Early Reader Review: Their Will Undone by R.J. Valldeperas

Source: From the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review.

Their Will Undone by R.J. Valldeperas 

Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication Date:  June 2, 2026

 

Format: Ebook

Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

A debut YA fantasy must-read for fans of The Winner’s Curse, What the River Knows, and This Woven Kingdom.

When a maiden is selected to marry the emperor, her journey to the palace will see her fighting both a spark of magical power and her growing feelings for her broody escort in this romantic fantasy duology opener, inspired by a true story from the Inca empire. 

In the Amaru Empire, it’s considered an honor to be chosen for the annual harvest. But when guards stole Nina’s brother away, it devastated her family. So, when the guards returned for Nina’s sweet sister, she threw herself into their clutches instead. And Nina has spent every moment since then in the acllahuasi, a gilded cage where women are trained to become servants or wives.

When Kasik, an obedient lieutenant in Amaru’s army, is sent to the acllahuasi to retrieve the emperor’s new wife, it’s only the promise of his own command—and a chance to escape his controlling father—that forces him to accept.

Kasik has no reason to trust Nina, nor she to trust him. But, as they begin their journey, their chemistry is hard to ignore. Also hard to ignore? The tugging sensation of magic in Nina’s chest, awakening more questions than she can possibly answer as she travels with a handsome stranger to her unknown fate.

Review:

I really enjoyed the worldbuilding in this one. The Incan-inspired setting felt unique, and I loved learning about the culture, traditions, and the role the gods played in the story. The magic system was also interesting, especially how the girls and women were gifted with power. Some men also possessed magic but were treated differently, which tied nicely into th book's themes of feminine rage and power dynamics.

Nina was an easy character to root for. She's stubborn, strong, and determined, but also realistically fearful at times, which made her feel authentic rather than invincible. Her emotional struggles added depth to her character. I also enjoyed Kasik as a counterpart to her. He's a rule follower whose obedience is constantly challenged, while Nina fiercely values her independence. Their opposing personalities created great banter, tension, and chemistry throughout their journey to the capital.

I wasn't a huge fan of the child/teen-bride premise itself, but I thought it was handled in a way that strengthened both Nina's determination and highlighted the uneasiness Kasik feels beneath his obedience.

My biggest struggle ws keeping up with some of the vocabulary. While there is a glossary in the book, it was not easy to constantly flip back and forth while reading on my e-reader, so that element occasionally pulled me out of the story as I stuggled to remember the definitions along the way.

Overall, this was an interesting fantasy with a new-to-me type setting, strong themes, and a romance I really enjoyed. If you like forced proximity, forbidden romance, and fantasy worlds inspired by cultures that aren't often represented, this is definitely worth picking up.

Early Reader Review: Milk & Mocha: Our Little Moments by Melani Sie

Source: From Netgalley and the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review.

Milk & Mocha: Our Little Moments by Melani Sie  
Series: Milk & Mocha
Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing
Publication Date:  June 23, 2026

 

Format: Ebook


Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

Your favorite internet duo, @milkmochabear, is back with even more cozy and charming comics to brighten your day! Cozy up with a blanket and join Milk and Mocha in their sweet little moments.

With even more never-before-seen comics—and two pages of exclusive stickers—Milk & Mocha continue to delight readers worldwide with their newest comic Our Little Moments. Sweet Milk and stoic Mocha prove the old adage that opposites really do attract. Dedicated to all the little daily interactions, big and small, Milk & Mocha is perfect for anyone who has ever been in love. 

Review: 

Our Little Moments by Melanie Sie is absolutely adorable and does not disappoint. I love these comics and am happily giving this new installment 5 stars!  

This newest installment in the beloved Milk & Mocha series is just as heartwarming and charming as ever. Milk & Mocha continue to delight with their sweet, everyday love story. Milk, with their soft and affectionate nature, perfectly balances stoic Mocha, showing the love and support that opposites-attract has to offer.  What makes this collection so special is its focus on the little moments: the quiet gestures, playful teasing, comforting hugs, and simple acts of caring that make a relationship feel real and meaningful even through these little cartoon characters. 

The comics are adorable, full of warmth and tenderness, and so relatable. Anyone who has ever been in love will see themselves/ partners in these pages. It’s a gentle reminder that love isn’t just about grand gestures, but about sharing everyday life together.

Cute, comforting, and full of heart, Our Little Moments is perfect for fans of Milk & Mocha and for anyone who enjoys wholesome, feel-good romance. I absolutely loved it!

Early Reader Review: Calypso's Odyssey by Anna Carey

Source: From Netgalley and the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review. 

Calypso's Odyssey by Anna Carey 

Publisher: Avon
Publication Date:  May 26, 2026

 

Format: Ebook


Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

Some loves are meant to stay…some are meant to set you free.

The Summer I Turned Pretty meets Circe in this windswept, emotional retelling of The Odyssey. A stunning story of first love, ancient echoes, and the power of rewriting your own fate.

Callie Quinn has never left Catalina Island. Her world is a crumbling cliffside inn, a father who’s more prison guard than parent, and a curse she believes she’s doomed to every summer brings a boy, a spark—and then a goodbye. Until one summer everything changes.

A storm. A shipwreck. A boy washed ashore.

Odie is secretive, wounded, and desperate to disappear. Callie offers him shelter, a place to heal, and slowly, something more. But Odie is no ordinary castaway. He carries secrets that could destroy them both. On Catalina, Callie shows him another way to live. A life of freedom and belonging. An everlasting life where he could be anyone—even himself.

But when Odie’s world crashes back into their paradise, both Odysseus and Calypso must make impossible one between legacy and love. The other, between holding on and setting herself free.

Inspired by the tale of Odysseus and Calypso from Homer’s The Odyssey, this fresh retelling gives star-crossed lovers a chance to defy fate. Full of longing, first love, and impossible choices, it’s a story where, at last, they find their happily ever after. 

A star-crossed, slow-burn summer romance. A contemporary reimagining with mythological roots. A girl who learns that sometimes, the most epic love story is the one you write for yourself.

Review: 

I enjoyed Calypso's Odyssey, as an adult reader it was engaging and a fun twist on some classics. 

Calypso, or Callie, has graduated high school and she is in limbo. She isn't sure about college and since her mom passed away, she feels a bit obligated to help her dad run their inn. She feels lost, unsure, and is dealing with some trauma over a guy that shared a picture of her with others that he shouldn't have. 

I thought that Callie was pretty accurate emotionally to how I felt at this time and age. Lots of changes, lots of uncertainty, lots of bad decisions at times. All that said, she also seems a bit too naïve also -possibly because of being too sheltered.  

Odie is dropped into her life as if by a miracle and she takes a lot of chances on him. Together they talk through their uncertainties and fall for each other. I appreciated the inspiration set in a modern world, I liked the plot overall. It was a meandering feeling story in a way that feels like the original story. 

I think that for me, the issue with this book was not the age range like most got rile about, more on that in a minute - it was that there were no repercussions for behaviors. A teen boy sails a boat into a storm, almost drowns... no issues. A girl lets a boy live in a dingy hotel room that might be moldy ... no issues.. also no water... the boy that is showing her picture around...only embarrassment and shame for Callie and her dad pretty much victim blames. I know that it is a story, but it just felt like there were more opportunities there for deeper moments that just didn't happen. 

Now, the age-range thing. I completely understand that readers say this is NOT a teen book because it talks about sex, sexual content, condoms, losing virginity, and yes this book likely isn't for young teens, but Juniors and Seniors - I hate to break it to people but these are conversations they are having and I was having at this age...it is an accurate depiction that some teens might appreciate having. 

Should it have disclaimers, probably but nothing is graphic. Adults just be mindful if purchasing for teen readers. 

Building the Book Pile #520

Welcome to Building the Book Pile!

I took a bit of a break from my weekly posts - apologies!

Sometime the blogging is a liiiiiiittle too much on top of all the other things and I was feeling burnt out. 

Over the past few weeks I have been working, supporting my softball team (no playing yet- foot is still healing), going to some life-skills training with Emma-dog, and reading. 

I am not as caught up on reading/ reviews as I would like to be, but I am trying to balance review books with my TBR of things I am really excited to read. 

It was SUPER hot for a few days last week, feels like NH skipped spring and jump right on into the hot part of summer this year. 

• Currently watching: F1 ... lots of it, One Piece on Netflix, and waiting to finish Off Campus with my friend. 
• Currently reading: Their Will Undone by R.J. Valideperas
• Currently listening to: Forty Love by Jane Costello and King Sorrow by Joe Hill [Sorrow is slow going though and feeling sloggy so it miiiight be a DNF situation]

Linking up with Caffeinated Book Reviewer Sunday Post 

xo steph

Coming up on the Blog

Early Reader Review: Calypso's Odyssey by Anna Carey (YA)

Early Reader Review: Milk & Mocha: Our Little Moments by Melani Sie (GN)  

Books Received Recently...  

For Review  

Murder Like Magic by Trisha Blanchet - from the publisher for review.

Any More Questions for the Corpse by J.J. Unthank - from the publisher for review.

Won! From Lisa Loves Literature

Thanks Lisa!

Reviews and Such

Monthly Re-Cap: May

Early Reader Review:  The Night King's Court by Elisa Bonnin (YA) - ⭐⭐⭐.5

Recent Reads: Two Can Play by Ali Hazelwood (Adult) - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Recent Reads: Mate by Ali Hazelwood (Adult) -⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 Recent Reads: Throttled by Lauren Asher (Adult) -⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Donating Caffeine is greatly appreciated ... Donate on Ko-fi

What have you been reading?  How was your week? Feel free to leave a comment!

Happy Reading! 

Recent Reads: Throttled by Lauren Asher

Throttled by Lauren Asher 

Series: Dirty Air #1
Publisher: Bloom Books
Publication Date:   May 7, 202

 

Format: paperback
Source: Bought/ own

Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

Maya

Noah Slade is a Formula 1 legend in the making.

Focused. Unapproachable. Ruthless on and off the track.

A man with walls higher than the Grand Canyon.

And my brother's new teammate.

I want more of the prince who disguises himself as the villain.

My only issue? He's considered off-limits.

Noah

Maya Alatorre is a forbidden temptation.

An ambitious post-grad I should stay far away from.

And chaos wrapped with a bow.

We're a ticking time bomb about one wrong move away from exploding.

I want to trip the wire, detonating together in passion and pain.

Because in the end, all's fair in lust and war.

Throttled is a steamy standalone romance in the Dirty Air world. Recommended for mature audiences.

Review: 

So I guess my 'midlife crisis' is F1... I have been loving everything about it. Last Fall when in Vegas for a vacation we were there to watch some of the practice before leaving the city and it was so cool. Since I have been watching all the races and the Netflix show Drive to Survive ... and now there are books!

Throttled is an F1 romance that follows Noah a moody F1 driver and Maya, the sister of his teammate that he should not get involved with but just can't help it. 

This book is definitely not going to be for everyone. At times it was a little cringe, and I wouldn't necessarily say the writing was amazing. That said, I had a really good time with it and absolutely flew through the pages.

Noah is a total man-whore, and Maya is often treated like the innocent little sister because of her overbearing brother. The thing is, she's a grown woman capable of making her own decisions, which made some of the protective behavior around her a little frustrating at times. The brother felt a bit overbearing at times, and I think I needed a little more development from him for some of his actions to feel fully justified, but it came together well enough in the end.

What really worked for me was the tension and the he-falls-first dynamic, which is one of my favorite romance tropes. Watching Noah drive himself crazy over Maya while trying to figure himself out was fun and funny. The characters were entertaining, hilarious, and easy to root for. I also appreciated the setup for future romances within the friend group. 

Noah is cocky and charming, and it was satisfying to see Maya refuse to immediately fall for his usual tricks. Their chemistry carried the story, and despite its flaws, this was a fun, addictive romance that kept me turning pages. If you enjoy lots of tension, a MMC who falls first, and a group of characters you want to spend more time with, this one is worth picking up.

Recent Reads: Mate by Ali Hazelwood

Mate by Ali Hazelwood 

Series: Bride #2
Publisher:  Berkley
Publication Date:   October 7, 2025

 

Format: Audiobook
Source: Bought/Own

Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

A Human hybrid and an Alpha Were claw against the bonds of fate in the highly anticipated companion novel to the New York Times bestselling Bride.

Serena Paris is orphaned, pack-less, and one of a kind. Coming forward as the first Human-Were hybrid was supposed to heal a centuries-long rift between species. Instead, it made her a target, prey to the ruthless political machinations between Weres, Vampyres, and Humans. With her enemies closing in on her, she has only one option left—if he’ll have her.

As Alpha of the Northwest pack, Koen Alexander commands obedience. His authority is so absolute, only a fool would threaten his mate. It doesn’t matter if Serena doesn’t reciprocate his feelings, nothing will stop him from keeping her safe.

But power-hungry Vampyres and Weres are not the only threats chasing Serena. Sooner or later, her past is bound to catch up with her—and Koen might be the only thing standing between her and total annihilation…

Review: 

I needed to take a break from books on my review pile for a bit to make reading feel like less of a 'to do' and an Ali Hazelwood romance is seemingly always there for me to do this with. I love all of her books, there is just something about the way that she writes banter and builds tension that has me either not putting the book down OR thinking about it excessively until I can pick it up again. Mate was no different.

When I read Bride I was fully enthralled and I have since also re-read it, which I normally don't do. I loved it again the 2nd time. I was honestly dreading reading Mate because I didn't want to be disappointed... thank goodness it was good. It wasn't Bride good, but it scratched the itch in other ways good. 

One of my favorite things about this story was the dynamic between Serena and Koen. Their relationship develops in a way that feels both inevitable and frustrating. Serena, is unsure about being a hybrid and what that means for her and believing she may be running out of time, carries a vulnerability that makes it easy to root for her. Meanwhile, Koen's realization that he has a mate at all, and his attempts to keep his distance, creates an emotional push and pull that keeps the tension simmering and building through the book.

My other love.. the banter! Their conversations were funny, or had an awkwardness to the point of cringe, and but the genuine affection for each other was so cute. There were plenty of moments that made me laugh, mixed with just enough secondhand embarrassment to make the characters feel real and relatable. Beneath all of that was a constant undercurrent of longing, with both characters fighting feelings they never expected to have. The result is a romance that feels both earned and rushed.

As the story progresses, the tension only intensifies. Even once Serena and Koen finally begin giving in to their feelings, the emotional and physical chemistry continues to build rather than disappear. Ali does a great job of making every interaction feel charged, leading to a payoff that is equal parts romantic, emotional, and undeniably spicy. 

If you're looking for a paranormal romance that delivers plenty of steam without sacrificing character development or connection, this one absolutely delivers. The audiobook narration was also so well done, bringing both characters to life in a way that made it hard to put down/ turn off.

Recent Reads: Two Can Play by Ali Hazelwood

Two Can Play by Ali Hazelwood 

Publisher: Berkley
Publication Date: February 10, 2026

 

Format: Paperback
Source: Bought/ Own

Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

An enemies-to-lovers spicy novella set in the world of video gaming from the New York Times bestselling author of Problematic Summer Romance—now in print and ebook!

Viola Bowen has the chance of a lifetime: to design a video game based on her all-time favorite book series. The only problem? Her co-lead is Jesse F-ing Andrews, aka her archnemesis. Jesse has made it abundantly clear over the years that he wants nothing to do with her—and Viola has no idea why.

When their bosses insist a wintery retreat is the perfect team-building exercise, Viola can’t think of anything worse. Being freezing cold in a remote mountain lodge knowing Jesse is right next door? No, thank you.

But as the snow piles on, Viola discovers there’s more to Jesse than she knew, and heat builds in more ways than one.

Review: 

I really enjoy Ali Hazelwood's books and this one delivers exactly the kind of romance that I was looking to read. As someone who can never resist enemies-to-lovers, STEM romances, forced proximity, and communication breakdown tropes, this story felt like such a good fit. 

Despite its shorter length, the novella never felt rushed. The banter between Viola and Jesse was fantastic, and their dynamic kept me engaged. I enjoyed watching Viola gradually learn more about Jesse and uncover the reasons behind their complicated relationship. Their time together from reluctant co-leads to partners who genuinely support one another was so good. 

One of my favorite aspects of the story was that Viola and Jesse began coming together as teammates before their relationship turned romantic. Their shared passion for the project and commitment to their teams added depth to their relationship.

Viola was a good FMC. She is stubborn, emotionally honest, and unafraid to express how she feels, which made her easy to read and be frustrated alongside.  I appreciated that she was willing to confront difficult situations rather than avoid them.

I also loved how the novella added in some glimpses of Viola and Jesse's past interactions. Those moments added context to their connections and helped the story feel much larger than its page count. In many ways, it had the emotional depth and character development of a full-length novel packed into a novella.

Overall, this was such a great read, with perfectly balanced humor, romance, and heart. If you're a fan of Ali Hazelwood's STEM romances, enemies-to-lovers tension, and forced proximity stories with excellent banter, this novella is absolutely worth picking up.

JIAM 2026 Audiobook Challenge

It’s here! Grab your audiobooks and join us in celebrating Audiobook Month with the JIAM 2026 Audiobook Challenge hosted by Caffeinated Reviewer & That’s What I’m Talking About.

Find the official rules on the sign-up post. Then start listening and enter for a chance to win The Murder of Crows Audible trilogy from Chris Tullbane and a Chirp Gift Card!

Challenges

• Complete at least one challenge to enter giveaway. See rules listed below.
• Finish/Start a series in a month. (listen to at least 3 audiobooks in a series)
• Love your Library (listen to 3 audiobooks from your local library)
• Let there be Monsters (listen to 3 audiobooks with monsters/paranormal elements)
• Going the Distance (listen to 3 audiobooks over 12 hours each)
• Tackle your Audiobook TBR Pile (listen to 3 audiobooks you already own)

Be sure you’ve signed up: 2026 JIAM Audiobook Challenge Sign-up

Rules

• Challenge runs from June 1, 2026 through June 30th. The giveaway will close on July 2, 2026. Winners will be announced on July 3, 2026. Start-up post, prize details and giveaway will be posted on June 1, 2026.
• To enter, you must complete one challenge. You can complete more than one for extra entries, but no audiobook title can be used twice.
• Audiobooks must be a minimum of 4 hours.
• Audiobooks count towards your 2026 Audiobook Challenge goals and can be used for other challenges.
• Declare your intentions by posting a blog post or sharing on social media. Link back to this sign-up post. Let’s get everyone listening in June! #JIAMAudiobookChallenge
• Sign up below and link to your declaration post, blog, social media site, or Goodreads. Wherever you plan to track your progress. (be sure to friend hosts, so we can see your results)

 I am going to try for - Tackle your Audiobook TBR Pile (listen to 3 audiobooks you already own), and listen to at least these three

Early Reader Review: The Night King’s Court by Elisa A. Bonnin

Source: From the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review. 

The Night King's Court by Elisa Bonnin 
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication Date:  April 28, 2026

 

Format: Finished copy from the Publisher


Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

Caraval meets Flowerheart in this rich and immersive cozy fantasy, where dazzling magic, lush descriptions, and a sweet sapphic romance cast an irresistible spell.

Ida’s father went missing without a trace seven years ago, last seen at the court of the enigmatic Night King, which comes to life only after dark with magic and revelry.

So when a position opens up for a new court Luminaire, Ida doesn’t hesitate. She inherited her gift for enchantments from her father—and with this position, she’ll use it to find him again.

Ida is swept into the king’s collection of magical beings, those who bring light and entertainment to the Court’s midnight gatherings—and swept away by the Court, where faerie gardens edge into underwater masquerades, dreaming revels offer blissful escapes, and life is a mesmerizing euphoria.

Yet a sinister thread interrupts Ida’s nights of decadence. Memories go missing, the castle’s magic takes on a malevolence, and Ida can’t seem to leave the boundaries of the court itself.

Enlisting the help of the king’s breathtakingly beautiful daughter Lenore, Ida must unravel the castle’s secrets… before this enchanted world destroys her.

Review: 

This cover and synopsis immediately pulled me in, sadly the book fell a bit short of expectations but offered up some really nice world building and a cool magic system along the way.

The strongest aspect of the book was magic - of the characters and the world. Ida our FMC has candle magic to create immersive illusions for the royal court, and those scenes were vivid, atmospheric, and fit so well into this world overall. But while the world feels exotic, it is also super eerie, with a mystical intensity that kept me invested even when other elements didn't fully land for me.

The story follows Ida as she takes over her missing father's position as a Luminaire of the royal court while secretly trying to uncover what happened to him. There's plenty of tension throughout, from court politics and the king's mysterious motives to the shifting dynamics among Ida and her new friends. There was always enough intrigue to keep the plot moving.

That said, I struggled with the characters. In a setting that felt so rich and encompassing, many of the people inhabiting it felt surprisingly flat. I never became deeply attached to the characters, and while the synopsis highlights a sapphic romance, I'm not sure I would have recognized that relationship as romantic without knowing it beforehand. The emotional development just wasn't strong enough for me in that way.

I also found some of the larger worldbuilding ideas and themes a little underdeveloped. There were interesting concepts surrounding the magic and the forces holding the world together, but several of those ideas felt glossed over in order to get to the ending. I wanted more exploration of the implications and history behind what was happening, I guess.

Overall, this was an atmospheric YA fantasy with a unique magic system, a compelling mystery, and a wonderfully eerie court setting. While the characters and some of the thematic development left me wanting more, the immersive world and constant sense of mystery made it an enjoyable read.

May 2026 Recap

Hello Readers, Bloggers, and Awesome people! 

Going to attempt to bring back the Monthly re-cap. It has been a while since I have had the time and energy to do it. Here is my best attempt... and I am trying to do a few challenges so those notes are here too. 

~~Books I Read in May~~

~~Review Links ~~

Wild Card by Elsie Silver

The Amazing Generation: Your Guide to Fun and Freedom in a Screen- Filled World by Jonathan Haidt 

The Replacement: A Short Story by Liv Constantine

Reach by Celesta Rimington

Deathly Fates by Tesia Tsai 

The Thorn Queen by Sasha Peyton Smith

Chapter Break Bookish Bingo - May

Deathly Fates by Tesia Tsai

Not Finished the Previous Month| Death| Journey (+1 - walking)

Reach by Celesta Rimington

Physical Book

The Replacement: A Short Story by Liv Constantine

Free Book (Amazon First Reads Freebie) | Plot Keeps You Guessing

Wild Card by Elsie Silver

Audiobook | In a Series | Small Town

Two Can Play by Ali Hazelwood

Favorite Author| Banter| Shelf Love| Tropey Title

 

The Night King's Court by Elisa Bonnin

Not in a Series| Ebook

A Trophy of the Jackal by Julie Wellerdiek

ARC/ALC

For my first BINGO run, this was pretty good. Excited to try again in June for the full board.

Progress 4/10

Started early - whoops...