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Book Review: The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion (Vol. #2) by Beth Brower

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Historical Fiction
Length: 162 pages
Author: Beth Brower
Publisher: Rhysdon Press
Release Date: November 1st, 2019
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

“I was sitting at my desk reading, with a cup of tea, my windows flung open, when I heard The Tenant enter his garret, just on the other side of the wall from myself.”

The Year is 1883 and Emma M. Lion has returned to her London neighbourhood of St. Crispian’s. But Emma’s plans for a charmed and studious life are sabotaged by her eccentric Cousin Archibald, her formidable Aunt Eugenia, and the slightly odd denizens of St. Crispian’s.

Emma M. Lion offers up her Unselected Journals, however self-incriminating they may be, which comprise a series of novella-length volumes. Armed with wit and a sideways amusement, Emma documents the curious realities of her life at Lapis Lazuli House.

PROGRESSIVELY INTRIGUING.

For 160 pages, this did take me a lot longer to read than I was hoping for. BUT. I will say as things went on I became more and more involved. I think I’m starting to understand Emma’s voice in the story and the journal entries make for a quirky set-up.

I’m especially involved in the touches of potential romance throughout. I love the sprinkle of romance but I NEED MORE. I think Emma is flat out hilarious and I laughed many times throughout.

I’m excited to continue reading these as I love the narrator and how nice of switch up it is from whatever big books I’m generally holding. These are light, humorous and will definitely bring a smile to your face.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical Fiction
  • Language: none
  • Romance: flirtations
  • Violence: none
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: mentions of loss of parents

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Book Review: Captured by Chaos by Kathryn Marie

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Rating: ★★★☆
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 384 pages
Author: E.J. Mellow
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: April 21st, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Protect the Peace.

On the Isle of Kazola, peace has always been protected by The Onyx Guard, an elite force of genetically modified soldiers.

Kasha has lived her life in the Onyx Guard. But when she is passed over for an advancement and forced to follow the Alpha promoted in her place, she must find a way to put her anger aside and work with him.

Because their team is on the hunt for Elliot Wells, an elusive killer who has terrorized Kazola for years. And there is more to his twisted deviance that meets the eye.

Along the journey, Kasha must learn to face her past, accept her new reality, and trust others…or else the deaths will continue, and everything she has built for herself might just slip away.

This New Adult Paranormal Fantasy & Romance tale takes readers on an epic journey of found family, a swoon-worthy rivals to lovers slow burn, and a unique twist on werewolves and vampires that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page.

HMM.

I went in with high hopes about this one but was pretty dashed as things went on. As a ME thing,, I love a good amount of dialogue and the start of this book didn’t have a lot. The inner monologue of Kasha was good for a bit then I needed more.

The idea of the combined shifter + vampire lore was unique! I did like that and the general world building and magic system. It’s clearly explained and easy to follow. I liked the urban setting that combined some technology aspects with old world things too.

Romance was, I don’t know if I can even call it rivals to lovers? There’s not actually any rivalry. Just a general miscommunication (not in a bad way) that gets solved pretty quickly that then leads to a romance. It has some sweet moments, but I wasn’t swept away with Nolan and Kasha like I wanted to be.

I enjoyed all of the found family and side characters too. There was a great tight knit bond between Kasha and her group and I am always here for unconditional support. There’s another small plot thing or two that I struggled with. I’m on the fence about continuing the series at this time.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: light
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: moderate
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: murder, serial killer, sexual assault & rape (recounted), therapy sessions

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Book Review: Dear Aaron by Mariana Zapata

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 500 pages
Author: Mariana Zapata
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: June 10th, 2017
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Ruby Santos knew exactly what she was getting herself into when she signed up to write a soldier overseas.

The guidelines were simple: one letter or email a week for the length of his or her deployment. Care packages were optional.

Been there, done that. She thought she knew what to expect.

What she didn’t count on was falling in love with the guy.

GREW ON ME.

Who knew I would have to wait SO LONG for these two to actually meet? And who I would kind of be into it? This is definitely very heavy on epistolary elements but as the pages went by I started to realize that I was invested in how adorable these two were. There was something magic about connecting through writing before Aaron and Ruby had a chance to meet.

I liked that this had it’s own vibe. It’s different than other romances I’ve read and I FELT for both of these characters. It’s a simple romance read without a lot of heavy plot dynamics. Aaron and Ruby fell in love in this precious way that I connected a lot with.

The ending was a little abrupt for me and I wish we could have seen a little bit more (and the rest is redacted for spoiler reasons). I’ve had this sitting on my TBR for so long and I’m glad I got to it! I wouldn’t call it my FAVORITE of MZ’s books but it is highly enjoyable and brought a smile to my face. Aaron is straight swoony with his words and I was melting many times over.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: light, but strong
  • Romance: one open door
  • Violence: low
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: discussion of deployment and some mentions of war themes, absent mother

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Monthly Reading Wrap-Up: April 2024

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The warm weather has found us. And I also had ZERO two star books this month which is absolutely fabulous.

Favorite books this month:

  • Emma Lion Volume 6
  • Christa Comes Out of Her Shell
  • My Lucky Charm
  • Highcliffe House
  • Fate Breaker
  • The Prisoner’s Throne
  • Wild Wild Wolf
  • A Promise of Peridot
  • Romancing the Grump
  • Romancing Mister Bridgerton
  • Daughter of the Forest
  • Into the Fire
  • Beautifully Broken Life

Least favorite books this month:

  • The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion (Volume #6) by Beth Brower
  • [ALC/ARC] Christa Comes Out of Her Shell by Abbi Waxman
  • [ARC] A Letter to the Luminous Deep (The Sunken Archive #1) by Sylvie Cathrall
  • My Lucky Charm (Holidays with Hart #2) by Courtney Walsh
  • Disciples of Chaos (Seven Faceless Saints #2) by M.K. Lobb
  • A Royal Arrangement (Royal Hearts #3) by Amanda Schimmoeller
  • Only and Forever (Bergman Brothers #7) by Chloe Liese
  • [ARC] Highcliffe House by Megan Walker
  • Vesselless by Cortney L. Winn
  • Murtagh (The Inheritance Cycle #5) by Christopher Paolini
  • Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez
  • Fate Breaker (Realm Breaker #3) by Victoria Aveyard
  • Simply the Best (Chicago Stars #10) by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
  • [ARC] The Girl from the Forest by Hannah Linder
  • The Prisoner’s Throne (The Stolen Heir Duology #2) by Holly Black
  • Old Flames and New Fortunes by Sarah Hogle
  • The Sacrifice of One (Camilla Crim Series #1) by Emily Fortney
  • [ARC] The God and the Gumiho (Fate’s Threads #1) by Sophie Kim
  • Blitz (Treasure State Wildcats #2) by Devney Perry
  • The Book That Broke the World (The Library Trilogy #2) by Mark Lawrence
  • Done and Dusted (Rebel Blue Ranch #1) by Lyla Sage
  • Wild Wild Wolf (Timber Creek #1) by B. Perkins and Aimee Vance
  • A Promise of Peridot (The Sacred Stones Trilogy #2) by Kate Golden
  • [ARC] For a Lifetime (Timeless #3) by Gabrielle Meyer
  • Dragonfruit by Makiia Lucier
  • [ALC] The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren
  • [ARC] Romancing the Grump (Appies) by Jenny Proctor
  • Romancing Mister Bridgerton (Bridgertons #3) by Julia Quinn
  • Arsenic and Adobo (Tita Rosie’s Kitchen Mystery #1) by Mia P. Manansala
  • Enemies Don’t (Fall in Love #2) by Leah Dobrinska
  • Daughter of the Forest (Sevenwaters #1) by Juliet Marillier
  • [ARC] Into the Fire (Into the Churn #2) by Hayley Reese Chow
  • The Other Side of Disappearing by Kate Clayborn
  • Beautifully Broken Life (Sutter Lake #2) by Catherine Cowles
  • [ARC] Slow Dance by Rainbow Rowell
  • The Last Bloodcarver (The Last Bloodcarver #1) by Vanessa Le

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