OYENTE

Jessica Reynolds

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  • 60
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Brutal Obsession

Total
3 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
5 out of 5 stars
Historia
2 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 01-30-25

Brutal Obsession is the first book in the Hockey Gods series, and while it can be read as a standalone, I don’t think I’ll be continuing with the rest. I originally rated it 3 stars, but after thinking about it more… maybe it’s closer to a 2. If the rest of the series were free, I might pick them up, but I wouldn’t pay for them.

I usually enjoy both hockey and dark romance, so I went into this expecting to like it. Instead, I struggled to get through it. Honestly, the only thing that kept me going was the audiobook narration—it made the experience more bearable.

Both main characters were frustrating. I love an enemies-to-lovers dynamic, but when it drags on for most of the book with little payoff, it just becomes exhausting. The tension needs to build toward something, and this one took way too long to get there.

And the plot? Way too much. It felt messy, like it was trying to cram in every dark romance trope at once, which just made it feel overdone instead of compelling. Looking back, I think my initial rating was too generous. This one just didn’t work for me.

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Onyx Storm

Total
4 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
5 out of 5 stars
Historia
4 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 01-26-25

Book Review: Onyx Storm
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

Onyx Storm was a solid 4.5-star read for me, and my love for this series only deepened with this installment. My review is based entirely on my feelings and opinions, and I’ll do my best to keep it spoiler-free.

I was thoroughly entertained for most of the book, though I’ll admit the traveling sections felt a bit flat for me. That said, there were plenty of exciting and memorable moments to balance it out. The banter between the Fourth Wing was absolute gold—especially Riddoc, whose sharp wit and humor bring so much to the story. Truly the smart-ass energy we all love and need.

There’s so much more I could say, but out of respect for the fandom, I’ll hold back from ranting and accidentally spoiling anything. Rebecca, you’ve once again left us wanting more, and I’m patiently waiting for the next one.

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Daisy Darker

Total
3 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
4 out of 5 stars
Historia
3 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 01-26-25

Book Review: Daisy Darker by Alicia Fenway
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

I gave Daisy Darker three stars, though I suspect my rating might reflect the fact that this isn’t my usual genre. I wanted to step outside my comfort zone, and while I don’t regret it, I’ve realized murder mysteries aren’t my go-to.

That said, the writing was brilliant. While I was able to predict two major twists, the story still managed to surprise me with others. The plot centers around a deeply dysfunctional (and honestly terrible) family, and strange events begin to unfold during their reunion. The ending ties most of the storylines together and answers many of the lingering questions, though a few remain intentionally unresolved, which I think adds to the intrigue.

If you’re a fan of murder mysteries, I can easily see this being a 4- or 5-star read for you. For me, as someone who’s more drawn to emotional storytelling, it was an interesting but unsettling departure from my usual reading preferences.

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Witty Dark RomCom

Total
5 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
5 out of 5 stars
Historia
5 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 01-22-25

Lights Out by Navessa Allen was, in a strange way, refreshing. It had this comedic charm that I didn’t expect but really appreciated. I wouldn’t consider this a dark romance, though—it felt more like a romcom with a dark theme. That said, if you’ve never tried dark romance before, this might be a good one to start with… maybe. Honestly, I was sold at the content warning and dedication alone.

Josh and Ally are morally grey characters with some pretty intense interests in dark kinkery. Despite their flaws (or maybe because of them), they’re entertaining and oddly relatable. Oh, and their love for Fred the cat? That just added an extra layer of charm to the story. There’s a mix of suspense and excitement throughout, which really makes you wonder if they’ll survive the chaos or let it tear them apart.

The narrators were terrific—seriously, the duet-style narration brought so much life to the story. Their delivery made the witty banter even better, and I found myself laughing out loud more than I expected. And then there were moments that had me blushing—a lot. The knife scene? Yeah, that one was definitely interesting, to say the least.

Overall, this book had me laughing, cringing (in the best way), and fully invested. It’s not your typical dark romance, but it’s a unique and entertaining ride.

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Best Narration

Total
5 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
5 out of 5 stars
Historia
5 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 01-18-25

Quicksilver by Callie Hart: Expanded Review

I’ll start with the narration because, honestly, it’s what made this experience unforgettable. I’ve listened to over 300 audiobooks, and this one stands out as one of the best narrated performances I’ve ever encountered. There are readers, there are narrators, and then there are NARRATORS. Stella Bloom and Anthony Palmini belong in the latter category—absolute masters of their craft. Their chemistry as voice actors was palpable, even though they were likely recording separately. Can voice actors have chemistry over recording? Because they absolutely did.

The audiobook isn’t dual POV but uses dual narration, and it was executed flawlessly. Both Bloom and Palmini not only brought Saeris and Kingfisher to life but also elevated the supporting characters, making them just as vivid and memorable. I’m someone who creates a mental movie when I read or listen to books, and this narration added so much depth and realism to that imagery. If you’re hesitant about picking this one up, let me assure you—this audiobook is worth every second. Add it to your list. You won’t regret it.

I’ve seen mixed reviews about Quicksilver, and honestly, I get it. Many readers are comparing it to A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR), and while there are some similarities—it’s a Fae-centered fantasy with magical creatures—this book stands on its own when you approach it with an open mind. That’s what I did, and I’m glad I gave it a chance without pre-judging it.

The story itself is an easy, smooth read, and the world-building is excellent without being overwhelming. Sometimes, fantasy books dive so deeply into their histories and intricacies that it’s easy to get lost, but Callie Hart struck the right balance here. The lore is rich, but it’s accessible, which makes for an enjoyable reading or listening experience.

Saeris Fane starts off as a seemingly normal human, but of course, she’s much more than she appears. She’s key to salvation—not just for herself, but for many others, including the brooding Kingfisher. Their dynamic is a classic enemies-to-allies (to more), and the push-and-pull between them was just right. The pull was magnetic, and their chemistry jumped off the page—or, in this case, through the speakers.

One thing that set this book apart for me was the alchemy and the quicksilver element. It added a unique layer to the story that I haven’t come across often in other fantasies. It gave the book its own identity, and I can’t wait to see how Callie Hart expands on it in the next installment of the series.

The spice? Let’s just say it was chef’s kiss. The tension and romance were strong, and the steamy moments were both well-written and expertly narrated.

As much as I loved Saeris and Kingfisher, the supporting characters deserve their moment in the spotlight too. Carrion’s humor had me laughing out loud, Renfis and Lorreth’s loyalty was heartwarming, and Onyx the fox? Adorable. I loved the warmth and comfort that little fox brought to the story. Yes, there’s a cute 🦊—and it’s everything.

In summary, I highly recommend Quicksilver, especially the audiobook. In fact, I’d even suggest using the audiobook as a read-along—it really elevates the entire experience.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

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A Memorable Historical/Modern Romance

Total
5 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
5 out of 5 stars
Historia
5 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 01-12-25

The Things We Cannot Say was one of my first audiobooks, and it’s stuck with me ever since. It’s so memorable that it’s on my Reread list—I usually reread 5-10 books a year, and this one definitely deserves another go.

The story flips between two timelines: a modern one with Alice and a historical one following her grandmother in WWII-era Poland. I remember the transitions between the two timelines feeling really smooth, and both stories were equally important and engaging.

I need to reread it to refresh my memory on the details, but I remember it being such a powerful, emotional read that it’s stayed with me for years.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Narrators: 🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧

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The emotional pull.

Total
5 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
3 out of 5 stars
Historia
5 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 01-11-25

Review of The Coldest Winter by Brittainy Cherry

While I’d rate the narration a 3.5/5, the book itself is a solid 5/5 for me. I can easily separate the two, and the story truly shines on its own.

The Book:
Brittainy Cherry has delivered a beautifully written story about healing from grief, overcoming unforeseen obstacles, and finding ourselves during the transformative years of young adulthood.

When Milo and Star first meet, their connection feels lighthearted and exciting. Star steps out of her comfort zone for one unforgettable night, and that night changes everything for both of them. Initially, I didn’t anticipate the emotional depth of this journey, but it hit hard. I especially felt for Milo—his struggles and pain are so raw, and I found myself hurting alongside him throughout the book.

Their relationship is a rollercoaster of coming together, pulling apart, and finding each other again. The push-and-pull dynamic is filled with heartache and growth, building to the ending that both characters—and readers—deserve.

Trigger Warnings:
This book explores heavy themes of grief, loss, parental struggles, and unforeseen illness. If these topics are difficult for you, approach with caution.

Despite the emotional weight, The Coldest Winter is a powerful and inspiring story of resilience, love, and healing. If you enjoy deeply emotional reads with well-rounded characters and heartfelt storytelling, this one is for you.

Narration:
Don’t get me wrong, the voice actors were great in terms of their individual performances. However, I didn’t love how they portrayed the opposite sex or other side characters. It just didn’t resonate with me as much as I had hoped. Despite this, the story itself still remains a 5/5 for me, and I can easily separate the two.

Rating:
📖 Story: 5/5
🎧 Narration: 3.5/5

#TheColdestWinter #BrittainyCherry #AudiobookReview #EmotionalReads #GriefInFiction #YoungAdultHealing #RomanceBooks

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Great Book. Tear Jerker.

Total
5 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
5 out of 5 stars
Historia
4 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 01-11-24

Rip my heart out in an unexpected way, but I loved it. Rebecca did a beautiful job. My favorite book of hers. Listened to twice now. Narrators were perfect.

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