Foxy_Reads Page discussion

Had the brilliant idea to put all my reviews in one topic in my group so they are easy to access. Will try to keep this as updated as possible so stay tuned ☺️

The first review is my latest. This is for:
Dirty Laundry: Why Adults with ADHD Are So Ashamed and What We Can Do to Help by Richard Pink and Roxanne Emery

Genre: Psychology and Self-help
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


For those who follow my content, you know self-help books are outside my usual genre. But if you’re close enough in my real life you know I’ve been struggling with my undiagnosed ADHD (the waiting list in the UK NHS means waiting years for a diagnosis, so I’ll be undiagnosed for a while). So when I jumped onto TikTok a few years back and all the content I was viewing was neurodivergent and I spent the whole time going “I do that.” Or that “my friends do that.” I have an explanation for why my behaviour and life was chaotic, messy and impulsive. So when one of the content makers I watched wrote a book I knew I had to read it. This book was wrote by Rich and Rox who you can find on TikTok @adhd_love for more relatable content if you too are neurodivergent.

“My attention is like a flashlight: a very bright focused beam, on only one small thing at a time… things outside the beam? They fade to the blackness.”

Onto the book itself: the whole time I was reading it felt like I was sitting with two friends talking over a similar situation and how we could work together and handle them. The informal writing felt perfect for removing pressure that comes with facing ADHD struggles. We had the two sides of the story Rox with her neurodivergent thinking and Rich being neurotypical, showing how they worked through the issues together.

“Progress, not perfection: start with small, manageable changes, and that will help you set yourself up for success.”

Each new issue they tackled focused on accepting how your ADHD affects you and stopping the self shame that comes with it. For friends and family reading, you get advice on how to support them as they face the shame and work with you to limit the hindrances ADHD causes. Each symptom is broken down and has its own advice. There’s also a glossary of terms the couple adopted to explain some ADHD mannerisms and behaviours. Overall it’s a quick, interesting read and it will be making an appearance in my friends and I’s book club (bare in mind I delayed reading this they probably will too).

“Often the key to our genius will be embedded in the thing we naturally gravitated towards.”

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Let me start this review by mentioning this is a reread after catching up with the Maas universe and waiting for book three of Crescent City. I will try not to spoil the plot but if I notice connections to her other works or foreshadowing I will probably get excited and mention it so spoiler warning!

As a NYT and international best seller, Maas has sold over twelve million copies of her work. She is widely known for her three fiction series: Throne of Glass, A Court of Thorns and Roses, as well as Crescent City. But she hasn’t only got Romantasy titles, she has published a DC Icons novel based on Catwoman too.

The first book in the ACOTAR series starts with a 19 year old girl trying to support her family through winter by hunting for their next meal. She lives in an impoverished village near the wall that separates humans from the fae realm of Pyrthian. One day she faces off against an impossibly large wolf believing it’s fae and kills it in hatred for the torment humans previously suffered because of their rule. This action activates a clause in the treaty between human and fae, Feyre the huntress either has to die by the fae lord’s hand or, sacrifice her human home and live in Pyrthian for the rest of her life. Once she arrives in Pyrthian’s Spring Court, Feyre must keep her wits about her to avoid becoming an unfriendly fae’s next meal or falling to this blight that threatens the land.

“Don't feel bad for one moment about doing what brings you joy.”

When reading this first book you can see parallels to the fairy tale Beauty and the Beast, but rather than overlooking the beast’s appearance Feyre must look past the assumptions she makes about fae and get to know them; learn to live with them. Look past the brutality of human bedtime stories made to scare and past the acts some committed before the peace treaty. She encounters not only high fae like Tamlin and Lucien, but various lesser fae species like the suriel and the bogge. If she can manage to become friends and love the fae around her, she stands a chance at defeating the blight harming Pyrthian.

“For someone with a heart of stone, yours is certainly soft these days.”

Feyre has to overcome trials other than prejudice to survive fae courts. Physical trials of hunting fae and laying traps for them (skills gained from providing for her family), to mental challenges such as riddles and listening to wording to avoid poor struck bargains. Though she has to partake in the trials alone she does have her friends and unexpected ally on her corner.

“Be glad of your human heart, Feyre. Pity those who don't feel anything at all.”

Having read the subsequent books I can honestly say the series keeps growing and getting better. It’s all up from here. This book is a great starting point to launch the series and looking back I get to rediscover details about my favourite characters and also links between other series in the Maas universe.

“Everything I love has always had a tendency to be taken from me.”

⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Hedge Witch: A Threadneedle Novella by Cari Thomas

Genres: YA, Fantasy, Witches.

“A Hedge Witch never blames her tools.”

This book was a recommendation by a friend months ago that I finally got round to reading. This was a short cute novella to kick off January, totalling 132 pages; I read it in an evening. We follow the adventures of Rowan over her summer holiday visiting her eccentric Aunt Winnie, a hedge witch that will teach Rowan the joys of the craft. Rowan enjoys the Welsh countryside and begrudgingly works through the tasks her Aunt sets her. The highlight of her time was the group of friends she made and the hijinks they got up to. That is until a plot to reveal the witch community to the non-magical folk threatens the peace she’s found this summer.

This was a sweet read, perfect YA content and made me reminisce of when I went on camping or residential trips with my GirlGuiding group and those friendships you forge for a summer. I will say that I may have aged out of these types of books, the amount of worrying about getting a summer boyfriend and the perfect first kiss, felt young to me. But if that’s your taste, definitely give it a go. The magical system is really intriguing and maybe I’ll give the rest of the books a chance so more of it makes sense (having the whole system not just an in depth education on being a hedge witch).

⭐️⭐️⭐️

A Witch's Guide to Fake Dating a Demon by Sarah Hawley

So, I have tried paranormal romances based on witches before and not gonna lie, I dropped those books. That is not the case for A Witch's Guide to Fake Dating a Demon by Sarah Hawley; This paranormal romance comedy had me giggling in the breakroom at work and looking forward to character conversations to see what hilarious bit of sass they would come out with next.

As a romantic fantasy writer Hawley has she likes to add spice and humour to her work. She was a winner in RevPit 2018 and also has a variety of short stories to read if you enjoy her writing. If you're looking for another book-based podcast, Hawley co-hosted one with Jenny Nordba (another romance author). This podcast focuses on female empowerment and sex positivity in the romance genre and has 153 episodes so plenty to binge.

“Go to horny jail”

Mariel Sparks has the burden of not only the famous Spark family name but also a prophecy that she will be a very powerful witch. To her mother’s chagrin she shows no potential of having such power but enjoys baking and gardening instead, the gardening connects her to the earthly magic she prefers to cast then the tricks her mother makes her perform. One day a summoning spell goes wrong and instead of baking ingredients she is facing down a demon, Ozroth the Ruthless. Ozroth is a legend among demon-kind, one of the most powerful and merciless bargainers around. That was until a bargain went awry. If he can strike a bargain with Mariel and take her soul he will earn his reputation back. Forced to stay with her until the bargain is complete all the while she refuses to give up her soul. These two roommates enter an awkward hell of their making when Mariel’s mother visits and rather than confess what happened, Mariel blurts out that they’re a couple. Will romance bloom or is this green witch going to lose her soul.

“I’ve heard better pitches from a used car salesman.”

First thing I have to say is this is an adult romance so there are spicy scenes and a lot of profanity. Based on the humour, this is perfect for the new adults range, 18-25. The chemistry of the cast is electric (pun intended), they bounce back and forth with banter and sassy remarks that kept me smiling. It did fall into the miscommunication troupe at the climax of the story, this always annoys me cause simply hearing the other person out could solve so many relationship problems. The rest of the cast, the friends though not fully fleshed out, had enough presence and variety to keep the story going while the romance was happening.

“She’d been distracted by demon dick and demon chest and demon mouth.”

But the Spark family! It had a toxic mother with overly high expectations, a matriarch with all the power and influence that everyone just lets do whatever they want, even when most of them dislike her. Mariel had this meekness where her mother was concerned and it was nice to see her growth where she set boundaries and stood up to her mother rather than be pushed around. Of course special mention for that cousin at every family event that you escape away with and make those days tolerable, thank you for being there Lancelot.

“Put me in a barrel full of nails and roll me over a cliff, and I can guarantee it’ll be more enjoyable than trying to make mom see reason.”

The actual story behind the romance had green protests to protect the environment around Glimmer Falls rather than build a spa resort but not a lot else. The main focus was on the romance developing and breaking the contract. That is what knocks my review down to a ⅗ but if you want a short sassy demon/witch romance I do recommend this book.

“Sure. You’re a totally balanced individual who definitely doesn't need therapy.”

⭐⭐⭐

Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker

This book I found one random afternoon in December scrolling through keyword searches on my Libby app. I was immediately sold by the premise. Nova works at her grandmothers’ bookshop which also has a back room of spell books and magical items. One night Niva investigates the sighting of a white wolf in the woods. Unexpectedly it’s her childhood crush Tam, a werewolf, who is battling a horse demon. Needing help the pair team up and their feelings rekindling while battling the occult occurrences happening in their New England town.

Slight spoiler, you have been warned. Tam’s home life wasn’t easy, divorced parents and a literally evil stepdad meant they were forever in the move never settling. With returning to their childhood home, they get the family they’ve always wanted in Nova’s. The diversity of the characters too, Tam is non-binary werewolf on top of all the family stuff and Nova herself is deaf and the graphic novel looks into how that affected not only communicating with her family but also learning magic.

The story itself is short and sweet. Childhood friends (who definitely crushed bad on each other) meeting again and falling in love as teenagers. The pair rely on each other and learn magic together to take on the big bad and there is the aspect of self discovery, Nova gains the confidence and bravery to take the next step in her witchcraft journey. The art style is cute and bright, there’s forest spirits which are so cute, when you see them my favourite are the slimes that have grown mushrooms in their heads.

I wish this wasn’t a stand alone just so I can see what adventures the couple get up to in the future.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rebel of the Sands is part of a trilogy by Alwyn Hamilton. This NY Times bestselling author is an avid reader and loves traveling, she won the 2016 Goodreads Choice Award winner for Best Debut Author.

This YA series focuses on our MFC, Amani Al’Hiza, a gifted gunslinger stuck in her desert back-country town Dustwalk where her only options are to wed or run. In order to finance her journey she enters a shooting competition disguised as a boy. There she meets Jin, a foreigner also on his way out of town, grabbing this chance with both hands as she hops onto the magical horse and they ride off into the desert. But the desert is full of dangerous magic and men and Amani is about to be caught in the middle of it all.

When I opened my blind date with a book order and received this, I wasn't sure it was for me. But after learning it had djinn magic and a rebellion / revolution I knew I had to read it this year.

First to talk about the setting of this world, we mainly explore the desert nation of Miraji. A mortal nation that used to live side by side with Djinn and mystical creatures but prejudices and poaching drove both to rarity. As magic became more scarce, mortals became more industrious building weapon factories and wielding guns, taking on more western-inspired practices.

Amani, starts with a tragic backstory of a dead, drunk father and dead mother (won't tell you how they died as that is essential plot details), but we know tragic backstories birth strong characters, and what could be more empowered than a female gunslinger fighting for her freedom. But where she is strong and determined she also has a naivety about the world, which is more to blame on educational restrictions of females in these settings than her ability to absorb knowledge. Her character goes through a realisation and change near the end of the book which I won't spoil but it was hinted at but I didn't pay attention to the hint so was pleasantly surprised.

“You are this country, Amani." He spoke more quietly now. "More alive than anything ought to be in this place. All fire and gunpowder, with one finger always on the trigger.”

My one bad note was the pacing of the book. The start we have this trying to get out of town, gunslinging competition and taming a wild horse, speedy and intense. To this week's long caravan journey where nothing really happens except telling some campfire stories. To suddenly being on the run from the army and finding the rebellion of the Rebel Prince.

Overall I was surprisingly entertained reading this book and will be looking into the rest of the trilogy.

“I don't mean to worry you and all... but have you noticed you've been shot?'
'Ah... I'd almost forgotten about that.”

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

Rebecca Yarros is a New York Times bestselling author of over twenty books, including: Flight & Glory, The Renegades and Legacy. She predominantly is a romance author, winning the Colorado Romance Writer’s Award of Excellence for her book Eyes Turned Skyward. This married mother of six is dipping her toes into the fantasy genre for the first time with her newest book Fourth Wing. Stay up to date on her website: https://www.rebeccayarros.com/

“A dragon without its rider is a tragedy. A rider without their dragon is dead. Welcome to the Fourth Wing.”

Fourth Wing is set in Basgiath War College, training this generation as healers, infantry, scribes and riders to join the ongoing war against Braevi gryphons and riders. Focusing on Violet Sorrengail on track to join the scribes that year but instead her mother, the commanding general, orders her to attend conscription day and become a dragon rider like the rest of her siblings. The only issue is that Violet is small and frail, prone to injured joints and broken bones, and now she's target number one to all other riders to be; trying to increase their chances by killing her.

“The right way isn’t the only way.”

Straight away we’re thrown into this book where the Sorrengail name carries honour and legacy. We meet Lilith Sorrengail the commanding general of Basgiath and Mira Sorrengail a rider with the signet to extend wards greatly complimented by the war college. It’s also discovered that Violet had a brother who died in the war, Brennan who was also a rider but had a greater power, mending, an ability allowing the restoration of anything to its original state. The only family members that chose a different path are Violet and her father, who walked the path of scribes. However, Lilith saw this a disruption to the legacy line she birthed and altered Violet’s path making her become a rider too. Obviously Violet finds this horrifying, it's a kill or be killed school, but she tackles the challenge head on and doesn’t back down, very much living up to the family name.

The overarching theme of this book to me, is self esteem and self worth. Violet's story starts with her feeling out of sorts, she's not strong enough to be dragon rider, not capable of the feats those around her spend their whole lives training for. She has to deal with family and friends talking down to her, belittling her abilities telling her she doesn't have what it takes to survive each trial ahead of her. But Violet’s belief in herself and her commitment to training and improving upon her flaws allows her to become one of the most powerful riders of her year. She cuts the toxicity out of her life, telling her childhood friend Dain that if she keeps coddling her she’ll never improve and to look beyond the child he grew up with and see the rider before him. Violet inspires the reader to look at themselves and what's holding them back, to understand who they are or who they want to be. Or at least she did to me and that's why I’ll be getting book two, Iron Flame when it releases in November.

“There’s nowhere in existence you could go that I wouldn’t find you, Violence.”

But it’s not a school based fantasy romance without a bundle of friends and a couple of love interests thrown in there. Friends you can share shoes with and somehow it’s saved there life, Rhiannon immediately becomes best friend with Violet and is a confidant and hand-to-hand combat partner to help her train up. Then we have her childhood friend a year ahead of her, Dain, at first his protectiveness was cute but it quickly became demeaning when Violet proved time and time again her strength and ability. This love interest was short lived and over before it started (thank god). Then we have Liam, a hulk of a man, literally shadowing her to protect her (out of friendship not love) with his adorable little hobby of hand carving dragons out of wood. Finally we have the real love interest Xaden, this man with his shadow signet and being a third year is mr tall dark and handsome personified. As a son of a rebel he is marked with rebellion ruin and made to enter the riders quadrant. Immediately setting up an enemies to lovers door, the son of the rebel and the daughter of the commander who apprehended his dad. However, every step of the way rather than demean Violet’s strength he encourages her and advises her, with a dash of sarcasm and sass. The chemistry is electric and tension is thick, I couldn’t put I down and you won’t be able to either.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Corrupt Shadows

Rebecca L. Garcia is a dark fantasy romance author, with an inclination to gothic elements and morally gray characters. She originally lived in England but now lives in Texas with her husband and sons. Garcia appreciates beautiful books as a collector herself thus creates beautiful pieces for her readers’ shelves (check out her website and Patreon). Corrupt Shadows is co-authored by Garcia and C.M. Hutton, who is also a dark fantasy writer, follow her Tiktok @cmhuttonbooks for some great recommendations and content.

“For those who wear red flags like necklaces, this is for you.”

Nine years ago, Evie killed her brother and has been on the run ever since. She settles in Darkwood and tries to keep control of her shadow powers, she wants to feel something, anything but if her control slips it could kill again. It dormant, fine even, until the masked man in the mirror haunts her, stalks her dreams. Lorcan has spent centuries stuck in the Shadow Realm, a purgatory he was sent to, trapped in by witches. He watches the world carry on without him; watching through mirrors until he finds the last descendant of the bloodline that can free him. Now he stalks her from the shadows, pushing her to unleash her magic and slowly corrupting her soul. Will she free him from his banished realm?

I’d put this book on my guilty pleasure shelf because the 🌶️spice🌶️ level alone made me feel like I should not be reading this in public. This dark fantasy romance had the perfect amount of kink detail and world building details. With an enemies-to-lovers romance, there’s a demon banished to another realm by a family of witches, the last descendant of which he is stalking to have her free him. It was her ancestors that betrayed him so he is convinced he can’t let himself fall in love again, but the attraction is palpable. If you enjoyed Hunting Adeline by H.D Carlton then this is a must add to your TBR. It also has the: touch her and die trope, as any morally gray love interest should. Just remember to check out the trigger warnings list included by the Authors. I will definitely be checking out the next book when it’s released, that cliff hanger has me literally hanging around instagram for updates.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber

Genres: YA, Romance, Fantasy, Magic

Stephanie Garber is a NYT and international bestselling author of the Caraval Series. For this review I’ve read the first book of the Once Upon A Broken Heart Series, part of the Caraval universe but can be read as a stand alone and if it isn't a great introduction book to the characters and world settings.

Once Upon A Broken Heart focuses on Evangeline Fox, a protagonist with her head in the clouds chasing fairy tales and happy endings. Her idyllic life is interrupted by her lover’s betrayal, announcing a wedding to her step-sister, Marisol. To win him back she pays a visit to the Prince of Hearts, a wicked and charismatic Fate. They strike a deal he’ll help her in exchange for three kisses, given at the time and place of his choosing. But after the first kiss Evangeline releases she’s in over her head, there’s more going on then the Prince of Hearts pledged.

“Heroes don't get happy endings. They give them to other people.”

Starting off like a Cinderella retelling, we're introduced to Evangeline’s step-mother and step-sister, her only surviving family after her own mother and father have passed. Following the Cinderella story we expect these evil characters but both sisters try to amend their relationship and relocate North together cutting the mother out of the picture. There is also the correlation with the prince falling in love with Evageline after the first night, but we know it's not all as it seems with these love stories. But that's where the similarities end because of the fates; sixteen immortal beings, 8 objects and 8 places all of which have their own special and individual powers, including the very Prince of Hearts (Jacks). I also drew similarities to the world in Alice in Wonderland, spelled food and drink which cause magical effects to their consumer and reference to all the vibrant colours of the world and characters.

“Stop flashing your fangs. I’m the only one who gets to bite her.”

Enemies-to-lovers has always been my favourite romance format. But, Jacks and Evangeline are less enemy and more distrustful of a more powerful being with a penchant for curses and tricks. They also have the grumpy / sunshine dynamic with Evangeline wanting to believe the best of people and help wherever she can, whereas Jacks is guarded and doesn't want to be vulnerable. The book also includes some classic cliques with the genre such as forced proximity but due to Jacks’ fatal kiss and cocky attitude you can tell we’ll be on a slow burn for this one.

“If you think I'm jealous because someone else got to stab you, then you're right.”

One writing style I enjoyed for the book was the inclusion of newspaper, book and letter inserts to break up perspective and also include details the main characters wouldn't know while they’re away from the city. The gazette sections were even formatted to have titles, authors and written in two columns making it feel like I was reading from a news article in that world.

“She still believed in love at first sight, but she no longer believed it meant forever love.”

My only fault with the book is the last few pages where Evangeline makes a lot of realisations in a short time and it all kinda blurs together. I had to read it twice to really capture the information. But the story left a great cliffhanger event for the next book to build upon and give Evangeline support to her speculations.

“Every story has the potential for infinite endings”


⭐⭐⭐⭐

Swipe Right for Monsters by R. O'Leary

Now I will say O’Leary’s TikToks piqued my interest, ‘when you drunkenly sign up for a monster dating app and now you have five monster boyfriends…’ Normally these videos sit in my saved collection but I’d just finished an intense, emotional book and needed something more chill with RomCom vibes. She is the perfect author for this if you know her other works.

O’Leary lives in Alaska, wrapping herself up warm and enjoying hot chocolate with her stack of overdue romance novels from the library. Her writing revolves around aliens and shifters romance. So if you like some comedy with your paranormal book boyfriends check her out!

“Are you dying?” “Of mortification”

Swipe Right for Monsters, is the perfect demonstration of how a random idea on a drunk girls night out comes back and bites you in the ass literally (seriously). For Nicole the choice is to download MONSTR, a monster dating app, to find a sugar daddy to help her finance the repairs on her decrepit house left to her by her late great aunt. Ashley and Miri, her bestfriends take the chance to set up her account and the responses flood in, but it's up to Nicole to navigate the disastrous messages and find a decent guy to date. Or five. But, who has time for five separate dates? Not Nicole, she decides on a group date and the results are disappointing when all they can do is argue. Read the book to navigate the dating minefield with Nicole and the five bachelors and see how they handle the saboteur that's trying to ruin Nicole’s life.

“To Nicole's upcoming mental breakdown!”

I really enjoyed the comedy and romance in this book and look forward to the series continuing. The best friends are getting their monsters next and I’m a sucker for books where female friendships are strong and resilient. My complaints with the book was the insta-love the MMCs had with Nicole and how they had little going on outside of the relationship. When did they go to work or see their family? They were just constantly hanging around Nicole. Also the cliche of revealing a betrayal of some kind and rather than stop and talk to each other they just shout and storm off. Felt very immature for vampires who are hundreds of years old.

“Get yourself a vampire sugar daddy. You’ll have that house fixed up in no time!”

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Killing Cupid by Wendy Day

If you follow my TikTok or other socials you know I love to hunt through books available on Stuff Your Kindle Days. A lot of the time I find really good books and the premise of this one sold it to me on the day. The FMC is a massive Pride and Prejudice fan (always quoting the book) looking for her Mr Darcy, sadly she keeps being let down and about to give up signs up for a dating website with a million-dollar satisfaction guarantee. After matching with someone Callie doesn't feel compatible with, she decides it's time to take a break from romance, only to have a meet-cute moment with a local author (finally someone to nerd over books with). But when you sign up for Cupid’s own dating site he won't stop until you meet his chosen match.

The plot overall was a series of unfortunate events caused by Cupid to make Callie do as he wants while she figures out how to defeat him. There is no actual attempt to kill cupid, only to make bargains. Callie and the local author also have this insta-love for each other, it feels like the whole relationship was rushed but they make quite the detective duo trying to solve the mystery of the dating site. Also spoiler for the ending…







Still here? Okay so when they finally confront Cupid they want to sacrifice their love and/or life for each other to be free and happy. Only for cupid to turn around and be like forget the whole thing my girlfriend (psyche) took me back.

⭐⭐

Faebound by Saara El-Arifi

This book was on my list long before Fairyloot included it in their adult monthly subscription box (it’s such a pretty edition!). I was immediately drawn in with the idea of LGBTQI+ representation and romance knowing they would be enemies to lovers as well. This is also a new fantasy setting for me and is confirmed to be part of a trilogy.

Faebound begins in the Elven land in the middle of a civil war between Waning tribe and Crescent tribe, Yeeran is a newly appointed colonel who on her first day makes a fatal error in leadership which results in her exile. Her younger sister Lettle, a diviner, leaves their people to find her sister and bring her back exiled or not. She's accompanied by Yeeran’s second and close friend, Rayan and the chemistry is building with each day of travels.

During her exile, Yeeran uses her hunting skills (taught to both siblings by their father) to track an obeah, a part leopard, part stag, creature whose hide can be used to produce magically weaponised drums. Hoping to catch this magnificent specimen and return to her people, Yeeran discovers a shocking truth: fae are alive, not extinct like the tales say, and they're not too pleased about her hunting habits.

Yeeran, Lettle and Rayan are captured and brought back to the fae settlement to be punished for their crime but that's just the beginning. Read the book to find out more about their culture, how their magic works and the lore and religions within the world, as well as see what romances spark!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle L. Jensen

This was another beautiful edition from Fairyloot that caught my fancy straight away Danielle L. Jensen is a USA Today bestselling author of the Malediction series, the Dark Shores series, and the Bridge Kingdom series. Her newest release is this one, A Fate Inked in Blood, a norse fantasy romance about a shield maiden blessed by the Goddess Hlin. Fear of a prophecy forced Freya and her family to hide her godly blessing, otherwise, Freya would be used by power hungry men to become kings. Unfortunately, this meant an unwanted marriage and home life instead of fulfilling her dreams of being a mighty warrior. Fate had other plans and set the path to a fight to the death between Freya and the region’s jarl’s son, one when she summoned her power to survive. After divorcing her husband, she is forced into the power struggle between the warring jarls wanting to be kings and a forbidden attraction to her new husband’s son Bjorn. Follow Freya's story as she learns to fight, use her powers and face perilous tasks set by the Gods.

This was another five star read for me. The chemistry between Freya and Bjorn is started before all the politics and their lust is a battle they both face throughout the story. They have the witty banter of old friends and all the spice from being an adult romance. I’ve always had a fascination with all mythology so to have another norse fiction world to dive into is awesome. Seeing how D.L. Jensen describes different beings and celebrations giving more insight into what I already know. The world is well fleshed out with not only warring jarls but also an enemy king. Bjorn is a complex character feeling like an outsider while being the jarls' heir, you get to see how his time being abducted as a kid has affected the man he grew into. Then of course is the patriarchal sexism that exists in the time and Freya’s own feminine rage of trying to fight it and SPOILER! (Kills her ex husband with a flaming axe, I was dancing in my seat seeing her get her revenge.) SPOILER OVER! The only thing that annoyed me about her character was how self-sacrificing she was. I understand it for character but personally if that's how my family acted let them suffer their own fate. Overall compelling story and loveable characters, trying to force my friends to read it next.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐