Thank you to the author for an audiobook copy.
Reread Feb. 2023: Loved my reread!! Great audiobook. I do wish with dual POV there would have been dual narrators, but the narrator did a good job with all of the different voices for characters.

Thank you to the author for an eARC.

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I AM A PUDDLE.

OMG I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH.

That should be this review: NO NOTES.

I’ll drop a bit more though. I could not get enough of Marigold and Tristan. Marigold has some of the best type of character development that had me easily won over to her side as the book progressed. Add in a broody grump with a cinnamon roll soul in Tristan and these two reluctant lovers ARE A MATCH.

There were so many good moments. I would love to list them, but I also think you should go into reading this without those hints. Tristan and Marigold end up in some dicey situations that lead to their own consequences. And while not their initial choice, learning to communicate was something they both needed that really made my heart soar.

Also, the family????? On BOTH sides were loving and kind. Supportive and compassionate. I loved the parents, the siblings, the uncle. All of them. It was very refreshing to have this kind of support and it made the whole book.

All of the archery stuff was super cool to learn about too. I love archery and it was a unique dynamic to add into a regency romance. It’s the kind of thing I love about Barker’s books. They feel inventive to the genre and this is without a doubt my new favorite of hers.

Overall audience notes:
- Regency Romance
- Language: none
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: low
- Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of parents (recounted), misogyny 

MY HEART.

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I love the way Hathaway crafts romance books. They feel so romantic and the setting is always perfect and I love being whisked away to the shores of Cornwall.

This second chance romance was incredibly tender. I loved watching Edmund and Poppy reconnect and explore what happened in the past and how they could make progress for the future they both sought. There’s a whole spectrum of emotions that I felt wanting these two to kiss and make-up already (and don’t worry, that kiss scene is fire).

I adored all of the surrounding cast (well, most of them, IYKYK) and appreciate that everyone plays apart in the story. It’s a slow build plot that is enchanting and moving. I love that Edmund and Poppy found a way to be together. To communicate and love each other with everything they had.

I can’t wait to read more of Hathaway’s books. She’s one of my top go-to’s for historical romances.

Overall audience notes:
- Historical Romance
- Language: none
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: low
- Trigger/Content Warnings: physical and emotional child abuse (recounted), loss of a loved one, childbirth, mentions of depression, depictions of grief 

A GOOD SPIN-OFF.

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I enjoyed the original Reckoners series and I couldn’t pass up reading all things Sanderson so here we are!

The main character, Jax, was solid. I liked that he had to work through tough decisions, sometimes make the wrong choice, and decide what path was the best for everyone involved. It gave a many layered character that I enjoy seeing. Not to mention, there’s villain points of view??? Wild and never happens so this was fun too.

There was nothing glaring for my rating to be four star, but you know when it’s Sanderson but not? It’s that vibe that just had it missing somethings for me overall.

I thought the ending was good, but there’s room for more??? So I’m confused because I thought this was a standalone. Guess we’ll find out.

LOTS of action, missions gone wrong and moments you won’t see coming. I really enjoyed this as an audiobook (and I actually think it only comes that way right now?) so give it a go!

Overall audience notes:
- YA Dystopia
- Language: very little
- Romance: flirting
- Violence: high
- Trigger/Content Warnings: mass murder, physical violence, weapons violence, explosions, loss of life, loss of a sibling 

WOW THIS DID NOT WORK FOR ME.

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I feel like I read a completely different book than everyone else. Nope nooooooooope no.

A nagging issue I had with this, is that it felt like a contemporary romance shoved into a fantasy world? And not as a compliment. Because than the fantasy elements fell flat and I think a lot more world building could have been focused on. It was this weird zone.

It is definitely a romance which awesome. Things moved way too quickly. Was this supposed to be enemies to lovers? Furthest thing from that. Second chance? Yes that trope was efficient. When the couple is already completely back together before the halfway point I have no connection to them. It just turned into a let’s bang everywhere scenario that y’all know I never love.

There’s some sweet family and sister dynamics. Good friendships and connections. I never really liked the FMC either though which played a big part in me skimming way too much of this book.

I won’t be continuing the series.

Overall audience notes:
- NA Fantasy Romance
- Language: strong
- Romance: multiple open door scenes; med-high explicit
- Violence: high
- Trigger/Content Warnings: emotional abusive boyfriend (recounted multiple times), depression, gaslighting, suicide attempt, animal cruelty, fatphobia, homophobia 

Thank you to Delacorte Press and Netgalley for an eARC.

WHOA.

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Well this a riiiiide. One that I binge read in two sittings because I easily get wrapped up in thrillers. I am also easily spooked by anything remotely creepy or frightening so yes, I was reading with a light on.

For a book only covering 8 hours it was an adventure. A very interesting group of friends together just trying to get to spring break when BAM. All the things start happening. This book needed a fast paced and that pace was served. I spanned the spectrum on emotions towards all of the characters. Which to me was the kind of thing I like seeing in thrillers. I want to hug some characters and shake others. I even impressed myself with figuring out who were the five to survive.

The plot is definitely intense at times and high stakes were achieved. There were big twists that took me by surprise and I loved turning the pages on this one. I’m not really a thriller reader, but Holly Jackson is one thriller author I will keep coming back to.

Overall audience notes:
- YA Thriller
- Language: some strong
- Violence: high
- Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of a parent (recounted multiple times), executions (recounted), gun violence, attempted murder, murder, physical altercations, alcohol consumption, mob violence 

BETTER THAN THE FIRST.

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I had some *thoughts* on the first book but felt inclined enough to give the second book a go and I liked it so much more!!

The romance was developed in a way I could get behind. There was still that lust component that isn’t for me personally, BUT, it was used here in an easier to handle light that ended with me actually liking this couple. A dash of enemies to lovers / workplace rivals that come together to save the town. Perfect for the season right?

It’s quirky and Gwyn is boisterous and full of banter that is well received by Wells. I especially liked that the third act wasn’t blown out of proportion. There was reasonable befuddlement that led to some simple answers and both Gwyn and Wells actually believed each other! YAY. There’s good tension and fluff mixed into a plot that has the same essence as the The Ex Hex.

Great for the season.

Overall audience notes:
- Paranormal Romance
- Language: strong
- Romance: multiple open door
- Violence: medium
- Trigger/Content Warnings: alcohol consumption, blood depiction, torture mentioned, kidnapping 

It was fine. I liked the characters and baking stuff, buuuut. 

It's repetitive. The larger plot really doesn't move and there's too much time spend on tiny tidbits that really don't matter. Makes it feel like they're there purely to reach a word count. 

I think I'm calling it here for this series.

I think this was too short. I needed a bit more information about this couple and their background. The holiday vibes were there and some enjoyable side characters at least.

Thank you to the publisher for an eARC.

NEEDED SOMETHING.

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I wanted to love this. I went in hoping I would, buuuut here we are. I liked it, it just wasn’t a favorite.

It did have a very distinct YA fantasy feel. And I know that can be a winner for a lot. For me, I felt like I needed more. Something that added an edge, something I hadn’t read before. I don’t know. Within a few chapters I knew exactly what was going to happen and I wasn’t surprised by how it ended.

I did love Leelo as a main character. She has that strength and loyalty that I always appreciate in a FMC. I love that she was open to changing her opinions and took time to understand the new information that was being heaped upon her. Leelo handled a lot of things really well.

The romance is a bit much on the insta-love side. I was hoping for to see them connect over more things before confessions of love started rolling out. Leelo and Jaren were charming and easily sweet on each other.

I loved Leelo’s Mom and Brother. They were some of my favorite side characters and helped me enjoy and look forward to scenes with them. I liked the conclusion and do think it wrapped up things pretty well.

Overall audience notes:
- YA Fantasy + Romance
- Language: very little
- Romance: make-outs
- Violence: medium
- Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of a parent, loss of loved ones, poison, weapons violence, murder, physical altercations 

KIND OF LIKED.

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I went up and down with this book way too many times. Maybe it was supposed to be like a K-drama? (I haven’t read one so I can’t attest to this, but that could be where I missed the full connection with this).

The relationship was pretty sweet and I liked the returning friendship vibes that blossomed into more. Hannah and Jacob were solid YA characters. Nothing flashy or anything outside what you’d expect, but they did the job.

Plot wise, it’s fine. I’ve read some others I’ve loved more with this same kind of vibes and this was a pretty straightforward set-up. It’s a cute story with some dramatic flair that might work well with others.

Overall audience notes:
- YA Contemporary Romance
- Language: some strong
- Romance: brief fade to black