MAKES YOU RECONSIDER.
While personally, death and all qualifying concepts still frighten me to some degree, I enjoyed the truths this book emanated.

Death is a hard conversation, and those right in the line of fire aren’t always getting the best that could be given them. NOT because of horrible doctors or anything to that affect [within regards to this book], just because, all of us are needing to learn how to ask the right questions. There’s so much more in those last few months of life that could be better handled if all of us approached it differently.

This book really opened my eyes to that line of thinking. What trade-offs are you willing to give for maybe a chance at having more time? We all will eventually have someone in our lives (or unfortunately, be this person) that wants to truly understand what’s happening. I feel marginally more prepared to handle these issues in the future. I appreciate Dr. Gawande’s take and how he addressed the topics and his own short-comings.

Hospice, assisted living, and other entities of this sort can be a lot more powerful when programs are appropriately provided and everyone understands the essence of care needed to help patients have the best day, they can at that moment.

A quick, thought-provoking read. One curse word was used. Appropriate for any audience comfortable with confronting the realities of mortality.

CUTE, BUT PLAIN.
This book was simple. A cute, quick read, but not as good as the first one in this "series". 

I liked the unique take on the story as a whole. It was a small plot twist for me that I didn't put all together til the end. While it was interesting, I felt it took away from the fact that the story is about Jane. I want her full re-telling, not so much all of the other characters.

Also, Helen annoyed me to no end. I was bothered from the beginning and she never let up. Jane could've gotten by with Helen being there, sometimes, not every single time we went to her POV.

The adaptation of scenes from Jane Eyre, was clever. I noticed what scenes they were referencing, and the changes would make me chuckle. I kind of want to re-read the book to go over everything again!

Definitely a YA book. No language (pre-Victorian era, of course). A kiss scene happens, and some violence.

A GOOD KINDA ODD.
This book was recommended to me and seemed interesting enough so here we are! Definitely an odd, keep you on your toes, not sure where this is going kinda book. I really enjoyed it! And may have finished it in essentially one sitting (baby to take care of and all ha!).

Set in what is perceived to be some type of Colonial period the story is broken up into choppy chapters and a unique POV. Judith speaks to a boy the entire time and she struggles to tell her story.

All I wanted to do was yell at Judith to SPEAK! So many odd things kept happening and the ending was starting to worry me. Berry weaves a creepy tale with characters you kinda hope burn. 

While seriously, every single person will aggravate you at one point or another, this book is good! Matters resolved

I love finding interesting and different ways that authors choose to write! It's a great experience for me because it mixes up the usual. 

Some tough topics throughout, more mature audiences would be best suited. No language, some violence. A few kisses, but no love scenes. 

OH, ULYSSES.
This book was simple and sweet. I enjoyed it on a Sunday afternoon and was swept into a Jane Austen-like aura of regency romance.

The characters were sassy and full of wit. While some of the phrases made me chuckle, I thought it was neat to be reading a book originally from so long ago! And with so many good reviews, clearly Heyer's novels are long lasting. 

My favorite portions by far were any interaction between Mr. Beaumaris and Ulysses (his dog). I found myself laughing each time and thought the inner dialogue was crafty!

The narrative can be a bit confusing as it switches between POV often, but I didn't mind. The portions with her brother, on the other hand, I essentially skipped/skimmed over. While it played a small tidbit in the end, the sections were too long focusing on his trouble rather than Arabella.

An easy read, and a proper romance. No language, no violence, no love scenes. 

OKAMI IS MY CINNAMON ROLL.
I love him. That little cinnamon roll is my latest book boyfriend, because he just gives you all the heart eyes. His loyalty, sass, and honor round out a great character.

But on a real note, I LOVE BAD-A WOMEN. Mariko for the win. Ahdieh brought a dynamic, thoughtful and strong character in Mariko, and Yumi. Even Kanako, while evil-esque, still awesome. It's so great when female characters really get the spotlight.

This book excels at multiple POV. Even when it changes mid-chapter, it's easy to tell who's speaking and what is happening. It was great getting everyone's views because it rounded at the story from so many angles. I felt the anguish and triumphs of each character. Ahdieh is quickly becoming one of my top favorite authors. Her duologies make me happy and are the perfect length to convey a remarkable story.

Definitely a YA novel, maybe 2 curse words. Some kissing scenes with one being a touch love-ish. Multiple characters involved with torture violence.

BREAKING MY HEART C.G. DREWS.
This book is by a debut author that I follow on Bookstagram. It had to travel all the way from Australia and it did not disappoint!

Loosely based on Beethoven, this book brought all the sadness and hope mixed together that I could barely handle. All I wanted to do was hug Beck, then shake him, then hug him all over again. I JUST WANT HIM TO FEEL BETTER, OKAY?

I enjoyed that each character had their own voice. I wasn’t bored when another person showed up because they all had their own style.

Though I’m going to cut off the Maestro’s fingers if I ever get a chance.

August was sweet, and a truly good character to add the light at the end of the tunnel for this book. I loved her tenacity and wholeheartedness attitude.

The atmosphere of this book was more unique then I’ve recently seen in contemporary YA novels. A nice breathe of fresh air. While sad, there’s a belief that things will get better and can’t possibly end the way they do.

Strongly YA, no language [words in the “low” curse category such as moron are used]. Child abuse and violence present. It made me wince a few times having to read through this story. A kiss or two, nothing heavy.

TAKES A LOT OUT OF YOU.
Oh this book. Oh my heart. WHY ARE PEOPLE THE WAY THAT THEY ARE? It's one thing to completely fictionalize something, but it's another to know that it's a historical fiction.

CRAP LIKE THIS ACTUALLY HAPPENED.

Rill and her siblings are swept on the most horrible river of life. I was only moderately appeased by the end, because things yes, do end 'well', but then you remember once again all the trauma that they went through and it pulls on your heart strings again. 

Be wary that this may be too much for some readers. Thankfully, things aren't described in depth, but things are insinuated that makes you hug any small child you know tighter.

I enjoyed the perspective of Avery Stafford, but didn't know if it was totally necessary. I felt it was more added to help give light to the shadows of the past which I do appreciate. There was just some bits that weren't needed.

Better suited for someone a bit older, no language that I can recall. A lot of child abuse, neglect, and violence. No love scenes, a kiss. 

THE LAST FRONTIER.
Ooooo, this book had me the entire time. It’s generally a hit or miss for me when it comes to novels that aren’t YA. I’m so happy that I’ve had a good streak of solid reads because I needed a break from all of the fantasy haha.

This book deals with post-traumatic stress disorder that manifests as severe domestic abuse and violence. It was heavy-handed on my heart to watch Leni and Cora struggle just as much as Ernt.

The book keeps a great pace. You’re enjoying two love birds growing up, then wolves show up. Everyone is enjoying a gathering, to have guns waving around next. I loved that I never knew what was quite coming next.

Leni and Matthew’s love story is bounded by years. The way the author told the story truly over time, allowed a flourishing of need to watch these two come together.

Appropriate for YA world, even though it is written as an adult book (as long as you’re comfortable reading about domestic abuse). Some language, and definitely a lot of violence and abuse. One love scene, not heavily scripted. A few kissing scenes.

WHAT. JUST. HAPPENED?
I had to sleep on this review because I had to gather all of my thoughts after that finish (Note: this first part is without reading the legend of Tristan and Iseult).

My mind is so boggled. This book was great! I felt it got better with each page turn. The flow was fairly fast paced and kept you on your toes. For the last 100 pages I felt this horrid sense of foreboding that I couldn’t put my finger on. AND BOY, I DID NOT PUT MY FINGER ON IT AT ALLLLLLL.

Tristan was too cute and I enjoyed his character connected with Branwen. Branny did bother me on occasion because it came off that she was way too focused on not ruining the alliance. I get it’s a big deal, but girlfriend. It’ll be okay.

Essy on the other hand was a tad too bratty for me. While I know her issues must be tough to deal with she continually was so flippant in her attitude and added a lot more sass than was necessary at times.

I have mixed feelings towards the magic portions of this book. It played a part and didn’t all at the same time. I don’t think it was forced, but hopefully with the later books it will intertwine and I will grasp what the author is going for more.

Now that I Googled the legend after finishing the first book…

WHAT? I have so many questions. And I am so curious about this entire series. I think the legend enhanced what I read. I want to know where Branwen will really play her part and am excited to keep reading these books!

Definitely a young adult book. No language [YAY]. A few kissing scenes, with one minor scripted love scene. Violence as two countries are at war with each other. A little gruesome occasionally.

NOT AS CHARMED THIS TIME AROUND.
I picked this up to re-read on a Sunday because I have book mail coming Tuesday that I will be reading immediately and I thought this was a cute book!

I like the idea of the "series" not being a "series". The characters from one book, appear in another, but the main characters get their own story line for each book. It's creative and fun.

What I realized the second time is that oh my goodness, so many hormones. That's mostly what Isla and Josh are really dealing with. Not the other external factors, the fact that they are madly in love after less than a month and plot to go have sex. This unfortunately stood out a lot more this time around.

I still think it's a cute book and I enjoy the way it reads. It's fast and precise without a lot of extra hoopla that bogs it down. Isla especially would make me laugh with her inner thoughts. She's a love-struck hormonal teenager just like the rest of us once were.

Definitely some language (including f-words). Love scenes are a little descriptive, but also don't go over the edge like you'd see in New Adult+.