Book Review: The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook for Surviving Medieval England

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Sci-Fi / Fantasy
Length: 372 pages
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Publisher: Dragonsteel
Release Date: April 1st, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

#1 New York Times bestselling author Brandon Sanderson meshes Jason Bourne and epic fantasy in this captivating adventure that throws an amnesiac wizard into time travel shenanigans—where his only hope of survival lies in recovering his missing memories.

A man awakes in a clearing in what appears to be medieval England with no memory of who he is, where he came from, or why he is there. Chased by a group from his own time, his sole hope for survival lies in regaining his missing memories, making allies among the locals, and perhaps even trusting in their superstitious boasts. His only help from the “real world” should have been a guidebook entitled The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook for Surviving Medieval England, except his copy exploded during transit. The few fragments he managed to save provide clues to his situation, but can he figure them out in time to survive?

I HAD A GOOD TIME.

This book is definitely different than any other Sanderson book I’ve read before (and I have 15+ under my belt). But that’s also why I enjoyed it!! He wanted to write something unique and he did and I got a kick out of listening to his audiobook. This is also shorter than his usual too (the audio was 9 hours) so it’s all around a nice change of pace.

Our mystery man wakes up and has no idea what’s happening and I loved learning the world with him. Slowly uncovering clues and putting together the handbook and watching things unfold. I enjoyed the side characters and the general story. There’s some good quirky laughter moments and even a little sub-plot romance! I thought the leading man went through some good growth too. He really has to evaluate himself and the choices he’s made and I love deep character moments.

Everything may feel a little chaotic, though I found that to work in it’s favor. I’m just a Sanderson fan and liked getting something new from him.

Overall audience notes:

  • Sci-Fi / Fantasy
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: moderate
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: cheating (main character’s ex), physical and weapons violence, loss of life, murder, grief and depression depiction, mentions of the pandemic, suicide ideation

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Book Review: Luna and the Lie by Mariana Zapata

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 620 pages
Author: Mariana Zapata
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: December 12th, 2018
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The problem with secrets is that they’re too easy to keep collecting.

Luna Allen has done some things she would rather no one ever know about. She also knows that, if she could go back in time, she wouldn’t change a single thing.

With three sisters she loves, a job she (mostly) adores, and a family built up of friends she’s made over the years, Luna figures everything has worked out the way it was supposed to.

But when one of those secrets involves the man who signs her paycheck, she can’t find it in her to regret it. Despite the fact that he’s not the friendliest man in the world. Or the most patient.

Sometimes there are things you’re better off keeping to yourself.

CONFLICTED.

Okay so I feel like I want to rate this more specifically at somewhere around 3.75. The readability is still amazing. I don’t know what MZ puts in her books but the way I DEVOUR 600 pages is unreal. I love it. The excitement was there too. I wanted to keep going, I wanted to watch this love story unfold, buuuut there were some misses.

I’m one of those who can be picky about pet names. And with the age gap already in play, adding in baby girl as the name just didn’t do it for me. What I did love was the alpha possessiveness and jealousy that Ripley exhibited. I was in the mood for this kind of MMC and it did not disappoint. Every time he showed up you could see me going, YESSSSS! Here for it all. And the sweet ways he would take care of Luna?? Can’t handle. Give it all to me.

The plot has some intrigue and mystery that I liked. There was attention given to the slow unveiling of backgrounds and stories that brought Luna and Rip together. I enjoyed the car shop setting and love that it was a unique set-up compared to most romance books I’ve happened to have read.

Definitely not my favorite MZ book, but still insanely enjoyable and I’m glad to have picked it up. Can’t wait to continue my backlist reading!

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: strong
  • Romance: one open door (at end)
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: child abuse (recounted), physical altercations loss of a grandparent

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Monthly Reading Wrap-Up: July 2023

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SUMMER. And my biggest reading month ever.

**As a little reminder note. Reviews for these books come out over the following months. But consider anything on the Favorites list a must read from me!**

Favorites this month:

  • Windsong Manor
  • The Shards of Ophelia
  • Tower of Dawn
  • Upping the Ante
  • Dark Age
  • The Deal
  • One Kiss Alone
  • Safe Harbor
  • The Magic Of Lemon Drop Pie
  • The Wall of Winnipeg and Me
  • All Alone With You
  • Kingdom of Ash
  • The Bones of Benevolence
  • Glimmers of You
  • The Fake Out
  • Light Bringer
  • Glow of the Everflame

Least favorites:

  • Hideaway
  • House of Striking Oaths
  • Kingdom of Nomads
  • The Phoenix King
  • [Novella] Snapshot by Brandon Sanderson
  • Will They or Won’t They by Ava Wilder
  • [ARC] Windsong Manor by Julie Wright
  • [Graphic Novel] Dark One by Brandon Sanderson
  • Dark One: Forgotten by Brandon Sanderson
  • [ARC] The Shards of Ophelia (The Curse of Ophelia #2) by Nicole Platania
  • [Reread] Tower of Dawn (Throne of Glass #6) by Sarah J. Maas
  • [Novella] Upping the Ante (Sheet Cake Love Stories) by Emma St. Clair
  • [Reread] Dark Age (Red Rising #5) by Pierce Brown
  • [ALC] The Honeymoon Crashers (The Unhoneymooners #1.5) by Christina Lauren
  • The Deal (Off-Campus #1) by Elle Kennedy
  • [ARC] One Kiss Alone (The Penn-Leiths of Thistle Muir #3) by Nichole Van
  • The Queen of Dawn (Shadows and Crowns #5) by S.M. Gaither
  • Safe Harbor (Scoops Series #1) by K. Sinko
  • Sing Me to Sleep (Sing Me to Sleep #1) by Gabi Burton
  • The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie by Rachel Linden
  • [ARC] Immortal Longings (Flesh and False Gods #1) by Chloe Gong
  • [Reread] The Wall of Winnipeg and Me by Mariana Zapata
  • The Comeback Summer by Ali Brady
  • [ARC] First Impressions of You by Gabriela Graciosa Guedes
  • [ARC] All Alone With You by Amelia Diance Coombs
  • [Reread] Kingdom of Ash (Throne of Glass #7) by Sarah J. Maas
  • Hideaway by Bekah Overbey
  • Garden of the Cursed (Garden of the Cursed #1) by Katy Rose Pool
  • House of Striking Oaths (The Kingdom of Crow #3) by Olivia Wildenstein
  • [Novella] Untethered Sky by Fonda Lee
  • Friends Don’t (Fall in Love #1) by Leah Dobrinska
  • A Lady’s Guide to Scandal (A Lady’s Guide #2) by Sophie Irwin
  • The Bones of Benevolence (Benevolence & Blood #1) by Lauren M. Leasure
  • [ALC] Glimmers of You (Lost & Found #3) by Catherine Cowles
  • Play for Me by Libby Hubscher
  • [ARC] The Scarlet Alchemist (The Scarlet Alchemist #1) by Kylie Lee Baker
  • Cupid’s Compass (The Soulmate Seeker Series #1) by Ashley Weiss
  • The Fake Out by Sharon M. Peterson
  • A Kingdom of Nomads (Outcast #2) by S.B. Nova
  • The Hardest Fall by Ella Maise
  • Give Me a Sign by Anna Sortino
  • Coach (Treasure State Wildcats #1) by Devney Perry
  • The Bombshell Effect (Washington Wolves #1) by Karla Sorensen
  • [ARC] The Phoenix King (The Ravence Trilogy #1) by Aparna Verma
  • [Gifted] A Royal Competition (Royal Hearts #2) by Amanda Schimmoeller
  • Light Bringer (The Red Rising Saga #6) by Pierce Brown
  • Glow of the Everflame (Kindred’s Curse #2) by Penn Cole
  • Mile High (Windy City #1) by Liz Tomforde
  • Off to the Races (Gold Rush Ranch #1) by Elsie Silver

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ALC Book Review: Glimmers of You (Lost & Found #3) by Catherine Cowles

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Romantic Suspense
Length: 330 pages
Author: Catherine Cowles
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: August 1st, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

He hadn’t always just been my brother’s best friend. There was a time when he was mine, too. Until he disappeared from our small town when I needed him the most.

Now, Caden’s back. With his cocky smirk and infuriating nicknames. And I’m struggling to ignore his presence.

When my ex refuses to leave me alone, Caden steps in, suggesting that it will get my ex and Caden’s calculating father off both our backs if we just pretend to be madly in love.

There’s just one problem… Nothing I feel for Caden Shaw is fake—even when I thought I hated him. And there’s no denying how the touch of his lips sparks a flame I’ll never be able to extinguish.

As those pretend moments start to turn oh so real, someone’s watching. They’re not happy about Caden’s new role in my life. And they’ll do anything to rip me away from him—even burn us all to the ground.

Thank you to Catherine Cowles for an ALC and eARC.

ANOTHER WINNER.

I am back with another great review for Catherine Cowles Lost & Found series. Quick audiobook notes: I LOVE listening to these on audio!! The narrators do a fantastic job and I am always here for dual POV narration.

This book brought the suspense. I did not see many of these reveals coming! I had my eyes on certain characters, but once again, I was surprised by the final disclosure. I enjoy not trying to sleuth these out too much and savor the entire story as it comes.

I adored the relationship between Grae and Caden. The fake dating brought them together and the forced proximity brought the heat. I liked watching them find ways to reconnect and that Caden was able to apologize and work through some of his past trauma to find a place of healing with Grae. It’s sweet (and yes, a little spicy) and quick to fly through.

I am just a big time fan girl of Cowles books and can’t wait for the next two in this series!

Overall audience notes:

  • Romantic Suspense
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: 3-4 open; moderate explicit
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: gun violence, arson, attempted murder, physical violence, stalker, losing a sister to cancer (recounted)

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