I was excited when I found out Nikolai was getting his own book because he’s been such a sweetie softie. His insistence on practically killing himselfI was excited when I found out Nikolai was getting his own book because he’s been such a sweetie softie. His insistence on practically killing himself to learn the language and everything about space medicine was thankfully tempered by Z’Ree’s appearance. The love story was very fast burn with all the hurt comfort vibes. Z’Ree was sweet and found herself with Nikolai’s help.
Spice: 3/5
Triggers, violence, gore, enslavement, abuse, flashbacks, panic attacks, child abuse (in single flashback, with frequent vague mentions of abusive father), grief from death of family, radiation exposure, dehydration, malnutrition, pregnancy, risk of harm to fetus, head injury, peril, sexual harassment ...more
I loved this installment in the series! Nora and Dagesh didn’t have that instant perfect sex and it took some time to figure out how to meet in the miI loved this installment in the series! Nora and Dagesh didn’t have that instant perfect sex and it took some time to figure out how to meet in the middle, which was the focus of the book. Kink can be tricky, especially if one has never heard of kink, like Dagesh. Both of them adored one another and were willing to put in the work needed. Dagesh was the sweetest boi, such a consent king. Nora was confident and able to roll with the punches, which complemented Dagesh’s steadiness. They were freaking adorable together.
Spice: 3/5
Triggers: abduction and spaceship crash (off page), pregnancy and childbirth, mentions of parent death, kink shaming...more
This was a cutie short with a confident FMC determined to get her rescuer/one night stand of 5 years ago to stay with her. Preferably forever. She hadThis was a cutie short with a confident FMC determined to get her rescuer/one night stand of 5 years ago to stay with her. Preferably forever. She had trauma, but dealt with it by being sunshine incarnate and embracing her passion for creating things. Brux was grumpy and had abysmal self esteem. He was stuck in the land of “I’m not good enough for her”. I liked that he had an average sized peen and was not as adept at sex, but was an eager student later on.
Spice: 2/5
Triggers: mentions of abuse and captivity, discussion of power differential during sexual encounter, mentions of poverty and social isolation, mentions of SA of side character (more just implied than talked about), stalking behaviors ...more
4.5 ⭐️ I am a fan of the comedy in this book. Maggie was a sarcastic girlie dealing with abduction and an alien that insists she’s his the way all sarc4.5 ⭐️ I am a fan of the comedy in this book. Maggie was a sarcastic girlie dealing with abduction and an alien that insists she’s his the way all sarcastic girlies would. Of course, Mr Arkan doesn’t get sarcasm, so it mostly her being funny for her own self. Arkan was confident, a little obsessive, and playful when given the space for it. Their fast burn story was cute and intense.
Spice: 3/5
Triggers: violence, murder, gore, poisoning, emesis, abduction and beginning stages of trafficking (plan to sell her), captivity, forced nudity, crash, risk of drowning, hypothermia, mentions of torture, discussion of being social outcast, mentions of sick grandmother...more
READ THE TRIGGER WARNINGS BEFORE READING THIS BOOK
Faelin was such the golden retriever, which I really liked. He had a lot of trauma from gro3.5 stars
READ THE TRIGGER WARNINGS BEFORE READING THIS BOOK
Faelin was such the golden retriever, which I really liked. He had a lot of trauma from growing up on the streets, but managed it by being the biggest sweetie with seemingly no trust issues, at least when it can to his crew and Nala. Nala had her own bucket of trauma and was still in the thick of said trauma. She was leery of all men, and therefore leery of Faelin. While I do think Faelin was the sweetest and did the sweetest things, I don’t think Nala was in a place to trust him as much as she did. The author went reeeeaaaaaallllllyyyyy dark on the plot points. Like, I don’t know that you can get any darker. It was fast paced and high stakes.
Spice: 3/5
Triggers: SA, grooming of child (yes, THAT kind of grooming), child slavery, slavery, physical assault of child, dubcon (FMC is sex worker and has sex with MMC for money), involuntary sex work, violence, torture, gore (including dismemberment), murder, references to racism...more
I always love it when a SYKD book is a good find! This was a dark but fun read with a blue collar FMC and the equivalent of a space cop who are stuck I always love it when a SYKD book is a good find! This was a dark but fun read with a blue collar FMC and the equivalent of a space cop who are stuck in a cell together. So ya know, the title of the book. Astra was a good mix of TSTL fierceness and wits, able to adapt to an impossible situation fairly quickly. Tareq was not the best cop, what with being caught by slavers on accident and all, but he did have a good heart. Their relationship was an absolute whirlwind and sweet.
Spice: 3/5
Triggers: abduction, captivity, violence, gore, murder, torture, electrocution, enslavement, medical SA, involuntary medical procedures, exhibitionism by other character, forced nudity, asphyxiation, gun fight, animal abuse, crash, battle including guns, somnophilia (brief, really close to just morning sex), threat of forced breeding...more
This was a dark AF latest installment in this universe and I enjoyed it. I was a lil unsure about Vivian initially, but she grew on me pretty fast, esThis was a dark AF latest installment in this universe and I enjoyed it. I was a lil unsure about Vivian initially, but she grew on me pretty fast, especially when I learned more of her background. Syasku was understandably violent and angry, but to no one’s surprise, got a soft spot for his woman. I enjoyed the intense setting on the spaceship and the way they became each others’ first gentle touches. There is one thing I’m reaaaalllllyyyy upset about, but I can’t say it without spoiling.
Spice: 4.5/5
Triggers: violence, gun violence, gore, torture (including electrocution and skinning), SA, murder, involuntary medical experimentation, pregnancy, childbirth, discussion of child abuse, domestic violence, captivity, dubcon, dehydration, starvation, extreme poverty (involving non main characters), severe illness/injury, grief...more
Ok, but how adorable is Fallon??? He was the ultimate golden retriever hubby and exactly what Darcy needed in her life. He was sooo excited to get marOk, but how adorable is Fallon??? He was the ultimate golden retriever hubby and exactly what Darcy needed in her life. He was sooo excited to get married and so guileless. Darcy was jaded after a life with a narcissistic emotionally and psychologically abusive mother and rather unsure about any sort of marriage. She found a safe space in Fallon and gave him the affection and tenderness he’d been missing. I’m loving this penal colony planet and the men who would do anything to make their wives happy.
Spice: 4/5
Content Warnings: narcissistic parents/emotional abuse, parental abandonment, animal cruelty/abandonment (back story), loss of a pet (back story), grief, shame, internalized misogyny/strict gender roles, murder, childhood trauma, the youth justice system, predator attacks, danger, death, mentions of poison, graphic sexual scenes with a non-human hero, sexual assault (brief grabbing of heroine’s backside in her back story, not violent or on-page), near-drowning, hypothermia, injuries, blood, sutures....more
This book had its cute moments, like Medif waiting for a Hallmark-esque run in with a potential mate in a coffee shop every day. Natty was practical aThis book had its cute moments, like Medif waiting for a Hallmark-esque run in with a potential mate in a coffee shop every day. Natty was practical and kind, taking time to help Medif learn how to converse with women. I was really annoyed that we never learned why Medif initially said that she wasn’t the right kind of woman. I also thought the climax of the story was a bit off, given the fact the they had established themselves as friends.
Spice: 2/5
Triggers: mention of racism, discussion of past accidental manslaughter...more
I didn’t really feel super invested in either of these main characters. Like, I got that Deena was witchy, nearing her 40s, and wanting love and the OI didn’t really feel super invested in either of these main characters. Like, I got that Deena was witchy, nearing her 40s, and wanting love and the Oigr was lonely and resigned to being alone forever, but we barely got to know them as a couple. It still had its cute moments tho.
3.5 stars I enjoyed the set up of this book and the backstories of the MCs. Cara had been walked all over by her ex-fiancé and Levix was a love cynic. 3.5 stars I enjoyed the set up of this book and the backstories of the MCs. Cara had been walked all over by her ex-fiancé and Levix was a love cynic. Levix brought out strength in Cara and she brought out some self control in him. Overall the love story was cute. I did not like what happened to Ben throughout the book. Like, I get that he was a shitty person but his eventual just desserts left a bad taste in my mouth.
Spice: 4/5
Triggers: cheating (not by or between MCs), murder, violence, gore, human trafficking (side character), forced engagement (side character), captivity (side character), mentions of absent parent, toxic ex, pregnancy (off page)...more
3.5 stars So I enjoyed the premise of this book, with abuse recovery and later in life love. Eliza had a good growth arc where she became more confiden3.5 stars So I enjoyed the premise of this book, with abuse recovery and later in life love. Eliza had a good growth arc where she became more confident and was able to forgive herself for her abusive husband. Zerik had potential as a MC, but I felt like I barely knew him by the end of the book. I wanted more from their relationship. He was protective and grew in acceptance himself, which was good and why I gave the book 3.5 instead of 3.
Spice: 2/5
Triggers: abuse, violence, spouse death (off page), divorce, family estrangement, xenophobia (against other species) ...more
Welp, this book did not go in the direction I thought it would. Drelix was much like the other Sarkarnii in his world views and behaviors, but added sWelp, this book did not go in the direction I thought it would. Drelix was much like the other Sarkarnii in his world views and behaviors, but added some deception into the mix, which was a nice change of pace. Crystal was as fierce as most of the other humans and a surprise addition to the mix. They both fell hard and fast for one another, which is expected at this point. It was fun to step into another part of the galaxy and see some familiar species from the sister series to this one. This wrapped up the Sarkarnii series well. (At least I’m assuming it’s the last one? I could be wrong LOL)
Spice: 4/5
Triggers: violence, poisoning, gore, use of fire as weapon, falling from high up, discussion of genocide, grief, abduction, captivity, mentions of past SA and trafficking, hunting - animal death, poverty including poverty and malnutrition of children, gladiatorial battle...more
I was looking forward to Coral’s book and it didn’t disappoint. She was intelligent, resourceful, compassionate, but took no shit. Drasus was understaI was looking forward to Coral’s book and it didn’t disappoint. She was intelligent, resourceful, compassionate, but took no shit. Drasus was understandably grumpy from being bedridden from life threatening injuries, so they didn’t get off to the best start. However, they quickly found their groove and learned to communicate more effectively. The Sarkarnii are primal, possessive, and rather emotionally constipated as a whole. The human mates as a whole have a stiff upper lip, but have much more emotional intelligence that the men. I’m enjoying the world and looking forward to the next book.
Spice: 4.5/5
Triggers: life threatening injuries, confinement to bed, violence, mild gore, head injury, amnesia, MC pushy for other MC to have sex with them, explosion, kidnapping, poisoning, imprisonment...more
This book felt pretty meh to me. The original premise had potential, with a matchmaking agency and a badass FMC, but the follow through wasn’t what I This book felt pretty meh to me. The original premise had potential, with a matchmaking agency and a badass FMC, but the follow through wasn’t what I was hoping for.
Spice: 2.5/5
Triggers: violence, gore, murder, gun violence, mentions of sexism and racism ...more
Buckle up folks because I have some FEELINGS about this book. First off, I’m as salty as Tia is about what went down in books 1-3 of Icehome. ExpectinBuckle up folks because I have some FEELINGS about this book. First off, I’m as salty as Tia is about what went down in books 1-3 of Icehome. Expecting a teenager to commit to adult aliens instead of flirt with them is…. not ok. I’m so glad she found Stacy in Croatoan to be her surrogate mom. Stacy wins kindest person in Croatoan award, although both Salukh and Tiffany are rivals for that title. But I digress—back to this book. I loved how imperfect Tia was, with her lonely childhood informing her views of the ice planet and the people on it. She was so happy to find her man, but of course, nothing is simple on this planet. Rem’eb was a sweetie who had to grow some spine during this book. His dad was ruled by grief and liable to some awful decisions, like kidnapping Tia. The language barrier was a fun throw back. While I enjoyed this book as a whole, I was a little annoyed at neither MC catching on to an obvious solution to the main dilemma. Tia tended to be selfish, but read as more traumatized than anything else. I mean, who isn’t selfish when they haven’t had the resources to deal with childhood trauma? Plus being dumped on a planet at age 17 and then sent away for being a “problem” didn’t help. It’s hard to look outside of yourself when you’re hurting. I thought the ending was solid and I am crossing my fingers so hard for some FF romance in this series!
Spice: 4/5
Triggers: Caverns/Underground locations, Imprisonment and captivity/kidnapping, References to past plague/disease, References to one character’s murder of another (off page), Pregnancy, Reference to forced resonance, A character is drugged (nothing bad happens to them), Strained parental relations, Past death of a parent, Isolation/Feeling unwelcome in a group, Questionable ocular medical treatment (it all turns out well), Mention of side character attempting to be a voyeur...more
I read through this book sooooo fast! The pacing and balance of conversation of action was perfect. Silar was absolutely adorable with his stoicism anI read through this book sooooo fast! The pacing and balance of conversation of action was perfect. Silar was absolutely adorable with his stoicism and habit of abruptly leaving a room. Cherry was a chatterbox and sunshine incarnate - exactly what he needed to open up. I NEED Fallon’s book!!!!!
Spice: 3/5
Triggers: violence, gore, murder, discussion of child imprisonment, death of parent (off page), poverty, attempted human trafficking, imprisonment, kidnapping...more
3.5 stars ARC review This was a fun little erotica short with a FMC who woke up to the knowledge she was going to be a gladiator prize. Ira was a sweet3.5 stars ARC review This was a fun little erotica short with a FMC who woke up to the knowledge she was going to be a gladiator prize. Ira was a sweetie and I was def a fan of the alien cat monster aspect. The spice was fun. I liked that the FMC had missing glasses as well. I’m also a big fan of the language barrier trope. Some of the writing was a bit repetitive and I wish we could have known a little more about him and his background. But for the length of the book it was appropriate.
Spice: 5/5
Triggers: abduction (not by MC), imprisonment, brief threat of SA, have to have his cum scent for safety kinda sorta dubcon, but it’s situation driven, not character driven...more
Micah was such the lovable softie techie boy and I love that he got his own book. Ziggy was morally gray, but often veered into morally black. They boMicah was such the lovable softie techie boy and I love that he got his own book. Ziggy was morally gray, but often veered into morally black. They both had daddy issues, although Ziggy’s took front and center because he was waaaaayyyyyy behind Micah in working through any of his issues. I loved Micah’s tendency to blurt things out during sexy time and his patience with Ziggy’s emotional constipation. I loved Ziggy’s determination that Micah was obvs the best superhero on earth and insistence that he recognize his own awesomeness. They were perfect for each other. The comedy was, as always, great. It adds some light heartedness to some very dark topics and situations. Both characters had a tendencies to think with their peens, even at wildly inappropriate times, but it added to the fun. The world building is interesting and I’m excited for what comes next!
Spice: 4.5/5
Triggers: author has comprehensive list at beginning of book...more
3.75 stars Georgia was a super sweet beta wolfie showing up on earth to find a mate. She breaks free of her abusive pack and jumps headfirst into matin3.75 stars Georgia was a super sweet beta wolfie showing up on earth to find a mate. She breaks free of her abusive pack and jumps headfirst into mating. She was insecure (obvs expected from her experiences) and invested in Lance. Lance was also dealing with some past abuse from a partner but was just as eager as Georgia to jump in head first. The story was very much so insta lust and had cozy vibes. I would have loved to get to know that main characters better and see them work through issues in real time, rather than having them implied and worked threw off page. But for the length of the book it was pretty well done.
Spice: 3.5/5
Triggers: emotional abuse (off page), toxic ex, mention of family member with dementia, bullying (off page)...more
Poppy || Monster Lover
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