Book Review: For the Throne by Hannah F. Whitten

*See my review for the first book, For the Wolf

Let's just get this out of the way first: I love this book just as much as I love the first one, which is a lot. This duology is fantastic. Hannah Whitten has written some of my favorite characters in fantasy and woven a fascinating world around them. The way she built the magic, the way she talks about monsters and gods, it all really works for me on a deep level. 

For the Wolf was about the Wilderwood. For the Throne is about the Shadowlands. Both are about sisterhood and the lengths that Neve and Red will go to save each other and how those actions affect the people who love them. If you loved For the Wolf, no worries, this book holds up to it. 

Summary:

Neve is pulled into the Shadowlands and her only help is Solmir, the once-king who tricked and betrayed her. The plan: to pull the kings out of the Shadowlands before they collapse, and kill them before they can reign havoc in the world again. But things are bigger than they seem and it's harder to hate Solmir than Neve would like. This is not just about Neve though, her and Red's stories are mirrors to each other, so while Neve hunts down gods, Red seeks answers where she can find them.

I highlighted a lot in this book, lines about monsters and divinity, emotional confessions, there were so many things that tugged at my chest. Including of course, every sweet moment between Red and Eammon, who fought so hard for their love in book one. The romantic relationships in this book are so well done and even if I didn't know that Hannah Whitten read romance, you can tell from her writing. The relationships feel real, she doesn't shy away from the intimacy piece of romance, and they're overall satisfying.

If you're reading this review and you haven't picked up the first book yet, you should. If you like magic forests, ancient gods, myths made real, and stories of deep love in all forms, these books deliver. I cannot wait to see and read more from Hannah, she's truly a fantastic writer and her storytelling has really resonated with me. I will come back to both of these books again and again.

5/5 Stars  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 *Digital ARC provided through NetGalley

Available June 7, 2022!

Buy: AMZ | B&N | Kobo | Bookshop

Book Review: The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes

 *Digital ARC provided through NetGalley

Every time I think I can't possibly love Cat Sebastian's writing even more she has to go and prove me wrong. The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes is the much anticipated follow-up to The Queer Principles of Kit Webb, and it lives up to and transcends expectations. That said, I would recommend reading The Queer Principles of Kit Webb before diving into this book because I think you will understand the story and get the most out of it that way. Trust me, it's no hardship to read the first book. It's excellent. And if you have read it, don't worry, there's plenty of Percy and Kit in this book and they are, of course, delightful.

Book Review: Book Lovers by Emily Henry

 

*ARC provided via NetGalley

Let's just get right to it: I loved this book a whole lot. Emily Henry really know how to deliver on beautiful writing, emotional depth, realistic characters, and bright/witty dialogue. Her books always feel so immersive and this one is no different. 

Summary

Nora Stephens is the high-maintenance city girlfriend in every guy-goes-to-a-small-town-and-falls-in-love romance book. She loves her Peloton and her impractical shoes and fancy skincare, and she loves her sister Libby and her agenting job even more. So when her sister drags her to a small North Carolina town, Sunshine Falls, that's the setting of one of her client's books, she's not feeling the need for her own small town romance. And the best part? That's not what this book is! Oh, there's definitely love, but it's with sharp-eyed editor, Charlie Lastra, who's visiting home from NYC to help his parents out. Both of them are city-people who don't quite fit into small town life and they can't help but be drawn together again and again.

Book Review: Something Wilder by Christina Lauren

 

*Digital ARC provided through NetGalley

As a devoted Christina Lauren fan, I knew going into this that I was going to have a good time and I was not disappointed! This book is so much fun and I can see why it's a book that they chose to write during these pandemic times. I mean, almost the entire book takes place outdoors! It's full of adventure, action, wild twists, and a truly swoony romance. If you're a fan of adventures moves like Indian Jones, Tomb Raider, and The Mummy, AND you like romance, you're going to want to pick up this book. 

So here's what you need to know!

The Pitch:

Young lovers are separated for a decade and come back together by chance for an adventure of a lifetime. Emotions run high as Lily and Leo confront their feelings for each other while searching for treasure. There's twists, turns, betrayals, a car chase, coded messages, and kissing -all the good stuff.

Book Review: Once More Upon a Time by Roshani Chokshi

Genre: YA Fantasy/Romance

*Digital ARC of this book provided through NetGalley for review.

The first Roshani Chokshi novel I ever read was The Star-Touched Queen, a beautiful and lyric fantasy love story that has stuck with me over time. I have yet to read her wildly popular Gilded Wolves series but I suspect I will love those books just as much. When I first saw this book, Once More Upon A Time, I was instantly drawn in by the beautiful cover and clever title. I am a sucker for anything based around fairy tales and this book delivered on being a lighthearted and fun look at the "once upon a time" formula for storytelling.

Book Review: Well Matched by Jen DeLuca

 

Genre: Contemporary Romance

*Digital ARC of this book provided for review through NetGalley

Well Matched is the third book in Jen DeLuca's Renaissance Faire romance series and is a book that I have been excited to get my hands on since I finished book two last fall. I found Jen DeLuca through The Wicked Wallflowers Club podcast and the second I heard she had written a Ren Faire romance, I was in. I devoured Well Met (book one) and read Well Played (book two) the second it came out. I found them to be fun and sweet: a soothing balm to my unending stress during 2020. These books are light and fluffy while delivering on well-rounded characters, satisfying relationships, and steamy sex scenes. 

Book Review: House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland

 

Genre: YA Horror

House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland was enthusiastically recommended to me by a bookseller at my local Barnes & Noble and while I didn't buy it that day, it did stick in my brain and I ended up going back for it within the week. First off, that cover. It's stunning. And listen, I know, don't judge a book by it's cover, but it cannot be argued that beautiful art can sell a book. It's part of the appeal, especially when buying physical books. So does the actual book live up to such an incredible cover? Yes, yes it does.

Book Review: Bombshell by Sarah Maclean

Genre: Historical Romance

I'm a dedicated Sarah MacLean fan. I have loved every single one of her books and I listen to her podcast, Fated Mates, regularly. There was no question really that I was going to love this book, especially since it's such a long awaited love story in the MacLean universe.

Book Review: For The Wolf by Hannah Whitten

*This book was sent to me as a giveaway prize by the author.

Genre: Adult Fantasy/Fairytale Retelling

Alright, before we get into this, I have to say upfront that not only was this book a gift, I also received a copy that has been annotated by the author. I won it in a Twitter giveaway before it released and I'm incredibly lucky and grateful to have it in my possession. I had intended to read it immediately and review it before its release in June but time got away from me, as time often does. The thing is, I knew I was going to love this book and that it was going to drag me deep into my feelings and I wasn't ready for it yet. But I've done it now and here we are.

And I was right, I loved it a whole lot and I have a lot of feelings about it. 

For The Wolf by Hannah Whitten is a home run book for me. It encompasses all my favorite things to find in a book -romance, complicated relationships with family, fairytale symbolism, magic forests, and breathless writing. And of course the exploration of what it means to be human and what it means to be a monster. Where and what are the lines and how do we walk them?