🌸 March Reading Wrap-Up: 14 Books, Countless Emotions 🌸
This month was a whirlwind of narratives, each offering a unique journey through love, mystery, fantasy, and self-discovery. Here’s an in-depth look at the 14 books that captivated my attention in March, complete with detailed summaries, my personal reviews, insights from fellow readers, and Goodreads ratings.
1. A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams
Set in the vibrant heart of Harlem, this lush, lyrical love story follows Ricki, a fiercely independent florist with a passion for beauty and a quiet longing to belong. Enter Ezra—a captivating, enigmatic jazz musician whose presence feels like a secret whispered across time. What unfolds is not just a romance, but a layered exploration of fate, legacy, and the magic woven into everyday Black life.
Tia Williams masterfully blends magical realism with contemporary romance, creating a world that feels both grounded and dreamlike. Harlem becomes more than a setting—it’s a character of its own, full of rhythm, history, and heart.
My Review:
The only reason I didn’t give this book 5 stars is because I wasn’t obsessively reaching for it every spare moment—but make no mistake, I really loved it. The writing is rich and evocative, the pacing is tender and intentional, and the emotional depth is stunning. Ricki is charming, imperfect, and incredibly relatable. Ezra? Pure romantic mystery wrapped in vintage cool.
Their connection felt soulful and timeless, and I especially appreciated how the book let Harlem’s culture and Black artistic history shine without ever feeling performative or forced. This is the kind of romance that sits with you—quietly powerful and full of heart.
📚 StoryGraph | 💬 Fable | ⭐ Goodreads: 4.02
2. Under the Influence by Kimberly Brown
Alanis has spent years surviving—managing motherhood, grief, and the wounds left behind by a toxic relationship. When My’Elli enters her life, he brings patience, understanding, and the kind of love that doesn’t demand, but offers. This isn’t just a romance—it’s a story about healing, choosing yourself, and learning how to receive love without conditions.
Set against a contemporary backdrop with deeply human stakes, Under the Influence is an emotionally rich exploration of trauma, trust, and transformation. Kimberly Brown writes with honesty and heat, unafraid to let her characters be messy, vulnerable, and fully real.
My Review:
This one hit differently. It’s heavy on the trigger warnings and unapologetically spicy, but it’s also layered with emotional nuance. What I appreciated most was how the story didn’t end when the couple got together. It pushed further—into the “what happens after”—which made it feel more complete and grounded in real love, not just attraction.
There were a few small plot holes, but they didn’t take away from how much I enjoyed it. Alanis felt like someone I’ve met in real life. Her growth, though subtle, felt earned. My’Elli? A soft yet strong male lead who meets her where she is—exactly how romance should be.
📚 StoryGraph | 💬 Fable | ⭐ Goodreads: 4.35
3. Girls Like Us by Cristina Alger
Nell Flynn is an FBI agent with a complicated past—and an even messier present. When she returns home after her father’s sudden death, she’s pulled into the murder investigation of two young women. As she digs deeper, disturbing questions begin to surface—not just about the case, but about her own father, a revered local cop who might not have been as clean as he seemed.
Girls Like Us is a tightly-wound, character-driven thriller that balances police procedural pacing with psychological suspense. The setting—a suffocating, wealthy Long Island town—adds tension to every conversation and clue, and Alger doesn’t shy away from commentary on corruption, power, and systemic failures.
My Review:
This felt like a solid, no-frills mystery that did exactly what it promised. The pacing was quick without being rushed, and the tension built gradually, giving me just enough reason to keep flipping pages. I liked Nell—she’s sharp but not overly hard-edged, and her internal conflict about her father gave the story emotional weight.
The plot didn’t blow my mind, but I appreciated how grounded it was. It’s not about shocking twists—it’s about uncovering truths that are uncomfortable because they’re plausible. A great pick if you like your thrillers lean, layered, and rooted in messy family secrets.
📚 StoryGraph | 💬 Fable | ⭐ Goodreads: 3.80
4. I Invited Her In by Adele Parks
What starts as a friendly reunion between college besties quickly spirals into a chilling, calculated unraveling. When Melanie welcomes her old friend Abigail into her home, she believes it’s just a temporary escape for a woman going through a rough divorce. But Abigail has other plans—dark, twisted, and decades in the making.
This domestic thriller leans all the way into messy dynamics: jealousy, betrayal, obsession, and long-held secrets. It’s layered in manipulation and gaslighting, and while some moments stretch believability, they deliver on shock and suspense. If you’re in it for the drama, buckle up.
My Review (⚠️ Spoilers ahead!):
This book was wild. What felt like a simple “old friends reconnect” plot quickly became a revenge scheme I never saw coming. Abigail discovers that Melanie’s oldest son is actually the product of a fling she had with Abigail’s college boyfriend—who also became her ex-husband—and decides to seduce that son as payback. Yes. You read that right.
Was it believable? Not really. Was I mad about it? Also no. I questioned Melanie constantly—how do you let someone back into your life after 20 years without asking questions?—but that was part of the fun. I read the last 60% in one sitting because I just had to see how far it would go.
Unhinged, unpredictable, and packed with “wait, what?!” moments—this book knew exactly what it was doing.
📚 StoryGraph | 💬 Fable | ⭐ Goodreads: 3.68
5. The Journal of a Thousand Years by C.J. Archer
The fifth installment in The Glass Library series, this novel continues the adventures of Sylvia and Gabe—a couple pulled into ancient secrets, magical relics, and complicated family histories. Just as Sylvia prepares to meet Gabe’s parents, a powerful journal and the sudden reappearance of her long-lost father upend everything. Prophecies resurface, truths unravel, and once again, the fate of the magical world hangs in the balance.
This is fantasy at its most gentle, with mystery threaded into its quiet moments and character development at the heart of its plot. C.J. Archer creates a world that feels like slipping into a storybook—rich with tradition, light danger, and enduring love.
My Review:
I really loved the pacing of this one. While I usually lean toward fast-paced high fantasy, I’ve come to appreciate C.J. Archer’s cozy, immersive style. The story felt like a slow stroll through an enchanted library, with enough magical twists and character stakes to keep me invested.
The magic system is subtle—more about legacies and inheritance than epic battles—and that’s part of what makes it work. It’s also refreshing to read a fantasy romance where the couple is already together, and we get to see them evolve as a team.
It’s not a thrill ride, but it’s full of atmosphere, heart, and a lovely payoff if you’ve been following the series. A comforting, character-rich escape.
📚 StoryGraph | 💬 Fable | ⭐ Goodreads: 4.35
6. Blood at the Root by Ladarrion Williams
When Malik, a seventeen-year-old with a troubled past, finds himself on the run, he never expects to be rescued by strangers who take him to a place he’s never heard of—a magical HBCU called Caiman University. There, he learns about his ancestry, his power, and the hidden war he’s unknowingly a part of.
Rooted in African mythology and inspired by the cultural legacy of the American South, this book offers a refreshing take on the magical school trope. It’s not just about spells and powers—it’s about identity, ancestry, and community. Ladarrion Williams crafts a world where being Black and magical isn’t just possible—it’s powerful.
My Review:
This book took me a moment to settle into—the names, the history, the world-building all hit fast and deep—but once I found the rhythm, I was hooked. The setting was so vivid, and I loved that magic wasn’t treated as spectacle, but as something inherited, sacred, and personal.
Malik’s journey felt grounded and emotionally authentic. He’s not a perfect hero, and that made him more relatable. The exploration of cultural heritage, generational trauma, and chosen family gave the story emotional weight that stuck with me after I finished.
If you’re looking for something that honors both history and magic with a clear voice and sense of purpose, this is one to add to your TBR. I’m genuinely excited for what comes next in this series.
📚 StoryGraph | 💬 Fable | ⭐ Goodreads: 4.05
7. Vicious Fae by Caroline Peckham & Suzanne Valenti
Book four in the Zodiac Academy prequel series (The Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac), this installment is pure, unapologetic chaos. The world of Solaria is ruled by magic, manipulation, and monsters—some literal, some emotional. This story follows Elise Callisto as she continues unraveling the mystery of her brother’s murder, navigating her attraction to not one, but several dangerous fae men along the way.
Expect betrayal, heartbreak, tension, and heat. The authors pull no punches. And while the plot spirals into full-blown mayhem at times, it’s all part of the addictive ride.
My Review:
Dark. Spicy. Unhinged. I mean this with complete love: this book was a disaster in the best way. Elise continues to make questionable choices, the love interests are morally chaotic at best, and everyone is either lying, dying, or fighting over someone else’s secrets.
And yet—I devoured it. The emotional stakes are high, the romance is tangled, and the reveals just kept coming. I felt like I needed therapy and a group chat by the time it ended (in true Valenti/Peckham fashion).
This isn’t a tidy, plot-perfect fantasy. It’s messy and bold, and if you’re here for the drama, betrayal, and spice levels on 10, this one’s for you. Fair warning: trust no one, and maybe don’t get too attached.
📚 StoryGraph | 💬 Fable | ⭐ Goodreads: 4.28
8. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
Cath is a college freshman who’d rather write fanfiction than talk to strangers. Her world revolves around Simon Snow (a fictional fantasy series akin to Harry Potter), and her massive online following loves her stories. But college brings a new roommate, social anxiety, a distant twin sister, and—worst of all—a professor who doesn’t consider fanfic “real writing.”
As Cath tries to find her place outside of fiction, she navigates family struggles, first love, and the very real fear of growing up. It’s a soft, introvert-friendly journey about creativity, mental health, and learning to let go.
My Review:
This book got me. I saw so much of myself in Cath—her love of fandom, her anxiety, her tendency to hide in the worlds she creates. It was both comforting and a little painful at times to read.
What I appreciated most was that this wasn’t about a dramatic transformation. Cath doesn’t become a completely different person by the end—she grows quietly, and that felt so honest. Her relationship with Levi was warm and slow-building, and I loved how Rowell portrayed the contrast between Cath’s inner life and her outer reality.
It’s not flashy, but it’s real. If you’ve ever written fanfic, felt socially overwhelmed, or needed fiction to survive life—this is a hug in book form.
📚 StoryGraph | 💬 Fable | ⭐ Goodreads: 3.94
9. Unraveling the Beast by Jodi King
Wren Edwards isn’t looking for danger—she’s looking for a place to start over. But when she lands a job and moves in with her new boss, she quickly realizes nothing is what it seems. What begins as reluctant attraction soon spirals into manipulation, power struggles, and a deeply toxic entanglement that blurs every emotional line.
This is dark romance through and through—filled with moral ambiguity, psychological warfare, and the kind of tension that keeps you breathless. Jodi King isn’t here to make you comfortable—she’s here to test your limits.
My Review:
This book pulled me into its darkness and didn’t let go. Wren starts off cautious, but her descent into obsession and attraction felt inevitable—like watching a car crash in slow motion. The MMC is controlling, intense, and absolutely not a hero—which made the dynamic that much more magnetic (and uncomfortable).
The spice is tangled up in trauma, and I appreciated that the book doesn’t glamorize the toxicity—it lets it be messy and painful and real. The pacing was sharp, and the plot had just enough mystery to keep me hooked, especially once the deeper manipulations came to light.
If you’re into morally grey, psychologically heavy, and emotionally twisted romance, this one will devour you. Not for the faint of heart, but definitely for fans of dark, character-driven stories.
📚 StoryGraph | 💬 Fable | ⭐ Goodreads: 4.35
10. Awakening the Beast by Jodi King
After a devastating loss, Wren Edwards is no longer the woman she used to be—she’s colder, sharper, and fully in survival mode. In this dark romance sequel, Wren steps into her power, fueled by grief, rage, and revenge. But just when she thinks she’s finally severed ties with the past, Arlo—the man who broke her heart and mind—returns, threatening to unravel everything she’s rebuilt.
This conclusion to the Unraveling the Beast duology is fast-paced, unapologetically dark, and emotionally charged. The stakes are higher, the choices harder, and the consequences brutal.
My Review:
This book was bold. I thought it might just be about Wren falling apart or turning cold, but instead, it was about her becoming something new entirely. Her grief didn’t soften her—it sharpened her edges. And I loved that Jodi King allowed her to stay angry, to act messy, and to choose herself even when it wasn’t pretty.
The fact that Arlo comes back? Unexpected. And the way their relationship reignites with so much tension and unfinished business? Whew. 🔥 This isn’t a soft reunion story—it’s a raw reckoning. Their chemistry is still electric, but now it’s layered with pain, power, and brutal honesty.
The ending was intense, a little chaotic (in true dark romance fashion), but ultimately satisfying. If you read book one, this is a must—and if you like your HEAs with blood, tears, and a side of revenge, you’ll eat this up.
📚 StoryGraph | 💬 Fable | ⭐ Goodreads: 4.40
11. Sweet Nightmare by Tracy Wolff
At Calder Academy, nothing is ordinary—not the students, not the rules, and definitely not the girl who doesn’t know how she got there. Surrounded by paranormals who’ve broken the rules or lost control, the protagonist must quickly figure out where she fits in this dangerous hierarchy of misfits. But fitting in here? That might mean giving in to her darkest instincts.
Sweet Nightmare kicks off a new series from Tracy Wolff that brings together familiar Crave vibes with a slightly more rebellious edge. There are secrets behind every closed door, alliances you shouldn’t trust, and paranormal politics simmering just beneath the surface.
My Review:
This book gave early Crave energy in the best way. I didn’t come here for literary depth—I came here for fun, angst, and slow-burning tension—and it delivered. The atmosphere at Calder Academy is both elite and unsettling, and I loved the underlying sense that everyone has something to hide.
The main character was easy to root for, and while some side characters could’ve used more depth, the relationships and rivalries kept the pace moving. There’s a mystery at the heart of the plot that’s clearly building into something bigger, and I’m definitely sticking around to see where it goes.
If you’re craving paranormal romance with danger, snark, and a boarding school full of secrets, this is a solid start.
📚 StoryGraph | 💬 Fable | ⭐ Goodreads: 4.06
12. Mile High by Liz Tomforde
Zanders is the NHL’s golden boy with a bad attitude and a reputation for keeping things casual—on and off the ice. Stevie is a fiercely independent flight attendant who doesn’t have time for athletes, egos, or drama. But when she’s assigned to the team’s private jet for the season, she and Zanders are forced into close quarters. What starts as banter turns into something deeper, messier, and unexpectedly vulnerable.
This is not your average hockey romance. Liz Tomforde layers in real emotion, trauma, and healing alongside the flirtation and spice. It’s steamy, yes—but also grounded in character growth, emotional connection, and consent-forward intimacy.
My Review:
I was not expecting this to hit as hard as it did. I came for the grumpy/sunshine trope, but I stayed for the way these two see each other beyond the surface. Zanders might start off as the cocky, playboy type, but there’s so much depth to his character—and Stevie doesn’t let him get away with anything.
The chemistry was 🔥, but it never overshadowed the emotional stakes. I loved watching them challenge each other, support each other, and navigate real issues (like grief, mental health, and independence) in the midst of their slow-burn relationship.
If you love banter, sexual tension, and romance with actual emotional payoff, Mile High delivers. It made me laugh, swoon, and feel—and now I need the rest of the series.
📚 StoryGraph | 💬 Fable | ⭐ Goodreads: 4.23
13. My Temptation by T.L. Swan
When she meets Henley James, he’s charming, intense, and completely off-limits. He’s also her new boss. What starts as undeniable attraction quickly unravels into a forbidden romance filled with tension, secrets, and an emotional undercurrent neither of them saw coming.
Set against a sleek corporate backdrop, My Temptation delivers on all the workplace tropes: power dynamics, slow-burning desire, and office flirtation that explodes into passion. But it also digs deeper—touching on vulnerability, healing, and what it means to be truly seen by someone.
My Review:
This was so much more than just a hot office romance. Don’t get me wrong—the steam? Top tier. Henley and the FMC have serious heat. But what surprised me was the emotional weight behind the spice. There’s a lot of hurt, fear, and unspoken pain between these two, and watching them unravel together (and then rebuild) was deeply satisfying.
Henley toes the line between brooding alpha and emotionally available man, and I loved that balance. The tension between them is thick with longing and restraint, which made the eventual payoff so worth it.
Some moments definitely leaned dramatic (T.L. Swan loves her high-stakes twists), but it worked. This one delivered everything I want in a slow-burn romance: angst, attraction, emotional connection, and just enough chaos to keep it spicy.
📚 StoryGraph | 💬 Fable | ⭐ Goodreads: 4.16
14. Beasts of War by Ayana Gray
In the final installment of the Beasts of Prey trilogy, the fates of Koffi, Ekon, and the fractured world of Eshōza come crashing together. With war brewing, gods awakening, and long-buried truths rising to the surface, each character must decide who they are, what they’re fighting for, and how far they’re willing to go to save—or destroy—the realm.
This finale is rich with African-inspired mythology, emotional reckonings, and cinematic action. Ayana Gray pulls no punches, pushing her characters through heartbreak, hope, and heroism in a world that feels vast, ancient, and alive.
My Review:
I really enjoyed how this series wrapped up. The pacing was steady, with a strong sense of forward momentum, and I appreciated that the emotional arcs weren’t sacrificed for the action. Koffi and Ekon’s journeys felt earned—messy, but real. And when they finally come back together? Whew. Worth the wait.
I loved that this book still had room for magic and mythology while not losing sight of character growth. There were parts that felt slightly rushed (especially in the last 20%), but overall it was a satisfying, bittersweet ending that respected the stakes and themes built throughout the trilogy.
If you’re a fan of layered fantasy with rich worldbuilding and characters you can root for (and sometimes yell at), this is a trilogy worth finishing. I’ll miss this world.
📚 StoryGraph | 💬 Fable | ⭐ Goodreads: 4.10
So there it is—14 books, 14 wildly different journeys, and no two reading experiences alike. Some stories had me absolutely in love. Others left me reeling, questioning everything. And a few? Had me full-on yelling at the page like the characters could hear me. 😤💬
From magical realms to twisted thrillers, dark romance to cozy fantasy, this reading month was a whirlwind—and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Now it’s your turn—what’s the best (or worst!) thing you read this month? Drop your recs, rants, or raves in the comments. Let’s talk books! 📚👇🏽