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.

Fourth Wing

November 29, 2023

War, Enemies, and of course Dragons are just 3 of many things that came to my mind after reading “Fourth Wing” written by Rebecca Yarros. When Violet is forced into the rider quadrant by her mother, when she has other things in mind. It becomes a matter of life and death for Violet in more ways than one.

The students at Basgiath War College are forced to break into different quadrants to help their home of Navarre in the war to defend their land. All of Violet Sorrengail’s life she wanted to be in the Scribe Quadrant where she got to be the first with the knowledge of what was happening in the war without being in the danger of fighting the war. Which was held for the members of the Riders Quadrant. However, her mother is the General and whatever she says goes. Therefore, her mother wanted her in the Rider’s Quadrant so she was placed in the Rider’s Quadrant.  This is one of the many lessons she learns along the way: Being able to find trust in your lifelong enemy is tough but if they are your only line of defense, you will soon realize you have a lot more in common than you once thought.  

Fourth Wing was a fantasy masterpiece!! This book had something for everyone, from worldbuilding, war, fighting with dragons, and even managing to mix in a bit of romance in between the pages of action. The book ends on a cliffhanger and I will most definenly picking up the next one called “Iron Gate”.

Rebecca has done a fantastic job making such a long book such a page turnover and such a captivating read. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy and romance. And even if you don’t go give this book a try! It will not disappoint!

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.

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! ❤️