Weekly Wrap Up | 11/12/23

Aloha friends!

Okay well this week was better but my coughing got worse so it was another miserable week. My kids had a 4 day weekend but I did manage to go to urgent care after I was just tired of coughing. Apparently I’ve been dealing with allergic rhinitis on top of the virus that I was dealing with and the wildfire smoke made it way worse. So all that post nasal drip from my nose was just aggravating my coughing. The wildfire is out though and the doctor prescribed me some flonase because she said my nasal tissues were just inflamed. So let’s hope this will speed up my recovery before my trip! I feel better already!

I’ve been waiting for copy of the special edition of Fourth Wing and the Iron Flame books from Amazon and both have been delayed. Then I saw on tiktok how so many people were getting misprinted books and that made me cancel my orders, since I wasn’t getting them anytime soon anyway. Oh well, so I bought the Iron Flame ebook instead because I don’t have to wait for that!

I hope all of you have a good week and thanks for reading!

Blog Posts:

Books I Read:


Currently Reading:

Her Dark Wings by. Melinda Salisbury

A Curse for True Love by. Stephanie Garber

The Atlas of Us by. Kristin Dwyer

Shows/Movies/Music I Watched/Listened To:

+ Catching Fire, The Mockingjay (Part 1 and 2)

How was your week? Did you get a lot done? Watch anything good? Read any amazing books or books you didn’t finish? What are you reading?…Leave me a comment below!

Monthly Wrap Up | October 2023

Ah October – you were something! I spent half the month worrying about my mom’s procedure which was successful but they found more cancer – small tumors – the best option now is to have her do major surgery to remove her right kidney and ureter. 🙏🏼 Other things that happened was my son’s youtube channel hit 1,000 subs and it’s something I’ve been working on for him (because he sort of gave up on it)…but now he’s rejuvenated again and started posting content. So that was something good that happened this month. Then my kids got sick right before Halloween – and then I got sick. I survived Halloween trick or treating but after that it was like a truck ran over me. I don’t know if I had the flu or what. At first I thought it was just a bad cold I caught from the kids (also there was smoke in the air from a fire nearby) and that trick or treating just exhausted me. But the next day I had body chills and aches and really bad coughing.

So that was my October and as for reading this is what I posted on my blog:

What I Posted: 20 Books

5 Star Reads – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️:

4.5 Star Reads – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫:

4 Star Reads – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

3.5 Star Reads – ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫:

3 Star Reads – ⭐️⭐️⭐️:

2.5 Star Reads – ⭐️⭐️💫

2 Star Reads – ⭐️⭐️

I posted 20 book reviews which is surprising and a lot. I think I read 14 of these this month which is still pretty good. How was your reading month wrap up?

How was your month in review?

Betting on You by. Lynn Painter | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: Betting on You

Author: Lynn Painter

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 432

Publication Date: 11/28/23

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Categories: Young Adult, Romance, Contemporary

Disclaimer: **I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

Thank you to Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

From the New York Times bestselling author of Better than the Movies, this swoon-worthy rom-com in the vein of She’s All That and 10 Things I Hate About You follows a teen girl who unwittingly finds herself at the center of a bet while working at a waterpark.

When seventeen-year-old Bailey starts a new job at a hotel waterpark, she is less than thrilled to see an old acquaintance is one of her coworkers. Bailey met Charlie a year ago on the long flight to Omaha, where she moved after her parents’ divorce. Charlie’s cynicism didn’t mix well with Bailey’s carefully well-behaved temperament, and his endless commentary was the irritating cherry on top of an already emotionally fraught trip.

Now, Bailey and Charlie are still polar opposites, but instead of everything about him rubbing Bailey the wrong way, she starts to look forward to hanging out and gossiping about the waterpark guests and their coworkers—particularly two who keep flirting with each other. Bailey and Charlie make a bet on whether or not the cozy pair will actually get together. Charlie insists that members of the opposite sex can’t just be friends, and Bailey is determined to prove him wrong.

Bailey and Charlie keep close track of the romantic progress of others while Charlie works to deflect the growing feelings he’s developed for Bailey. Terrified to lose her if his crush becomes known, what doesn’t help his agenda is Bailey and Charlie “fake dating” in order to disrupt the annoying pleasantries between Bailey’s mom and her mom’s new boyfriend. Soon, what Charlie was hoping to avoid becomes a reality as Bailey starts to see him as not only a friend she can rely on in the midst of family drama—but someone who makes her hands shake and heart race. But Charlie has a secret—a secret that involves Bailey and another bet Charlie may have made. Can the two make a real go of things…or has Charlie’s secret doomed them before they could start?

Content Warning: profanity

I thought this one was cute! Bailey and Charlie actually meet first at the airport and they don’t exactly hit it off. Charlie is charming but not to Bailey who thinks he’s just arrogant. Charlie thinks Bailey is a bit stuck-up and high maintenance, but she’s just got certain quirks. They run into one another years later and they become unlikely friends and partners in crime. The crime? Trying to cause havoc in her mom’s new relationship.

I really liked that Bailey and Charlie ultimately become friends because they are both children of divorce and know what the other is going through. Yes, Charlie is a cynic about love, and Bailey has her quirks but they are opposites that attract. My favorite parts are their banter and growing friendship. There is even some fake-dating going on which just blurs the lines between their friendship and also some betting on love that causes the conflict but I was rooting for them the whole way through.

Now I love Taylor Swift but I will say this is the 3rd book I’ve read this year referencing her songs and I know she is a cultural phenomenon but I don’t know that I want her mentioned in every young adult contemporary book I read. This book does have lots of pop cultural references, if that isn’t your thing.

Tropes: one bed, fake dating, opposites attract, betting, meeting at the airport

Why you should read it:

  • the banter between Bailey and Charlie
  • it’s a fun story full of teenage antics, and a cute love story

Why you might not want to read it:

  • might be too many pop cultural references

My Thoughts:

I’m a fan of Lynn Painter’s adult and young adult books. I always feel like her characters are strong and her romances are fun, including this one. Bailey and Charlie become friends after their first unfortunate meeting but I loved watching their friendship and attraction grow. This was a fun book to read!

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Secretly Yours by. Tessa Bailey | ARC Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


Better Than the Movies | ARC Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Plot Twist by. Erin La Rosa | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: Plot Twist

Author: Erin La Rosa

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 336

Publication Date: 11/14/23

Publisher: Canary Street Press

Categories: Adult, Romance, Contemporary, Chick Lit, LGBT+

Disclaimer: **I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

Thank you to Canary Street Press for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

She’s written off more than she can chew…

Romance author Sophie Lyon’s ironic secret just went she’s never been in love—and it’s ruining her reputation. With a manuscript deadline looming, Sophie makes an ambitious plan to overcome her writer’s reunite with her exes (including her last girlfriend Carla, the one person she could have loved) to learn why she’s never fallen in love, and document it all for her millions of new online followers.

Luckily, Sophie’s reclusive landlord, Dash Montrose—a former teen heartthrob—has social media all figured out and is willing to help. What he doesn’t mention is that he’s an anonymous online crafter, a hobby that helps him maintain his sobriety. No one knows about his complicated relationship with alcohol, and with a family that’s Hollywood royalty, Dash has to steer clear of scandal.

As Sophie and Dash grow closer, they discover a heat between them that rivals Dash’s pottery kiln. But Sophie needs to figure out who she is outside her relationships, and Dash isn’t sure he’s stable enough for the commitment she deserves. So Sophie suggests what any good romance author a friends-with-benefits arrangement. Surely a strictly casual relationship won’t cause any trouble…

Content Warning: alcoholism, rehab/relapse, dysfunctional family, stalking

+ An author with writer’s block, Sophie, is trying to get writing inspiration by talking to all of her ex’s. Dash is her landlord and he’s a famous actor, and also her best friend’s brother. He’s also working on his sobriety which he’s kept a secret from his family. I thought Sophie and Dash had good chemistry and they didn’t hook up right away, it was nice to see their attraction grow. They have a few spicy scenes together which made this story a little sweet and spicy.

+ I do like that the two characters were working on themselves a lot before committing to anything with one another. They definitely tried to give each other space enough to do that – but their attraction kept getting in the way. Dash doesn’t have the best relationship with his mom – he comes from a famous family full of actors and his mom always makes him feel like he doesn’t live up to her expectations. So he’s going through a lot.

~ The TikTok storyline with Dash’s stalker didn’t quite work for me. I thought it was interesting he was a crafter on the side to help with his sobriety though.

~ I didn’t totally click with Sophie. She’s trying to figure out why her past relationships ended but then tries to get back with an ex or explore the feelings there while she’s having a physical relationship with Dash. I thought she was a bit messy in that department but she did seem like a very supportive friend to Dash.

Tropes: one bed, best friend’s brother, forced proximity

My Thoughts:

I thought this one was okay and wish I liked Sophie better but at least I did like Dash’s story a lot. I did enjoy how both characters were working on themselves as they navigated their attraction and feelings for one another. There’s some spice to this one!

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

WWW Wednesday | 11/8/23

WWW Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Sam over on Taking on a World of Words.

The idea is pretty simple, every week you dedicate a post to the three W’s:

What are you currently reading?

What have you just finished reading?

What are you going to read next?

Ugh so pretty sure I got the flu last week, was recovering this weekend and still not quite 100% so my desire to read is just nonexistent. I did finish some arcs but I’m really excited to get my copy of Iron Flame which is my most anticipated read this year.

What are you currently reading?

Her Dark Wings by. Melinda Salisbury

What have you just finished reading?

This Cursed Light by. Emily Thiede– ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Artifacts of an Ex by. Jennifer Chen – ⭐️⭐️⭐️

What are you going to read next?

Iron Flame by. Rebecca Yarros

Dark Star Burning, Ash Falls White by. Amelie Wen Zhao

A Fragile Enchantment by. Allison Saft

What are you reading right now?

Happy Book Birthday | New Releases | 11/7/23

Happy book birthday to these new releases! Check out this list today:

The Hunting Moon by. Susan Dennard

The highly anticipated sequel to The Luminaries by New York Times bestselling author Susan Dennard.

Winnie Wednesday has gotten everything she thought she wanted. She passed the deadly hunter trials, her family has been welcomed back into the Luminaries, and overnight, she has become a local celebrity.

The Girl Who Jumped. The Girl Who Got Bitten.

Unfortunately, it all feels wrong. For one, nobody will believe her about the new nightmare called the Whisperer that’s killing hunters each night. Everyone blames the werewolf, even though Winnie is certain the wolf is innocent.

On top of that, following her dad’s convoluted clues about the Dianas, their magic, and what happened in Hemlock Falls four years ago is leaving her with more questions than answers.

Then to complicate it all, there is still only one person who can help her: Jay Friday, the boy with plenty of problems all his own.

As bodies and secrets pile up around town, Winnie finds herself questioning what it means to be a true Wednesday and a true Luminary—and also where her fierce-hearted loyalties might ultimately have to lie.

Goodreads | Amazon


Iron Flame by. Rebecca Yarros

“The first year is when some of us lose our lives. The second year is when the rest of us lose our humanity.” —Xaden Riorson

Everyone expected Violet Sorrengail to die during her first year at Basgiath War College—Violet included. But Threshing was only the first impossible test meant to weed out the weak-willed, the unworthy, and the unlucky.

Now the real training begins, and Violet’s already wondering how she’ll get through. It’s not just that it’s grueling and maliciously brutal, or even that it’s designed to stretch the riders’ capacity for pain beyond endurance. It’s the new vice commandant, who’s made it his personal mission to teach Violet exactly how powerless she is–unless she betrays the man she loves.

Although Violet’s body might be weaker and frailer than everyone else’s, she still has her wits—and a will of iron. And leadership is forgetting the most important lesson Basgiath has taught her: Dragon riders make their own rules.

But a determination to survive won’t be enough this year.

Because Violet knows the real secret hidden for centuries at Basgiath War College—and nothing, not even dragon fire, may be enough to save them in the end.

Goodreads | Amazon


Check & Mate by. Ali Hazelwood

In this clever and swoonworthy YA debut from the New York Times bestselling author of The Love Hypothesis, life’s moving pieces bring rival chess players together in a match for the heart.

Mallory Greenleaf is done with chess. Every move counts nowadays; after the sport led to the destruction of her family four years earlier, Mallory’s focus is on her mom, her sisters, and the dead-end job that keeps the lights on. That is, until she begrudgingly agrees to play in one last charity tournament and inadvertently wipes the board with notorious “Kingkiller” Nolan Sawyer: current world champion and reigning Bad Boy of chess.

Nolan’s loss to an unknown rook-ie shocks everyone. What’s even more confusing? His desire to cross pawns again. What kind of gambit is Nolan playing? The smart move would be to walk away. Resign. Game over. But Mallory’s victory opens the door to sorely needed cash-prizes and despite everything, she can’t help feeling drawn to the enigmatic strategist….

As she rockets up the ranks, Mallory struggles to keep her family safely separated from the game that wrecked it in the first place. And as her love for the sport she so desperately wanted to hate begins to rekindle, Mallory quickly realizes that the games aren’t only on the board, the spotlight is brighter than she imagined, and the competition can be fierce (-ly attractive. And intelligent…and infuriating…)

Goodreads | Amazon


Nightbane by. Alex Aster

Isla Crown has secured the love of two powerful rulers and broken the curses that plagued the six realms for centuries, but few know the true origins of her powers. Now, in the wake of a crushing betrayal, Isla finds herself hungry for distraction, preferring to frequent Lightlark’s seductive haunts instead of embracing her duties as the newly crowned leader of two separate realms. Worse, her fellow rulers haven’t ceded victory quietly, and there are others in Isla’s midst who don’t believe her ascent to power was earned. As certain death races toward Lightlark and secrets from the past begin to unravel, Isla must weigh her responsibility to her people against the whims of the most dangerous traitor of all: her heart.

Goodreads | Amazon


Swarm by. Jennifer D. Lyle

Sixteen year-old Shur is one of the first to see the creatures. While staring out the window in history class, she spots one floating over the soccer field. It looks like a monarch butterfly—but it’s huge. Within minutes, her classmates’ phones are buzzing with emergency alerts. These things are everywhere, and though nobody’s exactly sure why the alerts are telling them to take cover, Shur knows it can’t be good. It’s only when she’s left school and headed home that she what the creatures do: they attack.

By the time Shur, her two brothers, and their two best friends make it back to her house, it’s clear the five of them must survive whatever comes next on their own.

As the “butterflies”—new hybrid creatures thought to be created by climate change—multiply and swarm outside, anxiety-prone Shur focuses on what she can control: boarding up windows, stocking food, and preparing a shelter in the basement. They lose internet and power while vigilantes create terror outside. Meanwhile the creatures begin to fulfill their ultimate purpose: multiplying via parasitic load, and before long, the butterflies aren’t the only thing trying to get in. To protect her family and survive the invasions, Shur must find the strength to protect their sanctuary at any cost.

Goodreads | Amazon


Vengeance of the Pirate Queen by. Tricia Levenseller

Pirates of the Caribbean meets The Mummy in Vengeance of the Pirate Queen, a beautifully designed standalone YA fantasy romance, set in the world of Tricia Levenseller’s Daughter of the Pirate King.

You can’t be afraid of the dark when you’re the monster lurking in the shadows.

As an assassin working for the pirate queen, eighteen-year-old Sorinda is surprised when Alosa’s next task for her is not to kill a new target, but to captain a handpicked crew on a rescue mission. Unfortunately, her sailing master is twenty-year-old Kearan. He may be the best helmsman the pirate queen has, but Sorinda finds him a real pain in the arse. Sadly, there are few places on a ship to hide from an attentive man.

As the crew of the Vengeance faces dangerous waters and deadly sea creatures, they accidentally awaken the King of the Undersea, a being who can control the dead. Their rescue mission quickly turns into a fight to save the world, but first, Sorinda must save herself from becoming an undead queen.

Goodreads | Amazon


The Good Part by. Sophie Cousens

By the New York Times bestselling author of Just Haven’t Met You Yet, a downtrodden twenty-six-year-old wakes up to the life she’s always wanted, but is it really a dream come true?

At twenty-six, Lucy Young is tired. Tired of fetching coffees for senior TV producers, tired of going on disastrous dates, and definitely tired of living in a damp flat share with flatmates who never buy toilet roll. She could quit her job for a better living, but she’s not ready to give up on her dreams. Not just yet. After another diabolical date lands her in a sudden storm and no money for bus fare, Lucy finds herself seeking shelter in a tiny shop, where she stumbles upon a curious wishing machine. Pushing her last coin into the slot, Lucy closes her eyes and wishes with everything she’s got: Please, let me skip to the good part of my life.

When she wakes the next morning to a handsome man, a ring on her finger, a high-powered job, and storybook perfect little boy and baby girl, Lucy can’t believe this is real–especially when she looks in the mirror, and staring back is her own forty-something face. Has she really skipped ahead to the future she’s always wanted, or has she simply forgotten a huge chunk of her life? And as Lucy begins to embrace this new life and new relationships, she’ll have to ask herself: Can she go back, and if so, does she want to?

Goodreads | Amazon


Loveboat Forever by. Abigail Hing Wen

Pearl was ready for a worldwide stage. Instead, she needs to stage a comeback.

Seventeen-year-old music prodigy Pearl Wong had the summer of her dreams planned: she’d been accepted into the ultra-exclusive New York Summer Symphony, where she was going to prove once and for all that she belonged in the rigid, unforgiving classical music world.

Then a fall from grace put her in need of new plans—and a new image. Where better to rebuild her shattered reputation than at Chien Tan, the Taipei summer program for elite students that rocketed her older sister, Ever, on a path to romance and self fulfilment years ago?

Pearl’s agent agrees. It’s the perfect plan. But as the alumni know, Chien Tan is actually Loveboat: a well-kept secret extravaganza, where prodigies party till dawn. There’s more awaiting Pearl at Loveboat than she could have ever imagined, like a scandalous party in the dark, a romantic entanglement with a mysterious suitor . . . and a summer that will change her forever.

Set six years after the events of Loveboat, Taipei, Loveboat Forever brings the whole gang back to campus for another reunion.

Goodreads | Amazon


With or Without You by. Eric Smith

New from Eric Smith comes a delightful YA rom-com about two teens caught in the middle of their families’ orchestrated rivalry between their Philly cheesesteak food trucks.

All’s fair in love and (food truck) war.

Everyone knows Jordan Plazas and Cindy Ortiz hate each other.

According to many viral videos of their public shouting matches, the Plazas and Ortiz families have a well-known food truck rivalry. Jordan and Cindy have spent all of high school making cheesesteaks and slinging insults at each other across their shared Philadelphia street.

But the truth? They’re in love, and it’s all just an act for the tourists.

When the fake feud lands them a reality tv show pilot, Jordan and Cindy find themselves having to lie on a much bigger scale. Trapped between pursuing their dreams or their love, can they find a way to have their cheesesteak and eat it too?

Goodreads | Amazon

Are you getting any new books this week?

Happy Reading!

Book Titles That Would Make Great Newspaper Headlines   | TTT | 11/7/23

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together. Please check out her website for more TTT topics!

This week’s topic is:

Book Titles That Would Make Great Newspaper Headlines 

I think these titles would make interesting newspaper headlines and articles!

Don’t Read the Comments by. Eric Smith

People We Meet on Vacation by. Emily Henry

She Who Became the Sun by. Shelley Parker-Chan

The Only Purple House in Town by. Ann Aguirre

Summer Reading by. Jenn McKinlay

Carrie Soto is Back by. Taylor Jenkins Reid

The Night in Question by. Kathleen Glasgow & Liz Lawson

The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black

The Project by. Courtney Summers

Runaway Groomsman by. Meghan Quinn

Have you read any of these books? Are any of these on your TBR? What’s on your TTT?

Goodreads Monday: Iron Flame

Happy Monday!

Goodreads Monday is a weekly meme where you chose a random book from your Goodreads TBR and show it off. This meme is hosted by Budget Tales Book Blog.

Title: Iron Flame (The Empyrean, #2)

Author: Rebecca Yarros

Pages: 623

Links: Goodreads | Amazon

Publication Date: 11/7/23

Synopsis:

 

“The first year is when some of us lose our lives. The second year is when the rest of us lose our humanity.” —Xaden Riorson

Everyone expected Violet Sorrengail to die during her first year at Basgiath War College—Violet included. But Threshing was only the first impossible test meant to weed out the weak-willed, the unworthy, and the unlucky.

Now the real training begins, and Violet’s already wondering how she’ll get through. It’s not just that it’s grueling and maliciously brutal, or even that it’s designed to stretch the riders’ capacity for pain beyond endurance. It’s the new vice commandant, who’s made it his personal mission to teach Violet exactly how powerless she is–unless she betrays the man she loves.

Although Violet’s body might be weaker and frailer than everyone else’s, she still has her wits—and a will of iron. And leadership is forgetting the most important lesson Basgiath has taught her: Dragon riders make their own rules.

But a determination to survive won’t be enough this year.

Because Violet knows the real secret hidden for centuries at Basgiath War College—and nothing, not even dragon fire, may be enough to save them in the end.

Do you have plans to read this book? Let me know in the comments below!

Weekly Wrap Up | 11/5/23

Aloha friends!

Well, I was sick all week. I got a sore throat on Monday – but got through parent conferences. Tuesday was Halloween and I got through trick or treating but wow right after I was super exhausted and started to cough. I woke up Wednesday with a bad cough, congestion, body aches and chills. I tested negative for covid so I think I had the flu. The body aches and chills stuck around for 2 days and I even lost my voice but the coughing and congestion have been the worse. I barely had a fever but had lots of sweating (but it IS hot here in Hawaii). My birthday was yesterday and I didn’t have energy to celebrate but that’s okay because we leave for Osaka, Japan in 16 days. I’ll celebrate there! My main priority is to get better and get rid of this cough and congestion.

That was my miserable week and I didn’t get much reading done – but I did have fun with my kids on Halloween at least!

I hope all of you have a good week and thanks for reading!

Blog Posts:

Books I Read:

Plot Twist by. Erin La Rosa

This Cursed Light by. Emily Thiede

Artifacts of an Ex by. Jennifer Chen


Currently Reading:

Her Dark Wings by. Melinda Salisbury

Shows/Movies/Music I Watched/Listened To:

+ The Hunger Games ~ because The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes comes out in theaters soon, and I still need to read the book. But the Olivia Rodrigo song for the movie, “Can’t Catch Me Now” sounds amazing!

How was your week? Did you get a lot done? Watch anything good? Read any amazing books or books you didn’t finish? What are you reading?…Leave me a comment below!

Birthstone Book Covers: November – Citrine and Topaz


The original creator of this book tag is Leslie @ Books Are The New Black so go check out her blog!

THE RULES

  • Mention the creator (Leslie @ Books Are The New Black ) and link back to me so I can see your post!
  • Pick 5+ book covers that match the current month’s Birthstone.
  • HAVE FUN!
  • Nominate people if you want!

November birthstone is Citrine and Topaz

Let’s find some book covers in this color:

I nominate everyone! It’s a fun and easy tag to do so try it out. ☺️