Category: Reviews

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.

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 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.

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! ❤️

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.

The Stand In

November 17, 2022

Have you ever been told you look like a celebrity? What would you do if given the opportunity to fill in for that celebrity twin of yours?

That is exactly what happened in “The Stand In” written by Lily Chu. When Gracie Reed got the opportunity at right time in her life. Right when she was debating whether she was going to quit her job because of her boss or whether to suck it up because she needs the money to get her ailing mother into the top nursing home in town. She was ambushed by the talented Chinese actress Wei Fangli on a walk and asked to step in for her at events while she is filming a movie in Canada.

Will Gracie be able to full fill her duty without being recognized or caught? What will happen between her and Wei Fangli right hand man and friend Sam Yao? And what will happen to the relationship between Wei and Gracie when Gracie finds out they maybe closer than they might have original thought?

“The Stand In” is that guilty rom com of a story that will leave you with your own question of “what if I was given an opportunity of a life time by my own celebrity look alike?”

Episode 31: Memorial and Demi Lovato

March 29, 2021

Summary

My review on “Memorial” by Bryan Washington. Including my thoughts and opinion on the Demi Lovato documentary “Dancing with The Devil” part 1 & part 2 — This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bridget-hadley/support

Transcription