May Reading Wrap-Up: The Best and Worst
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New month loading! It’s officially June, so it’s time for a May Reading wrap-up. May had me reading banger after banger until the end of the month when I had to DNF a book that was hyped on the net! My 2024 reading has been excellent. This month I read a total of 17 books. And this has been a year reading and doing the best book reviews. So let’s review my May reading wrap-up list from best to worst and see what you should read and skip!
The Legends of Thezmarr series
Vows and Ruins (5 stars) and Fate and Furies (5 stars)
I started my May reading wrap up, diving straight into Vows and Ruins and Fate and Furies right after the exhilarating Blood and Steel. I’m completely obsessed with this series! These are officially my favorite book. Check out my full review of Blood and Steel on my blog. The series follows Thea on her quest to become a warrior in a world where women can’t wield blades due to an ancient prophecy. Along her journey, she finds everything she’s been searching for. Scheuerer’s writing flows so smoothly that you’ll devour each book. The Legends of Thezmarr series features cunning, clever characters and a touching found family dynamic. Despite being character-driven, the plot keeps you engaged and eager to turn the page. Fate and Furies stood out with its reveals, deepened relationships, and a cliffhanger that leaves you eagerly awaiting Storms and Shadows. Which releases June 20th.
As a middle-of-the-series, these installments offered a breather. With the world, magic, and plot already established, there was no heavy info-dumping, just solid preparation for the final act. The book truly shines with Thea’s personal growth. Despite missing a year of her life, Helen writes epic women and Thea’s development made me tear up with pride. Her victories and the questions she dared to ask left me wanting to cheer for her.
God of Pain
5 stars
If I have to pick a favorite of this May reading wrap up it would be God of Pain. After reading God of Malice and God of Pain, I am becoming obsessed with Rina Kent’s writing and characters. I swear Rina NEVER disappoints. She does morally black men so well. I have loved Creighton since he was introduced in God of Malice and couldn’t wait to see more of him.
I won’t delve too much into the plot, but I have to say, Rina Kent is a master at captivating readers with dark and mysterious characters from the very first page. Her stories grip me immediately, making me eager to uncover what these complex characters will do next. Creighton stands out as a fantastic anti-hero and is now my favorite book-boyfriend! Annika is lovable and incredibly easy to empathize with throughout the story.
The chemistry between Creighton and Annika is electric. Despite being opposites, both characters are fascinating. Creighton’s bad-boy persona and dark past contrast perfectly with Annika’s multi-faceted, cheerful exterior that hides her secrets. From the beginning, I wanted to uncover everything about them. The world-building is superb, and I adore this setting. Let me warn you The Legacy of Gods series is DARK. Many of the characters are psychopaths and sociopaths, each guy a god in his own right. I can’t wait to read about every single one of them.
Sabotage
4.5 stars
I ate this shit up. This isn’t my favorite of the L.O.R.D.S series (technically this is a spin off from that series) but I had an excellent time reading it. It is filthy, twisted, and oh so consuming. I need to what Shantel puts in these because I am starting to question myself. Shantel doesn’t miss.
Sabotage is currently free on Kindle Unlimited.
The Sweetest Oblivion
4.5 stars
I love it when you dive into a new author’s work and immediately fall in love with their writing. When you know right away that you’re going to love the story? That’s exactly how I felt when I read The Sweetest Oblivion by Danielle Lori. I had been searching for a good mafia romance with a crazy family dynamic, and within the first few chapters, I knew I had found it! The Sweetest Oblivion is a captivating mafia romance that kept me up all night. It’s well-written, violent, and steamy. From the first word to the last, I was glued to the pages. The chemistry between Elena and Nico was electric although he was engaged to her younger sister. The romance is a slow burn, but the sexual tension and the payoff are top-notch. I love being inside a man’s head when reading and Nico’s inner monologue is top-notch.
Devourer of Men
5 stars
DEVOURER OF MEN!!! I have been waiting on this one since I finished the Vicious Lost Boys series last year! This was the easiest read of my May reading wrap up.
Roc and Hook embark on a thrilling adventure across Everland, following a lead to find the woman they both once loved. As they travel together, the close quarters and their lowered inhibitions ignite a powerful chemistry between the mortal enemies. When their journey catches the Queen of Everland’s attention and she summons them to her court, the situation takes an unexpected and spicy twist.
Devourer of Men is a book that I wish I didn’t have to wait until it was published and the release date to read. And after just turning the last page I immediately want to go back and reread 10 more times. This book was everything and the wait was definitely worth it. I am obsessed with villains as a love interest, and Roc fits the bill. He is dangerous and powerful. Hook although he hates to admit it (poor form) wants Roc so bad he can barely stand it. Their chemistry was palpable. The banter and tension between the two were all that I needed and more. Now more than anything I am bummed that I have to wait for the next book in the Devourer duet, and after that ending I don’t know how I will live!
Dragons of Ember Hollow series
4.5 stars
The Dragons of Ember Hollow series was my first Tessa Hale. I have a full review up on my blog. I delved into Twilight of Embers by Tessa Hale, a captivating paranormal romance. The story follows Hayden, who finds an unexpected family with five mysterious men at Evergreen University. Each man—ranging from a charming football star to a brilliant professor—brings a sense of belonging Hayden hasn’t felt since her parents’ tragic deaths. The romance is a slow burn filled with danger, intrigue, and magical elements, including dragon shifters and fated mates.
I discovered Twilight of Embers on Kindle Unlimited while searching for a reverse harem novel and quickly devoured it and the second book, Midnight of Ashes. The book features well-developed relationships, strong pacing, and immersive tension. Despite minor flaws like my nemesis “insta-love” and limited world-building, the story shines with action, suspense, and emotional depth. Fans of series like The Bonds that Tie and The Witch Walker will enjoy this series. The third book is set to release on July 19th.
Desperate Measures
4 stars
Desperate Measures is a contemporary retelling of Aladdin with Jasmine and Jafar instead of Prince Alibaba. I know what you are thinking JAFAR how will that work? Will that work? It does! If anybody can do it Katee can do it.
Jasmine has led a sheltered life in the heart of a criminal world, kept locked away by her emotionally abusive father. Despite her vulnerabilities, she remains fierce and headstrong, determined to stop being walked over. When Jafar kills her father and takes over his assets, he also takes Jasmine with him. Their past chemistry ignites as Jafar, who is cunning and far hotter than his cartoon counterpart, reveals his desire for her. His true intentions are always a mystery—he’s complicated, possessive, and devilish, with a hidden softer side. However, his grey areas are what make him truly intriguing.
Desperate Measures is packed with sex, making it ridiculously filthy and intensely hot due to Jasmine and Jafar’s undeniable chemistry. If erotica isn’t your thing, this book might not be for you. But if you’re looking to explore something wicked, dive in. The steamy scenes are jaw-dropping and utterly addictive. Despite pushing boundaries, the book’s political dynamics and hints of future couples kept me hooked.
Desperate Measures serves as a scandalous introduction to the series. If you’re up for something steamier than usual with morally grey characters, give this one a try. It’s going to be scorching hot!
A Fate Inked In Blood
3 stars
Norse-inspired worlds are among my favorites, and this one did not disappoint. The plot is excellent: Freya is trapped in unwanted marriage after unwanted marriage, but she is destined to be the shield maiden who unites people—and tears them apart. The world-building is immersive, making it easy to grasp the setting and the flow of the tale. The pacing keeps you engaged without dragging, allowing the lore to shine. Freya is unfiltered and flawed, making her a fierce character you can’t help but root for as she pursues her goals.
So, what didn’t I like? Danielle’s writing style and mine just don’t quite mesh. Don’t get me wrong; it’s beautiful and everything I’ve mentioned. But as the story progressed, it felt like it was devolving. A Fate Inked in Blood is almost all telling and not enough showing. As a reader, I want to visualize the story, imagining it in my mind’s eye like a movie. Unfortunately, this book didn’t quite achieve that for me.
Breathing You In
3 stars
This is another that I have a full review up for. Imagine enduring a traumatic experience that changes your entire life. For Winter, this means hiding her secrets and dealing with an abusive, alcoholic father who constantly belittles her. All she wants is to forget her past and live like a normal twenty-one-year-old. One day, she walks into a bar and everything changes when she locks eyes with Carsten Hatcher. Despite others’ opinions of him, Carsten is different, making her feel loved and saving her from her troubled life.
Breathing You In by Christina Mack pulls you into an emotional whirlwind from the first page. Winter and Carsten’s instant attraction is unexpected, especially for Carsten, who never planned to settle down until Winter walked into his bar. While the romance is sweet, the story feels rushed and lacks depth. At 354 pages, it could have benefited from more backstory and better execution. Carsten’s character needs more development, as the story starts abruptly with him hooking up with another girl before meeting Winter, making the romance feel too instantaneous and underdeveloped.
The novel shows signs of being a debut, with noticeable typos and a repetitive approach to the spicy scenes. However, Winter’s decision to leave her abusive father and choose herself is a highlight. Despite being labeled a dark romance, it feels more like a sweet romance with some darker themes (mainly abuse). Carsten’s genuine care for Winter and his efforts to fix his mistakes make their love story touching. If you’re looking for a book that explores human connection and vulnerability, Breathing You In might resonate with you. Does it deserve a spot on your bookshelf? Let me know in the comments.
Dark Trio
3 stars
I think the biggest issue I have with Dark Trio is that it started rather abruptly. There was no build up, no real chemistry, and no character development. The characters are also one dimensional at best. Aside from that the storyline is lighthearted, it also had so much potential. With the plot of the story it could have been a full-length novel and not a novella. Despite that, I had a good time reading it. And sometimes that’s all you need from a book.
Veiled in Stars and Silver
3 stars
Veiled in Stars and Silver is one of ten books in the Enemies Ever After series, a collection of standalone, steamy enemies-to-lovers fairy tale retellings.
This installment offers a fresh twist on Peter Pan. Wendy is a knife-wielding badass determined to return to Neverland, rescue her brothers, and take down Captain Hook once and for all. But what if Peter Pan and Hook aren’t who she thought they were? Upon her arrival, Wendy discovers that everything is not as it seems, and sinister forces are at play. She is the only one who can stop them.
Veiled in Stars and Silver is packed with adventure, slow-burn romance, and a unique twist on Peter Pan that we absolutely needed! As a sucker for Peter Pan retellings, reading about Neverland, the Lost Boys, and all the adventures brought me joy. However, the world-building isn’t the main attraction—you get enough information to know where you are, but I wished for more magic and detail. The story’s background is beautiful but lacks a wow factor, pushing the bounds of an okay story.
The Witch’s Brew
2 stars
This is where the May reading wrap up starts to go down hill.I was so confused by The Witch’s Brew. The first half I was engaged and invested in the story but by the second half I didn’t know what was happening. I was questioning myself. What did I read, flipping back to reread a passage because it didn’t make any sense. It needed some serious editing. Conversations that were supposed to be had, were summarized and shortened. There was no character development (even with its novella length). It had so much potential but just didn’t deliver. If I didn’t pick this up on a stuff your Kindle day I would have been upset wasting my money.
Of Blood and Aether
DNF
DNF @ 22%
137 pages into Of Blood and Aether… I didn’t know what the magic system was about beyond rudimentary aether is elemental. The world building was pockmarked and it was just all around boring. The best part about the story was the prologue and I couldn’t care less about the characters even though I desperately wanted to.
I may try to read it again but for now, it is shelved.
Thank you to The NerdFam for an eARC to read and review.
The Musician and the Monster
DNF
This was the easiest DNF of my May reading wrap up. I received this book as an ARC and I was so excited based off the blurb that was presented. But, I was so fucking bored by The Musician and the Monster. The writing was decent at best, the characters were surface level and nothing happens GOOD GOD! I wanted to love this so much after hearing how good it was but it begs the question were we reading the same book because DAMN (yes I know that every book isn’t for everyone). This one just wasn’t for me.
To Bleed A Crystal Bloom
DNF
I was looking at Goodreads, writing this May reading wrap up and I have to say: I am on team I need someone to tell me why they thought this book was good. To Bleed A Crystal Bloom was so hyped on the net and I feel like I shot myself in the foot (I don’t usually read hyped books). It had SO MUCH potential. But ultimately it left me with more questions than answers.
In conjunction to all those question I was SO BORED. I understand that this book in theory is a foundational set up for the rest of the trilogy but NOTHING HAPPENS for the majority of the story. Laith is stuck in her routine and scared to venture outside of the safety line (and rightfully so) but when are we going to move past that 52% into the book and we’ve gotten no development, no experimentation, NOTHING!
What did you think of the books on this May Reading Wrap Up List? Are some of your recent reads?
What are you currently reading? Let me Know in the comments!happy reading!
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