Worth the Fight by Rachel Brownell

 I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review. (honestly, I cannot remember whether I got it from signing up for a newsletter, a giveaway, or from another author. The only thing I know is that it is in the documents section of my Kindle where all the books that aren't paid for go, but I'm planning on rectifying that and buying any book from this author that I can).

Worth the Fight is worth the read. It is a cute, swoon-worthy, friends-to-lovers novel. It is a fresh of air after some of the books that I have read because I love how even when Liam and Cass agree that they are worth the risk to be together they still take it slow. There is sex in the book yes, but the author has enough class to go into enough details so you know what is happening but it is not a freaking play by play of what each movement the characters are doing. Honestly, I prefer the books where yes they have sex, but it is more of a "I'll show you the beginning and then fast forward to the aftermath" over the "let's go over every single detail and call my v card the petal of my sex or some other creepy thing that has me questioning the sanity of the author".

So, thank you, Rachel, for not doing the latter one. It is part of what made me want to continue to read/buy your books and kept me glued to my reader. So if you do pick up a copy make sure you have all the necessary tissues, snacks, water (or the beverages of your choice) and that no one can disturb you because you are not going to want to put this book down.

Liam is so *chef's kiss* and he has now set my standard up again for men because anyone who is willing to do half the things he does is worth hanging onto. Also, it was very obvious that they were going to be a thing from the very beginning of the book even if you did not read the blurb and I was totally talking to Cass like "Oh stop moaning you two are going to be together and you are going to like it". Also, sorry hon, but if any guy treats you like that on your wedding day is not worth a second of your time, a lick of your salt, or whatever saying fits your fancy. I was so glad when Cass realized that and she started sticking to her principles of this is what people should do and they didn't do this so I should not give them any more time, which is a lot easier said than done. I love how Liam was there for her every step of the way and all the little twists like just when you think you have all the pieces another one sneaks on in.

I love how each character has a unique personality, but they all fit so well into the group and I am extremely jealous and wished that I had friends like that.

Kevin is the more reasonable adult in the group trying to get them to not fight while his significant other Sasha is all about egging them on (I feel like we would make such great friends), Aaron is the giant lovable joking teddy bear and I want to give him a great big hug, Liam is the leader and he gets people to listen, Cass never said much about her role in the group except she was the tomboy but I think she is more the glue to the group, and then there is the one who should not be named (no that is not her name but she is not worthy of having her name sully these pages and giving her more attention than she deserves) who is the spoiled princess, the slut who loves calling other people sluts to makes herself feel better and always has to be the centre of attention and I will stop before I start getting nasty (shows how much I despise her because she put all of the characters through hell and has no remorse.

I finished this book in three hours and have no regrets. If you love the friends-to-lovers trope than you will love Worth the Fight.

500 out of 5 stars.

Stampede of Love by Erin Wright

 I received this copy by signing up for her newsletter (it's her gift to subscribers).

Stampede of Love: A Long Valley novel by Erin Wright is a tale about a bull rider named Rex who is determined to win the rodeo so he can get back on Bodacious the bull that nearly killed him two years ago (that is a special kind of crazy right there) and Kimber-not-Kimberly who meet at a bar and are totally drunk so they have a one night stand (or did they?).

Rex was on his way to the next rodeo when his truck broke down and he walked all the way back to Sawyer where as fate would have it Kimber's dad owns the mechanic shop. It is all gold from down there.

I laughed when I found out what Rex's real name and now I want to read the book because I have never heard of it. The relationship between Rex and Kimber was magical because I loved how yes they had sex, but it was not the entire premise of their relationship (yeah who else is exhausted with the whole oh we had sex so that is now all we can do in our relationship?) It was a breath of fresh air and I found myself enjoying this novella quite immensely because of it. Also, because Kimber was all oh he is a bull rider my heart is going to get broken and Rex is all I found home.

This book made me laugh and cry and sometimes together. I loved how the author did draw from her own experiences and put it in the book. It felt so real like if you went into town you would come across this wonderful cast of characters.

The only other thing I will say besides you should all sign up for her newsletter so you can all read this book is that I dread to know what the first two videos were like for bull riding catastrophes.

Let me put it this way, Rex's video was number three and he got his skull smashed in by the bull's skull and got stomped on like a child having a tantrum on a rag doll by Bodacious (so I guess you could see his drive to beat the bull). Anybody who can watch those videos must have an iron stomach because I would not be able to do that I would be peeking through my fingers like it is a horror movie. Why do they even exist? Is it so mother's can pull it up and be like "now watch child if you continue down this road this is all the things that could happen to you" or is it more of a humans are sadists and need to see other people suffer to thrive?

This book is adorable and I highly recommend this book.

500 out of 5 stars.

Haven Enduring (Book 2) by H.B. Reneau

 I am honoured to have received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Review might contain spoilers, read at your own discretion.

First off, thank you to the author for writing this book. I did not read the first book before I read this one, and it did not impair anything from my enjoying of this book. The author gives enough breadcrumbs that the reader can follow along even if like me they have not read the first book, which is the sign of excellent writing because I don't know about anybody else, but usually the second books that I read in series either have all the information dumped about what happened in the first book within the first few pages and you forget everything you were told after fifteen pages in or there is no information and you are left floundering trying to figure out what you missed. I was worried that Haven Enduring would be like that, but to my relief it was not. The information is spread out and feels like it is part of the second book. It felt so natural like it was new information even when it was in fact old that we should have known if we had read the first book (or maybe you did but it was a long time since you read it and wanted to dive into the world right away). It doesn't matter because this book will not make a fool of you except for maybe the ending, but we will get to that later.

I loved Danny, Kiera, and Cyrus as they felt the most natural characters to me who grew throughout the book. I love how Kiera tried so hard to save Danny by doing everything she could to keep everybody else at arms length before realizing that that strategy was not quite working for her and she tried to change and let people in to help her. I loved how Danny was in the past and he was trying so hard not to change the future enough because he didn't want Kiera to not exist (like awww 😗) and the things that Danny does had me rooting for him because he has a good heart, but he might have been paving the wrong path with his good intentions and quest for the truth and knowledge (like Faust guys, which had me falling in love with the book because why Faust might creep me out it is an intriguing concept and this Devil was not one to be trifled with 👿). Poor Cyrus, he tries so hard yet falls a little short, but I do love how he is willing to do whatever it takes to protect the ones he cares about even if he might have to give them some tough love (sorry Kiera). Honestly, I fell in love with all of the characters but those three resonated with me the most when reading the book.

I loved the world building and watching the places that the characters take for granted in the present being built in the future. I would love to know how long a person can survive in the world because I know they are technically dead and do not age, but they can die again, so how does all of it work? The magic system is on point and I loved how Kiera started to learn about different branches of it and how she wanted to learn healing pneumos so she could try and bring Danny back from wherever they go when they die.

My only issue with the book was the people in the Southern Shield and their obsession with the word "be". It had to be in every single sentence they spoke, and at first it was cute, but you would think after a while they would learn to expand their vocabulary? I used to work as a cashier, so I met all kinds of people and even those who did not speak English very well used "be" as much as those people from the Southern Shield did like it was starting to go from "oh, this is cute trying to demonstrate that they don't have a firm grasp on whatever language Kiera and her kind are speaking" to "this is becoming insulting and starting to feel like the characters have no intelligence left even though I know they do". I bet if anybody looked it up "be" would most likely be about fifty percent of the book or at least that is how it felt because it was in there a lot like I was shocked the two times Raina managed to not use "be" in one of her sentences (I was so proud of her, until the very next sentence had be in it all the time 😞).

Other than that I would highly recommend this book for anyone looking for a YA book with magic, political intrigue, betrayal, weird family dynamics, found families, and the dreaded cliffhanger ending.

Ah yes, I forgot, we were going to touch base on the ending (duh, duh, duh). It is a cliffhanger ending with very interesting plot twists at the ending that has me wishing there was a third book already so I could find out what happens.

499 out of 5 stars.

SilverBlood by Jamie Foley

I am so fortunate to be one of the people who got to be a beta reader for SilverBlood by Jamie Foley. That being said there will be two reviews for this book as the author did make changes to the book that I'm excited about. All spoilers are from the previous edition of this book.

First off, thank you so much to Jamie Foley for letting me beta read SilverBlood to say I was psyched about finding out there was a second book would be an understatement. I am all here for this series, and SilverBlood does not disappoint.

I fell in love with the characters all over again and Lysander 😍 (I am glad that the book had his POV because I fell in love with him). I am an absolute sucker for a man who will sacrifice himself for the woman he loves but feels he does not deserve because of his past. Oh man, the chemistry between Lysander and Brooke is *chef's kiss* I will reread the book over and over again just for the journey that their relationship went through.

I love how the book starts right after the aftermath of the siege on Brooke's treetop city (I decided not to embarrass myself by trying to spell the name of the city). And the characters dealt with it 👏 were they okay 👌? Not even by a long shot. 😂

Brooke -poor dear Brooke- had to deal with trying to lead her people after the devastation and she does it the only way she knows how. By trying to keep Lysander safe and agreeing to marry a man from another tribe *boo*. Honestly, I was chanting for the guy to die so that Brooke will realize her mistake and be with Lysander (yes, I am shameless, but when you meet him you will probably do the same thing. he is not likeable and yes, I am deliberately not saying who it is because I want you to read the book). Oh Lysander, he finds himself alive and in a strange place where Felix (bleed him 😏) left him to fend for himself but not before giving him something to defend himself. It does not go as planned *evil laughter followed by a cough* and Lysander gets captured. My heart broke when Lysander heard Brooke also known as the Jade Witch spoke into his head and he could hear again. Yes, be prepared to have all the feels with Lysander because he is too tricking cute.

Ryon and Kira have a bit of competition now with Brooke and Lysander but they will always have my heart and ugh, I love how we still got their POVs again in this book. I think I died happy when reading this book because the ending had me melting into a puddle.

Please buy this book and read the first one Emberhawk if you have not because the world building is phenomenal and the characters will give you all the feels. You will not regret it.

I will give another review when I have the physical copy and read all the changes put into the book.

I cannot wait to see what happens next. And hopefully Lysander and Brooke make it out okay in the trilogy 😰😧

50 out of 5 stars. (Subject to change depending on the new version).

Burning Shadows (Odriel's Heirs 1.5) by Hayley Reese Chow

I received a free copy Burning Shadows by the author in exchange for an honest review. 

Warning: review will contain spoilers as this book is a novella that takes place after Odriel's Heirs and before Idriel's Children.

Thank you Hayley for writing this novella and for writing more of Klaus and Kaia 😘

If anybody has read my reviews, they will know by now how much I adore Klaus and Kaia and in case it is not obvious they are like my loves and I ship them so hard. I will ugly cry the day that they die and quite possibly riot 😭😏.

Klaus is *chef's kiss* because he does make a huge transformation throughout the series (but I guess having someone almost die will do that for you). He is so freaking adorable when it comes to Kaia and I melt whenever those two are together because the chemistry between them is perfection.  Klaus will do anything to keep Kaia safe even go alone on a scouting on a mission to a land full of barbarians because they want his love (and that kiss at the end is 🔥).

Kaia is an absolute sweetheart and I want to protect her as much as Klaus does because she has such a big heart and like Klaus will go to the end of the world for him. Which is why she finds herself going across to the barbarian filled land to search for Klaus who did not come back with the sun like he had promised. (You will have to read the book to find out the reason why, but I laughed upon reading the reason why even though it is not funny, but it makes sense when you know Klaus's background. 😂😏) Kaia still has this sweet innocent air to her even after all the things she was put through and the stitching scene reminded me so much of myself. I was laughing because I don't blame Kaia one bit for trying to prolong it. No matter how much love is between a couple I would be skeptic about an assassin stitching up your head.

The world building is incredible in this novella as it is just enough to get the readers to be like oh hey this is where we are while also giving the readers a chance to use their imagination. The barbarians freak me out because they wear the tally marks of their kills on their skin, so yeah, avoid the ones that have a lot and the ones that have very little because they will be the ones with the most to prove.

Gus deserves his own paragraph because that rage hound is so sweet and when he jumped into the river to go meet up with Kaia and Klaus I wanted to cry because poor Kaia was so worried that he wouldn't make it and Klaus had to hold her back. I just 😭

I love how it still talks about things like Mack's death instead of glossing over it like some novellas do because it is something that will still be fresh in their minds and something that will affect them. 

This novella makes me want to dive back into Odriel's Heirs again after reading it because it gives me all the feels.

Highly recommend this novella. Support indie authors.

500 out of 5 stars.

Idriel's Children by Hayley Reese Chow

 I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This review contains spoilers and my attempt at being fun, so please read at your own discretion.

First off, thank you Hayley for writing this brilliant sequel to Odriel's Heirs.

Idriel's Children takes place 28 years after Odriel's Heirs (but the beauty is that it's okay if you have not read the first book. Although, I would highly recommend it.) and follows Klaus' and Kaia's youngest Aza, the next Shadow Heir. She hears a voice calling her in a world called the Shadow Plane and like any normal person would do decides to investigate, but her trips end up bringing danger back to the ones she loves (ooo 👀). The parents are called away to go battle what they think is the Lost (creepy corpses that are controlled by necromancers 😱). The children are told to stay at the school and continue teaching the classes (much to Aza's chagrin and Zephyr's, -probably spelled that wrong- her older brother and the next Dragon Heir, delight.)

The children are then visited by the Malbador (again probably spelled it wrong and I'm going to be evil and not tell you what they are. Read the book if you want to find out you are not getting all the secrets out of me 😉) who have trouble in their home. Aza realizes that this would be an excellent opportunity to get away and her older brother agrees to help for his own reasons (is it for love 😘 or glory 😏? Read the book to find out.) On the road, Aza decides to leave and strike out on her own for answers, but of course that does not go as planned. She finds herself accompanied by Makeo (her childhood friend and a Malbador), Witt (Zephyr's friend and he reminds me so much of another character, but you will have to read it and make your own conclusions, but food 😏) and Shad the poor person who is cursed into servitude by a magi who turned Shad into a cat (he's been a cat for a century guys, he is tired and just wants the world to stop going to hell. It's not too much to ask is it? 😾). She goes on an epic journey to the Tazgar Marsh with her fellow companions, but the things that are like the Lost, but not are following them and not everyone might make it to their destination... (intrigued yet (:-)? Well, then ignore the rest of this raving review and pick up a copy of this book and read it. Even if you don't find this intriguing that is too bad because you are missing out.)

What didn't I love about this book? The characters were flawed and had struggles to deal with while Aza tried to push everyone away because "the Shadow walks alone" and how the characters tried to prove her wrong by being there with her every step of the way. The creatures in the world were terrifying for the most part because damn the dolabora is 😱, but the rage hounds are *chef's kiss* (Gus 😭).

I started ugly crying when everyone kept telling Aza that her parents were dead and she tried so hard to prove them wrong (Kaia and Klaus are my loves and OTP for this series so yeah there was a lot of 😭 going on from me). 

Ugh, Keo he reminds me so much of Klaus and anyone who sticks by Aza even when she tries to push them away (and he almost died for her y'all) Keo deserves all the love and respect because damn Aza did not make it easy. 

The world building is perfection and I loved Aza's journey of being able to go through the Shadow Plane in a way that is not taxing and meeting her ancestor. It is absolute love.

I will not say more because you all should support indie authors because you will miss out on gems like this. (Also, I find myself unable to say more without giving away crucial plot points).

500 out of 5 stars.

The Echoed Realm by A J Vrana

 I received an eARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. 

Thank you A J for writing this book and bringing Kai, Miya and Mason into my life. (What am I going to do now that it's over? 😭) and thank you to The Parliament House Press for publishing this book 😘

The Echoed Realm slayed me and I hold Kai partly responsible because damn he's the boy you shouldn't want, but any guy who does half the things he does for Miya deserves all the love in the world. He pretends not to give a shit, but he has too many with Miya and it is absolute gold. I want a guy like Kai now especially since he grows as a character. Yes, he attracts all the demons and monsters but it is his weakness that the monsters perceive that gives him his strength. He is a better person/wolf/god because of it (and Kai will deny all of it). I especially loved getting to hear their story and knowing that their love was that strong and stood the test of time because star crossed lovers be my kryptonite y'all.

Miya will hold a place in my heart and I want to give her a great big hug for all the shit she was put through. I love how she found her own way and how yes, Kai is part of why she finds her back, but the distorted portrait was not her way back to herself and her truth because Kai is only a small portion of her truth. There is so much more to her, but it is their love for each other that anchor each other. (I could go all English class on you poor souls but I will save you the confusion). She is the Dreamwalker but she is also more.

Mason, you great big lovable truth seeking oaf, I kind of feel bad for the poor guy because he always winds up being the damsel in distress every single time and he somehow thinks he is being the hero every time. I love how he stuck up for himself to Miya's parents (and I don't blame him for wanting to sic Kai on her father because I wanted to claw at him myself.)

I adore the myths that went into this story and it has turned me into a feral addict (do not take away my myths otherwise I will fight you for it, I have bad influences *cough* Kai *cough*. I think the only thing I did not love that much in the book was that in the real world it took place in the States (one of the reasons I loved the first book is because it finally felt like BC was being given a voice because it always gets overpowered by the States or Ontario/Quebec.) I know why the author did it (because Canada is more like the lioness stalking its prey in the grasslands when it comes to superstitions or anything that reflects badly on the country while the States is a herd of elephants crashing loudly through the jungle. I'm sorry, but it is true, if you don't believe me try comparing similar topics between the States and Canada if you think you will learn a lot from Canada you will be sadly mistaken. We keep our secrets tighter than a deadman's necklace.)

Moving on, I bloody well cried when I thought the raven had died because I was going to miss his overprotectiveness and upon learning why he kept referring to himself as Miya's father. It broke me, I have no chance of survival. And on top of that the thing with Kai like I was on the edge of my seat if I could gnaw my fingernails I would have. I feel like I've been through the wringer. My heart has been ripped viciously out and stomped on and slushed into my cupped hands, but in true bookworm fashion I am offering my mailed heart out again to be trodden and eaten and spat upon and whatever damage wants to be inflicted upon it I so humbly accept.

A J Vrana is on my list of authors to keep buying. Try and stop me I will be like Oliver in Oliver Twist holding out my hands and being all "Please Sir, I'd like some more".

Preorder a copy of this book right now if you can.

Here are some links:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55059396-the-echoed-realm?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=x0x5vZPPoo&rank=2

https://www.amazon.ca/Echoed-Realm-Chaos-Cycle-Book-ebook/dp/B08KYMZVJF/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=The+Echoed+Realm&qid=1623994082&sr=8-1

https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/home/search/?keywords=The%20Echoed%20Realm#internal=1

You can also preorder it from the author on her website at https://thechaoscycle.com.

Now go preorder it and if you have not picked up her first book The Hollow Gods then what are you waiting for?

500 out of 5 stars.

Last Girl Lied to by L. E. Flynn

 This book is so twisty and it is everything I look for in a mystery/thriller. I even started to believe Fiona that Trixie was still alive and living it up with Beau's (do you pronounce it Boo or Bow? I kept switching throughout the novel, so I'd really would love to know.) older brother who had also committed suicide.

I loved the whole scavenger hunt for Trixie and how everyone she met revealed something new about Trixie.

I won't say much because I don't want to ruin the first time magic for anyone wanting to read this book, but oh Lord, that ending was insane and one of the character's needs serious help.

This book is messed up but I devoured every page and I could not get enough of it.

Highly recommend this book.

50 out of 5 stars.

The Frostblood Trilogy by Elly Blake

 Frostblood Book 1: 

This book went so much better than I expected it to which might sound cruel, but I've picked up many books that deal with the elements of fire and ice.

This managed to surprise me and I loved how the author incorporated the fire and ice throughout the novel. Kudos to Arcus (definitely been added to my book boyfriend list) and Brother Thistle for having to deal with Ruby's temper.

My only issue with the book is how the mother died, because either the pommel of the sword is extremely heavy or her mother's skull is really weak to have the mother die upon being hit on the head by a guy lazily swinging the pommel of his sword down. Lazily to me implies slowly and I might not be great at physics, but even I was like wait shouldn't he have brought more force down for her neck to be bent?

That is my only issue throughout the entire trilogy, so it's not that bad.

I loved the training scenes especially the pond because I could see myself doing that and having a guy like Arcus just watch while laughing at your struggles to get out.

I loved the world building as it was just enough for readers to understand what is going on without being bombarded by information and details.

50 out of 5 stars

Fireblood Book 2:

I almost did not want to read this book because I hate the trope of let's add another love interest into the mix after establishing that the two main love interests are a thing. I cannot stand it and it was written in the blurb at the back, but I bit the bullet and read it.

While I might not like how Kai was introduced I did grow to love him as a character, but if he got in the way of Arcus and Ruby (I make no promises). I loved the book because now we delve more into the world, but it is the world Ruby should have grown up in. I loved learning about the different culture of Sudesia and how not only are the elements different but so is everything else. The only thing that has not changed is that the people are still jerks.

I also feel sorry for Prince Eiko because he was trying to fix things but along comes Ruby and makes his life miserable (this is as close as I can say it without revealing what happens in the book. Although if you want to learn the major things that happen in the book read the blurb at the end of the next book it gives everything away).

I loved the banter between Arcus (now even more forbidden for Ruby), Ruby, Kai, and Marella. (especially near the end of the book). The twists were surprising and I thought they couldn't surprise me anymore, but... (read review for book 3: Nightblood).

49 out of 5 stars. (It could have been 50 except I despise how she tried to place conflict for the love interest with another one).

Nightblood Book 3:

Holy smokes, I did not see any of this coming from Brother Thistle's secret to the story of the deities. Even Ruby's birthright threw me for a loop because I did not see the whole thing playing out the way that it did. 

And I bawled my eyes out at the last half of the book because of something I cannot say. It's too horrible.

what I love most is how consistent the world building and character growth have been throughout the trilogy. Kudos to the author because we get to spend so much time with the characters and yet there is still the element of surprise. 

The deities were epic and Eurus reminded me of Loki with his mischief, but he is also like Hades. I also enjoyed the concept of the deities not being able to interfere with mortals unless one of them interferes on the mortal plane in their own form.

I love this trilogy so much and highly recommend for anyone looking for an elemental fantasy with twists you won't see coming.

50 out of 5 stars.

The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux

 This is one of the first classics that I have enjoyed and I want to reread it again because it has given me all of the feels.

I'm still a little confused about the ending, but this book made me feel so much that I don't even care that much.

My only main issue is the Persian. I wished he had an actual name besides that because I feel like it could make him more into a character instead of a caricature. But that was also what they did back then because they did not have the sources that we do today, so the Persian was mostly a bunch of cliches instead of anything of real substance.

5 out of 5 stars.

Fix Her Up by Tessa Bailey

 I will not lie the beginning was a little boring for me and felt a little too childish but once she got out of Travis's apartment things picked up.

It's a quirky adult rom-com with that being said there is a lot of sex in this book. I found the whole repertoire between Georgie and Travis adorable especially when Travis begins to realize that he kind of treats her like she is a little kid instead of an adult. I loved the whole brunch fiasco, the girls forming a club, and the fireplace. Those parts had me falling in love with the book because damn it gave me the feels.

4.5 out of 5 stars

The Female of the Species by Mindy McGinnis

 "This is how I kill someone."

Oh Alex, you poor sweet broken thing. I just want to hug her.

This book is dark, deep, and gritty with looking at different perspectives of rape through Peekay (the preacher's kid), Alex (her older sister was raped and killed by a man and Alex turned into a Taylor Swift song. I really feel like "Look What You Made Me do" is highly appropriate for this book or at least it kept going through my head every time Alex got away with a crime). And I like Jack's POV and how he felt guilty for something he had no control over. He didn't kill Alex's sister, but there is a tiny part of him that feels responsible.

If you want to sum up this book it can be summed up with the opening sentence. (The quote I have at the beginning) because yes Alex you really do know how to kill someone a couple someones to be exact.

The ending killed me and I could barely finish reading it through the tears (it was not a pretty sight).

5 out of 5 stars

Blood Will Out by Jo Treggiari

 This book is weird and creepy and I was so happy when Ari got out of the cistern because it was starting to get a wee bit boring having the character be in one place for about half the book. (Roughly speaking because it at least had flashbacks and memories of her outside the cistern before it all occurred in between). 

It's hard to properly review because I feel like anything said will be a spoiler and it is one of those books where you need to read it to understand.
4 out of 5 stars.

Cupid's Match by Lauren Palphreyman

 I enjoyed this book far more than I thought I would because at first I was little weary about how the author would go about with this cupid agency and Lila being matched with The Cupid. Oh my, it went far better than expected and I fell in love with Lila, Cal, and Cupid. The only way to put it is that they are lovable idiots because they try so hard, but not everything goes quite as they planned it.

I loved the central conflict of "don't be matched with the cupids otherwise the leader will return" it had me flipping the pages at a rapid pace because I needed to know what happened next. 

Now I'm trying to find the second book, so I can get my fix of Cal, Cupid and Lila.

50 out of 5 stars

The Bookworm Crush by Lisa Brown Roberts

 This is an adorable, quirky read that I feel would be perfect for Valentine's Day.

I love the introduction to the characters of Toff and Amy and the garbage cans and the cops. Honestly, everything about this book is so lovable from the slow romance between Toff and Amy, which I totally ship #BonnieandClyde. (You will have to read the book to get the references, unfortunately).
The things that Toff and Amy will do to help Amy win at the chance to interview her favourite author is sometimes downright ridiculous, but at the same time absolutely perfect for them.
If you're looking for a cute romance with all the feels than I would recommend this book.
50 out of 5 stars.
And #BonnieandClyde forever.

Reflection: A Twisted Tale by Elizabeth Lim

 I  love this book so much and found it way better than the Disney Mulan. I devoured this in a day and had last page syndrome (where you keep flipping back and forth when you reach the end because you cannot believe that you've reached the end).

This needs to be a movie. The world building is at such a perfect pace that you can easily visualize almost everything. I wanted more details near the end and the volcano because that was a little hard to picture. 
The entire premise of the story was an absolute delight and I am a sucker for all things mythological. Mulan, Shang, and ShiShi (Shang's guardian) make me so happy.
If you love mythologies or are looking for something that has a twist then pick up a copy of Reflection. It will not disappoint you.
5 out of 5 (500 out of 5)

The Love Letter by Rachel Hauck

I got an arc of this book from my local bookstore (you could get arcs from them if you bought an actual book from them because they were not allowed to sell the arcs).

I fell in love with this book and it felt like this is something that happened in history. I love how the whole story is connected by the letters that are written between Esther and Hamilton.

I love how Chloe grew as a character and how she grew more in faith with God. Well no scratch that. I love how the female MCs Esther and Chloe grew more in their faith even though they had hard times while when it got down to hard times the male MCs Hamilton Lightfoot and Jesse end up falling out of their faith.

I normally don't like war novels taken in a historical period, but Lord, I wanted to stay in this book. It is so well done and I will definitely recommend this book to people.

5 out of 5 stars. 

Inferno by Dante Alighieri

 This book is kind of depressing and I left feeling like we are all going to go to Hell with all the ways that you can go to Hell. Even the most classic love interests get sent to hell and I love how Dante recognizes all the people that he talks to.

It is an interesting read and gives a lot to think about.

4 out of 5 stars.

To Have and To Hold: Three Autumn Love Stories

I fell in love with all three stories and I love how it was Christian without being too overbearing. These stories are something every romantic can enjoy whether you are religious or not.

Love Takes the Cake by Betsy St. Amant: this book had me crying and laughing because Will tries so hard and that man has my heart for all the things he did for Charlotte and her kid. You will not regret this story.

The Perfect Arrangement by Katie Ganshert: The only thing I can say is Oh Amelia and Nate. They're text/email relationship is absolute perfection.

Love in the Details by Becky Wade: I want to give Josh and Holly a great big hug. Second chance love for the win.

5 out of 5 across the board for all three stories. 

Pretending by Holly Bourne

 This book had me raging alongside April and crying for and with her, but I also wanted to shake her because some of her ideas are not so brilliant.

This is a very feminist book, so if that is not your kind of thing this might not be the book for you. There are some trigger warnings for some people such as rape and April might have a drinking problem.

I loved the chemistry between Josh and April/Gretel. I felt so sorry for April that she did not feel confident enough in herself to believe that men could love her as herself so she concocts a fake person named Gretel who is absolute perfection and she thinks every boy wants her except Josh just might be the person to prove her wrong and can love things that are strictly April. It made me love that man even more and the ending is absolute perfection I love how it is a happy ending, but it leaves the readers to imagine the rest with April still realizing things that are love.

I'd highly recommend this book for people who are okay with female power, figuring out what is love and what isn't, that it's okay to love yourself even after crappy things happen to you, definitely a love of wine and pretending to love beer (Gretel has high expectations okay), and finding someone who loves you even when you pretend to be someone you are not because they see your worth.

4 out of 5.

The Dinner List by Rebecca Serle

 Okay, I am not going to lie I picked up The Dinner List by Rebecca Serle because Audrey Hepburn shows up for Sabrina Nielsen's 30th birthday dinner. I mean if that doesn't intrigue you then I don't know what will entice you to read this book.

"That's the first thing I think first. Not: Audrey Hepburn is at my birthday dinner, but Audrey Hepburn is annoyed." (p1.)

I laughed and I cried when I read this book especially when it got to Sabrina and her ex Tobias. Oh Lord, did I ugly cry when it came to their parts because I wanted them to have a second chance at love until I learned the little secret they were all dancing around and I did not see it coming even though I should have. Frick, I'm tearing up just typing this.

Never mind let's cut the review short before I cry in earnest and cannot see the screen anymore.

Go read this and make sure you have a box of tissues and comfort food at a close range.

4.5 out of 5 stars.

Afterwards by Rosamund Lupton

I am not crying, you are...😭

This book wrecked me and has left me speechless.

4 out of 5 stars.

I'd write more, but I would probably start crying even thinking about this book, so let's play it safe. 

Etherworld by Claudia Gabel and Cheryl Klam

Etherworld is a perfect companion to Elusion and there is even more twists and turns in this book. It is a perfect blend of thriller, romance, and action.

These books have made me a believer in books centered around a video game again.

Josh and Patrick were on fire with their rivalry over Regan and I loved every page of this book.

5 out of 5 stars. 

Elusion by Claudia Gabel and Cheryl Klam

 I cannot believe that it took me so long to pick this book up and I am kicking myself for leaving this gem on my shelf for over a year.

Elusion by Claudia Gabel and Cheryl Klam is a video game book that I can get behind. The characters are all endearing and flawed. The world building is absolute perfection and I love the dialogue between Regan (the MC who dad created Elusion), Patrick (Regan's best friend and the genius who takes over the company for her father), and Josh (the love interest much to Pat's chagrin).

Can I marry this book? I love everything about it and cannot get enough of this world.

5 out of 5 stars.

Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson

 Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson is an adorable novel about friendships, finding love where you least expect it, and finding confidence in yourself.

"I had decided [...] that if she was there, I wouldn't need an explanation". (p 1). I feel so much for Emily because within the first couple of pages you get a deep sense of how much Emily relies on Sloane.

"I didn't care what I had to promise if it meant Sloane would be there. Because if Sloane was there, everything could start making sense again." (p 2).

I wanted to give Emily a great big hug from the beginning because she tries so hard to be all calm, cool and collected, but like a true introvert going out is a big deal especially since she no longer has Sloane to take the attention off of her.

I love Frank Porter he is now one of my new book boyfriends. It is so sweet how they help each other out and I also love how the more people she tells about the list the more they are willing to help her cross things off of it.  I am a sucker for bucket list kind of books and this one reminded me of The F* It List by Julie Halpern especially since both MC do a list that was forced on them by their friends and they both find love unexpectedly. I am so down for that all day every day. I have no regrets except I need more Frank. And Emily is far braver than I ever would be ( I wouldn't even be able to do number 1 on the list: kiss a stranger. How many people would do that?)

5 out of 5 stars. Highly recommend.

Kiss of the Royal

 Kiss of the Royal by Lindsey Duga is a breathtaking debut. I fell in love with the banter between Ivy and Zach. Their chemistry is off the charts and I loved the whole concept of the Kiss. I also did not see those twists coming, but I loved how Ivy reacted to them it felt natural.

This book might not be everybody's cup of tea and I will admit it is a bit silly and I enjoyed it way more than I thought I would, but give this book a chance you might surprise yourself I know I sure did.

5 out of 5 stars.

Rise by Andrea Cremer

 Rise by Andrea Cremer is still a delight, but it suffered from second book syndrome (okay it was because Barrow wasn't in it as much).

This book has betrayal, sabotage, sister rivalry, and hell of a twists. It also filled in a lot of what happens in the Nightshade series and how Calla's world came to be.

Although spoiler like mentioned for the first book if you have read Nightshade you know how this book ends and it hurts.

Andrea Cremer is one of my favourite authors and I will always buy her books and have not read a single book from her that I have not loved.

Definitely a reread and now I want to reread Nightshade and have my heart broken all over again.

4.5 out of 5 stars. (If Barrow was in it more it would have gotten the full five stars and yes, I am aware that I have no shame).

Rift by Andrea Cremer

 Rift by Andrea Cremer is an absolute delight. I found myself turning pages and being annoyed when I had to stop reading it.

I fell in love with Ember and Barrow and I need more of them in my life. The world building is on par with this author and I fell in love with the beginning history of Nightshade.

This book does take place before Nightshade, but it gives people a perfect glance into how the world that Calla and the gang knows came to be. The only downside to this is that if you read Nightshade before this you know how it ends.

If you have read neither series yet then I would highly recommend that you read these little prequels so to speak of the Nightshade world. It will not disappoint.

5 out of 5 stars.

99 percent mine

 99 Percent Mine by Sally Thorne was a great rom-com as far as rom-coms go.

I love how the MC had a heart problem and refused to take her medication like a champ because avoiding things solves all problems (note sarcasm). I didn't love how the characters kept being all "oh you will be on a plane the next chance you get" to the MC like give her a break she trusted the person who gave her the plane ticket and told her to leave then when she felt ready to come back there was nothing to come back to.

Full disclosure, I don't remember ,much of what happened in the story and the only scene that is crystal clear is when the MC ripped the kitchen cabinet doors off with her bare hands after finding out from Tom (her crush) that he was single and then telling the poor guy to "get in me". He of course told her no and like any sane person tried to control the situation so that he wouldn't have to worry about being jumped by a crazy psychotic female that just ripped doors off with her bare hands (he helped her rip the other ones off before her whole crazy shouting to get inside her. How Tom didn't run away screaming is beyond me, but he is a sweetheart).

I'd give this book 4 out of 5 stars.

The Lone City Trilogy

 This review is for The Jewel, The White Rose, and The Black Key by Amy Ewing.

I could go on and on about the Lone City Trilogy, but I loved it too much to spoil any of the magic for anyone. Each book took me a day to finish and I did not want to leave the story.

I fell in love with all of the characters and the world building is fabulous.

Ash is the sole reason I read and bought the entire trilogy.

I will say one thing though and that Amy Ewing can at least do a decent rebellion. That's right those people that are going to die will have names and you will know them and have been with them for a while. Whether you love them or hate them you will still regret that they had to die.

For lovers of The Hunger Games and The Selection you will love this book (hopefully).

5 out of 5 across the board for all of them.

Hexed, Vexed, and Undersexed: how to make the witches proud.

 I received a free copy of Hexed, Vexed, and Undersexed by MJ Marstens via a giveaway from another author.

This book is exactly what it sounds like, it is a trashy smutty satire novel that pokes fun at witches and the cliches surrounding them.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is cute, funny, quick read, with a character you will find yourself rooting for and hoping she will get her magic back, a cat turned into a hunk of a man, an arch nemesis who is drop dead gorgeous and the chemistry between them is *chef's kiss*, and a human lover who does not give one iota that he does not have magic or that he has to share Evanora with the other two men. That's right, this book has twosomes, threesomes, and foursomes while also poking fun at it.

The satirical tone gave me such Spelled by Betsy Schow vibes that helped me fall in love with it (because I figured it out sooner).

If you want to read a book that twists witches while embracing the cliches to make fun of them and a smuttiness that will have you swooning and rooting for Evanora to get not only her magic back, but her men as well. Read this book I cannot recommend it highly enough and it is the first book I've read in a long time that has the ending tie neatly into the title again.

5 out of 5 stars.

Not Snow White

 I received a free copy of Fairest: A Snow White Retelling by K M McKenna from the author via a giveaway by another author.

How dare they have the audacity to call this a Snow White retelling? You briefly mention a daughter and describe what she looks like at the end of the book and the magic mirror was randomly thrown in, but that does not make it Snow White.

Do not get this book unless you want something to masturbate to because this entire book is one giant kinky sex scene. So disappointing.

.5 stars out of 5. I'd love to give it zero, but I have to give it something because I read the whole entire sex short story.

Flight of The Phoenix by Krystal Pena

 I received a free copy of this book from the author via another author in exchange for an honest review.

There really is not much to say it is short and about a Phoenix flying who is in love with one of her soldiers and might be dying. I'm not too sure.

3 out of 5 stars.

Devoured by the Wolf pack by Elizabeth Dunlap

 I received a free copy of this book from the author via another author (it was either a giveaway of get these books for free that was in another author's email or you get it when you preorder said author's book. This is how I get most of my books and need to learn to keep track of what was what).

Devoured by Wolves by Elizabeth Dunlap had me cheering because the MC Dot is a plus size character so it has some diversity, but then things happened that I found myself not being able to take anything seriously in the book even the serious moments.

First off, Dot makes fun of herself a lot and always refers to her body as being able to hide dinner rolls in the folds. I felt bad for her and wanted her to feel more body positive about herself. Enter three extremely hot dudes that are bartenders and interested in Dot. That is when I lost it and started howling with laughter because of course.

3 out of five stars for at least attempting to be diverse.

Love Takes The Cake by Krista Ames

 I received a free copy of this book from the author via another author (I can't remember if was a giveaway they were doing or if it was a preorder book and get certain number of books free from other authors) in exchange for an honest review.

Love Takes the Cake by Krista Ames is a short sweet story about a couple trying to get back together. There are schemes and both think they are playing the other one.

I kind of gave up on it because the copy I had was bad unless the author intentionally has it where you get three pages of text and 15 blank ones. I couldn't do it anymore because I couldn't follow along, but from what I did read it was cute and sweet and somewhat childish.

3 out of 5 stars.

The Peasant's Dream by Melanie Dickerson

 Thank you to Thomas Nelson for allowing me to read a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I originally got this copy because I had joined a book club that no longer exists and was supposed to be part of the book tour. Hence, why it is really late reviewing this because I was waiting for the whole thing to die down a bit.

This book is okay. It is very slow in the beginning with the MC going on about the wedding. To be honest, as much as I loved the premise and it sounded like a reverse Prince and the Pauper with a slash of Cinderella. The point is this is normally the kind of book that I am an absolute sucker for, but I found myself just not really caring about what happened in the book or to the characters.

3 out of five stars.

What is the Hush? Reader Rant edition

 I received a copy of Hush by Dylan Farrow from NetGalley (it was in the read now section) in exchange for an honest review.

Honestly, what is the Hush? It had so much potential at the beginning with the embroidery bringing the images to life which was cool (and here I thought my sister was wrong about this book being awful, but it turns out she was not exaggerating about any of the things in the book).

For those who do not want to read the rant that is about to ensue. This book is given 2.5 stars and that is me being very generous.

Warning a rant is about to begin and there will be spoilers so please read at your own risk:

I will try to keep the stupidity to a minimum but there was a lot of it after her mother died and Shea made it to High House, so I will put it in a list.

1. Shea somehow thinks going into a little place where a man is asleep and potential "wolves" are outside is a good idea without even checking if it was wolves which led to an innocent person dying because she was too much of an idiot. Does she care that that man dies? No, it is only for the brief moment that his throat is slit that she even cares. He could have been safe if she had used her head, but no, Shea is known for being impulsive and not thinking before she does anything. (Sounds annoying right? Well, wait because the author is going to use this characteristic for every little thing that Shea does like it excuses her for being an moron).
2. Shea never questions why Cathal would be so quick to go from wanting her executed to "oh hey, you have the Telling you are a bard" (okay, so she is special from the normal folk now. This should be fine, right? We will get more into this and the Tellings later). Like an idiot she trusts him completely for no reason whatsoever like any sane person would be a little weary of the man who wanted to kill them, but not Shea. Oh no, she is all "oh he believes me and will help avenge my mother's death this totally makes him trustworthy never mind the fact that so many people told me not to trust him".
3. Shea thinks embroidering a pair of gloves will make Keenan her trainer become friends with her and then is upset that she didn't like the gloves and threw them over the cliff. Like you met this person for less than a day Shea what were you expecting that she will grow all warm and fuzzy over gloves because you notice she was wearing a pair yesterday? You have no clue what the rules are in High House and you might have added insult to injury (we will never know because the author never really delves into this except to have Shea complain for over three pages about the gloves and how Keenan must hate her). Here when I read about her embroidering the gloves I thought oh she is doing a Telling because she always does a Telling when she embroiders and will show it to Keenan, but nope we got that drama instead.
4. Ravod touches Shea and she is magically in love with him and is so disappointed that he is being smart and practical by telling her he cannot share her feelings because you two barely know each other Shea. Take a reality check a person does not have to live you just because you love them after seeing them and deciding they are handsome. Yup, another female to fall in love with a man solely for his looks, but he is so much more (this is the treat for when this rant is over. We need to end this review on a somewhat positive note because this book got my goat and if any of you are still reading this deserve to have something happy to look forward to).
5. Shea becomes the Chosen One and is the only one who can find The Book of Days which the First Rider wrote or something. Honestly, Shea complained way too much for me to get a firm grasp on the world building which was interesting I loved the myths and how the world was created, but Shea had to ruin everything. As soon as Shea becomes the Chosen One it is like her only emotions she is allowed to have is to sigh, gasp, groan, become angry over stupid things or anger in general, and whine about. Every. Little. Thing. It got to the point I was ready to throw this book into a fire or my Dad's trimmer when he was trimming the lawn so I would not have to listen to Shea anymore. (It has also gotten to the point that this rant needed to be a thing so I am so sorry you poor people reading this thinking you were going to enjoy anything about this review. It made me so angry that I need to get all of this off my chest before I do destroy the book instead of getting rid of it like a civilized human being).
6. Shea is one of the worst friends in the history of friends. She only thinks of her friends when she needs to be grounded or on her first day she thinks of her best friend Fiona or the first time Ravod touches her. She rarely thinks about Mads who she rejected his proposal to marry him and then feels guilty that she didn't think about him. Like I don't know if Mads is supposed to be a love interest or what his role is in the book exactly except as one more thing for Shea to complain about. If you do read the book be prepared for there to be a lot of complaining on Shea's part on everything from they didn't do this to why did they do the thing I just complained they didn't do. (If it helps consider this reader rant as a warm up for what you will get throughout the entire novel. This book is actually the first time where I started out wanting to give it five stars to it losing half a star after each idiotic thing that made the book lose its potential. So, yes the 2.5 star rating is being very generous.)
7. The Tellings could have been something cool except it ended up becoming a cop out for everything. Shea sees this it must be a Telling. Oh, I need to go through this just use a Telling. How convenient that you can tell things to disappear or unlock or do anything you want really with absolutely no consequences or anyone being any the wiser because it will return back to its normal state. Shea never really had to work for anything when you have Tellings conveniently at your fingertips and lips. I ended up being so annoyed with the Tellings because it stopped becoming a cool part of the world and more like a tool for the author to use to get herself out of any holes or sticky situations.
8. The Blot. I think the only reason I kept reading was because I wanted to know how the heck ink could make people sick. Yeah that sounds cool, right? Like it could have so much potential and make the book be amazing? Yup, besides Shea being freaked out by ink not much is done to bring death by ink into the world. Oh, and her brother died by it somehow. Apparently, the Blot or Indigo Death comes to a person when they speak a forbidden word or have any contraband like ink, paper, anything to do with writing, or Gondal this magical place that is green and safe and full of life. Sounds cool, right? Well, lo and behold by the end of the book it is not a mystical thing, but a real place and now they must find it (I won't say who the they are in case someone is still planning on reading this book or what condition they are in or how they are going to find Gondal. I am not that cruel of a person *crosses fingers*).
9. Shea thinks everyone should love her because she is now a Bard even though Ravod told her not to expect kindness or friendship from anyone. Honestly, Ravod is a dream for putting up with Shea.
10. Shea thinks that she caused a landslide which took out the civilians tower because she had a dream and there was a landslide in it. Therefore, she must have been responsible. I won't tell you what she does because the whole thing is stupid and pointless and I have no clue what it served except for the author to play on the personality trait of impulsive. (Let's call it that.)

I won't go into any more because it keeps getting worse and I don't want to completely spoil it for those that still want to read it. And if you read this entire thing you are a champ and deserve that know one positive thing about this book.

Are you ready?

Ravod. That's it that is the one positive thing about this book, which is the only character that made me want to keep reading this nightmare of a book that made me feel happy at the beginning and then left me so mad the poor book is lucky that it is in one piece. (I say book because my sister had an extra copy and gave it to me so that I wouldn't have to read it on my Kindle).

Ravod saves the book in more ways than one. He is the only reasonable character that has his head on straight and the only one I could feel anything for. The more I learned about Ravod the more I felt for him and wanted to give him hug. He deserved so much more than what he got.

2.5 stars. The extra half star is only because of Ravod.

Shattering or Toxicity

 Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi was a book that was read a decade too late.

I had to have a serious talk with my inner 16-year-old because it perked up when reading this book meanwhile my actual 26-year-old self was all "wtf is this? You call this a relationship?"

The "relationship" between Adam and Juliet would be aptly called possessive aggression. And the "relationship" between Warren and Juliet would be aptly called obsession. Either one is not a true relationship or has any meaningful context to the story. It is toxic and not something we should be telling teens it is okay to have that kind of relationship. So if there are any teens reading this review: you are worth more than someone telling you who you can be with and if they get angry over someone else having the same feelings as them over you it is not love it is called possession and you can do so much better than that. You deserve better than that kind of relationship: you deserve someone who is willing to trust you and shows they love you by doing little things like complimenting you if you try something different or brings you your favourite comfort food when you are having a bad day or will listen to you with no judgement.

The story had so many contradictions in it that I stopped keeping track or putting any stock in any numbers that Juliet was spewing. (Sidenote: the thumb is not a finger so it should have been four fingers and a thumb, not five fingers). Also, the strikethroughs were cool at first, but they start to get annoying after awhile especially when you are not even sure if you should be reading the strikethroughs anymore.

If I had read this in 2011 it would have been five stars (hence the serious talk with my inner 16-year-old).

Since I read it 2021 though it is three stars.

How Did We Get The Monster Wrong?

 Frankenstein by Mary Shelley is one of those books where I could see the appeal if it was the 1800's, but now there are so many things that are wrong with it. The whole concept of the monster for one thing like Frankenstein picked out each part because they were beautiful and perfect yet somehow he failed to take into account that it had yellow eyes? Also, where the heck was he getting the body parts especially when he was making the female for the monster (I feel awful writing monster so it will now be known as M throughout this review). He was on an isolated island with very little people yet somehow he was able to get parts for the body of M's wife? Also, how did you not recognize your childhood friend or even think that M would go after Elizabeth? He did say he was going to go after your happiness and yet somehow its a shock that "oh hey look M killed people". Also, where did we get this idea that M hates fire? He spends about half the book sitting next to a fire with no fear and sets a cabin on fire (that we had to hear about for over five chapters by the way).

If I had read this in the 1800s I would have given it five stars, but in today's society I would have to give it 2 stars.

Not A Good Idea

 A Good Idea by Cristina Moracho left a lot to be desired. First off, this was a cover buy because who could resist a cover that has a rusty claw footed bathtub in the forest? I thought "oh cool, the person is going to be found murdered in the tub and the tub is going to be an integral part of the story". Nope. The tub is mentioned briefly and randomly as a story of them going into the woods one day seeing it and when they went to go look for it again with other people it had disappeared. 

I read the entire book waiting for things to happen, but when something did the MC had to complain about it. 

What I did love about the book was the whole anything bad happens blame it on the ghost of the friend who is said to haunt the theatre. That was cool and interested me to keep reading because I wanted to know if it was true and if it wasn't then what made the whole town think that?

If you like stories that involve disappearances, a friend looking for answers, a town with a superstition and people with big pockets and lots of influence to make things fun then this is the book for you.

For me it is a meh so it gets 3 out of five stars.

Didn't Do it for me Part 1

 First off, I would like to start that none of these books listed as a DNF have to do with the author and more that it was not my thing. I am not discouraging anybody from picking up these books because you never know what book is the one that holds magic for you.

The DNF's

1. Hysteria by Elisabeth De Mariaffi. I DNFed this book because I could not follow along with what was going on in the beginning and what it has to do with the character's child finding another.

2. The Alchemist by Michael Scott. I thought it was a historical book, but it ended up being a letter at the beginning and then onto modern times with a girl that is not even mentioned in the blurb. I had to reread the summary many times from different sources because it felt like I was reading a different book. I couldn't figure out what was going on and I have reached that point in my writing life where it is not worth trying to figure out what authors want the readers to know.

3. These Rebel Waves by Sara Raasch is odd because it's the type of book I love yet for some reason every time I opened the book I was left with a sense of dread and it became a chore just to read the book. Also, skipped to the ending to see if I could entice myself to read the whole book and the ending is so confusing.

4. Satellite by Nick Lake. Usually I love his books, but this one started off with all of my reading pet peeves which prohibited me from reading farther than page three. I think the incorrect grammar was meant to further bring about the world building, but I couldn't stop my brain from trying to edit all of the grammar to enjoy it.

5. The Orphan's Song by Lauren Kate. This kills me because Lauren is my favourite author and I love her books dearly. However, this book had so many plot holes from the very beginning of the book and so many inconsistencies that I could not bring myself to read past chapter 2. I will say that I did love Milo and wished the book was solely on his point of view. I also wished that the beginning was the end because damn the last 10% of the book was amazing.

6. Rag Doll by Daniel Cole. This book disappointed me because it sounded awesome. Who wouldn't love to read a book where a body is found sewn up of different victims and the detective in the case is the next victim? I was all down for it but the beginning was about this random chick being a part of a jury for a case we know nothing about and it continues for almost the entire prologue. I tried holding out because I was hoping either she would become part of the Rag Doll or is the one who finds the body, but the prologue held no excitement or intrigue for me to find out because it was taking too long to get to the crime.

7. Star Crossed by Pintip Dunn. This is more of a could not stand the main character so had to DNF on account of Princess Vela being too far whiny because I could have kept reading it if she was not in it. 

8. Rules for being a Girl by Candace Bushnell and Katie Cotugno. This book was so slow and I kept wishing that it didn't try to do all of this backstory and started off with bang here is the incident that caused people not to believe her. Sprinkle the backstory in-between so the readers can decide "oh hey, that's something people normally do". And do not get me started on Marin for a girl who is supposed to be smart and know all the rules she is pretty clueless. I skipped to the ending which was weird, but strangely cute and I loved Grey (or is it Gray?) at least he tried that's all I can say.

9. Where Dreams Descend by Janella Angeles. I know this is not the popular opinion, but the beginning was so slow that I was starting to fall asleep and it sucks because I was excited especially since I had just finished reading The Phantom of The Opera which this book is supposed to be based about. And the ending just felt like it was missing something for me. I couldn't connect to any of the characters (it's usually the point to stop reading when any of the characters could die a horrible tragic death and you would rejoice in it or just not give a damn about it). 

Eluding Destiny by Charlie Nottingham

 I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

First off I would like to thank the author for writing this book. It was an interesting read.

Eluding Destiny is a hard book to categorize because it's one of those books where things are intriguing enough to make you want to keep reading it, but it is also predictable for me. That's also because I read a lot of books that have this trope of one of a kind meant to save the world or destroy it.

My main issue was the retrospective aspect to it because it would be happening now, but let me tell you how I regret this moment because this is what is going to change everything. I'm not a huge fan of books with that kind of writing.

Laila was an interesting character, but she also annoyed the heck out of me because okay we get that your perfect life has fallen apart and you are unsure of Jeremy's love because such and such a thing happened.

I feel like so many things could have been avoided if the characters stopped doing this whole "I'm doing this because it will help you" attitude like I am sick of it. Just trust each other and who knows maybe things will work out or maybe it won't but the whole I know best attitude in characters in the paranormal genre has got to stop.

I kind of wished that there was more of them being fae-angel hybrids because it is a unique combination. 

This is a quick book to read so if you are looking for a book that has a different twist on the paranormal society then this is the book for you.

4 out of 5 stars.

Blood Bar: the prequel by Charlie Nottingham

 I received a free copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.

I would like to thank the author for writing this book.

For a short book, it's okay. There is just enough information to get the readers interested in the beginning of the series with enough insight into the characters.

The only problem is that it is short, so it is hard to talk about the book without giving anything away. And I do not want to get rid of the magic of reading a book for the first time, so read it.

4 out of 5 stars.