Book Review: On the Second Day of Christmas (Belles of Christmas: Frost Fair #4) by Deborah M. Hathaway

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: Regency Romance
Length: 228 pages
Author: Deborah M. Hathaway
Publisher: Self-published
Release Date: November 21st, 2020
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Slipping on the ice is bad enough—being treated by the physician she rejected years ago is simply unbearable.

Belles of Christmas: Frost Fair
Sweet, Regency Christmas Romances
Five Christmas romances and the Frost Fair that started them all

Headstrong and independent, Miss Lucy Lincoln wishes to find a husband who shares her taste for adventure. Until then, she is determined to live her life without regrets. Well, except for the one she already has—humiliating poor Benjamin Kent after his unwanted marriage proposal years earlier. After an accident at the Frost Fair draws that same insecure gentleman to care for her injury, she finally asks for forgiveness. But Dr. Kent, now a respectable gentleman and physician, is unwilling to accept her apology.

Benjamin Kent wants nothing more than to live out his days in peace and seclusion away from London Society—and away from his memories of Lucy Lincoln. But when his conscience forces him to treat the woman, he cannot pass on the opportunity to finally let her know that she no longer has him under her spell.

Rather than being relieved with Benjamin’s indifference, Lucy struggles to accept the fact that little, shy Benjamin now shows irresistible confidence—and an unsettling apathy toward her. When sparks smolder between them, though, Benjamin must fight to keep his old feelings in the past, and Lucy must realize before it’s too late that either Benjamin has changed…or her own feelings have.

This is the fourth book in the clean and sweet Regency romance Belles of Christmas: Frost Fair series.
Although this second chance romance is a stand-alone novel, the books are best enjoyed when read in order.

A GREAT RESOLUTION.

I’ve made it through four of these books now, and they’re totally predictable and have some of the same characteristics. BUT, they are also easy reads with adorable romances and subtle moments that I’ve really enjoyed diving into. Quick Christmas regency romance reads.

I liked that this one differed from the others in the overall plot. Lucy had to try and regain Benjamin’s confidence and right several wrongs of their past. It made for great banter that had me smiling and loving the connection they were reforming. Some of the side characters were a touch too much, but they seemed to add contrast to the main’s.

Ben and Lucy both had flaws and I loved seeing those along with them growing and recognizing how they both could work together. This installment was incredibly sweet and I have been loving all of the holiday vibes.

Overall audience notes:

  • Regency romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: slips & falls, nearly falling into an icy river

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Book Review: Layla by Colleen Hoover

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: Paranormal Romance
Length: 304 pages
Author: Colleen Hoover
Publisher: Montlake
Release Date: December 8th, 2020
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

When Leeds meets Layla, he’s convinced he’ll spend the rest of his life with her—until an unexpected attack leaves Layla fighting for her life. After weeks in the hospital, Layla recovers physically, but the emotional and mental scarring has altered the woman Leeds fell in love with. In order to put their relationship back on track, Leeds whisks Layla away to the bed-and-breakfast where they first met. Once they arrive, Layla’s behavior takes a bizarre turn. And that’s just one of many inexplicable occurrences.

Feeling distant from Layla, Leeds soon finds solace in Willow—another guest of the B&B with whom he forms a connection through their shared concerns. As his curiosity for Willow grows, his decision to help her find answers puts him in direct conflict with Layla’s well-being. Leeds soon realizes he has to make a choice because he can’t help both of them. But if he makes the wrong choice, it could be detrimental for all of them.

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover comes a novel that explores life after tragedy and the enduring spirit of love. 

INTERESTING.

Well, that was unique. Paranormal anything is a hard genre for me. So I can’t say this is my favorite Hoover book, but it did keep me invested and really dang curious where it was going.

This was completely different than any romance I’ve read. From the get-go I already felt the pull to Leeds and Layla’s relationship. I love the way this kind of connection was written (and proves that yes, I do love some insta-love/attraction sometimes). Then it took off in a incredibly far right field direction. And I spent the next several chapters trying to grasp what just happened.

While a romance book, this is also not a romance book. I was nervous in how it was starting to play out and was feeling like my rating was slipping between my fingers. The deeper I got into the book and the more revealed did satisfy any issues I was concerned with. Did take me by surprise though.

I didn’t love how the back and forth layout went and wanted a better progression. It made the characters motivations seem really skewed and was causing a lot of doubt that things were going to work. It’s a trippy ending (not as wild as Verity though) that left me with some questions, but also okay enough with everything.

Overall audience notes:

  • Paranormal Romance
  • Language: some strong throughout
  • Romance: kisses/make-outs; a handful of brief open door scenes, and quick closed door scenes
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: gun violence, near drowning, emotional cheating

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Book Review: Raybearer (Raybearer #1) by Jordan Ifueko

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Audience: YA Fantasy
Length: 368 pages
Author: Jordan Ifueko
Publisher: Amulet Books
Release Date: August 18th, 2020
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Nothing is more important than loyalty. But what if you’ve sworn to protect the one you were born to destroy?

Tarisai has always longed for the warmth of a family. She was raised in isolation by a mysterious, often absent mother known only as The Lady. The Lady sends her to the capital of the global empire of Aritsar to compete with other children to be chosen as one of the Crown Prince’s Council of 11. If she’s picked, she’ll be joined with the other Council members through the Ray, a bond deeper than blood. That closeness is irresistible to Tarisai, who has always wanted to belong somewhere. But The Lady has other ideas, including a magical wish that Tarisai is compelled to obey: Kill the Crown Prince once she gains his trust. Tarisai won’t stand by and become someone’s pawn—but is she strong enough to choose a different path for herself? 

INSTANT HIT.

WOW.

This was so good!! And highly recommend on audio too. I felt that brought Raybearer to life.

I’m always hesitant over a timeline that starts off with a younger child then moves on to teenager/adulthood. I loove the way this was written. I never felt stuck too long in one area, but got all of the information needed to get a great sense of the world being built and the magic system being established.

Found family is a hidden gem trope for me. I start to feel all the things for every member of the group. This was fantastic. I love that Tarisai found her home. She found her friends and family. Those who would love and protect her just like she would them. It was beautiful. Every side character I met stole my heart and I am captivated by them all.

Her relationship with Sanjeet was adorable. Brooding and with the right amount of angst and longing. It played so well into the storyline, but didn’t over shadow the plot. I always love a good romance woven in and I see it here.

The political action was astounding and kept me on my toes. It wasn’t bogged down with too many council meetings and babble that didn’t go anywhere. Every scene had a point and meant something to the story. Many things are incredibly unique to this fantasy and it was refreshing to take it all in. This one is worth the hype y’all and there’s no way to cover the abundant aspects I enjoyed.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy
  • Language: very little
  • Romance: kisses; closed door scenes
  • Violence: small battles, physical altercations, attempted exocutions
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of a parent, child sacrifice (not depicted, but spoken of as it pertains heavily to the plot), domestice abuse, gaslighting

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Book Review: Keeper of the Lost Cities (Keeper of the Lost Cities #1) by Shannon Messenger

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: Middle Grade Fantasy
Length: 496 pages
Author: Shannon Messenger
Publisher: Aladdin
Release Date: October 2nd, 2012
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Twelve-year-old Sophie Foster has a secret. She’s a Telepath—someone who hears the thoughts of everyone around her. It’s a talent she’s never known how to explain.

Everything changes the day she meets Fitz, a mysterious boy who appears out of nowhere and also reads minds. She discovers there’s a place she does belong, and that staying with her family will place her in grave danger. In the blink of an eye, Sophie is forced to leave behind everything and start a new life in a place that is vastly different from anything she has ever known.

Sophie has new rules to learn and new skills to master, and not everyone is thrilled that she has come “home.”
There are secrets buried deep in Sophie’s memory—secrets about who she really is and why she was hidden among humans—that other people desperately want. Would even kill for.

In this page-turning debut, Shannon Messenger creates a riveting story where one girl must figure out why she is the key to her brand-new world, before the wrong person finds the answer first.

A NEW MG FAV.

This book reminded me of why I enjoy reading middle-grade books. I absolutely adored it and can’t wait to continue this series.

I love Sophie! She’s a great character with a mix of the obvious naivety that comes with being 12/13, but also the resilience that comes from being put in difficult situations. Not to mention finding out so much information about herself in a matter of months. I hope this character grow continues throughout.

The side characters were added gems too. I thought they were fun, cute, and I can see the budding friendships solidifying. I love a fantastic friend group and want more of this casts antics.

I struggled with the kids at school trope (like I do in all cases), but this didn’t detract too much from how much I appreciated the story. They might have been at school a lot but I thought the development of the story was well laid out. I have plenty of questions and am curious where all the strings will start tying together.

Overall audience notes:

  • Middle grade fantasy
  • Language: none
  • Violence: physical altercations, kidnapping (by drugging them to sleep), fires, magic

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