bookishbillijean's Reviews (586)

𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 4/5⭐️

The Girls of Good Fortune by Kristina McMorris tells the story of Celia. A young woman in the late 1800s dealing with the mistreatment of Chinese immigrants in America and her own personal struggles. 

Being half-Chinese herself she has to hide her heritage as she works for the Mayor taking care of his 13-year-old daughter. 

Celia embarks on a journey of love, heartbreak, injustice, grief, and resilience. She is a survivor and believes in the power of the truth and love. 

This was a fascinating read. While I was familiar with portions of this history it was not nearly as much as I thought. I was not familiar with the Shanghai tunnels at all 

The injustices these people faced and had to deal with just infuriates me. I think the book portrayed the history really well and added an engaging plot to help encourage the story along. 

Celia just wanted fairness for all and I think she really did do what she could to help. Really liked the ending but had hoped for a little more of her life after I felt like it just kind of ended for her. 

Would definitely recommend this to those who like historical fiction and a touch of romance. 

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the ARC. 

𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 5/5⭐️

Song of the Six Realms by Judy I. Lin is lyrically written masterpiece. Xue is a talented young musician who was orphaned at a young age she is facing a life of servitude but one night a handsome Lord presents her with an offer she cannot refuse. He takes her to a world she’s only known from stories and legends. 

This is steeped in mythology and is so beautifully written that I found myself wanting to actually read more about the mythologies it is rooted in. I loved the importance that the arts play in this. 

The characters were so engaging. Xue is just the kind of FMC I love. She is strong and a survivor. She accepts her new reality, asks questions, but understands this is her life now. She fights for those she comes to care for. She keeps her promises and realizes these were her choices and she is to accept what comes of it. 

I think this is a book that stays with you. Really recommend to those who enjoy asian lore and fantasy with slow burn romance, strong characters, and whimsical writing. 

𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 4.5/5⭐️

Those Empty Eyes by Charlie Donlea is a fast paced thriller involving hidden identities and a quest for justice! Alex Quinlan was accused of the murder of her parents and brother at just 17 years of age but shoddy police work and a real killer on the loose leaves holes in the story. 

Ten years later Alex is still trying to solve the murder of her family while also helping those in similar situations. 

This was so darn good! The END! The connections made throughout the story and how it all ends up tying things together was seriously expertly done! It had me guessing so much and constantly wanting to flip the pages! 

This author is definitely turning out to be a favorite one for me! Every book I have read by them has been fantastic! 

Seriously read this is you want a fast paced thriller involving serial killers, justice, and a quest for justice in more ways than one!

𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 4/5⭐️

𝓢𝓹𝓲𝓬𝓮 3/5🌶️

Wild Eyes by Elsie Silver is book 2 in the Rose Hill series. I would say these can be read as a standalone however it does seem to be more impactful read in order! 

This is West’s story and how he falls for a famous pop star that crashes into his life and turns it upside down while she is trying to find herself and regain control of her own life. 

Another super cute small town romance! I think I actually enjoyed this one more than the first book. It was spicy and sweet. Tender moments that really showcased the hardships of being a single parent but also of being willing to open yourself up to heartache! 

Can’t wait for Tabby and Rhys’s story! 

𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 4.5/5⭐️

𝓢𝓹𝓲𝓬𝓮 3/5🌶️

Saving 6 by Chloe Walsh is book three in the Boys of Tommen series. This is following Joey and Aoife and takes place before the first books! Different timeline, different couple, and just as much heartache. 

I love Aoife. I love her determination, her loyalty, and her sass. I hate how she is tearing herself up to save him. I hate how much she wants to try and fix him when the only person who can save him is himself. Joey is a good person struggling so much and trying to pull himself out of addiction while taking care of his family. 

I love how Chloe does not shy away from these hard hitting topics. She doesn’t sugar coat anything and she doesn’t place bandaids.

This is a slow-burn romance with emotionally charged dynamics,, addiction, violence, child abuse, and domestic abuse. 

I bawled through a lot of this and then would get physical enraged! I am absolutely hoping Joey gets pulled out of this and he gets his happy ending he deserves. I will be starting the next book shortly. 

𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 4/5⭐️

Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson follows two princesses, one forced to marry the God King and one trying to save her from this fate. 

This is full of political intrigue, unique magic systems, and a little bit of romance. It did take me quite a bit to understand what was going on. The magic system was a little hard for me to understand but eventually I got it. 

I liked the splash of romance. I think it was nice how it evolved over the course of the book. These two sisters care deeply for each other and I think that is showcased well in the book. I wanted to love it as much as I did Elantris but for some reason this just didn’t hit me the same way. 

It was a wonderfully written book and so very imaginative and original I just don’t think I felt engrossed by it! I am slowly making my way through the Cosmere and so far it has been a very exciting adventure. 

𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 4.5/5⭐️

𝓢𝓹𝓲𝓬𝓮 3/5🌶️

Kingdom of Claw by Demi Winters is book 2 in The Ashen Series. This was a highly anticipated read for me as I loved the first book so much! This book continues right where book 1 ends. 

Silla and Rey are traveling together in search of a place for Silla to hide. Jonas is plotting his revenge against Silla and Rey. Saga is trying to help her sister anywhere she can while trapped in the enemy’s castle. 

The author did put a recap of book 1 in this book which is so helpful really helps you remember what was happening. I just love the Viking setting, the magic, and the romance. 

Rey❤️.  I would say this is a slow burn romance but it does have some spicy chapters later on the book. The last 150 pages of the book I was a wreck! So much was happening! I love that we also get more of Saga in this book and a possible love interest! I could have done without Jonas’s chapters which is why it was not a full five star read for me. 

I do not want to wait for the next book…. So many things still left unanswered!

I would definitely recommend this series to those who like slow burn romance, viking inspired settings, magic, enemies to lovers, and forced proximity. 

𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 4.5/5⭐️

𝓢𝓹𝓲𝓬𝓮 3/5🌶️

Keeping 13 by Chloe Walsh is book 2 in the Boys of Tommen series. This is a completed duology and focuses on Johnny and Shannon but it is part of a larger interconnected series. This book starts off immediately where book 1 ends. 

All of Shannon’s secrets have been exposed and she is dealing with the aftermath. Johnny is healing from another surgery and unable to play rugby but together they navigate their way towards each other with love and acceptance. 

OMG. I stayed up until 1AM last night so I could finish it because I could not put it down. Johnny and Shannon’s story was absolutely heart breaking and devastating but also endearing and romantic. Watching them come together and fight for each other was so very wholesome. Shannon really grew in this book. Her trauma and past make it so hard for her to trust and open up but Johnny really helps her overcome this. 

Gibsie is an absolute favorite! I hope he has his own book! I am rooting for Joey! Also anyone else feel like she is setting up a book for Shannon’s brother Tagdh (sp?) down the line as he gets older? 

This was almost a 5 ⭐️ for me. So so very close. The only reason it was not a full five stars was some of the repetitive phrasing. I have a really hard time when I see the same line or phrase used over and over again. 

𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 4/5⭐️

𝓢𝓹𝓲𝓬𝓮 3/5🌶️

The Witch Collector by Charissa Weaks is book one in the Witch Walker series. The Witch Collector comes every Harvest moon to collect one person and take them to the Immortal Frost King. Raina will not let him come for her, she is determined to kill the frost king and the witch collector! The tables turn when he becomes the only thing able to help her save her sister!

This was definitely an enjoyable read! A dark romantic fantasy with enemies to lovers, ancient gods, magic, and a perilous quest. 

The overall pacing of this was good. It was not too fast or too slow and was really easy to follow. The progression from enemies to lovers was a solid slow burn and satisfying! Really enjoyed the character development for Raina. While she struggled with the change in her plans and how her feelings were changing she did not let it stop or control her. 

𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 5/5⭐️

Drowning by T.J. Newman follows a plane that crashes into the Pacific Ocean six minutes after takeoff. Following the crash many are trying to evacuate the plane but some are forced to stay inside the plane… and then it sinks to the bottom!

I can’t even, I am still floored! 5 freaking stars absofreakinglutely! This is my second book from T.J. Newman and I loved the first one too but I think this one was better in my opining. 

I was riveted from the very first line, page, and chapter. This was panic inducing, anxiety ridden, and heart pounding stakes. I was on the edge of my seat the entire book, legit the ENTIRE book. 

Even as I write this my heart is still racing! The author did such a good job following several point of views. I honestly thought this was such a well written book. 

If you want a fast-paced, realistic, thriller with relentless tension and emotional stakes then this is for you!