Marin's bookshelf: all en-US Sun, 13 Sep 2026 07:08:41 -0700 60 Marin's bookshelf: all 144 41 https://www.goodreads.com/images/layout/goodreads_logo_144.jpg <![CDATA[The Knight and the Moth (The Stonewater Kingdom, #1)]]> 218422159 A gothic, mist-cloaked tale of a young prophetess who is forced on an impossible quest with the one infuriating knight whose future is beyond her sight.

Sybil Delling has spent nine years dreaming of having no dreams at all. Like the other foundling girls who traded a decade of service for a home in the great cathedral, Sybil is a Diviner. In her dreams she receives visions from six unearthly figures known as Omens. From them, she can predict terrible things before they occur, and lords and common folk alike travel across the kingdom of Traum’s windswept moors to learn their futures by her dreams.

Just as she and her sister Diviners near the end of their service, a mysterious knight arrives at the cathedral. Rude, heretical, and devilishly handsome, the knight Rodrick has no respect for Sybil's visions. But when Sybil's fellow Diviners begin to vanish one by one, she has no choice but to seek his help in finding them. For the world outside the cathedral’s cloister is wrought with peril. Only the gods have the answers she is seeking, and as much as she'd rather avoid Rodrick's dark eyes and sharp tongue, only a heretic can defeat a god. ]]> 395 Rachel Gillig 0316573787 Marin 0 currently-reading, spooky-szn 4.36 2025 The Knight and the Moth (The Stonewater Kingdom, #1)
author: Rachel Gillig
name: Marin
average rating: 4.36
book published: 2025
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2026/09/13
shelves: currently-reading, spooky-szn
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Draco Malfoy and the Mortifying Ordeal of Being in Love]]> 60127763
Features hypercompetent, fiery Hermione and lazy, yet dangerous, Draco. Slow burn.

Rating: Explicit
Fandom: Harry Potter
Relationship: Hermione Granger/Draco Malfoy

Tags: Healer Hermione Granger, Researcher Hermione Granger, Auror Draco Malfoy, Slow burn, unresolved sexual tension, eventual smut, POV Draco Malfoy, Forced Collaboration, Romance, romcom, Action/Adventure, EWE, HEA, reckless overuse of author's favorite tropes, oblivious idiots, All aboard the SS Denial, late-stage pining, what is pining if not denial persevering, no first names we die like men, do not look too closely at the plot you will only hurt yourself, scandalous ankle touching, misuse of whirlpool baths, graphic depictions of competent women, eroticized arithmancy, Crookshanks will fight god or become him, human on mushroom violence, Schrodinger's ethics, nuns]]> 593 isthisselfcare Marin 5 fics 4.56 2021 Draco Malfoy and the Mortifying Ordeal of Being in Love
author: isthisselfcare
name: Marin
average rating: 4.56
book published: 2021
rating: 5
read at: 2026/03/29
date added: 2026/03/29
shelves: fics
review:

]]> Manacled 52122096
Fanfiction for Harry Potter by J. K. Rowling.
Words: 370,256]]> 925 SenLinYu Marin 5
sure, it probably didn’t need to be that long, but who am i to complain when i was enraptured the whole time. i don’t cry easily w books (KOA is the only one that’s ever pulled a few tears), but from what i'd heard from others i was on edge the entire second half of the book waiting for some devastating shoe to drop. did i find this emotionally devastating? yes. actually made me cry? no.

still, i loved being back in this world - obviously a much darker AU, but so fun to be with characters i already know. super curious what the Alchemised version will be like since they’ll have to swap out even simple things like spell incantations. i’ll definitely read it eventually, but for the full experience? i'd start with this one. i adored it.








some fav quotes since i know i have so many fans disappointed i can't share them:

'Once upon a time… there had been a girl who fought. Who believed that books and cleverness and friendship and bravery could overcome all things.'

'If an assassin’s blade were made into a man, it would take the form of Draco Malfoy.'

“I wish you luck, Miss Granger. You are a better friend than Harry Potter will ever deserve.” → AINT that the truth

'How any place could be so dreary even in summer never ceased to baffle Hermione. It was as though Severus’ personality were contagious.'

“You’re like a rose in a graveyard,” he said, and his lips curved into a bitter smile. “I wonder what you could have turned into without the war.”

'Hermione reached into her pocket and pulled out the gift. “It’s called a rubber duck. It will float on water. You can have it in your baths. Or put it in the sink.” → the knife this twists in my heart for arthur weasly and his memory. omg.

'She was having her first hallucination in her life. She was possibly dying. Draco was as hot as a furnace and wearing a light grey hoodie that said Oxford on it and—jeans?' → UM. HOT.

'Draco rested his forehead against hers, and she closed her eyes. It felt as though their souls were touching.'

'He loved her, even though he never expected them to be anything but doomed. He’d loved her all the same.'

'She was a non-active member of the Order of the Phoenix and did not fight.']]> 4.62 2019 Manacled
author: SenLinYu
name: Marin
average rating: 4.62
book published: 2019
rating: 5
read at: 2025/09/16
date added: 2026/03/29
shelves: fantasy-romance-adult, dark-romance, spooky-szn, 5-stars, favorites, fics
review:
i think i'm going five stars. who knew a 1,000+ page dramione fic would be the thing to pull me out of my slump? my first fanfic since my wattpad days and i was honestly impressed. dont get me wrong this was HEAVY, but watching morally grey draco slowly fall for hermione?! been a while since a book gave me those ACOTAR/TOG-level emotions.

sure, it probably didn’t need to be that long, but who am i to complain when i was enraptured the whole time. i don’t cry easily w books (KOA is the only one that’s ever pulled a few tears), but from what i'd heard from others i was on edge the entire second half of the book waiting for some devastating shoe to drop. did i find this emotionally devastating? yes. actually made me cry? no.

still, i loved being back in this world - obviously a much darker AU, but so fun to be with characters i already know. super curious what the Alchemised version will be like since they’ll have to swap out even simple things like spell incantations. i’ll definitely read it eventually, but for the full experience? i'd start with this one. i adored it.








some fav quotes since i know i have so many fans disappointed i can't share them:

'Once upon a time… there had been a girl who fought. Who believed that books and cleverness and friendship and bravery could overcome all things.'

'If an assassin’s blade were made into a man, it would take the form of Draco Malfoy.'

“I wish you luck, Miss Granger. You are a better friend than Harry Potter will ever deserve.” → AINT that the truth

'How any place could be so dreary even in summer never ceased to baffle Hermione. It was as though Severus’ personality were contagious.'

“You’re like a rose in a graveyard,” he said, and his lips curved into a bitter smile. “I wonder what you could have turned into without the war.”

'Hermione reached into her pocket and pulled out the gift. “It’s called a rubber duck. It will float on water. You can have it in your baths. Or put it in the sink.” → the knife this twists in my heart for arthur weasly and his memory. omg.

'She was having her first hallucination in her life. She was possibly dying. Draco was as hot as a furnace and wearing a light grey hoodie that said Oxford on it and—jeans?' → UM. HOT.

'Draco rested his forehead against hers, and she closed her eyes. It felt as though their souls were touching.'

'He loved her, even though he never expected them to be anything but doomed. He’d loved her all the same.'

'She was a non-active member of the Order of the Phoenix and did not fight.'
]]> Meet Me at the Lake 61848488 A random connection sends two strangers on a daylong adventure where they make a promise one keeps and the other breaks, with life-changing effects.

Fern Brookbanks has wasted far too much of her adult life thinking about Will Baxter. She spent just twenty-four hours in her early twenties with the aggravatingly attractive, idealistic artist, a chance encounter that spiraled into a daylong adventure in the city. The timing was wrong, but their connection was undeniable: they shared every secret, every dream, and made a pact to meet one year later. Fern showed up. Will didn’t.

At thirty-two, Fern’s life doesn’t look at all how she once imagined it would. Instead of living in the city, Fern’s back home, running her mother’s lakeside resort—something she vowed never to do. The place is in disarray, her ex-boyfriend’s the manager, and Fern doesn’t know where to begin.

She needs a plan—a lifeline. To her surprise, it comes in the form of Will, who arrives nine years too late, with a suitcase in tow and an offer to help on his lips. Will may be the only person who understands what Fern’s going through. But how could she possibly trust this expensive-suit wearing mirage who seems nothing like the young man she met all those years ago. Will is hiding something, and Fern’s not sure she wants to know what it is.

But ten years ago, Will Baxter rescued Fern. Can she do the same for him?]]> 334 Carley Fortune 0593438566 Marin 3 contemp-romance, summer-reads 3.90 2023 Meet Me at the Lake
author: Carley Fortune
name: Marin
average rating: 3.90
book published: 2023
rating: 3
read at: 2026/02/18
date added: 2026/02/18
shelves: contemp-romance, summer-reads
review:

]]> New Moon (Twilight, #2) 6061060 From evil vampires to a mysterious pack of wolves, new threats of danger and vengeance test Bella and Edward's romance in the second book of the irresistible Twilight saga.For Bella Swan, there is one thing more important than life Edward Cullen. But being in love with a vampire is even more dangerous than Bella could ever have imagined. Edward has already rescued Bella from the clutches of one evil vampire, but now, as their daring relationship threatens all that is near and dear to them, they realize their troubles may be just beginning.Bella and Edward face a devastating separation, the mysterious appearance of dangerous wolves roaming the forest in Forks, a terrifying threat of revenge from a female vampire and a deliciously sinister encounter with Italy's reigning royal family of vampires, the Volturi.Passionate, riveting, and full of surprising twists and turns, this vampire love saga is well on its way to literary immortality.It's here! #1 bestselling author Stephenie Meyer makes a triumphant return to the world of Twilight with the highly anticipated companion, Midnight the iconic love story of Bella and Edward told from the vampire's point of view."People do not want to just read Meyer's books; they want to climb inside them and live there." -- Time"A literary phenomenon." -- The New York Times]]> 577 Stephenie Meyer Marin 2 fantasy-romance-ya 4.05 2006 New Moon (Twilight, #2)
author: Stephenie Meyer
name: Marin
average rating: 4.05
book published: 2006
rating: 2
read at: 2026/01/12
date added: 2026/02/02
shelves: fantasy-romance-ya
review:
bella we've all been there but i fear i didn't remember how truly embarrassing this is for you
]]> Gravity 61848341 C’est cela l’amour, et tu es mon rêve...

Bryce:

Hockey is my life. This game pulled me from my tiny Quebec hometown all the way to the NHL, and now? I’m the number one player in the league. Team capitaine for the Montréal Étoiles. I’m shattering records and packing arenas every night, and I’ve promised my team: we’re going to win the Stanley Cup this year.

But I’m keeping big secrets. I'm thinking dangerous thoughts, and dreaming about impossible things. Like how a man’s lips might taste, or how his body might feel in my arms.

I can’t go there. I’ve got to focus. Team. Hockey. Cup. What my heart wants doesn’t matter.

So why am I falling head over heels at the NHL's All-Star Weekend?

I can’t do this. I can’t fall for Hunter Lacey. He’s a hockey player. We’re both in the NHL. He’s on a different team. And, oh yeah, he’s straight.

Hunter:

I’m a middle-of-the-road, nothing-special hockey player. Good enough to be drafted into the NHL, and I’ve been on the roster for the past two years, but I’ll never make the Hall of Fame. I’m just trying to keep my head up and get through each day, until this wild ride comes to an end.

Deep thinking isn’t really my thing. Look inside myself? Lotta beer and burgers there.

I never thought I’d be invited to the All-Star Weekend, but here I am. And there’s my hero: Bryce Michel, league superstar.

Saying hello to Bryce turns into hours spent together on the ice, and then an invite to dinner, and then days at each other's side. I’m in heaven. He’s my hero, and this is the coolest—

Then Bryce’s lips land on mine, and the world turns upside down.

Gravity is an MM romance featuring bi/gay awakening, friends to lovers, team shenanigans, fast-paced hockey, ice-melting sizzle, and swoony Québécois love songs.

Gravity is set in the same universe as The Rest of the Story .]]> 273 Tal Bauer Marin 2 wicked-witch, cozy-4-winter 4.05 2022 Gravity
author: Tal Bauer
name: Marin
average rating: 4.05
book published: 2022
rating: 2
read at: 2026/01/09
date added: 2026/02/02
shelves: wicked-witch, cozy-4-winter
review:
this was okay, i guess? didn't scratch the hockey itch i was looking for.
]]> Ember & Ice 246155243 2 Colleen Scriven Marin 4 wicked-witch, audiobooks 4.33 Ember & Ice
author: Colleen Scriven
name: Marin
average rating: 4.33
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2026/01/29
date added: 2026/01/29
shelves: wicked-witch, audiobooks
review:

]]> <![CDATA[The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner (Twilight, #3.5)]]> 8540454 Newly turned vampire Bree Tanner lives in terror -- and must find her way out of untold danger -- in this pulse-pounding novella, a companion to Eclipse.Bree Tanner, a self-described "vampire nerd" first introduced in Eclipse, lives in terror in a coven of newborn vampires. She is a member of Victoria's vampire army, and as that army closes in on Bella Swan and the Cullens, she finds her first friend and discovers a truth about daylight.While fans may know how it ends, they don't yet have the full Bree's tale of danger, mystery, and romance is one for the books.It's here! #1 bestselling author Stephenie Meyer makes a triumphant return to the world of Twilight with the highly anticipated companion, Midnight the iconic love story of Bella and Edward told from the vampire's point of view."People do not want to just read Meyer's books; they want to climb inside them and live there." -- Time"A literary phenomenon." -- The New York Times]]> 213 Stephenie Meyer Marin 2 novellas 3.77 2009 The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner (Twilight, #3.5)
author: Stephenie Meyer
name: Marin
average rating: 3.77
book published: 2009
rating: 2
read at: 2026/01/29
date added: 2026/01/29
shelves: novellas
review:

]]> Eclipse (Twilight, #3) 6064173 As the love triangle heats up in the third book, Bella must choose between her friendship with Jacob and her romance with Edward -- and her decision could change the fate of vampires and werewolves forever.As Seattle is ravaged by a string of mysterious killings and a malicious vampire continues her quest for revenge, Bella once again finds herself surrounded by danger. In the midst of it all, she is forced to choose between her love for Edward and her friendship with Jacob -- knowing that her decision has the potential to ignite the ageless struggle between vampire and werewolf.With her graduation quickly approaching, Bella has one more decision to life or death. But which is which?It's here! #1 bestselling author Stephenie Meyer makes a triumphant return to the world of Twilight with the highly anticipated companion, Midnight the iconic love story of Bella and Edward told from the vampire's point of view."People do not want to just read Meyer's books; they want to climb inside them and live there." -- Time"A literary phenomenon." -- The New York Times]]> 629 Stephenie Meyer Marin 2 4.09 2007 Eclipse (Twilight, #3)
author: Stephenie Meyer
name: Marin
average rating: 4.09
book published: 2007
rating: 2
read at: 2026/01/29
date added: 2026/01/29
shelves:
review:

]]> The Hating Game 63903759 Alternate cover for this ASIN can be found here and here

Debut author Sally Thorne bursts on the scene with a hilarious and sexy workplace comedy all about that thin, fine line between hate and love.

Nemesis (n.) 1) An opponent or rival whom a person cannot best or overcome.
2) A person’s undoing
3) Joshua Templeman

Lucy Hutton has always been certain that the nice girl can get the corner office. She’s charming and accommodating and prides herself on being loved by everyone at Bexley & Gamin. Everyone except for coldly efficient, impeccably attired, physically intimidating Joshua Templeman. And the feeling is mutual.

Trapped in a shared office together 40 (OK, 50 or 60) hours a week, they’ve become entrenched in an addictive, ridiculous never-ending game of one-upmanship. There’s the Staring Game. The Mirror Game. The HR Game. Lucy can’t let Joshua beat her at anything—especially when a huge new promotion goes up for the taking.

If Lucy wins this game, she’ll be Joshua’s boss. If she loses, she’ll resign. So why is she suddenly having steamy dreams about Joshua, and dressing for work like she’s got a hot date? After a perfectly innocent elevator ride ends with an earth shattering kiss, Lucy starts to wonder whether she’s got Joshua Templeman all wrong.

Maybe Lucy Hutton doesn’t hate Joshua Templeman. And maybe, he doesn’t hate her either. Or maybe this is just another game. ​​]]> 369 Sally Thorne Marin 2 contemp-romance 4.03 2016 The Hating Game
author: Sally Thorne
name: Marin
average rating: 4.03
book published: 2016
rating: 2
read at: 2026/01/24
date added: 2026/01/26
shelves: contemp-romance
review:

]]> Sharp Objects 54774986 272 Gillian Flynn Marin 2 thrillers 3.98 2006 Sharp Objects
author: Gillian Flynn
name: Marin
average rating: 3.98
book published: 2006
rating: 2
read at: 2026/01/26
date added: 2026/01/26
shelves: thrillers
review:

]]> Us (Him, #2) 59754586 Can your favorite hockey players finish their first season together undefeated?

Five months in, NHL forward Ryan Wesley is having a record-breaking rookie season. He’s living his dream of playing pro hockey and coming home every night to the man he loves—Jamie Canning, his longtime best friend turned boyfriend. There’s just one problem: the most important relationship of his life is one he needs to keep hidden, or else face a media storm that will eclipse his success on the ice.

Jamie loves Wes. He really, truly does. But hiding sucks. It’s not the life Jamie envisioned for himself, and the strain of keeping their secret is taking its toll. It doesn’t help that his new job isn’t going as smoothly as he’d hoped, but he knows he can power through it as long as he has Wes. At least apartment 10B is their retreat, where they can always be themselves.

Or can they?

When Wes’s nosiest teammate moves in upstairs, the threads of their carefully woven lie begin to unravel. With the outside world determined to take its best shot at them, can Wes and Jamie develop major-league relationship skills on the fly?

Warning: contains sexual situations, a vibrating chair, long-distance sexytimes and proof that hockey players look hot in any shade of green.]]> 324 Sarina Bowen Marin 3 cozy-4-winter, wicked-witch 4.26 2016 Us (Him, #2)
author: Sarina Bowen
name: Marin
average rating: 4.26
book published: 2016
rating: 3
read at: 2025/12/29
date added: 2026/01/13
shelves: cozy-4-winter, wicked-witch
review:
i love wes and jamie deeply, but sequels where the couple is stressed the entire time aren’t my um... lets say preferred flavor?
]]> For the Fans 62990658 Kyran Harbor is everything I’m not.

Rich. Popular. A superstar football player who’s awfully broody for someone who has it all. Basically, he’s a preppy jock who hates me. Oh, and he’s also my stepbrother.

That’s right. We’re stuck together, sharing a school, a house… A bathroom. Honestly, I wouldn’t care… If he wasn’t such an uptight control-freak who messes with me just because we’re different.

I had every intention of avoiding him when we got to college… Until abrupt misfortune forces us both into a compromising position.

Now the grouchy jerk I was hoping to evade might be the only person who can help me out of it.

Avi Vega is everything I despise.

A dreamer. A flake. An artist who smokes too much weed and thinks aliens exist. And by some sick cosmic joke, he’s now my stepbrother, following me on what should’ve been my escape plan.

It was already a disaster. Add a sudden financial disruption to the mix, and let’s just say my options are heavily limited.

If I want to stay an all-star quarterback on the way to the NFL, I’ll need to do something drastic. Unfortunately for me, and my desperate desire for control, the perpetually smiling stoner has a plan.

Maybe we can stop hating each other just enough to pull this off. As long as we remember we’re only doing it… for the fans.

** For The Fans is a full-length standalone MM forbidden romance with an HEA. This book contains sensitive subject matter that could make some readers uncomfortable. Please heed foreword warnings and proceed with caution.]]> 546 Nyla K. Marin 2 wicked-witch 4.28 2023 For the Fans
author: Nyla K.
name: Marin
average rating: 4.28
book published: 2023
rating: 2
read at: 2026/01/04
date added: 2026/01/13
shelves: wicked-witch
review:
i cannot believe i read 500 pages of this. i mean, i got what I came for?? but honestly, none of it was written very well. now i know, i guess.
]]> Top Secret 208428469 An instant USA Today bestseller.

LobsterShorts, 21. Jock. Secretly a science geek. Hot AF.

So. Here goes. For her birthday, my girlfriend wants…a threesome.

Then you’ve come to the right hookup app.

Have you done this sort of thing before? With another guy?

All the time. I’m an equal opportunity player. You?

[crickets!]

SinnerThree, 21. Finance major. Secretly a male dancer. Hot AF. Well, I’m down if you are. My life is kind of a mess right now. School, work, family stress. Oh, and I live next door to the most annoying dude in the world. I need the distraction. Are you sure you want this?

I might want it a little more than I’m willing to admit.

Hey, nothing wrong with pushing your boundaries...

Tell that to my control-freak father. Anyway. What if this threesome is awkward?

Then it’s awkward. It’s not like we’ll ever have to see each other again. Right? Just promise you won’t fall in love with me.

Now wouldn’t that be life-changing...

Q&A about Top Have we met these characters before in another book?

No! These guys are brand new, and we can’t wait for you to meet them.

Is this story MM? Or is it a MMF / MFM / menage?

This book is MM.

Is this a love triangle story?

Not really. You’ll see.]]> 282 Sarina Bowen Marin 3 wicked-witch 3.98 2019 Top Secret
author: Sarina Bowen
name: Marin
average rating: 3.98
book published: 2019
rating: 3
read at: 2025/12/31
date added: 2026/01/13
shelves: wicked-witch
review:
this was fun and stupid (complimentary). i’m never a big fan of a third-act breakup just for the sake of conflict. that said… i read this in a day, so am i really allowed to complain?
]]> Epic (Him, #2.5) 60227434 Jamie and Wes are having a blast living and working in Toronto. Until a scout for another team swoops in to make one of them an offer that might complicate the life they've built together.

Previously published in Christmas in the City]]> 48 Sarina Bowen 195015503X Marin 3 novellas, cozy-4-winter 4.17 2020 Epic (Him, #2.5)
author: Sarina Bowen
name: Marin
average rating: 4.17
book published: 2020
rating: 3
read at: 2025/12/30
date added: 2026/01/12
shelves: novellas, cozy-4-winter
review:
cutesy lil novella with jamie and wes being lovey while also getting to play against each other again. would’ve been even more fun with some more stick handling, if ya know what i mean.
]]> Only Santas in the Building 220389090
All Evie Cruz wants for Christmas is a nap. And maybe some ornaments for her naked Christmas tree. And while she’s making a list, she wouldn’t mind unwrapping her sexy upstairs neighbor like a present. Luckily, the building’s Santa-themed party and a surprise sprig of mistletoe give her just the opening she needs to make all her wishes come true.

Alexis Daria’s Only Santas in the Building is part of Under the Mistletoe, a stirring collection of December romances that thrill and tingle all the way. They can be read or listened to in one swoony sitting.]]> 64 Alexis Daria 1662529376 Marin 2 cozy-4-winter, novellas 3.36 2024 Only Santas in the Building
author: Alexis Daria
name: Marin
average rating: 3.36
book published: 2024
rating: 2
read at: 2025/12/30
date added: 2026/01/12
shelves: cozy-4-winter, novellas
review:
not my favorite of the bunch, but definitely not the worst. mostly i’m just jealous she has a hot neighbor crushing on her no matter how weird she is. a scenario i have most definitely never imagined before.
]]> Holly (Belladonna, #3.5) 218549865
Blythe und Aris sehnen sich nach ruhigen Feiertagen in ihrem Zuhause, dem mysteriösen Herrenhaus Wisteria Gardens, doch eine unheimliche Präsenz macht ihnen einen Strich durch die Rechnung. Rastlose Geister flüstern durch die alten Mauern und ihre ruhelosen Seelen verbergen ein Geheimnis, das Blythe und Aris in tödliche Gefahr bringen könnte. Gemeinsam mit Signa und dem Tod müssen sie die Vergangenheit enträtseln, bevor das Fest der Liebe zur größten Bedrohung wird. Doch nicht nur die Geister stellen Blythes Herz auf eine harte Probe – auch Aris scheint mehr über die düsteren Vorgänge zu wissen, als er zugibt …]]> 381 Adalyn Grace 0316586862 Marin 3 3.93 2025 Holly (Belladonna, #3.5)
author: Adalyn Grace
name: Marin
average rating: 3.93
book published: 2025
rating: 3
read at: 2025/12/30
date added: 2026/01/12
shelves: fantasy-romance-ya, cozy-4-winter
review:
short, festive, and dripping in adalyn’s signature gothic charm. a fun little christmas back with the gang.
]]> <![CDATA[Goodbye Paradise (Hello Goodbye, #1)]]> 75297408 Most people called it a cult. But for twenty years, Josh and Caleb called it home.

In Paradise, there is no television. No fast food. Just long hours of farm work and prayer on a dusty Wyoming ranch, and nights in a crowded bunkhouse. The boys of the Compound are kept far from the sinners’ world.

But Joshua doesn’t need temptation to sin. His whole life, he’s wanted his best friend, Caleb. By day they work side by side. Only when Josh closes his eyes at night can they be together the way he craves.

It can never be. And his survival depends on keeping his terrible desires secret.

Caleb has always protected Josh against the worst of the bullying at the Compound. But he has secrets of his own, and a plan to get away — until it all backfires.

Josh finds himself homeless in a world that doesn’t want him. Can Caleb find him in time? And will they find a place of safety, where he can admit to Josh how he really feels?

Warning: Contains a hot male/male romance, copious instances of taking the Lord's name in vain, and love against the kitchen counter. This book was previously released under the title: In Front of God & Everyone.]]> 274 Nealy Wagner Marin 1 wicked-witch 4.27 2015 Goodbye Paradise (Hello Goodbye, #1)
author: Nealy Wagner
name: Marin
average rating: 4.27
book published: 2015
rating: 1
read at: 2025/12/29
date added: 2025/12/31
shelves: wicked-witch
review:
this pressed every one of my personal “no” buttons at once. and mind you, i kinda knew what i was signing up for.
]]> <![CDATA[Heated Rivalry (Game Changers, #2)]]> 220966494
Pro hockey star Shane Hollander isn’t just crazy talented, he’s got a spotless reputation. Hockey is his life. Now that he’s captain of the Montreal Voyageurs, he won’t let anything jeopardize that, especially the sexy Russian whose hard body keeps him awake at night.

Boston Bears captain Ilya Rozanov is everything Shane’s not. The self-proclaimed king of the ice, he’s as cocky as he is talented. No one can beat him—except Shane. They’ve made a career on their legendary rivalry, but when the skates come off, the heat between them is undeniable. When Ilya realizes he wants more than a few secret hookups, he knows he must walk away. The risk is too great.

As their attraction intensifies, they struggle to keep their relationship out of the public eye. If the truth comes out, it could ruin them both. But when their need for each other rivals their ambition on the ice, secrecy is no longer an option.]]> 372 Rachel Reid Marin 4 cozy-4-winter, wicked-witch 4.22 2019 Heated Rivalry (Game Changers, #2)
author: Rachel Reid
name: Marin
average rating: 4.22
book published: 2019
rating: 4
read at: 2025/12/07
date added: 2025/12/29
shelves: cozy-4-winter, wicked-witch
review:
oh no, i fear i haven’t felt this way since i discovered larry stylinson at age 13. down the rabbit hole i go
]]> <![CDATA[Game Changer (Game Changers, #1)]]> 220965585 New York Admirals captain Scott Hunter takes his pre-game rituals very seriously. In this case, it’s not just a lucky smoothie he’s craving—it’s the man who made it.

Pro hockey star Scott Hunter knows a good thing when he sees it. So, when a smoothie made by juice bar barista Kip Grady precedes Scott breaking his on-ice slump, he’s desperate to recreate the magic...and to get to know the sexy, funny guy behind the counter.

Kip knew there was more to Scott’s frequent visits than blended fruit, but he never let himself imagine being invited back to Scott’s penthouse. Or kissed with reckless abandon, nevermind touched everywhere all at once. When it happens it’s red-hot, incredible and frequent, but also only on Scott’s terms and always behind his closed apartment doors.

Scott needs Kip in his life, but with playoff season approaching, the spotlight on him is suddenly brighter than ever. He can’t afford to do anything that might derail his career…like introducing the world to his boyfriend. Kip is ready to go all-in with Scott—but how much longer will he have to remain a secret?]]> 400 Rachel Reid 1488038678 Marin 3 cozy-4-winter, wicked-witch 3.79 2018 Game Changer (Game Changers, #1)
author: Rachel Reid
name: Marin
average rating: 3.79
book published: 2018
rating: 3
read at: 2025/12/07
date added: 2025/12/29
shelves: cozy-4-winter, wicked-witch
review:
this was fun, but i miss my idiots to lovers. bring me back to ilya rozanov immediately.
]]> Tough Guy (Game Changers, #3) 220966547 They have nothing in common—so why does Ryan feel most like himself whenever he’s with Fabian?

Pro hockey star Ryan Price may be an enforcer, but off the ice he struggles with anxiety. Recently traded to the Toronto Guardians, he’s determined to make a fresh start in the city’s dynamic LGBTQ Village. The last thing he expects to stumble upon in his new neighborhood is a blast from his past in the fabulous form of Fabian Salah.

Aspiring musician Fabian loathes hockey. But that doesn’t stop him from being attracted to a certain burly, ginger-bearded defenseman. He hasn’t forgotten the kiss they almost shared back in high school, and it’s clear the chemistry between them has only intensified.

Fabian is more than happy to be Ryan’s guide to the gay scene in Toronto. Between dance clubs and art exhibits—and the most amazing sex—Ryan’s starting to feel something he hasn’t experienced in a long time: joy. But playing the role of the heavy on the ice has taken its toll on his body and mind, and a future with Fabian may mean hanging up his skates for good.]]> 303 Rachel Reid Marin 2 cozy-4-winter, wicked-witch 3.59 2020 Tough Guy (Game Changers, #3)
author: Rachel Reid
name: Marin
average rating: 3.59
book published: 2020
rating: 2
read at: 2025/12/09
date added: 2025/12/29
shelves: cozy-4-winter, wicked-witch
review:
not my cup of tea but i would go to war for ryan price. ilya imy
]]> <![CDATA[Common Goal (Game Changers, #4)]]> 220966619 New York Admirals goalie Eric never thought his friends-with-benefits arrangement with much-younger Kyle would leave them both wanting more…

Veteran goaltender Eric Bennett has faced down some of the toughest shooters on the ice, but nothing prepared him for his latest challenge—life after hockey. It’s time to make some big changes, starting with finally dating men for the first time.

Graduate student Kyle Swift moved to New York nursing a broken heart. He’d sworn to find someone his own age to crush on (for once). Until he meets a gorgeous, distinguished silver fox hockey player. Despite their intense physical attraction, Kyle has no intention of getting emotionally involved. He’ll teach Eric a few tricks, have some mutually consensual fun, then walk away.

Eric is more than happy to learn anything Kyle brings to the table. And Kyle never expected their friends-with-benefits arrangement to leave him wanting more. Happily-ever-after might be staring them in the face, but it won’t happen if they’re too stubborn to come clean about their feelings.

Everything they both want is within reach… They just have to be brave enough to grab it.]]> 335 Rachel Reid Marin 2 cozy-4-winter, wicked-witch 3.64 2020 Common Goal (Game Changers, #4)
author: Rachel Reid
name: Marin
average rating: 3.64
book published: 2020
rating: 2
read at: 2025/12/15
date added: 2025/12/29
shelves: cozy-4-winter, wicked-witch
review:
this might’ve hit harder if i wasn’t on my fourth of these in a row. i am, however, spiritually sustained by any and all hollanov crumbs.
]]> <![CDATA[Role Model (Game Changers, #5)]]> 220966685 The highly anticipated fifth novel in Rachel Reid’s Game Changers series sees a grumpy professional hockey player meet his match in an out-and-proud social media manager…

The hits just keep coming for Troy Barrett. Traded to the worst team in the league would be bad enough, but coming on the heels of a messy breakup and a recent scandal… Troy just wants to play hockey and be left alone. He doesn’t want to be in the news anymore, and he definitely doesn’t want to “work on his online presence” with the team’s peppy social media manager.

Harris Drover can tell standoffish Troy isn’t happy about the trade—anyone could tell, frankly, as he doesn’t exactly hide it well—but Harris doesn’t give up on people easily. Even when he’s developing a crush he’s sure is one-sided. And when he sees Troy’s smile finally crack through his grumpy exterior, well… That’s a man Harris couldn’t turn his back on if he wanted to.

Suddenly, Troy’s move to the new team feels like an opportunity—for Troy to embrace his true self, and for both men to surrender to their growing attraction. But indulging in each other behind closed doors is one thing, and for Troy, being in a public relationship with Harris will mean facing off with his fears, once and for all.]]> 353 Rachel Reid Marin 3 cozy-4-winter, wicked-witch 4.22 2021 Role Model (Game Changers, #5)
author: Rachel Reid
name: Marin
average rating: 4.22
book published: 2021
rating: 3
read at: 2025/12/16
date added: 2025/12/29
shelves: cozy-4-winter, wicked-witch
review:
proof that rachel reid is at her best when she lets her characters fall in love in peace and lets ilya cause chaos in the background
]]> <![CDATA[The Long Game (Game Changers, #6)]]> 220966428 To the world they are rivals, but to each other they are everything. Ten years. That’s how long Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov have been seeing each other. How long they’ve been keeping their relationship a secret. From friends, from family…from the league. If Shane wants to stay at the top of his game, what he and Ilya share has to remain secret. He loves Ilya, but what if going public ruins everything? Ilya is sick of secrets. Shane has gotten so good at hiding his feelings, sometimes Ilya questions if they even exist. The closeness, the intimacy, even the risk that would come with being open about their relationship…Ilya wants it all. It’s time for them to decide what’s most important—hockey or love. It’s time to make a call.]]> 442 Rachel Reid 0369704436 Marin 5 cozy-4-winter, wicked-witch 4.51 2022 The Long Game (Game Changers, #6)
author: Rachel Reid
name: Marin
average rating: 4.51
book published: 2022
rating: 5
read at: 2025/12/17
date added: 2025/12/29
shelves: cozy-4-winter, wicked-witch
review:
this is how you do a sequel: domestic chaos, real emotional work, and laugh out loud moments. watching shane and ilya build a life together was everything and somehow even better than the first book. forever obsessed
]]> Him (Him, #1) 59754569 They don’t play for the same team. Or do they?

Jamie Canning has never been able to figure out how he lost his closest friend. Four years ago, his tattooed, wise-cracking, rule-breaking roommate cut him off without an explanation. So what if things got a little weird on the last night of hockey camp the summer they were eighteen? It was just a little drunken foolishness. Nobody died.

Ryan Wesley’s biggest regret is coaxing his very straight friend into a bet that pushed the boundaries of their relationship. Now, with their college teams set to face off at the national championship, he’ll finally get a chance to apologize. But all it takes is one look at his longtime crush, and the ache is stronger than ever.

Jamie has waited a long time for answers, but walks away with only more questions—can one night of sex ruin a friendship? If not, how about six more weeks of it? When Wesley turns up to coach alongside Jamie for one more hot summer at camp, Jamie has a few things to discover about his old friend...and a big one to learn about himself.

Warning: contains sexual situations, hotties on hockey skates, skinnydipping, shenanigans in an SUV and proof that coming out to your family on social media is a dicey proposition.]]> 338 Sarina Bowen Marin 4 summer-reads, wicked-witch exactly why my teenage self wouldn’t touch straight 1D fics.]]> 4.22 2015 Him (Him, #1)
author: Sarina Bowen
name: Marin
average rating: 4.22
book published: 2015
rating: 4
read at: 2025/12/29
date added: 2025/12/29
shelves: summer-reads, wicked-witch
review:
friends to lovers, childhood yearning, summer camp nostalgia—this book checked every single box i have. a hot cali surfer boy, a tattooed brunette with a lip piercing, and they both play hockey? absolutely no crumbs left from this BUFFET. starting to remember exactly why my teenage self wouldn’t touch straight 1D fics.
]]> Merriment and Mayhem 220389457
When Everleigh Dangerfield’s baking disaster necessitates a call to 911, firefighter Griffin Brantley douses the flames in the kitchen, but the ones he stokes in Everleigh are an entirely different story. Unfortunately, Everleigh’s only visiting and doesn’t do casual hookups, no matter how smoldering the temptation. But Everleigh’s holiday mishaps have just begun. And Griffin is seemingly always on call. If Everleigh is game for a change of plans, he can give her the merriest Christmas of her life.

Alexandria Bellefleur’s Merriment and Mayhem is part of Under the Mistletoe, a stirring collection of December romances that thrill and tingle all the way. They can be read or listened to in one swoony sitting.]]> 57 Alexandria Bellefleur 1662529341 Marin 3 cozy-4-winter, novellas 3.28 2024 Merriment and Mayhem
author: Alexandria Bellefleur
name: Marin
average rating: 3.28
book published: 2024
rating: 3
read at: 2025/12/25
date added: 2025/12/29
shelves: cozy-4-winter, novellas
review:
this was cutesy up front & the vibes worked. minus one point for deploying the nickname “trouble” immediately and for the conceivable rest of the story.
]]> All by My Elf 220389455
Nina and William are underpaid adjunct professors at the same university, where winter break is no break at all: ’tis the season to make extra money. When their holiday side hustle has them stranded by a blinding blizzard in the middle of nowhere, there’s nothing to do but cuddle up for warmth and play a game of Never Have I Ever to pass the time. But in the game of love, secrets never stay secret for long…

Olivia Dade’s All by My Elf is part of Under the Mistletoe, a stirring collection of December romances that thrill and tingle all the way. They can be read or listened to in one swoony sitting.]]> 54 Olivia Dade 166252823X Marin 2 cozy-4-winter, novellas 2.58 2024 All by My Elf
author: Olivia Dade
name: Marin
average rating: 2.58
book published: 2024
rating: 2
read at: 2025/12/22
date added: 2025/12/22
shelves: cozy-4-winter, novellas
review:
the only thought in my brain, once the setting was revealed: i’m sorry, we’re doing all this in a… what now?
]]> Verity 59218704 Whose truth is the lie? Stay up all night reading the sensational psychological thriller that has readers obsessed, from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Too Late and It Ends With Us.#1 New York Times Bestseller · USA Today Bestseller · Globe and Mail Bestseller · Publishers Weekly Bestseller Lowen Ashleigh is a struggling writer on the brink of financial ruin when she accepts the job offer of a lifetime. Jeremy Crawford, husband of bestselling author Verity Crawford, has hired Lowen to complete the remaining books in a successful series his injured wife is unable to finish. Lowen arrives at the Crawford home, ready to sort through years of Verity's notes and outlines, hoping to find enough material to get her started. What Lowen doesn't expect to uncover in the chaotic office is an unfinished autobiography Verity never intended for anyone to read. Page after page of bone-chilling admissions, including Verity's recollection of the night her family was forever altered. Lowen decides to keep the manuscript hidden from Jeremy, knowing its contents could devastate the already grieving father. But as Lowen's feelings for Jeremy begin to intensify, she recognizes all the ways she could benefit if he were to read his wife's words. After all, no matter how devoted Jeremy is to his injured wife, a truth this horrifying would make it impossible for him to continue loving her.]]> 333 Colleen Hoover Marin 4 thrillers 4.37 2018 Verity
author: Colleen Hoover
name: Marin
average rating: 4.37
book published: 2018
rating: 4
read at: 2025/12/02
date added: 2025/12/08
shelves: thrillers
review:
i thought this book was weird as hell while i was reading it—and I still think that—but as i think about it now i realize i loved it.
]]> Never Lie 62080187
But when they visit the remote manor that once belonged to Dr. Adrienne Hale, a renowned psychiatrist who vanished without a trace four years earlier, a violent winter storm traps them at the estate… with no chance of escape until the blizzard comes to an end.

In search of a book to keep her entertained until the snow abates, Tricia happens upon a secret room. One that contains audio transcripts from every single patient Dr. Hale has ever interviewed. As Tricia listens to the cassette tapes, she learns about the terrifying chain of events leading up to Dr. Hale’s mysterious disappearance.

Tricia plays the tapes one by one, late into the night. With each one, another shocking piece of the puzzle falls into place, and Dr. Adrienne Hale’s web of lies slowly unravels.

And then Tricia reaches the final cassette.

The one that reveals the entire horrifying truth.]]> 286 Freida McFadden Marin 4 thrillers 4.08 2022 Never Lie
author: Freida McFadden
name: Marin
average rating: 4.08
book published: 2022
rating: 4
read at: 2025/11/30
date added: 2025/12/08
shelves: thrillers
review:
i love miss freida and her messy little mind games. it wasn’t as happy an ending as i wanted, but i still loved being freaked out and hanging out in the minds of freaks. freaks find freaks, as they say.
]]> <![CDATA[Cursed Fates (Zodiac Academy, #5)]]> 50391615 Lionel seeks to hurt us, the Nymphs seek to hurt the entire Fae race, and between all of it, we just have to try and survive each day as it comes.
I'm afraid of everything falling apart, but it looks like it already has.
]]> 886 Caroline Peckham Marin 3 fantasy-romance-adult
think its time for a break from solaria for me. the books are honkers and ive been reading 7,00 pages of twisted sisters since feb. i WILL be back for the other 7,000 soon my loves.]]> 4.30 2020 Cursed Fates (Zodiac Academy, #5)
author: Caroline Peckham
name: Marin
average rating: 4.30
book published: 2020
rating: 3
read at: 2025/04/15
date added: 2025/12/07
shelves: fantasy-romance-adult
review:
this was a GIANT book for some lowkey sucky stuff in it?? i mean amplifying chamber scene redeems this a bit but darcy what do you mean you're carrying this GIANT secret around and are so careless w your phone????

think its time for a break from solaria for me. the books are honkers and ive been reading 7,00 pages of twisted sisters since feb. i WILL be back for the other 7,000 soon my loves.
]]> The Inmate 61149872 The guiltiest people aren't always the ones behind bars…

As a new nurse practitioner at a maximum-security prison, Brooke Sullivan is taught three crucial rules:

1. Treat all prisoners with respect.
2. Never reveal any personal information.
3. Never EVER become too friendly with the inmates.

But nobody knows that Brooke has already broken the rules. Nobody knows about her intimate connection to Shane Nelson, one of the penitentiary's most notorious and dangerous inmates.

They certainly don't know that Shane was Brooke's high school sweetheart―the star quarterback, the golden boy who's serving a life sentence for a series of grisly murders. Or that Brooke's testimony was what put him there.

But Shane knows. He knows more than anyone. And he will never forget.

The Inmate is a propulsive, mind-bending thriller about how we define guilt―and who has to pay for it, from New York Times bestselling author Freida McFadden.]]> 388 Freida McFadden Marin 4 thrillers 4.00 2022 The Inmate
author: Freida McFadden
name: Marin
average rating: 4.00
book published: 2022
rating: 4
read at: 2025/11/25
date added: 2025/12/07
shelves: thrillers
review:
i loved this. i loved being told to my face whodunit and then being gaslit the rest of the book. i loved playing which of the boyfriends is a psychopath and being sent into a tailspin over it. i loved that despite those things there was a hea. i couldn’t put this down and the last page made my jaw drop. only reason this isn’t five stars is i wish i’d been thrown off the trail a little more.
]]> The Silent Patient 40396699 Promising to be the debut novel of the season The Silent Patient is a shocking psychological thriller of a woman’s act of violence against her husband—and of the therapist obsessed with uncovering her motive…

Alicia Berenson’s life is seemingly perfect. A famous painter married to an in-demand fashion photographer, she lives in a grand house with big windows overlooking a park in one of London’s most desirable areas. One evening her husband Gabriel returns home late from a fashion shoot, and Alicia shoots him five times in the face, and then never speaks another word.

Alicia’s refusal to talk, or give any kind of explanation, turns a domestic tragedy into something far grander, a mystery that captures the public imagination and casts Alicia into notoriety. The price of her art skyrockets, and she, the silent patient, is hidden away from the tabloids and spotlight at the Grove, a secure forensic unit in North London.

Theo Faber is a criminal psychotherapist who has waited a long time for the opportunity to work with Alicia. His determination to get her to talk and unravel the mystery of why she shot her husband takes him down a twisting path into his own motivations—a search for the truth that threatens to consume him....]]> 362 Alex Michaelides Marin 3 thrillers 4.18 2019 The Silent Patient
author: Alex Michaelides
name: Marin
average rating: 4.18
book published: 2019
rating: 3
read at: 2025/11/23
date added: 2025/12/07
shelves: thrillers
review:
i liked this, i did! but the first half felt a lil slow and the ending made me want to fist fight. three stars bc that means i liked it!!!!
]]> <![CDATA[Restless Stars (Zodiac Academy, #9)]]> 198954263 Orphans. Changelings. Princesses. Queens.
We are all and nothing now, our fate weighed on the scales of the stars and counterbalanced by the forces that oppose us. The shadow of the false king spreads as thick as oil across the kingdom we were born to rule, and none remain untouched by its darkness. Our crowns lay within reach if only we can claim them. All souls are at risk now and when the final battle dawns, a new regime will rise. The time for the true reckoning is upon us and we have proven ourselves as savage as our father, as brutal as our mother, and as wild as the Elements which roar through our veins. We can only hope it is enough. When the last sword strikes the final death in this game of fate and fortune, only one side will be victorious. The Starfall Legion charges at first light. And our destiny rides upon our shoulders as we rush into the end. All hail the True Queens. May our rule last longer than this night.

***This is a dark fantasy romance – don’t go expecting a sweet school for magic with friends around every corner. Fae fight for everything they own and Zodiac Academy is a cutthroat school for students aged 18+ where only the strongest prevail. There’s no Dumbledore here to save anyone’s ass and Lionel Acrux will give Voldemort a run for his money in the evil dictator category. So hold onto your stardust (broomsticks not required) and get ready for a bumpy ride***]]> 1109 Caroline Peckham Marin 3 fantasy-romance-adult friends where pregnant rachel points at ross like: “YOU. YOU! HAVEN’T YOU DONE ENOUGH?!” that’s exactly how i feel about this book.

i’m giving this a three-star purely out of loyalty to the series and to these characters i've spent all of 2025 with. there were a few fun character interactions (the only thing i live for), and the ending wrapped things up well enough, so that’s what i have that’s nice to say.

but good lord, this did not need to be NEAR this long.
do i think the series justifies the page count? no. absolutely not.
would i have read it anyway even if someone warned me? yes, because i’m stubborn and insist on forming my own (fully informed!!) opinions… even if these last few books were painful rage reads.]]> 4.27 2024 Restless Stars (Zodiac Academy, #9)
author: Caroline Peckham
name: Marin
average rating: 4.27
book published: 2024
rating: 3
read at: 2025/11/23
date added: 2025/12/07
shelves: fantasy-romance-adult
review:
the only thing running through my mind while finishing this was that scene in friends where pregnant rachel points at ross like: “YOU. YOU! HAVEN’T YOU DONE ENOUGH?!” that’s exactly how i feel about this book.

i’m giving this a three-star purely out of loyalty to the series and to these characters i've spent all of 2025 with. there were a few fun character interactions (the only thing i live for), and the ending wrapped things up well enough, so that’s what i have that’s nice to say.

but good lord, this did not need to be NEAR this long.
do i think the series justifies the page count? no. absolutely not.
would i have read it anyway even if someone warned me? yes, because i’m stubborn and insist on forming my own (fully informed!!) opinions… even if these last few books were painful rage reads.
]]> <![CDATA[Quicksilver (Fae & Alchemy, #1)]]> 218014044 This #1 New York Times bestseller is a highly addicting enemies-to-lovers Romantasy with razor-sharp banter, heart-stopping action, and blistering hot romance.

Do not touch the sword. Do not turn the key. Do not open the gate.

Twenty-four-year-old Saeris Fane is good at keeping secrets. No one knows about the strange powers she possesses, or the fact that she has been picking pockets and stealing from the Undying Queen’s reservoirs for as long as she can remember. In the land of the unforgiving desert, there isn’t much a girl wouldn’t do for a glass of water. But a secret is like a knot. Sooner or later, it is bound to come undone.

When Saeris comes face-to-face with Death himself, she inadvertently reopens a gateway between realms and is transported to a land of ice and snow. The Fae have always been the stuff of myth, of legend, of nightmares…but it turns out they’re real, and Saeris has landed right in the middle of a centuries-long conflict that might just get her killed.

The first of her kind to tread the frozen mountains of Yvelia in over a thousand years, Saeris mistakenly binds herself to Kingfisher, a handsome Fae warrior, who has secrets and nefarious agendas of his own. He will use her Alchemist’s magic to protect his people, no matter what it costs him… or her. Death has a name. It is Kingfisher of the Ajun Gate. His past is murky. His attitude stinks. And he’s the only way Saeris is going to make it home.

Be careful of the deals you make, dear child. The devil is in the details... Now with an embossed cover, silver foiling, and an updated interior design.  

N.B. Quicksilver contains depictions of graphic violence/adult situations and is therefore recommended for readers 17+. For a full list of tropes and TWs, please visit the author's website. ]]> 610 Callie Hart Marin 4 4.47 2024 Quicksilver (Fae & Alchemy, #1)
author: Callie Hart
name: Marin
average rating: 4.47
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2025/11/15
date added: 2025/12/07
shelves: fantasy-romance-adult, god-tier-romantasy
review:
im stingy w my 5 stars and this doesnt get one but i dont really know how to explain why. feel like we mightve tried to throw a bit too much into the equation too soon but also carrion swift might make up for it. 4 it is i had a great time.
]]> Merry Ever After 220389465 New York Times bestselling author Tessa Bailey.

Evie Crowe is starting over in a strange town with her newborn, and men are the furthest thing from her mind. If only the quiet, hulking farmer, Luke Ward, would stop coming into the thrift shop and piquing her reluctant interest. Evie wants to stay single all the way—she can’t trust anything more than friends-with-holiday-benefits. But Luke is in it for the long haul. He’s fixed on making this a Christmas Evie will remember forever. If she gives him a chance.

Tessa Bailey’s Merry Ever After is part of Under the Mistletoe, a stirring collection of December romances that thrill and tingle all the way. They can be read or listened to in one swoony sitting.]]> 58 Tessa Bailey 1662528736 Marin 3 novellas, cozy-4-winter 2.80 2024 Merry Ever After
author: Tessa Bailey
name: Marin
average rating: 2.80
book published: 2024
rating: 3
read at: 2025/11/20
date added: 2025/12/03
shelves: novellas, cozy-4-winter
review:
this was… fine. tessa, i fear we needed a little more jolly and a little less of his north pole
]]> Wildfire (Maple Hills, #2) 111172922
Imagine their surprise when they bump into each other on the first day of the summer camp where they are both counselors, hoping to escape their complicated home lives by spending the summer working. Russ hopes if he gets far enough away from Maple Hills, he can avoid dealing with the repercussions of his father’s gambling addiction, while Aurora is tired of craving attention from everyone around her, and wants to go back to the last place she truly felt at home.

Russ knows breaking the camp’s strict “no staff fraternizing” rule will have him heading back to Maple Hills before the summer is over, but unfortunately for him, Aurora has never been very good at caring about the rules. Will the two learn to peacefully coexist? Or did their one night together start a fire they can’t put out?]]> 396 Hannah Grace 1668026287 Marin 3 contemp-romance, summer-reads icebreaker, so three stars ONLY for angel bby russ and my soft spot for a summer camp setting. if i had to take a shot for every daddy-issue mention, i’d be writing this review from the afterlife.]]> 3.91 2023 Wildfire (Maple Hills, #2)
author: Hannah Grace
name: Marin
average rating: 3.91
book published: 2023
rating: 3
read at: 2025/11/14
date added: 2025/12/02
shelves: contemp-romance, summer-reads
review:
less painful than icebreaker, so three stars ONLY for angel bby russ and my soft spot for a summer camp setting. if i had to take a shot for every daddy-issue mention, i’d be writing this review from the afterlife.
]]> Icebreaker (Maple Hills, #1) 63490073 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

A TikTok sensation! Sparks fly when a competitive figure skater and hockey team captain are forced to share a rink.

Anastasia Allen has worked her entire life for a shot at Team USA. It looks like everything is going according to plan when she gets a full scholarship to the University of California, Maple Hills and lands a place on their competitive figure skating team.

Nothing will stand in her way, not even the captain of the hockey team, Nate Hawkins.

Nate’s focus as team captain is on keeping his team on the ice. Which is tricky when a facilities mishap means they are forced to share a rink with the figure skating team—including Anastasia, who clearly can’t stand him.

But when Anastasia’s skating partner faces an uncertain future, she may have to look to Nate to take her shot.

Sparks fly, but Anastasia isn’t worried…because she could never like a hockey player, right?]]> 447 Hannah Grace Marin 2 thank god thats over 3.95 2022 Icebreaker (Maple Hills, #1)
author: Hannah Grace
name: Marin
average rating: 3.95
book published: 2022
rating: 2
read at: 2025/02/03
date added: 2025/11/14
shelves: cozy-4-winter, contemp-romance
review:
thank god thats over
]]> Enchantra (Wicked Games, #2) 218123129 A new game of danger and desire is beginning. Ready or not…

When a mysterious invitation draws Genevieve Grimm to a palace in Italy, she expects magic and secrets, maybe even a ball.

She doesn’t expect the owner’s handsome son to slam the door in her face.

Rowin Silver is tall and dark and exceptionally rude. Invitation or no, he tells her to leave and never come back.

But Genevieve has never followed orders, especially from arrogant rich boys. She slips inside… and immediately realises her mistake.

Rowin and his family are caught in a deadly game. There can be only one winner. The others are dragged away to Hell… until the contest begins again.

Now Genevieve must join the hunt. And her only hope of survival is an alliance with Rowin. Even worse, to work together they must convince the others they’re in love.

As they race through a labyrinth of gold and marble, their instant loathing turns to irresistible attraction. Can Genevieve evade Rowin’s ruthless family, uncover the devilish secrets of the game and end it forever?

Packed with deadly intrigue and spicy romance, Enchantra will transport you to a world of feisty heroines and morally gray love interests, fake dating, forbidden desire and family secrets. If you love books by Rebecca Yarros, Carissa Broadbent and Lauren Roberts, prepare to discover your new romantasy obsession.

See why readers love this spicy fantasy romance

“OMG THIS BOOK!!!… I’m truly obsessed… I devoured it in two days.” Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“I absolutely LOVED!! Romantasy at its finest.” NetGalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“God, I am never going to recover… I’m addicted!… I can’t even begin to put into words the rollercoaster of this book; the tension, the twists and turns that literally had me holding my breath until the VERY last page.” Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“I cannot begin to describe how much I love this book… I have not stopped thinking about this story… Oh gosh I wish I could read this for the first time again!… I FELT EVERY EMOTION POSSIBLE WHILE READING THIS!!!… will forever hold a special place in my heart.” Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“ALL THE STARS. I LOVED. I finished this in less than two days and I didn’t want it to end!… Gripping… An absolute must-read.” Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“PERFECT!!!… Hooked from the very first moment… I read it in one sitting because I could not put it down!!!” Thenarnianreader_ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“One word – A-MA-ZING!… Loved loved loved… Highly recommend!” Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Fantastic read—spicy, spooky, and oh so swoon-worthy.]]> 443 Kaylie Smith 1835251471 Marin 5 key word: respectful AND hot mmcs - aka why we call this a work of fiction. genevieve felt way more relatable here, even if i liked phantasma’s setup a bit more. i love when authors give me a little sidekick, adding poe, umbra, and the ostrich from hell to my imaginary book boyfriend palace and farm.]]> 4.37 2025 Enchantra (Wicked Games, #2)
author: Kaylie Smith
name: Marin
average rating: 4.37
book published: 2025
rating: 5
read at: 2025/10/31
date added: 2025/11/11
shelves: fantasy-romance-adult, spooky-szn, god-tier-romantasy, favorites, dark-romance
review:
i don’t think this is a perfect 5-star book, but i personally have zero complaints, so five stars it is. kaylie, i’ll take twenty more of these plz. they’re funny, vivid, and full of gorgeous super cool magic systems and key word: respectful AND hot mmcs - aka why we call this a work of fiction. genevieve felt way more relatable here, even if i liked phantasma’s setup a bit more. i love when authors give me a little sidekick, adding poe, umbra, and the ostrich from hell to my imaginary book boyfriend palace and farm.
]]> <![CDATA[Fall of Ruin and Wrath (Awakening, #1)]]> 64646644
Born with an intuition that never fails, Calista knows her talents are of great value to the power-hungry of the world, so she lives hidden as a courtesan of the Baron of Archwood. In exchange for his protection, she grants him information.

When her intuition leads her to save a travelling prince in dire trouble, the voice inside her blazes with warning―and promise. Today he’ll bring her joy. One day he'll be her doom.

When the Baron takes an interest in the travelling prince and the prince takes an interest in Calista, she becomes the prince’s temporary companion. But the city simmers with rebellion, and with knights and monsters at her city gates and a hungry prince in her bed, intuition may not be enough to keep her safe.

Calista must choose: follow her intuition to safety or follow her heart to her downfall.]]> 432 Jennifer L. Armentrout 1250750180 Marin 3 fantasy-romance-adult 4.21 2023 Fall of Ruin and Wrath (Awakening, #1)
author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
name: Marin
average rating: 4.21
book published: 2023
rating: 3
read at: 2025/11/08
date added: 2025/11/11
shelves: fantasy-romance-adult
review:
your first fantasy romance author is always your comfort author, and jla is mine. interesting premise (are these the ancients?) with some great tension and heat. but the fmc made some dumb choices at the end which always GRINDS my gears. (also… did they ever even kiss?) thrilled to throw another jla man onto the book boyfriend list. you may all look the same in my head, but i love you anyway.
]]> Space Vampire 240583631 New York Times bestselling author Ruby Dixon.

Dana, the overlooked human pet of an alien scientist, and Vlad, a genetically engineered vampire with a taste for more than just blood, find themselves unexpectedly alone on a deserted space station. As they plot their escape, they’ll have to navigate cramped quarters, steamy encounters, and the growing realization that they might be each other’s perfect match. But with their captors in hot pursuit, will their budding romance survive the vast emptiness of space?

Ruby Dixon’s Space Vampire is part of Scared Sexy, a deliciously dark collection of Halloween romance where things that go bump in the night might just steal your heart. These seductive stand-alone stories blend chills and heat in the perfect Halloween treat—each designed to be devoured in one sitting.]]> 77 Ruby Dixon 1662533888 Marin 3 spooky-szn, novellas 3.33 2025 Space Vampire
author: Ruby Dixon
name: Marin
average rating: 3.33
book published: 2025
rating: 3
read at: 2025/11/03
date added: 2025/11/11
shelves: spooky-szn, novellas
review:
thought this would be my least favorite, but it actually ended up being the best from the authors i didn’t know. sorta kinda liked it. blue people avatar x the 100 x vampires. i mean get it i guess.
]]> Spicy Little Curses 240583632 New York Times bestselling author J.T. Geissinger.

Petra is skeptical when it comes to the French Quarter’s creepy urban legends. Until she meets Dax Rousseau, the proprietor of the House of Ink and Blood. The eldritch markings on his flesh tell more than the tale of a doomed bloodline. They come slitheringly alive. And the nearer Petra gets to the maddeningly sexy Dax, the closer she is to being the next victim of his ancient family curse.

J.T. Geissinger’s Spicy Little Curses is part of Scared Sexy, a deliciously dark collection of Halloween romance where things that go bump in the night might just steal your heart. These seductive stand-alone stories blend chills and heat in the perfect Halloween treat—each designed to be devoured in one sitting.]]> 90 J.T. Geissinger 1662535074 Marin 2 spooky-szn, novellas 3.50 2025 Spicy Little Curses
author: J.T. Geissinger
name: Marin
average rating: 3.50
book published: 2025
rating: 2
read at: 2025/11/02
date added: 2025/11/11
shelves: spooky-szn, novellas
review:
now knowing there's worse after this i'll stick to two stars. my biggest gripes are the pet name being 'notebook' and the need for a spanking being brought up after 10 minutes.
]]> <![CDATA[My Boyfriends Are All Monsters]]> 240583647 USA Today bestselling author Kimberly Lemming.

Lucy Sawyer’s wish for true love lands her in an enchanted town where the men are supernatural, the chemistry is off the charts, and everyone wants to date her. But they say that things that seem too good to be true usually are, and soon Lucy may need to decide if she’s willing to pay the cost of her happily ever after.

Kimberly Lemming’s My Boyfriends Are All Monsters is part of Scared Sexy, a deliciously dark collection of Halloween romance where things that go bump in the night might just steal your heart. These seductive stand-alone stories blend chills and heat in the perfect Halloween treat—each designed to be devoured in one sitting.]]> 52 Kimberly Lemming 1662534035 Marin 1 spooky-szn, novellas 2.88 2025 My Boyfriends Are All Monsters
author: Kimberly Lemming
name: Marin
average rating: 2.88
book published: 2025
rating: 1
read at: 2025/11/10
date added: 2025/11/11
shelves: spooky-szn, novellas
review:
i have no words for this one, honestly. don’t even ask about the kraken and its tentacles. thank god these are over.
]]> Beautiful Nightmare 240583620 New York Times bestselling author Katee Robert.

When Gemma’s supposed to terrify her appointed victim, she ends up captivated instead. Caleb, a romantic who believes in all things supernatural, finds her adorably pink-skinned, horned form more alluring than alarming. But as their steamy night unfolds and unexpected feelings bloom, Gemma must choose between her demonic duties and the human who makes her feel anything but monstrous.

Katee Robert’s Beautiful Nightmare is part of Scared Sexy, a deliciously dark collection of Halloween romance where things that go bump in the night might just steal your heart. These seductive stand-alone stories blend chills and heat in the perfect Halloween treat—each designed to be devoured in one sitting.]]> 52 Katee Robert 1662534736 Marin 1 spooky-szn, novellas 3.23 2025 Beautiful Nightmare
author: Katee Robert
name: Marin
average rating: 3.23
book published: 2025
rating: 1
read at: 2025/11/04
date added: 2025/11/11
shelves: spooky-szn, novellas
review:
uh this was like a weird as hell monsters inc porno
]]> <![CDATA[Insatiable (The Edge of Darkness, #1)]]> 223688889
Kade Mitchell is obsessed with someone he despises. A snake in an angel’s skin, Stacey Rhodes is everything he can’t forget–the girl who shattered his heart and drove him deep into the darkness of the underworld. He watched her for years. Killed anyone who came close to her. But now, granted a brief moment of freedom from the life he’s trapped in, he’s back home and driven to claim her again, breaking every rule he’s ever made for himself. Not even his hatred can stop the pull between them. But he’ll never forgive her… will he?

As this is a dark romance, the author highly recommends seeing the 'content warning' page.]]> 413 Leigh Rivers Marin 3 dark-romance, spooky-szn 4.33 2023 Insatiable (The Edge of Darkness, #1)
author: Leigh Rivers
name: Marin
average rating: 4.33
book published: 2023
rating: 3
read at: 2025/10/27
date added: 2025/11/03
shelves: dark-romance, spooky-szn
review:
didn’t mind this one. i don’t think i have the conscience to rate these dark romances any higher, yet clearly i keep reading them so 🤷🏼‍♀️ didn't like as much as her other duet so far and i'm not dying for a whole contemporary trilogy about one couple, but i also can’t say i had a bad time.
]]> Phantasma (Wicked Games, #1) 209813409
There are only two rules to the game. Stay alive. And don’t fall in love.

When Ophelia’s sister disappears, there is only one way to save her. Ophelia must enter Phantasma, a deadly contest inside a haunted mansion, and claim its prize—a single wish.

Phantasma is a maze of twisting corridors and lavish ballrooms, of demons and temptations. Ophelia will face nine challenges, each more dangerous than the last. There can only be one winner, and the other contestants will stop at nothing to eliminate their rivals.

Every day the house creates new monsters. But just as Ophelia’s fears threaten to overwhelm her, a mysterious stranger offers her a bargain.

Charming, arrogant and infuriatingly attractive, Blackwell claims he can guide her through the lethal trials ahead. All he asks in return is ten years of her life.

Ophelia knows she shouldn’t trust him. Blackwell doesn’t seem dangerous, but appearances can be deceptive. Worse still, she feels a dark and irresistible attraction drawing them closer and closer.

Her life is on the line. But in Phantasma, the only thing deadlier than losing the game is losing your heart…]]> 428 Kaylie Smith Marin 5 4.12 2024 Phantasma (Wicked Games, #1)
author: Kaylie Smith
name: Marin
average rating: 4.12
book published: 2024
rating: 5
read at: 2025/10/22
date added: 2025/11/03
shelves: spooky-szn, fantasy-romance-adult, 5-stars, god-tier-romantasy, favorites
review:
most short fantasy romance journeys are god-awful. i get the critique that the romance and ending felt a little rushed - i felt it too - but honestly? i’ll take a quick resolution over characters over-stewing in conflict any day. the magic system was unique (tell me moreee), the gothic new orleans haunted house backdrop was immaculate, and the whole “deals with devils and hot danny phantom with a wicked mouth” sitch was elite. the jealousy scene??? not sure you can ASK for more fun than this. not life-changing literature, but the execution was exactly right for what it was meant to be, and i adored it.
]]> Falling 240583638 New York Times bestselling author Christina Lauren.

Cat should be afraid of Brigan—the devastatingly gorgeous stranger at a Halloween party whose very presence makes everyone else fall at his feet. But while his supernatural allure drives others to mindless obsession, Cat somehow keeps her wits…even as she surrenders to temptation. When this cursed being realizes she alone can see his true nature, one night of searing passion could break a centuries-old spell—or doom them both.

Christina Lauren’s Falling is part of Scared Sexy, a deliciously dark collection of Halloween romance where things that go bump in the night might just steal your heart. These seductive stand-alone stories blend chills and heat in the perfect Halloween treat—each designed to be devoured in one sitting.]]> 56 Christina Lauren 1662533586 Marin 4 novellas, spooky-szn 3.36 2025 Falling
author: Christina Lauren
name: Marin
average rating: 3.36
book published: 2025
rating: 4
read at: 2025/10/23
date added: 2025/11/03
shelves: novellas, spooky-szn
review:
super fun! loved the little hints leading up to the ending, and you’re surprisingly gripped in the tension for a sub-60-page story.
]]> Hot for Slayer 240581511 New York Times bestselling author Ali Hazelwood.

When Aethelthryth—“Ethel” to her modern-day Manhattan neighbors—finds her sworn nemesis Lazlo Enyedi with no memory of who or what they are, an ancient hunt becomes an unexpected chance at forbidden passion. He’s crashing on her couch, solving her sudoku puzzles, and looking at her like she’s his eternal flame (minus the whole bursting-into-ashes part). As his memories slowly return, Ethel realizes she might be in danger of losing more than just her head…

Ali Hazelwood’s Hot for Slayer is part of Scared Sexy, a deliciously dark collection of Halloween romance where things that go bump in the night might just steal your heart. These seductive stand-alone stories blend chills and heat in the perfect Halloween treat—each designed to be devoured in one sitting.]]> 94 Ali Hazelwood 166252840X Marin 2 novellas, spooky-szn 3.84 2025 Hot for Slayer
author: Ali Hazelwood
name: Marin
average rating: 3.84
book published: 2025
rating: 2
read at: 2025/10/22
date added: 2025/11/03
shelves: novellas, spooky-szn
review:
didn’t love this. barely any tension or heat - or excitement? ik it’s a novella, but i also know ali can deliver better (i adore her christmas one). a few cute lines, but overall pretty meh.
]]> The Ex Hex (The Ex Hex, #1) 59259386 An alternative cover edition for this ASIN can be found here.

New York Times bestselling author Rachel Hawkins, writing as Erin Sterling, casts a spell with a spine-tingling romance full of wishes, witches, and hexes gone wrong.

Nine years ago, Vivienne Jones nursed her broken heart like any young witch would: vodka, weepy music, bubble baths…and a curse on the horrible boyfriend. Sure, Vivi knows she shouldn’t use her magic this way, but with only an “orchard hayride” scented candle on hand, she isn’t worried it will cause him anything more than a bad hair day or two.

That is until Rhys Penhallow, descendent of the town’s ancestors, breaker of hearts, and annoyingly just as gorgeous as he always was, returns to Graves Glen, Georgia. What should be a quick trip to recharge the town’s ley lines and make an appearance at the annual fall festival turns disastrously wrong. With one calamity after another striking Rhys, Vivi realizes her silly little Ex Hex may not have been so harmless after all.

Suddenly, Graves Glen is under attack from murderous wind-up toys, a pissed off ghost, and a talking cat with some interesting things to say. Vivi and Rhys have to ignore their off the charts chemistry to work together to save the town and find a way to break the break-up curse before it’s too late.]]> 318 Erin Sterling Marin 3 spooky-szn, contemp-romance 3.62 2021 The Ex Hex (The Ex Hex, #1)
author: Erin Sterling
name: Marin
average rating: 3.62
book published: 2021
rating: 3
read at: 2025/10/21
date added: 2025/11/03
shelves: spooky-szn, contemp-romance
review:
didn’t mind this one that much. the plot was meh, but the cozy witchy vibes carried. not spectacular, but fun enough and super quick. would commit crimes to have a night like chapter one (candles, bubble bath, talking cat, vodka, taylor swift, mountain cabin, besties, and an evil boy hex).
]]> A Novel Love Story 199455331 A professor of literature finds herself caught up in a work of fiction… literally.

Eileen Merriweather loves to get lost in a good happily-ever-after. The fictional kind, anyway. Because at least imaginary men don’t leave you at the altar. She feels safe in a book. At home. Which might be why she’s so set on going to her annual book club retreat this year—she needs good friends, cheap wine, and grand romantic gestures—no matter what.

But when her car unexpectedly breaks down on the way, she finds herself stranded in a quaint town that feels like it’s right out of a novel…

Because it is.

This place can’t be real, and yet… she’s here, in Eloraton, the town of her favorite romance series, where the candy store’s honey taffy is always sweet, the local bar’s burgers are always a little burnt, and rain always comes in the afternoon. It feels like home. It’s perfect—and perfectly frozen, trapped in the late author’s last unfinished story.

Elsy is sure that’s why she must be here: to help bring the town to its storybook ending.

Except there is a character in Eloraton that she can’t place—a grumpy bookstore owner with mint-green eyes, an irritatingly sexy mouth and impeccable taste in novels. And he does not want her finishing this book.

Which is a problem because Elsy is beginning to think the town’s happily-ever-after might just be intertwined with her own.]]> 378 Ashley Poston Marin 2 spring-time, contemp-romance 3.73 2024 A Novel Love Story
author: Ashley Poston
name: Marin
average rating: 3.73
book published: 2024
rating: 2
read at: 2025/06/15
date added: 2025/10/23
shelves: spring-time, contemp-romance
review:
this was fine - maybe even a little disappointing. i think i’ll always be chasing the feeling seven year slip gave me with ashley, and this one just didn’t hit the same. maybe it’s just as good, but the other two hit more of my personal soft spots. there were some cute moments and that classic ashley poston humor, but i felt like i was dragging myself through most of it. still, i loved the cameos—benji and florence planning their wedding! prudence using iwan’s lemon pie recipe! 🥰🍋🥧
]]> <![CDATA[A Kingdom of Blood and Betrayal (Stars and Shadows, #2)]]> 61500521
My skin is cursed by the stars, my fate damned by desire.

But when the dark prince offers me a bargain that will save his people and my life, the cruel and intoxicating male gives me no choice.

Our union is his revenge, and I am his sacrifice.

His lies are unforgivable. His wicked touch still bathes me in sin.

He is my mate, and he is tortured by a curse to protect his people from his own family.

I could now see him for exactly who he was. So why can’t I get his alluring touch out of my head?

I am the key to saving his kingdom, but he alone has the power to ruin me.]]> 244 Holly Renee Marin 2 fantasy-romance-adult 3.71 2022 A Kingdom of Blood and Betrayal (Stars and Shadows, #2)
author: Holly Renee
name: Marin
average rating: 3.71
book published: 2022
rating: 2
read at: 2024/01/01
date added: 2025/10/23
shelves: fantasy-romance-adult
review:
i wouldnt particularly recommend this series for its quality to anybody but for a spicy book you can read in one day its definitely a fun time
]]> A Fragile Enchantment 126919225 In this romantic fantasy of manners from New York Times bestselling author Allison Saft, a magical dressmaker commissioned for a royal wedding finds herself embroiled in scandal when a gossip columnist draws attention to her undeniable chemistry with the groom.

Niamh Ó Conchobhair has never let herself long for more. The magic in her blood that lets her stitch emotions and memories into fabric is the same magic that will eventually kill her. Determined to spend the little time she has left guaranteeing a better life for her family, Niamh jumps at the chance to design the wardrobe for a royal wedding in the neighboring kingdom of Avaland.

But Avaland is far from the fairytale that she imagined. While young nobles attend candlelit balls and elegant garden parties, unrest brews amid the working class. The groom himself, Kit Carmine, is prickly, abrasive, and begrudgingly being dragged to the altar as a political pawn. But when Niamh and Kit grow closer, an unlikely friendship blossoms into something more—until an anonymous gossip columnist starts buzzing about their chemistry, promising to leave them alone only if Niamh helps to uncover the royal family’s secrets. The rot at the heart of Avaland runs deep, but exposing it could risk a future she never let herself dream of, and a love she never thought possible.

Transporting readers to a Regency England-inspired fantasy world, A Fragile Enchantment is a sweeping romance threaded with intrigue, unforgettable characters, and a love story for the ages.]]> 384 Allison Saft 1250892848 Marin 2
]]> 3.52 2024 A Fragile Enchantment
author: Allison Saft
name: Marin
average rating: 3.52
book published: 2024
rating: 2
read at: 2025/05/24
date added: 2025/10/23
shelves: spring-time, fantasy-romance-ya
review:
just fine. craved fantasy after too many contemps, but wasn’t ready for 7,000 more pages of zodiac academy. this didn’t quite scratch the itch - low romantic tension, and i felt hammered by the constant “live for yourself” lesson. niamh’s whole personality was sacrifice and overwork—like, how boring. that said, the writing was pretty, it felt super spring-coded, and i’m always happy to beef up my seasonal shelves (even if no one looks at them). so… points for that?


]]> Twisted Lies (Twisted, #4) 60217302 He'll do anything to have her...including lie.

Charming, deadly, and smart enough to hide it, Christian Harper is a monster dressed in the perfectly tailored suits of a gentleman.

He has little use for morals and even less use for love, but he can’t deny the strange pull he feels toward the woman living just one floor below him.

She’s the object of his darkest desires, the only puzzle he can’t solve. And when the opportunity to get closer to her arises, he breaks his own rules to offer her a deal she can’t refuse.

Every monster has their weakness. She’s his.

His obsession.
His addiction.
His only exception.

**

Sweet, shy, and introverted despite her social media fame, Stella Alonso is a romantic who keeps her heart in a cage.

Between her two jobs, she has little time or desire for a relationship.

But when a threat from her past drives her into the arms—and house—of the most dangerous man she’s ever met, she’s tempted to let herself feel something for the first time in a long time.

Because despite Christian’s cold nature, he makes her feel everything when she’s with him.

Passionate.
Protected.
Truly wanted.

Theirs is a love twisted with secrets and tainted by lies…and when the truths are finally revealed, they could shatter everything.

Twisted Lies is a steamy, medium to slow burn fake dating romance. It is the fourth and final book in the Twisted series but can be read as a standalone.

WARNING: Contains a morally gray male MC, explicit content, violence, profanity, and topics that may be sensitive to some readers. Please see inside the book for a detailed list. Recommended for 18+ ]]> 530 Ana Huang Marin 2 contemp-romance 4.19 2022 Twisted Lies (Twisted, #4)
author: Ana Huang
name: Marin
average rating: 4.19
book published: 2022
rating: 2
read at: 2025/05/07
date added: 2025/10/23
shelves: contemp-romance
review:
not sure this needed to be 500 DANG pages. the most redeeming quality here was the slow burn. the conflicts at the end of ana’s books always drive me nuts—like, he hurts her, but not that bad... just bad enough for her to dramatically spiral. (twisted games, i’m not talking about you. you stay right where you are, because you are wonderful.) twisted hate ranks second best. pretty sure i’m just not into the whole dark billionaire thing.
]]> <![CDATA[Gothikana (The Verenmore Volumes)]]> 184831445 The eternal romance of Beauty and the Beast meets the gothic suspense of Dracula in this erotic dark academia story of epic love from bestselling author RuNyx.

"RuNyx immerses her readers in the dark worlds she builds and then injects life into them in the most hauntingly beautiful way. Her work is unique and addictive—she really is one of a kind.”--Hannah Grace, New York Times bestselling author of ICEBREAKER

“Original, innovative, and unlike anything I’ve read before.”―L. J. Shen, USA Today bestselling author

An unusual girl. An enigmatic man. An ancient castle. What could go wrong?

An outcast her entire life, Corvina Clemm is left adrift after losing her mother. When she receives the admission letter from the mysterious University of Verenmore, she accepts it as a sign from the universe. The last thing she expects though is an old, secluded castle on top of a mountain riddled with secrets, deceit, and death.

An enigma his entire life, Vad Deverell likes being a closed book but knowing exactly everything that happens in the university. A part-time professor working on his thesis, Vad has been around long enough to know the dangers the castle possesses. And he knows the moment his path crosses with Corvina, she's dangerous to everything that he is.

They shouldn't have caught each other's eye. They cannot be. But a chill-inducing century-old mystery forces them to collide. People have disappeared every five years over the past century, Corvina is getting clues to unraveling it all, and Vad needs to keep an eye on her.

And so begins a tale of the mysterious, the morbid, the macabre, and a deep love that blossoms in the unlikeliest of places.

At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.]]> 405 RuNyx 1250334217 Marin 1 3.82 2021 Gothikana (The Verenmore Volumes)
author: RuNyx
name: Marin
average rating: 3.82
book published: 2021
rating: 1
read at: 2025/10/19
date added: 2025/10/21
shelves: fantasy-romance-adult, spooky-szn, dark-romance
review:
i think this was meant to be fun and spooky, but honestly? it was painful to get through. and we don't even learn wtf happened?! i can see why it’s some people’s fave, but i’m also not saying i’m not judging.
]]> <![CDATA[Little Liar (The Web of Silence Duet, #2)]]> 213642775 One goal. One deep obsession he could never give up on.

His foster sister Olivia.

For the first time, she’s chosen him over the entire world, and he intends to keep her in his firm grasp forever – but his happiness is soon shattered by powerful enemies who want to claim Olivia for themselves.

He had her.
But then he lost her.

Wounded and still wrestling with his own demons, Malachi is forced into unexpected alliances to hunt them down, but he won’t stop fighting until he gets her back.

No matter what it takes.

This story comes with extremely triggering content. Please read the "Content Warning" page.]]> 430 Leigh Rivers Marin 2 spooky-szn, dark-romance 3.94 2024 Little Liar (The Web of Silence Duet, #2)
author: Leigh Rivers
name: Marin
average rating: 3.94
book published: 2024
rating: 2
read at: 2025/10/20
date added: 2025/10/21
shelves: spooky-szn, dark-romance
review:
if you catch me reading the edge of darkness series next… no you didn’t. (i love bby malachi and his spiders with my whole heart)
]]> <![CDATA[Eldritch (The Eating Woods, #2)]]> 241447199 In the grimly captivating sequel to Anathema, Maevyth and Zevander must navigate the perilous mortal lands to deliver Zevander from the clutches of an ancient, malevolent power that threatens to shatter both worlds.
An eldritch magic has awakened, turning the mortal world darker. Colder. Famished. With flesh-eating monsters and a sinister curse spreading like a plague, the last glimmer of humanity in Foxglove Parish has long-since faded.

For Maevyth and Zevander, the only chance of escape is through The Eating Woods. But fate has woven a new web, tangling the threads of destiny, and crossing the mystical boundary to Aethyria might not be so simple.

As the bones of Maevyth’s past are unearthed, and truths unravel with unsettling clarity, the possibility of never leaving Mortasia is becoming more of a reality. Unfortunately for Zevander, time is running out. The longer he stays in the mortal lands, deprived of essential vivicantem, the more he succumbs to the encroaching specter of madness.

Or maybe those chasing shadows are someone hunting him. A wretched evil closing in, threatening to pull him into the darkest corners of his mind.

Only, this time, Maevyth may not have the power to save him.


Eldritch is a full-length, gothic dark fantasy, the second book in The Eating Woods trilogy. Perfect for readers who enjoy a character-driven and atmospheric story with a unique magic system, a slow-burn romance and a touch of horror.]]> 766 Keri Lake Marin 3 4.22 2025 Eldritch (The Eating Woods, #2)
author: Keri Lake
name: Marin
average rating: 4.22
book published: 2025
rating: 3
read at: 2025/10/11
date added: 2025/10/21
shelves: fantasy-romance-adult, spooky-szn, dark-romance
review:
okay rapid fire thoughts. didn't like as much as book 1 although keri did warn us the pacing would be slower. romance felt a little rushed as well - like bring back men who yearnnnn. last gripe keri, why are there always like disgusting things?! happy halloween to us i guess? 🤨those were a lot of complaints but overall had a good time and can't wait for the finale! top spooky season read for sure.
]]> <![CDATA[Little Stranger (The Web of Silence Duet, #1)]]> 213798776
She betrayed him, and now he wants revenge against the foster sister who became his forbidden obsession the second he laid eyes on her. After she sends him to prison for years, he’s free and ready to haunt her.

Everything about Olivia belongs to Malachi Vize.
Her mind
Her body
Her soul
Her fear
Her pain

On Halloween night, he can no longer lurk in the shadows. All he has left to own is her heart, even if he needs to take it.

This story comes with extremely triggering content. Please read the "Content Warning" page.]]> 207 Leigh Rivers Marin 3 spooky-szn, dark-romance 3.73 2023 Little Stranger (The Web of Silence Duet, #1)
author: Leigh Rivers
name: Marin
average rating: 3.73
book published: 2023
rating: 3
read at: 2025/10/15
date added: 2025/10/21
shelves: spooky-szn, dark-romance
review:
if you see me rate this three stars no you didn't
]]> <![CDATA[Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Harry Potter, #4)]]> 6 734 J.K. Rowling 0439139597 Marin 5 fantasy, favorites 4.56 2000 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Harry Potter, #4)
author: J.K. Rowling
name: Marin
average rating: 4.56
book published: 2000
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2025/10/15
shelves: fantasy, favorites
review:

]]> Beach Read 52195137
They’re polar opposites.

In fact, the only thing they have in common is that for the next three months, they're living in neighboring beach houses, broke, and bogged down with writer's block.

Until, one hazy evening, one thing leads to another and they strike a deal designed to force them out of their creative ruts: Augustus will spend the summer writing something happy, and January will pen the next Great American Novel. She’ll take him on field trips worthy of any rom-com montage, and he’ll take her to interview surviving members of a backwoods death cult (obviously). Everyone will finish a book and no one will fall in love. Really.

A romance writer who no longer believes in love and a literary writer stuck in a rut engage in a summer-long challenge that may just upend everything they believe about happily ever afters.]]> 400 Emily Henry Marin 2 contemp-romance, summer-reads 4.09 2020 Beach Read
author: Emily Henry
name: Marin
average rating: 4.09
book published: 2020
rating: 2
read at: 2025/07/15
date added: 2025/10/14
shelves: contemp-romance, summer-reads
review:
i honestly have no idea how to explain but i kinda sorta didnt love this. the name january is sick though.
]]> <![CDATA[Butcher & Blackbird (The Ruinous Love Trilogy, #1)]]> 199667455 “I want to ruin her so that she’s mine, my beautiful disaster. My wild creature. My goddess of chaos.”

The viral TikTok friends-to-lovers dark romantic comedy full of murder, chaos, and sizzling chemistry—unlike anything you’ve read before.

When a chance encounter sparks an unlikely bond between rival murderers Sloane and Rowan, they find something elusive—the friendship of two like-minded, pitch-black souls who just happen to enjoy killing other serial killers.

From small-town West Virginia to upscale California, and from downtown Boston to rural Texas, the two hunters collide in an annual game of blood and suffering, one that pits them against the most dangerous monsters in the country.

But as their friendship develops into something more, the restless ghosts left in their wake are only a few steps behind, ready to claim more than just their newfound love.

Can Rowan and Sloane dig themselves out of a game of graves?
Or have they finally met their match?

Tropes:
Golden retriever x black cat
He falls first
Touch him/her and die
Friends to lovers
Forced proximity
One bed]]> 363 Brynne Weaver Marin 2 dark-romance, spooky-szn 4.04 2023 Butcher & Blackbird (The Ruinous Love Trilogy, #1)
author: Brynne Weaver
name: Marin
average rating: 4.04
book published: 2023
rating: 2
read at: 2025/10/12
date added: 2025/10/13
shelves: dark-romance, spooky-szn
review:
don't even get me started [spoilers removed]
]]> <![CDATA[Midnight Sun (The Twilight Saga, #5)]]> 53328856 It's here! #1 bestselling author Stephenie Meyer makes a triumphant return to the world of Twilight with this highly anticipated companion: the iconic love story of Bella and Edward told from the vampire's point of view.

When Edward Cullen and Bella Swan met in Twilight, an iconic love story was born. But until now, fans have heard only Bella's side of the story. At last, readers can experience Edward's version in the long-awaited companion novel, Midnight Sun.

This unforgettable tale as told through Edward's eyes takes on a new and decidedly dark twist. Meeting Bella is both the most unnerving and intriguing event he has experienced in all his years as a vampire. As we learn more fascinating details about Edward's past and the complexity of his inner thoughts, we understand why this is the defining struggle of his life. How can he justify following his heart if it means leading Bella into danger?

In Midnight Sun, Stephenie Meyer transports us back to a world that has captivated millions of readers and brings us an epic novel about the profound pleasures and devastating consequences of immortal love.

"People do not want to just read Meyer's books; they want to climb inside them and live there." -- Time
"A literary phenomenon." -- The New York Times]]> 833 Stephenie Meyer Marin 3 3.90 2020 Midnight Sun (The Twilight Saga, #5)
author: Stephenie Meyer
name: Marin
average rating: 3.90
book published: 2020
rating: 3
read at: 2024/10/05
date added: 2025/10/13
shelves: spooky-szn, fantasy-romance-ya
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Twilight (The Twilight Saga, #1)]]> 41865
First, Edward was a vampire.

Second, there was a part of him - and I didn't know how dominant that part might be - that thirsted for my blood.

And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him.

Deeply seductive and extraordinarily suspenseful, Twilight is a love story with bite.]]> 544 Stephenie Meyer 0316015849 Marin 3 3.68 2005 Twilight (The Twilight Saga, #1)
author: Stephenie Meyer
name: Marin
average rating: 3.68
book published: 2005
rating: 3
read at: 2024/10/05
date added: 2025/10/13
shelves: spooky-szn, fantasy-romance-ya
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Anathema (The Eating Woods, #1)]]> 218656357 From the author of Nocticadia comes a spellbinding gothic dark fantasy about a shunned woman who is forced beyond the mortal realm's forbidden boundary, into a terrifying world of cursed souls and grotesque creatures.

Only the banished know what lies beyond the woods ...

There are whispers about what lurks in Witch Knell—the forest where sinners go to die. The villagers call it The Eating Woods because what’s taken is never given back. Only those who’ve lost their senses would dare to go near it.

Or the banished.

Maevyth Bronwick knows better than to breach the misty labyrinth of trees, but a tragic turn of events compels her beyond the archway of bones, to a boundary no mortal has crossed before. One that cloaks a dark and fantastical world that’s as dangerous as it is alluring.

It’s there that he dwells, the cursed lord of Eidolon. The one tasked to keep her hidden from the magehood that seeks to crucify her in the name of an arcane prophesy. Zevander Rydainn, known to his prey as The Scorpion, is the coldest, most calculated assassin in all of Aethyria and he’d sooner toss his feisty ward to a pack of vicious fyredrakes than keep her safe.

If only he could.

Maevyth’s blood is the key to breaking his despised curse and vanquishing the slumbering evil in Witch Knell. Unfortunately for Lord Rydainn, fate has other plans for the irresistible little enchantress. And his growing obsession with her threatens to destroy everything.

Including himself.

Anathema is a full-length, gothic dark fantasy, the first book in The Eating Woods duology. Perfect for readers who enjoy a plot-heavy and atmospheric story with a unique magic system, a slow-burn romance and a touch of horror.]]> 690 Keri Lake Marin 4
only downside? i fully thought this was a duology and it’s actually a trilogy 🤨 so now i’m stuck waiting a year for book three. ]]> 4.31 2024 Anathema (The Eating Woods, #1)
author: Keri Lake
name: Marin
average rating: 4.31
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2025/10/02
date added: 2025/10/08
shelves: spooky-szn, fantasy-romance-adult, god-tier-romantasy
review:
okay now this… keri lake is making me feel some typa way i haven’t felt in a while with fantasy romance *tucks hair behind ear*. i’m tempted to give another five star, but i reserve those for jaw-droppers — and this DID have a v slow start (the mcs don’t even meet until 200 pages in). still, if you love a high fantasy magic system and EAT up a slow burn like me, it’s perfect for spooky season: gothic, misty, evil forest vibes — like an adult, much darker shepherd king duology vibe.

only downside? i fully thought this was a duology and it’s actually a trilogy 🤨 so now i’m stuck waiting a year for book three.
]]> <![CDATA[Born in Blood (Broken Bloodlines, #0.5)]]> 203794841
Axl's story.

Welcome to Georgian England, circa 1800.

Alastair Thorne is a cad and a rake. Even his mother told him so. Pity for her that he cannot bring himself to care, for he relishes his life of debauchery and licentiousness, and is content thinking of no-one but himself.

Except Alastair may have just messed with the wrong fair maiden, and his life is about to be cut violently short. That is until he comes face to face with the enigmatic stranger who's been watching him from afar.

Alexandros Drakos sees something in the young scoundrel that intrigues him. And so he makes him an offer he is sure he cannot refuse.

Certain death or immortality?]]> 58 Sadie Kincaid Marin 3 novellas 3.82 Born in Blood (Broken Bloodlines, #0.5)
author: Sadie Kincaid
name: Marin
average rating: 3.82
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2025/09/23
date added: 2025/10/08
shelves: novellas
review:
short, hot, and mandatory homework if i ever want to get through this horrible series. probably the highest rating it’ll get from me.
]]> Phantom (Cat and Mouse, #0) 217987129 The married woman of the manor. The stranger outside. An intoxicating novel of dark temptation and dangerous desire by the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Cat and Mouse Duet.

November 12, 1944. This house holds on to souls for a lifetime. I thought I had given it to my husband when I vowed to love him until the end of time. I lied. Nothing could have prepared me for the day my phantom appeared outside my window. He was terrifying, yet hypnotizing, and I couldn’t deny my intrigue. I never intended to fall into a whirlwind romance with my stalker. Especially because he’s so much more than that. A criminal. A mobster. The man who offers me solace from the monster in Parsons Manor. There are many that haunt these halls, yet it’s only my husband I fear.]]> 326 H.D. Carlton Marin 1 spooky-szn, dark-romance 3.90 2025 Phantom (Cat and Mouse, #0)
author: H.D. Carlton
name: Marin
average rating: 3.90
book published: 2025
rating: 1
read at: 2025/09/28
date added: 2025/10/08
shelves: spooky-szn, dark-romance
review:
i don’t know why i keep reading this woman’s books when i know i don’t like them. easily my least favorite of the bunch (which is saying something). i want to be done with this world - but i know curiosity about sibby will win when that story finally drops, and i’ll conveniently forget how much i hated these. also, wasn’t this supposed to be gigi’s murder story adeline spent forever solving? why does it end three years before that?!
]]> <![CDATA[The Cursed (Coven of Bones #2)]]> 199465087 Betrayal.

He was the deception waiting in the night; the truth I never saw coming. After a lifetime of manipulation, I finally learned the truth. I was his puppet—even if I never saw my strings.

Even knowing how deep his betrayal runs, I can’t shake the undeniable connection between Gray and I—the way a single glance from him sets my soul on fire. We are not the same. We're enemies, poised to battle for the future of the very thing I’d wanted to destroy.

With the Covenant gone, the revenge I thought I wanted is no longer my priority. The witches that remain played no role in my aunt’s death, and the only person standing in the way of righting those wrongs is the very man determined to keep me in his bed.

But the remaining members of the Coven will never forgive me for the role I played in their demise and subjugation, and the worst part of all is that I can’t even blame them for it. I’d been naive, believing my own delusions of grandeur when destiny clearly had other plans for me. Plans that had been set in motion centuries before my birth.

But even that had been a lie, and now it is my duty to do everything in my power to undo it.

To protect my Coven from my husband’s hatred—no matter what the cost.

The Cursed is book two in the Coven of Bones series. This is a gothic, dark academia, paranormal romance and includes elements that may be triggering to some readers.]]> 296 Harper L. Woods 1250344298 Marin 1 3.81 2023 The Cursed (Coven of Bones #2)
author: Harper L. Woods
name: Marin
average rating: 3.81
book published: 2023
rating: 1
read at: 2024/10/15
date added: 2025/10/08
shelves: spooky-szn, fantasy-romance-adult, dark-romance
review:

]]> The Coven (Coven of Bones #1) 199352483
Raised to be my father’s weapon against the Coven that took away his sister and his birthright, I would do anything to protect my younger brother from suffering the same fate. My duty forces me to the secret town of Crystal Hollow and the prestigious Hollow’s Grove University—where the best and brightest of my kind learn to practice their magic free from human judgment.

There are no whispered words here. No condemnation for the blood that flows through my veins. The only animosity I face comes from the beautiful and infuriating Headmaster, Alaric Grayson Thorne, a man who despises me just as much as I loathe him and everything he stands for.

But that doesn’t mean secrets don’t threaten to tear the school in two. No one talks about the bloody massacre that forced it to close decades prior, only the opportunity it can afford to those fortunate enough to attend.

Because for the first time in fifty years, the Coven will open its wards to the Thirteen.

Thirteen promising students destined to change the world.

If the ghosts of Hollow’s Grove’s victims don’t kill them first.

The Coven is book one in the Coven of Bones series and ends on a cliffhanger. This is a gothic, dark academia paranormal romance and includes elements that may be triggering to some readers.]]> 291 Harper L. Woods 1250344271 Marin 2 3.89 2023 The Coven (Coven of Bones #1)
author: Harper L. Woods
name: Marin
average rating: 3.89
book published: 2023
rating: 2
read at: 2024/10/11
date added: 2025/10/08
shelves: spooky-szn, fantasy-romance-adult, dark-romance
review:
had a lot of potential bc the concept is so cool but the plot was kinda all over the place. never thought id say this but mmc was TOO aggressive for me. what happened to hello? how are you?
]]> Phobia (Nocticadia, #1.5) 203209112 70 Keri Lake Marin 3 novellas 3.17 Phobia (Nocticadia, #1.5)
author: Keri Lake
name: Marin
average rating: 3.17
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2025/09/22
date added: 2025/09/30
shelves: novellas
review:
fun little novella with devryck's twin and lilia's lil sis. felt a little uneven for an hour long read. great tension at first then super dark then poof over cut off over no hea.
]]> Nocticadia (Nocticadia, #1) 136470356 A dark, atmospheric tale of deadly secrets and forbidden love.

Mortui vivos docent.
The dead teach the living.

After watching my mother succumb to a mysterious illness, I promised myself two things. I’d find the cure for what ravaged her. And leave the godforsaken city where she abandoned me.

Four years later, I receive an acceptance letter from Dracadia University, one of the oldest, most prestigious schools in the country. Nestled on a secluded island off the coast of Maine, it’s rumored to be haunted by the souls of the mental patients exiled there centuries before. Those whose bones are said to make up the island’s white sandy shores.

And restless ghosts aren’t even its most daunting peculiarity.

Devryck Bramwell, known on campus as Doctor Death, is a brilliant pathologist in charge of the midnight lab. He’s also my devastatingly handsome professor, who seems to loathe tenacious first-years, like me. Except, his dark and enigmatic gaze tells me all the ways he’d devour me if given the chance, and his stolen kisses burn my lips with forbidden jealousy.

I crave his authority.
He aches for redemption.
Together, we’re toxic. Delicious fodder for the prying eyes hellbent on exhuming the rotted skeletons of our pasts.

For the dead have much to teach, and it’s only a matter of time before Dracadia’s most depraved secret is resurrected.

Nocticadia is a standalone dark academia gothic romance.]]> 682 Keri Lake Marin 4 4.18 2023 Nocticadia (Nocticadia, #1)
author: Keri Lake
name: Marin
average rating: 4.18
book published: 2023
rating: 4
read at: 2025/09/21
date added: 2025/09/30
shelves: spooky-szn, dark-romance, fantasy-romance-adult
review:
been a while since i’ve enjoyed a book this size!!! it started a TAD slow, but honestly i’ll take that for the solid plot-building that made the story feel high quality. my biggest gripe was really just the gross stuff they talked about a bit (iykyk). otherwise, this was the perfect kick-off to my spooky season marathon - dark academia vibes, slow burn romance, and a well-wrapped mystery. most people would probably give it five stars, but I’m stingy with those- AND I'm already diving into another Keri Lake book and loving it even more sooo 🤷🏼‍♀️ SO glad to have found another strong fantasy romance author.
]]> <![CDATA[Heartless Sky (Zodiac Academy, #7)]]> 56474282
On the run and cast out from society, we’ve been forced to hide from the mad man who stole our throne. But as more secrets come to light and my sister and I work harder than ever before to reach our potential and claim our birth right, the end is finally drawing closer.

There is no turning from this path now. The curse chases on our heels as time rushes by and the blood drenched destiny of the man I love looms ever closer just like the monster who stole our throne.

We must prepare for the final battle, but three things are clear now.

The cards have already been dealt.

Blood will spill for a new future to rise.

And the stars themselves can’t help us.

The fight for the throne is upon us. All hail the heartless sky.]]> 991 Caroline Peckham Marin 5
i knew the murder mystery would be chamber-of-secrets style and honestly? zero complaints - we all know how i feel about hp. darius being obsessed with treasure will never stop being funny. and we finally got the found family vibes i’ve been waiting for!! all four of my ruthless boys were hanging out w the gang and i am living for it.

a lot of people said this one lacked action, but i live for the smaller character moments over big battle scenes anyway. somehow flew through 1,000 pages in a week. now off to the tandem read of doom (1,200 + 400 pgs), then just one more honker to go. the end is in sight!!]]> 4.17 2021 Heartless Sky (Zodiac Academy, #7)
author: Caroline Peckham
name: Marin
average rating: 4.17
book published: 2021
rating: 5
read at: 2025/06/11
date added: 2025/09/22
shelves: fantasy-romance-adult, god-tier-romantasy, 5-stars
review:
GAH, this is what I’ve been waiting for. finally willing to give my first 5 star - who knew this silly series would bring a tear to my eye?

i knew the murder mystery would be chamber-of-secrets style and honestly? zero complaints - we all know how i feel about hp. darius being obsessed with treasure will never stop being funny. and we finally got the found family vibes i’ve been waiting for!! all four of my ruthless boys were hanging out w the gang and i am living for it.

a lot of people said this one lacked action, but i live for the smaller character moments over big battle scenes anyway. somehow flew through 1,000 pages in a week. now off to the tandem read of doom (1,200 + 400 pgs), then just one more honker to go. the end is in sight!!
]]> Macbeth 35814423
This shocking tragedy - a violent caution to those seeking power for its own sake - is, to this day, one of Shakespeare’s most popular and influential masterpieces.

AmazonClassics brings you timeless works from the masters of storytelling. Ideal for anyone who wants to read a great work for the first time or rediscover an old favorite, these new editions open the door to literature’s most unforgettable characters and beloved worlds.]]> 144 William Shakespeare 1542099102 Marin 3 classics
told nobody i was reading this so was very funny when my bestie texted me 'currently reading macbeth....?'. would say dont ask but i have now fully given an explanation.]]> 4.09 1623 Macbeth
author: William Shakespeare
name: Marin
average rating: 4.09
book published: 1623
rating: 3
read at: 2025/09/08
date added: 2025/09/09
shelves: classics
review:
not my vibe obviously, but not that bad—kept my interest somewhat. I only read this because I want to pick up the historical fiction Lady Macbeth, but since I paid zero attention in high school I had no idea what her story actually was. ended up paying $4.99 for a month of No Fear Shakespeare (would’ve been hopeless otherwise).

told nobody i was reading this so was very funny when my bestie texted me 'currently reading macbeth....?'. would say dont ask but i have now fully given an explanation.
]]> Listen for the Lie 150260823 What if you thought you murdered your best friend? And if everyone else thought so too? And what if the truth doesn't matter?

After Lucy is found wandering the streets, covered in her best friend Savvy’s blood, everyone thinks she is a murderer. Lucy and Savvy were the golden girls of their small Texas town: pretty, smart, and enviable. Lucy married a dream guy with a big ring and an even bigger new home. Savvy was the social butterfly loved by all, and if you believe the rumors, especially popular with the men in town. It’s been years since that horrible night, a night Lucy can’t remember anything about, and she has since moved to LA and started a new life.

But now the phenomenally huge hit true crime podcast "Listen for the Lie," and its too-good looking host Ben Owens, have decided to investigate Savvy’s murder for the show’s second season. Lucy is forced to return to the place she vowed never to set foot in again to solve her friend’s murder, even if she is the one that did it.]]> 338 Amy Tintera Marin 3 thrillers 4.21 2024 Listen for the Lie
author: Amy Tintera
name: Marin
average rating: 4.21
book published: 2024
rating: 3
read at: 2025/09/01
date added: 2025/09/09
shelves: thrillers
review:
fast-paced and funny, which made it good for my 'i dont want to read anything phase' but I never really loved the plot. i also kept forgetting who was who in the town but i think that was my fault since I was reading so slow. the humor and laugh-out-loud quotes definitely carried this. also 10/10 grandma advice
]]> <![CDATA[A River Enchanted (Elements of Cadence, #1)]]> 62132219
As Jack and Adaira reluctantly work together, they find they make better allies than rivals as their partnership turns into something more. But with each passing song, it becomes apparent the trouble with the spirits is far more sinister than they first expected, and an older, darker secret about Cadence lurks beneath the surface, threatening to undo them all.]]> 487 Rebecca Ross Marin 3 fantasy, spring-time 4.11 2022 A River Enchanted (Elements of Cadence, #1)
author: Rebecca Ross
name: Marin
average rating: 4.11
book published: 2022
rating: 3
read at: 2025/08/22
date added: 2025/09/09
shelves: fantasy, spring-time
review:
beautifully written and honestly a great fit before my Ireland trip. that being said i found this kind of painful to get through. pretty sure that’s more on me being in a slump than the book itself though. the folk-inspired world was gorgeous, and I do plan to read book two… just not now.
]]> The Boyfriend 209950981 She's looking for the perfect man. He's looking for the perfect victim.

Sydney Shaw, like every single woman in New York, has terrible luck with dating. She’s seen it all: men who lie in their dating profile, men who stick her with the dinner bill, and worst of all, men who can't shut up about their mothers. But finally, she hits the jackpot.

Her new boyfriend is utterly perfect. He's charming, handsome, and works as a doctor at a local hospital. Sydney is swept off her feet.

Then the brutal murder of a young woman―the latest in a string of deaths across the coast―confounds police. The primary suspect? A mystery man who dates his victims before he kills them.

Sydney should feel safe. After all, she is dating the guy of her dreams. But she can’t shake her own suspicions that the perfect man may not be as perfect as he seems. Because someone is watching her every move, and if she doesn’t get to the truth, she’ll be the killer’s next victim...

A dark story about obsession and the things we’ll do for love, #1 New York Times bestselling author Freida McFadden proves that crimes of passion are often the bloodiest…]]> 370 Freida McFadden Marin 4 thrillers 4.22 2024 The Boyfriend
author: Freida McFadden
name: Marin
average rating: 4.22
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2025/08/13
date added: 2025/08/18
shelves: thrillers
review:
my second thriller! had fun with this one even though the mc was more mouse than cat. a couple “omg you dumb bitch you’re gonna die” moments, but otherwise this satisfied my inner true crime/criminal minds junkie. loved being in his messed up head for parts of it, the twist got me, and i was on the edge of my seat the whole way.
]]> First Lie Wins 127463547
The identity comes first: Evie Porter. Once she’s given a name and location by her mysterious boss, Mr. Smith, she learns everything there is to know about the town and the people in it. Then the mark: Ryan Sumner. The last piece of the puzzle is the job.

Evie isn’t privy to Mr. Smith’s real identity, but she knows this job isn't like the others. Ryan has gotten under her skin, and she’s starting to envision a different sort of life for herself. But Evie can’t make any mistakes—especially after what happened last time.

Evie Porter must stay one step ahead of her past while making sure there's still a future in front of her. The stakes couldn't be higher—but then, Evie has always liked a challenge. . . .]]> 348 Ashley Elston Marin 4 thrillers 4.19 2024 First Lie Wins
author: Ashley Elston
name: Marin
average rating: 4.19
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2025/08/11
date added: 2025/08/12
shelves: thrillers
review:
i haven’t wanted to read anything lately, and my first real thriller pulled me straight out of it. loved being nosy, loved that the main character was mostly playing the cat not the mouse, and loved being back in the south (home! while i was visiting home!). chapter one’s dinner party scene—where she casually drops that she probably slashed her own tires after weeks of watching ryan—hooked me instantly. now i want another just like it.
]]> <![CDATA[Alpha Wolf (Darkmore Penitentiary, #2)]]> 58272634 An aim.
A purpose.
I will break out of Darkmore Penitentiary.

But I was a fool to think that it would be so simple.

And now with more and more Fae relying on me to get them out of this slice of hell, I find myself unable to do a damn thing.

Mason Cain stabbed me in the back and left me to rot in the dark. So now I have another goal in mind before I escape this place, because no one messes with the Queen of the Oscura Clan and lives to tell the tale. The moment I get out of here, my sights will be set on him.

Between the four alpha males luring me in, the psychopaths trying to kill me and the monster roaming the halls at night, I have my hands full in here.

But one thing is for sure.

I’m not throwing my life away in this place. So I’ll do whatever it takes to escape.

This is a dark, hot paranormal romance series where the main character will end up with more than one male love interest. The series is set in the same world as Zodiac Academy and Dark Fae, with some character cross-over but each series can be read without having read the other series. This book was previously published as Darkmore Penitentiary 2: Captive Fae.]]> 496 Caroline Peckham Marin 4 fantasy-romance-adult 4.33 2020 Alpha Wolf (Darkmore Penitentiary, #2)
author: Caroline Peckham
name: Marin
average rating: 4.33
book published: 2020
rating: 4
read at: 2025/07/28
date added: 2025/08/12
shelves: fantasy-romance-adult
review:
brainless, fun, spicy - exactly what i wanted it to be. solid chaos break from the solaria game without having to dive into zodiac 9.
]]> <![CDATA[Feral Wolf (Darkmore Penitentiary, #3)]]> 55618681
My family’s motto circles in my mind as I look this problem dead on and try to figure it out.

I’ve faced worse than this. Survived worse odds than this. I won’t let this failure break me.

We have 72 hours to turn this around.

72 hours to make a new plan out of the dregs of the old.

72 hours until all hope is lost.

This task is impossible, but I still like my chances. I have an ace in my pocket and his name is Mason Cain. He might not want to help me, but I don’t plan on giving him a choice in the matter.

My name is Rosalie Oscura. And I refuse to let anything beat me.

This series is set in the world of Solaria five years after Zodiac Academy and ten years after Dark Fae and book one was previously published as Darkmore Penitentiary. There is some character crossover but all series can be read independent of each other without spoilers. The female lead will end up with more than one love interest.]]> 373 Caroline Peckham Marin 4 fantasy-romance-adult 4.26 Feral Wolf (Darkmore Penitentiary, #3)
author: Caroline Peckham
name: Marin
average rating: 4.26
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2025/08/02
date added: 2025/08/12
shelves: fantasy-romance-adult
review:
probably liked this one a smidge more than the last since it’s basically 72 hours of nonstop action, but hated the ending. still, pure entertainment from start to finish.
]]> We Were Liars 39673241 A private island.
A brilliant, damaged girl; a passionate, political boy.
A group of four friends—the Liars—whose friendship turns destructive.
A revolution. An accident. A secret.
Lies upon lies.
True love.
The truth.

We Were Liars is a modern, sophisticated suspense novel from New York Times bestselling author, National Book Award finalist, and Printz Award honoree E. Lockhart.

Read it.

And if anyone asks you how it ends, just LIE.

Librarian Note: An older cover for this edition can be found here: 13-May-2014.]]> 242 E. Lockhart Marin 2 thrillers, summer-reads 3.68 2014 We Were Liars
author: E. Lockhart
name: Marin
average rating: 3.68
book published: 2014
rating: 2
read at: 2025/07/08
date added: 2025/08/12
shelves: thrillers, summer-reads
review:
uh - I’m not really sure what to think since i’m just stepping into the genre. i know a lot of people have an emotional reaction to the ending, but i was a little… irked? it was such a quick read that i never really got attached to the characters, and i think i was expecting something twistier than just “oh… that sucks.”
]]> <![CDATA[A Curse Carved in Bone (Saga of the Unfated, #2)]]> 216603812 A shield maiden fights to break the shackles of prophecy—and to overcome the betrayal of the man who broke her heart—in this searing conclusion to the Norse-inspired fantasy romance duology that began with the bestselling A Fate Inked in Blood.

The secret of her divine heritage revealed, Freya finds herself on a path that will see thousands of lives lost to the magic in her blood. Desperate to avoid this dark fate, she risks an alliance with Skaland’s greatest enemy to seek answers from the seer who foretold her future—the same seer who sent Bjorn to kill her. 
 
While Freya still seethes with rage over Bjorn’s betrayal, the blood oaths that bind her demand that she keep him close as she hunts for a way to avert the looming war. Her magic draws her to the front lines of an old enmity, embroiling her with Nordeland’s Unfated—children of the gods who serve the king she was raised to fear. The same king who, unlike Bjorn, is now willing to fight at her back. For despite the desire that burns hot between Bjorn and Freya, his growing distrust of her chosen path threatens to drag them further apart.
 
As war approaches, gods and mortals must choose their weapons. Yet the fiercest battle will be the one Freya wages within herself. With the magic of two goddesses burning in her veins, she must weave the threads of destiny to decide her own Will she be the shield that protects her people or the curse that destroys them?]]> 403 Danielle L. Jensen 059359987X Marin 3 fantasy-romance-adult 4.01 2025 A Curse Carved in Bone (Saga of the Unfated, #2)
author: Danielle L. Jensen
name: Marin
average rating: 4.01
book published: 2025
rating: 3
read at: 2025/07/28
date added: 2025/07/29
shelves: fantasy-romance-adult
review:
definitely more interesting and action-packed than book one, but by the end, i was kinda over it. bummed, because i really thought i'd love this author. the love story is front and center, but the insta-love makes it hard to connect to them so it almost felt more like pure fantasy.
]]> <![CDATA[Every Summer After (Barry's Bay, #1)]]> 60026536 Six summers to fall in love. One moment to fall apart. A weekend to get it right.
 
They say you can never go home again, and for Persephone Fraser, ever since she made the biggest mistake of her life a decade ago, that has felt too true. Instead of glittering summers on the lakeshore of her childhood, she spends them in a stylish apartment in the city, going out with friends, and keeping everyone a safe distance from her heart.

Until she receives the call that sends her racing back to Barry’s Bay and into the orbit of Sam Florek—the man she never thought she’d have to live without.

For six summers, through hazy afternoons on the water and warm summer nights working in his family’s restaurant and curling up together with books—medical textbooks for him and work-in-progress horror short stories for her—Percy and Sam had been inseparable. Eventually that friendship turned into something breathtakingly more, before it fell spectacularly apart.
 
When Percy returns to the lake for Sam’s mother’s funeral, their connection is as undeniable as it had always been. But until Percy can confront the decisions she made and the years she’s spent punishing herself for them, they’ll never know whether their love might be bigger than the biggest mistakes of their past. 

Told over the course of six years and one weekend, Every Summer After is a big, sweeping nostalgic story of love and the people and choices that mark us forever.]]> 320 Carley Fortune Marin 4 4.32 2022 Every Summer After (Barry's Bay, #1)
author: Carley Fortune
name: Marin
average rating: 4.32
book published: 2022
rating: 4
read at: 2025/07/07
date added: 2025/07/29
shelves: contemp-romance, summer-reads, elite-romance, favorites
review:
i adored this. my soft spot for childhood friends to lovers went up in flames so hard i devoured it in a day (after a full day at the office, no less). my only beef was the conflict choice. i’d be jumping straight into her next one if i didn’t have other purchases i’m forcing myself to read first. i’m too much of a sucker for $1.99 prime deals.
]]> <![CDATA[What I Was Doing While You Were Breeding]]> 18373272 Kristin introduces readers to the Israeli bartenders, Finnish poker players, sexy Bedouins, and Argentinean priests who helped her transform into "Kristin-Adjacent" on the road–a slower, softer, and, yes, sluttier version of herself at home.]]> 291 Kristin Newman 0804137609 Marin 5 3.83 2014 What I Was Doing While You Were Breeding
author: Kristin Newman
name: Marin
average rating: 3.83
book published: 2014
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2025/07/29
shelves: fav-self-help, nonfiction, 5-stars
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Harry Potter, #7)]]> 61917439 538 J.K. Rowling 1781102430 Marin 5 fantasy 4.83 2007 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Harry Potter, #7)
author: J.K. Rowling
name: Marin
average rating: 4.83
book published: 2007
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2025/07/29
shelves: fantasy
review:

]]> <![CDATA[A ​Court of Silver Flames (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #5)]]> 53138095 Sarah J. Maas's sexy, richly imagined series continues with the journey of Feyre's fiery sister, Nesta.

Nesta Archeron has always been prickly-proud, swift to anger, and slow to forgive. And ever since being forced into the Cauldron and becoming High Fae against her will, she's struggled to find a place for herself within the strange, deadly world she inhabits. Worse, she can't seem to move past the horrors of the war with Hybern and all she lost in it.

The one person who ignites her temper more than any other is Cassian, the battle-scarred warrior whose position in Rhysand and Feyre's Night Court keeps him constantly in Nesta's orbit. But her temper isn't the only thing Cassian ignites. The fire between them is undeniable, and only burns hotter as they are forced into close quarters with each other.

Meanwhile, the treacherous human queens who returned to the Continent during the last war have forged a dangerous new alliance, threatening the fragile peace that has settled over the realms. And the key to halting them might very well rely on Cassian and Nesta facing their haunting pasts.

Against the sweeping backdrop of a world seared by war and plagued with uncertainty, Nesta and Cassian battle monsters from within and without as they search for acceptance-and healing-in each other's arms.]]> 757 Sarah J. Maas 168119628X Marin 5 4.43 2021 A ​Court of Silver Flames (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #5)
author: Sarah J. Maas
name: Marin
average rating: 4.43
book published: 2021
rating: 5
read at: 2024/06/21
date added: 2025/07/29
shelves: god-tier-romantasy, fantasy-romance-adult, 5-stars, favorites
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Two Twisted Crowns (The Shepherd King, #2)]]> 123009515 In the New York Times bestselling sequel to One Dark Window, Elspeth must confront the weight of her actions as she and Ravyn embark on a perilous quest to save the kingdom—perfect for readers of Hannah Whitten's For the Wolf and Alexis Henderson's The Year of the Witching.

Gripped by a tyrant king and in the thrall of dark magic, the kingdom is in peril. Elspeth and Ravyn have gathered most of the twelve Providence Cards, but the last—and most important—one remains to be found: the Twin Alders. If they’re going to find the card before Solstice and set free the kingdom, they will need to journey through the dangerous mist-cloaked forest. The only one who can lead them through is the monster that shares Elspeth’s head: the Nightmare.

And he’s not eager to share any longer.]]> 449 Rachel Gillig 0316312886 Marin 5 4.49 2023 Two Twisted Crowns (The Shepherd King, #2)
author: Rachel Gillig
name: Marin
average rating: 4.49
book published: 2023
rating: 5
read at: 2024/07/30
date added: 2025/07/29
shelves: god-tier-romantasy, spooky-szn, fantasy-romance-ya, 5-stars, favorites
review:
now THATS how you write a fantasy duet! wow. not as lovey as i normally look for but the plot and concept and beautiful intertwining of everything in the end are so worth it. and there are still a few great romance-y scenes to get a fair dose of it. (all from his point of view which is always a win). probably the best and most well written fantasy book i have ever read. high quality all around
]]> The Seven Year Slip 63347619
A Most Anticipated Book by Harper's Bazaar ∙ Real Simple ∙ BookRiot ∙ and more!

An overworked book publicist with a perfectly planned future hits a snag when she falls in love with her temporary roommate…only to discover he lives seven years in the past, in this witty and wise new novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Dead Romantics.

Sometimes, the worst day of your life happens, and you have to figure out how to live after it.

So Clementine forms a plan to keep her heart work hard, find someone decent to love, and try to remember to chase the moon. The last one is silly and obviously metaphorical, but her aunt always told her that you needed at least one big dream to keep going. And for the last year, that plan has gone off without a hitch. Mostly. The love part is hard because she doesn’t want to get too close to anyone—she isn’t sure her heart can take it.

And then she finds a strange man standing in the kitchen of her late aunt’s apartment. A man with kind eyes and a Southern drawl and a taste for lemon pies. The kind of man that, before it all, she would’ve fallen head-over-heels for. And she might again.

Except, he exists in the past. Seven years ago, to be exact. And she, quite literally, lives seven years in his future.

Her aunt always said the apartment was a pinch in time, a place where moments blended together like watercolors. And Clementine knows that if she lets her heart fall, she’ll be doomed.

After all, love is never a matter of time—but a matter of timing.]]> 348 Ashley Poston 0593336526 Marin 5 4.21 2023 The Seven Year Slip
author: Ashley Poston
name: Marin
average rating: 4.21
book published: 2023
rating: 5
read at: 2025/04/26
date added: 2025/07/29
shelves: elite-romance, contemp-romance, 5-stars, favorites
review:
i adored this from start to finish. it hit so many of my buttons: it was hilarious, he's a CHEF, she doesn't know what she wants to do with her life, he pines for her for years, AND the way it handles its heavier topic is so validating—grief, guilt, all the messy feelings. ashley poston is officially my favorite contemporary author. ik this is also technically fantasy, but it’s going on my contemporary shelf because I'd like to believe magic like this could exist.
]]> <![CDATA[Fourth Wing (The Empyrean, #1)]]> 61431922
"Suspenseful, sexy, and with incredibly entertaining storytelling, the first in Yarros' Empyrean series will delight fans of romantic, adventure-filled fantasy." ―Booklist, starred review

"Fourth Wing will have your heart pounding from beginning to end... A fantasy like you've never read before." ―#1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout


Enter the brutal and elite world of a war college for dragon riders from #1 New York Times bestselling author Rebecca Yarros

Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail was supposed to enter the Scribe Quadrant, living a quiet life among books and history. Now, the commanding general―also known as her tough-as-talons mother―has ordered Violet to join the hundreds of candidates striving to become the elite of Navarre: dragon riders.

But when you’re smaller than everyone else and your body is brittle, death is only a heartbeat away...because dragons don’t bond to “fragile” humans. They incinerate them.

With fewer dragons willing to bond than cadets, most would kill Violet to better their own chances of success. The rest would kill her just for being her mother’s daughter―like Xaden Riorson, the most powerful and ruthless wingleader in the Riders Quadrant.

She’ll need every edge her wits can give her just to see the next sunrise.

Yet, with every day that passes, the war outside grows more deadly, the kingdom's protective wards are failing, and the death toll continues to rise. Even worse, Violet begins to suspect leadership is hiding a terrible secret.

Friends, enemies, lovers. Everyone at Basgiath War College has an agenda―because once you enter, there are only two ways out: graduate or die.

The Empyrean series is best enjoyed in order.
Reading Order:
Book #1 Fourth Wing
Book #2 Iron Flame
Book #3 Onyx Storm]]> 517 Rebecca Yarros 1649374046 Marin 5 4.54 2023 Fourth Wing (The Empyrean, #1)
author: Rebecca Yarros
name: Marin
average rating: 4.54
book published: 2023
rating: 5
read at: 2025/01/15
date added: 2025/07/29
shelves: fantasy-romance-adult, 5-stars, favorites
review:
re-listened to the audio of this in prep for onyx, you definitely pick up some things the second time around. this really is such a fun book - violet is truly one of my fav fmcs. such a nice change to have one whos not afraid to say what she feels unapologetically.
]]> <![CDATA[A Light in the Flame (Flesh and Fire, #2)]]> 172133046 From #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout comes book two in her Flesh and Fire series… The only one who can save Sera now is the one she spent her life planning to kill.

The truth about Sera’s plan is out, shattering the fragile trust forged between her and Nyktos. Surrounded by those distrustful of her, all Sera has is her duty. She will do anything to end Kolis, the false King of Gods, and his tyrannical rule of Iliseeum, thus stopping the threat he poses to the mortal realm.

Nyktos has a plan, though, and as they work together, the last thing they need is the undeniable, scorching passion that continues to ignite between them. Sera cannot afford to fall for the tortured Primal, not when a life no longer bound to a destiny she never wanted is more attainable than ever. But memories of their shared pleasure and unrivaled desire are a siren’s call impossible to resist.

And as Sera begins to realize that she wants to be more than a Consort in name only, the danger surrounding them intensifies. The attacks on the Shadowlands are increasing, and when Kolis summons them to Court, a whole new risk becomes apparent. The Primal power of Life is growing inside her, pushing her closer to the end of her Culling. And without Nyktos’s love—an emotion he’s incapable of feeling—she won’t survive her Ascension. That is if she even makes it to her Ascension and Kolis doesn’t get to her first. Because time is running out. For both her and the realms.]]> 656 Jennifer L. Armentrout 195756816X Marin 5 4.43 2022 A Light in the Flame (Flesh and Fire, #2)
author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
name: Marin
average rating: 4.43
book published: 2022
rating: 5
read at: 2023/12/31
date added: 2025/07/29
shelves: god-tier-romantasy, fantasy-romance-adult, 5-stars, favorites
review:

]]> <![CDATA[The Serpent and the Wings of Night (Crowns of Nyaxia, #1)]]> 60714999
The adopted human daughter of the Nightborn vampire king, Oraya carved her place in a world designed to kill her. Her only chance to become something more than prey is entering the Kejari: a legendary tournament held by the goddess of death herself.

But winning won’t be easy amongst the most vicious warriors from all three vampire houses. To survive, Oraya is forced to make an alliance with a mysterious rival.

Everything about Raihn is dangerous. He is a ruthless vampire, an efficient killer, an enemy to her father’s crown… and her greatest competition. Yet, what terrifies Oraya most of all is that she finds herself oddly drawn to him.

But there’s no room for compassion in the Kejari. War for the House of Night brews, shattering everything that Oraya thought she knew about her home. And Raihn may understand her more than anyone – but their blossoming attraction could be her downfall, in a kingdom where nothing is more deadly than love.

The Serpent and the Wings of Night is the first book in a new series of heart-wrenching romance, dark magic, and bloodthirsty intrigue, perfect for fans of From Blood and Ash and A Court of Thorns and Roses.]]> 504 Carissa Broadbent Marin 5 4.26 2022 The Serpent and the Wings of Night (Crowns of Nyaxia, #1)
author: Carissa Broadbent
name: Marin
average rating: 4.26
book published: 2022
rating: 5
read at: 2024/05/13
date added: 2025/07/29
shelves: god-tier-romantasy, fantasy-romance-adult, 5-stars, spooky-szn, favorites
review:

]]> <![CDATA[A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire (Blood and Ash, #2)]]> 54319549 A Betrayal…

Everything Poppy has ever believed in is a lie, including the man she was falling in love with. Thrust among those who see her as a symbol of a monstrous kingdom, she barely knows who she is without the veil of the Maiden. But what she does know is that nothing is as dangerous to her as him. The Dark One. The Prince of Atlantia. He wants her to fight him, and that’s one order she’s more than happy to obey. He may have taken her, but he will never have her.

A Choice...

Casteel Da’Neer is known by many names and many faces. His lies are as seductive as his touch. His truths as sensual as his bite. Poppy knows better than to trust him. He needs her alive, healthy, and whole to achieve his goals. But he’s the only way for her to get what she wants—to find her brother Ian and see for herself if he has become a soulless Ascended. Working with Casteel instead of against him presents its own risks. He still tempts her with every breath, offering up all she’s ever wanted. Casteel has plans for her. Ones that could expose her to unimaginable pleasure and unfathomable pain. Plans that will force her to look beyond everything she thought she knew about herself—about him. Plans that could bind their lives together in unexpected ways that neither kingdom is prepared for. And she’s far too reckless, too hungry, to resist the temptation.

A Secret…

But unrest has grown in Atlantia as they await the return of their Prince. Whispers of war have become stronger, and Poppy is at the very heart of it all. The King wants to use her to send a message. The Descenters want her dead. The wolven are growing more unpredictable. And as her abilities to feel pain and emotion begin to grow and strengthen, the Atlantians start to fear her. Dark secrets are at play, ones steeped in the blood-drenched sins of two kingdoms that would do anything to keep the truth hidden. But when the earth begins to shake, and the skies start to bleed, it may already be too late.]]> 637 Jennifer L. Armentrout 1952457106 Marin 5 4.30 2020 A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire (Blood and Ash, #2)
author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
name: Marin
average rating: 4.30
book published: 2020
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2025/07/29
shelves: god-tier-romantasy, fantasy-romance-adult, 5-stars, favorites
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass, #4)]]> 123004944 No masters. No limits. No regrets.

Celaena Sardothien has embraced her identity as Aelin Galathynius, Queen of Terrasen. But before she can reclaim her throne, she must fight.

She will fight for her cousin, a warrior prepared to die for her. She will fight for her friend, a young man trapped in an unspeakable prison. And she will fight for her people, enslaved to a brutal king and awaiting their lost queen's triumphant return.

Everyone Aelin loves has been taken from her. Everything she holds dear is in danger. But she has the heart of a queen-and that heart beats for vengeance.

In this fourth book in the #1 New York Times bestselling Throne of Glass series, no one will escape the queen's wrath.]]> 689 Sarah J. Maas Marin 5 4.64 2015 Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass, #4)
author: Sarah J. Maas
name: Marin
average rating: 4.64
book published: 2015
rating: 5
read at: 2024/11/17
date added: 2025/07/29
shelves: fantasy-romance-ya, god-tier-romantasy, 5-stars, favorites
review:
yeah i ate this up. absolutely no crumbs.
]]> <![CDATA[Empire of Storms (Throne of Glass, #5)]]> 126060933
As the kingdoms of Erilea fracture around her, enemies must become allies if Aelin is to keep those she loves from falling to the dark forces poised to claim her world. With war looming on all horizons, the only chance for salvation lies in a desperate quest that may mark the end of everything Aelin holds dear.

Aelin's journey from assassin to queen has entranced millions across the globe, and this fifth installment will leave fans breathless. Will Aelin succeed in keeping her world from splintering, or will it all come crashing down?]]> 733 Sarah J. Maas 1619636085 Marin 5 ]]> 4.70 2016 Empire of Storms (Throne of Glass, #5)
author: Sarah J. Maas
name: Marin
average rating: 4.70
book published: 2016
rating: 5
read at: 2024/11/25
date added: 2025/07/29
shelves: god-tier-romantasy, fantasy-romance-ya, 5-stars
review:
i adore this book. wow. the love i have for these characters - especially aelin galathynius. & the last 10% has me in such a chokehold. the way everything got brought together?? the scene that has been set??? the gut wrenching separation??? this series has pulled so many emotions out of me i cannot even imagine what lies within the final book.

]]> <![CDATA[Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Harry Potter, #3)]]> 5 547 J.K. Rowling 043965548X Marin 5 fantasy 4.57 1999 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Harry Potter, #3)
author: J.K. Rowling
name: Marin
average rating: 4.57
book published: 1999
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2025/07/29
shelves: fantasy
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Caged Wolf (Darkmore Penitentiary, #1)]]> 168822364
Okay, so maybe he doesn’t love me back. And maybe getting sent down would seem insane to some, but I’m Rosalie Oscura, champion underground cage-fighter and alpha werewolf from the infamous Oscura Clan. My family wrote the book on criminal organisations and I’ll be ruling this place by the time the next moon rises.

Then I just need to get to work on busting us the hell out of here. ‘Us’ being me, the lion shifter I’ve loved for ten long years, and the most notorious criminal in here - a sinful incubus who’s been condemned to isolation for committing an unspeakable crime.

What’s the worst that could happen? I mean, short of being rejected by my mate, the black-hearted werewolf who rules over my sworn enemies, or getting myself noticed by the sinister vampire guard who has a dark vendetta against me. But how likely is that?

The trouble is, I need the help of those four alpha males to get out of here. And they happen to hate each other almost as much as they hate me.

But I always did love a challenge. And I never did learn when to back down.

So how hard could it be to make them accept me as their leader?


Caged Wolf was previously titled ‘Darkmore Penitentiary’ and is a dark, shifter RH with rejected mates, age gap romance, enemies to lovers, psychos, violence and steamy scenes recommended for readers aged 18+

It is set in the world of Solaria after the events of Zodiac Academy and Dark Fae and contains some character crossover but can be read as a standalone series without having read the other books.]]> 668 Caroline Peckham Marin 4 fantasy-romance-adult 4.34 2020 Caged Wolf (Darkmore Penitentiary, #1)
author: Caroline Peckham
name: Marin
average rating: 4.34
book published: 2020
rating: 4
read at: 2025/07/27
date added: 2025/07/28
shelves: fantasy-romance-adult
review:
okay yeah i broke my own rule and skipped the last zodiac book (i promise ill finish it (you don't need it for this)), but im desperate for something that doesn't feel like a drag. this delivered. im aware its not as 'high quality' as some of the 3-star reads i’ve had lately, but i like to rate based on enjoyment and i devoured all 700 pages of this in two days. this is the twisted sisters in their prime: chaos, tension, and just enough plot.
]]> <![CDATA[A Fate Inked in Blood (Saga of the Unfated, #1)]]> 165940364 A shield maiden blessed by the gods battles to unite a nation under a power-hungry king—while also fighting her growing desire for his fiery son—in this Norse-inspired fantasy romance from the bestselling author of The Bridge Kingdom series.

Bound in an unwanted marriage, Freya spends her days gutting fish, but dreams of becoming a warrior. And of putting an axe in her boorish husband’s back.

Freya's dreams abruptly become reality when her husband betrays her to the region's jarl, landing her in a fight to the death against his son, Bjorn. To survive, Freya is forced to reveal her deepest She possesses a drop of a goddess's blood, which makes her a shield maiden with magic capable of repelling any attack. It was foretold such a magic would unite the fractured nation of Skaland beneath the one who controls the shield maiden’s fate.

Believing he's destined to rule Skaland as king, the fanatical jarl binds Freya with a blood oath and orders Bjorn to protect her from their enemies. Desperate to prove her strength, Freya must train to fight and learn to control her magic, all while facing perilous tests set by the gods. The greatest test of all, however, may be resisting her forbidden attraction to Bjorn. If Freya succumbs to her lust for the charming and fierce warrior, she risks not only her own destiny but the fate of all the people she swore to protect.]]> 434 Danielle L. Jensen 0593599845 Marin 3 fantasy-romance-adult 4.07 2024 A Fate Inked in Blood (Saga of the Unfated, #1)
author: Danielle L. Jensen
name: Marin
average rating: 4.07
book published: 2024
rating: 3
read at: 2025/07/21
date added: 2025/07/28
shelves: fantasy-romance-adult
review:
i’m out here salivating for at least a 4-star book and thought returning to my romantasy roots would scratch the itch, but this one just didn’t hit. the viking setup was unique and there were some fun lines, but the fmc was a little too quick to anger for my patience and the romance felt so insta-love-y it was hard to connect with them.
]]> <![CDATA[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Harry Potter, #1)]]> 42844155 An alternative cover for this ASIN can be found here

"Turning the envelope over, his hand trembling, Harry saw a purple wax seal bearing a coat of arms; a lion, an eagle, a badger and a snake surrounding a large letter 'H'."

Harry Potter has never even heard of Hogwarts when the letters start dropping on the doormat at number four, Privet Drive. Addressed in green ink on yellowish parchment with a purple seal, they are swiftly confiscated by his grisly aunt and uncle. Then, on Harry's eleventh birthday, a great beetle-eyed giant of a man called Rubeus Hagrid bursts in with some astonishing news: Harry Potter is a wizard, and he has a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. An incredible adventure is about to begin!]]> 333 J.K. Rowling Marin 5 fantasy 4.45 1997 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Harry Potter, #1)
author: J.K. Rowling
name: Marin
average rating: 4.45
book published: 1997
rating: 5
read at: 2024/08/25
date added: 2025/07/28
shelves: fantasy
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Harry Potter, #2)]]> 15881
And strike it does. For in Harry’s second year at Hogwarts, fresh torments and horrors arise, including an outrageously stuck-up new professor and a spirit who haunts the girls’ bathroom. But then the real trouble begins – someone is turning Hogwarts students to stone. Could it be Draco Malfoy, a more poisonous rival than ever? Could it possibly be Hagrid, whose mysterious past is finally told? Or could it be the one everyone at Hogwarts most suspects… Harry Potter himself!]]> 341 J.K. Rowling Marin 5 fantasy 4.42 1998 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Harry Potter, #2)
author: J.K. Rowling
name: Marin
average rating: 4.42
book published: 1998
rating: 5
read at: 2024/09/16
date added: 2025/07/28
shelves: fantasy
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Harry Potter, #5)]]> 2
There is a door at the end of a silent corridor. And it's haunting Harry Potter's dreams. Why else would he be waking in the middle of the night, screaming in terror? It's not just the upcoming O.W.L. exams; a new teacher with a personality like poisoned honey; a venomous, disgruntled house-elf; or even the growing threat of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Now Harry Potter is faced with the unreliability of the very government of the magical world and the impotence of the authorities at Hogwarts. Despite this (or perhaps because of it), he finds depth and strength in his friends, beyond what even he knew; boundless loyalty; and unbearable sacrifice.

This stunning illustrated edition brings together the talents of award-winning artists Jim Kay and Neil Packer in a visual feast, featuring iconic scenes and much loved characters -- Tonks, Luna Love good, and many more -- as the Order of the Phoenix keeps watch over Harry Potter’s fifth year at Hogwarts. With its oversized format, high-quality paper, ribbon bookmark, and color on nearly every page, this edition is the perfect gift for Harry Potter fans and book lovers of all ages.]]> 576 J.K. Rowling Marin 5 fantasy 4.50 2003 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Harry Potter, #5)
author: J.K. Rowling
name: Marin
average rating: 4.50
book published: 2003
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2025/07/28
shelves: fantasy
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Just for the Summer (Part of Your World, #3)]]> 195834342
Emma hadn't planned that her next assignment as a traveling nurse would be in Minnesota, but she and her best friend agree that dating Justin is too good of an opportunity to pass up, especially when they get to rent an adorable cottage on a private island on Lake Minnetonka.

It's supposed to be a quick fling, just for the summer. But when Emma's toxic mother shows up and Justin has to assume guardianship of his three siblings, they're suddenly navigating a lot more than they expected—including catching real feelings for each other. What if this time Fate has actually brought the perfect pair together?]]> 424 Abby Jimenez Marin 2 contemp-romance, summer-reads 4.43 2024 Just for the Summer (Part of Your World, #3)
author: Abby Jimenez
name: Marin
average rating: 4.43
book published: 2024
rating: 2
read at: 2025/05/12
date added: 2025/07/21
shelves: contemp-romance, summer-reads
review:
tbh i was not a fan of this. i was just kind of bummed the whole time. i know emma’s arc is about empathy and boundaries, but her patience was a test for mine. some redeeming qualities, but this one wasn’t for me.
]]> <![CDATA[A False Start (Gold Rush Ranch, #4)]]> 59582214 I kissed my best friend’s little sister, and the world stood still.

That night we were two perfect strangers, the town’s grumpy recluse and a gorgeous girl in the back of a bar. Until we weren’t.

Because Nadia Dalca isn’t just some girl. She’s the girl I can’t have. Fourteen years younger than me and completely off-limits.

My plan is to stay away, but the universe keeps pushing us together. It’s like some sort of cosmic joke, to give me a taste of something so electric—so real—something that breathed life back into me.

Because I can look, but I can’t touch.

Her sinful curves, her light-hearted laughter, her wild side . . . I’m addicted to every last bit of her.

And when she turns those sultry eyes on me––the ones so full of longing and so free of judgement? I’ve always considered myself a strong man. But when she looks at me I’m weak.

To give in to our connection would be a betrayal. My life is beyond complicated, and she has the world at her fingertips. Her brother is the only family she has left, and sad as it sounds, he’s also my only friend.

But I kissed her again anyway.

And now I can’t stop.
]]> 404 Elsie Silver Marin 3 contemp-romance, summer-reads 4.17 2022 A False Start (Gold Rush Ranch, #4)
author: Elsie Silver
name: Marin
average rating: 4.17
book published: 2022
rating: 3
read at: 2025/07/20
date added: 2025/07/21
shelves: contemp-romance, summer-reads
review:
think this is my second favorite of the bunch. hype to be moving on the chestnut springs. i would complain that it was a lil longer than necessary but i also read it in a day. got what i was expecting from it. good quick no brain cells read.
]]> Birthday Girl 39865941 New York Times Bestselling author Penelope Douglas comes a new forbidden love story...

JORDAN
He took me in when I had nowhere else to go.

He doesn't use me, hurt me, or forget about me. He doesn't treat me like I'm nothing, take me for granted, or make me feel unsafe.

He remembers me, laughs with me, and looks at me. He listens to me, protects me, and sees me. I can feel his eyes on me over the breakfast table, and my heart pumps so hard when I hear him pull in the driveway after work.

I have to stop this. It can't happen.

My sister once told me there are no good men, and if you find one, he's probably unavailable.

Only Pike Lawson isn't the unavailable one.

I am.

PIKE
I took her in, because I thought I was helping.

She'd cook a few meals and clean up a little. It was an easy arrangement.

As the days go by, though, it's becoming anything but easy. I have to stop my mind from drifting to her and stop holding my breath every time I bump into her in the house. I can't touch her, and I shouldn't want to.

The more I find my path crossing hers, though, the more she's becoming a part of me.

But we're not free to give into this. She's nineteen, and I'm thirty-eight.

And her boyfriend's father.

Unfortunately, they both just moved into my house.

*BIRTHDAY GIRL is a stand-alone, contemporary romance suitable for ages 18+.
]]> 407 Penelope Douglas 1952646057 Marin 2 contemp-romance, summer-reads 4.10 2018 Birthday Girl
author: Penelope Douglas
name: Marin
average rating: 4.10
book published: 2018
rating: 2
read at: 2025/07/18
date added: 2025/07/21
shelves: contemp-romance, summer-reads
review:
um.. im not sure why i thought id like this. i wanted to read corrupt and thought i might start with one of her standalones. still might approach it but i think my frontal lobe is too developed for some of this stuff. wasn't miserable just not my vibe.
]]> <![CDATA[Live and Let Lionel (Zodiac Academy, #8.6)]]> 207603149 This is a bonus content novella to celebrate the series coming to a close and contains 100k words of bonus content from the Zodiac Academy Series.

Savage - a short story about Hail and Merissa Vega's love story
The Shimmering Springs - that night Caleb and Seth did or didn't kiss...
The moment Geraldine first saw the twins
Seth on the Moon - one Werewolf's wanderings on the moon
Night - that time the twins met the Ruthless Boys - with a never before published chapter!
Orion ‘blue’ alternate POV - BRAND NEW
Orion ‘Fairy Fair’ alternate POV
Darius 'throne room' alternate POV
Darius ‘Stars’ alternate POV - BRAND NEW
Featuring the never before seen map of Solaria!
Each chapter is introduced by Lionel Acrux, looking back on how his enemies have thwarted him and how he overcame their insufferable rebellion - BRAND NEW]]> 332 Caroline Peckham Marin 3 fantasy-romance-adult 3.74 2024 Live and Let Lionel (Zodiac Academy, #8.6)
author: Caroline Peckham
name: Marin
average rating: 3.74
book published: 2024
rating: 3
read at: 2025/07/18
date added: 2025/07/21
shelves: fantasy-romance-adult
review:
the end is in sight, people! last pit stop before the finale. luckily, I’d already read half of these in (mostly) chronological order. the sisters made sure we were fed with Darius’s throne room POV, Orion’s blue pov, and of course the shimmering springs. but the real highlight was the ruthless boys meeting the twins, ill eat scenes of that gang up every time. the rest probably weren’t needed, but I’m too far down the rabbit hole not to get my full Solarian education.
]]>