Review: The Ways We Betray (The Path of Temptation Series Book 4) by Auryn Hadley

The Ways We Betray by Auryn Hadley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

So Good I Read It Twice

This is the fourth book of a continuing series. You need to read the first books in the series to understand this one. The book ends at a natural break in the story, but there are lots of things left unresolved that I’m desperate to read about. The first book in the series is The Price We Pay.

This book starts just before the beginning of the second and final initiate year for Nari and her chosen family. Saval has taken over the education for their year group after the disaster that nearly ended Talin’s life the year before. As someone who can also see Zeal, their god is happy to help her make plans to finish their education properly. After making their choice to specialise in Entertainment Nari and Ela are thrown into a much more complete and enlightening education. Nari is also taking her extra classes, both of which she finds fascinating and lead her to meet even more priests in different branches of the priesthood. Even though everything seems to be going well, of course, things aren’t going to stay that way.

This book only covers the period between the Summer and New Year, so there is a lot packed in. The growing emotional bond between Nari, Ela, Talin, Wraythe, Anver and Zeal is the main focus of this book. Through exploring their emotional bonds, we are also exposed to more about their history and personalities. The characters internal landscapes are explored through multiple points of view. These characters are all growing as they get a little older, gain more education and training and have more experience of what they want from life. The developments are all in keeping with their core personalities and are part of a believable and engaging journey to attaining their goals.

This book deals frankly with the difference between lust and love and how the characters separate the two things to maintain their relationships. Though we still have very passionate and erotic content within this book, the sessions the Priests of the Body engage in within this book are not just about these encounters. These sessions are also about socialising with people of different backgrounds and dealing with the differing needs of the individuals concerned. This also aids in exploring the relationships between the different temples. This is especially useful as Zeal’s siblings start to step up needing aid in connecting with their own priests.

Zeal not only wants to bring back the power of the gods for himself and his siblings but because he wants to help his people. We see glimmers of this in the way he talks about his manipulations and nudges of temptation and the things he wants to achieve with them.

The Head Priest, Kinen, doesn’t show his hand very often in this book, which leads me to believe that we’ll see more of him in the future. There are still plenty of difficulties faced by the five Priests of Temptation, but they are not all brought about by Kinen. There are external politics to be dealt with, instead of solely focusing on internal ones.

This book, like the others in the series, wraps you up and doesn’t let go until you turn the last page. I was wrapped up in it so tightly I was disappointed when the book ended. In fact, I couldn’t bear not reading more, so I read it again straight away. That NEVER happens to me. There is something about this combination of characters that resonates with me. There is something so accepting and inclusive of these priests who follow Zeal.

As always with this author, we can see the foreshadowing and the laying out of pathways that may lead to further plot twists and the tying off of loose ends that were left from previous books. It’s a masterclass in how to write a complex and engaging series and I can’t state how much I love it. Originally this series was meant to be 5 books long, but at the end of the book, we are informed that there will actually be a further two books in the series, which makes me ecstatically happy as I can’t see myself ever getting tired of these characters and the incredible world in which they live.

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Review: Enlightened (The Ascension of Meghan May Series Book 2) by Jaya Moon

Enlightened by Jaya Moon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

History is Revealed

I’d probably give this book 4.5 ⭐️ if I could.

This is the second book in a continuing series. You need to read the first book to understand this one. The book concludes at a natural break in the story, but there is a lot more yet to come.

After Tallow has told her to stay away from the Kin for her own safety, Meghan tries to return to her usual dull routine of sleep, eat, work and repeat. However, it seems like the world of the Kin does not want to let her go now they have found her and her abilities. At least it gives her a chance to see Tallow and Mox again.

This book is full of revelations about Meghan’s history and about the men she has come to care for. She seems to spend quite a lot of this book being overloaded with information about what she hears. Some of the information seems to conflict with things she thought she understood and it leads to confusion.

There is violence in this book, counterbalanced with passion elsewhere. It made me feel like I was being thrown from pillar to post, never knowing what emotional wringer I was going to get pushed through next. Poor Meghan experiences much worse than me. Her emotions are all over the place. She’s still grieving the loss of her family, she has strong feelings for an owl shifter, a human and an angel, she finds out she’s not what she thought she was and the Kin want her to risk her life for them. If some of her decision-making skills are a little shaky I can forgive her, given the state of her life.

This book is just as compelling as the first in the series. Meghan is someone I can empathise with and I really want to know what happens to her next. The plot is intriguing and I want to know more about the men in Meghan’s life. I will definitely be reading the next book soon.

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Series List: Artemis University by Erin R Flynn

This continuing series is not yet complete, so I will try to add the new titles to this post along with any links to future reviews.

Series List

Book 1 - Upended Life

Book 2 - Drowning Studies

Book 3 - Surviving Plagues

Book 4 - Weakened Mountains

Book 5 - Thwarting Cheaters (Review Not Yet Written)

Book 6 - Compounding Traumas

Book 7 - Dodging Calamaties

Book 8 - Reaching Answers

Book 9 - Managing Expectations

Book 10 - Erupting Shadows

Book 11 - Multiplying Storms

Book 12 - Unregulated Upheaval

Book 13 - Absorbing Inevitability 

Review: Absorbing Inevitability (Artemis University Series Book 13) by Erin R Flynn

Absorbing Inevitability by Erin R. Flynn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

No One Is Listening

This is the 13th book in a continuing series, which means you won’t understand the story unless you’ve read the preceding books first. The book ends at a natural break in the narrative but it’s still one heck of a cliffhanger!

Tamsin is now 21 years old and for the last two years, she has spent practically every day working towards doing things for other people. As she’s freed more fairies life hasn’t got easier, in some ways, it’s more pressure. In other ways, things have got more simple because she doesn’t have to hide who she is, and has support for taking care of some of the problematic supernaturals.

The ordinary fairies are supportive, on the whole, but they are not who she is around all the time. She’s around The Elite, The Ancients and The Guardians and they are not listening to her when she says that she needs an element of freedom. They aren’t listening when she asks for help, no matter how hard she cries.

This is a difficult book to read because Tamsin is basically being triggered and traumatised all the way through the book. She’s emotional and struggling and she is only getting the support she needs from a few limited places. It’s more support than she has had before, but she’s having to deal with more than she ever thought possible. She’s overwhelmed and can’t see things changing.

It also seems like she can’t catch a break with her mates. She never has all the people who claim to love her in a good place with her. They nearly always hurt her and it seems like she’s the one who always has to forgive.

I really enjoyed this book but I felt like I’d been put through the wringer afterwards. No wonder Tamsin needs a break because I certainly do! I just wish the book hadn’t ended on such a cliffhanger. It’s going to drive me nuts having to wait for the next book in the series.

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Review: Wanted Girl (Neighpalm Industries Collective Series Book 4) by Lexie Winston

Wanted Girl by Lexie Winston
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Dangerous Times

I'd probably give this book 4.5⭐ if I could.

This is the fourth book in the series and follows directly from the end of book three. You need to read the previous books to understand this book. Though this book ends at a natural break in the story, there is a significant hook to draw you on to the next book in the series.

Harlow, Kai and Jaxon are in Hawaii enjoying their short break, whilst the men work on their various businesses. Their wonderful experiences are tainted by the attacks on Harlow. Back home, Harlow’s safety becomes everyone’s priority. Making the best of things Harlow spends her time working on her complex and rewarding relationships with the Summers men. She also finds herself becoming more involved in understanding her family’s businesses. She also starts to build a relationship with Jacinta as they finally begin to accept each other.

This is such an enjoyable series and the complex plot keeps you guessing all the time. I still have no idea about who is causing Harlow problems and why. I thought I knew, but I determined I had NO clue by the end of this book. I love it when a book or series can keep me diverted and intrigued like that. Though this is a reverse harem book and the romance and passion form a significant part of the plot, the mystery/suspense aspect gives the relationships a rich tapestry on which to rest. It keeps things moving and affects all the relationships by applying different amounts of pressure on the various characters. It’s also not a one-dimensional plot as there are different strands to the mysteries surrounding this charismatic and unusual family, which are probably not all related to each other.

I really enjoyed finding out more about the main characters in this book. Each book reveals more about their individual pasts and how they have shaped their personalities and how they interact with Harlow and each other. For instance, in this book, we find out a lot more about Jacinta and start to see the real person behind her insecurities and irrational rage towards Harlow. We start to see why the brothers are so protective of their sister.

One thing, in particular, I like about this series is that Jacinta’s behaviour is not accepted and she faces consequences for actions. She also seeks help from her therapist and the professional aid guides her through the damage her psyche sustained as a child. This author shows redemption through hard work and I like it when that happens.

One of the other things I liked about this book was Harlow becoming more open towards friendships as well as her relationship. Before coming to California she was a loner with only her foster family providing love and support. She’d never been in a proper relationship before meeting the Summers, and the love of her family and the involvement with her ‘harem’ has helped her become more open to having other people in her life and she starts to trust in her friendships. She also takes a long hard look at her relationship with her foster sister/best friend Max.

This is a complex and intriguing, passionate, sexy and fun book, and the series as a whole is no less so. The characters are complicated and fascinating and each book peels the layers back further so we understand the motives of each person better. I can’t wait to see what happens next to this entertaining family.

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Review: Magical Collision (Biomystic Security Series Book 5) by Jaliza A Burwell

Magical Collision by Jaliza A. Burwell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Shifters Causing Trouble

I’d probably give this book 3.5 ⭐️ if I could.

This is the final book in the series, and you need to have read the first books to understand this one.

Laila’s powers have been unlocked and her aunt is thankfully coming to stay to teach her how to use them without blowing up the surrounding countryside. Having family for the first time in her life has left Laila unsettled but happy.

Laila’s 20th birthday is coming up and it feels like a watershed moment to her, when society will no longer see her as a teenager. She wants to make sure her men are able to stick with her for the long haul so she decides to take them out on individual dates.

Whilst dating she is pulled into problems the shifters are having internally because dating a pack Beta means she can’t ignore the problems.

The main problem I had with this book is it felt formulaic. It was logical and clearly laid out and life isn’t like that. I also can’t fathom 7 men, some of whom are hundreds if not thousands of years old, jumping through the hoops of an, admittedly very bright and powerful, nearly 20-year-old with trust issues. I can sort of see maybe one or two, but having some of the most powerful and ancient men in the world falling for her just seems over the top to me, especially when she’s basically divorced from her emotions. Though I am glad they have suggested she needs therapy!

I also feel that this book rushed through resolving all Laila’s issues by having an epilogue set 10 years in the future where everything is all sorted out. I feel that emotionally there should have another couple of books to wade through her ability to commit and to allow the men to all have their moments to shine and really reveal who they were rather than a simple list of character traits that fit into the story.

This was the first series by this author and it has a lot of promise, however, that promise is not realised in these books and I probably wouldn’t recommend them. However, I believe that there is a lot of really good solid writing and creativity in this series, that kept me reading to the end as the plot was enjoyable and the world-building was really interesting. I just felt the emotional side of things let the series down a little. I believe that as the author gets more experienced this aspect of her writing will balance with the rest of her skills.

I look forward to seeing what she can write in the future.

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Review: Magical Redemption (Biomystic Security Series Book 4) by Jaliza A Burwell

Magical Redemption by Jaliza A. Burwell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Retribution and Redemption

This is the fourth book in a continuing series. You need to read the first books to understand this one. There is a natural break at the end of this book, though there is a hook for future books.

After the attack on Biomystic Security and the loss of friends and colleagues, Laila is battered emotionally, physically and magically. Told that she can’t use her magic until she recovers enough means that she can’t even work and it makes her even more miserable. Trying to come to terms with temporarily losing the use of her magic and the loss of her friends she knows she can’t return to her home because it’s not safe, so she’s stuck in a company apartment. On top of this, her boyfriends don’t understand that magic is a part of her and can’t be ignored completely. Frustrated and feeling misunderstood and isolated she becomes a victim of another magical attack, one that seems tied to the work she’d been doing that Padraig tried to steal.

It’s been a while since I read the first three books in this series but I was reminded about it recently so decided to return to this book. I’d forgotten how much I enjoyed the first books and was pleased to find that I was able to follow the plot without having to re-read the first three books. The information that I needed to remind me of previous events was given in a smooth and unobtrusive manner, which I always appreciate.

In this book, we get to see more of the dragon that is moving to the city because of Laila. We finally get the full explanation of what it is he wants. We also get to learn more about the Elementalists and about Laila’s past. There is a lot of plot in this book with peril to both Laila and her lovers. She also has to deal with unfamiliar magic and fear of the unknown. The book primarily deals with the suspense/adventure part of the plot and Laila’s emotional frailties and to a certain extent, I wish there had been more about the connection between Laila and the men in her life. I didn’t feel much of a bond in this book, there just seemed to be a lot of tension, and not the good kind. I hope in future books, this gets resolved after facing a few of her demons in this book.

I won’t leave it so long, this time, until I read the next book in the series, because despite the lack of emotional connections there was a still a really interesting storyline.

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Review: Unregulated Upheaval (Artemis University Series Book 12) by Erin R Flynn

Unregulated Upheaval by Erin R. Flynn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Aftermath

This is the 12th book in a continuing series that definitely requires reading the previous books to understand. There is a cliffhanger.

In the aftermath of the fairies return being revealed, there are many decisions for Tamsin to make. Tamsin has to decide how to make progress in bringing the two factions of fairies together to stop the constant wars. She needs to handle the elders and ancient ‘advisors’ in a way that won’t tear her society apart. She also has a huge list of evil people that she can now legally deal with as the Light Fairy Heir.

Still not at 100% after getting her wings, Tamsin has to accept protections she never would normally and she is learning to let go of some of the tight grips of control on everything she has always maintained. She has too much to do and finally has people to help if she lets them.

As always, Tamsin’s love life is a mixture of good and bad. Some of her men are wonderful, some, not so much. It seems the constant pressure of being Tamsin’s lover/mate is not conducive to happiness.

This book was a great leap forward in the plot as lots of strands of storyline from previous books came together as the fairies returned. The consequences of the actions taken by the supernatural elites are finally revealed and most are stunned that they are finally being called to task.

I liked that in this book we get to see more of the way fairies lived inside fairy. Tamsin gets taken on a tour and we have a lot of ordinary life explained to us via Tamsin. It’s great world-building and I enjoyed it a lot. We also got to see that bringing together the two factions might be easier for those who didn’t hold a lot of power under the old system.

As always there are massive highs and lows in Tamsin’s emotional state. She gets support from unexpected quarters and she gets none from some that she relies on. Even Neldor seems to be acting supportive, despite her suspicions of him when he’s being nice. However, I wouldn’t be Queen of Fairy if you paid me!

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Review: Two Tricks (Hidden Empire Series Book 1) by Elizabeth Knight

Two Tricks by Elizabeth Knight
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Two Criminal Gangs

This is the first book in an ongoing series. The book does end on a cliffhanger but it comes at a natural break in the story so it’s not too annoying.

Dax is a tattoo artist, business owner and enforcer for a criminal enterprise, the Hidden Empire. She’s petite, fierce and very dangerous. She lives with her best friend/family Weston, who is also her partner in the tattoo parlour and with the Hidden Empire. Weston also happens to be an incredible hacker and their different sets of skills complement each other very nicely. Her other friend, Harper, was her roommate in college and is completely unaware of the Hidden Empire because Dax doesn’t want that to touch her fashion designer friend.

A lot of people have their eyes on Two Tricks, the head of The Hidden Empire and one group, the Phantom Saints MC, decide to take a rather unusual approach to get Two Tricks to agree to work with them. Two Tricks never works with MCs so their unusual approach is something that may be the only thing that would work.

I’m not usually a fan of 1%er MC fiction and I’m definitely not usually interested in main characters who are ‘bad guys’, however, these bad guys aren’t as bad as they first appear, or at least they are shown as less bad in the way the author writes.

Dax is ruthless and crazy but the Hidden Empire’s smuggling operation also works as protection for the neighbourhoods in which they work. The Phantom Saints MC may be a 1%er club, but they protect the families of the men they work with and they have a strictly hands-off approach to women and children.

There is plenty of violence in this book, mainly from Dax, but with the MC both they and Dax almost see it as a weird sort of courtship ritual. The alliance that the MC want with The Hidden Empire becomes wrapped up in a personal relationship between the leadership of the MC (five men) and Dax. Dax isn’t overly fond of romance and has cut herself off from those kinds of feelings after the death of her twin, but the MC leadership seem to wriggle between her defences without her really noticing.

Dax’s relationships with Weston and Harper are her anchors, even though Harper is unaware of her criminal side. Weston, however, knows Dax better than she knows herself and there is no end to his loyalty towards her. I really liked Weston and thought he was an interesting character. Harper was a bit more superficial and girly and got Dax into trouble without realising it, however as she was unaware of Dax’s criminal activities it’s to be expected she might drop her friend in it without realising it, so I forgave her.

This book is high action, with plenty of violence and tonnes of hot sex. It’s got a few interesting plot twists and I liked the craziness of the characters. The book is entertaining and diverting and the characters are strangely likeable despite their criminal endeavours. The book reminded me somewhat of A.J. Macey’s The Aces series in spirit. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for future books in the series.

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Review: The Rowan's Destiny (The Killian Blade Series Book 3) by Stella Brie

The Rowan's Destiny by Stella Brie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

An Enemy Is Uncovered

This is the third book in a continuing series. It marks the end of this section of the story that focuses on Arden. The story will continue in future books focusing on a different main character, therefore there is no cliffhanger, just a few hooks to get you looking forward to the next books in the series.

This book is filled with content to keep you guessing what will happen next. The plot moves at a very fast pace and a lot happens to the characters. I gulped this book down in one sitting despite my gritty eyes at the end because I couldn’t stop following what was happening with each new turn of the page.

Arden must find a way to achieve her destiny, whatever she chooses to make of that. She has been given the guidance of visions of her deceased mother and other ancestors who set things into motion to provide her with a chance to make things right in the world of magic. The path she was forced to walk has taken her to a place where she can discover who her enemy is and do her best to defeat them. She also has to determine the best way to lead the witches into an age of acceptance of all magic users, no matter how much they hate the idea.

The path to winning her battles is not an easy one and not everything is smooth sailing in her relationships with the members of the Imperial Cadre. External pressures come to bear on their relationships and it may prove too much to accept for Arden when decisions are made for her without her knowledge or agreement.

This book is filled with passion, romance and the love of a family, made through choice. It’s not only the Cadre who are important to this sense of family but also those that raised Arden in the absence of her mother, and the other friends that she makes on her journey.

This author writes such rich and diverse characters they seem to step off the page into your heart and mind. They feel real and believable, as though you could bump into them in the street. The members of the Cadre are all so different yet at heart, they share the same passion for helping and protecting others weaker than themselves. They are flawed in such different ways and their personalities sometimes may be abrasive, but they are good people and adore Arden and the changes she has brought to their lives. I like how each relationship Arden has with the members of the Cadre is unique and separate from the others. Obviously, there is some involvement because these men have been family to each other for nearly 1000 years, but they don’t butt in too much and Arden doesn’t let them even if they wanted to. All of them, including Arden, have their own responsibilities separate from being part of the Imperium Cadre and these can take them away from home for days and weeks at a time. However, they are lucky that texting works across dimensions. Technology and magic in conjunction seem to do marvellous things!

There is so much unveiling of hidden truths in this book that it is difficult to keep up. It may be complex and fascinating, but the fabulous plot does not overwhelm the emotional content of this book. The characters and their emotions, and their connections to each other are as important to the book as the troop manoeuvres, magic skills and political manipulation. It’s very difficult for an author to maintain that balance in a book of this nature and that this author has achieved such a perfectly poised balance is a credit to her. It gives me high hopes for the rest of the series, that it’s not just the fabulous Arden that makes this series so readable but the entirety of the way she writes.

I’m sincerely looking forward to the next section of this series because even though one section of the plot is resolved, this world is fascinating and the next main characters are just as intriguing as Arden is!

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Review: By Her Sight (The Unitam Realm Series Book 1) by Sunny Hart

By Her Sight by Sunny Hart
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Reverse Harem Academy

This is the first book in a series. The story comes to a natural break, but it definitely leaves you wanting more.

Claire is a low-level witch, who still lives in the orphanage she was raised in, despite long being past the age of majority. She can do a few basic spells but hasn’t really had much training, because of being declared a low-level witch. As she’s also blind, there is nowhere else for her to go. She has a quiet life, mainly gardening, which she loves, and reading, using a spell to read books out loud to her. She doesn’t have any friends and has always been bullied. Then one day she is called into the Mother’s office and she is told that she is to attend the Realm’s Academy where the best and the brightest witches and shifters got to learn how to be the best examples of their races. Confused at the opportunity, she knows she has no other choice but to go.

As soon as Desmond, Everett and Malcolm meet Claire, they know she is not only their Fourth but also their respective Soul Flame and Mate. It is unheard of a Triad all being mated to their Fourth, but they know it’s true. Not wanting to scare away their ‘Little Witch’ they decide to keep their distance as she settles into her very new and challenging life.

I really enjoyed this book. It’s not the most original of plots or the best execution but I really liked the characters. I particularly liked that Claire makes friends before she becomes too attached to her Triad. Her friends are there for her all the way from the beginning. They are supportive and protective and provide invaluable guidance. It is through these friends that we learn about the much larger world that Claire finds herself in after leaving her very small and isolated home town.

The world-building is interesting but there are big gaps, which I believe will be explained further in the series as there are references to the world outside the Academy and potentially visiting her friends’ homes. I understand the author wanting to spend this first book examining the characters to draw the reader in, but I would have preferred a little more information about the world in which they lived.

On the whole, this was an engaging and enjoyable read and I look forward to reading the rest of the series when it’s published.

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Review: Aerial (Flying High Duet Book 1) by Manuela Rouget

Aerial by Manuela Rouget
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

NA Polyamory

I’d probably give this book 4.5 ⭐️ if I could.

This is the first book in a duet, however, there is no cliffhanger.

Fauve is french and partway through a business degree when she finally persuades her demanding parents that she can attend a prestigious circus arts school in Montreal. The course she is taking only lasts a year and the best student gets a guaranteed place at a very successful circus company (like Cirque d’Soleil).

Leaving her boyfriend Loup behind is a hard decision as they’ve been together 6 years and he’s also her best friend and acrobatic partner. They’ve decided to have an open relationship whilst they are apart, which on the face of it seems a bad idea, but they believe they can make it work.

The flat she moves into has two gorgeous men, one is a full degree course student at the circus arts school that Fauve is to attend and the other is an engineering student. Both men are gorgeous and they become flirty friends instantly and Fauve knows they could be something more.

I loved the premise of this book. It’s clever and something that young people face all the time, whether to make a go of a long-distance relationship or end it, or whether to try an open relationship which is always a risk. Fauve and Loup have been together forever and therefore have only small amounts of sexual experiences separate from their relationship but they also trust each other with their lives on a daily basis working together in acrobatics. Knowing they talk about everything and are capable of total honesty makes taking the opportunity to learn more about what they enjoy sexually when they are apart something they feel confident in trying.

I like how slow-moving the change in relationships are in this book. Fauve is in a very intensely physically and mentally challenging programme and as such is often exhausted with little free time. This slows everything down and gives a more realistic timeline than most romance novels, despite them all living together.

All three men are very different from each other, with different priorities and needs and Fauve enjoys being with them all for different reasons. I like how we get to know the characters slowly, rather than having cookie-cutter personas, which is often a risk in a reverse harem book.

Whilst there is plenty of hot sex in this book, it's not the main focus. For Fauve the school is the priority. Learning new skills and getting the opportunity of a lifetime is her prime focus and often the relationships take a back seat to it.

I loved hearing about the circus skills and Fauve, Tibault and Loup’s passion for them. There was a lot of detail and I found it fascinating.

There is also interpersonal drama of the friends variety, because of the pressure of school system where half the students get cut every quarter of the year. This makes things insanely competitive and puts additional pressure on any friendships.

I think this may have been a first published book for this author and I’m really impressed. It’s well-paced, articulate and imaginative. The characters are interesting and the world in which they live is fascinating. I’m looking forward to seeing the next book in the duet, when it comes out, even though there is no cliffhanger. I just want to read more about these characters and their lives together.

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Review: Refuge Found (Sanctuary Series Book 2) by SM Olivier

Refuge Found by S.M. Olivier
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Dystopian RH

This is the second book in the series and you need to read the first book to understand this novel. Though there isn’t technically a cliffhanger, there is a pretty massive hook to make you want to read the next book when it comes out.

Avery and her men are now at Sanctuary. Avery was named by her still-missing father as his representative, as one of the owners of the property, so she has a responsible position for someone who is only 22. She also has incredibly useful skills for surviving the apocalypse being a week from qualifying as a nurse and also being an expert martial artist whose father taught her to shoot before puberty. She’s also level-headed and able to work her way through emotional problems, probably due to her work with a therapist when she was younger. Just when you think she’s too perfect to be believable she still freezes up sometimes in unfamiliar or scary situations but she’s usually able to get herself together before its too late. She also runs in her sleep when she’s stressed, which is pretty dangerous during the apocalypse.

Avery has committed to her relationship with the men from Corbin and Wyatt’s unit and is working towards connecting with them all equally, despite the hiccups of spending time together when they are in responsible positions. One of the most important tasks they fulfil is being on the ‘recovery teams’. Essentially they go out and find as many useful items as possible, set up trade agreements, rescue those who need rescuing and try to avoid getting infected. A lot of this book covers this kind of activity which gives plenty of action to the book.

Along with the action component there are parts of the book that cover the emotional aspects of the characters. This covers not only the romance and passionate parts of their relationship but also the way they interact with their family and friends and the community as a whole, which is constantly evolving as new people arrive and circumstances keep changing.

There are also some really lovely moments with the baby Avery and her men have adopted. The dog gets some page time too, and he’s pretty awesome for a young pup who they’ve trained up to a full service dog who protects and guards.

There is a lot of drama with Avery’s twin sister and the people she contaminates with her lies, but that keeps the plot moving forward in how everyone reacts to her behaviour.

This is a complex and intriguing book. It’s hard to see where the story is going to go next, but I loved every page as I have become so invested in these fascinating characters. This author is incredibly gifted at creating believable and engaging characters. It’s one of the things I love most about her writing. You can’t help but get swept along with their drama when you connect with them so thoroughly.

I can’t wait to read the next book in this series because there are so many hints of things to come that seem really interesting. I can’t wait to find out more about all the characters and see what happens next in Sanctuary.

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Review: The Mercy of Demons (Underestimated Series Book 6) by Candice Wright

The Mercy of Demons by Candice M. Wright
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Amnesia Sucks

I’d probably give this book 4.5 ⭐️ if I could.

This is the 6th book in a connected series of stand-alone stories, with an overarching plot. You don’t need to read the other books to understand this one, but it will certainly help you understand a few sections of the plot better if you do.

Mercy is a Kings of Carnage MC Princess. Her uncle Inigo is a member of the club and as her father died when she was very young her uncle stepped up to provide her with a father figure. As a result she spent a lot of time around the club. This is what pulls her into a bad situation with an enemy of the Club. Left for dead with amnesia it takes an act of faith to follow a clue and believe what the Club tells her.

To protect her she is sent to the Chaos Demons MC, where she will be hidden. She is assigned three protectors, one of which is Scope who is distinctly unhinged and decides that Mercy is ‘his’. The other two Kaz and Wizz get sucked into the situation to help dilute the Scope effect.

This book ties up a lot of loose threads of the story and as such, I feel like it tried to do a little too much. I also thought the whole amnesia part of the story was a little soap opera for my liking. It wasn’t really necessary to the plot except to provide a reason for Mercy’s original vulnerability when she’s a complete bad*ss. It also meant that the book was almost split into two halves, with me feeling a connection with Mercy before she remembered who she was and trying to connect in the same way with a brand new character who had history and knew herself and her capabilities. It made the story a little disjointed to me.

However, as always this author writes a story that sucks you in and characters that make you smile. There is so much filth you will need to fan yourself, so don’t read it in public if you blush easily.

I’ll be sad to see this series end, but the author writes at the end of the book that there will be spin-off books with side characters from this series, so that makes me happy.

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Review: Polaris (Stardust Series Book 5) by Autumn Reed and Julia Clarke

Polaris by Autumn Reed and Julia Clarke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

And They All Lived Happily Ever After….. Eventually

This is the sixth and final book in the series, and all the previous books need to be read in order to understand this one.

This brings the series to an end in a grand style. A lot happens in this book both romantically and plot wise. The men have finally come clean to Haley about making their 6 way relationship a permanent one, rather than an opportunity for her to decide which man she solely wants to be with. Finding this attitude difficult to understand and having to face the outside world with the consequences of that decision are not easy for Haley.

At the same time as coming to terms with the new relationships, Haley is trying to graduate the Zenith training program. She’s zooming through the course material and is even nominated for special strategy training, something that leads her into difficulties.

Haley and her men face conflict and danger in this last book. They have to decide whether to pull away and retreat to safety or stand together and fight for what they want.

This book finally has the ‘burn’ implied in the ‘slow-burn’ description of the series. It’s taken a while to get there, but it’s finally arrived. It’s not the hottest passion I’ve ever read, but it’s quite sweet and very tender and loving. This series, more than any other reverse harem I’ve read has the men separate in their involvement with Haley. They go on separate dates, they live in different places, they sleep in separate beds. Honestly, I think this is probably closer to what someone who is polyamorous experiences than fiction, but it’s unusual to read it laid out in this way. It’s only towards the end of this book we start to see them actually spending time together as a group, which is obviously part of the HEA.

I liked how Haley was portrayed as intelligent and competent. She was able to get herself out of a difficult situation with help from the men, but without her the situation wouldn’t have been resolved. I also liked how honest the relationship difficulties were. It wasn’t all a bed of roses and Haley did care what people thought about her. They all had lots to work through emotionally and it all took time to happen.

This was quite an enjoyable series and this book was a great way to round it off, with tonnes happening in it. It was a very good finale.

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Review: Vega (Stardust Series Book 4) by Autumn Reed and Julia Clarke

Vega by Autumn Reed and Julia Clarke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Going Home

This is the fifth book of a continuing series. You need to read the first four books to understand the storyline. Not all things get resolved in this book, but there is a natural break rather than a cliffhanger.

Team Jaguar finally finds a way to remove the threat that Douglas poses towards Haley’s safety. The threat isn’t completely gone, but it’s neutralised somewhat. As soon as that happens they have to decide how they want to proceed with Haley.

Haley is reluctant to return to an unresolved situation, but despite herself, the team talk her into giving things a try. When she returns, Patrick approaches her about taking Zenith training so she can be a strategist and trainer rather than a team member.

Things start to move forward slightly faster than they have been doing with the romance. Being apart for so long has crystallised things for all of them.

This book progresses both the relationships and the plot relating to Haley’s father. There are also internal problems at Zenith that leads the team into danger that have to be resolved. It felt like this book moved the series forward at something more than snail’s pace and was more interesting as a result.

The next book is the last in the series and I can’t wait to see how they wrap things up.

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Review: Chamaeleon (Stardust Series Book 3.5) by Autumn Reed and Julia Clarke

Chamaeleon by Autumn Reed and Julia Clarke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Searching For Haley

This is the fourth book in a continuing series. You need to read the previous books to understand the story. This book ends on a cliffhanger as the story continues in the next book.

Haley left Santa Cruz and very carefully made her way away from the men who had confused her and the threats made by Douglas. She was methodical in hiding herself, helped out by the fake IDs left for her by her father.

The men are working hard to find her to make sure she is safe and to find out why she left them with no warning or way to find her. Haley’s departure has forced them to work out what they want from her and how to achieve their goals without imploding the team or hurting their friends.

A lot happens in this book. Haley has to learn to stand on her own two feet, which is easier than it would have been when she first left Coleville. She also spends some time reviewing her father’s old case files, trying to work out why someone would want him dead. The men are trying to trace Haley and work out how to protect her, and there are many layers to that.

I really enjoyed this book as it felt like it had kicked things up a notch, with the men finally talking about their feelings and Haley taking action without running it past anyone first.

I can’t wait to read the next book.

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Review: Pyxis (Stardust Series Book 3) by Autumn Reed and Julia Clarke

Pyxis by Autumn Reed & Julia Clarke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It’s All Different Now

This is the third book in a continuing series. You need to read the first two books to understand the story. This book ends on a cliffhanger.

In this book, tensions begin to mount between Hayley and the men of Team Jaguar. Emotions are becoming more muddled and the men all seem to be showing signs of wanting to change the nature of their relationship with Hayley. The trouble is that Hayley shares those feelings with all of them. She can’t decide who she wants to have a relationship with because they are all perfect in their own ways.

Things move along quite a bit in this book, especially with the romance aspect of the story. Hayley spends time alone with all of the men and finds herself growing closer to each of them. There still isn’t much heat in this book, but there is some actual kissing this time!

As well as confusion about the men, Hayley is also dealing with not knowing where her father is. She feels guilty for being happy in her new life, whilst not being able to talk to her father.

With the cliffhanger at the end of this book, I’m going to have to download Book 4 straight away, because I want to know what happens next!         

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Review: Draco (Stardust Series Book 2) by Autumn Reed and Julia Clarke

Draco by Autumn Reed & Julia Clarke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Is That Flirting?

This is the second book in a continuing series. You need to read the first book, Phoenix, before reading this one. There is a minor cliffhanger as the story doesn’t conclude in this book, though it does come to a natural break.

Hayley is starting to settle in with Team Jaguar and now has a paying job at Zenith. She still has to spend all her time being watched by one of the guys, which is starting to get old, but she does enjoy her time with them. The team are giving her lots of new experiences; going to the beach, riding on a rollercoaster and dancing in a jazz club. She loves spending time with each of them, but she knows they still aren’t telling her everything.

This book continues the very slow-burn storyline that the first book established. The only slight increase in that element is that Hayley is starting to question if occasionally the men are flirting or not. From the outside, it’s clear that most of them, if not all, are interested in Hayley romantically but they have been told to stay away from her. For Hayley, that’s just confusing as she has so little experience with people in general, let alone with men who are much more experienced than she is.

Elements of this series are very sweet, but there is still an undercurrent of darkness because of all the secrets and Hayley didn’t choose to come to Santa Cruz in the first place. Becoming friendly with one’s kidnappers seems to be a bit reckless to me. Still, I’m enjoying the easy read. There’s nothing challenging about this book and it’s entertaining. Plus I’m enjoying reading about all the fun things to do in Santa Cruz!

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Review: Phoenix (Stardust Series Book 1) by Autumn Reed and Julia Clarke

Phoenix by Autumn Reed & Julia Clarke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Very Slow Burn

This is the first book of a continuing series. There is a minor cliffhanger as nothing is resolved but the story comes to a natural break.

Hayley is 18 on the day that the book starts. She has decided to demand an explanation from her father about why they live as they do. She has been homeschooled since she was 6 years old but doesn’t have a diploma, despite finishing all the curriculum several years previously. They live in the middle of nowhere and her only friend has now left to go to college.

Within days of her father telling her why they are hidden something goes wrong and their house is burnt down. Hayley can’t find her father but gets rescued by a group of men, who are obviously all young and hot because this is a romance.

The situation is all very mysterious as the men know who she is and say they want to keep her safe, but they are also telling her lies. She still ends up trusting them because she has nowhere else to turn.

This was an intriguing book and I want to carry on reading straight away because I want to know what happens next. I really like Hayley and think she is an interesting character. She’s pretty understated and level headed. She’s obviously very bright but it isn’t rammed home on every occasion, it’s just hinted around. She’s also very capable physically as she runs, knows how to shoot a gun and knows self-defence. Again, this isn’t made a big deal about, it’s simply because her father wanted her to be able to take care of herself given their precarious situation.

The guys involved in the situation are all introduced but their personalities are really only sketched out because there are 6 of them. Nothing romantic happens in this book, other than people showing a little interest in each other.

This book is essentially just setting up the rest of the series, by introducing all the characters and establishing their situation. It’s enough to make me want to read the next book though.

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