Review: Hollow by Karina Halle

Hollow by Karina Halle
Series: A Gothic Shade of Romance, Book 1
Publisher: Ace
Genre: Erotic Gothic LGBTQIA Romance 

ISBN: 9780593952344
Release Date: October 7, 2025
Source: Publisher
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Kat Van Tassel's life was predestined from childhood; she was to marry her best friend, Brom Bones. But Brom vanished from Sleepy Hollow years ago, leaving Kat alone to enroll in Sleepy Hollow Institute, a shadowy university for advanced witchcraft run by her powerful family. And now she finds herself drawn to the school's enigmatic new teacher, Ichabod Crane, as he delves into dark magic.

When Brom returns, suffering from amnesia and a dark transformation, the trio must confront gruesome murders attributed to a vengeful spirit, The Headless Horseman, while navigating their tangled relationships.

As Kat, Ichabod, and Brom seek answers, their bonds deepen, and forbidden desires take hold. But Sleepy Hollow holds secrets more sinister than they imagined. The Headless Horseman lurks, threatening to claim them, while something even more terrifying looms in the shadows. Embark on a journey of dark mysteries, desire, and danger in the eerie heart of Sleepy Hollow.

Karina Halle’s reimagining of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow is a mix of erotic tension, gothic romance, shades of horror, fantasy, domination, and mystery. That may sound like a lot but Halle blends it together beautifully in this sexy, captivating tale. It's been a long time since I devoured a book in one sitting – staying up way too late because I couldn’t stop reading – but Hollow is just that compelling.

The atmosphere of the Sleepy Hollow Institute is creepy and enthralling. Kat Van Tassel has hidden her magic most of her life but here she comes to learn, and quickly is pulled toward the new professor, Ichabod Crane. Kat has an open heart and a curious mind; Crane has dark secrets and a brain that loves nothing more than a mystery. Their chemistry is palpable and I liked watching the sexual tension bubble then boil over. And what of the third member of this trio? Brom Bones is a mystery even unto himself. He has blank spaces in his memory and at times he is not wholly himself. He doesn’t remember Crane but there’s something about the man that both draws and angers him. And Kat, his beloved best friend is now a woman who can no longer be solely his. All three of them are compelling protagonists; each has shared wants and desires that draw them together. But there are also secrets, especially for Crane and Brom, that are still to be unpacked and explored. I loved the beginning of their romance and cannot wait to see what Halle does in the second half of their story to build on the strong foundation she establishes here.

In Hollow, one mystery leads to another. The secrets of Sleepy Hollow are fascinating and the pieces Halle has put on the board are deliberate and I am sure will come together in the next book. I loved the worldbuilding, the creepiness (and this is coming from someone who does not do horror), and am desperate to learn more. I don’t want to say too much because I came into this book not knowing anything other than it was a dark and sexy retelling of a classic and the discovery of what lies behind the Institute’s gates was part of the thrill of the read.

Hollow is a perfect blend of eroticism and storytelling. I absolutely loved the magnetic pull between the three leads, the desire between all of them rich and transfixing. The story itself was atmospheric and engaging, each piece of the puzzle only making me want more. I cannot wait to see how it all ends in Legend!



FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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Review: To Kill a Badger by Shelly Laurenston

To Kill a Badger by Shelly Laurenston
Series: The Honey Badger Chronicles, Book 6
Publisher: Kensington
Genre: Paranormal Romance 

ISBN: 9781496730206
Source: Publisher
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Nelle Zhao is a social media maven who knows what matters. And the only thing that matters right now is survival. Not easy, though, when her honey badger teammates attract trouble the way she attracts attention. She didn’t know when it became her job to protect the ones she cares about from themselves, but even she has to admit…she’s really good at it. Too bad some people don’t appreciate when she’s being helpful. Especially Keane Malone, who doesn’t know how to accept a friendly paw. But Nelle excels at helping! And at ignoring other people’s irrational demands, such as doing it all alone. Keane, poor pretty kitty, doesn’t understand the kind of assistance a shit-starting honey badger like Nelle can truly offer…

Keane knows two things—he doesn’t like other people, and he is going to crush the de Medicis, an evil coalition of male lion shifters who are not only snatching innocent humans for fun and profit, but also killed his father. And for once, he may not be able to fight this fight alone, forcing him to let long-legged, jet-setting Nelle join the fight. And getting close to Nelle is suddenly bringing out his roar…

I come to Shelly Laurenston’s Honey Badger Chronicles expecting a lot of action, a lot of nonsense, more characters than I care to count, and a dash of delightful romance. Unfortunately, only three out of the four were present in To Kill a Badger. The book is billed as being Nelle and Keane’s story, which I was absolutely excited to read. The tiny bits of character that were doled out (few and far between) and the scraps of a love story were charming when they popped up on the page and I do wish there was more of that. They had great chemistry and their back-and-forth was really fun to read about. But Nelle and Keane, as charming as they are, are afterthoughts in their own story and nothing would have been missed by leaving them out of it entirely, which is not a good sign for a romance.

To Kill a Badger is a lot of action and a paper-thin plot that gets very repetitive and only really becomes important at the very end. Mostly, this story is about Charlie MacKilligan whose legacy becomes more mythic as the series goes on. I like Charlie a lot, but the baking and the third act action didn’t break new ground for the series. The other stars of the series are the “crones,” middle-aged badgers who are over-the-top and out-of-control. They are entertaining in small doses, but again, their antics took over way too much of the book.

I wanted to enjoy To Kill a Badger as much as I have the rest of the series, especially since I like Nelle and Keane so much, but this book just fell flat for me. The plot was a jumble that didn’t seem to matter very much and many times it felt like a rehash of past plots. Laurenston’s books are rarely boring, but this one I kept putting down. Yet while this book wasn’t for me, I will certainly pick up more Honey Badger books because as a whole I enjoy the series and the shenanigans the MacKilligans and their friends get into.



FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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Review: The Austen Affair by Madeline Bell

The Austen Affair by Madeline Bell
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Genre: Time Travel Romance 

ISBN: 9781250373519
Release Date: September 16, 2025
Source: Publisher
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Tess Bright just scored her dream role starring in an adaptation of Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey. It's not just the role of a lifetime, but it’s also her last chance to prove herself as a serious actress (no easy feat after being fired from her last TV gig) and more importantly, it’s her opportunity to honor her mom, who was the biggest fan of Jane Austen ever. But one thing is standing in Tess’s way—well, one very tall, annoyingly handsome person, actually: Hugh Balfour.

A serious British method actor, Hugh wants nothing to do with Tess (whose Teen Choice Awards somehow don’t quite compare to his BAFTA nominations). Hugh is a type-A, no-nonsense, Royal Academy prodigy, whereas Tess is big-hearted, a little reckless, and admittedly, kind of a mess. But the film needs chemistry—and Tess’s career depends on it.

Sparks fly, but not in the way Tess hoped, when an electrical accident sends the two feuding co-stars back in time to Jane Austen’s era. 200 years in the past with only each other to rely on, Tess and Hugh need to ad-lib their way through the Regency period in order to make it back home, and hopefully not screw up history along the way. But if a certain someone looks particularly dashing in those 19th century breeches…well, Tess won’t be complaining.

Tess Bright hasn’t been herself since the death of her mother. Her career is on the edge of failure and scoring the lead in an adaptation of Northanger Abbey is both her last chance at being taken seriously as an actress and a way to honor her Jane Austen-loving mother. There’s just one problem: her co-star, Hugh Balfour. Hugh is her opposite in every way. His acting pedigree is stellar, he’s organized where she’s chaotic, stiff where she’s sunshiny, and he cannot be more clear in his dislike of her. But when an accident on set sends them both back in time, Tess and Hugh will have to stick together in order to find a way back home. Can it be long before these two opposites attract?

The Austen Affair is an utter delight! Madeline Bell pays homage to Austen while not trying to recreate her work in this incredibly charming story.

Tess is an endearing heroine who is messy but truly kind. Bell does a really good job of depicting someone struggling with grief, which Tess most certainly is. Her mother was her best friend, her center, and Tess hasn’t really moved on. Getting tossed into the past is like having her Janeite mother with her, in a way. Tess grabbed my heart with her bright nature that not even grief can subdue. She’s spirited and charming and an utter delight to read about. As for Hugh…well he’s no Henry Tilney. The method actor is unyielding and judgmental when we first meet him. He’s Type A and kind of rude to Tess, but when they are sent back in time they have no choice but to join forces. The longer they are forced to play a role, the more Hugh opens up and he is completely endearing when he does. Hugh is struggling with the declining health of his father, the grief inevitably coming for him as much as it had for Tess. He also has anxiety, isn’t the best at expressing his emotions (for all that he’s a great actor) and is a case of still waters that run deep. I absolutely loved seeing him open up to Tess, thrilled as the two learned they could trust and lean on each other.

Though grief is a theme in The Austen Affair, the book overall feels light on its feat and the pages fly by. Between Hugh’s research and method acting and Tess’s love of Austen, the two manage to do fairly well in the nineteenth century. I enjoyed their adventures, the spirited exchanges, and the love that developed between Tess and Hugh. Normally I can take or leave a time travel romance, but in this case with both Tess and Hugh traveling together, it absolutely worked for me. I cannot wait to read more of Bell’s work because she really nailed it with The Austen Affair. The Austen references worked, the writing felt smooth, the pacing was on-point, and the romance was just lovely.



FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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Review: Ghost Business by Jen DeLuca

Ghost Business by Jen DeLuca
Series: Boneyard Key, Book 2
Publisher: Berkley
Genre: Contemporary Romance with Paranormal Elements 

ISBN: 978-0593641231
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Audible

Boneyard Key, Florida, is the only home Sophie has ever known. Her love for its supernatural history has flourished into a career, as she guides the one and only ghost tour through the town’s can’t-miss haunted spots. And while her bank account isn’t full by any means, her heart is. Or at least, it was. But there's a newcomer in town. The son of a Fortune 500 businessman, former theater kid Tristan has grown his tours from a fraternity fundraiser to a multicity ghost tour conglomerate. It’s doing well, but not well enough—if he can’t prove that he’s solidly in the black by the fall, Dad’s going to pull his funding, spelling the end of his career. Boneyard Key, with its haunted reputation, seems like the perfect place to boost his bottom line.

When the two ghost tours clash, Sophie’s expletive-filled rant goes viral, and the rivals strike up a deal. Whoever has the most successful business by summer’s end stays, while the loser must ghost. But the more Tristan comes to appreciate Boneyard Key, the more Sophie comes to appreciate Tristan, and what starts as begrudging respect becomes something spicier. Can they put their feuding businesses aside to make room for a chance at love, or is Boneyard Key too small for two ghost tours?

Return to Jen DeLuca’s Boneyard Key, where if there’s a chill in the air it’s more likely a ghost than the Florida weather. Ghost Business features two rival ghost tours, one historically accurate, one theatrical, as they compete to see who’ll be the last girl or ghoul standing.

Sophie loves her home of Boneyard Key. She’s passionate about the history of her town and honors the dead on her tour. It’s not a living, but it’s her passion and she’s the only ghost tour in town…until Tristan shows up. The splashy guy with big theater kid energy has a host of haunted tours throughout the country and he’s got just a few months left to convince his CEO dad that he can make a killing running ghost tours. Who cares about true stories when you can provide entertainment? Boneyard Key is the perfect setting for Tristan, but it’s a splash of cold water when he finds out there’s another ghost tour in town. Tristan and Sophie inevitably clash and when their spat goes viral, they make a bet: whoever has the most ticket sales by the end of summer will get to keep their ghost tour going.

I really enjoyed the first Boneyard Key book, Haunted Ever After. I loved the human and spectral residents of Boneyard Key and was delighted to learn about both. The town and its residents are as charming as ever in this story, which definitely makes me hope DeLuca has more books planned. But the heart of the story is Tristan and Sophie’s romance. I liked Sophie for the most part and really wanted to see her succeed. Tristan took a little longer to grow on me, his privilege as much of a turn off as his charm was a turn on. He’s a good guy overall, but not the most interesting hero to read about. He and Sophie are good together, but they lack the spark of chemistry I was hoping for. Their love story just didn’t draw me in as much as I would hope. That being said, I was still entertained by the book overall because I liked all the characters and the setting. All in all, Ghost Business isn’t DeLuca’s strongest book, but it is fun and I am very much looking forward to future Boneyard Key books.



FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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Review: Framed in Death by J.D. Robb

Framed in Death by J.D. Robb
Series: In Death, Book 61
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Genre: Futuristic/Mystery/Suspense 

ISBN: 9781250370822
Release Date: September 2, 2025
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Audible
J.D. Robb Reading Order

Manhattan is filled with galleries and deep-pocketed collectors who can make an artist's career with a wave of a hand. But one man toils in obscurity, his brilliance unrecognized while lesser talents bask in the glory he believes should be his. Come tomorrow, he vows, the city will be buzzing about his work.

Indeed, before dawn, Lt. Eve Dallas is speeding toward the home of the two gallery owners whose doorway has been turned into a horrifying crime scene overnight. A lifeless young woman has been elaborately costumed and precisely posed to resemble the model of a long-ago Dutch master, and Dallas plunges into her investigation.

A mediocre artist with delusions of grandeur turns to murder to fuel his work in Framed in Death. Lieutenant Eve Dallas is on the hunt for a madman with wealth and ego, but all the money in the world can’t stop justice.

J.D. Robb’s In Death books generally fall into more case-centric stories and more personal/relationship-focused stories. Framed in Death is the former and luckily the case itself was interesting. The villain is despicable in so many ways, his narcissism and absolute lack of value for human life, indeed for anything other than himself, came alive on the page. I thoroughly enjoyed watching Eve, Peabody, and their associates pull together to track down the leads and stop the killer. When it’s a case-focused book such as this one, it’s tough to say much without spoiling the enjoyment of readers for the story so I’ll leave it at this mystery was entertaining from first page to last.

While the case is at the forefront of this book, Eve and company keep on living their lives as they work. Roarke may not be central to this case, but he’s there is a supporting role and his scenes with Eve are always engaging. Their ever-expanding circle of loved ones also play strong supporting roles and for those who have been following The Great House Project, there’s fun to be had there. All in all, Framed in Death is a solidly entertaining entry in the In Death series. Eve, Roarke, and their friends are always wonderful to spend time with, the mystery was engaging, and I finished this story a well-satisfied reader.



FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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Review: A Silence in Belgrave Square by Jennifer Ashley

A Silence in Belgrave Square by Jennifer Ashley
Series: Below Stairs Mysteries, Book 8
Publisher: Berkley
Genre: Historical Mystery 

ISBN: 9780593549933
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Audible
Jennifer Ashley Reading Order

Kat Holloway knows that her beau and confidante Daniel McAdam has a talent for dangerous work as a Scotland Yard agent. At long last though, Daniel’s coldhearted boss has promised that after a final mission, his debt will be repaid, and he’ll finally be free. However, Daniel must risk his life one last time, masquerading as a secretary to an elderly viscount who could be the mastermind behind the recent plots against the Queen and her government.

Using her contacts throughout London, Kat discovers several of her friends and colleagues have been victims of vicious blackmail. They’ll do anything to protect their scandalous secrets, even conform to the blackmailer’s political agenda. If Kat and Daniel wish to save each other and the Crown, they must prove the blackmailer’s identity and evade those who will stop at nothing to eliminate them.

Amateur sleuth and professional cook Kat Holloway is back at it in A Silence in Belgrave Square. Between highborn women being blackmailed and her beau, Daniel McAdam, being sent on a life-threatening undercover mission, it’s all Kat can do to keep her wits about her and get the tea cakes out on time.

Jennifer Ashley brings to the forefront another Fenian plot that will endanger many. Daniel’s boss, who’d sooner seen the man dead than free of service, has sent him undercover in a way that prevents Kat from contacting him. Kat isn’t one to sit on the sidelines, so the ever-expanding network of her and Daniel’s contacts is activated. What I liked best about A Silence in Belgrave Square is all the connections Kat has formed. Her friendship with Hannah, a con artist she goes way back with, is engaging and interesting to see play out on the page. Said friendship gives the story a bit of extra energy it needs.

There are two different mysteries at the heart of the book and Kat is making the most of her resources to solve both. I liked watching her put the pieces together, knowing what questions to ask and who can help her get the information. The mysteries aren’t as compelling as watching Kat solve them, but that didn’t overly bother me because I look to the Below Stairs Mysteries more for the relationships than the puzzle of the day. And speaking of relationships, longtime fans of the series will be excited to see things finally progress somewhat for Daniel and Kat, though what happens I’ll leave readers to learn on their own. A Silence in Belgrave Square is an entertaining read and as always, I enjoy spending time with Kat and company and I’m sure fans of the series will feel the same.



FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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Review: He Falls First by Jill Shalvis

He Falls First by Jill Shalvis
Series: Colburn Brothers, Book 1
E-Book Publisher: That’s What She Said Publishing, Inc.
Print Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Contemporary Romance 

ISBN: 9781464243899
Release Date: August 5, 2025
Source: Author
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N | Audible
Jill Shalvis Reading Order

No one is going to convince her to fall in love again…

Ryder Colburn has his hands full running the family business and caring for the ailing father who’s a virtual stranger from the cold, heavy-handed man he used to be. He’s got zero free time for hobbies or women. Or so he thinks until one walks into his life… and the path of an oncoming car.

Ryder doesn’t mind playing the hero for the skittish, scarred chef Penny. Maybe it’s the secrets in her eyes or the scar on her chin. Whatever the reason, he’s compelled to get closer.

Penny’s learned her lesson and now she’s paying the price. That’s why she’s sharing a dilapidated house in a tiny California town with her feisty grandmother and tween brother living off the leftovers from her catering job. It’s a far cry from her dream life. But who needs dreams… or love… or sex when there’s amateur plumbing projects to tackle and breakfast casseroles to bake?

One thing’s for sure, she’s never falling in love again. Not even with the sexy, snarky contractor who keeps testing the walls she’s built.

A caring hero who’s good with his hands, a sassy heroine who has been burned in the past, a cast of quirky characters, and a bird with tons of personality make He Falls First a sweet and charming story. Jill Shalvis kicks off her Colburn Brothers series with Ryder Colburn, the eldest of said brothers, and Penny Rose, a talented chef who is determined not to fall for his charm.

Both Ryder and Penny know what it means to be responsible for their family. Ryder grew up in an abusive household and now cares for his ailing father. He’s also running a business, keeping an eye on his siblings, and mourning the death of his best friend. Ryder has a lot of weight to carry but he’s got strong shoulders and an even bigger heart. Penny is working herself to the bone to keep her family afloat and she has scars of her own that are still fresh. She can be sassy and sweet, but don’t let that fool you – she’s got a strong spine underneath it. She and Ryder fit like lock and key and their romance was easy to fall into. I liked that Ryder was patient and understanding, seeing not just Penny’s skittishness but her strength. They learn to lean on each other, which I really loved.

It wouldn’t be a Jill Shalvis novel if there weren’t a significant cast of big personalities and He Falls First is no exception. Penny and Ryder’s family and friends are there to support, interfere, and generally stick their noses into our protagonists’ story. It’s fun without being overbearing, the bounciness balancing with the seriousness. Familial love is just as important as romantic love in this story which was sweet. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed He Falls First and I’m very much looking forward to Caleb and Tucker Colburn’s books.



FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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