Hello friends!

I hope you’re doing well! It’s time for my monthly Wrap Up 🙂

I was able to somewhat recover from my reading slump this month, because I read some random books in August. At the moment, I feel like it’s easier for me to grab thrillers so that’s what I went for most of the time.

I’ve read a total of 6 books in August: two are YA romances (one of them being a novella) and the other four are thrillers! I had a great time reading, and I was able to find some great gems this month

Let’s take a look at the books I read, shall we?

This is the list I have to share with you today! Let’s take a closer look:

1. Her Perfect Family by Teresa Driscoll: 3.5/5⭐

The first book I read in August! Well, the story was okay, but I kind of saw the revelation coming from early on (not about everything, but for the most part), so I wasn’t very impressed because of that. It was still an enjoyable read, but I have definitely read better thrillers.

Synopsis

“A gripping psychological thriller from the bestselling author of I Am Watching You. The perfect family? Or the perfect lie?
It’s their daughter’s graduation and Rachel and Ed Hartley are expecting it to be one of their family’s happiest days. But when she stumbles and falls on stage during the ceremony, a beautiful moment turns to chaos: Gemma has been shot, and just like that, she’s fighting for her life.
PI Matthew Hill is one of the first on the scene. A cryptic message Gemma received earlier in the day suggests someone close to her was about to be exposed. But who? As Matthew starts to investigate, he finds more and more layers obscuring the truth. He even begins to suspect the Hartleys are hiding something big—from him and from each other.
While Gemma lies in hospital in a coma, her would-be killer is still out there. Can Matthew unravel the family’s secrets before the attacker strikes again?”

2. Every Vow You Break by Peter Swanson: 4/5⭐

I enjoyed this! Sure, the story was a little predictable for the most part, but that didn’t bother me that much because there were still some twists I didn’t see coming. At some point while I was reading, I thought to myself, “yeah, this situation is pretty scary”, and I immediately thought how this story almost became a horror book because of the tension and fear I felt.
I’ve learned that Peter Swanson’s books can be either hits or misses for me… this was in the middle.

Synopsis

“A bride’s dream honeymoon becomes a nightmare when a man with whom she’s had a regrettable one-night stand shows up in this psychological thriller from the author of Eight Perfect Murders.
Abigail Baskin never thought she’d fall in love with a millionaire. Then she met Bruce Lamb. But right before the wedding, Abigail has a drunken one-night stand on her bachelorette weekend. She puts the incident—and the sexy guy who wouldn’t give her his real name—out of her mind, and now believes she wants to be with Bruce for the rest of her life.
Then the mysterious stranger suddenly appears—and Abigail’s future life and happiness are turned upside down. He insists that their passionate night was the beginning of something special and he’s tracked her down to prove it.
Does she tell Bruce and ruin their idyllic honeymoon—and possibly their marriage? Or should she handle this psychopathic stalker on her own? To make the situation worse, strange things begin to happen. She sees a terrified woman in the night shadows, and no one at the resort seems to believe anything is amiss… including her perfect new husband.”

3. Catching Jordan (Hundred Oaks #1) by Miranda Kenneally: 3.5/5⭐

This was cute. I really wanted to read a really soft and easy YA romance, and this did the trick! I suppose I had high expectations, given that so many people love this book, but in the end, it was just okay for me. I’m pretty sure my younger self would’ve eaten this up, though!

Synopsis

“What girl doesn’t want to be surrounded by gorgeous jocks day in and day out? Jordan Woods isn’t just surrounded by hot guys, though-she leads them as the captain and quarterback of her high school football team. They all see her as one of the guys and that’s just fine. As long as she gets her athletic scholarship to a powerhouse university.
But everything she’s ever worked for is threatened when Ty Green moves to her school. Not only is he an amazing QB, but he’s also amazingly hot. And for the first time, Jordan’s feeling vulnerable. Can she keep her head in the game while her heart’s on the line?”

4. Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney: 4.5/5⭐

I have to start reading more from Alice Feeney, because she writes phenomenal books. This was INSANE! It’s funny how I thought I knew what was going on, but when that plot twist came… I was floored! It was a bit of a slow-paced read, but I was constantly thinking to myself, “where is this going?” and I was very interested to see what would happen next. And the end… wow. It was a really good thriller, I’m very surprised!

Synopsis

“Think you know the person you married? Think again…
Things have been wrong with Mr and Mrs Wright for a long time. When Adam and Amelia win a weekend away to Scotland, it might be just what their marriage needs. Self-confessed workaholic and screenwriter Adam Wright has lived with face blindness his whole life. He can’t recognize friends or family, or even his own wife.
Every anniversary the couple exchange traditional gifts – paper, cotton, pottery, tin – and each year Adam’s wife writes him a letter that she never lets him read. Until now. They both know this weekend will make or break their marriage, but they didn’t randomly win this trip. One of them is lying, and someone doesn’t want them to live happily ever after.
Ten years of marriage. Ten years of secrets. And an anniversary they will never forget.”

5. Monday’s Not Coming by Tiffany D. Jackson: 4.5/5⭐

No words to describe this book. This was an amazing, heartbreaking book that everyone should read. It’s a tough one.

Synopsis

“Monday Charles is missing, and only Claudia seems to notice. Claudia and Monday have always been inseparable—more sisters than friends. So when Monday doesn’t turn up for the first day of school, Claudia’s worried. When she doesn’t show for the second day, or second week, Claudia knows that something is wrong. Monday wouldn’t just leave her to endure tests and bullies alone. Not after last year’s rumors and not with her grades on the line. Now Claudia needs her best—and only—friend more than ever. But Monday’s mother refuses to give Claudia a straight answer, and Monday’s sister April is even less help.
As Claudia digs deeper into her friend’s disappearance, she discovers that no one seems to remember the last time they saw Monday. How can a teenage girl just vanish without anyone noticing that she’s gone?”

6. I Hope This Finds You (I Hope This Doesn’t Find You #1.5) by Ann Liang: 3.25/5⭐

This was cute! And since this is a short novella, I know we wouldn’t get anything super relevant to their story, but I kind of wanted… more? Also, the ending felt too abrupt. It all felt a little pointless, if I’m being honest. Maybe I’m just craving for the author to write a new full book following them in college, I would totally read it!

Synopsis

“Academic rivals Sadie and Julius fell in love in I Hope This Doesn’t Find You when Sadie’s email drafts were accidentally sent out. Their story continues in I Hope This Finds You novella featuring Sadie’s and Julius’s POVs!”

As usual, I’ll be posting the reviews for these books, so stay tuned!

What about you guys? How was your reading month? Let me know in the comments! Thank you for reading friends, I’ll catch you guys later!

Hello friends!

It has been a while, huh?

I know I’ve been away for some time, but I’m slowly coming back to writing and reading! The last few months have been rough, and the truth is that I needed to focus my energy on other areas of my life – meaning, reading was not my priority. Now, with that said, I’m very excited to read again and continue sharing my reads with you! It’s probably going to be a slow comeback, but I’ll get there. Just be patient with me, pretty please. 🙂

So, for today, I’m bringing you my Wrap Up! Spoiler alert, it’s not a huge list as you’ll see in a second, but I still wanted to share with you the book that brought me back to reading. So yes, I only read one book in July (closer to the end of the month), unplanned. As you can probably tell, I’ve not been following a very structured TBR – or any TBR if I’m being honest. My goal for now is just to slowly get back to reading, so I’m not really thinking about doing too much planning at the moment.

I’m still happy I read at least one book in July! Let’s take a look:

1. You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay: 5/5⭐

Ta-daa! Here is the beauty that revived my joy of reading. I honestly loved this book so much, I read it back to back twice in 2 days – pretty cool for someone who hasn’t picked a book in months, huh?
I’m familiar with Louise Hay and her work, and I have read a few books from her before, but this was the first time reading this one. If I understood correctly, it seems like this was the first book she wrote, which is very impressive.
This book spoke to my soul! Here, Louise Hay speaks about how we can heal our lives through our thoughts and beliefs. It’s not only about physical health, but improving the quality of your life in all areas. No matter what you believe in, I would say the least you can take from this book is a dose of inspiration and good energy.
I have so much love for Louise Hay, and I couldn’t be thankful enough for stumbling over her books when I need them the most. I would recommend all of her books, but if I had to pick one, definitely pick up “Mirror Work”, which is excellent!

Synopsis

“Louise’s key message in this powerful work “If we are willing to do the mental work, almost anything can be healed.” Louise explains how limiting beliefs and ideas are often the cause of illness, and how you can change your thinking … and improve the quality of your life! Packed with powerful information and beautiful four-color illustrations — you’ll love this gem of a book!”

As usual, I’ll be posting the review for this book, so stay tuned! What about you guys? How was your reading month? Let me know in the comments! Thank you for reading friends, I’ll catch you guys later!

Hello friends!

I hope you’re doing well! It’s time for my monthly Wrap Up as usual. 🙂

In total, I ended up reading 4 books in May: three I originally had for my TBR… and the other one I couldn’t help but grab!

I guess you could say this was a magical month because I was obsessed with Harry Potter! In May, this magical series was definitely the highlight. Not only did I read one Harry Potter book (part of the original TBR plan), but I also read one more, just because it was difficult to put the story down!

With all the fun I had reading, there’s no way I could consider this a bad reading month! But enough rambling, let’s take a look at the books I read, shall we?

This is the list I have to share with you today! Let’s take a closer look:

1. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Harry Potter #2) by J.K. Rowling: 5/5⭐

I mean… I don’t think I could give this book a rating lower than 5 – same for the other books, if I’m being honest. I’m sure you know the story of this book, so I’m not going to tell you anything new. It was a great book, full of magic, adventure, friendship, and growth!

Synopsis

“The Dursleys were so mean and hideous that summer that all Harry Potter wanted was to get back to the Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. But just as he’s packing his bags, Harry receives a warning from a strange, impish creature named Dobby who says that if Harry Potter returns to Hogwarts, disaster will strike.
And strike it does. For in Harry’s second year at Hogwarts, fresh torments and horrors arise, including an outrageously stuck-up new professor, Gilderoy Lockhart, a spirit named Moaning Myrtle who haunts the girls’ bathroom, and the unwanted attentions of Ron Weasley’s younger sister, Ginny. But each of these seem minor annoyances when the real trouble begins, and someone, or something, starts turning Hogwarts students to stone. Could it be Draco Malfoy, a more poisonous rival than ever? Could it possibly be Hagrid, whose mysterious past is finally told? Or could it be the one everyone at Hogwarts most suspects: Harry Potter himself?”

2. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Harry Potter #3) by J.K. Rowling: 5/5⭐

See, I was planning on reading this book only in June… but I couldn’t wait! I’m very surprised by my desire to not wait and keep reading this amazing series – but the heart wants what it wants, so I’ll obey! It’s obvious the books are different from the movies, but I think in this book that gap showed up more, and I suspect it will keep getting bigger as the series progresses. Again, another great book that left me wanting to keep reading.

Synopsis

“For twelve long years, the dread fortress of Azkaban held an infamous prisoner named Sirius Black. Convicted of killing thirteen people with a single curse, he was said to be the heir apparent to the Dark Lord, Voldemort. Now he has escaped, leaving only two clues as to where he might be headed: Harry Potter’s defeat of You-Know-Who was Black’s downfall as well. And the Azkaban guards heard Black muttering in his sleep, “He’s at Hogwarts… he’s at Hogwarts.”
Harry Potter isn’t safe, not even within the walls of his magical school, surrounded by his friends. Because on top of it all, there may be a traitor in their midst.”

3. Done and Dusted (Rebel Blue Ranch #1) by Lyla Sage 3.25/5⭐

This was a fun little read as well. I think I looked at the cover and thought this wouldn’t be a contemporary read, but I was wrong. It was an okay book, not a mind-blowing book, but I still had fun reading it. Hope the next books have better plots!

Synopsis

“She’s off-limits, but he’s never been good at following the rules.
For the first time in her life, Clementine “Emmy” Ryder has no idea what she’s doing. She’s accomplished everything on her to-do list. She left her small hometown of Meadowlark, Wyoming; went to college; and made a career for herself by doing her favorite thing: riding horses. But after an accident makes it impossible for her to get back into the saddle, she has no choice but to return to the hometown she always wanted to escape.
Luke Brooks is Meadowlark’s most notorious bad boy, bar owner, and bachelor. He’s also the unofficial fifth member of the Ryder family. As Emmy’s older brother’s best friend, Luke spent most of his childhood antagonizing her. It’s been years since he’s seen her, but when she walks into his bar and back into his life, he can’t take his eyes off her. Despite his better judgment, he wants to do a whole lot more than just look at her.
Emmy’s got too much on her mind to think about romance. And Luke knows he should stay away from his best friend’s younger sister. But what if Luke is just what Emmy needs to get her spark back? Or will they both go up in flames?”

4. Twilight (Twilight Saga #1) by Stephanie Meyer: 4/5⭐

I can’t believe I finally read the first book of the Twilight Saga! To be honest, I’m not super familiar with the entire story, but I’ve watched the first movie a few times, so I kind of knew what to expect with this book. Now that I have read it, I definitely understand why it was so popular when it came out. The story and romance are not exactly my cup of tea, but I still enjoyed reading it. Here I come, second book!

Synopsis

“About three things I was absolutely positive.
First, Edward was a vampire.
Second, there was a part of him-and I didn’t know how dominant that part might be-that thirsted for my blood.
And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him.”

As usual, I’ll be posting the reviews for these books, so stay tuned!

What about you guys? How was your reading month? Let me know in the comments! Thank you for reading friends, I’ll catch you guys later!

Hello friends!

I hope you’re doing amazing! You know the drill; it’s time for the monthly Wrap Up. Can you believe we’re already in May? This year is flying by!

It’s funny how I thought I wouldn’t be able to read much this month, but fortunately, I was able to still fit some reading here and there! Even though I really wanted to read certain books that I wasn’t able to (yet), I still think I read a good number of books this month!

I ended up reading 9 books in April: two I originally had for my April TBR, one is the last book of a series I started a few months ago, another one is the first book of a series I wanted to start months ago, and the remaining five were random books I grabbed during the month!

So all in all… it wasn’t that bad of a reading month! I guess the only thing I would want to be different is the fact that I didn’t focus on my TBR as much as I wanted, so I ended up picking random books that sounded interesting at the time. Again, nothing too serious! 🙂

So, enough rambling! Let’s take a look at the books I read in April, shall we?

This is the list I have to share with you today! Let’s take a closer look:

1. Spinning by Tillie Walden: 3/5⭐

I’ve been wanting to read a graphic novel again for a while now, and this was a perfect quick read for the job! The story was okay-ish.

Synopsis

“Poignant and captivating, Ignatz Award winner Tillie Walden’s powerful graphic memoir, Spinning, captures what it’s like to come of age, come out, and come to terms with leaving behind everything you used to know.
It was the same every morning. Wake up, grab the ice skates, and head to the rink while the world was still dark.
Weekends were spent in glitter and tights at competitions. Perform. Smile. And do it again.
She was good. She won. And she hated it.
For ten years, figure skating was Tillie Walden’s life. She woke before dawn for morning lessons, went straight to group practice after school, and spent weekends competing at ice rinks across the state. It was a central piece of her identity, her safe haven from the stress of school, bullies, and family. But over time, as she switched schools, got into art, and fell in love with her first girlfriend, she began to question how the close-minded world of figure skating fit in with the rest of her life, and whether all the work was worth it given the reality: that she, and her friends on the figure skating team, were nowhere close to Olympic hopefuls. It all led to one question: What was the point? The more Tillie thought about it, the more Tillie realized she’d outgrown her passion–and she finally needed to find her own voice.”

2. How to Ikigai by Tim Tamashiro: 3/5⭐

Well, this wasn’t my favorite book of the month for sure, but it wasn’t as bad as either. I picked this up randomly during the month, but to be honest, I didn’t get a lot from this book. It ended up being a little too repetitive and generic (assuming you’re already familiar with the concept). I personally think there are better books about the subject out there!

Synopsis

“Discover the secret to lasting happiness and longevity in this transformative self-help book based on the ancient Japanese, time-tested wisdom of Ikigai.
Find joy in life’s journey with Ikigai. This ancient wisdom from Okinawa, Japan, can illuminate your path to self-improvement. Okinawa, Japan is a tiny island south of the Japanese mainland where people live their life’s purpose every day. How to Ikigai explores the lifestyle choices that have led to an island full of fulfilled, long-living people.
Embrace longevity through the Ikigai philosophy. Learn to age gracefully, armed with the secrets of one of the longest-living communities on earth. By integrating Ikigai into your life, you foster an attitude of gratitude, infuse your days with happiness, and inspire purposeful living.
How to Ikigai explains a simple four-directions map for living a meaningful life. Do what you love, do what you’re good at, do what the world needs, and do what you can be rewarded for.
An engaging exploration of the Ikigai philosophy, offering profound insights into finding your life purposePractical steps for implementing Ikigai in your everyday life, paving the way for happiness and self-improvementPowerful narratives showcasing Ikigai in action, like the inspiring story of David Michiels.
If you liked books such as Awakening Your Ikigai, My Little Ikigai Journal, or  The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life, you’ll love How to Ikigai. Also, be sure to listen to Kate Hudson and Oliver Hudson’s podcast exploring Ikigai with Tim Tamashiro.”

3. Butts: A Backstory by Heather Radke: 2.75/5⭐

I had high hopes for this book! I saw this book somewhere, and I thought the title was hilarious, so of course, I had to add it to my TBR! I like to read books about random topics, so I didn’t think too much about it when I decided to pick it up. The author warned in the beginning that this wouldn’t be an extensive science book about butts – which I was totally fine with, and I adapted my expectations while continuing reading the book. Now, with that said, this was a little disappointing. I was enjoying it at first, but as the book progressed, the author started inserting herself (and her opinions) more and more into the book. But to me that wasn’t the biggest issue – what I disliked most about this book is how it’s not really a book about butts. The chapters start with it as a topic (and kind of a justification of why the topic is being mentioned), but I noticed that the focus kept going to other things. I would describe this book more as a book about the female body throughout the years – and there’s also a lot about race too. I found some chapters fascinating and informative, for example Sara Baartman’s chapter, but other chapters like Miley Cyrus’s felt a little too biased and less relevant. Even though I wasn’t expecting a full-on science book, I still wished the author focused more on informing the reader, and kept the butt topic as a main focus.

Synopsis

“Whether we love them or hate them, think they’re sexy, think they’re strange, consider them too big, too small, or anywhere in between, humans have a complicated relationship with butts. It is a body part unique to humans, critical to our evolution and survival, and yet it has come to signify so much more: sex, desire, comedy, shame. A woman’s butt, in particular, is forever being assessed, criticized, and objectified, from anxious self-examinations trying on jeans in department store dressing rooms to enduring crass remarks while walking down a street or high school hallways. But why? In Butts: A Backstory, reporter, essayist, and RadioLab contributing editor Heather Radke is determined to find out.
Spanning nearly two centuries, this “whip-smart” (Publishers Weekly, starred review) cultural history takes us from the performance halls of 19th-century London to the aerobics studios of the 1980s, the music video set of Sir Mix-a-Lot’s “Baby Got Back” and the mountains of Arizona, where every year humans and horses race in a feat of gluteal endurance. Along the way, she meets evolutionary biologists who study how butts first developed; models whose measurements have defined jean sizing for millions of women; and the fitness gurus who created fads like “Buns of Steel.” She also examines the central importance of race through figures like Sarah Bartmann, once known as the “Venus Hottentot,” Josephine Baker, Jennifer Lopez, and other women of color whose butts have been idolized, envied, and despised.
Part deep dive reportage, part personal journey, part cabinet of curiosities, Butts is an entertaining, illuminating, and thoughtful examination of why certain silhouettes come in and out of fashion—and how larger ideas about race, control, liberation, and power affect our most private feelings about ourselves and others.”

4. Out of Control (Full Throttle #4) by K. Bromberg: 4/5⭐

As a conclusion to the series, this was great, but if we’re focusing on the book’s story itself… I wanted a bit more. Don’t get me wrong, I still enjoyed it, but since this book centers around one of the most talked-about characters from the previous installments – and especially a villain – I was expecting a little more… darkness? Like I said, I did like the story, but perhaps my high expectations got the best of me here! Still a good read.

Synopsis

“Every story needs a villain.
The arrogance. The conceit. The lone wolf.
Oliver Rossi is that person on the track.
And leave it to me… I’ve gone and fallen for him.
Rossi is his own worst enemy. He doesn’t care what people think or what’s expected of him. And he’s reached the pinnacle of his sport because of his bad boy ways.
He’s unpredictable and reckless on the track. He’s even worse off of it. After years of circling around each other, all it took was one night, one uncharacteristic act of chivalry, to know I wanted more with the man everyone hates.
Forget the warnings from my brother about his new teammate and the fallout from my family—he’s worth the risk.
With his job on the line and eyes always on us, secret trysts are all we allow ourselves.
It’s all fun and games until lust turns to love and for now begins to feel like not enough.
I want it all.
I want forever.
And I want it with Oliver Rossi.
But is Rossi willing to show the world he’s ready to move past his villain era so we can have our own happily ever after or will this whole thing spin out of control?”

5. Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins: 4.25/5⭐

I really liked this book! I wasn’t planning on reading it this month, but I needed a break between all the fantasy books I was reading, and this was a perfect fit at the time. My friend read this, and she said that it reminded her of me, so I was too curious not to give it a try! I actually really enjoyed this, and I found David to be a very inspiring person. I took valuable lessons from this book that I’m already applying in my life. Definitely recommend this gem!

Synopsis

“For David Goggins, childhood was a nightmare — poverty, prejudice, and physical abuse colored his days and haunted his nights. But through self-discipline, mental toughness, and hard work, Goggins transformed himself from a depressed, overweight young man with no future into a U.S. Armed Forces icon and one of the world’s top endurance athletes. The only man in history to complete elite training as a Navy SEAL, Army Ranger, and Air Force Tactical Air Controller, he went on to set records in numerous endurance events, inspiring Outside magazine to name him “The Fittest (Real) Man in America.”In Can’t Hurt Me, he shares his astonishing life story and reveals that most of us tap into only 40% of our capabilities. Goggins calls this The 40% Rule, and his story illuminates a path that anyone can follow to push past pain, demolish fear, and reach their full potential.”

6. The Only One Left by Riley Sager: 5/5⭐

This book was INSANE! I’m convinced Riley Sager can’t write a bad book. It’s crazy the number of plot twists this book has! I think it’s interesting the way this author creates stories that are so full of detail and with plenty of characters that the reader can’t trust. It’s safe to say Riley Sager has become my go-to thriller author, and I can’t recommend his books enough.

Synopsis

“At seventeen, Lenora Hope
Hung her sister with a rope
Now reduced to a schoolyard chant, the Hope family murders shocked the Maine coast one bloody night in 1929. While most people assume seventeen-year-old Lenora was responsible, the police were never able to prove it. Other than her denial after the killings, she has never spoken publicly about that night, nor has she set foot outside Hope’s End, the cliffside mansion where the massacre occurred.
Stabbed her father with a knife
Took her mother’s happy life
It’s now 1983, and home-health aide Kit McDeere arrives at a decaying Hope’s End to care for Lenora after her previous nurse fled in the middle of the night. In her seventies and confined to a wheelchair, Lenora was rendered mute by a series of strokes and can only communicate with Kit by tapping out sentences on an old typewriter. One night, Lenora uses it to make a tantalizing offer—I want to tell you everything.
“It wasn’t me,” Lenora said
But she’s the only one not dead
As Kit helps Lenora write about the events leading to the Hope family massacre, it becomes clear there’s more to the tale than people know. But when new details about her predecessor’s departure come to light, Kit starts to suspect Lenora might not be telling the complete truth—and that the seemingly harmless woman in her care could be far more dangerous than she first thought.”

7. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (Harry Potter #1) by J.K. Rowling: 5/5⭐

A book that needs no introduction! I read this book for the first time AGES ago (probably like about 15 years ago if I’m being honest), so it was time to read it again a refresh my memory. I mean, what else can I say? There’s no surprise here: of course I had a great time reading this book, and I can’t wait to start the second book, “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets”!

Synopsis

“Harry Potter has never played a sport while flying on a broomstick. He’s never worn a Cloak of Invisibility, befriended a giant, or helped hatch a dragon. All Harry knows is a miserable life with the Dursleys, his horrible aunt and uncle, and their abominable son, Dudley. Harry’s room is a tiny cupboard under the stairs, and he hasn’t had a birthday party in ten years.
But all that is about to change when a mysterious letter arrives by owl messenger: A letter with an invitation to a wonderful place he never dreamed existed. There he finds not only friends, aerial sports, and magic around every corner, but a great destiny that’s been waiting for him – if Harry can survive the encounter.”

8. The Raven Boys (The Raven Cycle #1) by Maggie Stiefvater: 3.25/5⭐

Okay, maybe I’ve been a little harsh with this book since I started rejecting it from the beginning. To be honest, it’s not that I loved this story, but it wasn’t as bad as I thought it was. I still find the supernatural aspect of this book not that interesting, but I actually enjoyed the characters and their relationships with each other. I’m glad I didn’t give up on this, so let’s see how the rest of the series goes.

Synopsis

““There are only two reasons a non-seer would see a spirit on St. Mark’s Eve,” Neeve said. “Either you’re his true love… or you killed him.”
It is freezing in the churchyard, even before the dead arrive.
Every year, Blue Sargent stands next to her clairvoyant mother as the soon-to-be dead walk past. Blue herself never sees them—not until this year, when a boy emerges from the dark and speaks directly to her.
His name is Gansey, and Blue soon discovers that he is a rich student at Aglionby, the local private school. Blue has a policy of staying away from Aglionby boys. Known as Raven Boys, they can only mean trouble.
But Blue is drawn to Gansey, in a way she can’t entirely explain. He has it all—family money, good looks, devoted friends—but he’s looking for much more than that. He is on a quest that has encompassed three other Raven Boys: Adam, the scholarship student who resents all the privilege around him; Ronan, the fierce soul who ranges from anger to despair; and Noah, the taciturn watcher of the four, who notices many things but says very little.
For as long as she can remember, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love to die. She never thought this would be a problem. But now, as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she’s not so sure anymore.”

9. Redefining Anxiety by Dr. John Delony: 4.5/5⭐

This was another book I picked up randomly this month! It was a quick read, but I really appreciated Dr. John’s perspective on the topic. I found this small book insightful and genuinely helpful for anyone struggling with anxiety – I just wish it had been a full-length book! I would definitely recommend it to readers facing the same challenge.

Synopsis

“Anxiety is real—but it isn’t the end of your story. Dr. John Delony knows what anxiety feels like. He’s walked that dark road himself, but he found light and hope on the other side of it. Bringing together his own journey and two decades of counseling and research, he walks you John will show you that most of what you’ve heard about anxiety is wrong. Things While mental health is complex, our culture has made anxiety into something it’s not. For the majority of people who face anxiety, the truth is simpler than we anxiety is an alarm . It’s a signal—nothing more and nothing less. Anxiety is simply our body’s way of telling us something is wrong. If we stop and listen, we can calm the alarm and move forward into healing and hope.”

As usual, I’ll be posting the reviews for these books, so stay tuned!

What about you guys? How was your reading month? Let me know in the comments! Thank you for reading friends, I’ll catch you guys later!

Hello friends!

I hope you’re doing well and I hope you’ve been reading great books – because that means you are amazing! We’re currently at the beginning of the month, so, as usual, I’m bringing you my monthly Wrap Up.

I didn’t read a lot this month, but I’ve had a wonderful time reading in March, and I’ve read books I really enjoyed. Today’s list is on the smaller side, with 2 books read in total. I blame my current lack of time! Still, I was able to read the third book from a romance series I started a couple of months ago, and I also read a stand-alone I’ve been dying to pick up for years now.

Again, I didn’t read as much this month, but I’m still happy with what I read. Ok, let’s take a look at the books, shall we?

This is the list I have to share with you today! Let’s take a closer look:

1. Push (Precious #1) by Sapphire: 4.5/5⭐

I was sooo close to rating this book a 5-star read, but the ending made me lower my rating. I personally don’t mind open endings, but this book ends like the author just got tired of writing because it ended very abruptly – and I didn’t like that. Other than that, the book was a 5-star read for me, it was absolutely heartbreaking but full of hope. There are many difficult topics here, but the one that made me the most uncomfortable was the constant sexual abuse from BOTH her parents – that made me sick to my stomach. The writing was at times a little difficult to keep up with since Precious writes like she talks, but I appreciate the author improving her writing as the book progresses – that was a nice touch! It was a very sad story (and a little more graphic than I thought it would be if I’m being honest), but Precious was a very inspiring character, and you have no choice but to root for her! Incredible book.

Synopsis

“Precious Jones, an illiterate sixteen-year-old, has up until now been invisible to the father who rapes her and the mother who batters her and to the authorities who dismiss her as just one more of Harlem’s casualties. But when Precious, pregnant with a second child by her father, meets a determined and radical teacher, we follow her on a journey of education and enlightenment as she learns not only how to write about her life, but how to make it truly her own for the first time.”

2. Over the Limit (Full Throttle #3) by K. Bromberg: 4.5/5⭐

This was probably my favorite from the entire series! It was incredibly sweet, and I loved this couple’s chemistry. And you know the best part? The girl was dating another driver (before she got together with the main character in this book) that acted like a bit of a villain… and the next book is about him and his love story! I’m very curious to read about his story next, knowing that he appeared several times in previous books and that other characters don’t like him.

Synopsis

“You don’t mess around with a teammate’s ex. Ever. But that’s easier said than done when it comes to Blair Carmichael. She’s sexy, intelligent, gorgeous, and one hundred percent off-limits.
And I’ve never fallen harder.
But I can’t touch (when I most definitely want to).
My team’s success and my chance at a new contract for next season depend on me keeping my hands on the wheel. And off her curves.
As the season progresses, we secretly steal as much time as we can together—in hotel rooms, after races, anywhere we can’t be found out. A real romance out in the open would risk her job in the industry, her reputation, and my image–not to mention my strained relationship with my teammate.
I’ve lived my whole life with one mantra. Team first. What I want outside of my racing career hasn’t factored in.
Until now.
Until Blair.
She deserves the world and I plan on giving it to her. Even if I have to walk away from the biggest contract of my career.
A forbidden, Formula 1 romance.”
Not even when she begs me to.”

As usual, I’ll be posting the reviews for these books soon.

What about you guys? How was your reading month? Let me know in the comments! Thank you for reading friends, I’ll catch you guys later!

Hello friends!

As always, I hope you’re doing well. February is now behind us, so that means I have a brand new Wrap-Up to share with you today – how exciting!

Dare I say… I’m on fire in 2025? I’ve had another great reading month in February because not only I was able to read books from my monthly TBR, but I also liked every single book I have read!

I wasn’t able to read as much in February due to lack of time – and you’ll definitely see that by the amount of books I’ve read this month -, but I’m still happy I was able to read books from my monthly TBR as well as an ARC I received this month.

To be honest, I stopped accepting new ARCs for review a long time ago because I wanted to focus solely on books that genuinely interested me. However, in February, I made an exception and picked up a poetry ARC because its concept was too intriguing to pass up. I’ll tell you all about it in a moment!

Another exciting thing that has happened is that I’ve finished two series I started last year, the “Seafire” trilogy and the (way too long, but still cool) “Bridgertons” series. So I think we both can agree this was a successful reading month!

Ok, let’s take a look at the books, shall we?

This is the list I have to share with you today! Let’s take a closer look:

1. On the Way to the Wedding (Bridgertons #8) by Julia Quinn: 4.5/5⭐

I can’t believe I finally finished the “Bridgertons” series – and on a great note, I might add. This series was a rollercoaster! Of course, some books were better than others, but I had a great time reading Gregory’s story. This book in particular was very good – it’s not the most unique story compared to Eloise’s or Benedict’s for example, but the author was still able to create a unique story with a simpler plot. In this book, Gregory “falls” in love with someone else first, and then finds his soulmate where he least expects it! I’m very happy I gave this series a chance because I had a great time reading it. Now I’m looking forward to watching the Netflix adaptations now that I know how the original stories!

Synopsis

“A funny thing happened…
Unlike most men of his acquaintance, Gregory Bridgerton believes in true love. And he is convinced that when he finds the woman of his dreams, he will know in an instant that she is the one. And that is exactly what happened. Except…
She wasn’t the one. In fact, the ravishing Miss Hermione Watson is in love with another. But her best friend, the ever-practical Lady Lucinda Abernathy, wants to save Hermione from a disastrous alliance, so she offers to help Gregory win her over. But in the process, Lucy falls in love. With Gregory! Except…
Lucy is engaged. And her uncle is not inclined to let her back out of the betrothal, even once Gregory comes to his senses and realizes that it is Lucy, with her sharp wit and sunny smile, who makes his heart sing. And now, on the way to the wedding, Gregory must risk everything to ensure that when it comes time to kiss the bride, he is the only man standing at the altar…”

2. Stormbreak (Seafire #3) by Natalie C. Parker: 4.25/5⭐

I had a blast reading this series! I’ll admit I was a little skeptical going into it because it’s hard for me to find outstanding pirate-themed series nowadays, so I thought this was going to end up being another series that I wish was better. But it wasn’t the case (finally)! I had a lot of fun reading it – I especially liked all the characters (especially our main character, Caledonia Styx) and the crazy plot. It’s a really great story that I will definitely recommend to other readers who enjoy pirate stories.

Synopsis

“In this conclusion to the Seafire trilogy, Caledonia Styx will risk everything–her heart, her crew, and even her life–to defeat Lir and take back the Bullet Seas once and for all.
Aric Athair is dead. But the fight for the Bullet Seas is far from over. Caledonia’s nemesis, Lir–the one responsible for getting her parents killed and for turning her brother into a Bullet–has seized control of the warlord’s army.
Caledonia and her crew have fled to Cloudbreak to prepare for an all-out war. And they are not the only ones. Defecting soldiers begin to show up in droves to join their fight. But just as it seems like the tides might be turning, a surprise attack decimates the growing rebellion.
Desperate, with much of her crew missing or worse, Caledonia is forced to make an unlikely and unsteady alliance with a new enemy. It’s a gamble that could cost her everything, but with the fate of the seas in her hands, Caledonia will do whatever it takes. War has come, and it’s time to sink or swim.”

3. On the Edge (Full Throttle #2) by K. Bromberg: 4.5/5⭐

Woooow I loved this! To be honest, I wasn’t super excited to continue this series after reading the first book – it wasn’t bad, but it didn’t pique my interest like I thought it would –, but I was surprised with how much I had fun reading this second book. I really liked the characters and their chemistry together – also, there’s a sharing-one-bed trope, which is always a treat for a romance reader! This was way better than the first book in my opinion – the plot was better, the characters were better, the romance was top notch… Now I can’t wait to read the next book, I hope it’s just as good as this one.

Synopsis

“Surely this can’t be the only solution to overhaul my tarnished rep – faking a romance with the good girl intern?
But that’s what my agent says. Just a few months of taming my ways—of shedding Formula 1’s party boy image—will land me a lifetime branding deal. One I desperately need.
The key condition?
Pretend I’m madly in love with my new girlfriend. The quiet wallflower who I figured wouldn’t put me in my place. Yeah. This girl is anything but that.
Maddix Hart is defiant and intelligent. Loyal and real. Determined and sexy. And damn it to hell, before I know it, she’s in my head, in our bed… and if I’m not careful, she’ll see there’s more to me than the man I show the public. She’ll discover the man I hide from the world. The one who struggles to live up to the unrealistic expectations that should never have been mine.
All I have to do is make sure no one sees the truth behind our farce.
But instead, I let my heart get involved. I begin to believe the lie. And now with everything on the line—the deal, a championship, us—am I willing to risk it all to make her see what the rest of the world believes? That we belong together.
A spicy, only-one-bed Formula 1 romance.”

4. Felones de Se by LindaAnn LoSchiavo: 4.5/5⭐

Now here’s an interesting ARC I’ve received in February! I’m not a huge poetry reader, but I found myself reading this from front-to-back a few times. This was a very interesting read, and I can honestly say I don’t think I’ve read anything like this before. The author wrote a poetry book about suicide – inspired by her cousin taking his own life, but she also wrote poems about other real suicides and even includes small notes at the bottom to give the reader some context of what happened in each case. It was a very interesting and unique book, definitely worth picking it up if you like reading darker poetry.

***A big thank you to LindaAnn and BookSirens for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.***

Synopsis

“With a sprinkling of dark humor and a full measure of compassion, “Felones de Se: Poems about Suicide” is surprising, suffused with eerie details, quirky, and inspired by actual suicides, one of them a blood relative.”

As usual, I’ll be posting the reviews for these books soon.

What about you guys? How was your reading month? Let me know in the comments! Thank you for reading friends, I’ll catch you guys later!

Hello friends!

I hope you’re all well and I hope the first month of the year has treated you well – I sure can’t complain!

Today I’m bringing you my first monthly Wrap Up of the year! January was a fairly calm month, but I was still able to read a bunch of cool books that I enjoyed. So I can definitely say I started my reading year the best way!

I ended up reading 7 books in January, all of them part of my original monthly TBR plan plus a few random reads here and there. I’ve read a few books from series I’m currently reading, two standalone thrillers I’ve been dying to get my hands on, a short story, and a contemporary YA romance!

Let’s take a look at the books, shall we?

This is the list I have to share with you today! Let’s take a closer look:

1. Penance by Kanae Minato: 4.5/5⭐

This is the amazing standalone thriller I was telling you about! I’ve already told you I loved “Confessions” by the same author, so I was dying to get my hands on this one! I knew the story would be different obviously, but what surprised me is how similar the writing style and structure is to her other book. So I was thrilled to be reading a similar book (not in story, but in style) to “Confessions”! Really amazing book, I need to find more books from this author, I love her books!

Synopsis

“The tense, chilling story of four women haunted by a childhood trauma.
When they were children, Sae, Maki, Akiko and Yuko were tricked into separating from their friend Emily by a mysterious stranger. Then the unthinkable occurs: Emily is found murdered hours later.
Sae, Maki, Akiko and Yuko weren’t able to accurately describe the stranger’s appearance to the police after Emily’s body was discovered. Asako, Emily’s mother, curses the surviving girls, vowing that they will pay for her daughter’s murder.
Like Confessions, Kanae Minato’s award-winning, internationally bestselling debut, Penance is a dark and voice-driven tale of revenge and psychological trauma that will leave readers breathless.”

2. Off the Grid (Full Throttle #1) by K. Bromberg: 3/5⭐

This was my first time reading a racing-themed romance book, and I enjoyed it but overall it was a little… bland? There was something slightly off about this story that I can’t put my finger on. I had some difficulty caring about the characters and the plot if I’m being honest. With that said, it was an enjoyable read for the most part.

Synopsis

“Spencer Riggs is sexy, intense and driven in his pursuit of all things racing.
That pursuit now includes me.
The cocky bad boy of racing struts onto my father’s team like he owns it. One look from him and I can tell he thinks he owns the boss’s daughter too.
I’m determined to resist that panty-melting smile he keeps flashing my way. I have no time for distractions. Fulfilling a last promise to my father is my only goal.
Race after race, city after city, I do my best to keep it professional. I swear I do.But one night after a hard-fought win, we’re celebrating, and Riggs claims his own sweet victory. Me.
His sizzling touch owns my body, but it’s the broken man beneath the public façade who slowly wins my heart.
Before I realize it, Riggs is the one I’m willing to risk everything for. Even if it means breaking a promise. But with our hearts on the line, will he risk everything for me?”

3. It’s In His Kiss (Bridgertons #7) by Julia Quinn: 3.5/5⭐

Hyacinth was not one of my favorite Bridgertons. It’s not that I don’t like her, but I never truly cared about her as a character – and I don’t know if that’s the reason why I didn’t care a lot about this story. I liked the search for the diamonds and the visits she paid to Lady Danbury, but as far as the romance went, it didn’t pique my interest. It was just another Bridgertons book… time to read the last book, Gregory’s story! I’m so happy I’m finally finishing this series soon.

Synopsis

“The seventh novel in Julia Quinn’s globally beloved and bestselling Bridgerton Family series, set in Regency times and now a series created by Shonda Rhimes for Netflix. This is Hyacinth’s story: she’s all grown up and ready to cause havoc…
All the ton agree: there is no one quite like Hyacinth Bridgerton…
Fiendishly smart, devilishly outspoken and – according to some, particularly Gareth St. Clair – probably best in small doses. But there’s something about her – something charming and vexing – that grabs one and won’t quite let go.
Gareth and Hyacinth cross paths at the annual – and annually discordant – Smythe-Smith musicale. To Hyacinth, Gareth’s every word seems a dare, and she offers to help him out with a knotty inheritance problem he’s facing. However, as they delve into the mysterious St Clair history, they discover that the answers they seek lie not in the past – but in each other; and that there is nothing as simple – or as complicated – as a single, perfect kiss.
Find out why readers love Julia Quinn…”

4. Borrow My Heart by Kasie West: 4/5⭐

Cuteness overload! You know by now that I’m a huge Kasie West fan, so I’m not surprised with how much I enjoyed this book. This book in particular is perfect for animal lovers, something I wasn’t expecting. It was really cute, the romance was adorable and the plot was interesting – I was rooting for Bean the entire time! Super adorable, definitely recommend.

Synopsis

“When a girl overhears a guy getting verbally destroyed by his friends for being catfished, she jumps in to save the day—and pretends to be his online crush.
Wren is used to being called a control freak. She doesn’t care; sticking to the list of rules she created for herself helps her navigate life. But when a cute guy named Asher walks through the door of her neighborhood coffee shop, the rulebook goes out the window.
Asher is cute, charming… and being catfished by his online crush. So Wren makes an uncharacteristically impulsive decision—she pretends to be the girl he’s waiting for to save him from embarrassment. Suddenly she’s fake-dating a boy she knows nothing about. And it’s… amazing.
It’s not long before Asher has her breaking even more of her own rules. But will he forgive her when he finds out she’s not who she says she is? Wren’s not so sure… After all, rules exist for a reason.”

5. The Cheerleaders by Kara Thomas: 3.25/5⭐

I’ve had this book on my TBR List for a very long time, and I had high hopes… but I’m a little disappointed with the story. I really think this story had the potential to be a really engaging and thrilling book, but the plot felt a little flat to me. Not a terrible book, but I needed more action and a wow factor to make it incredible.

Synopsis

“There are no more cheerleaders in the town of Sunnybrook.
First there was the car accident—two girls gone after hitting a tree on a rainy night. Not long after, the murders happened. Those two girls were killed by the man next door. The police shot him, so no one will ever know why he did it. Monica’s sister was the last cheerleader to die. After her suicide, Sunnybrook High disbanded the cheer squad. No one wanted to be reminded of the girls they lost.
That was five years ago. Now the faculty and students at Sunnybrook High want to remember the lost cheerleaders. But for Monica, it’s not that easy. She just wants to forget. Only, Monica’s world is starting to unravel. There are the letters in her stepdad’s desk, an unearthed, years-old cell phone, a strange new friend at school… Whatever happened five years ago isn’t over. Some people in town know more than they’re saying. And somehow Monica is at the center of it all.
There are no more cheerleaders in Sunnybrook, but that doesn’t mean anyone else is safe.”

6. The Answer is No by Fredrik Backman: 4.5/5⭐

This quirky story was so funny, I actually laughed at how loud a few times! If you are familiar with Fredrik Backman’s work, you will definitely recognize his style here. He is able to write really funny stories and make them wholesome while subtly sharing his views and comments on humanity – and this book was no different. He has a really special way of writing that I find fascinating and very unpredictable. It was a really fun and easy-to-read short story!

Synopsis

“In a hilarious short story from New York Times bestselling author Fredrik Backman, the absurdities of modern life cause one man’s solitary world to spin suddenly, and comically, out of control.
Lucas knows the perfect night entails just three things: video games, wine, and pad thai. Peanuts are a must! Other people? Not so much. Why complicate things when he’s happy alone?
Then one day the apartment board, a vexing trio of authority, rings his doorbell. And Lucas’s solitude takes a startling hike. They demand to see his frying pan. Someone left one next to the recycling room overnight, and instead of removing the errant object, as Lucas suggests, they insist on finding the guilty party. But their plan backfires. Colossally.
Told in Fredrik Backman’s singular witty style with sharply drawn characters and relatable antics, The Answer Is No is a laugh-out-loud portrait of a man struggling to keep to himself in a world that won’t leave him alone.”

7. Steel Tide (Seafire #2) by Natalie C. Parker: 4.25/5⭐

I’m really liking this series! It’s full of action and I really like the heroine. I’m curious to see how this series will end after reading the cliffhanger. Very cool, I’m impressed with this series!

Synopsis

“The second book in a heart-stopping trilogy that follows the captain of an all-female ship intent on taking down a vicious warlord’s powerful fleet.
Caledonia may have lost her crew, but she’s not done fighting yet. After nearly dying at the hand of a powerful foe, Caledonia is pulled from the sea and nursed back to health by a crew of former Bullets that call themselves Blades. The Blades escaped Aric Athair’s clutches and now live a nomadic existence, ready to disappear at a moment’s notice should trouble come their way.
But Caledonia wants to do more than just hide. She wants to find the Mors Navis and her beloved sisters. She wants to continue fighting Aric’s fleet and to take back the Bullet seas. She’ll need to do everything in her power to convince the Blades that fighting is their only option, that there has to be a life better than the one under Aric Athair’s reign, and that finding the women of the Mors Navis is the first step to revolution.”

As usual, I’ll be posting the reviews for these books soon.

What about you guys? How was your reading month? Let me know in the comments! Thank you for reading friends, I’ll catch you guys later!

Hello friends!

How are you all doing? Can you believe it, here we are in 2025! I’m so excited to publish my first post of 2025 today and share with you all the books I read in December – yup, that’s how we’re starting the year!

December was a nice reading month because even though it was pretty busy with the holidays and with my 9 to 5, I was able to read a ton of books that I enjoyed. I threw my bookish rules out of the window and I decided to read random books I really wanted!

Funny enough, I didn’t read any holiday-themed books, so you won’t find any here. I’m usually not a seasonal reader, so there is no surprise there.

Ok, let’s take a look at the books, shall we?

This is the list I have to share with you today! Let’s take a closer look:

1. Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood: 4/5⭐

I don’t think I’ve ever read a story with a chess theme before, so this was a very interesting and fun read to me! I enjoyed this book for the most part: it was fast-paced, there were plenty of fun situations, and I liked the chess theme very much. I also enjoyed the romance, and the situations created by the author for them to keep meeting – that was one of my favorite things about this book. There were a few things about this book that I didn’t love and it’s not a perfect book by any means, but at the end of the day the story was entertaining and I had fun reading it. Who knew chess could be so fun? I probably wouldn’t recommend this to a younger audience like pre-teens (and younger) because there’s a lot of sex talk, I believe it is fine for older audiences.

Synopsis

“Mallory Greenleaf is done with chess. Every move counts nowadays. After the sport led to the destruction of her family four years earlier, Mallory’s focus is on her mom, her sisters, and the dead-end job that keeps the lights on. That is, until she begrudgingly agrees to play in one last charity tournament and inadvertently wipes the board with notorious “Kingkiller” Nolan Sawyer: current world champion and reigning bad boy of chess.
Nolan’s loss to an unknown rook-ie shocks everyone—especially Mallory. What’s even more confusing? His desire to cross pawns again. What kind of gambit is Nolan playing? The smart move would be to walk away. Resign. Game over. But Mallory’s victory opens the door to sorely needed cash prizes and, despite everything, she can’t help feeling drawn to the enigmatic strategist….
As she rockets up the ranks, Mallory struggles to keep her family safely separated from the game that wrecked it in the first place. And as her love for the sport she so desperately wanted to hate begins to rekindle, Mallory quickly realizes that the games aren’t only on the board, the spotlight is hotter than she imagined, and the competition can be fierce(-ly attractive. And intelligent…and infuriating…)”

2. Priest (Priest #1) by Sierra Simone: 3/5⭐

This was a little disappointing to me if I’m being honest – but maybe I had high hopes for it? I was expecting a little more from the plot because other than the taboo aspect… it doesn’t deliver much more. I’ve heard great things about the second book in the “Priest” series, so I’ll probably read that and decide afterwards if I’ll continue reading the series!

Synopsis

“There are many rules a priest can’t break: A priest cannot marry. A priest cannot abandon his flock. A priest cannot forsake his God.
I’ve always been good at following rules. Until she came. My name is Tyler Anselm Bell. I’m twenty-nine years old. Six months ago, I broke my vow of celibacy on the altar of my own church, and God help me, I would do it again. I am a priest and this is my confession.”

3. Lights Out (Into Darkness #1) by Navessa Allen: 4/5⭐

Another taboo romance! TikTok made me read this story, and I have to say I enjoyed it very much. I’m usually not very into social media-themed books (or taboo romances for that matter), but I had fun reading this and I didn’t mind it too much. I know the next book in the series will come out in 2025, so I think I’ll pick it up when I get it!

Synopsis

““I don’t need another kink.”
That thought pops into my head whenever I pull up my favorite social media app, but alas, every time I scroll, I learn something new about myself, and another one is born. And yes, I know I’m responsible for what the algorithm shows me, but I’m trying to ignore that fact.
Lately, my feed has been dominated by masked men. I’ve favorited videos with them dressed in full cosplay, decked out in futuristic military apparel, and wrapped up like ghouls.
But more than anything else, my FYP is filled with shirtless men wearing ghost masks. Bonus points if they’re heavily tattooed, wielding a knife, or covered in fake blood. At night, I dream about being chased by them, of them catching me and doing deliciously dark things to my more than willing body.
I never could have guessed that by sending one drunken text, those dreams would become my new reality.”

4. When He Was Wicked (Bridgertons #6) by Julia Quinn: 3/5⭐

Francesca’s story was a little underwhelming to me – and if I’m being honest I found her very annoying. I didn’t find her story interesting, and it’s probably one of my least favorites of the entire series. It wasn’t exactly bad, but it was boring and I didn’t care for any characters. At the end of the day, it was a meh book.

Synopsis

“In every life there is a turning point.
A moment so tremendous, so sharp and breathtaking, that one knows one’s life will never be the same. For Michael Stirling, London’s most infamous rake, that moment came the first time he laid eyes on Francesca Bridgerton.
After a lifetime of chasing women, of smiling slyly as they chased him, of allowing himself to be caught but never permitting his heart to become engaged, he took one look at Francesca Bridgerton and fell so fast and hard into love it was a wonder he managed to remain standing. Unfortunately for Michael, however, Francesca’s surname was to remain Bridgerton for only a mere thirty-six hours longer — the occasion of their meeting was, lamentably, a supper celebrating her imminent wedding to his cousin.But that was then… Now Michael is the earl and Francesca is free, but still she thinks of him as nothing other than her dear friend and confidant. Michael dares not speak to her of his love… until one dangerous night, when she steps innocently into his arms, and passion proves stronger than even the most wicked of secrets…”

5. The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager: 3/5⭐

If I’m being honest, this book was a little disappointing. I’ve been in a huge Riley Sager kick, so I’ve been reading his books whenever I have the chance. The thing that bothered me about this book is how it has a paranormal element. He has some books where he hints about paranormal events, but this is the first time I’ve seen him confirm the events. So… I don’t know about this one.

Synopsis

“Casey Fletcher, a recently widowed actress trying to escape a streak of bad press, has retreated to the peace and quiet of her family’s lake house in Vermont. Armed with a pair of binoculars and several bottles of liquor, she passes the time watching Tom and Katherine Royce, the glamorous couple who live in the house across the lake. They make for good viewing—a tech innovator, Tom is rich; and a former model, Katherine is gorgeous.
One day on the lake, Casey saves Katherine from drowning, and the two strike up a budding friendship. But the more they get to know each other—and the longer Casey watches—it becomes clear that Katherine and Tom’s marriage is not as perfect and placid as it appears. When Katherine suddenly vanishes, Casey becomes consumed with finding out what happened to her. In the process, she uncovers eerie, darker truths that turn a tale of voyeurism and suspicion into a story of guilt, obsession and how looks can be very deceiving.
With his trademark blend of sharp characters, psychological suspense, and gasp-worthy surprises, Riley Sager’s The House Across the Lake unveils more than one twist that will shock readers until the very last page.”

6. Misery by Stephen King: 4/5⭐

This book was really good! I don’t pick up Stephen King’s books very often, but ever since I started this a long time ago (but never finished it), I knew I wanted to read the entire thing one day. It’s such a creepy book! This gave me so much anxiety at times – for example, in that chapter when he sneaks out of the room but hears her car pulling into the driveway, so he has to rush back to the room in the wheelchair so she doesn’t catch him out of place. That scene was insane! It was a very enjoyable read that felt very real.

Synopsis

“Paul Sheldon is a bestselling novelist who has finally met his number one fan. Her name is Annie Wilkes, and she is more than a rabid reader—she is Paul’s nurse, tending his shattered body after an automobile accident. But she is also furious that the author has killed off her favorite character in his latest book. Annie becomes his captor, keeping him prisoner in her isolated house.
Annie wants Paul to write a book that brings Misery back to life—just for her. She has a lot of ways to spur him on. One is a needle. Another is an axe. And if they don’t work, she can get really nasty.”

7. I Hope This Doesn’t Find You by Ann Liang: 5/5⭐

Oh my gosh, I loved this a lot! It was a last minute read, because I finished all my audiobooks for the month, but I still wanted to listen to another one before the year was over, so I picked this one to end the year – it ended up not being the last book I read in 2024, but I thought it was at the time. Now I can’t believe I’ve wanted to read this numerous times before and never did. Now that I finally took the time to read it, I fell in love with it. This was a really nice YA contemporary romance—I needed a story like this.

Synopsis

“Snarky and romantic, I Hope This Doesn’t Find You is Never Have I Ever meets To All the Boys if Lara Jean wrote hate emails instead of love letters.
Sadie Wen is perfect on paper: school captain, valedictorian, and a “pleasure to have in class.” It’s not easy, but she has a trick to keep her model-student smile plastered on her face at all times: she channels all her frustrations into her email drafts. She’d never send them of course — she’d rather die than hurt anyone’s feelings — but it’s a relief to let loose on her power-hungry English teacher or a freeloading classmate taking credit for Sadie’s work.
All her most vehemently worded emails are directed at her infuriating cocaptain, Julius Gong, whose arrogance and competitive streak have irked Sadie since they were kids. “You’re attention starved and self-obsessed and unbearably vain… I really hope your comb breaks and you run out of whatever expensive hair products you’ve been using to make your hair appear deceptively soft…”
Sadie doesn’t have to hold back in her emails, because nobody will ever read them… that is, until they’re accidentally sent out.
Overnight, Sadie’s carefully crafted, conflict-free life is turned upside down. It’s her worst nightmare — now everyone at school knows what she really thinks of them, and they’re not afraid to tell her what they really think of her either. But amidst the chaos, there’s one person growing to appreciate the “real” Sadie — Julius, the only boy she’s sworn to hate…”

8. Made in Korea by Sarah Suk: 3.25/5⭐

The theme for this book was very interesting—a battle between the main characters over who sells more K-Beauty products. When I started this book, I knew it would be a romance, but I did not know about the premise. I admit I was surprised with the concept and the choice of the plot, but it was fun. I wasn’t super amazed with the story, but I’ve read worse.

Synopsis

“A romantic comedy about two entrepreneurial Korean American teens who butt heads—and maybe fall in love—while running competing Korean beauty businesses at their high school.
There’s nothing Valerie Kwon loves more than making a good sale. Together with her cousin Charlie, they run V&C K-BEAUTY, their school’s most successful student-run enterprise. With each sale, Valerie gets closer to taking her beloved and adventurous halmeoni to her dream city, Paris.
Enter the new kid in class, Wes Jung, who is determined to pursue music after graduation despite his parents’ major disapproval. When his classmates clamor to buy the K-pop branded beauty products his mom gave him to “make new friends,” he sees an opportunity—one that may be the key to help him pay for the music school tuition he knows his parents won’t cover…
What he doesn’t realize, though, is that he is now V&C K-BEAUTY’s biggest competitor.
Stakes are high as Valerie and Wes try to outsell each other, make the most money, and take the throne for the best business in school—all while trying to resist the undeniable spark that’s crackling between them. From hiring spies to all-or-nothing bets, the competition is much more than either of them bargained for.
But one thing is clear: only one Korean business can come out on top.”

As usual, I’ll be posting the reviews for these books soon.

What about you guys? How was your reading month? Let me know in the comments! Thank you for reading friends, I’ll catch you guys later!

Hello friends!

We are now in December, the last month of the year – I still can’t believe how fast time passes -, so it’s time to share with you all the books I read in the previous month of November!

November was a good reading month, I ended up reading 7 books with positive reviews, so not bad at all! I was able to read some of the books I planned on reading for the month, but something unexpected happened as well: I read a few random thrillers.

If you know me, this is a little out of character for me. Even though we all have different reading phases that come and go, it’s not very common for me to want to binge on thrillers. I suspect this shift was inspired by celebrating Halloween this year, which left me more immersed in the spooky season.

So that’s how my month went in a nutshell! Wanna take a look at my November reads? Let’s go!

These are the books I have to share with you today! Let’s take a closer look:

1. Seafire (Seafire #1) by Natalie C. Parker: 3.5/5⭐

I feel like it’s difficult for me to find good YA pirate books that I actually enjoy, so I went into this book with low expectations. I think from all the books I’ve read recently with this theme, this is probably one of my favorites. I liked the all-girl crew and their dynamics and roles (both in the story and on the ship), although I have to say it was a little difficult in the beginning to distinguish them because there were so many of them. At the end of the day, it was an okay book. It dragged a little at some points, but overall it was a good reading experience.

Synopsis

“After her family is killed by corrupt warlord Aric Athair and his bloodthirsty army of Bullets, Caledonia Styx is left to chart her own course on the dangerous and deadly seas. She captains her ship, the Mors Navis, with a crew of girls and women just like her, who have lost their families and homes because of Aric and his men. The crew has one mission: stay alive, and take down Aric’s armed and armored fleet.
But when Caledonia’s best friend and second-in-command barely survives an attack thanks to help from a Bullet looking to defect, Caledonia finds herself questioning whether to let him join their crew. Is this boy the key to taking down Aric Athair once and for all… or will he threaten everything the women of the Mors Navis have worked for?“

2. Home Before Dark by Riley Sager: 4.5/5⭐

This was one of the thrillers I picked randomly this month, and it was an amazing wild ride! I can confidently say it became one of my favorite Riley Sager books. The story was super creepy and mysterious, and I kept wondering what really happened in that house – I just regret reading it at night because of how scary it was! It was surprising and the many plot twists made the book entertaining and engaging. The story starts slow, but it progresses to a point where it gets difficult to put down the book! For a random pick, this ended up being a great and unexpected read!

Synopsis

“What was it like? Living in that house.
Maggie Holt is used to such questions. Twenty-five years ago, she and her parents, Ewan and Jess, moved into Baneberry Hall, a rambling Victorian estate in the Vermont woods. They spent three weeks there before fleeing in the dead of night, an ordeal Ewan later recounted in a nonfiction book called House of Horrors. His tale of ghostly happenings and encounters with malevolent spirits became a worldwide phenomenon, rivaling The Amityville Horror in popularity—and skepticism.
Today, Maggie is a restorer of old homes and too young to remember any of the events mentioned in her father’s book. But she also doesn’t believe a word of it. Ghosts, after all, don’t exist. When Maggie inherits Baneberry Hall after her father’s death, she returns to renovate the place to prepare it for sale. But her homecoming is anything but warm. People from the past, chronicled in House of Horrors, lurk in the shadows. And locals aren’t thrilled that their small town has been made infamous thanks to Maggie’s father. Even more unnerving is Baneberry Hall itself—a place filled with relics from another era that hint at a history of dark deeds. As Maggie experiences strange occurrences straight out of her father’s book, she starts to believe that what he wrote was more fact than fiction.
In the latest thriller from New York Times bestseller Riley Sager, a woman returns to the house made famous by her father’s bestselling horror memoir. Is the place really haunted by evil forces, as her father claimed? Or are there more earthbound—and dangerous—secrets hidden within its walls?”

3. Weather Girl by Rachel Lynn Solomon: 4/5⭐

It was a nice book, but if I had to pick a favorite from this author, it would definitely be “The Ex Talk”. This was fun and a unique story, but I didn’t connect to it as much as I did with her other book. Still, the characters were great (and I loved the love interest), the weather theme was fun and different, and their backstories were also interesting and added a layer of depth. But if I’m being honest, I didn’t care too much about them trying to get their bosses together – which is essentially the book’s big plot -, so that’s why I probably didn’t rate this a little higher. I still liked it for being entertaining and an unique story!

Synopsis

“Ari Abrams has always been fascinated by the weather, and she loves almost everything about her job as a TV meteorologist. Her boss, legendary Seattle weatherwoman Torrance Hale, is too distracted by her tempestuous relationship with her ex-husband, the station’s news director, to give Ari the mentorship she wants. Ari, who runs on sunshine and optimism, is at her wits’ end. The only person who seems to understand how she feels is sweet but reserved sports reporter Russell Barringer.
In the aftermath of a disastrous holiday party, Ari and Russell decide to team up to solve their bosses’ relationship issues. Between secret gifts and double dates, they start nudging their bosses back together. But their well-meaning meddling backfires when the real chemistry builds between Ari and Russell.
Working closely with Russell means allowing him to get to know parts of herself that Ari keeps hidden from everyone. Will he be able to embrace her dark clouds as well as her clear skies?
A TV meteorologist and a sports reporter scheme to reunite their divorced bosses with unforecasted results in this charming romantic comedy from the author of The Ex Talk.”

4. To Sir Phillip, With Love by Julia Quinn: 4.25/5⭐

Who knew this would end up being one of my favorite Bridgerton books? I always liked Eloise as a character, but I just couldn’t imagine her as the main character of her own romantic story until I read this book – let alone her becoming a stepmother! I really liked how this was not only a love story, but a family story! I liked the twins, and Sir Phillip’s backstory before Eloise came into the picture, and how they all fit so well together as a family. It wasn’t the story I was expecting, especially knowing how Eloise is as a character and what she believes in – but it was a really pleasant surprise. It was a very heartwarming book, something this series needed. Francesca is next!

Synopsis

“My dear Miss Bridgerton,
We have been corresponding now for quite some time, and although we have never formally met, I feel as if I know you.
Forgive me if I am too bold, but I am writing to invite you to visit me. It is my hope that we might decide that we will suit, and you will consent to be my wife.
—Sir Phillip Crane
Sir Phillip Crane knew that Eloise Bridgerton was a spinster, and so he’d proposed, figuring that she’d be homely and unassuming, and more than a little desperate for an offer of marriage. Except… she wasn’t. The beautiful woman on his doorstep was anything but quiet, and when she stopped talking long enough to close her mouth, all he wanted to do was kiss her… and more.
Did he think she was mad? Eloise Bridgerton couldn’t marry a man she had never met! But then she started thinking… and wondering… and before she knew it, she was in a hired carriage in the middle of the night, on her way to meet the man she hoped might be her perfect match. Except… he wasn’t. Her perfect husband wouldn’t be so moody and ill-mannered, and while Phillip was certainly handsome, he was a large brute of a man, rough and rugged, and totally unlike the London gentlemen vying for her hand. But when he smiled… and when he kissed her… the rest of the world simply fell away, and she couldn’t help but wonder… could this imperfect man be perfect for her?”

5. The Giver by Lois Lowry: 4/5⭐

I’m sure you know this book (or maybe even saw the movie version) because it has been around for a while. Some even consider it a classic! I’ve seen this book cover plenty of times before, but only when I saw a snippet of the movie I became interested in reading it – so that’s exactly what I did in November! It is a very interesting dystopian story with a unique concept, and I liked it for the most part – but I wasn’t too keen on the last quarter of the book if I’m being honest. It felt very unsatisfying for being so sudden and rushed, and the ending was a little too ambiguous for my taste. I get that that’s the purpose of the chosen end – to make the reader fill in the blanks – but it felt like an “easy escape” to the complex story. Other than that, I think this was a powerful book with a very interesting concept.

Synopsis

“In a world with no poverty, no crime, no sickness and no unemployment, and where every family is happy, 12-year-old Jonas is chosen to be the community’s Receiver of Memories. Under the tutelage of the Elders and an old man known as the Giver, he discovers the disturbing truth about his utopian world and struggles against the weight of its hypocrisy. With echoes of Brave New World, in this 1994 Newbery Medal winner, Lowry examines the idea that people might freely choose to give up their humanity in order to create a more stable society. Gradually Jonas learns just how costly this ordered and pain-free society can be, and boldly decides he cannot pay the price.
The Giver is set in a future society which is at first presented as a utopia and gradually appears more and more dystopic, so could therefore be considered anti-utopian. The novel follows a boy named Jonas through the twelfth year of his life. Jonas’ society has eliminated pain and strife by converting to “Sameness”, a plan which has also eradicated emotional depth from their lives. Jonas is selected to inherit the position of “Receiver of Memory,” the person who stores all the memories of the time before Sameness, in case they are ever needed to aid in decisions that others lack the experience to make. As Jonas receives the memories from his predecessor—the “Giver”—he discovers how shallow his community’s life has become.”

6. The Island by Adrian McKinty: 3.5/5⭐

An interesting book, that surprised me two times – the first time when I started reading it and it was nothing like what I imagined; and the second time when I realized I was having fun reading it! I guess that’s my fault for not reading the synopsis, but I digress! How to describe this thriller? I would say it’s a cat-and-mouse kind of thriller because the main characters are being chased on an island and have no way of escaping. So I’m sure you can understand how stressful this was to read at times – but the good kind of stressful, of course. It starts out slow, but the pace picks up and eventually, it gets very hard to put the book down. Also, I really liked the main character in this, and how strong and smart she was – I believe she was one of the reasons why I liked this book as much as I did. Definitely worth checking out if you’re into cat-and-mouse thrillers!

Synopsis

“It was just supposed to be a family vacation.
A terrible accident changed everything.
You don’t know what you’re capable of until they come for your family.
After moving from a small country town to Seattle, Heather Baxter marries Tom, a widowed doctor with a young son and teenage daughter. A working vacation overseas seems like the perfect way to bring the new family together, but once they’re deep in the Australian outback, the jet-lagged and exhausted kids are so over their new mom.
When they discover remote Dutch Island, off-limits to outside visitors, the family talks their way onto the ferry, taking a chance on an adventure far from the reach of iPhones and Instagram.
But as soon as they set foot on the island, which is run by a tightly knit clan of locals, everything feels wrong. Then a shocking accident propels the Baxters from an unsettling situation into an absolute nightmare.
When Heather and the kids are separated from Tom, they are forced to escape alone, seconds ahead of their pursuers.
Now it’s up to Heather to save herself and the kids, even though they don’t trust her, the harsh bushland is filled with danger, and the locals want her dead.
Heather has been underestimated her entire life, but she knows that only she can bring her family home again and become the mother the children desperately need, even if it means doing the unthinkable to keep them all alive.”

7. Survive the Night by Riley Sager: 4.25/5⭐

I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would! This ended up being exactly the type of thriller I enjoy the most: eerie… and full of plot twists. And that my friends, is the cool thing about this book: you have no idea who to believe because you can’t figure out what is reality and what is fantasy. The fact that the story is situated in the 90’s gives it an extra eerie vibe – especially because cell phones weren’t a thing and communication wasn’t as it is today, it was normal to only use pay phones. I really enjoyed the dark atmosphere and the eeriness of the details, and I was getting very anxious about what would happen next. Let’s just say, I didn’t see it coming… I didn’t see any of that coming! Definitely recommend it!

Synopsis

“Charlie Jordan is being driven across the country by a serial killer. Maybe.
Behind the wheel is Josh Baxter, a stranger Charlie met by the college ride share board, who also has a good reason for leaving university in the middle of term. On the road they share their stories, carefully avoiding the subject dominating the news – the Campus Killer, who’s tied up and stabbed three students in the span of a year, has just struck again.
Travelling the lengthy journey between university and their final destination, Charlie begins to notice discrepancies in Josh’s story.
As she begins to plan her escape from the man she is becoming certain is the killer, she starts to suspect that Josh knows exactly what she’s thinking.
Meaning that she could very well end up as his next victim.”

As usual, I’ll be posting the reviews for these books soon.

What about you guys? How was your reading month? Let me know in the comments! Thank you for reading friends, I’ll catch you guys later!

Hello friends!

I hope you’re all doing well! Another reading month has flown by and, of course, I have to share this month’s reads with you guys.

It was a weaker reading month, in comparison to some of the previous months. I’ve been really into TV shows (I’m watching like 7 at the moment) from different streaming platforms, and it’s been a really nice and soothing way of spending my time – so of course, I don’t regret it, but unfortunately that left me less time to read. I still tried to read here and there, but I didn’t read as much in October.

But I digress! Let’s take a look at the books I read. Shall we?

This is the list I have to share with you today! Let’s take a closer look:

1. Final Offer (Dreamland Billionaires #3) by Lauren Asher: 3/5⭐

Pretty average! I think I prefer the two other books – I think I connected better with the other two brothers and their stories. The story was also a little sad (with him being an alcoholic and Alana being abandoned and having to take care of the kid). Overall the series was okay. I had high expectations because everyone seems to love this trilogy, but it wasn’t as good as I thought it was going to be.

Synopsis

“Callahan
I’m the Kane brother everyone gossips about behind closed doors.
Trust fund brat. Washed-up athlete. High-functioning alcoholic.
No one knows the real me but her.
Lana Castillo—my childhood best friend and the only woman I ever loved.
When I broke her heart six years ago, I promised to never return to Lake Wisteria.
I kept my word until my grandfather’s will changed everything.
To receive my inheritance, I was tasked with spending a summer at the family lake house before selling it.
The request was simple in theory until my entire plan blew up on the very first day.
Turns out Lana doesn’t just live at the house, but she claims to own it, too.
Alana
Falling in love with Callahan Kane was a mistake.
He told me so before destroying my heart and our friendship six summers ago.
When he promised never to come back, I foolishly believed him.
But then Cal showed up again, intending to sell his grandfather’s lake house.
The biggest flaw in his plan?
My name is on the deed.”

2. Death Note, Vol. 7 by Tsugumi Ohba: 3/5⭐

One more volume read from the “Death Note” series! Part of me is enjoying it, but at the same time, I’m kind of tired of it. It’s not that it’s boring, but it has some monologues here and there that are essentially complex thought processes. I was kind of hoping I would be done with this series this year, but I’m not sure if that will happen anytime soon – I’m reading at a snail’s pace.

Synopsis

“After a high-speed chase, Light and the task force apprehend the newest Kira. Light regains his Death Note and his memories, and the depths of his cunning are revealed as the plans he carefully put in place before going into confinement are slowly unveiled. His masterful manipulation of both humans and Shinigami lead him to the strongest position he’s yet enjoyed. But the glow of his victory is marred when a new threat appears. Can Light withstand a surprise attack on two fronts?”

3. More Than We Can Tell (Letters to the Lost #2) by Brigid Kemmerer: 5/5⭐

I read this book in one sitting – that should tell you how amazing it was! I thought it would be difficult for this book to be as good as “Letters to the Lost” (which was also amazing), but I was wrong! This story gives you all the feels – both main characters have their own ghosts, so the story is sad especially when you begin to understand their backstories a little better. You can’t help but root for both of them and their happiness! It’s an excellent book, and I’m glad I finally read it!

Synopsis

“Rev Fletcher is battling the demons of his past. But with loving adoptive parents by his side, he’s managed to keep them at bay…until he gets a letter from his abusive father and the trauma of his childhood comes hurtling back.
Emma Blue spends her time perfecting the computer game she built from scratch, rather than facing her parents’ crumbling marriage. She can solve any problem with the right code, but when an online troll’s harassment escalates, she’s truly afraid.
When Rev and Emma meet, they both long to lift the burden of their secrets and bond instantly over their shared turmoil. But when their situations turn dangerous, their trust in each other will be tested in ways they never expected. This must-read story will once again have readers falling for Brigid Kemmerer’s emotional storytelling.”

4. Romancing Mr. Bridgerton (Bridgertons #4) by Julia Quinn: 3.5/5⭐

One more Bridgerton book read! In October I was able to finally finish Penelope and Colin’s story, and I ended up enjoying it a lot. I found some similarities to the TV show, but the story is a little different in the book version. If I had to rate the books I’ve read so far from this series, I would put Benedict and Anthony’s books first (can’t decide between them), then this one, and then Daphne’s book (which is the least interesting in my opinion). So far I’m enjoying the series, but some books are definitely better than others. Next is Eloise!

Synopsis

“Penelope Featherington has secretly adored her best friend’s brother for… well, it feels like forever. After half a lifetime of watching Colin Bridgerton from afar, she thinks she knows everything about him, until she stumbles across his deepest secret… and fears she doesn’t know him at all.
Colin Bridgerton is tired of being thought of as nothing but an empty-headed charmer, tired of the notorious gossip columnist Lady Whistledown, who can’t seem to publish an edition without mentioning him. But when Colin returns to London from a trip abroad, he discovers nothing in his life is quite the same—especially Penelope Featherington! The girl who was always simply there is suddenly the girl haunting his dreams. When he discovers that Penelope has secrets of her own, this elusive bachelor must decide… is she his biggest threat— or his promise of a happy ending?“

As usual, I’ll be posting the reviews for these books soon.

What about you guys? How was your reading month? Let me know in the comments! Thank you for reading friends, I’ll catch you guys later!