arcreads – booksofthemuggleborn

His Rule by Natasha Knight & A. Zavarelli

Adult Romance, ARC Review, Book Review, Book Reviews, Dark Reads, Dark Romance, Romance, Suspense

⚠ This review contains a minor teaser!

booksofthemuggleborn_hisrule — Original post from my IG @booksofthemuggleborn

•••

• BLURB •

I live in a world where secrecy reigns.
A Society rooted in power, wealth, and long-held dynasties.
Where men are Kings, and women are pawns.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve dreamt of escaping the shackles of my expectations.
But it can only ever be a dream.
I made a fatal mistake, and those shackles became a cage.
Now I’m trapped in a war with a man who controls my every move.
He’s my brother’s best friend.
My enemy, my tormentor, and my solace.
His words have the power to wound me.
His touch just might break me.
But this is his kingdom, and as long as I’m here I only have one choice.
I’ll play by his rules.

•••

• MY REVIEW •

“When Mercedes and I come together, it’s like fire and ice. A battle of wills. Two beasts with our jaws on each other’s jugulars. For one to win, the other must lose, but what will the cost be?”

Give this book ALL the stars! It may be a little premature since this is only the first book in the trilogy, but I’m calling it anyways… this is the BEST, most intense story I’ve read within The Society! I have enjoyed all the previous books set in this world but I just emotionally connected with Mercedes’ and Judge’s unbelievably in-depth story on a whole deeper level!

It’s ironic how much of a non-fan I was of Mercedes in The Society Trilogy (where she was first introduced) only to come back around after reading His Rule to become my favourite heroine! 😅 A true testament of Knight’s and Zavarelli’s high quality storytelling to have who was once considered a devious antagonist become a complex, misunderstood protagonist you can’t helped but be emotionally invested in… and lowkey wanting to kick ass!

Whilst I had instantaneously adored Judge in The Society Trilogy, Mercedes however was a tough character to support. But seeing how much her character has evolved and finally knowing her backstory made me realize how quickly I may have prejudged her and assumed she was just another trouble-making side character. 🤦‍♀️

Other than his sense of dominance and power within The Society, very little is known of Judge as a character before this book, and when you finally learn about his story, you will swoon over him more so. He blows hot and cold, yet I found myself mirroring Mercedes as she navigates through her feelings.

A fast-paced, super action-packed storytelling that has so many twists and turns that had me on the edge of my seat for the entirety of the book. It has an overall sense of mystery, danger, and thrill that only heightened the reading experience. I found the world-building so vivid and alluring that I wished I could transport to their world.

Knight and Zavarelli know how to write weighty, in-depth stories and this is another prime example of their honed skills. The secrecy lurking at what seems like every corner, the handful of seedy secondary characters that you can’t help but need to keep constant attention on, and the rollercoaster ride that Judge and Mercedes takes you on as they battle out the effects of their push-pull relationship is what makes His Rule a must read!

The chemistry between these two fierce characters was off the charts FIRE! The heated banter was entertaining and only increased my love for them as a couple. There’s such an appeal in the forbidden aspect of their relationship and as the story develops, the more you want to see their bond.

Just the dark, romantic suspense story I needed for the perfect escape. It has an amazing combination of elements I look for (and expect) in my dark romance reads. Yes, it’s ultimately a work of fiction, but a lot of the parts included are fairly realistic and relatable— from the complex family dynamics, to the bonds and friendships formed, to dealing with one’s own social standing. I love the many layers this story consisted of, with multiple subplots both in the foreground and background, it’s what made it such a gripping read. There’s an equal balance of romance, personal journey, and all-around suspense to keep the intensifying build-up that culminates to an epic cliffhanger. It’s safe to say this book left me in such a desperate state of needing book two!

Please note, this book does contain sensitive subject matter that may be triggering for some readers such as, child abuse, domestic abuse, and graphic violence. It also contains strong sexual content. Intended for readers 18+ only.

However, if you have no triggers, and love any of the following romance tropes and genres, I highly recommend you add this one to your TBR.

Hate-to-Love
Forbidden Romance
Dark Romance
Romantic Suspense
Brother’s Best Friend
Age Gap Romance

It’s not necessary to read The Society Trilogy first, but I still recommend you do so, or at least go back to it after reading this one as it introduces you to Judge and Mercedes, and how their intricate relationship began.

Knight and Zavarelli are THE dream romance writing team and in my honest opinion His Rule was beautifully executed. Mercedes’ and Judge’s story not only expanded the existing world-building but IVI have another striking couple added to their already impressive list.

All in all, it’s an unbelievably impressive start to The Rite Trilogy. I couldn’t fault it. It’ll definitely be a story I’ll go back and visit time and time again!

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you Natasha, Ashleigh, and Give Me Books PR for the opportunity to read an advanced copy! 💛

•••

🌹 More from the exclusive world of The Society – IVI

booksofthemuggleborn_thesocietytrilogy — Original post from my IG @booksofthemuggleborn

💀 The Society Trilogy by Natasha Knight & A. Zavarelli

(Santiago De La Rosa and Ivy Moreno)

Book One: Requiem Of The Soul by Natasha Knight & A. Zavarelli

Book Two: Reparation Of Sin by Natasha Knight & A. Zavarelli

Book Three: Resurrection Of The Heart by Natasha Knight & A. Zavarelli

•••

booksofthemuggleborn_kingdomfall — Original post from my IG @booksofthemuggleborn

👑 Kingdom Fall by A. Zavarelli

(Alessio Scarcello and Natalia Cabrera)

Standalone Book: Kingdom Fall by A. Zavarelli

•••

Original post from my IG @booksofthemuggleborn

⛪ Devil’s Pawn Duet by Natasha Knight

(Jericho St. James and Isabelle Bishop)

Book One: Devil’s Pawn by Natasha Knight

Book Two: Devil’s Redemption by Natasha Knight

•••

Happy reading, guys! Catch you in my next one! Xo

The Reluctant Bride by Monica Murphy

Adult Romance, ARC Review, Book Review, Book Reviews, Contemporary, Romance, Suspense

⚠ This review contains a minor teaser!

booksofthemuggleborn_thereluctantbride — Original post from my IG @booksofthemuggleborn

•••

• BLURB •

Everyone’s for sale, including me. One moment I’m the forgotten daughter of one of the most wealthy families in the country, and the next I’m the blushing bride in an arranged marriage. My fate is sealed in my wedded union with a complete stranger.

In public, Perry Constantine is the life of the party. Easygoing. Adored. In private, he’s brooding. Dark. Angry. But so am I. It’s a contest of wills to see who will break in the bedroom first, and while I try to remain strong, I find myself craving the very man I swore to hate.

My husband.

•••

• MY REVIEW •

“Perry Constantine looks at me as if I might be someone special.”

Let’s cut straight to the chase— Ever since Perry was first introduced as Winston Constantine’s jovial younger brother in Stroke of Midnight, his story has been HIGHLY anticipated, and let me tell you… it was well worth the wait!

The intense build-up between Perry and Charlotte was palpable and had my tongue lolling out from complete excitement! 😍 This book was my introduction to Murphy’s writing, and it could not have been a more perfect start! Well-paced storytelling with tons of anticipation and unpredictability. With dual points of view, you see the interesting dynamic between these two protagonists and their impressions of one another. What I hadn’t expected but ultimately ended up loving the most was the humour weaved throughout Perry’s and Charlotte’s interactions. The second-guessing, the pre-judgements, and the banter were all entertaining to see, each conversation getting more and more giddy-inducing! In my opinion, it’s one of the main elements that made their story engaging from start to finish.

An arranged marriage with a gradual romantical development. Seeing Perry and Charlotte navigate through their emotions after the bombshell their families abruptly dropped on them with the expectancy to follow through no questions asked will have you instantly invested in their story.

I was hooked on both their character growth and their complex relationship, especially after getting to know each of their backstories. Perry Constantine is everything I thought he was and more! He’s definitely one striking Constantine. He oozes easy-going hero with sexy protective alpha vibes. He has both gentlemanly ways and cool confidence that makes him such an appealing character.

Charlotte’s genuine, down-to-earth personality easily won me over. I found her sense of stubbornness, rebellious tendencies, and desire for independence from her claustrophobic and overbearing family made me root for her to succeed.

Overall, a strong well-written plot, with vivid world-building that screamed wealth, exclusivity, and luxury. Discovering both protagonists to be such likable characters who together had incredibly titillating chemistry, there was never a dull moment. 😉

The Constantine clan along with a cast of secondary characters added extra dimension to their whirlwind arrangement. You may already be familiar with the Lancasters if you’ve read Things I Wanted To Say (But Never Did). If not, you may just find yourself curious to learn more about Charlotte’s family after reading this one.

✔ Billionaire Romance

✔ Arranged Marriage

✔ Fake Relationship

✔ Opposites Attract

✔ Forced Proximity

✔ Slow Burn

This book is the first in The Arranged Marriage trilogy and ends on a fairly reasonable cliffhanger. We’ve only scratched the surface of Perry’s and Charlotte’s story and with how things concluded, I am eagerly counting the days until the next book! Can easily be read in one sitting, it’s another unbelievably gripping addition to the Midnight Dynasty! An honest-to-goodness must-read romance story that I highly recommend!

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

Thank you Monica Murphy and Valentine PR for the opportunity to read an advanced copy! 💗

🔔 Interested in reading The Reluctant Bride? Grab your copy here: Amazon | Apple Books | Nook | Kobo | Google Play

•••

More Midnight Dynasty reviews!

🥿 Skyscraper Cinderella | Book One:

Stroke Of Midnight by K. Webster

🖤 Dark Hearts Trilogy | Book One:

Stolen Hearts by M. O’Keefe

🌹 Beast of Bishop’s Landing | Book One:

Secret Beast by Amelia Wilde

🔥 Hellfire Club | Book One:

Wicked Idol by Becker Gray

✝ Standalone Taboo Romance:

Lessons In Sin by Pam Godwin

🕊 Dark Dream Duet | Book One:

Dangerous Temptation by Giana Darling

🎨 The Collector Trilogy | Book One:

Dark Reign by Amelia Wilde

♠ Wonderland Trilogy | Book One:

King Of Spades by Alta Hensley

•••

Happy reading, guys! Catch you in my next one! Xo

Only Work, No Play by Cora Reilly

Adult Romance, ARC Review, Book Review, Book Reviews, Contemporary, New Adult Fiction, Romance

booksofthemuggleborn_onlyworknoplay — Original post from my IG @booksofthemuggleborn

•••

• BLURB •

After two years of taking care of her heartbroken father, Evie needs a new start. Leaving the States and following her sister to Australia to work as the personal assistant of rugby star Xavier – The Beast – Stevens seems like the right kind of distraction.

Tall, muscled and devilishly handsome, Xavier is the lov’ em and leav’ em kind of guy. He never forgets a girl’s name because he never bothers to remember it in the first place.

Evie soon realizes that being Xavier’s assistant is a 24/7 job; the man seems unwilling to even set an alarm for himself.

As she watches him move from one woman to the next, Evie is glad that her heart is safe from his attention. After all, she’s a far cry from the size zero models he usually takes to his bed.

But soon being around Xavier doesn’t feel like a job, and seeing him walk around his apartment half naked all the time isn’t helping either. Evie knows that giving in to her attraction will lead to heartbreak, but when Xavier starts treating her as more than just his assistant, resisting his charms seems like an impossible task.

•••

• MY REVIEW •

What a charming read. I laughed a few times and had a few lip-trembling-teary-eyed moments too from a few scenes of the book. It’s was a nice quick sports romance that you could easily devour in a day or read in-between books.

Oh man, I think I’m so used to the darker side of contemporary romances that I’m actually thinking this book was a pretty tame read in comparison. Haha. Although definitely not YA (there are lots of mature sexual content/ scenes intended for readers 18+ only)!

In my opinion the pace was a little on the slower side but didn’t drag on. I know this is the first book in the series so I’m hoping the world-building will grow more-so in the following book. I would’ve liked more of the “sports” aspect in this sports romance… a game or two, or maybe more interaction with the team..? 🤔

I was imagining Xavier to be more “bloke-y”, a little more rough around the edges— especially for a rugby player. He’s not the most charming of heroes and he does a lot of questionable things throughout that makes you think if he’s a worthy hero. But despite all that, it didn’t exactly stop me from liking him as character overall (even if he is a player). 😬🙈 But I saw some redeemable qualities in him. The way he cared for Evie and the things he says to her to snap her out of her insecurities… *cue in 3,2,1… SWOOOOOOON!*

I found Evie to be such a relatively relatable character. We have similar personality traits that I actually found myself connecting with her instantly. I liked that Evie has the ability to be strong when she needs to be but also has a vulnerable, insecure side to her that makes her a down-to-earth genuine person. In my opinion, Cora’s a pro at creating characters who grow throughout the book (or series).

The build-up to Evie and Xavier getting together had my stomach fluttering the entire time. Buuuuut… I felt after 2/3 of the way events that transpired left me a little underwhelmed. I was waiting for something big and angsty to happen before I reached the ending but it never really happened (again, after having read darker romance, this felt soo… hmm… mild haha).

There’s certain side characters who I absolutely adore (and secretly hoping would be in future books), and then there’s certain characters that had me 🙄🙄 and almost wanting to scream “shut up! shut up! shut up!” lol —sorry for the vagueness but no spoilers here. 🤐

I thought it was a refreshing change of pace from Cora, and all in all, I enjoyed reading Only Work, No Play. Yes, it’s nothing like Cora’s mafia romance books but I liked that it was a lighter contemporary romance. A few issues here and there with how the story developed but it didn’t diminish Cora’s writing style. Whether it’d be dark or contemporary romance, it’s effortless to follow, the atmosphere in place, and the characters are intriguing to get to know.

If you like reading contemporary sports romance stories with alpha-hole heroes, then you might want to give this one a try!

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐¾

📎 Please Note: Only Work, No Play was released back in February 2019 when this review was posted. It was originally only posted on my Goodreads page but have now included it here on my blog.

Thank you Cora Reilly and Emily Alice for the opportunity to read an advanced copy! 💙

•••

More Contemporary Romance from Cora Reilly!

booksofthemuggleborn_notmeanttobebroken — Original post from my IG @booksofthemuggleborn

Not Meant To Be Broken by Cora Reilly

•••

Happy reading, guys! Catch you in my next one! Xo

Kiss To Belong by Anna B. Doe

ARC Review, Book Review, Book Reviews, Contemporary, New Adult Fiction, Romance

⚠ This review contains a minor teaser!

booksofthemuggleborn_kisstobelong — Original post from my IG @booksofthemuggleborn

•••

• BLURB •

𝐇𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞.

New Year has kicked off on a rough start for Alyssa Martinez. Pregnant, homeless, and alone, she has to figure out how to start over before her baby arrives.

Maddox Anderson has always been a brainiac. If only confessing to his best friend he has been in love with her his whole life would be as easy as coding.

𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐬𝐚𝐰 𝐡𝐢𝐦 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝.

When Maddox finds out what’s going on with Alyssa, he demands that she move in with him. When sharing a bed turns into late-night snuggles, and movie nights end up with Alyssa straddling his lap, something will have to give.

But can Maddox prove to her they belong together when Alyssa is convinced that he deserves somebody better than her?

•••

• MY REVIEW •

Don’t judge a book by its cover!
Who says nerds can’t be hot!?
Find and and secure oneself a Maddox Anderson!

Doe has done it again with Kiss To Belong! The consistent perfection of books in the Blairwood University series is driving me nuts! This was amazing, in-depth storytelling with genuine characters and broaches on relatable real-life issues.

Like all the pairings who’ve come before them, Maddox and Alyssa are quite a couple.

Childhood friends ✔
One-sided secret crush ✔
Complete opposites ✔
Heroine pregnant with another guy’s baby ✔

A best-friends-to-lovers romance trope that had me utterly intrigued to see play out. If you love the cruel angst of a slow-burn romance, Kiss To Belong might be for you. With a contemporary college setting, the drama that these characters find themselves in will kick you right in the feels and have you emotionally invested in seeing them simply catch a break.

A lot of the time their journey was an uphill battle, with Maddox a pillar of strength, love, and support. Although I couldn’t help but find Alyssa frustrating at times, I could also sympathize with her vulnerability and indecisiveness. With all the things that she goes through in this book, I can only imagine how I would’ve handled things if I was in her shoes.

Despite Maddox and Alyssa going through some rough unchartered territory, there was still a beautiful lightness to balance out the gloomy atmosphere. The friendships included brought about a strong support system, light-heartedness, and at times comic relief. If you’re up-to-date with the series, then this eclectic group of characters will not only supply you with their usual band of witty banter, but their appearances will give you insight into their lives since their own books. 🤗

I thought it was a solid story, that’s very well-paced. Doe has a way of creating engaging characters that parallels friends and family we all seem to have in our lives, in one form or another. It was these characters that immediately caught my attention and made this book all the more authentic. The unpredictably and the gradual transformation of Maddox’s and Alyssa’s relationship is what kept me glued to the pages. And just when I thought I was going to reach the end unscathed, there was one last momentous event that had me bawling my eyes out! Yeah… I didn’t stand a chance! 🙈😅

“Things might be changing, but there’s always going to be one constant in my life. Maddox.”

What makes this hero a little different from those in the previous books of Blairwood University, is Maddox is no athlete. Preferring video games and being a homebody to playing sports and partying. Whilst all the books in the series, including this one is told from dual points of view, this is the first in the series where it felt like the majority of the storytelling was from the hero’s perspective as opposed to the heroine’s. You get a lot more of Maddox’s side of the story because he’s the one who’s been keeping his feelings a secret for so long.

Aly’s and Maddox’s story was one emotional rollercoaster that had me anxiously gripping the edge of my seat. A lifetime’s worth of memories, constant companionship and bonding— their friendship is full of layers that can only have been developed from spending years together, and as the story progresses, you see how it genuinely shows.

With how mature these protagonists are and the responsibilities they take on, you tend to forget at times that they’re just in the beginnings of their adulthood, with Alyssa being twenty-one and Maddox nineteen. Friendship and romance go hand in hand beautifully in this story and it honest-to-goodness left me happy sighing.

This is one of the most touching, heartfelt, and all-around soul-stirring book series’ I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading. Kiss To Belong is the fifth book, and I’m honestly hoping there’s plenty more to follow. Doe’s writing is insightful and always seems to touch on subjects that a lot of readers can effortlessly connect with. I highly recommend this book and the entire series. There isn’t a single one I haven’t enjoyed reading. It’s a series of standalones but it’s best to read in publishing order to get the full experience as all the characters make appearances in each other’s books.

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

Thank you Anna B. Doe for the opportunity to read an advanced copy! 💙

🔔 Interested in reading Kiss To Belong? Grab your copy here: Universal Link

•••

🏈 More from Blairwood University!

Original post from my IG @booksofthemuggleborn

Original post from my IG @booksofthemuggleborn

Blairwood University Prequel: Kiss Me First by Anna B. Doe

Book One: Kiss To Conquer by Anna B. Doe

Book Two: Kiss To Forget by Anna B. Doe

Book Three: Kiss To Defy by Anna B. Doe

Book Four: Kiss To Remember by Anna B. Doe

•••

Happy reading, guys! Catch you in my next one! Xo

Devil’s Redemption by Natasha Knight

Adult Romance, ARC Review, Book Review, Book Reviews, Dark Reads, Dark Romance, Romance, Suspense

⚠ This review contains minor teasers!

booksofthemuggleborn_devilsredemption — Original post from my IG @booksofthemuggleborn

•••

• BLURB •

Isabelle

Just when I was beginning to trust my husband, he betrayed me.

Just when I thought I was falling in love he showed me the beast he truly is.

I understand his thirst for revenge. But I don’t want to play this game of pawn and puppet master.

No matter how his hands make my heart race and my body crave his devil’s touch, I won’t give in.

I love his daughter.

But I can’t let myself fall in love with her father.

Jericho

I have exactly what I want. Revenge.

Soon everything the Bishops have will be mine.

But it will cost me more than I bargained.

Isabelle Bishop hates me. As she should.

I know what I am. And now she does too.

But falling in love with my wife was never part of my plan.

•••

• MY REVIEW •

As more characters’ stories are told I am becoming more and more obsessed with the IVI world. Jericho’s and Isabelle’s story in the Devil’s Pawn Duet is a suspenseful and angsty addition to the exclusive secret society. It not only reveals the reasons behind the long-running feud between the St. James’ and the Bishops, but as the story unravels and a gradual development builds between Jericho and Isabelle, it prompts a melding of families, a rollercoaster of emotions, misguided trust, and a whole lot of raunchy romps!

“Just as she’s mine, so am I hers. We belong to one another. Until death do us part.”

I found this book slowed in pacing from the first one. Whilst it wasn’t as gripping as the first half of the story, I was still very much invested in seeing how things would turn out, not just with their relationship, but with how the plot twists from Devil’s Pawn would unfold.

Please note, this is a continuous storyline, you must read Devil’s Pawn (book one) first before reading Devil’s Redemption. It also contains sensitive subject matters that may be triggering for some readers such as, violence, child abuse, domestic abuse, suicide, and sexual assault. It also contains sexual content that borderlines con/non-con and minor BDSM. Intended for readers 18+ only.

What I took away most from this book is the strong familial focus. The St. James family may be a complex bunch and each one scarred in their own way but they’re all resilient, and despite any disagreements, they’re always a united front. Besides the interesting dynamic between Jericho and Isabelle, seeing interactions and contrast amongst his family was just as equal a highlight to look forward to. It might sound a little unusual as this is ultimately a dark setting romance story, but his family (as complicated as they are) provided some light and uplifting breaks in between intense scenes.

I’m not going to lie, I didn’t find Isabelle as likeable in this book as much as the first one. As the situation became more and more ominous, I found Isabelle’s mistrust and actions frustrating at times. Devil’s Redemption is Jericho’s second chance, an opportunity to break away from the cycle of his family’s tortured past, and his character growth is one main element that I ended gravitating towards (and rightfully so).

If you love tortured “alphaholes” whose character traits stem from heartbreak and a cruel backstory, then you need to meet Jericho St. James. You may not agree or sympathise with his behaviour at all times but you know where it’s stemming from, and that’s the beauty of his character— he still has redeemable qualities to him. Their feelings altered from hate to love throughout the course of their marriage, yet it’s Jericho who realises and embraces it first, despite the initial conflict between their families and his deep hatred of all the Bishops. Usually with the dark romance books I encounter, the heroine is the first to acknowledge her feelings, so I found it a refreshing change of atmosphere in this instance to see a bit of an emotional role reversal, per se.

“An angel for a devil.”

I would’ve loved a bit of more intensity and punchy suspense before the HEA but overall, it’s still an exciting read for avid fans of dark romances. As I mentioned earlier, this was an amazing addition to the IVI world that Knight (and Zavarelli) originally created and introduced with The Society Trilogy.

It’s very family-oriented with this book focusing a great deal on Jericho and Isabelle finding peace and learning to heal from their past.

Knight is masterful at writing dark romance stories with an enemies-to-lovers trope, that if you’ve read any of her previous work, you know that her characters always have zingy banter and hot chemistry between them right from their very first encounter. It’s what makes you instantly hooked on wanting to know their story. This one is no different!

It’s a must-read if you want to continue with the IVI world. Although this duet is a standalone story, I would still highly recommend you read The Society Trilogy first. It introduces you to their world, how their society operates, the familial and social standing within, and you’ll have a better understanding of the relationships of certain characters who make appearances in this duet.

A bittersweet conclusion to the Devil’s Pawn duet. It was tumultuous and at times heartbreaking but Jericho’s and Isabelle’s journey was undeniably heartfelt leaving me with happy contentment.

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you Natasha Knight and Give Me Books PR for the opportunity to read an advanced copy! ❤

•••

⛪ The Devil’s Pawn Duet!

booksofthemuggleborn_devilspawn — Original post from my IG @booksofthemuggleborn

Book One: Devil’s Pawn by Natasha Knight

•••

💀🌹 More from the exclusive society— IVI!

The Society Trilogy by Natasha Knight & A. Zavarelli

(Santiago and Ivy)

Book One: Requiem Of The Soul by Natasha Knight & A. Zavarelli

Book Two: Reparation Of Sin by Natasha Knight & A. Zavarelli

Book Three: Resurrection Of The Heart by Natasha Knight & A. Zavarelli

•••

Standalone Romance: Kingdom Fall

(Alessio and Natalia)

Kingdom Fall by A. Zavarelli

•••

Happy reading, guys! Catch you in my next one! Xo

Deceitful by C. Reilly

ARC Review, Book Review, Book Reviews, Crime Thriller, New Adult Fiction, Paranormal Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Suspense

⚠ This review contains minor teasers!

booksofthemuggleborn_deceitful — Original post from my IG @booksofthemuggleborn

•••

• BLURB •

When a serial killer rocks a small town in Oregon, a young woman with special powers might be the only person able to stop him. As part of a secret branch of the FBI, Tessa is sent on a mission to impersonate Madison, a local teen and the last victim of the brutal attacker, to find the killer before he strikes again.

As if absorbing the DNA of someone else and pretending to be them wasn’t hard enough, Alec, the guy she’s been in love with for years, is joining her on the dangerous mission. Tessa knows she can’t let her feelings for him get in the way, especially as her crush seems hopeless. Not only is Alec her self-defence teacher but he’s also taken. If only the attraction between them would stop complicating everything!

Will Tessa find the killer before another person falls victim to him? Or will she lose herself in a life she’s always longed for but never had?

•••

• MY REVIEW •

For those who are only familiar with Cora Reilly’s work through her mafia romance books need to know that she’s an author who’s dabbled in other romance genres— dark, contemporary, sports romance… and now her latest? Supernatural fiction meets Crime Thriller. I can tell you after having read Deceitful, it went straight to my list of all-time fave Reilly books, and I am itching with anticipation to read the next book! 😍

“She is the perfect spy—the ultimate weapon.”

It took a little settling into but when I got into the groove, it was complete and utter smooth sailing with the storyline and getting to know these characters. Their special abilities and the purpose they’ve been given could easily have been overwhelming to learn about that you start to lose interest or focus, but Cora eases you into this new world she has created.

It’s effortless to follow, from the introductions of all the characters, to their backstories, to the relationships they have with one another. The storyline had a nice flow that keeps you in suspense from start to finish. There were three outstanding elements that stood out for me that ultimately made this a winning read:

The strong friendships that provided such contrast and dynamic to the cast of characters.
The excruciating love Tessa had for Alec, the bond they shared, and the rollercoaster of emotions they took me on.
And finally, the plot’s constant unpredictability throughout the book. As a crime enthusiast (both true and fictional), it was a real treat feeling like you’re working this case right alongside Tessa. Being suspicious of anybody and everybody, but never quite figuring out who the culprit is before the big reveal. I was on tenterhooks and it was such a buzz! 😄

I couldn’t help but think that it gave me such X-Men vibes with these characters having their own unique abilities— Tessa in the forefront with her ability to shapeshift into anyone she touches. They’ve formed somewhat of a diverse substitute family unit, and seeing their interactions were just as fascinating as seeing them use their abilities.

Cora has introduced world-building that honestly has so many possibilities and potential for growth. It already has great bones with Deceitful setting the tone, not just what we can look forward to seeing from Tessa, but from the rest of the superhuman operatives under the FBI’s secret branch.

I initially would’ve liked dual POVs but I quickly discovered that Tessa as the sole narrator was more than enough as this is her story to tell, her experiences, her journey. Whilst I fell in love with a few other characters in this book, it’s hard to overlook Tessa. Her inexperience and lack of emotional control made her such a raw, genuine, and relatable character. You may not agree with all her decisions and actions, but with her history, you can’t quite hate her for them either.

But I’m not going to lie… I’m excited to see more of the secondary characters introduced. There’s already a couple of characters that caught my eye that I’m eager to see more of in future books. There were a few things that I felt needed to be elaborated on, but with how this book ended, I’m hoping to eventually get in-depth details later.

I should point out that it does contain graphic violence that may be triggering for some readers. Although the majority of the story takes place in a high school backdrop, it’s new adult fiction with mature content.

Overall, a relatively quick but punchy read! As I mentioned earlier, it’s become one of my favourite books Cora has written. I undoubtedly recommend it to readers who are fans of murder-mystery/ crime fiction with supernatural themes. There’s certainly romance, and despite Cora mentioning it being on the light side, I beg to differ. I thought there was just the right amount of romance weaved throughout that not only had me swooning, but it also had me craving to see more. It’s somewhat of a slow-burn but trust me when I say, there’s plenty of heat to keep the romance side of things nice and toasty! 😉

“He might keep me safe from the killer, but who the hell would protect me from my feelings for him?”

With how this book concluded, I’m actually hoping to see if another romantic bond forms. *whispers* Let’s just say this particular pairing is giving me vibes similar to Kiara/Remo but whilst theirs will never happen… I can only hope this one has a fighting chance… (For those who’ve read the book, I’m talking about a certain “brother”) *cough cough* 🤞🙏 I can’t be the only one who saw potential!

This is a high quality debut for Cora into the supernatural/ crime fiction genre! Action-packed. Thrilling. Complex. It’s a must read! You won’t be disappointed. I’m already counting the days until Renegade!

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

Thank you Cora Reilly and Emily Alice for the opportunity to read an advanced copy! 💚

•••

Happy reading, guys! Catch you in my next one! Xo

Devil’s Pawn by Natasha Knight

Adult Romance, ARC Review, Book Review, Book Reviews, Dark Reads, Dark Romance, Romance, Suspense

⚠ This review contains minor teasers!

•••

• BLURB •

Isabelle

Jericho St. James hates my family.

Powerful, wealthy beyond belief, he is the most dangerous man I know.

And I belong to him.

He’s taken me from my home.

He plans to make me his wife.

And he’s made it very clear I’ll be sleeping in his bed.

But my beast has a secret.

His one weakness. One that makes hating him impossible.

He has a daughter.

And he’ll do anything to keep her safe.

Jericho

The Bishops stole what money cannot replace.

A life for a life. Now I’ll take one of theirs.

Isabelle is my pawn.

I will make her my wife.

I will bed her.

She will be mine in every way.

And once I take what I need from her, I will erase the Bishop family as if they never existed at all.

•••

• MY REVIEW •

If you ever find yourself in the middle of a tough reading slump that you can’t seem to beat… read a Natasha Knight book. It never fails! Devil’s Pawn is not only going into my list of books that can kill a hangover, it’s also going into my list of books that “killed it” and WILL give you a savage hangover! 😜

“Beauty and her devil.”

The more the IVI world expands, the more I get addicted. First with Santiago De La Rosa’s story in The Society Trilogy, now we have Jericho St. James’ in this first book from the Devil’s Pawn duet. Ooo-wee! The antiheroes from this exclusive society… they almost make you forget with all the swooniness, charm, and sweetness they can easily dish up, that there’s darkness and vengeance looming.

The characters’ backstories are what will immediately grab your attention. The classic enemies-to-lovers romance trope that Isabelle’s and Jericho’s tumultuous, yet developing relationship is wrapped in honestly had me salivating to see their interactions. Knight had a beautiful and compelling way of taking the tale of Beauty and the Beast (that has been retold many a times before) and reworked it into an intricately vivid and devious love story. I love the scheming, the secrecy, and the second-guessing of emotions between Jericho and Isabelle. What was suppose to be a simple plan of revenge— an eye for an eye, becomes a complicated and entangled mess of feelings. Add in a cast of secondary characters putting their two cents in, a contrast of dynamics, more complexity… and the plot thickens. *waggles brows*

I thought it was well-paced storytelling, never a dull moment with constant developments not just with Jericho’s and Isabelle’s relationship, but also with Jericho’s initial plans of revenge. The world of the IVI is dark, gritty, and will keep you in suspense. With how the world building has been created, it feels like the possibilities are endless, especially with the amount of secondary characters introduced that’ll have you just as intrigued by as the protagonists.

Whilst I’m familiar (and know what to expect) with Knight’s dark romance stories, and couldn’t get enough of Devil’s Pawn… I should mention that if Knight is a new-to-you author, there’s a chance this story may not be for you, even if you enjoy reading dark romances. There’s sensitive subject matters that may be triggering for some readers. Along with adult themes, it contains violence and attempted sexual assault. Please note, the storyline also involves degrading, humiliation, and debatable non-consensual acts. Intended for readers 18+ only.

I was hooked from the very first page to the very last. This is the first part of the duet, and I am honestly itching for the second book. Devil’s Pawn concludes on a massive (and cruel) cliffhanger that I am still reeling from. I have loved all the books I’ve read so far from Knight, and this was no exception. It had the perfect number of twists and turns, unpredictability, and jaw-dropping moments. Jericho St. James is an antihero with a delicious balance of devious behaviour and gentlemanly charm that draws you to him. Isabelle Bishop may be young but she’s a tough nut and has fighting spirit. Although there’s an age gap between the two, it’s hardly noticeable during their day to day interactions, unless it was specifically pointed out. There’s a genuineness in their chemistry and it’s honest-to-goodness smoking hot! 😜 I can only hope that this first book is just the beginning of Jericho’s and Isabelle’s character growth.

“Some things aren’t choices at all. Some are destiny. And my destiny is to ruin hers.”

I highly recommend this book to fellow dark romance readers who enjoy a devilish beauty and the beast inspired tale. It’s definitely a must read if you’ve already read and fallen in lust with The Society Trilogy and the exclusive world of the IVI set with its own rules and traditions that these characters live by.

I’ve always been a fan of books with an enemies-to-lovers trope, and Knight has written some of my all time favourites. Devil’s Pawn had a well-thought-out storyline, with a nice flow that was effortless to follow. The dual POVs not only provided each of the protagonists’ backstories in detail, but it also provided us readers a front row seat to the emotional rollercoaster Jericho and Isabelle experience whilst in each other’s company. Complete guilty pleasure read! I loved it and will undoubtedly read it over and over again until I can get my grabby hands on Devil’s Redemption!

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

Thank you Natasha Knight and Give Me Book PR for the opportunity to read an advanced copy! ❤

•••

💀🌹 More from the exclusive society— IVI!

The Society Trilogy by Natasha Knight & A. Zavarelli

Book One: Requiem Of The Soul by Natasha Knight & A. Zavarelli

Book Two: Reparation Of Sin by Natasha Knight & A. Zavarelli

Book Three: Resurrection Of The Heart by Natasha Knight & A. Zavarelli

•••

Happy reading, guys! Catch you in my next one! Xo

Beautiful Nightmare by Giana Darling

Adult Romance, ARC Review, Book Review, Book Reviews, Contemporary, Dark Romance, New Adult Fiction, Romance, Suspense

⚠ This review contains minor teasers!

booksofthemuggleborn_beautifulnightmare — Original post from my IG @booksofthemuggleborn

•••

• BLURB •

Bianca has finally found her rightful place amid the powerful Constantines. But all is not what it seems in this glittering new world. And Tiernan Morelli refuses to give up her up…

BEAUTIFUL NIGHTMARE is the final book in the Dark Dream duet by USA Today bestselling author Giana Darling.

•••

• MY REVIEW •

“She was too good and I was too bad, but life wasn’t black and white, and somehow, together, we made more sense than we did separately. Night and day. Ice and fire. A matched set.”

This was one emotional, drama-filled rollercoaster of an ending to the Dark Dream duet, let me tell ya! There are a lot of parts I enjoyed seeing play-out, but there were also a few that I felt it could’ve done without, or that it was just a smidge anti-climactic.

After the cliffhanger from Dangerous Temptation that left me itching to find out what happens to Bianca and Tiernan next, I had some relatively high expectations of Beautiful Nightmare. I was left with quite a handful of questions that I needed answers to, and a cast of supporting characters I wanted to see more of.

So, did this book deliver what I hoped it would?

Yes… and no.

Whilst there’s character growth from both protagonists with a progressive storyline, I can’t help but wonder if it could’ve been more in-depth? I just wasn’t as gripped with this book as I was with the first one. Maybe this is one instance where it’s more of an “it’s me, not you” situation because I just didn’t get the intensity and edge-of-your-seat vibe that would’ve otherwise had me effortlessly glued to the pages.

Tiernan Morelli is the outcast of his family who’s been tormented physically, emotionally, and mentally throughout his life, and seeing him turn his life around and finally come from behind the shadows of not only his father, but his siblings was one of those fist-pumping moments. But call me bloodthirsty, with how this story was progressing to a gradual build-up, I was expecting to see action-packed scenes that actually packed a wallop! In my opinion, it was a bit of a hit and miss at times.

But in saying that, the more the story proceeded, the more I was hooked on his character development and personal story. More so than Bianca’s— and I think that has a lot to do with her youthful, naïve character. There’s no doubt that Tiernan and Bianca have this intense yet fitting chemistry between them, but Bianca has a lot of adolescent rebelliousness to her that often than not got her into some deep shite. There’s drama, and then there’s eye-rolling drama. 😬🙄

This book ended up being one of those books where I was more interested in seeing the secondary characters. Tiernan and Bianca’s relationship was hot, but I’m not going lie, the brotherhood and camaraderie amongst Tiernan and The Gentlemen of Lion Court was the highlight for me. I love a band of misfits who form their own family, and these guys were just that! Add in the light-hearted comic relief of Bianca’s little brother into the fold, and the friendship within just elevated my reading experience!

With the exception of a few plotlines being a little more fast-paced resulting in abrupt conclusions, for the most part it’s relatively well-paced storytelling. There’s twists and turns, some more predictable than others, but not enough to put you off from continuing. Although it’s told from dual points of view, for a tortured-antihero-loving-reader like myself, Tiernan’s perspective is the one to lookout for. He’s a complicated character with a lot of struggles and battle scars, and getting an insight into his mentality is one of the more appealing aspects of this story.

“The heartless Tiernan Morelli has fallen.”

Side Note: I’ve read the majority of the books in the Midnight Dynasty and all the characters have similar views on their family dynamics with the head of their respective households being the main source of concern. Here’s a silly question— with all the resources, power, and energy these siblings have, why oh why haven’t Bryant Morelli and Caroline Constantine been “taken out” yet?!! 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️ (Hmm. There goes my thirst for bloodshed rearing its ugly head again). Lol.

This book may not have held the same level of oomph Dangerous Temptation did, looking back at their story as whole (the entire duet) I’m still left contented. The expansion of the Midnight Dynasty world with the Constantines and the Morellis will always have me intrigued. The addition of Tiernan Morelli was an unexpected yet happy surprise. Not only did we get another swoon-worthy Morelli brother in our midst, but he added another layer and contrast to the entire Morelli clan. The world-building is ever-growing and I’m finding the more books are added, the more intricate the Midnight Dynasty world becomes.

I’m curious to see what the epilogue entails *as this review went live, the exclusive epilogue had yet to be released*. But in the meantime, I can proudly say I’ve ticked off “guardian/ward taboo romance” off my romance trope list! 🤭🙌

A contemporary, billionaire romance with an edge of just deserts! This duet is not to be missed if you’re working your way through the Midnight Dynasty books.

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐¾

Thank you to Giana Darling and Candi Kane PR for the opportunity to read an advance copy! 💛

•••

🕊 Read my reviews for the Dark Dream Duet!

Prequel: Bad Dream by Giana Darling

Book One: Dangerous Temptation by Giana Darling

More Midnight Dynasty reviews!

🥿 Cinderella Trilogy | Book One:

Stroke Of Midnight by K. Webster

🖤 Hearts Trilogy | Book One:

Stolen Hearts by M. O’Keefe

🌹 Beauty and the Beast Trilogy | Book One:

Secret Beast by Amelia Wilde

🔥 Hellfire Club | Book One:

Wicked Idol by Becker Gray

✝ Standalone Taboo Romance:

Lessons In Sin by Pam Godwin

🎨 The Collector Trilogy | Book One:

Dark Reign by Amelia Wilde

•••

Happy reading, guys! Catch you in my next one! Xo

Triple Threat by K. Webster

Adult Romance, ARC Review, Book Review, Book Reviews, Contemporary, Dark Romance, New Adult Fiction, Romance, Suspense

⚠ This review contains minor teasers!

booksofthemuggleborn_triplethreat — Original post from my IG @booksofthemuggleborn

•••

• BLURB •

I’m a prisoner in a prestigious world.
A perfect princess locked in a tower.
My father will never let me go.

Not that I could leave. I would never abandon my little sister. Hope comes in the form of a devilishly handsome man with dark eyes and darker secrets.

With each encounter, I’m lured deeper into the labyrinth. The danger lurking beneath his surface calls to me, even as it warns me away.

Except there’s a new side of him every time we meet. A different danger each time we touch. It’s as if three different men want to devour me.

He’s not just one villain. He’s three.

•••

• MY REVIEW •

“There’s just something about him that makes me want to tell him everything. He draws me to him. Even his secrets call to me. I want to know him. And that scares the hell out of me.”

Dammit! I knew there was a probability that I could end up liking this book. But guess what? I ended up loving the hell out of it! 🖤 Webster has beautifully and masterfully made me feel for the terror triplets! The sickeningly cruel evil-stepbrothers from the Cinderella Trilogy went from your two-dimensional villains in “Cinderella’s fairy tale”, to complex three-dimensional anti-heroes who finally have their turn at sharing their POVs.

I, like many other readers who read the initial Cinderella Trilogy that introduced these brothers, felt the story pretty much cemented them as unredeemable characters and that was the end of that. Oh man… Triple Threat says otherwise.

🤔 Not going to lie, I went into this book with uncertainty. Firstly, wondering how Webster could possibly turn the triplets’ character arcs around so they weren’t complete assholes in our eyes, and secondly, questioning what my first ever reverse harem romance story experience would be like?

After having finished the book, I can happily (and safely) say it was a bangin’ start to my 2022 reads! The story is told through multiple POVs, each brother taking in turn to not only keep up the story development, but in sharing their own individual opinions and perspectives on certain matters. You quickly discover that although they’re identical in appearance (for the most part, anyways), they each have distinct differences in personality. And I can admit I do have a favourite triplet! *waggles brows* 🙈😅

It’s relatively fast-paced storytelling, that keeps you in suspense from beginning to end. Not only was I fascinated with getting to know more about each sibling, I was just as quick to get invested in their heroine; Landry, who has quite an unsettling story of her own to share.

I didn’t agree with a lot of Landry’s (or her sister’s) actions, but I am intrigued with how their story will play out, and they do provide contrast to the storyline and cast.

A big part of what had kept my attention was seeing how in-depth the story ended up becoming. It had layer upon layer of intense build-up, continuous character evolvement, and with each brother gradually developing their own relationship with Landry, the storyline became more intricate.

I was honestly stunned speechless with how fast I found Sparrow, Sully, and Scout to be such likable characters. After having read the Cinderella Trilogy, I went into this story with an idea of what these guys are capable of. They’re villainous, brutal, and tend to fly off the handle, but Webster has now given them a lot more dimension to their characters, and things from their perspective places them in a whole new light.

The brothers have a complex and what seems like an unbreakable bond with one another that I found understandable (as they are triplets), yet oddly a little… screwy? There’s a ton of game-playing and a sense of psychological warfare amongst them that has me wanting the full extent of their history to see how they’ve become so competitive.

The unpredictable elements showed both vulnerable moments and also resulted in some pretty saucy scenes, so you’re getting a nice balance of features and constantly keeps things interesting.

“The thing with angels, though, is they’re easy to drag to the dark side.”

The terror triplets have officially joined the ranks in the Midnight Dynasty and this book surprisingly ended up becoming one of my favourites from the ever-expanding world.

I would absolutely recommend it to fellow romance readers who love them a little darkish, a little cheeky, and a whole lot dramatic! For a reverse harem romance newbie, I personally think this is a great story to dip your toes into the trope because Webster has written these characters and their story in a way that gives you time to get know them and to get used to the idea that they’re all making a connection with the same woman, without it being too in-your-face and/or overly-filled with heavy sexual content.

If you haven’t read the Cinderella Trilogy, I do recommend reading those books first before starting this one to give you a better understanding of how the brothers came to be in their current situation.

Triple Threat is book one of the Deception Duet, and it concludes on a cliffhanger. It contains sensitive subject matters that may be triggering for some readers such as, child abuse, sexual assault, and violence. It is intended for readers 18+ only.

I’m anticipating the next book to see if the brothers come full circle. Will these villains have redemption? Will they all have a happily ever after? Will they find their niche in a world full of Constantines and Morellis? And what about Landry? There’s so much to look forward to, and I can only hope Death Wish won’t be too far along. 🤞

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

Thank you K. Webster and Valentine PR for the opportunity to read an advanced copy! ❤

🔔 Interested in reading Triple Threat? Grab your copy here: Amazon | Apple Books | Nook | Kobo

•••

More Midnight Dynasty reviews!

🥿 Cinderella Trilogy | Book One:

Stroke Of Midnight by K. Webster

🖤 Hearts Trilogy | Book One:

Stolen Hearts by M. O’Keefe

🌹 Beauty and the Beast Trilogy | Book One:

Secret Beast by Amelia Wilde

🔥 Hellfire Club | Book One:

Wicked Idol by Becker Gray

✝ Standalone Taboo Romance:

Lessons In Sin by Pam Godwin

🕊 Dark Dream Duet | Book One:

Dangerous Temptation by Giana Darling

🎨 The Collector Trilogy | Book One:

Dark Reign by Amelia Wilde

•••

Happy reading, guys! Catch you in my next one! Xo

Sweet Devil by Becker Gray

ARC Review, Book Review, Book Reviews, Contemporary, New Adult Fiction, Romance, Suspense

⚠ This review contains minor teasers!

booksofthemuggleborn_sweetdevil — Original post from my IG @booksofthemuggleborn

•••

• BLURB •

People like to say the devil made them do it. And they would be right. I can bend anyone to my will. After all, I am the devil of Pembroke Prep. Only one person dares defy me. The one person I’ve ever wanted to be an angel for. But she despises me almost as much as I crave her. Serafina van Doren is the one temptation I can’t indulge, not with the secrets that I keep. But with the clock running out maybe it’s time to tempt her to the dark side.

•••

• MY REVIEW •

Oh sweet baby devil, this was one hell of a smoking hot, yet torturous love story! When it came to Serafina and Rhys I didn’t know whether to fan my face from all the blush-inducing scenes, or cry frustrated tears from all their taunting moments. 🙈 Either way I thoroughly enjoyed every little bit of their story!

“I smiled a little at the opportunity to have Sera all to myself. No friends, no underlings. Just us. The devil and the queen.”

Their romance was a long time coming since they were first introduced in Wicked Idol. Their intriguing dynamic only build-up suspense as more books in the series followed and it quickly became evident that they had quite an interesting history.

Like all the books prior, this had a zingy atmosphere that crackled whenever its protagonists were in near vicinity of one another. The banter was exhilarating and the constant one-upmanship between Sera and Rhys was as entertaining as it was jaw-dropping to see. 😈🤭

What I hadn’t expected from this story was the emotional rollercoaster ride that Rhys would take us on with his backstory and how much of his past is influencing his present day life. Have tissues nearby, because I have no doubt you will be as emotionally invested in Rhys and his story as much as I was.

The story progression was well-paced, perhaps a little brisk at times. But there’s never a dull moment as it continuously went from one development to the next, gradually turning Sera’s and Rhys’ fiery teasing into something more in-depth and heartfelt.

“Falling in love is not for the weak or the faint-hearted, because you cannot command your heart to do what you need it to do.”

They’re both outstanding individuals, and what I like about each of them is although this is ultimately a romance story, there’s complexity to these characters and they navigate through very real, very relatable life issues. I connected with Serafina’s struggles as a POC no matter her family’s high social standing. I found Rhys’ past and the impact it has had on his mentality understandable but nevertheless hard to swallow.

It was a relatively short read but it was punchy, multi-layered, and by the end left me feeling a sense of all is right with their world— as it should be. Told from dual POV, not only do we see character growth with these protagonists as they come to grips with their emotions, but it also provided insight to each of their lives outside of Pembroke Prep and into their contrasting family dynamics.

The suspense doesn’t disappoint. The band of supporting characters— the rest of the Hellfire boys and the girls who’ve all stolen their hearts have added extra oomph with their strong friendships and at times light-hearted and witty commentary. I ate up the unpredictability that came with Serafina and Rhys.

Overall, I thought it was a truly beautiful, bittersweet ending to the Hellfire Club. The much-anticipated wait for Serafina’s and Rhys’ story was well worth it. It ended up being the book from the series that evoked the deepest emotional outburst *cough* ugly cry *cough* out of me. I loved it and just like the previous books, this is one I will read again and again whenever I miss these charming Hellfire boys!

“Some things are worth the heartbreak.”

It really is the only set of books that had the right amount of pull in bringing me back to reading high school/ NA fiction again. I would absolutely recommend not just this book but the entire series to friends who love reading romance. With Rhys as the devil in disguise and Serafina as his goddess, their story had strong “love conquers all” vibes that was the perfect closer to the series.