July Wrap-Up

Hello, all!

We're one month closer to fall and cool weather, and after the gross heatwave that hit New York this month, it can't come fast enough. The past few weeks, all I've wanted to do was read romance, but I finally dipped back into my fantasy bag this month and it felt so good to be back!

Audio:

See You Yesterday- Rachel Lynn Solomon; 2/5
The Unsinkable Greta James- Jennifer E. Smith; 4/5
The Missed Connection- Denise Williams; 3/5
The Butterfly Garden- Dot Hutchison; 4/5
There's Someone Inside Your House- Stephanie Perkins; 2/5
Persuasion- Jane Austen; 3/5
Notes on an Execution- Danya Kukafka; 3/5
The Prison Healer- Lynette Noni; 2.5/5

Digital:

Spells for Forgetting- Adrienne Young; 4/5
For Butter or Worse- Erin La Rosa; 2/5
When in Rome- Sarah Adams; 5/5
Something in the Heir- Suzanne Enoch; 2/5
The Enemy- Sarah Adams; 4/5
Witch Hat Atelier, Vol. #9; 4/5

Physical:

The Poppy War- R.F. Kuang; 4/5
Funny You Should Ask- Elissa Sussman; 4/5
Among Thieves- M. J. Kuhn; 2/5
Lore Olympus, Vol. #2- Rachel Smythe; 5/5
Half a Soul- Olivia Atwater; 3/5
What Moves the Dead- T. Kingfisher; 4/5
This Vicious Grace- Emily Thiede; 3.5/5
Lakesedge- Lyndall Clipstone; 2/5
A Matter of Temptation- Stacy Reid; 3/5
The Duke's Shotgun Wedding- Stacy Reid; 2/5
Prudence- Gail Carriger; 2/5
The Lady Gets Lucky- Joanna Shupe; 4/5

Some favorites were: When in Rome, Spells for Forgetting, and This Vicious Grace. Some least favorites were: There's Someone Inside Your House, Lakesedge, and For Butter or Worse.

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

Mini Thoughts

Hello, all!

I realized I'm woefully behind on my reviews, so please excuse all these upcoming posts while I try to catch myself up!

Pub Date: 7-26-22
Adult - Contemporary

For Butter or Worse- Erin La Rosa: Nina Lyons is a professional chef who wants nothing more than to inspire other young girls to cook. She co-hosts a popular cooking reality show with Leo O’Donnell, a restaurateur who takes every opportunity to push Nina's buttons. When one of Leo's jokes goes a little too far while filming, Nina decides to quit the show on-air. Leo doesn't mean to be a jerk, but his anxieties often make him come across that way, and he feels bad for how he acted towards Nina. To make matters worse, paparazzi photos surface of the two in what appears to be a compromising situation, causing the internet to go wild. Despite the animosity simmering between them, neither can deny a fake relationship may be the only way to get their careers back on track. But what happens when the feelings start to turn real?

Oh, how I wanted to love this. I'm not a huge fan of cooking shows (unless we're talking The Great British Bake Off), but I am a fan of a fake dating scenario, but this didn't work for me. The book felt like it started in the middle. You don't get any background on the characters or the tension between them. You're just dropped into a scene and have to figure it out yourself. If it had started with them working together for a bit, it would've helped establish their relationship, rather than have it start right at Leo insulting Nina causing her to quit. I could also take or leave Nina and Leo. Neither one of them made much of an impression on me. Maybe Nina did slightly more, but only because I found her pretentious at times. Their relationship was very meh and almost felt forced at times, so I had a hard time getting invested in it. Sadly, this whole thing felt under baked.

Rating: 2/5

Pub Date: 3-1-22
Adult - Contemporary

The Unsinkable Greta James- Jennifer E. Smith: Greta James has spent the last few years making a name for herself in the indie-rock scene. She's released albums, toured the world, and been on the covers of magazines. But all that changes when she unexpectedly loses her mother and has an emotional breakdown on stage that goes viral. Greta's mother was always her biggest fan and cheerleader, but not only that, she was the bridge between Greta and her father, who Greta never seems to please. When Greta reluctantly agrees to go on an Alaskan cruise with her father, the same one he and her mother were supposed to take for their wedding anniversary, she's hoping not only to heal her humiliation but the bond between them as well. While on the ship, Greta meets Ben, a historian with his own struggles, and the two instantly connect. The pair start to rely on one another to help make sense of their issues, but in the end, Greta must face the music on her own.

I always like books that have a musician/celebrity element to them, and this was no exception. I thought the story was interesting, and Smith's writing was engaging and easy to digest. I read most of this in one sitting because it was so fast-paced. I liked how the romance between Greta and Ben took a backseat, and the story focused more on Greta and her relationship with herself and her father. They have such a rocky relationship, and there were so many awkward moments between them as they tried to piece together this new dynamic without the glue that held them together. It was heartwarming seeing them eventually come together into something that may not be perfect yet but has all the makings of it. I also liked watching Greta come into her own and decide what she wants out of life. Overall, I thought Smith did a lovely job balancing the heavier topics such as grief and healing with sweet humor that made for a delightful read.

Rating: 4/5

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

Daughters of Sparta- Claire Heywood: With their beauty and royal status as princesses of Sparta, Klytemnestra and Helen are the envy of all Greece. But their status comes at a price. Both girls are separated and married off to foreign kings when they were young-- the intimidating Agamemnon and his brother Menelaos. Despite their reservations, the sisters know what their duty is: be an obedient wife and provide heirs for her husband. For a while, both Klytenmestra and Helen play their parts, but before long both start to rebel against their husbands' neglect and cruelty. The choices they make will cause a ripple effect that will be felt all over Greece and last for centuries to come.

I've read a lot of Trojan war retellings, but never one from the sole perspectives of Klytemnestra and Helen. It was so fascinating watching the events unfold from their points of view. Heywood does a beautiful job of immersing you in their lives. I enjoyed watching them go from childhood to trying to navigate such rocky marriages. They each had their little ways to make their voices heard in a time where women weren't allowed to have many opinions. They make sacrifices for their families, and their choices have consequences that they weren't prepared for but still persevere. I do think Heywood could've made their personalities a little more dynamic so they popped even more, but it still worked. Other than that, I thought this was a lovely depiction of familial bonds, and even though this is a sad story, it still felt hopeful, and I can't wait to see what Heywood comes out with next.

Rating: 4/5

July OwlCrate Review

Hello, all!

The theme for this month was "Courtly Intrigue." Let's get into it!

First up, there was this collapsible silicone water bottle inspired by From Blood and Ash. I can always use a water bottle, and I don't have one like this so this'll be convenient. My family and I are also planning a trip to Ireland next year, so this'll be perfect to bring through security so I don't have to pay $20 for a water bottle in the airport.

Then we had this body mist inspired by Priory of the Orange Tree. I don't usually vibe with their scented products, so I'm surprised that I don't mind this. I'm a fan of sweeter scents, so that's probably why. I'm not sure if I'd use this for myself or just as a room spray, but I like it.

I have to be honest-- I don't like when they include these little bowl cozies because I'm never going to use one. It's just an item I never think to use, so it always goes to waste.

The luggage pin this month was inspired by City of Brass, and I love the color scheme for this one. The design itself is also really nice.

As much as I love the Throne of Glass series, I have no use for these little drink charms, so sadly just like the bowl cozy, I'll be passing these along.

The last item was this little wooden pocket mirror inspired by These Hollow Vows. I'm in the minority who didn't enjoy this book, but I can always use a mirror to throw in my bag.

The book for the month was Violet Made of Thorns by Gina Chen. This is a darkly enchanting fantasy debut about a morally gray witch, a cursed prince, and a prophecy that ignites their fate-twisted destinies.

I love anything to do with witches, so sign me up. I'm also obsessed with the foiling on the endpages. I'm hoping to pick this one up soon. Let me know what you thought of this months box!

Blog Tour: The Librarian Spy Excerpt

Hello, all!

I love historical fiction set around WWII, especially when they're based on true events. Big thanks to the publisher for having me a part of the blog tour for The Librarian Spy by Madeline Martin!

Pub Date: 7-26-22
Adult - Historical Fiction

This story was inspired by the true history of America’s library spies of World War II. Ava thought her job at the Library of Congress would be quiet and routine, but an unexpected offer from the US military lands her in Lisbon, posing as a librarian while working undercover as a spy gathering intelligence. Meanwhile, in occupied France, Elaine works as an apprentice at a printing press run by members of the Resistance. As the war progress, both women find themselves connecting through coded messages and discovering hope in the face of war.

You can check out an excerpt below!

Top 5: Goosebumps Covers

 Hello, all!

What was a book/series that got you into reading when you were young? Mine was Goosebumps. I was obsessed as a kid, and it fueled my love of all things cheesy horror related. Since this month marks its 30th anniversary, I thought it'd be fun to highlight some of my favorite covers from the original series.

1. The Blob That Ate Everyone: You know how I said I love anything cheesy horror related? Well, that extends to sci-fi as well. I vividly remember going to a drive-in when I was really young and watching The Blob, and you guessed it, I loved it so much. So, obviously, this cover reminds me of that and it always hits me right in the nostalgia bone.

2. Calling All Creeps: I'm a child of the late-80s, so I thrived in the '90s. I don't know how to explain it, but I feel like this cover encapsulates the whole '90s aesthetic so well. Everyone was obsessed with dinosaurs, the clothing with the backwards cap, the denim sleeveless jacket, the long sleeve button down on top of another long sleeve shirt, it all just screams the '90s.

3. Attack of the Jack-O'-Lanterns: I told ya, I'm obsessed with Halloween and everything to do with it 🤷

4. Deep Trouble: Fun fact about me: I was a shark kid growing up, and I only dreamt of having two jobs- 1. Hosting my own horror show like Elvira, and 2. Becoming a marine biologist like Hooper from Jaws. I used to spend every moment in the library reading about all the different species, and tracing/labeling their anatomies into notebooks. Then I hit high school and discovered just how terrible I am and math and science, so I'll just pick this up instead.

5. The Curse of Camp Cold Lake: This always reminds me of an Are You Afraid of the Dark? episode, and one of the many reasons why I'll never go into large bodies of water higher than my shins.

Nettle & Bone Review

 Hello, all!

Who's an author that you've recently become obsessed with? For me, it's T. Kingfisher. I had read The Hollow Places last year and thought it was good, but then I picked up Nettle & Bone and adored it.

Pub Date: 4-26-22
Adult - Fantasy

Marra is the youngest of three princesses and has always dreaded the time when she'd be forced to marry. She watched her eldest sister be sent away to marry a prince, only to return months after dead from a fall. Then, Marra watched as her middle sister was married off to the same prince and came to suffer at his abusive hands. When she visits her sister and witnesses the evidence of his cruelty, Marra decides enough is enough. If no one will rescue her sister, then Marra will have to do it herself.

Desperate for a way to kill a prince, Marra seeks help from a powerful dust-witch. But, to get the information she requires, Marra must complete three impossible tasks: sew a cloak out of nettles, build a dog of bones, and capture moonlight in a jar. On her journey, Marra is joined by the dust-witch, a frazzled fairy godmother, a handsome former knight, and a demon-possessed chicken. The group will have to weather goblin markets, labyrinthine underground burial chambers, angry ghosts, and everything in-between if they are to have any hope of crushing the prince and saving Marra's sister and her kingdom from his reign of terror.

I had such a great time reading this. I loved the idea of a princess not wanting to marry herself a prince but killing one instead. The writing was quirky and darkly whimsical. It reminded me a lot of Neil Gaiman. The cast of characters we meet here is top-notch. I'm always a fan of a rag-tag bunch of characters banding together for one common goal. I think Marra came off a little younger than her supposed 30-years, but I liked her nonetheless. My favorite of the bunch, though, was the dust-witch with her demon-possessed chicken. She had such a dry, snarky wit that I ate up. The only reason this wasn't a full five stars, was it took me a few chapters to find my footing, but once I did, I was hooked. I highly recommend it if you're looking for an unconventional but entertaining take on fairytales.

Rating: 4.5/5

Bet On It Review

Hello, all!

Do you ever see one of those cartoon-y contemporary covers and think you're in for a fluffy rom-com, but it turns out a bit heavier than you expected? That was what happened to me with Bet On It by Jodie Slaughter.

Pub Date: 7-12-21
Adult - Contemporary

Aja Owens has struggled with anxiety for as long as she can remember. She left her family behind in DC, hoping the quiet pace of Greenbelt, South Carolina, would help soothe some of her stress, but then a panic attack hits her right in the frozen food section of the Piggly Wiggly. When a stranger stops to help, Aja hightails it out of the store in embarrassment, safe in the notion that they'll never cross paths again. Unfortunately for Aja, the kind (and handsome) stranger turns out to be the estranged grandson of her bingo pal, who has come to town for a few weeks. 

If Walker Abbott had his way, he would never step foot in Greenbelt again. But when his grandma breaks both of her arms, he begrudgingly comes back to care for her. Walker has nothing but bad memories of this town, but the one new shining spot is Aja. From the moment they met, Walker has been intrigued by Aja, and neither can deny the attraction between them. Both know that Walker isn't here to stay, so to try and contain whatever is between them, they strike up a bingo-based sex pact. However, when emotions start running high, will the pair be able to make a clean break?

For someone who has never really played bingo, I love it. I have this weird fascination with it, so when I saw this was a rom-com based around it, I was sold. I loved the whole southern small-town setting and the way Slaughter depicted it made you feel as if you were right there, sweating along with Aja and Walker. I thought the pair had decent chemistry, and I liked the progression of their relationship. As I mentioned, I wasn't necessarily expecting how heavy some of the topics mentioned in here were, so I would suggest checking trigger warnings before picking this up. That said, I did think Slaughter incorporated those elements of mental health and trauma in a very realistic way that I thought was well done. The only issues I had were the dialogue got pretty cringy at moments, and the ending felt a bit lackluster. Other than that, I enjoyed this.

Rating: 3/5

Mini Thoughts

Hello, all!

Pub Date: 7-12-22
YA - Thriller

We Made It All Up- Margot Harrison: Celeste is the new girl in town having just moved from Montreal to Montana. The only friend she's made is Vivvy, the heir to the town's name and a fellow social outcast. After the pair witness an interaction between two classmates, Celeste and Vivvy decide to write a fan-fiction starring them. Throughout the process of writing a love-infused story between the popular guy and the stoner, Celeste and Vivvy begin to grow closer. Soon, the story starts stirring up events from Celeste's past, and Vivvy seems hell-bent on making fiction a reality. When a drunken night leads to Celeste kissing the golden boy, who is then found dead, everyone in town is quick to blame her. But Celeste can't remember anything that happened, and as she investigates, Celeste discovers everyone around her isn't as innocent as they seem.

I always find YA thrillers a bit hit-or-miss, but this one was enjoyable. There were a lot of twists and turns I wasn't expecting, so it made the story feel more suspenseful. It was also a lot darker than I was anticipating, and there are a few trigger warnings to be mindful of before picking this up. I liked how it's told in alternating timelines. It helped to flesh out the relationship between the characters so you could get the whole picture. Honestly, I didn't like almost any of the characters. They were all very flawed and had their issues and traumas. All of them gave off a shady vibe, so you never knew who to trust, but I think it worked for the type of story it was. But I still found the fan-fiction Celeste and Vivvy wrote about Joss and Seth to be super uncomfortable. I thought the pacing took a while to hit its stride, but once it did, it was an engaging read.

Rating: 3/5

Pub Date: 7-12-22
Adult - Historical Romance

Always Be My Duchess- Amalie Howard: Lord Lysander Blackstone is notoriously known for one thing: his interest in increasing his already sizeable fortune. After a rough childhood and a series of betrayals, the Duke likes to keep his emotions buried far below his stony exterior. But when his reputation for being heartless threatens a lucrative business deal, Lysander finds himself negotiating a very different kind of deal. Geneviève "Nève" Valery is an out-of-work ballerina trying to make enough money to care for her injured sister. When she saves a handsome duke, she thought she'd get a thank you, not a proposition to become his fake fiancé in exchange for a small fortune. Nève can't pass up the opportunity, but soon real feelings start to develop between her and Lysander. But with so much on the line, will they risk the chance to lose it all for love?

If you were to take a '90s rom-com and set it in Victorian London, you would get this book. It was described as Pretty Woman meets Bridgerton, and that's a pretty apt comparison. There were subtle nods to the film littered throughout that I thought were a nice touch. I thought the relationship between Nève and Lysander was charming. They had this teasing sort of banter that I couldn't get enough of. Nève wasn't afraid to push Lysander's buttons and rile him up. Their chemistry was good, but I thought the slow burn was a little too slow. The highlight of this book was the female friendships Nève forms. I loved how Laila and the other women she meets are so fun and brazen. I can't wait to get their stories (which I'm assuming will be coming since this is the first in a series.) While I think the pacing could've been tweaked a bit, I still really enjoyed this and think it would be a good read for those who like a more contemporary-esque historical romance.

Rating: 3/5

Pub Date: 4-5-22
YA - Fantasy

Hotel Magnifique- Emily J. Taylor: Jani has spent the last few years after her mother's death struggling to make ends meet for her and her younger sister. She's resigned to living a life in the dreary town of Durc, but then she comes across an advertisement for the famous Hotel Magnifique. The hotel is known for its enchantments and its ability to travel to different destinations overnight. While Jani and her sister, Zosa, can't afford the extravagant cost of a guest's stay, they can interview to join on as staff. Soon, the sisters are whisked away on a grand adventure. But once inside, Jani can't help but feel as if something isn't right with the hotel. The contracts they signed are unbreakable, and it seems as if all the workers have forgotten key aspects of their lives. To save her sister and everyone else in the hotel, Jani must team up with the insufferably charming doorman, Bel, to uncover the mystery of the hotel before it's too late.

I'll admit, this was mostly a cover pick-up for me, but I thought the premise sounded promising. While I liked it, it was very meh. I found the writing very repetitive and the characters bland. I also thought the world-building and magic could've been fleshed out more. Since this was compared to The Night Circus, I expected the pacing to be slow, and it was. For how long this book is, not much happens at all. The ending was interesting, and I liked all the action but getting there was a bit of a bore. I did enjoy the banter between Jani and Bel, but the chemistry between them was non-existent, so I didn't believe the romance. The highlight of this was the sisterly relationship between Jani and Zosa. I loved how determined Jani was to save Zosa despite what it cost her. Overall, it was fine but just needed some work.

Rating: 3/5

Mid-Year Book Freak Out Tag

Hello, all!

Can you believe we're half-way through the year already? I always love doing this tag and looking back on all the books I've read so far. As always, I've listed the questions below if you'd like to participate as well!

1. Best book you’ve read so far in 2022?

A River Enchanted- Rebecca Ross. I haven't stopped thinking about it since I read it!

2. Best sequel you've read so far in 2022?

It's more of a companion novel then sequel, but How the Wallflower was Won- Eva Leigh. 

3. New release you haven't read yet, but want to?

This Vicious Grace- Emily Thiede. 

 

4. Most anticipated release for the second half of the year?

Killers of a Certain Age- Deanna Raybourn, Kingdom of the Feared- Kerri Maniscalco, and Well Traveled- Jen DeLuca.

5. Biggest Disappointment.

Book of Night- Holly Black.

6. Biggest surprise?

Nettle & Bone- T. Kingfisher.

7. Favorite new author (debut or new to you)?

Kate Bateman. I've been craving historical romance even more than usually lately, and I've loved everything I've picked up from her so far.

8. Newest fictional crush?

Charlie Lastra from Book Lovers 😍 

9. Newest favorite character?

Anya from Spy Family.

10. Book that made you cry?

None. I don't usually cry at books. 🤷 

11. Book that made you happy?

The League of Gentlewomen Witches- India Holton.

12. Most beautiful book you've bought so far this year (or received)?

Elektra- Jennifer Saint or the FairyLoot version of The City of Dusk- Tara Sim.

13. What books do you need to read by the end of the year?

I always have so many answers for this one, but I'll narrow it down to three: Jade City- Fonda Lee, Funny You Should Ask- Elissa Sussman, and Vicious- V.E. Schwab. 



Let me know your answers!

1. Best book you’ve read so far in 2021.
2. Best sequel you've read so far in 2021.
3. New release you haven't read yet, but want to.
4. Most anticipated release for the second half of the year.
5. Biggest disappointment.
6. Biggest surprise.
7. Favorite new author. (Debut or new to you)
8. Newest fictional crush.
9. Newest favorite character.
10. Book that made you cry.
11. Book that made you happy.
12. Most beautiful book you've bought so far this year (or received)
13. What books do you need to read by the end of the year?

Mini Thoughts

Hello, all!

Pub Date: 7-5-22
Adult - Fiction

Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow- Gabrielle Zevin: Sam Masur and Sadie Green first met in a hospital ward as kids and bonded over their mutual love of video games. They were each other's best friends until it all imploded. Now, years later, both Sam and Sadie attend college in the same city and run into each other in the subway. This chance encounter will go on to spark a partnership for the ages. Sam and Sadie decide to collaborate to create their very own video game, and after begging and borrowing money from whoever they could, they put out the instant-hit, Ichigo. They've barely graduated college, and yet the world is already theirs. Over the next thirty years, Sam and Sadie face both personal and professional ups and downs as they learn the hard way that fame comes at a steep price. One that they may not be willing to pay.

I'm not a huge gamer, but I do appreciate the craft. I loved all the references to games I grew up playing, and it was nice to see Sam and Sadie bond over them. I liked their friendship and thought they balanced one another out pretty well. At times Sadie annoyed me because I found her very pessimistic and quick to treat those around her poorly. Both weren't perfect by any means, but they cared about one another, and I found it sweet. I also liked the dynamic once Marx was introduced. He was such a sweetie and felt like the heart of the story in many ways. Plot-wise, I enjoyed how it was broken down into different parts, but it could've been trimmed down. It was just so long, and it felt even longer. If you enjoy stories about games or the gaming industry, or stories focused more on platonic love and how sometimes your soul mates are your best friends, then you would like this.

Rating: 3/5

Pub Date: 7-5-22
Adult - Historical Mystery

Miss Aldridge Regrets- Louise Hare: Lena Aldridge is a mixed-raced jazz singer struggling to make a name for herself. She gets by singing at her best friend's husband's club, but when he's murdered, Lena is desperate to flee England before being pulled into the investigation. It seems that luck is on her side when a stranger offers her a first-class ticket on the Queen Mary and a starring role on Broadway. Lena hopes to put miles of ocean between her and her problems, but she quickly realizes that her troubles are far from over. Just as Lena becomes friendly with a wealthy family on board, one of them is killed in a very familiar manner. Lena will have to put on the performance of a lifetime if she hopes to unravel the family's mysterious dynamic and make it to New York alive.

I was drawn in by the premise and the murder mystery aspect of this. It felt very Agatha Christie-ish. I thought the setting was great. The ship lent to the feeling of opulence and grandeur while also driving home how isolated the passengers were. I also liked how Hare touched upon the racial and class differences of the time. The story is broken down into different parts, and I was a little wary about it because I thought it might make it feel disjointed, but the narrative flowed well. There were times I was a little bored, and plot twists I was able to figure out, but it was entertaining. I think the characters could've used some work as they all fell into those stereotypical murder mystery character tropes. While I would've liked more suspense, it's a fun read if you enjoy cozy mysteries.

Rating: 3/5

Pub Date: 6-6-22
Adult - Contemporary

My Killer Vacation- Tessa Bailey: Taylor is a bubbly second-grade teacher who just wanted to give her brother a relaxing vacation on Cape Cod. But when they arrive at their rental home to find a dead body in the laundry room, all Taylor's plans go out the window. As a true-crime aficionado, Taylor is convinced she can help with the investigation, but one person stands in her way. Myles is a no-nonsense bounty hunter here for one purpose only-- to catch a murderer, not babysit the ray of sunshine in a bathing suit. Myles is good at his job because he doesn't allow for distractions, and he quickly realizes Taylor is one attachment he can't let cloud his judgment. But the more Myles and Taylor dig for clues, the more Taylor's life is put in danger. Can the pair uncover the killer before Taylor becomes the next victim?

There were a lot of things I liked about this. Firstly, the use of the grumpy/sunshine trope was perfection. I couldn't stop laughing at the banter between Taylor and Myles. Secondly, the chemistry between them was off the charts. Bailey never disappoints when it comes to the relationship between her characters, and this one was no exception. It did feel insta-lovey, but I didn't mind so much. Thirdly, I loved the setting. I enjoyed the idea of this murder mystery unfolding in this beachside vacation town. That said, there were also many things I didn't like. I thought the dynamic between Taylor and her brother was weird and didn't love how she treated him like a child when he was a grown man. Even though I liked her relationship with Myles, there were times I found him way too overprotective to the point where it was like, "Me, Tarzan. You, Jane." Bailey also beats into the ground how much bigger Myles is than Taylor. We get it, he's very tall, and she's very short (though it led to a cute nickname.) I also didn't understand the timeline. It seemed like so much was happening it should've taken longer than five days. Overall, I liked it and thought it felt like a steamier Lifetime movie, but it wasn't my favorite of hers.

Rating: 3.5/5