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 

 

Three Kisses, One Midnight by Roshani Chokshi; Sandhya Menon; Evelyn Skye

 Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Wednesday Books for allowing me to read a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This review might contain: Spoilers, incomprehensible words, abbreviations, mild swearing, and incomplete/run on sentences as I try to put the magic of this book into words. Reader discretion is advised.

A colossal thank you to the authors: Roshani Chokshi; Sandhya Menon; Evelyn Skye for writing Three Kisses, One Midnight.

My mind is blown. It has happened lovelies, a book from this publishing company has received the elusive all stars from me.

When I first read the blurb I thought the book would be a fantasy-fantasy book, but it is more like a urban fantasy almost. It has quality writing that if I did not know any better would say was written by one writer instead of three.

First, we have Onny's story which is a one-sided enemies to lovers trope. OMG, I love Byron Frost. He completes Onny perfectly and when only starts to realize it *swoon*. The first story was perfect because it is full of magic and wonder and hope and enough romance to make a hopeless, helpless, hapless romantic like me to swoon and have a gigantic goofy smile. My cheeks hurt from smiling so much and near the end when Onny realizes that she does not have feelings for Alexander the Great Looking (yeah I am not making that one up. I wish I was because its a groaner for sure) I had my hand under my chin with a dreamy sigh on my lips. I won't say what they did to reach the conclusion that they did because its too magical to spoil.

Ash, dear sweet Asher. He is a giant lovable mess and I wanted to give him a big hug when he was trying to figure out how to talk to Cassidy Rivera. OMG, why are they so freaking cute together? I found myself crossing my fingers in the hopes that they would get together, especially when the evil person tried to getting in the way of their love like how dare he he should know better than try to get in the way of true love, and I would have picked up a pitchfork and torches wormed my way into the book to take him out (I warned you about these kinds of sentences I even put commas in so you lovelies can take a breather from my mess of a melted heart).

True, oh my word, I fucking cried with this story because Bradley almost completely destroyed her from realizing that she was never the problem in relationships. And Orion, bless his soul, thank him for sticking with True and helping her realize that she is worth it. And all the little things she tried to rationalize because she is a skeptic.

This book wrecked me (if you don't believe me you clearly have not read the review and should read it again). My heart has been ripped out of my chest, stomped on repeatedly, set on fire, and given back. Here you go book you can have it back again because it is worth it.

How do I put this book into words that would accurately describe the magical feeling like discovering a book for the first time or looking at the full moon for the first time. It is like being in an open field away from the city and seeing the starry sky and realizing how infinitely big the universe is. It is lying on the field next to a soul mate pointing out cloud shapes and having fingers touch. it is like greeting old friends after not seeing them for over a decade. It is being a child when it rains during sunshine looking for a rainbow. 

I willingly took the love potion because I am completely in love with this book and all of its characters and the world of Moon Ridge with its ghosts and fables. With love potions and discovering true love and the coveted kiss at midnight.

I am crying because I am on a book ban and I really desperately want a copy of this book. So if you are smarter than me you can go preorder a copy, it comes out August 30, 2022. Get a copy so I can live vicariously through you. 😭

Thank you again to St. Martin's Press/ Wednesday Books for inviting me to read this book. It's been a while since a book has left me this much in a mess to the point that autocorrect has decided to take over.

It is so good that I even created a reading playlist on Spotify for it. You can listen to it here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2etggrKnhF7VyqmnSAieg8?si=4695deb8833d4732 

PS: do not worry I made sure the songs were tame because I sometimes listen to wild songs that not a lot of people know exist. See introduced to a new book and songs.

I 100,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000% recommend this book.

★☆✡✦✧✩✰✵❂✬✪✯⭐🌟🌠 all of them.

💧all of them.

Dark Rings (Dark Things Book 1) by Lainey Delaroque

 I received an e-arc from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Lainey for writing this book.

Unfortunately, this book was not my favorite out of all of her books. It has nothing to do with the author or the book. This is entirely a me thing as I loved the MCs as side characters more. They felt too childish to me in this book and I was not fond of the problem because I feel like Hanako, Mathias, and Connor deserve to have a cpmpletely different and new problem. It felt like a problem that is a cross between the Lavender Club Duet and (I believe the eighth book is the hospital one) The Series of Unfortunate Events plus almost every mystery thriller book I have ever read. I wanted them to have a more original problem to solve because those three deserve the stars and moon.

Upon further inspection, I think the reason why I loved them as side characters more is because the main characters would always have this need to protect them without realizing they were stronger than they got credit for. I did not get that so much when they became the main characters.

I did love that Mathias and Hana's relationship grew into what it became. I loved the relationship that Hana had with her mother and that her mother was very accepting of her daughter's relationships with the men and even trying to add more men to it 😏 it was my favorite part of the book and still makes me chuckle. I also adore that Hana was starting to embrace her heritage and culture. I loved how diverse the characters were and watching them embrace themselves.

⭐3

💧6