August Wrap Up | 5ish books

This read was the bright spot of my month! I am obsessed with these characters, but more importantly, I’m obsessed with the premise. Basically, the FMC wishes for a modern-day Darcy (a la Pride & Prejudice) to sweep her off her feet…but he’s not everything he’s cracked up to be, meanwhile her chemistry with the guy who also has these wishing powers will make you all giggly and want to stay up all night.

*cracks knuckles* look out for a full review of this one. I’ve read a lot of high fantasy in my time and while I can appreciate a story that shows great technical skill, this book lacked in creativity, weight, and women. The relief I felt in being able to go back to reading the Stormlight Archive should say quite enough.

I’ve never read a worse Hades—and I’ve read all the Hades & Persephone retellings at this point. How are you going to paint Hades as the good brother who brokers disagreements between Zeus and Posiden?? This book takes any element. of mystery, darkness, or rebelliousness from Hades, who is supposed to be the OG of all those things. Instead, this is. a poorly executed billionaire romance that constantly made me cringe. Also they have tails, and that is unforgivable.

A perfectly fine dark romance, though I feel the premise—a sweet kind of friends to fated lovers vibe—and the actual dynamic—dark dominant with gunplay—were awfully disjointed. Also, it’s insane to me that the male love interest didn’t recognize the love of his life because a few years went by and she box-dyed her hair?? When he was around her 24/7?? It’s so silly it’s kind of fun.

I have read this one and the part two. It starts out making you think it’s just a super smutty and very kinky dark romance but then tricks you and has pretty well-done themes about found family and dealing with awful parents of all varieties. A surprisingly pleasant time.