Another great romance in this sports themed contemporary set in Chicago. Great banter and I really liked both characters. The steamy scenes were a little long, but not too cringy. I definitely recommend this series if you like steamy sports romance with actual adult characters. 4.5⭐️

Overall, I liked this one. It has a feeling of dread throughout. Warning about the audiobook-most of the voice work is in the tone of a small child, so it may be annoying to some listeners, especially if you listen sped up. 4⭐️

Oh Fitz you make so many mistakes, but I loved his journey with the Fool wrapping up The Tawny Man trilogy. For those unaware, Robin Hobb is a major undertaking and you don‘t start here. This series is worth it though, beautiful writing, an amazing world and fantastic characters. 5⭐️ Next up the Rain Wilds-but probably next year. 😎
First #bookspinbingo! #Roll100 pick done

This was a shocking, addictive, horrific yet very readable horror about a young woman in her first year of college. Her father leaves their family and to make matters worse, her mother soon after begins dating a fairly gross man. A mix of new adult contemporary, family drama, commentary on being Asian American and a lot of body horror. One of the best new books of the year! 5⭐️

A very unfortunate sequel that had so much repetition that I DNF‘d at 30%. That much of the book was of the heroine complaining about being too taken to a safe place - over & over again. The first book was fun but this was not it.

This is a very different book. It shows inspiration from gothic and horror classics - Jane Eyre & Psycho in particular. More than a horror, this feels like a family drama/mystery. I particularly liked the mother/son relationship at the heart of the story. I can see many being very frustrated with the main character, and I definitely empathized with her but she still was crazy stubborn at times.⬇️

This was a solid paranormal werewolf story with a very slow burn romance. The writing is not always the best, but I really liked the world the author created and the characters were fun. I look forward to continuing this story in the next book-not exactly a cliffhanger but the story is definitely not finished in this book. 3.5⭐️

This was a delightful true rom-com, I actually giggled multiple times. It also is a true friends to lovers. There is an accidental pregnancy-it happens right at the beginning so not a spoiler, but there is no hiding it. This is just a very cozy, adorable romance. Loved it! 5⭐️

This was a very well written thriller, and I could not stop listening. It is a brutal, graphic read though. I don‘t get triggered and there were some very disturbing scenes to read. This is also dated in some of the treatment of women, though sadly it may still be accurate in some places. I haven‘t decided if I will read more of this author or not. Definitely check content warnings before reading this one. 4⭐️

A fun contemporary/cowboy romance that was overall a light summer read. I liked the characters, and the steamy scenes were good, if a little long (pun intended). Nothing revolutionary here but a solid KU read. 4⭐️

This was a solid fantasy read. I really liked the world building and the magic system-so cool. The character development was mixed, our main character had a few moments where plot devices saved the day and some conversations about her past weren‘t completely developed. I still enjoyed it and do want to continue the trilogy. 4⭐️ a book off my #roll100 list!

Overall I liked this twisty domestic thriller, though I guessed one of the mysteries the other was a fun surprise. My big criticism is the main characters choices were often a bit stupid and I wanted to yell out loud a few times. Still a fun quick read. 3.5⭐️

#bookspin pick done!

This was an engrossing Noir-Mystery/Thriller story about a girl whom seemingly commits suicide, but her being the daughter of an elusive horror director makes our main character-a writer, dive into her life and world. This makes you question all the details throughout and I will definitely have to reread this at some point to see what details I can catch. I thought this was excellent and I definitely recommend the audiobook. 5⭐️

This wraps up this “Why Choose”/Biker romance trilogy.
The twist is indeed a surprise, and the action and steamy scenes were better in this book than book 2. Overall, a fun read and entertaining trilogy. 4⭐️

This was just ok. I almost DNF‘d, but I was interested enough to finish it. This does have solid character building, though not completely likable, they were engaging. My biggest issue is not all that much happens, and during the “action” scenes, I never felt that much peril. This author is a mixed bag for me, so I will definitely wait on reviews for her future releases. 3⭐️ One of my #Roll100 picks done!

This is a very fun, surprising, twisty thriller which takes place on a cruise ship.

This paranormal mystery series is such a delight. This is book 2 featuring our main protagonist Keira, who does not remember her past but does know she can see ghosts. This time a malevolent spirit is causing chaos
and she must learn some town history to set things right. A great cast of characters and moments of real horror. 4.5⭐️

This one wasn‘t quite as good as book 1. Our heroine Evangeline is now exploring her attraction to the three bikers in book 1. It also continues the overarching mystery, which is getting interesting. The big thing is not a lot happened besides steamy scenes between the very beginning of the book and the end - which was exciting and I stayed up late to finish.⬇️

This was fine. I was engaged throughout the audiobook, but when I finished, I was left not terribly thrilled. I wish it didn‘t have the epilogue-last scene, it made it far leas interesting. 3⭐️

I really liked the story and the eerie grotesque atmosphere of this novella. It is like a mix of Hans Christian Anderson & Edgar Allen Poe. What was mildly annoying is the almost elitist vocabulary inserted through out - which was part of why I DNF‘d this author‘s other book. However, I did like the story so 4⭐️.

This was a lovely, very sweet romance about two people who share an inheritance of an old house where they team up to fix it up. It is absolutely charming, has excellent anxiety rep, grumpy/sunshine romance. This is not at all steamy but very romantic. Definitely recommend! 5⭐️

This was a solid YA - note about that in a bit - paranormal thriller with some horror and romance within. It is a very original take on witch & witch hunters and was delightfully dark. While I definitely recommend, my biggest critique is that the main three protagonists are in no way 17, it would have felt better as college age or 20-something‘s.⬇️

Here is my #bookspinbingo card!

My #bookspin pick will be She‘s Not Sorry by Mary Kubica
My #doublespin pick will be Ghost Station by S. A. Barnes

Here is my final #bookspinbingo card!
#bookspin & #doublespin reads done and 5 bingos completed.

Here are all of my #JuneReads! It was a great reading month.
Favorite of the month: Blood Over Bright Haven
Other 5⭐️‘s:
Darling Girls, How to Become the Dark Lord & Die Trying, In a Dream House, The Six Deaths of the Saint, Ruin Me by Midnight, Inheritance, Other Birds, Witch Hat Atelier Vol 12, Golden Fool, This Could Be Us

Total Read: 29!
DNF‘s (not shown): 3
Books off owned TBR: 14
Physical books: 3
Ebooks/KU: 8
Audiobook: 18

This was a doozy of a mystery about found family, child abuse and secrets. I could not stop listening, though I would not really recommend the audiobook as it was difficult to differentiate the POV at times, the book was a gripping fast paced thriller. 5⭐️

Here are my #Roll100 picks for my #JulyTBR!

Silver Nitrate by Sylvia Moreno-Garcia
Call of the Bone Ships by R. J. Barker
Talonsister by Jen Williams

Blood Over Bright Haven has definitely taken the lead for my favorite book of the year!

#readingbracket2024 @CSeydel

Not quite as tightly woven a story as the first in the series, at times it loses focus. However, the main story of the two teens that plan perfect murders is entertaining. 4⭐️

An entertaining contemporary MC romance. This is the first of a trilogy and does end on a big surprise cliffhanger. This is a slow burn romance - which I love - and this are multiple potential love interests, but no cheating and I don‘t think this “why choose”. It started really strong then was a little slow in the middle which is why I give this 4⭐️. I am definitely jumping right into book 2! This trilogy is on KU. Another #bookspinbingo!

Bailing on this because I‘m very bored, and there are 56 people waiting for the copy I have from the library. I‘m bummed because I really enjoyed his last book.
#hailthebail

This was a unique horror thriller, which splits between the present, the past and the screenplay of an infamous horror movie. It is very ominous and I definitely recommend listening to it on audiobook. It took me a bit to get into the flow of the perspective changes but the ending…a punch to the gut. 4.25⭐️

Here is my #JulyTBR for #Bookspinbingo #bookspin & #doublespin

I may edit it slightly based on the #roll100 rolls.
I‘m participating in #summerween hosted by gabbyreads in YouTube also, so lots of thrillers and horror!

I overall liked, but didn‘t love this one. I really enjoyed the setting and the characters. I look forward to the side character‘s future stories too. The steamy scenes were a little too long and did not feel like they fit the characters though. That made the book drag a bit to the point I just started skimming those scenes to get back to the plot and banter. I would still overall recommend though. 3.5⭐️

This was a delightful contemporary cowboy romance. I liked this more than book 1. Though not quite a 5 star, I really did like how the characters actually talked to each other through conflict (gasp!) and the hero was a precious cinnamon roll. 4.5⭐️

This is a very funny, raunchy, epic fantasy that feels like a D&D campaign or an MMO (think World of Warcraft). The protagonist is just a great character. She levels using her experience and quirky charm to work on achieving her goal of becoming the next Dark Lord. If you are looking for a fun fantasy read, I highly recommend! 5⭐️

I‘m mixed on this series. I like the thriller portion of this book, the backstory of the character and the characters themselves. It‘s the steamy scenes which are just too long (pun intended). This seems to be a new trend in “steamy” romance where the sex scenes go on for entire chapters, which just becomes tedious and causes me to skim to the main story. I still do like the characters and will read book 3. 3.75⭐️

This was a funny and very silly historical romance novella. It has steam and slapstick comedy moments. There were a few sketchy writing moments-the author seemed to insert random vocab that interrupted the flow with the intent of being more historical I guess? Still definitely funny and worth the read. 3.5⭐️

Heartbreaking and lyrical autobiography that narrows in on abuse in the author‘s past. It also shines a light on the inequitable treatment of the abused in same sex relationships. A tough read written in the style of a parable, so at times it seems to wander, which gives the reader an emotional break. I definitely recommend. 5⭐️

Bailing on this one, I‘m just not enjoying the two main male characters and do not get the attraction.

This is the best book I‘ve read in a very long time. It will be very difficult for anything to be better than this as a top read of the year. It is a standalone fantasy, with a unique magic system, an incredibly developed world and characters that you can both love and hate. None of the characters are two dimensional and no one is perfect. I only put this down because I didn‘t want it to end.⬇️

I‘ve packed up and mailed my #staycationswap package! I didn‘t want to be late as I‘m going out of town soon.

This is a creepy, slow burn, atmospheric thriller. I liked this one and it kept me reading. I did guess the twist and the end was a little more of a whisper than I typically enjoy in a thriller/horror. Overall I did like it, and I‘m interested to eventually check out the movie. 3.5⭐️

A quirky novella that is a mix of the Wayward Children-with adults and Horrorstor. Solid storytelling and world building but I‘m not inspired to continue the series. 4⭐️

This short story packs a punch, wow! I don‘t want to really say anything except-go read this one! 5⭐️

I finished Ruin Me By Midnight by Ginny B. Moore and it was fabulous. Funny and steamy and very entertaining. 5⭐️
Not in Litsy yet though I did submit a request.
Another #bookspinbingo!

This one was ok, its pacing just felt slower than the other books in the series and I never really felt the peril for the characters. I still love Kingfishers writing, but this one was not a favorite. 3⭐️

Anyone else doing Books & Lala‘s #lalathon this week? Here are my possible reads!

I wanted to like this more, as I really enjoy Christina Henry‘s books, but this just was a little slow and dull. It read slightly younger than its intended adult audience and had a writing style that struggled to keep my attention. It is short though so I did finish it. 2.5⭐️ Another #bookspinbingo and #roll100 done though!

Peak Nora Roberts contemporary romance ghost story. I cannot wait for the next book!! 5⭐️