Raphael by D.B. Reynolds

* * * This review may contain spoilers * * *

I can't believe it took me this long to read this series and author. Although I did just find out about her last week so I guess better late than never! I'm not even sure where to begin, to be honest. I absolutely adore Cyn and Raphael! I don't believe their relationship was instalust or too fast. It was gradual and slow-paced. The action didn't slow down or overshadow the romance at all! The story was both interesting and exciting. At one point, I was scared for Cyn because she tends to end up in the most dangerous situations. Thankfully, she is no damsel in distress!

CYNTHIA LEIGHTON. Cyn had characteristics I always look for in a heroine: strong, bad ass, confident, witty, and passionate. As a powerful Vampire Lord, Raphael has never met anyone like Cyn before. She fascinates and intrigues him to the point that he decides he wants her for himself. Of course, Cyn tries her best to resist his efforts and I absolutely commend her for that. They had amazing chemistry and the sexual tension between the two was palpable. When Cyn realizes her love for Raphael, my heart broke for her because she comes to the realization that he isn't ready for that kind of commitment yet. It's obvious that Raphael has strong feelings for Cyn, but as someone who has never experienced love before, he's scared.

RAPHAEL. As the story progresses, Reynolds does give her readers a few glimpses of Raphael's past and boy, is it tragic. Not spoiling anything, but this first book is about Raphael's search for his sister, Alexandra, after she was kidnapped by someone he thought trusted. I actually didn't connect with Raphael right away, but as I continued to read more, he grew on me. Like Cyn, he is a strong, powerful, arrogant, and passionate character but also very dangerous. He can be merciful, but one of his people betrays him, he won't hesitate to kill them. Total bad ass, I tell ya!

Raphael is the first book to the Vampires in America series by D.B. Reynolds and it's a strong one. This book ends with a cliffhanger and the story continues in Jabril so I definitely recommend you read that one straight after. I personally loved Jabril more since Raphael and Cyn's relationship gets tested, becomes even more intense, and is fleshed out more. Overall, I highly recommend this series!

Rating: ★★★★★

BOOK SPOTLIGHT : Demonica / Lords of Deliverance by Larissa Ione

I don't usually write updates on this blog considering it's where I usually write reviews... but I'm trying something new and I'd like to be more active on it. So I recently finished the Demonica series by Larissa Ione and I still can't believe it's over! Well, okay, it's not really over. Larissa Ione announced on her website that she will be writing a spinoff of the series for the next generation! Meaning the children of the main characters in the Demonica series. How exciting is that?! Here's the link to 'Not the End.' Meanwhile, we still have Hades to get excited for this May. ;)

Sugar Daddy by Lisa Kleypas

* * * This review may contain spoilers * * *

Despite being a Lisa Kleypas fan for many years (since 2010!), I've always had misconceptions about this book. Until now. I mean come on, the title of the book threw me off. That'll teach me never to judge a book by its title... haha. Although I do actually get why Kleypas decided to title her story that now. I still can't believe it took me so long to read this book since I've read Blue Eyed Devil and Smooth Talking Stranger before and loved it. Better late than never! Alright, time to get this show on the road.

GAGE TRAVIS. You sly devil! He was such a jerk towards Liberty in the beginning, but everything changed the night he had a fever and went over to his apartment. The chemistry between Gage and Liberty was absolutely amazing. I honestly wish that Kleypas had focused more on their romance rather than Liberty's entire life, family, and friends. I wouldn't have minded if the book was longer because of that. His love for Liberty was inspiring and I just loved how he claimed her as his once Hardy showed up in her life again. In addition, he was such a sweetheart and I adored his relationship with Carrington, Liberty's sister.

LIBERTY JONES. She was such a strong heroine and I definitely commend her for all the hardships she had to go through. Especially after her mom died and she basically had to become the head of the family and a "mom" to Carrington. Her relationship with Hardy was so... heartbreaking. I hated what he did to her and his betrayal broke my heart and Liberty's. It's been a long time, but I'm sure Liberty forgave him in the sequel? At least, I hope so! I should probably read it.

The ending and epilogue literally had my heart soaring. It was so touching and beautiful! Liberty finally got the family and the ending she had always wished for PLUS the amazing man to boot. All in all, I thought Sugar Daddy was one of the most beautiful books I've ever read and Lisa Kleypas definitely didn't let me down. If you've never ever read any of her books before, shame on you! You should start doing so now!

Rating: ★★★★★

Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins

** 5 AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL AND BITTERSWEET STARS **

Isla and the Happily Ever After is the third and possibly last book in the Anna and the French Kiss series and we have all waited a very long time for it in anticipation. I can't even begin to describe how happy and heartbroken I was by the end of this book. I am not ready to let these precious characters go... I want to read more about life and what may happen to them in the future. But even so, I know it's probably for the best. Anyway, starting from the get-go, you're immediately thrust into Isla's head and her interactions with her long-time crush, Josh Wasserstein. I adore Isla when it comes to her witty responses and dorky personality as well as her depreciating manner. And Josh! How can I ever forget him. The sweet, funny, and just adorable artist whom Isla has had a crush on since forever. They're literally a match made in heaven and I loved how adorable they were together.

"It’s midnight, it’s sweltering, and I might be high on Vicodin, but that guy - that guy right over there - that’s him. The him."

Many readers may say that their love happened way too quickly, but that's where you're wrong. Josh has always noticed Isla and she, him. Although they didn't get together, Isla became the one person who truly mattered and one whom Josh came to love dearly. I knew from the beginning that there would eventually be heartbreak between Isla and Josh... and Stephanie Perkins definitely delivered. Many tears will be shed, you hear me! I was absolutely devastated starting from 60% to the end. Something really sad happened and Isla begins to doubt herself as well as her relationship with Josh. Don't get me wrong, I actually sympathized with her. Josh was becoming, well, rather distant. He barely had time for her and not to mention long-distance relationships don't always work out in the end. Thankfully! Everything worked out in the end for those two because I was near the breaking point. I wanted things to work out between them so badly and that separation nearly broke my heart.

"I’m... getting there. I’m beginning to think that maybe it’s okay to be a blank canvas. Maybe it’s okay that my future is unknown. And maybe, it’s okay to be inspired by the people who do know their future."

Rating: ★★★★★

The King by J.R. Ward

** 4.5 'LONG LIVE THE KING' STARS **

I guess I'm part of the unpopular opinion when it comes to wanting to read more about Trez and Selena, Assail and Sol, and Xcor and Layla. Although I intentionally thought the book was going to be ONLY about Wrath and Beth, I'm still super satisfied with how things turned out. Personally, I thought Beth and Wrath had enough parts throughout the entire book! Besides, how can you not love the other couples?! My feelings and emotions were literally all over the place when it came to those three couples. All in all, I thought the WARDen did a wonderful job with this one. Also, I freaking loved Beth's sense of humor!

Wrath and Beth
From the very beginning I have always thought their romance went a little bit too smoothly and in The King, their relationship definitely takes a turn. It's not always easy watching a couple you love and root for fight one another but it's necessary for them in order to grow stronger. Beth has been wanting a child after spending much of her time with Layla and Nalla (Bella and Z's child). However, Wrath just does not want to lose his mate to childbirth! Furthermore, Wrath is still struggling to come to terms with his blindness as well as a whole mess of other things like his recent assassination attempt from the Band of Brothers and the Council's insistence on his throne as the King.

Assail and Marisol
God, these two broke my heart. Not sure if I'm the only one, but I'm one of the few who actually liked reading about Assail and Sol. What happened to Sol was absolutely horrible. Kidnapping and attempted rape? That can seriously devastate and haunt anyone forever. Assail pretty much went psycho crazy just trying to find her, while leaving a trail of bodies on the way of course. I don't know about you, but Assail reminds me of Rhevenge in a way. He pretty much took over Rhev's "job" as a drug dealer. Oh, and when Assail realized that he loves Sol? It just took my breath away! I'm already tearing up just thinking about it. It's so obvious that these two have FEELINGS for one another but sadly they're not acting on it. And the way the WARDen left these two? Damn it, I need to know! Will Sol and Assail ever be reunited again? I certainly hope so![Will Sol and Assail ever be reunited again? I certainly hope so! (hide spoiler)]

Trez and Selena / iAm
What a complicated situation these two have. Don't get me wrong, I still love reading about these two but damn it, I just can't help but wish the best for them. Trez has his whole issue with the s'Hibe on his back while Selena has her "problem." I can't out dish too many spoilers, but it's not good. I've been interested and probably invested in their relationship since the last book, Lover At Last. Both certainly have problems of their own in addition to their growing feelings for one another. The WARDen gives us a glance at what these two and their chemistry can possibly become but... like I've said before, Trez has a lot of problems and he doesn't feel worthy of Selena. I am so happy that the next book will be about Trez and iAm! (x) And how can I possibly forget about iAm?! He is one of the most loyal, amazing, funny, and precious character ever. As the complete opposite of Trez, he is almost always calm and rational. Plus, I find his relationship with Beth's cat to be hilarious. After everything with Trez, he definitely needs his own happy ending!

Xcor and Layla
Although Xcor has done a lot of horrible things, I can't help but like him. Especially when he's with Layla. He's in love with her. I'm not sure about Layla, but I think she has some sort of feeling towards him. These two didn't get as much attention as I had wanted but I'm positive that their relationship with will become more important in the long run. I thought Layla's deal with Xcor was rather interesting. Xcor seems to be done with the throne but I'm just not sure about Throe? I'm actually surprised Xcor agreed to it in the first place because he's so in love with Layla. But because he has such low self-esteem, he's taking whatever he can get of Layla. Throe will most likely play a key role in the future books because of his reaction towards Xcor and Layla.

Rating: ★★★★★