Review: Hungry is the Hollow (Tales from the Hollow Book 2) by K.E. Ganshert

SYNOPSIS
MISSING TEENS. A TOWN ON EDGE. SOMETHING IS HUNTING.

On Halloween night, two girls vanished and the town of Foggy Hollow has been holding its breath ever since, praying for their safe return. So when one of them comes home unharmed, fear gives way to hope.

Selah Whitlock and Jude Vandenberg aren’t so relieved. They know the truth. The girl shouldn’t be alive. They watched her die.

Whatever happened in the cemetery on Halloween didn’t stay buried.

Darkness has its claws in Jude. Selah’s classmates are disappearing. Something sinister is stalking the local teens. And it has an appetite.

With panic spreading and the Appalachian winter deepening, Selah and her friends must stop whatever is feeding on Foggy Hollow before the entire town is swallowed whole.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

This sequel was just as good as the first book. Maybe even better, which is saying something since it was one of my favorite reads last year. It starts right after the events of Wicked is the Hollow and follows the same characters.

This book was spooky, mysterious, and just downright awesome. There were so many twists and turns and surprises. My jaw was on the floor quite a few times. And I got goosebumps several times.

It was really interesting learning more of the town lore and about the rifts. And it was great spending more time with these characters. Although they did stress me out, lol!

I had a blast reading this book and am so eager for the next one! It ends on a cliffhanger, so book three can’t come out soon enough! This series is perfect for fans of Stranger Things. I can't recommend it highly enough!

I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

FIVE STARS

Book Beginnings, First Line Friday, & Friday 56: Don't Cross the Blue Line (The Blue Ox Boys Book 2) by Susan May Warren & Sarah May Warren

Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Reader that asks you to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you're reading. I'm also linking up with Carrie at Reading is My Superpower for First Line Friday. Friday 56 asks you to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your ereader and share a non-spoilery sentence or two. It was started by Freda at Freda's Voice, but Anne over at My Head is Full of Books has taken over for the time being.

This week I'm featuring Don't Cross the Blue Line: (The Blue Ox Boys Book 2) by Susan May Warren & Sarah May Warren. 

SYNOPSIS

What happens when you discover your anonymous pen pal is the hockey player you've been secretly writing a book about—and you're trapped in a mall with thieves?

⭐ A Secret Identity Hockey Romance That Will Steal Your Heart ⭐

Everly Hart has mastered the art of hiding. As E.J. Hartley, she writes heart-pounding thrillers. As Sutton Blake, she pens sweet hockey romances about players who are valued for who they are, not just what they achieve. Both identities are secrets—especially from her father, Blue Ox Assistant Coach Hart.

Her current project? Blue Line Redemption—a romance about Beckett 'Blue Line' Benson, the disgraced center she can't stop thinking about. He's her ultimate book boyfriend. Her muse. Her fantasy hero. And he has absolutely no idea.

But there's one reader who truly sees her work. For six months, Beckett has been writing thoughtful fan mail to Sutton Blake's publisher address. The scandal-plagued hockey star finds solace in her stories about heroes who matter for who they are, not what they do. If only someone could see him that way in real life.

When a charity gala elevator malfunction traps them in darkness, Everly and Beckett are devastatingly honest with each other—without exchanging names. He confesses about 'this romance author I'll never meet' who makes him feel seen. She realizes with growing panic: he's been writing to ME.

Weeks later, a blizzard locks them in an abandoned mall during a charity event. Awkward? Yes. Survivable? Maybe. Until thieves break in for a heist. Suddenly Everly's thriller-writer brain kicks into overdrive as they dodge criminals, hide in the old rink, and bicker their way through escape attempts. It's hilarious. It's terrifying. It's definitely not the meet-cute either of them planned.

As danger escalates and secrets spill, they must outsmart thieves, survive a Minnesota blizzard, and decide if they can trust each other—and their feelings.

Book Beginnings / First Line Friday

Here's the problem. I lie for a living. Sort of. 

Friday 56

I shoot her a look. Is she laughing? "It's not funny, Mom. She hates me."

What have you been reading lately?

Can't Wait Wednesday: Worlds Collide (Worlds Collide Trilogy Book 1) by Clint Hall

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights and discusses the books we're excited about that we've yet to read. Generally, they're books that are yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This week I'm featuring Worlds Collide (Worlds Collide Trilogy Book 1) by Clint Hall releasing July 14. I actually just recently finished an ARC of this book and loved it so much! I'm so ready for it to be out so more people can read it, and I can talk about it with them.

SYNOPSIS

Five worlds at war. Only one can survive.

Ten thousand years ago, five cosmic beings—a dragon, a phoenix, a serpent, a lion, and a wolf—set their worlds on an inevitable collision course. Each civilization was given one command: destroy the rival worlds, or crash into them and die.

As the planets draw near to each other, the moment of final reckoning is at hand. In a galaxy filled with starfighters and superweapons, magic and manipulation, planet-killing devices and mechanized legions, five heroes must defend their homeworlds against overwhelming odds.

But when prophecy and destiny collide, a far greater power begins to stir—one that challenges everything they’ve been told.

Oaths will be broken. Chains will be shattered. Champions will rise. The fate of the universe hangs in the balance as these heroes discover whether any world deserves to survive.

The War of the Creators has begun.

Perfect for fans of Red Rising, The Expanse, and mythic sci-fi epics, Worlds Collide blends high-stakes interplanetary war with a legendary, fate-driven mystery—where the final battle may not be what it seems.

What upcoming release are you eagerly awaiting?

Review: Iffy Eats Monsters For Breakfast (The Iffy Series Book 1) by Bryan Timothy Mitchell

SYNOPSIS

Kristine has a bad feeling about her new house.

Her parents say it’s her imagination.
But this time, they’re wrong.

Three tiny goblins are trying to blow up the house with pinecones and acorns. It’s not going well. Meanwhile, a dark spirit named Mr. Mischief is feeding on her fears to grow stronger.

Good thing Kristine has Iffy, her imaginary friend with an appetite for shady monsters.

Together, they must stop the goblins and make sure Mr. Mischief ends up right where he belongs, inside Iffy’s belly.

Because if they don’t, Kristine may lose more than her home.

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

This was a really fun and imaginative read. It grabbed my attention from the first page and held on until the very last word. I loved it!

Kristine had a big imagination and a lot of spunk. It was great seeing her face her fears head-on. I loved Iffy and his slightly wrong sayings. I thought his friendship with Kristine was really sweet. The goblins were interesting and mischievous characters. They were so fun to read about. I never knew what they’d do next.

This book had me laughing out loud and left me with a big smile on my face. It had a great message but was also very entertaining. The young and young at heart will love it! I highly recommend it!

I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

FIVE STARS

Book Beginnings, First Line Friday, & Friday 56: Hungry is the Hollow (Tales from the Hollow Book 2) by K.E. Ganshert

Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Reader that asks you to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you're reading. I'm also linking up with Carrie at Reading is My Superpower for First Line Friday. Friday 56 asks you to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your ereader and share a non-spoilery sentence or two. It was started by Freda at Freda's Voice, but Anne over at My Head is Full of Books has taken over for the time being.

This week I'm featuring Hungry is the Hollow (Tales from the Hollow Book 2) by K.E. Ganshert. I haven't started this one yet, but it'll be next read. I'm really excited for it! I loved the first book in the series. 

SYNOPSIS

MISSING TEENS. A TOWN ON EDGE. SOMETHING IS HUNTING.

On Halloween night, two girls vanished and the town of Foggy Hollow has been holding its breath ever since, praying for their safe return. So when one of them comes home unharmed, fear gives way to hope.

Selah Whitlock and Jude Vandenberg aren’t so relieved. They know the truth. The girl shouldn’t be alive. They watched her die.

Whatever happened in the cemetery on Halloween didn’t stay buried.

Darkness has its claws in Jude. Selah’s classmates are disappearing. Something sinister is stalking the local teens. And it has an appetite.

With panic spreading and the Appalachian winter deepening, Selah and her friends must stop whatever is feeding on Foggy Hollow before the entire town is swallowed whole.

Book Beginnings / First Line Friday

I thought the story was over.

Friday 56

I pull to a stop in front of the carriage house and stare at the sprawling manor.

What have you been reading lately?

Can't Wait Wednesday: Don't Upstage the Body by Naomi Stephens

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights and discusses the books we're excited about that we've yet to read. Generally, they're books that are yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This week I'm featuring Don't Upstage the Body by Naomi Stephens releasing June 23.

SYNOPSIS

Rules for professional mourners:
· Plan your aliases well--no improvising.
· Wear proper mourning attire.
· Maintain discretion at all costs.
· Don't upstage the body.

Hippolyta Halfpenny and her family have mastered the business of bereavement. As professional mourners, they are so accomplished that even Lord Basil Monfort, the famous and wealthy recluse, engages the family's services for his own funeral. Tired of disguises and aliases, Hippolyta vows it will be her last performance. Then she discovers the undertaker's body during the wake and finds herself cast as an amateur sleuth in an increasingly unpredictable investigation. 

Soon rain washes away the roads, trapping the funeral party at Lord Monfort's estate--with an unidentified killer in their midst. Bound by her father's wishes to maintain their charade, Hippolyta navigates a web of secrets spanning decades. But sorting truth from deception proves even more difficult when Lord Montfort's charming yet perceptive heir suspects Hippolyta is not all she appears to be.

Concealing her family's true identities while unraveling secrets might be a role Hippolyta is hesitant to play, but with a murderer among them she must unmask the truth before the final curtain falls. 

With her Agatha Christie inspired voice, Naomi Stephens pens a 1950s manor house murder mystery set in England--perfect for book clubs and fans of cozy mysteries, amateur sleuths, Enola Holmes, Michelle Griep, Julie Klassen, and Anna Lee Huber.

What upcoming release are you eagerly awaiting?

Review: Guardian (Heroes of Renegade Book 4) by Jennifer Chastain

SYNOPSIS

★ When your past refuses to stay buried, love becomes your strongest weapon. ★

Aubrey Richardson survived a killer's vengeance once. She won't get a second chance.

After twenty years of hiding, Aubrey finally has everything she's dreamed of—a job she loves with the US Marshals, a reunion with her estranged family, and most importantly, the love of Deputy Ethan Butler. But when a federal prisoner transport plane crashes outside of Renegade, Aubrey realizes her nightmare isn't over. Someone from her past has found her, and this time, they're not just coming for her—they're targeting everyone she loves.

The past never forgets. And it never forgives.

Ethan Butler has faced down killers, survived ambushes, and protected countless witnesses, but nothing has prepared him for this. When the woman he loves becomes the target of a methodical killer with a twenty-year grudge, Ethan must navigate a deadly game where every move could be their last. The attacks are personal, calculated, and designed to destroy not just Aubrey's life, but her faith, her sanity, and everyone she holds dear.

As bodies pile up and the killer's true identity emerges from the shadows, Aubrey faces an impossible choice: continue running and let innocent people die, or stand and fight against an enemy who knows her every fear, her every weakness, her every secret.

When love means risking everything, how far will you go?

From deadly snipers to midnight chases through Colorado's mountain wilderness, Aubrey and Ethan race against a killer who's had two decades to perfect their revenge. But when the final confrontation forces Aubrey to choose between her own survival and saving the lives of everyone in Renegade, she'll discover that sometimes the greatest guardian isn't the man with the badge—it's the God who's been protecting her all along.

Perfect for fans of:

• High-stakes romantic suspense
• Faith-tested-by-fire storylines
• Alpha protective heroes
• Strong heroines overcoming trauma
• Small-town secrets with deadly consequences
• US Marshal romance
• Found family bonds tested by fire

Themes:
Trauma and Healing Faith Under Fire Protective Love Trust and Betrayal Divine Protection Courage in Crisis Second Chances Found Family Love Worth Fighting For

Book 4 in the Renegade County series by Jennifer Chastain, created by Susan May Warren and Lisa Phillips. Complete story where danger meets desire and love conquers all!

Get ready for the most dangerous—and romantic—installment yet in the series readers can't stop talking about.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

I really enjoyed this grumpy/sunshine romantic suspense! It didn’t take long before the suspense kicked in and I was hooked! It became an impossible to put down thrill ride.

I really liked Aubrey and Ethan. She works for the US Marshals as an administrative assistant. She’s a stress baker with a sunshiny attitude. I was really worried for her when the killer she put in jail years ago came after her. Ethan’s a Deputy Marshal with a strong protective instinct and a secret sweet tooth. He was a bit of a grump, but the more I got to know him, the more I liked him.

This was the first book I’ve read by this author, but it won’t be my last. I look forward to reading more from her. I recommend reading this multi-author series in order because there’s an overarching mystery surrounding the Shadow Syndicate. If you’re a fan of romantic suspense with a strong thread of faith, you’ll love it!

I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

FOUR STARS

Book Beginnings, First Line Friday, & Friday 56: Guardian (Heroes of Renegade Book 4) by Jennifer Chastain

Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Reader that asks you to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you're reading. I'm also linking up with Carrie at Reading is My Superpower for First Line Friday. Friday 56 asks you to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your ereader and share a non-spoilery sentence or two. It was started by Freda at Freda's Voice, but Anne over at My Head is Full of Books has taken over for the time being.

This week I'm featuring Guardian (Heroes of Renegade Book 4) by Jennifer Chastain. This is another great addition to the series! 

SYNOPSIS

★ When your past refuses to stay buried, love becomes your strongest weapon. ★

Aubrey Richardson survived a killer's vengeance once. She won't get a second chance.

After twenty years of hiding, Aubrey finally has everything she's dreamed of—a job she loves with the US Marshals, a reunion with her estranged family, and most importantly, the love of Deputy Ethan Butler. But when a federal prisoner transport plane crashes outside of Renegade, Aubrey realizes her nightmare isn't over. Someone from her past has found her, and this time, they're not just coming for her—they're targeting everyone she loves.

The past never forgets. And it never forgives.

Ethan Butler has faced down killers, survived ambushes, and protected countless witnesses, but nothing has prepared him for this. When the woman he loves becomes the target of a methodical killer with a twenty-year grudge, Ethan must navigate a deadly game where every move could be their last. The attacks are personal, calculated, and designed to destroy not just Aubrey's life, but her faith, her sanity, and everyone she holds dear.

As bodies pile up and the killer's true identity emerges from the shadows, Aubrey faces an impossible choice: continue running and let innocent people die, or stand and fight against an enemy who knows her every fear, her every weakness, her every secret.

When love means risking everything, how far will you go?

From deadly snipers to midnight chases through Colorado's mountain wilderness, Aubrey and Ethan race against a killer who's had two decades to perfect their revenge. But when the final confrontation forces Aubrey to choose between her own survival and saving the lives of everyone in Renegade, she'll discover that sometimes the greatest guardian isn't the man with the badge—it's the God who's been protecting her all along.

Perfect for fans of:

• High-stakes romantic suspense
• Faith-tested-by-fire storylines
• Alpha protective heroes
• Strong heroines overcoming trauma
• Small-town secrets with deadly consequences
• US Marshal romance
• Found family bonds tested by fire

Themes:
Trauma and Healing Faith Under Fire Protective Love Trust and Betrayal Divine Protection Courage in Crisis Second Chances Found Family Love Worth Fighting For

Book 4 in the Renegade County series by Jennifer Chastain, created by Susan May Warren and Lisa Phillips. Complete story where danger meets desire and love conquers all!

Get ready for the most dangerous—and romantic—installment yet in the series readers can't stop talking about.

Book Beginnings / First Line Friday

It had either been a colossal mistake volunteering to assist with the annual Fourth of July Renegade Days or a brilliant idea.

Friday 56

The next morning Ethan sat at his desk, no further along with the case. He glanced up from his laptop every few minutes, checked his phone.

What have you been reading lately?

Review: Come Awake: Five Original Fantasy Stories (Tales from Karneesia Book 4) by Claire Trella Hill

SYNOPSIS

The land of Karneesia has lacked wild magic for centuries, but now the land is stirring…

A young magic user returns to her long-lost family and masters her fears to protect her island home from an elemental threat.

A woman flees danger and finds unlikely allies in an undead company of soldiers, a young man journeying home after ten years, and the ghost of a king.

Magic flourishes as Kai and Keziah find their places in the desert, and a long-hidden prophecy emerges concerning the return of the dragons to Karneesia.

Two mercenaries assist a Deaf lady who was accused of murder by a singing bone harp.

And a lonely girl joins forces with a wolf to escape the abusive reach of her mother, a witch.

In these five original stories set in the land of Karneesia, unlikely heroes will rise, and the currents of magic will shift in Come Awake.

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

This was a fantastic collection of stories set in the author’s fantasy world of Karneesia. I loved every single story, which isn’t always the case with collections like this one. But every story was compelling and held my full and undivided attention. My emotions ran the gamut. I laughed and cried. I rejoiced and grieved. And I was overjoyed and outraged.

Fans of Hill's Karneesia books will be thrilled to dive into this collection to revisit the world and see some beloved characters. But if you’re new to the series, don’t worry. It stands alone perfectly fine. I loved it and can't wait for whatever Hill writes next!

I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

FIVE STARS

Can't Wait Wednesday: Part of Your World (Once Upon a Time in Texas) by Karen Witemeyer

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights and discusses the books we're excited about that we've yet to read. Generally, they're books that are yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This week I'm featuring Part of Your World (Once Upon a Time in Texas) by Karen Witemeyer releasing June 16. 

SYNOPSIS

She saved him from the sea. He awakened her heart. Now a villainous scheme threatens to destroy them both.

Seawater runs through Muriel Quinn’s veins—a fact that has long concerned her father, who desires his youngest daughter to abandon the waves and embrace the respectable life expected of a grown woman. Yet even when banished from her beloved sea, Muriel feels its pull upon her soul. Drawn to the shore, she witnesses a boating accident and dives in to save a man from drowning. As she brings him back from the brink of death, a dream stirs to life in her heart.

Despite his family's wealth and social standing, Zane Erickson pursues a career in architecture, having no interest in cementing a match with any of the bridal candidates his mother foists upon him. Until a mysterious beauty saves his life and vanishes before he can learn her name. Determined to find her, he is stunned when the matchmaker his mother hired arrives with the very woman who has haunted his dreams. But he soon learns there are darker forces than romance at work in this meeting.

Entangled in a blackmail scheme that grows more deceitful and dangerous by the day, Zane and Muriel must fight not only for their love, but for the lives of those they hold dear.

What upcoming release are you eagerly awaiting?

Book Beginnings, First Line Friday, & Friday 56: Come Awake: Five Original Fantasy Stories (Tales from Karneesia Book 4) by Claire Trella Hill

Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Reader that asks you to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you're reading. I'm also linking up with Carrie at Reading is My Superpower for First Line Friday. Friday 56 asks you to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your ereader and share a non-spoilery sentence or two. It was started by Freda at Freda's Voice, but Anne over at My Head is Full of Books has taken over for the time being.

This week I'm featuring Come Awake: Five Original Fantasy Stories (Tales from Karneesia Book 4) by Claire Trella Hill. I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of Come Awake. I'm really enjoying it so far. The first snippet is from the first story of the collection, Imani and the Creature Without Fear. And the Friday 56 quote is the first line of the second story, Kai and Keziah and the Desert Slain.  

SYNOPSIS

The land of Karneesia has lacked wild magic for centuries, but now the land is stirring…

A young magic user returns to her long-lost family and masters her fears to protect her island home from an elemental threat.

A woman flees danger and finds unlikely allies in an undead company of soldiers, a young man journeying home after ten years, and the ghost of a king.

Magic flourishes as Kai and Keziah find their places in the desert, and a long-hidden prophecy emerges concerning the return of the dragons to Karneesia.

Two mercenaries assist a Deaf lady who was accused of murder by a singing bone harp.

And a lonely girl joins forces with a wolf to escape the abusive reach of her mother, a witch.

In these five original stories set in the land of Karneesia, unlikely heroes will rise, and the currents of magic will shift in Come Awake.

Book Beginnings / First Line Friday

When Imani stepped foot into Natimai Harbor, she saw the sea for the first time in nine years. 

Friday 56

In Damslar, war was only a state of being, unrest a way of life.

What have you been reading lately?

Cover Reveal: The Secrets of Everlight by Julie Hall

I'm so excited to be part of the cover reveal for The Secrets of Everlight by USA Today bestselling author Julie Hall, coming October 6, 2026 from Ace Books! Isn't it gorgeous?

SYNOPSIS

A thief turned spy must unravel an assassination plot against the fae prince by disguising herself as a princess competing for his heart in this entrancing romantasy by USA Today bestselling author Julie Hall.

For nineteen years, Rowan has fought to survive: first on the streets scavenging for scraps, then bound by a decade-long contract to a corrupt master. She longs for freedom but spends her days stealing from the highborn to pay off her servitude.

When a mysterious fae buys her contract, Rowan seizes her chance to escape. But her freedom comes at a price: uncover the assassin targeting Prince Dryden of the Ember Kingdom. To do so, she must pose as a princess among the royals competing for the prince’s hand in marriage.

Thrust into a world of silks and finery, Rowan has weeks to master her role while hunting a killer hidden in plain sight. Eavesdropping and sneaking through gilded halls may come naturally, but the bonds she forms with the other princesses—and Dryden’s growing interest in her—are complications that threaten to unravel everything.

As whispers of danger beyond the kingdom rise, Rowan realizes the stakes are far greater than she imagined. And every stolen glance with the prince pulls her closer to a desire that could cost her not only her future, but the kingdom itself.

PREORDER HERE: www.TheSecretsOfEverlight.com

Title: The Secrets of Everlight

Series: Shattered Kingdoms #1

Author: Julie Hall

Publisher: Ace Books
Release Date: October 6, 2026
Genre: Adult Romantasy

Tropes:

• Slow-burn romance
• Forbidden attraction
• Fae court intrigue
• She saves Him
• Thief heroine
• Marriage competition
• High-stakes political intrigue
• Hidden identities
• Hidden powers
• Reluctant allies
• Forced Proximity
• Werewolf & Vampire Otherworlders
• Love Triangle… with a twist

Review: Roses and Rage: Echoes of Olympus by Anna Hawke

SYNOPSIS
Betrayed by Zeus. Stripped of his godhood. At the mercy of a woman who fled his rule.

Ares, God of War, has fallen. Cursed to live as a mortal, he seeks shelter with the woman he once loved as attacks against the divine rise. With war looming on the horizon, he vows to eliminate those who threaten the pantheon—and the gods who’ve scorned him.

A cunning demigoddess, Zoya balances temple management, single motherhood, and undercover operations for the ruling pantheon. When her patron god shows up human at her door, she risks everything to keep him safe. If Zeus discovers the powerful magic she commands, her life is forfeit.

When a prophecy binds them together, the flame between them reignites. Will Ares and Zoya succumb to the wicked chaos that threatens everything they cherish—or will their love survive the imminent supernatural war?

Echoes of Olympus is a non-explicit shared world of dark fantasy and paranormal romance reimagining classic Greek myths through shadow and desire. Each story follows different myths, different couples, and a different descent into danger—where gods and mortals collide.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

Y’all! This book was so good! I loved it so much! It was just as compelling as the first book, Sunshine & Sin.

I really enjoyed reading about Ares. It was really interesting seeing him adjust to life as a mortal. It wasn’t an easy adjustment, but he handled it better than I thought he would. And I loved seeing the transformation in him as he got used to the idea.

I liked Zoya right off the bat. She was fierce and protective and a great mother. Her daughter Rei was adorable. I loved seeing the sweeter side of Ares come out when he was with the little girl.

I loved the second chance romance aspect of this book. There was quite a bit of history and strong feelings between Ares and Zoya, which had me rooting so hard for them.

I really enjoyed this book and highly, highly recommend it! I can’t wait for the next one!

I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

FIVE STARS

Can't Wait Wednesday: The Callers: The Journey Home: Book 3 by Kiah Thomas

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights and discusses the books we're excited about that we've yet to read. Generally, they're books that are yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This week I'm featuring The Callers: The Journey Home: Book 3 by Kiah Thomas releasing June 16. I really enjoyed the first two books in this series and am excited to check out the conclusion.

SYNOPSIS

The thrilling conclusion to the Callers trilogy, an exciting new middle-grade fantasy series that explores the power of summoning objects into being and the ominous consequences of doing so. Perfect for fans of Rick Riordan!

Quin’s world is in turmoil . . .

The limits on Calling have been lifted, and Callers are now allowed to conjure up anything they want—from tables and chairs to food and clothes. But many on Elipsom still don’t realize that everything they Call is being stolen from Evantra, a secret continent on the opposite side of the world.

Quin, Allie, and Davinia have been fighting to show people the truth. But Adriana Octavius, the Chief Councilor of Elipsom, will do anything she can to suppress the rising rebellion. Even if it means endangering the Vine, the life-giving force for all of Evantra and Elipsom. With Allie in jail, Davinia working desperately to keep up appearances as a committed Councilor, and Quin stranded on Evantra, their struggle is more desperate than ever. Tensions are rising across Elipsom, and the three friends will have to find their way back to each other, reveal the truth, and heal the Vine . . . before it’s too late.

Moving and action-packed, the conclusion to the Callers saga shows the power of standing up for the truth and that anyone can change the world.

What upcoming release are you eagerly awaiting?

Review: Fangs, Fate, & Mondays (The AzRIO Files Book 1) by Hayley Reese Chow

SYNOPSIS
In Azalea Springs, a family curse just means more paperwork.

After her best friend was murdered, Dessa Blue McKinney swore she’d never return to the paranormal town of Azalea Springs. But after she walks in on her fiancé cheating with her business partner, she has nowhere else to go but home. Desperate for a distraction, she agrees to fill in at her uncle’s Paranormal Intermediary Office until she decides what to do with her life. But when the new intern is the handsome golden boy of the most notorious family in town and her dead friend’s sister goes missing, old secrets bubble to the surface, and the past may not be so willing to let her go.


Meanwhile, perpetual screw-up, Jamison Kane, is reeling from his role as the primary suspect in a triple homicide and the brand-new bearer of a family curse. When Dessa’s uncle offers him an internship to search for a cure, he reluctantly agrees—and totally not because Dessa was his high school crush. The job description? Keep the werewolves and vampires from tearing each other’s throats out, solve the missing persons case, and don’t fall in love with Dessa McKinney.

It definitely sounds like a Monday, but at least in this office, the coffee really is magical.

Fangs, Fate, and Mondays is a fantastical paranormal mystery that feels like a magical version of The Office meets Supernatural meets Veronica Mars, with a romance that is authentically slow burn!

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

This was a really fun urban fantasy. It was my first time reading anything by this author, but it won’t be my last. I’m really looking forward to reading more of her books. While this was a little slow in the beginning, it wasn’t long before things picked up and I became completely invested in the story. I didn’t want it to end!

I loved the paranormal town of Azalea Springs. It was really cool seeing all the different supernatural creatures live and work together. And speaking of work, I loved the AzRIO office. What a cool concept!

I really liked Dessa and Jamison. They were former classmates and had a bit of a rough reintroduction, but I enjoyed seeing them work together, learn to trust one another, and become friends (with the possibility for more later on down the line, maybe).

I enjoyed learning about the paranormal world alongside Jamison. I was very curious about his curse. I’m hoping that will be explored more in future books.

I can’t say enough good things about Fangs, Fate, & Mondays. I highly, highly recommend it and can’t wait for the next installment!

I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

FIVE STARS