TBR | December 2024

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Hello friends!

Can you believe we are almost in December? That’s CRAZY! This year flew by and I didn’t even notice the time passing. But here we are, almost in December, so that means I’m showing you for the last time in 2024 my monthly TBR.

If you read my post on How I Create My Monthly TBR Lists, you already know my magical formula to create a good reading month. This is the formula I planned on keeping for the entire year, so the goal I set was to read 2 paperbacks, 2 audiobooks, 1 ebook, and 1 manga volume each month.

But this month, I’m rebelling! Ok let’s not exagerate…

This month I decided to listen to my heart and read whatever I wanted! Sure, I still have a plan like I usually do, but I’m taking a break from most of the series I have ongoing. This includes my current manga “Death Note”, the “Seafire” series, and the “Night Spinner” series. I often struggle with reading series because I have a very small attention span and I end up losing interest if I don’t devour the series in a short amount of time. The funny thing is that I have tons of series to start (and finish) in my TBR list, but I usually put them to the side because I’m almost never in the mood to read series.

So this month you will see a ton of standalone books – and I couldn’t be happier! Without further ado, here are the books I’m planning on reading:

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

1. Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood

We are starting the list with (what I think is) a fluffy book. I’ve had this book on my TBR for a while now, and now it’s finally time to read it! I felt like this month I needed a really easy romance to balance all the thrillers I added, so it was a no-brainer! It seems like the main character plays chess, and that’s very interesting to me because I don’t think I’ve ever read a story like that before.

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. Lights Out (Into Darkness #1) by Navessa Allen

Are you surprised to see this book here? This has been ALL over TikTok and I’m jumping on the hype train! This seems like a really fun and different New Adult Romance – and if I’m being honest, I believe I’m going to devour this book. I’ll keep you updated on my thoughts!

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.
Lights Out is a fast-paced dark romance with a morally grey male lead. Some themes and scenes may be disturbing to readers. Please check the TWs at the beginning of the book.”

3. The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley

Here is the first thriller on the list – but not the last one! I enjoy Lucy Foley’s murder mystery books very much, so when I found out she released this book with a dinner party theme… I was immediately sold on it! As I often do with thrillers, I don’t know a lot about this book and I don’t plan on knowing – I just want to start it and see how it goes. Fingers crossed!

Synopsis

“Secrets. Lies. Murder. Let the festivities begin…
It’s the opening night of The Manor, and no expense, small or large, has been spared. The infinity pool sparkles; crystal pouches for guests’ healing have been placed in the Seaside Cottages and Woodland Hutches; the “Manor Mule” cocktail (grapefruit, ginger, vodka, and a dash of CBD oil) is being poured with a heavy hand. Everyone is wearing linen.
But under the burning midsummer sun, darkness stirs. Old friends and enemies circulate among the guests. Just outside the Manor’s immaculately kept grounds, an ancient forest bristles with secrets. And the Sunday morning of opening weekend, the local police are called. Something’s not right with the guests. There’s been a fire. A body’s been discovered.
THE FOUNDER * THE HUSBAND * THE MYSTERY GUEST * THE KITCHEN HELP
It all began with a secret, fifteen years ago. Now the past has crashed the party. And it’ll end in murder at… The Midnight Feast.”

4. When He Was Wicked (Bridgertons #6) by Julia Quinn

This is the only series I decided to continue in December because not only I’m having a really good time reading it, but I’m only 3 books away from finishing this series! I have no idea what to expect from this book since we don’t get a lot from Francesca in the previous books – the only thing I know is that she becomes a widow very soon after her first marriage. I’m curious to see how the story will unfold. Hopefully, it’s a good one!

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

I read a great Riley Sager book in November (“Survive the Night”), so I’m hoping I’ll find another amazing read in “The House Across the Lake”. Most of the time I try to go into thrillers without knowing too much about the story, and this book is no exception – I didn’t even read the synopsis (but you can, I left it below in case you’re curious). I’ve heard most people liked this book, so hope it will live up to the hype!

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

Here’s a fun fact about my experience with this book: I actually tried reading it about 15 years ago, but I never finished it! At the time I marked it as a “book to finish”, and since now I’m in a thriller mood, I believe this is the perfect opportunity to finally get into this book! I was enjoying it at the time, so I’m not dreading reading this at all – I’m very excited to finally see how the story ends (I didn’t even see the movie, so I’m going to be surprised either way). Anyway, I’m super excited for this one!

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.”

Aaaand there you have it friends, my TBR list! As usual, I hope you liked this post! Let me know if you have any recommendations for me. You know I’m always grateful for those!

Thank you for reading, have a great day!

Review | The Giver (The Giver #1) by Lois Lawry

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“The worst part of holding the memories is not the pain. It’s the loneliness of it. Memories need to be shared.” – 4/5 stars!

Attention! This book contains: memories, pain, ceremonies, love, snow, and the feeling of sunshine.

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.

I’m sure you have seen this book before (or maybe even seen 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 – and now I finally did.
I enjoyed the book for what it was: a very interesting dystopian story with a unique concept. In this book, society “burdens” only one person with the memories of… well, everything, good and bad. They live happily and orderly because they don’t understand the concept of pain and don’t know what was there before – the only person who does know is the Giver, and now he is responsible for passing the knowledge to twelve-year-old Jonas, our main character, who has received his life assignment as the Receiver of memories. As you can imagine, poor Jonas had no idea of how heavy the task would be, especially when he started to understand what was behind his beloved community. After he starts receiving the memories, he begins to understand what suffering, hunger, poverty, and war are. On the positive side, he also starts understanding the concepts of color, snow, sunshine, and feelings like love.
Although I liked the book for the most part – I wasn’t too keen on the last quarter of the book if I’m being honest. The “solution” was very unsatisfying for being so sudden and rushed, and the ending was a little too ambiguous for my taste. I understand the author’s choice and the purpose of the chosen ending – to make the reader fill in the blanks – but it felt like an “easy escape” to the complex story.
So I didn’t love the ending, but overall I believe this is an impactful dystopian book with a very interesting concept. It is also a fairly short book, so that’s always a plus! I have to admit I have no intention of continuing the series, especially after reading reviews of the second book – so I’ll end it here!

Review | Survive the Night by Riley Sager

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“Women need to do that, you know. Look out for each other. There’s a special place in hell for those who don’t.” – 4.25/5 stars!

Attention! This book contains: road trips, loose teeth, diners, phone booths, movies, old jackets, and a ton of plot twists.

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.

Ooh, how I missed finding a good thriller like this where you can’t figure out who the psycho is! This is exactly the type of thriller I enjoy the most: eerie… and full of plot twists!
This book follows a college student named Charlie who is grieving the loss of her best friend who was murdered by a non-identified serial killer and decides to leave campus. So she takes a ride to Ohio with a guy she knows nothing about, no questions asked – to each their own, I guess. 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!
I’ll admit when I first started this book, I thought the pace was very slow, but with time it won me over. The pace picks up and you get hooked and stuck in a web of lies and deception!
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!
Sure, I understand some parts may be too unbelievable to some readers, but we have to remind ourselves that this is fiction. I had a blast reading this and it was very difficult to put it down. Recommend it for the entertainment value!

Review | The Island by Adrian McKinty

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“Perhaps they are worse than evil – they are bored.” – 3.5/5 stars!

Attention! This book contains: private islands, wild animals, water bottles, search dogs, consequences, dehydration, revenge, and survival.

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.

This book was very interesting! You can think of “The Island” as a psychological thriller – it follows a family that gets stuck on a private island in Australia and is trying to survive. Well, actually it’s not that simple, because it’s not the nature they are trying to survive from. Let’s just say I’m glad I started this book without knowing too much about it – so if you don’t know what the book is about, I recommend you do the same!
Even though this is a little different from the thrillers I usually pick up, I had a good time reading it! The atmosphere is very disturbing and I remember feeling stressed the entire time because I had no idea about what was going to happen! It’s a book full of action and suspense, and also a little violent, so be aware of that.
I also liked the characters, but I especially liked Heather as the main character. She was very intelligent and kind to her husband’s kids (even when they were super rude to her).
Yes, it’s not exactly your typical thriller, but I was never bored. The book is very gripping and it was hard to put it down, so I definitely recommend it to other readers!

Review | The Way You Make Me Feel by Maureen Goo

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“As I stood there surrounded by three people who had the ability to do just that-crack my chest open to all the disappointment and difficulty and grief-I knew I still wanted it. The risk of the bad stuff was so worth the good stuff. People who would be there for you when you messed up and behaved like a little jerk? They were the good stuff.” – 4/5 stars!

Attention! This book contains: waterpark rides, kimchi, instamodels, spontaneous plane rides, food trucks, arrow signs, food competitions, musicals, pranks, first love, single dads, improbable friendships, Korean-Brazilians, pasteis, the KoBra, summer jobs, LA and starry nights.

Clara Shin lives for pranks and disruption. When she takes one joke too far, her dad sentences her to a summer working on his food truck, the KoBra, alongside her uptight classmate Rose Carver. Not the carefree summer Clara had imagined. But maybe Rose isn’t so bad. Maybe the boy named Hamlet (yes, Hamlet) crushing on her is pretty cute. Maybe Clara actually feels invested in her dad’s business. What if taking this summer seriously means that Clara has to leave her old self behind? With Maurene Goo’s signature warmth and humor, The Way You Make Me Feel is a relatable story of falling in love and finding yourself in the places you’d never thought to look.

Another example of a book that spoke to my soul through the cover… how beautiful is that!
Now, the book itself: it was adorable! I really liked how Clara’s dad runs a food truck and (surprise surprise) it made me very hungry… all the times I read about it. All the food descriptions made me crave delicious food truck food!
Clara’s relationship with Rose was very interesting to watch as well. They started as mortal enemies and ended as best friends. They made great friends when they got to know each other better, which was nice.
I also thought the romance was very cute! The love interest was very nerdy and respectful. Just thought it was insta-love, but it was still cute.
I felt like Clara grew a lot this summer, it was nice to watch her develop and become more mature. And I really liked her personality in general, very different from the regular lead girl. She’s incredibly funny and sarcastic and weird, and I love it!
It’s a great book for a light summer read! It’s funny and sweet, perfect if you just want to grab something easy and fast to read.

Wrap-Up | What I Read in October 2024

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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!

TBR | November 2024

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Hello friends!

I hope you’re doing supa dupa well! Well, that was cheesy… but I don’t regret it.

Friends, can you believe the year is almost over? It feels like I was writing my 2024 reading goals yesterday – a goal I’m only a few books from achieving, yes, thank you for asking. I just can’t believe we’re almost at Christmas. Time sure flies, and we don’t even notice it!

Anyway, today I’m bringing you all the books I’m planning on reading in November! I’ve been struggling a little with reading lately for the simple fact that I’m not in the mood for books at the moment. These phases come and go, so I’m at peace with it! I’ve picked some good books this month, so I’m excited to get back to reading – and hopefully, that will happen in November.

A quick reminder! If you read my post on How I Create My Monthly TBR Lists, you already know my magical formula to create a reading month. This is the formula I’m planning on keeping for 2024, so the goal for January is to read 2 paperbacks, 2 audiobooks, 1 ebook, and 1 manga volume.

So without further ado, here are the books I’m planning on reading in November:

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

1. The Giver (The Giver #1) by Lois Lowry

Fun fact – this was a recent addition to my TBR! I’ve seen this cover so many times over the year, but I never gave it a second thought or had any interest on what is it about. But one day I was zapping, and the movie adaptation was on! I only watched it for a few minutes because I didn’t want to spoil the story, but it seemed very interesting, so I immediately added it to my TBR List. I’m very excited about this one, seems like a very unique premise!

Synopsis

“”I have great honor,” The Giver said. “So will you. But you will find that is not the same as power.”
Life in the community where Jonas lives is idyllic. Designated birthmothers produce newchildren, who are assigned to appropriate family units: one male, one female, to each. Citizens are assigned their partners and their jobs. No one thinks to ask questions. Everyone obeys. The community is a world without conflict, inequality, divorce, unemployment injustice…or choice.
Everyone is the same.
Except Jonas.
At the Ceremony of Twelve, the community’s twelve-year-olds eagerly accept their predetermined Life Assignments. But Jonas is chosen for something special. He begins instruction in his life’s work with a mysterious old man known only as The Giver. Gradually Jonas learns that power lies in feelings. But when his own power is put to the test—when he must try to save someone he loves—he may not be ready. Is it too soon? Or too late?”

2. Death Note, Vol. 8 by Tsugumi Ohba

This cover looks so cool! I’m sure by this time you know I’m reading the manga series Death Note – so in November, I’ll continue this series by reading the 8th volume. The last few volumes lacked action, so I’m hoping this volume will be a little more exciting!

Synopsis

“Light – working as Kira, the newest member of the NPA intelligence bureau, and L – has nearly succeeded in creating his ideal world. But the years of uncontested victory have made him complacent, and he is unprepared for a new attack close to home. With his younger sister Sayu kidnapped and the NPA’s Death Note demanded as ransom, Light must travel across the world and confront two new adversaries, each with a very different agenda. Will Light’s quick wits be a match for this new challenge, or will he be forced to choose between Kira’s ambitions and his own family’s lives?”

3. To Sir Philip, With Love (Bridgertons #5) by Julia Quinn

One more Bridgerton book is on the horizon! This time, I’m planning on reading Eloise’s story in November. I have no idea what this will look like, but I’m curious to see how the story is. Very excited about this one, I hope it’s good!

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?”

4. Weather Girl by Rachel Lynn Solomon

While I was making this month’s TBR list, I kept thinking that I wanted something really cozy – and for that, I chose this book. I love a good, cozy romance, and this seems like it would do the trick. I like Rachel Lynn Solomon’s books, so I’m sure this will be a nice treat!

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.”

5. Night Spinner (Night Spinner #1) by Addie Thorley

I’ve been wanting to read this duology for the longest time, but it never happened! I decided to go into it without knowing too much because I wanted to be surprised. All I know is it is a YA fantasy trilogy – and that’s it. I’m hoping I’ll finally start the first book in November.

Synopsis

“Before the massacre at Nariin, Enebish was one of the greatest warriors in the Sky King’s Imperial Army: a rare and dangerous Night Spinner, blessed with the ability to control the threads of darkness. Now, she is known as Enebish the Destroyer―a monster and murderer, banished to a monastery for losing control of her power and annihilating a merchant caravan.
Guilt stricken and scarred, Enebish tries to be grateful for her sanctuary, until her adoptive sister, Imperial Army commander Ghoa, returns from the war front with a tantalizing offer. If Enebish can capture the notorious criminal, Temujin, whose band of rebels has been seizing army supply wagons, not only will her crimes be pardoned, she will be reinstated as a warrior.
Enebish eagerly accepts. But as she hunts Temujin across the tundra, she discovers the tides of war have shifted, and the supplies he’s stealing are the only thing keeping thousands of shepherds from starving. Torn between duty and conscience, Enebish must decide whether to put her trust in the charismatic rebel or her beloved sister. No matter who she chooses, an even greater enemy is advancing, ready to bring the empire to its knees.”

6. Seafire (Seafire #1) by Natalie C. Parker

I’ve had this book on my TBR for a very long time, so it’s time to give it a try! I don’t know much about it, other than it’s the first book in a fantasy trilogy with a sea theme (maybe pirates or mermaids, I’m not sure). It seems like a good book to mix things up a little, so that’s why I added this one this month. I hope it’s good, but I don’t have high expectations if I’m being honest – we’ll see!

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?”

Aaaand there you have it friends, my TBR list! As usual, I hope you liked this post! Let me know if you have any recommendations for me. You know I’m always grateful for those!

Thank you for reading, have a great day!

Review | We’ll Always Have Summer (Summer #3) by Jenny Han

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“He didn’t give me flowers or candy. He gave me the moon and the stars. Infinity.” – 4/5 stars!

Attention! This book contains: first loves, sororoties, star gazing, beach houses, friendship, cheating, college parties, old letters, trips to Cabo, wedding plans, happy endings and… infinity.

It’s been two years since Conrad told Belly to go with Jeremiah. She and Jeremiah have been inseparable ever since, even attending the same college—only, their relationship hasn’t exactly been the happily ever after Belly had hoped it would be. And when Jeremiah makes the worst mistake a boy can make, Belly is forced to question what she thought was true love. Does she really have a future with Jeremiah? Has she ever gotten over Conrad? It’s time for Belly to decide, once and for all, who has her heart forever.

Oh god… where to begin? I got my heart broken again and again. I just love this series so much! I don’t even know what hit me with this one. I wasn’t expecting anything that just happened.
The reason why I’m giving this 4 stars and not 5: Well, for starters, Jeremiah. I was so sad about what he had done to Belly, and my perspective of him changed a lot in this book (still, I was rooting for Conrad the whole time!). He changed so much and I didn’t like how he turned out.
I loved this trilogy. I think it was amazing and cute, and I loved the ending! All my hopes were accomplished in the end. Oh, and we finally get Conrad’s POV! I was so excited when I saw his name for the first time at the top of the page!
Such an amazing series! I really loved this! Have to admit, I’m sad it’s over.

Review | It’s Not Summer Without You (Summer #2) by Jenny Han

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“I couldn’t even be mad at him, because this was who he was. This was who he’d always been. He’d never lied about that. He gave and then he took away. I felt it in the pit of my stomach, the familiar ache, that lost, regretful feeling only he could give me. I never wanted to feel it again. Never, ever. Maybe this was why I came, so I could really know. So I could say good-bye.” – 5/5 stars!

Attention! This book contains: a love triangle, car drives, the ocean, singing, slurpees, beach houses, college exams, real estate, dealing with grief and a ton of beer bottles.

Belly finds out what comes after falling in love in this follow-up to The Summer I Turned Pretty from the New York Times bestselling author of To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (soon to be a major motion picture!), Jenny Han.

Can summer be truly summer without Cousins Beach?

It used to be that Belly counted the days until summer, until she was back at Cousins Beach with Conrad and Jeremiah. But not this year. Not after Susannah got sick again and Conrad stopped caring. Everything that was right and good has fallen apart, leaving Belly wishing summer would never come.

But when Jeremiah calls saying Conrad has disappeared, Belly knows what she must do to make things right again. And it can only happen back at the beach house, the three of them together, the way things used to be. If this summer really and truly is the last summer, it should end the way it started—at Cousins Beach.

SO. MANY. FEELS. This book… was so amazing, I don’t have enough words! I loved the first book, but I definitely liked this one better! This book had more depth and more serious issues, which I really appreciate. It’s a real and raw book with “real” characters dealing with very real struggles. It’s full of emotions, ups and downs… my heart broke over and over again. It was such an emotional rollercoaster! At this point, I’m very attached to all characters, and I need to see what happens next. Oh and don’t even get me started on that cliffhanger in the end…
I’m usually not a fan of love triangles, but this one is very well done! It makes the story very interesting! Jeremiah is very outgoing and sweet and shows constantly his love for Belly, but Conrad… is VERY unpredictable with his interactions and I love how slow the main romance is developing! I love both brothers, but I’m still cheering for Conrad though!
I thought Belly was a bit more mature in this book compared with the first one, but I feel she was still very selfish and childish.
I love Jenny Han’s style! She makes a story very easy to read and very relatable. I’m looking forward to reading her other trilogies “Burn for Burn” and “To All the Boys I Loved Before”. For now, I need to finish this series first… ASAP.

Review | The Summer I Turned Pretty (Summer #1) by Jenny Han

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“For me there was – is – nothing better than walking on the beach late at night. It feels like you could walk forever, like the whole night is yours and so is the ocean. When you walk on the beach at night, you can say things you can’t say in real life. In the dark you can feel really close to a person. You can say whatever you want.” – 4.5/5 stars!

Attention! This book contains: beach houses, salty air, summer parties, cigarettes, charm bracelets, siblings, divorces, bonfires, Latin, pools, movies, learning how to drive, growing up, friendship, dancing, cancer, birthday cakes, colorful seashells, cute bikinis, pearl necklaces, sundresses, The Titanic, veganism, family issues, a lot of swimming, and seafood dishes.

Belly measures her life in summers. Everything good, everything magical happens between the months of June and August. Winters are simply a time to count the weeks until the next summer, a place away from the beach house, away from Susannah, and most importantly, away from Jeremiah and Conrad. They are the boys that Belly has known since her very first summer—they have been her brother figures, her crushes, and everything in between. But one summer, one terrible and wonderful summer, the more everything changes, the more it all ends up just the way it should have been all along.

I know this is irrelevant, but I have to mention this. You should see my face when the main character’s nickname comes up for the first time. Belly. Really? I’m very serious when I say I cringed the entire time her nickname came up. I mean, I get the nickname thing since her name is Isabella… but I truly disliked it. I wish she had a different name, like Bella for example… it just sounds so weird to me calling another person “Belly”. At the same time, I understand it makes the character memorable – so I guess it worked!
Besides her name, I didn’t like the MC’s attitude at times. She’s indeed a teenager, but I found her very immature and childish, which I didn’t like.
With that said, I really liked the book! I loved all the other characters, especially Susannah, Conrad, Jeremiah, and Cam. I just like how unique they were in their way – it felt like they were real people. The characters were very well defined from the beginning. The “perfect” main boys were not perfect and their lives were WAY far from perfect, and I liked that a lot. I also loved Susanne and Lauren’s friendship and I loved the whole “summer family” dynamic and how they all interacted as a group.
I enjoyed Jenny’s style of writing a lot! I appreciate how the book is structured, making it very easy to follow. The references to Belly’s age at the beginning of the throwback chapters made it easier to go back in time, without feeling completely lost. So, that was a plus!
I would describe this book as the “love child” of Sarah Dessen and Nicholas Sparks, so if you’re a fan of one of them, I recommend this one!