Begin Again: A Book Review

This book hit me in all the feels! It is the perfect college coming-of-age story with some tender themes I definitely related to from my college experience. Andie goes to college with a detailed, solid plan of what she wants to do through college and beyond, but plans often change, especially as she discovers new things about herself. (This was exactly me in college.) 

This book also has wonderful friendship growth, family connection, learning how to navigate the academic curve, and a slow-burn adorable romance. The book is relatable in so many ways. I would say it focuses more on Andie's personal journey than romance, but it's still a lovely read that you won't want to put down.

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 4
Plot/Movement: 4
Character Development: 5
Overall: 4

Thank you, Wednesday Books and NetGalley, for the ARC.

Trigger/Content Warnings: cheating, parent cancer death (off page), parent car wreck death (off page), parent abandonment, kissing

For more ratings and reviews and to see what I'm currently reading, visit my Goodreads page here!

The Maine Attraction: A Book Review

The premise was cute for this book, and I loved how many similarities there were to the movie The Proposal, including a wedding weekend, fake dating, and hate to love. The plot held my attention, and I found myself rooting for the romance. There were some things that took me out of the story though: info dumping, way too many side characters (Ramsey's family was just too big), questionable character choices that didn't make sense to me, cringy writing at times, and a third act that fell flat. However, most of these things I could look over and still enjoy the story. 

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 3
Plot/Movement: 3
Character Development: 3
Overall: 3

Thank you, Equality Book Tours and Morgan Gauthier, for the review copy!

Trigger/Content Warnings: one fade to black

For more ratings and reviews and to see what I'm currently reading, visit my Goodreads page here!

Song of Silver, Flame Like Night: A Book Review

The info dumping during the first half of this book killed the mood for me. There was so much history thrown at you, and tons of paragraphs explaining the world, the magic, and the current political climate. It was just too much. It distracted from the characters for me, and I couldn't bring myself to sort through all the information. To be honest, I spent a lot of my time skimming. 

However, this story is unique. It explores some cool ideas with differing magic systems that war against each other. The second half of the book has quite a bit of action too. I can definitely see how lots of people would enjoy this book and spend the time learning about the world and magic. But unfortunately, it didn't click with me. 

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 3
Plot/Movement: 3
Character Development: 3
Overall: 3

Thank you, Harper Voyager and NetGalley, for the ARC.

Trigger/Content Warnings: violence, death, kidnapping, kisses

For more ratings and reviews and to see what I'm currently reading, visit my Goodreads page here!

Heart of the Sun Warrior: A Book Review

How do I find the words to convey the beauty and magnificence of this series? This series completely touched my heart and fully surprised me. I haven't read anything like it before! The pacing is fast and tense, the characters have incredible growth throughout, and the writing is perfection in every way. 

Heart of the Sun Warrior did not disappoint. It is a worthy sequel to Daughter of the Moon Goddess, taking the story to new heights. There are greater consequences and plot twists that create lots of tension. The love triangle is so expertly explored in this book as well; I didn't know which way I was leaning for most of the book. But I think my favorite part was the character growth. Each character had their own things to learn: forgiveness, strength, respect, bravery, overcoming grief, unconditional love. I marked so many passages of life lessons to learn from this book. 

Without a doubt, this is my favorite fantasy series and one I will return to again. PLEASE read this series! Especially if you love Chinese folklore, dragons, hidden identity, well-done love triangles, enchantments, strong family bonds, monster battles, and exquisite writing. 

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 5
Plot/Movement: 5
Character Development: 5
Overall: 5

Thank you, Harper Voyager and NetGalley, for the ARC.

Trigger/Content Warnings: violence, death, kidnapping, kisses

For more ratings and reviews and to see what I'm currently reading, visit my Goodreads page here!

A Guide to Just Being Friends: A Book Review

Oh dear. This book was a huge flop for me. Before I go on to list all the things I disliked, I will say that this book had some cute moments, and I liked the unique idea of a salad shop. The end. 

As for the things I couldn't get behind:

- So incredibly boring. Almost all of it felt like day-to-day activities and business conversations that should have been left off page. 

- Zero tension with the romance until about 80%. Seriously. They met, they became friends, and literally nothing was keeping them apart except for their idiocy. 

- Both main characters annoyed me so much. Hailey felt so selfish and prideful to me when she refused all of Wes's gifts, saying he wasn't trying hard enough to "know" what kind of gifts she'd want instead. And Wes was just super vanilla and annoyingly resistant to anything more than friends with benefits. 

- Way too many side characters, and too much focus on them. It felt like the author was trying to make this book into an epilogue for the characters from the previous two books. 

Okay, this list is getting rather long, so I'm going to stop now. Suffice it to say, I did not enjoy this book. 

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 2
Plot/Movement: 2
Character Development: 2
Overall: 2

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC.

Trigger/Content Warnings: fade to black, divorced parents

For more ratings and reviews and to see what I'm currently reading, visit my Goodreads page here!

The Call of the Sea: A Book Review

I liked this book! I love how the story is based on true events and that Sian Ann Bessey put her own spin on it. It's a thrilling murder-mystery type of story with lots of secrets to uncover. It kept my attention pretty easily, and the pacing felt steady and strong. 

Lief isn't an ordinary Viking with his openness to Christianity and disdain for raids, so that came as a surprise to me. It set up the perfect opportunity for an enemies-to-lovers romance with a Cymry girl. However, the romance was very much a subplot. I would have liked more romantic moments between them and more relationship growth shown. The book is labeled as a romance, but the murder-mystery plot was clearly the focus. 

All in all, I think the historical aspect of this book is its strength, but I would have appreciated more Viking grittiness and more romance. But I was still entertained by the story!

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 4
Plot/Movement: 3
Character Development: 3
Overall: 3

Thank you, Covenant Communications and NetGalley, for the ARC!

Trigger/Content Warnings: violence, murder, kidnapping, kisses only

For more ratings and reviews and to see what I'm currently reading, visit my Goodreads page here!

The Poison Season: A Book Review

This book has so many great elements to it: a magical but greedy forest, a sweet enemies-to-lovers romance, tons of town secrets and plot twists, and cult vibes. I was entertained the whole way through, and I really liked Leelo as a character. She's not the strongest or the most headstrong, but she has her own quiet strength in kindness and empathy. She stands out from her town by questioning what everyone tells her to believe, and she has a strong inner voice that helps her stay true to herself and what she thinks is right. I enjoyed her growth through the book. Jaren is also a kind and understanding character, and while I didn't feel as connected to him, I enjoyed his relationship with Leelo. 

The plot is another strong element to this book! It felt very similar to Spells for Forgetting by Adrienne Young, but with strong YA themes instead. I liked finding out more about the island and its people's secrets as the story went on. And the ending had me flipping pages as fast as I could! I felt invested not only in Leelo and Jaren's story but the story of the island as well. A thoroughly enjoyable read!

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 4
Plot/Movement: 4
Character Development: 4
Overall: 4

Thank you, Inkyard Press and NetGalley, for the ARC!

Trigger/Content Warnings: death by drowning/poisoning, other deaths recounted, injury, cult mentality, kissing

For more ratings and reviews and to see what I'm currently reading, visit my Goodreads page here!

Empire of Exiles: A Book Review

This book started off not super great. The writing felt unnatural and confusing, the world building was complicated, and there was tons of info dumping. Lots of characters introduced right at the beginning too. Basically, I was expecting to DNF this by 100 pages. 

But then the murder mystery plot began, and I was somewhat intrigued. I was able to settle into the characters' points of view and suspend my confusion about the magic system and world. And then, basically nothing happened for 200 pages. It was such a SLOW mystery with nothing happening to ramp up the tension. When I read fantasy, I expect there to be some action. But the action didn't come until the last 100 pages with the climax. 

I will say that the climax was good. It had some plot twists and hidden identities. It clarified a few things. But after the ending, I was left with an underwhelming feeling of meh. I don't really care about the characters. I still have so many questions about the magic and the world and the history. (And also I was very confused why two of the characters had either tentacles and horns and no one else did. Did I miss an explanation of a different race?) Anyways, this just wasn't my thing.

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 2
Plot/Movement: 3
Character Development: 3
Overall: 3

Thank you, Orbit Books, for the ARC!

Trigger/Content Warnings: murder, suicide, kidnapping, poisoning

For more ratings and reviews and to see what I'm currently reading, visit my Goodreads page here!

Faking Christmas: A Book Review

This book put me in such a holiday mood! It had everything I love in a holiday book: sledding, a snow fight, decorating gingerbread houses, Christmas movies, mistletoe, and just the Christmas spirit in general. The romance was really adorable too. I don't think I've ever read a grump/sunshine trope where the girl is the grump and the guy was the sunshine, but I enjoyed it! Miles is such a happy, funny, lovable character. I will say that Olive stayed a grump a little too long for me. I would have enjoyed it more if she would've admitted her feelings sooner. 

I love how this book dealt with trauma related to loved ones' deaths and a parent remarrying. There were some deeper themes explored through their relationship, so it wasn't all holiday fun and games. This is a fantastic book to add to your Christmas TBR!

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 5
Plot/Movement: 4
Character Development: 4
Overall: 4

Thank you, Cindy Steel, for the ARC!

Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of loved ones through cancer and skiing accident, kisses

For more ratings and reviews and to see what I'm currently reading, visit my Goodreads page here!