Jack 2 by Layla Fae [Review]

Jack 2 (Monster Ever After #10) by Layla Fae
Format: ebook
Source: borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: October 26, 2025

Monster Ever After
1. Jack
2. Grim
3. Satan
4. Orc
5. Crow
6. Full Sack
7. Mr. Jingle
8. Bunny
9. Thick Beef
10. Jack 2 - Paperback | Kindle

Layla Fae
| Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

It’s Halloween and Jack is back to claim what’s his.

Ava hasn’t seen her ex for a year. She trembles at the very thought of him as she saw him last: a monster, his powerful body sleek with sweat, his head a flaming jack-o’-lantern. Even though she ran away as soon as he revealed his true form, the image is burned into her mind.

It haunts her in hot, sweaty dreams from which she wakes with a moan on her lips, the sheets tangled between her legs. But those dark, sensuous dreams are not enough to push her back into Jack’s monstrous embrace. Ava avoids him at all costs.

And Jack won’t have it. It’s Halloween, the night when he is the most powerful, and he will have Ava back, even if he has to hold her captive in his Halloween mansion. It lies in the Halloween Realm, a magical place where everything is hotter, spicier, and more orange.

Ava will be at the mercy of the pumpkin-headed demon whose heart and body hunger for her and her only. She’s in for a Halloween night full of filthy, monstrous wonders.

Some of them may taste like pumpkin spice.

Thoughts on Jack 2: This is Jack's son, Jack, and he's ABSOLUTELY ready to find a way to convince his special someone that he's not the monster she thinks he is. He goes about this by taking her to his Halloween mansion (which is in another realm) and showing her all the unearthly delights that are hers for the taking if she's willing to give him a chance.

On Ava's end, she's...conflicted. When jack revealed his true form to her, she panicked and reacted badly. Which is understandable. She's still holding on to some of her anger over his deception, but she also hasn't forgotten him. At all. So when he shows up on Halloween and asks her to give him a chance, she agrees.

Now she's in a house that is everything she could ever dream of with the hunk she hasn't forgotten and she's starting to realize that some things are worth fighting (and forgiving) for.

A little Halloween sexiness, a whole lot of pumpkin spice, and a lady who has to let go of her hurt if she wants to have a chance with the guy who is utterly devoted to her. *thumbs up*

Tuesday by Adrian Blue [Review]

Tuesday (The Days of the Week #2) by Adrian Blue
Format: ebook
Source: borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: November 2, 2025

The Days of the Week
1. Monday
2. Tuesday - Kindle
3. Wednesday

Adrian Blue
| Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Tuesday's Child is Full of Grace

Dr. Christina Blackwood moved to a small town for a slower pace of life. But when a child goes missing, it throws the community into a panic. All eyes immediately turn to Ashcroft Estate, whose reclusive and mysterious owner is known for fiercely protecting his privacy. But the estate is protecting far more than that. William Ashcroft has a secret. And it is about to swallow Christina whole.

Thoughts on Tuesday: A missing child, a spooky estate, and a lady who's determined to do her part in helping find him thanks to some past trauma and a driving desire to help everyone in need. Okay, maybe that last part was a bit of a stretch, but Christina is a doctor so she does the helping thing so maybe it's not that much of a stretch.

Anywho. Christina has heard the hushed rumors about the Ashcroft Estate and she doesn't want peoples' emotions to get the best of them (I think she was envisioning pitchforks and torches, idk) so she volunteers to go up to the big house and request they be allowed to search the grounds for the missing child. William Ashcroft is...not enthused by this request. He allows Christina to conduct a search, but doesn't want anyone else from the town on his land. Which might be a red flag or two, but Christina is determined and she accepts his terms.

Turns out William is hiding a little something. Well, it's a not-so-little something, really. A beast that prowls the halls of the manor and grounds. It has its sights set on the good doctor and she's not nearly as terrified of it as she probably should be.

A creepy manor, a beast who knows what it wants, a man who is caught between wanting to protect and claim, and a lady who is willing to embrace the terrifying once she understands what's at stake. *thumbs up*

Monday by Adrian Blue [Review]

Monday (The Days of the Week #1) by Adrian Blue
Format: ebook
Source: borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: November 1, 2025

The Days of the Week
1. Monday - Kindle
2. Tuesday
3. Wednesday

Adrian Blue
| Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Monday's Child is Fair of Face

Cara Martinez's life at Helix Tech has been an endless procession of days. For six years, she's endured the monotony of her basement office job—until one blood-soaked Monday shatters her world. Stalked through fluorescent-lit corridors by a shapeshifting creature of otherworldly beauty and dark horror, Cara is thrust into a deadly game where she's both prey and unwitting player.

As she fights for her life, she uncovers sinister secrets lurking beneath Helix Tech's polished facade. But with each narrow escape and pulse-pounding encounter, she senses an undercurrent of desire beneath the monster's savage pursuit. As the line between fear and attraction blurs, Cara must confront the truth about herself and the company she thought she knew.

Thoughts on Monday: Walking into a soul-sucking job to find the halls drenched in blood and bodies strewn around is ... a little jarring. Having something monstrous stalk you as you attempt to escape? Maybe even more jarring.

Yeah, Cara has a bit of a rough morning. She's not thrilled to be returning to her monotonous cubicle job and stepping off the elevator to find blood, bodies, and something OTHER on her floor is just the cherry on the Monday Sundae. Unfortunately for her, the monster who caused all this carnage is playing a game of cat and mouse with her. It wants her to run so it can chase.

Except...while it likes the chase, it turns out there's a lot more to what's going on than Cara knows. The monster doesn't want to hurt her and her employers might be involved in things that she knew nothing about. Dangerous things. Things involving the monster chasing her.

A little danger, some corporate evilness, a monster who knows what he wants, and a lady who has her eyes opened to a whole new world. *thumbs up*

Run Baby Run by D. Sabia [Review]

Run Baby Run by D. Sabia
Format: ebook
Source: borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: November 1, 2025

Purchase Links: Paperback | Kindle

D. Sabia
| Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Alec
Forgive me, father, for I am about to sin.
She’s, my addiction. My drug of choice. Mine.
But she doesn’t know that. Yet…
But come Halloween night, she will be mine.
Even if I need to hunt her down, Hayden Macey will be mine.
Run baby run.

Hayden
Everywhere I turn, I feel like someone’s there, watching me.
Watching every move I make.
And just to make things worse, I have to work the night of Halloween at our town’s haunted carnival.
No matter where I run, where I hide, the feeling is always there.
But now I’m not so sure it’s a feeling anymore…

Thoughts on Run Baby Run: This wasn't my favorite of the chase-y chase Halloween books I've been reading lately and I think it comes down to I just like my masked stalkers a little lighter? Idk, I do like the masked men books, but, like, stalking-lite preferred, I guess.

Anywho. Alec has a thing for Hayden. He's watching her. He has plans for her. She doesn't know any of this. I mean, she's been getting the feeling she's being watched, but she has no idea it's the hot preacher's son she met at church camp. So it REALLY throws her for a loop when he chases her through a corn maze and corners her in his father's church.

Then he does all the things he's been fantasizing about.

Not terrible, but (as I said) I think I like my masked men a little on the lighter side.

Falling for a Villainous Vampire by Charlotte Stein [Review]

Falling for a Villainous Vampire (The Sanctuary for Supernatural Creatures #3) by Charlotte Stein
Format: ebook
Source: provided through NetGalley
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: September 11, 2026

The Sanctuary for Supernatural Creatures
1. How to Help a Hungry Werewolf
2. Dealing with a Desperate Demon
3. Falling for a Villainous Vampire - Paperback | Kindle

Charlotte Stein
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Marley Maples is sure she's finally evaded her vampire mortal enemy. Halsten has stalked her across oceans of time, and many, many lives. But now she's arrived at the age of thirty in Hollow Brook, with no sign of him. So she’s devastated when he suddenly shows and yet again tries to make her life hell. Until her two witchy best friends suggest a spell to make him forget all about her.

There’s just one issue: he forgets his whole existence with it. All Halsten now remembers is being a big, hot, vampire Viking. And all he sees when he looks at Marley is his beloved little witch, his saviour, the light of his life. He goes from being a horror that haunts her nightmares, to a man who loves her and will protect her at all costs. And as much as she’s skeptical, she can’t help finding his fish-out-of-water, warrior ways and his desire to defend her endearing.

Maybe even a little sexy. In fact, it’s starting feel very sexy indeed.

And if she’s not careful, she’s going to lose herself to a man she swore to hate. A man who might return to her eternal enemy, at any moment…

Thoughts on Falling for a Villainous Vampire: Look. I don't know what is it about the supernatural men who end up in Hollow Brook, but they are so delightfully soft. In a good way. They're just sweet and kind and full of this joyful awe over finding someone who sees them and wants to spend time with them (among other things) and I AM HERE FOR IT.

That said, Halsten doesn't appear to be either sweet or soft or joyfully awed when we first meet him. Look, it's complicated, okay? Marley sees him a certain way and her memories of their past encounters are just muddled enough that she fully believes he's a vampire who has his hate on for her. She doesn't know why. She doesn't know how to stop him. She's just stuck in this never-ending cycle of having him show up and her life implodes.

Then she and her friends cast a spell to make him forget her (so they can both get on with their lives) and suddenly she has this joyful, incredibly sweet vampire giving her heart eyes. And she REALLY doesn't know what to do about that. Her body is kind of onboard doing things, but he's her ENEMY, right? And she shouldn't be feeling all these soft emotions for her ENEMY. But he's also beautiful and kind and she likes pretty much everything about him.

A whole lot of baggage (because past lives give you that when you remember them), a very unfriendly man, more than a few close calls, witchy friends who are DELIGHTED to have Marley finally admit she's one of them, a vampire with the soul of a poet, and a witch who finally gets a chance to see what's been chasing her across time. OH MY HEART.

Creep by L. Taylor [Review]

Creep (Cape Could: Spicy Holiday #1) by L. Taylor
Format: ebook
Source: borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: October 24, 2025

Cape Cloud: Spicy Holiday
1. Creep - Paperback | Kindle
2. Tinsel

L. Taylor
| Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

I thought I put the past behind me. The bullies of high school, the awkward shyness that kept me close to home up until graduation. Things have been great for my junior year of college, especially now that my step-brother doesn't live at home.

Chase. The antagonist of my life since our parents had gotten married eight years ago. My step-brother has gone out of his way to make sure I never felt welcome after me and my mom had moved into his house. Always watching me with those cold, expressionless eyes of his.

I'd expected the same when he arrived today for his annual visit home from med school for Halloween, but no.

Instead he gives me an ultimatum. One night in the woods---me, him, and his best friend.

Say no, and we go back to how things have always been between us. Tense, unbearably so.

Or...say yes. Agree to one night in their hands, and let them ruin me for good.

Thoughts on Creep: Leigh has a bit of a complicated relationship with her step-brother. He's intense and unnerving, he puts her on edge just by being near and she's sure he doesn't like her. This, as it turns out is the opposite of true. In fact, Chase might be a little obsessed with his sweet step-sis.

Now he, his best friend, and Leigh are home alone during a fall break and Chase is trying his hardest to keep his obsession under control. Then he and Danny read Leigh's naughty stories and suddenly all bets are off. He's willing to give her all the things she fantasizes about and let his obsession break free.

Chase and Danny are intense and a little unhinged, but they make sure they give Leigh everything she needs. Which means a chase or two, a whole lot of pleasure, and two men who are all in with both her and each other.

I must admit I wasn't expecting to like this scenario as much as I did, but way to go Leigh. You found two someones willing to go to some extreme lengths to give you what you crave. *thumbs up*

Monster in the Mist by Honey Phillips [Review]

Monster in the Mist (Alien Abduction Standalone) by Honey Phillips
Format: ebook
Source: free through author's newsletter
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: November 1, 2025

Alien Abduction Standalone
1. Monster in the Mist - Kindle

Related Series:
(find all the books in the series on the 1st book review)
Alien Abduction
1. Anna and the Alien

Honey Phillips
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis:

Kim can’t catch a break. First she’s abducted by aliens, then her desperate attempt to escape ends when she crash lands on a mysterious alien planet.

Every night the mists come, and every night they become more frightening. The most terrifying part is her response to the seductive voice that calls to her from within the mist.

Exiled to the jungle many years ago, Tiva feels his mind slipping away. But then a strange, beautiful female appears - her presence a beacon in the darkness - and their connection calls him back.

Kim doesn’t think she needs help. Tiva doesn’t think he needs rescuing. They’re both wrong!

A sweet and spicy standalone romance set in the Alien Abduction universe!

Thoughts on Monster in the Mist: As one of the (multitudes of) abducted Earth women, Kim is in a tough spot. Maybe not quite as tough as she would have been if she hadn't fought her new owner (and won when he bashed his head on a console), but she's in a broken ship on a dangerous planet and she has only herself to rely on.

Except, that might not be exactly correct. There's another being on this planet, so she's not entirely alone. Tiva is kind of a mess, though. He's trapped in his own prison and he's not sure the female he dreams about is real or a product of his fracturing mind. Unfortunately, the distance between them and the dangerous mist that creeps in every night means they can only meet in their dreams. To be fair, they had to both accept that the other WAS real before they could explore this connection, but eventually they started getting to know one another during their late night talks. And those talks turned into something more, AS YOU MIGHT IMAGINE!

That something more makes Tiva think he's put Kim's life in danger and he pulls away. Now Kim is faced with staying safe in a shuttle that she can't repair and will (probably) eventually die on her or trying to reach the male who makes her feel all sorts of things. Guess what? She chooses Tiva and his prison over being alone and YESSSS!

I enjoyed all the installments in the AA series and am thrilled to have a sweet (and spicy) snippet of another human woman finding her special someone as she works to survive. *thumbs up*