The City of Stardust: A Book Review

This book is absolutely entrancing. It's been a long time since I read a fantasy standalone, and this one just hits different! From the beginning, I was pulled in with the curse, secrets about a magical world, and Aleksander's morally gray POV. And not to mention the writing is spellbinding. 

For a standalone, this book does a great job of creating a complete, complex world. I never felt bogged down with details, and everything is revealed in an organic way. There is so much detail, so much lore, that I would have loved more books set in these worlds, yet it holds its own as a standalone.

I wouldn't say this is a fast-paced book, but there's always tension with the curse and time running out. I think all the different POVs helped move the story along, and the constant reveals also kept my interest. I love books that have a villain POV that shows their villain origin story and all the different sides of them, and this book did a fantastic job showing that.

My only complaint is that the eloquent writing kept me a little removed from Violet and Aleksander. I wanted to feel their emotions as they felt them. Perhaps I needed more character growth from Violet. But still an captivating story with a beautiful ending. I think fans of Laini Taylor and V.E. Schwab will enjoy this!

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

Thank you, Hatchette Book Group, for the arc!

Releases Jan 30, 2024

Trigger/Content Warnings: parent abandonment, fighting violence, death and gore, child kidnapping and sacrificial death, torture recounted, one brief open door scene

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

The Christmas Letters: A Book Review

I'm very partial to letter-writing in romances, since that's how my husband and I "met." The letter writing in this book was so cute, especially with it being around Christmas time. And I loved the meet-cute that parallels with it. Tess and Drew are adorable together; they are two cinnamon rolls characters that deserve the world.

I did have a couple reservations about the writing and the story that didn't work for me. Mainly, I felt the dialogue needed to be tighter and more entertaining, and I got impatient with Tess at a couple parts. And, to be honest, it's rare that a novella ever feels complete to me. But all in all, this is a super sweet romance that's great for the Christmas season, and I can see the You've Got Mail plot really connecting with the right people. 

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

Thank you, Jenny Proctor, for the review copy!

Trigger/Content Warnings: parents' deaths recounted, kisses

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

This Cursed Light: A Book Review

This was one of my most anticipated releases of 2023. And I think my expectations were way too high. 

First of all, the plot was too similar to This Vicious Grace. I wanted it to dive deeper and to get more epic and tense. It didn't feel tense to me at all. And once again, the villain is so removed from the story that there's no tension besides an impending deadline. I liked this plot in This Vicious Grace, but it felt too repetitive and lackluster in This Cursed Light. 

I also was disappointed with the romance. Alessa and Dante lost all their witty banter and their loyalty to each other. There was too much arguing for my tastes, and it felt like they were either mad at each other or lusting. I missed their old relationship! 

I also was annoyed with the dialogue in general. It felt immature, especially with all the innuendos. The dialogue felt young adult, but the innuendos felt out of place. I also didn't love the side characters as much, and their dialogue came off as too cheesy for me. 

In my opinion, I wished This Vicious Grace had been a standalone. There really is no need to continue their story with this sequel, and I think I'll pretend that this one doesn't exist. Maybe my expectations were just too high for this. I hope it finds readers who love it more than I did!

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

Thank you, Wednesday Books and NetGalley, for the arc!

Release Date: December 5, 2023

Trigger/Content Warnings: a couple brief open door scenes, fighting violence and death, swearing

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

The One with the Kiss Cam: A Book Review

NEW ALL-TIME FAVORITE.

I sat down to read a quick chapter, and I ended up reading The One with the Kiss Cam in one sitting with a huge, stupid smile on my face. I loved every chapter, every word of this book. The meet-cute is adorable with two strangers getting caught on a kiss cam at a basketball game, and I love how the romance develops after that. The banter is TOP NOTCH. I couldn't stop smiling and laughing and squealing. Every word between Duke and Nora carries weight. I also love the depth to their characters, especially Nora. She has amazing character growth throughout the book, and I love how her relationship with Duke grows too. They have incredible chemistry.

I will reread this book at least once a year. It is heartwarming, funny, and literal perfection. I will be forcing everyone I love to read this. 

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 5

Plot/Movement: 5
Character Development: 5
Overall: 5

Thank you, Cindy Steel, for the arc!

Trigger/Content Warnings: toxic parent, parent abandonment, mild injury, kisses

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

Snowed In: A Book Review

Holiday Romance by Catherine Walsh was my favorite Christmas book last year, so I was SO excited to have Christian's story in Snowed In! I think Christmas family time sets up the perfect recipe for fake dating, and I love how Christian approaches it with Megan. I absolutely love their dynamic. The banter is fresh and hilarious, and I love their personalities and how they fit together. 

I think there is some good depth to this book too, with Christian's growth with his expectations for his life and his relationship with his dad, and Megan confronting her past and learning to stand up for herself. They both have strong individual growth that parallels nicely with their relationship growth. I'm so happy that there's no third-act breakup either. Their relationship is organic all the way through.

I'd recommend reading Holiday Romance before Snowed In, since there is significant page time and plot events surrounding Andrew and Molly from Holiday Romance. I loved seeing a lot more of them in this one, but I think people going in blind will either be annoyed or confused by how much page time they get. 

The title implies that the characters are "snowed in," and I was surprised that this plot point didn't happen for a looong time. At the same time, I think there was a good amount of time spent being snowed in, but I'm surprised that that's the title and the focus. Also, as a fellow knitter, the fact she made two colorwork sweaters, even with bulky yarn, in two days (even two weeks) is insanity. 

Overall, a fantastic Christmas romance! I'll be recommending this series for all my fellow romance lovers!

 Writing Aesthetic/Style: 5

Plot/Movement: 3.5
Character Development: 5
Overall: 4

Thank you, NetGalley, for the arc!

Trigger/Content Warnings: recounted controlling relationship, mild physical fight, multiple open door (3 I think?)

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

Absolutely Not in Love: A Book Review

Another lovely romance from Jenny Proctor! I was so excited for this autumn-vibes romance, and I loved spending time in Harvest Hollow—the perfect autumn town. And I think this was my first hockey romance, and I definitely understand the hype!

Felix and Gracie are so cute together. I love how they are neighbors, and that they both love music and books. I love that Gracie has some personal growth to go through (her hate of hockey) as she develops a friendship and romance with Felix (a hockey player). This story is cozy as it focuses mostly on their slow-burn relationship, and there are so many heart-melting moments. Also, Felix is too good for this world. He is perfection.

I think I would have enjoyed a little more angst in the plot, but that's a complete personal preference for me. And even though it did feel a little slow in the first half, the second half was absolutely charming and had some great growth moments. I think so many people will love this cozy romance that can be read on a perfect fall afternoon. 

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

Thank you, Jenny Proctor, for the arc!

Release Date: October 12, 2023

Trigger/Content Warnings: make outs, recounted past cheating, mild skate injury

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

Mom Rage and Pockets: A Blog Tour

Mom Rage

I felt drawn to this book, as I'm its intended audience with two young kids at home. There are a lot of validating arguments in this about the ways society and culture have failed mothers and haven't set them up for success in motherhood. It felt validating to read that rage doesn't come from an evil place, but from being overwhelmed by completely sacrificing your whole self for your kids. I like Minna Dubin's points of examining rage to identify triggers, trying to remember empathy, and apologizing after rage. She also makes some good political points on what things need to change in our society and culture to truly solve mom rage. Though I'm not sure these solutions are at all possible, it's definitely something to think about. I think this book focused a little too much on politics for me to really connect with it, but I think it's an important message to keep discussing.

Pockets: An Intimate History of How We Keep Things Close

If you've ever thought more than twice about your pockets, or lack thereof, then this is the book for you. I learned more about pockets than I ever wanted or expected to. There's an interesting history surrounding this seemingly mundane topic, and I was surprised how political and anti-feminist the topic is (then again, I shouldn't be surprised). There are also plenty of pictures and scans from historical documents to hold your attention throughout. Who knew there's so much to say about pockets??

Thank you, Seal Press and Algonquin, for the review copies!