Not Exactly What I Had in Mind is a meandering look into the lives of two roommates, Alfie and Hazel. Hypochondriac Alfie worries he will never find love in the masses of London. Hazel finds herself slowly falling under the influence of a new beau. Meanwhile, Hazel’s sister and her wife try to find the best way to grow their family. Have Alfie and Hazel missed their chance at a meaningful connection beyond friendship?

This book felt like a slice-of-life tv episode. Each of the characters goes through growth and are relentless in the pursuit of their goals. However, I didn’t feel particularly attached to the characters. Miscommunication is probably my least favorite trope, so I felt frustrated by its use here. I did appreciate the bond between the sisters and enjoyed the depiction of their found family. While this book was light on romance, aspects of Kate Brook’s writing reminded me of Beth O’Leary in terms of sense of humor. Thank you to Kate Brook, Dutton and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

On the epilogue: 

While some readers felt betrayed by the epilogue, I found it to be pretty standard. I think more and more as readers, we will see authors begin to incorporate some aspects of Covid into their books. It may be in big or small ways, but doing so is (sadly) not unrealistic. Brook uses the epilogue to illustrate the way the pandemic impacted the characters, but it's not gory or overdramatic.

Alessa was chosen by the gods to help battle demons that will swarm her home. Only, why does she keep hurting everyone she tries to touch? The council and her people begin to doubt whether she is up to the task. Desperate, Alessa recruits a bodyguard to help her train and keep her safe from overzealous citizens. Dante and Alessa must use every strategy available to try and harness her magic in time. As doubt solidifies among her people, Alessa must access her powers or risk the destruction of everyone she loves. 

This Vicious Grace was a fantastic adventure! I already can’t wait to reread it. There were so many delightful moments throughout, using some of my favorite tropes. Alessa is a fierce heroine, never giving up even amongst insurmountable odds. I loved how her relationship with Dante grew as they were forced to reveal secrets to each other. There is a strong sense of found family, witty writing, and it was extremely well-paced. Thiede knows how to end each chapter on a cliff, ensuring that readers won’t be able to stop turning the pages! 

I would highly recommend This Vicious Grace! If you are a fan of Kerri Maniscalco, Shelby Mahurin, bodyguard romances, and action-packed adventure then you need to read This Vicious Grace. I can’t wait to see where the story goes next! Thank you to Emily Thiede, Wednesday Books, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

Loved the idea behind this book, however the execution was very rough. The dialogue was cringey and the MC's redemption felt half-baked. I enjoyed the F1 terminology and initial scenario. Asher did a great job of capturing the excitement of a race and the perils of F1. If you found this book after watching Netflix's Drive to Survive (like me), this is probably not going to be what you're looking for. But yes, I did finish the whole book so -shrug-

3.5/5

Such a sweet book!! I knew I had to read it when I saw Jasmine Guillory was writing a Beauty & the Beast retelling. If you are planning to read this, know that Guillory's usual spice is significantly toned down (rated G, due to the Disney affiliation). Isabelle is a fun character to see come into her own, both in her personal life and the publishing world. Beau felt less complex to me, but I was happy that Izzy was happy with him. By the Book is cozy, comforting, and filled with yummy snacks. Perfect book if you're looking for a lighthearted read and enjoy Beauty & the Beast! 

The Latecomer is a paradoxical book. The best way to describe how I felt while reading it was sitting next to a relative at a mandatory family dinner. You’re trapped, they do not care how much you wish to escape, they are going to tell you this family saga whether you like it or not. On the one hand, I was really impressed with the level of detail and thought that went into this epic family story. However, I seriously struggled to like any of the characters. Not in a fun, oh they’re morally gray way. They were all genuinely very unlikable people for many reasons. I also struggled with the slow pacing. 

The Oppenheimer family is a convoluted and imperfect family, which in theory sounded fascinating, but I couldn’t help feeling I’d just as soon leave them all to their misery. I did enjoy the ending and how the story concluded, though I wish it had come sooner and perhaps had been explored more instead of so much time spent in the sluggish middle. 

I have no doubt that there are those who will be spellbound by the mysterious Oppenheimer family and unable to put down the book until the very end. That’s the beauty of reading- not my cup of tea, but I am certain it will be someone else’s. The Latecomer is available now. Thank you to Jean Hanff Korelitz, Celadon Books, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Final Strife is an intricate and vast fantasy tale. It is easily one of my top favorite fantasy books of 2022; I loved it!! Saara El-Arifi takes so much care in crafting the magic system: from social norms, to the material used to build houses, to how the world treats people who bleed a certain color. The world-building is immense and leads to a stunningly epic tale. I already can’t wait to reread it! 

Anoor and Sylah are so much fun to watch interact first as frenemies and eventually to lovers. While Anoor and Sylah come from wildly different worlds, they are simultaneously tied together on a bone-deep level. I loved that The Final Strife was a queer-norm world. Hassa was one of my favorite characters because of her creativity and loyalty to her friends. Anoor and Sylah are dynamic and compelling characters. It was riveting to see them grow together and uncover the secrets of their world. 

I can’t wait to see how the journey continues in the next book! The Final Strife is rich with storytelling, rhythm, and world-building. I would highly recommend it to anyone. This would be the perfect book for fans of C.L. Clark (The Unbroken) and Samantha Shannon (The Priory of the Orange Tree). Fans of sapphic romance, magical tournaments, and deeply twisted secrets will absolutely love this book!! 

Thank you to Saara El-Arifi, Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine, Del Rey, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

Juniper & Thorn is a glorious fever dream of a book. Gilded with hints of well known-tales, but rotten to the core underneath the glamour, Juniper & Thorn grabs you by the throat and pulls you along for the ride. Unlike any fairy tale you’ve heard before, Ava Reid artfully mixes horror and fantasy to deliver a grotesque and aching tale. This is the type of story where you will absolutely not be able to look away as it unfolds and will still be thinking of it after it ends. 

I highly recommend Juniper & Thorn! Ava Reid writes very lyrically, with vivid images and sensory details. I would recommend you check content warnings, as there is some very heavy and graphic material. Ava Reid handles it well, intrinsically weaving it into the gruesome tale and not using the material for shock value. This would be a great book for fans of Allison Saft (Down Comes the Night) and Lauren Blackwood (Within These Wicked Walls). But make no mistake, this is an adult fairy tale with plenty of painful lessons along the way and no guarantee of a happy ending. Fans of dark sisterhood, twisted retellings, magic demanding painful prices, and lyrical writing will enjoy Juniper & Thorn!  

Thank you to Ava Reid, Harper Voyager, Avon and Harper Voyager, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

The Friendship Pact is just like Gilmore Girls, but if it took place in a coastal town instead of New England. This is my first Jill Shalvis book and the second in The Sunrise Cove series (which can be read as standalones). Tae and April have always been there for each other no matter what, because often they’ve only had each other to rely on. With Tae taking on more clients and April exploring photography, maybe they’ve reached a point where they can finally relax. Enter Riggs, a tightly wound soldier who is shocked to rediscover Tae when she mistakes his car for an Uber. Riggs and Tae initially met as teens, when they briefly crossed paths. Now, is there a chance for more? But April has been hiding one very big secret that is about to come to light. 

The Friendship Pact is a delightful beach-read romance! Tae and Riggs both showed a lot of character growth and I enjoyed the flashbacks to their experiences in high school. This is a romance but Shalvis creates a compelling secondary plot that feels realistic. Tae and Riggs have a lot of familiar tropes such as the good guy/bad girl trope, second-chance romance, and a dash of ill-timing. I enjoyed how Tae and Riggs had built such a solid friendship as a foundation. Overall, this was a lighthearted and sweet romance.  
 
Thank you to Jill Shalvis, William Morrow, Avon, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.