Review: “The Spanish Love Deception” is *chef’s kiss.* After seeing it blow up on just about every social media platform, I thought I would finally give it a read and that was probably one of the best decisions I have ever made! Armas’ debut novel is worthy of high praise and has become one of my all time favorite romance reads. 

What I loved most about the novel (besides Aaron Blackford of course) was how Armas, a Spanish writer, made Spanish culture a large aspect of her main character’s identity. Catalina Martín frequently spoke Spanish throughout the book and because the story is told from her point-of-view, the reader is able to learn more about her diverse family’s traditions and customs when she returns to Spain for her sister’s wedding. 

Armas’ unique writing style helped me feel connected to Catalina in a sense. Her struggles, emotions, and experiences were relatable, which made Catalina feel all the more real. 

Speaking of real… I wish Aaron Blackford was. Armas’ portrayal of him made my heart do little flips. He’s the whole package: attractive, protective, caring, patient, hard-working… I could go on for days. He truly is the perfect man and I couldn’t be more jealous of Catalina. 

Lastly, the tropes chosen by Armas were nicely integrated into the plot and the mature content was not overpowering which made the novel that much more enjoyable! I am looking forward to reading Armas’ next release “The American Roommate Experiment” as soon as it hits the shelves! If it is anything like “The Spanish Love Deception,” I know I will fall hard for the next fictional man to grace Armas’ pages. 

Review: I am OBSESSED with “It Happened One Summer!” I was “hooked” from the start (haha get it… fishing puns) and devoured the novel in one sitting. I don’t usually like guys with facial hair but I will make an exception for Brendan Taggert.

One aspect of the novel that I loved were the parallels to Alexis Rose’s storyline in Schitt’s Creek! Like Alexis, Piper is a spoiled socialite whose wild antics get her in a bit of trouble. When her father cuts her off and sends her to Seattle, she meets a local sea captain and King Crab Fisherman named Brendan Taggert. Brendan’s occupation was fascinating and helped the novel diverge from the world of Schitt’s Creek. In addition, it brought something new and fresh to the enemies-to-lovers trope. 

Another aspect I appreciated was being able to read from the perspective of both love interests. Bailey gives the reader intimate access to Brendan and Piper’s inner thoughts, which reveal the different moments they began to fall for one another, moments that made my heart melt. Further, Bailey did a phenomenal job capturing Brendan’s loss and shedding light on Piper’s fear of not belonging through their respective viewpoints. 

Lastly, I admired the way Bailey devoted time to developing her side characters, specifically Hannah Bellinger. Hannah and Piper’s sisterly bond was well-written and their actions really illustrated how protective they are of each other. I look forward to reading Hannah’s story in “Hook, Line, and Sinker!” 

Review: “Rule of Wolves” is the PERFECT book for Grishaverse fans! It was so entertaining to see all of the Grishaverse characters in one book and I absolutely loved how “Rule of Wolves” brought the Nikolai duology to a close. 

 

My favorite aspect of the novel was Zoya’s development as a character. It was touching to see her accept parts of herself she once felt ashamed of, let love into her heart, let go of anger, and show mercy.  

 

I really appreciated the addition of both Mayu and the monk’s perspectives. As a native of the Shu Han, reading from Mayu’s point-of-view aided the reader in understanding the country’s culture and customs, two things that weren’t fully explored in previous novels. “The monk” was comprised of both Yuri and the darkling’s viewpoints, which was intriguing in and of itself. 

 

In my previous review, I commented on the presence of diverse characters. A lot of those characters reappeared in “Rule of Wolves” which was great. Bardugo used many of those characters to provide commentary on the hardships faced by minority groups which I found to be powerful. 

 

Bardugo said in an interview that “Rule of Wolves” was written to be an ending of the Grishaverse. While this news saddens me deeply, I still find myself feeling content. Especially knowing that Zoyalai is real and the story is open-ended. This isn’t goodbye. It’s “I’ll see you later.”

Review: “Crying in H Mart” is a beautifully written memoir about love, loss, grief and identity. 

 

Prior to reading Zauner’s work, I had known that she was a part of “Japanese Breakfast," but was not aware of all of the hardships she faced as a young adult. The memories she shared were so personal and raw. It was heartbreaking to read about the year Zauner took care of her mother. The reader is filled with devastation as they watch Zauner’s mother lose her hair and aspects of her personality to pancreatic cancer. During these moments, I especially appreciated how many of the chapters were broken up into smaller sections to make everything a bit more digestible. 

 

Another aspect of the novel I appreciated was how Zauner went to great lengths to familiarize the reader with aspects of her culture. One way she did so was through food. Zauner’s mother was born in Seoul, Korea and spent long hours making Korean dishes to stay connected with her family when she moved to the United States. After she passed, Zauner took it upon herself to learn her mother’s dishes to stay connected to her. The reader learns a lot about Zauner’s Korean half of her identity simply by reading passages dedicated to the preparation of specific dishes (note: do not read this memoir on an empty stomach) and in turn feels linked to the author. 

 

Zauner’s emphasis on food also highlights her struggle with being biracial. Before she lost her mother, Zauner spoke of wanting more than anything to resemble her white peers. After her mother departed, however, she feared the loss of the Korean half of her identity because she could not replicate her mother’s Korean dishes. This subject of belonging is a sensitive one, but I am glad it is placed at the forefront of Zauner’s memoir because many readers will resonate with her words. 

Review: I was pleasantly surprised by “King of Scars!” Though it doesn’t top “Six of Crows,” it came pretty darn close. 

 

I had a wonderful time reading from the perspectives of Nikolai and Zoya, characters who were introduced, but never fully explored in the “Shadow and Bone” trilogy. Bardugo did a great job making their voices distinctive from past characters and it was extremely entertaining to to see the ways in which Nikolai’s witty banter clashed with Zoya’s sharp tongue. 

 

In addition, I enjoyed learning more about Zoya and Nikolai’s backstories and how they fit into the world of the grishaverse. In particular, I really enjoyed Zoya’s development and how Bardugo carefully revealed her past, which provided insight into her prickly demeanor. 

 

The incorporation of Nina’s perspective helped to tie in the world of “Six of Crows” which I enjoyed. Bardugo’s writing captured her loss really well and it resonated with me. 

 

Another element I appreciated was the presence of diverse characters. It was great to see characters with dis/abilities (like Adrik) serve as powerful grisha, characters of color (like Zoya) share their point of view, and characters (like Hanne) communicate to readers that is it is okay to question your gender. 

 

All in all, I found “King of Scars” to be a great read! The subtle romance sprinkled throughout and descriptive action sequences kept me engaged. The cliffhanger that brought the book to a close definitely makes me eager to start book 2!

Review: I am absolutely devastated knowing that my time with quartet has come to an end!

This last book in the series absolutely wrecked me. There wasn’t a moment where I was dry eyed while reading “A Sky Beyond the Storm” because of the death and destruction that brought everything to a close. However, I was ultimately satisfied by the ending. 

The fast-paced, complex plot in “A Sky Beyond the Storm”  kept me engaged and the slow burn trope that Tahir incorporated worked really well. It was drawn out, inflicting the right amount of pain on readers hoping that the tension between Laia and Elias (as the Soul Catcher) would dissipate. 

One aspect of this final novel that I enjoyed was how Tahir took her time revealing the Nightbringer’s story. It was fun to read more from the Nightbringer’s point-of-view and it was intriguing to receive a chapter written from Keris’ perspective later on. 

This book really tested many of the characters and showcased their development across the series, which I appreciated. I admire Helene’s newfound strength and I honestly believe she deserved so much better than the ending she was given. Laia’s transformation brought tears to my eyes. The girl that once left her brother to the masks in book one led the final battle and truly became “The Lioness’s Daughter.” 

“An Ember in the Ashes” is one of the best fantasy series I have ever read. It is so well written and unique. I do not know why I waited so long to read Tahir’s work, but I am so glad I finally got around to it!