Choc's Book Blog

Title: And Then He Pressed Play

Author: Robert J. Halliwell

Narrator: Gary Furlong, Alana Kerr Collins, Pagan McGrath

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for providing me with a copy of this audiobook in return for an honest review.

When Canadian exchange student, A.J. Walker, meets local Irish lad, Bren O’Shea, on the first day of their 2006 school year; he doesn’t know what to make of him.  He’s sure Bren is making fun of him, and by the end of the school day, Bren is certain that A.J. is a rich snob who’d rather listen to his antiquated discman than make conversation. But with a little bit of give from both boys something wonderful could grow.

Gary Furlong is an utter master at accents, so it comes as no surprise that he was able to pull off the different characters and provide nuance to their variable backgrounds. Alana Kerr Collins and Pagan McGrath added their talents to the production by voicing all the female characters, a nice touch as I can occasionally be taken out of a story by a strained male voice attempting a higher pitch. All of the acting was superb and I was in tears a few times.

What I liked:  I absolutely loved how this story was told, the characters were realistic and the plot swept me along. I find it can often be hit or miss with Young Adult books for me, luckily this wasn’t angst driven. I’m about a decade older than the kids would have been in 2006, but the cultural references were familiar enough that I felt nostalgic for my own teen years and friendships. While there was a particularly dark aspect in the story that was incredibly upsetting, I can’t fault the overall narrative because of it.

What didn’t work for me: I’m being possibly unfair here by only giving 4.5 stars instead of the full 5 I initially thought I would. I just felt it ended too suddenly, I would have preferred a few more scenes of camaraderie with the rest of the friend group, we went from December to June in a matter of moments. Basically I enjoyed the book so much I needed to hang out with everyone a bit longer.

Final thoughts: A wonderful coming-of-age story, filled with laughter, tears and hope.

Who would enjoy this: Fans of YA, Coming-of-age and first love.

Title: Last First Kiss

Author: Julian Winters

Narrator: James Cavenaugh

Rating: 3/5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for providing me with a copy of this audiobook in return for an honest review.

Event planner Jordan Carter's career goals are on the rise when he is assigned a high priority wedding. Unfortunately his first crush, Jamie Peters, is the bride’s “man of honour”, a man he’s been avoiding since his failed attempt to kiss him the previous Christmas.

James Cavenaugh’s narration was well done, with both emotion and humour illuminating the story nicely. 

What I liked:  I do have a soft spot for a second chance romance, and I especially enjoyed the flashback scenes building up to the big failed kiss that haunts Jordan so much. The side characters were well developed, as was the setting. Jordan’s awakening to what queerness means to different people, especially himself, was explored admirably.

What didn’t work for me:  Unfortunately I was not a fan of Jamie, he had very little to offer, and so I felt minimal investment in their romance. Additionally, there were some major spoilers for the first book of the series (which I hadn’t read) which was just frustrating and not really necessary for the plot of this book.

Final thoughts: A sweet second chance romance.

Who would enjoy this: Fans of contemporary romances with tried and true plot devices.

Title: His Fatal Love (West Coast Mobsters Book 3)

Author: Leighton Greene

Narrator: Michael Ferraiuolo

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Thank you to Leighton Greene for providing me a copy of this audiobook in return for an honest review.

Castellani assassin, Julian, the psychopathic younger half-brother of the family Don, has been given permission to look into his mother’s murder from when he was a child. Meanwhile, the second son of the Bernardi Family Don, and their enforcer, Leo “The Lion”, has been charged with seducing Julian with the aim of turning him into a tool for the Bernardi’s. As the two men work to outsmart each other while entertaining all of their desires, feelings start to form, but as their families are enemies how can the situation end in anything but heartache?

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, Michael Ferraiuolo is fantastic at narrating this world that Leighton Greene has created. 

What I liked:  

Julian intrigued me from when we first met him in “Vow of the Vigilante (Morelli Family book 7)”, and his appearances in the previous two books of this series have been a delight.  Needless to say I was impatient to start this audiobook as soon as it was available to me. Learning more about what makes Julian tick has been an emotional journey, and I’m so glad Leo was deserving of him. Their relationship, while bumpy with misunderstandings, was incredibly sweet. The mystery aspect of the book was as twisty as usual, and while I, again, figured out who did it way too early, the who’s and why’s along the way kept me guessing.

What didn’t work for me: 

Holy heck, one of those spice scenes was way outside my comfort level! I appreciate LG’s ability to cater to a wide range of kinks, but sometimes I’m left shuddering (and not in a good way), this was one of them, even MF’s gorgeous tone couldn’t help. 

Final thoughts:

A captivating addition to the West Coast Mobsters series.

Who would enjoy this:

Adults who read darker romances with a mystery element. To avoid spoilers, read the series in order.

Title: The Beast Who Bought Me (Clemenza Family book 1)

Author: Leighton Greene

Narrator: Michael Ferraiuolo

Rating: 4/5 stars

Thank you to Leighton Greene for providing me with a copy of this audiobook in return for an honest review.

Someone is taking out Clemenza’s, despite a no kill order from the head families of New York. Caligula Clemenza is in hiding after his cousin’s murder leaves him the final heir to his grandfather’s crime family. With his options limited, an old acquaintance invites him to auction himself off at an underground billionaires club. Protection will be guaranteed and a large payment will be provided at the end of an agreed upon contracted timeframe. Damiano Orsini, enforcer for the Giuliano’s, has his own vengeful reasons for hunting down Caligula, so when an anonymous text sends him to the club just as the auction is heating up he knows it’s his chance. $10 million later, for a one year contract, both men are going to find their expectations stretched to breaking point.

The twisting darkness of this story was heightened by the exquisite vocal talents of Michael Ferraiuolo. There is a reason this man is one of my favourite narrators.

What I liked and what didn’t work for me: I usually split this part of the review in two, but my feelings are all over the place with this story. I knew going in that this is book one of a trilogy where the main characters will not receive their happy ending until they have suffered a lot, including at each other's hands. I know I can rely on Leighton Greene to get us there in the end but I’m very nervous about the journey. The characters are complicated and broken, and the side characters making up Damiano’s found family have me on edge as I’m not sure I can fully trust one of them not to add to their issues. The cliffhanger ending with the extra twist was a stab in my heart I did not expect and is going to live rent-free in my head until the next book is released! The romance element and spice aren’t fully there yet for me; I think it felt a bit too clinical due to the nature of the characters this early in their story. I’m sure I’ll want to reread it when the full trilogy is out and will appreciate these fledgling moments better then. The plot was simmering in the background, with a few exciting explosions of mafia mayhem, and I’m looking forward to seeing where it goes in the rest of the series. 

Final thoughts: A dark, but at times, touching opening to a new mobster romance trilogy. 

Who would enjoy this: Fans of dark contemporary romance with morally grey characters. Heads up, this first book has a cliffhanger ending, but the author has said all books will be out this year.

Note; this is a very dark romance for adult readers. Content guidance can be found at: https://leightongreene.com/the-beast-who-bought-me/

Title: Trick Shot (All These Lights Book 1)

Author: L.A. Jasper

Rating: 3.75/5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for providing me with an advance review copy of this e-book in return for an honest review.

Nick Tiernan is a closeted NHL team captain of the Nevada Dragons, who has gone out of his way to present himself as “just one of the boys” to the rest of the ice hockey world. When he meets Matt Hudson, the openly gay lead singer of rock band Sticks+Stones, their initial attraction soon develops into something deeper. With external pressure to perform on the ice or risk losing his chance of being re-signed, and his inner demons telling him he’s got nothing to offer Matt, Nick’s carefully crafted persona may just start to crack.

What I liked:  

So, I’ve read quite a lot of m/m ice hockey romances over the last few years, and it is certainly one of my favourite contemporary romance genres. I found “Trick Shot” to be an enjoyable contribution to the party. The story is told from Nick’s perspective, with the addition of external media at the start of each chapter, which was a fun bonus and helped emphasise the pressure he is under. The plot follows a standard romance formula, meet-cute, hook-up, can-they/can’t-they, things going well until “it’s not working”, so sad, introspection, big reunion etc. etc. I’m not complaining, this is what is expected, and it was told well, with a great assortment of secondary characters, side plots and spice scenes that kept it from being average.

What didn’t work for me: 

I’m being nit-picky here, but some aspects of the story, especially the ending, felt a bit too “Hollywood” and unrealistic to me. I can’t go into further detail without giving spoilers, and I’m sure plenty of other readers won’t be bothered by them.

Final thoughts: 

A welcome addition to the m/m ice hockey romance genre.

Who would enjoy this: 

Fans of m/m contemporary romance.

Title: Seal Our Fates (Redwater Demons: Book 4)

Author: Ellie Roth

Rating: 5/5 stars

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Due to events in Book 3 (Take You Home), Bryant Nehemiah, demon hunter, and Magdalena Khan, demon, are forced by circumstance, mostly their respective friends, to live and work together with the main aim of bringing down Bryant's former home, the Sanctum. With emotions high and trust low, this reluctant pairing may yet be just what is needed to work out the Sanctum’s final plan.

Wow! What a rollercoaster of a finale that was! The plot kept twisting and even with a few hints along the way, I still had no idea what was coming next! The romance was a complete slow burn, but I did kick my feet and grin when it finally happened.  This was an immensely satisfying conclusion to the series, and I had a few concerns during the read that I was going to be disappointed. Thank you, Ellie, for taking the time to get it right!

Final thoughts: A wonderful end to a magical journey with the Redwater Demons.

Who would enjoy this: Fans of urban fantasy with a romance element. Note: I would strongly recommend reading the books in order, starting with “Thicker Than Water”, to avoid spoilers.

Title: Crystals and Corpses - Book 1 of Magical Misfit Murders

Author: Jacki James & Lori Ames

Rating: 4/5 stars

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

When Declan Hawthorne discovers his boyfriend is cheating on him, he runs to his grandfather Elwood, a magic shop owner in the small town of Ravenstone, to lay low and recoup. Elwood volunteers Declan to help out with the social media aspect of the town's first annual Magic Festival, and Declan finds himself meeting the quirky members of the festival committee, including the handsome pub owner, Gideon Blackwood. 

Things take a strange turn for Declan when the owner of the wine shop, who just happens to be a vampire, turns up murdered. Declan's eyes are suddenly opened to the fact that the paranormal is real. Gideon is a wolf shifter, his grandfather is a witch, and it seems the wonderful feeling Declan’s baking is known for is actually his own magical ability. As fingers are pointed at Elwood as the potential murderer, Declan and Gideon join forces to prove his innocence.

What I liked: I love a paranormal small town, and Ravenstone has a whole host of fun residents for the two main characters to interact with. The romance was possibly a bit too fast, but also very sweet. The mystery element adds another favourite trope for me, and it worked reasonably well, even if I did figure out “who did it” before the reveal. 

What didn’t work for me: Occasionally the story felt a bit unpolished and simplistic, especially around the interrogation of suspects. I couldn’t help but think, “why are they answering these questions when they don’t legally have to?” It also felt a bit hurried, and there could have been more interaction with suspects to add substance to those scenes. 

Final thoughts: A wonderful start to a cosy paranormal mystery romance series.

Who would enjoy this: Fans of small-town-based mysteries with a cast of eccentric characters, and paranormal romances. 

Title: His Brutal Heart (West Coast Mobsters Book 2)

Author: Leighton Greene

Narrator: Michael Ferraiuolo

Rating: 5/5 stars

Thank you to Leighton Greene for providing me with a copy of this audiobook in return for an honest review.

After the shocking conclusion to “His Lethal Desire (West Coast Mobsters Book 1)”, Alessandro ‘Sandro’ Castellani, heir to the Castellani crime family, finds himself needing to solve a murder, while unsure who he can truly trust. When he catches mafia fanatic and owner of the website “Cute Crims”, Teddy MacCallum, spying on him at a crime scene, he takes him prisoner instead of killing him when Teddy promises he can help with Sandro’s murder investigation.

The word “delicious” popped into my head so many times during Michael Ferraiuolo’s narration of this book, with his voicing of Sandro being especially exquisite. The diversity of the other characters' voices was on point too.

Okay, so I did guess the who and why for the main investigation pretty early on, but I did not see the MASSIVE plot twist coming at all! Nor the other curve balls that were thrown at the MCs throughout the story. This was an exciting read, with a brilliant plot and a highly charged chemistry between Sandro and Teddy. I would have happily listened in one sitting if I hadn’t had to “people” halfway through. I am really looking forward to the next book!

Final thoughts: Yes please, and I need more!

Who would enjoy this: Fans of contemporary romances with morally grey characters. I strongly suggest you read “His Lethal Desire” first to avoid spoilers.

Title: Those Old Gods: Short Stories (Volume One)

Author: N. J. Leaver

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Thanks to BookSirens and N. J. Leaver for providing me with a free advance review e-copy of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The old gods, including Death, who prefers to go by Ash, can be found in an office block in Swindon working for The Company. This collection of stories follows Juno Verdant, a Seer Agent with a rather chaotic habit of having “things” happen around her that make her supervisors shudder and reach for forms to be filed with Divine Resources.

What I liked: This was a fun read, the concept was well developed, and the cast of quirky characters were gorgeous. The use of humorous similes and metaphors as part of the narrative were employed to great effect and helped set the tone of the stories; it was deeply reminiscent of Terry Pratchett’s irreverent style.

What didn’t work for me: Just a slight complaint really; I wasn’t particularly keen on the way the author inserted herself into the stories occasionally. I think I would have preferred if she had just put “I” instead of “the author”.

Final thoughts: A wonderfully witty collection of stories set against the bureaucracy of the divine realm.

Who would enjoy this: Fans of humorous urban fantasy.

Title: The Lavender Blade: An Exorcist's Chronicle

Author: E.L. Deards

Narrator: Nicholas Boulton

Rating: 3/5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Books Forward Audiobooks for providing me with a copy of this audiobook in return for an honest review.

Colton and Lucien come from very different backgrounds. Colton is from the Iron Belt, the region of their city where the poor are forced to make their homes, while Lucien is from the Ivory District, where the city’s elite spend their time and money on new entertainments.  When Lucien is disinherited by his family, he seeks out Colton, a known exorcist. Together, they start up a con exorcising demons in the Ivory District.  With their new partnership drawing them closer together, all seems to be going perfectly until Lucien becomes possessed by a very real demon.

Nicholas Boulton is a fantastic narrator and delivers a first-rate performance, providing all characters with a unique voice.

What I liked:  

This story had so much potential. The characters were well rounded and the overall plot was entertaining. The created world was intriguing, and I would have liked to know more. I did appreciate the dry humour; Colton’s wit was a real bonus. 

What didn’t work for me: 

The pacing was off; some bits flowed along nicely while other parts dragged, and then some sections seemed to go too quickly. Overall, it started strong but got messy in the middle. The ending worked for the most part, but felt a bit hurried. I didn’t particularly feel the connection between some of the characters, especially between Lucien and his sister. The romance felt a bit too push-me-pull-me, will-they-won’t-they, oh they will, ah here comes tragedy, and it’s only halfway through the book. I think if it had been better established earlier, I would have been more invested in it. Additionally, I wasn’t very impressed by the demon, who had all the subtlety of a cartoon villain at times.

Final thoughts: 

A wonderfully narrated paranormal fantasy which had some truly great moments, though it would possibly have worked better as a trilogy to enable better understanding of the world and to truly feel the characters' connections.

Who would enjoy this: 

Fans of paranormal fantasy with a romance element.

Title: His Lethal Desire (West Coast Mobsters Book 1)

Author: Leighton Greene

Narrator: Michael Ferraiuolo

Rating: 4/5 stars

Thank you to Leighton Greene for providing me with a copy of this audiobook in return for an honest review.

After falling from grace in the Castellani crime family, Jacobo is given a second chance to regain his position when his boss assigns him to find a missing actress. His first port of call is her twin brother, Miller, who happens to be the intriguing young man he spent the previous night flirting with. With Miller insisting on helping with the case, the two men find themselves growing closer as the search becomes increasingly dangerous.

Michael Ferraiuolo has a certain talent for making these mobsters utterly desirable. My stomach swooped a number of times when Jacobo “spoke”.  I wasn’t quite as satisfied as usual with his character choices when it came to Miller’s voice, though. It was just a bit too similar to Jacobo's, and I occasionally forgot who was talking. As Miller was raised in L.A., I would have thought a Californian accent might have been a better option.  

What I liked:  

Confession time! I’ve had the ebook of this sitting in my library for a while now, but I was hoping I’d have a chance to hear it first (I really do love Michael’s voice for these books!). So I was a very happy bunny when Leighton’s PA’s email showed up in my inbox the other day!  This was a sublime opening novel to a new mobster series. I adored the slightly silly-serious dynamic between the two main characters. The plot kept me guessing, and while I had correctly surmised a couple of key points, the path to them was a surprise. We’ve met some of the Castellani family in the Morelli family series, and I’m really looking forward to getting to know them better, especially after that plot twist of an ending! 

What didn’t work for me: 

I’m struggling to pinpoint what kept this from being a five-star story for me. I think it just didn’t push my “I have to read that again right now” button the way “Married to the Mobster” did. 

Final thoughts: 

A blast of a first entry to what looks set to be an exciting new Leighton Greene mobster series.

Who would enjoy this: Fans of contemporary romance and mobsters, with a gratifying plot.

Title: Moody as a Minotaur: Book 1 of Willow Lake Pack

Author: Lori Ames

Rating: 4/5 stars

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

In the small town of Willow Lake, café owner Parker has had a crush on motel owner Levi pretty much since he moved to town, following a strange urge to upend his life and buy a café in a place he’d never even heard of.  Over the years, their friendship has skirted on the edge of something more, though there always seems to be something preventing Levi from taking things further, and Parker’s never felt fully accepted by the otherwise friendly locals. After a late-night call with his paranoid grandmother results in her surprise arrival, with his cousin and a couple of paranormal investigators in tow, Parker may finally be about to discover exactly what’s going on.  Meanwhile, Levi and the rest of the supernatural community of Willow Lake are about to have their safe haven truly shaken up.

What I liked:  

This is the third book of the Willow Lake community I’ve read, and I’m still loving the vibes I get from the many quirky characters. While I haven’t caught up on the previous series yet, this novel sets up a new overarching storyline, and it feels like it’s going to be a good one.  Parker and Levi were incredibly sweet and an absolute joy to read about. There were some truly funny moments involving the townsfolk, and also Parker’s Nana that had me giggling. 

What didn’t work for me: 

As much as I loved Levi, he did frustrate me at times due to his overly protective and cautious nature. Story-wise, it was a bit hard to keep track of who’s who in my head with such a large cast of characters.  Also, though I admit this is my own problem for not reading the earlier books first, some of the major plot points from previous instalments were revealed, which left me feeling a bit deflated.

Final thoughts: A fun-filled, slow-burn paranormal romance with a touch of action.

Who would enjoy this: Fans of shifter romance mixed with small-town community charm.

Title: It Had to Be Him

Author: Adib Khorram

Narrators: Corvin King; Vikas Adam

Rating: 4/5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for providing me with a copy of this audiobook in return for an honest review.

When Ramin Yazdani flees to Italy to reinvent himself after a failed proposal to his long-term boyfriend, the last person he expects to bump into is his high school crush. Noah Bartlett is on holiday in Italy with his ex-wife and their son, and is happy to spot a familiar face while visiting a gelato shop. As Ramin and Noah keep running into each other, their teen friendship is reignited along with buried feelings.

Both Corvin King and Vikas Adam gave superb performances narrating this story, though there was a slight mismatch of tone for Noah’s son, Jake.

What I liked:  

When I requested this book, I didn’t register it was by Adib Khorram, whose previous book, “I’ll Have What He’s Having”, I’d enjoyed so much last year. So I was pleasantly surprised when I realised this further explored Farzan’s friendship group by focusing on one of his best friends, Ramin (I can’t wait to see what’s in store for Arya!). Ramin and Noah were a gorgeous couple to get to know, and the second-chance romance is a great way to avoid the insta-love cliché, which can be a bit cringe.  The characters were all believable. As a parent with a child who doesn’t act like they do on TV, it was refreshing to see Jake not fall into the perfect, cute kid role. Additionally, the love scenes were comically realistic, and the friendship support was as comforting as the previous book.  

What didn’t work for me: 

Again, like last year, there’s nothing I can fault too much with the book. I fully enjoyed it while I was listening to it. But I don’t feel like I need to revisit it anytime soon. Perhaps once I’ve heard Arya’s story I’ll be keen to come back to the first two.

Final thoughts: 

A delightful second-chance romance with a beautifully described Italian backdrop. 

Who would enjoy this: 

Fans of contemporary romance.

Title: Game of Hearts (Longview Romance #3)

Author: Ellie Roth

Rating: 5/5 stars

Thanks to BookSirens and Ellie Roth for providing me with a free advance review e-copy of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

After police officer Britney Connally has a bad interaction with a magical enchanter at a hold-up, she decides she needs to find a way to stop it from happening again.  Meanwhile, journalist blogger and natural enchanter, Elena Zhao, is looking for a non-magical model to pair with in an upcoming enchanter competition. If Britney will pair with Elena for the competition, then in return Elena will help Britney build up her defences against enchantment.  Unfortunately, Elena’s blog is well known for criticising the Magical Crimes Division, the very department Britney has always dreamed of working for and has finally been offered an interview with. Can they stand being around each other long enough to achieve their goals?

What a stellar final instalment for this series.  Yet again, the characters in this series won my loyalty, to the point I had to slow down my reading towards the middle of the book as I didn’t want things to go wrong for them (I am a wimp!). I was dreading a certain encounter but was happily rewarded by an epic verbal evisceration instead, which left me grinning with satisfaction. Elena and Britney were a great pairing, and while they weren’t as passionate as Shiki and Mehmet from book 2 (“Winner Takes All”), there was a definite warmth that kept me rooting for them (and occasionally wanting to bang their heads together).  The rest of the characters were their usual joyous, chaotic selves, and Shiki’s POV chapter was a cherry on top of a cake of a book.

Final thoughts: A brilliant conclusion to a wonderful series.

Who would enjoy this: Fans of the opposites-attract trope, found family, and magical realism. 

Title: The Poison Paradox, A (mostly) cozy fantasy for ogres and sunbeams

Author: Hadley Field & Felix Green

Narrator: Thomas Busby

Rating: 4/5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for providing me with a copy of this audiobook in return for an honest review.

Prince Alaric is on a mission to track down the greatest potions maker in the kingdom to save his brother’s life. Eamon, the aforementioned potions maker, is currently living in a secret village of monsters as an ogre after using dark magic in a potion to bring a young girl back to life, the same potion Alaric requires. 

Thomas Busby was fantastic at providing different voices and accents for the many characters during dialogues. Unfortunately, he didn’t differentiate the inner voices of the two main characters' narrations, so it was, at times, difficult to remember whose point of view was being shared. 

What I liked:  As the title says, this is a mostly cosy fantasy novel, and it really was.  The world-building was charming, the characters were well-developed and likeable. The plot was sweet and humorous and worked well. I would happily read more stories set in this world, one I imagined looked much like the movie “Shrek”, for some reason.

What didn’t work for me: There was possibly a bit too much going on with side stories, which lost a bit of the impact of the main plot and distracted me from the bond being built between Alaric and Eamon. Though I still bought into their connection, it could have been better highlighted at times.

Final thoughts: A sweet, grumpy-sunshine romantasy set in a storybook-style world.

Who would enjoy this: Fans of fantasy based romances, found family, and quirky characters.

Title: Winner Takes All (Longview Romance #2)

Author: Ellie Roth

Rating: 5/5 stars

Thanks to BookSirens and Ellie Roth for providing me with a free advance review e-copy of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Thanks to a series of events (see Book One, “Just Like Magic"), Shiki Gonzalez is now the second-place magic user in his area, behind his arch-rival Michael Vernon. While out practising one day, he comes across Mehmet Argitakos, a lower-ranked advanced magic user who trained with the previous champion, Chris Lewis. Teaming up in training for the upcoming Blizzard tournament seems like a win-win situation for both, especially for Mehmet, who’s had a crush on Shiki for a while.

Okay, wow, this one got me hooked! I found myself interested in the mechanics of the magic system, something I often gloss over in fantasy novels, and the analytics (possibly because I’m a bit of a nerd for spreadsheets and statistics!). But obviously, it was the characters that really drew me in. The crew from book one are all back, though playing a lesser role; Mehmet’s family are a fun addition, and Michael Vernon is truly a villain I’m happy to hate. I totally bought the chemistry growing between Shiki and Mehmet, and Shiki’s backstory was heartbreaking. As usual, Ellie kept the steam low and mostly fade-to-black on spice, but I felt like I was right there in the room and needed a fan! She almost lost a star during the third-act breakup (as I was getting really frustrated about it), but I understood why it was needed as a plot device for the ending to work.

Final thoughts: A fantastic middle book for this series set in a world of magical contests.

Who would enjoy this: Fans of the friends-with-benefits-to-lovers trope, found family, and magical realism.  

Content warning: Historical sexual assault and grooming of a minor are mentioned.

Title: Bad Bitches of Antiquity: Badass Stories from Mythology's Fiercest Goddesses, Heroines, Warriors, and Titans

Author: Lorelei Wilder

Narrator: Ozzie Jacobs

Rating: 4/5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for providing me with a copy of this audiobook in return for an honest review.

A round-up of some of the goddesses and heroines of the ancient world, offering a brief overview of who they were and what made them unforgettable after all this time.

Ozzie Jacobs, as the narrator, did a fantastic job in bringing these wonderful women to life with her enthusiastic and humorous tone. 

What I liked:  This was a fun summary of some of the great women from ancient myths and legends around the world.  The jovial, concise stories worked well as an introduction for those just dipping their toes into ancient history. 

What didn’t work for me: While goddesses and heroines from across the globe were highlighted, there did seem to be a greater focus on Europe. It would have been nice to see more representation from other regions, I believe there was only one story from Polynesia.

Final thoughts: A punchy, entertaining look at some amazing women of the ancient world.

Who would enjoy this: Fans of ancient history and women's studies told with a comical twist.