Like the Comet

Oh, April.

You and your bursts of fake spring weather followed by long days of winter-esque temps and precipitation. We don’t love it, but it does mean we’re on the CUSP of summer.

I feel like my reading was all over the place in April. It was a hella mood reading month. Meaning, despite my TBR (to be read) list, I was only going to read a book if I was in the m00d for it. Just going on vibes only, really.

The one thing I did that I promised myself I wouldn’t do until later this year is I started Kingmakers which is the spin-off series of Brutal Birthright. Apparently, I have no self control with Sophie Lark books, so of course I inhaled them.

Otherwise, I’ve been busy getting ready to move in the next couple of weeks which is both exciting and stressful. :D

Okay, let’s get to what I read in April.

*All summaries are taken or paraphrased from Goodreads.

HEAVY CROWN by Sophie Lark

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: I saw her being stuffed in a trunk: Yelena Yenina, only daughter of the most vicious Bratva boss in Chicago. The Bratva hate my family. They burned my uncle alive. I should have left Yelena to her fate… but she fought like a Valkyrie. Gorgeous, ferocious, and unbreakable. I saved her so I could make her mine. She says she’ll never submit to a man. I guess we’ll see. I’ll push her to the limit. And far beyond.

My Thoughts: Y’ALL. This is the last book in the Brutal Birthright series and Sophie Lark did NOT hold back. She said, “yanno what? Let me blow this shit up.” And, let me tell you, it went out with a BANG in more ways than one. Sebastian has been through some shit throughout this series and has probably had the most transformative experience from where his character arc started in book one. He’s the youngest boy of the Gallo family and since his older brothers have taken on different roles in the Italian mafia, he’s now the prime candidate to become the head honcho - even though he’s unsure that’s where he’s meant to be. I kind of love that Sebastian wasn’t as good-hearted of a character as everyone expected him to be, and had to change his perspective of himself to realize what he’s capable of. I didn’t understand what he saw in Yelena though lol. She was a pretty underwhelming character and just didn’t impress me all that much. Aside from her, the plot line was suspenseful, there were a few JAW DROPPING moments, and I love how the ending teased the spin-off series - Kingmakers. We love a good second-generation mafia series, do we not? :)

BLACK CAKE by Charmaine Wilkerson

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: In present-day California, Eleanor Bennett’s death leaves behind a puzzling inheritance for her two children, Byron and Benny: a traditional Caribbean black cake, made from a family recipe with a long history, and a voice recording. In her message, Eleanor shares a tumultuous story about a headstrong young swimmer who escapes her island home under suspicion of murder. The heartbreaking tale Eleanor unfolds, the secrets she still holds back, and the mystery of a long-lost child, challenge everything the siblings thought they knew about their lineage and themselves. Can Byron and Benny reclaim their once-close relationship, piece together Eleanor’s true history, and fulfill her final request to “share the black cake when the time is right”? Will their mother’s revelations bring them back together or leave them feeling more lost than ever?

My Thoughts: This book was nothing short of phenomenal and the storytelling was absolutely stunning. Black Cake is a multigenerational story about family issues, racism, motherhood, personal identity, climate change, and more. A big part of what made this book so easy to read is the format. Each chapter is noticeably short and rotated through a different character’s point of view from the past and present, so it felt like you were getting a small piece of the bigger picture with every new perspective. There was a mystery element to multiple parts of this story that are slowly revealed as Eleanor shares a few HUGE secrets with Benny and Byron. These secrets make them question if they knew their mother at all, and reflect on how her past affects their personal identities. I was floored at how many adversities Eleanor faced and how much she had to keep close to her chest in order to maintain the life she built. This is an incredibly emotional book that will suck you in from the start, and I definitely recommend adding this to your reading list for 2022.

SAY YOU STILL LOVE ME by K.A. Tucker

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: Life is a mixed bag for Piper Calloway. On the one hand, she’s a twenty-nine-year-old VP at her dad’s multibillion-dollar real estate development firm, and living the high single life with her two best friends in a swanky downtown penthouse. On the other hand, she’s considered a pair of sexy legs in a male-dominated world and constantly has to prove her worth. Plus, she’s stuck seeing her narcissistic ex-fiance - a fellow VP - on the other side of her glass office wall every day. Things get exponentially more complicated for Piper when she runs into Kyle Miller - the handsome new security guard at Calloway Group Industries, and coincidentally the first love of her life. The guy she hasn’t seen or heard from since they were summer camp counselors together. The guy from the wrong side of the tracks. The guy who apparently doesn’t even remember her name. Piper may be a high-powered businesswoman now, but she soon realizes that her schoolgirl crush is not only alive but stronger than ever, and crippling her concentration. What’s more, despite Kyle’s distant attitude, she’s convinced their reunion isn’t at all coincidental, and that his feelings for her still run deep. And she’s determined to make him admit them, no matter the consequences.

My Thoughts: I listened to this on audiobook and liked it for the most part. This is actually the first K.A. Tucker book that I’ve read outside of her Wild series, and her writing style was definitely identifiable throughout this story. I have to be honest though, this book was probably a borderline three-star experience for at least the first half of the book, and then the second half came through a little stronger which raised it to a 3.5 rating. The book bounces between the present at Piper’s company and the past during summer camp where Piper first met Kyle as camp counselors. This was a cute second chance romance, and I appreciated that there were mystery elements incorporated throughout that slowly started to be revealed the more we visited the past. Piper and Kyle were pretty decent characters, and some of the side characters helped the MCs shine a little brighter, but I was never head over heels for them. Towards the last quarter of the book, some plot twists happened that I definitely didn’t see coming, and they actually added some depth to the overall storyline which is what ended everything for me on a 3.5 star rating. Would I recommend this book? Meh. Maybe if the situation called for it, but it’s not going to be in my top 10 by any means.

THE HIGHLAND FLING by Meghan Quinn

Rating: 3/5 stars

Summary: Freshly fired from her third job in a row, Bonnie St. James has lost her way. So when she and her best friend stumble upon a “help wanted” post to run a coffee shop in the Scottish Highlands, they apply on a whim. Who knows? Maybe traveling to a new place is just what she needs to figure out her next move. When the friends arrive in the tiny idyllic town of Corsekelly, they instantly fall for the gorgeous Highland landscape and friendly townspeople. But Bonnie finds a less-than-warm welcome in Rowan MacGregor, the rugged local handyman. Busy wrestling his own demons, Rowan’s in no mood to deal with the quirky American - even if she is a bonny lass. As Bonnie’s and Rowan’s paths inevitably cross, insults - and sparks - fly. Can the pair build on their similarities to help each other find purpose and direction… and maybe romance too? Or will their passionate tempers fling them apart?

My Thoughts: Ugh I really wanted to like this one much more than I did. I’ve read and appreciated the last few Meghan Quinn books I’ve come across, and I’ve only heard good things about this one. However, it missed the mark for me. Don’t get me wrong, the concept is really cute and I definitely found myself chuckling at much of the banter between Bonnie and Rowan. However, Bonnie’s character was a little too obnoxious for me. I think her personality was supposed to be perceived as “quirky,” but she just came off immature and un-self aware more often than not. Rowan was a good grumpy contrast to her sunshine energy, and was likable for the most part. The only thing that rubbed me the wrong way is how he handled a blow-up they had towards the last third of the book. The “oh shit, I messed up” realization moment came much later for him than I was expecting it to. Overall, there were definitely some laughable moments in this rom-com, but it’s not my favorite Meghan Quinn book.

WILDCAT by Rebecca Jenshak

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: I met my dream girl. That’s right. She’s stunning and the worst bartender I’ve ever seen. I should have gone home and gone to sleep - dream girl or not. I had an early morning and the season was starting soon. But when she threatened me with boy band karaoke I couldn’t help myself. I went. The stars aligned. I have never felt more alive or wanted anyone more than I want her. When it’s time for me to head on my annual pre-season boys’ trip, I barely let her go. It’s been a week and I can’t stop thinking about her. Except there she is. Right here at the Wildcat’s kickoff party. And as luck would have it, my dream girl is the coach’s youngest daughter. But everyone knows the coach’s daughter is off limits. Right?

My Thoughts: I saw that the sequel to this book is coming out soon, and although they said the second book (Wild About You) could be read as a standalone, y’all know how much I love a series that specifically involves romance and hockey players lol. And, let me tell you, Wildcat was super cute! It was a really well-rounded romance story with just a little bit of drama to keep it interesting, but nothing over the top. Leo was an absolute gem and a book boyfriend if I’ve ever met one. He was sweet, protective, thoughtful, and adored Scarlett aka his dream girl. I was swooning the entire time to say the least. Scarlett was a little self conscious and unsure of herself, but not in an annoying way. Plus, she managed to resolve those internal conflicts more quickly than I expected. Was this book a groundbreaking romance? Not at all. Did it give me all of the elements I could want in a sports-themed romance novel? Absolutely! If you’re looking for a lighter, satisfying read, I recommend picking this one up!

SHE WHO BECAME THE SUN by Shelley Parker-Chan

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: In 1345, China lies under harsh Mongol rule. For the starving peasants of the Central Plains, greatness is something found only in stories. When the Zhu family’s eighth-born son, Zhu Chongba, is given a fate of greatness, everyone is mystified as to how it will come to pass. The fate of nothingness received by the family’s clever and capable second daughter, on the other hand, is only as expected. When a bandit attack orphans the two children, though, it is Zhu Chongba who succumbs to despair and dies. Desperate to escape her own fated death, the girl uses her brother’s identity to enter a monastery as a young male novice. There, propelled by her burning desire to survive, Zhu learns she is capable of doing whatever it takes, no matter how callous, to stay hidden from her fate. After her sanctuary is destroyed for supporting the rebellion against Mongol rule, Zhu takes the chance to claim another future altogether: her brother’s abandoned greatness.

My Thoughts: My gosh was this a beautiful book. It’s a Mulan retelling with plenty of layers, plot lines, and characters to get lost in. So, let me just say, this book will give to you as much as you give to it. Meaning it is definitely a slower burn, but if you immerse yourself in the storyline and the experiences of each character, the pages truly turn effortlessly. This book really does pack a punch with phenomenal world building, messy politics, fractured alliances, betrayals, and some dark fantasy elements. There were so many unique qualities to all of the different characters and although some were on opposing sides, their stories shared themes of queer desire, figuring out where they belong in this world, and deciding their own fates. This book is considered an epic fantasy, so if you’re new to fantasy, I’m not sure this is the greatest place to start. I also have to say, it’s not going to be everyone’s cup of tea due to the slow burn element. However, if you’ve been interested in this book or are looking for something a little different in the fantasy genre then I definitely think you should give it a try!

THE WALL OF WINNIPEG AND ME by Mariana Zapata

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Vanessa Mazur knows she’s doing the right thing. She shouldn’t feel bad for quitting. Being an assistant/housekeeper/fairy godmother to the top defensive end in the National Football Organization was always supposed to be temporary. She has plans and none of them include washing extra-large underwear longer than necessary. But when Aiden Graves shows up at her door wanting her to come back, she’s beyond shocked. For two years, the man known as The Wall of Winnipeg couldn’t find it in him to tell her good morning or congratulate her on her birthday. Now? He’s asking for the unthinkable. What do you say to the man who is used to getting everything he wants?

My Thoughts: This book was on a few different “Top Kindle Unlimited Romances” lists that came up for me over the last couple of months, so I decided to try it. Let me tell you, it was not what I was expecting. This is the epitome of a slow burn romance. I don’t always love a slow burn romance because the timing can make it feel unbelievable. However, this story’s pacing was absolutely perfect. I loved how headstrong and independent Vanessa’s character was, and that she didn’t agree to what Aiden was proposing until he made her an offer she couldn’t say no to. Then she put her foot down and changed the dynamics of their relationship by refusing to be his personal assistant again which pushed him so far out of his comfort zone. Though he comes off cold and indifferent, it was impossible not to see the huge heart Aiden was harboring under that off-putting facade. As things progress, they slowly start developing a friendship which turns into genuine adoration and feelings for each other - even though neither vocalizes the shift they’re experiencing. The surrounding plotline was really sweet with just the right amount of emotion weaved throughout. Overall, if you’re looking for a slower burn romance that is perfectly paced, definitely go pick this up! Note: please check trigger warnings before going into this though!

THE SEAT FILLER by Sariah Wilson

Rating: 3/5 stars

Summary: The meet-cute award goes to dog groomer Juliet Nolan. It’s one of Hollywood’s biggest nights when she volunteers as a seat filler and winds up next to movie heartthrob Noah Douglas. Tongue tied and toes curling in her pink Converse, she pretends that she doesn’t have a clue who he is. It’s the only way to keep from swooning. She’s pretty and unpretentious, loves his dog, and is not a worshiping fan. No way Noah’s giving up on her, even if his affectionate pursuit comes with a bump: Juliet has a pathological fear of kissing and the disappointments that follow. What odds does romance have without the momentous, stupendous, once-in-a-lifetime first smooch? Patient, empathetic, and carrying personal burdens of his own, Noah suggests a remedy: they rehearse. The lessons begin. The guards come down. But there’s another hitch they weren’t betting on. As for that happy ending? It might take more than practice to make it perfect.

My Thoughts: This was such a cute concept! Who wouldn’t want to have a gorgeous celebrity swoon over you after meeting them briefly as a seat filler at an awards ceremony? This is definitely a meet-cute situation worth daydreaming about. The banter between Juliet and Noah was addicting, the friendship they developed felt like a really satisfying hug (IYKYK), and there’s a subplot line involving the pure love of dogs. We are checking BOXES, people! That said though, I had a few hang-ups. Juliet’s character was strong and sassy, but I kept wanting to yell at her: “READ THE ROOM, JULES.” She could not believe a famous actor actually liked her as more than just a friend even though all of his intentional actions (therapy taught me that one lol) communicated how much he cared about her. I also felt like the ~issue~ they experience was blown so far out of proportion on Noah’s side of things. Like, he was the most down-to-earth guy the entire book and the reaction he had when something came to light just felt dRAmATiC. They had developed this beautiful friendship that was clearly leading to something more due to their deep connection, so the way he handled that was just such a contrast to everything we had seen prior. All in all, this was definitely a fun and cute book, and I say pick it up for a quick rom-com read!

BLACK BUCK by Mateo Askaripour

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: An unambitious twenty-two-year-old, Darren lives in a Bed-Stuy brownstone with his mother, who wants nothing more than to see him live up to his potential as the valedictorian of Bronx Science. But Darren is content working at Starbucks in the lobby of a Midtown office building, hanging out with his girlfriend, Soraya, and eating his mother’s home-cooked meals. All that changes when a chance encounter with Rhett Daniels, the silver-tongued CEO of Sumwun, NYC’s hottest tech startup, results in an exclusive invitation for Darren to join an elite sales team on the 36th floor. After enduring a “hell week” of training, Darren, the only Black person in the company, reimagines himself as “Buck,” a ruthless salesman unrecognizable to his friends and family. But when things turn tragic at home and Buck feels he’s hit rock bottom, he begins to hatch a plan to help young people of color infiltrate America’s sales force, setting off a chain of events that forever changes the game.

My Thoughts: I listened to this on audiobook and it was a WILD ride. We follow Darren who works as a lead barista at Starbucks until he’s presented with the opportunity to work for a tech startup called Sumwun. From there, the book goes so many different directions, I felt like I had whiplash from everything that happened. The storytelling was phenomenal though. Specifically Darren’s character arc and development. He goes from being a really chill guy who unapologetically loves his mother, girlfriend, and neighborhood, to becoming somewhat of a morally gray character, and then into somebody else entirely. That said, even when his character was at a low point and not very likable, I was still incredibly invested in his story. Plus, there was a suspenseful element to the overall plot line that kept me coming back for more because I just had to know how it all ended. Besides accurately depicting the toxic work environment some start-ups have been known to have, Darren’s story touches on real and relevant topics such as racism, gentrification, homelessness, and more. This was truly a unique book and I definitely recommend giving the audiobook a try!

FLOCK by Kate Stewart

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: I grew up sick. Let me clarify. I grew up believing that real love stories include a martyr or demand great sacrifice to be worthy. Because of that, I believed it, because I made myself believe it, and I bred the most masochistic of romantic hearts, which resulted in my illness. When I lived this story, my own twisted fairy tale, it was unbeknownst to me at the time because I was young and naive. I gave into temptation and fed the beating beast, which grew thirstier with every slash, every strike, every blow. Triple Falls wasn’t all what it seemed, nor were the men that swept me under their wing. But in order to keep them, I had to be in on their secrets. Secrets that cost us everything to keep. That’s the novelty of fiction versus reality. You can’t relive your own love story, because by the time you’ve realized you’re living it, it’s over. At least that was the case for me and the men I trusted my foolish heart to. Looking back, I’m convinced I willed my story into existence due to my illness. And all were punished.

My Thoughts: I’ve seen Flock all over the place lately and decided to give it a try. I definitely think it lived up to the hype. In terms of characters, I didn’t love Cecelia because she clearly has some emotional issues she needs to work through and that usually manifested in knee jerk reactions to things. However, I did appreciate that she found her voice in situations she previously wouldn’t have caused a stir about. Though I was a little skeptical about Sean at first, he ended up winning over my heart with his warmth and assurance. Dom is a whole other story as his icy exterior and reluctance to open up made him come off as an asshole. Eventually, I found a soft spot for him as a little broody boy. This book had so many random things going for it including a mystery element. It kept me guessing on multiple occasions. For example, you really don’t know who the love interest is until almost a quarter into the book which kept me on my toes in choosing which characters we could actually trust. The main secret isn’t revealed until 95% through and let me tell you, it is a plot twist I did not predict while leaving us on a cliffhanger that was absolutely rude af, and obviously had me wanting more. This book is definitely spicy, so reserved readers beware.

EXODUS by Kate Stewart

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: It’s a ghost town, this place that haunts me, the one that made me. It’s clear to me that I’ll never outgrow Triple Falls or outlive the time I spent here. I can still feel them all, my boys of summer. Even when I’d sensed the danger, I gave in. I didn’t heed a single warning. I let my sickness, my love, both rule and ruin me. I played my part, eyes wide open, tempting fate until it delivered. There was never going to be an escape. All of us are to blame for what happened. All of us serving our own sentences. We were careless and reckless, thinking our youth made us indestructible, exempt from our sins, and it cost us all. I’m done pretending I didn’t leave the largest part of me between these hills and valleys, between the sea of trees that hold my secrets. It’s the reason I’m back. To make peace with my fate. And if I can’t grieve enough to cure myself in my time here, I’ll remain sick. That will be my curse. But it’s time to confess, to myself more so than any other, that I’d hindered my chances because of the way I was built, and because of the men who built me. At this point, I just want to make peace with who I am, no matter what ending I get. Because I can no longer live a lie.

My Thoughts: Holy CRUD. Okay, okay, so let me preface by saying, I literally do not know if this is actually 4 stars or if I’m just blinded by all of my feels due to what happened in this book, but my god it was a doozy. It splits between the past where the first book ended and the present - which is seven years later. Within the first 40% of the book, I was CRYING, and when I tell you I audibly GASPED at something that happened, I am not exaggerating in the slightest. It messed me up, y’all. Kate Stewart did not come to play. She came to wreck me. We’re finally let into more of the mystery that was only introduced in Flock, and meet a new character we’ve heard about, but had yet to see. Now let me just say, in no way do I condone the obvious toxic, codependent traits of the relationship that engulfs Cecelia unexpectedly in this book. Like obvi she’d be better off seeing a therapist to work a few things out before developing something with this other character. HOWEVER, I definitely appreciated how much of a badass she’s grown to be since her summer in Triple Falls. Sure, she’s still a little messy, but aren’t we all? The emotions that radiated off the pages cut me at my core, you can feel the static tension between two of the characters any time they’re in each other’s vicinity, and the story that unfolds due to multiple plot twists was something I never could have predicted. I was SHOOK. Needless to say, if you read Flock then you HAVE to continue to Exodus or I’ll be super upset lol.

A MASTER OF DJINN by P. Djeli Clark

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: Cairo, 1912: Though Fatma el-Sha’arawi is the youngest woman working for the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments and Supernatural Entities, she’s certainly not a rookie, especially after preventing the destruction of the universe last summer. So when someone murders a secret brotherhood dedicated to one of the most famous men in history, al-Jahiz, Agent Fatma is called onto the case. Al-Jahiz transformed the world 50 years ago when he opened up the veil between the magical and mundane realms, before vanishing into the unknown. This murderer claims to be al-Jahiz, returned to condemn the modern age for its social oppressions. His dangerous magical abilities instigate unrest in the streets of Cairo that threaten to spill over the global stage. Alongside her Ministry colleagues and her clever girlfriend Siti, Agent Fatma must unravel the mystery behind this imposter to restore peace to the city - or face the possibility he could be exactly who he seems…

My Thoughts: I’ve read a few of P. Djeli Clark’s novellas over the last year and have loved his unique storytelling style. So when I heard he published a full-length novel, I had to jump on it! This book was a grungy, fun, clever, magical, whodunnit story set in early 20th century Egypt where the country is thriving with the help of Djinn - magical beings. There’s a murder of a high-ranking European guy who, as it turns out, was organizing a secret Brotherhood that has been procuring various magical relics belonging to incredibly strong djinn. Cue Agent Fatma - a kickass lesbian detective with the snappiest wardrobe and even sharper magical mystery solving skills. This experience was a whirlwind to say the least. Though the plot starts as a murder mystery, it takes a few turns involving some subplots, and that’s where things got muddy for me. It felt like the characters kept getting side tracked by things that kind of tied back to the main goal, but not entirely which made it hard to know what to focus on. Also, I guess I just assumed magic was more integrated into the present culture - beyond just djinn - but the main character works for the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments and Supernatural Entities, and yet she misses a few major magical happenings. AND she’s supposed to be the best at what she does! Like wut?? The only other thing that threw me for a loop is all of the non-English words that were integrated with no context clues. I had to keep setting the book down to Google what something was which caused a really stop-go reading experience. Overall, I think this was a pretty good book, but if you’re new to fantasy then I wouldn’t recommend starting here.

THE FINISH LINE by Kate Stewart

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: I’ve lived the entirety of my life wrapped up in subterfuge for one purpose - revenge. Through the years, I lived more as an enigma than a man. For so long, I denied I had a beating heart of my own. Until her. Until she unearthed the starving vessel inside, forced me to acknowledge it, forced me to understand that I’m capable of bleeding the same as any other. For that, we paid. We’re still paying. Yet, she demands it still, the useless heart of the ruthless thief and shameless villain she fell for. My fear is, I’m no longer that man. With the lies I’ve told, the life I’ve led, my mistakes are beginning to catch up with me, day by day, one by one. This is my last chance, and I have no intention of losing her again, but as the deception of my past starts to unravel and close in, shedding my humanity may be the only thing that can save us both.

My Thoughts: Wow. Kate Stewart really said, “are you ready to be emotionally wrecked even more than the last book? The Ravenhood trilogy is going out in a blaze of glory.” Y’all, I did not expect to like this book as much as I did. Mostly because it felt like there was a tone of finality in Exodus which left me guessing what could possibly happen next? Let me tell you, SO MANY THINGS. This book mainly focuses on Tobias, his side of the story, and his background. Up until this point, we’ve seen everything through Cecelia’s eyes, so I loved getting to know Tobias’s character on a much deeper level to understand why he’s the man he is today. That said, some chapters do bounce over to Cecelia’s POV - specifically of the present - as Tobias works to earn back her trust and love. Since the timeline flips back and forth between Tobias’s past, parts of the story we already saw in the two previous books, and the present, there are a lot of puzzle pieces clicking together to form a bigger picture. This was an incredibly emotional book and every feeling these characters experience (grief, anger, deep love, joy, etc.) had me in a chokehold. Plus, romance storyline aside, there is a HUGE plot twist that occurs that I didn’t even realize was on the table lol. It was so surprising, I had to regroup to realize what just happened. A lot of loose ends and unanswered questions are settled by the end of this book which made the entire series that much more satisfying. If it’s not clear enough, I definitely enjoyed The Ravenhood trilogy and highly recommend it if you’re looking for something smutty with an incredibly strong plotline.

KISS MY PUTT by Tara Sivec

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: After spending my entire pro golfing career being known as the quiet, controlled, no-nonsense golfer on the tour, there’s nothing more humiliating than throwing all of that down the drain - or into a water hazard - on national television. Needing some place to hide, to lick my wounds and figure out what I even want to do with my life once this blows over, I can only think of one place I need to be. Summersweet Island, where everyone treats me like one of their own, and they’ll all be happy to have me home again. Well except for maybe one person. It’s been two years since I last set foot on Summersweet Island or spoke to anyone there. But I’m sure Birdie Bennett, my best friend since I was 15 and the clubhouse manager of my favorite golf course, has had plenty of time to forgive me for that tiny little misunderstanding where I blocked her on social media and blocked her in my phone. Oh, and I guess I kind of, sort of accused her of being a stalker. It’s fine! Once my sexy, spunky, former best friend gets over the shock of seeing me again and stops trying to drive a 9-iron into my skull before I can finally let her know I’ve also kind of, sort of always been in love with her…

My Thoughts: This was a random Kindle Unlimited find and it was everything I could have wanted out of a golf-themed romantic comedy! There were laugh out loud moments, a variety of characters with distinct personalities that play into the overall story, and the sexual tension… Let me tell you, it was palpable. Although Birdie and Palmer start the book not on good terms, I loved watching the iciness between them start to melt until they fell back into their familiar rhythm as best friends. Birdie is a spunky, stubborn gal who refuses to fully let down her walls after being burned by Palmer two years prior. Palmer is a sweet guy who misses his best friend, and just wants to get her back. The only thing that irked me is they both had feelings for each other, and weren’t necessarily hiding it through various behaviors, yet neither of them wanted to come right out and say it! Y’all already wasted the last two years by not talking to each other! Why not just say what’s on your mind? Anywho, if you’re looking for something lighter, steamy, with a little bit of sports mixed in, and can get you ready for the summer, this is a great choice!

SPOILER ALERT by Olivia Dade

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: Marcus Caster-Rupp has a secret. While the world knows him as Aeneas, the star of the biggest show on TV, Gods of the Gates, he’s known to fanfiction readers as Book!AneasWouldNever, an anonymous and popular poster. Marcus is able to get out his own frustrations with his character through his stories, especially the ones that feature the internet’s favorite couple to ship, Aeneas and Lavinia. But if anyone ever found out about his online persona, he’d be fired. Immediately. April Whittier has secrets of her own. A hardcore Lavinia fan, she’s hidden her fanfiction and cosplay hobby from her “real life” for years - but not anymore. When she decides to post her latest Lavinia creation on Twitter, her photo goes viral. Trolls and supporters alike are commenting on her plus-size take, but when Marcus, one half of her OTP (one true pairing), sees her pic and asks her out on a date to spite her critics, she realizes life is really stranger than fanfiction. Even though their first date is a disaster, Marcus quickly realizes that he wants much more from April than a one-time publicity stunt. And when he discovers she’s actually Unapologetic Lavinia Stan, his closest fandom friend, he has one more huge secret to hide from her. With love and Marcus’s career on the line, can the two of them stop hiding once and for all, or will a match made in fandom end up prematurely canceled?

My Thoughts: After putting off reading this book for a while, I’m so glad I finally did! The writing is so clever and truly had me in a trance at a few different parts because the choice of words was just artistic. It was also refreshing that the book bounces between different formats, including fanfictions, messages on social media, etc. The premise was unique and this was such a fun way to depict fanfiction fandom - especially since it paralleled the last season of Game of Thrones lol. April was one of the best main characters you could ask for in this book. She’s confident, quirky, an absolute knockout, and is learning to love herself by setting boundaries with people in her life. Marcus was the sweetest guy who was dealing with a little bit of an identity crisis after putting on a dim-witted facade for the cameras for so long. When in reality, he’s actually extremely intelligent, curious about the world around him, and incredibly articulate. One of my favorite things about this book is that both characters had enough self awareness to reassess when they made a mistake and remedied whatever misunderstanding had occurred. It made me feel like both April and Marcus truly see each other, yanno? Though this book is pretty predictable, it didn’t take away from the overall experience. Especially since the story touches on real topics such as fat-shaming, dyslexia, emotional abuse from parent figures, and more. I definitely recommend picking this one up if you’re looking for something a little nerdy and dirty (this is a pun you will understand if you read the book :)).

THE DUTCH HOUSE by Ann Patchett

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: At the end of the second World War, Cyril Conroy combines luck and a single canny investment to begin an enormous real estate empire, propelling his family from poverty to enormous wealth. His first order of business is to buy the Dutch House, a lavish estate in the suburbs outside of Philadelphia. Meant as a surprise for his wife, the house sets in motion the undoing of everything he loves. The story is told by Cyril’s son Danny, as he and his older sister, the brilliantly acerbic and self-assured Maeve, are exiled from the house where they grew up by their stepmother. The two wealthy siblings are thrown back into the poverty their parents had escaped from and find that all they have to count on is one another. It is this unshakable bond between them that both saves their lives and thwarts their futures.

My Thoughts: I listened to this on audiobook and absolutely loved it! Tom Hanks is the narrator, so you really can’t go wrong here. I’ve gotta start out by saying, if the plot of a book is the most important aspect to you then this will not be your cup of tea. The Dutch House is largely a character-driven book about two siblings, Danny and Maeve Conroy. This slow burn, coming of age story stretches across five decades as we watch this brother/sister duo face unexpected adversities starting from childhood all the way into their 60s. I kind of loved that The Dutch House was treated like another character in all of this. Most of the issues Danny and Maeve experience start inside the grandiose estate after their late father’s young wife, Andrea, kicks them out. For decades, the siblings are entangled in a past they can’t seem to let go of and make it a routine of driving to The Dutch House, sitting in Maeve’s car across the street, smoking cigarettes and reminiscing about their time in that house. This beautifully written book touches on topics of grief, loss, familial relationships, abandonment, forgiveness, and more. I definitely recommend this book - specifically the audiobook because what’s better than Tom Hanks reading a book to you for hours? :)

SWING AND A MISHAP by Tara Sivec

Rating: 3/5 stars

Summary: Two years ago, I was a pretty big deal. I thought I had it all, until a blast from my past popped up on my social media feed, keeping my ego in check and reminding me how basic I am. Except sassy Wren Bennett isn’t just a blast from my past. She’s the only woman I ever saw a future with. Even though my soul leaves my body every time she says she hates baseball and has never watched me play, a year’s-worth of messages filled with laughter and sarcasm only remind me how amazing my “pen pal” is. Unfortunately, it doesn’t matter how fine I look in a pair of baseball pants; I’m still 3,000 miles away and she’s taken… or so I thought. Maybe I should have thought a little harder before I dropped her like a seeing-eye single into the outfield. When an injury has me questioning everything about my life, I can only think of one place I need to go and one person I need to see. Home, to Summersweet Island, to get back my “pen pal.” Now I just need to make sure single mom Wren knows I didn’t come back for a change, and I didn’t come back for a job. I’m swinging for the fences, and I'm finally coming home to make her mine. If only she’d stop insulting me and stay in one place long enough for me to tell her. She wouldn’t try to drown me with a tub of ice cream right? I’m sure it will be fine.

My Thoughts: Gah! This was seriously so cute. A little saccharine - like rotting-your-teeth sweet - but I enjoyed Wren and Shep’s story nonetheless! We got to know Wren in Kiss My Putt as Birdie’s older sister who plans to take over the family’s ice cream business and has a 14-year-old son, Owen. Kevin, Owen’s father, is absolute trash and although he’s never around, he’s spent years chipping away at Wren’s confidence whenever he stopped by unannounced. So even though the book starts with Wren maintaining the people-pleasing behavior she’s practiced for so long, I loved watching her start to stand up for herself, acknowledge everything she’s achieved over the years despite the adversities she’s encountered, and stop giving time and attention to people who don’t deserve it. Shepard was literally the best guy for this book. He absolutely adores Wren and has for years. Everything he says to her has so much intent and emotion behind it - I was melting in a puddle of swoon on multiple occasions. There were a few frustrating miscommunications (per usual), but most were quickly resolved, so I wasn’t irritated by them. Are there some incredibly cheesy moments in this book? Big fat YES. Did that take away from Wren and Shepard’s story? Nope! Overall, I think if you’re looking for something a little sweet, a little spicy, and involves baseball, this is a good one!

THE HEIR by Sophie Lark

Rating: 3/5 stars

Summary: I’d go anywhere for her - even to Kingmakers, the most brutal college in the world. Where mafia heirs are trained to control, dominate, infiltrate, and kill. I followed Anna because she’s my best friend. I’ve always been right by her side. She needs me to protect her. Especially from Dean Yenin, a Bratva heir with a lethal grudge. He plans to take everything from me. Starting with Anna.

My Thoughts: Okay I started the Kingmakers series on a whim, and although this book didn't blow me away, I definitely liked it overall! The Heir bounces between three characters’ points of view - Anna Wilk, Leo Gallo, and Dean Yenin. Anna and Leo grew up together and are attached at the hip. Dean’s family has a grudge against Leo’s family due to mafia activities in the past, so he tries everything he can to drive a wedge between the best friends. Although I liked all three of the main characters, none of them blew me away. Dean was actually a little scary due to his temper and resentment, so as soon as it was clear where he stood with Anna, I was kind of hoping we’d drop his POV because he wasn’t adding to my experience with this story. That said, the purpose of this book is definitely for world-building, introducing us to Kingmakers (a school for mafia kids), and setting the stage for how characters are connected. So, that’s why I’m not being too critical about it. The plot wasn’t mindblowing, but it was enjoyable nonetheless! Overall, it was fun following the next generation of the Brutal Birthright characters and I’m excited to keep going with this series!

THE REBEL by Sophie Lark

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Zoe Romera is trapped in a marriage contract with the most sadistic psychopath at Kingmakers. She couldn’t be more off-limits. Stealing her from Rocco Prince would break the most ironclad rules of the mafia world. But I have to have her. She’s my soulmate. I want her, or no one at all. I’ll do anything to save her. Rocco will do anything to destroy her. I’ve got one chance to achieve the impossible.

My Thoughts: Yuuus! We love a dark academia, mafia-infused, suspense-ridden romance novel! We met Zoe Romera and Miles Griffin in The Heir, and from what we know, Miles is the go-to guy at Kingmakers if you need any sort of contraband. He doesn’t take anything too seriously and seems to be walking through life a little aloof. Zoe is set to marry Rocco Prince who is a freaking creep. He’s like the Ted Bundy of Kingmakers. So, she does everything she can to avoid him and his friends because Rocco endlessly taunts her. After Miles witnesses one of these traumatic occurrences, he finds himself wanting to protect Zoe from Rocco and inevitably falls for her. I absolutely adored their connection and watching their walls come down. Zoe and Miles are both extremely intelligent and filled in emotional spaces for one another. The plotline of this book kept me on my TOES and had my heart racing multiple times. Similar to the last book with three POVs, there’s a subplot going on with Zoe’s little sister, Catalina, which provides a cliffhanger at the end. Between the swoon-worthy romance and the high intensity suspense, I thoroughly enjoyed the second book in the Kingmakers series.

THE BULLY by Sophie Lark

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: I know her secret. Cat is in so much trouble. She did something bad, and I saw. I’ll keep her secret… for a price. Poor, sweet, timid Cat should never have come to Kingmakers. It’s a place for monsters and killers. People like me. She wandered into the lion’s den and now she’s mine. Mine to play with. Mine to torment. Mine to break.

My Thoughts: Ahhh! Broody boy villain turning into the passionate hero? Um, YES PLZ! This book follows Dean Yenin - who we originally met in The Heir. Up to this point, he’s been a complete dick to everyone and is fueled by pure anger at all times. It also follows Cat Romero - who we met in the last book and know as Zoe’s little sister. She has a HUGE secret that only Dean knows, so she’s agreed to a deal with him in exchange for his silence. Cat’s character arc is just *chef’s kiss*. Last book, she was assigned to the Spy division at Kingmakers and was basically experiencing baptism by fire because she had never been exposed to the mafioso life back home. She was quite delicate and timid in this new environment which somewhat carried into this book. However, as time goes on, she starts finding her voice and strength and becomes an absolute boss by the end of this book. I was so invested in watching her and Dean’s relationship develop as well. It was one of those situations where they each needed each other and didn’t even know it. Dean has a new teacher who completely changes his outlook on life and makes him a man he can be proud of. The plot of the series overall definitely thickens as a new character’s POV (The Spy) is sprinkled into this storyline. Although I wasn’t expecting it at all, this is definitely my favorite book of the Kingmakers series thus far!

THE SPY by Sophie Lark

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: I’ve waited three long years for this. Hiding. Lying. Spying. Waiting like a spider for her to wander into my web. Now she’s here, and I have to get even closer to her. I’ll help her. Befriend her. Seduce her, even. The only thing I can’t do is fall in love with her. Her father took everything from me: my money, my family, my life. He has to pay for what he’s done. And she’s the only thing that can hurt him.

My Thoughts: Wow. What a wild ride this book was! The plot was freaking fantastic and revealed the secrets behind some of the easter eggs the author left in the previous books. We finally get to see inside the mind of Ares - Leo Gallo’s close friend and roommate at Kingmakers. What we know about Ares thus far is that he’s from a poor family who lives on a small island in Greece. He’s quiet, composed, extremely studious, and built like a Greek god lol. Most of the information he’s shared with his friends and fellow classmates in the previous years has been decently vague, so it was exciting to see beneath the gentle giant facade. Nix is the newest character to the series. She’s the daughter of a mafia boss who is known to be absolutely ruthless and untrustworthy. However, he’s kept a ton of secrets from her and has only fed Nix his version of the story. So, she comes to Kingmakers absolutely naive about his work and is hated by most by extension of her dad. I was obsessed with watching Ares falling for Nix when he wasn’t supposed to (cue forbidden romance trope). Since he’s been lying for years about the true reason he’s at Kingmakers, it felt like a weight lifted from his shoulders to finally be honest and tell Nix things he hasn’t told anyone else. All because she gave him the room to do so. There’s a few plot twists involving side characters as well as a few INTENSE scenes towards the end of this book that left my jaw on the floor. Needless to say, if you started the Kingmakers series, definitely stick with it to The Spy!

THE SAVAGE by Sophie Lark

Rating: 2/5 stars

Summary: Sabrina Gallo is an animal. From the moment I laid eyes on her, I had to have her. But Sabrina won’t be taken by anyone. She’s wild and reckless - downright dangerous. Lucky for me, I’ve always loved a challenge. I want to hunt. Even if I capture her, caging a tiger doesn’t mean it’s tamed. The harder she fights, the more ruthless I become. She needs to learn how savage I can be.

My Thoughts: It hurts me to say, but this book was such a disappointment. Obviously, I still love Sophie Lark as an author, but she really missed the mark on this book. Sabrina and Adrik’s relationship was teased at the end of The Spy, and I was expecting something exciting since their characters are a little wilder than others. However, even 60% into this book, I just did not care about them. There was hardly a build up to them developing a connection, and the relationship that was created was heavily based on lust more than love. So, I never fully bought into this pairing. Sabrina is only 19, so she’s still pretty immature, has the WORST temper ever, and is just freaking reckless all the time. Also, she never really grew out of that? Like there was no character development here. The only quality to Adrik was he embraced Sabrina’s wild nature, but he had just as bad of a temper and clearly never saw her as his equal. The conflict that drives a wedge between them is due to BOTH characters - not just Sabrina - and yet she’s the one who apologizes…? The overall plot was kind of weak compared to the previous storylines and definitely not worth 500+ pages. The only reason I kept reading was because I was hoping the story would eventually redeem itself. Spoiler alert: it did not. (Even with a few Nero appearances. IYKYK.) This book is extremely sexual, so if you’re looking for something more heavy on the smut than the plot then you might like this more than I did. That said, since this is the last book in the Kingmakers series, I honestly think you could just skip it and not miss anything.

YOU HAD ME AT HOLA by Alexis Daria

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: After a messy public breakup, soap opera darling Jasmine Lin Rodriguez finds her face splashed across the tabloids. When she returns to her hometown of New York City to film the starring role in a bilingual romantic comedy for the number one streaming service in the country, Jasmine figures her new “Leading Lady Plan” should be easy enough to follow - until a casting shake-up pairs her with telenovela hunk Ashton Suarez. After his last telenovela character was killed off, Ashton is worried his career is dead as well. Joining this new cast as a last-minute addition will give him the chance to show off his acting chops to American audiences and ping the radar of Hollywood casting agents. To make it work, he’ll need to generate smoking-hot on-screen chemistry with Jasmine. Easier said than done, especially when a disastrous first impression smothers the embers of whatever sexual heat they might have had. With their careers on the line, Jasmine and Ashton agree to rehearse in private. But rehearsal leads to kissing, and kissing leads to a behind-the-scenes romance worthy of a soap opera. While their on-screen performance improves, the media spotlight on Jasmine soon threatens to destroy her new image and expose Ashton’s most closely guarded secret.

My Thoughts: This book was such a delight! Among the many aspects of this story that I thoroughly enjoyed, the characters were top notch. Both Jasmine and Ashton are Latinx actors who have made a name for themselves through soap operas and telenovelas, when they land a main role on the new show of a popular streaming service. Each of them were perfectly flawed and incredibly endearing. I loved that their lives matched up in ways neither expected and I was absolutely addicted to the chemistry crackling between them. Besides the developing romance, the other storyline that had me obsessing over this book was the close family dynamic Jasmine shared with her cousins Michelle and Ava. We love a powerful support system composed of strong women, and they were Jasmine’s rock. Overall, this was a fun, spicy rom-com that was incredibly rich in culture. The pages turned effortlessly and I definitely recommend picking it up if you haven’t already!

All righty, friends! That’s it for April! :D

I can’t promise I won’t read as much romance next month, but I can promise to mix some other genres in there lol.

2022 Book Count: 84

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YOUR TURN! How do you choose your next book? Are you a mood reader like me or do you have all of your next books planned?