Review: Cursed by K.K. Allen

Title: Cursed

Author: K.K. Allen

Publication date: July 6th, 2021

Series: Enchanted gods (1 of 3)

Stars: 4

Summary: Katrina Summer always knew she was different. Her fiery temper seems to perpetually land her in hot water, making her an outcast among her peers. When tragedy strikes and she’s sent to live with her only remaining family in the tiny coastal town of Apollo Beach, Katrina starts counting down the days until her eighteenth birthday.⁣⁣

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Only then will she finally be free.⁣⁣

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As Katrina learns the legends of her Ancient Greek ancestors, secrets from her heritage are exposed—secrets that her mother purposefully concealed. Her only solace is found in Alec Stone, the gorgeous guy next door. With his devastatingly charming smile, his persistent flirtation, and a love that sparks from the flames of friendship, he offers her a much-needed escape from the turmoil.⁣⁣

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If only she wasn’t cursed.⁣⁣

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As powerful forces threaten the lives in Apollo Beach, Katrina can’t escape the evocative world of mythological enchantment and evil prophecies that lurk around every corner.⁣⁣

Review: The book starts out fast, you get hit with some really important information. Now when I say the book hits fast I don't mean this book speeds through everything I just mean it immediately jumps in to tell you what you should remember. I really like Johnny, I don't care if he ends up being the bad guy. Alec is sweet and everything but I seriously don't trust him. Because it's mythology I kind of knew what to expect. But goodness I honestly didn't expect a few things like who in the Greek mythology it would be about. It was a fast read, I took breaks so I didn't finish it in one day.  I absolutely love Greek mythology so picking this book was a no brainer for me. If like me you love mythology I definitely recommend it. Also, if you like fantasy I would recommend it. I have also seen it described as a slow burn so take from that what you will. 

Review: Temptation by Ivy Smoak

 

Title: Temptation

Author: Ivy Smoak
Publication date: February 7th, 2015
Series: The Hunted (1 of 4)

Summary: Shy student Penny Taylor always follows the rules. At least, that’s how it appears to her classmates. But she has one illicit secret – she’s fallen hard for her professor. And she’s pretty sure he’s fallen for her too.

Everyone loves Professor Hunter. He’s tall, dark, and handsome. And completely unobtainable. But it’s the secrets hiding behind his deep brown eyes that allures Penny. Secrets darker than she could ever imagine.

James Hunter gave up his billionaire lifestyle in NYC last year to become a professor. The easiest new rule to follow: don’t fraternize with the students. It’s easy to follow because he’s become quite the recluse in his new town – the only way he knows how to keep his secrets buried.

But he never expected to be teaching such a beautiful student. He has to resist her. He needs to walk away. Penny deserves better than a man with his demons. But she’s daring him to cross the line. And he’s never been one to resist temptation.

Review: Holy cow, honestly whoa. I read it so fast not realizing how absolutely addicting their story would be. I cannot wait to read the second one or heck the rest of the series for that matter. I really liked Tyler but you know she's going to end up with the bad boy. I would really like to read Tyler's story though if it has been written (it definitely should be). Penny is funny and quick witted. She reminds me of me and how absolutely confused I was in my early 20s when it came to guys. I hope to see James open up a bit more in the upcoming novels as he is extremely guarded. His hesitancy to open up and her general lack of knowledge of men and how to handle situations leads to a lot of confusing moments. I highly recommend this book if you haven't already read it.

Review: The Engagement Arrangement by Jaci Burton

Title: The Engagement Arrangement

Author: Jaci Burton

Publication date: June 29, 2021

Summary: Brenna Bellini will never get married again. She plans to live out her days as a happy, successful, single woman. When she's chosen to be a bridesmaid in her friend's wedding at the Bellini family vineyard, she's thrilled. That is, until she realizes who else is in the wedding party. Brenna's going to have to spend four days in the company of not only her ex-husband, but also her high school nemesis. She just knows the fact that she's single and alone is going to be rubbed in her face all weekend long. Well, not if Brenna can help it. She's going to find herself a fake fiancé.

Finn Nolan is thrilled to be offered the job. He's had it bad for Brenna ever since he came over from Ireland to live at the vineyard. After falling for Brenna from afar for years, this Irish cowboy is determined to show the woman of his dreams that he is her Mr. Right. 

So what does a confirmed never-getting-married-again woman do when the man of her dreams unexpectedly lands right in front of her? Because for the first time, she might not be able to walk away. This time it might be forever.

Review: I absolutely love how the story starts out. I also love how stubbornly independent Brenna is. I really expected this book to be a quick read as I thoroughly enjoyed it. However it did take me a full day to read it. I really want to read the first book in the series as well as whatever follows. The family is fantastic and reminds me of mine if it was all boys (obviously not including me) instead of all girls. I also love that Finn just adopted/immediately took in a stray. This story is so sweet I highly recommend it

Review: Bad Intentions by Tara Wyatt

Title: Bad Intentions

Author: Tara Wyatt
Publication date: June 29th, 2021
Series: The Prescott's

Summary: Everyone in Manhattan thinks they know everything there is to know about Lucian Prescott.

In his mid-forties, he’s a successful businessman, the founder and CEO of one of Manhattan’s largest hospitality companies, the Prescott Group. He’s sexy, rich, and one of the most eligible bachelors in the city. Very few people know just how dangerous he is. Because he’s also the head of the Kings of Hell’s Kitchen, a small, elite group of former mob members who are the lynchpin in Manhattan’s underground organized crime scene.

But Lucian has more secrets than just his criminal ties—like the fact that he’s been in love with Olivia Walsh for the past five years. Olivia, who is eighteen years younger than him and happens to be the daughter of Prescott Group’s biggest, most important investor. She’s completely off-limits, but that doesn’t stop him from wanting her. In his arms. His bed. His life.

He knows he needs to stay away from her, no matter how he feels about her—or how she feels about him. But staying away becomes impossible when Olivia’s ex—a man almost as dangerous as Lucian—begins stalking her, and he’ll do whatever it takes to keep her safe.

He’ll burn down the entire city to protect the only woman he’s ever loved.

Review: This book does have a content warning so if you don't like dark romance this will not be for you. I would double check the warning before reading. Everyone has their limits, I appreciate that the author put a warning right away.
Now on to the review. I have not read the other books in the series. But just from the beginning of the book I know that it won't be long before I buy them and absolutely devour them, maybe even right now. I haven't been this obsessed with a book in a long time and I've read some fantastic books this year. I cannot wait to see what is to come for the Prescott cousins as well as the series for the King's of Hell's Kitchen. I think I am most excited for Killian's story. I'm officially hooked on the series and I'm ready for more. There is an age gap but the way they talk reminds me of my boyfriend and I. We have a ten year gap they have an 18 year gap.

Review: Hexing the Ex by Susanna Shore

 Title: Hexing the Ex

Author: Susanna Shore 

Publication date:  June 6th, 2021

Stars: 4.5

Summary: I didn’t expect to be evicted the first thing I returned from my holiday, but thanks to my roommate Nick, that’s what I was facing.

It’s not exactly easy to find a new place to live in London, so when Phoebe Thorpe spots a room-to-let sign at the window of a magic shop, she doesn’t hesitate. The room is perfect, even if chores are part of the rent. There is only one thing odd about her new landladies. They seem to believe magic exists.

Phoebe doesn’t believe in magic, but unfortunately magic believes in her. A mysterious statuette is sent to her boss, Archibald Kane, and she accidentally triggers a curse meant for him. Naturally, the first person she curses is her ex-boyfriend. But why would anyone want to curse her boss, a perfectly ordinary antiques dealer? Or is he?

Phoebe sets out to break the curse with the help of her new housemates. But it isn’t easy trying to solve a mystery she doesn’t even believe is real. Then again, that hellhound chasing her seemed pretty solid… Maybe there’s more to magic than hexing one’s ex.

This is the first book in House of Magic, a new series by Susanna Shore blending mystery and magic, with a resourceful heroine and plenty of action.

Review: I loved this book it's a cute and easy read. Plenty of little twists and turns. I cannot wait for the second book to come out! For more magical twists and turns. You get to see Phoebe's confusion as she learns of all the magical things around her she never knew existed. I love all the main characters as a whole and cannot wait to see their growth in the next book. 

Review: Once Upon A Royal Summer by Teri Wilson

 Title: Once Upon A Royal Summer

Author: Teri Wilson

Publisher: Hallmark Publishing 

Publication date: June 15, 2021

Summary: A theme park “princess” meets a single dad…who turns out to be a real prince!

Enjoy the delightful royal romance from acclaimed author Teri Wilson and Hallmark Publishing.

Lacey found her dream job: playing a princess character at a popular fairytale theme park in sunny southern Florida. Her diamond tiara might not be real, but the smiles of the children she meets every day certainly are. It’s just too bad that her ex-boyfriend was never impressed with her career choice.

Henry, the crown prince of Bella-Moritz, is trying to fulfill his young daughter’s birthday wish: to be a normal girl with a normal life. That’s why they’re pretending to be ordinary tourists at an American amusement park. Henry lost his wife four years ago, and he’s been going through the motions ever since. But could a meeting with a make-believe princess lead to real love?

Review: I loved this book. I adore how Hallmark books always seem to be a quick reads for me. I loved every part of this book, I literally read it all the way through without putting it down. The characters are all well developed and honestly I'd love to see a second book from Lacey's best friends perspective as she finds love. It sort of made me believe in prince charming again. It also showed me that you should never judge someone by their job choice because you don't know why they are doing it. It could have a deeper meaning than you'll ever know. I definitely suggest reading Teri Wilson's latest book!

Review: Bite Shift by Lena Nazarei

Title: Bite Shift

Author: Lena Nazarei

Publication date: May 13th 2021

Stars: 4.5

Summary: Kate Murphy is just a nurse and single mom who wants to slip into her forties quietly, and finally lose those last 10 pounds. After a savage attack during her night shift break, Kate is turned into a vampire to save her. Now, she is thrust into a world that she didn’t know existed; trying to figure out how to keep her new condition secret from work, kids, and her ex-husband without missing a step. It’s funny how the word vampire will make you forget you have a water bill.

Unfortunately, Sorin, the Lord of the city, has sent her on a suicide mission to find the thing that left her for dead before it kills again and he doesn’t take “no, thanks” for an answer. Despite knowing she should despise him, the passion he has ignited inside her is hard to control and she is quickly losing the reasons she shouldn’t give in...especially when he makes it clear that he wants the same thing.

Kate will need to reach inside herself to find the strength that was always there and finally learn...she was never “just” anything.

Review: I did not read the description of this book when I asked to review it. I've been on a Vampire/werewolf kick. I finished the book in about a day. Unfortunately it is not on Goodreads, but I would recommend it to anyone who loves Vampire books. As always there were tiny things that drove me crazy about the story line but overall it was a good read. The typing mishaps I'm equating to this being an ARC. There is nothing that I would change out it. I hope there is a second book to the story, I'd really like to know what happens from here!