Here at Chapter Break, we don’t always write a full review of every book we read. Well, now we decided to do these monthly wrap-up posts with roundups of our reviews this month and mini-reviews to fill in the gaps. Enjoy!
Mini Book Reviews
Julie’s Mini Reviews:
The Poison Daughter is a spicy standalone romantasy with alternating POV and two characters both in their revenge era. The duet-style audiobook is great, though the male voice is quieter and more whispery, and the female voice is loud. It would have been more enjoyable if the sound was better balanced. The FMC has been used by her family for years and is agreeing to one last “job” to secretly find a way to save her sister. The MMC, devastated by the death of his sister and blaming the FMC’s family, goes into a marriage pact to get their help and to find his own secret revenge. So here we have two very stubborn AF characters, constantly butting heads, but ultimately finding a rhythm where their goals align. It is enjoyable to watch the stubbornest, angriest people fall for each other. She fights every step of the way, and he’s so gentle and accommodating, despite sort of hating her. He’s such a considerate, caring monster. Ate it up. Very long, though, but I appreciate the standalone. The ending when everything finally exploded in their enemies’ faces was delicious.
The Girls Trip: It just didn’t do it for me. There were so many loose ends, a lot of characters and side questy misdirects that didn’t go anywhere, and the resolution felt kind of random. The audio narration was hard to tell who was who, which maybe was the reason I didn’t connect with the characters, or maybe it was that the characters were not especially likeable. When I finished, I just said well I’m finished. Nothing to write home about. But I liked the fierce friendships and the silly scheming.
A Den of Howls & Discontent: A Spicy Why Choose Romantasy (Lunaria Realms Book 4)
Den of Howls and Discontent: I know I’m a moody reader, but I was extra moody with this book. I read another book by this author under a different pseudonym, and enjoyed it. So I expected to enjoy this as well, but it was a miss for me. The FMC deserved better, but the entire time was treated like the enemy spy, and yet everyone wanted to hook up with her? So it was just hate hooking up, no romance, and suddenly some potential mate bonds? No thank you. It felt very infodumpy at first, and it took a while for me to start caring about the characters. I do kind of ship one potential hookup that is very slow burn to the point of who even knows if it will happen. The other was lusty obsession. The plot finally started getting somewhere when the book just stopped. What was meant to be a cliffhanger just felt unfinished. A first book in a series (especially a spin off series in the same world of another established series) should have more substance. So moody today sorrynotsorry. Thank you to Behind the Pages PA for this ALC.
The Judgment Of A Soul : A Dark Fantasy of Angels, Demons, and the Fragment in Her Soul | Book 4 of 4 (The Soul Trials)
The Judgment of a Soul is the final (?) book in the Trials of a Soul series, and after the brutal books 1-3, I had to know how it ended. The series as a whole is so beautifully written and so detailed in the descriptions that the level of discomfort I felt reading what Mary went through was palpable. The whole series is melancholy. Mary didn’t deserve what she got, and from the very start in book 1 we saw corruption in the way souls were being judged. Finally, in book 4, she gets to set things right. While the ending was satisfying in a way, it was also heartbreaking. I wanted so much for our favorite side characters to get happiness, you know our poor baby Azel with one wing and Maren really showed he had a lot of depth! But I suppose in a way they got it. Mary got what she deserved all along, but the ending was still sad. But we got a little glimpse into a possible book 5/spin off? I gotta know what Valerio does! Mary’s entire journey through the underworld trials is nothing but pain and suffering, and yet her soul remains kind and just. Then getting to read Azel’s journal at the end, wow. So much guilt and love to carry for cycles. I’m glad I read these, but they did leave my heart heavy.
Dracula (Audible original, abridged): Excuse me but can I have Johnny Bailey in my ears more often? Full cast adaptation and abridged to just the best parts. And ahem have you seen the clips?
Dracula (full-length): It is a rare treat to get not one but two full-cast audio versions of Dracula to enjoy during spooky month. This one is a full-length, faithful adaptation of the original book (I did a bit of an immersive read for a few sections) and is well done. All voices were uniquely cast and accents were on point. There was one accent/character I had a struggle with understanding, but the rest were good. Dracula isn’t written in the most riveting format, and the voice actors did well bringing the characters to life and giving them personalities. Van Helsing was my favorite.
My Fae Lady: Cozy and Spicy Romantasy
This was an adorable whimsical cozy little hug of a book. A gender bending of My Fair Lady where she teaches him how to behave in polite society, while they fall in love. A marriage of convenience to save her house, but he has a secret agenda. And the house is sentient and keeps pushing them together. I wanted more banter though because there were some funny exchanges and I need more. I also wanted more emotions and yearning, and this was quick and more surface level. But still it was a cute and short not too serious read.
Lynn’s Mini Reviews:
THE GIRLS TRIP: I didn’t hate it. But also didn’t love it. There were a lot of issues:
- The audio narrator didn’t really do a great job distinguishing the different characters.
- There are a lot of random plot points that are not resolved by the end of the novel.
- I didn’t really like these characters.
- I now have even less interest in glamping or hiking anywhere where there is a chance of flash flooding.
I did like the thriller idea and how the author executed that. I started out wondering what would happen on this trip, not sure if the characters would be murdered. Or be the murderers. In that respect, the plot was satisfactory; we do find out what happens to Hope, Ash, and Caro on their trip.
THE BODYGUARD: I’m in my fake dating trope era after watching the Love Hypothesis movie more times than I want to admit. (Fine. This is a safe space. It was 5 times. So far. 😉) I saw this one is coming out as a movie (November, Netflix) and loved Center’s The Love Haters (SERIOUSLY LOVED IT). So here I am. Reading The Bodyguard. And it was cute! I like the flip that she is they body guard in this case. Lots of witty banter. Hannah’s lack of confidence after a recent breakup plays well against Jack’s real personality underneath his movie star persona. I loved getting to know these characters and watching them interact. This is a quick and satisfying read.
Yours Truly (Part of Your World, 2)
YOURS TRULY: Wow. This book. Amazing. No notes. I picked it up after seeing it on a list of fake dating trope books, just like The Bodyguard. But I had all the feels while listening. That moment when Briana and Jacob finally use their words and get together is cathartic. But then I realized there were 90 minutes left in the book and started to get worried. 😨 There are A LOT of emotions in the last 90 minutes of the book. I even hit one section where I had a twig or something in my eye while I was driving and listening. Jacob is all the green flags. I was thinking about romantasy MMC and how they are that dream fantasy book boyfriend. But Jacob is the kind of real-life boyfriend all men should aspire to. I also felt seen while reading this book. Jacob is an introvert with social anxiety. And I identify with that. Maybe not as much social anxiety as Jacob. But still. I also want to know what’s happening and to read menus before I show up at a restaurant. What really impresses me here is how the author captures those feelings of having to deal with people and going out in public. Very well done. Briana is also great. She’s Jacob’s complement; she understands what Jacob needs. She really is his home and safe place. For Briana, Jacob is that trust and foundation that she’s been missing in previous relationships. Excellent narration by Kayla Garcia and Zachary Webber. 12\5 stars.
The Persephone Code: Bridgerton meets The Da Vinci Code in the most page-turning regency romance book you will read in 2026! (Regency Secrets 1)
THE PERSEPHONE CODE: Not a lot to remark on this book. I did like the characters of Dr Sandys and Dora. Dora, especially. She is a spitfire and fights for the common people. The mysteries and murders are resolved satisfactorily. But I didn’t really care much about that, as the characters were already dead at the beginning of the story.
Empire of the Dawn: Book Three (Empire of the Vampire, 3)
EMPIRE OF THE DAWN: No words – mostly because Kristoff used all of them in this 90+ hour series. There were definitely sections I zoned out during. And why does it take 29 hours into the story to get interesting? I do love how the story is laid out, with Gabe and Celene telling their stories to the vampire historian. Lots of politics, and betrayals, deaths, and violence. This one is a big I don’t know. I can see why there are people out there who found the ending unsatisfactory. I was frustrated; but also I liked it. I feel like Ron in divination class. Miserable, but enjoying it. I also think masterful writing on Kristoff’s part. All the emotions I felt while reading, the highs and the lows. Would I recommend this? I don’t know. Would you like to be emotionally destroyed? Do you enjoy epic high fantasy with a lot of violence? If so, sure, check out this series. But know the first two books end on massive cliff-hangers.
Books we reviewed in full this month:
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