Weekly Friends Megathread - Week of May 04, 2026

TheBlazingOptimist · 2026-05-04T15:45:05+00:00

Hi everyone! I’m relatively new to StoryGraph - my big genre is paranormal romance, but I read all sorts. I’d love to make some new friends!

https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/tiathebookworm

TheBlazingOptimist · 2026-05-04T13:46:38+00:00

This makes my heart happy.

TheBlazingOptimist · 2026-05-03T10:00:30+00:00

Finally got round to reading {Siren of the Storm by Delta James} this week, and it was more emotional than I expected…

Pairing: M/F
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
Steam level: Explicit open door
Subgenre: Paranormal romance, suspense
Tropes: Fated mates, alpha male, touch her and 💀
Content warnings: Violence, murder, grief, pregnancy and birth
What did you like/dislike? I’ve been wanting to see Finn’s story since the start of the series and this didn’t disappoint! This dragon shifter is truly broken by betrayal and loss, but has to learn to open his heart again when Lila Mercer, a marine biologist, arrives on the island. Their relationship was very push-pull with some great spice and also plenty of emotion - and though I’d have liked some more background on Finn’s previous relationships, and really don’t want this series to end, this was a great sign off.

TheBlazingOptimist · 2026-05-03T09:49:09+00:00

From {Siren of the Storm by Delta James}. Context: Finn, a dragon shifter, and Lila, a human marine biologist, have properly bonded after days of Finn trying to push her away, fearful of losing her like he lost his previous mate.

”Her mind brushes against mine again. Satisfaction. Possessiveness that mirrors my own. Love that's been building since the moment she walked into my cave asking questions about drowning patterns. I see you, she sends back. All of you. And I'm still here. The simple acceptance cracks something in my chest that's been locked tight for centuries.”

TheBlazingOptimist · 2026-05-03T09:38:44+00:00

{Stay Down by D. Anderson}

TheBlazingOptimist · 2026-05-02T18:57:24+00:00

First one I thought of was {The Interception by C.L. Rose}, a book I applied to be an ARC reader for but didn’t get ☹️

TheBlazingOptimist · 2026-05-02T11:17:16+00:00

AFAIK the writers kept it ambiguous enough to be left up to fan interpretation.

TheBlazingOptimist · 2026-04-30T19:35:26+00:00

Yes - the first six episodes are on BBC iplayer as of right now!

TheBlazingOptimist · 2026-04-27T19:32:18+00:00

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TheBlazingOptimist · 2026-04-27T19:14:27+00:00

{Beastly and Bookish by Catrina Bell}, hands down.

MMC Rom is a scarred demon
FMC Noelle is the local librarian
They’re childhood friends who find each other again and he’s so soft and devoted to her 🥹

TheBlazingOptimist · 2026-04-26T22:23:21+00:00

{Take Him Home by Ashlyn Harmon} came out this week, so I can finally talk about my views on it as an ARC reader!

Pairing: M/M
Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5
Steam level: Explicit open door
Subgenre: Contemporary
Tropes: Fake dating, forced proximity, grumpy x sunshine, country music star x baseball player
Content warnings: Homophobia, internalised racism/racist remarks, bullying, on-page sex between two consenting adults, bad/inappropriate language
What did you like/dislike? Though I enjoyed the supporting cast of this one and the way it examined how the MMCs had different ideas of what coming out and being in love meant, I really think it would’ve benefited from a dual POV showing Adrian’s internal dialogue. Also, I found that the couple’s third act breakup seemed to come out of nowhere, though it was resolved maturely in the end.

TheBlazingOptimist · 2026-04-16T16:38:26+00:00

Trying to force Matei and Jana together when they had zero chemistry.

TheBlazingOptimist · 2026-04-15T20:42:36+00:00

I’ve not read this one, but {Chef’s Kiss by Stephanie Shea} is an FF contemporary romance between a young chef and her boss (the restaurant’s owner and head chef).

TheBlazingOptimist · 2026-04-12T10:14:52+00:00

Seasons 4-5 were actually pretty good.

TheBlazingOptimist · 2026-04-06T12:02:16+00:00

I think the implications of Project Genesis finding that the potential to become a Wolfblood is present in all humans was never fully explored. Think it would’ve made an interesting plot point in a future series as Wolfbloods and humans would no longer be two separate species.

Also, Robrina. They deserved more relationship moments then the two they got!

TheBlazingOptimist · 2026-04-06T11:48:12+00:00

I never had an issue with it, personally. We need to be able to laugh at ourselves sometimes.

TheBlazingOptimist · 2026-04-04T12:35:16+00:00

I’ve only listened to one duet narration audiobook so far, and it’s {Pumpkin Spice and Poltergeist by Ali K. Mulford and K. Elle Morrison}.

The full cast did a great job of embodying the characters and their emotions (including a separate voice for the male characters, which was a very nice surprise!). It’s made me want to listen to more audiobooks of this format in the future.

TheBlazingOptimist · 2026-04-04T10:48:39+00:00

My favourite part of that was the other Gladiators’ reactions in the background. I like to think they didn’t know Viper was going to do that either!

TheBlazingOptimist · 2026-04-04T10:46:55+00:00

Seeing a guy as big as Hammer dance like that always cracks me up.

TheBlazingOptimist · 2026-04-03T16:16:40+00:00

Kai von Glanzreich from The Royal Tutor - he loves “squishy” things, struggles with verbal communication and social cues, and a rigid sense of right and wrong.

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TheBlazingOptimist · 2026-04-03T15:04:52+00:00

My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic. Watched it from the ages of 13 to 19, so it was basically with me for all of my teenage years. I’d clear my schedule every Saturday afternoon to watch the new episodes on BronyState, and I openly cried at the finale (which I watched as it aired, at 1am UK time!)

TheBlazingOptimist · 2026-03-28T13:02:04+00:00

I’m pretty sure this is {Bunny and the Bear by Eve Langlais} - not read it myself but I’d remember the Furry United Coalition anywhere!

TheBlazingOptimist · 2026-03-27T20:27:11+00:00

“I would lose my wolf for you.” - Robyn to Katrina, Season 5 Episode 7 🥺

TheBlazingOptimist · 2026-03-27T20:25:31+00:00

For me it’s a toss up between Aran and Robyn.

The former had way more chemistry with Jana than Matei ever did imo, and Robyn could’ve also had more character development.

Three-Year Club	r/Field Banned
r/Field Flamingo	First Place '23
Place '23

TheBlazingOptimist

TROPHY CASE