Review: Prodigal

Prodigal by Avril Ashton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An intense, layered M/M romance full of secrets, second chances, and slow-burning tension that simmers just beneath the surface.

Gideon Winters has been presumed dead for fifteen years, but he’s never stopped watching, never stopped waiting. Once a boy on the run from a brutal past, he’s now a calculated man with one mission: reclaim the position that was stolen from him and dismantle the corrupt system he once called home—The Council. When a routine retrieval turns into a rescue, he finds himself entangled with André Tesfaye, a quiet, grounded man who’s as much a mystery to Gideon as he is a balm to his soul.

Their connection is instant but not easy—haunted by trust issues, betrayal, and the violence that follows Gideon like a shadow. Yet in the stillness between storms, a bond begins to form. There’s something beautifully fragile in how André pushes back against Gideon’s walls without trying to fix him. He sees the broken parts but doesn’t flinch.

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Review: Black & White

Black & White by Vinni George
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Grumpy orca shifter meets chaos gremlin hacker in a clever, low-angst fated mates romance with a splash of danger.

This book was a fun surprise! Nero, the stoic orca shifter bounty hunter, is the ultimate grump—and I loved watching him slowly unravel thanks to Felix, the brilliant, snarky hacker who suddenly finds himself part of a shifter world he never expected. Their dynamic is sweet, full of banter and awkward tension, and honestly kind of adorable.

The plot had great pacing, balancing action and shifter-world intrigue with relationship development. I especially loved the found family vibes from Nero’s team—the camaraderie, protectiveness, and dry humor made the book feel like a cozy supernatural heist movie.

I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 only because I wanted more heat or emotional punch in the romance. Their bond was clear, but the chemistry sometimes felt soft when I was craving a little more spark or angst.

Still, this was such a fun read with a unique shifter twist, and I’ll absolutely be diving into the rest of the ORCA series!

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