Review: Is This Real or Just Pretend? by Emily Sullivan

*I received a copy of this book from Hachette Book Group Canada in exchange for an honest review.

Is This Real or Just Pretend?

by Emily Sullivan 

September 9, 2025

Goodreads Summary:

Alexandra Atkinson's talent for spotting successful business ideas has helped enrich her father's company while leaving her with little time for a social life—and certainly nothing as silly as love. But when her father hints that Alex will need to marry as well if she ever wants to win the approval of the company's far more fusty board members, she hatches her most ambitious plan a fake courtship that lasts just long enough to see an important deal through and secure her place at the head of the company.

As the son of the Atkinson's chauffeur, Lucien Taylor grew up admiring the family from a distance—and pining for Winifred, the youngest sister. But when he finally accepts that she will never see him as anything other than a playmate, Lucien leaves home to make his fortune. Now he’s back and in search of funding after his duplicitous partner ruins his business. Help comes from the most unexpected place when Alexandra, the eldest Atkinson sister known for her icy beauty and infamously brusque manner, makes a she will help him secure what he needs to start his business if he pretends to court her for a few weeks. Her offer is too good to pass up, but the more time they spend together, the more Lucien realizes that a fake courtship with Alex isn’t enough. He wants something real.

Review: Mistress of Bones (Mistress of Bones #1) by Maria Z. Medina

*I received a copy of this book from Wednesday Books in exchange for an honest review.

Mistress of Bones

(Mistress of Bones #1)

by Maria Z. Medina 

August 5, 2025

Goodreads Summary:

An epic, multi-POV debut fantasy perfect for fans of The Bone Shard Daughter and Six of Crows, where a necromancer trying to resurrect her sister gets embroiled in bigger, world-ending plans instead.

Necromancer Azul del Arroyo only wants one thing: to steal her sister back from Death by reclaiming her sister’s bones. But the Emissary of the Lord Death will do anything to stop her, no matter how alluring he finds her . . .

As their paths collide, they’re drawn into a deadly game of pawns and power with a count who begrudgingly works for a child king, a faceless witch who transforms the bones of gods into dreams she can peddle, and a long-lost half-brother with a secret of his own—and soon realize the fate of the lands is hanging in the balance.

For long ago the gods raised the continents, binding them with their own bones to keep humanity alive. But in an era when the gods’ sacrifice has been forgotten, Death might not be the only resentful god Azul must defy.

Swashbuckling, grand, and tragically romantic, Mistress of Bones is a can't-miss start to a duology about love, loss, and, of course, death.

Review: Our Vicious Oaths by N.E. Davenport

*I received a digital advance reading copy of this book from Frenzy Books in exchange for an honest review.

Our Vicious Oaths

by N.E. Davenport

October 28, 2025

Goodreads Summary:

Enter a new world of romantic fantasy from award-winning author N.E. Davenport—a journey of powerful magic, enemies-to-lovers, and political intrigue—as a warrior-princess and a vengeful king from rival fae courts form a fierce alliance to take down a merciless despot.

Princess of the Aether Dominion, Kadeesha wants nothing to do with fae politics. She is a warrior, first and foremost, and believes her greatest strength is leading her squadron of elite winged serpent flyers to protect her homeland. But bound since infancy to be betrothed to the Hyperion High King, ruler of all Dominions, she has no choice but to do what men have chosen for her.

Repulsed by the idea, she decides to spend one last night of freedom—in the arms of a dangerous stranger who takes her to sexual heights she’s never experienced before…but who is only using Kadeesha to set a trap for the High King.

For the High King and the kings of his six Dominions were responsible for the decimation of the Apollyon Court, and its new king, Malachi, wants his pounds of flesh.

On Kadeesha’s wedding day, Malachi and his special forces attack. Her father is killed, and Malachi wounds the High King, ultimately taking Kadeesha as hostage back to his land.

But she is no true hostage. The two form a pact: she will help lure the High King so Malachi can kill him once and for all, and he in turn will not harm Kadeesha or the Aether people. And as much as Kadeesha hates politics, she is now the Queen of her folk. Fae bonds are unbreakable…and so, perhaps, is the attraction Kadeesha and Malachi feel for each other. For even as they must publicly display their connection to provoke the High King’s jealousy, they struggle to resist the powerful allure between them in order to achieve their ultimate goals.