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?
It has a been a chill week so far but an old college friend is visiting today so we will be at the beach with her and her family. Also my husband is flying in today, last minute, for a work conference here – so he will be with us for a week and a half! We’ll see if I get any reading done.
Categories: Young Adult, Romance, Fake Dating, Social Media, Italy, Contemporary
When the daughter of a diplomat fake dates a Scottish celebrity in Italy, she soon finds herself living her own Roman Holiday until the feelings get real and the paparazzi’s knives come out.
Introverted, slightly anxious Astoria “Story” Herriot knows everything about Rome—her mom’s an attorney here and the two of them are living la dolce vita… at least until Story’s off to college in the fall.
But when Story is in the wrong gelato shop at the right time, she’s swept up in a fake dating scheme with Scottish heartthrob, Luca Kinnaird, to protect his relationship with a pop princess. There’s something in it for her, too—Luca promises to help fund a scholarship in her dad’s memory. Soon she’s showing Luca the best cafés, sightseeing at the Mouth of Truth, and picnicking at the ruins of the Abbey of Santa Maria del Piano. Story’s travel guide skills are 10/10, but what she knows about being a celebrity—or having feelings for one? Zero.
Pretending to be Luca’s guide—then his girlfriend—gets the paparazzi’s attention . . . and what’s true and what’s fake gets blurry as their different worlds crash together. Sophisticated, hot, rich, and with the most charming accent ever, Luca is full of surprises. And maybe, too, is Story’s perfectly planned future.
It’s a fairy-tale romance in the Eternal City…will it have a fairy tale ending?
Content Warning: bullying, mentions of drug abuse, drug use
I borrowed this book because of the book cover! It’s so summery and vibrant and I was in the mood for a summer read since we are in the season for it. This did not disappoint!
Astoria “Story”, is a diplomat kid – meaning she has lived in many different cities around the world with her mom. She’s not the popular kid at her very small school. She has only two friends in the current city that they live in, Rome, Italy. But Story is fairly independent and keeps busy with volunteering and exploring this wonderful city. One day she gets caught in a situation and agrees to become a fake girlfriend for a famous person – but it’s a challenge to navigate the online world as she gets put into the spotlight. She’s hiding from paparazzi, or making opportunities with Luca to let them get the perfect shot and all because she wants to help him out and get something out of it for herself.
My favorite thing about this story was the setting of Rome, Italy and all the places and food we get introduced to. Story is fairly good at learning and speaking Italian so it was nice to have that in the book as well. The romance is a fake dating romance, kind of a slow burner, but I found it super sweet and it was cute seeing them become friends and then in the end into something more. I loved seeing Story make friends with Luca’s best friend and opening up her world more because for a good part of the beginning she is closed off to socializing. Personality wise, she keeps to herself, and isn’t into the party scene but I thought she did really good faking it and hanging out with Luca and his friends. There is a lot of growth for her throughout the book.
The only things that threw me off sometimes is Luca because he is Scottish and I am so unfamiliar with Scottish words. So the first few Scottish words the character says made me confused. But I loved when they visited Scotland and we get a chance to learn more about Luca because for most of the story he is just a very famous ladies man it seems. But there is much more to him!
My Final Thoughts:
This was such a fun and cute romance. I loved everything about this story from the fake dating, seeing Story and Luca grow from strangers, to friends to lovers. And having it set in Rome, Italy just makes it even better! If you are looking for a summer pool/beach read, definitely try this one out. I look forward to reading more from this author.
First part of the week we did nothing really because my son had covid. But he recovered quick (yay!) then we went to the library and they had a dental appointment. So it was a very chill, and boring week but at least my son is better and my daughter and I stayed healthy. I did get a chance to read some books which is nice!
My hubby told me there is a conference at his old work place here that he wanted to attend since his employer would be paying for it so he’s coming back home for a week and on Wednesday! An old college friend of mine who I haven’t seen in like 5 years is also visiting and I get to see her on Wednesday as well so it should be a fun and busy week.
House of Dragon (Season 2, Ep. 4) – what a dragon battle. But UGH I hate Ser Criston Cole with a vengeance.
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 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?
Well, the weekend took a turn for my son who caught Covid – I’m suspecting from Chuck e Cheese since it was packed. 😒 But he was the only ONE wearing a mask in there! Anyway he woke up with a itchy throat and sniffles Saturday morning (which I gave him Zyrtec for because I thought it was allergies) and I even ate bacon from his breakfast plate 🙃…we went to his piano lesson, then by the evening he was running a fever. He is much better! His fever only lasted 2 days and his coughing hasn’t been bad at all! I think this has been the most mild covid he’s had. Anyway, stay healthy out there!
I hope all of you had a nice, easy week. It was pretty chill for us, all we did this week was grocery shopping and then we went to Chuck e Cheese for 4th of July since my daughter requested we go – and it was packed even though we went right when they opened. And then I thought my son’s allergies were acting up but then yesterday he kept feeling worse (itchy throat, slight cough, congestion) and then before bed I took his temp and he had a fever. A friend of mine just had Covid last week so I decided to test my son and sure enough his test turned positive quickly! 😫 I mean, yay, hopefully this means he won’t get it when school begins in a few weeks (because both my kids usually get sick in the first month of school). But, BOO, because it’s summer and he’s sick. My daughter and I already had a cold last month so I really, really, REALLY don’t want to have Covid. I’m just so tired of being sick and it’s summer time. Being sick in the summer SUCKS.
Anyway, I hope it’s a mild case and it goes away by the end of this week and my daughter and I and my parents who were exposed to him yesterday – don’t get it. 🙏🏼
The Seventh Veil of Salome by. Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Currently Reading:
A Winter Wish by. Emily Stone
Shadow & Storms by. Helen Scheuerer
Not In Love by. Ali Hazelwood
The Mist Thief by. L.J. Andrews
Shows/Movies/Music I Watched/Listened To:
House of Dragon (Season 2, Ep. 3)
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!
Enemies took her from the man who holds her heart. They might see her as weak, as a pawn in wicked games, but they’re no match for the first Ever Queen.
Let them think they’ve won. Her heart belongs to a beautiful monster, and she will never stop fighting until she’s back in his arms.
The Serpent: Captor. Villain. King.
His enemies stole the woman who claimed his soul. They betrayed him out of greed and desire for the crown, but they won’t die for that betrayal. No.
They’ll die for touching her.
His heart belongs to a stunning little bird. He will never stop searching for her light across the skies. Not until the blood of his enemies spills at her feet, and his queen wears their bones around her neck.
Welcome back to the world of the Ever Kingdom where pirates collide with Vikings in passionate romance, brutal battles, and an unforgettable dark fantasy world. This book concludes the love story between Erik and Livia, but new, standalone romances with other favorite characters will continue to build the world. Readers are encouraged to check the TW inside the book for their reading comfort.
Content Warning: death, torture, violence, kidnapping, sexual assault
I started book two of the Ever Seas series since book one ended in a cliffhanger. But it picks up right away from book one and this time Erik has beg help from Livia’s family if he wants to find her fast. I enjoyed getting more backstory about Erik’s past with the Earth fae and seeing how they would mend their rift to save Livia. I thought it was fun to see both sides finally put aside their differences and get along.
Interestingly enough, Livia’s capture has opened the story up to include elves! She is trapped on an elvish island but the woman she meets, Skadi, is very mysterious and kind of vague which was a little frustrating at times. We do learn more about her and the elves near the end of the book.
Like book one, there is a lot of action – these pirates have to travel the seas to find Livia and Erik is as violent as ever to the people who are his enemies. But he is going to find Livia even if it kills him. Since this is called The Ever Queen, Livia does get a moment to shine, she is separated by Erik who is her constant protector and she goes through some scary situations alone. But she digs deep and uses her power to help herself get free.
There is more steamy scenes between Livia and Erik, lots of love expressed between them which is always so fun and sweet but also repetition with them always saying how they will follow each other through the skies and seas. A few times is okay but all the time can get kind of too much but it definitely fits the romantasy genre and I’d rather have that than them calling one another “mate” all the time.
I love all the secondary characters, all the family themes which I feel adds a heartwarming aspect to this whole series. Livia has such a great support system and I love that they have welcomed Erik into their fold even with their past.
My Final Thoughts:
I think it took a little longer for me to read this one but it is a tad bit longer than book one. I also had to take a break from binging because some things became a little repetitive. But I did love Livia and Erik and all the family themes. I’ve already started on book three which is Jonas’ story and will post a review when I am done with it.
First Lines Fridays is a weekly feature for book lovers hosted by Wandering Words. What if instead of judging a book by its cover, its author or its prestige, we judged it by its opening lines?
Pick a book off your shelf (it could be your current read or on your TBR) and open to the first page
Copy the first few lines, but don’t give anything else about the book away just yet – you need to hook the reader first
Finally… reveal the book!
“It’s now or never. Kierse crouched low, pressing her back against the stone in the shadows.”
For years Erik, the scarred king of the Ever Kingdom, has thought of nothing but vengeance against the man who killed his father and trapped him beneath the waves, making him a prisoner in his own realm.
Until his enemy’s daughter unintentionally breaks the chains on the Ever, and Erik makes her the unwitting pawn in his vicious game of revenge.
She’s innocent. He’s vicious. But he will take back what he lost, no matter the price.
Unless she steals his heart first.
Welcome to the passionate world of the Ever Kingdom where pirates, sirens, and fae collide with Vikings in a dark fantasy romance between a villain and the innocent princess who holds his heart.
*Please note: This series is set in the same world as the bestselling Broken Kingdoms series, but can be read independently, and readers are encouraged to read the list of triggers inside*
I tried to read a book by this author I think maybe sometime last year but I never finished the book and I can’t remember why. I think I just wasn’t feeling the writing. But I’ve been seeing The Ever King all over BookTok and I always see it when I’m scrolling through Kindle Unlimited books so I decided to give it a try.
I don’t know what it was about the writing this time but it worked! I was addicted right away because of the Ever King, Erik Bloodsinger, who is a villainous rascal, and out for vengeance against the Earth Fae King who killed his father. He is ruthless but inside his black heart was something only Livia could see. Speaking of Livia she is the daughter of his enemy and the sunshine of everyone’s life. She was raised in a loving home with loyal friends and just the opposite upbringing from the violence Erik endured. So their love story is one I really, really rooted for because I loved their banter! Livia might have been soft, but I like that when she knew she wanted him, she wasn’t afraid to tell him! The two of them had so much chemistry, I love that they both maybe hated one another but they were so drawn to one another they are inevitable.
This one is a series and I’m already addicted to it and the characters! I can’t wait to see more of Livia’s friends as the series unfolds because I got attached to them in the beginning of the story but the moment she gets kidnapped, we don’t see them at all. Another thing, there are a list of content warnings in the beginning of the story and the way Erik kills some of his enemies are so brutal. But I think that captured the “pirate” character so perfectly! He was rough, tough, ready to defend his people and cull anyone who stopped him.
My Final Thoughts:
I can’t wait to read the next two books that are out! I’m hoping each of her close friends gets a story because I’d love to see a story for Celine, Mira, Jonas, and even Aleksi. I’d also like one for Tait even though he’s a mystery. I think this book had everything I wanted in a romantasy – there is adventure, revenge, romance, family, friends, politics, and we’ll see what happens next.
Quotes From This Book:
“I didn’t want a match because that was expected. I wanted passion, the burn that if my love didn’t touch me soon, I’d burst. I wanted heat, and mess, and obsession.”
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 friends! It’s been a hot week, so we’ve been indoors with the a/c on for most of it – plus staying home means saving money. Hard to do though when kids gets bored but we did have to get some school shopping done since kids got back the second week of August which is sadly…SOON. My kids have also been working on videos or shorts for their youtube channels and I supervise them or give some advice 😅. Their videos are gaming related videos. I feel like it just helps them open up their creativity because creating videos and using editing apps are not always an easy thing. My daughter is 7 years old and very artistic so watching her edit videos is interesting to me because she has a vision of what she wants her video to look like! I help her of course, but I’m always amazed at the tools they have at their disposal. My son even uses her procreate drawings to create creatures on his Spore game. 😅 I love the collaborative effort! Here is one of his videos if you are interested – they both love Pikmin which is a Nintendo Game, they are obsessed with the characters so my son’s channel is everything Pikmin related. Anyway I’m just proud that they are learning to work together this summer rather than annoy each other all day. 😂
What are you currently reading?
Shadows of Perl by. J. Elle – 2% just started this one, trying to get my bearings and remember what happened in book one.
The Mist Thief by. L.J. Andrews – 3% this is such a bingeable series but I think I have to slow down so I don’t overload myself so I’ll be trying to finish some arcs first.
It’s been an easy, chill week for me – lazy summer days for sure! Took my kids to the pool, went to the mall to play at the arcade and that’s about it. I cleaned the house, took some bags for donation but nothing exciting at all. I do have time to read though so that’s nice!
The Seventh Veil of Salome by. Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Shadow & Storms by. Helen Scheuerer
Not In Love by. Ali Hazelwood
Shows/Movies/Music I Watched/Listened To:
House of Dragon (Season 2, Ep. 2) – what an ending 😦
Gossip Girl – so I never watched Gossip Girl when it came out in 2007 because I felt I was too old for it and Sex and the City was my show and related to that one more. But since I have my Max subscription for House of Dragon I decided to watch it!
Brat – Charlie xcx – I listen to it when I’m cleaning the house and it makes the time go by! lol
The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess and Good Luck, Babe- Chappell Roan – because I’m addicted to her voice.
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!
Past Midnight Book Reviews & More 