lexisreadingagain's reviews
294 reviews

Knight of the Goddess by Briar Boleyn

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slow-paced

3.0

I’m so underwhelmed.

Also the last bit with Draven right before things went down immediately gave me the ick (iykyk). Why did we do that to my devoted, loving mate… like no I could’ve lived without that plot twist???



To be frank, I was massively underwhelmed by this final book in the Blood of Fae series. I had such high hopes for this newly bonded family, especially Morgan and Draven. I wanted an epic showdown. I wanted Morgan to make her father suffer. I wanted her coming for blood and vengeance and retribution for all the hurt he’s caused her and her loved ones. I wanted Draven, supportive and fierce, forever at her side. I wanted Lacelet and Gawain and Guinevere and Hawl and Crescent and Medra to stand up for their home. To fight back and rally at Morgan’s behest.

And while we definitely got bits of that, it felt forced. It felt sluggish. It simply didn’t pack the punch I wanted. We’re hit with back to back losses in this series, and for once, I was hoping for Morgan’s foreshadowed power to save the day. Alas… more tragedy. And there’s nothing inherently wrong with that, if it serves to further a purpose. Some of these deaths felt like they were thrown in just to have something significant occur, instead of an actual confrontation between Morgan and her father, Gorlois.

Overall, it was an okay ending to what was a wonderful journey. I still love Morgan and Draven with all my heart, but this was not their finest hour imo.
Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver

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5.0

This book was freakishly adorable. I know insta love gets a lot of hate, but I eat it up! Especially when it’s the MMC who falls first. This is f*cking everything I could’ve asked for from two twisted, disturbed serial killers falling in love.

Rowan, the Butcher, is a SNACK. he is scrumptious. Despite Sloane not being ready to give him the time of day, she can’t even deny that he’s a pretty boy lol. and he falls for Sloane like, immediately. Maybe it’s a serial killer, obsession thing. Who knows, but I’m here for it. He knows he wants to get to know this woman. He knows her heart is the same shade of darkness as his, and he’s even willing to work for it, through their game. Ugh I seriously love him, book bf material. The Irish accent. The nicknames. The tattoos. The way he’s in it for the long game. I would’ve folded so much faster lmfao.

Sloane, Rowan’s Blackbird — the world’s Orb Weaver, is all types of hurt. she’s been let down too many times in the past & like many in that situation, is reluctant to let anyone in, even the handsome, mysterious serial killer who seems a little interested in her. I loved her competitive edge. I loved her ruthlessness. She’s so bad*ss, and even Rowan is in awe of her mind. It was adorable watching him draw her out her shell and warm her heart to him. He never once wanted to dim her light, and instead encouraged her to cultivate her killer instincts. Epic. Serial killer romances may be a new favorite!!!

Overall loved the plot. The game was fun and gruesome. the detailed and staged killings were interesting to read from the killers perspective. Watching them flirt through text, all the apprehension that these two feel towards each other had my heart all mush!!! the side characters, Lark and Rowan’s two brothers were funny and added more nuance to our main couple. I’m also fully expecting Lark and Lachlan’s impending novel to be as twisted and lovely! Can’t wait!
Devourer of Men by Nikki St. Crowe

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adventurous dark emotional fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

“As I sailed here, I plotted all of the ways I’d make Captain Hook scream. But now that I’m standing in front of him, a scream doesn’t seem quite as satisfying as a moan.”

OMFG. This book was everything I was hoping it would be 🥵 From the very beginning, the tension and banter between Hook and Roc had me absolutely feral. Before they even set eyes on each other, we see their bodies reacting to just the promise of an encounter. And when they do meet? GNAWING ON THE BARS OF MY ENCLOSURE!!!! the hate, the desire, the denial, the flirting and arguing and barely restrained lust. these two have a painful and twisted history, but the line between hate and love is so thin. what would it really take for these two deadly men, both in a vulnerable position searching for the woman that got away, to cross it?

“Why don’t you give in to me, and let me repent for what I did to you all those years ago.”

Getting more of these two was truly just delightful. Hook is a tightly wound ball of pent up energy and rage, and it was almost comical watching Roc get under his skin. They’re snarky and hot the entire book. Whether Hook wants to or not, he can’t fight the pull he feels towards the Crocodile. And Roc is a shameless flirt, a deviant and debaucher to his core. He’s used to being the Alpha and Apex predator in every room he enters, and he uses that to his advantage any chance he gets. I can’t wait to explore his past as this story progresses, especially after the ending! And adding Wendy to their dynamic only made things hotter tbh.

“You have two choices.
One, you come over to the bed and you join us.
Two, you sit in that chair and you watch.”


Wendy Darling, the one who started it all, has been up to SOME CRAZY THINGS! like, holy moly, I didn’t see that coming. She grew into a woman able to hold her own in a room with both Hook and Roc, and that’s saying something. She’s formidable, no longer a girl at the mercy of others, but her feelings for these two still throw her for a loop. We’re here for the second chance element Nikki! And while some of our questions are answered about her past, so many more arise for us to explore.

It was so good to be back with familiar characters, and I love where their stories have taken them so far. This book hasn’t even technically released yet as I’m writing this, but I’m already screaming for the sequel !!!! 🤣😩

Thank you to Nikki St. Crowe for providing an ARC for me to give an honest review.
Honey Cut by Sierra Simone

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I’m actually sick to my stomach from how good this book was. Don’t ask questions. I JUST AM !!!

I need 5-7 business days to reflect on the deep well of lust this wrenched free from my body. Mark Trevena I am forever sat🧎‍♀️he’s an enigma, even to the two people he holds closest to his heart & I, too, am entirely smitten with him. this man breathes and I someone, somewhere has an earth shattering O. I’m convinced. Isolde, WHAT A FORMIDABLE QUEEN. getting to see the nuance and growth of her character as this story progresses, learning her strength and the depth of her resolve was both impressive and lovely. finally coming to understand a little about her past and her upbringing has cast her in a new light, and she’s proven to be as beautiful and deadly as the blade Mark gifted her. she continues to surprise me, and I can only imagine where Sierra will take her character arc in Bitter Burn. and Tristan omfg I just don’t even have words. this man is sugar sweet. he makes my teeth hurt, but I love the ache it causes. he’s caught in a web of Mark and Isolde’s making, not unable, but unwilling to free himself. I would walk across hot coals for him, just like he would for each of the Trevena’s lol.

THIS BOOK IS JUST SO GOOD AHHHHHH.

I’m truly gutted, gagged & gobsmacked. this was such a rollercoaster. the tension. the angst. the guilt. the mindless need and wanting and desire for connection. the forbidden, but heartfelt yearning. AND THE ENDING!? are you absolutely serious right now? but also YES YES YES I’M HERE FOR IT AT THE SAME TIME??? omfg.

at times, Sierra had me staring longingly at my kindle screen, just hoping that Mark needs another pretty thing for his glass cabinet 🥵😭 I literally don’t know who I am after reading this. how did she make me feel such intense things about fictional characters? like I need a cold shower.

and I’m sorry in advance to everyone because there’s no way that this book isn’t going to become a personality trait for the foreseeable future !!!

Thank you to Sierra Simone and Candi Cane PR for providing an ARC of this book for me to give an honest review.
Shattered Vows by P. Rayne

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3.5

the broody and handsome Voss brothers are back in latest addition to the Midnight Manor series, which proved to be yet another fun, dark and steamy retelling, this time inspired by the classic Rapunzel fairytale. we begin the story right where things picked up at the end of Moonlit Thorns, with Asher and Annabelle married and the rest of the Voss men tiptoeing around their happiness. Shattered Vows focuses on Kol, who we know to be a quiet, but deadly, ex-special ops soldier, someone his brother's turn to when they need their dirty work handled quickly and efficiently. for years, he's been harboring a longstanding grudge against the only woman he's ever loved, the very same woman who burned him years ago, Rapsody. left at the alter with no explanation or goodbye, Kol has been searching for her, ready to get answers, and most importantly revenge. so when she suddenly turns up, ready to be married to someone new, he doesn't think about the consequences before, ahem, forcibly removing her from the church and bringing her back to the manor lol. he's rash and angry, and I love watching him fight back the feelings that come rushing to the surface once he's back in Rapsody's orbit.

there story is an emotional and long road back to one another. at it's core a second chance romance, Rapsody and Kol, are definitely my new favorite Voss couple (although I'm still waiting for Obsidian's story!!!!) & I loved their dynamic even more than I did with Annabelle and Asher. in true Rapunzel fashion, Rapsody is a sheltered and naive woman. she's been kept from the world by her overbearing and protective mother, led to believe that she can't count on anyone else. and she trusted and believed her mother, until she met Kol. until she came to understand what it means to truly love and be loved by someone.

this story was so good! I do wish we had a bit more time with these two hating each other and working to repair their relationship before falling back in love. it felt slightly rushed toward the 75%-90% mark, trying to cram their reunion and then the climactic conflict with Rapsody's mother in, but the banter was just sooo good & Kol's POV had me screeeeching often. overall, I still enjoyed their story & will definitely be continuing this series! I neeeeed Sid's book!!! lol.

Thank you to Valentine PR and P Rayne for providing an ARC of this book for me to give an honest review.
Den of Vipers by K.A. Knight

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dark slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated

2.0

I should have dnf’d this. literally got bored around 35% but I kept hoping for it to get better since so many people have recommended this for why choose lovers. lol just not for me idk. the only thing that kept me in this story was Ryder and even he was meh after the 70% mark.
Skin of a Sinner by Avina St. Graves

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challenging dark emotional funny sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

me: but daddy I love him 🥰🫶🏼

him: *is a fictional psychopath who just got out of prison, unalives people with little remorse & k*dn*pped his childhood best friend + sweetheart to go live HEA w/ in the woods* 👋🏼🙂‍↕️

ROMAN RIVIERA, THE MAN THAT YOU ARE!!!! omfg.

he’s literally the definition of unhinged behavior, but I was so here for it. I’m honestly just scared what that says about me that I’m think attracted to a man who likely considers k*dn*ping the girl he’s in love & obsessed with more of ‘non-consensual vacation” lmaoooo. I’m unwell 🤧 but also.. his intense fixation. his willingness to do anything for her. his ability to understand and anticipate her needs. I love him.
Salt in the Wound by Sierra Simone

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adventurous dark emotional fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

if the purpose of this prequel was to have me shaking in my boots (from both lust & anticipation), then we can consider it a smashing success 😂🤪

after the jaw dropping ending of Salt Kiss, we’re left with so many questions regarding Isolde and Mark’s relationship. told from her POV and set months before Mark and Tristan’s meeting, long Isolde and Tristan’s, Salt in the Wound is like an appetizer to the buffet that we can expect in Honey Cut. aside from the obvious question of, “is Mark aware of what happened on the boat?” we’re also scratching our heads over the dynamics of their engagement and feelings about one another, and while this certainly doesn’t answer everything, it does give us a much appreciated snippet of how this arrangement came to be. and in true Sierra Simone fashion, it’s tense, emotional and wrought with drool-worthy smut 🤭

this prequel was simply the best kind of tease & Im even more excited for more of these characters story.