Author: Rese

This is the last book in the Darkmore Penitentiary series and it took me on such an intense emotional rollercoaster that I’m still catching my breath. Every time I thought I knew where the story was going, it twisted, turned, and then hit me right in the feelings all over again. These sisters seriously know how to build a world that sinks its claws into you—not just with one series, but with a whole interconnected universe that stretches across multiple series and storylines.

In this book, you’ll spot familiar faces and Easter eggs from both Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac and Zodiac Academy, and those little crossovers made everything feel even richer and more addictive. It’s like all these stories are threads in one huge, wild tapestry, and this finale really pulls so many of them together in a way that feels both epic and personal.

I know it’s a big commitment, but I honestly, passionately recommend reading all three series in the wider world before (or alongside) this one if you can. It makes every reveal hit harder, every character moment sharper, and every heartbreak that much more devastating. And now that I’ve finished this final book, I’m genuinely tempted to start all over again from the very beginning just to experience that entire journey one more time—with full context, full emotions, and maybe a box of tissues close by.

BOOK 90 OF 2026📚

DARKMORE PENITENTIARY #4: WILD WOLF

BY: Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti

STAR RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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I’m obsessed with this series. Sin is hands-down my favorite because you literally never know what he’s going to say or do, and every time he shows up on the page I’m completely glued to it. This book will take you on a total emotional rollercoaster. I was laughing so hard I had to put the book down, then getting so anxious I was basically holding my breath, then straight-up ugly crying because the heartbreak felt so real. It’s the kind of story that just lives in your head long after you finish it. And the ending… OMG. My jaw was on the floor, my heart was racing, and I was instantly desperate for more. Thank gosh I don’t have to wait to find out what happens next.

BOOK 89 OF 2026📚

DARKMORE PENITENTIARY #3: FERAL WOLF

BY: Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti

STAR RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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The first book started off a bit slow for me, but this one really picked up and held my attention the whole way through. The pacing felt tighter, the stakes felt higher, and I kept wanting to sneak in extra chapters whenever I could. I even managed to tune out the narrator, which says a lot about how hooked I was on the story. I love the different vibe Rosalie has with the four main MMCs: Ethan, Roary, Sin, and Cain, especially how each relationship pulls out a slightly different side of her. The “Twisted Sisters” really know how to spin a story, layering in drama, tension, and chemistry so it all blends into something super fun and totally addictive.

BOOK 88 OF 2026📚

DARKMORE PENITENTIARY #2: ALPHA WOLF

BY: Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti

STAR RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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I picked this one up again because I just couldn’t stop thinking about it—it’s the kind of story that hangs out in the back of your mind long after you’ve finished. The first time I read it, I was in such a fog that when I was done, I could barely remember the plot, just the way it made me feel—and that feeling was strong enough that I actually put it back on my TBR, which I almost never do. Reading it again now, with a clearer head, I appreciated the moody vibe and emotional moments so much more; it’s one of those books that quietly pulls you back in, even when the details have faded. If I’d only read the physical copy this time, I probably would’ve rated it higher, because on the page the story really works. But the audiobook narration was super flat and weirdly paced, and it kept yanking me out of scenes that should’ve been totally immersive. The performance didn’t fit the tone of the story at all, and instead of making the experience better, it kind of dulled everything—so even though the book itself has that haunting, stay-with-you quality, the audio version kept getting in the way.

BOOK 87 OF 2026📚

DARKMORE PENITENTIARY #1: CAGED WOLF

BY: Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti

STAR RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Wow, this was way more than just a 5-star read. I absolutely bawled—the kind of full-body cry that sticks with you long after you close the book. The writing is pure poetry at times, with these simple, gorgeous lines that make you stop and read them again. It’s a love story for the ages—soft, painful in the best way, and so, so human. I could go on and on about this book, but I won’t because I don’t want to spoil a single thing. It’s one of those rare stories you just have to dive into and feel for yourself.

BOOK 86 OF 2026📚

HEARTSTRING DUET #2: CROWN ME YOURS

BY: Liv Zander

STAR RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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I’ve been dying for the audio for this duet to drop so I could finally dive in. You know I need both the book AND the audio to really enjoy it. It was so worth the wait. I went into this one basically blind, which is exactly how I like to experience a story—it just makes everything feel more intense. And this book was no different. I did not expect what I found in these pages. My heart was pulled in two completely different directions. Liv Zander is an absolute genius. Her story sparks so many emotions. This duet might honestly end up being my top read of 2026—maybe even of all time.

BOOK 85 OF 2026📚

HEARTSTRING DUET #1: CROWN ME DEAD

BY: Liv Zander

STAR RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#2026readingchallenge #goodreads #readingwithrese #fable

If you’ve ever picked up anything by Trilina Pucci, you already know her books are scorching, and this one turns the heat all the way up. But what absolutely consumes me about her stories—beyond the obvious— is how deeply emotional and layered they are. There is always someone broken open on the page, someone who’s been hurt, guarded, or “damaged” in some way, who has to fight their way back to themselves. Walls have to be torn down, hearts have to learn to trust again, and that journey toward true, hard-won “bliss” is what makes her books unforgettable. This story is no different, and it hit me right in the chest.

Another thing I adore about her writing? She doesn’t shy away from desire, complexity, or multiple players—if you know what I mean. “Comin’ In Hot” centers on a woman who’s spent the last 20 years in a marriage with a man who, let’s just say, was seriously lacking in a few very important areas. When they divorce, she heads to a retreat to visit her sister, raw and uncertain, and that’s where everything changes. There she meets three men who don’t just turn up the heat—they help her strip away her insecurities, claim her pleasure, and finally discover everything she’s been denied for far too long.

I’m not even exaggerating when I say I’m at a complete loss for words over some of these scenes. Trilina Pucci absolutely does not disappoint—she delivers intensity, tenderness, and filthy, blazing chemistry all in one breath. If you haven’t yet, do yourself a favor and dive into the other books in this world. They’re all standalone reads, but if you want to devour them in order, start with “Tangled in Tinsel”, then “Knot So Lucky”, and “Three Ways To Mend A Broken Heart”. Familiar faces from those stories show up here, and it makes this book feel like coming home to a wild, passionate, found-family reunion you never want to leave.

BOOK 84 OF 2026📚

TOUCHDOWN LOVE #3: COMIN’ IN HOT

BY: Trilina Pucci

STAR RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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I absolutely loved how this series wrapped up, even though the ending definitely felt a bit rushed. It almost seemed like the author suddenly decided, “This is it,” and poured everything into those last few chapters in a whirlwind. But honestly, it still landed as a really satisfying read for me. I adored that the FMC wasn’t instantly confident — watching her struggle, grow, and slowly figure out who she really is made me so much more invested in her journey. The MMC was kind of adorably love sick, and while he did veer into feeling a little whipped at times, I still found their dynamic charming and engaging. I’d wholeheartedly recommend this book if you’re craving a fun romantasy that actually brings something fresh to the genre and refuses to blend in with the usual stuff.

BOOK 83 OF 2026📚

FRECKLED FATE #3: A RISING HOPE

BY: Tetyana Walker

STAR RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#2026readingchallenge #goodreads #readingwithrese #fable

Just when I thought I couldn’t love Gideon more, this book proved me wrong in the best possible way. His protective, totally smitten side is swoon‑worthy, and the slow burn here is chef’s kiss—the kind that keeps you grinning, kicking your feet, and savoring every tiny shift between them. The banter is sharp, the tension is delicious, and watching his walls come down made my heart ache in the sweetest way. And that ending? Wow. It’s emotional, surprising, and so perfectly set up that I was so glad I already had book 3 ready to go because I dove straight in without even pausing. This book feels so fresh, fun, and emotionally rich, and is an absolute must‑read for anyone who loves a good slow‑burn romance.

BOOK 82 OF 2026📚

FRECKLED FATE #2: A SIMPLE TRUTH

BY: Tetyana Walker

STAR RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#2026readingchallenge #goodreads #readingwithrese #fable