Reading Recap, Jan 2025
I've started the year and my reading goal strong with 12 books for January. It has been a mixed bag of decent and downright awful and, coincidentally, all romance novels. Let's go through them with a quick summary and review. I've added the relevant content warnings where I felt it was necessary. You can also see my currently reading and tbr lists on my goodnotes. see here.
There will be spoilers ahead, read at your own discretion
Book #1: Alien Attraction: Taurean Warriors Series by Melody Beckett
Synopsis: Dr. Amelia O'Malley never believed in aliens—until Commander Oren Ka’Ress crash-lands on Earth, wounded and on the run from a deadly enemy. Forced to work together despite their differences, they must stop the looming Xakul threat before it’s too late. As danger grows, so does an unexpected attraction that could change both their worlds.
Rating: ★★★☆☆ 3/5 stars
Review: Decent read, though nothing spicy happens in this book, at all. Like most romance books the fmc and mmc have some type of connection almost instantly and it's partially the driving force for Amelia to try to save Oren. The action was fun to read and delightfully suspenseful towards the end. The ending is semi-open and gives the reader just enough to want to see more from these characters in the next books.
Book #2: Aspen Travels Canoodles Krampus (Aspen Travels Cryptids #2) by Jamie Spicer
Synposis: Aspen Travels, ever the intrepid explorer, embarks on a quest to find the elusive Krampus. In this short, steamy adventure, she discovers more than she bargained for, leading to unexpected and tantalizing encounters.
Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ 1/5 stars
Review: This was a super short read and not very tantalizing. Full of typos and grammar mistakes, but I'm assuming the author is not a native English speaker. (I couldn't find much information on the author) Krampus is your typical dominant MMC and Aspen pretty much doesn't react to any of the events in a realistic manner other than enjoying their vigorous encounters. However, it was interesting that ole Kramps sticks himself up the rear with his tail. I recommend one reads when they're having a bad day and needing something to laugh at because this was more of a comedy than a spicy novella.
Book #3: Trapped: in the Alien Bordello (Captive Space Courtesan Book 1) by Emmy Tidning
Synposis: Cassiopeia, marooned at the universe's edge by mischievous extraterrestrials, finds her only ticket back to Earth is through the seedy spaceport commanded by Rourke. With limited options, she becomes a courtesan in this interstellar truck stop. In this new role, Cassie discovers she's not the sole human stranded in this distant part of space.
Rating: ★★☆☆☆ 2/5 stars
Review: BORING for a first installment of a series. Not much happens outside of FMC meets MMC and becomes obsessed with him solely on the fact that he is the only other human she has seen in this part of space. Cass desperately wants to get back to Earth but is indebted to her boss, an orange human-like alien, that runs the bordello and frequently sexually harasses and exploits her. Nothing graphic happens other than a brief scene of Cass with a client. Cass and MMC don't even share a kiss during or after their "fake" date, just her longing for him that gets cut short by the annoying orange.
Book #4: Such A Good Girl (Hot Creeps, #1) by Effie Campbell
Content Warnings BDSM, Pet Play, Watersports, Public sex, Semen Drinking, Physical Violence, Drugging, Kidnapping, Stalking
Synposis: Ashley’s marriage is dull, her desires ignored—until a frustrated online review catches the attention of a man who sees exactly what she needs. He’s watching, waiting, ready to claim her. The collar she bought won’t go to waste—she’ll be his perfect pet. Such A Good Girl is a dark, steamy dive into obsession and control.
Rating: ★★★☆☆ 3/5 stars
Review: This book was okay. FMC's husband and mother-in-law make me want to eat dry wall with how one note they are with they're hostility or apathy towards her. We really don't get any other perspective or insight about why they treat her this way, aside the small remarks from MiL that she somehow isn't "good enough" for her son. MMC is exactly what the title says, a CREEP. He Stalks and eventually kidnaps Ashley, which she is rightfully freaked out about at first but quickly falls for the first guy to give her any attention. And how does this happen? Ashely buys a collar off the book's version of Etsy and posts a provocative review with images of her mostly nude. This sets off the MMC and he's immediately obsessed and has the "she's mine" mentality. They engage in bdsm and pet play, which is pretty gross in a scene or two. Wasn't stoked about the ending but if you like publicly sharing your partner, go for it.
Book #5: Treasured Mate: Aroii Pod by Jade Raven
Content Warnings size difference, alpha/omega, f/m/m/m/m/m, m/m, group sex, breeding, praise kink
Synposis: In the Ternion system, females are rare and revered, raised on the sanctuary planet of Lomiaa to be perfect mates for elite warriors. Five formidable protectors embark on a sacred journey to safeguard their destined females through the Selection Ritual. But a dark faction threatens the sanctuary, and the warriors must fight to protect their fated mates.
Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ 1/5 stars
Review:Can be summed up as “porn with plot”.
Typos and grammar mistakes abound. The story is uninspired and choppy. The characters are one note. I don’t really remember their names because the term “mate” is used over 100 times. Also, be prepared for the emphasis about how “smol” and “littol” and “tiny” she is multiple times a page. I got it the first 10 times, thanks.
Only good thing I can say is that the many sex scenes are a creative and mostly one big polyamorous orgy, except a few occasions.
Book #6: Audited by the Anubis by Wendi Guff
Content Warnings foodplay, fake dating, praise kink, omegaverse(?)
Synposis: Fern’s life is turned upside down when Ahnou, a towering descendant of a death god, arrives to audit her finances. What begins as a tedious meeting soon spirals into something far more intense. As they untangle the mess her mother left behind, Fern finds herself drawn to Ahnou in ways she never expected.
Rating: ★★★☆☆ 3/5 stars
Review:Enjoyable, short read. Happens very quickly and lore trickles in throughout the story. The FMC's mother is insufferable but sadly not too unrealistic given the Karens these days. (I say this loosely)
The constant mention of her weight made me very uncomfortable. Since her depiction on the cover makes her look like a healthy weight, it's confusing as to how she's supposed to be fat representation. It was too hammed up and emphasized when in real life people wouldn't act that way to a mid-size woman, let's be real.
The intimate parts were alright. Not keen on the "slick" and the quantity that is mentioned because we aren't given a realistic explanation until towards the end.
Book #7: My Girl by Audrey Rush
Content Warnings incest, rape, urophilia, murder, blood play, breath play, See full list
Synposis: A dangerous psychopath grows bored with stalking Rae and contemplates ending her life. But when he discovers the darkness lurking beneath her innocent exterior, his plan shifts. Now, he seeks to awaken the same twisted desires in her, turning her into a reflection of himself. As long as she entertains him, she’ll live. If not, he’ll discard her.
Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ 1/5 stars
Review: Did not finish. Read the synopsis and thought "it shouldn't be too bad", I was so wrong. FMC is pretty much kicked out of her home and technically fired from her career of providing "services" to men because she's a habitual thief. Her next plan of action is moving to a different town that has a house infamous for it's supposed murder-suicide. Who is the culprit? FMC's estranged and deceased father. All the while, she is unaware of the MMC stalking and secretly obsessing over her. MMC goes from 0-100 from each time the pov is switched to him, as he is a serial killer and is prone to forcing depraved sex acts onto his victims before they die. This book is not for the squeamish or those that cannot handle detailed descriptions of bodily excretions.
Book #8: Trex'Ul by Rayne Reilly
Content Warnings mentions of slavery and murder
Synposis: Grace’s world is turned upside down when she’s thrust onto an alien planet and encounters Trex'Ul, a fierce and protective alien who reveals she is his Fated Mate. As their bond deepens, Grace struggles with the dangers surrounding their love, especially as the Krilex criminal faction threatens their new world. Trex'Ul is torn between protecting her and keeping secrets that could destroy them both.
Rating: ★★★☆☆ 3/5 stars
Review: Everyone but the MMC and FMC are either flat, forgettable, and do nothing or incredibly annoying. Pretty spicy but not very detailed at times. Random time skips without context or warning. There is a lot of drama surrounding MMC's lying to FMC and her struggle with body image issues in the first half. The second half is mostly a murder mystery and the fight to ward off the dangers surrounding it.
Book #9: Bred by the Dragon: A Steamy Monster Romance by Lyonne Riley
Content Warnings Stretching and stuffing, Anonymous sex, Breeding, Infertility issues, Two cocks, Pregnancy, Birth
Synposis: Sammy’s on her fifth visit to DreamTogether, trying to help her dragon partner, Zakarion, save his species through breeding—but every attempt ends in disappointment. With funds running out, Zakarion considers giving up, but Sammy isn’t ready to let go. She suggests trying outside the sterile program, keeping things platonic despite their growing connection. As they spend more time together, the line between friendship and love begins to blur.
Rating: ★★★☆☆ 3/5 stars
Review: This book can be summarized into, "two idiots in a cycle of will they/won't they despite the obvious signs they like eachother". And the cycle can get grating after a while. MMC is just a dragon and doesn't have a human form or whatever, which is a breath of fresh air for us monsterfuckers. Both MCs keep trying to stay professional about trying to make a baby but then they get mad about their own decisions. The spice is SPICY and creative for the physical dynamic (again, monsterfuckers are rejoicing). The ending felt rushed and I would've loved more time with them as the whole pregnancy was a big time skip with intervals.
Book #10: Baby Proposal by Evie Rose
Content Warnings Age gap, Pregnancy, boss/assistant, power dynamic, fake dating/marriage
Synposis: A proposed marriage of convenience turns into something much more steamy when an innocent heroine agrees to fulfill her grandmother’s dying wish for a great-grandchild. The twist? The billionaire offering to help her out insists they go about it the old-fashioned way. With a powerful, possessive hero and an age-gap dynamic, their arrangement becomes far more complicated than either of them expected.
Rating: ★★☆☆☆ 2/5 stars
Review: I wanted to like this book and gave it a higher rating. It's kinda boring though. Another two idiots in love and a will they/won't they type of story. The Mafia stuff is mentioned a lot but not expanded on except for one scene, so I don't see the point in all that. It's mildly spicy with oral 90% of the time and I was disappointed in the only sex scene. Didn't care for the ending or epilogue, but I hate time skips. Not a horrible book but not gonna be in my top 10 any time soon.
Book #11: Crux by Kate Rudolph
Synposis: Prince Crux, a carefree dragon prince, is tasked with finding his mate. But when a visit to a psychic matchmaker leads him to Courtney, a fiery human woman, his plans are thrown off course. As their worlds collide, Crux and Courtney must navigate the heat of their undeniable bond.
Rating: ★★★☆☆ 3/5 stars
Review: Okay, so, it's decent enough. There seemed to be way more of the antagonist faction than what would be realistic. Both FMC and MMC are big stupid for their multiple trips back and forth from the enemy's ship to wherever they're camping for the night. Bigger stupid that the MMC keeps moving them so they can "save" the other hostages. I still don't understand why he just didn't call for back up. The people on Earth are also stupid and downright mean spirited and their reasoning SUCKS. This book is full of idiots that can't get their shit together.
Book #12: My Mountain Man's Desire by Lena Rae
Synposis: Sophie flees her brother's camping trip to escape his overbearing friends, only to twist her ankle on a dark mountain road. Rescued by rugged mountain man Luke, their instant connection leads to a passionate, protective bond.
Rating: ★★☆☆☆ 2/5 stars
Review: Instalove trope and another book with idiots, but luckily it wasn't the FMC or MMC. If you get chewed out by a supposed "mountain of a man" for almost burning down the forest, perhaps don't light up your campfire again. I already said instalove but GEEZ the MCs are too open and trusting, talking about their life stories. Why would you allow a complete stranger to take you to his cabin in the dead of night? And then have sex after a few hours of knowing each other and talking about having babies??? How is everyone so chill about this? I couldn't tell if the FMC is supposed to be plus size or not because her big boobs and booty are mentioned but it's never specified if she's fat or not. This book was too confusing for my autistic brain. The spice was typical.
If you made it this far, thank you for reading this mess. Hopefully, this will become a monthly series so I can rant about my hobby into the ether. I'm very inexperienced in reviewing so please keep than in mind and I hope to improve in the future. Please do not harass or send harmful messages to any Author regardless of a negative review! Reviews are for the reader and not the Author, nor should it reflect badly on their hardwork and dedication. Just have fun people! Again, if you want to keep up to date with my current reads you can check my GoodReads account or follor me on BlueSky.
Here's to a hopefully better February reading venture!
2025 Reading Goal: 12/80
