Secret Monsters (Her Demon Lovers, #1), by Lacey Carter Anderson | Book Review

Welcome to Adele Is Reading.
Today I have my book review of:

Secret Monsters, by Lacey Carter Anderson.

Secret Monsters is the first book in Her Demon Lovers series.

TW: Torture Implication, Blood, Fighting, Kidnapping mention(s), Betrayal mention(s), Spousal Abuse (unclear as to what happened).

I screwed up…

Every demon hunter knows the rules. The most important of which is to never leave a personal object in a demon realm.

But somehow, I did.

That means the demons who found my ring own me. They can use me. They can command me.

I’m at their mercy.

But what if everything I’ve ever known about demons is wrong? And what if I’ll need three sinfully sexy demons at my side, or else fall to an enemy I never imagined?

SECRET MONSTERS is a steamy paranormal reverse harem romance. It has sexy demons, a tough demon hunter, and a mysterious enemy. But be warned, this book might make you wish for possessive demons of your own. (This book was previously released as Renegade Hunter.)

From GoodReads [x]:

“REVERSE HAREM” IS, LITERALLY, THE OPPOSITE OF “HAREM”, WITH A GROUP OF MALES CENTERING ROUND A SINGULAR FEMALE, USUALLY WITH THREE OR MORE MALES. QUITE OFTEN FOUND UNDER THE ROMANCE GENRE.

Hello hello! Here’s another book review wherein I’ve read this more than a year ago and my notes on the book are little to none, so…here we go.

Brimstone Bound (Firebrand #1), by Helen Harper | Book Review

Welcome to Adele Is Reading.
Today I have my book review of:

Brimstone Bound, by Helen Harper.

Brimstone Bound is the first book in the Firebrand series.

TW: Throat Slitting, Self Harm mentions, Murder mentions, Stalking mentions, Blood & Gore mentions, Murder, Drugging, Hanging, Strangulation mentions, Suicide mentions.

**If you have any sort of trigger for the above mentions, I HIGHLY suggest you don’t read Brimstone Bound. The details pertaining to this book, the scenes that included these, you DO NOT want to read.**

A werewolf killer. A paranormal murder. How many times can Emma Bellamy cheat death?

I’m one placement away from becoming a fully fledged London detective. It’s bad enough that my last assignment before I qualify is with Supernatural Squad. But that’s nothing compared to what happens next.

Brutally murdered by an unknown assailant, I wake up twelve hours later in the morgue – and I’m very much alive. I don’t know how or why it happened. I don’t know who killed me. All I know is that they might try again.

Werewolves are disappearing right, left and centre.

A mysterious vampire seems intent on following me everywhere I go.

And I have to solve my own vicious killing. Preferably before death comes for me again.

Shifting Love (Crescent City Witch, #4), by Meredith Clarke | Book Review

Welcome to Adele Is Reading.
Today I have my book review of:

Shifting Love, by Meredith Clarke.

Shifting Love is the fourth book in the Crescent City Witch series.

Trigger Warnings: Blood

(Note that it’s been more than a year since I read Shifting Love, and there are probably more triggers in the book.

There’s more to the story…there always is.
Mine isn’t over even if it feels like evil is winning right now.

I’m finally figuring out who I’m supposed to be.
How magic fits into my life.
How to be loved by my pack.
Completely and fully bonded to them.
I’m not about to let a maniac like Otto destroy our future.

He’s controlling all the humans in the Quarter.
He won’t stop there.
Not until he has total power over the magical realms.
I can’t let that happen.
I’ve seen how far he’s willing to go to take what he wants.
But I’m going to need help from some very angry fae.
The Crescent City pack and I can’t defeat Otto alone.
Only the fae have been keeping secrets too.
The kind of secrets that could destroy us all.
We’re running out of time to bring him down.
And I’m scared more than ever, this might not be the ending I want.

*Shifting Love is the fourth and final book in the Crescent City Witch series, a reverse harem paranormal romance. If you love a badass heroine, hot alpha wolf shifters, and mystery and action, then this series is for you!*

From GoodReads [x]:

“REVERSE HAREM” IS, LITERALLY, THE OPPOSITE OF “HAREM”, WITH A GROUP OF MALES CENTERING ROUND A SINGULAR FEMALE, USUALLY WITH THREE OR MORE MALES. QUITE OFTEN FOUND UNDER THE ROMANCE GENRE.

Shifting Love, I feel like was a book that was a long time coming. I get the sense of that; even after have read it back in May ’21.

Saying that, I’m going to say that Shifting Love was an okay ending to the Crescent City Witch series. More than anything though, I’m going to say that this book genuinely felt like a quick end. Like, quick! Exit stage left!

A lot of Shifting Love felt incredibly rushed, and I don’t know how to feel about that. If I had read books 1-4 in one sitting, I think I wouldn’t enjoyed Shifting Love more.

Though I will say that I’m super happy that these characters got a HEA.

As much I enjoyed the first 3 books (and I do remember enjoying them), I — unfortunately — didn’t end up liking Shifting Love as much as I had wanted to.

I’ve ended up giving Shifting Love, 2 stars.

Have you read the Crescent City Witch books?

Thank you for stopping by!

See you soon, and happy reading.
Adele

WHERE TO FIND ME:

Instagram | Goodreads | Twitter

MY SHOP:

Cozy Library | cozylibrarycreations @ Instagram

Wild Moon, by C.R. Jane & Mila Young | Book Review

Hello hello, and welcome back to Adele Is Reading.

On the blog today I have a book review! Today’s book review is of:

Wild Moon, by C.R. Jane & Mila Young.

Wild Moon is the first book in the Real Wolves Bite series.

Trigger Warnings include: mentions of Abuse, Abuse, mentions of Blood, Blood, mentions of Stalking, Stalking, mentions of Fighting, Fighting, mentions of Murder, Murder.

NOTE: By the time that this review is posted, it’s over a year old, and it had been sitting in my digibujo for even longer. And yes, my review is messy as hell. As usual! Haha.

REAL WOLVES BITE…

I was taught my whole life about the importance of true mates, how when you find that one wolf for you, everything falls into place.

Everyone who taught me that was a liar.

When I found my true mate, happily ever after sure as hell didn’t start, but hell definitely began.

I ran away, and now I’ve been searching for peace for weeks as I drive around the country.

I didn’t mean to take the wrong road.

I didn’t mean to make it to that small town.

And I didn’t mean to meet two men, who set me and my wolf on fire.

But here I am somehow, and peace is the last thing I’ve found.

And don’t forget about the serial killer…

This is a Rejected Mate series, filled with scorching hot wolf shifters who take what they want, enough steam to burn you up, and a hidden town filled with secrets. You’ll love this paranormal romance if you love True Blood, Twilight, or Vampire Diaries.

Wild Moon is book 1 in a new wolf shifter trilogy by C.R. Jane and Mila Young. More books coming in this series.

From GoodReads [x]:

“REVERSE HAREM” IS, LITERALLY, THE OPPOSITE OF “HAREM”, WITH A GROUP OF MALES CENTERING ROUND A SINGULAR FEMALE, USUALLY WITH THREE OR MORE MALES. QUITE OFTEN FOUND UNDER THE ROMANCE GENRE.

Van Helsing Rising, by Helen Scott | Book Review

Hello and welcome to Adele Is Reading.
Today on my blog I have my book review of:

Van Helsing Rising, by Helen Scott.

Van Helsing Rising is the first book in the Immortal Hunters MC series.

Trigger / Content Warnings: Abuse, Abuse from parent, Child Abandonment, Alcoholism / Alcoholic parent mention, Kidnapping, Abusive (past) partner mention, Fighting, Blood, Sexual Scenes, Drugging, Torture mention.

Please note that there are possibly more triggers within Van Helsing Rising that I may have missed.

I am an experiment, data to be collected, nothing but a number.

At least that was how my life had been until I was rescued by the most unlikely group of men.

Rescued might be too strong a word though.

The men of the Immortal Hunters Motorcycle Club aren’t exactly friendly. And when I find myself locked in a cage, yet again, I begin to question their intentions. They aren’t a regular MC though. Yes, they are heartless, merciless, violent, chaotic… but it’s all in the name of saving humans from supernaturals.

These men are tortured, each one stuck living with the demons of their pasts, and some of the sexiest men I’ve ever seen. Even if they are a little psychotic.

I can’t get attached though. Not when my life is on the line. And definitely not when I find out that I might be more dangerous than all of them combined.

From GoodReads [x]:

“REVERSE HAREM” IS, LITERALLY, THE OPPOSITE OF “HAREM”, WITH A GROUP OF MALES CENTERING ROUND A SINGULAR FEMALE, USUALLY WITH THREE OR MORE MALES. QUITE OFTEN FOUND UNDER THE ROMANCE GENRE.

Van Helsing Rising was a good story–I’ll give it that. The story overall was one that I enjoyed, and there’s nothing about the book or the story that I would complain about. Which is great.

Moon Kissed, by Jen L. Grey | Book Review

Hello and welcome to Adele Is Reading.
Today on the blog I have my book review of:

Moon Kissed, by Jen L. Grey.

Moon Kissed is the first book in the The Marked Wolf trilogy.

Trigger / Content Warnings: Dead Parents mention, Murder mention, Murder, Blood, Fighting, Sex.

Please note that it’s entirely possible that I might’ve missed any possible triggers pertaining to Moon Kissed.

You can’t outrun a curse … trust me. I’ve tried.

My heart was left shattered into a million jagged pieces. To survive, I did the only thing I could and forced myself to play the part of the perfect girlfriend. The perfect daughter. Because no one wants someone broken.

But now, the boy who owned my heart is a grown man — hardened and cold.

Seeing Aidan four years later forces me to face my greatest fear, and realizing he is my fated mate only makes things worse.

Secrets aren’t meant to stay buried, and fate always has a plan.

That’s the funny thing about destiny. Right when you think everything is figured out, you get dealt a new hand.

Bane of Dragons, by Clara Hartley | Book Review

Hello and welcome back to Adele Is Reading!
Today on the blog, I have my book review of:

Bane of Dragons, by Clara Hartley.

Bane of Dragons is the first book in the Sera’s Curse series.

Trigger / Content Warnings: Body Issues, Eating Issues.

NOTE: If you have even the slightest trigger within Body Issues and Eating Issues, I highly suggest that you not read Bane of Dragons since both triggers are talked about more than once. I do not have issues with either triggers, and I had trouble reading the book because of the above triggers.

I’m surrounded by dragons, and they’re all afraid of me.

At the age of nine, I mistakenly touched someone else, giving him excruciating pain. Through that awful experience, I found out that a graze of my fingertips could torment any being with dragon blood. Because I was surrounded by them in my kingdom, my ability labelled me as cursed. And with that, my family lost everything.

I promised myself to never be shunned away again. That I had to be someone important for people to look up to. A crucial vote was coming up and I would do anything to win it. Then I met them. Four hidrae princes, dragon-shifters of the most powerful kind, who were immune to my abilities. Being able to touch someone else was intoxicating. Associating with them was killing my chances of winning the vote, but the princes drew me in—Rylan with his regal demeanor, Micah with his mystery, Kael who threw all care to the winds… and Gaius? Gaius should just fall on his face and die.

Don’t miss this slow-burn reverse harem romance, set in a world of fantasy, dragons and intrigue!

From GoodReads [x]:

“REVERSE HAREM” IS, LITERALLY, THE OPPOSITE OF “HAREM”, WITH A GROUP OF MALES CENTERING ROUND A SINGULAR FEMALE, USUALLY WITH THREE OR MORE MALES. QUITE OFTEN FOUND UNDER THE ROMANCE GENRE.

Interesting story; we don’t know how the curse that Sera has comes into play, really, but this first book has set the stage for when her curse no doubt comes into more focus. Since, ya know, Sera’s Curse is the name of the series.

Bound by Magic, by Sadie Moss | Book Review

Hello and welcome back to Adele Is Reading.
Today on the blog, I have my book review of:

Bound by Magic, by Sadie Moss.

Bound by Magic is the first book in the Magic Awakened series.

Please note that I did not record any triggers for this book.

Magic I never wanted. Power I can’t control. And four alluring men who are the key to it all.

Ever since the Great Death killed two thirds of the magical population, the magically Gifted have used their powers to oppress the Blighted—anyone without magic. Surviving as one of the Blighted in a city like Denver means I have to be quicker, smarter, and fiercer than the magical beings that rule the city.

I get by just fine working as a mercenary and assassin until I take a job on my twenty-fifth birthday. What should be a routine take-down of an incubus and his buddies turns into a major clusterf#ck when something inside me goes haywire.

Turns out, I do have magic. And it’s so powerful, it’s bound these four men to me.

Jae, the thoughtful, intelligent mage with a sadness in him I can’t help but want to heal. Fenris, the sexy, devil-may-care wolf shifter with the killer grin. Akio, the incubus who pushes all my buttons—in the best and worst ways. And Corin, the human from my past who still holds a piece of my heart.

They’re part of an underground rebellion working for equality among the races and fighting back against the magical elite. And according to them, I may just be the missing piece in their battle.

I’m Lana Crow. Mercenary. Gifted. Rebel. And my story is just beginning…

From GoodReads [x]:

“REVERSE HAREM” IS, LITERALLY, THE OPPOSITE OF “HAREM”, WITH A GROUP OF MALES CENTERING ROUND A SINGULAR FEMALE, USUALLY WITH THREE OR MORE MALES. QUITE OFTEN FOUND UNDER THE ROMANCE GENRE.

Jumping right into my review of Bound by Magic, I’m going to say that the beginning of this book felt forced. Though admittedly, quickly after the story had more of a natural feel and flow.

Captive of Wolves, by Eva Chase | Book Review

Hello, and welcome to Adele Is Reading!
Today I have my book review of

Captive of Wolves, by Eva Chase.

Captive of Wolves is the first book in the Bound to the Fae series.

Trigger / Content Warnings: Bullying, Torture, Torture Mention, Cut mention, Blood mention, Blood, Self Harm mention, light sex scenes, Death, Attempted Murder, Kidnapping, Abuse, Physical Abuse. Stockholm Syndrome.

My blood is their salvation… and my ruin.

For years, the monsters who killed my family have held me in a cage. Brutalized and half-starved. Only kept alive so they can steal my blood.

Until one evening when four eerily gorgeous men break me out of my prison.

They give me a soft bed and delicious food. They say they’ll protect me—but their generosity may come at a price.

My rescuers are monsters like my captors: fae who shift into wolves. A curse gripping the faerie realm turns them wild under the full moon. Only my blood can cure their rage.

These fearsome men need me, and not just to lift the curse. A tragedy left them outcasts, and offering me to their rulers could win them back the home and the power they lost.

No matter how kindly they treat me, no matter how their smoldering eyes and strong hands stir unfamiliar desires in both my body and my heart, their castle is just another prison. As long as I’m a prize more than a person, my life will never be my own.

I’ve survived this long without giving up. I won’t roll over now. But how can one damaged human girl hold her own against the savage fae?

*Captive of Wolves is the first in a new paranormal romance saga featuring possessive wolf shifters, fraught fae politics, and a wounded heroine coming into her own. Grab it now and get swept away in the fantasy!*

From GoodReads [x]:

“REVERSE HAREM” IS, LITERALLY, THE OPPOSITE OF “HAREM”, WITH A GROUP OF MALES CENTERING ROUND A SINGULAR FEMALE, USUALLY WITH THREE OR MORE MALES. QUITE OFTEN FOUND UNDER THE ROMANCE GENRE.

Red the Were Hunter, by Rebekah R. Ganiere | Book Review

Hello hello! Welcome back to Adele Is Reading. Today I have my book review of:

Red the Were Hunter, by Rebekah R. Ganiere.

Red the Were Hunter is the first book in the Fairelle series.

I believe each book can be read as a standalone. However there may be spoilers for the companion novels in the Fairelle series. I definitely recommend reading the books in order (even though I’ve only read Red the Were Hunter so far).

Trigger / Content Warnings: mentions of Parent Death, Parent Betrayal, Blood, Fighting, Stabbing (on more than one occasion), Beheading (Decapitation), Slavery, Sex, Sex scenes.

What if you were the key to an ancient prophecy that would begin to heal your lands, but fulfilling your destiny meant you had to turn your back on everything you’d been taught to believe in?

Redlynn of Volkzene, member of the Sisterhood of Red, is heartbroken to discover another girl kidnapped and her best friend slain by werewolves. Defying the head of her order, she sets out to kill the beast she believes responsible. The King of the Weres– But there are worse things in Wolvenglen Forest than the wolves.

Adrian, reluctant heir to the throne of Wolvenglen, and his band of wolf brothers are bound to protect the humans; especially the Sisterhood. Finding Redlynn unconscious in his woods, awakens in him a passion he’s never before experienced and a protective instinct that has him ready to turn on his own men. Problem is, a female is the last thing Adrian needs complicating his life.

But all is not as it seems in Wolvenglen Forest and to save the missing girls before time runs out, Redlynn and Adrian must move past their inner demons and learn to trust each other. In the search for vengeance however, sometimes you must give up what you desire most.