crownandcoffee reads. vol. 13

“Sleep is good.” he said. “And books are better.” – George R.R. Martin

Funny Story | Emily Henry (re-read)
crownandcoffee reads. vol. 9
I have been anticipating the release of this book for a while and oh my gahhh it did NOT disappoint. I freaking LOVED this book!! It was so funny, witty, and cute as hell! Miles is my guy! Can he BE any cuter! *in Chandler Bing’s voice*
This is one of those books that I would LOVE to read for the first time again! Go out and get this one! You won’t regret it!

The God of the Woods | Liz Moore
(watch my video review on IG here)
I got this book as a Christmas present from my brother and I’m so happy to have received it. It was on my TBR for a while and he happened to hear about it in a podcast he was listening to and thought it was right up my alley. And that, it was. But listen, I DID feel the beginning was a slow start, but once I was getting deeper in and I thought I’d get lost in the slow parts, the gasps were GASP-ING. I was definitely in a constant state of suspense after a while and felt completely shocked at every turn. The back stories presented were much needed and they’re also a reminder of the extent people would go to keep up their deep dark secrets. Was a great 1st new read for me in 2025!

Your Rule to Break | Rachel LaBerge (ARC Review)
*Reviewed on Goodreads prior to this blog post being published
I am so grateful to have been gifted with the opportunity to read this ARC by Rachel Laberge through BookFunnel.

This was the first book I have ever read from the author and also my first sports romance and I thought it was pretty cute. There are some trigger warnings explained at the beginning of the book so please read before moving forward. Like I said, the love story part was pretty cutesy. The MMC Zack was such a different character than any of the books I’ve read. He was silly as hell and definitely a character you would fall very fast for. Fun loving, funny, and a hot football player that’s romantic as shit, how can you not? Although, I am concerned about his obsession with wearing shorts for almost every occasion. LOL.
I related to Emilie’s experience with her family and her everyday struggle with mental health. I like when books have these pieces thrown into it because it is important when someone is falling in love and struggling to find worth within themselves. The support you feel from your partner makes the love much more passionate and sincere. A good read overall!

*Release date 1/10/2025 – This will be released by the time this blog review is up.

Make Me Hate You | Kandi Steiner
“You are spectacular..”
This is the second book I’ve read from this author and I think she has hooked me.
Ahhhhh this book. Again, the author has broken my heart to mend it, to break it, to mend it. And I loved every single moment. The angst was a level 5 in this one. When I felt the sadness, my heart hurt and felt goosebumps all over. And let me tell you, as much as you will fall in love with the main characters , Jasmine and Tyler, you will love all the supporting characters as well. Moments where choices had to be made hurt a hell of a lot more since you didn’t hate anyone in the book. It’s a yes yes yes for me!

When You Had Me Adapting | Jess Christine (ARC Review)
*Reviewed on Goodreads prior to this blog post being published
I am so grateful to have been gifted with the opportunity to read this ARC by Good Girl Author Services and Jess Christine through BookFunnel.

“You are what I wish for I wish for on every star.”
I have to admit that the beginning was not my favorite. Although, I understand Lacey is a sassy girl (and I very much do appreciate that about this character), it just seemed she was a little too much in the beginning. I know she was dealing with heartbreak but she felt more 21 in the moment than her noted 27 age.
Buuuuuuut as the story went on I did fall in love with her character and instantly fell in love with Jace. What. A. Guy. He is definitely sweet and romantic as shit and I loved every moment he was wooing her. I love a second chance romance but when the love starts when you are 8 freaking years old and continues on into adulthood?!?! How freaking cute is that!!
A sassy gal and a calm sweet guy is a great combo. There is only room for one hyphy person in a relationship and I say that from experience. *smirk*
Sweet with some very very nice spice! (Alexa play “Love In This Club” by Usher. IFYKYK and let’s not forget to always turn up the music on the Uber drive home *wink wink* & a *smirk*)
Hope you enjoy Lacey and Jace’s journey as much as I did!

*Release date 1/23/2025 – This will be released by the time this blog review is up.

Quicksilver (Fae & Alchemy #1) | Callie Hart
(watch my video review on IG here)
Holy. Shit. That was a good fucking story.
I really didn’t know much going into this book. A friend just told me she fell in love with the MMC, Kingfisher, and at that she had me at hello. I dove in and I was NOT disappointed. The level of spice was great. Satisfied me just enough. *smirk*. Kingfisher is a dirty dirty shadow daddy and I loved it. The action, was none stop. I was in it. Fully invested. This book was like 600 pages and I could not put it down. The backstories, the information, my gawd I was shocked plenty of times. Full gasps and eyes way wide.

The characters. Ughhh they were so good. I loved ALL of them. Supporting characters, Ren and Lorreth, couldn’t love these honorable men any more than I do. Carrion, what a freaking comic relief in this story. Although, I love all the men in this book, Carrion has to be my favorite.
This was a 5 star read for me and you’ve got to run and get it!

Reel | Kennedy Ryan
(watch my video review on IG here)
“When we happen, she will burn me inside out, and I can’t wait.”
Kennedy Ryan just has a way with words. This is the third book I’ve read from her and, as to be expected, I was not disappointed. She writes so beautifully and she makes me feel all the feelings with so much more intensity.
The moment Canon (MMC) first saw Neevah (FMC) was described so poetically. It was especially captivating since Canon was described as a hardened, work focused, brooding man. We love a tortured man who softens for the right woman. And Neevah was exactly that for him.
Their love happened swiftly but was the most deep and intimate love I have read.
The scandal, the drama, the healing and the deep unconditional love was such a beautiful journey to be on this entire book.
This is a definite must read!!

When Hearts Awaken | Victoria Lum (ARC Review)
*Reviewed on Goodreads prior to this blog post being published
I am so grateful to have been gifted with the opportunity to read this ARC by Victoria Lum through BookFunnel.

This was my first billionaire, age gap book and it was…interesting. This book does touch on many traumatic topics that can easily trigger, so please keep that in mind and read the Author’s note prior to moving forward. At first, I was not sure about how I felt about the book but as the story went on, I was in it. It gave me soap opera vibes and I was down for it. The shocking twists and dizzying turns kept me from putting the story down! I welcomed the crazy drama!
The traumatic parts were difficult to read so it definitely made me root for the “I will burn the world down” and “I will destroy anyone who hurt you” moments 10x more. This book has a sprinkle of BDSM and is pretty spicy.
There were quite a bit of characters introduced so it was a bit hard to keep up with who was who. I know this was a book written to be #4 in a series and could be read as a standalone but I think I would have been more connected to the story and the characters if I read the books in order to get to know everyone better.

*Release date 2/5/2025 – This will be released by the time this blog review is up.

Hold You Down | Tracy Brown
(watch my video review on IG here)
This book was emotional as fuck. This book absolutely wrecked me. Tracy Brown has a way with her words. This is the second book I’ve read from this author and both books left me caring about the characters deeply. I really wanted the characters to win. This book starts off following two sisters, Lennox and Mercy, and the choices they make throughout the book that affect each other and their sons. The second half follows the two boys and how their lives turned out. This book was not cookie cutter and did not have a happily ever after but for most of the characters, it ended as best as it could have for them.
It truly was such a good read if you are ready to FEEL DEEPLY.

Unravel Me | Katherine Bitner, The Hometown Series Book 1 (ARC Review)
*Reviewed on Goodreads prior to this blog post being published
I am so grateful to have been gifted with the opportunity to read this ARC by Katherine Bitner through BookFunnel.

What a cute little small town romance read. Believe me when I say I am more used to hard hitting spice *smirk* to go with my romances of different kinds but this kept me invested even with its soft spice. LOL. I loved the love story between Rhett, the tough country boy that loves his whiskey and sidekick hound, and Audrey, the sweetest money bag lass that just needed a country boy to call her darlin’ to mend her broken heart. I usually read books where the FMC is the only one that gets her heart broken but there was a little heartbreak for our country boy and it really pulled at my heartstrings reading how much he realized he loved love. This story was cute as hell!

*Release date 2/25/2025