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Weight Expectations is the first book in the Cipher Office series by M.E. Carter. Weight Expectations is an adult contemporary romantic comedy series, published by Smartypants Romance. If you are new to Smartypants Romance, here is the quick breakdown of how this publishing company works. Smartypants Romance is the publishing company started by Penny Reid, which as most of you know, is one of my all time favorite romance authors. Smartypants romance brings on new authors to write their own series or stories, and the cool feature is that all of their stories will be set in the Penny Reid universe! I love this idea so, so much. It is perfect for new fans and old fans because we get all new story lines and characters, but we get to see plenty of character crossover. The Cipher Office series is set in Chicago in Penny Reid's Knitting in the City series.
You may notice that last week I posted a review of Code of Conduct, which is the first book in the Cipher Security series. The Cipher Office series and the Cipher Security series are two separate series set within the same company. Cipher Security will feature some of the security "agents" within the office, at least the first book did. And the Cipher Office series will feature other employees within the company. The first book in the Cipher Office series was great! I really enjoyed Weight Expectations, and our main characters- Rian and Carlos.
Rian is witty, smart and strong. She works hard at a job where she is underappreciated, and her family doesn't always show her the love and support that she would like. I felt for Rian. Her doctor tells her she needs to start dieting or it may have serious health consequences for her,so Rian starts on a diet and exercise plan. She joins Weight Expectations gym, and I have to say, I was super proud of Rian. She never gave up! She went to the gym several times a week and tried a whole bunch of different classes. I loved her trainer- Abe. They cracked me up!
Carlos was an interesting character. He is super driven and focused and very regimented. He knows what he wants, and what he does not want. And what he does not want is a relationship. But Rian and Carlos just keep seeming to cross paths with each other. What I liked about their relationship is that it never felt rushed or forced, or anything other than two people simply enjoying each other's company and gravitating toward each other. Weight Expectations was a feel good, slow build romance that was very satisfying.
This review was originally posted on Book Briefs
Weight Expectations is the first book in the Cipher Office series by M.E. Carter. Weight Expectations is an adult contemporary romantic comedy series, published by Smartypants Romance. If you are new to Smartypants Romance, here is the quick breakdown of how this publishing company works. Smartypants Romance is the publishing company started by Penny Reid, which as most of you know, is one of my all time favorite romance authors. Smartypants romance brings on new authors to write their own series or stories, and the cool feature is that all of their stories will be set in the Penny Reid universe! I love this idea so, so much. It is perfect for new fans and old fans because we get all new story lines and characters, but we get to see plenty of character crossover. The Cipher Office series is set in Chicago in Penny Reid's Knitting in the City series.
You may notice that last week I posted a review of Code of Conduct, which is the first book in the Cipher Security series. The Cipher Office series and the Cipher Security series are two separate series set within the same company. Cipher Security will feature some of the security "agents" within the office, at least the first book did. And the Cipher Office series will feature other employees within the company. The first book in the Cipher Office series was great! I really enjoyed Weight Expectations, and our main characters- Rian and Carlos.
Rian is witty, smart and strong. She works hard at a job where she is underappreciated, and her family doesn't always show her the love and support that she would like. I felt for Rian. Her doctor tells her she needs to start dieting or it may have serious health consequences for her,so Rian starts on a diet and exercise plan. She joins Weight Expectations gym, and I have to say, I was super proud of Rian. She never gave up! She went to the gym several times a week and tried a whole bunch of different classes. I loved her trainer- Abe. They cracked me up!
Carlos was an interesting character. He is super driven and focused and very regimented. He knows what he wants, and what he does not want. And what he does not want is a relationship. But Rian and Carlos just keep seeming to cross paths with each other. What I liked about their relationship is that it never felt rushed or forced, or anything other than two people simply enjoying each other's company and gravitating toward each other. Weight Expectations was a feel good, slow build romance that was very satisfying.
This review was originally posted on Book Briefs
Finding Mr. Right Next Door is an adult contemporary romance by Sarah Ballance. This book was the perfect feel good read. It is a standalone that is part of entangled's Lovestruck imprint line. I love that Entangled has so many different romance imprints, because there is sure to be something for every reader and every mood. The lovestruck imprint is one of their romantic comedy lines, which is right up my alley. According to the engtangled website, their Lovestruck books typically have a "memorable, oftentimes hilarious “meet-cutes” between strangers, a strong romantic connection, sizzling sexual tension, and satisfying endings that leave readers smitten." This is so spot on for Finding Mr. right Next Door, but there was also a really heartfelt connection between our two main characters in this case, which I really loved.
In Finding Mr. Right Next Door we meet Lexi and Matt, who are lifelong best friends. Lexi's parents were neighbors with Matt's Grandmother, who raised Matt. Because of this, they all grew up really close. I loved how close Lexi was with Matt's grandma. It warmed my heart, plus she is a hilarious young at heart grandma. Lexi is a notoriously bad cook, so when she sets fire to her kitchen, she moves in with her firefighter next door neighbor/best friend Matt. What happens next is straight out of a romantic comedy movie. I can see this as a netflix original right now actually. If you are a fan of suppressed feelings, and moments of adorable jealousy, then this is the book for you. It is a super quick read, coming in at about 150 pages, so you can read this book in just a couple short hours. Great for an afternoon by the pool, or a rainy night.
In the summer, I always find myself reaching for shorter standalone romances and romantic comedies to read as a quick breather to the longer more involved fantasy series that I also love. And this is the perfect book for a quick and fun romantic romp between two friends that you will be rooting for. The town setup that Sarah Ballance created screams for more books. With the firefighters and the police as fun rivals, there are plenty of romance leads that I would love to see a story on. I am certainly keeping my fingers crossed for more.
Note/Update: I did find out that my wish has been granted. This is the first book in the Firefighters of Station 1 series. Yay! I can't wait for more!
In Finding Mr. Right Next Door we meet Lexi and Matt, who are lifelong best friends. Lexi's parents were neighbors with Matt's Grandmother, who raised Matt. Because of this, they all grew up really close. I loved how close Lexi was with Matt's grandma. It warmed my heart, plus she is a hilarious young at heart grandma. Lexi is a notoriously bad cook, so when she sets fire to her kitchen, she moves in with her firefighter next door neighbor/best friend Matt. What happens next is straight out of a romantic comedy movie. I can see this as a netflix original right now actually. If you are a fan of suppressed feelings, and moments of adorable jealousy, then this is the book for you. It is a super quick read, coming in at about 150 pages, so you can read this book in just a couple short hours. Great for an afternoon by the pool, or a rainy night.
In the summer, I always find myself reaching for shorter standalone romances and romantic comedies to read as a quick breather to the longer more involved fantasy series that I also love. And this is the perfect book for a quick and fun romantic romp between two friends that you will be rooting for. The town setup that Sarah Ballance created screams for more books. With the firefighters and the police as fun rivals, there are plenty of romance leads that I would love to see a story on. I am certainly keeping my fingers crossed for more.
Note/Update: I did find out that my wish has been granted. This is the first book in the Firefighters of Station 1 series. Yay! I can't wait for more!
Please Note: This is book two in a duology that should be read in order. If you are new to the series, you can check out my review of Book one- Blinding Night HERE
Gilded Ruins is the second book in the new adult mythology romance duology by Chantal Gadoury. I fell in love with the first book in the series, Blinding Night when I read it in 2018 and I have been waiting not so patiently for this book ever since! Normally If i go 2 years between reading novels, I have to do a refresher or a re-read before diving in to the second book, but in this case Blinding Night was so memorable that I honestly remembers all of the details from the first book. And even so, Chantal Gadoury does a great job recapping the major events for the reader.
Gilded Ruins picks up after the events of book one. Our main character, Summer now knows that she is a reincarnation of Persephone. She has finally been reconnected with Hades, or Darce and now their life together can begin. Only- not so fast! The Gods of Olympus have something up their sleeve. They call Darce and Summer to a meeting, where things get interesting to say the least. And of course, my favorite character Morpheus accompanies them on their trip. I really, really loved Morpheus. He was my favorite character in Blinding Night. I felt like he truly saw Summer for Summer, and not just for a vessel for Persephone.
Gilded Ruins did not disappoint. While I was hoping for a long series because I love the characters and the romance that Chantal weaves throughout her story, this book was a great wrap up for Summer and Darce. I fell head over heels in love with their story. This is a fantastic re-imagining of the tale of Persephone and Hades. I found it hilarious that a chunk of the story takes place not on mount Olympus, but rather on Poseidon's mega yacht. That plus all of the wonderfully placed pop culture references, made this book a blast and a pleasure to devour. And devour it I did. I put the world on hold to read this book. Once I had a copy of it on my kindle, nothing could tear me away until I had no more pages to flip. I loved it that much. And I am super sad that it all done now. I would love to see more books in this world and with these versions of the greek gods. I need to read another one of Chantal Gadoury's books ASAP. If you are a fan of Greek Mythology at all, you need to read this duology.
Gilded Ruins is the second book in the new adult mythology romance duology by Chantal Gadoury. I fell in love with the first book in the series, Blinding Night when I read it in 2018 and I have been waiting not so patiently for this book ever since! Normally If i go 2 years between reading novels, I have to do a refresher or a re-read before diving in to the second book, but in this case Blinding Night was so memorable that I honestly remembers all of the details from the first book. And even so, Chantal Gadoury does a great job recapping the major events for the reader.
Gilded Ruins picks up after the events of book one. Our main character, Summer now knows that she is a reincarnation of Persephone. She has finally been reconnected with Hades, or Darce and now their life together can begin. Only- not so fast! The Gods of Olympus have something up their sleeve. They call Darce and Summer to a meeting, where things get interesting to say the least. And of course, my favorite character Morpheus accompanies them on their trip. I really, really loved Morpheus. He was my favorite character in Blinding Night. I felt like he truly saw Summer for Summer, and not just for a vessel for Persephone.
Gilded Ruins did not disappoint. While I was hoping for a long series because I love the characters and the romance that Chantal weaves throughout her story, this book was a great wrap up for Summer and Darce. I fell head over heels in love with their story. This is a fantastic re-imagining of the tale of Persephone and Hades. I found it hilarious that a chunk of the story takes place not on mount Olympus, but rather on Poseidon's mega yacht. That plus all of the wonderfully placed pop culture references, made this book a blast and a pleasure to devour. And devour it I did. I put the world on hold to read this book. Once I had a copy of it on my kindle, nothing could tear me away until I had no more pages to flip. I loved it that much. And I am super sad that it all done now. I would love to see more books in this world and with these versions of the greek gods. I need to read another one of Chantal Gadoury's books ASAP. If you are a fan of Greek Mythology at all, you need to read this duology.
Fortuna Sworn is the first book in the adult dark romance fantasy series called the Fortuna Sworn series by K.J. Sutton. The Furtuna Sworn series is going to be a 6 book series and I have already fallen in love with this deliriously dark world. Fortuna Sworn gripped my attention from the very first page. I really enjoyed this book, and now I am anxious to get my hands on book two, Restless Slumber. If you are a fan of dark fantasy romances, then this series is a must read for you. Be warned- it is dark so there are dark themes of abuse, slavery, forced marriage and plenty of toxic relationships. If that is something that bugs you, then this might be a book that you should skip. But, if you want something a little less dark, check out Ms. Sutton's young adult titles, written under the name Kelsey Sutton. I have read and loved several of her books. Fortuna Sworn is my favorite book by her yet!
In Fortuna Sworn we meet our heroine Fortuna, who is the last known nightmare to exist. I was fascinated by the race of creatures known as nightmares. They can drop you into any nightmare of their choosing and they can discover your deepest fears with a single touch. They are terrifying indeed. But they are not the only terrifying creature to exist in this world. The fae are fierce and scary in their own right, and they rule the fantasy world in this series. Fortuna agrees to a forced marriage with a fae in order to try and save her brother. What happens next is an adventure that will keep you on the very edge of your seat. There are twists, turns, quests, plenty of court politics and a healthy dose of distrust for everyone. I loved how dark and twisty this tale was. K.J. Sutton wove a dark spell around my heart and totally ensnared me while reading. I loved a character and hated them in the next breath, and then somehow came back to loving them once again.
K.J. Sutton is a masterful storyteller, and this series is sure to be a favorite of mine. Her characters are all full of personality, rich and multilayered. Nothing in her world is black and white, everyone is wonderfully complex and everything is complicated in the best way. I can tell that none of my favorite characters will have an easy time of it, but that will not stop me from rooting for Fortuna. I love her. I love her determination and her grit. This is not a tale of pretty handsome, lighthearted fae. This is a tale of manipulative, dark and devious fae that will truly scare you at times. I am so hooked on this world and these characters. I need more right now.
Bottom line: This is my favorite book of K.J. Sutton/Kelsey Sutton. I need more right now. If you are a fan of dark fantasy romances, then this series is a must read for you.
In Fortuna Sworn we meet our heroine Fortuna, who is the last known nightmare to exist. I was fascinated by the race of creatures known as nightmares. They can drop you into any nightmare of their choosing and they can discover your deepest fears with a single touch. They are terrifying indeed. But they are not the only terrifying creature to exist in this world. The fae are fierce and scary in their own right, and they rule the fantasy world in this series. Fortuna agrees to a forced marriage with a fae in order to try and save her brother. What happens next is an adventure that will keep you on the very edge of your seat. There are twists, turns, quests, plenty of court politics and a healthy dose of distrust for everyone. I loved how dark and twisty this tale was. K.J. Sutton wove a dark spell around my heart and totally ensnared me while reading. I loved a character and hated them in the next breath, and then somehow came back to loving them once again.
K.J. Sutton is a masterful storyteller, and this series is sure to be a favorite of mine. Her characters are all full of personality, rich and multilayered. Nothing in her world is black and white, everyone is wonderfully complex and everything is complicated in the best way. I can tell that none of my favorite characters will have an easy time of it, but that will not stop me from rooting for Fortuna. I love her. I love her determination and her grit. This is not a tale of pretty handsome, lighthearted fae. This is a tale of manipulative, dark and devious fae that will truly scare you at times. I am so hooked on this world and these characters. I need more right now.
Bottom line: This is my favorite book of K.J. Sutton/Kelsey Sutton. I need more right now. If you are a fan of dark fantasy romances, then this series is a must read for you.
Gravemaidens is the first book in the young adult Gravemaidens duology by author Kelly Coon. I loved Gravemaidens! Everything about this book felt well crafted. The plot was super intriguing and felt fresh, the characters were all awesome and multi-dimensional, and most importantly, I wanted to just keep reading the story forever. I am so excited for Warmaidens' release later this year. Now is the perfect time to read Gravemaidens and get excited for Warmaidens, which is currently slated to release in October 2020.
In Gravemaidens we meet our main character Kammani, who is training to be a healer like her father. In her kingdom of Alu, when the king nears the end of his life, the kingdom has a tradition of selecting three beautiful sacred maidens to accompany the king into the afterlife as his brides. It is supposed to be a great honor, but when Kammani's sister gets selected she will do anything to save her from death. Including going to the palace and trying to save the king. What happens next is a fast paced adventure full of secrets. I never knew who I could trust and who I couldn't, and trying to navigate the world of the palace with Kammani was so much fun. I had my suspicions, and while I was correct some of the time, I was not correct all of the time, which was really refreshing for me as a reader. I also really loved that Kammani's talent were not in fighting, she was kick butt in another way- through her healing. But make no mistake, Kammani is definitely fierce. I can't wait to see what is in store for her and her friends in the next book.
While this first book was by no means only a foundational novel, I do think it built the story in such a way to lend itself to an awesomely epic sequel. A lot happened in this book, but it ended at the perfect spot to leave you desperately anxious for the next, and sadly the final, installment in this duology. This book seemed to draw heavy influences from Anicient Egyptian and Sumerian cultures and traditions, including views of the afterlife. I really enjoyed that aspect of the story because I feel like there are not enough well done young adult fantasies that do draw on these cultures.
Overall, Gravemaidens was a wonderful read. Once I picked it up, I didn't want to put it down. If you are a fan of young adult fantasies featuring friendship, sisterhood, romance and plenty of secrets and adventure, Gravemaidens is a book that will be a wonderful addition to any fantasy lovers collection. It feels fresh and different, and the story is so well done. I loved this book and I am in desperate need of Warmaidens. I need it in my life right now.
In Gravemaidens we meet our main character Kammani, who is training to be a healer like her father. In her kingdom of Alu, when the king nears the end of his life, the kingdom has a tradition of selecting three beautiful sacred maidens to accompany the king into the afterlife as his brides. It is supposed to be a great honor, but when Kammani's sister gets selected she will do anything to save her from death. Including going to the palace and trying to save the king. What happens next is a fast paced adventure full of secrets. I never knew who I could trust and who I couldn't, and trying to navigate the world of the palace with Kammani was so much fun. I had my suspicions, and while I was correct some of the time, I was not correct all of the time, which was really refreshing for me as a reader. I also really loved that Kammani's talent were not in fighting, she was kick butt in another way- through her healing. But make no mistake, Kammani is definitely fierce. I can't wait to see what is in store for her and her friends in the next book.
While this first book was by no means only a foundational novel, I do think it built the story in such a way to lend itself to an awesomely epic sequel. A lot happened in this book, but it ended at the perfect spot to leave you desperately anxious for the next, and sadly the final, installment in this duology. This book seemed to draw heavy influences from Anicient Egyptian and Sumerian cultures and traditions, including views of the afterlife. I really enjoyed that aspect of the story because I feel like there are not enough well done young adult fantasies that do draw on these cultures.
Overall, Gravemaidens was a wonderful read. Once I picked it up, I didn't want to put it down. If you are a fan of young adult fantasies featuring friendship, sisterhood, romance and plenty of secrets and adventure, Gravemaidens is a book that will be a wonderful addition to any fantasy lovers collection. It feels fresh and different, and the story is so well done. I loved this book and I am in desperate need of Warmaidens. I need it in my life right now.
The Charlie Hernández Series by Ryan Calejo is a middle grade adventure series Inspired by Hispanic folklore, legends, and myths. This is going to be a series review of the first two books in the series, Charlie Hernández and the League of Shadows and Charlie Hernández the Castle of Bones. I don't do series reviews that often, but 2020 has been the year of binge reading for me. When I find a book that I love, I want to be able to grab the next installment and continue on my fun with this characters. That is exactly what I did with Charlie, and I completely loved it! As soon as I was done with the first book, I was completely hooked and I had to immediately dive into the second book. I think this series is perfect for middle grade readers and older readers because it is just pure fun. If you are as big of a fan of legends and mythology as I am, you need to read the Charlie Hernández Series. You will love it!
Book 1- Charlie Hernández and the League of Shadows
Our main character, Charlie Hernández, has been a fan of Latin American myths and legends. He gobbles up his abuela's stories of monsters and creatures, but little did he know that soon these creatures from the legends were going to come to life right before his very eyes. In true adventure story form, Charlie is swept up in a whole new world of secret societies, evil villains and creatures and a quest to rescue his parents and save the world. Everything about this book was right up my alley. I loved the vivid imagery that Ryan Calejo conjured with his prose, and I really loved the characters. Charlie sets out to figure out what on earth is happening, alongside his friend Violet face their challenges (and some pretty creepy creatures) head on. I admired both of them so much! They are brave young adults for sure! Their courage was inspiring, and the scenery was so cool. It was a blast watching all these creatures pop up around Miami, which is a city I know well. The author does such a cool job of mixing in the ordinary with the extraordinary, and as a result the story he weaves is one that kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time.
Book 2- Charlie Hernández the Castle of Bones
Without being spoilery (though it is mentioned in the summary of book 2), there was a certain trait that Charlie learns about himself throughout the course of the first book, and I couldn't wait to see more of that in this installment. [spoiler]Charlie is a morphling, which means he can manifest traits of different creatures and even turn into them. Like flying or breathing underwater.[/spoiler]And I was really not let down. Charlie is one cool kid! The stakes are raised pretty dramatically in this novel, and he didn't back down once! Not only is he fascinated by legends and myths, but he is also so courageous, and the mix of magic woven into the story adds a really awesome element that I was not expecting when I first started reading book 1. There is so much fun and adventure going on this book! When Charlie hears that the Witch Queen Joanna is kidnapped he sets to save her. Along the way they travel all over the place and they meet just as many mythical creatures and big bads as they did in book one. I think this was an excellent sequel and it left me hungry for the next installment in what I hope is a long series. Charlie as a character also had some impressive story growth in this novel, which I always appreciate. I also enjoyed the different settings Charlie and Violet found themselves in. There is quite a bit of traveling that takes place in Charlie Hernández the Castle of Bones.
The Charlie Hernández Series is a wonderful quest style adventure filled with great characters, oodles and oodles of myths filled with fierce creatures and monsters and lots of magic to keep readers of all ages entertained. I love these books! Throughout both books, I really enjoyed learning about the myths themselves. The books come with a handy glossary that I consulted more than a few times. I loved this addition because not only did I learn about many new to me legends, but it also helped add a richness to the plot of the story. These books are really fantastically crafted. I cannot wait for more from the Charlie Hernández Series. Please bring on book 3! This series is perfect for fans of Rick Riordan's series (any of them!), J.C. Cervantes' Storm Runner Series, or Roshani Chokshi's Pandava Quartet.
Book 1- Charlie Hernández and the League of Shadows
Our main character, Charlie Hernández, has been a fan of Latin American myths and legends. He gobbles up his abuela's stories of monsters and creatures, but little did he know that soon these creatures from the legends were going to come to life right before his very eyes. In true adventure story form, Charlie is swept up in a whole new world of secret societies, evil villains and creatures and a quest to rescue his parents and save the world. Everything about this book was right up my alley. I loved the vivid imagery that Ryan Calejo conjured with his prose, and I really loved the characters. Charlie sets out to figure out what on earth is happening, alongside his friend Violet face their challenges (and some pretty creepy creatures) head on. I admired both of them so much! They are brave young adults for sure! Their courage was inspiring, and the scenery was so cool. It was a blast watching all these creatures pop up around Miami, which is a city I know well. The author does such a cool job of mixing in the ordinary with the extraordinary, and as a result the story he weaves is one that kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time.
Book 2- Charlie Hernández the Castle of Bones
Without being spoilery (though it is mentioned in the summary of book 2), there was a certain trait that Charlie learns about himself throughout the course of the first book, and I couldn't wait to see more of that in this installment. [spoiler]Charlie is a morphling, which means he can manifest traits of different creatures and even turn into them. Like flying or breathing underwater.[/spoiler]And I was really not let down. Charlie is one cool kid! The stakes are raised pretty dramatically in this novel, and he didn't back down once! Not only is he fascinated by legends and myths, but he is also so courageous, and the mix of magic woven into the story adds a really awesome element that I was not expecting when I first started reading book 1. There is so much fun and adventure going on this book! When Charlie hears that the Witch Queen Joanna is kidnapped he sets to save her. Along the way they travel all over the place and they meet just as many mythical creatures and big bads as they did in book one. I think this was an excellent sequel and it left me hungry for the next installment in what I hope is a long series. Charlie as a character also had some impressive story growth in this novel, which I always appreciate. I also enjoyed the different settings Charlie and Violet found themselves in. There is quite a bit of traveling that takes place in Charlie Hernández the Castle of Bones.
The Charlie Hernández Series is a wonderful quest style adventure filled with great characters, oodles and oodles of myths filled with fierce creatures and monsters and lots of magic to keep readers of all ages entertained. I love these books! Throughout both books, I really enjoyed learning about the myths themselves. The books come with a handy glossary that I consulted more than a few times. I loved this addition because not only did I learn about many new to me legends, but it also helped add a richness to the plot of the story. These books are really fantastically crafted. I cannot wait for more from the Charlie Hernández Series. Please bring on book 3! This series is perfect for fans of Rick Riordan's series (any of them!), J.C. Cervantes' Storm Runner Series, or Roshani Chokshi's Pandava Quartet.
The Charlie Hernández Series by Ryan Calejo is a middle grade adventure series Inspired by Hispanic folklore, legends, and myths. This is going to be a series review of the first two books in the series, Charlie Hernández and the League of Shadows and Charlie Hernández the Castle of Bones. I don't do series reviews that often, but 2020 has been the year of binge reading for me. When I find a book that I love, I want to be able to grab the next installment and continue on my fun with this characters. That is exactly what I did with Charlie, and I completely loved it! As soon as I was done with the first book, I was completely hooked and I had to immediately dive into the second book. I think this series is perfect for middle grade readers and older readers because it is just pure fun. If you are as big of a fan of legends and mythology as I am, you need to read the Charlie Hernández Series. You will love it!
Book 1- Charlie Hernández and the League of Shadows
Our main character, Charlie Hernández, has been a fan of Latin American myths and legends. He gobbles up his abuela's stories of monsters and creatures, but little did he know that soon these creatures from the legends were going to come to life right before his very eyes. In true adventure story form, Charlie is swept up in a whole new world of secret societies, evil villains and creatures and a quest to rescue his parents and save the world. Everything about this book was right up my alley. I loved the vivid imagery that Ryan Calejo conjured with his prose, and I really loved the characters. Charlie sets out to figure out what on earth is happening, alongside his friend Violet face their challenges (and some pretty creepy creatures) head on. I admired both of them so much! They are brave young adults for sure! Their courage was inspiring, and the scenery was so cool. It was a blast watching all these creatures pop up around Miami, which is a city I know well. The author does such a cool job of mixing in the ordinary with the extraordinary, and as a result the story he weaves is one that kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time.
Book 2- Charlie Hernández the Castle of Bones
Without being spoilery (though it is mentioned in the summary of book 2), there was a certain trait that Charlie learns about himself throughout the course of the first book, and I couldn't wait to see more of that in this installment. [spoiler]Charlie is a morphling, which means he can manifest traits of different creatures and even turn into them. Like flying or breathing underwater.[/spoiler]And I was really not let down. Charlie is one cool kid! The stakes are raised pretty dramatically in this novel, and he didn't back down once! Not only is he fascinated by legends and myths, but he is also so courageous, and the mix of magic woven into the story adds a really awesome element that I was not expecting when I first started reading book 1. There is so much fun and adventure going on this book! When Charlie hears that the Witch Queen Joanna is kidnapped he sets to save her. Along the way they travel all over the place and they meet just as many mythical creatures and big bads as they did in book one. I think this was an excellent sequel and it left me hungry for the next installment in what I hope is a long series. Charlie as a character also had some impressive story growth in this novel, which I always appreciate. I also enjoyed the different settings Charlie and Violet found themselves in. There is quite a bit of traveling that takes place in Charlie Hernández the Castle of Bones.
The Charlie Hernández Series is a wonderful quest style adventure filled with great characters, oodles and oodles of myths filled with fierce creatures and monsters and lots of magic to keep readers of all ages entertained. I love these books! Throughout both books, I really enjoyed learning about the myths themselves. The books come with a handy glossary that I consulted more than a few times. I loved this addition because not only did I learn about many new to me legends, but it also helped add a richness to the plot of the story. These books are really fantastically crafted. I cannot wait for more from the Charlie Hernández Series. Please bring on book 3! This series is perfect for fans of Rick Riordan's series (any of them!), J.C. Cervantes' Storm Runner Series, or Roshani Chokshi's Pandava Quartet.
Book 1- Charlie Hernández and the League of Shadows
Our main character, Charlie Hernández, has been a fan of Latin American myths and legends. He gobbles up his abuela's stories of monsters and creatures, but little did he know that soon these creatures from the legends were going to come to life right before his very eyes. In true adventure story form, Charlie is swept up in a whole new world of secret societies, evil villains and creatures and a quest to rescue his parents and save the world. Everything about this book was right up my alley. I loved the vivid imagery that Ryan Calejo conjured with his prose, and I really loved the characters. Charlie sets out to figure out what on earth is happening, alongside his friend Violet face their challenges (and some pretty creepy creatures) head on. I admired both of them so much! They are brave young adults for sure! Their courage was inspiring, and the scenery was so cool. It was a blast watching all these creatures pop up around Miami, which is a city I know well. The author does such a cool job of mixing in the ordinary with the extraordinary, and as a result the story he weaves is one that kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time.
Book 2- Charlie Hernández the Castle of Bones
Without being spoilery (though it is mentioned in the summary of book 2), there was a certain trait that Charlie learns about himself throughout the course of the first book, and I couldn't wait to see more of that in this installment. [spoiler]Charlie is a morphling, which means he can manifest traits of different creatures and even turn into them. Like flying or breathing underwater.[/spoiler]And I was really not let down. Charlie is one cool kid! The stakes are raised pretty dramatically in this novel, and he didn't back down once! Not only is he fascinated by legends and myths, but he is also so courageous, and the mix of magic woven into the story adds a really awesome element that I was not expecting when I first started reading book 1. There is so much fun and adventure going on this book! When Charlie hears that the Witch Queen Joanna is kidnapped he sets to save her. Along the way they travel all over the place and they meet just as many mythical creatures and big bads as they did in book one. I think this was an excellent sequel and it left me hungry for the next installment in what I hope is a long series. Charlie as a character also had some impressive story growth in this novel, which I always appreciate. I also enjoyed the different settings Charlie and Violet found themselves in. There is quite a bit of traveling that takes place in Charlie Hernández the Castle of Bones.
The Charlie Hernández Series is a wonderful quest style adventure filled with great characters, oodles and oodles of myths filled with fierce creatures and monsters and lots of magic to keep readers of all ages entertained. I love these books! Throughout both books, I really enjoyed learning about the myths themselves. The books come with a handy glossary that I consulted more than a few times. I loved this addition because not only did I learn about many new to me legends, but it also helped add a richness to the plot of the story. These books are really fantastically crafted. I cannot wait for more from the Charlie Hernández Series. Please bring on book 3! This series is perfect for fans of Rick Riordan's series (any of them!), J.C. Cervantes' Storm Runner Series, or Roshani Chokshi's Pandava Quartet.
Kissing Lessons is a standalone young adult contemporary romance by Sophie Jordan. This book was pure fun. I loved so many things about the story- the characters were all so different, and the romances were great. Yes, I said romances. There were multiple couple in Kissing Lessons, which took me by surprise. If you are a fan of steamy young adult contemporary romances, then Kissing Lessons is the summer read you need in your life. A few potential trigger warnings: There is quite a bit of "slut-shaming" and some cheating in the book. If those are things you would rather not read about, then you may want to pass on Kissing Lessons. However; I didn't find the cheating to be overly offensive, and the characters and story were great and more than made up for anything of a potentially offensive nature. It didn't bother me.
In Kissing Lessons we meet our main character, Hayden. Hayden has quite the reputation around her school. But what is so great about Hayden is that she really can mute all the rumors surrounding her, which is no small feat for anyone but really for a high school student. I loved that she was self-assured and comfortable with who she is. (and she is also not all the things the rumors paint her to be, btw) Our story starts out at a high school party where we get to meet our main characters. Our story is told in multiple perspective. We have chapters from Hayden, Emmaline, her brother Nolan and his best friend Beau. Emmaline appreciates how confident Hayden is and she wants to hire her to give her lessons in confidence and in getting a boyfriend. Hayden is strapped for money, so after some persuading from Emmaline she finally agrees. And that is where the story starts to get good.
I loved Emmaline's group of friends, and that they immediately took Hayden in. They all seemed genuine and I liked watching Emmaline and Hayden's friendship almost as much as I enjoyed Hayden and Nolan's romance. That being said, Nolan and Hayden's romance was by far my favorite aspect of the story. I loved how easy they got along, and I loved that they connected on so many different levels. It was hardly only about the physical with them, and that part did not happen right away to boot! There was also a romance for Emmaline, but as much as I loved her, I have to say I wasn't nearly as invested in her romance for some reason. I think it was because I wanted to get back to Hayden and Nolan's plotlines. I would love to see another book with them in it as characters because I loved the two of them.
Bottom line- If you like upper young adult or new adult romances told in multiple point of view narration, then Kissing Lessons is going to be a wonderful summer read for you. I loved this fun romance. I am keeping my fingers crossed for another book in this world with these characters.
In Kissing Lessons we meet our main character, Hayden. Hayden has quite the reputation around her school. But what is so great about Hayden is that she really can mute all the rumors surrounding her, which is no small feat for anyone but really for a high school student. I loved that she was self-assured and comfortable with who she is. (and she is also not all the things the rumors paint her to be, btw) Our story starts out at a high school party where we get to meet our main characters. Our story is told in multiple perspective. We have chapters from Hayden, Emmaline, her brother Nolan and his best friend Beau. Emmaline appreciates how confident Hayden is and she wants to hire her to give her lessons in confidence and in getting a boyfriend. Hayden is strapped for money, so after some persuading from Emmaline she finally agrees. And that is where the story starts to get good.
I loved Emmaline's group of friends, and that they immediately took Hayden in. They all seemed genuine and I liked watching Emmaline and Hayden's friendship almost as much as I enjoyed Hayden and Nolan's romance. That being said, Nolan and Hayden's romance was by far my favorite aspect of the story. I loved how easy they got along, and I loved that they connected on so many different levels. It was hardly only about the physical with them, and that part did not happen right away to boot! There was also a romance for Emmaline, but as much as I loved her, I have to say I wasn't nearly as invested in her romance for some reason. I think it was because I wanted to get back to Hayden and Nolan's plotlines. I would love to see another book with them in it as characters because I loved the two of them.
Bottom line- If you like upper young adult or new adult romances told in multiple point of view narration, then Kissing Lessons is going to be a wonderful summer read for you. I loved this fun romance. I am keeping my fingers crossed for another book in this world with these characters.
**You can see this full review and more at Book Briefs: http://bookbriefs.net**
Wasted Words is a new adult romantic comedy by Staci Hart. Wasted Words is inspired by Jane Austen's Emma, and I have to say this is one of the best new adult romantic comedies that I have read in a long time. I really, loved it. I loved Cam. I loved Tyler. I loved the two of them together. I just loved it. Wasted Words is a quirky, refreshing, and completely addicting romance. I could not get enough of it. One of my favorite reads of 2016 for sure.
Cam works at a comic book/book store/bar. Does that alone, not sound freakin' awesome? I want one of those where I live. A bookstore and a bar all in one? Sign me up. I knew right away that I was going to like Cam. In the very first chapter of the story Cam started her match making with an Outlander reading girl and an Anime reading guy. (And by the way, Wasted Words marks the second book I have read in three days that makes mention that Jamie Fraser from Outlander is the perfect guy. Which seals my fate- I must read Outlander now.) Cam being her little observant meddling self is totally adorable. And then we switched over to Tyler's chapter, and I loved him just as much! He is a sweetie and it is clear that he sees how awesome Cam is right from the start, which earns him big points in my book. (unlike Tyler's football playing "friend"...who immediately lost points in my book.)
But of course Cam is totally oblivious to all of this. Why is that the most observant people are so blind when it comes to themselves? It always happens. But I digress. Wasted Words is told in dual narrative between Tyler and Cam. One of the things I loved most about Wasted Words was the way that Staci Hart found an effortless way to balance every emotion. The funny balanced the serious and the romance. It just all works so well. I must read all of Staci's other books ASAP. Wasted Words is one of those books that has ingrained itself on my heart. It is so well written and I loved the characters so much. I want to read it again right now, because I want to hang out with Cam and Tyler some more. Staci Hart has a real talent for writing romances that suck you in and do not let go.
This review was originally posted on Book Briefs
Wasted Words is a new adult romantic comedy by Staci Hart. Wasted Words is inspired by Jane Austen's Emma, and I have to say this is one of the best new adult romantic comedies that I have read in a long time. I really, loved it. I loved Cam. I loved Tyler. I loved the two of them together. I just loved it. Wasted Words is a quirky, refreshing, and completely addicting romance. I could not get enough of it. One of my favorite reads of 2016 for sure.
Cam works at a comic book/book store/bar. Does that alone, not sound freakin' awesome? I want one of those where I live. A bookstore and a bar all in one? Sign me up. I knew right away that I was going to like Cam. In the very first chapter of the story Cam started her match making with an Outlander reading girl and an Anime reading guy. (And by the way, Wasted Words marks the second book I have read in three days that makes mention that Jamie Fraser from Outlander is the perfect guy. Which seals my fate- I must read Outlander now.) Cam being her little observant meddling self is totally adorable. And then we switched over to Tyler's chapter, and I loved him just as much! He is a sweetie and it is clear that he sees how awesome Cam is right from the start, which earns him big points in my book. (unlike Tyler's football playing "friend"...who immediately lost points in my book.)
But of course Cam is totally oblivious to all of this. Why is that the most observant people are so blind when it comes to themselves? It always happens. But I digress. Wasted Words is told in dual narrative between Tyler and Cam. One of the things I loved most about Wasted Words was the way that Staci Hart found an effortless way to balance every emotion. The funny balanced the serious and the romance. It just all works so well. I must read all of Staci's other books ASAP. Wasted Words is one of those books that has ingrained itself on my heart. It is so well written and I loved the characters so much. I want to read it again right now, because I want to hang out with Cam and Tyler some more. Staci Hart has a real talent for writing romances that suck you in and do not let go.
This review was originally posted on Book Briefs