roksyreads's reviews
362 reviews

Lost in Amber by Maz Maddox

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adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

King and Queen by Maz Maddox

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adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

It’s always awkward to run into a one night stand, but Blaise never realised just how much worse it could get until a hunky former hookup pulls him into a secret war. As if attempting to launch his social media career as a Science Communicator wasn’t enough, he finds himself teaming up with his one-time fling: the hot as fire, brilliant, and funny Royal. Setting out across Canada, they hunt the ancient monster who tried to kill them, all while Blaise must fight to come to terms with a new reality—dinosaurs are still very much alive, and he’s falling for one.

This was a total romp from start to finish, with a solid plot, a healthy dose of romance, and a dash of spice. MMCs Royal and Blaise were a great pair to follow, and I loved seeing familiar favourites Dalton and Simon from book one, Smash & Grab, as well as other snippets of the broader RELIC family. Like I felt for Dalton, I have a special soft spot for Blaise: that genderqueer hurricane of glitter and sass made me laugh so hard, but then he’d turn around and hit me right in the feels! Seeing positive representations of vibrant, oft-chaotic characters makes me feel so seen as someone with ADHD; even on my most challenging days, I am so worthy of all the joy and love I have in my life. This is such a cute series; I’m really looking forward to what book four throws at me. 
Sink or Swim by Maz Maddox

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adventurous funny lighthearted relaxing fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

Trapped on a cruise ship isn’t how Baha wants to spend his fake honeymoon, especially when his new “fiancé’s” vindictive, deadly ex-boyfriend is in charge of the boat. But Jackson—the brash, careless former fossil thief—is a ticket to the most valuable objects on this earth in Baha’s eyes: the original Spinosaurus holotype. Lost for decades, and thought to be destroyed in World War II, Baha will do whatever it takes to win the fossils, all whilst trying not to kill Jackson in the process. But it’s not the danger of being caught, tortured, or killed that scares Baha most; it’s navigating the treacherous waters of the fake relationship that threatens to pull him under—and for the first time, he’s terrified of sinking. 

Despite this novel and the first (Smash & Grab) being on the shorter side (around 200 pages), Maddox does an incredible job of building the characters and story, with a dynamic central cast and great chemistry between the MMCs. Baha and Jackson are my favourite kind of grumpy/sunshine pairing: growly stoicism versus joyful chaos, and both of their internal dialogues made me laugh out loud. There was some miscommunication in the first half, which I don’t enjoy as a plot device, but I didn’t find it as frustrating as I have in the past; it did make sense from a character perspective in this instance, and the beginning of their unlikely alliance had just the right amount of enemies-to-lovers vibes to set it up well. This unique take on the shifter genre is great fun, but it’s also full of heart—I can’t wait to continue with book three!
The Last Days of the Dinosaurs: An Asteroid, Extinction, and the Beginning of Our World by Riley Black

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I am a total dinosaur nerd; If I ever go back to do further studies or to re-skill, it’ll be within a paleontological field. As such, it’s no surprise that the majority of the non-fiction I’ve read in the last couple of years is dinosaur related. This novel is a little different from previous reads, focusing on the broader history of Earth pre- and post- the world’s fifth mass extinction event that saw the end of the Cretaceous period 65 million years ago. Using Hell Creek of ancient Montana as a focal point, Black tracks the sweeping disruptions of this single place and also imagines the global impact with writing that is detailed, accessible, and enthralling as she walks the reader through what happened in the days, the years, the centuries, and the million years after the impact of history’s most infamous asteroid.
Best Foot Forward by Adam Hills

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adventurous emotional funny inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced
 Adam Hills has long been a favourite comedian. He has always brought me joy—through Spicks and Specks, comedy specials, and other ventures such as The Last Leg. I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about his journey from childhood, through university, to starting out as a comedian, and beyond—all told with his typical upbeat humour and attitude. I’ve learnt some genuinely valuable life lessons from Adam before, and I step away from his autobiography with a genuine smile and a greater appreciation for the positive impact an individual can have on the world around them just by being themself. 
Smash & Grab by Maz Maddox

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adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Simon's passion is palaeontology, but his work leaves little time for anything else—especially romance. While chipping away at an exciting find late one evening, he’s forced to protect the fossil that will define his career from the cartel thugs that mean to steal it—and him. That’s when a chaotic, bat-wielding punk with a bubble gum pink mohawk and a killer smile roars into his life. In a mad dash to escape the would-be thieves, Simon’s knight in studded armour sweeps the professor across the country, intending to smuggle the fossil to safer hands whilst hitting every tourist trap along the way. But as Simon and Dalton grow closer, it gets harder for Dalton to hide his biggest secret: some of the Cretaceous’ relics are well and truly alive, and he’s one of them.  

Exciting, funny, and just the right amount of silly, Smash & Grab was a super cute read from start to finish. I adored both MMCs Simon and Dalton, and suspect they’ll feature on my list of all-time favourite characters and pairings for years to come; they had great chemistry and the mutual attraction that developed between the pair felt natural, despite the story's fast pace. As a dinosaur nerd, I was especially fascinated by the lore behind the story, with such a unique and engaging take on shifters. I can’t wait to read this series, and suspect it’ll sweep me away just like Dalton swept Simon away! 
Ruthless Creatures by J.T. Geissinger

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Five years ago, Nat’s fiancé disappeared the night before their wedding, leaving her with emotional scars that can’t be healed and questions she believes will never be answered—until a mysterious stranger arrives in town. Kage is tall, dark, and dangerous; Nat knows he’s hiding something, yet she can’t deny the heat in his gaze or the temptation of his touch as it ignites desires she thought she’d never experience again. But secrets have a way of revealing themselves, and soon she discovers the real reason for Kage’s sudden arrival: he’s been sent to collect a debt from Nat’s missing fiancé, and in his absence, she’s the next best thing. 

Nat is a great FMC, with that perfect blend of dark humour and vulnerability. I get why some readers think her emotional journey is unrealistic, but I found her development felt natural when considered in perspective. MMC Kage was a little too intense in the beginning, becoming instantly obsessive, but the underlying aspects of forbidden love and falling for a target that drove him were addictive to read, and I loved his slightly snarky, unashamedly direct nature. A big plus for me was that the Bratva element was central to Kage’s personality and characterisation rather than being a convenient minor point in the background, like some stories I’ve read recently. It made the story and romance that much more intense, especially with the overarching mystery plot related to his task and the missing fiancé. The whole book was very engaging from start to finish, and there was a perfect balance between plot and ultra-steamy spice. 
Chasing the Wild by Elliott Rose

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adventurous emotional reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Forced to grow up too fast, Layla Birch has always done what was expected of her: be a good girl, take care of herself, and have a plan. It all seems to be going well, until she finds out her ex-boyfriend has landed her in debt. Determined to get herself out of the hole he dug for her, she goes to hunt him down—nothing could have prepared her for the man she finds on the mountain ranch her good-for-nothing ex has escaped to. Colton Wilder is a man straight out of her dreams: he takes care of her, gives her a job, and sends her fantasies into overdrive. The problem? He’s nearly twice her age and her ex-boyfriend’s father. But the nights on top of the mountain he calls home are long and cold, and as the snow grows thicker, so does the tension between them. They’re both inching closer to a line they shouldn’t cross, and with each passing day, it grows harder to resist the gruff cowboy who looks at her with longing in his eyes. Just once, Layla wants to forget about being a good girl. No one would find out—would they?

This is my first foray into the world of cowboy romances, but boy, did I pick the right one to start with. Chasing the Wild story is going to live rent free in my head for the rest of my life. I devoured the whole novel in a day and loved all of it: setting, plot, characters, and the romance—gods, the romance. Tense, raw, and utterly heartbreaking at times, but so beautifully written. I fell in love with FMC Layla and MMC Colton as they fell in love with each other. Layla was such an enthralling character. She’s funny, sassy, and scrappy; I felt a deep connection to her, especially when my experiences of anxiety are so similar, and also as a childfree woman. Colton, too, was intensely engaging and one of the hottest MMCs I’ve ever had the privilege of meeting. I thought Daddy-doms weren’t my thing, but it turns out I just needed to meet the right one (and for it not to be overdone!). Seeing Colton get his HEA after carrying so much guilt—much of which shouldn't have been his burden in the first place—was rewarding, as was seeing Layla grow and thrive. I can't wait for the next book in this series, Braving the Storm, which is due out in November this year. It’s shaping up to be my most anticipated book this year—heck, this decade!
Bratva Devil: A Dark Mafia Romance by Sonja Grey

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relaxing fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

Maddie experiences the world’s worst meet cute when she stumbles upon a Bratva boss slitting a man’s throat. Mistaken for someone else, she finds herself trussed up and kidnapped. When he finds out the truth, she knows that her best bet for survival is to earn his trust: she’ll be his maid, if he’ll kindly agree not to kill her. Maddie knows she shouldn’t want her dangerous, deadly employer—that she shouldn’t love the dark, raw hunger she sees in his eyes, and that she definitely shouldn’t taunt and tease Volodya, who is more beast than man. But the truth is, she wants to see him lose control because she wants to be the one to send him to his knees.

Another fast, easy read. The tone for this one was better for me; still a bit insta-love, but the chemistry was more compelling, and I do love a bit of primal play. Maddie is a great FMC. Funny AF, down-to-earth, and just great to read, and she and MMC Volodya had solid chemistry. Volodya’s POV was also enjoyable, if a bit shallow, and I appreciated that this novel dipped more into the darker Bratva elements that were lacking in the first novel. 
Hollow by Karina Halle

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Hollow is an atmospheric and compelling take on the Sleepy Hollow story with a fascinating gothic twist of dark academia and why-choose romance. The spooky/creepy vibes of the overarching mystery plot for the duology are engaging and I’m looking forward to seeing this develop in Legend, though it was frustrating that the MCs seemed to be so blind to the obviously unsettling natures and actions of various characters. The developing dynamics between FMC Kat and MMCs Ichabod and Brom are intense and there’s certainly plenty of spice, however those scenes—especially the dialogue—fell flat at times.