Author: baltimorebibliophile

Title: A Far Wilder Magic

Author: Allison Saft

Publisher: Wednesday Books

Publication date: March 8th, 2022

384 pages

3/5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis

When Margaret Welty spots the legendary hala, the last living mythical creature, she knows the Halfmoon Hunt will soon follow. Whoever is able to kill the hala will earn fame and riches, and unlock an ancient magical secret. If Margaret wins the hunt, it may finally bring her mother home. While Margaret is the best sharpshooter in town, only teams of two can register, and she needs an alchemist.

Weston Winters isn’t an alchemist–yet. Fired from every apprenticeship he’s landed, his last chance hinges on Master Welty taking him in. But when Wes arrives at Welty Manor, he finds only Margaret and her bloodhound Trouble. Margaret begrudgingly allows him to stay, but on one condition: he must join the hunt with her.

Although they make an unlikely team, Wes is in awe of the girl who has endured alone on the outskirts of a town that doesn’t want her, in this creaking house of ghosts and sorrow. And even though Wes disrupts every aspect of her life, Margaret is drawn to him. He, too, knows what it’s like to be an outsider. As the hunt looms closer and tensions rise, Margaret and Wes uncover dark magic that could be the key to winning the hunt – if they survive that long.

In A Far Wilder Magic, Allison Saft has written an achingly tender love story set against a deadly hunt in an atmospheric, rich fantasy world that will sweep you away.

Review

After loving Allison Saft’s debut novel I knew I wanted to read her sophomore novel, but I wish I loved A Far Wilder Magic half as much as I loved Down Comes the Night. I was disappointed with how hard this book was to get through for me.

Margaret Welt’s mother is an alchemist, and she often leaves for weeks on end to do research and Margaret is left alone. Until Weston Winters shows up on her doorstep looking to be her mother’s next apprentice, Margaret had been alone for several months. Margaret is used to being alone and she is best described as a prickly human, whereas Weston has charm down to a science. Both characters are religious and ethnic minorities, which plays a large part in the story (though it isn’t really explained why).

This book had too much plot going on, not enough world-building, and characters that I didn’t buy into or care about. I had a hard time getting through this one because it just didn’t hit any positives for me. I didn’t really care about the romance, though it eventually got sweet, but it started with Weston literally being repulsed at the sight of Margaret and then he suddenly comes to think she’s beautiful almost overnight. There seemed to be several plot holes as well.

There is so much I could say more about what I didn’t vibe with in this book, but I don’t want to come off like I’m discouraging anyone from reading this. Just because it fell extremely flat for me doesn’t mean it won’t be the next person’s five star read. So if you’re a standalone fantasy romance fan, maybe check this one out and see if it’s a new favorite for you.

Thank you to Wednesday Books and Netgalley for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

Happy reading, folks!

I’m a little behind on posting my wrap up this month because I have been having a hard time being motivated to do my blog or bookstagram lately. I’m hoping to do better this month because I really do miss it but life has been really hard and making time for everything that’s important is difficult. I also really need to get back on track with my reading, my ARC situation on NG is absurd and needs to be addressed. I barely read any ARCs this month so it’s definitely a goal of mine next month to read mostly ARCs – just in order to catch up a bit.

So below is what I read this month, a lot of KU books that were really amazing – so I have no regrets about my reading choices but recognize the need to get back on track.

1. Broken Trust (Pacific Prep #1), R.A. Smyth – 3/5 stars
2. Opposite of Always, Justin A. Reynolds – 4/5 stars
3. Crooked Crows (Boys of Briar Hall #1), Elena Lawson – 4/5 stars
4. Wicked Trials (Boys of Briar Hall #2), Elena Lawson – 4/5 stars
5. All of Us Villains (All of Us Villains #1), Amanda Foody – 4/5 stars
6. Blindsided, Amy Daws – 4/5 stars
7. Challenge (Harris Brothers #1), Amy Daws – 4/5 stars
8. Endurance (Harris Brothers #2), Amy Daws – 4/5 stars
9. Keeper (Harris Brothers #3), Amy Daws – 5/5 stars
10. Golden Boys (Golden Boys #1), Phil Stamper – 5/5 stars
11. Surrender (Harris Brothers #4), Amy Daws – 4/5 stars
12. Dominate (Harris Brothers #5), Amy Daws – 4/5 stars
13. Lola & the Millionaires, Part One (Sweet Omegaverse #2), Kathryn Moon – 5/5 stars
14. Lola & the Millionaires, Part Two (Sweet Omegaverse #3), Kathryn Moon – 5/5 stars
15. The Witch Haven (Witch Sisters #1), Sasha Peyton Smith – 2/5 stars
16. Under One Roof (The STEMinist Novellas #1), Ali Hazelwood – 5/5 stars
17. Small Favors, Erin A. Craig – 2/5 stars
18. Full Flight, Ashley Schumacher – 5/5 stars
19. Survive the Night, Riley Sager – 5/5 stars
20. Terms and Conditions (Dreamland Billionaires #2), Lauren Asher – 5/5 stars
21. Devious Little Liars (Saint View High #1), Elle Thorpe – 4/5 stars
22. Dangerous Little Secrets (Saint View High #2), Elle Thorpe – 4/5 stars
23. Twisted Little Truths (Saint View High #3), Elle Thorpe – 4/5 stars
24. Knot My Type (All Access #1), Evie Mitchell – 4/5 stars
25. Locked Up Liars (Saint View Prison #1), Elle Thorpe – 4/5 stars

Happy reading, folks!

Title: Hook, Line, and Sinker (Bellinger Sisters #2)

Author: Tessa Bailey

Publisher: Avon Books

Publication date: March 1st, 2022

400 pages

5/5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis

King crab fisherman Fox Thornton has a reputation as a sexy, carefree flirt. Everyone knows he’s a guaranteed good time–in bed and out–and that’s exactly how he prefers it. Until he meets Hannah Bellinger. She’s immune to his charm and looks, but she seems to enjoy his… personality? And wants to be friends? Bizarre. But he likes her too much to risk a fling, so platonic pals it is.

Now, Hannah’s in town for work, crashing in Fox’s spare bedroom. She knows he’s a notorious ladies’ man, but they’re definitely just friends. In fact, she’s nursing a hopeless crush on a colleague and Fox is just the person to help with her lackluster love life. Armed with a few tips from Westport’s resident Casanova, Hannah sets out to catch her coworker’s eye… yet the more time she spends with Fox, the more she wants him instead. As the line between friendship and flirtation begins to blur, Hannah can’t deny she loves everything about Fox, but she refuses to be another notch on his bedpost.

Living with his best friend should have been easy. Except now she’s walking around in a towel, sleeping right across the hall, and Fox is fantasizing about waking up next to her for the rest of his life and… and… man overboard! He’s fallen for her, hook, line, and sinker. Helping her flirt with another guy is pure torture, but maybe if Fox can tackle his inner demons and show Hannah he’s all in, she’ll choose him instead?

In the follow-up to It Happened One Summer, Tessa Bailey delivers another deliciously fun rom-com about a former player who accidentally falls for his best friend while trying to help her land a different man…

Review

After becoming completely obsessed with It Happened One Summer earlier this year, I knew I needed to read Hook, Line, and Sinker immediately. And I was not disappointed, in fact this book exceeded even my already very high expectations. Fox and Hannah’s story will stick with me a long time, and whereas it is more of a slow burn that IHOS – it is no less special.

Hannah and Fox have been texting in the months since Hannah moved back to LA, until Hannah convincing her director crush to film their next movie in Westport. Hannah finds herself crashing in Fox’s spare room and trying not to sleep with him. Fox is also trying not to sleep with Hannah, as Brendan has told him repeatedly she is off limits. But as the two reveal more to each other, they begin to help each other with their misconceptions of self and to shirk everyone else’s opinions and expectations.

Piper and Brendan makes cameos in this book, as one would expect – but it really is focused on Hannah and Fox, the recalls to IHOS are infrequent. As I mentioned, this is more of a slow burn where the two are working on trusting each other and rehabbing their own thoughts of themselves. But over the course of the book, Hannah and Fox go through so much growth and I’m honestly so proud of those two. And that epilogue!! Be still my heart.

I love these sisters and their men and Tessa Bailey. That is all.

Thank you to Avon and Netgalley for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

Happy reading, folks!

Title: Battle Royal (Palace Insiders #1)

Author: Lucy Parker

Publisher: Avon Books

Publication date: August 17th, 2021

397 pages

4/5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis

Beloved author Lucy Parker pens a delicious new romantic comedy that is a battle of whisks and wits.

Ready…

Four years ago, Sylvie Fairchild charmed the world as a contestant on the hit baking show, Operation Cake. Her ingenious, colorful creations captivated viewers and intrigued all but one of the judges, Dominic De Vere, the hottest pastry chef in London. When her glittery unicorn cake went spectacularly sideways, Dominic was quick to vote her off the show. Since then, Sylvie has managed to use her fame to help fulfill her dream of opening a bakery, Sugar Fair. The toast of Instagram, Sugar Fair has captured the attention of the Operation Cake producers…and a princess.

Set…

Dominic is His Majesty the King’s favorite baker, the go-to for sweet-toothed A-List celebrities, and a veritable British institution. He’s brilliant, talented, hard-working. And an icy, starchy grouch. Learning that the irksome Sylvie will be joining him on the Operation Cake judging panel is enough to make the famously dour baker even more grim. Her fantastical baking is only slightly more troublesome than the fact that he can’t stop thinking about her pink-streaked hair and irrepressible dimple.

Match…

When Dominic and Sylvie learn they will be fighting for the once in a lifetime opportunity to bake a cake for the upcoming wedding of Princess Rose, the flour begins to fly as they’re both determined to come out on top.

The bride adores Sylvie’s quirky style. The palace wants Dominic’s classic perfection.

In this royal battle, can there be room for two?

Review

“I’m equal parts terrified and aroused.”

“What an excellent relationship motto for us. I think I’ll embroider it on a cushion.”

Lucy Parker, Battle Royal

I read this during a spree of baking/cooking romances and I swear they all made me extra hungry whenever I was reading them, and Battle Royal is no exception. Hold onto your hats for this enemies to lovers, grump/sunshine, charming romantic comedy from Lucy Parker. Dominic and Sylvie first met on the set of Operation Cake where Sylvie was competing and Dominic was a judge. They immediately clashed in style, and the enemies status was confirmed when one of Sylvie’s cakes blew up in his face… literally. Now they are competing bakery owners vying for the royal contract to design the Princess’ wedding cake.

God, I can’t even explain how much I loved this book. It was the perfect mix of sweet, steamy, snarky, and sassy with plenty of banter and opportunities for these opposites to attract. I love both of the main characters because their backgrounds were so well thought out and described and fit with their current issues/drama. But the growth over the course of the book was beautiful to see and I love watching a grump melt for a sunshine!

I’m super stoked this is going to have a companion novel because I want more from these characters (hoping they have cameos in the next one!).

Happy reading, folks!

Title: Edgewood

Author: Kristen Ciccarelli

Publisher: Wednesday Books

Publication date: March 1st, 2022

400 pages

5/5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis

No matter how far she runs, the forest of Edgewood always comes for Emeline Lark. The scent of damp earth curls into her nose when she sings and moss creeps across the stage. It’s as if the woods of her childhood, shrouded in folklore and tall tales, are trying to reclaim her. But Emeline has no patience for silly superstitions.

When her grandfather disappears, leaving only a mysterious orb in his wake, the stories Emeline has always scoffed at suddenly seem less foolish. She enters the forest she has spent years trying to escape, only to have Hawthorne Fell, a handsome and brooding tithe collector, try to dissuade her from searching.

Refusing to be deterred, Emeline finds herself drawn to the court of the fabled Wood King himself. She makes a deal—her voice for her grandfather’s freedom. Little does she know, she’s stumbled into the middle of a curse much bigger than herself, one that threatens the existence of this eerie world she’s trapped in, along with the devastating boy who feels so familiar.

With the help of Hawthorne—an enemy turned reluctant ally who she grows closer to each day—Emeline sets out to not only save her grandfather’s life, but to right past wrongs, and in the process, discover her true voice.

Haunting and romantic, Kristen Ciccarelli’s Edgewood is an exciting novel from a bold, unforgettable voice in fantasy.

Review

I am obsessed with Edgewood. This book immediately hooks readers with beautiful writing and gorgeous descriptions of this magical wood and then brings the heat with a NA romance, senile King, and a curse that is destroying the wood kingdom. Emmeline Clark is called to the woods whenever she sings, which is a problem as she is working towards a record deal for her folk style music. She left Edgewood after her grandfather needed to be put in long term care for dementia, and left behind the rumors of the Wood King and magical beings in the woods. But when her grandfather goes missing, Emmeline must go back and find him. But what she finds instead is a world she never believe in, and a man who seems familiar…

I can’t say enough how much I loved this book. I do question whether it necessarily fits into the YA genre because there is a slightly more explicit scene than you normally see in YA – but the characters are 18+. The story line keeps you guessing throughout the book and there is plenty of action and adventure that keeps your attention. The ending is beautiful and sad and is pretty wrapped up. But there is a sad point in this book that will tug at the heartstrings and question everything.

Please read this book. It’s just as gorgeous as it’s cover.

Thank you to Wednesday Books and Netgalley for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

Happy reading, folks!

Title: Full Flight

Author: Ashley Schumacher

Publisher: Wednesday Books

Publication date: February 22nd, 2022

320 pages

5/5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis

Everyone else in the tiny town of Enfield, Texas calls fall football season, but for the forty-three members of the Fighting Enfield Marching Band, it’s contest season. And for new saxophonist Anna James, it’s her first chance to prove herself as the great musician she’s trying hard to be.

When she’s assigned a duet with mellophone player Weston Ryan, the boy her small-minded town thinks of as nothing but trouble, she’s equal parts thrilled and intimidated. But as he helps her with the duet, and she sees the smile he seems to save just for her, she can’t help but feel like she’s helping him with something too.

After her strict parents find out she’s been secretly seeing him and keep them apart, together they learn what it truly means to fight for something they love. With the marching contest nearing, and the two falling hard for one another, the unthinkable happens, and Anna is left grappling for a way forward without Weston.

A heartbreaking novel about finding your first love and what happens when it’s over too soon. Ashley Schumacher’s Full Flight is about how first love shapes us—even after it’s gone.

Review

Ashley Schumacher writes book that break your soul and it is a requirement to have a box of tissues next to you while you read. And I love every minute of it and will continue to read all of her books no matter what. Told in dual POV, Full Flight follows Weston and Anna, two high school band kids in rural Texas just trying to survive small town life. Paired together on a duet for bad, they spark a romance so beautiful it hurts. It helps that Ashley’s writing is the most enchanting and ethereal I’ve ever come across.

Firstly, dual POV’s are my favorites. Reading both character’s thoughts and reactions just adds another level and depth to the storyline in my opinion. I adored the small town setting, even though it was clearly a judgmental town with nosy busybodies – but that the two main characters were unique stars in a town of sameness. Weston was by far my favorite though. That boy deserves 100 hugs because he truly believed he wasn’t worth anything because he was different and his parent’s got a divorce. Like this boy was bullied and ridiculed because he wore a leather jacket. My guy needed Anna and her acceptance.

I made the mistake of not reading the synopsis before jumping into this book (it’s Ashley Schumacher, it doesn’t matter what it’s about I know I will love it). The heartbreaking moment, which isn’t a spoiler because it is in fact in the synopsis, smacked me across the face at 2am and made my face rain. I wish I was joking. I liked that the story continued past the event to show the grief process and growth that comes from an experience like this.

Read this book, read Amelia Unabridged, read Ashley’s grocery lists. You won’t be disappointed.

Thank you to Wednesday Books and Netgalley for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

Happy reading, folks!

Title: Reclaim the Stars

Editor: Zoraida Cordova

Publisher: Wednesday Books

Publication date: February 15th, 2022

352 pages

3.5/5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis

Reclaim the Stars is a collection of bestselling and acclaimed YA authors that take the Latin American diaspora to places fantastical and out of this world. From princesses warring in space, to the all too-near devastation of climate change, to haunting ghost stories in Argentina, and mermaids off the coast of the Caribbean. This is science fiction and fantasy that breaks borders and realms, and proves that stories are truly universal.

Authors include Vita Ayala, David Bowles, Daniel José Older, J.C. Cervantes, Sara Faring, Romina Garber, Isabel Ibañez, Anna-Marie McLemore, Yamile Saied Méndez, Nina Moreno, Circe Moskowitz, Maya Motayne, Linda Raquel Nieves Pérez, Claribel A. Ortega, Mark Oshiro, Lilliam Rivera and Zoraida Córdova.

Review

I’ve been enjoying the increase of anthologies recently, but was somewhat disappointed by this one. It felt like there was very little flow to the stories and the pacing seemed very choppy. It wasn’t an easy book to continuously read and feel invested in, it just felt like a collection of unrelated stories where I’ve read anthologies that have more continuity.

I respect that the idea behind this was Latinx diaspora, magical tales, and diverse stories, and I won’t comment on specific plotlines as I’m not Latinx nor have a good background to their culture and legends. However, several authors who are included in this anthology have been called out for problematic behaviors or stories on social media by natives of the country they would write about. I think it’s just important to keep this in mind and do your research.

Something I noticed across many stories included here was the whimsical nature of the writing and descriptors for the story – and I loved it. Those stories were a joy to read, including the science fiction stories specifically, those spoke to me the most. My favorite story was likely the poly romance in space, which was towards the beginning of the works.

Thank you to Wednesday Books and Netgalley for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

Happy reading, folks!

Title: Love at First Spite

Author: Anna E. Collins

Publisher: Graydon House

Publication date: January 4th, 2022

320 pages

4/5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis

They say living well is the best revenge. But sometimes, spreading the misery seems a whole lot more satisfying. That’s interior designer Dani Porter’s justification for buying the vacant lot next to her ex-fiancé’s house…the house they were supposed to live in together, before he cheated on her with their Realtor. Dani plans to build a vacation rental that will a) mess with his view and his peace of mind and b) prove that Dani is not someone to be stepped on. Welcome to project Spite House.

That plan quickly becomes complicated when Dani is forced to team up with Wyatt Montego, the handsome, haughty architect at her firm, and the only person available to draw up blueprints. Wyatt is terse and stern, the kind of man who eats his sandwich with a knife and fork. But as they spend time together on- and off-site, Dani glimpses something deeper beneath that hard veneer, something surprising, vulnerable, and real. And the closer she gets to her goal, the more she wonders if winning revenge could mean losing something infinitely sweeter…

Review

Love at First Spite starts with a scene where Dani, our FMC, goes paintballing in her wedding dress to assuage the fact that her ex-fiance cheated on her before the wedding – and with that I was hooked on this book. Dani is an interior designer and decides to buy the space next to her ex-fiance’s house and build a Spite House for Airbnb to impinge on the view of his house. Wyatt is a coworker who agrees to work on the project as the architect, and he is constantly getting on Dani’s nerves before she starts to see another side to him while they work together…

I love these tropes: workplace romance, enemies to lovers, and a bit of grumpy/sunshine and it’s almost like this book was perfectly created for me. The tension and angst between these two characters was prime and there was a good level of steam. I wish we had gotten Wyatt’s POV which is always my wish with romance novels – but I didn’t fault the book for that lack. I really appreciated the disability rep with Wyatt as well.

Thank you to Graydon House and Netgalley for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

Happy reading, folks!

Title: Golden Boys (Golden Boys #1)

Author: Phil Stamper

Publisher: Bloomsbury YA

Publication date: February 8th, 2022

372 pages

5/5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis

National bestselling author Phil Stamper crafts the perfect summer friendship story, starring four queer boys with big hearts and even bigger dreams.

Gabriel, Reese, Sal, and Heath are best friends, bonded in their small rural town by their queerness, their good grades, and their big dreams. They are about to embark on the summer before senior year of high school, where each is going on a new, big adventure. Reese is attending a design school in Paris. Gabriel is going to Boston to volunteer with a environmental nonprofit. Sal is interning on Capitol Hill for a U.S. Senator. And Heath is stuck going to Daytona Beach to help out at his aunt’s beachfront arcade.

What will this summer of new experiences and world-expanding travel mean for each of them—and for their friendship?

Review

Phil Stamper is an automatic read for me and he did not disappoint with this story about 4 queer high school boys jetting off separately for a summer before their senior year. If you’ve been reading YA for awhile and remember Bass Ackwards and Belly Up – this is very similar in regards to structure of the book but Golden Boys is more modern and inclusive. Told in four POVs with some text chains thrown in – readers follow the four boys through internships, jobs, romance, and mental health issues.

I absolutely loved reading Golden Boys. Each character had important struggles going into their summer and made amazing growth over the course of the book. It was very much a coming of age novel and I’m stoked there is a sequel planned. Don’t let the sequel scare you though – there is no cliffhanger. I just assume the story picks up with the boys going through senior year and deciding their plans for college/post grad. If I had to pick a favorite boy it would be Reese as he is in Paris at design school for the summer and quietly crushing on Heath. He just needed a hug and I wanted to give him one.

To be fair all the characters needed and deserved hugs so don’t think the other 3 were lesser in my eyes. That decision was very hard to come to.

There wasn’t a single piece of this book that I didn’t like. If you love YA contemporary, diverse reads, and coming of age I highly recommend reading it and frankly, the rest of Phil’s novels.

Thank you to Bloomsbury YA and Netgalley for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

Happy reading, folks!

Title: The Ex Hex (Ex Hex #1)

Author: Erin Sterling

Publisher: Avon

Publication date: September 28th, 2021

308 pages

3/5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis

New York Times bestselling author Rachel Hawkins, writing as Erin Sterling, casts a spell with a spine-tingling romance full of wishes, witches, and hexes gone wrong.

Nine years ago, Vivienne Jones nursed her broken heart like any young witch would: vodka, weepy music, bubble baths…and a curse on the horrible boyfriend. Sure, Vivi knows she shouldn’t use her magic this way, but with only an “orchard hayride” scented candle on hand, she isn’t worried it will cause him anything more than a bad hair day or two.

That is until Rhys Penhallow, descendent of the town’s ancestors, breaker of hearts, and annoyingly just as gorgeous as he always was, returns to Graves Glen, Georgia. What should be a quick trip to recharge the town’s ley lines and make an appearance at the annual fall festival turns disastrously wrong. With one calamity after another striking Rhys, Vivi realizes her silly little Ex Hex may not have been so harmless after all.

Suddenly, Graves Glen is under attack from murderous wind-up toys, a pissed off ghost, and a talking cat with some interesting things to say. Vivi and Rhys have to ignore their off the charts chemistry to work together to save the town and find a way to break the break-up curse before it’s too late.

Review

“You almost ran your ex-boyfriend over with a car, and then left him lying in the literal dirt on the side of the road. It is such a big deal, you absolute queen.”

Erin Sterling, The Ex Hex

I’m going to be honest – I had high hopes for this one and it fell majorly short. I even read it during the witchy time of year, which should have helped matters….

This book was just silly. It’s almost like the author was trying to do too much and couldn’t find a happy balance. I love magical realism, but the concept between the ley lines and hexing your ex can lead to ghosts and a whole town being affected is just… boring. I said it. This book wasn’t for me and I won’t apologize for that. The characters were not well written and it wasn’t easy to like them. The spice seemed just to be written in because it was necessary, not because it meshed well with the story or even had good timing. For a second chance romance I spent an alarming amount of time hoping they just… wouldn’t.

I’m also just not a fan of this town?? This concept isn’t new – a town where magic is located and is run by certain families and there’s a ceremony/competition/etc on a regular basis to continue the ruse. And magic is not located elsewhere. Of the maybe 5 books I can think of with this similar structure The Ex Hex is firmly number 5.

Will I read the next book – as Goodreads is indicating it is a continuing series? ….maybe. I’m firmly in the camp of giving authors another chance after one of their books not hitting for you.

Happy reading, folks!