Hard Bubbles is the debut novel by Leah Legend, and I’m so glad I discovered her and this book because I am smitten. Another author I adore, Anna Fury, promoted her book on Instagram (you can find my gushing reviews of her and Amy Pennza’s Beautiful Nightmares series here), and if you know me, you know I can’t resist a merman book. And lemme tell you, this book is phenomenal.
~ Special thanks to Leah Legend for the opportunity to read and review Hard Bubbles in exchange for an honest review. Hard Bubbles releases February 29, 2024 ~
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Hard Bubbles by Leah Legend
🥭🥭🥭🥭🥭
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
(you can find my rating and spice system here)
POV & Tense: Dual POV, first person, present tense
Genre: MF Paranormal Romance
Tropes/Themes: Fated Mates, Scenting, Touch Her and Die, Feisty Heroine, Possessive Hero, Shifters, Merman, Dupeen, Breeding, Kissing for Oxygen, Greek Mythology
Synopsis:
When Desiree moves to Shifter City, America’s shifter capital, the last thing she expects—or thinks she needs—is for a merman shifter to stake his claim on her. No matter how hard she tries to resist, their fated bond will not be denied.
My Review:
When I began reading Hard Bubbles, I became immediately captivated by Leah’s gorgeous writing. It’s the type of writing that draws you in and immerses you in the story until you want to exist solely in her world. I fell in love with Desiree and Jaxon and their story.
But the gods must have known such an easy and compliant mate would never have suited me. Her resistance is our courtship.
Fated Mates with Electric Chemistry
Fated mates is one of those tropes I’ll always find irresistible, the idea that there’s one person—or creature—out there who completes you and helps you evolve into who you’re supposed to be. Desiree is a strong, independent woman, but Jaxon’s presence rocks her world. She feels it straight through to her core even though her human (rational) side resists. But Jaxon, being a shifter, can scent her arousal and KNOWS they’re meant to be. Her resistance, and his outright (respectful) refusal of her resistance, is delicious and I can’t get enough. Their passion is so intense I can feel it in my bones, and the progression of their relationship is deeply satisfying.
My mate’s arousal perfumes the air stronger than before. She’s thinking about us fucking.
I’m thinking about us fucking, too.
Fantastic World-Building
I am in love with the world Leah has created. Blending shifter lore with Greek mythology creates an engaging setting with endless possibilities. While some shifters have made their presence known to humans, other species have chosen to remain hidden. I can’t wait to read more in this series with other shifters, and I’m looking forward to more of the human/shifter politics.
Banging my sexy-as-hell shifter mate in the open ocean? I’m past caring. Let all the mermaid bitches be jealous of what’s mine.
Adorable Hippocampus
Jaxon’s lifelong companion, Astero the Hippocampus, steals every scene he’s in. He’s adorable, like an oversized puppy, but easily offended. When he brings you a gift of fish heads and regurgitated seaweed, you had best appreciate it. I love his playful and protective nature and his bond with Jaxon and Desiree.
Hard Bubbles by Leah Legend (A Shifter City Romance)
Final Thoughts:
In case you couldn’t tell, I am deeply passionate about Hard Bubbles. It’s been one of my most anticipated reads this year, and it delivers big time. I can’t believe I haven’t mentioned it yet, but that cover is gorgeous! I’m so excited to have discovered Leah Legend, and I can’t wait to read more from her.
Author Stalking (but not in a creepy way):
Hard Bubbles is Leah Legend’s debut. She loves writing spicy romance books with alpha heroes and feisty heroines.
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Banner Image Credit: Underwater Ocean
~~If you want more mermen and mermaids, check out my MERMAY REC LIST~~
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