Four Steps to the Perfect Fake Date by Lilian Monroe | Review

 Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for the opportunity to read this advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion and review.  

Four Steps to the Perfect Fake Date by Lilian Monroe
Genre(s): Romance
Release Date: March 11th, 2025
Publisher: Montlake
Pages: 352
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 
Spice: Steamy 🌶️🌶️ 

We all have our "Daphne" days—grabbing that pint of ice cream to distract ourselves from life's whirlwind. Daphne's chaos, though, is on another level: breaking up with a fiancé who thinks she’s boring, losing their dream home, and a job gone up in smoke. With so much on her plate, she retreats to her small hometown, feeling defeated.

Returning home brings its own share of complications, especially when Daphne lands a short-term job as an accountant at the local police station to investigate some financial discrepancies. The twist? The sheriff just so happens to be none other than Calvin—her high school rival. Calvin lives for teasing Daphne, teasing her just enough to get a rise out of her. Their quick-witted banter as they clash (and occasionally collaborate) over the investigation was an absolute delight—it had me laughing and hooked throughout.

As the story unfolded, I loved watching these two drop their walls, share their vulnerabilities, and find a way to connect amidst all their personal baggage. Calvin masked his own struggles, while Daphne worked to regain her lost confidence. Their vulnerabilities unfolded in such a heartfelt way, as they slowly let down their guards, revealing their true selves. The drama caused by the grandmas only added to the charm and hilarity of the story.

This wasn’t just an enemies-to-lovers tale; it was a story of growth, understanding, and forgiving one's past. Their banter was the perfect mix of humour and heart, and the backdrop of a small-town police station made their journey all the more unique and memorable.

I Would Die For You by Sandie Jones | Review

 

I Would Die For You by Sandie Jones
Genre(s): Fiction, Thriller
Release Date: March 25th, 2025
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Pages: 320
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ 

Spice: Steamy 🌶️🌶️ + Trigger Warnings

Nicole’s has fled England to leave her past behind and has built a new life with her husband Brad and their daughter, Hannah. Life seems good—until the unthinkable happens: Hannah is kidnapped, and Nicole’s buried secrets resurface with a vengeance.

The novel unfolds across two timelines, 1986 and 2010, weaving together the lives of two sisters, a popular band, and a scandal. While the story starts off slow, it gains momentum as the timelines begin to overlap. Once the action picked up, I was completely invested in uncovering the true story. The ending is a whirlwind of action, with delusional characters, shocking confessions, and truths that change lives forever.

Heads-up: the book includes themes of sexual assault and drug use, so tread carefully if those are sensitive topics for you.

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read this advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion and review.  

We Were Warned by Chelsea Ichaso | Review

We Were Warned by Chelsea Ichaso
Genre(s): Fiction, Young Adult
Release Date: March 4th, 2025
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Pages: 358
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 
Spice: Mild 🌶️ 

This gripping thriller kept me hooked from the very beginning. The narrative unfolds in a town overshadowed by a gruesome murder and haunted by the belief that a cursed property dooms anyone who dares step onto it. Over the years, reckless teenagers have paid the ultimate price for trespassing. When two more fall victim, their friends band together to unravel the chilling mystery behind these tragic deaths.

This book is fast-paced and action filled from start to finish! The author does an amazing job building suspense and creating tension—you’re constantly on edge, trying to figure out what’s really happening. The story itself is packed with detail, and everything feels so vividly described that it’s like you’re right there in the middle of all the chaos. I’m officially a fan and can’t wait to read more from this author!

 Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the opportunity to read this advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion and review.  

Boy with Wings by Mark Mustian | Review

 Thank you to NetGalley and Koehler Books for the opportunity to read this advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion and review.  

Boy with Wings by Mark Mustian
Genre(s): Historical Fiction
Release Date: March 15th, 2025
Publisher: Koehler Books
Pages: 338
Rating: ⭐⭐
Spice: Low 🔥 

Mark Mustian’s “The Boy with Wings” effectively captures the turbulence of a world grappling with the Great Depression, the lingering scars of slavery, and the deep-rooted social injustices of the era. Set in the late 1920s American South, the novel vividly portrays a society weighed down by fear, hate, and oppression. 

The story revolves around Johnny, a boy marked by a peculiar birthmark that grows into wing-like shapes. Born into a deeply religious community governed by hate and fear of the unknown, Johnny’s life is marred by rejection. His mother, desperate to protect him, fakes his death, and flees in a bid for safety. After his mother’s death, Johnny’s journey only grows more tumultuous as he becomes a centerpiece in a freak show circus. Through his encounters with cruelty and rare acts of kindness, the novel explores themes of identity, isolation, and belonging.

The story was interesting and explored significant societal issues, but it was challenging to follow the narrative. I had to put in quite a bit of effort to follow along with the plot as there were aspects of the writing that were intentionally vague and left me confused. I enjoy deep, rich storylines but this one didn’t quite hit the mark for me.

Don’t Trust Her by Adriane Leigh | Review

 Thank you to NetGalley and author Adriane Leigh for the opportunity to read this advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion and review.  

Don’t Trust Her by Adriane Leigh
Genre(s): Psychological Thriller
Release Date: March 13th, 2025
Publisher: Joffe Books
Pages: 221
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 
Spice: Mild 🌶️ 

This book was an incredible read! It delves into the struggles of a marriage teetering on the edge of divorce. Genevieve is married to Alexandre Moreau-DuPont and they have two small children. Alexandre works nonstop and never seems to be around, while Genevieve grapples with the challenges of fitting in with high-society moms and trying to raising children while also dealing with some lingering regrets about her pre-motherhood life. Genevieve may at first seem like a stereotypical wealthy woman concerned with appearances, but her vulnerabilities and inner conflicts make her relatable and deeply human.

Enter Adeline, a former au pair with a complicated past, who crosses paths with Genevieve at just the right moment. Their meeting feels fated, presenting an opportunity for Genevieve to gain some much-needed support and perhaps reclaim a sense of control over her life. Adeline's character adds layers of intrigue, and her backstory is revealed through flashbacks.

This is by far my favourite novel by Adriane Leigh - the plot twists are absolutely phenomenal! By the time the pieces started falling into place, I found myself questioning everything I thought I understood. The blend of suspense, family drama, and character depth made this book hard to put down.

It’s a must-read, and I can’t recommend it highly enough!

Healthy Happy ADHD by Lisa Dee | Review

 Thank you to NetGalley and Rodale Books for the opportunity to read this advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion and review.  

Healthy Happy ADHD by Lisa Dee
Genre(s):  Nonfiction
Release Date: February 4th, 2025
Publisher: Rodale Books
Pages: 336
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: No Spice 🚫

This book, written by a woman with ADHD, offers a comprehensive guide to health, fitness, and well-being tailored specifically for women with ADHD. It focuses on life hacks designed to meet the unique needs of those with ADHD, particularly the need for stimulation. The aim is to minimize overwhelming feelings and persistent stress, helping readers quiet the external noise and reconnect with their minds and bodies.

While the book touches briefly on scientific and medical concepts to explain the impact of ADHD on the brain and body, its main focus lies in providing practical strategies. These strategies are geared toward reducing mental and emotional overload by incorporating small, manageable changes into daily life. For instance, in the discussion on healthier eating, the book takes a positive approach by emphasizing foods to incorporate into meals rather than imposing restrictive guidelines.

I found the book to be interesting and informative, though it required some time to fully absorb everything. This is definitely a resource worth keeping on hand to refer back to in the future.

The Fall Risk by Abby Jimenez | Review

 Thank you to NetGalley, Amazon Original Stories, and author Abby Jimenez for the opportunity to read this advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion and review.  

The Fall Risk by Abby Jimenez
Genre(s): Romance
Release Date: March 1st, 2025
Publisher: Amazon Original Stories
Pages: 82
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: Sweet 🌶️ 

This story explores the journey of finding love in unexpected circumstances. Charlotte and Seth are thrust into an unusual situation that confines them to their apartment building for an entire weekend. Charlotte, haunted by a string of past traumatic events, initially tried to avoid getting to know her neighbour. However, she quickly sees that he is a good guy and opens up to him. While stuck in their building, their shared experiences on the landing outside their apartments are really adorable. 

I found the climax scene to be somewhat rushed, as it unfolded quickly without fully capturing the significance of the event when Charlotte confronts her tormentor and takes back control over her life. I wish the scene had been longer with more depth to truly emphasize the impact of this moment on Charlotte’s life. 

Charlotte’s transformation is the highlight of the story. She evolves from being fearful and withdrawn into a confident woman thanks to Seth’s steady and calming presence. He becomes the anchor she needs, providing stability and support as she works through her trauma. These two are adorable and deserve all the love.

Where You Belong by S.J. King | Review

 Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read this advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion and review.  

Where You Belong by S.J. King
Genre(s): Psychological Thriller
Release Date: March 4th, 2025
Publisher: Storm Publishing
Pages: 418
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: Medium 🌶️🌶️

This gripping psychological thriller is set in a futuristic society governed by advanced technology and dystopian control. This is a wild read that plays mind games with the characters and the readers.

Julia and James live a nice, comfortable life with two young sons. However, as the breadwinner, Julia's role sparks resentment in James until he seizes the opportunity of a lifetime. James quickly whisks his family off to a secluded living community dubbed the “Haven” where the family gets to live as a perk of James’ new job. The Haven is supposed to be a perfect self sufficient community where everything one needs is at their fingertips. You don’t need to leave for anything. In fact, you can never leave. 

Julia is a brave heroine who fights against rigid rules and challenges societal expectations. She fights to uncover the truth behind the terrifying facade that is the “Haven”, even if it means endangering her life and her family's safety. 

I felt an overwhelming sense of panic as I read this novel. Imagine the horror of slowly losing your freedom and everyone seems to be going along with the plan, except you. This novel has many layers of complexity and unexpected twists that are played out throughout the narrative. The end of the novel will shock you. 

I highly recommend this novel to anyone who loves a good mind bending plot.

Dishonorable Hero by Cora Kent | Review

Dishonorable Hero by Cora Kent (The Terlizzi’s #2.5 )
Genre(s): Dark Romance
Release Date: February 8th, 2025
Publisher: Independent
Pages: 36
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Spice: No Spice 🚫 (in this prequel)

This prequel starts out with an extremely violent and intense scene. Late at night, Luciano Terlizzi finds himself alone in an alleyway with an enemy that wants to send a message to his other. Luciano is in the wrong place at the wrong time and endures severe punishment. As he recovers in the hospital, he resolves to take revenge, setting the stage for the full length novel “Charming Villian”

Though the violence was a lot, I am excited to read another story from Cora Kent's world of Mafia families and their illicit operations. I love the raw intensity and spicy dark romance of her full length novels and I am hoping that Charming Villain delivers!

Thank you to BookSprout and author Cora Kent for the opportunity to read this advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion and review.  

Check out my book reviews on other books in this series by Cora Kent:

Ruthless Sinner (Terlizzi’s #1)

Other Book Series by Cora Kent: Twisted Sisters Series

Twisted Truths (Twisted Sisters Prequel)

Beautiful Mistakes (Twisted Sisters #1)

Beautiful Mistakes by Cora Kent | Review

 

Beautiful Mistakes by Cora Kent
Genre(s): Romance
Release Date: February 22nd, 2025
Publisher: Independent
Pages: 440
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 
Spice: Hot 🔥🔥🔥

Fearless and headstrong, Lucrezia Castiglione was born into a powerful Mafia family and endured a brutally abusive childhood at the hands of her father, only to be forcibly exiled by her brother. After escaping exile, she returns home, driven by a thirst for revenge against her brother Saverio. Lucrezia is smart, fearless and is cool-headed when faced with danger.

Teaming up with Raiden Drake, a local motorcycle gang member known for his brutality and brawn, the story escalates into chaos with explosions, violence, kidnapping, and murder. As Lucrezia and Raiden plot their revenge together, they bond over their shared hardships and past traumas, slowly building a deep intimacy and connection.

The book is a dark romance filled with intense violence. Some scenes are definitely tough to read, giving readers a raw glimpse into the life of crime. Overall, I enjoyed reading about Lucrezia and Raiden’s story. This is my third book in the Mafia world written by Cora Kent and I can’t wait to check out the others!

Thank you to BookSprout and Cora Kent for the opportunity to read this advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion and review.  

Before you read this book, click the image below to read my review of the prequel Twisted Truths.

Twisted Truths (Twisted Sisters Prequel)

Check out my book reviews on other books by Cora Kent:

Ruthless Sinner (Terlizzi’s #1)