Talk Nerdy Book Blog

TagSweet Romance

Book Review: Dragon Mage by M.L. Spencer

By Sarah
In 4-stars, Book Review
March 19, 2025
B

The Gist: Dragon Mage blends deep friendships and powerful dragons, creating a captivating fantasy that, despite minor flaws, left me eager for a reread.

Series: Rivenworld, #1

Release Date: December 19, 2020

Synopsis
Aram Raythe has the power to challenge the gods. He just doesn’t know it yet.

Aram thinks he’s nothing but a misfit from a small fishing village in a dark corner of the world. As far as Aram knows, he has nothing, with hardly a possession to his name other than a desire to make friends and be accepted by those around him, which is something he’s never known.

But Aram is more. Much, much more.

Unknown to him, Aram bears within him a gift so old and rare that many people would kill him for it, and there are others who would twist him to use for their own sinister purposes. These magics are so potent that Aram earns a place at an academy for warrior mages training to earn for themselves the greatest place of honor among the armies of men: dragon riders.

Aram will have to fight for respect by becoming not just a dragon rider, but a Champion, the caliber of mage that hasn’t existed in the world for hundreds of years. And the land needs a Champion. Because when a dark god out of ancient myth arises to threaten the world of magic, it is Aram the world will turn to in its hour of need.

Ending
HFN. There’s discussion of a 2nd book but it reads as a standalone.
Representation
• Neurodivergent POC main character
• POC supporting characters
• Gay supporting character
Possible Triggers: Yes
• Torture
• Gore
• Murder
• Bullying
• Physical abuse
• Parental abuse
• Medical trauma
• Solitary confinement and torture
• War themes
• Attempted suicide by drowning
• Death of a parent
• Animal death described
Mature Themes
• Sexual content doesn’t surpass kissing, though there’s allusion to side characters going further
• Swearing
• Alcohol consumption
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.

Format: ebook

Rating: 4.5-stars

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Review: Following Maggie by Melanie Moreland

By Sarah
In 4-stars, ARC, Book Review
June 12, 2022
R

The Gist: A sweet romance that romanticizes the mundane and explores belonging through a found family trope, small-town life and an only-in-the-movies meet-cute.

Series: Insta-Spark Collection, #7*

Release Date: April 7, 2022

Synopsis
A snowstorm, an unexpected delay, and a caring stranger are all it takes for Sebastian Ruggers to change the course of his life. Instead of pushing paper and living a life he dreads, he follows his heart and the girl he meets to a new city. A different life.

Maggie Andrews is heading back to the only town that ever felt like home. When she meets Sebastian, somehow she knows, together, they’ll find a life together sweeter than the ones they are leaving behind. She can help him find his future. He can be the person she needs. They only have to say yes.

Sometimes you discover home isn’t only a location on a map—but the person you share it with.

Ending
HEA
Representation
No strong representations of the following:
• BIPOC characters
• LGBTQIA+ characters
• characters with a disability
And doesn’t address fatphobia
Possible Triggers: Yes
• Death of Heroine’s parents and Hero’s mother
• Parental neglect
Safety Rating: Safe
• No cheating
• No OW/OM drama
• No pushing away
• No separation
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.

Format: eARC

Rating: 4.25-stars

*Each book in the series is Standalone

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Review: Breaking the Speed Limit by Melanie Moreland

By Sarah
In 3-stars, ARC, Book Review
June 11, 2022
R

The Gist: A sweet opposites-attract single-parent romance that explores found family and starting over. However, the unrealistic meet-cute was off-putting.

Series: Reynolds Restoration, #2*

Release Date: March 31, 2022

Synopsis
Single, but unsettled, Stefano Borelli, spends his days creating masterpieces loved by his clients. Surrounded by family and friends, his loneliness still plagues him.

Until she bursts into his life. A stubborn woman with too much baggage, too much to say, and a child in tow.

Far too much trouble.

Except, he likes her spark. The way she refuses to listen. How beautiful she is with her son. How right she feels in his arms.

The way she makes him feel whole.

Can he convince her to give love a second chance?

Book set in Reynolds Restoration world

Ending
HEA
Representation
No strong representations of the following:
• BIPOC characters
• LGBTQIA+ characters
• characters with a disability
And doesn’t address fatphobia
Possible Triggers: Yes
• Heroine’s on the run from an abusive relationship. Her ex-boyfriend also attempted to kill their child.
• Threat of gun violence (see above)
Safety Rating: Safe with Exception
• No cheating
• Does have OM drama
– Heroine’s abusive ex-boyfriend (and father of her child) stalks her and attempts to abduct the Heroine and her child
• Does have OW drama
– One of the Heroine’s colleagues hits on the Hero, making the Heroine quite jealous.
• Does have the Heroine pushing the Hero away
• Does have a few days separation (both celibate)
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.

Format: eARC

Rating: 3.5-stars

*Each book in the series is Standalone

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Book Review: Endless by Crystal Ash

By Sarah
In 4-stars, ARC, Book Review
December 9, 2021
B

The Gist: A satisfying conclusion to the STEEL DEMONS MC series that explores parenting, the leftover trauma of war and rebuilding for a hope-filled future.

Series: Steel Demons MC, #9.5

Release Date: December 3, 2021

Synopsis
Our love is endless.

The war is over. Finally, we can breathe and be a family.

With the worst moments of our lives behind us, we have only the future to look forward to. Our twins arrived nearly four years after the Sha was defeated, and now we face a new challenge–parenthood.

Whether it’s our daughter taunting the chickens or our son’s fear of water, we’ll take the highs and lows of raising them in stride. Most importantly, they’ll never know the horror and loss their parents endured. Our children will be protected and loved endlessly.

The gods haven’t spoken to us in years, but we’ve never stopped listening. When they have a message, we’ll be ready.

Endless is an epilogue novella to the Steel Demons MC series. It is not “required” reading, as the story ends in Merciless. This book shares a slice of life for the Steel Demons characters after the series ends.

Ending
HEA
Representation
• Latina Heroine
• Latino Hero
• Deaf Side Character
Possible Triggers: None
• No abuse
• No overly sad parts
Safety Rating: Safe
• No cheating
• No OW/OM drama
• No pushing away
• No separation
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.

Format: eARC

Rating: 4.5-stars

Note: I received Endless from Elite Author Service in exchange for an honest review.

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Tender and Cozy: Harvest of Love by M. Moreland

By Sarah
In 4-stars, ARC, Book Review
September 24, 2021
T

The Gist: A tender and cozy romance that explores fresh starts and the importance of community and listening to one’s emotions.

Series: Insta-Spark Collection, #5*

Release Date: September 23, 2021

Synopsis
Danica Rawlins

She’s a career woman, constantly busy, under pressure, and in demand. But the job that once seemed like a dream to her now feels more like a nightmare.
When the stress gets too much, she escapes the office and drives, discovering beauty in the wide-open spaces that surround her in the country. Leaving the worries behind, if only temporarily.
The last thing she expected to find was him.

Noah Edwards

He left the big city behind him long ago and forged a different path. One of earth and sky instead of steel and smog. Acres of plants instead of thousands of people.
The day she stumbled into his life, everything changed.
He saw his former life in her.
And when he looked in her eyes, he saw his future.
He was determined to save her.
Show her a life she never dreamed existed—and a love that would enrich them both.

Book #5 of the Insta-Spark collection
Complete standalone reads with one thing in common – lots of sweetness and a guaranteed HEA. Instant attraction, little angst – love and happiness abounds in this series.

Ending
HEA with Epilogue
Representation
No strong representations of the following:
• BIPOC characters
• LGBTQIA+ characters
• characters with a disability
And doesn’t address fatphobia
Possible Triggers: Yes
• Panic attacks (on-page)
Safety Rating: Safe
• No cheating
• No OW/OM drama
• No pushing away
• No separation
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.

Format: eARC

Rating: 4-stars

*Each book in the series is Standalone

Note: I received Harvest of Love from Melanie Moreland’s team in exchange for an honest review.

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Magnetic and Delicious: The Lie by Karla Sorensen

By Sarah
In 4-stars, ARC, Book Review
September 15, 2021
M

The Gist: A magnetic and delicious sports romance that breathes life into the bad boy trope.

Series: The Wolves, #1*

Release Date: September 15, 2021

Synopsis
Rule number 1 for the team owner’s daughter? Don’t date the players.

Especially not hotheaded tight ends with tattoos and impulse control problems.

That’s why Dominic Walker is completely off my radar. Sort of.

Babysitting the team troublemaker when he’s forced to volunteer for the foundation where I work means I can’t exactly avoid him.

I wish I had though. Because once I get to know Dominic, it’s almost impossible to ignore the feelings he brings out in me.

Pretty soon, I’m breaking all my rules. I just have to hope he doesn’t break my heart in the process.

Ending
HFN
Representation
No strong representations of the following:
• BIPOC characters
• LGBTQIA+ characters
• characters with a disability
And doesn’t address fatphobia
Possible Triggers: Yes
• Death of Hero’s younger sister from c@ncer
• Grief
• Anger management problems
Safety Rating: Safe
• No cheating
• No OW/OM drama
• Does have the Hero and Heroine pushing away
• Does have a ~1-month separation between the Hero and Heroine (both celibate)
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.

Format: eARC

Rating: 4.5-stars

*Each book in the series is Standalone

Note: I received The Lie from Karla Sorensen’s team in exchange for an honest review.

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Indulgently Sweet: Loved by Liam by Melanie Moreland

By Sarah
In 3-stars, ARC, Book Review
July 29, 2021
I

The Gist: An indulgently sweet companion romance to Finding Ronan’s Heart about the power of family and love yet fails to refresh its plot.

Series: ABC Corp, #3*

Release Date: July 29, 2021

Synopsis
Liam Callaghan is happy with the way things are.
He has a successful business, a family he loves, and a life he thinks is fulfilling and complete.
Until a favor for his brother brings him to her.
She sparks something inside him. Something he had no idea he was missing.
One touch and he knows Paige Winters is the woman he wants.
She and her daughter become his focus. His world.
He only has to convince her to believe in them.

Liam entered Paige’s life quietly, but from the moment he took her hand, her world exploded.
Larger-than-life, he stepped in, brightening her days and filling her with happiness.
But she has more than her own heart on the line.
Her daughter, Lucy, has to come first.
As much as her soul yearns for him, can she trust his words?
Can the seeds love plants take root and bloom, growing over the past?
If Liam has anything to do with it, they will.

Author Note: You have read their story as told through Ronan and Beth in FINDING RONAN’S HEART. But readers have asked to see it through the character’s eyes – and my characters agreed. This is a companion novel to be enjoyed with Vested Interest: ABC Corp Book 2.

Ending
HEA
Representation
• Supporting character with a congenital amputation of one of her arms (her right arm is only partially formed)
• Side character with a mobility disability
Possible Triggers: Yes
• Heroine’s ex-husband was verbally abusive and ableist
• Reference to bullying and ableism
• Hero’s university girlfriend died in a tragic skiing accident
Safety Rating: Safe
• No cheating
• No OW drama
• Does have OM drama
– The MCs run into the Heroine’s ex-husband who is very rude and verbally abusive towards the Heroine
• Does have the Heroine briefly pushing the Hero away
• No separation
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.

Format: eARC

Rating: 3.75-stars

*Each book in the series is Standalone

Note: I received Loved by Liam through Melanie Moreland’s team in exchange for an honest review.

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