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Hooked The Dark Begining to The Never After Series

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About The Author

Emily McIntire, the author of Hooked, wrote her first book, *Beneath the Stars*, in 2018. Although she has been writing for only five years, she has already published 11 books. Emily is a stage IV breast cancer “thriver,” a term she uses to describe her journey of living with and beyond cancer. She is the author of the *Never After* series, a steamy and dark retelling of classic Disney stories that starts here with Hooked, as well as the *Sugarlake* series, which addresses relevant real-world issues. You can learn more about her on Emily McIntire’s website: About Emily | Emily McIntire’s website

 

The World

Like many books in this series, it is a gripping reimagining of the classic fairy tale Peter Pan. In this version, Hook, also known as Captain Hook in the original, is the head of a drug empire, and his nemesis, Peter, is making a move on his territory. The story is set in a dark and unforgiving world, where ruthless characters and a few ‘extra spicy’ scenes add to the intensity.

 

The Beginning

This book is a journey into darkness, just what I needed when I was in a dark place myself. These books are the ones to read when you feel like you want the world to burn. You can take out that aggression through their villainous characters and then experience a sense of catharsis and emotional fulfillment, knowing that everything will be right with the world by the end. I have done one other review of this series…If you have read Hexed or my review of Hexed, let me warn you that THIS BOOK IS DARKER THAN HEXED. Hexed is a tame fairy tale compared to this guy; you can’t say I didn’t warn you.

 

The Characters

Get ready to meet your favorite characters from Peter Pan but in a new light. Hook, the MMC ( main male character), is not the same villain you remember. Orphaned at a young age and raised by his abusive uncle ‘Croc,’ who had a peculiar love for old clocks, Hook is still haunted by the ticking noise. His plan to kidnap Wendy, his mortal enemy’s daughter, is just the beginning of his reimagined story. 

Wendy, the MFC (main female character), may seem like the innocent daddy’s girl who follows orders, but her character evolves in a way that will keep you intrigued. The love and romance that blossoms between her and Hook is far from sweet and innocent, adding a layer of complexity to her character.

 

The Plot

The plot is incredibly dark and all-consuming. If dark romance isn’t your thing, stay away from these books. Warnings aside, I did really enjoy the plot. It kept me on my toes the entire time and satisfied my need to watch the world burn while simultaneously offering hope.

 

The Resolution

Whoa. That was an intense read. The epilogue, though? That was everything. It was happy and sweet. This book takes you full circle from watching the world burn to warm and fuzzy fluttering in your chest. Other reviews of the *NeverAfter* series Hexed: A Spicy Retelling Of The Little Mermaid – Rae’s Reviews. Other Emily McIntire Reviews Beneath The Stars By Emily Mcintire – Rae’s Reviews.

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Enchantra By: Kaylie Smith The much-anticipated Wicked Games Sequle

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About The Author

Kaylie Smith, a passionate lover of all things magical, draws her inspiration from her upbringing in Louisiana, a land steeped in rich lore. Her literary journey has seen the creation of two distinct series, The Wicked Games and The Heartless Fates. Her breakthrough came with Phantasma, a book that garnered accolades such as the Good Reads Choice Awards of 2024, Barnes & Noble’s Best Books of 2024, Indigo’s Best Book of the Year, and Audible’s Best Book. More on Kaylie Smith and her enchanting books can be found here.  Author Kaylie Smith

 

The World

Enchantra is the second book after Phantasma. You don’t necessarily have to read them in order, as they are two completely different stories. Still, Phantasma explains more about the world and the paranormal creatures that reside there. Enchantra is the Silver family’s mansion, where the family is trapped and forced to play a deadly game year after year to save their mother from a terrible fate.

 

The Beginning

Enchantra has been on pre-order since I finished Phantasma, so it didn’t take much convincing to pick it up. I knew this book would be about Genevive, the sister, and I couldn’t wait to read it. What drew me in the most in this book were its characters. The Silver family is so full of interesting characters, all with different traits and magical abilities, that I’ve never read. Rowington gives me Ruhnn Dannann vibes. If you ever read Crescent City and loved Ruhnn, you’ll know what I’m talking about here.

 

The Characters

The main character in Enchantra is Geveieve Grimm. If you have read Phantasma, and I highly suggest that you do, you will recognize her as the sister who ran off in an attempt to play the game to save her family from debt. Now that they are no longer in debt, Genevieve is desperate to learn more about her mother and her own supernatural abilities. She wants to find someone whom she could connect to, someone like her.

For the love interest, we have Rowington, aka Rowin. He is a broody, dark-haired, tattooed, and pierced bad boy with a surprisingly soft heart. All he wants is to win this game that his family is cursed with and save all of them.

Each member of the Silver family possesses unique abilities, making them a delightful and entertaining bunch. Their distinct personalities and magical prowess will keep you both amused and on the edge of your seat.

 

The Plot

The plot in this book was very fast-paced. You don’t have to read Phantasma first, but I highly encourage it because you will know all of Genevieve’s background information if you do. She and her sister are who their mother was, and most importantly, who her sister is married to and why she feels this need to find somewhere she feels she belongs. Is the plot easy to guess? Yes and no. It is a paranormal romance, guy. I can not stress enough that if it is a romance, we know it will have a happy ending. Was I able to guess how it got there? Absolutely not; oh my goodness gracious, did this book keep me on my toes. To win this game, they had to outsmart the big evil demon, a formidable opponent with powers beyond imagination. The strategies and sacrifices they make to deceive this demon will keep you at the edge of your seat.

 

The Resolution

This book was everything I wanted it to be, I devoured it. Honestly, I enjoyed this one more than Phantasma. I was able to relate to it more. Who among us doesn’t yearn to find that place where they feel like they belong, to find their people? It would be unconfirmed if there were another book in this series, but I have no doubt that if there is one, it will do amazing things to my heart. The book’s end suggests more, and I have a small hope that the next match will be Luci and Grave. Curious? Go read it!.

 

LINK TO PHANTASMA REVIEWPhantasma: A Gothic Paranormal Adventure In New Orleans – Rae’s Reviews

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Kingdom of Claw by Demi Winters: A Dark and Exciting Continuation

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About the Author

Demi Winters, a new author based in British Colombia, Canada, is a passionate storyteller who adores fairy tales, fantasy, and romance. Her first series, The Ashen, which includes The Road of Bones and Kingdom of Claw, is a testament to her love for these genres. To learn more about Demi, her books, and her purpose, visit her website at Demi Winters, Romantic Fantasy Author.

The World

The Kingdom of Claw is the second book in The Ashen series, and much like the first book, The Road of Bones, it takes place inside the Kingdom of Iseldur, a world filled with Viking-type characters, mythical and magical beings, and its god lore. The world is vast, with intense winters getting longer and longer. Many believe it is the work of the god of Chaos. There is a map at the beginning of the book that allows its readers to easily follow along the journey of its characters to see just how far they have traveled. The Thing that sets this series apart from the many popular romantic novels today is its unique Viking lore.

The Beginning

All the world-building in this series is done in the first book, so when you start this one, it jumps right into the good stuff. However, there is a small prologue at the beginning, with some vital background information that readers will want to pay close attention to. The author does have a quick recap of the first book in the first few pages, and I found that to be an incredible idea. Too often, my favorite series has taken YEARS to release the next book, and I must re-read the whole series to remember what happened. Not that I mind doing that; sometimes that’s fun, too. But when the series has six plus books, and it took two years for the final one to come out, it could take months to work your way through to remember everything.

The Characters

Much like the first, this second book follows many characters. I know that sometimes that makes a book hard to follow, but that’s not an issue with this series. The switch from one character’s perspective to another is seamless, and there isn’t one boring one.  The main characters in this book are Silla and her sister, Saga. Two princesses, separated after their kingdom was taken from them, struggle to gain control of their lives and their magic while trying to find their way back to each other. The main male characters  (MMC) in this book are incredible. You have a broody giant Viking who controls fiery ash and burns his enemies from the inside out and a character from across the seas with a few secrets of his own. This series will not disappoint you with its spice, romance, family drama, and fantastical creatures.

The Plot

The plot in book two is much faster-paced than in the first, but that’s because all of the background world-building has already been done. No, we can dive headfirst into the nitty-gritty stuff. This book starts with one of the sisters developing anxieties about her magic and accepting her title, as well as the others’ hysterical fear of leaving the confines of her cage. As they try to find their way back to each other, both worlds are blown apart and changed irrevocably.

The Resolution

The series doesn’t end here. It has not yet been confirmed how many more titles will be in the Ashen series, nor do I know the title of book three. If I did, I would already have it pre-ordered because the cliffhanger in this book was Rebecca Yaros’s level (author of the Empyerean series).

Review of the first book in The Ashen Series hereA Gripping Viking Tale: Blood, Betrayal, And Discovery – Rae’s Reviews

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Beneath the Stars By Emily Mcintire

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About The Author

Emily McIntire wrote her first book, *Beneath the Stars*, in 2018. Although she has been writing for only five years, she has already published 11 books. Emily is a stage IV breast cancer “thriver,” a term she uses to describe her journey of living with and beyond cancer. She is the author of the *Never After* series, a steamy and dark retelling of classic Disney stories, as well as the *Sugarlake* series, which addresses relevant real-world issues. You can learn more about her on Emily McIntire’s website: About Emily | Emily McIntire’s website

The World

This book is set in the present day but features two distinct time periods. It begins with the main characters during their adolescence and then transitions to their lives as adults in the present day. “Beneath the Stars” takes place in a small southern town where everyone knows each other. The setting is vividly described, capturing the essence of a quaint town in Tennessee. From the glow-in-the-dark stars on Alina’s bedroom ceiling to the real stars they gaze at while lying in the back of Chase’s pickup truck, the imagery is enchanting.

Although the book does not include a map, it offers a playlist of songs to listen to while reading, which I find adds to the overall experience and makes the book feel more immersive. What truly distinguishes this story is its realistic and relatable portrayal of the world. It addresses genuine issues in a way that enlightens readers about difficult topics while simultaneously keeping their attention with romance and the evolving relationships between characters. 

The Beginning

This book introduces us to two main characters, who are around eleven and thirteen years old. It takes me right back to the days of slumber parties, walking down the road to my best friend’s house, and enjoying the pool on hot summer days. It’s incredibly nostalgic and gives me all the happy, tingly feelings that I seek from what I call a “feel-good book.” 

The setting is a small town in Tennessee where everyone knows everyone. I consider the world-building in this book to involve more of the plot setup and background information rather than the traditional sense of world-building, as it is set in a real-world, present-day environment. This setup takes about three-quarters of the book, but all of it is essential information for this book and the others in the series. Thankfully, it’s very entertaining to read.

If you’ve read “It Ends with Us” and “It Starts with Us” by Colleen Hoover, this book feels like she took all the best elements from both and combined them into something beautiful. I didn’t discover this series until after I had already started to appreciate Emily McIntire as one of my new favorite authors after reading a few of the “Neverafter” books. Her name on the beautifully illustrated cover caught my attention, along with my desire to expand my feel-good romance collection, especially since the fantasy genre seems to be dominating right now, and a balance is necessary.

This book is adorable and serves as the perfect palate cleanser. I’m eager to read the other books in the series!

The Characters

The main characters in this book are Alina Carson and Chase Adams. Alina is portrayed as a typical small-town girl facing the usual challenges, but it’s Chase Adams who truly stands out. Chase’s backstory is compelling—his mother struggled with addiction, which resulted in him and his sister being placed in foster care. They faced numerous hardships before finally settling with their current and last foster family. These experiences shaped Chase into an incredibly relatable character, serving as a reminder that “this too shall pass.”  Quote from Chase “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.”

The supporting characters are also noteworthy, as they will become central figures in the subsequent books of the series. If you pay close attention, you might be able to predict the romantic pairings, although we will still enjoy following their journeys.



The Plot

The plot of this book was fast-paced, and I finished the 400-page novel in just three days. It follows the typical romance novel formula where you know the couple will end up together; that’s part of the appeal of picking up the book. If you’re looking for a feel-good story that offers a reassuring sense of hope, you’ll definitely find that here. 

What I particularly loved about this book is that the plot was so real and believable that it was heartbreaking at times. It addresses uncomfortable real-life issues, which adds depth to the story and makes it thought-provoking. The book tackles topics that we often prefer to ignore, such as the flaws in the foster care system and the impacts of drug abuse on individuals and their communities. Yet, it also illustrates how people can learn, grow, and overcome obstacles to find happiness.

The story begins with the main characters as young children, which might make you wonder why you’re reading a romance novel featuring twelve-year-olds. However, that’s one of the best aspects of the book. By starting with their childhoods and exploring their backstories, you gain a deeper understanding of how they eventually come together as adults. 

In many writing classes, I was told to start stories in the middle of the action, as readers typically don’t want to wade through extensive backstory. Yet, McIntire challenges this notion by beginning at the start, knowing that understanding the characters’ history is crucial to appreciating their journey.

The Resolution

The ending of this book was satisfying and happy. Both hardships were resolved, yet enough possibilities remained for the next book in the series. 

More reviews of Emily McIntire here: Hexed: A Spicy Retelling Of The Little Mermaid – Rae’s Reviews

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Famous Last Words By Gillian McAllister: A Real World Thriller

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“Famous Last Words” by Gillian McAllister is a real-world thriller that I never realized I needed to hear. It addresses important issues and made me feel less alone in my frustrations about how, for lack of a better word, challenging the world has become today.

About The Author

Gillian McAllister graduated with a degree in English before becoming a lawyer, which contributes to her ability to craft accurate and thrilling mysteries. She lives in England, where many of her stories are set, and now writes full-time. McAllister is a New York Times bestseller with a number of books to her name, including *Wrong Place Wrong Time*, *Just Another Missing Person*, *Everything but the Truth*, *The Choice*, *The Good Sister*, *The Evidence Against You*, *How to Disappear*, and *That Night*, which was a Richard & Judy Book Club pick. To learn more about Gillian McAllister and her works, visit her website here Gillian McAllister.

The World

Famous Last Words unfolds in the vibrant and bustling heart of modern-day London, a city steeped in history and rich with diverse cultures. This captivating narrative is grounded in reality, eschewing the fantastical elements typically seen in the novels I review. The absence of elaborate world-building is not a shortcoming; rather, it accentuates the story’s authenticity as a true tale.

Set against the backdrop of London’s iconic landmarks—from the majestic silhouette of Big Ben to the winding streets of Soho—this book invites readers to immerse themselves in the palpable atmosphere of the city. Despite the limited descriptions of the environment, the essence of London resonates throughout, echoing the lives of its inhabitants.

In this thrilling mystery, the setting, while understated, serves as a silent witness to the intricate web of events that unfold. The urban landscape plays a minimal role, yet it enhances the tension and intrigue, reminding us that in a city as complex as London, even the most mundane places can hold extraordinary secrets.

The Beginning

What captivated me about this book wasn’t just the beginning; it was the enticing blurb and title. It tells the story of a young couple grappling with the challenges of a new baby. Then, the husband loses control, takes hostages, and ultimately kills them. While I don’t have kids, I believe everyone experiences intense pressure at some point in life. We’ve all heard stories in the news about someone who has genuinely “snapped” from stress.

As I read, I felt an unexpected connection with the narrative. There’s a young woman who is exhausted from sleep training, anxious about her first day back at work, and worried about dropping her little one off at daycare, all while her husband is missing and not responding to her texts or calls. The young mother’s anxiety is described so vividly that it feels incredibly real.

Though there may not be much world-building, the story setup at the beginning is both necessary and utterly gripping. There are no hints or giveaways as to what might be happening, making it all the more captivating and entertaining.

The Characters

Camilla Luke Deschamps and Niall are the main characters in this book. Camilla Deschamps is a new mom struggling to return to everyday life amidst the usual stresses that a newborn puts on a marriage. As an editor, she is surrounded by books, which she loves for their ability to transport her to another world. However, after the mysterious incident involving her husband, Camilla can’t shake the feeling that something is wrong. Her husband was a good and kind man who would never even think about owning a gun. With so many unanswered questions, she must find a way to move on with her life for the sake of herself and her daughter.

On the other hand, Luke Deschamps is initially a mystery. My first impression of him was of a new father overwhelmed by life’s stressors. Instead of staying strong and pushing through, he snapped and ultimately disappeared, leaving no clues about where he might have gone or the reasons behind his actions.

Then there’s Niall, the lead host negotiator assigned to the Deschamps case. On that fateful day, more than just his job failed him; he struggled to let go of the guilt. If I had to choose a character who experiences the most growth in this story, it would be Niall. He confronts his faults and the mistakes that led to the incident, determined not to give up until he makes things right.

The Plot

The first part of the plot was fast-paced and filled with action, true to its thriller roots. The middle of the book slowed down, but there were enough mysteries and unanswered questions to keep the reader engaged and invested. This book had me guessing throughout. I was convinced I knew how it would end, but I was completely and utterly wrong. Isn’t that the hallmark of a well-written mystery? It keeps you guessing, allowing you to piece together bits of information while still delivering an ending that surprises you.

The Resolution

The resolution of the story was incredibly satisfying and provided me with the happiest ending I could have hoped for. I was convinced that this book would end in heartbreak and tragedy. Would I change anything about this story? No, it was perfect for the era we are living in. Will I pick up this book again? Absolutely. During those times when I feel like the world has fallen to chaos and I’m feeling hopeless, this book serves as a great reminder that I am not alone. It reassures me that hard times will eventually pass.

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Phantasma: A Gothic Paranormal Adventure in New Orleans

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The World

The world inside Phantasma is a paranormal place; it’s dark and creepy but in a good way. The world is Earth-like and set in a gothic version of New Orleans. It gives off an old-timey vibe with its use of corsets and full suit sets in its fashion, not to mention the use of ‘Manors’ and important family names. The actual setting of Phantasma is the Phantasma manor itself. A supernatural Manor that comes and goes, changing its location after each of its residents/contestants finishes playing its dark game. This book does not have a map like many Romantasy reads. Still, it does include an essential overview of species that I encourage you to study if you are unfamiliar with the paranormal world. This book’s supernatural and ghostly aspect really sets Phantasma apart from the others in its genre and does it well.

The Beginning

Phantasma instantly grabs your attention as two sisters bustle around to do their family rituals after their mother’s surprising death, but what really draws the reader in is the accurate description of OCD tendencies and that little internal voice that urges you to do unspeakable things in the back of your head. We all have those intrusive thoughts and do our best to ignore them and never voice them. This book took that voice and, well… gave it a voice. You don’t have to worry about the world-building taking forever and a day in this book. You learn everything you need to within the first ten chapters, so you spend less than half the book trying to understand who’s who and what’s what, like in many fantasy books. That may sometimes be enjoyable, but if you are ready for a break from the heavily themed worlds, Phantasma is a good pick.

The Characters

The main character in Phantasma is Ophelia Grimm, a Yong woman who struggles with her internal demons and with the pressures of the expectations of taking over the family’s magical abilities and duties. Ophelia is one of the most unique main female leads I have encountered in the book world in a long time. Her blatant OCD and her intrusive thoughts having their own evil presence made her relatable. In this crazy world that we live in, who doesn’t struggle with their intrusive thoughts? For the love interest, we have a phantom named Blackwell, and boy is their tryst spicey and addicting. Everything that I expected for having an affair with a supernatural being of the ghost variety who can change their corporeal form in a second’s notice ;). These two main characters, necromancers, and phantom, make for a very entertaining and spicey read.

The Plot

Phantasmas plot is fast-paced and easy to follow. That doesn’t mean it’s easy to guess the ending, though. In fact, I usually pride myself on seeing the ending of a book from a mile away…the curse of the avid reader…but I wasn’t able to see this one. There is a classic Romeo and Juliet troupe with forbidden love, and the plot is very linear. You go from one level of the game to the next, and each level is more deadly than the next, kept interesting by the author’s unique use of the deadly sins and paranormal beings.

The Resolution

The end of Phantasma left me with all the warm and fuzzy feelings. It was incredibly satisfying and left just enough room to suggest a story continuation—but from the sister’s point of view.
Phantasma was a refreshing, unique, spicey, and incredibly enjoyable read. I am looking forward to reading about Genavie’s chance of adventure and love in Enchantra in April 2025.

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A Gripping Viking Tale: Blood, Betrayal, and Discovery

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The World

As a reader who loves maps, I was happy to see that there is indeed a map at the beginning of this book that tells you all of the essential places and shows you the path of the road of bones … and honestly, that’s all you really need to know … in this book. There may be a more descriptive one in the sequel because our beloved Bloodaxe crew will have many more adventures coming for them. There is also a pronunciation guide at the back of the book with a glossary. I highly recommend that you mark these pages before you begin your reading, especially if you’ve never read any Viking tales before. The names can look daunting. XD. Not to mention, all the new creatures are only in Viking lore. Don’t worry; these pages have no spoilers, unlike a few books I’ve read where you find the glossary or a family tree, which reveals the ‘true identity’ of the main character and spoils the surprise. This was not my first Viking lore read, but it was my first with so much magic involved and all of the different supernatural creatures. I have never heard of any of these creatures before. It was refreshing to delve into a world so rich in mythology and a bit terrifying to encounter these new creatures. I will never look at deer the same way again.

The Beginning

The beginning drew me in with its brutality, honestly. I knew this book was about Vikings, but I forgot how brutal the Viking world was. If you don’t like books with buckets of blood and gore, then put this one back and try again. So much blood … and crows and eyeballs … give me more. The world-building in this book took the entire book to get the whole picture, but it is the first in a series and a fantasy one, so we have to expect a decent amount of world-building. The critical thing to note is that even though there was all this world-building, I was always energized and energized. It never dragged; something was always going on, whether it was being attacked and an intense battle or a sexing Viking chopping work and witty banter between comrades.

The Characters

The main character in this book is Silla. The author does an outstanding job of only telling us what we need to know when we need to know it, so we spend the entire book trying to figure out who Silla is right along with her friend in the Bloodaxe crew. And the crew? Amazing sub-characters. I adore every single one of them. The betrayal that you’d never guess, the earth-shattering revelations, and the friendships that are made in this crew are something that I found refreshing. Yes, the author did jump from one character’s point of view to another, but she did it in a way that wasn’t hard to follow, and it all made sense. There wasn’t a single character that I felt that internal groan when it was their turn for a POV. The love aspect? Sexy and spicey…just how I like them. I don’t want to spoil it and tell you who it is. Read it if you like a scruffy, muscular man who could throw you over his shoulder, battle your enemies, and not break a sweat.

The Plot:

The beginning of the book starts at a steady pace—not too fast, but not too slow, either. However, once you reach part two, be prepared to finish the book in one sitting, even if it means staying up late on a work night, which I may have done. The plot is creatively written, keeping you engaged and wondering what will happen next. I could not figure out the ending during my read, especially regarding the identity of the traveling murderer. What a reveal! The revelation of Sillas’s true character was minor compared to that. A large group is involved in the story, but I don’t want to say too much, as it would give too much away. I will refer to it as a seemingly weak young woman who discovers her strength and takes over the world! It is a seemingly weak young woman who learns her strength and takes over the world!

The Resolution:

Was the resolution satisfying? It was, in the way that the first book in a series often is, featuring incredible last-second reveals and open endings. I wouldn’t say it concludes with a cliffhanger, but it certainly left me eager to add the second book to my shopping cart as soon as I finished it. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I wouldn’t change a thing about it. From the creepy creatures to the bloody battlefields and the challenging names, I loved every moment of it.

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The Stars Are Dying: A Tale of Love and Darkness

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The World

At the start of the book, there’s a breathtaking map, complementing the book’s exquisite beauty. A character and pronunciation guide is conveniently located at the end, which you can safely review before diving in, without any spoilers regarding characters or plot. The narrative is rich with supernatural elements, teeming with fae, vampires, and celestial beings, all encapsulated in a quintessential battle between good and evil. It posits a theory where death transforms you into a star, yet these stars are extinguished by an ongoing celestial war.

The Beginning

The start of the book failed to captivate me until the introduction of Nyte, the lead male character. His entrance exuded a vibe reminiscent of ‘The Guild’ series, featuring a woman who is captive yet somewhat complicit. This trope isn’t one I particularly enjoy, so progressing through the book required some effort on my part.

The Characters

My favorite character in the book wasn’t even a main character; her name is Cassia. She’s a strong, willful woman who is incredibly humble and kind, despite coming from a very affluent family. The main protagonist, Astrea, failed to resonate with me. Unlike the formidable women I’m used to reading about, she doesn’t stand up for herself. Instead, she’s portrayed as a pitiable woman trapped in captivity, uncertain of how to free herself or if she even wants to. The main male character, Nyte, resembles Rhysand in that he’s a master of shadows who speaks his mind. The key difference is that while Rhysand was cast as the antagonist, Nyte openly admits he’s the villain. The narrative conveys a sense of innocence being obliterated by darkness.

The Plot

Working through this book was a challenge for me. The predictability of the plot diminished my enjoyment significantly. Additionally, I found it difficult to empathize with the female protagonist. Despite anticipating her moment of self-assertion, she only occasionally stood up for herself and ultimately succumbed to the male lead, whom I also found unlikable due to his manipulative and possessive nature. When the plot is foreseeable and the connection with the main characters is lacking, it makes for a difficult read.

The Resolution

Indeed, the ending was quite predictable. Being the first in a series, it concluded on a cliffhanger, leaving readers guessing the author’s direction. Overall, the book was underwhelming. It left me desiring more: more empowerment for female characters, more sexual tension, and a male lead who doesn’t drive the female protagonist to the brink of insanity. This is the first book I’ve critiqued where the cover was more appealing and fulfilling than the story itself.

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Cozy Christmas Reads to Brighten Your Holiday Spirit

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We all know how hard it is to stay in the Christmas spirit. There is so much stress around the holidays. How many presents do I need to buy? Do I have the funds for all of these presents? Who’s going to whose house, and when can we fit in at all family and friend gatherings? Then, if you’re a retail worker like I am, well, you know the amount of insanity we go through this time of year. so what can we do to stay in that Christmas spirit? And how have I, a retail worker of ten-plus years, kept my love of the holidays? books. The answer is always books. so let me list my favorite cozy Christmas reads to help you stay in touch with your inner Cindy Lou.

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The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter is the book to read if you’re not really that into Christmas. It’s actually a murder mystery/ romance. It’s a very entertaining read for those of us who are less festive.

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The Christmas Tree Farm by Laurie Gilmore is a cute little book that reads like a classic Hallmark Christmas movie with a little more spice. It’s the perfect cozy book to read during a snowstorm.

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How My Neighbor Stole Christmas by Meghan Quinn is your classic How the Grinch Stole Christmas book, complete with a cute little poem in the beginning and, of course, a little added spice for the adult version.

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Hexed: A Spicy Retelling of The Little Mermaid

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The Little Mermaid flipped on its head with lots of spice.

The World

Hexed is a retelling of The Little Mermaid. It is set in the real world with a heavy mobster vibe and influence. Instead of tracking Ariel, the sweetheart of the sea, you follow Yrsa, the poison expert. This author has written many of these fairy tale retellings where they follow the villain. My favorite quote by her is, “Because the villain deserves love, too.” Instead of being your Cheesy, heartwarming romance, these books are spicey and honestly…real.

The Beginning

The beginning of this book drew me in instantly. You start with Yrsa pinning an unknown male down in the most seductive way …before she kills him. It left me with so many questions, who was that? Why did she kill him? Why does she have to do it so erotically? I just had to continue to read to find out.

The Characters

The main female character is Yrsa Venessa, a poison expert working for her Uncle T. She is the person he calls when he needs something done or a person to disappear. The main male lead is Enzo, the son of an Italian mobster in New York. He is engaged to Aria Yrsa’s cousin but not by choice. Isn’t it fun to make the connections between the movies? Don’t worry; it’s completely different…and yet not simultaneously.

The Plot

It starts out fast and doesn’t stop. I never wanted to put this book down. If I didn’t have to go to work to pay for my book addiction, I wouldn’t have put it down. I would’ve stayed home and read it until I finished. As with most romance books, they obviously ended up together. Still, I never guessed how it would happen.

The Resolution

So, satisfying. It’s so bloody and gruesome and sexy. It has a happy ending. It’s happy only in the way that two people from gruesome mobster backgrounds who enjoy butchering people can be. But it was everything I wanted. It was everything I needed. I took a break from my fantasy and cheesy romance books that I love so much….was this a cheesy romance? Romance, yes…cheesy? Only if you call butchering your enemies while they are chained in a meat locker for foreplay cheesy.

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