Caffeinated Crystal's book reviews

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...

Original review, 2023 🎉 this story was great and a great kickoff to what looks to be a great series.  Imagine: You are literally having the shitiest day you can remember, all on the day of your big interview. Not only do you see something that completely shakes up your life, and you might even lose your home... you end up trapped in an elevator with a rock star. Like Harry Styles, popularity level musican. Listen, in my mind, Luca is Harry Styles. Let me have this.  You're in the elevator, and things HAPPEN.  Five months go by, and things are going surprisingly well. Then, all of a sudden, you're forced on a six week assignment - with the band that Harry Styles, sorry, I meant LUCA, is the lead singer for. You're back seeing him every day and coming to terms with what changed in YOU after the elevator situation.  Poor Ollie 😂😂😂😂 the man just wants to live, and now he's having to have all these feelings. Not only is he having feelings, but Luca is hot, and that'...

Violent Devotion is the debut story from @authorlnorell and y'all, I ate this up! This wasn't a sweeping romance, this was a weapon turned obsessed. This was think about touching him and die. This was a mafia love story, and with that comes violence. I enjoyed the hell out of Alexei and Kelly. I enjoyed how very ✨️loverboy✨️ Alexei was. I loved the look into the inner workings of the mafia, and I loved Kelly's backstory. If you prefer your mcs to be walking red flags, Alexei is your boy. He's a sweetie, but only for one person. • mafia enforcer/veterinarian • first time with a man • history of domestic violence • touch him and die • cute Russian nickname There is a lot of plot in this one, and a LOT of stalking/obsession. I was thoroughly entertained. 4.75⭐️ and I seriously can't wait for the chaos and angst that's gonna be delivered in book 2. VIOLENT DEVOTION will be out 04/24, so jot that date down. *side note* I DID picture a hot tatted up Connor Storrie wi...

Down and Dirty was stellar. The exploration of grief and survivor's guilt, carelessness mirroring self harm, family, and cowboy life - in and of itself is a lot. Then throw in loving a man you have put so high on a pedestal - Parker St John, break my heart again. Lane is running from everything, and what lies beneath the mask of a hard living bullfighter/rodeo clown is a broken man.  Denver is his own version of broken. Both mcs are paying penance for a tragedy that isn't anyone's fault. Gods y'all, this one gutted me in the best way. The grief was practically a third mc. Parker St John had me begging for Lane and Denver to go figure their shit out. So much anger and hurt, but they both deserved to be happy and LIVE. This wasn't terribly spicy, but each intimate scene felt important. The story, the exploration of grief, cracked open into a beautiful tale of acceptance and healing. I was incredibly moved by Lane and Denver's story. It was atmospheric and sprawl...