Welcome to my November wrap-up! This month went so much smoother than October, and I am so glad. I needed the relaxation that comes from being lost in a good book. Life has been… chaotic, to say the least. But you aren’t here for a sob story; you are here for reviews! 

Poison Princess by Kresley Cole: Started November 3rd- DNF’d November 3rd

Don’t yell at me! I tried, okay? I got about 25 percent of the way into this and just couldn’t do it. For a YA, it was heavily focused on sex and virginity, and I hated it. I wanted to dive into this post-apocalyptic world, and what I got was poorly done high school snobs and borderline racism. I don’t think it was done on purpose, but that was the vibe I got from it, and I was not here for it. Accents do NOT make someone else sound stupid, no matter how thick it is. So, no, I will not be continuing this series and will be purging it from my collection stat. Sorry, Kresley, this just wasn’t your best work. 

A Dawn of Onyx by Kate Golden: Started November 3rd- Finished November 11th

5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Let me convince you to read this with just a few of the tropes. You ready? Political Intrigue. Enemies to Lovers. Reluctant Chosen One. Forced Proximity. Forbidden Romance. Slow Burn Romance. Snarky Banter. Gods, I loved this. I started it with the intention of putting it down when I got my copy of Iron Flame, but I was hooked and couldn’t set it aside. I loved the characters, the mystery, the I want you, but I can’t have you vibes, the family bonds, just everything. Now, I am not big on slow burns; I want them to figure their shit out and be together, so this tugged at my impatience the entire book. I can still admit it was done well. The tension between Arwen and Kane was electric. So were the tumultuous emotions with every interaction they had. It was intense, but I liked that she didn’t let their desires block out the negative stuff they did to each other throughout the story. Lies were told, insults were thrown, feelings were hurt, and that was enough to make them think twice. Smart, even if I grumbled a bit at it. This relationship is rocky, but I know it is going to be so worth it once they get their shit together. The magic in this story is simple, which I prefer, honestly, but it still leaves me curious for more. She gently teases the reader, giving a bit of action here, a romantic moment here, and plot movement next. I truly can’t wait for the sequel. If I’m lucky, I will get my hands on an ARC, and I won’t have to wait that long to see if they get it together or not! 

Cruel Seduction by Katee Robert: Started October 19th- Finished November 6th

5  ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

I can’t really say much about this one without spoiling the rest of the series, but what I can say is this book tried hard to break my heart. It gave it a damn good try. And I ate that pain up with a spoon. Katee Robert knows just how to push limits and entertain. I was here for every bit of it, from the hate sex to the seduction for all the wrong but maybe right reasons to the I-can’t-believe-I-am-catching-feelings that happened every time you turned around. This book was a dramatic, sexy, good time, and I am glad there is a next one because she can’t just end this world. I’m addicted; her books are a habit, and I am not ashamed in the least. 

Midnight Ruin by Katee Robert: Started November 13th- Finished November 16th

Umm, is book seven out yet? Because I need it, like, stat. This was so good guys, so good. I devoured it, staying up way too late reading because I just needed these three to fall in love and have a happily ever after. Oh, you want to know about the drama in the story? Well, Katee cranked it up on high, and I am not okay with having to wait for another serving of Dark Olympus. As I stated with Cruel Seduction, there isn’t much I can say without spoiling the previous books. What I can say is Katee Robert is a master at giving her readers a sexy good time, realistically flawed characters that you can root for, and villains that you love to hate. 

The Last of the Talons by Sophie Kim: Started November 5th- DNF’d  November 12th

Now, honestly, there is nothing wrong with this book. It is well written, from what I can tell. I’ve been doing the audiobook, and the narrator is doing a fine job. The story sounded like one I would love, yet I find myself not connecting with the story or the MC. I just don’t care. Is it maybe that this is just not the time for this story? Should I try again at another date? There is no telling, and at this time, I am undecided. But in the end, I didn’t finish this story.

Wicked Pursuit by Katee Robert: Started November 1st- Finished November 2nd

5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Have I mentioned that I am addicted to all things Katee Robert? That her books are delicious smut-filled things that I enjoy as much as I enjoy cheesecake and chocolate? That when her name pops up with a new release, I preorder it immediately? No? Wow, I must be slacking. This was Katee’s version of a stalker romance, which she was inspired to write after reading Haunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton. (Should I read this? What do you guys think?) My feelings on stalker romance? Apparently, I am all for it. I never expected this to be as hot as it was, that I would be as invested as I was, but damn was I. As you can see, I finished this in 24 hours. Part of that was because this book is short, but the other part was because I couldn’t put it down. I needed Ruby’s story like I needed air. If this is what the second generation of the Wicked Villains will be like, sign me up. I can’t wait to see what depraved thing they do next.

There is No Devil by Sophie Lark- Started November 18th- Finished November 29th

2.5 ★ ★ ★

I’m not sure if I liked this or not. I’m leaning more towards meh than anything. I didn’t hate it. I didn’t love it. Was it dark? Yeah, kinda. The writing wasn’t truly gritty enough for the content. This was the second book in the Sinners Duet by Sophie Lark. I remember having mixed feelings at the end of There Are No Saints, but I wanted to see if Lark could really put in the oomph needed to pull off a serial killer romance. For me, she didn’t. That isn’t to say it’s a bad book; it was mediocre, in my opinion. Lark has some other books on my TBR. Maybe those will be the ones to blow my mind.

Unfortunately, I didn’t get to all the books on my TBR this month, but I still read way more than I did in October! I may reshelve Bye, Baby, but I plan to finish Iron Flame and Nightbane in December. I know I said I was going to binge everything Sarah J. Maas in December to prepare for book three of Cresent City, but I think I will go through and try to read all of the manga currently gathering dust on my shelves instead. During November, I did manage to read 6 manga, so let’s see how many I can knock out when they are my main focus! What will you be reading in December? Are you a holiday story reader? What are your favorite holiday stories? I can’t wait to see what you recommend.

Until the next page,

Dani