Tuesday, November 28, 2023

Mini Thoughts

Hello, all!

Pub Date: 11-28-23
YA - Contemporary

Betting On You- Lynn Painter: Bailey and Charlie met years ago on a flight from Alaska to Omaha and immediately butted heads. When the plane finally landed, Bailey breathed a sigh of relief, knowing she'd never see Charlie's cynical face again. Fast forward a few years, seventeen-year-old Bailey is starting a new job at a resort, and her co-worker is none other than Charlie. The pair couldn't be more different: Bailey is a stickler for rules, whereas Charlie constantly toes the line. But soon Bailey finds herself enjoying Charlie's company, joking about the guests and even placing a bet on when their other co-workers will hook up. Charlie has never believed that guys and girls could be "just friends," but Bailey has wormed her way into that category. But the lines blur once the pair start fake dating to annoy Bailey's mom's new boyfriend. Neither can deny the growing attraction, but Charlie's hiding a secret that could ruin it all.

I don't typically read a lot of YA contemporary anymore because I'm so far removed from the targeted audience that it's hard for me to connect with the characters, but leave it to Painter. She had me smiling and kicking my little feet the entire time with this. It's so When Harry Met Sally-but-make-it-YA, and I loved every second of it. Bailey and Charlie were so different but worked so well together. The way their personalities complemented each other was so fun. Bailey is more reserved and a pro at overthinking, and Charlie is my favorite kind of character who comes across as cocky and sarcastic but is a total softie on the inside. Their banter and chemistry were also top-notch. Aside from the characters, I also liked how Painter touched upon how it feels to come from a divorced family and the effects it can have on the kids. It added another layer to the story that was so relatable. If you like friends-to-lovers or fake dating tropes, I highly recommend this one.

Rating: 5/5

*Big thanks to the publisher for the copy!

Pub Date: 5-30-23
Adult - Historical Mystery

The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies- Alison Goodman: In the eyes of society, Lady Augusta "Gus" Colebrook is invisible. She and her twin sister, Julia, are in their early 40s and unwed, though Julia is grieving the loss of her betrothed. Endlessly bored with balls and society life, Gus is craving a distraction-- one that will spark her curiosity and help her sister. When a friend enlists their help to rescue her goddaughter from an abusive husband, Gus jumps at the chance. On the way, Gus accidentally shoots a highwayman who accosts their carriage only to discover it's none other than Lord Evan Belford, an old acquaintance who was exiled twenty years ago after a murder charge. Lord Evan assists in their ruse, and as he and Gus grow closer, she can't help but wonder if he was wrongfully accused. Gus was looking for a distraction, and she's found the perfect one: helping others that society has shunned, no matter the cost.

Good grief, a lot was going on here. It was like five different plots in one book. I love historical mystery, and I liked how this followed older characters whom society has pegged as old maids who used that to their advantage. The premise was solid, but there was just too much of it. It was like one adventure after the other, and because there were so many, none of them felt fleshed out, and the resolutions felt rushed. The tone was also more serious than I expected, and the romance aspect between Gus and Evan felt unnecessary. I didn't feel any chemistry between them, but I'm hoping it will develop more in the coming books. Although there wasn't much room to breathe in here, I still found it entertaining, and I'm interested enough to continue the series.

Rating: 3/5

Pub Date: 8-8-23
Adult - Contemporary

The Blonde Identity- Ally Carter: Zoe wakes up in Paris with no memory of how she got there or even who she is. All she knows is that she's a little banged up, and the hottest guy she's ever seen is telling her to run. It seems people are after Zoe, but Zoe has no clue why. When Zoe sees her face broadcasted as a fugitive, she concludes that she must be a spy, and this mystery man, Sawyer, is her partner. Or maybe her enemy? Regardless, he's the only one keeping her alive, so Zoe decides to press her luck and join forces, pretending to be a newlywed couple on their honeymoon. As Zoe and Sawyer race across Europe, dodging criminals and intelligence offices (and sneaking kisses on the side), they realize it's not Zoe they're after, but her identical twin sister and Zoe will do whatever it takes to clear her sister's name.

This was absolutely bonkers. It reminded me of those cheesy straight-to-DVD movies. It was ridiculous, unbelievable, cringy, yet so entertaining. Was it a great book? Not even close, but I had a great time reading it. The writing came across as very juvenile, especially Zoe's character. She has amnesia at the start of the book, and it is as if her entire ability to function as a human being was lost along with her memories. But through it all, Carter had me utterly charmed. I fell into this outrageous plot and insta-love romance, hook, line, and sinker. If you want something full of adventure that's super fast-paced but that you won't have to think too hard about, I'd recommend checking it out.

Rating: 3/5

Monday, November 27, 2023

November OwlCrate Review

Hello, all!

The theme for this month was "Perilous Travels." Let's get into it!


First up was this little cardholder wallet inspired by Silver in the Bone. You all know how much I love useful items, and the design is also pretty.



Next was the latest Treasured Tomes enamel pin. This is for LOTR. It's cute and autumnal, but I'm not a LOTR fan 🤷



My favorite item was this double-sided A Darker Shade of Magic wooden bookmark. The artwork is so gorgeous! I'm planning to re-read the first book and then finish off the series in 2024, so this will be perfect to use.


Next up was the latest in their Story Doors collection. This is inspired by The Starless Sea. I might be in the minority here, but I'm not a fan of this collection so I've been giving all of these away.


Lastly, there was this reading planner. I love the design of this, but I have my own reading trackers so I never use these.









The book for this month was What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañez. This follows a young girl who journeys to Cairo in search of answers to her parent's deaths, which leads to a whirlwind adventure with her uncle's infuriatingly handsome assistant.

I was lucky enough to get an ARC of this (review here) and I adored this book. If I'm being perfectly honest, I prefer the regular edition, but this one is still super pretty. What do you think of this month's box? 

Thursday, November 23, 2023

End of the Year Book Tag

Hello, all!

I love doing some book tags every year, and the End of the Year Book Tag is one of them. Be sure to let me know your answers as well! 


1. Are there any books you started this year that you need to finish?

I'd like to finish my re-read of Throne of Glass. I still have three books left to go, so we'll see.

2. Do you have an autumnal book to transition into the end of the year?

I have an ARC of Emily Wilde's Map of the Otherlands that I've been saving for now because that series screams 'winter' to me.

3. Is there a new release you're still waiting for?

I can't wait for Ruthless Vows to come out. I need to know what's going to happen!

4. What are three books you want to read before the end of the year?

I'll go with: Warbreaker, Weyward, and Starling House, but really, any book on my shelves. 

5. Is there a book that could still shock you and become your favorite book of the year?

I hope so. I always go into a new book hoping it'll be a new favorite, but I have extra high hopes for Ink, Blood, Sister, Scribe because I've heard amazing things from friends who've read it.

6. Have you already started making reading plans for 2023?

Yes! I've started making a list of some goals and series I want to re-read.


Here are the questions if you want to do the tag yourself!

1. Are there any books you started this year that you need to finish?
2. Do you have an autumnal book to transition into the end of the year?
3. Is there a new release you're still waiting for?
4. What are three books you want to read before the end of the year?
5. Is there a book that could still shock you and become your favorite book of the year?
6. Have you already started making reading plans for 2023?

Tuesday, November 21, 2023

Mini Thoughts

Hello, all!

Pub Date: 4-6-15
Adult - Horror

Rolling in the Deep- Mira Grant: The Imagine Network is known for its documentaries that may or may not be based on facts, so it wasn't a surprise when they announced their latest series would be about mermaids. Crew members, scientists, filmmakers, and a troupe of professional mermaids board a ship called the Atargatis, and set their sights on the Marianna trench. They were all set to run some tests, take a few murky clips that would be doctored in the editing process, and then call it a wrap. No one on board that Atargatis expected to find mermaids, so no one could foresee the bloodbath that was to come. When the Atargatis is finally discovered, lost at sea with no sign of anyone, is it all a tragedy or an elaborate hoax?

I love a good mermaid story, and if those mermaids happen to be murderous? Even better! I either love or hate novellas because I worry about not having enough time to make the story feel fleshed out, but this was perfect. Grant packed so much into the story to make it entertaining and suspenseful. None of the characters felt flat, and nothing was lacking in the plot. All of the characters felt realistic, and you could tell that Grant put a lot of research into all the scientific aspects. I also thought the disability rep was well-done. If you like sea-based horror, then I recommend checking it out.

Rating: 4/5

Pub Date: 11-3-15
YA - Mystery/Thriller

All In- Jennifer Lynn Barnes: When Cassie Hobbes joined the Naturals program, a classified FBI group of teens with unique talents, they were advising on cold cases. But now the rules have changed, allowing Cassie and the gang to work on active investigations. The latest is a string of violent murders committed at different casinos along the Las Vegas strip. Despite the murders happening in public, no security camera has caught the perpetrator. The only calling card left behind is a string of numbers imprinted on the bodies. The investigation gets more dangerous the closer the Naturals get to breaking the code. Meanwhile, Cassie is dealing with problems as new information about her mother's disappearance comes to light, which seems to tie into this new case. With tensions rising and one of their own marked for death, will the odds be in the Naturals' favor, or will they fold under the pressure?

This has been my favorite in the series so far. It felt more psychological and twisty than the previous two books, and I couldn't get enough. I loved how we got to learn more about Sloane and her background. She's one of my favorite characters, and it broke my heart to see what she went through. Like in the previous book, I guessed the culprit but still enjoyed seeing it all play out. I'm constantly impressed with how Barnes' brain works and how she can craft such a compelling story. How she has Cassie step herself into the minds of killers is so fascinating to me. I also liked how this one ties into what happened to Cassie's mother, which led to them discovering a larger conspiracy. I'm so excited to read the last book, but I don't want this series to end.

Rating: 4.5/5

Pub Date: 4-11-23
Adult - Fantasy

The Frugal Wizard's Handbook for Surviving Medieval England- Brandon Sanderson: John West wakes up in a clearing surrounded by scorch marks with no idea where he is, how he got there, or even who he is. All he has is a vague sense of being in a place reminiscent of medieval England and partial pages of a battered guidebook titled "The Frugal Wizard's Handbook for Surviving Medieval England." It doesn't take long for him to realize that he's being chased by people from his own world, and his only hope for surviving is by unlocking his missing memories. Trying (and failing) to fly under the radar, John decides to team up with some locals and assist them in their quest. Slowly, John begins to remember more about his situation, but can he parse out the rest before it's too late?

I've only recently gotten into Sanderson's work, but this has been my least favorite so far. You're dropped into this world with barely any information, and just like the main character, I was lost for most of the story. It took me a while to find my footing (I'm talking almost halfway through the book), and once I did, I found I didn't care all that much. I was interested in learning about Johnny's past and how he ended up in this dimension, but it wasn't enough to keep me invested. I also found the pacing a little too slow, but that could have been because I wasn't enjoying the reading experience. If you like alternate dimension stories or are a huge Sanderson fan, I'd say give it a shot, but it didn't work for me.

Rating: 2/5

Saturday, November 18, 2023

Library Haul

Hello, all!

I realized it's been too long since I popped into the library, so I had to rectify that!


1. The Book That Wouldn't Burn- Mark Lawrence
2. Whalefall- Daniel Kraus
3. The Goblin Emperor- Katherine Addison
4. Do Your Worst- Rosie Danan

Thursday, November 16, 2023

The Star and the Strange Moon Review

Hello, all!

I love books that have a bit of magical realism to them, and Constance Sayers always delivers in that aspect. I was pumped to receive a copy of her latest release, The Star and the Strange Moon. Big thanks to the publisher for the copy!

Pub Date: 11-14-23
Adult - Fantasy

It's 1968, and actress Gemma Turner is slowly fading from the spotlight. She was once a sought-after star, but after her last few films panned, she's grasping at straws. Gemma believes her luck has finally turned around after being offered a role in a new horror movie. But the film isn't what she thought; the script is nonsensical, and the director is eccentric. Gemma is determined to make the most of the situation, but one night on set, she disappears, never to be seen again.

In 2015, the disappearance of Gemma Turner is one of film's greatest mysteries. For Christopher Kent, the actress has haunted him for most of his life. From the moment he first viewed L’Etrange Lune, he's been obsessed with figuring out what happened. The film is shown every decade, and every time, there are new scenes. Christopher knows this should be impossible. Gemma is gone; how is she showing up? The deeper his investigations dive, the more Christopher risks losing himself. Will he be able to outrun the cursed film before it takes him, too?

I was looking forward to this since I enjoyed Sayers's previous books, but something about it didn't work for me. It was just so long. Granted, it was an intricate plot with lots of details to lay out, but it felt like a chore to read. I did enjoy the mystery element and trying to piece everything together. Sayers wrapped everything up interestingly, but again, it just took too long to get there. I liked our characters, but I was slightly more interested in Christopher because Gemma felt a bit much at times. What intrigued me about this was how genre-bending it was. It was a little bit historical, a little bit mystery, a little bit horror, a little bit literary fiction. Despite not being a new favorite, I thought the premise was solid, but the execution could've been better.

Rating: 3/5

Tuesday, November 14, 2023

Mini Thoughts

Hello, all!

Pub Date: 11-14-23
Adult - Contemporary

Next Door Nemesis- Alexa Martin: Collins Carter always knew she wasn't meant for life in suburbia. She hightailed it out of her Midwestern town the moment she could with dreams of Hollywood. But after a video of her goes viral (and not in a good way), Collins finds herself right back in her childhood bedroom. The only thing worse than dodging her mother's good-natured attempts at helping or tending the garden with her father is her ex-best friend-turned-nemesis now living next door. All Nathaniel Adams wanted was a quiet life. Or at least that's what he thought until he crossed paths again with Collins. The pair used to be attached at the hip, but now seeing one another causes hackles to rise. After a run-in causes Collins to run against Nate to become HOA president, all bets are off. Neither are above sinking to the lowest levels to win, and it doesn't take long for their hate to turn into something more.

The premise of this sounded too good to ignore. I loved the idea of childhood friends turned enemies now competing against one another for a HOA title. There was so much animosity between Collins and Nate over a misunderstanding when they were teens. The air between them was rife with tension, and it led to some petty interactions between the two. I thought both were a bit immature and childish. It felt like they were being spiteful just for the sake of it. I think that was the main reason it was difficult for me to root for the romance. It was fine, but not my favorite. I would've liked it more had it been dual POV. However, I did love the relationships between Collins and her parents and with Ashleigh. While it's not a new favorite, I'd recommend it as a quick rivals-to-lovers romance.

Rating: 2/5

*Big thanks to the publisher for the copy!

Pub Date: 6-27-23
Adult - Contemporary

The Seven year Slip- Ashley Poston: Clementine used to enjoy every moment of life. She would travel and make art and live loudly, but she lost her enthusiasm after the passing of her aunt. Clementine's aunt always told her she needed at least one big dream to keep going, so Clementine has thrown herself into advancing her career in book publishing. But Clementine's life is thrown for a loop when she finds a strange man living in her apartment. Clementine never believed her aunt when she said her apartment was magic until she met Iwan. Clementine and Iwan hit it off, and it doesn't take long before feelings start to grow, but there's a problem-- Iwan lives seven years in the past. So when their paths converge in Clementine's present, is fate bringing them together, or is the timing all wrong?

I liked this, but I wasn't as taken as everyone else. I thought the premise was interesting and a different take on time travel than I've seen before. I loved the idea of this apartment existing in two different timelines. You never knew when you would open the door and be in the past, so there was always this anticipation of when it would happen. I kept holding my breath to see if this would be the time Clementine and Iwan would reunite. Their relationship was sweet and had me smiling the whole time. I wish we got to see a little more of it in the present timeline, but I still liked how it all came together. If you like cozy romance with a dash of magical realism, I would recommend picking it up.

Rating: 3/5

Pub Date: 3-23-23
Adult - Historical Romance

The Duchess Takes a Husband- Harper St. George: Camille has always been an outsider, and that didn't change once she became the Duchess of Hereford. The title may make her a prominent guest at all the ton's events, but her American mannerism and growing interest in the suffragette movement keep her on the outskirts of the ballrooms. Camille decides to use this to her advantage to get what she's always wanted. As the owner of a gaming hell, Jacob Thorne is used to his patrons wanting to strike a deal, but none are as outrageous as Camille's. Jacob is looking to invest in a new endeavor, but his reputation is a hindrance, so Camille offers to pretend to be Jacob's respectable fiancé, and in return, he'll teach her the pleasures of the bedroom. Jacob and Camille had no plans to fall in love, but it seems inevitable when the stakes are so high.

I'm new to this series and have only read one other book, but I like it so far. St. George's writing is so breezy and easy to fall into. I read most of this in one sitting without even realizing it. It also helps that this has one of my favorite histrom tropes of a wallflower getting seduction lessons from a rogue. I eat that trope up every time. I thought Camille was great. I loved watching her blossom into an independent woman who's not afraid to stand up for what she wants. I also enjoyed watching her find a passion within the suffragette movement. I liked her relationship with Jacob and thought they had great chemistry. I don't think that'll be a new favorite, but it was entertaining, and I'm looking forward to finishing the series.

Rating: 3/5

Thursday, November 9, 2023

Two Twisted Crowns Review (The Shepherd King, #2)

Hello, all!

I really enjoyed One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig (review here), so I was highly anticipating the follow-up, Two Twisted Crowns

Pub Date: 10-17-23
Adult - Fantasy

The land of Blunder is in peril. The rightful king was usurped hundreds of years ago, leaving the land cloaked in a dangerous mist. Now, it's ruled by a tyrant who seeks to rid the population infected by magic using whatever means necessary. Elspeth Spindle had hidden her affliction for most of her life until she met Ravyn. The pair have gathered most of the Providence Cards needed to heal their world, but the last and most important--the Twin Alders card-- is still missing. The only being that knows its whereabouts is the Nightmare living inside Elspeth's head, and she has no choice but to let it loose.

Ravyn is devastated he couldn't protect Elspeth and knows the only way to get her back is to continue with their plan. Uniting the deck of Providence Cards is their only hope, so Ravyn and the Nightmare set out on a treacherous journey. Meanwhile, at the castle, Prince Elm finds himself stuck navigating a court he never wanted to be a part of. Elspeth and Elm have pivotal parts to play in healing the kingdom, but with the days to their Solstice due date dwindling, will they make it?

What a great ending to this duology. I loved the Gothic atmosphere in the first book, and Gillig expanded it beautifully here. We got to learn more about the land and its history and more insight into the Nightmare and how it all tied together. There were so many aspects to this I enjoyed. The pacing was fast-paced and kept me engaged the whole time. I read it all in one sitting because I didn't want to put it down. I liked the character dynamics and how we got multiple POVs (Elm's was my fave). But the highlight of this series lies in the romance. It's angsty without being too over-the-top, and the new one we got? I'm obsessed. I'm so impressed with how Gillig managed to wrap this story up in such a satisfying way, and I'm looking forward to picking up whatever else she comes out with.

Rating: 4/5

Tuesday, November 7, 2023

Mini Thoughts

Hello, all!

Pub Date: 11-7-23
YA - Contemporary

Check & Mate- Ali Hazelwood: Mallory Greenleaf used to love chess. She would spend hours learning moves that she would use to beat her tournament opponents. But then the sport she dedicated so much time and effort to led to the destruction of her family, and Mallory decided she was done. When Mallory reluctantly agrees to play in a charity tournament, she expects to go up against another no-name player, not Nolan Sawyer, the current world champion. She also never expected to wipe the floor with him. Mallory's win shocks the world of chess, and Mallory can't help but fall back in love with the game she swore she'd never play again. She also can't resist the infuriatingly handsome Nolan. With her ranking soaring ever upward, Mallory learns that when it comes to chess, games aren't only played on the board, but she's never shied away from a competition.

Leave it to Hazelwood to get me invested in chess. I didn't know what to expect, given that this was her first foray into YA, but I thought it was cute. The plot gave me slight Stick It vibes, and I love that movie, so I was all about it. I don't know anything about chess, so most of the dialogue went over my head, but I still found it interesting. My favorite part of this was Nolan. He's so gone for Mallory, and it's adorable. They had fun banter, and the chemistry between them was sweet. I loved how supportive he was of Mallory even though they were competing against each other. Mallory, though? Not a fan. She was so stubborn, and it made me so frustrated. I just wanted to shake some sense into her. While this isn't my favorite of Hazelwood's books, I still liked it and think it'd be a perfect choice if you're looking for a fluffy read.

Rating: 3/5

*Big thanks to the publisher for the copy!

Pub Date: 11-7-23
Adult - Historical Romance

Never Wager with a Wallflower- Virginia Heath: Venus Merriwell has dreamt of her perfect match since she was a teenager. She wants a husband who is kind, intelligent, loves books as much as her, and doesn't have the same vices as her father. After a slew of unlucky suitors, Venus begins to think that maybe her true love is the orphanage she spends all her time at. Galahad Sinclair grew up learning the gambling trade at his grandfather's knee. When fate dealt him a bad hand, Galahad finds himself setting up shop across the pond in England. He's spent years building a respectable gaming hell and looks to expand his empire. The only problem? His perfect real estate is right next to Venus's orphanage. The pair have always butted heads, but this new development pushes them to their limits, and it's only a matter of time before one folds under the pressure.

I adore this series, but this final installment wasn't it. I didn't love Venus in the previous books, so I was hoping this would endear me to her, but that wasn't the case. She came across as high and mighty and a bit unfair in her treatment of Galahad. As for him, I liked him enough. He had some cute moments, and I liked how he interacted with the mischievous set of orphans, but aside from that, I could take or leave him. Sadly, nothing about the plot or characters gripped me, but I still recommend the series as a whole.

Rating: 2/5

*Big thanks to the publisher for the copy!

Pub Date: 4-25-23
Adult - Sci-Fi

In the Lives of Puppets- T.J. Klune: Vic Lawson may be a human, but he's spent his life surrounded and cared for by robots. Vic has grown to love his makeshift little family comprised of his father figure, Giovanni, Nurse Ratched, a sadistic nurse machine, and Rambo, a neurotic vacuum, and the cozy home they've created in the woods. One day, Vic, Nurse Ratched, and Rambo visit a scrapyard full of decommissioned robots and stumble upon one that still seems functional. Vic brings this new robot, dubbed "HAP," back home and learns that it and Giovanni share a dark past-- hunting humans. When HAP accidentally alerts robots from Giovanni's past of his whereabouts, Vic's life gets turned upside down. Giovanni gets captured and brought back to the City of Electric Dreams, leaving Vic and the rest to undergo a perilous journey to rescue him before it's too late.

You can always count on Klune's books to be brimming with whimsy and charm, and this one was no exception. It felt like being wrapped up in a warm blanket. It's loosely based on Pinocchio, and I liked how Klune kept some of the same themes from the original but made it his own. One of the themes throughout was family, which was my favorite part of the whole thing. The relationship between them all was so tender and sweet. Despite most of them being robots, they still felt love and cared for one another. I also appreciated the humor in this. Nurse Ratched and Rambo were hilarious, and I loved every minute of them. I did have some issues with the pacing, and the romance didn't move me, but overall, I enjoyed it.

Rating: 3/5

Saturday, November 4, 2023

Library Book Sale Haul

Hello, all!

I spent the morning at two different library sales, so here's what I picked up. Please let me know if anyone knows how to remove the plastic library covers without ruining the books because every time I've tried I've destroyed the dust jackets 😅


1. The Thirteenth Tale- Diane Setterfield
2. An Enchantment of Ravens- Margaret Rogerson
3. The City of Dreaming Books- Walter Moers
4. The Blade Itself- Joe Abercrombie
5. The Queen's Rising- Rebecca Ross
6. The Golen and the Jinni- Helene Wecker
7. The Paris Seamstress- Natasha Lester
8. Lilac Girls- Martha Hall Kelly
9. Artemis- Andy Weir
10. Nothing But Blackened Teeth- Cassandra Khaw

Thursday, November 2, 2023

October OwlCrate Review

Hello, all! 

The theme for October was "Power Has a Price." Let's get into it!


First up was this lip balm inspired by The Priory of the Orange Tree. I don't usually like the beauty products in subscription boxes, but this smells nice, so I may use it.



I think this might be my favorite installment in the Treasured Tomes pin collection-- it's Howl's Moving Castle themed! Just look at that tiny Calcifer. He's so cute.


It's so fitting to get an item inspired by Once Upon a Broken Heart seeing as how the third book came out this month. I think this scarf is so cute, and I love the design.


Can we take a moment to appreciate how stunning this autumnal spoon rest is? It's inspired by The Nature of Witches, and I'm probably going to keep this in my kitchen year-round.


The last item was this transparent sticker set inspired by The Poppy Wars. The artwork on these is so pretty and I can't wait to use them in my bullet journal.









October's book was This Dark Descent by Kalyn Josephson. This follows a horse breeder, a black-market enchanter, an ambitious heir, and his broody friend who must band together to win a cutthroat enchanted horserace. This is no ordinary horserace and the group quickly realizes the odds are stacked against them and no one can be trusted.

I haven't heard of this one before, but I saw it described as The Shadows Between Us mixed with Six of Crows, so color me intrigued. Let me know what you think of this box!

Wednesday, November 1, 2023

Birthday Book Haul

Hello, all!

Today is my 35th birthday and I just so happened to have $35 in Barnes and Noble rewards, so obviously the universe was telling me to buy some books, and that is what I did.


1. A Curse for True Love- Stephanie Garber
2. Mother-Daughter Murder Night- Nina Simon
3. The Woman in Me- Britney Spears *Big thanks to my Mama for this one
4. The Paleontologist- Luke Dumas
5. Done and Dusted- Lyla Sage

(I'm also going to two library sales this weekend, so another haul incoming. 😂)