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The Nearness of You: A British celebrity, standalone love-at-first-sight romance by K.G. Fletcher – Review by Netania Lim

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The Nearness of YouThe Nearness of You by K.G. Fletcher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I loved this sweet romance! The characters were captivating and dynamic, and their relationship was full of chemistry and tension. It was easy to keep turning the pages because I fell in love with the characters. The writing flows so well and the story was evenly paced, although I found the ending a bit rushed. I also loved the way music and songs were featured in the story, as a lover of old jazz standards. Lovely read.

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Urban Justice (A Chicago Vigilantes Novel Book 2) by India Kells – Review by Netania Lim

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Urban Justice (A Chicago Vigilantes Novel #2)Urban Justice by India Kells
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I loved this fast-paced, suspenseful story, full of plot twists as well as romance. Sloane and Luke are well-developed characters, with complexities and chemistry. I loved the Chicago setting mixed in with urban exploration and drug addiction. India Kells’ writing flows so smoothly and I could really see sparks flying. This is definitely an intense page-turner.

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Murder Makes Waves (Jack and Frances mysteries Book 3) by Carmen Radtke – Review by Netania Lim

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Murder Makes Waves (Jack and Frances mysteries, #3)Murder Makes Waves by Carmen Radtke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a great story with plenty of intrigue, suspense and twists. I hadn’t read any books by this author or the previous books in this series, which would have probably helped establish the characters better. Still, I grew to understand the characters Jack and Frances quickly. I also loved the setting of a voyage to England from Australia, as an Australian being able to understand many of the cultural references, and the historical details were a delight. It’s a kind of cozy read and highly entertaining. Having enjoyed this story, I would read the other books in this series now.

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The Sanctuary Chronicles Box Set – Book 1-3 + Novella by India Kells – Review by Netania Lim

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The Sanctuary Chronicles Box Set - Book 1-3 + NovellaThe Sanctuary Chronicles Box Set – Book 1-3 + Novella by India Kells
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

India Kells is an amazing writer. I loved this series of books The Sanctuary Chronicles, which are the stories of three witches. The plot is full of suspense and the characters are well-developed. The stories are paranormal fantasies with some romance and plenty of adventure. The writing flows well and the books are a great escape read. I highly recommend these books.

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The Magic of Christmas by Christi Barth – Review by Netania Lim

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The Magic of ChristmasThe Magic of Christmas by Christi Barth
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a sweet and enchanting story. It is an enemies to lovers Christmas romance, where two rivals at a marketing firm, Rowan and Jeremy, find themselves vying for a promotion by creating a marketing plan for an amusement park. I didn’t necessarily like the characters a whole lot but I did like this as a feel-good story. It was nice to lose myself in a book for a couple of hours and this story is perfect for the holiday season.

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Tidal Love by KM Lowe – Review by Netania Lim

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Tidal LoveTidal Love by K.M. Lowe
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a sweet romance that starts with a holiday fling and turns into something more. There are some parts to Harleigh’s past trauma that were a bit difficult to read and I would have expected her to be going to therapy but I liked her character development and how the author went into the complexities of her story. I also liked Giovani and how down to earth and complex his character was, alongside both Harleigh’s and Giovani’s siblings who added humour to the story. It’s pretty fast-paced and the ending is neatly tied up.

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Self Made (Freshwater BOOK 2) by Belinda Williams – Review by Netania Lim

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Self Made (Freshwater Book 2)Self Made by Belinda Williams
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the second book in the Freshwater series and I was really looking forward to it after enjoying the first book. The characters have great chemistry, depth and backstory, and the Sydney setting feels familiar as an Australian myself. The plot is easy to follow too. A great romance read.

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Pharaoh’s Forgery (Karina Cardinal Mysteries Book 4) by Ellen Butler – Review by Netania Lim

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Pharaoh's Forgery (Karina Cardinal Mystery Book 4)Pharaoh’s Forgery by Ellen Butler
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I absolutely love this series and was really looking forward to reading something featuring Karina set somewhere outside Washington DC, and this absolutely lived up to my expectations! There’s plenty of action and danger as always, and when Karina makes mistakes and impulsive decisions, her friends are always there to help her pick up the pieces. I couldn’t put it down as usual and there are lots of details that add to the story. Can’t wait for the next book!

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Accepted (Rhodes Family Book 2) by Lisa Wood – Review by Netania Lim

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AcceptedAccepted by Lisa Wood
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is not my usual kind of book at all, but there’s definitely a lot of passion and drama. The characters were a bit difficult to relate to and it’s a bit slow at the beginning. The writing is good and flows naturally so it’s a pretty easy read. I’d recommend reading these books in order.

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The Saint of Liars (The Lucky Devil series Book 2) by Megan Mackie – Review by Netania Lim

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The Saint of Liars (Lucky Devil #2)The Saint of Liars by Megan Mackie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I loved the first book so I was highly anticipating this one. There’s lots of action and magic in this one, and the world-building is complex and detailed. I love the mix of urban fantasy, cyberpunk and paranormal elements, as it adds a lot of tension and keeps you guessing.

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Distant Heart Sounds (Nurse Morgan Series Book 1) by Kate MacInnis – Review by Netania Lim

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Distant Heart SoundsDistant Heart Sounds by Kate MacInnis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is an interesting paranormal romance. The characters were well-written, although there were times when the plot was a little slow and it took me a little while to get into the flow of the book. There’s lots of humour and a pretty unique story.

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True Bastard (A Dark Sparrow Novel Book 4) by India Kells – Review by Netania Lim

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True Bastard (A Dark Sparrow Novel #4)True Bastard by India Kells
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a great book! There was plenty of action, chemistry between the characters, and lots of suspense. I really loved the danger and intrigue of this book. This was definitely a page-turner.

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I’ll See You Again: A Scottish rock star, standalone opposites-attract romance (Reigning Hearts Book 4) by K.G. Fletcher – Review by Netania Lim

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I'll See You Again (Reigning Hearts, #4)I’ll See You Again by K.G. Fletcher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this sweet little romance. There’s a little bit of heartbreak but there’s also music and banter. I really connected to the characters and emotions of the story. I do love a Scottish character. This ‘opposites attract’ storyline is flirty, passionate and full of chemistry, and the pacing was perfect. An easy read.

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Diamonds & Deception (Karina Cardinal Mystery Book 3) by Ellen Butler – Review by Netania Lim

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Diamonds & Deception (Karina Cardinal Mystery, #3)Diamonds & Deception by Ellen Butler
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’ve been loving Ellen Butler’s Karina Cardinal Mystery series of late and this was no exception. Diamonds & Deception can be read as a standalone, although of course there are certain details that benefit from the context of the previous books. I love this series for its detailed intrigue and fast-paced action. The plotlines and antagonists are well-researched, even if this book has slightly darker themes compared to the previous ones. I really loved how this one focused on Karina as a lawyer, but also how her romance with Mike keeps growing and Karina’s sense of humour made me laugh aloud many times. A suspenseful read.

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Shattered: Rhodes Family Book 1 by Lisa Wood – Review by Netania Lim

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ShatteredShattered by Lisa Wood
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is a steamy romance. The plot was pretty straightforward and the story was smoothly written. Although I found it a bit predictable, I thought the premise of Olivia’s backstory was interesting. At first, Gabe seemed really entitled but overall the characters were likeable, if a bit lacking in depth. It was fast-paced and easy to read.

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A Duke Never Forgets (The Duke Hunters Club Book 3) by Bianca Blythe – Review by Netania Lim

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A Duke Never Forgets (The Duke Hunters Club, #3)A Duke Never Forgets by Bianca Blythe
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It’s been a while since I last read a regency romance novel, but I really enjoyed this one. Although at times the plot and characters get a little stereotypical and predictable, with an ‘enemies to lovers’ type of storyline, I really enjoyed the humour. The main characters Genevieve and Sebastian were mostly believable too. This was a quick, easy read.

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Fatal Legislation: A Novel: Karina Cardinal Mystery Book 2 by Ellen Butler – Review by Netania Lim

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Fatal Legislation (Karina Cardinal Mystery #2)Fatal Legislation by Ellen Butler
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a book I was highly anticipating, having read and loved the Karina Cardinal Mystery #1. This book was even better. I really enjoyed the more overtly political nature of this novel. It was fast-paced and flowed smoothly, and the plot and subplots were all thrilling and intriguing. Karina is a fascinating character, making impulsive, borderline implausible decisions, but she’s a strong female protagonist who’s also flawed and doesn’t always make the right decisions. A highly readable book.

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Isabella’s Painting: A Notorious Art Heist Mystery (Karina Cardinal Mystery Book 1) by Ellen Butler – Review by Netania Lim

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Isabella's Painting (Karina Cardinal Mystery #1)Isabella’s Painting by Ellen Butler
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was an incredible read, an absolute page-turner, and thrilling the whole way through. I loved Karina’s background as a Washington DC lawyer turned policy wonk, as well as the way Karina tries to work out what’s happening even as she makes plenty of mistakes. The mystery of the plot kept me going the whole way through, even with the elements of romance and crime. I love art heist fiction generally, but this one really grabbed my attention. I’ll definitely be reading anything else by this author!

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The Slaughter of Leith Hall by Lexie Conyngham – Review by Netania Lim

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The Slaughter of Leith HallThe Slaughter of Leith Hall by Lexie Conyngham
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I didn’t like this book as much as I’d hoped, as I have a little bit of a love affair with Scotland. However, the murder mystery itself was well-woven and detailed. The plot was a bit slow due to the imbalance between dialogue and narration. I still enjoyed the historical aspects and descriptions of Scotland. The accuracy and attention paid to the language and accents of the time also added to the realness of the story.

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Bird in a Snare (The Lord Hani Mysteries Book 1) by N.L. Holmes – Review by Netania Lim

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Bird in a Snare (The Lord Hani Mysteries)Bird in a Snare by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I loved the political intrigue and detective aspects in this book. It was definitely full of suspense and tension, even if the pace was a little slow at times. The historical details and accuracy in the setting were fascinating to discover and added to the plot as well. The characters were richly developed and their motives often surprise. I really enjoyed the mix of history and mystery.

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The Frontman by Lawrence Parlier – Review by Netania Lim

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The FrontmanThe Frontman by Lawrence Parlier
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This crime thriller was definitely a page-turner. The characters were well-developed and complex, and seeing their storylines come together throughout the story was so enjoyable. The plot moves at a strong pace, with enough suspense and detail to keep going. This story surprised me, but it also really moved me. I didn’t really expect that from this book and I’m so glad I read it.

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Virtually Gone (High-Tech Crime Solvers Book 6) by Jacquie Biggar – Review by Netania Lim

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Virtually Gone (High-Tech Crime Solvers #6)Virtually Gone by Jacquie Biggar
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a great crime mystery. There was plenty of suspense and drama, and the plot moves quickly. However, in some places, it seemed a little uneven and rushed. The characters were interesting though, with several storylines being woven together. It was a bit of a shorter read so I think more detail could have been added sometimes.

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The Traveler: Chimera Revolution (The Book of Eleanor 2) by Shannon Nemechek – Review by Netania Lim

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The Traveler: Chimera Revolution (The Book of Eleanor 2)The Traveler: Chimera Revolution by Shannon Nemechek
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the second book in the series and picks up where the last one left off, so I’d recommend reading in order. It’s a time-travelling fantasy that’s fast-paced and intriguing. I loved the characters and how they reappeared, and the writing itself flows well. There’s lots of drama but also some emotional moments that really help to pull you into the story.

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Dead Magic (The Sanctuary Chronicles, Book 3) by India Kells – Review by Netania Lim

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Dead Magic (The Sanctuary Chronicles #3)Dead Magic by India Kells
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love India Kell’s writing and loved this third instalment of the series. The characters are so well developed and strong, and the relationship between Violet and Finn is dynamic and complex. The plot is fast-paced but suspenseful, and keeps you turning the page. An enjoyable paranormal fantasy.

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Golden Void (Black Blade Book 3) by Alexander Charalambides – Review by Netania Lim

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Golden VoidGolden Void by Alexander Charalambides
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book which told Megan’s story. There’s heaps of action and it was a bit confusing at the beginning. The story has lots of mythical and magical elements, and a rich fantasy world. The characters were what really drew me into the story. The characters develop a lot throughout the story, and Megan’s journey especially is full of twists and turns.

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Summer’s Stolen (Seasons of Magic Book 2) by Sarah Biglow – Review by Netania Lim

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Summer's Stolen (A Seasons of Magic urban Fantasy Novel)Summer’s Stolen by Sarah Biglow
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the second in the series in which Ezri Trenton, a detective who’s also part of a magical community, takes a case when young girls go missing. I love the mix of crime and fantasy, as I did with the first one, though I probably liked that one better. This is action-packed and fast-paced, and I really appreciated the mix of characters from different backgrounds. I’d read the first book but the writing is great.

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Winter’s Wolf (The Cursed Series Book 1) by Lou Grimes – Review by Netania Lim

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Winter's Wolf (The Cursed, #1)Winter’s Wolf by Lou Grimes
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is a paranormal fantasy about a teenager called Louvette who keeps moving schools and doesn’t know who her father is until a lawyer executes her grandfather’s will and secrets come out. There’s definitely a bit of every genre in this story, and the plot overall is interesting and suspenseful although it has moments of predictability. The writing itself didn’t exactly pull me in but the characters and their relationships with each other were interesting.

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Blind Magic: The Sanctuary Chronicles by India Kells – Review by Netania Lim

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Blind Magic (The Sanctuary Chronicles #2)Blind Magic by India Kells
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a paranormal romance, and although I often find this genre lets me down, I’ve read other books by India Kells and this one held up. As the second book in the series, it can be read as a standalone, as I did, having not read the first book. This story is about a witch and a werewolf, with magic, time travel, and mythology thrown in as well, which makes it unique. The plot was strong and I loved the character development of Sera as she finds out about her own past as well as questions her own destiny. The wider cast of characters were complex and dynamic too. Also loved the bookworm’s heaven of a library! Great read with plenty of detail and action.

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Spring’s Calling: A Seasons of Magic Urban Fantasy Novel by Sarah Biglow – Review by Netania Lim

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Spring's Calling (Seasons of Magic, #1)Spring’s Calling by Sarah Biglow
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is an urban fantasy about a Boston police detective named Ezri, so it’s a crime drama with magic added. From a child, Ezri has known that she was prophesied to be the Savior of the magical community against the Order of Samael, but she’s also got a complicated personal history, stemming from her mother’s murder. Although the plot was a bit heavy on the prophecy element, I really enjoyed the magical elements and the pacing of the entire novel. Ezri’s backstory was weaved in well, and the minor characters were also well-developed. I loved the crime detective element because it seemed so unique.

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Saint Code: The Lost (Saint Code Book 1) by Megan Mackie – Review by Netania Lim

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Saint Code: Lost: Book Four of the Lucky Devil SeriesSaint Code: Lost: Book Four of the Lucky Devil Series by Megan Mackie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this cyber fantasy. It’s about a cyberspy called St. Augustine, who works as an agent for megacorporations, but also for hire for clients like the Orange Lady. But this job is a trap, and it gets personal. I loved figuring out St. Augustine’s backstory and the development of the character. Although the setting itself was a bit confusing in the beginning, there were so many details that really helped me imagine it better. I really enjoyed the overall plot, the side characters, and the fast pace. I’d recommend reading this series in order.

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