Space Vampire by Ruby DixonMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
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Welcome to Haney Hayes Promotions, we are an integrated Author Services Company that specializes in Public Relations, Social Media and Author Management.
Jess—aka Reviews by Jess—is a sassy, top-ranked Goodreads reviewer who reads a little of everything. From steamy romance to dark fantasy, plus stories featuring mental health, hidden disabilities, and LGBTQ+ rep, she brings bold, unfiltered reviews readers can trust. Expect sass, sparkle, and a TBR that’s about to explode.
Reviews by Jess- Unfiltered. Unapologetic. Unforgettable Reviews.
Sunday, October 5, 2025
From a Song Blitz
Music Fiction
Date Published: 09-30-2025
Publisher: Covfefe Press
For anyone who's ever said, "They're playing my song!"
On
Halloween Eve, 1961, in his dingy Bronx walkup apartment, seventeen-year-old
Jimmy Welton hears the opening notes of a song in his head. Jimmy’s
still mourning his firefighter father, who taught him to play the guitar but
recently died in a house fire, leaving his family destitute. Jimmy takes this
song, about all he misses from his life now, to the New York amusement park
where he works after school. There, he meets Mark Morgan, a rebellious teen
with his own band, who eventually invites Jimmy to join them. And the rest is
rock'n roll history...
The GooseBumps become a worldwide phenomenon, and
the songs they write and sing together become the backbone of rock musical
history. And the song Jimmy first heard on Halloween, "Wrapped in Gauze",
becomes the song that not only comforts him in that terrible time but also
comforts others: Victoria, recently divorced and dealing with an unthinkable
family tragedy; Carolyn, whose final flippant words to someone in pain can't
be taken back; and Jack, battling back from unimaginable loss with the help of
his cheeky therapist and a song he thinks he hates.
SCENES
FROM A SONG is the story of a song that makes us smile, that breaks our
hearts, that stays with us forever, and the very special band that started it
all.
About the Author
SUSAN SLOATE is the author or co-author of more than 25 published books. This includes 3 editions of Forward to Camelot, a time-travel thriller about the JFK assassination that became a #6 Amazon bestseller, was honored in 3 literary competitions and was optioned by a Hollywood company for film production. She also wrote the autobiographical Broadway novel Stealing Fire, which became a #2 Amazon bestseller and Hot New Release, and Realizing You (with Ron Doades), for which she invented a new genre: the self-help novel.
Susan has also written young-adult fiction
and non-fiction, including the children’s biography Ray Charles: Find
Another Way, which won the silver medal in the 2007 Children’s Moonbeam
Awards. Mysteries Unwrapped: The Secrets of Alcatraz led to her 2009
appearance on the TV series MysteryQuest for The History Channel. She has also
been a sportswriter and a screenwriter, edited the popular Kyle & Corey
young-adult book series, managed two political campaigns and founded an
author’s festival to promote student literacy in her hometown outside
Charleston, SC. She has appeared in multiple volumes of WHO’S WHO IN
AMERICA, WHO’S WHO IN ENTERTAINMENT and WHO’S WHO AMONG AMERICAN
WOMEN.
Contact Links
Twitter: @Susan_Sloate
Saturday, October 4, 2025
Friday, October 3, 2025
Review: Onyx Storm
Onyx Storm by Rebecca YarrosMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Epic Fantasy Adventure: A Heroine's Quest
Embark on an unforgettable journey filled with magic, danger, and destiny. This epic fantasy adventure follows a complex and courageous heroine as she faces a perilous quest that will test her limits and shape her fate.
With vivid world-building, intricate characters, and heart-pounding action, this story will immerse readers in a realm of mythical creatures, ancient prophecies, and powerful magic. As the heroine confronts formidable foes and uncovers hidden truths, she must grapple with her own inner demons and make choices that will have far-reaching consequences.
Perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Leigh Bardugo, and other authors who craft immersive worlds and compelling female protagonists, this book will appeal to readers who crave epic quests, high-stakes battles, and unforgettable characters. With its blend of action, adventure, and emotional depth, this story is a must-read for anyone who loves to lose themselves in a fantastical world.
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Review: Iron Flame
Iron Flame by Rebecca YarrosMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is a thrilling and romantic fantasy adventure that will captivate readers who crave epic battles, fiery passion, and strong-willed heroines, making it a perfect fit for fans of fantasy romance and war stories.
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Wednesday, October 1, 2025
Review: Fourth Wing
Fourth Wing by Rebecca YarrosMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
I should have read this sooner. Take Hunger Games, Divergent, and Lord of the Rings, then make them one book with so many twists and turns you don't even see coming. Yarros did an amazing job. If you haven't read this yet, make it your next.
The mind fuck it gave was perfection. I had such FoMo with this series, but I was scared I wouldn't enjoy it because just about every time a popular book catches my attention, I've disliked it. Now I'm on to Iron Flame, and it's so freaking good.
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Saturday, September 27, 2025
Thursday, September 25, 2025
Thursday, September 11, 2025
Wednesday, September 10, 2025
Eden Blitz
Dystopian Novel
Date Published: May 2, 2025
In 4029, Homo convertibilis has replaced Homo sapiens and their
scientists study the "Pierre de Vent," a collection of political, historical,
and ancient sacred texts written by the "founding father," who is the
reference of the new society.
2054, to combat the chronic anemia of the sedentary population, who live cloistered and under government tutelage, the pharmaceutical company Orson and Orson, of which Nucleus is the main shareholder, developed a regenerative pill called Jouvence. Everyone is clamoring for it. "Unfortunately," the side effects of the miracle product affect the libido of the consumers, causing them to literally die of pleasure.
Nucleus manipulates governments to gradually rid the planet of the surplus humans who no longer have a place in a society where finance has supplanted mass consumerism. His hope is to turn Earth into a true Eden for his people who are, in his eyes, the only humans worthy of survival. However, a persistent infertility crisis amongst his kind, casts a dark shadow over his once-promising vision of a utopian future. Meanwhile, in the Metropolis, some Sedentaries, including Winston, manage to escape the systematic and inevitable extermination set in motion by Nucleus.
Will they be able to survive the persecution of the army of liberty and the reactivation of the GMO seeds of hyper-accumulating hyacinths that has covered the entire planet?
Gripping, provocative, and chillingly prescient, Eden: The Final Solution is a dystopian tour de force that challenges the limits of progress, morality and reimagine the Orwellian dystopia, shaped by the excesses and anxieties of our time. Fans of Brave New World and 1984 will find themselves enthralled—and terrified—by this haunting vision of the future.
About the Author
Pascal Bouquillard is a jack-of-all-trades. After graduating from the
“Baccalauréat économique et social” in France, he pursued
classical music studies at the “École Normale de Musique de
Paris”, taught for almost 30 years, acted on American stages in South
Carolina and published acoustic versions of his favorite songs on the YouTube
channel, “pascalsguitar”.
At the end of the ’80s, he spent several years touring Europe and French-speaking countries with the “Trio Français de Guitare”, which he co-founded and which specialized in transcriptions of works by early 20th-century composers. Unfortunately, focal dystonia prevents him from pursuing a career as a classical guitarist. He then obtained a scholarship to the “Maitrise de Musique Baroque de Versailles”, where he played tenor and was introduced to conducting.
In the ’90s, he co-founded the progressive rock band Saens, in which he was composer, singer, bassist and acoustic guitarist, and with whom he released three albums: Les Regrets d’Isidore D, Escaping From The Hands Of God and Prophet In A Statistical World.
In 1997, he conducted Benjamin Britten’s opera “Noah’s Ark” at the Cathédrale Saint Louis in Versailles, the Église Saint Augustin in Paris and the Théâtre de Poissy. That same year, he was invited to conduct a group of musicians from the Orchestre National de France at the Théâtre des Champs Élysées, on the occasion of Mstislav Rostropovich’s 70th birthday.
He then moved to the USA to find the woman he was to marry. Interested by the turn the world economy is taking, he returns to his original political passions.
After more than 5 years of research and reflection as part of a virtual focused group of French citizens, and driven by the anxieties provoked by his discoveries, he launched into the writing of “Eden” and the “Practical Guide toward an Atomic Democracy”.
Contact Links
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Tuesday, September 9, 2025
Continuity Blitz
Life Beyond the Credits
Memoir
Date Published: 09-09-2025
Publisher: Punctuate Press
Academy member Bonnie Clevering spent 50 years in Hollywood, designing
hair for dozens of stars including Julia Roberts, Brad Pitt, Kristen Stewart,
Al Pacino, and Jennifer Lopez under the direction of icons like Christopher
Nolan, Oliver Stone, and Steven Soderbergh. After uncovering an enormous stash
of production Polaroids and behind-scenes photos she took, Bonnie decided it
was time to tell some lovely stories about her time in Hollywood.
Continuity By Bonnie Clevering: Life Behind the Credits will be released on Punctuate Press (distributed by APG) on September 9. It will uniquely come in two formats: a paperback memoir, and a beautiful hardcover coffee table book with hundreds of photos. While stories about Nancy Sinatra’s old wives tale helping Bonnie get pregnant, making dinner for the Ocean’s Eleven cast, and how hair creates character are certainly delightful, Bonnie also shares deeply about being a woman in Hollywood, the consequences of saying “no” (and “yes”), single motherhood, and legacy.
About the Author
Bonnie Clevering, in a nearly 5-decade career as a Motion Picture Hair Stylist, has trussed the tresses of hundreds of actors including Hilary Swank, Bette Davis, Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts, Al Pacino, Keanu Reeves, and Kristen Stewart. Her impressive resume includes iconic films and TV series like Hello, Dolly!, RoboCop, Any Given Sunday, Ocean's Eleven, Erin Brockovich, Office Space, The Twilight Saga, and Mr. & Mrs. Smith, totaling over 120 productions. She earned membership in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences in 2001.
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The Blue Riders Blitz
Historical Thriller
Date Published: June 28, 2024
New York, 1890s
The newspaper war between William Randolph Hearst's New York Journal and Joseph Pulitzer's New York World is raging, while in Cuba a brave band of Cuban rebels are struggling to overthrow the tyrannical rule of Spain.
As war fever builds, Cassie O'Conner, one of the first female reporters of the era, goes undercover in an insane asylum, where she makes a discovery of historic proportion: a plot to assassinate President William McKinley. But before she can act on her discovery, Cassie is kidnapped and whisked away to Cuba, forcing the Journal and the World to join forces in a daring rescue attempt.
Can they return her to Washington, D.C. in time to stop the assassination of the president?
Full of action, adventure and romance, THE BLUE RIDERS is a fast-paced, hard-to-put down historical thriller.
About the Author
Jim Lester holds a Ph.D in history and is the author of three successful young adult novels--Fallout, The Great Pretender and Shadow Games as well as two exciting historical thrillers, Deadline:New York and Call to a Nightmare. A native of Little Rock, Arkansas, he now makes his home in Colorado.
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Monday, September 8, 2025
The Exchange and Other Calamities Blitz
Horror / Collection
Date Published: 07-22-2025
Publisher: Anuci Press
Evil lurks in the darkness, clawing its way towards unsuspecting victims . . .
A woman living with fibromyalgia finds an artifact that unleashes a reality she never thought possible . . . at a steep price.
Two high school
seniors take part in a tradition that brings them face-to-face with the
monstrous truth behind a haunting, dark urban legend.
The face behind a
popular YouTube ghost hunting show travels to the scene of a horrific event to
find fresh horrors there.
Fate takes a bite out of a young woman who
ventures into the wilderness to grieve her mother.
Best-selling author,
Theo Anderson, takes part in a sleep study that turns her into the very thing
she fears.
Hold your breath as you immerse yourself in five harrowing stories written by bestselling author, Mallory McCartney. Fans of her gripping Black Dawn series will be kept on the edge of their seat by this horror collection inspired by real life events!
About the Author
Mallory McCartney currently lives in Sarnia, Ontario with her husband, their dachshunds Link, and Leonard and their sphynx cats Luna, Legolas, Ivy and Lily. When she isn’t working on her next novel or reading, she can be found day dreaming about fantasy worlds or bingeing her favorite horror movies.
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$0.99 for a Limited Time
Saturday, September 6, 2025
Review: Mockingjay
Mockingjay by Suzanne CollinsMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Mockingjay closes The Hunger Games trilogy with a gut punch of war, loss, and resilience. Where the first book was about survival and the second about rebellion, the third is about the devastating cost of revolution—and it doesn’t shy away from the horrors of conflict.
Katniss is no longer just a girl with a bow—she’s the face of a movement, a reluctant symbol manipulated by leaders on both sides. What makes her so compelling here is her vulnerability: she is traumatized, grieving, and often broken, but she continues forward because she must. Her story is not about glory; it’s about survival in a world that demands sacrifice.
The romance thread reaches its heartbreaking resolution. Peeta, broken and hijacked by the Capitol, is both a symbol of love’s fragility and its resilience. Gale’s harder edges and ruthless strategies force Katniss—and readers—to confront the morality of war. The love triangle ends not in melodrama, but in the quiet recognition of who Katniss needs to survive, not just who she desires.
The war sequences are raw and brutal. Collins doesn’t glorify battle—she shows us its destruction, the toll it takes on children, families, and entire districts. The loss of beloved characters (Finnick, Prim) hits like a physical blow, reminding us that revolutions are never without cost. And the ending—bittersweet, subdued, but deeply resonant—reminds us that healing is possible, even if scars remain.
This isn’t a triumphant finale, but it’s the right one. Mockingjay forces us to grapple with trauma, power, and the messy truth of human resilience. It’s dark, heartbreaking, and necessary—a masterpiece of YA dystopia that dares to tell the truth about war.
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Review: Death of the Matchmaker
Death of the Matchmaker by Angelica KateMy rating: 2 of 5 stars
Death of the Matchmaker has an imaginative premise: Missy Mays inherits her late mother’s matchmaking business—along with her ghost. Her mom won’t pass on until she successfully completes ten matches, which sets Missy up for plenty of chaos. Add in her neighbor, a cynical divorce lawyer, and there’s plenty of room for banter, clashing ideologies, and potential romance.
The problem isn’t the setup—it’s the execution. The story struggles to balance its paranormal comedy with the romance at its center. The ghostly mom brings some funny moments, but her presence often overshadows Missy’s own arc, making it hard for her character growth to shine through. The romance with the neighbor feels rushed and underdeveloped, more plot device than organic connection.
The pacing also feels uneven. Some chapters drag while others rush through key developments, leaving emotional beats underexplored. The side characters, while quirky, don’t contribute much depth to the story, and at times, the book leans on cliché rather than pushing into the freshness its premise promised.
While the book has charm, humor, and moments of fun, it didn’t pull together into a satisfying whole. For me, it was a miss, though readers who love quick paranormal rom-coms with lighthearted hijinks may find more to enjoy.
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Friday, September 5, 2025
Review: Catching Fire
Catching Fire by Suzanne CollinsMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
🔥 The spark becomes a blaze—politics, passion, and rebellion ignite in this unforgettable sequel.”
🏹 Quarter Quell, rebellion, and heartbreak. Katniss faces impossible choices as sparks of love and revolution collide. Bold, brilliant, and utterly unforgettable.
Tropes
- Dystopian Survival 🏹🔥
- Rebellion Against Oppression ⚔️
- Fake Relationship ➡️ Real Feelings ❤️
- Found Family & Loyalty 👭
- Arena 2.0: Twists on the Games 🎲
Catching Fire is one of those rare sequels that not only lives up to the first book but surpasses it in scope and emotional depth. Suzanne Collins takes the tightly focused survival story of The Hunger Games and blows it wide open, plunging Katniss and Peeta into the heart of political upheaval, rebellion, and devastating personal stakes.
What makes this book shine is how it layers danger. Katniss isn’t just fighting to survive another arena—she’s grappling with the consequences of becoming a symbol of rebellion she never asked to be. Her defiance at the end of the first Games lights a fire she cannot control, and watching her navigate that tension—between survival, love, and revolution—is captivating.
The Quarter Quell arena is brilliantly designed, full of lethal creativity and heartbreaking stakes. Every twist feels brutal and surprising, from poisoned fog to mockingjay mimicry. The alliance-building here is richer, too: Finnick Odair, Johanna Mason, Beetee, and Wiress bring nuance, humor, and sacrifice, creating relationships that deepen the impact of the Games.
Peeta continues to shine as the moral compass and heart of the series. His devotion to Katniss, whether or not she reciprocates, is both heartbreaking and inspiring. Gale’s presence in District 12 adds another layer of emotional conflict, as Katniss struggles with loyalty, affection, and the crushing weight of expectation.
What elevates Catching Fire above a simple dystopian thriller is its commentary. The Capitol’s decadence versus the Districts’ desperation is sharper here, and Collins makes no attempt to soften the cruelty of systemic oppression. The story ends with one of the most unforgettable cliffhangers in YA history—District 12 is gone, Katniss has been rescued, and the rebellion is no longer simmering; it’s ready to explode.
This is a sequel that raises every stake—personal, political, and emotional—and delivers a story that lingers long after the final page.
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Review: The Penalty
The Penalty by Lynn MontaganoMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
⚽️ He’s a world-class goalie with secrets. She’s a woman who refuses to let guilt define her. When they meet, danger and desire collide.
🔥 Star goalie meets guilt-haunted woman = intense chemistry, deep secrets, and a romance that scores when it counts. Emotionally rich and totally binge-worthy!
Tropes
- Sports Romance
- Second Chance / Complicated Past
- Grumpy-Sunshine Hero Dynamic
- Emotional Trauma & Healing
- Intertwined Fates / Secrets from the Past
The Penalty by Lynn Montagano is a gripping sports romance with real emotional meat beneath the glittering veneer of celebrity. Xavier Maddox is England’s star goalkeeper—talented, charismatic, and haunted by past mistakes. Victoria Chase is a woman running from grief, guilt, and a family tragedy she’s never fully confronted.
When their lives collide, the chemistry ignites fast, but the emotional stakes run much deeper than lust or fame. Montagano does a solid job of weaving in the sports-celebrity setting without letting it overshadow the emotional core: the tension between Xavier’s yearning to protect and Victoria’s stubborn drive to stay distant shapes much of the conflict.
Victoria’s guilt and secret history give the story weight, while Xavier’s attempts to break down her walls feel earnest and sometimes desperate, which adds credibility to his gruff-but-caring persona. Their romance isn’t a fairy tale—it’s messy, marked by hesitation, misunderstandings, and the struggle to balance public pressure with private pain.
If there’s a critique, it’s that at times the pacing swings between frenetic (“must resolve secrets now!”) and reflective (“wait, let’s unpack this trauma slowly”), which can tug at the emotional flow. Still, the dialogue feels real, the character motivations hold up, and the romance lands as satisfying. It’s not a soft or easy ride—but if you’re in the mood for a sports romance that leans into heartache, healing, and hard-won happiness, The Penalty delivers.
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Review: Grade-A Beefcakes: Books 1 - 5
Grade-A Beefcakes: Books 1 - 5 by Vanessa ValeMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
🤠 Each heroine gets a double dose of cowboy charm—and the heat never quits in this Grade-A binge.
🔥 Five books, tons of cowboy heat, and zero shame in indulging. Steamy, fun, and perfect when you want romance that refuses to go slow.
Tropes
- Cowboy Reverse Harem / Poly Romance
- Big, Beefy Heroes + One Woman
- Small-Town Ranch Setting
- Fast-Paced, Steamy Series Escape
- Sexy Escapism, Low Drama
The Grade-A Beefcakes boxed set by Vanessa Vale is a delightfully indulgent cowboy romance binge. Five books, five different heroines, and a rotating cast of ranch-hands, rodeo stars, and heart-throbbing cowboys who never shy away from passion—or sharing. If your romance TBR ever needs a “steam reset,” this series delivers.
Vale leans fully into fantasy cowboy territory: big ranches, big horses, and even bigger egos (and accents). The heroines are strong-willed, sexy, and willing to test the boundaries—especially when there’s more than one cowboy involved. The heroes? Broody, rugged, and intensely devoted, whether they’re wrangling a herd or wrangling a woman into their arms.
What really makes this series work is the consistency of tone. Each book runs hot, fast, and playful, with just enough emotional grounding to give the steamy moments some weight. You won’t be rooting for sweeping emotional arcs or moral high ground—but you will be rooting for these cowboys to show their softer sides, sometimes begrudgingly, often through sheer appetite. The shared-world structure means characters pop up across books, giving it a loose “found family on the ranch” feel.
If there’s a weakness, it’s that emotional growth occasionally takes a back seat to physical attraction. Some plotlines feel rushed or lightly sketched, and not every heroine’s journey gets fully fleshed out in terms of trauma or long-term consequences. But honestly? When your primary goal is consumption-level heat, cowboy charm, and a fast-paced romantic fantasy—that small tradeoff is fair.
Overall, Grade-A Beefcakes is a fun, fast, spicy romp that doesn’t apologize for its fantasy cowboy deliciousness. If you’re in the mood for a bingeable western-romance cheat day, this boxed set hits the spot.
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Review: The Hunger Games
The Hunger Games by Suzanne CollinsMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
🏹🔥 A brutal fight for survival, a heroine who redefines courage, and a story that changed YA dystopian fiction forever.
💔⚔️ Brutal dystopia, fierce heroine, and a fake romance that sparks something real. Powerful, emotional, and still one of the best survival stories ever told.
Tropes
- Dystopian Survival 🏹🔥
- Enemies-to-Lovers (slow build, Katniss & Peeta’s fake romance ➡️ real feelings) ❤️
- Found Family & Loyalty 👭
- Rebellion Against Oppression ⚔️
- Strong Female Protagonist 💪
The Hunger Games is one of those rare books that reshaped an entire genre—and it still holds up brilliantly. Suzanne Collins creates a dystopian world that feels chillingly real, balancing political commentary with a pulse-pounding survival story.
Katniss Everdeen is a heroine who is both fierce and vulnerable. Her decision to take her sister’s place in the Games sets the tone: she’s a reluctant hero, motivated by love and loyalty, not glory. Watching her navigate the deadly arena—where every alliance, every move, and every moment of compassion can mean life or death—never stops being gripping.
Peeta’s presence adds depth and emotional complexity. Their “fake” romance staged for survival complicates everything, blurring lines between strategy and genuine connection. The tension between heart and survival makes their bond compelling, even as Katniss resists what it means. Gale’s shadow in the background creates further emotional stakes that extend beyond the Games themselves.
Collins also doesn’t shy away from the darker aspects of dystopia. The Capitol’s grotesque wealth versus the Districts’ desperation is vividly drawn, and the Games themselves become both horrifying entertainment and a metaphor for systemic cruelty. It’s impossible not to think about the real-world parallels, which makes the story linger long after the last page.
The pacing is razor-sharp, the writing accessible but powerful, and the story layered with meaning. While marketed as YA, it transcends age groups, offering survival suspense, heart-pounding action, and an unforgettable heroine who fights not just for herself, but for a better world.
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Review: Dirty Billionaire Club: Spicy Romance Complete Series Box Set
Dirty Billionaire Club: Spicy Romance Complete Series Box Set by Claire AngelMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
💸Rich, ruthless, and rule-breaking—this billionaire club is sinful fun, but the pleasure peaks before the pain.
🔥 Billionaire hook-ups, no-rules club drama, and steamy payoff—the heat is real and the emotions are hit-or-miss, but overall it’s a fast, spicy binge.
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Tropes
- Billionaire / Dirty Club Setting
- No-Rules Hookup Culture
- Alpha Heroes + Vulnerable Heroines
- Steamy Anthology Feel (each book its own couple)
- Darker Edges in a Contemporary Romance Box Set
Dirty Billionaire Club: Spicy Romance Complete Series Box Set by Claire Angel is a wild, unapologetically steamy romp through filthy rich men and women who play by their own rules. The series promises decadence, obsession, and powerful men who expect to get what they want—and often do.
What works here: Claire Angel definitely knows how to deliver on raw desire. The settings are decadent, the club is glamorous and decadent in equal measure, and the heroes often straddle the line between dominant jerk and unexpectedly protective partner. If you're looking for escapist heat, bad-boy fantasies, and a steady parade of billionaire drama, there's a lot to like: bold storytelling, fast pacing, and no apologies for the spice or the moral shortcuts.
That said, the box set format also reveals some of the limitations. Because each book focuses on a different couple and relationship, emotional payoff varies widely. Some couples hit their marks—therapeutic angst, believable growth, satisfying resolution—while others feel a little more rushed, more focused on the setup and steamy scenes than on character growth or realistic conflict resolution. And while the "no rules" club vibe is fun, it sometimes slips into cliché or feels overly fetishized without enough grounding in why the characters are choosing each other beyond sheer lust.
Overall, this series box set is a solid pick if you're in the mood for very hot billionaire fantasies, fast reads, and a loose moral code. Less ideal if you're craving deep emotional arcs or careful pacing, but terrific if you're picking up romance purely for steam, drama, and obsessive wealth.
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Review: Crazy, Sexy, Ghoulish
Crazy, Sexy, Ghoulish by G.G. AndrewMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
🎃 Halloween hijinks meet haunted heartache—but the magic doesn’t quite land.
👻 Haunted house charm + insta-love = cute Halloween vibes, but a little too breezy and light on real connection. Good for seasonal fun, not deep feels.
Tropes
- Witch meets Demon Familiar / Halloween Paranormal 🧙♀️🐈⬛
- Fated Mates / Instant Attraction
- Haunted House Hijinks
- Small-Town Americana with Spooky Vibes
- Short & Sweet Novella Format
Crazy, Sexy, Ghoulish is a fast Halloween read with a fun hook—Nora Travers works in a haunted house and hides behind disguises to terrify Brendan, the horror-geek-turned-haunted-house-judge whom she once teased mercilessly in middle school. As fate (and Twitter) would have it, her haunted-house persona sparks a digital connection, and sparks might fly… if he doesn’t figure out who’s behind the mask first.
There’s a lot to like here: the setting is delightfully seasonal, and the contrast between Nora’s past cruelty and her present attempts to become—and show—her “better self” can be sweetly effective. The Halloween set-up, playful costumes, and haunted house antics give the story a quirky charm. Readers looking for a quick paranormal romance with a spooky twist will appreciate the breezy pace and the absurdity of Nora’s situation.
But there were a few things that held it back from a higher rating for me. Because the novella leans heavily on insta-attraction and fated mate magic, the emotional connection between Nora and Brendan feels a bit rushed. We see Nora’s regret and self-reflections, but Brendan’s side of the growth and forgiveness is minimal—and his reactions sometimes felt a little “off the page.” The plot moves so fast that some potentially interesting emotional beats get glossed over in favor of dialogue, haunted-house scares, and quick conflict resolution.
If you’re in the mood for a quick, fun, Halloween-season paranormal romance with a sprinkle of guilt, a dash of costume drama, and a light paranormal spark, Crazy, Sexy, Ghoulish can be a cute choice. Just don’t expect deep character arcs or heavy emotional stakes.
Review: Darkness Falls
Darkness Falls by K.M. BakerMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
⚔️ Revenge isn’t always what you expect—and neither is love when the darkness closes in.
🔥 Revenge, redemption, and a reverse-harem that challenges heartbreak to become love. Dark, gripping, and surprisingly healing—if you can handle the storm.
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Tropes
- Dark Romance / Reverse Harem
- “Why Choose?” stakes – one woman, multiple men, one destiny
- Family Legacy & Revenge Plot
- Forced Proximity / Captive Elements
- Emotional Healing Through Chaos
Darkness Falls by K.M. Baker is the intense, heart-wrenching finale to The Darkness Duet, and it delivers on all the darkness, redemption, and high-stakes romance fans of the genre crave.
From the moment you re-enter the world of Rogue and the Monroe brothers, the pace refuses to slow down. Callie’s mission of revenge spirals into something far more complex when she realizes her captors/brothers are not just pawns—but deeply flawed human beings with loyalties, regrets, and love to give. The tension between wanting vengeance and craving connection drives the story forward, and K.M. Baker doesn’t shy away from making those emotions messy.
What really stands out is Callie’s evolution. She begins this book as a woman who’s been deeply wounded and hardened by her father’s cruelty—a survivor who trusts no one. By the end, she’s still strong, but she’s learned that survival doesn’t mean shutting everyone out; sometimes it means risking heartbreak for belonging. The Monroe brothers, meanwhile, are complex men who switch between protectors, aggressors, and soft corners, often in the same chapter.
If I have one caveat, it’s that the dark romance elements are very dark—emotional manipulation, violence, and power plays are integral to the story. This isn’t a light romance by any stretch. But if that intensity is your jam, Darkness Falls offers a deeply emotional payoff, character growth wrapped in chaos, and a romance that feels earned only because it survives fire.
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Review: When the Snow Settles
When the Snow Settles by Rachel LaBergeMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
❄️Snowed in at a cozy lodge never felt so warm—or so emotionally real.
🏔️ Snowed-in romance, cozy lodge vibes, and slow-burn healing love. Warm, sweet, and just enough emotional depth to feel like a hug.
Tropes
- Winter/Snowstorm Romance
- Forced Proximity / Snowed-In Situation
- Second Chances + Healing Trauma
- Small-Town Charm / Lodge Setting
- Low-drama, Slice-of-Life Feel
When the Snow Settles by Rachel LaBerge is a sweet, heartwarming novella that pairs perfectly with a cup of hot cocoa and a cozy blanket. Ivy Lawson returns to Windia to plan a charity event, only to find herself spending more time than expected with Holland Holt, her grumpy-but-steady lodge owner and longtime friend (or maybe more-than-friend?).
The novella leans into wintry charm, lodge coziness, and the kind of slow-building romance where comfort, trust, and genuine connection matter more than grand gestures or excessive drama. Ivy and Holland’s dynamic is familiar if you’ve read the main Lodge Affair series—but that familiarity works here, because LaBerge gives us more time to linger in the small moments: snowball fights, quiet fireside chats, and mutual care in the face of a surprise storm.
What really stood out for me was the emotional tone: it’s low-stakes in plot but high in warmth. Holland is still grumpy, but softened by patience and care; Ivy is more grounded than in her earlier self, which makes their reunion feel more mature and emotionally resonant. The pacing is brisk, but never rushed—it gives enough time to feel the snow settle, both outside and inside Ivy and Holland’s hearts.
If you’re craving a mini winter escape with romance that heals more than it explodes, When the Snow Settles fits the bill beautifully.
Review: Just a Little Crush
Just a Little Crush by Carly PhillipsMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
📸When celebrity romance goes off-script, can a little crush become the real deal?
❤️ Celeb meets small-town charm in this sweet fake-relationship romance. Warm, smart, and totally binge-able!
Tropes
- Fake Relationship 📸❤️
- Celebrity / Tabloid Spark 🔥
- Small-Town Meet Cute 🏡💫
- Opposites Attract (Hollywood glam vs homegrown charm)
- Slow-burn Realization of Feelings
Just a Little Crush by Carly Phillips and Erika Wilde is a charming, entertaining romance built on the delightful premise of a celebrity and a small-town girl crashing into each other’s worlds—even when the whole thing starts as a media stunt gone slightly awry.
The heroine is grounded, witty, and refreshingly real, and the celebrity hero brings just enough charisma and ego to balance out the groundedness without tipping into ridiculous. The chemistry between them warms gradually—first driven by circumstance and necessity, then growing sturdier as secrets unravel and real emotions surface. The fake-relationship angle works well here: it allows the authors to play with public perception, private vulnerabilities, and the tension between what's performative and what’s genuine.
What really won me over was how the story uses the contrast between Hollywood flash and small-town roots not just as a backdrop, but as a lens through which the characters learn what they truly value. There’s enough romantic tension, sweet slow burn, and emotional payoff to keep you invested without rolling your eyes at the drama. If anything, I wanted a touch more complication or external conflict to stretch the emotional stakes further, but overall, this was a feel-good, smartly written escape.
For readers looking for a warm, flirty celebrity romance that doesn’t sacrifice emotional grounding or charm, Just a Little Crush delivers exactly what it promises.
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