January Wrap-Up

Hello, all!

Man has this been a hectic start of the year for me! I spent the last few weeks of December packing because I moved halfway through this month, and then a week after that I flew down to Florida for one of my best friend’s weddings. And, seeing as how most of our friend group had to travel and we don’t always get time off together, we decided to stay a few extra days to go to the parks. As someone who thrives off downtime, I feel like I’ve been running around like a chicken without its head, but it was all worth it.

But let’s get into what I was able to read this month. Since most of my books were packed in boxes, this was a heavy audiobook/digital month.

Audio:

Senlin Ascends- Josiah Bancroft; 2/5
The Dating Plan- Sara Desai; 2/5
Lady Killers: Deadly Women Throughout History- Tori Telfer; 3/5
How to Kill Your Family- Bella Mackie; 4/5
Weather Girl- Rachel Lynn Solomon; 3.5/5
Where the Drowned Girls Go- Seanan McGuire; 4/5
Comfort Me with Apples- Catherynne M. Valente; 4/5

Digital:

The Comfort Book- Matt Haig; 3/5
A Lullaby for Witches- Hester Fox; 4/5
Jane and the Year Without a Summer- Stephanie Barron; 3/5
An Impossible Imposter- Deanna Raybourn; 4/5
The Rebound- Catherine Walsh; 3/5
Galatea- Madeline Miller; 4/5
Last Duke Standing- Julia London; 3/5
A Perfect Equation- Elizabeth Everett; 3/5
Cream and Punishment- Susannah Nix; 4/5

Physical:

A Swift and Savage Tide- Chloe Neill; 4/5
All the Right Reasons- Bethany Mangle; 3/5
A Marvellous Light- Freya Marske; 3.5/5

Some favorites were: A Swift and Savage Tide, Cream and Punishment, and How to Kill Your Family. Least favorites were: Senlin Ascends, The Dating Plan, and All the Right Reasons.

How was your reading month? What was your favorite/least favorite read?

January OwlCrate Review

Hello, all!

Seems the January box has come before the December box, so let's get right into it! The theme was "Thrill of the Hunt."

First up we had this Red London pin by Hey Atlas Designs. This is the start of a new series OwlCrate is doing called Literary Luggage, and I'm excited to see what else they come up with. I'm hoping they don't stick with A Darker Shade of Magic since they've already done those with the book tins, so I'd like to see some variety.

Then we had this coin inspired by We Hunt the Flame designed by the author herself. It's supposed to resemble the currency used in the book which is fun. I've never read this book though, so I may pass this along.

This seemed to be the box where OwlCrate introduced a lot of new lines because then we had this LOTR inspired ceramic bowl by Janine LeCour. Each bowl will celebrate an iconic location for the LOTR universe. This first one is for Erebor and has dwarven runes along the edge that translate to "Loyalty, honor, a willing heart, I can ask no more than that." I think this is really nice quality and I love the idea, but I'm not a huge LOTR fan, so I'll be passing this along as well.

To go along with the new pin collection, Hey Atlas Creative also designed this pin banner to go with it. I have so many of these so I should probably start using them.

My favorite item in the box was this Six of Crows canvas pouch from Out of Print. I love the design and it's roomy, so a win-win in my book.

The last item was this wooden bookmark inspired by The Gilded Wolves designed by Wink and Wonder. This looks so elegant, I love it.

The book for this month was The Ivory Key- Akshaya Raman. This is the start to a new fantasy duology following four estranged royal siblings who must ban together to find a new source of magic before their country is swallowed by invading forces.

I haven't heard of this before, but the cover is so striking and it sounds like it'll be action-packed and atmospheric. Let me know what you thought of this months box!

Top 5: Fictional Homes I'd Want to Live In

Hello, all!

I haven't done a Top 5 in forever, so let's talk about some fictional houses I wish were mine!

1. Practical Magic: I had to kick this list off with the inspiration for it all. I saw a tweet that said all girls want one thing and that's this house, and honestly? Truer words have never been spoken.

2. The Burrow: I've always thought the Weasley home seemed the coziest place ever. I just want to sit around the dinner table, eating Molly's cooking, and just taking in all the chaotic fun.

3. Mia's House in The Princess Diaries: She had her own fire pole! Need I say more?

4. The Addams Family Mansion: As you could tell from number 1, I love a Victorian house and I'm pretty much Wednesday Addams, so it's only fitting.

5. Spice Girls Bus: Ok, I know this isn't technically a house, but it had a full-on runway, swing set, and a fancy chess set and who wouldn't want all those features? It was also driven by Meatloaf, and he seems like a fun guy to hang around with. 

Let me know some of your picks!

Mini Thoughts

Hello, all!

Pub Date: 1-18-21
Adult - Contemporary

Lucky Leap Day- Ann Marie Walker: Cara Kennedy was supposed to be visiting Ireland with her boyfriend, but now she's nursing her broken heart with a few pints with the locals. After knocking back one too many whiskey punches, Cara gets swept away in the Leap Day tradition of women proposing to men and goes down on bended knee to Finn, the handsome and charming Irishman she keeps running into. The only problem is, Cara has no recollection of these events until she wakes up the next morning in an unfamiliar bed with a tinfoil ring on her finger. With her flight back home only hours away, Cara has no choice but to bring Finn (and his dog) back stateside with her to try and figure everything out. When Finn lands an audition for an upcoming movie straightaway, Cara can't help but wonder if what they have is real or if he was using her for her Hollywood connections. As the days on Finn's visa tick down, will he be able to convince Cara she's the one for him before it's too late?

If you like the movie Leap Year or are just a sucker for a whirlwind romance, this is the book for you. It was so charming and adorable. I was instantly taken with Cara and Finn. They both had this loveable quality about them that just made me smile. Their relationship was, of course, very insta-lovey, but I didn't mind it so much. I didn't realize this was a closed-door romance going in, and while that's fine, I would've liked a little bit of steam. Aside from the characters/relationship, I enjoyed how Walker incorporated Irish slang and history into this as well because it helped immerse you in the story, and it was just fun to read. While I did enjoy this a lot, some bits felt predictable, and others were a little too convenient, but I still thought it was a cute and entertaining read.

Rating: 3/5

Pub Date: 8-3-21
Adult - Contemporary

The Dating Dare- Jayci Lee: Tara Park isn't one for relationships or one-night stands, but all that changes when she meets Seth Kim. She's instantly charmed by his flirty demeanor, and it doesn't hurt that he's more than easy on the eyes, so Tara can't say she minds when a game of truth-or-dare turns into a four-date agreement between the pair. Seth is leaving for Paris in a month, so there's no chance of her getting attached, or so she thought. The more time the pair spend together, the more neither of them can deny their feelings. What was supposed to be a fun fling quickly turns into something way more serious than either was anticipating. With the days dwindling before Seth's departure, both Tara and Seth will have to decide how far they'll go for love.

It sounded like this was going to be a sweet contemporary, and it was, but I couldn't help feeling bored throughout. There were a few things I liked, namely Seth. He was cocky and flirty, and I loved how caring he was towards Tara. There are mentions of how much of a player he is, but you never really see any evidence of that. He goes above and beyond for Tara, and it was adorable watching him plan all these dates for her. I did find Tara a little annoying at times, but other than that, she was fine. I think my main problem with this was the writing. It felt almost juvenile at times, and I had a tough time clicking with it. Despite that, I thought it was fast-paced and cute, but I don't think it'll be too memorable for me.

Rating: 3/5

Pub Date: 6-22-21
Adult - Contemporary

Love Scenes- Bridget Morrissey: Sloane Ford has just been killed off her long-running TV show and is in desperate need of a job, so she agrees to work as a producer on her famous family’s new WWII-era romance. What her family failed to mention was that the star of the film is none other than Joseph Donovan, her past co-star and the person who almost made her quit the business for good. When the pair had last worked together, Joseph made it a point to make Sloane’s life a living hell. Not even his handsome face and Irish brogue could make Sloane forget how unprofessional he was, but Joseph swears he’s changed and wants them to turn over a new leaf. As filming goes on, it’s clear that luck isn’t on their side, and when the leading actress gets fired, Sloane agrees to replace her. In doing so, Sloane reignites her passion for acting and can’t deny the on-screen chemistry she shares with Joseph. When that chemistry starts spilling over to real life, Sloane starts to realize she can’t differentiate the love between their characters from what she feels for Joseph, and maybe that’s not such a bad thing.

I was looking for something cute that I wouldn’t have to think too hard about, and this delivered. I thought the plot was fun and liked the movie aspect of it. I enjoyed watching Sloane and Joseph grow closer both on-screen and off. It wasn’t hard seeing how their relationship would play out, but the predictability didn’t lessen my enjoyment. There were times when I felt the focus was more on Sloane’s family rather than her and Joseph, so that took me out of the story a bit. While I liked this, there weren’t enough moments that stood out, but I’d still recommend it if you’re looking for quick to pass the time.

Rating: 3/5

Blog Tour: The Siren of Sussex Review

Hello, all!

When it comes to a historical romance, I'ma read it. It's one of my favorite genres and makes me so happy. The first thing that piqued my interest about The Siren of Sussex by Mimi Matthews was the equestrienne aspect. I was the only one in my friend group who didn't ride horses growing up (they took me on a trail ride once and I was terrified), but I knew a lot about the sport just from listening to them, so I was intrigued how that would play into the plot. 

Pub Date: 1-11-22
Adult - Historical Romance

Evelyn Maltravers is a proud bluestocking who would rather ride horses than stroll through ballrooms. She knows she won't be able to save her family's crumbling reputation through a good marriage match. Her only hope is to play to her strengths as an equestrienne, and she knows the best way to make a splash is through high fashion. To turn the heads of the London ton, Evelyn will need a habit-maker just as afraid to rock the boat as she.

Ahmad Malik has always had a knack for making women feel beautiful. His designs are gaining recognition around London after outfitting the Rotten Row's infamous band of women riders dubbed the Pretty Horsebreakers. Meeting Evelyn sparks creativity in Ahmad that he's never felt before, and the pair decide to help each other out. As Evelyn and Ahmad spend more time together, they can't deny the spark between them, but with so many obstacles to hurdle, they'll have to decide if the risk is worth the reward.

I haven't read anything from this author before, so I wasn't sure what to expect, but I liked this. I appreciated how much research Matthews must've done into this period to make it feel so historically accurate. All the descriptions of Victorian fashion were so beautiful and detailed, and the conversation surrounding spiritualism was interesting as it wasn't something I was very familiar with. I liked how independent Evelyn and Ahmad were and how they both were just trying to create a better life for themselves and their families. I didn't realize going in that this was a closed-door romance, and I do wish there was a little bit of steam because I felt the chemistry was lacking a smidge. It made the story come across more like historical fiction that just had a subtle romantic side plot. I think if I knew more or had an interest in horses or riding, I would've enjoyed this a little more, but it was still good for what it was.

Rating: 3/5

Rage and Ruin Review

Hello, all!

I had posted a review of the first book in this series, Storm and Fury, last year (review here) but realized I never did the others. So, let's rectify that, shall we?  

*Potential spoilers ahead*

Pub Date: 6-9-20
YA - Urban Fantasy

Being the daughter of an archangel has brought nothing but grief to Trinity Morrow. She's spent her entire life being groomed to fight in a war that she has no concept of or wants anything to do with. She knows there's a lot about her and her future that's kept from her, but when she's betrayed by someone close to her she begins to see how in the dark she truly is. Trinity can feel an evil growing and she knows it's just a matter of time before the Harbinger comes.

Trinity and her bonded gargoyle protector Zayne have been patrolling the streets of DC constantly looking for any clues as to what, or who, the Harbinger is. As each search brings up more dead ends, the pair seek help from unlikely sources, namely Roth, a crown prince of Hell. When more deaths pile up, the group uncovers a sinister plot at a local school endangering someone close to Zayne. The more they investigate, the more Trinity can't help but feel as if she's being toyed with. She's being drawn to something but she can't quite figure out what. All becomes clear when Trinity comes face-to-face with another Trueborn and no amount of training could prepare her for the hell that's about to break loose.

This was a lot of fun. The pacing was way easier to fall into than the first and I found myself enjoying it a lot quicker. After the events of the first book, Trinity's whole life is turned upside-down and you know it's going to get worse but you don't know how, and then this comes in and just steamrolls you. Especially when it came to Trinity and Zayne. They've always had great banter and chemistry, but it was on another level here. Their journey together was such a highlight despite all the frustrating, and occasionally, heartbreaking moments. For me, the plot in this one was also a lot better than the first. I felt there was more world-building and things were more fleshed out. We learn more about the Harbinger and all the complexities it brings, and the ending was a complete shock and makes me even more excited to pick up the third. While I did still have a few issues with wording/phrasing choices, it didn't lessen my enjoyment and I thought this was a solid read.

Rating: 4/5

Mini Thoughts

Hello, all!

Pub Date: 8-10-21
Adult - Historical Fiction

The Show Girl- Nicola Harrison: Olive McCormick has always longed to move away from her dull life in Minneapolis and become a star. When she arrives in New York City, she's determined to make all her dreams come true by becoming a dancer in the Ziegfeld Follies. Despite being a talented performer, it takes all of Olive's know-how to make it to the main stage, and once there, she quickly learns it's not all it's cracked up to be. Nothing could prepare Olive for just how much she'd need to sacrifice to achieve her goals. Then she meets the wealthy and handsome Archie Carmichael. Archie isn't one to balk at Olive's progressive ways, and soon the pair find themselves swept away in a whirlwind romance. But when secrets from her past threaten to derail everything, Olive is forced to either reveal her darkest shame or risk losing the only man she's ever loved.

If a historical fiction is set in the Roaring '20s NYC, you can bet I'll be picking it up. I love reading about this time, and Harrison did a fantastic job immersing you in the story that you felt as if you were there. It was so atmospheric and light but still had that gritty feel to it. I found Olive fascinating and loved seeing the story through her eyes. In the beginning, she feels very naive and doe-eyed, but as the story progresses, you see her grow into this willful woman. Were there times I found her slightly petulant? Yes, but overall, I liked her growth. It is more of a character-driven plot, so I was worried it wouldn't keep my full attention, but that was never the case. I was engaged the entire time wondering what sort of antics Olive would find herself in. Harrison crafted a beautiful coming-of-age story that never shied away from the ups and downs or hardships that faced a young woman during this time. It was flashy, glamorous, and heartbreaking all at the same time. The ending was tied together a little too quickly/conveniently for my tastes, but other than that, I thought this was delightful.

Rating: 4/5

Pub Date: 7-13-21
Adult - Contemporary

The Rehearsals- Annette Christie: Megan and her fiancé Tom have been together for most of their adult lives and are just about to get married on a beautiful island in the PNW. What should be a joyous occasion soon turns sour when secrets that both Megan and Tom have been keeping come to light. After a disastrous rehearsal dinner, the pair decide to call off their wedding and go their separate ways, only to wake up the next day to find themselves somehow stuck in a time loop. Neither one finds the prospect of reliving their worst day over and over again as enjoyable, but nothing they do seems to break the cycle. If Megan and Tom hope to make it to tomorrow, they'll have to work through years of repressed issues and learn to trust one another again. But if they finally do break the loop, will the wedding be on?

I'm not sure how to feel about this one. For a good 70-80% of it, I didn't like any of the characters. Megan and Tom were hiding things from one another and most of their family members were judgmental and just all-around crummy people. Then as the time loop progresses, Megan and Tom both did things to purposefully hurt the other which just left a bad taste in my mouth. Each day in the loop brought out new revelations about their relationship and how they've had problems right from the start that they both chose to ignore. They seemed to take the immature route by lashing out at one another instead of just talking through their issues. The whole relationship seemed very toxic from the get-go, yet it somehow still managed to charm me in the end. Once the pair started to see things from the other's perspective and commit to healing their past hurts, I started to like them more together and did root for them to break the loop and save their wedding. The character development they both go through is really what saved this for me. I think both Megan and Tom grew from their experience and learned to love and appreciate each other more which was satisfying to see. While I didn't fully click with it, I'd recommend if you enjoy a Groundhog's Day scenario and don't mind messy characters/drama.

Rating: 3/5

Pub Date: 6-22-21
Adult - Historical Fiction

Songs in Ursa Major- Emma Brodie: Bayleen Island is best known for its yearly Folk Fest, and the biggest draw for the 1969 concert is Jesse Reid. The tall, handsome, soft-spoken guitar god is sure to rocket to stardom after this major performance, but a motorcycle crash on the way to the venue leads to an unknown local band taking over his spot. Jane Quinn and her band, The Breakers, take the stage to boo's and jeering, but the moment Jane opens her mouth and the band starts rocking, everyone is mystified by what's unfolding before them: a star in the making. The performance was just the beginning. Soon, Jane and the band find themselves on a label making an album and touring the country with Jesse. Between the blur of stadiums, partying, and media attention, Jane and Jesse strike up a whirlwind romance. But when the pressures of fame and the music industry start weighing on Jane, she must face a past she's long since tried to bury before she fades into the background.

I'm a sucker for a "Behind the Music" trope and this one did it fantastically. Brodie's writing has this gritty quality to it that feels very true to the era. She fully embraces that hard lifestyle that was running rampant during the 1970s where everything was sex, drugs, and rock and roll. I loved how she weaved all these different viewpoints together from Jane's relationship with her family to Jesse to the sexism she faced in the music industry. Everything flowed so nicely into one another which made for such a compelling and captivating story. Jane was so resilient and I admired how she wasn't one to back down from situations where someone was trying to stifle her. She and Jesse had such a tumultuous relationship so there are a lot of ups and downs throughout the book, with each having their demons to conquer. I think Brodie did a great job of handling their issues and making them feel real. The emotions are supercharged from beginning to end and there were times I felt just as drained as Jane. My favorite part of this was all the interactions between Jane and her band and getting insight into the recording process/songwriting. Jane's treatment is so different than her male bandmates and it's sad how that's still prevalent today, but she always faced down every obstacle that was thrown her way. If you're looking for the perfect beach read, or if you're a fan of Daisy Jones & The Six, this is the one to pick up.

Rating: 4/5

Let's Talk: The Inheritance Games Series

Hello, all!

It's no secret I'm a fan of a compelling and fun mystery. I'd heard a lot of hype surrounding The Inheritance Games series by Jennifer Lyn Barnes, so I decided to check it out. It quickly became one of my favorite YA mystery series! I'd heard it compared to the movie Knives Out, and aside from the eccentric wealthy family, I didn't see too many other similarities, but if you enjoy that sort of vibe, I'd recommend checking these out. I can't wait for the third book which comes out later in the year!

Pub Date: 9-1-20
YA - Mystery

The Inheritance Games: The only plans Avery Grambs has for the future are to pass high school, and get a scholarship to a good college that will take her away from her hometown. Ever since her mom passed away, Avery has had to struggle-- constantly working and occasionally sleeping in her car when her half-sister's sleazy boyfriend is living in their apartment. Then out of nowhere, Avery's life is completely turned on its head when billionaire Tobias Hawthorne dies and leaves his estate to her. Avery's certain there must be some mistake since she's never even heard of Hawthorne before, but to her shock and confusion, it's all legal. The only catch to her inheritance? She has to live a full year at Hawthorne House, Tobias's sprawling Texas estate, full of secret passages and puzzles. Occupying the mansion with her are the four Hawthorne grandsons and their family who were just dispossessed. Two of the grandsons believe Avery to be the last riddle their grandfather left them to crack, and when someone seems to want to take Avery off the playing board for good, she'll have no choice but to play the Hawthorne's games.

I enjoyed this way more than I was anticipating. It was captivating and engaging right from the beginning. The idea of a seemingly random stranger inheriting a family's fortune was wild and led to some interesting conflicts between characters. There was so much about this that I liked, from the characters to the plot itself. I found it fun following along with Avery as she tried to ferret out the clues to Tobias' will, and how she fit into it all. I also liked the Hawthorne grandsons, even though I still don't know if I trust any of them, and thought Xander added a nice amount of humor to this. Barnes did a great job creating an intriguing mystery that kept you guessing the whole time by puzzling out riddles and hidden clues. I only had two problems with this: Firstly, there are hints of a love triangle brewing between Avery and two of the Hawthorne brothers, and that's not a trope I particularly love (and which I thought felt unnecessary given the brother's past); Secondly, I still don't fully understand why Avery was chosen to inherit everything, so I'm hoping the lingering questions I have will be addressed in the second book. Aside from that, I thought this was a solid start to the series.

Rating: 4/5

Pub Date: 9-7-21
YA - Mystery

The Hawthorne Legacy: After inheriting a billionaire's fortune, Avery Grambs found her whole world turned upside down. She went from sleeping in her car to living in a sprawling Texas estate. Tobias Hawthorne was a complicated man who loved riddles and puzzles, and the biggest one he left his family was Avery. With the help of two of the four Hawthorne grandsons, Avery has been trying to piece together why a stranger would have left her anything. Thanks to a DNA test, Avery knows she isn't a secret Hawthorne, but her investigation leads her to discover she may have a deeper connection to the family than she realized. Avery may be the only person who knows the whereabouts of Toby Hawthorne, the Hawthorne son who was thought to have died years prior, and that information could get her killed.

Sometimes I'm wary of going into second books because I worry they may suffer from "second book syndrome." I always think it won't live up to the first book, and I'll be disappointed, but that wasn't the case here. It was as good, if not better than the first. Once again, Barnes sucks you into this crazy investigation and this family who is more likely to shoot you than hug you. I loved getting to learn more about Avery and her background, and finally getting to see how she ties into the Hawthorne family. You think her connection to Toby will play out in a certain way, but then Barnes flips the script. One of my favorite things about mysteries is not being able to guess what's going to happen, and Barnes does a great job at throwing so many plot twists at you that you can never be too sure what's going to occur. Even though there were so many aspects I loved about this, I still had the same nitpicky issues as the first. I'm not a fan of the angsty love triangle between Avery, Grayson, and Jameson, and there are times when the plot and character's reaction to things doesn't seem plausible. We did get some answers in this, but I feel like there's still a lot that we don't know, but I'm excited to see where it goes from here.

Rating: 4.5/5

Have you read this series yet? Lemme know what you thought!

Blog Tour: Love at First Spite Review

Hello, all!

I hope you're all having a nice start to the new year! Love at First Spite by Anna E. Collins was on my Most Anticipated of 2022 list, so massive thanks to the publisher for having me on the blog tour!

Pub Date: 1-4-22
Adult - Contemporary

Dani Porter is out for revenge. She was supposed to get married and live happily ever after in a beautiful house, but now she's sleeping on her cousin's couch after her fiancé cheated on her with the realtor who sold them said beautiful house. Dani knows she should be the bigger person, but where's the fun in that? She decides the best way to get back at her ex is to make his life miserable, and she knows just the way to do it. Dani's going to buy the vacant lot next to her ex and put up the most obnoxious rental home.

As an interior designer, Dani already has plans laid out, but she needs an architect who won't mind working on her project she's aptly named the Spite House. But her plans hit a little bump when the only person at her firm available to take on the job is Wyatt Montego, who's as handsome as he is stuck-up. Wyatt is known for taking charge of his projects, but Dani refuses to let anyone come between her and her sweet revenge. As the pair spend time together both on- and off-site, Dani starts to realize there's more to Wyatt than his grumpy façade, but will her petty quest ruin her chances to build something real?

I thought the premise of this sounded hilarious, but I didn't love it as much as I was hoping to. It was a fun ride, and I liked the girl gang vibe Dani had with her cousin Mia and her landlady Iris, but I think Dani's revenge plot was a little too extreme. Dani is so laser-focused on annoying her ex and there's so much time placed on this house, only for it to wrap up in such an underwhelming way. I did like seeing the relationship between her and Wyatt grow, and thought they were cute together, but there was never any part that had me particularly rooting for them. Everything about this, from the plot to the characters, just felt a bit average. If you're into workplace romances and are looking for a quick read, then I still think this would be a good one to pick up. I just don't think it's going to be that memorable for me.

Rating: 3/5