Category: Book Review

Book Review: The Quit List by Katie Bailey

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 346 pages
Author: Katie Bailey
Publisher: Eleventh Avenue Publishing
Release Date: April 5th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

He quit believing in love a long time ago. She won’t quit until she finds The One… and he’s everything she’s NOT looking for.

Holly Greene is on a mission to find her happily ever after. And her journey to love does not include a detour to Bad Boy Bartenderville, population Jax Grainger.

Jax may be witty, smart-mouthed, and handsome, but he’s the kind of guy who views love as a four-letter word… and the last thing Holly needs is to waste any more time.

She’s in her seeking Prince Charming era, not her playboy villain era.

But after he saves her from the world’s worst date, Holly sees an opportunity: Jax may not check any of the boxes on her list, but he’s the perfect person to help her find a man who does.

All she has to do is stick to the plan—and stay out of the sexy bartender’s arms.

Easy peasy lemon sque… Oops.

AM I A FAN NOW?

This just goes to show you that just because you didn’t like one of the author’s first books doesn’t mean that you won’t love future books. Because I can easily say I want to continue ready KB books and I’m happy with that.

The Quit List was clever and fun and filled with such great banter. I loved the dynamic between Jax and Holly. It was a really sweet slow burn and even with the plot pieces didn’t overwhelm the relationship that was building. All of the outdoor content was great and I was charmed by it all.

It’s also a great audiobook if you’re interest in that avenue!

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: low
  • Romance: heated kisses
  • Violence: low

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Monthly Reading Wrap-Up: October 2025

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I had to amp up the reading to combat the fact that I had EIGHT arcs coming out on November 4th. But all is good, all has been read. Reviews will be out over the next few months!

  • Town of Shadows (Slanted London #1) by Jessica Scarlet
  • The Weaver Bride (The Weaver Bride #1) by Lydia Gregovic
  • [ARC] Marriage is Shore Thing (Wilks Beach #2) by Laura Langa
  • Throne in the Dark (Villains & Virtues #1) by A.K. Caggiano
  • Unending (The Unseelie Duology #2) by Ivelisse Housman
  • Our Beautiful Mess by B.K. Clark
  • The Mummy Snatcher Curse (The Wand Keepers #2) by Tiffany McDaniel
  • Grave Flowers by Autumn Krause
  • [ARC/ALC] Secret Haven (Sparrow Falls #6) by Catherine Cowles
  • Ghost Business (Boneyard Key #2) by Jen DeLuca
  • A Steeping of Blood (A Tempest of Tea Duology #2) by Hafsah Faizal
  • The Sound of Summer (The House on Harrison Blvd #1) by Meagan Williamson
  • [ALC] Red City (The New Alchemists #1) by Marie Lu
  • [ARC]The Demon and the Light (The Floating World #2) by Axie Oh
  • House of Dragons (Royal Houses #1) by K.A. Linde
  • [ARC/ALC] An Ocean Apart by Jill Tew
  • Summoned to the Wilds (Villains & Virtues #1) by A.K. Caggiano
  • Kill the Beast by Serra Swift
  • The Arrow and the Alder by Barbara Kloss
  • The Last Tiger by Julia Riew & Brad Riew
  • [ALC] The Heir (Crownhaven #1) by Sophia Travers
  • [ALC] Never Ever After (Never Ever After #1) by Sue Lynn Tan
  • Sonnets and Serpents (Casters & Crowns #2) by Elizabeth Lowham
  • [ARC] Against a Crescent Storm (The Balkan Legends #3) by A.L. Sowards
  • For No Mortal Creature by Kenshe Chow
  • [ALC] The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow
  • [ARC] The Prince of Mourning by Jenn Bennett
  • [ARC] The Maid of Sherwood Forest (A McQuivey’s Costume Shop Romance #2) by Sian Ann Bessey
  • Every Spiral of Fate (This Woven Kingdom #4) by Tahereh Mafi
  • [ALC] Fallen City (Fallen City Duology #1) by Adrienne Young
  • [ARC] Through Each Tomorrow (Timeless #6) by Gabrielle Meyer
  • A Land So Wide by Erin A. Craig
  • [Novella] A Very Merry Matchup by Becca Kinzer
  • [ARC/ALC] A Queen’s Match (A Queen’s Duet #2) by Katharine McGee
  • [ARC] Ship of Spells by H. Leighton Dickson
  • [Novella] Holly (Belladonna #3.5) by Adalyn Grace

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ARC Book Review: Coldwire (Coldwire #1) by Chloe Gong

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Rating: ★★★★.5
Audience: YA Dystopian Sci-Fi
Length: 496 pages
Author: Chloe Gong
Publisher: McElderry Books
Release Date: November 4th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Chloe Gong comes the start of a daring new dystopian series where humanity has moved to virtual reality to flee their deteriorating world, following two young soldiers who must depend on unlikely allies in their fight for survival.

The future is loading…

To escape rising seas and rampant epidemics, most of society lives “upcountry” in glistening virtual reality, while those who can’t afford the subscription are forced to remain in crumbling “downcountry.”

But upcountry isn’t perfect. A cold war rages between two powerful nations, Medaluo and Atahua—and no one suffers for it more than the Medan orphans in Atahua. Their enrollment at Nile Military Academy is mandatory. Either serve as a soldier or risk being labelled a spy.

Eirale graduated the academy and joined NileCorp’s private forces downcountry, exactly as she was supposed to. Then Atahua’s most wanted anarchist frames her for assassinating a government official, and she’s given a choice: cooperate with him to search for a dangerous program in Medaluo or go down for treason.

Meanwhile, Lia is finishing her last year upcountry at Nile Military Academy. Paired with her academic nemesis for their final assignment, Lia is determined to beat him for valedictorian and prove her worth. But there may be far more at stake when their task to infiltrate Medaluo and track down an Atahuan traitor goes wrong…

Though Eirale and Lia tear through Medaluo on different planes of reality, the two start to suspect they are puzzle pieces in a larger conspiracy—and the closer they get to the truth, the closer their worlds come to a shattering collision.

Thank you Simon Teen and Simon Audio for the gifted ARC and audiobook.

STOP IT RIGHT NOW.

Y’all know by now that I’m a big fan of Chloe Gong’s books and she hit it out of the park again!! If you’ve been missing the era of great young adult dystopian novels, please get this on your TBR nowwwww.

I loved the complicated world filled with AI. It’s haunting and thought provoking and feels like it’s peering into the future. I definitely felt all the things with the way some of these scenes went down.

I enjoyed both of the POV’s and the differences in the world for them. It was a good contrast that led to insight on multiple fronts and let me tell y’all, I was glued to my headphones.

And I don’t know how I wasn’t noting the looming twist, but it notched up my thoughts about this book tenfold. I AM SO HERE FOR IT.

The dash of romance worked well for me too. It’s not at the forefront but plays enough of a *very* slow burn role that it only adds to the overall feel of the book. I can’t wait for the next book after that ending!!!

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Sci-Fi Dysptopian
  • Language: mild
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: moderate

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ARC Book Review Through Each Tomorrow (Timeless #6) by Gabrielle Meyer

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 384 pages
Author: Gabrielle Meyer
Publisher: Bethany House
Release Date: November 4th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

In 1883, Charles Hollingsworth is a poor farmer desperate to secure financial stability for his mother and sister, as he is unsure which of his time-crossing paths he will choose on his twenty-fifth birthday. Posing as the Earl of Norfolk, he enters the opulent circles of Newport’s elite to assist a fellow time-crossing friend, Drew. But suspicions of his identity arise among the upper crust, and his encounters with Drew’s intriguing sister further complicate decisions that could impact a lifetime.

In 1563, Lady Cecily Pembrooke serves Queen Elizabeth while clinging to the hope that her stepbrother Charles will remain with her in this path. As the true Earl of Norfolk, Charles is deeply entangled in the deadly politics of the court. When he brings Drew, a physician in training, to Windsor Castle to help save the ailing monarch, old feelings for Drew rekindle in Cecily’s heart, but her love faces impossible odds under the strict rules of the crown. As their futures hang by a thread, will Charles and Cecily’s web of secrets unravel and ensnare them in an inescapable destiny?

Gabrielle Meyer delivers an enthralling tale of love, sacrifice, and the relentless pull of time in her newest Timeless series installment.

Thank you to the author and Bethany House for a gifted copy.

ABOUT DID ME IN.

Those emotions though!! I was legitimately worried that there wouldn’t be a satisfying/happy ending but good havens, it came through at the final hour. I really liked the faith elements and sentiments included in this one. They were relatable and not over the top and made you feel that depth of despair and hope.

I loved all of these characters. The strength of self to continue pressing forward and making the best moves from what lay in front of you. I would have LOVED Drew’s perspective too, but that’s okay. Charles and Cecily were wonderful stories to follow.

I really enjoyed learning about both timelines and did a bit of googling after because my history nerd self wanted even more. I loved well researched historical novels!!

These was very romantic, heartfelt, and filled with forgiveness and courage. Another wonderful story for this series and not one to miss!

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: closed door between a married couple
  • Violence: moderate
  • Content warnings: affair (recounted), loss of loved ones, near death experiences

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