Title: Onyx Storm
Author(s): Rebecca Yarros
Series: Empyrean #3
Genre(s): Fantasy, Romance
Format(s): Audio
Pages: 779
Length: 23h 52m
Narrator(s): Rebecca Soler, Teddy Hamilton, Justis Bolding, Jasmin Walker
Source: Library
Reason(s): None
Rating: Spice: 
My Thoughts
Holy crap! That ending! Why do I read these series before all the books are out?! It’s going to be torture waiting for the next book. I feel like I did after watching Avengers: Infinity War for the first time–numb, sad, and trying to be hopeful despite the crushing weight of grief. So many tears! So many! Rebecca Yarros certainly knows how to hook her readers and stomp all over their hearts.
From the instant I started reading ONYX STORM, I was hooked. I wanted to know everything and make sure my favorite characters made it out of the story alive. I loved learning more about Andarna and seeing more of the world than in previous books.
I’m excited to see where this series goes next and I’ll be on pins and needles waiting for the next book.
Onyx Storm
Author(s): Rebecca Yarros
Series: Empyrean #3
Genre(s): Fantasy, Romance
Format(s): Audio
Pages: 779
Length: 23h 52m
Narrator(s): Rebecca Soler, Teddy Hamilton, Justis Bolding, Jasmin Walker
Source: Library
Reason(s): None
Rating:
Spice:
My Thoughts
Holy crap! That ending! Why do I read these series before all the books are out?! It’s going to be torture waiting for the next book. I feel like I did after watching Avengers: Infinity War for the first time–numb, sad, and trying to be hopeful despite the crushing weight of grief. So many tears! So many! Rebecca Yarros certainly knows how to hook her readers and stomp all over their hearts.
From the instant I started reading ONYX STORM, I was hooked. I wanted to know everything and make sure my favorite characters made it out of the story alive. I loved learning more about Andarna and seeing more of the world than in previous books.
I’m excited to see where this series goes next and I’ll be on pins and needles waiting for the next book.
The Blonde Identity
Author(s): Ally Carter
Series: Blonde Identity #1
Genre(s): Adventure, Romance
Format(s): Audio
Pages: 304
Length: 9h 0m
Narrator(s): Emily Ellet, Andrew Eiden
Source: Library
Reason(s): None
Rating:
Spice:
My Thoughts
THE BLONDE IDENTITY was such a fun fast-paced fade-to-black romance. I loved both Zoe and Sawyer, their chemistry, and banter.
I loved the premise of Zoe being the non-espionage twin targeted by iffy governments and groups all while trying to get her memory back. It was action-packed with never a dull moment. The story felt like a funnier and rom-comier version of The Bourne Identity.
I’m excited to stay in this world and read Alex’s story once THE BLONDE WHO CAME IN FROM THE COLD releases later this year.
The Soulmate
Author(s): Sally Hepworth
Genre(s): Thriller
Format(s): Audio
Pages: 327
Length: 7h 44m
Narrator(s): Barrie Kreinik, Jessica Douglas-Henry
Source: Owned
Reason(s): Book Club, BotM Backlist
Rating:
Spice:
My Thoughts
This is the second Hepworth book I’ve read. With both books, I really enjoyed the suspense, but I struggled with the mental health aspects. I feel like Hepworth uses diagnoses like Borderline Personality Disorder or Bipolar Disorder as a crutch to explain why her antagonists are psychotic. Also, the ending in this one wasn’t very satisfying.
Despite THE SOULMATE’S flaws, the story was intriguing. I liked the dual narrators and the back and forth between the then and the now. The suspense kept me reading because I wanted to know the whole story.
2025 Goals
I’m really happy with my reading last year. I read more in 2024 than I have ever read in a year before. I’d love to try to surpass that goal this year.
My goals for 2025 are to:
I’ll keep track of my progress on my 2025 Goals & Tracking page.
Reading Rubric
Rating System
: It’s a new favorite that I’ll reread over and over again! If I don’t already own it, I’ll rush out and buy it!
: I loved it and I’ll reread it. I’ll probably buy it if I don’t already have it on my shelves.
: I enjoyed the story, but it’s missing something. I’m okay checking it out from the library if I read it again.
: It was okay. I probably won’t read it again. If it’s part of a series, I probably won’t keep going.
: I hated it. The story, writing, characters, etc. just weren’t for me.
Flames System