Tag: Book Review

Book Review: Saints and Monsters by Ellen McGinty

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy
Length: 392 pages
Author: Ellen McGinty
Publisher: Quill & Flame
Release Date: March 5th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

With her crooked spine and reckless heart, Princess Meera always knew she wasn’t meant to become queen of Ezo. But when her sister, the rightful heir, is cursed on the eve of her coronation, Meera must defend her kingdom from ruthless invaders by taking the throne. Yet, while some countries have simple coronations, in Ezo . . .

The princess must first claim a sea dragon.

Only the dragon is vicious, perfect, and whole-everything Meera is not. And if the dragon doesn’t deem her worthy, it will devour her. Turning to the Saints for help, she doesn’t anticipate that her actions will transform the dragon into a mortal, or that she’ll steal his heart . . . literally.

Now, as two hearts beat inside Meera’s chest, she’s reminded that her life is entwined with a dragon, who despises her weaknesses. Despite their differences, they must work together to reverse the curse and save the kingdom before more is lost than their stolen hearts.

Thank you to the author for a gifted e-book.

WHAT A SURPRISE.

I had seen this around a touch and didn’t know if it would be a hit or miss for me. But an opportunity presented itself, I took it, and then proceeded to binge this book in two days. There’s your review, clearly you need to pick this up too.

BUT, I will give you more. I loved Meera. I loved her strength and loyalty to her family and kingdom. Her journey was amazing and I loved how things came together. This is a standalone and while usually a struggle for me, I had none of those issues this time. I loved the world building, the magic, the DRAGONS and all of the characters. I felt like I got enough of everything needed to feel like it was a well rounded story and closed off all of the plot lines by the end.

There’s a subtle romance woven in that was sweet to watch unfurl. I adored the connection and how slowly but surely (through my favorite forced proximity) they started to work together and solving problems. I don’t want to give too much away in the romance aspects so trust me!!

This was truly a gem of a read. I had a wonderful time and it was the fantasy book I didn’t know I was craving. I look forward to more books by this author!

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy + Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: moderate

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Book Review: An Improbable Season (Unexpected Seasons #1) by Rosalyn Eves

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: YA Historical Romance
Length: 352 pages
Author: Rosalyn Eves
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Release Date: April 25th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

For fans of Bridgerton, a YA Regency romance by Rosalyn Eves about three teenage girls, their big dreams, and a London Season gone awry.

When Thalia, Kalliope, and Charis set off to Regency London for their first Season, they each have clear goals–few of which include matrimony. Thalia means to make her mark among the intelligentsia and publish her poetry, Charis hopes to earn her place among the scientific elite, and Kalliope aims to take the fashionable ton by storm. But this Season, it doesn’t take long for things to fall apart. Kalli finds herself embroiled in scandal and reliant upon an arranged marriage to redeem her reputation, Thalia’s dreams of publication are threatened by her attraction to a charming rake, and Charis finds herself an unexpected social hit–and the source of a family scandal that her heart might not survive. Can this roller-coaster Season find its happily ever after?

An Improbable Season is a voicy, swoony regency drama about falling in love–with another person, with new opportunities, and with yourself.

GREAT DRAMA.

This book had a wonderful balance of drama without feeling over the top. I think the Bridgerton vibes were on point and I liked the entire book. Honestly I would have loved even more to have separate books for each character because I enjoyed each story so much and having even deeper background exploration would have been awesome.

I liked that each romance had a unique perspective and plot. It was easy to keep everyone separate and enjoy each point of view change. It was cute and I especially loved the sister relationships. They weren’t this easy going, not accurate portrayal, but a lovely realistic story that I could completely get behind.

There’s good character growth and finding your passion and paths. I liked seeing each woman overcome their mistakes and find what works best for them. I look forward to seeing who the next book will focus on!!

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Historical Romance
  • Language: little
  • Romance: kisses; light innuendo
  • Violence: low

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ARC Book Review: Beauty and the Beach (Falling for Summer) by Gracie Ruth Mitchell

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 305 pages
Author: Gracie Ruth Mitchell
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: July 17th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Phoenix Park is the man I fantasize about…hitting with my car, that is.
He’s rich. He’s sexy. He’s the absolute worst. But after I fall prey to an internet scam and lose every last penny in my account (please don’t ask), it’s Phoenix who swoops in with an offer I can’t refuse. I’ll marry him for the summer so he can inherit the family company from his dying grandmother, and in return, he’ll drop a hefty sum of money into my bank account.

Buy me a pair of sweatpants with GOLD DIGGER across the butt, because I’m just desperate enough to agree.

Our arrangement is only supposed to be for a few months, until Phoenix’s poor grandmother passes. I can pretend for that long. I can stop insulting him long enough to force a few smiles and some lovey-dovey glances. But with every touch we share, with every kiss we fake, I find the walls around my heart beginning to crack–letting in feelings I’m not prepared for.

And when Phoenix’s grandmother makes a miraculous recovery, leaving us stuck indefinitely in this charade of holy matrimony? That’s when I know I’m really in trouble.

Thank you to the author for an eARC.

I LOVED THIS SO MUCH.

If you need a book that feels like summer, this brought those vibes and the atmosphere I have been craving. This is a GEM. READ IT OKAY.

I have a hard time finding true enemies to lovers in contemporary books. And this DELIVERED. I was obsessed with the snark and banter and all of the nicknames had me hollering. There was this sense that you just KNEW they already loved each other, and getting to see the process of the forced proximity break down those barriers was everything.

There are so many scenes I want to shout about but I also need you to go in blind and trust the moments, because they are MOMENTS. I HAVE NOT RECOVERED FROM THAT HUG SCENE. AND I PROBABLY WON’T. Not to mention the kissing scenes lit my kindle on fire.

I liked the level of chaos that was added from Phoenix’s family. I loved the positive therapy rep. I am obsessed with the chemistry between the MC’s (and it’s dual POV too!!). Everything, I loved everything about this book.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: make-outs
  • Violence: low
  • Content Warnings: an emotionally manipulative grandmother, losing a brother in a car accident

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Book Review: The Last Word by Katy Birchall

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Rating: ★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 384 pages
Author: Katy Birchall
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Release Date: May 2nd, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A young journalist puts her career––and her heart––on the line when her former work nemesis is hired in her newsroom, for fans of The Hating Game and Beach Read .

Harper Jenkins is at the top of her game. A brilliant, determined journalist with a well-known knack for getting tight-lipped Hollywood stars to open up to her, Harper loves her job as Celebrity Editor at a newspaper’s glossy weekend magazine and has the best contacts in the business.

But when her awful boss hires talented reporter Ryan to be the new Features Editor, Harper is furious. Because the two have met a decade ago, they were interns at the same publication, where they fell into a whirlwind romance…until Ryan betrayed Harper, and they never spoke again.

Thrown together in a busy newsroom, their dynamic is a disaster from the start. They can’t agree on anything and bicker constantly―Ryan can’t bear how chaotic and messy Harper is; Harper finds Ryan’s condescending nature infuriating. They clash over who’s writing what article, and fight over who’s going to which event.

Yet as they’re forced to spend more and more time together, Harper realizes she may have misjudged Ryan and can’t help but feel a spark growing between them. Long buried feelings start to resurface and, when they’re thrown together on a romantic press trip abroad, their chemistry comes to a head.

But all is fair in love and magazines, and with the news that layoffs across the department are imminent, Harper is left to who will get the last word?

NOPE.

I became increasingly frustrated with this book the longer it went on. There was a reprieve in the middle for a bit where I felt like things were finally jiving and then it lost me all over again.

I hate cheating that can clearly be circumvented in books. And you can tell me multiple reasons why it’s “fine” and it will still bug me. I didn’t like it and wish the FMC of all people would have thought better.

Ryan was occasionally fine. He was pretty sweet and I liked seeing his emotional side too. Some of the flashback moments were cute.

History repeating itself did not work for me. Nor did the poor enemies to lovers banter. It was childish and a bit stilted.

I enjoyed the authors previous book but now I’m hesitant to pick up the next. We’ll see.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: mild
  • Romance: fade to black
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: cheating (main couple), brief mention of death of a loved one

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