Category: Books

Twisted Games

October 9, 2023

Royals, love and protection are just three of many things that came to my mind after reading “Twisted Games” written by Ana Huang. When Princess Bridget is unexpectedly next in line for the throne but is in love with someone who is not of royal blood, what will she do?

When Rhys started protected Princess Bridget he had two rules 1.) Protect his clients at all costs and 2.) Do not become emotionally involved ever. Princess Bridget knew that she was in line to the throne after her brother becomes King. This meant she got to enjoy the benefits of the royal family but never really the strict protocols of actively living in the castle. Bridget and Rhys both realize that both plans are about to go out the window. Because they find themselves sneaking around and falling in love with each other. While her own brother abdicates for love himself and the current king and her grandfather steps down, she finds herself preparing to become Queen.

This book with its mixture of Royals, steamy sex scenes and love story, I knew that I was going to instantly love it. I am happy to say that Ana Huang did not disappoint. With the powerfully buy yet caring and down to earth bodyguard and the forbidden romance who wouldn’t love it. I also enjoyed Ana Huang added in Princess Bridget taking on Parliament in the name of love part as well. Such a power move considering all that is going on the current royal climate!

“Twisted Games” is the 2nd book in the Twisted series and it has certainly got me out to buy the last two in the series!! I love this cast of characters!!

Twisted Love

October 4, 2023

Trauma, Steamy Romance and Intense Relationships are just three of many things that have come to my mind after reading “Twisted Love” written by Ana Huang. When Alex is left to watch over his best friend’s sister for an extended period of time anything can happen.

Ana Chen and Alex Volkov have this hate/love relationship, but they tolerate each other because Alex’s best friend is Ana’s older brother. And Ana and Josh are extremely close with each other because of their upbringing. However, when Josh accepts a study abroad program, he decides to leave Josh to watch over Ana even though she is a grown adult. You can imagine their bond growing into an intense relationship during this time. However, Alex reason for their closest is not what it seems.

If I could describe this book one way, it would be a tamer 50 Shades of Grey. With the mixture of intense sex scenes and the power dynamic. However, there was a story of true love with a mixture of intense family drama and secrets that will leave you speechless at times. This book is full of twists and turns that I didn’t see coming. That’s why it is such a great passionate love storys.

Girls Like Girls

September 13, 2023

Love, Betrayal and Acceptance are just 3 of many words that have come to my mind after reading “Girls Like Girls” written by Hayley Kiyoko. A journey of two girls just trying to go through life while trying to come to terms for their true feelings for each other.

When Coley is left picking up the pieces after her mother’s death and is now left to live with her father who left her at the age of 3, Coley is lost and lonely. She unexpectedly meets Sonja and immediately gets hit with emotions she has never had to deal with before. Now the two girls become inseparable, mixed signals are given and boundaries are crossed. The two girls are left wondering whether their feelings are worth everything that there is to lose like not their love being accepted or even loosing each other.

My first thought after reading this book was how I wished this book was around when I was in middle school. This book was just a pure representation of how pure love is love is. This book message of how everyone just wants to be loved and accepted should be all that matters in this world. It shouldn’t matter your gender, sexual orientation or anything else.

Hayley Kiyoko was just the right person to right this book. As she is such a great role model for the younger generation in the LGBT Plus community. I grew up watching her in Disney Channel Movies like “Lemonade Mouth”, with guest appearances on “Wizards of Waverly Place”and of course her roles on “Scooby Doo” as well. Being able to see her be her true authentic self through her whole career and embracing her sexuality her fans gave her the nickname “Lesbian Jesus”

In a world where it seems as if we are going back in time. Teaching children that you can’t be yourself and you can’t love who you love. Where we are banning books because they expand our minds and help us learn from our past. I think it is more important than ever for people likeh Hayley Kiyoko and books like “Girls Like Girls” to heard and to be shared with the world! Because after all love is love! It’s as simple as that! ❤️

BearTown

June 14, 2023

Small town, hockey and the truth are three words that come to my mind after reading “BearTown” by Fredrik Backman. When the truth comes about a terrible incident the small hockey town will never be the same.

BearTown has always lived and breath hockey. It is the type of town that treats their athletes as stars around town. They can do no wrong.  It is also time for the team to really buckle down and win the Simi-finals. However, when a terrible incident occurs at a party, leave Maya absolutely devasted, she is left picking up the pieces and the burn of deciding to tell the truth or hold the truth to protect the only thing the town has ever known. And when the truth finally does come out, who will people believe? Will Maya finally be able to begin the healing process or will the burn just be too much for her?

This story is a story of consent, truth, and strength. A story that brings a very necessary storyline to light. The power that society and especially a small town gives their athletes can lead to devasting results one way or another. The truth is no one is above law no matter if you can make basket, shoot a goal, run for a touchdown, or even led a country. The truth is if we all care for each other, listen to one another, and respect one another, there just might be just little less hurt in this world.

Fredrik Backman’s way of storytelling is one of my favorites. He has a way of bringing his characters to life in such a way that the reader really gets invested into their lives and story. His books are full of emotion, depth and will always have an important message hidden inside. They have always left an impact on me, and I hope they will leave an impact on you.

The Dating Plan

April 24, 2023

Love, family drama and fake relationships are the three things that came to my mind after reading “The Dating Plan” written by Sara Desai. When old flames reunited unexpectedly and start to fake dating, what could possibly go wrong?

Daisy Patel and Liam Murphy are old high school flames, whose relationship ended after Liam never showed up to take Daisy to her senior prom and left town for good.

Now ten years later Daisy and Liam unexpectedly run into each other at a tech conference and to fix their own individual family situations they hatch a plan to start fake dating. However, when the old feelings for each other come flooding back but the truth of that last night is revealed. What will happen to these once high school lovers, turned heartbreakers and now fake fiancés?

Let me first start out by saying I love the fake relationship tropes. They sometimes are corny and predictable. But with Sara Desai adding in these characters families, back stories and reasons behind the fake relationships, it really laid out the high stakes out this relationship was for Liam and Daisy.

Overall, I really enjoyed and appreciated all the little things and big things this book had to offer.

The Nightingale

April 17, 2023

Survival, War and Love are three words that comes to my mind after reading “The Nightingale” written by Kristin Hannah. When two sisters are living in the same war but react in two different ways, will their sisterly bond uphold and how will they come out on the other side.

The Germans have invaded France and Isabella and Vianne Mauriac are faced with having two different perspectives on the war. While Vianne wanted to watch the war run its course and just survive with her family, Isabella wanted to fight and join the resistance of the war.

The truth is I have never been able to fully appreciate and take in a book about WW2 because of the all the war talk. However, “The Nightingale” and Kristin Hannah’s ability to tell a story about the women of war is quite special. Both Isabella and Vianna were characters that I was able to root for through out the whole book. Their growth throughout the story was my favorite part.

I would recommend “The Nightingale” to anyone who is looking for a war focus with women empowerment story that will keep you captivated and the turning the pages to the every end.

Someone Else’s Shoes

March 1, 2023

Friendships, Unexpected situations and relationships are the three things that come to my mind after reading “Someone Else’s Shoes” written by Jojo Moyes, when a mistake has taken place leads to unexpected journey and friendships.

Nisha was facing getting kicked out of her penthouse and an unexpected divorce that will resort to her being completely broke and stranded with no place to live. Sam is facing getting fired from her job and dealing with a husband who is depressed. When a slight mix-up with gym bag, results with these two lives colliding and taking them on a journey they soon won’t forget.

Jojo Moyes did a great job with the storyline of both women and the ups and downs of their individual journeys. I also appreciate the character growth and relationship building throughout this story. And how two women from two different lives can come together for a common goal with a blossoming friendship.

Husband Material

February 24, 2023

Love, Weddings and Commitment are three words that come to my mind after reading “Husband Material” written by Alexis Hall, a conclusion to the Boyfriend Material Series.

With several weddings to attend in short amount of time, one Luc’s best friend and another Luc’s ex boyfriend’s, it has left Luc and Oliver thinking about their future together as a couple. And that brings up whether they are both willing to commit to marriage or just being together as a couple.

If I am being honest, I enjoyed “Boyfriend Material” more than “Husband Material” I felt has if it was a bit too long for what needed to be done. There were some parts that were reparative and unnecessary, but it was still a sweet ending to a love story I have been committed to.

Boyfriend Material

February 6, 2023

Luc is stuck in a bit of a bind when his dead-beat, washed up rockstar starts to make his comeback Luc is stuck being chased and caught up by paparazzi everywhere he goes, and they paint them in the worse of light. And with the most important fundraiser coming up at work, his boss forces him to clean up his act. This translates into a scheme of getting a fake boyfriend.

Now Oliver who is also in need of a fake-boyfriend for an up-coming family event agrees to go in on this scheme with Luc. But happens when these to enemies – fake boyfriends start to actually spend time with each other and get to know each other? And what happens when real families and emotions start to get involved?

Alexis Halls does a beautiful job with the sarcastic and hilarious banter between Luc and Oliver and when real life gets in the middle of this fake-relationship it is most definitely a page-turner of a comic and heartwarming romance.

Big Little Lies

January 30, 2023

Lies, Secrets and Drama are the three words that came to my mind after reading “Big Little Lies” written by Liane Moriarty. A captivating story of Desperate Housewives meets a murder-mystery thriller.

When Jane moves to Sydney Northern Beaches and enrolls her young son Ziggy into a private school there, she soon finds herself in the middle of all of the drama and secrets of the school moms. All the while maybe holding onto the biggest secret of all to herself. And when the school fundraiser threatens to expose her secret, not every comes out alive.

Liane Moriarty is my new favorite for drama and thrillers. She does a great job creating characters that you As a big fan of Desperate Housewives type of show, Big Little Lies and Liane Moriarty does not disappoint.