December 2021 Reads

December 31, 2021 by Haley Burrill in Books

And that’s a wrap!

I read many more books this year than I anticipated and December was a huge contributor. Between losing myself in the Mortal Instruments series, holiday-themed books, and taking advantage of my new Kindle Paperwhite, ya girl read hella books this month.

Not all of them were winners, but most were enjoyable.

So, let’s dive into it!

*All summaries taken or paraphrased from Goodreads

IT HAPPENED ONE SUMMER by Tessa Bailey

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Piper Bellinger is fashionable, influential, and her reputation as a wild child means the paparazzi are constantly on her heels. When an out-of-control party lands Piper in jail, her stepfather decides enough is enough. He cuts her off, and sends Piper and her sister to learn some responsibility running their late father’s dive bar in Washington. Piper hasn’t even been in Westport for five minutes when she meets big, bearded sea captain Brendan, who thinks she won’t last a week outside of Beverly Hills. She’s determined to show her stepfather and the hot, grumpy local that she’s more than a pretty face. Except it’s a small town and everywhere she turns, she bumps into Brendan. The fun-loving socialite and the gruff fisherman are polar opposites, but there’s an undeniable attraction simmering between them. Piper doesn’t want any distractions, especially feelings for a man who sails off into the sunset for weeks at a time. Yet as she reconnects with her past and begins to feel at home in Westport, Piper starts to wonder if the cold glamorous life she knew is what she truly wants. LA is calling her name, but Brendan - and this town full of memories - may have already caught her heart.

My Thoughts: UGH why did I not pick up this gem sooner?! I was absolutely SWOONING over this Schitt’s Creek-inspired romcom. THAT’S RIGHT. I’ll say it again - *clears throat* - SCHITT’S CREEK-INSPIRED ROMCOM. Now that we’ve got that covered, let me tell you about the heart bursting cuteness that is the budding romance between Piper and Brendan. The contrast between this ray of sunshine and burly grump was just enough to make them the perfect match, and I loved watching their relationship develop. It definitely started off a little rocky, but I almost preferred that because the pace was so satisfying. It never felt too slow or fast - just really organic and natural. I gotta give a shout out to a side character, Piper’s sister, Hannah. She was a grounding presence to Piper’s flightiness, but still adored Piper which honestly added much more depth to the sisters’ dynamic in general. Each scene of this book truly served a purpose to the overall storyline which was equally broken into fun events, emotional moments, steamy scenes, and heartwarming interactions. I just really loved this love story and highly recommend you pick it up before I keep asking if you’ve read it yet lol. :)

CITY OF BONES by Cassandra Clare

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: When 15-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder - much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It’s hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy? This is Clary’s first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It’s also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within 24 hours Clary is pulled into Jace’s world with a vengeance when her mother disappears and Clary is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know...

My Thoughts: I really loved this book for the most part. There’s a twist at the end that’s a little strange and doesn’t sit right with me lol, but otherwise, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Between the quick quips between the main characters, the action-packed scenes, and heartbreaking flashbacks, my emotions were on a rollercoaster ride the entire time. It was very fun to see some of the characters from the Infernal Devices series either mentioned in conversation or included in this new adventure. Kind of felt like I knew a secret these characters didn’t yet lol. Overall, this book had the Cassandra Clare touch we all know and love, and that keeps me coming back for more. So basically, I definitely recommend picking up this YA fantasy if you’re looking to dive into a series anytime soon. :)

LUMBER SNACK by Mae Harden

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Millie Partridge is forced to be the maid of honor in the wedding of her former best friend. She hates the bride, groom, and her Bartlett green dress. When she decides she’s had enough, she laughs during the vows, flips the bird and walks out of the wedding. Knowing she doesn’t want to stay in Boston for Christmas, but not having anywhere else to go, she takes off to Maine and doesn’t look back. After a series of unfortunate events, Millie finds herself snowed in at the Barnes Orchard family farm in the house of a hot guy named Sam. She has no recollection of how she got there, but due to a freak snow storm she’s stuck there. Little does she know this could be a Christmas miracle.

My Thoughts: Okay, so this novella is part of a series called 12 Days of Kissmas and it was kind of like a bookstagram challenge that I saw and decided to try lol. In the spirit of the holidays, this was a really cute, quick read. Especially if you’re into the forced proximity and fast romance type of tropes. Millie and Sam are such down-to-earth characters and it was fun watching them make the best of this unforeseen situation. I appreciated that there was a balance of sweet and steamy scenes because it made their “falling fast” romance feel less forced. So, if you’re looking for a fun, festive, spicy read, I’d recommend giving this one a try! Also, on an unrelated but related note: This book is the first one in the 12 Days series because Sam finds Millie in a pear tree and her last name is Partridge lol.

STUCK AT CHRISTMAS by Georgia Coffman

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: On the second day of Christmas, these two turtle doves are stuck together. As a doctor, Graham’s practice is his priority and leaves little time for dating. Until Isabel. To Graham’s surprise, one night is all it takes for him to fall for her, even though he knows next to nothing about her. He never thought he’d see his mystery woman again, but like a holiday miracle, she shows up at his clinic one night with her young daughter. Every minute Graham is with them only makes him fall harder, but their situation isn’t so simple. Getting stuck in a closet with Isabel just days before Christmas might be the gift they didn’t know they needed.

My Thoughts: This is the second installment of the 12 Days of Kissmass and what a sweet read it was. I liked that there was more to the characters than just their attraction for one another. Graham, for example, is trying to come to terms with his best friend dating his little sister and the frustrations that come with being the only single family member around the holidays. Isabel, on the other hand, is busy being a single mom whose whole world revolves around her daughter, Sasha. Which makes this whole story even sweeter when Graham ends up hitting it off with Sasha as he tends to her sprained wrist and wins Isabel over. Who doesn’t love a hot doctor that’s good with kids tho, yanno? The spice factor in this novella wasn’t turned up as high as the last book in this series, but it definitely sufficed. Plus, Stuck at Christmas is a short 92 pages, so if you’re looking for something cute around Christmas, this could do it for you!

A CHRISTMAS TART by Lola West

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: On the third day of Christmas these childhood rivals have perfect chemis-tree! Patrick Laroux and Maxine Redgrave hate each other. It’s palpable. The whole town knows it. They have been at each other’s throats since their sand castle building days. But what everyone doesn’t know is that there was a winter, a long time ago, when Max had a secret and Patrick was there for her. They forgot to be hateful and thought maybe, just maybe, they were in love… But you know, then it all fell apart. Until now. Get ready to watch tension fly and the three french biddies meddle when Max and Patrick reconnect at the Laurent Bakery in Martha’s Vineyard.

My Thoughts: This third novella of the 12 Days of Kissmass series was as naughty as it was nice lol. The nice: I loved the background story of how Patrick and Max connected when they were teenagers. The innocence and genuine adoration they shared for each other was incredibly endearing, and it was heartwarming that those feelings surfaced unapologetically as they reconnected as adults. The naughty: for being a novella, this book was full of steamy scenes, but they were scattered throughout the second half in a reasonable spacing. So, it’s not like the author was throwing them in there all willy nilly. If you like an enemies-to-lovers trope in a small town setting involving a hot guy who owns a bakery and smoking gal who runs the local bookstore all during Christmastime, then I recommend picking up this novella for sure! :)

GHOSTS by Dolly Alderton

Rating: 4.2/5 stars

Summary: Nina Dean has arrived at her early thirties as a successful food writer with loving friends and family, plus a new home and neighborhood. When she meets Max, a beguiling romantic hero who tells her on a date that he’s going to marry her, it feels like all is going to plan. A new relationship couldn’t have come at a better time - her thirties haven’t been the liberating, uncomplicated experience she was sold. Everywhere she turns, she is reminded of time passing and opportunities dwindling. Friendships are fading, ex-boyfriends are moving on, and worse, everyone’s moving to the suburbs. There’s no solace to be found in her family, with a mom who’s caught in a baffling midlife makeover and a beloved dad who is vanishing in slow-motion into dementia.

My Thoughts: I both loved and hated how relatable this book was in relation to Nina’s romantic and platonic relationships evolving. It was incredibly validating to see the struggles she goes through while trying to “get back out there” in the dating world because everything she’s experiencing is what, IMO, all women in their late 20s-early 30s go through. Especially when you’re surrounded by people who are in happy relationships, buying homes, doing the adulting couple-y things lol. Whereas, you’re still single (probs happily so), but starting to wonder, “when will it be my turn?” The pacing of this book is extremely steady throughout, and although it’s not full of super thrilling events, the pages truly turned effortlessly. Though it’s described as a rom-commy-type of book, I would say the funny/entertaining elements of this book are tucked into the dialogue between characters and in Nina’s head. Which I almost appreciated more because it wasn’t in-your-face comedy, yanno? Overall, I think if you’re someone like me who has been experiencing the struggle that is the current dating landscape, and/or have ever been ghosted, then you will definitely appreciate this book. Content Warning: If you have or are experiencing a loved one going through the stages of dementia or Alzheimer’s, the storyline with Nina’s dad may be hard/upsetting for you, so please proceed with caution.

THE HOLIDAY SWAP by Maggie Knox

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: When chef Charlie Goodwin gets hit on the head on the L.A. set of her reality baking show, she loses a lot more than consciousness; she also loses her ability to taste and smell - both critical to her success as a show judge. Meanwhile, Charlie’s identical twin, Cass, is frantically trying to hold her own life together back in their quaint mountain hometown while running the family’s bustling bakery and dealing with her ex, who won’t get the memo that they’re over. With only days until Christmas, a desperate Charlie asks Cass to do something they haven’t done since they were kids: switch places. Looking for her own escape from reality, Cass agrees. But temporarily trading lives proves more complicated than they imagined, especially when rugged firefighter Jake Greenman and gorgeous physician’s assistant Miguel Rodriguez are throw into the mix. Will the twins’ identity swap be a recipe for disaster, or does it have all the right ingredients for getting their lives back on track?

My Thoughts: This book checks off everything you need in a feel-good, Christmas-themed story; including the swoony romances and mouth-watering descriptions of fresh baked goods. While Charlie and Cass are identical twins, they definitely have different personalities which made this experience very fulfilling. It was really satisfying to see each woman thrown out of her comfort zone into something they never thought they’d wanted: Charlie running her family’s bakery back home and Cass jumping into creating fresh new recipes for her sister’s show in the busy city of L.A. Sprinkle in their developing romances with the most heart throbbing guys we could ask for and I was in love with every page of this story. Plus, everything was tied up in the most immaculate bow by the end of it that there wasn’t any loose end to be seen. If you’re looking for something fun, a little different, with heartwarming growth across all relationships, and a little holiday theme tied in then I definitely recommend adding this to your reading list!

WINTER STREET by Elin Hilderbrand

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Kelley Quinn is the owner of Nantucket’s Winter Street Inn and the proud father of four, all of them grown and living in varying states of disarray. Patrick, the eldest, is a hedge fund manager with a guilty conscience. Kevin, a bartender, is secretly sleeping with a French housekeeper named Isabelle. Ava, a school teacher, is finally dating the perfect guy but can’t get him to commit. And Bart, the youngest and only child of Kelley’s second marriage to Mitzi, has recently shocked everyone by joining the Marines. As Christmas approaches, Kelley is looking forward to getting the family together for some quality time at the inn. But when he walks in on Mitzi kissing Santa Claus (or the guy who’s playing Santa at the inn’s annual party), utter chaos descends. With the three older children each reeling in their own dramas and Bart unreachable in Afghanistan, it might be up to Kelley’s ex-wife, nightly news anchor Margaret Quinn, to save Christmas at the Winter Street Inn.

My Thoughts: This was my first Elin Hilderbrand book, and it won’t be my last! I absolutely adored the Quinn family in this novel about returning home for the holidays and the mishaps, traditions, clumsy conversations, and endless love that ensues. The POV format of this story was absolutely perfect for really developing a deeper connection to each character, and it was impossible not to get wholly invested in all of the chaos and dramatics surrounding this specific holiday reunion. I loved each character through their flaws and was rooting for all of them to make it through the shit storm each was experiencing. Margaret was by far my favorite character, as she brought a warmth to the Winter Street Inn where so much was dampening the normally vibrant holiday celebrations. Hilderbrand even made it hard to entirely dismiss Mitzi, who kicked off the dark clouds this year, which was a feat in itself. Honestly, this book felt like being invited to someone’s family Christmas where dysfunction is almost expected to occur, and you’re left sitting in a comfy chair watching it all go down while sipping on a warm mulled cider. All in all, I’d definitely recommend this!

MERRY CHRIST-MESS by Dee Ellis

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Mila Masters has her life figured out. Writing splashy stories by day while she writes dirty ditties at night, she knows better to want for more. Unless it’s the love and adoration it seems everyone else is finding. Sweet, forever after love is for romance books, not real life. Or maybe she has had the best book boyfriend right in front of her. Micah Townes busted his ass to get his life right. A troubled youth means he takes nothing for granted. Especially the most important person in his life, Mila. Even if he wants more from her, he knows not to ask at the risk of losing her. A double date raises the stakes of their friendship - which maybe is not just a friendship after all.

My Thoughts: What a great friends-to-lovers romance novel! It was quite a passionate story between Mila and Micah, but there was definitely an undeniable connection between them. I will say, I’m surprised they hadn’t acted on their feelings sooner, but this spicy little Christmastime romance novella was an eventful love story that I really enjoyed. Definitely recommend continuing onto this fourth book in the 12 Days of Kissmas series!

A VERY PIERCED CHRISTMAS by Ember Davis

Rating: 2/5 stars

Summary: After years of traveling for her blog, Rowan is seeing more of the world than she ever thought. There’s something tugging her home for more than just the holidays and she has no idea what it is until she meets Levi Michaels. They’ve been talking via text about a custom motorcycle, but she had no idea how sexy Levi would be until she goes to pick up the bike. Maybe he’s not a reason to stay. Maybe he’s a reason to keep traveling.

My Thoughts: This is the fifth installment of the 12 Days of Kissmass, and has been my least favorite so far. While I was reading this novella, it just felt like so much of the storyline was forced or overdone. It didn’t feel like a natural progression with their relationship, and the connection they share goes from 0 to 60 then back to 0 then to 100 all of a sudden. I didn’t necessarily love Levi and Rowan as main characters either. They just seemed very melodramatic to me, and when the storyline hit a point of resolving issues, it felt like the author was handholding me through the process - which was very unnecessary. I don’t know. There was some sort of disconnect I had with this book and I never managed to fully recover enough to like it all that much. I guess if you have a huge love for motorcycles, tattoos, piercings, etc., then this would be more up your alley? Maybe? I don’t know. I’m just never going to read it again lol.

CITY OF ASHES by Cassandra Clare

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Summary: Clary Fray just wishes that her life would go back to normal. But what’s normal when you’re a demon-slaying Shadowhunter, your mother is in a magically induced coma, and you can suddenly see Downworlders like werewolves, vampires and faeries? If Clary left the world of the Shadowhunters behind, it would mean more time with her best friend, Simon, who’s becoming more than a friend. But the Shadowhunting world isn’t ready to let her go - especially her handsome, infuriating, newfound brother, Jace. And Clary’s only chance to help her mother is to track down rogue Shadowhunter, Valentine, who is probably insane, certainly evil - and also her father. To complicate matters, someone in New York City is murdering Downworlder children. Is Valentine behind the killings - and if he is, what is he trying to do? When the second of the Mortal Instruments, the Soul-Sword, is stolen, the terrifying Inquisitor arrives to investigate and zooms right in on Jace. How can Clary stop Valentine if Jace is willing to betray everything he believes in to help their father?

My Thoughts: IMO, this was a solid second book in The Mortal Instruments series. I still can’t get behind the weird plot twist that continued as an element of the storyline from the first book into this one. I felt like the author was dropping more hints this time around, though, that there is falsehood to what we know, so I’m banking on that a bit. There was a generous mix of action-packed events and slower, more dialogue-focused scenes that were perfectly paced throughout the book which I appreciated because there were a lot of new details to take in. Although I still cannot stand Simon most of the time, it was cool that his character development took a completely different turn than what I was expecting. It’s like he finally has more to his personality other than being in love with Clary who keeps saying, “I might love you back… eventually. Maybe.” lol. Poor sap. Most of the characters showed some sort of growth in this book -specifically, Jace and Clary - but it wasn’t necessarily in their behavior or maturity as much as it was their abilities. Overall, I really enjoyed City of Ashes and absolutely devoured the pages. So, needless to say, I’ll be continuing on this fun lil YA fantasy journey. :)

BARBARIAN’S LADY by Ruby Dixon

Rating: 3.8/5 stars

Summary: You’d think a tall woman would fit in on a planet of 7-foot-tall aliens, but even on the ice planet, Kate is still an oddity. She’s everything all the other cute, dainty human women aren’t. One guy in particular - the alien Harrec - is determined to embarrass Kate by pretending he’s interested. He’s a jokester that flirts like mad and hits on her constantly just to make her feel foolish. He gets under her skin and makes her so frustrated she wants to scream. When a side-trip to a glacier turns into a nightmare and the two are forced to survive alone, Kate sees another side to the enticing blue alien. Even with no one else around, his compliments keep coming and she starts wondering if the attraction between them is real.

My Thoughts: This storyline went a different direction than I was expecting it to, but I really enjoyed it! There’s been a pattern in the previous books where, basically, the two people at hand find some way to do a couple’s retreat until they resonate with each other. This time around, Harrec is a big dummy and thinks he will take the same approach to get Kate alone, but his plan goes quite awry in a life threatening way and leaves them fighting to survive. I didn’t love either character, but I definitely liked them and was rooting for them to bridge the communication gap they initially had. It was refreshing too that Kate was a different body type from what the previous women had been illustrated as in previous books. Overall, this was cute and I liked it.

BARBARIAN’s RESCUE by Ruby Dixon

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Rogue slavers have landed on the ice planet and captured the tribe. The only ones not snatched? Summer, a walking human motormouth with no skill except that of incoherent babbling, and Warrek, who’s as silent as he is attractive. Two more unlikely people have never been paired together. And now they’re supposed to form a rescue team. Saving the others is either going to bring them closer together - or drive them completely apart. Summer is pretty sure the feelings she’s having for her alien companion are as unrequited as they are inappropriate, but since they aren’t going to make it out alive, what harm is one teeny, tiny kiss?

My Thoughts: We loved this opposites attract sci-fi romance! The POV format was absolutely perfect for this book because Warrek is a very quiet boi and understanding his internal dialogue was essential for buying into this developing relationship with Summer. Even though Summer never shuts up, it was also really helpful to have her thoughts as well because she didn’t externally process everything as you’d expect. The change up in plot was very refreshing as they help the rest of the tribe escape this stalled spaceship that’s holding them hostage. This book is quite spicy as we’ve come to expect with the IPB series, and I definitely think it’s worth the read!

BARBARIAN’S TEASE by Ruby Dixon

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: It should have been a one-night stand. Brooke never intended to seduce Taushen, but things happened. She doesn’t dwell on the past and while it was great, she’s not looking for a relationship. Of course, try telling that to Taushen. The big blue alien’s in love after one night, and making things darn awkward. They’ve got bigger problems than whether or not Brooke is his woman, like the ‘cargo’ of the spaceship that landed there. But Taushen’s not giving up. He thinks Brooke is his mate and will do anything to keep her.

My Thoughts: WHEW! Let’s start by talking about the pacing of the spice in this book because it comes in HOT. Right from the start, Dixon was serving up some STEAM. It definitely teeters off towards the middle, but I kind of appreciated that because it lined up perfectly with the storyline. Additionally, I loved that Brooke was not trying to fall into the same pattern as many of the other women did where she runs off with Taushen to be in close proximity until they resonate. She was like “nah, but you can teach me how to hunt, build fire, and survive on my own.” Her approach just allowed their relationship to develop much more organically. This was definitely one of my favorite books in this series, and probably the last I’ll read this year, but all in all, I highly recommend this one!

CITY OF GLASS by Cassandra Clare

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: To save her mother’s life, Clary must travel to the City of Glass, the ancestral home of the Shadowhunters - never mind that entering the city without permission is against the Law, and breaking the Law could mean death. To make things worse, she learns that Jace doesn’t want her there, and Simon has been thrown in prison by the Shadowhunters, who are deeply suspicious of a vampire who can withstand sunlight. As Clary uncovers more about her family’s past, she finds an ally in mysterious Shadowhunter Sebastian. With Valentine mustering the full force of his power to destroy all Shadowhunters forever, their only chance to defeat him is to fight alongside their eternal enemies. But can Downworlders and Shadowhunters put aside their hatred to work together? While Jace realizes exactly how much he’s willing to risk for Clary, can she harness her newfound powers to help save the Glass City - whatever the cost?

My Thoughts: Y’ALL. This book finally gave me the much needed peace of mind that I’ve been WAITING for in this series as it solves the mystery we’ve all had to endure the last two books. Let me just say though, a few plot twists had to happen in order to make that resolution available, but BOY, was it worth it. This book is packed to the brim with action-packed events, “oh shit” discoveries, and all the feels you can imagine. I loved that this book took place in a new environment - Alicante - because it gave this ongoing experience a fresh perspective. I will say, I definitely like Clary more in this book, but I’m so glad someone finally called her on her shit which is being incredibly impulsive and not considering how her actions will affect other people. The antagonist, Valentine, is evil as ever, and because he gives off the vibes of being a guy who mansplains and gaslights, the big scene of this story is incredibly fulfilling. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the third installment of the Mortal Instruments series. To be honest, this book felt like it was wrapped up perfectly, so I’m not really sure where the series goes from here, but I plan to continue on. Definitely recommend pushing through to this book if you started the series and are unsure whether to continue on.

HOLIDAY HOME RUN by Priscilla Oliveras

Rating: 3/5 stars

Summary: Event planner Julia Fernandez is in Chicago for an internship that she hopes to turn into a full-time job. She’s ready to live on her own, out from under her family's expectations that she take over their catering business in Puerto Rico and away from their year-round baseball fever thanks to her three brothers. Ex-MLB pitcher Ben Thomas knows what it’s like to have different dreams than your family intends for you, but since his injury-caused early retirement, he’s been struggling to find the sense of family baseball once brought him. When he volunteers as the emcee for Julia’s big holiday fundraiser for a local youth center, he finally begins to find a sense of purpose working with the kids and alongside Julia. She’s focused on organizing the best holiday event the youth center has ever seen, not on romance. But Ben… he’s got a game plan that includes both.

My Thoughts: This novella was really cute. It was very sweet, both of the main characters were likable, and definitely had you rooting for them by the end of the story. However, there wasn’t any real “wow factor” here. Nor was it OTT holiday themed. Just simply cute. Did I enjoy it? Sure! Would I recommend it to people? Maybe if they’re super into baseball, but it probably wouldn’t be my first choice. I’ve heard great things about this author’s full books though, so I may give one of those a try since her writing was easy to sink into.

THE MATZAH BALL by Jean Meltzer

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: Rachel Rubenstein-Goldblatt is a nice Jewish girl with a shameful secret: she loves Christmas. For a decade, she’s hidden her career as a Christmas romance novelist from her family. Her talent has made her a bestseller even as her chronic illness has always kept the kind of love she writes about out of reach. But when her diversity-curious publisher insists she writes a Hanukkah romance, her well of inspiration suddenly runs dry. Hanukkah’s not magical. It’s not merry. It’s not Christmas. Desperate not to lose her contract, Rachel’s determined to find her muse at the Matzah Ball, a Jewish music celebration on the last night of Hanukkah, even if it means working with her summer camp archenemy - Jacob Greenberg. Though Rachel and Jacob haven’t seen each other since they were kids, their grudge still glows brighter than a menorah. But as they spend more time together, Rachel finds herself drawn to Hanukkah - and Jacob - in a way she neer expected. Maybe this holiday of lights will be the spark she needed to set her heart ablaze.

My Thoughts: I got mildly burned out on the Christmas-themed books I was devouring this month, but still wanted something holiday-themed. I saw this book come up on my bookstagram feed a few times and figured I’d give it a go. The premise of this book was unlike anything I’ve seen before which was really refreshing. It was interesting learning more about the Jewish traditions during Hanukkah and what usually goes into the eight nights. I think I had a soft spot for the side storyline involving Rachel’s chronic illness because it has to do with exhaustion and sleep (which I definitely have experience with lol), so watching her having to calculate daily what she has energy for and planning ahead to make sure she doesn’t overload herself was all too relatable. What I wasn’t a huge fan of is all of the misunderstandings/miscommunications between Rachel and Jacob, but it was fun to watch them slowly trust each other. If you’re looking for something to read around the holidays that is a little different, this might be a good book to try.

THE MISTLETOE PACT by Jo Lovett

Rating: 3/5 stars

Summary: On Christmas Eve eight years ago, Evie and Dan made a pact: if they weren’t married by thirty, they were going to marry each other. Of course, neither of them took it seriously, even if Dan has always been mesmerized by Evie’s beautiful smile, and Evie has always fancied Dan, her best friend’s brother. But then “it” happens. They wake up on Christmas Eve, the night before Evie’s 30th birthday in Vegas… married. Surely if they just get a quick divorce, they can go back to the way things used to be, right? If it wasn’t for the alcohol none of this would’ve happened. They can just go back to being friends. Except moving on is easier said than done when you’ve secretly loved each other forever… but if one of them doesn’t admit that, what happens to their friendship? If they don’t get together this time, what happens to the pact? Are they really ready to let go of it for good?
My Thoughts: This book had no business being as long as it was. It truly could’ve wrapped it up at least 50-70 pages sooner than it did. While it was entertaining for the most part and definitely had me rooting for Dan and Evie, I felt like it was just sooo dragged out. Also, The Mistletoe Pact they made when they were younger felt so irrelevant to the bigger picture since they got a divorce literally right after they fulfilled it. Evie had me banging my head against a wall on multiple occasions because she kept trying to convince herself that the current “nice guy” she was dating surely is “the one” simply because he’s nice when she’s clearly incredibly indifferent towards him. Whereas, Dan kept inching towards that “leap of faith” with Evie, but never actually committed, and I truly wanted to shove him off that ledge the entire book. Overall, this was a cute book and enjoyable for the most part. It was just much longer than it needed to be, so I can’t say this would be at the top of my holiday book recommendations.

A CROSS-COUNTRY CHRISTMAS by Courtney Walsh

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Lauren Richmond isn’t a fan of Christmas. Which is why she rarely makes the trip home to the Midwest for the holidays. After all, she has plenty to keep her busy- namely, her duties as a set decorator on a TV sitcom. But this December, Lauren’s brother and his wife are expecting a baby, so her brother arranges a ride home for her with his good friend, Will. Unfortunately for Lauren, she’s been trying to forget college baseball coach and childhood crush Will Sinclair for more than ten years. Now, thanks to her fear of flying, she’s stuck in a car with him from California to Illinois. She’s circumspect and organized. He’s flirty and spontaneous. She’s convinced people don’t change. He’s trying to prove to her and himself that he has. On this cross-country road trip, they’ll both discover that history doesn’t exactly repeat itself… but like any good Christmas carol, it does have a second verse.

My Thoughts: What a fun enemies-to-lovers rom-com! From the moment Will and Lauren hit the road all the way to reaching home, this book gave me all the feels. Will was likable for me right off the bat - and not just because he’s described as a Chris Evans look alike lol. He just provides a gentler, relaxing presence in this story which perfectly compliments Lauren by contrasting her prickly, closed-off behavior. That said though, as Lauren’s walls started to slowly melt on this cross-country roadtrip, it was so easy to warm up to her. Since their history was through Lauren’s older brother, it was fun watching them re-learn each other in this new context as adults. Honestly, I really enjoyed this book and couldn’t put it down. If you’re looking for a book to read around the holidays that isn’t “Christmas in your face” then definitely give this one a try!

ONLY WHEN IT’S US by Chole Liese

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Ryder - Ever since she sat next to me in class and gave me death eyes, Willa Sutter’s been on my shit list. Why she hates me, I don’t know. What I do know is that Willa is the kind of chaos I don’t need in my tidy life. She’s the next generation of women’s soccer. Wild hair, wilder eyes. Bee-stung lips that should be illegal. And a temper that makes the devil seem friendly. Willa - Rather than give me the lecture notes I’ve missed like every other instructor I’ve had, my asshole professor tells me to get them from the silent, surly flannel-wearing mountain man sitting next to me in class. Well, I tried. And what did I get from Ryder Bergman? Ignored. What a complete lumbersexual neanderthal. Mangy beard and mangier hair. Frayed ball cap that hides his eyes. And a stubborn refusal to acknowledge my existence.

My Thoughts: Why aren’t more people talking about this book? It was so good! In addition to loving both characters, the backstory laid out for each of them was so detailed, it was impossible not to get emotionally invested in Ryder and Willa. In addition to the perfect pacing of their relationship, I appreciated that Ryder and Willa’s individual character development happened on a realistic timeline because it made buying into the “frenemies” even easier. This book was full of quick quips, heart wrenching moments, sweeter than sweet interactions, steamy scenes, and more. Honestly, what more could you ask for in a romance novel? Seriously, put this on your “TBR” list as soon as you can!

ALWAYS ONLY YOU by Chloe Liese

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Ren - The moment I met her, I knew Frankie Zeferino was someone worth waiting for. Deadpan delivery, secret heart of gold, and a rare one-dimpled smile that makes my knees weak, Frankie has been forbidden since the day she and I became coworkers, meaning waiting has been the name of my game - besides, hockey, that is. I’m a player on the team, she’s on staff, and as long as we work together, dating is off-limits. But patience has always been my virtue. Frankie won’t be here forever - she’s headed for bigger, better things. I just hope that when she leaves the team and I tell her how I feel, she won’t want to leave me behind. Frankie - I’ve had a problem at work since the day Ren Bergman joined the team: a six foot three hunk of happy with a sunshine smile. I’m a grump and his ridiculously good nature drives me nuts, but even I can’t entirely ignore that hot tamale of a ginger with icy eyes, the perfect playoff beard, and a body built for sin that he’s annoyingly modest. Before I got wise, I would have tripped over myself to get a guy like Ren, but with my diagnosis, I’ve learned what I am to most people in my life - a problem, not a person. Now, opening my heart to anyone, no matter how sweet, is the last thing I’m prepared to do.

My Thoughts: Y’all. My heart <3. I loved this tale of Ren and Frankie, and was absolutely smitten with both of them. Ren is a giant ginger hockey player who has a soft spot for Shakespeare plays and has been SWOONING for our girl Frankie for 3 years. Frankie is a badass woman who has faced adversity others cannot imagine and is still living her life as a boss. This slow burn romance was so easy to get lost in and vicariously experience all the feels the MCs were going through. Not only was this book endearing as it was entertaining, but it also contained the perfect amount of spice that really tied a bow on everything. In short, I’m loving this Bergman Brothers series and highly recommend you pick up this second installment!

Welp that’s that on that.

2021 Book Count (FINAL): 125!

Add me on Goodreads if you haven’t already, so that we can be friends for 2022!

Wishing everyone a happy and healthy New Year! Let me know what books you’ve got on deck for January in the comments.

November 2021 Reads

December 01, 2021 by Haley Burrill in Books

November, where did you go?!

Seriously though. How are we almost done with 2021?

Anywho, I read a lot of books in November and I credit that to quick smutty reads that cost like $2 on Kindle and to the long weekend I took around Thanksgiving to binge read five books.

I tried to incorporate at least a few holiday-themed reads for y’all since, yanno, tis the season and all of that. Figured there’d be a few of you out there looking for some Christmassy recs to curl up with under a cozy blanket and sipping a mug of cocoa while you listen to Mariah Carey on repeat.

Okie. Let’s dive into it!

*All summaries taken or paraphrased from Goodreads.

VICIOUS by L.J. Shen

Rating: 3/5 stars

Summary: Emilia - They say love and hate are the same feelings experienced under different circumstances, and it’s true. The man who comes to me in my dreams also haunts my nightmares. He is a brilliant lawyer, a skilled criminal, a beautiful liar. A bully and a savior, a monster and a lover. Ten years ago, he made me run away from the small town where we lived. Now he came for me in New York, and he isn’t leaving until he takes me with him. Vicious - She’s a starving artist. Pretty and evasive like cherry blossoms. Ten years ago, she barged into my life unannounced and turned everything upside down. She paid the price. Emilia LeBlanc is completely off-limits, my best friend’s ex-girlfriend. The woman who knows my darkest secret, and the daughter of the cheap Help we hired to take care of our estate. That should deter me from chasing her, but it doesn’t. So she hates me. Big deal. She better get used to me.

My Thoughts: Okay, so this is going to be a mixed review because this book was definitely a page turner for me, but some elements of the story were just hard for me to get past - even after they resolved themselves. Starting with our leading man, Vicious. It’s a nickname, don’t worry (or do because that nickname screamed YIKES to me). He was such an ass like holy shit. We learn eventually that he has experienced some SUPER f’ed up things in his lifetime which contributes to his behavior, but my brain just kept waving a GIANT red flag. Emilia, the leading lady, was super sweet and courageous, but if she were one of my gal pals, I’d be sitting her down for a lil chit chat. Some portions of the relationship between them made me cringe, but that level of toxicity was obviously the point because it gave justifications later as to why their connection was so strong. The steamy parts of this book were definitely built up with extreme sexual tension, so all of that was fulfilling lol. Y’all. Idk. Did I enjoy it? For the most part, yeah I did. Do I recommend it? It’s definitely not for everyone, but please look up the trigger warnings beforehand if you do move forward with reading it.

CLOCKWORK PRINCE by Cassandra Clare

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: In the magical underworld of Victorian London, Tessa Gray has at last found safety with the Shadowhunters. But that safety proves fleeting when rogue forces in the Clave plot to see her protector, Charlotte, replaced as head of the Institute. If Charlotte loses her position, Tessa will be out on the street - and easy prey for the mysterious Magister, who wants to use Tessa’s powers for his own dark ends. With the help of the handsome, self-destructive Will and the fiercely devoted Jem, Tessa discovers that the Magister’s war on the Shadowhunters is deeply personal. To unravel the secrets of the past, the trio journeys from Yorkshire to a manor house that holds untold horrors, from the slums of London to an enchanted ballroom where Tessa discovers that the truth of her parentage is more sinister than she imagined. When they encounter a clockwork demon bearing a warning for Will, they realize the Magister himself knows their every move - and that one of their own has betrayed them. As the dangerous search for the Magister and truth continues the friends into peril, Tessa learns that when love and lies are mixed, they can corrupt even the purest heart.

My Thoughts: Diving back into the Infernal Devices series was like grabbing my coziest blanket, curling up next to a fire, and shutting the world away - all within a Victorian-style home lol. The level of dedication I have to each of the characters and how enthralled I am in this storyline is unreal sometimes. Watching my boy, Will, befriend a warlock in order to remedy a problem from his past that’s affecting the present, only to learn he’s been living by a lie was absolutely heartbreaking. Then to see Jem (basically Will’s brother) start swooning over Tessa who is still trying to figure out what she is while she battles the confusion of where her heart lies between the two boys was gut wrenching. The villain of this series, Mortmain, basically only got page time by people talking about him, but I kind of appreciated that because there were so many side storylines going on already. The plot still moved forward with new discoveries that impacted the overall issue at hand as well as mysteries from some characters’ pasts, while incorporating fast-paced, action-packed scenes and slower heartwarming moments. The last 20 pages of this book caused an emotional reaction that I physically felt in my stomach hours after finishing it. So, if it wasn’t clear already, I’m thoroughly invested in this series.

IN A HOLIDAZE by Christina Lauren

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: It’s the most wonderful time of the year, but not for Maelyn Jones. She’s living with her parents, hates her going-nowhere job, and has just made a romantic error of epic proportions. But perhaps worst of all, this is the last Christmas Mae will be at her favorite place in the world - the snowy Utah cabin where she and her family have spent every holiday since she was born, along with two other beloved families. Mentally melting down as she drives away from the cabin for the final time, Mae throws out what she thinks is a simple plea to the universe: Please. Show me what will make me happy. The next thing she knows, tires screech and metal collides, everything goes black. But when Mae gasps awake, she’s on an airplane bound for Utah, where she begins the same holiday all over again. With one hilarious disaster after another sending her back to the plane, Mae must figure out how to break free of the strange time loop - and finally get her true love under the mistletoe.

My Thoughts: This book was so much fun! It wandered a little bit outside of the normal CL lines, but it was the perfect holiday-themed rom-com. Emphasis on the comedy part. Between Mae trying to figure out her Groundhog’s Day predicament, the colorful imagery of various mishaps, and the endless playful dialogue, I was laughing out loud on more than one occasion. The romance plotline was fast-paced and fun for the most part with just the right touch of drama sprinkled in which was perfect for this book. All of the side characters deserve a shout out for making this reading experience so enjoyable though. They’re such an eclectic group of personalities that both mesh and contrast in the best ways possible, but never muddied up the overall story. Honestly, I know I’m late on the Holidaze train since it came out last year, but if you’re looking for something super fun during the holidays and a little swoony to boot, I highly recommend picking this one up!

A hand is holding up a paperback copy of The Kiss Quotient . The cover is teal with yellow lettering. There is an illustrated couple on the front standing on a square root sign as well. — The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang

THE KISS QUOTIENT by Helen Hoang

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: Stella Lane thinks math is the only thing that unites the universe. She comes up with algorithms to predict customer purchases - a job that has given her more money than she knows what to do with, and way less experience in the dating department than the average thirty-year-old. It doesn’t help that Stella has Asperger’s and French kissing reminds her of a shark getting its teeth cleaned by pilot fish. Her conclusion: she needs practice - with a professional. Which is why she hires escort Michael Phan. The Vietnamese and Swedish stunner can’t afford to turn down Stella’s offer, and agrees to help her check off all the boxes on her lesson plan. Before long, Stella not only learns to appreciate his kisses, but to crave all the other things he’s making her feel. Soon, their no-nonsense relationship starts making a strange kind of sense. And the pattern that emerges will convince Stella that love is the best kind of logic...

My Thoughts: Wow I loved this book. I binge-read it on a Saturday, and had to keep convincing myself to get up and move around because my nose was GLUED to the pages. The format of this story alternates character POV and that was a huge part of what made this experience so enjoyable. I loved hearing what’s going on inside of Stella and Michael’s heads that they weren’t saying out loud to each other. Especially, when it came to misunderstandings due to how each of them was processing the situation. The raw and undeniable connection between these two characters was addicting. It had the “falling slowly and all at once” type of vibes that made me absolutely giddy. As a compliment to all of the sweet moments we get between Stella and Michael, the steamier parts of this plotline were phenomenal and the nature of how those coital-related experiences started was unique to say the least. I’ve never read any romance novel like this before and absolutely loved it! Highly recommend you pick this one up!

A hand is holding up a paperback copy of Dash and Lily's Book of Dares. On the cover, there are two teenagers standing back to back in the snow. One is wearing all black and holding a red notebook. The other is wearing red converse, and a dress. — Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

DASH AND LILY’S BOOK OF DARES by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

Rating: 2.5/5 stars

Summary: Lily has left a red notebook full of challenges on a favorite bookstore shelf, waiting for just the right guy to come along and accept its dares. But is Dash the right guy? Or are Dash and Lily only destined to trade dares, dreams, and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth at locations across New York? Could their in-person selves possibly connect as well as their notebook versions? Or will they be a comic mismatch of disastrous proportions?

My Thoughts: I watched the Netflix adaptation of this book last December and thought it was super cute. This is a quick read and right for the season if you’re trying to get into the Christmas spirit, but it was a little underwhelming. Lily and Dash are supposed to be 16, and while I definitely felt Dash’s personality and behavior fit the age appropriate criteria, Lily felt more like a 13 year old than a sophomore or junior in high school. I get that she’s supposed to have this childlike wonder towards the magic of Christmas cheer, but instead of that energy coming off as whimsical, it came off as extremely immature. Especially when she got into her “Shrilly” mode and would scream or pout when she was upset… Not a cute look, Lily. On a more positive note, the banter throughout this book is phenomenal - especially between Dash and Lily’s great-aunt, Miss Basil E - and basically saved this book from receiving only 2 stars. They had some dialogue at one point in the book that was quick-wit goals. If you’ve seen the Netflix adaptation already, then I don’t think it’s worth picking up this book. If you haven’t seen the series yet and want to read the book beforehand, I’d say skip it lol and just go straight to Netflix.

THE BRIDE TEST by Helen Hoang

Rating: 3.75/5 stars

Summary: Khai Diep has no feelings. Well, he feels irritation when people move his things or contentment when he ledgers balance down to the penny, but not big, important emotions - like grief. And love. He thinks he’s defective. His family knows better - that his autism means he just processes emotions differently. When he steadfastly avoids relationships, his mother takes matters into her own hands and returns to Vietnam to find him the perfect bride. As a mixed-race girl living in the slums of Ho Chi Minh City, Esme Tran has always felt out of place. When the opportunity arises to come to America and meet a potential husband, she can’t turn it down, thinking this could be the break her family needs. Seducing Khai, however, doesn’t go as planned. Esme’s lessons in love seem to be working… but only on herself. She’s hopelessly smitten with a man who’s convinced he can never return her affection. With Esme’s time in the U.S. dwindling, Khai is forced to understand he’s been wrong all along. And there’s more than one way to love.

My Thoughts: Helen Hoang is a newer author for me, and I absolutely love her writing style and storylines. After such a great experience with The Kiss Quotient, I had decently high expectations for The Bride Test, and although I did enjoy it, it didn’t do as much for me as I wanted it to. Khai and Esme were such true-to-themselves characters which made understanding their perspectives and empathizing with them effortless. It was especially emotional watching some key moments of their blooming relationship help grow them closer. That said, both main characters were mildly too passive for the plotline to move forward at a good pace. Like some of the side characters had to take matters into their own hands to get Khai and Esme where we all wanted them to go, so it caused a little bit of a disconnect. However, it was refreshing for a romance novel to follow a strong character like Esme who was determined, knew her self-worth, and wouldn’t settle for any less than she deserved. Khai was a big sweetie and though he processes emotions differently, it’s undeniable he has the biggest heart for those he loves. Overall, I liked this book and encourage you to pick it up if you’ve become invested in this series too, but I definitely liked the first book a bit more.

THE SHAADI SET-UP by Lillie Vale

Rating: 3/5 stars

Summary: High school sweethearts Rita Chitniss and Milan Rao were the golden couple, until the day he broke her heart. Now, six years later, Rita has turned her passion for furniture restoration into a career and has an almost-perfect boyfriend, eil. The last thing she needs is for Milan to re-enter her life, but that’s exactly what happens when her mother, an unfailing believer in second chances, sets them up. Milan is just as charming, cocky, and confident as he was back in school. Only this time, he actually needs her business expertise, not her heart, to flip a hard-to-sell house for his realty agency. While Rita begrudgingly agrees to help, she’s not taking any risks. To prove she’s definitely over him, she signs herself and Neil up on MyShaadi.com a Desi matchmaking site famous for its success stories and trustworthy enough to convince everyone that she and Niel are the new and improved couple. Instead, she’s shocked when MyShaadi’s perfect match for her isn’t Neil… it’s Milan. Ignoring the website and her mother is one thing, but ignoring Milan proves much more difficult, especially when she promises to help him renovate the beach house of her dreams. And as the two of them dive deeper into work - and their pasts - Rita begins to wonder if maybe her match wasn’t so wrong after all...

My Thoughts: Okay so this was a cute rom-com, but I kind of felt meh about it afterwards. It took me a minute to get into this book, and I think that’s because the main character, Rita, isn’t necessarily all that likeable. She had redeeming qualities, but it had nothing to do with the romance storyline and everything to do with her learning more about the dynamics of her family, taking on projects she never thought she was capable of, and finally processing the breakup from six years ago. Her boyfriend, Neil, is annoying as shit, and I felt like the whole storyline of her trying to match with him on MyShaadi was a waste of time because, although I think we were supposed to feel like she really did want to be with Neil, it was PLAINLY obvious that she was so indifferent as to whether they stayed together or not. I was hoping Milan would be a more likeable main character to make up for what was missing with Rita, but he also let me down in a couple of parts and never quite fully recovered. The book’s plot line was a cute concept, but I just think the characters made it hard for me to fully buy into it. Overall, if someone asked me for a romcom recommendation, this wouldn’t be my first choice. However, if you’re looking for something that specifically includes online dating in its storyline then this could be for you.

BARBARIAN’S HEART by Ruby Dixon

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Stacy has never spent a day without her mate since arriving on the ice planet. She’s happy and in love, and they have a beautiful child together. All of that changed when the world shook and her mate nearly died. Pashov wakes up from his coma and can’t remember Stacy or their son. Every memory of the past two years is gone, and that changes everything between them. How can Stacy love someone that doesn’t remember her? How can she not, when she knows he is still her mate underneath it all?

My Thoughts: Y’all. When I say these books get more complex the farther you get into them, I do not lie. This story of Stacy and Pashov trying to find their way back to each other after his near-death experience was an emotional rollercoaster. The author did an amazing job at really making you feel the heartbreak, frustration, joyful moments, and unconditional love these characters shared. We also got to see more of the new village the tribe is calling home now, and learn more about the Metlaks - who are slowly gaining more depth with each book. Also, to my smut lovers, do not fret! There was a fair share to be had of that in this 10th installment of IPB. :) Overall, if you’ve started the series and aren’t sure how far you should go, I’m here to say book 10 did not disappoint lol.

BARBARIAN’S REDEMPTION by Ruby Dixon

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: For seasons, Bek has waited for her. His perfect mate. In a tribe full of happy couples, Bek is alone. But he is not content to remain this way. There are no eligible unmated females left, so he will do whatever it takes to bring females back to the tribe… even if it means doing something wrong. Even if it means he must purchase his mate on the intergalactic black market. But will his ruthless move turn his mate against him before they ever meet? Can she ever forgive Bek for buying her freedom?

My Thoughts: Bek has been a big ole broody boy and kind of a dick throughout this series, so I’m glad we finally got to see inside his head in this book. After purchasing the five women from the intergalactic black market, he is shunned from the tribe for being a Rule Breaker. Although Bek resonated with one of the women right away, Elly, she is the most traumatized of the group and protects herself under years of accumulated dirt and grime. It was really heartwarming watching Bek gain Elly’s trust throughout this book. I think since he’s been painted as such a hard person to be around, it was assumed his mate would end up being someone just as hard. However, Elly was sweet and scared, and instead we saw a new side to Bek that was protective and patient, and he absolutely adored Elly. Overall, I really loved their story. I have to say though, there was one part at the beginning of the book where Elly tries to escape and gets injured, and the description of said injury lives rent free in my mind and I hate it lol. Other than that, I’m still loving this IPB series!

CLOCKWORK PRINCESS by Cassandra Clare

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: A net of shadows begins to tighten around the Shadowhunters of the London Institute. Mortmain plans to use his Infernal Devices, an army of pitiless automatons, to destroy the Shadowhunters. He needs only one last item to complete his plan: he needs Tessa Gray. Charlotte Branwell, head of the London Institute, is desperate to find Mortmain before he strikes. But when Mortmain abducts Tessa, the boys who lay equal claim to her heart, Jem and Will, will do anything to save her. For though Tessa and Jem are now engaged, Will is as much in love with her as ever. As those who love Tessa rally to rescue her from Mortmain’s clutches, Tessa realizes that the only person who can save her is herself. But can a single girl, even one who can command the power of angels, face down an entire army?

My Thoughts: This book was the end of a series for me (literally lol), and I wanted to savor the experience because I am a sap for YA fantasy and we all know it. Without giving anything away, the connection between Tessa, Will, and Jem is a love triangle for the ages, and I loved that it was a have your cake and eat it too type of scenario. Like I am SQUEALING with fulfillment of how this triangle was handled and that’s all I’m going to say about that. Honestly, all of the characters hold a place in my heart. Even characters I thought were lost causes ended up weaseling their way into my bookish embrace. The book’s pace was phenomenal as it walked us through the perfect mix of high-action scenes and absolutely necessary slower moments. Idk what to say, y’all. I just really loved this book and how it tied the most immaculate bow on the gift that is the Infernal Devices series. If you ask me in a couple of months what fantasy series I recommend, I can guarantee this will be on the list I ramble off to you.

DESPERATE MEASURES by Katee Robert

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: One night, and Jasmine’s entire life went up in flames. All because of him. Jafar. As her world burned down around her, he offered her a choice. Walk away with nothing but her freedom or rise to his challenge and win her fortune back. She bargained and lost. Now Jafar owns her, and even as her mind rails against his rules, her body loves the punishments he deals out when she breaks them. But a gilded cage is still a prison, Jasmine will do anything to obtain her freedom. Even betray the man she’s falling for.

My Thoughts: LOLOLOL. Okay, so this is a DISNEY retelling of sorts. Yes, Disney. So if you’d like to keep the story of Jasmine in your brain as the innocent, animated version, then I recommend you keep it moving. This book was not just steamy. Steamy doesn’t begin to cover it. Twas KINKY. I loved that this relationship between Jasmine and Jafar had been considered “forbidden fruit” for the last five years while Jafar was working under her father. It was interesting to watch them navigate this new dynamic that both of them have dreamed about, but never discussed. They weren’t sure if or how they could trust each other, but the chemistry was undeniable as was the longing for this new reality. Since Jasmine was locked away for most of her life, her character development was both slow and rushed, but it was cute that Jafar served as a grounding mechanism for her as she found herself. This is the same author who wrote Neon Gods, and although I enjoyed this book, I prefer NG more. It just had a bit more plot and character development, and was also a single-bed trope - which this one is definitely not lol, so take that in stride. If you do want to pick this one up, I recommend checking the content warnings prior to!

HOW TO FAIL AT FLIRTING by Denise Williams

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: When her flailing department lands on the university’s chopping block, Professor Naya Turner’s friends convince her to shed her frumpy cardigan for an evening on the town. For one night her focus will stray from her demanding job and she’ll tackle a new kind of to-do list. When she meets a charming stranger in town on business, he presents the perfect opportunity to check off the items on her list. Let the guy buy her a drink. Check. Try something new. Check. A no-strings-attached hookup. Almost check. Jake makes her laugh and challenges Naya to rebuild her confidence, which was left toppled by her abusive ex-boyfriend. Soon she’s flirting with the chance at a more serious romantic relationship - except nothing can be that easy. The complicated strings around her dating Jake might destroy her career. Naya has two options. She can protect her professional reputation and return to her old life so she can flirt with the unknown and stay with the person who makes her feel like she’s finally living again.

My Thoughts: To put it plainly, this was a really solid book. First off, the “meetcute” between the main characters was so much fun and I loved the genuine connection between Naya and Jake. It just made following this budding romance an enjoyable experience through the highs and the lows. This isn’t your run of the mill feel-good romance though. The story takes place three years after Naya gets out of an abusive relationship, and I appreciated how the author handled this sensitive topic and wove it into her development arc and the story overall. Jake’s character was definitely likeable and provided some light-hearted relief to counter the heavier parts of this book, but there were some communication barriers between the two MCs that mildly discredited them for me a little bit. It didn’t ruin anything for me by any means, but made me give a side eye, yanno? Anyway, if you’re looking for a well-rounded romance that touches on a heavier topic, then I’d recommend picking this up!

THE BEAST by Katee Robert

Rating: 3/5 stars

Summary: Once upon a time, Isabelle fell in love with two men. Their feelings for her were matched only by their hatred for each other. Gaeton, with his brash charm and casual cruelty. Beast, his lust equal to his penchant for violence. Being with them was sinful and perfect in different ways. In the end, she couldn’t choose and lost them both. Now, Isabelle’s sisters have tasked her with securing their power base, no matter the cost. She will do anything for her family - even if it means agreeing to the terms set by Gaeton and Beast. The three of them, together. But only for as long as it takes her to choose one of them once and for all. When playing games of power, happily ever after isn’t a priority. Not even for Isabelle.

My Thoughts: So, if you haven’t already guessed it, this is a smutty Beauty and the Beast retelling. Basically, we have a lovely throuple, second chance romance storyline composed of Isabelle, Gaeton, and Beast. She had dated each of them separately a while ago, and broke their hearts by not being able to decide between them. However, now that she needs their help with protecting her family’s territory, the boys are calling the shots. Okay, so clearly a large purpose of this book is to provide some hella steamy kink which it definitely did, but I felt like it didn’t have much of a plot outside of the developing romance. So take that as you will. That said, I loved the unapologetic connection between the three characters. You could really feel the heartbreak and adoration radiating for one another. Also, I must add that I appreciate the author goes out of her way to truly emphasize that all of the spicy scenes are completely consensual. That’s very important and we love to see it. All in all, this retelling was entertaining and will definitely make you blush lol.

THE EX TALK by Rachel Lynn Solomon

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Shay Goldstein has been a producer at her Seattle public radio station for nearly a decade, and she can’t imagine working anywhere else. But lately it’s been a constant clash between her and her newest colleague, Dominic Yun, who’s fresh off a journalism master’s program and convinced he knows everything about public radio. When the struggling station needs a new concept, Shay proposes a show that her boss green-lights with excitement. On The Ex Talk, two exes will deliver relationship advice live, on air. Their boss decides Shay and Dominic are the perfect co-hosts, given how much they already despise each other. Neither loves the idea of lying to listeners, but it’s this or unemployment. Their audience gets invested fast, and it’s not long before The Ex Talk becomes a must-listen in Seattle and climbs podcast charts. As the show gets bigger, so does their deception, especially when Shay and Dominic start to fall for each other. In an industry that values truth, getting caught could mean the end of more than just their careers.

My Thoughts: What a freaking cute book! Especially as a podcast fan IRL, I loved the premise of Shay and Dominic’s story. Neither character was necessarily a stand-out for me, but, as a pair, their chemistry and connection was so much fun. Especially during the podcast dialogue chapters when their banter was on point the entire time. That said, a lot of the story takes place outside of the podcast recording, which I understand helped with the setting and getting into each character’s head, but I just wish there were more pages dedicated to the podcast listeners’ point of view. The build up was enjoyable to watch, but I wish there would have been a few more elements to their attraction before their undeniable chemistry was evident to both characters. Overall, this rom com is a really fun take on the enemies to lovers trope, and perfect for anyone looking for a light-hearted, quirky read!

THE TROUBLE WITH HATING YOU by Sajni Patel

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Summary: Liya Thakkar is a successful biochemical engineer, takeout enthusiast, and happily single woman. The moment she realizes her parents’ last dinner party is a setup with the man they want her to marry, she’s out the back door in a flash. Imagine her surprise when the same guy shows up at her office a week later -- the new lawyer hired to save her struggling company. What’s not surprising: he’s not too thrilled to see her either after that humiliating fiasco. Jay Shah looks good on paper and off. Especially if you like that whole gorgeous, charming lawyer-in-a-good-suit thing. He’s also arrogant and infuriating. As their witty office banter turns into late night chats, Liya starts to think he might be the one man who truly accepts her. But falling for each other means exposing their painful pasts. Will Liya keep running, or will she finally give love a real chance?

My Thoughts: What a great enemies-to-lovers romance novel! I went on a little binge with this specific trope this month, and The Trouble With Hating You was one of my favorites by far! It definitely took a minute to get my footing with the dynamics between Liya and Jay because their relationship started off very rocky and a little immature. However, as the softness started settling into their interactions and the cute scenes were trickling in, I was rooting for them completely. The cultural component of arranged marriages was interesting to learn about and added another dimension to Jay and Liya’s evolving love story. Also, a refreshing part of their character and relationship development for me was that both characters were dealing with some traumatic experiences, but their new romance didn’t serve as the fix-all for processing their pasts. Though most of this love story was a slower burn, there was just a touch of sexual tension to keep things a little interesting throughout. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and definitely recommend it if you’re looking for a quality enemies-to-lovers trope! Content Warnings: sexual assault, victim blaming, loss of a loved one, domestic violence.

WINDOW SHOPPING by Tessa Bailey

Rating: 3.8/5 stars

Summary: Two weeks before Christmas and all through Manhattan, shop windows are decorated in red and green satin. I’m standing alone in front of the famous Vivant department store, when a charming man named Aiden asks my opinion of the decor. It’s a tragedy in tinsel, I say, unable to lie. He asks for a better idea with a twinkle in his eye. Did I know he owned the place? No. He put me on the spot. Now I’m working for that man, trying to ignore that he’s hot. But as a down on her luck girl with a difficult past, I know an opportunity when I see one - and I have to make it last. I’ll put my heart and soul into dressing his holiday windows. I’ll work without stopping. And when we lose the battle with temptation, I’ll try and remember I’m just window shopping.

My Thoughts: This quick holiday read was the ideal mix of romance, cheese, spice, and Christmas! The “opposites attract” trope worked perfectly between our grumpy goth, Stella, and the chipper, quirky Aiden. I loved how each was experiencing their own inner struggles and instead of one character “saving” the other, they worked through the issues together by providing support and encouragement. It made the dynamics of the relationship feel much more balanced which I think some romances (especially steamier ones) tend to lack. The timeline of the growing infatuation with each other seemed a little too fast for me, but at least that kept the pace of the story moving forward. Overall, I think if you’re looking for something quick, steamy, and holiday-themed, this is a great book to scratch that itch!

2021 Book Count: 104

Add me on Goodreads if you haven’t already!

YOUR TURN! Let me know in the comments what books you’re trying to read before the end of the year.

October 2021 Reads

November 01, 2021 by Haley Burrill in Books

Ah yes. October. The Harvest Month. Spooky szn, if you will.

Besides being in a wedding, my October was pretty lowkey. I ate my weight in pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, broke out all of my cozy sweaters, drank some Witches Brew wine, broke out all over my face, and read quite a few books. :)

So let’s get into these reviews!

*All summaries taken or paraphrased from Goodreads.

DUNE by Frank Herbert

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: Set on the desert planet Arrakis, Dune is the story of the boy Paul Atreides, heir to a noble family tasked with ruling an inhospitable world where the only thing of value is the “spice” melange, a drug capable of extending life and enhancing consciousness. Coveted across the known universe, melange is a prize worth killing for… When House Atreides is betrayed, the destruction of Paul’s family will set the boy on a journey toward a destiny greater than he could ever have imagined. And as he evolves into the mysterious man known as Muad’Dib, he will bring to fruition humankind’s most ancient and unattainable dream.

My Thoughts: Oo-wee. Where to even start with this book? Dune was a DOOZY to say the least, and pretty complex right from the get-go. The first 100 pages are an information dumpage to the extreme and I had to keep rereading pages because it was hard to get my footing with the storyline until probably 25% into the book. In general, this book definitely serves a foundation-building purpose for the rest of the series, so take that in stride. The other aspect of Dune that made getting thoroughly invested a little tough was the style of writing. I’m not saying I didn’t appreciate it, but I’ve never read anything else like it. I realized after finishing the book that it was written in 1965, and was basically patient zero for books of the science fiction genre. So, I have mad respect for it in that regard, but whether it was the pacing, the characters, or overall storyline, I was never 100% enthralled. Like so much shit happens and so many characters are introduced throughout, there was no point in trying to hypothesize any plot twists. Am I going to go see the movie? Hell yes. Am I going to continue on with this series? I honestly haven’t decided yet. If science fiction is usually your jam, then I say go for it! If sci-fi isn’t your cuppa tea then I’d say to let this one sit until you’re in the m00d for it.

CEMETERY BOYS by Aiden Thomas

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: When his traditional Latinx family has problems accepting his gender, Yadriel becomes determined to prove himself a real brujo. With the help of his cousin and best friend Maritza, he performs the ritual himself, and then sets out to find the ghost of his murdered cousin and set it free. However, the ghost he summons is actually Julian Diaz, the school’s resident bad boy, and Julian is not about to go quietly into death. He’s determined to find out what happened and tie up some loose ends before he leaves. Left with no choice, Yadriel agrees to help Julian, so that they can both get what they want. But the longer Yadriel spends with Julian, the less he wants him to leave.

My Thoughts: All the feels, my friends. All the feels. This was the perfect book for me to kick off my sp00ky season reading list with, and absolutely stole my heart in the process. Starting with the main characters, Yadriel and Julian. Each was vibrant and complex in his own unique way, but never overpowered the other. If anything, they were the perfect serving of chaos, comfort, bravery, understanding, and selflessness. I also loved Yadriel’s cousin, Maritza, because she was Yadriel’s O.G. confidant and companion, and added sass where there needed to be. The overall storyline was beautifully written, and although the plot twist probably should’ve been more evident to me, I did not see it coming right away. Just learning so much about the brujx community and traditions was interesting enough to keep me invested. My favorite takeaway from this book, though, was learning more about the experience of a person who is transitioning, but not taking hormones. It was incredibly eye-opening about the daily adversities trans-people encounter - both in their personal and public lives - and the author wrote Yadriel’s experience in a way that made it easy to understand how to be a better ally to those in the trans community. Cemetery Boys is an empowering story that you really shouldn’t sleep on.

ISN’T IT BROMANTIC by Lyssa Kay Adams

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Elena Konnikova has lived her entire adult life in the shadows. As the daughter of a Russian journalist who mysteriously disappeared, she escaped danger the only way she knew how: She married her childhood friend, Vladimir, and moved to the United States, where he is a professional hockey player in Nashville. Vlad, aka the Russian, thought he could be content with his marriage of convenience. But it’s become too difficult to continue in a one-sided relationship. He joined the Bromance Book Club to learn how to make his wife love him, but all he’s learned is that he deserves more. He’s ready to create his own sweeping romance. The bros are unwilling to let Vlad forgo true love - and this time they’re not operating solo. They join forces with Vlad’s neighbors, a group of meddling widows who call themselves the Loners. But just when things finally look promising, Elena’s past life intrudes and their happily ever after is cast into doubt.

My Thoughts: The Bromance Book Club series has become somewhat of a guilty pleasure read for me, and the fourth installment was no exception! I loved the different approach the author took in this one with the relationship stemming from childhood best friends who married out of convenience. We’ve seen Vlad, aka The Russian, in previous books, but all we knew about him from those was that he has stomach issues all the time. So, I really enjoyed getting to see some depth added to his character through this storyline. It gave me all the feels to watch Vlad and Elena work to be vulnerable with each other in order to save their marriage. That said, it mildly irks me when poor communication skills are the main issue in a book between two characters, and that was basically the case here. Like they never just said what they were thinking, which was so irritating because so much could’ve been addressed by having a frank conversation lol. I also wish the swoony romance parts would have been either longer or more frequent. It kind of felt like Elena’s side storyline over-shadowed that a bit when it didn’t really need to. Overall though, this was a cute read if you’re looking for something along the lines of a rom-com!

MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS by Agatha Christie

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Just after midnight, a snowdrift stops the Orient Express in its tracks. The luxurious train is surprisingly full for the time of the year, but by the morning it is one passenger fewer. An American tycoon lies dead in his compartment, stabbed a dozen times, his door locked from the inside. Isolated with a killer in their midst, detective Hercule Poirot must identify the murderer - in case he or she decides to strike again.

My Thoughts: This was my first Agatha Christie book, and I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised in different ways than I anticipated. Firstly, I liked how she immerses you into the story at the start of the book by setting the scene, introducing you to some of the characters, etc. Then once the investigation actually begins, everything is broken down in an organized format where the chapters are titled by interviews and evidence. With twelve different characters you have to remember specific details about, I found this setup to be incredibly helpful for keeping track of everything. Especially as I was reading chunks of this book every night and not in one sitting. Overall, I really enjoyed this murder mystery and never suspected the outcome. So, if you’re looking for something quick, this would be a good book to pick up!

ONE OF US IS LYING by Karen M. McManus

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Pay close attention and you might solve this. On Monday afternoon, five students at Bayview High walk into detention. Bronwyn, the brain, is Yale-bound and never breaks a rule. Addy, the beauty, is the picture-perfect homecoming princess. Nate, the criminal, is already on probation for dealing. Cooper, the athlete, is the all-star baseball pitcher. And Simon, the outcast, is the creator of Bayview High’s notorious gossip app. Only Simon never makes it out of that classroom. Before the end of detention, Simon’s Dead. And according to investigators, his death wasn’t an accident. On Monday, he died. But on Tuesday, he’d planned to post juicy reveals about all four of his high-profile classmates, which makes all four of them suspects in his murder. Or are they the perfect patsies for a killer who’s still on the loose? Everyone has secrets, right? What really matters is how far you would go to protect them.

My Thoughts: Remix The Breakfast Club to include a murder mystery and those are the vibes this book is serving. I literally could not put it down - it’s a certified page-turner to say the least. No surprise to anyone, the characters are what did it for me in this book. I basically loved every single one of them AND they ALL (clap) HAD (clap) SOLID (clap) CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT (clap x2). We love to see it, y’all. Besides, Nate and Cooper have both officially been inducted into the “Book Boyfriend Hall of Fame” for me, so lol. Bronwyn and Addy were absolute badasses though, so don’t underestimate them! The plot in general was thick and twisty, and although the solution to this mystery wasn’t necessarily the strongest, I definitely didn’t see it coming. So, I loved all of it nonetheless. If you’re looking for a great YA mystery/thriller, I definitely recommend getting your hands on a copy of this book!

A SPECIAL PLACE FOR WOMEN by Laura Hankin

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: For years, rumors have swirled about an exclusive, women-only social club where the elite tastemakers of NYC meet. People in the know whisper all sorts of claims: Membership dues cost $1K a month. The women even handpicked the city’s first female mayor, but no one knows for sure. That is, until journalist Jillian Beckly decides she’s going to break into the club. With her career in freefall, Jillian needs a juicy scoop, and she has personal interest in bringing these women down. But the deeper she gets into this new world - where billionaire “girlbosses” mingle with the astrology-obsessed - the more Jillian learns that bad things happen to those who dare question the club’s motives or giggle at its outlandish rituals. The select group of women who populate the club may be far more powerful than she ever imagined. And far more dangerous too.

My Thoughts: Honestly? This book was as enjoyable as it was strange lol. Jillian is experiencing some tough times after losing her mom and her job within just a few months of each other. So although Nevertheless keeps getting weirder as the story goes on, she doesn’t have much else going on in life, so I understood why she was drawn back to this secret women’s club time and time again. I will say, it’s only mildly odd until about 60% and then you hit a freaking bizarre plot twist that takes everything in a wild direction lol. There’s a friends-to-lovers side plot in this that was super cute and kept everything grounded as things got v strange with Jillian’s involvement with the club. Even though the conclusion to this odd ride wasn’t as groundbreaking or juicy as I had hoped, it was still satisfying.

SHARP OBJECTS by Gillian Flynn

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Fresh from a brief stay at a psych hospital, reporter Camille Preaker faes a troubling assignment: she must return to her tiny hometown to cover the unsolved murder of a preteen girl and the disappearance of another. For years, Camille has hardly spoken to her neurotic, hypochondriac mother or to the half-sister she barely knows: a beautiful 13-year-old with an eerie grip on the town. Now, installed in her old bedroom in her family’s Victorian mansion, Camille finds herself identifying with the young victims - a bit too strongly. Dogged by her own demons, she must unravel the psychological puzzle of her own past if she wants to get the story - and survive this homecoming.

My Thoughts: This book was dark and twisted and THRILLING. I’m going to start by saying this quick read is not for the faint of heart. There were portions of the story that literally made my skin crawl and I had to stop reading to get out of that mindset for a little bit. The main character, Camille, was the perfect unlikeable protagonist for this. She’s got a dark past and comes off as morally gray, but as you start seeing into her psyche, it’s clear why. The plot itself was creepy to say the least, and the side characters were all sorts of interesting, so I was constantly second guessing my prediction for “whodunnit” because everyone was looking a little sus. Like I said, it’s not for the faint of heart, but if you want a short book that will make your teeth clench a little bit, this is a good one. Please see the content/trigger warnings beforehand though. CW/TW: murder, self harm, alcholism, verbal and emotional abuse, gore/corpse descriptions, drug abuse, and rape.

BARBARIAN’S MATE by Ruby Dixon

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: ‘Renosance’ is supposed to be a dream - that’s when your soulmate is chosen for you. And everyone on the ice planet has hooked up with a hunky soulmate of their own except for Josie. Does she want a mate? Heck yeah. More than anything, all she’s ever wanted is to be loved by someone. Expect the soulmate chosen for her? Her least favorite person on that darn ice planet. Haedan’s the most cranky, disapproving, unpleasant, overbearing male alien. So why is it her khui sings when he gets close? Why is he working so hard to prove to her that he’s not as awful as she thinks he is? Josie hates him... doesn’t she?

My Thoughts: This book took a different direction than other books, and I found the mini adventure of it incredibly enjoyable! We follow an enemies-to-lovers trope between Josie, a talkative ball of sunshine, and Haeden, the biggest grumpy alien around. This pairing is the last two anyone ever expected to resonate with each other because they’re complete opposites. That said, I really enjoyed both going through their character developments and watching them slowly open up to each other about their pasts. It made Josie and Haeden much more empathetic and understanding of each other’s behaviors better, which in turn made their relationship so much stronger. The plot twist of Josie finding another portion of the spaceship Kira crashed was a really exciting development in the series because we’ve been following each of the human women thus far, so I was wondering what would happen to keep the series going. Overall, I sincerely liked following Josie’s and Haeden’s story - it had spice, adventure, and all the things we love to see in a sci-fi romance.

BARBARIAN’S TOUCH by Ruby Dixon

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: When Lilah wakes up on the ice planet, she’s scared of everything: this place is cold, silent, and the locals look more like blue devils than aliens. To make matters worse, one of the strangers decides she’s going to be his girlfriend and kidnaps her away from her sister. Lilah is completely and utterly alone. What’s a girl to do? Well, this girl escapes. Of course, that means she goes from the frying pan into the fire, and her situation gets even more dangerous. Just when Lilah has no hope left, a new hero appears. Sure, he’s blue, horned, and has a tail. He’s also fierce, protective and thinks Lilah is perfect. But is what they have real or just a mating instinct.

My Thoughts: Y’all, this one may just be my favorite of the series thus far. Lilah is deaf and everyone, including her sister Maddie, is hoping that once her khui kicks in, it will fix the hearing issue. Everyone except the very sweet Rokan who thinks Lilah is pure perfection and views the fact that others can’t communicate with her using ASL as a flaw on their end. I loved watching their relationship grow and it was incredibly heartwarming to see Rokan trying everything he can to communicate with Lilah to build her trust. One of the cooler parts of this book was the glimpses we get to see of the Metlaks - aka Yetis. Throughout all of the other books, they’ve been described as incredibly dumb and aggressive animals. During this adventure with Lilah, she has a few encounters with one specific Metlak who uses hand signs to communicate as well, and ends up helping her during a crisis. So, it was interesting to see a new side of these creatures. For y’all who want the lowdown on the smut, there was plentyyy of spice to be had in this book lol, and I definitely recommend reading it if you’ve made it this far in the series!

THE HAWTHORNE LEGACY by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: The Inheritance Games ended with a bombshell, and now heiress Avery Grambs has to pick up the pieces and find the man who might hold the answers to all of her questions - including why Tobias Hawthorne left his entire fortune to Avery, a virtual stranger, rather than to his own daughters or grandsons. Thanks to a DNA test, Avery knows she’s not a Hawthorne by blood, but clues pile up hinting at a deeper connection to the family than she had every imagined. As the mystery grows and the plot thickens, Grayson and Jameson, the enigmatic and magnetic Hawthorne grandsons, continue to pull Avery in different directions. And there are threats lurking around every corner, as adversaries emerge who will stop at nothing to see Avery out of the picture - by any means necessary.

My Thoughts: Why do I love this YA mystery series so much? My friends, I cannot put my finger on it, but I’m invested and I don’t care who knows it. Between the teenage love triangle, the clues left by Gramps Tobias, and the insight we finally get into the missing Hawthorne’s disappearance - I was INVESTED. This book was just as fun as the first one and smoothly transitioned the story into a new puzzle Avery and the Hawthorne boys are left trying to solve. There were plot twists GALORE that left me feeling some type of way, and I was absolutely TORN between being Team Grayson and Team Jameson lol. Though this book is the second installment of what is supposed to be a trilogy by next year, I thought the ending wrapped up pretty nicely, so I’m not sure where the next book will go, but you best believe I plan to pick it up!

A TOUCH OF DARKNESS by Scarlett St. Clair

Rating: 3/5 stars

Summary: Persephone is the Goddess of Spring by title only. The truth is, since she was a little girl, flowers have shriveled at her touch. After moving to New Athens, she hopes to lead an unassuming life disguised as a mortal journalist. Hades, God of the Dead, has built a gambling empire in the mortal world and his favorite bets are rumored to be impossible. After a chance encounter with Hades, Persephone finds herself in a contract with the God of the Dead and the terms are impossible. She must create life in the Underworld or lose her freedom forever. The bet does more than expose Persephone’s failure as a Goddess, however. As she struggles to sow the seeds of her freedom, love for the God of the Dead grows - and it’s forbidden.

My Thoughts: Love us a modern day Greek Mythology retelling, do we not? Admittedly, I had to Google what the OG tea was on Persephone and Hades as I started reading this because I had no prior knowledge of them lol. Having some context helped me understand the dynamics between the characters better, but I wasn’t blown away by either of them. I wish Persephone’s development arc happened a little quicker. She was just so insecure and naive for most of the book, which led to poor decision making. Hades’ character had more depth that was slowly revealed as the plot went on, but I wish he didn’t have to keep saving our girl P. Also, this book is supposed to be spicy - which it definitely is at various times - but that doesn’t happen until almost more than 50% into the storyline. Overall, it didn’t blow me away but it’s an enjoyable quick read if you’re looking for a romance that’s a little different!

NEON GODS by Katee Robert

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: Society darling Persephone Dimitriou plans to flee the ultra-modern city of Olympus and start over far from the backstabbing politics of the Thirteen Houses. But all that’s ripped away when her mother ambushes her with an engagement to Zeus, the dangerous power behind their glittering city’s dark facade. With no options left, Persephone flees to the forbidden undercity and makes a devil’s bargain with a man she once believed a myth - a man who awakens her to a world she never knew existed. Hades has spent his life in the shadows, and he has no intention of stepping into the light. But when he finds that Persephone can offer a little slice of the revenge he’s spent years craving, it’s all the excuse he needs to help her - for a price. Yet every breathless night spent tangled together has given Hades a taste for Persephone, and he’ll go to war with Olympus itself to keep her.

My Thoughts: So, I admit, I was on a Hades/Persephone retelling kick by the end of the month lol, and this book did NOT disappoint. It was the perfect balance of sweet and FREAKING SPICY. I liked that it gave a nod to the real tale of Hades “kidnapping” Persephones, but didn’t overdo the fantasy elements beyond an invisible barrier to the “Underworld” aka southside of the city. The main characters were absolutely magnetic and their development throughout the book was *chef’s kiss*. The chemistry between Hades and Persephone was utterly undeniable even an hour after they crossed paths, and that connection only grows stronger (and steamier) as the plot goes on. Personally, this was quite the page turner, but if you’re not into books that have a 50 Shades of Gray flavor to them, then this probs isn’t for you. Otherwise, enjoyyyy! :)

2021 Book Count: 88

Add me on Goodreads if you haven’t already!

YOUR TURN! Let me know in the comments what books you love to cuddle up with.

September 2021 Reads

October 01, 2021 by Haley Burrill in Books

September felt like both the longest and shortest month of the year so far.

I had a weird reading mood this month and wasn’t necessarily super motivated to get through a bunch of new books. Like obviously, as you will see, I got caught up in the Ice Planet Barbarians series lol, but I ended up rereading some of those books towards the end of the month because I was just too tired to start something new and they’re legit maybe 200-250 pages max.

Personally, I blame the fact that I’ve been so busy socially lol. I know, I know. *Eye roll* Like what a problem to have, right? But, as your resident introvert, ya girl’s gas tank was running on fumes for most of September. That said, all of my plans were loads of fun. I even made a trip out to Chicago to visit one of my best friends and found a cute little indie bookstore called Sandmeyer’s Bookstore. So, if you’re in Chitown, definitely check it out!

Okay let’s move on with this, shall we?

*All summaries are taken or paraphrased from Goodreads.

THE PUSH by Ashley Audrain

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Blythe Connor is determined that she will be the warm, comforting mother to her new baby Violet that she herself never had. But in the thick of motherhood’s exhausting early days, Blythe becomes convinced that something is wrong with her daughter - she doesn’t behave like most children do. Or is it all in Blythe’s head? Her husband, Fox, says she’s imagining things. The more Fox dismisses her fears, the more Blythe begins to question her own sanity, and the more we begin to question what Blythe is telling us about her life as well. Then their son Sam is born - and with him, Blythe has the blissful connection she’d always imagined with her child. Even Violet seems to love her little brother. But when life as they know it changed in an instant, the devastating fall-out forces Blythe to face the truth.

My Thoughts: Yeesh. This book put me on EDGE. I wouldn’t categorize this as a thriller by any means, but it was definitely a psychological work of fiction that will make your heart race a little bit. I loved how easy it was to fall into the mindset of this morally gray character yet still question whether or not she actually is a couple fries short of a Happy Meal. The author truly makes you feel all of Blythe’s anxieties, moments of bliss, grief, frustrations, and more to your core. The pace of the plot was extremely steady, but with everything going on it was absolutely effortless to keep the pages turning. I’d say the ending provided much-needed validation for not only some of the characters, but also the reader - who has been along for this mind-twisty ride from the start. Highly recommend this book if you’re looking for something a little psychological but not necessarily scary.

ICE PLANET BARBARIANS by Ruby Nixon

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: You’d think being abducted by aliens would be the worst thing that could happen to Georgie. And you’d be wrong. Because now, the aliens are having ship trouble and they’ve left their cargo of human women on an ice planet. The only native inhabitant Georgie has met is big, blue, has horns and has taken a liking to her.

My Thoughts: LOL. Okay, I’m going to be frank with you here. This book is straight up sci-fi smut. It’s a very quick, very steamy, intergalactic read. The plot isn’t super strong by any means, but I did end up really liking the main character, Georgie, and her ice planet boii toy, Vektal. All of the barbarians are actually super sweet gentlemen once you get to know them, so that was nice. There’s a potentially triggering scene in the beginning of the book that doesn’t involve any main characters, but is still pretty graphic, so please be aware. I can’t sit here with a straight face, and in good conscience, and honestly recommend this book to anyone lmao, but I also can’t say this hasn’t become a guilty pleasure series for me. So yeah. That’s my review lol. :)

BARBARIAN ALIEN by Ruby Dixon

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Twelve humans are left stranded on a wintry alien planet, and Liz is one of them. In order to survive, they have to take on a symbiont that wants to rewire their bodies to live in this brutal place. Liz likes to call it the cootie. And, she thinks her cootie is a jerk because it also thinks she’s the mate to the biggest, surliest alien of the group.

My Thoughts: What a quick, cosmic, smutty read this was! Lucky for us, this book actually had a plotline! Not a super strong one, don’t get too excited, but it was definitely there! I loved the enemies-to-lovers trope between Liz and Raahosh. They were the cutest little match - where one was quiet, the other wouldn’t shut up. Where one was a burly alien, the other was a rambunctious blonde. Both were stubborn as hell though which provided some fun banter. This book was also SPICY, but we love some out-of-this-world smut, do we not?! Again, I can’t sit here and recommend this book to anyone. Mostly out of fear of mild judgement once you do pick it up to read. HOWEVER, these are such fast reads, that I can sit here and say, I will probably keep moving through this sci-fi smut series. Will I read all 22 books? Probs not (this year), but who’s to say? Yanno?

THE MAGIC OF FOUND OBJECTS by Maddie Dawson

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Phronsie Linnelle was conceived at Woodstock in a serendipitous liaison between a free-spirited hippie and a farmer’s son and was born with a magical wonder flickering in her DNA and rationality knit into her bones. All her life she’s been torn between the two. But now that she’s been betrayed by both love and the mother she once idolized, her rational side is winning. So when her best friend from childhood proposes that they give up on romance and marry each other, Phronsie agrees. Who better to spend your life with than your best friend? Maybe the connection they already have is love. Maybe there’s no falling to be done. But immediately after they announce their engagement, she encounters someone who makes a very charming and compelling argument for revisiting romance. While her even-keeled stepmother argues for the safety that comes with her new engagement and her mother relays messages from the universe to hold out for true love, Phronsie must look to her own heart to find the answers that have been there all along.

My Thoughts: This was the book of the month for one of my favorite podcasts, Bad on Paper, and I absolutely loved Maddie Dawson’s book, Matchmaking for Beginners. So, I was very excited to read this one! First off, this book is extremely relatable in regards to being tired of dating lol. You know the saying “finding a job is a job”? Same concept. Dating is WORK, so I completely related to Phronsie being fed up with the whole process. Her character was hard to pin down in terms of who she felt she was. You never knew if she was going to be practical “Frances” or free spirit “Phronsie” which made it hard to root for her at times. After getting more back story about previous relationships (both romantic and familial) that shaped her though, I had more empathy. This book was the perfect balance of fun and seriousness, and every flashback to Phronsie’s past served a significant purpose to the present story. The only thing that didn’t satiate me enough was a romantic element that we only got to see during a handful of pages. Overall though, this book was funny, quirky, and an extremely easy read! If you’re looking for something quick and a little lighter, I definitely recommend this one!

BARBARIAN LOVER by Ruby Dixon

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: As one of the few humans stranded on the ice planet, Kira should be happy that she has a new home. Human women are treasured there, and one alien in particular has made it clear that he wants her. It’s hard for Kira to push away the sexy, flirtatious Aehako, when all he wants to do is take her to his furs. But she’s got a terrible secret - the aliens who abducted her are back, and thanks to the translator in her ear, they can find her. Kira fears her presence with the new tribe endangers everyone, but can she give up her new life and the man she wants more than anything?

My Thoughts: We have a plotline, y’all! Honestly, this series is actually developing into something quite interesting with a continuous and branching storyline. This book follows Kira who has a translator implanted in her ear by the aliens who originally abducted the twelve women. In addition to the intimate romance blooming between her and the very sweet Aehako, we get to see a lot of Kira’s character development. She goes from being the cautious Eeyore of the group to a confident badass who doesn’t let her fears hold her back for the sake of her new tribe. It was also cool to see the setting branch off from the main tribe’s cave to a secondary cave where more storylines are sure to blossom. There’s a scene towards the end of this book that follows a side character, Harlow, that is clearly a cliffhanger for a future book. So needless to say, I will be continuing on lol.

BARBARIAN MINE by Ruby Dixon

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: The ice planet has given Harlow a second lease on life, so she’s thrilled to be here. Sure there’s no cheeseburgers, but she’s healthy and ready to be a productive member of the small tribe. What she didn’t anticipate is that there’d be a savage stranger waiting nearby, watching her. And when he takes her captive, the unthinkable happens - Harlow resonates to him. Resonance means mating, and children, but she doesn’t know if this guy has ever been around anyone before. He’s truly a barbarian in all the ways, right down to clubbing her over the head and claiming her as his own. So why is that she can’t get enough of him?

My Thoughts: I feel like this has been my favorite book of this sci-fi alien smut series by far. It picks up with Harlow being held captive by Rukh, who is basically the planet’s equivalent to Tarzan (living off the grid and out of society). Due to a misunderstanding, Harlow feels like she can’t go back to the tribe. Not to mention, she’s also resonated with him which basically means their lives are bound together from here on out. There have been language barriers in previous books between characters, but since Rukh literally hasn’t talked to anyone in YEARS, it was really heartwarming to see him and Harlow learning how to communicate with each other in order to survive in one of the most remote areas of this icy planet. I appreciated that the plotline in this one fast forwards about a 1.5 years from the time where the first three books take place as well because we get to see how more characters are developing. Y’all I can honestly say this series has been gaining some depth the farther we get into it, and I am hooked lol.

WE FREE THE STARS by Hafsah Faizal

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: The battle on Sharr is over. The dark forest has fallen. Altair may be captive, but Zafira, Nasir and Kifah are bound for Sultan’s Keep, determined to finish the plan he set in motion: restoring the hearts of the Sisters of Old to the minarets of each caliphate, and finally returning magic to all of Arawiya. But they are low on resources and allies alike, and the kingdom teems with fear of the Lion of the Night’s return. As the zumra plots to overthrow the kingdom’s darkest threat, Nasir fights to command the magic in his blood. He must learn to hone his power into a weapon to wield not only against the Lion but against his father, trapped under the Lion’s control. Zafira battles a very different darkness festering in her through her bond with the Jarawat pushing her to the brink of her sanity and to the edge of a chaos she dare not unleash. In spite of the darkness enclosing ever faster, Nasir and Zafira find themselves falling into a love they can’t stand to lose, but time is running out to achieve their ends, and if order is to be restored, drastic sacrifices will have to be made.

My Thoughts: Yaaaaassss! This book gave us everything we wanted, but didn’t quite get from the first, and I am just squealing with reader’s fulfillment lol. For starters, the world building and scene descriptors were phenomenal and made following this adventurous plot seamless. The setting transitions were my main pain point about the first book because they were touch and go in this category. We had character development arcs across the board - Zafria and Nasir, specifically. The author didn’t make Zafira the naive, do-gooder Huntress that everyone came to know and love in the first book. Instead there was a question of whether our protagonist was going to succumb to a darker power which has the potential to change the entire trajectory of her mission to restore magic. Nasir, our lil bad murder assassin boi, was going through some shit involving his dad that, overall, made him the vulnerable prince we’ve been wanting to see. I loved the romance and sexual tension that was strung between our two MCs the entire book. Honestly, the only v small complaint I have is that it was a little longer than I thought it needed to be, but my friends, this book sure did free those stars! For sure recommend continuing onto the second installment of this series if you made it through We Hunt the Flame.

THE WORST BEST MAN by Mia Sosa

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: A wedding planner left at the altar. Yeah, the irony isn’t lost on Carolina Santos, either. But despite the embarrassing blip from her past, Lina has managed to make other people’s dreams come true as a top-tier wedding coordinator in DC. After impressing an influential guest, she’s offered an opportunity that could change her life. There’s just one hitch… she has to collaborate with the best (make that worst) man from her own failed nuptials. Marketing expert Max Hartley is tired of living in his older brother’s shadows and is determined to make his mark with a coveted hotel client looking to expand its brand. Then he learns he will be working with his brother’s whip-smart, stunning, absolutely off limits, ex fiancee. If they can survive the next few weeks and nail their presentation without killing each other, they’ll both come out ahead. But even the best laid plans can go awry, and soon Lina and Max discover animosity may not be the only emotion creating sparks between them.

My Thoughts: This book was so much fun! With an enemies-to-lovers plotline, the banter between Lina and Max is quick, witty, and everything I wanted from this newly formed partnership. Plus, there were a few revenge-seeking ventures from both characters involving hot peppers, a workout class, and loads of wedding cake that made me laugh out loud. It was absolutely adorable watching Max and Lina fall for each other, and getting each of their perspectives on the situation. Don’t get me wrong though, there were definitely some spicy scenes woven into the cuteness of this storyline that gave us the perfect balance of everything we want in a romance. So, if you’re looking for a fun rom-com to brighten your reading list, I definitely recommend adding this book to it!

JULIET TAKES A BREATH by Gabby Rivera

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Juliet Milagros Palante is leaving the Bronx and headed to Portland, Oregon. She just came out to her family and isn’t sure if her mom will ever speak to her again. But Juliet has a plan, sort of, one that’s going to help her figure out this whole “Puerto Rican lesbian” thing. She’s interning with the author of her favorite book: Harlowe Brisbane, the ultimate authority on feminism, women’s bodies, and other gay-sounding stuff. Will Juliet be able to figure out her life over the course of one magical summer? Is that even possible? Or is she running away from all the problems that seem too big to handle? With more questions than answers, Juliet takes on Portland, Harlowe, and most importantly, herself.

My Thoughts: This was a great read that touched on very relevant topics affecting our culture and society everyday. In this YA book, we follow Juliet through her summer internship where she explores coming into her own identity, understanding her self-worth, and finding her voice. She’s only 19 and has never experienced the type of community she’s surrounded by while in Portland - very liberal, pretty hippy-dippy, etc. So, the whole summer is a culture shock for her which lays the foundation of the path she takes to finding herself. She’s not my favorite main character ever, but Juliet definitely was the best protagonist for this book. The examples the author used throughout the storyline to depict lessons of intersectional feminism, LGBTQ+ issues, racism, and more were crystal clear, and I never felt like they were being forced through the characters’ interactions. It did take me a minute to get into this book, but I think that was mostly because I wasn’t always in the mood to pick it up. Overall though, if you’re looking for a quicker read that provides some impactful lessons (especially if you’re a white woman), I definitely encourage you to pick this up!

ICE PLANET HOLIDAY by Ruby Dixon

Rating: 2.5/5 stars

Summary: All this snow and no holidays? What’s a stranded human to do? Create a new holiday of course. Georgie and the other women decide to bring some new traditions and cheer to the sa-khui. More babies are born, presents are exchanged, and a new romance blossoms between a human woman desperate for a change, and the alien determined to protect her.

My Thoughts: I believe this book is technically a novella to the series, but I’d have to say it was my least favorite thus far. It splits the focus between Gerogie’s pregnancy and Claire’s love story. The pregnancy storyline was just alright. We haven’t seen a lot of Georgie since she was the MC in the first book. Basically, women on the ice planet can have a gestation period anywhere between 1-3 years (yikes), and a lot of Georgie’s friends already popped out their kits (aka kiddos), so getting her perspective on all of it was interesting since she was one of the first ladies pregnant. Claire’s storyline was a little intense as she tries separating herself from a very possessive f-buddy who is borderline problematic. So, the shy guy, Everen, swooping in to help defend her was very sweet. Other than that, not a lot happens that I can remember tbh. You honestly could probably skip this book in the series if you wanted to.

BARBARIAN’S PRIZE by Ruby Dixon

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: It’s hard being the most popular girl on the ice planet. The alien men are falling all over themselves to impress Tiffany in hopes that she will take them to her furs. But they don’t know her secrets - none of them do. And they don’t realize behind her smile, she just wishes all of them would go away. She doesn’t want any of them. She wants someone else. He’s the only one that knows the truth, and maybe with him, she can work through her fears of the past. But, she’s pretty sure he wants more than just a friendship. He wants forever, and Tiffany isn’t sure she can give it.

My Thoughts: Okay, so I loved that the author took a different approach to this book with a friends-to-lovers trope. That aspect softened part of the storyline that dealt with (trigger warning) sexual assault, and how the main characters approached their relationship. Watching Salukh be so incredibly patient with a really delicate situation, and Tiffany allowing herself to be vulnerable with him was sincerely heartwarming. There were still some spicy moments throughout this book as well, do not worry there lol. I also appreciated that we got to see more of a side character, Josie, who up until this point, has been described as a loud and obnoxious girl. However, she’s Tiffany’s best friend and seeing how protective they are and how much they care about each other made me like Josie a lot more. Overall, I really liked the sixth installment of this series!

2021 Book Count: 76

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YOUR TURN! Let me know in the comments what books you’re planning to read during spooky szn.

August 2021 Reads

August 31, 2021 by Haley Burrill in Books

My goodness the summer is just flying by, and the month of August was a busy one!

I went to a wedding, went camping, got to stick my feet in Lake Michigan for the first time in two years :’), attended a Detroit Tigers game, started dating again, unpacked some dating related baggage in therapy that I didn’t realize I’ve been holding onto for about 10 years, damn near melted from the heat and humidity, and more! :D

Along with all the things I did in that list, I also ended up reading a lot more books than I expected to. So, let’s get into it!

*All summaries are taken or paraphrased from Goodreads.

THE BROMANCE BOOK CLUB by Lyssa Kay Adams

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: The first rule of book club: You don’t talk about book club. Nashville Legends second baseman Gavin Scott’s marriage is in major league trouble. He’s recently discovered a humiliating secret: his wife Thea has always faked the Big O. When he loses his cool at the revelation, it’s the final straw on their already strained relationship. Thea asks for a divorce, and Gavin realizes he’s let his pride and fear get the better of him. Distraught and desperate, Gavin finds help from an unlikely source: a secret romance book club made up of Nashville’s top alpha men. With the help of their current read, a steamy Regency title Courting the Countess, the guys coach Gavin on saving his marriage. But it’ll take a lot more than flowery words and grand gestures for this hapless Romeo to find his inner hero and win back the trust of his wife.

My Thoughts: Y’all. This was such a cute book. The premise was so unique, and I loved how the author basically created this hypothetical rom-com around what would happen if men started taking notes from the “book boyfriends” we bookworms tend to swoon over lol. This page turner was repeatedly entertaining, a little steamy, and a really heartwarming experience depicting the reality of how much work a marriage takes. The pacing was phenomenal, and every scene served a purpose to move the plot along, but the ending was pretty predictable. Although I didn’t absolutely love either main character, I adored the connection they shared and it was hard not to root for both of them. The one aspect of this story that really stood out to me and I appreciated was all of the call-outs about toxic-masculinity and its effect on how men communicate - because that shit is real. So, yeah. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and definitely recommend it if you’re looking for something light and a little different!

WE HUNT THE FLAME by Hafsah Faizal

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: Zafira is the Hunter, discussing herself as a man when she braves the cursed forest of the Arz to feed her people. Nasir is the Price of Death, assassinating those foolish enough to defy his autocratic father, the sultan. If Zafira was exposed as a girl, all of her achievements would be rejected; if Nasir displayed his compassion, his father would punish him in the most brutal of ways. Both Zafira and Nasir are legends in the kingdom of Arawiya, but neither of them wants to be. War is brewing, and the Arz sweeps closer with each passing day, engulfing the land in shadow. When Zafira embarks on a quest to uncover a lost artifact that can restore magic to her suffering world and stop the Arz, Nasier is sent by the sultan on a similar mission: retrieve the artifact and kill the Hunter. But an ancient evil stirs as their journey unfolds - the prize they seek may pose a threat greater than either can imagine.

My Thoughts: I’ve seen a lot of hype for this book, and I know there are people who absolutely adore it, so I was excited to finally get my hands on it. As I’ve said before, I’m a character-driven reader, and there were a few characters who I fell in love with for sure like the charming Altair. I also liked how each character on this journey served a different purpose through their personalities. So, the character element passed the vibe check. However, the world building was a little spotty for me. In some parts, the author provides vivid visual descriptors to really set the scene for you, but in other parts, it was like they jumped to a completely new surrounding out of nowhere. It just made following the journey a little harder. The plotline wasn’t anything groundbreaking, but I still enjoyed the premise of all these people, who in any other circumstance would be enemies, come to be a little rag-tag team of what you might call friends. The number of Arabic and Muslim words the author sprinkled throughout the book was a really cool aspect because I love learning about other cultures and religions that way, and it made the experience more immersive. That said, I do wish there had been more context clues provided around the words because I found myself multiple times within a 3-5 page span putting the book down to Google a word to make sure I was picturing everything correctly in my head - which made the reading experience very stop-and-go. The ending/climax of the book felt a little rushed, but overall, I enjoyed it. If you’ve had this book on your TBR list, then definitely read it! It’s probably best for someone who isn’t ready for thick-plotted fantasy, but wants to dip a toe in that pool. :)

THE SIMPLE WILD by K.A. Tucker

Rating: 3.8/5 stars

Summary: Calla Fletcher wasn’t even two when her mother took her and fled the Alaskan wild, unable to handle the isolation of the extreme, rural lifestyle, leaving behind Calla’s father, Wren, in the process. Calla never looked back, and at 26, a busy Toronto life is all she knows. But when Calla learns that Wren’s days may be numbered, she knows that it’s time to make the long trip back to the remote frontier town where she was born. She braves the roaming wildlife - even the occasional outhouse, all for the chance to connect with her father: a man who, despite his many faults, she can’t help but care for. While she struggles to adjust to this rugged environment, Jonah - the unkempt, obnoxious Alaskan pilot who helps keep her father’s charter plane company operational - can’t imagine calling anywhere else home. And he’s clearly waiting to fly this city girl back to where she belongs, convinced she’s too pampered to handle the wild. Jonah is probably right, but Calla is determined to prove him wrong. Soon, she finds herself forming an unexpected bond with the burly pilot. As his undercurrent of disapproval dwindles, it’s replaced by a friendship - or perhaps something deeper? But Calla is not in Alaska to stay and Jonah will never leave. It would be foolish of her to kindle a romance, to take the same path her parents tried - and failed at - years ago. It’s a simple truth that turns out to be not so simple after all.

My Thoughts: I had a really hard time rating this book because I really enjoyed it but wouldn’t call it a 4-star necessarily, however, it’s definitely better than a 3.5-star. So, I rounded up to 3.8 lol. First I want to say, the main character, Calla, is not my favorite main character ever, but she’s the perfect main character for this book. She was actually kind of annoying tbh, but you can tell the author is making her that way for the purpose of the story, so it didn’t take away from the book’s experience. I appreciated getting a glimpse as to who Calla was in Toronto before she met her love interest in Alaska because it made the enemies to lovers trope storyline so much stronger. It also helped with understanding the dynamics of the relationship she has with her dad, Wren - which was an incredibly emotional part of the plot. The vivid imagery used to describe the rustic wilderness and plane rides was hella nice because it really pulls you into Calla’s shoes and puts the stark contrast between bustling Toronto and remote Alaska into perspective. The ending, although partly predictable, was also very satisfying, and sold me on wanting to read the next book in this series, Wild at Heart. Overall, I think this is a good book if you’re looking for a romance novel that has all the things - love, steam, banter, heartbreak, adventure, and hot Alaska Bushman/lumbersexual energy.

DAUGHTER OF THE PIRATE KING by Tricia Levenseller

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: Sent on a mission to retrieve an ancient hidden map - the key to a legendary treasure trove - seventeen-year-old pirate captain Alosa deliberately allows herself to be captured by her enemies, giving her the perfect opportunity to search their ship. More than a match for a ruthless pirate crew, Alosa has only one thing standing between her and the map: her captor, the unexpectedly clever and unfairly attractive first mate, Riden. But not to worry, for Alosa has a few tricks up her sleeve, and no lone pirate can stop the Daughter of the Pirate King.

My Thoughts: Picture your quintessential YA fantasy where the basic premise is about a Pirate King’s daughter carrying out a dire mission to steal a super secret treasure map for her dad - that is this book lol. It was definitely an enjoyable little jaunt through this sea-based adventure and I really did love the main characters, Alosa and Riden. Both balanced each other out really well and the PG-13 romance aspect was cute to say the least. I think my favorite part about this book is the strong female storyline involving the sirens and all-women pirate crews. Though this wasn’t the most groundbreaking fantasy I’ve ever read, it definitely kept me invested and the pages effortlessly turning. So, if you’re looking for an easy fantasy to escape into for a few hours, I would definitely recommend giving this a try! Especially if you’re someone who read/enjoyed the Fable duology and are looking for something mildly similar.

UNDERCOVER BROMANCE by Lyssa Kay Adams

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Braden Mack thinks reading romance novels makes him an expert in love, but he’ll soon discover that real life is better than fiction. Liv Papandreas has a dream job as a pastry chef at Nashville’s hottest restaurant. Too bad the celebrity chef owner is less than charming behind kitchen doors. After she catches him harassing a young hostess, she confronts him and gets fired. Liv vows revenge, but she’ll need assistance to take on the powerful chef. Unfortunately, that means turning to Braden Mack. When Liv’s blackballed from the restaurant scene, the charismatic nightclub owner offers to help expose her ex-boss, but she is suspicious of his motives. Cue reinforcements from the Bromance Book Club. Inspired by the romantic suspense novel they’re reading, the book club assists Liv in setting up a sting operation to take down the chef. But they’re just as eager to help Mack figure out the way to Liv’s heart - even though she’s determined to squelch the sparks between them before she gets burned.

Summary: This sequel did not disappoint, y’all! It was different enough from the first book that I never felt like I was rereading The Bromance Book Club, but similar enough premise-wise that I understood what was happening immediately. This book also follows two side characters from the first book, Mack and Liv, which I really liked because the author gave you a little taste of their personalities in the previous book, so transitioning into this new storyline was seamless. In a well-delivered enemies-to-lovers trope, we were given quality witty banter, loads of sexual tension, raw emotional moments, and cheesy scenes that make you hate that you’re loving them so much. One of my favorite things about this book was how committed the Bromance Book Club is to solving issues as a team (cue High School Musical “We’re All in this Together”) because it’s a bunch of these very powerful men being insanely vulnerable to help one another. :’) If you enjoyed the first book in this series, then I say power ahead to the second because I thoroughly enjoyed it. This storyline did touch on some topics that could be triggers for some people, so please be advised. TW: sexual harassment and assault, victim blaming, gaslighting, domestic abuse.

MALIBU RISING by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Rating: 5/5 stars
Summary: Malibu: August 1983. It’s the day of Nina Riva’s annual end-of-summer party, and anticipation is at a fever pitch. Everyone wants to be around the Rivas: Nina, the talented surfer and supermodel; brothers Jay and Hud, one a championship surfer, the other a renowned photographer; and their adored baby sister, Kit. Together the siblings are a source of fascination in Malibu and the world over - especially as the offspring of the legendary singer, Mick Riva. By midnight, the party will be completely out of control. By morning, the Riva mansion will have gone up in flames. But before that first spark in the early hours before dawn, the alcohol will flow, the music will play, and the loves and secrets that shaped the family’s generations will all come bubbling to the surface. Malibu Rising is a story about one unforgettable night in the life of a family: the night they each have to choose what they will keep from the people who made them… and what they will leave behind.

My Thoughts: TJR does it again! Her writing style is just phenomenal to say the least and it immediately sucks you into the story. Although there are multiple characters included in this book and it jumps between the past and the present, I never felt confused or overwhelmed. Every character we met truly served an individual purpose, and it was incredibly easy to connect with all of them. Specifically, the siblings - Nina, Jay, Hud, and Kit. The loyalty and adoration they had for one another ran deep, and caused me to have so much more empathy for each of their stories. All of the vivid imagery used throughout the book made every element of the Malibu setting come to life and made it feel like I was standing on a sandy beach, floating in the ocean, and walking through the party of the year. Highly recommend this book if you’re looking for something that has layers and is sure to keep you invested!

WILD AT HEART by K.A. Tucker

Rating: 3.8/5 stars

Summary: Calla Fletcher returns to Toronto a different person, struggling to find direction and still very much in love with the rugged bush pilot she left behind. When Jonah arrives on her doorstep with a proposition she can’t dismiss, she takes the leap and rushes back to Alaska to begin their exciting future together. But Calla soon learns that even the best intentions can lead to broken promises, and that compromise comes with a hefty price. With Jonah gone more than he’s home, one neighbor who insists on transforming her into a true Alaskan, and another who seems more likely to shoot her than come to her aid, Calla grapples with forging her own path. This is not the future she had in mind, leaving her to fear that perhaps she is doomed to follow in her mother’s fleeing footsteps after all.

My Thoughts: Okay, so this book wasn’t super eventful by any means, but it had a pretty steady rhythm the entire time, and I could jive with that. Basically, this sequel to The Simple Wild was mainly focused on Calla’s character development as she navigates her new life in rural Alaska. As I’ve said before (I feel like I’m a broken record with this), I’m a character-driven reader, and I found her character to be kind of annoying in the first book. So, the multiple challenges she faces in this book force her to really reflect on who she is and what makes her happy. Watching Calla go through everything to find that much-needed growth was extremely satisfying because although she can be annoying, it’s so hard not to root for her. Though we still see a lot of her relationship with Jonah, this storyline isn’t really focused on them alone. We definitely get a handful of really freaking cute moments between the two to pacify anyone’s need for more scenes between Calla and her bush pilot. Not to mention, the helpless romantic in me absolutely swooned over how quickly they fell in love and how much they adore each other unapologetically. Fictional guys, amiright? :) The ending felt a little rushed, but it definitely made me ready to pick up the third book in this series!

CRAZY STUPID BROMANCE by Lyssa Kay Adams

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Alexis Carlile and her cat cafe, ToeBeans, have shot to fame after she came forward as a survivor of a celebrity chef’s sexual harassment. When a new customer approaches to confide in her, the last thing Alexis expects is for the woman to claim they’re sisters. Unsure what to do, Alexis turns to the only man she trusts - her best friend, Noah Logan. Computer genius Noah left his rebellious teenage hacker past behind to become a computer security expert, and now only uses his skills for the right cause. He’s also got a secret: he’s madly in love with Alexis. When she asks for his help, he wonders if the timing will ever be right to confess his crush. Noah’s pals in The Bromance Book Club are more than willing to share their beloved “manuals” to help him go from bud to boyfriend, but he must decide if telling the truth is worth risking the best friendship he’s ever had.

My Thoughts: Yes, I am on a Bromance Book Club series binge everyone. So, sue me. This third book follows two characters that were introduced mainly in Undercover Bromance, Noah and Alexis. I loved that the author took a different approach with a friends-to-lovers trope to switch it up a little. It made rooting for both characters even easier because you could see the foundational affection they had for each other right from the start. Plus, they were both the right amount of quirky whilst unpacking some emotional family-related baggage from their past, so truly, they were a great match lol. There was, of course, a lot of romance included in the storyline - both cute and spicy. Steamier parts were kind of clumped together in the middle of the book, however, which left me wanting a more even spread of it as I continued through the last third. Though anti-misogyny, women-empowerment messaging was still included in the storyline, it felt a little more forced in some parts which made the dialogue seem a little cheesier than usual. Overall, this book got me in my feels for sure and left us on a cliffhanger at the end. So, needless to say, I will be picking up the fourth book in this series very soon. :)

DAUGHTER OF THE SIREN QUEEN by Tricia Levenseller

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: Alosa’s mission is finally complete. Not only has she recovered all three pieces of the map to a legendary hidden treasure, but the pirates who originally took her captive are now prisoners on her ship. Still unfairly attractive and unexpectedly loyal, first mate Riden is a constant distraction, but now he’s under her orders. And she takes great comfort in knowing that the villainous Vordan will soon be facing her father’s justice. When Vordan exposes a secret her father has kept for years, Alosa and her crew find themselves in a deadly race with the feared Pirate King. Despite the danger, Alosa knows they will recover the treasure first… after all, she is the daughter of the Siren Queen.

My Thoughts: This book was such a cute follow-up to Daughter of the Pirate King! Though I wouldn’t say it’s as action-packed as I thought it would be, it was definitely a fast-paced and easy read. We got to see a lot of character development with Alosa and Riden that added a few new dimensions to their relationship. I also enjoyed getting more background story and page time of all the side characters who added an array of personalities to this mostly women pirate crew. I appreciated that the author spent more time giving you insight into the Siren-side of this plot. You only get a little taste of them in the first book, but this one really gives you the whole meal. The storyline picked up right where it left off from the first book which made diving into this sea-based adventure incredibly seamless. If you read and liked Daughter of the Pirate King then I definitely say continue onto this one!

TALKING AS FAST AS I CAN by Lauren Graham

Rating: 3/5 stars

Summary: In this collection of personal essays, the beloved star of Gilmore Girls and Parenthood reveals stories about life, love, and working as a woman in Hollywood- along with behind-the-scenes dispatches from the set of the new Gilmore Girls where she plays the fast-talking Lorelai Gilmore once again.

My Thoughts: I’ve been wanting to read this book of essays for a while - especially since I’ve watched the entire OG Gilmore Girls series all the way through probably three times in the last 3ish years - and Lauren Graham gave us a quality recap of her life and career. Her style of writing is so unapologetically conversational which made her personality really come through the pages. It felt like I was grabbing coffee with her as she reminisced. Though she touched on a lot of different topics, she never really went very far in depth on anything which I think is what was missing for me. There were even some paragraphs I skipped through because they didn’t feel essential to what she was talking about. My favorite parts were definitely her time at the Barn Theatre (because shout out to that little theatre in Augusta, MI - still out there doing its thang), and the journal entries she included from when they were shooting the Netflix reboot (I got goosebumps multiple times in that section). Anyway, I think that if you’re a fan of Gilmore Girls, Parenthood or just a fan of LG, you’d probably enjoy this book overall (maybe try the audio book version tho?). If you’re not, then I wouldn’t really recommend it.

2021 Book Count: 65!

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July 2021 Reads

August 02, 2021 by Haley Burrill in Books

My, oh my, July was a lengthy month.

Although I read about the same number of books I usually read in a month, I have to admit, my reading slowed down substantially after I finally hooked up my Roku lol. Ya girl had some Marvel shows to catch up on, so a couple of weekends were spent bingeing said shows instead of reading. In addition to, of course, all of the weekly tv shows that started in July - Big Brother and Love Island - that I had to prioritize before they were no longer free on On-Demand lol.

Time well spent to say the least. :)

Anywho, let’s jump into what I read in July!

*All summaries are taken or paraphrased from Goodreads.

PEOPLE WE MEET ON VACATION by Emily Henry

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Poppy and Alex have nothing in common. She’s a wild child with an insatiable wanderlust; he wears khakis and prefers to stay home with a book. And, somehow, they are the very best of friends. For most of the year, they live in different states, but every summer, for a decade, they have taken one glorious week of vacation together. Until 2 years ago when they ruined everything and haven’t spoken since. Poppy has everything she should want, but is stuck in a rut. When someone asks when she was last truly happy, she knows it was on that ill-fated, final trip with Alex. And so, she decides to convince her best friend to take one more vacation together. Miraculously, he agrees. Now she has a week to fix everything. If only she can get around the one big truth that has always stood quietly in the middle of their seemingly perfect relationship. What could possibly go wrong?

My Thoughts: This book was an absolute delight and the perfect summer read. I adored Poppy and Alex. All of the personality traits that made these characters different on an individual level, also made them shine so freaking bright when they were together. Their quick, witty banter was TRULY aspirational, and the pure admiration they had for each other was genuinely heartwarming to say the least. Not to mention, living vicariously through them on each of the summer trips to the coolest destinations was so fulfilling for the travel bug in me. Poppy’s premise of not knowing what really fulfills her anymore after she achieves everything she thought would make her happy was also incredibly relatable. Especially after quarantine forcing us to slow down and re-evaluate our lives, I find myself wondering quite frequently what is it that makes me most happy, yanno? The author made it so easy for me to understand what she was going through on a mental and emotional level. This book was the perfect mix of laugh out loud moments, gut wrenching interactions, and some spicy lil scenes - it was honestly just impossible to put down. I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a summery contemporary romance!

A SKY BEYOND THE STORM by Sabaa Tahir

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: The long-imprisoned jinn are on the attack, wreaking bloody havoc in villages and cities alike. But for the Nightbringer, vengeance on his human foes is just the beginning. At his side, Commandant Keris Veturia declares herself Empress, and calls for the heads of any and all who defy her rule. At the top of the list is The Blood Shrike and her remaining family. Laia of Serra, now allied with the Blood Shrike, struggles to recover from the loss of the two people most important to her. Determined to stop the approaching apocalypse, she throws herself into the destruction of the Nightbringer. In the process, she awakens an ancient power that could lead her to victory or an unimaginable doom. And deep in the Waiting Place, the Soul Catcher seeks only to forget the life and love he left behind. Yet doing so means ignoring the trail of murder left by the Nightbringer and his jinn. To uphold his oath and protect the human world from the supernatural, the Soul Catcher must look beyond the borders of his own land. He must take on a mission that could save or destroy all that he knows.

My Thoughts: I’M NOT CRYING, YOU’RE CRYING. Bleeding Skies! Though I know this isn’t the perfect book for everyone, I feel like it was the perfect ending to this beautiful series. There is a lot of anguish, grief, and sorrow throughout, but it’s not without love, joy, and an undying trust to match. For starters, we finally get the origin stories of a few characters who, up until this point, have basically been enigmas to everyone else. It was really satisfying getting a better understanding of why some characters are the way that they are, yanno? Similar to the last book, A LOT happens in this one. We are NEVER short of any action scenes, and the amount of emotional hits I took to the heart cage in my chest was unreal. With this book covering the finale of everything we’ve worked up to in this series, I really admired that the author did not cater to the readership by keeping some favorite characters alive. Cue my waterworks. However, on the other side of that coin, I’m glad she continued to include characters from the last three books to not only pay them respect, but also help show how all of this came full circle. There was a SMALL disconnect for me related to the magic of everything, but I really can’t get into too much detail in this review without giving things away. That said, all I have to say is I really love this series, and highly recommend it.

THE UNHONEYMOONERS by Christina Lauren

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: Olive is always unlucky. Her identical twin sister Ami, on the other hand, is probably the luckiest person in the world, and has managed to finance her entire wedding by winning a series of Internet contests. Worst of all though, she’s forcing Olive to spend the day with her sworn enemy, Ethan, who just happens to be the best man. She braces herself to get through wedding hell, but when the entire wedding party gets sick from food poisoning, the only two people who aren’t affected are Olive and Ethan. And now there’s an all-expenses-paid honeymoon in Hawaii up for grabs. Putting their mutual hatred aside for the sake of a free vacation, Olive and Ethan head to paradise, determined to avoid each other at all costs. But when Olive runs into her future boss, the little white lie she tells him is suddenly at risk to become a whole lot bigger. She and Ethan now have to pretend to be loving newlyweds, and her luck seems worse than ever. But the weird thing is that she doesn’t mind playing pretend. In fact, she feels kind of lucky.

My Thoughts: I had heard great things about this book, and every other Christina Lauren novel I’ve read, I’ve absolutely loved. This one, although I enjoyed it for sure, didn’t necessarily wow me. I thought the setting of a Maui vacation was awesome and extremely easy to dive into for a book escape. Olive and Ethan were great main characters, their banter alone had me grinning throughout, and the endless swoony micro-moments made it easy to ship them. That said, the pacing was a little unsatisfactory in that you saw the transition from enemies-to-lovers, but it takes a while for anything to truly transpire between them. When they return from vacation in the last chunk of the book, it kind of hits an odd wall. It felt like I had been floating on a rom-com cloud while they were in Hawaii, and then once they returned home, the cloud dissipated and left me stumbling to find my footing again. It just took me from this light and fluffy experience to hard and fast drama that felt a little rushed. There was also some manufactured snarkiness that didn’t always seem necessary or appropriate for the moment. All of my critiques aside, page turning was effortless and the epilogue made it all worth it. Like I said, I absolutely adore Christina Lauren and highly recommend you give them a try if you haven’t yet! However, this was not the dynamic-duo’s best novel.

BEARTOWN by Fredrik Backman

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: People say Beartown is finished. A tiny community nestled deep in the forest, it is slowly losing ground to the ever encroaching trees. But down by the lake stands an old ice rink, built generations ago by the working men who founded this town. And in that ice rink is the reason people in Beartown believe tomorrow will be better than today. Their junior ice hockey is about to compete in the national semi-finals, and they actually have a shot at winning. All the hopes and dreams of this place now rest on the shoulders of teenage boys. Being responsible for the hopes of an entire town is a heavy burden, and the semi-final match is the catalyst for a violent act that will leave a young girl traumatized and a town in turmoil. Accusations are made, and they travel through Beartown, leaving no resident unaffected. Beartown explores the hopes that bring a small community together, the secrets that tear it apart, and the courage it takes for an individual to go against the grain.

My Thoughts: Whew this book was a doooozy. I’m not really sure where to start with this review because there’s so much to unpack here. This was my first Fredrik Backman book, and as a character-driven reader, I loved this style of writing. It made the many layers of this story even more complex because it gave insight into how everyone is connected in this diehard hockey town. The number of emotions that swirled through me while I experienced this community in turmoil was absolutely unreal. I’m not a crier and found myself in full blown sleeve-to-cheek-wiping tears multiple times. That said, there were also moments that made me smile, fist pump in triumph, and melt with the amount of love I felt radiating from these pages. I have to say, this is a pretty heavy book and I don’t think I’d be able to read it if I wasn’t in a good headspace. However, if you’re ready to be emotionally wrecked by a book and are confident you can handle the subject matter, then this is for you because although it made me question why I was still putting myself through its emotional wringer, I really did love the book overall. Which leads me to the last part of this review that I did not have the courtesy of knowing before going into this book. Content/Trigger Warnings: rape, rape culture, victim blaming, suicidal thoughts, violence, body dismorphia, child mortality, guns, and homophobia.

BEACH READ by Emily Henry

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Augustus Everett is an acclaimed author of literary fiction. January Andrews writes bestselling romance. When she pens a happily ever after, he kills off his entire case. The only thing these authors have in common is for the next three months, they’re living in neighboring beach houses, broke and bogged down with writer’s block. Until one thing leads to another and they strike a deal designed to force them out of their creative ruts: Augustus will spend the summer writing something happy, and January will pen the next Great American Novel. She’ll take him on field trips worthy of any rom-com montage, and he’ll take her to interview surviving members of a backwoods death cult. Everyone will finish a book and no one will fall in love. Really.

My Thoughts: What a freaking delight! Not only does the book take place along Lake Michigan (fictional city, but still the Mitten), but the characters, pacing, and overall premise of the story were satisfactory across the board for me. After having read a few romance novels recently, I have to say, one of my favorite parts about this book was that the main characters, January and Gus, actually communicated pretty solidly. Meaning there weren’t any last-minute misunderstandings that caused unexpected fights. I would say 80% of the time, they talked it out right then and there, and that was very refreshing as a reader. It was also really cool getting insight into the process of writing and publishing a book. Obviously, what was explained via the characters was probably extremely abbreviated, but I have to assume it was at least accurate. Aside from enjoying the characters, the overall plot line was so fulfilling - there were several steamy scenes, the right amount of emotional moments, and a fair share of witty banter. This book definitely had a different type of substance to it that I haven’t experienced with other romance novels and I highly recommend it!

CITY OF GIRLS by Elizabeth Gilbert

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: In 1940, 19-year-old Vivan Morris has just been kicked out of Vassar College. Her affluent parents send her to Manhattan to live with her Aunt Peg, who owns a flamboyant, crumbling midtown theater called the Lily Playhouse. There Vivian is introduced to an entire cosmos of unconvention and charismatic characters. But when she makes a personal mistake that results in a professional scandal, it turns her new work upside down in ways that it will take her years to fully understand. Ultimately though, it leads her to a new understanding of the kind of life she craves - and the kind of freedom it takes to pursue it. It will also lead to the love of her life, a love that stands out from all the rest. Now 95-years-old and telling her story at last, Vivan recalls how the events of those years altered the course of her life - and the gusto autonomy with which she approached it.

My Thoughts: The way I recently described to a friend how this book left me feeling was, “Reflecting back on it, I’m so thankful to have had that literary escape experience.” For starters, the writing provides an immersive experience for the reader and made it feel like I was riding shotgun in Vivan’s life as she recalled her youth with all of its pleasures and regrets. Not to mention, I was obsessed with her as a main character both as a naive 20-year-old running rampant through 1940s New York, and as the delightfully quirky, elderly woman describing her experiences so unapologetically. Vivian Morris is a character that will stick with me for a while. Plus, I absolutely adored all of the supporting characters and how each one shaped and changed the course of her life. The premise of this book alone keeps you on your toes, including how it explores the topic of female sexuality and promiscuity. For a majority of the book, I assumed I knew where it was all heading, but the unexpected plot twist put me to shame. Honestly, there wasn’t one part of this book I didn’t enjoy, and I am marinating in the feeling it’s left me with. I can’t say this book is for everyone, but it was the perfect historical fiction for me personally. To finish this review, enjoy a few of my favorite quotes below :)

“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a battle.”
“Life is both dangerous and fleeting, and thus there is no point in denying yourself pleasure and adventure while you are here.”
“At some point in a woman’s life, she just gets tired of being ashamed all the time. After that, she is free to become whoever she truly is.”

THESE VIOLENT DELIGHTS by Chloe Gong

Rating: 3/5 stars

Summary: It’s 1926 in Shanghai, and a blood feud between two gangs runs the streets red, leaving the city helpless in the grip of chaos. At the heart of it all is 18-year-old Juliette Cai, a former flapper who returned to assume her role as the proud heir of the Scarlet Gang - a network of criminals far above the law. Their only rivals in power are the White Flowers, who have fought the Scarlets for generations. And behind every move is their heir, Roma Montagov, Juliette’s first love and first betrayal. But when gangsters on both sides show signs of instability culminating in clawing out their own throats, people start to whisper. Of a contagion, a madness. Of a monster in the shadows. As the deaths pile up, Juliette and Roma must set their guns and grudges aside and work together, for if they can’t stop this mayhem, then there will be no city left for either to rule.

My Thoughts: I was under the impression going into this book that it was a full-blown fantasy. What I quickly realized is that it’s more of a historical fiction retelling of Romeo and Juliet with some fantasy aspects sprinkled into it. It was a mindset adjustment to say the least. This book was a little lackluster for me. It was not a bad book by any means, but I honestly just don’t feel strongly either way about it. A couple of characters won my heart by the end - mostly side characters who made the experience much more enjoyable. The pacing of the story, though, felt kind of confusing because it was both fast and slow. Meaning, there’s a lot happening in each chapter action-wise (fast), but the time it takes for the protagonists to have a “rising action” epiphany (that I thought we had already like 130 pages ago) makes the book as a whole feel so slow. Like I don’t regret reading it, and I haven’t decided if I’m going to read the sequel or not, but this just won’t be my first historical fiction nor fantasy rec.

2021 Book Count: 55/55 - I should probably increase my goal lol.

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June 2021 Reads

July 01, 2021 by Haley Burrill in Books

Despite the extreme humidity, a full moon, and Mercury being in retrograde for a majority of it, June was a pretty okay month!

On a book-related note, I managed to finish a giant pile of library books I’d been working on since May which allowed me to tap into some of the books I own. Of course, that only lasted a moment because I’m an impulsive book requester at the local library and started accumulating a new small pile of library books that I have to work through again lol. But, the library is free and saves me money which prevents me from buying books I end up not liking. So, I’m calling it a win.

Anyway, enough rambling. Let’s jump into the books I read in June!

*All summaries are taken or paraphrased from Goodreads.

RING SHOUT by P. Djeli Clark

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: D.W. Griffith is a sorcerer, and The Birth of a Nation is a spell that drew upon the darkest thoughts and wishes from the heart of America. Now, rising in power and prominence, the Klan has a plot to unleash Hell on Earth. Luckily, Maryse Boudreaux has a magic sword and a head full of tales. When she’s not running bootleg whiskey through Prohibition Georgia, she’s fighting monsters she calls “Ku Kluxes.” She’s damn good at it too, but to confront this ongoing evil, she must journey between worlds to face nightmares made of flesh - and her own demons. Together with a foul-mouthed sharpshooter and a Harlem Hellfighter, Maryse sets out to save a world from the hate that would consume it.

My Thoughts: This was probably one of the best novellas I’ve ever read, hands down. Starting with how brilliantly the author included historical facts and events - such as the Tulsa Massacre and The Birth of a Nation inspiring the formation of the KKK - and blended them with the fantasy imagery to illustrate how strongly hate produces more hate and creates monsters out of people. Maryse, Sadie, and Chef were straight up bad asses, and I loved how the dynamics of their friendship mixed with each one’s character development. Though this experience was only 180 pages, it was action-packed, extremely well-paced, and I never felt like part of the story was missing. The gore, horror and overall symbolism included in this book to depict the ugliness that festers from racism was unapologetic and deeply felt. I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a short, but impactful read.

THE BOOK WOMAN OF TROUBLESOME CREEK by Kim Michele Richardson

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: In 1936, tucked deep into the woods of Troublesome Creek, KY, lives blue-skinned 19-year-old Cussy Carter, the last living female of the rare Blue People ancestry. The lonely young Appalachian woman joins the historical Pack Horse Library Project of Kentucky and becomes a librarian, riding across slippery creek beds and up treacherous mountains on her faithful mule to deliver books and other reading materials to the impoverished hill people. Along her dangerous route, Cussy, known to the mountain folk as Bluet, confronts those suspicious of her damselfly-blue skin and the government’s new book program. She befriends hardscrabble and complex fellow Kentuckians, and is fiercely determined to bring comfort and joy, instill literacy, and give to those who have nothing, a bookly respite, a fleeting retreat to faraway lands.

My Thoughts: This book had a mildly slow start, but once it picked up about 30 pages in, I was invested. Cussy Mary is not your traditional protagonist. She isn’t overly defiant, she’s not outspoken, she doesn’t like creating waves with people who look down on her, and she doesn’t make any grand scenes. However, as the Pack Horse Librarian who delivers books to Eastern Kentucky people living in poverty, she is their heroine. Seeing Cussy through the eyes of her patrons makes you realize how brave, kind, and resilient she is as the main character. You will truly go through a slew of emotions following the highs and lows of “Book Woman’s” experiences. Also, I really thought the concept of Cussy’s blue-skin heritage was the fictional part of this historical fiction novel. However, after Googling it, there was indeed a lineage of blue-skinned people with a gene deficiency who settled in Kentucky in the early 1900s - which made this narrative even more interesting and impactful. This was a really lovely book that reminds us how important it is to be kind to others and the value of books in general. I definitely recommend this if you’re looking for a well thought out and researched historical fiction book!

Sidenote: I read The Giver of Stars by JoJo Moyes last year - which is also about the Pack Horse Library project in Kentucky - and though some people feel these books are the same, there are significant differences between them. So, in case you’re trying to decide whether to read one or the other, my recommendation would be to read both because each book is special in its own right. This one felt a little more researched and historically accurate tho.

A TORCH AGAINST THE NIGHT by Sabaa Tahir

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Elias and Laia are running for their lives. After the events of the Fourth Trial, Martial soldiers hunt the two fugitives as they flee the city of Serra and undertake a perilous journey through the heart of the Empire. Laia is determined to break into Kauf - the Empire’s most secure and dangerous prison - to save her brother, who is the key to the Scholars’ survival. And Elias is determined to help Laia succeed, even if it means giving up his last chance at freedom. But dark forces, human and otherworldly, work against them. The pair must fight every step of the way to outsmart their enemies. Bound to the Emperor Marcus’s will, Blood Shrike Helene faces a torturous mission of her own - one that might destroy her: find the traitor Elias Veturious and the Scholar slave who helped him escape and kill them both.

My Thoughts: What a WILD ride this book was. It had my heart pounding, mind racing, and the pages quickly turning. The author made a seamless transition from the first book (An Ember in the Ashes) into this one and the plot never skipped a beat - which was so satisfying because I fell right back into where I left off at an extremely steady rhythm. There were plenty of action-packed events, strategic scheming from all parties, and just a sprinkle of intimate emotional moments guaranteed to mess up your head and heart. Laia’s character development was a lot more satisfying this time around as we watched her shed some innocence and naivety that was a disadvantage in the first book. Elias’s story went nowhere I expected it to go lol, but I still love him as a main character. Helene’s POV surprised me the most in that I wasn’t expecting to be so invested. She goes through hell and back MULTIPLE times, and has to make the most difficult decisions out of any other character while battling her internal conflicts. I literally do not have one bad thing to say about this book and am here to admit that I’m whole-heartedly obsessed with this series- like please read it so I have someone else to talk about it with lol. :’)

BETTER THAN THE MOVIES by Lynn Painter

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: Liz Buxbaum has always known that Wes Bennett was not boyfriend material. You would think that her nextdoor neighbor would be a prince candidate for her romantic comedy fantasies, but Wes has only proven himself to be a pain in the butt, ever since they were little. Flash forward 10 years, and it’s Liz’s senior year - a time meant to be rife with milestones perfect for any big screen, and she needs Wes’s help. See, Liz’s forever crush, Michael, has just moved back to town, and - horribly annoyingly - he’s hitting it off with Wes. Meaning that if Liz wants Michael to finally notice her, and hopefully be her prom date, she needs Wes. He’s her in. But as Liz and Wes scheme to get Liz her magical prom moment, she’s shocked to discover that she actually likes being around Wes. And as they continue to grow closer, she must re-examine everything she thought she knew about love - and rethink her own perception of what Happily Ever After should really look like.

My Thoughts: Y’ALL. This was everything I could’ve asked for in a rom-com-themed, enemies-to-lovers-trope YA romance novel. It was adorable and mischievous, the pop culture references were on point, and the main characters played off of each other perfectly with clever banter. Wes was my favorite - like ya girl was smitten with this thoughtful lad. If this book had existed while I was in high school, Wes FOR SURE would have set the bar for my expectations - I mean, I’m 27 and would love a guy as genuinely caring as Wes lol. Liz’s character had me banging my head against a wall a few times, but she was likeable and quirky enough that I couldn’t not root for her. Let me just say, was this an incredibly predictable plotline? Heck yes. Did I expect it to be predictable? Of course! However, I think that allowed me to enjoy the experiences of Wes and Liz so much more. It gave me all the swoony feels and laugh out loud moments without playing with my heart or leading me astray. Honestly, if you love rom-com movies or love some cheesy stories about love, I highly recommend this book!

ACE OF SPADES by Faridah Abike-Iyimide

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Welcome to Niveus Private Academy, where money paves the hallways, and the students are never less than perfect. Until now because anonymous texter, Ace, is bringing two students’ dark secrets to light. Talented musician Devon buries himself in rehearsals, but he can’t escape the spotlight when his own photos go public. Head girl Chiamaka isn’t afraid to get what she wants, but soon everyone will know the price she has paid for power. Someone is out to get them both. Someone who holds all the aces. And they’re playing much more than a high school game.

My Thoughts: Before buying this book, I saw it was described as “Get Out meets Gossip Girl, but make it Black and queer,” and, by golly, is that accurate. This whole experience was just a WILD ride and had me saying “holy shit” out loud multiple times. It was dark, thrilling, and impossible to put down. The author did an incredible job of creating a twisted story that addresses the ugliness of timely issues including institutionalized racism, socioeconomic inequities, white-washed education system, and more. I liked that the book was in a point of view format, so that you got to see how Aces was affecting both Chiamaka and Devon on a personal level. The writing made it easy for me to vicariously feel the anxiety they were having in relation to the paranoia of not knowing who to trust, when Aces was going to strike next, and whether their lives were in physical danger. It was suspense city the entire time, and although the ending felt mildly rushed, this book was truly an experience I definitely recommend ya try.

ONE LAST STOP by Casey McQuiston

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: For cynical 23-year-old August, moving to NYC is supposed to prove her right: that things like magic and cinematic love stories don’t exist, and the only smart way to go through life is alone. She can’t imagine how waiting tables at a 24-hour pancake diner and moving in with too many weird roommates could possibly change that. And there’s certainly no chance of her subway commute being anything more than a daily trudge through boredom and electrical failures. But then there’s this gorgeous girl on the train - Jane. August’s subway crush becomes the best part of her day, but pretty soon, she discovers there’s one big problem: Jane doesn’t just look like an old school punk rocker. She’s literally displaced in time from the 1970s, and August is going to have to use everything she tried to leave in her own past to help her. Maybe it’s time to start believing in some things after all.

My Thoughts: This book has been getting hella hype and was definitely a “bookstagram made me buy it” purchase. I also read McQuiston’s Red, White, & Royal Blue a couple of years ago and enjoyed it, so I was excited to dive into this one. For starters, the writing in this sci-fi love story has a whimsically poetic quality to it that makes the whole “falling in love slowly, then all at once” experience feel like wrapping yourself in a cozy blanket. The connection between the main characters, August and Jane, was undeniable and felt at the core of every new interaction they shared on the subway. I absolutely ADORED the secondary/supporting characters and this book would not be the same without them. Specifically, Myla, Niko and Wes - August’s roommates. Their personalities added such depth and kept the pace moving forward. Though there are only 422 pages to this novel, A LOT happens - which is both a pro and con for me. At one point about halfway through, the pace slowed down significantly, and I was like “Okay, this honestly probably could’ve been over by now.” However, I pushed myself to keep going, and it picked up again shortly after. This was a unique book to say the least and if you’re looking for an unconventional romance story, I recommend picking this one up for sure.

A REAPER AT THE GATES by Sabaa Tahir

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Helene Aquilla, the Blood Shrike, is desperate to protect her sister’s life and the lives of everyone in the Empire. Yet danger lurks on all sides. Emperor Marcus, haunted by his past, grows increasingly unstable and violent, while Keris Veturia, the ruthless Commandant, capitalizes on the Emperor’s volatility to grow her own power - regardless of the damage she leaves in her path. Far to the east, Laia of Serra knows that the fate of the world lies not in the machinations of the Martial court, but in stopping the Nightbringer. During the hunt to bring him down, Laia faces unexpected threats from those she hoped would help her, and is drawn into a battle she never thought she’d have to fight. And in the land between the living and the dead, Elias Veturius has given up his freedom to serve as Soul Catcher. However, in doing so, he has vowed himself to an ancient power that demands his complete surrender - even if that means abandoning the woman he loves.

My Thoughts: Well hot dang. I thought the second book in this series was eventful (see: A Torch Against the Night), but this one moved QUICKLY. From the moment you crack this book open until you hit the “Acknowledgements” page, there is so much to sort through. Dare I say, almost too much? Each character is caught up in their own sticky situation and though some of those journeys overlap, most are experienced by the individual - which means you gotta pay attention or else you’re going to miss something. Basically, everyone is fighting their own battles, but each of those battles is leading to an inevitable giant war between the mortal and immortal worlds. Because there’s so much going on, I felt like the character development wasn’t AS clear in this book as it has been in the past two. The only person you can clearly feel is going through some shit at a core level is Elias. His story has taken a TURN and requires this extremely empathetic character to give up the things that make him human (love, kindness, etc.) to fully take on his new role - which throws him into a TIZZY. Helene’s and Laia’s paths end up crossing a bit more than I was anticipating, but I loved the strong, woman-leader camaraderie. Obviously, I’m going to continue onto the fourth book of this series because I love it, but the amount of information and number of events that were packed into this one was mildly overwhelming, so make sure you’re paying pretty close attention to it. (Hence 4 stars instead of 5.)

LAST CHANCE BOOKS by Kelsey Rodkey

Rating: 2.5/5 stars

Summary: Madeline Moore feels most like herself inside the musty bookstore, Books & Moore, that her family has owned for generations, and nothing is going to stop her from coming back after college to take over the store from her beloved aunt. That is, until a chain bookstore called Prologue opens across the street and threatens to shut them down. Madeline sets out to demolish the competition, but Jasper, the guy who works at Prologue, seems intent on ruining her life. Not only is he taking her customers, he has the audacity to be extremely cute as well. But that doesn’t matter because Jasper is the enemy and he will be destroyed. All’s fair in love and (book) wars.

My Thoughts: Ugh I wanted to like this book so much, but it just didn’t do it for me. The main character, Madeline, was really hard for me to like. She’s 18 years-old, but acted more immature than that. She’s incredibly impulsive and blinded by her own paranoid narrative that Prologue is out to get Books & Moore, that she’s just constantly plotting with no regard to how it will affect those around her - like someone got hit by a car as a side effect of her shenanigans. I found myself extremely frustrated with her for a good chunk of the book - especially, how unaware she was that Jasper had a crush on her. Like, girl?? He LITERALLY said, “Madeline, I like you.” And, she STILL thought it was a ploy to take down her store…..?????? Jasper’s character wasn’t annoying by any means, but there wasn’t a lot of depth to his personality. The storyline was a really cute concept, the pace was pretty decent and never hit a slow spot, and the small wins that happened throughout the book were enough to keep me reading. However, I know there are better YA romance books out there, so this wouldn’t be my first recommendation in that category by any means.

2021 Book Count: 48 down, 7 to go.

Add me on Goodreads if you haven’t already!

YOUR TURN! Let me know in the comments what book series you always recommend to people.

May 2021 Reads

May 31, 2021 by Haley Burrill in Books

You know what? May is a really long month. Like a lot of stuff happened recently, and in my head, I’m like, “oh yeah, that definitely happened in April, right?”

Nope. It was May.

It also starts during Taurus season and ends in Gemini season. So, that in itself is a wild transition to go through in the span of just one month.

Anyway, I read a bunch in the last 31 days and wrote out all of my thoughts for you to consider before picking up any of the said books.

I’m TRYING to keep my reviews shorter, but if you’ve ever heard me try to tell a “quick” story in-person then you know how hard this is for me. :’)

All righty, here we go!

*All summaries are taken or paraphrased from Goodreads.

START WITH WHY by Simon Sinek

Rating: 2/5 stars

Summary: In studying the leaders who’ve had the greatest influence in the world, Simon Sinek discovered that they all think, act, and communicate in the exact same way - and it’s the complete opposite of what everyone else does. Sinek calls this powerful idea The Golden Circle, and it provides a framework upon which organizations can be built, movements can be led, and people can be inspired. And it all starts with WHY.

My Thoughts: I had to read this book for work, and I have to preface this review by saying, I’m not a non-fiction type of gal. I’ve seen Simon Sinek’s Golden Circle TED Talk more times than I can count, and is it a solid presentation? Yeah, for sure. Is there enough material there to extend it into a book? Absolutely not. Though there were a few key points I took from the book, this honestly could have been 100 pages shorter. It was extremely repetitive, pretty dry, and hard for me to get through because it honestly just didn’t keep my interest. I’m sure if you’re the “read to learn” type of person who usually enjoys books like this, then you’d appreciate it. I’m just not that person and that is WHY this book was not my jam lol.

NAMESAKE by Adrienne Young

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: With the Marigold ship free of her father, Fable and the rest of the crew were set to start over. That freedom is short-lived when Fable becomes a pawn in a notorious thug’s scheme. In order to get to her intended destination, she must help him to secure a partnership with Holland, a powerful gem trader who is more than she seems. As Fable descends deeper into a world of betrayal and deception, she learns that the secrets her mother took to her grave are now putting the people Fable cares about in danger. If Fable is going to save them, then she must risk everything - including the boy she loves and the home she has finally found.

My Thoughts: Similar to the first book in this duology, Namesake uses incredible imagery that amplifies and illustrates this sun-kissed, sea-misted world perfectly. It gave us all the bright and colorful descriptions we know and love, so that it feels like you’re on the ship with the crew or walking through a gem encrusted palace. A lot more tea was spilled in this book - figuratively and literally. In Fable, the author provided a small glimpse into each of the characters’ origin stories, but Namesake truly cracked open the family albums like embarrassing parents on a bad first date and allowed us to dive deep into each person’s history. I do wish the secondary characters such as Willa, Paj, Auster, etc. had gotten more page time because they provided a lot of depth to the story in Fable, but at least we saw a different side to Koy, who had previously left us with the impression that he was just a bloodthirsty jerk. My other critique is that this book wasn’t as eventful, and there were some scenes that felt as though something BIG was about to happen, and then they just fizzled out. West’s and Fable’s romance storyline was a lot more straightforward, which I appreciated, and though the ending felt kind of rushed, I was extremely pleased with it. Overall, I think if you enjoyed Fable, then you will appreciate Namesake!

JOSH AND HAZEL’S GUIDE TO NOT DATING by Christina Lauren

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Hazel Camille Bradford knows she’s a lot to take - and frankly, most men aren’t up to the challenge. If her army of pets and thrill for the absurd don’t send them running, her lack of filter means she’ll say exactly the wrong thing in a delicate moment. Their loss. She’s a good soul in search of honest fun. Josh Im has known Hazel since college, where her zany playfulness proved completely incompatible with his mellow restraint. From the first night they met, Josh has always thought of Hazel more as a spectacle than a peer. But now, ten years later, after a cheating girlfriend has turned his life upside down, going out with Hazel is a breath of fresh air. Not that Josh and Hazel date. At least, not each other. Because setting each other up on progressively terrible double blind dates means there’s nothing between them, right?

My Thoughts: This was the cutest book I’ve read in a while and I was absolutely smitten. It was the perfect blend of mildly cheesy parts, borderline saccharine interactions, and comedic moments that had me grinning like a doofus. Starting with Hazel, her whimsical, free-flowing spirit was excessive, benevolent, and perfect. I absolutely loved her character and think we all need someone like this in our lives to remind us not to take anything too seriously and appreciate being authentically ourselves. Josh’s character was calm, grounded, warm, generous and the perfect balance to Hazel. I thoroughly adored and enjoyed watching them go from college acquaintances to mutual friends via Josh’s sister to best friends to something a little more. The entire experience of this book was incredibly heartwarming - especially being buckled into the ride that is Hazel and Josh learning they may not be the perfect fit for everybody, but they’re perfect for each other :’). Plus there were a couple of v hot scenes sprinkled throughout, so it’s not all just “cute” lol. If you’re looking for a quick, fun romance read, this would be my recommendation for sure!

TW: I do want to note a potential trigger warning of emotional abuse. It’s not talked about outright, but through the explanation about one of Hazel’s previous relationships, it’s clear that she was being manipulated.

AN EMBER IN THE ASHES by Sabaa Tahir

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: Laia is a slave. Elias is a soldier. Neither is free. Under the Martial Empire, defiance is met with death. Those who do not vow their blood and bodies to the Empire risk the execution of their loved ones and the destruction of all they hold dear. It is in this brutal world that Laia lives with her grandparents and older brother. The family ekes out an existence in the impoverished backstreets and do not dare to challenge the Empire.

When Laia’s brother is arrested for treason, she is forced to make a decision. In exchange for help from rebels who promise to rescue her brother, she will risk her life to spy for them from within the Empire’s greatest military academy. There, Laia meets Elias, the school’s finest soldier - and secretly, it’s most unwilling. Elias wants only to be free of the tyranny he’s being trained to enforce. He and Laia will soon realize their destinies are intertwined - and that their choices will change the fate of the Empire itself.

My Thoughts: This was so different from other books that I’ve read, and definitely kept me on my toes. It was the perfect mixture of action-packed battle scenes, thoughtful emotion-provoking events, and varying perspectives that make you continuously question where everyone’s motives lie. That said, this book is pretty dark and stress-invoking - especially, in relation to the military academy - depicted through blatant cruelty, violence, and brutality towards slaves/Scholars and defecting students. There were a few times I found myself wanting to “cover my eyes” like if I was watching a scary movie during a suspenseful scene lol. The main characters had a great connection and are easy to root for. However, I definitely liked Elias a little more than Laia. I understand Laia had to blindly put her trust in the Resistance to get her brother out of prison, but she made some decisions that put me ON EDGE a few times and she is literally the worst spy ever lol. Elias just had a really genuine innocence and benevolence about him. Even as he’s cutting people down with swords, his internal conflicts about it made him so much more human and warm than the character he’s supposed to be. If that makes sense? The only reason I didn’t give this book 5 stars is because it’s randomly revealed that a second-tier character has a magical power. But, like, that was it lol. The author didn’t unpack that any further. We don’t get to know why she has it or how she got it or if any of the other characters have similar gifts - the story just keeps on pushing after that quick plot detour. So, I’m hoping there’s more explanation and insight into that discovery in the next book because I’m definitely going to continue with this series!

Trigger warning: rape is mentioned a bit in this book.

REBECCA by Daphne Du Maurier

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: The novel begins in Monte Carlo, where our heroine is swept off her feet by the dashing Maxim de Winter and his sudden proposal of marriage. Orphaned and working as a lady’s maid, she can barely believe her luck. It is only when they arrive at his massive country estate that she realizes how large a shadow his late wife will cast over their lives - presenting her with a lingering evil that threatens to destroy their marriage from beyond the grave.

My Thoughts: The last time I read a book in the classics genre, I was in high school. So, I wasn’t confident in how much I was going to like this one, but was pleasantly surprised! Though it took me about 30ish pages to get into, I was really impressed with the contemporary writing style. There was definitely still the essence of it being written in the 1930s and the dialogue was a little ridiculous - like I was literally lolling at how absurd some of it was - but, overall it was easy to read. Unaware of what this book was about going into it (lol), I was tempted to put it down a couple of times because I couldn’t figure out where it was going and felt like I was just wandering aimlessly around Manderley, but after the author threw in a couple of creepy scenes and unexpected plot twists, I was invested. I also found it extremely impressive that she never used the main character’s first name. All in all, I enjoyed this book and recommend it if you’ve been considering branching out from your usual genres and want to dabble in the classics.

LOVE FROM A to Z by S.K. Ali

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: When Zayneb gets suspended for confronting her Islamophobic teacher, and he starts investigating her activist friends, Zayneb heads to her aunt’s house in Doha, Qatar for an early spring break. She resolves to try out a “nicer” version of herself in a place where no one knows her.

Then her path crosses with Adam’s. Since he got diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in the fall, Adam stopped going to classes with the intention of keeping the memory of his mom alive for his little sister and keeping his diagnosis a secret from his grieving father.

Alone, Adam and Zayneb are playing roles for others, keeping their real thoughts locked away in their journals until a marvel and an oddity occurs: Adam and Zayneb meeting.

My Thoughts: This was an absolutely lovely book and a much-needed narrative. I’m embarrassed to say I’ve never read a book that centers around Muslim characters, and after reading other Goodreads reviews, I realize how few and far between books like this are. This book expanded my understanding of Islam in general, the microaggressions people of that religious community face every day, the significance of Hijabs, and more. It was cool to see that the main characters, Adam and Zayneb, had different levels of religious practice and backgrounds. Zayneb was raised in a Muslim family, she wears a hijab, attends prayer at the Mosque occasionally, and her parents are more relaxed when it comes to the traditional rules for their daughters to date. Whereas Adam converted to Islam when he was nine after his mother passed away, he practices the daily prayers and attends service at the Mosque every week, and his dad is also laid back when it comes to dating. The love story of this book was cute, but I wasn’t as fully connected to it as I was to the educational aspect of this narrative. In addition to the meet-cute romance and learning portion, the storyline involving Adam’s multiple sclerosis hit close to home as someone in my family has that disease and it can be very scary. There really wasn’t anything to dislike about this book, however, there were a couple of areas where the writing style felt mildly choppy or staccato (?), I guess, would be the best way to put it. Overall, I highly recommend this read to everyone. Periodt.

TW: Islamophobia, racist micro-aggressions, cultural appropriation, death of family members, and war/victims of war.

LAST NIGHT AT THE TELEGRAPH CLUB by Malinda Lo

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Seventeen-year-old Lily Hu can’t remember exactly when the question took root, but the answer was in full bloom the moment she and Kathleen Miller walked under the flashing neon sign of a lesbian bar called the Telegraph Club. America in 1954 is not a safe place for two girls to fall in love, especially not in Chinatown. Red-Scare paranoia threatens everyone, including Chinese Americans like Lily. With deportation looming over her father - despite his hard-won citizenship - Lily and Kath risk everything to let their love see the light of day.

My Thoughts: This book was an absolute delight, and will definitely hit you in the heart and feels. This was ultimately a coming of age story about seventeen-year-old Lily Hu who is navigating her sexuality in 1950s San Francisco Chinatown. I loved how easy it was to connect with the main characters, Lily and Kath. They felt genuine and innocent at their core which made it extremely satisfying when their rebelliousness came out as they took risks to follow their hearts. The various glimpses into the past that we get from other characters’ perspectives throughout the book added the perfect amount of depth to understanding Lily’s family dynamics and melding together the overall story. The plot is pretty straightforward, but with so many different themes woven into this novel, it was hard to put down. Definitely recommend this book!

YOU SHOULD SEE ME IN A CROWN by Leah Johnson

Rating: 3.8 out of 5 stars

Summary: Liz Lighty has always believed she’s too black, too poor, too awkward to shine in her small, rich, prom-obsessed midwestern town. But it’s okay - she’s got a plan to get out of Campbell, Indiana forever: attend Pennington College, play in their orchestra and become a doctor. When the financial aid she was counting on unexpectedly falls through, she’s reminded of her school’s scholarship for prom queen. There’s nothing Liz wants to do less than endure the social media trolls and catty competitions, but despite her fear of the spotlight she’s willing to do whatever it takes to get to Pennington. The only thing that makes it halfway bearable is the new girl in school, Mack, who is also running for queen. Will falling for the competition keep Liz from her dreams or make them come true?

My Thoughts: I recently realized there are a bunch of audiobooks available on Spotify and being a novice to them, I figured I’d give it a try. This was a very cute, “rooting for the underdog” type of story. Though the plot was pretty predictable, it was still enjoyable. Liz’s character development was probably my favorite thing about this book. At the start, she’s quiet, keeps to herself, and is struggling with anxiety. Over the course of the story, she becomes confident in who she is and isn’t afraid to take up space that originally wasn’t available to her in this podunk town. Plus, as she grows, so do the relationships with those around her. I absolutely loved watching Liz rediscover her friendship with Jordan (he is just the most genuine soul <3) and watching her fall in love with Amanda (who is definitely cooler than me). There are your fair share of awkward, teenage, cringe-worthy moments, but empathizing with secondhand embarrassment is good for the soul, right? Overall, I really enjoyed this book and all of the messages the author layered throughout. My only critique, and this is just because it’s my first audiobook experience, I don’t think I was as invested as I would’ve been had I been reading it. The narrator (Alaska Jackson) did a phenomenal job, but I wasn’t motivated to listen to this every time I put my earbuds in, yanno?

THE EMPRESS OF SALT AND FORTUNE by Nghi Vo

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: A young royal from the far north, In-yo, is sent south for a political marriage in an empire reminiscent of imperial China. She has few resources, fewer friends and has to choose her allies carefully as she plans her enemies’ demise while in exile. Rabbit, a handmaiden, sold by her parents to the palace to pay a debt, befriends the emperor’s lonely new wife and gets more than she bargained for.

My Thoughts: “Angry mothers raise daughters fierce enough to fight wolves. I am not worried for her in the least.” Can I get a “yussss”? This 120-page gem was the perfect mix of feminism and fantasy and we were here for it. We follow a non-binary cleric named Chi and their bird (it’s a hoopooe, but like Google that and it’s a bird) named Almost Brilliant (I’d be mildly offended, but like ok?) who are trying to learn as much as they can about the previous empress’s experience in exile from a former handmaiden, Rabbit. To keep it brief, the empress is a badass who shows her enemies what she’s made of, and the power she can muster in the middle of nowhere. This was a beautiful book about resilient and rebellious women, dripped in feminism and mythology, sprinkled with a cast of queer characters and topped off with a delightful storytelling experience. :) The only thing that threw me off was the riddle-ish writing. I got used to it, but it took a minute.

THEY BOTH DIE AT THE END by Adam Silvera

Rating: 3.8/5 stars

Summary: A little after midnight, Death-Cast calls Mateo Torrez and Rufus Emeterio to give them some bad news: They’re going to die today. Though they are complete strangers, for different reasons, they’re both looking to make a new friend on their End Day. The good news: there’s an app for that. It’s called the Last Friend, and through it, Rufus and Mateo are about to meet up for one last great adventure - to live a lifetime in a single day.

My Thoughts: LOL. This book was different to say the least, and boy did it prove me wrong in my assumptions of where the plotline was leading. Though I didn’t connect to the characters until I was about 45% into the book, the premise of this story kept me interested enough to get me there. The main takeaways were perfectly illustrated through the character developments of Mateo and Rufus - i.e. living without fear or regret, letting go of what you can’t control, focusing on all the good around you, and finding the beauty in the unplanned or unexpected turns in life. The blooming friendship to romance between the two main characters was v cute and an endearing part of an otherwise mildly morbid novel. It was kind of slow at parts that made the experience mildly meh, but there also were some plot twists towards the end that I didn't see coming - specifically, how their last day ends lol. I didn’t get emotionally wrecked by this book (as I’ve seen many people say they were in other reviews), and if you’re not big on the writing format of constantly changing POVs, then this probs isn’t for you. Otherwise, I’d say it’s worth the read if it has piqued your interest.

THE INHERITANCE GAMES by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Avery Grambs has a plan for a better future: survive high school, win a scholarship, and get out. But her fortunes change in an instant when billionaire Tobias Hawthorne dies and leaves Avery virtually his entire fortune. The catch? Avery has no idea why or even who Tobias Hawthorne is. To receive her inheritance, Avery must move into a sprawling, secret passage-filled Hawthorne House, where every room bears the old man’s touch - and his love of puzzles, riddles and codes. Unfortunately, the House is also occupied by the family that Tobias just dispossessed. Including the four Hawthorne grandsons: dangerous, magnetic, brilliant boys who grew up with every expectation they would one day inherit billions. Caught in a world of wealth and privilege, Avery will have to play the game herself just to survive.

My Thoughts: The best way I can describe this book is that it’s like if Gossip Girl and Knives Out had a baby. I thoroughly enjoyed trying to figure out the riddles and mysteries that are Avery’s connection to Tobias Hawthorne. Admittedly, I don’t read a ton of mystery novels, but there was not one moment while reading this book that I thought I had it all figured out. Avery, the main character, was a strong lead to this story, but I think the four Hawthorne grandsons are what made it interesting. Their personalities are so contrasting to one another, and the brotherly-love dynamics truly served us some dramatics to say the least. If you like the sound of “unsupervised rich kids solving a mega rich grandfather’s last twisted riddle” and are looking for a quick read, then I highly recommend this for you. :) The sequel doesn’t come out until September, but I am definitely planning to get my hands on it!

2021 Book Count: 40 down, 15 to go.

Add me on Goodreads if you haven’t already!

YOUR TURN! Let me know in the comments below what books you’re planning to read this summer. :)

April 2021 Reads

May 02, 2021 by Haley Burrill in Books

April was a weird month. One day it was the first week of April and the next, we’re sliding into May.

Hopefully, the one freak snowstorm we got was the last blip of surprise winter weather we’ll see this spring.

In other news, I got a new couch at the beginning of April and it has completely transformed my space. It’s also a PRIME spot to cozy up with a book - which I clearly took advantage of by reading nine books this month. :)

So let’s get to it!

*All summaries are taken or paraphrased from Goodreads.

CRAZY RICH ASIANS by Kevin Kwan

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: When Rachel Chu agrees to spend the summer in Singapore with her boyfriend, Nicholas Young, she envisions a humble family home, long drives to explore the island, and quality time with the man she might marry one day. What she doesn’t know is that Nick’s family home happens to look like a palace, that she’ll ride in more private planes than cars, and that with one of Asia’s most eligible bachelors on her arm, Rachel might as well have a target on her back.

Crazy Rich Asians is an insider’s look at Asian JetSet; a perfect depiction of the clash between old money and new money; between Overseas Chinese and Mainland Chinese; and a fabulous novel about what it means to be young, in love, and gloriously, crazily rich.

My Thoughts: I saw the Crazy Rich Asians movie in 2018 and remember walking out of the theater thoroughly satisfied, but I also must admit that it has been a few years since I’ve seen it and honestly can only recall bits and pieces of it. So, though I saw the movie before reading the book, it didn’t skew my opinion. This book was a WILD ride across the board. For starters, I truly enjoyed learning more about the Singapore and Chinese lifestyles, values, traditions, and more via all of the cultural references the author includes throughout the chapters. It was interesting to see how, although most families living in Singapore originated in China, there are specific differences that separate the countries. For example the language dialects - Hokkien, Mandarian, and Cantonese. As for the actual story, I thought it was incredible how many characters were included in this narrative, and each of the main characters had a distinct personality that added to the experience. I did feel like this also made the book a little difficult to put down and pick up because if it was a secondary character’s POV all of a sudden, I had to keep going back to the family tree diagram provided in the front of the book to remember who this specific person was and how he or she contributed to the overall story. Similarly, the author made it easy for me to develop closer relationships with the main characters, but everyone else I was kind of indifferent towards - except Peik Lin, Rachel Chu’s best friend. She’s the best lol. Overall, this was a great book and I highly recommend it if you’re looking for something with a lot of layers to it.

RIOT BABY by Tochi Onyebuchi

Rating: 3.8/5 stars

Summary: Ella and Kev are brother and sister, both gifted with extraordinary power. Their childhoods are defined and destroyed by structural racism and brutality. Their futures might alter the world. When Kev is incarcerated for the crime of being a young Black man in America, Ella - through visits both mundane and supernatural - tries to show him the way to a revolution that could burn it all down.

My Thoughts: This was a really thought provoking novella depicting not only the structural racism in America but also the detrimental effects on people’s lives who experience police brutality. The book primarily follows Kev who was born during the 1992 Los Angeles riots after the police officers who savagely beat Rodney King were acquitted. Starting from his childhood through his adult years - which are primarily spent in prison - Kev’s story takes place in the present to show that his life and the way it panned out was basically planned before he was even born. Alongside Kev’s story, we get glimpses from his older sister, Ella’s, perspective as she learns to control her supernatural powers in the past and future. Their sibling bond is really strong which was an endearing part of this otherwise heart squeezing narrative. I liked that this was a true blend of sci-fi and fantasy portrayed in everything from Ella’s powers to government drones surveying cities in the future, and how powerfully the author illustrated his message about police brutality. Overall, this book packs a powerful punch in just 176 pages if you’re looking for a quick, meaningful read.

CHILDREN OF BLOOD AND BONE by Tomi Adeyemi

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Zelie Adebola remembers when the soil of Orisha hummed with magic. Burners ignited flames, Riders beckoned waves, and Zelie’s Reaper mother summoned forth souls. But everything changed the night magic disappeared. Under the orders of a ruthless king, maji were killed, leaving Zelie without a mother and her people without hope.

Now Zelie has one chance to bring back magic and strike against the monarchy. With the help of a rogue princess, Zelie must outwit and outrun the crown price, who is hell-bent on eradicating magic for good.

Danger lurks in Orisha, where snow leoponaires prowl and vengeful spirits wait in the waters. Yet the greatest danger may be Zelie herself as she struggles to control her powers and her growing feelings for an enemy.

My Thoughts: This was definitely a Bookstagram-influenced borrow from the library, and thankfully, it didn’t fall short of its hype! Children of Blood and Bone takes you on a v eventful trek to save magic from a tyrant king whose life mission is to rid the world of magic forever. In an early twist, the person who ignites the journey to save magic is the princess. The world building was phenomenal in this action-packed African folklore-inspired fantasy and really helped with the imagery. The main characters - Zelie, Amari, Tzain, and Inan - were rich in their own personalities and complemented each other so well - even during the character development. My only critique is that it was a pretty predictable storyline that’s accompanied by its enemies to lovers trope. It wasn’t hard to see which characters were going to develop a flame as well as how the book was going to pan out. There was a twist at the end that I didn’t see coming, but it was unclear if it was meant to be a cliffhanger or not. This was a great read if you’re looking for some adventure!

THE ASTONISHING COLOR OF AFTER by Emily X.R. Pan

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Leigh Chen Sanders is absolutely certain about one thing: when her mother died by suicide, she turned into a bird. When she travels to Taiwan to meet her maternal grandparents for the first time, she is determined to find her mother, the bird. In her search, she winds up chasing after ghosts, uncovering family secrets, and forging a new relationship with her grandparents. And as she grieves, she must try to reconcile the fact that on the same day she kissed her best friend and longtime secret crush, Axel, her mother was taking her own life.

Alternating between real and magic, present and past, friendship and romance, hope and despair, The Astonishing Color of After is a novel about finding oneself through family history, art, grief, and love.

My Thoughts: This was a beautiful book that will grab your heart, squeeze all the feels out of it and then put it back full again. At first, it kind of reminded me of I’ll Give You the Sun in the way the author uses art (in this case, a variety of colors) to help express the main character, Leigh’s, emotions. After her mom commits suicide though, the use of colors to express her emotions becomes a little lost because she falls into a dark place. What I really appreciated about this book is how the author virtually makes you take Leigh’s hand as she works through her grieving process, and comes to terms with her various internal battles that she could’ve done something to prevent this tragic event. Even as Leigh is learning more about her mother’s life in Taiwan by spending time with her grandmother, you can feel her slowly becoming more at-peace that her mother was sick long before they knew something was wrong. There was also something very satisfying about Leigh also processing her feelings for her best friend, Axel. It was almost like an anchor of familiarity and warmth while she experienced this cold, grieving time. Aside from the book’s narrative, it was also interesting to learn more about the Taiwanese culture through her experiences visiting all of her mother’s favorite places. Overall, I thought this was a really touching book, but please be conscious of the following trigger warnings before reading it: suicide, depression, loss of a loved one, grief, abandonment, racial slurs, and mention of electroconvulsive therapy.

SHADOW AND BONE by Leigh Bardugo

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee, Alina Starkov, who has never been good at anything. But when her regiment is attacked on the Fold and her best friend is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power that saves his life - a power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. Wrenched from everything she knows, Alina is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling. Yet nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha and the secrets of her heart.

My Thoughts: This has been on my list of books to read for a while, but it was promoted to being a priority read this month because Netflix released their Shadow and Bone series on April 23rd and I wanted to read at least the first book before watching the show lol. As this is the first in the Shadow and Bone trilogy, I think the author did a solid job with fantasy world-building. It was seamlessly intertwined with the actual storyline and it didn’t overshadow the character development - which some fantasy novels tend to do. It was interesting watching Alina go through a mild identity crisis once her power is discovered because she’s never felt like she belonged anywhere. Even as a child, she was an orphan, so she never truly had a home. With the discovery of her power and her launch to stardom essentially, she begins to drink in that she finally has a place in the world as the Sun Summoner of the Grisha. Of course, this naivety also ends up being her character flaw, but she’s trying her best and that’s all that matters, right? Also really liked The Darkling’s character in this book because he’s basically the most powerful Grisha and one of a kind at that, but there’s still so much we don’t know about him and I’m dying to learn more. The only character I couldn’t decide if I liked or not was Alina’s childhood friend, Mal. He’s hot then cold, yes then no - Katy Perry. By the end of this book, I was definitely excited to see what else this trilogy has to offer! Highly recommended if you’re looking for an adventurous escape from reality for a bit.

SIX OF CROWS by Leigh Bardugo

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price - and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams, but he can’t pull it off alone - a convict with a thirst for revenge, a sharpshooter who can’t walk away from a wager, a runaway with a privileged past, a spy known as the Wraith, a Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums, and a thief with a gift for unlikely escapes. Kaz’s crew is the only thing that might stand between the world of destruction - if they don’t kill each other first.

My Thoughts: Okay, so I read Six of Crows because I heard some characters from this book will appear in the Shadow and Bone Netflix show since the series kind of overlap a little bit. I went into this book not knowing anything about it, and was pleasantly surprised. For starters, the storyline was an absolute delight because it’s definitely different from almost all of the other fantasy books I’ve read recently. I’m also a big fan of scrappy gang/mafia narratives - like Peaky Blinders - so, I was about it. The heist that this misfit gang is offered seems absolutely absurd, so of course they accept the challenge. The dynamics in this gang of misfits meld them perfectly together and each person’s strength is an asset to the success of this virtually impossible operation. What I really appreciated about this book was that the author allowed you to get to know each character more intimately, which enhanced my experience from everyone’s POV, and made me love them on an individual level. I do recommend reading at least the first book in the Shadow and Bone trilogy though before jumping into Six of Crows because although the author kind of gives a summary of the Grisha Verse world in this book, she provides much more world-building and details about everything in Shadow and Bone. This book absolutely charmed my heart in a way I cannot explain and I cannot wait to dive into the next one!

SIEGE AND STORM by Leigh Bardugo

Rating: 3/5 stars

Summary: Hunted across the True Sea, haunted by the lives she took on the Fold, Alina must try to make a life with Mal in an unfamiliar land, all while keeping her identity as the Sun Summoner a secret. But she can’t outrun her past or destiny for long.

The Darkling has emerged from the Shadow Fold with a terrifying new power and a dangerous plan that will test the very boundaries of the natural world. With the help of a notorious privateer, Alina returns to the country she abandoned, determined to fight the forces gathering against Ravka. But as her power grows, Alina slips deeper into the Darklings’ game of forbidden magic, and farther away from Mal. Somehow, she will have to choose between her country, her power, and the love she always thought would guide her - or risk losing everything to the oncoming storm.

My Thoughts: In an attempt to read the entire Shadow and Bone trilogy before starting the Netflix series, I binge read this book in one day. Which I think may have caused me to be more critical of it because my nose was in this book for like 6 hours straight lol. The pace of the book started off pretty strong with the Darkling abducting Alina and Mal from Ketterdam to hunt a mythical sea serpent. However, that quicker pace only lasted through like the first 40% of the book and then it just felt kind of slow until the last 100 pages or so. As the second book in the trilogy though, Siege and Storm was clearly a bridging book, so it was more focused on weaving key details into the plot to set us up for the third book than it was on creating exciting, action-packed scenes. I found the main character, Alina, to be a little annoying because she was being so reckless with some of her decisions. That’s pretty common to include in a character’s development when they’re young and “just discovering their true power,” and clearly, the author wanted you to feel Alina’s imposter syndrome while she found her voice as a leader. However, it was no less irritating when you want to be rooting for her, but she keeps making dumb choices. To top that off, her childhood friend/love interest, Mal, was also going through some shaky character development too, so it was just a shit show in some parts. On a positive character-related note, I really enjoyed all of the new people that were introduced in this book such as the Grisha pirate twins, Tolya and Taran, and the rogue prince/privateer, Nikolai. They added just enough spice and dynamic to the book, so that the characters you’ve been with since the beginning didn’t get stale. The plot twist related to the Morozova (the OG Grisha) amplifiers wasn’t necessarily predictable, but where the trilogy is headed after the discovery of these amplifiers was v clear - even if the characters didn’t announce it right away. Obviously, if you’re reading the Shadow and Bone trilogy, then I still encourage you to read this book, but it was definitely more low-key than the first.

RUIN AND RISING by Leigh Bardugo

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: The Darkling rules Ravka from his shadow throne, and now the nation’s fate rests with a broken Sun Summoner, a disgraced tracker, and the shattered remnants of a once-great magical army. A weakened Alina must submit to the protection of the Apprat and zealots who worship her as a Saint, but her plans lie elsewhere, with the hunt for the elusive firebird and the hope that an outlaw prince still survives.

Alina will have to forge new alliances and put aside old rivalries as she and Mal race to find the last of Morozova’s amplifiers. But as she begins to unravel the Darkling’s secrets, she reveals a past that will forever alter her understanding of the bond they share and the power she wields. The firebird is the one thing that stands between Ravka and destruction - and claiming it could cost Alina the very future she’s fighting for.

My Thoughts: Yay for this series ending on a stronger note than I was expecting after its very underwhelming second book! Like the broken record that I am, I binge read this book the day after reading Siege and Storm because, why not? Ruin and Rising came in hot serving up some well-deserved, constructive character developments across the board, as well as some plot thickeners that would make chili hard to stir. Seriously though, it was very refreshing to see Mal take accountability for his actions and become the dependable character we’ve all had the expectations for him to be. His specific storyline took a turn that I did NOT see coming, so that was an exciting piece of the puzzle to find. My fave boy, Nikolai, returned right when he was needed and also experienced a change of events that were quite unexpected. Alina, Miss Sun Summoner, stopped being annoying and started making moves towards being the game changer/world saver Ravka needed her to be. The Darkling stayed conniving, became a little more ruthless, but still had those “I’m just looking for someone to understand me” vibes. My favorite thing about this book though was it had the perfect mix of action-packed events and slower, emotion-provoking scenes - it kept the reading pace steady and refreshing. The author also made sure to tie up all of the loose ends of details we were missing, and they fit perfectly, although very unexpectedly, into this book - I will say though, they basically reveal these plot points pretty early in the TV adaption, so if you watch that first before reading these books, those details will probs be anti-climactic lol. Overall, I was satisfied and fulfilled with how this book ended the series!

PACHINKO by Min Jin Lee

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: In the early 1900s, teenaged Sunja, the adored daughter of a crippled fisherman, falls for a wealthy stranger at the seashore near her home in Korea. He promises her the world, but when she discovers she’s pregnant - and that her lover is married - she refuses to be bought. Instead, she accepts a marriage offer from a gentle, sickly minister passing through on his way to Japan. But her decision to abandon her home, and to reject her son’s powerful father, sets off a dramatic saga that will echo down through generations.

My Thoughts: I honestly have never dubbed myself as a fan of historical fiction, but it’s books like Pachinko that are making me think otherwise. This was a beautiful multigenerational story following a Korean family throughout the 20th century. I have to admit, I wasn’t well-informed about the relationship between Korea and Japan going into the book, so I learned a lot from this. This wasn’t a feel-good story, it was blunt and unapologetic as it illustrated the real, and sometimes harsh, human experience as a Korean living in Japan. I absolutely loved the women of the family, Sunja, Yangjin, and Kyunghee. They were so strong, stubborn, resilient, and dedicated to their families. It was really satisfying to me that they go from being the traditional home-keepers to being the main breadwinners for a large period of time when the men of the family each experience some hard times. There were a few heart breaking events that stick with them for years and end up changing the family dynamics. With the multiple layers of each generation, this book definitely demands a decent amount of your attention - especially in the second half where the pace speeds up. In my opinion, this could have been a little bit shorter, but overall, I really enjoyed reading Pachinko.

That’s it for April!

2021 Book Count: 29/55

YOUR TURN! In the comments below, let me know if you liked the Netflix series of Shadow and Bone compared to the books. What are you planning to read for May?

March 2021 Reads

April 01, 2021 by Haley Burrill in Books

Well March felt like a year long but also kind of like we blinked and it was April, amiright?

This month, I made sure to incorporate more guilty pleasure books to give my brain the break and escape it needed after being in such a rut during February.

So, let’s get into it.

*All summaries are taken or paraphrased from Goodreads.

TWICE IN A BLUE MOON by Christina Lauren

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Sam Brandis was Tate Jones’s first: her first love… and her first heartbreak. During a whirlwind 2-week vacation in London, Sam and Tate fell for each other in the only way first loves do: sharing all of their hopes, dreams, and deepest secrets. Sam was the first, and only, person that Tate - the long-lost daughter of one of the world’s biggest movie stars - ever revealed her identity to. So, when it became clear her trust was misplaced, her world shattered for good. Fourteen years later, Tate is now an up-and-coming actress and only thinks about Sam every once in a blue moon. When she steps onto the set of her first big break, he’s the last person she expects to see. Yet here Sam is the same charming, confident man she knew, but even more alluring than she remembered. Forced to confront the man who betrayed her, Tate must ask herself if it’s possible to do the wrong thing for the right reason, and whether “once in a lifetime” can actually come around twice.

My Thoughts: Ugh this was just what I needed to kick off a new month of reading. This book has been in my TBR pile for quite some time, and I finally hit the top of the request list at the library for it at the beginning of March - kismet timing, if you ask me. This is a true blue “what’s meant to be, will be” love story - which means if books that are borderline saccharine aren’t your taste, then this may not be your jam. Though the whirlwind romance between young Tate and Sam felt a little naive to my cynical heart, the experience also ended up making Tate a character I really enjoyed. She was a strong, independent woman who was extremely confident in her career and had a “fool me once shame on me, you’re not going to fool me twice,” kind of attitude. What I appreciated about this storyline the most is that although you want to be on Team Tate, Sam’s character is impossible not to like. Also, he had some sexy lumberjack vibes going on and you cannot convince me otherwise. The supporting characters sprinkled throughout like Tate’s best friend, her father, Sam’s grandfather, etc. were also very lively and distinct, which made the whole story meld together perfectly. I definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for an easy romance read.

THE TWO LIVES OF LYDIA BIRD by Josie Silver

Rating: 3.4/5 stars

Summary: Lydia and Freddie had been together for more than a decade, and Lydia thought their love was indestructible until her twenty-eighth birthday when Freddie dies in a car accident. So now it’s just Lydia, and all she wants to do is hide and cry, but she also knows Freddie would want her to try to live happily - even without him. So, enlisting the help of his best friend, Jonah, and her sister, Elle, she takes her first tentative steps to living and, perhaps even loving, again. But then something inexplicable happens that gives Lydia another chance at her old life with Freddie where none of the tragic events of the past months have happened. Lydia is pulled across the doorway of her past, living two lives at once. But, there’s an emotional toll returning to a world where Freddie, alive, still owns her heart. Because there’s someone in her new/real life, who wants her to stay.

My Thoughts: I had heard great things about The Two Lives of Lydia Bird, and I absolutely adored Josie Silver’s other book, One Day in December. So, I was pretty excited to finally get my hands on this one. Let me start by saying, overall, this was a cute book and I enjoyed it. However, I honestly had no idea where it was going or the path that I, the reader, should be taking to grasp what the book was going to be about until about halfway through. Like it was a love story, but not completely a love story? For a majority of the first part of the book, Lydia is grieving her dead fiance, Freddie. After being supplied with special pink pills to help her sleep, she begins bouncing between her world and a parallel world where Freddie is still alive, and life is moving forward as planned. Throughout this whole narrative, I’m thinking the book is going down a route of existential questions about “what happens when you disrupt worlds parallel to yours?” Then it kind of took a jump to Lydia finding herself through various events like speed dating, an impulse trip to Croatia, and confiding in her longtime friend, Jonah, who was Freddie’s best friend and who she had been on the rocks with as he grieved too. While it continues to bounce back and forth between the parallel world traveling and the “finding yourself” storylines, the author sprinkles in a budding love story in there as well. By the end of the book, everything feels like it’s tied off in a semi-decent bow, but it was kind of a mess getting there lol. Like I said, overall, it was a sweet book and I enjoyed it, but, in my biased opinion, it definitely doesn’t hold a candle to One Day in December.

UNTAMED by Glennon Doyle

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Untamed is both an intimate memoir and a galvanizing wake-up call. It is the story of how one woman learned that a responsible mother is not one who slowly dies for her children, but one who shows them how to fully live. It is the story of navigating divorce, forming a new blended family, and discovering that the brokenness or wholeness of a family depends not on its structure but on each member’s ability to bring her full self to the table. It is the story of how each of us can start to trust ourselves enough to set boundaries, make peace with our bodies, honor our anger and heartbreak, and unleash our truest, wildest instincts so that we become women who can finally look at ourselves and say: There She Is.

My Thoughts: I basically agree with all of the other reviews out there saying this book was really inspirational. Glennon Doyle is raw and unapologetic as she takes us through the highs and lows she’s experienced over the last decade including divorice, her book publication, falling in love with Abby Wambach, finding her voice, navigating her faith and more. Highly recommend to anyone looking for some kick ass woman mojo. The only thing I didn’t relate to, and never do with these types of memoir/self help books, are all the sections about motherhood. Otherwise, great read. Here were my favorite takeaways from Untamed:

It’s nearly impossible to blaze one’s own path while following in someone else’s footsteps.
We can do hard things.
Explaining/defensiveness is fear preparing its case.
The miracle of grace is that you can give what you’ve never gotten.
Blessed are those who are brave enough to make things awkward, for they wake us up and move us forward.
Be careful with the stories you tell yourself about yourself.
It is wild to let others be wild.
When a woman learns that pleasing the world is impossible, she becomes free to learn how to please herself.

THE BLACK GOD’S DRUMS by P. Djeli Clark

Rating: 3/5 stars

Summary: Creeper is a scrappy young teen who is done living on the streets of New Orleans. She wants to soar and set her sights on securing passage aboard the smuggler airship Midnight Robber. Her ticket: earning Captain Ann Marie’s trust using a secret about a kidnapped Haitian scientist and a mysterious weapon known as The Black God’s Drums. Creeper keeps another secret close to her heart though -- Oya, the African orisha of the wind and storms, who speaks inside her head and grants Creeper divine powers. And, Oya has her own priorities concerning Creeper and Ann-Marie.

My Thoughts: This was one of the first novellas I’ve read and it definitely won’t be my last. Creeper is an orphan who gets by on pick-pocketing tourists at the port in New Orleans. What I liked most about her as a main character was her resilient and independent spirit. After living on the streets and fending for herself for so long, you could feel how strong she was, and the strategies she used to reach her end goal of leaving New Orleans were admirable for someone so young. The other main character, Ann-Marie, was an absolute badass. It was entertaining to see how the two were connected and how that played into the big event of the book as well. The only thing that made this book hard to get into was how the author structured the setting. It’s based in a post-Confederate New Orleans that is accented with sci-fi features, but because he had to build this world in just 108 pages, it felt a little clunky at times - especially for someone who has never been to New Orleans and doesn’t know the general layout of the city. So, my brain had to keep pivoting how this world looked as the story went on based on the various descriptions he provided throughout that conflicted with what I was picturing initially. Overall, I enjoyed this novella and recommend it to anyone looking for a quick read!

THE HOUSE ON MANGO STREET by Sandra Cisneros

Rating: 3/5 stars

Summary: Told in a series of vignettes, The House on Mango Street is the story of a young Latina girl, Esperanza Cordero, growing up in Chicago, inventing for herself who and what she wants to become.

My Thoughts: Another satisfying novella! This book was compiled of short stories narrated by Esperanza who gives you a glimpse into her life and those around her in Chicago. What I liked most while reading this is watching the subtle character development as the vignettes progress. Esperanza had a much younger point of view in the stories told towards the beginning, but as time progresses, you can see her character start to mature as she questions what’s expected of her and girls her age, assesses the opportunities available to kids living in her neighborhood, and enhances the dreams she has for herself. Specifically moving out of their house on Mango Street as soon as she can. The emotional undertone continuously changes throughout the pages as well - going from heart breaking to really happy. If you’re looking for a quick read that puts you in someone else’s shoes for a while, this is a good book for that.

FABLE by Adrienne Young

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: As the daughter of the most powerful trader in the Narrows, for seventeen-year-old Fable, the sea is the only home she’s ever known. It’s been four years since the night she watched her mother drown during a storm and the next day abandoned by her father on a legendary island filled with thieves and little food. For survival, she must keep to herself, learn to trust no one, and rely on the unique skills her mother taught her. The only thing that keeps her going is the goal to get off the island, confront her father, and demand her rightful place in his crew. To do so, Fable enlists the help of a young trader named West to get her off the island and across the sea.

Since she saw him last, her father’s rivalries and dangers of his trading enterprise have only multiplied. Fable soon finds that West isn’t who he seems. Together, they will have to survive more than the awful storms that haunt the Narrows if they’re going to stay alive.

My Thoughts: Y’all know I love a good YA fantasy and this book was just what I needed. This is the first book in a while that sucked me in so much, I read it in a day. The imagery the author provides through Fable’s eyes is so perfectly illustrated and colorfully visualized, it made me feel like I was the one dredging for pyres underwater, getting the shit kicked out of me by thieves, feeling the sun on my skin out at sea, and more. I also enjoyed that Fable, though young, was not naive or childish. After fending for herself for four years on a rough island, her character was strong, independent, strategic, and determined. That said, the usual teenage behaviors she had, such as extreme stubbornness, brought her a wholeness to her character that was realistic and satisfying. The supporting characters were also great in helping her story along, but I will say, West’s character felt kind of like a filler to close gaps in the story whereas I think his purpose was to be more of a connector. There’s a part towards the end involving his character specifically that feels kind of rushed and out of the blue. It just wasn’t foreshadowed enough for me throughout the beginning of the book and only mildly towards the middle. So by the time it happened, it felt like “oh? Okay. I mean, I guess I’ve seen that coming… kind of?” We just didn’t receive a great set for it to be the perfect spike, so it wasn’t considered a kill, yanno? (Volleyball reference, if you missed it lol). Overall though, if you’re looking for a book that will take you on an adventure for a while, this is the one for you!

THE NICKEL BOYS by Colson Whitehead

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: When Elwood Curtis, a black boy growing up in the 1960s, Jim Crow-Era, Tallahassee, is unfairly sentenced to a juvenile reformatory called the Nickel Academy, he finds himself trapped in a grotesque chamber of horrors. Elwood’s only salvation is his friendship with fellow “delinquent” Turner, which deepens despite Turner’s conviction that Elwood is hopelessly naive, that the world is crooked, and that the only way to survive is to scheme and avoid trouble. As life at the Academy becomes ever more perilous, the tension between Elwood’s ideals and Turner’s skepticism leads to a decision whose repercussions will echo down the decades.

Based on the real story of a reform school that operated for 111 years and warped the lives of thousands of children.

My Thoughts: It took me a while after finishing this book to figure out how to articulate my thoughts on it because I also had a physical response from it. This story is based on the very real Dozier School, which has a dark and ugly history rooted in the systematic racism that our country was built on. It is a vivid rendering of history riddled with trauma and heartbreak told through immense depth and detail. The unexpected friendship between Elwood and Turner is a beacon of light and peace in this horrifying place that is supposedly making upstanding men of the boys who are sent there. In addition to having their identities and rights stripped away after walking through the front gates of Nickel, any sort of insubordination against the school’s policies can lead to punishment, so bad it made my skin crawl and stomach turn. The worst form of punishment being Black Beauty, which is a giant whip used to punish black students with repeated lashings across the back and legs - often leaving them unconscious and bedridden for days. This book was also a horrifying reminder of the dehumanization of and violence against Black people that happened during the civil rights movement and Jim Crow-era. Not to mention, a shocking reminder that these same things are still happening today. There’s a subtle plot twist that creeps up on you so quietly, once you realize what’s happening, it’s absolutely devastating. I wouldn’t say I enjoyed reading this book, it’s incredibly sad and packs a serious emotional punch for only being 210 pages, but I think it’s a book everyone should read.

A COURT OF THORNS AND ROSES by Sarah J. Maas

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Feyre’s survival rests upon her ability to hunt and kill - the forest where she lives is a cold, bleak place in the long winter months. So when she spots a deer in the forest being pursued by a wolf, she cannot resist fighting it for the flesh. But to do so, she must kill the predator and killing something so precious comes at a price.

Dragged to a magical kingdom for the murder of a faerie, Feyre discovers that her captor, his face obscured by a jewelled mask, is hiding far more than his piercing green eyes would suggest. Feyre’s presence at the court is closely guarded, and as she begins to learn why, her feelings for him turn from hostility to passion and the faerie lands become an even more dangerous place. Feyre must fight to break an ancient curse, or she will lose him forever.

My Thoughts: OKAY Y’ALL BUCKLE UP. So, I need to preface this by saying I stan SJM’s other series, Throne of Glass, like there is literally no tomorrow. I am obsessed with it, okay? So coming into ACOTAR, which is EXTREMELY HYPED on Bookstagram, I had to take a step back and remind myself not to compare the two, and maybe lower my expectations a little for this series lol. Taking all of that into consideration, this was a pretty solid book overall. It had all of our favorite SJM themes and attributes included:

Strong female protagonist (not as strong as ToG, but I digress)
Strong female antagonist who is accompanied by a weaker male antagonist (lol)
A hot, brooding protagonist with a v sarcastic sense of humor that you initially think is an antagonist until you get to know the character better <3
Sexual tension :)
Faes, faeries, and other mythical creatures that bring the world and story to life
World domination via magic
Etc.

I really enjoyed the character development arcs, getting to know them more, and seeing them grow as the plot thickened. However, there were a couple of things that fell flat for me that I can’t necessarily get into detail about without spoiling the book. I think the main reason they fell flat though is because I’m familiar with the author’s writing and where her storylines usually go. So, when this particular book did not go the way I expected, it was just kind of a side-eye. It felt like she was serving the expectation I had on a silver platter, but then quickly pivoted and went a different direction which left me in a wtf state lol. OVERALL THO, I think if you enjoy YA Fantasy and/or SJM, then you’d enjoy this one. I’m just a tough critic because Throne of Glass is where my heart lies lol. Though I won’t be jumping directly into the next book in this series, I will probably pick it up within the next month or two.

Welp that’s March for ya!

2021 Book Count: 20/55

YOUR TURN! Let me know if you’ve read any of these books in the comments below - especially if you want to weigh in on my ToG vs. ACOTAR debate. ;)

Don’t forget to add me on Goodreads!

Popcorn Lovers Guide

March 11, 2021 by Haley Burrill in Lifestyle, Food

So, I love snacks.

Just a big fan of them.

My favorite snack? Popcorn.

It’s probably like 15% of my diet and I just don’t see that changing anytime soon.

And, what’s not to like about popcorn?

It comes in a bunch of different flavors
You can put a variety of toppings on it
You can make it fresh or buy it pre-popped
It makes the perfect impersonal, yet totally acceptable Christmas gift in the form of a tri-split tin featuring butter, cheddar and caramel
There’s even such a thing as gourmet popcorn

You really can’t lose with PCorn.

So, as a self-proclaimed popcorn connoisseur, and in celebration of National Popcorn Lovers Day, I thought I’d share my fan favorites with you folks at home who are curious about the best snack ever.

Category is: brands.

MOVIE THEATER

This is a no brainer and definitely deserves a spot in this guide as it is the O.G. of buttered popcorn goodness. There’s nothing better than going to the flicks in a non-pandemic world with your purse full of candy from the gas station and a bottle of water, so that you only have to drop dollars on the golden gift from the movie theater gods.

Top qualities:

Warm
Perfect amount of salt (you add it yourself, duh)
Drizzled in real butter
Great with any candy (if you haven’t added a whole box of Buncha Crunch to your warm movie theater popcorn, you haven’t truly lived yet!)
Still tastes good stale - seriously, if you haven’t tried day-old movie theater popcorn, you’re truly missing out
Gives you something to do during the previews because we all know we all eat our movie theater snacks before the movie actually starts

ANGIE’S BOOMCHICKAPOP

This is one of my go-to brands for pre-popped popcorn. You really can’t lose with Angie’s.
Side note: This company was featured on NPR’s How I Built This podcast and it was a really interesting story. So, even if you’re not a popcorn person, but you are a podcast person, I highly recommend checking out that episode!

Top qualities:

It’s got a fluffy pop - meaning the individual pieces of popcorn are a little thicc and don’t melt as soon as they hit your tongue
You can find it at most grocery stores and it’s usually on sale
It’s a woman-owned company which isn’t common for popcorn brands
Low on the cals in case you can’t stop - I usually cannot
Most bags come pretty full, so you’re not cheated by extra air

Favorite Flavors:

Buttered - it’s a truly cohesive relationship between the butter flavor and the popcorn. It doesn’t taste like you’re getting popcorn covered in some processed butter powder. The popcorn itself encompasses the buttery flavor.
Cheddar Cheese - again, there aren’t any breaks in flavor between tasting the cheese and tasting the popcorn. It’s all wrapped into one experience, so it tastes legit - which is rare for a cheddar popcorn. Big, big fan of this one.
Sweet & Salty Kettle Corn - Ugh this one is so delicious. The ratio of sweet to salty on this popcorn is just *chef’s kiss*. The kettle part isn’t like caked onto each piece of popcorn either, it’s just a little crackle coating, so it’s perfect.
Seasonal Flavors - they offer some really unique seasonal flavors that I go out of my way to find each year because I’m mildly addicted, including: white chocolate and peppermint, frosted sugar cookie, and pumpkin spice drizzle.

SKINNY POP

Another fan favorite of the grocery store variety.

Top qualities:

Its pop is lighter - which means it melts a little quicker as it hits your tongue but because it’s a lighter pop, you can enjoy more all at once lol

You can find it at most grocery stores - also in bulk size at Costco
Low cal across the board
Available in mini bags at the gas station, so if you’re crazy and don’t like movie theater popcorn, you can pick up a bag of this in lieu and it will still fit in your purse or any large sweatshirt
The microwaveable bags are just as noms as the pre-popped in case warm, freshly popped popcorn is more your jam
Has a wide variety of unique flavors

Favorite Flavors:

Original - this is in their classic green bag and honestly, just satisfies any and all popcorn-snacky-cravings
Sea Salt & Pepper - I am a pepper gal. RARELY will you hear me at the dinner table ask for the salt, but pepper is a regular request. So, this flavor makes all of my peppered popcorn dreams a reality. It’s not overwhelming, it’s just enough and each piece has a generous amount, so it’s evenly distributed throughout the bag.
Twist of Lime - okay hear me out. If you’re obsessed with the touch of lime tortilla chips, then I really do feel like you’d enjoy this one. I was skeptical about it at first, but have purchased this flavor a few times since and it does not disappoint. The lime flavoring does sometimes make the little area at the back of your jaw tingle, but it depends on how sensitive you are to tangy flavors.

SMARTFOOD

I’m giving this one a shoutout solely for its most-popular flavor that we all know and love.

Top Qualities:

Fluffy pop - this is the kweeeen of fluffy popped popcorn. These pieces are hearty and you could fill your cheeks with them like a chipmunk. Not that you would, but you could if you wanted to.
This brand is so easy to find: grocery store, gas station, vending machine, etc.
They have a low cal version, if 160 calories for 2.5 cups of this is just too much for you, but Ima stick to the original.

Favorite Flavors:

White Cheddar popcorn - this is honestly the only one I’ve ever tried, but it’s a classic that doesn’t get nearly enough hype. The cheese flavor is so legit that it coats your fingers in a v thick layer of white cheddar that would be sacrilegious to not lick off when you’re done snackin.

GARRETT POPCORN

Okay, we’re going to level-up to the gourmet brands - starting with the OG Garrett Popcorn.

If you’ve ever been to Chicago, but have never had Garrett Popcorn, you’re not doing it right.

Pre-pandemic, people would line up down the block before the shop opened just to get some Garrett Popcorn. Obvi there are a few locations in Chicago, like Navy Pier for example, but there are lines no matter which location you go to because it’s just that good.

Top Qualities:

It’s super fresh
Each piece is thicc and crunchy
The popcorn is hand-crafted, so you know it’s high quality
The amount of flavor that’s packed into each bite is unreal, so you’re definitely getting your money’s worth
Because it’s bagged on the spot, they fill those bags to the brim
For gourmet popcorn, I honestly feel like the prices are pretty good
Still tastes suuuuper good even when it’s a couple days stale

Favorite Flavors:

All of the flavors are good, honestly. So, you can’t really lose here.
My go-to order is the cheese/caramel mix - I’m a salty sweet kind of gal and that just always hits the spot
Just the cheese - this deserves its own bullet point tho because the cheese on this popcorn is so real, your hand becomes covered in the best type of cheesy, buttery grease. I just cannot get enough of it.

BROWN BAG POPCORN

I was introduced to this Detroit-based gourmet popcorn company last year when my incredibly thoughtful boss sent everyone on her team a tin of it. And, I just don’t feel like enough people know about it!

Top Qualities:

It’s thickly popped and super popcorn-style crunchy - just the way we like it
If you order from their website, it comes in this super cute paint can
Freshly made if you visit their store
Hand-crafted flavors
Their core flavors are gluten free for you gluten sensitive people out there
LOCALLY-OWNED BUSINESS!!

Favorite Flavors:

I’ve only had the MMMMMix - which is the caramel and cheese mix - and it was absolutely phenomenal. Like the cheese and caramel perfectly compliment each other vs. one or the other stealing the show (IYKYK).
They have a variety of other flavors, including a “Flavor of the Month” which is currently Motown Mint.

Welp that’s it! To all of you popcorn haters out there, I will give you the one con, which is the little pieces that have a tendency to get stuck in your teeth, but otherwise, it’s the best.

Happy National Popcorn Lovers Day!

YOUR TURN: Let me know if you have any favorite brands or flavors that I didn’t include here, and I’ll give them a try.

February 2021 Reads

March 02, 2021 by Haley Burrill in Books

February may be the shortest month of the year, and smack dab in the middle of the depressing winter months, but it’s also my birthday month, so I’m a fan.

I was on the struggle bus with reading in February - found myself in a bit of a “reading funk,” if you will - so, I didn’t read as many books as I had hoped.

But, nonetheless, let’s get into the short stack of books I read last month!

*Summaries are paraphrased and/or taken from Goodreads.

I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST by Mason Deaver

Rating: 3.7/5 stars

Summary: When Ben DeBacker comes out to their parents as non-binary, they’re thrown out of their house and finds refuge with their estranged older sister, Hannah, and her husband, Thomas, whom Ben has never met. Struggling with an anxiety disorder worsened by their parents’ rejection, Ben come out to only a couple of people including a therapist.

Ben’s attempts to survive the last half of senior year at a new school by keeping a low profile are hindered when Nathan Allan, a funny and charismatic guy, takes Ben under his wing. As Ben and Nathan’s friendship grows, their feelings for each other evolve, and what started as a disastrous situation turns into the chance to start a happier life.

My Thoughts: This was an incredibly powerful book that touches on identity, acceptance, complex family issues, mental illness, and more. It dove into areas that, as a cis woman, I would’ve never thought about in terms of sexuality as it relates to gender identity. For example, Ben’s sister, Hannah, asks them what gender they’re into, and they explain that they don’t know because although they gravitate towards more masculine-looking people, they don’t want to say they’re bisexual because that would discount nonbinary people, and who is Ben to determine someone’s gender is more attractive than another? Besides David Rose’s wine metaphor in Schitt’s Creek, I haven’t encountered any explanations on this topic that were as eye-opening as the ones in this book. My main critique is although it was dripping with emotion during the pivotal parts, everything in between was kind of dry. I found myself really pushing to get through the lulls to get to the next high where the story picked up pace again. I also think the supporting characters deserved a little more page time because the author gave them really distinct personalities that added texture to the story, but they weren’t utilized enough. Overall, I think this was a really impactful book that I believe a lot of people would benefit from reading.

THE HOUSE OF DEEP WATER by Jeni McFarland

Rating: 3/5 stars

Summary: River Bend, Michigan is a small town that while most can’t imagine leaving, three women couldn’t wait to escape. When Linda Williams, her mother Paula and Beth DeWitt return and their paths collide, the town struggles to contain all of their love affairs and secrets. Filled with the voices of mothers, daughters, lovers, and fathers, The House of Deep Water explores motherhood, trauma, love, loss and new beginnings.

My Thoughts: This was a very heavy, emotional read for me. Not that it caused me to physically cry or anything, but as someone who experiences seasonal depression, the dark emotional undertones that accompanied some of the characters in this novel made it really hard to pick up every night. If you’re someone who isn’t easily affected vicariously through books, then you’d probably be fine. I just found it a little emotionally exhausting, but that’s also due to the author’s ability to immerse you in each character. This novel touches on the dynamics of dysfunctional families, social and racial issues, sexual abuse (trigger warning), and small town isolation. I appreciated that even though the three main characters were so different, their lives were still intertwined through experiences, history, and family members. Overall, I thought it was an all right book, but I won’t read it again.

THE FIFTH SEASON by N.K. Jemisin

Rating: 3.9/5 stars

Summary: Three terrible things happen in the same day - which is how the world ends. Again. Essun, a woman living an ordinary life in a small town, comes home to find that her husband has murdered their son and kidnapped their daughter. Meanwhile, the Sanze empire - which has been the foundation for civilization for thousands of years - collapses, killing most of its citizens. Worst of all, a great red rift has torn into the heart of the earth, causing ash to darken the sky for years - if not, centuries. Now, to save her daughter, Essun must travel through a deadly, dying land without sunlight, clean water, and limited supplies. A war is coming across the Stillness continent for the basic resources necessary to get through the long, dark night.

My Thoughts: Going into The Fifth Season, I had high expectations because of all the positive reviews I saw on Bookstagram, Goodreads, etc., but this book may have been a victim of its own hype. The way this story is structured is really unique as it follows three women’s journeys - Damaya, Essun and Syenite. At one point, the author actually puts you in Essun’s shoes and starts writing in second-person for her chapters, which was cool because it made it easier to really get into the mindset of the character and envision her experience firsthand. Since this book is the first in the Broken Earth trilogy, I know its purpose is to set the scene and background for what’s to come in the next two books, but that made a large portion of this book a very slooooow burn. There is a glossary and historical overview in the back to help you understand some historical, caste, societal, and setting references, but I didn’t find those tools until after I finished lol. There is also so much detail that you really have to pay attention to each woman’s journey to understand how they’re all connected and the significance of each one’s experience. In all honesty, I didn’t truly get into it until maybe halfway through and after finishing it, I think it probably could have been about 50 pages shorter. This was a good book overall, but I didn’t feel like it lived up to its hype. It ended on an interesting cliffhanger though, so I may read the next book, but probably not anytime soon.

HOMEGOING by Yaa Gyasi

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Two half-sisters, Effia and Esi, are born in different villages during 18th century Ghana. Effia is married off to an Englishman which leaves her living in comfort in the Cape Coast Castle. Unbeknownst to Effia, Esi is imprisoned beneath her in the castle’s dungeons, sold with thousands of others into the Gold Coast’s booming slave trade, and shipped off to America where her children and grandchildren are raised in slavery. Homegoing follows the descendents of these sisters through everything from centuries of warfare and British colonization in Ghana to the Civil War, Great Migration and twentieth-century Harlem in America, right up to the present day. This novel makes history visceral and captures how the memory of captivity came to be inscribed in the soul of a nation.

My Thoughts: I loved this book and not just because it ended my lukewarm reading streak for February. The story follows the families of two half-sisters, Effia and Esi, who started in two very different places in life and is uniquely formatted to read as though you’re climbing a family tree. Starting from the roots, the author takes you on a journey across 250 years from 18th-century Ghana to 20th-century Harlem. Each chapter is a vignette that focuses on a different family member in subsequent generations to show how each of the sister’s family ends up in the present day. I liked that although you don’t spend a ton of time with each character, you still get to know each one intimately. Which, personally, helped me build a deeper connection not only with the character, but also the families.The author’s writing is absolutely incredible, and the way she illustrates the horrifics of slavery and slavery’s aftermath was incredibly impactful yet still digestable. I also want to give mad props to the author for the amount of research that had to have gone into writing this book to truly bring each character’s time period and setting to life. This was a marvellous book for only being 300 pages and I highly recommend it!

2021 Book Count: 12 down, 43 to go!

Add me on Goodreads if you haven’t yet!

YOUR TURN! Let me know in the comments below what books you have on this year’s TBR (To Be Read) list.

January 2021 Reads

February 02, 2021 by Haley Burrill in Books

Last year, I truly discovered my love of reading. Maybe it was more discovering a different type of “escape” that isn’t via a screen because, yanno, sometimes it’s nice to jump into another world for a few hours. Either way, I ended up reading 48 books when my original goal was only 20. Which means, from now on, I won’t feel like a phony by putting “reading” as one of my hobbies lol.

This year, I decided to Emeril LeGasse my Goodreads goal and kick it up a notch!

2021 Goodreads Reading Goal: 55 books.

Of those 55 books, I’m aiming for at least 30% (or ~17) to be books written by BIPOC and/or LGBTQ authors and two need to be classics. Apparently my mom is a big fan of the classics and she was pushing me to read more of them this year. So, Daphne du Maurier, I’m coming for ya.

Anyway, without further adieu, let’s recap the books I read in January, shall we?

(Actually, lol, quick preface to my ratings: I feel like I gave out a lot of 5 stars last year whereas some people rarely give them out. So, I figured I’m either not being judicious enough with my fivers or I’m just only reading books I know I’ll love lol.)

NOW, without further adieu…

*All summaries are paraphrased from Goodreads.

THE ASSASSIN’S BLADE by Sarah J. Maas

Rating: 4.8 /5 stars

Summary: Celaena Sardothien is Adarlan’s most feared assassin, and her allegiance is to her master, Arobynn Hamel - King of the Assassin’s Guild. Truly though, Celaena only trusts her herself and her fellow assassin, soft-eyed Sammy boy. In this collection of action-packed novellas, Celaena embarks on five daring missions. They take her from Pirate islands to hot af deserts, where she fights to liberate slaves and seeks to avenge the tyrannous. All Celaena wants is to be free, but acting against Arobynn’s orders could cause her to suffer the unimaginable punishment for such treachery.

My Thoughts: Okay, so I could literally write a standalone blog post about the entire Throne of Glass series because I’m that obsessed with it. There are seven books total and in December, I DEVOURED them like Thanksgiving leftovers. I just cannot express how lost in the sauce this series made me feel. So, to kick off my year with finishing up the emotional journey I’ve been on in this fantasy world by reading the prequel…*chef’s kiss*. This book was about Celaena Sardothien’s various assassin missions and life in Adarlan leading up to the salt mines of Endovier (a.k.a. where the first book starts). Each of the short novellas in Assassin’s Blade were mentioned throughout the actual series, so to finally get the whole story - especially about Sam - was incredibly fulfilling. Highly recommend Assassin’s Blade, but I will cut you if you don’t read the ToG series first (lol at the violent pun). :)

BIG MAGIC: CREATIVE LIVING BEYOND FEAR by Elizabeth Gilbert

Rating: 4.3/5 stars

Summary: This book uncovers the enigma that is the nature of inspiration and clever ideas by encouraging readers to embrace their curiosity and let go of personal skepticism. Gilbert walks us through how to tackle what we love most and face down our biggest obstacle - fear. By explaining the attitudes, approaches and habits we need in order to live our most creative lives, Gilbert encourages us to uncover the creative potential hidden within each of us.

My Thoughts: Though I was v lucky because a lot of the personal examples she gives is about writing, anyone with a creative interest would benefit from this book. Gilbert explains through a variety of examples and anecdotes that creative geniuses don’t exist; rather, everyone has the potential to find their own creative genius. So, whether you crochet, play an instrument, widdle soap, literally anything - you will walk away inspired to try this concept of creative living.

My key takeaways:

Ideas and creativity will only find you if you’re putting in the energy for them to reach you
Only do your creative practice if it’s because you genuinely enjoy it, not because you think other people will
Never start a creative project with monetization in-mind or else it will always disappoint you
Don’t allow the fear of not being the best at your creative practice prevent you from doing it

THE VANISHING ACT OF ESME LENNOX by Maggie O’Farrell

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Between running her vintage clothing store and avoiding her current guy-of-the-moment’s clinginess, Iris Lockhart receives surprising news: her great-aunt Esme, whom she has never heard of before, is being released from an asylum - where she has been locked away more than 60 years. Esme’s records prove she is Iris’s grandmother’s sister, and there’s no doubt Iris can see a glimpse of her dead father in Esme’s features. Though Esme has been deemed harmless, she is still essentially a stranger to Iris, and carries with her some very dark family secrets.

My Thoughts: Funny back story to this book - and I promise I’m trying to make it short. Earlier this month, I was staying at my parents’ house for a few days and was looking for a quick, easy read. My mom said she had a book downstairs that I bought her for Christmas when I was about 10. Apparently, when I gave it to her, I told her that after buying gifts for my brother and dad, I only had about $6 left. So, I went to Barnes & Noble, found the clearance table, saw a book with a ballerina on it that was only $5, and thought this was the gift for mom. For obvious reasons, she was expecting the book to suck eggs, but to her surprise, it was actually a banger. So, she’s held onto it all these years lol. I really enjoyed this book and it was a pretty quick read. The format of it is a little different, but once you get an idea of which character is talking/thinking, it’s hard to put down. The ending was very poetic and left you with just a nugget of completion while still wanting more.

THE TIME TRAVELER’S WIFE by Audrey Niffenegger

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: Henry DeTamble, an adventuresome librarian, frequently finds himself misplaced in time. As one of the first people diagnosed with Chrono-Displacement disorder, Henry’s disappearances are spontaneous, the period of time he’s sent to frequently changes, and his experiences are unpredictable. Clare, Henry’s wife, has known him since she was a child and he was in his thirties. Through both Henry’s and Clare’s points of view, The Time Traveler’s Wife dives into the effects of time travel on their relationship and lives.

My Thoughts: It took me longer to read this book than I expected it to. That’s definitely not because I didn’t enjoy it, but I wasn’t so enthralled that I “couldn’t put it down.” (I guess another way to say that is, when I had the option of continuing to binge watch Gilmore Girls or to read TTTW, I more often chose Gilmore Girls lol.) The author does a great job of tying together all of the different experiences from both Clare’s and Henry’s perspectives as it relates to his time traveling. What kept me hooked though was the feeling that I was putting together a puzzle, but had to figure out who had the right pieces - Clare or Henry. I will say that I wasn’t in love with either character, and it truly surprised me that Clare never questioned whether or not she had a choice in all of this. She just blindly trusted some guy who kept showing up randomly in the woods near her family’s property and took whatever he said at face value. I would have been a liiiiittle more skeptical than that. (Like, hello, Clare? Stranger Danger? Have you never heard of it?) Overall, I enjoyed this book, but probably won’t read it again.

THE BLACK FLAMINGO by Dean Atta

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: A boy, Michael Angeli, comes to terms with his identity as a mixed-race gay teen by falling in love with the art of drag and transforming into The Black Flamingo.

My Thoughts: The easiest five stars ever. This was a powerful story about owning who you are on your terms and not allowing others to define you or put you in a box that makes them feel more comfortable. I absolutely loved Michael. Even through the rough patches when he wasn’t sure of himself, I could feel it in my gut that he was going to thrive. The poetry throughout this book was an amazing component and I appreciated how it reflected his growth. Towards the start, the poems felt a little naive and scrappy, but as the story continued and Michael began to be more confident in his identity, the poems he was writing became more polished and profound as well. Highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a quick read that will leave you feeling v satisfied.

A SONG OF WRAITHS AND RUIN by Roseanne A. Brown

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: The Solstasia Festival only happens once every 50 years when the Bahia’s Comet passes over Ziran. For Malik, Solstasia is an opportunity to escape his war-stricken home with his sisters and start a new life in the prosperous capital. That is, until his younger sister, Nadia is taken by a vengeful spirit as payment for entering the city. The only way to get her back is to kill Karina, the Crown Princess of Ziran. However, Karina has concocted some deadly plans herself after her mother, the sultana, is assassinated. In order to resurrect her mother, Karina requires the heart of a king, and by offering her hand in marriage to the victor of the Solstasia competition, she will get one. However, seeing their tasks to kill each other through may be tough after Malik rigs his way into the contest and love starts to flicker between them.

My Thoughts: I enjoyed this book and not just because it has to do with a comet that is a rare sighting (like Halley’s Comet (lol)). I’ve been on a YA fantasy kick for a while, and the imagery in this book was very refreshing. The author did a wonderful job of creating a world painted with a variety of magical characters, mystic beings, and more - all inspired by West African folklore. It took a little longer than I anticipated to get into it, and at first, I found it kind of hard to like the main characters. Although that improved as the characters developed, I can’t say I closed the book feeling super connected to them. One of my favorite things about this book is that she portrayed Malik’s struggle with anxiety as a debilitating illness with both mental and physical effects. As someone who wrassles with anxiety on a daily basis, it was really validating to see it illustrated so accurately. There is a sequel to this book, but I wouldn’t say this first book ended on an incredibly suspenseful cliffhanger, so I’m still undecided about whether I’ll continue onto the second in this series.

THE SEVEN HUSBANDS OF EVELYN HUGO by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Aging Hollywood movie icon and recluse Evelyn Hugo is ready to spill the tea on her glamorous and scandalous life. When she chooses unknown magazine reporter Monique Grant for the job, no one is more surprised than Monique herself - she’s not exactly at the top of her game, her husband recently left her, and her career has plateaued. Regardless of why Evelyn has chosen her to write the biography, Monique is determined to us this opportunity to breathe life back into her career. As Evelyn’s story unfolds, it becomes clear that her life intersects with Monique’s own in tragic and irreversible ways.

My Thoughts: I think we all need a little more of Evelyn Hugo’s energy in our lives - especially when it comes to not giving two fucks. This woman is a savage, but she’s so unapologetic about it, that you can’t help but admire her. When Monique first met Evelyn’s character, I couldn’t tell if I was going to like her or not. Like obvi the tea she was about to spill was going to be piping hot, but her personality was kind of cold and off-putting. However, as the book explores each marriage, you quickly learn she’s that way for a reason. It was also really powerful how, through her life story, this book touched on the topics of sexuality, race, and the expectation to conform to society’s norms. Especially as it relates to Evelyn’s relationship with her sexuality, and how it goes from being something she uses to advance her career to something she cherishes greatly. Evelyn’s anecdotes weren’t the only thing that kept me sucked into this book, it was also the plot twist of trying to figure out why she specifically chose Monique for this project. Overall, this was an awesome book and shows you just how far someone will go for the people they love.

CLOCKWORK ANGEL by Cassandra Clare

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: It’s 1878 and Tessa Gray, a young, soft-spoken gal from New York, is on her way across the pond to start a new life with her brother, Nathan. However, as her ship docks, she quickly learns her brother is missing and finds herself caught up in London’s dark supernatural underworld where her only allies are the demon-slaying Shadowhunters. Soon, they are up against a secret organization of vampires, demons, warlocks, and humans known as the Pandemonium Club which has a plan to overthrow the British Empire using a magical army of unstoppable clockwork creatures - and only Tessa and her allies can stop them.

My Thoughts: We love a good YA fantasy set in 1800s London, do we not? I surely do, and this book was no exception. I had a hard time putting it down. I love that the pace of this book was quick and easy to get into right from the start. It’s not that the entire thing was a string of action-packed events, though it has its fair share of that, but the development of the story and characters throughout was an enjoyable experience in itself. Tessa goes from being a shy, naive girl who just wants to find her brother to a powerful woman who is DUN with people treating her like she’s weak. She has a unique power that is extremely desirable to the “underworlders”, but this leaves Tessa questioning whether or not she’s human and what being human truly means. As for the other characters, Ima try to keep it short:

Will: ugh. This brooding, witty young Shadowhunter is such a fuck boy, but it’s clear that’s just a front and he’s got some demons of his own to battle. So, basically, I love him lol.
Jem: Jem is the sweetest guy ever, and Will’s “battle brother” for lack of remembering the exact term used in the book. Anyway, Jem is empathetic, understanding, and overall just a lovable character that is impossible to dislike. He’s the guy-friend you’d take to a wedding because he can get along with anyone and everybody likes him.
Charlotte: The badass boss of the Institute where they all live. She’s everyone’s “mom” and mentor, and acts as the neutralizer of every situation.
Henry: Charlotte’s husband who likes to tinker with gadgets and demon slaying devices. He’s super aloof which was mildly annoying, but he also comes in clutch when it counts.
Jessamine: A Shadowhunter who cannot be bothered with Shadowhunting. She’s pretty superficial and very focused on appearances - however, there’s definitely more to her that I hope we get to see in the next book, so I’m not writing her off as a petty bitch just yet. :)
Sophie: a queen. I really like this character. She isn’t a Shadowhunter, just the housekeeper of the Institute, but she’s scrappy, resilient, and gives us those good good vibes.

Anyway, I am very excited that I found another YA fantasy series that sucks me in almost as much as Throne of Glass and cannot wait to read the second book!

2021 Book Count: 8 down, 47 to go!

Add me on Goodreads if you haven’t already!

YOUR TURN! Leave a comment below if you’ve read any of these books! I’d love to hear your thoughts or any solid recommendations you may have for books I should add to my reading list for this year!

Witches Brew Wine Review

October 27, 2020 by Haley Burrill in Lifestyle

Fall. Autumn. Harvest. PSL Szn.

Whatever you call it, the best season has finally arrived!

I love the fall.

The weather cools off.
Trees look majestic af changing colors.
Weekends are graced with football - sorry Lions fans. I know this is a tough topic for us. :/
Chunky sweaters, jean jackets, and joggers finally make their debut back into my closet.
Slow cookers full of chilis, soups and dips decorate kitchen counters.
Hocus Pocus memes are plastered on every social media platform.
Pumpkin spice and apple-flavored everything is available.

One key fall feature that tops the list for me though: Leelanau Cellars Witches Brew wine is officially back in-season.

Yes, yes. I know it’s available year round, but there’s just something magical about sipping on a glass of Witches Brew while the leaves are falling outside and you’re enjoying the sweet smells of the new “fall fragrance” Bath & Body Works candle you just bought, even though you still have three untouched from last season, but you had a coupon in your email. :’)

Leelanau Cellars has never steered me wrong and this year, I discovered they added two new flavors to the Witches Brew fam. So, what better way to pay homage to the sweet nectar of All Hallows’ Eve-themed wines that is the Witches Brew Crew than with a blog post?

There’s isn’t a better way. I’m glad you agree. Let’s get started!

OG WITCHES BREW

Color: Red
Sweetness: Definitely a sweet red, but not so sweet that your friend who is partial to red wines as dry as my hands during the winter will say, “Whew! That’s sweet!” (You know the one.)
Flavor notes: Cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, one small child (lol jk - that’s the Hocus Pocus Life Potion)
Lit Score: Like a Lays potato chip, you can’t have just one (glass). I have a tendency to start dancing alone in my apartment to a HAIM playlist on Spotify after a couple of glasses of OG WB. So, not only is this wine lit, but you also may get lit. (Please drink responsibly).
My thoughts: I love this wine. Someone recommended it to me in college as a “starter red” because I was trying to get acclimated to red wines and Witches Brew was supposed to be a toe dip into that pool. However, I loved it so much, it became my favorite wine. Honestly, it’s delicious with a charcuterie board, pairs great with pizza, it even compliments a bag of cheese popcorn. You just really can’t go wrong with this wine at any time of the year, but especially during the fall.

WITCHES BREW SPICED APPLE

Color: White
Sweetness: This is definitely on the sweet side, but not to the level of a moscato. Like maybe a few notches down from a moscato. The warmth of its flavors help tone down the sweetness too tho.
Flavor Notes: sweet apples, cinnamon, brown sugar, a warm blanket.
Lit Score: After pouring a glass of this, you will want to take your bra off, curl up with a flannel blanket and start watching some trashy, yet socially acceptable tv show like Love Island or the Bachelorette. So, your plan isn’t to get lit, but just a little warm, yanno? The wine itself is about as lit as “Wine Down Wednesday” - something to appreciate, but it doesn’t need to happen every day.
My Thoughts: If you are a big “spiced apple” fan, I think you’d really like this. Personally, it didn’t blow my mind, but I was definitely glad I tried it! That said, I do think this wine would taste pretty dank in a Halloween sangria. Maybe throw some apple slices and cinnamon sticks in there with some lil caramels as a garnish. That’s some Pinterest shit right there. Yw. :)

WITCHES BREW PUMPKIN SPICE

Color: White
Sweetness: She sweet. Not in a way that makes you feel like your teeth are going to rot or that you’re going to get a headache drinking it, but this one is definitely sweeter.
Flavor Notes: Ginger, apple, clove, a swift kick in the taste buds.
Lit Score: It’s an unexpected lit. You go in thinking it’s going to be a basic pumpkin spice flavor because what else would you expect of something flavored pumpkin spice? However, the first sip and you quickly realize this wine is NOT as kind-hearted as you expected it to be. As for how lit you get, I kept drinking it because I couldn’t decide whether or not I liked it - which warmed me up v quick. (Again, please drink responsibly.)
My Thoughts: If you’re a big ginger fan, then I think you’d really like this wine. She is quite the spicy lil number. I feel like they may have emphasized/over compensated the spices in this wine because there’s technically no pumpkin flavor in it. It starts with sweet apple for sure and then a tidal wave of all the spices crashes down, but the ginger is like “you guys go ahead, ima hang back,” and gives you one last kick before it disappears. But, it’s almost too much of a kick? To me, it kind of brings out the actual alcohol flavor of the wine. Although I still can’t decide if I like it, I definitely respect it and would probs smash a cinnamon roll then wash it down with PS WB.

CONCLUSION

Drink up, witches! Seriously though, if you try any of these wines, I highly recommend the OG WB. I think the spiced apple and pumpkin spice may only be available through the end of October, but don’t quote me on that. In the meantime, how about you leave a comment below answering the following questions:

Which of the Witches Brew Crew is your favorite?
If you end up making the sangria I mentioned, how’d it go? Please send pics.
What’s your favorite part of fall?

Crash Course: Cataplexy

October 10, 2020 by Haley Burrill in Narcolepsy

It's been about ten years since I was diagnosed with Narcolepsy, and though the star of this show is excessive daytime sleepiness, the various symptoms that come with this chronic sleep disorder also put on quite a spectacle.

So, instead of doing one post explaining all of the symptoms, I figured I’d walk you through them separately.

Starting with the most annoying IMO: Cataplexy.

Disclaimer: everything I describe in this post is from my own personal experience. I’m not trying to speak on behalf of all people with narcolepsy (PWN) because everyone experiences symptoms differently and at different degrees - including cataplexy.

WHAT IS CATAPLEXY?

According to the National Sleep Foundation, cataplexy is sudden and uncontrollable muscle weakness or paralysis that comes on during the day and is often triggered by a strong emotion, such as laughter or excitement.

WHY DOES CATAPLEXY HAPPEN?

Cataplexy occurs because of the inability to regulate sleep and awake states (Narcolepsy) - meaning that elements can overlap. During normal rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, there is a natural loss of muscle tone. In the case of cataplexy, that characteristic of REM sleep occurs suddenly during the day, causing weakness or full paralysis, even as the person remains awake during the episode.

(Source: SleepFoundation.org)

WHAT HAPPENS DURING A CATAPLECTIC EPISODE?

Basically, without warning, cataplexy causes me to lose muscle tone - meaning I get a slack jaw, my speech becomes broken and slurred, my knees buckle, and all of the muscles go weak in my neck, face and usually arms.

I’m totally awake and aware of it happening, but I just can’t move. Some PWN will also fall asleep after a cataplectic episode because it’s incredibly draining.

WHAT TRIGGERS IT?

My cataplexy is most commonly triggered when I’m laughing really hard. There have been isolated instances where I’ve been frustrated enough to get it, but it’s mostly when I’m laughing.

Quick tangent: in my junior year of college, we had a period of time where random flies would get into our apartment because our building backed up to a field. Whenever I would go to swat a fly, I immediately got cataplexy. Like literally mid-swing would just crumple like a rag doll. After talking with my doctor about it, she actually found a research article later on this exact topic and it turns out it’s a common occurrence.

Literally, the act of swatting a fly commonly causes PWN to have cataplexy lol. I don’t know why I find that so funny. I think it’s because swatting a fly is so mundane and yet it generates just enough excitement to trigger cataplexy.

Cataplexy feels like one of these old string toys.

WHAT DOES IT FEEL LIKE?

The only thing I’ve been able to come up with to describe what it feels like to get cataplexy is comparing it to those old toys we used to have that are like animals made of strings and beads on a platform (pictured above). You push on a button underneath the platform and the animal drops, and then when you let up on the button, it snaps back into formation.

That’s how the sensation of cataplexy feels - like someone pushed on my platform’s button and left me in a pool of string and beads.

It always starts in my face - specifically my eyelids and jaw. My eyelids kind of start to feel like there’s a magnet pulling them down until about halfway, while my jaw goes slack like it’s just hanging there. Super cute, I know.

The loose jaw causes my speech to slur and makes it hard to talk. Honestly, I probably sound drunk like I took some midwestern mom’s “It’s wine o’ clock somewhere” wall decor a little too seriously.

Then follows my neck and shoulders. My shoulders will drop then curl forward while I get that newborn baby, butter-muscle neck. Yanno how a newborn baby can’t lift its own head? That’s me during cataplexy lol. No matter how hard I try to muster up the strength to pick up my head again, my chin stays glued to my chest.

Now if I’m laughing hard enough, then my knees will also buckle. If you’ve ever had someone do that super annoying thing where they come up behind you and push you in the back of your knees when you’re not expecting it, that’s kind of how this feels.

Once the cataplexy has passed, I usually will feel the ramifications of it for about 15-30 minutes after - primarily in my muscles. It kind of feels like that dull ache you get after a super exerting workout. The experience overall is also just really exhausting because so much of your body is suddenly compromised in such a short amount of time.

HOW LONG DOES IT LAST?

Depending how hard I’m laughing, how tired I am, my medication, etc. depends on how long it lasts. On average, I’d say about 30 seconds to a minute is usually how long my cataplexy lasts once it’s triggered.

It’s not something I can just stop on my own though. I literally just have to ride the wave and wait for the cataplexy to pass before my strength comes back.

CONCLUSION

As I mentioned earlier (per my last email (lol jk)), cataplexy is the most annoying symptom in my opinion. It’s exhausting, can be embarrassing and causes quite the inconvenience. Luckily, I haven’t experienced cataplexy in a while due to a nighttime medication I started taking a few years ago.

If you have any questions I didn’t cover in this post, feel free to reach out! I love talking about my experience and am happy to share. Otherwise, please comment below:

If you had one of those string/bead toys as a kid, what was the figure on top?
If you didn’t have one of those string/bead toys as a kid, what year were you born? lol

Press Pause on Overthinking

September 06, 2020 by Haley Burrill in Lifestyle

I’ve always had a bad habit of overanalyzing everything.

It starts as a simple run-through in my brain about a situation, person, etc., and quickly progresses into me picking apart every little inch of it. Usually, I’ll fall into what I like to call “thought circles.” A thought circle is when you’re analyzing the situation yet again and it always starts with the same notion. Then you proceed to follow the same general path of points that you have the last 21,983,920 times you thought about this, and eventually, end up at the same conclusion.

The first chunk of quarantine, I was staying with my parents which was an absolute blessing. On top of the obvious benefits of living with my parents (i.e. not paying for groceries, homemade meals, free laundry, etc.), it was incredibly valuable having other people around for my mental health. Even just for daily interactions, having someone physically in the same vicinity as me was a consistent source of comfort. Plus, if I needed to externally process, all I had to do was find someone to listen.

Since moving back into my 475-square-foot apartment a couple of months ago, the struggle of keeping my mental health pristine and my mind clear has become more difficult without anyone else around. Especially when I found myself quickly falling into a daily habit of overthinking and overanalyzing literally everything.

About a month ago, I decided to find things that can pull me out of my thought circles and put a stop to the mental overload. So, if you’re like me and tend to overthink or overanalyze, I hope one of these tricks will provide you with some brain decongestion.

I am onto my third journal in 3 months because I use this method so much.

JOURNALING

Journaling is one of my absolute favorite methods for finding some peace of mind. It doesn’t even have to be in an actual journal. Just find a pen and some paper and “data dump” literally everything on your mind that’s been distracting you lately.

It doesn’t have to be perfect because you’re the only person who will be reading it. Personally, I like to write as though I’m venting to a friend. Sometimes I slide some third-person reminders/affirmations in there like, “Hales, you’re justified to feel this way. Don’t doubt yourself. Trust your gut.”

Journaling is an incredibly easy way to find some therapeutic release and can help you process anything you’ve felt “stuck” trying to figure out.

Podcasts are an equally great distraction as they are a tool.

PODCASTS AND ACTIVITY

Podcasts are a great way to get you out of your head and focused on something else.

For those of you who haven’t mastered the art of listening to a podcast, I recommend pairing it with an activity that doesn’t require your undivided attention. Personally, I prefer to listen to podcasts while I’m on a long walk outside, cleaning my apartment, cooking dinner, if I have to drive more than an hour somewhere or if I have my window AC unit running and can’t have my TV on at the same time at the risk of blowing a fuse lol.

Plus, whatever is on your mind - career changes, relationships, friendships, etc. - I guarantee there is a podcast out there that discusses that exact topic in detail.

Listening to a podcast related to whatever you’re overthinking may sound counter-intuitive, but it can actually be extremely beneficial. Especially if you’re looking for some validation, guidance, or non-biased insight that can help put your thought circle to rest.

TALK IT OUT

Though sometimes it’s the last thing you want to do, actually talking to someone you trust about everything that’s going on in your mind can help alleviate the mental strain.

I have a few friends who are my go-to confidantes whenever I’ve finally exhausted myself with overthinking. These are people who I know have zero judgements or biases towards what I’m sharing and often point out things I may have overlooked, validate my thoughts or feelings, or just simply listen while I externally process everything out loud until I come to my own final conclusion.

Simply talking it out with someone who knows you best is a great way to feel more clear-minded and less like a hot mess mentally.

FOCUS ON AN ATTENTION-SUCKER

What is something you enjoy doing that you find yourself literally lost in for hours?

Personally, I can get lost in a really great book, going down a YouTube rabbit hole of watching various celebrities eating really spicy chicken wings on Hot Ones, doing a social distancing-friendly outdoor pop-up workout class with friends and blogging (lol spoiler alert that I started writing this blog as a distraction from my overthinking).

So, whether you enjoy LARPing, needle point, slappin’ the bass, doodling, convincing people to vote, or even just binge-watching a series you’ve seen more than 10 times but it still makes you laugh out loud - go lose yourself in it.

It may not help you process whatever is on your mind, but it will at least give you the much-needed mental (and sometimes emotional) break for a while.

The best doodle of a happy brain to represent “mental calm” that I could muster. :)

FINAL THOUGHTS AND COMMENTS

If you can relate to the never-ending thought circles, I hope a couple of these methods help you press pause on your overthinking.

Now it’s your turn. Please comment:

Any techniques you use to simmer down your overthinking
Your favorite podcast/podcast recs
One thing you are grateful for today :)

Quarantine Reads

May 15, 2020 by Haley Burrill in Books

It’s officially week 8 (or maybe 9?) of the Rona wreaking havoc on us, and it would be rude of me not to start this post by saying I hope you’re all staying safe, healthy and AT HOME. Please for the love of all that is good, stay home.

Around mid-March, I temporarily moved home with my parents to avoid being cooped up in a small apartment talking to no one but myself and my houseplants. Not to mention, our golden retriever resides at my parents’ house and that’s the kind of energy I’m trying to surround myself with right now.

When I’m not on that WFH grind, meeting an unspoken quota for baking banana bread, or watching Schitt’s Creeks, I’ve been reading like I’ve never read before.

In the last eight (or nine?) weeks, I’ve read TWELVE books. TWELVE. I know that doesn’t seem that impressive for those of you who are already avid readers, but I just caught the reading bug last fall, so this is a big deal for me.

Seeing as I haven’t blogged since January, I figured I’d review my quarantine reads in case you’re looking for some recommendations.

Two shameless plugs before I get started on this book-inspired blog:

-ADD ME ON GOODREADS. :)

-Go find my friend, Caili, who created the thumbnail image for this post at Dilly Dalian on Etsy!

Where’d You Go Bernadette by Maria Semple

RATING: 3/5 stars

SUMMARY*: Where’d You Go Bernadette is about a woman named Bernadette Fox who disappeared after a school fundraiser turns into a shit show on account of Bernadette’s doings. Her daughter, Bee, is left piecing together clues as to what happened by means of emails, letters, invoices, etc. to figure out where her mother went right before the family was supposed to go on a trip to Antarctica in celebration of Bee’s good grades.

MY THOUGHTS: Bernadette is a burned out architect who just mf snapped at some point after this giant sustainability project (Greta woulda loved it) she was working on for years went awry, and fell into some hella anxiety and depression. The author kind of wants you to have your cake and eat it too when it comes to this character, so I was stuck trying to decide if I liked her or just found her to be low-key savage and high-key flaky. This book also pokes fun at the “Seattle Freeze” and people trying to climb the social ladder - which was equally entertaining as it was annoying. I did NOT like the husband, Elgie. He was a mansplainer and womanizer and he never wears shoes….?? Overall, this was a quirky little book. Would I read it again? No. Would I recommend it to someone? Not organically. If you asked me if I recommend it specifically, I’d say it was all right and I wasn’t disappointed that I read it, but it also didn’t make the top of my list by any means.

I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson

RATING: 5/5 stars

SUMMARY*: At first, Jude and her twin brother, Noah are inseparable. Noah is always lost in his art, drawing anything and everything while falling in love with the charming baseball boy who moves in next door. Jude is a rebellious young teen who enjoys cliff diving, talking to older boys, and wearing outfits that would make any midwest dad say “and where do you think you’re going dressed like that?” Fast forward three years and these twins are barely interacting - cordial at best. The early years are told from Noah’s perspective and the later years are through Jude’s eyes. Each one only has half of the story, and once they start growing closer again, they realize what they were missing.

MY THOUGHTS: This book is technically classified as YA and I’m convinced it’s because if anyone asks if they should read it, the only response should be “HELL YA.” This is the type of book that gives you an instant book hangover once you’re finished because you just wanted it to continue. The style of writing used to tell Noah’s perspective truly reflects how immersed he is in his art all the while he experiences what it feels like to fall in love for the first time. The author then catapults you to a different reality as the story fast forwards three years to Jude’s perspective when she falls in love with an intriguing British boy (YASS, sis) who she meets through an unexpected mentor. Though Noah and Jude are completely different, both characters add such complexity and depth to the story line that you can’t help but love them both and hope they find their way. I absolutely loved this book and feel like I completely tanked on this review, so just walk away knowing that you should add this to your reading list.

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

RATING: 5/5 stars

SUMMARY *: “Le Cirque des Reves” only shows up at night without warning. Within the black and white striped canvas tents is an utterly unique experience full of breathtaking amazements. Behind the scenes though, a fierce competition between two young magicians - Celia and Marco - is underway. The circus is the stage for this remarkable battle, and despite them falling in love, only one can be left standing.

MY THOUGHTS: This wasn’t just a book, this was an experience. There’s something extremely magical about how this book makes you feel, and as I finished the last page, I knew it had already made it into my top 5 favorite books of all time. The story of Celia and Marco starts thirty years before they are even born with a challenge between their mentors — two arrogant illusionists who have spent a lifetime trying to one-up the other (no shock that they’re men lol). Celia and Marco pretty much spend most of their childhood into adolescence preparing for this competition, but they don’t know who they’re competing against or when it actually begins (I’d be flipping tables). Their preparation for the battle nodded to the ole “book smarts vs. street smarts” debate. Celia’s mentor, who is also her dad, pulls some real suspect shit to train her. For example, when she’s just a CHILD, one exercise he had was slicing her fingertips open one by one with a knife until she could heal her skin from within. In contrast, Marco’s mentor plucks him from an orphanage and tells him to study books, ancient magic, etc. for preparation. I was an absolute sap for the undeniable connection between Marco and Celia as their battle quickly becomes years of “love letters” to each other in the form of new circus attractions. My haven’t-been-in-a-relationship-in-two-years heart could NOT handle the sentiment. The author also managed to include multiple characters that added depth to the storyline without muddying it up which I feel is hard to do. So, in conclusion, please read this so I have someone else to talk to about it. :)

The Orphan’s Tale by Pam Jenoff

RATING: 3.5/5 stars

SUMMARY*: Set in a traveling circus during World War II, two extraordinary women endure sacrifice and survival while developing an unexpected friendship. After being kicked out of her home for disgracing her family by getting pregnant, 16-year-old Noa has to give up her baby and ends up working at a railway station. Noa discovers a boxcar full of Jewish infants, snags one on impulse and flees. She finds refuge with a German circus, but to blend in undetected and receive protection, she must learn the flying trapeze act from lead aerialist, Astrid. As the facade protects them, Noa and Astrid must decide if their friendship can save one another.

MY THOUGHTS: All right. So quick preface, the only reason I read this is because my mom and I agreed to do a book swap (I had her read Night Circus.) Welp, after all was said and done, it turned out this isn’t even the book she wanted me to read! I was Susan-ed. Regardless, I liked this book overall. Noa is an okay character. She’s immature as you would expect and falls in love with some privileged blonde boy. The real queen in this story is Astrid. You can just tell she would be an A-plus wingwoman, but also try to fight any guy at the bar that makes an unwanted pass at you. My friend crush aside, this book was an easy read and would be good if you’re in-between books, just looking for something to pass the time until you can decide what the next book is that you want to read.

Devil in the White City by Erik Larson

RATING: 3/5 stars

SUMMARY*: Murder, magic and madness at the fair that changed America as it rushed towards the 20th century. The author gives a rich narrative of the Chicago World Fair and how a master builder and murder were both obsessed with it. You follow the roller coaster ride of architect Daniel Hudson Burnham as he pulls off the country’s most important structures for this event. While the murderer, Henry H. Holmes, builds a “World’s Fair Hotel” just walking distance from the fairgrounds - a torture hotel complete with a dissection table and kiln for bodies in the basement.

MY THOUGHTS: In my unpopular opinion, this book was just all right. It was really hyped up to me by a few people and a podcast I listen to, so the bar was set high. Due to Rona, I even BOUGHT this book which I think contributes to the level of petty I’m including in my review of it. Don’t get me wrong, this book was INCREDIBLY researched - seriously, hats off the to author who you can tell worked his ass off to gather sources for accuracy. HOWEVER, this shit took me TWO weeks to read because it was such a slow burn. The whole serial killer part was intriguing, yes. All of the name-drops in relation to the Chicago World Fair were impressive as well (even Walt Disney’s dad had a little sum sum to do with it). At the end of the day though, I’m not rushing to recommend this book to anyone. I think it’d be a lot more interesting if you're from Chicago and/or have lived there for at least a year. Other than that, it was a super lukewarm read for me.

Open Book by Jessica Simpson

RATING: 5/5 stars

SUMMARY*: J. Simpson tells of growing up in 1980s Texas and dishes everything from experiencing a traumatic sexual abuse to unsuccessfully auditioning for the Mickey Mouse Club before going on to sign a record deal with Columbia and marrying Nick Lachey. Along the way she details the struggles in her life including her divorce, enduring an emotionally abusive relationship, being body-shamed, and going through rough patches of heavy drinking.

MY THOUGHTS: By no means was I a Jessica Simpson fan before reading this book. I remember watching the Newlyweds on MTV when I was younger, but it’s not like she ever really made it into the regular CD rotation of Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, and Backstreet Boys that graced my boombox. However, after reading this book, I have so much respect for this woman. Sis, left no tea unspilt. Reading this book felt like I was grabbing drinks with an old friend on a sunny patio outside of a bar that somehow successfully incorporated square-dancing into their Thursday night specials. I read a lot of celebrity memoirs and this was by far one of my top three favorites. Highly recommend. Also, John Mayer is a piece of shit for how he treated her - do not @ me.

Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline

RATING: 4.8/5 stars

SUMMARY*: This powerful novel tells a captivating story of two very different women who build an unexpected friendship: a 91-year-old woman, Vivian, with a hidden past as an orphan train rider, and an 18-year-old girl, Molly, whose own troublesome adolescence leaves her with one last chance before aging out of the child welfare system and getting kicked out of her foster home. As Molly picks up a community service position to help an elderly woman clean out her attic, she quickly discovers while sorting through Vivan’s old trunks and boxes that they aren’t as different as they seem.

MY THOUGHTS: So, circling back around on the orphan-themed books, this was the book my mom intended for our book swap when she accidentally gave me “The Orphan’s Tale” - which has a train on the cover lol. I cried twice while reading this and I pride myself on not being an easy crier. What i found most interesting about this novel was that orphan trains actually existed back in the early 1900s. The urban orphanages would round up all of the homeless children in the big cities, clean them up, and put them on a train out to the rural communities where people would pick kids out of a line up to adopt. It was the luck of the draw whether the people they went with were going to be good people or just use the kids for labor- which was more common than not. I have to agree with my mom that it’s a really great book and kept me hooked throughout the whole story.

Educated by Tara Westover

RATING: 5/5 stars

SUMMARY*: In her memoir, Tara Westover describes what it was like to be born to survivalists in the mountains of Idaho where she prepared for the end of the world by stockpiling home-canned peaches and sleeping with her “head-for-the-hills” bag. The family was so isolated from mainstream society that they believed in holistic, herbal remedies over western medicine (even for the most traumatic injuries) and there was no one to ensure the kids received an education. This memoir is an account of the struggle for self-invention and the battle of staying loyal to family or severing those ties for your own good.

MY THOUGHTS: Shit. Was. CRAZY. I swear after finishing every chapter, my jaw was another inch closer to the floor. The trauma this woman endured FROM HER OWN FAMILY was absolutely insane, and the fact that she was able to persevere as much as she did to escape the only life she knew was nothing short of incredible. I don’t want to spoil too much by sharing what one of my biggest takeaways was for this book, so if you read it, hit me up so we can talk! :)

Matchmaking for Beginners by Maddie Dawson

RATING: 4/5 stars

SUMMARY*: Marnie McGraw wants an ordinary life - a husband, kids and a minivan in the suburbs. Now that she’s marrying the man of her dreams, she’s sure this is the life she’ll get. Until everything changes when Marnie meets Blix Holliday, her fiancé’s matchmaking great-aunt who’s dying. When Marnie’s marriage ends after two miserable weeks, she is shocked. She’s even more shook when she learns she has inherited Blix’s building in Brooklyn along with all of Blix’s unfinished projects, oddball friends and neighbors running from happiness.

MY THOUGHTS: This book was recommended by one of my favorite book-focused podcasts: Bad on Paper and it did not disappoint. Marnie is in her mid-20s and is just a shit-show for much of the first part of the book which is a vibe I can relate to lol. Her whole situation was just a really great reminder that no matter how planned-out you may have your life at the moment, it could literally change tomorrow and you’re going to have to get your shit together and figure it out. As someone who doesn’t do well when I don’t feel in control of things, the lesson here was definitely something I absorbed. I absolutely loved Blix’s character! I kept picturing her as an overly eccentric Jamie Lee Curtis and her lifestyle is something I think more of us need to embrace — just calm the fuck down, enjoy the moment you’re in and let life play out as it’s meant to. Highly recommend this book! It was light, breezy and just made me really happy while reading it. :)

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

RATING: 3.5/5 stars

SUMMARY*: When Jacob Jankowski learns his parents have died suddenly in a car crash, he finds himself adrift and jumping onto a passing train which he quickly learns is that of a second-rate circus struggling to survive during the Great Depression. As a veterinary student who almost earned his degree, Jacob is put in charge of caring for the circus menagerie. While he learns how to connect with an elephant, Rosie, who appears to be untrainable, he falls in love with Marlena - the young star of the equestrian act and married to the twisted animal trainer.

MY THOUGHTS: Jacob and Marlena’s forbidden love story was cute, but I also wanted to punch Jacob in his face a few times. He had this habit of doing dumb shit that would OBVIOUSLY get him in trouble if he wasn’t careful and yet he’d go ahead and do it anyway. Obviously I have read my fair share of circus-related books over the last two months and though this book wasn’t my favorite of that litter, it was an easy read. If you’ve been wanting to read it, then I say go for it, but I don’t see myself reading this again anytime soon.

Regretting You by Colleen Hoover

RATING: 4.3/5 stars

SUMMARY*: After a tragic and questionable accident, Morgan Grant and her 16-year-old daughter, Clara are left to rebuild everything that crashed down around them. They would like nothing more than to be nothing alike. Morgan is determined to prevent Clara from making the same mistakes she did - including a teen pregnancy that made Morgan put her dreams on hold. Clara doesn’t want to follow in her mother’s footsteps and risk being predictable or un-spontaneous. Resentment and misunderstandings make them fall further apart every day to the point that it may be impossible to fall back together.

MY THOUGHTS: Colleen Hoover has quickly become one of my favorite authors. Her books are always captivating and I can usually fly through them in about a day or two. Regretting You was another testament to her amazing writing. The fact that I could physically feel every emotion the characters were going through as I was reading made the experience of this book even more entrancing. Though it begins with an absolute tragedy that progresses with heartbreak after heartbreak, you can’t help but to cling to the moments of hope, warmth and peace that are sprinkled throughout for each of the characters. Highly recommend this book and any other novels by Colleen Hoover.

The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory

RATING: 2/5 stars

SUMMARY*: Agreeing to be the last-minute wedding date of a guy she gets stuck in an elevator with is something Alexa Monroe would not normally do. After Alexa and Drew have more fun than ever thought possible at his ex’s wedding, they cannot stop thinking about each other. These two high-powered professionals are on a collision course toward a long distance dating disaster or closing the gap between what they think they need and what they actually want.

MY THOUGHTS: This wasn’t as bad as a one-star rating (hence 2 stars) but dear lort, I do not recommend this book. I heard about it from a few of my friends which is why I decided to give it a whirl, but the best way I can describe how it felt reading it was like watching a B-Rated/straight-to-DVD movie. The concept of Alexa and Drew falling in love with people they didn’t expect and found by happenstance was cute. However, only the first quarter of the book is about the actual wedding date, and then a solid 30-40% of it is literally just descriptions of what they’re eating for their next meal or snack (tacos, In N Out, cheese and crackers, doughnuts or pizza). Then two pages later, they’re having sex or vis versa. Rinse and repeat. The supporting story around the “romance” of this novel was subpar, jumpy and mildly annoying. They also have communication skills comparable to that of some kids in high school who don’t know how or when to DTR (define the relationship). I will say, I have a friend who really enjoys this author’s books, so if you’ve read/enjoyed other books by her, you might like this one, but I’m personally not recommending it to anyone.

Well, folks. That concludes my Quarantine Reads rundown. If you’ve made it this far, thank you (seriously thank you for making it through all of that) and I hope you’ve found some books to add to your reading list (or maybe remove lol).

If you’ve read any books recently that you think I’d enjoy, please let me know in the comments! :D

*Summary was paraphrased from the Book Description on Goodreads.

The Athleisure Movement

January 19, 2020 by Haley Burrill in Lifestyle

I am a strong believer/supporter/advocate of athlesiure.

Everyone has career goals and one of mine is to work for an organization that allows me to wear athleisure everyday because, let’s be honest, nothing stumps creativity or a good mood more than starchy dress pants that don’t allow you to bloat like your lunch intended.

Let’s get one thing clear too. Athleisure does not mean your bag-lady sweat pants that you should have thrown out years ago because you can hear the elastic crackle a little bit, but have also developed an emotional connection to, so you keep them in your drawer anyway. Nor does it mean your old college sweats and tee shirts (unless they’re in good condition. Clearly, subjective guidelines).

Athleisure is the quality joggers, leggings, sweatshirts, etc. that are comfortable to wear, can be dressed up with non-athleisure pieces such as a jean jackets, heeled booties, etc. Honestly, when I’m not being an extreme introvert acting like I’m 85 vs. 25, I opt for wearing athleisure to social events like the bar. Yeah, I said it. I wear athleisure to the bar. Hell, I’d even wear athleisure on a date. It’s cute, it’s comfy - when are you not taking a W by wearing athleisure??

Benefits of athleisure:

Comfortable yet fashionable.
Relaxed fit - won’t ride up
Can be worn at the gym and in the streets - meaning you can wear it for more than just one setting/occasion (side eye to bridesmaid dresses)
Flexible - will stretch with your bloat or whatever else you’re doing.
Moisture wicking and breathable - nothing is more uncomfortable than when you’re pitting out in a cute top, so you have to just make sure you’re keeping your arms down as much as possible to try not to draw attention to the GIANT sweat circles forming in your underarm area.

As an athleisure connoisseur, I’ve tried my fair share of brands over the years and have built a pretty solid roster of reliable favorites. So, if you’ve been interested in adopting the athleisure lifestyle but aren’t sure where to start, I recommend the following brands.

Note: I’m a pretty frugal person, but I’m also an impulsive buyer (retail therapy ¯\_(ツ)_/¯), so some of these brands I stumbled upon by chance and others I’ve found at my go-to stores.

MPG SPORT

WEBSITE: www.mpgsport.com

PRICE: $$ - Their regular-priced items can be a smidge pricy depending on how much your budget allots. For example, most of their leggings (WHICH MOST ALSO HAVE POCKETS, HELLER?) range in price from about $54 - $70. However, they often have sales/clearance items that bring down the price quite a bit and make this brand quite affordable. Highly recommend following MPG Sport on Instagram because that’s where they promote their sales.

WHAT I OWN (examples below): several pairs of leggings (the coach and roster 7/8 leggings with pockets are my fave), four pairs of joggers, two sports bras, a couple pairs of shorts, two or three pairs of nicer pants that I can wear to work or out with friends, and a winter coat (not technically athleisure but worth mentioning).

HOW I FOUND THEM: About a year ago, I bought a pair of leggings from TJ Maxx that I found myself wearing pretty regularly. Then one night, it dawned on me that I didn’t know what brand had created my new favorite leggings. Thus, my love for MPG Sport was born.

WHAT THEY OFFER: They have a variety of options for both men and women. As I mentioned above, they offer more than just workout-related items, I have about 2-3 other pairs of pants that are made of an athleisure material, but are dressy enough that I can wear them to work (see below). They also offer a ton of cute tops, jumpsuits and dresses (depending on the season), sweaters and cardigans, jackets and coats, and select accessories.

CONCLUSION: This brand has quickly become my go-to and a staple in my wardrobe. As Ms. Norbury once said, “I’m a pusher, Cady.” I literally push all of my friends to try this brand because I love it so much, and one who actually bought leggings texted me, verbatim, “Nike who? Lululemon who?” after receiving hers in the mail. So, like, yeah - highly recommend giving them a try.

Left: the athleisure material pants that I can dress up enough to wear to work. Right: some of my favorite leggings.

90 DEGREE BY REFLEX

Website: 90degreebyreflex.com

PRICE: $-$$$ - I have never purchased anything directly from 90 Degree by Reflex because TJ Maxx carries this brand which makes it substantially more affordable and why I gave the price point rating a range. Scrolling through their website, it looks like regular priced items are between $25-110 - depending on what you’re buying - but their sale items cut those prices down to anywhere from $15-40. Plus, as I just mentioned, you can usually find this brand pretty easily at TJ Maxx, Marshall’s, etc., for hella low prices, so I recommend starting there if you’re interested in giving this brand a try.

WHAT I OWN (examples below): various types of leggings and a couple pairs of shorts. I also found a really nice cowl neck sweatshirt that is one of my favorite “fancy” sweatshirts to wear if I’m going to lunch with friends, shopping, etc. There’s only a few pairs of 90 Degree by Reflex leggings that I own that I will actually wear to work out - the rest I just wear casually.

HOW I FOUND THEM: Just like literally any other girl who is balling on a budget, but wants to find a quality pair of leggings that won’t break down quickly nor turn see-through, I discovered this brand at TJ Maxx when I was in high school. Though that was light years ago, I’m pleased to report that they still carry it in 2020.

WHAT THEY OFFER: 90 Degree by Reflex offers a variety of options for women and men (and kids if you have those lol). Most of what they offer is what’s in your typical athleisure line-up: leggings, shorts, joggers, sports bras, tanks, sweatshirt pullovers, etc. They also offer plus size options in leggings, shorts and some jackets.

CONCLUSION: This is a great brand to have as part of your athleisure artillery as it’s good quality and will last quite a few years. It’s also super accessible if you’re a frequenter of TJ Maxx. Initially, I didn’t necessarily go actively looking for this brand, but 90 Degree by Reflex has become pretty dominant in my athleisure apparel.

Left: a pair of my tried and true 90 Degree by Reflex leggings. Right: the light gray cowl neck sweatshirt ft. Sunday morning groutfit.

BALANCE ATHLETICA

Website: www.balanceathletica.com

PRICE: $$-$$.5. I’m giving this brand a little tougher of a rating (two dollar signs to two and a half dollar signs lol) because although their leggings range between $75-80 - which isn’t much different from the two brands above - they have shorts and sports bras that are priced between $45-53, and to my cheap ass, that is just a little lofty.

WHAT I OWN (examples below): three pairs of leggings, but two are definitely some of the coolest leggings I own because they’re leopard and snake skin print. The seams on their leggings are also incredibly flattering because they cut down in a V on the butt to help accentuate the curves of your booty. The waistband also comes up pretty high which holds in everything you need them to without rolling down.

HOW I FOUND THEM: This is kind of a long story, so I’m going to try to make it short, even though brief storytelling is not in my skill set lolz. In 2018, I reconnected with an acquaintance from college who introduced me to this high-quality supplement brand. This person got free shipping for being an affiliate of sorts, but communication ended between us. Therefore, I searched for other people on Instagram who were also affiliated with this brand, so that I could continue to get free shipping (lol) and found a fitness influencer named Taylor. She, her husband and sister had been developing Balance Athletica for a few years, and when I discovered her Instagram was around the same time of their first collection launch. The end. Boom. 125 words or less. In your face, brevity.

WHAT THEY OFFER: Balance Athletica offers a variety clothing for both men and women. Since it’s a newer brand, they don’t have an endless supply available on their website at all times like bigger brands. Instead, they start sharing information about the new collection about a month or so in advance and have a limited stock available prior to the launch. The launch date is usually announced on the Balance Athletica Instagram and then leading up to the launch, they feature all of the pieces of the collection on various body types, in different settings, etc. That said, there have been collections that were so popular and sold out so quickly, that Balance Athletica did an additional pre-order launch to give people a second chance if they weren’t able to order from the initial launch. Although I only own leggings, you can also purchase joggers, shorts, tanks, sports bras, sweatshirts, cropped compression shirts, zip-ups, etc.

CONCLUSION: Though it’s a newer brand and you have to keep an eye on when the next collection launches, the quality and style of Balance Athletica’s pieces make it totally worth it. I feel like I’m seeing more women my age following this brand on Instagram, so it’s definitely growing quickly in popularity - I’m sure the fitness influencers who are also brand ambassadors for them has something to do with that awareness. If you’re looking for some unique pieces to add to your athleisure wardrobe, I highly recommend taking a peek at Balance Athletica.

Left: black Balance Athletica leggings. Notice the high waistband. Right: the leopard print leggings I bought from the Kingdom Collection.

Though my athleisure wear is full of other brands, MPG Sport, 90 Degree by Reflex and Balance Athletica have quickly become my favorite. Hopefully, this helped you realize the level of comfort missing from your life that is athleisure. Especially if you’re one of those serial killer types that can take a NAP IN JEANS and PREFERS to wear jeans when you’re just hanging out with friends. Like who are you and why are you the way that you are…???????

Let me know your favorite athleisure brands or if you give any of the above a try!

Pz.

Money Talk$

October 08, 2019 by Haley Burrill

This October officially marks three years that I’ve been with the credit union, and the last 36 months have taught me a lot, both personally and professionally. If there’s one lesson I’ve learned while working in the financial industry, though, it’s how much people in their early-mid 20s don’t know about money management unless they work in the financial industry.

Money is literally always on people’s minds. I mean not to quote Luda, but Ima quote Luda: “I got my mind on my money, money on my mind.” Most of the time when people are thinking about money, it’s because they’re stressing about it. I mean who can blame us? It puts a roof over our heads, food in our stomachs and a smart phone in our hands, amiright? People are even shouting out of windows about it - “IT’S MY MONEY AND I WANT IT NOW.” (plz lol at that.)

Luckily, as the copywriter/social media manager/communications hub at a credit union, I’ve had to write my fair share of educational material about managing your finances. As a result, I’ve picked up a lot of helpful information, tips and tricks as it relates to your dollar dollar bills, y’all and making sure you’re making the most of them. So, let’s have some fun with finances.

I feel like I have to do a disclaimer here though, I am in no way qualified to give anyone financial advice. These are just tidbits of info and tricks that I’ve learned over the last three years that you may find interesting/helpful. So, take them with a grain of salt.

BUDGETING LIKE A BO$$

Let’s start by bringing it back to the basics.

You should have one financial goal every month: do not spend more than you earn.

Simple enough, right?

Right. Now, let me ask you this, do you know how much you spend each month compared to what you’re bringing in? It’s easy to say you have an idea of how much you’re spending each month, but have you ever actually sat down and wrote out all of your expenses?

Fun fact: it is recommended that everyone have at least three months worth of living expenses saved and available at any given time. That’s right. Meaning you have enough money to cover three months worth of rent/mortgage payments, utilities, groceries, phone bill, cable/internet expenses, etc. This is also known as a rainy day fund.

Knowing exactly how much you need each month for expenses is the first step to building a budget because then you can literally see on paper how much you’re dishing out each month on a baseline level. You can even break it into different expense groups to make it easier:

Fixed expenses are expenses that typically cost the same month over month. For example, cable bill, rent, Spotify subscription, etc.
Variable expenses are expenses that do tend to change in cost from month to month, but you have some sort of control over them. For example: groceries, gas, eating out, entertainment, etc.
Periodic expenses are expenses that happen a couple times a year. For example: paying for this semester’s tuition, renewing your license tabs, etc.

Be honest with yourself when writing out your monthly budget. This will help when you start to see areas that you may have been underestimating and need to make changes to decrease your expenses. You might even have to make the near-impossible decision between choosing just one of your streaming subscriptions such as Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime, but if it saves you even $20 per month, that’s an extra $240 in your pocket per year. The other option is to increase your income instead of cutting your expenses which may mean picking up an extra job or side hustle.

Some quick tips to re-evaluate your spending habits:

Aim for one no-spend day per week (or month if you need time to adjust), meaning you don’t spend any money for the entire day.
Use only cash for certain budget categories such as your pumpkin spice latte fixes. Swiping your debit or credit card is easy because you don’t see the money leave your account. Physically handing the money over will make you more conscious of what you’re spending.
Allocate a set amount of cash per week for spending on specific expense categories. For example, give yourself $30 at the start of the week for eating out. Once that $30 is gone because you’ve spent it on three lunches with your coworkers, that’s it. You don’t spend any more money on eating out for the week.

Unfortunately, we can’t all be Ariana Grande and afford to buy anything we want (nor can we be one of the lucky seven who got a ring from her), but building a solid budget and re-evaluating our spending habits is a great place to start. :)

GIVE YOURSELF SOME CREDIT

The next biggest piece that goes into rocking out your finances as a 20-something, is understanding credit cards and scores.

Let me start by saying, I think the credit card industry is a complete sham that has gotten so big, there’s literally no way it will regress any time soon. You have to borrow at some point in time to generate a credit score, because believe it or not, credit scores are used for more than just determining whether your not you’re a liability for a financial institution when applying for loans. They can also be a determining factor when applying for housing such as an apartment and some employers even look at it during the hiring process.

Therefore, if you didn’t already guess, keeping your credit score healthy is vital. So, whether you just have one credit card or eight (please, do not have eight credit cards), you may be able to benefit from the info and tips below.

Only use your credit card for specific expenses. I only use my credit card for gasoline, medication and other health-related expenses such as doctor’s appointments and gym memberships. By limiting the expenses you can use your credit card for, you’re less likely to develop the habit of starting to swipe it mindlessly and can keep your balance low while building a healthy credit score. Try ask yourself before you swipe it, “Can I pay this off tomorrow?” If not, then put the card away.
Never allow your balance to exceed 30% of your total allotted limit. For example, if the limit on your credit card is $1,000, you should never allow your balance to exceed $300. This can negatively impact your credit score if your balance is more than 30% of your total limit when any of the three credit reporting bureaus report your score for the month which leads me to the next point.
There isn’t a specific day or time of the month when the credit bureaus report your score. That’s right. The three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) all report on different days every month. Meaning, one might report on the 12th one month then the 17th the next. It’s always changing and there’s no way for you to know when, so keep your balance below 30% the total limit.
Always pay more than the minimum. The minimum payment is the mean girl of your credit card experience. In the words of Regina George, “This girl is the nastiest skank bitch, I’ve ever met. DO NOT TRUST HER.” The minimum payment seems super nice by giving you the option of paying way less than your total balance, but she’s literally THE WORST. Like she’s the fakest bitch ever and will cost you way more in the long run because of all the interest that you end up owing on that balance you haven’t paid down. I’m not saying you have to literally pay the entire balance every month (though you should), but definitely pay more than the minimum.
Do not close the credit cards you’ve had open for a long time. Your credit score is calculated by five factors, one being the length of your credit history. The credit bureaus will look at the age of your oldest credit account, newest credit account, and the average age of all your credit accounts. So, what does this mean? Say you’ve had a credit card for five years. If you decide you’re going to close that credit card for whatever reason, you will lose the credit history you built up with that card which can be detrimental to your credit score.
Keep track of your credit score. You can use free services such as Credit Karma (they have an app!) to keep track of your credit score. I know, this is scary, kind of like looking at your account balance on Sunday to see how much you actually spent at the bars this weekend, but keeping an eye on your credit score can also help fraud prevention. STRANGER DANGER, amiright?
Do your research and read the fine print. The average rate of credit cards in the United States right now is around 17% APR. SEVENTEEN. What in the fresh hell is that??? Make sure you’re doing your research before applying for a credit card to find the best rate and benefits (ex: cash back, air miles, etc.) that are right for you. Also, read the fine print. Some companies will make everything seem great until you accidentally miss ONE payment and then all of a sudden your interest goes from 12% to 24%. This is real and it happens.

I think that’s all I’ve got for this section, but yeah. Tread carefully with credit accounts. :)

INVESTING. THAT’S IT. THAT’S THE SECTION.

Lets talk about investing. To be honest, this is the topic I know least about and I mostly only know about investing as it relates to retirement. So, this is going to be an extremely short/brief section. :)

Even if you’re paying off debt, still opt into your employer’s 401k program. You don’t have to contribute an excessive amount to your 401k or a Roth IRA, but you should contribute something.
Try to contribute enough for your employer match. Whether your employer automatically contributes to your 401k or not, most employers who offer a 401k also offer a matching program up to a certain percent. For example, your employer may match 1% up to 5%. So, if you contribute 5 percent (the max match) to your 401k and they match that 5%, you’re getting 10% invested in your 401k each month. That will help grow your retirement savings a lot quicker.
Always increase your contribution percentage when you’re given an increase to your salary/wages. If you received a 4% increase, then you may want to consider putting 2% of that towards your 401k or Roth IRA. Yes, it’d be nicer to see all of that increase hit your paycheck each week - especially if you’re a frugal bitch like me who also finds herself spending hella dollars on shit I don’t need at Target - but, investing some of that raise into your retirement savings will make your future self thank you.

Welp. I think that’s all I’ve got for you. Like I said at the beginning, I am in no way qualified to give anyone financial advice. So, just take all of this with a grain of salt. This was honestly less of advice and more just me feeling I needed to let the world of 20-somethings know all the things we don’t know. Ya know?

If you have any questions, I suggest sitting down with your local credit union’s financial education specialist or wealth management specialists to get some qualified advice. :)

The Dry Shampoo Review

June 30, 2019 by Haley Burrill in Beauty

Two things I have grown to be very grateful for are softened water and quality water pressure in the shower.

Growing up, my hair was always quite thick, no matter the length. My senior year of high school was when it was at its prime. It was one of the longest I’ve ever grown my hair out, and it had volume for dayzzz. (See mildly awkward photo below.)

Ah, yes. The wonderful phase I went through being obsessed with Photo Booth on my (then) new MacBook Pro.

My senior year of high school would be the last year my hair would be blessed with softened city water that left minimal, if any, mineral build up on my hair.

College hit ya girl’s mane hard. I lived in the Towers at CMU - Wheeler, if we’re being specific - and besides sharing a room the size of some people’s walk in closet with three other roommates, the water in the shower was incredibly unforgiving. For starters, it was Mount Pleasant water which is CHALKED FULL of minerals that absolutely brought the beat down on my hair - just dropping bows on it. What was once soft hair was now dry as fuck and the volume that had once inflated my hair (and clearly my ego) every day was no where to be found.

Unfortunately, even though I moved from the dorms to Copper Beech apartments for the remainder of my time at CMU, I could not escape the rock water (that’s my geology joke of the day, you’re welcome). Therefore, to combat this water from absolutely ruining my hair, I started spacing hair washes from every day to every other day.

Fast forward three years and I now live in an apartment building that was built in the 1950s. I have outlets on the walls that are only two-prong. Let me say that again, I HAVE TWO-PRONGED OUTLETS. Now, you may be asking, is that up to code? Well, I’m glad you asked because I ask the same question practically every time I see the head maintenance guy, Craig. They claim it technically is because they’ve added various three-prong outlets with the little circuit breaker buttons in the middle to a few walls of my apartment… I also have an Edison bulb circuit breaker, if you know what that is. Anyway, in addition to the building being older than my mother, my pipes have seen better days. The amount of rust that is surrounding the little openings on my shower head is too much for comfort. So, we’ve graduated from mineral-saturated, unsoftened water to rusty, unsoftened water…

To prevent this water doing a number to my hair even more than it already has, I have adopted a "twice is nice” strategy where I only wash my hair twice a week.

That’s right. Two days. Per week. Do I wash my hair.

Actually, today (Sunday) was the first day since last Tuesday that I washed my hair.

Now, I know what you’re thinking. You’re probably having the same reaction I usually get when I tell people I only wash my hair twice a week….

You shouldn’t tell people that.

Lol. Jk.

Most people ask, how? How am I able to go 3-4 days at a time without washing my hair and still prevent it from getting greasy, matted, etc.

Well, my friends, the secret to my sauce includes the following:

Strategically spacing out washing my hair to the days I know I’ll be sweating profusely
Dry shampoo

That’s it. I’ve been doing this for about 2.5 years now and personally, I think it’s working out pretty well. My hair has been responding positively to it, and it’s been a somewhat fun adventure playing with a bunch of different hair styles between washes to get volume or hide the grease.

So, for those of you who have been thinking about cutting back on your washes, but aren’t sure where to start, I’m here to help. You know your schedule better than anyone, so start by noticing the days you’re sweating more than others. For example, if you do cardio on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, then maybe you try to wash your hair those days.

As for the dry shampoo part of all of this, ya girl has gone through her fair share of dry shampoo brands. Most that I’ve used are pretty reasonably priced and available at local drugstores or grocery stores. So, before you feel like you’re going to have to test out a ton of brands to you find one you like, I’ve already done a lot of the leg work for you. You’re welcome. :)

Below, in mostly chronological order by when I used them, are all of the brands I’ve tried enough times to provide a what I would consider an honest, solid review. :)

Aussie, 7 in 1 Total Miracle Dry Shampoo

This was one of the very first dry shampoos I ever used. Now, I do want to note that the dust around the top of the can is not from the dry shampoo. It’s literally just dust lol. I haven’t used this can in a while but I keep it around in case I’m in a pinch and unfortunately, when they re-coated my shower with this white sealant stuff last summer, it sprayed a thin dusting all over everything in my bathroom. So ignore the dust. I also will say it’s been probably about a year or so since I’ve used this, so I’m using what I have from my memory on the review below.

PRICE: Around $5-6 depending on where you buy it.

PROS:

Smells good - it has a sweeter scent that isn’t overpowering, but also will cover the smell of “dirty head” (if you know, you know.) I feel like the scent wouldn’t be everybody’s cup of tea, but I like it.
Affordable
Available at most stores like Walgreens and Meijer
Doesn’t leave white residue in your hair as long as you work it through really well

CONS:

Although it doesn’t leave a ton of white residue, it does cause my hair to become piece-y or chunky after more than one use, which is one of the reasons why I started trying out other brands. My hair didn’t necessarily look greasy, but because my hair would just stick in clumps, it made it easier to tell my hair needed to be washed.
Can feel gritty in your hair
Can weigh down your hair if you have fine hair
Doesn’t do a super awesome job of absorbing the grease day after day. I definitely have to reapply a decent amount the next day to achieve the look I’m going for which also kind of causes my hair to look not fresh and heavy.
Probably not a con for some of you, but I’m in marketing and packaging weighs in on what I buy. This packaging is pretty basic, but to be fair I think they’ve changed it since the last time I purchased it. Just wanted to note lol.

Not Your Mother’s Dry Shampoo

This is one of my favorite drugstore dry shampoos. I’ve gone through a few cans of the one above which is their texturizing formula. I also recently tried their newer “body building” formula in a purple can that’s scented orange mango and liked that one as well. This is probably be one of my top go-to affordable brand recommendations for anyone looking for a new dry shampoo, but just depends on what you like.

PRICE: Around $5-7 depending on where you buy.

PROS:

Smells really great and masks the scent of dirty head lol - minus their original scent. It just has a chemical smell to it that isn’t my favorite.
Affordable
Absorbs grease pretty darn well
High quality product for lower price
Doesn’t sit heavily in your hair even after a few days of use
Isn’t hard to work through your hair
Restores volume if you need it
I like the design on this packaging because it’s clean but still fun

CONS:

Can be gritty after a few days of using it
I have to be careful to not run my fingers through my hair when this is in it because it has a tendency to get on my hands and then it’s inevitable that I touch my black dress pants afterwards which leaves white finger prints all over the place — cool cool.
It’s not uncommon for my hair to look greasy the next day even though this is still in my hair. So, I end up just spraying a shit ton more in there because now it has to power through the day before’s layer of dry shampoo too.
I know I use a lot of dry shampoo every week, but I feel like these bottles run out really quickly. I’m not sure if it’s due to the point above of where I feel like I have to respray a ton in my hair on the second/third day to counteract the spots that didn’t hold up from the previous day or if I am just using too much lol.

Batiste Dry Shampoo - Tropical

Before I tried Batiste dry shampoo, I had heard mixed reviews on it. Some people love it and some people hate it. I actually just watched a YouTube video and the girl said she loves adding a smidge of this dry shampoo to her hair to give it volume. So, to each his or her or whatever pronoun you identify with own. I also have always associated Batiste with women from a more seasoned generation because one of my aunts used to (or still does) use their cans of perfume/body spray regularly. I just never considered trying any of their products because of that which is why Batiste has never been a brand at the top of my radar.

PRICE: $7-8 depending on where you buy it.

PROS:

Smells great and they have quite the variety of scents
The packaging is super cute
Disperses a lot of product in one little spritz, so you don’t use a lot each time.
Affordable
Will add volume if you need it
Will keep the grease from your hair at bay pretty well for at least the first two days

CONS:

You better WERK! *Cue either Ru Paul or Lizzie McGuire Movie — Seriously though, you really have to work this through your hair with your hands, a brush, etc. just to get the white to go away. Even after I’ve worked it in enough for it to be acceptable, I sometimes feel like it’s definitely noticeable that there’s a white cast to my roots. Not enough that I think other people notice it, but I do.
- Note: Batiste does have dry shampoo options made for specific hair colors. I believe they have one for blondes, brunettes and people with very dark brown almost black and/or black hair. I haven’t tried those yet, so those might eliminate the white reside factor, but considering this wasn’t my favorite dry shampoo ever, I’m not sure I will try it. Therefore, if you’ve given any of those a shot, please let me know how they treated you!
GRITTY AF. This makes your hair feel so gritty. You can’t tell looking at it, but once you put your fingers in there, it’s like running your fingers through sand. I’m not a huge fan of that, so if you don’t like that feeling either then I do not recommend trying Batiste.
This leaves white residue on my hands no matter what. Even if I’m just lightly moving my hair back from my face, I need to be careful not to get white finger prints everywhere. So, I guess if you don’t touch your hair hardly at all during the day, then you don't have to worry about it.
This dry shampoo will start to build up after a few days of using it. My hair starts to look heavy and dry - which, I know dry hair is the point, but I feel like it starts looking dry and dull vs. silky/light.
It masks your grease and any smell, but doesn’t necessarily make your hair feel any cleaner.

Dove Refresh + Care Dry Shampoo

I bought this little guy from the travel-size section of Target for my trip to Colorado. When it comes to Dove, I love their body wash, deodorant, I use their bar soap to clean the makeup out of my beauty blenders, etc., but I don’t usually reach for this brand when it comes to haircare. In this case, I figured a vacation would be a great time to try it because the only other travel-size dry shampoo option was Not Your Mother’s and I already knew my feelings on that.

PRICE: $5-7 depending on where you buy and I believe there’s different sizes available(?). Target’s website says $4.89 for the 5 oz can.

PROS:

I love love love the smell of this dry shampoo. It smells clean, but not powdery by any means. Definitely similar scent to some of their other products, but it lived up to its name and refreshed my hair for sure.
Did not leave a white residue in my hair by any means and I don’t recall it getting any white residue on my hands during the day
Sat lightly in my hair
Minimal to no grit feeling
Added volume if you need it
Made my hair look/feel cleaner
Packaging: it’s pretty Dove-basic, but that’s also why I like Dove because it says what it is and that’s that.

CONS:

I know I only used the travel size, but I felt like this formula was a little thinner, so I had to spray quite a bit to cover the areas that needed covering.
Doesn’t necessarily hold up between days. My hair didn’t look dirty by any means the next day, nor did it feel heavy with product, but I just had to spray a lot again the second/third days to get it back to where I wanted it to be.
It’s definitely a pro that there’s no white residue, but it’s also a mild con because I never knew how much I had sprayed in my hair because it isn’t super visible. I know I’m being picky on this one, but it’s just something I noticed.
Provided nice volume, but didn’t always sustain the volume for as long as I’d hoped.

Living Proof - Perfect Hair Days Dry Shampoo

Living Proof - Perfect hair Day (PhD) Dry Shampoo

Now, this brand isn’t necessarily drugstore. I know you can buy it at Ulta, but I don’t think you will find it at Meijer. Maybe Walgreens? I’m not completely sure tbh, but, in the words of Queen Lizzo, this is dry shampoo is 100% THAT bitch. I had heard of Living Proof a handful of times before I actually caved and bought this. My girl, Hanna Q, is a regular user of LP products and recommended it to me before. I also listen to a podcast called Girls Gotta Eat (highly recommend) and Living Proof is one of their sponsors which means if I used the GGE promo code, I got a discount lol. And, y’all know ya girl loves a good discount. So, I bought this about 2 weeks ago and am obsessed.

PRICE: $20-25, depending on where you buy it. Ulta’s website has it at $24, Amazon has it for $20. Do your research and compare prices is the conclusion here. Totally worth the price though.

PROS:

For starters, the products of Living Proof are created by MIT scientists, so you know this shit is legit lol. Plus it’s silicone, paraben, sulfate and cruelty free. So, there ya go.
The scent is awesome. To me, it’s a mixture of clean, sweet and a touch of floral, but none of the scent notes overpower the other. It’s truly a balanced aroma.
This dry shampoo eliminates sweat, oil and odor. So, I feel like my hair is actually getting cleaned when I’m using it.
Sustains the clean to the next day, so that I just have to do a couple of touch-up spritzes vs. apply a whole new layer onto what was already in my hair from yesterday.
Easy to work into your hair.
Provides volume and doesn’t weigh your hair down
Minimal to no gritty feeling

CONS:

It is a little pricier than your typical drugstore dry shampoo, however, as I said above, it’s totally worth it.
Although it’s super easy to work into my hair and doesn’t leave a white cast on my roots, if I run my hand through my hair at all, I will have white on my fingers. So, if you don’t play with your hair much or don’t mind that, then it’s not a big deal. I’ve just had a few experiences of white hand prints left on my dress pants at work… self inflicted but still annoying.

Welp, there ya have it! Hopefully this helped any of you who are transitioning to minimal washing per week.

If you have any questions about any of the brands above, let me know! Or, if there’s a brand you’ve been wanting to try, but aren’t sure, let me know and I’d be happy to try it out for you.