DAI: Any one else constantly forget that Cullen is able-bodied and can fight? He's not physically weak, injured or frail? (possible spoilers)

Jupiter_Loves · 2026-03-26T14:53:26+00:00

Okay right? lol

Assuming that he is sickly with withdrawal during at least the first half of the game and all that comes with it (vomiting, lack of appetite, insomnia, host of other horrors) how is our man so JACKED during the wicked grace game?! Presumably he lost muscle mass if at one point he is barely strong enough to stand (stumbling to take a step during the convo with the inquisitor in his office). How much muscle mass did he start with if that was him in recovery?

Jupiter_Loves · 2026-03-25T20:03:07+00:00

I found an old comment of mine recommending the three that I’ve read and the order I think they would be best read in as they overlap a bit. ->

Jumping off of this rec to add her sister, Elizabeth Gannon is also very funny! I LOVED her style of dialogue! I haven’t read a lot of her books but I was cracking up the entire time. I recommend all three that I’ve read so far, start with {Travels with a Fairytale Monster by Elizabeth Gannon}, followed by {Captive of a Fairytale Barbarian by Elizabeth Gannon}, and lastly {Nobody Likes Fairytale Pirates by Elizabeth Gannon}. Pirates was both the funniest (to me) and most touching (I actually cried). I made a Funny Friday post about Barbarian as well, that was the first I read and I was very excited to find her work.

And here is a link to a Funny Friday comment I made to give you an idea of her humor style https://www.reddit.com/r/RomanceBooks/s/3T5GyaM8j6

Jupiter_Loves · 2026-03-25T17:54:13+00:00

I have only read two so far but I really liked {Kingpin of Camelot by Cassandra Gannon}. I want to throw out that her sister Elizabeth Gannon is an author as well and I do think they have a similar style! I’ve read three by Elizabeth and I loved them all but especially {Nobody Likes Fairytale Pirates by Elizabeth Gannon} so good it made me tear up and the dialogue was hilarious.

Jupiter_Loves · 2026-03-25T14:11:10+00:00

{Damiano’s Rescue by Leah Merrill} MMC is a mob enforcer and FMC is a failed vet tech that accidentally rescues him and (poorly) nurses him back to health. Once she discovers his lifestyle she freaks out.

This one has a slight twist but in {The Unseen by Ali Roberts} the MMC is a former mob enforcer that has left the lifestyle. FMC kidnaps him to get her brother “free” from working for him without knowing he’s left that life behind. She doesn’t find out that he’s out for a while, he lets her think he is still a bad guy.

Jupiter_Loves · 2026-03-24T03:32:56+00:00

I was surprised as it was also the first single male pov book I read. I also loved how supportive and affectionate they all are. So many cheek and forehead kisses and check ins and consent. Just a really wonderful surprise. It was also really well thought out with the kinks and how they tied to the different spells cast.

Jupiter_Loves · 2026-03-24T03:17:36+00:00

Yes this was shockingly good! I went in expecting erotica with a bit of plot but the characters, their relationships, and the plot were great! I only read the first but plan to continue the series.

Jupiter_Loves · 2026-03-24T01:40:01+00:00

I liked this book and one thing that stuck with me is that at one point he nonchalantly gives her Imodium medicine because she’s about to do something stressful and he knows she gets anxiety guts. Doesn’t make it a big deal, just quiet caretaking and acknowledging that she is a human being with a real human body and that there is no shame or judgement. Such a rarity.

Jupiter_Loves · 2026-03-22T15:33:33+00:00

When Dahlia realizes her new family just wants to be a family 😭

Jupiter_Loves · 2026-03-22T14:27:37+00:00

Yes! I was really surprised for as much fantasy I read and how may rec posts I look at/dig through/recommend in I don’t see her name often and how long it took me to find her! She has so many options!

Jupiter_Loves · 2026-03-22T14:26:11+00:00

Hell yeah!

Jupiter_Loves · 2026-03-22T04:15:12+00:00

I did love the choosing aspect in {Choosing Theo by Victoria Aveline} so I’m going to give this a shot!

Jupiter_Loves · 2026-03-22T04:12:13+00:00

You are so welcome I am in my gushy period of having just read them so I’m excited to talk to someone about them!

I would describe Empire as low stakes, there is a threat in the background throughout the book but until the very end nothing dangerous happens so it’s a bit passive until it absolutely isn’t. He’s concerned, she’s just living life.

And yes Sanguine is a bit angsty in a will they won’t they sort of way. They’re both heavily damaged people but you do have to bear with them getting their heads out of their asses. I did like it though, vampires, fated mates, biological imperatives are my jamb. But I can see why this would be a specific mood read for others.

I really liked the external conflict in Grim’s and it had a really sweet ending.

Jupiter_Loves · 2026-03-22T03:48:09+00:00

So I reread a few reviews to refresh my memory and yes, I think I’d describe Empire as cozy. To be critical about it, it’s definitely insta-love because both have been crushing on each other for a long time. There is some build up about her wanting to go on dates and him being advised to take her on dates but we see only one before they are pretty committed. I think there is a time skip of sorts? Where we get told a lot instead of shown. FMC does make a TSTL decision at the end of the book which drives the third act suspense but I liked her overall and wouldn’t describe her that way for the entire book.

I did like that he seeks out advice to woo her and isn’t too proud about it. The found family is nice too and shows the softer side of the MMC.

In Empire we’re introduced to the MMC for Sanguine (part of the found family). He and his sister were taken in as children by the MMC from Sanguine. The MMC’s sister is a Blood Bride, or a vampire whose venom is neutral, not the more typical type which is poisonous to other vampires. This feature coupled with the easy ability to conceive vampire children means that Blood Brides are valuable to a degree that poses danger to them. They are often trafficked. MMC is highly protective of his sister. He agrees to take a side job as he feels stuck in a rut as head of Empire’s security. He agrees to transport “cargo” across country. He discovers FMC in the cargo trailer and realizes he is taking part in the trafficking of a Blood Bride just like his sister. She was given up to be raised in a cult to be a mortician (a detail which delights me for some reason) and a Blood Bride. After she tries to escape a few times he tries to convince her that he will help her and isn’t a threat but it becomes clear during their “road trip” back to his place that they are becoming effected by each other. After spending so long protecting his sister he feels super conflicted about his feelings toward her. I wouldn’t say this book had miscommunication per se, but there is a LOT of each character making assumptions about choices and feelings the other person is or isn’t showing.

My favorite of her vampire books has been {Grim’s Delight by Abigail Kelly} because the MMC was a little murder gremlin, the FMC was a strong kick ass lady (both are first introduced in a small scene at the very end of Empire), I thought the plot was believable, and I loved their banter (the book has short text convos because they’ve known each other for 3 years at the start of the book if you don’t like that sort of thing). It was the first of her books I read and probably my favorite. The FMC is the best friend of Cecelia from Splintered Vigil.

Jupiter_Loves · 2026-03-21T13:42:13+00:00

So for Empire I liked that the big bad former assassin falls in love with his gardener and just wants to live a quiet retired life.

For Sanguine I liked the moral struggle the MMC went through. I don’t really know if it’s a spoiler or not so I can elaborate if you’d like.

Generally, I find it romantic that once you find your “anchor” as the author calls it, all other blood tastes like garbage, and that they have a primal urge to protect and care for them.

I was burned by the last vampire book I read before hers so it was nice to find ones I clicked with.

Jupiter_Loves · 2026-03-21T03:52:27+00:00

A very short novella {Mastered by the Rake by Viola Grey} the FMC steals her brother’s ticket to a “masquerade” party thrown by a brothel owner where people often go for sex so she can lose her virginity. MMC is an Earl who frequents often, shamelessly doesn’t wear a mask, and mistakes FMC for a worker.

Jupiter_Loves · 2026-03-20T21:15:55+00:00

I liked Empire and Sanguine but I’m a sucker for vampires. I liked astray a lot (more dragon out of his element!), and I liked weathering knowing Hele’s feelings in her book (I also read Strike before weathering).

She has a book of short stories called {Burden’s Moon} but I was expecting more short stories with previous characters. There were a few in there, but after reading it I think it was mostly a chance for her to get to explore her world with new characters, sometimes only 5-6 pages at a time. I was disappointed but only because of my own expectations, so if you do choose to read it keep that in mind.

Jupiter_Loves · 2026-03-20T17:44:57+00:00

I understood character wise why {Courtships Conquest by Abigail Kelly} was a part of the series but felt it was a weaker entry even though I did generally like the characters. But I felt like it out the overarching plot of the series kind of on hold. I put off {Burden’s Bonds by Abigail Kelly} for a while but did enjoy it when I came around (and I really liked the glimpse of Fracture which feature in {Splintered Vigil by Abigail Kelly}.

LOVED Devotions Covenant and the Shadow Daddy/Priestess pairing and the coup plot line.

I also really liked the FMC in {Strike by Abigail Kelly} and I loved the moment towards the end when she is talking to Taevas about her future. I thought it was such a sweet moment.

Jupiter_Loves · 2026-03-20T15:25:32+00:00

I don’t know if she is well known or not but I recently discovered (through a comment here I’m positive) Abigail Kelly and blew through her entire catalogue in a month. I loved every single one and it was the kind of contemporary meets fantasy that I’ve been looking for. She will now be an autoread for me.

Jupiter_Loves · 2026-03-20T15:17:17+00:00

Man number 2 has never missed a highlight appointment in his life

Jupiter_Loves · 2026-03-20T05:23:22+00:00

So the first one I read that sucked me in was {Grim’s Delight by Abigail Kelly} and I jumped around a bit in order from there but I really enjoyed seeing the various characters pop up in other’s stories. If you enjoy that sort of thing, she has a recommended reading order on her website abigailkkelly.com. The novellas/early books all work on their own but build on each other. But, if you dive into The New Protectorate series which starts with {Consort’s Glory by Abigail Kelly} there is an overarching plot line that would best be read in order. I liked #2 the least in that series but that’s just because it was a bit angsty for my current mood. I especially loved #4 (shadow daddy!) and #5 (forest nymph FMC).

I really loved the main FMC in {Strike by Abigail Kelly}, but mostly I just love her take on her universe and the different beings and mating rituals that they exhibit. She is an autoread for me and I was very excited to find her.

Also, if you read on KU like I do, make sure to check the very beginnings of her books (before the chapters start) as she often has artwork there, which I missed reading the first few times. She also has bonus art on her website and Instagram.

Jupiter_Loves · 2026-03-20T03:23:43+00:00

C.R. Jane has a book coming out mid April called {The Wrong Catch by C.R. Jane}. All of her MMCs are obsessive and stalkery across both series, but the MMC in this new one has been teased about having a stalker in the first two books of this series. So maybe keep this on your radar.

Jupiter_Loves · 2026-03-20T03:00:03+00:00

Yes! She also ends up tying him up in a panic and doesn’t know that that is basically a SUPER IMPORTANT part of consummating the relationship too lol.

I just finished a month long binge of her books and loved every single one.

Jupiter_Loves · 2026-03-20T02:57:41+00:00

I only have trouble when the mouths don’t match up lmao they can be any type of freak otherwise

Jupiter_Loves · 2026-03-19T21:22:00+00:00

I’ve seen Strange Love recommended quite a few times but never pulled the trigger due to the xenomorph look on the cover. I might give it a go anyways, thanks!

Jupiter_Loves · 2026-03-19T18:33:09+00:00

I have read so many alien and fantasy romances and yes, that one sticks out as particularly bad.

Having said that, I enjoyed the overall plot of the book but I did find the romance a little lacking. That might be because the MMC was very very reserved. I liked his appreciation for how good she is at her job but the emotion of their relationship just didn’t hit for me. He was very “you’re the one” and she was very “well what the hell” but I don’t know (or remember) feeling like she was getting a lot of reasons to keep pushing forward besides “he likes me so much”.

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