July 2024 Reads

August 07, 2024 by Haley Burrill in Books

July both flew by and felt like it lasted 5ever.

It was just a jam-packed month. Not that I’m not complaining since we’re in the final stretch of summer now. :’(

As I’ve mentioned before, I’m quite the mood reader and, going into July, I felt like I just needed some easy, low-stakes reads. Throughout the first half of the year, I read a few heavier books and although I loved and learned a lot from them, I just wanted a little mental breather. So, I switched gears back to my guilty pleasure genre and read a lot of smutty romance with some fantasy, a thriller, and a contemporary fiction mixed in.

One good thing to come out of this transition is that I was able to get back into eyeball reading some physical books. Don’t get me wrong, audiobooks were/are still my main and preferred format, but bringing a book with me to the beach was definitely a game changer. Peep me reading in the middle of a birthday beach party lol:

Outside of reading, I’ve been binge watching the latest season of Love Island, the Olympics have been a regular fixture on my TV as of late, and... BIG BROTHER IS BACK. :D IYKYK that I’m a huge fan of Big Brother. To those who think it’s a dating show, it’s not. It’s like Survivor but in a house instead of on a deserted island somewhere. There’s a lot of social game and physical game involved and you have to balance both. It’s amazing and I highly recommend.

Okie I think that’s it for my intro. Let’s get into everything I read in July.

**All summaries are taken or paraphrased from Goodreads.

LOVE REDESIGNED by Lauren Asher (Lakefront Billionaires #1)

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Julian - If I ever caught on fire, Dahlia Muñoz would fan the flames with a smile. So, when she returns to Lake Wisteria, I fully intend to avoid the interior designer. At least until my meddling mother exploits my savior complex. The faster I help Dahlia find her creative spark, the sooner she will leave town. But while I was busy getting rid of Dahlia, I overlooked one potential issue. What happens if I want her to stay? | Dahlia - People say the devil has many faces, but I know only one. Julian Lopez—my childhood rival and family frenemy. I vow to steer clear of him while recovering from my broken engagement, but then the billionaire makes an irresistible offer. Renovate a historic house together and triple our profits. Our temporary truce becomes compromised as we face years’ worth of denied attraction and mixed emotions. Giving into our desire is inevitable…but falling in love? That isn’t part of the plan.

My Thoughts: It’s been a while since I’ve read a Lauren Asher romance, but I was excited to learn she has a newer series out. This book takes place in a fictional lakeside town in Michigan where Julian Lopez has become a billionaire real estate construction mogul. He built his business from the ground up which means his love life hasn’t been a priority for a long time. His last romantic tangle was when he kissed his childhood rival, Dahlia, during their freshman year in college. Fast forward a decade and Dahlia hasn’t heard from Julian since he unexpectedly dropped out after his dad’s death to take over the family business. After graduating, Dahlia ended up staying out west with her wealthy college boyfriend (Julian’s old college roommate) to pursue interior design. However, after ending her flashy romance and losing her home design tv show, the only place she wants to be is home and out of the media spotlight. Although these two still have an enemies-to-lovers vibe to their relationship, they decide to partner up on a renovation project for one of the town’s historic homes. One thing leads to another and a deal is struck to be friends-with-benefits. As we can all guess, these characters start to develop some very real feelings for one another, but they also have to face all of the insecurities they haven’t dealt with before moving forward. This book was super cute. I thought the characters were really well developed and extremely relatable, even if their lifestyles are not lol. This story also examines grief and anxiety in a way that shows it’s possible to move forward when you’re supported by those who you love and trust. There’s plenty of comedic relief throughout as well, so it’s not all serious. I definitely think this book is worth the read if you’re a Lauren Asher fan. If you haven’t read her yet, I recommend starting with either her F1 series OR her Dreamland Billionaire series. There are characters from both of those that make an appearance in this book.

HAPPY PLACE by Emily Henry

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: Harriet and Wyn have been the perfect couple since they met in college—they go together like salt and pepper, honey and tea, lobster and rolls. Except, now—for reasons they’re still not discussing—they don’t. They broke up six months ago. And still haven’t told their best friends. Which is how they find themselves sharing the largest bedroom at the Maine cottage that has been their friend group’s yearly getaway for the last decade. Their annual respite from the world, where for one vibrant, blue week they leave behind their daily lives, have copious amounts of cheese, wine, and seafood, and soak up the salty coastal air with the people who understand them most. Only this year, Harriet and Wyn are lying through their teeth while trying not to notice how desperately they still want each other. Because the cottage is for sale and this is the last week they’ll all have together in this place. They can’t stand to break their friends’ hearts, and so they’ll play their parts. Harriet will be the driven surgical resident who never starts a fight, and Wyn will be the laid-back charmer who never lets the cracks show. It’s a flawless plan (if you look at it from a great distance and through a pair of sunscreen-smeared sunglasses). After years of being in love, how hard can it be to fake it for one week… in front of those who know you best?

My Thoughts: This book has been on my radar since it came out last year, but as I’ve mentioned over the last few months, it’s been difficult for me to read physical books lately. However, thanks to a couple of beach days planned at the beginning of July, I was forced to put down my kindle and pick up this beauty. Per usual with Emily Henry’s writing, these characters instantly had a chokehold on my feelings lol. Harriet and Wyn broke up six months ago, and for various reasons, haven’t told their friends yet. However, that secret gets harder to keep when they’re invited to one final hoo-rah at a cottage in Maine that has served as this friend group’s yearly getaway for the last decade. Cue the tropes of forced proximity and fake dating with an overall theme of second chance romance. I was obsessed with the dynamics between Harriet and Wyn, and the TENSION? Thicc, my friends. It was impossible not to root for this couple, especially as the book dove deeper into their origin story and how they came to be. The various personalities of the other two couples in the friend group added so much depth to the experience and I loved how everything played out. Honestly? This was the perfect summer read and exactly what I needed to break my physical book dry spell lol.

ONE TRUE LOVES by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: In her twenties, Emma Blair marries her high school sweetheart, Jesse. They build a life for themselves, far away from the expectations of their parents and the people of their hometown in Massachusetts. They travel the world together, living life to the fullest and seizing every opportunity for adventure. On their first wedding anniversary, Jesse is on a helicopter over the Pacific when it goes missing. Just like that, Jesse is gone forever. Emma quits her job and moves home in an effort to put her life back together. Years later, now in her thirties, Emma runs into an old friend, Sam, and finds herself falling in love again. When Emma and Sam get engaged, it feels like Emma’s second chance at happiness. That is, until Jesse is found. He’s alive, and he’s been trying all these years to come home to her. With a husband and a fiancé, Emma has to now figure out who she is and what she wants, while trying to protect the ones she loves. Who is her one true love? What does it mean to love truly?

My Thoughts: Listen, the first line of this book was a ZINGER. “I’m finishing up dinner with my family and my fiancé when my husband calls.” Like WHAT? Our MFC, Emma, marries her high school sweetheart and love of her life, Jesse. However, when he disappears in a helicopter accident on their first wedding anniversary, she’s left reeling with the grief of losing her person. True to TJR’s poetic writing style, this portion of the book had me in an absolute CHOKEHOLD. I don’t cry much in general (we’re working on that in therapy lol), but even I couldn’t fight the giant lump in my throat while watching Emma pick up the pieces of her sanity after losing Jesse. Although the healing process takes time, Emma does find love again in a guy from her past named Sam whom she never really gave a chance to when they were younger. Fast forward when they are now engaged and the miracle phone call comes through announcing that Jesse is alive. Emma is left to decide if she wants to continue in this new life she’s built with Sam or if she wants to pick up where she and Jesse left off four years ago before the crash. Although the writing in this book is fantastic, I wasn’t AS SOLD on the second half of it which is where I docked 1.5 stars. I can’t imagine being put through a situation like this, but it felt safely fictional and that kind of took me out of the story a little bit. That said though, I definitely recommend picking up this book if you’re looking for the sensation of pushing on an emotional bruise for a bit.

THEN SHE WAS GONE by Lisa Jewell

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: THEN She was fifteen, her mother's golden girl. She had her whole life ahead of her. And then, in the blink of an eye, Ellie was gone. NOW It’s been ten years since Ellie disappeared, but Laurel has never given up hope of finding her daughter. And then one day a charming and charismatic stranger called Floyd walks into a café and sweeps Laurel off her feet. Before too long she’s staying the night at this house and being introduced to his nine year old daughter. Poppy is precocious and pretty - and meeting her completely takes Laurel's breath away. Because Poppy is the spitting image of Ellie when she was that age. And now all those unanswered questions that have haunted Laurel come flooding back. What happened to Ellie? Where did she go? Who still has secrets to hide?

My Thoughts: Okay this book was TWISTED. It started a little slow, but as soon as it started gaining momentum, we were full steam ahead. Although the main story is told from the POV of Laurel whose daughter Ellie went missing ten years ago, you eventually get the POVs from other characters involved in the bigger mystery of Ellie’s disappearance. I never knew who to trust and did not see the various connections between characters coming. I was even highly sus of the young girl Poppy, whose character was supposedly sweet and innocent. There are so many facets to this psychological thriller and I was INVESTED in every moment of it. Especially as Laurel starts doing her own digging into the past of her new boyfriend Floyd and some WILD realizations start to surface. I did appreciate how the story ended because it took a character who had been villainized the entire book and shed a not-so terrible light on them. If you’re looking for a quick, creepy read, I highly recommend trying this audiobook!

LOVE UNWRITTEN by Lauren Asher (Lakefront Billionaires #2)

Rating: 2.5/5 stars

Summary: Rafael - Ellie Sinclair is a hopeless romantic who writes love songs. I’m a struggling workaholic who could inspire a hundred breakup albums. On paper, we have nothing in common except for my son. For eight months, I avoid her until our summer trip. Fourteen days. Two islands. And one nanny I shouldn’t be attracted to. Spending time with Ellie is expected, but enjoying her company? That isn’t part of our travel plans. After my divorce, I swore to protect my heart at all costs. Even if it means breaking hers in the process. | Ellie - What’s worse than working for a grumpy single dad? Admitting that I once had a secret crush on him in high school. Thankfully, Rafael Lopez and I have changed since we graduated from Wisteria High. He is a billionaire with a company to run and a child to take care of. I’m an unemployed songwriter he hired to watch his son and teach music. We coexist without any issues until a vacation changes everything. Lines blur and old feelings for Rafael return with vengeance as I face a new dilemma. Being his son’s nanny is one thing, but wishing for more? Sounds like a heartbreak song waiting to be written.

My Thoughts: Ugh okay. So I very recently have gotten on board with the single father/nanny trope in romances, but they have to be done SO RIGHT for me to fully buy in. Unfortunately, I think this one missed the mark a little bit. However, I really appreciated the amount of care that the author showed these characters’ previous traumas. This book was mildly disappointing for a couple of reasons. For starters, this book was fucking LONG. It had no business being longer than 400 pages and I think it was almost 600 pages. So the end of it started to DRAG. Another factor is that I have loved Lauren Asher’s other books and this one felt like she was rushing while trying to write a slow burn - which was just a contradictory experience in itself. Ellie was a solid MFC for this story and I really enjoyed the depth of her character arc. In contrast, Rafael was a little bit harder to like. It seemed like he tended to react rather than respond to any perceived adversities, and it didn’t make me swoon for him - especially with my red flag radar beeping in the background. The timeline of this story also felt a little bit unrealistic. They supposedly fell in love over a two-week vacation that had literally like three cute moments and the rest of the time they were fighting. So like? ALSO, you know I am a SIMP for some well-written salacious scenes and this book was just not it. As I said, it felt like a slow burn because they didn’t do anything until more than halfway through the book, and even then, they just jumped right into it. There was no heady lead-up to get the blood flowing. It was just like BOOM. DONE. And, if that doesn’t feel unrealistic, idk what does. Anywho, although this book was not my cup of tea, I’m sure anyone who loves a single dad/nanny trope would appreciate it. I still love Lauren Asher and will probably continue with this series after she publishes the next book.

THE QUEEN’S ASSASSIN by Melissa de la Cruz

Rating: 3/5 stars

Summary: Caledon Holt is the Kingdom of Renovia's deadliest weapon. No one alive can best him in brawn or brains, which is why he's the Guild's most dangerous member and the Queen's one and only assassin. He's also bound to the Queen by an impossible vow--to find the missing Deian Scrolls, the fount of all magical history and knowledge, stolen years ago by a nefarious sect called the Aphrasians. Shadow has been training all her life to follow in the footsteps of her mother and aunts--to become skilled enough to join the ranks of the Guild. Though magic has been forbidden since the Aphrasian uprising, Shadow has been learning to control her powers in secret, hoping that one day she'll become an assassin as feared and revered as Caledon Holt. When a surprise attack brings Shadow and Cal together, they're forced to team up as assassin and apprentice to hunt down a new sinister threat to Renovia. But as Cal and Shadow grow closer, they'll uncover a shocking web of lies and secrets that may destroy everything they hold dear. With war on the horizon and true love at risk, they'll stop at nothing to protect each other and their kingdom in this stunning first novel in the Queen's Secret series.

My Thoughts: I actually won this book in a giveaway the publisher was doing on Instagram a few years ago, but I still opted for the audiobook when it came down to it. Although I was pretty lukewarm overall about this book, it was still a decent YA fantasy! I can’t say I understand why it’s titled “The Queen’s Assassin.” One of the main characters, Caledon, is the head assassin for the queen, yes. However, he didn’t do much assassinating in the actual story. I was hoping to see a little more action or, at the very least, get more insight into Caledon’s life as the assassin. However, it was basically just his occupational title and that’s really the only impact it had on this experience lol. Shadow’s character was a bit more complex. She’s the Queen’s daughter who hasn’t been seen by the public in years as she’s raised by her aunts in the countryside. Magic has been outlawed in their world since the last war, but Shadow has been working on powers in private. There is a romance aspect to this story that I didn’t TOTALLY buy into, but it does add an entertaining element nonetheless. The plot was decent and well thought out, but it wasn’t anything groundbreaking tbh. I own the second book in this duology and will probably continue onto it at some point this year, but it definitely won't be right away.

THE SEVEN YEAR SLIP by Ashley Poston

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Sometimes, the worst day of your life happens, and you have to figure out how to live after it. So Clementine forms a plan to keep her heart safe: work hard, find someone decent to love, and try to remember to chase the moon. The last one is silly and obviously metaphorical, but her aunt always told her that you needed at least one big dream to keep going. And for the last year, that plan has gone off without a hitch. Mostly. The love part is hard because she doesn’t want to get too close to anyone—she isn’t sure her heart can take it. And then she finds a strange man standing in the kitchen of her late aunt’s apartment. A man with kind eyes and a Southern drawl and a taste for lemon pies. The kind of man that, before it all, she would’ve fallen head-over-heels for. And she might again. Except, he exists in the past. Seven years ago, to be exact. And she, quite literally, lives seven years in his future. Her aunt always said the apartment was a pinch in time, a place where moments blended together like watercolors. And Clementine knows that if she lets her heart fall, she’ll be doomed. After all, love is never a matter of time—but a matter of timing.

My Thoughts: Okay, this book? FREAKING CUTE. I can’t believe it took me this long to pick up an Ashley Poston book, but I’m so glad this was my first taste of her writing. I was INVESTED. Starting with how unique the premise is. Basically, Clementine had kind of an eccentric aunt growing up who said her apartment was magic, and would sometimes take you back in time. Because she absolutely adored her aunt and loved her stories, Clementine assumed she was just exaggerating or being facetious. However, after Clementine moves into her late aunt’s apartment and finds a strange man there, she starts to consider that maybe her aunt wasn’t just telling stories. Inside her apartment, Clementine is seven years in the past getting to know this aspiring chef and the sweetest man ever, Iwan. He’s currently subleasing the apartment for the summer while Clementine’s aunt is on a trip to Europe. When Clementine walks out of her front door though, she’s back in the present. She has no idea where the current-day Iwan is or if he would even remember her, but as she starts falling for the Iwan of seven years ago, she realizes she wants to know where he is now. This book had me giggling, blushing, and kicking my feet like a giddy idiot. The plot had so many complex layers to it and the characters each had so much depth, it was impossible not to buy into their connection. It was so freaking heartwarming. Grief is a large topic in this book, but it was handled with the utmost care. I honestly couldn’t put this book down and highly recommend it!

THE CITY OF BRASS by S.A. Chakraborty

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Nahri has never believed in magic. Certainly, she has power; on the streets of 18th century Cairo, she’s a con woman of unsurpassed talent. But she knows better than anyone that the trade she uses to get by—palm readings, zars, healings—are all tricks, sleights of hand, learned skills; a means to the delightful end of swindling Ottoman nobles. But when Nahri accidentally summons an equally sly, darkly mysterious djinn warrior to her side during one of her cons, she’s forced to accept that the magical world she thought only existed in childhood stories is real. For the warrior tells her a new tale: across hot, windswept sands teeming with creatures of fire, and rivers where the mythical marid sleep; past ruins of once-magnificent human metropolises, and mountains where the circling hawks are not what they seem, lies Daevabad, the legendary city of brass, a city to which Nahri is irrevocably bound. In that city, behind gilded brass walls laced with enchantments, behind the six gates of the six djinn tribes, old resentments are simmering. And when Nahri decides to enter this world, she learns that true power is fierce and brutal. That magic cannot shield her from the dangerous web of court politics. That even the cleverest of schemes can have deadly consequences. After all, there is a reason they say be careful what you wish for...

My Thoughts: Okay this book has been on my radar for a MINUTE and I’m so lucky Hoopla had the audiobook because I don’t think the experience would’ve been as immersive had I eyeball read it. Let me start by saying, this book is your quintessential “world building, scene setting, background providing” first book in a trilogy. The author really makes a point to walk you through the different types of magic beings, the politics of their world, and more. Although this book is a large information dump, it was still easy to follow and enjoy the story. It starts by mainly following Nahri who is a young con woman in Cairo. She uses tactics she’s learned throughout the years surviving alone in the streets of the city to trick tourists out of money, pick pocket unsuspecting bystanders, and more. Until one of her cons takes a turn when she accidentally summons a dark and powerful djinn. She’s forced to face the fact that maybe the magical world people talk about in kids’ stories might actually exist, and it just so happens she’s the descendant of a powerful healing family that was believed to be extinct. Cue a long journey to the capital of this magical world (The City of Brass) with her djinn travel partner. The politics they walk into are much trickier to navigate than she could’ve ever expected. The story is eventually told in a dual POV format that switches between Nahri and Ali, the second prince in line to the throne. Although I didn’t fully buy into the romance storyline in this book, I was invested in the complexities surrounding the politics and how those influence so many characters’ actions. I’ve never read a book where the main characters are djinn, efrit, etc., only books where they interact with those creatures. So that alone was a refreshing take on this type of folklore. I don’t plan to start the second book right away, but I do plan to continue on with this trilogy overall.

RED QUEEN by Victoria Aveyard

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: This is a world divided by blood—red or silver. The Reds are commoners, ruled by a Silver elite in possession of god-like superpowers. And to Mare Barrow, a seventeen-year-old Red girl from the poverty-stricken Stilts, it seems like nothing will ever change. That is until she finds herself working in the Silver Palace. Here, surrounded by the people she hates the most, Mare discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy the balance of power. Fearful of Mare's potential, the Silvers hide her in plain view, declaring her a long-lost Silver princess, now engaged to a Silver prince. Despite knowing that one misstep would mean her death, Mare works silently to help the Red Guard, a militant resistance group, and bring down the Silver regime. But this is a world of betrayal and lies, and Mare has entered a dangerous dance—Reds against Silvers, prince against prince, and Mare against her own heart.

My Thoughts: Okay, for starters, I want to say I didn’t LOVE the narrator of this audiobook, but that factor didn’t bother me the entire book. So, I wouldn’t say the audiobook isn’t the way to go, but if you’re picky about narrators, that might impact your opinion if you decide to listen to it. I would say this book is as if Shatter Me and The Selection had a love child and then that kid hung out around the kids of Hunger Games, Red Rising, etc. pretty regularly lol. There’s a dystopian element to it and people’s hierarchy is dependent on the color of their blood - silver or red. Most people who have silver blood also have a hidden magical ability. Whether that’s wielding fire, manipulating metal, reading/controlling minds, etc. Reds are normal humans and because they have no special abilities, they’re at the bottom of the totem pole - often in occupations that involve serving the Silvers. However, once our main red blooded character, Mare, unexpectedly shows the ability to control electricity, all hell breaks loose. The royals quickly sweep her powers under the rug by creating a fake background story for her, and she is absorbed into their world. Cue Mare scheming with a rebel Red group by giving inside information to take down the silvers and get justice for her dead brother. All the while, she is dealing with a love triangle between her betrothed, the young prince Maven, and his older brother/future king, Prince Cal. I think this book had great legs to it and it ended on a cliffhanger that was interesting enough for me to keep going in the series. I might not jump into it right away, but I think I’ll be continuing on regardless. I just need to decide if that will be via audiobook still since I don’t love the narrator, or if I will be eyeball reading it. If you’re looking for a YA fantasy with a little bit of everything, I highly recommend giving this one a try.

JUST FOR THE SUMMER by Abby Jimenez (Part of Your World #3)

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Justin has a curse, and thanks to a Reddit thread, it's now all over the internet. Every woman he dates goes on to find their soulmate the second they break up. When a woman slides into his DMs with the same problem, they come up with a plan: They'll date each other and break up. Their curses will cancel each other’s out, and they’ll both go on to find the love of their lives. It’s a bonkers idea… and it just might work. Emma hadn't planned that her next assignment as a traveling nurse would be in Minnesota, but she and her best friend agree that dating Justin is too good of an opportunity to pass up, especially when they get to rent an adorable cottage on a private island on Lake Minnetonka. It's supposed to be a quick fling, just for the summer. But when Emma's toxic mother shows up and Justin has to assume guardianship of his three siblings, they're suddenly navigating a lot more than they expected–including catching real feelings for each other. What if this time Fate has actually brought the perfect pair together?

My Thoughts: To roughly quote Maddy (the FMC’s best friend), Justin is the epitome of “if he wanted to, he would.” Like holy hell this man… we must protect sweet Justin at all costs. After posting to Reddit about his “Good Luck Chuck” type of curse, a woman named Emma slides into his DMs saying she has the same problem. Clearly, the only way to break this curse is for them to cancel it out by dating each other and breaking up afterwards. As a travel nurse, Emma is able to move to Minnesota where Justin lives so they can see this thing through. Once they start getting to know each other though, it’s clear this fake dating thing feels very real and definitely shouldn’t end. I was obsessed with how easy and natural their relationship felt. They were so silly with each other while still being able to develop a deeper connection. Both are dealing with some family issues and I appreciated how those played into where this story went. It isn’t your typical path for a romance novel, but I absolutely loved it. This is a bold claim, but I’m pretty sure this was my favorite book of the Part of Your World series.

A kindle rests on a table. The screen has a purple ebook cover of Play Along by Liz Tomforde on its screen. — Play Along by Liz Tomforde

PLAY ALONG by Liz Tomforde (WINDY CITY, #4)

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: Kennedy- I’m the only woman on staff for the Windy City Warriors, and after years of putting up with a sexist lead doctor, I’m desperate to land my dream job with a new team next year. All I have to do is maintain my professional reputation for my final season in Chicago. But a Las Vegas run-in with the team’s shortstop threatens it all, leaving me with a fuzzy memory and a ring on my left hand. Now, not only am I legally bound to the most persistent man I’ve ever met, but thanks to Isaiah’s scheme to save my job, I have to pretend the whole thing was a planned elopement and not a drunken mistake. Isaiah Rhodes is reckless, impulsive, and frustratingly charming. He’s also my brand-new husband. They got the saying wrong. What happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas… sometimes it follows you right back home. Isaiah - As the shortstop for Chicago’s professional baseball team, I’ve had my fair share of fun. But that all ended the day Kennedy Kay became a single woman. I’ve crushed on the team’s athletic trainer for years. I’ve flirted to no avail, so imagine my surprise when I woke up in Sin City with a ring on my finger and my favorite redhead in my bed. We agree to stay married for one baseball season, just long enough to keep her job safe, but in my mind, I’m using our time together to prove to her I’m husband material. Kennedy might be reluctant to join in on our game, but it’s one I refuse to lose. So come on, wife… play along.

My Thoughts: I’ve been WAITING for Isaiah’s story in this series and was so excited when this book finally made it to my Kindle. I think this may be my favorite book of the Windy City series tbh. Isaiah and Kennedy were such different people, and although on paper they’d never work, they took the time to peel back each other’s layers and get to know their depths. It was so heartwarming to watch them be truly vulnerable and love one another so uniquely. There are plenty of comedic moments to balance the serious ones and, not to mention, high quality steamy salacious scenes lol. I can’t say I recommend reading this as a standalone because you really do feel a kinship with the other characters in this series that continue to make an appearance throughout this book. Plus you also get more background on Isaiah and Kennedy’s characters. So in conclusion lol, I definitely recommend this book, but also advise reading the rest of the series first.

DEMON COPPERHEAD by Barbara Kingsolver

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Set in the mountains of southern Appalachia, this is the story of a boy born to a teenaged single mother in a single-wide trailer, with no assets beyond his dead father's good looks and copper-colored hair, a caustic wit, and a fierce talent for survival. In a plot that never pauses for breath, relayed in his own unsparing voice, he braves the modern perils of foster care, child labor, derelict schools, athletic success, addiction, disastrous loves, and crushing losses. Through all of it, he reckons with his own invisibility in a popular culture where even the superheroes have abandoned rural people in favor of cities. Many generations ago, Charles Dickens wrote David Copperfield from his experience as a survivor of institutional poverty and its damages to children in his society. Those problems have yet to be solved in ours. Dickens is not a prerequisite for readers of this novel, but he provided its inspiration. In transposing a Victorian epic novel to the contemporary American South, Barbara Kingsolver enlists Dickens' anger and compassion, and above all, his faith in the transformative powers of a good story. Demon Copperhead speaks for a new generation of lost boys, and all those born into beautiful, cursed places they can't imagine leaving behind.

My Thoughts: Y’ALL. I had only heard good things about this book before going into it and let me say, every single bit of praise this story receives is ridiculously well-earned. I was ENTHRALLED in this audiobook. Hats off to the narrator because his voice put me into a trance every time I popped my AirPods in to keep listening. Demon is one of the most dynamic characters I’ve come across in a very long time. Life has dealt him a rough hand and after he ends up in the foster care system, the curveballs just keep coming. Despite all of the adversity Demon faces throughout this story, there is still just enough hope and optimism that keeps you cheering for him to make it out of the circumstances he was born into. Although they weren’t all your traditional forms of support, the people who Demon had on his side making sure he could have a better life was so incredibly heartwarming. There are also HELLA comedic relief moments throughout this book that make swallowing the hard parts a little easier to wash down. I am THOROUGHLY impressed by the way Barbara Kingsolver’s mind works because the number of layers to this complex story was incredible and the execution of her writing is honestly inspiring. If you haven’t read Demon Copperhead yet, I highly recommend it, but definitely go for the audiobook if that’s a format you jive with.

Okieee. That’s it for July!

I have two trips coming up in August - one to Bellaire and one to the UP - so although I’m going to bring a book, I’m sure those might slow down my reading a touch this month.

I promise to switch up my genres a little bit next month as well lol.

2024 Book Count: 79

Add me on Goodreads if you haven’t already.

YOUR TURN! What was the last book you took on a long trip or vacation with you?

June 2024 Reads

July 03, 2024 by Haley Burrill in Books

Well June came in HOT, amiright??

Don’t get me wrong, I adore Michigan summers and wouldn’t trade them for anything. But, SHEESH, can we TONE DOWN THE HUMIDITY PLZ?

Also that week of 90+ degree days was just rude.

It was so hot and humid in my apartment the other day that even my bath towels were struggling to dry out from the shower I took THE NIGHT BEFORE. Wild.

Otherwise, June was pretty cool. More figuratively than literally.

One of my best friends got married to her person and their wedding day was absolutely beautiful and full of love for the happy couple.

I started doing Pilates again at a new studio and it has been great. All of the memes you see on Instagram about Pilates instructors are completely accurate btw lol. “And we’re here for four… *ten seconds later* three……… *long pause” two…… *longer pause* one.” :)

I even tried unpausing my Hinge profile this month, but lol… After about one day, I paused it again because that shit was overwhelming.

As a fresh 30-year-old, I also tweaked my neck this month. How, you ask? Well, I’m glad you’re curious. I, in fact, tweaked my neck in KICKBALL while I was running between bases. Freaking kickball. The grass was kind of wet, I had to quickly pivot and sprint back to first, and I think I just braced my body too hard to avoid slipping. Instead I basically gave myself whiplash lol.

#ThisIs30

On a reading note, I upgraded my audiobook game with Hoopla. If you haven’t heard about it, go get it and then connect your library card to it. They have SOOOO many great audiobooks and ebooks readily available that I would have to wait MONTHS to get through Libby. Not that I’m shit talking about my girl Libby. Y’all know I love that app. But real talk, Hoopla has better options lol.

Anywho. Let’s get into everything I read in June. Shall we?

*All summaries are taken or paraphrased from Goodreads.

THE DIAMOND EYE by Kate Quinn

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: In 1937 in the snowbound city of Kyiv, wry and bookish history student Mila Pavlichenko organizes her life around her library job and her young son--but Hitler's invasion of Ukraine and Russia sends her on a different path. Given a rifle and sent to join the fight, Mila must forge herself from studious girl to deadly sniper--a lethal hunter of Nazis known as Lady Death. When news of her three hundredth kill makes her a national heroine, Mila finds herself torn from the bloody battlefields of the eastern front and sent to America on a goodwill tour. Still reeling from war wounds and devastated by loss, Mila finds herself isolated and lonely in the glittering world of Washington, DC--until an unexpected friendship with First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and an even more unexpected connection with a silent fellow sniper offer the possibility of happiness. But when an old enemy from Mila's past joins forces with a deadly new foe lurking in the shadows, Lady Death finds herself battling her own demons and enemy bullets in the deadliest duel of her life. Based on a true story, The Diamond Eye is a haunting novel of heroism born of desperation, of a mother who became a soldier, of a woman who found her place in the world and changed the course of history forever.

My Thoughts: Okay this wasn’t my favorite Kate Quinn book, but I still gave it four stars, so if that doesn’t tell you how much I love her writing, idk what will. Similar to her other books, this was based on a true story and real person. It follows Mila Pavlichenko, a history nerd and university student, who becomes a deadly sniper for the Soviet Army after Germany invades Russia and Ukraine. Mila’s unmatched skills and kill count earn her a respect not many women receive - especially as gunmen. The timeline bounced between the present where Mila is on a media tour in the United States and the past where Mila is fighting in the war. I loved that although her reputation within the Soviet Army gives her almost a mythical quality, we truly get to see the woman behind the gun through the interactions with her son, her subordinates, her lovers, and even Eleanor Roosevelt. Kate Quinn has a way of writing female leads that gives you no choice but to root for them and this book is no exception. I cannot believe the strength and bravery Mila exuded throughout the endless adversity she experienced. She was such a badass and although this is historical fiction based on a real person, I highly recommend giving it a read because more people should know about women like Mila Pavlichenko.

THE DIXON RULE by Elle Kennedy

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: Diana Dixon has a lot going on this summer. She’s rehearsing for a ballroom dance competition, juggling two jobs, and dealing with an ex-boyfriend who can’t take the hint it’s over. Yet despite all that, she still has plenty of time and energy to tell Shane Lindley to screw off. Shane just moved into her apartment building and seems dedicated to sleeping his way through her entire cheerleading squad. Sure, he’s a tall, gorgeous hockey player, but he’s messing with her turf. This calls for some ground rules: no parties in her apartment, leave her teammates alone, and—most importantly—leave her alone. What Diana doesn’t realize is that Shane’s sick of hookups and tired of being on the rebound after his long-term girlfriend called it quits. He wants a relationship. And when his ex comes back into the picture, he pretends he has one to make her jealous…and who better to play the girlfriend role than his sassy new neighbor? Despite Diana’s reluctance to break her rule, a fake relationship is the perfect solution for her own ex issues, and soon she can’t deny something is sizzling between her and Shane. Something hot and completely unexpected. And it might just be getting a little too real.

My Thoughts: Okay, so I love Elle Kennedy’s writing and have enjoyed plenty of her sports romance novels. This one, however, scored kind of low on my favorites list. I enjoyed Diana and Shane as main characters. Plus, we were dealing with an enemies-to-lovers, fake-dating, forced-proximity trope mash-up and, quite frankly, those are my FAVORITE. So I could get down with the plot as well. I think my main hang ups with this book are that it was just SO LONG and that I couldn’t TOTALLY buy into their romance. I won’t lie though, I didn’t write this review until like 2 weeks after I finished this particular book lol. So although I can’t remember EXACTLY what it was about their relationship that I was a little meh about, I do know that I wasn’t endlessly traipsing through Swoon City like I usually do with Elle Kennedy’s stories. This was a hockey romance for Pete’s sake. I am a SIMP for the hockey romances, but even that couldn’t carry this one to a 4-star rating. If you’ve started this new generation series then I definitely recommend reading this book, but lower your expectations a touch and I think you’ll enjoy it more than I did.

Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: Authors June Hayward and Athena Liu were supposed to be twin rising stars. But Athena’s a literary darling. June Hayward is literally nobody. Who wants stories about basic white girls, June thinks. So when June witnesses Athena’s death in a freak accident, she acts on impulse: she steals Athena’s just-finished masterpiece, an experimental novel about the unsung contributions of Chinese laborers during World War I. So what if June edits Athena’s novel and sends it to her agent as her own work? So what if she lets her new publisher rebrand her as Juniper Song—complete with an ambiguously ethnic author photo? Doesn’t this piece of history deserve to be told, whoever the teller? That’s what June claims, and the New York Times bestseller list seems to agree. But June can’t get away from Athena’s shadow, and emerging evidence threatens to bring June’s (stolen) success down around her. As June races to protect her secret, she discovers exactly how far she will go to keep what she thinks she deserves.

My Thoughts: This book was brilliant, thought-provoking, a little cynical, and a lot satirical. Told from the perspective of June Hayward, an amateur author who is driven by intense insecurities and the incessant need for power. After a freak accident that leaves her much more successful friend and author dead, June manages to steal the notes for Athena’s never-before-seen book concept and publishes it as her own. June is one of the most unlikable, morally-gray main characters I’ve encountered in I don’t know how long. The motive behind every decision she makes has so many layers to it. She’s so flawed and complex, but through stories of her own, we also learn her late friend Athena wasn’t a saint either. The story manages to touch on racism, plagiarism, the dark side of the publishing industry, dealing with internet trolls, and more. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time and wracked with a light anxiety that coated every page. All of the awards to R.F. Kuang because this book was thrilling while maintaining a realistic quality to it that unapologetically pulled me in. If you haven’t read this one yet, I highly recommend picking it up because you won’t find another book like it.

EXIT WEST by Mohsin Hamid

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: In a country teetering on the brink of civil war, two young people meet—sensual, fiercely independent Nadia and gentle, restrained Saeed. They embark on a furtive love affair and are soon cloistered in a premature intimacy by the unrest roiling their city. When it explodes, turning familiar streets into a patchwork of checkpoints and bomb blasts, they begin to hear whispers about doors—doors that can whisk people far away, if perilously and for a price. As the violence escalates, Nadia and Saeed decide that they no longer have a choice. Leaving their homeland and their old lives behind, they find a door and step through.

My Thoughts: This was my book club book for the month and although I have a physical copy, I decided to opt for the audiobook (to no one’s surprise). It was only 5-hours long which was great, but I didn’t LOVE the author as the narrator of this book mainly because he tended to be a little monotone. Whether that was for dramatic effect or just his natural reading voice, who’s to say? It’s not that he did a terrible job or anything. Besides, his writing was phenomenal. I think the way he portrayed the struggles and adversity people face when fleeing from their country due to war or unlivable circumstances. The desperation to find normalcy and safety in their new day-to-day was so real. I could feel it in my bones how badly I just wanted the main characters to land in a place they could call their new home. This book was super eye-opening and I highly recommend reading it if you’re trying to get a better understanding of what it’s like to flee the only home you’ve ever known.

SPITTING GOLD by Carmella Lowkis

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Paris, 1866. When Baroness Sylvie Devereux receives a house call from Charlotte Mothe, the sister she disowned, she fears her shady past as a spirit medium has caught up with her. But with their father ill and Charlotte unable to pay his bills, Sylvie is persuaded into one last con. Their marks are the de Jacquinots: dysfunctional aristocrats who believe they are haunted by their great aunt, brutally murdered during the French Revolution. The scheme underway, the sisters deploy every trick to terrify the family out of their gold. But when inexplicable horrors start to happen to them too, the duo question whether they really are at the mercy of a vengeful spirit. And what other deep, dark secrets may come to light?

My Thoughts: Okay I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook. It follows two sisters, Sylvie and Charlotte, who offer their services to people as spiritual mediums to help families connect with their departed loved ones. The only catch is that they’re complete frauds, and they know every trick in the book to make their ~spiritual connections~ convincing. The book is split into two halves with Sylvie’s point of view being first. She left her family’s fraudulent practice after she married a baron who helped cover up her scandalous past. However, when Charlotte shows up on Sylvie’s doorstep begging for her help to do one more job, Sylvie finds herself agreeing. As the sisters get deeper into this last family, things start getting really weird and even Sylvie is wondering if there isn’t a presence tormenting people in this family. The second half of the book is from Charlotte’s point of view and sheds new light on the plot. It was interesting to see how differently everything played out by the end because it was nothing like I expected. I can’t say I LOVED either sister because they both had their secrets and faults, but I was thoroughly invested in this storyline and thought it was a great book for it being the author’s debut. Definitely give it a try if it’s been on your radar or if you like a mystery that has some dark, gothic undertones.

QUEEN OF THIEVES by Beezy Marsh

Rating: 2/5 stars

Summary: An electrifying historical adventure about a ring of bold and resourceful women thieves in post-World War II London. Gangland was a man's world. Or so they thought. The women knew different. London, 1946 . The city struggles to rebuild itself after the devastation of the Blitz. Food is rationed, good jobs are scarce, and even the most honest families are forced to take a bit of "crooked" just to survive. Alice Diamond, the Queen of Thieves, rules over her all-female gang with a bejeweled fist. Her "hoisters" are expert shoplifters, the scourge of London's upscale boutiques and department stores. Their lucrative business stealing and fencing luxury goods always carries the threat of violence; Alice packs a razor, and has been known to use her heavy rows of diamond rings like brass knuckles. Young Nell is a teenager from the slums, hiding a secret pregnancy and facing a desperately uncertain future when Alice takes her under her wing. Before long, Nell is experiencing all the dangers -- and glamourous trappings -- that come with this underworld existence. Alice wants Nell to be a useful weapon in her ongoing war against crime boss Billy Sullivan's gang of rival thieves. But Nell has a hidden agenda of her own, and is not to be underestimated. The more she is manipulated by both Alice and Billy, the more her hunger for revenge grows. As Nell embraces the rich spoils of crime and the seedy underbelly of London, will she manage to carve out her own path to power and riches? Might she even crown herself the Queen of Thieves?

My Thoughts: I don’t know how this author wrote a whole ass book only using characters that are incredibly unlikable, but she did it lol. I will say, although I own a physical copy, I opted for the audiobook and I’m glad I did. That narrator put her WHOLE heart into this story. She made it feel like I was watching a play vs. listening to an audiobook. Like every tactic she learned in theater school as a voice actor was FULLY utilized in the various character accents, and she was the sole source of motivation to finish this book. I honestly don’t know if I would’ve finished it had I read it to myself. Mostly because, as I mentioned, all of these characters are so unlikable lol. They’re so self-absorbed. Even Nell, who I wanted to cheer for because she’s the underdog in this story, was so annoying. It was a lot of the same where Nell got used by either the 40 Thieves or by the mob boss of SoHo, and any slight rebellion was received with consequences. Also, as a trigger warning, there was quite a bit of sexual assault in this book. To the point of where I was getting really uncomfortable with how many times it was happening and then the book would just move on from it. I get that it was to emphasize the misogyny during this period of time, but it left a bad taste in my mouth. The ending and climax of the story happened very quickly and abruptly, so it felt like I almost missed it lol. So in conclusion, I do not recommend this book lol, but the narrator deserves all the awards.

INFINITE COUNTRY by Patricia Engel

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: At the dawn of the new millennium, Colombia is a country devastated by half a century of violence. Elena and Mauro are teenagers when they meet, their blooming love an antidote to the mounting brutality of life in Bogotá. Once their first daughter is born, and facing grim economic prospects, they set their sights on the United States. They travel to Houston and send wages back to Elena’s mother, all the while weighing whether to risk overstaying their tourist visas or to return to Bogotá. As their family expands, and they move again and again, their decision to ignore their exit dates plunges the young family into the precariousness of undocumented status, the threat of discovery menacing a life already strained. When Mauro is deported, Elena, now tasked with caring for their three small children, makes a difficult choice that will ease her burdens but splinter the family even further.

My Thoughts: Another shorty, but a goodie. This audiobook was about 5 hours and I was truly sucked into every minute of it. The book mainly switches between the present where Talia, the youngest daughter of this Colombian family, has escaped from a girls’ correctional facility, and the past when her parents, Elena and Mauro, emigrate to the United States where they struggle to create a better life for themselves and stay under the radar to avoid deportation. Although in much smaller doses, you also get the perspective of Talia’s older siblings who are both living in the United States with their mother. The brother is a U.S. citizen while the oldest sister is undocumented and much more vigilant about staying out of the government’s eye. There was such hope and heartbreak written throughout these pages. The author had a frankness to her writing that didn’t have to be overly emotional for you to feel the pain of this family who has been torn apart while trying to build a better life for themselves. I think this book is such a powerful, empathetic example of what people go through trying to build a better life for themselves in the U.S. and I highly recommend giving it a read.

A SHORT WALK THROUGH A WIDE WORLD by Douglas Westerbeke

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: Paris, 1885: Aubry Tourvel, a spoiled and stubborn nine-year-old girl, comes across a wooden puzzle ball on her walk home from school. She tosses it over the fence, only to find it in her backpack that evening. Days later, at the family dinner table, she starts to bleed to death. When medical treatment only makes her worse, she flees to the outskirts of the city, where she realizes that it is this very act of movement that keeps her alive. So begins her lifelong journey on the run from her condition, which won’t allow her to stay anywhere for longer than a few days nor return to a place where she’s already been. From the scorched dunes of the Calashino Sand Sea to the snow-packed peaks of the Himalayas; from a bottomless well in a Parisian courtyard, to the shelves of an infinite underground library, we follow Aubry as she learns what it takes to survive and ultimately, to truly live. But the longer Aubry wanders and the more desperate she is to share her life with others, the clearer it becomes that the world she travels through may not be quite the same as everyone else’s...

My Thoughts: I got this audiobook through Book of the Month and was pleased to discover that Saskia Maarleveld is the narrator. I don’t know if I would’ve been as drawn into the story had I read a physical copy, but the audiobook was easy to get into. The story follows Aubry Tourvel, a French woman who hasn’t been able to stay in the same place for more than three days since she was nine-years-old. She also can never return to a place she’s already been. If she does, she becomes severely ill within seconds and runs the risk of dying a gruesome death. Although this is a lonely way of living, Aubry manages to create deeper connections with people everywhere she travels. I really enjoyed her as the main character. She had a childlike curiosity that made people gravitate towards her everywhere she went. As she travels the world, she learns something new about herself and her mysterious illness that has no cure. Never being able to stay in one place was exhausting, but I admired Aubry’s will to make the best of it until she could find a place to call home. The writing was vividly descriptive and truly brought every adventure in this book to life. I will say, the ending was really unexpected and I’m still not sure if I’m totally satisfied with it, but I also don’t know how else I would’ve preferred this story to end. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and recommend it if you’re looking for something a little different.

INK BLOOD SISTER SCRIBE by Emma Törzs

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: For generations, the Kalotay family has guarded a collection of ancient and rare books. Books that let a person walk through walls or manipulate the elements--books of magic that half-sisters Joanna and Esther have been raised to revere and protect. All magic comes with a price, though, and for years the sisters have been separated. Esther has fled to a remote base in Antarctica to escape the fate that killed her own mother, and Joanna's isolated herself in their family home in Vermont, devoting her life to the study of these cherished volumes. But after their father dies suddenly while reading a book Joanna has never seen before, the sisters must reunite to preserve their family legacy. In the process, they'll uncover a world of magic far bigger and more dangerous than they ever imagined, and all the secrets their parents kept hidden; secrets that span centuries, continents, and even other libraries . . .

My Thoughts: Y’ALL. I freaking loved this book. I don’t know what it was, but the plot was so dynamic, the characters were so unique and likable; I just thoroughly enjoyed it. The story follows two sisters, Esther and Joanna. They grew up with a father who collected magical books that allowed people to manipulate the elements. Both sworn to protecting these books, each sister finds herself in a very different situation. Esther hasn’t been able to stay in one place for more than a year ever since she turned 18. Whereas Joanna still lives at their childhood home as the main protector of the collection after their father recently passed from an accident with a book that emanates dark magic. After Esther decides to stay where she is this time, it’s clear someone has been tracking her and will do anything to kill her although she doesn’t know why because her sister is the one who can sense the magical books. Esther has never shown any magical abilities at all. Meanwhile, there’s a third main character whose storyline starts to intertwine with the sisters and secrets that have been kept hidden for YEARS finally come to light. I was absolutely obsessed with this book and got excited every time I started listening to it again. Although I’m sad this book is a standalone, I would definitely reread it in the future. If you’re looking for something fantastical with a phenomenal storyline and incredible characters, I highly recommend picking this one up.

THE WOMAN IN ME by Britney Spears

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: In June 2021, the whole world was listening as Britney Spears spoke in open court. The impact of sharing her voice—her truth—was undeniable, and it changed the course of her life and the lives of countless others. The Woman in Me reveals for the first time her incredible journey—and the strength at the core of one of the greatest performers in pop music history. Written with remarkable candor and humor, Spears’s groundbreaking book illuminates the enduring power of music and love—and the importance of a woman telling her own story, on her own terms, at last.

My Thoughts: Y’all know I’m a big fan of celebrity memoirs and I’ve had Britney’s on my radar for a while now. Sadly, B doesn’t read the book, but she does read the introduction. That said, although I didn’t get to hear the book from her voice, it didn’t take away from the experience. Similar to what we’ve seen in other memoirs from celebrities who grew up and came into fame during the 90s and early 2000s, Britney’s experience was not easy. She was objectified and sexualized from a young age, was incessantly followed by the media during some of her most formative years as a celebrity, and had some not-so-great relationships along the way. The conservatorship part of her story is absolutely WILD. Her family was manipulative, saw that she was paying all of their bills, and needed a way to control her as their “cash cow.” They used her kids as pawns to keep her under their thumb and for YEARS she didn’t know she could find her own lawyer to represent her through all of this. This memoir was super eye opening to see Britney’s side of all the media stories we’ve seen over the years trashing her reputation. I highly recommend giving it a read if you’ve had interest in it.

AKATA WITCH by Nnedi Okorafor

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: Born in New York, but living in Aba, Nigeria, twelve-year old Sunny is understandably a little lost. She is albino and thus, incredibly sensitive to the sun. All Sunny wants to do is be able to play football and get through another day of school without being bullied. But once she befriends Orlu and Chichi, Sunny is plunged into the world of the Leopard People, where your worst defect becomes your greatest asset. Together, Sunny, Orlu, Chichi and Sasha form the youngest ever Oha Coven. Their mission is to track down Black Hat Otokoto, the man responsible for kidnapping and maiming children. Will Sunny be able to overcome the killer with powers stronger than her own, or will the future she saw in the flames become reality?

My Thoughts: Per usual, although I own a physical copy of this book, I decided to listen to the audiobook and am really glad I did. There are a few languages included in this book that are spoken in Nigeria and I think having the narrator accurately pronouncing things made the story so much more immersive. The book follows Sunny, a twelve-year-old girl who moved from New York to Nigeria with her family when she was nine. She doesn’t have many friends at school and kids don’t make it easy for her to fit in because she’s albino. As soon as she befriends some neighborhood kids, Orlu and Chichi, Sunny is introduced to the world of Leopard People. Their friend group is put to the test with their juju skills and is eventually recruited to help track down a man they call Black Hat. He’s been kidnapping and killing children to access their powers. I really enjoyed this story overall. Some parts of it definitely could’ve been shorter and I kept getting confused as to what audience this book was trying to relate to. For example, there is an innocent, cheesy quality to it as Sunny and her friend start making a name for themselves within the Leopard community. They try to show off and make themselves look cool, and I just felt kind of removed from that aspect of this story. Additionally, one of the characters keeps dropping F-bombs and swear words, and I was confused as to why those were so frequent in a YA fantasy. Otherwise, I liked it well enough. The plot also leaves you on a cliffhanger at the end, but I’m not sure if I’ll continue on to the second book or not. That said, if you’re looking for a fantasy based on African folklore, I highly recommend this book!

Okiee that’s it for June.

I hope everyone’s summer is going well so far! I have a couple of weekend trips coming up in July and August that I’m super excited for, and hopefully might be able to get me back into the swing of reading physical books lol.

If you haven’t tried it yet, I highly recommend getting Hoopla and following the process I explained above. Especially if you’re into audiobooks or ebooks.

Cheers to the second half of 2024!

2024 Book Count: 67

Add me on Goodreads if you haven’t already.

YOUR TURN! What’s your go-to summer read?

May 2024 Reads

June 03, 2024 by Haley Burrill in Books

I feel like we went from seeing endless N’SYNC memes to Memorial Day in two seconds and I literally do not remember what happened in between lol.

You could say May was a blur for me. I started a summer golf league, bought another houseplant (see that beauty below), caught up with friends I haven’t seen in a while, and watched way too many Instagram reels about how to take my millennial outfit and make it more trendy lol.

I’ve mildly gotten on board with wearing higher socks when I’m wearing my white sneakers, but I refuse to jump on that train at the gym. You can catch me at PF in ankle socks.

My new office calathea. :) Brought to you by the local farmer’s market!

On the reading front, audiobooks truly carried me through again. I think of the 13 books I read this month, eight of them were audiobooks. I’ve finally gotten to the point where I’m able to listen to them at x1.75 speed, so I think that’s why I’m flying through them so quickly.

If you’re getting into that method, I recommend starting at 1.25 and going up from there. In my opinion, it’s actually easier to process things when the narrator is reading more quickly.

I digress though. Let’s get into everything I read in May!

*All summaries are taken or paraphrased from Goodreads.

OUR MISSING HEARTS by Celeste Ng

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Twelve-year-old Bird Gardner lives a quiet existence with his loving but broken father, a former linguist who now shelves books in a university library. Bird knows to not ask too many questions, stand out too much, or stray too far. For a decade, their lives have been governed by laws written to preserve “American culture” in the wake of years of economic instability and violence. To keep the peace and restore prosperity, the authorities are now allowed to relocate children of dissidents, especially those of Asian origin, and libraries have been forced to remove books seen as unpatriotic—including the work of Bird’s mother, Margaret, a Chinese American poet who left the family when he was nine years old. Bird has grown up disavowing his mother and her poems; he doesn’t know her work or what happened to her, and he knows he shouldn’t wonder. But when he receives a mysterious letter containing only a cryptic drawing, he is pulled into a quest to find her. His journey will take him back to the many folktales she poured into his head as a child, through the ranks of an underground network of librarians, into the lives of the children who have been taken, and finally to New York City, where a new act of defiance may be the beginning of much-needed change.

My Thoughts: This was my book club’s pick for AAPI month and per usual, Celeste Ng knows how to write a stunner. This was unlike any of her other books, but her unique storytelling still held true. The book takes place in what I would describe as almost a dystopian United States after an obscure economic crisis occurred that involved China. There is a new governmental entity called PACT that everyone supports, either willingly or reluctantly, because they provide the laws and ideals needed to unite the country again after the recent tragedies. There are consequences to those seen, heard, or suspected of not supporting PACT, including the government relocating children from their families - specifically those of Asian origin. Most of the book is from the perspective of 12-year-old Bird. His mother is Chinese American and the book of poems she recently published is banned after it sparks a movement of rebellion. Bird hasn’t seen his mother in almost three years, but when he receives a mysterious letter from her, he goes on a journey to find her. What he uncovers is a new America he wasn’t prepared to see. This book was so captivating as it explored extremely complex yet timely issues in a world that hits very close to the reality of our post-pandemic one. Ng uses libraries, books, and storytelling as a main focus of this book to emphasize the power of words, shared stories, and marginalized voices. As I said, Celeste Ng knows how to write a stunning book and this one is no exception. I highly recommend giving it a read if you haven’t already.

THE INHERITANCE GAMES by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Avery Grambs has a plan for a better future: survive high school, win a scholarship, and get out. But her fortunes change in an instant when billionaire Tobias Hawthorne dies and leaves Avery virtually his entire fortune. The catch? Avery has no idea why -- or even who Tobias Hawthorne is. To receive her inheritance, Avery must move into sprawling, secret passage-filled Hawthorne House, where every room bears the old man's touch -- and his love of puzzles, riddles, and codes. Unfortunately for Avery, Hawthorne House is also occupied by the family that Tobias Hawthorne just dispossessed. This includes the four Hawthorne grandsons: dangerous, magnetic, brilliant boys who grew up with every expectation that one day, they would inherit billions. Heir apparent Grayson Hawthorne is convinced that Avery must be a conwoman, and he's determined to take her down. His brother, Jameson, views her as their grandfather's last hurrah: a twisted riddle, a puzzle to be solved. Caught in a world of wealth and privilege, with danger around every turn, Avery will have to play the game herself just to survive.

My Thoughts: Okay I read this book back in 2021 before the other two books in the trilogy came out. So now that the entire series is published, I decided to go back and give this one a reread via audiobook. I gotta say, I think the narrator did me dirty on this one because I honestly just could not buy into the various types of southern accents she kept switching between throughout the book. If these four brothers are all from the same area, don’t you think their southern dialect would be consistent across the board? Kind of like how British people have different sounding accents depending on where they’re from in England. It just annoyed me lol. The cleverness of the plot still holds water from the last time I remember reading this. I wouldn’t say Avery is my favorite main character ever, but I do like her for this specific story. She’s quite the underdog and everyone underestimates her because she went from living in her car to inheriting billions of dollars from a rando old guy. The riddles and puzzles Tobias Hawthorne left behind for these five to figure out were believable enough and made sense once they were solved. I do appreciate that this book leaves you on a cliffhanger, and although the narrator’s southern accents gave me the ICK, I still think I’m going to continue rereading this series via audiobook.

HONOR by Thrity Umrigar

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Indian American journalist Smita has returned to India to cover a story, but reluctantly: long ago she and her family left the country with no intention of ever coming back. As she follows the case of Meena—a Hindu woman attacked by members of her own village and her own family for marrying a Muslim man—Smita comes face to face with a society where tradition carries more weight than one’s own heart, and a story that threatens to unearth the painful secrets of Smita’s own past. While Meena’s fate hangs in the balance, Smita tries in every way she can to right the scales. She also finds herself increasingly drawn to Mohan, an Indian man she meets while on assignment. But the dual love stories of Honor are as different as the cultures of Meena and Smita themselves: Smita realizes she has the freedom to enter into a casual affair, knowing she can decide later how much it means to her.

My Thoughts: Wowow what an absolutely COMPELLING story. I remember this book getting a lot of hype when it first came out and it is definitely deserved. Told from the perspectives of two women: Meena, a Hindu woman who was disfigured by people in her own village for marrying a Muslim man and is now suing those responsible, and Samita, an Indian American journalist who has returned to India to cover Meena’s court case. The clash of cultures is instantly recognizable through almost every encounter Samita has in India. The misogyny is REAL in these small villages scattered throughout the country. Women are not valued, they do not have a voice, and their freedoms lie with whichever man is seen as the head of the house. Violent and humiliating actions are seen as an acceptable way to react to someone’s honor being disgraced. This novel was extremely thought provoking, heart wrenching, stomach clenching, and moving. The stories of both women were beautifully written and portrayed even if sometimes hard to read. I haven’t had a book impact me like this one did in a very long time. It’s a book that will live rent free in my brain for years to come, and I highly recommend giving it a read if you’re looking for ways to step outside of your comfort zone and settle into that discomfort for a while.

KING OF SLOTH by Ana Huang (King of Sin #4)

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Charming, easygoing, and rich beyond belief, Xavier Castillo has the world at his fingertips. He also has no interest in taking over his family’s empire (much to his father’s chagrin), but that hasn’t stopped women from throwing themselves at him…unless the woman in question is his publicist. Nothing brings him more joy than riling her up, but when a tragedy forces them closer than ever, he must grapple with the uncertainty of his future—and the realization that the only person immune to his charms is the only one he truly wants. | Cool, intelligent, and ambitious, Sloane Kensington is a high-powered publicist who’s used to dealing with difficult clients. However, none infuriate—or tempt—her more than a certain billionaire heir, with his stupid dimples and laid-back attitude. She may be forced to work with him, but she’ll never fall for him…no matter how fast he makes her heart beat or how thoughtful he is beneath his party persona. He’s her client, and that’s all he’ll ever be. Right?

My Thoughts: OKIE DOKE WELL. I think this is probably my favorite installment in the King of Sin series thus far. There’s something about the MFC being perceived as a frigid ice queen with no ability to show emotion only to have the MMC bust through that barrier and melt her heart. Ana Huang has teased Sloane and Xavier’s story in the last two books in this series, so I was incredibly excited when I saw it was finally out! Sloane is a self-made, incredibly successful publicist who specializes in dealing with difficult clients. One of her hardest clients has been Xavier, the billionaire heir who has a reputation for partying and making very poor decisions that can reflect badly on his father’s corporate empire. Although Sloane has perfected a chilly RBF with zero hints as to what emotions are roiling beneath the surface, Xavier seems to be the only one who can push her over the edge enough to find cracks in that facade. This book has all of my favorite tropes: enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity, fake-dating, etc. I loved the dynamics between Sloane and Xavier. Their banter was everything I could’ve wanted. The way they found a safe space within one another turned me into an absolute PUDDLE. Also, this author knows how to write a HIGH QUALITY salacious scene. ;) I think I also related to Sloane a lot because one of her main character quirks is that she can never cry, and if you know me, I’m definitely not a crier. (Me and my therapist are working on it, I swear lol). Either way, if you’ve been dabbling in the King of Sin series, this installment is definitely worth the read!

THE MINISTRY OF TIME by Kaliane Bradley

Rating: 2.5/5 stars

Summary: In the near future, a civil servant is offered the salary of her dreams and is, shortly afterward, told what project she’ll be working on. A recently established government ministry is gathering “expats” from across history to establish whether time travel is feasible—for the body, but also for the fabric of space-time. She is tasked with working as a “bridge”: living with, assisting, and monitoring the expat known as “1847” or Commander Graham Gore. As far as history is concerned, Commander Gore died on Sir John Franklin’s doomed 1845 expedition to the Arctic, so he’s a little disoriented to be living with an unmarried woman who regularly shows her calves, surrounded by outlandish concepts such as “washing machine,” “Spotify,” and “the collapse of the British Empire.” But he adjusts quickly; he is, after all, an explorer by trade. Soon, what the bridge initially thought would be, at best, a seriously uncomfortable housemate dynamic, evolves into something much more. Over the course of an unprecedented year, Gore and the bridge fall haphazardly, fervently in love, with consequences they never could have imagined. Supported by a chaotic and charming cast of characters—including a 17th-century cinephile who can’t get enough of Tinder, a painfully shy World War I captain, and a former spy with an ever-changing series of cosmetic surgery alterations and a belligerent attitude to HR—the bridge will be forced to confront the past that shaped her choices, and the choices that will shape the future.

My Thoughts: I super duper wanted to like this book because the premise sounds so unique and fun, but I was SORELY disappointed. I almost DNF’ed it (did not finish), but because I got the audiobook through a Book of the Month subscription, I didn’t want to waste my monthly credit. The writing at the start was decently strong and kept me engaged. It was the entirety of the middle that made this book crash and burn. The plot started trying to do SO MANY THINGS that it wasn’t doing any one thing well. Thankfully, the writing got better towards the end, but at that point, I had just trudged through so many “wait, wtf is happening rn?” moments that my attitude towards this book was basically unredeemable. Also the sheer number of metaphors used throughout the narrative was WILD. They are PACKED into every paragraph. Like I can appreciate a good metaphor every now and then to really make a sentence impactful, but this author fuckin LOVES them. Which led to nothing feeling that insightful. Anywho, no I don’t recommend reading this lol.

THE EXCEPTION TO THE RULE by Christina Lauren (The Improbable Meet-Cute #1)

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: One typo, and a boy and girl connect by chance. Wishing each other a happy Valentine’s Day isn’t the end. In fact, it becomes a friendly annual tradition—with rules: no pics, no real names, nothing too personal. As years pass, the rules for their email “dates” are breaking, and they’re sharing more than they imagined—including the urge to ask…what if we actually met?

My thoughts: This was really freaking cute! What starts out as a young man accidentally sending an email to a fellow high school student instead of a teacher, turns into a 10-year tradition of the two emailing each other every year on Valentine’s Day for a decade. Although they never reveal personal identifying details about themselves, their connection and friendship slowly starts to grow every year. Even after they’ve both graduated and headed to college, they continue checking in on their email pen pal to see what’s new in life. Their exchanges include everything from details about their lives in college, their current relationships, losing a parent during the pandemic, moving across the country away from home, and more. Until finally they decide it’s the perfect time for them to both meet in person. This story was so much fun, the banter was delightful, and I absolutely adored the way it ended. If you’re looking for a quick, sweet read, I highly recommend this short story!

ANY WAY THE WIND BLOWS by Rainbow Rowell (SIMON SNOW #3)

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: In Carry On, Simon Snow and his friends realized that everything they thought they understood about the world might be wrong. And in Wayward Son, they wondered whether everything they understood about themselves might be wrong. In Any Way the Wind Blows, Simon and Baz and Penelope and Agatha have to decide how to move forward. For Simon, that means deciding whether he still wants to be part of the World of Mages -- and if he doesn't, what does that mean for his relationship with Baz? Meanwhile Baz is bouncing between two family crises and not finding any time to talk to anyone about his newfound vampire knowledge. Penelope would love to help, but she's smuggled an American Normal into London, and now she isn't sure what to do with him. And Agatha? Well, Agatha Wellbelove has had enough. Any Way the Wind Blows takes the gang back to England, back to Watford, and back to their families for their longest and most emotionally wrenching adventure yet. This book is a finale. It tells secrets and answers questions and lays ghosts to rest.

My Thoughts: It is bittersweet that I have officially finished the Simon Snow trilogy, but I’m so glad I discovered this series because it was everything I needed and didn't even know it. As this was the last book in the series, of course this misfit gang of mages couldn’t go out with a banger without getting into more shenanigans first. Penelope manages to smuggle a “normal” who they met in the last book during their trip to America back into the UK with her. He admitted to having sold his soul to a demon and she is determined to figure out how to get that contract canceled. Simon and Baz are still in a bit of a gray area when it comes to their relationship. This is mostly due to Simon’s self sabotaging tendencies, but they’re trying to work through it (at least Baz is.) All the while, they’re trying to crack the code on a new cult in town that Baz’s stepmother recently joined. Agatha is back at Watford as well helping with her dad’s veterinarian business while she tries to figure out what she wants to do with her life. Cue a vet technician who she played field hockey with back in the day dragging Agatha along to figure out why the Goats of Watford keep straying from the school grounds. I can’t emphasize enough how many times this audiobook made me giggle like an idiot. These characters are all so unique, their development arcs over the last three books have been such an adventure, and this author has a mf GIFT for writing quick-witted banter and one-liners. As we head into June, this would be a great Queer YA Fantasy series to read for Pride Month. I promise you’re going to love it.

WORST WINGMAN EVER by Abby Jimenez (The Improbable Meet-Cute #2)

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: Holly is dealing with the impending death of her grandmother and still reeling from a bad breakup. One bright spot: a Valentine’s Day card on Holly’s windshield—even if it wasn’t meant for her. An amusing mistake soon turns into a lovely exchange of anonymous notes, little acts of kindness, and a growing affection between two strangers. What happens when one of them has to say goodbye?

My Thoughts: True to Abby Jimenez, this cute little novella had complex characters who come from two totally different places and yet fit together perfectly in each other’s lives. Holly is a hospice nurse taking care of her grandmother at her condominium complex. With the tough job of watching her grandmother’s health deteriorate and recovering from a recent breakup, she hasn’t been openly looking for new romance. Until one day a random Valentine’s Day card is left on her windshield that wasn’t meant for her and an anonymous exchange of random notes begins. I loved that these characters really were just doing kind things for each other without any ulterior motive behind them until they realized who they’d been exchanging notes with. This was a super cute, short romance if you’re looking for a quick read.

VAMPIRES OF EL NORTE by Isabel Cañas

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: As the daughter of a rancher in 1840s Mexico, Nena knows a thing or two about monsters—her home has long been threatened by tensions with Anglo settlers from the north. But something more sinister lurks near the ranch at night, something that drains men of their blood and leaves them for dead. Something that once attacked Nena nine years ago. Believing Nena dead, Néstor has been on the run from his grief ever since, moving from ranch to ranch working as a vaquero. But no amount of drink can dispel the night terrors of sharp teeth; no woman can erase his childhood sweetheart from his mind. When the United States attacks Mexico in 1846, the two are brought abruptly together on the road to war: Nena as a curandera, a healer striving to prove her worth to her father so that he does not marry her off to a stranger, and Néstor as a member of the auxiliary cavalry of ranchers and vaqueros. But the shock of their reunion—and Nena’s rage at Néstor for seemingly abandoning her long ago—is quickly overshadowed by the appearance of a nightmare made flesh. And unless Nena and Néstor work through their past and face the future together, neither will survive to see the dawn.

My Thoughts: This book was not what I expected it to be. I thought it was going to be more along the lines of Isabel Cañas’s other book, The Hacienda, which is a mystery/thriller (you can read my review for that book here). Although that genre is included in this plot, it’s not the sole focus. It mixed in a little bit of historical fiction, supernatural, and romance as well which made the story feel so much more dynamic. Instead of reading my physical copy, I opted for the audiobook via Libby and am glad I did because hearing the Spanish dialect from Spanish-speaking narrators made this experience very immersive. The book follows Nena and Nestor who were inseparable growing up, but after something attacked Nena when they were teens, Nestor ran thinking it was his fault she’s dead. Fast forward nine years and Nestor is back to help an auxiliary cavalry fight in the US Mexico war. He realizes Nena, in fact, is not dead and that she’s joining the cavalry as a healer. Nena is livid with Nestor because she’s been under the impression for almost a decade that her best friend left without saying goodbye. The two get separated from the group during a gruesome battle and have to rely on each other to get home safely. I loved that although they were both grieving their friendship in different ways, the raw, undeniable connection they formed years ago continued to surface. Due to poor communication and stubbornness, it took a while for either to act on their feelings, but I still found myself mentally yelling at them “just kiss already!!” lol. There was a subtle plot twist towards the end involving the vampire creatures in this story that I couldn’t have predicted, but I appreciated that’s the route the author ended up taking. Honestly, if you’re looking for a book with great writing, multiple genres, and solid main characters, I highly recommend giving this one a try!

DIVINE RIVALS by Rebecca Ross (Letters of Enchantment #1)

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: When two young rival journalists find love through a magical connection, they must face the depths of hell, in a war among gods, to seal their fate forever. After centuries of sleep, the gods are warring again. But eighteen-year-old Iris Winnow just wants to hold her family together. Her mother is suffering from addiction and her brother is missing from the front lines. Her best bet is to win the columnist promotion at the Oath Gazette. To combat her worries, Iris writes letters to her brother and slips them beneath her wardrobe door, where they vanish―into the hands of Roman Kitt, her cold and handsome rival at the paper. When he anonymously writes Iris back, the two of them forge a connection that will follow Iris all the way to the front lines of battle: for her brother, the fate of mankind, and love.

My Thoughts: Okay admittedly, I previously tried reading this book two other times and couldn’t get into it. However, now that I’ve finished it, I honestly have no idea what my problem was during those attempts because I was absolutely ENTRANCED this time around. This book was fantastic. It follows two young rival journalists, Iris and Roman. Iris’s brother left to fight in the gods war six months ago, and after receiving no response to her letters, she starts putting them into their magically touched wardrobe. The wardrobe then whisks the letters away to none other than Iris’s main competition at the newspaper, Roman Kitt. Until one day, he finally (anonymously) responds to her. The two of them slowly start to build a connection through their letters that leads to Roman following Iris 600 kilometers away to the war front. I was OBSESSED with their relationship. Although for a while only Roman knows that it’s Iris he’s been corresponding with, the sexually and emotionally charged tension between them was undeniable. Don’t get me started on the vibe change once they were actually on the same page about their feelings. I WAS SOLD. Also, romance aside, the premise of this book? So unique. The writing? Chef’s kiss. The plot twist towards the end? Caught me by surprise. My only complaint and the reason I docked it a half star is that I could’ve used a little more world building and I wished we learned more about the gods. There’s a gods war going on and although we learn a high-level origin story of it, the author really didn’t go into a satisfactory amount of detail. So hopefully there’s more of that to come in the sequel which I will be starting ASAP, because I NEED to know what happens since we’re left on a cliffhanger with the first one. Anywho, I highly recommend this book!

THE TURN OF THE KEY by Ruth Ware

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: When she stumbles across the ad, she’s looking for something else completely. But it seems like too good an opportunity to miss—a live-in nannying post, with a staggeringly generous salary. And when Rowan Caine arrives at Heatherbrae House, she is smitten—by the luxurious “smart” home fitted out with all modern conveniences, by the beautiful Scottish Highlands, and by this picture-perfect family. What she doesn’t know is that she’s stepping into a nightmare—one that will end with a child dead and herself in prison awaiting trial for murder. Writing to her lawyer from prison, she struggles to explain the unraveling events that led to her incarceration. It wasn’t just the constant surveillance from the cameras installed around the house, or the malfunctioning technology that woke the household with booming music, or turned the lights off at the worst possible time. It wasn’t just the girls, who turned out to be a far cry from the immaculately behaved model children she met at her interview. It wasn’t even the way she was left alone for weeks at a time, with no adults around apart from the enigmatic handyman, Jack Grant. It was everything. She knows she’s made mistakes. She admits that she lied to obtain the post, and that her behavior toward the children wasn’t always ideal. She’s not innocent, by any means. But, she maintains, she’s not guilty—at least not of murder. Which means someone else is.

My Thoughts: Okay, so I read Woman in Cabin 10 a few years ago and really enjoyed it, but haven’t read a Ruth Ware book since. So I was excited to jump into this one. Although I own a physical copy, I opted for the audiobook. This story’s format is really unique as it’s from the perspective of the main character, Rowan, who is writing a letter to her lawyer from prison. She’s trying to explain what led up to her incarceration and why he must believe she is innocent. Rowan becomes a nanny for an extremely wealthy family who is in the AI/technology industry and has converted a historical mansion in the countryside into a Smart House. Although the family seems very picturesque and cookie-cutter, as soon as the parents leave for a business trip and Rowan is alone with the youngest girls, she realizes they’re anything but perfect. I’ve said it before, but I’m not classically a mystery/thriller girly because I get creeped out easily, and let me tell you, the kids Rowan was a nanny for gave me the jeebies. In addition to all of the weird surveillance cameras placed around this giant mansion, Rowan is given the only room in the house that connects to the attic. Per usual with old houses, this one came with its fair share of past tragedies, including the death of the young daughter of the previous homeowner. So many things happen that would have driven me out of that house SO FAST. The only reason I cannot give this book five stars is because I felt like there were like SEVEN plot twists stuffed into the last 10%, which was a little jarring. It also didn’t feel like this is what I was being led to conclude the entire time, so some of it felt a little out of left field. I enjoyed it overall, I just wouldn’t say it was AMAZING.

RUTHLESS VOWS by Rebecca Ross (Letters of Enchantment #2)

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: Two weeks have passed since Iris Winnow returned home bruised and heartbroken from the front, but the war is far from over. Roman is missing, and the city of Oath continues to dwell in a state of disbelief and ignorance. When Iris and Attie are given another chance to report on Dacre’s movements, they both take the opportunity and head westward once more despite the danger, knowing it’s only a matter of time before the conflict reaches a city that’s unprepared and fracturing beneath the chancellor’s reign. Since waking below in Dacre’s realm, Roman cannot remember his past. But given the reassurance that his memories will return in time, Roman begins to write articles for Dacre, uncertain of his place in the greater scheme of the war. When a strange letter arrives by the wardrobe door, Roman is first suspicious, then intrigued. As he strikes up a correspondence with his mysterious pen pal, Roman will soon have to make a decision: to stand with Dacre or betray the god who healed him. And as the days grow darker, inevitably drawing Roman and Iris closer together…the two of them will risk their very hearts and futures to change the tides of the war.

My Thoughts: Well to absolutely NO ONE’S surprise, I fuckin DEVOURED this book. Coming off my high from finishing Divine Rivals, I decided to immediately dive into its successor. This book picks up two weeks after where we left off in the last one. Iris is back in Oath living with her brother in the apartment they grew up in. She’s still writing for the Inkridden Tribune, covering the war between the gods, Dacre and Enva. Although she doesn’t know his exact location, Iris knows Dacre took Roman and most likely wiped his memories after healing his life threatening injuries. It isn’t until the rival newspaper in town publishes an article written by Roman Kitt that Iris’s suspicions are confirmed. This book was a WILD ride. It had me on the edge of my seat constantly as Roman and Iris kept making the ballsiest of moves to find each other and help end this war. The writing was nothing short of beautiful, and I loved that the author stuck to the same format of changing POVs, sprinkling in letters between typewriters, and the occasional news article. My heart was ripped open so many times during this one and I felt the passion in these characters to my core. The only reason I’m not giving it five stars is because one of the “keys” to ending the war felt like it came out of nowhere. I couldn’t remember them mentioning it in the first book, but to be fair, I may have been reading so fast that I didn’t clock it as well as I should have. Either way, I feel like the ending, although mildly heartbreaking, was the perfect for this series. If you haven’t given this a try yet, I highly recommend doing so!

THE NIGHTINGALE by Kristin Hannah

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: In love we find out who we want to be. In war we find out who we are. FRANCE, 1939 | In the quiet village of Carriveau, Vianne Mauriac says good-bye to her husband, Antoine, as he heads for the Front. She doesn’t believe that the Nazis will invade France…but invade they do, in droves of marching soldiers, in caravans of trucks and tanks, in planes that fill the skies and drop bombs upon the innocent. When a German captain requisitions Vianne’s home, she and her daughter must live with the enemy or lose everything. Without food or money or hope, as danger escalates all around them, she is forced to make one impossible choice after another to keep her family alive. Vianne’s sister, Isabelle, is a rebellious eighteen-year-old, searching for purpose with all the reckless passion of youth. While thousands of Parisians march into the unknown terrors of war, she meets Gaëtan, a partisan who believes the French can fight the Nazis from within France, and she falls in love as only the young can…completely. But when he betrays her, Isabelle joins the Resistance and never looks back, risking her life time and again to save others.

My Thoughts: Y’all know I love historical fiction and although I’ve had this book on my shelf for a couple of years, I decided to go the audiobook route for the most part. Kristin Hannah has a gift at writing characters who you can’t help but vicariously feel all of their struggles and adversities in your chest. This story was not a pretty one to read, but it was also so beautiful. Per usual for KH, there is romance woven into the story, but that’s not what it’s about at all. This book is about the women, children, wives, etc. who were left behind during WW2, and what they endured during those dark years. Told from the perspective of two sisters, Vianne and Isabelle both experience this war in two totally different ways, but the struggle to survive in a world that is falling apart remains consistent for them both. The younger, spitfire sister, Isabelle, joins the Resistance almost immediately. She starts with small tasks such as stealthily handing out anti-Nazi propaganda to townspeople, and eventually starts taking on much more dangerous missions such as smuggling more than 80 English and American pilots out of France into Spain by completing treacherous hikes through the Pyrenees mountains. Although Vianne lives out the war from her countryside home in Carriveau, her experience is no less dangerous as Nazis billet from her home and take over governing her city. My heart was in absolute PIECES for both of these women as they bravely faced the horrors this war brought to them time and time again. Although this book wasn’t perfect, with some slow parts that could’ve been shortened or character arcs that could’ve happened sooner, it’s one I won’t soon forget. As I said, Kristin Hannah has a gift at writing heart wrenching historical fiction novels from various time periods and this book is no exception.

Okieeee that’s it for May!

Don’t forget to incorporate some Queer stories into your TBR for June a.k.a Pride Month! (SIMON SNOW SHOULD BE ONE OF THEM!! <3)

I’m still locked out of my Facebook account, but at least the Attorney General of Michigan got back to me, so I will keep you posted on whether I regain access lol.

2024 Book Count: 56

Add me on Goodreads if you haven’t already.

YOUR TURN! What’s been your favorite read of 2024 so far?

April 2024 Reads

May 05, 2024 by Haley Burrill in Books

I won’t lie. I was on the struggle bus the entire month of April.

Especially when it came to sitting down to read. Almost all of the books I read were via audiobook because it was the only avenue I had the energy for. It was almost like every night I would get into bed with every intention to read one of the physical or ebooks I was working through, and instead I’d pass out.

Not to mention I was playing a lot of fucking sudoku for whatever reason lol. I just couldn’t stop. I’d grab my phone and say “just one more game before I start reading” and then one game would lead to the next, and it’d be too late for me to trade the phone for a book. So I’d just go to sleep instead.

There was also a pattern of being drawn to genres I don’t usually gravitate towards or, rather, avoiding romance novels more than usual. After going through a breakup in the second half of March, I wasn’t really in the mood to read about people’s HEA (happily ever afters) when my relationship recently ended.

So naturally mostly mystery/thrillers and a new fantasy series piqued my interest in April. There was SOME romance mixed in, but honestly, the books where romance was the main focus took me the longest to read.

ALSO side note to anyone who usually finds my monthly reviews through Facebook: I am currently locked out of my account lol. It’s a long story, but FB doesn’t offer customer support in human form. It’s all run by bots, so I’m STRUGGLING to get back in because the bots think I’m being suspicious when really, they’re just dumb. Which is why I haven’t posted my monthly reviews in a hot second, but I’m going to keep trying. *eyeroll*

Anyway, I digress. Let’s get into everything I read in April.

**All summaries are taken or paraphrased from Goodreads.

THE PARIS APARTMENT by Lucy Foley

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Jess needs a fresh start. She’s broke and alone, and she’s just left her job under less than ideal circumstances. Her half-brother Ben didn’t sound thrilled when she asked if she could crash with him for a bit, but he didn’t say no, and surely everything will look better from Paris. Only when she shows up – to find a very nice apartment, could Ben really have afforded this? – he’s not there. The longer Ben stays missing, the more Jess starts to dig into her brother’s situation, and the more questions she has. Ben’s neighbors are an eclectic bunch, and not particularly friendly. Jess may have come to Paris to escape her past, but it’s starting to look like it’s Ben’s future that’s in question. The socialite – The nice guy – The alcoholic – The girl on the verge – The concierge. Everyone’s a neighbor. Everyone’s a suspect. And everyone knows something they’re not telling.

My Thoughts: I remember reading The Guest List a few years ago and thought it was fantastic because I did NOT see the plot twist coming in that one. The Paris Apartment was Lucy Foley’s next big book after The Guest List and I remember seeing mixed reviews right after it came out in 2022. I wasn’t sure what to expect going into this book, but I’m pleased to report it didn’t disappoint. The main character, Jess, is going to Paris to stay with her half-brother Ben after she runs into some trouble back in England. However, when she gets to his apartment, he’s nowhere to be found. It’s almost like he disappeared. Cue the hunt for Ben and a cast of various peculiar characters who are the tenants living in the same building. I liked that the format switched between POVs of all the characters because you truly didn’t know who you could trust. Even Jess’s character seemed a bit flaky and paranoid at times, even though she’s the one I was mainly rooting for. The plot twist in this book wasn’t AS shocking as The Guest List, but I definitely didn’t see it coming until it was fully spelled out for me. The narrator of this audiobook did a great job and if you’re looking for a quick mystery/thriller, I definitely recommend giving this one a try!

THE WRITING RETREAT by Julia Bartz

Rating: 2.5/5 stars

Summary: Five attendees are selected for a month-long writing retreat at the remote estate of Roza Vallo, the controversial high priestess of feminist horror. Alex, a struggling writer, is thrilled. Upon arrival, they discover they must complete an entire novel from scratch, and the best one will receive a seven-figure publishing deal. Alex’s long-extinguished dream now seems within reach. But then the women begin to die. Trapped, terrified yet still desperately writing, it is clear there is more than a publishing deal at stake at Blackbriar Estate. Alex must confront her own demons – and finish her novel – to save herself.

My Thoughts: Okay lol. So I don’t know the best way to explain my feelings about this book. Although I own a physical copy, I decided to listen to the audiobook and I’m really glad I did. I don’t know if I would’ve made it through had I chosen a different avenue. The writing, characters, plot, etc. in the first half of the book are ALL over the place. It was just pure chaos and the main character, Alex, seemed obsessed with some trivial things that I got annoyed hearing about. Once the story gets to the writing retreat, things KEEP getting weirder. Also, there were a few scenes that felt like they should’ve been scarier and ended up just kind of falling flat?? Then after I got through the mess that was the first half of the book, the second half finally started sorting itself out and the writing felt much more intentional. I wouldn’t say it got exponentially better, but there was an even flow to it, the characters started feeling more solid, and the plot finally started making sense. The plot twist wasn’t super surprising and although I wasn’t entirely satisfied with how it ended, I do think the book finished better than it started lol. Would I recommend this? Not necessarily. I wouldn’t consider myself a connoisseur of mystery/thrillers by any means, but even I know there are better books out there to read than this one.

BEYOND THE WAND by Tom Felton

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Tom Felton’s adolescence was anything but ordinary. His early rise to fame in beloved films like The Borrowers catapulted him into the limelight, but nothing could prepare him for what was to come after he landed the iconic role of Draco Malfoy, the bleached blonde villain of the Harry Potter movies. For the next ten years, he was at the center of a huge pop culture phenomenon and yet, in between filming, he would go back to being a normal teenager trying to fit into a normal school. Speaking with great candor and his signature humor, Tom shares his experience growing up as part of the wizarding world while also trying to navigate the muggle world. He tells stories from his early days in the business like his first acting gig where he was mistaken for fellow blonde child actor Macaulay Culkin and his Harry Potter audition where, in a very Draco-like move, he fudged how well he knew the books the series was based on (not at all). He reflects on his experiences working with cinematic greats such as Alan Rickman, Sir Michael Gambon, Dame Maggie Smith, and Ralph Fiennes (including that awkward Voldemort hug). And, perhaps most poignantly, he discusses the lasting relationships he made over that decade of filming, including with Emma Watson, who started out as a pesky nine-year-old whom he mocked for not knowing what a boom mic was but who soon grew into one of his dearest friends. Then, of course, there are the highs and lows of fame and navigating life after such a momentous and life-changing experience.

My Thoughts: As a former Harry Potter fan, I was so excited to hear about Tom Felton’s experience growing up on the set of such an iconic movie franchise. Plus, I feel like Tom has always kind of been the overlooked actor who played such a staple character in the series, so this was me paying my respect to our favorite Slytherin boi. The audiobook is read by Tom which is so much fun because his Surrey accent truly sucks you into his incredibly entertaining anecdotes. It was really interesting to learn he lived a pretty down-to-earth lifestyle as a kid into his teens even as a child actor who had played in a number of popular movies outside of the Harry Potter films (ex: The Borrowers - circa 1997). I loved that he was a huge troublemaker on the set of Harry Potter and hearing about his relationship with all of the adult actors and actresses. It was cool to get a behind the scenes look at who those people are in real life. Although he had a lot of humorous tales to tell, he also shared vulnerable stories about his battle with addiction, hitting rock bottom, checking himself into rehab, etc. This memoir was well written and I loved that I got a taste of who Tom Felton truly is through this experience. If you were an HP fan or still are, I definitely recommend giving this book a listen!

THE HUNTRESS by Kate Quinn

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Bold and fearless, Nina Markova always dreamed of flying. When the Nazis attack the Soviet Union, she risks everything to join the legendary Night Witches, an all-female night bomber regiment wreaking havoc on the invading Germans. When she is stranded behind enemy lines, Nina becomes the prey of a lethal Nazi murderess known as the Huntress, and only Nina’s bravery and cunning will keep her alive. Transformed by the horrors he witnessed from Omaha Beach to the Nuremberg Trials, British war correspondent Ian Graham has become a Nazi hunter. Yet one target eludes him: a vicious predator known as the Huntress. To find her, the fierce, disciplined investigator joins forces with the only witness to escape the Huntress alive: the brazen, cocksure Nina. But a shared secret could derail their mission unless Ian and Nina force themselves to confront it. Growing up in post-war Boston, seventeen-year-old Jordan McBride is determined to become a photographer. When her long-widowed father unexpectedly comes home with a new fiancée, Jordan is thrilled. But there is something disconcerting about the soft-spoken German widow. Certain that danger is lurking, Jordan begins to delve into her new stepmother’s past—only to discover that there are mysteries buried deep in her family . . . secrets that may threaten all Jordan holds dear.

My Thoughts: It’s been a hot minute since I’ve read a Kate Quinn book. I listened to The Alice Network and The Rose Code a couple summers ago and both of those books live absolutely rent free in my head to this day. She has a knack for writing captivating historical fiction novels and The Huntress was no exception. I want to start with how much research must’ve gone into the background story of each character - and even the book’s various settings - before she ever put words to a page. Between the nuances of how each country included in this narrative experienced WW2 and being able to name real landmarks within those regions, it was incredible. It breathed life into everything the characters went through during the war and gave clarity to their perspectives in the current day. True to her usual style, the format of the book bounces between different characters: a former British war correspondent, a former Russian woman pilot, and a young American woman living in Boston. The story also switches timelines between the present and various memories from time during the war and further back. I was equally invested in each character and it was impossible not to root for them all. Also, I thought the author did a PHENOMENAL job of humanizing the antagonist just enough to the point where I second guessed if she was still a horrible person or if she had truly reconciled for all the previous horrors she caused. The plot was just as addicting as the characters and I couldn’t wait to see where their individual paths would inevitably cross. I feel like I’m rambling, but needless to say, I’m adding another 5-star Kate Quinn book to my “read” shelf.

CARRY ON by Rainbow Rowell (SIMON SNOW #1)

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Simon Snow is the worst Chosen One who's ever been chosen. That's what his roommate, Baz, says. And Baz might be evil and a vampire and a complete git, but he's probably right. Half the time, Simon can't even make his wand work, and the other half, he starts something on fire. His mentor's avoiding him, his girlfriend broke up with him, and there's a magic-eating monster running around, wearing Simon's face. Baz would be having a field day with all this, if he were here — it's their last year at the Watford School of Magicks, and Simon's infuriating nemesis didn't even bother to show up.

My Thoughts: Okay I randomly bought this book from a local bookstore last fall, and I can’t remember the exact reason I picked it up, but hot dang I’m glad I did. Although I have the physical copy, I opted for the audiobook and Y’ALL. This was one of the most entertaining fantasies I’ve ever read. The narrator does a phenomenal job of really capturing the sass belonging to each character while not overdoing it. I gotta start by saying this is one of the easiest magical structures to follow that I’ve ever come across. There’s only a few types of magical beings you have to be aware of and they’re all pretty mainstream. The spells these mages cast are sooooo silly. They’re mostly based on nursery rhymes or modern day lyrics, idioms, etc., which honestly added some comedic relief to almost all of the intense battle scenes. Plus, don’t get me started on the top notch BANTER these characters were serving up. I was OBSESSED with the back and forth between Simon and Baz, but Penelope had a few one-liners in there that had me cackling. Though the climax of the book wasn’t a huge shock, the plot had me hooked from the very beginning. I will say, Part 1 was a little slow because Baz’s character hadn’t been introduced yet. However, I can respect that you need to know the background on Simon Snow and Watford first before adding another dynamic character into the mix. Honestly, if you’re new to fantasy or are in a fantasy slump, I highly recommend giving this book a try. It was exactly what I needed when I needed it.

THE OTHER BLACK GIRL by Zakiya Dalila Harris

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: Twenty-six-year-old editorial assistant Nella Rogers is tired of being the only Black employee at Wagner Books. Fed up with the isolation and microaggressions, she’s thrilled when Harlem-born and bred Hazel starts working in the cubicle beside hers. They’ve only just started comparing natural hair care regimens, though, when a string of uncomfortable events elevates Hazel to Office Darling, and Nella is left in the dust. Then the notes begin to appear on Nella’s desk: LEAVE WAGNER. NOW. It’s hard to believe Hazel is behind these hostile messages. But as Nella starts to spiral and obsess over the sinister forces at play, she soon realizes that there’s a lot more at stake than just her career.

My Thoughts: I remember this book being described as having a “Get Out meets Stepford Wives” vibe to it. So I was excited to see what it was all about since it also was recently adapted by Hulu. We experience most of this book through the main character, Nella, who is an editorial assistant at a publishing company called Wagner Books and happens to be the only person of color in the office as well. She’s tired of the way she’s treated and is very excited when she learns another Black woman, Hazel, was just hired and will be sitting in the cubicle next to her. Although their rapport starts off well enough, some very uncomfy things start happening that pushes Hazel into the spotlight and leaves Nella second guessing everything going on around her. This book has some very WTF IS HAPPENING moments in it that even left me feeling a little gaslit. So, naturally, Nella becomes pretty paranoid and I started wondering if she was always an unreliable narrator or if her paranoia is just making it seem that way. I will say, this book felt a little longer than it needed to be and the big reveal at the end felt kind of abrupt, but I definitely did not see it coming. I haven’t watched the Hulu adaptation yet, but I’ll be interested to see how closely they followed the book. If you haven’t read this one and are looking for a non-gruesome psychological thriller, I recommend giving this one a try!

FORGET ME NOT by Julie Soto

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: Ama Torres loves being a wedding planner. But with a mother who has been married more times than you can count on your fingers, Ama has decided that marriage is not the route for her. But weddings? Weddings are amazing. As a small business owner, she knows how to match her clients with the perfect vendor to give them the wedding of their dreams. Well, almost perfect… Elliot hates being a florist, most of the time. When his father left him the flower shop, he considered it a burden, but he’s stuck with it. Just like how he’s stuck with the way he proposed to Ama, his main collaborator and girlfriend (or was she?) two years ago. But flowers have grown on him, just like Ama did. And flowers can’t run off and never speak to him again, like Ama did. When Ama is hired to plan a celebrity wedding that will bring her business national exposure, there's a catch: Elliot is already contracted to design the flowers. Things are not helped by the two brides, who see the obvious chemistry between Ama and Elliot and are determined to set them up, not knowing their complicated history. Add in a meddling ex-boss, and a reality TV film crew documenting every step of the wedding prep, and Ama and Elliot's hearts are not only in jeopardy again, but this time, their livelihoods are too.

My Thoughts: Although this book took me almost two weeks to get through, I totally understand the hype behind it! Ama is a wedding planner and has zero interest in having a wedding of her own. Elliot is a florist who wasn’t necessarily intending to become a florist, but after his father passed away, he took over the family’s flower shop. It’s clear Ama and Elliot have a history, but what happened two years ago between them is a mystery. I loved that the book flipped between the present in Ama’s POV and the past in Elliot’s POV. It gave me a chance to not only understand Ama better, but also Elliot’s character and how their previous connection affected him. The plotline of this book was really solid and kept me invested in addition to the second-chance romance brewing between Ama and Elliot. Not to mention, Elliot’s tattoos??? Ooooweee don’t get me started on how attractive they were. If you’re looking for a romance that’s pretty on theme with wedding szn right around the corner, I definitely recommend giving this one a try!

ONLY AND FOREVER by Chloe Liese (BERGMAN BROTHERS #7)

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: Viggo Bergman, hopeless romantic, is thoroughly weary of waiting for his happily ever after. But between opening a romance bookstore, running a romance book club, coaching kids' soccer, and adopting a household of pets—just maybe, he’s overcommitted himself?—Viggo’s chaotic life has made finding his forever love seem downright improbable. Enter Tallulah Clarke, chilly cynic with a massive case of writer’s block. Tallulah needs help with her thriller’s romantic subplot. Viggo needs another pair of hands to keep his store afloat. So they agree to swap skills and cohabitate for convenience—his romance expertise to revive her book, her organizational prowess to salvage his store. They hardly get along, and they couldn’t be more different, but who says roommate-coworkers need to be friends? As they share a home and life, Tallulah and Viggo discover a connection that challenges everything they believe about love, and reveals the plot twist they never saw happily ever after is here already, right under their roof.

My Thoughts: Ugh. Okay. So let me start by saying, I have absolutely ADORED the Bergman Brothers series ever since reading the first book (Only When It’s Us) back in 2021. The Bergman family has seven kids, hence a seven-book series to follow. Thus far, we know Viggo as the brother who is obsessed with romance novels and has convinced characters in the other books to utilize the fail-proof romance book tactic of a grand gesture to express their feelings in an impactful way. SO OBVIOUSLY, I’ve been THOROUGHLY looking forward to his book for the last six installments. Especially since he’s the last sibling in the series. Although I did enjoy this book, it sadly did not blow me away as I was anticipating. I mean like, true to Chloe Liese’s MO with this series, I obviously had some big feels during the heartwarming scenes and LOVED that these two characters supported one another in such a unique way. The banter was pretty decent as well, which you know I take seriously. The pace of their connection-building felt organic enough, but there were a couple of things that came up where I was like “really tho?” For example, Viggo has yet to deal his V-card. Which is TOTALLY FINE, but didn’t feel like it fit the narrative here or the character we’ve gotten to know over the series?? I don’t know. Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It just wasn’t the series ender that I hoped for. If you’ve read the Bergman Brothers series then I obviously recommend reading this one. Just keep your expectations lower than I set mine going into it.

WAYWARD SON by Rainbow Rowell (SIMON SNOW #2)

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: The story is supposed to be over. Simon Snow did everything he was supposed to do. He beat the villain. He won the war. He even fell in love. Now comes the good part, right? Now comes the happily ever after… So why can’t Simon Snow get off the couch? What he needs, according to his best friend, is a change of scenery. He just needs to see himself in a new light… That’s how Simon and Penny and Baz end up in a vintage convertible, tearing across the American West. They find trouble, of course. (Dragons, vampires, skunk-headed things with shotguns.) And they get lost. They get so lost, they start to wonder whether they ever knew where they were headed in the first place…

My Thoughts: Okay so I thought the last book was entertaining, but I wasn’t ready for the number of times this second installment had me LAFFIN. Simon, Baz, and Penny are up to some shenanigans yet again, but this time their adventure takes them to the United States. Their friend Agatha moved to California after graduating from their magic school back in England and they’re here to visit. When they realize she might be in a bit of trouble, a cross-country road trip from Chicago to California commences. Cue a number of hilarious obstacles they run into trying to reach their friend who has been kidnapped by a weird vampire science cult. I loved that the magical rules and politics were different from state to state, and that they had to modify their usual spells to reflect American pop culture. I will say, Simon is a bit of a broody boi throughout this book and there was a bit of self sabotaging going on that I didn’t love. However, I can see that his character arc is going to change once again in the third book, so I’m excited to see where that goes. If you haven’t dabbled in the Simon Snow series yet, I can’t recommend it enough!

DAISY DARKER by Alice Feeney

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: After years of avoiding each other, Daisy Darker’s entire family is assembling for Nana’s 80th birthday party in Nana’s crumbling gothic house on a tiny tidal island. Finally back together one last time, when the tide comes in, they will be cut off from the rest of the world for eight hours. The family arrives, each of them harboring secrets. Then at the stroke of midnight, as a storm rages, Nana is found dead. And an hour later, the next family member follows… Trapped on an island where someone is killing them one by one, the Darkers must reckon with their present mystery as well as their past secrets, before the tide comes in and all is revealed.

My Thoughts: I got this book through Book of the Month back in 2022 and it had soooo much hype around it right after it was published. I honestly had no idea what it was about going into it, and I ended up opting for the audiobook because it happened to be available through Libby. As soon as I started reading it, I recognized that the author was giving a huge nod to “And Then There Were None” as a poem about how the Darker family dies shows up in chalk on the wall at Seaglass, their nana’s house. We experience this gruesome Halloween night through the eyes of the youngest Darker sister, Daisy. In attendance are her parents, her two older sisters, her nana, niece, and a neighbor they grew up with. Since the house is in the middle of the sea on a hill, the family can’t leave until the tide goes back out in the morning. One by one, each member of the family is mysteriously killed in a way that is similar to their death in the poem on the wall, and no one knows who is doing it. For most of the book, I was trying to guess whodunnit. I assumed it was someone in the house if this plot was following the “And Then There Were None” blueprint, but I was NOT READY for the plot twist at the end. It made sense once it was revealed, but it was still so unexpected. The writing was great, the characters were all dislikeable lol, and my conclusion is that this book deserved the hype it got back in 2022.

SHARK HEART by Emily Habeck

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: For Lewis and Wren, their first year of marriage is also their last. A few weeks after their wedding, Lewis receives a rare diagnosis. He will retain most of his consciousness, memories, and intellect, but his physical body will gradually turn into a great white shark. As Lewis develops the features and impulses of one of the most predatory creatures in the ocean, his complicated artist’s heart struggles to make peace with his unfulfilled dreams. At first, Wren internally resists her husband’s fate. Is there a way for them to be together after Lewis changes? Then, a glimpse of Lewis’s developing carnivorous nature activates long-repressed memories for Wren, whose story vacillates between her childhood living on a houseboat in Oklahoma, her time with a college ex-girlfriend, and her unusual friendship with a woman pregnant with twin birds. Woven throughout this bold novel is the story of Wren’s mother, Angela, who becomes pregnant with Wren at fifteen in an abusive relationship amidst her parents’ crumbling marriage. In the present, all of Wren’s grief eventually collides, and she is forced to make an impossible choice.

My Thoughts: I know what you’re thinking because I was thinking the same thing going into this book: how could a story about a guy being diagnosed with a mutation that he will turn into a shark turn out to be so beautiful? Let me tell you. This writing was stunning. I don’t know how the author did it, but she captures you and doesn’t let you go. The format was refreshing because it flips between normal dialogues and storytelling, screenplays, and more, as well as switching between a few character POVs. I loved that although the first half of the book focuses on Lewis and Ren’s relationship and their coping as Lewis slowly transformed into a great white shark, the second half pivots to Wren’s childhood and the relationship with her mother (who was also diagnosed with a type of mutation). Although romance is a theme in this book, it’s not the primary one. There is a lot of messaging in this story related to grieving people who have changed, learning how to become a caretaker for someone, the relationships between parents and children, and more. If you haven’t read this book yet, put it on your TBR list for this year ASAP. It’s a book I will think about often and will definitely be recommending to people for the foreseeable future.

Okie doke! That’s it for April.

Cheers to a lovely spring and let the countdown to summer begin! 🙂

2024 Book Count: 43

Add me on Goodreads if you haven’t already.

YOUR TURN! What’s on your radar for summer reads?

March 2024 Reads

April 01, 2024 by Haley Burrill in Books

Ah, March. You fickle gal.

You teased us with Spring 1, only to bring back Winter 2. Then you gaslit us into Spring 2, only to pull the rug out from under us with Winter 3. Now you’re teetering between the two and have us out here with our hopes up, but expectations down.

March was not my favorite month. Not just because of the swing diet weather, but something happened in my personal life that was pretty sad. However, I guess it’s kind of fitting that something ended right before the season of rebirth begins. The universe has such a unique sense of humor, I will say that.

On the reading front, I have officially entered my “cowboy romance” era. Which came to fruition in the form of binge reading a five-book smut-smothered Kindle unlimited series. Can I get a yee-haw? ;)

Fear not if that genre isn’t up your alley though, because I read a plethora of other books this month as well.

And, with that, let’s get into everything I read in March!

*All summaries are taken or paraphrased from Goodreads.

BLACK SUN by Rebecca Roanhorse (Between Earth and Sky #1)

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: A god will return. When the earth and sky converge. Under the black sun.

In the holy city of Tova, the winter solstice is usually a time for celebration and renewal, but this year it coincides with a solar eclipse, a rare celestial event proscribed by the Sun Priest as an unbalancing of the world. Meanwhile, a ship launches from a distant city bound for Tova and set to arrive on the solstice. The captain of the ship, Xiala, is a disgraced Teek whose song can calm the waters around her as easily as it can warp a man’s mind. Her ship carries one passenger. Described as harmless, the passenger, Serapio, is a young man, blind, scarred, and cloaked in destiny. As Xiala well knows, when a man is described as harmless, he usually ends up being a villain.

My Thoughts: All right y’all. I can tell you right now, this is not for the faint of heart nor the fantasy novice. This book has so many layers, characters, and storylines to follow that you cannot go into this half-assed. You have to commit to paying attention - especially when you’re listening to the audiobook. I ended up getting the physical book from the library to supplement whenever I felt lost or needed to see a word in print. For example, they use some non-binary pronouns throughout the book for a few characters: xe and xir. However, I thought they were saying a name, so until I looked it up, it wasn’t clicking right away. Overall though, I really enjoyed this story. Although there are a few different characters and storylines to follow, it’s easy to see how they start to connect the further you get into the book. The politics of this world are a prominent driver of the plot and although they’re not spelled out incredibly clearly at first, by the end of the book I felt like I had gotten my footing with them. The writing was full of vivid descriptions that I thought truly brought this world to life, and I appreciated that characters’ backgrounds were given the attention they deserved so that you could connect with each person. As an introduction to the Between Earth and Sky trilogy, I thought this was a solid first installment and will definitely be continuing onto book two.

THE COLOR PURPLE by Alice Walker

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: A powerful cultural touchstone of modern American literature, The Color Purple depicts the lives of African American women in early twentieth-century rural Georgia. Separated as girls, sisters Celie and Nettie sustain their loyalty to and hope in each other across time, distance and silence. Through a series of letters spanning twenty years, first from Celie to God, then the sisters to each other despite the unknown, the novel draws readers into its rich and memorable portrayals of Celie, Nettie, Shug Avery and Sofia and their experience. The Color Purple broke the silence around domestic and sexual abuse, narrating the lives of women through their pain and struggle, companionship and growth, resilience and bravery. Deeply compassionate and beautifully imagined, Alice Walker's epic carries readers on a spirit-affirming journey towards redemption and love.

My Thoughts: Okay, I know I live under a rock and cannot believe it took me this long to read The Color Purple, but I’m so glad I did! Admittedly, I’ve never seen either movie, nor have I ever looked into what this book is about. So this was truly my first time experiencing this gem. Personally, I liked that it’s formatted in letters from Celie to God, Celie to Nettie, and Nettie to Celie. It made connecting with the characters so effortless and kept the pacing of the book decently quick. The adversity these women go through is absolutely unreal. Specifically Celie, who is the protagonist of this tale. She’s been abused her entire life (sexually, emotionally, and physically) by her step-father, husband, and step-kids. The narrative she’s always been given is that because she’s under-educated and not as pretty as her sister, she doesn’t have as much value. It isn’t until she meets and starts developing a friendship with Shug that her self-realization journey begins. There are so many strong female characters in this book and the theme of sisterhood amongst them gave this story a certain type of magic. I cannot recommend this book enough if you haven’t read it yet.

YOURS TRULY by Abby Jimenez

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Dr. Briana Ortiz’s life is seriously flatlining. Her divorce is just about finalized, her brother’s running out of time to find a kidney donor, and that promotion she wants? Oh, that’s probably going to the new man-doctor who’s already registering eighty-friggin’-seven on Briana’s “pain in my ass” scale. But just when all systems are set to hate, Dr. Jacob Maddox completely flips the game . . . by sending Briana a letter. And it’s a really good letter. Like the kind that proves that Jacob isn’t actually Satan. Worse, he might be this fantastically funny and subversively likeable guy who’s terrible at first impressions. Because suddenly he and Bri are exchanging letters, sharing lunch dates in her “sob closet,” and discussing the merits of freakishly tiny horses. But when Jacob decides to give Briana the best gift imaginable—a kidney for her brother—she wonders just how she can resist this quietly sexy new doctor . . . especially when he calls in a favor she can’t refuse.

My Thoughts: If there’s anything I’ve learned about Abby Jimenez as an author, it’s that she truly has a gift of making her characters feel so real. The number of emotions I rotated through while reading this book is immeasurable. I was OBSESSED. Jacob has officially been added to the book boyfriend roster because that man has my whole heart. He is the sweetest, most altruistic man candy who is dealing with some severe anxiety - which I thought was handled with such care in the writing. I found his experience dealing with social anxiety so relatable and the way his internal dialogue was depicted truly put you in the shoes of someone whose brain is firing from all cylinders. Not to mention, he had an entire room dedicated to his house plants which is a choice I can FULLY get behind lol. The way he kept showing up for Briana despite her doubts and traumas affecting the way she saw their relationship was truly admirable. Briana is strong, independent, brave, and I had a total friend crush on her. The banter and rapport they had as friends made this romance so much more believable and you could tell they truly felt for each other with their whole hearts. I highly recommend this book if you haven’t dabbled yet. It will probably be one of my favorite romances this year.

CULTISH: THE LANGUAGE OF FANATICISM by Amanda Montell

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: What makes “cults” so intriguing and frightening? What makes them powerful? The reason why so many of us binge Manson documentaries by the dozen and fall down rabbit holes researching suburban moms gone QAnon is because we’re looking for a satisfying explanation for what causes people to join—and more importantly, stay in—extreme groups. We secretly want to know: could it happen to me? Amanda Montell’s argument is that, on some level, it already has . . . Our culture tends to provide pretty flimsy answers to questions of cult influence, mostly having to do with vague talk of “brainwashing.” But the true answer has nothing to do with freaky mind-control wizardry or Kool-Aid. In Cultish, Montell argues that the key to manufacturing intense ideology, community, and us/them attitudes all comes down to language. In both positive ways and shadowy ones, cultish language is something we hear—and are influenced by—every single day. Through juicy storytelling and cutting original research, Montell exposes the verbal elements that make a wide spectrum of communities “cultish,” revealing how they affect followers of groups as notorious as Heaven’s Gate, but also how they pervade our modern start-ups, Peloton leaderboards, and Instagram feeds. Incisive and darkly funny, this enrapturing take on the curious social science of power and belief will make you hear the fanatical language of “cultish” everywhere.

My Thoughts: Listen, I started this audiobook at the start of one of my “cleaning weekends” and was able to finish it within two days. It was so interesting. The book mainly focuses on cults and the language they use to thrive. Although she does touch on actual cults such as Jonestown and Heaven’s Gate, she also delves into religion as a cult (specifically Scientology), multi-level marketing schemes (i.e. Mary Kay, Lula Roe, etc.), exercise cults (Peloton, cross-fit, etc.), how social media contributes to the growth of cults, and more. It was a quick listen, super informative, and I’m not usually a non-fiction girly, but this was thoroughly intriguing to me. I definitely recommend picking it up!

MY SISTER, THE SERIAL KILLER by Oyinkan Braithwaite

Rating: 3/5 stars

Summary: When Korede's dinner is interrupted one night by a distress call from her sister, Ayoola, she knows what's expected of her: bleach, rubber gloves, nerves of steel and a strong stomach. This'll be the third boyfriend Ayoola's dispatched in, quote, self-defense, and the third mess that her lethal little sibling has left Korede to clear away. She should probably go to the police for the good of the menfolk of Nigeria, but she loves her sister and, as they say, family always comes first. Until, that is, Ayoola starts dating the doctor where Korede works as a nurse. Korede's long been in love with him, and isn't prepared to see him wind up with a knife in his back: but to save one would mean sacrificing the other...

My Thoughts: I listened to this on audiobook and although it was a super fast read, it felt a little jerky. It starts with Korede’s sister calling her flustered because Ayoola just killed her boyfriend. Cue Korede’s clean-up process. From there, I was expecting more of a thriller vibe, but although it did continue to talk about Ayoola’s patterns with murdering her significant others, I think this book was more about the relationship between the two sisters and how those dynamics affected life. Since Ayoola is the younger, more beautiful sister, Korede feels obligated to protect her in any way possible. However, Ayoola doesn’t always reciprocate the loyalty nor loving nature. The plot was kind of all over the place. Each chapter would jump to a different short anecdote with no real common connection between them, so you’re left trying to connect the dots yourself. Overall, if you’ve had this on your radar, I’d say read it because it’s very short. Otherwise, I doubt I’ll ever pick this up again.

FLAWLESS by Elise Silver (CHESTNUT SPRINGS #1)

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: I’m the face of professional bull riding—the golden boy. Or at least I was, until it all blew up in my face. Now my agent says I have to clean up my image, so I’m stuck with his ball-busting daughter for the rest of the season as my “full-time supervision.” But I don’t need a goddamn babysitter, especially one with skin-tight jeans, a sexy smirk, and a mouth she can’t stop running. A mouth I can’t stop thinking about. Because Summer isn’t just another conquest. She sees the man behind the mask, and she doesn’t run—she pulls me closer, even when she shouldn’t. She says this means nothing. I say this means everything. She says there are boundaries we shouldn’t cross. That my reputation can’t take any more hits—and neither can her damaged heart. I say I’m going to steal it anyway.

My Thoughts: Okay Rhett and Summer and the quintessential characters to kick off a great romance series. Rhett is the bull riding cowboy with a bad reputation that threatens his career. Cue Summer, a quick-witted, no nonsense sports agent assigned to babysit Rhett for the upcoming season to make sure he doesn’t step out of line and lose more sponsors than he already has. I loved their dynamics and how much each resisted their attraction and connection. The way their relationship developed felt so natural and I loved that they showed up for each other in a way neither had experienced before. The salacious scenes provided the perfect amount of spice and it made my heart melt to see how quickly the Eaton clan (Rhett’s family) absorbed Summer into it. This wasn’t a groundbreaking romance by any means, but it was definitely addicting enough to make me want to continue with this cowboy romance journey lol.

THE FINAL GIRL SUPPORT GROUP by Grady Hendrix

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: In horror movies, the final girls are the ones left standing when the credits roll. They made it through the worst night of their lives…but what happens after? From chainsaws to summer camp slayers, The Final Girl Support Group pays tribute to and slyly subverts our most popular horror films—movies like The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, A Nightmare on Elm Street, and Scream. | Lynnette Tarkington is a real-life final girl who survived a massacre. For more than a decade, she’s been meeting with five other final girls and their therapist in a support group for those who survived the unthinkable, working to put their lives back together. Then one woman misses a meeting, and their worst fears are realized—someone knows about the group and is determined to rip their lives apart again, piece by piece. But the thing about final girls is that no matter how bad the odds, how dark the night, how sharp the knife, they will never, ever give up.

My Thoughts: This book was really clever. It pays homage to the final girls from cult-favorite horror films and what happens after the movie ends. If you’re into unreliable narrators, Lynnette is your gal. There were so many times where I was convinced she was absolutely crazy and imagining the things that were going on because this plot is fucking bonkers. What starts as the Final Girl Support Group potentially dissolving after 15 years of companionship turns into a whirlwind of events that no one saw coming. There was a satirical quality to the writing that I appreciated, like these women basically getting beat to shit in different situations that people most definitely wouldn’t be able to walk away from, but they ~somehow~ muster the strength to keep going and save their friends. As I mentioned, the plot is completely unpredictable and the pacing is mostly fast, but also erratic at points. Since Lynnette is the main driver of your experience, you get to hear her inner dialogue which all sounds extremely paranoid and irrational, but at the same time, you can’t discount anything she says. I was thoroughly entertained the entire time, but I think it lasted a little bit longer than I thought it would. So by the end, I was ready for it to be over lol. Otherwise, for my first Grady Hendrix book, I definitely enjoyed it and recommend the audiobook.

HEARTLESS by Elsie Silver (CHESTNUT SPRINGS #2)

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Working as a nanny for the world’s grumpiest single dad should have been simple. Except I can’t keep my eyes off him. And he can’t keep his hands off of me. Cade Eaton is thirteen years older than I am and barely looks my way. Until I get him into the hot tub one night for a game of truth or dare. Then all bets are off—and so are our clothes. He’s gruff, a little rough around the edges. But broad-shouldered ranchers with calloused hands and filthy mouths are this city girl’s kryptonite. So who am I to resist? But it’s in our quiet moments together that he softens. It’s when he takes care of me that I realize his hardened exterior is just a façade. It’s when I watch him go all sweet with his little boy that I really fall for him. Someone convinced him once that his best wasn’t good enough. But I’ve never felt more cherished than I do in his arms. My contract may say this arrangement is only for two months. But my heart says this is forever.

My Thoughts: Y’all. I was not ready for this. There are a few tropes in this one including age-gap (which I don’t usually like, but this wasn’t terrible), enemies-to-lovers, nanny-single dad, and forced proximity. Basically, Cade Eaton, the oldest of the Eaton boys, needs a nanny for his 5-year-old son this summer while he tends to the family ranch. Summer, his younger brother’s new girlfriend, has the perfect person. Willa is the complete opposite of who you’d expect to be a great nanny. She’s spent the last few years bartending at her brother’s bar, she’s got tattoos, red hair, and no filter. She’s spunky and takes shit from no one. So naturally, Willa and Cade initially bump heads, but as they slowly get to know each other, their connection is undeniable. Also the connection that Willa builds with Cade’s son turned me into a puddle of heartwarming mush. On the smut front, the filth that came out of Cade’s mouth was so far from his usual southern gentleman vibe. It was WILD and spicy and I wouldn’t change a thing about it lol. Needless to say, I flew through this romance and think it was a great change of pace from the first book in this series.

POWERLESS by Elsie Silver (CHESTNUT SPRINGS #3)

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Two childhood friends. Two broken hearts. One impromptu road trip to get away from everything. That’s all this was supposed to be. Afterall, I’ve been living in the friend zone for years now. But hockey heartthrob Jasper Gervais isn’t looking at me like a friend anymore. And he isn’t touching me like one either. To his fans, he’s the handsome, talented athlete on TV. But to me he’s still the lost boy with sad eyes and a heart of gold. The man I’ve loved in secret for years. So when my life falls apart on my wedding day, it only makes sense that he’s the one to swoop in and save me. And when his world comes crashing down around him, I’m there to return the favor. But the more time we spend alone, the more Jasper doesn’t feel like a friend at all. He feels like everything I’ve ever wanted and thought I could never have. Our feelings aren’t straight forward though. They twist and turn around the pain of his past and the reality of my present. Jasper Gervais acts like he wants me. But after years of turning me away, he’s going to need to prove it.

My Thoughts: Okay, okay. We love a friends-to-lovers trope with a little bit of grumpy/sunshine and forced proximity sprinkled in. Although I saw other reviews say they found this book boring, I was fully invested. I’m not sure if it’s because Jasper is actually a hockey player and not a cowboy even though this is in the cowboy romance series, who’s to say? Either way, I was obsessed with the dynamics between Jasper and Sloane. They’ve known each other since they were kids and have been one another’s biggest rock ever since. So when Sloane needs Jasper’s help escaping her wedding to the literal worst man you could ever imagine, he asks zero questions. It was super sweet how protective Jasper was over Sloane and how much he was fighting his feelings for her. Whereas Sloane knew she’s been in love with Jasper since they were young, but never acted on her feelings for him. Once everything was out on the table though, all bets were off. Also, y’all, the spice in this book??? *Chef’s kiss**. It was like these two had been holding their breath for the last 10 years and once their feelings were out there, they could finally breathe. I personally really liked this book and definitely recommend reading it if you’ve started the Chestnut Springs series.

AGE OF VICE by Deepti Kapoor

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: This is the age of vice, where money, pleasure, and power are everything, and the family ties that bind can also kill. New Delhi, 3 a.m. A speeding Mercedes jumps the curb and in the blink of an eye, five people are dead. It’s a rich man’s car, but when the dust settles there is no rich man at all, just a shell-shocked servant who cannot explain the strange series of events that led to this crime. Nor can he foresee the dark drama that is about to unfold. Deftly shifting through time and perspective in contemporary India, Age of Vice is an epic, action-packed story propelled by the seductive wealth, startling corruption, and bloodthirsty violence of the Wadia family — loved by some, loathed by others, feared by all. In the shadow of lavish estates, extravagant parties, predatory business deals and calculated political influence, three lives become dangerously intertwined: Ajay is the watchful servant, born into poverty, who rises through the family’s ranks. Sunny is the playboy heir who dreams of outshining his father, whatever the cost. And Neda is the curious journalist caught between morality and desire. Against a sweeping plot fueled by loss, pleasure, greed, yearning, violence and revenge, will these characters’ connections become a path to escape, or a trigger of further destruction?

My Thoughts: This book is absolutely WILD. Like I was not prepared for what it was going to put me through lol. Although I own the physical book, I decided to listen to the audiobook instead and I am so glad I did. The narrator does a phenomenal job with character voices. He sucks you in and makes it so easy to build a connection with each of the characters. The book is split into five parts with each part focusing primarily on a specific character’s perspective. It wasn’t until I finished part two did I start seeing how the thread of each person’s experience in this world woven into the bigger picture of what was happening. That particular part was freaking BONKERS. It was almost like having whiplash trying to keep up with the chaos that was life orbiting these Indian oligarchs. The writing was incredibly unique and I was awed at how this author’s mind works to be able to create such a complex story. Overall, I definitely recommend this book if you’re looking for something with a little suspense, a little romance, and a lot of action.

RECKLESS by Elsie Silver (CHESTNUT SPRINGS #4)

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Theo Silva. Rowdy bull rider. Notorious ladies’ man. Scorching hot trouble wrapped up in a drool-worthy package. And he’s looking at me like I might be his next meal. But I’m almost free of my toxic marriage and have sworn off men entirely. So all I see when I look back is temptation served up with a heaping side of heartbreak. The man is hard to trust—and even harder to resist. Make that impossible. Because Theo is persistent. And no matter how hard I try to freeze him out, he melts my icy exterior and pulls apart all my defenses. Over a drink in a small town bar, I blurt out my deepest, darkest secrets. Then I spend the singular hottest night of my life with him. He worships my body. He makes me blush. I come alive beneath his hands. Then I tell him to forget it ever happened. I want simple, and with him it all feels complicated. It was supposed to be a one-time thing. A secret. But that little plus sign is going to make this secret impossible to keep.

My Thoughts: This has got to be my favorite book in the series, handsdown. Theo is an absolute KING and we love that he knows just how to melt the ice princess that is Winter. I was obsessed with their dynamics and how one hot night turns into a relationship for the ages. Winter is Summer’s half sister and has always been perceived as this closed off, cold hearted person. However, Theo sees right through that facade and knows how to bring out the best parts of Winter. He gives her a safe space to be vulnerable and that’s where the magic happens. In contrast, although he’s usually all smiles, Winter can see the cracks in Theo’s easy-going mask and makes him feel safe enough to show the sides of him not everyone wants to see. I was OBSESSED with how quickly he was all in on their situation. I don’t want to ruin anything, although you can probably guess from the summary of the book, but Winter and Theo are connected for the rest of their lives whether they like it or not. (Spoiler, they like it lol). I would be remiss to not mention the smut. THE SPICE WAS SCORCHING. Like get ready to pull on the neck of your shirt to get some more air because you are in for some heat. I wouldn’t change a thing about this book. I tore through it in like two days because I could not put it down.

HOPELESS by Elsie Silver (CHESTNUT SPRINGS #5)

Rating: 3.5/5

Summary: Beau Eaton is the town prince, a handsome military hero with a tortured past. I’m the outcast bartender, a shy girl from the wrong side of the tracks. He’s thirty-five and all man, and I’m twenty-two and all… virgin. He’s also my fiancé. Correction: my fake fiancé. We start out as a bet. He doesn’t believe that anyone holds my last name against me. So he offers me his to prove a point. It’s win-win. He gets a break from his concerned family’s prying, and I get a chance to shed my family’s reputation while I save up to ditch this small town. He says all I have to do is wear his ring, follow his lead, and pretend I can’t keep my hands off of him in public. But it’s what happens between us in private that blurs all those carefully drawn lines. It’s what transpires behind closed doors that doesn’t feel like pretending at all. This engagement was supposed to be for show. This agreement? It has an end date. He once told me he’d never fall in love. And yet here I am, head over heels for my fake fiancé.

My Thoughts: Ugh okay. So I usually love a fake fiancé trope, but the age difference between these two characters (Beau - 35 and Bailey - 22) didn’t sit well with me lol. The dynamics between them were really cute. It felt like they became friends first as they played out this fake fianceé situation until Bailey could find a new job and make enough money to move out of their hometown where she’s treated like a pariah due to her last name. Her family has a bad reputation of being trashy and destructive, so people just assume she’s the same way when that couldn’t be further from the truth. Beau is trying to deal with some PTSD after he went missing during his last deployment. He’s back home healing some injuries he experienced and has no idea what he wants to do with his life. However, for whatever reason, he finds peace when he’s sitting at the local dive chatting with the bartender, Bailey. The overall premise and idea of this book was cute, but I just felt like it had some holes for me. Even when the big conflict occurs due to Beau lying by omission, I was like “was I supposed to pick up on that from previous conversations??” I don’t know. This book had its fair share of spice and I liked the experience of it overall, I just mainly couldn’t get past the age gap.

Okay that’s it for March!

I’m not sure if I’ll continue with the cowboy romance smut, but no promises in either direction lol. ;) Sometimes you just need a smutty Kindle Unlimited escape from life, yanno?

2024 Book Count: 32

Add me on Goodreads if you haven’t already.

YOUR TURN! What’s on your TBR for April?

February 2024 Reads

March 04, 2024 by Haley Burrill in Books

Happy Leap Year!

How the heck was your February and what’d you do with your extra day?

This month was kind of a blur to me until the last two weeks. I turned 30 on the 27th, and had a delightful time celebrating with friends, family, and my partner.

My friends really nailed my birthday celebration with Thai food, carrot cake, make-your-own-bookmark crafting, AND I was home by 9pm. Like come on. Tell me you know me incredibly well without telling me you know me incredibly well lol.

Not to mention, I now know what it’d be like to have a summer birthday because it hit 70 on mine this year. If I ignore the nagging worry about global warming in the back of my mind, then I really enjoyed the change in climate to ring in three decades lol.

My bf also did a swell job with birthday activities. I’ve been wanting to visit the John King Used and Rare Books store in Detroit ever since I learned it’s the largest used and rare bookstore in Michigan. So he took me to downtown Detroit and we explored the organized chaos that is John King for about an hour and a half. It was insanely fun and if you ever go, I highly recommend paying attention to all of the signs and labels - they are truly the stars of the show lol.

Not to be confused with the category two shelves up labeled “Oversize horses.”

So anyway, cheers to 30 years for me and let’s get into everything I read in February!

**All summaries are taken or paraphrased from Goodreads.

HIGHLY SUSPICIOUS AND UNFAIRLY CUTE by Talia Hibbert

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: Bradley Graeme is pretty much perfect. He's a star football player, manages his OCD well (enough), and comes out on top in all his classes . . . except the ones he shares with his ex-best friend, Celine. Celine Bangura is conspiracy-theory-obsessed. Social media followers eat up her takes on everything from UFOs to holiday overconsumption--yet, she's still not cool enough for the popular kids' table. Which is why Brad abandoned her for the in-crowd years ago. (At least, that's how Celine sees it.) These days, there's nothing between them other than petty insults and academic rivalry. So when Celine signs up for a survival course in the woods, she's surprised to find Brad right beside her. Forced to work as a team for the chance to win a grand prize, these two teens must trudge through not just mud and dirt but their messy past. And as this adventure brings them closer together, they begin to remember the good bits of their history. But has too much time passed . . . or just enough to spark a whole new kind of relationship?

My Thoughts: This was a super cute audiobook! I haven’t read a Talia Hibbert novel in a while, and it was so refreshing to fall back into her witty writing style. Celine and Bradley are such fun characters to follow. They used to be best friends until Bradley became popular and left Celine behind talking about her conspiracy theories. The betrayal cut deep for Celine and she now sees Bradley as her arch nemesis. That is until they both end up signing up for a survival course that could end with a full-ride scholarship to college. The format of the experience forces them to work together, which in return, forces them to work on their lost friendship. Their banter was top notch. It was kind of chaotic at some points, but truly entertaining. I loved how the author incorporated more sensitive topics like what it’s like living with OCD and how people cope with family dysfunction. I thought she handled both with the utmost care. I really liked this book and enjoyed my time with it. However, it didn't necessarily blow my socks off. I also thought it lasted much longer than I was expecting it to, which made getting through the last 15% of it a little tough. Otherwise, if you’ve had this on your radar, I think it’s definitely worth the read!

HOUSE OF FLAME AND SHADOW by Sarah J Maas (CRESCENT CITY #3)

Rating: 3/5 stars

Summary: Bryce Quinlan never expected to see a world other than Midgard, but now that she has, all she wants is to get back. Everything she loves is in Midgard: her family, her friends, her mate. Stranded in a strange new world, she's going to need all her wits about her to get home again. And that's no easy feat when she has no idea who to trust. Hunt Athalar has found himself in some deep holes in his life, but this one might be the deepest of all. After a few brief months with everything he ever wanted, he's in the Asteri's dungeons again, stripped of his freedom and without a clue as to Bryce's fate. He's desperate to help her, but until he can escape the Asteri's leash, his hands are quite literally tied. In this sexy, breathtaking sequel to the #1 bestsellers House of Earth and Blood and House of Sky and Breath, Sarah J. Maas's Crescent City series reaches new heights as Bryce and Hunt's world is brought to the brink of collapse-with its future resting on their shoulders.

My Thoughts: *MILD SPOILERS AHEAD, BUT I DIDN’T GIVE DETAILS* Listen. I was ITCHING to dive into this thicc gal as soon as she came out on January 30th. Though I definitely got sucked ALL the way into this adventure, it just kind of felt like it fell short of my expectations. It didn’t have the ol’ Sarah J Maas ~rAzZLe dAZzlE~ if you know what I mean. Starting with the good, she incorporated the world and characters of ACOTAR (A Court of Thorns and Roses) into this storyline just the perfect amount. I didn’t think she overdid it, nor did she leave us wanting more. I also loved that there seemed to be a bit of a red herring as to what’s coming next for some of the ACOTAR characters. Moving on, I was absolutely OBSESSED with Ruhn’s and Lidia’s storyline. There were so many elements that felt fresh and kept me curious as to what was coming next for them. In contrast, Hunt and Bryce started to bore me. Like cool cool, you’re mates and obsessed with each other, but you’re also bickering this entire book and it’s getting old. On that note, a few other things I wished were much better: first off, Ithan’s character arc was a fucking JOKE. He was soooooo annoying and none of the progress he made towards the end was intentional. Like yeah, he made the choice to go in that direction but only because his hand was forced. So I felt like he didn’t really improve all that much due to his own initiatives. Secondly, and let me say again, I was fully invested in everyone’s adventures, however, this was a book of convenience. Everything these characters needed to fight the Asteri or get out of a current sticky situation just oh so conveniently appeared in their paths. The band needs to get back together but they’re scattered all over Midgard? Oh well now Ithan needs to go to Avallen to retrieve a body which conveniently also happens to be where Bryce and everyone else is currently located. Like where is the struggle? Where are the cunning plans from the lowkey strategic main characters that we love to see in the SJM Universe?? ALSO (and lol I’m really reconsidering my rating at this point), the ending seemed TOTALLY wrapped up to me. Don’t get me wrong, I know they had to sort out some things soon, but nothing life-threatening or detrimental or fourth-book worthy. So I was like wait, why have four houses if you’re only going to write three books?? (A refresh if you need it: House of Earth and Blood (book 1), House of Sky and Breath (book 2), House of Flame and Shadow (this book) and House of Many Waters.) So then I got to Googling and apparently there is a fourth book coming out, but not for a long while…? I don’t know. I just don’t see what else could happen in a fourth book that could really be THAT interesting and warrant another 800-page-baddie. You know? Anyways. Apologies that this review turned into a rant lol. I still think it’s worth reading if you’ve started down the Crescent City road, but this was my least favorite book in the series so far.

TIES THAT TETHER by Jane Igharo

Rating: 3/5 stars

Summary: When a Nigerian woman falls for a man she knows will break her mother’s heart, she must choose between love and her family. At twelve years old, Azere promised her dying father she would marry a Nigerian man and preserve her culture even after emigrating to Canada. Her mother has been vigilant about helping--forcing--her to stay well within the Nigerian dating pool ever since. But when another match-made-by-mom goes wrong, Azere ends up at a bar, enjoying the company and later sharing the bed of Rafael Castellano, a man who is tall, handsome, and white. When their one-night stand unexpectedly evolves into something serious, Azere is caught between her growing feelings for Rafael and the compulsive need to please her mother who will never accept a relationship that threatens to dilute Azere's Nigerian heritage. Azere can't help wondering if loving Rafael makes her any less of a Nigerian. Can she be with him without compromising her identity? The answer will either cause Azere to be audacious and fight for her happiness or continue as the compliant daughter.

My Thoughts: Okay let me just say, the content of this book was good. The execution just fell a little flat for me. It was interesting watching Azere, who emigrated to Canada when she was younger, grappling between maintaining her Nigerian culture while still forging her own path. I also enjoyed learning more about Nigerian traditions and the family dynamics in that culture. The main issue I had with this book, though, is that things felt unfinished. We only got to see Azere’s character as her mother’s daughter. We didn’t get to know what truly made her come alive as a person. What are her aspirations? Does she like her job? What are her dreams? Etc. There was just a lot of depth missing to Azere as the main character. Similarly, Rafael didn’t really do much for me as the main love interest. Besides being instantly obsessed with Azere, the only things we learn about him are that he’s originally from Spain and is hiding a huge secret. So I don’t know if I ever fully bought into the relationship between them. The interactions we got to see unfold were all pretty surface level. Nothing significant happened that convinced me these two are truly connected in a deeper way - not enough for Azere to give up a part of herself anyway. The plot really skipped ahead during the pregnancy too. All of a sudden, the story had fast forwarded a few months and we missed any pivotal moments that may have occurred in their relationship. This book was a good mix of serious topics and feel-good content, but I don’t think I’ll ever read it again. *NOTE: I listened to this on audiobook.

CAUGHT UP by Liz Tomforde (WINDY CITY #3)

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Kai - I’m a single dad and starting pitcher for Chicago’s MLB team. I’m stretched too thin, but I don’t want help raising my son. Each of his previous nannies only lasted a few weeks before I let them go. Now, my coach is putting his foot down by hiring the one person I can’t fire—his daughter. Miller Montgomery is the last woman I should fall for. Too wild, too young, and too unattached. Chicago is just a quick stop for her. I thought I’d be counting down the days until she left, but summer feels too short when I start thinking about forever. | Miller - As a high-end pastry chef who recently won the most prestigious award in my industry, I’m desperate to prove I deserve it. But with a new title comes new pressure, and I can’t create a fresh and inspiring dessert to save my life. With only two months to get back on track, I should be focusing in the kitchen, but instead, I let my dad talk me into using my time off to nanny for his star player’s kid. Kai Rhodes forgot how to have fun, and I’m eager to jog his memory. But when he and his son start to feel like home, I have to remind us both that my time in Chicago ends with the summer. Besides, I’ve always been a runner, and the last thing I want is to get caught.

My Thoughts: Y’ALL. This book had me sobbing as much as I was swooning. I didn’t know what to expect because I liked the first book in this Windy City series (Mile High) and really liked the second book (The Right Move), but this third book?? It had my heart in an absolute chokehold the entire time, and I could not put it down. I’ve never been one for the single-dad and nanny trope, but Kai and Miller did it for me. Their banter was absolutely unmatched. The quick quips and sexual innuendos added the perfect amount of snark to their flirty dynamics. Miller’s character was so entertaining to me. She had zero filter and a badass vibe that gave me an instant friend crush on her. Kai was the most thoughtful guy, always trying to take care of everyone in his life. I loved how Miller was able to breathe some life back into him, so that he saw himself as so much more than just a dad. Also, the way they both loved Kai’s son with their entire beings had me in a puddle of emotion throughout the entire book. Seriously, I don’t know what else to say to convince you to read this. It has hot baseball players, a ton of professionally crafted pastries, the perfect amount of salacious scenes, and a WHOLE lotta emotions that will take you high and low. This is probably one of my favorite sports romances of all time. There. I said it. So now you definitely have to pick it up!

HEARTLESS HUNTER by Kristen Ciccarelli

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: On the night Rune’s life changed forever, blood ran in the streets. Now, in the aftermath of a devastating revolution, witches have been diminished from powerful rulers to outcasts ruthlessly hunted due to their waning magic, and Rune must hide what she is. Spending her days pretending to be nothing more than a vapid young socialite, Rune spends her nights as the Crimson Moth, a witch vigilante who rescues her kind from being purged. When a rescue goes wrong, she decides to throw the witch hunters off her scent and gain the intel she desperately needs by courting the handsome Gideon Sharpe - a notorious and unforgiving witch hunter loyal to the revolution - who she can't help but find herself falling for. Gideon loathes the decadence and superficiality Rune represents, but when he learns the Crimson Moth has been using Rune’s merchant ships to smuggle renegade witches out of the republic, he inserts himself into her social circles by pretending to court her right back. He soon realizes that beneath her beauty and shallow façade is someone fiercely intelligent and tender who feels like his perfect match. Except, what if she’s the very villain he’s been hunting?

My Thoughts: This gem really saved me from a fantasy funk this month. After the disappointment that was Crescent City, I wasn’t sure I wanted to dive into another fantasy right away. However, the cover art on this is absolutely stunning and I haven’t read many books involving witches and witch hunters. So I decided to give this one a go. Y’ALL. This is a bold statement, but I think this is probably going to be one of my favorite fantasies for 2024. I WAS ABSOLUTELY BEWITCHED. I don’t even know where to begin. The pacing was fantastic. As soon as you step into this regency world of ball gowns, spell books, horses, and more, you are swept away into a quickly paced storyline that provides the perfect amount of slow moments to catch your breath. Rune was a kick ass main character. She’s a vigilante known as the Crimson Moth who helps smuggle witches out of The New Republic to prevent their death by the Red Guard. She’s brilliant, cunning, and so freaking badass. Gideon is the perfect counterpart in this enemies-to-lovers romantasy. He’s a broody boy who leads the Red Guard in the hunt for witches in hiding. His current focus? Capturing the Crimson Moth. Cue Rune and Gideon courting each other with alternative motives involving rescuing a recently captured, highly powerful witch and unmasking the Crimson Moth. Don’t get me started on the chemistry between these two characters. The tension was THICC. I was wholeheartedly invested in their relationship and swooned at every interaction. There’s a plot twist at the end that I didn’t see coming, but feel like I should have lol. The very ending is incredibly unexpected and the cliffhanger it left me on was just RUDE. Needless to say, I’ll be on the lookout to pre-order the sequel in this duology ASAP.

SEVEN DAYS IN JUNE by Tia Williams

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Brooklynite Eva Mercy is a single mom and bestselling erotica writer who is feeling pressed from all sides. Shane Hall is a reclusive, enigmatic, award-winning literary author who, to everyone's surprise, shows up in New York. When Shane and Eva meet unexpectedly at a literary event, sparks fly, raising not only their past buried traumas, but the eyebrows of New York's Black literati. What no one knows is that twenty years earlier, teenage Eva and Shane spent one crazy, torrid week madly in love. They may be pretending that everything is fine now, but they can't deny their chemistry - or the fact that they've been secretly writing to each other in their books ever since. Over the next seven days in the middle of a steamy Brooklyn summer, Eva and Shane reconnect, but Eva's not sure how she can trust the man who broke her heart, and she needs to get him out of New York so that her life can return to normal. But before Shane disappears again, there are a few questions she needs answered...

My Thoughts: Oh my gosh I don’t know why it took me so long to pick up this book, but I’m so glad I finally did! It was so freaking good! Shane and Eva originally met in high school where they had a whirlwind weeklong romance. Their chemistry was undeniable from the first interaction, and they just continued to click from there. Fast forward 20 years, and they’re both incredibly successful fiction writers who have been using their books as letters to the other. I loved how complex Eva’s character was and her resiliency after facing so much adversity growing up. Not to mention, the relationship with her daughter was so freaking heartwarming. They were truly best friends and understood each other at the core. Shane’s character was also perfectly imperfect. After years of binge drinking and drug use, he has finally maintained his sobriety for two years and is ready to right some wrongs in his life. When these two unexpectedly reconnect at an author’s panel in New York the sparks fly immediately like no time has passed. Their relationship, though complicated, was so full of love, my cup runneth over. I was obsessed with their dynamics and how they slowly explored this ~thing~ that’s still between them even as adults. The writing was brilliant, the banter was phenomenal, and I cannot recommend this romance novel enough.

THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD by Colson Whitehead

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Cora is a slave on a cotton plantation in Georgia. Life is hell for all the slaves, but especially bad for Cora: an outcast even among her fellow Africans, she is coming into womanhood--where even greater pain awaits. When Caesar, a recent arrival from Virginia, tells her about the Underground Railroad, they decide to take a terrifying risk and escape. Matters do not go as planned--Cora kills a young white boy who tries to capture her. Though they manage to find a station and head north, they are being hunted. In Whitehead's ingenious conception, the Underground Railroad is no mere metaphor--engineers and conductors operate a secret network of tracks and tunnels beneath the Southern soil. Cora and Caesar's first stop is South Carolina, in a city that initially seems like a haven. But the city's placid surface masks an insidious scheme designed for its black denizens. And even worse: Ridgeway, the relentless slave catcher, is close on their heels. Forced to flee again, Cora embarks on a harrowing flight, state by state, seeking true freedom. Like the protagonist of Gulliver's Travels, Cora encounters different worlds at each stage of her journey--hers is an odyssey through time as well as space. As Whitehead brilliantly re-creates the unique terrors for black people in the pre-Civil War era, his narrative seamlessly weaves the saga of America from the brutal importation of Africans to the unfulfilled promises of the present day. The Underground Railroad is at once a kinetic adventure tale of one woman's ferocious will to escape the horrors of bondage and a shattering, powerful meditation on the history we all share.

My Thoughts: This is my second Colson Whitehead book and it’s definitely worth the read. His writing style is so unique and has a way of highlighting absolute atrocities that you cannot look away from. For that, this was sometimes an uncomfortable read, but a necessary one. It was really interesting how every new state Cora went to, the attitude towards the underground railroad, slavery, etc. was so different. I recently read an article about this book in which Whitehead said he based Cora’s experiences on those written in autobiographies by slaves, such as hiding in an attic crawl space for multiple years in fear of getting caught, which gave so much more insight into what slaves, free people, and people on the run had to endure in the 1800s. The format was easy to follow even as we learned more of Cora’s back story throughout the book, including what happened to her mother after she tried running away from the plantation in Georgia and essentially disappeared when Cora was only 11. As I said, this isn’t an easy read, but it’s an incredibly necessary one and I highly recommend you pick it up if you haven’t already. *NOTE: I listened to this on audiobook.

A LADY FOR A DUKE by Alexis Hall

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: When Viola Carroll was presumed dead at Waterloo she took the opportunity to live, at last, as herself. But freedom does not come without a price, and Viola paid for hers with the loss of her wealth, her title, and her closest companion, Justin de Vere, the Duke of Gracewood. Only when their families reconnect, years after the war, does Viola learn how deep that loss truly was. Shattered without her, Gracewood has retreated so far into grief that Viola barely recognises her old friend in the lonely, brooding man he has become. As Viola strives to bring Gracewood back to himself, fresh desires give new names to old feelings. Feelings that would have been impossible once and may be impossible still, but which Viola cannot deny. Even if they cost her everything, all over again.

My Thoughts: Let me just say, this book was just a touch longer than I needed it to be, but otherwise, I really enjoyed it. It put me through a variety of emotions. Viola is a transwoman who found the freedom to be the woman she always wanted to be when she was presumed dead after the war at Waterloo. Her best friend growing up, Gracewood, left the war severely injured and drowning in grief at the loss of his closest companion. Years later, their families reconnect and Viola sees just how far Gracewood has gotten away from himself. As she tries to bring him back to the man she used to know, deeper feelings start to stir between the two and the secret about her identity is revealed. It was really sweet how much Gracewood accepted Viola right away instead of trying to see his old comrade in her. Their connection was so natural and though it seemed their dynamics would never work, they fought to find a way. There are a lot of entertaining side characters that bring this story to life, but the conflict towards the end felt a little dRamAtiC and drawn out to me. Other than that, I really enjoyed this queer regency romance and recommend giving it a try!

Okie that’s it for February!

What seems to be my trend this year is flying through books at the beginning of a new month and then slowing down substantially towards the end. So we shall see how March goes lol.

2024 Book Count: 20

Add me on Goodreads if you haven’t already.

YOUR TURN! What was your favorite book of February?

January 2024 Reads

February 04, 2024 by Haley Burrill in Books

Hello. Hello. Is it too late to say Happy New Year?

How’s 2024 treatin’ ya?

It’s been a pretty decent year for me so far. Between football and books anyway.

Football: Michigan won the CFP National Championship and the Lions made it to the NFC championship game for the first time in 30 years… I’m still mourning the results of that game, so we don’t need to go into details on it.

Books: I was flying through books for a majority of the month (thank you, audiobooks). Like I think I cranked out 5-6 books within the first two weeks of January? However, as the days closed in on January 30th - a.k.a. House of Flame and Shadow release date - I started to slow down substantially. Mainly because I knew that I wouldn’t have the attention span to focus on any other book after I received my copy of the third Crescent City. Like good luck getting me to do anything social once that beauty hits my Kindle at midnight and my doorstep via Amazon later that day (because I obvi need it in both formats lol).

Just to stay consistent, I set my 2024 Goodreads Reading Challenge goal to 100 books again this year. I feel like it’s a big enough number to be challenging for me, but also attainable enough that I can always increase it if I achieve it earlier than expected. :)

On that note, let’s get into everything I read in January!

*All summaries are taken or paraphrased from Goodreads.

HOUSE OF SKY AND BREATH by Sarah J. Maas (Crescent City #2)

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Bryce Quinlan and Hunt Athalar are trying to get back to normal―they may have saved Crescent City, but with so much upheaval in their lives lately, they mostly want a chance to relax. Slow down. Figure out what the future holds. The Asteri have kept their word so far, leaving Bryce and Hunt alone. But with the rebels chipping away at the Asteri’s power, the threat the rulers pose is growing. As Bryce, Hunt, and their friends get pulled into the rebels’ plans, the choice becomes clear: stay silent while others are oppressed, or fight for what’s right. And they’ve never been very good at staying silent.

My Thoughts: Y’ALL. Y’aaaaaallllll. I reread the first book of the Crescent City series right before the New Year and immediately jumped into this one because I hadn’t read it before. Also, by some miracle, I had avoided all spoilers about it up to this point. However, I knew something WILD happens at the end, so I was ITCHING to dive in. Let me just say, this book did not disappoint. SO MUCH HAPPENS, and I don’t even know where to begin. The mystery of what Danika was looking into from the first book catches a second breath as more information surfaces. This time though, it feels a lot more dangerous because all eyes are on Bryce and Hunt both from a public perspective and the Asteri leaders. Plus, they’re getting involved in an aspect of the human rebellion which is the LAST place you want to be if you’re trying to lie low. True to Bryce’s character though, she can’t turn a blind eye to an innocent being in danger. Cue the whirlwind that is this book. I freaking LOVED that we got the POVs from multiple characters including Bryce, Hunt, Ruhn (Prince of the Fae), Cormac (also a Prince of the Fae), Ithan (wolf), Tharion (merman), and more. I swear my blood pressure was abnormally high while I tore through this thicc fantasy. It was almost like watching a car crash or something else that’s stressful but for some reason you can’t look away? AND LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT THAT ENDING OMG. PEOPLE DID NOT LIE. WHAT A MF pLoT tWiST. January 30th honestly cannot come quick enough. I am SOOOO excited to dive into House of Flame and Shadow.

**Also side note: I do not think you have to read Throne of Glass before reading the Crescent City series, but I highly recommend reading A Court of Thorns and Roses beforehand. Like the whole series. Not just the first book. The ending of this book won’t make you hyperventilate to the full extent of which you definitely should if you don’t read ACOTAR in its entirety.

IRON GOLD by Pierce Brown (Red Rising Saga #4)

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: They call him father, liberator, warlord, Reaper. But he feels a boy as he falls toward the pale blue planet, his armor red, his army vast, his heart heavy. It is the tenth year of war and the thirty-second of his life. A decade ago, Darrow was the hero of the revolution he believed would break the chains of the Society. But the Rising has shattered everything: Instead of peace and freedom, it has brought endless war. Now he must risk everything he has fought for on one last desperate mission. Darrow still believes he can save everyone, but can he save himself? And throughout the worlds, other destinies entwine with Darrow’s to change his fate forever: A young Red girl flees tragedy in her refugee camp and achieves for herself a new life she could never have imagined. An ex-soldier broken by grief is forced to steal the most valuable thing in the galaxy—or pay with his life. And Lysander au Lune, the heir in exile to the sovereign, wanders the stars with his mentor, Cassius, haunted by the loss of the world that Darrow transformed, and dreaming of what will rise from its ashes.

My Thoughts: Okay I took a one audiobook break between the third book in the Red Rising Saga and this one just so that I wouldn’t get burned out on the series, and I’m really glad I did. This book takes place ten years after Morning Star and Darrow and those who rebelled with him have established a new government called the Republic. There are representatives from all different colors in the Senate and Virginia (Darrow’s wife) is the overseeing Sovereign. Due to a recent war decision Darrow made against the Senate’s wishes, people are calling for his arrest. It’s a tricky situation, but Darrow decides this war that has been going on for the last decade can only be ended if he kills the Ash Lord. So instead of following their new justice system, he decides to resist arrest and heads to the Outer Rim. This book follows more than Darrow though. You also get chapters from the perspectives of three other people - Lysander (the last Sovereign’s grandkid), a Red named Lyria, and a Gray named Ephraim. It’s unclear, at first, how they’re all connected, but eventually you begin to connect the dots. I will say, this book was a slow burn to start. It took a minute to get my footing with whether I was invested in the new generation of this plot and storyline. However, as time went on, it was easy to get emotionally invested in what each of these characters are going through. I regularly listen to audiobooks in the morning while I’m getting ready for work and there were multiple moments throughout this book where I looked in the mirror only to see my eyes wide and my jaw dropped. In my opinion, I would say this book started as a 3-star, quickly shifted to a 3.5-star, and then slid home to being a 4-star read. If you’re debating picking up the last three books in the Red Rising saga, I’d recommend giving this book a go as a temperature check.

WHAT THE RIVER KNOWS by Isabel Ibañez

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Bolivian-Argentinian Inez Olivera belongs to the glittering upper society of nineteenth century Buenos Aires, and like the rest of the world, the town is steeped in old world magic that’s been largely left behind or forgotten. Inez has everything a girl might want, except for the one thing she yearns the most: her globetrotting parents—who frequently leave her behind. When she receives word of their tragic deaths, Inez inherits their massive fortune and a mysterious guardian, an archeologist in partnership with his Egyptian brother-in-law. Yearning for answers, Inez sails to Cairo, bringing her sketch pads and an ancient golden ring her father sent to her for safekeeping before he died. But upon her arrival, the old world magic tethered to the ring pulls her down a path where she soon discovers there’s more to her parent’s disappearance than what her guardian led her to believe. With her guardian’s infuriatingly handsome assistant thwarting her at every turn, Inez must rely on ancient magic to uncover the truth about her parent’s disappearance—or risk becoming a pawn in a larger game that will kill her.

My Thoughts: Oh my gosh. I did not know what to expect with this audiobook, but I could not stop listening to it! This story had adventure, mystery, magic, a touch of romance, and was everything I could have asked for. The writing was stunning and the vivid setting descriptions of Egypt were absolutely transportive. Especially as their archeological group started sorting through various tombs and treasures, and Inez had to record their findings by painting each artifact in her sketchbook. I appreciated how real all of the characters felt, specifically Inez and Whit. They were unapologetically imperfect and each was dealing with traumas from their past, yet they remained resilient and strong in the face of adversity. Additionally, their banter was top notch. I loved the verbal jousting matches they constantly fell into as they fought the clear chemistry between them. The pacing of this book was a great mix of slow emotional, reflective moments and fast action-packed scenes. Although I felt some parts were mildly predictable, the plot was definitely twisty and kept me guessing. THE ENDING HOWEVER?? I never saw it coming and cannot believe the author has the AUDACITY to leave me on such a cliffhanger. Needless to say, I cannot wait to see where book two takes us when it comes out in November and I highly recommend you add this to your “Need to Read” list for 2024.

BRIGHT YOUNG WOMEN by Jessica Knoll

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: January 1978. A serial killer has terrorized women across the Pacific Northwest, but his existence couldn’t be further from the minds of the vibrant young women at the top sorority on Florida State University’s campus in Tallahassee. Tonight is a night of promise, excitement, and desire, but Pamela Schumacher, president of the sorority, makes the unpopular decision to stay home—a decision that unwittingly saves her life. Startled awake at 3 a.m. by a strange sound, she makes the fateful decision to investigate. What she finds behind the door is a scene of implausible violence—two of her sisters dead; two others, maimed. Over the next few days, Pamela is thrust into a terrifying mystery inspired by the crime that’s captivated public interest for more than four decades. On the other side of the country, Tina Cannon has found peace in Seattle after years of hardship. A chance encounter brings twenty-five-year-old Ruth Wachowsky into her life, a young woman with painful secrets of her own, and the two form an instant connection. When Ruth goes missing from Lake Sammamish State Park in broad daylight, surrounded by thousands of beachgoers on a beautiful summer day, Tina devotes herself to finding out what happened to her. When she hears about the tragedy in Tallahassee, she knows it’s the man the papers refer to as the All-American Sex Killer. Determined to make him answer for what he did to Ruth, she travels to Florida on a collision course with Pamela—and one last impending tragedy.

My Thoughts: This book is unlike any other I’ve ever read. It’s almost a retelling of sorts from the POVs of women who were friends with the victims of Ted Bundy back in the 70s. It does an amazing job of peeling back the curtain on famous serial killers to show that they are not brilliant, charismatic, good-looking men, and instead exposes them as insecure, unstable losers who got away with things due to their favorable image and incompetence within the courts. The writing is stunning and so raw and vulnerable. It took me a minute to get through just because I felt the characters’ distress so thoroughly throughout every chapter. The format bounces between two different characters as well as timelines. First it follows Pamela, who is the president at the FSU sorority house that was traumatized by Ted Bundy’s attack. She was the only eye-witness to see him as he was leaving through the front door. Her best friend Denise was one of the victims who didn’t survive that night. We get to see her perspective in the 70’s as a college student navigating the impossible situation of picking up the pieces after the brutal attack, and her perspective in the present as a lawyer who is still dealing with fallout from the case. The other perspective we follow is Ruth who disappeared in 1979 and her partner, Tina, has been fighting ever since to prove she was also a victim of this disgusting serial killer. Although I’m a big wuss and was worried this was going to be scary, it was totally palatable and hard to put down once I got into it. I highly recommend it and suggest Googling Kathy Kleiner whose personal story is what this book is based on before jumping in.

THE BODYGUARD by Katherine Center

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: She's got his back. He's got her heart. They've got a secret. What could possibly go wrong? Hannah Brooks looks more like a kindergarten teacher than somebody who could kill you with her bare hands. But the truth is, she's an elite bodyguard and she's just been hired to protect a superstar actor from his stalker. Jack Stapleton's a Hollywood heartthrob - captured by paparazzi on beaches the world over, rising out of the waves in clingy board shorts and glistening like a Roman deity. When Jack's mom gets sick, he comes home to the family's Texas ranch to help out. Only one catch: He doesn't want his family to know about his stalker. Or the bodyguard thing. And so Hannah - against her will and her better judgment - finds herself pretending to be Jack's girlfriend as a cover. Protecting Jack should be easy. But protecting her own heart? That's the hardest thing she's ever done...

My Thoughts: This book was so cute! Hannah is a huge workaholic and a 5’5” bodyguard. She lives to work and uses it as an escape from her personal life which is currently less than ideal. Her mother just died, her boyfriend just dumped her, and she’s ready to get TF out of Texas. Cue Hollywood heartthrob Jack Stapleton. He’s returning home to Texas to help out with his sick mom and Hannah has been assigned to be his primary bodyguard. This was such a fun rom-com. Hannah’s character is the epitome of quirky and imperfect, and I absolutely loved her. She breaks all of her own rules as a professional with Jack starting from the moment he challenges her by questioning whether or not she could actually take a guy his size down if they’re being attacked. She quite literally lays his ass out in the backyard to win his approval. Jack is also such a sweetheart and I loved how quickly his walls fell around Hannah even though he’s been keeping to himself over the last few years since his younger brother died. The chemistry between these two was undeniable and the friendship they developed first was so freaking enjoyable. Also, THE BANTER? You know I love some quality banter and this storyline had some 4K-high quality banter. The epilogue is everything I could’ve hoped for, and although this is definitely more of a PG-rated romance, there was still unavoidable sexual tension throughout. I definitely recommend giving this book a try if you’ve had it on your radar!

ALL MY RAGE by Sabaa Tahir

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Lahore, Pakistan. Then. Misbah is a dreamer and storyteller, newly married to Toufiq in an arranged match. After their young life is shaken by tragedy, they come to the United States and open the Cloud’s Rest Inn Motel, hoping for a new start. Juniper, California. Now. Salahudin and Noor are more than best friends; they are family. Growing up as outcasts in the small desert town of Juniper, California, they understand each other the way no one else does. Until The Fight, which destroys their bond with the swift fury of a star exploding. Now, Sal scrambles to run the family motel as his mother Misbah’s health fails and his grieving father loses himself to alcoholism. Noor, meanwhile, walks a harrowing tightrope: working at her wrathful uncle’s liquor store while hiding the fact that she’s applying to college so she can escape him—and Juniper—forever. When Sal’s attempts to save the motel spiral out of control, he and Noor must ask themselves what friendship is worth—and what it takes to defeat the monsters in their pasts and the ones in their midst.

My Thoughts: OOoo wee. Sabaa Tahir has a gift for writing and that could not be any clearer after reading this book. The emotions I felt while listening to the audiobook were absolutely visceral. It was gut-wrenching to see these characters go through some of the hardest moments of their lives while feeling like nobody truly sees them. Sal just lost his mom to a kidney disease and is trying to keep the family business afloat while his dad drinks his grief away to the point of being absent. To cover the growing expenses and overdue bills, he turns to a side hustle he knows his mother wouldn’t be proud of but has to to keep her dream alive. Noor lives with her uncle who quit college over a decade ago in order to raise her after her family was tragically killed in an earthquake back in Pakistan. She’s at the top of her class and yet is struggling hard when it comes to college admissions. Her hope to escape the podunk, racist town of Juniper, California dims a little more with every rejection letter she receives. The friendship between Sal and Noor had ruptured a few months back, but as they struggle through their current situations, it was impossible not to root for their undeniable connection. I was so wholeheartedly invested in these characters that the plot definitely took me by surprise towards the end. I did not see any of it coming, but it was wrapped up so well. If you haven’t picked this one up yet, I highly recommend giving it a read.

AND THEN THERE WERE NONE by Agatha Christie

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: First, there were ten—a curious assortment of strangers summoned as weekend guests to a little private island off the coast of Devon. Their host, an eccentric millionaire unknown to all of them, is nowhere to be found. All that the guests have in common is a wicked past they're unwilling to reveal—and a secret that will seal their fate. For each has been marked for murder. A famous nursery rhyme is framed and hung in every room of the mansion: "Ten little boys went out to dine; One choked his little self and then there were nine. Nine little boys sat up very late; One overslept himself and then there were eight. Eight little boys traveling in Devon; One said he'd stay there then there were seven. Seven little boys chopping up sticks; One chopped himself in half and then there were six. Six little boys playing with a hive; A bumblebee stung one and then there were five. Five little boys going in for law; One got in Chancery and then there were four. Four little boys going out to sea; A red herring swallowed one and then there were three. Three little boys walking in the zoo; A big bear hugged one and then there were two. Two little boys sitting in the sun; One got frizzled up and then there was one. One little boy left all alone; He went out and hanged himself and then there were none." When they realize that murders are occurring as described in the rhyme, terror mounts. One by one they fall prey. Before the weekend is out, there will be none. Who has choreographed this dastardly scheme? And who will be left to tell the tale? Only the dead are above suspicion.

My Thoughts: Okay so I started this audiobook on a drive home one morning. A drive that usually takes me 55 minutes, but thanks to unexpected snow the night before, it ended up pushing my ETA back to 2.5 hours. Needless to say, I binge listened to this mystery and thoroughly enjoyed it. This is only my second Agatha Christie novel, but her writing style was easy to jump into. I loved all of the quirky characters that were rounded up on Soldier Island and hearing their internal dialogue about the current drama was incredibly entertaining. I don’t know if I’m just really bad at guessing the outcomes of mysteries like this one, but I had no idea who the killer was until it was explained at the end lol. I understand why this book is considered a classic and although I probably won’t ever read it again, I’m glad I finally did.

THE GRAHAM EFFECT by Elle Kennedy

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Gigi Graham has exactly three goals: qualify for the women’s national hockey team, win Olympic gold, and step out of her famous father’s shadow. So far, so good, except for two little things. Fine–a little thing and a big, grumpy thing. She needs to improve her game behind the net, and she needs help from Luke Ryder. Ryder is six-foot five, built, opinionated, rude…and sexy as hell. But he’s still the enemy. | Briar’s new hockey co-captain has his reasons, though. The men’s team just merged with a rival program, leaving Ryder with an angry roster where everyone hates one another’s guts. To make matters worse, the summer coaching spot he’s angling for with the legendary Garrett Graham is out of reach after he makes the worst possible first impression on his hero. So, really, this compromise with Gigi is win-win. He helps her make the national team, she puts in a good word with her dad. The only potential snag? This bone-deep, body-numbing, mind-spinning chemistry they’re trying to ignore. It’s a dangerous game they’re playing, but the risks just might be worth it.

My Thoughts: Okay, so y’all know I am an absolute SIMP for a hockey romance, and I was obsessed with Elle Kennedy’s OG Off-Campus series back in 2022. Well, The Graham Effect follows the kids of the characters in the Off-Campus series. I won’t lie, I was kind of hesitant going into this one. Mainly because I’ve found that the next generation of a series can be either a hit or miss, and I didn’t want to taint my experience with those characters if this absolutely bombed. However, I am THRILLED to announce that it did not disappoint. I was an ooey gooey swoony mess over this next-gen romance. Gigi is one of the best rom-com main characters I’ve come across in a while. She felt so down to earth and really relatable in the sense that she wasn’t over the top, was quirky yet endearing, had a sweet personality, and overall was just someone I’d want to be friends with. Ryder was my favorite type of main character love interest. He was broody, self aware, patient, and had the perfect amount of flaws to make him even more attractive. Their story was absolutely addicting and I couldn’t get enough of their enemies-to-lovers story arc. There are some really deep topics woven into this story that made their relationship feel so much more real. Also, true to Elle Kennedy’s writing style, the salacious scenes were everything I could’ve wanted lol. Needless to say, I cannot wait for the next book in this series!

HELL BENT by Leigh Bardugo (Alex Stern #2)

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: Find a gateway to the underworld. Steal a soul out of hell. A simple plan, except people who make this particular journey rarely come back. But Galaxy “Alex” Stern is determined to break Darlington out of purgatory―even if it costs her a future at Lethe and at Yale. Forbidden from attempting a rescue, Alex and Dawes can’t call on the Ninth House for help, so they assemble a team of dubious allies to save the gentleman of Lethe. Together, they will have to navigate a maze of arcane texts and bizarre artifacts to uncover the societies’ most closely guarded secrets, and break every rule doing it. But when faculty members begin to die off, Alex knows these aren’t just accidents. Something deadly is at work in New Haven, and if she is going to survive, she’ll have to reckon with the monsters of her past and a darkness built into the university’s very walls.

My Thoughts: UGH. I REALLY wanted to rate this book higher because I truly did enjoy it, but it just fell short for me in some places. I am still obsessed with the dark academia meets urban fantasy aesthetics of this series. Alex and Dawes are still looking for a way to save Darlington from purgatory while remaining inconspicuous from the board of Lethe. For a good chunk of this book, I kept hoping the plot wasn’t going to be “more of the same.” The cadence of the story and the mischief Alex gets herself into felt like mild whiplash from Ninth House. However, as time went on, things started taking various turns and I could confidently let out a sigh of relief that this book has its own independent legs to stand on. Alex and Dawes uncover some shocking discoveries about Yale’s past and realize they’re up against something much worse than they initially anticipated. Between appeasing new leadership so that they wouldn’t look into what these two girls were planning (aka opening the gates of hell) and dealing with some demons from the past, it constantly felt like they were in over their heads. I never knew what was going to happen next or what hurdle they’d need to jump. What was done absolutely perfectly in this story was the character development. Specifically, Dawes. She goes from being the timid bookkeeper to a confident badass who never questions fighting alongside Alex. Although I didn’t love this book as much as the first one, I will definitely continue the series once the third installment comes out. If you haven’t read this yet, I highly recommend the audiobook!

THE FAKE OUT by Stephanie Archer

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: The best way to get back at my horrible ex? Fake date Rory Miller--my ex's rival, the top scorer in pro hockey, and the arrogant, flirtatious hockey player I tutored in high school. Faking it is fun and addictive, though, and beneath the bad boy swagger, Rory’s sweet, funny, and protective. He teaches me to skate and spends way too much money on me. He sleeps in my bed and convinces me to break my just-one-time hookup rule. He kisses me like it’s real. And now I wonder if Rory was ever faking it to begin with.

My Thoughts: Because I was in a hockey romance mood, I decided to continue down that Kindle Unlimited path and landed on this gem. I actually read the first book in the Vancouver Storm series last September and remembered enjoying it. So I figured I’d give the sequel a try. Listen, Rory is described as a golden retriever type of guy by other characters, but I honestly disagree. He is literally the sweetest guy ever with quick quips and unrelenting flirting, and I couldn’t get enough of him. Hazel was his perfect counterpart. She was self reliant, also quick witted, intelligent, and so incredibly patient. Although their relationship started as a fake-dating agreement to get back at her ex, the line between real and fake got blurry V quickly. I absolutely loved how much fun these two had together. The foundation of their romantic relationship was so clearly balanced on a solid friendship, and that only made me buy into them as a couple even more. I must note, this book is SPICY lol. It starts off with just a dash of heat and ends with a rating of at least 4 chili peppers. I also felt like it was just a TOUCH longer than it needed to be, but loved it all the same. Definitely give it a shot if you’re in your hockey romance era too lol.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR DANCING by Nicola Yoon

Rating: 3.8/5 stars

Summary: Evie Thomas doesn't believe in love anymore. Especially after the strangest thing occurs one otherwise ordinary afternoon: She witnesses a couple kiss and is overcome with a vision of how their romance began . . . and how it will end. After all, even the greatest love stories end with a broken heart, eventually. As Evie tries to understand why this is happening, she finds herself at La Brea Dance Studio, learning to waltz, fox-trot, and tango with a boy named X. X is everything that Evie is not: adventurous, passionate, daring. His philosophy is to say yes to everything--including entering a ballroom dance competition with a girl he's only just met. Falling for X is definitely not what Evie had in mind. If her visions of heartbreak have taught her anything, it's that no one escapes love unscathed. But as she and X dance around and toward each other, Evie is forced to question all she thought she knew about life and love. In the end, is love worth the risk?

My Thoughts: Don’t let this bright, colorful, upbeat cover fool you into thinking this is a sweet, innocent YA rom-com! This book is thought provoking, heart wrenching, magical, and more. Evie is doubting the concept of true, happy love after her parents’ divorce. She caught her father cheating on her mother and has had a cynical outlook on the core emotion ever since. While unloading her collection of romance novels into a Little Free Library, the woman who owns the LFL tells her she can’t just leave a book. She has to take one too. The only other book available is “Instructions for Dancing” which gives her the power to see the demise of any kissing couple’s relationship. There’s a return address on the book to a local dance studio and when she goes to drop it off to its rightful owner, she enters the world of ballroom dancing and meets a dapper young guy, X. I loved that this book didn’t just hone in on romantic relationships. It touched on how friendships can shift and change, familial relations can ebb and flow, and how grief can affect people’s belief in the concept of love. It also reflected on the fact that no love is perfect, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth it. Evie was a very likable main character and her character arc is really beautiful. I can’t say this book blew me away, but I thoroughly enjoyed it and definitely think it’s worth the read if it’s been on your radar.

THE SPACE BETWEEN WORLDS by Micaiah Johnson

Rating: 3/5 stars

Summary: Multiverse travel is finally possible, but there’s just one catch: No one can visit a world where their counterpart is still alive. Enter Cara, whose parallel selves happen to be exceptionally good at dying—from disease, turf wars, or vendettas they couldn’t outrun. Cara’s life has been cut short on 372 worlds in total. On this Earth, however, Cara has survived. Identified as an outlier and therefore a perfect candidate for multiverse travel, Cara is plucked from the dirt of the wastelands. Now she has a nice apartment on the lower levels of the wealthy and walled-off Wiley City. She works—and shamelessly flirts—with her enticing yet aloof handler, Dell, as the two women collect off-world data for the Eldridge Institute. She even occasionally leaves the city to visit her family in the wastes, though she struggles to feel at home in either place. So long as she can keep her head down and avoid trouble, Cara is on a sure path to citizenship and security. But trouble finds Cara when one of her eight remaining doppelgängers dies under mysterious circumstances, plunging her into a new world with an old secret. What she discovers will connect her past and her future in ways she could have never imagined—and reveal her own role in a plot that endangers not just her world, but the entire multiverse.

My Thoughts: Ugh okay. This is an OBJECTIVELY good book. It’s written really well, I liked the premise a lot, and it touched on some impactful topics that were depicted in a meaningful way, including privilege between races, classism, etc. That said, I just never fully connected to the story. I mainly listened to it on audiobook and although it was easy enough to follow along, there was never a burning need to get back into it. It was more like “oh yeah, that’s the audiobook I’m listening to right now” any time I grabbed my AirPods. Cara is a kick ass main character and I truly admired how resilient she remained whilst facing multiple adversities across multiple worlds. For whatever reason though, I never felt fully emotionally invested in her. This sci-fi also serves up the science part very mildly. Although there is some parallel world traveling, most of the content was related to politics amongst leaders and philosophical debates related to the ethics of traversing other worlds. I liked this book overall and think it’s worth the read if you’ve had it on your radar. I just don’t think I’ll continue on to the sequel (which comes out in March) nor will I ever really think about this book again. :/

All righty folks!

That’s it for January!

I hope you found at least one book to add to your TBR list for this year.

As I mentioned in my review, but just to reemphasize: for anyone interested in reading the Crescent City series, I highly recommend reading the A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) series first and foremost. THEN you can dive into Crescent City. Just trust me on this. You won’t regret it.

2024 Book Count: 12

Add me on Goodreads if you haven’t already.

YOUR TURN! What book are you looking forward to most in 2024?

September 2023 Reads

October 01, 2023 by Haley Burrill in Books

Who else blinked and realized we’re already at the start of fall?

Don’t get me wrong. I love the changing of the leaves, sweater weather, football weekends, and all of the cozy vibes this season brings. What I don’t love is that it starts getting dark super early and the sun doesn’t rise until at least 8am. :(

Time to break out those sun lamps, people.

On the reading front this month, I definitely got through some books slower than I planned, per usual as of late. I was a little fickle with what genre I was in the mood for, so I ended up just kind of sticking to what was working which included a couple of murder mysteries and some YA fantasy.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again though: audiobooks ftw.

One thing I’m excited to announce is that I’m back on my Throne of Glass bullshit and have decided to reread the series lol. I don’t think I reviewed the series the first time I read through it, so get ready for some THOUGHTS in the coming months.

Okie, I think that’s it. Let’s get into everything I read in September.

*All summaries are taken or paraphrased from Goodreads.

LEGENDS & LATTES by Travis Baldree

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: After a lifetime of bounties and bloodshed, Viv is hanging up her sword for the last time. The battle weary orc aims to start fresh, opening the first ever coffee shop in the city of Thune. But old and new rivals stand in the way of success - not to mention the fact that no one has the faintest idea what coffee actually is. If Viv wants to put the blade behind her and make her plans a reality, she won’t be able to go it alone. But the true rewards of the uncharted path are the travelers you meet along the way. And whether drawn together by ancient magic, flake pastry, or a freshly brewed cup, they may become partners, family, and something deeper than she ever could have dreamed.

My Thoughts: Okay so I have been seeing Legends & Lattes all over Bookstagram lately and just had to see what the hype was about. This book knows exactly what it is and what purpose it serves. It says on the back of it that it’s a low stakes fantasy and I couldn’t agree more. This book is so cozy. It reminds me of putting on my most comfy pair of sweats, grabbing the fuzziest blanket available, and curling up on an extremely comfy sofa or chair next to a slightly opened window while a crisp autumn breeze blows through. Throw in a delicious cup of tea or a satisfying latte, and that’s the vibe of this fantasy. I loved the message of “found family” and creating a community for yourself. Viv makes such beautiful connections with a variety of characters as she works to create a gathering place for the people of Thune to enjoy a cup of joe. Those friendships ring true when everyone comes together to help Viv after a tragedy strikes the coffee shop. The storyline of Viv’s self reinvention was really heartwarming as she leaves her violent past behind and tries to create a life she’s proud of. There’s also a very subtle sapphic romance sprinkled into this cozy fantasy that was just the cherry on top of everything. That said, this book is a SLOW BURN. Like, the epitome of a slow burn. I enjoyed it a lot while I was reading it, but it just didn’t have its hooks in me deep enough to want to sit down and read it all the time. It’s almost like, as the reader, the book is taking your hand and walking you through the stages of what’s happening. I don’t know. This was my first cozy fantasy and I’m sure it won’t be my last. As long as the next cozy fantasy I read isn’t as much of a slow burn as this one was.

KAIKEYI by Vaishnavi Patel

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: “I was born on the full moon under an auspicious constellation, the holiest of positions—much good it did me.” So begins Kaikeyi’s story. The only daughter of the kingdom of Kekaya, she is raised on tales about the might and benevolence of the gods: how they churned the vast ocean to obtain the nectar of immortality, how they vanquish evil and ensure the land of Bharat prospers, and how they offer powerful boons to the worthy. Yet she watches as her father unceremoniously banishes her mother, listens as her own worth is reduced to the marriage alliance she can secure. And when she calls upon the gods for help, they never seem to hear. Desperate for independence, she turns to the texts she once read with her mother and discovers a magic that is hers alone. With it, Kaikeyi transforms herself from an overlooked princess into a warrior, diplomat, and most favored queen. But as the evil from her childhood stories threatens the cosmic order, the path she has forged clashes with the destiny the gods have chosen for her family. And Kaikeyi must decide if resistance is worth the destruction it will wreak—and what legacy she intends to leave behind.

My Thoughts: Although I own a hardcover copy of this book, I decided to listen to the audiobook via Libby. I want to start by saying, I did not really know what this book was about going into it. I don’t usually read the premise of everything I pick up and I think that hindered my experience here. For the first half of the book, I really didn’t have any strong feelings towards it one way or another. So, I did some digging and realized this is a retelling of Ramayana which is a story from Hindu mythology about a scorned queen. In the original Ramayana, Queen Kaikeyi is described as a jealous queen who wants her son Bharata to ascend the throne. However, this retelling follows Queen Kaikeyi from childhood through her adult life as she tries to create a better world for herself and other women. I loved the feminist reimagining of Queen Kaikeyi and the new light it shone on this complex character. The book really does have everything you could hope for: thorough character development across the board, a multifaceted plot that just keeps getting thicker, messy family dynamics, and just a touch of magic sprinkled in. The only reason I’m docking it a half star is because I feel like even though I didn’t know the background of the retelling until halfway through, the story should’ve sucked me in more to the point of having formed some opinions about it at that point. Otherwise, I think the writing is phenomenal and I definitely recommend it!

THE FALLEN by David Baldacci

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Amos Decker and his journalist friend Alex Jamison are visiting the home of Alex’s sister in Barronville, a small town in western Pennsylvania that has been hit hard economically. When Decker is out on the rear deck of the house talking with Alex’s niece, a precocious eight-year-old, he notices flickering lights then a spark of flame in the window of the house across the way. When he goes to investigate, he finds two dead bodies inside and it’s not clear how either man died. But this is only the tip of the iceberg. There’s something going on in Barronville that might be the canary in the coal mine for the rest of the country. Faced with a stonewalling local police force, and roadblocks put up by unseen forces, Decker and Jamison must pull out all the stops to solve the case. And even Decker’s infallible memory may not be enough to save them.

My Thoughts: Funny story. I actually got this book from a woman who I was sitting next to on a flight to Atlanta back in 2019. She was super sweet, but a little talkative and was like “omg take this book! I’ve already read it and loved it! You should have it.” Therefore, I’ve been sitting on it for about 4 years, but noticed the audiobook was available on Libby, so I decided to finally give it a try. I’m pleased to report the nice lady on the plane was right - this was a great book! I realized a little bit into it that it’s the fourth book in a series, but I still think you can read this as a standalone. The only thing you need to know is the main character, Amos Decker, suffered a head injury 20 years ago and as a side effect, he can’t forget anything. Now an FBI contract agent, Decker is the ultimate detective and just happens to stumble upon two dead bodies while he and his partner, Alex Jamison, are on vacation in a small town called Barronville. Cue a whirlwind of a murder case mixed with drug cartels and more. I absolutely loved the writing and Decker is such a great protagonist. He’s a little rough around the edges, but a teddy bear at his core. I will say, there are a LOT of characters to keep track of while Decker and Jamison follow any and every lead to solve this case. So I found myself trying to remember who someone was and how they related to the case on more than one occasion. The only other reason I docked this book a star is because in the description, it says Alex’s niece is 8-years-old, but in the book she’s only just turning six. I feel like someone at the publishing company should have caught that discrepancy before it went to print lol. Otherwise, this was a super enjoyable book and such an easy read. I think I’m going to start the series from the beginning and work my way through it because I haven’t had enough of Amos Decker yet!

MEMORY MAN by David Baldacci

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: Amos Decker's life changed forever--twice. The first time was on the gridiron. A big, towering athlete, he was the only person from his hometown of Burlington ever to go pro. But his career ended before it had a chance to begin. On his very first play, a violent helmet-to-helmet collision knocked him off the field for good, and left him with an improbable side effect--he can never forget anything. The second time was at home nearly two decades later. Now a police detective, Decker returned from a stakeout one evening and entered a nightmare--his wife, young daughter, and brother-in-law had been murdered. His family destroyed, their killer's identity as mysterious as the motive behind the crime, and unable to forget a single detail from that horrible night, Decker finds his world collapsing around him. He leaves the police force, loses his home, and winds up on the street, taking piecemeal jobs as a private investigator when he can. But over a year later, a man turns himself in to the police and confesses to the murders. At the same time a horrific event nearly brings Burlington to its knees, and Decker is called back in to help with this investigation. Decker also seizes his chance to learn what really happened to his family that night. To uncover the stunning truth, he must use his remarkable gifts and confront the burdens that go along with them. He must endure the memories he would much rather forget. And he may have to make the ultimate sacrifice.

My Thoughts: Okay this is the first book in the series that The Fallen is in and although I enjoyed it, I could clearly tell the writing has gotten better farther into the series. Getting to know Amos Decker’s background and where his character started was very interesting. Especially since they really emphasize in this book that after his brain injury, he’s showing more behaviors that are similar to people who are on the Autism spectrum which wasn’t made as clear in the fourth book. The connections made throughout this case were almost impossible to predict because you’re still learning the background of everything and everyone involved. Personally, I thought Amos’s detective partner was absolutely useless and rode his coattails throughout the entire investigation. Every time she spoke, I was like who gave you this job? She literally would just validate or ask Amos how he solved something. There are a lot of layers to this story and a few gruesome scenes that made my skin crawl. Overall, this was a good start to this series, but as I said, I think the writing definitely gets better the further into the series you go. Please check content and trigger warnings before going into this because it touches on pretty dark topics such as school shootings, sexual assault, sexual abuse, murder and more.

A SKY BEYOND THE STORM by Sabaa Tahir (An Ember in the Ashes #4) (REREAD)

Rating: 5/5 stars

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

My Thoughts: This was the last book in my journey rereading the An Ember in the Ashes series via audiobook and bleeding skies I forgot how much of an emotional punch this packed! Holding true to the thoughts I reported in my original review, this book is saturated in grief and struggle, but it’s not without love and joy to match. As this is the final book that wraps up the series, I cannot emphasize this enough: SO MUCH HAPPENS. Especially with Laia, Elias, and my girl Helene. I’m making a bold statement here, but Helene Aquilla is probably one of my all-time favorite characters in a fantasy series. She just endures so much and still comes out on the other side of it holding her head high. I just cannot say more good things about her resiliency and strength. The biggest aha moments in this book though are when we learn some of the origin stories about a few of the antagonists that are pivotal to the good guys winning this war against the djinn. Although homegirl made me WEEP multiple times, I still really admire that Sabaa Tahir did not cater to the wishes of her readers and ended this series the way she wanted to end it. Like, you guise, a couple of characters do not make it to the end and it absolutely wrecked me this second time around, but I can’t complain. This isn’t going to be everyone’s favorite ending, but I do think it was the perfect end to this series. If you haven’t given An Ember in the Ashes a chance yet, I highly recommend adding it to your TBR. You’ll never be the same.

BEHIND THE NET by Stephanie Archer

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: He’s the hot, grumpy goalie I had a crush on in high school… and now I’m his live-in assistant. After my ex crushed my dreams in the music industry, I’m done with getting my heart broken. Working as an assistant for an NHL player was supposed to be a breeze, but nothing about Jamie Streicher is easy. He’s an intimidatingly hot, grouchy jerk who can’t stand me. The guy has a massive ego. Keeping things professional will be no problem, even when he demands I move in with him. Beneath his surliness, though, Jamie’s surprisingly sweet and protective. When Jaime learns how bad my ex was in bed, his competitive nature flares, and he encourages and spoils me in every way. The creative spark I used to feel about songwriting? It’s back, and I’m writing music again. Between wearing his jersey at games, rowdy parties with the team, and being brave on stage again, I’m falling for him. He could break my heart, but it might be worth it.

My Thoughts: Okay, I won’t lie to y’all. I waited a bit too long to write this review after I finished the book lol, but I know I really enjoyed it. Almost immediately, it has two of my favorite tropes: forced proximity and grumpy/sunshine. Jamie is the brooding and famous hockey player who doesn’t know how to act when his high school crush, Pippa, walks through the door as his new assistant. It makes his teddy bear insides so much more endearing - especially as his sweet side starts showing specifically for her. Similarly, Pippa is trying to play it cool as the new assistant to her old high school crush. This is her way to make some money, gain some independence, and hopefully get a marketing job with the hockey team, even though her real dream is to become a singer-songwriter. I loved the banter between these two characters and the ease with which they melded into each other’s lives. The only thing I didn’t love, lol, is that he called her “songbird” and that gave me big cringe. Otherwise, y'all know I love a good hockey romance and this definitely scratches that itch.

THRONE OF GLASS by Sarah J. Maas (REREAD)

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: In a land without magic, where the king rules with an iron hand, an assassin is summoned to the castle. She comes not to kill the king, but to win her freedom. If she defeats twenty-three killers, thieves, and warriors in a competition, she is released from prison to serve as the king's champion. Her name is Celaena Sardothien. The Crown Prince will provoke her. The Captain of the Guard will protect her. But something evil dwells in the castle of glass—and it's there to kill. When her competitors start dying one by one, Celaena's fight for freedom becomes a fight for survival, and a desperate quest to root out the evil before it destroys her world.

My Thoughts: LOL. Heyy. So, if you know me, then you know that I am unhealthily obsessed with the Throne of Glass series. I first feasted my eyes upon this book back in November of 2020 - aka before I started writing my monthly book reviews. So up until this point, my friends have only experienced the verbal harassment of me trying to get them to read this. Folks, welcome to my first official review of Throne of Glass. Starting with one of the best characters that the fantasy genre has blessed us with: Celaena Sardothien. She’s clever, cunning, wholly entertaining, and a badass assassin who was plucked from the Endovier salt mines as a candidate in a competition to be the King’s champion. What does the champion do, you ask? The champion will basically be at the King’s beck and call for an agreed upon amount of years and when those years are up, the person is free to do as they please. Having survived a year enslaved in the salt mines is unheard of, but Celaena’s only chance at freedom is to compete in this contest - even if that means she could die while doing so. The competition isn’t the only thing happening in this storyline, oh no. There is so much more that lies within the castle. Which is why Celaena starts digging into the odd marks around the castle, figuring out who might be murdering the other competitors, and what hidden agenda the King has in store for her. Her background is a little unknown at this point, but you slowly gather pieces of where she came from with every new side character encountered. There are a lot of moving parts to keep track of in this book, but it’s all a part of the grander scheme that is this phenomenal series. The magic system is so important to pay attention to. As this was my second read, I noticed a few things mentioned that come into play much farther down the road that I didn’t pick up on during my first read through. I don’t know what else to say other than, if you haven’t read Throne of Glass yet then what are you doing with your life?

Okay that’s it for September. If you need me, I’ll be drinking prebiotic sodas and probably baking some bread that I found the recipe on Pinterest for.

2023 Book Count: 86

Add me on Goodreads if you haven’t already.

YOUR TURN! What’s your favorite spooky szn book?

August 2023 Reads

September 03, 2023 by Haley Burrill in Books

Ooowweee. August was really busy and just a bit chaotic.

Between traveling to visit friends, spending some time with my family at home, playing plenty of pickleball and a little bit of golf, and dealing with some apartment issues, I was exhausted lol.

Being busy and social has its perks and can be really fun, but I also don’t always have the capacity to keep up with that lifestyle. Can you say INTROVERT? So you can imagine how drained I was by the end of this month.

Almost every time I sat down to read, I fell asleep immediately. Additionally, after flying through a couple of books during the beginning of the month, I just could not figure out what I was in the mood for later. So it was hard to keep my attention with anything I chose.

Which sucks, but alas, I am a mood reader. Therefore, I didn’t read as many books this month as I’d hoped, but crossing my fingers September treats me better.

All righty. Let’s get into everything I read in August.

**All summaries are taken or paraphrased from Goodreads.

DARK CORNERS by Megan Goldin

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: Terence Bailey is about to be released from prison for breaking and entering, though investigators have long suspected him in the murders of six women. As his freedom approaches, Bailey gets a surprise visit from Maddison Logan, a hot, young influencer with a huge social media following. Hours later, Maddison disappears, and police suspect she’s been kidnapped - or worse. Is Maddison’s disappearance connected to her visit to Bailey? Why was she visiting him in the first place? When they hit a wall in the investigation, the FBI reluctantly asks for Rachel’s help in finding the missing influencer. Maddison seems only to exist on social media; she has no family, no friends, and other than in her posts, most people have never seen her. Who is she, really? Using a fake Instagram account, Rachel Krall goes undercover to BuzzCon, a popular influencer conference, where she discovers a world of fierce rivalry that may have turned lethal. When police find the body of a woman with a tattoo of a snake eating its tail, the FBI must consider a chilling possibility: Bailey has an accomplice on the outside and a dangerous obsession with influencers, including Rachel Krall herself. Suddenly a target of a monster hiding in plain sight, Rachel is forced to confront the very real dangers that lurk in the dark corners of the internet.

My Thoughts: Last month, I read The Night Swim by Megan Goldin and absolutely loved it, so I decided to immediately jump into her next Rachel Krall book. I am pleased to report it did not disappoint! I thought the premise was really unique with a mix of mysteries involving various murders and a missing person’s case, all surrounding an internet influencers’ conference. Rachel Krall is still the most fearless, kickass protagonist and I was obsessed with her drive to solve this messy case. Similar to The Night Swim, the format sprinkled in transcripts of Rachel’s podcast episodes and flips between multiple points of view - even the killer’s! It was fun to gather some inside information from the creepy antagonist that answered questions Rachel and the FBI were still digging for. The pacing of the story goes pretty quickly from start to finish which definitely kept the pages turning effortlessly. After finishing the book and reflecting for a few minutes, I think the only thing that could have been smoother is how many red herrings we were given. It felt like some of them misled me a little too much and I’d rather feel as though I’m solving the mystery WITH Rachel rather than getting left behind. Otherwise, I loved it and definitely recommend picking it up soon! You can read this as a standalone without needing to read The Night Swim first. However, I recommend doing them in order because I felt a more instant connection with Rachel this time around having already known her character.

THE NIGHT CIRCUS by Erin Morgenstern (REREAD)

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not. Within the black-and-white striped canvas tents is an utterly unique experience full of breathtaking amazements. It is called Le Cirque des Rêves, and it is only open at night. But behind the scenes, a fierce competition is underway - a duel between two young magicians, Celia and Marco, who have been trained since childhood expressly for this purpose by their mercurial instructors. Unbeknownst to them, this is a game in which only one can be left standing, and the circus is but the stage for a remarkable battle of imagination and will. Despite themselves, however, Celia and Marco tumble headfirst into love - a deep, magical love that makes the lights flicker and the room grow warm whenever they so much as brush hands. True love or not, the game must play out, and the fates of everyone involved, from the cast of extraordinary circus performers to the patrons, hang in the balance, suspended as precariously as the daring acrobats overhead.

My Thoughts: I first read The Night Circus back in 2020 during the COVID lockdown, and all I remembered is that it was such a magical escape. I don’t mean in the fantasy sense of there being literal magic, but the story was just so beautiful and, at a time when everything seemed to be so dark, it brought a bit of light to my days. I’ve been hesitant to reread it because I wasn’t sure if experiencing it again would have the same effect. Folks, I’m happy to report, I loved it just as much the second time through and in audiobook form as I did the first time I read the physical book. To quote my last review of this, “This wasn’t just a book, this was an experience.” The writing has a way of penetrating your emotions with every aspect of these characters and the storyline. Celia and Marco are forced into a challenge set by her father and Marco’s mentor YEARS before the two ever meet. They don’t know who they’re competing against or when this illusionist battle actually begins, but they spend their childhood into adolescence training for it. There’s a nod to “book smarts vs. street smarts” with their training methods, but everything starts coming together once Celia joins the Night Circus (aka the Circus of Dreams). Yet again, I was a puddle of romantic mush for the undeniable connection between Celia and Marco. Especially as they each started adding new attractions to the circus that they thought the other would love. The number of characters that were incorporated added so much depth to the book without becoming confusing or distracting. I think the twins Poppet and Widget were my favorite additions and I loved how their trajectory changed along the way. Again, the audiobook was just as magnificent as the physical copy, so no matter what format you choose, I highly recommend you give this book a try!

IF ONLY YOU by Chloe Liese

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Ziggy - I’m the youngest player on the National Soccer team, the baby of my family, and thoroughly sick of being underestimated, so I’ve decided to take matters into my own hands. Which is where my brother’s best friend and teammate, the infamous Sebastian Marchand, comes in. Seb needs to rehab his reputation. I want to give mine an edge. So I propose a fake friendship with real benefits: spending time in the public eye, my good-girl image and his bad-boy notoriety rubbing off on each other. He’s my devious, dark-haired fantasy come to life, but his destructive ways make it easy to keep him in the (fake) friend zone. Or so I thought, until I start to see the heart of gold he’s been hiding beneath that sinister surface… | Sebastian - Like any self-respecting reprobate, I’ve been spiraling downward, and I’ve finally hit rock bottom. My hockey career and sponsorships are in jeopardy, and while I’m not ready to actually reform my ways, I’m happy to pretend that I have to secure the life I’m on the brink of losing. So when my best friend’s sister, Ziggy Bergman, proposes a public “friendship” to revamp our reputations, it’s an offer I can’t refuse. Up till now, I’ve stayed away from Ren’s sweet, shy little sister to avoid any risk of ruining my one good friendship. But I reassure myself there’s no risk in our scheme. I’ll fake a friendship with Ziggy, fix my reputation, and get back to hockey, the one and only thing I love. At least, it was, until what began as a transactional agreement became the most loving relationship I’ve ever known.

My Thoughts: If you haven’t read the Bergman Brothers series, you’re really missing out. I have absolutely fallen in love with this giant Swedish family and was so excited to hear Ziggy (the youngest Bergman) was going to get her own book. Apparently I wasn’t paying attention too closely though because this book was released in April of this year and I totally missed it lol. So I was excited to rediscover it to say the least. One thing I always appreciate about this author’s writing is the amount of care she uses while depicting people with intellectual, physical or emotional disabilities. Ziggy’s character has autism, but that doesn’t define who she is as a whole. I loved her quick-witted banter and blatant honesty with Sebastian. She’s a powerhouse on the soccer field and wants to make the world see her as the strong woman she’s grown to become. Sebastian’s character has celiac but that’s only part of his story. I was obsessed with the amount of work he was willing to put into himself to become a person he thinks is worthy of Ziggy. Their love story is a little unconventional, but the friends-to-lovers trope did wonders here. If you haven’t read the Bergman Brothers series yet, I still think you can read this book as a standalone, but I wouldn’t recommend it. I suggest going in the order in which the series was published. If you have made it this far in the series, then I definitely recommend moving onto Ziggy’s!

SKIN OF THE SEA by Natasha Bowen

Rating: 3/5 stars

Summary: A way to survive. A way to serve. A way to save. Simi prayed to the gods, once. Now she serves them as Mami Wata - a mermaid - collecting the souls of those who die at sea and blessing their journeys back home. But when a living boy is thrown overboard, Simi goes against an ancient decree and does the unthinkable - she saves his life. And punishment awaits those who dare to defy the gods. To protect the other Mami Wata, Simi must journey to the Supreme Creator to make amends. But all is not as it seems. There’s the boy she rescued, who knows more than he should. And something is shadowing Simi, something that would rather see her fail… Danger lurks at every turn, and as Simi draws closer, she must brave vengeful gods, treacherous lands, and legendary creatures. Because if she fails, she risks not only the fate of all Mami Wata but also the world as she knows it.

My Thoughts: I thought this was a great mixture of fantasy and historical fiction. The author did an amazing job of incorporating real historical facts (ex: using braids as a map) with African spirituality and mythology. The imagery was rich and perfectly complimented all of the magical characters encountered on this journey led by Simi and Kola. My only thing is, and I can’t tell if it’s because I’m a mood reader or what, but I just wasn’t as interested in this book as I’d hoped. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did a phenomenal job. However, I ended up listening to it at 1.45x speed because I kind of just wanted to be done with it. Looking back, it’s kind of a slow burn for at least 50% of the book and then it finally starts picking up towards the last 25%, but I just wasn’t invested in listening to this story at all. That being said, I don’t not recommend it if you’ve had it on your radar. I just don’t think I’ll ever reread it or anything.

MILE HIGH by Liz Tomforde

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Zanders: Chicago hockey isn’t complete without me - everyone’s favorite player to hate. I know my role, and I play it well. In fact, I thoroughly enjoy spending the majority of my game time in the penalty box before leaving the arena with a new girl on my arm each night. What I don't like is the new flight attendant on our team’s private plane. She works for me, not the other way around. But I’ll be sure to remind her of that, and I can guarantee, by the end of the season, she’ll be begging to quit her job. But every road trip blurs the lines, and I can’t quite figure out if I keep pushing that flight attendant call button in order to push her buttons or if it’s more than that. | Stevie: I’ve been a flight attendant for years. I thought I’d see it all, but when my new job lands me onboard working for the most egotistical self-righteous diva in the NHL, I start to second guess everything. Including the promise I made to myself of never hooking up with an athlete again… no matter how annoyingly tempting he may be. Evan Zanders is unfiltered, unapologetic, and too attractive for his own good. He loves his image, but I hate everything about it. Everything but him.

My Thoughts: This story was really cute! Zanders and Stevie are the perfect match for each other both in terms of personality and quick-witted banter. Zanders is a famous hockey player in Chicago who is known to the public as a complete playboy (which is a narrative he pushes), but in reality is a really great guy. Stevie is a flight attendant for Chicago’s NHL team and has sworn off athletes as love interests ever since her experience with an ex in college. Not to mention, her brother is one of the most well-known point guards in the NBA. Both characters are battling their own demons and insecurities, and although there are so many outside forces saying that a relationship between them is a bad idea and won’t work out, you could not deny their connection. I loved the storyline related to working on your mental health and healing previous traumas to be the best version of yourself in a relationship. I think those things affect how people react/respond to being vulnerable with their partners much more than people realize, and I thought the author handled those topics with such care and compassion throughout this story. I will say, this book was a touch longer than it needed to be IMO, but I enjoyed it all the same!

THE LOST APOTHECARY by Sarah Penner

Rating: 3/5 stars

Summary: A female apothecary secretly dispenses poisons to liberate women from the men who have wronged them - setting three lives across centuries on a dangerous collision course. Rule #1: The poison must never be used to harm another woman. Rule #2: The names of the murderer and her victim must be recorded in the apothecary’s registry. One cold February evening in 1791, at the back of a dark London alley hidden in an apothecary shop, Nella awaits her newest customer. Once a respected healer, Nella now uses her Knowledge for a darker purpose - selling well-disguised poisons to desperate women who would kill to be free of the men in their lives. But when her new patron turns out to be a precocious twelve-year-old named Eliza Fanning, an unexpected friendship sets in motion a string of events that jeopardizes Nella’s world and threatens to expose the many women whose names are written in her register. In present-day London, aspiring historian Caroline Parcewell spends her tenth wedding anniversary alone, reeling from the discovery of her husband’s infidelity. When she finds an old apothecary vial near the river Thames, she can’t resist investigating, only to realize she’s found a link to the unsolved “apothecary murders” that haunted London over two centuries ago. As she deepens her search, Caroline’s life collides with Nella’s and Eliza’s in a stunning twist of fate - and not everyone will survive.

My Thoughts: I enjoyed this book for the most part. It has dual timelines, multiple points of view, and a little bit of a mystery element to it. The concept was pretty cool. An apothecary in 1791 has made it her mission to help women get out of dangerous situations or defend themselves against ill-meaning men in their lives by preparing seemingly innocent tinctures that are actually deadly. To keep her involvement in these murders concealed, the vials she provides to her customers only have the sketch of a bear on the glass. Fast forward to the present and Caroline is mudlarking when she finds a piece of glass with an etch that looks very similar to a bear. Cue her search for the story behind the apothecary the glass came from originally. I liked that there was a connection between these characters and that you got to see Nella and Eliza’s story unravel from their POVs while Caroline slowly uncovered clues to who these women were. The storyline was quickly paced and fun to follow. My only thing is this book didn’t blow me away or feel like anything groundbreakingly new. I probably won’t think about it much after writing this review, but it was an enjoyable enough audiobook.

SOMETHING WILDER by Christina Lauren

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Growing up the daughter of notorious treasure hunter and absentee father Duke Wilder left Lily without much patience for the profession… or much money in the bank. But Lily is nothing if not resourceful, and now uses Duke’s coveted hand-drawn maps to guide tourists on fake treasure hunts through the red rock canyons of Utah. It pays the bills but doesn’t leave enough to fulfill her dream of buying back the beloved ranch her father sold years ago, and definitely not enough to deal with the sight of the man she once loved walking back into her life with a motley crew of friends ready to hit the trails. Frankly, Lily would like to take him out into the wilderness—and leave him there. | Leo Grady knew mirages were a thing in the desert, but they’d barely left civilization when the silhouette of his greatest regret comes into focus in the flickering light of the campfire. Ready to leave the past behind him, Leo wants nothing more than to reconnect with his first and only love. Unfortunately, Lily Wilder is all business, drawing a clear line in the sand: it’s never going to happen. But when the trip goes horribly and hilariously wrong, the group wonders if maybe the legend of the hidden treasure wasn’t a gimmick after all. There’s a chance to right the wrongs—of Duke’s past and their own—but only if Leo and Lily can confront their history and work together. Alone under the stars in the isolated and dangerous mazes of the Canyonlands, Leo and Lily must decide whether they’ll risk their lives and hearts on the adventure of a lifetime.

My Thoughts: This book was so much fun! It’s unlike any other romance novel I’ve read. It’s got a western vibe mixed with treasure hunting and is topped off with a second-chance romance storyline. To simplify, it was flirty and dirty - in more ways than one lol. Leo is taking an annual trip with a few of his buddies and they’ve decided to do an excursion with an adventure company that just happens to be owned by Lily Wilder. It had been a decade since Leo and Lily had seen each other, and I loved that their connection was still so undeniable 10 years later. They’re coming from very different places in life, but the things that make them different from each other also make them the perfect match. The storyline takes a huge turn when it turns out more people knew about Lily’s famous treasure hunting father, Duke, than she realized. What was supposed to be a fun adventure into the desert for a few days on horseback quickly becomes a deadly situation. Honestly, this book had a little bit of everything - romance, action, mystery, and some really great supporting characters. If you love a second chance romance and haven’t read a Christina Lauren book, I recommend giving this one a try!

Well that’s it for August.

Although football starts in September and ya girl loves watching the Wolverines and Lions, I’m hoping to crank out a few more books than I did this month. I’ll try to throw a couple of scary reads in there too to get you ready for spooky season. 🙂

2023 Book Count: 79

Add me on Goodreads if you haven’t already.

YOUR TURN! What’s your favorite book to cozy up with in the fall?

July 2023 Reads

August 02, 2023 by Haley Burrill in Books

July was a SOLID month of reading for me. I haven’t binge read like this in a while and it was a welcomed return to my old reading habits.

I spent the first two weeks of this month taking some time off of work to relax, go camping, and take a trip out to Cape Cod for a few days. The extra down time was well needed and if you haven’t taken a vacation from work in a while, this is your sign to do so!

Somehow, I developed a mystery/thriller kick this month with some romance and sci-fi dystopian books mixed in. I can’t say everything I read was a banger, but most didn’t let me down.

So, without further delay, let’s get into everything I read in July!

*All summaries are taken or paraphrased from Goodreads.

RAZORBLADE TEARS by S.A. Crosby

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Ike Randolph has been out of jail for fifteen years, with not so much as a speeding ticket in all that time. But a Black man with cops at the door knows to be afraid. The last thing he expects to hear is that his son, Isaiah, has been murdered, along with Isaiah’s white husband, Derek. Ike had never fully accepted his son but is devastated by his loss. Derek’s father, Buddy Lee, was almost as ashamed of Derek for being gay as Derek was ashamed of his father’s criminal record. Buddy Lee still has contacts in the underworld, though, and he wants to know who killed his boy. Ike and Buddy Lee, two ex-cons with little in common other than a criminal past and a love for their dead sons, band together in their desperate desire for revenge. In their quest to do better for their sons in death than they did in life, these hardened men will confront their own prejudices about their sons and each other as they rain down vengeance upon those who hurt their boys.

My Thoughts: Wow this book was so freaking good! Between the amazing revenge plot, phenomenal character arcs, and LGBTQIA+ reps, I was absolutely hooked! Although the main storyline focuses on Buddy Lee and Ike getting revenge on the people who killed their sons in cold blood, it was beautiful how they were forced to confront their own bigotry in the process. As two ex-cons, they approach this deadly mission in the most low key criminal way which provided a handful of violent scenes that made me want to cover my eyes. There is the perfect amount of comedic relief (via mostly Buddly Lee) sprinkled in to counterbalance the darker scenes though. This book is such a page turner and I cannot recommend it enough!

PAPER PRINCESS by Erin Watt

Rating: 2/5 stars

Summary: These Royals will ruin you… Ella Harper is a survivor - a pragmatic optimist. She’s spent her whole life moving from town to town with her flighty mother, struggling to make ends meet and believing that someday she’ll climb out of the gutter. After her mother’s death, Ella is truly alone. Until Callum Royal appears, plucking Ella out of poverty and tossing her into his posh mansion among his five sons who all hate her. Each Royal boy is more magnetic than the last, but none as captivating as Reed Royal, the boy who is determined to send her back to the slums she came from. Reed doesn’t want her. He says she doesn’t belong with the Royals. He might be right. Wealth. Excess. Deception. It’s like nothing Ella has ever experienced and if she’s going to survive her time in the Royal palace, she’ll need to learn to issue her own Royal decrees.

My Thoughts: Y’all. I don’t even know what to say lol. I feel like I was trying to decide how I felt about this book the entire time I read it. It was almost like a hate-read but I can’t say I hated it? This book has been on my radar for a few years now. I first heard about it from the Bad On Paper podcast during which they prefaced that it is absolute TRASH. So, it’s not like I didn’t know that going into it, but by golly lol. This shit was TRASHY. It was objectively good writing. Nothing was poor about the writing at its core. However, this book is so outrageous and trying so hard to be sexy that it’s almost distracting? There is just zero class to it lmao. Like Ella is kind of an annoying main character, but she’s the best main character for this storyline. So I can’t even say she was a shit character because she makes complete sense in this context. The plot and pace is a little all over the place, but also felt appropriate for what we’re experiencing. The ending is sooooooo fuckin random though. lololol. I honestly can’t recommend this book, but I do know people who love it. This is also coming from me, who couldn’t put down Ice Planet Barbarians, so take that as you will lmao. I guess when it comes to trashy romances, this one was just a little too try-hard and trashy for me.

EVERY SUMMER AFTER by Carley Fortune

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: They say you can never go home again, and for Persephone Fraser, ever since she made the biggest mistake of her life a decade ago, that has felt too true. Instead of glittering summers on the lakeshore of her childhood, she spends them in a stylish apartment in the city, going out with friends, and keeping everyone a safe distance from her heart. Until she receives the call that sends her racing back to Barry’s Bay and into the orbit of Sam Florek - the man she never thought she’d have to live without. For six summers, through hazy afternoons on the water and warm summer nights working in his family’s restaurant and curling up together with books - medical textbooks for him and work-in-progress horror short stories for her - Percy and Sam had been inseparable. Eventually that friendship turned into something breathtakingly more, before it fell spectacularly apart. When Percy returns to the lake for Sam’s mother’s funeral, their connection is as undeniable as it had always been. But until Percy can confront the decisions she made and the years she’s spent punishing herself for them, they’ll never know whether their love might be bigger than the biggest mistakes of their past. Told over the course of six years and one weekend, Every Summer After is a big, sweeping nostalgic look at love and the people and choices that mark us forever. Six summers to fall in love. One moment to fall apart. A weekend to get it right.

My Thoughts: Talk about an absolutely PERFECT summer read. I brought this gem with me on a trip to the Cape Cod area and it definitely fit the beachy vacation vibes. I loved the dual timelines as we learn how Percy and Sam’s friendship developed 16 years ago and where their relationship stands currently after Percy returns to the summer town for Sam’s mom’s funeral. The writing of this story was absolutely beautiful and made that cottage-on-the-lake atmosphere come to life. Percy’s character was perfectly imperfect both as a teenager and adult, but through all of her flaws and the mistakes she made, she was still so incredibly likable. Sam was the sweetest guy you could’ve asked for in this romance. He’s not the typical male protagonist and I found that incredibly endearing. I wish we would’ve had his POV in this book too though because I just loved his character so much. The storyline was a little predictable as we got closer to the big reveal of what the blow-up was between Percy and Sam, but I still really loved their story all the same. Honestly, this was just an insanely enjoyable beach read and I highly recommend it if you’re looking for something easy to fly through!

A REAPER AT THE GATES by Sabaa Tahir (REREAD)

Rating: 4/5 stars

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

My Thoughts: Continuing on with my reread of An Ember in the Ashes series via audiobook! I gotta admit, I didn’t remember much about what happened in this third book before starting it and by the end I knew why: SO MUCH HAPPENS. Similar to what I said in my original review after I read it the first time, this book starts with a quick pace and rarely slows down until the end. Every character is going through their own shit, and although it all ties together, there are still so many missing pieces that we need to see the bigger picture. I will say, this time around I viscerally felt the defeat plaguing Helene after experiencing multiple failures. It’s almost like everything is falling into place against her and the girl really cannot catch a break. Elias’s character arc is thrown into a tailspin as he starts to fulfill his duty as the new Soul Catcher. In order to do so though, he has to give up everything that makes him human (aka emotions). So, as the most empathetic character in this series, you can imagine the internal struggle he has while trying to do that. Laia’s journey isn’t as memorable for me as the other two characters, but I will say she receives some closure that I felt more emotionally this time around. It was definitely shocking the first time I read it, but the second time hit me more in the feels because I wasn’t surprised by it. Everything is kind of falling to pieces in all of their worlds as an inevitable war between the mortal and immortal worlds starts to take form, but by golly there was a lot of information to absorb in this book lol. Obviously I recommend reading it and I’ll definitely be finishing out this reread experience with the fourth and final book!

CARAVAL by Stephanie Garber

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: A legendary competition. A mesmerizing romance. An unbreakable bond between two sisters. Scarlett Dragna has never left the tiny island where she and her sister, Tella, live with their powerful and cruel father. Now Scarlett’s father has arranged a marriage for her, and Scarlett thinks her dreams of seeing Caraval - the faraway, once-a-year performance where the audience participates in the show - are over. But this year, Scarlett’s long-dreamt-of invitation finally arrives. With the help of a mysterious sailor, Tella whisks Scarlett away to the show. Only, as soon as they arrive, Tella is kidnapped by Caraval’s mastermind organizer, Legend. It turns out that this season’s Caraval revolves around Tella, and whoever finds her first is the winner. Scarlett has been told that everything that happens during Caraval is only an elaborate performance. Nevertheless she becomes enmeshed in a game of love, heartbreak, and magic. And whether Caraval is real or not, Scarlett must find Tella before the five nights of the game are over or a dangerous domino effect of consequences will be set off, and her beloved sister will disappear forever. Welcome, welcome to Caraval… beware of getting swept too far away.

My Thoughts: I was super hoping to love this book because I’ve only heard great things. Although I did really enjoy my experience with it, a few things just fell flat for me. The premise is really cool - every year exclusive invites are sent out to select people to participate in the magical Caraval - an event that only lasts one week once a year and never happens in the same place twice. Scarlett basically gets kidnapped by her younger sister Tella after they received an invite to this year’s Caraval, even though Scarlett vehemently does not want to go at the risk of pissing off their abusive father. Scarlett wakes up in a dingy boat a few days later with a pirate named Julian who ends up being an unexpected companion in this year’s game of Caraval. I loved the mystery of Scarlett solving the game’s riddles in an effort to find her sister who ends up going missing. There is also a subplot of some shady things happening during Caraval that start to unravel the closer Scarlett gets to finding Tella. My main complaints: the magic system isn’t really written out at all. It’s basically just described as “that’s just how the magic works” with no other explanation. Scarlett’s character is a little annoying for the first half of the book because she’s just playing it too safe and I wanted her to get over her own narrative so badly. The ending wraps up super quickly and is just kind of like “and that’s how that happened!” Which felt super abrupt to me. Will I continue onto the second book? Most likely, yes, but probably not right away.

THE SELECTION by Kiera Cass

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of a gorgeous Prince Maxon. But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn’t want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks. Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she’s made for herself - and realizes that the life she’s always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

My Thoughts: This book is basically Hunger Games meets The Bachelor. Although it’s not a life-or-death situation, the structure of society in this dystopian America is divided into eight different castes. People considered to be ones are the elite of society. Twos and threes are just a step below with pretty decent wealth. Fours are fiscally comfortable. Fives or lower are basically poverty or worse. It’s almost impossible to change caste rank unless you marry up or enter the draft. Basically, the royal family’s son (aka Prince Maxon) is at the age and point in life where he needs to find a wife. Women from any caste can enter the lottery to be chosen as their province’s winner for The Selection. America (the main character, not the country lol) doesn’t really want to do it, but because the boy she loves back home breaks up with her, she enters it out of spite. To her surprise, she’s actually chosen and heads off to the royal family’s palace. I loved that her relationship with Prince Maxon is built on a friendship first. She’s upfront and honest with him that she’s nursing a broken heart and has no interest in the crown, but offers to be his eyes and ears within the candidates for his future wife. As their friendship progresses, she becomes more confused because they start to develop some actual feelings for each other. To throw a wrench in that, her ex-love from back home ends up becoming a guard at the palace and confuses her feelings even more. I’d honestly like to learn a little bit more about the politics and nuances of this new United States in terms of its relationship with other governments, but overall, I really enjoyed this premise of The Bachelor in a dystopian world and am excited to see where it all goes!

THE CARTOGRAPHERS by Peng Shepherd

Rating: 3/5 stars

Summary: What is the purpose of a map? Nell Young’s whole life and greatest passion is cartography. Her father, Dr. Daniel Young, is a legend in the field and Nell’s personal hero. But she hasn’t seen or spoken to him ever since he cruelly fired her and destroyed her reputation after an argument over an old, cheap gas station highway map. But when Dr. Young is found dead in his office at the New York Public Library, with the very same seemingly worthless map hidden in his desk, Nell can’t resist investigating. To her surprise, she soon discovers that the map is incredibly valuable and exceedingly rare. In fact, she may now have the only copy left in existence… because a mysterious collector has been hunting down and destroying every last one - along with anyone who gets in the way. But why? To answer that question, Nell embarks on a dangerous journey to reveal a dark family secret and discovers the true power that lies in maps…

My Thoughts: I was reeeeally hoping that this book was going to take me on a more exciting journey through this dynamic world of cartography. However, this was a bit too much of a slow burn for me. Mind you, I opted for the audiobook route over reading the physical book, but I still think that it would’ve been too slow of a burn for me either way. The various perspectives and dual timelines were a good way to mask the underwhelming pace and I liked Nell’s character enough to buy into her mission of figuring out the significance of the gas station map. The small touches of magical realism were subtle enough to enhance the story without causing a complete disconnect, but I wouldn’t consider this to be a fantasy by any means. It was interesting to learn how the dynamics of her parents’ friend group developed and fell apart and how they played into Nell’s life as an adult. By about halfway through though, it was kind of easy to figure out who the antagonist was even if I didn’t see a couple of plot twists coming towards the end. All in all, I plainly liked this book. I didn’t love it, but I think it has legs. If you’re looking for something with a little mystery, a niche focus (like cartography), and just a touch of magic, then this book could be for you.

THE ELITE by Kiera Cass (The Selection #2)

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: The Selection began with thirty-five girls. Now with the group narrowed down to the six Elite, the competition to win Prince Maxon’s heart is fiercer than ever - and America is struggling to decide where her heart truly lies. Is it with Maxon, who could make her life a fairy tale? Or with her first love, Aspen? America is desperate for more time. But the rest of the Elite know exactly what they want - and America’s chance to choose is about to slip away.

My Thoughts: Ugh. Okay, so I got what I wanted in terms of learning more about the politics of this new dystopian world. However, America (the main character, not the country lol) was very frustrating throughout this entire book. She was just sooo indecisive. I know part of it is that she’s young and she’s still getting used to being in the spotlight, so her self confidence isn’t quite there yet. The love triangle she’s put herself in with Maxon - who has repeatedly told her she’s his number one choice - and Aspen - who has told her she wouldn’t make a good princess - is a bit repetitive and tiring though. I understand that Aspen is the steady choice because he has no other prospects, whereas Maxon is still dating five other girls. So putting her full heart in his hands requires a LOT of trust in him that she’s just not ready to give. Then something happens in this book involving Marlee - another Selection candidate and America’s best friend - that truly makes her question Maxon’s character and basically wrecks everything they built. However, I feel like her quick assumptions are what truly wrecked the foundation they built when she doesn’t give him a chance to explain anything. I’m hoping the decision she makes at the end of this book is what she FINALLY sticks to in the next one. Outside of The Bachelor drama, there is something SHADY going on with the King and the government. Rebels keep attacking the palace, but one of the main things they’re taking is books… So clearly, the lack of access to history and knowledge is driving some rebellion, but I NEED to know why the King is lying about it and what else he’s been covering up. Needless to say, I plan to read the next book in this series lol.

RED RISING by Pierce Brown

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Darrow is a Red, a member of the lowest caste in the color-coded society of the future. Like his fellow Reds, he works all day, believing that he and his people are making the surface of Mars livable for future generations. Yet he spends his life willingly, knowing that his blood and sweat will one day result in a better world for his children. But Darrow and his kind have been betrayed. Soon he discovers that humanity already reached the surface generations ago. Vast cities and sprawling parks spread across the planet. Darrow - and Reds like him - are nothing more than slaves to a decadent ruling class. Inspired by a longing for justice, and driven by the memory of lost love, Darrow sacrifices everything to infiltrate the legendary Institute, a proving ground for the dominant Gold caste, where the next generation of humanity’s overlords struggle for power. He will be forced to compete for his life and the very future of civilization against the best and most brutal of Society’s ruling class. There, he will stop at nothing to bring down his enemies… even if it means he has to become one of them to do so.

My Thoughts: Y’ALL. Okay, okay so I own the physical copy of this book, but I went the audiobook route and by golly do I HIGHLY recommend it. Not only does the narrator do a phenomenal job with all of the character voices, but he does most of them with a Scottish accent! It was SO enjoyable! Darrow is hands down one of my all time favorite literary characters. I loved that he’s scrappy, clever, cunning, and provides the greatest comedic relief you could ask for. Basically, there’s a hierarchy on Mars and Darrow is born as a Red, but he’s going undercover as a Gold to infiltrate their ranks and take them down from the inside. Part of this process is not only being transformed into a Gold physically, but he also has to take an intelligence test to get into what they call the Institute. The Institute is where teenage Golds go to earn their place amongst their own, however, it’s got kind of like a Hunger Games vibe to it because they’re placed in different houses and let loose in this manufactured arena. The task is to be the last house standing and the leader of that house becomes the Primus - who also ends up getting the best internships afterwards. This book is bloody, violent and brutal, but it’s such a wild ride that I could not stop listening to it. The plot is beautifully crafted and I am obsessed with all of the side characters including Mustang, Sevro, and this big guy named Pax. Honestly, if you’re looking for a new series to get sucked into, I highly recommend this one because this first book had me HOOKED and I cannot wait to get into the next one!

THE NIGHT SWIM by Megan Goldin

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: Ever since her true crime podcast became an overnight sensation and set an innocent man free, Rachel Krall has become a household name - and the last hope for people seeking justice. But she’s used to being recognized for her voice, not her face. Which makes it all the more unsettling when she finds a note on her car windshield, addressed to her, begging for help. The new season of Rachel’s podcast has brought her to a small town being torn apart by a devastating rape trial. A local golden boy, a swimmer destined for Olympic greatness, has been accused of raping the beloved granddaughter of the police chief. Under pressure to make Season 3 a success, Rachel throws herself into her investigation - but the mysterious letters keep coming. Someone is following her, and she won’t stop until Rachel finds out what happened to her sister twenty-five years ago. Officially, Jenny Stills tragically drowned, but the letters insist she was murdered - and when Rachel starts asking questions, nobody in town wants to answer. The past and present start to collide as Rachel uncovers startling connections between the two cases - and a revelation that will change the course of the trial and the lives of everyone involved.

My Thoughts: Wow okay so I’ve seen this book all over the place for at least the last year or so, and my most recent Book of the Month buy is the sequel to this book. So I figured I’d finally tackle this mystery thriller and I am so glad I did! Let me start by saying, this book is dark. It centers around two different rape cases with one suspected murder. Therefore, I highly recommend checking trigger/content warnings before diving in (no pun intended) because some of the things that happen in this story are pretty heavy. As for the actual story, I loved that there was a dual mystery element to Rachel Krall’s investigation. Although she’s initially in Neopolis to cover a rape trial, the sister of a girl who was killed 25 years prior in the same town starts leaving her letters asking for help. Rachel is resistant at first, but curiosity gets the best of her as she starts digging into what happened to Jenny Stills all those years ago. The format is really great because it’s a mix of podcast episodes, Rachel’s interviews, Hannah’s letters, etc. So you’re not only trying to piece together what happened to Jenny and if there’s enough evidence to convict the local golden boy in the current rape trial, but you’re also trying to figure out how these two cases are connected. Rachel is the perfect main character for this book and it was impossible not to have full faith in her. The only reason I docked this book .5 stars is because I felt like we didn’t get enough clues throughout the book to figure out whodunnit in the Jenny Stills case. Like it makes sense after it’s revealed, but I was like how else would I have known that given the facts that were provided? Anyhoo. I super enjoyed this mystery thriller and highly recommend if you haven’t given it a try yet!

THE ONE by Kiera Cass (The Selection #3)

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: The time has come for one winner to be crowned. When she was chosen to compete in the Selection, America never dreamed she would find herself anywhere close to the crown - or to Prince Maxon’s heart. But as the end of the competition approaches, and the threats outside the palace walls grow more vicious, America realizes just how much she stands to lose - and how hard she’ll have to fight for the future she wants.

My Thoughts: Okay well thank god America finally makes a decision about what she wants. There are a lot of things that happen in this book and although it’s pretty predictable who Maxon will choose, the journey getting there was kind of unexpected. Per usual, America has been pissing off the King with her antics. In my opinion, she does something extremely clever though and not actually out of line with what they were encouraging her to do, but this starts another uproar about whether she’s fit to be in this competition. The southern rebels who were targeting the families of girls who are still in The Selection start to attack people by caste - starting with the highly-ranked and going down from there. So there is unrest in the country, but thanks to a passionate speech by America, people have hope that they can defend themselves. Overall, I really liked how this book ended. That said, I docked it a star for a couple of reasons. One, something happens to her dad and they say it’s because he’s sick, but I do not remember that being a thing up to this point at all. Like I was trying to wrack my brain for any mention of him being ill, but couldn’t come up with anything. The last 10% of the book happens QUICKLY and everything that goes down is very convenient for wrapping up this story in a perfect little bow. So although I don’t hate that everything was tied up nicely, I felt like the lead up to it was a little disjointed. Anyhoo, if you’ve started this series, I’d say it’s worth reading through the third book for sure.

ATOMIC HABITS by James Clear

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: No matter your goals, Atomic Habits offers a proven framework for improving - every day. James Clear, one of the world’s leading experts on habit formation, reveals practical strategies that will teach you exactly how to form good habits, break bad ones, and master the tiny behaviors that lead to remarkable results. If you’re having trouble changing your habits, the problem isn’t you. The problem is your system. Bad habits repeat themselves again and again not because you don’t want to change, but because you have the wrong system for change. You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems. Here, you’ll get a proven system that can take you to new heights. Clear is known for his ability to distill complex topics into simple behaviors that can be easily applied to daily life and work. Here, he draws on the most proven ideas from biology, psychology, and neuroscience to create an easy-to-understand guide for making good habits inevitable and bad habits impossible. Along the way, readers will be inspired and entertained with true stories from Olympic gold medalists, award-winning artists, business leaders, life-saving physicians, and star comedians who have used the science of small habits to master their craft and vault to the top of their field. Atomic Habits will reshape the way you think about progress and success, and give you the tools and strategies you need to transform your habits - whether you are a team looking to win a championship, an organization hoping to redefine an industry, or simply an individual who wishes to quit smoking, lose weight, reduce stress or achieve any other goal.

My Thoughts: My brother once told me that I probably don’t need to read this book because I’m pretty good with routines, creating habits, etc., but I heard James Clear on a podcast a few months ago and figured his book would still be worth my while. And, I’d say it was! Personally, I think this was a super helpful little guide for creating good habits and breaking bad ones. The author gives so many tangible, realistic examples of how to frame your mindset when creating or breaking habits, realistic anecdotes of people who have achieved their goals, etc. There are also visual guides, worksheets, etc. available online that you can download for free to help you create a plan for habits. The chapters are clear and concise and always summarized at the end, so that you don’t get lost in the sauce. Overall, if you haven’t given this book a try, but have been wanting to make some changes to your lifestyle, I think this would be a very valuable read for you!

THE GOLDEN COUPLE by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Wealthy Washington suburbanites Marissa and Matthew Bishop seem to have it all - until Marissa is unfaithful. Beneath their veneer of perfection is a relationship riven by work and a lack of intimacy. She wants to repair things for the sake of their eight-year-old son and because she loves her husband. Enter Avery Chambers. Avery is a therapist who lost her professional license. Still, it doesn’t stop her from counseling those in crisis, though they have to adhere to her unorthodox methods. And the Bishops are desperate. When they glide through Avery’s door and Marissa reveals her infidelity, all three are set on a collision course. Because the biggest secrets in the room are still hidden, and it’s no longer simply a marriage that’s in danger.

My Thoughts: Wow this book was such a wild ride. Though I own a physical copy, I decided to listen to it on audiobook and the narrators did a superb job. The book is told from both Marissa’s and Avery’s POVs and it’s impossible to know who to trust. It constantly feels like both women are hiding something as they each gain pieces to the bigger puzzle. I couldn’t even begin to try to guess who the antagonist was in this twisted story. With every new bit of information, it seemed like literally everyone was guilty of being sketchy. There were a couple of big plot twists, but the biggest one at the end was the most surprising. I honestly did not see it coming lol. That said, I liked the pacing of this dual-perspective mystery and was definitely sucked in from the start. If you’re looking for a mystery/thriller that keeps you guessing, I definitely recommend giving this book a shot!

That’s all I’ve got for July!

Hoping to continue this reading momentum into August while I savor the last month of summer. I’m on a mystery/thriller and dystopian kick, so we shall see if that theme carries into this next month. We all know I’m a mood reader though, so it’s anyone’s guess lol.

Cheers to the last month of summer!

2023 Book Count: 72

Add me on Goodreads if you haven’t already.

YOUR TURN! What’s your favorite mystery/thriller?

June 2023 Reads

July 08, 2023 by Haley Burrill in Books

Hello, first month of summer. How are you already coming to an end??

June came in HOT. Literally. The heat and humidity knocked me on my sweaty ass multiple days this month. The only relief from the heat was when the Canadian Fires were smoking up our atmosphere so wholly that it blocked the sun all together lol. Yikes.

I swear Michigan summers are actually spectacularly beautiful, but when it gets humid, it gets HUMID.

I didn’t make it through as many books as I would’ve liked this month, but I did find a new adult fantasy I won’t shut up about until November when the sequel comes out. So that’s exciting. :)

I also made an effort to read more LGBTQ+ focused books because you gotta celebrate Pride Month in your reading adventures too!

Anyhoo, cheers to your summer TBR list!

Let’s get into everything I read in June.

*All summaries are taken or paraphrased from Goodreads.

THE FORTUNES OF JADED WOMEN by Carolyn Huynh

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: Everyone in Orange County’s Little Saigon knew that the Duong sisters were cursed. It started with their ancestor Oanh who dared to leave her marriage for true love - so a fearsome Vietnamese witch cursed Oanh and her descendants so that they would never find love or happiness, and the Duong women would give birth to daughters, never sons. Oanh’s current descendant Mai Nguyen knows this curse well. She’s divorced, and after an explosive disagreement a decade ago, she’s estranged from her younger sisters, Minh Pham (the middle and the mediator) and Khuyen Lam (the youngest who swears she just runs humble coffee shops and nail salons, not Little Saigon’s underground). Though Mai’s three adult daughters, Priscilla, Thuy, and Thao, are successful in their careers (one of them is John Cho’s dermatologist!), the same can’t be said for their love life. Mai is convinced they might drive her to an early grave. Desperate for guidance, she consults Auntie Hua, her trusted psychic in Hawaii, who delivers an unexpected prediction: this year, her family will witness a marriage, a funeral, and the birth of a son. This prophecy will reunite estranged mothers, daughters, aunts, and cousins - for better or for worse.

My Thoughts: This book is chaotic and messy in the most digestible sense. I found the expressive, over-the-top drama both entertaining and endearing. There was so much dysfunction in this large family of essentially all women. The book follows three generations of women and it was clear there had been some tension and friction throughout the years between the various sisters, daughters, and cousins. Due to the curse placed on this family years ago, the women find themselves in loveless relationships with the ability to only have more daughters. I will say, there are a LOT of characters in this book and although I could keep up well enough, it was hard to get into the story again if I hadn’t picked it up in a few days. It was a well-paced plot, and I enjoyed learning more about Vietnamese culture and behavioral norms. Overall, I liked this book. It didn’t blow my mind, but if you enjoy some messy family dynamics then I think you’d enjoy this.

LOVE & OTHER DISASTERS by Anita Kelly

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: Recently divorced and on the verge of bankruptcy, Dahlia Woodson is ready to reinvent herself on the popular reality competition show, Chef’s Special. Too bad the first move she makes is falling flat on her face, sending tacos flying - not quite the fresh start she was hoping for. Stil, she’s focused on winning, until she meets someone she might want a future with more than she needs the prize money. After announcing their pronouns on national television, London Parker has enough on their mind without worrying about the klutzy competitor stationed in front of them. They’re there to prove the trolls - including a fellow contestant and their dad - wrong, and falling in love was never part of the plan. As London and Dahlia get closer, reality starts to fall away. Goodbye, guilt and divorce, anxiety about uncertain futures, and stress from transphobia. Hello, hilarious shenanigans on set, wedding crashing, and spontaneous dips into the Pacific. But as the finale draws near, Dahlia and London’s steamy relationship starts to feel the heat both in and outside the kitchen - and they must figure out if they have the right ingredients for a happily ever after.

My Thoughts: This book was really cute. I loved the premise of two contestants competing on a cooking show falling in love. Dahlia and London were both really great main characters for this story as well. Dahlia is a recently divorced amateur chef who doesn’t really know what she’s doing in life, but decided to take the leap and go compete on this cooking show. She’s definitely the ray of sunshine character compared to her counterpart. London is non-binary and went on the show as a dare from their twin sister. They’re a little more reserved, communicating in mostly grunts to start, but as soon as they collide with Dahlia, their personality starts to shine. The connection between these two was undeniable. Even the synergy they experienced while cooking next to each other came so naturally. I learned a lot while reading this story, specifically how a relationship can look between someone who identifies as non-binary and someone who uses gender pronouns such as she/her. Overall, this was a really cute book. It took me a while to get through and I do think it could’ve been a touch shorter, but otherwise, it’s a good read to pick up if you’ve had your eye on it for a while.

JANE EYRE by Charlotte Brontë

Rating: 3/5 stars

Summary: Orphaned as a child, Jane has felt an outcast her whole young life. Her courage is tested once again when she arrives at Thornfield Hall, where she has been hired by the brooding, proud Edward Rochester to care for his ward Adele. Jane finds herself drawn to his troubled yet kind spirit. She falls in love. Hard. But there is a terrifying secret inside the gloomy, forbidding Thornfield Hall. Is Rochester hiding from Jane? Will Jane be left heartbroken and exiled once again?

My Thoughts: All righty, y’all. So I read Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë last year and figured I’d give Charlotte’s most popular novel a try this year. I listened to it on audiobook because I always find them easier to read when the narrator is giving the characters different voices. However, this book was about 20 hours long, so I was in it for a MINUTE. Either I’m getting better at reading this era of writing or this book reads more modern than others. I kept up with it much easier than Wuthering Heights and it gave me Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier vibes, but didn’t read AS easily as that book. I had zero clue where the storyline was going at all times lol, but it made sense once it got there. Miss Charlotte B must be the OG of the age-gap trope in romances because Jane ends up falling in love with her Master - Mr. Rochester. Which kinda made me cringe because she’s only 18 and he’s 37… However, I’m not a fan of the age-gap trope in modern day romances, so take that in stride. I liked Jane’s character enough. She was submissive in a lot of different situations where I wanted her to stand her ground, however, she did stick to her guns later in the book. There is kind of a morbid subplot to this book that caught me off guard, so be prepared for some gore. Overall, I appreciated this book. I feel like it lasted way too long, but I understand why it’s a classic. Would I read it again? No. If you’re looking for a classic novel to try, I’d point you in the direction of Jane Austen over the Brontë sisters, but to each their own.

FOURTH WING by Rebecca Yarros

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail was supposed to enter the Scribe Quadrant, living a quiet life among books and history. Now, the commanding general - also known as her tough-as-talons mother - has ordered Violet to join the hundreds of candidates striving to become the elite of Navarre: dragon riders. But when you’re smaller than everyone else and your body is brittle, death is only a heartbeat away… because dragons don’t bond to “fragile” humans. They incinerate them. With fewer dragons willing to bond than cadets, most would kill Violet to better their own chances of success. The rest would kill her for just being her mother’s daughter - like Xaden Riorson, the most powerful and ruthless wingleader in the Riders Quadrant. She’ll need every edge her wits can give her just to see the next sunrise. Yet, with every day that passes, the war outside grows more deadly, the kingdom’s protective wards are failing, and the death toll continues to rise. Even worse, Violet begins to suspect leadership is hiding a terrible secret. Friends, enemies, lovers. Everyone at Basgiath War College has an agenda - because once you enter, there are only two ways out: graduate or die.

My Thoughts: LISTEN. I know this book is getting hella hype right now, but it fucking DESERVES it. I haven’t been sucked into a book like I was this one in a VERY long time. It was so hard to put down. The best way I can describe the vibe of this book is Divergent, but make it high fantasy. The author really just tosses you into the storyline right from the start. I liked how she seamlessly gave you a background story to the main character, Violet, whilst world building effortlessly, AND easing you into the plotline. There was no slow build to the action and the quick pacing continued for the rest of the book - which I personally loved. As for the characters, Violet is the perfect main character for this. She’s an underdog that everyone underestimates. She’s clever, tough, and resilient while also being incredibly empathetic. I could not stop rooting for her as she made her way through this trial period before becoming an official dragon rider. Xaden is also a phenomenal main character as he’s incredibly misunderstood. I liked that he had his own thorough backstory, plotline, and personality vs. just being the pretty face and love interest for Violet. Now, let me tell you about the DRAGONS. They have their own dialogue throughout the book and the banter they provide is TOP NOTCH. I fuckin loved the shade they kept throwing at these dragon riders who literally cannot survive without them. The magical structure is pretty easy to grasp but I think we’re about to learn a lot more about it in the sequel that comes out in November. I will say, DO NOT READ THE LAST PAGE. JUST DO NOT. IT WILL RUIN THE ENTIRE BOOK FOR YOU. However, can we also just say THAT LAST SENTENCE THOOO??? Talk about a freaking cliff hanger!!! I’m obsessed with this book. There’s no other way to say it. So definitely pick it up and we can chat. :)

SO HAPPY FOR YOU by Celia Laskey

Rating: 3/5 stars

Summary: Robin and Ellie have been best friends since childhood. When Robin came out, Ellie was there for her. When Ellie’s father died, Robin had her back. But when Ellie asks Robin to be her maid of honor, she’s reluctant. A queer academic, Robin is dubious of the elaborate wedding rituals now sweeping the nation, which go far beyond champagne toasts and a bouquet toss. But loyalty wins out and Robin accepts. Yet, as the wedding weekend approaches, a series of ominous occurrences lead Robin to second-guess her decision. It seems that everyone in the bridal party is out to get her. Perhaps even Ellie herself.

My Thoughts: The biggest thing y’all need to know about this book is that it’s a satire about the wedding industry, bridezillas, aggressive feminists, etc. There is an energy of absolute absurdity to this storyline, but that’s the satirical quality coming through. It’s also mildly cathartic if you’ve ever dipped a toe into the wonderful world of weddings because the author really honed in on those “omg” moments everyone has had during those experiences. All of the characters were equally unlikeable. Even the main character, Robin, needed to be knocked down a few pegs. She had the burning urgency to try to convince people otherwise if their beliefs weren’t aligned perfectly with hers and it felt like a bit much, yanno? On the flip side of that, the subplot of her best friend and bride-to-be Ellie willing to do almost anything to make sure her wedding day goes absolutely perfectly was as entertaining as it was creepy lol. Honestly, if you’re looking for a great satire that’s also relatable on an outrageously unrelatable level, this is a great read. I enjoyed it for what it was, but I’m not going to be out here recommending it to everybody.

COUNT YOUR LUCKY STARS by Alexandria Bellefleur

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: Margot Cooper doesn’t do relationships. She tried and it blew up in her face, so she’ll stick with casual hookups, thank you very much. But now her entire crew has found “the one’ and she’s beginning to feel like a fifth wheel. And then fate (the heartless bitch) intervenes. While touring a wedding venue with her engaged friends, Margot comes face-to-face with Olivia Grant - her childhood friend, her first love, her first… well, everything. It’s been ten years, but the moment they lock eyes, Margot’s cold, dead heart thumps in her chest. Olivia must be hallucinating. In the decade since she last saw Margot, her life hasn’t gone exactly as planned. At almost thirty, she’s been married… and divorced. However, a wedding planner job in Seattle means a fresh start and a chance to follow her dreams. Never in a million years did she expect her important new client’s Best Woman would be the one that got away. When a series of unfortunate events leaves Olivia without a place to stay, Margot offers up her spare room because she’s a Very Good Person. Obviously. It has nothing to do with the fact that Olivia is as beautiful as ever and sparks between them still make Margot tingle. As they spend time in close quarters, Margot starts to question her no-strings stance. Olivia is everything she’s ever wanted, but Margot let her in once and it ended in disaster. Will history repeat itself or should she count her lucky stars that she gets a second chance with her first love?

My Thoughts: I originally discovered this book inside a Little Free Library near me and have been meaning to read it for a while now. However, when I saw it was available on Libby via audiobook, I couldn’t resist opting for that format. This was a really cute second chance FF romance. I appreciated that Margot and Olivia are the night/day embodiments of each other with Margot being a bit tougher around the edges, dressing in dark colors and whom people may not see as a friendly face initially. Whereas Olivia is a blonde, super friendly, bubbly gal who everyone loves. It’s been ten years since they had a one-time fling over spring break in high school. Although they were best friends then, things kind of fell apart after some miscommunications. Thanks to a handy dandy forced proximity trope in the present day, they abruptly find themselves living together only hours after speaking for the first time in ten years. I liked that they fell back into the friends-to-lovers situation that they had originally experienced all those years ago. The side characters are great and really help liven the storyline a little bit. Overall, this was a good book. I wasn’t blown away by it, but I appreciated the highs and lows these women went through to find each other. The third act break-up felt a little exhausting, but I understood the purpose of it after seeing the ending play out. Would I recommend this book as a must-read? Not really, but if you’ve had it on your TBR then I’d say it’s worth diving into eventually. Sidenote: I think this is actually the third book in a series of romances, but you could definitely read it as a standalone, as I did.

LONG BRIGHT RIVER by Liz Moore

Rating: 3.8/5 stars

Summary: In a Philadelphia neighborhood rocked by the opioid crisis, two once-inseparable sisters find themselves at odds. One, Kacey, lives on the streets in the vise of addiction. The other, Mickey, walks those same blocks on her police beat. They don’t speak anymore, but Mickey never stops worrying about her sibling. Then Kacey disappears, suddenly, at the same time that a mysterious string of murders begins in Mickey’s district, and Mickey becomes dangerously obsessed with finding the culprit - and her sister- before it’s too late.

My Thoughts: Okay for starters, I wouldn’t say this is necessarily a thriller. It definitely has some thrilling elements to it, and there’s a murder mystery storyline, but I think the overarching message that touches each and every one of the characters is how destructive addiction can be. The plot is definitely a slow burn even though the first murder happened really quickly. I think as more storylines unravel, things start getting muddier before they get clearer. Mickey isn’t an easy main character to like, but I didn’t dislike her either. She has this air to her that tells you she’s trying to separate herself from her upbringing while still making some not great decisions along the way. Although I’ve had this book on my shelf thanks to a Little Free Library find, I couldn’t help myself but listen to the audiobook when I saw it was available on Libby. Which I’m glad I did. The narrator does a good job of keeping Mickey’s demeanor very mellow even in times of great emotion. She also just does a phenomenal job with all the character voices in general because there are so many. The plot twists in this novel happen suddenly and there were definitely a few I wasn’t expecting. Overall, if this has been on your TBR then I’d say it’s worth picking up.

THE NIGHT SHIFT by Alex Finlay

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: It’s New Year’s Eve 1999. Y2K is expected to end in chaos: planes falling from the sky, elevators plunging to earth, world markets collapsing. A digital apocalypse. None of that happens. But at a Blockbuster Video in Linden, New Jersey, four teenage girls working the night shift are attacked. Only one survives. Police quickly identify a suspect who flees and is never seen again. Fifteen years later, in the same town, four teenage employees working late at an ice cream store are attacked, and again only one makes it out alive. Both surviving victims recall the killer speaking only a few final words… “Goodnight, pretty girl.” In the aftermath, three lives intersect: the survivor of the Blockbuster massacre who’s forced to relive her tragedy; the brother of the original suspect, who’s convinced the police have it wrong; and the FBI agent, who’s determined to solve both cases. On a collision course toward the truth, all three lives will forever be changed, and not everyone will make it out alive.

My Thoughts: Okay y’all. I remember seeing this book all over Bookstagram last year and all the hype it received was generally positive. So, I decided to jump on the audiobook when I saw it was available on Libby. First off, I love that we get multiple character perspectives and that there are multiple narrators to really differentiate the voices. Between the two murders, there are so many similarities and yet so many puzzle pieces missing that I couldn’t even guess whodunnit. I was honestly hooked from the start and loved that the pacing never really slowed down. It was interesting seeing the cases from three different POVs because Ella, Chris, and Keller were each contributing such different information to the investigation. I will say, the plot twist towards the end was completely unexpected and yet totally believable. Once I had the aha moment of who the killer is, I was so surprised I didn’t connect it sooner. If you want a quick-paced thriller that’s on the shorter side page-wise, I definitely recommend giving The Night Shift a try!

Okie doke!

That’s it for June.

I’m doing a little bit of traveling during July and am hoping to get through some more “summery” books since a couple of the books I read this month were definitely a little on the dark side lol.

2023 Book Count: 59

Add me on Goodreads if you haven’t already.

YOUR TURN! What’s your favorite summer read?

May 2023 Reads

June 09, 2023 by Haley Burrill in Books

Three cheers that summer weather is finally here!

Although you can find me sweating on the regular, I wouldn’t trade the 70-80s temps and brutally uplifting sunshine for anything. Besides, warm weather means it’s officially patio szn and I love nothing more than enjoying a cold beverage with some friends outside on late* summer nights. <3

*Meaning head home by 9PM lol.

May was a pretty hectic month for me. I did a lot of traveling, including a work trip to Key West for a few days. Listen, my brain could not compute being in a vacation destination but still having to work.

If you’ve never been, just know that you must try the key lime pie and there are chickens/roosters everywhere. I feel like not enough people talk about the poultry running around, so if you didn't already know that fun fact then you heard it here first.

You should also stop by a little restaurant called Mighty Cock. :)

Anyhoo let’s dive into everything I read in May.

*All summaries are taken or paraphrased from Goodreads.

IN MY DREAMS I HOLD A KNIFE by Ashley Winstead

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: Six friends. One college reunion. One unsolved murder. Ten years after graduation, Jessica Miller has planned her triumphant return to southern, elite Duquette University, down to the envious whispers that are sure to follow in her wake. Everyone is going to see the girl she wants them to see - confident, beautiful, indifferent - not the girl she was when she left campus, back when Heather’s murder fractured everything. Including the tight bond linking the six friends she’d been closest to since freshman year. Ten years ago, everything fell apart, including the dreams she worked for her whole life - and her relationship with the one person she wasn’t supposed to love. But not everyone is ready to move on. Not everyone left Duquette ten years ago, and not everyone can let Heather’s murder go unsolved. Someone is determined to trap the real killer, to make the guilty pay. When the six friends are reunited, they will be forced to confront what happened that night - and the years’ worth of secrets each of them would do anything to keep hidden.

My Thoughts: Okay, so I’ve heard some mixed reviews on this book, but I gotta say, it was impressive for a debut novel. It had all the fixings for a great mystery: dark academia, morally gray characters, an unreliable narrator, some stabby stabby scenes, and two HUGE plot twists. I listened to this one on audiobook and admittedly could not stand the main character, Jessica lol. She so DESPERATELY wants to be admired by her peers even into her early thirties and I absolutely hated that her need to be adored was basically what drove every single one of her actions. Honestly, what each and every one of these characters needed was simply some quality therapy. They have all been battling with some demons in their closet since college after one of their closest friends was murdered in cold blood right at the end of senior year. These characters are a MESS, but that’s what kept me guessing about whodunnit. I will say, at about the 90% mark all hell breaks loose after a big ole plot twist and then SO MUCH HAPPENS. It was absolute chaos to say the least lol. On a lighter note, there’s also a romance storyline that I thoroughly appreciated throughout the book even though that journey was a wild ride too. Overall, yes. I do recommend reading this book if you’ve had it on your radar for a while.

FOR YOU AND NO ONE ELSE by Roni Loren

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Eliza Catalano has the perfect life. So what if it actually looks nothing like the story she tells online? As a therapist, it’s part of her job to look like she has all the answers, right? But when Eliza ends up as a viral “Worst Date Ever” meme, everything in her Instagram-filtered world begins to crumble. Enter the most obnoxiously attractive man she’s ever met, and a bet she can’t resist: if she swears off social media for six months, Beck Carter’ll teach her the wonders of surviving the “real world.” No technology, no dating apps, no pretty filters, no BS. It seems like the perfect deal - she can lay low until her sudden infamy passes, meet some interesting new people, and maybe even curate this experience into a “how I quit the online dating racket” book along the way. But something about Beck’s raw honesty speaks to Eliza in ways she never expected. She knows he’s supposed to be completely hands-off… but as complex feelings grow and walls come tumbling down, rough-around-the-edges Beck may be exactly what Eliza needs to finally, truly face herself and decide who she really wants to be.

My Thoughts: Wow. Yanno. I loved Roni Loren’s previous two books in this series (Yes and I Love You and What If You and Me) and the third one was no exception. I adored this storyline for a multitude of reasons, but the biggest one is that it was so relatable. Eliza is in her early thirties and after a disastrous experience on a dating app, she decides to take a social media hiatus for a while. Her new friend Beckham is helping her navigate this new lifestyle without the endless scrolling. Through this experiment, Eliza has a lot of breakthroughs about the way she was living her life - very much performative, doing things in various areas of her life to make it look like she has her shit together and is not at all imperfect. What really rang true to me was that she had this whole vision of what she thinks her life should look like based on what society has made her believe: happily married by age X, 2.5 kids, etc. Though her life hasn’t panned out that way, she realizes there’s no one out there with a measuring stick saying whether you've been successful or not. It was just a really relatable aha moment that you need to take life as it comes and not everyone’s path is going to look the same. I absolutely adored the friendship she and Beckham had that slowly turned into a beautiful relationship. Now, I will say, I’ve read a lot of reviews that didn’t like the book because they didn’t find it believable. Listen, I’m not DAFT. I know that part of the storyline was a little dramatic, but that’s the beauty of romance and fiction, is it not? This book was so refreshing and the perfect escape. The author has such a unique writing style and I definitely recommend picking it up if you’ve never experienced a Roni Loren novel.

THE IVORY KEY by Akshaya Raman

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: Vira is desperate to get out of her mother’s shadow and establish her legacy as a revered queen of Ashoka. But with the country’s only quarry running out of magic - a precious resource that has kept Ashoka safe from conflict - she can barely protect her citizens from the looming threat of war. And if her enemies discover this, they’ll stop at nothing to seize the last of the magic. Vira’s only hope is to find a mysterious object of legend: the Ivory Key, rumored to unlock a new source of magic. But in order to infiltrate enemy territory and retrieve it, she must reunite with her siblings, torn apart by the different paths their lives have taken. Each of them has something to gain from finding the Ivory Key - and even more to lose if they fail. Ronak plans to sell it to the highest bidder in exchange for escape from his impending political marriage. Kaleb, falsely accused of assassinating the former maharani, needs it to clear his name. And Riya, a runaway who cut all family ties, wants the Key to prove her loyalty to the rebels who want to strip the nobility of its power. They must work together to survive the treacherous journey. But with each sibling harboring secrets and their own agendas, the very thing that brought them together could tear apart their family - and their world - for good.

My Thoughts: All righty. I picked this book up from the library last year, but honestly just couldn’t get into it (the woes of being a mood reader). However, I had heard good things about it, so I decided to give it another shot via audiobook. I gotta say, I did enjoy it for the most part! The book follows four siblings who have been mildly estranged from each other in recent years. However, they must band together to find the mythical Ivory Key that their father spent most of his life searching for before he died. They each have their own motive as to why they want to find the key, but what’s clear is they cannot do it without each other. In terms of characters, I appreciated that I didn’t like nor dislike one more than the others. They all had their pros and cons which put them on a pretty even playing field in my mind. As for the magical construct of this world, it took a minute to understand the boundaries of magic (i.e. who or what can possess it, what creates it, how it’s utilized, etc.). Sometimes it felt a little improvisational based on the moment and what logistics made most sense at the time. However, there was an overarching understanding that magic cannot be wielded by a human, it can only be connected to inanimate objects. Other than that, there was a big ole plot twist at the end that I wasn’t expecting and honestly had me curious about where the next book will go. So I can’t say I won’t read the next book in this duology once it’s published, but whether or not I remember specifics from this book is definitely up in the air. I’d say it’s worth a read overall though.

MY OXFORD YEAR by Julia Whelan

Rating: 2.5/5 stars

Summary: American Ella Durran has had the same plan for her life since she was thirteen: Study at Oxford. At 24, she’s finally made it to England on a Rhodes Scholarship when she’s offered an unbelievable position in a rising political star’s presidential campaign. With the promise that she’ll work remotely and return to DC at the end of her Oxford year, she’s free to enjoy her Once in a Lifetime Experience. That is until a smart-mouthed local who is too quick with his tongue and his car ruins her shirt and her first day. When Ella discovers that her English literature course will be taught by none other than that same local, Jamie Davenport, she thinks for the first time that Oxford might not be all she’s envisioned. But a late-night drink reveals a connection she wasn’t anticipating and what begins as a casual fling soon develops into something much more when Ella learns Jamie has a life-changing secret. Immediately, Ella is faced with a seemingly impossible decision: turn her back on the man she’s falling in love with to follow her political dreams or be there for him during a trial neither are truly prepared for. As the end of her year in Oxford rapidly approaches, Ella must decide if the dreams she’s always wanted are the same ones she’s yearning for.

My Thoughts: Ugh. It pains me to rate this book so low because I really do love Julia Whelan and the writing in this is objectively good. HOWEVER, there was just SOMETHING missing. I mean I can confirm the development part of their relationship was missing because she literally had them hanging out as fuck buddies and then used like one paragraph to fast forward 6 months and all of a sudden, they were something more serious. So you missed the entirety of that “developing the feels” process. Additionally, I just didn’t care? Ella clearly has some trauma to work through from her childhood, so she’s not as self-aware as she thinks she is and the plot twist surrounding Jamie’s life wasn’t as impactful or gut-punching as I’m sure it was intended to be. Julia Whelan still did a great job narrating and, as I mentioned earlier, the style of writing was objectively good. Honestly, this book had such potential to be a great story, but I was left so unsatisfied.

KING OF WRATH by Ana Huang

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: She’s the wife he never wanted… and the weakness he never saw coming. Ruthless. Meticulous. Arrogant. Dante Russo thrives on control, both personally and professionally. The billionaire CEO never planned to marry - until the threat of blackmail forces him into an engagement with a woman he barely knows. Vivian Lau, jewelry heiress and daughter of his newest enemy. It doesn’t matter how beautiful or charming she is. He’ll do everything in his power to destroy the evidence and their betrothal. There’s only one problem: now that he has her… he can’t bring himself to let her go. | Elegant. Ambitious. Well-mannered. Vivian Lau is the perfect daughter and her family’s ticket into the highest echelons of high society. Marrying a blue-blooded Russo means opening doors that would otherwise remain closed to her new-money family. While the rude, elusive Dante isn’t her idea of a dream partner, she agrees to their arranged marriage out of duty. Craving his touch was never part of the plan. Neither was the worst thing she could possibly do: fall in love with her future husband.

My Thoughts: So I absolutely adored Anna Huang’s Twisted series, so when she announced she was writing this King of Sins spin-off series, I knew I had to read it. This was the perfect enemies-to-lovers dark mafia romance. Dante and Vivian were such well-developed, dynamic characters and it was so easy to fall in love with both of them. The pacing of their relationship was absolutely perfect and although there was some expected adversity towards the last third of the book, I appreciated how they handled everything. This story had tension, banter, swag, a solid plot line and high quality STEAM. So if you’re looking for a mafia-oriented romance escape, you should definitely pick this one up!

KING OF PRIDE by Ana Huang

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: She’s his opposite in every way… and the greatest temptation he’s ever known. Reserved, controlled, and proper to a fault, Kai Young has neither the time nor inclination for chaos - and Isabella, with her purple hair and inappropriate jokes, is chaos personified. With a crucial CEO vote looming and a media empire at stake, the billionaire heir can’t afford the distraction she brings. Isabella is everything he shouldn’t want, but with every look and every touch, he’s tempted to break all his rules… and claim her as his own. | Bold, impulsive, and full of life, Isabella Valencia has never met a party she doesn’t like or a man she couldn’t charm… except a Kai Young. It shouldn’t matter. He’s not her type - the man translates classics into Latin for fun, and his membership at the elusive club where she bartends means he’s strictly off limits. But she can’t deny that, beneath his cool exterior, is a man who could make her melt with just a touch. No matter how hard they try, they can’t resist giving into their forbidden desires. Even if it costs them everything.

My Thoughts: We love a spin-off with characters we met in the first book of a series, do we not? Kai and Isabella are great friends of Dante and Vivan from King of Wrath, so we got a taste of them in the previous story and knew there was chemistry afoot. I loved that they had an “opposites attract” thing going on. Isabella is a little bit whimsical and eclectic with purple hair. She’s an aspiring author of horror books who is a five-star bartender in the meantime. Kai is the British heir of a super successful company who is extremely put-together at all times and calculated with who he interacts with. Although they come from completely different places, the attraction and tension between these two characters was undeniable. Not to mention, there was a “forbidden love” trope mixed into the budding romance as Isabella is a bartender at a prestigious club Kai is a member of, and it was a rule that staff and members could not fraternize. The pacing of this story was great overall, however, there IS a third-act breakup that felt a little unnecessary to me, but to each their own. If you enjoyed King of Wrath then I highly recommend continuing onto King of Pride.

A TORCH AGAINST THE NIGHT by Sabaa Tahir (REREAD)

Rating: 5/5 stars

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

My Thoughts: Continuing on my reread journey with An Ember in the Ashes series via audiobook, A Torch Against the Night did not disappoint! I read the review I wrote when I originally read this back in 2021 to see if any of my opinions had changed, but honestly? This book still slaps. It’s a seamless transition from the first book as Laia and Elias start their journey to saving Laia’s brother. The character development Laia goes through is so satisfying because she’s finally becoming more confident and the strong main character I wanted her to be in the last book. Helene goes through absolute hell and back in this book and I think going through those adversities with her made me start to like her so much more. Although I already know where he ends up, experiencing Elias’s storyline again makes me notice small things I feel like I completely missed the first time around. Obviously I love this series and loved this book, so as I’ve said before, I highly recommend picking it up if you haven’t yet!

LESSONS IN CHEMISTRY by Bonnie Garmus

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Chemist Elizabeth Zott is not your average woman. In fact, Elizabeth Zott would be the first to point out that there is no such thing as an average woman. But it’s the early 1960s and her all-male team at Hastings Research Institute takes a very unscientific view of equality. Except for one: Calvin Evans; the lonely, brilliant, Nobel-prize nominated grudge-holder who falls in love with - of all things - her mind. True chemistry results. But like science, life is unpredictable. Which is why a few years later Elizabeth Zott finds herself not only a single mother, but the reluctant star of America’s most beloved cooking show Supper at Six. Elizabeth’s unusual approach to cooking (“combine one tablespoon acetic acid with a pinch of sodium chloride”) proves revolutionary. But as her following grows, not everyone is happy. Because as it turns out, Elizabeth Zott isn’t just teaching women to cook. She’s daring them to change the status quo.

My Thoughts: Oh my gosh. Why in the WORLD did it take me so long to pick up this book? I absolutely adored Elizabeth Zott and her story definitely lives up to its hype! This was a beautifully written historical fiction that felt so accurate in depicting women’s rights (or lack thereof) in American society. The message of “fuck the patriarchy” SATURATED these pages. I loved that Elizabeth Zott’s character was unapologetically herself in literally every situation. She’s incredibly intelligent and just wants to be respected as a chemist. As a way to retaliate against all the cultural norms suppressing women, she starts teaching chemistry through her daily cooking show, Supper at Six, which ends up empowering women across the country. It needs to be noted that the side characters such as Harriet, Mad, Walter, Six-Thirty, etc. were such highlights in this story. They were each so dynamic and rich with personality that it was easy to create a connection with all of them in addition to Elizabeth Zott. As I mentioned, the writing style was phenomenal and I loved the unique formatting of switching through multiple POVs per chapter. I don’t know what else to say besides this is a must-read!

Sorry I’m Late, I Didn’t Want to Come by Jessica Pan

SORRY I’M LATE, I DIDN’T WANT TO COME: AN INTROVERT’S YEAR OF LIVING DANGEROUSLY by Jessica Pan

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: What would happen if a shy introvert lived like a gregarious extrovert for one year? If she knowingly and willingly put herself in perilous social situations that she’d normally avoid at all costs? Writer Jessica Pan intends to find out. WIth the help of various extrovert mentors, Pan sets up a series of personal challenges (talk to strangers, perform stand-up comedy, host a dinner party, travel alone, make friends on the road, and much worse) to explore whether living like an extrovert can teach her lessons that might improve the quality of her life. Chronicling the author’s hilarious and painful year of misadventures, this book explores what happens when one introvert fights her natural tendencies, takes the plunge, and tries (and sometimes fails) to be a bit braver.

My Thoughts: As a huge introvert, this book was a really interesting read. I give her mad props for pushing herself out of her introverted comfort zone for a year to really see what she’s capable of in social situations. Some of the anecdotes she shared made me physically cringe from the thought of putting myself out there in the same capacity, but there were a lot of takeaways for me as I lived vicariously through her. Do I think I’m going to become more extroverted anytime soon? No lol. Do I think more introverts should read this book as a testament to the possibility that we can do the hard social things we can’t fathom any other day of the week? Yes. Also, the audiobook was such a delight because it’s read by the author and I feel like it made living these situations through her eyes that much easier.

THE GILDED WOLVES by Roshani Chokshi

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: It’s 1889. The city is on the cusp of industry and power, and the Exposition Universelle has breathed new life into the streets and dredged up ancient secrets. Here, no one keeps tabs on dark truths better than treasure-hunter and wealthy hotelier Severin Montagnet-Alarie. When the elite, ever-powerful Order of Babel coerces him to help them on a mission, Severin is offered a treasure that he never imagined: his true inheritance. To hunt down the ancient artifact the Order seeks, Severin calls upon a band of unlikely experts: An engineer with a debt to pay. A historian banished from his home. A dancer with a sinister past. And a brother in arms if not blood. Together, they will join Severin as he explores the dark, glittering heart of Paris. What they find might change the course of history - but only if they can stay alive.

My Thoughts: Okay, so I’ve heard about The Gilded Wolves here and there throughout the last couple of years. Most of the sentiment has been that people really enjoy it, so I figured I’d give it a try via audiobook. The one thought that kept crossing my mind while I was listening is that it gives me hella Six of Crows vibes. There’s a gang of misfits who come from very different backgrounds and each shine in their own special skill set. Although they all have individual motivations, they band together to hunt down an ancient artifact. I loved the “found family” theme this group exuded and learning more about each of their origin stories throughout. This book was packed with scheming, adventure, mystery, and emotional moments that created a lovely balance. The overall storyline didn’t feel groundbreaking to me by any means, but I still enjoyed it nonetheless. Be warned of a last-minute plot twist lol. The only other thing I remember thinking while listening is that the male narrator almost sounds like an announcer during the text in-between dialogue which took me a minute to get used to. Otherwise, if you’re looking for an enjoyable fantastical escape for a while, I’d recommend giving this book a try!

Well that’s that on May!

I hope everyone has a great start to the summer! I’m also hoping with less travel obligations in June that I’ll have a little more time to binge read some books.

A friendly reminder that June is Pride Month and trans lives matter!

2023 Book Count: 51

Add me on Goodreads if you haven’t already.

YOUR TURN! What’s the best audiobook you’ve listened to this year so far?

April 2023 Reads

May 02, 2023 by Haley Burrill in Books

Ah April. You fickle gal.

One week, we’re loving the sunshine and warm weather, and the next, you’ve plunged us back into the rain with highs in the 40s. Such is life as a Michigander though lol.

This month was actually really fun on both the reading front and in life. I went to the annual Michigan Alpaca Festival (yes, that really is a thing) and it was actually so much fun. They’re such funny and weird animals in general, so watching people show them in a format similar to a dog show was an experience I will never regret. Please enjoy this photo from that day.

I felt like my reading went much better this month compared to March. I’m still reading a little slower than I’d prefer, but audiobooks really have become my jam this year. I just can’t get enough of them.

All righty. I think that’s it for updates. Let’s get into everything I read in April.

*All summaries are taken or paraphrased from Goodreads.

SISTERS IN ARMS by Kaia Alderson

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Grace Steele and Eliza Jones may be from completely different backgrounds, but when it comes to the army, specifically the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC), they are both starting from the same level. Not only will they be among the first class of female officers the army has even seen, they are also the first Black women allowed to serve. As these courageous women help to form the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, they are dealing with more than just army bureaucracy - everyone is determined to see this experiment fail. For two northern women, learning to navigate their way through the segregated army may be tougher than boot camp. Grace and Eliza know that there is no room for error; they must be more perfect than everyone else. When they finally make it overseas, to England and then France, Grace and Eliza will at last be able to do their parts for the country they love, whatever the risk to themselves. Based on the true story of the 6888th Postal Battalion (the Six Triple Eight), Sisters in Arms explores the untold story of what life was like for the only all-Black, female U.S. battalion to be deployed overseas during World War II.

My Thoughts: I love a good World War II-era historical fiction and this book definitely scratched that itch. It follows two women, Grace and Eliza, through their experiences of joining the U.S. army’s first all-Black female battalion during a time when segregation was still plaguing the country. It was frustrating to watch these women put their lives on the line for the country and yet still experience intense intersectional discrimination. People on the streets would dismiss them as soldiers and undermine their credentials - even though they went through the same training as everyone else in the military. Though all of the odds were against them, Eliza, Grace, and their fellow soldiers banded together to face the adversity with strength and resilience. The format of the book switches between Eliza’s and Grace’s perspectives and I loved that although they came from very different backgrounds and couldn’t stand each other at first, they end up developing a truly beautiful friendship. This book is based on a true story and I think it’s one more people should know about. So needless to say, I definitely recommend giving this historical fiction a read.

PET by Akwaeke Emenzi

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: There are no monsters anymore, or so the children in the city of Lucille are taught. Jam and her best friend, Redemption, have grown up with this lesson all their life. But when Jam meets Pet, a creature made of horns and colors and claws, who emerges from one of her mother’s paintings and a drop of Jam’s blood, she must reconsider what she’s been told. Pet has come to hunt a monster – and the shadow of something grim lurks in Redemption’s house. Jam must fight not only to protect her best friend, but also uncover the truth, and the answer to the question: How do you save the world from monsters if no one will admit they exist?

My Thoughts: This book was unlike any other that I’ve read. I’m pretty sure it’s considered middle grade, so it’s aimed at a young audience, but I think it’s impactful no matter what age you are. The writing was extremely unique. It took a minute for me to fall into a rhythm with it just because it has a very specific pattern to the dialogue. The names of the characters were also pretty out there, so that made it a little tough for me to keep straight, but it streamlined itself in my brain eventually. I can recognize the significance and importance of this storyline, especially as it tackles such important subjects in such a delicate way. All of the symbolism the author managed to include was phenomenal and they fit it into just 200 pages. I definitely recommend this if you’re looking for an impactful book or if you’re looking to integrate more transgendered characters into your reading list.

FIRST COMES SCANDAL by Julia Quinn

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: She was given two choices… Georgiana Bridgerton isn’t against the idea of marriage. She’d just thought she’d have some say in the matter. But with her reputation hanging by a thread after she’s abducted for her dowry, Georgie is given two options: live out her life as a spinster or marry the rogue who has ruined her life. Enter Option #3 As the fourth son of an earl, Nicholas Rokesby is prepared to chart his own course. He has a life in Edinburgh, where he’s close to completing his medical studies, and he has no time - or interest - to find a wife. But when he discovers that Georgie Bridgerton - his literal girl-next-door - is facing ruin, he knows what he must do. A Marriage of Convenience. It might not have been the most romantic of proposals, but Nicholas never thought she’d say no. Georgie doesn’t want to be anyone’s sacrifice, and besides, they could never think of each other as anything more than childhood friends… or could they? But as they embark upon their unorthodox courtship they discover a new twist to the age-old rhyme. First comes scandal, then comes marriage. But after that comes love…

My Thoughts: This is the last book in the Rokesby Boys series and I think it may have been my favorite. I loved Georgie Bridgerton’s character. She is quick-witted, independent, and somewhat of the underdog in her family. Nicholas was a great match for her because he never saw a reason to stifle her drive and endless curiosity even if those weren’t typical behaviors of a “lady.” The romance in this storyline just felt so organic and naturally believable. Georgie and Nicholas have known each other since they were kids and now that Georgie has gotten into somewhat of a pickle, a marriage of convenience is the only option. It was refreshing how easily these two characters fell into a rhythm with the situation as they also gradually fell in love with each other. It was just a treat to experience. There’s also a really comedic scene in the first half of the book that literally had me laughing out loud, which was a fun change of pace for a Regency romance lol. Although this book is part of a series, I honestly think you could read it as a standalone. So, pick it up if you have the chance!

Heartless Sky by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti

HEARTLESS SKY (#7 Zodiac Academy) by Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: The winds of fate are shifting, and it finally seems like they’ve been twisted in our favor. On the run and cast out from society, we’ve been forced to hide from the mad man who stole our throne. But as more secrets come to light and my sister and I work harder than ever before to reach our potential and claim our birthright, the end is finally drawing closer. There is no turning from this path now. The curse chases on our heels as time rushes by and the blood drenched destiny of the man I love looms ever closer just like the monster who stole our throne. We must prepare for the final battle, but three things are clear now. The cards have already been dealt. Blood will spill for a new future to rise. And the stars themselves can’t help us. The fight for the throne is upon us. All hail the heartless sky.

My Thoughts: All righty, y’all. Per usual, a lot happened in this book. However, it took me about three weeks to get through it because a majority of the middle absolutely dragged ass. Obviously, it was engaging enough for me to continue through it, but I felt like a lot of the characters were going in circles with their issues. There wasn’t a lot of momentum moving the story forward and I just felt like there hadn’t been a pivotal moment in the plotline for a minute. THAT BEING SAID, some things I’ve been waiting to happen for basically the entire series thus far finally come to fruition. The ending will absolutely wreck you, so just be aware. There’s a very, very big battle scene that changes the trajectory of one character’s storyline and it happened so fast that I couldn’t process it quickly enough to be upset lol. Like I’m buddy reading this series with my old college roommate (s/o to Steph) and she was flabbergasted that I wasn’t as upset as she was. I literally feel like I missed the scene and need to go reread it for the full effect. Overall, I definitely think if you’ve made it this far in the Zodiac Academy series then you need to read this book, but just know that it may take you a little longer to get through than the others because of the slight lull.

TASTE: MY LIFE THROUGH FOOD by Stanley Tucci

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: Before Stanley Tucci became a household name with The Devil Wears Prada, The Hunger Games, and the perfect Negroni, he grew up in an Italian American family that spent every night around the table. He shared the magic of those meals with us in The Tucci Cookbook and The Tucci Table, and now he takes us beyond the recipes and into the stories behind them. Taste is a reflection on the intersection of food and life, filled with anecdotes about growing up in Westchester, New York, preparing for and filming the foodie films Big Night and Julie & Julia, falling in love over dinner, and teaming up with his wife to create conversation-starting meals for their children. Each morsel of this gastronomic journey through good times and bad, five-star meals and burnt dishes, is as heartful and delicious as the last. Written in Stanley’s signature wry humor and nostalgia, Taste is a heartwarming read that will be irresistible for anyone who knows the power of a home-cooked meal.

My Thoughts: Who wouldn’t want to listen to Stanley Tucci talk about food for 7 hours? This book was such a delight. Between his candid reflections from childhood where his love for cooking and food got its start and the more recent culinary experiences with his own family, this book was full of humor and hunger-inducing anecdotes. I also learned so much about the nuances related to various cuisines - specifically Italian. If you have an appreciation for food, travel, and quick-witted dry humor, then I highly recommend that you give this audiobook a listen!

Sorrow and Starlight by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti

SORROW AND STARLIGHT (#8 Zodiac Academy) by Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: All stars must fall. Bloody, lost, broken. We live to fight another day. But with so much stolen from us, can the fates ever twist in our favor again? My sister and I have been torn apart by shadows and despair, and now we each stand alone. Our sorrow is spun like a web, trapping us tight, and I fear our enemies will soon come to feast upon our souls. But if I have my way, the merciless sky will have dealt us its final fortune. It’s time for us to take back the power that’s been ripped from our grasp and turn the tide of this war. All stars must fall, and all Phoenixes must rise. Long live the Savage Queens.

My Thoughts: Y’ALL LOL. I swear to you, this series is going to be the end of me. This gem was 1,200 pages of shit I was not expecting. Mind you, the theme of “two steps forward, one step back” still rings true for our characters. However, the momentum the plot gained and the number of “OH SHIT” moments were endless. I can’t get into too many details without giving things away, but I have to say, we see some incredible character development from someone I had already dismissed as an antagonist in this series. Tory goes on some ADVENTURES to say the least. Darcy and Orion are making strides for the team while being in the shittiest situation. The Heirs are all having a few breakthroughs. AND SOMETHING HAPPENS THAT I CANNOT SAY, BUT MADE ME AUDIBLY GASP AND FIST PUMP. I know this book is a thicc gal, but she is 10000000% worth the read if you’ve made it this far in the series. Like it totally made up for what the last book lacked in the middle of it.

AN EMBER IN THE ASHES by Sabaa Tahir (REREAD)

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Laia is a slave. Elias is a soldier. Neither is free. Under the Martial Empire, defiance is met with death. Those who do not vow their blood and bodies to the Empire risk the execution of their loved ones and the destruction of all they hold dear. It is in this brutal world that Laia lives with her grandparents and older brother. The family ekes out an existence in the impoverished backstreets and do not dare to challenge the Empire. When Laia’s brother is arrested for treason, she is forced to make a decision. In exchange for help from rebels who promise to rescue her brother, she will risk her life to spy for them from within the Empire’s greatest military academy. There, Laia meets Elias, the school’s finest soldier - and secretly, it’s most unwilling. Elias wants only to be free of the tyranny he’s being trained to enforce. He and Laia will soon realize their destinies are intertwined - and that their choices will change the fate of the Empire itself.

My Thoughts: I first read An Ember in the Ashes back in 2021 as a way to cure the book hangover I received from the Throne of Glass series. I really loved it and believe I even gave it 4.5 stars. This time around, I decided to listen to the audiobook instead to experience it in an alternative format. Listen, I still love this book and series. The sentiments I had about it originally still stand: there’s a great mixture of action, adventure, emotions, and mystery. HOWEVER (and I had to go reread my initial review on this book to see if this is how I felt the first time I read it), Laia is so annoying to me lol. And, for some indescribable reason, the narrator who voices for Laia made her character even more frustrating. Which, mind you, I genuinely liked the narrator. Like she did a great job lol. So I guess take that as you will? I know now that her character goes through great character development in the next three books, but if you’re new to the series, just take Laia with a grain of salt initially. Overall, I still love this storyline and think it’s an incredibly unique premise for the fantasy genre. My recommendation for experiencing this book, though, is to read the physical form first and then follow up with the audiobook for a second read, if you’re so inclined.

RECURSION by Blake Crouch

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Memory makes reality. That’s what NYC cop Barry Sutton is learning, as he investigates the devastating phenomenon the media has dubbed False Memory Syndrome - a mysterious affliction that drives its victims mad with memories of a life they never lived. That’s what neuroscientist Helena Smith believes. It’s why she’s dedicated her life to creating a technology that will let us preserve our most precious memories. If she succeeds, anyone will be able to re-experience a first kiss, the birth of a child, the final moment with a dying parent. As Barry searches for the truth, he comes face to face with an opponent more terrifying than any disease - a force that attacks not just our minds, but the very fabric of the past. And as its effects begin to unmake the world as we know it, only he and Helena, working together, will stand a chance at defeating it. But how can they make a stand when reality itself is shifting and crumbling all around them?

My Thoughts: Y’all. I don’t know if it’s because I don’t read science fiction as often as most, but this book blew my mind lol. Like the fact that someone thought of this premise is beyond me. I thoroughly enjoyed this sci-fi thriller. The format is pretty unique as it switches between Helena’s and Barry’s perspectives while following a non-linear timeline. The author starts you out at a pace that is easy to follow, but as you get deeper into the book, we are not only jumping timelines, but realities. Let me tell you, I was absolutely sucked into this audiobook and couldn’t even guess what the resolution to the MCs’ overall problem was going to be. That being said, the only reason I couldn’t give it five stars is because I felt like the solution ended up being kind of anticlimactic. It wasn’t disappointing necessarily, but I felt like with a character as smart as Helena, she should’ve been able to figure that out after everything she had gone through. Either way, if you’re looking for a really great science fiction to get lost in, I definitely recommend this book! Please check trigger warnings though because memory loss and Alzheimer’s is a main thread throughout the storyline.

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING by Julia Whelan

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: For Sewanee Chester, being an audiobook narrator is a long way from her old dreams, but the days of being a star on film sets are long behind her. She’s found success and satisfaction from the inside of a sound booth and it allows her to care for her beloved, ailing grandmother. When she arrives in Las Vegas last-minute for a book convention, Sewanee unexpectedly spends a whirlwind night with a charming stranger. On her return home, Sewanee discovers one of the world’s most beloved romance novelists wanted her to perform her last book - with Brock McNight, the industry’s hottest, most secretive voice. Sewanee doesn’t buy what romance novels are selling - not after her own dreams were tragically cut short - and she stopped narrating them years ago. But her admiration of the late author, and the opportunity to get her grandmother more help, makes her decision for her. As Sewanee begins work on the book, resurrecting her old romance pseudonym, she and Brock forge a real connection, hidden behind the comfort of anonymity. Soon, she is dreaming again, but secrets are revealed, and the realities of life come crashing down around her once more. If she can learn to risk everything for desires she has long buried, she will discover a world of intimacy and acceptance she never believed would be hers.

My Thoughts: Hear me out. An audiobook written by Julia Whelan, read by Julia Whelan?? Fek yah! I absolutely CRUSHED this audiobook. Listened to it in one day because I couldn’t get enough of it. Besides, Julia Whelan is hands down one of the most talented narrators that has ever graced my eardrums. She has such a gift of pulling you into the story with her entrancing voice and accents. Now, the kicker about this particular book is that she also wrote it, and my friends, she killed it. I was obsessed with this storyline. THE BANTER ALONE, MY GOD. It was *chef’s kiss*. Like whenever I say I want some quality banter in my rom-com, THIS is what I mean. I was chuckling like a moron the entire time. Also, I swear to you, I was awe struck by some of the analogies and metaphors used throughout. It was just some great freaking writing. Onto the characters. Sewanee was the perfect main character for this book. She’s strong and killing it in the audiobook game, but after an accident five years ago leaving her with some physical and emotional scars, she’s still dealing with inner demons, including accepting her new self image. Brock/Nick was the BEST love interest we could’ve asked for here. This Irish delight was charming, humble, sweet, thoughtful - just your quintessential perfect book boyfriend. The storyline flowed so well, but the only reason I’m docking it a half star is because there was a stint around 66% that MILDLY slowed everything down all of a sudden. So I didn’t love that, but otherwise, this is one of the best romances I’ve read in a while. I recommend reading it, but HIGHLY recommend listening to it. :)

And that’s all I’ve got for April!

Cheers to May and AAPI Heritage Month!

2023 Book Count: 41

Add me on Goodreads if you haven’t already.

YOUR TURN! What’s the best audiobook you’ve listened to this year so far?

March 2023 Reads

April 05, 2023 by Haley Burrill in Books

March both lasted forever and went by in a blink.

Audiobooks were my main source of reading. I think I was just having a rough time actually sitting down to open a book. So the convenience of having someone read the book to me was too nice to pass up.

This also wasn’t my favorite month. After twelve glorious years full of love, we sadly had to put our golden retriever, Khloe, down. It was a pretty tough weekend and I’ll miss that stubborn, sweet gal so much. Hug your pets extra tight for me. <3

I think that’s my big update, so let’s get into everything I read in March.

*All summaries are taken or paraphrased from Goodreads.

BECAUSE OF MISS BRIDGERTON by Julia Quinn

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Sometimes you find love in the most unexpected of places… This is not one of those times. Everyone expects Billie Bridgerton to marry one of the Rokesby brothers. The two families have been neighbors for centuries, and as a child the tomboyish Billie ran wild with Edward and Andrew. Either one would make a perfect husband… someday. Sometimes you fall in love with exactly the person you think you should… Or not. There is only one Rokesby Billie absolutely cannot tolerate, and that is George. He may be the eldest and heir to the earldom, but he’s arrogant, annoying, and she’s absolutely certain he detests her. Which is perfectly convenient, as she can’t stand the sight of him either. But sometimes fate has a wicked sense of humor… Because when Billie and George are quite literally thrown together, a whole new sort of sparks begin to fly. And when these lifelong adversaries finally kiss, they might just discover that the one person they can’t abide is the one person they can’t live without.

My Thoughts: This was my first Julia Quinn book and I now completely understand why people are obsessed with her writing! I listened to this entire audiobook on a Saturday while I was cleaning my apartment because I didn’t want to pause it. Billie’s character was so much fun. Her spunk and charisma is contagious and I definitely wanted to be her friend. She doesn’t really care about society’s expectations of her as a single twenty-three-year-old woman. She’s passionate about helping her father tend to their land and the tenants that live on it. Most people are putting pressure on her to get married soon, but Billie doesn’t want to be put into a box by any man who wants her to be the perfect wife. George’s character started off more as an enigma and slowly grew on me. It’s not that I didn’t like him at first, but he was definitely more reserved. He’s the eldest son in his family and expected to take over the estate one day which means while he’s at home learning how to lead, his younger brothers are off fighting for their country. He battles internally with his sense of purpose and whether or not he’s doing enough for his family. Ultimately though, Billie and George are the perfect remedy for each other. I adored that they built a friendship first and let that naturally transition into something more. This romance was the perfect mix of laugh out loud interactions, downright swoony moments, and intense emotional situations. Needless to say, I am sold on Julia Quinn now and cannot wait to start the next book in this Rokesby Boys series.

STATION ELEVEN by Emily St. John Mandel

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: One snowy night a famous Hollywood actor slumps over and dies on stage during a production of King Lear. Hours later, the world as we know it begins to dissolve. Moving back and forth in time - from the actor’s early days as a film star to fifteen years in the future, when a theater troupe known as the Traveling Symphony roams the wasteland of what remains. This suspenseful elegiac, spellbinding novel charts the strange twists of fate that connect five people: the actor, the man who tried to save him, the actor’s first wife, his oldest friend, and a young actress with the Traveling Symphony, caught in the crosshairs of a dangerous self-proclaimed prophet.

My Thoughts: All right, y’all. I’m a little late to this game, but I started watching the HBO Max adaptation of Station Eleven. However, I had only heard awesome things about the book, so I decided to read a few chapters and then watch a couple of episodes. This story was kind of a slow burn for me book-wise, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. I loved the overlapping timelines, the jumping to different characters’ perspectives and seeing how the pandemic affected everyone. That said, I feel like the book was more about empathizing with the characters and their individual fights for survival. Plus, what happens with the prophet was a little anticlimactic for me. The show, on the other hand, has plenty of suspense incorporated into it and I feel like they directly connect the characters in a much more obvious way. Did I enjoy the book? Yes. Do I agree with how they did the tv series adaptation? Also, yes. This book/show won’t be for everyone, especially after going through everything we have with COVID over the last three years, but I think that if a pandemic isn’t a triggering topic for you then you should definitely give the book a try.

I’M GLAD MY MOM DIED by Jennette McCurdy

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: A heartbreaking and hilarious memoir by iCarly star Jennette McCurdy about her struggles as a former child actor - including eating disorders, addiction, and a complicated relationship with her overbearing mother - and how she retook control of her life. Told with refreshing candor and dark humor, I’m Glad My Mom Died is an inspiring story of resilience, independence, and the joy of shampooing your own hair.

My Thoughts: I absolutely FLEW through this audiobook. Read by Jennette herself, this memoir was one for the ages. She grew up with a narcissistic mother who was extremely manipulative and whom Jennette lived to please. It was heartbreaking and, at some points, disturbing the experiences she talks about related to being a child actor, her family life, how she coped with the stress of it all, and more. I appreciated that the writing of this book was very straightforward and matter-of-fact. She didn’t try to pull super hard at your heartstrings by making anything overly emotional. It was clear that she knows most of the things she shares in this book are pretty fucked up, but that’s how it was and she’s made peace with it. I cannot admire her enough for getting the help she needed and continuously working on herself after enduring so much damage and trauma for so long. There are plenty of trigger warnings to be aware of before jumping into this book, but if you haven’t read it yet, I highly recommend you do.

Cursed Fates by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti

CURSED FATES (#5 Zodiac Academy) by Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: After the devastating events at Zodiac Academy, we have to deal with this darker world we’re faced with. Lionel seeks to hurt us, the Nymphs seek to hurt the entire Fae race, and between all of it, we just have to try and survive each day as it comes. I’m afraid of everything falling apart, but it looks like it already has.

My Thoughts: OH MY GOD. You know, with the way the fourth book ended, I was like, “there’s no way this series can fak me up any more than it already has.” Cue book five. Holy hell, y’all. The stars are working against EVERYBODY in this book except for freaking Lionel. I swear to you, so much happened to every single character that I had to take a breather to reflect on everything. Darius and Tory are striking out. Darcy and Orion hit a monumental roadblock. The only few good things happening are the girls are figuring out new ways to wield their Phoenix fire against Dark magic and the animosity between the twins and Heirs has actually transformed into a camaraderie instead. ALSO Tory is going through some SUBSTANTIAL character growth and development, and I am HERE. FOR. IT. It’s about damn time. She’s been so freaking stubborn. Anyway, the ending of this book physically put me in the fetal position on the floor and sucked the wind out of my lungs. So like, of course I’m going to keep going with this series. And, yes, I do recommend you read this book just so I’m not the only one being emotionally damaged by it. Thank you.

Fated Throne by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti

FATED THRONE (Zodiac Academy #6) by Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Fate has torn us apart and sometimes I believe the stars have given up on us altogether. Without my sister, the world seems darker than ever before and the shadows loom thicker, rising up to answer the call of the Shadow Princess and changing the face of Solaria for good. Now Lionel Acrux has the strength to make a move for the throne, I’m not sure how much time we have left to stop him. Our only hope is to find the Imperial Star before he does. We made the sacrifice the stars called for and we’re paying the price for that decision so it can’t be for nothing. But with the stars turning against us at every move, and the last light in the world seeming to fade, I’m afraid we’re almost out of time. Hope is a dangerous thing. It’s the key to us fighting on. But it could be what destroys us in the end. One thing is for certain, I won’t stop until I have been reunited with my other half and together we will fight to take our crowns.

My Thoughts: Okay literally SO. MUCH. HAPPENS in this book that I regret not writing this review directly after finishing it. We see the repercussions from how things ended in the last book right away here. Specifically, the effects on Tory now that she is in a situation that has put her through some trauma and brainwashing. Luckily, our little squad of Darcy, the Heirs, Geraldine, and Orion are determined to free her from the binds she’s being held under. Orion also gets a taste of freedom and has a pivotal moment in his storyline that changes the course of his commitment to the throne. Gabriel started playing a much bigger part in this book with his gift of Sight and I appreciated that there’s someone looking out for them now. HOWEVER, there is a SIGNIFICANT catalyst towards the end of this book that I thought was insanely convenient to the storyline based on a vision Gabriel saw involving Darius. Although how it played out literally ripped my heart to shreds while simultaneously giving me a bit of hope, I was a little “side-eye” at how opportune this vision was at the given moment. There’s so much more shit that happens in this book, but I can’t go into detail on anything without giving it away. All I can say is that if you’ve made it this far in the Zodiac Academy series, you MUST continue on.

Made to Stick by Chip Heath and Dan Heath

MADE TO STICK: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die by Chip and Dan Heath

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: In Made to Stick, Chip and Dan Heath reveal the anatomy of ideas that stick and explain ways to make ideas stickier, such as applying the human scale principle, using the Velcro Theory of Memory, and creating curiosity gaps. Along the way, we discover that sticky messages of all kinds – from the infamous “kidney theft ring” hoax to a coach’s lessons on sportsmanship to vision for a new product at Sony – draw their power from the same six traits. Made to Stick will transform the way you communicate. It’s a fast-paced tour of success stories (and failures): the Nobel Prize-winning scientist who drank a glass of bacteria to prove a point about stomach ulcers; the charities who make use of the Mother Teresa Effect; the elementary school teacher whose simulation actually prevented racial prejudice. Provocative, eye-opening, and often surprisingly funny, Made to Stick shows us the vital principles of winning ideas - and tells us how we can apply these rules to making our own messages stick.

My Thoughts: I tried picking this book up MULTIPLE times over the years and never made it past the first chapter, but that’s definitely more of a “me” thing than it was due to this actual book lol. I figured the audiobook would be easier to get through and it definitely was. This book is basically about why ideas stick around and what makes them stick-worthy. They break down the different components of sticky ideas and give numerous examples that support the concept. I probably won’t remember any specifics from the book to be honest, but I would definitely recommend it if you’re in a creative field such as marketing or advertising. Or I guess even if you’re trying to figure out a creative way to get an idea across to a person or group of people.

THE GIRL WITH THE MAKE-BELIEVE HUSBAND by Julia Quinn

Rating: 2.5/5 stars

Summary: While you were sleeping… With her brother Thomas injured on the battlefront in the Colonies, orphaned Cecilia Harcourt has two unbearable choices: move in with a maiden aunt or marry a scheming cousin. Instead, she chooses option three and travels across the Atlantic, determined to nurse her brother back to health. But after a week of searching, she finds not her brother but his best friend, the handsome officer Edward Rokesby. He’s unconscious and in desperate need of her care, and Cecilia vows that she will save this soldier’s life, even if staying by his side means telling one little lie. I told everyone I was your wife. When Edward comes to, he’s more than a little confused. The blow to his head knocked out six months of his memory, but surely he would recall getting married. He knows who Cecilia Harcourt is - even if he does not recall her face - and with everyone calling her his wife, he decides it must be true, even though he’d always assumed he’d marry his neighbor back in England. If only it were true… Cecilia risks her entire future by giving herself - completely - to the man she loves. But when the truth comes out, Edward may have a few surprises of his own for the new Mrs. Rokesby.

My Thoughts: Ugh okay so I enjoyed the overall experience of this audiobook, but it kind of fell flat for me at the same time. Starting with the characters, I liked Edward and Cecilia enough. They were pleasant characters to follow along with and I did find myself caring about them. However, did they blow me away or absolutely enthrall me in this story? Not really. Also Cecilia had PLENTY of opportunities to explain to Edward why she lied about being his wife. Like she spent dayyyys with the man and realized how understanding and nice he could be. It’s not like he’d be up in arms about the situation. PLUS, he had already developed a crush on her through the letters she wrote to her brother. So even though he couldn’t remember marrying her at the moment, he was still pretty happy to have scored Cecilia. The plot was kind of anticlimactic as well, but the ending saved the blandness of the rest of the book. I think had I read this as a physical book, I would’ve been kind of bored. The audiobook narrator provided enough animation to it though that it wasn’t a task to finish listening to it.

THE OTHER MISS BRIDGERTON by Julia Quinn

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: She was in the wrong place… Fiercely independent and adventurous, Poppy Bridgerton will only wed a suitor whose keen intellect and interests match her own. Sadly, none of the fools from her London season qualify. While visiting a friend on the Dorset coast, Poppy is pleasantly surprised to discover a smugglers’ hideaway tucked inside a cave. But her delight turns to dismay when two pirates kidnap her and take her aboard a ship, leaving her bound and gagged on the captain’s bed… He found her at the wrong time… Known to society as a rascal and reckless privateer, Captain Andrew James Rokesby actually transports essential goods and documents for the British government. Setting sail on a time-sensitive voyage to Portugal, he’s stunned to find a woman waiting for him in his cabin. Surely his imagination is getting the better of him. But no, she is very real - and his duty to the Crown means he’s stuck with her.

My Thoughts: Ermahgerd. Yess. This third book in the Rokesby Boys series made up for what the second book lacked and I was here for it. First off, the banter was *chef’s kiss*. There was some quality banter in the previous two books, but I was obsessed with Poppy’s and Andrew’s quick-witted quarreling. They are both incredibly intelligent but can also appreciate some sarcasm which provided some of the best quips. I loved the tropes included in this storyline: forced proximity and enemies-to-lovers. Plus, it has a privateer component to boot? Sign me up. Poppy’s character was spunky to say the least. She’s got a curiosity that just won’t quit and a competitive fire inside that drives her to exploring and learning as much as possible. Andrew is similar in that he isn’t content sitting still and educates himself in a way that allows him to know a little bit about everything. They truly are the perfect pair and I was obsessed with how this voyage to Portugal brought the two together in a way that made it impossible for them not to develop feelings. There was a touch of spice to this story which we all know I appreciate lol. The last portion of this book did not end the way I was expecting, but it wrapped up lovely all the same. If you started the Rokesby Boys series, I’d say you can skip the second book (The Girl with the Make Believe Husband) and go straight to this one without really losing any context.

Well, that’s everything I read in March!

I’m hoping to incorporate a little bit more variety into my reading in April since this month was basically some regency era romance and Zodiac Academy with some random reads thrown into the mix lol.

2023 Book Count: 32

Add me on Goodreads if you haven’t already.

YOUR TURN! What’s a tv adaptation you’re looking forward to? Have you read and/or watched Daisy Jones & the Six yet?