July 2022 Reads

July 31, 2022 by Haley Burrill in Books

The Dog Days of Summer really came in hot this year, huh?

Despite enduring multiple 90+ degree days in a row, July was a pretty good month!

On the non-bookish side of things, I feel like a lot happened in the last 31 days - some expected, some unexpected - but most of it was exciting nonetheless.

On the bookish side of things, my reading was everywhere lol. I will say, a few of the books I read this month have some sort of TV or movie adaptation that were released recently (i.e. Along for the Ride, The Summer I Turned Pretty, Heartstopper, and Bird Box). So, if you’re the type who likes to read a book before watching the on-screen adaptation, this blog post might be helpful for vetting out what to watch!

All righty. I think that’s it for now. Let’s get into everything I read in July!

*All summaries taken or paraphrased from Goodreads. Wuthering Heights summary taken from IMDB.

THE WIFE UPSTAIRS by Rachel Hawkins

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: Meet Jane. Newly arrived to Birmingham, Alabama, Jane is a broke dog-walker in Thornfield Estates - a gated community full of McMansions, shiny SUVs, and bored housewives. The kind of place where no one will notice if Jane lifts the discarded tchotchkes and jewelry off the side tables of her well-heeled clients. Where no one will think to ask if Jane is her real name. But her luck changes when she meets Eddie Rochester. Recently widowed, Eddie is Thornfield Estates’ most mysterious resident. His wife, Bea, drowned in a boating accident with her best friend, their bodies lost to the deep. Jane can’t help but see an opportunity in Eddie - not only is he rich, brooding, and handsome, he could also offer her the kind of protection she’s always yearned for. Yet as Jane and Eddie fall for each other, Jane is increasingly haunted by the legend of Bea, an ambitious beauty with a rags-to-riches origin story, who launched a wildly successful southern lifestyle brand. How can she, plain Jane, ever measure up? And can she win Eddie’s heart before her past - or his - catches up to her?

My thoughts: This is the first time I listened to a mystery/thriller on audiobook and I’m pleased to report it did not disappoint. I think hearing it read almost made me less nervy about anything twisty that was on the horizon because the narrator did such an awesome job with all of the character voices. This storyline had me hooked from the beginning because it’s clear we’re dealing with some morally gray characters, and I wasn’t sure who to trust - especially when we find out later that there has been an unreliable narrator of sorts. The main character, Jane, is running from something that happened in her past life in Arizona. She’s a likable character overall and I respected how clever, quick, and observant she was. She picked up these survival tactics along the way and had a habit of falling back on them - even when she felt completely safe. Eddie’s character was the biggest question mark for me. I wasn’t sure how to feel about him based on what we learn from side characters and was not easily convinced by his good behaviors. I don’t want to spoil anything, so I’ll just say the plot twist slapped me in the face and I liked that the author left me questioning what actually happened after everything was said and done. There were a couple of meh things for me like what we learn Jane did and is running from (it’s kind of anti-climactic and never goes anywhere?), the pace hits a lull towards the middle of the book which felt drawn out, and there’s an interaction between two characters towards the end I wish we had been able to witness. Overall, this was an entertaining and twisty mystery/thriller and I recommend the audiobook!

THE SUMMER I TURNED PRETTY by Jenny Han

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Belly measures her life in summers. Everything good, everything magical happens between the months of June and August. Winters are simply a time to count the weeks until the next summer, a place away from the beach house, away from Susannah, and most importantly, away from Jeremiah and Conrad. They are the boys that Belly has known since her very first summer - they have been her brother figures, her crushes, and everything in between. But one summer, one terrible and wonderful summer, the more everything changes, the more it all ends up just the way it should have been all along.

My Thoughts: In most cases, YA stands for “young adult” genre. In this case, it should stand for “Y Am I so obsessed with coming of age romance stories?” I could not put this book down. The setting alone made this a perfect summer read and the plotline had me a little nostalgic in terms of its relatability. One of my favorite things about the format of this book is the short chapters. The timeline bounces between the present day, when Belly is 15, about to turn 16, and the few summers leading up to the present. So, the short chapters made it so easy to follow along and make the essential connections between the anecdotes of summers’ past. Belly was a likable main character for sure. She was a little intense whenever her friends and/or family were picking on her for fun, but what teenage girl isn’t hypersensitive when she’s being relentlessly roasted? I sure was lol. I liked that Jeremiah and Conrad had distinctly different personalities, but still had enough in common that you felt the brotherly relationship between them. It made seeing what each guy brought to the table for this love triangle and why either brother would be an appealing option for Belly to date. There are some really emotional subplots throughout this book including divorce, cheating, and cancer. So if you find any of those topics to be triggering, I’d proceed with caution. Otherwise, this was an insanely sweet, summery, and swoon-worthy YA romance. :)

THE ALICE NETWORK by Kate Quinn

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: 1947. In the chaotic aftermath of World War II, American college girl Charlie St. Clair is pregnant, unmarried, and on the verge of being thrown out of her proper family. She’s also nursing a desperate hope that her beloved cousin Rose, who disappeared in Nazi-occupied France during the war, might still be alive. So when Charlie’s parents banish her to Europe to have her “little problem” taken care of, Charlie breaks free and heads to London, determined to find out what happened to the cousin she loves like a sister. 1915. A year into the Great War, Eve Gardiner burns to join the fight against the Germans and unexpectedly gets her chance when she’s recruited to work as a spy. Sent into enemy-occupied France, she’s trained by the mesmerizing Lili, code name Alice, the “queen of spies”, who manages a vast network of secret agents right under the enemy’s nose. Thirty years later, haunted by the betrayal that ultimately tore apart the Alice Network, Eve spends her days drunk and secluded in her crumbling London house. Until a young American barges in uttering a name Eve hasn’t heard in decades, and launches them both on a mission to find the truth… no matter where it leads.

My Thoughts: Ugh. Ya girl loves a good historical fiction novel and Kate Quinn DELIVERED. I listened to this on audiobook and had an absolutely delightful time. This story bounces between two timelines - one where Charlie St. Clair is the narrator/focus as she searches for her lost cousin with the help of a hot Scot, Finn, and disgruntled drunkard, Eve. The other gives us a glimpse into who Eve Gardiner was when she was working as a spy in the first World War. Though each woman came from very different backgrounds, they both knew what it was like to defy the odds in the face of constant adversity. I loved their resilience and that neither one’s storyline panned out the way you hoped or expected, and yet they still came out stronger on the other side. The vivid visual descriptions made everything come to life, including the destructive aftermath of various cities following the war, the intricacies of the cafe where Eve worked as a spy, the nostalgic childhood memories Charlie had with her cousin, etc. There is one interrogation scene that had such detailed descriptions, my skin was crawling the entire time. Like that is the type of shit that intrusive thoughts are made of - yeesh. This book is a little bit longer than what I’m used to for audiobooks, but the pace made everything flow so well and really brought all of the storylines together. If you’re looking for an addicting historical fiction novel, I definitely recommend giving this audiobook a try!

TWISTED LIES by Ana Huang

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Charming, deadly, and smart enough to hide it, Christian Harper is a monster dressed in the perfectly tailored suits of a gentleman. He has little use for morals and even less use for love, but he can’t deny the strange pull he feels towards the woman living just one floor below him. She’s the object of his darkest desires, the only puzzle he can’t solve. And when the opportunity to get closer to her arises, he breaks his own rules to offer her a deal she can’t refuse. Every monster has their weakness. She’s his. His obsession. His addiction. His only exception. | Sweet, shy, and introverted despite her social media fame, Stella Alonso is a romantic who keeps her heart in a cage. Between her two jobs, she has little time or desire for a relationship. But when a threat from her past drives her into the arms - and the house - of the most dangerous man she’s ever met, she’s tempted to let herself feel something for the first time in a long time. Because despite Christian’s cold nature, he makes her feel everything when she’s with him. Passionate. Protected. Truly wanted. Theirs is a love twisted with secrets and tainted by lies… and when the truths are finally revealed, they could shatter everything.

My Thoughts: WOW. Ana Huang really said, “this is the last book in the Twisted series, and I need to make it an absolute BANGER.” I was obsessed with Stella and Christian’s story. I think of all four girls from this series, Stella was the most relatable and down to earth. She has some insecurities that stem from the rhetoric she grew up hearing, but still follows her own path despite the expectations of her family. Her character arc was just so satisfying. Christian is your quintessential beautiful, dangerous, badass business boi with friends in high places. He’s incredibly protective and possessive of Stella, but in the most stomach flutters way. It’s one of those “she’s the one and the only one, and I’ll kill anyone who touches” type of scenarios that we swoon for lol. Also, the slow burn of their relationship was unreal. Like the anticipation and sexual tension was palpable and, personally, I was here for it lol. The plot was so solid and I was as invested in the unfolding of the storyline as I was in the developing romance between Stella and Christian. The entire Twisted series is phenomenal, but this final installment is just *satisfied sigh* and you MUST dabble in it.

HEARTSTOPPER: Volume 2 by Alice Oseman

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Nick and Charlie are best friends. Nick knows Charlie’s gay, and Charlie is sure that Nick isn’t. But love works in surprising ways, and Nick is discovering all kinds of things about his friends, his family… and himself.

My Thoughts: Okay so I am officially obsessed with this graphic novel series, and cannot believe I didn’t pick these up sooner! This book felt like such a breakthrough for Nick and Charlie as individuals, and as a couple. I loved that Nick provides such an unexpected amount of warmth and comfort in Charlie’s life, and that Charlie’s friends got to see that in-person when their initial impression of Nick was that he’s just a dumb jock. It’s also endearing that Charlie is giving Nick patience and space to come out to everyone when he’s ready although they’re officially dating. Needless to say, I’ll be picking up Volume Three as soon as my library request comes through. :’)

LORD OF SHADOWS by Cassandra Clare

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Would you trade your soul mate for your soul? A Shadowhunter’s life is bound by duty. Constrained by honor. The word of Shadowhunter is a solemn pledge, and no vow is more sacred than the vow that binds parabatai, warrior partners - sworn to fight together, die together, but never to fall in love. Emma Carstairs has learned that the love she shares with her parabatai, Julian Blackthorn, isn’t just forbidden - it could destroy them both. She knows she should run from Julian. But how can she when the Blackthorns are threatened by enemies on all sides? Their only hope is the Black Volume of the Dead, a spell book of terrible power. Everyone wants it. Only the Blackthorns can find it. Spurred on by a dark bargain with the Seelie Queen, Emma; her best friend Cristina; and Mark and Julian Blackthorn journey into the Courts of Faerie, where glittering revels hide bloody danger and no promise can be trusted. Meanwhile, rising tension between Shadowhunters and Downworlders has produced the Cohort, an extremist group of Shadowhunters dedicated to registering Downworlders and “unsuitable” Nephilim. They’ll do anything in their power to expose Julian’s secrets and take the Los Angeles Institute for their own. When Downworlders turn against the Clave, a new threat rises in the form of the Lord of Shadows - the Unseelie King, who sends his greatest warriors to slaughter those with Blackthorn blood and seize the Black Volume. As dangers close in, Julian devises a risky scheme that depends on the cooperation of an unpredictable enemy. But success may come with a price he and Emma cannot even imagine, one that will bring with it a reckoning of blood that could have repercussions for everyone and everything they hold dear.

My Thoughts: WOW. I have no words and at the same time SO MANY THOUGHTS. “Raise your hand if you’ve ever been personally victimized by Cassandra Clare.” *Both hands to the sky.* Y’all. This book was a journey, and the last ~15 pages didn’t have to do me that dirty. Like wtf. I don’t think I’ve ever been emotionally body slammed this hard by a book before. So many things to get out here - where do I begin? I guess for starters, I loved that Livvy and Ty got their well-deserved amount of page time. The Blackthorn twins have been just that in this series thus far - like that was their whole personality - so I appreciated that we finally got to know each of them on a deeper level. Plus, I was LIVING for the threesome that was the twins and newcomer, Kit Herondale. We all love a charming Herondale boy and Kit was no exception. Julian and Emma are still out here making me swoon and I loved the direction that their parabatai storyline is headed. The TENSION, my friends. Also, Cristina, Mark, and Kieran were unexpected, but also such a vibe. I wasn’t sure about it at first, but their dynamics just felt right, yanno? There are a few storylines happening all at once in this book, but they kind of overlap each other - per usual of C. Clare’s writing - so, I liked that each “group” of characters helped the plot points flow without getting messy. We also got to see characters from other Shadowhunter series reappear with a helping hand in this mess (i.e. Magnus Bane, Alec Lightwood, etc.). This book definitely took a turn I was NOT expecting and the last bit of it absolutely wrecked me. So like, idk what you want me to say lol. Lord of Shadows will be living rent free in my brain for a while and I just need someone to talk to about it. :’)

FAHRENHEIT 451 by Ray Bradbury

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Guy Montag is a fireman. His job is to destroy the most illegal of commodities, the printed book, along with the houses in which they are hidden. Montag never questions the destruction and ruin his actions produce, returning each day to his bland life and wife, Mildred, who spends all day with her television “family.” But when he meets an eccentric young neighbor, Clarisse, who introduces him to a past where people didn’t live in fear and to a present where one sees the world through the ideas in books instead of the mindless chatter of television, Montag begins to question everything he has ever known.

My Thoughts: The most important thing going into this book is to remember it was originally published in 1953, and set in a dystopian future. So the way technology is described and advancing in this book was a prediction of what it might look like from that point in time. I listened to the audiobook and was super glad I did because the writing has an extremely unique cadence to it. I think if I had been reading a physical copy, the writing would’ve gotten away from me a little bit, but the narrator did an excellent job with keeping everything in order - if that makes sense? The message of this book is undeniable and extremely relevant in terms of people falling victim to whatever they’re being told vs. doing the work to educate themselves so that they can form their own thoughts on various topics. It’s a pretty quick read, and I definitely think this book is worth picking up if you’ve never read it before.

THE STOPOVER by T.L. Swan

Rating: DNF (did not finish) @ 52%

Summary: I was upgraded to first class on a flight from London to New York. The food, champagne, and service were impeccable. The blue-eyed man sitting next to me, even better. He was suave and intelligent. We talked and laughed, and something clicked. Fate took over and the plane was grounded, and we had an unexpected stopover for the night. With no plans, we made our own. We danced and laughed our way around Boston and had a night of crazy passion that no woman would ever forget. That was twelve months ago, and I haven’t heard from him - until today. I started a new job and met the CEO. You can imagine my surprise to see those blue eyes dance with delight when he saw me across the mahogany desk. But I’m not a carefree girl anymore. My life has changed, I have responsibilities.

My Thoughts: This book was recommended to me by my Kindle and because it’s rated pretty well on Goodreads (4.12 with 68,994 ratings), I decided to give it a go. *Side eye* This book was trash lol. Hence the DNF. Don’t get me wrong, the smut was great. The characters were not. They’re supposed to be in their 20s and 30s, and they acted like teenagers. There was no depth where there should be and the character development was basically nonexistent. Halfway through the book and these MCs were still so un-evolved?? On top of that, they basically kept fighting with one another over something petty, giving the silent treatment, and then making up in a lust-driven frenzy. Rinse and repeat with all the red flags. It just felt so repetitive, toxic, and frankly, not worth my time to continue on. There was plenty of eye rolling on my part lol. The plot was all right. There’s a mystery element to it that kept things interesting, but not enough that I’d willingly put myself through the second half of this book. Maybe I’ll try reading it again eventually, but I just cannot be bothered for now.

THE FOUR WINDS by Kristin Hannah

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Texas, 1934. Millions are out of work and a drought has broken the Great Plains. Farmers are fighting to keep their land and their livelihoods as the crops are failing, the water is drying up, and dust threatens to bury them all. One of the darkest periods of the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl era, has arrived with a vengeance. In this uncertain and dangerous time, Elisa Martinelli - like so many of her neighbors - must make an agonizing choice: fight for the land she loves or go west, to California, in search of a better life. The Four Winds is an indelible portrait of America and the American Dream, as seen through the eyes of one indomitable woman whose courage and sacrifice will come to define a generation.

My Thoughts: Holy hell. I completely understand why people are obsessed with Kristin Hannah now. This audiobook was unreal. I think that’s partly because Julia Wehlan is the narrator and she does an absolutely phenomenal job, but the writing alone was *chef’s kiss.* I loved that Elsa starts out as this unconfident, seemingly weak main character. Her family refuses to accept her as someone with a promising future and treats her like she’s a disappointment. As the book progresses though, it’s clear how much of a fighter she is and what she’s capable of. Her journey was one of pure courage and I cannot emphasize how much I admired her as she traveled across the country with her children, endured the adversities they encountered left and right, and ultimately fought for what she believed in. Loretta, her daughter, was a love/hate character for me. She was an absolute ball of fire fueled by anger, and though I definitely understand that she had to grow up fast and the reasoning behind her behaviors, I wished she would’ve given Elsa a little more credit. All of the other side characters (i.e. Ant, Elsa’s in-laws, Rafe, the family friends in California, etc.) were so dynamic and truly brought this story to life. The sensory descriptors of their environments in dusty Texas, the tent camps in California, picking cotton, and more were extremely vivid and pulled me right into the characters’ perspectives. I just loved this book so much and definitely recommend it!

ALONG FOR THE RIDE by Sarah Dessen

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: It’s been so long since Auden slept at night. Ever since her parents’ divorce - or since the fighting started. Now she has the chance to spend a carefree summer with her dad and his new family in the charming beach town where they live. A job in a clothes boutique introduces Auden to the world of girls: their talk, their friendship, their crushes. She missed out on all that, too busy being the perfect daughter to her demanding mother. Then she meets Eli, an intriguing loner and a fellow insomniac who becomes her guide to the nocturnal world of the town. Together they embark on parallel quests: for Auden, to experience the carefree teenage life she’s been denied; for Eli, to come to terms with the guilt he feels for the death of a friend.

My Thoughts: Well good golly gosh. Now I understand why so many women my age were obsessed with Sarah Dessen books when we were in high school. This was an addicting little beach town coming of age romance. I loved that it touched on some deeper messages that commonly affect teenagers too such as dealing with parental divorce, accepting the new family dynamics, fearing you’re making too many mistakes, and knowing that sometimes people need second (and third) chances. Auden was such a great main character for this book. I actually identified with her a lot - fear of failure, can’t really ride a bike (lol), and an introvert. She kept to herself in Colby at first, but wasn’t stubborn about letting her walls down to people when the timing was right. I appreciated her maturity in stepping up to help her stepmom with her newborn sister when her avoidant father was showing repeated behavioral patterns towards parenting. Eli was also a really great main character, and it was so refreshing that the riff he and Auden experienced in their friendship/relationship was not blown out of angsty proportions. I was expecting more friction to happen once Auden was trying to make amends with him, but I was pleasantly surprised that they proved me wrong. All of the side characters really made this summertime story come to life and loved that the author incorporated a message about not judging someone before you get to know them. This was honestly a super cute book and I definitely recommend it if you're looking for an easy read. For anyone wondering, the Netflix adaptation was decently cringey lol and I think I liked the book a bit more.

IT’S NOT SUMMER WITHOUT YOU by Jenny Han

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Can summer be truly summer without Cousins Beach? It used to be that Belly counted the days until summer, until she was back at Cousins Beach with Conrad and Jeremiah. But not after this year. Not after Susannah got sick again and Conrad stopped caring. Everything that was right and good has fallen apart, leaving Belly wishing summer would never come. But when Jeremiah calls saying Conrad has disappeared, Belly knows what she must do to make things right again. And it can only happen back at the beach house, the three of them together, the way things used to be. If this summer really and truly is the last summer, it should end the way it started - at Cousins Beach.

My Thoughts: Okay, okay, okay. So I appreciated that this storyline did not pan out as I was anticipating it to. At first, I was frustrated and incredibly annoyed with Conrad because he was being incredibly stubborn and hard to communicate with. I completely understand that he is still grieving in this book, but it was a small letdown that we weren’t seeing much character development from him. That is until later when the reason behind his motives for disappearing to the beach house in Cousins come to light and I completely forgive him for being so secretive. It was nice that the timeline bounced back and forth between what happened after last summer ended and now because we got to see how Belly and Conrad’s dynamic changed and got a better understanding of what fell apart. We also got some chapters from Jeremiah’s perspective in this book which was a nice change of pace because the previous book was from Belly’s POV only. Taylor still annoys the living shit out of me and I don’t understand why she’s Belly’s BFF. The format of this book was short chapters again which made the whole experience a pretty quick read. If you read The Summer I Turned Pretty and are debating on reading the whole series, I’d recommend continuing onto this second book at least. It was worth the time and I don’t regret it at all.

BELOW ZERO by Ali Hazelwood

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Hannah’s got a bad feeling about this. Not only has the NASA aerospace engineer found herself injured and stranded at a remote Arctic research station - but the one person willing to undertake the hazardous rescue mission is her longtime rival. Ian has been many things to Hannah: the villain who tried to veto her expedition and ruin her career, the man who stars in her most deliciously lurid dreams… but he’s never played the hero. So why is he risking everything to be here? And why does his presence seem just as dangerous to her heart as the coming snowstorm?

My Thoughts: Yesss. The STEMinist novella series continues! If there’s one thing I love, it’s a gentle redheaded giant as the love interest and Ian was giving us just that. Not only was he a beaut, but he was intelligent, a gentleman, and didn’t even know how attractive Hannah thought he was! Speaking of our heroine, Hannah was giving us that scrappy, bad ass energy we all know and love. The amount of drive and passion this girl has about space was truly impressive. It was even better that she and Ian nerded out so hard about the same scientific ventures. Similar to the previous books in this series, the timeline bopped between the present where Hannah is trapped in a glacial crevasse and the past encounters she’s had with Ian over the last 5-6 years. The character development was pristine, the plot had just enough adventure to keep me on my toes, and y’all, the tension between these two scientists was THICK. If you read Mara and Sadie’s short stories, you definitely need to continue on with Hannah’s!

WE’LL ALWAYS HAVE SUMMER by Jenny Han

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: It’s been two years since Conrad told Belly to go with Jeremiah. She and Jeremiah have been inseparable ever since, even attending the same college - only, their relationship hasn’t exactly been the happily ever after Belly hoped it would be. And when Jeremiah makes the worst mistake a boy can make, Belly is forced to question what she thought was true love. Does she really have a future with Jeremiah? Has she ever gotten over Conrad? It’s time for Belly to decide, once and for all, who has her heart forever.

My Thoughts: Y’all. I have never been so irritated with some characters for legitimately 85% of the book only for the author to end up giving me what I wanted the entire time lol. This book takes place 2 years after It’s Not Summer Without You. So, Belly is finishing up her freshman year of college which puts her at 18 years old. Would I say I was expecting some more maturity from her in terms of the unseen character development? Yes. Absolutely. Did I feel like she was giving me the amount of maturity I desired? No. She’s definitely more mature than the previous two books, but I think she’s in such denial about the current situation that it makes her come off as impulsive and immature. Jeremiah is literally the worst lol. He’s turned into an un-self aware frat bro and I could not be more annoyed. I guess I should keep in mind that he’s like 20 in this book which means he is nowhere near his formative years, but nonetheless, he needed to be taken down a PEG. My sweet boy Conrad is the real MVP of maturity in this book. He’s communicative, selfless, and I just love what Jenny Han did with his character. Truly a personality glow-up. Do I recommend reading this book? If you’ve made it this far in the series then 1000% yes. Will you love every second of it? Absolutely not lol. BUT it’s definitely worth enduring for the ending.

WUTHERING HEIGHTS by Emily Bronte

Rating: 3/5 stars

Summary: A man becomes obsessed with vengeance when his soul mate marries another man. Heathcliff is Cathy Earnshaw’s foster brother; more than that, he is her other half. When forces within and without tear them apart, Heathcliff wreaks vengeance on those he holds responsible, even into a second generation. (summary taken from IMDB).

My Thoughts: All right, y’all. Here we go. For starters, this is not a romance. If it is, it’s a romantic tragedy and there’s no other way to paint that. I know I would not have finished this book if I wasn’t listening to it on audiobook. There’s just no way it would’ve held my attention in the physical book form. There were times I was confused while listening to it, so I can only imagine how much I wouldn’t have comprehended visually reading it lol. This is the quintessential book of unlikeable characters. I literally was not fond of one single character. MAYBE Nelly Dean, but she also had her moments where I found her intolerable. If you’re down for the unlikeable/morally gray character trope, then by all means have at it. The main reason I gave this book three stars is because I can understand and appreciate why it’s considered a classic. If you have me analyze it at surface level, I would say Catherine is a narcissist who was upset she couldn’t control both men in her life. At a deeper level, I get that Heathcliff represented a life of wildness and freedom, and Edgar Linton represented a life of stability and status - which is why she went “into hysterics”: she couldn’t have her cake and eat it too. I totally missed that she was pregnant tho, so spoiler alert if you haven’t read it yet lol. Would I recommend this book? Not really. I’d say try Pride and Prejudice if you’re looking to dip your toe into the classics genre.

BIRD BOX by Josh Malerman

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Something is out there, something terrifying that must not be seen. One glimpse of it, and a person is driven to deadly violence. No one knows what it is or where it came from. Five years after it began, a handful of scattered survivors remains, including Malorie and her two young children. Living in an abandoned house near the river, she has dreamed of fleeing to a place where they might be safe. Now that the boy and girl are four, it’s time to go, but the journey ahead will be terrifying: twenty miles downriver in a rowboat - blindfolded - with nothing to rely on but her wits and the children’s trained ears. One wrong choice and they will die. Something is following them all the while, but is it man, animal, or monster?

My Thoughts: I know that I’m late to this 2020 craze, but I am so glad I decided to read the book before watching the Netflix adaptation! This psychological thriller had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. The way the writing sucked me into Malorie’s story and truly put me into her shoes had my skin crawling. I think anyone who isn’t visually impaired relies heavily on sight as one of our primary senses every day, and I cannot imagine having that taken away in order to survive. The dual timelines between the present as Malorie rows down the river with her two kids, and the past which shows the 9 months leading up to the night her kids were born was riveting. I couldn’t even guess what had happened in the refugee house where she found safety with a ragtag gang of strangers that brought her to being alone for 4 years. Her resilience and courage are truly unmatched and the way she trained her kids to hone in on hearing more than seeing was incredible. This book really touches on why what we can’t see tends to be more terrifying than what we can. It’s a super quick read - less than 300 pages - and I definitely recommend picking it up if you’re looking for something a little creepy and thrilling.

LOVELIGHT FARMS by B.K. Borison

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: A pasture of dead trees. A hostile takeover of the Santa barn by a family of raccoons. And shipments that have mysteriously gone missing. Lovelight Farms is not the magical winter wonderland of Stella Bloom’s dreams. In an effort to save the Christmas tree farm she’s loved since she was a kid, she enters a contest with instafamous influencer Evelyn St. James. With the added publicity and $100,000 cash prize, she might just be able to save the farm from its financial woes. There’s just one problem. To make the farm seem like a romantic destination for the holidays, she lied on the application and said she owns Lovelight Farms with her boyfriend. Only… there is no boyfriend. Enter best friend Luka Peters. He just came home for some hot chocolate, and somehow got a farm and a serious girlfriend in the process.

My Thoughts: Yanno what? This was the perfect “Christmas in July” type of romance I was hoping for and am glad I picked up. It was a friends-to-lovers storyline and I just thoroughly enjoyed my time with it. Stella is such a down-to-earth main character and I loved that although she had a whimsical spirit about her, it didn’t come off as immature. Her personality struck the perfect balance between dreamer, strategic business woman, imperfect 30-something, and genuinely caring person. Similarly with Luka, he was just so freaking thoughtful all the time, but it felt natural - not forced. Which made it easy for me to fall fast and hard for this book boyfriend lol. The two together were GOALS. Not only as a couple but as best friends too. The way they knew each other on such a deep level and knew the perfect way to support the other in times of need had my heart melting. Not to mention, their strong emotional connection translated through to the sexual tension and spicier scenes sprinkled throughout this book too. The side characters - such as Beckett and Layla - made this story so much more fun and really brought Lovelight Farms to life. I wasn’t expecting a mystery subplot and although it’s pretty clear who the culprit is early on, it was still a creative way to add another dynamic to this Christmas-themed rom-com. The small thing that irked me is that one character doesn’t have their epiphany until the book is almost over and although it doesn’t last long, I wasn’t expecting them to be so un-self aware after everything that happened in this book. That said, I was glad everything was handled so maturely between the two characters because it truly reflected all of their growth. I honestly think this is a great read for people who go absolutely bonkers for Christmas and those who don’t mind a little touch of Christmas in a romance story. :)

That’s all I’ve got for July!

I don’t have any plans on the types of books I’m going to read in August. We’re truly just going to be reading on vibes only lol.

2022 Book Count: 133

Add me on Goodreads if you haven’t already.

YOUR TURN! What has been your favorite summer read thus far?

March 2022 Reads

April 01, 2022 by Haley Burrill in Books

Okay, y’all. Remember last month when I said I was going to try to rotate a wider variety of genres into my reading list for March?

Well, lol. That is the last time I’ll be making any promises.

Ya girl went through a really weird reading funk this month, and the only thing that sounded enticing to me when I wasn’t feeling any genre was a raunchy romance novel. That said, I did manage to squeeze in a few non-fiction books and a couple of mystery/thrillers.

So, I didn’t totally miss the mark. I just went hard in the paint and doubled down on the romance books lol.

Welp, let’s get to it! Buckle up for this very lengthy March reading wrap-up!

*All summaries are taken or paraphrased from Goodreads

DATING YOU HATING YOU by Christina Lauren

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Despite the odds against them from an embarrassing meet-awkward at a mutual friend’s Halloween party, Carter and Evie immediately hit it off. Even the realization that they’re both high-powered agents at competing firms in Hollywood isn’t enough to squash the fire. But when their two agencies merge - causing the pair to vie for the same position - all bets are off. What could have been a beautiful, blossoming romance turns into an all-out war of sabotage. Carter and Evie are both thirtysomething professionals - so why can’t they act like it? Can Carter stop trying to please everyone and see how their mutual boss is really playing the game? Can Evie put aside her competitive nature long enough to figure out what she really wants in life? Can their actor clients just be something close to human? Will these two Hollywood love/hatebirds get the storybook Hollywood ending or just a dramedy of epic proportions?

My Thoughts: LOL this book was so much fun! I listened to it on audiobook which made all of the office place shenanigans in this rom-com even more entertaining and animated thanks to the awesome narrators. I loved that this story didn’t start with your typical enemies-to-lovers trope where the characters despise one another before falling for each other. Evie and Carter actually genuinely liked each other at the beginning of this book and had hope in the relationship that was blossoming between them. It was only when they realized they’d be competing for the same job that the claws came out and it was every person for themselves. Some of the pranks they pulled on each other were laugh-out-loud funny, you could cut the sexual tension with a knife, and when their walls came down momentarily, I swooned over the heartwarming exchanges. Evie and Carter were both incredibly likable characters in their own respect and it was really fulfilling to watch them band together to fight the misogyny radiating from their asshole boss. Overall, this book was an absolute delight and I definitely recommend it!

THE FRIEND ZONE by Abby Jimenez

Rating: 3/5 stars

Summary: Kristen Petersen doesn’t do drama, will fight to the death for her friends, and has no room in her life for guys who just don’t get her. She’s also keeping a big secret: facing a medically necessary procedure that will make it impossible for her to have children. Planning her best friend’s wedding is bittersweet for Kristen - especially when she meets the best man, Josh Copeland. He’s funny, sexy, never offended by her mile-wide streak of sarcasm, and always one chicken enchilada ahead of her hangry. Even her dog, Stuntman Mike, adores him. The only catch: Josh wants a big family someday. Kristen knows he’d be better off with someone else, but as their attraction grows, it’s harder and harder to keep him at arm’s length.

My Thoughts: There was a lot that happened in this book, and I was going back and forth on my feelings about it the entire time. For the most part, it was fun to watch Kristen and Josh’s relationship grow from enemies to friends to lovers. There’s a forbidden love aspect to it that adds even more anticipation to the sexual tension building for a large portion of the book. They’re both decently likable characters, but I think I liked them more together than as individuals because their dynamics gave depth to the story. Aside from the romance, there are some subplots that provide some intense tear jerking moments - including a huge plot twist, so grab your tissues. Overall, this was a pretty decent read, but I probably won’t read it again nor use it as an immediate recommendation. As a side note, please check the trigger and content warnings before picking this up if you plan to.

KNOT MY TYPE by Evie Mitchell

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: Frankie - when you say you’re a sexologist, people imagine Marilyn Monroe. They don’t expect a woman who uses a wheelchair. As the host of the All Access Podcast, I’m breaking down barriers, crushing stigmas, and creating sexual connections that are fulfilling for my fans. Only I’ve hit a snag. A lovely listener wants some advice about accessible rope play and I’m drawing a blank. Which leaves me with no option but to get out there and give it a go. Which is how I meet Jay Wood - rigger, carpenter, and all-round hottie. I’d be open to letting him wine and dine me - only Jay isn’t my type. He’s not a one-girl kind of guy and I’m not a woman who’ll settle for being second choice. But the closer we get, the more Jay has me tied up in knots. And it’s making me think maybe I could compromise. Jay - Frankie’s funny, intelligent, and ridiculously sexy. This should be a no-brainer. A little fun in the sheets - simple. Only the infuriating woman is asking for more and I’m not that kind of guy. I wouldn’t even know how to be that kind of guy. I’m the definition of easy. It’ll be fine. We’ll be friends. Just friends. So, why does my heart feel frayed? And why is it I can’t help but consider taking the ultimate leap of faith - tying myself to Frankie. Permanently.

My Thoughts: I went into this book not knowing anything about it, but I can tell you that accessible BDSM is not what I was expecting at all! Though I’m not a huge fan of instant-love tropes, it worked well for this story and made the connection between Frankie and Jay feel much more swoony in an “oh they found their person” type of way. I loved how strong Frankie’s character was. She was unapologetically herself and radiated confidence through everything from her incredibly successful podcast, to her brightly-colored wardrobe, and even to the risque self portrait she proudly displays above her bed. Her personality just jumped off the pages. Jay was a little less confident, but the sweetest guy you could ask for and was incredibly attentive to Frankie’s wants and needs (both in and outside of the bedroom lol). This is definitely an open-door romance with some rope play sprinkled in, so if that sort of thing makes you feel uncomfy, this may not be for you. Although this book was a little saccharine for me, I do think it’s a great read outside of the regular rom-com template.

NORMAL PEOPLE by Sally Rooney

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: At school, Connell and Marianne pretend not to know each other. He’s popular and well-adjusted, star of the school soccer team while she is lonely, proud, and intensely private. But when Connell comes to pick his mother up from her housekeeping job at Marianne’s house, a strange and indelible connection grows between the two teenagers - one they are determined to conceal. A year later, they’re both studying at Trinity College in Dublin. Marianne has found her feet in a new social world while Connell hangs at the sidelines, shy and uncertain. Throughout their years in college, Marianne and Connell circle one another, straying towards other people and possibilities but always magnetically, irresistibly drawn back together. Then, as she veers into self-destruction and he begins to search for meaning elsewhere, each must confront how far they are willing to go to save each other.

My Thoughts: I listened to this on audiobook and really liked it. I’m not sure if it was the actual story or the narrator’s voice or a combination, but this book was both peaceful and upsetting. Marianne and Connell were such complicated characters who found solace in each other. The moments when their communication and feelings were aligned provided a pocket of calm in a storm of melancholy. When they weren’t on the same wavelength, though, it was physically frustrating - like my gut was tight because I was so irritated by how stubborn they were. Both of them were trying to figure out who they were out in the world, and nothing felt right except for when they were together. Their relationship had such potential to be healthy, but I think it was just so lowkey codependent that it never reached that level of balance. Especially when Connell suffered from anxiety, and Marianne was dealing with her own demons that manifested in deep depressive episodes and self harming behaviors. That said, this was a really beautiful book about how impactful people can be in each other’s lives and what it takes to nurture those relationships as you continue to work on yourself. Please check all the trigger warnings though before you go into it.

HOOK, LINE, AND SINKER by Tessa Bailey

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: King crab fisherman Fox Thornton has a reputation as a sexy, carefree flirt. Everyone knows he’s a guaranteed good time - in bed and out - and that’s exactly how he prefers it. Until he meets Hannah Bellinger. She’s immune to his charm and looks, but she seems to enjoy his… personality? And wants to be friends? Bizarre. But he likes her too much to risk a fling, so platonic pals it is. Now, Hannah’s in town for work, crashing in Fox’s spare bedroom. She knows he’s a notorious ladies’ man, but they’re definitely just friends. In fact, she’s nursing a hopeless crush on a colleague and Fox is just the person to help with her lackluster love life. Armed with a few tips from Westport’s resident Casanova, Hannah sets out to catch her coworker’s eye… yet the more time she spends with Fox, the more she wants him instead. Hannah can’t deny she loves everything about Fox, but she refuses to be another notch on his bedpost. Living with his best friend should have been easy. Except now she’s walking around in a towel, sleeping right across the hall, and Fox is fantasizing about waking up next to her for the rest of his life and… man overboard. He’s fallen for her, hook, line, and sinker. Helping her flirt with another guy is pure torture, but maybe if Fox can tackle his inner demons and show Hannah he’s all in, she’ll choose him instead?

My Thoughts: I loved Hannah in It Happened One Summer and was so excited she got her own story! This may be a bold statement, but I think I may have liked Hannah and Fox’s story better than Piper and Brendan’s? The friends-to-lovers trope made sinking into this developing romance feel like snuggling into a cozy blanket. Their chemistry as friends was undeniable and I loved that Hannah wanted to emphasize to Fox that a friendship between them is just as, if not more, important to her than acting on any sexual impulses they had. Hannah in general is a really down-to-earth character which makes her incredibly easy to like, but she also has this unique drive and strength to her that kicks her likeability up to 100. Fox has officially been added to my list of “book boyfriends” lol. He definitely had a lot to work through before he could give Hannah what she truly deserved, and we love a guy with some self-awareness, do we not? Though you technically could read this book without having read It Happened One Summer first, I don’t recommend it. I think the experience will be so much more enjoyable if you read the books in order. So, quickly go pick the first one up, so you can dive into this absolute gem! :)

THE GUEST LIST by Lucy Foley

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: The bride. The plus one. The best man. The wedding planner. The bridesmaid. The body. On an island off the coast of Ireland, guests gather to celebrate two people joining their lives together as one. The groom: handsome and charming, a rising television star. The bride: smart and ambitious, a magazine publisher. It’s a wedding for a magazine, or for a celebrity: the designer dress, the remote location, the luxe party favors, the boutique whiskey. The cell phone service may be spotty and the waves may be rough, but every detail has been expertly planned and will be expertly executed. But perfection is for plans, and people are all too human. As the champagne is popped and the festivities begin, resentments and petty jealousies begin to mingle with the reminiscences and well wishes. The groomsmen begin the drinking game from their school days. The bridesmaid not-so-accidentally ruins her dress. The bride’s oldest (male) friend gives an uncomfortably caring toast. And then someone turns up dead. Who didn’t wish the happy couple well? And perhaps more important, why?

My Thoughts: I have to start by saying, though I’m usually a grade A scaredy cat with mystery/thriller books, I really enjoyed this one! The first chunk of the book is a little slower paced, but I think it was essential for setting a solid background on the characters and the history of the island where the story takes place. Although there are a handful of characters, each chapter is from the perspective of a different person, so it was easy to keep track of everyone and how they played into the bigger picture. Hannah was probably my favorite because she felt the most down-to-earth amongst this gang of incredibly eccentric, sometimes wicked, wedding goers. There were plot twists on plot twists in this book, and I did not see any of them coming. Once a couple of the plot twists revealed themselves, I was like oh okay, looking back, I probably could have predicted that. However, there were other plot twists that made my jaw drop lol. This wasn’t necessarily a ~scary~ book as much as it was a little creepy. Don’t get me wrong, my heart was pumping a couple of times, but if you’re not usually great with thrillers, I still think you’d be fine with this one. Needless to say, this was my first Lucy Foley book, but it won’t be my last!

YES & I LOVE YOU by Roni Loren

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Everyone knows Miz Poppy, the vibrant reviewer whose commentary brightens the New Orleans nightlife. But no one knows Hollyn, the real face behind the media star… or the fear that keeps her isolated. When her boss tells her she needs to add video to her blog or lose her job, she’s forced to rely on an unexpected source to help her face her fears. When aspiring actor Jasper Deares finds out the shy woman who orders coffee every day is actually Miz Poppy, he realizes he has a golden opportunity to get the media attention his acting career needs. All he has to do is help Hollyn come out of her shell… and through their growing connection, finally find her voice.

My Thoughts: Eek! I really enjoyed this book! Hollyn and Jasper had such bright and unique personalities that absolutely jumped off the page. The amount of vulnerability and trust they showed each other made my heart melt, and I absolutely adored them as a team. Both of them were working through some insecurities stemming from adversities they’d faced, so the character development was really satisfactory alongside the romance that was blooming. Not to mention, they gave us the wittiest of banter, the thickest of sexual tension, and so many swoon-worthy moments. There’s even a small love triangle plotline involved that really throws a wrench in things. This is definitely an open door romance, so if you’re more into the “fade to black” type of scenes, this might not be your jam. Otherwise, I highly recommend this book and cannot wait to read the next one in this series!

THE HONEY-DON’T LIST by Christina Lauren

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: Carey Douglas has worked for home remodeling and design gurus Melissa and Rusty Tripp for nearly a decade. A country girl at heart, Carey started in their first store at 16, and - more than anyone would suspect - has helped them build an empire. With a new show and a book about to launch, the Tripps are on the verge of superstardom. There’s only one problem: America’s favorite couple can’t stand each other. James McCann, MIT graduate and engineering genius, was originally hired as a structural engineer, but the job isn’t all he thought it’d be. The last straw? Both he and Carey must go on a book tour with the Tripps and keep the wheels from falling off the proverbial bus. Unfortunately, neither of them is in any position to quit. Carey needs health insurance, and James has been promised the role of a lifetime if he can just keep the couple on track for a few more weeks. While road-tripping with the Tripps up the West Coast, Carey and James vow to work together to keep their bosses’ secrets hidden, and their own jobs secure. But if they stop playing along - and start playing for keeps - they may have the chance to build something beautiful together.

My Thoughts: Ummm, HGTV show meets rom-com novel? Yes please! This was such a fun audiobook and the narrators did a great job pulling you into the story with their various voices. Carey and James were great main characters for this story. They each had to put up with the Tripps to ensure they didn’t lose something important to them. And, let me tell you, the Tripps were a TRIP. You could feel the toxicity of their relationship radiating from this story, and the tension it caused in multiple scenes. That said, I feel like the book focused a little too much on the Tripps and I wish it zoomed in a little more on the relationship developing between Carey and James. I totally understand that suffering as the Tripps’ assistants was what ultimately brought them together, but by paying attention to that subplot more than their romance made it feel a little rushed. Did I love this book? No. Did I like it and enjoy it? Definitely! It’s not as spicy as other Christina Lauren books tend to be, but if that’s more your vibe anyway, then I’d say this book might be up your alley!

**THE SUBTLE ART OF NOT GIVING A F*CK by Mark Manson**

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: For decades, we’ve been told that positive thinking is the key to a happy, rich life. In his wildly popular internet blog, Mark Manson doesn’t sugarcoat or equivocate. He tells it like it is - a dose of raw, refreshing, honest truth that is sorely lacking today. This book is his antidote to the coddling, let’s-all-feel-good mindset that has infected American society and spoiled a generation, rewarding them with gold medals just for showing up. There are only so many things we can give an f about, so we need to figure out which ones really matter, Manson makes clear. While money is nice, caring about what you do with your life is better, because true wealth is about experience. Once we embrace our fears, faults, and uncertainties, once we stop running and avoiding and start confronting painful truths, we can begin to find the courage, perseverance, honesty, responsibility, curiosity, and forgiveness we seek.

My Thoughts: I listened to this on audiobook and definitely enjoyed it, but feel like everything would have stuck with me more if I had the physical book to make notes in too. I’m just such a visual learner that it’s hard for my brain to really soak in all of the advice, listicles, tidbits, etc. that the author provides if I’m not visually reading them. So, keep that in mind if you’re a visual learner too! Overall though, Mark Manson is definitely a blunt author to say the least. I appreciated that he didn’t make this feel like a “hand holding” book as he takes us through the subtle art of not giving a fuck. My main takeaway was that we need to get out of our heads and take a different approach to how we view life and what’s in front of us. One thing that really resonated with me was the lesson about success. I think I’ve spent the last 4-5 years unlearning what it means to be successful. As an overachiever for most of my life, the fear of failure has always been that nagging entity in the back of my brain, but Manson tore apart the idea that you have to be the best at everything to be successful. And, I just really appreciated that lol. Anywho, I definitely liked this one!

EARN YOUR EXTRA CREDIT by Meghan Quinn

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: “She went home with someone else that night?” Hearing the disbelief in my best friend’s mouth makes the events of my failed date sting that much more. I would like to make it known, I have a lot more swagger than what it seems. I don’t normally ask a girl out, have her fail to recognize it’s a date, and then give me a high five - as if I’m her wingman - and take off with someone else. No. Normally, I’m the one taking the girl home but with Stella, it’s been one failed attempt after another and frankly, I’m done trying. But thanks to my best friend getting married in Hawaii right before the school year starts, I’m stuck on a tropical island, watching Stella parade around in what she claims is a bathing suit. Unfortunately, that’s not the worst of it, just the tip of the iceberg. Because what I think is going to be a relaxing vacation, avoiding the one girl I can’t seem to make it work with, has turned into a spectacle of being reunited as Stella’s doting fake fiance, so she can save face with an old “friend” from high school. Now I’m navigating through purgatory while trying not to get turned on by the way she holds my hand or kisses my jaw. It’s fake, that’s what I keep telling myself, even though it feels entirely too real.

My Thoughts: Preface - I have Kindle Unlimited for free through April. So, I was trying to get some KU books mixed into my reading line-up before I don’t have it anymore. Meghan Quinn has made her way onto my radar over the last few months and I’ve liked what I’ve read of hers thus far. So, I DJ Khaled with anotha one. This book was super cute, but it was also so much longer than it needed to be. The first 65-70% of it takes place on a Hawaiian vacation, and then the last chunk is in Chicago after they return home. So there was a mild disconnect for me because I had to quickly transition the settings after having envisioned a tropical paradise for a majority of the experience. The storyline rotated through a few different tropes: enemies-to-lovers, fake-dating, friends-to-lovers, and coworkers-to-lovers - which caused quite the whirlwind for this developing romance. Stella and Brock (Romeo) definitely had an undeniable connection, but because they each were working on themselves and were awful communicators, it took a hot minute for their desired relationship to come to fruition. Overall, I for sure liked this book and plan to read more of Meghan Quinn’s books, but I don’t think this will end up in my top favorites of hers.

PUT ME IN DETENTION by Meghan Quinn

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: I was hanging with the girls, celebrating my divorce when I saw him, my crush, sitting in the corner at the bar all alone. Being single and looking for a wild night, I asked him if he wanted to join me. To my delight, he said yes. Drinks were consumed, fun was had and then… one drunken conversation with a cranky gondolier in Las Vegas led to an Uber lift through a drive-thru wedding chapel with the incredibly hot, British bad boy, Pike Greyson. On paper, it seemed like I hit the jackpot. And if I wasn’t fresh from a toxic marriage, I would have absolutely noticed the finer things about him. But I wanted nothing to do with being married, so when I arrived back home from my eventful weekend in Vegas, the last thing I expected to see was a doting husband already moved in. I asked for an annulment, he pulled a Ross Geller and said no. That’s right, he said NO! Instead, he asked for three months to prove we could be good together. Insanity clearly knocked him in the head and the only way I could convince him to give up on our sham of a marriage was to show him just how wrong we were for each other. Only problem with that was, he saw right through every prank, every trick, and every yearning emotion I attempted to mask.

My Thoughts: All righty, y’all! This book is the follow up to Earn Your Extra Credit and let me tell you, I thoroughly enjoyed it! Cora and Pike were such fun characters individually, so when they were thrown together, their energy absolutely shined through the pages. Cora was spunky and scrappy in the best possible way. She was determined to show Pike that she was a less-than-desirable wifey to convince him to get their Vegas marriage annulled. So, she kicked it into high gear with pranks, unappetizing homemade meals, and telling him bizarre lies - all of which provided some LOL-worthy moments. Although he had an ulterior motive for staying married, I really loved Pike. He treated Cora so well, was protective of her, and provided a safe space that allowed her to let her guard down. It was swoon city to say the least. On a side note, this rom-com story is packed with sexual tension and steam, so reserved readers beware! Overall though, I’m glad I impulsively picked up this book. :)

WE SHOULD ALL BE FEMINISTS by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Rating: 3/5 stars

Summary: What does “feminism” mean today? That is the question at the heart of this book, a personal, eloquently-argued essay - adapted from her much viewed TEDx talk of the same name - by Chimanda Ngozi Adichie, the award-winning author of Americanah and Half of a Yellow Sun. With humor and levity, here Adichie offers readers a unique definition of feminism for the 21st century - one rooted in inclusion and awareness. She shines a light not only on blatant discrimination, but also the more insidious, institutional behaviors that maginalize women around the world, in order to help readers of all walks of life better understand the masked realities of sexual politics. Throughout, she draws extensively on her own experiences - in the U.S., in her native Nigeria, and abroad - offering an artfully nuanced explanation of why the gender divide is harmful for women and men alike.

My Thoughts: I listened to this on audiobook and it took maybe 30 minutes, so if you’re interested in this book, the audio version is quick! It’s read by the author which makes it easier to be sucked into the anecdotes and explanations due to the inflections in her voice. As for the actual content, I liked that she took a different approach to the topic of feminism by pivoting our brains to look at things from a new angle. The other aspect I really appreciated is that she covered the topic of toxic masculinity. Instead of focusing solely on the cultural/societal expectations of a woman, she zeroes in on how these expectations need to be changed for men too. The only thing that really rubbed me the wrong way is that she definitely has a heteronormative/cisnormative approach to this essay which excludes most of the LGBTQ+ community, and I don’t agree with that. So, yeah. Do with that what you will, but overall I think this book makes some good points.

TWISTED LOVE by Ana Huang

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Alex Volkov is a devil blessed with the face of an angel and cursed with a past he can’t escape. Driven by a tragedy that has haunted him for most of his life, his ruthless pursuits for success and vengeance leave little room for matters of the heart. But when he’s forced to look after his best friend’s sister, he starts to feel something in his chest: a crack, a melt, a fire that could end his world as he knew it. Ava Chen is a free spirit trapped by nightmares of a childhood she can’t remember. But despite her broken past, she’s never stopped seeing the beauty in the world… including the heart beneath the icy exterior of a man she shouldn’t want. Her brother’s best friend, her neighbor, her savior, and her downfall. Theirs is a love that was never supposed to happen - but when it does, it unleashes secrets that could destroy them both… and everything they hold dear.

My Thoughts: My goodness this was an experience. What we have here folks is a romance novel driven by sunshine/grumpy and forbidden love tropes - both of which are done impeccably well. I wasn’t sure about this story at first. Sometimes, with a grumpy-sunshine trope, the Negative Nance of the two can be such an asshole that when their redeeming moments/qualities finally happen, they just can’t save enough face for me to like them. Alex, however, is a broody boy with an incredibly dark past who has never experienced unconditional love. So when his icy heart started thawing and we got to see how protective, vulnerable, and intentional he was with Ava, he definitely found a place in my heart. The subplots revolving around Ava's storyline were WILD and also pretty dark. Which is such a stark contrast to the warm, open-hearted person she is. I didn’t see some of the plot twists coming, but I was thoroughly invested in this developing romance and the chemistry between them. It’s a pretty steamy book, but I melted from the cuteness just as much. There are two more books in this series that I will definitely be adding to my TBR. Please check trigger warnings before you jump in!

UNCOMFORTABLE CONVERSATIONS WITH A BLACK MAN by Emmanuel Acho

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: In Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man, Acho takes on all the questions, large and small, insensitive and taboo, many white Americans are afraid to ask - yet which all Americans need to know the answers to, now more than ever. With the same open-hearted generosity that has made his video series a phenomenon, Acho explains the vital core of such fraught concepts as white privilege, cultural appropriation, and “reverse racism.” In his own words, he provides a space of compassion and understanding in a discussion that can lack both. He asks only for the reader’s curiosity - but along the way, he will galvanize all of us to join the antiracist fight.

My Thoughts: I listened to this on audiobook and really liked it! The author is also the narrator and, for lack of a better word, it was incredibly conversational which made it a lot easier to absorb the book’s information. I appreciated how he had the same format for each chapter and provided not only background stories based on historical events, but gave personal anecdotes as well as clear actionable items. At the end of each chapter, he also directs you to other pieces of literature or media that is directly related to the topic he just addressed, so that you can dive more deeply into it. Though not a lot of information was new to me, the delivery of this book was like talking to a friend. I think it’d be a great read for anyone (specifically white people) looking for some answers about race or those who are new to the topics he covers. If you’re a visual learner, I’d say pick up the physical or e-book, but I enjoyed the audiobook just the same.

BIRTHDAY GIRL by Penelope Douglas

Rating: 3/5 stars

Summary: Jordan - He took me in when I had nowhere else to go. He doesn’t use me, hurt me, or forget about me. He listens to me, protects me, and sees me. I can feel his eyes on me over the breakfast table, and my heart pumps so hard when I hear him pull in the driveway. I have to stop this. It can’t happen. My sister once told me there are no good men, and if you find one, he’s probably unavailable. Only Pike Lawson isn’t the unavailable one. I am. Pike - I took her in, because I thought I was helping. As the days go by, though, it’s becoming anything but easy. I have to stop my mind from drifting to her and stop holding my breath every time I bump into her in the house. I can’t touch her, and I shouldn’t want to. But we’re not free to give into this. She’s 19 and I’m 38. And her boyfriend’s father. Unfortunately, they both just moved into my house.

My Thoughts: Ugh. Okay. I really wanted to love this book, but I just liked it. I can’t decide if that’s because I read Credence by Penelope Douglas first and that set a VERY high bar, or if it’s because I just don’t like an age-gap trope all that much. It’s probably a combination of the two, but I digress. Jordan and Pike are both pretty complex characters at their core. Jordan has grown up feeling lonely in any room of people who are supposed to love her. She’s hardworking, making her own way in the world, and incredibly resilient. Pike’s life didn’t pan out the way he expected after a one-night-stand when he was 19 turned him into a father. He’s diligent in creating a life he can be proud of, selfless (humbly at that), and has been fighting an uphill battle trying to form a relationship with his son for years. I felt the mix of fear and rush these MCs had when they realized they found someone who felt like home. That said, I just wasn’t as invested in this story as I expected to be. The one thing I adored about this book though is Jordan’s character arc. I “whooped!” when she was on the upswing of her personal development which involved knowing (clap) her (clap) WORTH (clap). That’s often something missing in stories like this. A lot of people love this book, so if you’re down for an age-gap/forbidden love trope combo, this could be for you! Fair warning though, it’s definitely an open door, explicit romance, so don’t bother if that’s not your jam.

THE DEAL by Elle Kennedy

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Hannah Wells has finally found someone who turns her on. But while she might be confident in every other area of her life, she’s carting around a full set of baggage when it comes to sex and seduction. If she wants to get her crush’s attention, she’ll have to step out of her comfort zone and make him take notice… even if it means tutoring the annoying, childish, cocky captain of the hockey team in exchange for a pretend date. All Garrett Graham has ever wanted is to play professional hockey after graduation, but his plummeting GPA is threatening everything he’s worked so hard for. If helping a sarcastic brunette make another guy jealous will help him secure his position on the team, he’s all for it. But when one expected kiss leads to the wildest sex of both their lives, it doesn’t take long for Garrett to realize that pretend isn’t going to cut it. Now he just has to convince Hannah that the man she wants looks a lot like him.

My Thoughts: Okay, okay, okay. One of my BFFs slid this book onto my radar a few months ago, and by golly does it live up to its hype! Hannah and Garrett are such fun characters - I have friend crushes on both of them. This book gave me everything I could’ve hoped for: quick-witted banter, heart-wrenching moments, S-P-I-C-Y scenes, and some hot hockey players lol. Seriously though, Hannah and Garrett’s chemistry was absolutely undeniable. I loved that they organically developed a genuine friendship with each other first, because it made the trust between them feel so much more authentic later on when things get rocky. Honestly, I just loved this book, and will definitely be picking up the next one in the series! NOTE: there are some subplots involving sensitive topics including sexual assault, domestic violence, victim-blaming, etc., so PLEASE look up the trigger warnings before diving into this one.

TWISTED GAMES by Ana Huang

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Stoic, broody, and arrogant, elite bodyguard Rhys Larsen has two rules: 1) Protect his clients at all costs, 2) Do not become emotionally involved. Ever. He has never once been tempted to break those rules… until her. Bridget von Ascheberg. A princess with a stubborn streak that matches his own and a hidden fire that reduces his rules to ash. She’s nothing he expected and everything he never knew he needed. Day by day, inch by inch, she breaks down his defenses until he’s faced with a truth he can no longer deny: he swore an oath to protect her, but all he wants is to ruin her. Take her. Because she’s his. His princess. His forbidden fruit. His every depraved fantasy. Regal, strong-willed, and bound by the chains of duty, Princess Bridget dreams of the freedom to live and love as she chooses. But when her brother abdicates, she’s suddenly faced with the prospect of a loveless, politically expedient marriage and a throne she never wanted. And as she navigates the intricacies - and treacheries - of her new role, she must also hide her desire for a man she can’t have. Her bodyguard. Her protector. Her ultimate ruin. Unexpected and forbidden, theirs is a love that could destroy a kingdom… and doom them both.

My Thoughts: This is the second book in the Twisted series and by golly we love a slow burn romance, do we not? Throw in some royalty of an imaginary country and a super hot bodyguard and I was SOLD. Starting with my new book boyfriend, Rhys. Not only is he an attractive young lad, but he’s such a hard ass with the sweetest/softest core. Like when Bridget can’t go to the music festival because it’s not safe, so he surprises her with an indoor, at-home music festival replica?? Be still my heart. Besides that, his undying dedication, unconditional love, and protectiveness for Bridget made me swoon on multiple occasions. Bridget is an absolute QUEEN (both literally and figuratively). She had such composure and compassion which made some people underestimate her. However, that was a big mistake because she was headstrong AF and had a ruthless side when she needed to. The romance between this princess and royal bodyguard was unstoppable. They drew towards each other like magnets in every situation and their love radiated off the pages. This is a pretty steamy book as well, just so ya know. Needless to say, I’m going to continue on with the Twisted series because I am HOOKED. :)

THE SILENT PATIENT by Alex Michaelides

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: Alicia Bereson’s life is seemingly perfect. A famous painter married to an in-demand fashion photographer, she lives in a grand house with big windows overlooking a park in one of London’s most desirable areas. One evening her husband Gabriel returns home late from a fashion shoot, and Alicia shoots him five times in the face, and then never speaks another word. Alicia’s refusal to talk, or give any kind of explanation, turns a domestic tragedy into something far grander, a mystery that captures the public imagination and casts Alicia into notoriety. The price of her art skyrockets, and she, the silent patient, is hidden away from the tabloids and spotlight at the Grove, a secure forensic unit in North London. Theo Faber is a criminal psychotherapist who has waited a long time for the opportunity to work with Alicia. His determination to get her to talk and unravel the mystery of why she shot her husband takes him down a twisting path into his own motivations - a search for the truth that threatens to consume him.

My Thoughts: WTF lol. I literally made it 88% of the way through this book and STILL didn’t know what the big reveal/”oh shit” moment was going to be. This book was sooo good! The characters were phenomenal, the writing was stunning, and there were just enough creepy moments sprinkled throughout to keep me on my toes. Once some of the bigger plot twists occurred towards the end, I literally had to read those pages twice because my brain couldn’t comprehend what just happened. They were just so unexpected lol. This book was definitely a slow burn at the start, but quickly picks up the deeper you get into it. Did it live up to its hype? At face value, I’m going to say not exactly. Am I going to be thinking about it months from now? Yeah lol. I definitely will. If you’re looking for a twisty mystery/thriller that is impossible to predict what happens, grab this book for sure!

THE FINE PRINT by Lauren Asher

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Rowan - I’m in the business of creating fairy tales. Theme parks. Production companies. Five-star hotels. Everything could be all mine if I renovated Dreamland. My initial idea of hiring Zahra was good in theory, but then I kissed her. Things spiraled out of control once I texted her using an alias. By the time I realized where I went wrong, it was too late. People like me don’t get happy endings. Not when we’re destined to ruin them. Zahra - After submitting a drunk proposal criticizing Dreamland’s most expensive ride, I should have been fired. Instead, Rowan Kane offered me my dream job. The catch? I had to work for the most difficult boss I’d ever met. Rowan was rude and completely off-limits, but my heart didn’t care. At least not until I discovered his secret. It was time to teach the billionaire that money couldn’t fix everything. Especially not us.

My Thoughts: *Taps mic* Is this thing on? Because the people in the BACK need to hear how freaking amazing this book was! I was obsessed. Up reading it late at night just to see how things panned out. You couldn’t pry my Kindle from my hands. Now, although this story takes place in a fictional Florida theme park, it does NOT give you the “Disney adult” vibes. IYKYK. Zahra has got to be one of my top 5 favorite characters in a sunshine/grump trope. She’s confident, quirky, creative, bright, and has so much depth to her. Even the side characters within her orbit added so many layers and definition to who this gem was at her core. It was incredible. Rowan was the perfect contrast to Zahra’s ray of sunshine. He had layers that needed to be peeled back and evaluated, but one thing is for certain, his true self only came out when he was around Zahra. I kind of loved that although she developed strong feels for him first, he fell HARD. Like an all-consuming love that makes you wonder how he ever existed without her. This book was the *chef’s kiss* balance of romance, smut, and a BEAUTIFUL plotline. There’s a portion towards the end that addresses ableism in our society, and I just wasn’t expecting to cry from this book, but here we are. So yeah, I can’t find a reason why you shouldn’t pick up this book lol.

THE MISTAKE by Elle Kennedy

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: College junior John Logan can get any girl he wants. For this hockey star, life is a parade of parties and hook-ups, but behind his killer grins and easygoing charm, he hides growing despair about the dead-end road he’ll be forced to walk after graduation. A sexy encounter with freshman Grace Ivers is just the distraction he needs, but when a thoughtless mistake pushes her away, Logan plans to spend his final year proving to her that he’s worth a second chance. After a less than stellar freshman year, Grace is back at Briar University, older, wiser, and so over the arrogant hockey player she nearly handed her V-card to. She’s not a charity case, and she’s not the quiet butterfly she was when they first hooked up. If Logan expects her to roll over and beg like all his other puck bunnies, he can think again. He wants her back? He’ll have to work for it. This time around, she’ll be the one in the driver’s seat and she plans on driving him wild.

My Thoughts: I know I’ve only read the first two books, but I’m calling it now: the Off-Campus series by Elle Kennedy is going to be one of my favorite romance series this year. How can I not be obsessed with it when you’re giving me a couple as cute as Logan and Grace?? I loved that although Grace’s character was meant to have a “girl next door” vibe, she didn’t feel naive or innocent. She held her own, especially during her sophomore year, and we love a down-to-earth main character who knows what she wants. After meeting Logan in The Deal, I knew he was going to get his own story and I was invested from the start. All he wants is a relationship similar to what his best buddy, Garrett has with Hannah, and that type of longing is really relatable. He makes a few mistakes with Grace, and I’m so glad she made him WERK for her forgiveness and attention. Not only is that some queen shit right there, but it also provided some hysterical moments involving a list of things he has to do to prove he’s worthy of a second chance. The subplots in this book really showed how phenomenal their connection was and emphasized the authenticity of their relationship. Needless to say, I’ve already got the third book in this series on my radar and there’s no turning back now lol.

OVER THE TOP by Jonathan Van Ness

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: Before he stole our hearts as the grooming and self-care expert on Netflix’s hit show Queer Eye, Jonathan Van Ness was growing up in a small Midwestern town that didn’t understand why he was so… over the top. From choreographed carpet figure skating routines to the unavoidable fact that he was Just. So. Gay., Jonathan was an easy target and endured years of judgment, ridicule and trauma - yet none of it crushed his uniquely effervescent spirit. Over the Top uncovers the pain and passion it took to end up becoming the model of self-love and acceptance that Jonathan is today. In this revelatory, raw, and rambunctious memoir, Jonathan shares never-before-told secrets, and reveals sides of himself that the public has never seen. JVN fans may think they know the man behind the stiletto heels, the crop tops, and the iconic saying, but there’s so much more to him than meets the Queer Eye.

My Thoughts: Okay, so to start, I’m a JVN fan - I love Queer Eye and JVN’s Getting Curious podcast. That said, listening to this on audiobook was the way to go because I’m not sure their writing would’ve made the same impact on paper. Like having JVN chattering away in my ear for this entire experience was everything because their “voice” is so unique in general that hearing them recall various stories, summing up life lessons, and all of the random banter sprinkled within made it much more enjoyable. JVN makes it as easy to laugh with them as it was to feel sympathetic towards the dark times in their life. This book won’t be for everyone. Especially if you’re not very familiar with JVN going into the memoir. So, I would recommend it more to people who already have a taste of this “non-binary fairy’s” personality AND I’d say make sure you listen to it on audiobook.

TWISTED HATE by Ann Huang

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: Gorgeous, cocky, and fast on his way to becoming a hotshot doctor, Josh Chen has never met a woman he couldn’t charm - except for Jules Ambrose. The beautiful redhead has been a thorn in his side since they met, but she also consumes his thoughts in a way no woman ever has. When their animosity explodes into one unforgettable night, he proposes a solution that'll get her out of his system once and for all: an enemies with benefits arrangement with simple rules. No jealousy. No strings attached. And absolutely no falling in love. Outgoing and ambitious, Jules Ambrose is a former party girl who’s focused on one thing: passing the attorney’s bar exam. The last thing she needs is to get involved with a doctor who puts the SUFFER in insufferable… no matter how good-looking he is. But the more she gets to know him, the more she realizes there’s more than meets the eye to the man she’s hated for so long. Her best friend’s brother. Her nemesis. And her only salvation. Theirs is a match made in hell, and when the demons from their past catch up with them, they’re faced with truths that could either save them or destroy everything they’ve worked for.

My Thoughts: My friends, this was much longer than I anticipated, and while I definitely ship Jules and Josh after finishing the book, I could not decide if I liked them while I was reading it. There’s a lot of anger and animosity that is experienced between the two main characters, as well as within their inner dialogue. Jules is an absolute firecracker who has been through some SHIT in her life, but doesn’t let the past define her. She’s resilient, clever, and fierce. Josh is struggling with huge trust issues as a result of some adversity he experienced just two years prior. Dealing with all of that has caused him to become an ounce of the adventurous, luminous energy he used to be. Jules and Josh have always had a rocky relationship, but the truce they call allows them to put away the claws and actually get to know each other. I definitely think this friendship and developing romance happens exactly when they both needed it most which is mainly what sold me on this unexpected coupling. The writing was great, but there were a couple of spots that felt incomplete or spotty. For example, Jules experiences an episode of paralysis towards the beginning of the book and the author doesn’t dive into it right away. So, I was waiting for the explanation behind the paralysis, but it never happened. Overall though, I’m glad I read Jules and Josh’s story, and will definitely be moving onto Twisted Lies when that comes out later this year. Please check trigger warnings for this book before you dive in tho.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS by Lauren Asher

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: Declan - I’m destined to become the next CEO of my family’s media empire. The only problem? My grandfather’s inheritance clause. Fulfilling his dying wish of getting married and having an heir seemed impossible until my assistant volunteers for the job. Our marriage was supposed to be the perfect solution to my biggest problem. But the more we act in love for the public, the more unsure I feel about our contract. Caring about Iris was never part of the deal. Especially not when breaking her heart is inevitable. Iris - My plan to marry Declan was simple in theory. Move in together. Throw a wedding. Have a baby. We set rules to prevent any kind of issues. Ones that were never meant to be broken, no matter how much Declan tempts me. But what happens when our fake relationship bleeds into our real one? Falling in love was never an option. At least not for me.

My Thoughts: Let’s talk about how great Lauren Asher is at writing a grumpy sunshine trope! Iris is such a strong character. She’s driven, extremely loyal, takes no shit, and a fellow plant lady. :) Though I didn’t like Declan as much as I hoped, he was the perfect match for Iris. This story is definitely a slow burn with a series of events that force this couple to reflect on what they mean to each other, reevaluate what they want for the future, and face their biggest inner fears. It wasn’t as ~whimsical~ as The Fine Print, but it generated an emotional response from me all the same. I loved how straightforward Declan was about communicating to Iris what she meant to him once he realized where his heart was at. It was incredibly refreshing that there wasn’t some unnecessary hesitation about declaring those feelings. I do feel like the first part of this book was a little flat which is why I can’t give it a full 4 stars, but by the time it wrapped up, I was satisfied. Not to mention, I was giddy that Iris’s best friend is Cal, Declan’s little brother, which makes me even more excited for his book to come out!

THE SCORE by Elle Kennedy

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Allie Hayes is in crisis mode. With graduation looming, she still doesn’t have the first clue about what she’s going to do after college. To make matters worse, she’s nursing a broken heart thanks to the end of her longtime relationship. Wild rebound sex is deifnitely not the solution to her problems, but gorgeous hockey star Dean Di Laurentis is impossible to resist. Just once though, because even if her future is uncertain, it sure as heck won’t include the king of one-night stands. Dean always gets what he wants. Girls, grades, girls, recognition, girls… he’s a ladies man, all right, and he’s yet to meet a woman who’s immune to his charms. Until Allie. For one night, the feisty blonde rocked his entire world - and now she wants to be friends? Nope. It’s not over until he says it’s over. Dean is in full-on pursuit, but when the life-rocking changes strike, he starts to wonder if maybe it’s time to stop focusing on scoring… and shoot for love.

My Thoughts: Dean and Allie are hands down my favorite couple of the Off-Campus series thus far! They were so much fun and such direct communicators, the entire experience was refreshing to say the least. For starters, I loved how sex positive this relationship was. As a serial relationship person, Allie battles uncertainty whether she should embrace the casual enjoyment of their initial hook-up. Dean tells her to forget what society finds taboo because they both enjoyed the consensual experience and that’s all that matters. He also has a reputation for his active sex life, but Allie doesn’t think any differently of him because of that. Dean’s character had so much more depth to him that I assumed wasn’t there based on how he was described in the other two books, so I thoroughly enjoyed peeling back those layers. Though this storyline was pretty predictable, it was no less swoon-worthy. Especially as their feelings grow stronger and they start getting ingrained in all areas of each other’s lives - I was giddy at every turn. Allie’s ex-boyfriend, Sean, can go sit on a cactus. He’s an absolute shit and says some extremely nasty things to her in a drunken rage. We do not like Sean. We do love this book though and read it in one sitting. So, I definitely recommend picking this one up after you read The Deal and The Mistake!

BRUTAL PRINCE by Sophie Lark

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: Callum Griffin is the heir to the Irish Mafia. He’s ruthless, arrogant, and he wants to kill me. We got off on the wrong foot when I set a (very small) fire in his house. Our families believe a marriage pact is the only thing that will prevent all-out warfare. I think I might need to murder him while he sleeps. This would all be a lot easier if Callum wasn’t so damned good-looking. But I’ve got a lockbox around my heart. Because even if I’m forced to marry him… I could never love a brutal prince.

My Thoughts: As a BIG fan of shows like Peaky Blinders, I was obsessed with this mafia-style dark romance. Plus, with grumpy/sunshine AND fake-dating tropes, I basically inhaled this book in one sitting on a casual Wednesday evening lol. Starting with the characters, Aida is the youngest and only girl in the Gallo family. She has four older brothers which meant, while growing up, she was the smallest dog in every fight and had to learn how to hit hard, fast, and first. That was in addition to figuring out how to strategically navigate the politics of Chicago’s different gangs and people in power to benefit her family’s motives. Aida takes ZERO shit from anybody and although she’s a smaller gal, her character’s energy and personality is larger than life. Callum is the oldest of the Griffin fam and the grumpiest guy we could ask for. He’s cold, borderline unapproachable, and protective af. The only person who can wind him up enough to drop his cool politician facade is Aida - luckily, they’ve been forced into an arranged marriage to keep the peace between the Italian and Irish gangs. The plot was absolutely lovely, the spice was muy caliente, and you can BET I’m continuing onto the next book in this series ASAP. :)

STOLEN HEIR by Sophie Lark

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: They murdered my father, so I stole their daughter. She’s my captive, my little ballerina who dances only for me. Nessa is sweet and innocent. She doesn’t deserve any of this. But that’s how our world works - the wolves eat the lambs, no matter how gentle they may be. I’ll use her to get my revenge. Unless I give into my hunger first…

My Thoughts: Listen, going into this book, I didn’t have high expectations because Nessa was such a BORING character in Brutal Prince. She’s the youngest kid in the Griffin family and has always been sheltered from the Irish mafia’s business and lifestyle. Her character just felt naive and saccharine, so I wasn’t super invested in her at the start, but definitely ended up with a change of heart. Miko is the new boss of the Polish mafia after his father was killed by the Italian mafia who is allied with the Griffins. He is extremely cold, pretty ruthless, and emotionally withdrawn from the world around him. His main focus is on the mafia’s businesses and the success of The Brotherhood. Miko’s initial perspective of Nessa was similar to mine - innocent, young, naive, too emotional, etc. - which he considered a weakness. However, as they fell into each other’s orbit and connected on a deeper level, his icy heart melted and saw that Nessa is just genuinely a good-hearted person and her ability to feel so deeply is anything but a shortcoming. The surrounding plotline perfectly accents their growing relationship and though there’s still some spicy scenes in this book, they’re lined with a touch of sweetness. Overall, I wasn’t expecting to enjoy this book as much as I did and will definitely be continuing on with this Brutal Birthright series.

SAVAGE LOVER by Sophie Lark

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: There’s a reason I never go to parties. I saw him in a cloud of smoke, like sin made flesh. Even bruised and battered, I’ve never seen anything more beautiful. Unless I hate myself, I should stay far away from Nero. He’s a heartbreaker. A mess-maker. A walking disaster. Here’s the problem: I’m in deep trouble with a dirty cop. The only person who can save me is Nero. We’re not friends. If he saw me drowning, he’d throw me an anchor. But he’s the only chance I’ve got. He’s no hero, he’s a savage lover.

My Thoughts: This book was probably the calmest in the Brutal Birthright series so far despite the bank heist/car chases. I think I enjoyed the slower burn and smooth pace of it though because it made experiencing the relationship between Camille and Nero feel much more organic and realistic. I loved that both of these characters had an underdog air to them. Although people had an infatuation with Nero for his chaotic/unstable reputation, they underestimated how intelligent and strategic he actually is. Camille was an absolute BOSS, but was overlooked because she spent more time keeping her family’s auto shop running than she did anything else people her age were doing. However, a deep appreciation and love for cars is what these two MCs bonded over initially, and got them on the road to being vulnerable with one another. If you already started the series then I definitely recommend continuing to this third installment because I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Nero and Camille.

WOULD LIKE TO MEET by Rachel Winters

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: After seven years as an assistant, 29-year-old Evie Summers is ready to finally get the promotion she deserves. But now the TV and film agency she’s been running behind the scenes is in trouble, and Evie will lose her job unless she can convince the agency’s biggest and most arrogant client, Ezra Chester, to finish writing the script for a Hollywood romantic comedy. The catch? Ezra is suffering from writer’s block - and he’ll only put pen to paper if singleton Evie can prove to him that you can fall in love like they do in the movies. With the future of the agency in jeopardy, Evie embarks on a mission to meet a man the way Sally met Harry or Hugh Grant met Julia Roberts. But in the course of testing out the meet-cute scenes from classic romantic comedies IRL, not only will Evie encounter one humiliating situation after another, but she’ll have to confront the romantic past that soured her on love.

My Thoughts: AH! Okay this was the cutest premise I’ve seen for a rom-com in a while. We’ve all seen the swoon-worthy meet cutes in our favorite movies over the years and Evie has to convince Ezra that those fictional kismet moments really can find you love in real life. Evie having to force a reenactment of these meet-cutes provides unending comedic moments throughout the entire book. She gets into some absolutely absurd situations that had me laughing out loud because it’s so relatable to the concept of trying to meet someone “out in the wild” (aka randomly in public) nowadays. Aside from that, I appreciated Evie’s willingness to push outside of her comfort zone in the meet-cute situations, and loved that it helped her find enjoyment in screenwriting again. That said, there’s a love triangle of sorts in this book that drove me up a wall. All of the signs were in front of Evie that a different character was interested in her and she was completely oblivious to it all which made a part towards the end of the book a little anticlimactic. It was like she suddenly was catching up to what we’ve known the ENTIRE book, so it didn’t feel as impactful as I would’ve hoped. That said, the other character also annoyed me by not saying anything until the very end, so it’s not all on her. Overall though, I genuinely enjoyed this light-hearted romantic comedy and think it’s worth picking up!

BLOODY HEART by Sophie Lark

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: I only meant to steal a car. I didn’t know I was stealing a girl too. Until the most gorgeous face I'd ever seen popped up in the rear-view mirror. I fell hard, fast, and forever… but she tore out my heart - left me alone and bleeding. How can I forget her when I have to see that damned perfect face on billboards and magazines? It’s torture. 9 long years. I thought I moved on. Then I saw her in the flesh and my heart started bleeding all over again.

My Thoughts: Okay although this wasn’t my favorite book of the Brutal Birthright series, I’m glad we finally got Dante’s story! He’s the oldest of the Gallo kids and the manpower for many mafia jobs that need a little extra muscle behind it. We’ve gotten glimpses of him in other books and it’s clear he’s a no nonsense type of guy, but in this book we finally get to know why. I felt the uncontrollable, unstoppable love he and Simone had for each other when they were younger. It was unexpected and torn away very abruptly, so it was understandable how heartbroken they both were even 9 years later. That said, I never fully vibed with Simone’s character. It just seemed like any time there was even a WHIFF of a disagreement in the air, she would dip out. She took “avoiding conflict like the plague” to a whole new level which just got really frustrating. Dante also didn’t blow me away necessarily, but I think since I’ve gotten to know him through other books, I had a soft spot for him going into this story. All of that aside, the last portion of the book was WILD. Like I did NOT expect all of that craziness to happen. So anyway, don’t skip this book, but it wasn’t my favorite of the series.

BROKEN VOW by Sophie Lark

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Riona Griffin is gorgeous, intelligent, and iron-willed. My perfect woman, except she hates my guts. She thinks she doesn’t need anybody. But she needs me. She’s being hunted by an assassin who never misses his mark. I’m going to stay by her side, day and night, keeping her safe. Riona thinks that’s a fate worse than death but I know she’ll learn to love me. If this hitman wants to kill her, he’ll have to go through me first.

My Thoughts: YEE FREAKING HAW! Not only are we continuing on the mafia romance train in the Brutal Birthright series, but Sophie Lark said, “Hold my beer.” Then gave us everything we could have asked for in a “Save a horse ride a cowboy” themed mashup. This book follows Riona who we’ve come to know as the most fiery daughter in the Irish mafia as well as a badass lawyer, no-shit-taker, and an extremely driven lass. As the lawyer for the family’s business, she always felt she had to prove herself and worth, so she developed a need to control everything around her and never let anyone in. So I loved getting to know Riona on a deeper level past the icy exterior she presents to everyone. Raylan is a newer character to the series and an absolute GEM. I loved how rough around the edges he was with some country boy roots that mixed with a well-traveled spirit after doing post-military contract missions for the government. Riona and Raylan could not be more opposite at face value, but once this inevitable connection starts coming to a head, it’s clear they’re more similar in all the ways that count. I absolutely loved their story and appreciated that part of it takes place outside of Chicago. Plus, there is a plot twist that I did NOT see coming until it was almost revealed. Needless to say I definitely recommend reading this one! :)

If you made it this far (a.k.a. The end), THANK YOU!

I know this was a longer monthly wrap-up than usual, but I won’t always dive into a weird seasonal depression with the only desired escape being books, so do not fret lol.

Hopefully you got something out of it tho. :’)

2022 Book Count: 61

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YOUR TURN! What was the last book you rated five stars?