Tag: goodreads

March Wrap-Up

March Wrap-Up

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This month was a prime example of why I absolutely cannot be held to a set TBR every month. I don’t know how y’all do it. I had a plan for my reading when I went on vacation mid-March, and it went completely out the window when I actually got to my destination.

I really wanted to reread all of the FBAA series so that I could read The War of Two Queens when it came out. I think I got so caught up in the drama surrounding the contents of this book (I got spoiled, unsurprisingly), that I just didn’t want to deal with the series at that moment. I definitely do want to keep going with my reread, though.

Aside from all that, I had a pretty good reading month! I read 8 books (4 of which I finished this past week!).

March Favorites:

All of these are enemies-to-lovers in some way which is my favorite favorite of all time trope. So, it’s really no surprise that these are my favorites this month.

March Least Favorite:

I honestly feel bad putting Dream On with Ramón and Julieta just because I really, really disliked the latter. But both did nothing for me, and I need to say they were both my least favorite.

The Rest:

FBAA would be a favorite, but it was just a reread so it’s in this category. The rest of these, I enjoyed but they weren’t anything too special. I don’t see myself coming back to these at any point.

Have you read any of the books on my March Wrap-Up? What did you think of them?

[REVIEW] The Roughest Draft by Emily Wibberley & Austin Siegemund-Broka

[REVIEW] The Roughest Draft by Emily Wibberley & Austin Siegemund-Broka

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Y’all. Y’ALL. I will never understand why this book has such a low rating (for a romance) on Goodreads. I know the writing is a little more flowery than most romance novels, but seriously, everything about this book was a win for me.

Katrina and Nathan, former co-writers of an international bestseller, want nothing to do with each other after a previous falling out. The two are forced to finish their publishing contract for one more book, live together on a writing retreat, and face the reality of what they mean to the other.

Y’all, THIS is the level of angst I need in a romance!! I was completely giddy while reading this wondering who would slip up first in their game to avoid the past.

There is something that is so rarely done in romance novels which is capturing the complexity of a feud between two people, especially between those that are in a relationship. I often find that complications that arise in most romance novels are so simple and easy to understand–the solution is essentially served to you. This is not reality. Fights often have two sides that are not so easily reconciled–two people might think they are arguing about two completely different things.

Wibberley and Siegemund-Broka do an incredible job of capturing this complexity. I was blown away by the collision of Katrina and Nathan.

I do think the ending reveal was a bit anticlimactic, but the buildup was so good that I honestly could not care less.

Needless to say, this will definitely be one of my top favorites for the year.

Rating: ★★★★★

Find The Roughest Draft at an independent bookseller near you on IndieBound.

[REVIEW] Anatomy: A Love Story by Dana Schwartz

[REVIEW] Anatomy: A Love Story by Dana Schwartz

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In 1817 Edinburgh, a young woman, Hazel Sinnett, is destined by birth to marry her cousin and be the lady of his estate despite her dreams of becoming a surgeon. Jack Currer exhumes recently buried graves and sells the remains to surgeons looking for practice. The two come together to help each other and the city, not knowing they are at the center of something sinister happening around them.

Schwartz’s writing style made me so excited to read this story. I really felt the atmosphere she was trying to create of 19th century Edinburgh. The medical descriptions were along with the care taken to deliver Hazel’s passion for surgery were exquisite. I think I could have read a whole novel just about Hazel’s professional career.

I really ended up enjoying the mystery that Schwartz sets up within the Anatomist’s Society as well. I knew something was up, but I couldn’t really pin what. These were the most enjoyable parts of this novel.

Upon finishing, I wasn’t really sure why this is considered a love story. The medical aspects and the mystery seemed to me the focus, and the romance felt like it was just thrown in there at the end. I honestly did not even really feel a connection between the two except for a strong friendship. I wonder if this is due to it being a Young Adult novel, in which case this part maybe is not meant for me to enjoy so much and is fine.

Overall, though, I loved the writing and the vibe I got from this book as well as the characterizations of everyone. I’ll be looking out for other stories from Dana Schwartz.

Have you read this novel? What did you think about it?

Rating: ★★★1/2

Find this book at a local book retailer on IndieBound.

[REVIEW] Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim

[REVIEW] Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim

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This book has been on my TBR for a while, but I somehow never realized that it and Six Crimson Cranes were written by the same author. So, when I did realize this, I ran to the library to pick this one up.

Maia has hopes of becoming a master tailor someday, despite being a girl in a world where girls are not allowed to hold such positions. When the opportunity arises to compete to become the Emperor’s tailor, then, Maia disguises herself as her brother and heads to court. Here, a journey of magic and romance ensues for her.

Lim’s writing style is really enjoyable, and I can see that across both of her duologies. I really got sucked into Maia’s story from the beginning as she talks about her brothers and her talent for tailoring.

The competition aspect was also super exciting. The book was pitched as a Fashion Runway type book, and I really enjoyed seeing Maia use her talent. This might have been just an issue with my expectations, but I wish the book had more of a focus on the competition instead of going off on a second journey. I didn’t feel that the story flowed very well in this way. The romance also felt a bit rushed and just kind of inserted into the story in the second half. I loved Edan and his banter with Maia, but their relationship developed a little too quickly for the story.

The story and characters were also just a little too underdeveloped for my liking. I didn’t feel a very strong connection to anyone, including Maia even with how much I liked her. While the story had development and pacing issues, it was definitely a solid fantasy, and I’m still debating on whether I’ll go on to read the second book.

Have you read this series? Let me know what you thought!

Rating: ★★★

Find Spin the Dawn at your local indie bookstore here.

WWW Wednesday [3-9-22]

WWW Wednesday [3-9-22]

by louisereads ♥ 2 Comments

This is a meme hosted by Sam at Taking on a World of Words that asks us to answer the three Ws:

  • What are you currently reading?
  • What did you recently finish reading?
  • What do you think you’ll read next?

Currently reading: Rereading the Kingdom of Flesh and Fire right now to prepare for the release of the fourth book. It’s been a bit slow-going with work, but I’m hoping to finish by the end of the week! Also been reading A Touch of Darkness which has also been slow-going. I read this one before bed through Libby, but I’ve been so tired from work that I usually pass out within a few pages. Again, hoping to get through more before the week is up!

Recently finished: Finished my reread of From Blood and Ash and phew, it did not disappoint! It took me a while to get through (these are big books ok!), but definitely glad I’m rereading them all!

Reading next: Obviously, I need to finish my reread with The Crown of Gilded Bones, but I’m going on vacation, so I definitely need a light beachy read. I think I’ll be picking up The Roughest Draft for sure, which I just bought on an illicit Barnes and Noble run the other day.

[REVIEW] Ramón and Julieta by Alana Albertson

[REVIEW] Ramón and Julieta by Alana Albertson

by louisereads ♥ 1 Comment

I was excited for this book when I first heard about it. I looove food-centric stories. I was even excited still when I read the not-so-great reviews for it. Sometimes I enjoy romances that no one else seems to like.

I was so incredibly disappointed by this one. I DNF’d at 63%, something I try to never do. I mean, I got more than halfway through, you’d think I could just suck it up and finish at that point, right?

I could read a story with the worst descriptive writing in the world, and as long as the dialogue was good and realistic, I could still enjoy it. I’m pretty sure every book I have ever DNF’d has had the worst dialogue in it.

Ramón and Julieta talked to each other like they were reading from a script written by middle schoolers. I was really enjoying the description of the setting and the story otherwise, but I just could not get past how the characters talked. Not even just how they talked, but I couldn’t believe Julieta would be so ready to work with, let alone start dating, Ramón right way. I was so confused by her actions. She didn’t even seem that conflicted about working with the man who owns a chain that stole your family recipe.

Also, I know it was the point of the story, but I will just never, ever find businessmen hot. Ramón had the charisma of a Baked Lays chip.

I’m giving it two stars, though, because I actually did enjoy the beginning enough to keep reading.

Rating: ★★

[REVIEW] Dream On by Angie Hockman

[REVIEW] Dream On by Angie Hockman

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Release date: July 5, 2022

After surviving a car accident, Cass wakes up from a coma remembering a boyfriend who doesn’t exist. After a year, she meets the man of her dreams and it SEEMS like fate.

The concept for this had me sooo hopeful. It reminded me of fanfics I’ve read in the past and loved, so I was so excited to be approved for an eARC of this one.

I really enjoyed that this book did not play into fate, and maybe the man of Cass’s dreams really isn’t all that. It was very different from what I was expecting. I loved Cass and Brie, especially their friendship.

Unfortunately, I felt this book was just missing something. I wanted more interaction between Cass and the love interest to make their falling in love more believable. It just felt like there wasn’t much substance to them. I know I’m always saying this, but there NEEDS to be more tension for me to be super into two main love interests. There just wasn’t too much to get excited about with this one.

It was a cute story about Cass’s development and fate, though, and I’d recommend it to someone who doesn’t like much spice in their romance reads.

Rating: ★★★

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for providing the eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[REVIEW] Don’t Overthink This by Kelly Piazza

[REVIEW] Don’t Overthink This by Kelly Piazza

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Release date: April 19, 2022

CW: addiction, suicide

Matty, almost overcome by his oxycodone addiction, has lost everyone in his life–family, friends, and his girlfriend of ten years, Keelie. We see him struggle to survive and take his life back from pills and the ways in which his actions have affected other people.

This book was heartbreaking, beautiful, and so, so hopeful all at once. I am so glad for this book. I was a bit wary, I’ll admit, going into this one. It can be tough to handle addiction well, with grace and honesty. Piazza handles it with so much more. Within the first few pages of this book, I was on the brink of tears. Addiction is tough–for the person it afflicts and those around them. We really see Matty hit rock bottom, and he really earns his redemption.

The struggle was so well written I did not want to put this book down.

I do wish we had seen more of a struggle after he gets sober and reconnects with Keelie. I felt that the second half of the book went by a little too quickly and came with an easy resolution. This story would’ve felt that much sweeter with a little more tension before Matty was fully redeemed.

Aside from this one tiny qualm, I am so happy this book exists and that I was able to read it.

Rating: ★★★★.25/5

Thank you to NetGalley and Foxglove Publishing for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[REVIEW] You Had Me at Hola by Alexis Daria

[REVIEW] You Had Me at Hola by Alexis Daria

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I loooooved this book! What a cute romance about two telenovela stars! Jasmine and Ashton are thrown together on the set of a new series and obviously can’t help falling for each other.

What I liked:

  • I really enjoyed both Ashton and Jasmine as characters and seeing their arcs as they deal with past trauma. I really felt their growth as they came together and learned from one another.
  • The representation!! So much Latinx rep which I don’t see very often in romance novels. It was really cool to see more Puerto Rican culture with these characters as they navigate being celebrities of color.
  • Telenovelas!!! Need I say more??


What I didn’t like as much:

  • Dual POVs. I really never like dual POVs in a romance. I think it really takes away any tension you could have had when you know every thought and feeling from both sides.
  • I also wish there was just ONE more good scene between Jasmine and Ashton before they really fell for each other. I kinda felt like we skipped from being strangers to falling in love, and just one extra scene could’ve helped their relationship to flow more for the readers.

Overall, I think Daria is a great write and this was cute! I’ll definitely be picking up her next book following Jasmine’s cousin.

Rating: ★★★1/2

Find this book at a local bookseller here.

[REVIEW] Little Thieves by Margaret Owen

[REVIEW] Little Thieves by Margaret Owen

by louisereads ♥ 2 Comments

Another book where I had no idea what I was going into, but that completely surprised me by being better than I could’ve imagined.

Vanja, adopted by Death and Fortune after her own family abandons her, must steal and lie to survive but is cursed by a god she attempts to steal from.

Vanja is a new favorite. She was the perfect morally gray character, and I could really see her motivation for everything she did. I loved seeing her arc as she allowed herself to forge relationships with Emeric, Gisele and Ragne. I was rooting for her the whole way even when she was doing something I wanted to scream at her for.

The story was constantly exciting and so character focused. It also had LGBTQ+ rep and lots of casual mentions of trans people which I always love to see.

The ending did feel a bit rushed through, and I wasn’t sure about the narrative style it took, but it was such a small part of the story that I barely even noticed.

Definitely glad I read this fantasy, and I will be sure to pick up more of Owen’s works.

Rating: ★★★★1/2

Find Little Thieves at a local bookseller on IndieBound