A beautiful and relatable coming-of-age story follows nine-year-old Marina who is staying with her Grandma for the summer waiting to see if ☼ 04/ 100
A beautiful and relatable coming-of-age story follows nine-year-old Marina who is staying with her Grandma for the summer waiting to see if her mother's illness has been cured and she can return home, or if she'll become orphaned and shipped off to convent school. The story follows a hilarious narrator who is transfixed by sex, maturity, and violence, but told in such a unique way. This is PERFECT if you love novels on girlhood that don't hold back on the gross and growing up aspects and books with good mother-daughter dynamics.
I loved this story and related to Marina in many ways. She's trying to grow up, but her innocence reeks from these pages. She's just a young girl in a sticky and sweaty summer doing things young girls do. Make her dolls kiss (and have sex, lol), wear dresses, and giggle about butts, panties, and farts. This is probably one of my favorite, if not my favorite girlhood novels. I am so obsessed with everything about this book, from the cover to every single word within it this is a book to look out for. I wish this was so much more popular! ...more
I almost regret not reading this slower, but this memoir was impossible to put down. The writing is phenomenal and the photographs were so expertly plI almost regret not reading this slower, but this memoir was impossible to put down. The writing is phenomenal and the photographs were so expertly placed. A coming-of-age memoir that I would put in the same category as Just Kids by Patti Smith.
So many quotes were highlighted because Hua Hsu is a master at writing and prose. A life lesson on every page, this was a wonderful read. ...more
As always with nonfiction, my rating is not about the memoir and the content itself, but on the form of personal preference, experience, and how likelAs always with nonfiction, my rating is not about the memoir and the content itself, but on the form of personal preference, experience, and how likely this memoir will stay with me!
In the Dream House is a phenomenally written memoir told in beautifully haunting prose. Written in the most unique form I've read, Carmen Maria Machado recounts being in a queer relationship with an abusive woman she believed would be the one and later on talks about her healing process and briefly touches on her relationship with her now-wife.
I loved Machado's writing so much. This memoir was addictive and very difficult to pull away from, but sometimes the style of this memoir did pull me out of it. I found the formatting of this book to be very unique and intriguing, but sometimes it jumped so much that I lost focus.
I've wanted to read this for years, before even considering myself a nonfiction reader and lover and it truly didn't disappoint. The hype is well deserved and I need to get to the other memoir classics: Educated, Everything I Know About Love, and Know My Name. ...more
This true crime novel had me in the first half so much, but I think because I took SO LONG to read this 222-page book, it ruined my experi*:･ﾟ17/ 100
This true crime novel had me in the first half so much, but I think because I took SO LONG to read this 222-page book, it ruined my experience. I found the niche topic really interesting and captivating but also would be perfect for those who are scared of non-fiction as this reads like a crime fiction book. Overall, I liked it, but it just wasn't my favorite and that is 100% my fault for putting off reading it. ...more
How Far the Light Reaches: A Life in Ten Sea Creatures is one of the best essay collections I've ever read.
To be fair, I only truly got into nonfictioHow Far the Light Reaches: A Life in Ten Sea Creatures is one of the best essay collections I've ever read.
To be fair, I only truly got into nonfiction last November, but there have only been around four nonfiction titles that I haven't enjoyed immensely.
Sabrina Imbler took this book and ran with it and I'm forever grateful. They mix the lives of quirky and unknown sea creatures with their own life stories in such a beautiful way. I did not want to put this down at all. Coming in at 239 pages, this is a new nonfiction recommendation that I'm throwing out there for anyone who is scared of the genre. It's informative but not in a way where it feels like you're reading a textbook in high school again and it's personal to the point where you want to know more and you empathize with Imbler.
It's eye-catching and is perfect for fiction lovers who want to try out nonfiction, but also nonfiction lovers who fear nature and wildlife stories.
I've been dying to read this since it was released and I'm so excited it was a June bookclub pick! ...more
I got this ARC via Edelweiss for being a Barnes & Noble bookseller and I downloaded it not expecting much☾ 13/ 100
This was such a pleasant surprise!
I got this ARC via Edelweiss for being a Barnes & Noble bookseller and I downloaded it not expecting much. The cover and title were questionable to me, but the synopsis sounded so good! I highly recommend not to judge this book by its cover because I can't wait to read more in the Naked Moose series. I am DYING for Eli's book!
The Devil in Blue Jeans follows Charly and her two best friends Aubrey and Willow who move to Timber Falls for a fresh new start following the end of their relationships. They decide to reinvent the town's local bar from beer into fancy girlboss cocktails and the town's resident horse breeder and previous bar owner, Jaxon can't stand it. This bar meant everything to the townspeople and these girls are getting it all wrong. To get the bar back, he decides to get Charly to see how this town really works and if he can't he'll just buy the bar back, but the more they spend time together, the more Charly and Jaxon realize they're better together.
If you want a cowboy romance with the perfect small-town setting that truly makes you care and makes you FEEL like you're in Timber Falls with them; READ THIS. I felt like I was there with the characters and sometimes I find cowboy/ western romance to not feel 'yeehaw' enough. This was the perfect amount of yeehaw!
My only cons included: 1) His pet name for her is Kitten... YIKES 2) Her vagina gets referred to as a "sex" which is not my personal favorite word for ladyparts 3) They name drop the title in this book and it made me audibly giggle. Is that really a con though? 4) Sometimes the book felt like they were doing SOOOOOO much. There were many different plot points and for a 288-page book, some of it was unnecessary.
PLEAAASEEEE pick this up!!!!! The romance is so swoon worthy, I felt their chemistry and connection, and the side characters?!?!?! BEGGING FOR WILLOW AND ELI ROMANCE PLSSSSSS
I will be picking up a physical copy of this even though having to order the title with my coworkers may be the end of me.
This title is set to release on February 20, 2024, from Afterglow Books by Harlequin!...more
If this isn't as popular as Divine Rivals and Powerless when it releases you have all failed me. This is one of the best historical fantasy ☾ 05/ 100
If this isn't as popular as Divine Rivals and Powerless when it releases you have all failed me. This is one of the best historical fantasy romance books I have ever read, if not the best. With intrigue, tension, and intricate plot twists, Heartless Hunter is just that bitch.
Technically a YA fantasy, but I would gear it more towards an upper YA/ new adult audience the story follows Rune, a witch who exists in the New Republic where witches are outlawed. She is a rich and gossiping socialite by day, but the Crimson Moth by night, is a witch dedicated to saving the witches for the past two years. However, the Blood Guard (witch hunters) are getting smarter and she has no idea where the witches are being held, so she decides to court the most ruthless witch hunter of them all: Gideon Sharpe. Gideon Sharpe hates witches after they murdered almost everyone in his family and now he has had it with the Crimson Moth and will stop at nothing to take her down. When word gets around that Rune may be sneaking these witches out, he decides to fake court her to get more information. Although these two are complete opposites and enemies by nature, both have similar motives, but what happens when these two fall in love?
I am OBSESSED with Gideon Sharpe but Rune is also one of the best fantasy protagonists I've read in a while. The plot had me GASPING because the way they talk about each other had me kicking my feet, but as the reader knowing that Rune is everything Gideon despises had my hand over my mouth praying Kristen Ciccarelli wouldn't do this to me.
This is a perfect book for me and I will take no other answer. Truly so exciting and romantic but also a book that will have your adrenaline pumping. I will never forget these two as they are truly a top-book couple to me. this book also releases on my birthday, February 20, 2024, so therefore this is the best birthday gift anyone could give me. KRISTEN CICCARELLI DID THIS FOR MEEEEEEE
I love the TV series and I haven't read any Heartstopper content since I used to read it on WebToon, but this was so cute! The Barnes & Noble exclusivI love the TV series and I haven't read any Heartstopper content since I used to read it on WebToon, but this was so cute! The Barnes & Noble exclusive has three extra mini comics set in the future showing older Nick and Charlie and that was so precious! I'm hoping Barnes & Noble continues to make these pretty hardcover special editions because I'd love to collect and read them all! ...more
I love Diana Urban TONS, so when I was able to download an advanced reader's copy of her newest release, I was hyped!
In my childhood, I went through I love Diana Urban TONS, so when I was able to download an advanced reader's copy of her newest release, I was hyped!
In my childhood, I went through a Paris catacombs phase so a mix of a fun Diana Urban whodunnit, a romance, and the catacombs was the perfect recipe for a book for me!!!
Under the Surface follows travel YouTuber, Ruby, along with her graduating class as they go to Paris. When her best friend, Val goes missing in the middle of the night, Ruby decides to follow her. With some speedbumps along the way, Ruby ends up accidentally recruiting her ex-bestie, Selena, and the class brain, Olivia. Once Ruby realizes Val ran away with a French boy to go to a secret catacombs party, she can't refuse. Knowing she needs to keep her friend safe, but also knocking the catacombs off her bucket list for her channel means Ruby and the gang descend with them. Back at the hotel, Ruby's 'boyfriend', Sean realizes she's missing and will stop at nothing to find her. Knowing he hasn't confessed his love to her is all that keeps him going.
This was a quick and fast-paced read. I love Urban. I read this in two different sittings. While I expected the romance to be a lot more prominent because that's just how the author had pitched it, I still had a good time. I fully thought Sean was going to look for her by actually going into the catacombs, but he was a great help above the surface. I just had different expectations.
Also, the COVER is one of my favorites of the year. She's stunning!! ...more
Tiny, but mighty and one of the most impactful books I've ever read; I am so happy the internet led me to this book. Tiny, but mighty and one of the most impactful books I've ever read; I am so happy the internet led me to this book. ...more
I loved the first book so much and this one did have my jaw on the floor twice to the point where I pointed to the page to my boyfriend and ☾ 06/ 100
I loved the first book so much and this one did have my jaw on the floor twice to the point where I pointed to the page to my boyfriend and he was sitting there like "I have no idea what is going on pls educate me" and for that, he is now a fan. The last page of this book overwhelmed me, but for most of this book, I wasn't as wow-ed. This is still good, a three-star book still goes hard, but the first was better!
I'm reading the prequel next even though I wish I could continue on in the main series. Oh, how I wish I read the prequel novellas first :( ...more
No thank you! I got to page 219 and physically cannot go on. I’m happy I only bought book one because this just isn’t it for me. Started off strong anNo thank you! I got to page 219 and physically cannot go on. I’m happy I only bought book one because this just isn’t it for me. Started off strong and I see the appeal, but I’m so bored!!!! ...more
I got this recommended to me by a coworker, but I cannot stand the pacing of this and quite frankly, I don't care how it ends! With books I'mDNF @38%
I got this recommended to me by a coworker, but I cannot stand the pacing of this and quite frankly, I don't care how it ends! With books I'm contemplating DNF-ing, I skip ahead and read a chapter or so to see if I'm even the slightest bit curious and I'm not!!!
I'm a bit sad about it since my coworker RAVED about it, but oh well, first DNF of 2024! ...more
Thirst is the literary vampire story I have been craving.
Set in two different periods, Thirst follows an ancient European vampire now finding herselfThirst is the literary vampire story I have been craving.
Set in two different periods, Thirst follows an ancient European vampire now finding herself in Buenos Aires escaping the life she once had. She arrives in a changing city, full of yellow fever, mortality, loneliness, and betrayal. In the present timeline, told through letters, a woman is dealing with her mother's terminal illness as well as her motherhood. When a key leads her to the vampire in the cemetery, their lives are inevitably changed.
I enjoyed the first half of this novel so much. It was told entirely through the vampire's eyes and captivated me from start to finish. The writing and prose were something I craved every time I picked my Kindle up—the way the unnamed vampire makes you feel her hunger and ferocity and how it empowers her. She was a sight to behold.
However, my love for this book waned once I got to part two. That is in an epistolary format, told through entries from the human narrator and I don't know if it was the formatting of the book, but my interest was lost. I found this incredible and while a three-star rating looks a bit 'meh' I could not recommend this book more because Thirst was created to be a bestseller and the next book 'it-girl.'
(This title is set to release on March 5, 2024, from Dutton! My review is based off of the advanced reader copy I downloaded via Edelweiss. Thank you!) ...more
"I know if I touch you again it will kill me... but I think I might die if I don't."
WOWWWWWWWW!!!
Please do not read ahead if you haven't read Lightla"I know if I touch you again it will kill me... but I think I might die if I don't."
WOWWWWWWWW!!!
Please do not read ahead if you haven't read Lightlark! While there are no major spoilers, I do reference things that have happened in Lightlark since I am reviewing book two!
LISTEN, Lightlark was good, but Nightbane is EXCELLENCE. When rereading Lightlark my main critique was how it felt like I walked in on a romance story and fantasy world that had already begun. There was very little worldbuilding and both romantic love interests rather already had chemistry or had the chemistry between me and a wet blanket (none). However, in Nightbane the fantasy world gets time to shine and the love interests also get their moments!
First off, I was SO close to giving this book five stars, I didn't because I didn't get the feeling, but it was .25 stars off from getting that five star rating.
In the first book, I genuinely felt ZERO chemistry between Isla and Oro until the very end, this second installment gives them a chance to explore that connection and I did really like Oro as a love interest, just NOT for Isla. While I understand why he did what he did, she had to BEG him for affection and that's a no from me! Grim is THE man for her and everyone knows it. I don't really understand how people are Team Oro because it is VERY clear that Alex Aster wants Isla and Grim together. I literally only ever see her market this book with Grim x Isla scenes.
Grim is IT for me. I love this man. I didn't realize that this book would have a then-and-now timeline as Isla gets her memories back, so you see the beginning of Isla and Grim that you didn't get from the first book! I am FLABBERGASTED at the ending. I saw it coming, but my GOD I needed that!
My only main complaint is I wish this book was adult. Not because I need to see them bang in more detail, but because it's clear Aster wants to take that plunge into the adult scene. Lightlark definitely passes as a young adult book, but Nightbane wants to get into the new adult fantasy romance scene BADLY and because she's still trying to adhere to the YA age range, Nightbane loses some potential!
Overall, I needed this series! Rereading the first book was the move for going into this one because there are so many parallels. I cannot wait for the release of Skyshade in a couple of weeks! I'm hoping to read that during release week because I NEED more!! ...more
This was really good, but I don't think it will stick with me as much as I had hoped. I honestly wouldn't have picked this up anytime soon, but it's aThis was really good, but I don't think it will stick with me as much as I had hoped. I honestly wouldn't have picked this up anytime soon, but it's a bookclub pick so I had to. I did like it a lot and found this book quite page-turning. The way Megan Nolan was able to weave the POVs so seamlessly is something I'd be jealous of if I was a writer. I also loved the family drama aspect, but since I've been in a very romance focused mood, this may have been the case of "right book, wrong time"....more
Quirky white men (so far just Nat Cassidy and Grady Hendrix) writing horror just get me.
I've been dying to pick up a Nat Cassidy book way before the Quirky white men (so far just Nat Cassidy and Grady Hendrix) writing horror just get me.
I've been dying to pick up a Nat Cassidy book way before the release of his debut, Mary: An Awakening of Terror, yet here I am reading his sophomore novel instead.
Nestlings is a "wtf is happening in my secretive apartment complex" x invasive vampires story. Ava and Reid get the opportunity to move into the elusive and famous, Deptford building. An offer they can't refuse, yet Ava is extremely uncomfortable. She's a voice actor and Manhattan is 20x nosier than Brooklyn. Ava experiences postpartum and hasn't yet felt the pull towards her baby, Charlie, that she was told she'd feel. Worst of all, Ava's pregnancy went sideways and left her paraplegic and now she feels less than herself and it doesn't help that the apartment of her husband's dreams is on the top floor. Packaged with the typical horror trope of, the wife knows freaky-deeky shit is happening, but the husband is convinced she's crazy, Nestlings is a wild ride.
I could totally see this being a very claustrophobic film. Considering Nat Cassidy and his wife are actors, I think he sees the on-screen potential perfectly. I did absolutely fear for Ava's life a few times because ever since watching the original Texas Chain Saw Massacre film, I have been scarred for wheelchair users in horror/ slasher media.
As someone who desperately misses Elsie Silver's Chestnut Spring series, Into the Tide reminded me so much of reading that series!
Lila James is 22, fAs someone who desperately misses Elsie Silver's Chestnut Spring series, Into the Tide reminded me so much of reading that series!
Lila James is 22, fresh out of college, and is coming home to Cottonwood Cove for the summer before starting her new job back in the city. When her older brother asks his best friend, Hugh to hire her at one of his restaurants it's a no-brainer. In fact, Lila's older brother only trusts his best friend around his sister since everyone in the town can't keep their eyes off of her.
Hugh knows Lila is completely off-limits. His best friend, Travis, only trusts Lila with him because he knows Hugh wouldn't cross that line. What he doesn't know is Hugh has only ever had eyes for Lila, but because she was always five years younger and the little sister to Travis he knows better. But when Lila and Hugh start working and living with each other, his heart only beating for her becomes impossible to ignore, especially when she asks him to check off everything on her bucket list: including her virginity.
I had a BLAST with this but that doesn't mean I didn't cringe. The WHOLE town knows Lila is a virgin and always asks her about it. It was WEIRD!!! There's also a scene where she went to get a Brazilian wax, but the wax heater made it too hot so the wax technician told her "YEAH MY BAD THIS HAPPENS SOMETIME JUST GET UR MAN TO BLOW ON UR VAJAZZLE" or something like that. First of all, if you burn my vagina that is such a liability to me?!?! Secondly, VAJAZZLE?!?! I'd rather you call it literally anything else. I would rather read COOTER than VAJAZZLE. They also said vajazzle more than once and it was weird.
Basically, her vagina being burnt led to her getting eaten out but like there could have been a way better segue than THAT.
The book still slapped though, you'll just have to ignore those parts, okay? ...more
A really solid ending to the Gold Rush Ranch series, although I wish I saw a little more of the couples from the other books.
A brother's best friend,A really solid ending to the Gold Rush Ranch series, although I wish I saw a little more of the couples from the other books.
A brother's best friend, age-gap romance is such a fun way to end off the series. I literally have no other thoughts so here is a series ranking, lol.
Gold Rush Ranch Series Ranking 1. The Front Runner #03 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 2. A Photo Finish #02 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3. A False Start #04 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4. Off to the Races #01 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5. Out of the Gate #01.5 ⭐️ (Genuinely not necessary I don't know why this exists) ...more
Loading...
