Here are four quickie reviews of books I’ve read recently.
The Dragon of Sedona by Genevieve Jack
After three centuries Alexander is still mourning the loss of his mate. His siblings find him deep in despair, but magic might be able to reunite him with Maiara again.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I loved everything about this story. The flashbacks to Alexander and Maiara’s love story were heartwarming and so, so heartbreaking. Raven performed phenomenal feats of magic and Maiara had her own spectacular moments. And then there was the breathtaking tension around Aborella and her attempts to take our heroes to Paragon. I can’t wait to read more about the rest of the dragon siblings. And on a side note, I cannot end this review without saying that Nick is awesome. This is the series for you if you like dragons, magic, and soulmates.
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Published: March 24, 2020
Sensuality Rating: Hot
Series: The Treasure of Paragon
Ever After Always by Chloe Liese
Freya and Aiden are trying marriage counseling when they join a Bergman family island getaway. Will this trip help them finally work through their trouble in paradise, or be the final wave that tows them under?
⭐⭐⭐⭐ I quite enjoyed this marriage-in-trouble story. Freya and Aiden fell into a very familiar pattern in their relationship. They wanted things to be the same as it always has been between them, but people and circumstances change and a relationship has to change with that. I felt like this story was more about Aiden struggling to deal with his anxiety and the influence his formative years still had on his life. Freya mostly reacted to his actions, and it was all very real and emotional. I loved the parts where they forged new connections and found the magic in their relationship again.
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: January 12, 2021
Sensuality Rating: Hot
Series: Bergman Brothers
Everyone expected Violet Sorrengail to die during her first year at Basgiath War College, Violet included. Now the real training begins, and Violet’s already wondering how she’ll get through. But a determination to survive won’t be enough this year. Because Violet knows the real secret hidden for centuries at Basgiath War College, and nothing, not even dragon fire, may be enough to save them in the end.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ This book definitely left me with a lot to think about. The ending was shocking, but also heart-breaking. I loved the action sequences. They were thrilling and edge-of-your-seat tense. Violet made huge contributions to the rebellion’s efforts and I loved seeing her grow and be smart. I didn’t really care for a lot of what happened at the college. And Violet’s feelings about Xaden were super frustrating. She went back-and-forth way too much. There was also not enough of them working together. They were quick to jump in to help or save each other, but I really wanted them to pool their powers together and work more like a unit. It was a compelling read and hard to put down.
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Published: November 7, 2023
Sensuality Rating: Warm
Series: The Empyrean
Better Hate Than Never by Chloe Liese
Childhood enemies discover the fine line between love and loathing in this heartfelt reimagining of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew.
⭐⭐⭐ Christopher and Kate used to get along when they were kids, but somewhere along the way their relationship turned very contentious. Turns out Christopher was fighting his attraction to her, but in that process their fighting became even more deliberate and hurtful. Mostly I didn’t like how their family and friends had to walk on eggshells whenever they were somewhere at the same time. On the other hand the resulting chemistry was just as explosive as their arguments and I enjoyed seeing them overcome their equally wrong preconceived notions of each other.
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: October 10, 2020
Sensuality Rating: Hot
Series: The Wilmot Sisters
Hope you enjoyed these quickie reviews. Have you read any of these books yet?
**Image by Freepik
I’ll check out The Dragon of Sedona! I enjoyed Iron Flame but I agree about Violet being so frustrating in her “I can’t trust him” with Xaden! Also, the torture scenes were too much for me. I did not care for them at all and had to up the listening speed to over 2xs just to get through it. I enjoyed Better Hate Than Never a little more than you did. I think I gave it 3.5 stars (?). She’s kind of a hit or miss author for me. Her heroines are usually frustrating.
Oh, I think you’d like the Paragon series. But it’s probably best to start with book 1. They build on each other.
I never got around to Iron Flame last Nov/Dec like I had planned, so it’s definitely a priority for me now. Hopefully in February. I enjoyed reading about your experience with it!
Better Hate Than Never sounds perfect! Not sure the other Chloe Liese book would be for me as I have trouble reading about married couples since I’ve never been married. But that’s my weirdness. Thanks for sharing these reviews. I still need to read Fourth Wing.
I’m hesitant reading about troubled marriages too, but because I am married. Not that we have any issues or that I am worried for us, but it always makes me uncomfortable. I guess because it can happen to anybody.