AUTHOR: Brandy Hynes

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Debut novel what?!

I was not prepared for how great this debut novel was going to be. I absolutely loved all these characters and their relationships with each other. So good!

Ivanna (Ivy) has her life thrown off by a surprise development when she’s told she has to be married soon in order to actually get her inheritance. But really that’s just the tip of the iceberg. A chance encounter with a stranger leads to an impromptu engagement because she’s determined to have a say in her future instead of choosing from a list of potential suitors her mother has picked out. All while dealing with the devastating illness her father is facing.

Ivy never could have dreamed the family she would find with Wells and his friends – a new found family that feels like home almost immediately. She finds a connection with Wells through his dominating yet romantic and book loving ways. Fun movie talk with Ty who feels like a brother. Flirty banter and hacking with Liam. And she finds the way to grumpy Gage’s friendship through food and yummy baked goods.

While Ivy connects with Wells and the rest of her found family, secrets about her real family start coming to light. Dangerous people are after her for reasons she never could have imagined. Good thing she’s got a hot group of soldiers of her own now. But it turns out that this book loving, artistic woman with unique ways of thinking is a total badass in her own right.

Be prepared for a story of love and family, secrets and mysteries, danger and excitement, plus plenty of great spice mixed in. Oh and that trippy twist that will have you rethinking things right alongside Ivy. Such a great read! I can’t wait to read more from this new series. And if there ends up being a few spin offs I’m totally happy with that too.

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I swear this series just keeps getting better…

Book two in the KORT series picks up just a little bit after where we left off in book one. Celeste has come to stay with Ivy and the guys for a bit. She’s stuck between finding her own path and the pressure to follow the path her family is pushing her down. Unfortunately that path is pushing her to find a nice, boring politician to settle down with. Meanwhile she’s finding it harder and harder to ignore her growing feelings for Liam.

Liam is so sure he knows exactly who Celeste is and what she wants out of life. The other guys in their tightknit, found family are finding ways to learn more about Celeste as a person and connecting with her in their own unique ways. This definitely goes a long way to get Liam to open his eyes and actually see her past the mask she puts on for everyone.

Along the way they try to unravel the mystery of who is after Celeste and her family and what’s so important that it puts her in constant danger. Liam is determined to get Celeste to break free and stand up for herself while she’s determined not to let her family down. Their journey is so intense, emotional, spicy, and just fantastic.

This book was so good! The nontraditional family they’re all building is so amazing. I’m sitting over here making a wish list of potential books in this world. I want all their stories including the Noires and anyone else we collect along the way. Such a great world to dive into. Just two books in and it’s definitely a series on my list to re-read later on down the road when I can binge them all when it’s complete. I can’t wait for Ty’s story next.

AUDIOBOOK UPDATE: This was done in a duet style narration with a couple of great narrators bringing this story to life. The audiobook was a re-read for me and just made me fall in love with this story and this world as a whole all over again. So good!

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Falling more and more in love with this series…

Ty has been one of my favorite characters in this series from the very beginning, so I was super excited to learn more of his backstory. And Brandy did not disappoint. Ty and Rena’s journey just made me fall even more in love with this series and this amazing world Brandy is creating.

As one of the top officials in KORT, Ty leads a dangerous life. That is just one of the excuses he makes for keeping his distance from Rena. It’s clear to everyone in his found family that he has feelings for the young Noire princess. But his tortured past is another reason he doesn’t want to make a move and bring Rena into his dark world.

Rena has had a major crush on Ty for years and has been secretly hoping he will one day finally make his move. After a moment of vulnerability from Ty, she starts to wonder if the attraction is not one sided after all. But when she discovers secrets that rock her foundations, she makes a run for it to get some space.

Ty is desperate to find Rena and keep her safe. When she drops some clues he’s ready to chase her no matter what. The danger in their interconnected worlds can no longer be avoided and decisions have to be made fast. Those decisions set things in motion that can’t be stopped. It’s a fight to prove themselves and a fight to stay alive.

Every time I think I know who my favorite couple in this series is Brandy throws me for a loop. So I’m refusing to choose. I loved Ty and Rena’s story so much. They fought their attraction for so long and deserved to be happy and heal. That’s exactly what they do for each other in their own special ways. I love this whole found family and their crazy, fun, and slightly twisted but fiercely loyal and protective dynamic. I just want more and more.

AUDIOBOOK UPDATE (re-read): This was another great addition to The KORT collection. I love how well these narrators brought Ty and Rena’s story to life. And the duet style narration is so good. Oh I love this series so much!! The audio just brings a whole new element to this world that just enhances how great it is.