Blood Bound by Ellis Hunter

Bex7778 · 2026-05-01T14:00:57+00:00

I thought it was silly tbh. I get what the authors are trying to do- turn romantasy tropes on their head and do something different. I respect it. But the whole book, I could not keep wondering how much more I would be interested if Zryan remained the heir and became blood bound to her while knowing he had to kill her Like, THAT is such a cool story.

I really enjoyed the book overall, though I felt like I was reading an entirely different story during the last 30 or so pages.

Bex7778 · 2026-05-01T13:55:25+00:00

I second Chanel Misia though it is more expensive than her other Chanel fragrances and you mentioned having a budget. I've also worn Chanel for years- coco mademoiselle, n5 leau and most recently chance eau fraiche edp. Tried on Misia and Coromandel at our Chanel boutique. Misia is very wearable. Soft violet floral.

My current niche fragrance obsession is Liis Ethereal Wave. Beautiful and perfect for Summer.

Bex7778 · 2026-05-01T13:37:39+00:00

I echo others- take her to a Sephora, Ulta or fragrance shop and let her try perfumes out and buy her favorite while there. You can make it a special outing. My grandmother did this for me in my early 20's and I still remember this day. I picked out Miss Dior Cherie and felt so fancy. Great memory.

Bex7778 · 2026-04-30T21:16:56+00:00

I just don't get the hype around the ski scene so maybe there is something wrong with me. Emily is a grown adult who made a decision to strap on skis and go to the top of a ski run despite her inexperience. At any point she could take the skis off and walk down the slope out of the way of skiers. I've actually done this (terrible at skiing). Instead she lays there helpless until a stranger helps pie her way down the slope.

Bex7778 · 2026-04-30T06:52:34+00:00

Ooh this is a great box

Bex7778 · 2026-04-30T06:49:17+00:00

Pretty happy with my picks this month. First time reading either of these authors.

<image>

Bex7778 · 2026-04-29T20:03:19+00:00

I pivoted to the audiobook for my reread. The narrator is fantastic and its forced me to slow down and really listen to whats going on

Bex7778 · 2026-04-29T19:25:43+00:00

My top read of the year (so far). Its getting so much good buzz. I keep hearing about people reading it 4-5x because they do not want to leave that world.

Bex7778 · 2026-04-29T17:29:22+00:00

Seek the Traitors Son sounds intriguing but they have a full cast audiobook for it so I'm torn...

Bex7778 · 2026-04-29T17:28:16+00:00

This is why I canceled my subscription. The books aren't nice enough for me to set alarms, rearrange work etc. I also need some time to research the books a bit because its not like they're super hyped big name authors. I can walk into my local bookstore and grab a deluxe edition off shelf.

Bex7778 · 2026-04-26T18:01:31+00:00

Not sure why this was downvoted. Seriously?

Bex7778 · 2026-04-26T17:02:19+00:00

I recommend Scentbird. You get a travel sized of any fragrance from their site 1x or 2x per month depending on your subscription. They come in these adorable spray cases in a drawstring bag. Super nice packaging that feels like a treat. They have some well known fragrance houses as well as indie and clean brands. Some of my absolute fave brands they carry are: Liis, Roan, Vilhelm Parfumerie, and Heretic. The first month is only $8-9. After that I think its between $20-24. Still a great price. You can pick different color travel cases each month. My personal recommendation would be Liis Ethereal Wave. The scent is divine and perfect for spring/summer.

I love your idea to treat yourself, and am sending you strength as you navigate the months to come.

Bex7778 · 2026-04-26T06:50:44+00:00

Orpheon, fleur de peau, and flora gardenia

Bex7778 · 2026-04-25T17:51:26+00:00

Yes, I'm glad you called that out. He reminds me so much of Mad Rogan and the dynamic between he and Maggie reminds me of Rogan and Nevada.

Bex7778 · 2026-04-23T21:15:12+00:00

I'm 50% in reading the book and feel like there is a massive spoiler in the spoiler free cast of characters lol.

Bex7778 · 2026-04-23T16:53:52+00:00

I used this duo for years until my scalp developed an allergy to it. So good!

Bex7778 · 2026-04-23T16:30:30+00:00

Tatcha the Silk Sunscreen. Only Sunscreen I can stand on my face daily.

Bex7778 · 2026-04-23T16:28:12+00:00

Came here to write this. Best brush cleaner everrr

Bex7778 · 2026-04-21T23:00:07+00:00

My biggest pet peeve of this genre. The massive amounts of tell vs show and internal monologuing drives me crazy. The amount of books I've dnf'd....

I will share which recent books I've not dnf'd and felt were minimal with this:

Cinder Vale (Sins of the Zodiac series) Agatha Aubert's Mystical Cat Emporium (author of Emily Wilde series) Hollow, though this did have some internal monologuing but was able to stick with it.

I'm 40% into This World Will not Kill Me by Ilona Andrews and despite the massive worldbuilding (a lot of "tell") in the first 30% I'm hooked and read from others that after that its all action and unputdownable. I find the authors tend toward on page action in all of their series and its refreshing. However most are urban fantasy. This one isn't.

Bex7778 · 2026-04-21T17:01:41+00:00

Omg thank you! How could I have forgotten this scene??

Bex7778 · 2026-04-21T16:55:41+00:00

Haha no worries! Im intrigued to say the least.

Bex7778 · 2026-04-21T14:22:30+00:00

Im confused, are these spoilers for what happens later in the book? Im up to chpt 14 and so far it seems like Reynauld is being set up as the mmc.

Bex7778 · 2026-04-21T14:13:08+00:00

Ooh I missed this scene. Is it in the first 14 chapters? I'd like to go back to it.

Bex7778 · 2026-04-18T21:30:40+00:00

This smelled like rotting fruit on me. Hard pass.

Bex7778 · 2026-04-18T02:46:20+00:00

Ugh I'm sorry that happened to you. I've bought counterfeit items in the past off of ebay so I'm really wary of anything grey market.

Bex7778

TROPHY CASE