Return of the Vengeful Queen

 

Return of the Vengeful Queen
by C.J. Redwine

Book: Rise of the Vicious Princess #2
Publisher: HarperCollins
Pub Date: April 30, 2024
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Romance
Format: Print
Source: Bought 
Book Links: Goodreads  Amazon  Bookshop 

Charis Willowthorn is a queen without a throne. A Rakuuna invader holds Charis's kingdom of Calera captive, leaving her desperate—and ruthlessly committed to vengeance. But with her allies reluctant to intervene and her enemies hunting her across the open sea, Charis is left with only one forge a temporary alliance with Tal Penbyrn, the boy who betrayed her—and, at all costs, keep him out of her heart.

Tal is imprisoned, both by the Rakuuna's isolated castle and the weight of his guilt. Though he once betrayed his love, he knows that he can help turn the tide in Charis’s favor, if only he can regain her trust. But the Rakuuna have an ally of their own—one who knows Charis’s every move and will stop at nothing to see her destroyed.

With threats closing in and every allegiance in doubt, Charis must be stronger, faster, and more vicious than her enemies to reclaim her kingdom—and her future.

 

My Review: Mehhh.

I had high hopes for this book after reading the first one.

Charis is supposed to be vengeful, but she doesn't come off as such. Least not enough to make it worth while. She is more along the lines of a really mad Queen who wants her home and kingdom back but without the oomph of vengefulness. 

It was also a little boring for a while. While it was building up, providing a little more backstory and settling in another kingdom while figuring out the next move, it wasn't super exciting. It wasn't giving me anything except the I want to close this book now its so boring.

It took about 70% of the book to finally grab me and it was just barely enough. It wasn't until the very end where it finally was good enough for me to push through and finish the book. 

Charis finally showed her power as a queen. Finally put the Everlys in their place, finally proved who the Rakuuna were really reporting to, finally proving to her people she is the rightful queen and she didn't have anything to do with what happened, etc. Too bad it was at the very very end of the book. 

The ending itself was nice. The wedding happens, Charis is watching her kingdom slowly rebuild and come back to it's former self even though there is still a ways to go. Putting her parents to rest. Just finally having things fall into place and gives you an idea that all will be just fine.

Overall, it was simply just okay. It wasn't as good as the first book and I had high hopes but it was one that just didn't turn out as expected until the very end.

My Rating:

✪✪✪

Weekly Spotlight - Emotional Rollercoaster Reads

This Heart of Mine
A new heart saved her life—but will it help her find out what really happened to its donor?

Seventeen-year-old Leah MacKenzie is heartless. An artificial heart in a backpack is keeping her alive. However, this route only offers her a few years. And with her rare blood type, a transplant isn’t likely. Living like you are dying isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. But when a heart becomes available, she’s given a second chance at life. Except Leah discovers who the donor was — a boy from her school — and they’re saying he killed himself. Plagued with dreams since the transplant, she realizes she may hold the clues to what really happened.

Matt refuses to believe his twin killed himself. When Leah seeks him out, he learns they are both having similar dreams and he’s certain it means something. While unraveling the secrets of his brother’s final moments, Leah and Matt find each other, and a love they are terrified to lose. But life and even new hearts don’t come with guarantees. Who knew living, took more courage than dying?

This Heart of Mine is a haunting, poignant tale about living and dying, surviving grief, guilt, and heartache, while discovering love and hope in the midst of sadness.

Get it Here

 
 

Taking Chances
Her first year away is turning out to be nearly perfect, but one weekend of giving in to heated passion will change everything.
 
Eighteen-year-old Harper has grown up under the thumb of her career marine father. Ready to live life her own way and to experience things she's only ever heard of from the jarheads in her father's unit, she's on her way to college at San Diego State University.
 
Thanks to her new roommate, Harper is introduced to a world of parties, gorgeous guys, family, and emotions. She finds herself being torn in two as she quickly falls in love with both her new boyfriend, Brandon, and her roommate's brother, Chase. Despite their dangerous looks and histories, both men adore Harper and would do anything for her, including taking a step back if it would mean she'd be happy.

Get it Here

 
 

The Last Letter
Beckett,
If you’re reading this, well, you know the last-letter drill. You made it. I didn’t. Get off the guilt train, because I know if there was any chance you could have saved me, you would have.

I need one thing from you: get out of the army and get to Telluride.
My little sister Ella’s raising the twins alone. She’s too independent and won’t accept help easily, but she has lost our grandmother, our parents, and now me. It’s too much for anyone to endure. It’s not fair.

And here’s the kicker: there’s something else you don’t know that’s tearing her family apart. She’s going to need help.

So if I’m gone, that means I can’t be there for Ella. I can’t help them through this. But you can. So I’m begging you, as my best friend, go take care of my sister, my family.

Please don’t make her go through it alone.
Ryan

Get it Here

 

 

If I Stay

In the blink of an eye everything changes. Seventeen ­year-old Mia has no memory of the accident; she can only recall what happened afterwards, watching her own damaged body being taken from the wreck. Little by little she struggles to put together the pieces- to figure out what she has lost, what she has left, and the very difficult choice she must make. Heartwrenchingly beautiful, this will change the way you look at life, love, and family. Now a major motion picture starring Chloe Grace Moretz, Mia's story will stay with you for a long, long time.

Get it Here 

Deathless

 

Deathless
by Julie Kagawa 

Book: Fateless #2
Publisher: HarperCollins
Pub Date: July 7, 2026
Genre: YA, Romance, Fantasy
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher
Book Links: Goodreads  Amazon  Bookshop

 

How does one kill the unkillable?

Sparrow and her companions have been left with an impossible task: slay the immortal Deathless King, whose magic siphons the very life of the world to sustain himself.

The answer may lie deep in the past, when those who would become Deathless Kings stormed the sanctuary of the goddess of Fate, in an attempt to remove their threads from the Weave and become immortal. They broke off a piece of the goddess’s loom and hurled it to the earth, where it still lies at the center of a dangerous wasteland called the World Scar.

For any chance against the Deathless King, Sparrow and her companions must brave the World Scar and reach the loom, which would grant the power of a goddess. But the journey is fraught with danger, and the powerful Deathless King determined to find them.

And if the loom is reached—what will the power of a goddess do to a mere mortal? Sparrow has no choice but to find out. 

 

My Review: THIS WAS AMAZING! I can't get enough of these books!

Julie really wrecked me with this one, but then again, when doesn't she.

At first, I was all on board with everyone hating on Raithe. Afterall he kept quite the secret about who what his queen really was and well it's kind of the whole reason the world is in chaos right now.  

Between finding out his Queen is a Deathless, then visiting his city, then having the new mission and needing Raithe involved to guide everyone to their next destination, well you can say things are looking rough for him. BUT wait, things will change and what we knew all along about Raithe and Sparrow finally comes to be. 

As for Sparrow, she grows a lot and I loved her even more. She's become a bit more fearless and is ready to do what it takes to end this battle with the Deathless King. But to stop a Deathless she will need to be on the same level, power wise. To become a Goddess in her own right is the only way and the journey there is so heart wrenching I just couldn't stop being on the edge of my seat. 

Along the journey, everyone will need to stick together for anything and everything. Including statues that suddenly come to life and come after them. A horrible creature on the hunt for them and then there's Meeka. I LOVED Meeka. Who knew such a tiny creature was going to be one of my favorite parts of this book AND basically save everyone. Seriously, he navigated lava like it was nothing and if he didn't...well they all may have never made it to their destination. 

Then the ending.... WHAT WAS THAT JULIE?! That had to be one of the worst cliff hangers ever!! (In a good way) There is no way I can just sit around and wait for the next book, I need to have it after that. You can't just leave me hanging like this.

Once again, I loved this book. This whole series is amazing and can't wait for more, Julie has always been amazing and a favorite author of mine. This series is also on par with her Fey series, because to this day it STILL the series I shove at people who want Fey. 

ANYWAY, I'll be not so patiently waiting for the next Fateless book. 

 

My Rating:

✪✪✪✪✪

Why Book Spotlights Are a Simple Yet Powerful Way to Promote Your Book

 

Not every reader discovers a book through ads or bestseller lists. Sometimes, all it takes is the right spotlight at the right time.

Book spotlights are one of the most effective ways to introduce your book to new readers in a clean, professional, and engaging format.

At Lovely Reads Press, our book spotlight service is designed to help authors increase visibility while creating excitement around their books.

What Is a Book Spotlight?

A book spotlight is a featured promotional post dedicated entirely to your book. These features often include:

• Your book cover
• Synopsis
• Purchase links
• Author information
• Promotional graphics
• Reader appeal highlights

Unlike reviews, spotlights focus on showcasing your book and helping readers discover what makes it unique.

Why Spotlights Matter

Readers are constantly searching for their next great read, but many books get overlooked simply because readers never see them.

A well-crafted spotlight can:

• Introduce your book to targeted readers
• Create social media engagement
• Build awareness before or after release
• Provide shareable promotional content
• Keep your book visible long after launch day

For indie authors especially, consistent visibility can make a major difference over time.

How Lovely Reads Press Helps

At Lovely Reads Press, we create reader-friendly spotlights designed to help your book stand out in a crowded market. We understand how important presentation is, and we work hard to feature your book in a way that feels professional, exciting, and authentic.

Whether you’re promoting a new release, an older title, or a special event, book spotlights offer a simple and effective way to keep readers talking about your work.

Book Spotlight - Single? It's Not You. It's Your Technique! (Men's Version)

  

Single? It's Not You. It's Your Technique! 

We live in a world that is more emotionally disconnected than ever—especially for the more than 40% of adults who are single. For them, getting dates, building chemistry, inspiring genuine investment, and making it past those critical first six weeks without things falling apart feels like a Herculean task. Dating today means navigating a gauntlet of app rejections, awkward silences, overthought texts, and the exhausting push-and-pull of their own attachment patterns (not to mention their potential partner’s). It can feel less like finding love and more like surviving it. But here’s the truth: it’s not you—it’s your technique. With 30 years of experience helping thousands of singles find lasting love, Alisa Goodwin Snell knows exactly what’s getting in your way—and how to fix it. Single? It’s Not You. It’s Your Technique! is a proven, practical guide that meets you wherever you are in your dating journey, giving you the tools to go from first date to real, lasting connection—with confidence.

Who Should Read This Book

Singles struggling with modern dating

Men and women are tired of unhealthy relationship patterns

Readers wanting practical relationship guidance

People seeking emotional clarity in dating

Teasers

“Chemistry without clarity creates confusion.” 
“The first six weeks can determine the future of a relationship.” 
“Dating success is not luck. It’s a technique.”

The Inspiration

These books were inspired by Alisa’s 30 years of experience helping singles understand dating patterns, emotional behavior, and relationship clarity.

 

Author Bio

Alisa Goodwin Snell has spent more than 30 years helping singles and couples build healthier, happier relationships, including 17 years as a marriage and family therapist and 20 years as a dating and relationship strategist. After seeing how often singles struggled with the gap between relationship theory and practical dating skills, she began creating techniques to simplify the dating experience. This work evolved into numerous books, audio recordings, and videos published for private sale by the Lasting Love Academy. 

Now, Alisa is releasing her books to the general population, beginning with two complementary versions of Single? It’s Not You. It’s Your Technique!, one for men and another for women. These books help readers move from fear, confusion, and unhealthy relationships toward safer, healthier, and more meaningful dating experiences with greater potential for lasting love. Her practical and compassionate techniques have helped thousands of singles bridge the differences between male and female perspectives, improve verbal and nonverbal communication, and enhance chemistry and connection. 

With warmth, insight, and decades of experience, Alisa helps readers feel more hopeful, more confident, and better equipped to find and enjoy lasting love. A sought-after speaker, she has also appeared on local and national TV and radio programs, including Good Morning America, The Family Radio Network, and Discovery/TLC.

Book Links

Amazon Women Edition 

Amazon Men Edition 
Goodreads

Instagram

Want an ARC?

Interested in receiving an ARC of this book (or women's version) or participate in a promotional opportunity for the book? Signup here! 

Weekly Spotlight - June Anticipated Releases

 

Tempting Venom

From New York Times bestselling author Rina Kent comes a nail-biting MM dark romance between two hockey rivals.

When two ruthless enemies collide.

My name is Preston Armstrong, and I’m the most depraved bastard you’ll ever meet.
I take what I want, ruin what I don’t, and live exactly how I please.
That is, until I crash into the force of nature that is Marcus Osborn.
Captain of our rival hockey team, and the perpetual thorn in my side.
A migraine in human form and the one person who refuses to play by my rules.

He’s my brand of heartless and just as deranged.

I set out to crush him, his career, and his infuriatingly gorgeous face.
But Marcus hits back with equal force, turning our rivalry into a violent, addictive dance neither of us can walk away from.
We were supposed to annihilate each other.

Instead, we spark a fire that threatens to devour everything in its path.
In this battle of two unhinged souls, our bodies become collateral damage.

But I never expected our stone-cold hearts to get involved.

Tempting Venom is a male x male college romance. While this book can be read on its own, for a better understanding of the world, it's recommended to read Beautiful Venom & Sweet Venom first.

Get it Here

 

White Lights

#1 New York Times bestselling author Lauren Kate, whose Fallen series has over 10 million copies in print and has sold over 11 million copies of her novels around the world, is returning to the romantasy world of angels that's perfect for Fallen fans and new audiences alike.

When mysterious Rafe de la Cruz rolls into Desdemona’s life to recruit her to the elite film school Acheron, Dez has no reason to trust him—and no other option. A violent attack has just put her brother in the hospital…and Dez is the only suspect. Guilt-ridden and grieving, she finds herself running from the law to chase her longtime dream of making movies, at a school she’s never heard of. Soon, she’s dropped into Acheron’s cutthroat world of seductive intrigue, power on an otherworldly scale, and deadly competition.

Acheron may seem like the ticket to a future Dez has always wanted, but as she delves deeper into the secret work being done there, she finds herself trapped in an existential conflict on a cosmic scale—with more than her heart on the line.

Get it Here

 

The River She Became

A high stakes, action-packed romantasy from bestselling author Emily Varga where a relic-hunter searches for an ancient fae object to restore the magic to her world, but must learn to trust her own powers—and her heart.

This limited luxe edition features gorgeous foil design on the cover and case, a dazzling edge and interior page design and an exclusive map—available while supplies last!

I’m going across the River. And I’m going to save us all.

Yaseema is a brilliant scholar and loyal servant of the Empire—or so they think. By day, she catalogs the fae relics of her conquered kingdom. But by night, she reclaims the artefacts in secret to restore magic to her dying land.

Until she finds the long lost key to cross the River into the fae world and save her people. But a ruthless realm awaits her there, ruled by monsters wearing beautiful skin—especially the cold-eyed captain who sees through her lies. But even he isn’t what he seems—under the guise of upholding a cruel regime, he works to overthrow it from the inside. To succeed, he needs the same lost relic Yaseema the crown of an ancient Fae Queen.

With magic that is a mystery even to her, Yaseema can help him find the crown and save his family from a fate worse than death. Unless she steals it first to help her own.

To survive, they must work together to outwit ancient curses, battle creatures born of nightmares, and find a power that could resurrect their worlds. But as secrets unravel and loyalties blur, they face the greatest danger of losing their heart to each other.

Perfect for fans of The Cruel Prince and The Mummy, this thrilling start to a new fantasy duology bursts with dangerous romance, heart-stopping twists, and a heroine who dares to steal back her future.

Get it Here

June Reading Challenge

 

Let's get reading! June Reading challenge is here!  

Here is a list of books to help you get started:

One Worded Title:

Lick by Kylie Scott

Cinder by Marissa Meyers

Circe by Madeline Miller

 

Historical Mystery:
Rules for Murder by Mimi Matthews

Death at a Highland Wedding by Kelley Armstrong

The Quiet Librarian by Allen Eskens

We welcome you to comment with your suggestions and tell us which bingo spot you’re most excited about this month!

Look Before You Leap

 

Look Before You Leap
by Virginia Heath
 
Book: Miss Prentice's Protegees #2
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Pub Date: June 24, 2025
Genre: Romance, Historical, Regency, Adult
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher
Book Links: Goodreads  Amazon  Bookshop
 

Nine years ago, Lord Guy Harrowby, Viscount of Wennington, was publicly humiliated when a reckless romantic gesture went very wrong. Despite that, his mother held tight to the promise he made her then: that she would have a house full of grandchildren by his thirtieth birthday. Still single, embittered, and swiftly approaching that milestone birthday, there’s not a grandchild in sight. His heart now lies with his land and work is his life. In desperation, his mother decides that if he refuses to venture back into society to find her future daughter-in-law, the only solution is to bring society to him via a weeklong houseparty so that she can find one for him. The first Guy knows about her plan is when her hand-picked gaggle of debutantes arrive at his estate, all competing to be his wife.

After failing miserably as a governess, Lottie Travers isn’t proving to be any better at being a lady’s companion. As the only girl in an all-male household growing up, she’s developed several bad habits she can’t shake and keep getting her dismissed. Even after years of Miss Prentice’s teachings, Lottie still climbs a tree better than she embroiders, and still cannot seem to curb the desire to gallop astride a horse in breeches whenever an opportunity arises. But with the family farm in trouble, and her father now in dire need of her wages to keep it afloat, she’s determined to conquer her wildness once and for all and concentrate on her career.

Even with his home full of eligible women, there is only one that catches Guy’s eye, as much as he tries to deny it. And succeeding in her new role is easier said than done for Lottie when the Wennington Estate is filled with horses and she can’t help but feel a spark around the grumpy Lord. By the end of the week, will the two of them remain stuck in their ways, or will they learn that they may just be the perfect match?

 
My Review: Meh.

This was just okay. I didn't love it but I didn't exactly hate it either. It's one of those books that you just pick up to read when there isn't anything else at the moment. 

Lottie is an alright character. She is rebellious in her need for riding horses. It's her way to feel free in a way. Which isn't a bad thing. When she is caught coming back in after sneaking out and dragging mud inside with her, she quickly throws in a few lies and promises to be better. Miss P seems to sympathize for her and pretty much lets it slide.

When she gets back to her room though, the girls are not happy. Frankly, I didn't like them. They act like they have a say over her and her life and wont be her friends anymore if she doesn't promise to stop going out for rides.

Then it jumps into Lottie's life a little bit after the fact. Her family is in need, she is failing at her roles and things aren't exactly going well. While she wants to go out for a ride, she shouldn't as she is currently about to get ready for her friend's wedding and doesn't want to take the day from her or ruin it by grieving out her troubles. 

The book is pretty much the same pace throughout. A bit slow for me. Didn't really get pulled into the book but its probably just fine for someone who is more into this style of regency romance. I'm used to a regency romance giving me way more and this was just too light a read for me.

Didn't hate the book, but I don't see myself jumping for the next book in the series. A good read in between book but nothing super exciting for me.

 

My Rating:

✪✪✪