Release Day Review!! Bending His Rules by Layla Hagen

Bending His Rules (The Clifford Brothers #2) by Layla Hagen
Genre: Adult Fiction (Contemporary Romance)
Date Published: October 2, 2026
Publisher: Self

I run a global security company with my brothers and negotiate high-stakes deals without breaking a sweat.

But my daughter deciding she suddenly hates every outfit in her closet five minutes before school? That brings me to my knees every time.

Honestly, being a CEO is easier than being a single dad.

That’s why I have rules. Routines. Structure. My life runs a whole lot smoother when everything stays organized and under control.

Then my maintenance company bails on me again, and my house descends into complete chaos. Hiring help goes from unnecessary to essential.

Which is how Melody crashes into my carefully ordered life.

Suddenly, my daughter wants to cook with Melody every evening and runs to her for advice about dresses and hair clips. And I can’t stop thinking about the beautiful woman dancing through my kitchen like she already belongs in our lives.

She makes me want things I stopped believing I deserved a long time ago.

But after losing my wife, I swore I’d never give anyone the power to destroy me again.

Because if I let Melody become part of our lives, losing her would hurt not only me—but my daughter too.

The problem is, every time Melody smiles at me, I want to bend every rule I’ve spent years living by.

Bending His Rules is the second book in the Clifford Brothers series by Layla Hagen. First of all, I have to say that I love that his name is Heath Clifford. I'm a dork. You already know this. I haven't read the first book yet, but I really want to. I love the dynamic the brothers have. They're cute. 
 Heath has had a lot of loss in his life, so when Melody enters the picture, he doesn't want any involvement other than business. They have a pretty quick attraction to each other, but they don't act on it quicky, which is nice. He puts his daughter above everything, and Melody seems to too, once she becomes part of their lives. There's a lot of cuteness to this story. There's also a lot of steam! 

I thoroughly enjoyed Heath and Melody's story. Watching them come together as a family was written beautifully. It kept my attention. The characters were people you'd want to get to know. Now, I'll have to hop back and get my hands on the first book. 

The ARC of Bending His Rules by Layla Hagen was kindly provided to me by the author through Wordsmith Publicity for review. The opinions are my own.

Check out my reviews of other books by this author!

 

Layla Hagen is a USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance.

She fell in love with books when she was nine years old, and her love affair with stories continues even now, many years later.
She writes steamy and romantic stories and can’t wait to share them with the world.

She is represented by fabulous Louise Fury (The Bent Agency)

To learn more about Layla Hagen and her books, visit her website.You can also find her on Goodreads, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, BookBub, and Twitter.

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Book Review!! Cross My Heart, I Hope You Die by Mallory Arnold

Cross My Heart, I Hope You Die by Mallory Arnold
Genre: Adult Fiction (Mystery/Horror/Thriller)
Expected Publication: July 14, 2026
Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press

One isolated cabin. One cheating boyfriend. One plan to get even.

When Nora, Ruby, and Cham discover that they've each been dating the same man, what starts as outrage quickly spirals into a plot for revenge. Together they hatch a plan to lure their boyfriend to a romantic getaway in a secluded cabin at the top of a snow-covered mountain.

Only what was meant to be harmless payback soon takes a chilling turn when their not-so-adoring boyfriend is found dead in the cabin. 

Stranded and snowed in, the women begin to look at each other with increasing suspicion. And as tensions rise, hidden motives come to light. To survive, each woman must confront her own demons as they fight to uncover if one of them is the killer, or if something else lurks in the freezing wilderness, waiting to pick them off one by one. 

Cross My Heart, I Hope You Die by Mallory Arnold pulled me in, in the beginning. I enjoyed getting the back story of each of the women with Jason. They each stood on their own as characters and had their charm. The setting was perfect once they got to the cabin. But, once they got to the cabin is also when things started to really change for me. It became harder to tell Ruby and Nora apart for whatever reason. A death happened way too soon. I wanted to hear more from that person. And, as things started happening, it was so much of the unlikely that it became a little too much to be realistic anymore. I was pleased with how the story wrapped up. Unfortunately, it seemed like there was a possible cliff hanger. I really hope it stays a stand alone. I say that, because I feel like adding any more to this story would take it way over the top.. not in a good way. I do think it'd make a fun movie, and I did enjoy this author's writing style. I'm curious about her other book. I'll have to check it out. This novel will be released on July 14, 2026

The ARC of Cross My Heart, I Hope You Die by Mallory Arnold was kindly provided to me by the publisher through NetGalley. for review. The opinions are my own.

Mallory Arnold is an editor and writer who resides in Nashville, Tennessee with her husband and three cats. She's part of the Women's Fiction Writer's Association and enjoys writing drama, thrillers, and horror.

To learn more about Mallory Arnold and her books, visit her  on Goodreads & Instagram.

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Book Review: Rook & Rebel by Kate Crew

Rook & Rebel (The Mavericks #1) by Kate Crew
Genre: Adult Fiction (Dark Contemporary Romance)
Date Published: October 1, 2024
Publisher: Avon 

A dark revenge romance filled with tattooed bikers, hilarious banter, heat, and high speeds.

Regan Fletcher

I used to have big dreams: finish college, make beautiful art, all while taking over my dad’s business. He wanted a legacy, and I wanted to give it to him. But his illness wasn’t part of the plan. Neither was his sudden need to keep me locked up in our mansion, safe and isolated. I want more from life, but could only spend my days waiting. Until one night, I came face-to-face with a street biker from a world far different from mine. What starts as him stalking me, quickly spirals into something deeper, and more deadly. I’m falling for a man who’s everything I should fear, yet he’s the only one who’s ever made me feel truly alive. But loving him means risking everything—my heart, my future, and my father.

Rook Emberson

Revenge has been my driving force for as long as I can remember. Cameron Fletcher stole everything from me, and I’ve spent years plotting the perfect way to take it all back. When fate puts his daughter in my sights, I know I’ve found the key to his destruction. But from the moment I meet her, my plans begin to unravel. Regan is everything I didn’t expect and I can’t help but be drawn to her. What starts as a twisted game of vengeance turns into an obsession. I need her, but I also need to destroy her father.

The lines between love and vengeance blur, and I’m not sure where one ends and the other begins.

Rook + Rebel is the first book in the Mavericks series by Kate Crew. I liked the premise. It could go in a few interesting directions. It started off promising, but it's really hard for me to get into a story where I'm not a big fan of the main characters. Rebel didn't seem like much of a rebel to me for the most part, and she has no self preservation. In my opinion, stupid doesn't equal rebel. And Rook? I didn't like his personality, and he was sooo flipping wishy washy with his emotions for Rebel... to the point of being too repetitious. Yet, he typically has no remorse over just killing someone. So, it didn't match his personality at all. They are completely oblivious to each other’s intentions and emotions, and it drove me a lil crazy, but at the same time.. it's so them. I liked a lot of the tropes in this story. I feel like I could like it more if maybe these characters were a little more believable. It wasn't for me, but it seems to have some fans, so don't take my word for it.

Rook & Rebel by Kate Crew was kindly provided to me by the publisher through NetGalley for review. The opinions are my own.

Hey, I’m Kate! I write dark, humor-filled romances packed with tension, suspense, and lovable, morally grey characters. I live near the mountains with my husband and two dogs, drawing inspiration from the wild beauty around me, that and my obsession with fast cars and motorcycles. When I’m not writing, you’ll find me on the road, lost in a book, or spending way too much time in antique stores and bookstores. I’ve always been drawn to all things gothic and a little rebellious, and that passion fuels every story I write. My books are filled with broody antiheroes, sharp-witted heroines, and chemistry that crackles. If you love tension, banter, and just the right amount of chaos, you’re in the right place.

To learn more about Kate Crew and her books, visit her website. You can also find her on Goodreads & Facebook.

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Book Review: Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry

Shield of Sparrows (Shield of Sparrows #1) by Devney Perry
Genre: Adult Fiction (Fantasy Romance)
Date Published: May 6, 2025
Publisher: Entangled: Red Tower Books

Shield of Sparrows is a slow-burn, high-stakes romantasy perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Rebecca Yarros―where enemies become lovers, monsters stalk a cursed realm, and a forgotten princess finds the strength to tear off her crown and become the warrior she was never meant to be.

The gods sent monsters to the five kingdoms to remind mortals they must kneel.

I’ve spent my life kneeling―to their will and to my father's. As a princess, my only duty is to wear the crown and obey the king.

I was never meant to rule. Never meant to fight. And I was never supposed to be the daughter who sealed an ancient treaty with her own blood.

But that changed the fateful day I stepped into my father’s throne room. The day a legendary monster hunter sailed to our shores. The day a prince ruined my life.

Now I’m crossing treacherous lands beside a warrior who despises me as much as I despise him―bound to a future I didn’t choose and a husband I barely know.

Everyone wants me to be something I’m not―a queen, a spy, a sacrifice.

But what if I refused the role chosen for me? What if I made my own rules? What if there’s power in being underestimated?

And what if―for the first time―I reached for it?

Shield of Sparrows is the first book in the Shield of Sparrows series by Devney Perry. Odessa was always underestimated. Her younger sister was brought up to be the important heir.. the royal, a warrior... a queen. So, everyone is thrown for a loop when Odessa is picked to be the wife of a prince. I'm explaining this poorly, as it sounds like some kind of flimsy fairy tale romance... It's not. I mean there is romance eventually. It's sort of a slow burn, and doesn't take up the bulk of the story. There is actually a lot happening within these pages. There are crazy creatures... mostly dangerous. Something is going on in the kingdoms. Is war coming? An invasion of sorts? There is something key, but I can't say it, because it's a big spoiler. There are a lot of supporting characters, but they are all integral to the story. They have an individual-ness to them that sets them apart from one another. All of these things form a bigger picture that I haven't put completely together yet. I'm figuring them out right along with Odessa. It's been a fun reading experience, and I'm anxious for the next book.

What if I jumped?

Balanced on the edge of a sheer cliff, I stood at the mercy of this realm, wiggling my bare toes in the dirt beneath my feet. A strong gust of wind could tip me forward or backward. The slightest tremor in the earth, and I’d either fall.

Or fly.

What if I jumped? Would anyone care?

No. Not for me. Not for the wrong princess of Quentis.

Forty feet below, waves crashed against rock, the water’s spray white as it broke against gray stone. I wanted to jump. I wanted to dive into that ocean blue. I wanted to be unshackled from everyone’s expectations for just one godsforsaken moment.

Except if I jumped, I’d be late. And if I was late, I’d be in deep shit.

Margot would kick my ass if I missed this meeting with the Turan warriors Father had invited to Quentis, so there’d be no jumping. Especially not today.

I inched away from the edge. The temptation.

It wasn’t like they needed me for this fiasco. Mae would charm our guests.

She was the right Quentin princess.

My half sister had been groomed her entire life for this occasion. This performance. Sooner or later, she’d be the Turan queen, and today was her chance to meet some future subjects before her marriage to their crown prince later this year.

My attendance? Entirely unnecessary.

But I worked hard not to piss off my stepmother, Margot—and my father. I might not be his favorite daughter or the cherished princess, but there was a crown in my bedroom. And today was all about showing the Turans exactly how sparkly our crowns could be.

My shoulders sank as I took another step away from the cliff, then another, the soles of my feet sinking into the grass as I walked over to the charcoal slippers I’d kicked off earlier. But before I could step into a shoe, the thunder of hooves drew my attention toward the road.

The noise grew louder—no doubt a rider coming this way, likely to fetch me.

“Damn.” Was I late?

Margot had prattled on and on at breakfast this morning, and I’d only half listened as she’d recited today’s schedule of events before the introduction to the Turans.

The rangers had arrived late yesterday, after nightfall. The elite band of warriors had missed the window for dinner or meetings. On purpose? Probably.

I couldn’t blame them. Nor could I judge them for sticking to their wing of the castle since, either resting from their journey over the Krisenth Crossing or avoiding the pomp of royal civilities. But whether I liked it or not, there would be a spectacle. A time for Mae to shine.

While the Turans were doing whatever it was that Turan warriors did when visiting foreign kingdoms, my sister was being primped.

Mae would be bathed and pampered. Mae would be massaged with scented oils and treated with the finest skin tonics on the continent. Mae would be wearing a gown her seamstress had spent a month crafting for tonight’s feast.

Mae. This was all about Mae.

I doubted the men visiting would care about the embroidery or lace, but what did I know? Mae was their future queen, not me. My only obligation was to appear.

On time.

In Margot’s litany of instructions over this morning’s meal, it was the only time she’d mentioned my name.

Do not be late, Odessa.

I wasn’t always late. Usually, but not always. Half the time, no one even noticed.

Hopping into a gray slipper, I flicked away the skirts of my matching dress and shifted to pull on the other shoe. Both were firmly covering my toes by the time a familiar rider crested the hill to the cliffside.

Banner sat proudly in the saddle, his short, light-brown hair combed, not a strand out of place. His expression was blank.

Was that a good blank? Or did it mean that I was in trouble because my fiancé had abandoned his responsibilities as general to collect me?

Banner tugged at the reins, slowing his buckskin stallion to a stop. With a fluid swing, he was off the saddle and leading his horse my way with purposeful, intimidating strides.

“Princess.” His tone was serious, his brown eyes never leaving mine, but a grin tugged at the corner of his mouth.

“I was just leaving.” I held up a hand. “I swear.”

“Before or after you heard me riding this way?” He arched an eyebrow. “You’re going to be late.”

Going to be late. Meaning I wasn’t late. Yet. Phew.

“I promise to be on time,” I said. “You didn’t need to come fetch me.”

“Actually, I came out for a ride.”

“Ah.” Maybe that meant no one knew I was even outside the castle’s walls. I could slip back inside unnoticed and hurry to change clothes.

Banner was already dressed for the meeting, wearing his formal uniform. The gold buttons on his teal coat were as shiny as the castle’s spires in the distance. His favorite throwing knives were attached to his leather belt. Father would be wearing much the same uniform, though he preferred a sword. Mae’s dress for tonight had been designed with layers of aquamarine and celeste. Margot would likely be in her signature blue.

My dress, like all of my dresses, would be gray.

Someday, when I didn’t have Margot dictating my wardrobe or Father’s scrutiny at every meal, I wanted to wear red. Or green. Or black. Or yellow.

Any color but gray.

“You know, you can spy on the city from your own window rather than hike all the way over here,” he said.

“But this gives me a better view.”

The sunlight caught the amber starbursts in Banner’s eyes, the vivid color bright against the brown of his irises. That amber starburst marked all those born on Quentin soil.

His gaze drifted behind us to the castle, then shifted to the city that stretched along the coastline beside this cliff.

Roslo’s white buildings practically glowed in the afternoon light. The capital city’s streets teemed with people and carts. Boats crowded the harbor’s docks, and the calm waters of Roslo Bay were a brilliant aquamarine beneath the sun’s bright rays. Quentin flags of the same teal fluttered in the breeze from where they hung on the castle’s towers, the largest of which were stitched with the royal crest—a crossbow woven with leaves and stalks of wheat.

Father considered the view from his throne room’s balcony unmatched, but I much preferred my city from this spot.

That castle was my home, but this cliffside was my sanctuary. This was the one place where the air wasn’t thick with judgment and guards weren’t stationed at every corner, ready to report my mistakes to Margot.

From this vantage, I could smell the salt drifting off the water. The scents of food and spices carried on the wind from the markets in the square. On calm days like today, I could hear the noise from the docks and the clamor of the streets. And when I had time, I’d bring along a journal to sketch the various views.

Banner’s gaze stopped on the three wooden ships docked in the bay, their forest green sails a slight contrast to the teal accents on the Quentin boats.

“Have you seen them yet?” I asked. “The Turans?”

“Not yet. But I just met with your father.” His jaw clenched. “He informed me that the Guardian traveled with the rangers.”

“The Guardian.” My jaw dropped as my stomach twisted. “The Guardian. He’s here? In Roslo?”

“Apparently,” Banner clipped.

Oh, hell. This was bad. This was the reason my fiancé had come out for a ride.

We might not be in love, we might not even be considered friends, but there were a few things I’d learned about Banner during our engagement. He was unfailing in his loyalty to Father. He loved the status that came with his rank and betrothal to a princess. And he loathed the Guardian.

“I’m sorry.” I reached for him, but he waved me off, raking a hand through his hair. “Will you be going to the meeting?”

“I’m the general of your father’s legion. What do you think?”

Was it really so hard for him to just say yes?

Maybe after we were married, he’d stop treating me like a child. Though considering the fifteen-year age difference, I wasn’t holding my breath.

Banner rubbed a hand over his jaw, smooth and set in an angry line. “Pray to Carine I’m able to keep my composure.”I’d pray for the Goddess of Peace to be with us all today.

Devney is a #1 Amazon, Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author of over forty romance novels. After working in the technology industry for a decade, she abandoned conference calls and project schedules to pursue her passion for writing. She was born and raised in Montana and now lives in Washington with her husband and two sons.”

To learn more about Devney Perry and her books, visit her website. You can also find her on Goodreads, Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr, & Pinterest.

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Book Review! Here Lie All the Boys Who Broke My Heart by Emma Simmerman

Here Lie All the Boys Who Broke My Heart by Emma Simmerman
Genre: Young Adult Fiction (Mystery/Thriller)
Date Published: February 3, 2026
Publisher: Avon 

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder meets Tell Me Lies in this binge-worthy debut murder mystery about a college student whose senior year takes a deadly turn when her exes start turning up dead…

Every time a guy breaks my heart, I write him a eulogy in my journal. It’s kind of my thing—closure through creative mourning. They don't actually die... or, at least, they didn't.

Now? These guys aren’t just dead to me, they’re dead to everyone. And I’m the prime suspect.

With my senior year at Pembroke College—and my entire future—on the line, I’ve got no choice but to play detective. Unfortunately, that means teaming up with my long-standing frenemy, Asher, who is insufferable and somehow always there when I need him the least. We bicker, we banter, we occasionally almost hook up, but with the body count rising and my name all over the suspect board, there’s no time to get distracted.

Between college parties, messy exes, suspicious deaths, and a murder investigation I never asked to be a part of—one thing’s for this is not how I thought my last year would go.

Here’s to hoping I can find out who the real killer is... before someone ends up writing my eulogy.

Here Lie All the Boys Who Broke My Heart by Emma Simmerman is a stand alone book that had that I Know What You Did Last Summer / Scream feel to it. Basically, all her exes in her journal of obituaries keep getting murdered. It was a fun mystery. Who did it? The answer wasn't as obvious as some stories out there, which I enjoyed. I wasn't too keen on many of the main characters though. Asher was as the blurb said... insufferable. I have no idea how someone could fall for him. You eventually got his sob story, but it wasn't good enough for me to excuse his brand of mean. And Sloane? She has no sense. On top of that, she clearly has a drinking problem. Every single one of her friends enables her and then get mad at her when she acts like a drunk. Even sober, she makes bad decisions. I liked the premise a lot, because I love these kinds of horror/mysteries. They're just plain fun! And this one was fun too, despite my frustration towards Sloane. I hope this debut author writes more.

The ARC if  Here Lie All the Boys Who Broke My Heart by Emma Simmerman was kindly provided to me by the publisher through NetGalley for review. The opinions are my own.

Emma Simmerman is a debut author with an advertising degree from Kent State University. She is a Youngstown, Ohio, native who now resides in Cleveland with her husband Nick, and her two cats Kitty and Cleo. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading, crocheting, and drinking overpriced cocktails with her friends.

To learn more about Emma Simmerman and her books, visit her on Goodreads.

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