I appreciate the author's seemingly single-minded focus on not making Ary some fickle main character lured by any and all romantic contenders.

What I loved: (1) The timeline of Gavin and Aryella’s love story, (2) the chapter headings that depicted letters between the two, (3) the villainy, and (4) the ending.

3 out of 5 stars. I don't know if I'll continue this series, but if I do it will be for Gavin... and Elias... and Simeon and Molochai. Those villains are villaining. But this felt like a chore to read. And Ary is a hot mess.

Available in ebook | paperback | audiobook

Previously in the series:

2026/45

Curse of the Frost King (The Fae Spark Trilogy #1)

I wanted to burn his eyes out
with the logs from his own fire.

Available at Amazon.com

Curse of the Frost King
Jen L. Grey | Author's Website
The Fae Spark Trilogy, book one
ebook, 253 pages
Independently published January 8, 2026
ASIN B0DS3WD7J8
ISBN 9798889533009


He’s the dusk-crowned villain... and the fate I can’t outrun.

I’m Hannah, a girl who thought she was mortal and should’ve known better than to listen to whispers beneath rowan roots.

One prick from a cursed dagger. One touch against a bewitched mirror. And I fall into Dusk, a realm at war that doesn’t see a woman.

It sees a bargaining chip.

Because Kairos doesn’t look at me like a mortal mistake. He looks at me like a key.

All I want is to go home.

But the moment I crash into the Dusk King’s frozen castle, everything goes wrong. King Kairos—the bastard who took his crown in blood—goes still when his gaze catches on my hair and my eyes. Like he’s seen a ghost.

Something in him locks into place.

And a pull in my chest answers.

Then his expression turns to ice. He calls me trespasser and locks me in his dungeon, cutting off my only chance to find a way back to Earth.

He doesn’t have to touch me to make my skin prickle.
He doesn’t have to threaten me to steal my breath.
He haunts me like a nightmare… like he already knows what I am, and what I’m worth.

And if I want out, I’ll have to survive him first.

Now I must decide: run from the monster wearing Dusk’s crown… …or stay long enough to learn the truth—and pay the price with my freedom.

Either way, I won’t be the girl who bows.
No matter the cost.

One-click this dark royal fae romantasy packed with fated mates, villain-gets-the-girl energy, forced proximity, found family, political intrigue, touch-her-and-die devotion, “who did this to you?” rage, burn-the-world-down love, and a brutal war between two courts.

Hot damn. Humor! I so needed this right now.

The box her Aunt Maureen buried beneath the rowan tree has haunted Hannah for years. After the woman's passing, Hannah's determined to open it. Aaand subsequently falls into a world of Fae.

The guards seize her and, after a fruitless fight for freedom, have doomed her to death.

Enter Kairos, King of the Dusk Court. He and his hunting party arrive just as the blade aims for her head. And though he halts her execution, recognizing her as the fated mate she is to him, Kai cannot afford any distractions now, in a time of war, and orders her to the dungeons.

The effort that this author put into these moments where Kai is battling against his biological response to Hannah's nearness and his psychological weighing of the situation is so very appreciated.

And then follows the longest prison escape sequence of my life. I kid you not. She's put into the cell at about 9%, is officially out of it at 20%, then on the run until...

I was screaming by the end of the chase. And not in her favor.

It was like I was having mood swings. Love this. Hate him. Less of that. More of this.

Then Hannah's doing Pilates atop a wyvern's cranium, and if that's not a sign that all hell is breaking loose, then I don't know what it is.

She's something, though. Drop that girl anywhere, and she will figure out a plan and put it into motion.

Kai is basically playing keep-up from the moment she falls into his life.

She's also a menace. Switching his boxers for her panties? Complete psycho behavior.

Or Fae.

Totally on brand for Holly Black's faery creatures.

Having the guy I hated from the moment he opened his stupid mouth take the villain route? Loved it! Hahahaha

4 out of 5 stars. Maybe forgo alot of the name calling in the next book?

Available in ebook | paperback
Next in the series:

2026/44

When The Universe Sings (Universe #1)

But I could fall or I could fly,
and at least that much would be my choice.

Available at Amazon.com

When The Universe Sings
Gillian Eliza West
Universe, book one
ebook, 318 pages
Independently published August 6, 2026
ASIN B0GX2SL16C
ISBN 9798990138995


There is only one rule in the galaxy: trust no one.

Juniper knows it all too well. After her home planet was destroyed and eleven years on Ebyd III, a Galactic Federation mechanical prison, the only thing she might fear now is death. Taking a chance at freedom, she climbs into the ventilation shaft of a docked pleasure barge only to be discovered by the mistress of the ship. Given the choice between certain death on Ebyd III and the unknown, she joins as their new silks dancer.

When Captain Asher Ruciyah seeks someone to complete his crew for a mysterious mission, Juniper is hired as their climber to round out their numbers. As part of this new crew intent on stealing one of the universe's most powerful weapons, Juniper discovers she wants something more than freedom: revenge on the man who took everything from her.

But nothing and no one is as it seems, especially in a galaxy filled with lies, deceit, and false identities. Juniper will learn that revenge isn’t as simple as she thought it would be and sometimes it’s not one person, but an entire universe against you.

This one had a grasp on me from the start.

Juniper has been caught as a stowaway on a pleasure ship and, instead of being turned in to the authorities, is offered the position as an aerialist, performing for the many customers who partake in the flesh trade upon the Daskquah. (Inez, anyone?) But Juniper's services are a look-never-touch production, and she spends the next year perfecting her skill.

The day has finally come when Juniper has earned enough credits to balance out the cost of her keep and training. It's also the day Captain Ruciyah arrives, seeking a specific skill set to balance out his team.

But Asher and Juniper have crossed paths before.

On the day of her ascent, when June would partake in the customary climb into adulthood, her home was attacked. And it was Asher who helped lead the charge and gave the haunting command to "burn it to the ground".

Oh, she hates him.

But that's only the beginning.

Twists. Turns. Blindsides. Trust no one and question everything.

The dead are alive, and the villain is your saviour.

Burn it to the ground.

Leave no evidence behind.

Juniper is stuck, trying to make sense of what she's always believed and what she's come to know. It doesn't help that Asher is a man of secrets. And I found myself feeling so bad for her as she reeled from what her body wanted and what her brain was telling her. As she fought the simultaneous urges to both kiss Asher and kill him. For that... when the spice came, it didn't feel right. The timing was off. Her emotions were a mess.

If you want a fated mates and found family tale, this is it. But if you also want an FMC that will find herself, grow, and heal... it falls short. Perhaps, if it wasn't a standalone. Perhaps, if she'd been given more time. Alas, it is what it is and ends where it ends.

3.5 out of 5 stars. Of all the moments for a mating bond to snap into place... smh.

Available in ebook | paperback

2026/43

The Pawn and The Puppet (The Pawn and The Puppet #1)

If you’re going to be stupid,
then I want you to be stupid with a good right hook.

Available at Amazon.com

The Pawn and The Puppet
Brandi Elise Szeker
The Pawn and The Puppet, book one
ebook, 347 pages
Independently published April 1, 2022
ASIN B09RSSMRBZ
ISBN 9798985593419


The Emerald Lake Asylum is not a place most desire to go. Nineteen-year-old, Skylenna, however, made a promise that she must keep. Once hired, she only has one purpose—prove to the council that barbaric treatments, such as waterboarding, scalding baths, and beatings, are no longer the answer. But that all takes pause when she meets the source of terror in the asylum. A patient with a split personality—on one side, he’s the bloodthirsty genius, Dessin. On the other, a hidden persona that is buried deep in his subconscious.

When Dessin is caught in an attempted cell break, he faces execution if Skylenna can’t bring out his core personality and reveal his humanity. She has ninety days to save his life, and the only way to do that is to let him consume her into his world of moves, counter-moves, and master puppeteering.

With each passing day, their bond deepens, a forbidden attraction forming against her best judgments. Little by little, Skylenna uncovers the sinister secrets of his past that turned him into the monster everyone else fears. And Dessin proves to have one weakness despite the terrifying, indestructible persona he presents to the world: her.

Disclaimer: This book contains explicit content and dark elements and may be considered offensive to some readers. Check trigger warnings before reading. It is not intended for anyone under 18 years of age. Please store your files wisely, where they cannot be accessed by underage readers. This is the revised edition.

This is a dark dystopian society that is intended to be problematic. Please note that this is a fictional world and in no way reflects on the author’s personal beliefs. We will see the society grow and correct its moral compass over the series.

Triggers: gratuitous violence, depression, suicide, torture, domestic violence, eating disorders, hallucinations, misogyny, poisoning, sexual assault, rape, pedophilia, romanticized mental illness, gore, death of a loved one, child abuse, decapitation, female oppression, hostage situation, body shaming, panic attacks, emotional trauma, child sexual assault, child sex trafficking

Does anyone care to weigh in on why books will depict both misogyny and misandry, and yet only misogyny is listed within the content warnings? Or why, when a man touches a woman, and she says, "No," then it's assault, but when a woman touches a man, and he says, "No," then it's seduction?

But putting that aside...

Patient 13 is a gentleman, and the sanest person in this whole book.

And, unfortunately, it takes a quarter of said book to finally meet him. Before that, it was a serious contender for a DNF. I was bored. And my eyes, they were a-rolling. Patient what's-his-name hasn't spoken in twenty years despite numerous torture sessions, and all FMC needs to say is "I think you loved your family and it was an accident," and behold! he speaks.

Don't do that.

Why would you write that?

Cupid is cringe. He's the source of the more serious trigger warnings. Although... Kane's trauma is certainly equally devastating.

But Dessin, as he calls himself, is the intriguing and plot carrying MMC. Bonds can't hold him. Torture doesn't faze him. But if someone hurts Skylenna, then there is no mercy to be found from him.

I had my suspicions of where the story was leading. How he knew things. His backstory. And how his past linked to hers. And it kept me reading, albeit at a snail's pace. I was wrong. So very wrong. My mind was on a whole other plane of fantasy than where this story dwelled.

But what this story lacked, and desperately needed, and I believed it would contain... was spice.

Their linked backstory was, in the end, anticlimactic.

But I did appreciate their final exchange.

3 out of 5 stars. So many unanswered questions!

Available in ebook | hardcover | paperback | audiobook

2026/42

Bound by Maynight (Sacred Wilds #1)

Available at Amazon.com

Bound by Maynight
Iris Grimwood
Sacred Wilds, book one
ebook, 66 pages
Independently published July 12, 2026
ASIN B0H8MBHSJP


In the ancient meadows of Eldrynn Hills, where Maynight fires burn and wild magic stirs, Nymera, a free-spirited Fae huntress, collides with Aelric, a battle-hardened border warrior.

Drawn together beneath blooming hawthorns and starlit skies, their unexpected bond awakens something ancient and powerful. As the sacred night unfolds with dancing flames, nectar-sweet promises, and the forest’s watchful gaze, they discover they may be far more than mere revelers.

An ethereal Fae romance full of magic, longing, and the wild beauty of surrender. Book One of the Sacred Wilds series.

Fated mates • Instant attraction • Huntress × Warrior • Magical bonding • Nature magic • Sacrifice • Inspired by Beltane

Holy descriptors, Batman! And an unexpected end as well.

3 out of 5 stars.

Available in ebook

2026/41

Steelborn (The Steelborn Saga #1)

To after. To now. To eternity.

Available at Amazon.com

Steelborn
Taylor J. LaRue
The Steeborn Saga, book one
Hardcover, 432 pages
Published August 4, 2026
ASIN B0FJZ75K5G
ISBN 9780316599412


Enter a world ruled by tyrants and thieves, where magic is outlawed, revolution brews, desire is dangerous, and an impossible cure may prove deadlier than the curse. This deluxe hardcover publication features stunning edges, illustrated endpapers, foil-stamped case cover, and special effects on the jacket.

Never run. Never bow. Never die.

Reya Connery became the Crimson Dagger, the most notorious thief in Rhiterra, by following a strict set of rules. There is no honor among thieves. A good blade is key to any negotiation. Only the dead keep secrets. And Reya has a secret that must be kept at all costs. But when a heist goes wrong on the eve of paying off her debt to a ruthless crime lord, Reya may need a new set of rules. And a lot of coin. Fast.

Enter Caelan Halcyon, an immortal warrior whose magic makes him a valuable target – if the curse inching closer to his heart doesn’t kill him first. There’s just one person who might be desperate enough to try and get their hands on the fabled cure in time to save his life, someone whose legend claims they can steal the Crimson Dagger. A male of honor, Caelan loathes everything the beautiful, cocky thief represents, yet knows that Reya is his last hope for survival.

Their search takes them to the edge of the known world, where Reya discovers that there is far more at stake than her and Caelan’s own lives. Now, Reya must confront deadly foes, her growing attraction to the immortal who is as lethal as his jawline is perfect, and the rage she’s spent a lifetime trying to bury. This time, her daggers aren’t going to cut it, and the fate of all magic-born hangs in the balance.

Introducing an epic, slow burn enemies-to-lovers romantasy novel about a heroine forged in steel and rage, and the cursed immortal who might turn out to be as much her salvation as she is his, perfect for fans of Danielle L. Jensen and Callie Hart.

The sprayed edges sold me on this one. That, and the reverse dust jacket. (That so happened to arrive damaged. Why, Waterstones? Whyyyy?)

There's something about a FMC having a biological response to the MMC upon first glance that makes me smile. Tall. Broad. Deadly.

It's not love at first sight. It's an attraction. A captivation. An undeniable gravitation.

And, Reya, our stabby, defiant, and passionate leading lady, knows exactly what her type is.

Sweet Mother above, he did have calluses.
The situation was not at all funny, but she laughed anyway—right in his gorgeous face.
“Something funny, thief?”
She hummed. Hoping it might throw him off guard, she answered truthfully. “If this were any other circumstance, this would absolutely be doing it for me.”

Same, gurl. Same.

Reya has been stifling her powers with a Kellstone for most of her life. Once Caelan gets his fire fingers on it, into the river it goes. No more dampening. She's forced to feel more, smell more, hear more, and, by her own efforts, suppress the cataclysmic forces that electrify her veins.

Fighting nausea all the way as she endeavors to aid Caelan in his quest for Kraken blood, a legendary cure that will save him from impending death after five hundred years of life and wars as a result of a Fae's curse.

A former general of the Shadow Legion, Caelan is cunning and lethal. He's figured her out. Deduced her name. And watches her shamelessly.

She flirts. He does not.

She inquires. He deflects.

Every page is either a nod to Six of Crows or Aelin and Rowan of ToG.

I do love a solitary and reluctant MMC.

He heals her. He feeds her. He eventually is permitted to train her. And only then does he proceed to flirt with her. But we can't get overly excited at this stage because he's convinced she's everything, while he doesn't 'do more'. They are both riding the "he/she's too good for me" mindset. For those who love a slow burn, you'll get a (arguably dub-con) first kiss at about fifty percent.

And if we can hold that thought for one moment so that I may curse Omira for her cock-blocking. You were saving no one, mi'lady. You gave Caelan shit for kissing a drunk woman who has spent weeks parading an open invitation to him to do that and more. Dub-con, my arse. That was wholly consensual.
This is a story built on an epic scale. Legends and prophecies. Wars and genocide. So many plot lines, characters, and moving pieces.

And a magic system fashioned around a pantheon of long-dead gods. Caelan's a trium with the powers of Fire, Healing, and Raven-shifting. Reya is, at the very least, a duo. A perceptor (able to read minds) and a... light wielder? Colorful bands-called Ire-signifying their powers appear upon their skin. Reya, being a demi-Sage, is able to subdue hers. She's a Guardian. With god-powers.



It's not so much enemies to lovers as it is reluctant allies. Definitely slow burn. The attraction is real, but their relationship is given time and room to evolve into true allies and friends with behavior evident that crossing the line into lovers' territory is inevitable.

She saves him. Damn, does she save him. In return, he's opened her eyes. He's given her the push to seize her future for her own. And they operate with the understanding that their paths are merely crossing right now. He's bound for war. And she deserves some peace. But, there is hope in after.

This is a five star read. Strong FMC with a MMC that backs her up the whole way. Such a strong message. It's reminiscent of Aelin and Rowan of ToG (if Rowan sought out Aelin instead)... a bit of Six of Crows (Pekka Rollins/Lennox Raulins).. and Caelan, being the legendary general that he was, very much had my mind drifting to Maxantarius Farlione of the War of Lost Hearts series. And it's because of its so many similarities to my other highly esteemed reads that it lost the bit of excitement that comes with the anticipation of what would come next. It felt as if I'd read this before.

4 out of 5 stars.

Reluctant allies | He trains her | Age gap | Stabby FMC | One damn-right-you-are saddle

Available in ebook | hardcover | paperback | audiobook

2026/40

Petrify: A Dark Horror Romance

Whatever he is made of, so am I.

Available at Amazon.com

Petrify
Shaye Madison
ebook, 337 pages
Independently published July 31, 2026
ASIN B0HC4PFN2F
ISBN 9798993005416


The Pianist

Mallary Doyle wants nothing more than to make it as a professional pianist. When the affluent Beauchene family offers her a position as tutor for their young son, she knows this is her chance. But immediately upon arriving at their manor, things are not what they seem…

The Ghost

Fifteen years spent locked within the walls of Beauchene manor. Faceless. Terrorizing the inhabitants of this house with his rage, reminding the family that he still exists, even when they’ve made every effort to forget. Until she arrives and captivates him with her music.

There is a ghost stalking the halls, stalking her… and soon his obsession will become carnal.

The horror vibes of The Boy meets the romance of The Phantom of the Opera.

Mallary Doyle never applied for the job as the newest piano tutor to the heir of the Beauchene family. They sought her out nonetheless.

Hefty pay, a private wing all to herself, and the opportunity to get her name in the mouths of the who's who in the world of symphonies, how was a girl to say no?

So what if a certain ghost seems obsessed with her? What harm could the phantom truly do?

This... was far more than I had anticipated. And you would think a guy who's spent the last fifteen years neglected and banished to the walls of his family's estate would take the crown of being the most fucked up in the mental health arena, but oh, you would be wrong.

Bastien's motivations were simple. And for that, he was a delight. A bit weak in the foreplay game, but he had other qualities that kept me begging for his POV. Seriously, his chapters were far too short.

Mallary on the other hand... Between her mood swings and mental gymnastics, she was much harder to keep up with. Cursing him one second and begging in the next. She provoked him to take her time and time again. And I could never decide where her truths became lies.

That heat though.

4 out of 5 stars.

Available in ebook | paperback

2026/39

Puppet Master (Puppets & Property #1)

Selfish... Yet self-sacrificing. Clever... Yet blind.

Available at Amazon.com

Puppet Master
Nicole Cypher
Puppets and Property, book one
ebook, 322 pages
Independently published July 17, 2026
ASIN B0H98TWMYP


He says his job is to train me.

Miles from civilization, buried in the wooded hills of New York, lies a cult compound known as the Shadow Sanctum. Sawyer Hansley—a man who’s made a career out of conditioning women into obedience—is their newest weapon.

When I wake up alone in a cold, dark cave, he tells me the cult has claimed me as their next member.

They want him to force my submission. My adoration. My obedience.

In other words: they want him to break me. And he’s all too willing to oblige.

What he doesn’t know? I’m not like his previous victims.

By the time we’re through, it won’t be me who’s broken.

A note from Nicole: This trilogy is for readers who crave dark romance with depth — intelligent characters, layered psychology, slow-building obsession, and strong thriller vibes. It includes cult elements, intense themes, psychological manipulation, and dark, mature content.

If that’s your kind of story, welcome in.

Luna awakens in a cell, inside a cave, with the taste of copper in her mouth and fragments of a memory of falling asleep in her bed.

Cue the mile-a-minute thoughts. Her brain is spitfiring at a rapid pace. It's a choppy writing style that's either going to trigger a gravitate or recoil response.

I am in the camp that gravitates.

And then, we meet Sawyer.

Color me intrigued.

He's a con artist with a history. One that involves an island and gullible women.

I did cringe a bit at that minor detail.

But he's a highly intelligent male who has crafted his gifts of memory and manipulation to outwit the best of them. And his next target is the infamous and richly funded cult, the Shadow Sanctum.

To infiltrate, he'll be tested. Sawyer has three weeks to break their newest victim potential Seraph.

Luna.

The spice hits a bit sooner than I had anticipated. Then again, when one is being abducted with the purpose of being groomed into a soul purifier, whose basic function is to f### the demon out of you... I suppose that's not too abrupt at all. All in the name of "training".

I was introduced to this book via a Facebook dark romance book influencer, and while I knew little, I was aware of a potential plot twist. That, and the blurb, had me side-eyeing Luna from page one and therefore softened any shock that might have fallen from the reveal of the Puppet Master's true identity. No less awe, though. And shout out to the stereotypical sibling rivalry angle. My tiny complaint would be all the things Sawyer is up to off-page. It loses focus of the plot and takes away from the rhythm of the story.

Neutral on the semi-cliffhanger ending. They basically flip the table and reset the board.

Anticipating a return to this series to discover what these two manage to inflict upon one another next.

3.5 out of 5 stars.

Available in ebook

2026/38

Once Written in Gilded Blood (Cruel Fates #2)

Together, then, wife?

Available at Amazon.com

Once Written in Gilded Blood
K. M. Moronova
Cruel Fates, book two
ebook, 400 pages
Published August 18, 2026
ASIN 1464293627
ISBN 9781464293627
Netgalley eARC


Love is the sharpest weapon of all….

Born with gilded blood, Alira is a demigod knight forged for war - her rare gift makes her both priceless and disposable in the eyes of the gods she serves. When centuries of bloodshed threaten to consume the world, she is sent into a political marriage with Kalel Lornhelm, the infamous Blood Knight and demon commander of Devicit.

Devicit is a kingdom of beauty and terror, hidden behind a shimmering magical veil. As Alira is drawn into demon life, mistrust slowly gives way to desire, and Alira learns that Kalel has been bound to her fate far longer than she ever knew.

But beneath the city’s splendour lies a devastating secret. As gods rise, war reignites, and the systems that shaped them both demand blood once more, Alira and Kalel must confront the cost of peace….

I'm a fan of Moronova, especially her Dark Forces duology.

The first book in the Cruel Fates series, Once Upon a Demon's Heart, was a strong 4.5-stars from me. I enjoyed it so much that I hunted down the release date for book two, added it to wishlists and shelves, and even set an alarm when the Netgalley drop was announced.

What an unfathomable disappointment it turned out to be.

It's dull. The pacing is excruciatingly slow. The FMC is undoubtedly the most complacent protagonist I've encountered in a long while and her leading male (a demon; not a man!) is too busy wallowing in his self-pity to be bothered to right any wrongs.

Neither of them manages to keep the story engaging, and if it weren't for the gods forcing their hands, they would have been perfectly fine withering away in Mortem while time continued to matter to any and everyone else.

Time certainly felt slower while dragging myself to the end of this book.

It's a book two. And, a book two, should never be this damn slow in its pacing.

The first quarter of the story is Kalel lying and Alira sensing those lies. That's about a hundred pages of dull, going nowhere dialogue filled with brunch, backburner suspicion, and an arranged marriage that felt as dry as reality would expect it to be.

She sold herself into a marriage to end the war but, unwittingly, became a Trojan horse instead.

And it couldn't have felt more drawn out.

This is a lovers to enemies tale... and I was begging for the enemies stage for half the book. And even that was bleh when it arrived.

2 out of 5 stars.

Available in ebook | hardcover

Previously in the series:

2026/37

Crown Me Yours (Heartstring Duet #2)

The best thing that ever happened
to the worst thing in existence.

Available at Amazon.com

Crown Me Yours
Liv Zander
Heartstring Duet, book two
paperback, 254 pages
Independently published April 13, 2026
ASIN B0FWQWR3HX
ISBN 9781955871174


Wed him. Bed him. Slit his throat.

I killed the king.
Crowned myself in his blood,
But the curse still festers.

To break it, I need Death,
On his knees,
A ring on his finger.
My blade at his throat.

The god fights me to the grave,
Evades my touch,
Mocks my wanting.

He would rather tear himself apart,
Than let me close enough to end this.
But I didn't come this far to lose. I came to crown him mine.

Welcome to your wedding, my love.

Rip out the last three chapters.

Rip. Out. The. Last. Three. Chapters.



4.7 out of 5 stars.

Available in ebook | paperback | audiobook

Previously in the series:

2026/36

The Ever King (The Ever Seas #1)

I'm not the broken hero you wish me to be.
I'm the one who slits the hero's throat.

Available at Amazon.com

The Ever King
L.J. Andrews
The Ever Seas, book one
Audiobook, 13+ hours
Paperback, 408 pages
Independently published August 29, 2023
ASIN B0F144XV8H
ISBN 9798989076802


For years Erik, the scarred king of the Ever Kingdom, has thought of nothing but vengeance against the man who killed his father and trapped him beneath the waves, making him a prisoner in his own realm.

Until his enemy’s daughter unintentionally breaks the chains on the Ever, and Erik makes her the unwitting pawn in his vicious game of revenge.

She’s innocent. He’s vicious. But he will take back what he lost, no matter the price.

Unless she steals his heart first.

This book was not properly marketed to me, or else I would have picked it up a looooong time ago. And no, I don't remember what actually made me add it to my TBR to begin with. Enemies to lovers, maybe. The villain gets the girl, possibly. Somehow, though, I didn't manage to grasp just how delighfully vengeful and morally grey our dear MMC, Erik Bloodsinger, would be. Although I'm late to this series, I will recap this book nonetheless.

Turns and turns ago, Erik Bloodsinger, son of the king of Ever, was tortured by his father's enemies. In retaliation, or in a quest for justice, the king attacked those who stole his heir and lost his own life in the process. Erik, years later, would be banished to the Ever Seas, beneath the depths of the ocean surface, and imprisoned behind a Chasm sealed with his own poisonous blood.

Enter Livia Ferus, daughter of the man who took his throne and his father's life. She was a young, innocent thing that sneaked near Erik's cell and offered him comfort with a story. The story of the Songbird and the Serpent.

Comfort, or taming.

A bond was forged. A claim was made.

And despite the years that have passed, Erik's need for vengeance festers and grows. Then Livia breaks the lock. She unwittingly unseals the Chasm and Erik feels the call of his mantle, and the pull to her.

Deadly and unapologetic. Erik returns to land to take back his mantle and cut down his father's killer. Instead, he abducts Livia. Now a grown, spitfire FMC, who can't manage to shut her mouth or stifle her disgust.

The magic. The language. The grit. The violence. Fae of the earth. Fae of the sea. Heartwalkers. Bonekeepers. Tidecallers. The cast is casting.

Him. Her.

Ugh. Her.

I am drawn to FMCs that have had the worst of the world thrown at them, and they still come out a sweetheart. Auren. Suren. Tisannah. These are my queens. And now. Livia fucking Ferus.

Daughter of warriors. Princess of earth magic. Blood of the Night Folk fae. Painter of windows. Rebuker of the Ever King. And on and on.

She was so good for Erik. She challenged him. She stood for him. She left no room for debate in that she claimed him.

“If I cry your name,” she whispered against my lips. “Then you better shout mine, you bastard.”

Chef's kiss. Tip of the tricorne. Riotous ovation.

5 out of 5 stars.

Available in ebook | hardcover | paperback | audiobook

Next in the series:

2026/35

Crown Me Dead (Heartstring Duet #1)

I have longed for a wife longer than I have had a name for longing.

Available at Amazon.com

Crown Me Dead
Liv Zander
Heartstring Duet, book one
audiobook, 8+ hours
ebook, 270 pages
Independently published April 10, 2026
ASIN B0DPL8DF6D
ISBN 9781955871143


Wed me. Bed me. Slit my throat.

Born in dirt, raised in rot, I dig graves for the dead, while the living decay around me.

When my brother coughs blood, he appears.

A man too polished for the graveyard, with a bargain too cruel for the light: Seduce the King. Become the Queen. Die. And my brother lives.

Kael is a nightmare of living ruin, the rotting ruler of a festering realm. And Vale is his shadow, the cold architect of my demise.

One man needs my heart to beat. The other plans to stop it forever.

They think I’m a pawn. But I’m the gravedigger's daughter. And I know exactly where to bury them.

Welcome to the funeral.

I've long had the intent to pick up a book by this author but I specifically blame Kaz Brekker for the inspiration to pick up this particular story. The trauma of using his brother's bloated corpse to return to shore must have played a part in there somewhere. That said...

When I say I want the villain—

It's this right here.

It's everything within the pages of this book.

There is no greater good. There is no lesser evil. No right. No wrong.

Is Kael the MMC? Is Vale the MMC? Is everyone lying? Is no one lying?

I didn't know. Wasn't sure I cared. I was just along for a giddy, mindblowing ride.

6 out of 5 stars. Yes, six.

Available in ebook | paperback | Hoopla audiobook | Author's Special Edition Omnibus, here

Next in the series:

2026/34

Six of Crows (Six of Crows #1)

The heart is an arrow. It demands aim to land true.

Available at Amazon.com

Six of Crows
Leigh Bardugo
Six of Crows, book one
Hardcover, 465 pages
Published September 29, 2015
ASIN B00UG9LC4I
ISBN 9781627792127


Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price—and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can’t pull it off alone...

A convict with a thirst for revenge

A sharpshooter who can’t walk away from a wager

A runaway with a privileged past

A spy known as the Wraith

A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums

A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes

Six dangerous outcasts. One impossible heist. Kaz’s crew is the only thing that might stand between the world and destruction—if they don’t kill each other first.

I watched the show. It's about time I read the book.

Kaz and Inej. I live for their story. It is the sole storyline I would jump into reading fanfiction for.

Jasper and Wylan. All the love for them. The casting was done to perfection.

Nina and Matthias. I had no immediate memory of either of these characters from the show. And I did not care for them at all while reading the book.

4 out of 5 stars.

Available in ebook | hardcover | paperback | audiobook

Next in the series:

2026/33

The Mercy of Dawn (Fires of Carinae #1)

Focus. Make the damn woman smile.

Available at Amazon.com

The Mercy of Dawn
Ashley Bresee
Fires of Carinae, book
ebook, 590 pages
Independently Published January 6, 2025
ASIN B0DHLRMSNV
ISBN 9781738216314


A woman desperate for freedom, an arrogant fae prince, and a bond neither of them asked for.

As a woman caged since birth, all Cyril Rhodea wants is her own damned contracts, freedom from her family’s guild, and to never fall prey to the same consuming love that killed her parents.

But when a blood-soaked cry for help draws her guild into the heart of a secluded fae court, two of her dreams come at a terrible cost.

Mikael is a reckless, arrogant spare heir who embodies everything Cyril swears to despise. The playboy prince provokes her at every turn, fueling an undeniable attraction neither of them understands. He also refuses to leave her side when tragedy decimates her guild—despite having every good reason to.

If Cyril can survive the deaths ravaging the fae court, she may finally see her freedom come to fruition… but the longer she spends steeped in the reclusive kingdom’s shadows, the more she realizes it was never just chance that brought her there.

It was fate bringing her home.

Perfect for fans of One Dark Window and A Court of Silver Flames, The Mercy of Dawn is the first book in the completed and heartbreaking Fires of Carinae romantasy series. Emotionally charged with heavy themes of trauma, grief, and self worth, make sure to grab the tissues before you start Cyril’s journey.

*The Mercy of Dawn is a dark, fantasy romance featuring themes that may be unsettling or triggering to some readers. In addition, not all relationships depicted in the story are healthy, and they should not be misconstrued as such. The themes explored include:

• graphic depictions of violence (on page)
• the use and abuse of drugs and alcohol (on page)
• xenophobia and racism in a fantasy setting (on page)
• explicit sexual content (on page)
• moments of dubious consent (on page)
• post-traumatic stress disorder (on page)
• trauma-related dissociation (on page)
• suicide ideation (on page)
• incidents of domestic violence (on page)

Raised by her paternal uncle, Dion, and his guild of rogues, Cyril is a snarky, foul-mouthed twenty-something-year-old, orphaned fae with a prejudice against her mother's people, the moon fae. She has also yet to experience her ascension and is therefore devastated by her lack of powers, whether it be the fire of her father's line, or the water of her mother's.

When Dion accepts a contract back in Reykr, the homeland of Cyr's mother, the quintet journey to the land of the bloodsucking, virgin-sacrificing lunatics, as Cyr has been led to believe by all but Dion, and she finally confronts the missing parts of herself. Her uncle's past is full of secrets and he has guarded them all. He's also becoming increasingly violent towards his blossoming niece and their relationship is floundering.

It's a slow start, but the banter carries it well.

No home training. No etiquette. If she doesn't like you, you're going to know it. Her filter is malfunctioning at best. Mikael? He makes her skin crawl. There's certainly no saving him from her abrasive tongue lashing when he attempts to make conversation at dinner.

Chick is wild. And I loved her for it.

Even as she made my eyes bug out of my head. Defective filter and no chill with this one. And though she may growl, it's Mikael whose jaw snaps back.

And it would have been perfect. If Mikael hadn't been such a whore. And if Cyril hadn't spent so much time in recovery. Physical pain. Mental pain. Emotional pain. Mikael's saving grace was him being his mother's son. She was the best character by far. At least she had her isht together.

Heavy on the PTSD and mental health. Be in the best of headspace before taking this one on. It's depressing at times.

4 out of 5 stars.

Available in ebook | hardcover | paperback

Next in the series:

2026/32

Lifebound (Royal Sins #1)

I could do ungodly things
if this guy kept calling my name in that voice.

Available at Amazon.com

Lifebound
D.N. Hoxa
Royal Sins, book one
ebook, 506 pages
Independently Published May 6, 2025
ASIN B0F31XJLNG
ISBN 9798319420206


Nobody ever believed me.

Not when I was five and told them about the boy with pointy ears who saved my life in the forest. Not during thirteen miserable years of bullying and being labeled the town weirdo.

Until a guy with golden eyes and a royal guard escort shows up at my door to drop a bombshell.

That little boy? Yeah, he’s real.

And he’s a fae Prince.

And he magically linked my life to his when he saved me.

I know what you’re thinking. Lucky girl, right?

Wrong.

Because now the Prince is sick and apparently, I’m the only one who can save him. How can I possibly say no?

That’s how I find myself in the fae realm, where pretty much everything either wants to kill me, eat me, or...use me for something worse. If not for the gorgeous fae who saved my life, I'd have died an hour in.

Mr. Tall-Dark-and-Grumpy has annoyingly beautiful eyes, a voice that sounds like sex, and a tattoo that screams trouble. He says his name is Rune, and he’ll take me to the Prince safely—if I do what he says.

With severely limited choices, I accept.

But the more time we spend together, the more near-death experiences we go through, the more Rune gets under my skin. He makes most people look the other way, but he's sweet when no one's watching. He makes my heart do really weird things.

And just when I think my life couldn’t possibly get any crazier—it does.

Turns out, this whole saving-the-Prince business can get a girl into a whole lot of trouble, and I’m not entirely sure I can handle it this time.

I didn't know if I was going to make it through this book. For one, the way the author structures her sentences can be a bit jarring. Two: If I make it to thirty percent and I still haven't been introduced to the MMC, we have a problem.

Lo and behold, he steps into the story at twenty-five percent.

Three: The FMC is eighteen. And she gives strong teen vibes. A prime example for people who refer to twenty-year-olds as babies. She's immature, hot-tempered, reckless, and very much thinks more highly of herself than justly deserved.

You're too small to speak to a superior being this way.

Did he deserve the hit? Yeah. Did she deserve the repercussions of her actions? Absolutely. Was it a lie? Not at all.

At this point, I received early access to a sequel that was one of my most anticipated releases of the year, so I dropped Lifebound mid-chapter and moved to that.

When I returned, it became glaringly obvious as we basically began to walk through Halloweenteen that I was struggling to bond with this FMC and it was not going to end well.

DNF at 31%.

Available in ebook | paperback | audiobook

2026/xx

To Crown a Traitor (What Lies Between Stars #2)

I’m not sure I forgive her,
but I think I want her to forgive herself.

Available at Amazon.com

To Crown a Traitor
Katherine Macdonald
What Lies Between Stars, book two
ebook, 632 pages
Independently Published July 6, 2026
ASIN B0FRXS34P7
ARC


A traitor on the run. A prince bound by duty. A love caught between ruin and redemption.

Branded a traitor for a murder she did not commit—and haunted by the ones she did—Wren is a fugitive in both worlds. Hunted by her own people, pursued by the humans, and chased most of all by the man she cannot forget, she is left with nowhere to turn.

Prince Cassiel never wanted the crown, yet with his mother lingering between life and death, the weight of the kingdom rests on his shoulders. To rule, he must set aside grief, bury betrayal, and condemn the girl who lied to him. But every choice tears the realm closer to war—and every thought drifts back to Wren.

When Wren offers him the chance to regain his sight, Cass must decide whether to follow her into enemy lands, or lose everything to the darkness closing in. Old wounds burn, old desires flare, and the fragile hope between them might be the only thing strong enough to defy fate.

But with kingdoms ready to fall and blood demanding vengeance, can a traitor and a prince truly carve out a world where they can be together?

Come back.

Stay away.

Explain yourself.

No. Don't.

This is the heart-wrenching conclusion to the tale of Wren, the half-fae girl who was fated to meet Cassiel, the second-born son.

The foundation of their relationship has been shaken, cracked, and practically torched with dragon fire, and it's not enough that they have to emotionally find a way back to each other but from there, they’ll have to fight to craft a world in which they can stay together.

It was one of my most anticipated reads of the year and it delivered.

Our boy, Cass, is missing his girl, and I have never been so hyper aware of the heart in my chest. With every turn of the page, there’s longing edged with pain. Hope touched by devastation. And guilt fueling a quest to make amends.

This book hurt me.

It tortured my emotions until the very end. Two years?! You had to devastate my guy for two whole years??

5 out of 5 stars.

Available in ebook | paperback

Previously in the series:

2026/31