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.

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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.

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Pandora’s Pride, by Annabelle Chase | Series Book Review

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

Pandora’s Pride, by Annabelle Chase.

Pandora’s Pride is a series of 4 books, with books one to four being:
Double Down on Demons (#1),
High Stakes and Vampires (#2),
Five Card Fae (#3),
Wild Cards and Witches (#4).

I didn’t record any triggers for each book, so please be aware that there are probably quite a few triggers.
This series does contain sex scenes.

My father talked about Atlantic City the way some women talk about their ex-boyfriends. No good. Avoid at all costs. Soul-sucking even without the demons. Never mind that we lived across the country where, by day we worked as mountain guides, and at night he trained me to use my magic—not that I was allowed to showcase it. That was a hard no. So I hid my powers the way he hid his bourbon—until his murder.

With nothing to lose, I hightail it to—you guessed it—Atlantic City, where I make a deal with a group of monster hunters, including Saxon, a hot hybrid that ignites a helluva lot more than celestial fire. If I survive the takedown of an all-powerful demon, they’ll help me investigate my father’s murder. So what’s a girl to do when the chips are down?

Be the Wild Card they never saw coming.

Double Down on Demons is the first book in Pandora’s Pride, an urban fantasy series featuring a heroine with a tongue as sharp as her blade, magical adventures, and havoc-wreaking demons.

From start to finish the series was over all a good story. And for the most part I liked the characters too.

With that said, some of the story was completely predictable; while others weren’t. Though there were really only a couple of times where I couldn’t predict what could happen at all.

Generally speaking the story was really good and I genuinely enjoyed reading it! I really loved Chase’s writing, and a great plot as well. I love the main character’s way of going about things: pretty blunt and absolutely straight forward.

The end of the series is more of a HEA for everyone, but the end of the series is incredibly loose–in terms there’s no definitive ending, more of a … fill in the blank, it’s up to the reader.

So it’s not the ending I was picturing for all the characters, but nevertheless, it’s an ending. Am I personally happy with it? No, I’m not. There could have been a more solid ending. For everyone! With the ending that was written, I personally think thtat it leaves the reader up to interpret and imagine what the characters are up to now.

**Which some people could enjoy!**

The series does have sex scenes, but for all I know the scenes are more of a mention of sex, tan the reader reading the actual scenes. Think fade-to-black-end-scene type scenario.

Nevertheless, I ended up giving each book 3 stars.

Have you read the Pandora’s Pride series?

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

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

Reaper’s Pack, by Rhea Watson | Book Review

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

Reaper’s Pack by Rhea Watson.

Reaper’s Pack is the first book in the All the Queen’s Men series.

Trigger Warnings: Mentions of Death, Abuse, Violence, Torture, Attempted Murder, Murder, Physical Abuse, Rape, Blood, Death, Murder, Loneliness, Blood, Sex Scenes.

One grim reaper. Three hellhounds who refuse to bow down to her. A monster hunting them in the shadows…

Ten years ago, I was judged worthy of life after death and returned to the mortal realm as a grim reaper. Scythe in hand, I guide souls to deliverance—and it’s time for a promotion.

My new territory is triple the size of any I’ve worked before. High death rates mean one busy reaper, and the only way to keep up is with a pack of hellhounds. Faithful. Strong. Merciless. Hellhound shifters are a reaper’s right hand in the field, shepherding and guarding souls until they can be reaped.

We get our pick of the litter from the best breeders in Hell, but for some reason, I’m drawn to the pack no one wants.

An alpha who refuses to yield.

A beta who doesn’t take me seriously.

A runt who flinches at every command.

I want them—even if they don’t want me.

Because the hunger in their eyes tells a different story. But the fact that they can’t decide whether to love me or hate me, fight me or screw me, is making our situation way too complicated.

Still, I refuse to give up. If this infuriatingly handsome trio can’t be trained, if we don’t pass the trials, they go back to a cage and a cruel demon master.

Yeah. Not happening.

Reapers and hellhounds are natural allies, and the sooner we secure our bond, the better, because as it turns out…

All our lives depend on it.

Reaper’s Pack is a standalone why-choose paranormal romance and is part of the ALL THE QUEEN’S MEN series. Each book in the series is a full-length standalone featuring layered heroes and a headstrong heroine who never has to settle for just one happily-ever-after. The books can be read in any order and are part of the same supernatural universe.

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! Beyond this point there’s going to be spoilers. Read at your own risk.

Going back more than a year to try and remember what happened in a book I’d read so long ago was…easier than normal as my memory isn’t the best… Yet, I do remember Reaper’s Pack! Which speaks to how much I enjoyed Reaper’s Pack.

Throughout the book the characters face multiple challenges, both in house, and otherwise. Even though the challenges the pack faced out of house kept me on my toes, I was more so concerned and incredibly interested in their problems in-house. And knowing that these 4 would eventually become a functioning group, but not knowing how genuinely kept my interest. Like, edge of my seat, what’s going to happen, I-need-to-know-right-now, interest.

Reaper’s Pack was fabulous, in my opinion.. I loved all the different points of view; which there are 4 of. Also, I especially love that each character was different enough from one another so that the guys didn’t meld into one, in my mind when I read Reaper’s Pack.

Moving onto talking about the characters we have: Declan, Gunner, Kale, and our main lead.

Declan, who in the hierarchy of the pack, is the omega. I remember him being the softest of the three of them. Another thing that stuck out to me about Declan, was that he was abused by his litter mates when he was young. This topic is going to be talked about in the book, seeing as how the abuse that Declan suffered through left a huge imprint on his life.

Gunner, who in the hierarchy of the pack, is the beta. Gunner, being the beta, takes his role as such very seriously. Almost to the point where Gunner is insulting others. However, Gunner loves to learn, and he’s actually a genius.

Kale (who might not actually be named Kale. I have his name as such in my notes though..), is the alpha of the group. Being alpha means that Kale is incredibly standoff-ish, because he wants to protect his pack. He knows the most about his guys and this shows over and over again. He’s also incredibly head strong. Kale is the alpha — he won’t let anyone take that position. I can’t remember if there’s a specific reason for that, but I believe that that’s because they’re all used to some form of abuse, and will not let history repeat itself.

Lastly, we have the main lead! Our femme fatale. Our badass little lady. Who I literally cannot remember the name of. ..My bad. Even though I can’t remmeber her name at the moment, I do know that I love love looove her character! And even though she works for Death now (yes, it’s been capitalized), she still retains her humanity (in her actions, how she cares for others, and her new pack).

Reaper’s Pack left me wanting more of these 4, but unfortunately as I came to find out, Reaper’s Pack is a single book in a companion series. If I end up reading more of the All the Queen’s Men‘s series I can only hope to catch glimpses of them. Yes, I love them that much.

Also, I love reaper stories so I knew I had to read Reaper’s Pack; and the fact that the story involved shifters? The icing on the cake, for me! Reaper’s Pack certainly delivered. I might just have to get my own physical copy of the book when I can. I’m still in love with the story even after all this time, so *shrug* I need to re-read RP asap.

All in all, Reaper’s Pack was a great story, and I’m so glad that I read it! I had high expectations for Reaper’s Pack, and I’m very pleased to say that this book is worth every star I gave it. Which is 5 stars!

Have you read Reaper’s Pack?

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

The Dragon Kings Chronicle’s (#1 & #2), by Kimberly Loth | Book Review

Hello and welcome back to Adele Is Reading.

Today on the blog I have my book review of:

Obsidian & Aspen, by Kimberly Loth.

Obsidian and Aspen are the first and second books of the The Dragon Kings Chronicles series.

Trigger Warnings: PTSD, Rape mention, Rape, Rape implied, stalking, kidnapping, stabbing, blood, gun violence (and possible use).

Just so you know, I’m only going to share the synopsis for Obsidian, the first book in the The Dragon King’s Chronicles series, since the premise for the second book, Aspen, might include spoilers.

Aspen doesn’t know how to behave in front of the shifter dragon king…

And the consequences are deadly.

But, Aspen, never one to fear much of anything, tells him to get lost. If she knew who he was, she might act differently. But to her, Sid is just a reminder of a past she’d rather forget.

Sid won’t leave Aspen alone, because she’s the one girl that might be able to help save him and the rest of the dragons.

He hadn’t planned on falling love…

Not going to lie in saying that I had high hopes for Obsidian. I initially came across Obsidian on my booksta search feed when I was watching reels.

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Wolf Girl series (books 1-3), by Leia Stone | Book Review

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

Wolf Girl, Lost Girl, and Alpha Girl, by Leia Stone.

Wolf Girl is the first book in the Wolf Girl series, with Lost Girl, and Alpha Girl being the second and third books.

Trigger Warnings: Mention of Rape (no actual scenes, just recalling), Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, Murder mentions, Sex Scenes, Bombs, Pregnancy & Birth.

When my parents were banished from Wolf City before I was born, I thought there was no way I would ever live in a pack again. Cuffed, with my shifter magic bound, I was forced to go to school with witches in order to keep my true nature from coming out.

Then I met him.

Sawyer Hudson.

The Alpha’s son was visiting Delphi Witches’ College and spotted me. He took one look at me, and an hour later, I was being pulled out of school, taken into Wolf City and leaving my parents and everything I knew behind.

It’s the Alpha’s son’s selection year, the year he must pick a mate, and every female aged 18-22 must be in attendance.

I’ve landed myself in the middle of Werewolf Bachelor, and just when I think I’ve got a handle on things, Sawyer releases my cuffs, unbinds my magic, and sees what I really am.

The problem is, I don’t know what this creature is that I transform into. It’s not an ordinary werewolf, that’s for damn sure.

Note that I read all three books in 2 days, so, this review is more of a general feelings and thoughts on the books.

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Root Rot Academy, by Rhea Watson | Series Book Review

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

Root Rot Academy trilogy, by Rhea Watson.

Root Rot is a trilogy, with the each book being titled:
Root Rot Academy: Term One
Root Rot Academy: Term Two
Root Rot Academy: Term Three

Trigger Warnings: Murder mention, Teacher / Student Abuse (and mentions), Attempted Murder, Murder, Blood, Stalking, Attempted Rape, Assault, Fighting, Sex Scenes and BDSM.

Root Rot Academy: The Complete Trilogy includes all three full-length books from the Root Rot Trilogy + a short follow-up for those who love reconnecting with the main characters after The End. The trilogy is a supernatural academy Why-Choose romance centered around the professors and staff. It contains mature subject matter that might not be suitable for all readers.

The warlock who murdered my parents is teaching at Root Rot Academy—and now, so am I.

Once upon a time, a monster killed my parents and left me to burn in my bed.

Twenty-six years later, I finally found him.

We might have both become professors, but we are nothing alike. Benedict Hammond is a liar, a murderer, a psychopath.

And I’m the witch here to punish him.

I renamed myself after the fury Alecto years ago, and now it’s time to taste her madness—to exact my righteous revenge.

You know…

Once I figure out what that is, exactly.

But it’s coming, and nothing is going to distract me.

Not my gorgeous vampire roommate, the complete package and totally off-limits.

Not the mysterious head librarian, a fae as intriguing as he is infuriating.

Oh, and definitely not my powerful warlock headmaster who makes me feel so deliciously small.

I’m here to collect a life debt—that’s all that matters.

And…

And…

And I’m not terrified.

Nope. Not at all.

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 things, I read the Root Rot Academy series in one sitting. My series review is more of how I felt about the trilogy as a whole, more than the individual books. Plus, it’s been too long (over a year) since I’ve read the trilogy.

What I can say about this series is that there are 4 points of view in total, and I enjoyed reading from all of them. …Which doesn’t happen all that often, despite me saying otherwise.

What I liked the most, and what made me decide to read the Root Rot Academy trilogy series is that the characters involved themselves are all old enough to be teachers. Which means! That! These characters are not the students themselves. Lately I’ve been into the older characters, i.e., not high school students, but more characters around the 20+ age mark. — Getting back to what I was saying though, was that I love that this story takes place in a school setting, but none of the main characters or love interests were students of the school themselves. 

This is because I’ve found that lately I just don’t have the energy to put up with reading school/academy settings wherein the main characters are students themselves. 

Something else that I genuinely loved/enjoyed about the series is how mature our female lead is. Like, she’s there for her friends. She’s genuinely there, and she genuinely cares. When a character is down about something, Alecto (the main lead) is usually the first / only person who does something about it. I love that Alecto takes action and stands up for what she believes in. 

The writing is another thing that I enjoyed as well. I like that there were details in the story, but those details weren’t the delved into to the point where the story is consumed by them. There’s breathing room in the story from the details of everything, and I love that it was so effortlessly done. 

Note that there are sex scenes in this series, and just to be on the side of caution, if you don’t like reading sex scenes, maybe skip this series. Personally I found that the sex scenes were good, which is always a good thing, in my opinion.

All in all, I give each of the three books (and the trilogy as a whole) 4 stars!

Have you read the Root Rot Academy trilogy?

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

Root Rot Academy series, by Rhea Watson | Book Review

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

the Root Rot Academy series by Rhea Watson.

Trigger Warnings: Murder mention, Teacher/Student Abuse (and mentions), Attempted Murder, Murder, Blood, Stalking, Attempted Rape, Assault, Fighting, Sex Scenes, and BDSM.
Note that it’s entirely possible that I missed possible triggers while reading the series.

Root Rot Academy: The Complete Trilogy includes all three full-length books from the Root Rot Trilogy + a short follow-up for those who love reconnecting with the main characters after The End. The trilogy is a supernatural academy Why-Choose romance centered around the professors and staff. It contains mature subject matter that might not be suitable for all readers.

The warlock who murdered my parents is teaching at Root Rot Academy—and now, so am I.

Once upon a time, a monster killed my parents and left me to burn in my bed.

Twenty-six years later, I finally found him.

We might have both become professors, but we are nothing alike. Benedict Hammond is a liar, a murderer, a psychopath.

And I’m the witch here to punish him.

I renamed myself after the fury Alecto years ago, and now it’s time to taste her madness—to exact my righteous revenge.

You know…

Once I figure out what that is, exactly.

But it’s coming, and nothing is going to distract me.

Not my gorgeous vampire roommate, the complete package and totally off-limits.

Not the mysterious head librarian, a fae as intriguing as he is infuriating.

Oh, and definitely not my powerful warlock headmaster who makes me feel so deliciously small.

I’m here to collect a life debt—that’s all that matters.

And…

And…

And I’m not terrified.

Nope. Not at all.

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.

Continue reading

Taken by the Dragon King, by Amelia Shaw | Book Review

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

Taken by the Dragon King, by Amelia Shaw.

Taken by the Dragon King is the first book in the Fire and Ice series.

Trigger Warnings: Blood, Torture mention, Kidnapping, Sex Scenes.

Stavrok won’t let anything stand between him and his mate.

There’s a beast inside of me, and there will be a time when I can’t control him.

That’s what my father told me happens when my dragon finds his mate. He will claim them. He will not be gentle. He will not be sweet.

My dragon will do whatever it takes to ensure his mate doesn’t leave, no matter the cost.

Lucy thinks soulmates are only for her dreams.

When a stranger breaks into my home and comes after me, I recognize his face. He’s the man from my dreams—the one I’m destined to fall in love with.

But I don’t believe in soulmates. That’s why I try to flee.

Stavrok takes Lucy to the snowy mountains, hellbent on proving she’s his mate.

But then his kingdom is attacked, and Lucy is stolen away from the Dragon King.

Now her only hope lies in knowing Stavrok will turn the world to ash and brimstone looking for her…and his dragon babies.

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