lexisreadingagain's reviews
294 reviews

I’m rounding up from a 3.5 to a 4-star rating simply because I’m a SUCKER for a good retelling 🤣🫶🏼

Moonlit Thorns is the first in a series of interconnected standalones that follow the Voss brothers, each their own particular brand of wealthy, handsome and dangerous. the star our show (and lust) in this book is the oldest and potentially crankiest of the bunch, Asher Voss. he’s deliciously broody and protective of his family, constantly on guard, hiding away his heart from the world as a means of surviving the trauma of his past. he and his brothers keep themselves sequestered from society in their lavish home, Midnight Manor, and they prefer it this way. but when the young and idealistic Annabella shows up on his door, literally begging him for the chance to save her family home and keep her loved ones off the street, he can’t help but offer a bargain. Annabelle will give up her life for a year to live in Midnight Manor and work for the mysterious Asher Voss.

I absolutely loved the darker take on this Beauty & the Beast retelling. watching Annabelle slowly break down the walls that Asher’s built up over the years, from heartache at losing his mother to the abuse that his father threw at him and his brothers. it’s no shock that his heart is hidden away behind layers and layers of snappy comebacks and cool looks. Annabelle is a like balm that soothes his irritation, and while we’re seeing Asher slowly open up to her, we also watch Annabelle grow bolder and more sure of herself. at 14 years younger (22; a decision I loved on the authors part, because anything under 20 would feel odd to be paired with a 30+ year old man), and as a result, she hasn’t had the chance to explore herself. Asher takes the time to open her eyes to things & it’s so freak adorable. AND HOT. because ahem, the spice.. is spicing!!!! Asher is a natural Dom and the patience and tenderness he displays with Annabelle literally had me blushing constantly.

the way they went about the final conflict was done exceptionally well, both fitting in with the classic Beauty & the Beast tales and not feeling at all out of place in this story. even though I knew there would be a HEA for our couple, I was still biting my nails and nervous. I also thought this did such a good job of setting us up for the future stories. we get little tidbits of the three other Voss brother’s and their own drama, without distracting from the main storyline. & I literally can’t figure out who I’m more excited for, although I have a feeling it will be Sid 😉

Thank you to Valentine PR and the author for providing an ARC of this book for me to give my honest review!

Cheese is life 🫶🏼 lmao iykyk. January Bell just might be one of the funniest authors I’ve read in a minute!

Kyrie, our impertinent and lovable FMC, is literally a riot. I was a fan of her constant sharp wit and brash quips from the second we meet her. she’s definitely the type who acts first, consequences be damned, and that mentality is what’s gotten her in her current predicament of needing to seek out the help of the Sword, a servant of the god of death, hellbent on hating both Kyrie and the goddess she’s sworn to. the plot moves extremely quickly, and while it didn’t hinder my growing attachment to our characters, I do wish we would have spent a little more time with them before they’re thrust into this quest. despite her sass and disregard for what some might call “manners,” I found myself rooting for her to survive this mess. as her past and personal motivations are revealed, you see a softer side to this feisty woman, I can’t wait to see this nurtured and explored in the series.

as for our mysterious and extremely grumpy warrior, the Sword? it took about 5 minutes of reading for me to be obsessed lmao. he’s that delicious combination of brooding volatile tension that I’ve come to love in my MMC’s. after enacting his vengeance on the followers of the goddess that betrayed and cursed him all those years ago, he’s spent years locked in prison serving his time, paying his penance, and simply waiting for the right time. he wasn’t expecting this firecracker of a Silver Tongue to break him out of jail for a heist. and he CERTAINLY wasn’t expecting the feelings he realized he’s developing for that same sharp eyes and filthy mouthed woman 🤭 their banter is impeccable. this slow burn was worth every moment of tension. and I literally wanted to scream when the book ended, because I’m gonna immediately need more of these two!

while I’m obviously enamored with our mc’s, I did find the rest of our crew just as lovable and funny, especially Caedia. the magic system, broken down between a Pantheon of gods and goddess, was easily understood without feeling too derivative of other mythologies. I’m curious to see where the author takes us with Kyrie’s “curse” and that intense cliffhanger! I can foresee our girl being a force of nature in the story to come & I’m 100% here for a reckoning 😈

Thank you to January Bell and LBC Reads for providing an ARC of this book for me give my honest review!

Am I once again swooning over another cheeky, flirtatious, broody immortal vampire? absolutely I am. this book, and both Lila and Ambrose, were a delight.

from the minute we meet Lila, running for her life, more worried about her missing younger brother than her own perilous situation, I knew I would be a fan. she’s suffered more than most, raised as a literal “blood bag” to the Viper Morada family, particularly the three vicious children Ciro, Hektor and Rebekkah. but through that, she’s maintained her softness and good heart.

after entering into her bargain with the mysterious, but handsome, Crow Lord, Ambrose Draven, we learn that our delicate flower has her own metaphorical fangs lol. and I love her for that! survival has always been her default, but now with a little freedom at her hands, we watch her flourish and bloom. and all the while, our filthy-mouthed, devastating scoundrel of a vampire lord is stirring feelings in her heart that she’s not certain she should be having. ugh perfect. delicious. I lived for their back & forth. this is a most certainly a slow burn, but both our mc’s have quite the graphic imagination and aren’t shy about sharing. their flirting had me blushing so intensely! and ahem, when they do give in to that building lust? kicking my feet, giggling, fanning myself profusely.

the stakes were incredibly high towards the end, and I literally couldn’t have predicted that finale. the twists were so well done and have me already clamoring for more of Lila and Ambrose!

Thank you to the author and Sunny Babe PR for providing an ARC of this book for me to give an honest review.

I love Kade so freaking much 🤭🥵 there’s just something about a handsome, brooding and slightly territorial Demon Prince that does it for me lol.

I personally felt that this second installment in the series began at a significantly slower pace, but I still really enjoyed the story! picking up right where we left off, with Sage returning to rescue Minx, the author uses this new character to almost recap the events of book one, which wasn’t necessary imo and slightly detract from the reunion of our young Maidens. once Minx is up to speed, things start occurring pretty quickly and definitely heat up around the 35-40% mark. once you’re in the action, you’re IN IT & I’m not complaining.

the introduction of new POV’s does add an interesting dynamic to the journey, allowing us the opportunity to explore different parts of this mysterious & dangerous realm at the same time, while also providing a deeper look into the history and uniquely individual magic that the Maiden’s possess. not only do we get to see more of Sage’s raw power, but through Minx’s POV, we start to understand her strengths and Goddess given gifts. the world building and lore are fascinating in this world.

ugh and back Kade.. I really do love him. the romantic elements in this book aren’t necessarily the cornerstone of the plot, but it definitely has me blushing & obsessing over some thiiiick & juicy tension 😏 Sage is still caught between her Demon Prince, Kade, and the Hunter, Naru. I’m not usually a love triangle girl, but boy they’re so hunky I find myself torn between the two at times. ultimately, Kade has my heart. but who has Sage’s, if anyone? 😏🤔 the banter, the glances, the subtle touches. eating it UP. and don’t y’all worry, because Minx may have a little fun here too with her own broody, but smart mouthed companion.

I would have loved to see just a little more from this story, because I thoroughly enjoyed the first. we end on an intense cliffhanger for our motley crew, and I’m soooo excited to see what comes next for our formidable women.

Thank you to Sunny Babe PR and C. M. Tillman for providing an ARC of this book for me to give my honest review.

AT LONG LAST AELIN ASHRYVER GALATHYNIUS WAS HOME 😭😭😭😭😭

i’m shaken to my core. this is INCREDIBLE — i simply cannot put into words how good this was right now.

— read after CoM & before HoF —

wow. wow. WOW. going into this book, I knew there was no HEA in sight for our beloved Celaena yet, but I wasn’t expecting to be this gutted. while I fully respect everyone’s reading order choices, I honestly don’t think this would have been as impactful for me if I had read it first.

we’re taken back into her past, given the chance to see firsthand and live through a few of the unbelievable and often painful adventures that were mentioned in passing or hinted at in ToG and CoM. I loved having a chance to see Celaena, the esteemed heir to Arobynn Hamel, the infamous and deadly Adarlan’s Assassin in her full glory. she is incredible and even more lovable the more you learn about her gut-wrenching and harsh past. she’s the best assassin on the continent, and she knows it. I love that despite what she’s endured, at the hands of the Arobynn, the kingdom of Adarlan, and anyone who underestimate her, she survives. her confidence, her “swagger,” her entitlement. I honestly love it all, because despite that air of importance that seems to grow with each accomplishment, at her core, she’s a kind and just person. I can’t say I love her enough!!!

and Sam. SAM. SAM. SAM. I simply can’t explain how much this first love means to me. there’s just something so special about Sam & Celaena’s relationship. the classic tale of rival to lovers. their slow burn was heartwarming & tender. I wanted them to have their moment, despite knowing the painful ending that he meets. but what time they did have was perfect. Sam was exactly what Celaena needed at the moment. he accepted her for who she was. he saw all her darkness and loved her regardless. he may not have known every secret in her heart, but there is no doubt in my mind that Sam wouldn’t have cared. she’ll carry a piece of Sam with her forever & so will I.

knowing SJM, these specific stories from her past aren’t chosen at random. we’re being given insight into the moments that shaped Celaena. the moments that stayed with her in Endovier, and in the castle, and in even in Wendlyn. the people she met along the way made a powerful and deep impact on her & I have a feeling we’ll be seeing them again in her future, if we haven’t already.

My name is Sam Cortland, and I am not afraid 😭

i’m in shock. this might be one of the best books i’ve ever read. i simply can’t put into words how much i loved this right now. holy Mother.