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Merissa (13840 KP) rated Hashtag Holidate in Books
Nov 25, 2025
HASHTAG HOLIDATE is a standalone story set in the Made Marian world, with plenty of mentions of the Marian family to make you feel at home.
Adrian is an influencer who travels from place to place, hoping to make it big with his 'Twelve Holidates' feature. Maddox is the owner of a four-generation hardware store, who dabbles in photography, and has his roots set firmly at home. So, yes, these two are opposites from the very beginning, and even more so if you count the grumpy/sunshine vibe too.
This was an easy, well-paced read that has lots of tension between the two MCs. They obviously get together, which leads to steamy times. I don't say this very often, but while I enjoyed them together, I loved the snark and tension more.
One thing that personally didn't work for me was the use of hashtags at the end of each chapter. I skipped over them to get to the main story, but that's a me thing. I'm sure for others who follow the Insta/influencer lifestyle more, they were a fun feature.
Anyway, an easy Christmassy read that made me smile, and one I definitely 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!
Nov 25, 2025
Adrian is an influencer who travels from place to place, hoping to make it big with his 'Twelve Holidates' feature. Maddox is the owner of a four-generation hardware store, who dabbles in photography, and has his roots set firmly at home. So, yes, these two are opposites from the very beginning, and even more so if you count the grumpy/sunshine vibe too.
This was an easy, well-paced read that has lots of tension between the two MCs. They obviously get together, which leads to steamy times. I don't say this very often, but while I enjoyed them together, I loved the snark and tension more.
One thing that personally didn't work for me was the use of hashtags at the end of each chapter. I skipped over them to get to the main story, but that's a me thing. I'm sure for others who follow the Insta/influencer lifestyle more, they were a fun feature.
Anyway, an easy Christmassy read that made me smile, and one I definitely 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!
Nov 25, 2025
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2506 KP) rated A Spy in Saigon in Books
Jan 9, 2026
A Simple Assignment Gone Wrong
It’s August of 2000, and Kat is heading to Vietnam. Given her age and the time, this is filled with mixed emotions for her since the Vietnam War impacted her personal life. But now, the country is once again opening up to foreigners, and Kat is there to cover what the country is like now. At least that’s the cover. She’s actually there to make a drop off and pick up with a jeweler in Ho Chi Minh City. However, while she’s in the store, the contact is murdered in front of her. Now, Kat has no idea what to do. In a country where she is constantly watched, can she still get the information she came for?
This series has always been a cross between a traditional mystery and a light spy story. This entry really leans into the spy part of the series, and it is wonderful. We jumped into the story very quickly, and I always had a hard time putting the book down until I reached the satisfying ending. While this is the fourth in the series, it reads like a standalone. Still, we get some nice character development for Kat, and the rest of the characters come to life wonderfully. The book is definitely of the specific time and place as Kat deals with the results of the Vietnam War and what that means to her 25 years later. This is a fantastic entry in this series.
This series has always been a cross between a traditional mystery and a light spy story. This entry really leans into the spy part of the series, and it is wonderful. We jumped into the story very quickly, and I always had a hard time putting the book down until I reached the satisfying ending. While this is the fourth in the series, it reads like a standalone. Still, we get some nice character development for Kat, and the rest of the characters come to life wonderfully. The book is definitely of the specific time and place as Kat deals with the results of the Vietnam War and what that means to her 25 years later. This is a fantastic entry in this series.
Sweetest Blood
8.5
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Felix. When my sister gets cursed into a coma by a witch coven, I’m forced to pay them...
MM Paranormal Romance Vampires Witches
Merissa (13840 KP) rated Limerence (The Limerent Series #5) in Books
Jan 19, 2026
LIMERENCE is the fifth book in The Limerent Series, and we finally get to spend some quality time with Kara and Dante. This story also seems to run concurrently with Ghosting Academy, time-wise, at least.
The first three books in this series, I would have said you could read as a standalone, with crossover characters either turning up or being mentioned. Now, I would definitely recommend you read the previous books, as there is a whole lot going on that you need to know about.
This is a cross-genre story, so don't expect it to fit neatly inside one little box, black or otherwise, as you will be disappointed if you do. Instead, you get a story with a multitude of twists and turns, with amazing characters that you meet for the first time, but want to hear so much more from (Abi and Liz to name just two), and also catching up with old characters. The overall story moves along in leaps and bounds, giving the connection between Kara, Dante, and the Director ever clearer.
This series is fresh and fabulous, and I honestly can't wait to continue with it. HIGHLY 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!
Jan 19, 2026
The first three books in this series, I would have said you could read as a standalone, with crossover characters either turning up or being mentioned. Now, I would definitely recommend you read the previous books, as there is a whole lot going on that you need to know about.
This is a cross-genre story, so don't expect it to fit neatly inside one little box, black or otherwise, as you will be disappointed if you do. Instead, you get a story with a multitude of twists and turns, with amazing characters that you meet for the first time, but want to hear so much more from (Abi and Liz to name just two), and also catching up with old characters. The overall story moves along in leaps and bounds, giving the connection between Kara, Dante, and the Director ever clearer.
This series is fresh and fabulous, and I honestly can't wait to continue with it. HIGHLY 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!
Jan 19, 2026
One Last Chance
8.0
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Dayton is in a place in his life when he's just about to give up on finding a suitable partner to...
Merissa (13840 KP) rated Toxic B!tch in Books
Sep 10, 2025
TOXIC B!TCH is a standalone featuring a morally grey FEMALE character! Yep, you heard me. How many male characters have I read? This is the only one I can think of where it's the female, and let me tell you... I loved it!
Malik is such a teddy bear - sweet and naive, yet very conscious of his weight. As far as Indigo is concerned, he is everything she never knew she needed, and she is VERY protective of him. Although, to be fair, her idea of protection are slightly different to mine! 😆 I didn't cry about what happened though. Malik didn't deserve the treatment he received from someone else.
I thought this was brilliantly written - dark, deadly, delightfully crazy, and yet a body positive story too. The one thing I absolutely adored was the interplay between Indigo and Malik - even before he found out all about her. She is feisty and sassy, with no filter, and he is there for it. He loves that she doesn't play games, and she is just what he needs too.
Another hit by this author that I read in one sitting because I simply couldn't put it down. HIGHLY 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!
Sep 10, 2025
Malik is such a teddy bear - sweet and naive, yet very conscious of his weight. As far as Indigo is concerned, he is everything she never knew she needed, and she is VERY protective of him. Although, to be fair, her idea of protection are slightly different to mine! 😆 I didn't cry about what happened though. Malik didn't deserve the treatment he received from someone else.
I thought this was brilliantly written - dark, deadly, delightfully crazy, and yet a body positive story too. The one thing I absolutely adored was the interplay between Indigo and Malik - even before he found out all about her. She is feisty and sassy, with no filter, and he is there for it. He loves that she doesn't play games, and she is just what he needs too.
Another hit by this author that I read in one sitting because I simply couldn't put it down. HIGHLY 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!
Sep 10, 2025
AS
A Siren Song for Christmas (An MM Monster Christmas #5)
10.0
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A pining hearth-witch. A grieving siren. A Christmas invitation that changes everything. Trent...
MM Urban Fantasy Seasonal Romance
Out For Blood (Monsters of London #3)
10.0
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Book
A century ago, I shattered the bond between me and my mate. Now our paths are colliding once again. ...
MM Paranormal Romance
Curious Cameron (Secret Lives of Hot Twinks #1)
8.0
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I married my best friend. My gay best friend. I’ve flunked out of art college. I have a fresh...
Contemporary MM Erotica Romance Military BDSM
Merissa (13840 KP) rated Pose for Me in Books
Nov 3, 2025
POSE FOR ME is a standalone dark romance with a Daddy/boy relationship. And trust me when I say that's the most normal thing about the book!
What we have here is a book about a serial killer who kidnaps the FBI agent who is hunting for him, and both of them getting more than they thought they would. And when I say serial killer, I mean someone who kills people just because... they're not bad people, or have done bad things. They're just in the wrong place, at the wrong time, catching the eye for whatever reason of the wrong person.
My favourite part of a Daddy/boy romance is the caretaking aspect of it, and this had that in spades, even though you may think it unlikely. I've read others, but none hit the mark as much as caretaking, and this had everything. Possessiveness, neediness, lingerie, c0ckwarming, it's all here and I loved every moment.
I read this book in one sitting and couldn't put it down. I loved every word, and now I need to find the other book mentioned so I can read that too. Absolutely brilliant and 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!
Nov 3, 2025
What we have here is a book about a serial killer who kidnaps the FBI agent who is hunting for him, and both of them getting more than they thought they would. And when I say serial killer, I mean someone who kills people just because... they're not bad people, or have done bad things. They're just in the wrong place, at the wrong time, catching the eye for whatever reason of the wrong person.
My favourite part of a Daddy/boy romance is the caretaking aspect of it, and this had that in spades, even though you may think it unlikely. I've read others, but none hit the mark as much as caretaking, and this had everything. Possessiveness, neediness, lingerie, c0ckwarming, it's all here and I loved every moment.
I read this book in one sitting and couldn't put it down. I loved every word, and now I need to find the other book mentioned so I can read that too. Absolutely brilliant and 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!
Nov 3, 2025