When Dimple Met Rishi (Dimple and Rishi, #1) by Sandhya Menon

Narrated by Sneha Mathan & Vikas Adam

Synopsis (via Goodreads): Dimple Shah has it all figured out. With graduation behind her, she’s more than ready for a break from her family, from Mamma’s inexplicable obsession with her finding the “Ideal Indian Husband.” Ugh. Dimple knows they must respect her principles on some level, though. If they truly believed she needed a husband right now, they wouldn’t have paid for her to attend a summer program for aspiring web developers…right?

Rishi Patel is a hopeless romantic. So when his parents tell him that his future wife will be attending the same summer program as him—wherein he’ll have to woo her—he’s totally on board. Because as silly as it sounds to most people in his life, Rishi wants to be arranged, believes in the power of tradition, stability, and being a part of something much bigger than himself.

The Shahs and Patels didn’t mean to start turning the wheels on this “suggested arrangement” so early in their children’s lives, but when they noticed them both gravitate toward the same summer program, they figured, Why not?

Dimple and Rishi may think they have each other figured out. But when opposites clash, love works hard to prove itself in the most unexpected ways.

𑁋𑁋𑁋

I actually read When Dimple Met Rishi in June of last year, but never got around to reviewing it! I really enjoyed the story, although There's Something About Sweetie is still my favorite of the two. I read it first (out of order, I know) and really connected with Sweetie and what she was going through.

Dimple frustrated me. She was quick to assume the worst, and I wish she'd given Rishi a chance from the start. Her parents were meddling in her life, yes, but they weren't trying to force anything on her. They were simply trying to set up a match they thought their daughter would like (and continuing customs their culture has practiced for years). I could appreciate both sides - - Dimple's and her parent's - - and would've liked more communication between them. Everyone had good intentions, but they didn't always go about expressing themselves in the best way.

I disliked the dishonestly from Dimple's parents, and felt like that hurt Rishi more than Dimple. He went into a situation with certain hopes and expectations, and instead gets a drink thrown in his face. Dimple's response was extreme, but neither were really at fault. Rishi should have handled himself differently (dude came on strong), and Dimple should have been more open-minded and less hostile.

I did like how their friendship started, and the setting for the story. Dimple is into coding and creating apps, and she's presented with a really amazing opportunity to test her skills. Rishi is pursuing Engineering to make his parents happy, because they've always seen his art as a hobby. Rishi is ridiculously talented, and I love that Dimple pushed him to acknowledge that it was something he was passionate about (and potentially wanted to do professionally).

They've both grown up with similar parenting styles, yet they've responded to them in very different ways. Dimple likes to push back and do her own thing, while still being respectful of her parents and their beliefs. Rishi wants to make his parents happy, even if that means sacrificing a part of himself to do it. He believes in duty and responsibility, and wants to live up to his parent's expectations. They're not forceful about it, and had no idea Rishi was unhappy with his current circumstances. He'd never expressed disinterest or unhappiness, so they kept pushing him towards something he didn't really want.

I thought the dual perspectives added a nice contrast, and gave us a chance to see how both characters responded to the same situation. Rishi initially didn't handle Dimple's rejection well, but decided to stay at the computer programming summer camp anyways. He established a tense friendship with her, despite the disinterested signals she sent out in waves. Dimple was at the camp for one reason: to win. She wanted her app to succeed, because she really believed it would help people like her father. Rishi saw her passion for the project, and offered to help regardless of his feelings. The two of them made a great team, and we slowly see them establish a tentative friendship that grows into something more profound.

I really liked When Dimple Met Rishi, and thought their relationship had hints of a friends-to-lovers romance, but that's not quite right. Even when they decide to try dating, the ease of their friendship is what stood out. Especially when the two of them were learning a traditional dance to perform at the camp! Those long, sweaty nights were hilarious! Dimple was a fierce female character that was convinced she didn't need a man to achieve her dreams. Rishi was an unexpected addition to her life, but one she started to appreciate after awhile. Rishi was quietly confident, and his heart oozed kindness. He may have started the story a little brokenhearted, but his sweetness eventually cracked Dimple's walls.

Dimple in no way conceded that she needed a man, or that her parents had been right all along, but found her own path in her own way. Outside factors played a role, but ultimately it came down to a boy and a girl, and the shared feelings between them.

I'm rambling, because I started remembering more and more about the story as I went along, haha. There's a lot to like about this book, and I really enjoyed it despite my initial issues with Dimple. I can understand where she was coming from, but I also think she could have handled herself a little differently and gotten the same result. I would definitely recommend this one if you're looking for a simple romance that's build on friendship and understanding. (★★★⋆☆)

My 2019 Challenge Wrap-Up!

I know you're all dying to know how I did on my challenges this year, so without further ado...😉

The Audiobook Challenge was hosted by Hot Listens & Caffeinated Reviewer. I challenged myself to listen to 30 or more books, which I was able to accomplish! In fact, as of today, I listened to 43 audiobooks in 2019! That's great for me, since I wasn't always a fan of format. I've discovered a lot of really great narrators, and now sometimes search for books based on who reads them (looking at you Steve West, Shane East, Andi Arndt, and Fiona Hardingham).

The 2019 Discussion Challenge was hosted by Feed Your Fiction Addiction and It Starts at Midnight. I challenged myself to create anywhere between 11-20 discussion posts, which I was not able to do this year. Instead of being a Creative Conversationalist, I was more of a Discussion Dabbler, and will be ending 2019 with 5. 

• Q [6] Do you watch book trailers?
• Q [7] Does the age of a character's love interest matter to you?
• Q [8] Do you prefer hardcovers or paperback copies?
• Q [9] Book Anxiety: Is it a thing?
• Q[10] Do you want people to point out the flaws in your reviews?

My Goodreads Reading Challenge was both a success and a failure. I really tried to push myself this year, and thought 500 books might be doable based on how many comic and children's books I read (yes, I always count those towards my goal). Alas, I still managed to read 472, and I am totally fine with that. I hate that Goodreads doesn't count it as "completed," because we should always celebrate the number of books read. 

• I read 63,092 pages across 472 books
• Shortest book (12 pages): Mr. Snail's Counting Trails by Stuart Lynch
• Longest book (699 pages): A Court of Wings and Ruin (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #3) by Sarah J. Maas
• Average length: 133 pages
• My average rating for 2019: 3.8
• My first review of the year: Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield (★★☆☆☆)
• My last review of the year: Spider-Man 2099 #1 by Nick Spencer, Viktor Bogdanovic, Jose Carlos Silva (★★☆☆☆)

Beat the Backlist 2019 was the only other challenge I participated in this year, which was hosted by Novel Knight. I challenged myself to read 100 books that were published in or 2018 or earlier, and managed to read 105! There are so many books out there, and I love that this challenge encourages me to look at the books I already own, instead of focusing on everything that's being released. 

How did you do on your 2019 challenges?

Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson

Synopsis (via Goodreads): All sorcerers are evil. Elisabeth has known that as long as she has known anything. Raised as a foundling in one of Austermeer’s Great Libraries, Elisabeth has grown up among the tools of sorcery—magical grimoires that whisper on shelves and rattle beneath iron chains. If provoked, they transform into grotesque monsters of ink and leather. She hopes to become a warden, charged with protecting the kingdom from their power.

Then an act of sabotage releases the library’s most dangerous grimoire. Elisabeth’s desperate intervention implicates her in the crime, and she is torn from her home to face justice in the capital. With no one to turn to but her sworn enemy, the sorcerer Nathaniel Thorn, and his mysterious demonic servant, she finds herself entangled in a centuries-old conspiracy. Not only could the Great Libraries go up in flames, but the world along with them.

As her alliance with Nathaniel grows stronger, Elisabeth starts to question everything she’s been taught—about sorcerers, about the libraries she loves, even about herself. For Elisabeth has a power she has never guessed, and a future she could never have imagined.

𑁋𑁋𑁋

I hesitated before starting Sorcery of Thorns, because I had such neutral feelings about the author's first book (An Enchantment of Ravens). The story was enjoyable, but "didn't wow me like I thought it would." I had no such problems with Sorcery of Thorns, and really liked the world Rogerson created. It was a world that revolved around sentient books and libraries with secret passageways, sorcery and demons, and a girl that defied the odds to save the day (she just had to save herself many, many times before that).

Let's start with my main quibble: We only see two sorcerers. Nathanial is the main sorcerer in this story along with his demon, Silas. There's another sorcerer and his demon, although their presence is more malicious and villainy. Where was everyone else? They had a council or something, right? Why didn't they play a larger role within the story? The world is literally falling apart, and there is only one sorcerer trying to save the day? If other people had magical powers and demons, they should have been front-and-center trying to fight back the baddies. Their absence was a gaping hole in the story that I couldn't ignore. Especially when the people living in Nathaniel's neighbored were all sorcerers.

Moving on! I love the cover for this book! I'm not sure why it's called Sorcery of Thorns, because the only Thorn we see is Nathaniel, and he isn't the main character. Yes, he's an essential element of the story, but he's not always around. I guess we learn a lot about his family's history, but it seems weird that his name is predominately featured while Elisabeth is neglected.

Elisabeth is constantly having to save herself from this or that situation. She eludes an enchantment, gets blamed for something she didn't do, survives confinement, escapes imprisonment, saves a sorcerer, befriends a demon, fights fiends, pretends to be bespelled, challenges her beliefs and teachings, and cleverly solves the mysteries surrounding the attacks on the libraries. Nathaniel who? She does have help from friends, but essentially saves the day all on her own (although I wish she'd dealt with more inner conflict and turmoil). Everyone else is either too far away, too incapacitated, or too bound to something else to offer much assistance.

I really liked Nathaniel and his relationship with Silas, and I think this book would have benefited from having alternating POVs. It would have been interesting too see this story through Nathaniel's perspective, since he kept himself at a distance (emotionally and physically) whenever Elisabeth was around (slow-almost-nonexistent-burn romance). I think seeing inside of his head would have brought more clarity to the story, and allowed us to view the happenings from a sorcerer's perspective.

I also wish the bad guy had been more nefarious, but he was just mildly unsettling. His demon was more calculating and disturbing, and I would've liked to see her go up against Silas. I felt like a lot of details were glossed or skipped over (like how someone was captured, or how they got from here to there), and things would just progress. I wanted to know what happened in those gaps of time. The ending leaves you with a big, "WHAT HAPPENED?"

I do think I enjoyed this one more because I listened to the audiobook. I don't think I would have had the patience for it otherwise. Having a due date also helped (borrowed from the library). The narrator was fantastic! I feel like this one was a solid 3.5 stars, but will round up until Goodreads develops a half-star rating.

The Bone Witch (The Bone Witch #1) by Rin Chupeco

Narrated by Emily Woo Zeller & Will Damron

Synopsis (via Goodreads): In the captivating start to a new, darkly lyrical fantasy series, Tea can raise the dead, but resurrection comes at a price. When Tea accidentally resurrects her brother from the dead, she learns she is different from the other witches in her family. Her gift for necromancy means that she's a bone witch, a title that makes her feared and ostracized by her community. 

But Tea finds solace and guidance with an older, wiser bone witch, who takes Tea and her brother to another land for training. In her new home, Tea puts all her energy into becoming an asha-one who can wield elemental magic. But dark forces are approaching quickly, and in the face of danger, Tea will have to overcome her obstacles and make a powerful choice.

𑁋𑁋𑁋

I really struggled with the pacing of this book. The story was very, very slow, and the author was insanely descriptive. Rin Chupeco elaborated on everything, whether it was what they were wearing, eating, or the dance they were performing. The nuances were exquisitely written, although a slow pace is always my downfall with a book. I appreciate the beauty of The Bone Witch, and it's obvious the author is building something solid for their characters, but I prefer more fighting and adventure.

We watch Tea as she inadvertently raises her brother from the dead, and her journey to becomming an asha. It's not a easy life, and hers is made more challenging because of what she is. Some people fear what she can do, while others celebrate all that she will be able to accomplish. It's a hard line to walk, and her mentors really push her to be the best she can be. It's a lot of pressure for a child, and I'm surprised Tea didn't crack from the strain. There were people that cared about her, but it was done with very little sympathy or concern for what she wanted.

I really loved her relationship with her brother, and enjoyed watching them grow together and separately. Fox is a corpse, so of course that impacts the way he sees the world. He doesn't bleed or feel pain the way he used to, and his mind is always connected to Tea's. He's fiercely protective of his sister, both as her brother and her familiar, but he never tried to tell her what to do. He let Tea make her own choices, despite being the elder sibling, and he supported her decisions. Yes, they traded thoughts and ideas, but ultimately he let her decide what she wanted to do with her life.

The secondary characters were also extremely fleshed out and well-written. They all added to the story in subtle ways that occasionally had a larger impact later on. We don't know everything about them, but I felt like they were all an integral part of the story. From the shop owners to the Heart Forger, they all played a role in Tea's life and helped shape the person we see at the very end.

I liked the flashbacks, too. We see brief glimpses of Tea as she is now, without knowing how she found herself so isolated and alone. The story itself is told from the Bard's perspective, but he's telling the story to us as Tea tells it to him, so we still read it through Tea's experiences and with her voice. (I hope that wasn't confusing!)

The necromancy aspect was interesting, and I enjoyed learning about the various creatures that exist in their world. They seem monstrous and terrifying, but we also see that some of them just want to live peacefully and alone. There are also unknown Faceless out there, and they are altering the story in their own way. We learn a little about them and what they're capable of, but only vaguely. I'm sure they'll play a larger role in the following books.

I did give this book three stars, but again I understand what the author was trying to accomplish. I think this book is wonderfully written, and it tells a fantastic story, but the pacing really bogged down the reading experience for me. That's me. I hope it doesn't deter you too much, because I still plan on reading the next book in this series. The narrator was lovely and realistically portrayed the various characters. The ending does leave you on the edge of your seat, but doesn't feel like too much of a cliffhanger. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next!

The Diviners (The Diviners, #1) by Libba Bray

Narrated by January LaVoy

Synopsis (via Goodreads): Something dark and evil has awakened...

Evie O’Neill has been exiled from her boring old hometown and shipped off to the bustling streets of New York City—and she is pos-i-tute-ly ecstatic. It’s 1926, and New York is filled with speakeasies, Ziegfeld girls, and rakish pickpockets. The only catch is that she has to live with her uncle Will and his unhealthy obsession with the occult.

Evie worries he’ll discover her darkest secret: a supernatural power that has only brought her trouble so far. But when the police find a murdered girl branded with a cryptic symbol and Will is called to the scene, Evie realizes her gift could help catch a serial killer.

As Evie jumps headlong into a dance with a murderer, other stories unfold in the city that never sleeps. A young man named Memphis is caught between two worlds. A chorus girl named Theta is running from her past. A student named Jericho hides a shocking secret. And unknown to all, something dark and evil has awakened...

𑁋𑁋𑁋

Libba Bray's Gemma Doyle series is one of my all-time favorites (and one I've been wanting to re-read)! I fell in love with Bray's writing and the various characters she created. Her worlds are full of magic, but it's subtle and sucks you in before you realize what's happening. I was lucky and met Bray at an event that was giving away ARCs of The Diviners, but put off reading it when I disliked Beauty Queens. I was afraid this new series would be a disappointment, and I wasn't ready for that. 

Fast forward several years, and here we are! People are raving about this series and how delightfully eerie it is. When my library purchased the audiobooks, I knew I couldn't put it off any longer. Resistance was futile at this point, especially when the narrator blew me away with her voice and skills. The setting (20's) and characters were phenomenal and wonderfully written, and I had a blast experiencing this story through multiple perspectives. No two people were alike, and I was invested in all of their lives. 

The Diviners also made my skin crawl. Naughty John is a terror, and his presence always made my heart beat just a little bit faster. I frequently had to remind myself that everything was fictional, and that ghostly reincarnations of serial killers weren't lurking around corners. My traitorous brain would start replaying Naughty John's song, and ugh. It brought back all of the horrible crimes he committed. That is truly remarkable writing, and Bray evoked very visceral reactions from me.

I'm currently on hold for the second book in this series, and I'll keep my fingers crossed it's as fantastically creepy as the first. Additionally, I think we should bring back some of the lingo used in the 20's. Telling someone you're on the trolley, or that something is copesetic. And how! The bee's knee's. Father time. Fella and sheba. I'm Jake! (These are just a few of my favorites!)

Mini Reviews [35]

Fast & Easy Vegan Cookbook: 100 Mouth-Watering

Recipes for Time-Crunched Vegans by J.L. Fields

Synopsis (via Goodreads): Versatile vegan recipes for quick and easy meals.

Whether you’re a full-time vegan or just interested in eating more plant-based foods, variety will spice up your life. The Fast & Easy Vegan Cookbook brings a new selection of fresh meals to your table, pronto! From one-pot to pressure cooker, choose your favorite cooking method—without being held hostage for hours in your kitchen.

This flavorfukitchen.

This flavorful vegan cookbook doesn’t require a long list of ingredients or a huge time commitment. The preparation techniques are simple—there’s even a chapter devoted to not cooking at all (Gazpacho, anyone?). Every recipe lists nutritional information, and most include tips for ingredient substitution, adding more protein, or other easy customizations.

The Fast & Easy Vegan Cookbook includes:

100 tasty recipes—Whip up meals full of personality and variety like Artichoke Heart Salad, Spicy Pinto Bean Skillet, Mushroom Stroganoff Bake, and more. Fast, easy, or both—Choose from chapters on 30-minute recipes, sheet pan and casserole meals, 5-ingredient dishes—or even recipes with no cooking required! Dietary options—This vegan cookbook lets you adapt menus to your needs with handy labels for gluten-free, nut-free, oil-free, or soy-free diets. 

Eat easily, healthfully, and deliciously with the Fast & Easy Vegan Cookbook.

𑁋𑁋𑁋

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. 

It is so hard to find a cookbook that I'll use regularly, especially one that's 100% vegan. Typically, I'll end up using only a handful recipes, so keeping the entire book has always felt a little pointless. Does anyone else do that? Buy an entire cookbook just for a couple of recipes? Well, I am happy to report that there are quite a few recipes in the Fast & Easy Vegan Cookbook that I'm looking forward to making. I've skimmed the entire book, marked the pages that snagged my attention, and successfully made Creamy Portobello Soup. 

My son had to leave school early on Friday because he had a fever, and soup is a pretty standard response when someone is sick. Me? I always want potato soup (the chunky kind my mom makes, but that I can never get exactly right). However, my son loves mushrooms. I remembered seeing a recipe in this book, so I stopped and grabbed some friendly fungus on our way home. 

There are a lot of cookbooks out there that claim their recipes are "fast and easy," but most of the time that's simply not true. Thankfully, Fast & Easy Vegan Cookbook is exactly what it claims to be. The recipe I followed was straightforward and required very little of my time. Bonus: I already had most of the ingredients (just not the main one, haha), and was able to prep this meal and have it ready in 15-20 minutes.

I also really liked the variety in this cookbook, and appreciated the inclusion of the recipe index and dietary labels at the end. Whether you're a vegan or not, this cookbook is definitely worth looking into. Side note: I used 1 tablespoon of olive oil instead of 1 teaspoon, waaay more salt that what was required, and 2 mushroom caps instead of one (in case anyone decides to give this recipe a whirl). 

⳼

How to Talk So Little Kids Will Listen

by Joanna Faber & Julie King

Synopsis (via Goodreads): A must-have resource for anyone who lives or works with young kids, with an introduction by Adele Faber, coauthor of How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk, the international mega-bestseller The Boston Globe dubbed “The Parenting Bible.”

For over thirty-five years, parents have turned to How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk for its respectful and effective solutions to the unending challenges of raising children. Now, in response to growing demand, Adele’s daughter, Joanna Faber, along with Julie King, tailor How to Talk’s powerful communication skills to children ages two to seven.

Faber and King, each a parenting expert in her own right, share their wisdom accumulated over years of conducting How To Talk workshops with parents and a broad variety of professionals. With a lively combination of storytelling, cartoons, and fly-on-the-wall discussions from their workshops, they provide concrete tools and tips that will transform your relationship with the young kids in your life.

What do you do with a little kid who…won’t brush her teeth…screams in his car seat…pinches the baby...refuses to eat vegetables…throws books in the library...runs rampant in the supermarket? Organized according to common challenges and conflicts, this book is an essential emergency first-aid manual of communication strategies, including a chapter that addresses the special needs of children with sensory processing and autism spectrum disorders.

This user-friendly guide will empower parents and caregivers of young children to forge rewarding, joyful relationships with terrible two-year-olds, truculent three-year-olds, ferocious four-year-olds, foolhardy five-year-olds, self-centered six-year-olds, and the occasional semi-civilized seven-year-old. And, it will help little kids grow into self-reliant big kids who are cooperative and connected to their parents, teachers, siblings, and peers.

𑁋𑁋𑁋

How to Talk So Little Kids Will Listen was a phenomenal book! Parenting isn't easy, and I always wonder what I could be doing better. I don't like feeling frustrated with my children (but we all know it's unavoidable), and this book offered insights into their way of thinking, and how they might perceive a situation. Oftentimes, what I'm frustrated about can be easily resolved if I take the time to address their concerns in a way that makes them feel really listened to.

This book provides tools that have improved my understanding, bettered the communication between me and my children, and created a more positive environment for everyone. It's not always a quick fix, and it doesn't work every time, but there has been a noticeable difference in our day-to-day lives and how we respond to problems. The tools are effective more often than not, and I think that says a lot about the benefits of this book.

The girls will be three this month, and my son is five, so they've started fighting more often and using words like mine. The arguing, fussing, and crying were driving me crazy. This book helped me implement tools that made my children feel like they were being heard. It's amazing how many problems can be resolved just by acknowledging their feelings. They calm down and explain what's wrong without whining, and my ears are endlessly thankful.

I have highlighted this book to within an inch of its life (not an exaggeration), and have flipped back through the chapters whenever I'm struggling to communicate clearly with my kids, or when I think they're fighting more often and coming to me with this or that conflict. Sometimes just changing how I say or ask something can make a situation more positive and provide better results. If you're a parent, I cannot recommend this book enough!

An Ember in the Ashes (An Ember in the Ashes, #1) by Sabaa Tahir

Narrated by Fiona Hardingham & Steve West

Synopsis (via Goodreads): Laia is a slave. Elias is a soldier. Neither is free.

Under the Martial Empire, defiance is met with death. Those who do not vow their blood and bodies to the Emperor risk the execution of their loved ones and the destruction of all they hold dear.

It is in this brutal world, inspired by ancient Rome, that Laia lives with her grandparents and older brother. The family ekes out an existence in the Empire’s impoverished backstreets. They do not challenge the Empire. They’ve seen what happens to those who do.

But when Laia’s brother is arrested for treason, Laia is forced to make a decision. In exchange for help from rebels who promise to rescue her brother, she will risk her life to spy for them from within the Empire’s greatest military academy.

There, Laia meets Elias, the school’s finest soldier—and secretly, its most unwilling. Elias wants only to be free of the tyranny he’s being trained to enforce. He and Laia will soon realize that their destinies are intertwined—and that their choices will change the fate of the Empire itself.

𑁋𑁋𑁋

An Ember in the Ashes was a phenomenal read! I flew through the audiobook and looked forward to being in the car for a little extra listening time (quietly, since the kids are too young for this book). Steve West and Fiona Hardingham are amazing narrators and really brought this story to life. I could listen to them for hours, and I did! I cannot wait to listen to the rest of this series on audio, and I've already purchased physical copies for my shelves. Sabaa Tahir has created a very unique and compelling story, although I wish she was a little nicer to Laia and Elias (she seems to really like making my heart stop and creating scenarios that take my breath away).

The characters in this book are memorable and relatable. Laia didn't start off wanting to change the world, she just wanted to get through the day without drawing attention to herself. When she loses her family, her brother becomes her priority, and she learns that she's stronger than she thinks. We see her go from someone that doesn't want to be noticed, to a person that's willing to sacrifice herself for others. There's very obvious character growth, but it happens over the course of the entire book, which made it more honest and believable.

Elias doesn't want to be a soldier. He doesn't want to spend his life killing for the Empire, so he makes secret plans of his own. When those plans are unexpectedly thwarted, he finds himself battling friends and foes alike. It's hard to know who to trust in this book, since everyone seems to have ulterior motives or they know something we don't. I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop, but was still surprised when it finally did. There is so much going on in this book -- so many threads -- that it's mind-blowing. Everyone and everything is connected. One small action ripples out until it causes unexpected waves. I absolutely loved it!

Even the secondary characters were well-written and fleshed out. Elias treasured his friends and their place in his life, and he never wanted his actions to impact them negatively. The members of the Resistance, Cook, Izzy, Helene -- all wonderfully written. I could clearly see them in my mind, and I cared about what happened to (most of) them.

An Ember in the Ashes is extremely violent. People are tortured, murdered, and forced into slavery. We see a very dark side of human nature, and how scary it is when one group of people thinks they are better than another. The Martials believe they are superior to the Scholars simply because there was a fight and they won. They kill freely and without mercy, and were even willing to do it to their own comrades. Tahir has painted a very frightening picture that rings true in certain aspects of the world today.

The world-building was incredible! It was so vivid and realistic! I felt like I was there experiencing the world with Laia and Elias. I walked through the catacombs and hidden tunnels, scaled precarious mountain trails and danced at a Moon Festival. Unfortunately, that also meant I shared in Elias and Laia's pain and discomfort (like their emotional turmoil wasn't bad enough -- eesh).

I'm kicking myself for waiting so long to start this series, but hopefully the fourth and final book is published before I finish the third! I already know I'm not going to want to wait once I get that far. I'm going to need answers! If you haven't read An Ember in the Ashes, I highly recommend it! Once you start, you're not going to be able to stop.

DNF&Y [21]

DNF&Y is used to explain why I gave up on certain books, and what about them just didn't work for me. What I disliked about a book might be something you love, so it helps to share your thoughts even when they're negative! If you would like additional information, please click on the DNF&Y tab at the top. If you want to join, you can link up at the bottom!

Six Goodbyes We Never Said

by Candace Ganger

Synopsis (via Goodreads): Two teens meet after tragedy and learn about love, loss, and letting go.

Naima Rodriguez doesn’t want your patronizing sympathy as she grieves her father, her hero—a fallen Marine. She’ll hate you forever if you ask her to open up and remember him “as he was,” though that’s all her loving family wants her to do in order to manage her complex OCD and GAD. She’d rather everyone back the-eff off while she separates her Lucky Charms marshmallows into six, always six, Ziploc bags, while she avoids friends and people and living the life her father so desperately wanted for her.

Dew respectfully requests a little more time to process the sudden loss of his parents. It's causing an avalanche of secret anxieties, so he counts on his trusty voice recorder to convey the things he can’t otherwise say aloud. He could really use a friend to navigate a life swimming with pain and loss and all the lovely moments in between. And then he meets Naima and everything’s changed—just not in the way he, or she, expects.

Candace Ganger's Six Goodbyes We Never Said is no love story. If you ask Naima, it’s not even a like story. But it is a story about love and fear and how sometimes you need a little help to be brave enough to say goodbye.

DNF at 45%

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Any quotes I use are from an unpublished copy and may not reflect the finished product.

I understand that Naima is grieving, but that doesn't excuse her behavior. Her OCD and GAD (as mentioned in the synopsis) are aspects of her life that she struggles with, but her treatment of Nell was inexcusable. Nell has been in her life for nearly a decade, obviously trying to make a family with her stepdaughter, and Naima was intentionally hurtful and unaccepting. I know there are children that behave similarly in real life, but it was very frustrating to read about. Nell made an effort to learn Naima's quirks and preferences, trying to be there for her however she could, but Naima was cold and indifferent. I really disliked this aspect of the story, and the portrayal of their relationship.

"...or why I use sarcasm and blatant disgust for her as a means of coping with all the things I hate about myself. It has nothing to do with her. I decide this is the first thing I like about her—how she ignores the very real fact that I do, in fact, like her (but don’t you dare tell her)."

Naima's attitude in general left a lot to be desired. She was easily annoyed by others, and only ever thought about herself and what she wanted. She was intentionally cruel and hurtful, which made me unsympathetic to her feelings. I'm not sure why Dew was so fascinated by this grumpy girl that only cared about her own miseries, but he was determined to befriend her despite the snarls and cutting comments. Dew was endlessly kind and thoughtful, and he always managed to put himself in other people's shoes. He imagined how they must be feeling in this or that scenario, and he reacted accordingly. He was patient with Faith (his new sister), understanding that she needed to be shown love despite her outbursts. He noticed fear and pain where others saw anger and aggression. I thought Dew was a remarkable character, and enjoyed his relationship with his adoptive family. His mental flashbacks and remembered sayings really made him a unique and memorable character.

I was a little confused by Naima's family and their dynamics. Her dad would stay with his parents while she lived with Nell and Christian (her stepmother and stepbrother)? Did he just stay with them briefly before deployments? Occasionally when Naima talked about him, it was like he lived separately from her, even when he wasn't deployed. Maybe I misread something, or the ARC was missing a detail or two, but I often found myself wondering where everyone was when the past was reflected on or mentioned.

Even Naima's grandparents kept Nell at a distance. They were polite and civil when she was around, but it was clear everyone wanted her to leave so they could reform their "unit" without her. Nell was married to their son for seven years. She has gone above and beyond for Naima, yet she's still treated like an outsider. Naima's father is also to blame, since he purposefully kept Nell out of the loop, or secretly confessed to his daughter that his wife and stepson "wouldn't understand" something. He perpetuated the problem.

Hiccup (the dog) had cataracts and was deaf in one year, but he was also violent. He attacked people's legs and bit until he pierced the skin. This is not okay. It's really not okay when the dog is around children. Naima's grandparents should have been more responsible with the dog, but he's aggressive with others on multiple occasions.

I really liked that the author chose to tackle mental health and the realities of living with a mind that's not entirely your own. I don't know what it's like to feel compelled to do things a certain way, or a specific number of times, and I've never experienced social anxiety, or an inability to breathe in large crowds. I thought those aspects of the story were wonderfully written and explained; however, Naima was a difficult character to like. She's mean because she can get away with it, and people let her because it's easier than the alternative.

⳼

Frankly in Love by David Yoon

Synopsis (find this book on Goodreads): Frank Li has two names. There's Frank Li, his American name. Then there's Sung-Min Li, his Korean name, which no one uses, not even his parents. Frank barely speaks any Korean. He was born and raised in Southern California.

Even so, his parents still expect him to end up with a nice Korean girl--which is a problem, since Frank is finally dating the girl of his dreams: Brit Means. Brit, who is funny and nerdy just like him. Brit, who makes him laugh like no one else. Brit...who is white.

As Frank falls in love for the very first time, he's forced to confront the fact that while his parents sacrificed everything to raise him in the land of opportunity, their traditional expectations don't leave a lot of room for him to be a regular American teen. Desperate to be with Brit without his parents finding out, Frank turns to his family friend Joy Song, who is in a similar bind. Together, they come up with a plan to help each other and keep their parents off their backs. Frank thinks he's found the solution to all his problems, but when life throws him a curveball, he's left wondering whether he ever really knew anything about love--or himself--at all.

In this moving novel, debut author David Yoon takes on the question of who am I? with a result that is humorous, heartfelt, and ultimately unforgettable. *I originally reviewed this book on September 10, 2019.

DNF at 39%

"I try to eat my lower lip. Then I remember the first Rule of Being a Person: no auto-cannibalism."

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Any quotes I use are from an unpublished copy and may not reflect the finished product.

I was really excited about starting Frankly in Love by David Yoon, but it really missed the mark for me. Additionally, this is a DNF, which I usually save for my DNF&Y post at the end of the month, but I had too many thoughts that I wanted to share right now. I know the book is being released today, so I though it would be a good opportunity for discussion. Frankly in Love has been promoted and hyped like crazy, but I'm just not feeling the love for Frank Li.

Let's start with the language... do teenagers really talk like this nowadays?

"'Jesus christ almighty hang gliding up in heaven,' I say to Q."

"Dear lord Flying Spaghetti Monster in Pastafarian heaven. I think Brit Means in flirting with me."

"'Jesus,' I say. 'You scared the poop out of my butthole.'"

"What in God's hipster beard is Joy Song doing here?"

I think this book tried too hard to be funny. None of these statements made me laugh, but they were distracting. They felt thrown in at random and forced into conversations or thoughts.

Next, let's talk about love. Frank and Brit's relationship escalated way too quickly. They have calculus together, so they're acquainted, but then an assignment has them working together after school. This entire encounter was weird --from her parents and their matching everything, to how Brit encroached on Frank's personal space without warning. After that afternoon of studying together, the start sucking face at school. A few days later, they're on the beach and Brit is saying she loves him! He doesn't know if he loves her, but he says is back since he doesn't have a better idea. Whaaat??

"Love demands you do stupid things like post goofy selfies, but if that's what love takes, then I can be stupid all day... Wait. Is Brit saying she loves me?"

"'I love you. I love saying I love you. It's like I learned a new word today.'"

"'I love you,' she murmurs, like she's falling asleep. 'It feels so good just to be able to say it finally. I love you.'"

All of this happens in the same chapter, but you get the idea. Instalove, too much too fast -- whatever you want to call it. They barely know each other! They've been on one date and kissed a handful of times. That's not love! Affection? Yes.

Also, Brit is a bully. She flirted with Frank and involved him in some minor theft (and whatever else you want to call what she was doing), and she essentially forced herself into his bubble whenever they were together. Frank could have said no, but he honestly seemed overwhelmed by the attention and desires of his new girlfriend. "'Come on, one selfie,' she says, laughing. 'Let's brag about us. Let's make everyone feel like shit compared with us.'" Was that really necessary? Why do they need to make anyone else feel bad? Why couldn't they just post a selfie because they were happy with each other?

Frank is a douche canoe. Why couldn't he have been honest about his feelings from the start? If he isn't sure about what he's feeling, he should say that. He should not say whatever he thinks someone else wants to here. I also don't think he pushed back enough when his parents made racist comments.

The racist comments. The author mentions the racism at the start of the book, but I still cringed every time Frank's parents said something insensitive or simply ridiculous. They hardcore stereotyped people by the color of their skin, and they were unashamed of their words and feelings. Honestly, it was hard to read. It was even harder to watch Frank and the other Limbos let the comments slide because it was easier than confrontation. They assumed their parents were stuck in their "old ways," which is bullshit. I'm not even going to bother quoting all the awful shit that was said throughout this book.

"We both get serious for a moment. In this particular moment, right here. Sucking cocoa from a girl's hair is weird. Who does that sort of thing? And who lets them? But Brit is letting me. She wants me to. I am extremely proud to be the only person who has ever sucked Brit Means's hair."

No. Just... no. Kids, don't try this at home. I don't think I need to explain myself here. I believe the words and actions speak for themselves.

I liked Q, but his friendship with Frank slipped once Frank started "dating" Brit. He bailed on the things he used to do with is friends just to spend time with her, and he was constantly on his phone talking to her while physically with his friends. Q was understanding and Frank was apologetic, but ugh.

I officially gave up on this one at 39%, but did skim the rest of the book for the highlights. It doesn't seem like Frank Li starts to make better choices. In fact, I believe his decisions get worse as the story progresses. Honestly, I could keep talking about the things that bothered me about this book. Like, "She smelled exhausted." How does that smell, Frank? What does exhausted smell like?? However, I'm going to leave you with a passage that I really enjoyed from this book. A lot of people seem to be raving about Frankly in Love, so I would suggest getting a second opinion before making any final decisions.

"Let me tell you something. I live to make people laugh. Parents, siblings, friends, lovers, doesn't matter. I just have to. If you for some reason don't know how to make someone laugh, then learn. Study that shit like it's the SAT. If you are so unfortunate as to have no one in your life who can make you laugh, drop everything and find one. Cross the desert if you must. Because laughter isn't just about the funny. Laughter is the music of the deep cosmos connecting all human beings that says all the things mere words cannot."

⳼

Neverworld Wake by Marisha Pessl
Narrated by Phoebe Strole

Synopsis (via Goodreads): Once upon a time, back at Darrow-Harker School, Beatrice Hartley and her five best friends were the cool kids, the beautiful ones. Then the shocking death of Jim - their creative genius and Beatrice's boyfriend - changed everything.

One year after graduation, Beatrice is returning to Wincroft - the seaside estate where they spent so many nights sharing secrets, crushes, plans to change the world - hoping she'll get to the bottom of the dark questions gnawing at her about Jim's death.

But as the night plays out in a haze of stilted jokes and unfathomable silence, Beatrice senses she's never going to know what really happened.

Then a mysterious man knocks on the door. Blithely, he announces the impossible: time for them has become stuck, snagged on a splinter that can only be removed if the former friends make the harshest of decisions.

Now Beatrice has one last shot at answers... and at life.
And so begins the Neverworld Wake.

DNF at 33%

First of all, I disliked all of the characters. They were selfish and surprisingly violent. Like, I understand you're repeating the same day over and over again, but that doesn't mean you get to murder people for shits and giggles. Actions still have consequences, even if they're not immediate. Killing someone with your hands is likely going to have a lasting impact on your emotional state. However, these kids didn't seem to care about life or death, actions or consequences. They've given up on ever figuring out the Neverworld Wake, and it was disappointing. 

There's some random guy that's always around, and he seems to know what's going on but isn't forthcoming with answers. They're supposed to vote, but again... stupid and selfish characters do not make great decisions. So they're living in an endless loop of sameness that's literally driving them insane. The mystery gets swallowed up by the character's self-pity, and I honestly forgot someone from their past had died mysteriously. I'm sure his death is connected to all of them in some way, but it wasn't enough to make me keep reading.

Also, certain aspects of the Neverworld Wake didn't make sense. The weird guy that knows everything says he's an accumulation of all of their individual experiences. They are stuck where they are knowing what they know, so they shouldn't be able to change their circumstances, right? However, Martha spends a lot of her wakes talking to people and researching time loops, and blah blah blah. She keeps a notebook with her, and takes copious notes, but that should reset every time they start a new wake. How is she filling a notebook with research if everything starts over after a certain amount of time? And if their particular wake is just their combined experiences, how are they able to learn anything new to begin with?? There were so many plot inconsistencies, and keeping track of how the world worked gave me a headache. 

The pacing was slow, the story was repetitive, and the characters were toxic and generally garbage human beings. I think the story had potential, but it was poorly executed.

*Share your DNF&Y post! Please leave the direct link to your DNF&Y post and not just your blog's URL. Thank you for participating and happy reading!

Mini Reviews [33]

A Study in Scarlet Women (Lady 

Sherlock, #1) by Sherry Thomas

Narrated by Kate Reading

Synopsis (via Goodreads): With her inquisitive mind, Charlotte Holmes has never felt comfortable with the demureness expected of the fairer sex in upper class society. But even she never thought that she would become a social pariah, an outcast fending for herself on the mean streets of London.

When the city is struck by a trio of unexpected deaths and suspicion falls on her sister and her father, Charlotte is desperate to find the true culprits and clear the family name. She’ll have help from friends new and old—a kind-hearted widow, a police inspector, and a man who has long loved her.

But in the end, it will be up to Charlotte, under the assumed name Sherlock Holmes, to challenge society’s expectations and match wits against an unseen mastermind.

𑁋

Historical fiction isn't really my cup of tea, but I do love a good mystery! I thought the two would balance out, especially since A Study in Scarlet Women was about a female Sherlock. I really enjoyed the author's take on a classic tale, and thought she did a wonderful job making Charlotte our brilliant detective. Even the Watson connection was creative! Thomas made this story entirely her own, while still making certain aspects feel familiar.

Unfortunately, the time period proved to be incredibly frustrating. Charlotte was forced to make a difficult decision that had serious repercussions. She didn't anticipate the fallout, and it really impacted how the world saw her afterwards. Charlotte wanted to go to school, and she should have been allowed that opportunity without the rigmarole. Even the other women in this book were disappointing. Where was the solidarity and understanding?

I also disliked how slowly the story progressed, and really just wanted to know how the mystery played out. Charlotte's childhood, her time spent at home, the time she spent searching for a job -- I could have done without all of that. I enjoyed watching her be Sherlock Holmes and using her underappreciated mind to find solutions and make observations that others overlooked. It was interesting how everything tied together in the end, and I think the second book might be a little less frustrating since she's established herself now.

However, I would have liked for the romance in this book to have been more than it was. Yes, the guy is married (which means they should keep their hands to themselves), but unhappily. He also has an amazing connection with Charlotte, and the two of them really sparked when they were in a room together (super upset that he's married with a wife and kids). I don't know how that's going to play out, especially with the rules of the time period, but it's already way too complicated for my liking. A Study in Scarlet Women was a solid three-star read for me.

⳼

With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo

Synopsis (via Goodreads): From the New York Times bestselling author of the National Book Award longlist title The Poet X comes a dazzling novel in prose about a girl with talent, pride, and a drive to feed the soul that keeps her fire burning bright.

Ever since she got pregnant freshman year, Emoni Santiago’s life has been about making the tough decisions—doing what has to be done for her daughter and her abuela. The one place she can let all that go is in the kitchen, where she adds a little something magical to everything she cooks, turning her food into straight-up goodness.

Even though she dreams of working as a chef after she graduates, Emoni knows that it’s not worth her time to pursue the impossible. Yet despite the rules she thinks she has to play by, once Emoni starts cooking, her only choice is to let her talent break free.

𑁋

With the Fire on High was a truly remarkable story that I still think about today. I finished this book back in June and just never got around to writing a review for it (bad blogger, I know). The Poet X was one of my favorite reads last year, so I was thrilled when I learned Acevedo had written another book! I listened to the audiobooks (an experience you don't want to miss out on), and purchased physical copies as well. The author is the narrator, and her voice really brings these stories to life. The Poet X and With the Fire on High are both memorable books that really resonated with me.

Emoni hasn't lived an easy life, and she's had to make really difficult decisions starting at a young age. Her wants and desires come second now that she's a mother, and she often struggles with balancing everything in her life. Cooking has always been her passion, but she loves her daughter and wants to make sure she can provide for them both. Emoni's struggles felt authentic, and I really liked how she was portrayed throughout the book. She's someone's daughter, granddaughter, mother, ex-girlfriend, new girlfriend, student, chef-in-training, employee, friend -- the list goes on and on. She's comfortable in her own skin, and she doesn't let the judgement of others weigh too heavily on her.

I really liked how her family was portrayed, and the role her friends played in her life. People are complicated, but they can always surprise you. It was also nice seeing teachers that really wanted to help their students succeed. I enjoyed sharing this journey with Emoni, and thought the author did a wonderful job hitting all of my emotions with a hammer. If you haven't read anything by Acevedo, you're missing out.

DNF&Y [20]

DNF&Y is used to explain why I gave up on certain books, and what about them just didn't work for me. What I disliked about a book might be something you love, so it helps to share your thoughts even when they're negative! If you would like additional information, please click on the DNF&Y tab at the top. If you want to join, you can link up at the bottom!

Discretion (The Dumonts, #1)

by Karina Halle 

Synopsis (via Goodreads): From New York Times bestselling author Karina Halle comes a delicious saga of wealth, luxury, and scandal—and the wicked secrets of success behind an envied family dynasty.

The Riviera means indulgence—if you’ve got money. For Sadie Reynolds, a down-on-her-luck student, the Riviera means dingy hostels and back streets. When a wrong turn puts her in jeopardy, the last thing she expects is to be saved by the most handsome stranger she’s ever locked eyes with. When she later wakes up in a luxury suite with a Mediterranean view, she’s in the tender care of her rescuer: Olivier Dumont, France’s most eligible bachelor, billionaire hotelier, and heir to the Dumont fashion fortune.

Olivier also owns his reputation for scandal. But Sadie is unlike any woman he’s ever met. Her humble persona and wild innocence promise real passion. He’s promising Sadie something too: anything she wants. From Bordeaux to Cannes to Paris, Sadie’s past in America is swept away and replaced with a fantasy too good to be true.

Pulled into Olivier’s orbit of wealth, glamour, and excess, Sadie discovers that the Dumont dynasty comes with a legacy of wicked secrets. And Olivier’s secrets may be the most damning of all…

DNF at 36%

Warning! Potential spoilers for this book! They're minor but necessary to explain myself.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Any quotes I use are from an unpublished copy and may not reflect the finished product.

Sadie is annoying. She apparently cannot function without a man in her life, and her decisions always seem to revolve around whatever person she's with at the time. She goes to Europe with her boyfriend, discovers he's been cheating on her and ends things, and then she attempts to scrape by on her own until her (already scheduled) flight home. She's in an unfamiliar city, an unfamiliar country, but chooses to walk around alone in the dark in the middle of the night. She only has her phone for directions, and continues walking down empty streets with little to no light. Are you screaming at her stupidity? I was.

After her perilous encounter with the bald man, she tries to brush off what happened like it's not a big deal. If someone attacked me in the middle of the night, it wouldn't be something I quickly forgot. I wouldn't care that my savior was handsome, or even notice what his eyes looked like, if I had just been fighting for my life. I would likely thank whoever it was and then wait for the police to arrive. I would not follow another stranger into their car with few reservations. Especially one that claims to be rich and willing to pay for my medical care. 

I get it. It's a romance book, and unlikely scenarios sometimes make amazing stories, but Sadie was incredibly frustrating. She had no sense of self-preservation, and very little self-respect. She doesn't think she's very attractive, slept with her best friend just to get the experience out of the way, and then chose to date someone boring, safe, and predictable. She didn't want spontaneity, and she didn't think very highly of herself. However, she's totally okay with finishing her trip through Europe broke and solo, getting into a strangers car in the middle of the night, and then proceeding to stay with him for the duration of her trip. Additionally, she complained nonstop at the start of the book about not wanting his charity, and repeatedly said she didn't want him to spend so much money on her, but then was fine with him surprising her with expensive champagne, lavish dresses, and luxurious dinners. *pulls hair out*

Sadie was so hot and cold, and it was difficult to keep track of her thoughts and feelings. Did she want to make it on her own, or did she want to let someone help her? Does she want to fight with him about money, or want to enjoy the experience? She was all over the place! I'm also okay with having adventurous sex and exploring your options, but she went from being a person that wanted to "get it over with" to someone that wanted to "have amazing sex nonstop" in a very short amount of time. It was too easy for her to dismiss who she'd been her entire life. She was shy one minute and cheeky the next𑁋it gave me mental whiplash. No one becomes a new person overnight.

"He might be able to fit me in a flattering and beautiful dress, but it might be akin to putting lipstick on a pig. Or at least designer clothing on a girl from a trailer park."

Also, if she couldn't walk on her ankle, she definitely couldn't swim on it. At least, not enough to tread water while making out in the middle of the ocean. It sounds romantic, but the logistics don't work. I had a similar experience in my youth, and sexy times in the ocean are difficult and really not that exciting. I'm not saying it cannot be done, but it didn't seem plausible in this scenario. 

I guess I had more to say about this one than I thought... but when woman in books act like airheads, it really grates on my nerves. I wish Sadie had been a little more confident in herself and what she has to offer the world, but she only talks negatively about herself. He tells her she's beautiful, and she's mentally congratulating herself for not correcting him and just being in the moment. I wanted to yell at her to embrace her beauty and enjoy the experience for what it was. 

Needless to say, this one didn't work for me. Although I am curious what "big secret" Olivier has been keeping for ten years. Details were trickling in, but what he did honestly didn't seem like that big of a deal. I'm assuming there's more to the story, but I just couldn't deal with Sadie anymore.

⳼

Furyborn (Empirium, #1)

by Claire Legrand

Narrated by Fiona Hardingham

Synopsis (via Goodreads): The stunningly original, must-read fantasy of 2018 follows two fiercely independent young women, centuries apart, who hold the power to save their world...or doom it.

When assassins ambush her best friend, Rielle Dardenne risks everything to save him, exposing herself as one of a pair of prophesied queens: a queen of light, and a queen of blood. To prove she is the Sun Queen, Rielle must endure seven elemental magic trials. If she fails, she will be executed...unless the trials kill her first.

One thousand years later, the legend of Queen Rielle is a fairy tale to Eliana Ferracora. A bounty hunter for the Undying Empire, Eliana believes herself untouchable--until her mother vanishes. To find her, Eliana joins a rebel captain and discovers that the evil at the empire's heart is more terrible than she ever imagined.

As Rielle and Eliana fight in a cosmic war that spans millennia, their stories intersect, and the shocking connections between them ultimately determine the fate of their world--and of each other.

DNF at 31%

I was really looking forward to Furyborn, so I hate that it didn't work out for me. I disliked both of the main characters, and couldn't make myself care about what was happening to them. I also found the history of the saints and angels to be a tad confusing, which made it hard to follow. At one point, Rielle is listing all of the saints and describing them to herself, and they sounded a lot like the Greek gods with a few variations. There were also so many of them to keep up with. Additionally, she was able to control various types of magic, and I never really understood why. It's also really frustrating when you have dual POVs and every chapter ends with a cliffhanger. After a certain point, I just didn't feel invested enough to continue. 

⳼

On the Hunt by Gena Showalter, 

Shannon K. Butcher, Jessica Anderson,

Deidre Knight

Narrated by Todd McLaren, Emily

Durante, Hillary Huber, Coleen Marlo

Synopsis (via Goodreads): New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter, Shannon K. Butcher, Jessica Andersen, and Deidre Knight present a steamy collection of all-new novellas featuring sexy paranormal hunters.

With shadowy creatures, intoxicating magic, vivdly imagined worlds, and sizzling passion, this is an anthology no fan of paranormal romance will want to miss.

In New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter's Ever Night, Rose Pascal is swept into a dark, haunting world every year on her birthday - a world ruled by a warrior king who hunts her kind. Neither of them can deny the passion that soon consumes them both....

In Shannon K. Butcher's The Collector, demon hunter Neal Etan sets out to acquire a powerful artifact, but finds much more in beautiful Viviana Rowan. The antique dealer's touch strengthens his magic - and her life may be in Neal's hands if they don't recover the artifact in time....

In Jessica Andersen's Crystal Skull, archaeologist Natalie Albright's dig gets shut down amid rumors she has awakened the local demons. But when the terrifying underworld creatures attack, Natalie must team up with her ex to survive. As they fight the ancient menace, they discover a destiny that binds them together - and threatens to tear them apart....

And in Deidre Knight's Red Angel, Jamie Angel, leader of the deadly Nightshades, has tracked every kind of monster and demon that roams the darkness, but none of his experiences can prepare him for falling in love with one of the creatures he's trained to destroy....

DNF at 4%

As you can see, I didn't make much progress with this book. Why? The main character in Ever Night was abducted by horrible monsters and held against her will. She's brought before a terrifying and deadly creature, but all she can think about is how handsome he is. He threatened her and forced her to agree to something against her will, but all she wants to do is comment on how attractive his mouth is (or some other body part). Fuck. That. Shit. If someone abducts me and I see freaking monsters for the first time in my life, someone's pretty face isn't even going to register in my brain. I definitely wouldn't be considering what it would be like to have sex with them, ugh. On the Hunt wasn't for me, but I can only speak for the first book since I didn't get to the others.

*Share your DNF&Y post! Please leave the direct link to your DNF&Y post and not just your blog's URL. Thank you for participating and happy reading!