Thirsty Thursday: April book recap

I read a total of 17 books in April. I didn't stick with a certain troupe, but they were all romance and fiction. This month, I am going to do things a little differently- I am going to give a synopsis along with my review, and I am going to put my ratings in order (5*-1*).

How I read

I read on Kindle Unlimited, and I do that for a few reasons: 1) convenience- the books are literally at the tip of my fingers, and 2) it's cheaper. Kindle Unlimited is only $10 a month and it works like the library- you borrow a book and then return it. You can have up to 20 books in your "library" at a time, which does not include the books you do buy. You can still buy Kindle copies of books and there are a bunch of authors that offer Kindle Unlimited books.

This month I read Kindle Unlimited, like usual, and read 1 print book. I also bought a few paperback copies of books, so I hope to showcase them next month!

The rating system

1* Eh, not memorable
2* Just ok.
3* Good book, definitely recommend reading.
4* Great book, can live without a print copy.
5* Wow, would read again. Probably will get a print copy for my library at home.

Kindle Unlimited

*Please read any and all trigger warnings before diving into any of my read books*

The Never King (Vicious Lost Boys Book 1) - Nikki St. Crow // 5*

Synopsis

A retelling of Peter Pan and Wendy, but darker, The Never King is an enemies to lovers dark romance with a side of reverse harem. The book centers around Winnie Darling, who is kidnapped by Peter Pan on her 18th birthday and taken to Neverland, because Peter is certain that the Darling woman are the key to finding something that was taken from him.

My Review

This book was fire! I literally couldn't put it down, which was crazy. AND yes, I read it in one day! I loved the smut, the banter, the plot, the everything! I really hated the cliffhanger, and now I am anxiously awaiting the next one. UGH!

*I bought a print copy for my library*

Wretched (Never After Series)- Emily McIntire // 5*

Synopsis

With a slight Wizard of Oz retelling, Wretched centers around Eveline and Nick. Eveline is the villian, her back story is tragic- with one sister killing the other, but she is a bad ass. She is the enforcer for her father's drug trade, and Nick, oh lil Nick, is an undercover DEA agent that falls for her.

My Review

Emily did it again with the third installment of the Never After Series. I loved the retelling, the characters, the steam, the interactions, and of course, the smut was on par!

*I will be buying a print copy for my library*

Antichrist- Amo Jones // 5*

Synopsis

A dark romance with MC and mafia splashed in. The story surrounds Meraki Mallory and Niko Davis. Through everything, Meraki and Niko have been best friends and lovers, and chosen each other above everything else. Something happens and Niko leaves town, leaving Meraki behind. Now, Meraki lives two lives- one that everyone thinks they know, and one that she works hard to hide. Niko comes riding back into town to take the gavel (he's part of the Seven Knights MC), and now Meraki can't hide her demons anymore.

My Review

This book was crazy. There were so many twists and turns that my head spun, but I loved every moment of it. I loved how bad ass Meraki was and Niko... swoon! He is an alpha through and through and has so many redeeming qualities!

*I will be buying a print copy for my library*

Eyes on Me (Salacious Players' Club)- Sara Cate // 4*

Synopsis

Voyeur with a side of age-gap & step-siblings, Eyes on Me is the anticipated follow up to Praise; and centers around step-siblings Garrett and Mia. Garrett works at Salacious Players' Club, which caters to adult kinks and Mia is a cam girl. One day, Garrett is looking for some fun and stumbles upon a cam girl app... well, he then finds Mia, and begins a conversation with her. The catch- Mia doesn't know that it's Garrett that she is talking to! Things snowball from there.

My Review

One word- hot! The banter, the smut, the everything. Ugh!

Redlined (Shadow Crew Series Book 1)- Cara Riley // 4*

Synopsis

An action packed steamy romance that centers around Roxy and Roman. Roxy is basically kicked out of her old crew and sent to live with her cousin. She lives and breathes car racing, so she feels betrayed and she has built her walls way up. While on a date, she goes to a car race and realizes that her cousin is part of the local crew that runs the scene. The leader, Roman, is not happy that Roxy is at the race. He knows that she is in the area, as he is doing a favor to Roxy's old leader by letting her stay in the area. After a series of events, Roman puts Roxy through the paces to become one of the crew and becomes infatuated with her. At first Roxy is hesitant due to her background, but she eventually comes around.

My Review

I really loved the chemistry between Roxy and Roman, and the overall pacing of the story. There weren't any lull parts, and I found myself completely engaged. The smut was also on point :)

Say You Swear- Meagan Brandy // 4*

Synopsis

A friends to lovers romance. Ari had been in love with Chase, one of her brother's best friends, for the majority of her life, and just when they get together, Chase puts a stop to everything, which breaks Ari in two. During her heartbreak, she meets Noah, and the two start off as just friends. They develop into more, but then Chase comes back into the picture and says that he wants another chance. Ari is conflicted. When she figures out what she wants, tragedy strikes.

My Review

Meagan is one of my favorite authors, and she didn't disappoint with Say You Swear. The book did take me awhile to read, because it is kind of slow and angsty, but once it got going, I was in tears. I loved Noah and Ari's love story, and my heart broke for Noah several times. It was emotional and the love that Noah felt for Ari was all encompassing.

The Psycho (The Soldiers of Anarchy Book 1)- Nikki J. Summers // 4*

Synopsis

A dark romance centered around Adam and Olivia. Adam is a vigilante and the leader of The Soldiers of Anarchy, who fight for victims who never got justice. While at a fight, he meets Olivia, and immediately becomes infatuated & obsessed with her, thus starting a stalker-like relationship. Olivia is not freaked out buy Adam and his stalker-tendencies, no, she actually feeds into them like some sort of a game.

My Review

If it were real life, I would be freaked out, but since it's a book, I fell in love with Adam and the fact that he tries to keep Olivia out of trouble and wants what's best for her. He is supposed to be the villian, but he ends up being the hero in the shadows and I loved him for that! I also LOVED the steam once Adam and Olivia got to the naughty part of the relationship!

Dark Prince: A Vampire Paranormal Romance (Blueblood Vampires Book 1)- Michelle Hercules // 4*

Synopsis

Paranormal romance. Vivi's brother is kidnapped by a dragon shifter and the only way to get him back is by stealing a necklace from one of the most powerful vampires- Lucca. Her first attempt at getting the necklace fails, so in return she is given a potion that will fool vampires into believing she is one of them. She enlists at Bloodstone academy, a vampire only academy, so she can attempt to steal the necklace again. At the academy she has more than one run in with Lucca. Lucca can't seem to get Vivi off his mind and secret wind up being revealed.

My Review

I love Michelle's writing and Dark Prince did not disappoint me. I loved the interactions between Lucca and Vivi and the fact that Lucca almost immediately knew that Vivi was human, but didn't "out" her to anyone. The banter between the two only fed into the steam.

Dominant Desires (Desires Duet Book 1)- Molly Doyle // 4*

Synopsis

Pretty Woman meets Fifty Shades of Grey. Sasha. a stripper and part time prostitute, is standing on the street when Jaxon, in an expensive car, pulls up. She asks if he is looking for something and he offers her an obscene amount of money to pretend to be his fiancé for 6 months. He explains that his sister is getting married and he sorta lied to his family about having a fiancé. Sasha agrees to move to California for the time limit. That's when Jaxon drops the bomb that he is a dom and gives her a contract. Sasha agrees.

My Review

You could see Sasha and Jaxon falling for each other throughout the story, but each one denied it to the other, and it frustrated me to no end. The smut was hot, yes, but still. UGH!

Dark Desires (Desires Duet Book 2)- Molly Doyle // 3*

Synopsis

I really can't give a good synopsis of this one, since it picks up directly after where the first one leaves off, but I can say that Jaxon has a secret that he tells Sasha and Sasha has the choice on whether to deal with it and love Jaxon as he is, or she can walk away.

My Review

The spice was off the charts, but I called the secret from a mile away. The mega redeeming quality of the book was when Jaxon relinquished his "dom status" and let Sasha be the "dom" for a night.

Taken By A Sinner: A Greek Mafia Romance- Michelle Heard // 4*

Synopsis

A Mafia- age gap romance with a step-sibling twist. Tess's mom marries the father of the head of the Greek mafia and Tess's world is turned upside down. All of a sudden her step-brother, Nickolas, the head of the Greek Mafia is everywhere. He is infatuated with Tess and can't get over her. She also returns his feelings...

My Review

The interactions between Tess and Nickolas were HOTT! The steam was off the charts and I loved how he went all alpha male on her. My heart did break at one point for Tess, but Nickolas did rectify that situation pretty quickly. Michelle did not disappoint!

A Ruin of Roses (Deliciously Dark Fairytales Book 1)- K.F. Breene // 4*

Synopsis

A dark Beauty and the Beast retelling. Finley is caught going into the forbidden wood by the beast- Nyfain, who is the last dragon shifter- and he takes her captive. Her suppressed animal starts talking to her and tells her that Nyfain is the Alpha that she has been waiting for.

My Review

I would say that this was more vanilla for my taste, but I still liked it. Even though there wasn't really any smut, they just alluded to it, it was still a good book with lots of sexual tension and character build up. I really liked Finley's inner voice and thought that she was hilarious! I will be reading the second one!

Renegade Hearts (Rebels of Sandland Book 1)- Nikki J. Summers // 3*

Synopsis

Emily is a good girl and a politician's daughter, and Ryan is the poor boy from the other side of the tracks (who was also friends with her dead brother). Ryan has apparently been in love with Emily since forever, but Emily has no idea. Ryan treats Emily like crap (typical enemies to lovers), but Emily starts to soften towards Ryan.

My Review

It was a little long and wordy, but I did like the writing and the story between Emily and Ryan.

The Game- LP Lovell // 2*

Synopsis

A dark erotic psychological thriller. Ella is broke and on her last nerve when she is offered 1 million dollars to play a game with two very sexy men for the next 7 days. The rules are simple: don't ask questions, don't leave, there are no safe words, and complete submission.

My Review

It was hot, I'll give it that, but on the other hand, I was like "What did I just read?" I didn't like the addition of Three (a third man)- I didn't like his character or what he stood for either. If you are looking for a short naughty book with twists and turns, then The Game is for you. I just couldn't like it.

Ruthless Vows: An Arranged Marriage Mafia Romance (The Mafia Wives #1)- Ivy Davis // 2*

Synopsis

An arranged marriage mafia romance, with a revenge twist. Eva is sold in an auction because her father needs money to cover his gambling debts. She is bided on and sold to Gabriel Moretti, because he has a vendetta against Eva's father. Gabriel plays the nice guy and then once Eva is in his home, he flips his switch and lets her in on the game. Eva is heartbroken, but then Gabriel has a change of heart; and they eventually get their happy ending after a bunch of crap.

My Review

The story line had potential, but fell short for me.

Cruel Union: An Arranged Marriage Mafia Romance- Ivy Davis // 2*

Synopsis

Inessa is a ballerina and her father is a Ukrainian mob boss who wants to expand his territory at the expense of Inessa's happiness. He arranges a marriage between Inessa and Mikhail Ivanov, the leader of the Russian Bratva. Mikhail expects Inessa to quit ballet- she can only dance for him, and become a picture perfect mob wife. Inessa expresses that she wants love, but Mikhail thinks that she is silly.

My Review

The story line wasn't bad. I liked the fact that Inessa stuck to he guns and withheld sex from Mikhail, because she wanted to fall in love, and he in turn did not go an cheat on her.

Print Books that I read

*Please read any and all trigger warnings before diving into any of my read books*

The Dare- Harley Laroux // 4*

Synopsis

Dark smut/erotica. In high school, Jessica Martin relentlessly bullied the "freak," Manson Reed: her favorite victim. They meet again after high school, at a Halloween party, and start playing beer pong one-on-one. The name of the game? Drink or Dare. Manson wins the game, and loosing the game means that Jessica must take a final dare: a dare to serve Manson for the entire night as his slave. It's a dare that Jessica's pride - and curiosity - won't allow her to refuse. What happens between Jessica and Manson?

My Review

I really liked the book, even if it was short. What drew me in was the fact that it was no longer offered on Kindle Unlimited due to content and since I like Harley's writing, I figured, why not buy it. I was not disappointed. It was the perfect amount of spice and all things kinkiness.