Review: Burn Zone

Burn Zone by Annabeth Albert
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and Carina Press for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Man, I really enjoyed this MM romance. Two hot firefighter-type dudes? Check. A little angst? Check. Some sexy times? Check. A happy ending? Check.

Honestly, one thing I really liked about this one was the realistic nature of their relationship and the reactions of people around them. Jacob's family isn't necessarily homophobic, but they have issues with it and have to come to terms with it. That's the real life situation many gay people have to contend with. Not super-outspoken bigots, though we do have a fair share of those to deal with, but the less vocal and slow-to-be-won-over-gradually-changed-mindset people, those who have to separate what they've been told their whole lives and what they actually feel when confronted with a real case in their own life.

I also really like the age difference and the growly, dominant, sexy older man. He wasn't that much older, but it did add some enjoyment for me, as that's my favorite type. :)

I very much enjoyed this one and will definitely pick up book two when it's available.

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Review: The Girl and the Stars

The Girl and the Stars by Mark Lawrence
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I knew that since I loved the Book of the Ancestor trilogy (Red Sister, Grey Sister, Holy Sister), set in the same world, that this one was bound to be good. And I was right. I loved this one.

Strong female character? Check. Really cool setting? Check. Deepening of the world's lore? Check. Creepy villains? Check. Plot twists galore? Check. Oh, and let's not forget about the one thing I didn't really like but fully expected and only didn't really like it because I have to wait... cliffhanger ending? Check.

The other thing I knew when I accepted this ARC? That I should wait. That I should say no thanks. That I should have patience and let myself get to when book three's release is imminent and binge them... because now I have to sit here, longing for book two, and that's a long way away. But it will be worth the wait... I just know it!

Thanks, Mark Lawrence. You've done it again!

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Review: Shorefall

Shorefall by Robert Jackson Bennett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

So book one had some awesome world-building, a cool magic system, and a budding LGBTQ+ relationship.

This book took all of those things and took them up a notch.

We got further development of the relationship - a LOT further. Like, read it and find out what I mean, but definitely advancement of that.

The world got a little bigger and a little more magical too. We saw Orso, Gregor, Sancia, and Berenice grow closer as a team. The magic got bigger, badder, cooler, scarier. The villains and the heroes get twisted around and around.

I really don't want to give anything away, but let's just say that Bennett took everything I liked about the first book and did it again, with new twists, changes, and growth. This book ended way differently than I expected, which was an added plus!

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