Category: Books

Iron Flame

May 6, 2024

Are you a big fan of Iron Fame? Have you been wondering what Violet and Xaden have been up to since we last left them? Well do I have a book for you! “Iron Flame” written by Rebecca Yarros Iron Flame is a continuation of the Fourth Wring Saga.

 

In the 2nd installment of the series, Violet is now in her second year at the war college of Basgiath War College and is now is charge of watching the first years. When she comes across the younger sister of one of friends that passed away the previous year, she now has to earn her trust with the sister who blames Violet for her brothers death.

 

Never mind trying to get through school at Basgiath, she also has to go against her mother wishes and goes to the front line of the war to defend her homeland.

 

Even though I enjoyed Fourth Wing more for the world building and character building, I did enjoy Iron Flame as well. I appreciated the family dynamics between Violet and her siblings. My other favorite part was that she was finally able to stand up for herself against her mother.

I must say that I did get lost at some points throughout the story with everything that was going on. However, I believe at Rebecca Yarros has hit gold with these characters, plot lines and world building. I can’t wait for the next book in the series!

King of Pride

April 10, 2024

Do you enjoy reading about forbidden romance? How about work drama with a little bit of blackmail? Well, I have a book for you! “King of Pride” written by Ana Huang. When a bartender at an exclusive club falls for a club member anything can happen.

Isabella Valencia and Kai Young are not supposed to be together by the club rules. However, their chemistry and passions are undeniable. Kai Young is in a tough time because he is in the middle of a campaign to win the CEO vote of his family business run by his mother. Isabella is trying to prove to her own family that she isn’t wasting her life away living in New York, working as a bartender, and trying to write her book.

I felt that a certain times throughout the story I could relate to Isabella. Especially when she is trying to prove the importance of her passion for writing her book to her family. When all they thought was that it was just a silly little hobby. She believed she had a story to tell and a willingness and a passion to get it down on paper. This is also a passion of mine and I believe that one day I will get to complete this goal.

I enjoy Ana Huang stories because of their forbidden love stories and drama-packed storylines. They might not be the most meaningful or impactful, but they are definitely a guilty pleasure of mine.

The Maid

March 4, 2024

Have you ever read about a hotel maid, Murder and Deception? Well do I have a book for you! “The Maid” written by Nita Prose is a story of a very trustworthy, loveable maid and a murder that takes you on a wild ride.

Molly Gray loves her job and the consistency that it brings being a maid at the well-known Regency Hotel. Especially with the death of her beloved grandmother. Being able to work at the hotel has helped Molly cope with her loss. However, when Molly finds a high-class and long-term guest Mr.Black dead in his hotel room, she could have never predicted what could have transpired next.

Molly has been one of my favorite characters in a book in a long time. She is the most considerate, kind, and trustworthy person. However, with her hard time understanding people and understanding social cues, on top of her trustworthy nature, she finds herself in a troubling position.

I enjoyed this book from the very first page to the very last page. All of the characters had important roles in the storyline whether they were loveable or not. I would highly recommend this story for anyone who enjoys a good mystery book!!

Daisy Jones & The Six

February 19, 2024

Do you enjoy reading about sex, drugs, and rock & Roll, do you enjoy reading about bands in the 60’s? Well, I have a book for you!! “Daisy Jones and the Six “written by Taylor Jenkins Reid. It is a story of the struggles of an up-and-coming band in the 1960s.

Daisy Jones dreamed of becoming a singer and the Dunne brothers dreamed of creating a world-famous band. So when their manager was looking for someone to do a duet with them and he heard Daisy Jones perform he knew she had something special. When Daisy Jones and the Dunne brothers band finally joined forces they created magic and quickly shot to the top of the charts.

This story is loosely based on the creation of the Fleetwood band, an American-British band formed in 1967. And the ups and downs of their success.

I enjoyed this book very much. Taylor Jenkins Reid does a great job of depicting the lives of musicians and the challenges that they face in the industry. By creating characters that might have that rough and tough, rock and roll persona but at the same time have a down-to-earth side, Taylor was able to show what goes on behind the scenes and the dynamic that the different bandmates have with each other both professionally and personally. It was a really sweet story of what was, what is, and what it could have continued to be!

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves reading about the music industry!

King of Wrath

January 31, 2024

Do you enjoy books that involve arranged marriages? How about books about blackmailing and how about reading about high society? If you said yes to any of these, oh how I have a book for you!! “King of Wrath” written by Ana Huang. When plans don’t go has planned, Vivian finds herself in an arranged marriage that once again doesn’t go as planned.

In Vivian’s family, if you are not married and having a family with a man who has been approved by the parents, by a certain age, you will be forced into an arranged marriage. That is exactly what happened to Vivian. Now she finds herself in an arranged relationship with a well-known member of high society Dante Russo. However, Dante is hiding a secret that could hold the potential of ruining everything.

The first thing you must know is that I am a sucker for any books that involve high society, a strong-headed female and a powerful, with a dash of a puppy-like heart for a male character!! And let me tell you, this book had everything!! Including a mixture of a dark and sneaky past from at least one of the main characters!! Between the Twisted Series and now this book, I know that Ana Huang as become one of my go to authors for a good guiltily pleasure romance book!!

A Court of Thorns and Roses

January 12, 2024

World Building, Relationships and Challenges are just 3 of many words that have come to my mind after reading “A Court of Thorns and Roses” Written by Sarah J Maas. A wild journey of Faeries, Magic and Challenges that all started with a a simple hunting trip.

When Feyre killed a wolf to simply feed her family, she could have never impinged what would happen. A beast came bursting through her cottage and told her that because she killed the wolf, she had broken the trendy between his land and the human land. Now she must go live with him in his land.

Feyre quickly learns to adapt to her new surroundings and develops a new life with The Beast Tamlin and his trusty side-kick Lucien. She soon realizes that is it not her captors, that she has to worry about but the magical and yet dangerous creatures that are living around the lands. She doesn’t what kind of challenges are ahead for her but she knows that there is a reason behind everything. Even being taken away from her family to go live with Tamlin and Lucien.

One thing I enjoy most about fantasy books is the world building, character development and the action pact nature of that this books can often bring. Let me tell you, Sarah J. Maas did not disappoint with the first book in the well know “A Court of Thorns and Roses” Series. I found myself inthralled with the different lands history, rooting for the characters and at the edge of my seat to the very end!

I would highly recommend this book for anyone who loves fantasy books!! I can’t wait to get my hands on the other books in the series!!

One Day In December

December 18, 2023

Romance, Christmas and forbidden romance are three themes that have come to my mind after reading “One Day in December” written by Josie Silver. Imagine falling in love at first sight at the bus station, to find out that, the mystery man is your best friend’s boyfriend.

One day Laurie was getting on the bus when she spotted the most beautiful man she had ever seen. They locked eyes and fell in love without even talking to each other. A year later she finds out the new boyfriend of her roommate and best was the guy from the bus station and the man she had been searching for, for the best year. Laurie decided it was in the best interest of both their friendship and the new relationship not to bring the fact that Jack was the mystery long along.

Even though the concept of this story was great. The execution was just not there.

One of my favorite things about this book was the friendship between the female main character Laurie and her best friend Sarah. They became roommates out of need but became best friends by choice.

One thing I disliked about this book was the male main characters. Besides Luke, Jack and Oliver only really seemed to think of themselves. Jack lied to Laurie just to save a relationship that was going nowhere and he was a crybaby when it came to the accident. Oliver only was a hero on vacation. When it came to reality his job was the only thing that mattered to him. He did not care about what Laurie wanted. He wanted a trophy wife.

Another thing I disliked about this story was the length. Even though this book spans multiple years, it did not need to be as long as it was. There was a lot of unnecessary fluff that made the book drag on.

Overall I would give this book a 3-star rating. It was a cute story that could have ended halfway through.

Twisted Lies

November 21, 2023

Fake Relationships, Lies, and Intense Passion are just three things of many that have come to my mind after reading “Twisted Lies” by Ana Huang. When this landlord and tenant find themselves in a fake relationship, it could only end in disastrous means when the The Twisted Lies come out.

When Stella’s best friend Jules moves out of their joint apartment, it leaves Stella in a tough spot. So she makes a deal with the landlord Christian to help him with his plants and he promises to lower the rent. They soon realize that they could both benefit from being in a fake relationship with each other for their own personal and professional gain.

However, just like every other great fake relationship trope they begin to actually fall for each other. This is until the secret that Christian has been holding onto since the day they met threatens to destroy them both.

Just like all the others in the Twisted Series, Ana Huang did not disappoint with Twisted Lies ,in the steamy, passion and deep relationships and captivated characters and storylines. This entire series was wrapped up perfectly this with a book with following up with the friends and previous couples, from the other books and their storylines. This is certainly a great finish to a great series!!

A Good Girls Guide to Murder

October 31, 2023

Crime, Investigation, and Small Town are the three words that came to my mind after reading “A Good Girls Guide to Murder” written by Holly Jackson. When Pippa Fitz-Amboli sets out to have her Senior Capstone project be about solving the murder of 15-year-old Adie Bell. It brings the whole town on a rollercoaster ride.

Pippa planned on doing this project and investigation on her own. However, when the suspected killer’s brother finds out what she is doing, they team up to prove his brother’s innocence.

“A Good Girls Guide to Murder” is just that a guide through Pippa’s entire investigation. Filled with transcripts of interviews, and manuscripts of her paper full of her thoughts, opinions, and facts gathered in the case. You could feel the pressure that Pippa felt trying not only to do well on her paper and keep relationships with the people that she is closest with, who are attached to the case. All the while trying to help prove a dead man’s innocence. At times it could be a lot more than Pippa had thought it would be. Both physically and emotionally.

I was captivated from start to finish with this one. As a fan of true crime, this book had everything I was looking for and more. From the personal connection to the crime, to how Pippa laid everything out there to get the job done and prove everyone wrong!

Twisted Hate

October 13, 2023

Romance, Drama, and Revenge are three themes that have come to my mind after reading “Twisted Hate” ~ Ana Huang. This is not your average best friend-brother troop.

Since Jules Ambrose met her college roommate Ava Chen’s brother Josh, they seemed to be budding heads. Both believed they knew what was right for Ava. They never thought they would find themselves working for the same clinic and starting a wild affair. An affair that consisted of wild sex, lies, and sneaking around behind not just Ava’s back but around each other as well.

I got to be honest Josh has been my least favorite male character in this series so far. However, I am a sucker for the best friend brother troop. and the sweet, sweet revenge that took place in this book, it was well worth it.

I took great sympathy and liking to Jules. Her growth from wanting to deal with the past on her own, to telling the full truth to Josh. It was growth from putting her traumatic past behind her and to really diving full force into her furture.

Although this book has been my least favorite of the series so far. I still enjoyed the storyline. The way that Ana brings all the characters together at the end, reminds me of an episode of Friends. Just maybe a little bit more PG 13.