bookishbillijean's Reviews (586)

𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 4/5 ⭐️

The Cousins by Karen M. McManus follows Milly, Aubrey, and Jonah Story. They are all cousins but they hardly know each other. When they are invited back to their grandmothers island whom they have never met after she disinherited their parents. The entire family is hiding secrets. 

This YA mystery is medium-paced with four different POV’s. We have the cousins and then a flash back POV. This was a super quick and easy read. Well developed story line and mostly likable characters. 

Dysfunctional family drama, estranged family dynamics, secrets, and lies. This was mysterious and the twist at the end was definitely a good one!

I would recommend to those who enjoy YA mysterious with strong family drama and dynamics. 

𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 5/5 ⭐️

Once There Were Heroes is book one in the A Time of Dragons series by Phillip C. Quaintrell. This is an Epic Fantasy in the world of Verda. There used to be heroes. Brave women and men who rose above the rest and who earned them the heart of a dragon. Then they were gone and all that is left is war. 

Epic fantasy in the truest sense. There is so much world building and character introductions that the beginning of this was quite confusing especially with the multiple POV’s and timelines but once it all started to come together it was like WHAT?! HOW?! So freaking good. 

I did not realize that this series takes place in an already established world, so I definitely now want to go read the other books. I honestly really loved all the characters. I thought they were all really important to the story. There was so much it to this book that I could probably re-read it and find things I missed this time!

What a fantastic well-rounded epic fantasy with rich world building, a full cast of characters, magic, and DRAGONS. 

𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 4/5⭐️

𝓢𝓹𝓲𝓬𝓮 1/5🌶️

Dream Chaser by Brittany Gossin is book 2 of the Realm of Dreams series. This picks up where book 2 ends. Ella is still reeling from the terrible betrayal she suffered and returns to the Astral Realm to discover two years have passed. Ella must claim her rightful place to save the realm. 

Thank you to Brittany for giving me the opportunity to beta read this!

Ella in this book is fierce! She was more confident which I loved. She had so much growth in this book not only in her training but in her self as well. Seeing her really assume this role was spectacular. 

Cole is everything. He is such a well rounded character and so good to Ella! The found family in this is so heart warming and I am so happy she has her people! There 

The plot definitely thickens in this one and sets it up for the next book! I loved the expansion in this. We get more about the realm and more magical creatures and elements which is always such a good time. 

𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 5/5 ⭐️

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah is an historical fiction set in two different timelines but most notably during World War II. 1939 in France Vianne says goodbye to her husband as he is sent off to war to fight against the Nazis. Isabelle her sister is searching for a purpose during the war and wanting to help. 

I honestly did not know what I was getting into when I started this. I read the acknowledgments after I finished and realized that this was actually based on a true story. During the course of the novel you follow both Vianne and Isabelle during the war. These characters were so potent and alive. 

I just could not even imagine going through what these women did and everyone who lived through these horrors did and still doing everything you could to help those around you or complete strangers. The research for this book is outstanding. 

Really shows the horrors of World War II in France and surrounding areas and the resilience of family, friendship, and the will to survive. Written in such a beautiful way. This really ripped my heart open, tossed it on the floor, stomped on it, and then pieced it back together over the course of this book. 

I really do not know what else to say about it as I am so completely astonished. 

If you want an emotionally charged historical fiction with life sized characters this one is for you. 

𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 5/5 ⭐️

The Last Time I Lied by Riley Sager is a psychological thriller with past trauma and hidden secrets. Emma is back at camp after 15 years and the disappearance of her three friends. She is determined to figure out what really happened. 

Could not put this down! I honestly thought I had it figured out several time throughout the book and then I was wrong every time. It was suspenseful and chilling. Emma is trying to heal and move past the trauma when she is invited back to the camp. Eventually she decides maybe finally finding out what happened she will be able to move on. 

Loved this so much just the type of thriller book that holds my attention, keeps me guessing, and thoroughly engages me throughout the whole book. 

I would recommend this to those who enjoy dark suspenseful thrillers with an unreliable narrator. 

𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 4.5/5 ⭐️

Cinder by Marissa Meyer is book one in The Lunar Chronicles. Cinder is a cyborg, a second-class citizen, and a gifted mechanic. When her path crosses the Prince’s she finds herself in the middle of intergalactic politics. 

Fairytale retellings are always some of my favorites and I loved this one! I am not usually a huge fan of dystopian novels but this was so well done. I loved the real world places but with the added science fiction and fantasy. 

Cinder is such a well-rounded character. A big heart even though her circumstances are shit. She still strives to do the best she can. She is so much more than just a cyborg! Prince Kai is so charming! Ah! A literal Prince Charming! The romance is slow burning and more of a subplot. 

While there were some plot pieces I guessed it was still an enjoyable read with fast-paced adventures and heart-racing moments. I cannot wait to read the next book! I do not how I have never read this before. It was published in 2012!!

I would recommended to those who enjoy young adult, dystopian science fiction, with a little bit of romance. 

𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 4/5 ⭐️

Mr. Whisper by Andrew Wayne is the first book in The Specialists series. Four investigators all specialists in their field come together to capture someone controlling others using online methods. 

Gripping thriller! I really enjoyed this. It was a quick and easy read! I found all the characters to be well developed and their professions to be super interesting. What an interesting concept as well. Interesting and decidedly scary in a world of social media and apps for everything. 

I am definitely going to be continuing this series! 

𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 5/5 ⭐️

𝓢𝓹𝓲𝓬𝓮 3/5 🌶️ 

Heir of Illusion by @ is the first book in the Verran Isles series. This book was recently published in March of 2025. Ivy is blessed with the power of illusions but she is bound to a ruthless king and forced to play an obedient pet when all she wants is to destroy him and be free. Thorne a mysterious stranger appears but sets his sights on the same weapon Ivy needs. 

I was sleeping on this book! I had seen it around and meant to start it earlier but never got around to it and I so wish I had read it sooner because it was so freaking good!!! I ate it up!!! Ivy is a strong female lead but is also vulnerable and lonely. She just wants to be free. Thorne is our morally gray MMC with touch her and you die vibes. 

I loved the plot, the writing, the romance, and the ending! Ah! The ending. I cannot wait for the next book to come out and I hope it is soon because I need to know what is going to happen. So many secrets, so much betrayal, and so many questions needing answered!

Seriously, read it if you want a badass FMC, a morally gray MMC, romantic fantasy, political intrigue, and some plot twists. 

𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 4/5 ⭐️

𝓢𝓹𝓲𝓬𝓮 3/5 🌶️ 

Vilest Things by Chloe Gong is book two in the Flesh and False Gods series. After winning the San-Er;s games and eliminating King Kasa Calla serves as the advisor to the new king, August, only Calla knows it isn’t really August. 

This continues right when the first book ends. I actually ended up enjoying this more than the first one. I was more engaged and connected with the characters. I loved Calla in this one. She had good character growth and definitely came into her own! Anton is my fave!

The romance was more authentic and felt more natural and not forced. I loved the twists, political intrigue, and magic. I really felt like this book fleshed out so much more. I am really excited for the next book and cannot wait to see how Calla’s story continues to unfold. 

𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 3/5 ⭐️

When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill is a historical fiction fantasy. Set in the 1950s we follow Alex throughout her childhood and on during a time when women were turning into dragons. 

I was really quite excited for this book. Women turning into dragons! Yes, please. I was a little disappointed though. It was so repetitive. In truth I probably should have DNF’d it as I just found it to be boring. I however decided to power through and complete it. 

I think the message and what the author was trying to say is powerful and maybe had I connected to the writing, the story, and the character I would have enjoyed it more. Alex just seems so “blah”. The pacing was so off as well to me. 

I rated it at 3 because I did enjoy the idea of it. I thought it was creative and I wish I felt the delivery had been a little better. Maybe it is just me but maybe I wasn’t in the right mood for this book.