Bride (Bride, #1) by Ali Hazelwood

Synopsis (via Goodreads): A dangerous alliance between a Vampyre bride and an Alpha Werewolf becomes a love deep enough to sink your teeth into in this new paranormal romance from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Love, Theoretically and The Love Hypothesis.

Misery Lark, the only daughter of the most powerful Vampyre councilman of the Southwest, is an outcast—again. Her days of living in anonymity among the Humans are over: she has been called upon to uphold a historic peacekeeping alliance between the Vampyres and their mortal enemies, the Weres, and she sees little choice but to surrender herself in the exchange—again...

Weres are ruthless and unpredictable, and their Alpha, Lowe Moreland, is no exception. He rules his pack with absolute authority, but not without justice. And, unlike the Vampyre Council, not without feeling. It’s clear from the way he tracks Misery’s every movement that he doesn’t trust her. If only he knew how right he was….

Because Misery has her own reasons to agree to this marriage of convenience, reasons that have nothing to do with politics or alliances, and everything to do with the only thing she's ever cared about. And she is willing to do whatever it takes to get back what’s hers, even if it means a life alone in Were territory…alone with the wolf.

It’s been ages since I read a vampire or werewolf story, so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I picked up Bride. It’s been popping up everywhere lately, and I’m happy to say it absolutely lived up to the hype! Misery and Lowe were such fun characters to read about, and I loved watching their relationship slowly take shape. No one expected them to work — even their biology seemed incompatible — yet they defied the odds and learned to love one another despite their differences.

My one real frustration was Lowe’s secrets regarding Misery. He allows her to believe things that aren’t true and never really corrects her assumptions, even when it’s clearly hurting him. He trusts her with Pack secrets — literal life-or-death information — but somehow doesn’t trust her with something that directly involves her? Dude, come on. I didn't buy his justifications, and his hurtful denial didn't feel fair to Misery.

That said, Misery was easily my favorite character. She’s supposed to be this cold, unfeeling Vampyre, yet she clearly cares deeply — especially when it comes to her foster sister and Lowe’s niece. She doesn’t process emotions the same way Humans and Weres do, but she’s nothing like her father or the other Vampyres she grew up around. I really loved her personality and the unique way she sees the world around her.

Overall, I had a great time reading this one. I loved the main characters (though I would have appreciated a bit more development from some of the secondary ones), and several of the twists genuinely caught me off guard. The ending also did a great job setting up the next book, and it definitely left me curious about where the story will go from here. If you enjoy paranormal romance with memorable characters, this one is definitely worth checking out! (★★★★☆)

Attached at the Hip by Christine Riccio🎧 Narrated by Brittany Pressley

Synopsis (via Goodreads): Survivor meets The Bachelor in Attached at the Hip, an irresistible, romantic adventure by New York Times bestselling author Christine Riccio.

Orie Lennox has spent her entire life prepping for her happily ever after -- and now that she’s graduated, she’s low-key wondering, when the heck is it gonna hit. Her love life, her new job, her relationship with her sister: none of it is quite what she envisioned it to be.

One evening, on a whim, she applies for a reality show where she’ll be stranded on an island, with a bunch of strangers, to play a game of human chess for a shot at a million dollars. What better way to force herself to break up with the things that aren’t bringing her joy, than to abandon them all on short notice to live off the grid on a beach in the South Pacific!

Orie's shocked when she ends up cast in an experimental romantic edition of the show: and even more surprised to find that her old high school crush, Remy, has been cast as well. Orie's one of ten contestants, set to compete in formidable challenges, while speed dating, in the wilderness: without deodorant, toilets, shaving cream, or showers. (How!?)

She finds herself tied up — literally — in a game of risky alliances as she navigates ever-growing feelings for her one that got away, alongside an exciting array of budding new relationships.

I received an ARC from 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.

“When you turn something into your job, you have to start looking at it more critically. I want opening a book to always feel like coming home.”

I remember watching Survivor with my family and The Bachelor with my mom (my dad flat out refused to watch The Bachelor with us), so I couldn't resist when this book popped up on my radar. I've become less of a risktaker in my old age, but I thoroughly enjoyed the rollercoaster ride that was Attached at the Hip. The entire concept was so much fun, and I feel like marketing nailed it with those two comparisons. The challenges they had to compete in, being physically attached to another person for days at a time, and the toll it takes on a person mentally and physically - all wonderfully well done. 

The shows premise is that each contestant has several compatible partners on the island and one missed connection from their past. It was interesting to see how people chose to pair up and how alliances were made. I do wish the book had been slightly longer so we could have gotten to know all ten of the castmates, but we sadly only learn about four. Orie, Remy, Kennedy, and Osprey. I was hesitant about Kennedy at first, but she definitely grew on me by the end. Also, if you're worried about a love triangle, don't be. It's written incredibly well, and I enjoyed seeing legitimate friendships develop and people reacting realistically when learning something new about another contestant. 

Orie is embarrassingly awkward. She spirals and panics in a way that was relatable, although her word vomiting is something most of us have mastered by our 20's. We learn when a thought needs to remain private and unspoken, whereas Orie just starts saying anything and everything that pops into her head. It was somewhat endearing, but the secondhand embarrassment was real. I would also say this one is more NA than YA since most of the characters are in their 20's. (Boooo Christine Riccio for having her character say 24 is old. It's not! 🥲)

The ending was unexpected, and I like that we get to see Orie continue to grow in her personal life after the show ends. She can't interact with her castmates until the finale, and she can't talk about her experiences with anyone until all the episodes have aired, so she's left with her own thoughts and what she wants to do with her life. I liked this version of her way more than the one we started with.

I thought the last interaction she had with the other finalist was strange and out of character, and wish their side of the story had been explained. Instead we're left wondering what their motivations and intentions were.

The family dynamics were great. We see that pobody's nerfect and how even relationships we idolize have their hidden flaws. Orie has to deal with something traumatic that I wish the author had spent more time on, but instead it's left being a mistake that everyone forgives pretty easily. I know she had time away from it on the island to sort through her thoughts, but it was a big deal that was left mostly unaddressed. I think it would have been better had the incident been less intense. Maybe just getting caught with their hand in the cookie jar, so to speak, and not the horrific event that it was.

Overall, Attached at the Hip was a fun book that was wonderfully narrated. Brittany Pressley is amazing! Her female and male voices are different and I never confuse the two. Orie was an interesting character that reacted like a normal human being. If I was attached via rope to a cute guy on and island, I definitely would be thinking about how bowel movements would work. Orie just says them out loud — on camera — and in front of said cute guy. (★★★★☆)

PS: There are a lot of book, movie, and people references! A few of them went over my head, but a lot of them were familiar. 

Ghost Station by S.A. Barnes 🎧 Narrated by Zura Johnson

Synopsis (via Goodreads): A crew must try to survive on an ancient, abandoned planet in the latest space horror novel from S.A. Barnes, acclaimed author of Dead Silence.

Space exploration can be lonely and isolating.

Psychologist Dr. Ophelia Bray has dedicated her life to the study and prevention of ERS—a space-based condition most famous for a case that resulted in the brutal murders of twenty-nine people. When she's assigned to a small exploration crew, she's eager to make a difference. But as they begin to establish residency on an abandoned planet, it becomes clear that crew is hiding something.

While Ophelia focuses on her new role, her crewmates are far more interested in investigating the eerie, ancient planet and unraveling the mystery behind the previous colonizer's hasty departure than opening up to her.

That is, until their pilot is discovered gruesomely murdered. Is this Ophelia’s worst nightmare starting—a wave of violence and mental deterioration from ERS? Or is it something more sinister?

Terrified that history will repeat itself, Ophelia and the crew must work together to figure out what’s happening. But trust is hard to come by… and the crew isn’t the only one keeping secrets.

I received an ARC from 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.

Ghost Station was wonderfully eerie! I loved the suspense and how slowly things were revealed. The author really took her time setting up the story, and I was pleasantly surprised with how things unfolded. The super creepy alien atmosphere only added to the appeal. If you like audiobooks, I definitely recommend listening to this one. The narrator did a wonderful job and only heightened my feelings of unease.

Ophelia has a dark past she wants to keep locked away, but we see how her circumstances bring long-buried memories to light. Her crewmates already have preconceived notions about her, and when certain truths are revealed, she loses what little trust and comradery she'd managed to build between them. She desperately wants to prove she's more than her name, but the crew she's been assigned to has secrets of their own that impact their decisions and reactions on this mission.

When they arrive on the planet, there are signs that its previous inhabitants left in a hurry. The generator, building, personal items, etc. have all been left in disarray, which isn't what anyone expected. Everyone is quick to shrug it off, but there are lingering feelings of unease amongst the crew. It's also weird that the previous owners of the planet would sell the rights to their competitor, which should have been the first clue that something was amiss. 

They're on the planet to collect samples, but their seemingly simple mission is upended when one of their crewmates starts behaving erratically. Ophelia thinks it's ERS, something she's been working on with her patients for years, and employs methods to try and mitigate the symptoms. Unfortunately, no one could have anticipated what was actually going on, and her efforts fail to help and cause more tension between her and the rest of the crew.

As things escalate, people's secrets are revealed and relationships are tested. I really liked how determined Ophelia was despite the reception she received, and thought her gradual - if somewhat begrudging acceptance - was hard-won and well deserved. She didn't give up when things were difficult, and I honestly think the challenge was good for her. She proved herself to be capable and was able to convince most of them that she had good intentions. 

You have an ancient alien civilization (they've been dead for a while), unpredictable weather and visibility when outside the "ghost station," and some unidentifiable thing to contend with. It would have been stressful and scary without the tension between the characters, but I think the danger and "unknown" elements added to the unpredictability of the story. I definitely recommend this one if you like horror. Ghost Station kept me guessing the entire time, and I'm happy with how things were resolved at the end. (★★★★☆)

Lightlark (Lightlark, #1) by Alex Aster🎧 Narrated by Suzy Jackson

Synopsis (via Goodreads): Welcome to the Centennial. 

Every 100 years, the island of Lightlark appears to host the Centennial, a deadly game that only the rulers of six realms are invited to play. The invitation is a summons—a call to embrace victory and ruin, baubles and blood. The Centennial offers the six rulers one final chance to break the curses that have plagued their realms for centuries. Each ruler has something to hide. Each realm’s curse is uniquely wicked. To destroy the curses, one ruler must die.

Isla Crown is the young ruler of Wildling—a realm of temptresses cursed to kill anyone they fall in love with. They are feared and despised, and are counting on Isla to end their suffering by succeeding at the Centennial.

To survive, Isla must lie, cheat, and betray…even as love complicates everything.

I really enjoyed Lightlark! I wasn't sure about it initially, but after the first 100 pages or so I was invested in the characters and the story. Isla and Oro do wander around quite a bit looking for something, and that does eat up quite a bit of the book, but I think it was necessary for their relationship to develop naturally, and for us to understand more about the island. 

Isla is kept in the dark for most of the book, and I really liked discovering truths and new information when she did. She's one of the youngest rulers and doesn't have the centuries of experience and knowledge that everyone else has. Her guardians kept her locked away most of her life until the Centennial, and were largely what shaped her as a young adult. However, none of that could have really prepared her for what Lightlark would be like once she was there. I also didn't like the expectations they placed on her, despite her role as their ruler. She should have been able to have books, if she wanted them, or the ability to leave her room whenever she wished. 

I wasn't overly shocked by the ending, although I did enjoy seeing how everything played out. There were some surprises with a love interest I definitely didn't see coming, and I hope we get more of that story in the next book. I agree with Isla that he did a bad thing, but I can also see it from his side where he thought he was doing it for the right reasons. He should have trusted her with the truth and allowed her to make her own choices, and removing someone's ability to choose is never the right path, especially when love and trust are involved. 

The romance was also something I wasn't on board with at the beginning, especially since both potential love interests are significantly older, but that's easily overlooked when you think about how long the Centennial is and when you're given new information at the end. Isla's relationships and friendships had time to develop organically and I appreciated that. Someone seeming to insta-like her is explained later on as well. 

I'm really hoping we get more of the character's backstory in the second book, because I think they've all been through a lot and have interesting tales to tell. I also want to know more about Lightlark itself and how it works. The audiobook for this one is amazing, and I think Suzy Jackson did a phenomenal job. I'm definitely going to pick up Nightbane soon! (★★★⋆☆)

Boys in the Valley by Philip Fracassi 🎧 Narrated by David Aaron Baker [+ an arc giveaway]

Synopsis (via Goodreads):  St. Vincent's Orphanage for Boys.Turn of the century, in a remote valley in Pennsylvania.

Here, under the watchful eyes of several priests, thirty boys work, learn, and worship. Peter Barlow, orphaned as a child by a gruesome murder, has made a new life here. As he approaches adulthood, he has friends, a future... a family.

Then, late one stormy night, a group of men arrive at their door, one of whom is badly wounded, occult symbols carved into his flesh. His death releases an ancient evil that spreads like sickness, infecting St. Vincent's and the children within. Soon, boys begin acting differently, forming groups. Taking sides.

Others turn up dead.

Now Peter and those dear to him must choose sides of their own, each of them knowing their lives — and perhaps their eternal souls — are at risk.

The Exorcist meets Lord of the Flies, by way of Midnight Mass, in Boys in the Valley, a brilliant coming-of-age tale from award-winning author Philip Fracassi.

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.

“Some, I can tell, even find it exciting. As if it were a game, all this murder.”

The beginning of this book gave me chills. I had actual gooseflesh along my forearms as I was listening to Boys in the Valley, and thought my anxiety might send me over the edge. I don't like scary stories or movies, so I tend to avoid them, but I was curious about the religious undertones and its comparison to Lord of the Flies. Unfortunately, I think that comparison was a bit of an exaggeration. I haven't seen The Exorcist or heard of Midnight Mass, so I'm not sure if those are more accurate. 

I decided to listen to the audiobook since I was in the middle of a puzzle, but ended up disliking the narrator quite a bit. The adult men sounded okay, and I thought he did Johnson's voice really well, but the kids sounded too high pitched and there wasn't much variation between them. Their voices felt unrealistic, so their parts were a little off putting. It was hard to take the content seriously when the kids sounded - and I'm agreeing with another reviewer on this one - like Mickey Mouse. I think the spookiness of the book would have been better had I decided to read it instead. 

Speaking of Johnson, his character was my favorite. It's not because he was a good guy, or because he grew the most as a person, but because I felt his story was the most believable. He's not perfect or even nice, and he isn't at St. Vincent's because of religious reasons or a desire to seek forgiveness. He's basically there to do the head priest's dirty work, a person I absolutely hated for the entirety of the book. I can't remember what the kids called him, but he was an awful man that had no business being in charge of children at an orphanage. He's "redeeming" moment just made me hate him more.

I think Father Andrew was supposed to be his opposite. A kind man that cared about the children and their needs, but he was a spineless coward when it came to standing up for them against the head priest. He does have some commendable moments throughout the book, but I wish his character had been more bold. The religious themes only added to the direness of their situation, although I think those aspects could have been expanded on a little more.

The kids are all there because they have nowhere else to go. Most of them have witnessed or done things no child should have to, and we can see how those experiences shape some of their personalities and relationships within the orphanage. A few of them really stood out, while others tended to blend together in the background, especially once things took a turn for the worse. 

Overall, Boys in the Valley was a deeply chilling story that made my heart race. The initial scenes that set the tone of the book left me feeling anxious and hovering on the edge of my seat. There are some very descriptive scenes with blood, gore, and other gruesome details that some might find it hard to stomach. It added to the creepiness of the book, but sometimes it was difficult to listen to. (★★★⋆☆)

Giveaway Rules:

This giveaway officially starts on January 20th and ends on February 3rd at 12 AM. The winner will be announced on February 4th on this post within the Rafflecopter form, and also notified via email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond or I will have Rafflecopter select another winner (read my full giveaway policy here).

International friends -- your giveaway will be a little different! Instead the book mentioned above, you can choose one book (up to $15) from Amazon! Just make sure they ship to you. I know it's not the same thing, but I don't want to leave anyone out! If this happens, another winner will be selected for the ARC of Boys in the Valley. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Lights Out (Into Darkness, #1) by Navessa Allen🎧 Narrated by Elena Wolfe & Jacob Morgan

Synopsis (via Goodreads): The viral TikTok stalker dark romance, burning with high heat, hilarious banter, and a love story like you’ve never seen before. Can you handle the ride?

I want someone with a soul as black as night. Someone who would burn the world down for me and not lose a single minute of sleep over it.

Trauma nurse Aly Cappellucci doesn’t need any more kinks. She likes the one she’s landed on just fine. To her, nothing could top the masked men she follows online. Unless one of those men was shirtless, heavily tattooed, and waiting for her in her bedroom. She dreams about being hunted by one in particular, of him chasing her down and doing deliciously dark things to her willing body. She never could have guessed that by sending one drunken text, those dreams would become her new reality.

I want things most people don’t, craving darkness and depravity instead of light and love.

Josh Hammond has spent his life avoiding the limelight, but his online persona is another story. At night, he posts masked thirst traps for his millions of fans to drool over, but one follower has caught his eye: Aly. After reading a comment begging him to break into her house wearing a mask, he decides to take her up on her offer.

Together, Aly and Josh live out their darkest fantasies, unaware that Aly has captured the attention of someone else. Someone with far more sinister intentions than a little light stalking. As Josh turns from predator to protector and the stakes heighten, he must ask himself how far he’s willing to go for the woman he’s obsessed with.

“I thought we could spend some quality time together as a family. You, me. Our maladjusted son who just scooted his butt across the carpet behind you.”

I genuinely enjoyed this book! The trigger warning list at the beginning had me worried (and had my husband looking at me funny for a few days after I let him listen to it), but it really wasn't that bad. Most of what's on the list is just alluded to or mentioned and not described in great detail. Honestly, Lights Out didn't even feel like a dark romance, just a regular kinky romance with some darker aspects tossed in. 

For starters, Josh is adorable and so stinking cute. I love his relationship with Fred (her cat) and the ridiculous, off-the-wall comments he makes. His humor and snark had me smiling throughout this book. He's also incredibly self-aware and owns his kinky sexuality. He knows what he likes and just wants someone to share it with. Josh is also very protective and the way he takes care of those he loves is endearing, if a little overbearing at times. It makes sense when you learn about his history and get his backstory. The way he watched Aly to make sure she was actually into it (and not just all talk and bravado on the internet) was sweet in a weird way. His intentions were good at least.

Tyler was a solid friend. Was he full of himself? Absolutely. But he had Josh's back and I can respect that.

Aly was a likeable main character as well. She's responsible, capable, and has the ability to work through her emotions rationally and without freaking out (externally). We do get some inner monologue about her questionable decisions, but I like how the author handled it. It felt believable if you can get behind a cute stalker romance. Her experience as a trauma nurse means she's seem some things most of us only hear about. I think that added to her believability as a character engaging willingly with a stalker and how she was able to "trust her gut" when making decisions. 

I also liked that the "reveal" wasn't left until the end. They're able to develop an honest relationship in addition to their kinky one. The story that revolves around them was a tad unbelievable at times (like her family ties and what ends up happening to her one night at work and after), but it does play into the overall story and helps it progress. Now I'm not saying these things are impossible, but they were very convenient for the story.

Overall, Lights Out was an immensely enjoyable read. It had me smiling from ear-to-ear and pausing the audiobook when the smut was smutting and the kids or husband were around, lol. Both narrators were phenomenal and I can't wait to listen to more books by them. Caught Up is the second book in this series, and June 10th can't come fast enough. (★★★★★)

Iron Flame (The Empyrean, #2) by Rebecca Yarros Narrated by Rebecca Soler & Teddy Hamilton

Synopsis (via Goodreads): “The first year is when some of us lose our lives. The second year is when the rest of us lose our humanity.” —Xaden Riorson

Everyone expected Violet Sorrengail to die during her first year at Basgiath War College—Violet included. But Threshing was only the first impossible test meant to weed out the weak-willed, the unworthy, and the unlucky.

Now the real training begins, and Violet’s already wondering how she’ll get through. It’s not just that it’s grueling and maliciously brutal, or even that it’s designed to stretch the riders’ capacity for pain beyond endurance. It’s the new vice commandant, who’s made it his personal mission to teach Violet exactly how powerless she is–unless she betrays the man she loves.

Although Violet’s body might be weaker and frailer than everyone else’s, she still has her wits—and a will of iron. And leadership is forgetting the most important lesson Basgiath has taught her: Dragon riders make their own rules.

But a determination to survive won’t be enough this year.

Because Violet knows the real secret hidden for centuries at Basgiath War College—and nothing, not even dragon fire, may be enough to save them in the end.

I still haven't reviewed Fourth Wing, but decided to go ahead and write this one while the story was still fresh on my mind. I was already late to the game with this series, but I put myself on the waiting list for an audiobook at my library as soon as I was able to after falling in love with these characters during Fourth Wing. Additionally, Rebecca Soler is one of my absolute favorite narrators and she does an amazing job with this series. 

Yarros not only makes me fall in love with Violet and Xaden, but every secondary character is beloved as well. Losing any of them would be devasting to my heart, so that final battle in Iron Flame had my pulse racing right along with Violet's. I was already worried about finishing the book since everyone said they literally stared at a wall for 20 minutes afterwards, but I still wasn't expecting the cliffhanger we're left with. Haven't we been through enough by now?

I will say that I didn't like how long it took Violent and Xaden to work through their issues. A lack of communication between characters is a huge turn off for me in books, especially when they're romantically involved. Violet knew who he was before she fell in love with him, yet she made demands and put expectations on him that were a bit unfair. She didn't completely trust him because he wouldn't tell her everything, but everyone in this series has secrets, including her. She kept demanding total honesty and full disclosure despite other lives being at risk if she knew. Yarros managed to address these issues in a way that wasn't cringeworthy, so at least that aspect of the book was tolerable and didn't ruin everything else for me. 

The dragons are still my favorite part of these books. I love their sarcasm and menacing attitudes, especially when directed towards their own riders. Their personalities are perfection. Adolescent Adarna is an absolute delight to read about, and her getting on Tairn's nerves never fails to make me smile. I'm really happy we learned more about them in Iron Flame because so much is still a mystery. 

Love, betrayal, unexpected plot twists, new friends and frenemies, dragons and gryphons, riders and flyers, war, loss - Iron Flame has all that and more. I highly recommend this series if you enjoy fantasy and fast-paced adventure stories. (★★★★★)

DNF&Y [42]

 

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!

The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling

🎧 Narrated by Caitlin Davies

Synopsis (via Goodreads): New York Times bestselling author Rachel Hawkins, writing as Erin Sterling, casts a spell with a spine-tingling romance full of wishes, witches, and hexes gone wrong.

Nine years ago, Vivienne Jones nursed her broken heart like any young witch would: vodka, weepy music, bubble baths…and a curse on the horrible boyfriend. Sure, Vivi knows she shouldn’t use her magic this way, but with only an “orchard hayride” scented candle on hand, she isn’t worried it will cause him anything more than a bad hair day or two.

That is until Rhys Penhallow, descendent of the town’s ancestors, breaker of hearts, and annoyingly just as gorgeous as he always was, returns to Graves Glen, Georgia. What should be a quick trip to recharge the town’s ley lines and make an appearance at the annual fall festival turns disastrously wrong. With one calamity after another striking Rhys, Vivi realizes her silly little Ex Hex may not have been so harmless after all.

Suddenly, Graves Glen is under attack from murderous wind-up toys, a pissed off ghost, and a talking cat with some interesting things to say. Vivi and Rhys have to ignore their off the charts chemistry to work together to save the town and find a way to break the break-up curse before it’s too late.

I really enjoyed Hex Hall and The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins (the author uses a pseudonym for this book), so I had high expectations for The Ex Hex. I wanted to see how this author added her humor and wit to a book promising "spine-tingling romance." Unfortunately, the characters were awful, and the story was borderline boring. I gave up after an hour and wish I'd stopped sooner.

The narrator's voice didn't do this book any favors. All of the characters sounded too similar (if there was any change at all), and I really had to pay attention to know who was speaking. This isn't anything against the narrator, but it did detract from my overall enjoyment of the book. 

In addition to boring, the story was super cheesy. I couldn't really get behind Vivi's feelings of animosity nine years later. They were two kids in college that dated for three months, and they had a simple misunderstanding. Accidentally curse him? Sure. Hate him for a decade? Not likely. It just wasn't believable. But that's not all... they've also been secretly pining for each other - unawares - while outwardly cursing the existence of one another. 

Miscommunication is one of my biggest bookish pet peeves, and all Vivi and Rhys needed to do was have a conversation with each other to resolve their issues. The entire thing was blown out of proportion yet fuels their vendetta for the better part of the book (at least what I read and skimmed through). (★★☆☆☆)

This May End Badly by Samantha Markum

🎧 Narrated by Heather Masters

Synopsis (via Goodreads): Pranking mastermind Doe and her motley band of Weston girls are determined to win the century-long war against Winfield Academy before the clock ticks down on their senior year. But when their headmistress announces that The Weston School will merge with its rival the following year, their longtime feud spirals into chaos.

To protect the school that has been her safe haven since her parents’ divorce, Doe puts together a plan to prove once and for all that Winfield boys and Weston girls just don’t mix, starting with a direct hit at Three, Winfield’s boy king and her nemesis. In a desperate move to win, Doe strikes a bargain with Three’s cousin, Wells: If he fake dates her to get under Three’s skin, she’ll help him get back his rightful family heirloom from Three.

As the pranks escalate, so do her feelings for her fake boyfriend, and Doe spins lie after lie to keep up her end of the deal. But when a teacher long suspected of inappropriate behavior messes with a younger Weston girl, Doe has to decide what’s more important: winning a rivalry, or joining forces to protect something far more critical than a prank war legacy.

This May End Badly is a story about friendship, falling in love, and crossing pretty much every line presented to you—and how to atone when you do.

I committed six hours to This May End Badly and still ended up DNFing it. I really liked the idea of a school rivalry and thought the author played that up really well, but it should have remained the focal point of the story. There was just too much going on. And what was the deal with the pervy teacher? That subplot seemed REALLY unnecessary. The students kept bringing him up, so I'm sure something would have eventually happened with that, I just didn't stick around long enough to find out. I do think it should have been left out altogether. 

Fake dating is usually a trope that I like, but it didn't work for me in this one. There was no chemistry between Doe and What's His Face. I think there were more sparks between her and her archnemesis than the guy she likely ended up with. 

I think this book would have been better if it had been simplified just a little. A school rivalry, some teenage angst, and boom. Unfortunately, I was having to force myself to listen to this one "hoping" it would get better as it progressed. (Spoiler alert: It didn't.)

I also wasn't thrilled with the narrator. She wasn't bad per se, but I did find her voice to a be a little distracting. 

Additionally, Doe was incredibly unlikeable, and I always struggle with books when I can't relate to - or at least understand - the main character. She was so selfish and never considered how her actions affected others. She wanted to talk about her friends and how close they were, yet she didn't think twice about them before doing whatever she wanted.

Some notes I made while reading:

Missed the mark

Immature

Didn't like why they were fake dating

Doomed to fail

No friendship would survive the fallout

It a nutshell, This May End Badly had too much going on and the main character was a selfish brat that didn't actually know what she wanted. She was too absorbed in herself to see what was happening around her, and her fake boyfriend clearly had ulterior motives of his own. Weird teacher subplot. (★★☆☆☆)

Black Sun (Between Earth and Sky, #1) by Rebecca Roanhorse

Synopsis (via Goodreads): The first book in the Between Earth and Sky trilogy, inspired by the civilizations of the Pre-Columbian Americas and woven into a tale of celestial prophecies, political intrigue, and forbidden magic.

A god will return
When the earth and sky converge
Under the black sun

In the holy city of Tova, the winter solstice is usually a time for celebration and renewal, but this year it coincides with a solar eclipse, a rare celestial event proscribed by the Sun Priest as an unbalancing of the world.

Meanwhile, a ship launches from a distant city bound for Tova and set to arrive on the solstice. The captain of the ship, Xiala, is a disgraced Teek whose song can calm the waters around her as easily as it can warp a man’s mind. Her ship carries one passenger. Described as harmless, the passenger, Serapio, is a young man, blind, scarred, and cloaked in destiny. As Xiala well knows, when a man is described as harmless, he usually ends up being a villain.

This started off as a buddy read, but they quickly left me behind while I struggled to find reasons to continue reading this book. It's honestly been so long now that I've forgotten most of what I read (not very much). I do remember being annoyed by the dialogue and wishing for more showing instead of telling. Roanhorse has created a very complex world, but I wanted to feel fully immersed in it and not like a bystander. I also don't want to have to question how something works but want the story to unfold in a way that explains through experiences. I know some dialogue is necessary to explain complex ideas, but I would prefer to see them played out on paper.

Black Sun was soooo hyped, and I just expected more from this fantasy world and its characters. I also really, really didn't like the child mutilation and found that aspect of the book to be hard to stomach. (★★☆☆☆)

DNF&Y [41]

 

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! 

Heartless (Immortal Enemies, #1) by Gena Showalter

Synopsis (via Goodreads): Vengeance is irresistible…

Kaysar the Unhinged One, fae King of Midnight, can drive anyone to madness with his song. A ruthless warrior forged in hate, he lives to force his enemies to their knees. He will stop at nothing to succeed—even abduct and seduce his foe’s beloved bride, ensuring his own child one day sits on the male’s throne. Except, his prize escapes to the mortal realm before the first kiss, her heart transplanted into a mortal beauty with dangerous secrets…

Chantel “Cookie” Bardot is a professional gamer girl great at trash talking, bad at peopling. After a long awaited surgery, she begins to morph into a powerful fae princess. Catapulted into a strange land ruled by a cruel but seductive villain, she must battle flesh and blood monsters and navigate royal intrigues. But the true danger is Kaysar, whose every wicked touch tempts her beyond reason. Should she run…or descend into the darkness with him?

When I saw a book by Gena Showalter on NetGalley, I immediately requested it. Unfortunately, it was the second book in a series (really wish they'd listed that somewhere in the description), and after doing a little research realized it would be better if I read them in order. Luckily, my library had a physical copy of Heartless that I was able to snag. Sadly, this book was a major flop, and not at all what I expected from Showalter. 

For starters, both of the main characters were fucking psychopaths that needed therapy and possibly a padded room somewhere. Chantel "Cookie" said she was "murder curious" before ever leaving the human realm, and didn't really balk when she inevitably killed others. Kaysar's vengeance was understandable, if a little over-the-top. Although, I wasn't sure why the need to destroy his enemies overpowered his desire to search for his sister. Sure, one was more easily accessible than the other, but he seemed like a pretty motivated dude. 

Also, Cookie??? Do you have any idea how distracting it is to be reading about blood and gore only to have the character referred to as a snack? Every time I read the word "Cookie" it lessened the severity of the story. I think it was a poor choice in character names, and the one Kaysar eventually gives her isn't much better. Briar Rose? Seriously? It was unoriginal and unimaginative. I also have no idea if I'm pronouncing his name correctly, and stopped trying to sound out his last name entirely. 

The worldbuilding was lacking, the characters were dull and simple, and the story was repetitive and unnecessarily long. Additionally, the mental whiplash from the main characters was exhausting and exasperating in equal measure. Basically, it went like this:

Chantel: "You lied to me! I'll never forgive you!"

Kaysar: "I promise to do better."

Chantel: "Okay! One more chance."

Kaysar: *allows another truth to surface*

Chantel: "You lied to me! I'm leaving!"

Kaysar: "I will give you jewels! Also, I will do better."

Chantel: "Of course! You're sexy! One more chance, okay?"

Kaysar: "VENGEANCE SHALL BE MINE!"

Chantel: *gleefully murders everyone*

Kaysar: "You are perfection."

Chantel: "I think I want to go home now."

Kaysar: "MINE."

Chantel: "You're so hot when you're angry."

It was basically this for 200+ pages. There was no character growth, no exploration of the world, and just mind-numbing dialogue between two unhinged people. Chantel assumes she can navigate Kaysar's world because - get this - she played a VIDEO GAME that was similar. Killing in the game and killing in real life? Why would that be different? It was obnoxious. Her understanding of the world was limited, yet she thought she could just survive without too many problems. I got about halfway before calling it quits. (★★⋆☆☆)

You Have a Match by Emma Lord

🎧 Narrated by Eva Kaminsky

Synopsis (via Goodreads): A new love, a secret sister, and a summer she'll never forget.

When Abby signs up for a DNA service, it’s mainly to give her friend and secret love interest, Leo, a nudge. After all, she knows who she is already: Avid photographer. Injury-prone tree climber. Best friend to Leo and Connie … although ever since the B.E.I. (Big Embarrassing Incident) with Leo, things have been awkward on that front.

But she didn’t know she’s a younger sister.

When the DNA service reveals Abby has a secret sister, shimmery-haired Instagram star Savannah Tully, it’s hard to believe they’re from the same planet, never mind the same parents—especially considering Savannah, queen of green smoothies, is only a year and a half older than Abby herself.

The logical course of action? Meet up at summer camp (obviously) and figure out why Abby’s parents gave Savvy up for adoption. But there are complications: Savvy is a rigid rule-follower and total narc. Leo is the camp’s co-chef, putting Abby's growing feelings for him on blast. And her parents have a secret that threatens to unravel everything.

But part of life is showing up, leaning in, and learning to fit all your awkward pieces together. Because sometimes, the hardest things can also be the best ones.

The lack of communication in this book was slowly driving me insane. There were soooo many secrets and "missed opportunities" for honest conversations. And it wasn't just the kids . . . the adults were equally shady and evasive. At one point I actually wanted to SCREAM IN FRUSTRATION. That's when I knew I needed to stop trying to finish this book. It clearly wasn't working for me, and I'm not going to force myself to continue something I'm not enjoying.

The narrator was great, so bonus points for that. 

Unfortunately, everything else about the book made me cringe. The awkwardness between Abby and Leo, her reluctance to confront anyone about anything, and even the relationship between her and Savvy. Abby had so many opportunities to talk to Leo, Connie, her parents, Savvy, and yet she chose to avoid, avoid, and avoid some more. Every time I thought a conversation was inevitable, something would conveniently happen that kept her from being able to talk about it. I can excuse one or two "unexpected" disruptions, but it can't happen over and over again and still be believable. (★★☆☆☆)

Neon Gods (Dark Olympus, #1) by Katee Robert🎧 Narrated by Zara Hampton-Brown & Alex Moorcock

Synopsis (via Goodreads): He was supposed to be a myth.
But from the moment I crossed the River Styx and fell under his dark spell... he was, quite simply, mine.

Society darling Persephone Dimitriou plans to flee the ultra-modern city of Olympus and start over far from the backstabbing politics of the Thirteen Houses. But all that’s ripped away when her mother ambushes her with an engagement to Zeus, the dangerous power behind their glittering city’s dark facade.

With no options left, Persephone flees to the forbidden undercity and makes a devil’s bargain with a man she once believed a myth... a man who awakens her to a world she never knew existed.

Hades has spent his life in the shadows, and he has no intention of stepping into the light. But when he finds that Persephone can offer a little slice of the revenge he’s spent years craving, it’s all the excuse he needs to help her—for a price. Yet every breathless night spent tangled together has given Hades a taste for Persephone, and he’ll go to war with Olympus itself to keep her close…

A modern retelling of Hades and Persephone that’s as sinful as it is sweet.

Neon Gods was ridiculously spicy! I can't remember the last time I was so turned on by a book. Hades was mouthwateringly hot, and Persephone was his equal in every way. She might not have been familiar with his particular tastes at the start of the book, but she was an enthusiastic participant. She managed to seduce the "Boogeyman" simply by being herself around him, and he was all too happy to act out her darkest fantasies. 

Normally, a gruff and overprotective love interest irks me, but it really worked for this book. I enjoyed how Hades put Persephone's needs before his own, and how he would periodically pick her up and carry her around. He was doing it to keep her from hurting herself, and I adored him for it. He may have been growly and rough around the edges, but it was always about consent for him. He always checked on how she was doing, asked her if she was sure about certain things, and even made judgement calls based on how she was acting. If she seemed nervous or tense, he dropped everything and immediately changed their plans to something she'd be more comfortable with.

I loved that they actually discussed condoms, being tested, birth control, etc. It was very realistic and responsible. I also liked that the author chose to use normal words like pussy and clit. Normally, books go to great lengths to make a person's body parts sound like anything other than what they are. There was no "bundle of nerves" or "long, hard shaft," but characters simply naming parts of themselves. 

The narrators were fantastic! Although, Alex Moorock? Really? I have a hard time believing that's his real name, which means he chose it for this profession. Dork.

My one issue with this book was it's believability. I wanted more clarity about the world they lived in, and how their namesakes played a role in the story. Apparently, the thirteen all took positions that are reflective of the Greek Gods we're familiar with, which means they were other people entirely before climbing the social ladder in Olympus. If that's the case, who were they before becoming the elite force that rules the city? The legacy titles are inherited, but they too had to have other names before Zeus, Hades, and Poseidon. Demeter wasn't always Demeter, so did she just conveniently have four daughters with the right names, or did Persephone and her sisters adopt new names when their mother moved up in the world? I really wish all of that had been explained a little more, and really think it would have helped my overall enjoyment of the book. 

Regardless, it's definitely a series I plan on continuing. I can't wait to see what Robert has in store for us next! (★★★★☆)

DNF&Y [39]

 

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!

Burntcoat by Sarah Hall

Synopsis (via Goodreads): An electrifying novel of mortality, passion, and human connection, set against the backdrop of a deadly global virus—from the “astonishing, miraculous” (Daisy Johnson) Man Booker–nominated writer

You were the last one here, before I closed the door of Burntcoat. Before we all closed our doors . . .

In an unnamed British city, the virus is spreading, and like everyone else, the celebrated sculptor Edith Harkness retreats inside. She isolates herself in her immense studio, Burntcoat, with Halit, the lover she barely knows. As life outside changes irreparably, inside Burntcoat, Edith and Halit find themselves changed as well: by the histories and responsibilities each carries and bears, by the fears and dangers of the world outside, and by the progressions of their new relationship. And Burntcoat will be transformed, too, into a new and feverish world, a place in which Edith comes to an understanding of how we survive the impossible—and what is left after we have.

A sharp and stunning novel of art and ambition, mortality and connection, Burntcoat is a major work from “one of our most influential short story writers” (The Guardian). It is an intimate and vital examination of how and why we create—make art, form relationships, build a life—and an urgent exploration of an unprecedented crisis, the repercussions of which are still years in the learning.

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.

It only took me a few pages to realize Burntcoat wasn't going to work for me. I'm not sure if it was the writing style or how the story was being portrayed, but it failed to capture my attention. I honestly had no idea what I was reading (and not for a lack of trying). It was like the words were unable to make a connection in my mind; they were just letters on paper. No story - simple or otherwise - unfurled behind my eyes. (★★☆☆☆)

Never Saw Me Coming by Vera Kurian 

Synospis (via Goodreads): Meet Chloe Sevre. She’s a freshman honor student, a leggings-wearing hot girl next door, who also happens to be a psychopath. Her hobbies include yogalates, frat parties, and plotting to kill Will Bachman, a childhood friend who grievously wronged her.

Chloe is one of seven students at her DC-based college who are part of an unusual clinical study for psychopaths—students like herself who lack empathy and can’t comprehend emotions like fear or guilt. The study, led by a renowned psychologist, requires them to wear smart watches that track their moods and movements.

When one of the students in the study is found murdered in the psychology building, a dangerous game of cat and mouse begins, and Chloe goes from hunter to prey. As she races to identify the killer and put her own plan into action, she’ll be forced to decide if she can trust any of her fellow psychopaths—and everybody knows you should never trust a psychopath.

Never Saw Me Coming is a compulsive, voice-driven thriller by an exciting new voice in fiction, that will keep you pinned to the page and rooting for a would-be killer.

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.

Never Saw Me Coming was so fucking frustrating. I kept picking it back up hoping it would miraculously get better, but it never did. The synopsis makes you think you're going to be reading the story from Chloe's perspective, but fails to mention the handful of other POVs the author tosses at you without warning. There were no chapter headings or titles to give you any indication of who was speaking. You just had to keep reading until you figured it out, which felt like a huge waste of time. I want to know who's perspective I'm reading from before I'm two pages into the chapter, okay? Thanks.

Additionally, I felt like the author tried to put a huge emphasis on the one black perspective. She was constantly referring to his skin color, and only mentioned other people's race or color when the focus was on him. I want to learn about a character without being spoon-fed information that should be obvious from the writing and story itself. Andre is black. And? Does that mean he automatically points out the race of every single person he encounters?

"He came inside Tyler where three bubbly white girls were..."

"Andre knocked on the door of 615 and an older white man..."

"He was white, with muscular, hairy forearms."

"White like me or white like Deever?"

It's like Andre's entire existence revolved around his skin color and the skin color of others. He couldn't just be another character in the book. The author made him stand out by having him focus on something that none of the other characters did. No one else mentions their race or ethnicity. It pulled me out of the book and prevented me from being able to see Andre as just another person in the story. It was like the author was trying too hard to make him her Black character, who talks about Black issues, and is concerned with Black politics. She failed to just let him be a person. I'm not saying the issues and politics aren't important, but they weren't addressed or brought up in a way that left an impact. It was more like she was using him solely to say, "Hey! Look! My book has diversity!"

It also made zero sense that Andre - a freshman in college - wouldn't tell his parents that he'd watched another student die while trying to save him. He literally had someone else's  blood on his hands, was questioned by the police, experienced something traumatic, yet didn't tell his parents. Right. Okay. 

Also, wtf is FOMO? Am I that old or is this some new slang that I just haven't heard?

"Reek seemed surprised when I made a beeline..." Reek? How very Game of Thrones... 🙄

I didn't even make it halfway through this one, which is really disappointing. I had high expectations and the cover is stunning, but the story flopped. The characters were unlikeable and uninteresting, I didn't care about the murders or murderer, and I was more annoyed than anything else while reading it. (★★☆☆☆)

Wintersong (Wintersong, #1) by S. Jae-Jones

Synopsis (via Goodreads): "Darkly romantic and atmospheric in all of the best ways, this book reads like a fever dream you never want to wake from." —Emily A. Duncan, New York Times bestselling author of Wicked Saints and Ruthless Gods

Dark, romantic, and unforgettable, Wintersong is an enchanting coming-of-age story for fans of Labyrinth and The Cruel Prince.

The last night of the year. Now the days of winter begin and the Goblin King rides abroad, searching for his bride…

All her life, Liesl has heard tales of the beautiful, dangerous Goblin King. They’ve enraptured her mind, her spirit, and inspired her musical compositions. Now eighteen and helping to run her family’s inn, Liesl can’t help but feel that her musical dreams and childhood fantasies are slipping away.

But when her own sister is taken by the Goblin King, Liesl has no choice but to journey to the Underground to save her. Drawn to the strange, captivating world she finds—and the mysterious man who rules it—she soon faces an impossible decision. And with time and the old laws working against her, Liesl must discover who she truly is before her fate is sealed.

Rich with music and magic, S. Jae-Jones's Wintersong will sweep you away into a world you won’t soon forget.

If I wanted to be petty, I'd say I should have known better based on who blurbed it (Emily Duncan's books have never worked for me), but instead I'll take the blame for wishing Wintersong would be more than what it was. I think whoever compared this book to Labyrinth and The Cruel Prince did a disservice to them both. Wintersong paled in comparison. All they managed to do was set a bar so high this book never stood a chance. The author would have had to produce something truly breathtaking to even come close to the feels and emotions Labyrinth and The Cruel Prince elicit. 

My biggest complaint would have to be Liesl herself. She's constantly talking about how plain she is compared to her sister, and I hated how frequently she put herself down. What about the teenagers reading this book? Are they supposed to relate to her feeling inadequate because of her looks? Are they going to look up to someone ordinary if she is unable to see the beauty in herself? The fact that Liesl needs a man - sorry, the Goblin King - to make her feel beautiful, is absurd. She should have found strength in herself instead of relying on it from others.

Also, the musical aspects of this book were snooze-worthy. I wanted to skip over them, but they took up the bulk of the book. I get why music played a large role in Liesl's life, but I was bored to tears trying to read through pages and pages of her playing music, composing music, or just talking about music in general. Her brother's music, her father's music, etc. It was a lot.

I never understood what the point of the story was. Were Liesl and the Goblin King playing a game? What was the game? Did they like or dislike each other? The rules were weird and not properly explained, and eventually I got tired of trying to figure it out. The story itself wasn't believable, and the characters were dull and unlikable. 

I started this book back in July and I'm just now 32% into it? Hard pass, thanks. Clearly, Wintersong wasn't a good fit for me, so I'm going to stop trying to fit a square into a triangle. (★★☆☆☆)