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!

How to Kiss Your Grumpy Boss: A Book Review

Okay, I loved this. This book is the perfect example of how to tell a romance with the single-parent trope. Perry has such an amazing character arc of the ups and downs of dating a single mom and wondering if he's good enough. He is so heartfelt and serious and swoony. I loved seeing Perry and Lila's romance develop through working together, fake dating, one-bed trope, and all the adorable kissing. They really are a power couple who communicate well.

I will say that the romance starts a little slow, but it's absolutely worth the wait. The third act was absolutely perfect all the way through with no annoying plot devices that we all hate (looking at you, miscommunication). I was seriously smiling and tearing up at the end. And did I mention that this book has a curvy-girl rep? LOVE.

You definitely need to read this book. It's adorable, lighthearted, and meaningful.

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

Thank you, Jenny Proctor, for the ARC!

Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of spouse, divorce, kisses

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

A Wilderness of Stars: A Book Review

This book started off a bit slow for me, but that ending went wild and quick and absolutely NOT what I was expecting. Like, at all. And I'm still not sure how I feel about it. 

I thought the plot and concept for this book was super fascinating and unique. I liked the traveling aspect, and it was tense with people chasing after them. The romance was developed well too. However, I could not stop focusing on all the stupid decisions the MC made. (Like when people kept seeing her neck tattoo. Can't she tie a scarf around her neck or something?? It killed me.) She was the cause of so much conflict in the plot. I also disliked the extremely long chapters—I think that's why I thought the book was slow even though they are traveling fairly fast.

All in all, this was quite entertaining though a little annoying at times. And Shea Ernshaw took a huge risk with that ending. I'm interested to read other reviews to see what people think. Like, there has to be a book two, right?

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

Thank you, Simon and Schuster and NetGalley, for the ARC!

Trigger/Content Warnings: parental death, murder/death, cult behavior, kidnapping

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

The Luminaries: A Book Review

Okay, I wasn't sure what to think about this book at the beginning, but it grew on me! I don't have a super great love for paranormal, but this got me in the mood for fall, and it had some great spooky vibes. It's got a haunted forest with vampira, kelpies, basilisks, a werewolf, and all sorts of other creatures. It's got clans of monster hunters intent on protecting the outside world from these nightmares. It's got a girl who wants nothing more than to be a hunter, even if she has to lie to do it. 

I was a bit worried about the entire plot being based on Winnie's lie and whether she could keep lying. But honestly, it didn't bother me too much, and it doesn't dwell on the lie too much. I liked the friends-to-enemies-to-almost-lovers vibes between Winnie and Jay (there better be kissing in the next book). I loved the dark forest vibes with nightmares and the small town full of monster hunters. And that ending had a twist that makes me excited for the next book!

All in all, I think this book will find a solid home with those who love paranormal thrillers. It's well-written and well thought out! And I love how the idea for this story came from Susan Dennard doing a choose-your-own-adventure for six months on Twitter. The book community is amazing.

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

Thank you, Tor Teen and NetGalley, for the ARC!

Trigger/Content Warnings: parent abandonment, monster fights, gory and frightening images (dm me for details)

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

The Dragon's Promise: A Book Review

Elizabeth Lim weaves such enchanting Chinese fairytale stories, and this duology was no different! I loved Six Crimson Cranes so much, and I was excited to pick up The Dragon's Promise. While I did overall like this sequel, it didn't quite live up to my expectations (similar with Unravel the Dusk, the sequel to Spin the Dawn). 

I think my biggest issue with this book is that the plot felt like several tangents strung together. It just didn't feel cohesive to me, and I didn't see a ton of character development because of it. I also got really annoyed with Kiki—her dialogue was immature, her mistakes drastic, and her help too convenient. Also, where was the romance in this book?? And that ending. I don't get it. 

That all being said, I still liked this book. It has some cool underwater scenes and some great parallelism to the first book. The writing is magical, and I love Shiori's relationship with her brothers. But at this point, I'm realizing I have more negative things to say than positive, and it hurts my heart to rate it 3 stars. I really did enjoy reading it, but it was a bit of a let down.

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 5
Plot/Movement: 3
Character Development: 3
Overall: 3

Thank you, Knopf Books and NetGalley, for the ARC!

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

Finding Gene Kelly: A Book Review

I’m going to preface this by saying I’m not sure I’m the right audience for this book. It’s HEAVY on the endometriosis rep, so much so that it takes up the plot, character development, romance development, and basically every other aspect of the story. As someone who is lucky enough to have never dealt with endo, I found the endo rep to be a bit overwhelming. (But that’s probably the point because from what I can tell, endo is pretty overwhelming and inescapable.)

Basically, I’m having a hard time reviewing this. If you like the guy-taking-care-of-the-sick-girl trope, then you’ll definitely want to read this one. Cause that’s at least 50% of this romance. If constant mentions of pain and bodily functions bothers you in romance, then maybe skip this. 

I had a few other issues about this book. I couldn’t really connect with Evie very much. She actually annoyed me for a lot of the book. I also had issue with how the toxic-mom issue resolved, and I found the constant punning to be a bit too annoying for me. And the third-act breakup was extremely predictable.

Overall, it was a cute enemies-to-lovers romance. And I think it will connect with readers who have endo. I just don't think it was for me.

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

Thank you, Torie Jean, for the ARC!

Trigger/Content Warnings: endometriosis, chronic pain, toxic mom, swearing, makeouts, one brief open door(ish)

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

One Dark Window: A Book Review

Wow, this book just got better and better as it went along! It really is perfect for fans of For the Wolf, Legendary, and Uprooted. It had all the dark magic vibes with a broken kingdom, magic cards, secrets, a race to save the world. AND it has the most incredible slow-burn romance ever with a man who reminded me of Mr. Darcy. Every small touch or small smile from him made me SWOON. 

Another thing I love about this book is Elspeth. I love the dynamic of her having a Nightmare in her head, talking to her, protecting her, and slowly taking over her. She is the perfect character for this story: secretive, determined, and tough-as-nails even through her fear. 

I can't wait to read the sequel because THAT ENDING was a cliffhanger. So be warned. But I really, really enjoyed this. It has lovely, atmospheric writing that transports you into the world, and it has a complex magic system with its own lore. I highly recommend to my dark adult-fantasy lovers!

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

Thank you, Orbit Books, for the ARC!

Trigger/Content Warnings: possession, violence, one open door scene, swearing

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