Author: baltimorebibliophile

eARC Review – In a Holidaze

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Title: In a Holidaze

Author: Christina Lauren

Publisher: Gallery Books

Publication date: October 6, 2020

320 pages

4/5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…but not for Maelyn Jones. She’s living with her parents, hates her going-nowhere job, and has just made a romantic error of epic proportions.

But perhaps worst of all, this is the last Christmas Mae will be at her favorite place in the world—the snowy Utah cabin where she and her family have spent every holiday since she was born, along with two other beloved families. Mentally melting down as she drives away from the cabin for the final time, Mae throws out what she thinks is a simple plea to the universe: Please. Show me what will make me happy.

The next thing she knows, tires screech and metal collides, everything goes black. But when Mae gasps awake…she’s on an airplane bound for Utah, where she begins the same holiday all over again. With one hilarious disaster after another sending her back to the plane, Mae must figure out how to break free of the strange time loop—and finally get her true love under the mistletoe.

Review

Christmas books are great no matter what time of year. Christina Lauren does it again with a cute and romantic story and a woman who gets stuck in a time loop, living the Christmas holiday over and over again until she gets it right. Mae’s large group of family and friends get together every year at a cabin for Christmas, and she’s always been in love with Andrew – one of the members of the group. They’ve known each other all their lives but she’s never been able to say anything. In a near death experience, Mae asks the universe to show her what would make her happy – and the time loop begins.

Mae’s antics in this book had me cracking up at times. She starts off so careful and focused on keeping the traditions of the holiday that doesn’t really allow her to be herself. The time loop gives her the opportunity to freak out and just be real with everyone, and not take everything so seriously, which allows Andrew to see a different side of her. Andrew is an interesting character and seems very nice and normal – but I don’t feel like he was developed very well. There’s little back story of him or personality building. There were also so many side characters that it was hard to keep everything straight.

I loved the time loop concept. It was so fun and I haven’t read a romance novel with this concept. The plot was obviously not science fiction so the time loop isn’t explained or explored, just something that you accept as happening. Each time loop sequence was so cool because Mae just came off as crazy before she figured out what was happening and had to convince people what was happening. It was a really zany situation that ws just hilarious at times. I wish that she had been reset in time just one more time than she was, because I feel like it would’ve added depth and more conflict to make it more interesting.

If you like Christina Lauren books, you’ll like this one. And just in time for the holidays!

Thank you to Netgalley and Gallery Books for an advance copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Happy reading, folks!

eARC Review – The Code for Love and Heartbreak

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Title: The Code for Love and Heartbreak

Author: Jillian Cantor

Publisher: Inkyard Press

Publication date: October 6th, 2020

304 pages

3.5/5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis

Emma Woodhouse is a genius at math, but clueless about people. After all, people are unreliable. They let you down—just like Emma’s sister, Izzy, did this year, when she moved to California for college. But numbers…those you can count on. (No pun intended.)

Emma’s senior year is going to be all about numbers, and seeing how far they can take her. When she and George, her Coding Club co-president, are tasked with brainstorming a new project, The Code for Love is born—a matchmaking app that goes far beyond swiping, using algorithms to calculate compatibility. George disapproves of Emma’s idea, accusing her of meddling in people’s lives. But all the happy new couples at school are proof that the app works. At least at first.

Emma’s code is flawless. So why is it that perfectly matched couples start breaking up, the wrong people keep falling for each other and her own feelings defy any algorithm? Emma thought math could solve everything. But there’s nothing more complex—or unpredictable—than love.

Review

A retelling of Jane Austen’s Emma, The Code for Love and Heartbreak follows math nerd Emma as she is beginning her senior year. She is co-president of the coding club, along with George, her sister’s boyfriend’s little brother and her prime rival for valedictorian. Emma doesn’t understand people, but she does understand numbers, and she needs a great idea for her coding club project so she can win in her senior year and get into Harvard. So, she comes up with the idea to create a system to match couples up in her school for dances. It starts off so well, but when couples start breaking up, Emma must rethink her approach to the math, and maybe even love.

This book was super cute, and reminded me of high school when we did matching services. I love reading about coding, I have no idea why but it really interests me in books. I liked the competition aspect of the plot line, and how the lessons in this book aren’t just about life and love, but also about friendship and what it means to be a friend. Emma really grows and changes during the book, which is always a great plot line.

One thing that I didn’t like is that Emma was unnecessarily mean at points in this book. Like, in most stories there is a conflict, where the MC loses friends, alienates people, etc. But I felt like it went too far in this book, and bordered on actual bullying. The same effect could’ve been manufactured without turning Emma into someone who says horribly mean and rude things to her friends.

Overall, the story was adorable and the way the love story progressed was super cute. It was a solid friends to lovers, and the big romantic gesture was super nerdy yet adorable. The main themes of this book were good, I just couldn’t give it a full 4 stars due to the issues I had with Emma.

Thank you to Inkyard Press and Netgalley for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Happy reading, folks!

eARC Review – Kingdom of Sea and Stone

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Title: Kingdom of Sea and Stone (Crowl of Coral and Pearl #2)

Author: Mara Rutherford

Publisher: Inkyard Press

Publication date: October 6th, 2020

pages

3.5/5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis

Ever since Nor was forced to go to a nearby kingdom in her sister’s place, she’s wanted nothing more than to return to the place and people she loves. But when her wish comes true, she soon finds herself cast out from both worlds, with a war on the horizon.

As an old enemy resurfaces more powerful than ever, Nor will have to keep the kingdom from falling apart with the help of Prince Talin and Nor’s twin sister, Zadie. There are forces within the world more mysterious than any of them ever guessed—and they’ll need to stay alive long enough to conquer them…

Review

Sequel to Crown of Coral and Pearl, Kingdom of Sea and Stone is a direct follow up to the events of the first book. I do like when sequels start up right at the end of the first, without having to wonder really what happened in the midst of the two books. The story is still told from Nor’s POV exclusively.

I love the concept of the duology so much. The villain is the perfect, no redeemable but you still feel kinda bad for him, character. Nor is a super capable and intelligent main character. Tallin is the hero you live for as a YA reader. The setting is rich and beautifully told, and the magic system that was only slightly touched on in book one is expanded in this one in amazing ways. It is truly unique and I would love to have more information and stories about it, even in companion novels!

I found myself less invested in the romance in this book. I actually felt like a background character would be a better love interest for Nor than Tallin. I knew it wouldn’t happen, but Tallin was not great in this book. I also felt like the ending left much to be desired. It is fairly open ended, so I could see the author returning to the world in the future – which would be open to and would read. Some of the scenes and writing in this book just felt disjointed and off pace compared to the first book.

Thank you to Inkyard Press and Netgalley for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Happy reading, folks!

September Wrap Up!

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Happy last day of September! Tomorrow is my BIRTHDAY and I am so excited! I took off from work, but we won’t be doing much to celebrate because of COVID and the fact that we’re going to a wedding Friday night. I’m looking forward to just having a chill day celebrating my 27th (while also meeting with a nutritionist for the first time, yay!).

So, in terms of reading, I had a pretty decent month. I definitely did not read all the books I planned (which is okay) so I’ve just backed them up to later months. I read some books meant for comfort rather than what my TBR post from a month ago required – and that is okay. I just want to remind y’all that whatever you’re reading is like, it is all okay 🙂

Below is a list of the books I read in September! I really enjoyed a lot of them, and I’m not *technically* done The Memory of Souls yet but I will be finishing it today!

PHYSICAL BOOKS

  1. Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass #4), Sarah J. Maas – 4.5/5 stars
  2. Fable (Fable #1), Adrienne Young – 4.5/5 stars
  3. Wild at Heart (Wild #2), K.A. Tucker – 5/5 stars
  4. A Rogue of One’s Own (A League of Extraordinary Women #2), Evie Dunmore – 4/5 stars
  5. Bid My Soul Farewell (Give The Dark My Love #2), Beth Revis – 3/5 stars
  6. The Name of All Things (A Chorus of Dragon #2), Jenn Lyons – 4/5 stars
  7. Well Played (Well Met #2), Jen DeLuca – 3.5/5 stars
  8. A Court of Wings and Ruin (A Court of Thorns and Roses #3), Sarah J. Maas – 5/5 stars (reread)
  9. Tools of Engagement (Hot & Hammered #3), Tessa Bailey – 4/5 stars

EBOOKS

  1. Of Sun and Sandstorms (A Swift Shadows #2.5), M.L. Greye – 4/5 stars
  2. The Hating Game, Sally Thorne – 5/5 stars

ARCS

  1. Mistletoe and Mr. Right (Moose Springs, Alaska #2), Sarah Morgenthaler – 3.5/5 stars
  2. Kingdom of Sea and Stone (Crown of Coral and Pearl #2), Mara Rutherford – 3.5/5 stars
  3. This Golden Flame, Emily Victoria – 4/5 stars
  4. Phoenix Flame (Havenfall #2), Sara Holland – 4.5/5 stars
  5. You Have a Match, Emma Lord – 4/5 stars
  6. The Cul-de-Sac War, Melissa Ferguson – 4/5 stars
  7. The Memory of Souls (A Chorus of Dragons #3), Jenn Lyons – 4.5/5 stars

Check back tomorrow for an October TBR post! I’m planning a lot of ~spooky~ reads for October (while also reading a bunch of ARCs because I can’t quit hitting that request button on Edelweiss or Netgalley) so I’m excited!

Did we read any of the same books?

Happy reading, folks!

September Haul!

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Where the hell did September go? How am I already writing another haul post? I am frankly so confused, flabbergasted, and bamboozled by this. I swear September has been the fastest month so far this year, and at the end of every month I hope the world is calmer and closer to reopening, but alas that is not the case again. But, my birthday month is next up so I’m very excited for that!

Below are the books I received in September from a variety of different places!

AMAZON

  1. Fable (Fable #1), Adrienne Young
  2. Blood & Honey (Serpent & Dove #2), Shelby Mahurin
  3. Cemetery Boys, Aiden Thomas
  4. Well Played (Well Met #2), Jen DeLuca
  5. Tools of Engagement (Hot & Hammered #3)

SUBSCRIPTION BOXES

  1. The Last Time I Lied, Riley Sager – BOTM
  2. A Rogue of One’s Own (A League of Extraordinary Women #2), Evie Dunmore – BOTM
  3. Horrid, Katrina Leno – Owlcrate Special Edition

GIFTED

A wonderful bookstagram friend gifted me this book from my Amazon wish list and I am so grateful 🙂

  1. Don’t You Forget About Me, Mhairi McFarlane

Did we get any of the same books? In a shocking turn of events, I’ve actually read 4 of these books this month so check back tomorrow for my wrap up!

Happy reading, folks!

Book Review – The Tourist Attraction

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Title: The Tourist Attraction (Moose Springs, Alaska #1)

Author: Sarah Morgenthaler

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca

Publication date: May 5th, 2020

352 pages

4/5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis

When Graham Barnett named his diner The Tourist Trap, he meant it as a joke. Now he’s stuck slinging reindeer dogs to an endless string of resort visitors who couldn’t interest him less. Not even the sweet, enthusiastic tourist in the corner who blushes every time he looks her way…

Two weeks in Alaska isn’t just the top item on Zoey Caldwell’s bucket list. It’s the whole bucket. One look at the mountain town of Moose Springs and she’s smitten. But when an act of kindness brings Zoey into Graham’s world, she may just find there’s more to the man than meets the eye…and more to love in Moose Springs than just the Alaskan wilderness.

Review

Ever since I read, and loved, The Simple Wild by K.A. Tucker I’ve been obsessed with books set in Alaska – so I knew I wanted to check this one out. As a resident of the Lower 48, Alaska has this almost mythical quality to it because it’s so different than the rest of the US, I end up having serious FOMO after reading books set in Alaska.

I had a hard time reviewing this one, because I loved parts of it and didn’t like others. Overall I settled on 4 stars because I loved Graham and Zoey’s relationship, banter, and overall communication with each other (outside of the obvious issue that always occurs during the end of the book). Graham is super grumpy (love it). There’s something about grumpy characters that just speak to me… nope no idea what it could be… certainly not seeing myself in the character *whistles innocently*. It’s definitely also NOT the reason Nick Miller from New Girl is my favorite TV character… But I digress.

There were so many pieces that got under my skin. There is a scene with the police where Zoey is targeted for being an outsider & put through a very unfair situation. Then I felt her string of bad luck was too much. And I never felt like Graham every stood up for her to his local friends. His mindset was always “I hate tourists… except Zoey… but Zoey still kinda counts so I’m not going to do anything about the bias and stereotyping running rampant in this little town”. It rubbed me the wrong way because it seemed like instead of learning the point that not all tourists are bad, he just continued the negative behavior and thinking and giving himself an out when it came to the woman he loved.

I will definitely be continuing on this series, as there are two more releasing over the next several months. Next week, my review of Mistletoe and Mr. Right will post.

Happy reading, folks!

Book Review – Take a Hint, Dani Brown

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Title: Take a Hint, Dani Brown (The Brown Sisters #2)

Author: Talia Hibbert

Publisher: Avon

Publication date: June 23rd, 2020

320 pages

4.5/5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis

Danika Brown knows what she wants: professional success, academic renown, and an occasional roll in the hay to relieve all that career-driven tension. But romance? Been there, done that, burned the T-shirt. Romantic partners, whatever their gender, are a distraction at best and a drain at worst. So Dani asks the universe for the perfect friend-with-benefits—someone who knows the score and knows their way around the bedroom.

When brooding security guard Zafir Ansari rescues Dani from a workplace fire drill gone wrong, it’s an obvious sign: PhD student Dani and ex-rugby player Zaf are destined to sleep together. But before she can explain that fact, a video of the heroic rescue goes viral. Now half the internet is shipping #DrRugbae—and Zaf is begging Dani to play along. Turns out, his sports charity for kids could really use the publicity. Lying to help children? Who on earth would refuse?

Dani’s plan is simple: fake a relationship in public, seduce Zaf behind the scenes. The trouble is, grumpy Zaf’s secretly a hopeless romantic—and he’s determined to corrupt Dani’s stone-cold realism. Before long, he’s tackling her fears into the dirt. But the former sports star has issues of his own, and the walls around his heart are as thick as his… um, thighs.

Suddenly, the easy lay Dani dreamed of is more complex than her thesis. Has her wish backfired? Is her focus being tested? Or is the universe just waiting for her to take a hint?

Review

“Because he knew her well enough to realize she’d rather be holed up in here like Gollum, stroking books and murmuring, “My precious.”

First off, this quote is amazing and far too true for most of us bookworms out there (even if Zaf was referring to Dani’s textbooks and research studies). Anyway, I loved Get a Life, Chloe Brown but I have to say, Dani and Zaf’s story has stolen my heart and moved up in the rankings past Chloe! Dani and Zaf are such good characters and their love story is heartwarming and relatable, but there are also very serious undertones to this story which adds depth to the characters. But also, FAKE. DATING!

Shoutout to Talia Hibbert for writing a love story about the woman who cares more about her work and career than falling in love, and the woman who gets denigrated for that and gaslit by men. It happens in the real world far too often and I respect her creating a character who is invested in her career. Also, the mental health rep for both Dani and Zaf is both amazing and needed. Repeat after me: females do not need to be stereotypically romantic and “girly”.

I need me a Zaf in my life (hope my fiance isn’t reading this), because he is the soulful, loving her from afar type man who also defies typical gender roles in relationships. Zaf is the one who worries about getting in too deep while in the fake relationship, not Dani. Normal rep is the opposite because of how “emotional” women are in relationships. Again, it just goes to Hibbert’s attention to flipping the script and rewriting the narrative.

Basically, I loved it. This is a very steamy book, so if that isn’t your jam maybe read at your own peril. It is hot and it is frequent. Maybe even more than Chloe to be honest. I love it, but I know it isn’t for everyone. Also, be on the lookout for the third book, Act Your Age, Eve Brown publishing in 2021!

Happy reading, folks!

Book Review – All The Stars and Teeth

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Title: All The Stars and Teeth (All The Stars and Teeth #1)

Author: Adalyn Grace

Publisher: Imprint

Publication date: February 4th, 2020

373 pages

4/5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis

Set in a kingdom where danger lurks beneath the sea, mermaids seek vengeance with song, and magic is a choice.

She will reign.

As princess of the island kingdom Visidia, Amora Montara has spent her entire life training to be High Animancer — the master of souls. The rest of the realm can choose their magic, but for Amora, it’s never been a choice. To secure her place as heir to the throne, she must prove her mastery of the monarchy’s dangerous soul magic.

When her demonstration goes awry, Amora is forced to flee. She strikes a deal with Bastian, a mysterious pirate: he’ll help her prove she’s fit to rule, if she’ll help him reclaim his stolen magic.

But sailing the kingdom holds more wonder — and more peril — than Amora anticipated. A destructive new magic is on the rise, and if Amora is to conquer it, she’ll need to face legendary monsters, cross paths with vengeful mermaids, and deal with a stow-away she never expected… or risk the fate of Visidia and lose the crown forever.

I am the right choice. The only choice. And I will protect my kingdom.

Review

“Fear is a part of life; all the matters is what we do with it.”

adalyn grace, all the stars and teeth

All The Stars and Teeth is a very typical YA fantasy, but that shouldn’t be a reason not to read this book. Even though it is somewhat predictable, following the typical YA structure, it has a unique premise and interesting story line. The magic system is different and has a lot of history. Towards the end, the story got somewhat confusing as it dove into the past and what happened to cause the issues in the present, I had to read it pretty carefully for it all to make sense.

I enjoy the characters in this book, especially Bastian and the surprise mermaid character who is so sassy and amazing. Amora is a decent MC but I prefer Bastian because I think he has a slightly more compelling backstory. I think the subtle romance between the two was well done and I look forward to reading more about them in the second book (I need Bastian to be okay, alright?).

There isn’t a huge cliffhanger in this book, but it definitely gets you hyped for the second book! Even though it is a predictable writing style, I am highly anticipating the release of the second book, All The Tides of Fate, in 2021! For fans of Daughter of the Pirate King and Fable, All The Stars and Teeth is a solid YA Fantasy option with an absolutely beautiful (and Instagrammable) cover!

Happy reading, folks!

eARC Review – The Love Study

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Title: The Love Study

Author: Kris Ripper

Publisher: Carina Press

Publication date: September 29th, 2020

Unknown pages

4/5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis

Declan has commitment issues. He’s been an office temp for literally years now, and his friends delight in telling people that he left his last boyfriend at the altar.

And that’s all true. But he’s starting to think it’s time to start working on his issues. Maybe.

When Declan meets Sidney—a popular nonbinary YouTuber with an advice show—an opportunity presents itself: as part of The Love Study, Declan will go on a series of dates arranged by Sidney and report back on how the date went in the next episode.

The dates are…sort of blah. It’s not Sidney’s fault; the folks participating are (mostly) great people, but there’s no chemistry there. Maybe Declan’s just broken.

Or maybe the problem is that the only person he’s feeling chemistry with is Sidney.

Review

The Love Study is an experiment in queer dating in the 21st century. With a great friend group, Declan has just about everything he wants. He doesn’t want or need a committed relationship like some people and he loves his temp job because he doesn’t like to be tied down. When he meets Sidney, a genderqueer Youtuber, he agrees to go on their channel to do a dating experiment to help others. What he doesn’t expect is the feelings he develops for them.

This story was super cute! I really enjoyed Declan’s forays into dating and his journey to define what a relationship looks like for him. I think the main takeaway from this book is that all types of definitions and dating behaviors are valid, as long as both (or all) parties agree and feel comfortable with the decision! Declan and Sidney’s relationship definitely doesn’t fit the general “mold” that heteronormative society prescribes to, and that. is. okay.

I enjoyed that both Declan and Sidney tried really hard to be sensitive to each others opinions, feelings, and thoughts. However, it got in the way of their communication most times, because in the effort of being open and accepting to the other person, they stopped being true to themselves. It can be hard to buck traditional gender and dating roles, because it gives structure to the relationship and how to act in it. Finding a good balance is what Declan and Sidney struggled with throughout the book, but their journey to discovering each other was very insightful and informative.

This is a type of relationship that doesn’t get written about often because it doesn’t fit the general model. But truly, more genderqueer/nonbinary/LGBTQ relationships should be written about so it becomes more accepted, understood, and validated.

Thank you to Carina Press and Netgalley for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Happy reading, folks!

Book Review – Bringing Down the Duke

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Title: Bringing Down the Duke (A League of Extraordinary Women #1)

Author: Evie Dunmore

Publisher: Berkley

Publication date: September 3rd, 2019

368 pages

5/5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis

England, 1879. Annabelle Archer, the brilliant but destitute daughter of a country vicar, has earned herself a place among the first cohort of female students at the renowned University of Oxford. In return for her scholarship, she must support the rising women’s suffrage movement. Her charge: recruit men of influence to champion their cause. Her target: Sebastian Devereux, the cold and calculating Duke of Montgomery who steers Britain’s politics at the Queen’s command. Her challenge: not to give in to the powerful attraction she can’t deny for the man who opposes everything she stands for.

Sebastian is appalled to find a suffragist squad has infiltrated his ducal home, but the real threat is his impossible feelings for green-eyed beauty Annabelle. He is looking for a wife of equal standing to secure the legacy he has worked so hard to rebuild, not an outspoken commoner who could never be his duchess. But he wouldn’t be the greatest strategist of the Kingdom if he couldn’t claim this alluring bluestocking without the promise of a ring…or could he?

Locked in a battle with rising passion and a will matching her own, Annabelle will learn just what it takes to topple a duke….

Review

“If we were of equal station,” he said softly, “I would have proposed to you when we took our walk in the maze.”

evie dunmore, bringing down the duke

HOLY WOW, I generally don’t read historical… anything – but Bringing Down the Duke was seriously amazing! Set in the 1800’s in London, Bringing Down the Duke tells the tale of Annabelle Archer, a bluestocking at Oxford trying to escape her cousin’s country home after falling from grace. Part of her stipend requires to work with a women’s suffrage group, looking to restore voting rights to women in society. Her target? The Duke Montgomery, a divorcee who has his own agenda. They meet, and sparks fly. Their difference in station makes their romance forbidden, but can either of them stay away?

Like I said, historical books are never my preference – be it fiction or romance. BUT I was immediately drawn into this past world and barely able to put it down. If I do read historical, then I want the female lead to be strong and bucking of traditions – as we now know that women are not property & shouldn’t be. And Annabelle fits that bill perfectly. And Sebastian is such a good man, and very good at the art of the grand gesture!! Throughout every twist they couldn’t stay away from each other, no matter how “wrong” it was.

I felt pulled back in time reading this book, which for me is the mark of good historical writing. Annabelle truly has a league of extraordinary women around her and the side characters were also so good! There is easy justification for at least 3 more books, and I desperately hope we get all of them!!! (Lady Lucie’s story came out earlier this month!)

Highly recommend this romance book, a full 5 stars from me!

Happy reading, folks!