{Review} Blood Moon by Jillian Graves

Page count: 113

Publisher: Jillian Graves

Published on: October 18, 2022

Genres: Adult monster romance, paranormal romacne

Format: ebook personally purchased

[Purchase Here]

Rating: 4/5 ✨ 

Spice: 2.5/5 🌶️

Tropes:

✨ plus sized witch with tattoos

✨ mind reading vampire

✨ rivals to lovers

✨ novella 

✨ grump FMC x smart ass MMC

✨ one night stand 👉🏻 💗

✨ vampire x witch

Synopsis:

Hazel has one thing on her mind when she arrives at her coven's supernatural mixer: find a big and hairy creature to make her forget all about her bar's latest troubles. The hottest club in Los Angeles may be stealing her customers, but for one night she wants to ditch her responsibilities and indulge her fantasies.

When relief unexpectedly arrives fur-free and with fangs, the witch gets more than she bargained for. An anonymous one-night stand becomes a whole lot more complicated when it's with a mind-reading vampire... especially when Vlad might be the one responsible for her nightlife nightmares.

Blood Moon is a Strange Moon novella taking place in the same universe as Titan: A Gargoyle Daddy Dom, and takes place between Book 1 and Book 2 in the Romancing His Stone series. Don’t be surprised if a gargoyle or other familiar characters make an appearance.

***Please note the Strange Moon Novella series is lighter in tone and plot than the Romancing His Stone series, but packs the same spicy punch.***

Review:

I’m back at it with another spicy monster lover romance! This time it’s the addicting novella by Jillian Graves, Blood Moon. 

This was all that I needed. I loved JG’s writing style, the characters, the tropes, the spice — it was so much fun. I honestly wish this had been longer and spicier, but that’s what I get for reading a novella. I even knew it was short when I went into it!

The only reason I didn’t give this 5 stars is because I felt like the story could have been slightly longer to convince me of the character’s chemistry. They were definitely great for each other, but I wasn’t fully convinced by the end of the book of their compatibility to lead them into a long term relationship. I’m just crossing my fingers and toes for more Vlad x Hazel content. I really did love them so much. 

Other than than wanting it to be longer, this novella was so addicting and fun to read. I really didn't want to put it down once I started it. If you’re a Twilight girly searching for more vamps to love, this monster romance is for you -- especially if you're searching for something quick and spicy.

[Check out my post on Instagram!]

Happy reading, friends!

Olivia

Liv the Book Nerd

Twitter // Instagram // Tumblr // Goodreads // YouTube // Bloglovin // Book Depository Affiliate Code // Book of the Month affiliate link

{Review} Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute by Talia Hibbert

Page count: 315

Publisher: Joy Revolution

Published on: January 3, 2023

Genres: YA romance

Format: paperback personally purchased

[Purchase Here]

Rating: 3/5 ✨ 

Tropes:

- friends to enemies to rivals to friends to lovers

- grumpy heroine x sunshine hero

- OCD rep

- daddy issues rep

Synopsis:

From the New York Times bestselling author of the Brown Sisters trilogy, comes a laugh-out-loud story about a quirky content creator and a clean-cut athlete testing their abilities to survive the great outdoors--and each other.

Bradley Graeme is pretty much perfect. He's a star football player, manages his OCD well (enough), and comes out on top in all his classes . . . except the ones he shares with his ex-best friend, Celine.

Celine Bangura is conspiracy-theory-obsessed. Social media followers eat up her takes on everything from UFOs to holiday overconsumption--yet, she's still not cool enough for the popular kids' table. Which is why Brad abandoned her for the in-crowd years ago. (At least, that's how Celine sees it.)

These days, there's nothing between them other than petty insults and academic rivalry. So when Celine signs up for a survival course in the woods, she's surprised to find Brad right beside her.

Forced to work as a team for the chance to win a grand prize, these two teens must trudge through not just mud and dirt but their messy past. And as this adventure brings them closer together, they begin to remember the good bits of their history. But has too much time passed . . . or just enough to spark a whole new kind of relationship?

Review: 

Hey, guys!

        While I wasn’t really in the mood to read a YA romance, I still had so much fun reading this book with my book club. I really loved Bradley. He was the best character in this book and I was constantly giggling at his affection for Celine was just so heartwarming and sweet. Celine, unfortunately, was not my favorite. I found her to be unnecessarily mean at times - however! her feelings and motives end up making sense and her backstory and eventual vulnerability really caused me to warm up to her. The characterization was so nicely done and the characters were so realistic. I loved the romantic bits throughout & the characters passion for their hobbies was so nice to read about. 

        I had a hard time plowing through this book at times because of the pacing. It just felt like this story was just missing that extra layer of depth that I’m used to in Talia Hibbert books. I really wish that there had been more of a focus on their friends and family. 

        I also really love Bradley’s love of writing. It was quite evident that Hibbert took inspiration from her own feelings. It was so relatable. Celine, however, just didn’t feel as connected to her love for the law. Her desire to go into law just didn’t seem as real. 

        Overall, this was so sweet. I loved the banter and the awesome one liners. Swipe to see my tabs! If you’re looking for a sweet YA rom-com that will make you laugh and possibly shed a tear, this is for you! 

[Review on Instagram]

More Talia Hibbert Reviews:

• Get A Life, Chloe Brown 
• The Princess Trap
• Take A Hint, Dani Brown

Happy reading, friends!

Olivia

Liv the Book Nerd

Twitter // Instagram // Tumblr // Goodreads // YouTube // Bloglovin // Book Depository Affiliate Code // Book of the Month affiliate link

{Review} Beetle and the Hollowbones by Aliza Layne

 

Page count: 256

Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers

Published on: August 4, 2020

Genres: Middle grade fantasy graphic novel

Format: hardback borrowed from library

[Purchase Here]

Rating: 5 stars

S Y N O P S I S

An enchanting, riotous, and playfully illustrated debut graphic novel following a young goblin trying to save her best friend from the haunted mall—perfect for fans of Steven Universe and Adventure Time.

In the eerie town of ‘Allows, some people get to be magical sorceresses, while other people have their spirits trapped in the mall for all ghastly eternity.

Then there’s twelve-year-old goblin-witch Beetle, who’s caught in between. She’d rather skip being homeschooled completely and spend time with her best friend, Blob Ghost. But the mall is getting boring, and B.G. is cursed to haunt it, tethered there by some unseen force. And now Beetle’s old best friend, Kat, is back in town for a sorcery apprenticeship with her Aunt Hollowbone. Kat is everything Beetle wants to be: beautiful, cool, great at magic, and kind of famous online. Beetle’s quickly being left in the dust.

But Kat’s mentor has set her own vile scheme in motion. If Blob Ghost doesn’t escape the mall soon, their afterlife might be coming to a very sticky end. Now, Beetle has less than a week to rescue her best ghost, encourage Kat to stand up for herself, and confront the magic she’s been avoiding for far too long. And hopefully ride a broom without crashing.

~ ~ ~

R E V I E W:

I was so thrilled when my book club decided to read this. It’s safe to say that it was well beloved by all of us.

I loved everything about this graphic novel. The art and colors are just gorgeous, the world is well thought out and so fascinating, the characters and their designs was enchanting, and the relationships and plot that were developed were just too fun. The details the background were just so so good! I was particularly thrilled by the anthropomorphic frogs at the beginning, the details on the Hollowbones’ tails and necks, the pet fluffy spider, and the giant skeleton woman (also found on the back cover!). I can’t forget to mention Beetle and Kat because I just love them sooo much. And aaaah!!! Blob Ghost (🤩)!!!

I cannot wait to read more from the series 🤩

[OG Instagram Review]

Happy reading, friends!

Olivia

Liv the Book Nerd

Twitter // Instagram // Tumblr // Goodreads // YouTube // Bloglovin // Book Depository Affiliate Code // Book of the Month affiliate link

{Review} How Not To Date A Demon by Lana Kole

 

Page count: 163

Publisher: Lana Kole

Published on: January 7, 2023

Genres: Adult fantasy romance, monster romance

Format: ebook personally purchased

Rating: 4/5 ✨

Spice Level: 2.5-3/5 🌶️

- monster romance

- both MCs are switches in the bedroom

- MMC has a tail and horns

- very romcom-y with wonderful spice

Synopsis: 

Did I swipe right on the wrong guy?

This is a question Maeve has no choice but to ask herself as her boyfriend’s sins pile up.

Besides the usual dirty socks on the floor, the dishes left sitting beside the sink, and having to clean up after him like his damned mother, now he’s brought home three solid black puppies. At the request of his boss, who’s been holding a promotion over his head since the beginning of their relationship.

So fine. She’ll watch the puppies. They are pretty cute, after all.

…If she can ignore the way they guard the bedroom door with glowing red eyes.

What’s not cute? Galen’s shirts appearing in the hamper with the same two tears along the shoulder blades, the late-night walks, and the weird chanting in the middle of the living room.

Determined to get to the bottom of her boyfriend’s sudden weirdness, Maeve concocts a plan, a series of tests to figure out what the hell Galen is exactly.

Vampire? Werewolf? Something from Hell itself?

She’s damned well going to find out, even if she has to use all the salt in the pantry.

~

Is Maeve right to lead her own investigation into her boyfriend’s weird antics? Get in on this silly adventure and learn How Not to Date a Demon.

~ ~ ~

R E V I E W:

This book was just incredibly fun. I really loved how the characters communicated their needs for their relationship and in the bedroom.

For a demon, Galen is the sweetest cinnamon roll. I wouldn’t have known he was a demon either, so Maeve’s confusion was just so valid to me. I loved how they came to terms with his monster status.

I think the reason I gave it 4 stars is because I wanted more from the world building. I’m not sure if I missed it at the beginning, but I had no idea that monsters had been reintroduced to the world at large in general. Knowing that monsters were becoming more accepted in society would have been really good to know. However, I really don’t know if that’s just something I missed. Once the rest of the books come out, you bet your booty I’ll be snagging all of them. I’m so invested. The world that the book ended with was so fascinating and the concept of hell that Lana Kole ended with is incredible. I want more!

Happy reading, friends!

Olivia

Liv the Book Nerd

Twitter // Instagram // Tumblr // Goodreads // YouTube // Bloglovin // Book Depository Affiliate Code // Book of the Month affiliate link

{Review} Games With the Orc by Kathryn Moon

Page count: 271

Publisher: Kathryn Moon

Published on: December 27, 2022

Genres: Adult fantasy romance, monster romance, paranormal, erotica

Format: ebook and paperback personally purchased

[Purchase Here] 

This book is only $3.99 for Kindle, so if you're interested, I cannot recommend it enough!

Rating: 5/5 ✨

Spice: 5/5 🌶

CW: [see author website]

[Synopsis]

I know I know. This isn't the typical read that you'd find on my blog. But since diving into Katee Robert's backlist and recent releases, I'm absolutely loving paranormal, fantasy, and monster romances. If KR recommends it, I read it. And this book was phenomenal. If you like monster romance or if you've been loving Katee Roberts' books like I have. I cannot recommend this enough.

This book was honestly some of the best monster romance I’ve ever read. It was the perfect mixture of softness and sexy good times. This was probably one of the spiciest books I’ve ever read, but it also had the best established consent and aftercare that I’ve ever read.

I’ve gone and and forth about whether I think this needs more plot or not, but I think I’m thoroughly content with all that I read. I honestly would have loved this if it was longer, but only because I didn’t want this story to end. I loved meeting Sunny and Khell’ar. I didn’t think that orc romances would be something I liked, but if they’re like this, I want more. This was everything I could have wanted. I cannot wait for more books that follow the shenanigans of The Monster Smash Agency. I cannot wait to read more from Moon's backlist too. Her writing is just phenomenal.

Happy reading, friends!

Olivia

Liv the Book Nerd

Twitter // Instagram // Tumblr // Goodreads // YouTube // Bloglovin // Book Depository Affiliate Code // Book of the Month affiliate link

{Review} Dear Monster Claus by Maeve Black

 

Page count: 164

Publisher: Maeve Black

Published on: December 13, 2022

Genres: Adult monster romance, holiday

Format: ebook personally purchased

[Purchase Here]

Rating: 4/5 ✨

Spice: 3.75/5 🌶️

[OG Instagram review]

S Y N O P S I S

Her entire life, Xo has brought others happiness and love, complete with endings tied in pretty little bows.

This year, she wants that for herself.

Love.

Romance.

A happy ending.

And there's a grumpy Santa who's more than willing to grant her this wish in exchange for finding his love for Christmas again.

Where there are candy canes, there are happily ever afters... and they're both about to find theirs.

This is a standalone holiday 40k word novella.

~ ~ ~

✨Stand-alone monster romance novella

✨ Draegyn x Cupid romance

✨ Very spicy and spice forward

I honestly went into this because:

1) it was recommended by some monster lover bookstagrammers that I love 

2) after looking it up on Goodreads, I saw that the MMC had some wild monster anatomy that sounded to hilarious and fun to pass on.

Xòchitl is a Cupid. Cupids bring love to humans and other creatures, but they’re forbidden from finding love and having relationships with others. Arson is a draegyn and is a part of the Santana line that brings Christmas cheer to the human world. Santana.. Santa.. see the connection? Unfortunately, Arson is just not feeling the Christmas cheer this year. He’s bored and just isn’t finding any joy in his job. But when he starts receiving letters from the sweet, Christmas loving Xo, he’s intrigued. Xo just wants to experience love and she thinks Santa can help her find that love.

        This book was unhinged in the best way. While their chemistry is hot hot hot, their attraction is a little Insta-lovey for me, I still really loved it. Xo and Arson are the sweetest kinds of monsters and their growing love for each other was just so nice to read about. Not to mention, their chemistry in the bedroom is just 🔥⚡️🔥

        This was everything I needed between my heavier reads. I decided to read this around 11:30 at night and read until 1am. I had to pick it back up when I woke up this morning and promptly finished it as fast as I could. I’m not one for holiday romances, but I honestly could be persuaded to read even more if they’re this cute.

        If you’re looking for a spicy read with wild monster anatomy, spice that will make your face flush as pink as Xo, and sweet sweet epilogues to give you the warm and fuzzies, this is for you. I cannot wait to push this onto @aerindaniels, @kj.the.nerd, and @moony_manga. 

😈😈😈

Happy reading, friends!

Olivia

Liv the Book Nerd

Twitter // Instagram // Tumblr // Goodreads // YouTube // Bloglovin // Book Depository Affiliate Code // Book of the Month affiliate link

{Review} She-Hulk: Jen Again by Rainbow Rowell, Luca Maresca, Rico Renzi, and Rogê Antônio

 

Page count: 120

Publisher: Marvel

Published on: October 4, 2022 

Genres:

Format: ebook personally purchased

[Purchase Here]

Rating: 4 stars

Synopsis:

The best character ever is back in her own series and about to glam up the whole Marvel Universe! Jennifer Walters, the Sensational She-Hulk, is no longer savage - and now she needs to put her life back together. She's got a legal career to rebuild, friends to reacquaint herself with (and maybe represent in a court of law), and enemies to... well, she may not want to connect with them, but they are definitely going to connect with her. And Jen is about to be sent down a road she's never travelled - one that will shake up her life... and possibly the whole Marvel Universe! 

~ ~ ~

I don’t know what’s in the water, but I have just been consuming only 4.5-5 star reads so far this year. What a blessing!

I finally picked up this gorgeous comic book because it was blessedly only $2.99. For a grad student, that’s practically free — well not really, but I could afford it and that’s important to me. Anyway, I knew I would love this going into it because I know that this story only gets 10 issues. I’m not sure what’s up with my brain, but longer comic runs do not get finished — at least for me. I don’t manage to finish them. I’m pretty sure that will change this year because I’ve really gotten into following the weekly/bi-weekly journeys of certain manga series, but I digress.

She-Hulk is a new favorite character. I already know I’ll be searching out more content and more world lore because I’ve genuinely never consumed She-Hulk specific Marvel content. After reading this, I’m mad that I haven’t! I don’t know what brought these fascinating characters to where they are in this volume, but I’m involved now! I need backstory! I want more Jack of Hearts! I need more domestic interactions between the heroes! It’s great!

If you’ve been thinking of diving into She-Hulk, specifically Rainbow Rowell’s go at it- do it! I loved her Runaways issues, so it’s not surprising that I loved this.

‼️ The .5 stars I docked off is easily remedied and reflects on my reading experience. I just don’t know the history so that took me out of it. That part of the rating does not reflect on the story itself. It’s merely my experience.

Happy reading, friends!

Olivia

Liv the Book Nerd

Twitter // Instagram // Tumblr // Goodreads // YouTube // Bloglovin // Book Depository Affiliate Code // Book of the Month affiliate link

January 2023 Reading Wrap Up

In January, I read 14 books - including novellas, comics, graphic novels, novels, manga, and novelettes. I had an excellent reading month. I started the year with so many 5 star reads. I spent the month bouncing between my Rick Riordan reread, monster romance, and myth inspired books. It was so much fun.

✨Books Read:✨

- The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan ~ 5 stars

- The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan~ 5 stars

- The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan~ 5 stars

- The House of Hades by Rick Riordan~ 5 stars

- Spy x Family vol 11 ~ 4 stars

- Chainsaw Man vol 13 ~ 3 stars

- Highly Suspicious & Unfairly Cute by Talia Hibbert ~ 3 stars

- Beetle and the Hollowbones by Aliza Layne ~ 5 stars

- Games With the Orc by Kathryn Moon ~ 5 stars

- How Not To Date a Demon by Lana Kole ~ 4 stars

- Dear Monster Claus by Maeve Black ~ 4 stars

- Blood Moon by Jillian Graves ~ 4 stars

- A Lady of Rooksgrave by Kathryn Moon ~ 4 stars

- She-Hulk; Jen's Back by Rainbow Rowell ~ 4 stars

More reviews coming soon on my Instagram page and here! 

✨Favorite Read: Games With the Orc!!

✨Least Favorite: Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute 😕 - Still so much fun, but I was just not in the mood for YA this month. I loved reading and discussing this with my book club though! So much fun!

✨# Pages Read: 4,269

✨Shortest Book: Blood Moon

✨Longest Book: The House of Hades

✨Average Rating: 4.4 stars (What a great reading month! Ahh!)

⚡️See any favorites? Or do you have any recs based on what I read and loved? I'd love any monster romance recs I can get. I couldn't get enough of them!

Happy reading, friends!

Olivia

Liv the Book Nerd

Twitter // Instagram // Tumblr // Goodreads // YouTube // Bloglovin // Book Depository Affiliate Code // Book of the Month affiliate link

 

{Review} The Golden Enclaves by Naomi Novik

Page count: 407

Publisher: Del Rey Books

Published on: September 27, 2022

Genres: Adult fantasy

Format: Hardback personally purchased

[Purchase Here]

Rating: 4.5 stars

TW: torture, death, gore, violence, child death, classism, murder, confinement, emotional abuse, child abuse, racism, war

#3/3 in the Scholomance Trilogy 

Book 1: A Deadly Education: 4/5 stars

Book 2: The Last Graduate: 5/5 stars

[original mini review on Instagram]

Synopsis:

Saving the world is a test no school of magic can prepare you for in the triumphant conclusion to the New York Times bestselling trilogy that began with A Deadly Education and The Last Graduate.

The one thing you never talk about while you're in the Scholomance is what you'll do when you get out. Not even the richest enclaver would tempt fate that way. But it's all we dream about, the hideously slim chance we'll survive to make it out the gates and improbably find ourselves with a life ahead of us, a life outside the Scholomance halls.

And now the impossible dream has come true. I'm out, we're all out--and I didn't even have to turn into a monstrous dark witch to make it happen. So much for my great-grandmother's prophecy of doom and destruction. I didn't kill enclavers, I saved them. Me, and Orion, and our allies. Our graduation plan worked to perfection: we saved everyone and made the world safe for all wizards and brought peace and harmony to all the enclaves of the world.

Ha, only joking! Actually it's gone all wrong. Someone else has picked up the project of destroying enclaves in my stead, and probably everyone we saved is about to get killed in the brewing enclave war on the horizon. And the first thing I've got to do now, having miraculously got out of the Scholomance, is turn straight around and find a way back in.

~ ~ ~

To say I've enjoyed this series is an understatement. Did the first book have a questionable anecdote? Yes it did, but it was fixed and readers have seemed to forgive Novik for her shortsightedness and appreciate her candor and urgency in fixing the wording. For that, I did not feel conflicted in finishing this series. 

I’ve really fallen in love with the Scholomance series. I think Novik has created a main character that is so incredibly realistic. I was kind of nervous about how she would represent the diaspora that comes with being from two cultures, but I also am not of that demographic. I can’t firmly speak to it, but from what I studied and from the classes I took in college, this seemed to be so beautifully done. Obviously, if POC readers disagree, what they say is so much more important that what I think. I can’t speak to it. I really really loved how El's character shifted and changed with her environment for the better. Her character growth was absolutely lovely. She really was a powerhouse in this book. 

The Golden Enclaves exceeded my expectations. I really wasn't sure where she was going with this book when I finished The Last Graduate.  It was incredible and I really had no idea what to expect. Once I read it, everything made so much sense. Every little puzzle piece fit just right and the little moments mentioned in the first novel came back full circle at the end. I loved it. That's one of my favorite things about reading fantasy novels with such lush and interesting worlds.  

Overall, I really loved this book. Novik’s writing style and the way she builds worlds and progresses story arcs is just phenomenal. I wish more people talked about these books in my little social media circle. They’re so good! I plan on diving into her dragon series once I'm back into my epic fantasy mood. 

Happy reading, friends!

Olivia

Liv the Book Nerd

Twitter // Instagram // Tumblr // Goodreads // YouTube // Bloglovin // Book Depository Affiliate Code // Book of the Month affiliate link