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?

January 2023 Reads

February 05, 2023 by Haley Burrill in Books

Y’all. Welcome to 2023.

I came into January full force and binge read almost all of the Shatter Me series within the first week and a half. After that, my reading slowed down a little bit as I took my time with literally every other book I read this month lol.

Although I read more than 200 books last year, I’m sticking to my goal of being intentional with my time and energy this year. That includes reading and making sure I’m indulging in this hobby as something I enjoy and not turning it into a competition with myself because that would spoil the fun I get out of reading.

Therefore, I’m starting this year with a reading goal of 100 books. If I read more than that, great. If I don’t hit that goal, that’s also totally fine.

If you’ve stuck with me and my monthly book blog posts, then I am truly grateful and appreciate your support lol.

Cheers to another year of reading, ratings, and reviews!

Now let’s get into everything I read in January.

*All summaries are taken or paraphrased from Goodreads.

FRACTURE ME by Tahereh Mafi

Rating: 3/5 stars

Summary: As Omega Point prepares to launch an all-out assault on The Reestablishment soldiers stationed in Sector 45, Adam’s focus couldn’t be further from the upcoming battle. He’s reeling from his breakup with Juliette, scared for his best friend’s life, and as concerned as ever for his brother James’s safety. And just as Adam begins to wonder if this life is really for him, the alarms sound. It’s time for war. On the battlefield, it seems like odds are in their favor - but taking down Warner, Adam’s newly discovered half brother, won’t be that easy. The Reestablishment can’t tolerate a rebellion, and they’ll do anything to crush the resistance… including killing everyone Adam has ever cared about.

My Thoughts: Okay so this was a very short novella from Adam’s POV between the second and third book in the Shatter Me series. Y’all, at this point, Adam has become to the story what Chaol became to the Throne of Glass series… lol. (If you know, you know). I do appreciate that he wasn’t obsessing over Juliette in this though because that’s what I was expecting. The group of rebels that he’s been fighting with go through a very traumatic event here which puts Adam’s priorities into perspective - with his 10-year-old brother James being number one. He still does his fair share of bitching about Warner, but I can’t fault him for that based on what he knows. I do think it’s necessary to read this novella because what happens here is extremely important information that doesn’t seem to be elaborated on in the next book. It’s a quick read though (like 70 pages?), so it won’t take up too much of your time.

IGNITE ME by Tahereh Mafi

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: With Omega Point destroyed, Juliette doesn’t know if the rebels, her friends, or even Adam are alive. But that won’t keep her from trying to take down The Reestablishment once and for all. Now she must rely on Warner, the handsome commander of Sector 45. The one person she never thought she could trust. The same person who saved her life. He promises to help Juliette master her powers and save their dying world… but that’s not all he wants with her.

My Thoughts: EEK. This is the book I’ve been WAITING for - when Juliette and Warner finally start working together under the same roof. A LOT happened in this book that kept me on the edge of my seat as what’s left of the rebel group from Omega Point starts to plot how to take down the Reestablishment from the inside out. I was obsessed with the romance storyline between Warner and Juliette even though I got frustrated with her for a minute because she wasn’t being honest with herself. Later on, though, I understood why she was hesitant to give into her feelings and it felt super justified. We also learn some new abilities of Juliette’s powers which is a catalyst for how they proceed with their plans of action. When Warner’s dad, the current Supreme Commander of North America, shows up to take them down, all hell breaks loose. Needless to say, this was the shit that everything they’ve been through has been building up to and I am so satisfied with how it all played out.

RESTORE ME by Tahereh Mafi

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: Juliette Ferrars thought she’d won. She took over Sector 45, was named new Supreme Commander, and now has Warner by her side. But she’s still the girl with the ability to kill with a single touch - and now she’s got the whole world in the palm of her hand. When tragedy hits, who will she become? Will she be able to control the power she wields and use it for good?

My Thoughts: Holy shit lol. I don’t know what I was expecting from this book, but I can tell you, what I got was beyond anything I could’ve guessed. The story picks up about 2 weeks after Juliette overthrows the last Supreme Commander, and the format flips between Juliette’s and Warner’s perspectives. Everyone is trying to get their footing with new responsibilities while keeping an ear to the ground to see how the rest of the world is going to react to a 17-year-old girl with supernatural abilities taking over an entire continent. Especially since she accomplished that in the matter of a few months when people have been trying to do that for decades. The first third of this book is a bit of a slow burn. Juliette is starting to realize she was ill-prepared for the job of Supreme Commander, but is trying her best to have everything under control. Warner (aka Aaron) is unexpectedly grieving the loss of his father even though that man never showed him any love. All of the chapters in this book from his point of view are SATURATED in emotion. Like just DRIPPING with heartache, heartbreak, anger, confusion, and more. The last time we got a glimpse of his character’s emotional vulnerability was in his novella, Destroy Me. I will say I was a tad frustrated with Warner in this book because although his emotions are completely justified, and he’s still supporting Juliette in ways he knows how, I felt like he needed to be communicating with her and guiding her so much more. Anytime someone would push him to tell her about his background and the secrets he knows, he didn’t understand why because he thought the knowledge would hurt her more than help her. It just made me so frustrated lol. We’re starting to learn a lot more about the international groups that make up The Reestablishment as the leaders of other nations send their teenage kids to North America to meet the new Supreme Commander. I loved how all of these new characters and pieces of information added such depth to the story. We also learn a HUUUUUUGE secret about Juliette that basically sets her on a downward spiral. To the point of where she learns a new deadly boundary to her powers that comes into play right at the very end of this book. When I tell you I was SHOOK at the last 15% of this book, I’m not exaggerating. What started as a 3-star book for me quickly became a 4.5-star. Like wow.

BENEATH THE SUGAR SKY by Seanan McGuire

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: When Rini lands with a literal splash in the pond behind Eleanor West’s Home for Wayward Children, the last thing she expects to find is that her mother, Sumi, died years before Rini was even conceived. But Rini can’t let Reality get in the way of her quest - not when she has an entire world to save! (Much more common than one would suppose.) If she can’t find a way to restore her mother, Rini will have more than a world to save: she will never have been born in the first place. And in a world without magic, she doesn’t have long before Reality notices her existence and washes her away. Good thing the student body is well-acquainted with quests…

My Thoughts: This book was chaos lol, but not chaos as in “I have no idea what’s going on.” Chaos as in “what the hell is happening and why does it also make so much sense?” We meet two new peculiar characters named Rini and Cora, but also get to interact with a few characters from the first book including Cade, Christopher, Sumi, and Nancy. Needless to say, it was quite the adventure for this oddball group of kids who are trying to bring Sumi back in order to save Rini’s existence. I liked that we got to see a couple of different worlds in this book including the land of the dead where Nancy resides and Confection where Sumi traveled and Rini is from. The best way to describe their time in Confection is like reconfiguring your brain to remember how you used to think as a child with a GIANT imagination (zero boundaries, world-is-your-oyster type of big). Once you’re in that mindset, imagine a world where literally everything is made of candy, baked goods, and sweets, but have it actually come to life as a possible reality. I freaking love Seanan McGuire’s mind and the way she says “Why the hell not?” when building worlds like this. This was a really well-structured plot and I obvi have a soft spot for the characters, but I think the world building and vivid descriptions of their surroundings is what did it for me here.

SHADOW ME by Tahereh Mafi

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Juliette is still reeling from Warner’s betrayal, and Kenji is trying to balance his friendship with her and his responsibilities as a leader of the resistance against the Reestablishment. Things get even more interesting when an unexpected person from Omega Point’s past surfaces.

My Thoughts: YUUUS TO KENJI GETTING HIS OWN NOVELLA!! Although he rubbed me the wrong way when we first met him in this series, Kenji has quickly become one of my favorite characters. There’s so much depth to him that people underestimate just because he’s the goofball and everybody’s friend. He’s experiencing all of his own struggles, but people never remember to check on their seemingly happy friends. I loved that we got to see his interactions with Nazeera from his POV instead of third-party character’s. I ten thousand percent ship Kenji and Nazeera. <3 Our little invisible boy deserves someone to love with his giant heart. Although there weren’t any pivotal moments in this book as it parallels what we just experienced through Juliette’s and Warner’s eyes in Restore Me, there is a HUUUUUUUGE plot twist towards the end that we didn’t get to see from their POVs. I did a double take and had to reread the last few paragraphs because I was second guessing everrrrryyythingggg. Do not skip this novella in the Shatter Me series, PLEASE.

HOW HIGH WE GO IN THE DARK by Sequoia Nagamatsu

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Beginning in 2030, a grieving archeologist arrives in the Arctic Circle to continue the work of his recently deceased daughter at the Batagaika crater, where researchers are studying long-buried secrets now revealed in melting permafrost, including the perfectly preserved remains of a girl who appears to have died of an ancient virus. Once unleashed, the Arctic Plague will reshape life on earth for generations to come, quickly traversing the globe, forcing humanity to devise a myriad of moving and inventive ways to embrace possibility in the face of tragedy. In a theme park designed for terminally ill children, a cynical employee falls in love with a mother desperate to hold on to her infected son. A heartbroken scientist searching for a cure finds a second chance at fatherhood when one of his test subjects - a pig - develops the capacity for human speech. A widowed painter and her teenage granddaughter embark on a cosmic quest to locate a new home planet. From funerary skyscrapers to hotels for the dead to interstellar starships, Sequoia Nagamatsu takes readers on a wildly original and compassionate journey, spanning continents, centuries, and even celestial bodies to tell a story about the resiliency of the human spirit, our infinite capacity to dream, and the connective threads that tie us all together in the universe.

My Thoughts: I went into this audiobook without reading the premise, and within the first two perspectives, my reaction was WTF lol. Although this book has an incredibly melancholy mood to it, I appreciated how imaginative it was. Basically, it’s set in the future where a pandemic has spread from an ancient virus that was unearthed from a girl they found in melting permafrost. From there, the book follows the perspectives of various people from around the world and how this viral outbreak is affecting each of their individual lives. Some people are being affected in more ways than others, but the main message is clear: everyone is looking for some type of connection especially in the face of adversity. Some of these stories are pretty dark, but there was something beautiful about the ugliness of it all that made every perspective easy to empathize with. I feel like I should also note that the author doesn’t really make any parallels between the pandemic we’ve been experiencing and this fictional one. So, personally, I didn't necessarily get any deja vu or whiplash which I appreciated. This book definitely isn’t going to be for everyone because of the content though, so just check trigger warnings before going into it.

My hand holds a paperback copy of Neon Gods by Katee Robert in front of a white wall. The cover is black, blue, and purple, and shows a leather chair in between the title and author's name. — Neon Gods by Katee Robert

NEON GODS by Katee Robert (REREAD)

Rating: 4/5 stars

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

My Thoughts: Okay so I originally read Neon Gods back in October of 2021 and was going to start the second book, Electric Idol. However, after maybe two pages into that book, I realized I didn’t remember who any of the characters were from the first book. I could definitely remember the bigger events that occurred in it but still decided to reread this one first before jumping into Psyche and Eros’s story. My friends, the second time through this was just as enjoyable as the first. I’ve read a couple of Hades/Persephone retellings over the last couple of years and this one remains my favorite. The main characters are magnetic in their own right, but the character development that happens throughout is everything I could have wanted. Hades and Persephone have an instant chemistry with some flirty banter that’s laced with some bite. Then their connection only grows stronger as the story goes on. It’s the perfect balance of swoony sweetness and HELLA SPICE. Honestly, if you’re trying to decide between this book and A Touch of Darkness, I’d recommend this one every time. As I said though, it has plenty of steamy scenes, so if that’s not your jam then you can probs keep it moving lol.

ELECTRIC IDOL by Katee Robert

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: In the ultra-modern city of Olympus, there’s always a price to pay. Psyche knew she’d have to face Aphrodite’s ire eventually, but she never expected her literal heart to be at stake… or for Aphrodite’s gorgeous son to be the one order to strike the killing blow. Eros has no problem shedding blood. But when it comes time to take out his latest target, he can’t do it. Confused by his reaction to Psyche, he does the only thing he can think of to keep her safe: he marries her. Psyche vows to make Ero’s life a living hell until they find a way out of this mess. But as lines blur and loyalties shift, she realizes he might take her heart after all… and she’s not sure she can survive the loss.

My Thoughts: Omg I loved this. I’ll admit I had to Google the OG story of Psyche and Eros to better understand the dynamics in this retelling, but I adored what Katee Robert did here. Starting with Psyche, she is my favorite type of main character - strong, intelligent, clever, and confident in herself. She’s a plus sized influencer and the author really did that narrative justice. I loved that Psyche’s self confidence never faltered and she didn’t need outside validation to know she was a bad B. Eros is the broody type everyone keeps at arms length because of his reputation for “taking care of issues” his mother has with other people. It made my heart melt how much he adored Psyche for the simple fact that she saw who he was and still accepted him as a good person. This dynamic duo could not be separated or turned against each other no matter how hard Aphrodite tried to ruin their relationship. Also, Psyche protecting Eros by putting herself in the line of fire while simultaneously taking down his sociopath mother?? Absolute SWOON. Honestly, if you enjoyed Neon Gods, pass go, collect $200 and continue on to Electric Idol. You will not regret it!

DEFY ME by Tahereh Mafi

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Juliette’s short tenure as the supreme commander of North America has been an utter disaster. When the children of other world leaders show up on her doorstep, she wants nothing more than to turn to Warner for support and guidance. But he shatters her heart when he reveals that he’s been keeping secrets about her family and her identity from her - secrets that change everything. Juliette is devastated, and the darkness that’s always dwelled within her threatens to consume her. An explosive encounter with unexpected visitors might be enough to push her over the edge.

My Thoughts: This book was fucking WILD. The number of plot twists that showed up and showed out was unreal. This book picks up where the catastrophe of the last book ended after Juliette’s speech at the North American Symposium went to absolute SHIT. She’s still reeling from learning a bucket load of secrets about her past that Warner knew, but wasn’t sharing with her. When she wakes up after being abducted in plain sight, she’s in New Zealand with her biological parents who are absolutely disgusting people that want to do more and more experiments on her. She also reunites with her sister, Emmaline, who she JUST learned about in the previous days and the current state she’s in is GROTESQUE to say the least. I liked that the format flipped between Warner, Kenji, and Juliette’s points of view since the group gets split up at various points. We get more insight into what The Reestablishment is planning to do with Juliette and what’s going down now that they’ve basically re-taken over Sector 45 back in the United States. This book is extremely intense in a multitude of ways including the tsunami of emotions, big moments and plot twists. I am truly addicted to the plotline and characters in this series and cannot wait to see what happens next.

REVEAL ME by Tahereh Mafi

Rating: 2.5/5 stars

Summary: Kenji Kishimoto is still reeling from what happened in Defy Me. He and all the others are still at the Sanctuary, trying to heal and recover. As lies and betrayals stack up, Juliette feels her sister, Emmaline, grow stronger…

My Thoughts: Yeesh. It hurts me to rate this book so low, but like after reflecting on it, I was just kind of frustrated with how it panned out. It’s from Kenji’s point of view again and although he has quickly become one of my favorite characters in the book, this short story didn’t really shine the best light on him. I think the author might have intended this novella to add some depth to his character, but all I really felt from him was unhinged anger. We do get to see more of his interactions with Nazeera and we learn what’s happening to the kids who had to stay behind at the Sector 45 compound. The ending of this book also leads into the start of the next, but I don’t necessarily think you have to read this novella to keep up. I was just kind of waiting for Kenji to sit down, chill out, and drink a glass of water lol.

IMAGINE ME by Tahereh Mafi

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: Juliette Ferrars. Ella Sommers. Which is the truth and which is the lie? Now that Ella knows who Juliette is and what she was created for, things have only become more complicated. As she struggles to understand the past that haunts her and looks to a future more uncertain than ever, the lines between right and wrong - between Ella and Juliette - blur. And with old enemies looming, her destiny may not be her own to control. The day of reckoning for the Reestablishment is coming. But she may not get to choose what side she fights on.

My Thoughts: Y’all. This is the type of ending that makes you want to high five someone nearby as you’re reading. The start of it threw me for a whirl because the Reestablishment gets a second wind and their plans start falling into place. Starting with successfully abducting Juliette back to New Zealand, wiping her memories and reprogramming her mind as to who she is as a person and her purpose in the greater scheme of things. Some of it was kind of cringey because she basically becomes a pet soldier to Anderson aka Warner’s psychotic father and the former Supreme Commander of North America. He keeps pushing the limits for her to prove he can trust her - including telling her to cut off her own finger. It gets INTENSE. Meanwhile, everyone else is back in the United States trying to figure out what to do because they’re not certain where Juliette is nor what purpose the Reestablishment has for her. There is no shortage of action-packed scenes in this final book. Especially during the rescue mission? Buckle in because my heart was racing for Aaron, Kenji and Nazeera as they infiltrate the compound where Juliette is being brainwashed. I will say, though I loved how this book/series ended, the epilogue left much to be desired. Like after going through ALL OF THAT, I just wanted a little bit more insight into their lives after the storm. I saw some reviews on Goodreads that said this series should have remained a trilogy, but I cannot disagree more. I highly recommend the Shatter Me series with all six of its main books.

THE HACIENDA by Isabel Cañas

Rating: 3.75/5

Summary: In the overthrow of the Mexican government, Beatriz’s father is executed and her home destroyed. When handsome Don Rodolfo Solorzano proposes, Beatriz ignores the rumors surrounding his first wife’s sudden demise, choosing instead to seize the security his estate in the countryside provides. She will have her own home again, no matter the cost. But Hacienda San Isidro is not the sanctuary she imagined. When Rodolfo returns to work in the capital, visions and voices invade Beatriz’s sleep. The weight of invisible eyes follows her every move. Rodolfo’s sister, Juana, scoffs at Beatriz’s fears - but why does she refuse to enter the house at night? Why does the cook burn copal incense at the edge of the kitchen and mark its doorway with strange symbols? What really happened to the first Dona Solorzano? Beatriz only knows two things for certain: Something is wrong with the hacienda. And no one there will help her. Desperate for help, she clings to the young priest, Padre Andres, as an ally. No ordinary past, Andres will have to rely on his skills as a witch to fight off the malevolent presence haunting the hacienda and protect the woman for whom he feels a powerful, forbidden attraction. But even he might not be enough to battle the darkness. Far from a refuge, San Isidro may be Beatriz’s doom.

My Thoughts: I realized after reading this book that if I’m going to read a mystery/thriller, I want it to be gothic. A few days before starting this, I listened to an NPR podcast interview with the author who said she was scared by the dark when she was younger and that was her inspiration while writing this book. Let me tell you, the terror I felt every time night fell in San Isidro was real. Beatriz running through this giant manor trying to make it to her room so she could light some candles and burn copal to ward away the evil had my heart racing. I absolutely adored her as a main character. She was a fighter from the very beginning of the book after her father was murdered and their family house burned down for political reasons. After marrying the wealthy Rodolfo and moving to his hacienda in Apan, she’s determined to create a home safe for her mother and that reflects her new societal stature. I was obsessed with the bond she formed with the local priest, Andres. In a world where they both felt like outsiders, they found peace and safety through willingness to understand and trust the other in such a trying situation. My small critiques are that the “whodunnit” realization happens SO QUICKLY after having been dragged out for so long and it made me feel like I should’ve seen it coming when I, in fact, had not lol. ALSO I cannot be the only person who flipped the last page back and forth at least six times to confirm my copy wasn’t missing any pages because WHY ARE WE ENDING IT WHERE WE ARE? Obviously, the author is intending to make this into a series and clearly I am going to pick up the second book once it’s published lol. If you liked Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno Garcia, then I think you’d really like this one as well!

BELIEVE ME by Tahereh Mafi

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Juliette and Warner fought hard to take down the Reestablishment once and for all. Life in the aftermath isn’t easy, as they and their friends at the Sanctuary work with their limited resources to stabilize the world. Warner has his sights set on more than just politics. Since he proposed to Juliette two weeks ago, he’s been eager to finally marry her, the person he loves more than anything and has endured so much to be with. But with so much chaos around them, it’s been nearly impossible for them to have a wedding. And even Juliette has been distracted by everything they need to do. At long last, Warner and Juliette’s future together is within reach but the world continues to try to pull them apart. Will they finally be able to be happily, officially together?

My Thoughts: THIS. This is the epilogue I wanted at the end of Imagine Me, but didn’t quite get. I adored this novella and seeing where the relationship Warner and Juliette have worked so hard for ended up. I will say, this book is a little spicier than I was expecting, but I also didn’t hate it lol. Like Warner is head over freaking HEELS for this girl and his emotions throughout this entire series always punched me right in the heart. So chapter 8, specifically, is something I think we’ve all been craving based on the intense chemistry between these two. I also loved that we got to see snippets of how the lives of various side characters have panned out since things calmed down and where society is headed. Honestly, if you read the entire Shatter Me series, this book is a must. It’s almost like getting a warm hug from all of the characters after going through an extreme book hangover.

THE SUN IS ALSO A STAR by Nicola Yoon

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: Natasha: I’m a girl who believes in science and facts. Not fate. Not destiny. Or dreams that will never come true. I’m definitely not the kind of girl who meets a cute boy on a crowded New York City street and falls in love with him. Not when my family is twelve hours away from being deported to Jamaica. Falling in love with him won’t be my story. Daniel: I’ve always been the good son, the good student, living up to my parents’ high expectations. Never the poet. Or the dreamer. But when I see her, I forget about all that. Something about Natasha makes me think that fate has something much more extraordinary in store - for both of us. The Universe: Every moment in our lives has brought us to this single moment. A million futures lie before us. Which one will come true?

My Thoughts: This book was super cute! Kind of cheesy - especially with an instant love trope - but nonetheless enjoyable. I will say, I was a little confused by the format at first and I think that’s mainly because I was listening to the audiobook instead of seeing the text on pages. It switches between Natasha’s and Daniel’s perspectives, as well as zooms out on occasion to the narrator who briefly focuses on the storyline of a side character within the orbit of the two MCs. Once I got my footing with the cadence of everything, it was much easier to follow. I really appreciated that we got to see how different the dynamics were for Natasha’s Jamaican family and Daniel’s Korean one. It showed how much pressure and expectations are put on first generation American teens and how their families navigate making a life for themselves here. I liked Natasha and Daniel as main characters - they balanced each other out perfectly with Daniel wanting to be a poet and having a more whimsical outlook on life and Natasha wanting to be a data scientist who focuses on the facts. The writing style really flowed and I liked how the story was paced. Will I ever read this book again? No. Do I recommend it if you’re interested? Sure.

YOU’RE NOT LISTENING by Kate Murphy

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Who listens to you? New York Times contributor Kate Murphy asked people on five continents this question, and the response was typically a long, awkward pause. People struggled to come up with someone, anyone, who truly listened to them without glazing over, glancing down at a phone or jumping in to offer an opinion. Many admitted that they, themselves, weren’t very good listeners, and most couldn’t even describe what it meant to be a good listener. Despite living in a world where technology allows distant digital communication and opportunities to connect, it seems no one is really listening or even knows how. And it’s making us lonelier, more isolated, and less tolerant than ever before. A listener by trade, Murphy wanted to know how we got there. In this illuminating and often humorous deep dive, Murphy explains why we’re not listening, what it’s doing to us, and how we can reverse the trend. She makes accessible the psychology, neuroscience, and sociology of listening while also introducing us to some of the best listeners out there. While listening is often regarded as talking’s meek counterpart, Murphy discovered it’s actually the more powerful position in communication. We learn when we listen. It’s how we connect, cooperate, empathize, and fall in love. Listening is something we do or don’t do every day. While we might take listening for granted, how well we listen, to whom, and under what circumstances determines who we are and the paths we take in life.

My Thoughts: This book was really interesting! It’s not so much a how-to book as it is an informational book full of various interviews, anecdotes, and summaries of what great listening looks like, why it’s important, why so many people aren’t able to do it effectively, etc. My goal this year is to be really intentional in all facets of my life and listening to this audiobook has made me much more self aware during my daily interactions with people. Am I listening to what the person is saying or just thinking about what I want to say next? Am I giving space for them to expand on what they said or am I cutting in as soon as I can to say my two cents? Am I pushing my input into the conversation in an unnatural way or is this maybe a time when I don’t share as much as I listen to what the other person has to say? Honestly, it was truly eye-opening as to how badly most people in the world listen, but also gave me a better understanding as to why that is. If you want to work on your listening skills and are trying to become a better communicator this year, I think everyone can get something from this book.

TWO WRONGS MAKE A RIGHT by Chloe Liese

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Jamie Westenberg and Bea Wilmot have nothing in common except a meet-disaster and the mutual understanding that they couldn’t be more wrong for each other. But when the people closest to them play Cupid and trick them into going on a date, Jamie and Bea realize they have something else in common after all - an undeniable need for revenge. Soon their plan is in place: Fake date obnoxiously and convince the meddlers they’re madly in love. Then break up spectacularly and dash their hopes, putting an end to the matchmaking madness once and for all. To convince everyone that they’ve fallen for each other, Jamie and Bea will have to nail the performance of their lives. But as their final act nears and playing lovers becomes easier than not, they begin to wonder, what if Cupid’s arrow wasn’t so far off the mark? And what if two wrongs do make a right?

My Thoughts: Ugh. If there is one thing Chloe Liese really knows how to write about, it’s neurodivergent characters. I adored Jamie and Bea and could not get enough of their enemies-to-lovers storyline. Although I didn’t totally buy into the “let’s fake a happy relationship to get back at our friends” situation, I was completely sold on their chemistry. Especially in vulnerable moments when being a supportive, happy couple came incredibly naturally to Jamie and Bea. My heart did backflips every time Jamie or Bea realized they were actually falling pretty hard for the other. Although there’s KIND OF a third-act break-up, I felt the resolution came at exactly the right time and in the perfect way. I think the storyline about noticing the signs of a toxic, manipulative, emotionally abusive relationship was handled with such care, and really added another dimension to this romance plot. The only other thing I wish would have been emphasized a little bit more is Jamie’s anxiety disorder. It gets mentioned here and there and is present enough, but I felt like the story focused more on Bea’s autism, so there wasn’t a complete balance there. Overall, I really enjoyed my time with this book and definitely recommend it. However, please check trigger warnings before diving in!

Welp that’s that on that.

2023 Book Count: 16

Add me on Goodreads if you haven’t already.

YOUR TURN! What’s your reading goal for this year?

November 2022 Reads

December 04, 2022 by Haley Burrill in Books

Happy Holiday szn, my friends!

Does anyone else feel like we went from Halloween to Thanksgiving in 2.5 seconds? I mean I saw each day of November pass me by, but I don’t think I registered how quickly it was going lol. Which seems to be a theme to my months this fall. Especially now that it’s getting dark at like 4:30pm :’)

As a surprise to probably everyone - including myself - I somehow maintained enough self control during Black Friday/Cyber Monday deals to avoid buying any books. My goal for December and January is to not buy nor borrow any books, so that I can solely focus on reading the plethora of books I already own. This does not include audiobooks I will continue to borrow from Libby though.

Speaking of which, I actually did my own Libby Wrapped because my Spotify Wrapped was less than satisfactory for me this year. I didn’t really listen to a ton of music in my free time, but that’s because ya girl always has an audiobook going in my ear. So, I manually went through my reading log in Libby and added up the total number of hours and minutes I’ve spent listening to audiobooks as of November 30th…

Between February and November, I listened to 45 audiobooks (at various speeds) for a total of 22,164 minutes or 369.4 hours. 🙂

We still have one month left though, so I’ll be sure to keep you updated on the final number at the end of December.

Okie doke. I suppose that’s it for this intro. Let’s get into everything I read in November!

*All summaries are taken or paraphrased from Goodreads.

The book FireKeeper's Daughter is sitting on the edge of an orange chair. The cover has an illustration that creates the shape of a butterfly . — Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley

FIREKEEPER’S DAUGHTER by Angeline Boulley

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: As a biracial, unenrolled tribal member and the product of scandal, Daunis Fontaine has never quite fit in - both in her hometown and on the nearby Ojibwe reservation. When her family is struck by tragedy, Daunis puts her own dreams on hold to care for her fragile mother. The only bright spot is meeting Jamie, the charming new recruit on her brother’s hockey team. After Daunis witnesses a shocking murder that thrusts her into a criminal investigation, she agrees to go undercover. But the deceptions - and deaths - keep piling up and soon the threat strikes too close to home. How far will she go to protect her community if it means tearing apart the only world she’s ever known?

My Thoughts: Why I allowed this book to spend so much time in my TBR pile, I literally cannot tell you. It took me a little longer to read compared to my usual pace, but I’m so glad I savored my time with the story, because it was phenomenal. It was a slower burn in the sense that the author not only sets up the plot and characters for you, but really dives into the geographical and cultural context for a better glimpse of the bigger picture. Especially since it takes place in Sault Ste Marie, I appreciated that she detailed the beauty of the Upper Peninsula. Daunis was the perfect main character for this book. She was strong, stubborn, insanely intelligent, fiercely loyal and truly loved with all of her heart. Honestly, all of the women in her closest circle were amazing and really added another layer to understanding how Daunis became the woman she is at present. Additionally, the Native American cultural references including language, clothing, ceremonies, traditions, storytelling and more, really pulled me deeper into the dynamics of her community. I was absolutely HOOKED by the mystery element of the plot and was constantly on edge from the dangers it posed for Daunis. Not to mention, the constant red herrings kept leading me astray. Personally, I adored the small subplot about the developing relationship between Daunis and Jamie, and absolutely LOVED how it played out in the end. If you haven’t picked up this book already, I can’t say enough good things about it.

THE ROOMMATE by Rosie Danan

Rating: 2/5 stars

Summary: House Rules: Do your own dishes. Knock before entering the bathroom. Never look up your roommate online. The Wheatons are infamous among the east coast elite for their lack of impulse control, except for their daughter Clara. She’s the consummate socialite: over-achieving, well-mannered, predictable. But every Wheaton has their weakness. When Clara’s childhood crush invites her to move cross-country, the offer is too much to resist. Unfortunately, it’s also too good to be true. After a bait-and-switch, Clara finds herself sharing a lease with a charming stranger. Josh might be a bit too perceptive - not to mention handsome - for comfort, but there’s a good chance he and Clara could have survived sharing a summer sublet if she hadn’t looked him up on the Internet… Once she learns how Josh has made a name for himself, Clara realizes living with him might make her the Wheaton’s most scandalous story yet. His professional prowess inspires her to take tackling the stigma against female desire into her own hands. They may not agree on much, but Josh and Clara both believe women deserve better sex. What they decide to do about it will change both of their lives, and if they’re lucky, they’ll help everyone else get lucky too.

My Thoughts: Mmm. Okay so this book wasn’t terrible, but it’s one of those “the sum of its parts fell extremely short” type of thing. I’ll start with everything I appreciated in this book. The premise was great and I absolutely loved the sex positivity message throughout. It touches on the topic of giving people the confidence to communicate what they need from their partners in their intimate relationships. I also liked the message about treating people in every industry with respect, even if it’s an industry that has a tendency to be seen as taboo. Now onto the things that left me mildly disappointed with this book: Clara is a sweet main character, but she fell incredibly flat to me. There really wasn’t any depth to her, so any emotions she experienced were hard to empathize with because I couldn’t connect with her. Josh was also, at surface level, a nice main character. However, I honestly didn’t fully buy into him either due to the lack of layers. At one point, he basically says he’s falling for Clara, but we really don’t know why since we mainly only witnessed physical attraction up to that point lol. When it came to the spicier scenes in this book, I just didn’t care because I didn’t buy into the chemistry between those two. On top of that, I felt like the writing was pretty inconsistent throughout the book, so I never sank into a comfortable rhythm with it. Overall, I just plainly didn’t like it. I didn’t hate it, but I know a lot of people rate this one pretty highly, so by the time I finished it, I was pretty disappointed.

ALL SYSTEMS RED by Martha Wells

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: In a corporate-dominated, space-faring future, planetary missions must be approved and supplied by the Company. For their own safety, exploratory teams are accompanied by Company-supplied security androids. But in a society where contracts are awarded to the lowest bidder, safety isn’t a primary concern. On a distant planet, a team of scientists is conducting surface tests, shadowed by their Company-supplied ‘droid - a self-aware SecUnit that has hacked its own government module and refers to itself (though never out loud) as “Murderbot.” Scornful of humans, Murderbot wants to be left alone long enough to figure out who it is, but when a neighboring mission goes dark, it’s up to the scientists and Murderbot to get to the truth.

My Thoughts: So I listened to this on audiobook and really wasn’t sure what to expect. It’s a quick read (only 144 pages or about 3 hours of listening), and the author really does just toss you right into the thick of it. This is such a fun sci-fi read and Murderbot is the ultimate main character. It’s hacked its own government module and is basically trying to stick it to “the man” with its own subtle protests. Also loved that at the end of the day, Murderbot just wanted to be left alone to binge watch its favorite shows. Relatable much? The plot quickly thickens when the research team Murderbot is protecting on this mission realizes someone is out here trying to kill exploratory teams. The ending left me with a cliffhanger, so of course I’m going to continue onto the next book in this series. If you’re looking for something quick and a little different, I highly recommend looking into All Systems Red.

THE LOCKER ROOM by Meghan Quinn

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: Have you heard the rumor around campus about the locker room? If you haven’t, let me enlighten you: legend has it if you bring a girl into the sacred after-game domain of the baseball locker room, it will end with a walk down the aisle. One rowdy naked encounter against the lockers with a girl of your dreams will make her your wife. Translation: baseball players are stupidly superstitious and believe the locker room has magical powers. But not all baseball players are superstitious, me included. So when the girl I’ve fallen for brushes me off, I start to question if I need to switch my way of thinking. Maybe it’s time I finally hand out a coveted invitation to the locker room. The only question is, will she accept?

My Thoughts: Meghan Quinn really does know how to write a sports romance. I’ve read a few books by her throughout this year, and the ones I find myself inhaling are the ones involving baseball players lol. Listen, this was the sweetest cliche storyline I could’ve asked for. Emory Ealson just transferred to Brentwood in Illinois from CalTech in California after she found her boyfriend of six years cheating on her. Luckily, her two best friends welcome her to their three-person dorm room with open arms and she’s off to a fresh start in her junior year, focusing on herself. Knox Gentry is the all-star shortstop at Brentwood and is expected to be drafted to the Major Leagues no problem. He’s also one of the hottest guys on campus who has never had a girlfriend before. So when Emory and Knox find themselves bumping into each other all over campus, it ends up being the slow start of an incredibly fun friendship. The chemistry between these main characters was so sweet and endearing. I loved their banter, the shameless flirting, and the easiness of their platonic relationship. Knox immediately starts falling for Emory, but because she just got out of a serious relationship, he respects her boundaries and takes things extremely slow. Emory obviously can’t deny the romantic connection brewing between them, and although they eventually make the perfect couple, there’s an unexpected obstacle that ultimately tears them apart. But that’s not the end of it lol. The plot actually surprised me a lot and I loved how the storyline progressed, but I will say the eight-year gap towards the end was a little far-fetched to me. It obviously didn’t affect how I felt about the book overall though. Honestly, if you’re looking for a sports romance and haven’t tried Meghan Quinn yet, I highly recommend picking this one up!

THE DUGOUT by Meghan Quinn

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: Let me ask you a question: If someone is vying for your spot on a team and just so happens to injure you during practice, would you believe it was on purpose? Word around campus is… it was no accident. That injury cost me everything; my starting position, my junior year - and the draft. Now, I’m a senior fresh off recovery, struggling to find my groove, until the day I run into a nervous, fidgety girl with freckles in the dining hall. They call Milly Potter The Baseball Whisperer, The Diamond Wizard, and The Epitome of All Knowledge. She believes in baseball. She breathes it. She’s the queen of an infamous dynasty, but no one actually knows who she really is, and she plans to keep it that way. One mishap in the panini line, one miscommunication in the weight room, and many failed attempts at an apology equal up to one solid truth - Milly Potter never wants to speak to me again – no matter how good my forearms look. Little do we both know, she’s about to become more than just my fairy ball mother.

My Thoughts: This book was super cute! We met Carson in The Locker Room, and he was a great supporting character with comedic relief. However, this book takes place a year later after he’s suffered an injury inflicted by a fellow teammate that left his plans for the MLB in shambles. So, he’s not a pleasant guy to be around for the most part. Milly is a very sweet kinesiology major who has become an absolute expert in the mechanics of body movement/form of baseball players. I liked that the first few times they met were less than ideal and usually left one of them insanely confused or embarrassed. It made the eventual relationship they formed even more heartwarming because they got off to such a rocky start. I also loved how supportive they were of each other’s dreams - Carson going pro and Milly starting her own baseball mechanics program within her brothers’ existing sports training facility. Buying into the emotional and sexual chemistry between the two was so easy because it was clear how much they were invested in each other. The last part of the book took a turn I did not expect, and though the reconciliation timeline was a lot more realistic than the last book, I wasn’t confident they should get back together. I won’t lie to you, I’m writing the second half of this review a couple of weeks after I finished the book and although I don’t remember specifically why I didn’t love this book, I do know I ended up liking it just fine lol. If you started this series, I’d say continue onto this second book if you liked the first one, but I don’t think it’s a big deal if you don’t.

US AGAINST YOU by Fredrik Backman

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: After everything that the citizens of Beartown have gone through, they are struck yet another blow when they hear that their beloved local hockey team will soon be disbanded. What makes it worse is the obvious satisfaction that all the former Beartown players, who now play for a rival team in Hed, take in that fact. Amidst the mounting tension between the two rivals, a surprising newcomer is handpicked to be Beartown’s new hockey coach. Soon a new team starts to take shape around Amat, the fastest player you’ll ever see; Benji, the intense lone wolf; and Vidar, a born-to-be-bad troublemaker. But bringing this team together proves to be a challenge as old bonds are broken, new ones are formed, and the enmity with Hed grows more and more acute. As the big match approaches, the not-so-innocent pranks and incidents between the communities pile up and their mutual contempt grows deeper. By the time the last game is finally played, a resident of Beartown will be dead, and the people of both towns will be forced to wonder if, after all they’ve been through, the game they love can ever return to something simple and innocent.

My Thoughts: Fredrik Backman wrecks me again, y’all. I read Beartown last year and loved it, but because it was pretty dark, I’d been putting off picking up this second book in the series. As I’ve mentioned before in my blog, I discovered this year that audiobooks are my new favorite way to consume Fredrik Backman books. So, I decided to give this one a go and by golly it still sucker punched me right in the feels. He has such a gift of taking every bit of vulnerability in each character and exposing it to the world. Somehow, it makes the less appealing parts of humankind a lot more endearing. The residents of Beartown are picking up the pieces of what was left in the aftermath of last year’s trauma and tragedy. They’re not sure they’ll have a hockey program anymore, which is the heart of the town, and everyone is trying to figure out how to keep moving forward. Benji is still and probably will continue to be my favorite character of this series. He is just so misunderstood and still manages to be a kind human being. I also loved that he’s still looking out of Maya whether he realizes he’s doing it or not. There’s a couple of characters we met in the first book, but got to know so much better in this one, and I was obsessed. Especially with how they each played into the dynamics of this recovering community. Honestly, y’all, I laughed. I cried. I cannot recommend this book enough.

ICEBREAKER by Hannah Grace

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Anastsia Allen has worked her entire life for a shot at Team USA. A competitive figure skater since she was five years old, a full college scholarship thanks to her place on the Maple Hills skating team, and a schedule that would make even the most driven person weep, Stassie comes to win. No exceptions. Nathan Hawkins has never had a problem he couldn’t solve. As captain of the Maple Hills Titans, he knows the responsibility of keeping the hockey team on the ice rests on his shoulders. When a misunderstanding results in the two teams sharing a rink, and Anastasia’s partner gets hurt in the aftermath, Nate finds himself swapping his stick for tights, and one scary coach for an even scarier one. The pair finds themselves stuck together in more ways than one, but it’s fine, because Anastasia doesn’t even like hockey players… right?

My Thoughts: Okay y’all. I was NOT expecting to love this book as much as I did. I wasn’t convinced about the characters at first, but they quickly sold me on why I needed to love them. Anastasia is an insanely driven figure skater with a goal of going to the Olympics within the next few years. Nathan is a hot-shot hockey player, but underneath that title, he’s the sweetest guy you could ever ask for. The circumstances that throw these two into each other’s paths are less than ideal, but the results are everything I wanted from this book. The banter was great, the friendship layer of their relationship was addicting, and the sexual tension was THICC. I don’t know how realistic some of the living situation is, but it was necessary to the story, so I fully bought into it. Also, we MUST appreciate that Anastasia is a therapized queen and so self aware of her emotions. It was refreshing to see that part of her character bleed into Nathan’s and eliminated any petty misunderstandings. I don’t know if I’m selling y’all on this book yet lol, but all I have to say is, if you love some sweet and spicy sports romance storylines, you gotta try this one immediately.

A VERY MERRY BROMANCE by Lyssa Kay Adams

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Country music’s golden boy Colton Wheeler felt the most perfect harmony when he was with Gretchen Winthrop. But for her, it was a love him and leave him situation. A year later, Colton is struggling to push his music forward in a new direction. If it weren’t about to be the most magical time of year and the support of the Bromance Book Club, he’d be wallowing in self-pity. It’s hard for immigration attorney Gretchen not to feel a little Scrooge-ish about the excess of Christmas when her clients are scrambling to afford their rent. So when her estranged, wealthy family reaches out with an offer that will allow her to better serve the community, she’s unable to say no. She just needs to convince Colton to be the new face of her family’s whisky brand. No big deal… Colton agrees to consider Gretchen’s offer in exchange for three dates before Christmas. With the help of the Bromance Book Club, Colton throws himself into the task of proving to her there’s a spark between them. But Gretchen and Colton will both need to overcome the ghosts of Christmas past to build a future together.

My Thoughts: I read most of the Bromance Book Club series last year and remembered a little bit about Colton, but it took me a minute to get my footing with this book as I relearned who he is to this series. I appreciated, though, that the author gave us a lot more back story not only to Colton and Gretchen, but what their relationship dynamics are up until this point. Gretchen’s family is the absolute WORST and has led her to loathe the money she comes from. Colton is the sweetest southern gent who is currently struggling with his music career until he and Gretchen rekindle a little something they had a year prior. I was obsessed with all of their dates and his mission to convert her to a holiday lover. It was also so swoon-worthy how quickly he would switch from being the nicest guy in the room to the protective guard of Gretchen when her family would start to talk down to her. I do think the last bit of this book was a little messier storyline-wise than the previous books, but I appreciated the ending nonetheless. If you’ve read and enjoyed the other books in the Bromance Book Club series, I highly recommend picking this one up for the holidays!

PART OF YOUR WORLD by Abby Jimenez

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: After a wild bet, gourmet grilled-cheese sandwich, and cuddle with a baby goat, Alexis Mongomery has had her world turned upside down. The cause: Daniel Grant, a ridiculously hot carpenter who’s ten years younger than her and as casual as they come - the complete opposite of the sophisticated city-girl Alexis. And yet their chemistry is undeniable. While her ultra-wealthy parents want her to carry on the family legacy of world-renowned surgeons, Alexis doesn’t need glory or fame. She’s fine with being a “mere” ER doctor. And every minute she spends with Daniel and the tight-knit town where he lives, she’s discovering just what’s really important. Yet letting their relationship become anything more than a short-term fling would mean turning her back on her family and giving up the opportunity to help thousands of people. Bringing Daniel into her world is impossible, and yet she can’t just give up the joy she’s found with him either. With so many differences between them, how can Alexis possibly choose between her world and his?

My Thoughts: Y’ALL. Okay, so I was hesitant about this book even though I’ve heard nothing BUT good things about it simply because I didn't love her other book, The Friend Zone. Whereas, that book also has received endless praise. I’m pleased to report though, Part of Your World has sold me on Abby Jimenez’s writing. This book was addicting and I could not put it down. Starting with the dynamics between the main characters, Alexis and Daniel. Though I do not love an age-gap trope, this one was done RIGHT. I think that’s mainly because Alexis is the older of the two (37) and Daniel is 28. As expected, the 9-year age gap made Alexis apprehensive about the seriousness or legitimacy of their relationship. Additionally, they just came from such different worlds (per the title lol). She’s an ER doctor working at a hospital where she’s expected to continue her family’s medical legacy. He’s a carpenter and bed and breakfast owner in a small town a couple hours away. However, she cannot deny the chemistry between them and realizes anytime she wants to quiet her mind for a while, she’s on her way to see Daniel. Speaking of his small town, I was obsessed with how welcoming and warm that community was to Alexis and how well she fit in with them. It starts becoming more of a home to her than her literal home is. The whole experience of this book was phenomenal and I loved that at the end of all of it, Alexis wasn’t forced to choose between one or the other. I won’t say more to prevent giving anything away, but this is definitely a romance novel you need to dive into ASAP.

THE INVISIBLE LIFE OF ADDIE LARUE by V.E. Schwab

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: France, 1714: in a moment of desperation, a young woman makes a Faustian bargain to live forever and is cursed to be forgotten by everyone she meets. Thus begins the extraordinary life of Addie LaRue, and a dazzling adventure that will play out across centuries and continents, across history and art, as a young woman learns how far she will go to leave her mark on the world. But everything changes when, after nearly 300 years, Addie stumbles across a young man in a hidden bookstore and he remembers her name.

My Thoughts: This book was so freaking clever. I know some people say it’s confusing, but I think that’s because the author managed to weave so many layers together that you end up doing a double take to figure out how she did it so seamlessly. The format of jumping between the present and Addie’s life leading up to 2014 was entrancing. We not only learn how Addie fell into making a deal with Darkness, but also saw the struggles she went through as she navigated this new immortal life where no one remembers her. She’s a nomad with no place to put roots, she can’t even leave a direct mark on the world, like a footprint in fresh snow, before it’s erased, and the loneliness of having no one remember her - although she is free - is a pain she learns to live with. I was obsessed with her character development, not only across centuries, but also with every visit she encounters from Darkness on their “anniversary.” Even Darkness, the epitome of an antagonist, had some really addicting growth that actually left me not hating the relationship he develops with Addie over the years. On the other side of that coin, Henry was an absolute sweetheart and I literally wanted to cry at the connection he and Addie shared. After they both have suffered such loneliness, they finally found someone who made them feel alive and *enough.* There are so many one liners throughout this book that really make you reflect on your life and how people see themselves in the world. I will say, the ending fell just a TOUCH flat for me, but I completely understand why the author did it. This is a highly hyped book and I support the push for people to read it lol.

ARTIFICIAL CONDITION by Martha Wells

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: It has a dark past - one in which a number of humans were killed. A past that caused it to christen itself “Murderbot.” But it has only vague memories of the massacre that spawned that title, and it wants to know more. Teaming up with a Research Transport vessel named ART (you don’t want to know what the “A” stands for), Murderbot heads to the mining facility where it went rogue. What it discovers will forever change the way it thinks.

My Thoughts: This is the second novella in the Murderbot Diaries series and I am still hooked on this semi-robot human. In this book, we learn more about why Murderbot didn’t stay with the research team it accompanied on a dangerous mission in the first book, and where it’s heading next to find answers. I was obsessed with the friendship Murderbot developed with ART - a research transport vessel it stowed away on. All of the robots in this series have such charming personalities, it’s hard not to love them. This book dives deeper into the life of Murderbot before it hacked its government system as it returns to the place where, allegedly, it brutally murdered everyone on a mission it accompanied a few years prior. There’s a mystery element that leaves us hanging at the end, and I for sure will be continuing onto the next novella in this sci-fi series.

My hand holds a Kindle with What if You & Me by Roni Loren on the screen. The cover is of a woman from the shoulders up but her eyes are covered by a rain cloud. — What If You & Me by Roni Loren

WHAT IF YOU AND ME by Roni Loren

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: The world can be a scary place. At least, that’s what Andi Lockley’s anxiety wants her to believe. It doesn’t help that she narrowly escaped a dangerous man years ago, or that every relationship since has been colored with that lingering fear. But things are better now- she’s channeling everything into her career as a horror novelist and true crime podcaster, and her next book may be the breakthrough she needs. If only her grumpy new neighbor would stop stomping around at all hours of the night. Former firefighter Hill Dawson can’t sleep. After losing part of his leg in a rescue gone wrong, he’s now stuck in limbo. He needs to figure out what he’s supposed to do with his life, and he can’t let himself get distracted by the pretty redhead next door. But when someone breaks into Andi’s place, Hill can’t stop himself from rushing in to play hero. Soon, a tentative bond forms between the unlikely pair. But what starts out as a neighborly exchange quickly turns into the chance for so much more… if Andi can learn to put aside her fear and trust in herself - and love - again.

My Thoughts: This was such a unique premise and I’ve never read anything like it. This is a romance novel that I think all of you true crime lovers would appreciate because it’s almost like a love letter to that audience. Andi is hypervigilant about the dangers of being a woman in this world and, through her true crime podcast, she shares her knowledge and tools women can use to stay safe - especially in relation to men. She’s also a mystery/thriller novelist who has published multiple books under an anonymous pen name. Although it’s clear this is how Andi is processing her trauma from years before, I appreciate that she’s self aware of who she is and the measures she takes to control the beast that is her anxiety. Hill is a gruff, retired firefighter who is trying to figure out who he is now that he’s no longer a part of the immediate responder community. He loves cooking and his friend has been pushing him to write a cookbook, but he’s not confident people would even care what he’d have to share. I LOVED that although these two characters could not be more opposite, they fit together perfectly and filled a space in the other’s life. They’re respectful of each other’s pain points and help one another through tough situations they don’t want to face alone. Though the overall ending is kind of predictable, I really really liked this book and definitely recommend reading it.

GREENLIGHTS by Matthew McConaughey

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: I’ve been in this life for fifty years, been trying to work out its riddle for forty-two, and been keeping diaries of clues to that riddle for the last thirty-five. Notes about successes and failures, joys and sorrows, things that made me marvel, and things that made me laugh out loud. How to be fair. How to have less stress. How to have fun. How to hurt people less. How to get hurt less. How to be a good man. How to have meaning in life. How to be more me. Recently, I worked up the courage to sit down with those diaries. I found stories I experienced, lessons I learned and forgot, poems, prayers, prescriptions, beliefs about what matters, some great photographs, and a whole bunch of bumper stickers. I found a reliable theme, an approach to living that gave me more satisfaction, at the time, and still: If you know how, and when, to deal with life’s challenges - how to get relative with the inevitable - you can enjoy a state of success I call “catching greelights.” So I took a one-way ticket to the desert and wrote this book: an album, a record, a story of my life so far. This is fifty years of my sights and seens, felts and figured-outs, cools and shamefuls. Graces, truths, and beauties of brutality. Getting away withs, getting caughts, and getting wets while trying to dance between the raindrops. Hopefully it’s medicine that tastes good, a couple of aspirin instead of the infirmary, a spaceship to Mars without needing your pilot’s license, going to church without having to be born again, and laughing through the tears. It’s a love letter. To life. It’s also a guide to catching more greenlights - and to realizing that the yellow and reds eventually turn green too.

My Thoughts: This book…this book WAS WILD. Not that I knew what to expect going into this book, but I could have NEVER guessed what was about to happen. I listened to Greenlights on audiobook and having Matthew McConaughey in my ear telling me stories from his life for a few days was an experience in itself. This is not your typical memoir, people. This is a fucking adventure. And, don’t get me wrong, I know most of the shit he was able to experience is because he had the disposable income to do it, but that didn’t make me any less GOBSMACKED by some of the stories he told. Starting with stories from growing up in Uvalde, Texas. His dad, in my opinion, was just a TOUCH unhinged. Studying abroad in Australia for a year when he was 18 and having to stay with a family that pales in comparison to the word strange. The path his career took and how introspective this guy is was incredibly unexpected. The several life epiphanies he experienced via freaking weird wet dreams added a whole other layer to this book lol. Also, I was not expecting Matthew McConaughey to drop multiple nuggets of wisdom that actually made complete sense and really stuck with me days after finishing it. I just… I just think everyone should read this because why the hell not and I feel like you won’t regret it in the slightest.

All right, all right, all right. That’s it for everything I read in November!

Here’s to hoping for another solid reading month in December to round out 2022. I’m going to try to do a couple of separate blog posts about my favorite audiobooks, Kindle Unlimited books, books in general, etc. from this year within the next few weeks, but don’t hold me to it lol.

2022 Book Count: 181

Add me on Goodreads if you haven’t already.

YOUR TURN! What has been your favorite book that you’ve read this year?

October 2022 Reads

November 06, 2022 by Haley Burrill in Books

This was a slower reading month for me, y’all.

October came out swinging this year. I feel like it was a really long month that also went by in like 2 seconds lol. Between work and everything else going on, I just wasn’t always in the mood to read and couldn’t figure out which books I was in the mood for. I really was trying to read some mystery/thrillers, but ended up taking a quick right to one of my comfort genres - romance. So I didn’t get through as many books as usual this month, but I think it was still a solid month for reading.

Anyway, on a random note, I also cut seven inches off my hair this month and ya girl feels LIBERATED. Highly recommend giving it a try lol.

That’s about it.

Let’s get into everything I read in October!

*All summaries are taken/paraphrased from Goodreads.

THE WHISPER MAN by Alex North

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: After the sudden death of his wife, Tom Kennedy believes a fresh start will help him and his young son Jake heal. A new beginning, a new house, a new town: Featherbank. But Featherbank has a dark past. Twenty years ago, a serial killer adbducted and murdered five residents. Until Frank Carter was finally caught, he was nicknamed “The Whisper Man,” for he would lure his victims out by whispering at their windows at night. Just as Tom and Jake settle into their new home, a young boy vanishes. His disappearance bears an unnerving resemblance to Frank Carter’s crimes, reigniting old rumors that he preyed with an accomplice. Now, detectives Amanda Beck and Pete Willis must find the boy before it is too late, even if that means Pete has to revisit his great foe in prison: The Whisper Man. And then Jake begins acting strangely. He hears a whispering at his window.

My Thoughts: This book has been on my peripherals for a while now because I always see people rate it really highly, but I’m also a bit scaredy lol. So when I saw the audiobook was available on Libby, I figured no better time than October to listen to something a little chilling. My friends, this book was creepy. Like I had to double check my locks a couple of times while listening to it lol. The start of the book was a little slow though, and I have to admit that I’m still not sure if I wasn’t listening closely enough and missed a key part of the beginning or what. Later in the story, there’s a plot point emphasized that made it seem like you should’ve picked up on this since the beginning (which is that hindsight feeling). However, I had zero memory of that plot point and the specific character it was highlighting lol. So I can’t confirm or deny if this was a “me” type of thing or a plot flaw, so if you read this let me know! I think the storyline in general was twisty and well thought out for sure. Basically, it was a pretty creepy story and I thought it served its purpose lol.

A COURT OF SILVER FLAMES by Sarah J. Maas

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Nesta Archeron has always been prickly-proud, swift to anger, and slow to forgive. And ever since being forced into the Cauldron and becoming High Fae against her will, she’s struggled to find a place for herself within the strange, deadly world she inhabits. Worse, she can’t seem to move past the horrors of the war with Hybern and all she lost in it. The one person who ignites her temper more than any other is Cassian, the battle-scarred warrior whose position in Rhysand and Feyre’s Night Court keeps him constantly in Nesta’s orbit. But her temper isn’t the only thing Cassian ignites. The fire between them is undeniable and only burns hotter as they are forced into close quarters with each other. Meanwhile, the treacherous human queens who returned to the Continent during the last war have forged a dangerous new alliance, threatening the fragile peace that has settled over the realms. And the key to halting them might very well rely on Cassian and Nesta facing their haunting pasts. Against the sweeping backdrop of a world seared by war and plagued with uncertainty, Nesta and Cassian battle monsters from within and without as they search for acceptance and healing in each other’s arms.

My Thoughts: Okay y’all. I have to be honest that I have mixed feelings about this book because it’s usually as effortless as breathing to fall into the rhythm of SJM’s writing - especially with series like ACOTAR. However, I feel like she was trying to appease the reader a little bit too much due to the demand for more smut in her books, so there was a slight disconnect in her writing for me. I’m not knocking the smut she included in this story - y’all know I love some quality smut - but it felt mildly forced at times. The first half of this book was like 3-3.5 stars at best for me. Aside from the slight disconnect in her writing, it seemed as though SJM was trying to get her footing with the POV from these specific characters (Nesta and Cassian) and just kept trying new things until the tone felt right. The second half was easily 4-5 stars though depending on the part. The Blood Rite chapters?? AMAZING. Although, yes, I loved watching Cassian’s and Nesta’s relationship grow, I think the bigger themes of found family/love through friendship sold me on this story. The emotional depth Nesta discovered with Gwyn and Emerie and the character development she experienced after befriending them was everything I wanted for her from the start. Girl Power, amiright? The writing in general smoothed out towards the second half of the book which also made the smutty scenes feel more natural. All in all, I ended the book feeling 4 stars about it. I’m honestly just looking forward to a book about Elaine, Lucien, and Azriel, so here’s to hoping that’s next on SJM’s agenda!

A GOOD GIRL’S GUIDE TO MURDER by Holly Jackson

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: The case is closed. Five years ago, schoolgirl Andie Bell was murdered by Sal Singh. The police know he did it. Everyone in town knows he did it. But having grown up in the same small town that was consumed by the murder, Pippa Fitz-Amobi isn’t so sure. When she chooses the case as the topic for her final year project, she starts to uncover secrets that someone in town desperately wants to stay hidden. And if the real killer is still out there, how far will they go to keep Pip from the truth?

My Thoughts: This book has been on my radar for a while and I’ve only ever heard great things about it, so I was eager to dive in. The beginning of this story is kind of a slow burn as the author not only sets you up for what’s to come, but dives into where these characters have been. The format helped the pacing, though, as it bounced between Pip’s written report on her investigation and real time happenings in her life. I loved how incredibly relatable Pip was, and the passion she has for this capstone project instantly sucked me into her investigation. Right away, her character showed through the pages as she approached Ravi, the brother of deceased alleged murderer Sal, with such compassion when everyone else in town treated his family like the plague. Her kindness caught him by surprise, but he instantly joined her search for the real killer to clear his brother’s name. Their friendship ended up being a bright light in this otherwise dark endeavor. The first part of this storyline that made me GASP is what happens to a character named Barney - I don’t want to give anything away, so I won’t go into detail, but fak that shot me in the heart. The plot twists in this book really hit when you least expect them and I could not for the life of me even try to guess who really killed Andie Bell. As I said before, the beginning of the book is a little bit of a slow burn, but by the end of it, we were SPEEDING through these pages. I highly recommend picking this up if you’re looking for a good murder mystery to get lost in that isn’t too gruesome.

My hand is holding a paperback copy of It Starts With Us by Colleen Hoover in front of a white door. The cover is beige and shows crushed pink flowers on it with a darker pink font. — It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover

IT ENDS WITH US by Colleen Hoover (REREAD)

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Sometimes it’s the one who loves you that hurts you the most. Lily hasn’t always had it easy, but that’s never stopped her from working hard for the life she wants. She’s come a long way from the small town in Maine where she grew up - she graduated from college, moved to Boston, and started her own business. So when she feels a spark with a gorgeous neurosurgeon named Ryle Kincaid, everything in Lily’s life suddenly seems almost too good to be true. Ryle is assertive, stubborn, maybe even a little arrogant. He’s also sensitive, brilliant, and has a total soft spot for Lily. And the way he looks in scrubs certainly doesn’t hurt. Lily can’t get him out of her head. But Ryle’s complete aversion to relationships is disturbing. Even as Lily finds herself becoming the exception to his “no dating” rule, she can’t help but wonder what made him that way in the first place. As questions about her new relationship overwhelm her, so do the thoughts of Atlas Corrigan - her first love and a link to the past she left behind. He was her kindred spirit, her protector. When Atlas suddenly reappears, everything Lily has built with Ryle is threatened.

My Thoughts: Okay, so I binge-read this book back in 2019 and remembered absolutely NOTHING about it lol. However, It Starts With Us came out on October 18th, so I wanted to quickly reread this one before I dove into its follow up book which includes Atlas’s point of view. The last time I read this CoHo novel, I gave it five stars, and after reading it a second time, nothing has changed. Colleen Hoover has a way of articulating emotions on such a deep level that you can’t help but connect with the words. All while keeping it simplistic enough that you can easily empathize with the feelings each character is experiencing. The anguish, sorrow, grief, and sadness Lily felt after Ryle showed his true colors really hit my core, and although I wanted to hate Ryle, I couldn’t. Specifically because of Lily’s perspective as she processes this unexpected situation and sees how much his actions are hurting him too. It’s like you don’t know what you would do if you were in her shoes unless you’ve gone through something similar - which I think is one of the bigger messages of this book. Atlas, of course, had my heart in a chokehold from the beginning. I adored how gentle, yet protective he was over Lily in every stage of their lives. He gives her space and patience to sort through the recent messes of her life before he tries to pursue anything with her, and I just really respected that. Overall, this book sucked me in a second time just as easily as it did the first, and I definitely recommend giving it a try if you haven’t. Just please check trigger warnings because this story is based around domestic violence.

IT STARTS WITH US by Colleen Hoover

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Lily and her ex-husband, Ryle, have just settled into a civil coparenting rhythm when she suddenly bumps into her first love, Atlas, again. After nearly two years separated, she is elated that for once, time is on their side, and she immediately says yes when Atlas asks her on a date. But her excitement is quickly hampered by the knowledge that, though they are no longer married, Ryle is still very much a part of her life - and Atlas Corrigan is the one man he will hate being in his ex-wife and daughter’s life. Switching between the perspectives of Lily and Atlas, It Starts With Us picks up right where the epilogue for It Ends with Us left off. Revealing more about Atlas’s past and following Lily as she embraces a second chance at true love while navigating a jealous ex-husband.

My Thoughts: One word: obsessed. This book picks up right where the epilogue left off in the last book and I could not read it quickly enough. Just the fact that it flips between Lily’s and Atlas’s POVs made me addicted because we only had Lily’s perspective in IEWU. So this time around, we got to see how everything happening is affecting both of them. We also get to know Atlas so much better as we’re finally given information about his past that we only got a taste of initially. If Atlas isn’t the definition of a book boyfriend, I don’t know who is. He’s kind, caring, compassionate, patient, and the instant protectiveness he feels over a younger brother he never knew he had was so incredibly heartwarming. Also, how he handles everything during a confrontation with Ryle is *chef’s kiss.* We love a mature, emotionally-developed man, do we not? Don’t even get me STARTED on all of the letters he writes to Lily in this book… I was a puddle of SWOON. I loved that Lily’s character development was evident compared to IEWU, while the overall essence of who she is as a person never changed. She’s such a likable character in general, but it’s clear enough how her previous experiences have affected her. I need to give a shoutout to some of the new and returning side characters including Josh, Theo, Marshall, and of course, Allyssa. They all add such tenderness to the storyline as well as comedic relief when necessary. There’s a lot of Finding Nemo jokes in here that had me laughing every time (IYKYK). This book was not as emotionally wringing as It Ends with Us, but I think that was exactly what I needed. We experienced a lot of grief and pain through Lily and Atlas’s story in the previous book whereas this sequel just OOZED hope and love. Honestly, if you read and loved the first book then I don’t see how It Starts with Us could possibly let you down. <3

THE ROSE CODE by Kate Quinn

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: 1940. As England prepares to fight the Nazis, three very different women answer the call to mysterious country estate Bletchley Park, where the best minds in Britain train to break German military codes. Vivacious debutante Osla is the girl who has everything - beauty, wealth, and the dashing Prince Philip of Greece sending her roses - but she burns to prove herself as more than a society girl, and puts her fluent German to use as a translator of decoded enemy secrets. Imperious self-made Mab, product of East-End London poverty, works the legendary code-breaking machines as she conceals old wounds and looks for a socially advantageous husband. Both Mab and Osla are quick to see the potential in local village spinster Beth, whose shyness conceals a brilliant facility with puzzles, and soon Beth spreads her wings as one of the Park’s few female cryptanalysts. But war, loss, and impossible pressure of secrecy will tear the three apart. 1947. As the royal wedding of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip whips post-war Britain into a fever, three friends-turned-enemies are reunited by a mysterious encrypted letter - the key to which lies buried in the long-ago betrayal that destroyed their friendship and left one of them confined to an asylum. A mysterious traitor has emerged from the shadows of their Bletchley Park past, and now Osla, Mab, and Beth must resurrect their old alliance and crack one last code together. But each petal they remove from the rose code brings danger - and their true enemy - closer…

My Thoughts: Hands down, this is one of my top three favorite historical fiction books that I’ve read this year. Kate Quinn really delivers with her writing and I am yet to be disappointed. I listened to this book on Libby and the narrator does a phenomenal job giving each individual character a distinctly different voice which makes it easy to fall into it. Not to mention, I was instantly obsessed with Osla, Mab, and Beth. Each of them individually are a force to be reckoned with, and I loved the found family storyline surrounding the friendship they developed. Kate Quinn always writes strong female MCs and we (clap) are (clap) here (clap) FOR IT. The plotline was also just a freaking work of art. I remember getting 50% of the way through the audiobook and thinking holy shit, SO MUCH has already happened. What else could possibly be coming in the next half that could match everything we just went through? Well, my friends. I quickly learned never to underestimate KQ. You have GOT to make sure you read (or listen to) the author’s note at the back of the book as well because she talks about the research that went into this book, and it is incredible how much she made historically accurate. Like I was in awe. Anyway, if you can’t already tell, I think you should read this book lol.

CONFESS by Colleen Hoover

Rating: 3/5 stars

Summary: Auburn Reed is determined to rebuild her shattered life and she has no room for mistakes. But when she walks into a Dallas art studio in search of a job, she doesn’t expect to become deeply attracted to the studio’s enigmatic artist, Owen Gentry. For once, Auburn takes a chance and puts her heart in control, only to discover that Owen is hiding a huge secret. The magnitude of his past threatens to destroy everything Auburn loves most, and the only way to get her life back on track is to cut Owen out of it - but can she do it?

My Thoughts: THAT PROLOGUE THO. CoHo came out SWINGING in this book and landed a one-two punch right in my feels within literally the first 10 pages. If you’ve read any of her other YA romances, this book had the quintessential CoHo writing style. It was easy to get immersed into the story and the way she strokes your emotions throughout felt so familiar. That said though, the plot of this specific book was obviously imaginative, but it was not completely hole-free. For example, there’s a catalyst moment towards the end of the book and I know it was supposed to feel impactful to the overall story, but it kind of felt more improvisational. Also, this specific moment was an INCREDIBLY convenient solution to the problem of the main characters, but like it was NEVER mentioned before. So it fell a little flat for me. Auburn and Owen were good characters for this story, but I didn’t love either of them. They were fine and likable for the most part, but there wasn’t anything significant about their personalities that made me grow super connected. Overall, this was a good book, but it didn’t blow me away.

THE AMERICAN ROOMMATE EXPERIMENT by Elena Armas

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Rosie Graham has a problem. A few, actually. She just quit her well paid job to focus on her secret career as a romance writer. She hasn’t told her family and now has terrible writer’s block. Then, the ceiling of her New York apartment literally crumbles on her. Luckily she has her best friend Lina’s spare key while she’s out of town. But Rosie doesn’t know that Lina has already lent her apartment to her cousin Lucas, who Rosie has been stalking - for lack of a better word - on Instagram for the last few months. Lucas seems intent on coming to her rescue like a Spanish knight in shining armor. Only this one strolls around the place in a towel, has a distracting grin, and an irresistible accent. Oh, and he cooks. Lucas offers to let Rosie stay with him, at least until she can find some affordable temporary housing. And then he proposes an outrageous experience to bring back her literary muse and meet her deadline: He’ll take her on a series of experimental dates meant to jump-start her romantic inspiration. Rosie has nothing to lose. Her silly, online crush is totally under control - but Lucas’s time in New York has an expiration date, and six weeks may not be enough, for either her or her deadline.

My Thoughts: Okay, so I remembered nothing about Spanish Love Deception before reading this book, and although I really couldn’t remember who these characters were in that book, I followed along just fine. Meaning you probably could read this as a standalone book if you really didn’t want to read Spanish Love Deception first. Anywho, this book was super cute. It was kind of a rocky start for me because I was mildly annoyed with the “omg I social media stalked you because I have a crush” storyline the book was trying to give at first. Then once that wasn’t such a huge focus, it got better. To get this out of the way, I was OBSESSED with Lucas lol. We LOVE an “acts of service” king, do we not? He was out here cooking for Rosie, taking care of her during writing streaks, helping her get her mojo back AND looking super fine. Swoon, my friends. Also, as much as I love a fake dating trope, my other small beef with this book is the fact that they leaned so far into the “oh I have to remember this is just an experiment and not real life” storyline that I couldn’t help but notice every time it came up. Overall though, this was a super cute story and I liked it! So if you’ve read Spanish Love Deception, I think you’d enjoy continuing onto this book.

FAKING WITH BENEFITS by Lily Gold

Rating: 3.75/5 stars

Summary: WANTED: Three fake boyfriends. Must be tall, ripped, and willing to teach me how to kiss. My name is Layla Thompson and I am undateable. Seriously. I’m 28 and have never had a boyfriend. And with my thirties rapidly approaching, I’m starting to lose patience. Lucky for me, I have three overprotective best friends who are all-too-eager to help hone my dating skills. There’s Zack, the huge rugby player with the cheeky grin and rippling biceps. Josh, the boy-next-door with the sculpted jaw and calculating stare. And Luke, the silver-haired divorcee… who also happens to be my old professor. After a bad date leaves me crying on their shoulders, the three men are determined to help me find a guy. Together, they agree to be my “practice boyfriends,” and come up with a lesson plan packed with fake dates, make out sessions, and classes on flirty texting. In return, I just have to make an appearance on their relationship advice podcast once a week. Easy. But as the lessons become more and more intense, we soon find ourselves getting in too deep. Every butterfly-inducing touch lingers a little too long, and every molten kiss ends in fireworks. It’s not long before I realize their friendship isn’t enough for me anymore. I want more. The guys have been teaching me how to get a boyfriend, and now it’s time I put their lessons to the test. Three times over.

My Thoughts: Imma be really honest here. This book is not for my sweet pearl clutchers who love a “fade to black” moment when things start getting steamy in a romance novel. I wouldn’t even say this is for my beginner smut enthusiasts. This book, my dear friends, is for the seasoned smut fans who have read some really raunchy shit before and then proceeded to peruse through Kindle Unlimited for more directly after lol. It was SPICY. Not just spicy though, reverse harem spicy. So take that in stride going into this. I will also say, I could not decide for probably the first 50 pages whether or not I liked the author’s writing style. It felt very erratic to me. Once the plot kicked in though and the characters’ true forms came to life, I think I got too distracted by the actual story to notice the writing patterns anymore lol. This was a super cute book! You just can’t go into it hoping for a romantic tale about a monogamous, one-bed relationship because that’s nooot what you’re gonna find here. Don’t be fooled by the cute illustrated cover. Anywho, all in all, I definitely enjoyed this and am interested in reading some of Lily Gold’s other books. Also Josh was my favorite guy lol.

All righty! That’s it for October.

No telling where my reading mood will be come November, but I’m hoping I can incorporate some holiday-themed books because tis the szn. Yanno?

Okay cool. :)

2022 Book Count: 168

Add me on Goodreads if you haven’t already.

YOUR TURN! What’s your favorite holiday-themed book?

August 2022 Reads

September 03, 2022 by Haley Burrill in Books

Well, since it’s ~LinkedIn official~ now, I’m excited to share that I started a new job as the Digital Marketing Manager at the end of August at a local investment firm! It was a busy month of getting everything in order during the last two weeks at my last job, but luckily, I managed to sneak in a week and a half of staycation before starting the new gig.

Although I felt like I was in a reading slump at the beginning of August, by the time my time off came around, I was ready to get some reading accomplished. It helped that I did a lot of commuting that week because I flew through some audiobooks.

Plus, I attended an event that week that was hosted by the Grand Rapids Public Library with one of my best friends where we got to watch an in-person interview with Silvia Moreno-Garcia and had a copy of her book Mexican Gothic signed. (My review is in this post!)

As an avid reader, it was so cool to hear her talk about her books, writing techniques, and overall goals for some of her future novels.

All righty, let’s get to everything I read in August. :)

*All summaries are taken or paraphrased from Goodreads.

IN THE WEEDS by B.K. Borison

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Evelyn St. James isn’t the kind of woman you forget. Beckett Porter certainly hasn’t. One incredible weekend in Maine, and he’s officially a man distracted. He’s not unfamiliar with hot and heavy flings. He knows how it goes. But Evie wove some sort of magic over him during their tumble in the sheets. He can’t stop thinking about her laugh. Her hand pressed flat against his chest. Her smiling mouth at his neck. Also, her eyes. And her legs. So when she suddenly appears on his farm as part of a social media contest, he is… confused. He had no idea that the sweet and sexy woman he met at a bar is actually a global phenomenon: social media influencer Evelyn St. James. When she disappears again, Beckett resolves to finally forget her and move on. But Evelyn St. James has a problem. Feeling disconnected from her work and increasingly unhappy, she’s trying to find her way back to something real. She returns to the last place she was happy, Lovelight Farms and the tiny town of Inglewild. It has absolutely nothing to do with the hot farmer she spent two incredible nights with. Nothing at all.

My Thoughts: Well if this wasn’t the sweetest, steamiest second chance romance I’ve read in a while! This story had a gentle approach to Beckett and Evie finding their way back to each other after experiencing an amazing weekend together as strangers a few months prior. There was a warmth and promise to this developing relationship as they navigated their feelings and dynamics of being in each other’s daily orbit. The author’s writing was delicate in a way that made the harder moments feel like solid growth for this unexpected love match, and I appreciated how much the visual descriptions pulled me into the Lovelight Farms and surrounded me with its small town charm. This was a feel-good read in all the ways you hope for with these characters, and I definitely recommend giving it a try if you love a good second chance romance!

BECOMING by Michelle Obama

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: In a life filled with meaning and accomplishment, Michelle Obama has emerged as one of the most iconic and compelling women of our era. As FLOTUS - the first African American to serve in that role - she helped create the most welcoming and inclusive White House in history, while also establishing herself as a powerful advocate for women and girls in the U.S. and around the world, dramatically changing the ways that families pursue healthier and more active lives, and standing with her husband as he led America through some of the most harrowing moments. Along the way, she showed us a few dance moves, crushed Carpool Karaoke, and raised two down-to-earth daughters under an unforgiving media glare. In her memoir, a work of deep reflection and mesmerizing storytelling, Michelle Obama invites readers into her world, chronicling the experiences that have shaped her - from her childhood on the South Side of Chicago to her years as an executive balancing the demands of motherhood and work, to her time spent at the world’s most famous address. With unerring honesty and lively wit, she describes her triumphs and her disappointments, both public and private, telling her full story as she has lived it - in her own words and on her own terms. Warm, wise, and revelatory, Becoming is the deeply personal reckoning of a woman of soul and substance who has steadily defied expectations - and whose story inspires us to do the same.

My Thoughts: Wow if I couldn’t love the Obamas more than I already do! Michelle really pulled back the curtain in this memoir and gave such genuine, raw insight into her life. Although I have the physical copy of this book, I decided to listen to it on audiobook and am so glad I did. With Michelle as the narrator, it was so much easier to connect with her story and all of the emotions she felt throughout the various anecdotes. She gives an in-depth look at her life growing up in the south side of Chicago, introduces standout people who helped shape the woman she is today, and reflects on a variety of memories including going through law school, meeting her husband, life as the first Black FLOTUS, her experience as the spouse of a political figure, the passion behind her initiatives while Barack was in office, and more. Honestly, if you haven’t read her book yet, I cannot recommend it enough!

FUNNY FEELINGS by Tarah Dewitt

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Farley Jones is being forced to date Meyer Harrigan, the man she has come to love, in order to make all of her stand-up dreams come true. It’s agony - a tragedy, even. In lieu of flowers, please send cash… Meyer and his daughter Hazel have been everything to her since they came into her life three years ago. So, all joking aside, the stakes are really high when it’s not only her career, but both of those relationships on the line. A former stand-up star himself, Meyer has helped the trajectory of her career take off since he began managing her… Since he became her closest and most treasured friend, in the process. This is the only reason why, when the biggest opportunity of Farley’s career includes thrusting him back into the spotlight to stir up publicity, he agrees - despite his grumpiness, his protectiveness over Hazel, and his disdain for public attention. When helping her includes taking those barriers down, all those funny feelings start coming out into the open, and it quickly begins to feel like anything but a joke.

My Thoughts: Y’all know I love some top notch banter in a rom-com and this book DELIVERED. Farley and Meyer are both in the entertainment industry as comedians and although Meyer is retired, the well-timed and placed jokes throughout their conversations was *chef’s kiss.* On the romantic side of things, I was obsessed with their friendship/relationship. After walking into Meyer’s and his daughter, Hazel’s, lives three years ago, Farley has become a staple presence in their daily lives (and them in her’s). I loved that the timeline bounces between the present with Farley on tour and the past when she first met the father/daughter duo because we got a glimpse of how their relationship has evolved and could see how long these characters had been pining for each other. The pure adoration Meyer had for Farley had me swooning and I absolutely LOVED how much he was rooting for her professionally. I think in real life, most men might feel intimidated or emasculated by having a partner who shares the same career and is absolutely killing it while the guy’s career is at a standstill. There is an age-gap trope to this rom-com, and though I usually don’t love those, it honestly wasn’t as exaggerated as gaps in other books I’ve encountered. I think Meyer is 9 or 10 years older than Farley and she’s in her mid-twenties, so I could dig it. Anyway, if you’re looking for a laugh-out-loud rom-com with top tier banter, I highly recommend giving this one a try!

ANXIOUS PEOPLE by Fredrik Backman

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: Viewing an apartment normally doesn’t turn into a life-or-death situation, but this particular open house becomes just that when a failed bank robber bursts in and takes everyone in the apartment hostage. As the pressure mounts, the eight strangers begin slowly opening up to one another and reveal long-hidden truths. First is Zara, a wealthy bank director who has been too busy to care about anyone else until tragedy changed her life. Now, she’s obsessed with visiting open houses to see how ordinary people live - and, perhaps, to set an old wrong to right. Then there’s Roger and Anna-Lena, an Ikea-addicted retired couple who are on a never-ending hunt for fixer-uppers to hide the fact that they don’t know how to fix their own failing marriage. Julia and Ro are a young lesbian couple and soon-to-be parents who are nervous about their chances for a successful life together since they can’t agree on anything. And there’s Estelle, an eighty-year-old woman who has lived long enough to be unimpressed by a masked bank robber waving a gun in her face. And despite the story she tells them all, Estelle hasn’t really come to the apartment to view it for her daughter, and her husband really isn’t outside parking the car. As police surround the premises and television channels broadcast the hostage situation live, the tension mounts and even deeper secrets are slowly revealed. Before long, the robber must decide which is the more terrifying prospect: going out to face the police, or staying in the apartment with this group of impossible people.

My Thoughts: I think I’ve said this before, but if not, take note: listening to Fredrik Backman books is the move. Every audiobook of his that I’ve listened to so far has never disappointed and Anxious People is no exception. This book unapologetically shows the imperfections and struggles that make us so human in the most humorous and melancholy of ways. The plot was as bananas as this eclectic group of characters, and all of it was utterly beautiful. I loved that the more we learned about each character and their background, the more we saw how they’ve each experienced something similar in life. It provided a sense of community amongst these random apartment-viewers and connected them in ways they couldn’t imagine. There are even a couple of storylines that intertwined from almost a decade ago through the present. This book provides multiple laugh out loud moments while balancing those with comfortable, melancholy conversations too. If you haven’t read this book already, I urge you to try listening to the audiobook!

HOOD FEMINISM by Mikki Kendall

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Today’s feminist movement has a glaring blind spot, and paradoxically, it is women. Mainstream feminists rarely talk about meeting basic needs as a feminist issue, argues Mikki Kendall, but food insecurity, access to quality education, safe neighborhoods, a living wage, and medical care are all feminist issues. All too often, however, the focus is not on basic survival for the many, but on increasing privilege for the few. That feminists refuse to prioritize these issues has only exacerbated the age-old problem of both internecine discord and women who rebuff at carrying the title. Moreover, prominent white feminists broadly suffer from their own myopia with regard to how things like race, class, sexual orientation, and ability intersect with gender. How can we stand in solidarity as a movement, Kendall asks, when there is the distinct likelihood that some women are oppressing others?

My Thoughts: Wow, this audiobook was a wake up call. Mikki Kendall does a phenomenal job explaining why the feminism movement is failing those who need its support most and how women (especially white women) need to start taking an intersectional approach to tackling various issues in our country. This book provides concrete stats and figures while also interlacing real life anecdotes to make each point she’s explaining more applicable and easier to understand. I will say I wish I had a physical copy of the book as well so that I could go through and make notes/highlight key ideas and actions the author hit on while I was listening to it. That said, if it wasn’t already obvious, I highly encourage everyone to pick up this book because it was excellent.

BOOK LOVERS by Emily Henry

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Nora Stephens’ life is books - she’s read them all - and she is not that type of heroine. Not the plucky one, not the laidback dream girl, and especially not the sweetheart. In fact, the only people Nora is a heroine for are her clients, for whom she lands enormous deals as a cutthroat literary agent, and her beloved little sister Libby. Which is why she agrees to go to Sunshine Falls, North Carolina for the month of August when Libby begs her for a sisters’ trip away - with visions of a small-town transformation for Nora, who she’s convinced needs to become the heroine in her own story. But instead of picnics in meadows, or run-ins with a handsome country doctor or bulging-forearmed bartender, Nora keeps bumping into Charlie Lastra, a bookish brooding editor from back in the city. It would be a meet-cute if not for the fact that they’ve met many times and it’s never been cute. If Nora knows she’s not an ideal heroine, Charlie knows he’s nobody’s hero, but as they are thrown together again and again, in a series of coincidences no editor worth their salt would allow - what they discover might just unravel the carefully crafted stories they’ve written about themselves.

My Thoughts: Wow Emily Henry really knows how to make you feel all the feels in her books, huh? I definitely understand the hype with this story though. I was obsessed with Nora and Charlie’s dynamics. Both are unapologetically career-driven city people and though their initial meet-cute wasn’t very cute, the second time they collide in a charming little town called Sunshine Falls, all bets are off. Nora is a strong and resilient main character who has a tendency to put the ones she loves ahead of her own needs - even if that means putting her own dreams on pause while she makes sure her sister is happy and supported. The frustration Nora felt when she realized how misunderstood she was with people in her industry - described as a shark - was palpable. However, with Charlie’s help, she takes pride in her driven work ethic while learning how to humanize herself as a person too. Speaking of Charlie, we love a male MC who is written by a woman, do we not? Charlie knew ALL the right things to say, and tamed that “is there going to be a miscommunication?” anxiety in me with his words every time. It was so freaking refreshing, I cannot describe. Emily Henry’s writing is addicting and really peels back the layers of a reader with her words until you feel as vulnerable as the characters. At one point, she described heartache as a bruise you can’t help but press, and I really connected with that. This book is written for book lovers by a book lover and I just can’t recommend it enough!

MEXICAN GOTHIC by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: After receiving a frantic letter from her newly-wed cousin begging for someone to save her from a mysterious doom, Noemi Taboada heads to High Place, a distant house in the Mexican countryside. She’s not sure what she will find - her cousin’s husband, a handsome Englishman, is a stranger, and Noemi knows little about the region. Noemi is also an unlikely rescuer: She’s a glamorous debutante, and her chic gowns and perfect red lipstick are more suited for cocktail parties than amateur sleuthing. But she’s also tough and smart, with an indomitable will, and she is not afraid: Not of her cousin’s new husband, who is both menacing and alluring; not of his father, the ancient patriarch who seems fascinated by Noemi; and not even of the house itself, which begins to invade Noemi’s dreams with visions of blood and doom. Her only ally in this inhospitable abode is the family’s youngest son. Shy and gentle, he seems to want to help Noemi, but might also be hiding dark knowledge of his family’s past. For there are many secrets behind the walls of High Place. The family’s once colossal wealth and faded mining empire kept them from prying eyes, but as Noemi digs deeper, she unearths stories of violence and madness. And Noemi, mesmerized by the terrifying seductive world of High Place, may soon find it impossible to ever leave this enigmatic house behind.

My Thoughts: There may be some light spoilers in this review because I have some things to SAY, so proceed with caution. First off, I literally could not have predicted what happened in this book if you paid me. Even as we were getting more clues halfway through the book, I was kind of like “meh. Are we really going to leave it at that?” Then Ms. Moreno-Garcia said, “Hold this giant plot twist for me, won’t you?” I absolutely adored Noemi as the MC and heroine of this story. She is badass to a T in an elegantly scrappy type of way. She knows how to play people’s games and adapts some rules of her own, if you know what I mean. Francis honestly served as a beacon of hope for me throughout this terrifying experience and I’m so glad he didn’t disappoint. I obviously had trust issues with him, but people’s intentions are in their actions and his actions all provided some light in this dark mansion. We truly love an underdog moment. The author does an amazing job sucking you into the story and giving specific details that cause a physical reaction. For example, at one point, it’s torrentially raining and there’s no way to leave this dreary house in the mountains. I felt SO trapped and claustrophobic, my friends. It was insane. Last thing I will say, and this is the mild spoiler alert, I was obsessed with the fact that she literally and figuratively burned the racism right out of that family. If you can’t tell, I thoroughly enjoyed this gothic thriller and highly recommend it if you’re looking for something a little different.

THE HENNA ARTIST by Alka Joshi

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Escaping from an abusive marriage, seventeen-year-old Lakshmi makes her way alone to the vibrant 1950s pink city of Jaipur. There she becomes the most highly requested henna artist - and confidante - to the wealthy women of the upper class. But trusted with the secrets of the wealthy, she can never reveal her own… Known for her original designs and sage advice, Lakshmi must tread carefully to avoid the jealous gossips who could ruin her reputation and her livelihood. As she pursues her dream of an independent life, she is startled one day when she is confronted by her husband, who has tracked her down these many years later with a high-spirited young girl in tow - a sister Lakshmi never knew she had. Suddenly the caution that she has carefully cultivated as protection is threatened. She still perseveres, applying her talents and lifting up those that surround her as she does.

My Thoughts: Y’all know I love a good historical fiction book and this novel hit the SPOT. Although I have a paperback copy of this book, I decided to listen to the audiobook and I’m so glad I did. The narrator was phenomenal, giving voices to all of the different characters. The first-person perspective made getting sucked into this story effortless. Lakshmi has put her nose to the grindstone over the last decade trying to make a stable life for herself in a society and culture that expects most women to surrender their independence to marriage. She’s created a successful henna business, painting wealthy women and providing special herbs to other patrons on the side. I loved how resilient and carefully planned her character was. You could feel how much self restraint she practiced daily to preserve her lifestyle. Which brings me to Radha. I know she’s only 13-years-old, but my god she needed a HEARTY reality check a few times throughout this book. Some of the things she did to throw a wrench in Lakshmi’s plans were out of pure naivety and I was so frustrated with her character lol. That said, we do clearly see her character development through various actions much later in the book when she makes some mature decisions, but it took a minute to get there. Overall, I absolutely adored this story and think you could easily enjoy it in any form.

THE RAVEN BOYS by Maggie Stiefvater

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: It’s freezing in the churchyard, even before the dead arrive. Every year, Blue Sargent stands next to her clairvoyant mother as the soon-to-be dead walk past. Blue herself never sees them - not until this year, when a boy emerges from the dark and speaks directly to her. His name is Gansey, and Blue soon discovers that he is a rich student at Aglionby, the local private school. Blue has a policy of staying away from Aglionby boys. Known as Raven Boys, they can only mean trouble. But Blue is drawn to Gansey, in a way she can’t entirely explain. He has it all - family money, good looks, devoted friends - but he’s looking for much more than that. He is on a quest that has encompassed three other Raven Boys: Adam, the scholarship student who resents all the privilege around him; Ronan, the fierce soul who ranges from anger to despair; and Noah, the taciturn watcher of the four, who notices many things but says very little. For as long as she can remember, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love to die. She never thought this would be a problem. But now, as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she’s not so sure anymore.

My Thoughts: When I say I was absolutely HOOKED on this paranormal fantastical story, I am not exaggerating. This audiobook sucked me into its hold and I was instantly a part of this adventurous quest led by an addicting group of characters. Though a couple of characters are a little off-putting, *cough Ronan cough* I loved how you can easily feel the camaraderie between the Aglionby boys and how quickly they absorbed Blue into their group. The side characters of Blue’s family such as her mom and aunts were so quirky, fun, and whimsical. I kept looking forward to what their ~third eye~ had to say about any given situation. Aside from the characters, the plot was addicting and kept me guessing as to what would happen next in Gansey’s endless search for Glendower. PLUS, this audiobook threw in some plot twists that made me gasp because I didn’t see them sooner. Overall, I definitely understand why so many people love and obsess over The Raven Cycle series and am for sure hooked.

QUEEN OF AIR AND DARKNESS by Cassandra Clare

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: What if damnation is the price of true love? Innocent blood has been spilled on the steps of the Council Hall, the sacred stronghold of the Shadowhunters. In the wake of the tragic death of Livia Blackthorn, the Clave teeters on the brink of civil war. One fragment of the Blackthorn family flees to Los Angeles, seeking to discover the source of the disease that is destroying the race of warlocks. Meanwhile, Julian and Emma take desperate measures to put their forbidden love aside and undertake a perilous mission to Faerie to retrieve the Black Volume of the Dead. What they find in the Courts is a secret that may tear the Shadow World asunder and open a dark path into a future they could never have imagined. Caught in a race against time, Emma and Julian must save the world of Shadowhunters before the deadly power of the parabatai curse destroys them and everyone they love.

My Thoughts: I’ve said it before, but I’m going to say it again: Cassandra Clare can WRITE. Like she really went all out on this third book of The Dark Artifices trilogy. Especially after the way the second book ended… I was ready to be wrecked again lol. I loved how thoroughly the plot for this specific book was planned because it was so detail-oriented and pulled important pieces not only from the first two books, but also from the The Mortal Instruments series. Although there is so much going on with literally every character, the format makes it easy to keep up with the chaos packed into each chapter. I was especially interested in the parabatai curse storyline following Julian and Emma because they had figured out a solution at the end of the last book, but that got thrown to shit immediately in this one. Like the hopelessness they felt was palpable. I will say, I also enjoyed that not everything panned out the way I was expecting it to. Specifically with Kit and Ty. The direction of their relationship felt unfinished, but I think that made me realize how much I had become invested in it. There was a turn of events I was HOPING would happen with Kieran, Cristina, and Mark, but wasn’t sure if we were going to get there or not. Literally every protagonist - big or small - in this series stole my heart and I was incredibly satisfied by the time I turned the last page. If you’ve read any of the Shadowhunters series and enjoyed them, then I highly recommend trying The Dark Artifices trilogy.

THE DREAM THIEVES by Maggie Stiefvater

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Now that the ley lines around Cabeswater have been woken, nothing for Ronan, Gansey, Blue, and Adam will be the same. Ronan, for one, is falling more and more deeply into his dreams, and his dreams are intruding more and more into waking life. Meanwhile, some very sinister people are looking for some of the same pieces of the Cabeswater puzzle that Gansey is after…

My Thoughts: Holy hell. It took a moment, but Ronan finally solidified his place in my heart. This book was a huge plot twist in and of itself. I literally could not have predicted ANY of this happening based on what occurred in the first book. We not only get to learn more about Ronan’s background and secrets about his family, but also how the ley lines are affecting his dreams and that this isn’t the first time odd things are happening. I love how far this group of friends will go for each other to ensure they’re safe and cared for. Although Adam is going through a rough time dealing with the repercussions from his sacrifice in the previous book, he learns a big lesson in “found family” and what it means to have people love you. Of course I’m obsessed with the storyline following Gansey and Blue as they develop feelings for each other lol. Blue’s mom, aunts, and cousins came through with the dynamic side character presence that continued to add just enough depth to this paranormal book. The only thing that bothered me about this audiobook is the voice the narrator used for one of the newer characters. It was so annoying lol which is why I’m only giving it 4 stars. Would I have rated it higher if I read the physical book? Maybe. Who’s to say? I definitely recommend continuing through The Raven Cycle series if you already started it though!

That’s my August Wrap-up!

I cannot believe we’re almost to fall, but I also can’t wait for sweater szn because that means I get to turn up my cozy level to a 10 when I’m reading lol.

2022 Book Count: 145

Add me on Goodreads if you haven’t already.

YOUR TURN! What author would you like to see speak in-person?

July 2022 Reads

July 31, 2022 by Haley Burrill in Books

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

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

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

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

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

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

THE WIFE UPSTAIRS by Rachel Hawkins

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

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

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

THE SUMMER I TURNED PRETTY by Jenny Han

Rating: 4/5 stars

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

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

THE ALICE NETWORK by Kate Quinn

Rating: 5/5 stars

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

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

TWISTED LIES by Ana Huang

Rating: 5/5 stars

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

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

HEARTSTOPPER: Volume 2 by Alice Oseman

Rating: 5/5 stars

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

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

LORD OF SHADOWS by Cassandra Clare

Rating: 5/5 stars

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

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

FAHRENHEIT 451 by Ray Bradbury

Rating: 4/5 stars

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

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

THE STOPOVER by T.L. Swan

Rating: DNF (did not finish) @ 52%

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

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

THE FOUR WINDS by Kristin Hannah

Rating: 5/5 stars

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

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

ALONG FOR THE RIDE by Sarah Dessen

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

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

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

IT’S NOT SUMMER WITHOUT YOU by Jenny Han

Rating: 4/5 stars

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

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

BELOW ZERO by Ali Hazelwood

Rating: 4/5 stars

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

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

WE’LL ALWAYS HAVE SUMMER by Jenny Han

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

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

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

WUTHERING HEIGHTS by Emily Bronte

Rating: 3/5 stars

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

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

BIRD BOX by Josh Malerman

Rating: 4/5 stars

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

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

LOVELIGHT FARMS by B.K. Borison

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

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

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

That’s all I’ve got for July!

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

2022 Book Count: 133

Add me on Goodreads if you haven’t already.

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

June 2022 Reads

July 01, 2022 by Haley Burrill in Books

Happy Pride Month!

My goal for June was to primarily focus on books by and about the LGBTQIA community because this month is about celebrating them - including in our reading goals!

I mean, you should celebrate and support this beautiful community all year long tbh. So, this is just a friendly reminder that reading books by and about people who are different from you can help you better understand their unique experiences and is a great exercise in empathy. That could be through fictional characters, real life situations described in memoirs, and more.

All righty, with that in mind, let’s get into everything I read in June!

*All summaries are taken or paraphrased from Goodreads.

My hand is holding my Kindle with the cover of Everything for You on the screen. The cover has two illustrated men. One in a suit tossing a soccer ball and the other is in a soccer jersey looking over his shoulder with long blonde hair. — Everything for You by Chloe Liese

EVERYTHING FOR YOU by Chloe Liese

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Gavin - We’ve been teammates for two years, but it feels like a lifetime that Oliver Bergman’s been on my last nerve. A demanding captain and veteran player, I’m feared and friendless, while he’s the beloved rising star, all sunshine smiles and upbeat team spirit. To make matters worse, he’s obscenely attractive. In short: he’s genetically designed to get under my skin. Avoiding Oliver has been my survival tactic on and off the field. But when Coach drops the bomb that we’re now co-captains, avoiding him becomes impossible, and keeping the truth from him - let alone my distance - is harder than ever. | Oliver - Life was great until soccer legend Gavin Hayes joined the team and proved he’s nothing like the guy I grew up idolizing. Instead, he’s a giant - albeit gorgeous - grump who lives to rain on my parade. I’ve sworn off pranks since entering the public eye, so rather than settle our differences the Bergman way, I’ve had to settle for killing Gavin with kindness. There’s just one problem: killing him with kindness is killing me. To make matters worse, Coach gives us an ultimatum: put an end to our enmity or say goodbye to being captains. I’m prepared to be miserable while we meet her demands and make nice, but the last thing I expect to discover is an explosive attraction we can’t help but act on, and worse yet, to realize the man hiding beneath Gavin’s gruff exterior is all I’ve ever wanted.

My Thoughts: Mark the date. I think this is the first time in recent history that I was not turned off by an age gap trope in a romance novel. It’s mixed in with some enemies-to-lovers which we all know I’m a simp for, but the nine-year difference between Oliver (25) and Gavin (34) was absolutely perfect for this story. They’ve had an unspoken war going on since Gavin joined the Galaxy men’s soccer team two years prior. Gavin is more open with his grumpy demeanor whereas Oliver tries to get under Gavin’s skin by killing him with kindness. A battle of wills, if I might say. Things get interesting when they’re forced to co-captain the team which throws them into each other’s proximity more than either would like. Y’all. The first breakthrough scene showing a little vulnerability between these two guys is on a plane and BE STILL MY HEART IT WAS SO CUTE. I was obsessed with watching Gavin and Oliver navigate their individual feelings for the other and figuring out what they could be together if they just gave into it. Also, all of the side characters - specifically our fave brother, Viggo - brought such life to this rom-com. The familiar taste of Chloe Liese’s writing for the Bergman Brothers was present in this fifth book and I definitely recommend it if you've been making your way through this fantastic series.

A screenshot of Honey Girl audiobook on the Libby app. The cover of the book has a young Black woman with pink and orange flowers throughout her golden curly hair. — Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers

HONEY GIRL by Morgan Rogers

Rating: 3/5 stars

Summary: With her newly completed PhD in astronomy in hand, twenty-eight-year-old Grace Porter goes on a girls’ trip to Vegas to celebrate. She is not the kind of person who goes to Vegas and gets drunkenly married to a woman whose name she doesn’t know… until she does exactly that. This one moment of departure from her stern ex-military father’s plans for her life has Grace wondering why she doesn’t feel more fulfilled from completing her degree. Staggering under the weight of her father’s expectations, a struggling job market and feelings of burnout, Grace flees her home in Portland for a summer in New York with the wife she barely knows. When reality comes crashing in, Grace must face what she’s been running from all along - the fears that make us human, the family scars that need to heal and the longing for connection, especially when navigating the messiness of adulthood.

My Thoughts: Umm not knowing what you’re doing with your life in your late 20’s when you feel like you should have everything figured out..? RELATABLE. This audiobook was ideal for cozying up with a cup of coffee in the morning or settling in after a long day. The writing is very lyrical and the narrator’s warm voice gave it a poetic energy, but it sometimes felt a little forced. As a coming of age story, this book is very character driven. There’s a little bit of plot, but it mostly ebbed and flowed based on how Grace was feeling at any given time. As the MC, I both liked and disliked her. She was definitely focused on herself for a majority of this book and how those around her could help her through the crises she was experiencing. This character flaw is realized later on in the book, but that meant I found her mildly selfish for a while. That said, everything she was going through was extremely valid including the discrimination and racism she experienced from fellow scientists in the astronomy field for being a Black queer woman. The side characters each added their own color to Grace’s bigger picture, and I especially appreciated the ones that added a lightness to the mix because a lot of this story felt pretty heavy. Some of them I could do without, but they definitely all served their purpose. The only other thing I didn’t love is how long each of the chapters are for an audiobook. Some were almost 40 minutes, and I prefer chapters to be slightly shorter if I’m listening to a book. Overall, I think a lot of people would find this book relatable, but its indie aesthetic isn’t going to be for everyone.

My hand is holding a paperback copy of Heartstopper by Alice Oseman. The cover is an illustration of the backs of two teenage boys in school uniforms. One has brown hair and a red backpack. The other has red hair and a green satchel. — Heartstopper: Volume 1 by Alice Oseman

HEARTSTOPPER: Volume One by Alice Oseman

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Charlie Spring is in Year 10 at Truham Grammar School for Boys. The past year hasn’t been too great, but at least he’s not being bullied anymore. Nick Nelson is in Year 11 and on the school rugby team. He’s heard about little Charlie - the kid who was outed last year and bullied for a few months - but he’s never had the opportunity to talk to him. They quickly become friends, and soon Charlie is falling hard for Nick, even though he doesn’t think he has a chance. But love works in surprising ways, and sometimes good things are waiting just around the corner.

My Thoughts: This is my first graphic novel and I am in love! Charlie and Nick’s friendship is so freaking cute, and the pages turned absolutely effortlessly as I learned the origin story of their budding relationship. This is honestly a really quick read (like I think I finished this in maybe 25 minutes?) and I cannot wait to get my hands on Volume 2. :)

A hard cover copy of What If It's Us is lying flat on a stone table top with two house plants. The cover shows an illustration of two teenage boys walking away from each other. One is holding a box and the other has a bag slung over his shoulder. — What If It’s Us by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera

WHAT IF IT’S US by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Arthur is only in New York for the summer, but if Broadway has taught him anything, it’s that the universe can deliver a show-stopping romance when you least expect it. Ben thinks the universe needs to mind its business. If the universe had his back, he wouldn’t be on his way to the post office carrying a box of his ex-boyfriend’s things. But when Arthur and Ben meet-cute at the post office, what exactly does the universe have in store for them? Maybe nothing. After all, they get separated. Maybe everything. After all, they get reunited. But what if they can’t quite nail a first date… or second first date… or third? What if Arthur tries too hard to make it work… and Ben doesn’t try hard enough? What if life really isn’t like a Broadway play? What if it is?

My Thoughts: Oh em gee. This was one of the most quick-witted, adorably cute YA rom-coms I’ve read in a while! Starting from their meet-cute in the post office, Arthur and Ben had a uniquely magnetic energy that I couldn’t get enough of. The clever quips generously exchanged between them made me audibly chuckle and, though sometimes cheesy, the do-over dates were insanely sweet. I think I liked Arthur a little bit more than Ben because he has literally zero filter. Whatever comes to his mind is what is coming out of his mouth whether he realizes it or not. Even his inner dialogue had me LOLing throughout the book. Ben is a little more reserved, but he’s still such a likable character. I appreciated that he could roll with the playfulness of Arthur’s verbal vomit, and had a few dry-humored lines himself. The issues that bubble up between these two lads felt a little blown out of proportion to me, but I also had to keep reminding myself this is a YA romance and these characters are only 17. That aside, I absolutely loved that the ending didn’t go the way I expected, yet it was still so incredibly satisfying. If you’re looking for a punchy YA romance with a little snark and a lot of cuteness to it, I definitely recommend picking this book up!

My hand is holding a paperback copy of Satisfaction Guaranteed with trees blurred in the background. The cover is green with yellow script. There are illustrations of two women on either side of the title. — Satisfaction Guaranteed by Karelia Stetz-Waters

SATISFACTION GUARANTEED by Karelia Stetz-Waters

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: When it comes to her career, Cade Elgin has it all figured out. Only “professional talk” has become her default mode, relationships are nonexistent, and don’t even mention the word “orgasm.” All work and no play makes Cade a dull human. But when she inherits a sex toy store, Cade is caught between business and a store filled with every imaginable kind of pleasure - including her own infuriatingly irresponsible and deliciously sexy new co-owner. Selena Mathis learned the hard way that she can have too much of a good thing. Which is precisely why she’s taken an oath of celibacy and is focusing on how to make Satisfaction Guaranteed a success. She won’t mess this up. Not this time. But once again, Selena’s emotions are getting in the way, and tempting her with a serious attraction to buttoned-up Cade. But the shop isn’t exactly vibe-ing, and Cade and Selena are on the verge of losing both their income and the possibility of love. Can they find a way to work together… before Satisfaction Guaranteed runs out of batteries?

My Thoughts: This F|F romance was cute, steamy, emotional, and playful! The premise was so unique and I loved all of the sex positivity! At the start of the book, I was nervous the main characters, Cade and Selena, were going to be pretty one-toned. It felt like there was an emphasis on Selena being the flighty, free-spirit in the equation, whereas Cade is the buttoned-up, accountant-type - which was just unnecessary. Luckily, as the book went on, both characters developed more depth and made this pairing even more perfect. This sweet couple was so supportive and really understood what one another needed without having to ask. I appreciated that the author leaned into the sex toy storyline and introduced them into the steamier scenes because most hetero romances don’t communicate that type of sex positivity message. It was refreshing to see the depiction of elevating that kind of experience with your partner using toys depicted so flawlessly. Overall, this was a really quick, fun, and emotional read and I definitely recommend it!

LESS by Andrew Sean Greer

Rating: 3.25/5 stars

Summary: PROBLEM - You are a failed novelist about to turn fifty. A wedding invitation arrives in the mail: your boyfriend of the past nine years is now engaged to someone else. You can’t say yes - it would be all too awkward - and you can’t say no - it would look like defeat. On your desk are a series of half-baked literary invitations you've received from around the world. QUESTION - How do you arrange to skip town? ANSWER - You accept them all. If you are Arthur Less. Thus begins an around-the-world-in-eighty-days fantasia that will take Aurthur to Mexico, Italy, Germany, Morocco, India, and Japan and put thousands of miles between him and the problems he refuses to face. What could possibly go wrong? Well: Arthur will almost fall in love in Paris, almost fall to his death in Berlin, barely escape to a Moroccan ski chalet from a Sahara sandstorm, accidentally book himself as the (only) writer-in-residence at a Christian Retreat Center in Southern India, and arrive in Japan too late for the cherry blossoms. In between: science fiction fans, crazed academics, emergency rooms, starlets, doctors, exes and, on a desert island in the Arabian Sea, the last person on Earth he wants to see. Somewhere in there: he will turn fifty. The second phase of life, as he thinks of it, falling behind him like the second phase of a rocket. There will be his first love. And there will be his last.

My Thoughts: Okay okay, let me start by saying I really loved the narrator for this audiobook. He was engaging, did a spectacular job at all of the different character voices, and kept a dry humored tone which was perfect for this storytelling. I hate that I can’t give this book a 3.5, but honestly? I found myself not caring towards the middle of it. Like the author’s writing is phenomenal, don’t get me wrong. I just kept having to rewind the audiobook while listening to it because my mind would wander and I’d realize I hadn’t been paying attention for like the last 10+ minutes. Now, I’m not sure if that’s because of the audiobook itself or simply because I’ve had a lot of things on my mind lately lol. So, take all of that with a grain of salt because I know this is an entertaining story. Arthur Less is a quirky character who plans a trip around the world to avoid attending his ex-boyfriend’s wedding. He’s also on the cusp of turning 50 which is something he’d like to forget. Cue a distraction trip guided by Murphy’s Law because if anything could go wrong for Arthur Less, it did. Most of the unfortunate events of his little adventure were incredibly comedic and endearing, but geez, he had some bad luck. Overall, I think this book definitely holds water and that a lot of people would enjoy it. It just didn’t hold my interest as much as I hoped it would, which is why I’m giving it a 3.25.

My hand is holding my Kindle with the book cover of The Queer Principles of Kit Webb on the screen. There are house plants blurred in the background. — The Queer Principles of Kit Webb by Cat Sebastian

THE QUEER PRINCIPLES OF KIT WEBB by Cat Sebastian

Rating: 3.8/5 stars

Summary: Kit Webb has left his stand-and-deliver days behind him. But dreary days at his coffee shop have begun to make him pine for the heady rush of thievery. When a handsome yet arrogant aristocrat storms into his shop, Kit quickly realizes he may be unable to deny whatever this highborn man desires. In order to save himself and a beloved friend, Percy, Lord Holland must go against every gentlemanly behavior he holds dear to gain what he needs most: a book that once belonged to his mother, a book his father never lets out of his sight and could be Percy’s savior. More comfortable in silk-filled ballrooms than coffee shops frequented by criminals, his attempts to hire the roughly hewn highwayman, formerly known as Gladhand Jack, proves equal parts frustrating and electrifying. Kit refuses to participate in the robbery but agrees to teach Percy how to do the deed. Percy knows he has little choice but to submit and as the lessons in thievery begin, he discovers thievery isn’t the only crime he’s desperate to commit with Kit. But when their careful plan goes dangerously wrong and shocking revelations threaten to tear them apart, can these stolen hearts withstand the impediments in their path?

My Thoughts: Y’ALL. You should read this book for the top-shelf-quality banter alone. I mean WOW. I was living for the verbal artistry that Percy was serving us throughout this entire story. Kit also had his fair share of quick quips as well and the chemistry between these two lads made everything that much more rich and fulfilling. I loved all of the tension and build up to Kit and Percy actually acting on their feelings for each other, but appreciated that the author didn’t make us wait too long for that moment to happen. It was incredibly satisfying too that although both main characters were stubborn to their core, they gave into trusting one another when the timing was right. I feel like romance novels often draw out the “trust timeline,” and this one happened so naturally. Though the plot was definitely interesting, I have to say the pacing felt a bit stagnant towards the middle. It’s not that the story wasn’t moving forward, but there was a point where I hit a bit of a lull. That said, it definitely picked up shortly after and the momentum hooked me back into this carriage heist. All of the side characters were fun, distinctive, and definitely gave us a bigger picture of Percy and Kit’s lives. I think the next book is about their best friends Marian and Rob, so I’ll probably be picking that one up later this year. Honestly, this book was entertaining, steamy, and a little different from your usual romance, so I recommend giving it a try!

My hand is holding my Kindle with the cover of Gender Explorers on the screen. — Gender Explorers by Juno Roche

GENDER EXPLORERS by Juno Roche

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Life-affirming interviews with young trans people who share their empowering experiences of questioning and exploring gender. “I believe that children who are questioning and exploring their gender are the gender bosses that we all so desperately need. I believe that they are our future.” In this life-affirming, heartening and refreshing collection of interviews, young trans people offer valuable insight and advice into what has helped them to flourish and feel happy in their experience of growing up trans.

My Thoughts: Wow absolutely everyone needs to read this book!!! It's a series of interviews with trans youth and teens about their experiences transitioning and becoming their true selves. There are also interviews with parents of the trans youth to understand what their experience was like having their child come out as trans or gender fluid. The vulnerability and openness these people demonstrated while sharing their experiences was extremely emotional. In our traditionally binary gendered world, people feel a need to categorize other people and put them into “buckets.” These gender explorers are challenging that mindset and showing everyone that gender is not important to who you are as a human being. I just can’t say enough good things about this book. It was so eye-opening and informative, and I URGE you to go pick it up.

My hand is holding a hard cover copy of Lady Midnight. There is a young woman falling through water holding a sword depicted on the book's cover. — Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare

LADY MIDNIGHT by Cassandra Clare

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: It’s been five years since the events of City of Heavenly Fire that brought the Shadowhunters to the brink of oblivion. Emma Carstairs is no longer a child in mourning, but a young woman bent on discovering what killed her parents and avenging her losses. Together with her parabatai Julian Blackthorn, Emma must learn to trust her head and her heart as she investigates a demonic plot that stretches across Los Angeles, from the Sunset Strip to the enchanted sea that pounds the beaches of Santa Monica. If only her heart didn’t lead her in treacherous directions… Making things more complicated, Julian’s brother Mark - who was captured by the faeries five years ago - has been returned as a bargaining chip. The faeries are desperate to find out who is murdering their kind - and they need the Shadowhunters’ help to do it. But time works differently in faerie, so Mark has barely aged and doesn’t recognize his family. Can he ever truly return to them? Will the faeries really allow it?

My Thoughts: Yanno, when it was teased in Mortal Instruments that Emma, Julian, and this new generation of Shadowhunters were going to get their own series, I was PUMPED. Let me tell you, this first book does NOT disappoint. We didn’t just have the addicting magical world Cassadra Clare has beautifully crafted for us. This book delivered familial drama, murder, secrets, action, and OFC forbidden love. Not to mention, all of our favorite classic characters made an appearance including Clary, Jace, Magnus, JEM, TESSA, to name a few lol. After experiencing some traumatic events during the Dark War, I appreciated that Emma and Julian’s characters reflected the results of that five years later. They obviously went through further character development in this book, but where they start is clearly the outcome of how they’ve processed everything. Emma is a wild and incredibly talented Shadowhunter who is looking for trouble. Julian is more tame than his parabatai, and has turned into the backbone of the Blackthorn family as he raises his younger siblings. OBVI I ship these two even if the feelings they have are forbidden. I gotta give all of the side characters some mad credit too for bringing so much depth to the storyline and to all of the emotions that radiated off of the pages. Their personalities are so distinct that it’s incredibly easy to build a connection with each one even though you’re not spending as much page time with them. My one small issue is that this story started out quickly paced and then hit a slow spot for a minute that kind of stunted the momentum I’d been gathering since page 1. Once it picked up again though, I was right back in it. Needless to say, if you’ve read the Mortal Instruments and Infernal Devices, you have GOT to continue onto the Dark Artifices.

A screen shot of the audiobook My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry on the Libby App. The book's cover has a young girl standing next to a large black dog. — My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry by Fredrik Backman

MY GRANDMOTHER ASKED ME TO TELL YOU SHE’S SORRY by Fredrik Backman

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Elsa is seven years old and different. Her grandmother is seventy-seven years old and crazy, standing-on-the-balcony-firing-paintball-guns-at-men-who-want-to-talk-about-Jesus-crazy. She is also Elsa’s best, and only, friend. At night, Elsa takes refuge in her grandmother’s stories, in the Land-of-Almost-Awake and the Kingdom of Miamas where everybody is different and nobody needs to be normal. When Elsa’s grandmother dies and leaves behind a series of letters apologizing to people she has wronged, Elsa’s greatest adventure begins. Her grandmother’s letters lead her to an apartment building full of drunks, monsters, attack dogs, and totally ordinary old crones, but also to the truth about fairytale and kingdoms and a grandmother like no other.

My Thoughts: This was such a whimsical and charming audiobook! It was definitely a little confusing at first as you’re introduced to all of the different Kingdoms within Land of Almost Awake, but once you get your footing with that, it was so entrancing. I was obsessed with the relationship Elsa shared with her grandma. They were thick as THIEVES and absolutely inseparable. I loved their dynamics - a 7-year-old and 77-year-old. Elsa was too smart for her own good and kept her granny in check. There is definitely some sadness in this book after Elsa’s grandma passed away and left her with an adventure of sorts. I would be amiss to not give all of the side characters in this magical tale the biggest shout out. This experience would not be the same without this schmorgesborg of people who literally could not be any more different. All of their personalities enhanced the colorfulness of this book tenfold. I loved getting to know each of them better, their personal backgrounds, and how Elsa’s granny played a role in their lives. One scene involving some violence against one of Elsa’s new best friends brought me to TEARS, but I appreciated the overall themes of dealing with grief, establishing a found family of sorts, embracing your differences and more. Needless to say, I highly recommend this audiobook!

My hand is holding my Kindle which has the book cover of Hunted by the Sky on its screen. — Hunted by the Sky by Tanaz Bhathena

HUNTED BY THE SKY by Tanaz Bhathena

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: Gul has spent her life running. She has a star-shaped birthmark on her arm, and in the kingdom of Ambar, girls with such birthmarks have been disappearing for years. Gul’s mark is what caused her parents’ murder at the hand of King Lohar’s ruthless soldiers and forced her into hiding to protect her own life. So when a group of rebel women called the Sisters of the Golden Lotus rescue her, take her in, and train her in warrior magic, Gul only wants one thing: revenge. Cavas lives in the tenements, and he’s just about ready to sign his life over to the king’s army. His father is terminally ill, and Cavas will do anything to save him. But sparks fly when he meets a mysterious girl - Gul - in the capital's bazaar, and as the chemistry between them undeniably grows, he becomes entangled in a mission of vengeance - and discovers a magic he never expected to find. Dangerous circumstances have brought Gul and Cavas together at the king’s domain in Ambar Fort… a world with secrets deadlier than their own. Exploring identity, class struggles, and high-stakes romance, Hunted by the Sky is a gripping adventure set in a world inspired by medieval India.

My Thoughts: I’ve read YA fantasy inspired by African folklore, ancient Arabia, and ancient Rome, but this was my first experience reading something inspired by ancient India. I am pleased to report it was quite enjoyable! It definitely gave me some mild An Ember in the Ashes vibes, but with slightly more magic. The beginning of this book has a slower start. That’s mostly due to the world building, character introductions, and understanding how the societal hierarchy works. After all of that is established, the plot’s pace definitely picked up and made it easier for me to get sucked into. Gul’s character has a wild yet contained air to her. I loved that she wouldn’t allow herself to be confined to other people’s views or expectations of her. That being said, her stubbornness was definitely a fatal flaw. Like there were times where her “me” mindset hindered her likability - especially during some tense decision-making moments. Cavas was a good character for the most part. I liked that he wasn’t too meek, but he also had some proud/stubborn behaviors that left me so frustrated with him. Did I love them as a couple? Yes and no. I can definitely tell there’s something stronger there than they realize and they could be a really great team. However, they don’t make it to that point in this book. All that said though, I would definitely be interested in reading the second book in this duology based on where the story leaves off.

A screenshot of the audiobook Pride and Prejudice on the Libby app. — Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE by Jane Austen

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Since its immediate success in 1813, Pride and Prejudice has remained one of the most popular novels in the English language. Jane Austen called this brilliant work “her own darling child” and its vivacious heroine, Elizabeth Bennet, “as delightful a creature as ever appeared in print.” The romantic clash between the opinionated Elizabeth and her proud beau, Mr. Darcy, is a splendid performance of civilized sparring. And Jane Austen’s radiant wit sparkles as her characters dance a delicate quadrille of flirtation and intrigue, making this book the most superb comedy of manners in Regency England.

My Thoughts: I know I’m SO late to this game, but I completely understand what the hype is all about! I absolutely loved listening to the audiobook of the OG enemies-to-lovers romance novel. Not to mention, this gem is the feminist anthem of its time! To be fair, I must say, I had never seen the 2005 movie before reading this. So, about 30% into the audiobook, I decided to watch the movie since I had no previous knowledge of how everything was going to pan out. That decision helped so much because it gave me a visual template of where the audiobook was going as I finished listening to it. Elizabeth Bennett is the best kind of person to have around. She’s outspoken, sarcastic, and loyal af. A friend-crush was brewing, needless to say lol. I feel like Mr. Darcy is like the first tall, dark, and broody boy to walk in the romance genre, so that all of the book boyfriends we know and love nowadays could run. Yanno what I mean? Although a lot of the dialogue and the way this book reads is obvi a bit dated (which is why I’ve avoided trying to read it for so long), it’s easy to keep up with. If you’re curious to know what the big deal is with this classic, I definitely recommend giving the audiobook a try! British narrators make everything more fun anyway lol. :)

The book cover of Middlegame is on the screen of my Kindle which is laying on top of a white quilt. — Middlegame by Seanan McGuire

MIDDLEGAME by Seanan McGuire

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Meet Roger. Skilled with words, languages come easily to him. He instinctively understands how the world works through the power of story. Meet Dodger, his twin. Numbers are her world, her obsession, her everything. All she understands, she does through the power of math. Roger and Dodger aren’t exactly human, though they don’t realize it. They aren’t exactly gods, either. Not entirely. Not yet. Meet Reed, skilled in alchemical arts like his progenitor before him. Reed created Dodger and her brother. He’s not their father. Not quite. But he has a plan: to raise the twins to the highest power, to ascend with them and claim their authority as his own. Godhood is attainable. Pray it isn’t attained.

My Thoughts: Y’all. I did NOT expect to be all up in my feels over a SCIENCE FICTION novel. Like what did Roger and Dodger do to me??? I will not lie, at the start of this book, I wasn’t sure I was going to be smart enough to comprehend what was going on lmao. I don’t read a ton of sci-fi, so understanding the ins and outs of alchemy on the fly was a learning curve, but it definitely got easier the further you got into it. This book was just an intellectual exercise of trying to piece together everything before it’s revealed. It’s one big puzzle of time traveling, alchemy experiments gone wrong (and right?), and figuring out how each component is related to the next. I absolutely adored the main characters - Roger and Dodger. This sibling duo are two parts of a whole and literally balance each other out in personality and unique powers. Though their relationship could get a little complicated on more occasions than one, the draw they felt to one another and the serenity that came with being in each other’s presence made me feel so protective of this pair. There are some anxiety provoking scenes in this book - specifically, towards the end - that kept my heart racing as Roger and Dodger tried to beat the odds with the help of a morally gray character. To say I was giddily rooting for them to win is an understatement lol. I definitely recommend this book if you’re looking for something to absolutely suck you in within the science fiction genre. I believe there is a sequel to it as well with some companion series on the side, so there’s plenty to dive into here.

The book cover of No Hard Feelings is bright blue with white and yellow text. There is an illustration of an owl, sloth, lion, and elephant sitting at a table on it. — No Hard Feelings by Liz Fosslien and Mollie West Duffy

NO HARD FEELINGS: The Secret Power of Embracing Emotions at Work by Liz Fosslien and Mollie West Duffy

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: The modern workplace can be an emotional minefield, filled with confusing power structures and unwritten rules. We’re expected to be authentic but not too authentic. Professional but not stiff. Friendly but not an over-sharer. As organization consultants and regular people, we know what it’s like to experience uncomfortable emotions at work - everything from mild jealousy to insecurity to panic and rage. Ignoring or suppressing what you feel hurts your health and productivity but so does letting your emotions run wild. In this book, we’ll help you figure out which emotions to toss, which to keep to yourself, and which to express in order to be both happier and more effective. We’ll share the latest research and helpful tips, and reveal the surprising reason why you’ll actually be healthier and more focused if you’re less passionate about your job. Drawing on what we’ve learned from behavioral economics, psychology and our own experiences at countless organizations, we’ll show you how to bring your best self to work every day.

My thoughts: Someone on my team at work read this book and really liked it, so a few more of us ordered it, and I have to say, it was really helpful! If you’re familiar with the account LizClimo on Instagram, she’s one of the authors and provides all of the illustrations included throughout. The drawings and little cartoons were one of my favorite parts because it broke down the monotony that non-fiction/self help books usually give me, and made everything they talked about more visual. Aside from the illustrations, the content was extremely well researched and easy to understand. I loved all of the actionable items they provided after walking us through a specific concept because it made understanding what “X, Y, Z” can look like and how it can be applied in a work environment. As someone who is not a big fan of non-fiction self help books, and is also continuously working on how I present myself in a work setting, I definitely think No Hard Feelings is something everyone would find helpful.

Screen shot of the audiobook Maybe in Another Life in the Libby app. — Maybe in Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid

MAYBE IN ANOTHER LIFE by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: At the age of twenty-nine, Hannah Martin still has no idea what she wants to do with her life. She has lived in six different cities and held countless meaningless jobs since graduating college. On the heels of yet another city, Hannah moves back to her hometown of Los Angeles and takes up residence in her best friend Gabby’s guest room. Shortly after getting back to town, Hannah goes out to a bar one night with Gabby and meets up with her high school boyfriend, Ethan. Just after midnight, Gabby asks Hannah if she’s ready to go. A moment later, Ethan offers to give her a ride later if she wants to stay. Hannah hesitates. What happens if she leaves with Gabby? What happens if she leaves with Ethan? In concurrent storylines, Hannah lives out the effects of each decision. Quickly, these parallel universes develop into radically different stories with large-scale consequences for Hannah, as well as the people around her. As the two alternate realities run their course, Maybe in Another Life raises questions about fate and true love: Is anything meant to be? How much in our life is determined by chance? And perhaps, most compellingly: Is there such a thing as a soul mate? Hannah believes there is. And, in both worlds, she believes she’s found him.

My Thoughts: I listened to this on audiobook and really enjoyed it! It’s definitely a little different taste than other Taylor Jenkins Reid books I’ve read (i.e. Malibu Rising, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, and Daisy Jones and the Six), but great nonetheless! Hannah was the perfect main character for this story. She’s definitely likeable, but also so imperfect that you can’t trust her right away. Learning more about her in the dual timelines really made me more empathetic to who she is as a person, despite her situations, and I loved that though her two “universes” had different plots, the storyline still related to the other. This premise was incredibly unique and it worked so well that there wasn’t a definitive answer. Overall, I definitely think this audiobook is worth the listen!

My hand is holding my Kindle with the book cover Under One Roof on the screen. There are house plants blurred in the background. — Under One Roof by Ali Hazelwood

UNDER ONE ROOF by Ali Hazelwood

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: As an environmental engineer, Mara knows all about the delicate nature of ecosystems. They require balance. And leaving the thermostat alone. And not stealing someone else’s food. And other rules Liam, her detestable big-oil lawyer of a roommate, knows nothing about. Okay, sure, technically she’s the interloper. Liam was already entrenched in his Aunt Helena’s house like some glowering grumpy giant when Mara moved in, with his big muscles and kissable respectable scientists to the dark side… but Helena was her mentor and Mara’s not about to move out and give up her inheritance without a fight. The problem is living with someone means getting to know them. And the more Mara finds out Liam, the harder it is to loathe him… and the easier it is to love him.

My Thoughts: Oh em gee. A STEMinist novella series?? Yes please!! I loved this enemies-to-lovers, environmentally friendly rom-com. Mara and Liam were such strong characters and the small roommate squabbles were so freaking relatable. This book was driven by various types of tension including angry friction, sexual tension, and a “will they, won’t they” suspense. After they declared truce, it was so cute how they fell into a comfortable platonic routine only to realize they both had stronger feelings for one another than they intended. If you’re looking for something fun and spicy with a little bit of climate change sprinkled in, this novella is definitely worth picking up!

My hand is holding a Kindle with the book cover Stuck with You on the screen. — Stuck With You by Ali Hazelwood

STUCK WITH YOU by Ali Hazelwood

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: Logically, Sadie knows that civil engineers are supposed to build bridges. However, as a woman of STEM she also understands that variables can change, and when you are stuck for hours in a tiny New York elevator with the man who broke your heart, you earn the right to burn that brawny, blond bridge to the ground. Erik can apologize all he wants, but to quote her rebel leader - she’d just as soon kiss a Wookiee. Not even the most sophisticated of Sadie’s superstitious rituals could have predicted such a disastrous reunion. But while she refuses to acknowledge the siren call of Erik’s steely forearms or the way his voice softens when he offers her his sweater, Sadie can’t help but wonder if there might be more layers to her cold-hearted nemesis than meet the eye. Maybe, possibly, even burned bridges can still be crossed…

My Thoughts: Ugh. Y’all. You know how I feel about instant-love tropes, and although this one wasn’t necessarily unbelievable I just can’t get fully behind it. Besides that little plot hiccup though, this was such an entertaining, steamy novella! Experiencing their first date through Sadie’s memories was cute and swoony. You could clearly see how well these two built a connection. I liked that the book’s format flipped between the past and present, so that we could see what led up to their current feelings and actions. It was like a small puzzle and left me trying to predict what would become of this unlikely pairing. Sadie’s character was a little more quirky and dynamic than Erik’s character, but I appreciated that they balanced each other out. Though I didn’t like this second installation of the STEMinist series, it was still a cute and quick read.

That’s it for June!

Just a few tidbits to leave you with:

Trans rights are human rights
It’s absolutely none of your business who people love
Love wins - always

2022 Book Count: 118

Add me on Goodreads if you haven’t already.

YOUR TURN! What books do you have on your summer reading list?