Monthly Reading Wrap-Up: August 2021

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AUUUUGUST.

I made it through 42 different books this month and unfortunately, so many were misses. *sigh*

Hopefully September will be better! The last book on the list is an anthology of 20 romance novellas so I’ve been working through those in between my big books.

Favorites reads: Where the Stars Meet the Sea, Heart in the Highlands, The Cheat Sheet, Wings of Shadow, XOXO, The Dating Playbook, First Rider’s Call

Least Favorites: When Night Breaks, The Secrets We Kept, The Stable Master’s Son, They’ll Never Catch Us and a couple of the novellas from the anthology

  • [ARC] Lakesedge (World at the Lake’s Edge #1) by Lyndall Clipstone – (☆☆☆)
  • Fudge and Jury (A Bakeshop Mystery #5) by Ellie Alexander – (☆☆☆)
  • Witchshadow (The Witchlands #4) by Susan Dennard – (☆☆☆)
  • Hopeless (Hopeless #1) by Colleen Hoover – (☆☆☆☆☆)
  • [Graphic Novel] Fence Vol. 3 by C.S. Pacat – (☆☆☆☆☆)
  • [Graphic Novel] Fence Vol. 4 by C.S. Pacat – (☆☆☆☆)
  • The Dragon Republic (The Poppy War #2) by R.F. Kuang – (☆☆☆☆)
  • [ARC] When Night Breaks (Kingdom of Cards #2) by Janella Angeles – (☆☆ 1/2)
  • The Devil and the Heiress (The Gilded Age Heiresses #2) by Harper St.George – (☆☆☆)
  • The Devil’s Thief (The Last Magician #2) by Lisa Maxwell – (☆☆☆)
  • A Taste for Love by Jennifer Yen – (☆☆☆)
  • Heart in the Highlands by Heidi Kimball – (☆☆☆☆☆)
  • [Graphic Novel] Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken – (☆☆☆)
  • The Worst Best Man by Mia Sosa – (☆☆☆ 1/2)
  • I Wish You All the Best by Mason Deaver – (☆☆☆☆)
  • The Cheat Sheet by Sarah Adams – (☆☆☆☆☆)
  • Head Over Heels by Hannah Orenstein – (☆☆☆)
  • Wings of Shadow (Crown of Feathers #3) by Nicki Pau Preto – (☆☆☆☆☆)
  • The Secrets We Kept by Lara Prescott – (☆☆)
  • All I Want for Christmas by Wendy Loggia – (☆☆☆)
  • XOXO by Axie Oh – (☆☆☆☆ 1/2)
  • I Found You by Lisa Jewell – (☆☆☆)
  • [ARC] The Matchmaker’s Lonely Heart by Nancy Allen Campbell – (☆☆☆)
  • Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé – (☆☆☆☆)
  • Kiss My Cupcake by Helena Hunting – (☆☆☆☆)
  • The Dating Playbook (The Boyfriend Project #2) by Farrah Rochon – (☆☆☆☆)
  • Incendiary (Hollow Crown #1) by Zoraida Córdovav – (☆☆☆☆)
  • The House of Hades (The Heroes of Olympus #4) by Rick Riordan – (☆☆☆☆)
  • A Dance with the Fae Prince (Married to Magic #2) by Elise Kova – (☆☆☆☆)
  • The Stable Master’s Son (Sons of Somerset #2) by Mindy Burbidge Strunk – (☆☆)
  • They’ll Never Catch Us by Jessica Goodman – (☆)
  • First Rider’s Call (Green Rider #2) by Kristen Britain – (☆☆☆☆)
  • The Triumphant (The Valiant #3) by Lesley Livingston – (☆☆☆☆)
  • From Little Tokyo, with Love by Sarah Kuhn – (☆☆☆☆)
  • [Anthology of Contemporary Romance Novellas] Love, Laughter, and Happily Ever After
    • An Unwanted Love Story by Ellie Hall – (☆☆☆)
    • Her Plus-One by Summer Dowell – (☆☆☆☆)
    • Head Over Stilettos by Liwen Y. Ho – (☆☆)
    • Looking for Love (Sort of) by Meg Easton – (☆☆)
    • Lassoed into Love by Rachael Eliker – (☆☆☆)
    • Take a Hike by Sophie-Leigh Robbins – (☆☆☆)
    • Worst Neighbor Ever by Rachel John – (☆☆☆)

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Book Review: Tiger Queen by Annie Sullivan

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: YA Fantasy Romance
Length: 320 pages
Author: Annie Sullivan
Publisher: Blink
Release Date: September 10th, 2019
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

In the mythical desert kingdom of Achra, an ancient law forces sixteen-year-old Princess Kateri to fight in the arena to prove her right to rule. For Kateri, winning also means fulfilling a promise to her late mother that she would protect her people, who are struggling through windstorms and drought. The situation is worsened by the gang of Desert Boys that frequently raids the city wells, forcing the king to ration what little water is left. The punishment for stealing water is a choice between two doors: behind one lies freedom, and behind the other is a tiger.

But when Kateri’s final opponent is announced, she knows she cannot win. In desperation, she turns to the desert and the one person she never thought she’d side with. What Kateri discovers twists her world—and her heart—upside down. Her future is now behind two doors—only she’s not sure which holds the key to keeping her kingdom and which releases the tiger.

YOU’RE GONNA HEAR ME ROAR.

This was a great standalone!

I listened to it on audio and found myself really caught up in the story. It’s not very long yet, gives a good amount of depth for the characters and world-building. I, of course, wish there was more, but liked what I got overall.

Kateri was a strong heroine. I like that she chose her own path and was able to overcome her own prejudices. The romance between Kateri and Cion was my favorite blend of enemies to lovers. And for a standalone, it didn’t feel insta-love at all! There was depth to their conversations and moments and some fun banter as Kateri joined the Desert Boys.

The villains are on the bland, typical side. All got the demise necessary to maintain the plot. The action was engaging at least and I found myself knowing where the story was going, but enjoying the journey I was being taken on.

Overall audience notes:

  • Young adult fantasy romance
  • Language: very little
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: animal cruelty, death by animal, sandstorms, physical, sword battles, arena battles
  • Trigger/Content Warning: description of murder of a loved one and an infant

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Book Review: The Dating Playbook (The Boyfriend Project #2) by Farrah Rochon

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 368 pages
Author: Farrah Rochon
Publisher: Forever
Release Date: August 17th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

When a personal trainer agrees to fake date her client, all rules are out the window in this delightful romantic comedy from the USA Today bestselling author of The Boyfriend Project!

When it comes to personal training, Taylor Powell kicks serious butt. Unfortunately, her bills are piling up, rent is due, and the money situation is dire. Taylor needs more than the support of her new best friends, Samiah and London. She needs a miracle.

And Jamar Dixon might just be it. The oh-so-fine former footballer wants back into the NFL, and he wants Taylor to train him. There’s just one catch — no one can know what they’re doing. But when they’re accidentally outed as a couple, Taylor’s game plan is turned completely upside down. Is Jamar just playing to win . . . or is he playing for keeps?

SPORTS ROMANCE WINNER.

This is now my current favorite of this series. I read it in a day because it was so easy to fly though. The characters were lovable and relatable. Taylor was full of bravery and passion to make her path work. And while she struggled though some personal things, her character got a gorgeous arc that lead to growth and new horizons because those that loved her helped her (and she accepted the help). Jamar was utterly charming. His support was perfect. I was swooning left and right every time he spoke to Taylor. He was just so cute!!! Ahh, I really love this couple. And I love how Jamar worked through his own history and allowed those around him to help him through it too. These characters were just the best y’all.

For me, the innuendo was a bit heavy. Once again for this one, there are open scenes, but easily skippable if that’s your style and the story is a gem. I am still smitten with it all. Besides the fact that there’s a few Texas longhorns mentions (ew), I didn’t have any glaring issues. I love the writing, the setting, all of these characters. And it’s a football sports romance! What more could I hope for? I’m so excited to get London’s story next!!

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: kisses to open door
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: life changing injury (off page), learning disability discussions, anxiety and panic attacks, grief and loss depictions, death of a friend (off page), car + motorcycle accident

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Book Review: The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: Fantasy / Fiction
Length: 393 pages
Author: T.J. Klune
Publisher: Tor Books
Release Date: March 17th, 2020
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A magical island. A dangerous task. A burning secret.

Linus Baker leads a quiet, solitary life. At forty, he lives in a tiny house with a devious cat and his old records. As a Case Worker at the Department in Charge Of Magical Youth, he spends his days overseeing the well-being of children in government-sanctioned orphanages.

When Linus is unexpectedly summoned by Extremely Upper Management he’s given a curious and highly classified assignment: travel to Marsyas Island Orphanage, where six dangerous children reside: a gnome, a sprite, a wyvern, an unidentifiable green blob, a were-Pomeranian, and the Antichrist. Linus must set aside his fears and determine whether or not they’re likely to bring about the end of days.

But the children aren’t the only secret the island keeps. Their caretaker is the charming and enigmatic Arthur Parnassus, who will do anything to keep his wards safe. As Arthur and Linus grow closer, long-held secrets are exposed, and Linus must make a choice: destroy a home or watch the world burn.

An enchanting story, masterfully told, The House in the Cerulean Sea is about the profound experience of discovering an unlikely family in an unexpected place—and realizing that family is yours.

SO SWEET.

I’ve seen this book compared to a warm hug, and I truly see that analogy. This book is such a feel good read.

This cast is absolutely precious. Linus has some really relatable life sentiments and I thought it was really unique to a lot of books I’ve read that this was an older narrator. Throw him in with a group of children with unique abilities and I was smitten. I adored all of the children. Each was unique, made me smile and laugh, want to fiercely hug and protect, and cheer on that they would get the better future they deserved.

Cerulean Sea is a naturally slow read. It’s not fast paced and full of action. Instead it moves through the lives of all involved and leaves you with a vast amount of quotable moments. You could easily highlight half this book.

I loved the progression of the novel and how the story progressed with Linus. Getting to see him find happiness and love. Seeing the children get to branch out from their home. It was all so sweet!!

Overall audience notes:

  • Fiction / Fantasy
  • Language: very little
  • Romance: kisses

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