It‘s been a great reading year so far! So many good ones. ❤️

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I really enjoyed this one. Steamy and intriguing. Good world building.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Thought provoking and relatable. Millennial ennui is very much a thing I can relate to. Seeking outside help for when you‘re struggling is so important. That‘s what I love about this author. A reader may come for the romance, but you get so much more from the story. To quote the characters, “It speaks to me.”

💙 Beach readin‘ 🌴🏖☀️🌊🐚

Enchanting. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½ stars. So much to say about this one - nature‘s connection to the spirit realm, the red thread of fate, making your own destiny, and lovable characters. The romance was just okay. I wanted to feel more between the two characters. Only reason it‘s not a full 5 stars for me. Otherwise it‘s such a beautiful story.

I‘m a bit late but here‘s what I got!

💎 Where the Crawdads Sing - I clearly have abandonment issues. 😂

💎 Romance and all the sub genre variations associated with it. Love when it‘s new and exciting is so addicting and it‘s even better when escaping into a fantastical world.

💎 I can‘t pick one! But I did love “A Court of Silver Flames” by Sarah J. Maas and “Bringing Down the Duke by Evie Dunmore.”

It was good but I found some of the dialog between characters a little cringy. I get that these are immature collage guys but yeesh. This book made me realize that maybe sports romances aren‘t for me. However I think I would try something else from this author in the future. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

A good read that kept me engaged. I couldn‘t put it down. There was one plot hole that I‘m surprised no one has mentioned in the reviews I‘ve read. It‘s not a huge deal. Some parts were skipped over in the story that I would have liked more detail on. Otherwise it was very enjoyable. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Definitely one of the better dark romances I‘ve read. There was mystery and I was getting some notes of thriller mixed in. The settings in this really add to the overall feel of the book. Some really messed up stuff happened to the main characters so be sure to do your due diligence in checking for the darker themes it contains. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ½

Wasn‘t my cup of tea but it wasn‘t horrible. Interesting take on the Hades and Persephone story. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

⭐️⭐️⭐️½ I enjoyed this one. The main character represents the uptight city woman that the male lead in most romances doesn‘t choose. He chooses the small town rural girl. Nora, the main character, is complex and is used to guys not choosing her. But you find out there‘s more to her than her ice queen exterior. This is how this book is different than most. Wasn‘t my favorite story, but it was different enough to keep you interested.

Living up to the hype so far. Perfect summer read vibes. 😁

It was good, but some parts seemed a bit too predictable. I didn‘t like her friends because I thought they were too pushy. I get that it was important to the story. I guess I wanted the relationship to develop more organically and not so forced. I‘d still recommend it though. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ great ending to this duology.

This book was a joy to listen to. I highly recommend the audiobook. I took notes throughout and felt like the solutions and advice offered were realistic and simple. Learning not to overthink takes time and practice, but it‘s something I‘d like to work towards in my life. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Enemies to lovers meet The Big Bang Theory tv show. Perfect amount of comedy and romance. Side characters were great and interesting too. This was was very spicy 🌶 🌶🌶🌶. Overall ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Harry and his pals gonna need group therapy by the time this series ends lol ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book was epic, beautiful, and everything I could want in a book. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

It wasn‘t completely terrible. I never knew how much I loved character development until I read this book. It was like Indiana Jones meets The A Team and I was here for it, but ultimately the story was so flat. Ain‘t no one gonna break the neck of a nile crocodile with their bare hands. I don‘t care if you‘re one forearm is mechanical. I wanted action-adventure, but what I really wanted was a well written action-adventure. Bummer. ⭐️⭐️

This was a good book and I enjoyed it. It did drag in some spots and whenever it got to the mathematical stuff I skimmed a bit. I wasn‘t 100% satisfied with the ending, but it made sense. I needed more closure, lol. But that‘s life. The main character was likable and I loved his little sidekick. If you like sci-fi, you‘ll love it. ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ½

Holy smokes this book is freaking good!!! My only regret was waiting a year to read it. Best character development I‘ve seen in awhile. This is by far the best book in the series. I found Nesta so relatable and couldn‘t help crying as she struggled through so much. The romance is spicy too! If you love a good redemption story, this is it! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This story was a bit slow. I kept wishing for the MC to be the clever one, but instead it was the male lead Thomas who was noticing clues and details. Audrey Rose‘s main characteristic was that she was female because the reader was constantly reminded by the main character. No real romance in this one, only mild flirting. The forensic science parts were mildly interesting. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Hell‘s Bells this is such a good series! So action packed and never boring. The entire cast of characters is amazing and well developed. The Dresden Files is always a joy to read. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This series is great. That being said this was probably my least favorite book of the series. I like April and Mitch, but I just didn‘t feel the same spark as there was between Emily and Simon. Also the “no kids” issue was resolved too easily and it didn‘t sit right with me. I just needed more emotion in this story overall. Otherwise it was a nice light read. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

So good! Can‘t believe some of the things Elle said to Flint, especially when they are first getting to know each other. Had me laughing! Really liked the complexities of their building relationship. Loved Elle‘s pet rats and how sweet she was with Flint‘s autistic son Harrison. Loved the forgiveness theme and how Flint had to cope with his past. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½

I just couldn‘t get into this one. The heroine was too annoying and completely unrelatable. Didn‘t like her attitude regarding her brothers career and her assumption she could make him want to go back to a career that was hurting him - all for her own career ambitions. I only finished it because it was 140 pages. Only ⭐️. Two bad books in a row this week. A new low for me ☹️

Didn‘t like the female lead. She was whiny and annoyed me. Loved the male lead because his character had more depth and a better backstory. Ending was rushed and made zero sense. Had five star potential but ended up ⭐️⭐️½ for me. And I loved the first book in this series! What happened? ☹️

🍁 Cooler weather!
🍂 Chai Latte
🎃 Picking up my little man after school
🌿Snuggles with my dog Coco 🐕

#woundrouswednesday @Eggs

This is classic sci-fi for a reason. Plenty of action with political intrigue and a little religion mixed in. To me it had a dystopian feel because of the oppressive systems in place. The world that the author built is incredibly detailed and original. I‘d recommend it.

📕 Zodiac Academy: The Awakening
🍊Mandarin Oranges or Cuties
🤩 Well Matched by Jen DeLuca
💞 That my family and I are healthy and safe (Nicholas missed us!)

@Eggs

💙 Three
❤️ At least 75
💜 Stephanie Hudson, Evie Dunmore, and Jen DeLuca
💚 New Co-workers 😁

#wondrouswednesday @Eggs

This book checked a lot of boxes for me that made me love the story. Maui setting, man who loves animals, cuddling while watching ‘The Office‘, yummy food truck food, and plenty of romance. Yes to all of it! My only issue was that the female lead couldn‘t admit to her feelings about the male lead. It got annoying and dragged the story down. But overall very enjoyable. ⭐️⭐️⭐️½ stars.

#1. 😂😂😂 ha ha ha! No. Well, not in mysteries anyway.

#2. Afterlife Saga 💜 but I‘m also a sucker for the Dresden Files (finished book #9). Loved the Chronicles of Narnia as a kid and still do. 🦁

#3. Enemies to lovers. I also love characters that are underdogs.

#4. This Texan is also grateful for a/c!!! 🤠

#woundrouswednesday @Eggs

💜 yes! Lots of PNR writers are indie writers

💜💜 Stephanie Hudson! Her Afterlife Saga series is my absolute favorite! I‘m halfway through the series and I‘m currently re-reading so I can remember everything before continuing where I left off. 😁

@TheSpineView

This series is an absolute favorite of mine! 💜 This is the 3rd book and it‘s a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read.

I may not be into sports, but I‘ll definitely do this! #readingismysport #readingolympics

I listened to this on audiobook and found the narrator enjoyable. A nice true crime story that I listened to because of my trip to Savannah. My favorite person was Joe Odom. How that guy skated by and skirted the law was unlike any I‘d ever heard of. The voodoo was creepy. I would have loved to see all of Jim William‘s antiques. 😁 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

I wanted to like it. I mean look at that beautiful cover! Nothing made sense. I get that some things can‘t be revealed (it‘s a series), but there were no explanations about anything. There are details missing about why she‘s at the reforms school. Why is everyone else there (knowing what we find out later in the book)? The one thing revealed at the end, was not a real unveiling. Read the book title. Overall it was disappointing. ⭐️⭐️

Enjoyable read! Loved the Savannah setting, which I will be visiting this summer for the first time. ? Antiques, cheating ex husband whose fiancée is found murdered. Oh and a best friend trying to set the MC up with the hot new chef at her restaurant. What‘s not to love? ⭐️⭐️⭐️½

This one was so sweet and funny. I didn‘t like Teddy at first but he became lovable in the end. He‘s kind of a slacker, but then he starts acting like a grown ass man. The two main characters have family issues and I can relate to the fact that it messes you up in early adulthood (and maybe longer). Ruthie is so sweet and you can‘t help but cheer for her as she also lets go of her past to move forward to find happiness. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The romance portion doesn‘t come into play until about a third of the way in, but I was hooked on page one. The MC is at a parole hearing in prison and you realize she didn‘t really commit the crime but is covering to protect her family. Her family thinks she did it and is not happy to see her back. The details don‘t come out until later. I enjoyed this one a lot. Family drama meets law and order, with romance on the side. 👍

A sweet romance that makes one want to open your own bookshop by the sea. 😊 It was a bit slow moving for me but that may be because I read a lot of PNR. However I did like how it deals with real issues in a relationship. I would recommend to those who enjoy more clean romance books.

The authors beautiful, descriptive writing really takes you into the story. However it can sometimes feel like over description and detract from the story as well. By the time you near the end, you‘ve had enough, but it‘s those last 100-200 pages (of an 800+ page book) where all of the action is - and it‘s really good. So that‘s why I‘m giving this one 4 stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️

3.5 stars - a nice slow burn romance with a broody male lead and happy, quirky female lead. It‘s a trope I tend to like. I think I needed more drama than there was, lol.

I think I just read the longest run on sentence of my life. 😆 Almost done.

A cute and quick story. I couldn‘t help but smile many times. A bit predictable but it was the perfect comfort read for me. It ended much too quickly and abruptly. I think that it should have gone into what happened to the main couple after. Even better would be if a second book was the aftermath story. I‘d read it. Otherwise an enjoyable, quick read. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I‘m not a huge fan when it‘s from two character points of view but here it works. Very engaging. The dialogue is written in a format I‘m not used to but once you get into the story it doesn‘t detract from the reader‘s experience. I could feel Tiffy‘s anxiety when her ex showed up. Really good portrayal recovering from an emotionally abusive relationship. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I gave up on drinks while reading. I get so sucked into a book I forget that they‘re there. 😂 Also if I really loved an ebook, I buy a physical copy in hardcover if available.

Jim Butcher‘s Dresden Files never disappoints me. This book reads like a mystery with magical elements mixed in. More so than some of the other books in the series. It did move the overall journey forward but not as much as others in the series. Still a really entertaining read with lots of action and movement. Never a dull moment with Harry Dresden. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Read as part of a book swap. I told my trading partner I don‘t like sad and depressing books and this is what I got, lol. I already know how horrible North Korea is. Super messed up place. But I powered through it and what the author has been through is unimaginable. I feel blessed to have been born in the US. Good read if you like biographies and nonfiction. 👍