The book description sounded interesting, so I took a chance on it. It’s a very meaty tale, with a lot going on. There were a few places where I had a bit of a challenge following things. Overall, the characters are interesting, and the story is full of intrigue, mystery, danger, and romance with some great worldbuilding. If you’re the type of reader who enjoys stories with a lot of heft, detail, and originality, this might be the book for you.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Naomi McDonaldhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngNaomi McDonald2024-03-17 10:52:172024-03-26 09:27:20Hood of Sedna (Stevie Capot Chronicles) by Mina Skye – Review by Naomi McDonald
I didn’t really know what to expect going into this book, but I thought I’d give it a try. I got a few chapters in and quickly discovered that it is too cutesy for me.
That being said, it would be a great read for anyone who enjoys a fluffy story. There’s a sparkling, vegan vampire, clones of the J. Green Giant, a snowman shifter, and other unique characters. It also has steamy scenes to keep things spicy.
Even though it wasn’t my kind of read, I’m giving four stars for originality. I applaud the author’s use of imagination in creating the characters.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Naomi McDonaldhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngNaomi McDonald2024-03-01 16:01:432024-03-25 11:07:34Basil (Silver Springs Pets Series) by K. Rose – Review by Naomi McDonald
This book could be read as a standalone, but you’ll have a more comprehensive reading experience if you read the previous books. If you love romance stories about vampires, chances are, you will enjoy this story. It’s got a bit of everything – romance, danger, betrayal, suspense, steamy scenes. I will also note that I found it interesting how the author blended the old-world vibe in with more modern vibes. Keeps the reading experience fresh.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Naomi McDonaldhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngNaomi McDonald2024-02-16 11:36:182024-02-22 08:39:44Master Botosoni (Masters of the Consulate Book 9) by Sylvia Black – Review by Naomi McDonald
This was a short read, but I liked the premise. I found the main character, Selene, relatable in the sense that she’s a bit socially unlucky. The only thing I would have enjoyed more is if there had been a little bit more build-up to the big reveal. Otherwise, this is a great little jaunt into the land of steamy imagination.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Naomi McDonaldhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngNaomi McDonald2024-02-02 14:56:482024-02-14 21:18:23Curse of the Forbidden Island by C.A. King – Review by Naomi McDonald
I’ll be honest, based on the cover and the play on words in the title, I went into this thinking it was going to be much more lighthearted than it was. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good, dark story. It just wasn’t what I expected going in.
In addition to that, the content warning in the blurb is vague, so you don’t have a clear idea of what exactly the subject matter is that might be triggering. I’ll say this, if you’re not a reader of dark romance, or romance with dark themes, you may want to steer clear of the Hellhound story. But there are a few grey areas in some of the other stories as well. A content warning page with more specific detail would be a good addition to the contents of the book.
All of that being said, my favorite story in the book is Gargoyle Mine. I’d read an expanded version of it. It seemed to be the most fleshed out. The characters felt like that had more of a build up to things, whereas the other stories seemed to be instalove/lust. I’d almost say, because of the length of each story, the bulk of them read more as erotica than romance. Which again, nothing wrong with that if you’re expecting it.
The other story I enjoyed, and would love to see an expanded version of, is Haven. In my opinion, there are not enough aquatic shifter romances out there.
Overall, once you get past the incongruent vibe between the cover/title and the contents, and when you get in the brain space to read more steamy than story line, it’s not a bad read.
Quick, but entertaining. My only wish is that there could have been a couple more chapters to really cement in the romance feel. However, from the way it ended, there may be more story coming. I loved the turtle. If the story does continue, I hope they visit him again. And I’d love to learn more about Joey. I actually have hopes that things go a certain way with him. Overall, great read!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Naomi McDonaldhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngNaomi McDonald2024-01-02 13:37:072024-01-13 16:52:22Tropic Heat (Flamingo Island Series) by C.A. King – Review by Naomi McDonald
Note: This is not a standalone book. In order to understand what’s going on, you need to read the previous books in the series.
After things slowed down a little in book three, this book picks up the pace again. A lot of changes have happened and Makayla is embroiled in mystery. She’s cut off from much of her support system and doesn’t know who to trust. This story will have you leaning into the twists and turns as Makayla learns more about herself and the academy.
Phenomenal world building, superb characters. Fabulous read!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Naomi McDonaldhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngNaomi McDonald2023-12-16 14:34:532024-01-04 11:05:44Grave Digger Academy IV (Grave Digger Academy Series) by C.A. King – Review by Naomi McDonald
Damian & Bryanna Great read with some action, suspense, danger, and, of course, romance. Even though this book has the requisite steamy bits, I liked the story line more. It’s a fast-paced tale so it’s easy to get sucked in and read it all in one sitting.
Dereck & Layla I’m going to start off by saying that the repeated use of the endearment ‘Princess’ grated on me. Pretty sure that’s a personal preference thing, though. Outside of that, the story is pretty good. Definitely full of the drama, danger, intrigue, and steamy scenes you would expect to find in a mafia romance.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Naomi McDonaldhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngNaomi McDonald2023-12-16 10:26:122024-01-04 11:04:48Auctioned Surrender (Sinful Duets Book 2) by Via Mari – Review by Naomi McDonald
This is not a standalone book. You need to read the first two in order to understand the backstory of what is going on in this one. After reading the first two and loving them, I found book three to be somewhat slower. It took me a little bit to get into it because there’s not a lot of action happening up until about chapter twenty. BUT, you need all the information in this story for what is coming in book four. That being said, I enjoyed the addition of new helper characters, and Makayla learning how to use her tools. And, as always, I enjoyed the unique interpretations of magic and worldbuilding. I feel like the slower pace of this story is building up to something intense for the next book. Looking forward to continuing the series!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Naomi McDonaldhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngNaomi McDonald2023-12-02 09:53:232023-12-11 20:52:19Grave Digger Academy III (Grave Digger Academy Series) by C.A. King – Review by Naomi McDonald
Jay & Sasha You can read this collection without having to read the other series associated with it, but if you want to know more about the characters you should read other works by this author. When I first ran across the Sasha character (in a previous series), I didn’t like her very much. She was creating a lot of drama. In this story, you get a better understanding of why she is the way she is. I changed the way I felt about her in this book. As you read this story you are likely to feel a wide range of emotions. The story keeps up a good pace and has characters you can connect to. Suspense, steamy scenes, danger…overall a great read.
Matt and Marenah There were a couple of parts toward the beginning that grated on me a little, but it wasn’t enough to ruin the whole story. It starts off with a bang and maintains a good pace throughout. There are plenty of steamy scenes and suspenseful moments to keep your attention to the very end. It took me a little bit to warm up to Matt…that Princess bit just was not working for me. I enjoyed Marenah’s feistiness, and how many layers there are to her character.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Naomi McDonaldhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngNaomi McDonald2023-12-01 07:42:482023-12-07 12:21:17Whispered Surrender (Sinful Duets Book 1) by Via Mari – Review by Naomi McDonald
From the first few sentences, I was hooked on this book. It gets you right in the feels. The characters are well-written and relatable. You can feel their struggle with grief coming through the pages. I personally don’t usually read content warnings, so I don’t know what those are specifically for this book, but if you’re sensitive to reading about the grieving process, death of a sibling, or drug/alcohol use, proceed with care. This is definitely a would-read-again book for me!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Naomi McDonaldhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngNaomi McDonald2023-11-28 15:59:232023-12-07 11:24:15Bad at Being Good (An MM Brother’s Best Friend Romance) by A.L. Morrow – Review by Naomi McDonald
If you like holiday reads with a little angst mixed in, this is a great book. It’s a slow build, but once things start to move, it really picks up. The author does a good job of keeping you hooked by dropping bits of the situation with Austin’s family throughout the first half of the story, so you want to keep going to find out just what the situation is there. And once you do… oh the feels.
Being an ADHDer myself, there were many moments I related to Elijah’s struggles. And I loved that the author didn’t shove all that under the rug as the relationship developed. Both people recognized they still had things to work through to make the relationship all it could be, but they were willing to try.
Note: In case you missed it in the blurb, there are content warnings. Make sure you check those out before you dive in!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Naomi McDonaldhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngNaomi McDonald2023-11-04 10:45:372023-11-13 13:47:16Arriving Home (Lake Juniper Series) by Chelsea Lauren – Review by Naomi McDonald
This is the seventh book in the series. You don’t have to read the previous books to enjoy this one, but it will give you more background on the characters if you do.
With this story, I feel like I could have read the prologue, and then skipped all the way to chapter nine because the previous chapters felt like they were dragging on a bit.
Once the story picked up it was great! Descriptive wording. Superb character development. Awesome twists and turns.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Naomi McDonaldhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngNaomi McDonald2023-10-29 12:02:132023-10-30 07:26:31Whisper Creek (Logan McKenna Mystery Book 7) by Valerie Davisson – Review by Naomi McDonald
Ever since I finished the first book in this series, I’ve been anxiously waiting for this one. It did not disappoint. Side note: You really need to read the first book before this one to have the complete backstory. The characters are amazing and well-written with a lot of depth. The world building is stellar. There’s humor, suspense, danger, drama… everything you’d want to keep you turning the pages. Definitely a must read!
I did not read the previous book, but it wasn’t difficult to jump into this one without it. This story has a detailed plot full of suspense and danger with some comic relief to break up the dark bits. The characters are well-written and easy to connect with. If you are a thriller and crime novel enthusiast, this would be a great addition to your TBR list.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Naomi McDonaldhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngNaomi McDonald2023-09-16 13:02:002023-10-02 12:08:11Killer Smile by Allan Evans – Review by Naomi McDonald
I found this to be a book you can’t necessarily sit down and read cover-to-cover. It’s helpful to read the poetic descriptions of a card and the thoughts the author has written to go with it, then step away and let the information marinate. This isn’t like a classic Tarot book, which can seem somewhat technical. I feel like this work has more of a gentle flow to it that softens the information and allows it sink into your subconscious. An interesting reading experience.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Naomi McDonaldhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngNaomi McDonald2023-09-02 18:37:212023-09-14 07:43:44Conversations with the Tarot by Maria DeBlassie – Review by Naomi McDonald
This is the second book in the series. You can pick up the story and keep up without reading the first book, but I’d highly recommend the first one so you can get a deeper connection to the characters. Fortune’s Favorite is an amazing story. The characters are brilliantly written with many layers. There’s mystery, suspense, action, and danger. And the worldbuilding is fantastic. Definitely a page turner!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Naomi McDonaldhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngNaomi McDonald2023-08-20 10:01:352023-08-28 13:17:50Fortune’s Favorite (Soulbound Journeys Book 2) by C. L. Schneider – Review by Naomi McDonald
This is the first book I’ve read by this author, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. The story takes a few chapters to get to the action, but once it does, it really takes off. I enjoyed the interesting spin on how paranormals exist. And I liked the way Julia discovered what she’d unknowingly gotten involved in. Overall, a great read!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Naomi McDonaldhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngNaomi McDonald2023-08-06 12:05:032023-08-16 13:32:42The Secret Humankind (The Discoveries of Julia Xero Book 1) by Gloria Oliver – Review by Naomi McDonald
I’ll admit that I had a difficult time getting into the story at first. The way the characters interact with each other in the beginning felt a bit formal, but as I kept reading it grew on me. This story has a little of everything – magic, suspense, danger, and of course, romance. The world-building is interesting and demonstrates the strength of the author’s imagination. Good read. Give it a try.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Naomi McDonaldhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngNaomi McDonald2023-07-23 10:24:272023-08-03 13:51:29Love Bites More (The Darkness & Light Duology, and the Love Bites World) by TL Clark – Review by Naomi McDonald
This was a superb read. I loved the intricacies of the story line. It was full of twists and turns. I enjoyed the mystery and suspense. A little bit historical, a little paranormal, and quite a page-turner.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Naomi McDonaldhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngNaomi McDonald2023-07-08 16:35:542023-07-14 11:20:22House of Arsceneaux (Servants of Morrigan: Immortal Creatures) by Caterina Novelliere – Review by Naomi McDonald
I love a good Why Choose book, so I decided to give this one a try. As I was reading, I felt like there was something off. It may have been the pacing, because at times it felt a bit rushed. It could also have been something about the way the characters were written. There were times I lost connection with them. But a bit of spice, witty banter, and mystery kept things lively enough to make it a good read.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Naomi McDonaldhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngNaomi McDonald2023-06-16 15:29:172023-06-19 14:24:35The Passion of 3: A Second Chance MMF Romance by Ariella Talix – Review by Naomi McDonald
This is a short, fun read. I found the characters interesting and the plot intriguing. The development of how you understand Truly in the beginning vs. the ending is a great journey. There aren’t any graphic scenes in the story, but there are references to certain subjects that may be uncomfortable for some readers. Overall, I found this a great little reading adventure.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Naomi McDonaldhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngNaomi McDonald2023-06-04 11:22:482023-06-06 17:38:23Truly Unfortunate (Welcome to Knollville Book 1) by C.A. King – Review by Naomi McDonald
My reading experience with this book was complex. I found it intriguing, yet challenging. The wide variety of subject matter keeps things interesting, however the composition of the book itself seems chaotic. The artwork on the pages, while beautiful, was a lot of visual noise that was very distracting at times. You can tell that the author is aptly expressive with words, but the overall presentation detracted from it. It was a unique and interesting journey from beginning to end. If you like unusual reading adventures, give it a try.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Naomi McDonaldhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngNaomi McDonald2023-05-27 10:44:572023-05-30 08:06:19Euphoric Wonderland by Ryan M. Becker – Review by Naomi McDonald
This was a fun read. I enjoyed the characters’ interactions with each other. The worldbuilding was good. I liked the build up to the relationship between Huli and Xiao Ying. Ling Ling’s character was superb. The story starts right in the middle of the action and keeps you reading with suspense and bit of mystery as the characters discover who they truly are.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Naomi McDonaldhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngNaomi McDonald2023-05-12 12:04:432023-05-12 13:48:48Foxy Tails by Natalina Reis – Review by Naomi McDonald
I loved this book! The characters are intriguing and vibrant. The world building is good. The only thing that could have been better is having some of the backstory fleshed out a bit more. But even so, I was so into the story that I kept turning the pages. The snark, sass, and witty banter throughout the book is amazing. The author wrote a phenomenal main character in Gwen. She’s real and gritty. She’s tough, but deep down, she cares. It’s a great balance of strong and soft. Ash… swoon. I need more Ash! And that ending. Why is the next book not out yet, lol??? Overall, a stellar read!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Naomi McDonaldhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngNaomi McDonald2023-04-22 15:39:002023-04-28 12:39:39Return to Hoodoo (Boudin, Bourbon, and Barbecue, Book 1) by Reggi Dupree – Review by Naomi McDonald
There is a prequel to this story that gives more insight into the tension between Riley and Cole, but it’s not an absolute must in order to understand what’s going on in this book.
As with the prequel, Riley’s character didn’t land as well for me as Cole’s, but overall, the story has a lot of angst and build up between the two that keeps you reading. Even though I didn’t connect with Riley’s character much, I think the character development on the whole was well done, as was the world building.
If you like enemies-to-lovers new adult stories, this will probably be right up your alley.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Naomi McDonaldhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngNaomi McDonald2023-04-08 14:59:032023-04-17 12:26:16Savage Lies (Hidden Valley Elite Book 1) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Naomi McDonald
This story picks up right after the events of the first book. As with the first book, be aware of content warnings. This story deals with some heavy subject matter that may be difficult for some readers.
I felt like this book is actually better than the first one. Where the first one was a good story, it didn’t have the overall feel of a usual MC tale. This story brings the atmosphere you would expect from an MC book. The intensity was higher. The suspense was better. You get to see how strong the women are to a better degree. Shadow’s character felt more real to me.
The one thing that I didn’t care for is there were times it felt like Panther’s heritage was fetishized. I’m not sure if it was written that way on purpose to reflect something about the characters since most of it was in dialogue, or if it is the way I interpreted it. Example: One of the characters says, “I’m assuming he’s Native by those awesome cheekbones and beautiful long, black silky hair… Can I have one of those for my next birthday?”
First, know going in that, as mentioned in the book description, this is not a sweet romance. There are no specific content warnings listed, but this story deals with some heavy subject matter and some on-page scenes that may be difficult for some readers.
I wasn’t sure what to expect going into this story, but in just a few pages, I was hooked. It didn’t feel like the usual MC tale, but the world-building is great. The characters have good dimension. The story has suspense, danger, and romance. Even though I had it figured out shortly into the book, I enjoyed that there was a good story line with the romance. The one thing I didn’t care for was how some of the guys don’t view the women’s MC as a true club.
Overall, I enjoyed the story. Looking forward to the next book.
I love the world building in this series. The characters are detailed and amazing. This is a great story that will keep you turning the pages. Danger, Suspense, Steam – it’s got everything!
If you’ve been authoring for a while, this book will mostly be a refresher for you. A lot of the things mentioned are things prominent in author advice circles, so you hear them often. I think this book would be an excellent resource for aspiring or brand-new authors.
I liked the fact that there is a mix of traditional and indie representation. I also appreciated the book including advice from women’s perspectives, mentions of being an author while parenting, and BIPOC representation.
One thing that was disappointing about the book is that out of 100 authors contributing, there was only one brief sentence that mentioned OCD tendencies, and one brief paragraph mentioning ADHD in a general sense. There was hardly any neurodivergent representation at all. As a person with multiple neurodivergences, I think navigating the neurodivergent way of doing things has been one of my biggest challenges as an author. I’ve learned a lot of things the hard way because there truly isn’t much advice out there for neurodivergent authors. Most advice I’ve heard is geared toward neurotypical brain styles.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Naomi McDonaldhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngNaomi McDonald2023-02-25 21:13:362023-03-02 08:57:48What I Wish I’d Known: For Writers by H.D. Thomson – Review by Naomi McDonald
We may request cookies to be set on your device. We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites, how you interact with us, to enrich your user experience, and to customize your relationship with our website.
Click on the different category headings to find out more. You can also change some of your preferences. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer.
Essential Website Cookies
These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features.
Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refuseing them will have impact how our site functions. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site.
We fully respect if you want to refuse cookies but to avoid asking you again and again kindly allow us to store a cookie for that. You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain.
We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. You can check these in your browser security settings.
Google Analytics Cookies
These cookies collect information that is used either in aggregate form to help us understand how our website is being used or how effective our marketing campaigns are, or to help us customize our website and application for you in order to enhance your experience.
If you do not want that we track your visit to our site you can disable tracking in your browser here:
Other external services
We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps, and external Video providers. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. Changes will take effect once you reload the page.
Google Webfont Settings:
Google Map Settings:
Google reCaptcha Settings:
Vimeo and Youtube video embeds:
Other cookies
The following cookies are also needed - You can choose if you want to allow them:
Privacy Policy
You can read about our cookies and privacy settings in detail on our Privacy Policy Page.