Caffeinated Crystal's book reviews

One thing I didn't mention in my review of book 1, this series has some storylines and plot points that carry over into the next book. Like the ongoing fight between Hell's Ankhor & The Vipers. Book 2, Gunnar, is the romance between Raven (the son of Hell's Ankhor's founding fathers) and Gunnar (the sargent at arms) AND the mystery of who killed Ankh. • age gap • legacy member/Sgt at arms • hacker (programmer) • former Marine • PINING and unknown mutual pining • push/pull • secret softy Raven was downbad for Gunnar as a kid. The crush never went away, and when Raven comes home from college and then almost immediately after his father dies, Raven is thrust ass over teakettle into grief. One night pushes Gunnar even further away from Raven.  Gunnar isn't immune to the charms of Raven, but feels like he's too old and basically doesn't think he deserves Raven. Thinks that if he pushes Raven away that Raven will go find someone better. I loved Raven's int...

Here is one from the vault, y'all. BLADE is book one of the Hell's Ankhor series. I devoured this series years ago, and of course never reviewed them.  Hells Ankor is a motorcycle club & found family series. Each member gets their own HEA. • mc prez/nurse (& son of a rival mc's prez) • ✨️good boy✨️ • pushy do-gooders • found family • abusive & absent families • violence (not between mcs) • secrets • safety and falling in love Blade and Logan have a very understandable push and pull, but their chemistry wins out in the end. Setting up the series, introducing the villains (The Vipers), and giving the club president such a good "old man", really sets the stage for a great series. I really enjoyed coming back to this series and real talk, will probably start book 2 now. 4.25 ⭐️

Barbarian's Vow picks up right where book 2 ends. There's a lot more politics and secrets in this book as Jem tries to navigate forgiving Cador & also helping the people of Ergh. More betrayals lie in wait, but over time Cador's constancy and his groveling seems to push Jem over the edge into forgiveness. I love that we basically get to see Cador figure out that his husband is a bad ass and we get to see these two find their happily ever after. The setting in both books play wonderful side characters alongside all the other royals who may or may not have something sinister at hand. I was trusting no one but Cador! This duet is fantastic, especially if you're looking for a story more fantasy inclined. And real talk, I am usually pretty ANTI-forgiveness in stories... but I feel like Cador grew from his prejudice and became better in the end. These two were wonderful. 

Warning: this book absolutely ends on a cliffhanger. Be prepared to jump directly to book 2. Okay, with that being said: I LOVE THIS STORY. 5⭐️ for me. I was hanging on every word. Prince Jowan, Jem, is bartered into an arranged marriage to the Chieftain of Ergh's son Cador. The two men couldn't be more different. Where Jem is sweet and soft, Cador is a hunter... a barbarian. There were so many moments where Jem's innocence is heartbreaking & Cador's cruelty feels so extreme. There is a reason for all of it, but Jem breaks my heart. Perfect if you're looking for a book with stellar world-building and a game of thrones -esque vibe.  • age difference • size difference  • arranged marriage  • first times • world building • cliffhanger! • betrayal

Finally, we get the nitty gritty, all the details of Arlo and Jack. Talk about a love story that hits hard - featuring a demi awakening, "you're my person," bodyguard to best friend to soulmate love affair with so much pining. All the pining. your honor, they are both so dumb. We get the Caffeine Daydream crew. More Kevin (woof). More BODYGUARDS!!!! A random creeper. Mental illness rep. Found family vibes. And did I mention the PINING? Oh my god. And of course, multiple Lark-verse cameos. I simply adored Jack and Arlo. The chemistry. The intensity. The obsession. The perfection. The pining. The support. Everything. All of it. These two were tragically clueless, but the live was THERE. reread 04/06/26 The representation in this story was great on multiple levels. This series is so good, and really, who doesn't love a bodyguard romance? • age gap • rockstar/bodyguard • depression rep • demi realization • found family (the band) • lots of first times • pining

😭💕😭💕😭 I LOVED THIS BOOK. *sigh* This book was so good. Honestly, I cried so much. If you like: a slow burn, childhood best friends to lovers, bi-awakening, PINING as an Olympic sport, size difference *winky face*, an oblivious main character, poor communication & miscommunication, found family and a sweet hea that will make you emotional as hell ... then this is for you. Have you ever read something, and your heart just aches for a character? That's Kai for me. That man. The looks and the pining - THE PINING. Kai has been in love with his straight best friend and band mate Silas since they met at 13. After one moment on stage shakes up EVERYTHING, will our two dummies ever realize they are made for each other?! Seriously, I only read HEAs, so you know they do. But getting there, Lark takes us on a JOURNEY. I know she will always break my heart, but then she puts it back together. This book had a couple of BIG moments, and I love a big moment. And there was an airport scene...