Book Pub Day:  Feb. 28, 2024

Genres: Dark Romance, Contemporary Romance, Dark Rom-Com

*It incorporates elements of mystery, thriller, and romance.

Trigger & Content Warnings:

Trying not to be on any blocked list, I am writing Theme & Tropes like that. I hope you don’t have an issue reading it.

Tropes & Themes: 

• Masked cinnamon roll stalk€r,
• k!nky overworked nurse
• ex-hookup’s roommate
• primal play
• consensual kn!fe play
• s€xy home invasion
• fear-meets-desire
• morally gray MMC

♥︎ CHECK THE TRIGGER WARNINGS on the author’s website because there are A LOT of warnings!!!

***

My Thoughts

Was it entertaining? Absolutely.

Was it spicy? Oh, it burned.

Lights Out is a fast-paced dark romance with a morally gray male lead. Some themes and scenes may be disturbing to readers. Please check the TWs at the beginning of the book.

The audiobook? Fantastic. The narration was spot-on, and the chemistry between the characters? Chef’s kiss. I especially loved how Josh just went ahead and claimed them as a family of three—no hesitation. And yes, I already said the audiobook was amazing, but it deserves a second shoutout. Flawless execution!🫶

Now, listen—I’m not shy about explicit content (obviously), but I do think this one occasionally crossed the line. Kitchen utensils? I appreciate a good twist, but that one pulled me out of the moment for a second.

This book has been compared to Hunting Adeline and Butcher and the Blackbird. I haven’t read either (yet), but apparently Lights Out is the mildest of the trio. Hunting Adeline wasn’t on my TBR, but Butcher and the Blackbird is—and now I’m tempted to read both for comparison. You know… research.😉😅

Surprisingly (or maybe not), I really enjoyed the mafia subplot. It added grit and momentum beyond all the spice.

Everything in the book is consensual, and both characters are fully into their games—so don’t let the summary scare you off. I actually smiled more than once, especially when Josh talked to her cat. Adorable!

***

Book Description

The viral TikTok stalker dark romance, burning with high heat, hilarious banter, and a love story like you’ve never seen before. Can you handle the ride?

I want someone with a soul as black as night. Someone who would burn the world down for me and not lose a single minute of sleep over it.

Trauma nurse Aly Cappellucci doesn’t need any more kinks. She likes the one she’s landed on just fine. To her, nothing could top the masked men she follows online. Unless one of those men was shirtless, heavily tattooed, and waiting for her in her bedroom. She dreams about being hunted by one in particular, of him chasing her down and doing deliciously dark things to her willing body. She never could have guessed that by sending one drunken text, those dreams would become her new reality. 

I want things most people don’t, craving darkness and depravity instead of light and love.

Josh Hammond has spent his life avoiding the limelight, but his online persona is another story. At night, he posts masked thirst traps for his millions of fans to drool over, but one follower has caught his eye: Aly. After reading a comment begging him to break into her house wearing a mask, he decides to take her up on her offer. 

Together, Aly and Josh live out their darkest fantasies, unaware that Aly has captured the attention of someone else. Someone with far more sinister intentions than a little light stalking. As Josh turns from predator to protector and the stakes heighten, he must ask himself how far he’s willing to go for the woman he’s obsessed with. 

About the Author:

New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Navessa Allen lives in northern New England on a 200-year-old farm with her husband, their cats, and an assortment of farm animals.

Allen’s other books: The Kings of Kearny, Snowed In 

You can Follow this author on Instagram: @navessa.allen 

***

S A N N A

P.S.

I’ve taken individual images from Pinterest that were used to create a “poster” image in this post. If you’re the owner of any of the individual pics on the poster, please let me know so I can credit you. These were used solely for creative purposes and entertainment.

Am I still obsessed? Absolutely.

I’m fully invested in this series, and I cannot wait for book three to drop later this year. If you want to check my review of the first book and get to know a bit more about the main characters tap here.

Book Pub Day:  January 7, 2025

Genres: Romance Fantasy, High Fantasy, Fantasy Fiction

• It incorporates elements of mystery, thriller, and romance.

Trigger & Content Warnings:

Trying not to be on any blocked list, I am writing TW like that. I hope you don’t have an issue reading it.

• Viol€nce,
• Bl00d
• D*ath
• War scenes
• Minor S€xual Content
• Confin€mnt- T0rture

My Thoughts

The Aesthetic Appeal

This book is visually stunning, from the jacket and cover art to the gorgeous stenciled and sprayed edges. Just look at the pictures! It’s a masterpiece, right? 

You can check my review of the first book here.

The Story & Characters

Four Ruined Realms is the second book in The Broken Blades series, and these characters have completely won me over, especially Royo and Aeri. There’s just something about them that I absolutely adore.

The story picks up right where book one left off, throwing our misfit heroes into yet another high-stakes quest. If you’re familiar with the series, you know it follows three central couples:

• Royo & Aeri

• Mikail & Euyn

• Tiyung & Sora

In book two, Royo and Aeri’s chemistry finally starts evolving, and I love their romance. That said, I’m not a fan of the miscommunication trope, and I really hope it gets resolved in book three—because Royo deserves the truth. Honestly, everyone in this series has suffered, but Royo’s been through hell, and he deserves better.

Aeri, though? She’s my girl. I was cheering for her the whole way through. She’s an absolute badass, but she needs to grow up, take charge, and trust Royo more.

And then there’s Sora… my heart broke for her. But at the same time, I wish she would pause for a moment and put herself first. Meanwhile, Euyn completely blindsided me again. At one point, I literally gasped, put my book down, and just stared at the wall for ten minutes. I can’t say more without spoiling anything, but trust me—it’s huge.

Mikail… oh, Mikail. Always with the secrets. And yet, somehow, he feels clueless? I honestly don’t know how I feel about him anymore.

As for Tiyung… I have no words. His story felt messy, and I’m hoping book three will untangle everything. But in this installment? He felt like the least useful character.

Audiobook Thoughts

I highly recommend the full-cast audiobook—the narrators did an incredible job bringing these characters to life. That said, Tiyung’s chapters felt off this time. His narrator seemed to struggle, and while I think he was trying to capture Tiyung’s situation, it just didn’t work for me. Hopefully, that improves in book three.

I really hope you give this series a chance! It’s fast-paced, easy to read, and completely gripping. The worldbuilding is richly inspired by Korean mythology and history, adding so much depth to the story.

If you’ve read it, let me know what you think—I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Soundtrack for Four Ruined Realms

I listen to rock and metal, so that’s what you’re getting. These tracks capture the intensity, dark themes, and emotional weight of the book:

• “The Game Is Over” – Evanescence

• “No Masters” – Bad Omens

• “Hail to the King” – Avenged Sevenfold

• “The Catalyst” – Linkin Park

• “In the End” – Black Veil Brides

• “Snuff” – Slipknot

• “Fade to Black” – Metallica

Book Description

The King of Yusan may be the greatest liar of them all.

His sister’s ring is in his sights, and he will do anything to get what he wants—even manipulating the five blades to steal it.

Bonded by a common enemy, then divided by deceit, the blades must rely on their skills to pull off King Joon’s pursuit or risk his legendary wrath.

A foreign rule of law stands between them and Quilimar, the Queen of Khitan. Now they have one month to steal the powerful Golden Ring of the Dragon Lord. But that impossible task might be easier than trusting one another—despite their lives, their families, and the fate of the realms hanging in the balance.

They can all agree on one thing: the king can’t win. But can they beat him at his own game?

For the blades, this time it’s not just personal—it’s revenge. Lies may have torn them apart, but vengeance will bring them together.

Reading Order:

Book #1: Five Broken Blades

Book #2: Four Ruined Realms

Book #3 Three Shattered Souls (pub date: July 22, 2025)

About The Author:

Happy Reading!

S A N N A

Book Pub Day: December 10, 2024

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, New Adult Fiction

Trigger Warnings: Grief, death, loss of partner/husband, betrayal, manipulation, deception.

MY THOUGHTS:

I might be a bit biased because I adore this author, but When We Had Forever was an incredible read from start to finish!

Shaylin Gandhi has a way of weaving stories that are deeply emotional and yet feel entirely relatable. This book is no exception. It masterfully explores the complexities of love, grief, and rediscovery, making it a truly unforgettable experience.

The story kept me hooked with its well-paced twists and turns. The ending, in particular, took me completely by surprise. It was one of those rare moments where the twist was both shocking and perfectly logical once all the pieces fell into place. Gandhi’s ability to blend emotional depth with compelling revelations is a true testament to her storytelling prowess.

What struck me most was how real the characters felt. Grayson’s reflections on grief were raw and poignant, capturing emotions that resonated deeply with me. The line, “Grief. It’s the most challenging emotion in the human experience, isn’t it? The hardest to deal with. You’re not alone in that,” stayed with me long after I finished reading. It encapsulates the book’s profound exploration of loss and the courage it takes to move forward.

This novel is a beautifully written and refreshingly original take on love and loss, yet it carries a sense of familiarity that makes it impossible to put down. If you enjoy books that stir your heart and make you reflect, When We Had Forever should absolutely be your next read.

I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the author, NetGalley, and the publishing house for granting me the incredible opportunity to read this ARC. It’s truly appreciated!

What will you find:

• Family Drama
• Romance Suspense
• Dual Timelines
• Open Door Romance
• Mystery
• Second Chance
• Love after Loss
• Insta Love
• Road to Self-Discovery
• Healing from Childhood Trauma
• Forgiveness

Here’s some rock-inspired playlist that captures the emotional intensity and themeof the book:

“Everlong (Acoustic)” by Foo Fighters – Captures the longing and deep connection Mina feels as she unravels her emotions.

“November Rain” by Guns N’ Roses – A sweeping epic about love, loss, and healing.

“With or Without You” by U2 – Represents the complicated, push-pull dynamics of Mina’s relationships.

“Broken” by Seether ft. Amy Lee – Reflects the pain of loss and the hope for connection amidst brokenness.

“Bring Me to Life” by Evanescence – Represents Mina’s awakening to new feelings and rediscovering herself.

“Boulevard of Broken Dreams” by Green Day – Mirrors Mina’s solitary journey through grief and self-reflection.

“You Found Me” by The Fray – Highlights the serendipity of finding Grayson and the secrets that change everything.

“Shadow of the Day” by Linkin Park – A poignant track for themes of love, loss, and moving forward.

“Fade Into You” by Mazzy Star – A dreamy, emotional song that reflects Mina’s pull toward Grayson.

“Patience” by Guns N’ Roses – A soft rock ballad about taking time to heal and find love again.

“Here Without You” by 3 Doors Down – Represents the lingering connection to Michael and the journey of letting go.

“All Apologies” by Nirvana (Unplugged) – A raw track reflecting forgiveness and the imperfections of love.

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

An emotionally powerful roller coaster of a novel about losing and finding love, perfect for fans of Colleen Hoover and Lucy Score. Six months after her husband died in a car crash, Mina Drake is still mired in a haze of grief. Reminders of her years with Michael are everywhere, but beneath her heartache lies an even more painful emotion. It’s a guilty suspicion she can hardly admit to anyone, even herself that her marriage was over long before Michael’s accident.

They were good together once, she’s sure of it, sharing a connection so deep that Mina couldn’t understand how it unraveled. That is, until a chance discovery in her husband’s office, and the reappearance of Michael’s estranged brother, Grayson, a notorious bad-boy photographer-awakens her to possible answers. More shocking still is the pull Mina feels to tattooed, scarred Grayson, who’s nothing at all like the man she married.

But as feelings stir to life again, so do secrets, changing everything she thought she knew about her marriage, and about the risks and rewards of loving with no limits.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

SHAYLIN GANDHI is a traveler, scuba diver, and pianist. She lives in Denver, Colorado, with her husband, their identical twin daughters, and two rescue dogs. When not finagling words onto paper, Shaylin can be found hiking, biking, scheming up ways to add another stamp to her passport, or ingesting enough coffee to power a small city. Shaylin once spent forty-six days riding her bicycle from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic.

Authors Website:

www.shaylingandhi.com

Instagram: @AuthorShaylinGandhi 

Gandhi’s other books:

Once Charmed, Twice Cursed: A Standalone Fantasy Romance, Song of the Hundred-Year Summer: A Fairytale Romance Novella, By the Light of Embers, etc.

Happy Reading!

Sanna

You can follow me on Instagram @mugofreality

Latest post: Finding Myself

P.S.

I’ve taken individual images from Pinterest that were used to create a “poster” image in this post. If you’re the owner of any of them, please let me know so I can credit you. These were used solely for creative purposes.