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Book Reviews · Favorites

Dangerous Games and Deadly Secrets: An Academy for Liars

August 19, 2024September 16, 2024

In An Academy for Liars, Alexis Henderson invites readers into the dark, enigmatic halls of Drayton College, a place where magic is hidden in a secret[……]

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DIARY OF A READER

Welcome to my blog!

I'm Dominique. As an avid reader and book lover, my job is to inspire you to read my favorite books. So, grab your favorite drink, and stay a while. We hope you find a new love.

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Through Snowflakes: 5 Books to Heal Your Heart

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Dominique Florence | Book Blogger

diaryofthereader

Book Reviewer | Fantasy, Romance, & Thriller Reviews
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There's something so magical about slow mornings, There's something so magical about slow mornings, isn’t there? 🌅 The way the sunlight gently creeps through the window, casting a warm glow over your favorite reading nook and that first sip of coffee or tea—pure bliss! ☕️📚 It’s the perfect time to dive into the pages of a new book or revisit an old favorite. Today, I'm curled up with My Feral Romance by Tessonja Odette, a gripping novel that has been on my TBR list since I finished the first book, A Rivalry of Hearts, earlier this year. The characters are coming to life, and I can hardly put it down! Daphne and Monty are slowly becoming my favorite characters. The story itself is weaving a web of intrigue and emotion that keeps pulling me in deeper. What about you? Are you lost in a world of fantasy, or perhaps exploring the depths of human emotion through a gripping romance novel? What are you starting your weekend with? I’d love to hear what you’re reading! 📖✨ Remember, every book is a ticket to a new adventure. What will you explore today? #BookLovers #ReadingTime #SlowMornings #BookCommunity #LiteraryJourney
“Dark romance” isn’t just a genre—it’s a “Dark romance” isn’t just a genre—it’s a descent into chaos wrapped in silk and sin. ✨💀 📚 These four reads are NOT for the faint of heart: 💋 The Ritual by Shantel Tessier – Because who doesn’t love a morally black man with secrets darker than their soul? 🌙 Phantasma by Kaylie Smith – Ghosts, obsession, and a haunting romance you’ll never escape. ❤️‍🔥 That Sik Luv by Jescie Hall – Toxic love that makes “bookish red flags” feel like an understatement. 🖤 Once You’re Mine by Morgan Bridges – A stalker romance where possession is just the beginning. These aren’t your typical knight-in-shining-armor love stories. They’re gritty, seductive, and teeter on the edge of wrong. If you’ve never dipped into the world of stalker romance or morally gray men, consider this your sign. (And if you have… welcome back to the abyss.) ❓ Which is more tempting: the boy who’d burn the world for you or the one who’d burn you for the world? Let’s talk about your favorite red flags in the comments! 🔥 Save this post for your next TBR spiral, share with your fellow dark romance fiends, and tell me: which of these antiheroes will you be meeting first? #DarkRomance #StalkerRomance #MorallyGrayMen #RomanceBooks #TBR #BookishRedFlags #SpicyBooks #RomanceReaders #BookRecommendations #BooksToRead #RomanticReads #DarkReads #AntiHeroRomance #ObsessiveLove #FictionAddict #BookAesthetic #ReadMoreBooks #RomanceCommunity
📖✨ "These aren’t all my books..." And then—surprise!—under the bed, in the drawers, tucked away like little secrets waiting to be discovered. Rory gets it. True book lovers know that shelves are only the beginning. Because books aren’t just objects—they’re worlds to get lost in, characters to befriend, and emotions that linger long after the last page. 💬 So tell me—where’s the most unexpected place you’ve stashed your books? (Bonus points if it beats under the bed!) 👇 Drop your answer below, and let’s see whose TBR hiding spots take the crown. Tag your fellow book hoarders and share this reel with anyone who has “books in every nook” energy! #BookishConfessions #GilmoreGirlsMoments #TBRSecrets #HiddenBooks #ReaderLife #BookLoversUnite #BibliophileVibes TBR, must-read, fantasy, contemporary romance, fiction, book lovers, reader goals, worlds to get lost in, reader recommendations
🌍 "One shining fragment of hope can guide a who 🌍 "One shining fragment of hope can guide a whole betrayed generation, but what happens when the window to the world is clouded by chaos?" Manda Scott’s Any Human Power begins where most stories end: Lan lies dying. But instead of fading away, she stays to watch over her family—a clear intent that sparks a thought-provoking journey across one generation’s fight against growing chaos. The story weaves magical realism with dystopian shadows, tackling power, family, and sustainability themes. But for me, it fell short of its ambitious goals. The characters felt more like walking manifestos, and the plot, while packed with ideas, was too convoluted to connect. It wanted to be a political statement, a spiritual exploration, and a call to think independently all at once—but ended up feeling scattered. Still, Any Human Power lingers in my thoughts. It challenges you to dream deeply about a better future, even if the tools it presents—privilege, connections, and miraculous resources—seem out of reach for most. 💭 Would you prefer a clear story with relatable characters or a sprawling narrative that dares you to think? Thank you to @bookpublicityservices for sending me a copy of Any Human Power. 📚 If this sounds intriguing, add it to your TBR, and let me know your thoughts! Tag a friend who might appreciate this international storm of ideas about family, power, and change. #AuthorMandaScott #AnyHumanPower #ScienceFiction #OneGeneration #ClearIntent #HumanPower #ThoughtProvokingReads #GrowingChaos #ThinkIndependently #MagicalRealism #DystopianFiction #DreamDeeply #ReaderRecommendations #FantasyFiction
When was the last time you disappeared into a stor When was the last time you disappeared into a story so completely that the real world felt like a faint whisper? Today, I’m giving you permission to step away—from the endless scrolls, the to-do lists, and that one coworker who insists on replying all. Let’s escape. Find that book you’ve been meaning to read (yes, the one judging you from your TBR stack) and dive in. Let its pages become your passport to anywhere but here. Because sometimes, the best way to deal with reality… is to ignore it altogether. 📚 What book are you using to escape the real world this week? Drop your must-reads below so we can all get lost together. 💡 Your next adventure is just one page away. Ready to start? #TBR #MustRead #WorldsToGetLostIn #BookLovers #ReaderGoals #DiaryOfAReader
✨What would you risk for power? For love? For fr ✨What would you risk for power? For love? For freedom? In the 15th-century capital of West Africa, tension fills the air. The blacksmith guild is stirring rebellion, whispers of betrayal echo in the palace halls, and a warrior king named Òdòdó is caught in the middle of it all. He’s not just fighting for his crown—he’s battling the ghosts of his past, the weight of his people’s future, and the schemes of those who’d rather see him fall. Masquerade by O.O. Sangoyomi isn’t just a story; it’s a lyrical tale of epic power struggles and elaborate schemes, loosely inspired by the Persephone myth. Every choice Òdòdó makes comes with a cost—his legacy, his people, or even his heart. If you’re drawn to historical fiction rich with political intrigue, myth, and rebellion, this book will sweep you away. Add Masquerade to your TBR because this debut novel deserves a spot on your shelf. 💭 Question for You: Would you side with the warrior king, join the rebellion, or choose exile among the social pariahs? Drop your answer in the comments—I’d love to hear what path you’d take. Save this post so you don’t forget Masquerade—you’ll want to return to this story again and again. 📚 #Masquerade #OOSangoyomi #WestAfrica #HistoricalFiction #Fantasy #PoliticalIntrigue #Reimagined15thCentury #WarriorKing #BooksToRead #ReaderGoals #TBRStack #EpicStories
December is here, and so are the new book releases December is here, and so are the new book releases ready to wreak havoc on your TBR! (Seriously, when was the last time it saw daylight?) From gothic chills to heart-fluttering contemporary romances, these reads promise worlds to get lost in and stories to haunt your dreams. So, here’s the deal: scroll through these December gems and tell me which one is sneaking its way onto your must-read list. Or maybe you’ve already read an ARC? Spill the tea—what’s a hit, and what’s a hard pass? 💬 Tell me this: If you could have dinner with any character from this month’s releases, who’s getting an invite—and why? 🎁 Bonus points if your answer makes me want to gatecrash your fictional feast. 🛍 Add these to your TBR or holiday wishlist (because “treat yourself” is totally a book lover’s mantra). Let’s talk: your next read awaits. ✨ --- Hashtags: #DecemberReleases #UpcomingReleases #TBRStack #BookishLove #FantasyReads #ContemporaryRomance #GothicFiction #MustReads #BooksToRead #ReaderGoals #BookRecommendations
When you’ve spent your whole life silenced, what When you’ve spent your whole life silenced, what happens when someone finally teaches you how to speak? In Dust by Alison Stine, Thea’s world is as barren as the Bloodless Valley her family fled to—a place where crops wither, rivers have given up the fight, and even hope feels like an endangered species. Thea, partially deaf and endlessly stifled by her parents' fears, knows silence too well. Homeschooled to the point of isolation and cut off from friends, her world is nothing but dust and restraint. Until she meets Ray. Deaf, bold, and patient enough to teach Thea what her parents never allowed her to claim: her identity, her language, and her voice. In a café tucked between black blizzards and withering crops, Ray opens Thea’s eyes to more than signing—he shows her a life that doesn’t have to be colorless. This is more than a speculative coming-of-age tale; it’s a raw, haunting reminder of what it means to find connection when the world feels abandoned. For anyone who’s ever felt like their voice didn’t matter or who’s wondered what family and love truly mean when everything else is stripped away—Dust will stay with you long after the final page. 🌪️ Tell me, what’s the one book that’s made you question everything you thought you knew about yourself? Thank you to @wednesdaybooks and @alistinewrites for sending me a copy to read and review. Dust releases tomorrow 12/3 and deserves a spot on your TBR! #AlisonStine #Dust #BloodlessValley #SpeculativeFiction #ClimateChange #DeafCommunity #ComingOfAge #WednesdayBooks #TBR #MustRead #BookLovers #ReaderGoals
🦇THE LIGHTSLAYER COVER REVEAL🦇 ✨ Step in 🦇THE LIGHTSLAYER COVER REVEAL🦇 ✨ Step into the shadows, if you dare. ✨ Draconia is a realm where forgotten shadows stir beneath the holy light, and ancient powers demand their price. The Lightslayer pulls you deep into this dark world, where Jack Townson—a vampire lord whose very name carries the weight of forgotten history—uncovers a sinister conspiracy that could extinguish light wherever it still flickers. With his eclectic crew, the Degenerates, Jack must navigate dangerous alliances and a scarlet crusade against a looming supernatural war. In this world, loyalty is fragile, power is seductive, and every choice could be the last. If you love dark fantasy, spicy romance, and pulse-pounding twists, this is your next must-read. 📖 Does The Lightslayer belong on your TBR? 💬 Let’s talk: What makes a hero unforgettable for you—loyalty, ambition, or secrets? Drop your thoughts below. Thank you to @shaynetownson and @vampirejacktownson for letting me be a part of this cover reveal. 🔖 #DarkFantasy #Lightslayer #VampireJack #ForgottenShadows #ScarletCrusade #FantasyBooks #BookRecommendations #TBRGoals #ReaderGoals #HolyLight #WorldsToGetLostIn
🌹 “They call him the Silent Death, and his wi 🌹 “They call him the Silent Death, and his wings could carry her to freedom—or her doom.” 🌹 Picture this: You’re in Emelin’s shoes (or maybe barefoot because fae courts aren’t big on sneakers). You’ve been caught wielding forbidden magic by the empire’s most feared fae murderer. Death seems inevitable... but instead of ending you, this inhumanly beautiful captor, wrapped in mystery and cloaked in danger, spares you. Now you’re thrust into the heart of the treacherous Crimson Court, where secrets breathe fire, and even the shadows have sharp edges. The Silent Death—the Mother of Faekind’s most loyal and lethal warrior—needs something only you can give. The question is: can you trust a morally grey fae male who’s spilling secrets as fast as he’s guarding them? Or, worse, can you trust yourself not to fall for him? ✨ Dive into Court of Blood and Bindings by Lisette Marshall—book one of the Fae Isles Series. This steamy fae fantasy romance is packed with dangerous secrets revealed, a unique magic system, and a slow-burn tension that could set the entire Crimson Court aflame. 🔮 Bookish Question: If you were Emelin, would you risk it all to trust a fae male like him? Or would you try to escape with your heart (and magic) intact? 📖 Add it to your TBR and let the slow-burn yearning begin! 💬 Drop a 🖤 if morally grey heroes are your weakness, and tag your book bestie who needs to meet the Silent Death. Thank you so much to @midnightbibliophilesbooktour and @authorlisettemarshall for including me on the book tour stop and providing me with a copy of "Court of Blood and Bindings". ✨ Relevant Hashtags: #FaeIslesSeries #FaeFantasyRomance #CourtOfBloodAndBindings #EnemiesToLovers #ForbiddenMagic #CrimsonCourt #MorallyGrey #LisetteMarshall #FantasyRomanceBooks #Bookstagram #TBRList #FaeMaleVibes #BookishPost #FantasyReads
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