Hello all my lovely fellow book nerds! I feel like I started out strong this month and then about halfway through I feel apart. I think I just needed a little bit of a breather. That being said I still ended up finishing 9 books this month.
I don’t have reviews up for all of these books BUT I will link you to the Goodreads site and you an read up on them there. I have just been busy and haven’t made the time to sit down and write out my thoughts. As always I’ll just leave the synopsis and basically a ‘yes, I liked it,’ or a ‘no, don’t waste your time.’
1) Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo
Crooked Kingdom is the companion novel to Six of Crows. I was personally very sad that this was only a duology. There is so much more I feel like I want to know about these characters. I wasn’t ready for it to end. Here is the synopsis:
When you can’t beat the odds, change the game.
Kaz Brekker and his crew have just pulled off a heist so daring even they didn’t think they’d survive. But instead of divvying up a fat reward, they’re right back to fighting for their lives. Double-crossed and badly weakened, the crew is low on resources, allies, and hope. As powerful forces from around the world descend on Ketterdam to root out the secrets of the dangerous drug known as jurda parem, old rivals and new enemies emerge to challenge Kaz’s cunning and test the team’s fragile loyalties. A war will be waged on the city’s dark and twisting streets―a battle for revenge and redemption that will decide the fate of the Grisha world.
*****
Now if you are not familiar with Leigh Bardugo’s works she has also written the Shadow and Bone trilogy. You do not need to read those before you read this duology. It is the same world with the Grisha but at a different time with a whole new set of characters, HOWEVER it doesn’t really explain the Grisha and if you were to read the trilogy first it would help you better understand the world Leigh Bardugo created. I love her books and definitely recommend them! YES.
2) Simon VS. The Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli
Synopsis:
Sixteen-year-old and not-so-openly gay Simon Spier prefers to save his drama for the school musical. But when an email falls into the wrong hands, his secret is at risk of being thrust into the spotlight. Now Simon is actually being blackmailed: if he doesn’t play wingman for class clown Martin, his sexual identity will become everyone’s business. Worse, the privacy of Blue, the pen name of the boy he’s been emailing, will be compromised.
With some messy dynamics emerging in his once tight-knit group of friends, and his email correspondence with Blue growing more flirtatious every day, Simon’s junior year has suddenly gotten all kinds of complicated. Now, change-averse Simon has to find a way to step out of his comfort zone before he’s pushed out—without alienating his friends, compromising himself, or fumbling a shot at happiness with the most confusing, adorable guy he’s never met.
****
We read this one for our monthly book club and I am sad to say I didn’t love it. I had heard so many good things but I had a hard time with the writing and the setting. There was so much swearing. The way the story went down just didn’t work. I dunno. I just wouldn’t recommend this one. NOPE.
*Goodreads link to Simon VS by Becky Albertalli
3) The Luck of the BRIDE by Janna MacGregor
I was luck enough to receive and ARC of The Luck of the Bride VIA Netgalley. I loved the first two books and was excited to continue the series. Janna didn’t disappoint! Here is the synopsis:
March Lawson has never had much luck, and in a desperate move to save her family, she’s been posing as the Marquess of McCalpin. But when she’s summoned to a meeting with the Marquess himself, March expects jail time…not to be bewitched by dark hair and sapphire eyes.
Michael Cavensham, the Marquess of McCalpin and heir to the Duke of Langham, finds himself drawn to March despite the judgments from his peers. He isn’t sure he can trust March, especially since Michael has a secret that could ruin him and his family.
But society conspires to keep March and Michael apart, and when March is accused of not being who she says she is, will Michael toss her aside or fight for the woman he’s come to love?
****
YES. Read it my friends. In fact.. read it after you read the first two books because they are all fantastic! It releases tomorrow!!
*Link to Goodreads for The Luck of the Bride by Janna MacGregor
5) The Love Letter by Rachel Hauck
I also received this ARC via Netgalley and was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it. It goes back and forth from Revolutionary War times to modern day. It is about 2 different love stories but the way it comes full circle is amazing. I really enjoyed it. YES. READ IT. Here is the synopsis:
With the colonies at war and his country divided, Hamilton Lightfoot must choose sides: Fight for the British Crown or for the Independence of America. But after witnessing the death of his family at the hands of redcoats, he fears he’ll fight for revenge instead of honor. On the verge of a great battle, he pens a letter to Esther, the woman he loves.
Esther Longfellow is in love with Hamilton, but her father is a loyalist, living in upcountry South Carolina and working for a wealthy British lord. When the Revolutionary War comes to her doorstep she is forced to choose between devotion to her father and her love for Hamilton.
Chloe Daschle is the daughter of Hollywood royalty—a great director and an Oscar-winning actress. Yet her career has taken an unexpected turn: She’s the queen of death scenes. Trying to break out, she accepts a supporting role in a revolutionary war film. But she longs for the perfect role and the perfect real-life romance. Does happily ever after only exist in the movies?
After a life-changing tragedy, MIT graduate Jesse Gates decides to leave his life behind and move to LA to try his hand at acting and screenwriting. When he finds a page from one of his ancestor’s letters, he becomes consumed with the love he finds there. Determined to help his grandfather find happiness at the end of his life, Jesse writes and sells a screenplay based on the events surrounding the lost love of previous generations.
When Jesse meets the woman he has cast to play Esther Longfellow—his grandfather’s one true love—the stories of all four collide across time and space. The love letter from the past might have more power to affect the future than any of them could have imagined.
*Goodreads Link: The Love Letter by Rachel Hauck
6) The Brothers Freed Series by Bea Paige
Um.. where to start? If you like really hot and steamy romances then this series is for you. This is the first “reverse harem” series I have read which made things interesting… If that is what you are into then this series was great. It follows a British girl, Louisa, who grew up with no father and a drunk for a mother. When she accepts an opportunity to get away she takes it and in turn meets the FREED brothers. It’s all sexy from there and I couldn’t put it down. But I’ll warn you that if this isn’t your thing then just skip this one!
*Link to Avalanche of Desire to Goodreads for synopsis.
7) Lord of Temptation by Erica Ridley
This is also a NetGalley ARC and I liked it. I think I was hoping for something a little more. Sometimes these historical romances end up being so similar that I find it lacking. However I feel that isn’t fair to say this wasn’t good just because I read so many romances. I like it. The story was a good one even if it wasn’t my favorite. If you like historical romances then give this one a try! Here is the synopsis:
Be careful what you wish for…
When Lord Hawkridge inherits a penniless marquessate, he must abandon his courtship of the lowborn girl he loves. Years later, she rises from commoner to textiles heiress. Hawk has never banished her from his heart. Here’s their chance to share his home! But how can he convince a woman whose trust he destroyed that he desires her far more than her money?
Faith Digby’s chaotic world is too full to bother with men. She controls half a boarding school, one life-endangering secret, and two recently gentrified parents. There’s no time for the old flame roaring back into her life. Not when admitting she still loves him would imperil everything and everyone she holds dear….
*Link on Goodreads for Lord of Temptation by Erica Ridley
9) A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas
I decided to reread this series since the 4th book is going to be release tomorrow!! My sister is the sweetest and painted me my very own custom set for my birthday! I am rereading them and highlighting my favorite parts and quotes. I’m kinda marking the crap out of them. Maybe I’ll even review these after each reread since I had stared my blog after they came out and never wrote a review! I adore Sarah J Maas and all her books. Both of here series I have LOVED. Here is the synopsis:
Feyre’s survival rests upon her ability to hunt and kill – the forest where she lives is a cold, bleak place in the long winter months. So when she spots a deer in the forest being pursued by a wolf, she cannot resist fighting it for the flesh. But to do so, she must kill the predator and killing something so precious comes at a price …
Dragged to a magical kingdom for the murder of a faerie, Feyre discovers that her captor, his face obscured by a jewelled mask, is hiding far more than his piercing green eyes would suggest. Feyre’s presence at the court is closely guarded, and as she begins to learn why, her feelings for him turn from hostility to passion and the faerie lands become an even more dangerous place. Feyre must fight to break an ancient curse, or she will lose him forever.
*Here is the Goodreads link to ACOTAR by Sarah J Maas
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Well friends.. I hope you enjoyed April because it is GONE. I am looking forward to May. It is such a busy month but I hope I can still get my reading on because I have a list of books that could probably wrap around the Earth a few times. Ha ha.. Jokes. Enjoy your day friends! Thanks for reading!
xoxo,
