The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle L. Jensen
Summary:
Trained in the arts of war, espionage and seduction, Lara is the secret weapon of her father, the King of Maridrina. Two certainties guide her steps: King Aren of Ithicana is her sworn enemy, and it's up to her to bring him to his knees.
In a world ravaged by savage storms, the bridge that crosses Ithicana is the only trade route, and Ithicana abuses this power to enrich itself at the expense of its bloodless neighbors. Under the pretext of honoring a peace treaty, Lara must marry King Aren... and breach the defenses of this impregnable bridge.
But as she gets to know this dangerous and bewitching place - a lush Eden surrounded by tumultuous seas - and the man who rules it, she questions everything she thought she knew.
Lara will have to choose her own destiny: will she be a king-killer or the savior of a people?
Review:
Wow! This book is a pure marvel. I fell in love with the story, the plot and, above all, the characters.
First of all, you get straight into the story. From the very first chapter, we're taken right to the heart of the matter with some unexpected action that sets the tone for the story. No time for nonsense, we're already down to business!
And the story is well-crafted. It's easy to guess how it's going to end for our heroes, but that didn't bother me too much.
Then there are the characters. I loved Lara. She's strong and courageous. Aren is just about the most generous man I've ever seen. And I love him. I loved the verbal jousting they did. It was incredible!
And finally, there's the ending. It hurts a bit and I know I'm going to have a hard time waiting for the sequel, which is scheduled for autumn 2023, and I'm going to have a hard time resisting buying it in VO to find out how it's all going to end and what consequences it's going to have on Lara and Aren.
The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas
Summary:
Catalina Martín is desperate. To make sure she doesn't arrive alone at her sister's wedding, to be attended by her ex and his fiancée, she has assured her entire family in Spain that she will be accompanied by her American boyfriend. Except that this boyfriend doesn't exist. And what was once a harmless lie is now out of control. Four weeks before the festivities, she sees no way out, and Aaron Blackford, a colleague who has always exasperated her, offers himself for the role. I'd rather die than spend a weekend with a guy as cold as a New York winter! Yet, as the deadline approaches, Catalina must face the facts: Aaron is her only chance to walk away with her head held high.
Review:
Wow, this book is pure love at first sight. The romance is so beautiful that I know I'll be rereading it often.
Even though at first I had a little trouble getting into the story, I can say with certainty that I have absolutely no regrets about continuing to turn the pages. Because once the context was established, I can say that I was 100% into the story. And it's all thanks to Aaron!
As much as I adored Lina in this tome, it was Aaron who really got to me. The man is perfect! His words are so beautiful and so right. In short, I succumbed to his charm.
And although it's easy to guess what's going to happen in the end, I loved it! I'm going to miss these characters terribly.
Titan Volume 1 - Confusion by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Summary:
After a war that tore the world apart and took away everyone who mattered to him, Seth has now accepted the meaningless life of the gods' henchman. However, Apollo's plans for him are not trivial: he charges him with finding a young girl, Josie, and bringing her to the safety of the Covenant. Simple? Only in appearance. This mission may well be Seth's most perilous yet, for since the Titans escaped from Tartarus, conflict threatens to break out...
Review:
Being a big fan of the author, I jumped on this book when it came out. And I'm not disappointed.
Although this tome is a spin-off of the Covenant saga, you don't need to read the books in that saga, as everything is explained in this tome. I found it very well done, and personally, it reminded me of things I'd forgotten.
This book, like all Jennifer L. Armentrout's books, is a favorite. It's very well written, the characters are super engaging, it's funny and there's never a dull moment.
And of course, there's Seth. This character is my favorite. I love him from A to Z. He's evolved a lot since the Covenant saga, and that's refreshing. He's touching in his own way and so funny.
Anyway, I can't wait to read the next books.
The prison healer Vol. 3 - The blood traitor by Lynette Noni
Summary (of Volume 1):
Seventeen-year-old Kiva Meridan has spent the last ten years struggling to survive in the notorious Zalindov prison, where she holds the position of prison healer. When the Rebel Queen is captured, Kiva is charged with keeping her alive while she undergoes the Supplice, a series of tests against the four elements - air, fire, water and earth - reserved for the most dangerous criminals. Then Kiva receives a coded message from her family: Don't let her die. We're on our way. Aware that the ordeal will finish off the gravely ill queen, Kiva devotes herself to taking her place, risking her own life in the process. If she succeeds, she and the queen will regain their freedom. But no one has ever survived the Supplice... As a deadly epidemic ravages the prison, a mysterious new prisoner sets Kiva's heart aflutter and a rebellion brews, the healer senses that her trials have only just begun...
Review (warning, risk of spoiler):
I couldn't wait to read the sequel and ending to The prison Healer, especially after the events of the second book. And I'm glad I did, because I loved every second of it!
First of all, it's important to know that this tome stands out from the others. It's deeper, with lots of strong emotions, action and revelations. And above all, there's a quest taking shape (it takes place after a hundred pages or so).
Then we discover Ashlyn, whom I really liked, even if Caldon remains the best character for me. I must also admit that I really liked Cresta in this volume. There's a lot we understand about her in this installment.
But what I particularly liked about this read, apart from the great story, the author's captivating writing and the characters I love with all my heart, is that we feel Kiva's emotions intensely. I think this is the first time, the first book, that I've felt a character's feelings so intensely. And Kiva gives us no quarter in this tome. We see it all.
This book transported me and made me love this trilogy even more. I'm deeply sad to leave these characters (I really hope there'll be a spin-off with Caldon). In any case, this tome brings the story to a perfect conclusion, and it touched me deeply.
Blood and Ashes Vol. 3 - The Crown of Gilded Bones by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Summary (of Volume 1):
As rivalry grows between two kingdoms that have always been enemies, a young woman whose destiny was all mapped out sees her certainties shattered, and most of all... her heart.
A virgin...
Chosen from birth to usher in a new era in her kingdom, Poppy's life has never really been her own. Her parents were killed when she was young, and she's lived a reclusive, overprotected life ever since. A solitary life, untouched or even looked at, with no contact with the outside world and only one moment to look forward to: the day of her Ascension.
A duty...
The future of the entire kingdom rests on Poppy's shoulders, but she's not sure she wants that destiny. Because she has a heart, a soul, and she'd rather fight the creatures who caused her unhappiness in the first place. And when Hawke, an honor guard charged with protecting her until her Ascension, bursts into her life, he challenges her beliefs, right up to the temptation of the forbidden.
A kingdom...
Abandoned by the gods and feared by mortals, another fallen kingdom rises up, determined to reclaim what is rightfully theirs through violence and vengeance. And as the threat closes in, Poppy is not only on the verge of losing her heart and being deemed unworthy by the gods, but also her own life as everything that made up her world inexorably crumbles.
Review (warning, risk of spoiler):
I was so looking forward to this book and I'm not disappointed.
I loved this tome, simply because I loved finding Poppy and Casteel. And Kieran too. I love these characters so much, especially Poppy because you can really feel her emotions as the story unfolds. Especially after what she learned at the end of the second volume. And believe me, there's more to come. One revelation follows another, especially as she tries to figure out who she really is. Fortunately, she can count on Casteel. The man really is perfect. His words, his gestures... everything about him is perfect.
And then, the book starts off strong. A sequence of actions, which totally surprised me, mixed with revelations that will turn Poppy's world upside down. It's in these moments that we see that she has incredible strength of character. And that's why this character moves me so much. She's been through so much and yet she's still herself: humble, courageous, endearing.
And I can tell you that you won't be disappointed by this batch of revelations. It builds to a crescendo and is a real blast, especially at the end.
And what an ending! It's heartbreaking, but also full of hope. I don't know how I'm going to wait for Volume 4. I think I'm going to break down and buy it in VO because I MUST know what happens.
Lightlark by Alex Aster
Summary:
The Centennial begins...
To break the curse, one of them must die.
Every hundred years, the cursed island of Lightlark reappears to host the Centennal, a murderous competition in which the rulers of the six neighboring kingdoms are invited to take part. Invited, or rather forced, because this is their one and only chance to break the curse that has been plaguing their respective peoples for nearly five centuries, irreparably corrupting their powers. Each of the six adversaries has something to hide - all the more so as, as they all know, to dispel the curse, one of them must die.
Isla Calys reigns over the Savages, a people of tempters condemned to kill whomever they fall in love with. Feared and despised, all are counting on their sovereign to put an end to their ordeal by winning the Centennial. But the young queen is hiding a terrible secret. To survive, she'll have to cheat, deceive and betray... even when love finally enters the picture.
Review:
This book is a marvel. From the very first pages, I was caught up in the story and knew I was going to love it right to the end.
We're caught up in an incredible, well-described universe. It's full of mysteries that we want to discover alongside our heroine Isla. A heroine I loved 100%. She's strong, courageous and willing to do anything to save her people. She makes mistakes, but that's precisely why I liked her so much.
I also really liked the other characters. Not least because they're so different from each other, but with a common goal: to break their curses.
Lightlark really has everything I love: a mysterious, magical world, strong, deep characters, lots of action, a little romance, lots of secrets and betrayals you never see coming.
I can't wait to read more of Isla's adventures.
The night the stars went out by Nine Gorman & Marie Alhinho
Summary:
"I'd like to retort that stars fade, and when they do, they destroy everything in their path. I'd like to tell her that sometimes that's how I feel, like a supernova about to turn into a black hole."
Since his mother has been in prison, Finn thinks he'll never get back on track. He lets himself sink and tries to forget himself in the arms of girls. But life sometimes takes unexpected turns... Certain encounters light up his path, like lights in the night.
The darker the chaos, the brighter the star.
Review:
Wow, this book is a pure marvel. The writing is incredible, the story transcended me, made me laugh, cry, smile. It's so moving and full of important messages.
First of all, I loved the main character Finn, because he's so human. He has his good sides and his bad sides, but that's what makes him real. Especially, as little by little, we learn about his past, feel his emotions, which aren't always easy to assimilate, and understand his choices.
My favorite character, though, was Nate, because in some ways he reminds me of what I've been through. I also liked Cliff and the rest of Finn's gang, although I had a hard time with Kenna. And I can't wait to discover all their stories, continuing with the book about Nate.
And of course, I loved the romance. It's a slow-burn and it's so well done, so beautiful, that it made me fall in love with the characters.
So I recommend this book because it's a pure masterpiece. And remember, "the darker the chaos, the brighter the star".
The Taste of Our Dreams by Emma Green
Summary:
Paris, an all-girls roommate in Bastille, raclettes in springtime, a shared taste for cooking, shoes, a good laugh and life from day to day... Olympe and Salomé make do with odd jobs, great pleasures and sweet dreams they know they can't touch.
But when Salomé's brother returns from the other side of the world and moves in with them, the flavor of their roommate girls only changes abruptly. Especially when Simon reluctantly accepts his little sister's request to hire Olympe in the Parisian restaurant he plans to open with his family.
A fresh start for three, when two members of this strange brigade can't stand each other, is a crazy gamble.
And yet, this bistro looks a lot like their dream. So Olympe accepts that the man who squats on her sofa and in her thoughts will also become her boss, even if it's everything she swore she'd avoid. Too cliché. Too risky.
And yet, this boy is far too much for her taste...
Review:
If you love food, humor, romance and Céline Dion, this is the book for you. This story is beautiful, touching and inspiring. I really fell in love with it.
We follow Olympe and Simon, two people with a heavy past that weighs on them and prevents them from moving forward. And I adored them. Especially Olympe, because I identified with her so much. And we share a common passion: Céline Dion.
This book takes us on a culinary journey. It made me want to wander around and taste all the things the characters talk about in this book.
Plus, it's so well written. Emma Green's writing is incredible. The description of the dishes, the words that Olympe and Simon exchange. It was magnificent.
And then, the messages in this story, especially that you have to believe in your dreams.
So go and read it, because I recommend it 100%.
Belladonna by Adalyn Grace
Summary:
It's said that all it takes to kill someone is five belladonna berries.
Orphaned as a baby, 19-year-old Signa was raised by a series of guardians more interested in her wealth than her well-being. All came to an untimely end.
Today, her only remaining relatives are the Hawthornes, an eccentric family living on an estate both glittering and gloomy. The father of the family mourns his late wife by throwing wild parties, while his son fights to save their fading reputation and his daughter suffers from a mysterious illness. When their mother's restless spirit appears, claiming to have been poisoned, Signa realizes that the family she depends on could be in grave danger.
Signa's best chance of uncovering the murderer is an alliance with the Angel of Death himself, a fascinating and dangerous shadow who has never been far from her. Though he's made her life a living hell, he shows Signa that their growing connection may be more powerful - and more irresistible - than she ever dared imagine.
Review:
For me, this book is a real favorite.
Right from the start I was drawn into the story, because I found Signa's character very intriguing, because of her past, her abilities and her relationship with the Angel of Death.
And then, once she arrives at the Thornbush, the plot quickly falls into place and we investigate alongside Signa to find out who killed Lillian Hawthorne. This investigation will lead her to work alongside Death and uncover many mysteries and secrets. In some ways, it reminded me of À forgery of roses.
Between secrets, murder, betrayal and magic, this book has it all. What's more, it's beautifully written and well thought out. I was able to guess some things, but was surprised by others. Especially one that makes me want to reread the book to pay attention to the details.
And of course, I loved the characters, especially Signa and the Angel of Death. However, I would have liked to know more about Signa's mother. I hope Volume 2 will answer some of my questions about her.
Love on the brain by Ali Hazelwood
Summary:
Yes, he was a taciturn colossus, sullen and brooding. He was secretive, introverted. His temperament was reserved and distant. I couldn't expect him to like me, and had no intention of doing so. However, if he could be courteous, polite, even kind to everyone else, he could have made an effort with me, too. But no - Levi Ward obviously despised me, and in the face of such hatred...
Well, I had no choice. I had no choice but to hate him back.
Like a violet-haired, vengeful Jedi restoring balance to a man's world, Bee Königswasser lives by a simple rule: What would Marie Curie do?
If NASA asked her to head up a neuro-engineering project, Marie would accept without hesitation! Right. But the mother of modern physics never had to co-direct with Levi Ward... her college nemesis. Handsome and dark (obviously). Who always kept his distance from her.
Yet soon after arriving in Houston, Bee swears Levi softens into an ally... while devouring her with his green eyes. Bee's neurons are firing on all cylinders! When it really comes down to it, when she has to put her heart on the line, there's only one question that matters: What will Bee Königswasser do?
Review:
Once again, this book by Ali Hazelwood is a favorite.
I found it quite different from The Love Hypothesis, not least because a first-person narrative changes everything, but also because I found this tome even more feminist than the first she wrote.
I also found this tome intriguing, especially at the beginning, when I had a thousand questions about Levi's behavior.
This tome is simply a nugget. I loved the wordplay, the character of Bee, who is a strong, intelligent woman who believes in her convictions. She taught me a lot about Marie Curie. Just the women in her book are epic. I love them (except Anne). I also liked Levi, but I thought there was too much resemblance to Adam's character in The Love Hypothesis.
And that ending, I wasn't expecting it. It took me through every possible emotion.
In short, I 100% recommend this read.
Photo credits: Amélie Marmonier
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