Review: Get What You Need by Jessica Topper

I read this book almost a year ago and I couldn’t really review it because I love the series so much and this story is just as exceptional as the first book in the series. I don’t have adequate words to describe how amazing it is and how wonderful the storyline is. How lovingly and purposefully crafted each and every character is. I gave this review my best shot and I still don’t think it’s good enough, but it’s definitely from the heart.

About the Book

From the author of “Louder Than Love” comes a long-awaited return to Lauder Lake…ten years later

Sometimes getting what you want is the easy part.

Katrina Lewis-Graves isn’t the type of woman to run from problems. But she knows to get out while the getting’s good. Fourteen years ago, she left Manhattan for small town solace after a freak train accident left her widowed with a one-year-old. Seeking sanctuary in her hometown of Lauder Lake, Kat ended up stumbling upon a soul mate of legendary proportions: famed guitarist Adrian “Digger” Graves.

Now she’s fleeing Manhattan once again: this time with her rock star husband and troubled teen daughter in tow. This time, it’s to save Abbey…even if it means dragging her, kicking and screaming.

Across the pond, another woman is taking flight. Adrian’s estranged daughter Natalie has not wanted for much in life back in England. Horses, houses in the country, cars, closets full of couture – all courtesy of, but with no thanks to, Digger Graves’ heavy metal music success. Her parents’ divorce had robbed Adrian of much of his fortune, as well as any meaningful place in his daughter’s life. But as her own marriage and entire privileged pinnacle comes avalanching down, Natalie jumps on a desperate whim at the open invitation her stepmother Kat has made to “come stay anytime you want.”

Lauder Lake may not be what Abbey or Natalie want, but it holds some surprises – and may just be exactly what they both need…

My Review

When I read Louder Than Love almost 13 years ago, the story just stayed with me. These characters crawled in my chest and made their home right inside my heart and I haven’t been able to shake them since, nor would I want to. 

Back when I first read Louder Than Love, it was just a standalone story about a washed up British rock star and a widowed librarian with a 4-year-old daughter crossing paths in New York, discovering so much about themselves. Learning how to heal, how to find peace, and how to love again. It is a beautiful story about love, loss, rock ‘n’ roll, and second chances. 

Then something wonderful happened, the author expanded this world by making it into a series and gave us more books and more wonderful characters to love. I was over the moon! And now we get a 5th book and I am so excited to tell you all about it. Here we go!

Get What You Need takes place 10-ish years after the events of Louder Than Love. Adrian (British rocker) and Kat (widowed librarian) have been in wedded bliss for years now. Adrian’s rock career has been revitalized. Adrian and Kat have a beautiful son together along with Kat’s daughter and Adrian’s adult daughter from his first marriage. Their family is a beautiful kaleidoscope of hopes, dreams, music, and so much love.

The story follows Abbey’s adjustment to a new school, a slower lifestyle, and the daily desperation she feels being far away from her “boyfriend” and Natalie’s (Adrian’s daughter) healing journey after a failed marriage. We’re gonna need lots of funny movies, chocolate, and salty snacks to even crack the surface of all the feelings that need feeling. 

I absolutely loved–and cringed–watching Abbey’s teenage struggles. We’ve all been enchanted by a cute bad boy, but her relationship could be easily summed up in Taylor Swift’s I Knew You Were Trouble. I don’t have a daughter but I could easily empathize with Kat and Adrian’s parenting struggles. Thankfully, Abbey has a lot of people who love and support her.

Natalie has only been mentioned in the books but we finally get to meet her in this story and she’s absolutely lovely. You’d think she was a spoiled princess with her dad being a rock god, but I found her to be sincere and approachable. Natalie has experienced tremendous heartbreak and I just wanted to give her a big hug and tell her everything was going to be okay. I really enjoyed getting to know her and watching her healing journey.

What really tugged at my heartstrings was Kat and Adrian’s son, Blu. He’s a beautiful neurodivergent boy that is the apple of everyone’s eye. Having a son on the autism spectrum myself, I really appreciated the way the author respectfully portrayed the character. The representation was beautifully done. As much as I love Kat and Adrian, I think Blu is my new favorite. 

Get What You Need is a beautiful story of family, healing, self discovery, forgiveness, and faith and is a testament to the heart of the book. 

The Rolling Stones say it best: “You can’t always get what you want. But if you try sometimes you just might find, you get what you need.”

Purchase Links

Jessica Topper Website*

About the Author

Jessica Topper has been in love with the beauty of the written word ever since she memorized Maurice Sendak’s Chicken Soup with Rice at the age of three.

After earning a B.A. in English Literature and her Master’s Degree in Library Science, Jessica went on to work as a librarian in New York City before trading in the books for bookkeeping. For seventeen years, she worked in the production office of an international touring rock band.

Jessica broke the rock romance mold with her 2013 debut novel LOUDER THAN LOVE. Her follow-up romantic comedy, DICTATORSHIP OF THE DRESS, was named one of Publishers Weekly’s Best Books of 2015.



She lives in Western New York with her family – including two cats that love to walk across her keyboard. Learn more at jesstopper.com

*Third party links to the publisher's website. May contain affiliate links.

Review: Christmas With A Chimera by Isabelle Taylor

Christmas With A Chimera is a grumpy/sunshine second chance romance that’ll exasperate your patience and melt your heart.

This is a novella in Isabelle Taylor's Claw Haven series and is super spicy! 

About the Book

Cozy fantasy meets Christmas in this charming, spicy, second chance romance novella.

Welcome to Claw Haven, where monsters go to find some peace and quiet.

Going home for Christmas wasn’t on chimera Arthur Pineclaw’s to-do list, not since he left the sleepy town of Claw Haven over a decade ago. He’s back now for one reason only—to film a cozy holiday romance. Two weeks of smiling for the cameras and charming his fans, and he can go back to LA. Easy. After all, there’s no one he can’t charm.

No one except for Emma Curt, the high school sweetheart he dumped on Christmas Eve. The same woman who apparently owns the café they’re filming in.

Emma never would’ve agreed to let her café be a filming location for a rom-com if she’d known Arthur Pineclaw was the lead. She’d rather eat rocks than be civil to the guy who abandoned her to become a movie star—on Christmas Eve.

But as the two spend more time together, it’s easy to fall into old habits…and into bed. Just because things are still good between them doesn’t mean Emma’s ready for anything more, but when their unexpected reunion stirs up old feelings—and old arguments—a second chance romance might be the gift they both need.

My Review

I am a sucker for the second chance romance stories and if they’re set in a small town, even better! I am fully enchanted by the idea of a remote town in Alaska where monsters can get some peace and quiet and not be bothered by the outside world. Well, all that changed when a short and wiry human woman crashed into town… and into the local inn’s welcome sign. 

Luna Stack accidentally mated a werewolf and ended up falling in love and staying with him and his pack that run the Musgrove Inn. She’s a marketing genius who’s revamping the town and turning it into a hot tourist destination, exploding the local economy,  greatly helping the town and its proprietors. 

The town has gained so much notoriety it has attracted the attention of a film company and now a cute holiday rom-com is going to be filmed at one of the local coffee shops. The dashing romantic lead of the movie grew up in Claw Haven and is back after years of being gone. Great for the town, not so great for the coffee shop owner whose heart was broken into pieces when Arthur left Emma behind to pursue his acting career many years ago.

I actually read Christmas With A Chimera out of order because I thought it was the first book in the series but it’s actually Book 2. Not to worry though, the story can easily be read as a standalone but I highly recommend reading the first book, too. It’s a hoot and there’s a lot of backstory that will enrich your reading experience.

I really enjoyed the story and I love the idea of a town of monsters, there are so many kinds and they are just so cool and act like everyday people… well except they are monsters, but that just makes them cooler! You’re in for a real treat!

Emma and Arthur’s story is a little rough, a little sweet, and a lot spicy! Their chemistry never dissolved, it was just banked until a chance meeting ignited the flames of a fiery passion so hot it’ll steam up your Kindle screen or sear your book pages 😉

I am totally a fan now! I can’t wait to learn more about the monsters of Claw Haven! I highly recommend the series!

FTC Disclaimer: I voluntarily read a copy of the book generously provided by the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. This in no way influences my thoughts or feelings about the book or the content of my review.

Purchase Links*

Harlequin Romance 

About the Author

Isabelle Taylor writes sweet, steamy fantasy romance. She works in a bookstore in New Zealand and has a Creative Writing Masters from the International Institute of Modern Letters. She can be found on Instagram and Tiktok @isabelletaylorauthor.

*Third party links to the publisher's website. May contain affiliate links.

Review: Thaw of Spring by Rebecca Zanetti

Rebecca Zanetti returns us to the small town of Knife’s Edge, Alaska where a powder keg of secrets is just waiting to explode! 

About the Book

Welcome to Knife’s Edge, Alaska, where the four Osprey brothers return from military service with shadows in their eyes and secrets in their hearts. As danger looms, new romances ignite, and these rugged men must fight for love…and survival.

Christian Osprey prefers the wilderness to the company of people. A former Navy Special Operator, he’s built for isolation and thrives in the untamed wild. He doesn’t want ties, doesn’t need anyone—but he can’t seem to stay away from Amka, the soft-eyed tavern owner who always greets him with a warm smile, a hot cup of coffee, and no expectations.

Amka Pinga has spent her life being strong for everyone else, even as her own life unravels. Trapped in an engagement that feels more like a cage, she’s tangled in obligations that threaten to break her spirit. Christian’s quiet strength feels like a lifeline she doesn’t dare reach for—but danger is circling Knife’s Edge, and this time, she’s at the center of it.

When Amka becomes a target, Christian will stop at nothing to protect her. But their simmering attraction explodes into something fierce and undeniable, and keeping her close blurs the line between protection and possession. In a town where secrets run deeper than the icy rivers and trust is as treacherous as thin ice, survival means risking everything—even their hearts.

My Review

Thaw of Spring starts with a bang and ends with a WTF revelation that will leave you breathless! I was on the edge of my seat with nail-biting anticipation! 

Knife’s Edge is a sleepy town full of secrets. Not everything is what it seems. Who can you trust? And why are the Osprey brothers so broody and too gorgeous for their own good? That is one mystery I don’t mind waiting to unravel. Drag it out, make us readers work for it 😉

OMG I absolutely LOVE this book! I love the dynamics and the simmering chemistry between Christian and Amka. There is so much going on in this story. If you blink you’ll miss it. 

Thaw of Spring can easily be read as a standalone but I encourage reading the first book, Dead of Winter to get the backstory on the town and its people. This book is explosive, mysterious, and so much fun to read. I highly recommend the series and can’t wait to find out what happens next!

Purchase Links*

Rebecca Zanetti Website

About the Author

New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly and #1 Amazon bestselling author Rebecca Zanetti has published more than sixty novels, which have been translated into several languages, with more than five million copies sold world-wide. Her books have received Publishers Weekly starred reviews and have been featured in Entertainment Weekly, Woman’s World, and Women’s Day Magazines. Her novels have also been included in Amazon best books of the year and have been favorably reviewed in both the Washington Post and the New York Times Book Reviews. Rebecca has ridden in a locked Chevy trunk, has asked the unfortunate delivery guy to release her from a set of handcuffs, and has discovered the best silver mine shafts in which to bury a body…all in the name of research. Honest. Learn more at rebeccazanetti.com

*Third party links to the publisher's website. May contain affiliate links.

Review: Accidentally Wedded to a Werewolf by Isabelle Taylor

The grumpy-sunshine appeal of It Happened One Summer meets the cozy fantasy vibes of The Baby Dragon Cafe in this utterly charming, spicy, Alaska-set fated-mates romance

Accidentally Wedded to a Werewolf is a fun read with extraordinary characters and a romance so spicy it’ll fog up your Kindle screen!

About the Book

Welcome to Claw Haven, where monsters go to find some peace and quiet.

Spoiled heiress Luna Stack is meant to be sipping mai tais on a beach with her fun-loving fiancé. Instead, a snowstorm strands her in Claw Haven, Alaska, a cozy town full of monsters living the quiet life. At least the werewolf innkeeper’s hot—until he opens his mouth. 

Luna’s more than ready to leave the grumpy wolf and his decrepit inn behind as soon as the snow clears, but when a potion mishap bonds the two of them together, she resigns herself to staying in Claw Haven, just for a little while.

She’s only werewolf married, though, not married married, like, legally. No big deal.

Oliver Musgrove wants nothing to do with his new “wife.” He has annoying, friendly townsfolk to ignore, and he’s lost his ability to shift, which means his alpha ambitions are currently on hold.

Unfortunately, no matter how much Oliver wants to keep his distance from Luna, the bond says otherwise. Even though the two can’t stand each other, maybe they can stop bickering long enough to explore the magical spark between them…

After all, what’s a little knotting between enemies?

My Review

The story begins with Luna somewhere in Alaska trying to get to the airport. She was at a work convention representing her family business and is trying to catch her flight to the Bahamas to meet up with her fiancé. The trip is important to her because it gave her the opportunity to show her father she’s more than just a party girl. 

As the weather gets worse, Luna realizes she’s not going to make it to the airport and ends up in a small town named Claw Haven trying to find a room. She loses control of the car and runs over the inn’s sign and almost hits the building! 

Luna apologizes to the grumpy–yet super hunky–innkeeper and promises to pay for the sign. She gets a room, takes a shower, goes in search of a hair dryer and then BING BANG BOOM she’s accidentally mated to a werewolf! 

I know what you’re thinking: 

“But she has a fiancé?!?!?” 

“How can she be mated to a werewolf?!?!?!” 

“HOW did she get mated to a werewolf?!?!!?” 

“Consent much?!!?!?”

All your concerns are valid and will be answered as you read the story. That’s why I picked up the book. I have to know how this happened and what are they going to do about it? Hold on to your hats people, it’s about to get wild!

I absolutely adore wolf shifter romances/stories and I love that the author puts a unique twist on the werewolf legend, especially the mating parts. I love the big, boisterous pack Oliver has and I love how welcoming they are of Luna… well with a few exceptions. You can read about that later 😉 

I will say though, because Luna is engaged to another person and she seems to be in a new “relationship” with Oliver as his mate, some lines get crossed. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that it does get a little messy, but I can’t say more without spoiling things. I will say though that I am not a fan of cheater books. I hate them with a fiery passion and if there is cheating between an FMC and MMC, it’s an automatic DNF. That being said, how things turned out between Oliver and Luna, it wasn’t enough to make me DNF this book. So, if you have issues like this, please read at your own discretion. 

I absolutely loved the story and am completely in love with the town of Claw Haven. I am so excited to read more stories from this fun and enchanting series.

FTC Disclaimer: I voluntarily read a copy of the book generously provided by the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. This in no way influences my thoughts or feelings about the book or the content of my review.

Purchase Links*

Harlequin Romance

Ebook and Audiobook: on sale October 7, 2025

Trade Paperback: on sale March 24, 2026

About the Author

Isabelle Taylor writes sweet, steamy fantasy romance. She works in a bookstore in New Zealand and has a Creative Writing Masters from the International Institute of Modern Letters. She can be found on Instagram and Tiktok @isabelletaylorauthor.

*Third party links to the publisher's website. May contain affiliate links.

Review: The Inheritance by Ilona Andrews

Ilona Andrews turned a serial story on their blog into a series! I'm not sure what kind of magic they possess but I'm totally here for it!

We are at war. The interdimensional invasion brought us unimaginable suffering, but it also awoke talents slumbering deep within us, a means to repel and destroy our enemy.  Every day new gates open, leading to breaches filled with monsters and valuable resources. If you are a Talent, your country needs you. The world needs you. Be the hero you were born to be.

About the Book

Adaline is a Talent. Ten years ago, she had a happy marriage and a job she loved. The invasion shattered both. Now she works for the government, searching the breaches for magic metals and medicine to help Earth repel an interdimensional enemy. Two kids, one cat, bills, benefits, mortgage and school tuition…  Risking her life became routine.

She had gone into the dimensional gates hundreds of times. She was always well protected. This time everything goes wrong. Now Ada is trapped in a labyrinth of alien caves unlike any other. Her only companion is a scared German Shepherd named Bear. Together they must uncover the breach’s secrets and escape, because Ada promised her children that she will come home.

The future of humanity depends on it.

My Review

What started out as a serial story on Gordon and Ilona Andrews’s blog turned into a new and colorful world full of danger, mystery, and survival. 

Ada and Bear get trapped in an interdimensional cave when their mission goes tits up. Trying to find a way out takes them on a wild and dangerous journey through portal after portal, encountering all manner of deadly creatures, plants, and civilizations. What motivates Ada is a promise. A promise to her kids that she’d come home to them. And I’ll tell you one thing, there ain’t nothing stronger than the will of a parent trying to get home to their children.

The Inheritance is a brilliantly crafted universe with vibrant worlds, monstrous adversaries, and takes readers on a journey of strength, self discovery, and courage.

Like all Ilona Andrews books, I highly recommend this and every book from the author.

Purchase Links*

Ilona Andrews Website

About the Author

“Ilona Andrews” is the pseudonym for a husband-and-wife writing team. Ilona is a native-born Russian and Gordon is a former communications sergeant in the U.S. Army. Contrary to popular belief, Gordon was never an intelligence officer with a license to kill, and Ilona was never the mysterious Russian spy who seduced him. They met in college, in English Composition 101, where Ilona got a better grade. (Gordon is still sore about that.) 

We write together, we live in Texas, we have two daughters and way too many animals. Learn more at ilona-andrews.com

*Third party links to the publisher's website. May contain affiliate links.

Review: By the Horns by Ruby Dixon

By the Horns is the second book in Ruby Dixon's Royal Artifactual Guild monster romance series.

The special first edition hardcover will include a gorgeous, shimmering jacket with effects, brilliantly illustrated four-color endpapers, striking and detailed-stained edges, and a beautiful foil-stamped case.

By the Horns is a thrilling story with mystery, suspense, ghosts, and steamy monster love.

About the Book

In a world of magical artifacts and fantastical beings, a woman with a deadly magic secret needs the help of the minotaur she’s trying to forget in the sizzling sequel to Ruby Dixon’s New York Times bestseller Bull Moon Rising.

Gwenna has always considered herself a normal person. A former servant, she wants nothing more than to land a steady job with the Royal Artifactual Guild so she can make some steady coin to send home to her mother. She’s not special. She’s certainly not a necromancer. That would be impossible, given how necromancing (or any ‘mancing) is forbidden upon penalty of death. So if the dead keep talking to her? Well, she’s going to keep on ignoring them. They’re not going to stand in the way of her dreams.

Also standing in her way? One big, arrogant, far-too-flirty Taurian named Raptor. They slept together once, and now he wants more . . . but she doesn’t have time for that. Her focus is on being a fledgling, a trainee for the Royal Artifactual Guild. But Raptor won’t go away. He’s on a secret mission for the guild to find an artifact thief.

Problem is, he thinks the thief is Gwenna.

How can she convince Raptor that he’s got the wrong girl when all the signs point to her? And how do you tell a Taurian you can’t date him because you hear dead people and it might cost you your life?

My Review

What a wild freakin’ ride (figuratively and literally) this is! Not only do we get to solve a mystery with Gwenna, Raptor and a new gang of guild apprentices–and a few familiar faces–we get more page time with Aspeth and her minotaur hubby, Hawk (Book 1). 

I sure do love a story where a strong and determined female lead strives to beat the odds and tries to prove every misogynistic jerk wrong. Gwenna was Aspeth’s maid in the first book and now it’s her time to shine, and shine she does. 

Gwenna didn’t have the education Aspeth did growing up and she struggles a lot trying to keep up with her classmates. But whatever her shortcomings, Gwenna makes up for in her fierce spirit and tenacity. She’s also loyal and has so much heart. I absolutely love her and loved watching her grow into the woman she’s meant to be.

The storyline is exciting, fun, funny, and gets pretty spicy in a few spots. This is definitely a wide open door romance 😉

If you like your monster romances with incredible world building, interesting characters, witty dialogue, and wicked debauchery, then the Royal Artifactual Guild series is your perfect match. 

FTC Disclaimer: I voluntarily read a copy of the book generously provided by the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. This in no way influences my thoughts or feelings about the book or the content of my review.

Purchase Links*

Penguin Random House | Ruby Dixon Website

About the Author

Ruby Dixon is an author of all things science fiction romance. She is a Sagittarius and a Reylo shipper, and loves farming sims (but not actual housework). She lives in the South with her husband and a couple of goofy cats, and can’t think of anything else to put in her biography. Truly, she is boring. Learn more at rubydixon.com

*Third party links to the publisher's website. May contain affiliate links.

Review: A Scar in the Bone by Sophie Jordan

Magic awakens.

Darkness swells.

A hero rises—and she’s ready to fight…

New York Times bestselling author Sophie Jordan is back with an all-new epic romantasy set in the high-stakes world of A Fire in the Sky.

That's right! SHE'S ready to fight! 

Come watch Tamsyn grow from an orphaned whipping girl to a strong and resilient dragon in A Scar in the Bone. 

 

About the Book

It’s been a year since Tamsyn transformed. From royal whipping girl in the palace of Penterra to the bride of Fell, the Beast of the Borderlands. From the enemy in the Beast’s bed to the wife he sacrificed himself to save. From an ordinary girl...to a dragon. And not just any dragon—a powerful fire-breather...and the best hope to keep magic from flickering out forever.

With Fell gone, torn from her side in the dangerous swirling mists of the Crags, Tamsyn is heartbroken and alone among the dragon pride. An unwelcome outsider still learning to survive in this fiery skin of hers within a new cutthroat society, she trains in the arena until her muscles burn and her blood spills. Slowly, Tamsyn forges herself into a warrior in the shadow of Fell’s enigmatic brother, Vetr, whose silver eyes track her with distrust...and maybe something more.

But is Fell truly beyond her reach? Their bond pulls at her, as fiercely as the drive to protect both humans and dragonkind from the growing threat posed by Stig, once her closest friend, now a relentless enemy determined to hunt her down and destroy her—and with her, all things magic.

Magic stirs in the darkness, strengthening all who believe in it. But will it be enough to save Tamsyn, the pride, the kingdom...and a fiery love fated to endure for centuries, as deep as a scar in the bone?

My Review

A Scar in the Bone is an exciting and heart-wrenching story. 

My heart was in knots watching Tamsyn struggle as she learned her new strength as a dragon, trying to survive her new pride while waiting for a knife in her back, and doing all this knowing her love–Fell–is gone. She is a multifaceted character with so much depth and heart. Tamsyn is easily relatable and such a strong woman, I greatly admire her. 

Sophie Jordan is a brilliant storyteller and she has me completely enthralled in this fantasy series. I feel like we’re only scratching the surface of what’s really going on. And I am here for it!

The story is full of interesting surprises and a few twists I didn’t see coming! I can’t wait to find out what happens next!

If you are searching for a fantasy series with great world building, dynamic characters, and a love story literally forged in fire, look no further than A Fire in the Sky series.

FTC Disclaimer: I voluntarily read a copy of the book generously provided by the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. This in no way influences my thoughts or feelings about the book or the content of my review.

Purchase Links

Harper Collins | Sophie Jordan Website

Deluxe Limited Edition

About the Author

Sophie Jordan grew up in the Texas hill country, where she wove fantasies of dragons, warriors, and princesses. A former high school English teacher, she's the New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling author of more than fifty novels. She now lives in Houston with her family. When she's not writing, she spends her time overloading on caffeine (lattes preferred), talking plotlines with anyone who will listen (including her kids), and streaming anything that has a happily ever after. Learn more at sophiejordan.net

*Third party links to the publisher's website. May contain affiliate links.