Book Review: Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros

Author: Onyx Storm

Title: Rebecca Yarros

Series: The Empyrean #3

Genre: Fantasy, Romance

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 544

Published: January 21, 2025

Where I got It: Borrowed friend's copy

Summary: 

After nearly eighteen months at Basgiath War College, Violet Sorrengail knows there’s no more time for lessons. No more time for uncertainty. Because the battle has truly begun, and with enemies closing in from outside their walls and within their ranks, it’s impossible to know who to trust.

Now Violet must journey beyond the failing Aretian wards to seek allies from unfamiliar lands to stand with Navarre. The trip will test every bit of her wit, luck, and strength, but she will do anything to save what she loves—her dragons, her family, her home, and him.

Even if it means keeping a secret so big, it could destroy everything. They need an army. They need power. They need magic. And they need the one thing only Violet can find—the truth. But a storm is coming...and not everyone can survive its wrath.

Review:

Been holding off on reading this because I KNOW the next book is not released yet and I just knew that this ending was probably going to piss me off again and then leave me needing answers. Sighs. I finally caved and started this bad boy. 

We pick up where we left off. Violet and her friends need to figure out how to stop the wards from failing and find allies for this upcoming war. The trip will take them to unfamiliar lands and test all of their wit, luck, and strength. They need an army, power, and most importantly....magic. However, there is a secret that she must keep that threatens everyone she loves. 

The beginning couple of chapters was intense and great and fun. Things came to a screeching halt for a while though. It dragged and dragged and dragged. If I hear Violet say how hot Xaden is ONE more time I will screaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaam. We get it Violet. He's a hunk and you love him. I honestly feel like some of this was filler that could've been trimmed down a bit. Don't get it twisted...I loved the talking bits and the political intrigue. That is always entertaining. However, there for sure some filler parts. It felt like the author just wanted to add extra pages to make this bigger. 

Andarna! You sweet, sweet bean of a dragon. I love her so much. 

The ending. Well. TWIST! AND CLIFFIE! GAH! Dang author got me again. I literally flipped the last page a couple of times looking for more. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

All-in-all, I did enjoy this continuation. I worry for everyone and especially Xaden after the conclusion of this one. The cliffie is intense and we do not have another book yet. GAH! I can't wait! I truly hope the author does some good editing though. There was SO much filler in this one. SOOOOO much. It dragged the plot down at some points. We don't need 500+ pages. It's rare that a story needs that much. I think we could've shaved about 50 pages and it would've helped the plot and story. 

Ignoring my annoyance with the filler scenes, I liked this book. I hope the series stays this good or gets better. 

I struggled with a rating. I think 3.5 would be perfect, but Goodreads doesn't have decimals. So after some complicated mathage I decided to land on 3. MAINLY for the fact the other two were better by a margin.

3 stars. 

Favorite Character(s): Andarna

Least Favorite Character(s): No spoilers....but there was a group of dragons that needed to be kicked. PLUS our big baddie of this one.

B's Monday Review: Green Teeth by Molly O'Neill

Format: 283 pages, Paperback

Published: February 25, 2025 by Orbit

Fantasy/borrowed

Jenny Greenteeth lives in her lake. She cleans her lake, she eats fish, if a person falls in yum, if a kid drowns...well then she got a daughter to become a new Jenny. And centuries pass, until a witch falls in...

Temperance has the misfortune to live in a bad time, and there is a new priest who is an ahole and gets the congregation into a frenzy and there goes Temperance into the lake.

But in the end Jenny does not eat her, and they become allies. Because something is wrong in that village.

There is an adventure, a quest, more Fae/fairies/creatures to meet, and real friendship blooms between a hag and a witch.

I enjoyed it. Though it was rather too cozy, sometimes I like cozy, sometimes I want blood. You never know.

Beneath the still surface of a lake lurks a monster with needle-sharp teeth. Hungry and ready to pounce. Jenny Greenteeth has never spoken to a human before, but when a witch is thrown into her lake, something makes Jenny decide she’s worth saving.

Temperance doesn’t know why her village has suddenly turned against her, only that it has something to do with the malevolent new pastor. Though they have nothing in common, these two must band together on a magical quest to defeat the evil that threatens Jenny’s lake and Temperance’s family – as well as the very soul of Britain.

Re-Listen: No Good Dragon Goes Unpunished by Rachel Aaron

Author: Rachel Aaron

Narrator: Vikas Adam

Title: No Good Dragon Goes Unpunished

Series: Heartstrikers #3

Genre: UF, Paranormal

Format: Audiobook 

Published: August 5, 2016

Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)

Summary: 

When Julius overthrew his mother and took control of his clan, he thought he was doing right by everyone. But sharing power isn’t part of any proper dragon’s vocabulary, and with one seat still open on the new ruling Council, all of Heartstriker is ready to do whatever it takes to get their claws on it, including killing the Nice Dragon who got them into this mess in the first place.

To keep his clan together and his skin intact, Julius is going to have to find a way to make his bloodthirsty siblings play fair. But there’s more going on in Heartstriker Mountain than politics. Every family has its secrets, but the skeletons in Bethesda’s closet are dragon sized, and with Algonquin’s war looming over them all, breaking his clan wide open might just be the only hope Julius has of saving it.

Review:

Going through this series again! It feels good going back!

Here we are...Julius overthrew his mother and took control of his clan. However, he is nice and wants to share power. Nice on paper, but hard to share power with power-hungry dragons. To keep his clan together and his body in one piece, Julius is going to have to find a way to convince his family to play fair. He will soon learn that there are secrets upon secrets that might ruin everything he has fought for. Along with this, Algonquin is ready for war. She wants the dragons gone. Will Julius and Marci survive...will their dreams survive? 

Love, love, love this series. Before reading the spin-off I wanted to go through this series again. Why not?

Julius is a gem. So nice. Such a dreamer.

Marci is amazing and powerful.

Justin is my lovebug! Literally a gem and needs a short story or something. 

Ooooooh Bob! Chelsea!!!! AMELIA! Love them all.

 

Algonquin and Bethesda are scary ladies, but I respect them in a weird way. I can see their points...kinda.  

Lots of politics and talking in this one. There is a lot of set up for the next book, but it is never boring. 

I still have the same one issue....Marci and Julius are barely together in this one. :/ I wanted more time with them together. They are the perfect team. Yes, yes, it was done on purpose and they have their own journeys right now. Sighs. 

Great narration as per normal. His voice is literally made for these stories. 

4 stars. READ THIS SERIES RIGHT MEOW!

Favorite Character(s): Julius and Justin

Least Favorite Character(s): Gregory and David

 Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #42

Book Review: The Fourth Daughter by Lyn Liao Butler

Author: Lyn Liao Butler

Title: The Fourth Daughter

Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Contemporary

Format: ebook

Pages: 280

Published: August 1, 2025

Where I got It: Amazon

Summary: 

In Taiwan, the bond between grandmother and granddaughter opens up a healing world for them both in an inspiring family saga about the comfort of food, untold histories, and indomitable mother love.

Chef Liv Kuo’s star is on the rise…until a traumatic incident leaves her emotionally unable to venture outside her Manhattan apartment. But an unexpected reason to break free comes from Ah-Ma, Liv’s beloved grandmother in Taiwan. Ah-Ma needs Liv’s help in finding her fourth daughter, taken from her when the girl was an infant. After all these years, it seems impossible. It’s also a Ah-Ma’s fourth daughter is an aunt Liv never even knew existed.

After landing in Taiwan, Liv hears the heartbreaking story of her grandmother’s plight in a country once under martial law, of choices made for her, and of the hopeful search for a lost girl that has endured for more than sixty years. Like the enriching food and traditions that bind Liv and Ah-Ma, their journey for answers brings them together.

And it’s a quest that turns up both a precious old cookbook and a tale of fatal betrayal that shakes everything Liv believed about her family—revelations that could also give her the courage to face the trauma she left behind.

Review:

A member of my Twitch community (if you're curious, my name on Twitch is Carole_Rae) picked this book for me to read. I was instantly curious when I read the summary because I love books like this!!

The story follows Liv and her grandmother. Liv went through a terrible tragedy and can't get out of her house because of the fear. However, everything changes when she speaks to her grandma who is convinced she seen her missing daughter at the store. It has been decades since grandma had last seen her daughter, but she believes it is her. Years previous, her fourth daughter was taken away from her because of a superstition that the number 4 is a bad luck number. To help her beloved grandma, Liv forces herself to fly out to help find this woman.

This hit me so hard especially near the end. I was in tears. Happy and sad tears. So many years wasted because of the mistakes of people in the past. 

I loved following along with the current POV and the past POVs. It made me sad seeing how people had good intentions and some not so good bring such sadness to everyone. Yes, there was happiness and joy, but so much could've been avoided. 

Gah! Grandma's husband was a rat bastard! *shakes fist* Bad man.

There was a sprinkle of romance between Liv and Simon. I didn't really think it was needed, but it was lovely seeing Liv finally find peace again and he helped her. It didn't overtake the story (thankfully) but the love was wildly quick.

The ending was lovely. I loved how it ended SO much. That letter? GAH! Beautiful. 

Such a good book. I for sure recommend it. The romance didn't seem needed, but it was fine overall. It was lovely seeing Liv find some peace after what she went through. I hope she finally gets the therapy she needs. I'll stamp this with 4 stars. 

Favorite Character(s): grandma and Liv

Least Favorite Character(s): Grandma's husband

 Challenge(s):

- Cloak and Dagger #26

Blodeuedd's Monday Review: The Witch Roads by Kate Elliott

By: Kate Elliott

Narrated by: Ella Lynch

Series: The Witch Roads, Book 1

Length: 18 hrs and 8 mins

Release date: 08-19-25 by Tantor Media

Fantasy/to review

An interesting fantasy set in an interesting land. Where spores can kill you, where the borders are a bit? Like what is beyond, we do not know, it might kill us.

Elen is a courier, she knows the land, well her corner of it. She walks the same roads, she checks for infestations. She does have a past, and it takes some time to unravel that.

Because before that a prince arrives with his entourage, and needs passage. And she has to help them. But what is the prince´s goal? Also she is so lowborn so it is not like she or anyone really could ask .

Off they all go on a dangerous adventure and something happens to the prince....

Great adventure, danger, hidden pasts and that end, how could you do that to me?! Now I need the next book.

Great narration too. She gave a real feel of places and people

When an arrogant prince (and his equally arrogant entourage) gets stuck in Orledder Halt as part of brutal political intrigue, competent and sunny deputy courier Elen―once a child slave meant to shield noblemen from the poisonous Pall―is assigned to guide him through the hills to reach his destination.

When she warns him not to enter the haunted Spires, the prince doesn’t heed her advice, and the man who emerges from the towers isn’t the same man who entered.

The journey that follows is fraught with danger. Can a group taught to ignore and despise the lower classes survive with a mere deputy courier as their guide?

Movie/Play Review: Frozen (2025)

Title: Frozen - Broadway Musical

Length: 1h 51m

Released: 2025

Genre: Musical, Play, Family, Adventure, Romance
Rating: TV-PG
Where I Got It: Disney+

SUMMARY:

Queen Elsa's hidden powers plunge Arendelle into an eternal winter and her sister Anna sets out to find her and save the kingdom. As the storm rages on, both sisters must learn that only an act of true love can thaw a frozen heart.

Trailer

REVIEW:

Awww I hope we get more Broadway musicals on these streaming apps. I love plays! I love broadway! Eeeeee. 

This is a stage adaptation of the popular movie 'Frozen'. When Elsa is made queen her powers plunge Arendelle into an eternal winter. It is up to her sister, Anna, to save her and the kingdom. 

This was fun. I really enjoyed it! The cast was lovely. We got some additional songs which were entertaining! The costumes? BEAUTIFUL. 

OMG the scene with Elsa changing her dress? That was awesome! I literally gasped!!!!!

I did have to chuckle at how they did Olaf. The actor was perfect and funny, but when they would lean down and talk to Olaf....it looked like they were talking to his crotch. I couldn't help but chuckle. I feel like they should've made Olaf a little taller or something. (See pic below) But it didn't make or break the play. I still enjoyed his performance. 

But this was lovely and I really enjoyed it. I'm so happy they put this on the screen for us all to enjoy. I hope we get more of these. Yes, it is always better to see these live but it's still fun to watch on the screen. 

I'll give this 5 stars. 

 

Audiobook Review: The Queen of Rot and Pain by Liv Zander

Author: Liv Zander

Narrator: Auri Alden, Gregory Salinas

Title: Queen of Rot and Pain

Series: The Pale Court Duet #2

Genre: Fantasy, Dark Romance, Paranormal

Format: Audiobook 

Published: June 23, 2022

Where I Got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

Worse than a god in rage... is a god in love.

I punish lies and deceit,

An eternal damnation of agony and pain.

Yet, when it is my wife whose deception plagues me,

I know what I must do.

Shackle her soul to the lying, cold corpse that she is,

Ensuring that she never escapes me.

My wrath,

My torture,

My pain,

And my pleasure.

I am the King of Flesh and Bone,

Every part of her I possess and own.

She is mine,

Death shall never do us part.

Review:

This is for sure a guilty pleasure book series. I read book 1 and....I had to read book 2. It ended so abruptly and with so many questions. I want them to find their HEA and maybe set the world back into order, but there is so much that needs to be fixed between them. 

But yes, we continue directly after the last book ended. Mini spoiler....he thinks she betrayed him. She didn't. But how can she get him to believe her? How will she be able to move on with the grief and betrayal of what the humans did to not only her but her love with her god?

TRIGGERS galore in this one. This is for sure a DARK romance. Super dark and gory. 

This book made me sad. I had no idea how they were going to fix the fragile love they seemed to have found at the end of the last book. I can see his POV and I can see hers. I wouldn't want to trust her again. But GAH. As the reader you KNOW what happened and what was in her heart. GAH. 

And the whole baby thing? My heart.

I am mad at her for forgiving him so quickly after he finally realizes she wasn't lying. He treated her like TRASH. That was too much for me I think. 

I loved watching them work together to get revenge. That was oddly romantic. Dark. But romantic. 

The ending left me feeling like there should be more. Maybe his brothers finding love. I don't know but it felt incomplete. 

The narrators did a good job. 

But yes, the ending felt incomplete and I was mad at our Queen for forgiving too easily. 

3 stars from me. 

Favorite Character(s): our Queen

Least Favorite Character(s): the dumb humans

 Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #41

- Library Love #26

Book Review: The Dangerous Book for Demon Slayers by Angie Fox

Author: Angie Fox

Title: The Dangerous Book for Demon Slayers

Series: Demon Slayer #2

Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, UF

Format: ebook

Pages: 294

Published: April 28, 2009

Where I got It: My shelf (Amazon)

Summary: 

Demon slaying powers should come with an instruction book ... Seriously. Why does a new hair dryer have a twelve-page how-to manual, but when it comes to ancient demon-fighting hocus-pocus, my biker witch granny gives me just half a dozen switch stars and a rah-rah speech? Oh, and a talking terrier, but that's another story. It's not like my job as a preschool teacher prepared me for this kind of thing.

So I've decided to write my own manual, The Dangerous Book for Demon Slayers, because no one tells me anything. Dimitri my "protector" may be one stud of a shape-shifting griffin, but he always thinks he can handle everything by himself. Only he's no match for the soul-stealing succubi taking over Las Vegas. If I can't figure out how to save him—and Sin City—there'll be hell to pay.

Review:

Yayyy for the TBR challenge making me dig through the archives of books I've meant to read but just forgot. This is a slight stretch to the prompt for this month, but it works ;)

We are back with Lizzy. She wanted a nice quiet life as a preschool teacher, but she has demon slaying powers that she needs to learn how to use. This should've come with an instruction book...maybe she'll just write it herself. While still training and learning, another task pops up. Soul-stealing succubi are taking over Las Vegas. With her friends, she will have to save Sin City and her uncle AND her protector, Dimitri. 

I really should've done a quick read of book 1. It has been SO long since I read it. I don't really remember a lot. The book did fine as a standalone I guess, but (if I remember right) there is a lot from book 1 that is important to know. 

Awwwwww that puppers of hers! I forgot how adorable he was. 

Her granny made me chuckle. 

Lizzy was sweet. 

Love our gang of biker witches. So fresh! So cool!

I wanted more of Dimitri because I barely remember him. 

But yes, this was okay. I'm glad I finally got to read this. However, I really should've done at least a quick scan read of book 1 to refresh my memory of these characters and what happened. 

I think I would've appreciated this more if I remembered more. I was confused a lot. 

3 stars from me. 

Favorite Character(s): Pirate!!!! Lizzy is lovely

Least Favorite Character(s): The uncle

 Challenge(s):

- TBR #9 (Friend squad)

Blodeuedd's Tuesday Review: The Innocent Sleep by Seanan McGuire

 

Series: October Daye (#18)

Format: 419 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published: August 27, 2024 by DAW

UF/own

Did we really need Tybalt´s view? Eh, maybe not. I would honestly just had a new book and not the same story just from this pov. Sure it brought more to the story, the plight of the Cat Sidhe and everyone else not worthy.

Right, same story as in book 17 but here Tybalt is not under the illusion as the rest of the Fae and he must find his wife and set the world right.

It was still good.

For one bright, shining moment, Tybalt, King of Cats, had everything he had ever wanted. He was soon to set his crown aside; he had married the woman he loved; he was going to be a father. After centuries of searching for a family of his own, he had finally found a way to construct the life of his dreams, and was looking forward to a period of peace—or at least as much peace as is ever in the offing for the husband of a hero.

Alas for Tybalt and his domestic aspirations, fate—and Titania—had other ideas. His perfect world had been complete for only a moment when it was ripped away, to be replaced by hers. Titania, Faerie’s Summer Queen, Mother of Illusions and enemy of so many he holds dear, has seized control of the Kingdom, remaking it in her own image. An image which does not include meddlesome shapeshifters getting in her way. Tybalt quickly finds himself banished from her reality, along with the Undersea and the rest of the Court of Cats.

To protect his people and his future, Tybalt must find the woman he loves in a world designed to keep her from him, convince her that he’s not a stranger trying to ruin her life for no apparent reason, and get her to unmake the illusion she’s been firmly enmeshed in. And he’ll have to do it all while she doesn’t know him, and every unrecognizing look is a knife to his heart.

For Tybalt, King of Cats, the happily ever after was just the beginning.

DNF: How to Fake It with a Fae by Amy Boyles

Author: Amy Boyles

Title: How to Fake It with a Fae

Series: Seven Suitors for Seven Witches #1

Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal Romance

Format: ebook

Pages: 372

Published: 25, 2024

Where I got It: My shelf (Amazon)

Summary: 

Book lover Addison Thornrose can match you with your next perfect read. Unfortunately, she can’t match herself with a good man. Her latest just dumped her. Worse, she’s learned that unless she marries, and quickly, her family will lose their witch magic—forever.

Feylin, king of the fae, has no interest in romance. In fact, the only thing he’s interested in is getting revenge on the Thornrose family because they ruined his life. So when he learns that they’re holding a Bridgerton style ball to marry off their oldest daughter, Addison, he sees an opportunity for vengeance.

But what Feylin doesn’t expect is to start falling for Addison. And worse, he really doesn’t expect it when ancient fae magic binds him to her so that they can’t be separated.

His solution is to strike a bargain—be in a fake relationship. Just until they can break the spell between them, and just until he can get his revenge.

For Addison, this is a dream come true. She doesn’t want to be pawned off to a line of suitors, and she certainly doesn’t want to be engaged. But between the spine-tingling fake dates and the tension-infused banter, lines begin to blur. And Addison begins to wonder when her heart will stop faking it and her feelings become real.

Review:

Randomly stumbled upon this while looking for something else, so why not? It sounded lovely!

Another DNF. Oh no. 

Feylin was a jerk. 

Addison was annoying. 

Nothing was charming. Nothing was funny. I kept rolling my eyes. 

I just couldn't get to page 150. I had to give up. 

When we do a DNF 2nd Chance I might add this to it. 

DNF for now though. 

Audiobook Review: Secrets, Lies, and Fireflies by Angie Fox

Author: Angie Fox

Narrator: Hollie Jackson

Title: Secrets, Lies, and Fireflies

Series: Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries #14

Genre: Paranormal, Cozy Mystery

Format: Audiobook 

Published: August 5, 2025

Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)

Summary: 

Verity’s grandmother returns to help Verity and Frankie solve a mystery that reveals a shocking family secret, as well as the heartwarming history of Verity’s home. This is one family reunion you don’t want to miss!

Review:

I love, love, love this series. I'm sad I'm all caught up and now have to wait for the next one???? WHAT!?!?!?! EEE. 

We are back with Verity and the gang. Things have found a nice calmness. However, things are about to be shook up when a fire breaks out at the library and Verity's grandmother's ghost returns. She is back to help Verity and Frankie with this mystery that is tied to a family secret. 

First off..........where did my beloved narrator go?! She IS Verity and all the other characters. I am so bummed she did not read this one. I should look it up and see why we has to switch. Don't get me wrong.......I did warm up to this narrator but it just wasn't the same. 

Besides my world being tilted because of the change of the narrator.......I enjoyed this one a lot. Verity will be face-to-face with her grandma who she loved so much. However, she has been scared that she disappointed her since the family house had to be stripped away when Verity had zero money years and years ago. Some things have been replaced but she has had a lot of guilt on her shoulders losing some of her grandma's things. I loved that Verity got this chance to finally get a chance to talk to her grandma and let go of this guilt.

I also loved watching Verity grow more. There were times she was acting so selfish in this book, but I get it. If my grandma came back from the light....I wouldn't want her to go back either. However, grandma staying wasn't going to help anyone. 

Frankie!!! I love him. My heart broke when he was all, "This is the only home I've ever had!" OMG. Some nice growth and emotional break throughs for this boy. 

And Lucy. They true MVP!!!!!

I love them all!!!!

Ooo and the mystery was so good. I don't want to spoil anything! 

All-in-all, I enjoyed this one and the series is still as good as book 1. Some ups and some less ups (hehe), but all good overall. I can't wait for the next book! I hope and pray our old narrator comes back, but this new one did okay overall. 4 stars from me. 

Favorite Character(s): Lucy!!! And I do love Ellis a lot

Least Favorite Character(s): Our baddie and that lawyer fella!

 Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #40

- Cloak & Dagger #25

Blodeuedd's Monday Review: How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying by Django Wexler

Series: Dark Lord Davi (#1)

Format: 392 pages, Paperback

Published: May 21, 2024 by Orbit

Fantasy/own

I do hate a groundhog type of book, luckily, most of that is over with already. Davi has been doing this for 1000 years! And just said F it all, I am going evil.

Davi came from our world, fell into a fantasy world and was told she was their saviour, but for the last 1000 years she has been killed by different Dark Lords and everything has started again. Yeah I would be fed up with it too.

It is written with humour, very dark too, and there is lots of talk about suicide and other dark things. She has been been brutally murdered and tortured for a 1000 years.

She gathers a horde and sets out to become a Dark Lord....things will get tricky...

I liked it, and I do want the next one to see how it all ends. Because, I mean, will she go and kill all humans? That is the path of the Dark Lord. We will see.

Groundhog Day meets Guardians of the Galaxy in Django Wexler’s laugh-out-loud fantasy tale about a young woman who, tired of defending humanity from the Dark Lord, decides to become the Dark Lord herself.

Davi has done this all before. She’s tried to be the hero and take down the all-powerful Dark Lord. A hundred times she’s rallied humanity and made the final charge. But the time loop always gets her in the end. Sometimes she’s killed quickly. Sometimes it takes a while. But she’s been defeated every time.

This time? She’s done being the hero and done being stuck in this endless time loop. If the Dark Lord always wins, then maybe that’s who she needs to be. It’s Davi’s turn to play on the winning side

Movie Review: Red, White, & Royal Blue (2023)

Title: Red, White, & Royal Blue

Length: 1h 58m

Released: 2023

Genre: Romantic Comedy, What If
Rating: R
Where I Got It: Amazon Prime

SUMMARY:

When the feud between the son of the American President and Britain's prince threatens to drive a wedge in U.S./British relations, the two are forced into a staged truce that sparks something deeper.

Trailer

REVIEW:

Been meaning to watch this since it was first announced! I adored the book and this cast looks so good. Finally got myself to sit down and watch it. 

There is a feud between the sons of the President of the US and Britain's prince. This feud hits an all-time high at a wedding and now it is a worry that this feud could drive a wedge in UK/US relations. PR steps in and decides that they need to become besties. However, this forced proximity sparks something deeper and much more controvesal. 

This was so much fun. It made me feel nostalgic for the book!! I may have to re-read it ;) 

Amazing cast. They were great. Can Umma be the next president? I loved her in this role. 

Such a fun story! I loved seeing these two go from enemies to lovers.Adoooorabllleeee!!!!

Yes, there is comedy, but there are some serious tones that I felt like they did a good job going over...especially for our prince. His grandfather, the King, knows his secret but in order to protect him and the Crown...he has made Henry keep it a deep, DEEP secret. I just want to squeeze Henry!! I get where the King is coming from though. This is unprecedent and he's scared. He doesn't think the British people will accept Henry if he were to come out as gay. If this was real life....I can see the fear. 

It's been a while since I read the book, but I felt like this movie did a good job respresenting it. I'll have to re-read it and see I guess....for research ;)

But yesssssssss I loved this movie. I can see myself watching it again when I need background noise. 

5 stars from me. 

Book Review: Harvest Dance by Jennifer Faye

Author: Jennifer Faye

Title: Harvest Dance

Series: Bluestar Island #2

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Format: ebook

Pages: 350

Published: October 5, 2021

Where I got It: My shelf (Amazon)

Summary: 

A single dad, who's in over his head, and an event planner running from her past, are drawn together on charming Bluestar Island by a determined six-year-old and her escape-artist goat.

Event planner, Charlotte "Aster" Smith, has fled the only life she has ever known. The situation has left her questioning her own judgment as she cautiously tries to create a new life for herself on Bluestar Island. Taking the job of event coordinator for the small town is a step in the right direction. The only problem is it's currently a part-time position, but the mayor suggests with additional funding the position could transform into a full-time job. In the meantime, she needs a second job in order to stay financially afloat.

Farmer and single father, Sam Bell, is struggling to keep his aging farm from going bankrupt while raising his young daughter. And now that his daughter's babysitter is heading off to college, he needs help. So when he finds Aster is in need of work, he thinks his problems are solved. But things aren't always what they seem. And he can't help wondering what Aster is keeping from him.

In the lingering rays of a Bluestar Island sunset, Sam and Aster find themselves dancing upon the sand. As they help each other heal, the possibility of a future together becomes tangible. But will the ghosts from their pasts extinguish this budding romance?

Review:

I read book 1 a while back and I was itching to read this one, but I was saving this one for the beginning of fall. Welllll it is September so it counts. ;) 

Here we follow Sam and Aster. Sam is a single dad who is trying his hardest to raise his kid and keep up on his farm. When his babysitter takes off for college, he needs to hire someone else. Enter in Aster. Aster fled the only life she has ever known and is trying to create a new life for herself on Bluestar Island. New life, fresh start, but she is keeping her past a secret just in case. She is trying to stay afloat finacially. The job she took is only part-time for now while they wait for the funding to be approved for full-time. Aster needs another part time job, so she accepts the babysitting job from Sam. They fall for each other, but is this going to last? Or will their pasts stop them from falling in love?

This was very sweet with a little bit of darkness. I think the author did a lovely job of balancing the story out. It was never overly sweet where you get a cavity, but it wasn't all doom and gloom. 

Poor Aster was in an abusive relationship. She was forced to flee when the justice system let her down time and time again (not a shocker). She is even going by her middle name to really start over. 

Sam and his kiddo were sweet. I loved his farm! Especially the goat!! 

The chemistry was pretty much there from the moment they met, but it was a slowburn due to their baggage from the past. It felt right for them especially after he hired her.

But yes, this was a nice sweet book. The trauma was done well and it felt natural. 

The middle had a couple of slow parts that I tried my hardest not to skim, but it was worth it for the rest of the story. 

Very sweet. I can't wait to read book 3.

I'll give this 4 stars. 

Favorite Character(s): The goat!!!!

Least Favorite Character(s): Oz

 Challenge(s):

- Romance Reading #21 (MC works on a Farm)

Audiobook Review: Accomplice to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

Author: Hannah Nicole Maehrer

Narrator: Em Eldridge

Title: Accomplice to the Villain

Series: Assistant to the Villain #3

Genre: Fantasy, Humor, Romance

Format: Audiobook 

Published: August 5, 2025

Where I Got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

REWARD OFFERED: Apprentice to The Villain wanted for treason (light), magical property damage (alleged), and one incident involving a weaponized scone (accurate). Frequently seen with a grumpy frog (crowned, judgmental). Answers to “Evie” or “Stop that.”

Evie Sage didn’t mean to become the right-hand woman to the kingdom’s most terrifying villain. One minute, she was applying for an entry-level position that promised “light paperwork and occasional beheadings,” and the next, she was knee-deep in magical mayhem, murder plots, and an entirely inappropriate crush on her brooding, sharp-jawed, walking disaster of a boss.

Now, with a magical prophecy unraveling, assassins showing up in the break room, and a suspicious amount of frogs wearing crowns, Evie has to figure out how to survive her job without setting the kingdom on fire—or her dignity, which is hanging by a very sarcastic thread.

Being evil-adjacent was never part of the five-year plan. But then again…neither was falling for The Villain.

A magical office comedy with grumpy bosses, snarky frogs, and definitely-not-feelings.

Review:

After the conclusion of the last book, I knew I HAD to continue forth when this was released...I had to. The moment I got this from the library I started reading. 

We continue from where we left off with one big difference. No longer is Evie just an assistant....she is now an accomplice to the Villain. She didn't MEAN to become the right-hand woman to the kingdon's most terrifying villain, but that is just how the cookie crumbles. They are all knee-deep in magical mayhem, saving the world of magic, murder plots, a traitor, love, and paperwork. 

So I read the ebooks of the first two books so it was interesting to get my hands on the audio version of this. I really enjoyed her voices! I enjoyed the ebook and the audio so you know it is a good story and good writing when both are acceptable formats. 

Now...I didn't like this AS much as the other two books. Don't get me wrong, I still was entertained and enjoyed the story. I do feel like this was weighed down by side characters. 

Woah, what? I can hear you asking, "Carole...don't you love a good side character?" I do!!! And I was excited to learn more about the other members of the crew HOWEVER, I felt like we spent TOO much time with them and their romances. Omg everyone is sleeping with everyone in this office. Love the drama, but it was TOO much even for me. 

Other than that, I enjoyed it. Lots of chaos. Lots of magic. Lots of humor. Lots of chemistry. Lots of entertaiment to be had. I honestly feel like there is something for everyone in these books. The romance doesn't really too over too much. The fantasy isn't too heavy. The humor isn't overboard. It's nice. 

All-in-all, I enjoyed this. Not as much as book 1 or 2, but I still liked it. I want a little (teeny bit) bit less of the crew and focus more on our two mains for the next book. 3 stars from me. 

Favorite Character(s): Evie and the frog

Least Favorite Character(s): Evie's parents

 Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #39

- Library Love #25