Tuesday, September 29, 2026
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Uncaged Review – Falling Hard by Samara Jones

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Falling Hard
Samara Jones
Romantic Comedy

Here is the thing about best friends: they are not supposed to get engaged. Especially not when you have spent years swearing you are totally, absolutely, one hundred percent not in love with them.

Olivia Fox is fine. She is more than fine. She is the confident, competent heiress to a fashion empire with a job she loves and girlfriends who moonlight as her therapists, investigators, and occasional partners in crime. She is not, I repeat not, spiraling just because Luke Forrester, her ride-or-die since childhood, suddenly decided to propose to someone who is… not her.
Except maybe she is spiraling. Just a little. Because Luke wants her to be his best man. Which basically means standing by while he marries the wrong woman. And Olivia? She is not built for that.
So now she is juggling two impossible tasks: processing the feelings she has buried for years, and plotting the kind of wedding sabotage that would make one friend proud while sending the other two into panic mode. All while smiling sweetly and pretending she is supportive.
Totally doable. Right?
The countdown to “I do” is on, and Olivia is about to discover that falling in love with your best friend is messy, inconvenient, and possibly the funniest disaster of her life.

Uncaged Review: While Olivia Fox is pleasuring Zac, her best friend, Luke Forrester calls her. Olivia answers the phone and Luke tells her that he proposed to his girlfriend Solenne. Olivia can’t believe Luke has the gall to do that. Luke is supposed to ask her to marry him, not someone else. Olivia’s goal is to plan the wedding but also must sabotage the wedding without losing Luke in the process. Will Olivia be able to do it or will Luke end up married to the wrong girl?

I enjoy romcoms and this book is perfect fodder for a romcom. Yes, it reminded me of My Best Friend’s Wedding and did channel that, but the hero and heroine end up together, which my romantic heart did like. This book is big on the miscommunication trope and even warns readers that if you don’t like it to stay away from reading it. Now this trope isn’t one of my favorites because I end up either hating the characters at the end of it or yelling at their stupidity, but I figured the cover was beautiful, and I had the warning, so I knew what I was getting into. Olivia, the woman whore was just ungrateful and I really hated her. I couldn’t stand the way she treated Luke and kept hoping he would end up with someone else. The only thing that kept me reading was Olivia’s friends and, of course, Luke. In fact, I kind of felt sorry for him and was hoping he would stay with Solenne because she treated him very well. It is a good short read and, over all over not a badly written story. Reviewed by Roslynn Ernst

4 Stars

Uncaged Review – Scandalous Desires on a Summer Morning by Stacy Reid

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Scandalous Desires on a Summer Morning
Stacy Reid
Historical Romance

Sebastian, Viscount Ranford, never meant to entangle himself with a woman like Maryann Winton—penniless, proud, and burdened with responsibilities that should not be his concern. Yet when she is forced to live beneath his protection, resisting her becomes a daily torment. Her presence unsettles him in ways no society beauty ever has.

Maryann knows exactly what she is: a woman clinging to dignity, with no fortune, no title, and no place in his world. Dreaming of more is a luxury she cannot afford—especially not with a man so far above her reach.
But in the hush of twilight, when desire speaks louder than reason, even the most carefully built walls can begin to crack…

Uncaged Review: This is the second book in the Seasons of Love series and Miss Maryann Whiton goes to the Countess of Hardwick. The countess is an old friend of her mother’s and Maryann also has nowhere else to go. Maryann brings along her three other sisters. Unfortunately, the countess receives her other two sisters graciously and puts Maryann and her youngest sister kicks them out in the streets. Maryann leaves with her sister but will do everything she can to ensure that nothing will happen to her. When Sebastian, Viscount Radford, sees Maryann, he saves her, offering her not only a place to stay but a job. Sebastian promises to view Maryann as family, promising never to desire or seduce her. However, as Sebastian gets to know Maryann, he slowly falls for her, and she falls for him too. Sebastian stops viewing Maryann as family even though his mother would never agree to them being together.

I just love Ms. Stacy Reid’s romances, and I had been missing her stories for quite a while. Well, when this book came out, of course, I was eager to read it! Ms. Reid always knows how to write an engaging story with wonderful characters that you can’t help but fall for that it’s easy to get pulled into the book yourself. This might be the second in the series and a novella. The beauty of this tale is you don’t have to read the first one to understand what is going on. Also, the story feels complete. Even though you want to stay in her world, it’s enough of a story to keep you happy. Of course, I will go back and read the first one because I am now hooked and want to see what happens in the first book. Maryann is your perfect feisty heroine who withstands everything and cares so deeply for her family that I just adore her! While Sebastian, the wedding shy Viscount, made me smile because he treated Maryann so superbly that I couldn’t help but fall for him that I have added him to my ever-growing list of book boyfriends. That will I read more? Of course, I will! Reviewed by Roslynn Ernst

4.5 Stars

Uncaged Review – Gilded in Sin by Tamara Gill

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Gilded in Sin
Tamara Gill
Historical Romance

A wager born of pride. A passion neither can resist.

Lady Isabella Ravensmere has no patience for rakes—or their reckless games. Yet the infuriatingly charming Marquess of Whitmore manages to unsettle her with every stolen glance and sinful smile. He was supposed to be her enemy. Instead, he’s become her obsession.

Lord Hartley Whitmore never meant to fall. What began as a foolish bet soon becomes the one thing he cannot walk away from. But when truth and desire collide, their rivalry threatens to ruin them both.

In a world ruled by scandal, one kiss may destroy them—or bind them forever.

Uncaged Review: This is the fifth book in the Heiress series and Lady Isabella Ravensmere knows that this is her third and final season. Isabella is quite tired of all the noblemen trying unsuccessfully to win her heart and hand in marriage, including Lord Hartley Whitmore. Isabella knows that Whitmore plays around with others’ feelings and goes from woman to woman. Whitmore is never truly serious about anyone. Isabella is smart and won’t fall for Whitmore’s charming ways or will she? When Whitmore enters into a bet to win the heart and hand of Isabella, lines are crossed. Pretty soon, Whitmore realizes that he truly does care for Isabella. Still, can Whitmore prove to Isabella that he does love her or when the bet is exposed will she leave him because he broke her heart?

I totally loved and enjoyed reading this book! Of course, my favorite thus far in the series is the third one because of the forbidden aspect of an almost priest/lord falling for a lady. This one is still pretty enticing, especially because of a rakish lord falling in love and changing his ways, all because of and in the name of love. In the other books, Lord Whitmore also wasn’t portrayed very admirably, so it’s wonderful to see the turnaround in him. Sure, Whitmore, at times, wasn’t a totally upstanding guy. He always tried to do right by Isabella. While Isabella might have been a bit sarcastic and treats Whitmore poorly at times, she still manages to be lovable. The verbal barbs and bantering are what kept me really entertained and even though I knew they were going to end up together, I wonder what would break them finally to fall in love. That’s what I relish the most; the reciprocity, plus the interactions of the characters and I look forward to more!
Reviewed by Roslynn Ernst

4 Stars

Uncaged Review – Eclipsed Empire by Tessa Hale

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Eclipsed Empire
Tessa Hale
Paranormal Romance

One secret tore my life apart. It sent me running from the place I thought I would be safe, right into the path of untold enemies.
But when my life is in danger, the wolves I thought I’d lost for good are the ones who come for me. And they’ll burn down the world to keep me safe—even if none of us trusts each other anymore.
With every moment we’re forced together, every whispered apology and stolen touch, my resolve to keep them at a distance weakens. And when I realize just how much each of these men has come to mean to me, that resolve crumbles to dust.
Only there are more secrets to uncover—all our pasts lurking in the shadows. And when the monsters emerge from the darkness, there’s no escaping them this time…

Uncaged Review: In the second book of the series, we pick up where we left off in the first book and Wren is on the run. The shifters are doing their best to find her, but they all screwed up and they will try to make amends. There was some serious growth to the shifters, even Ender is starting to come to terms learning how wrong he was about Wren. They all believe that Wren is their fated mate and the reverse harem part of the book truly begins. The pacing is perfect to keep the reader invested in the story and there is plenty of action, magic wielders and danger coming from all sides. We also see more of Wren’s other gifts, casting, shadow walking and being an empath on top of it all.

I honestly never rate books at the five star level that end in horrible cliffhangers, which both the first and second book do. This trilogy is all out, so if you hate the cliffhangers, then at least you can grab the next in the series right away. I will say, I probably won’t read a series by this author unless the full series is out because of it. But this is a good second book in this series and everything ramps up in this one. Reviewed by Cyrene

4 Stars

Uncaged Review – Crescent Kingdom by Tessa Hale

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Crescent Kingdom
Tessa Hale
Paranormal Romance

Never stop running. And no matter what, never let the world know who you really are.
I’ve spent my whole life hiding. Training. Preparing. Hoping that no one will discover my secrets. What I can do. Who I am. And I’ve gotten so good at it, sometimes even I forget.
Until them.
The wolf pack with a ruthless reputation and a penchant for revenge. The protective fighter. The charming Brit. The shy hacker. The silent mercenary. The cruel assassin.
They see more than anyone ever has before. And even with demons of their own, they give me sanctuary. A place to hide, to rest, and maybe even a place to belong.
Only it turns into so much more. Because when they touch me, everything around me ignites, and nothing matters but them.
But these wolves have secrets. And those secrets bring enemies. And when they find out who I really am?
It’s not their enemies I need to fear. It’s them.

Uncaged Review: This is a good start to a new series and is a spin-off to a different series by the author, but I had no issue with not having read that series. Wren is a hybrid, and her father was cruel because Wren wasn’t a dominant, but submissive, so her father thinking beating her to almost death was a way to make her stronger. After Wren escapes and goes on the run, she hides in a small town called Crescent Creek, where she meets the wolf pack called the Diablos. Wren has been training, getting physically stronger and stronger, and when she meets the pack, she feels like she may have found a place where she belongs, but still has trust issues. And danger lurks, Wren is still being tracked by her father and his dangerous people.

I knew early on that this book would go reverse harem, but it’s not here in the first book, but definitely setting up for it. Each shifter is unique and easily likeable, except for one – but all of them pledge to protect Wren after they find out more about her. Very good start to a series. Reviewed by Cyrene

4 Stars

Uncaged Review – Brushed by Moonlight by Anna Lowe

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Brushed by Moonlight
Anna Lowe
Paranormal Romance

Welcome to Château Nocturne, where magic lingers, temptation simmers, and shifters guard their secrets.
What’s a girl to do when she inherits a crumbling château in a remote corner of France? Mina plans to rent out a few rooms, fix the place up, and not think too hard about what comes next. But her new tenants, four dangerously attractive “bodyguards,” aren’t just looking for a private place to train. They’re supernaturals on the run from their pasts: a lazy lion shifter, a touchy tiger, a stormy-eyed dragon, and a thirsty vampire. In no time, they’ve aroused the suspicion of Clement, local hottie/police officer/overprotective wolf shifter — and aroused all kinds of sensations in Mina too…

Between dodging flirtations, mediating shifter standoffs, and plugging leaky roofs, Mina has her hands full, as well as her own secrets to protect. Because she hasn’t just inherited an estate — she’s also inherited her ancestors’ unpredictable magical powers.

When a mission takes the group from the vineyards of Burgundy to the sun-drenched cliffs of Mallorca in search of a stolen masterpiece, dark forces close in, enemies turn to allies, and passion blazes. Mina soon realizes the real treasure might not be a priceless Van Gogh, but the growly shifter ready to sacrifice everything for her. But when truth and lies blur — in art, in life, and in love — can Mina trust her heart to navigate the treacherous gray in between?

Uncaged Review: One way to get out of a reading slump is to pick up a book by this author. This is the first in a five book series and it features a motley group of shifters and a vampire who need to keep working for Gordon for another six months to get their names cleared and they are sent to live at a chateau in France, where Gordon’s goddaughter Mina is trying to restore after inheriting it. Seeming like the perfect remote place to train and stay under the radar, but they weren’t counting on Mina, who isn’t really human herself, but needs the money that the men will bring in to help her restore the old place.

This is a great start to a new series and the characters are all very different but they all sync wonderfully in this one. We are starting with Mina and Marius and their story will conclude in book two, which is already downloaded to my Kindle. With a dangerous mission to retrieve a Van Gogh painting, all the loyalties within the group will be tested, as well as Mina’s own beliefs on what is right and what is a gray area. I love this new world the author has built and can’t wait to get into book two.
Reviewed by Cyrene

5 Stars

Uncaged Review – The Irish Yankee by Regan Walker

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

The Irish Yankee
Regan Walker
Historical Romance

In June 1775, amid the Revolutionary War’s early stirrings, Irish Yankee Jeremiah O’Brien, seizes a British armed schooner off the Maine coast to thwart the cargo of lumber she was escorting from reaching British forces in Boston. Inspired by this daring victory, Jeremiah abandons his lumber business to command privateer vessels, relentlessly pursuing British merchant ships across dangerous waters.

Defying the British navy’s tightening grip on the Massachusetts coast, he risks his life and his ships to capture many prizes. Yet his greatest battle may lay onshore: winning the heart of Elizabeth Fitzpatrick, a fiercely independent woman who loves the freedom he fights for. Only a man worthy of the title “the hero of the Lexington of the Sea” could earn her love and prove himself worthy of her strength.

Uncaged Review: If you aren’t reading Ms. Walker’s books, you are really missing out on an author that makes you feel like you’re there, and teaching you along the way as she interweaves real history with the stories she tells and Yankee is no different. This time out we are about to take on the British for our independence, with a brave hero in Jeremiah and the strong, independent Elizabeth, who came to the area with her family after they lose their mother. Jeremiah takes on the British by giving up his lumber business to privateer the seas and take from the British and to defend their coast.

There is high drama that you would expect during war time and the action really picks up well in the second half of the book. I loved watching the slow and believable romance bloom between Jeremiah and Elizabeth. The characters are people you would want in your life and the research that the author does takes you right into the story. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.
Reviewed by Cyrene

5 Stars

Uncaged Review – Heart of the Hawk by Lois Templin

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Heart of the Hawk
Lois Templin
Viking Historical

Can the love of a loyal knight and a headstrong lady survive the test of the king’s wrath?

“Hawk” Grogan, the king’s most trusted knight, has never failed a mission. When the king sends him to Hawkspur Castle in the Welsh Marches to uncover suspected treason, Hawk has every intention of getting to the truth at any cost. He soon learns, however, that there’s one factor in his plan that he hasn’t accounted for–Lady Alyce. The lord’s sister is obstinate, an incompetent liar, easily flustered, and completely beguiling.

Lady Alyce is reluctantly drawn to the brooding knight who trusts no one, roams the castle as if it is his own, and pricks her temper at every opportunity. She is desperate to prove to him that everyone at Hawkspur Castle, English and Welsh alike, is loyal to the king of England. As war erupts around her, she will do everything necessary to save her brother and the village she loves from ruin.

But something is amiss at Hawkspur and Lady Alyce is determined to discover what it is before Hawk can, despite her growing attraction to him. As plots are uncovered and alliances forged, the bond between Hawk and Alyce grows stronger, even as they are both forced to question whether the other can be trusted.

Will their opposing loyalties tear them apart? Or are they willing to forsake king and country to be together?

Uncaged Review: Widowed Lady Alyce Chetwynd, feels as if she has no choice. Her brother Cynwulf had arranged a marriage for her. Unfortunately, the man whom Cynwulf wants her to marry is a lot older than her. Alyce, despite being chatelaine of Hawkspur Castle, lives with her dead husband’s bastard-born son and mistress. Alyce doesn’t know it, but Sir Grogan, also known as Hawk, revered knight of King Edward, is on his way there to Hawkspur Castle to protect it from the Welsh rebels. As Alyce gets to know Hawk, she doesn’t really trust him, but then again, he also seems to have her best interests at heart. As Cynwulf becomes more involved with the Welsh without Alyce knowing, he ends up leaving her alone and Hawk must do everything he can to help, even lose the battle, to not fall in love with her. Hawk must stop a war destined to drive a wedge between him and Alyce without it killing them both.

These medieval romances, for some reason, never bore me nor do I get tired of reading them, especially this one by new to me author Ms. Lois Templin. I really enjoyed this story with its deep tale of family loyalty, chivalry, knights, castles and a deep-abiding sign-worthy love that not only makes you root for the couple but hope that even with the unimaginable odds. They will find a way to be together. Ms. Templin really seems to have done her research into the strong opposition between the Welsh and English. The deep wounding antagonism between them is easily felt. A love that wasn’t supposed to happen is just hard to even imagine but still prevails. In the beginning, Alyce seemed like a bit of a push-over. Her dead husband’s bastard son is living with her and her brother. Even though she couldn’t stand her husband’s mistress, who lived in the castle, when her brother could have sent him away. So, I really felt pity for Alyce, but as I got deeper into the book, I was actually cheering her on. Sir Grogan, known as “Hawk”, really brought the best out in everyone except maybe Cynwulf, Alyce’s brother. I didn’t care for Hawk’s real name and kept thinking of baby Yoda, but maybe Grogan did fit as being all wise and knowing, so maybe the reference isn’t a bad thing. Do I look forward to the next in the series? Strangely, of course I do!
Reviewed by Roslynn Ernst



4 Stars

Uncaged Review – Alchemy & Ashes by Amy Yorke

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Alchemy & Ashes
Amy Yoirke
Fantasy Romance

The daughter of a failed rebellion. The king who killed her father. A love that could tear the kingdom apart.

Sylvie has always lived in her sister Adria’s shadow. But at the Great Festival, she finally has her chance to step into the light: by striking down God-King Ronan, the man who destroyed her family. Adria may have led the rebellion, but Sylvie will be the one to finish it.

Ronan has spent years rebuilding a kingdom broken by the war that claimed his father and shattered his faith. But peace has come at a price. Surrounded by enemies and burdened by secrets too dangerous to reveal, he’s losing control: of his court, his magic, and maybe even himself.

The closer Sylvie gets to Ronan, the more she’s drawn to the man she vowed to kill. Wanting him would mean betraying not just her sister, but her people and the memory of her parents. Trusting Sylvie could cost Ronan the throne—or his life. Because even if Sylvie refuses to strike, Adria won’t hesitate to finish the job.

The road to the throne runs through his heart. And only one sister will claim it.

Uncaged Review: This is the first book of the Shadowbound Duet in an exciting new series by Ms. Amy Yorke that, of course, I was eager to read! While shadow-born Sylvara “Sylvie” is on her way with her sister, Adria, and faithful companion and teacher, Larus, to the Great Festival held by God-King light-born Ronan of Alta. Sylvie’s main goal in going to the festival is to avenge her family by becoming close to Ronan and finally killing him even though she doesn’t want to really kill anything. Of course, things don’t go according to plan and as Sylvie gets closer to Ronan, she even saves his life even though she doesn’t mean to and learns that someone wants all the shadow-born gone. Sylvie must also find a way to stop this before becoming one of the captured while trying to decimate Ronan and not fall in love with him. Sylvie must stop the ever-present war that will not only annihilate everything Sylvie holds dear, including her only living family, but destroy her world as she knows it.

What an amazing romantasy book with a great group of characters and such imaginative world building that the tale instantly magically transports you to a fantastical realm that makes you eager to visit! The magic/alchemy of each character isn’t fully explained even with the schools of magic listed, and the characters are all listed. The map of the different places does help in visualizing the world though too. Sylvie and Adria are just like any normal sisters they fight, but on a grander scale and with actual weapons, which definitely heightens the age-old animosity between the two. Especially how Adria treats Sylvie just makes you angry at her. No wonder Sylvie struggles with killing anyone. Sylvie is powerful. Her enchantment is hidden, but she doesn’t discover it, but as the book unfolds you realize just what she is capable of. While God-King Ronan might be perfect in everything, including his light-born magic that you can’t help but fall for him. So is perfect fodder for a magical book boyfriend! Sure, the book ends unresolved, which a lot of people might not like, including me somewhat, but even with that, you can’t help but hope good things will happen with Ronan and Sylvie finding a way to be together. I do look forward to the next in the series and hope it will be out soon.
Reviewed by Roslynn Ernst

4.5 Stars

Uncaged Review – A Holiday Boyfriend by Olivia Dunkley

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

A Holiday Boyfriend
Olivia Dunkley
Western Romance

Twelve days before Christmas, Katie’s perfect life unravels when her boyfriend dumps her. Heartbroken and humiliated, she returns to her hometown, determined never to show up for Christmas alone again. With a dramatic vow to the universe, Katie makes herself a promise: next Christmas, she’s coming home with a man—the right man.
Enter Binder, the dating app where hope goes to die. Katie, alongside her ever-supportive and hilariously outspoken best friends Valerie and Keiko, embarks on a quest for love in the age of swipes, sparks, and spectacular disasters.
Just when she’s ready to give up, Jacob, a rugged, quiet cowboy who works at the ranch where Katie boards her horse, Charlie, literally rides to her rescue. Grateful and intrigued, Katie finds herself drawn to Jacob’s earthy charm and steady presence. But she has a plan—and he doesn’t fit it.
Still wary of love and skeptical of their differences, Katie proposes a simple, no-strings-attached arrangement: Jacob will be her Holiday Boyfriend—a festive plus-one to get her through the season, nothing more. Jacob agrees, but has no intention of being temporary.
As the snow falls and the holiday spirit works its magic, Katie begins to fall for Jacob. But Jacob’s hiding something -something that could derail everything between them.
When the truth comes out, will Katie see it as a betrayal—or a Christmas miracle in disguise?
A warm, witty holiday romance about second chances, unexpected love, and the magic that happens when we stop searching for perfect and start seeing what’s real.

Uncaged Review: I just love holiday romances to put me in the mood for the yuletide season. In fact, they are my guilty pleasure and this book, about Katie, who gets dumped for the last time by her ex-boyfriend, Michael, hurts. Katie decides to find a holiday boyfriend via a dating app, but everyone she meets is just horrid. Just as Katie thinks she can’t find the perfect man, the stable hand, Jacob, where she boards her horse, fits the requirements for the role. Katie doesn’t know what to think about Jacob, but with his quiet demeanor and his soft ways with the horses, she slowly falls for him. Jacob has been in love with Katie since he met her, but can he convince her to give up the idea of a holiday boyfriend and make him a real boyfriend?

What a lovely holiday romance to put in the mood for Christmas! You know, I just love these types of stories and yes, it did make me want to get out my Christmas tree, start decorating and belt out Christmas songs until someone yells at me not to do that! This tale also made me love the Hallmark Christmas movies that I watch secretly with a warmed-up glass of spiced wine while I indulge in Christmas goodies. That is what this tale is, just a good-hearted holiday story with lovely characters and a beautiful setting to complete the picture-perfect ambiance of a feel-good yuletide story. Jacob is the strong, silent cowboy who is tongue-tied, awkward yet such a cinnamon roll of a hero that I absolutely fell for him! I just love cinnamon roll heroes. They are such wonderful MMC’s that there needs to be more of them! Jacob can still handle his own and will defend what is his, which I also love! Katie did annoy me, especially when she just wanted Jacob as a holiday boyfriend and wouldn’t make enough to support her, but then put him in the friend category. I just didn’t care for her superficial ways. I do hope to read more of Ms. Olivia Dunkley’s stories because she just writes such good books that I, of course, will definitely get more! Reviewed by Roslynn Ernst

4.5 Stars

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