Review: The Body by Bethany C. Morrow

The Body by Bethany C. Morrow
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was provided an ARC and ALC of this book via Netgalley, all opinion are my own.  

This was so creepy and intense, I don't usually have to take breaks from horror books, but I had to put this down and read something while I was reading this.  I'm not sure how to classify what type of horror book this is.  While this does have some paranormal/magical realism (I think), I think I would classify this more in the social horror category.  Morrow's books tend to fall in that space and this one is an unsettling commentary on religion, power dynamics, misogyny, morality, and more.

Mavis was brought what I would consider by two religious zealots.  She never could quite live up to her parents expectations, and when she didn't marry the man they wanted their judgement and guilt trips become almost unbearable.  When she finally gets married and breaks away from their church, she is still harshly judged, but Mavis is able to gain a bit of control over her life or so she thinks.  Now seven years into her marriage, she suspects that something is wrong and takes things into her own hands.  Her choices and actions lead her down a path of gruesome attacks on herself and her marriage that have her turning back to the two people she least wants advice from.  

This book was unexpected, and while Mavis seems naive at times and you are often left asking "what did you think would happen?"  Her upbringing and desire to please lead to a reckoning when she finally lets her rage out and she has to come to terms with the consequences.  The ending was equally unexpected, but it fits the story perfectly.  This felt like a fever dream the whole time where you weren't sure if Mavis was actually experiencing what was going on or if was all made up.  It had moments of "gore" but they weren't over the top, most of the horror was phycological and trauma based as Mavis comes to terms with what is going on and the things she has experienced and been told to accept.  I'm not usually one for religious or cult horror but this was dark and creepy in the best way!

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Review: After the Fall by Edward Ashton

After the Fall by Edward Ashton
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I was provided an ARC and ALC via Netgalley, all opinions are my own.

This is the latest standalone from Ashton, which I was really looking forward to after having really enjoyed the Mickey 7 duology and The Fourth Consort.  This didn't have the action and humor of the previous books I've read.  It did have the unlikely relationships we've come to see in Aston's work

This follows John, who I would describe as an indentured servant or pet to Martok, an alien from the species that no dominates Earth after The Fall over 100 years ago.  Martok treats John like a beloved puppy than a bully.  Martok treats him well and has never harmed him, but when a great opportunity comes up he puts John's bond up as collateral for his latest investment.  Martok is not known for making good choices which has left the pair homeless and broke, so naturally John is concerned for his future.  Upon arrival at their new investment property, Martok, John and their newly acquired bond Six hope to turn the place into a retreat where the wealthy can relax.  

I enjoyed the story, but it wasn't exactly what I was expecting.  This takes a much more philosophical turn and begs the question of who is more deserving of rights in society?  I would like to reread this when I am in a different headspace, as those questions are worth pondering but I was not in the right place to think about those questions when reading this.  Sometimes its the right book at the right time.  The premise was interesting as were the characters and the concept of Earth at the time.  The concept of feral humans and aliens who conquered earth was fascinating.  Martok was also a very unique character, who added some humor to the storyline.

The narration was very well done.  The narrator did a great job with giving Martok, John, Six, and all of the other characters life in this future world.

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Review: The Marriage Bet by Olivia Hayle

The Marriage Bet by Olivia Hayle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was provided an ARC of this book by the author, all opinions are my own.

This is the second book in The Billionaire Games series, however you can read it as a standalone.  This is a 4 part series of interconnected standalones following four wealthy friends who find love with unlikely partners.  This is a true enemies to lovers, where business rivals marry because it will save her business.  If they can make the media believe they are truly in love, she can save her company and make it the successful brand it once was.  Rafe is a successful business man with a track record and for helping luxury businesses succeed on the business side so they can focus on their craftsmanship and artistry.  Paige expects him to gut her company and stomp on the legacy her parents and grandparent left behind for for her to lead.  Unfortunately her uncle has already started the company down that road already, and with Rafe's help she just might be able to save the company she loves and find love herself.

I love the banter between Rafe and Paige.  They were so cold to each other in the beginning, but you could feel that tension was going to turn into attraction eventually.  I loved all of the outlandish things Paige would do to push Rafe's buttons and annoy him.  I also enjoyed watching them connect when it came to past trauma.  They realized that underneath their business deals and competitive natures, they could actually connect and support each other on a human level that no one else could understand.  Their chemistry builds slowly as does their true relationship, so when they finally admit their feelings it is no surprise as they've been getting to know one another for quite sometime while "pretending" to be a couple madly in love.

I also really enjoyed seeing the friend group again and getting to know them a bit more.  The group chats are always entertaining between the guys, and I'm looking forward to James' story later this year.

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Review: Order of Royals by Jude Deveraux

Order of Royals by Jude Deveraux
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I was provided an ALC and ARC of this book via Netgalley, all opinions are my own.

This is the second book in the Blue Swan series, I do no recommend reading this as a standalone.  You really do need to read [book:Order of Swans: A Novel|211665659] first to understand what is going on and who all of the characters are.  

The series is set on another planet, where fairy tales are real and certain people have the power to alter them.  In this installment we mainly follow Princess Aradella as she hides in plain sight under her evil aunt's rule as queen.  Queen Olina is the quintessential evil queen from every fairy tale, she wants to be the most powerful, the smartest, the most beautiful, etc. so of course she makes up crazy proclamations to ensure that Aradella never takes the throne as the true heir.  Aradella teams up with Kaley, Tanek, and Mekos, who we met in the first book to escape an arranged marriage to a horrible prince and take back her kingdom.  She has been pretending to be plain and meek to escape the notice of her aunt, but there are many changes she would like to make once she takes the throne.  With the help of her new friends and her new found confidence she just may be able to take back what is rightfully hers.

While this follows Aradella and Mekos' journey and love story, we also can't forget about Kaley and her ability to connect with fairy tales.  As she was studying fairy tales back on Earth her knowledge of the tales gives her the ability to understand and influence situations when a tale is taking over.  Her relationship with Tanek and the other people she has met along her journey continues to develop as she learns more about her background and the planet of Bellis.

I enjoyed this series as a whole and this book wraps things up nicely.  

The audiobook was very well narrated.  The narrator does a great job distinguishing between the many characters and conveying emotion throughout the book.

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Review: The Sun and the Starmaker by Rachel Griffin

The Sun and the Starmaker by Rachel Griffin
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I was provided an ARC of this book via Netgalley, all opinions are my own.

At it's heart this is a beautiful story about grief and love.  Our female main character, Aurora is terrified to love anyone after seeing her mother fall to pieces after her father passed.  She loves her family, but when it comes to relationships she never wants to feel that kind of loss.  Our male lead, the Starmaker, has lived for a very long time and has become numb to losing people and has long learned to stop caring about those around him as while he has been gifted an immortal life with many comforts one of the curses is outliving those around him.  When Aurora discovers that she is to be the next Starmaker, she has a hard time coming to terms with what that means and why she was chosen.  As she trains with the Starmaker, they both must come to terms with mortality, immortality, loss, grief, love, and what it means to truly live.

The world building in this was fantastic.  The descriptions of the landscape, the animals, and the emotions of the characters was excellent.  I loved the story of the Sun and the Starmaker that is at the heart of the story.  The concept of the town and pulling in the light each day was really unique.  Unfortunately, I didn't feel the chemistry between our two main characters which is essential for me to connect with the romantic aspects of a story.  It did eventually click towards the end, but I didn't feel the yearning.  Aurora's insufferable attitude also turned me off to her character for much of the book, though she did redeem herself in the end.

Overall this was a unique story that starts off slow and builds to a satisfying end.  It has emotional ups and downs as it deals with some heavy topics.  This features Griffin's beautiful writing style and as always I look forward to reading whatever she writes in the future.

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Review: How to Lose a Goblin in Ten Days by Jessie Sylva

How to Lose a Goblin in Ten Days by Jessie Sylva
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was provided an ALC of this book via Netgalley, all opinions are my own. If you enjoy Travis Baldree or TJ Klune's writing I think you will enjoy this. It tackles some serious topics while also being sweet and fun at the same time. It also takes inspiration from the Lord of the Rings, which you do not have to have read to enjoy this.

I've become a huge fan of cozy fantasy, and there is a reason it has become popular. I love high fantasy as well, but sometimes you need something with a little humor and lower stakes to break up the adventure and action. This story leaves you with hope at the end and with a good message. Who doesn't want that?

This follows Pansy, a halfling who loves to cook and bake and just wants to make a place of her own in her late grandmother's cottage outside of town. To her utmost surprise she finds Ren, a goblin already living in the cottage as they have been designated caretaker when Pansy's grandmother came to town when she could no longer live on her own. Neither are willing to give up their stake on the cottage, so they strike up a deal to live together until one of them leaves and forfeits their rights. Their forced proximity causes them to learn about each others cultures and why goblins and halfings dislike each other so much. As Ren and Pansy forge a friendship that begins to turn into something more, their communities are still stuck in the past and not as easy to sway.

I really enjoyed getting to know Ren, Pansy and their two different communities. Neither one of them really fit in, but they were willing to work together once they put their differences aside to make a place of their own. They were both adorable as they tiptoed around each other to bridge the things they didn't understand about one another. It was interesting to watch them interact with their own communities as individuals and together to try to bring people together especially once they realized who the true enemy was.

I was surprise to learn that this was a debut, this was very well done and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

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Review: Hart Street Lane by Samantha Young

Hart Street Lane by Samantha Young
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was provided an ARC of this book via the author, all opinions are my own.

This is the third book in the Return to Dublin Street series, but you can read it as a standalone as all of the couples are interconnected but their stories are independent. We first met Baird and Maia in On Loverose Lane, but they were in different places in their lives. Maia was engaged at the time, but Baird knew there was something between them and was determined to get to know her. Fast forward to the future, Maia is in a pickle when her engagement is suddenly broken and she needs a fiancé fast or her job may b on the line. Fortunately for her Baird has been in love with her from day one, and just needs to convince her that his player days are in the past and he only has eyes for her.

Maia is a buyer for a posh department store in Scotland, and their marketing department has cooked up a campain to sponsor a wedding from engagement through honeymoon. The catch is that Maia is the bride to be and she and her fiance have just ended things. Baird has been acting out doing more and more reckless things since his concussion 2 years ago trying to prove that he is invincible as well as the best goalie in the league. The campaign is good for both of them for different reasons, and the best friends might just end up in love at the end of it all. Unfortunately, Maia has alot of baggage when it comes to love, trust, and relationships, which is understandable given her past. Things from her past are brought to light in the campaign that she would rather stay in the past and it threatens the life she's built and the relationship she's building with Baird.

I'm so glad Baird finally got his own book! I loved him as much as other fans of the series did when we first met him as Callan's sidekick in the first book in the series. He was such a fun character that deserved his own story and his own happy ending. Much like the other books in the series this does deal with some heavy and serious topics so make sure you take care of yourself first if you have triggers. Trigger warnings for (not inclusive) (view spoiler). I appreciated that they both had some things to deal with and were patient and kind with each other. I also appreciated that Maia had a great support group in place and were willing to tell her sternly but kindly that she needed to talk to someone about her trauma and that she was being unfair to Baird.

There was a good bit of growth from their characters as they supported each other through good and bad, and they worked through their problems.

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