Disclaimer: This post may contain Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. And any reviews I share are voluntary. Unless otherwise stated, I am not being compensated for my reviews. I either own the discussed media, requested a review copy (in the case of books) or have access to subscriptions where the media is being featured.

Here’s some details about the book:

Beauty and the Bad Boy

She’s the perfect girl that gave him his bad boy image.
And now he’s back for revenge.

My name is Eleanor Brighton, and I’m the perfect daughter.

P-E-R-F-E-C-T.

For the past four years, I’ve painstakingly built my life to be impressive in every way–great grades, steadfast maturity, and even dedicating to attend my dad’s alma mater in the fall to make him proud.

Except lately, it kind of feels like he resents me for it.

And now I have another problem.

Beckham Jennings is back in town.

Four years ago, the country club’s most-hated bad boy was chased out of town after setting one of the gardens on fire. Now he’s back with a smirk and a reputation, and he gives me a lazy promise:

He’s going to steal my heart.

As if it hasn’t belonged to him since I was eight years old.

But his words are more than some flippant game–they’re a threat. From the hard look in Beck’s eyes, it’s clear he hates me for what happened four years ago… and he should. Because it was all my fault.

The bad boy I created is ready for revenge… and for the first time in forever, I’m tempted to give in.

H-E-L-P.

Beauty and the Bad Boy is an enemies to lovers sweet YA romance, with all the swoon and none of the spice. If you like cinnamon roll bad boys, imperfect good girls, and swoonworthy slow burns, the first book in the Beauties and Boys duology is for you.

Grab the Book Here!

Firstly, I feel very proud to say that I have been supporting and following Sarah’s publishing journey since the release of her book, OUT OF MY LEAGUE. But I have a funny little story about how that happened.

I saw a book release sign up on one of the coordinator sites I frequent to find bookish content to share—this was back on my old platform, which I still share to on occasion. I signed up, super excited to find a sweet YA to add to my TBR, and thought nothing of it until it was time to post.

However, I did not make the connection that I was following Sarah’s YouTube channel. Probably because I stumbled onto it a couple weeks before the release. The she showed the paperback copy of the book and the puzzle came together. I’ve been following ever since.

My Review of BatBB:

I haven’t picked up a book since January. I think I was searching for the right book, and its possible Beauty and the Bad Boy is that book.

What drew me to this book was 1) its written by Sarah, and 2) it follows a character who is related to another character in one of Sarah’s other books. One that I’ve been reading in my own time and loving!

I’m happy to say that I was hooked from the first chapter. I love how Nellie (Eleanor) spells out certain words as a processing/affirming mechanism. Might be an unpopular opinion, but every person has their quirks, right? Spelling is one of Nellie’s. Her interactions with her twin brother, her best friend, and the love interest.

These characters were written well and though my knowledge in the enemies-to-lovers trope is rather limited, I do believe this book is true to the form. Nellie and Beck are M-F-E-O! Beck intentionally jabs at Nellie and I ate it up!

Beauty and the Bad Boy is exactly what I expect a YA romance to be and, T-B-H, it sets a standard.

This book is out now, so if you’re hoping to get a copy, go grab it!

Before I hop into the books I’ve been trying to read, here’s some books that I’ve bought in the last two months. Because I’m not on any book-buying-ban and I’m trying to build up my Christian fiction library. The majority of readers do love physical copies, and I am no exception.

Please note that I am using stock images of the covers because I do not have pictures at this time. And some covers are not the same as the actual copy I may have bought. Additionally, I am an affiliate for multiple bookish programs; this post may include up to 5 affiliate links through which I may receive a small commission/points but at no additional cost to you.

Oh, one book was a redemption gift from a publisher’s referral program. Let’s dive in!

I joined Tyndale Publishing’s referral program back in January and I collected a lot of points by just filling out surveys. I can receive a small amount of points for every person I invite. Speaking of, if you’re interested, I can give you 25 points when you sign up for the program with my link.

My Reader Rewards

I chose to receive Francine Rivers’ The Lady’s Mine. I have not read any of books by this author yet, I only know of her because she is just one of those well-known names in the Christian fiction sector. But I do hear amazing things about her writing and really want to give her a chance.

More Francine Rivers books. And these are the entire reason I am giving this author a chance. I just kept hearing amazing things about this particular series, so I bought the entire trilogy at ThriftBooks. Every third reader I see across the internet recommends this series.

I had hoped my paperback copies would all have the covers shown above, however only the first book was that edition. The other two are both older editions. But I’m okay with that and I can always find the newer editions later, if I really want them.

And now for the books that I’ve been trying to read. But I haven’t really felt like reading and I really don’t want to force enjoyment. However, that doesn’t mean I haven’t tried.

I’ve shared in past posts that I backed the Kickstarter for Bethany Atazadeh’s upcoming release, LIAR IN THE HOLLOW COURT. As a Backer and early pre-order, I received a digital bundle of goodies, which included a final eCopy of the book. The eBook has the “world” cover but I backed the campaign for the “character” cover, which is the one I’m showing above.

I started to read the book the very week that I received the eCopy, but that was also the week my cat died and basically all fun went out the window. But I am reading it and I expect my physical copy any day now! This is probably the one I am most excited about.

That same week, I also received a PangoBooks order, which I’d ordered a couple weeks before. It’s a Melanie Dickerson book. Are we at all surprised? Nope!

I believe I read this one already, because I own the eBundle/boxset of the entire series and I feel like I read that, but I can’t remember at the moment. I love Dickerson’s writing and have been trying to collect the medieval fairytale romances in her backlist.

In preparation for the sequel, I have been re-reading a little bit of The Scarlet Star by Jennifer Kropf.

Ms. Kropf announced in her newsletter the true release date for THE GOLD MAIDEN, the second book in the Songs of the Adriels series. She has also shared potential release periods for the third book! I don’t know if I’m at liberty to say anything else, so if you want to know more, go follow the author! You will see me talking about the second book a lot in the coming months, after I get a paperback copy.

And at the time of writing this update, I am reading an ARC of Sarah Sutton’s nex release, Beauty and the Bad Boy!

Sarah writes my kind of books, so of course I wanted to put my name in the hat and was so thrilled, and honored, to be among the selected to read an ARC. I will be sharing a review on release day, May 15th, 2026!

That’s my update for now. I hope you’re doing well and that you are reading all the books. Stay safe, and stay awesome. See you in the funny papers!

Disclaimer: I am including website links for some of the authors I mention in this post.

While I shouldn’t want to get more books already. I have many new books that I want to be reading this year, but I have quite a bulky list of books I hope to own, in paperback, in the year of 2026. And there are definitely a few titles on this list that I’ve mentioned in previous posts.

As you know, I strongly desire to own The Golden Guard Trilogy by Elise Kova, in paperback. And specifically with these covers—the cover for The Crown’s Dog is not that one: Elise has some changes made back when she was releasing the third book. So technically, its this one:

I tried to get the complete trilogy over New Years, but for some reason, Amazon was not letting me complete the order, so I saved them for later. Amazon is still the most affordable place for me to purchase these books, in a bundle order, and hopefully the glitch is gone when I do, finally, buy these books.

Elise Kova

I’m subscribed to Jennifer Kropf’s newsletter, and she recently revealed her 2026 potential publishing schedule. There are 3 books of hers in particular that I really want, immediately. She has more books possibly releasing this year, but these 3 are top of my list. 2 of those books are the next installments in the Songs of the Adriels series. The 3rd one is a project she didn’t talk about until very recently and I don’t think its my place to reveal it unless she does so publicly.

Some of the other books I want are also written by Jennifer Kropf, but the three I just mentioned are top priority.

Jennifer Kropf

Next is actually a list of authors who I’m discovering recently and I don’t know which of their books I want first. Though, some I have included titles for some books that I already own in eBook, but want physical copies.

• Abigail Brier

• Abigail Manning

• Amberlyn Holland

• Amity Thompson

• Andrew Peterson

• Ariana Tosado—Thy Kingdom Come.

• C.J. Brightley

• Gregory Heal—The Sky Jewel Trilogy

• H.L. Burke

• Jace White

• Jaye L. Knight

• Jill Williamson

• J.L. Vampa

• Jonathan Renshaw

• Kate Stradling

• Kendra Merritt

• Kenley Davidson

• K.M. Shea

• Mandi Blake

• Morgan Busse

• Shari L. Tapscott

• Sian Ann Bessey

  ---

  I’ve already backed the Kickstarter for this one, but I want to mention it because there’s only 10 days left and the author is trying to meet certain stretch goals.

Bethany Atazadeh Kickstarter

I would like to get the first book in Ashley Willingham’s Clean Fairytales for Adults series. I’m a collector and someone who likes completing certain items, such as series, and really want to have all 3 books. I have 2 of the 3.

Ashley Willingham

Alissa J. Zavalianos is releasing the next book in The Chronicles of Chæra series this year. I will definitely want that in paperback, but I’ll grab the eBook is if goes on pre-order. But she has other books I want to check out as well. Not sure which I’ll grab first, but excited for them all the same!

I think that’s all I have for now, unless I think of more titles. Which I know this list is so extensive already and I most definitely won’t be getting “all of them” this year.

Have you read any of these authors or titles?

Leave a comment

Disclaimer: I own this book and this review is voluntary. Additionally, this post contains Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

KU eBook & Paperback

He's waited 500 years for her. Now he only has three days to win her heart.

LYRA: I was born to rule the stars. As the daughter of the Pirate Queen, my destiny was to command my own fleet, chart my own course, and carve my name into the heavens.

But when mutiny strikes, I'm pushed overboard, into the very heart of a nebula cloud.

I should have died.

Instead, I find him, a creature of legend and stardust. One of the fabled Celestari.

VAELION: When I prayed to the Creator, begging for a Resonance—the one whose soul was meant for mine—I never imagined she would be human. Nor that she would hold the means to destroying my people forever.

Lyra is my mate, but to be part of her world, I must make a deal with the Witchking and sacrifice all that I am. Without my Voice, I am powerless. But without her, I am nothing.

Three days. That is all I have. And if I fail, I will lose more than just my freedom—I will lose her, along with the key to saving my world. With enemies closing in and time running out, can I possibly win Lyra's heart?

Or will I be lost to the Witchking's void forever?

Dive into the fantastical fairytale world of Stardust and Silence filled with magic, space pirates and a love that knows no bounds. High-stakes fantasy adventure combined with swoony romance await in this clean, fated mates romantasy! Perfect for fans of Treasure Planet and anyone who loves a good "shadow daddy."

My review:

First of all, give me anything that is Little Mermaid themed. I gobble it up. Put the characters in a fantasy version of outer space? Take my money!

Second, a huge reason I wanted to read this book is because it has strong, Christian themes that are front and center. Its the kind of book I’ve been craving for so long and struggling to find because the book market is … saturated with strong romantic content. I say this with a lot of love for my fellow romance readers.

I binge-read this book in a single day. I might have started it a week before, but the day that I opened it to “sit and read for a while” went by in a blur. I couldn’t put it down.

I know we all tend to think that every book is perfection. And then there are times when we think “the perfect book doesn’t exist.” Well, Stardust & Silence is perfection. Portable magic.

I highly recommend it, even if you don’t read Christian stories. And I don’t want to spoil the book for anyone who hasn’t read it yet. So I will just say this: This book resonated with my soul. Not only is it the perfect book to read on Starbright (Christmas!) but it is also the perfect romance.

Okay, one spoiler:

Please, if it is Your will, let me find my Resonance at last. Let me find my perfect match. The woman whose heart already beats with mine in perfect harmony.

Gonna be very vulnerable here: that quiet prayer is one I’ve prayed so many times. And I am still waiting. So reading about a character who has waited for so very long to have that prayer answered and seeing it being answered, at the appropriate timing. It filled me with hope.

That’s why I love this book.

Ashley Willingham is truly blessed by God in her writing. And yes, it totally delivers on the Little Mermaid meets Treasure Planet, and Pirates of the Caribbean. Actually, I want to go back and rewatch both of those movies now! Also, the author market’s this book (and other books in the standalone series) as Clean Fairytales for Adults. As an adult, I understand why she is clear on that detail. She wants to give adult readers that same joy that comes to lovers of YA romance, but with mature characters.

And now, I said I was going to do my best to get a picture for you!

It’s so pretty, inside and out! And the swag goodies were purchase from the author’s website, because I got my paperback copy from Amazon. But Ashley also has special book boxes—signed book and swag.

Check out the Author's Website!

As you might have guessed, I rate this book 5 stars. And I’ll be giving it a re-read in the coming months.

Before I hop forward, I’ve gotta geek out here. Bethany Atazadeh is launching her Kickstarter for her coming release Liar in the Hollow Court. I said I was going to back it, and by the time this post goes live, I probably have already. I’ll probably be on another Bx3 (book-buying-ban), but only until the credit card is paid off. xD

Currently Reading

February is “The Month of Love” and its the perfect time to read all the fluff. Which why I’m going to add XOXO by Axie Oh to the queue. I thought I was going to still be reading Stardust & Silence by Ashley Willingham, but I finished that one on January 30th. It was brilliant, highly recommend!

Which means the books I am currently reading are:

• Dreams & Dragon Wings by Ashley Willingham—I will probably prioritize reading this one because I am still hooked on Ashley’s writing and storytelling.

• XOXO by Axie Oh—I will be starting this one over because I don’t remember where I left off. I would check my Kindle for percentage location but my devices are all dead and I have to work on replacing them. I do have the Kindle app on my hand-me-down Apple device but it keeps crashing because it can’t update anymore.

• Dragon Cursed by Elise Kova—hopefully, I will put more focus on this one because its an ARC from the publisher.

• And continuing the sweet fluff, Rebelling with the Bad Boy by Sarah Sutton is also on the list of potentials. I do own a good number of her books, so I might add some of those to this list as well.

• Another book I would love to start is Thy Kingdom Come by Ariana Tosado. I am drawn to her the summary and the way she markets it, it is exactly what I want to read. This is a book I have in digital form but really want a physical copy for. Don’t know when I’ll get that, but I am going to try and read my eBook. Does the Kindle Cloud online reader still work?

While I desire to read all these books, it is really going to depend on mood and overall want to read.

I know I have some sort of sci-fi books floating around. I would definitely like to add that genre, but I don’t want to go looking at the moment.

Anyway, that’s all for now. Stay safe, and stay awesome. See you in the funny papers!

Before I dive into the wrap-up, I just want to check-in with you. That flu going around is no joke. So, please, take care of your immune systems, stay hydrated.

Disclaimer: This post contains Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

On to the books!

I started five (5) books in the month of January, but I read and finished two (2).

I started reading these books. What does that mean in my mind? It means I opened the books, read a few pages or chapters, and then carried on reading the one that felt the best in the moment.

I would have loved to read every one of these in January, because that would put me ahead in my 6-book reading “goal” for the year. However, during the days of January 9th through 15th, I was super busy taking care of sick family members, and I had it from the 16th to the 20th. Reading just wasn’t on my mind.

In my TBR post, I shared that I had order 3 books and was waiting for them to arrive before I could start reading them. Those three book are Welcome to Fae Cafe, Dreams & Dragon Wings, and Stardust & Silence. They arrive in my hands on the 16th and 17th, but I was so out of it, I couldn’t even enjoy opening the boxes.

Reading Wrap-Up!

I already shared that I finished On The Edge Of The Forgotten Sea by Alissa J Zavalianos, which I started back in December. But it counts toward 2026 reading. Especially when you keep track of reading with GoodReads and/or The Story Graph. I like to use both, for different reasons.

I gave this book 5 stars.

During the week of January 12th to 16th, I read Welcome to Fae Cafe by Jennifer Kropf. It is definitely a laugh-out-loud fantasy romcom. But I was still so out of after being sick, and I totally believe that I bumped myself in the head during my heaviest sick day. So I fully intend to re-read this one because in my foggy state, I can’t remember 40% of what I read.

But I do know that the 4.5 stars is more well deserved. If you haven’t already, definitely check it out.

In Progress!

I wanted to include Dragon Cursed by Elise Kova to this section, but I only read a couple pages the day 6/9 people in my house were down with the flu and I just couldn’t focus long enough to enjoy it. That’s how I handle my reading lately. If I’m not in a reading mood, I set the book down and come back to it later.

I started both of these Ashley Willingham book on January 23rd… or thereabouts. I alternated between them until Stardust & Silence won my full focus. This isn’t to say I’m not enjoying Dreams & Dragon Wings, I’ve just fallen down the full rabbit-hole with the idea of—

A gender-flipped, fated mates version of the Little Mermaid... set in space? Perfect for fans of Disney's Treasure Planet and Pirates of the Caribbean.

Where did I leave off in Dreams & Dragon Wings? I finished Chapter 3.

I was in Chapter 11 in Stardust & Silence… and then I was completely captivated! I finished the book. So I am marking it as finished on January 30th.

Oh! I also bought the swag bundles that go with each of these books, so I have matching bookmarks and character art for each book. I’ll take some pretty pictures of that soon.

Are any of these books on your reading list this year? Or have you read one of them? Comment below!

Leave a comment

I bought this book as a birthday gift to myself back in 2022. But it was released on June 2, 2020. A day after my birthday—how cool is that!? I don’t remember how I came upon it, just that one day I didn’t know about it and the next I did.

This was also the first book I started to tab and highlight. And my copy was signed by both authors, which was a very fun surprise!

While I’ve always been familiar with Melissa De La Cruz, I haven’t read her books. Not for any reason except I haven’t had a chance. And Margaret Stohl was a new-to-me author—haven’t read anything else from her either. So I am not going to comment on their writing styles, because I don’t know what those styles are, and I am not sure which author wrote what portions of this book.

But all that aside, I have always believe Jo & Laurie from Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women were meant for each other. I was greatly disappointed when they married other people. And it’s no secret that I never liked Amy; I have expressed this before. Reading this book made me feel sorry for her character. Because even if I don’t like someone, I still would never wish them harm.

What I appreciate most about this book is the fact it’s a coming-of-age story, with a derivative familiarity to the original classic, but still unique enough that it feels like its own story. Its also appropriate for all ages, and the authors didn’t add anything that might take away from what makes the original story so memorable.

This is not a spoiler, because the title reveals most of the plot already: The ending was mostly satisfying in the sense that the authors come through with their promise. It’s the ending we wanted and that’s what we get.

I giggled and sobbed all through reading this book. And mentioned above, I have gone back and re-read my favorite parts many times.

The Scarlet Star (Songs of the Adriels)

by Jennifer Kropf

He’s a beast trapped in a palace, and she’s a beauty tangled in his web…

Nineteen-year-old Ryn Electus is captured and brought to the palace for a twelve-week trial period along with three of the fairest maidens in the kingdom to try and ‘steal the heart’ of a young, tormented King with a deadly secret. Unfortunately, the King appears to have no interest in the maidens and keeps getting himself into trouble.

But the King isn’t the only one with a dangerous secret. Ryn has been living in hiding all these years, until she’s dragged from her home and put on a public stage where she finds herself in the crosshairs of the Intelligentsia; a council of sages who serve the seven Celestial Divinities and conspire to destroy people like her. If the sages discover who Ryn really is, she’ll be dead by morning.

Things get even more complicated when Ryn learns what Xerxes is fighting against, the internal wars he’s waging on his own, and why he keeps getting himself into trouble.

However, shortly after Ryn arrives at the palace, an old priestess opens Ryn’s eyes to see the workings of false gods at war who are influencing the kingdom of Per-Siana at every turn, dragging the people into destruction and causing chaos. Ryn is forced to question everything she thought she knew about the gods, until she unexpectedly gains the favour of an ancient god who’s been “silent” for decades; the God Original, the first God, enemy of the Celestial Divinities, who beckons Ryn to shake up the very foundations of the domain.

Thus begins a battle fought in the shadows alongside a war of gowns and politics waged in the spotlight.

Ryn must do everything she can to hide that she’s a descendant of King Xerxes’s enemies, and that she and Xerxes were born as rivals, destined to hate and destroy each other.

She has only weeks to decide which side she’s on.

Inspired by the fairytale Beauty and the Beast and the Biblical story of Queen Esther, this mashup of high stakes, forbidden romance, and dangerous secrets isn’t the fairytale you know.

This book is ideal for fans of The Selection Series by Kiara Cass and A Curse so Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer and includes gorgeous character illustrations by Kyannah Durocher.

“Beautifully written and instantly immersive. The Scarlet Star entwines a moving portrayal of faith with a plot you won’t be able to put down. I’ll be recommending this one to every romantasy reader who wants a story with substance.” -Rachelle Nelson, award-winning author of Sky of Seven Colors & Embergold.

Published June 18th, 2025.

Grab Yourself a Copy!

Disclaimer: I purchased a paperback copy of this book, on Amazon. I also participated in the release blitz in June 2025, and was gifted an eCopy. This does not influence my review in any way. This is just a very happy, satisfying reader experience. Additionally, I borrowed the images used in this post from the author’s FB page, website, and Amazon. Furthermore, I am an Amazon affiliate—I receive a small commission when items are purchased through my links.

It’s been a while since I’ve enjoyed reading a book. Any book. The Scarlet Star broke my reading slump. And not only that, but it brought back my hope for reading future books. When I first saw the email for the book blitz, I had to rub my eyes and look again.

Beauty and the Beast meets Queen Esther? Take my credit card! That alone was enough to intrigue me. But also, I’ve been on the search for a good Queen Esther inspired book. Whether it was fantasy, sci-fi, contemporary, derivative retelling—I just wanted to read this kind of story.

Another thing that I was so happy about was how Kropf incorporated Scripture made it even more believable. With Ephesians 6:12 at the heart:

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (NIV)

I didn’t start reading until August, 2025, when my paperback copy arrived. But when I did start reading, I was immediately pulled into the story. Completely captivated with Xerxes’ torment, and Ryn’s first introduction. I have read Kiera Cass’ The Selection, and there is definitely that feel throughout the book.

Side note: I LOVE the character art that is scattered through the pages. Having them there really did bring the story to life as I read it. The paperback is B&W, but the eCopy is in color. Both are gorgeous!

I don’t want to spoil the book for anyone, because I really want someone to open it and fall in love the way I did. But that doesn’t mean I don’t want to gush and gab about it! Every moment between the characters, every time the voices in Xerxes’ head start talking—definitely made my skin crawl, but so good!—and every time Ryn learned more about El. It really spoke to my heart and I am so glad for it.

The Scarlet Star highlights the power of prayer and standing strong in the face of evil. I may not face circumstances that Ryn does in this book, but reading her struggles in faith and also her feeling drawn to Xerxes. It is presented in such a way that doesn’t make you cringe. It is ongoing “knowledge” that most Christian inspired books make you cringe. I have not had that experience with any of the ones I’ve read, and this is no exception.

And because it is Queen Esther, you can bet your last penny I was so excited when Xerxes said THE THING.

@haddieshavenHe said THE THING!! 📚: The Scarlet Star By @Jennifer Kropf #HaddiesHaven #HaddiesHavenBlog #ChristianBookTok #ChristianBooks #booklover

Tiktok failed to load.

Enable 3rd party cookies or use another browser

The Scarlet Star is the first book in Jennifer Kropf’s new series, Songs of the Adriels, so yes—it ended in a cliffhanger. I ended up savoring the book across a few months. I stopped myself ten chapters from the end after speed-read-devouring it, because I was not ready for it to end. I even waited to share this review because I wanted to let the story settle. I even went back and re-read all of my favorite parts.

This was a book I needed, and didn’t know it until it was in my hands. With everything going on in the world, it felt so good to escape into a story that points you to Truth.

I eagerly await the sequel, and the author has revealed the title: The Golden Maiden. With certaintly, I will be reading that when it released. I will also be checking out Kropf’s other books—I apparently own A Soul As Cold As Frost (The Winter Souls Book 1) in eBook. I apprently bought it at some point in 2022, but haven’t read it yet. So I think that will be my next read while I wait.

Have you read this book? If you haven’t, I highly recommend it. Even if Biblical-inspired themes are not for you, I think its a book that can be enjoyed by everyone.

Leave a comment

My August TBR:

Before I start sharing, I would like to say that some of these I have either already read before or I was already reading and didn’t finish yet. Additionally, these are all books that I own and have either purchased for myself, or won in a giveaway. And this is the case with many books unless otherwise stated.

I would also like to add that my overall reading goal for 2025 is 5 books. I haven’t finished any books toward this goal, so hopefully this list helps me get ahead.

Up first are some Disney books:

I don’t remember sharing this, apart from a brief post on my Instagram, but I bought the first Disney Prince book, Prince of Song & Sea by Linsey Miller, with a Christmas gift card in 2022-23. I won the second book, Prince of Thorns & Nightmares, from the author during release month, and then I recently bought the third book, Prince of Glass & Midnight, as birthday treat for myself. I also bought Allison Saft’s Wings of Starlight for my birthday.

I have been reading Prince of Song & Sea on and off for a couple years. The main reason is I’ve been in a reading slump and reading 1 chapter a day (or whenever I feel like it) has helped me enjoy reading for myself without the pressure of a review deadline.

I would like to read these books this month, because they are all Disney characters I really like.

I was gifted a copy of Sue Lynn Tan’s Daughter of the Moon Goddess by a friend a while back, and I’ve read a few chapters, but didn’t get very far. I now own all the books in this series and think I would enjoy them very much.

I read an ARC of Dreaming About the Boy Next Door (Most Likely To series) by Sarah Sutton in 2022, when it released. I later bought a paperback copy and have wanted to get back to it for a re-read. Sarah is actually doing a read-along for this book as she leads to the next book in the series, as well as celebration for the special edition paperback. Which I pre-ordered! It’s the first time I’ve bought a special edition of any book. I don’t count Unicorn-discontinued books in that category.

Going back to the other book:

I participated in the released blitz for Jennifer Kropf’s The Scarlet Star, immediately hooked by the premise. I mean c’mon! A book inspired by the Biblical story of Queen Esther mixed with the inspiration of Beauty and the Beast? I actually received an e-copy of the book for my participation but then I saw the paperback. The interior design is so beautiful.

As of writing this post, I am waiting for my copy to arrive in the mail. I bought it with a birthday gift card (special thank you to my lovely aunt and uncle for sending it to me) on Amazon.

Anyway, that is more than enough reason to include this book on the list. I know the book ends in a cliffhanger, the start of a new series… I’ll find out when I read it.

That’s 9 books … let’s make it an even 10:

I was able to snag a digital copy of this book during an Amazon Deal/Sale day. I would love to own it in hardcover, but I can’t afford that right now.

I wouldn’t say I have a “theme” for the books I want to read this month. These are just the ones that I really want to get to and are within my grasp.

The Scarlet Star

(Songs of the Adriels Book 1) 

Release Date: June 18, 2025

Genre: YA Fantasy/ Fairy Tales/ Christian Fantasy

He’s a beast trapped in a palace, and she’s a beauty tangled in his web…

Nineteen-year-old Ryn Electus is captured and brought to the palace for a twelve-week trial period along with three of the fairest maidens in the kingdom to try and ‘steal the heart’ of a young, tormented King with a deadly secret. Unfortunately, the King appears to have no interest in the maidens and keeps getting himself into trouble. But the King isn’t the only one with a dangerous secret. Ryn has been living in hiding all these years, until she’s dragged from her home and put on a public stage where she finds herself in the crosshairs of the Intelligentsia; a council of sages who serve the seven Celestial Divinities and conspire to destroy people like her. If the sages discover who Ryn really is, she’ll be dead by morning.

Things get even more complicated when Ryn learns what Xerxes is fighting against, the internal wars he’s waging on his own, and why he keeps getting himself into trouble. However, shortly after Ryn arrives at the palace, an old priestess opens Ryn’s eyes to see the workings of false gods at war who are influencing the kingdom of Per-Siana at every turn, dragging the people into destruction and causing chaos. Ryn is forced to question everything she thought she knew about the gods, until she unexpectedly gains the favour of an ancient god who’s been “silent” for decades; the God Original, the first God, enemy of the Celestial Divinities, who beckons Ryn to shake up the very foundations of the domain.

Thus begins a battle fought in the shadows alongside a war of gowns and politics waged in the spotlight.

Ryn must do everything she can to hide that she’s a descendant of King Xerxes’s enemies, and she and Xerxes were born as rivals, destined to hate and destroy each other. She has only weeks to decide which side she’s on.

This book is ideal for fans of The Selection Series by Kiara Cass and A Curse so Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer and includes gorgeous character illustrations by Kyannah Durocher.

Available on Amazon

BOOK BLITZ ORGANIZED BY:

R&R BOOK TOURS

A Guide to Fake Dating Your Enemy
Nikki Bright
Publication date: January 9th 2025
Genres: Adult, Comedy, Contemporary, Romance

Samuel Warner is rich, charming, the CEO of his family’s business, and the guy I’ve hated since grade school. Now, thanks to one of my more questionable ideas, he’s also my new pretend boyfriend.

Our families have been at each other’s throats for three generations, fighting over the future of our small town. The Warners are all for bulldozing and modernizing every corner of Fox Creek, while my family is determined to preserve our quirky little town and its quaint ways. But even without the family feud, Samuel’s charm and charisma (and his maddening smirk) would still get on my nerves.

Samuel is insufferably smooth, his favorite hobby is teasing me even though he’s able to charm the most cantankerous granny in the county, and he’s spine-tinglingly handsome. Worse yet, he knows it!

But when my brother falls head over heels for a Warner girl, I’m desperate to find a way to unite our families. So, I propose a totally sane, not-at-all-ridiculous plan: Samuel and I will pretend to be in a serious relationship, faking our way to family peace and town harmony with a Romeo-and-Juliet-style performance (minus the tragedy at the end).

First problem with this fantastic idea? Samuel agrees way too quickly, which screams that he’s got a hidden agenda. And yet, he’s so perfect in the role of doting boyfriend, I can’t figure out what his angle is.

Second problem? This relationship might be fake, but my heart didn’t get the memo. Every “date” and impromptu public display of affection Samuel insists on performing stirs up feelings I’m not prepared for. Soon enough, I’m wondering if I can really end this without a total family feud—or losing my heart.

A Guide to Fake Dating Your Enemy is a laugh-out-loud small-town romantic comedy full of swoon-worthy moments, sizzling kisses, and a romance that’s anything but fake. It’s a closed door romance with mild swearing/language.

Goodreads | Amazon

EXCERPT:

I inhaled the steam from my latte for courage. “You’re right.”

I braced myself for a smug response. Samuel—who was in the middle of sipping his Americano—set his drink down and immediately moved on, pushing the plan ahead with a suspicious amount of eagerness.

“Good. Then, since we’ve been a couple for months, we’ll need to adopt some habits long-term couples have, like pet names. Naturally, we’ll also need to be physically expressive.”

“For nicknames we can just call each other Nat and Sam, since that’s what our families call us,” I said.

Samuel idly tapped his phone screen. “You know my family calls me Sam?”

“Of course I do,” I said, a little irritated. “We might not get along, but I’ve seen you almost every week of my life.”

“True.” Samuel gave me a more thoughtful look that made me shift in my comfy seat. “I guess I just didn’t expect you to pay attention to details about me.”

“Oh,” I said. I suppose since the two of us rarely did anything besides bicker, I’d never given him a reason to believe I saw him as anything more than a picture I tacked to a dartboard to take out my aggression on.

“Alright, so we’ve got our pet names down,” Samuel said. “Now to address the physical aspect of our relationship.”

“Yeah. About that.” I took another sip of my latte, then set it back down on the coffee table. “We’ll have to stick to hugs and occasional hand-holding.”

“What?” Samuel sat on the edge of his love seat. “What kind of serious couple only hugs and holds hands? We should at least be prepared for short kisses.”

“Kisses?” I cackled. “I don’t think I could believably kiss you without looking like I want to wipe that smug smile off your handsome face.”

Samuel playfully tilted his head. “I’m flattered you think I’m handsome, Nat. Don’t worry—I promise not to let it go to my head.”

“Focus, Samuel. Focus,” I said.

Samuel relaxed and once again leaned back against the couch. “Of course, you want to stick to business. Fine, we can start with hugs and hand-holding.”

“Occasional hand-holding,” I corrected.

“If either one of us thinks our act isn’t convincing enough, we’ll revisit the physical touch aspect.” Samuel typed out his notes on his cell phone. “Does that make you happy?”

“Yes,” I reluctantly agreed. “We’ll probably have to adjust as we go anyway. Could you email me your notes?”

“I’ll do you one better and text them,” he said. “What’s your number?”

I internally weighed the pros and cons of giving him my number. Knowing Samuel, he’d start texting me in the middle of the night, asking me what the process was to submit construction permits, just to be annoying.

“Nat, darling, honey,” Samuel cooed. “What kind of serious boyfriend would I be if I didn’t have your number?”

Oh yeah. He was definitely going to send me annoying text messages.

About the Author

Hi, I’m Nikki Bright! In my experience life can be tough, so I write laugh out loud romantic comedies in the hope that they will bring some joy to your day.

My books are closed door (which is also called sweet romance by some readers) but with plenty of the romantic zing you love, and lots of chemistry between the main characters. (That means there’s no spice or steamy times.)

In my stories you’ll find lots of banter, happily ever afters, and loads of quirky side characters who all live in the small, fictitious Wisconsin town of Fox Creek—a city so cute and quaint you’ll wish you could move there!

I’m an indie author, which means I handle everything involving bringing my books to life on my own. Thankfully, I have an amazing assistant who helps me out and runs my social media accounts, answers email, and keeps the website up to date!

Currently I’m hiding in my writing cave hard at work on the next book and focusing on writing more stories about couples you’ll love and laugh with. But I still love connecting with readers through my author newsletter, so if you’d like to hear directly from me (or if you’d like to read extra epilogues for any of my books) please sign up to receive my newsletter!

Website | Newsletter | Facebook | Instagram

GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

—

Shards of Secrecy by N.D. Testa

(The Sapphora Series, #1)
Publication date: December 18th 2024
Genres: Fantasy, New Adult

Disguised as a mortal and robbed of her memory, an Egyptian sorceress is thrust into a daring quest to reclaim her fate or suffer at the hands of those who want her dead.

When a mummy attack at the city museum shatters the illusion of her ordinary life, twenty- year-old Noellia Taviani discovers a shocking truth: her entire life has been a lie. She isn’t a normal adolescent born into a Connecticut family. She is Sapphora, a princess with magical powers from the realm of Avogadro, a parallel universe to Ancient Egypt. Framed for treason against the crown and failure to fulfill a prophecy, she’s exiled to the harsh prison of Salutem. There she must relearn her craft to protect herself from those who seek to destroy her.

However, time is running out. The Nefarious Pharoah has escaped the underworld and threatens to not only conquer both realms, but to destroy everyone she loves. To stop him, Sapphora must overcome deadly challenges created by the Ancient Gods to recover a stolen spellbook before her birthday on the Winter Solstice. As she navigates this treacherous path, she’s drawn to a forbidden love with an Egyptian god, a dangerous temptation that could be her undoing.

Goodreads / Amazon

EXCERPT:

Author Bio:

N.D. Testa is a fantasy author who conjures immersive worlds filled with magic, mystery, and adventure. With a focus on inspiring hope, her stories transport readers to realms of wonder and possibility. When not lost in the pages of her imagination, she's an avid fitness enthusiast, fashion lover, and animal advocate. From snowboarding the slopes to exploring new cultures, N.D. Testa finds inspiration everywhere. She believes in the power of books to change lives and is committed to crafting tales that resonate with readers of all ages. At night she enjoys being by the fire with a cup of tea in her hands.

Goodreads / Facebook

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY!

GIVEAWAY

We are celebrating the release of Amber Toro's space opera UMBRA: Sentient Stars this week! Read on for more details!

My Blog

Umbra: Sentient Stars 

Publication Date: April 24, 2024 

Genre: Sci-Fi Fantasy/ Space Opera 

✨Enemies-to-Lovers 

✨Found Family 

✨Multiple POVs 

✨Intergalactic Adventure 

✨Slow Burn 

✨Militaristic Society 

✨Fully Sentient Starships 

Earth That Was has faded into myth. After millenia spent wandering, humans are no longer nomads. Twelve tribes stand allied under the United Tribal Axis; but there is a signal in the darkness that threatens to destroy everything.

All Skyla wanted after leaving the Navy was to be left alone. Just her ship, the stars, and a new adventure. But when a strange virus disables her ship, she is thrown into the middle of a conflict she doesn’t understand, forcing her to take on responsibilities she swore she never would again.

Hinata always followed the rules, honor above all else. He always won, until he didn’t. Sentenced to exile for his failures, he is determined to prove himself, until a mysterious woman arrives on his station and chaos threatens to break already fragile alliances.

Freyja was always angry, an outcast, playing the part of admiral and black ops operative. But she is tired of being a pawn in the Empress’ games and when she’s stranded on the wrong side of enemy lines after a vengeful battle, she’s forced to ally with her adversaries to clear her name. 

A Rogue. A Commander. And an Admiral. Brought together by circumstance, held together by duty. Can they find a way to work together to save humanity?

Get on Amazon

About the Author

Amber Toro is the director of data science at a machine learning startup working to make the world a better place with AI. She is a big believer in using tech for good. Always dreaming Amber writes epic sci-fi and fantasy. Amber grew up in Seattle with a great love of the outdoors. She now calls Utah her home and when she is not writing or coding you can find her biking, hiking, and camping in the mountains with her amazing partner and two tiny humans, or curled up with a good sci-fi/fantasy book.

Amber Toro

Book Tour Organized By: R&R Book Tours