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RISINGSHADOW BOOKSHELF

Chelsea K

Librarian

Legendary· Level 83

I enjoy reading Fairy Tale Retellings, Jane Austen Retellings, Alien Romances, Paranormal / Supernatural Romance as well as a few other genres occasionally. 

THE READER’S VOICE

Book Reviews

Chelsea K’s own thoughts on books they have read. These are reader-written book reviews, separate from Risingshadow’s editorial reviews.

559 book reviews
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Bound to the Vampire

BOOK REVIEW

Bound to the Vampire

Vala Stone

10/10Written Jan 13, 2026Edited Jan 13, 2026

This was a great addition to the Hillcrest Hollow Shifters series and while each book features a different couple and probably could be read as a standalone story it does have a continuous plot as well and is better appreciated as a series. This book is about Luther (vampire) & his human mate Jade. I really enjoyed their story as well as LOVED Luther's adorable bat familiar Belfry. I look forward to reading the next book in this series and hope I read the hints right and that it will be about Jane's friend Maggie & Thorne.

Hillcrest Hollow Shifters
Bound to the Dragon: Char (Dragon shifter) & Rosemary (nymph)
Bound to the Minotaur: Gregory (Minotaur shifter) & Kess
Bound to the Griffin: Jackson (Griffin shifter) & Gwendolyn
Bound to the Vampire: Luther (Vampire) & Jade

Other Books Connected to this Series:
Snowed In With the Ice Dragon: Ísarr (Dragon shifter) & Bianca
Ensnared by the Stone Freak: Thorne’s backstory

I received a free advanced reader copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Falling for the Winged Witch

BOOK REVIEW

Falling for the Winged Witch

Sarah Beran

10/10Written Jan 7, 2026Edited Jan 20, 2026

I loved this twist on Wild Swans and Jack and the Beanstalk and how well the two were blended together. This was my first retelling for Jack and the Beanstalk but I have read several for Wild Swans since it is among my favorites. Atlas & Lindy (Belinda) were great characters and I enjoyed their banter and seeing how protective Atlas was as he saw through her armor. I was glad to see the princes learn their lesson and to appreciate and care for Lindy as the story progressed and the end was so fun. I look forward to reading more books in this multi author series as well as from Sarah Beran in the future.

I received a free advanced reader copy of this book from the author through the To Win a Dark Heart ARC Team and am voluntarily leaving a review. 

Hot Wolf in the Country

BOOK REVIEW

Hot Wolf in the Country

Honey Phillips

10/10Written Jan 3, 2026

I really enjoyed this story and thought it worked well as a standalone since I haven't read Hot Wolf in the City yet (it is on my TBR List). This story revolves around Adrian & Harper and they make a really interesting couple that help each other work through each others trust issues to form a strong relationship by the end. The epilogue at the end was really sweet and I look forward to reading more about Derek and Julie's relationship in the first book.

I received a free advanced reader copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Falling For the Trickster

BOOK REVIEW

Falling For the Trickster

Lucy Tempest

10/10Written Dec 28, 2025Edited Dec 28, 2025

I really enjoyed this Retelling of Rumpelstiltskin & The Goose Girl and thought it blended the two stories together really well. Both Ottoline & Roderick were interesting characters and it was fun to see how their stories unfolded. I look forward to reading more from this author as well as from this multi author series.

I received a free advanced reader copy of this book from the author through the To Win a Dark Heart ARC Team and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Abominable

BOOK REVIEW

Abominable

Maggie Mayhem

10/10Written Dec 18, 2025

This was my first book under the pen name Maggie Mayhem and was a really enjoyable story that works as a standalone. Axel & Ella were a fun couple to read about and I enjoyed her family as well. The epilogue at the end was sweet and I look forward to reading more from this pen name as well as her Lynnea Lee romances in the future.

I received a free advanced reader copy of this book from the Author and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Tempted by the Alien Mercenary

BOOK REVIEW

Tempted by the Alien Mercenary

Robin O'Connor

10/10Written Dec 13, 2025Edited Dec 15, 2025

This was a really enjoyable addition to the Monster Mercenary Mates series and it was interesting getting to know The Sineater better as well as his symbiont Val and human mate Frederique. The dynamics between each of them were fun to watch develop and I really enjoyed reading their story. I look forward to reading the next book in this series and getting to know Jaxin better as well as seeing who he ends up with.

I received a free advanced reader copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.

A Klaus Encounter

BOOK REVIEW

A Klaus Encounter

Honey Phillips

10/10Written Dec 10, 2025Edited Dec 10, 2025

I was really excited to see a fifth book in the Horned Holidays series coming out since I have loved every book so far in this series and am happy to say that this one was as festive and entertaining as expected. I loved reading about Klausan & Talia as well as Talia's 10 year old nephew Theo and seeing how the three of them bonded into a family as the story progressed. The reindeer Klaus rescues is also a nice addition and the epilogue is such a fun way of showing how they are doing a year later. I always enjoy getting to read this series and hope that it continues in future years.

I received a free advanced reader copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review. 

Never Kiss a Krampus

BOOK REVIEW

Never Kiss a Krampus

Honey Phillips

10/10Written Dec 4, 2025

I really enjoyed this fun, festive story about Bastian & Noelle. The two of them had an entertaining relationship and it was entertaining to see how meticulous Bastian could get about decorating. Noelle's cat Jingle Bells was also an amusing character at times. The epilogue at the end was really sweet and I look forward to reading more from this series.

I received a free advanced reader copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Holly and the Hunter

BOOK REVIEW

Holly and the Hunter

Lynnea Lee

10/10Written Nov 29, 2025

I really enjoyed this festive edition to the Xarc'n Warriors series. Burr’k & Holly were really cute together and it was fun to see some of Burr’k's misunderstandings about various holiday items while they were foraging holiday supplies. I look forward to reading many more books in this series in the future.

I received a free advanced reader copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Orc The Halls

BOOK REVIEW

Orc The Halls

Alana Khan

10/10Written Nov 27, 2025Edited Nov 27, 2025

I really enjoyed this holiday story about Ryder & Laney. This was a fun and festive story with some deeper emotions as well that are balanced out with humour and sweet moments. I also loved all the different animals and how they interacted with Ryder & Laney. I look forward to reading more from this author.

I received a free advanced reader copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Snowed In With the Ice Dragon

BOOK REVIEW

Snowed In With the Ice Dragon

Vala Stone

10/10Written Nov 23, 2025

This was a really enjoyable winter story that is part of the multi author Monsters and Mistletoe series as well as being tied to the Hillcrest Hollow Shifters series. This story is about how Ísarr & Bianca get together thanks to a snow storm and I enjoyed seeing how Bianca slowly won him over and helped Ísarr overcome some of his fears. I look forward to reading more from the Hillcrest Hollow Shifters series.

I received a free advanced reader copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.

The Naga Scout's Daring Mate

BOOK REVIEW

The Naga Scout's Daring Mate

Robin O'Connor

10/10Written Nov 20, 2025

I love this series and really enjoyed getting to read more about Khawla in this story as well as his younglings Rasho, Daois, & Nisha. Khawla & Jolene made a really good couple in this story and it was fun to see how well Jolene got along with Khawla's younglings, all of whom were adorable. I am looking forward to reading Levant’s story in the next book The Naga Exile's Frozen Mate: A Sci-Fi Monster Romance.

I received a free advanced reader copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.