LACKED PASSION.

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I don’t know y’all, this one felt…formulaic? As if a trope was chosen, a scene was written, repeat and smashed together to be called one book. While I totally love some of those tropes and the scenes were pretty good with them, I feel like I never FELT for these two like I wanted to.

There’s some enemies-ish banter and I loved the small home town setting. I liked the cast of characters and goodness, I really did love Julian. For a 500+ page book this was easy to fly through.

I’m also not a fan of any kind of benefits situation. It feels like a device used just to add more spice when the relationship hasn’t been fully built quite yet. Nor do I feel like some aspects were dived deep enough into. Bleh, a mixed bag all around.

While this wasn’t a winner, I’m hopeful for book two.

Overall audience notes:
- Contemporary Romance
- Language: strong
- Romance: 4+ open
- Violence: low
- Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of a parent (recounted), grief and depression depiction 

 UNBALANCED.

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I couldn’t decide where this book was trying to go or trying to be. It young adult, and written in a younger YA style, yet the language and make-out content would be considered somewhere in the older side of the spectrum. This constantly pulled me out of the book because I could never find the right vibe.

Mostly I thought the idea was intriguing. A haunted school, and a mysterious book, etc. I never felt like all of the pieces clicked together though. It was gratefully a quick audio listen and I never hit a hate reading status, just a this isn’t working mode.

Can’t even tell you if this is one to give a try regardless of my rating. If you’re looking for a paranormal (not fantasy) young adult read, hey, maybe this one?

Overall audience notes:
- YA Paranormal
- Language: moderate
- Romance: some clothes removed make out
- Violence: moderate-high 

WELL.

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I fear this may have been a case of over-hyped for me. Y’all I wanted to love this as much as everyone else I had seen read this before I got my copy and I tried. And while, I absolutely tabbed multiple places in my book and thought it got progressively better, I couldn’t quite give it five stars.

The first half was slowwww and I struggled with the family dynamics + Vivienne. There were things I could not find a way to connect to and while I understood the theme and setting of these choices, it was not meant to be.

The second half was much better. I adored Peter. Like I said previously, plenty of places to mark and swoon over. Writing wise, it was beautifully written. Poetry really isn’t my thing but I could appreciate the way it was used her. And who knew that I would actually really enjoy the 1990’s setting? Also wild to call that historical fiction in any context.

I really felt the depth in those later sections and seeing the growth of the characters too. A lot of raw and poignant moments that I’m grateful the book made it too. It was lyrically dramatic and my soul was caught up in this love story at last.

I love a good book written in journal entries. It’s different than what I usually pick up and I would love to read the author’s next book.

Overall audience notes:
- Historical Fiction Romance
- Language: very little
- Romance: heated kisses
- Violence: low-moderate
- Trigger/Content Warnings: mentions of war, loss of a loved one (multiple), a loved one with cancer. 

 THIS WAS REAL GOOD.

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Y’all know I’m not a non-fiction gal, but once in a blue moon I can be convinced that I should read one and this has had some rave reviews from friends. I think it absolutely lived up to the hype.

My brain loved how this book functioned. Short chapters + history + rating? Loved. It flowed fast and succinct and I had a blast listening to such a wide variety of topics. I loved that John Green narrated this himself because it brought an even higher level of personal connection that made this book resonate.

Easily a non-fiction book I’d recommend to all!

Overall audience notes:
- Non-fiction
- Language: low 

Thank you to the author and Netgalley for an eARC.

I HAVE BEEN DESTROYED.

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Oh my goodness what an incredible book. Those last few chapters let me an utter mess and I am sitting here writing this review right after finishing and I am NOT OKAY. I mean, I am, but also THE FEELS.

I loooved this whole concept. It was really unique with the storytelling powers and how that changed the world around Audra. Meanwhile, I also adored Audra!! What a beautifully strong FMC who truly rose above an incredible amount to find the answers she was seeking and the strength to carry that through.

Jaik was such a gem too. I loved the chemistry between them and how they had that pull towards each other. Some perfectly written banter and all of the best protective moments and I must protect these two at all costs.

The reveals were fantastic and each turn in the story drew me in even more. There were some stunning moments that held such raw humanness that brought tears to my eyes. I loved this journey from the start to the finish. There’s action and romance and magic and intrigue and this sense of feeling like one of those true fantasy books you just have to read.

Overall audience notes:
- Fantasy Romance
- Language: very little
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: high
- Trigger/Content Warnings: anxiety depiction, loss of life, near death experiences, blood/gore depiction 

Thank you to Book Club Favorites for the gifted copy and Simon and Schuster/LibroFM for the audiobook.

THE SAME.

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Either I’m picking the wrong thrillers or this is a continual theme I have found myself stuck in. I feel like every thriller I read is a big cast, 90% have done a bad thing, and there’s a murder to solve. Rinse and repeat. And this didn’t change that scenario much.

I did LOVE the audiobook. Audio was well done and that did make moving through this better. Highly recommend that route.

There were interesting tidbits throughout the story. It wasn’t a total lost cause. Having the multiple POV’s kept things going enough and I liked seeing each little side to the story. I was pulled in wrong directions a few times on the whodunnit and I appreciate that those mystery plot lines worked well.

While not quite a winner for me, it still might be a gem for you.

Overall audience notes:
- Thriller/Mystery
- Language: some strong
- Romance: closed door/fade to black
- Violence: high
- Trigger/Content Warnings: murder, knife violence, infidelity, missing child, depression, non-consensual drugging, forced captivity, brief mentions of child abuse and suicide 

Thank you to the author for an eARC.

LOVABLE MMC.

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I do love a good introvert love interest and Rowan was that man for me. Filled with the right amount of grumpiness and protectiveness and a good dose of that’s my wife and that’s what I hope for when I pick up a marriage of convenience book.

There were a lot of little aspects that added up to the bigger story. Sometimes these felt forced rather than a natural inclusion to the progression of the plot, nonetheless, I did like seeing Rowan and Claire have opportunities to be closer together and realize the feelings they had for one another.

I thought there were some plot holes involving the reasoning behind the MOC. It was briefly explained why, and then never really discussed again?

Rowan was easily my favorite of the whole book. I love the way he loved Claire. There were some great themes of mental health and anxiety. And I liked the discussions surrounding anger control too. All of the hiking content was fun and the book is easy to fly through if you’re in need of something closed door, and quick.

Overall audience notes:
- Contemporary Romance
- Language: none-low
- Romance: closed door
- Violence: low
- Trigger/Content Warnings: mentions of a Dad with anger issues, celiac disease, loss of a grandmother 

 WHAT IN THE WORLD.

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I feel like this has to be one of the oddest books I’ve ever picked up.

And yet I was kind of into it?

A very interesting concept and one I have truly never considered. I did like the exploration of magical realism and mutations and changes. I was intrigued by how it was handled medically and the coping mechanisms that were involved.

I really enjoyed part one and Wren and Lewis’s story the most. I felt swept away by their love for each other and loving through the hard moments too.

What kind of lost me was the second part where the focus changed and I didn’t feel as invested. The book is on the short side (7 hour audio) and there was a lot crammed into this that I wish would have been explored further. I wanted to feel more of the love story aspects that the title referred to.

The ending wrapped things up well enough. Maybe I just struggle with magical realism sometimes and have way too many questions about how everything works and why (hi, I’m the problem, it’s me). I truly did enjoy this read though. There were good themes and plenty of discussions to be had because of the story.

Overall audience notes:
- Fiction
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: low
- Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of loved ones, suicide ideation 

Thank you to Del Rey for the Goodreads giveaway book!

READY FOR MORE.

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I was fortunate enough to win this in a giveaway because I have been eyeing it for awhile now, and it did not disappoint.

My favorite thing about this book was how complex it was. Black, white and alllllll the gray. I loved the emotional journey this took me on. Trying to guess where the true evil was hiding, who was really making the calls, and how the story was all coming together. I liked how much this book gave me but also making me anxious for the next book. This had an awesome build where I found myself more and more invested.

The romance aspects (sub-plot) have my attention to. Honestly, I have ZERO clue where this is going and I am in love with that. I’m someone who prefers a multi-book slow burn and questioning if the first guy is the end game or not (because I have QUESTIONS). Is it weird I love how much I’m still in the dark??

An amazing debut. One I will be recommending to fantasy readers. OH!! And it’s got historical fantasy vibes which if you know, IS MY KRYPTONITE. Seriously, check this book out.

Overall audience notes:
- NA Fantasy
- Language: low
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: high
- Trigger/Content Warnings: drug addiction (opium), loss of loved ones, executions, medical experimentation 

SO CLOSE.

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I was very close to giving this five stars, but the more I thought about it, the more a few things bugged me (I would definitely still recommend this book though!!).

I AM ABSOLUTELY GONE FOR MEN WHO HAVE FALLEN HARD. The mutual pining in this book was off the dang charts. I loved it so much. I loooved that Jack was this grump of a hockey player who every time you got to his POV you saw this blushing man trying to work up the courage to confess his feelings. STOP IT. MY FAVORITE.

And I adored Aulie too. Her health battles and journey brought tears to my eyes. I loved the endo rep and the knowledge this book brought about the struggles and how this effects every aspect of your life.

There were lots of cute and saucy moments between Jack and Aulie. I thought the spice level was great and brought more to the story rather than take it over.

What I didn’t love/find necessary was the ex drama. I thought that was done with and causing ridiculous internet nonsense added more pages, but not more to the plot. I also feel like I have a few background questions that didn’t get answered??

Anyways, I will definitely be reading the next book in this series! I do love the way Torie Jean writes. And if it’s the couple I’m thinking of I love it already.

Overall audience notes:
- Contemporary Sports Romance
- Language: some strong
- Romance: 2 brief open door
- Violence: low-moderate
- Trigger/Content Warnings: bad doctor experiences (including misdiagnosis), endometriosis rep, loss of a father to cancer (recounted), grief depiction, loss of family members