I completed 15 Series in 2021

 My name is Laura, and I LOVE book series. It's an obsession really. I love escaping into these worlds that the authors create, and continuing to see what happens in the lives of the characters.

In 2021 I managed to finish reading a few series. I'm bummed to leave these characters, and their community. Yet I know many of these authors have wonderful plans for future books, and I know I will fall for the next set of characters. It's just who I am. I don't have book boyfriends, I have book friends.

Oh, also, I didn't necessarily START these series in 2021, but I did FINISH them in 2021. Yay me!

So what series did I complete in 2021? Let's find out.

1) Flor de Muertos by Jocelyne Soto

2. Vegas Aces by Lisa Suzanne

3. Vegas Aces: The Quarterback by Lisa Suzanne

4. Southern by Natasha Madison

5. Windsor Academy by Laura Lee

6. Birch County Heroes by April Canavan

7. The Playbook by Alexa Martin

8. Savage Falls Sinners MC by Caitlyn Dare

9. Wild Hearts by Ashley Cade

10. Camelot Misfits MC by Xavier Neal

11. The Devil by Amelia Wilde

12. Rinkside in the Rockies by Aven Ellis

13. All In by Helena Hunting

14. The Ravenhood by Kate Stewart

15. Brown Sisters by Talia Hibbert

I feel like maybe I forgot one or two, but then again maybe not.  I'd have to go scour through Goodreads to find out.

What series did you finish in 2021? Any stand outs?

Laura

The Ravenhood Series by Kate Stewart {a review}

If you're part of the romance reading community, chances are you've heard about The Ravenhood series by Kate Stewart. It has been receiving a lot of hype, and people are gushing about it. I've put it off for a while now. This series keeps coming up in discussions on Facebook, and I see videos about it on TikTok and YouTube. Clearly I cannot avoid talk about The Ravenhood. So I've decided it is time to pick up the series. Now to determine if I have a similar reaction to those who have read it.

Here's the thing, I can't recap this book. The Ravenhood trilogy is one that you need to go in without knowing anything.

What I can say is that as Flock opens, we have Cecelia telling us she is returning to Triple Falls. Then after the prologue, we go back to when she was 19, and Cecelia had just moved to Triple Falls to live with her father. They have an agreement where she needs to work for the company for a year before she'll get her trust fund. It is at the company where she meets Sean. From that point on, everything changes. Some for the better, some not so much. One thing I want to say is that Flock is all about setting the stage. It is giving us some information, but definitely not all of it. If anything you'll leave Flock with more questions than answers. And that curiosity will lead you to immediately picking up Exodus.

Flock by Kate Stewart
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3.5 stars

This book had a lot of hype, and that’s the reason I chose to read it. I don’t think it lived up to that hype though. At least not for me.

Now that I’ve finished reading Flock, I don’t know what to think. The story was decent. Albeit a bit confusing at times. I’ll admit that I am curious about what is going to happen next, and for that reason I will read Exodus.

View all my reviews

Exodus is going to rip your heart out. We start this book still in the past, witnessing everything that is going on. Half way through, we jump to modern day, and that friends is when things start to make a bit more sense. You'll start to understand, and if you're anything like me, you'll be drawn in. Before you know it the book will be over. Your heart will be in shreds, and you'll jump into The Finish Line.

Exodus by Kate Stewart
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4.5 stars

Exodus was far superior to Flock.

There, I said it.

This book grabbed a hold of me and would not let go. I fully believe that it is this book that gives the series so much hype. It has the action, it has the suspense, it has the drama. It has you questioning the relationship between Cecelia and the person she loves.

Loved this book, and am curious about The Finish Line.

View all my reviews

The Finish Line is where healing takes place. The storyline alternates between current day, and the past. It gives us insight into how all of this has lead up to today, and how the organization was formed. It is in The Finish Line that we also see Cecelia stand her ground, and really push back. And ultimately, we wind up at the finish line. 

The Finish Line by Kate Stewart
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

These two have been through so much over the years. Then with everything that happened in this book? Dang. The hits just keep coming.

I really enjoyed how Cecelia managed to do what she did. I liked how confident she was, and how she put past issues behind her to reach out to those necessary.

Over all I enjoyed the trilogy.

View all my reviews

Now I'll be honest, while Flock was good, it wasn't my favorite. It is heavy on setting the stage, and putting these questions into your head. You're reading what is happening, and can be a bit confusing at times. Because of all the stage setting, it felt a bit slow to me. Ultimately I have it 3.5 stars. Exodus though, oh that book! I gave it 4.5 stars. The Finish Line was originally meant to be a novella, but the characters spoke, and suddenly it was a full length novel. I really enjoyed how this one played out. My rating for The Finish Line was 4 stars.

So did it live up to the hype? Kind of. It was a fabulous story that is for certain. The steamy moments were just that, steamy. Was it the best trilogy I ever read? No. No it was not. Yet I'm glad I read it.

If you're looking for a dark contemporary series to get invested in, then pick up The Ravenhood. One thing I do want to say is to check for trigger/content warnings if certain subjects are difficult for you to read about.

I know I was vague about things, but just trust me when I say it was necessary. The HEA does come, it just takes time. Speaking of time, this series is an investment. By no means is it a quick read. The books are long, they are intense, they will hit you in the emotions. You'll feel the passion, the hurt, the anger, the frustration, the heartache, the healing, the relief, etc.

Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts about the series. 
Laura

Can you keep a secret?

⁣

I grew up sick.⁣

⁣

Let me clarify.⁣

⁣

I grew up believing that real love stories include a martyr or demand great sacrifice to be worthy.⁣

⁣

Because of that, I believed it, because I made myself believe it, and I bred the most masochistic of romantic hearts, which resulted in my illness.⁣

⁣

When I lived this story, my own twisted fairy tale, it was unbeknownst to me at the time because I was young and naïve. I gave into temptation and fed the beating beast, which grew thirstier with every slash, every strike, every blow.⁣

⁣

Triple Falls wasn’t at all what it seemed, nor were the men that swept me under their wing. But in order to keep them, I had to be in on their secrets.⁣

⁣

Secrets that cost us everything to keep.⁣

⁣

That’s the novelty of fiction versus reality. You can’t re-live your own love story, because by the time you’ve realized you’re living it, it’s over. At least that was the case for me and the men I trusted my foolish heart to.⁣

⁣

Looking back, I’m convinced I willed my story into existence due to my illness.⁣

⁣

And all were punished.

Can you live a lie?

It’s a ghost town, this place that haunts me, the one that made me.

It’s clear to me that I’ll never outgrow Triple Falls or outlive the time I spent here.

I can still feel them all, my boys of summer.

Even when I’d sensed the danger, I gave in.

I didn’t heed a single warning. I let my sickness, my love, both rule and ruin me. I played my part, eyes wide open, tempting fate until it delivered.

There was never going to be an escape.

All of us are to blame for what happened. All of us serving our own sentences. We were careless and reckless, thinking our youth made us indestructible, exempt from our sins, and it cost us all.

I’m done pretending I didn’t leave the largest part of me between these hills and valleys, between the sea of trees that hold my secrets.

It’s the reason I’m back. To make peace with my fate.

And if I can’t grieve enough to cure myself in my time here, I’ll remain sick. That will be my curse.

But it’s time to confess, to myself more so than any other, that I’d hindered my chances because of the way I was built, and because of the men who built me.

At this point, I just want to make peace with who I am, no matter what ending I get.

Because I can no longer live a lie.

Secrets and Lies...

I’ve lived the entirety of my life wrapped up in subterfuge for one purpose—revenge.

Through the years, I lived more as an enigma than a man.

For so long, I denied I had a beating heart of my own.

Until her. Until she unearthed the starving vessel inside, forced me to acknowledge it, forced me to understand that I’m capable of bleeding the same as any other.

For that, we paid. We're still paying.

Yet, she demands it still, the useless heart of the ruthless thief and shameless villain she fell for. My fear is, I’m no longer that man.

With the lies I’ve told, the life I’ve led, my mistakes are beginning to catch up with me, day by day, one by one.

This is my last chance, and I have no intention of losing her again, but as the deception of my past starts to unravel and close in, shedding my humanity may be the only thing that can save us both.

Maybe it’s already too late.

Shattered Desires by Victoria Ellis {teaser}

SHATTERED DESIRES by Victoria Ellis
is coming January 7!

Reckless Desires is one of the hottest rock groups gracing the charts and Declan Rothschild holds her own as their badass bassist.

~Declan Rothschild~

My ex leaving me might have shattered my heart—

If I wasn’t secretly in love with his brother.

It’s forbidden, but it’s hard to deny the connection the two of us have always shared…

Especially when he’s thrust back into my life and working alongside my band as our photographer.

And did I mention—

My ex is back, too…

And he’s our newest security detail.

My heart is officially screwed.

~Spence Reid~

Declan has always been off-limits.

I may have seen her first—

But my brother, Kade, laid his claim on her when we were still in high school.

I never meant to fall in love with her. I’ve always done right by my brother, refusing to make a move on her, even after he left her without so much as a goodbye.

But being back in Chicago and working with her? There’s not a damn chance I’ll stay away from her this time.

I’ll give it to him. Kade has impeccable timing.

He’s back and threatening to ruin my second chance with her before it even gets started—

May the best man win.

~Reckless Desires~

The band is back, and this time, they’ve got total creative control.

No longer under Hellfire records, they’ve started their own label and they’re embarking on their first tour on their own.

This time, though, they won’t all make it back to the city alive.

Heartbreak, lies, and final goodbyes.

Nothing will ever be the same.

Pre-Order Here

Add to your Goodreads TBR list! 

Bloggers sign up for release events here!

14 Books I WANT to read in December

Yesterday I shared the books I NEED to read in December. Today I want to share the books I WANT to read in December. Yes, there is a difference.

These books that I want to read were all purchased at various times in 2021, and they were anticipated reads at the time of purchase. Yet my review calendar has been so over booked that these books were pushed to the side. (and yes, a not so jam packed review calendar is on my goals list for 2022.)

So what books do I want to read before the end of 2021?

Merciless Kings by Becca Steele & C Lymari {cover reveal}

 

🖤💀 ℍ𝕠𝕥 ℂ𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕣 ℝ𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕒𝕝 💀 🖤

𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗪𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗝𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗨𝗦𝗔 𝗧𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿 𝗕𝗲𝗰𝗰𝗮 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿 𝗖. 𝗟𝘆𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗶 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗠𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗶𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀, 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝟭 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘆𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆! 𝗗𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀/𝗯𝘂𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗺 𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲!

𝗣𝗿𝗲-𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆!

They say bad things happen in threes. 

The first was when I lost my parents.

The second came when I had to leave behind everything I knew to move across the world to live with my only remaining relative.

But what was life for, if not for living?

So I kept moving.

Then the third thing happened, just as I was about to begin my junior year at the prestigious Blackstone University.

I caught the eye of not one, not two, but three of the most infamous guys on campus.

The three guys from the wrong side of the tracks.

Saint, Mateo, and Callum.

And now that they have me in their sights, I know that there's nowhere I can hide.

There's no escape from the Boneyard Kings.

Merciless Kings is a reverse harem romance with enemies to lovers and bullying themes. This is book one in the Boneyard Kings series, and cannot be read as a standalone.

🖤💀PRE-ORDER HERE 🖤💀

🖤💀 Add to your Goodreads TBR!🖤💀

🖤💀Interested in reviewing? Click HERE! 🖤💀

ABOUT BECCA STEELE

Becca Steele is a USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of M/F and M/M romance. She currently lives in the south of England with her husband, two kids, and a whole horde of characters that reside inside her head.

When she's not writing, you can find her reading or watching Netflix, usually with a glass of wine in hand. Failing that, she'll be online hunting for memes, or wasting time making her 500th Spotify playlist.

BECCA STEELE LINKS

Facebook | Becca’s Book Bar | Instagram | Newsletter | BookBub | Amazon | TikTok

ABOUT C. LYMARI

Claudia lives in the Chicagoland suburbs, and when she’s not busy chasing after her adorable little spawn, she’s fighting with the characters in her head. After not being able to keep up with them, she decided enough was enough and wrote her first novel. C. Lymari writes both sweet and dark romances that will give you all the feels. Her other talents include binge-watching shows on Netflix and eating all kinds of chips.

C. LYMARI LINKS

Facebook | Facebook Group | Instagram | Goodreads | BookBub | Amazon | TikTok | Newsletter