Tuesday Reviews: Brimstone by Callie Hart

Saeris Fane doesn't want power. The very last thing she needs is her name whispered on an entire court's lips, but now that she's been crowned queen of the Blood Court, she's discovering that a queen's life is not her own. A heavy weight rests upon her shoulders.

Her ward - and her brother - need her back in her homeland . . . but the changes that have strengthened Saeris have also made her weak. Born under blazing suns, Saeris will surely die if she makes her way home through the Quicksilver. Which means that, once again, she must send someone else in her stead . . .

'Keep your mouth shut. Stick to the shadows. And for the love of all seven Gods, do NOT crack any jokes.'

Kingfisher of the Ajun Gate has defeated armies and survived all manner of horrors, but traveling back to Zilvaren with Carrion Swift might just be the death of him. The male just will not shut up. Hidden dangers await them down the narrow alleyways of the Silver City. Unfolding secrets pose impossible threats. Fisher must wrangle the smuggler and accomplish his goals quickly if he wants to see his mate again.

Brimstone absolutely blew me away. I loved Quicksilver, but somehow Callie Hart managed to take everything that worked in the first book and elevate it to an entirely new level. The characters, the world-building, the romance, the action—everything felt bigger, deeper, and more emotionally satisfying.

I went into this book expecting to take my time and savor it, but that plan lasted about five minutes. Once I started reading, I couldn't stop. Every chapter pulled me deeper into the story, and the pacing was so perfectly balanced that I never wanted to put it down.

Kingfisher continues to cement his place as one of my all-time favorite book boyfriends. Getting more insight into his thoughts and emotions made me love him even more. His loyalty, devotion, and unwavering love for Saeris were enough to completely wreck me. Every scene between them was packed with emotion, chemistry, and heart. Their relationship felt earned, and the way it developed throughout the story was everything I want from a romantasy romance.

And Saeris? I am obsessed with her. Watching her embrace her power, grow into herself, and lower her walls was one of my favorite parts of the book. She's strong, flawed, resilient, and impossible not to root for.

The found family remains one of the strongest aspects of this series. The friendships, banter, and group dynamics add so much warmth and humor to an otherwise intense story. Every side character felt important, and several of them completely stole the show. I already desperately need future books focused on some of them.

The ending deserves its own paragraph because WOW. I won't spoil anything, but the final reveal left me staring at the page in shock. It's one of those twists that makes you immediately want to go back and rethink everything. At the same time, I appreciated that the book delivered a satisfying emotional payoff rather than ending on a completely devastating cliffhanger.

Brimstone is everything I want from romantasy: unforgettable characters, incredible world-building, high stakes, found family, epic romance, and twists that leave you speechless. This series just keeps getting better, and I already know the wait for the next book is going to feel impossibly long.

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Tuesday Reviews: The Book of Azrael by Amber Nicole

 

For a thousand years, the Etherworld has known peace.Until now.

Many centuries ago, desperate to save her dying sister, Dianna made a deal with Kaden, a monster far worse than any nightmare. Locked in servitude to him, she is forced to hunt down an ancient relic held by her most dangerous enemies: an army led by Samkiel, the World Ender.

After the Gods War, Samkiel hid from everything, denying his crown and deserting his people. Now, an attack on those he loves sends him back to the realm he never wished to return to, and into the sights of an enemy he had hoped to forget.

With every world at stake, Dianna and Samkiel are forced to set aside their animosity and work together, before all is lost . . .

This book was everything I want in a fantasy romance and more. From the incredible world-building to the addictive slow-burn romance, I was completely hooked from beginning to end.

The enemies-to-lovers romance was executed perfectly. The tension between Liam and Dianna was off the charts, and every interaction had me wanting more. Liam quickly became one of my favorite book boyfriends. Beneath his intimidating reputation as the World Ender is a deeply loyal, surprisingly romantic man who would do absolutely anything for the woman he loves. Watching his feelings develop throughout the story was one of my favorite parts of the book.

Dianna is a fierce and capable heroine who isn't afraid to fight for what she believes in. I loved that she wasn't a perfect character. She makes mistakes, has flaws, and grows significantly throughout the story. Her journey felt authentic, and by the end I was completely invested in her future.

The world-building was rich and immersive without ever feeling overwhelming. The author reveals information at just the right pace, allowing the story to unfold naturally. There was never a moment where I felt lost or bogged down by unnecessary exposition. Instead, every chapter seemed to reveal another layer of the world and its characters.

I also have to mention Kaden. For a character who should be easy to hate, he was surprisingly compelling. There's something about him that keeps you intrigued, and I can't wait to see what role he'll play moving forward.

Add in forced proximity, only one bed, forbidden romance, intense action scenes, and a cliffhanger that completely shattered me, and this book was an absolute winner. The chemistry, the emotional moments, the character growth, and the epic fantasy setting all came together beautifully.

That ending left me desperate for the next book. If you love fantasy romance with unforgettable characters, slow-burn tension, and high stakes, this is one I highly recommend.

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Tuesday Reviews: Game On by Navessa Allen

 

 

I hate that woman.

Tyler Neumann has spent years looking for his father, and not because he wants to meet the man. No, he wants to destroy him. And he'll manipulate whoever he can to exact his revenge.

Including Stella McCormick. She's everything Tyler hates. Her wealth and privilege have protected her for her entire life, and Tyler thinks it's time she finally paid the price. Whether she's ready to or not.

I hate that man.

Stella might not believe in love at first sight, but loathing at first sight - no question. From the moment she sets eyes on Tyler in her tattoo parlor, she knows he's the devil planning to make her life hell.

Forced to play the part of his girlfriend and invite him into her family's glittering circles, Stella quickly clocks Tyler's ulterior motives. But love and hate are two sides of the same coin, and soon she doesn't know which is being blackmailed by a man who wants to ruin her, or that they can't seem to keep their hands off each other.

Game On was everything I wanted and more. The dark rom-com vibes that made me fall in love with this series are officially back, and I was hooked from the very first chapter. Navessa Allen absolutely nailed the balance between tension, humor, romance, and chaos.

Theo and Stella were pure entertainment. Their chemistry practically jumped off the page, and the constant back-and-forth between them had me grinning the entire time. They know exactly how to get under each other's skin, and honestly, they were the perfect tormentors for one another. The banter was top-tier, and the "I hate you but also..." energy was chef's kiss.

I also loved the setting and overall atmosphere. The games, the wealth, the secrets, the danger—it all created such an addictive backdrop for the story. Every interaction felt charged, and the tension was just as thrilling as the romance.

One thing I really appreciated was the chronic illness representation. As someone who also deals with a chronic illness, seeing chronic gastritis acknowledged in the story meant a lot. It felt authentic and added another layer to Stella's character.

And can we talk about Fred the parrot? Absolute scene-stealer. Every time that bird appeared, I was laughing. The bonus chapters at the end were also amazing, especially getting a pet's perspective. More authors need to do that because it was hilarious.

The audiobook was fantastic as well. The narrators brought both Theo and Stella to life perfectly and made an already fun story even more immersive.

Overall, Game On delivered the tension, the laughs, the emotional moments, and all the chaos I was hoping for. Between the incredible chemistry, addictive banter, unforgettable characters, and darkly fun atmosphere, this was an easy five-star read for me. I couldn't put it down and already want to reread it.

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Tuesday Reviews: Still Beating by Jennifer Hartmann

When Cora attends her sister’s birthday party, she expects at most a hangover or a walk of shame. She doesn’t anticipate a stolen wallet, leaving her stranded and dependent on Dean—her arch nemesis and ultimate thorn in her side.

And she really doesn’t anticipate waking up in shackles in a madman’s basement.

To make matters worse, Dean shares the space in his own set of chains.

After fifteen years of teasing, insults, and practical jokes, the ultimate joke seems to be on them. The two people who always thought they’d end up killing each other must now work together if they want to survive.

But Cora and Dean have no idea their abductor has a plan for them. A plan that will alter the course of their relationship, blur the line between hate and love, and shackle them together with far more than just chains.

First off, if you are sensitive to dark, abusive situations with sexual violence... this is not the book for you. Still Beating is a harrowing tale of two people taken by a serial killer, and their against the odds survival. Cora and Dean's traumatic story may end in escape, but going home has never been harder. For two people who have survived the worst thing imaginable, the battle to find normalcy is only beginning.

While dark, the story will suck you in, and won't let go. Trust me, I read this entire book at work... whoops. I just couldn't put it down. It's a bare, tragic look at what happens after you survive. How traumatic events reshape you as a person, and how sometimes what you think is right in front of you isn't what you think.

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Tuesday Reviews Sapphire Flames by Ilona Andrews

In a world where magic is the key to power and wealth, Catalina Baylor is a Prime, the highest rank of magic user, and the Head of her House. Catalina has always been afraid to use her unique powers, but when her friend’s mother and sister are murdered, Catalina risks her reputation and safety to unravel the mystery.

But behind the scenes powerful forces are at work, and one of them is Alessandro Sagredo, the Italian Prime who was once Catalina’s teenage crush. Dangerous and unpredictable, Alessandro’s true motives are unclear, but he’s drawn to Catalina like a moth to a flame.

To help her friend, Catalina must test the limits of her extraordinary powers, but doing so may cost her both her House–and her heart.

There is absolutely nothing about this book that I didn’t like. As one of my coveted “me time” vacation reads, I dived in before we even crossed into the state lines of our destination, and as done before vacation really even started. I couldn’t stop. Not even to hit the bathroom at rest stop. This book was ready to be devoured from page one.

This book is fantastic. Reminiscent of the first three novels in the Hidden Legacy series following Nevada, Sapphire Flames brings us a new leading lady and an entirely new big bad knocking on her door. The story inside is heart-poundingly hot and steamy. Catalina is about to give her big sister a run for her money as my favorite Baylor family member. The story itself is off the charts exciting, and will leave readers begging and pleading for more. Speaking of which… Please Ilona… can I have some more? Like now? Today. Within an hour. The next five minutes. For the love of god, I need more.

That being said, since this was an ARC, I cannot really dive much further in the plot, the characters, the steamy intrigue, the peeks in on Nevada, and all the deviously fun that makes up Sapphire Flames. What I can say is that … YOU NEED THIS BOOK!

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Tuesday Reviews: Summoned to the Thirteenth Grave by Darynda Jones

 

Grim Reaper Charley Davidson is back in the final installment of Darynda Jones’ New York Times bestselling paranormal series!

Charley Davidson, Grim Reaper extraordinaire, is pissed. She’s been kicked off the earthly plain for eternity – which is the appropriate amount of time to make a person starkraving mad. But someone’s looking out for her, and she’s allowed to return after a mere hundred years in exile. Is it too much to hope for that not much has changed? Apparently it is. Bummer.

She’s missed her daughter, she’s missed Reyes, and Beep, but now that she’s back on earth, it’s time to put to rest burning questions that need answers. What happened to her mother? How did she really die? Who killed her? And are cupcakes or coffee the best medicine? It all comes to a head in an epic showdown between good and evil in this final smart and hilarious novel.

One day.

That’s all it literally took. One single day for me to devour the end of my all-time favorite series. Hours if I were being truthful despite my attempts on trying to drag it out as much as possible because surely this isn’t the end to Reyes Alexander Farrow and Charley’s story. But as a I turned to the last page, it surely was. The end. No more coffee jokes or sexual innuendos. No more namely random objects or body parts. Sigh. I need coffee and a counselor. Stat.

Summoned to the Thirteenth Grave was the end all. The last, but so flipping good end to Charley and Reyes’ ill-fated romantic series. Because I received an early ARC, there’s not much that I can say at this point, but this story is amazing. Simply brilliant. Jones’ took everything about this series, the highs, the lows, the twists and turns, and created such a beautiful ending to such an intoxicating thrill ride of a romance. It’s not what you would expect, but at the same time it is. Jones’ leaves just the smallest crack open for the continuation of this series in relation to Beep, which gives me hope that this isn’t the last time we will see Reyes and Charley in action. Just like the ending, I am left speechless and wondering one simple question.

What’s next?

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