Romance – World of Bai

Book Review: “Glow Of The Everflame” By Penn Cole

Immediately after finishing the first book in this series I dove right into the second. The cliff hanger at the end of book one might have been predictable but it did its job well as I am very intrigued as to what happens inside those palace walls.

“Perhaps, for the right person, we endure the pain, because the torture of never having them at all is the more unbearable fate.”
Penn Cole, Glow of the Everflame

“Spark Of The Everflame” Full Review

*Possible spoilers ahead*

About The Book

Author: Penn Cole

Publisher: Atria Books

Published Date: July 18th, 2023

Page Count: 610 Pages

Main Genre: Romantasy

GoodReads Rating: 4.34

Format: E-Book

“It’s a reminder that no challenge can destroy the parts of us that truly matter. We’re not reborn in the flames. We’re revealed.”
Penn Cole, Glow of the Everflame

Synopsis

An unexpected gift offers the power to change everything. Keeping it could cost Diem her life.

The threat of war has arrived at Diem’s doorstep, along with a new discovery that could save her people. To use it, she must survive the next thirty days by forming a devil’s bargain with the people she hates the royal family of House Corbois.

But as she dives into the world of the Descended elite, Diem quickly realizes good and evil aren’t as simple as they seem. Old prejudices are challenged, and new loyalties blur the line between friend and foe.

Meanwhile, her mother is still missing, and the secrets she left behind can no longer be ignored—and neither can the Guardians and their demands. Caught between an old flame and a sizzling new spark, Diem must confront the truth about who she is and what she wants before time runs out.

War is coming, and dangerous enemies wait on all sides.. but the most deadly battle Diem faces may be the one for her heart.

Synopsis From GoodReads

“Burn, my Queen. Glow so bright, the darkness trembles.”
Penn Cole, Glow of the Everflame

Rating

Review

I had a false hope that wearing the crown would force Diem to make better choices. She claims her choices are for the betterment of all but girl your emotions are going to get everyone killed.

This book started to feel more YA than Adult and I think that is the main reason why this got a lower rating than the first book. I just really expected more from Diem now that she became queen but maybe that wasn’t fair of me to expect.

While the World building and politics were amazing and kept me interested in the book The character growth was still not up to my standards, at least not for Diem. If any of our characters had strong developmental growth it would have to be Teller. Teller really stepped into his role towards the end of this book and I appreciated getting to interact with him more.

Every decision Diem was making I was saying “ohhhh Girl, no.” I just really need her to step up and make some decent choices for once and not just giving in or giving up. She really needed to practice her magic but was acting like a baby whenever she did. Going into the challenging felt useless to me cause she clearly can’t use her powers. I truly believe the only way she could destroy her opponent is because of the goddess herself. I just needed more from Diem herself and not just pure luck from being “The Chosen One.”

The ending of this book really pissed me off as well because I completely saw every step of it coming. Diem is her own worse enemy which bleeds into basically sabotaging the whole world.

My only wish is that we see more of her and Luther and less of them fighting. If she self sabotages this relationship anymore I might freak out. He literally tells her the most romantic and cute things and she just doesn’t let herself see his intentions, its annoying! Please no more Henri, nothing about that relationship is interesting.

“That if a man made you doubt whether his love for you would survive anything, he does not deserve you.”
Penn Cole, Glow of the Everflame

QOTD: At what point do you start to DNF?

Book Review: “Spark Of The Everflame” By Penn Cole

I remember seeing these books pop up all over the book spaces early in 2025 and deciding I would not be falling for the hype. Well this was the official last book I read in 2025 and I am not upset about it, but was the hype really worth it?

“If you cannot be stronger, be smarter. Choose both your battles and your enemies with care. Know when to flee a fight to win a war.”
Penn Cole, Spark of the Everflame

About The Book

Author: Penn Cole

Publisher: Atria Books

Published Date: June 1st, 2023

Page Count: 438 Pages

Main Genre: Romantasy

GoodReads Rating: 4.17

Format: EBook

“You think I fear my own death?” he whispered in my ear. “Every day I draw breath is as much a curse as a gift. I’ve been living on borrowed time for longer than you can imagine. If you’re the way my fate finally catches up to me, I can’t fathom a more beautiful end.”
Penn Cole, Spark of the Everflame

Synopsis

In a mortal world colonized by the gods and ruled over by the Descended, their cruel offspring, Diem Bellator yearns to escape the insular life of her poor village.

Her mother’s sudden disappearance—and the discovery of a dangerous secret about her past—offer Diem an unexpected opportunity to enter the dark world of Descended royalty and unlock the web of mysteries her mother left behind.

With the dying King’s handsome, mysterious heir watching her every move, and a ruthless mortal alliance recruiting her to join the growing civil war, Diem will have to navigate the unwritten rules of love, power, and politics in order to save her family—and all of mortalkind.

Synopsis From GoodReads

“Hope without reason is… it’s cruel.”
Penn Cole, Spark of the Everflame

Rating

Review

I remember trying the first chapter of this book maybe 8 or so months ago and not immediately connecting with the book and putting it down. I am not really sure why I gravitated to this book as my next read but I am glad that I did.

There is always a part of me that hates to pick up the hyped books as I want a unique experience at times but I always feel the FOMO at some point. What if the hype is truly worth while? I could be missing out on one of my all time favorite books!

With all of that said I did enjoy my time reading this book, for the most part.

The world building was probably my favorite part of this book. The world seems beautiful and complex. The politics of this world seemed to pique my interest and kept me wanting to know more.

The magic system is still a bit hazy to me as we don’t dive too much into that aspect yet in this book but I am interested to learn more for sure.

The part that I struggled with was quite literally just our main character. Diem is honestly so annoying. I am struggling to want to root for her as every decision she makes just makes me angry. And I understand that not all main characters need to be or should be likable but it makes me more invested in the story if they are.

What really saved this book is the side characters. I love Diems family, her brother and father both have interesting side stories that we vaguely hear about that I am dying to know more! Also Luther, our MMC, is swoon worthy! I feel the romantic tension steaming off of him at every turn.

I think this series has a lot of potential! There is so much we don’t yet know about or might only have small snippets of information at our grasp that keeps you coming back to the pages. This book left off on a pretty big cliff hanger, all be it a pretty predictable cliff hanger, that made me immediately download the next book. So despite my hate for Diem I think I will probably finish this series sooner rather than later.

“Don’t choose a mediocre life for a mediocre man. Go be exceptional. If he’s worth it, he won’t judge you. And if he’s really the one, he’ll come along for the ride.”
Penn Cole, Spark of the Everflame

QOTD: If a main character is annoying in your eyes do you DNF a book or push through?

Book Review: “Atmosphere” By Taylor Jenkins Reid

Taylor Jenkins Reid has been an auto buy author for me ever since I read The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. Most all of her books are 4 stars or more for me and this one was no different! I was planning on waiting to read this one for a little bit longer as I had just finished Carrie Sotto Is Back not too long ago but I am very glad I didn’t wait.

“Bravery is being unafraid of something other people are afraid of. Courage is being afraid, but strong enough to do it anyway.”
Taylor Jenkins Reid, Atmosphere

About The Book

Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid

Publisher: Ballantine Books

Published Date: June 3rd, 2025

Page Count: 352 Pages

Main Genre: Historical Fiction

GoodReads Rating: 4.35

Format: Audio Book

Synopsis

Joan Goodwin has been obsessed with the stars for as long as she can remember. Thoughtful and reserved, Joan is content with her life as a professor of physics and astronomy at Rice University and as aunt to her precocious niece, Frances. That is, until she comes across an advertisement seeking the first women scientists to join NASA’s space shuttle program. Suddenly, Joan burns to be one of the few people to go to space.

Selected from a pool of thousands of applicants in the summer of 1980, Joan begins training at Houston’s Johnson Space Center, alongside an exceptional group of fellow candidates: Top Gun pilot Hank Redmond and scientist John Griffin, who are kind and easygoing even when the stakes are highest; mission specialist Lydia Danes, who has worked too hard to play nice; warmhearted Donna Fitzgerald, who is navigating her own secrets; and Vanessa Ford, the magnetic and mysterious aeronautical engineer, who can fix any engine and fly any plane.

As the new astronauts become unlikely friends and prepare for their first flights, Joan finds a passion and a love she never imagined. In this new light, Joan begins to question everything she thinks she knows about her place in the observable universe.

Then, in December of 1984, on mission STS-LR9, it all changes in an instant.

Synopsis From GoodReads

Rating

“Happiness is so hard to come by. I don’t understand why anyone would begrudge anyone else for managing to find some of it.”
Taylor Jenkins Reid, Atmosphere

Review

I saw this book all over tiktok and youtube with people sobbing an that sold the book for me. I try and stay clear of emotional books unless I know I am ready to cry. The audiobook really laid into my emotions and had my husband concerned for my wellbeing as I sobbed “Just let people Love who they want to love!”.

The characters were all so well written. I finished this book knowing each character and their motivations very well which I feel has been lacking for me in some recent reads.

The relationship that Joan had with her niece was honestly my favorite part of this book. This storyline was probably the one that I felt the most connected to. I seriously felt for Frances, she was such a sweet young girl stuck in a situation she never should have been in. My heart hurts for this girl!

Getting to dip my toes into space and all the work that goes into being an astronaut was mind blowing. Taylor really went into this book with some knowledge of the topic and it shows. I really appreciate when you can see the research the author does in order to write their books.

The romance in this book gave slow burn vibes in the best way. I really enjoyed exploring the relationship alongside our two characters and seeing the growth that Joan went through personally along the way.

The ending was so great but I was dying for more! My audiobook said 10 minuets left and I was like wait…. that can’t be it… Please, give me more Taylor!

“You make my life worth something. And I can promise you with my entire body that you will never be alone. Every day, you can wake up and go to bed knowing there is someone whose heart is bursting, barely able to contain how much they love you. I know you’re my niece, Frances. But you have always, too, been mine.”
Taylor Jenkins Reid, Atmosphere

Book Review: “First Time Caller” By B.K. Borison

This book came out earlier this year and I had bought a copy of the book pretty close to the release date due to all the great reviews. I am not sure why I didn’t read it immediately as I was reading a ton of books at the beginning of this year but I guess it just kept getting pushed out of my mind.

I am currently in the middle of moving and unpacking my new house so I needed a gripping audio book to listen to that would keep me motivated to keep moving. This book was the perfect read for that!

“I want to feel something when I connect with someone. I want sparks. The good kind, you know? I want to laugh and mean it. I want goose bumps. I want to wonder what my date is thinking about and hope it might be me. I want…I want the magic.”
B.K. Borison, First-Time Caller

About The Book

Author: B.K. Borison

Publisher: Berkley

Published Date: February 11th, 2025

Page Count: 448 Pages

Main Genre: Romance

GoodReads Rating: 3.97

Format: Audio

“When the whole world tells you you’re silly for wanting the things you want, you start to believe them. You start to think you’re not worth it. That if the things you’re waiting for do exist, they’re not for someone like you.”
B.K. Borison, First-Time Caller

Synopsis

Aiden Valentine has a secret: he’s fallen out of love with love. And as the host of Baltimore’s romance hotline, that’s a bit of a problem. But when a young girl calls in to the station asking for dating advice for her mom, the interview goes viral, thrusting Aiden and Heartstrings into the limelight.

Lucie Stone thought she was doing just fine. She has a good job; an incredible family; and a smart, slightly devious kid. But when all of Baltimore is suddenly scrutinizing her love life-or lack thereof—she begins to question if she’s as happy as she thought. Maybe a little more romance wouldn’t be such a bad thing.

Everyone wants Lucie to find her happy ending… even the handsome, temperamental man calling the shots. But when sparks start to fly behind the scenes, Lucie must make the final call between the radio-sponsored happily ever after or the man in the headphones next to her.

Synopsis From GoodReads

“It feels like every time I get my hopes up for something good, reality comes out swinging. I don’t know how to be a hopeful person anymore.”
B.K. Borison, First-Time Caller

Rating

“I don’t concern myself with the fragile egos of men.”
B.K. Borison, First-Time Caller

Review

This book was such a fun listen! I was constantly kicking my feet and giggling. The whole plot was just super cute and romantic. I think most girls dream of a moment like this to happen to them.

I adore the family dynamics this book represents. The single mom looking for love, The baby daddy who is still very supportive all the way down to the teenager who loves her parents wholeheartedly. I love how open and honest the parents are with their daughter. It felt like a dream family dynamic.

I appreciate a slightly grumpy MMC who doesn’t think he is worthy of love. They always open up in the greatest ways. Aiden was the perfect MMC for this book and I really enjoyed seeing him grow more comfortable with our FMC. Even just the relationships he has with his coworkers is really sweet. But let me be honest, I didn’t love his audiobook Narrators voice… That is for sure a me problem though so don’t let that sway you on reading the book or not.

I really liked how our FMC held strong to what she believed and wanted. When it came to her daughter she was protective but loving which I loved. You knew that she would do anything for her daughter even if that meant not dating for the time being to be their for her child.

The banter in this book was top tier! I was captivated by the way these two interact and instantly felt their connection. I really enjoyed the slower burn of the romance. Seeing them pine for each other made the book just that much better.

I am excited to continue reading books from this author. I think I could have a new favorite on the horizon!

“For the hopeless romantics. And the reluctant ones too.”
B.K. Borison, First-Time Caller

Book Review: “Wild and Wrangled” By Lyla Sage

This book is the conclusion to the Rebel Blue Ranch Series and I am so sad about that! We supposedly will be getting 2-3 novellas sometime in the future which is cool but that doesn’t change how sad I am that the main books are coming to a close. This series has really meant a lot to me and will be books that I re-read for years to come. Thank you Lyla for creating such relatable characters.

“I’ll love you until we’re dust, Camille Ashwood.”
Lyla Sage, Wild and Wrangled

Done and Dusted Review

About The Book

Author: Lyla Sage

Publisher: The Dial Press

Published Date: April 15th, 2025

Page Count: 368 Pages

Main Genre: Romance

GoodReads Rating: 4.03

Format: Physical Book

“The bravest thing you can do when you love someone is work hard to keep them—to hold on to them with everything you’ve got—and even when you loosen your grip, you don’t let go.”
Lyla Sage, Wild and Wrangled

Synopsis

Camille Ashwood had always loved a plan. Her latest was her best yet. She was going to get married so she could secure her daughter’s future, get her overbearing parents off her back, and finally start building her own life in small town Meadowlark, Wyoming. Easy, right?

But when her groom doesn’t show up to the wedding, Cam’s life is turned upside down—she doesn’t even have a place to live. That is, until she finds out the house she’s loved since high school is available to rent. There’s only one problem: the neighbor.

Dusty Tucker has spent nearly all of his adult life running. Running from what, though? More like who: Cam Ashwood. But ever since he returned home last year, the girl who was his first, well, everything has become a woman seemingly determined to keep him at arm’s length. And he was okay with that—at least, that’s what he kept telling himself. She was getting married, after all. But now she’s single and living next door. Dusty wants to show her that they can be friends, and that he can stay put.

Despite her best attempts to stay far away from Dusty Tucker, Cam realizes that being close to him is like slipping on her favorite jeans. Easy. Comfortable. That is until past wounds start to open and feelings—both old and new—wreak havoc. Nearly ten years after they first met, Dusty and Cam begin to wonder if their first love can also be their last. And this time, will it be forever?

Synopsis From Goodreads

“You know,” I said, “there are very few things that a mid-range chain restaurant can’t fix—especially one with chips and salsa and a sizzling fajita situation.”
Lyla Sage, Wild and Wrangled

Rating

“Dusty was my first everything, but not in just a first love way. He was my first real friend. He was the first person who cared enough to get to know me, who peeled back the layers I had drawn around myself and liked what they saw. He made me want to like myself, too.”
Lyla Sage, Wild and Wrangled

Review

This series has been one of my all time favorites that I have read in the last year. With that being said I was so upset that I just didn’t vibe with this book.

The more I read of second chance romance, especially ones that started in high school, I am just finding that this trope is not for me.

I personally found the romance lacking. I wanted to cheer them on but ultimately I found Cam kinda annoying which was strange to me because I really liked her in the few appearances we got of her in previous books.

Dusty was the star of the show in my eyes and did not deserve any of this. I loved his slutty crop top and just adore a man who is comfortable in his own skin. The care he also showed to Riley was precious!

By the time the ending of the book came around I was honestly shocked that there wasn’t more to the story. We got to see flashbacks of them growing up but didn’t really see or feel the romantic chemistry as much as I would have liked as they were adults. I think this is probably a very unpopular opinion but oh well.

“A mark on your heart and soul that refuses to fade, no matter how much time passes or how much you think you’ve changed.”
Lyla Sage, Wild and Wrangled

Book Review: “Say You’ll Remember Me” By Abby Jimenez

Abby Jimenez has quickly solidified herself as one of my all time favorite authors. I have listened to four of her books via audio now and they have all been amazing. Abby really knows how to pick some great narrators. One day I will get to her backlist!

“Good people attracting other good people.”
Abby Jimenez, Say You’ll Remember Me

About The Book

Author: Abby Jimenez

Publisher: Hatchet

Published Date: April 1st, 2025

Page Count: 416 Pages

Main Genre: Roamnce

GoodReads Rating: 4.26

Format: Audio

“think we grow up and we either get harder or we get softer on our parents. We realize how fucked up they actually were or we give them a pass because adulting is hard and now we get it. They’re people and they make mistakes.”
Abby Jimenez, Say You’ll Remember Me

Synopsis

There might be no such a thing as a perfect guy, but Xavier Rush comes disastrously close. A gorgeous veterinarian giving Greek god vibes—all while cuddling a tiny kitten? Immediately yes. That is until Xavier opens his mouth and proves that even sculpted gods can say the absolute wrong thing. Like, really wrong. Of course, there’s nothing Samantha loves more than proving an asshole wrong…

. . . unless, of course, he can admit he made a mistake. But after one incredible and seemingly endless date—possibly the best in living history—Samantha is forced to admit the truth, that her family is in crisis and any kind of relationship would be impossible. Samantha begs Xavier to forget her. To remember their night together as a perfect moment, as crushing as that may be.

Only no amount of distance or time is nearly enough to forget that something between them. And the only thing better than one single perfect memory is to make a life—and even a love—worth remembering.

Synopsis From GoodReads

“You think that it’s the big memories you should be chasing—and it is in a way. Birthdays and vacations and special occasions. But the small memories are the fabric of your life, the ones so inconsequential that you don’t even remember them. You just remember how you felt when you were making them.”
Abby Jimenez, Say You’ll Remember Me

Rating

Vibes Rating

Dynamic Rating

“I’d like to look back on my life and remember every single thing. But if I don’t, I hope I remember that it was a love story. And that the love story was about you.”
Abby Jimenez, Say You’ll Remember Me

Review

I seriously devoured this Audiobook. I read it in one sitting which is usually really hard for me to do with audiobooks. The narrators were fantastic so I will for sure be looking for more things narrated by them.

This story was super cute and honestly quite informative. As sad as the topic of dementia was in this book I was really glad to see it represented here. I haven’t read any other book that talks about dementia that I can remember off of the top of my head so I don’t think it is widely represented and I think she did a pretty good job with the subject matter. It is really hard to see someone you love and care about slowly decline to the point where they don’t even remember you and this book really showed how this can affect the family dynamic. Nothing about dementia is easy or fun and if you and your family don’t work as a team then you can’t truly give your loved one the care they need.

Both characters had their own life struggles they had to go through whether it was present day or the things in the past that shaped them into the humans they are now. It was refreshing that both characters understood one another’s positions in life and that this didn’t cause any contention between the two of them. It felt really mature which was refreshing.

An a happier note, I loved that our main male lead was a vet! I am a sucker for animals and so his character really pulled at my heart strings. Honestly I think he could be a new front runner for a book boyfriend! The fact that he was willing to drop anything and everything to be there for her when she needed it despite the amount of distance between them had me swooning!

The long distance relationship trope is one I have not read before and I think Abby handled this really well. I honestly didn’t think I would have liked it as much as I did so I am going to be looking for more like this.

I really do recommend this book and I hope you guys love it just as much as I did!

“She couldn’t make more memories with me. But I could still make memories with her. I would be a witness to her life, even though she was done witnessing mine.”
Abby Jimenez, Say You’ll Remember Me

QOTD: Have you read anything from Abby before? If so, what was your favorite one so far?

“There is nothing more beautiful than being a witness to someone’s life. To know them inside and out and be with them through everything, share the same memories. Memories are everything, I want that.”
Abby Jimenez, Say You’ll Remember Me