new-releases

About the Book:

Title: Bitten

Author: Jordan Stephanie Gray

Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers

Release Date: September 30, 2025

Pages: 384

Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Paranormal

Synopsis:

Crescent City meets Fourth Wing in this fast-paced and romantic debut, in which a teenage girl must survive ruthless werewolves, a glittering court, and deadly politics to exact revenge on the monsters who destroyed her.

After a vicious werewolf attack on the night of her seventeenth birthday party, Vanessa Hart loses everything she loves in a split second. Her best friend, her father, and even her home.

Bitten and imprisoned without explanation, Vanessa endures an agonizing transformation into the very beast that maimed her, and her captors make it clear she cannot escape: she will either swear her life to the Wolf Queen’s Court, or she will die.

With no other choice, Vanessa joins their enchanted Castle Severi—where flowering vines grow through the walls, gifts are bestowed by the stars, and a claw can break through skin as easily as silk—but she hasn’t forgotten what they stole from her.

Vanessa still seeks vengeance, scheming in the shadows even as she finds herself mesmerized by the golden prince Sinclair Severi, who threatens to steal her heart though he is promised to her nemesis. And by his brooding, disgraced cousin, Calix, whose smoldering gaze hides even darker secrets. Immersed in the magic of their whimsical yet cruel society, Vanessa soon learns not all is as it seems.

The Court is at war, and she may simply be a pawn in its lethal game.

For Fans of:
Forbidden Romance
Enemies to Lovers
Werewolves
Paranormal Romance

Content Warning: murder, language, spice

Review:

*I received an ARC for review. Thank you to the publisher, Netgalley and Toppling Stacks Tours for the opportunity. All thoughts are my own*

I thought this was a solid debut for author Jordan Stephanie Gray. This was the werewolf story that I didn’t know that I needed! It pulled me in and wouldn’t let me go. It totally gave me Teen Wolf and The Vampire Diaries vibes. I don’t think I’ve read a good werewolf book since I read the Shiver series honestly. I absolutely loved the world building, dark academia school setting, the courtly intrigue, the characters, the friendships and the romance. I have to mention that after reading this, I would say it’s definitely for more mature readers at least 17+.

On the night of her seventeenth birthday, Vanessa Hart loses everything she loves after a vicious werewolf attack. She loses her best friend and soul mate, her father, and her home.

Bitten and taken prisoner without explanation, she endures painful transformations into the very creature that destroyed her life. Her captors make it quite clear that she must swear fealty to the Queen’s court, or she will die.

With no alternative, Vanessa joins Castle Severi, but she will not forget what they have taken from her.

She schemes vengeance all while finding herself enchanted by Prince Sinclair Severi and his disgraced cousin, Calix. Immersed in this magical society, Vanessa learns that not all is as it appears, and she just may be a pawn in the Court’s war.

This story had a lot of twists and turns along the way. It started off really strong, but I feel like the ending was a bit rushed and took away some of my good feelings. I am hopeful that there will be a sequel and that we can have more in this world.

Definitely recommend!

About the Author:

Jordan Stephanie Gray is the debut author of the young adult werewolf romantasy, Bitten, and the adult mermaid romantasy, The Wicked Sea.

When she isn’t dreaming up the fantastical and romantic, she is likely cuddling her two pugs and two chihuahuas in sunny Florida.

You can follow her journey through up-to-date newsletters on Substack and on Instagram.

Website | Instagram | Goodreads

Tour Schedule:

September 29th
Eye-Rolling Demigod’s Book Blog – Review
Betwixt the Sheets – Promotional Post

September 30th
the nutty bookworm reads alot – Review
Kim’s Book Reviews and Writing Aha’s – Top 5 Reasons to Read Bitten, Tik Tok

October 1st
Avni Reads – Review
The Clever Reader – Promotional Post

October 2nd
Boys’ Mom Reads! – Review
The violet west – Review, Journal Spread

October 3rd
Nerd Girl Loves Books – Review
The Book Dutchesses – Promotional Post

October 4th
Ilovebooksandstuffblog – Review

October 5th
Ashleigh’s Bookshelf – Review

Purchase Links:

https://a.co/d/h3jqu0r

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bitten-jordan-stephanie-gray/1146511118?ean=9780316584548

https://bookshop.org/p/books/bitten-deluxe-limited-edition-jordan-stephanie-gray/7abf4e6a77cf733b?ean=9780316584548&next=t

About the Book:

Title: Den of Liars

Author: Jessica S. Olson

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

Release Date: July 1, 2025

Pages: 400

Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult

Synopsis:

A young thief attempting a daring casino heist during a high-stakes tournament is torn between two warring brothers in Den of Liars, a thrilling YA fantasy romance by acclaimed author Jessica S. Olson.

Lola St. James is the world’s best kept secret. When her father’s loss in the Liar’s Dice Tournament–a high-stakes competition where players are forced to gamble with their deepest secrets–made her a target, she was rescued by the Thief, the notorious leader of the Tentacles. But the Thief’s kindness came with a Lola’s heart. In the years that followed, she and the Thief formed a bond like no other, able to feel each other’s emotions because of their shared heart.

Now, living under the pseudonym Astra, she is determined to prove herself and become a full-fledged Tentacle. But when a critical heist goes sideways, the only way forward is for Lola to compete in the Liar’s Dice Tournament herself. Lola is confident in her ability to pull off any heist, but the Thief’s mysterious brother, the Liar, runs the game and he turns out to be more than she bargained for. As her attraction for him grows and illusions run wild, she will be forced to confront the secrets of her past, the truth of the brothers’ shared history, and the lies she tells herself.

Review:

*I received an e-arc via Netgalley and the publisher. Thank you for the opportunity to review. All thoughts are my own.*

I have loved Jessica S. Olson since I read her debut Sing Me Forgotten, and her sophomore novel, A Forgery of Roses. I was ecstatic to read Den of Liars! I’m happy to say it did not disappoint, and I absolutely loved it. If you like unique magic systems, slow-burn romance, morally grey characters and high stakes competitions, I think you will love this one too!

Lola St. James has a target on her back since her father lost the Liar’s Dice Tournament. She is rescued by the Thief, the head of The Tentacles gang and has been living in secret. The price she paid for her rescue, is to share her heart with the Thief. Lola and the Thief forge a bond and are able to feel each other’s emotions through their shared heart.

Now living under the alias Astra, Lola wants to officially become one of The Tentacles. When a heist goes wrong, she finds herself having to enter the Liar’s tournament herself. The Thief warns her that the Liar is not to be trusted. She is confident in her abilities to pull off heists, but the Liar, the Thief’s own brother, turns out to be more than she could have imagined. Despite the Thief’s warnings, Lola finds herself attracted to the Liar. She will soon be forced to confront her past and the truth of the brothers history.

I really enjoyed Lola’s journey throughout this story. She started out as very naive and trusting of everyone, and grew into a character that started asking questions and trying to find out things on her own.

I can’t wait for book two, and will be eagerly awaiting it’s release. Highly recommend!

About the Author:

Jessica S. Olson claims New Hampshire as her home, but has somehow found herself in Texas, where she spends most of her time singing praises to the inventor of the air conditioner. When she’s not hiding from the heat, she’s corralling her four wild—but adorable—children, dreaming up stories about kissing and murder and magic, and eating peanut butter by the spoonful straight from the jar. She earned a bachelor’s in English with minors in editing and French. She is the author of Sing Me Forgotten and A Forgery of Roses.