It took me nearly a full month of reading, but I finally finished Realm Breaker, the first book in a brand new fantasy series from Victoria Aveyard. I’m not really sure what I expected going into the book. I really enjoyed the [b:Red Queen|22328546|Red Queen (Red Queen, #1)|Victoria Aveyard|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1449778912l/22328546._SY75_.jpg|25037051] series, but I knew this was going to be different. Different can be good though

Growing up, I was always fascinated by Arabian Nights and Aladdin and of course the mysterious Scheherazade or Shahrazad. I watched so many cartoons and retellings that I lost count! So when I first stumbled across The Wrath & the Dawn, it is no wonder I bought it immediately. Sad to say though, it sat on my shelf far too long. Lenore @ Celebrity Readers asked if I wanted to buddy read this one for the #COYER retelling readathon, and I jumped at the chance. The Wrath & the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh is a beautifully written, heart-aching story about finding love despite the odds.

The story begins with Shahrzad marrying the Caliph of Rey (King of Kings), one of many brides who die every dawn. She seeks revenge for her best friend who died at the Caliph’s hands. However, once in the palace, Shahrzad quickly realizes there is more to the Caliph than the monster he presents to the public, and she is determined to learn the truth before her own neck meets the silk rope.

I love Shahrzad. She is cunning and loyal, cares to a fault, and loves fiercely. I do not believe I’d have had her courage to volunteer to be one of the many brides, knowing that I most likely would die the next morning. Her gift for storytelling and her honesty with the Caliph are what saves her. She realizes that he is observant and would notice a lie so she makes the decision to tell him the truth or just not answer

I received an eARC of this book via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.

Curse of the Specter Queen by Jenny Elder Moke is Indiana Jones meets The Mummy (1999) and encompasses everything I could possibly want in a book. There’s action and adventure, a hint of romance, a curse, and a lot of puzzle solving all set in beautiful Ireland. Following Samantha Knox as she sets out to discover the mysteries behind an ancient journal, Curse of the Specter Queen is for all the kids who grew up longing for adventure.

Sam is a wonderfully complex character. She is set in her ways, working at her friend’s father’s antique bookshop restoring and cataloguing the books. When a mysterious package arrives with an ancient diary and brings with it the destruction of her bookshop, Sam becomes determined to uncover its origins. Believing her friends are in danger, Sam will stop at nothing until she discovers the truth. I really like Sam. She’s shy and a bit backwards, very smart, and yet she hides herself away. She shys away from the spotlight, and for the last seven years has spent her life mourning her father and shunning those she was once close to.

Joana and Bennett Steeling were once Sam’s closest friends, and now they hardly speak to one another. I love Jo. She’s the exact opposite of Sam. She’s feisty, spunky, and headstrong. Jo brings out the best in Sam, allowing her the space she needs to work and providing the tools to do so. I loved Bennett too! He is Sam’s unrequited, childhood crush. Like Sam, he’s a little shy and backwards, at least around Sam

I received an eARC of this book via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.

As I sit down to write my review, it’s been roughly an hour since I finished this book, and y’all I still have a stupid grin on my face

I received an eARC of this book via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.

Falling in Love on Willow Creek by Debbie Mason is the third book in her series Highland Falls. This time we follow the lives of Sadie Gray and Chase Roberts, a brand new single mom and FBI agent undercover. I wanted to love this one, I have loved all of Debbie Mason's books to date, but this one missed the mark with me.

Sadie is a bit of a hot mess when the book opens what with giving birth on the side of the road and all. But after it flashes forward a few months, Sadie is still a hot mess. Newly single, though definitely for the better, and jobless, she is floundering. Her new daughter is colicky, she’s sleep deprived, and at her wits end. I really felt for her. I remember those early days of having a newborn, and they are not easy. I could only imagine doing it alone. But Sadie’s pride gets in the way of her asking for help from her friends who are more than willing to give it.

Then enters Chase Roberts, or Michael Knight as Sadie knows him. Coming to her rescue the night her daughter was born and then mysteriously disappearing just as quickly, Michael was never far from Sadie’s thoughts. However he isn’t who she thinks he is. She believes he’s a park ranger, her “knight” in shining armor. But he’s actually an undercover FBI agent working to find her brother. Chase is extremely smart, but also a bit socially backward. I felt for him. He’s also got a heart of gold, doesn’t like lying, and now thinks he may be falling in love which is definitely against the rules.

The story has multiple plot lines that intersect. First there’s the mystery surrounding Sadie’s brother, her own involvement in the case, and where he might be. Murder may also be afoot

I received eARC of this book via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.

I absolutely loved this one! The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren is the third book from this duo I’ve read in the last year, and after three good reads I’ve moved them to the auto-buy list. The witty banter between the MCs and the fully fleshed out side characters kept me from sitting the book down. I wanted to dive into the pages and live there. A quirky spin on online dating, The Soulmate Equation will leave you smiling long after you reach the end.

Jess Davis is a single mom, a freelance statistician, and has completely given up on dating. She has convinced herself that she is happy with her life as it is and doesn’t need to add a partner to the mix. She has her daughter, her grandparents, and her best friend. What else could she possibly need? I really liked Jess. She was a character that it took a while to like though. She’s insecure, constantly second guessing herself and others around her, but with good reason. No one except her grandparents has stayed in Jess’s life. No one has cared enough to do so. My heart broke for her on more than one occasion, even if I wanted to reach into the book and shake some sense into her.

Then enters Americano, aka Dr. River Pena. Jess has been silently loathing River for years as the two cross paths at the local coffee shop. In her eyes, he’s rude and snobbish. He couldn’t be further from it. River is actually shy, and when he is working, entirely focused on what requires his attention. That can definitely come off as snobbish and rude when you are working in the middle of a coffee shop and say less than two words to anyone around you. I like River. He’s kind, a bit shy, and deeply committed. All good qualities