GENRE: RomCom, Plus Size, Holiday
RATING: 5/5
SPICE: 4/5 - lots of sex but nothing k*nky

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Heaven, Hell or Vermont?

So prior to writing my own review, after excitedly finishing this book, I mistakenly decided to go through Goodreads and see what others had said about this novel. This book, like every book, is not for everyone. If you watch Dumplin’ on Netflix and didn’t relate, understand or appreciate the film, you quite likely will not love this book as much as I did… which to be clear I ABSOLUTELY loved. I am really stingy on what books get 5 stars, and maybe because December is a happy month and my last 3 books have been 5-stars, maybe I am wrong… but I quite doubt it.

Conceptually this novel is amazing. The premise is original and hilarious. How would you feel if your favourite boy-band hunk you’ve been crushing on since your teens is now your co-star on a Hallmark-esk film set? How would you feel if that crush had been subscribed to your “Only Fans” (its got another name in the book) for the last 6 years and has a crush on you? That you mistakenly get selected to be the lead in this wholesome Christmas movie and have to hide that you have a very successful film career already! A porn film career that is! This novel really straddled the line between unrealistic Hallmark-wholesome and realistic and down to earth, which is very hard to do.

Let’s talk about the characters. Firstly, Nolan, our hunky ex-boyband now turned new-wholesome-film-star was a great character filled with depth and understanding. One of my primary issues when reading novels with male perspectives is that sometimes men don’t feel like men. What I mean by this is, that the women writing the novels are writing what women want without really keeping in mind generally how men are. What I mean by this is, at times, considering the men I have in my life and the things they say, the thoughts they share, etc. it will at times feel like something this character wouldn’t REALLY say but rather what the reader/author would WANT them to say. I am not sure if that makes sense, but I will carry on. I do see some criticism about how Nolan’s character describes his love interest Bee, and his sexual thoughts. I think all criticism is fair but I love when my partner and I talk to each other and “objectify” one and other. In Nolan’s context, it isn’t creepy but just a man looking out for the woman he is enamored with.

Bree’s character was perfect. No notes. We love a bisexual, plus size, babe who loves her body and knows what she wants in life and doesn’t take “NO” for an answer. There is a moment in the novel, where Bree is given a big choice, be with the man of her dreams in private or not at all. As a big girl, this is something I have experienced and struggled with before. Often I have found myself in situations where I am told I am beautiful, funny and amazing; that all they want to do is spend time with me, but the moment when it’s time to let people outside of our bubble know… The bubble pops. Gone. And then I am left alone once again, picking up the pieces of myself. This scene in the novel… BROKE ME. I do not want to give anymore away, so I’ll leave it there.
Let’s talk about SPICE baby… So I gave this a 4/5 stars, because while YES Bee is a porn star and there is a significant amount of sex in the novel… There was nothing kinky or triggering about it to give it a 5 star rating. So if you’re ok with mostly vanilla sex and it happening frequently through the novel, there is no need to shy away from this novel. Granted… chapter 13 is… HOT and also… there is a sex scene in a church so if that is something “problematic” for you… you have been warned.

I am not usually someone who reads holiday novels. I actually tried last Christmas to read one, and it remains dust-covered on my TBR, but if you are looking for a nice holiday read to pick up before you’re snowed in for the holidays, I recommend picking up this book.

GENRE: Plus-Size, Witchy, Romance
RATING: 5/5
SPICE: 3/5
RELEASE DATE : February 7, 2023


​In the second novel featuring the Maxwell sisters, we are focused on Rose, the former Prima now witch-trying-to-find-herself-in-this-really-weird-world, a feeling man of us I think can relate to. If you loved April Asher’s first installment of this series, then you will absolutely adore this one. Especially since it features Damian, the sexy grump veterinarian half-demon. He is so dreamy. I thought I couldn’t like a male lead more than I liked Lincoln in “Not the Witch You Wed” but Damian really ups the ante. He is tough with a big heart running an animal sanctuary. Rose and Damian have such amazing chemistry, it’s almost hard to believe I was reading a book and not watching a film! I would pay my good well-earned money to see these books as a TV series or film series.


Asher does it again with this witchy romance, that not only leaves you utterly satisfied, but wanting more. It is witty, funny and filled with pop-culture and witch references that makes Asher a “instant-read” author for me.
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**Note: I received this novel for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**

​GENRE: Romance, Contemporary, 
RATING: 3/5
​RELEASE DATE: February 14, 2023


​This was a fun and sexy read. Honestly, I do not want to give more away than that, but the premise of the novel is that Gina and Stone are partnered together on The Dance Off. Basically this is like “Dancing with the Stars”. So if you’re looking for something sexy, and you are a big fan of that show, this novel is definitely for you. Also, Stone? He is a sexy Alaskan, wood chopping reality star. Now I don’t know about you, but I really love those wood chopping videos on Tiktok. Reading this novel, honestly made me feel like I would absolutely love to meet Stone in real life because… damn that is hot. 
Here is a quote from the novel I simply CANNOT get out of my mind.


She'd danced the tango countless times, with countless partners. It had never, never been like this.
This was foreplay. He was showing her his intensity, what he was capable of, and what he'd do to her - for her, with her - if she let him.
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I loved this book. On February 14, 2023 do yourself a favour and get yourself a copy.
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**I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**

GENRE: Contemporary, Female Lead, Romance
RATING: 4/5

​I really loved reading this book. The premise of the novel, is Sophie, who had left her life in London behind to live with her husband, on his family’s farm. Sophie’s simple farm life comes to a complete halt when she catches him cheating on her with one of his employees. I really loved reading this novel because Sophie was so real and relatable. Firstly, (don’t worry not really a spoiler) her first instinct is to try and make her marriage work. Sometimes when reading stories, the character’s take this “holier-than-though” approach and will be depicted as leaving the cheater, no looking back kinda thing. Which I will admit is bad ass, but very difficult to do in real life. I am super happy that MacLeod decided to talk that approach and have Sophie try and work things out. When they didn’t, Sophie goes back to her parents and tries to rebuild her life. This I also found to be super relatable and wonderful storytelling. There is nothing embarrassing about looking back and going to family for help in time of need. Especially post-pandemic, this is a sentiment I think many can relate to as well. While there is a lot of luck with Sophie’s story, mainly the amount of wealth her parents have and their ability to loan her money, and get her on her feet. I think it is important that Phoebe MacLeod included that aspect in Sophie’s life. While Sophie’s emotions and situation are relatable, the ability to pull oneself together is severely limited without the finances she had access to. With that being said, this was a solid 4-star read, and I recommend to all who may have recently been in a situation where a partner cheated or even a hard break up. This novel is really about finding oneself before being in a relationship, and finding hope and moving forward.

**I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**

GENRE: Romance, Enemies-to-Lovers, Plus Size
RATING: 5/5
SPICE: 2/5


This novel falls into one of my favourite genres as of late (also perfect for anyone reading for Spooky Season). The series follows three magic witch sisters (The Magic Triad) although this novel specifically focuses on the eldest sister Violet (Points for me already being the eldest sister). She is known throughout the community as the “Magicless Dud”, which is super heartbreaking and sadly why I related to Vi quite a bit. She is the underestimated, overlooked eldest sister. She and ex-Lincoln - the sexy Alpha wolf-shifter - are thrown together to pretend they are dating in order to save them both.

The banter between Linc and Vi is just so well written, that it reads as if one is peering into someone’s real life. I could not get enough of their interactions. If someone were to ask me of an example of my favour type of man to read about, I would point to this novel and excitedly yell Lincoln Throne.

One thing about this novel, that does not necessarily pertain to the story, but rather to April Asher’s writing is the pop culture references that were made throughout the book. From Hocus Pocus to Buffy the Vampire Slayer to Sam and Dean on Supernatural. All references that really tied to my own teenage/adult years; all things that I absolutely loved.

This is a fun read, with a complete and captivating story beyond the romance coupled with a beautiful plus size main character. The perfect read to end your spooky season on a high note. Or honestly, if you love supernatural romances, its a perfect read for any time of the year.

GENRE: Romance, Witchy, Love-the-Villain
RATING: 5/5
SPICE:  3/5

​This Witchy Rom-Com was the perfect way to start off my Spooky Season reading list. I have so many feelings, it’s so hard to get anything out that is more than just a happy squawk. I loved this book! It was so much more than I expected and I have to say its going to be a contender for one of my favorite books of 2022. Our main character Reggie, knowns nothing about magic, and responds to an add in the paper to work at her favorite card game, Spellcraft: The Magicking. It is not quite what she thought it was, because she ends up as an “assistant” for an eccentric older witch named Drew. Drew is fun and Reggie quickly takes a liking to her, but her nephew Ben is rude, dark, mysterious and insufferable! But when things go bad, Reggie has to put her feelings towards Ben aside and work together to break the curse set on loveable Drew.

Without giving anything away, Ben is everything I love in a romantic interest. He first comes off as rude and obnoxious but he is ultimately the guy who hates everyone but you. He has a dark past (yeah real skeletons in his closet) and he is grumpy but sunshine Reggie seems to pull him out of it. The novel is narrated by Reggie and Ben, and I honestly felt like Ben’s narration stayed true to his character and his gender expression.

Regardless of what the cover may depict, this book had SPICE! So if you’re looking for a tame Hallmark Rom-Com; then perhaps this isn’t for you. But, if you love rom-coms with spice, falling in love with the villain, and the meant-to-be trope; then pick up this book during this wonderful Spooky Season!

GENRE: Fantasy, Romance 
RATING: DNF

Get ready for a rant... here it comes. I had to DNF at 30% complete because it only got interesting as of CHP 8. I also want to say "interesting" is a loose term in this case. Honestly, it just felt like The Little Mermaid with extra useless steps. She starts off as a 25 year old in our modern time who is in the military. (Who by the way is in the airforce but is deathly afraid of flying, which is repeated, over and over again btw) Then she prays to a  random sea goddess while drunk on her birthday and NOTHING HAPPENS but like wind... then while on a flight the flight CRASHES, and she while drowning turns into a mermaid... but more of a freaky-friday body swap with a mermaid that makes her hotter? then the sea goddess tells her she can go to this land and if she can make a man fall in love with her then she can just stick to legs.... and then she ends up in a time period with medieval-prince-arthur-vibe people. Yeah it is alot and not in a good way. I cannot believe I got as far a I did to be quite honest. Maybe when I run out of audiobooks, I'll go back and  try and finish this but for now, its in my DNF pile. To boot, the narrator is super robotic and just... bad. I am shocked I didn't give up sooner. Like how did she get this paying job? I have been using audible for two years now, and she is by far the worst narrator I have ever had to listen to. I wont name names, I don't want to slander anyone's name, but I will be avoiding their future narrations because... omg. 

GENRE: CRIME, ROMANCE, FEMALE-LEAD, ENEMIES-TO-LOVERS
RATING: 2/5 ​

  I have never been more disappointed in a Tessa Bailey novel than this one. I am honestly so surprised that it was published. It was overall weird. Firstly, Miles’s narration was awful. I honestly think that if you cannot embody the voice of a man, it might be best to not write in that perspective. Like - show his side to ANY dude and they’ll tell you that this was way too off, and in no way believable. “clearly interpreting my silence as irritation, with her, Taylor turns on a heel in the sand and sashays towards the far side of the cove” No matter how much RuPaul a straight man watches, there is no way he says that.

  Another big issue with this novel was the relationship between Taylor and her brother, it honestly felt like really gross. No sister and brother (gay or not) would ever speak to each other like that - it really felt like this book was supposed to feature the “gay bestie trope” and last minute it was removed. No matter how close me and my brother are, I will NEVER… NEVER tell my brother that I am going to buy a dildo. And I sure as hell would never tell my brother details of my sex life…

   Now back to Miles, there are points where he made allusions to be jealous… OF HER BROTHER and basically seeing him as a threat… like wtf… Like on p.118 Miles would make a comment how annoyed he was at Taylor getting male attention and then in the same paragraph… makes comments about how her brother seems decent and then goes back to talking about the guys who are hitting on her. Like I said very weird.
Now, not only that but this novel is riddled with inconsistencies. So on page 118, Miles says that she is a suspect and that he hast to distance himself but then nothing happens really because he still in that same situation where he’s with her and then on page 121 says that she isn’t a suspect anymore because the time of death made it so their alibis were fine. He never received a call, he never left her side during those pages… but she’s suddenly not a suspect?

   Taylor’s character is also sort of annoying. I have friends who are elementary school teachers… and I swear not everything is about how your students related to this issue. She acts like she has no adult friends who she talks to and relates to. Not everything has to be “but my fourth grade students” or “if one of my fourth grade students acted like this I would…”

   I am only giving this 2/5 instead of 1/5 is because the sex scenes and the sexual tension were extremely well written.
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   Anyways, hope this helps… you can skip this book honestly… Booktok lied.

GENRE: Mafia, Romance, Spicy, Erotic, Greek Mythology
RATING: 2/5
SPICE: 4/5

This was a decent read. It is important to note that the plot is meh, but like EVERY interaction between Kal and Elena ends in some sort of sexual encounter, so I give this 4/5 peppers in the spice category. If youre looking for something erotic without a crazy intense plot go for it.

Although... the amount of times Elena refers to herself as a "Mafia Princess" is way too many. 
The dark tones seem a little forced, but honestly fine. 

I feel like the underline language and allusions to Persephone and Hades could have been skipped and would have been way better tbh, the story stood better without them.

There really isn’t much I want to say about this novel, other than this is really an erotic piece of fiction with some light Hades and Persephone elements sprinkled in, in an awkward way. Every interaction between Elena and Kal ends in some sexual way. That or Kal just talks about how hard is dick is just seeing her exist. If you are looking for an erotic mafia vibe fiction with some Hades commentary thrown in, this is for you.