The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted by Caffeinated Reviewer  It’s a chance to share news, a post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received.

Hope you’ve had a good week!

My son has now officially left school!

He had his prom on Friday and then, on Saturday, a leaving party at someone in his tutors house and he came home late both nights! A taste of things to come no doubt!

We are off to Italy on Saturday, Lake Garda and Venice. Cannot wait but am hoping I can do a bit of relaxing!

I don’t know if I’ll be doing a Sunday Post next week but I’ve scheduled some posts in for when I’m away and will catch up with you lovely lot when I’m back!

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From Blood and Ash by JLA (reread)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

See my review soon!

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Book Review – Princess of Blood by Sarah Hawley
Book Review – Bonds of Hercules by Jasmine Mas

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Challenge – Audiobook Challenge Update
Feature – Best Books 2026 Update

What have you read lately?

Title: Bonds of Hercules

Series: Villains of Lore

Author: Jasmine Mas

Genre: Romantasy

Year of publication: 2025

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BOOKS IN THE SERIES

Blood of Hercules – review

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BLURB

Every hero has their monsters.

And Alexis is bound to hers: tied eternally, irrevocably to the Underworld’s dark heirs in a marriage that has shaken the foundations of Olympus – and everything Alexis once believed. Reeling, she enlists in the Assembly of Death with her mentors, set on wrecking vengeance on her husbands and uncovering the truth behind her deadly powers.

She will soon teach them all that a god can’t be manacled. And a monster can’t be caged…

It really hurts me to say this because I LOVED Blood of Hercules, but I didn’t enjoy this much.

It felt like the book needed a really good edit. The plot was all over the place, and I found it difficult to follow what was happening in the beginning. The story lacked flow and just jumped from one thing to another. The characters were so immature and, Alexis in particular, was frustrating to read, she was so irritating!

I’m so disappointed because I wanted to love this. And I really didn’t.

⭐ Rating: 2 out of 5

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Sound like something you’d like?

Title: Princess of Blood

Series: Shards of Magic #2

Author: Sarah Hawley

Genre: Romantasy

Year of publication: 2025

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BOOKS IN THE SERIES

Servant of Earth – review

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BLURB

Kenna Heron is still reeling from her lover’s betrayal and the threat of an impending war. With only her two closest–and most powerless–friends by her side, she must navigate the treacherous politics of Mistei while coming to terms with her new identity as not just Fae, but princess of her own house.

With the king dead, three candidates are vying for the right to wear the crown next. A princess who claims the throne as her birthright and two rebel princes, both of whom are depending on the support of Blood House to break the stalemate between them. Old loyalties fray as new, dangerous alliances form, and Kenna finds herself caught in a web of violence, deceit, and unexpected passion.

Kenna has the power to shape Mistei’s future… but someone’s willing to kill to make sure she never gets the chance.

‘A mix of softness and violence, beauty and death.’

That’s my Kenna!

We start where we left off and The Blood House has a new Princess.

This story is about how she navigates her new status, deals with the damage that has been done to her friends, the politics, the scheming, the backstabbing and also new allies.

Oh, Kallen, my sweet summer child! In my review of Book 1, I said he was my favourite, but it’s official now, I have a new book boyfriend! I absolutely love that Void, shadow daddy beauty!

That ending. That was one hell of a cliffy. The author really knows how to torture her readers!  I’ve already pre-ordered Warrior of the Shards so bring on December! What a fab early Christmas present that will be!

⭐ Rating: 5 out of 5

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Sound like something you’d like?

Top Ten Tuesday is featured by That Artsy Reader Girl. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

Topic: Romantasy Tropes I’ll Never Resist

Enemies to Lovers
Chemistry, tension, banter and, sometimes, betrayal!

Grumpy x Sunshine
Bonus point if grumpy is a fae!!!

Shadow Daddy
Dark, dangerous, and possessive who controls shadows. Sublime!

Academic Setting
Magic schools! Bonus points if the characters are rivals!

Fated Mates
A connection destined by magic – does it get better than that?!

Fake Dating/Arranged Marriage
Characters entering into a fake relationship/marriage for political or magical reasons – fabulous!

Forced Proximity
Simply delish!

One Bed
Say no more. My utter favourite!

Do you agree with any of these?

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted by Caffeinated Reviewer  It’s a chance to share news, a post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received.

Hope you’ve had a good week!

Was a busy week really, worked some extra hours, ferried my son around and I got my hair done!

My son only has tomorrow left at school and then he is done, I’m wondering where all the years went! Feels like only yesterday I was holding his hand taking him on his first day! If I tried to hold his hand now I’d get so many eye rolls!!!!!

I read 1 book this week and it was a good one!

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🎧 Nightshade by Autumn Woods
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

See my review soon!

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Book Review – One Small Echo by Jane Washington
Feature – Books I Want In July

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Book Review – Princess of Blood by Sarah Hawley
Book Review – Bonds of Hercules by Jasmine Mas

What have you read lately?

Here are some new books releasing in July 2026 that I’m most excited for…and yes, I have preordered!

The Exquisite Torment of Loving Your Enemy by Brigitte Knightley
Daybreak by Autumn Woods
Spellcast by Sophie Jordan

Will you be getting any of these?

Title: One Small Echo

Series: Shadowsong #1

Author: Jane Washington

Genre: Dark Romantasy

Year of publication: 2026

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BLURB

Something is wrong inside her.

It’s changing her.

She chased her loved ones into the dark, and they stumbled out with monsters beneath their skin. Now they are less than they were, but destined for so much more.

If they survive training.

And if her new commander doesn’t kill her first.

The boy-prince she saved as a child is now the unforgiving, terrifying man in charge of her future. They are bound in a way neither can escape: two forces as opposite as sunrise and shadow, drawn together as inevitably as the dawn collides with the sky.

But don’t misunderstand.

This is not a love story.

The king has already decided that she will be married to one of his other sons—regardless of her opinion on the matter.

So let this be a story of war instead.

She will wage war on the magic awakening beneath her skin. On the power-ravenous king who would do anything to control her. On the many hands that seek to mould her, shape her, and shackle her.

But most of all … she will wage war on him. Prince Chasin. Her commander. Her tormentor.

Let this story end with a dagger in his treacherous heart.

Let her carve his influence from her soul.

Let her make him suffer as she has suffered.

Let her have this one, small thing.

I have to admit, it was a very slow start for me, but after Ironside Academy, in Jane we trust!

And then? I was completely hooked. Honestly, I felt addicted to the story.

The dance.
The poison.
The claiming.
The training.
The signing on her back.
The whispers.
And yes — even the choking!!

Chasin, the man, the god. I officially have a new book boyfriend, and nobody can tell me otherwise.

But…the woman he wants is married to his brother. The next book is going to be so good.

“Eiko chose death.”

⭐ Rating: 4.5 out of 5

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Sound like something you’d like?

Top Ten Tuesday is featured by That Artsy Reader Girl. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

Topic: Books with Handwriting on the Cover

Ok. I am not good at this topic and most of these aren’t handwriting but it is what it is!!!!

Tricky Business of Faerie Bargains
Not in Love
Ruthless Vows (typewriter keys!)
Unmaking of June Farrow
Spanish Love Deception
Secretly Yours
Coldest Girl in Coldtown
Under the Whispering Door
Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time
Until the Sun Falls From the Sky

What book would you pick?

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted by Caffeinated Reviewer  It’s a chance to share news, a post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received.

Hope you’ve had a good week!

Just been work and more exams for my son this week but at least that horrible hot weather has disappeared!

We booked a holiday! We’re off to Lake Garda at the end of June to celebrate my son finishing his GCSE’s!

I also finished a book! Who am I?!

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Princess of Blood by Sarah Hawley
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

See my review soon!

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Calendar – Hello June
Feature – May reading stats
Unboxing – Illumicrate – May 2026

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Book Review – One Small Echo by Jane Washington
Feature – Books I Want In July

What have you read lately?