Review: the Dark One

 

Title: the Dark One

Series: Vicious Lost Boys series

Author: Nikki St. Crowe

Release Date: April 26, 2022

I spent most of my life feeling dead inside -- until I met Peter Pan and the Lost Boys.

It wasn't until Pan and Neverland that I finally felt alive. 

But things are not all full of magic and sunlight on the island. There's something darker and more sinister haunting the forest.

And worse, the fae queen and Captain Hook are ready to fight for control of Neverland and they will stop at nothing to get what they want. Including using the one thing Pan never thought he wanted or needed -- me. I'm a descendant of the Darling family and now I belong to him and the Lost Boys. 

War is brewing -- can the Never King get his shadow back and assume his rightful throne? And if he does, where will I fit?

Or will all of Neverland be in jeopardy right along with my dark, twisted heart?

NOTE: The Dark One is book two in the Vicious Lost Boys series. It is a dark reimagining of Peter and Wendy. If you like your enemies to lovers romance with hot, ruthless, morally gray love interests, you’ll enjoy The Dark One and the Lost Boys. You can expect hate kissing, fighting, bickering, and ‘touch her and I’ll unalive you’ vibes.

Please check the author's website for CWs.

So, the Dark One is book 2 & picks up right where the Never King left off, so you have to read book one first. 

War is brewing on the island between Peter Pan, Captian Hook & the Fae Queen. And Pan's enemies are wanting to use the one thing Pan would have never thought he needed, or wanted against him- Winnie Darling. Because now, Winnie belongs to Pan and his Lost Boys and Pan isn't going to give her up so easily. 

Can the Never King get his shadow back & claim his throne before the war starts? Or will all of Neverland be in jeapordy? 

This was another quick, fast paced read like the Never King. It takes place within just a few days, and there is more spice to this one than the first one. 

It's still dark, and twisted. The Darling returns to Neverland with Pan and the Lost Boys, where she must find her place between them. Pan is trying to hunt down his shadow before the War breaks out. The Fae Queen is going to be a bigger problem than they realized. Vane is struggling to control his shadow around the Darling. And the twins need to figure out which side of the war they fall on. 

I cannot wait to find out what happens next with these characters on Neverland. 4⭐ out of 5⭐. 

Trigger Warnings: NatashaReadsBooks: Trigger Warnings (natashareadsbooksbookblog.blogspot.com)

Review: Hooked

 

Title: Hooked

Series: Never After novel

Author: Emily McIntire

Release Date: September 2021

He wants revenge, but he wants her more. 

Once Upon A Time, there was a little boy. 

His belly full of laughter, his life full of joy. 

Until one day, something changed; stripped his innocence away.

The hole inside making space for the devil to come and play. 

His dreams gone forever, he grew up way too fast. 

An endless night of crocodiles, and watches made of glass. 

He grew into a villain, the taste of vengeance on his tongue. 

Craving to make his enemies pay for the misdeeds they had done. 

Instead he found a darling girl, and refused to let her go. 

For what better way to make the man pay, than to steal his little shadow. 

*Hooked is a full-length, complete standalone and the first in The Never After Series: A collection of fractured fairy tales where the villains get the happy ever after. This is a DARK Contemporary romance (not a literal retelling and not fantasy) featuring mature themes and content that may not be suitable for all audiences. Reader discretion is advised.* 

I went into Hooked almost completely blind. I didn't know what to expect, and I was riding a book slump. I was distracted, and at the beginning couldn't get into anything no matter how much I wanted to. Well, finally I broke through my slump long enough to read this book, & I enjoyed it, well enough. 

So let's preface by saying this is a dark romance (trigger warnings will be listed at the bottom of my review) where the villain stays the villain but still gets the girl. It's Mafia or gang-esque but a loose peter pan retelling from Hook's & Wendy's POV. 

James grew up way too fast, becoming the infomous Hook. He's set on vengeance, prepared to go after the one who took everything from him. Peter. And what better way to seek his revenge then with Peter's little shadow. Wendy. Wendy is sweet, innocent, darling. Naive & easy to get into her good graces. Will Hook be able to extract his vengeance on those who wronged him, or has his feelings for Wendy gotten in the way? 

This book was a quick dark read, and while this was very insta-love feeling & sometimes felt like some opponents or events came out of no where, I loved the take on this Peter Pan retelling. Hook isn't a good guy- yeah he went through stuff to make him the way he is, but in the end he is still the villain. A villain who has made a ton of enemies in his lifetime. - ones he doesn't care much about, until there is someone in his life worth giving a damn about. 

Wendy is Peter's daughter. She has put her loyalty into her family, even dispite the many misgivings it has provided her. But at the end of the day they are still her family. But when she meets James some things come to light, and she can't help the way he makes her feel. 

4⭐ out of 5⭐

Trigger Warnings: NatashaReadsBooks: Trigger Warnings (natashareadsbooksbookblog.blogspot.com)

Review: Good Girls Never Rise

 

Title: Good Girls Never Rise

Series: St. Mary's duet

Author: SJ Sylvis

Release Date: November 2021

Gemma:

We were from two completely different worlds that couldn’t have been more opposite. Fate brought us together, and we devised a plan. I was to leave St. Mary’s Boarding School, and he was to stay.

I was molded to follow the rules, and he was taught to break them. But somewhere along the way, following the rules became a choice. The lines became blurred. The good girl of St. Mary’s suddenly got a taste of rebellion, and he came in a package of wild blue eyes and hot, lingering touches.

Isaiah warned me that we’d go up in flames if we veered from our plan.

Except, there was no we about it.

Isaiah Underwood let me fall right into the ashes.

Good Girls Never Rise is book one in the St. Mary's Duet and ends on a cliffhanger. Good Girls Never Rise is intended for readers 18+ and deals with subjects that some may find triggering.

First thing: this book has trigger warnings so be warned before going in. There is some mention of child abuse, possible sexual assult, violence/death & child endangerment- but it isn't as detailed as other books. 

Good Girls Never Rise is book one in the St. Mary's duet and follows Gemma & Isaiah. 

Gemma is the good girl. Innocent. Sheltered. She was brought up to follow all the rules. The moment she is away from her possessive uncle, at St. Mary's she finally is free from the shackles of her past, and present. She knows it's only temporary, but she will do anything to make sure she doesn't end up back in her uncle's clutches. 

Isaiah is the school bad boy. His past, present and future is dark. Anything he touches will be tainted by who he is. He can't have Gemma. Not in the way he wants. But he needs her nevertheless. He needs a cover for when he's breaking the rules, and who better than the one girl who doesn't fall at his feet. 

Both are keeping secrets, neither able to give in and trust anyone else but themselves. But the more they get to know each other, the more they realize their lives may be more entwined than either realized. 

So I usually love me a good dark romance. I love the bad boys, the high school, new adult age group and this book checked all the boxes. But I personally didn't connect with these characters and this story wasn't for me. I wanted to like it, wanted to fall in love with these characters and I pushed through until the end of this book, but I will not be continuing the duet. But, just because I didn't enjoy this book as much as I had hoped I would, doesn't mean others won't. 3⭐ out of 5⭐. 

Review: The Words

 

Title: The Words

Author: Ashley Jade

Release Date: January 20, 2022

From USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Ashley Jade comes an edgy, enemies-to-lovers standalone romance about mistakes, forgiveness, and second chances.

He was the talented bad boy everyone wanted.

I was the irrelevant geek everyone hated.

He was the sun...drawing all of us in.

I was a black hole...taking up space.

He was destined to be a star.

I was destined to remain an insignificant no one.

Until he made me believe I was special...

And then he destroyed me.

I never thought I'd see Phoenix Walker again after he broke my heart, but fate had other plans.

One tour. Eight weeks. Forty shows.

Countless opportunities to make him pay.

The world thought he was a God...

But I knew the truth.

Phoenix was one of a kind, destined to be a star. A talented boy whom everyone wanted- including Lennon, until he broke her heart. She never thought she would see Phoenix again.  Now, four years later, after Phoenix and his band mates rise to stardom, Lennon gets an offer of a lifetime. To go on tour with Phoenix's band, and babysit him. One tour, right weeks and countless opportunities to make Phoenix pay for what he did. If only it was that easy. 

I love a good enemies to lovers romance, and rockstar romance and this combines the two, and adds in second-chance romance as well. 

Lennon and Phoenix knew each other briefly in high school, their relationship was fleeting. Lennon helped Phoenix, and in return her broke her heart in more ways than one. It took her months, years to get over it, but she built up her walls around her. But when life came crashing down on her, the opportunity and cash she would get to tour with Phoenix was too good to pass up. Now, she had the chance to get him back for what he did to her, also, while making the money she needs to deal with life. Eight weeks on tour in close quarters with Phoenix, what could possibly go wrong. Besides the fact that he was spiraling and needed something to help pull him out. But Phoenix's suffering was exactly what she wanted, wasn't it? 

I loved the angst and tension between Phenoix and Lennon. The push and pull and build up between the characters. Enemies to lovers is one of my favorite tropes. I also love me some Rockstar romances. And this book had it all. It was not only filled with angst and tension, but betrayal and guilt and emotion. It was an amazing read, and I fell in love with Phoenix and everything he has been through and felt for Lennon too. These characters were real and gritty and this book artfully done. This may be the first book I read from Ashley Jade, but it won't be the last, and I looked forward to more from this author, and even this world she built with these characters. 4.5⭐ out of 5⭐. 

Review: Her Romeo

 

Title: Her Romeo

Series: Mafia Rogues: the Rossi Chapter

Author: Quinn Marlowe

Release Date: February 22

She's my best friend from childhood. The girl I thought I loved once. And the woman who just threatened to put me in jail, courtesy of the case she's prosecuting in court. She's also now my prisoner.

Sloane Brennan thought she was on top of the world. Hell, she was on top of the world. But she's also the daughter of my father's enemy, and when my father decides to kidnap her and use her as leverage against her own father, then puts me in charge of watching over her...

Let's just say it puts ideas in my head. Bad, bad ideas. Ideas that I've been fantasizing about for years.

After all, I'm supposed to be taking care of her while she's under the Rossi umbrella, right? And no one actually defined what that means. Right?

When the plan goes awry, though, and it becomes apparent that Sloane's life is actually in danger and my feelings run a whole lot deeper than I realized, I have to recalculate my actions, and decide whether my loyalty is to the family... or the girl I've always loved.

*Her Romeo is the second book of three in Sloane and Joseph's story, and is a dark mafia romance and includes violence and mature sexual themes. If you’re triggered by guns, sex, rape, or murder, this isn’t the series for you.

First, let me preface this by saying there ARE some content that may be triggering so be sure to check for Trigger Warnings about this book. 

Also, even though this book says book one & can be read as a standalone, there is a short about these characters that takes place before these events that is mentioned throughout the story. Yes it can be read without reading that, BUT to get the full story of these characters (& know what they are talking about) it's best to read A Very Rossi Christmas first. 

Sloane Brennen, is the daughter of Irish Brennen, one of the head Mafia families who live in New York. And also, someone who got out. She didn't want that life. She is an up and coming head lawyer. One who just landed her the case of all cases. That of Joseph Rossi. 

Joseph Rossi was the son of Jimmy Rossi, the head of the other Mafia in New York. One who stayed in the life. One who used to be best friends with Sloane once upon a time. And one who now has a job to do. 

Kidnap Sloane and turn her over to Reno, the guy in Italy more frightening than anyone else Joseph has ever met. All to get her father to fall in line, and follow the rules Jimmy set out. And, bonus with her gone, Joseph won't see the case Sloane has against him hit the courtroom. 

It should be easy. Kidnap Sloane, hand her over and walk away. Sloane's life may now be in danger, so Joseph must now figure out if his loyalties lie, with his family or with the girl he has always loved. 

This was a quick read. If you are into enemies to lovers, forbidden mafia romances then this book checks all of those boxes. 

It's a Romeo and Juliet retelling- two families, sworn enemies and at war with one another, and the heirs of the families dealing with hidden attractions & feelings for one another. From friends to enemies to lovers, this brings that second chance romance to life. 

Is Joseph the man Sloane remembers from their past, or has his father gotten his claws in too deep? 

Is Sloane the girl Joseph once loved and saved countless times or has the years apart changed her? 

And what will happen between Joseph and Sloane now that their lives may be in danger? 

I can't wait to find out the answer to these questions and more. 4⭐ out of 5⭐. 

This book does end on a cliffhanger. 

Trigger Warnings: NatashaReadsBooks: Trigger Warnings (natashareadsbooksbookblog.blogspot.com)

Review: Worth It

 

Title: Worth It

Series: Yama Yama

Authors: SM Shade & CM Owens

Release Date: January 2017

What's the recipe to the ultimate disaster week?

Three unruly friends.
A wedding we shouldn't have been invited to.
Two unexpected romances.
A scoop of sexy.
And a double scoop of chaos.

Lydia is a good girl who is above revenge. Good thing she has us. No one cheats on our best friend and rides off into the sunset with his new bride.

What was supposed to happen? Unleash hell like two badasses. It was a simple plan, but we failed to anticipate a few things. A rogue prosthetic, an accidental exorcism, and dominatrix strippers willing to take things way too far, just to name a few.

What actually happened? As usual, nothing went as planned, especially when two sexy distractions popped into the mix. We were there to avenge our friend, not to get entangled with two cocky, arrogant men, who don’t like to hear the word no. I was sure we could resist.

I mean, it was only a week, right? What could happen in a week?

Not intrigued enough? There's totally a duck in this story.

Ah yeah. Now we have your undivided attention. Enjoy our chaos.
#WorthIt

So, I love SM Shades, & CM Owens romcoms, but haven't picked up Worth it until this weekend. 

I have been in a book slump and needed something to pull me out. 

And let me tell you, if you love over the top funny heroines who get into crazy shinanagians then you will love Worth It. 

Three friends take a week long vacation for a wedding. 

Lydia- the grooms ex, is a good girl who is above revenge but her two besties are by her side to wreak havoc on the wedding. 

Kasha is the step sister of the groom. After her mom married Anderson's father. - Kasha doesn't hate Anderson, but she certainly doesn't like or approve of him either. Lydia could do so much better. 

Henley is the other who is rounding out the trio. Her year long boyfriend just cheated on her, and she could definitely use the vacation and distraction. Neither Kasha or Henley are above revenge, and they are happy to bring a little chaos to the uppity high class event. But of course, nothing ever goes as planned. From a rogue prosthetic, to dominatrix stripper who have no problem taking it to far, trouble and hilarity follows. But amid the chaos neither Kasha or Henley expect to find flings. Could there be something more, or is the week all they have? 

This book was a quick read, that brings on the funny between three best friends and a simple revenge plan gone astray. I don't know why I haven't picked up this book before now, but I enjoyed it. It definitely had me laughing out loud. I adored this book, and these authors. 4⭐ out of 5⭐