The Gist: Explore my End of Year Book Tag, diving into unread gems on my shelves, and my 2024 TBR priorities!
(more…)The End of Year Book Tag: 2024
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Book Review: The Hunger of the Gods by John Gwynne
B
The Gist: The Hunger of the Gods deftly blends epic battles and rich character development, redefining fantasy tropes while exploring themes of loyalty and revenge.
Series: Bloodsworn Saga, #2
Release Date: April 12, 2022
Synopsis
THE DEAD GODS ARE RISING.
Lik-Rifa, the dragon god of legend, has been freed from her eternal prison. Now she plots a new age of blood and conquest.
As Orka continues the hunt for her missing son, the Bloodsworn sweep south in a desperate race to save one of their own–and Varg takes the first steps on the path of vengeance.
Elvar has sworn to fulfil her blood oath and rescue a prisoner from the clutches of Lik-Rifa and her dragonborn followers, but first she must persuade the Battle-Grim to follow her. Yet even the might of the Bloodsworn and Battle-Grim cannot stand alone against a dragon god.
Their only hope lies within the mad writings of a chained god. A book of forbidden magic with the power to raise the wolf god Ulfrir from the dead…and bring about a battle that will shake the foundations of the earth.
Ending
Cliffhanger
Representation
• wlw side character
• POC side characters
• POC side characters
Possible Triggers: Yes
• Knife, sword and axe violence
• Gore
• Murder
• Attempted murder
• Enslavement
• Discussion of genocide
• Mutilation of a side character in the last book discussed
• Sexism
• Abduction of children
• Child abuse
• Torture
• Gore
• Murder
• Attempted murder
• Enslavement
• Discussion of genocide
• Mutilation of a side character in the last book discussed
• Sexism
• Abduction of children
• Child abuse
• Torture
Mature Themes
• Sex alluded to and discussed (not graphic)
• Swearing
• Alcohol consumption
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.
• Swearing
• Alcohol consumption
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.
Format: Paperback
Rating: 5-stars
(more…)Book Review: Ashes of You by Catherine Cowles
B
The Gist: A heartwarming and suspenseful must-read for fans of the single parent x nanny trope and romantic thrillers, Ashes of You expertly blends love, family, and gripping intrigue in a captivating small-town setting.
Series: Lost and Found, #5*
Release Date: February 8, 2024
Synopsis
Five years ago, I nearly lost everything. But there was a glimmer of hope on that darkest night. There was him—a stranger I could never forget.
Now, I’m finally getting the fresh start I’ve longed for. But when I show up to interview for a nanny position in the small mountain town, the single dad has startlingly familiar blue eyes.
Eyes that have haunted my dreams for the past five years.
Lawson Hartley is everything I know I can’t have. Older, handsome, and my boss. Not to mention the shadows in his eyes that tell me he has demons, too.
Still, he seems to understand me better than anyone I’ve ever met. So gentle and careful of my scars, yet somehow making me believe I’m stronger than I ever thought possible.
And when his lips touch mine, I’m lost.
We find what we’ve been missing in each other. But the terrors of my past aren’t done with me yet, and this time, Lawson might not be able to save me…
Ending
HEA with Epilogue. Married and expecting triplets in extended epilogue.
Representation
• Gay side characters
• Achillean side relationship
• Achillean side relationship
Possible Triggers: Yes
• Recounting of child endangerment
• Assault
• Abduction, captivity and torture of Heroine recounted
• Gun violence
• Abduction and captivity (on-page)
• PTSD
• Panic attacks (on-page)
• Sexual harassment
• Sexual assault
• Murder
• Description of murder (what happened to the women)
• Assault
• Abduction, captivity and torture of Heroine recounted
• Gun violence
• Abduction and captivity (on-page)
• PTSD
• Panic attacks (on-page)
• Sexual harassment
• Sexual assault
• Murder
• Description of murder (what happened to the women)
Safety Rating: Safe
• No cheating
• No OW/OM drama
– Heroine is insecure the Hero still loves his ex-wife but soon finds out that he hates her
– Heroine is periodically hit on by OM throughout the book, but they’re all rebuffed
• Does have the Hero briefly pushing the Heroine away
• No separation
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.
• No OW/OM drama
– Heroine is insecure the Hero still loves his ex-wife but soon finds out that he hates her
– Heroine is periodically hit on by OM throughout the book, but they’re all rebuffed
• Does have the Hero briefly pushing the Heroine away
• No separation
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.
Format: Kindle Unlimited
Rating: 5-stars
*Each book in the series is Standalone
(more…)The End of Year Book Tag: 2023
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Quick Take: Explore my End of Year Book Tag, diving into unread gems on my shelves, and my 2023 TBR priorities, including a book I’ve owned for ten years!
(more…)Book Review: Starling House by Alix E. Harrow
B
The Gist: Starling House artfully employs dark academia and an enigmatic haunted house to delve into the racism, sexism and classism that plague a small town.
Series: Standalone
Release Date: October 3, 2023
Synopsis
A grim and gothic new tale from author Alix E. Harrow about a small town haunted by secrets that can’t stay buried and the sinister house that sits at the crossroads of it all.
Eden, Kentucky, is just another dying, bad-luck town, known only for the legend of E. Starling, the reclusive nineteenth-century author and illustrator who wrote The Underland–and disappeared. Before she vanished, Starling House appeared. But everyone agrees that it’s best to let the uncanny house―and its last lonely heir, Arthur Starling―go to rot.
Opal knows better than to mess with haunted houses or brooding men, but an unexpected job offer might be a chance to get her brother out of Eden. Too quickly, though, Starling House starts to feel dangerously like something she’s never had: a home.
As sinister forces converge on Starling House, Opal and Arthur are going to have to make a dire choice to dig up the buried secrets of the past and confront their own fears, or let Eden be taken over by literal nightmares.
If Opal wants a home, she’ll have to fight for it.
Ending
HFN
Representation
• Bisexual main character
• Mexican Biracial Supporting Character
• Lesbian supporting characters
• Sapphic side relationship
• Mexican Biracial Supporting Character
• Lesbian supporting characters
• Sapphic side relationship
Possible Triggers: Yes
• Grief (Heroine’s and the Hero’s parents died before the book starts)
• PTSD from near-death experience
• Sword violence
• Homelessness
• Incest recounted (by a side character)
• Racism
• Homophobia
• PTSD from near-death experience
• Sword violence
• Homelessness
• Incest recounted (by a side character)
• Racism
• Homophobia
Safety Rating: Safe
• No cheating
• No OM/OW drama
• Does have the Hero pushing the Heroine away
• Does have a brief separation between the Hero and Heroine
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.
• No OM/OW drama
• Does have the Hero pushing the Heroine away
• Does have a brief separation between the Hero and Heroine
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.
Format: Hardcover
Rating: 4.25-stars
(more…)Fall Reading Guide: Dive into 10 Captivating New Releases
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Quick Take: Cozy up this fall with my Fall Reading Guide, featuring 10 exciting new releases to keep you entertained as the leaves change, including the first-ever authorized novel to return to Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House world.
(more…)The Mid-Year Book Freakout Tag: 2023
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Quick Take: My Mid-Year Book Freakout Tag explores twelve books, including my favourite 2023 read so far, a book that made me cry, and anticipated new releases. I also have a TBR list to read before 2024!
(more…)18 Books on My May TBR
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About: My May TBR includes 18 books that I want to read in May, including four books by AAPI authors to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month!
(more…)The End of Year Book Tag: 2022
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Quick Take: The End of Year Book Tag includes six questions that unpack the books I still need and want to read in 2022 and my bookish plans for 2021.
(more…)Review: Following Maggie by Melanie Moreland
R
The Gist: A sweet romance that romanticizes the mundane and explores belonging through a found family trope, small-town life and an only-in-the-movies meet-cute.
Series: Insta-Spark Collection, #7*
Release Date: April 7, 2022
Synopsis
A snowstorm, an unexpected delay, and a caring stranger are all it takes for Sebastian Ruggers to change the course of his life. Instead of pushing paper and living a life he dreads, he follows his heart and the girl he meets to a new city. A different life.
Maggie Andrews is heading back to the only town that ever felt like home. When she meets Sebastian, somehow she knows, together, they’ll find a life together sweeter than the ones they are leaving behind. She can help him find his future. He can be the person she needs. They only have to say yes.
Sometimes you discover home isn’t only a location on a map—but the person you share it with.
Ending
HEA
Representation
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
Possible Triggers: Yes
• Death of Heroine’s parents and Hero’s mother
• Parental neglect
• Parental neglect
Safety Rating: 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: 4.25-stars
*Each book in the series is Standalone
(more…)
