Dead and Gondola- Ann Claire; 2/5
Saturday, December 31, 2022
December Wrap-Up
Dead and Gondola- Ann Claire; 2/5
Thursday, December 29, 2022
2022 Reading Wrap-Up
Genre: I love seeing all my genres broken down. I read more non-fiction this year which I was happy about, and I'm hoping to keep that going in the new year.
Book Source: I really made it a point last year to utilize my library more, and started keeping a log of the amount of money I saved from borrowing rather than buying books, and it's been such a game changer for me. This year I checked out 160 books from my library and saved $2,955.
Tuesday, December 27, 2022
Mini Thoughts
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Pub Date: 12-27-22 Adult - Historical Romance |
A Wicked Game- Kate Bateman: Captain Morgan Davies has finally returned to London after a faulty map left him and his crew shipwrecked and imprisoned on a French island. Only two thoughts kept Morgan going through the hell he's seen: enacting sweet revenge on the cartographer responsible for his suffering and seeing Harriet Montgomery again. Before he left for the war, Morgan and Harriet, his childhood nemesis, struck a deal that if he lived, she would grant him three kisses. When it turns out Harriet is also the cartographer, Morgan decides to up the ante on their bet-- he doesn't just want to claim his kisses; he wants Harriet as his own. But when a threat from Morgan's past reemerges putting them both in danger, the pair soon realize that all their years of teasing and taunting weren't fueled by animosity but desire, and they're willing to fight to stay together.
This is my favorite series by Bateman. Each book keeps getting better and better, and this is easily my favorite of the bunch. My favorite thing in romance is when two characters constantly bicker to hide their feelings for one another, and Morgan and Harriet's dynamic executed that perfectly. I loved how they weren't afraid to tease and rile the other up. There were so many moments that had me chuckling and smiling to myself. The chemistry between them was off the charts, and I was swooning over Morgan alongside Harriet. I was a little nervous that the third-act conflict and drama would be too much, but I liked how everything played out. As with the previous books, I love seeing all the interactions between the families. They're so fun and bring another layer of humor and heart to the stories. Now, don't mind me, I'll just be counting down the days until the next book is in my hands.
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Pub Date: 11-22-22 Adult - Contemporary |
Two Wrongs Make a Right- Chloe Liese: Jamie Westenberg and Bea Wilmot are total opposites. He's stuffy and uptight, and she's messy and stubborn. They instantly got off on the wrong foot, but that doesn't stop their closest friends from trying to set the pair up on a blind date. When they meet for the date, they find some common ground: getting revenge on their meddling friends. They devise a plan to fake date, make all their friends believe they're madly in love, and then ruin their hopes of a happy ending by breaking up, putting an end to any future matchmaking. Bea and Jamie know they'll need to sell it, but as the weeks pass, they find their faking has turned into a real relationship. When the time comes, will they take their revenge or admit that maybe their friends had it right all along?
I've enjoyed all of Liese's previous books I've read, so I was excited to dive into this one. It was cute, but it didn't grab me like the others. The beginning felt a little clunky and didn't seem to find its footing throughout. The relationship between Bea and Jamie felt very fast, and I wanted more of the fake dating aspect to help build more tension. I wanted to see them bicker more in front of their friends while trying to sell being in love, but they went from rivals to lovers within a few chapters. They did have good chemistry, and I thought they worked well together, but I just wanted more build-up. I still enjoyed Liese's writing style and the representation, but I wanted a smidge more.
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Pub Date: 6-28-22 YA - Fantasy |
This Vicious Grace- Emily Thiede: When she was young, Alessa was blessed by the gods to defend her people from a demonic invasion. Her powers are supposed to magnify those of her partner, but instead, everyone Alessa touches dies. With the threat of war looming closer, Alessa is running out of time to find a suitable match, and her people are starting to turn on her. Desperate to stay alive, Alessa hires Dante, a cynical outcast with a mysterious past, to be her bodyguard. Dante is the first person Alessa has been able to touch without hurting for years, and the more they train together, the more they can't deny the attraction brewing between them. But when Dante's secret is revealed, Alessa will have to make the hardest decision of her life. Will she find the strength to go against everything she's been taught to save the boy and home she loves, or will her gift finally destroy them all?
I thought this was fun. I loved the Italian influences and thought Thiede's writing was descriptive and lush. The characters and setting also worked well together. I thought Alessa was interesting to follow. I liked how she had these unique powers, and it was cool watching her try to get a handle on them with the help of Dante. Their dynamic was my favorite thing about this. I didn't realize how much I love a bodyguard trope until I read this. They started a little at odds with one another but quickly developed a friendship that turned into a sweet romance. Admittedly, I was more invested in their relationship than the rest of the plot, but that was only because I never got a firm grasp on why they were gearing up to fight this war. Maybe the world-building/lore just went over my head, but it didn't feel super fleshed out to me, so I didn't feel like I understood the reasoning behind it. There were also a few times when the pacing fell off, and the tone felt a little too-YA, but overall, it was an enjoyable time, and I'm looking forward to the next one.
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Pub Date: 8-29-20 Adult - Contemporary |
Sarah Adams has me in a chokehold. I'm always guaranteed a good time when I read her books. Her writing is always light and fun and the perfect pick-me-up. I loved June and Ryan together. They had such a playful, teasing banter that I couldn't get enough of. I wouldn't say their dynamic was hate-to-love, but more like annoyed-to-love. They had great chemistry, and I was smiling the entire time. June had a lot of insecurities from her past relationship, and it was so sweet how caring and understanding Ryan was towards her. He made her feel safe and cherished while also pushing her buttons. There were a few little miscommunication moments, especially towards the end, and those are never my favorite, but I liked how everything wrapped up. Now, I've read all but one of her books and can say without a doubt that she's one of my favorite contemporary authors, and I can't recommend her enough.
Thursday, December 22, 2022
Most Anticipated Books of 2023
Tuesday, December 20, 2022
December OwlCrate Review
Hello, all!
The theme for this month was "Star-Crossed." Let's get into it!
The first item was this double-sided book mark set featuring characters and quotes from Daughter of Smoke and Bone and An Ember in the Ashes. I actually haven't read either of these, but the artwork is stunning.
Next up was this canvas hanging wall organizer inspired by Strange the Dreamer. I like the concept of these, but they aren't something I'd actually use.
Then we had the last in their enamel Literary Luggage pin collection. This one is for Outlander. I've tried to watch that show twice and both times I was so bored, so I doubt I'll ever pick up the book, but the pin is nice!
Then we had this salt and pepper shaker inspired by Serpent & Dove. I love getting homeware in subscription boxes, and I think these are cute.
I got a loose leaf tea advent calendar this year, so this tea bag infuser and bag rest came at the perfect time! It's inspired by These Violent Delights and I'm obsessed with the design on the ceramic plate.
The last item was probably my favorite. It's Bridgerton inspired straws, and not just regular straws, but they're shaped like little hearts. So cute!
Thursday, December 15, 2022
Top 5: Holiday Romances
1. A Very Merry Bromance- Lyssa Kay Adams: This is the latest installment in the Bromance Book Club series, and it's a holiday treat. It follows a famous country singer as he tries to win back the woman he loves. I love this series and this one may have snatched the top spot for me. If you're looking for a sweet, semi-steamy holiday rom-com, this is the one to pick up.
4. You're a Mean One, Matthew Prince- Timothy Janovsky: This is truly if you took David Rose and plopped him into a Hallmark movie. It took me a little while to warm up to the main character, but the small town setting and festivities were cute.
5. Royal Holiday- Jasmine Guillory: If you like romances between older characters, or vacation romances, here's a good one to pick up. This follows a woman who tags along with her daughter on a work trip to England and ends up falling for one of the Queen's private secretaries. I don't know why, but England during the holiday season feels very magical to me, and I loved how this transported me there.
Tuesday, December 13, 2022
Mini Thoughts
Hello, all!
I think I'll be including 4 reviews going forward as I'm still so behind on them 😬
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Pub Date: 5-4-21 YA - Contemporary |
Better Than the Movies- Lynn Painter: Liz has always wished for her life to be like the romantic comedies she used to watch with her mother. She's always dreamt of having her own meet-cute and happily ever after. So when her childhood crush Michael moves back to town, Liz is sure this is the universe giving her an in. Liz devises a plan to get Michael's attention, but to do so she needs to enlist the help of her annoying next-door neighbor, Wes. Liz and Wes have always been at odds ever since they were young, but with the promise of a prime parking spot, Wes agrees to help Liz. Much to Liz's surprise, the more time she spends with Wes, the more she forgets about Michael. Could it be her happily ever after was in front of her the whole time?
I picked this up on a whim, and I'm so glad I did. It was adorable! I loved all the nods to famous rom-com movies and was sucked into the story straight away. I love a good hate-to-love trope, and while this was more annoyance-to-love, I thought it was so well done. Liz and Wes were so fun together. They had great banter, and I loved watching them push each other's buttons. I was either smiling or laughing at their antics the entire time. There was a few times I had to roll my eyes at the corniness, especially when it came to the prom conflict, but it didn't lessen my enjoyment any. I thought Painter did an excellent job crafting an endearing contemporary that was witty, sweet, and just as charming as the movies it referenced. If you're looking for something to add to your summer reading lists, check this one out.
Rating: 4/5
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Pub Date: 10-26-21 Adult - Historical Romance |
The Perks of Loving a Wallflower- Erica Ridley: Thomasina "Tommy" Wynchester is a master of disguise. With her knowledge of cosmetics, she can go from a proper society lady to a bawdy old man in moments. Tommy will become whoever the mission requires. Tommy's newest assignment is to discover the truth hidden in a military cipher that dates back centuries. That's the easy part. The hard part is working alongside the one woman Tommy is head over heels for. Philippa York is a bluestocking who cares more about seeking academic pursuits than a husband, much to her mother's dismay. All Philippa wants to do is decode a priceless manuscript, unmask a villain, and give the proper people their due. It irks her to have to team up with a man to do so, but to her surprise, the "man" she's been working alongside is a charming, clever woman. As they grow closer, Philippa can't deny the feelings that start to stir, but is she willing to put everything on the line for a life with Tommy?
I haven't read anything by Ridley before, but I enjoyed this. However, it was one of those times where I enjoyed the characters more than the plot. I adored the Wynchester siblings and their dynamic. They each have such big personalities and certain skills they bring to the table, and I thought it was so fun that they take on these adventures together. I liked watching Tommy transform into these different characters, and how Philippa played a part in their scheme as well. The two of them worked well together, and I appreciated how Tommy didn't keep her identity from Philippa for too long. She brings her into the fray quite early on, which I liked. Their romance was a bit slow but sweet. Also, it was adorable how Tommy's family didn't even hesitate to include Philippa in their inner circle. As for the plot itself, I never felt invested in it, but I did like how it all wrapped up. Overall, I liked this and am looking forward to picking up the rest of the series.
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Pub Date: 8-30-22 YA - Mystery |
It almost pains me to say this after loving the first two books so much, but this was so underwhelming. I had high expectations going in, and I feel a bit disappointed. My favorite thing about the other books was that they were exciting and engaging and I didn't feel that with this one. I wasn't as invested in the mystery and felt the pacing of it dragged. Barnes has also been dangling a love triangle in front of us for the last two books, which turned out to be for nothing. I can't stand that trope, so having to deal with it only for Avery to stick with who she was with was so annoying. And the ending? Talk about lackluster. The saving grace for me was Xander, who probably needs to see a chiropractor now after carrying the whole thing on his back. I still think the series as a whole is entertaining, but sadly, the ending wasn't my favorite.
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Pub Date: 1-4-22 Adult - Mystery |
I've recently become a fan of the cozy mystery genre, so I knew I needed to pick this up. I ended up liking it a lot. I loved the murder mystery aspect, and I found the whole thing weirdly endearing. I liked Molly a lot. There were so many times I just wanted to give her a hug and a cup of tea. She's constantly being taken advantage of because of her differences, and you can't help but feel like you need to protect her. But I felt like she gets underestimated a lot throughout this. She's always looked at as weak and unintelligent, but she has strengths many overlook that make her an interesting character to follow. I also liked her relationship with Juan Manuel and Mr. Preston. Aside from the characters, I enjoyed the mystery even though I was able to guess how it was going to play out. If you're looking for a lighter mystery, I'd recommend it.
Thursday, December 8, 2022
Blog Tour: The Sunshine Girls Excerpt
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Pub Date: 12-6-22 Adult - Historical Fiction |
This is a dual-narrative story about two sisters who realize their mother isn’t who they’d always thought when a legendary movie star shows up at her funeral, unraveling the sweeping story of a friendship that begins at a nursing school in Iowa in 1967 and onward as it survives decades of change, war, fame—and the secrets they kept from each other and for each other.
Tuesday, December 6, 2022
A Fire Endless Review (Elements of Cadence, #2)
Hello, all!
One of my favorites books this year (and maybe of all time) was A River Enchanted by Rebecca Ross (review here), and I've been anticipating the follow-up, A Fire Endless, since the moment I finished it.
*Potential spoilers ahead*
Pub Date: 12-6-22 Adult - Fantasy |
The isle of Cadence has always been divided. The East and the West. The human world and the spirit world. The Breccans and the Tamerlaines. Jack Tamerlaine and his wife, Adaira, had hopes of striking a balance between the warring clans, but instead, they threw the island into even more disarray when long-buried secrets came to light. With Adaira over in the West struggling to find her place within the brutal Breccans and her new family, Jack is left adrift until he sings to the weakening fire spirits and is given a dangerous quest.
With Jack's mission taking him into the West to Adaira, Torin and Sidra must try to uncover the cause of a strange blight plaguing their land and people. When Sidra is infected, Torin strikes a bargain with the spirit world, and soon the entire group discovers something even more sinister is brewing. Bane, the vicious Northern Wind and king of the spirits, is determined to claim dominion over the whole island. With the island falling off-kilter, Jack and his friends must unite the humans and spirits together if they hope to stop Bane. But Jack knows first-hand the price one must pay for challenging Bane, and the sacrifice may be larger than anyone can bear.Thursday, December 1, 2022
Well Traveled Review
Hello, all!
One of my favorite series is Well Met by Jen DeLuca, so I was pumped to receive a copy of the latest installment, Well Traveled. Big thanks to the publisher!
Pub Date: 12-6-22 Adult - Contemporary |
Louisa "Lulu" Malone comes from a success-driven family and has dedicated years of her life to a job that will never appreciate her. When Lulu finally comes to this realization, she decides that she's had enough. Knowing that she needs a break from life, Lulu's cousin, Mitch, convinces her to escape with his friends to the Renaissance Faire. Lulu reluctantly agrees and soon finds herself hawking turkey legs and sleeping in a cramped motorhome with the Renn Faire Lothario himself, Dex MacLean.
Dex MacLean is well-known on the Renn Faire circuit, not only for his family band, the Dueling Kilts but for having a girl at every stop. He's got that carefree, playboy persona down to a T, but the one person he isn't fooling is Lulu. For the first time in his life, a woman is immune to his charms, and Dex can't help but be intrigued. It doesn't take long for the pair to start opening up while stuck in such tight quarters, and soon Lulu is seeing another side to Dex that no one else has seen before. He's not just a pretty face like everyone says; he's driven and has plans for the future. Lulu knows her time on the road is dwindling, and her real life is catching up to her, but she can't help hoping those plans will include her.
I really enjoy this series. I find the Renn Faire setting so whimsical and charming, and it feels like getting a peek into a wacky summer camp. While I liked this latest installment, it wasn't my favorite. I thought it felt similar to the last book, especially with how Dex is perceived. He and Mitch both had that feeling of being portrayed as pretty faces with nothing of substance underneath, but then realizing they have so much more to give once you get to know them. Dex is also repeatedly referred to as this big playboy, but other than some flirting, he never really lived up to the rep. I did like him and Lulu and thought they worked well together. They both come from different worlds, so it was interesting seeing how they would find a balance. Though, I did think the ending resolution was a bit too convenient. Other than that, I thought this was fun but not the most memorable in the series.
Rating: 3/5