Dawn's Book Reviews 5/18/25 Dawn's Book Reviews 5/18/25

Faking Summer by Jess Bryson

Rating: 5/5

Spice: 3/5

Plot: 5/5

Primary Genre: Sports Romance

Blurb: Reese Carrington, Bayside’s golden boy, has the town wrapped around his finger—rich, smooth-talking, and the star pitcher everyone is obsessed with. But Caroline Matthews? She’s immune. Too focused, too smart, and too guarded to get caught up in his orbit. This is until Reese makes her an offer. Fake dating the town heartthrob might be her ticket to getting exactly what she wants. The only problem? Reese always plays to win. The more time they spend together, the harder it gets to tell what’s real and what’s just part of the game. His casual smirk and effortless charm has no business unsettling her. Her icy defenses shouldn’t intrigue him. And falling for the guy she swore she couldn’t stand? Absolutely off-limits. But in a town like Bayside, even the best plays don’t always go according to plan.

Dawn's Book Reviews 5/14/25 Dawn's Book Reviews 5/14/25

Moonset on Desert Sands by Sherri L. Dodd

Murder, Tea & Crystals Trilogy #2

Rating: 3.5/5

Spice: 0/5

Plot: 4/5

Primary Genre: Supernatural Thriller

Blurb: With a traumatic year of fending off a serial killer behind her, Arista has settled contentedly into her temporary home with Auntie in Sedona, Arizona. She enjoys her new job selling all things metaphysical and even has her eye on the hot security guard, Dakota, after her recent breakup with Shane. But a series of new fainting spells has her worried, and when Auntie witnesses one, they decide the answer lies in her home of Boulder Creek. However, returning means not only dealing with her breakup and its heartache but also the possibility of drawing her bloodthirsty Uncle Fergus to her once safe haven in the redwoods. And this time he has recruited an even more dangerous alliance. Arista's closest bonds will be strengthened, but the mounting tension of a death in the desert, a stalker on the streets, and the relentless pursuit of Fergus puts her in dangerous territory, and escaping sorrow proves impossible.

Dawn's Book Reviews 5/14/25 Dawn's Book Reviews 5/14/25

Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree

Legends & Lattes #0

Rating: 5/5

Spice: 0/5

Plot: 5/5

Primary Genre: Cozy Fantasy

Blurb: When an injury throws a young, battle-hungry orc off her chosen path, she may find that what we need isn't always what we seek. In Bookshops & Bonedust, a prequel to Legends & Lattes, author Travis Baldree takes us on a journey of high fantasy, first loves, and second-hand books. Viv's career with the notorious mercenary company Rackam's Ravens isn't going as planned. Wounded during the hunt for a powerful necromancer, she's packed off against her will to recuperate in the sleepy beach town of Murk—so far from the action that she worries she'll never be able to return to it. What's a thwarted soldier of fortune to do? Spending her hours at a beleaguered bookshop in the company of its foul-mouthed proprietor is the last thing Viv would have predicted, but it may be both exactly what she needs and the seed of changes she couldn't possibly imagine. Still, adventure isn't all that far away. A suspicious traveler in gray, a gnome with a chip on her shoulder, a summer fling, and an improbable number of skeletons prove Murk to be more eventful than Viv could have ever expected.

Dawn's Book Reviews 5/13/25 Dawn's Book Reviews 5/13/25

My Vampire Plus One by Jenna Levine

My Vampire #2

Rating: 4/5

Spice: .5

Primary Genre: Romantic Comedy

Plot: 4/5

Blurb: Nothing sucks more than fake dating a vampire in this paranormal romantic comedy from the USA Today bestselling author of My Roommate Is a Vampire. Amelia Collins is by definition successful. She would even go so far as to say successfully single. But not according to her family, and she’s tired of the constant questions about her nonexistent dating life. When an invitation to yet another family wedding arrives, she decides to get everyone off her back once and for all by finding someone–anyone–to pose as her date. After a chance encounter with Reginald Cleaves, Amelia decides he’s perfect for her purposes. He’s a bit strange, but that’s fine; it’ll discourage tough questions from her family. (And it certainly doesn’t hurt that he’s very handsome.) For centuries-old vampire Reggie, posing as her plus-one sounds like the ultimate fun. And if it helps his ruse of pretending to be human, so much the better. As Amelia and Reggie practice their fauxmance, it becomes clear that Reggie is as loyal to her as the day is long, and that Amelia’s first impressions could not have been more wrong. Suddenly, being in a real relationship with Reggie sounds pretty fang-tastic.

Dawn's Book Reviews 5/12/25 Dawn's Book Reviews 5/12/25

Murder Under Redwood Moon by Sherri L. Dodd

Murder, Tea & Crystals Trilogy #1

Rating: 4/5

Spice: 0/5

Plot: 4/5

Primary Genre: Supernatural Thriller

Blurb: At the age of eight, Arista Kelly was frantically swept up by her parents and whisked off to an isolated town in the California redwoods. Two days later, her parents were gone. Now at the age of twenty-three, she has settled quite nicely into an eclectic lifestyle, much like her great aunt, and guardian since childhood, Bethie. She enjoys the use of herbs and crystals to help her commune with the energy and nature around her and finds pleasure in the company of her beloved pet, Royal. Usually quite satisfied with her mundane life high in the Santa Cruz Mountains, life becomes unsettling when a new recurring vision of an ominous tattoo as well as increased activity from the ghostly presence within her own cottage invade her once-harmonious existence. But life in this mountain sanctuary takes an even darker turn when the body of Arista's former classmate is found in the nearby river. As other young women fall prey to a suspected serial killer, Arista realizes that the terror is coming to her.

Dawn's Book Reviews 4/27/25 Dawn's Book Reviews 4/27/25

Soul of a Witch by Harley Laroux

Souls Trilogy, #3

Rating: 4/5

Spice: 4/5

Plot: 4/5

Primary Genre: Dark Paranormal Romance

Trigger Warnings: Check Goodreads for a general CW, full TW list in book preview.

Blurb:

Everly

I am the servant of a merciless God. I am the daughter of Its preacher. All my life, my power has been controlled by others. They raised me to be meek and stifled my magic. But no more. A brutal murder led me to discover a mysterious house full of magic - and the ancient, powerful demon within. He says my power can change the world, that I can kill the evil creature I once worshipped. But at what cost?

Callum

For two thousand years, I've been alone. Slaughtering fallen Gods as I searched for the witch that haunted my dreams, begging for my help. Now that I've found her, I will protect her with my life. But when the fate of Earth, Heaven, and Hell hangs in the balance, not even her soul is safe from destruction. If a choice must be made, I'll let the world burn if it means having her as my own.

Each book within the Souls Trilogy is interconnected, following a different couple through a similar timeline in the fictional world of Abelaum.

Dawn's Book Reviews 4/18/25 Dawn's Book Reviews 4/18/25

Murder by Cheesecake by Rachel Ekstrom Courage

Golden Girls #1

Rating: 4/5

Spice: 0/5

Plot: 3/5

Primary Genre: Cozy mystery

Blurb: The first novel in the all-new Golden Girls Cozy Mystery Series! When Dorothy’s obnoxious date is found dead in a hotel freezer, it not only ruins a gorgeous cheesecake but threatens the elaborate St. Olaf–themed wedding Rose is hosting. Things are heating up, and not just because of Blanche’s hot flashes. Rose’s cousin is eloping to Miami, and Rose is playing host. If she can't balance the groom’s family’s snobbery against the traditional St. Olaf wedding week guidelines, her hometown may never accept her cousin again! Dorothy quickly realizes she needs a date with whom she can exchange wedding-related wisecracks. Turning to a newfangled VHS dating service, she believes she’s found the ideal conversationalist. Unfortunately, what looks good on TV can actually be a total jerk in real life. It seems she’ll just have to enjoy the company of Sophia, Blanche, and whomever Blanche has targeted for a hookup. As the Girls all pitch in, Rose is thrilled that the tea-and-fish-themed kickoff event is perfect, not a herring out of place. That is until Dorothy’s date is found dead—face-planted in an otherwise scrumptious-looking cheesecake. With every guest a suspect (especially Dorothy) and a marriage on the line, the four besties must ID the real killer, get the should-be-happy couple down the aisle, and make sure nobody from St. Olaf gets lost in the wilds of Miami. It’s up to the Golden Girls to sleuth out a way for friendship and love to win the day!

Dawn's Book Reviews 4/17/25 Dawn's Book Reviews 4/17/25

Amazon Book Sale

Amazon Book Sale - Early sales happening now

Dawn's Book Reviews 4/17/25 Dawn's Book Reviews 4/17/25

Name Your Price by Holly James

Rating: 4/5

Spice: .5

Primary Genre: Romantic Comedy

Plot: 4/5

Blurb: Sparks ignite as a pair of broke exes get locked in a house together on a reality show for a chance to win a million dollars, a second-chance romance that perfectly captures the absurd sincerity of made-for-TV love. Olivia Martin and Chuck Walsh have chemistry. Too much chemistry, perhaps. Their every interaction as a couple either lights the house up with sexual tension or burns it down with anger. After one huge, very public fight, they finally break up for good. Or so they think. Someone was filming their dramatic argument in the street and—because Olivia’s parents were Hollywood royalty, and because Chuck’s an actor whose star is on the rise—the video goes viral. When Name Your Price, a reality game show, sees the footage, they invite Olivia and Chuck to shoot a very unusual Live locked in a house together for one month and they will be paid a million dollars. Each. Olivia really needs the money if she's going to keep her beloved grandmother in her nursing home, and Chuck is desperate for any chance to win Olivia back. So the game is on—even as the show tries to pluck every nerve with only one bed, one bathroom, and a set of rules that will lose them money if broken—including no touching. With stakes that have never been higher and their explosive chemistry at a fever pitch, can Chuck and Olivia keep it together (and their hands off each other) for one month? Find out next week on Name Your Price!

Dawn's Book Reviews 4/16/25 Dawn's Book Reviews 4/16/25

Back In the Shadows by J.A. Owenby

Rating: 5 /5

Spice: 3/5

Plot: 5/5

Primary Genre: Dark Romance

Trigger Warnings: Please check the author’s website

Blurb:

𝐓𝐰𝐨 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐬. 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐛𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧. 𝐙𝐞𝐫𝐨 𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐲.
One, two, they took what's mine.
My little lamb was stolen from me.
Three, four, blood on the floor.
The monster she awakened has broken free.
Five, six, death's favorite tricks.
My darkness hunts relentlessly.
Seven, eight, feel my rage.
Hell itself bows down to me.
Nine, ten, kill again and again.
Each death brings her back to me. Eleven, twelve, straight to hell.
Where screams ring eternally. Welcome back to your darkest nightmare.

I am Death, and they've stripped away my mask of mercy.
My little lamb, I will paint the streets red until you're safe in my arms again. “Back in the Shadows” plunges readers deeper into Death's twisted realm, where love and violence dance in perfect harmony. This isn't just a story—it's a descent into beautiful madness, where the line between protector and monster blurs with every heartbeat. Once you've stepped back into the shadows, there's no escaping their embrace.
𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝟐 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐈𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭.
** This dark romance features multiple POVs, intricate storylines, and graphic content including possessive themes, obsession, morally grey characters, and dubcon that weaves together into one soul-shattering conclusion. If you crave a simple love story, this isn't it. But if you dare to embrace the darkness, welcome home. **

Dawn's Book Reviews 4/10/25 Dawn's Book Reviews 4/10/25

Beautiful Little Freaks by Tylor Paige

A Gatsby Retelling

Rating: 4/5

Spice: 3.5/5

Plot: 4/5

Primary Genre: Dark Romance

Trigger Warnings: Self harm, homophobic and transphobic comments from the villain, victim-blaming, gas-lighting, cheating, murder, cannibalism, branding, discussions in detail of sexual assault, domestic violence, coercion, discission of abortion, dub con, verbal abuse, bigoted comments from the bad guys, inference of CSA, child trafficking, parental emotional abuse

Blurb:

From top three amazon bestselling author Tylor Paige, comes a new dark romance about two star-crossed lovers whose love for a tale told 100 years ago convinces them to rewrite the ending, no matter the cost. Daisy and Gatsby dreamed of the day they’d get their happily ever after, their green light. He, the innate artist, and her, the prima prodigy. However, their dreams are shattered when Gatsby is takes the fall for the most heinous of crimes. Cannibalism. Years later, Daisy has become the famous ballerina she was destined to be, but lives a miserable, trapped life as a fiancée to a man whose cruelty matches the numbers in his bank account. It isn’t until her cousin comes to visit that she notices the green light across the lake, the one that matches the one on her dock. Could it be? Has Gatsby somehow been found innocent and come back for her? Is he still the same man? And… is she the same woman? Does she still believe in the green light? Beautiful Little Freaks is a chilling, seductive retelling of The Great Gatsby, containing forbidden romance, vengeance, and the twisted paths we take to reclaim what we’ve lost.

Beautiful Little Freaks is a dark romance retelling. It features one couple, and has a HEA.

Dawn's Book Reviews 4/8/25 Dawn's Book Reviews 4/8/25

In the Shadows by J.A. Owenby

Rating: 4/5

Spice: 5/5

Plot: 4/5

Primary Genre: Dark Romance

Blurb:

When you finally meet the monster hiding under your bed.
One, two, I’m coming for you.
She’s my obsession.
Three, four, kneel on the floor.
I want to possess her in every way.
Five, six, I’m up to my old tricks.
She knows me as The Portland Serial K!ll3r.
Seven, eight, lay in wait.
Little does she know I’m watching her.
Nine, ten, never to be seen again.

Welcome to your worst nightmare, Little Lamb. Who am I? Let me introduce myself. I’m Death. And I have found my Queen. Ella McCloud you’re the flicker of light in my dark, dark world. The color in my grayscale existence. I yearn for you like the night yearns for the stars. **Dear readers, this dark romance contains multiple POVs, multiple storylines, and many exciting moving pieces that come together in one satisfying and unexpected HEA. If you enjoy a single storyline, this book might not be for you.
** In the Shadows is a dark, age gap romance standalone with an unhinged hero. Check TW/CW and tropes on the author's website.