A detailed look at last week’s reading habits: Two books read, two DNFs, an eclectic mix of want-to-read books and a new release that epitomizes the love for books, romance and community.
(more…)The Weekly Wrap: August 23rd to August 29th
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Moving and Intimate: Age of Ava by Melanie Moreland
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The Gist: A moving and intimate opposites-attract romance with a perfectly grumpy Hero and badass Heroine that explores family and the rewards of vulnerability.
Series: ABC Corp, #4*
Release Date: August 26, 2021
Synopsis
AVA CALLAGHAN
A woman working in a male-dominated field.
Organized, strong, and tenacious.
That’s how she has to be to succeed.
A woman working in a male-dominated field.
Organized, strong, and tenacious.
That’s how she has to be to succeed.
HUNTER OWENS
A loner.
He needs no one, has no ties, and his future is an unanswered question mark.
It’s all he knows.
Until the day their lives intersect.
He sees the woman she hides from the world.
She nurtures the part of him he lost long ago.
But they both agree—their connection is temporary.
They are only for now.
Can their stubborn natures allow them to bend and accept that maybe, just maybe, there is more to life than they believed?
That love can heal.
That happiness can exist.
That for now can be forever.
Ending
HEA
Representation
• Side character with a congenital amputation of one of her arms (her right arm is only partially formed)
Possible Triggers: YES
• Death of Hero’s grandparents and mother
• Parental neglect and abandonment
• Verbal abuse (described, in the past)
• Medical trauma
• Parental neglect and abandonment
• Verbal abuse (described, in the past)
• Medical trauma
Safety Rating: Safe with Exceptions
• No cheating
• No OW/OM drama
• Does have the Hero (majorly) pushing the Heroine away
• No separation
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.
• No OW/OM drama
• Does have the Hero (majorly) pushing the Heroine away
• No separation
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.
Format: eARC
Rating: 5-stars
*Each book in the series is Standalone
Note: I received Age of Ava from Melanie Moreland’s team in exchange for an honest review.
(more…)The Weekly Wrap: August 16th to August 22nd
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A detailed look at last week’s reading habits: Last week I read 11 books, including two from my Up Next Shelf and had one DNF. My Sci-Fi streak is still going strong as I prepare to read Sci-Fi epic DUNE.
(more…)The Weekly Wrap: August 2nd to August 15th
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A detailed look at last week’s reading habits: 12 books read including 4 re-reads, a reflection on my ARC of Age of Ava and a heartbreaking duet while hoping to re-spark my interest in YA fantasy.
(more…)Indulgently Sweet: Loved by Liam by Melanie Moreland
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The Gist: An indulgently sweet companion romance to Finding Ronan’s Heart about the power of family and love yet fails to refresh its plot.
Series: ABC Corp, #3*
Release Date: July 29, 2021
Synopsis
Liam Callaghan is happy with the way things are.
He has a successful business, a family he loves, and a life he thinks is fulfilling and complete.
Until a favor for his brother brings him to her.
She sparks something inside him. Something he had no idea he was missing.
One touch and he knows Paige Winters is the woman he wants.
She and her daughter become his focus. His world.
He only has to convince her to believe in them.
He has a successful business, a family he loves, and a life he thinks is fulfilling and complete.
Until a favor for his brother brings him to her.
She sparks something inside him. Something he had no idea he was missing.
One touch and he knows Paige Winters is the woman he wants.
She and her daughter become his focus. His world.
He only has to convince her to believe in them.
Liam entered Paige’s life quietly, but from the moment he took her hand, her world exploded.
Larger-than-life, he stepped in, brightening her days and filling her with happiness.
But she has more than her own heart on the line.
Her daughter, Lucy, has to come first.
As much as her soul yearns for him, can she trust his words?
Can the seeds love plants take root and bloom, growing over the past?
If Liam has anything to do with it, they will.
Author Note: You have read their story as told through Ronan and Beth in FINDING RONAN’S HEART. But readers have asked to see it through the character’s eyes – and my characters agreed. This is a companion novel to be enjoyed with Vested Interest: ABC Corp Book 2.
Ending
HEA
Representation
• Supporting character with a congenital amputation of one of her arms (her right arm is only partially formed)
• Side character with a mobility disability
• Side character with a mobility disability
Possible Triggers: Yes
• Heroine’s ex-husband was verbally abusive and ableist
• Reference to bullying and ableism
• Hero’s university girlfriend died in a tragic skiing accident
• Reference to bullying and ableism
• Hero’s university girlfriend died in a tragic skiing accident
Safety Rating: Safe
• No cheating
• No OW drama
• Does have OM drama
– The MCs run into the Heroine’s ex-husband who is very rude and verbally abusive towards the Heroine
• Does have the Heroine briefly pushing the Hero away
• No separation
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.
• No OW drama
• Does have OM drama
– The MCs run into the Heroine’s ex-husband who is very rude and verbally abusive towards the Heroine
• Does have the Heroine briefly pushing the Hero away
• No separation
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.
Format: eARC
Rating: 3.75-stars
*Each book in the series is Standalone
Note: I received Loved by Liam through Melanie Moreland’s team in exchange for an honest review.
(more…)The Weekly Wrap: July 19th to July 25th
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A detailed look at last week’s reading habits: Five books read, including one from my Up Next Shelf and three new books on my Want-To-Read list exploring family and community.
(more…)The Weekly Wrap: July 12th to July 18th
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A detailed look at last week’s reading habits: Six books read, two DNF and I finally revisit the high fantasy genre again, sparking an interest in finishing the Sands of Arawiya duology!
(more…)The Monthly Wrap: September
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A detailed look at September’s reading habits: 18 books read, 2 DNF, 3 books knocked off my lengthy Up Next shelf, a compilation of the 12 books I discovered–and want to read–in September… 4 of which I’ve already purchased and 6 book reviews with the following themes: Meant to be, secrets kept from family, mother-daughter relationships and the personal impacts of U.S. politics.
(more…)Saccharine Yet Endearing: Heart Strings by Melanie Moreland
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Series: Standalone
Release Date: October 12, 2020
<strong>Synopsis:</strong>
A woman drowning in sorrow. Invisible.
A man that notices it all. Sees her.
The only thing that gets Charlotte Prescott through the day is the haunting eyes and magnetic voice uplifting her in the subway station every evening.
All Montgomery Logan wants to do is ease the pain of the woman he feels a strange, protective pull to. He serenades her from afar, knowing their worlds will never intersect.
Until the day they do.
And everything changes.
Will their differences make them stronger or tear them apart?
A standalone contemporary romance coming October 12, 2020 from NYT/USA Today Bestselling Author Melanie Moreland.
<strong>Ending:</strong>
HEA with Extended Epilogue
<strong>Representation</strong>
No strong representations of the following:
• BIPOC characters
• LGBTQIA+ characters
• characters with a disability
And doesn’t address fatphobia
• BIPOC characters
• LGBTQIA+ characters
• characters with a disability
And doesn’t address fatphobia
<strong>Possible Triggers:</strong> Yes
• Death of parent due to heart attack when a child
• Death of brother due to leukemia when a child
• Discussion of homelessness and starvation
• Death of brother due to leukemia when a child
• Discussion of homelessness and starvation
<strong>Safety Rating:</strong> Safe
• No cheating
• No OW/OM drama
• No pushing away
• No separation
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.
• No OW/OM drama
• No pushing away
• No separation
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.
Format: eARC
Rating: 4.75/5 stars
Note: I received Heart Strings through Melanie Moreland’s team in exchange for an honest review.
(more…)The Weekly Wrap: September 21st to September 27th
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A detailed look at last week’s reading habits: four new books read, starting a new book from my Up Next shelf, three new books I want to read centring diverse characters and a new eARCs I’m reviewing this week!
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