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I’M HERE FOR THE COVER.
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Shamelessly read this duology based off of the covers because they’re GORGEOUS. Yes yes, I’ll also discuss the book too.
This one surprised me! Based off of how Ashlords went down I was imagining many scenaries for book two. And pretty much none of those happened. Blood Sworn turned in a different direction and plot then expected. I was confused at first if I was going to like it, but by the end was happy with how things worked out.
I love the multiple POV’s here. Getting an angle from each different group in the empire. This is a HIGH action book where every chapter something is going on. Whether fighting gods, kinsmen, or arguing over how to save the world. I really enjoyed this on audio and was able to keep pace with everything happening.
The romance was a bit of a let down. If you’re going to add it then it needs more than a few pages in the entire series dedicated to it. Otherwise the focus could be placed in other ways. It was cute at the end seeing some HEAs. Even if I wanted to see more of their connections throughout.
This duology wrapped up well. I don’t remember any specific things that were left too open-ended. Those got what was coming to them, and things seemed to be looking up at the end.
Overall audience notes:
- Young adult fantasy
- Language: some
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: skirmishes, battles, war, murder
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Shamelessly read this duology based off of the covers because they’re GORGEOUS. Yes yes, I’ll also discuss the book too.
This one surprised me! Based off of how Ashlords went down I was imagining many scenaries for book two. And pretty much none of those happened. Blood Sworn turned in a different direction and plot then expected. I was confused at first if I was going to like it, but by the end was happy with how things worked out.
I love the multiple POV’s here. Getting an angle from each different group in the empire. This is a HIGH action book where every chapter something is going on. Whether fighting gods, kinsmen, or arguing over how to save the world. I really enjoyed this on audio and was able to keep pace with everything happening.
The romance was a bit of a let down. If you’re going to add it then it needs more than a few pages in the entire series dedicated to it. Otherwise the focus could be placed in other ways. It was cute at the end seeing some HEAs. Even if I wanted to see more of their connections throughout.
This duology wrapped up well. I don’t remember any specific things that were left too open-ended. Those got what was coming to them, and things seemed to be looking up at the end.
Overall audience notes:
- Young adult fantasy
- Language: some
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: skirmishes, battles, war, murder
FANTASTIC AND DREAMY.
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Full of puns today.
ANYWAYS.
Honestly though, this was a great YA standalone fantasy. Adored it whole heartedly. The audio book is a great route and I love how the time flew by because of how much I was enjoying this. Some good quotable moments and an interesting plot that kept things moving.
I was smitten with this quiet romance that slowly built over time. I consider it a rivals/enemies to lovers scenario. You know when you’re bent on revenge and fall for that person instead? YUP, it’s here. Clementine was the best kind of young adult main character. She made some poor and unwise choices, but also rallied and grew over the book. That character growth I’m always looking for is here and she learns much in a short amount of time.
The story was unique for me and I loved the dream concept interwoven with a curse. I was even surprised by some of the reveals because I had my eyes on someone else the entire time. Great writing, well built story, likeable characters and more. Highly recommend this one!
Overall audience notes:
- YA Fantasy
- Language: none
- Romance: make-outs
- Violence: small skirmishes, physical altercations, weaponry, light blood/gore with wounds
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Full of puns today.
ANYWAYS.
Honestly though, this was a great YA standalone fantasy. Adored it whole heartedly. The audio book is a great route and I love how the time flew by because of how much I was enjoying this. Some good quotable moments and an interesting plot that kept things moving.
I was smitten with this quiet romance that slowly built over time. I consider it a rivals/enemies to lovers scenario. You know when you’re bent on revenge and fall for that person instead? YUP, it’s here. Clementine was the best kind of young adult main character. She made some poor and unwise choices, but also rallied and grew over the book. That character growth I’m always looking for is here and she learns much in a short amount of time.
The story was unique for me and I loved the dream concept interwoven with a curse. I was even surprised by some of the reveals because I had my eyes on someone else the entire time. Great writing, well built story, likeable characters and more. Highly recommend this one!
Overall audience notes:
- YA Fantasy
- Language: none
- Romance: make-outs
- Violence: small skirmishes, physical altercations, weaponry, light blood/gore with wounds
A BEAUTIFUL STORY.
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Seriously. Here I am again singing the praises of Amy Harmon’s writing. It’s beautiful and captivating. Emotional and always hopeful. Wow did I love this book (like I love all of her books, favorite author alert).
I can’t say enough about the audio version of this too. The narrator brings Benny TO LIFE. It was so smooth and enriching. If you get a chance to listen to this (available on KU) highly recommend!
The storytelling here left me speechless. I felt so many emotions reading this. And the way that music played such a deep role for both Benny and Esther made me wish that this was a movie. Esther and Benny had immediate chemistry and the BEST banter. It all felt so natural and Benny’s passion for Esther had me swooning.
Add in a fantastic side cast and this book soared even higher. I loved Pop and Esther’s brothers. I found in them a well rounded story. Filling all angles and opinions needed to fit this book. I just love what this LOVE story showcased and how it all enfused a sense of hope for a better tomorrow.
Overall audience notes:
- Historical fiction + romance
- Language: some
- Romance: kisses & a mostly closed door scene
- Violence: gun violence, physical altercations, murder, poisoning
- Trigger/Content Warnings: racism, micro-aggressions, segregation, murder of loved ones
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Seriously. Here I am again singing the praises of Amy Harmon’s writing. It’s beautiful and captivating. Emotional and always hopeful. Wow did I love this book (like I love all of her books, favorite author alert).
I can’t say enough about the audio version of this too. The narrator brings Benny TO LIFE. It was so smooth and enriching. If you get a chance to listen to this (available on KU) highly recommend!
The storytelling here left me speechless. I felt so many emotions reading this. And the way that music played such a deep role for both Benny and Esther made me wish that this was a movie. Esther and Benny had immediate chemistry and the BEST banter. It all felt so natural and Benny’s passion for Esther had me swooning.
Add in a fantastic side cast and this book soared even higher. I loved Pop and Esther’s brothers. I found in them a well rounded story. Filling all angles and opinions needed to fit this book. I just love what this LOVE story showcased and how it all enfused a sense of hope for a better tomorrow.
Overall audience notes:
- Historical fiction + romance
- Language: some
- Romance: kisses & a mostly closed door scene
- Violence: gun violence, physical altercations, murder, poisoning
- Trigger/Content Warnings: racism, micro-aggressions, segregation, murder of loved ones
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an eARC.
MUST READ.
I’ve sat here in a struggle to put words together enough to explain how I think this should be a required reading type of book. Filled with some things I understand, but many more I never will. This is one of those stories that we need to hear, need to acknowledge and need to learn from.
The nuanced level at which the title, All My Rage, played out on page was impeccable. I saw the rage, I felt the rage. A complex emotion that stems from many different avenues was written out again and again in raw and deep ways. This isn’t a light-hearted read by any means. Yet with the discussion of religion and love for those around us and far from us, hope still stands like a pillar in dark times.
It was visceral and full of broken-hearted people trying to rise from the ashes. I loved the main characters, Noor, Salahudin, and Misbah. Each told their own story as they wove around each other. The strength of this story is immense. The writing was captivating and the pacing made the pages fly by. I loved the ending and these characters are going to stay with me for a long time.
Overall audience notes:
- YA Contemporary + Romance
- Language: strong
- Romance: kisses
- Trigger/Content Warnings: drug and alcohol addiction, mentions of repressed sexual assault, physical domestic abuse, Islamophobia, racism, death, tense exchanges with law enforcement
MUST READ.
I’ve sat here in a struggle to put words together enough to explain how I think this should be a required reading type of book. Filled with some things I understand, but many more I never will. This is one of those stories that we need to hear, need to acknowledge and need to learn from.
The nuanced level at which the title, All My Rage, played out on page was impeccable. I saw the rage, I felt the rage. A complex emotion that stems from many different avenues was written out again and again in raw and deep ways. This isn’t a light-hearted read by any means. Yet with the discussion of religion and love for those around us and far from us, hope still stands like a pillar in dark times.
It was visceral and full of broken-hearted people trying to rise from the ashes. I loved the main characters, Noor, Salahudin, and Misbah. Each told their own story as they wove around each other. The strength of this story is immense. The writing was captivating and the pacing made the pages fly by. I loved the ending and these characters are going to stay with me for a long time.
Overall audience notes:
- YA Contemporary + Romance
- Language: strong
- Romance: kisses
- Trigger/Content Warnings: drug and alcohol addiction, mentions of repressed sexual assault, physical domestic abuse, Islamophobia, racism, death, tense exchanges with law enforcement
NOT MY FAVORITE.
I really wanted to love this, and I thought I might, but many things held me back.
What I did like was the fake dating trope. Always a good one that guarantees some forced proximity moments I’m not mad about. There’s a lot of holiday spirit to go around here and those vibes were alive and well too.
I almost hated the way the male love interest, Noah, was written. I cringed multiple times at how he described Grace and would have DNF based off of that alone if I wasn’t finishing this for a buddy read. Noah had a few good, sweet moments, but holy cow, he needed a major rewrite.
Grace was cool! I liked that she worked as an engineer and was well versed in wood working and other hardware based activities. She’s a pretty well rounded character and I enjoyed her much more than Noah.
There’s sweet moments between the two and some good swoony kisses. I liked how things worked out in the end for them. The plot made things way too easy at times and random scenes truly felt like filler rather than part of the flow of the story. Not to mention, Grace’s Mom and Sister drove me up a wall. Another holiday let down for me.
Overall audience notes:
- Contemporary Holiday Romance
- Language: none
- Romance: make-outs
- Trigger/Content Warnings: Noah is an orphan, loved one with a terminal illness
A NEW FAVORITE.
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I loooooooooved this book SO DANG MUCH. I flipped when it finally dropped on my kindle and read it in a day. I could not and did not want to put it down ever. I flew through this magnificent love story that gave me all the feels from laughter to tears. What a beautiful book. If you only get through this paragraph PLEASE READ IT.
I would call this one of those perfect romance. Where I can’t even think of one nuanced complaint other then that it ended too soon because it could never end I would keep reading this forever.
Rooney is the sunshine heroine with a chronic illness. Something she hides from those she loves and something that has flared up badly enough she had to take a break. I love her vulnerability and strength. Allowing Axel to see the “ugly” sides of her that he made her realize would never change a thought in his mind about her. I loved Rooney’s sunshine along with the rain.
Axel, who is autistic, struggles with emotions and expressing them towards others. He’s the grump to Rooney’s sunshine. As Axel’s layers started to peel away, you really get to the heart of why he feels a certain way about himself and his “eternal” bachelorhood. I love how this two connected and allowed a space for each of them to explore new thoughts and express words that they needed to say to one another (and to the loved ones in their circles). It was emotional and romantic. Tender and incredibly heartfelt. I LOVED every single interaction between them.
Add in a marriage of convenience, a cabin in the woods, and some cute critters and this book is everything I love about the romance genre. Rooney and Axel’s love story was compelling and so full of truth that is undeniable. I swooned many many times and this book is going to live rent free in my mind for the foreseeable future.
Overall Audience Notes:
- Contemporary Romance
- Language: occasionally strong
- Romance: kisses to multiple open door
- Trigger/Content Warnings: chronic illness (IBD)
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I loooooooooved this book SO DANG MUCH. I flipped when it finally dropped on my kindle and read it in a day. I could not and did not want to put it down ever. I flew through this magnificent love story that gave me all the feels from laughter to tears. What a beautiful book. If you only get through this paragraph PLEASE READ IT.
I would call this one of those perfect romance. Where I can’t even think of one nuanced complaint other then that it ended too soon because it could never end I would keep reading this forever.
Rooney is the sunshine heroine with a chronic illness. Something she hides from those she loves and something that has flared up badly enough she had to take a break. I love her vulnerability and strength. Allowing Axel to see the “ugly” sides of her that he made her realize would never change a thought in his mind about her. I loved Rooney’s sunshine along with the rain.
Axel, who is autistic, struggles with emotions and expressing them towards others. He’s the grump to Rooney’s sunshine. As Axel’s layers started to peel away, you really get to the heart of why he feels a certain way about himself and his “eternal” bachelorhood. I love how this two connected and allowed a space for each of them to explore new thoughts and express words that they needed to say to one another (and to the loved ones in their circles). It was emotional and romantic. Tender and incredibly heartfelt. I LOVED every single interaction between them.
Add in a marriage of convenience, a cabin in the woods, and some cute critters and this book is everything I love about the romance genre. Rooney and Axel’s love story was compelling and so full of truth that is undeniable. I swooned many many times and this book is going to live rent free in my mind for the foreseeable future.
Overall Audience Notes:
- Contemporary Romance
- Language: occasionally strong
- Romance: kisses to multiple open door
- Trigger/Content Warnings: chronic illness (IBD)
ONE OF MY 2021 FAVORITES.
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I can’t believe I had to have multiple people tell me to read this book before I did because OH MY GOSH I LOVED IT SO MUCH.
SO DANG MUCH.
READ IT.
And if you can get your hands on the audio book, HIGHLY recommend that avenue. The audio was one of the best I’ve ever listened to.
I’m trying to stay purposely pretty vague because it’s more fun going in blind on this one.
This book starts off wild and doesn’t let up. I loved moving back and forth between the present and the moments that Ryland started to remember what was happening. It’s intensely scientific and at times I felt smarter and dumber all in the same sentence, and I loved that.
Not to mention how much I loved the progression of the story and THAT ENDING. Apparently some didn’t love it? I couldn’t see it ending any other way for multiple reasons and thought it gave Ryland the right kind of conclusion. I felt even a little teary about it because it just clicked that well.
This book is laugh out loud funny. I couldn’t help myself with the laughter, it is spot on. I loved how this balanced out the heavy topics and things happening around Ryland. It was the perfect juxtaposition and wow I can’t give this book enough stars.
If I keep going I might spoil things, so trust me, if you got this far, READ THIS BOOK.
Overall audience notes:
- Science Fiction
- Language: some
- Violence: small depictions of blood
- Trigger/Content Warnings: discussion of suicide methods, apocalyptic scenarios, near death experiences
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I can’t believe I had to have multiple people tell me to read this book before I did because OH MY GOSH I LOVED IT SO MUCH.
SO DANG MUCH.
READ IT.
And if you can get your hands on the audio book, HIGHLY recommend that avenue. The audio was one of the best I’ve ever listened to.
I’m trying to stay purposely pretty vague because it’s more fun going in blind on this one.
This book starts off wild and doesn’t let up. I loved moving back and forth between the present and the moments that Ryland started to remember what was happening. It’s intensely scientific and at times I felt smarter and dumber all in the same sentence, and I loved that.
Not to mention how much I loved the progression of the story and THAT ENDING. Apparently some didn’t love it? I couldn’t see it ending any other way for multiple reasons and thought it gave Ryland the right kind of conclusion. I felt even a little teary about it because it just clicked that well.
This book is laugh out loud funny. I couldn’t help myself with the laughter, it is spot on. I loved how this balanced out the heavy topics and things happening around Ryland. It was the perfect juxtaposition and wow I can’t give this book enough stars.
If I keep going I might spoil things, so trust me, if you got this far, READ THIS BOOK.
Overall audience notes:
- Science Fiction
- Language: some
- Violence: small depictions of blood
- Trigger/Content Warnings: discussion of suicide methods, apocalyptic scenarios, near death experiences
DEFINITELY CHRISTMASY.
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Welllllll. I’ll give it points for bringing out every Christmas vibe possible. It did have me wishing I could whip out a sweater in the 100 degree heat outside my window.
This turned out to be a love triangle and we allllll know I tend to not love them. This was another case of that fact. Bailey came off as really whiny most of the time and was focused a lot on looks rather than character/personality of the two boys. Quickly it became clear who was going to choose and when that reveal came out I found myself not too keen on it all. Magical realism thrown into a story to finish it off, isn’t a great finisher in my mind.
Super cheesy and I do think younger audiences would enjoy all of the holiday atmosphere. It’s overall sweet and charming. I loved all of the activities that Bailey got to go do and I just wish the love triangle was taken out of it.
Overall audience notes:
- YA Contemporary Romance
- Language: none
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: minor car accident
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Welllllll. I’ll give it points for bringing out every Christmas vibe possible. It did have me wishing I could whip out a sweater in the 100 degree heat outside my window.
This turned out to be a love triangle and we allllll know I tend to not love them. This was another case of that fact. Bailey came off as really whiny most of the time and was focused a lot on looks rather than character/personality of the two boys. Quickly it became clear who was going to choose and when that reveal came out I found myself not too keen on it all. Magical realism thrown into a story to finish it off, isn’t a great finisher in my mind.
Super cheesy and I do think younger audiences would enjoy all of the holiday atmosphere. It’s overall sweet and charming. I loved all of the activities that Bailey got to go do and I just wish the love triangle was taken out of it.
Overall audience notes:
- YA Contemporary Romance
- Language: none
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: minor car accident
4.5 stars
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MY EYES BETTER HAVE DECEIVED ME.
UH.
I REFUSE TO BELIEVE WHAT I JUST READ.
RE. FUSE.
No no no no no no no.
Yes, it did end on a cliffhanger. One of those what just happened kinda moments. Fair warning. We’ve waited years for this book and IT HURT.
Though honestly, this book was fantastic. I was so excited when I finally got my library copy. I love this story and the characters. It’s really impressive world building and its magic system is intensely intricate.
I am smitten with Arcturus and Paige. SMITTEN. To finally have some moments between them had me shouting YESSSSSS. I love their connection and the way they lift each other up and provide steady support.
My only tiny issue (and why I took half a star off) was because of Paige’s antics. She kept having to do something dumb to further the plot and it was annoying me. Paige is intelligent and sharp so seeing some of the decisions had me shrugging.
Otherwise. Great read. Fantastic. For a thick fantasy book it really flew by. I liked the change of location and the new plot lines unraveling. Getting more answers to questions needed was a nice touch too.
Overall audience notes:
- Fantasy
- Language: some strong
- Romance: kisses to closed door scene
- Violence: skirmishes, physical altercations, torture (fairly gruesome descriptions)
- Trigger/Content Warnings: PTSD, loss of loved ones
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MY EYES BETTER HAVE DECEIVED ME.
UH.
I REFUSE TO BELIEVE WHAT I JUST READ.
RE. FUSE.
No no no no no no no.
Yes, it did end on a cliffhanger. One of those what just happened kinda moments. Fair warning. We’ve waited years for this book and IT HURT.
Though honestly, this book was fantastic. I was so excited when I finally got my library copy. I love this story and the characters. It’s really impressive world building and its magic system is intensely intricate.
I am smitten with Arcturus and Paige. SMITTEN. To finally have some moments between them had me shouting YESSSSSS. I love their connection and the way they lift each other up and provide steady support.
My only tiny issue (and why I took half a star off) was because of Paige’s antics. She kept having to do something dumb to further the plot and it was annoying me. Paige is intelligent and sharp so seeing some of the decisions had me shrugging.
Otherwise. Great read. Fantastic. For a thick fantasy book it really flew by. I liked the change of location and the new plot lines unraveling. Getting more answers to questions needed was a nice touch too.
Overall audience notes:
- Fantasy
- Language: some strong
- Romance: kisses to closed door scene
- Violence: skirmishes, physical altercations, torture (fairly gruesome descriptions)
- Trigger/Content Warnings: PTSD, loss of loved ones
A GREAT WINTERY READ.
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I couldn’t put this one down. I’m not big fan of women’s fiction, but the inclusion of the perfect amount of romance made me love this one. It had many memorable moments and I finished this in a day.
I loved the journey Noelle went on. Over the season she really grew and found her footing in the bigger world outside of her home. I loved how compassionate she was towards her mother and the stumbling it took to work through her life with her old flame. This was a love triangle that worked out sufficiently and never felt like an annoying tidbit you want to skip over.
The soulmate/fated kind of love Noelle had with Sam was adorable. I loved how they kept clashing into each other and how there story kept unfolding. Moment after moment brought them together and the tender kisses and quiet behind the scenes were incredibly sweet.
It was feel good and heartfelt and I thought this whole read was such a gem.
Overall audience notes:
- Women’s Fiction / Contemporary Romance
- Language: strong
- Romance: make-outs/closed door
- Trigger/Content Warnings: being a caretaker for an ailing parent
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I couldn’t put this one down. I’m not big fan of women’s fiction, but the inclusion of the perfect amount of romance made me love this one. It had many memorable moments and I finished this in a day.
I loved the journey Noelle went on. Over the season she really grew and found her footing in the bigger world outside of her home. I loved how compassionate she was towards her mother and the stumbling it took to work through her life with her old flame. This was a love triangle that worked out sufficiently and never felt like an annoying tidbit you want to skip over.
The soulmate/fated kind of love Noelle had with Sam was adorable. I loved how they kept clashing into each other and how there story kept unfolding. Moment after moment brought them together and the tender kisses and quiet behind the scenes were incredibly sweet.
It was feel good and heartfelt and I thought this whole read was such a gem.
Overall audience notes:
- Women’s Fiction / Contemporary Romance
- Language: strong
- Romance: make-outs/closed door
- Trigger/Content Warnings: being a caretaker for an ailing parent