Book Review - Echo in Time trilogy by Lindsey Fairleigh

Echo in Time trilogy by Lindsey Fairleigh is a time travel romance.⁠

**Heat Level Warning: These books are not clean reads!⁠

Summary:

Their love is destined to shatter the boundaries of time…

Archaeology grad student Alexandra Larson’s world is turned upside down when her mother shares her deepest, darkest secret–that she doesn’t know the true identity of Lex’s father. The revelation sparks a change within Lex, and her dreams become far too real. She sees things she shouldn’t be able to see…knows things she couldn’t possibly know. Terrifying things. Deadly things.

To distract her from the surreal changes taking over her life, Lex leaps at the chance to join an Egyptian excavation run by Oxford’s enigmatic Professor Marcus Bahur. But the distraction might be more than she bargained for. While deciphering the secrets of a mysterious stone tablet, Lex falls headlong into a prophecy created by a dying god over four millennia ago. She must rely on her frightening new psychic powers to dig up the truth. And it doesn’t take long for her visions to convince her that both Professor Bahur and his excavation are much more than they seem…

My Review:⁠

Echo in Time: 4 stars = I really liked it!⁠

Time Anomaly: 4 stars = I really liked it!⁠

Ricochet through Time: 3.5 stars = I liked it!⁠

This book series wasn’t exactly what I expected, but I still enjoyed it. I liked the unique twist on Egyptian mythology, and the mystery factor that kept me reading until every question was answered. It was a somewhat slow-burn romance with fated mates, who’s love really was “destined to shatter the boundaries of time.”⁠

If you enjoy fated mates, Egyptian mythology and mystery, this book is worth the read.

Book Review - No Man Can Tame by Miranda Honfleur

No Man Can Tame by Miranda Honfleur is a romantic epic fantasy.

**Heat Level Warning: This is NOT a clean read!


Summary:
A human princess. A dark-elf prince. A kiss of fire and powder.

After a failed courtship in an ally kingdom, twenty-one-year-old Princess Alessandra returns home to a land torn apart by mutual hatred between the humans and the dark-elves. The "Beast Princess," as Aless is known by courtiers, confidently sets her mind to ways of making peace, but her father has already decided for her: she is to marry one of the mysterious and monstrous dark-elves to forge a treaty, and go on a Royal Progress across the kingdom to flaunt their harmonious union. While she intends to preserve the peace, the Beast Princess has plans of her own.

Prince Veron has been raised knowing his life is not his own, but to be bargained away by his mother, the queen of Nozva Rozkveta, to strengthen the dark-elf queendom. When his mother tells him he is to marry a self-absorbed, vile human, he is determined to do his duty regardless of his personal feelings. After arriving at the human capital, he finds the "Beast Princess" rebellious and untamed—and not to be trusted.

Aless and Veron face opposition at every turn, with humans and dark-elves alike opposing the union violently, as well as their own feelings of dissonance toward each other. Can two people from cultures that despise one another fall in love? Can a marriage between them bond two opposing worlds together, or will it tear them apart for good?


My Review:
5 stars = I loved it!

This book gave me all the feels, and has landed on my list of favorites. It was incredible from the first page to the last. The descriptions were beautiful and expertly woven in a way that drew me further into the story without dragging on. It had a perfect blend of sweet and steamy romance, with a slow-burn you can't wait to see come to fruition.

Based on the description, I was worried that it would be an enemy-to-lovers book, but it was more about learning to love someone despite the physical and cultural differences.

I'm eager to read the next book, which will hopefully release later this year.

If you enjoy romantic epic fantasy, do yourself a favor and read this book!

Book Review - Beauty and the Baron by Joanna Barker

Beauty and the Baron by Joanna Barker is a Regency retelling of Beauty and the Beast.

Summary:

A penniless maid determined to save her father, a broken baron bent on isolation, and the undeniable draw between them that could lead to happiness—or disaster. 

Rose Sinclair has run out of options. With her father in prison and their bookshop sold to pay his debts, she has no choice but to turn to Henry Covington, the Baron Norcliffe. But the baron has more than earned his harsh reputation, and Rose must face his wrath in order to save her father—and herself.

Since the deaths of his parents, Henry Covington has isolated himself from society, ensuring the solitude of his estate with his deliberate callousness. However, when the beautiful Miss Sinclair appears on his doorstep, begging for a chance to repay her father's debt to him, a moment of weakness finds him offering her a position—as a maid in his own house.

They both soon learn that first impressions are not to be believed. Henry is surprised—and intrigued—by Rose's optimistic charm, while Rose slowly uncovers Henry's true self, his compassion concealed behind the pain of loss and betrayal. But when a shadow from Henry's past returns, their newfound hope is tested. They must decide for themselves who to trust and what they will risk for their happily ever after. 

My Review:
5 stars = I loved it!

Beauty and the Beast is one of my favorite Disney movies, and this retelling is everything it should be. It was perfect. I thought the retelling from the Regency era was an interesting perspective, and I adored the baron more than I ever liked the beast, honestly. This book was so wonderful, I couldn’t imagine loving it more. It was so, so, so good!

Book Review - Tiger's Curse by Colleen Houck

Tiger's Curse series by Colleen Houck is a YA paranormal romance.

Summary:
The last thing teenager Kelsey Hayes thought she'd be doing over the summer was meeting Ren, a mysterious white tiger and cursed Indian prince! When she learns she alone can break the Tiger's curse, Kelsey's life is turned upside-down. The unlikely duo journeys halfway around the world to piece together an Indian prophecy, find a way to free the man trapped by a centuries-old spell, and discover the path to their true destiny.

My Review:
Tiger's Curse: 5 stars = I loved it!
Tiger's Quest: 4 stars = I really liked it!
Tiger's Voyage: 5 stars = I loved it!
Tiger's Destiny: 5 stars = I loved it!

These books are filled with adventure, travel and romance. Oh, and two super charming princes! The storyline is unique and interesting, and kept me binge-reading until the very end.

Book Review - The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

The Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa is a YA fantasy romance.

Summary:
Meghan Chase has a secret destiny—one she could never have imagined…

Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan’s life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school…or at home.

When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she’s known is about to change. But she could never have guessed the truth.

For Meghan is the daughter of a mythical faery king…and a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she’ll go to save someone she cares about, stop a mysterious evil no faery creature dare face…and find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart.


My Review:
The Iron King: 5 stars = I loved it!
The Iron Daughter: 5 stars = I loved it!
The Iron Queen: 5 stars = I loved it!
The Iron Knight: 4 stars = I really liked it!

Faery-tale adventure, myth and romance all rolled into one. There was so much that I enjoyed about this series. Each book was a page-turner, with an interesting concept involving a well-known mythical faery king, and more than one surprising twist. I loved Meghan's character development and her slow-burn love with the winter prince. Any book with a prince is usually a win for me! I truly loved this whole series. Highly recommended!

Book Review - Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard is a YA fantasy romance.

Summary:
Mare Barrow's world is divided by blood--those with common, Red blood serve the Silver- blooded elite, who are gifted with superhuman abilities. Mare is a Red, scraping by as a thief in a poor, rural village, until a twist of fate throws her in front of the Silver court. Before the king, princes, and all the nobles, she discovers she has an ability of her own.

To cover up this impossibility, the king forces her to play the role of a lost Silver princess and betroths her to one of his own sons. As Mare is drawn further into the Silver world, she risks everything and uses her new position to help the Scarlet Guard--a growing Red rebellion--even as her heart tugs her in an impossible direction. One wrong move can lead to her death, but in the dangerous game she plays, the only certainty is betrayal.


My Review:
4 stars = I really liked it!

Right from the start, the author paints a beautiful picture with her descriptions and moves the story along at a good pace that kept me turning the pages. It has the perfect combination of action, adventure, mystery, intrigue and fantasy. All it was missing was a little more romance. As a hopeless romantic, I'm always looking for that sweet, heart-gripping love that keeps me glued to the pages. There were small hints of it sprinkled in there, but I just wanted to see a little more. It was a wonderful story and I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

Book Review: A Court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J. Maas

A Court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J. Maas is a NA epic fantasy romance.

Summary:
When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin--one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world. 

As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow over the faerie lands is growing, and Feyre must find a way to stop it . . . or doom Tamlin--and his world--forever.


My Review:
A Court of Thorns and Roses: 5 stars = I loved it!
A Court of Mist and Fury: 5 stars = I loved it!
A Court of Wings and Ruin: 5 stars = I loved it!

**Heat Level Warning**
This series is not a clean romance. It's sexy and spicy!

This series was impossible to put down. From the first book I was hooked, and while I loved A Court of Thorns and Roses, the second and third books were even better! I loved the world-building, the array of characters, and the slowly developing romance. But then book 2 took an unexpected twist and I found myself falling in love in a surprising way. Now after book 3, I'm sad the story is over. These flawed but endearing characters have found a permanent place in my heart. When I read a truly wonderful story, the characters stay with me for a long time and right now I don't want to let them go.

There is such love in this book. Deep and intense, romantic and platonic. There's love for family, both by blood and by choice, along with mercy, forgiveness and acceptance.

Amid the playful banter between friends and toe-curling love between soul mates, there are countless struggles and challenges. These characters have suffered unimaginable pain and torment. Yet even though they're still haunted by their pasts and a bleak, uncertain future you can see their healed scars -- and their hope.

This is a fantasy world, but I felt a hope that spoke to real-life aspects. Life is not perfect, sometimes it's a war, a constant uphill battle. But in those beautiful, precious, and sometimes rare moments of peace, we need to remember to "enjoy every heartbeat of it."

I absolutely loved this series and highly recommend it!

Book Review - A Royal Engagement by Emma Lea

A Royal Engagement by Emma Lea is a sweet royal romance.

Summary:
Despite being the second child of the king and queen of Merveille, Alyssabeth thought that if she kept a low profile she could stay out of the media’s glaring spotlight and live a relatively normal life. That was until her father, the king, and her brother, the crown prince, were both killed in a hunting accident.


Her dream of joining the UN was no more and instead she needed to return to the small European country of her birth to pick up where her father and brother left off. Her Harvard degree in international relations was forfeit and in its place she must become queen, if the misogynistic Parliament can see past their prejudices.


Not much had changed in the small country in her four year absence, but there were two noticeable differences. Her brother’s two best friends, Will Darkly and Jordan Wicks, had grown up into two very intriguing men. Jordan practically swept her off her feet from the moment she stepped off the plane but Will’s more reserved, darkly intense interest in her gave her tingles.


Alyssa wasn’t sure she was cut out to be queen, but she knew that she wanted to do her father and brother proud. She was willing to give it her best shot, even if it meant going toe-to-toe with Parliament. And then there was the small matter of her needing to be married in order to fulfill her birthright and take her place as the head of state.


My Review:
4 stars = I really liked it!

This fun royal romance was from the perspective of a future queen. I enjoyed the concept of empowering women and watching the main character develop into a woman capable of running her country. It's sweet and wholesome, but I was disappointed that the true love story didn't take place until the end of the book. I'm looking forward to reading the next one!

Book Review - The Selection series by Kiera Cass

The Selection series by Kiera Cass is a YA dystopian and fairytale romance.

Summary:
For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape a rigid caste system, live in a palace, and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon. But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her, and competing for a crown she doesn’t want.

Then America meets Prince Maxon—and realizes that the life she’s always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

My Review:
The Selection: 4 stars = I really liked it!
The Elite: 3.5 stars = I liked it!
The One: 3.5 stars = I liked it!

The Selection has an interesting concept with a touch of the royal romance that I love! It's like The Hunger Games meets Divergent meets The Bachelor. It kept me hooked from the first book through to the third, and the entire time I was rooting for Prince Maxon and America!