The Not So Chosen One by Kate Emery

I would like to thank Text Publishing, Kate Emery, and NetGalley for allowing me to review a copy in exchange for a honest review.

The Not So Chosen One sounded like it would be a hilarious rom-com. Unfortunately, the title was the only thing hilarious about the book. I had to DNF at 11% because I could not stand Lucy who is the main character. She was so whiny and annoying and woe is me that I could not deal. I needed multiple breaks from the character because I could feel no sympathy for her especially when she kept going on about being a pregnant teenager trying to hide it from her mother.

Was not the book for me but maybe it could be for you because humor is subjective and I felt like the book was trying maybe too hard to be funny.

⭐️2

💧2

 

Katzenjammer by Francesca Zappia

 I would like to thank HarperCollins and NetGalley for allowing me to review an e-arc for free in exchange for an honest review. I will try my best to keep this spoiler free, but please be aware that there might be things that I don't view as a spoiler but you might.

Katzenjammer by Francesca Zappia is one of those books where the first page is confusing and it never stops. I was excited about this book because I don't read a lot of horror but they were making it out like it was the horror book of the year. Either I am broken or they have a different definition of horror. It felt too cliche and I kind of wished they had not mentioned B horror movies because that's what this felt like.

I struggled to connect to the characters because I had no idea what was going on or who was who especially with those who were changed. I have a love hate relationship between the present chapter and the memories because it felt like nothing that should matter to the present. If one can call it the present it is questionable and I cannot say anything without huge spoilers so I will only say that.

I also love how the copy had the content warning at the end of the book when it is too late so for those who are triggered by: bullying, eating disorders, death, gore, blood, random acts of violence, shootings (I feel like that should have been a triggered but I know why they didn't and sorry for the huge spoiler, but y'all need to know that it's a part of the book especially with what is going on in the world.)

WTF was the ending. Seriously, that ending was so weak it should be illegal because it is criminal how she ended it and the reason for them being locked in School. There were so many routes she could have gone and she chose that as an okay reason like no and I cannot tell you guys about it because it will spoil everything and I want to leave the option open for those who are interested.

I mean it is a good book but if someone like me who cannot read horror and gets squeamish when reading even someone cutting themselves off was completely detached from what occurred like body parts were being ripped off, but it felt like a cheap horror movie.

The only reason this book is getting the star rating it is is because of Jefferson. Jefferson has my heart and soul and they did him dirty in the book. I wished he had more of a role in the book or we got his perspective as well especially with the drama between his brother. I had a love hate relationship with Cat only because she was so repetitive. 

Also, I am pretty sure they brought one of the characters back from the dead (well there were several, but one of them was not like the others I just won't say who because I am cruel like that).

Overall, I question calling this horror because horror should not have you laughing half the time and confused the rest (okay I am positive I never stopped being confused since the first page, but I accepted it or thought I did until the ending).

Katzenjammer has got to be the weirdest book I have ever read and I have read plenty of strange books. There is no rhyme or reason to any of the things that happened in this book and I am almost convinced the author only wrote it for the fun of it and was like no one would care if it makes no sense let's find some silly reason to tie it all up together. Okay, I might have a little rage toward the ending and might want to rip it out of the book and set it on fire before burying it deep deep in the ground where the magma can get it. 

⭐3

💧5 (mostly rage and confusion).

Bad Girl Reputation by Elle Kennedy

Thank you to St. Martin's Press/St. Martin's Griffin, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a copy of Bad Girl Reputation by Elle Kennedy in exchange for a honest review. This review might contain spoilers so please read at your own discretion.

Well, this is disappointing because I thought this book would be five stars because I adore Elle Kennedy's off campus series. (If you have not read that series or Briar U series you should because those books are incredible).

All I can say about this book is: 🚩🚩🚩💔😦. Seriously, the fact that everyone is telling you that your relationship is toxic and major red flags and you are all it's okay. I cannot even ship Evan and Gen because honestly their relationship makes me uncomfortable. I had to DNF this book about twenty percent in because I could not do it anymore. How can they think that their relationship is okay?

I liked Copper and Mackenzie because they get it. They are the voice of reason in this book too bad nobody listens to them.

Yeah, this is the one book from Elle Kennedy that disappointed me. I am not even sure if I can in good conscience recommend this book. I mean if extremely toxic relationships are your thing then do not let me stop you. Knock yourself out.

⭐️2

💧1 

Just a Bite by Boris Bacic

 I would like to thank Butterdragons Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to read a copy of Just a Bite by Boris Bacic in exchange for an honest review. This review might contain spoilers so please read at your own risk.

Synopsis (as taken from NetGalley)

I feel them moving and crawling inside of me….

When I left the house that day, I never expected to find myself in this kind of situation. A day like any other – work, casual conversation, then an exciting date with her long-time crush. What could possibly go wrong? Well, nothing much if you stay away from stray dogs and their bites, but I didn’t.

So much pain. So many weird occurrences. What was with all these strange cravings?

Trying to go through my days, as usual, ignoring what was happening to me as best I can. Will I ever figure out what is happening to me? Surely, I will find something or someone to help me before it's too late – not just for me, but for everyone around me. I don’t know how much longer I can pretend I am okay...

Will someone save me before it’s too late?

Does that not sound spooky and like it would be an incredible horror book? Unfortunately, I never got to the whole something crawling inside her because I had issues with the author's writing. It did not feel like it was natural and more like the author felt it had to be there or it became too rushed. Also, Melanie got on my nerves too quickly for me to continue reading it. I tried I really did because I was in the mood for nauseating horror stories. This felt like something I have read in any dystopian novel ever.

2.5⭐️

4💧

a Rip Through Time

 Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books, Netgalley for allowing me to read a copy of A Rip Through Time by Kelley Armstrong in exchange for an honest review. This review might contain spoilers read at your own risk.

I am not sure what to make of this book because I loved all of the characters except Mallory who is the main character. At first it was cute with the whole let's blame all screw ups on the bump on my head and everyone will believe her and accept it. However, it got annoying listening to the same song over and over again like first few times okay I will buy it, but after that you should learn how to blend in better. I also got annoyed when Mallory was patting herself on the back for doing such a good job blending in when everyone kept giving her confused looks for every word that fell out of her mouth.

I did love how all of her stereotypes and assumptions were proven wrong, but I couldn't help but feel like maybe the author was forcing it and it didn't feel natural. Also, as someone who grew up near Vancouver my entire life there were a couple of things that had me wondering what Vancouver the author knew. Also as a side-note: Canadians can be just as nasty as the rest of the world and I really don't like when people try to pass it off as Canadians are so sweet and polite. The only difference is we know how to say sorry we just might not mean it. Also, how the Frick is someone supposed to know that saying sorry means you're Canadian? There were so many little things in this book that made me pause and even after two days of finished reading it I am still questioning it. 

Reasons why I love Isla: she is one of the few characters who will bother to investigate and ask questions from the experts on whether a bump on the head can change personalities. She is willing to believe the impossible even with little proof because some of that proof cannot be obtained. She does not take crap from anyone despite having everyone trying to treat her like she is made of glass. Isla is willing to take matters into her own hands (without always thinking it through, but she does it because she wants to help). She is resourceful and I felt so sorry for her because of some of her past relationships.

Reasons why I like Duncan: he has reasonable reactions, he has had to deal with a crappy hand being a person of color and an illegitimate child. He does not let his wealth influence him and he is more than happy to help his sister out. Family is everything to him especially his sister, Isla. He is passionate about what he does and everything that he does is to help other people even when they do not think they need it.

The book felt a tad bit predictable but it did pick up at the 60% mark because before that it was slow and I think banging my nails into my head would have been less excruciating which is slightly disappointing because I love Kelley Armstrong's books. The ending felt too abrupt, but it has me curious for the rest of the series. I want to know what Mallory will do. I only hope we get different character's pov's because I can only spend so long in Mallory's head before I want to throttle her.

If you do read this book be prepared to suspend all disbelief because this book gets ridiculous with some of its antics or more like Mallory shouldn't be as believable as she is portrayed.

3.75 ⭐️

6.5💧

Midnight Sun: Edward's POV

Hoo boy, Midnight Sun by Stephanie Meyer is a doozy that is for sure. I have read all of Twilight and Life After Death plus the short novellas. All I can say is the world gets better and better while the characters seem to get worse. Or more accurately I start to see a lot of Stephanie Meyer as I read the world of Twilight and none has been more glaringly obvious than in Midnight Sun. This is why I love it and I loathe it at the same time because it was fascinating more about the characters and I have a smidge more respect for Edward (I had none in Twilight). On the other hand, the religion felt a little forced like wow Edward way to assume that Bella is religious (oh wait never mind that was just the author). Seriously, I dare you to read it and knowing that she is religious (hence the whole no sex before marriage, pure body crap) and let's just say she couldn't quite hide her racism with the whole vampires are pale corpses (clearly some of the vampires did not get the memo). However, that is not the only inconsistency in this book, if I am reading it right then that means Edward spent as many years drinking human blood as he did being a human. Don't ask me the numbers kept being changed to the point I gave up trying to understand how many years he was a vampire. All I can say is Edward why did it take you seventeen years to realize you were unsatisfied with human blood and wanted to go back to animal blood? What on earth is wrong with you?

Midnight Sun was both painful and entertaining to read because we get to be more into characters heads and let me tell you it becomes obvious how similar the characters are. I also feel bad for Tara because I do not remember her in Twilight and I am positive she was only a plot point to be all look how kind and good Bella is 😒. It was nauseating how many times you get it pointed out to you how good and kind Bella is like (excuse my language here, but) bitch please she does absolutely nothing. Bella is useless and this book only proves it, but somehow all the boys are bloody golden retrievers around her and all the women are catty bitches. I thought this book was supposed to show why Edward was in love with Bella (because I sure as hell cannot figure it out) instead, it starts comparing Bella to Persephone and I was like how dare you bring Persephone's name down to this nobody's level? You insult me with this. Seriously, Bella gets compared to Persephone as many times as you can get told she is good and kind. Why did I originally like Bella in Twilight I have questions (mostly about the state of my 13-year-old mind at the time. Granted I am questioning the state of my 27-year-old mind as well because as much as I hated this book goddamnit I loved it as well.)

Edward is psychotic but at least he can admit it, which is why I have respect for him because admitting the problem is half the battle. I howled with laughter when I found out the reason why he started watching her sleep was (are you ready for it) a meteorite. He was worried that with her bad luck a meteorite would fall and crush her so he had to save her from the imaginary meteorite 🤣. 

No matter how many different Twilight books get written I will always love Alice and Jasper and I thought they would be in this book more than they were. I need more Alice and Jasper in my life like I swear they could murder everyone in the world and I will still love them. They made the book for me and I would gladly read any book from their POV. 

I do not know how to articulate this dark and bizarre book, but all I can say is read at your own risk because it is a rabbit hole.

 Date Started: April 27, 2022

Date finished: May 8, 2022.

Number of pages: 658

Stars: 3.75 (I waffled between 3.5 and 4 constantly so I decided to split the difference).

💧: 7.5

Once Upon a Name: Charity Anthology

I received a free copy (e-arc) from the authors via Bookfunnel in exchange for an honest review.

Once Upon A Name is an interesting anthology with a little bit of everything for fantasy lovers. My main problem is that some of the stories are predictable and feel like something I have already read.

For the most part, I enjoyed the stories and some of the names are interesting that's for sure. It was interesting reading stories from authors new and old to me. 

Soulless was an interesting twist on wraiths. It felt too short for me because I wanted to stay in the world and learn more about wraiths. 4/5

Forged in Fire had me laughing because she tried to achieve her goal but she never stopped to think of the repercussions. And the talking rabbit foot 😂 4/5

In the Mist made me smile because the lengths people will go to to keep travellers safe. I also loved Kelcy's stubbornness (it is relatable). 4.5/5

Ghost of the Night Dolls this gave me such Coraline vibes it's not even funny. 4/5

Goddess of Smoke and Steel by Alice Ivinya is a cute story, but it confused me because it didn't follow the format of the other stories and maybe it changes in the actual book, but it was just there. That's why it's also the one with the author's name because it deserves better. 4.5/5

Salty Sweet is one of those stories where its like you've read one of them then you've read all of them. It is a cooking competition (I'm sure you can figure out the rest of it if you've read one of them). 3/5

Baroness of Blood and Bone is intriguing. It's like a wolf motorbike gang (that's the best way to describe it). 4/5

I'm struggling with reviewing the books because they are super short and we are not allowed to spoil the stories.

If any of these have you intrigued though please grab a copy for yourself. All proceeds goes to Book Aid, so you get a book and help a good cause, which is a win-win in my books.

Total average of stars: 4