Under Loch and Key by Lana Ferguson Publisher: Berkley Romance Pub Date: 12/4/2024
Thank you to Berkley Romance & PRH Audio for the free copy in exchange for my honest review.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Keyanna “Key” MacKay heads to Scotland to uncover the truth about her late father’s hidden past but ends up being saved by Lachlan Greer, a grumpy Scotsman who doesn’t trust her. As they deal with family drama, strange powers, and a centuries-old curse, their growing connection might be the key to solving the mysteries they both face.
Lana Ferguson is one of my favorite romance authors and I love that she branches out into different subgenres of romance! I had never read a monster romance before, but if Lana writes it, I’m game! I enjoyed the premise of Under Loch and Key and loved how bingeworthy it was. The history behind the curse was the most fascinating part of the story and I was hooked on the mystery the characters were trying to solve. I also enjoyed learning more about Key’s family especially her grandparents, who added depth to the story. The book struck a great balance between contemporary romance and paranormal elements which worked well for me as someone new to monster romance. While I liked Key and Lachlan as individual characters, I found their romance a bit weak and wasn’t entirely sold on the monster romance aspect. The pacing dragged slightly in the middle, but the action-packed final quarter more than made up for it. Overall, this was a solid 4-star read and I’m glad Lana’s writing pushed me out of my comfort zone!
Fragile Sanctuary is the first book in the Sparrow Falls series by Catherine Cowles. This romantic suspense novel follows Rhodes, who is trying to renovate her childhood home with the help of Anson, her brother’s grumpy best friend, as a series of dangerous incidents force them closer together while confronting their pasts.
This was my first Catherine Cowles book and I loved it! This romantic suspense contains themes of small-town life, grumpy/sunshine trope, and found family. Fragile Sanctuary tugged at my heartstrings especially with the growing relationship between Rhodes and Anson. Both characters had traumatic pasts, but the way they come together and support each other was so touching. Catherine’s descriptions of Sparrow Falls made me wish I could visit the small town myself. Beyond the romance, the suspense added an exciting edge to the story, building up to a gripping ending. I absolutely adored Rhodes’s found family and can’t wait for her siblings’ stories!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Delicate Escape (Book 2 featuring Thea & Shep)
In Delicate Escape by Catherine Cowles, Thea, who’s been running from her past, starts to let her guard down with Shepard, a charming contractor who slowly breaks down her defenses while restoring her crumbling cabin. Just as she begins to trust him and love begins to blossom, a threat from her past returns, putting everything she’s built at risk.
Delicate Escape is the second book in the Sparrow Falls series featuring Shepard and Thea. Shep is the golden retriever MMC who’s perfectly matched for Thea. I loved how the author gradually revealed each character’s backstory. I appreciated seeing Ro and Aniston as supporting characters while also getting to know Sutton and Trace more deeply. There were a few quotes here that I absolutely loved. The only part I didn’t like was that the second half of the book dragged a bit, however, the unexpected ending made up for it. Now I can’t wait for Broken Harbor featuring Sutton and Cope!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Broken Harbor (Book 3 featuring Sutton & Cope)
In Broken Harbor by Catherine Cowles, Sutton is focused on keeping her son safe and happy, but she never expects to find comfort with Cope, a hockey player with a tough exterior and a soft heart. As their bond grows, past secrets and new threats put their chance at happiness in jeopardy.
Broken Harbor is the third book in the Sparrow Fall series, featuring Sutton and Cope. I loved catching glimpses of Sutton’s personality in Delicate Escape so I was excited to see her get her own love story! I devoured this book quickly and it tugged at my heartstrings. The character development of both Sutton and Cope was beautifully done and their relationships with Sutton’s son, Luca, were tender and heartwarming making it impossible not to root for them. I appreciated how Catherine Cowles kept the found family elements and small-town charm strong in this book. However, the story followed a formula similar to Delicate Escape which made it predictable. While Sutton and Cope’s relationship was sweet, I was hoping for more of a slow burn rather than insta-love. The suspense twist lacked the wow factor as I guessed it early on. I felt Cope’s grief was only touched on briefly rather than fully explored. I also wasn’t a fan of the epilogue. Overall, I rated this 4 stars as I was invested in the story. I’m excited for Beautiful Exile, featuring Arden and Linc, coming next year!
I decided to dive into Juliette Cross’s Stay a Spell series. Here’s my ranking of the books from most to least favorite along with my reviews of each:
Wolf Gone Wild Book 1 featuring Evie & Mateo
In Wolf Gone Wild , Mateo Cruz, a werewolf unable to shift for three months, is tormented by his inner wolf’s violent and carnal thoughts, leading him to seek the aid of a powerful witch to avoid insanity. Evie Savoie, who typically avoids werewolves due to their volatile nature, finds herself drawn to Mateo’s desperation and decides to help him, unaware that his wolf has fixated on her as his sole desire.
Wolf Gone Wild is the first book I’ve read from Juliette Cross which turned out to be an enjoyable read. With a contemporary romance infused with magical realism, the story offers engaging perspectives from both Evie and Mateo. The audiobook is particularly impressive, as the narrators bring the characters to life, with the narrator for Mateo doing an excellent job distinguishing between Mateo’s voice and the alpha voice. I enjoyed the slow burn romance between Evie and Mateo. It was fun earning more about Evie’s siblings and other supporting characters which added depth to the story. Now I can’t wait to read the rest of the series!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Series Ranking: 3
Don’t Hex and Drive Book 2 featuring Isadora & Devraj
Shy and introverted witch Isadora Savoie finds herself reluctantly teaming up with charismatic Stygorn (vampire warrior)Devraj Kumar to solve the mystery of missing girls in New Orleans. As they navigate supernatural challenges and growing attraction, Isadora’s resistance to Devraj’s charms only fuels his determination to win her over.
Don’t Hex and Drive can be read as a standalone, but I believe it’s best enjoyed after reading the first book in the series, Wolf Gone Wild. The story features an Indian Bollywood-inspired male main character, which initially drew me to the series, and I was thrilled to see this representation. I really appreciated how Juliette Cross didn’t reduce Devraj to just his cultural background; instead, it’s one of many facets that make up his complex character. Juliette has a remarkable talent for introducing characters in a way that allows readers to see them in various contexts—whether with family, friends, love interests, acquaintances, or through their inner monologues—making these characters feel incredibly well-rounded. Isadora was a joy to read about, with her introverted nature, herbal witchcraft, and love for animals. It was also fascinating to explore Devraj’s extroverted and charming persona while delving into his past and the journey that led him to become a Stygorn vampire. I loved that this book maintained a perfect blend of romance, paranormal elements, and a touch of mystery, which kept the story engaging. I can’t wait to continue with the next book featuring Violet and Nico!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Series Ranking: 2
Witches Get Stitches Book 3 featuring Violet & Nico
Violet Savoie, a powerful Seer, wants to open a tattoo shop that provides supernatural charms but faces challenges helping her werewolf business partner, Nico Cruz, control his beastly side. Meanwhile, Nico tries to win Violet’s heart, but they have to deal with threats from his former pack to protect their future.
Witches Get Stitches is the third book in the Stay a Spell series. In the first two books, we get glimpses of Violet and Nico’s personalities so it was wonderful to dive deeper into their complexities in this book. I love that Violet is strong, stubborn, and doesn’t take anyone’s BS. Nico is working to redeem himself after following a bad pack and is head over heels for Violet. Although they initially had an instalove, I appreciated that we got to see their friendship and relationship develop over time. It’s also great to see the previous couples’ love stories continue to grow. I can’t wait to read the holiday book and then Livvy and Gareth’s story next!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Series Ranking: 1
Always Practice Safe Hex Book 4 featuring Livy & Gareth
Livvy Savoie, a charming witch with the gift of persuasion, finds herself partnered with her annoyingly brilliant competitor, grim reaper Gareth Blackwater, in a public relations contest. Despite their initial loathing, the undeniable chemistry between them grows, and when Livvy becomes the target of a dangerous enforcer, Gareth will stop at nothing to protect her, revealing just how powerful—and passionate—he truly is.
Always Practice Safe Hex is the fourth book in the Stay a Spell series. While I’ve enjoyed all the previous books, this one didn’t quite hit the mark for me. I felt indifferent about Livvy and Gareth’s love story, as Livvy’s character seemed underdeveloped outside of being one of the Savoie sisters and a social media influencer. Their enemies-to-lovers romance didn’t resonate with me as I struggled to see a real connection between them. Usually, the mystery and antagonist keep me engaged, but this time, the plot felt a bit slow especially in the middle. Despite this, I’m still excited to read Jules and Clara’s upcoming stories!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Series Ranking: 5
Resting Witch Face Book 5 featuring Jules & Ruben
Jules Savoie and vampire overlord Ruben Dubois team up to support the werewolf cause, rekindling their love from twelve years ago. But when a dangerous vampire targets Jules, they must fight to keep their love and each other safe.
I was really looking forward to Jules and Ruben’s story, but unfortunately, it didn’t work for me. We’re introduced to Jules and Ruben in the first book of the series, where their past relationship is hinted at, and in this book, we finally learn the reason behind their breakup. I found Ruben to be a disappointing love interest. He tries to come off as a “nice guy” and supportive of Jules, but his jealousy and obsession with power were off-putting. I usually have mixed feelings about second-chance romances. I was hoping it would work well here, but it ultimately felt dull. The magic mystery element didn’t capture my interest and I missed the camaraderie among the Savoie sisters and their partners. Despite this being my least favorite book in the series, I’m still excited to read Clara and Henry’s story in the final installment.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Series Ranking: 6
Grim and Bear It Book 6 featuring Clara & Henry
In Grim and Bear It by Juliette Cross, Clara Savoie is determined to break through Henry Blackwater’s resistance and show him the love he’s been avoiding. As their romance deepens, Henry must confront his dark past when his father is arrested for murder, threatening both his newfound happiness and Clara’s safety.
I was excited for Clara and Henry’s story, but I ended up having mixed feelings about this one. I loved gaining insight into Henry’s grim personality and his past. While Henry and Clara’s romance was sweet, their relationship developed too quickly for my taste and ended up being boring. Clara’s overly sweet demeanor was occasionally annoying and I felt she didn’t fully understand the depth of Henry’s trauma. The subplot involving Henry’s father was interesting, but the resolution felt predictable, disappointing, and rushed. I enjoyed the first half of the book, but the second half didn’t quite match the initial tone or style and the ending felt too neatly tied up. Overall, the series was a fun and enjoyable read.
Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez Publisher: Forever Pub Date: 4/1/2025
Thank you to Forever for the free copy on NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Veterinarian Xavier Rush seems almost perfect until he says the wrong thing and drives Samantha away. But after one amazing night together, neither of them can forget each other, and they start to wonder if their connection is worth fighting for, even when life gets complicated.
Say You’ll Remember Me was one of my most anticipated 2025 reads and I couldn’t wait to dive in! The story hooked me from the first page and kept my attention until the very end. I absolutely loved Xavier—his character was complex, empathetic, and incredibly sweet. I was initially unsure about the instalove aspect, but it worked surprisingly well. Abby realistically portrayed the strains of long-distance relationships though the unannounced surprise visits felt a bit unrealistic with characters dropping everything in a drop of a hat to spend time together. I wanted to love Samantha’s character and while she was likable, her tendency to expect a lot from others without giving much in return felt off. Unfortunately, there was minimal character growth for her. I appreciated how Abby captured Samantha’s family dynamic and explored Xavier’s strained relationship with his own family. The representation through Lisa (Samantha’s mom) was handled with depth, showing some of life’s harsh realities without sugarcoating. This book turned out to be an emotional, closed-door contemporary romance with heartwarming moments, relatable themes, and a binge-worthy read.
A Winter Wish by Emily Stone Publisher: Dell / Random House Pub Date: 10/15/2024
Thank you to PRH Audio for the free audiobook copy in exchange for my honest review.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Lexie inherits half of her estranged father’s holiday travel company and must run it alongside Theo, his attractive yet bad-tempered executive. As they work together over the year, sparks fly between them during a trip to Spain, but navigating both business and their growing attraction proves challenging.
I always look forward to reading Emily Stone’s winter novels in the fall. While I thought A Winter Wish was a good story, it wasn’t my favorite of hers. The book is told entirely from Lexie’s perspective. I wish we could have seen Theo’s side as well especially to gain insight into his interactions and memories with Richard, Lexie’s dad. I loved the enemies-to-lovers trope between Lexie and Theo—it fit well with the circumstances they were in. While both characters had moments of immaturity, it was understandable given the emotional situations they faced. Overall, I’d rate this 3.5 stars, but I rounded it up to 4 stars on Goodreads.
Finding Mr. Write by Kelley Armstrong Publisher: Forever Pub Date: 6/25/2024
Thank you to Forever for the free copy in exchange for my honest review.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Daphne McFadden hires Chris Stanton to pretend to be her male pen name, Zane Remington, after her book becomes a hit. As they tour together, sparks fly between them and Daphne wonders if Chris is exactly who she needs to push herself to claim her own dreams.
Finding Mr. Write is the first book I’ve read by Kelley Armstrong and it was an enjoyable read! I found it fascinating to explore the concept of a female author using a male pseudonym and how that choice impacts the publishing world, along with the themes of misogyny it brings to light. The story started off action-packed, which immediately pulled me in. At first, I wasn’t sure how the relationship between Daphne and Chris would unfold, but I loved how the author gradually built their relationship —their banter was off the charts! The dual perspectives kept me engaged throughout. One of my favorite elements of the book was the vivid descriptions of Yukon, which felt like a character in its own right, especially in the early chapters. If you decide to pick this up, I highly recommend listening to the audiobook. Overall, I enjoyed the unique premise and appreciated that this was such a light, fun read!
Lightening in Her Hands by Racquel Vasquez Gilliland Publisher: Berkley Pub Date: 10/15/2024
Thank you to Berkley and PRH Audio for the free copies in exchange for my honest review.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Teal Flores, struggling to control her weather-manipulating powers and in need of a wedding date, agrees to pose as Carter Velasquez’s wife to help him secure an inheritance. As they search for Teal’s long-lost mother, their fake marriage sparks undeniable chemistry, leading to a love that can withstand any storm.
Teal is such a complicated character. I absolutely hated her in Witch of Wild Things so I was hesitant to pick up this book, unsure how Teal could be made even remotely likable. However, Lightening in Her Hands gave more insight into Teal’s childhood, strained family relationships, and her complicated past which made me sympathize with her. I appreciated how the author explored friendship breakups and the effort to mend family relationships. Teal and Carter’s romance felt more secondary in the story and I didn’t really care for their relationship. The ending was a bit too neatly wrapped up for my taste. We also get more insight into Sky’s personality in this book, but I’m not sure if I’ll read her story given my mixed feelings about Lightening in Her Hands.
The Mistletoe Mystery by Nita Prose Publisher: Ballantine Books Pub Date: 10/1/2024
Thank you to PRH Audio for the free copy in exchange for my honest review.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Molly Gray is enjoying the holiday season with her boyfriend Juan Manuel, who’s trying to make it extra special for her. But when a Secret Santa exchange at the hotel raises suspicions, Molly must solve a mystery that tests her trust and love.
This novella was adorable! It was wonderful to revisit familiar characters. However, it read more like a Christmas romance than the cozy mystery I expected. While the “mystery” was quite predictable, the story remained heartwarming. I’d recommend it if you enjoy the Molly the Maid series.
The Situationship by Abby Jimenez Publisher: Forever Pub Date: 9/24/2024
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Situationship was originally published as bonus chapter in the Target exclusive edition of Just For Summer. Since I didn’t get that, I ended up purchasing the ebook which surprisingly has a sneak peek into Abby’s new book, Say You’ll Remember Me. In The Situationship, travel nurse Maddy (Emma’s best friend in Just For The Summer) has her meet cute with Doug (Daniel’s best friend in Part of Your World), a charming farmer.
Maddy and Doug’s meet cute was adorable! I absolutely loved this. Highly recommend reading this short story after you’ve read Part of Your World and Just For Summer for everything to make sense!
Haunted Ever After by Jen DeLuca Publisher: Berkley Pub Date: 8/13/2024
Thank you to Berkley Romance and LibroFM for the free copy in exchange for my honest review.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Cassie moves to a haunted town in Florida and buys an old cottage with a mysterious past. As she gets closer to Nick, the local coffee shop owner, they work together to uncover the cottage’s secrets, while navigating their growing feelings for each other.
I loved Jen DeLuca’s Well Met series, so I was excited to dive into her new Boneyard Key series. The ghostly elements and the rich history of the small town were highlights for me, and the supporting characters added a lot of fun to the story. However, I found the romance between Cassie and Nick a bit dull, and their relationship felt too neatly resolved by the end. I’m still looking forward to seeing other characters take the lead in future books. As for the audiobook, Jeannie Sheneman did a great job, but I think dual narrators would have enhanced the experience since the story alternates between Cassie’s and Nick’s perspectives. Overall, I’d rate this a 3.5-star read, but I rounded up to 4 stars on Goodreads.
Asha Reads 