Tag: books

WWW Wednesday | 2/5/25

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?

Hi everyone – well…we are into February and the chaos in the USA, continues…

In book news? I have a lot of arcs to read and I hope I can do it.

What are you currently reading?

Thunderhead by. Neal Shusterman – 12%

Onyx Storm by. Rebecca Yarros (owned) – 70%, almost there…but I’m bummed that I am not feeling it at all.

Filthy Rich Vampire by. Geneva Lee – 1% just started!

What have you just finished reading?

What are you going to read next?

I have a lot of arcs to finish this month. 🫠. Hopefully I can do it!

What are you reading right now?

The Rose Bargain by. Sasha Peyton Smith | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Title: The Rose Bargain

Author: Sasha Peyton Smith

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 400

Publication Date: 2/4/25

Publisher: HarperCollins

Categories: Alternate History, Historical Fantasy, Romantasy, Fae, Young Adult

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

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



The Cruel Prince meets The Selection in this captivating duology opener brimming with heart-pounding romance, vicious competition, and beautiful, cruel fae, from the New York Times bestselling author of The Witch Haven, Sasha Peyton Smith.

Every citizen of England is granted one bargain from their immortal fae queen.

High society girls are expected to bargain for qualities that will win them suitors: a rare talent for piano in exchange for one’s happiest childhood memory. A perfect smile for one’s ability to taste.

But Ivy Benton’s debut season arrives with a shocking twist: a competition to secure the heart of the Queen’s fae son, Prince Bram. A prize that could save Ivy’s family from ruin… and free her sister from the bargain that destroyed her.

Yet every glittering fae deal has a rotting heart—and at the center of this contest is a dark plot that could destroy everything Ivy knows.

Sweepingly romantic and deceptively enchanting, this alternate history romantasy will enthrall readers of Holly Black, Stephanie Garber, and Adalyn Grace.

+ This story has an interesting concept – alternate English history with a Fae Queen ruling. Now Prince Bram is looking for a wife and there is a competition for his hand in marriage. I thought the bargain people made with the Queen was fascinating – what would you give up for the thing you want?

+ Ivy’s trying to marry Bram, but all the girls are trying to marry him to help their families in some way. But Ivy meets Bram’s half-brother first, Emmett, and they have a lot of chemistry and it’s nice to see Ivy be herself around him as the story progresses. I thought maybe there would be a love-triangle with how some things were playing out – but there is a twist on that.

+ I thought it was nice getting to know the other girls even though some don’t get along. They eventually become like a found family during this competition.

+ There is quite a plot twist at the end of the story. I can say it wasn’t expected at all and I was quite surprised at what was taking place.

~ The trials were pretty weak. I think I wanted something more thrilling.

~ So this story is told mainly through the main character, Ivy Benton. But each girl remaining, the top six, tells their POV also, which at times got me confused until I realized what was happening and had to check the chapter to see which character was speaking.

Final Thoughts:

I thought this was more like The Selection than The Cruel Prince as this is being advertised. I thought the ending was a good twist in the story and I liked seeing what bargains people made with the Queen. I did wish the trials were more thrilling and I did get sometimes confused on who’s POV I was reading (if I didn’t pay attention to the chapter names) but other than that, I thought it was entertaining, especially the ending.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Thriftbooks

Weekly Wrap Up | 2/02/25

Aloha friends!

Another week is over and here’s what happened:

+ The Philadelphia Eagles are going to the Super Bowl woo-hoo! My nerves couldn’t take it so instead of my hubby bringing the kids to Sunday school, I did LOL….and I went at got a massage at the spa. That was long overdue. I don’t know if I’ll even be able to watch the Super Bowl game next weekend lol.

+ Every day under this current administration feels like one long year. SO…yeah it’s not cool. I hate seeing the news every day. What is happening to the USA? I feel like we are being attacked – but by our own government. 💔. Only 2 weeks have gone by…😭

+ My heart breaks over the plane/helicopter crash that happened in Washington D.C. And then a second plane crash just two days later in Philly! 💔 What is happening?!🙏🏽

+ January is FINALLY OVER. Please, please, please…February be kind to all of us.

I hope you all have a great week!

Blog Posts:

I must be stressed out – I barely had any posts this week. 😒

Books I Read:

Currently Reading:

Shows/Movies/Music I Watched/Listened To:

  • Football highlights
  • Over the Moon (on Netflix) – watched it again with my daughter, brought back memories of being stuck home watching it during the pandemic.
  • FireAID Los Angeles – I donated and watched for 4 hours lol…I had to turn it off to go to bed, but at least my son and I caught Olivia Rodrigo.💜
  • Interstellar (on Netflix) – LOVE this movie! The music, the story…so good! And how timely with what is happening in my country. 😩

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!

WWW Wednesday | 1/29/25

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?

Is it STILL January? I’m so over it – this month has been the LONGEST ever. The daily news gets me stressed so I haven’t really had the motivation to read. And oh also, my son said someone at his school is drawing swastikas in the boys bathroom and their teacher had to give them a talk. So yeah…with the news, Elon Musk’s “gesture” 😡, and just everything else – I am over it….SIGH…let this month be over, please.

But since it’s Lunar New Year, Kung Hei Fat Choy to those who celebrate it! Here is what I am trying to read and I do try but I haven’t been in the right mood, so it’s been very slow going. I thought I would be finished with Onyx Storm by now but I’m not. Hope you are having a good week so far!

What are you currently reading?

Onyx Storm by. Rebecca Yarros (owned) – 40%, I’m not gonna lie – this one isn’t hitting as I thought it would. 🫠

A Tropical Rebel Gets the Duke by. Arianna Herrera – 41% – this one is a cute one so far, love the chemistry!

A Court Bright and Broken by. Amy Patrick – 1% – just started this one.

What have you just finished reading?

What are you going to read next?

What are you reading right now?

Weekly Wrap Up | 1/26/25

Aloha friends!

Another week is over and here’s what happened:

+ I have TikTok back yay…but boo? Because it may be gone in 75 days again (less than 75 now) unless someone buys it so at least now I can prepare myself.

+ It’s been a LONG week. TikTok was shut down for 12 hours. My nerves were shot and I couldn’t watch the Eagles/Rams football game without my heart feeling like it was popping out of my chess. And then the doom and gloom feeling the morning after the game (Eagles won-yay) because of the Inauguration (I didn’t watch, just saw clips here at there on TikTok). I can’t believe only one week has gone by…January has felt like a whole year has gone by.

+ And because I need to escape – my sister asked me if I want to join her on a shopping tour in South Korea. It’s in June and I just paid my deposit woohoo! It’ll be nice to get away and enjoy some good Korean food. My parents and I are also trying to plan a visit to the Philippines. My parents are in their early 70’s and I want my kids to visit the Philippines with them while they can still travel. That trip might be at the end of December, so we shall see!

I hope you all have a great week!

Blog Posts:

Books I Read:

Currently Reading:

Shows/Movies/Music I Watched/Listened To:

  • Football – BARELY…I couldn’t watch the Eagles/Rams game, it was too close but I’m glad the Eagles won.

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!

The Grandest Game by. Jennifer Lynn Barnes | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: The Grandest Game (The Grandest Game, #1)

Author: Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Format: hardcover (library)

Pages: 371

Publication Date: 7/30/24

Categories: Young Adult, Contemporary, Series


Get caught up in the puzzles, games, danger, romance, and riches of this lush new chapter in the #1 bestselling Inheritance Games saga—set a year after we last saw Avery and the Hawthornes.

Seven tickets. An island of dreams. The chance of a lifetime.

Welcome to the Grandest Game, an annual competition run by billionaire Avery Grambs and the four infamous Hawthorne brothers, whose family fortune she inherited. Designed to give anyone a shot at fame and fortune, this year’s game requires one of seven golden tickets to enter. With millions on the line, those seven players will do whatever it takes to win.

Some of the players are in it for the money. Some for power. Some for reasons all their own. Every single one of them has secrets. Amidst it all is Grayson Hawthorne, tasked with a vital role in this year’s game. But as tensions rise and the mind-bending challenges push the players to their limits—physically, mentally, and emotionally—it soon becomes clear that not everyone is playing by the rules.

#1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Lynn Barnes delivers a new series in the world of The Inheritance Games, where fan-favorite and new characters collide in a game you’ll never forget.

Do you have what it takes to play?


Okay I loved the Inheritance Games series and honestly…all I wanted was a book about Grayson finding a happy ever after and now I’d also love a book about Rohan. But The Grandest Game was about so many characters, all in one game and I don’t think it really worked for me.

The riddles, the puzzles, all of that and the suspense of piecing clues together is all there, so if you love all the riddles and puzzles you will continue to love it in this book.

I loved Rohan and Savannah’s interactions, Gigi and her group, and then Grayson and Lyra. But I’d rather have it all be separate books I think, so I can get to know these characters more.

Final Thoughts:

If you are still invested in The Inheritance Games world then you will definitely like this one, but I think my interest in this series has waned. I just wanted a Grayson book. Maybe I’ll wait? Maybe I won’t. But I don’t think I’m going to continue The Grandest Game series.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

WWW Wednesday | 1/22/25

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?

What a week! 🫠 I did get some reading done and of course, Onyx Storm came out so I’m reading it but I’m trying to take my time since it’s a chunker (but I have do ebook thank goodness)! Are you reading it? And then just trying to finish some arcs up as well. Hope your week is well and you are reading some good books!

What are you currently reading?

Onyx Storm by. Rebecca Yarros (owned) – 3%, just started this one and it’s 779?! So I’m not going to rush it even tough I want to.

The Rose Bargain by. Sasha Peyton Smith (arc) – 13%

A Tropical Rebel Gets the Duke by. Arianna Herrera – 1%

What have you just finished reading?

What are you going to read next?

What are you reading right now?

Weekly Wrap Up | 1/19/25

Aloha friends!

Another week is over and here’s what happened:

  • Went to lunch with an ex-coworker. I met her back in 2005 when we both worked at a college library. So we’ve been friends for 19 years? I’m always amazed when I add up the years how long I have been friends with someone ❤️ even though we only worked together for 5 years. And we only see each other once a year but it always feels like we’re back in 2005, chit-chatting about life. I was happy to see her and exchange, birthday and Xmas gifts lol.
  • Friends I am SAD and stressed about the Tiktok ban. I joined during the pandemic and honestly it got me through those stressful times. I’ve always wanted to post my book reviews there but I never did. Only one of friends are on there with me and we send videos back and forth to one another but it’s my entertainment. It’s so much fun! I love booktok, the pets and animals I see on there, the funny comedic videos, or just seeing how people are living wherever they are. So I am sad. I’m still on Facebook – VERY HARDLY, I don’t scroll much because there is too much ads and I want to delete it but my Mother in law and mom and relatives international are on there). I’m on IG too but again…I found myself mostly posting to Stories (because it disappears) and once again, it’s to show my relatives pics of my kids. But I want to delete that one too lol. Twitter (X) SUCKS now. SO tiktok was my fave. Sigh…😞.
  • Kids and I had some appointments this week, so yay got that done but my daughter will need braces or aligners. 💸. My son is almost done with his aligners thank goodness so yeah…daughter will be next!

I hope you all have a great week!

Blog Posts:

Books I Read:

Currently Reading:

Shows/Movies/Music I Watched/Listened To:

  • Football

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!

WWW Wednesday | 1/15/25

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?

What are you currently reading?

Just Listen by. Sarah Dessen (Libby) – 2% – I chose this also for my Spell the Month TBR list and it’s a re-read but I haven’t read it in 10+ years. So I wanted to read it and review for my blog since I was obsessed with Sarah Dessen books back in the day.

Immortal Dark by. Tigest Girma (library) – 33/420 – slow going! This was overdue but my library renewed it for me lol. How considerate of them!

The Grandest Game by. Jennifer Lynn Barnes (library) – pg. 111/372 – hoping to finish this one soon, at least it’s a quick read, very short chapters

Amid Clouds and Bones by. Ella Fields (KU) – 2% – just started

The Rose Bargain by. Sasha Peyton Smith (arc) – 9% working on this one

What have you just finished reading?

What are you going to read next?

What are you reading right now?

Weekly Wrap Up | 1/12/25

Aloha friends!

What a week. Here’s what happened:

  • My daughter had her 8th birthday party at my mom’s house and it was SO nice seeing my cousins and their kids. It was chaotic and it’s funny how we always had parties there growing up with more people than who was there last Sunday and we were wondering how we had parties like that before because the space looks so small now (even though it’s not!). We had a blast and my body/legs/feet hurt so much after. I think my body knew that was it for the holidays and I felt it!!
  • We had two days to relax before kids went back in school. Took the decorations down (Bye Christmas and 2024)…Kids went back to school on Wednesday so back on the routine…can’t believe they will be done with school again in 5 months!
  • Had to check on so many friends because of the Los Angeles fires. I went to college in Los Angeles and I had the best 4 years there and my stomping grounds were Santa Monica, Sunset Blvd, all of it. The Palisades fire was near my college and a friend of mine was near the Altadena/Pasadena fire – her friends’ schools burned down (she’s a teacher), many lost their homes. I was on the phone texting her to make sure she was okay and had a plan just in case she had to evacuate. She has no family so I was very worried and she was freaking out too. What a scary situation. It reminded me of the Lahaina, Maui fire where we had high wind warnings all over Hawaii that day, and one little spark caused a raging inferno. 2025 has not started off so good with so many tragedies! My heart has been sore since the New Year. 😩
  • Went to lunch with 2 friends and 2 of our elementary school teachers! 🤯

I hope you all have a great week!

Blog Posts:

Books I Read:

Currently Reading:

Shows/Movies/Music I Watched/Listened To:

  • Football
  • Wicked – again and listened to the soundtrack

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!