Stronger (Breaking Free #3.5) by A.M. Arthur

Here's the blurb!

Learning to trust can bring a lifetime of joy. 

As happily-married beta couple Serge and Dex Freel await the birth of their first child, Serge can’t help but think back to the rocky start of his and Dex’s relationship. After a party introduction from a mutual friend, a tentative friendship blooms into something much stronger. Marred by misunderstandings, personal prejudices, and Serge’s own inability to trust, they nearly go their separate ways more than once—and almost lose their chance at the beautiful life they’ll build together. 

But Dex’s alpha-like stubbornness and Serge’s desperate need to care for others brings them back together over and over, until both men realize they’re truly stronger together than apart. But their happily-ever-after is hard-won and other friendships are tested, before Serge finally takes a chance on giving his heart to Dex and trusting the other man not to break it into unfixable pieces—and trust is not something Serge gives easily. 

Serge and Dex are characters we see through the Breaking Free series often enough, and it makes me happy to have a bit more backstory to them, and to finally know Serge's backstory and how he fell for Dex.

This short novella is a roller coaster of feels that ends leaving such a warm, cozy feeling that I can assure will make you glad you got it

Heard (Breaking Free #3) by A.M. Arthur

Here's the blurb!

An omega who can’t speak meets an alpha who won’t listen….

Karter Jenks is a first-year constable who’s still trying to prove himself to his superiors, so he isn’t looking for a mate right now. Soon, sure, but he also knows he has work to do to change his alphahole tendencies around omega rights. The Kell Iverson trial opened his eyes to how cruelly some omegas are treated, and Karter doesn’t want to follow in his authoritarian father’s footsteps when he finds his mate. And he absolutely does not expect a homeless omega vagrant and burglary suspect to be his bondmate.

Jax Orris escaped a life of captivity and pain to save himself and his infant son. Living as vagrants isn’t ideal, but it’s better than trusting the authorities who landed Jax in hell to begin with. When their hiding place is discovered, Jax is shocked to feel the mating bond with the young alpha who’s been tracking him—and even more shocked when the constable doesn’t immediately arrest him for his crimes. It helps him trust Karter enough to accept his help in keeping himself and his son safe from the men Jax escaped.

Jax’s story horrifies Karter, and he vows to protect his omega from further harm—but first he has to get his stubborn, angry omega to trust him. Trust is no longer in Jax’s nature, but he can’t deny his connection to the young alpha eager to please him. Jax never thought he’d want another alpha to touch him, much less mate with him, but Karter’s gentle patience breaks down the walls Jax erected around his heart after the death of his first mate. As Jax’s next heat approaches, the investigation into his captivity uncovers surprising connections to several previous cases, and the danger to everyone involved increases. Can he trust Karter to protect him, or will Jax’s past destroy their chance for a happily ever after?

When we first met Karter, I felt like he was such an "alphahole" he wouldn't be seen much of, so I was quite surprised to find him as one of the main characters of book three of the series! His co-protagonist is Jax, a very muscle-y cinnamon roll with lots of baggage, a months old baby and with the added extra of being mute. I loved how things worked out for them.

This is the sweetest book in the series by far, but please don't make me pick a favorite.

Love on a Battlefield by Posy Roberts

Here's the blurb!

Not every compass points north.

Andrew Summers is forced to spend his vacations reliving Civil War battles with his father. He hates every minute, until a blue-eyed, red-haired boy behind enemy lines catches his eye.

Shep Wells would much rather travel the world than play at boring war reenactments. He never dreamed a Texan boy would capture his heart.

Real life and years separate them; Andrew is forced onto real battlefields, but for Shep the world is a playground. They’re opposites, but writing letters closes the distance, uncovering their hopes and dreams. When Shep visits Andrew, they get to see if the tug they’ve felt for years is the compass pointing the way home.

This is the first book by Posy Roberts I've read, and it left me wanting a bit more by her, to be honest.
This book is so sweet it most likely gave me cavities. Shep and Andrew go through a lot before being able to be together, and the hardships are so realistic that they hurt, but that makes their joy more sweeter. The story flows smoothly, no bumps or slow patches. It had such lovely flow I was a bit surprised when I noticed it was over. I finished it so fast!

A very addictive read, and a wonderful introduction to Posy as an author.
Disclaimer: I recieved this book as an ARC, but all opinions are my own. 

The Summer of Chasing Mermaids by Sarah Ockler

Here's the blurb from Goodreads

The youngest of six talented sisters, Elyse d'Abreau was destined for stardom - until a boating accident took everything from her. Now, the most beautiful singer in Tobago can't sing. She can't even speak.

Seeking quiet solitude, Elyse accepts a friend's invitation to Atargatis Cove. Named for the mythical first mermaid, the Oregon seaside town is everything Elyse's home in the Caribbean isn't: an ocean too cold for swimming, parties too tame for singing, and people too polite to pry - except for one.

Christian Kane is a notorious playboy - insolent, arrogant, and completely charming. He's also the only person in Atargatis Cove who doesn't treat Elyse like a glass statue. He challenges her to express herself, and he admires the way she treats his younger brother, Sebastian, who believes Elyse is the legendary mermaid come to life.

When Christian needs a first mate for the Cove's high-stakes Pirate Regatta, Elyse reluctantly stows her fear of the sea and climbs aboard. The ocean isn't the only thing making waves, though - swept up in Christian's seductive tide and entranced by the Cove's charms, Elyse begins to wonder if a life of solitude isn't what she needs. But changing course again means facing her past. It means finding her inner voice. And scariest of all, it means opening her heart to a boy who's best known for breaking them...


Having a character who is newly disabled is an interesting twist, and one I came to like reading this book. Elyse comes to Atargatis Cove after losing her voice in an accident, and has to get used to a new life without singing: which means her dreams of being a singer are dead, and it naturally breaks her heart. Even worse, is being treated like you're made of crystal, with no one daring to say anything to you in fear the wrong thing. Having to overcome those things is kind of what makes me label Elyse as a strong woman, which is a nice change from only hearing that about kickass females who can battle. 

I love the way Christian gets to fall in love with Elyse without her voice, and how their romance isn't "I love you in spite of your muteness" and more like "I love you for who you are as a person, I don't care that you can speak". That is a great point to romance in my books. 

I also love Sebastian and his love for everything mermaids, and how that is, in a way, forcing people out of the manly vs girly binary people are fast to fall against. Sebastian is a cinnamon roll who must be protected at all costs, and both Christian and Elyse are fast to jump in his protection when heteronormativity threatens to bring him down.

With a brown, disabled main character who learns to love both others and herself, a love interest that is in no way ableist and the cutest little brother ever, my only complaint is that it can be a bit slow at times. Still an amazing book. 

Regifted: Three holiday romances by D.J. Jamison

here's the blurb from Goodreads

This box set includes three previously published holiday romances by DJ Jamison: Winter Blom, Chance for Christmas, and Yours For The Holiday. 

Winter Blom: Lane Cross works construction to pay the bills, and makes metal art to … also pay the bills. As a single dad, the enjoyment of his art has taken a backseat to making ends meet. And his love life has taken a back seat to caring for his son, especially when Zach, age 6, sabotages every babysitting attempt Lane makes. Then Lane meets news intern Andy Blom. The man’s Swedish name meaning bloom is perfect for him: Andy is refreshingly sweet and vibrant. But when Lane moves too fast, will he scare away the surprisingly innocent young man – or will Andy’s journalistic ethics end them before they ever begin? 

Chance for Christmas: Chance Rasmussen returns to Ashe, Kansas, eight years after his high school crush humiliated him with a sext that went viral. He's low on holiday spirit with his personal ghost of Christmas past haunting him, but when his BFF asks him to attend a party as her fake date, he reluctantly agrees. The last person he expects to see there is Joe Stewart, the compassionate prosecutor he hero-worshipped during the lowest point of his life. The spark of attraction is still there, but Chance isn't planning to stay in Ashe past the holidays and the specter of his past still looms large between them. Can they find a way to build a future together or will Joe only have Chance for Christmas? 

Yours For The Holiday: Remy Wells is in no mood to share a room with his brother's best friend during a holiday stay. Jason Hendricks has always treated him like a little brother to tease and taunt, all the more embarrassing because Remy has secretly crushed on the jerk since puberty. But when Jason confides he's bisexual, Remy realizes the crush he loves to hate could be the perfect rebound. 

Two of the books in this set are from the Ashe Sentinel Connections universe, but each romance introduces new characters and can be read on its own. 


Definitely worth it.
Winter Blom: the story of Andy, a young adult in his first (unpaid) internship falling for a widowed man with a son. A bit fast for me in the falling for each other part, but overall really cute.
Chance for Christmas: super adorable. I loved the way Chance's trauma was dealt with, and Joe's character is really nice, and quite different than what I'm used to see by DJ Jamison. Really liked it.
Yours for the Holiday: my absolute favorite of the three. The way Remy and Jason slowly learn to trust each other in a way that goes beyond the relationship of frenimity they'd kept so far is so sweet, and the general hardships they go through are so relatable it makes the story all the more endearing. Totally loved it 

I totally recommend this set. If you don't feel like getting all the books, then at the very least get Yours for the Holiday. 
Note: I have read all the previous Ashe Sentinel books, but both Chance for Christmas and Winter Blom can be easily read as standalones, and are easy to understand as such. 

The Lion and the Crow by Eli Easton

Here's the summary from Goodreads

In medieval England, duty is everything, personal honor is more valued than life itself, and homosexuality is not tolerated by the church or society. 

Sir Christian Brandon was raised in a household where he was hated for his unusual beauty and for his parentage. Being smaller than his six brutish half-brothers, he learned to survive by using his wits and his gift for strategy, earning him the nickname the Crow. 

Sir William Corbett, a large and fierce warrior known as the Lion, has pushed his unnatural desires down all his life. He’s determined to live up to his own ideal of a gallant knight. When he takes up a quest to rescue his sister from her abusive lord of a husband, he’s forced to enlist the help of Sir Christian. It’s a partnership that will test every strand of his moral fiber, and, eventually, his understanding of the meaning of duty, honor, and love.

This book makes me so happy, because not only does it have a cute romance story, but said story is historically accurate, really exciting, and very emotional. I have read it twice now, and I can't discount the possibility of another reread!

Definitely worth the time. Then again, it's by Eli Easton, so of course I love it. The lowest I've ever given her books are four stars, after all ;)

All my broken pieces by Hollis Shiloh

Here's the summary from Goodreads:

Tim is a small wolf shifter, partially disabled, not good at confrontation, and very alone. Life isn't easy at a precinct where he's never been fully accepted. He spends far too much of his time trying not to overhear coworkers mocking him. His best friend (okay, pretty much his only friend) is a drug-addicted fox shifter. 

And Tim certainly knows better than to fall in love; that didn't work out so hot before. These days, he sticks to anonymous encounters. He doesn't believe in mates or true love, not for someone like him. 

But he's worked for the cops almost a decade now, and really, there's no reason at all why he should have to go through a stupid certification course. They didn't even have those when he started! 

Life takes an unexpected twist when one of his anonymous encounters turns out to be attending the same certification course. Levi is a big, sweet guy he'd never expected to see again. 

Tim doesn't want to let Levi see the flaws and cracks that anything more than a quick hookup would reveal. He certainly doesn't plan to spend any more time with the guy, much less get feelings for him... 

I swore I had reviewed this book a while ago, but it seems like I forgot....oops

Levi and Tim, such a cute couple. Tim is insecure, having a crooked back, chronic pain and having been shunned by his pack both because of his back and because of being gay. Having to do the certification course is the cherry on top of his problems, as he really doesn't want to deal with having a partner, a must of the program. Levi (the dream guy) pretty much comes as part of a package to make Tim's life better, if he allows himself to hope for that of course.
The plot is both exciting and cute at the same time. Definitely better than My Partner the Wolf (in my opinion), and making me rethink my stance about not reading that many books.

This book is a roller coaster of feelings from start to finish, and totally worth the time.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book.

The Replacement Princess by Katy Haye (Clockwork war 0.5)

Here's the summary from Goodreads

Imagine that Queen Elizabeth I never ruled. 
England and Scotland never unified. 
It's 1841 the two countries are once more at war. 

16-year-old English Princess Myrtle holds the fate of two nations in her hands. She can bring about a truce by marrying Scottish Prince James. Since he is just a boy of 14, she has two years to unlearn everything she thought she knew about Scotland and fall in love with the country that will be her home, and the boy destined to become her husband. 

The son of a Scottish Duke, Callum McAllister joins the court to teach Myrtle about Scotland and change her reluctant mind about her future. But when war has been simmering for centuries, two years is a long time. The smallest misstep could bring chaos and return the countries to war. Myrtle must tread carefully to ensure nothing goes wrong. 

I really liked this story. It really makes me want to read the Clockwork War. Myrtle, for being a princess, is a very relatable character, and I really wish she was allowed to marry McAllister. If you have an hour or so to spare, don't hesitate to get this book. 

 A worthy read, no doubt. 

The Chemist by Stephenie Meyer

Here's the summary from Goodreads

She used to work for the U.S. government, but very few people ever knew that. An expert in her field, she was one of the darkest secrets of an agency so clandestine it doesn’t even have a name. And when they decided she was a liability, they came for her without warning.

Now, she rarely stays in the same place or uses the same name for long. They’ve killed the only other person she trusted, but something she knows still poses a threat. They want her dead, and soon.

When her former handler offers her a way out, she realizes it’s her only chance to erase the giant target on her back. But it means taking one last job for her ex-employers. To her horror, the information she acquires only makes her situation more dangerous.

Resolving to meet the threat head-on, she prepares for the toughest fight of her life but finds herself falling for a man who can only complicate her likelihood of survival. As she sees her choices being rapidly whittled down, she must apply her unique talents in ways she never dreamed of.

I really like the way Stephenie Meyer writes, and I've liked both the Twilight saga and The Host (sue me). So, of course I had to read her newest book. And this suspense book deviates from her previous dabs with the supernatural because there is no supernatural. In this book we have a regular girl with a nondescript appearance (as told by herself) who happens to be a genius. She was part of a hush hush part of the government, who decided to eliminate her and her mentor because they know something someone doesn't want them to know. 
She's been on the run for years, taking many preventions from being killed and living in total paranoia. Then she receives an email from a member of the department where she worked, where he claims they need her, because only she can stop a massive world-scale crisis from happening. And one of the causes is a common school teacher, called Daniel, whom she has to interrogate. And things happen, I'm not spoiling anything, but it's really exciting. 
First, I love that the lead is an ethnically ambiguous girl with no physical prowess, whose ultimate weapon is her brain. And that the romantic interest is like "Okay, she's leagues smarter than I am, and that's really cool". I could do with more of that. Also, her general self doesn't change when she falls in love. If anything, I find her panic upon the idea of love and feelings to be quite refreshing, and that the romantic interest is the one who gushes the poetic romantic stuff. Yes, the guy is the romantic one, and I love that. Also, he cooks. Give him a medal, please. 
Added to a refreshing couple you have conspiracies, the general mystery of not knowing what's going on but the nagging need of finding out, general adventure and fear, and guns and fire and poisons. 

In conclusion, this book successfully managed to keep me awake making theories of what happens next, and that level of attachment with a story is what I look for in a book to make it a 5 star read. I really recommend this book, you'll likely not regret it.