A Crown of Thorns and Magic

A Crown of Thorns and Magic

by E. Evans

A Crown of Thorns and Magic is the first book in a series. It is fast-paced and never slows down, but the stakes never quite have the chance to hit home as we are thrown in after the FMC kills her uncle to take the throne when her father dies.

It's a great premise--I love the adventure--but I wish the worldbuilding and character development had been explored more thoroughly. At least enough to get us to 'care' before throwing all of the twists at the reader. I didn't quite believe that Astar, the 16-year-old FMC, was as mature and skilled as a warrior and queen as portrayed. I do like the adventures that brought her to Hathan, as well as the set up for a new world in subsequent instalments of the series, but there wasn't enough development to make me feel for the characters.

For me, this book has a lot of potential to be great, and I would read the next in the series to find out what happens.

Thank you @NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

⭐⭐⭐

Gone Country

Gone Country 
by Hunter Snow
⭐⭐⭐⭐

If you love Blake Shelton and Gwen Stafani, you'll love this book. It 100% gave me the TV Series, Nashville, vibes.

Jamie Keaton is a rockstar who comes across as a diva with her penchant for top-shelf vodka, glamorous on-and-off relationship with hollywood heartthrob, and ambition to succeed. Layton Langley is the complete opposite, leaving behind his party days and drama when his ex abandons him to raise their twin daughters alone.

When Jamie and Clayton write a song together, their worlds are forced to sync up because the song catapults them into the spotlight. Soon, their label forces them on tour together, the accidental co-writing righting a wrong when Clayton didn't let Jamie open for him in the past. They pull pranks, argue, and continue to deny what's growing between them, even when his daughters join them and melt Jamie's barriers until the rocker is living a country song herself.

This was a refreshing read. Beyond the romance--and there is plenty!--the MC's help show each other that their side of the industry isn't all bad. That maybe even when there are clear lines between their chosen genres of music, their songs are better when melded together. And people love it!

Slow burn, found family, self-discovery, rockstar romance, enemies to lovers... There are so many tropes that I have a guilty pleasure enjoying, I simply couldn't put this down. The refreshing 4-Star read is fast-paced and heartfelt, and shows us that relationships are meant to bring out your very best.

Thank you @netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.