Zaftig's Library of Spice & Book Reviews

Formerly known as The Book Quarry, I switched over to the rainbow side and read primarily M/M Romance of all genres. (18+)

[zaftigreads]

Intro Post

I'm a book reviewer (I started with The Hunger Games novel in 2008) and have reviewed since. My reading tastes have changed a LOT over the years but I have found my niche and my true love in Queer Romance along with my new found knowledge of self.

I'll be posting book reviews, current reads, nerdy thoughts, and maybe some of my own work.

I'm new to using the new Tumblr so Tig (my kid) is helping me navigate. And Fig (my other kid) did my dragon profile picture.

(More about me under the cut)

Just call me Mel, she/her, Fig uses she/her, and Tig uses they/them

I love any genre with a romantic tone. Morally gray heroes such as mafia, psycho, and assassins are my jam. I mainly read MM+ since my divorce and I found ME.

Onley James, Hailey Turner, Alice Winters, and Louisa Masters are just a few of my favorites. I will link my Goodreads library if you want to see what I have read.

[zaftigreads]

Louisa Masters' Couture *Review*

I LOVE PHIL! He is my spirit animal. He was so relatable and real. I'm use to reading Louisa Masters' paranormal romances and have loved them. I have never read a non paranormal by her and I am hooked. Griff is honestly the kind of guy I would want. He is a strong character with a lot of emotional strengths. It makes him really appealing. And when you put Phil with Griff it makes for a beautiful romance. I loved everything about it. Phil's struggle with near crippling anxiety felt so real. The tension, irritation, and emotional toll it caused was written so well. He is the perfect man for quiet Griff who needs someone to cherish, even if he doesn't realize it. This is a great book for anyone needing a great read.

[bbcsherlock]

i dont understand people who never reread a book or rewatch a movie or series. the best art will always improve upon being revisited. girl. let it reveal more of itself to you.

[morriganereshkigal]

"Heraclitus said, 'No man ever steps in the same river twice.' The same is true for books. The words on the page have not changed, but the eyes reading them have.

You are not the same person you were when you first read it. To reread is not repetition; it is measuring your own soul's growth against a constant backdrop.

Awaken! Enlighten! Transform!"

[zaftigreads]

Fable App

I started using the Fable app and I already love it. I sync'd my Goodreads to it and am starting fresh there this year. Join with me! This is THE app for book nerds and bibliophiles like me. If you want to join and follow me there click the link!

https://fable.co/invite/?referralID=Blj6JHT7sD

[zaftigreads]

First book of 2026

Just started reading book 6 in the Devil's of Vitality series by Chani Lynn Feener, Devil May Lie. Who else has read this series and loved it?

[zaftigreads]

When I saw this book I legit squealed! I was so excited to get another story in this series. Jono and Patrick are my absolute favorite characters in this genre and this series is one I reread or relisten to OFTEN. This book was just too good.

Born to Be Legends picks up about 6 years after the The Veiled and Hallowed Eve book 7 (Soulbound series), so if you haven't read Resurrection Reprise or Second Hand Skin (Soulbound Universe novels), this book will have some spoilers. If you haven't read any of these series it HAS to be read in order! What are you waiting for GO!

I devoured this book so fast I had to reread it almost immediately. Patrick has the worst luck, trouble finds him no matter where he is or what he's doing. Jono just wants to claim him in every way possible, if Patrick could just stay out of trouble. The world building and character development is as always phenomenal. The world is rich with detail and Hailey Turner has a way of writing that brings it to life. I swear I can almost smell the things they are describing. The characters continue to have diverse and quirky personalities that run true through the series and into this book.

Reading this was like getting a long awaited letter from dear friends. I am so attached to each and every character and I can't help but hope we will get more in the series. I crave more and more. This book is very highly recommended if you love crazy good story telling, hot romance between long loved characters, and a happily ever after.

[zaftigreads]

Who Said Witness Protection Was Boring by Aria Clark and J.F. Miev

When I read a book I want it to surprise me in an I never expected that kind of way. When a book manages that It makes it so much better. Who Said Witness Protection Was Boring did this for me.

The plot was an intriguing one. It had been a while since I read something that captured me pretty much from the first page. Watching Matthew get thrust into a situation he didn’t know how to navigate and learn truths that shake up his world was absolutely riveting. Then we add in the not so straight Kieran who had the surprise of wanting another man as well as having his own shocking revelations.

These two men together bring wit and heat to this book. They have passion and chemistry from the word run. This plot was fantastically orchestrated and these characters were wonderfully crafted. I couldn’t get enough of these two and would love more. I just didn’t want their story to end. I look forward to reading more from these authors and hope to see these characters again in future novels if I'm so lucky.

[nondelphic]

writing? oh, i’m definitely writing. in my head. during the most inconvenient times. like in the shower or when i’m about to fall asleep. actual typing? no, no, we don’t do that here.

[zaftigreads]

Heart of a Wolf by CJ Ravenna

Heart of a Wolf was nothing like I expected. It had a seamless blend of fiction and mythology . It was a fun read with a unique plot device that made the story so interesting. The way Kieran gets sent back in time was a fresh idea, one I hadn’t read yet. There were a few scenes that to me were fresh and new. I couldn’t get enough of it. It kept me engaged and I had a hard time setting the book down.

One of my favorite things about this book is that Kieran was no pushover. He doesn’t allow Wulfric to order him around. And Wulfric wants to be the best mate possible but just can’t seem to do it right at first. These guys eventually navigate their relationship and it becomes a beautiful love story.

I have so much to say but don’t want to spoil the book! I loved how the author created this world. I enjoyed the newness of the plot and how the author achieved a happy ending. I cannot wait for the next book in this series. I am ready to find out what happens and see how the author will ensnare me.

[sourdough-seal]

bingewatching will never come close to bingereading. there is nothing like blocking out the entire Earth for ten hours to read a book in one sitting no food no water no shower no bra and emerging at the end with no idea what time it is or where you are, a dried-up prune that's sensitive to light and loud noises because you've been in your room in the dark reading by the glow of a single LED. it's like coming back after a three-month vacation in another dimension and now you have to go downstairs and make dinner. absolutely transcendental

[bellalavenders]

WHEN THE BOOK IS ADDICTING. IT MAKES YOU JUST AGGHHHHH

[zaftigreads]

And it causes withdrawals as well as hangovers! Only the best books cause these reactions.

[zaftigreads]

In Every Universe by Hannah Henry

This is my first time reading a book by this author. Why?! Why was this the first time reading a Hannah Henry book?! In Every Universe is gut wrenching with ALL the feels. This is an epic romance like the movie The Lake House only a billion times better. I almost stopped reading at one sentence then was completely gutted and enthralled by another. I was HOOKED. The emotions that the characters go through were precisely written in this book. I felt every emotion. Every moment of devastation. I felt all the frustration and the sadness. And I felt the change. This book was in a word amazing. I haven’t read anything this visceral and engaging in a long time and am looking forward to my next read by this author. This is a highly recommended book for anyone loving transcendent romances where not even the universe can keep them apart. 10 out of 10.

🏒 Be sure to check out the bonus story at the end of the book! It has the alternate universe's little story there where Cameron is a realtor and Zacky is still a hockey player. It's super cute you don't want to miss it!

[luv-views]

being a bookworm is so hard wdym 20% I’m reading and 80% fantasizing about the actual book or edit while wanting to buy more books!!!

[zaftigreads]

Now that's the truth. I rewrote the ending of Allegiant then got the ending I wanted and hated it so much the movie doesn't exist.