A Pinky Promise
6.0
Rate It
Book
Environmental science student Creena Arbre likes warm baths and fluffy slippers. Oh, and she also...
Castaway Environment New Adult Romance FF
Vitality (Vitality #1)
10.0
Rate It
Book
To Ava, love is about as real as fairytales. But it might be that fairytales, myths, and magic have...
Dark Paranormal Romance
Merissa (13878 KP) rated Walk With Me (Home #7) in Books
Oct 18, 2023
These two have an insta-love AND slow-burn romance, and it was perfect for them. I loved how Eli decided he would sooner have Seth's friendship than lose him. This is a funny book, with some absolutely hilarious weddings! Poor Seth is all I can say. Throughout all the capers and calamities that occur, Eli is there for Seth, and vice versa.
As I would expect from a Cardeno C. book, there were no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading flow. The pacing was smooth, with a rich and detailed storyline that was backed up by fully fleshed-out characters with their own quirks.
Sad to see this series end, but at least I can now re-read them all. Definitely recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Sep 28, 2018
Face the Music (A Series of Falling Stars #2) by M.L. East
10.0
Rate It
Book
Kasugai Ryo – your lawfully wedded nightmare. K-Pop’s five brightest stars are about to...
Contemporary Fiction Romance LGBTQ+ Chick Lit K-pop
ClareR (6106 KP) rated The Mars House in Books
Oct 1, 2024
Ok, a short summary:
January Sterling is a climate refugee, escaping the floods and intense heat for the Mars colony of Tharsis. Life as an Earthstronger on Mars isn’t ideal. He and the other Earthstrongers are seen as a danger to the native Martians: they are much stronger because of the weaker gravity, even though they’re much smaller. January and his fellow Earthstrongers are discriminated against and given the worst manual labour jobs.
January meets a Martian politician who is staunchly anti-Earth stronger, an somehow ends up in a sham-marriage. Of course, it’s a slow-burn romance with lots of peril, lies and climate change politics.
My only complaint, is that in trying to make the characters asexual, they all read as being very male. Perhaps it was just the way I read it.
The Mars House has a lot to say about climate change and its refugees - and the predictable refugee-haters. Instead of boats, they arrive in space ships, and the inhabitants of Mars are as scared of, and enraged by, these people, as some elements in our own society today.
I really enjoyed this book, and I loved how different it was to Natasha Pulley’s previous books. Whatever will she write next? I’ll be waiting!
Blackmailer’s Delight
8.0
Rate It
Book
Every new romance has its ups and downs… Its bumps in the road… Its blackmail notes… A...
MM Romantic Comedy Forbidden Love Historical Georgian
Merissa (13878 KP) rated His Marked Omega (Beguiled Omegas) in Books
Feb 23, 2026
Oberon King is known as the Purse of the White Frost, while Fenrir is simply known as Wolf. Fen has lived for many years as a Product of The Wardrobe, and has one final mission before his mistress, Michelle, says he will be claimed as Pack. Of course, you know it's not going to be straightforward!
I loved the back and forth between our two MCs, complete with their cheesy romantic one-liners and the dad jokes. That was balanced by Fenrir's heartbreaking backstory that came out in dribs and drabs. They are ably supported by a host of characters, some of whom I've heard of or met in previous books.
This is a dark romance, so it does come with trigger warnings. Please read to ensure it's safe for you. I personally didn't think it was too bad, but that's me. Use your judgment for your own mental health.
A great read that I thoroughly enjoyed and have no hesitation in recommending.
** Same worded review will appear elsewhere. **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Feb 23, 2026
Now Comes the Dark (Basic Instincts #1)
Book
Roman Ballentyne is forced to make some changes. The city he loves is no longer safe. Tensions are...
Contemporary Dark MM Romance Thriller Mystery
Seven Hundred Beachfront
8.0
Rate It
Book
Some places hold memories. Others have opinions. I didn't mean to run again. But when life...
Contemporary Romance Women's Fiction Magical Realism
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2510 KP) rated Shady Hollow in Books
Oct 3, 2025 (Updated Oct 3, 2025)
When I heard about this series, I had to give the book a chance since it sounded creative and fun. The book’s omniscient narration took a little for me to adjust to, but once I did, it worked okay. It did give the book a slower start than I would have liked, but the mystery was decent once it got going. And I liked the characters. While I found the idea of these characters living side by side and interacting fun, it does take some buying into this world, something I was ready to do. I did feel the authors could have done a more creative job of creating their world, or at least that’s what I was expecting. My biggest hang up was the idea of interspecies romance. I realize that’s a me thing, but it is enough that I won’t be returning to the series. Others love it, so if this intrigues you, by all means, give the series a chance.
