Category: Romance

adult, contemporary, mystery, Romance

Verity Review

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  • Title: Verity
  • Author: Colleen Hoover
  • Publisher: Hoover Ink
  • Publish Date: December 7, 2018
  • Book Form: Ebook
  • Pages: 333
  • Genre: Thriller, Romance, Mystery, Contemporary
  • Rating: ★★★★★

Lowen Ashleigh is a struggling writer on the brink of financial ruin when she accepts the job offer of a lifetime. Jeremy Crawford, husband of bestselling author Verity Crawford, has hired Lowen to complete the remaining books in a successful series his injured wife is unable to finish.

Lowen arrives at the Crawford home, ready to sort through years of Verity’s notes and outlines, hoping to find enough material to get her started. What Lowen doesn’t expect to uncover in the chaotic office is an unfinished autobiography Verity never intended for anyone to read. Page after page of bone-chilling admissions, including Verity’s recollection of what really happened the day her daughter died.

Lowen decides to keep the manuscript hidden from Jeremy, knowing its contents would devastate the already grieving father. But as Lowen’s feelings for Jeremy begin to intensify, she recognizes all the ways she could benefit if he were to read his wife’s words. After all, no matter how devoted Jeremy is to his injured wife, a truth this horrifying would make it impossible for him to continue to love her.

A standalone romantic thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover.

-Goodreads

I just….

Actual footage of me finishing this book. Thanks, giphy!

What I liked:

Everything?! Okay, so this isn’t CoHo’s normal genre. But like, can it be?! She did this romantic, suspense, mind-eff so freaking well. I didn’t know who was good. I didn’t know who was bad. I didn’t know who was crazy. Was the kid crazy? Maybe. Was Verity crazy? Most definitely. But Jeremy and Lowen? PROBABLY! I don’t know what I just read. I don’t know what’s real. I’m rambling. I finished this book a week ago and I’m STILL thinking about it. This is one of the best books I have ever read, hands down. It’s so twisty, and weird, and intriguing, and just… perfect.

What I didn’t like:

Nothing. I liked it all. I still don’t know who is good and bad. Or who is crazy. Maybe I’m just crazy.

Would I recommend?

Hell. Yes. Please read this book! I have to know. Are you #teamletter or #teammanuscript?

Me? Manuscript all the way!

Until next time…

fantasy, Five Star Book, retelling, Romance, ya

A Curse so Dark and Lonely Review

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Fall in love, break the curse. 

It once seemed so easy to Prince Rhen, the heir to Emberfall. Cursed by a powerful enchantress to repeat the autumn of his eighteenth year over and over, he knew he could be saved if a girl fell for him. But that was before he learned that at the end of each autumn, he would turn into a vicious beast hell-bent on destruction. That was before he destroyed his castle, his family, and every last shred of hope.

Nothing has ever been easy for Harper. With her father long gone, her mother dying, and her brother barely holding their family together while constantly underestimating her because of her cerebral palsy, she learned to be tough enough to survive. But when she tries to save someone else on the streets of Washington, DC, she’s instead somehow sucked into Rhen’s cursed world.

Break the curse, save the kingdom. 

A prince? A monster? A curse? Harper doesn’t know where she is or what to believe. But as she spends time with Rhen in this enchanted land, she begins to understand what’s at stake. And as Rhen realizes Harper is not just another girl to charm, his hope comes flooding back. But powerful forces are standing against Emberfall . . . and it will take more than a broken curse to save Harper, Rhen, and his people from utter ruin.

– Goodreads

Oh, my heart. Oh my need for book number 2 (A Heart so Fierce and Broken on sale January 2020!)

Thanks, giphy!

What I liked:

Everything!! Oh man. What a stark contrast to the last novel I read. I couldn’t put this book down. You know, being a granny and all, I stayed up till 1130 PM to finish! That is UNHEARD OF! My friend, Jordan, has a great taste in books. She kept saying this one was amazing, and she was absoloutely correct. I don’t know why I waited so long to read! When I read a book, I always start a note in my phone so I can list likes, dislikes, and just random facts I want to hit on in my review. I was so engrossed in this story my list is BLANK! I didn’t want to quit reading long enough to jot anything down.

Beauty and the Beast was my favorite Disney movie as a kid. I think that’s the case with all us book nerd. Brigid did an amazing job weaving Beauty and the Beast with fantasy.

The beauty was a girl with cerebral palsy. Harper was strong and fierce and didn’t let her disability get in her way. She was an amazing representation of a condition I don’t see often in books.

The beast was so interesting. When Rhen changed each season, he became a new terrifying beast. Sometimes with scales, sometimes with wings, sometimes with fangs. His character and growth were so captivating to me – the same goes for Harper.

I loved seeing their relationship grow and blossom. I loved seeing their plans and Harper’s heart grow for Rhen’s people.

Side characters. I loved them all. They all were developed with stories you would be interested in hearing. Grey, Rhen’s commander, played a huge role in this story, and I think he will be the main character in A Heart so Fierce and Broken and I am shook! I CANNOT wait!!

What I didn’t like:

Nothing. I mean, I loved every aspect of this book. It’s a must read for fantasy and/or Beauty and the Beast lovers!

Would I recommend?

I mean, I think it’s obvious I would. The story was compelling and engrossing. The characters were well developed with great story arcs that showed flaws and growth. Like I said, a must read for fantasy or Beauty and the Beast lovers.

Get A Curse so Dark and Lonely here:

| Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble |

Until next time…

ARC, fantasy, Five Star Book, Horror, mystery, Romance, ya

House of Salt and Sorrows ARC Review

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Annaleigh lives a sheltered life at Highmoor, a manor by the sea, with her sisters, their father, and stepmother. Once they were twelve, but loneliness fills the grand halls now that four of the girls’ lives have been cut short. Each death was more tragic than the last—the plague, a plummeting fall, a drowning, a slippery plunge—and there are whispers throughout the surrounding villages that the family is cursed by the gods.

Disturbed by a series of ghostly visions, Annaleigh becomes increasingly suspicious that the deaths were no accidents. Her sisters have been sneaking out every night to attend glittering balls, dancing until dawn in silk gowns and shimmering slippers, and Annaleigh isn’t sure whether to try to stop them or to join their forbidden trysts. Because who—or what—are they really dancing with?

When Annaleigh’s involvement with a mysterious stranger who has secrets of his own intensifies, it’s a race to unravel the darkness that has fallen over her family—before it claims her next.

– Goodreads

So, this is probably my first gothic, horror-ish novel and I am here. for. it!

Thanks, giphy!

What I liked:

“We are born of the Salt, we live by the Salt, and to the Salt we return.”

House of Salt and Sorrows was a great mix of fantasy, mystery, gothic horror, and a little bit of romance thrown in. Now, I am a granny. 9pm? I’m in bed usually asleep. But this book kept me up LATE – and by late I mean 1030pm. I could not put it down! The night I stayed up reading I got up to go to the bathroom and I thought, well, I’m kind of thirsty. I was at a rather creepy part of the book. I looked down the long, dark hallway and thought, nah. I’m ok. I don’t need water. And I got back in bed. No lie. It creeped me out!

The descriptions of this novel brought it to life. I usually have a hard time picturing what I’m reading, but Erin made it so easy! I loved the descriptions of the castle, the dresses, and all the creepy things that I won’t mention because I don’t want to spoil it!

The start was a little slow, but once I hit about 30% I did not want to put this baby down. It was so good!

Two funny things about this novel: first, I think I am being called to make squid ink risotto because it is everywhere in my life. It was on Queer Eye, it was on Master Chef, and now it’s mentioned in this novel! So I think I need to find a recipe. Also, my sister hates names that end in -leigh. Well, the main character is Annaleigh and every time I saw her name I smiled and thought of my sister in law. She said she wouldn’t read it because of the name. I told her she was making a grave mistake.

What I didn’t like:

The only reason this book isn’t getting five stars is because of the pace at the beginning. Maybe I’m just hard to please, but it felt slow. But like I said, after 30% I just wanted to devour it!

Would I recommend?

Yessssss! It was the perfect mix of fantasy, horror, mystery and romance. It had everything you could ever want in a novel. And this is a debut! I’m expecting more great things from Ms. Craig. I can’t wait to read the next one!

Get this novel here!
| Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble |

Thank you to Netgalley and Delacort for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Until next time…

ARC, contemporary, Five Star Book, LGBT, Romance

Red, White & Royal Blue ARC Review

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  • Title: Red, White & Royal Blue
  • Author: Casey McQuiston
  • Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
  • Publish Date: May 14, 2019
  • Book Form: E-ARC
  • Pages: 423
  • Genre: Romance, Contemporary, LGBT
  • Rating: ★★★★★

A big-hearted romantic comedy in which First Son Alex falls in love with Prince Henry of Wales after an incident of international proportions forces them to pretend to be best friends…

First Son Alex Claremont-Diaz is the closest thing to a prince this side of the Atlantic. With his intrepid sister and the Veep’s genius granddaughter, they’re the White House Trio, a beautiful millennial marketing strategy for his mother, President Ellen Claremont. International socialite duties do have downsides—namely, when photos of a confrontation with his longtime nemesis Prince Henry at a royal wedding leak to the tabloids and threaten American/British relations.

The plan for damage control: staging a fake friendship between the First Son and the Prince. Alex is busy enough handling his mother’s bloodthirsty opponents and his own political ambitions without an uptight royal slowing him down. But beneath Henry’s Prince Charming veneer, there’s a soft-hearted eccentric with a dry sense of humor and more than one ghost haunting him. 

As President Claremont kicks off her reelection bid, Alex finds himself hurtling into a secret relationship with Henry that could derail the campaign and upend two nations. And Henry throws everything into question for Alex, an impulsive, charming guy who thought he knew everything: What is worth the sacrifice? How do you do all the good you can do? And, most importantly, how will history remember you

– Goodreads

I cannot stop gushing over this super-cute, super-adorable, super-lovable novel. It was just super good, okay guys?

Thanks, giphy!

What I liked:

That gif pretty much describes my feels as I was reading Red, White & Royal Blue. I adored all of the main characters. I cared about all six of them and their backstories. I was rooting for them from the get-go.

There’s just enough political intrigue in this novel to keep it from being just a basic LGBT love story with a backdrop of politics. I loved that it really played on the politics of it. This is set in an alternate universe, I guess is the best way to put it, where we have our first female president and people who are LGBTQ+ are just, like, the norm. It’s not a whole deal. I. Love. It. I kept thinking, can’t I just live in this universe? Can this just please be real?

The love story is amazing. It’s enemies – to friends – to lovers and I was here for it.

What I didn’t like:

Um, was there anything I didn’t like? I honestly can’t think of anything. There were a couple of times I didn’t like actions of characters, but that’s what makes a book good, isn’t it? This novel really was that good.

Would I recommend?

Oh yes. Hell yes. This book is for anyone who loves a good enemies-to-lovers love story or lgbt love stories. The political intrigue was great and kept me on my toes for the ending!

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Get this novel here:

| Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble |
| iBooks | Kobo |

Until next time…

ARC, Four Star Book, Romance, Sci-Fi, ya

BLOG TOUR! Within Ash and Stardust by Chani Lynn Feener

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Guys! It’s my first blog tour and I am so freaking excited! So here I’m going to give you info on Within Ash and Stardust, give my review, and share a give away! Exciting! Let’s jump right in!

Book Details

  • Title: Within Ash and Stardust
  • Author: Chani Lynn Feener
  • Series: Xenith Trilogy #3
  • Publisher: Swoon Reads
  • Publish Date: July 16, 2019
  • Genre: Sci-Fi, YA
  • Rating: ★★★★

Having gone from kidnapped faux princess to the legitimate heir to an intergalactic throne, an impulsive, sarcastic teen must take charge of her own destiny in this epic YA novel.

On Earth, Delaney is a normal teenager who recently graduated high school with a fantastic best friend and a loving boyfriend.

But Delaney isn’t on Earth. She’s on Xenith, a war-torn planet half a galaxy away. Originally mistaken for an alien princess, Delaney has gone from kidnapped imposter to the recognized heir to an alien throne. Oh, and she’s engaged to the prince of an enemy nation whose ruthless father is on the warpath.

Torn between two planets, two fates, and two loves, Delaney is finally ready to choose her own destiny in Within Ash and Stardust, the stunning conclusion to Chani Lynn Feener’s Xenith Trilogy.

– Goodreads

Thank you to Swoon Reads and Xpresso Book Tours for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Guys. This series was so good. As I’ve said before, I’m not a huge fan of sci-fi, but this was like a back drop of space. Not in your face look at me space which I am so a fan of.

I love the technology elements. I love the political intrigue. I love how I was fearing for Delaney, Trystan, AND Ruckus’ lives! This book was fast paced and kept me on the edge of my seat. I couldn’t wait to see them win against the Rex!

My most favorite part was the love triangle. Of course. So Xenith #1. I was #teamRuckus ALL THE WAY. Like, who was this Trystan guy thinking he’s all hot? Thank u, next. Then I read Xenith #2. Okay, this Trystan guy isn’t soooo bad, but I’m still rooting for my man Ruck. But then the more Trystan does the more I’m like, ok I love him too. How do I choose?! Then Xenith #3. Man oh man. I felt for Delaney cause I would not have wanted to make that decision. I’m not going to tell you who she goes for – that’s the best part! I love how it ended though and my sweet, sappy heart was satisfied.

I would so recommend this series to anyone who loves a good love triangle or a good space setting. It was a great, clean, YA series!

You can find this great novel here:
| Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble |
| iBooks | Kobo |

Be sure to enter the giveaway hosted by Xpresso Book Tours here!

Chani Lynn Feener has wanted to be a writer since the age of ten during fifth grade story time. She majored in Creative Writing at Johnson State College in Vermont, and graduated in 2012. To pay her bills, she has worked many odd jobs, including, but not limited to, telemarketing, order picking in a warehouse, and filling ink cartridges. When she isn’t writing, she’s binging TV shows, drawing, or frequenting zoos/aquariums. Chani is also the author of teen paranormal series, the Underworld Saga, originally written under the penname Tempest C. Avery. She currently resides in Connecticut, but lives on Goodreads.com.

Until next time…

ARC, Four Star Book, Romance, Sci-Fi, ya

Amid Stars and Darkness ARC Review

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  • Title: Amid Stars and Darkness
  • Author: Chani Lynn Feener
  • Book Form: E-ARC
  • Pages: 368
  • Publisher: Swoon Reads
  • Genre: YA, Sci-Fi, Romance
  • Rating: ★★★★

Delaney’s entire world is thrown into chaos after she is mistaken for Lissa Olena, an alien princess hiding out on Earth in order to escape an arranged marriage.

Kidnapped by the princess’s head bodyguard, Ruckus, and imprisoned in an alien palace, Delaney is forced to impersonate the princess until Olena can be found. If she fails, it will lead to an alien war and the eventual enslavement of the entire human race.

No pressure or anything.

Factor in Trystan, the princess’s terrifying betrothed who is intent on unraveling all her secrets, and her own growing feelings for Ruckus, and Delaney is in way over her head.

Get lost Amid Stars and Darkness, in this YA sci-fi romance from debut author Chani Lynn Feener.

– Goodreads

Thank you to Swoon Reads and Xpresso Book Tours for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Here’s a little backstory about why I’m reading this series this month. I signed up for a Blog Tour for Within Ash and Stardust on Xpresso Book Tours. I was living for the cover so I knew I had to sign up. I have learned – do your research! That’s the 3rd book in this series. Thankfully they also sent e-arcs of the first two. Man, I am so glad they did. I loved this book!

It’s a typical case of mistaken identity. Only Delaney gets kidnapped by aliens and taken to their home planet. Come to find out, it wasn’t just mistaken identity. There’s some gadgets that come into play, and now Delaney looks exactly like the alien princess! Delaney falls for her body guard. He falls for her. Only she has to pretend to like her fiance – the alien prince Trystan.

I’m usually iffy on sci-fi books. I love all of Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff’s stuff. This was similar in the fact that yes, you’re dealing with aliens and spaceships and other worlds, but it doesn’t scream SPACE. I don’t like books where space is just shoved in your face. This focused more on Delaney trying to fool everyone into thinking she was the princess. Space was just the backdrop, which is exactly how I like it.

The romance was slow-burn, which I enjoy. I’m not a huge fan of insta-love. Trystan was the ‘bad guy’, but is he really so bad? Is he acting? Will he turn good? I love when you kind of feel for the bad guys. Also, I know there’s a lot of #teamTrystan out there! Right now I’m #teamRukus, but we will see if that changes with book two!

The ending had a cliffhanger, and I was so glad I already had book two! It would have been torture if I had to wait for it to come out!

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a love triangle, sci-fi, and political intrigue! I thoroughly enjoyed it and can’t wait to start book two!

Until next time..

ARC, contemporary, Romance, three star book, ya

Beau and Bett ARC Review

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  • Title: Beau and Bett
  • Author: Kathryn Berla
  • Book Form: E-ARC
  • Pages: 256
  • Publisher: Amberjack Publishing
  • Genre: YA, Romance, Retelling, Contemporary
  • Rating: ★★★.5
  • Release Date: June 25, 2019

After Beau LeFrancois’s mother wrecks Bett Diaz’s luxury SUV, his family faces an impossibly large bill—with no car insurance to help pay it. To pay off the debt, Beau spends his weekends working at the Diaz Ranch.

Beau’s prepared to work, but he’s definitely not prepared for the infamous temper of Bett Diaz, also known as “The Beast” at school. As Beau learns the secrets behind Bett’s tough exterior, he finds himself falling for her . . . until he catches Bett in a lie.

A contemporary twist on a classic fairy tale, Beau and Bett is a timely story of family, friendship, and the power of speaking out and standing up for yourself.

– Goodreads
Thank you Netgalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

“There’s a little bit of beast in every person. And in every beast, there’s a human heart with a story of how it got to that place. A story waiting to be changed with understanding. A story waiting to be changed with just a kiss.”

I enjoyed this gender swapped Beauty and the Beast retelling. Beau’s mom stopped to pick an avacado on her way home. Bett the Beast ran into her, saying it was her fault. Beau’s dad isn’t working because of an injury, so he volunteers to work at Bett’s dad’s ranch to pay off the deductible for the damage to Bett’s car. 

Over the course of two months, Beau starts falling for Bett. He sees her for who she really is, not the Beast everyone thinks she is.  Toward the end there is a betrayal, but in typical fairy tale fashion, there is a happily ever after. 

I liked that this book was such a quick, easy read. It’s a nice, sweet, teen-aged romance. At times I felt the writing and dialogue was a little juvenile, even though these kids were 16 years old. The main characters were likeable enough, but not so much that I really felt connected to them.

If you want a quick, easy romance, this is the book for you. This is really one of those slump-breaker books. You know, you can get in, read, and get out fast – but the story is interesting enough to keep you engaged.

Until next time..

adult, Romance, three star book

One of the Guys Review

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  • Title: One of the Guys
  • Author: Delaney Diamond
  • Book Form: Audio
  • Pages: 194
  • Publisher: Garden Avenue Press
  • Rating: ★★★.5


Mechanic Ronnie Taylor spends most of her time with men. As such, she’s always been tough, but Diego Molina makes her feel the opposite of tough. The big Cuban is brash, bold, and gets under her skin. She finally has to admit the reason he annoys her isn’t because she dislikes him. It’s because she likes him a little too much.

When Diego turns the tables on Ronnie, he uncovers the sensual woman hiding underneath. But past regrets threaten to derail their new relationship. Before they can get to forever, they must trust that they’ve found what they’ve been looking for all along.

– Goodreads

I was apparently on a romance kick last month.

This was a good read. I loved that Ronnie – Veronica – was a mechanic. She was a strong female character, but she also had some baggage. She seemed super cool with a shaved head and a no-one-cares attitude.

Diego was relentless, though. He had a longing for Ronnie for as long as he had known her. He finally was able to convince her to give their relationship a try. Ronnie was, of course, into it. I also loved that Diego was into Ronnie since she’s not a girly girl. I loved he was into her shaved head. So when she did dress up for him it was a wowza moment.

This wasn’t just a blow your mind romance novel. The spicy scenes were good. I liked the progression of the romance. I am looking forward to reading more of Delaney’s books in the future!

Until next time…

adult, Erotica, Romance, three star book

Yield: Emily & Damon Review

Courtney/Enchanted.to.Read.You
  • Title: Yield: Emily & Damon
  • Author: Lilia Moon
  • Book Form: Audio
  • Pages: 246
  • Publisher: Amazon Digital Services LLC
  • Genre: Erotica, Romance, Adult
  • Rating: ★★★.5


Emily Madigan is Seattle’s best wedding planner. Her superpower is managing a thousand details without dropping a single one, and her deepest desire is an hour-long bubble bath and a foot rub. 

Until her newest clients want to get married at a BDSM club. 

Damon Black owns Fettered. He’s proud of who he is and what he does, and nothing scares him – until two of his favorite people want to get married at the place where they fell in love, no matter how many spanking benches they have to move out of the way to do it. 

Damon knows as soon as he lays eyes on Emily that she doesn’t belong in his world. A quick tour of his club will prove it. 

Except it doesn’t…

– Goodreads

This is the only way to describe this book. Hot. I was listening at work and oh man, at parts I knew I was blushing.

Emily is good. She’s put together, wears dresses with matching floral shoes. She’s everything a BDSM club is not. Then she meets Damon.

Of course, she instantly falls for him. Realizes somehow she’s turned on by all the BDSM play while walking through the club, then gets thrown into a world she’s scared of but excited by.

Damon agrees to a 24 hour contract to show her what it’s all about. Once the 24 hours are over, they are over. No more. But it never works that way, does it?

The main thing I liked about this book was the focus on consent. Damon takes pride in making sure his club is safe. That carries over to Emily too. He explains everything. Let’s her know she can opt out at any time. Has safewords in place. But over and over throughout the book, they mention consent consent consent. I think that’s very important for a novel with content such as this one.

Overall, I enjoyed it. It was a typical at-first-sight romance. It got points added for consent. If you want an easy read/listen, this is a good choice.

Until next time…

fantasy, Five Star Book, Romance, ya

Daughter of the Pirate King Review

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  • Title: Daughter of the Pirate King
  • Author: Tricia Levenseller
  • Book Form: E-Book
  • Pages: 311
  • Publisher: Feiwel Friends
  • Genre: Fantasy, YA, Romance
  • Rating: ★★★★★


There will be plenty of time for me to beat him soundly once I’ve gotten what I came for.

Sent on a mission to retrieve an ancient hidden map—the key to a legendary treasure trove—seventeen-year-old pirate captain Alosa deliberately allows herself to be captured by her enemies, giving her the perfect opportunity to search their ship.

More than a match for the ruthless pirate crew, Alosa has only one thing standing between her and the map: her captor, the unexpectedly clever and unfairly attractive first mate, Riden. But not to worry, for Alosa has a few tricks up her sleeve, and no lone pirate can stop the Daughter of the Pirate King.

– Goodreads

So this is the second Tricia Levenseller book I’ve read. The first was Warrior of the Wild at the end of last month. You can see that review here.

Daughter of the Pirate King was just as good as Warrior of the Wild. Instead of being loosely based of Vikings, this adventure takes us into the life of pirates.

Tricia’s books are so easy to read. They are quick novels, but I feel so immersed in the story. I was so interested in Alosa’s life and backstory. And the interactions between her and Ridan had me DYING.

I loved that Alosa was the captain of her own ship and her first mate and main crew were all females. As my friend Kahla pointed out, Tricia does great at showcasing not only strong female leads, but physically powerful. I really love that. Being a strong female lead is usually about decision making, personality, those kinds of things. But I love that Tricia’s leading ladies can kick some serious ass.

I love all the sneaking around and hijinks Alosa gets herself into. The twist totally caught me by surprise. I was so invested in this story and cannot wait to get my hands on the next one!

Until next time..