Let's Talk Books

Hey all! Name's Ariel, I'm 28. This is my side blog for all things book related! So expect reviews, rants, quotes, and anything else I deem appropriate. FYI I mainly read romances (m/f, m/m, any combos are possible really) but anything is fair game. Feel free to shoot me an ask anytime to recommend books, ask questions, or just to say hi!

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⭐️New Release!

Lacuna by @nrwalkerauthor

#mmromance #lgbtromance #queerfantasy #lacuna #nrwalker #bookstagram #readersofinstagram https://www.instagram.com/p/CGwBrHOAWVN/?igshid=col1qxs431xi

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Since Halloween is almost upon us, I have some spooky books to get you in the mood!

⭐️Spectral Files series by S.E. Harmon ⭐️Stalked by Shadows by @lissa_kasey_author ⭐️The Mysterious & Amazing Blue Billings by @lilymortonauthor ⭐️The Ghost of Ellwood, and The Curse of Redwood by @jaclynosborn ⭐️A Frost of Cares by @amyraenbow

#mmromance #lgbtromance #bookstagram #readersofinstagram #halloweenbookrecs #seharmon #lissakaseyauthor #lilymortonauthor #jaclynosborn #amyraedurreson https://www.instagram.com/p/CGyNMrUgkjq/?igshid=13g2d39ip2n24

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One of Halloween recs from my last post!

⭐️Stalked by Shadows by @lissa_kasey_author

I love love LOVED this book and it creeped me out sooo bad lol! So it’s perfect for a spooky Halloween read 👻

What an absorbing read!! Definitely one of my favorites from last year! All of the characters (not just the mains) were so fleshed out I felt every emotion that they did. The writing in this book is fantastic and had me on the edge of my seat multiple times! It’s very rare that something in a book actually scares me, but let me tell you, the shadows in this story creeped the hell out of me and at one point I even had to put the book down for a minute because I was genuinely getting scared!

There are a lot of emotions going around in this book: fear, joy, depression, PTSD, hope…and damn if Kasey didn’t nail every one of them. Nothing felt overdone or exaggerated for dramatic effect. I felt Alex’s fear and disappointment in himself at times, and Micah’s determination to move on from his past.

The only gripe I have is that I wish the characters dug a bit more into what’s happening to them. Micah is constantly pushing for moving on and saying that truly understanding what happens to them doesn’t matter in the long run, as it doesn’t change the outcome. While true, I do hope that future books have them exploring more of the dangerous and creepy world they’ve become sensitive to. They might not need answers but I do!

There’s just so much to like about this book between it’s excellent plot, cohesive writing, and wonderfully diverse characters. If you’re looking for something a bit spooky but amazing then look no further! This book does end on a bit of a cliffhanger and a HFN sort of scenario but I was so impressed by the story I didn’t even care. I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book of what I think is going to be an amazing series!

5 Stars

#mmromance #lgbtromance #stalkedbyshadows #lissakaseyauthor #bookstagram #readersofinstagram #halloweenbookrecs https://www.instagram.com/p/CGypQXOAz3A/?igshid=sonsjp9vx4fl

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Review for Hell & High Water: A Graphic Novel Adaptation by Charlie Cochet

Review for Hell & High Water: A Graphic Novel Adaptation by Charlie Cochet

Hell & High Water: A Graphic Novel Adaption by Charlie Cochet

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have VERY mixed feelings about this manga.

I’m giving 4-4.5 stars for the actual adaptation. Going from a book medium to an art/manga medium can be a challenge as the storyline has to be cut down to fit into a (usually) 100-200 page comic. Hell & High Water was certainly larger and longer than I expected it to…

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Review for Mack's Perfectly Ghastly Homecoming (Mack's Marvelous Manifestations #2) by A.J. Sherwood

Review for Mack’s Perfectly Ghastly Homecoming (Mack’s Marvelous Manifestations #2) by A.J. Sherwood

Mack’s Perfectly Ghastly Homecoming by A.J. Sherwood

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this new addition to Mack’s series! Brandon continues to be amazingly supportive and Mack shows such great vulnerabilities. As I’ve come to expect from this author, this book doesn’t have much or really any angst, and focuses on building up the characters and their relationships. I loved seeing Mack and…

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Review for Fourth Point of Contact by A.J. Sherwood

Review for Fourth Point of Contact by A.J. Sherwood

Fourth Point of Contact by A.J. Sherwood

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was such a sweet romance! I loved Arman and Ren’s relationship and how they go from such close friends to lovers. I also really enjoyed how their two cultures mixed. Having read Sherwood’s Jon’s Mysteries series, I knew I could expect a low-angst read, but this fantasy was so absorbing and I couldn’t wait for the MCs to get…

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Review for Cold Hard Cash by K.L. Hiers

Review for Cold Hard Cash by K.L. Hiers

Cold Hard Cash by K.L. Hiers

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A perfect blend of action, grit, and sweetness.

Cold Hard Cash is the first book I’ve read by this author but it certainly won’t be the last! Fantastic pacing, engaging characters, and a sweet but kinky romance make this book a must read for m/m lovers. Cold and Jimmy make such a good couple and I loved their relationship dynamic. Cold’s…

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Review for His Apprehensive Mate (Unexpected Mates #3) by Brea Alepou

Review for His Apprehensive Mate (Unexpected Mates #3) by Brea Alepou

His Apprehensive Mate by Brea Alepoú

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

After reading the previous book in this series I was so looking forward to reading Morgan and Kenny’s book, and Alepou did not disappoint! This book checked a lot of boxes for me. There’s found family, hurt/comfort, mpreg, and plenty of action.

It was clear that Morgan was in a bad situation in the last book, and we get a clearer…

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Review for Deosil (Whyborne & Griffin #11) by Jordan L. Hawk

Review for Deosil (Whyborne & Griffin #11) by Jordan L. Hawk

Deosil by Jordan L. Hawk

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“To everyone whom Widdershins has collected on this journey: You are seen. You are important. You are loved. Welcome home.”

There comes a time in every series when you have to say goodbye to the characters and places that have meant so much to you. It’s always a gamble as to whether or not the end will live up to all the hype you’ve built up for…

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Review for Stalked by Shadows (A Simply Crafty Paranormal Mystery #1) by Lissa Kasey

Review for Stalked by Shadows (A Simply Crafty Paranormal Mystery #1) by Lissa Kasey

Stalked by Shadows by Lissa Kasey

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What an absorbing read!! Definitely one of my favorites this year! All of the characters (not just the mains) were so fleshed out I felt every emotion that they did. The writing in this book is fantastic and had me on the edge of my seat multiple times! It’s very rare that something in a book actually scares me, but let me tell you, the…

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Review for Stop at Nothing (The Chosen One #5) by Macy Blake

Review for Stop at Nothing (The Chosen One #5) by Macy Blake

Stop at Nothing by Macy Blake

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I can’t believe this series is over! I’ve gotten so much joy out of reading about Sawyer and his amazing mates, and I can’t wait to see what spin-offs Blake has planned!

The stakes are the highest they’ve ever been, and Sawyer and his mates are going to need more than their courage and determination to save the world from Palinourous. This…

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Review for Constant (The Valespian Pact #3) by Lexi Ander

Review for Constant (The Valespian Pact #3) by Lexi Ander

Constant by Lexi Ander

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book was epic, in both scope and awesomeness! I’m truly having a hard time getting all my thoughts together to tell everyone how great of a story this is!

Book 3 in the Valespian Pact series, Constant takes place during the events of Striker (book 2) and immediately after. While the main couple of the book is Mestor and Sahm’lan (both of whom I…

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Review for Sacrifice (Fire & Brimstone Scroll #2) by Nikole Knight

Review for Sacrifice (Fire & Brimstone Scroll #2) by Nikole Knight

Sacrifice by Nikole Knight

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was even better than the first book! There’s so much action and I love the twist that the plot takes!

Riley is such a sweet character, and in this installment he grows so much! He’s still trying to understand who he is and what he feels towards his guardians. I can’t wait to see him mature some more and grow into himself!

He meet some new…

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Review for Revelations (Fire and Brimstone Scroll #1) by Nikole Knight

Review for Revelations (Fire and Brimstone Scroll #1) by Nikole Knight

Revelations by Nikole Knight

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a hard read at times but I really liked it.

The MC, Riley, has a lot of trauma that he deals with, both from his past and his present. A warning for people who may not like to read about such things, this book contains references to child abuse as well as verbal and mental abuse, and self inflicted harm/punishment.

Riley is a 19 year…

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Review for Where Foxes Hunt with Wolves (Folk Lore #2) by K.A. Merikan

Review for Where Foxes Hunt with Wolves (Folk Lore #2) by K.A. Merikan

Where Foxes Hunt with Wolves by K.A. Merikan

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book, which can totally be read as a standalone. Shifters aren’t terribly unique in the romance genre but I loved the introduction of changelings to switch things up. The idea that a character has no idea that they can turn into an animal definitely increased the drama and action of the story.

Yev and Radek…

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Review for Sūnder (Darksoul #1) by Lexi Ander

Review for Sūnder (Darksoul #1) by Lexi Ander

Sūnder by Lexi Ander

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“Sūnder trembled under his touch, his face pressed to Gabe’s skin. “I thought I could be patient and woo you. Court you, go as slow as you wanted. I want to be your friend and your lover, your mate of choice, but I’ve found I’m not that strong. I want you for my mate, Gabe.”

I loved this story when it was first written as Darksoul: Part Oneas a part of…

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Review for In the Valleys of the Earth (The Watchers #1) by R.R. Pearl

Review for In the Valleys of the Earth (The Watchers #1) by R.R. Pearl

In The Valleys Of The Earth by R.R. Pearl

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was fun but I have mixed feelings about this book.

First off, I enjoyed the characters for the most part. Alec is intelligent, kind, and quirky. I really enjoyed his habit of spewing historical knowledge at the most inappropriate times, like in the middle of a battle. But I found it annoyingly convenient that he performed so…

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