Review: How Sweet It Is

 

Title: How Sweet It Is

Series: Matthews Brothers series

Author: Dylan Newton

Release Date: July 2021

What happens when the queen of romance falls for the king of horror--you get "a hilarious rom-com romp," perfect for fans of Beach Read . ( Kirkus , starred review)

Event planner Kate Sweet is famous for creating the perfect happily-ever-after moment for her clients’ dream weddings. So how is it that her best friend has roped her into planning a bestselling horror writer’s book launch extravaganza? But the second Kate meets—or rather, accidentally maims —the drop-dead-hot Drake Matthews, her well-ordered life quickly transforms into an absolute nightmare.

Drake Matthews is tired of the spotlight and tired of his reputation as the Knight of Nightmares. He's really a nice guy! But he’s not prepared for Kate, a fearless agent of chaos in steel-tipped stilettos, or for that sweet sting of attraction he feels for her. She’s inspiring him to take his writing in a whole new direction—one that no one expects. Because now Kate and Drake are changing up the rules, and this plot twist might just surprise everyone . . . including themselves.

"Fans of  The Hating Game  by Sally Thorne,  Red, White and Royal Blue  by Casey McQuiston,  Get a Life, Chloe Brown  by Talia Hibbert, and  Written in the Stars  by Alexandria Bellefleur will adore  How Sweet It Is !" --The Nerd Daily

As featured 

 Must-Read July Books

12 Swoonworthy Romances to Read in One Sitting

So, I picked up this book because I was recommended this book because my favorite movie is Nightmare Before Christmas, & I decided to finally give it a go over Christmas break to round out my reading goal. 

Kate Sweets is the Queen of Happily Ever Afters. She is a event planner- who plans weddings and more, and is known for her "aww moment." When she gets ripped into planning a book launch event for THE Drake Matthews- the Knight of Nightmares, horror writer extraordinare, how could she say no? Especially if it results in her winning a top reward- and possibly her parents approval, what could possibly go wrong? 

So, I was hesitant diving into this book, bc I'm not usually a fan of the illustrated covers- I love art prints, and graphic novels/comics, but for some reason, I often skip over illustrated book covers (mostly romance ones). They don't just have that allure to draw me in. But I finally decided to dive in over the holidays. I needed something light that I could read. And being recommended it because of my favorite movie ever? Count me in! 

It was a cute story. It was supposed to be a rom-com with some disasters between the characters- but besides a few parts that made me laugh, or smile, it was mostly just a cute contemporary romance (& reminded me why I don't often read traditional romance). It was a slow-burn... Kinda. While yes it took about 80% before anything happened between the characters (well, sex- there was one kiss scene shortly before but not by much) there wasn't as much build up between the characters. I would have preferred more push and pull between the characters. The will they or won't they leading up to finally getting together. And then of course, shortly after their first get together- there was conflict & a break up, so closely to them getting together, I wasn't really that invested in them together. 

So, this was nothing like my favorite movie- the Knight of Nightmares was just a horror author who wanted to branch out into romance. And the Queen of HEA was just Sweet (like her name). 

So while this wasn't really for me, it was a cute contemporary read, that might just be someone else's favorite. 

3 ⭐ out of 5⭐. 

1🌶️ out of 5🌶️ - "sweet" read, fade to black/no spice. 

Tropes: 

→ contemporary romance 

→ rom-com 

→ slow burn 

Trigger Warnings 

Review: One Last Rainy Day

 

Title: One Last Rainy Day: The Legacy of a Prince

Series: Ravenhood Legacy

Author: Kate Stewart

Release Date: July 2023

“My rainy days are yours, Dominic. If you want them.”

Once upon a time…

There lived a man with a vengeance-filled heart that held too many secrets.

And a woman, pure of soul, intent on uncovering them.

What they failed to realize is that through the storm their love would create…

a legacy would be born.

One Last Rainy Day is a spinoff of The Ravenhood Series, and the first installment of the Ravenhood Legacy series.

All books in BOTH series must be read in order.

The Ravenhood Series 

Book #1 Flock

Book #2 Exodus

Book #3 The Finish Line

Ravenhood Legacy

Book #1 One Last Rainy Day: The Legacy of a Prince.

This review may contain spoilers for the Ravenhood & Ravenhood Legacy spoilers: you MUST read all of the Ravenhood series before diving into this book. 

So, I took forever to read this book. I didn't think I was ready- because when I read these books three years ago, I grieved HARD. Dom was my favorite. Last night I asked my husband why he would let me read this book- because I wasn't ready. I was 80% through the book and knew what was coming and wasn't ready. 

This book follows Dom- and his legacy. His relationship with Sean, and Tyler and his brother Tobias. What he has been through. His first meeting with Cecelia, and his falling in love with her. And what happened after. 

And even though it has been years, and even though I still grieve over Dom- I finally picked up this book. And while this still brought out the emotion, it also brought closure. 

If you loved the Ravenhood series, and have been putting off this book like I was- I recommend picking it up. To give you more insight into Dom, and his relationships with those around him. And to also read about the legacy he left behind. 

5⭐ out of 5⭐. 

2🌶️ out of 5🌶️. A couple scenes with some details 

Tropes: 

→ contemporary romance 

→ emotional reads 

→ small town 

→ enemies to lovers 

→ angst 

Review: Beautiful Thorns

 

Title: Beautiful Thorns

Series: Boys of Bellerose

Authors: Tate James & Jaymin Eve

Release Date: April 2023

You know that saying, things can’t possibly get worse? They always can.

And they do.

It’s the last book of the series, you wouldn’t be here right now unless you were invested so just shut your eyes, hold your breath, and dive in.

It’ll all be worth it in the end.

Beautiful Thorns is book FOUR of FOUR in the Boys of Bellerose series. This is a mafia/rockstar reverse harem romance series with dark elements. This book does NOT end on a cliffhanger. Content is intended for a mature audience.

This is the conclusion of the Bellerose series. 

Everything must come to an end. And this story is no different. 

We will find out what happens to Billie and her boys. 

And while this wasn't a favorite series of mine, I enjoyed it. I love rockstar romances, and dark romances and why choose romance and sometimes even Mafia romances- and this series had all of these tropes and more. 

I loved these characters and loved getting the answers and closure for everything that has happened throughout the series. 

It was a great read, and I don't know where I am going from here. 

4⭐ out of 5⭐. 

4🌶️ out of 5🌶️. - Scenes throughout in detail, including some k!nks, dirty talk, etc 

Tropes: 

→ dark romance 

→ rockstar romance 

→ mafia romance 

→ why choose romance 

→ insta love 

→ second chance 

→ enemies to lovers 

Trigger Warnings

Review: Shattered Dreams

 

Title: Shattered Dreams

Series: Boys of Bellerose 

Authors: Tate James & Jaymin Eve

Release Date: March 2023

You know that saying, things can’t possibly get worse? They always can. 

I thought things were bad when we got attacked in the dark of the night. In a farmhouse in the middle of nowhere, with no one to help. When we lost one of the Bellerose family. 

But the world wasn’t done shitting on us just yet. 

Our situation only went from bad to worse as we tried to save ourselves, resulting in an explosion of heartbreak. Now we have to deal with the agonizing fallout of that fire-filled night. 

Angelo Ricci--the man I severely underestimated--saved us all, but at what cost? He doesn't deserve to die for me. Not after all I’d put him through. 

There’s no opportunity for grief, because the puppeteer pulling Bellerose’s strings wants the band back on tour with a brand new bass player. Like Flo never even existed.

Bellerose has been through so much already, and with gossip sites reporting on every damn breath, it’s impossible to keep our romances under wraps. Like we all needed fuel on the flames of already burning jealousy.

We need to come together, to grow stronger as a band, but with my heart so divided I’ll need some intense therapy to heal myself before I can heal all of them. Which I know I can do. I have to have hope. Because they’re the Boys of Bellerose.

Shattered Dreams is book THREE of FOUR in the Boys of Bellerose series. This is a mafia/rockstar reverse harem romance series with dark elements and gripping cliffhangers throughout. Content is intended for a mature audience.

Billie is trying to heal from past trauma and get on good standing with each of her men. 

But can she forgive some of them for what they did? 

And will the betrayal of a friend, be the death of Bellerose? 

So I love a broken hero, one with baggage. And I finally started getting answers into some of their past lives. Finally. I have been dying to know more about them since the beginning. Along with that, we got almost a complete picture on what happened to Billie too. 

But of course none of them could be happy for long- their past, their trauma, and their baggage isn't the only thing haunting them. They're being hunted, and still have no idea by who. 

I am still fully immersed into this story, still in love with these characters and can't wait to read the conclusion of the Bellerose series. 

4⭐ out of 5⭐. 

3🌶️ out of 5🌶️. - Scenes throughout in detail. 

Tropes: 
→ dark romance 
→ rockstar romance 
→ mafia romance 
→ why choose romance 
→ insta love 
→ second chance 
→ enemies to lovers 

Trigger Warnings

Review: Dirty Truths

 

Title: Dirty Truths

Series: Boys of Bellerose

Authors: Tate James & Jaymin Eve

Release Date: Feb 2023

You know that saying, things can’t possibly get worse? They always can.

I thought I’d reached a whole new low the day I ran from Bellerose. The day I was snatched by mafia goons, beaten half to death, and left wishing they’d finish the job.

But then an Angel saved me.

His kind of salvation wasn’t the freedom I’d been hoping for, though. Two months later I’m his prisoner in the gilded cage of his home. His pregnant mistress.

Angelo Ricci--my Angel--holds my life in his hands. He’s both protecting me, and condemning me, and if his father ever discovers our secret deal then death will be a blessing.

I’m tired, and scared, and don’t know who I can trust. All I know is that I miss the boys of Bellerose. Grayson and Rhett still hold parts of my heart, even if I could happily kick Jace in the nu… face. And Flo? She’s dead to me.

Literally.

Like, dead dead.

Wormfood.

Fate takes a turn in my favor when Bellerose gets a new owner, and an unexpected opportunity to reconnect with the band is forced on me. Getting locked in a secluded farmhouse with the guys who think I left them for my abusive ex sounds like a recipe for bloodshed, but I don’t get a choice in the matter.

Except, this time I’m not going alone. Angelo is tagging along, and seems determined to cause drama. Somehow we all need to make it out alive, but that should be easy enough, right? After all, I’m Billie Bellerose.

Dirty Truths is book TWO of FOUR in the Boys Of Bellerose series. This is a mafia/rockstar reverse harem romance series with dark elements and gripping cliffhangers throughout. Content is intended for a mature audience. Please consult the warning at the front of the book if you have any content sensitivity.

So this book picks up where book 1 ended, & you have to read book 1 to know what is going on. 

Angelo saved Billie when she was ran from Bellerose, taken by the Mafia and beaten almost to death. And he came up with a plan to protect her, again. She was a prisoner, caged in Angelo's house. His pregnant mistress, set to produce a heir to the Mafia family. And when Angelo's family buys out the company that owns the record label that owns Bellerose, Angelo, and Billie have to meet with them to make sure they are deep in recording their next album. Billie and her pregnant belly. 

Only, their lives are sent into turmoil- and now they have to figure out whose past has come to collect on their debts. 

Angelo- and his Mafia family has been a target for a new Mafia trying to take over. 

Grey is now back in the debt of his family after requiring their help to keep an eye on Billie. 

Rhett has been battling his dark past, spiraling after Billie left. 

Flo was broke, in debt, and her relationship with Tom was what sent Billie running in the first place. 

The only one who may not have any skeletons in his closet is Jace. 

But everyone thrown together in close quarters, is a result for disaster. 

Will everyone make it out alive? 

Sooo, I'm still unsure how I'm feeling about these books. 

On one hand- there are many tropes at play. Everything from rockstar romance, to Mafia romance to why choose and more, which is a bit overwhelming. 

But it's dark with plenty of twists and turns and drama. And it's addicting. 

I'm invested in these characters, intruiged about their pasts, and dying to know what will happen next. 

4⭐ out of 5⭐. 

3🌶️ out of 5🌶️. - Scenes throughout in detail. 

Tropes: 
→ dark romance 
→ rockstar romance 
→ mafia romance 
→ why choose romance 
→ insta love 
→ second chance 
→ enemies to lovers 

Trigger Warnings

Review: Poison Roses

 

Title: Poison Roses

Series: Boys of Bellerose 

Authors: Tate James & Jaymin Eve

Release Date: January 2023

You know that saying, things can’t possibly get worse? They always can. 

I thought I’d hit rock bottom when I turned sixteen. The day I broke my first love's heart, ending things before I could ruin his career as a rock star. 

But damn, was I wrong. 

Things got progressively worse from that moment on, until now. Eight years later, when I find myself homeless, jobless, covered in blood, and running from a ghost of my past.

Angelo Ricci--the second boy I ever loved--knows I saw him shoot a man. He’s coming for me, has men out all over the city looking for me, and if they find me I’m as good as dead. 

But I’m not giving up so easily. I’ll do whatever it takes to escape the Ricci family’s wrath, even if it means seeking sanctuary with the most unlikely, and unwilling of allies.

Bellerose is the hottest rock band in the world right now--in popularity and looks--and it’s just my luck that I stumble into their laps while running for my life. It’s not the best plan to hide out on their tour, but it’s the best I’ve got. 

Except, the only person that Bellerose’s frontman hates more than Angelo Ricci… might be me. Too damn bad. Jace owes me. After all, I’m Billie Bellerose. 

Poison Roses is book ONE of FOUR in the Boys Of Bellerose series. This is a mafia/rockstar reverse harem romance series with dark elements and gripping cliffhangers throughout. Content is intended for a mature audience.

You know that saying things couldn't possibly get any worse? Billie proves that they definitely can. 

She spent the last decade on the run- from her past, from not just one ex- but two. One ex turned out to become a famous rockstar, using their relationship as more than just inspiration to his fame. The other became part of the Mafia. So what were the chances she would run into both on the same day when her life spiraled out of control? 

Running for her life from one ex, landed her in the lap of the others- and hiding out on the tour bus of the hottest band in the world. But she could take the hate from her ex, if it meant being safe. 

But what happens once she responds the safety of the band she has grown to care for? 

Sooo... I'm not quite sure how I feel about this book. Don't get me wrong, I'm addicted to reading it. I've loved some of Tate James other books, and this one piqued my interest. 

But it has multiple tropes - from insta love to Mafia to rockstar to... Who even knows all rolled into one. 

I'm not usually a fan of insta-love myself. Like you know nothing about each other but already in love? *Rolls eyes*. It's not my thing. But I LOVE a good rockstar romance, and why choose romance and I'm definitely intrigued enough to keep going. 

They keep dangling the story of the past on what happened between the 3 that one faithful day, sprinkling little hints into the mix, just enough to give you a little something but haven't disclosed the full story yet. Not to mention, haven't gotten into the others past as well (which again, didn't expect because she was only there for a handful of days, who is gonna drop their life story in that time?) So I will keep going, because I want answers, and I want to know more about these characters & I cannot wait to see where the story takes us. 

4⭐ out of 5⭐.

3🌶️ out of 5🌶️. - Scenes throughout in detail. 

Tropes: 

→ dark romance 

→ rockstar romance 

→ mafia romance 

→ why choose romance 

→ insta love 

→ second chance 

→ enemies to lovers 

Trigger Warnings