Beg, Borrow or Steal

by Sarah Adams

I’ll admit I haven’t read the first two books in this series (mostly because I’m cheap and don’t like spending money on books unless I know I’ll love them 😂), but this one stood on its own two legs just fine. It’s the classic enemies-to-lovers setup: two second-grade teachers who’ve been feuding since college, bickering like the kids they teach. We know from page one they’ll fall in love and get their HEA, because really, that’s why we’re here, right?

My favorite aspect is her relationships with her sisters. The heroine’s relationship with her sisters was heartfelt, and her fear of not being needed added some real depth to her character. I loved watching her try to overcompensate, pouring herself into everyone else, including her new cat, Ducky. Those moments gave the book some grounding beyond the banter.

Now, about the romance. The tension between the leads was fantastic. Their banter and push-pull chemistry made for a fun ride. But when it came time actually to get together? The spice was more “moved together” and “reached the pinnacle” than anything explicit. Totally fine for a closed-door crowd, but I need some details people. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 For two characters described as being hotter than two rats fucking in a wool sock, the sex wasn’t. It was more like the rats were in your grandma’s knee-high stockings. They always say that two hot people will make an ugly kid. (This kid, in this instance, was their sex.) I wouldn’t call it “closed-door”, more like an open door, but you can hear them from the other room.

Another reason this book landed in my Kindle was because Amazon tagged it as a “top book” for one of their challenges. I am nothing if not a completionist, so here we are and yes, I did get the little bookmark thankyouverymuch. 💅🏼(this emoji doesn’t come in green and it’s a travesty)

Overall, I found the characters likable, the story relatable, and yes, I even teared up in places. (Don’t worry, it’s not a sad book; I’m just a weepy reader.) It’s not one I immediately bought the sequels to, especially since I’ve seen some reviews saying the others weren’t as strong, but I’d still call it a fun, emotional, and easy read.

What To Expect:

• Enemies to lovers

• Workplace romance (teaching)

• Found family / strong sibling bonds

• Lighthearted small-town vibe

• Low/closed-door spice

👽👽👽👽/5
—HM

Let me preface…

this by saying I am new to writing reviews and even having a blog to keep track of them. I wrote reviews in my voice, sort of, but I tried to nice them up. Then I studied what others were doing and did my best to imitate the style. In fact, the first four on this site are like that. If you know me, you know that is not how I talk, write, or think. In the future, I’m going to speak in my voice and let that be that. My writing (even reviews) won’t be honest if my voice isn’t genuine, so hitch up your panties. It’s gonna be a wild ride.

There's a book that I hated. I hated it so much that I reviewed it three places within an hour of finishing it. I hated it so damned much, I made this site so that I could again tell the world how much I hated it. Y’all, I made a WHOLE ASS WEBSITE in one day because the rage fueled me to do it. I know you’re curious about the original review, which I went back and edited into the nicey-nice one. For your reading enjoyment, here’s the review I originally wrote:

”I hated this book. Plain and simple— HATED IT.

It starts off promising—Beauty and the Beast retelling? Gothic vibes? Dual-personality MMC? Sign me up. I love me a good monsterfucker moment. But what I got was a steaming pile of self-indulgent nonsense dressed up in velvet prose and bat emojis.

The heroine? Fell in love with Jekyll at first sight. Five minutes after meeting Hyde, she’s getting finger-blasted by him against the kitchen counter like she’s in heat and forgot she has a brain. Ma’am, get a grip. If you’re gonna hoe out, do it with conviction—not confusion and “omg what is happening to me?” Please be so fucking fr. She couldn't even figure out they were the same dude. Like… girl. That’s the same dick. (Of course, she wouldn’t know it was the same dick because they both kept fingering her through the entire book. I’m all for “ladies first”, but that means someone goes second. She just kept getting fingered against a wall or a bookshelf the entire book.

The writing? Baby, it needed an exorcism and an editor. It was all "I walked to the door. I opened the door. I walked through the door." But also somehow had time for gothic, flowery descriptions of shadows on the goddamn floor. We get it. It’s atmospheric. It’s dark. It’s broody. Now do something with it.

Don’t even get me started on the dream sequences. Just when I thought the plot was doing something, boom—they’re fucking. Oh wait. No, they’re not actually fucking. It was a dream. AGAIN. I don't like being emotionally edged by a fake-out orgasm and a fake-out plot twist. Aren’t dream sequences heavily discouraged by writing teachers? I know there are no rules in writing, but dream sequences are overdone and cliché. In this instance, the reader was tricked into thinking one thing when they actually aren’t. Most of the time, dream sequences don’t even mirror real dreams.

And then—AND THEN—the ultimate disrespect: a cliffhanger. After all that nonsense, the author had the audacity to end it like that. I only finished this book because I needed closure. Now I won’t get it because there’s no way I’m reading a second book in this series. If this had been a paperback, I’d have yeeted the fucker into my front yard. What I really wanted to do was to drive to the author’s house and take a dump on her lawn. If she didn’t have a lawn, I would plant grass seed, nurture it, mow it into perfect diagonal stripes, and then hunker over like a great, hairless golden retriever and drop a hot, steaming log that was second only to this book.

The premise? A+ potential. The execution? Straight into the Suck Bucket.

One star for the idea. Another for the unintentional comedy. That’s it. That’s the review.

***********************************************

So tell me dear reader. Which do you prefer? The naughty or the nice? —HM

Wicked Beasts

What You Can Expect

• Gothic Beauty and the Beast / Jekyll & Hyde twist

• Forbidden attraction, broody MMCs

• Dark, moody atmosphere with hints of romance

• Cliffhanger ending

• 🌶 2/5 — rushed intimacy, more awkward than compelling

I love Beauty and the Beast retellings, especially when they come with a darker, gothic flavor. That mix of danger, romance, and transformation tends to pull me in right away. Wicked Beasts sounded like it had all the right ingredients, but unfortunately, the execution didn’t work for me.

The story introduces a heroine who should have been compelling but instead came across as frustratingly passive. Rather than feeling like an active participant in her own story, she often seemed to drift through events. Her choices didn’t always feel believable, which made it difficult to connect with her or invest in her arc. I wanted to see growth or at least consistency in her decisions, but instead I was left with a sense of detachment.

The romance elements also fell flat. Attraction sparks quickly, but in ways that felt unearned. Moments of intimacy appeared almost out of nowhere and lacked the slow build or believable chemistry that usually makes this trope so satisfying. Instead of creating tension or excitement, it pulled me out of the story and left me questioning why the characters were making those choices.

Atmospherically, the book tries to lean into the gothic. The setting has potential, with a moody estate and mysterious brothers, but the world-building never felt fully developed. Instead of immersing me, the details often felt thin, leaving the story without the depth I was hoping for.

The pacing didn’t help matters. Sections dragged with repetition, and by the time the book reached its cliffhanger ending, I felt more frustrated than intrigued. Cliffhangers can be effective when they leave me desperate for the next installment, but here it landed more like unfinished business.

That said, the premise itself still intrigues me. I like the idea of blending gothic horror elements with a Beauty and the Beast retelling, and I can see how other readers might find value in the mood or the central romance. For me, though, the combination of a passive heroine, rushed intimacy, and uneven pacing kept it from delivering on its promise.

Wicked Beasts had an intriguing premise, but the execution left me disappointed. The atmosphere was thin, the romance unconvincing, and the pacing uneven. While I respect the ambition of combining gothic elements with a classic retelling, this one simply didn’t land for me.

👽👽/5

Visions of Darkness

by: A.L. Jackson

What You Can Expect

• Dream-world romance with a twist of danger

• Brooding, emotionally intense MMC

• Bond between leads that spans realities

• Emotional storytelling, but uneven pacing

• 🌶 2/5 — steamy moments, not always well balanced

When I first read the blurb for Visions of Darkness, I was intrigued. A love story that crosses the boundaries between the waking world and a dreamscape is such a creative premise. I went in hoping for a mix of romance, tension, and atmosphere. While there were elements that delivered, overall, this one fell somewhere in the middle for me.

Aria and Pax are at the heart of the novel, and their bond is where the book shines. The connection between them is strong, emotional, and filled with intensity. Their relationship carries the story, and even in the moments where the plot felt uneven, the feelings between them gave me a reason to keep turning pages. If you enjoy romances that lean into soul-deep devotion, there is a lot to appreciate in their dynamic.

Where the book stumbled for me was pacing. Some chapters flowed well, pushing the story forward and pulling me deeper into the atmosphere. Other times, the narrative circled back on itself and stalled. There were stretches that felt repetitive, and that pulled me out of the reading experience. I wanted the momentum to match the intensity of the characters, but instead it often felt like the story hesitated right when I wanted it to drive ahead.

The dream-world element had the potential to be fascinating, but it never fully captured my attention. It added a layer of mystery, but I found myself wanting more clarity and stronger integration with the real-world storyline. I think the concept is fantastic, but the execution didn’t land as strongly as it could have.

A.L. Jackson’s writing style is unmistakably emotional and lyrical. That worked beautifully in some passages, creating atmosphere and mood that fit the darker romance tone. Other times, though, it tipped toward overwrought, which dulled the impact. I enjoy lush prose, but it works best when paired with consistent pacing and tighter plotting.

By the end, I was glad I finished but not left craving more. I respect what the story tried to do and the bond it built between its leads, but it didn’t quite reach the level of impact I was hoping for.

Visions of Darkness is a romance with a striking premise and emotionally heavy characters, but it is uneven in execution. The relationship between Aria and Pax carries weight and intensity, yet the pacing issues and repetitiveness kept me from loving it. For readers who enjoy dreamlike storytelling and darkly emotional romance, this could still resonate more strongly.

👽👽👽/5

Dirty Lying Sirens

by: Sabrina Blackburry

What You Can Expect

• Siren lore woven into modern fantasy

• Found family and a heroine discovering her power

• Sweet romance with hints of instant attraction

• Secrets, danger, and a dash of destiny

• 🌶 2/5 — light spice, more romantic tension than steam

There’s something about siren stories that always draws me in. They are equal parts myth, danger, and allure. (And as someone who grew up in a choir, having a magical voice sounds pretty cool. Amirite?) Dirty Lying Sirens takes those familiar threads and spins them into a contemporary fantasy romance that feels fresh while still tapping into that deep mythological pull.

The story follows Maddie, who has always been a little out of step with the world. When she discovers her heritage as a siren, everything about her life shifts: her relationships, her sense of self, and even her understanding of what it means to belong. What worked especially well for me was the way her journey wasn’t just about embracing supernatural abilities but also about leaning into her own strength and voice. I found myself rooting for her not only to accept her magic but to own who she was. (As someone who refers to themself as a martian, go figure.)

Caspian’s connection to Maddie adds both romance and tension. Their attraction leans toward instant, but it is written with enough sweetness that it never felt hollow. Caspian supports Maddie’s growth rather than overshadowing it, and that balance kept me engaged with their relationship. It reminded me that sometimes it is not about whether a trope is new, but whether it is executed with heart.

Where the book shines brightest is in its exploration of found family. Maddie isn’t navigating this siren revelation alone. The community around her provides both support and conflict, which gives the story depth beyond its central romance. That sense of belonging, of finding people who truly see you, resonated with me and elevated the narrative.

If I had one critique, it would be the pacing. There are moments when Maddie’s inner conflict circles back on itself, stalling the momentum. However, when the story moves forward, especially during the more myth-heavy or emotional beats, it flows beautifully. Blackburry’s prose is straightforward and accessible, which made the book easy to fall into even when the pace slowed.

By the end, I closed the book feeling satisfied and curious about where this world might go next. Although I didn't have the full context from the previous entries in the series, I never felt completely lost. Instead, it left me with the sense that this is a series worth circling back to when I am ready to dive deeper.

Dirty Lying Sirens is a contemporary fantasy romance that blends myth, romance, and personal growth with ease. It is not flawless, since the pacing hiccups reminded me that even magical stories need momentum, but it is heartfelt and engaging with enough charm to make me want more from this world.
👽👽👽👽/5

Crown of Briars

by: R.L. Perez

What You Can Expect

• Beauty and the Beast retelling with a darker twist

• Fierce FMC with strong morals

• Grumpy, growly MMC who stays beastly

• Emotional depth with a sweet edge of possessiveness

• 🌶 2/5 — romantic tension with some steam

Beauty and the Beast retellings are some of my favorite stories to sink into, so I went into Crown of Briars with high hopes and even higher expectations. What I got was even better than expected. R.L. Perez gives us a retelling that honors the bones of the tale while carving out something darker, richer, and much more satisfying.

Sybelle, the heroine, is a character I connected with right away. She is loyal, fierce, and guided by a strong moral code that shapes every choice she makes. I loved that her strength wasn’t about being reckless or brash but about staying true to who she was, even when the world tried to bend her. Watching her navigate a world that expected her to falter, yet seeing her stand firm, gave the book real heart.

Then there is King Varius. He is everything I want in a Beast character: grumpy enough to keep me on my toes, growly enough to hold my interest, and layered enough to feel complex instead of one-note. What really impressed me was how Perez wrote his possessiveness toward Sybelle. It was protective and tender in a way that never tipped into toxicity. Instead of dimming her light, it made their dynamic brighter.

The chemistry between these two is undeniable, but what hooked me even more was how well Perez balanced that tension with story and stakes. I never felt like the romance existed in a vacuum. It grew alongside the world-building, the conflict, and the danger swirling around them. That mix kept me glued to the pages.

Perez’s prose flows beautifully, with enough atmosphere to make the setting come alive without ever dragging. I picked this up, planning to just read a few chapters, and instead finished it in a single sitting. The writing was immersive, but even more than that, it was purposeful. Every scene either developed Sybelle and Varius, deepened the plot, or drew me further into the world.

By the time I reached the end, I wasn’t just satisfied. I was ready for more. In fact, I enjoyed the writing style so much that I immediately picked up the novella in this series, finished it the same night and started the next book in this series. I’m halfway into another of her books Ivy & Bone. (I may have a problem.) That is always a sign that a book has done its job.

Crown of Briars is everything I love in a retelling: familiar enough to feel like coming home, but fresh enough to spark real excitement. With a fierce heroine, a beastly but deeply compelling hero, and prose that begs you to keep turning pages, this one earned every single star.

👽👽👽👽👽/5