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saylaurmoon's reviews
148 reviews
That Christmas Kind of Feeling by Hannah Bird
4.0
↠ 4.25 stars ⭐️
mini-review
Snowed in with your workplace crush for a weekend? Say less. This was so cute, swoon-worthy, and spicy
mini-review
Snowed in with your workplace crush for a weekend? Say less. This was so cute, swoon-worthy, and spicy
Alive at Night by Amelie Rhys
5.0
↠ 5 stars ⭐️ ♾️
Guys. Omfg. I cannot stress enough: OH MY GOD THIS WAS INCREDIBLE. I actually don’t know if I have the words to express how much I loved this. I’m pretty sure I had a dumb smile on my face the entire time I was reading it hahahah. It was just so damn adorable.
I absolutely loved Julian and Juniper. Their hate-to-love relationship was so well done because while they “hated” each other, they were never downright mean to one another. There was so much chemistry between them and I was living for their banter. And the tension between them was so palpable. I could literally feel it in my chest. Their romance will have you on your knees!
Juni was a great FMC, full of confidence and wit. And she’s a fellow book girlie! I loved how she could always go toe-to-toe with Julian when it came to their banter. And Julian… where do I even start? He is now my top book boyfriend. Even when he claimed to hate Juni, he always cared about her, took care of her, and was so protective of her. And he was fully supportive of Juni and her books.. in several ways
Guys. Omfg. I cannot stress enough: OH MY GOD THIS WAS INCREDIBLE. I actually don’t know if I have the words to express how much I loved this. I’m pretty sure I had a dumb smile on my face the entire time I was reading it hahahah. It was just so damn adorable.
I absolutely loved Julian and Juniper. Their hate-to-love relationship was so well done because while they “hated” each other, they were never downright mean to one another. There was so much chemistry between them and I was living for their banter. And the tension between them was so palpable. I could literally feel it in my chest. Their romance will have you on your knees!
Juni was a great FMC, full of confidence and wit. And she’s a fellow book girlie! I loved how she could always go toe-to-toe with Julian when it came to their banter. And Julian… where do I even start? He is now my top book boyfriend. Even when he claimed to hate Juni, he always cared about her, took care of her, and was so protective of her. And he was fully supportive of Juni and her books.. in several ways
Same Time Next Year by Tessa Bailey
3.0
↠ 3.75 stars ⭐️
This was a cute little New Year's novella! Was it unrealistic in every way? Absolutely. Did Tessa fail to use Google even once while writing this? Yep. Did I still love it and swoon for Britta and Sumner? Hell yeah.
The FMC’s name is Britta, and all I could think of was a Britta Filter. She was an okay character. Her stubbornness and denial were irksome. But the MMC, Sumner, was perfection. He was completely obsessed with Britta from the beginning and I adored it. He was protective and possessive, but also extremely respectful. He was a man who was raised right! He was a sweetheart and I also loved his family dynamic. Honestly, he is the sole reason I enjoyed this story as much as I did. Because without him, this story would have been absurd.
If unrealistic scenarios and lack of research don’t bother you, this is a quick, cute, and spicy read that I enjoyed! It was a great way to finish out 2023.
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Quotes
"My mother raised me to be an unholy terror on the ice but a gentleman as soon as I take off my skates. Like a fucking Canadian should be, she’d say."
__
"You can’t forgo the risk when the potential reward is so great. That’s why people do it. Fall in love and get married. Because if you get it right, you end up with forty pictures on your wall of the same woman. You have a person."
__
"It’s just that lately I feel a little left behind. Like everyone is checking off the boxes of life, and my pencil is broken. Or I didn’t bring one to class at all."
__
"It’s a very singular, unfamiliar thing to sit beside another person and know they’ve got my back. I’ll never again underestimate what it’s like to be understood by someone. That’s what it’s like in the nook of Sumner’s arm. Warm understanding."
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Check out my reviews on bookstagram
This was a cute little New Year's novella! Was it unrealistic in every way? Absolutely. Did Tessa fail to use Google even once while writing this? Yep. Did I still love it and swoon for Britta and Sumner? Hell yeah.
The FMC’s name is Britta, and all I could think of was a Britta Filter. She was an okay character. Her stubbornness and denial were irksome. But the MMC, Sumner, was perfection. He was completely obsessed with Britta from the beginning and I adored it. He was protective and possessive, but also extremely respectful. He was a man who was raised right! He was a sweetheart and I also loved his family dynamic. Honestly, he is the sole reason I enjoyed this story as much as I did. Because without him, this story would have been absurd.
If unrealistic scenarios and lack of research don’t bother you, this is a quick, cute, and spicy read that I enjoyed! It was a great way to finish out 2023.
₊‧.°.⋆˚₊‧⋆. ₊‧.°.⋆˚₊‧⋆.₊‧.°.⋆˚₊‧⋆. ₊‧.°.⋆˚₊‧⋆.
Quotes
"My mother raised me to be an unholy terror on the ice but a gentleman as soon as I take off my skates. Like a fucking Canadian should be, she’d say."
__
"You can’t forgo the risk when the potential reward is so great. That’s why people do it. Fall in love and get married. Because if you get it right, you end up with forty pictures on your wall of the same woman. You have a person."
__
"It’s just that lately I feel a little left behind. Like everyone is checking off the boxes of life, and my pencil is broken. Or I didn’t bring one to class at all."
__
"It’s a very singular, unfamiliar thing to sit beside another person and know they’ve got my back. I’ll never again underestimate what it’s like to be understood by someone. That’s what it’s like in the nook of Sumner’s arm. Warm understanding."
₊‧.°.⋆˚₊‧⋆. ₊‧.°.⋆˚₊‧⋆.₊‧.°.⋆˚₊‧⋆. ₊‧.°.⋆˚₊‧⋆.
Check out my reviews on bookstagram
A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
5.0
↠ 5 stars ⭐️
GUYS I UNDERSTAND NOW. Holy shit. This book had me in a mf chokehold. Sleep? I did not know her last week. This book kept me up into the wee hours of the night multiple times because I just COULD NOT put it down. Ngl, I really questioned the hype after the first book, but SJM really popped the fuck off with this one.
I love Feyre. So much. She is strong, compassionate, resilient, and a total badass. I loved her journey of self-discovery and how she learned to cope with what had happened and how she had changed. But I absolutely fell in love with Rhysand. I want to marry him (shhh, don’t tell my fiancé
GUYS I UNDERSTAND NOW. Holy shit. This book had me in a mf chokehold. Sleep? I did not know her last week. This book kept me up into the wee hours of the night multiple times because I just COULD NOT put it down. Ngl, I really questioned the hype after the first book, but SJM really popped the fuck off with this one.
I love Feyre. So much. She is strong, compassionate, resilient, and a total badass. I loved her journey of self-discovery and how she learned to cope with what had happened and how she had changed. But I absolutely fell in love with Rhysand. I want to marry him (shhh, don’t tell my fiancé
Christmas in Coconut Creek by Karissa Kinword
5.0
↠ 5 stars ⭐️
Holy shit. I absolutely loved this! It’s giving JT and Mila Kunis “Friends With Benefits”, and I fucking ate this shit up.
Honestly, I don’t think the blurb does this book justice. It is so much more. It is two people learning to be more open and honest, put themselves first, and overcome fear, awakening new or hidden parts of themselves, and falling in love in the process.
Frankie and Ophelia’s meet cute had me ROLLING and you could immediately feel the chemistry between them. I would describe their relationship as a slow burn instalove. Yes, I know that sounds like an oxymoron, but hear me out: an instant connection and attraction, but a slow burn to the peak of their romance. And let me tell you, their banter was TOP FUCKING TIER. I was smiling and giggling through 95% of this. The end had me sobbing happy tears.
All of the characters were great. Matty, Tally, Ophelia, even the Swan boys. All amazing and the banter between them all is incredible. But FRANKIE. Let me tell you about my man Frankie. Holy fucking smoke show. Clever, respectful, sentimental, observant, deeply caring, a bit damaged. And that MOUTH y’all. The spice is so delicious and well-written. I’m sweating just thinking about it again.
What I also really liked about this is that it didn’t read like a holiday romcom. Was Christmas a central part of the plot? Yes. But I could have read this on a beach on a 90° day in July and forgotten it’s a Christmas romcom. Is that due to the fact that it takes place in Florida? Maybe, but I don’t care.
Y’all, just go read this. It’s absolutely hilarious, cute, and steamy as all hell. I cannot wait until we get more from the Dirty Delta series!
₊‧.°.⋆˚₊‧⋆. ₊‧.°.⋆˚₊‧⋆.₊‧.°.⋆˚₊‧⋆. ₊‧.°.⋆˚₊‧⋆.
Quotes
“I-I think you’re gonna make me—”
“Yeah, Ophelia. I fucking know I am.”
__
“Some people say your twenties are your prime, but I feel like the older we get the more unrelentingly horny we become.”
__
“It doesn’t take a professional to see that you think there’s something wrong with you that needs to be fixed—when maybe you just need to rewire the system.”
__
"You can’t make someone be the right person for you—they just are.”
__
"I built a mask and only removed it when I was alone, like peeling off a second skin. Until that skin couldn’t be peeled away anymore and it just became who I was. Or who I’d tricked myself into believing I was. When you lie enough it starts to sound like the truth."
__
“You know right here when it’s right, because it starts to hurt. Even when you’re happy, it hurts. Because it aches to imagine not having that happiness. You worry, you lose sleep, you act out. Anything to keep that feeling from becoming comfortable. When you can bear it, it’s lost.”
__
“Home is subjective. A smell, a place, a feeling, a memory. A person.”
__
"Laughter indicated more than levity; it was a looking glass to happiness, fulfillment, pleasure."
__
"Ophelia. All the time, every second of the day. I wanted her like a tattoo. I wanted her in my veins, ink scabbed over, healed inside of me, part of me, on display, branded."
__
“Good, stay fucking mad at me. Fight me. Hit me. Give me your worst, Ophelia. Give me every last thing like a punishment, because I’m going to be thorough, and I’m going to remind you why there will never be someone else.”
₊‧.°.⋆˚₊‧⋆. ₊‧.°.⋆˚₊‧⋆.₊‧.°.⋆˚₊‧⋆. ₊‧.°.⋆˚₊‧⋆.
Check out my reviews on bookstagram
Holy shit. I absolutely loved this! It’s giving JT and Mila Kunis “Friends With Benefits”, and I fucking ate this shit up.
Honestly, I don’t think the blurb does this book justice. It is so much more. It is two people learning to be more open and honest, put themselves first, and overcome fear, awakening new or hidden parts of themselves, and falling in love in the process.
Frankie and Ophelia’s meet cute had me ROLLING and you could immediately feel the chemistry between them. I would describe their relationship as a slow burn instalove. Yes, I know that sounds like an oxymoron, but hear me out: an instant connection and attraction, but a slow burn to the peak of their romance. And let me tell you, their banter was TOP FUCKING TIER. I was smiling and giggling through 95% of this. The end had me sobbing happy tears.
All of the characters were great. Matty, Tally, Ophelia, even the Swan boys. All amazing and the banter between them all is incredible. But FRANKIE. Let me tell you about my man Frankie. Holy fucking smoke show. Clever, respectful, sentimental, observant, deeply caring, a bit damaged. And that MOUTH y’all. The spice is so delicious and well-written. I’m sweating just thinking about it again.
What I also really liked about this is that it didn’t read like a holiday romcom. Was Christmas a central part of the plot? Yes. But I could have read this on a beach on a 90° day in July and forgotten it’s a Christmas romcom. Is that due to the fact that it takes place in Florida? Maybe, but I don’t care.
Y’all, just go read this. It’s absolutely hilarious, cute, and steamy as all hell. I cannot wait until we get more from the Dirty Delta series!
₊‧.°.⋆˚₊‧⋆. ₊‧.°.⋆˚₊‧⋆.₊‧.°.⋆˚₊‧⋆. ₊‧.°.⋆˚₊‧⋆.
Quotes
“I-I think you’re gonna make me—”
“Yeah, Ophelia. I fucking know I am.”
__
“Some people say your twenties are your prime, but I feel like the older we get the more unrelentingly horny we become.”
__
“It doesn’t take a professional to see that you think there’s something wrong with you that needs to be fixed—when maybe you just need to rewire the system.”
__
"You can’t make someone be the right person for you—they just are.”
__
"I built a mask and only removed it when I was alone, like peeling off a second skin. Until that skin couldn’t be peeled away anymore and it just became who I was. Or who I’d tricked myself into believing I was. When you lie enough it starts to sound like the truth."
__
“You know right here when it’s right, because it starts to hurt. Even when you’re happy, it hurts. Because it aches to imagine not having that happiness. You worry, you lose sleep, you act out. Anything to keep that feeling from becoming comfortable. When you can bear it, it’s lost.”
__
“Home is subjective. A smell, a place, a feeling, a memory. A person.”
__
"Laughter indicated more than levity; it was a looking glass to happiness, fulfillment, pleasure."
__
"Ophelia. All the time, every second of the day. I wanted her like a tattoo. I wanted her in my veins, ink scabbed over, healed inside of me, part of me, on display, branded."
__
“Good, stay fucking mad at me. Fight me. Hit me. Give me your worst, Ophelia. Give me every last thing like a punishment, because I’m going to be thorough, and I’m going to remind you why there will never be someone else.”
₊‧.°.⋆˚₊‧⋆. ₊‧.°.⋆˚₊‧⋆.₊‧.°.⋆˚₊‧⋆. ₊‧.°.⋆˚₊‧⋆.
Check out my reviews on bookstagram
Wreck the Halls by Tessa Bailey
3.0
↠ 3 stars ⭐️
I put this one off all month because I kept hearing mixed reviews, but I ended up liking it more than I expected I would. The story was way more intriguing than I anticipated, and it kept me interested. I never felt bored, and I was honestly very invested in seeing if the reunion would actually happen!
I enjoyed Beat and Melody as characters. Melody was honestly hilarious and just awkward enough to be cute and funny but not cringy. And I could almost get past Beat’s name (almost). However, their romantic development really fell flat for me. I didn’t swoon for them the way I usually do for a romance. Don’t get me wrong, I was still rooting for them, but they were missing that extra dash of magic. And the ending really just.. I didn’t even care by that point
I put this one off all month because I kept hearing mixed reviews, but I ended up liking it more than I expected I would. The story was way more intriguing than I anticipated, and it kept me interested. I never felt bored, and I was honestly very invested in seeing if the reunion would actually happen!
I enjoyed Beat and Melody as characters. Melody was honestly hilarious and just awkward enough to be cute and funny but not cringy. And I could almost get past Beat’s name (almost). However, their romantic development really fell flat for me. I didn’t swoon for them the way I usually do for a romance. Don’t get me wrong, I was still rooting for them, but they were missing that extra dash of magic. And the ending really just.. I didn’t even care by that point
Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross
5.0
↠ 4.75 stars ⭐️, rounded up
Alexa, play The Great War by Taylor Swift
My heart was shattered and left empty by the ending of Divine Rivals. But at last, my heart is finally full again. I’m going to keep this as spoiler-free as I can. Buckle up, y’all. This story takes your heart through the fucking ringer.
Ruthless Vows is such a beautiful conclusion to Iris and Roman’s epic love story. Once again, Rebecca Ross’s writing is enchantingly beautiful. As if the story isn’t beautiful and full of life and love on its own, the way Rebecca writes it amplifies it tenfold.
The plot here is much more focused on the war and provides more insight on Dacre and Enva, the history of the gods and the war, and the truth behind Dacre’s army. And the world-building is just as well-done as Divine Rivals. I do wish we got a little more from the
We also get introduced to a few new characters that really impact the story and the characters we already love so deeply.
Iris and Roman. My babies. The reason I love this story so much. First, Roman’s fate was not what I was scared it was going to be. Thank god. Oh, and Iris is a little badass. Strong, resilient, hopeful against all odds. And while they spend much of the book separated, Iris and Roman’s love still radiates off these pages. Their love is so soft, so enduring, so pure. I just fucking love them. It is their love that makes me believe that love can truly conquer all—even war. And Peeta and Katniss would be so proud of them.
I read this with my heart coiled so tightly in my chest. I gasped. I cried. I scrumpt. The ending not only broke me but proceeded to put me back together again. And this is a wonderful conclusion to the Letters of Enchantment duology.
₊‧.°.⋆˚₊‧⋆. ₊‧.°.⋆˚₊‧⋆.₊‧.°.⋆˚₊‧⋆. ₊‧.°.⋆˚₊‧⋆.
Quotes
“I don’t think we know what we’re made of until the worst moment possible happens. Then we must decide who we truly are and what is most important to us. I think we’re often surprised by what we become.”
__
“You may not be a goddess, but nor am I a god. Despite our mundane lives, perhaps we make our own magic with words.”
__
“But I must remind myself that sometimes we write for ourselves and sometimes we write for others. And sometimes those lines blur when we least expect them to. Whenever such happened in my past ... I remember that I have only been strengthened by it.”
__
“I would love to see your words catch fire with mine.”
__
“All those sharp-edged words of mine. All those thoughts that felt too difficult to speak aloud. I'm surprised you didn't run from me then."
"On the contrary. Your words only drew me to you."
__
“Which reminds me of one simple thing: how I love to lose to you. How I love to read your words and hear the thoughts that sharpen your mind. And how I would love to be on my knees before you now, surrendering to you and you alone.”
__
“Write me a story where there is no ending, Kitt. Write to me and fill my empty spaces."
₊‧.°.⋆˚₊‧⋆. ₊‧.°.⋆˚₊‧⋆.₊‧.°.⋆˚₊‧⋆. ₊‧.°.⋆˚₊‧⋆.
Check out my reviews on bookstagram
Alexa, play The Great War by Taylor Swift
My heart was shattered and left empty by the ending of Divine Rivals. But at last, my heart is finally full again. I’m going to keep this as spoiler-free as I can. Buckle up, y’all. This story takes your heart through the fucking ringer.
Ruthless Vows is such a beautiful conclusion to Iris and Roman’s epic love story. Once again, Rebecca Ross’s writing is enchantingly beautiful. As if the story isn’t beautiful and full of life and love on its own, the way Rebecca writes it amplifies it tenfold.
The plot here is much more focused on the war and provides more insight on Dacre and Enva, the history of the gods and the war, and the truth behind Dacre’s army. And the world-building is just as well-done as Divine Rivals. I do wish we got a little more from the
We also get introduced to a few new characters that really impact the story and the characters we already love so deeply.
Iris and Roman. My babies. The reason I love this story so much. First, Roman’s fate was not what I was scared it was going to be. Thank god. Oh, and Iris is a little badass. Strong, resilient, hopeful against all odds. And while they spend much of the book separated, Iris and Roman’s love still radiates off these pages. Their love is so soft, so enduring, so pure. I just fucking love them. It is their love that makes me believe that love can truly conquer all—even war. And Peeta and Katniss would be so proud of them.
I read this with my heart coiled so tightly in my chest. I gasped. I cried. I scrumpt. The ending not only broke me but proceeded to put me back together again. And this is a wonderful conclusion to the Letters of Enchantment duology.
₊‧.°.⋆˚₊‧⋆. ₊‧.°.⋆˚₊‧⋆.₊‧.°.⋆˚₊‧⋆. ₊‧.°.⋆˚₊‧⋆.
Quotes
“I don’t think we know what we’re made of until the worst moment possible happens. Then we must decide who we truly are and what is most important to us. I think we’re often surprised by what we become.”
__
“You may not be a goddess, but nor am I a god. Despite our mundane lives, perhaps we make our own magic with words.”
__
“But I must remind myself that sometimes we write for ourselves and sometimes we write for others. And sometimes those lines blur when we least expect them to. Whenever such happened in my past ... I remember that I have only been strengthened by it.”
__
“I would love to see your words catch fire with mine.”
__
“All those sharp-edged words of mine. All those thoughts that felt too difficult to speak aloud. I'm surprised you didn't run from me then."
"On the contrary. Your words only drew me to you."
__
“Which reminds me of one simple thing: how I love to lose to you. How I love to read your words and hear the thoughts that sharpen your mind. And how I would love to be on my knees before you now, surrendering to you and you alone.”
__
“Write me a story where there is no ending, Kitt. Write to me and fill my empty spaces."
₊‧.°.⋆˚₊‧⋆. ₊‧.°.⋆˚₊‧⋆.₊‧.°.⋆˚₊‧⋆. ₊‧.°.⋆˚₊‧⋆.
Check out my reviews on bookstagram
Ink and Ore by Hayley Whiteley
4.0
↠ 4 stars ⭐️
I enjoyed this! The story is well-developed and the world-building was immersive and easy to follow, as were the politics. I enjoyed the European inspiration for the setting. The magic system is unique, but I wish we had a little more insight into it. The plot was engaging, and sprinkled throughout were a number of plot twists, one that caused me to audibly gasp. The characters were likable and relatable, but occasionally a bit naive.
The story is told in third person, with three different POVs throughout. Third-person doesn’t typically bother me, but I did struggle to keep track of whose POV I was reading, especially between Katiel and Brenna. I think this hindered my ability to really connect with them at times.
My favorite thing about this book was the focus on the strong female friendship rather than on romance. It’s not very often that you see that in fantasy, and it was very refreshing! You could tell their bond ran deep and they would do anything for one another and always have each others’ backs.
What to expect
✧ multiple POV
✧ strong female friendship
✧ forbidden magic
✧ political intrigue
✧ reluctant allies
✧ hidden messages
Overall, this is an impressive debut novel and a great start to the Kerafin Chronicles trilogy! I look forward to not only seeing Katiel and Brenna’s journey continue and how this unique magic system and world expand but also how Hayley grows as an author!
Thank you to the author for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Ink and Ore is now available on KU!
₊‧.°.⋆˚₊‧⋆. ₊‧.°.⋆˚₊‧⋆.₊‧.°.⋆˚₊‧⋆. ₊‧.°.⋆˚₊‧⋆.
Check out my reviews on bookstagram
I enjoyed this! The story is well-developed and the world-building was immersive and easy to follow, as were the politics. I enjoyed the European inspiration for the setting. The magic system is unique, but I wish we had a little more insight into it. The plot was engaging, and sprinkled throughout were a number of plot twists, one that caused me to audibly gasp. The characters were likable and relatable, but occasionally a bit naive.
The story is told in third person, with three different POVs throughout. Third-person doesn’t typically bother me, but I did struggle to keep track of whose POV I was reading, especially between Katiel and Brenna. I think this hindered my ability to really connect with them at times.
My favorite thing about this book was the focus on the strong female friendship rather than on romance. It’s not very often that you see that in fantasy, and it was very refreshing! You could tell their bond ran deep and they would do anything for one another and always have each others’ backs.
What to expect
✧ multiple POV
✧ strong female friendship
✧ forbidden magic
✧ political intrigue
✧ reluctant allies
✧ hidden messages
Overall, this is an impressive debut novel and a great start to the Kerafin Chronicles trilogy! I look forward to not only seeing Katiel and Brenna’s journey continue and how this unique magic system and world expand but also how Hayley grows as an author!
Thank you to the author for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Ink and Ore is now available on KU!
₊‧.°.⋆˚₊‧⋆. ₊‧.°.⋆˚₊‧⋆.₊‧.°.⋆˚₊‧⋆. ₊‧.°.⋆˚₊‧⋆.
Check out my reviews on bookstagram