October 6, 2019

September Wrap Up & October TBR


Did I stick to my September TBR post? Yes and no. September was a strong reading month for me!

# of Books Read from My TBR Post: 3 out of 8 (I'm halfway through one of them and didn't count that.)

Total Books Read in September: 11

Books Read in September

5 Stars
The Bride Test by Helen Hoang
Quiet Girl in a Noisy World by Debbie Tung

4 Stars
Say You Still Love Me by K.A. Tucker
Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin
Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy by Rey Terciero and Bre Indigo
No Judgments by Meg Cabot

3.5 Stars
The Beautiful by Renée Ahdieh
The Chain by Adrian McKinty
Say You're Sorry by Karen Rose
Dark Debt by Chloe Neill
Singe by Aly Martinez





How many books did you read in September?


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September 17, 2019

TTT #98: Favorite Things I Like to Eat/Drink While Reading


This week I am sharing with you all what I enjoy snacking on and drinking while I read. Although I look pretty awkward trying to turn the pages while enjoying my snacks, I make it work.

The Drinks

1. Hot coffee w/ vanilla cream that I make at home in my Keurig.
2. My favorite winter drink is hot chocolate. 
3. Ice cold water is my usual go to drink while reading.
4. Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew is my current obsession.
5. Lemonade is perfect during the summer.
   
Check Out My Bookstagram HERE

The Snacks

6. Homemade air-popped popcorn is where it is at.
7. Pretzels in any form.
8. SweeTarts is my favorite candy snack.
9. Apple slices with caramel is my favorite fall snack.
10. I rarely eat this, but I always enjoy puppy chow/muddy buddies.

Image result for popcorn

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September 11, 2019

WWW Wednesday

WWW Wednesday is a bookish meme hosted by Sam @ Taking on a World of Words

It consists on answering these three questions:

What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?

What I'm Currently Reading

My current audiobook is Dark Debt by Chloe Neill and my current print book is Serpent & Dove. I am enjoying both of them a great deal. Dark Debt is book 11 in the Chicagoland Vampire novels. That means I am almost done with the series! 

 


What I Recently Finished Reading

My last two read were The Chain and The Beautiful. I enjoyed both, but I didn't love either. I wanted a little more from The Beautiful than what it had to offer. (Full review to come soon.) I gave both books a solid 3.5 stars. I just noticed even both covers have the same color scheme. Crazy.

 


What I Plan to Read Next

Say You Still Love Me is next up from my TBR thanks to some bookstagram friends. As for my next audiobook, I have no idea. Right now I have The Everlasting Rose in audio on hold at the library that I am waiting for.

 

What are you currently reading?




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September 1, 2019

What I Hope to Read This Month


September is here! I can't wait for fall weather. I love the sweaters, football, and pumpkin everything. Although I don't always stick to them because I am a mood reader, I love making TBR piles! Here are the books I plan to read this month.


Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin
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"Bound as one to love, honor, or burn."


Unpregnant by Jenni Hendriks & Ted Caplan
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"She never thought she would want to fail a test - until now."


No Judgments by Meg Cabot
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"The choices we make decide our fate."


Say You Still Love Me by K.A. Tucker
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"Life is a mixed bag for Piper Calloway."


Kill the Queen by Jennifer Estep
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"Gladiator meets Game of Thrones."


The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee
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"By day, seventeen-year-old Jo Kuan works as a lady's maid, but by night, Jo moonlights as the pseudonymous author of a newspaper advice column."


Chase Darkness with Me by Billy Jensen
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"How one true-crime writer started solving murders."

The Miracle and Tragedy of the Dionne Quintuplets by Sarah Miller
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"Five children who captivated the entire world."



What do you plan to read in September? Do you make monthly TBR goals?


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August 28, 2019

Mini Book Reviews: Verity, Heroine, & You'd Be Mine


Verity by Colleen Hoover
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Am I a Colleen Hoover fan? Yes. Is this book like her other books? Nope. Did I love this book? Yes! Verity is for all of us thriller readers out there looking for their next can't-put-down read. If you want a book with a good twist filled with interesting and shady characters, one that has you feeling some strong emotions, one that you just can't put down, then Verity is for you.


Heroine by Mindy McGinnies
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This book was well-written and heartbreaking. Mickey is an all-star softball catcher, but a horrific car crash leaves screws in her hip, and getting back to top shape by the beginning of the season is all Mickey cares about. To get there she begins to rely on the painkillers prescribed by her doctor that not only take the pain away, but make her feel good. Heroine is a powerful look at the current opioid crisis our country is going through. Trigger Warning: Drug Abuse.


You'd Be Mine by Erin Hahn
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You'd Be Mine reads like a YA version of the movie A Star is Born. You'd Be Mine has an unforgettable love story, charming characters, and music that makes you feel all the feels. It really felt like I was at the concerts our main characters were performing. Not only did I find the main characters interesting, but their supporting cast of friends were my favorite! Trigger Warning: Drug Use. Suicide. Alcoholism.

8 comments
August 7, 2019

Mini Reviews: Young Adult Edition

The Kingdom by Jess Rothenberg

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The Kingdom is a science fiction thriller that I pretty much read in one sitting. If you like the show Westworld, then this book will be right up your alley. The Kingdom is a futuristic theme park, and the princesses that live there are Fantasists, androids who are growing beyond their programming. The story is told in alternating chapters between the past and the present through Ana's point of view, the Fantasist on trial for murder of a park employee. Although somewhat predictable at times, this book is well-written, unsettling, and full of interesting takes on the themes of princesses, technology, and more. I can't wait to highlight this book at work so it can find itself in the hands of more readers. (I am a Teen Librarian.)

There's Something About Sweetie by Sandhya Menon

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Sandya Menon doesn't disappoint with her latest novel. As I was once a teen dealing with weight issues, I was very happy to see a book with a fat main character who was okay with her body, even if her mother wasn't. Sweetie is smart and kind and freaking awesome. Ashish was also a delight to read about as he was recovering from his first major heartbreak. The only reason I am giving this book four stars instead of five is because it was a little too perfect, and I think it could have benefited from some more conflict or have Sweetie have a few flaws. Otherwise, There's Something About Sweetie was a cute book that I think many will enjoy. Readalikes: To Be Honest by Maggie Ann Martin, Dumplin' by Julie Murphy, and If It Makes You Happy by Claire Kann.

Symptoms of a Heartbreak by Sona Charaipotra

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Symptoms of a Heartbreak is a 2019 version of Dougie Houzer. Saira is a 16 year old doctor dubbed the "girl genius" with a big family and a couple of complex friends. I had a really hard time getting into this novel. It was just too unbelievable for me, and I had a hard time following all the different characters at first which was kind of confusing. However, I liked the diverse characters, and how Saira had to figure out what it means to have an adult job, to be a friend, to have a first love, and some family drama. I do think teens will enjoy this one!

5 comments
August 3, 2019

Mini Reviews: Romance Edition

The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren

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I adored this book! The Unhoneymooners features a enemies to lovers trope, a whole bunch of  sexual tension, and many awkward hilarious moments that will make you laugh. Olive's sister gets married and everyone at the wedding but herself and the groom's brother, Ethan, get sick from eating the free buffet. Olive's sister insists that she go on her honeymoon because she won the free trip and it can't be changed, and this means that although she gets a free trip to Hawaii, she has to pretend to be married to Ethan for 10 days. Let the fun begin! I loved Olive and Ethan with their quirky personality traits and their growing chemistry. Honestly, this whole book was just a whole lot of fun to read. It would make for a perfect beach read.

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

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Red, White & Royal Blue is a story I wish was real. This romance novel is adorable, fun, and very steamy. The characters are wonderfully interesting and complex, and are my new favorite fictional characters of 2019. First Son Alex is trying to life his life in the spotlight while also being his true self, and when he is forced to have a friendship with the Prince of Wales, his enemy, he didn't expect what comes next. This book is for romance fans, those that like some politics in their books, or really just anyone that enjoys a fun read with memorable characters and a great story. The author's writing style took me a handful of pages to get used to, but then I was invested and couldn't stop reading. Red, White & Royal blue should be on everyone's summer TBR pile.

The Nanny Rules (August 12, 2019)

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The Nanny Rules was a quick and enjoyable read, but could have used a little more relationship growth between our main characters instead of just a whole lot of sexy time. I always enjoy a dual POV in my romance novels and this delivers on that front. The football player romantic interest is always a trope I enjoy. The nanny, Amelia, is sweet and kind while Brody, the football player, is interesting and complex. Overall, The Nanny Rules is a fun steamy romance novel with lovable characters that are a tad underdeveloped. Not a bad choice for a poolside read.



2 comments
July 22, 2019

Blog Tour: Making Up by Helena Hunting

Making Up by Helena Hunting (July 16, 2019)
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Source: I received a free copy from the publisher as part of this blog tour. This did NOT affect my honest review. Thank you, St. Martin's Press!
Purchase: Here
Rating:
Synopsis: A new standalone, laugh-out-loud romantic comedy by New York Times bestselling author Helena Hunting.

Cosy Felton is great at her job—she knows just how to handle the awkwardness that comes with working at an adult toy store. So when the hottest guy she’s ever seen walks into the shop looking completely overwhelmed, she’s more than happy to turn on the charm and help him purchase all of the items on his list. Griffin Mills is using his business trip in Las Vegas as a chance to escape the broken pieces of his life in New York City. The last thing he wants is to be put in charge of buying gag gifts for his friend’s bachelor party. Despite being totally out of his element, and mortified by the whole experience, Griffin is pleasantly surprised when he finds himself attracted to the sales girl that helped him. As skeptical as Cosy may be of Griffin’s motivations, there’s something about him that intrigues her. But sometimes what happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas and when real life gets in the way, all bets are off. Filled with hilariously awkward situations and enough sexual chemistry to power Sin City, Making Up is the next standalone in the Shacking Up world.

My Review

One really can't go wrong to choose a Helena Hunting novel when they are in the mood for a steamy romantic comedy. Making Up is for anyone who enjoys a sexy billionaire love interest who is just the right amount of domineering without being an asshole while also encouraging the main character to continue to be who she is. Cosy is vibrant main character and a whole lot of fun to get inside her head. This is another romance written in dual narrative from both the male and female point of view. Although Cosy and Griffin's chemistry is spot on, I would have enjoyed a little more banter and dates between the two. I also felt like the supporting characters didn't add a whole lot of anything special to the story. They were forgettable. I also want to note that I rather liked the conflict in this romance since it was a little different than the usual miscommunication that can be frustrating. Overall, Making Up is another solid romance from Helena Hunting. I laughed. I fanned myself. I escaped the real world for a few hours.

The Author


New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of PUCKED, Helena Hunting lives on the outskirts of Toronto with her incredibly tolerant family and two moderately intolerant cats. She writes contemporary romance ranging from new adult angst to romantic sports comedy.







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July 1, 2019

Books I Never Reviewed: First Half of 2019

In today's post I want to share the books with you that I read in the first half of the year and just never got around to reviewing for one reason or another. If too much time has passed since I have read a book and I didn't take notes while reading, then there is no way I can write a decent review for the book. My memory isn't the best. Since I still want to share these titles with you, I figured I would throw them all in one post sorted by the star ratings I gave them. There was a lot more than I thought, but I have read 46 books so far this year!

Three Stars 3/5

  

 

Three and a Half Stars 3.5/5

  

 

Four Stars 4/5

  

  

  

Four and a Half Stars 4.5/5


Five Stars 5/5

 


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