en-US Tue, 28 Jan 2025 16:01:35 -0800 60 144 41 /images/layout/goodreads_logo_144.jpg 221609337 *Book one of a duet*

When Ophelia Winters accepts a scholarship at a prestigious Scottish university to prove that her parents' death was the fault of Cain Green, an American aviation tycoon, her plan is simple; keep her grades up and her head down. The last thing she wants is to wind up in a mafia war or step on the toes of royalty.

Her plan gets off to a rocky start when the mysterious man that almost kills her on her first day turns out to be Cain's eldest son. As far as she’s concerned, Alex Corbeau-Green is a younger version of his billionaire father. A monster hiding beneath a beautiful facade.

Loneliness has been Ophelia’s only dependable companion for years, but when anonymous threats and mysterious occurrences start to haunt her time at Sorrowsong, she wonders if she really can survive there on her own.

Between being paired together for a project and ending up as each other’s alibi for a murder, avoiding Alex becomes increasingly impossible. She begins to fall for the soft heart that hides beneath his hard exterior.

Tormented by a malicious stalker and growing closer to Alex, Ophelia’s desperation for revenge wavers for the first time. Can she really bring herself to pull the trigger on Cain now that she knows the family it’ll split into two?
__________

Dark Academic Romance - Enemies to Lovers - Slow Burn - University Setting

This work is dark in places and contains several triggers throughout. Please heed the warnings before reading.]]> 359 Autumn Woods Ki 5 4.21
author: Autumn Woods
name: Ki
average rating: 4.21
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]]> 217953353 From popular content creator Kelsey Impicciche, Voice of the Ocean follows a daring young siren who defies her people to save a human prince, unearthing ancient magic and igniting a dangerous romance amidst treacherous waters.

As the youngest daughter of the Siren queen, Celeste's life is tightly controlled. Desperate to prove her worth, she intends to join the Chorus - an elite group of siren warriors. With her final test on the horizon, Celeste must finally gain control over her temperamental Song. But when Celeste encounters a seemingly harmless ship, helmed by the intriguing Prince Raiden Sharp, her path veers towards forbidden waters.

Believing the handsome sailor to be innocent of any wrongdoing, Celeste defies Siren law to save Raiden's life - despite knowing he is the son of a king who has murdered many of her kindred. The penalty for Celeste's betrayal should be death, but the queen offers her an alternative: right her wrong by assassinating the prince. Determined to first discover the truth behind the prince's clandestine mission, Celeste agrees to become human.

The human world is nothing like she expected, nor is the prince the charming and noble man she assumed him to be. But as Celeste finds her place aboard the ship, friendships - and attraction - begin to grow. Will Celeste be able to save herself? Or will her choices unravel a kingdom, devastating sirens and humans alike?]]> 400 Kelsey Impicciche Ki 0 to-read 4.02 2025
author: Kelsey Impicciche
name: Ki
average rating: 4.02
book published: 2025
rating: 0
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date added: 2025/01/22
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]]> 221179150
Imogen Nel is in hiding. Hiding from a cruel kingdom that believes Sirens are monstrous, blood-hungry creatures. Hiding from a king and his captain who viciously hunt her kind. Hiding from her own alluring abilities. By keeping herself from the sea, Imogen’s bloodlust is dulled, and her black wings remain hidden beneath her skin.

When a neighboring king comes to visit, Imogen can no longer hide. He knows precisely what she is, and he believes she can save both their kingdoms from an even greater monster. But Imogen’s power threatens to violently reveal itself, and the two form a blood bond that protects them both. They flee the kingdom together, traversing waters teeming with the undead. As the lines between duty to their people and desire for each other begin to blur, Imogen worries her own ancestral powers may not be enough to kill what hunts her—the only way to defeat a monster may be to become one herself.]]> 384 Kalie Cassidy 0316587605 Ki 0 to-read 4.15 2025
author: Kalie Cassidy
name: Ki
average rating: 4.15
book published: 2025
rating: 0
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date added: 2025/01/22
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]]> 199212483
I’m known as the bad boy of hockey. The grump. The one everyone stays away from.

Doesn't matter to me though. All I care about is the game. As long as I keep my head down and it doesn’t affect my spot on the team, I’m good.

Until it does.

To fix my shining reputation, the team sets me up with Piper Fields, the happiest girl on the planet. Now my girlfriend.

Scratch that—my fake girlfriend.

All I have to do is pretend to like her in public and keep my distance in private.

Except that’s not exactly what happens�

With each day we spend together, I find myself forgetting that none of this is real.

Sparks fly and lines blur.

I know she feels it too.

Then, just when I thought I had finally found something to hold on to, someone threatens to expose us.

But just like in the game, I’m in it to win, and this time, I'm going to win her.

For good.]]> 266 Emily Silver Ki 0 to-read 4.36
author: Emily Silver
name: Ki
average rating: 4.36
book published:
rating: 0
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date added: 2024/12/26
shelves: to-read
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]]> 222361660 She’s a cheerleader trading in her Oxford life for one year in Nashville. He’s a star quarterback who doesn’t do distractions. But when they team up for a no-strings-attached fling, they’ll have to break their own rules to keep playing the game.

After moving from England and breaking up with her underwhelming boyfriend, Ella Davies has one thing on her proving herself on Whitland University’s elite cheer squad. She’s determined to let nothing derail her focus—except maybe the annoyingly handsome quarterback who keeps popping up at the most inconvenient times.

At Whitland, Hudson Fox is synonymous with football. Known for his relentless drive and reputation both on and off the field, he’s all about control. This season, he’s sworn off distractions to keep his eyes on the prize. But Ella’s fiery spirit and unexpected presence threaten to unravel his carefully laid plans.

Desperate to keep things simple, they strike a just fun, no strings attached. But when lines start to blur and feelings edge in, they'll have to admit the only more dangerous than falling off the mat is falling for each other.]]> Ki Stephens 1250407850 Ki 0 to-read 4.00
author: Ki Stephens
name: Ki
average rating: 4.00
book published:
rating: 0
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date added: 2024/12/14
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]]> 219479932 A good daughter, a good friend, a good person.
It shouldn't be that hard, right?

Hunter Whitlock doesn't care about being good.
He just wants to be left alone.
Turns out, that's not so easy.
Turns out, when it comes to the pretty girl in the flowery dresses, that's not what he wants at all.


Bloom is a single POV, small town romance following a shy florist and her grumpy cowboy love interest. The Serenity Ranch Series is a spin-off series of The Sun Valley Series. It is not required to read Sun Valley, but it is recommended.]]> 412 E.J. Blaise Ki 5 3.98
author: E.J. Blaise
name: Ki
average rating: 3.98
book published:
rating: 5
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date added: 2024/09/29
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]]> 123182776 From New York Times bestselling author Lauren Layne--and her real life husband and high school sweetheart, Anthony LeDonne--comes a new holiday romcom that is sure to warm even the coldest heart.

Katherine, an ambitious NYC attorney, gets diagnosed with a concussion and must be monitored for 48 hours to make sure it doesn't get worse. Unfortunately, she forgot to update her emergency contact so the person they call is her ex-husband, Tom. Unable to be left alone, Katherine reluctantly agrees to travel to Chicago with Tom for the holidays. But thanks to a blizzard, what should have been a quick plane ride turns into an antagonistic overnight misadventure that stirs up old feelings even as Tom prepares to propose to his girlfriend on Christmas Eve.

A delightful meet-cute between The Proposal and Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, Emergency Contact is perfect for fans of Christina Lauren and Sally Thorne.]]> 250 Lauren Layne Ki 5 3.88 2023
author: Lauren Layne
name: Ki
average rating: 3.88
book published: 2023
rating: 5
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date added: 2024/04/14
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]]> 200778460
Until one fateful morning, she finds a sleeping stranger on the beach. A man who’s in serious need of a wake-up call.

ELIO Reynolds is something of an enigma. Alone by choice, he's found solace in the quiet of the coast and the companionship of his loyal dog. But there's more to him than meets the eye. With his only friend off at graduate school, he immerses himself in the online world of AfterDark, a place where he’s often forced into the limelight.

When confronted by a medical condition, Elio finds an unexpected ally in Daisy. Although he may be a virtual stranger, she jumps at the opportunity to lend a helping hand. Soon enough, their shared space becomes a sanctuary.

Two fractured hearts. One unlikely connection. When the waves of the past come crashing in, can they find a way to stay afloat?]]> 340 Ki Stephens Ki 5
Merged review:

I hope you all enjoy Elio and Daisy's story. For me, this one's truly a soft and sweet love story . . . kind of like a cozy warm hug after the longest rainstorm. For complete content warnings, you can visit my website .]]> 3.72 2023
author: Ki Stephens
name: Ki
average rating: 3.72
book published: 2023
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2024/04/10
shelves:
review:
I hope you all enjoy Elio and Daisy's story. For me, this one's truly a soft and sweet love story . . . kind of like a cozy warm hug after the longest rainstorm. For complete content warnings, you can visit my website .

Merged review:

I hope you all enjoy Elio and Daisy's story. For me, this one's truly a soft and sweet love story . . . kind of like a cozy warm hug after the longest rainstorm. For complete content warnings, you can visit my website .
]]> 54828020
A baby brought them together—and even though Alli has always loved her strong, sexy husband Sam and the life they've built together, she has decided to set him free to follow his youthful dreams. It is no longer enough for her to be wife and lover when she knows she holds so little of his heart.

Sam has always dreamed of a life away from the close-knit world of Tucker's Landing, but marriage and fatherhood ended all that. Now Sam is torn between what was and what was meant to be. He must decide if it's time to rekindle the dreams of the past ... or accept Alli, and her love, just the way she is.

JUST THE WAY YOU ARE is an emotionallly compelling, heartwarming, beautiful love story about choices, second chances, the crush of a youthful love, the intensity of a love born from marriage and life. "An exceptional novel from #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Barbara Freethy!"]]> Barbara Freethy Ki 0 to-read 3.45 2000
author: Barbara Freethy
name: Ki
average rating: 3.45
book published: 2000
rating: 0
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date added: 2023/12/25
shelves: to-read
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]]> 181505526 JADE Jennings is tired of her day-to-day life—from the boring, senseless boys at Dayton U to the repetitive beats her editor assigns. She's looking for excitement, novelty, a good story to sink her teeth into, and a boy she can write home about.

She's a driven and ambitious journalist, and she has an innate love for the game of football. She's also the younger sister to an NFL superstar, which means she's not interested in the aimless, student-athletes at her school.

But maybe, for entertainment purposes, she could spend just one night trying them on for size.

THEO Westman-Cooke, aka "West," has one goal in this to be drafted into the NFL. But his coach doesn't support an early declaration, his grades (and scholarship) are slipping, and he only has one more year to make his college career count for something.

Oh, wait.

There is one other thing that West might want—a chance to spend the night with his favorite red-headed cheerleader. When the opportunity suddenly strikes, it's nearly impossible to pass up the perfect trade.

In just a few months, Dayton U's football team is hosting their annual spring banquet. The catch? Players must go home with another teammate's date. To the rest of the team, it's a simple, secret trade. But for Jade and West, it's the night that everything changed.]]> 366 Ki Stephens Ki 5 3.40
author: Ki Stephens
name: Ki
average rating: 3.40
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2023/08/15
date added: 2023/08/15
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Thank you all for reading the first book in my brand new series! I hope you enjoy the rollercoaster of emotions these two are bound to put you through. For content warnings, please visit my website.
]]> 36206545 The story of the heart can never be unwritten.

Macy Sorensen is settling into an ambitious if emotionally tepid routine: work hard as a new pediatrics resident, plan her wedding to an older, financially secure man, keep her head down and heart tucked away.

But when she runs into Elliot Petropoulos—the first and only love of her life—the careful bubble she’s constructed begins to dissolve. Once upon a time, Elliot was Macy’s entire world—growing from her gangly bookish friend into the man who coaxed her heart open again after the loss of her mother...only to break it on the very night he declared his love for her.

Told in alternating timelines between Then and Now, teenage Elliot and Macy grow from friends to much more—spending weekends and lazy summers together in a house outside of San Francisco devouring books, sharing favorite words, and talking through their growing pains and triumphs. As adults, they have become strangers to one another until their chance reunion. Although their memories are obscured by the agony of what happened that night so many years ago, Elliot will come to understand the truth behind Macy’s decade-long silence, and will have to overcome the past and himself to revive her faith in the possibility of an all-consuming love.

Love, loss, friendship, and the betrayals of the past all collide in this first fiction novel from New York Times and #1 international bestselling author Christina Lauren (Autoboyography, Dating You / Hating You).]]> 432 Christina Lauren 1501128019 Ki 0 to-read 4.28 2018
author: Christina Lauren
name: Ki
average rating: 4.28
book published: 2018
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2023/08/07
shelves: to-read
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]]> 101145836
Maple Hills students Russ Callaghan and Aurora Roberts cross paths at a party celebrating the end of the academic year, where a drinking game results in them having a passionate one-night stand. Never one to overstay her welcome (or expect much from a man), Aurora slips away before Russ even has the chance to ask for her full name.

Imagine their surprise when they bump into each other on the first day of the summer camp where they are both counselors, hoping to escape their complicated home lives by spending the summer working. Russ hopes if he gets far enough away from Maple Hills, he can avoid dealing with the repercussions of his father’s gambling addiction, while Aurora is tired of craving attention from everyone around her, and wants to go back to the last place she truly felt at home.

Russ knows breaking the camp’s strict “no staff fraternizing� rule will have him heading back to Maple Hills before the summer is over, but unfortunately for him, Aurora has never been very good at caring about the rules. Will the two learn to peacefully coexist? Or did their one night together start a fire they can’t put out?]]> 387 Hannah Grace 1668026279 Ki 0 to-read 3.82 2023
author: Hannah Grace
name: Ki
average rating: 3.82
book published: 2023
rating: 0
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date added: 2023/06/29
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]]> 123816203 KAIA Karras has always excelled in the classroom. She’s a born and bred overachiever, chronic over thinker, and full time seeker of academic validation. But being top of the class doesn’t happen without making sacrifices. So when it comes to relationships, she’s only looking for something casual and transactional. A way to shut off her brain for a little while, and finally get some much needed sleep.

That is, until she spends just one night with Holden Becker, a talented hockey player with a sharp wit and a secret soft spot for her.

HOLDEN Becker plays by his own rules, both on and off the ice. He's used to getting what he wants, whether it's the attention of his coach or the admiration of his teammates. But when he and Kaia both secure top marks for their research proposals, they're forced to share an academic advisor.

Their rivalry quickly turns to passion, and they find themselves in a precarious situation: hooking up behind closed doors, all while trying to keep their relationship strictly casual.

Three years of rivalry. Just one night to cut the tension. When the ground beneath them begins to shake, will they hold on or let go?]]> 330 Ki Stephens Ki 5 3.40 2023
author: Ki Stephens
name: Ki
average rating: 3.40
book published: 2023
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2023/06/27
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Thank you to everyone who takes a chance on my sophomore novel, Fault Line. This book is extremely personal to me, and I hope that comes off in Kaia's portrayal. For a complete list of content warnings, you can visit my website
]]> 63027350
For quite some time, Harper's been harboring a secret crush on Nate Gunderson, fellow Coastal U student and MLB-hopeful. In order to spend more time with him this semester, she finds herself spinning a ridiculous web of lies. Her first step . . . convincing her sports med professor that she's been dating a football player. After all, if she's romantically involved, it simply wouldn't be right for her to keep an internship with their team.

Unfortunately for Harper, this silly, frantic excuse to switch assignments quickly snowballs into an unstoppable rumor.

LUCA Reynolds is the type of guy who prefers to set low expectations, both for himself and others, if only to avoid any inevitable disappointment. His football teammates would describe him as reserved, brooding, and occasionally stand-offish.

The truth? Luca doesn't feel like he belongs.

When an unexpected injury threatens to destroy Luca's long-term plans, he finds himself in need of help from a discreet professional—one who will assess his knee, provide some simple stretches, and assure him that everything's fine. Luckily, there's a scheming student intern that just might owe him a favor or two.

A secret for a secret. A lie for a lie. It's not really blackmail if she's the one who used him first.]]> 324 Ki Stephens Ki 5
Spring Tide is the first in a series of interconnected standalone novels taking place at the fictional Coastal University. This book features a shy, injured football player who blackmails a sports med student into helping him recover. There's fake dating, grumpy x sunshine, slow burn, college sports, ND rep, and beachy vibes.

I hope you enjoy my publishing debut!]]> 3.54 2022
author: Ki Stephens
name: Ki
average rating: 3.54
book published: 2022
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2022/11/13
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review:
Content warnings can be found

Spring Tide is the first in a series of interconnected standalone novels taking place at the fictional Coastal University. This book features a shy, injured football player who blackmails a sports med student into helping him recover. There's fake dating, grumpy x sunshine, slow burn, college sports, ND rep, and beachy vibes.

I hope you enjoy my publishing debut!
]]> 63046790 Revised and reduced version has been published October 2024

What do a cat, a one-night stand, and a game of Catan all have in common? Love.

Despite being the football coach’s daughter, Greta Sahnoun resents the sport and is furious when her best friend mistakes a football house party for a frat kegger. Instead of mingling inside, Greta seeks solitude in the backyard and, not surprising to anyone that knows her, winds up kissing the jaded stranger outside with her. A little dry humping and a brief exchange about cats later, the two wind up in her apartment for a night of casual, raunchy fun.

Otis Morgan is a Heisman-winning quarterback with a bad knee and a penchant for being in love. He’s a little full of himself and craves recognition, but that’s expected of a collegiate NFL recruit. When Greta refuses to see him again after their night together, it’s no surprise that he takes it hard and says things he shouldn’t, and because the universe is out to get him, Greta overhears. Always one to put people in their place, she wagers a bet with Otis, one that ends with the good kind of choking.

Suddenly, what’s supposed to be a just-one-more-time lapse in judgment turns into a recurring mistake, one they both enjoy immensely. But like all relationships, the two hit an impasse. Greta has never been good with emotions—feeling them, dealing with them, and most of all, surrendering herself to them.

They say love hurts, so maybe it’s a good thing Greta enjoys a little pain.

Please do not read this story if you are not comfortable with graphic, explicit sexual content or if you are still coping with the loss of a loved one.]]> 425 Jeanine Bennedict Ki 5 3.48 2022
author: Jeanine Bennedict
name: Ki
average rating: 3.48
book published: 2022
rating: 5
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date added: 2022/11/05
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]]> 63129350
Amelia Hanlon has worked hard to perfect her new life after tragedy destroyed her old one. When a single night ends her relationship and reunites her with the past she’s been running from for years, it’s all she can do not to panic as her world shatters around her.

Again.

Nicolas Silva is perfectly content with his bachelor lifestyle. Books, boxing, and nameless women warming his bed are all he cares about—until a red-haired wildfire waltzes into his life and burns everything he thought he knew to the ground.

He’s cocky, too handsome for his own good, and everything Amelia does not need.

Or so she thought.]]> 478 E.J. Blaise Ki 5 3.97 2022
author: E.J. Blaise
name: Ki
average rating: 3.97
book published: 2022
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2022/10/30
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I love these characters and this book! I feel lucky to have read several versions prior to publishing and have fallen in love with all of them. Amelia is sweet and strong—someone you’d want to be best friends with. And Nick is one of hottest book boyfriends I’ve ever read. Definitely a favorite!
]]> 38324363
After a six-year absence, Addison Potts is back in Charleston to stir things up. And what better place to make her villainous return than her estranged cousin’s wedding? Only, the nuptials hit a snag when the bride doesn’t show, leaving Addison to play getaway driver for the jilted groom. A groom whose heartbreaking smile and deep, southern drawl she should not be noticing�

Elijah Montgomery Du Pont is the future mayor of Charleston. From his military career to city hall, every detail of his life has been meticulously planned. Until now. His only respite from life’s sudden upheaval is Addison, his new, improbable best friend. She makes him happy. Grounds him. And public disapproval be damned, he’s not willing to give her up. But with an election on the line and public pressure rising, Addison—and the cruel hand of fate—might not give him a choice.]]> 284 Tessa Bailey 1984122770 Ki 0 to-read 3.71 2018
author: Tessa Bailey
name: Ki
average rating: 3.71
book published: 2018
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2022/08/26
shelves: to-read
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]]> 61767292
Nothing will stand in her way, not even the captain of the hockey team, Nate Hawkins.

Nate’s focus as team captain is on keeping his team on the ice. Which is tricky when a facilities mishap means they are forced to share a rink with the figure skating team—including Anastasia, who clearly can’t stand him.

But when Anastasia’s skating partner faces an uncertain future, she may have to look to Nate to take her shot.

Sparks fly, but Anastasia isn’t worried . . . because she could never like a hockey player, right?]]> 447 Hannah Grace Ki 5
One of my favorite things about this book is that all of the side characters are well-developed, interesting and entertaining. There was clearly a lot of thought put into Robbie, JJ, Henry, and Sabrina, as well as their little found family as a whole. I’d definitely want to be friends with every single one of them.

While the plot and characters are unforgettable, Hannah Grace’s writing style also sucks you in from the beginning. I couldn’t put the book down once I started and never wanted it to end. But now that it’s over, I can’t wait to continue reading the other books in her series! I’m so glad I can keep living in the UCMH universe for years to come. ]]> 3.75 2022
author: Hannah Grace
name: Ki
average rating: 3.75
book published: 2022
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2022/08/17
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I was lucky enough to read several iterations of this book throughout the development process and I’ve loved every single moment of it! The two main characters, Nate and Stassie, are a perfect match. Nate is confident and caring and super complimentary in bed. He’s also a complete simp for Stassie from the get-go, which makes him even more attractive. Stassie is strong-willed and passionate, but she has her own insecurities that make her very relatable and endearing. I really enjoyed the push and pull between them.

One of my favorite things about this book is that all of the side characters are well-developed, interesting and entertaining. There was clearly a lot of thought put into Robbie, JJ, Henry, and Sabrina, as well as their little found family as a whole. I’d definitely want to be friends with every single one of them.

While the plot and characters are unforgettable, Hannah Grace’s writing style also sucks you in from the beginning. I couldn’t put the book down once I started and never wanted it to end. But now that it’s over, I can’t wait to continue reading the other books in her series! I’m so glad I can keep living in the UCMH universe for years to come.
]]>