#Jensjumbledmess

[jensjumbledmess]

“What did you do to me?” I moaned, my hips still moving lightly. Desperately.

I still wanted more. 

Hell, I still needed more.

“I made you mine.” He rolled me over in one smooth motion, his cock still buried inside me. The change in angle made my head spin, and I struggled to keep breathing with the thick pleasure of the sensation. “You’re not sleeping tonight, Tater-tot.”

** Scene from: How to Fall in Love with a Demon, by Lola Glass **

[jensjumbledmess]

"I'm gorging myself on candy because I haven't eaten what I want in a year, Tater-tot. And now that we're mated, all I want is you." - Rafael Villin, How to Fall in Love With a Demon by Lola Glass

[jensjumbledmess]

"I expect to flirt, spoil, and fuck my way into your life until neither of us has an ounce of desire to live apart again." - Rafael Villin, How to Fall in Love with a Demon by Lola Glass

[jensjumbledmess]

My thoughts/review on How to Fall in Love with a Demon by Lola Glass!

(Updated review: Changing my rating from 4 stars to 5 stars as of July 19th, 2024 because I can't stop thinking about this book and the characters.)

Star & Spice Rating: ⭐️ 5/5, 🌶️ 4/5

There are quite a few sex scenes in this, which is to be expected of course, since the demons literally feed on lust lol. 90% of the spicy scenes are open door, there are a few casual mentions of sex in between. There’s use of vibrators, mutual masturbation, dirty talk, & moments of having sex in a shifted demon form (featuring horns, wings, tails, and well…a few physical enlargements.)

TWs:  Kidnapping, blood, estranged family/family trouble

Judging a Book By Its Cover: This cover is beautiful (as are all the covers for the Deceit & Devotion series.) Honestly, it might be one of the prettiest paperbacks I own. I’ve discovered I like a lot of this author’s cover choices.

✨📖Review📖✨

This book was fast-paced, fun, and spicy. It was a great leisure/escape read. I would say about 70-80% of this book is smut/relationship stuff and the rest is plot, which helps set up the rest of the books in this series. (The author says these are standalones, which they can be, but in my opinion, if you read book 2 first it kinda spoils one of the little twists which happens in the last third of the first book.)

Speaking of the last third, I’ve seen a few reviews talking about a tone change during that time and they’re right. It gets a bit more serious for a few chapters and something happens that causes trust issues for Tatum, our FMC. She no longer knows if she can trust Rafael, MMC. This is resolved fairly quickly and the two DO end up with a HEA. 

Tatum has boundaries, and is independent, choosing to follow her own career path despite what her (crappy) parents are trying to force her into. She lives with her two best friends Brynn and Miley, and they are great examples of friends sometimes being better than family. I enjoyed their friendship; the author did a nice job making it feel like the 3 of them were really comfortable with each other and have known each other for a long time.

NOW…let’s talk a little bit about Rafael, because let’s be honest, guys like this are a big part of why we read these sort of books in the first place, right? He’s a tall, dark haired, handsome and charismatic demon who has been in prison for the last year and has been starved for lust. (Lust is what keeps demons alive. His relationship with Tatum gets sexual quickly because of this.) 

He’s good in bed, good with dirty talk and flirting, he's rich, and would give Tatum the world if she asked for it. (I think he’s actually quite sweet.) He’s all about her pleasure 1.) because he genuinely loves her (he fell first) and 2.) because her pleasure literally feeds him (and she tastes REALLY good to him.) He listens to her and is respectful of her, not pushing her to do anything she’s not comfortable with. Rafael can be a bit jealous at times if he thinks other men, including his own two hot demon brothers, are interested in Tatum. Rafe ended up going on my book boyfriend list by the end of the book, so…

If you’re looking for something quick, fun, and mostly spice with guys that are clearly made to be drooled over, I would give this a try! I’ll definitely be reading the other two books in this series as well as some of Lola’s other work. I think she might be one of my new guilty pleasure authors!

Thank you for reading! If you liked my review/thoughts, consider following me on [GoodReads], [Bookstagram], or [Threads]! (I tend to post on GoodReads & Threads first!)

[jensjumbledmess]

Once I finish ACOSF I plan on reading the King of Scars duology. After that? Idk what to pick next... I'm leaning toward One Dark Window? But I'm not sure...

Opinions? All of these are first read throughs, btw. (I can't guarantee that I'll go with what gets picked, but I'd still like to know what every one is hyped about!)

[jensjumbledmess]

My review/thoughts on Demon In The Wood by Leigh Bardugo!

Star & Spice Rating: ⭐️ 4/5,  🌶️ 0/5 TWs: Attempted murder, and well, murder. Arson. Discrimination.

Judging a Book By It’s Cover: As always, Leigh Bardugo has spoiled me with her excellent hardback book aesthetics. (Seriously, always a treat. Thank you so much.) I love the dust cover too, but the purple and silver underneath are just, chef's kiss. It has that old fairy tale look.

✨Review✨ If you have NOT read the Shadow & Bone trilogy, I highly recommend reading those first before picking up this book. It’s much more impactful that way.

** This post contains spoilers for the end of Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo **

I’m a pretty big Darkling sympathizer to begin with, so of course I enjoyed this. If you think the Darkling is the villain then I highly suggest you read this. Could he have handled things differently/better in the Shadow & Bone trilogy? Yep. But when you read his back story in this, his childhood… I think his character and his choices make more sense.

He has lived a long life of not being able to trust, of being treated differently (even by other Grisha), a life of not having a safe home and knowing that the other Grisha don’t have a safe place either.

In this book his mother tells him, “there is no safe place. There is no haven. Not for us,” to which a young Aleksander then thinks, ”but there will be. I will make one.”

A sanctuary for himself and his mother, a place he can finally call home is all he’s truly wanted from a young age. (I also can’t help but wonder if he doesn’t also think that if he can provide a safe place for other Grisha, if maybe they wouldn’t treat him and his mother differently any more. If maybe they would come to respect him or see him as a friend.) I can’t fault him for that, and I hate that he had to die in the end. I hate that he had to become the villain despite just wanting his people to be treated decently and not be hunted. I wish that he knew someone his own age that was actually decent.

Overall this graphic novel is a bit short, and I wouldn’t have minded to have a little more story, maybe even into his teenage/early adulthood years (but that might have been better suited for a novella and not a graphic novel.) The art is really nice and this left me an even bigger supporter of the Darkling than I was prior to reading it. (Shrugs)

Thank you for reading! If you liked my review/thoughts, consider following me on [GoodReads], [Bookstagram], or [Threads]! (I tend to post on GoodReads & Threads first!)

[jensjumbledmess]

For my first post, here's my review/thoughts on A Court of Frost & Starlight by Sarah J. Maas that I wrote a few weeks ago!

Star & Spice Rating: ⭐️ 5/5, 🌶️ 3/5 There's one "big" scene, past memories of sex and lusting for more, as well as a little steamy flirty scene with nudity.

TWs: PTSD, Death/Remembering lost loved ones (due to war), misogyny, depression, menstruation/blood, children with PTSD, abuse (memories of), & a tiny scene with a dead deer.

Judging a Book By It’s Cover: I think this book is such a pretty blue. I've seen some people complain about the paperback covers, but I don't mind them? They add a pop of color to my shelf!

✨Review✨ Before reading I expected myself to give this book a 4, but I ended up enjoying it more than I thought I would!

This was so cute and so well deserved after the trauma that, both the characters, and myself had to endure during ACOWAR. I loved getting to see the more “domestic” casual side of every one, how they handle life with no immediate threat, and delving a little deeper into some of their histories. The shopping and gift giving was so sweet and fun, and finding out that the 3 most powerful Illyrians are actually even bigger dorks/children than I realized was fantastic. "Illyrian babies."

The lightness and humor mixed with the recovery from the war was perfectly balanced. I’m so glad that the PTSD and healing from everything that happened wasn’t swept under the rug in a “and now everything/everyone is fine and we’re on holiday!” sort of way. I surprisingly found myself crying a couple of times when Feyre visited the Rainbow. A great example of “we must continue to adapt and move forward despite what was.” - I love what Feyre has decided to do with Polina’s art studio!!!

I would read 100 more of these little novellas if SJM wrote them. A prequel for the boys or literally just more domestic Feysand would be such a treat for me. (I am never going to be over Rhysand or Feysand, honestly. ) I just adore this world and its characters so, so much, and I don’t want it to end.

Overall, a great bridge between book 3 and book 4! My one complaint is I wish my reading had aligned so that I could have read it for the first time during winter! It would have been so cozy; I guess I know when I will be doing my reread of this!

Thank you for reading! If you liked my review/thoughts, consider following me on [GoodReads], [Bookstagram], or [Threads]! (I tend to post on GoodReads & Threads first!)

[jensjumbledmess]

If anyone is interested, and ok with buying Ebooks on Amazon, Quicksilver by Callie Hart is currently available for $2.99!

[jensjumbledmess]

I hate when ebooks cost more than the physical copy.

[jensjumbledmess]

Not me trying to pick a book to order despite having at least 20 on my shelf that I haven’t read….

[jensjumbledmess]

"Humans are powerful in their own ways. Some are skilled with words, or paint. Others are great speakers, good friends, or loving parents. There are many forms of magic - and all are worth protecting." - Rafael Villin, How to Fall in Love With a Demon by Lola Glass

[jensjumbledmess]

My review/thoughts on The Last Wish by Andrezj Sapkowski! (I bought this book in October 2019 from a used book store for $5; little did I know it would drastically change my opinion on books/reading forever.)

Star & Spice Rating: ⭐️ 5/5, 🌶️ 1/5

(Don't go into this series expecting really romantic sex scenes, monogamy, or anything like that. 90% of the Witcher sex scenes feel like “old school” fantasy. Think Conan the Barbarian. Geralt takes many lovers throughout these books.)

TWs: (See each chapter below for individual trigger warnings.)

Judging a Book By It’s Cover: I feel like the books with their red spines and video game art covers have become pretty iconic. I’m a big fan of the game character design, so I really like them, but just be warned that the covers really don’t have anything to do with what happens in the book other than “oh look! There’s a Witcher doing Witcher activities!”

✨📖 Review 📖✨

Let me start off by saying: This is the book that started it all for me; the book that made me obsessed with reading. I could NOT stop thinking about this book when I would put it down, and it was the first thing on my mind when I woke up the next morning. I just had to know what Geralt was going to do next. He’s a badass, genetically modified man, made for killing monsters… and he talks to his horse. He says he doesn’t care, but spoiler, he actually does. My most unexpected, and first as an adult, book boyfriend.

The Last Wish by Andrzej Sapkowski is a collection of short stories where the chapters fluctuate between present time to various past events/Witcher contracts that help depict what the life of a Witcher is like and also help introduce some of the characters that are a frequent part of Geralt’s life. (This book series is actually the foundation of what spawned both the video game series and the Netflix show; they’re not an expansion.)

If you’re interested in reading The Witcher, I would highly recommend starting with this one and then reading Sword of Destiny, though it’s not “required” to do so. It’s a great way to get used to the world, which is a dark, medieval fantasy setting that contains witches & wizards, elves, dwarves, monsters/ mythology and more. The short stories of The Last Wish & Sword of Destiny  focus more on monster slaying and breaking curses, while the novels veer more towards politics, war, and scheming. Both have heavy themes tied to morals/social justice and making choices. Geralt is a morally grey character with a dry sense of humor that tries to mind his own business, unless hired to do otherwise, but somehow always finds himself getting involved in things that Witchers aren’t supposed to care about. No matter what choice he makes, there’s always a consequence. 

Here’s a brief summary of each of the short stories you’ll find in this particular book:

The Voice of Reason: These are the “present day” chapters, set at a Temple of Melitele while Geralt is healing from an injury. You’ll find The Voice of Reason chapters in between every short story. There’s a lot of philosophizing and remembering to be had in these.  (TWs: One of these chapters features nudity and sex. Though the sex is short and not in great detail. There are some suggestive jokes, some misogyny, some fighting/blood, and one of the priestesses has a seizure.)

The Witcher: The King of Temeria’s daughter was cursed at birth, causing her to be born as a creature known as a striga. The King is offering a reward for anyone who can lift the curse, killing her being the last resort. Geralt takes on the contract, locking himself in and spending the night in the old palace that the striga lives in. (TWs: Incest, dying during child birth, blood/gore.)

Grain of Truth: This story has bits of Beauty and the Beast in it. Geralt encounters two dead bodies while traveling, leading him to investigate the area and finding a manor nearby. While literally stopping to smell the roses, a large beast bursts from the manor in a (failed) attempt to scare Geralt away. The beast is now curious about Geralt; not immediately realizing he’s a Witcher, he invites him to dinner and discussion. (TWs: rape, blood, gore, nudity)

Lesser Evil: Geralt visits a mage known as Stregobor, who is being hunted by a woman named Renfri. Stregobor wants to enlist Geralt as his bodyguard to defend him from her. Geralt refuses, but eventually encounters Renfri and her gang in a tavern. When Geralt comes to realize that Renfri will stop at nothing to kill Stregobor, including killing innocent townspeople, Geralt is forced to pick a side. If you’ve heard the classic Witcher quote “Evil is evil,” this is where it comes from. (TWs: Sexual assault, blood/gore, autopsies. There is also a sex scene in this chapter, however it is “fade to black.”)

A Question of Price: The Queen of Cintra, Calanthe, is holding a banquet to give her daughter Pavetta away on her 15th birthday (as is custom.) Hoping to give her to Skellige to ensure their alliance and expecting a fight, Calanthe has hired Geralt as a bodyguard/mediator. Geralt engages in conversation with the Queen throughout the dinner & explains to her that that’s not what Witcher’s do, when suddenly a helmeted knight appears claiming that Pavetta was promised to him by Calanthe’s late husband 15 years prior, via the “law of surprise” (an ancient custom). A large fight breaks out which results in Geralt invoking his own “law of surprise.” (TWs: vomiting, drinking, violence, underage marriage/sex)

The Edge of the World: Dandelion is traveling with Geralt who is looking for work. All of the potential jobs are deadends, not “real” Witcher jobs, however on their way out of town, they encounter a man who claims a “devil” is causing trouble nearby; the man wants this “devil” to be dealt with, but doesn’t want the Witcher to kill it. Geralt agrees to investigate, leading to himself and Dandelion being attacked by the creature. During a second attempt to persuade the creature to leave, Geralt is knocked down (and out) by an unidentified rider. When he wakes, he finds himself bound and gagged. (TWs: Colonization, racism, violence)

The Last Wish: While fishing, Geralt and Dandelion have an encounter with a djinn that leaves Dandelion gravely injured. Geralt rushes Dandelion on horseback to the nearest city to find his only hope of saving his friend now lies with a mage who has recently taken up residency. This mage turns out to be the witch Yennefer of Vengerberg, who will save Dandelion, but at the cost of Geralt’s ego and at the chance of her capturing the djinn for her own gain. (TWs: magical coercion/manipulation, blood & gore, nudity, sex that isn’t described in great detail.)

Thank you for reading! If you liked my review/thoughts, consider following me on [GoodReads], [Bookstagram], or [Threads]! (I tend to post on GoodReads & Threads first!)

[jensjumbledmess]

My review/thoughts on Seventh Son by Joseph Delaney. (This particular version contains both book 1, The Last Apprentice: Revenge of the Witch & book 2, The Last Apprentice: Curse of the Bane).

Star & Spice Rating: ⭐️ 4/5, 🌶️ 0/5 (for both books)

TWs: There's a bit of gore in Curse of the Bane and the description of a dead cat.

Judging a Book By It’s Cover: Nothing too special about this one, just the movie poster cover. I'll give it a 6 out of 10 just because Ben Barnes is on it.

✨📖Review📖✨

"I've just given birth to a baby boy,' she wrote, and he's the seventh son of a seventh son. His name is Thomas J. Ward, and he's my gift to the County. When he's old enough we'll send you word. Train him well. He’ll be the best apprentice you've ever had, and he'll also be your last.'"

This is a book that I wish I had found in middle school. (I hated reading then, but I think I would have really enjoyed this series and I think it would have gotten me into reading sooner.) That’s one thing to keep in mind before you start reading this, it’s certainly a book for young adults (I would say around the ages of 12 to 16). I wouldn’t consider it young adult in the way that ACOTAR or Shadow & Bone/Six of Crows is considered young adult. So it's probably better to consider it "middle grade". It feels like a good introduction to fantasy and has a very easy/simple reading style to it. Tom Ward, our protagonist is 13 after all, and at times his thought process and the sentence structure feels like it reflects that. (It took me a minute to adjust to this style.) Another thing I would warn readers of is not to go into reading this expecting what you saw in the Seventh Son movie; it’s very different. The characters feel different and they were aged up for Hollywood.

I can’t quite explain it, but both of these books (especially the first one) gave me a “classic fairy tale” type feeling? I think part of it is the little dashes of advice or morals that are sprinkled throughout the story. Things like:

"Trust the voice inside you. It's rarely wrong,” or “—as my mam once told me, you never know just what you can do until you try. So I'm going to try. I'm going to try just as hard as I possibly can because I want her to be really proud of me.”

I found Tom to be sweet, brave, and he has some pretty great morals for his age. There were times when I felt bad for him, when he would come home from his apprenticeship and he was treated differently by his family (tough love from his strong mother and contempt from his older, and in my opinion, jealous brother, who I absolutely could not stand and rolled my eyes at any time we had to deal with him.) I enjoyed the slight eeriness of some of the situations that he ended up in, and I can actually see this series potentially getting a bit darker as it goes and as Tom ages. I look forward to seeing what kind of man (and Spook) he ends up becoming.

TL;DR: this makes a great entry fantasy book for young readers, and I enjoyed it even as an adult!

Thank you for reading! If you liked my review/thoughts, consider following me on [GoodReads], [Bookstagram], or [Threads]! (I tend to post on GoodReads & Threads first!)