#BookReview: Defy the Night (Defy the Night, #1) by @BrigidKemmerer

The kingdom of Kandala is on the brink of disaster. Rifts between sectors have only worsened since a sickness began ravaging the land, and within the Royal Palace, the king holds a tenuous peace with a ruthless hand.

King Harristan was thrust into power after his parents' shocking assassination, leaving the younger Prince Corrick to take on the brutal role of the King's Justice. The brothers have learned to react mercilessly to any sign of rebellion--it's the only way to maintain order when the sickness can strike anywhere, and the only known cure, an elixir made from delicate Moonflower petals, is severely limited.

Out in the Wilds, apothecary apprentice Tessa Cade is tired of seeing her neighbors die, their suffering ignored by the unyielding royals. Every night, she and her best friend Wes risk their lives to steal Moonflower petals and distribute the elixir to those who need it most--but it's still not enough.

As rumors spread that the cure no longer works and sparks of rebellion begin to flare, a particularly cruel act from the King's Justice makes Tessa desperate enough to try the impossible: sneaking into the palace. But what she finds upon her arrival makes her wonder if it's even possible to fix Kandala without destroying it first.

#BookReview: My Friends by @Backmanland @AtriaBooks

#1 New York Times bestselling author Fredrik Backman returns with an unforgettably funny, deeply moving tale of four teenagers whose friendship creates a bond so powerful that it changes a complete stranger’s life twenty-five years later.

Most people don’t even notice them—three tiny figures sitting at the end of a long pier in the corner of one of the most famous paintings in the world. Most people think it’s just a depiction of the sea. But Louisa, an aspiring artist herself, knows otherwise, and she is determined to find out the story of these three enigmatic figures.

Twenty-five years earlier, in a distant seaside town, a group of teenagers find refuge from their bruising home lives by spending long summer days on an abandoned pier, telling silly jokes, sharing secrets, and committing small acts of rebellion. These lost souls find in each other a reason to get up each morning, a reason to dream, a reason to love.

Out of that summer emerges a transcendent work of art, a painting that will unexpectedly be placed into eighteen-year-old Louisa’s care. She embarks on a surprise-filled cross-country journey to learn how the painting came to be and to decide what to do with it. The closer she gets to the painting’s birthplace, the more nervous she becomes about what she’ll find. Louisa is proof that happy endings don’t always take the form we expect in this stunning testament to the transformative, timeless power of friendship and art.

#BookReview: Third Shift Society, Vol. 2 by Meredith Moriarty

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ABOUT THIS BOOK:

Eisner-nominated WEBTOON Third Shift Society is a story about stumbling head-first into a world of magic and mystery. Financially challenged Ellie discovers she has strong psychic powers and gets a job working for Ichabod, a paranormal detective with the head of a Jack-o-Lantern.

Life’s funny. One minute you’re jobless, deep in debt, and on the verge of eviction; the next you’re in a fight with a monster and getting a job working for a paranormal detective with the head of a Jack-o-Lantern. It’s an age-old story. 

Now the clumsy but determined Ellie (who’s recently discovered she has strong psychic powers) and her pumpkin-headed boss Ichabod have to team up and fight the things that go bump in the night.

Ellie and Ichabod have some supernatural solves under their belts and Ellie has her psychic powers more (or less) under control. All they’re up against now are cryptic witches, sinister demons, and some ancient monsters hellbent on escaping their psychic prison. What could possibly go wrong?

This volume collects Season 2 of the bewitching WEBTOON comic.

#Review for: A Song for You and I by K. O'Neill

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ABOUT THIS BOOK:

Being a ranger means adventure, action, and protecting the weak. But who protects the ranger when they lose their way? From the bestselling author of The Moth Keeper and the Tea Dragon Society comes a must read MG graphic novel for fans of soft sweeping fantasy romances.

Rowan knows exactly what they to be a ranger, protecting their village alongside their trusted flying horse Kes. But when Rowan's eagerness to show off their worth gets Kes injured, Rowan is suddenly unsure if they're capable of being the protector they've always dreamed of becoming. 

With Kes needing to heal, Rowan is assigned a slow and winding expedition across the outlying lands. Paired with a lackadasical sheep hearder Leone, Rowan only finds frustration as they seem to fail even the simplest tasks. But Leone's own struggles, and endless support brings a new possibility to Rowan. Could their unlikely friendship be something more? And if it is, will Rowan be able to leave Leone behind to pursue being a ranger once Kes is healed?

#Review for: Lazy Witchcraft for Crazy, Sh*tty Days by Andrea Samayoa

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ABOUT THIS BOOK:

Discover how to do witchcraft the lazy way with this self-care-promoting book of super-easy spells and rituals for days when you’re feeling stressed, burned out, or just generally sh*tty.

Traditional witchcraft is a lot of work and some days you just need to do things the lazy way. After all, everyone gets tired sometimes. Some of us get tired a lot. In Lazy Witchcraft for Crazy Sh*tty Days, Andrea Samayoa from the popular TikTok handle MoonStreetKits, is going to show you how to do witchcraft even when you’re really, really tired. Or sick. Or burnt out. Or just had a really crappy day.

Andrea’s approach to witchcraft is rooted in making things as easy as possible, so you can continue to do magic even when you don’t have a lot of spoons to give. The book is divided into six chapters, each of which focuses on a different kind of magic, including:

Self-Care: Rituals, spell jars, and enchantments to help you go from feeling blah to feeling like the radiant magical being you are.
Focus + Energy: Teas, shaker jars, oils, and mini rituals that give you energy instead of taking it out of you.
Protection + Warding: Everything from basic protections during spell-casting to full-on warding from a**hole energy vampires.
Manifestation: Literally the easiest manifestation work you will ever do.
And more!

Each spell or ritual is rated according to the number of “spoons” it takes to perform, and yes, that does include zero-spoon options (for the REAL bad days). The book will also feature Andrea’s best witch tips for divination, bulk recipes, herbs, ingredient/item substitutions, and more.

Fun, irreverent, and gorgeously illustrated, Lazy Witchcraft for Crazy, Sh*tty Days is the easiest witchcraft book you will ever buy. It’s perfect for beginners, young practitioners, or any witch who’s ever struggled to find the magic inside themselves on a really bad day.

#Review for: Till Death Do Us Part by @laurellizabeth

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The author of The Girls Are All So Nice Here returns with a thriller set in the vineyards of Napa Valley that asks: what happens when the husband you thought died years ago shows up alive?

Ten years ago, June’s beloved husband drowned on their honeymoon, his body never found. Now, a decade later, June is finally ready to move on. She owns a natural wine bar in Brooklyn and is engaged to a patient, supportive man named Kyle. She’s excited to finally begin a new chapter in her life and start a family.

But out of the blue, she sees him—Josh, her first husband. Is this just a hallucination from the guilt June carries about finally moving on, or is it possible that her husband never died in the first place?

June tries to forget about this vision, chalking it up to grief and nerves, but soon enough, she stumbles across a website for a winery in Napa, and the owner in the photo is identical to her dead husband. With her upcoming wedding looming and a fiancé who’s already worried she hasn’t quite left her past behind, June secretly flies to Napa for answers. But she’s not prepared for all the secrets she’s about to unlock because everything she thought she knew about her first love is a lie.

#Review for: The Man Feared by Darkness (Rooker Lindström #3) by Pete Zacharias @AmazonPub

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ABOUT THIS BOOK:

No one is safe when a crime reporter confronts the secrets of his dark past in a terrifying novel of revenge and redemption by the author of The Man Trapped by Shadows.

The son of a serial killer, investigative reporter Rooker Lindström has been shadowed by death. He believes the worst is behind him, until a body is discovered in California that matches the MO of Tate Meachum, the Madman killer. But Meachum, who counted Rooker’s son among his victims, has been in prison all these years. Did Rooker help lock away the wrong man? Or is the latest kill the work of a copycat?

PI Tess Harlow doesn’t want to be involved this Rooker has taken years off her life. But she also knows that Rooker returning to California is sure to spell trouble…and Rooker talking to Meachum is the least of their problems. Do Meachum’s mind games hold the key to the puzzle, or are they just another distraction covering up yet another crime? Rooker is sure the murders are meant for him…but why?

For Rooker, on this final hunt, the most disturbing truths are yet to come.

#BookReview: A Court This Cruel & Lovely (Kingdom of Lies #1) by Stacia Stark

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ABOUT THIS BOOK: 

For years, when I fell asleep, I dreamed of a man with blazing green eyes and a cruel smile. 

The day I meet him, the ruthless mercenary leaves me for dead. 

Just hours after humans are born, the gods take what little power we have. In return, they protect our borders from the vicious, merciless fae. 

The humans who manage to keep their power are known as the corrupt.
And they are burned. 

When my forbidden power is discovered, I’m forced to flee my tiny village and the life I adore. 

To survive, I make a desperate bargain with the mercenary who abandoned me at my weakest. 

Our deal is simple: I’ll help him and his mysterious friends sneak into the city. And he’ll help me learn to wield the strange, dark power I’ve always kept hidden. The power that may just be the key to my survival. 

But the ruthless mercenary is hiding secrets of his own. Secrets that threaten the safety of everyone I love. Secrets that could tear this kingdom—and perhaps even this world—apart. 

Please note: A Court This Cruel and Lovely is an NA/adult romantasy book with steam. While this series is slow burn, the chili pepper rating will increase for each book.

BookReview: Passenger Princess (Evergreen Park #1) by Morgan Elizabeth

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ABOUT THIS BOOK:

A sexy, Bodyguard, Grumpy/Sunshine, Celebrity romance from best-selling author, Morgan Elizabeth.

Who knew applying to be the next Miss Americana while you’re drunk on tequila would actually 
get anywhere? But that’s exactly what happened to Ava when she wanted an excuse to promote her best friends’ new businesses. She never even expected to get past the first round of auditions, much less win the beauty pageant, and now here she is, wearing a silk sash and a crown on her head, trying to picture what the next three months is going to look like. As the newly crowned Miss Americana, she’s off on a three-month press tour, visiting all 50 states as part of her contract. 

For a girl who loves adventure, it’s a dream come true, except for two hiccups. The first one being the morality clause and long list of rules the organization is forcing her to live by while wearing the crown. And second, and probably the worst one, is the delicious sexy, yet grumpy driver-slash-bodyguard assigned to keep her in line. 

Jaime normally spends his days as head of security for the world-famous rock band Atlas Oaks, but when they take a break from touring, he’s excited for a change of pace. Until he learns his new assignment is the gorgeous and ever-frustrating pageant princess who gets under his skin in more ways than one.

When he learns Ava has made it her mission to drive him crazy—by constantly looking for a new hit of endorphins by toeing the line as well as by flirting with him endlessly—he realizes what he thought would be a simple assignment is anything but. Now if only he can survive the next ninety days keeping his hands to himself and off the woman he can’t get out of his head.

#BookReview: An Offer From a Gentleman (Bridgertons #3) by Julia Quinn

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ABOUT THIS BOOK:

Sophie Beckett never dreamed she'd be able to sneak into Lady Bridgerton's famed masquerade ball—or that "Prince Charming" would be waiting there for her! Though the daughter of an earl, Sophie has been relegated to the role of servant by her disdainful stepmother. But now, spinning in the strong arms of the debonair and devastatingly handsome Benedict Bridgerton, she feels like royalty. Alas, she knows all enchantments must end when the clock strikes midnight.

Who was that extraordinary woman? Ever since that magical night, a radiant vision in silver has blinded Benedict to the attractions of any other—except, perhaps, this alluring and oddly familiar beauty dressed in housemaid's garb whom he feels compelled to rescue from a most disagreeable situation. He has sworn to find and wed his mystery miss, but this breathtaking maid makes him weak with wanting her. Yet, if he offers her his heart, will Benedict sacrifice his only chance for a fairy tale love?

#BookReview: Nights of Obedience by Rachel Mays

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ABOUT THIS BOOK:

Emilie 
I never asked to marry King Cyrus, the ruler of the neighboring realm. But after his wife passed away, my parents saw an opportunity to gain his favor. They didn’t hesitate to offer my hand in marriage. Despite the circumstances, I’m determined to make the best of the situation. After all, becoming royalty comes with plenty of advantages. But first I’ll have to get past an unexpected obstacle—the king’s brother, Ladon. 

Ladon 
I’ll do anything to protect my family, even if it means sabotaging my brother’s upcoming marriage. I know the truth—that Emilie is a money-hungry opportunist who is unfit to be the queen. I'll do whatever it takes to see their engagement come to an end. She thought she was entering paradise, but I’m going to give her hell. 

Until disaster strikes... 
Now, we only have each other. Working together might be the only way to survive the twisted games we’ll be forced to play. 

Author’s Note: Nights of Obedience is the first book in the Vines & Venom duet, a spicy, enemies-to-lovers romantasy. This book features mature themes and content that may not be suitable for all audiences. Reader discretion is advised. For a complete list of content warnings, check the author’s website.

#BookReview: The Viscount Who Loved Me (Bridgertons, #2) by Julia Quinn

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ABOUT THIS BOOK:

1814 promises to be another eventful season, but not, this author believes, for Anthony Bridgerton, London's most elusive bachelor, who has shown no indication that he plans to marry.
And in truth, why should he? When it comes to playing the consummate rake, nobody does it better...
—Lady Whistledown's Society Papers, April 1814

But this time, the gossip columnists have it wrong. Anthony Bridgerton hasn't just decided to marry—he's even chosen a wife! The only obstacle is his intended's older sister, Kate Sheffield—the most meddlesome woman ever to grace a London ballroom. The spirited schemer is driving Anthony mad with her determination to stop the betrothal, but when he closes his eyes at night, Kate is the woman haunting his increasingly erotic dreams...

Contrary to popular belief, Kate is quite sure that reformed rakes do not make the best husbands—and Anthony Bridgerton is the most wicked rogue of them all. Kate is determined to protect her sister—but she fears her own heart is vulnerable. And when Anthony's lips touch hers, she's suddenly afraid she might not be able to resist the reprehensible rake herself...

#BookReview: Twisted Truths (Midnight Manor #4) by @PetiteRayne

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ABOUT THIS BOOK:

My life changed forever the day I saved Obsidian Voss from drowning in the ocean.

When my father lands himself in trouble, I take a job working for Obsidian, one of the country’s most famous billionaires. It doesn’t take long for me to realize that there’s more behind the façade he presents to the world—a darker, more dangerous side.

Still, I’m drawn to him. As he introduces me to a world I never knew existed, I find myself falling for him. But I’m torn because I came to Midnight Manor with a hidden agenda, and I’ve been lying to Obsidian from the start. Eventually, he’s going to find out. 

My secret will change everything. And if Obsidian really is the monster he thinks he is, what will he do to me?

A dark contemporary billionaire romance with a tortured hero, touch her and die, and secret society tropes from USA Today Bestselling Author duo P. Rayne.

#BookReview: The Things We Leave Unfinished by @RebeccaYarros @entangledpub

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ABOUT THIS BOOK:

Twenty-eight-year-old Georgia Stanton has to start over after she gave up almost everything in a brutal divorce—the New York house, the friends, and her pride. Now back home at her late great-grandmother’s estate in Colorado, she finds herself face-to-face with Noah Harrison, the bestselling author of a million books where the cover is always people nearly kissing. He’s just as arrogant in person as in interviews, and she’ll be damned if the good-looking writer of love stories thinks he’s the one to finish her grandmother’s final novel… even if the publisher swears he’s the perfect fit.

Noah is at the pinnacle of his career. With book and movie deals galore, there isn’t much the “golden boy” of modern fiction hasn’t accomplished. But he can’t walk away from what might be the best book of the century—the one his idol, Scarlett Stanton, left unfinished. Coming up with a fitting ending for the legendary author is one thing, but dealing with her beautiful, stubborn, cynical great-granddaughter, Georgia, is quite another. 

But as they read Scarlett’s words in both the manuscript and her box of letters, they start to realize why Scarlett never finished the book—it’s based on her real-life romance with a World War II pilot, and the ending isn’t a happy one. Georgia knows all too well that love never works out, and while the chemistry and connection between her and Noah is undeniable, she’s as determined as ever to learn from her great-grandmother’s mistakes—even if it means destroying Noah’s career.

#BookReview: The Dread Merchant by Todd Knight

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ABOUT THIS BOOK:

An apocalyptic virus. A stolen cure. A life-or-death decision. 
Two weeks after the mysterious "Scratch 'n Sniff" outbreak began in Boston, the world has descended into chaos and darkness.

Nick Ritter, an expert crisis consultant, shelters with his newfound family at a camp near the Canadian border. A harsh winter is coming, and time is running out to reach his survival ranch in New Zealand.

But Nick holds the key to stopping the a stolen vial of Dr. Teddy Monroe's vaccine. Now the group faces a life-or-death save themselves or save the world.

As the deadly virus and frigid winter close in, the family grapples with their new 

Abby Blackwell, a postpartum teen mother, reels from the arrival of her newborn twins, Max and Lily. They bring an unexpected surprise, and Abby considers the returning her babies to Dr. Monroe.

Brian Donahue, a reawakened warrior, and his wife and daughter, Tracy and Zoe, thrive from their fresh start. But a powerful ally forces them to a lonely future or a haunted past.

Dana Foster, a battle-scarred doctor, accepts the broken world and opens her heart to Nick. But when she uncovers a dark secret, she questions if Nick is really the man she hoped.

T.J. Chandra, a humbled startup CEO, worries the monstrous Kurt Hunziker will return for a violent revenge. An old friend offers T.J. a the easy life or the good life.

Herman and Mikey Reed, grandfather and grandson handymen, settle into the family they so desperately needed. Until a surprise arrival unleashes the harsh world they hoped to leave behind.

Now Nick must call on his disaster-planning skills to survive, facing off against the enraged Dr. Monroe, who will stop at nothing to reclaim his newborn twins. As Nick unravels Monroe's plan, he awakens something bigger and more sinister than he ever imagined.

The Dread Merchant is the highly anticipated sequel to Todd Knight's bestselling debut novel, The Posh Prepper. It is the second book in The Posh Prepper trilogy.

The Dread Merchant is a dark, tense, fast-paced apocalyptic thriller with an unforgettable cast of complex characters. Perfect for fans of T.L. Payne, Grace Hamilton, and Kyla Stone.

*This book includes strong language, graphic violence, and mature themes.*

#BookReview: Phantasma (Wicked Games #1) by @KaylsMoon @readforeverpub

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ABOUT THIS BOOK:

Caraval meets Throne of the Fallen in this spicy dark romantasy where a necromancer needs help from a dangerous phantom to win a deadly competition, only to find their partnership puts her at risk of breaking the game’s most vital rule: don't fall in love.

When Ophelia and her sister discovers their mother brutally murdered, there is no time to grieve: Ophelia has inherited both her powerful death-driven magic and enormous debt on their home. Circumstances go from dire to deadly, however, when Ophelia’s sister decides to pay off the loan by entering Phantasma—a competition where most contestants don’t make it out alive and the winner is granted a single wish.

The only way to save her sister is to compete. But Phantasma is a cursed manor, with twisting corridors and lavish ballrooms, and filled with enticing demons and fatal temptations. Ophelia will need to face nine floors of challenges to win... if her fears don’t overtake her first.

When a charming, arrogant stranger claims he can protect and guide Ophelia, she knows she shouldn’t trust him. While Blackwell may not seem dangerous, appearances can be deceptive. But with her sister’s life on the line, Ophelia can’t afford to turn him away. She just needs to ignore the overwhelming, dark attraction drawing them closer and closer together.

Because in Phantasma, the only thing deadlier than losing the game is losing your heart.

#BookReview: Marriage & Masti (If Shakespeare Was an Auntie #3) by @Nishawrites @avonbooks

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ABOUT THIS BOOK:

The third and final installment in Nisha Sharma’s beloved Shakespeare-inspired rom-com trilogy—an ode to Twelfth Night—is the perfect friends to lovers romp featuring an accidental wedding, meddling families, and plenty of sizzling chemistry.

Veera Mathur has been through a lot in the past year. Both of her friends found soul mates, the man she fell in love with got engaged to another woman, and her father fired her before selling the family company. When her twin sister, Sana, tells her there is no way of getting her old life back, Veera feels lost at a single, unemployed mess with a bad tattoo and tons of talent, but nowhere to go.

Deepak Datta hasn’t had the best luck either. To secure enough board votes for the CEO position at his family's company, Illyria Media, he’s ready to marry board member and famous beauty influencer, Olivia Gupta. That is until he wakes up to a get ready with me video announcing their separation. Despite his immediate relief, Deepak needs to do something fast to repair his image.

After a series of convenient mishaps bring them together again—including a literal shipwreck, way too many drinks, and a sunset elopement on the beach—Deepak and Veera realize their accidental wedding might be the solution to their career aspirations. Together, they plot against the very company that ruined their lives in the first place.

As they try to convince the world their friendship was a ruse for romance they’ve felt all along, the line between fake and real begins to blur. Now Veera and Deepak must ask themselves the terrifying question that has haunted them since the first time they will love ruin everything?

With her signature humor and heartfelt storytelling, Nisha Sharma writes a messy, spicy romance about identity, family honor, and love. In Marriage & Masti, readers are sure to love the highly anticipated finale of this beloved trilogy.