Here we are in September and things are just nonstop busy…STILL. I had dinner with friends yesterday which was fun, but also my daughter has a cold? I’ve been testing her for covid and it’s negative even though her cough sounds just like her brother did when he had covid. So I guess she has a cold with lots of coughing. Trying to get her better so she can go to school on Tuesday, because she loves school. Other than that, I didn’t have a chance to read much.
Partner Track (Netflix) – lawyer drama – I was getting so mad at Ingrid though! I love her besties Tyler and Rachel – their storylines were so good. It had a great ending though and can’t wait to watch season 2! I could never be a lawyer – too much stress!
Lord of the Rings – The Rings of Power (Amazon) – cinematography is gorgeous!
I’m loving all these fantasy shows out right now! House of Dragons is dark as heck…and The Rings of Power is more light than dark to me…so I love that I get both to keep me entertained.
Games I Played:
My Singing Monsters
Cooking Dash – still grinding!
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!
“But I can see us lost in the memory August slipped away into a moment in time ‘Cause it was never mine”
August flew by and it was a month of problems, challenges, back to school, covid, and friends and family moving! 🥺 It’s been crazy…I hope September is more chill! Here’s what I read:
What I Posted: 17 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 – ⭐️⭐️
ARCS I READ FOR FUTURE POST: 5
I read about 17 books in August, which isn’t bad. I got to read some of my highly anticipated books of 2022, so that was exciting! How did you do in August? Have a great September!
Categories: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance, Politics
Disclaimer: **I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**
Thank you to Bloomsbury USA Children’s Books for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!
To save their kingdom, they must embark on a dangerous journey…
The kingdom of Kandala narrowly avoided catastrophe, but the embers of revolution still simmer. While King Harristan seeks a new way to lead, Tessa and Prince Corrick attempt to foster unity between rebels and royals.
But the consuls who control the Moonflower will not back down, and Corrick realizes he must find a new source for the lifesaving Elixir.
When an emissary from the neighboring kingdom of Ostriary arrives with an intriguing offer, Tessa and Corrick set out on an uncertain journey as they attempt to mend their own fractured relationship.
This could be their only chance to keep the peace and bring relief to the people of Kandala, but danger strikes during the journey to Ostriary, and no one is who they seemed to be. . .
Content Warning: violence
I have to say this series is addictive! I loved book one and getting to know Corrick and Tessa – there was so much political intrigue in that one. It continues here in book two:
+ I didn’t mean to finish this book in one night, but I did. The writing is tight and flows well, it moves quickly even though parts of the book feel more like a filler. It doesn’t matter because I think there was enough new elements to make this feel like the story was moving – I was hooked!
+ The story picks up right after events in book one but I love that we have new characters, and one very intriguing Captain Blackmore/Rian. I was like, move aside Corrick…Rian is confident, he is a leader, and patient, which I love. I need more of Rian. I also love the twists in this story.
+ With the new characters come a new set of problems and political intrigue/suspicions for Harristan and Corrick. Can they trust this Rian who claims to have enough Moonflower to trade with them for Kandala steel. I love the way Rian questioned how Kandala’s people were being treated, making Corrick and Tessa do some inner reflection on a few things. The story also moves to sea, on Rian’s ship heading to Ostriary which for me was so much fun. Harristan has his own problems back in Kandala though.
+~ Tessa and Corrick are so frustrating. They are hot and cold! I understand his desire to put Kandala first and I understand how she feels like there is no future for them if it’s always first. Most of this book was Tessa questioning Corrick and trying to find out if he is the person she fell in love with before. But Corrick was also coming off as a jerk at times, especially when dealing with Rian. I did like all the suspicion though, it kept me on my toes! The tension throughout the story is fantastic.
~ Tessa – I liked the suspicions because it kept me engaged but I could not stand Tessa’s back and forth about Corrick. They have some issues to resolve. And it’s a slow burn, they only get as far as kissing. There was almost a love triangle brewing and honestly I was into Rian more than Corrick. I was even hoping something with Tessa and Rian would happen. BUT…then I realized Corrick and Tessa deserved each other haha. Let them have their hot/cold relationship ugh…those two. Give Rian a stronger woman please! Tessa is a good person, but I think Rian needs someone with more of a backbone. She just came off naive at times and
~ + It has a cliffhanger ending…of course! 😆 Looking forward to book three.
Why you should read it:
this series is addictive! Tessa and Corrick has to deal with a lot of problems in their relationship but I like how they aren’t perfect
Rian, the new character
having most of this story be on a ship was fun, plus there are some great twists!
Why you might not want to read it:
the back and forth between Tessa and Corrick can be a little frustrating but that’s their relationship
My Thoughts:
Brigid Kemmerer is a must read author for me, even though I didn’t care for how Rhen changed in the Cursebreaker series but I will say this author really does a great job with writing about complicated relationships. I think that’s why I’m so drawn to her books, the characters aren’t perfect but readers can relate in some way. I was scared Corrick was going to be another Rhen situation but Corrick at least was always morally gray. We get to see all the imperfect sides of him and try to decide, like Tessa – if we like what we know and see. Defend the Dawn has lots of tension, which I love in a story, because there are trust issues everywhere! Harristan and Corrick can’t trust Rian, Tessa doesn’t know who to trust (which was the most frustrating), Karri and Lochland don’t trust Corrick but the twists are wonderful. I love the addition of Rian and want to see if finally Corrick and his brother can get some help with their own kingdom. The story was fast moving and I want the next book in the series! It’s a great series so far and I hope it ends on a high note!
I was so heartbroken when I heard that Olivia Newton-John passed a few weeks ago. I grew up watching Grease and Grease 2. My summers were filled with rewatching these movies and I wanted to be a Pink Lady so bad. So in honor of Olivia Newton-John and her amazing role as Sandy in Grease, who had Danny Zuko on his knees by the end of the movie lol…here are some PINK book covers.
Summer Lovin’, Had Me A Blast ~ Pink Book Covers
Sandy was the sweet, innocent, dreaming of love kinda girl…and Rizzo, I always thought I was more like her 😅. I love how the Pink Ladies were all so different, but tough and strong in their own ways. I love Olivia’s voice – even outside of Grease, my dad was a big fan of hers so I grew up with her music in the 80’s.
Rest in Love Olivia! 💕
What’s some of your young adult summer romance books?
It’s September! We are so much closer to fall and cooler weather I hope…and pray. 🙏🏼 August had some amazing books and there are more coming out this month! Here are some titles coming out this month:
The Weight of Blood by. Tiffany D. Jackson – does this give Carrie vibes or what?! 9-6-22
Monsters Born and Madeby. Tanvi Berwah ~ I read the arc and it’s like a combination of Hunger Games and The Scorpio Races. 9-6-22
The Sunbearer Trials ~ I love this cover! 9-6/22
The Ballad of Never After by. Stephanie Garber ~ I heard it’s good! This might be my most anticipated read for September! Release Date: 9-13-22
Defend the Dawn by. Brigid Kemmerer ~ I already read the arc and I really love this series. Release Date: 9-13-22
A Merry Little Meet Cute by. Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone ~ Christmas books in September? But doesn’t this look super cute – I love the cover! Release Date: 9-20-22
Seoulmates by. Susan Lee – This one looks cute and it’s a friends to lovers story. Release Date: 9-20-22
Kingdom of the Feared by. Kerri Maniscalco ~ okay this one is also one of my top anticipated read for this month! Release Date: 9-27-22
Foul Lady Fortune ~ The beginning is slow BUT the ending of this book….😱. Release Date: 9-27-22
Spells for Forgetting by. Adrienne Young ~ She’s becoming a must-read author for me so I’m looking forward to this one. Release Date: 9-27-22
The Golden Enclaves by. Naomi Novik ~ I’ve only read book one and not sure if I’ll continue but book 3 will be coming out this month! Release Date: 9-27-22
House of Hunger by. Alexis Henderson ~ Vampires? Horror? Perfect for fall… Release Date: 9-27-22
Forestfall by. Lyndall Clipstone – I loved Lakesedge so I’m excited to read this sequel! Release Date: 9-27-22
Soul of the Deep by. Natasha Bowen – I love this cover so much and I did read the arc. There is a lot of action in this one! Release Date: 9-27-22
Secrets So Deep by. Ginny Myers Sain – I enjoyed Deep and Shallow Waters so I’m excited to read more books from this author. Release Date: 9-27-22
My most anticipated has to be The Ballad of Never After and Kingdom of the Feared. What is your most anticipated book release for September?
Title: The Final Gambit (The Inheritance Games, #3)
Author: Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Format: ebook (borrowed)
Pages: 400
Publication Date: 8/29/22
Publisher:Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Categories: Series, Suspense, Mystery, Romance, Family, Games, Young Adult, Contemporary
Avery’s fortune, life, and loves are on the line in the game that everyone will be talking about.
To inherit billions, all Avery Kylie Grambs has to do is survive a few more weeks living in Hawthorne House. The paparazzi are dogging her every step. Financial pressures are building. Danger is a fact of life. And the only thing getting Avery through it all is the Hawthorne brothers. Her life is intertwined with theirs. She knows their secrets, and they know her.
But as the clock ticks down to the moment when Avery will become the richest teenager on the planet, trouble arrives in the form of a visitor who needs her help—and whose presence in Hawthorne House could change everything. It soon becomes clear that there is one last puzzle to solve, and Avery and the Hawthorne brothers are drawn into a dangerous game against an unknown and powerful player.
Secrets upon secrets. Riddles upon riddles. In this game, there are hearts and lives at stake—and there is nothing more Hawthorne than winning.
Content Warning: violence, mention of assault
Well, I did it! I finally read the last book of this trilogy and what an ending it is! Here is what did and didn’t work out for me: *I’ll try my best but there may be SPOILERS*
+ The games, riddles and secrets are back. It’s the reason this story moves so fast paced – it’s the cat and mouse chase, the secrets to unlock the puzzles to figure out. It’s so much fun!
+ Xander and Nash are the sweethearts of the brothers and I love that they were chill. Grayson is my favorite because he’s handsome and broken – the type I want to fix. Jameson is the wild one that I wouldn’t want to try and tame lol…but yeah Xander and Nash have heart. This series is so amazing because of these half siblings, and their bond.
+ We finally get all the big reveals. There’s a moment in the end when Avery goes all Mackenzie Bezos with her inheritance which I thought was funny but cool. Avery had a lot to figure out in this one but she does it because it’s Avery.
~ I’m happy for Avery and Jameson, really I AM. But Grayson always had my heart and I’m so sad he’s so broken in this one. He needs his own series – that boy was done so wrong in this book. 🥺
~ I did like how high the stakes are raised in the final “game” Avery has to play…but also, I thought she won in an anti-climactic way. Also…I felt like Avery was just so focus on the game, there was nothing emotional about her or nothing new to her character or development to her? And what was with her internally waffling feelings about Grayson – like girl you chose Jameson, so stick with him and stop trying to create a love triangle! LOL…okay I’m just mad because Grayson was so sad. In the end I was even saying stuff like Avery didn’t deserve him anyway! 😂 But even the romance between Avery and Jameson – there wasn’t a lot of it. It was all about the GAME.
~ The end felt a bit open ended to me…at least with what happened in the chess game and afterwards. Like I don’t even wanna say this out loud but it almost felt like there could be a Grayson story later on….involving Eve? A spin-off series? Like I hope to hell not because she was untrustworthy and evil but….it felt that way. Am I the only one reading something into this, when he tells Eve he saw something in her? Is it because I want Grayson to be redeemed?! 😅 But not with her…ugh…but I can definitely see a storyline where they delve into the Blake family.
Tropes: love triangle, poor girl becomes rich girl, family secrets
Spice Level: 🌶 (barely any)
Why you should read it:
you are a fan of the series and need to read how it ends
to see who Avery finally chooses
twists, turns, secrets, riddles, puzzles, chess, everything that made this series amazing in the first place
Why you might not want to read it:
you might not like who Avery chooses lol
My Thoughts:
Overall, did I get my chosen love story? NOPE and that made me sad. I love Grayson and he was done so dirty in this book, not because of Avery but just everything overall, poor guy. But as an end to a captivating trilogy this was such a good ending and the loose ends were tied up nicely. I read the book in two days, the puzzles and riddles were engaging as always and I can say I love this series! I would have loved it even more if…..ya know…if Grayson had some happiness in his life. Give him a spin-off, he deserves on! And that’s all I’m saying about that!😅
Avery’s fortune, life, and loves are on the line in the game that everyone will be talking about.
To inherit billions, all Avery Kylie Grambs has to do is survive a few more weeks living in Hawthorne House. The paparazzi are dogging her every step. Financial pressures are building. Danger is a fact of life. And the only thing getting Avery through it all is the Hawthorne brothers. Her life is intertwined with theirs. She knows their secrets, and they know her.
But as the clock ticks down to the moment when Avery will become the richest teenager on the planet, trouble arrives in the form of a visitor who needs her help—and whose presence in Hawthorne House could change everything. It soon becomes clear that there is one last puzzle to solve, and Avery and the Hawthorne brothers are drawn into a dangerous game against an unknown and powerful player.
Secrets upon secrets. Riddles upon riddles. In this game, there are hearts and lives at stake—and there is nothing more Hawthorne than winning.
Carrie Soto is fierce, and her determination to win at any cost has not made her popular. But by the time she retires from tennis, she is the best player the world has ever seen. She has shattered every record and claimed twenty Grand Slam titles. And if you ask Carrie, she is entitled to every one. She sacrificed nearly everything to become the best, with her father, Javier, as her coach. A former champion himself, Javier has trained her since the age of two.
But six years after her retirement, Carrie finds herself sitting in the stands of the 1994 US Open, watching her record be taken from her by a brutal, stunning player named Nicki Chan.
At thirty-seven years old, Carrie makes the monumental decision to come out of retirement and be coached by her father for one last year in an attempt to reclaim her record. Even if the sports media says that they never liked “the Battle-Axe” anyway. Even if her body doesn’t move as fast as it did. And even if it means swallowing her pride to train with a man she once almost opened her heart to: Bowe Huntley. Like her, he has something to prove before he gives up the game forever.
In spite of it all, Carrie Soto is back, for one epic final season. In this riveting and unforgettable novel, Taylor Jenkins Reid tells her most vulnerable, emotional story yet.
From the New York Times Bestselling author of Six Crimson Cranes comes a thrilling new adventure! A journey to the kingdom of dragons, a star-crossed love, and a cursed pearl with the power to mend the world or break it… Fans of Shadow and Bone will devour this soaring fantasy.
Princess Shiori made a deathbed promise to return the dragon’s pearl to its rightful owner, but keeping that promise is more dangerous than she ever imagined.
She must journey to the kingdom of dragons, navigate political intrigue among humans and dragons alike, fend off thieves who covet the pearl for themselves and will go to any lengths to get it, all while cultivating the appearance of a perfect princess to dissuade those who would see her burned at the stake for the magic that runs in her blood.
The pearl itself is no ordinary cargo; it thrums with malevolent power, jumping to Shiori’s aid one minute, and betraying her the next—threatening to shatter her family and sever the thread of fate that binds her to her true love, Takkan. It will take every ounce of strength Shiori can muster to defend the life and the love she’s fought so hard to win.
Be sure to keep your friends close . . . and your secrets closer.
Four years ago, Brynn left Saint Ambrose School following the shocking murder of her favorite teacher—a story that made headlines after the teacher’s body was found by three Saint Ambrose students in the woods behind their school. The case was never solved. Now that Brynn is moving home and starting her dream internship at a true-crime show, she’s determined to find out what really happened.
The kids who found Mr. Larkin are her way in, and her ex–best friend, Tripp Talbot, was one of them. Without his account of events, the other two kids might have gone down for Mr. Larkin’s murder. They’ve never forgotten what Tripp did for them that day. Just like he hasn’t forgotten that everything he told the police was a lie.
Digging into the past is bound to shake up the present, and as Brynn begins to investigate what happened in the woods that day, she begins to uncover secrets that might change everything—about Saint Ambrose, about Mr. Larkin, and about her ex-best friend, Tripp Talbot.
Four years ago someone got away with murder. The most terrifying part is that they never left.
New York Times bestselling authors Roshani Chokshi, Evelyn Skye, and Sandhya Menon craft a spellbinding novel about discovering the magic of true love on one fateful, magical night in Three Kisses, One Midnight.
The town of Moon Ridge was founded 400 years ago and everyone born and raised there knows the legend of the young woman who perished at the stroke of twelve that very same night, losing the life she was set to embark on with her dearest love. Every century since, one day a year, the Lady of Moon Ridge descends from the stars to walk among the townsfolk, conjuring an aura upon those willing to follow their hearts’ desires.
“To summon joy and love in another’s soul For a connection that makes two people whole For laughter and a smile that one can never miss Sealed before midnight with a truehearted kiss.”
This year at Moon Ridge High, a group of friends known as The Coven will weave art, science, and magic during a masquerade ball unlike any other. Onny, True, and Ash believe everything is in alignment to bring them the affection, acceptance, and healing that can only come from romance—with a little help from Onny’s grandmother’s love potion.
But nothing is as simple as it first seems. And as midnight approaches, The Coven learn that it will take more than a spell to recognize those who offer their love and to embrace all the magic that follows.
The fate of an Empire lies with a headstrong Heir and a restless demon in this lush YA fantasy for fans of Laini Taylor and Girl, Serpent, Thorn.
Ever since she was a girl, Raliel Dark-Smile’s best friend has been the great demon that lives in the palace. As the daughter of the Emperor, Raliel appears cold and distant to those around her, but what no one understands is that she and the great demon, Moon, have a close and unbreakable bond and are together at all times. Moon is bound to the Emperor and his two consorts, Raliel’s parents, and when Raliel comes of age, she will be bound to Moon as well, constrained to live in the Palace for the rest of her days.
Raliel is desperate to see the Empire Between Five Mountains, and she feels a deep kinship with Moon, who longs to break free of its bonds. When the time finally arrives for Raliel’s coming of age journey, she discovers a dangerous way to take Moon with her, even as she hides this truth from her travel companion, the beautiful, demon-kissed bodyguard Osian Redpop. But Osian is hiding secrets of his own, and when a plot surfaces that threatens the Empire, Raliel will have to decide who she can trust and what she’ll sacrifice for the power to protect all that she loves.
New York Times bestselling author Adalyn Grace brings to life a highly romantic, Gothic-infused world of wealth, desire, and betrayal.
Orphaned as a baby, nineteen-year-old Signa has been raised by a string of guardians, each more interested in her wealth than her well-being—and each has met an untimely end. Her remaining relatives are the elusive Hawthornes, an eccentric family living at Thorn Grove, an estate both glittering and gloomy. Its patriarch mourns his late wife through wild parties, while his son grapples for control of the family’s waning reputation and his daughter suffers from a mysterious illness. But when their mother’s restless spirit appears claiming she was poisoned, Signa realizes that the family she depends on could be in grave danger and enlists the help of a surly stable boy to hunt down the killer.
However, Signa’s best chance of uncovering the murderer is an alliance with Death himself, a fascinating, dangerous shadow who has never been far from her side. Though he’s made her life a living hell, Death shows Signa that their growing connection may be more powerful—and more irresistible—than she ever dared imagine.
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: a back to school freebie…
Back to School ~ Books That Take Place in High School
I’ve been out of high school for so long but I still love reading books about that time of my life and I think I will always love it!
When Katy’s mother dies, she is left reeling. Carol wasn’t just Katy’s mom, but her best friend and first phone call. She had all the answers and now, when Katy needs her the most, she is gone. To make matters worse, their planned mother-daughter trip of a lifetime looms: two weeks in Positano, the magical town Carol spent the summer right before she met Katy’s father. Katy has been waiting years for Carol to take her, and now she is faced with embarking on the adventure alone.
But as soon as she steps foot on the Amalfi Coast, Katy begins to feel her mother’s spirit. Buoyed by the stunning waters, beautiful cliffsides, delightful residents, and, of course, delectable food, Katy feels herself coming back to life.
And then Carol appears—in the flesh, healthy, sun-tanned, and thirty years old. Katy doesn’t understand what is happening, or how—all she can focus on is that she has somehow, impossibly, gotten her mother back. Over the course of one Italian summer, Katy gets to know Carol, not as her mother, but as the young woman before her. She is not exactly who Katy imagined she might be, however, and soon Katy must reconcile the mother who knew everything with the young woman who does not yet have a clue.
Content Warning: grief, death of a parent
You definitely have to suspend your belief for this one, but it’s a story about a woman who is going through a rough patch in her marriage and losing the love of her life, her mother. When she takes a trip to Positano, her eyes are opened to so many things. Here’s what I enjoyed and didn’t enjoy about this book:
+ How can you not fall in love with Positano after reading this book? I felt like I was there, feeling the heat and humidity, jumping into the cool ocean and eating all the amazing food and drinking all the wine (that I probably would never be able to handle) and meeting wonderful people.
+ Speaking of love…the love story in this book is not between Katy and her husband, it’s between Katy and her mother. Katy loved her mother more than anyone on Earth and losing her has shattered her.
+ There is magical realism in this story because when Katy goes to Positano she runs into her young mother. But her mom is dead right? So what is happening? This is how Katy deals with her grief of losing her mom who she loves even more than she loves her husband and I actually can understand that. My mother is my rock, she’s done everything for my family and I cannot imagine my life without her. So I can understand Katy’s grief and how she doesn’t know how to proceed in her life. This moment in the book gives us a picture of Katy’s mom in her youth and its very eye opening for both Katy and me as a reader.
+ Marriage can get hard – don’t I know it! So Katy not being sure about her husband, not sure about life with him forever is totally normal and she asks the questions maybe many people wouldn’t want to ask themselves. She also asks many questions about her life up until her mom has passed – her old normal vs a life without her, her new normal. Katy is trying to find out who she is because she relied and admired her mom so hard that she felt defined by her. Without her, who is Katy and is she ready to find out?
~ Now because Katy is going through a rocky marriage she does meet someone in Italy. So anyone who doesn’t vibe with cheating in a story – well – you may not like this about the book. It is what it is but her ending with Eric did feel a little bit too convenient. She has a lot of work to be done emotionally and I felt like Eric was getting blamed for a lot of the problems going on in their marriage.
~ Katy isn’t the most relatable or likable character. Katy’s an adult but her mom has pretty much defined her life since she was a child. Katy says her mom even picked her furniture – so Katy really needed to figure who she was without her mom. But you would think in her adulthood that Katy would have been a little independent of her mom and at least her mom would let her make her own choices. Katy does learn some things about her mom that opens her eyes though.
Tropes: slow burn, enemies to lovers, love triangle, peasant becomes a ruler, morally gray characters
Spice Level: 🌶
Why you should read it:
everything about Positano, Italy ~ the food, the people, the sights…the food!
this is a story about relationships, Katy and her mom, Katy and her husband – and how it’s not so black and white
there are a lot of questions Katy has to answer for herself, there is growth
Why you might not want to read it:
there is cheating – Katy and her husband are having marital problems though (which shouldn’t be an excuse, but things always happen in life that isn’t according to plan) – so if you don’t like cheating in a book, you may want to skip this one
Katy isn’t the most likable character because her mother did everything for her – so she may come off whiny, but I did feel like the relationship with her mother, unhealthy in some instances, is explored.
My Thoughts:
This is a quick and entertaining story. I was very fascinated with the magical realism aspect and immersed by the descriptions of Positano scenery and Italian food. Katy is an imperfect character, trying to process her grief about her perfect mother and her broken marriage. She questions soul mates, she questions and measure her love for her mom versus her love for her husband, she questions who she is without her mother – basically she has a lot to work through and seems like Positano was the perfect place to do it. By the end of the book she does makes some choices and there is a happy ending but to me it’s bittersweet.
Past Midnight Book Reviews & More 