Book Review: A Pho Love Story by Loan Le

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: YA Contemporary Romance
Length: 416 pages
Author: Loan Le
Publisher: Simon Schuster
Release Date: February 9th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

If Bao Nguyen had to describe himself, he’d say he was a rock. Steady and strong, but not particularly interesting. His grades are average, his social status unremarkable. He works at his parents’ pho restaurant, and even there, he is his parents’ fifth favorite employee. Not ideal.

If Linh Mai had to describe herself, she’d say she was a firecracker. Stable when unlit, but full of potential for joy and fire. She loves art and dreams pursuing a career in it. The only problem? Her parents rely on her in ways they’re not willing to admit, including working practically full-time at her family’s pho restaurant.

For years, the Mais and the Nguyens have been at odds, having owned competing, neighboring pho restaurants. Bao and Linh, who’ve avoided each other for most of their lives, both suspect that the feud stems from feelings much deeper than friendly competition.

But then a chance encounter brings Linh and Bao in the same vicinity despite their best efforts and sparks fly, leading them both to wonder what took so long for them to connect. But then, of course, they immediately remember.

Can Linh and Bao find love in the midst of feuding families and complicated histories?

WONDERFUL YA.

Another gem in the young adult genre y’all. And the audio book was really great!! If you’re interested in that format, would highly recommend.

There was such a sweet love story between Bao and Lin. I love how perfectly cute it was for YA, but also had deeper levels that connected back to so much more. There’s not really angst involved, it’s just two people who have a bit of a Romeo & Juliet situation happening. It was romantic watching them on dates and reconnecting.

I really like the conversations that were interspersed throughout. One was the pressure of parent expectations vs. what Bao and Lin both wanted to do with their lives post high school. There were many relatable discussions and things I connected to myself from that time in my life. I also liked the exchanges about racism. I felt my understanding became another step better because this book was yes, light-hearted, but also covered important and relevant topics.

The amount of food discussed will have you salivating. I loooove a good foody book and all of the Vietnamese dishes sounded absolutely amazing and I hope to try some one day. I love the way culture was expressed and the story-telling surrounding it all.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Contemporary romance
  • Language: a little
  • Romance: kisses
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of a loved one, racism and microaggressions

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Book Review: Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone (Outlander #9) by Diana Gabaldon

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: Historical Fiction Romance
Length: 902 pages
Author: Diana Gabaldon
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Release Date: November 23rd, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The past may seem the safest place to be . . . but it is the most dangerous time to be alive. . . .

Jamie Fraser and Claire Randall were torn apart by the Jacobite Rising in 1743, and it took them twenty years to find each other again. Now the American Revolution threatens to do the same.

It is 1779 and Claire and Jamie are at last reunited with their daughter, Brianna, her husband, Roger, and their children on Fraser’s Ridge. Having the family together is a dream the Frasers had thought impossible.

Yet even in the North Carolina backcountry, the effects of war are being felt. Tensions in the Colonies are great and local feelings run hot enough to boil Hell’s tea-kettle. Jamie knows loyalties among his tenants are split and it won’t be long until the war is on his doorstep.

Brianna and Roger have their own worry: that the dangers that provoked their escape from the twentieth century might catch up to them. Sometimes they question whether risking the perils of the 1700s—among them disease, starvation, and an impending war—was indeed the safer choice for their family.

Not so far away, young William Ransom is still coming to terms with the discovery of his true father’s identity—and thus his own—and Lord John Grey has reconciliations to make, and dangers to meet . . . on his son’s behalf, and his own.

Meanwhile, the Revolutionary War creeps ever closer to Fraser’s Ridge. And with the family finally together, Jamie and Claire have more at stake than ever before.

HAPPY TO BE BACK.

Oh how I adore this series. It gets a lot of flack for being long and nuanced, but that’s kind of what I enjoy most. I know what I’m getting into and understand that this is a life story. Practically everything is included and that’s the appeal for me. Especially because I am utterly wrapped up in these characters and their stories.

This was another good read with plenty of action, moments where I swore I was about to throw my book and times where I’d rather hug it instead. I love Claire and Jamie. I always love how much deeper I feel their commitment to each other with each book. It never gets old.

I did miss seeing more of some of the side characters like Ian and Fergus!! I love them dearly and hoped for more of their stories, but I did get a few chapters with them at least. There was more focus on William and Lord John which was excellent in its own right. That part of the plot definitely has more to unleash come book ten.

I felt that this time around that some of the longer aspects of the novel, like traveling, were cut much shorter and I thought that really helped the pacing. A lot more things seemed to happen over time and that CLIFFHANGER ending was was lawless. Hopefully book ten makes it way too us soon-ish.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical fiction romance
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: mostly closed door, occasionally brief open
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: war themes (Revolutionary specifically), death by bear mauling, mentions of rape and sexual assault, PTSD from war, rape, and sexual assault, childbirth, teenage pregnancy, gun violence, life altering injuries, near death experiences; (+ more I may have missed, please research before reading this series!)

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Book Review: Divine Blood (Guardians of the Maiden #1) by Beck Michaels

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: Fantasy
Length: 467 pages
Author: Beck Michaels
Publisher: Pluma Press
Release Date: June 3rd, 2020
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The Shadow demon nearly took everything from Dynalya Astron, and it would soon return for more. When she discovers a way to fight back, she must go on a perilous journey and risk it all for those she holds dear.

Along the way, she meets Cassiel, a Celestial Prince with magic blood and wings as black as his heart. He wants nothing to do with Dyna until he learns she could lead him to a place he has been searching for all his life.

But reaching their destination is not as easy as they thought, nor are they the only ones who search for it. With danger at every turn and harrowing secrets between them, the quest will require much more than determination. They must fight for what they desire—or die trying.

For fans of Throne of Glass,The Cruel Prince, and The Lord of the Rings comes Beck Michael’s debut novel with remarkable characters, a budding romance, and gripping action. Divine Blood is the first book of an Epic Dark Fantasy series that explores the depths of loss, acceptance, and the true meaning of courage.

SOLID START.

A great start to a new fantasy series that might have me hooked! I listened to it as an audio book and really enjoyed that format. Definitely recommend that way if you like audio books!

Don’t quote me here, but apparently this is somewhat LOTR-ish? I’ve never read or seen the movie, but if that’s your jam, maybe you’ll enjoy this series too.

I love the world building here and allllllll of the magical creatures; elves, fae, angels, humans, werewolves, and many more! Everyone fit well together and I liked the initial set-up of everything. I’m curios how things will keep expanding and look forward to learning more about the magic systems as well.

There was an overwhelming about of POV’s. I generally love multiple, but this was a bit much initially. By the end, when I had a better grasp on who was who and which side of the divide they stood on, it was much more enjoyable. I’m starting to get a feel for this cast and I only want more. The only character I didn’t like was Dyna. Wow was she the epitome of [what she was referred to multiple times in the book] a stupid human. She came off whiny and had to be rescued more times than I could count. Hopefully that means there will be character growth over the series. That + a more intricate romance will sky rocket this for me.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy + Romance
  • Language: very little
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: physical altercations, gruesome animal mauling, magical weaponry, brief battle scenes

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ARC Book Review: A Far Wilder Magic by Alison Saft

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy Romance
Length: 384 pages
Author: Alison Saft
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Release Date: March 8th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

When Margaret Welty spots the legendary hala, the last living mythical creature, she knows the Halfmoon Hunt will soon follow. Whoever is able to kill the hala will earn fame and riches, and unlock an ancient magical secret. If Margaret wins the hunt, it may finally bring her mother home. While Margaret is the best sharpshooter in town, only teams of two can register, and she needs an alchemist.

Weston Winters isn’t an alchemist–yet. Fired from every apprenticeship he’s landed, his last chance hinges on Master Welty taking him in. But when Wes arrives at Welty Manor, he finds only Margaret and her bloodhound Trouble. Margaret begrudgingly allows him to stay, but on one condition: he must join the hunt with her.

Although they make an unlikely team, Wes is in awe of the girl who has endured alone on the outskirts of a town that doesn’t want her, in this creaking house of ghosts and sorrow. And even though Wes disrupts every aspect of her life, Margaret is drawn to him. He, too, knows what it’s like to be an outsider. As the hunt looms closer and tensions rise, Margaret and Wes uncover dark magic that could be the key to winning the hunt – if they survive that long.

In A Far Wilder Magic, Allison Saft has written an achingly tender love story set against a deadly hunt in an atmospheric, rich fantasy world that will sweep you away.

Thank you the the publisher and Netgalley for an eARC.

A BIT CONFUSING.

Oh the plight of a standalone fantasy.

I really enjoyed Down Comes the Night and have been excited to pick this one up and I’m kind of bummed it let me down.

What I struggled with most was the world building and magic system. It was obnoxiously convoluted for a standalone. Info dumping for some things and not broad enough explanations for others left me utterly directionless. Even by the end I was still a bit mixed on the religions, world system and more.

In the mix of things I did like was the romance. Wes and Margaret grew on me over the book. That sweet sense of first love and finding some who gets you and supports you. They were also solid as main characters. I love character growth and both exhibited plenty by the end. I enjoyed their banter and quiet moments.

Still not quite sure what the deal was with hunting the fox? It was a unique plot I’ll give it that, but I found myself skimming far more than I wanted. Great characterization and movement, but slow and enigmatic plot.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy Romance
  • Language: a little
  • Romance: one vague and brief open door
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: discrimination, prejudice, breaking and entering, hunting (of animals), physical altercations, animal mauling, neglectful parents, depictions of grief

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