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The Curse Between Us
The Curse Between Us
Layla Moran | 2025 | LGBTQ+, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
THE CURSE BETWEEN US is a standalone story of opposites - hot Rafria and icy Eskarven, long at war with each other. When both kings die, the crowns are passed on to Edric of Rafria and Zephyr of Eskarven. With help, they come up with a plan to stop the war, but that just unleashes a prophecy neither was aware of.

This was a great story, with plenty of world-building and lore without being bogged down by all the minutiae. The differences in both the characters and places help build within the story, and nothing is just easy and solved with the wave of a hand. The relationship between Edric and Zephyr is slow-burn but with plenty of emotions. It does lead to some steamy moments but doesn't overtake the story.

This is the second book by this author I have read and it has been proven that intricate and emotional stories are what to expect, which I love! A fantastic story that I thoroughly enjoyed and have no hesitation in HIGHLY 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!
Mar 17, 2025
  
Unlocked and Unlost
Unlocked and Unlost
Gabbi Grey | 2025 | LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
UNLOCKED AND UNLOST is a standalone as far as I can tell, although I'm guessing there's a crossover somewhere because most of the side characters seem to have stories of their own that have already been told.

Kingston is a raccoon shifter locksmith who is laid up with a sprained ankle, caused by a client's young daughter. Ethan is the client's answer to helping Kingston out of a mess. Ethan is a squirrel shifter, complete with the hyperactivity you would expect. In their world, you don't recognise your fated mate unless you're shifted.

To be honest, I didn't really get them as a couple. Kingston couldn't cope with Ethan having 5 million tabs open in his brain (and neither could I!) and was quite rude about it in places. And Ethan? Well, it seemed as though he'd just be happy someone wanted him. There was a lot in his past with his father and grandmother, but I never really got to see much of it firsthand; it came as flashbacks or memories from Ethan most of the time.

Cute and lighthearted, I enjoyed this read but definitely wanted more.

** 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!
May 6, 2025
  
A Cowboy Holiday
A Cowboy Holiday
Lane Hayes | 2025 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
A COWBOY HOLIDAY is a standalone story, but with crossovers to another of the author's series. In this story, Axel is a single dad who is a qualified vet but also helps out on the ranch doing odd jobs. Tanner is the co-owner of the ranch. These two meet when Tanner wants to buy a herd of cows, and Axel is the vet caring for them. It is set at Christmastime, and they visit Christmas Town.

This is a well-written and well-paced story. Axel and Tanner get together fairly quickly, and the majority of the story isn't whether they love each other or not, but will Axel stay on the ranch, or will he go to Texas as planned? All in all, it is fairly low angst, with medium heat.

Told from both Axel and Tanner's perspectives, they are also ably supported by a great cast of characters, and most of them have four legs! Throw in some Christmas magic in the shape of a mysterious Santa, and you have an easy Christmas read that I enjoyed and can recommend.

** 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!
Dec 15, 2025
  
Demon Marked (Everwood Falls #4)
Demon Marked (Everwood Falls #4)
Kat Kinney | 2026 | LGBTQ+, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
DEMON MARKED is the fourth book in the Everwood Falls series. Although you could read it as a standalone, I would personally recommend reading them in order. This town is very friendly, so that way, you would know more about the characters that pop up when needed.

Norah is the detective of Everwood Falls, keeping the town and its occupants safe. Ember is a Fae princess who adores the Mundane world (and Norah). When a curse reactivates, and Ember is in danger, Norah will do all she can to find out who did it and to find a cure.

This story definitely has golden retriever/black cat energy! Norah is all bite, black, and sharp edges, whereas Ember is fluffy, pink, and glitter. Throw in a dragon pregnancy, a bake-off show, curses, and a hellhound who keeps bursting into flames, and you have a story to keep you entertained from beginning to end.

I love returning to Everwood Falls and seeing all the old friends, while enjoying the story for the new ones. I can't wait for Bryce and Ryker's story! Definitely recommended by me.

** 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!
Mar 16, 2026
  
40x40

Merissa (14194 KP) rated What He Finds (Desires: New Beginnings #2) in Books

Apr 7, 2023 (Updated Apr 10, 2023)  
What He Finds (Desires: New Beginnings #2)
What He Finds (Desires: New Beginnings #2)
E.M. Denning | 2023 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
WHAT HE FINDS is the second book in the Desires: New Beginnings series but it can be read as a standalone, as I did. We meet with Quentin and Toby, two men who work in the same building. Toby has liked Quentin for months but hasn't made a move. Quentin has seen him but didn't think anything of it until Toby buys him a sandwich before it runs out.

This is a low-angst book with cinnamon roll main characters. Both of them have hang-ups from their pasts - Toby because he felt as though he pushed his college boyfriend away by being too needy, and Quentin by being too controlling. Put them together and you have an inexperienced sub who knows what he likes but is prepared to experiment and a Dom who knows exactly what to do to make his kitten shine. Although Toby has to deal with the death of his college ex, there is no real drama here.

A thoroughly enjoyable book I read in one sitting. I definitely recommend it and would read more in this series and by this author.

** 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!
April 7, 2023
  
Wait! (Oxley College #2)
Wait! (Oxley College #2)
Stacey Nash | 2015 | Contemporary, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is the third book in the Oxley College series although it can (and was by me) read as a standalone. This in no way disrupted my reading or enjoyment of the story.

This book concentrates on Jordan - a serious ex-rugby player who just wants to study hard and doesn't want any sort of relationship - and Hex - a fun-loving party girl who's hiding her hurt behind a smiling mask. They both have secrets and issues that they are dealing with and it's the way that they deal with them and each other that makes this book such a joy to read.

There is insta-lust between the two of them but they actually take the time to build up their relationship which makes a refreshing change.

This story is very well written and deals with some very hard subjects - binge drinking, the death of a sibling, the effects of words spoken by parents who don't know the child is listening - that sort of thing. None of it is preachy or judgmental but tells Jordan and Hex's story perfectly.

Definitely recommended to all fans of Contemporary Romance.

* 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!
Jun 02, 2015
  
Fireworks at Midnight (A Witch’s Night Out #3)
Fireworks at Midnight (A Witch’s Night Out #3)
Tara Quan | 2014 | Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is the third book in the Witch's Night Out series and the best part for me is that each story is individual, whilst following a familiar idea. This way means that you get a fresh story each time, whilst the world and character building can move on from where it last left off. This means that you end up with a rich and detailed world with characters that are three-dimensional and you can relate to, without having a massive back-story or information dump going on.

Sweets and Mikal deserve to be together, they have crushed on each from afar long enough. The time is now to make a move - but who will move first, and what does fate have in store before they can? This is a quick and light-hearted read that will satisfy your need for a steamy coffee break book. Whilst it is the third in a series, I would say it could be read as a standalone, but reading the other two will definitely help give you a more enriched view. Definitely recommended for all fans of paranormal romance.

* 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!
Dec 21, 2015