review: blood fury (black dagger legacy #3) J.R. ward

A vampire aristocrat, Peyton is well aware of his duty to his bloodline: mate with an appropriate female of his class and carry on his family’s traditions. And he thought he’d found his perfect match—until she fell in love with someone else. Yet when his split-second decision in a battle with the enemy endangers the life of another trainee, Peyton has to face the idea that his future, and his heart, actually lie with another.
Novo, as a female in the Black Dagger Brotherhood’s training program, feels like she has to prove herself to everybody—and she has no interest in being distracted by falling in love. But when Peyton proves to be so much more than a rich playboy, she is forced to confront the tragedy that has broken her soul and closed her off from love.
As the two grapple with Novo’s past and Peyton’s present, another couple must contend with an erotic connection that is unparalleled—and potentially scandalous.
Saxton, who has had his heart broken, discovers in himself a deep-seated attraction to Ruhn, a new member of the household. But will the other male explore the connection? Or will he close his mind and his heart to what could be true love . . . and cost Saxton everything? ~ Goodreads

Source: Library

Review: I gave up on Ward’s books and the BDB (Black Dagger Brotherhood) years ago. I think the last one I read was book #9 (although I did read #11 – Qhuay’s book). I actually have Lover Reborn (BDB #10) but haven’t read it. By that point I was basically rage reading/reviewing her books.

She had so many story lines and pov’s going on that the couple got shorted out of their own books, the product placement and slang overtook everything. There was no longer a sense of Brotherhood and things were being dragged out unnecessarily for no good reason – only to be dropped later. My blood pressure is going up just thinking about it again lol

Anyhoo….she started this Black Dagger Legacy series with the new trainees and I had heard good things but still – it wasn’t enough to bring me back until this book. There are two couples – Peyton and Nova (M/f) and Saxton and Ruhn (M/M) and I knew Saxton from the original series so I already felt a little bit of an emotional investment in his HEA going in and hearing that this was her best books in years, I decided to give it a try.

Despite there being 4 pov’s, there’s a common theme between both couples – unrequited love that both Saxton and Peyton need to move on from and a feeling of unworthiness for Nova and Ruhn. That commonality works and stops the back and forth from being too jarring. Both couples proceed at almost the same pace even though their stories and characters are quite different.

I actually got this one from the library because I was convinced I wouldn’t make it past the first 50 pages and didn’t want to waste money on buying it. Instead I was completely absorbed in both romances – irritated when life made me put the book down. Each pov ends on a bit of a cliffhanger making you NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS. Which was a ton of fun as a reader and harken's back to Ward’s early writing style.

There’s very little in way the of The Chosen, the Lessers or anything else really unless it is something that helps move the romances forward. So if you’re looking for that this might not be for you. She still drops all the brand name references but she seems to have pared it down some and they were actually relevant to the scenes so I was ok with it here.

And just a quick note about each couple:

Peyton and Nova: fiery and combative at first, sexy as hell. While Nova doesn’t take playboy Peyton seriously, he decides to pull his shit together and be there for her even as she pushed him away. She has really good reasons and Peyton was a steady force for her – waiting until she was ready to open her heart to him. CW: –> miscarriage<-

Saxton and Ruhn: Saxton is so broken after his relationship with Blay ended. Having to see Blay with Qhuinn and the babies is like a stab to the heart every day. He believes something fundamental broke in him after Blay and he’s never meant to have love again until Ruhn enters his life. Ruhn is  a gentle giant that was forced into deplorable acts and they are so perfectly right for each other, despite being complete opposites. Saxton is highly refined and enjoys the best of things while Ruhn lives simply but shares his love totally and completely. He reminded me a bit of Z and what he went through with his past.

Gah! This book gave me the warm romantic fuzzies! It’s really what I needed to read after a few ambigious ending romances. I needed rock solid and I got it. In fact, it got a little sappy towards the end.  I love you – no I love you – no, I love you MORE shmoopy woopy….lol but I’ll take it!

I’m not sure I’m ready to come back into the Warden fold but I’ll definitely keep an open mind with future installments of this series.

whatever wednesday: music - leon bridges

I haven’t featured music for a while and I really need to because I’ve been listening to all the music lately!


Have you guys heard of Leon Bridges? He’s an American gospel singer and record producer from Texas. I love retro Motown sound but with a contemporary feel. He has really interesting videos too. Website

Bad Bad News (my favorite of his songs)

Bet Ain’t Worth the Hand (I love the video)

my monday musings: Tbr pile–conquered!

Dealing with TBR piles are part of being a blogger. It’s an endless cycle because we can’t seem to resist shiny new books. It’s worse if you accept review books and go to book conferences *points at self*.

I’ve been dealing my own overwhelming TBR pile ever since my first BEA in 2011 and have never fully recovered.

Over the years I’ve hunkered down and tackled one group at a time. First up, in 2016, was my Kindle. I had hundreds of books on there and most were freebie/impulse buys that I totally forgot why I got them in the first place and never read. I sorted them into bookshelves by genre, deleted what no longer appealed to me and read, read, read. I’m now down to about 40 and usually read anything new right away. I’m comfortable with that.

Next up was where it got tricky and harder to control – review copies/Netgalley. For the past 2 years
I scaled WAY back on requests and hunkered down to read what I had accepted already.

I currently only have 1 book ready for feedback on Netgalley and zero review requests pending. I only accept 2-3 requests per month - and request no more than 2 at a time on Netgalley - and for the last few months I didn’t take any. So that’s totally under control.

That leaves my physical TBR pile which I have been working on since January of 2017. I started with 139 books and had hoped to get down to 50 but barely made a dent by January 2018. I had gotten down to 89 but, to be perfectly honest, that was more through purging than reading.


   
          January 2017 - 139 books                                        January 2018 - 89 books

Better, but still not where I wanted to be and still stressful because I’m such a mood reader and nothing from this pile was appealing to me. And HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE??? Instead, I bought new books and watched this stack stay stagnant and even grow. 😭😭

I foolishly registered for ALA (The American Library Association conference) this year so I NEEEEEDED to get this pile down before I bring any new books in. I became laser focused and mostly read from this stack – with few exceptions – since January and I DID IT!!! I am down to 50 books!!!!!!



               April 2018 - 50 books!

I knew that reading for review can take some of the joy away but it’s amazing how having that pressure lifted has changed everything.

I feel so freeeeeee! I love reading again, I’m enjoying almost everything. I’m less critical because I’m reading for fun and not on a deadline. I can switch up genres, dnf at will, not read for a week.

Now, I may screw it all up again by going to ALA lol but I don’t think so. While I went absolutely crazy for books my first two cons – I’ve been very selective since then and go more to hang with friends than to grab all the books.  And the conference is in June so I still have a few months to get that pile down even more.

It probably would be closer to 30 if I didn’t keep getting unsolicited books from publishers. I’m not complaining though because they’ve been pretty awesome books.

I don’t think I’ll ever be down to 0 books – nor do I want to be – that would set off a different kind of panic lol but it’s nice to be free of the pressure of having so many books that were given to me for review (mostly at conferences) just sitting there for years. It felt wrong. And I’ve learned my lesson!

Now if I could just find a blogging groove again - that would be fantastic! I shouldn't be greedy though. Hahaha!

How is your TBR pile? (btw – I’m only discussing books I actually own or have for review – I’m not talking about a Goodreads wish list type of TBR) 

Do you ever think you’ll get it under control or how you keep it under control?

Or do you love and embrace your TBR pile?

the friday 5

1.

My birthday finally rolled around this week and not a moment too soon. I used it as an excuse to buy a ton of things I don’t need. lol  Every time I saw something on sale my brain said….it’s on sale! AND my birthday = meant to be. Sound logic right?

I'm cut off now 😭

2.

My husband took the day off and we headed to Orlando for these beauties from Gideon’s Bakehouse.

How ridiculous are these cookies??!! They’re almost 1/2 pound each. I discovered this place last year but so hasn’t everyone else – so they’ve been starting to sell out every day. My favorite is the pistachio toffee dark chocolate but I’ve been wanting the to try the candied walnut chocolate chip since forever. They only have it on Wednesday’s but luckily the stars aligned and I finally got one! Totally worth the wait.

3.

I arrived home to this package from my friend Brooke. I always know when a box is from her because she covers it in fun things – either stickers, drawings or things like this…and of course there was a party on the inside as promised. I also got gifted Autoboyography from another friend and I may have squealed REALLY loud because I wanted that book SO bad.

4.

Non- birthday related…this judgey bunny was outside my front door yesterday. He seemed totally pissed that I was interrupting his morning munchies. Look at that glare lol

5.

Kevin also surprised me and came home early from work yesterday – announcing that we were going to go see A Quiet Place. He’s been working every single day for almost 2 weeks so we haven’t been able to go out at all.

It was really good! Not quite as scary tense as I was expecting – a lot more of them just going about their daily lives but that was interesting on it’s own. Because you see how hard it would be to keep quiet and still live a normal life for YEARS. Like…how do you keep a 4 year old from acting out? Or a teen from temper tantrum-ing. You can’t.

Two things though….where the hell did they get like 500 red lightbulbs and hang them all up without making any noise? And while at the pharmacy, maybe pick up some condoms/birth control? Having a crying baby isn’t the best plan during these times lol But props to Emily Blunt’s character who can give birth silently. I’d probably cry louder from getting a splinter removed.






How did your week go? Any plans for this weekend? I think I’m going to try watching the new Sandra Oh series – Killing Eve – that everyone is raving about. And I (hopefully) will have a post up Monday about my TBR reading progress. I’m killing it and  I AM EXCITED.

review: emergency contact by mary h.k. choi

For Penny Lee high school was a total nonevent. Her friends were okay, her grades were fine, and while she somehow managed to land a boyfriend, he doesn’t actually know anything about her. 

When Penny heads to college in Austin, Texas, to learn how to become a writer, it’s seventy-nine miles and a zillion light years away from everything she can’t wait to leave behind.

Sam’s stuck. Literally, figuratively, emotionally, financially. He works at a café and sleeps there too, on a mattress on the floor of an empty storage room upstairs. He knows that this is the god-awful chapter of his life that will serve as inspiration for when he’s a famous movie director but right this second the seventeen bucks in his checking account and his dying laptop are really testing him.

When Sam and Penny cross paths it’s less meet-cute and more a collision of unbearable awkwardness. Still, they swap numbers and stay in touch—via text—and soon become digitally inseparable, sharing their deepest anxieties and secret dreams without the humiliating weirdness of having to see each other. ~ Goodreads

Source: A finished copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Review:

I feel like the blurb for Emergency Contact is kind of misleading. I was expecting a cute, possibly fluffy, novel between two awkward teens and an examination of social media and love in the digital age.

While, technically, that is what the book is about – there is so much more going on.

Penny longs to leave home for college and flee her MILF mom, who flirts with all the men and dresses in over-the-top, sexy clothes, trying to be young and hip. She's more friend than mom and Penny feels like she is the parent and needs a break from the constant worry and embarrassment.

Once at college, she meets her roommate, Jude, and her bestie Mallory. It goes ok, if not great, and they head to the local coffee shop where she meets Sam, Jude’s uncle from a now dissolved marriage.

Sam is distant with Jude but that doesn’t deter Mallory from making goo-goo eyes at him and Jude makes the girls swear to a pact not date him because he’s her uncle and going through a rough patch.

Sam is barely holding it together, working and living at the small coffee shop, while pining over his ex-girlfriend, Lorraine – aka: the love of his life. One day Lorraine drops a major bomb on Sam and he’s driven to a panic attack. Penny finds him almost unconscious on the ground. She helps him through the attack and they exchange phone #’s - hence the Emergency Contact - and strike up a texting friendship where they can connect with someone without all the baggage that comes with real life relationships.

Penny:
"So yeah, no IRL for me
Why break the fourth wall?"

Sam:
"No point 
We're perfect in here"

Both Sam and Penny have a dry sense of humor and a pessimistic view of life and they connect instantly. They talk about everything from Lorraine, to their parents and their dreams of being a documentary film maker (Sam) and a writer (Penny). Their texts, and then phone calls crackle with honesty and chemistry and I wish the book focused on that more or tied it together better, rather than taking so many detours.

The story is told in alternating pov’s and Penny’s has a tendency to meander before circling back to  the point she’s trying to make. Which in all fairness, is a character trait, observed by everyone else around her, but it still makes it difficult to get a handle on the story at times.

Sam and Penny seem (& think they are) smarter than everyone around them, yet don't understand simple concepts like irony or other common knowledge things that they have to look up - then judge others for not being as smart as they are. They are both pretentious and somehow still relatable which was a weird roller coaster to ride as a reader. They could be assholes but lovable assholes :-)

There are also a lot of things going on - keeping secrets from friends, difficult parental relationships, anxiety, financial issues, past trauma (TW for  ->sexual assault), and Lorraine popping in and out of Sam’s life, Sam making a film and Penny’s writing.

It is a lot, but it never feels like a lot because it’s spread out over the course of the novel. Once the second half of the book sheds a few of these issues, the book is a delight. It was raw and emotional as it dug deep into the things that frighten Penny and Sam the most.

Penny and her mom are particularly heartbreaking and real. I also I liked seeing Sam's pov of an issue that we don't always get to see from the guys side of things. Spoiler-> Lorraine's possible pregnancy and his fears vs excitement about  becoming a dad. <- End spoiler

Both Penny and Sam are complicated people struggling with feelings of anxiety and loneliness and I loved how it was kind of messy and ugly at times but they both grew - partly because of the support from each other - but also on their own. There was a romance but it was subtle.

So, while I struggled with parts of this book I ended up really enjoying it by the end.

I recommend this for readers looking for a quirky YA that bridges the gap between HS and college with slight romance but can handle moderate levels of angst.

tell me something tuesday

Tell Me Something Tuesday is hosted by Rainy Day Ramblings and discusses a wide range of topics from books to blogging.

Question: Do you prefer series or stand alone books?

Answer: I used to read ALL THE SERIES until 2 things happened.

1) Bad conclusions to several of my favorite series

2) I started losing track of what was going on with them all

Series are a big time/emotional investment. After those two things happened on a regular basis, I decided to re-examine what series I was reading and cut some loose. After counting, I realized I was reading 40+ series! No wonder I was losing track!

So this was about 4-ish years ago and I ended up cutting most of them loose. And I rarely start new ones.

I do not count romance series - that have a different couple each book and where you could skip a book – no problem, or companion novel series – again – same world but different characters.

I'm talking about series that are trilogies - where you follow one story arc, one set of MC's and you can't skip any books.

One I stuck with was The Winner’s trilogy by Marie Rutkoski and I loved it!



I tend to read stand alone's now but that’s easier when you read romance, like I did most of last year. I’m dabbling back into YA now and that makes it harder. I’m carefully choosing what series I’ll start though. No cliffhangers for sure, no love triangles.

I’ve thought about why my feelings changed so much. If I was reading 40+ series, I must have enjoyed them. I LOVED disappearing into worlds and really getting to know characters in a way you can’t with stand alone's. And as usual the reason can be traced back to blogging. The killer of book joy lol

There can be so much hype around series and picking teams/predicting endings and it gets too stressful for me. The end can never beat the build up and after (usually) 3 years of investing in these characters it can be a huge letdown.  

I do think I’ll be reading more series in the future but I limit how much I invest in them. Once I’m done with one book – I’m good. I don’t hunt down spoilers or clues to what is going to happen next.

Cruel Prince is a book I enjoyed and I think I’ll read the next one, The Wicked King, but they’re already dropping quotes and spinning everyone up into a frenzy of WHAT HAPPENS??? and I’m completely avoiding it since the book doesn’t even come out until January of 2019.



What about you? Series – yay or nay?

monday minis: Feelings, wo-o-o feeeeeelings...

I am on such an amazing reading roll right now! I’m catching up on the TBR pile, everything has been at 4.5 stars but my last batch were super emotional and gut punchy.

I can’t even begin to dive too deeply into them because it will drudge it all up again – but they were worth recommending so they get the mini treatment insread.

via GIPHY

Heels Over Head by Elyse Springer
Source: KU

Jeremy Reeve is one of the best divers in the world, and he’s worked hard to get where he is. He intends to keep pushing himself with one very clear goal in mind: winning gold at the summer Olympics in two years. That medal might be the only way to earn his father’s respect as an athlete.

Brandon Evans is everything Jeremy isn’t: carefree, outgoing, and openly gay. With his bright-blue eyes and dramatic tattoos, he’s a temptation that Jeremy refuses to acknowledge. But Jeremy can’t ignore how talented Brandon is—or that Brandon has no interest in using his diving skills to compete.

They’re opposites who are forced to work together as teammates, but Jeremy’s fear of his own sexuality and Brandon’s disinterest in anything “not fun” may end their partnership before it begins. Until a single moment changes everything, and they help each other discover that “team” can also mean family and love. ~ Goodreads

My thoughts: One of the better NA and M/M novels I’ve read in a long time. Super emotional hate to love romance between two divers (one closeted the other out and proud). I loved the different approaches to training for the Olympics, life goals, a look at homelessness and financial struggles, the idea of a chosen family, and the inclusion of an awesome female friend that isn’t just hanging around as window dressing. Things got pretty ugly with the romance and TW for homophobic slurs from Jeremy’s family and even Jeremy as he grapples with his sexual identity.


You Know Me Well by Nina LaCour, David Levithan
Source: Um…not sure lol From one of the book cons

Who knows you well? Your best friend? Your boyfriend or girlfriend? A stranger you meet on a crazy night? No one, really?

Mark and Kate have sat next to each other for an entire year, but have never spoken. For whatever reason, their paths outside of class have never crossed.

That is, until Kate spots Mark miles away from home, out in the city for a wild, unexpected night. Kate is lost, having just run away from a chance to finally meet the girl she has been in love with from afar. Mark, meanwhile, is in love with his best friend Ryan, who may or may not feel the same way.

When Kate and Mark meet up, little do they know how important they will become to each other—and how, in a very short time, they will know each other better than any of the people who are supposed to know them more.

Told in alternating points of view by Nina LaCour and David Levithan, You Know Me Well is a story about navigating the joys and heartaches of first love, one truth at a time. ~ Goodreads

My thoughts: Told in the alternating chapters of Mark and Katie – both gay – and both on a quest for love – You Know Me Well is about unrequited love, fear, changing friendships. This was a whole heap of awkward, painful coming of age drama. It was awkward, beautiful, honest and bittersweet. Really well done.


The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon
Source: Own

Natasha: I’m a girl who believes in science and facts. Not fate. Not destiny. Or dreams that will never come true. I’m definitely not the kind of girl who meets a cute boy on a crowded New York City street and falls in love with him. Not when my family is twelve hours away from being deported to Jamaica. Falling in love with him won’t be my story.

Daniel: I’ve always been the good son, the good student, living up to my parents’ high expectations. Never the poet. Or the dreamer. But when I see her, I forget about all that. Something about Natasha makes me think that fate has something much more extraordinary in store—for both of us.
The Universe: Every moment in our lives has brought us to this single moment. A million futures lie before us. Which one will come true? ~ Goodreads

My thoughts: Damn people! You have a very different definiton of a happy book than I do! I mentioned on twitter that I had been reading (excellent) books that were leaving me a little sad and asked if this was upbeat and everyone is like YES! It’s amazing. Fair enough – it was amazing but also…sad. Or at least not the solid HEA – swoon that I was hoping for. BUT – if you are looking for  a story where one day, one person can change a life in ways you never imagined, then read The Sun is Also a Star. I actually liked it more than Yoon’s debut Everything, Everything. Recommend to fans of Gayle Foreman’s Just One Day.

So if you're looking for an ALL the feels kind of book, these three should do the trick.

P.S. Highlight for SPOILERS - for the last two - they do not end with traditional HEA's. No one dies or anything, and they have hopeful endings but YAY! happily ever after endings. END SPOILER

the friday 5: birthday book wishlist

I’ve been so overwhelmed by books that I haven’t bought many new releases the past few years (other than Kindle deals). My birthday is coming up next week though – and I’m finally making progress on the TBR pile so I might splurge a little and buy myself a few.

Here are 5 that have been on my radar thanks to all the positive reviews I’ve read by blogger friends…

1.

Autoboyography by Christina Lauren ~ Goodreads

This book has been on my list since it came out in September of 2017. I’m not even sure why I haven’t bought it yet but I WANT IT.

2.

The Epic Crush of Genie Lo by F.C. Yee ~ Goodreads

Every one I know enjoyed this one, including my book blogging yoda – Jen Ryland. If she rec’s a book – I listen.

 3.

The Astonishing Color of After by Emily X.R. Pan ~ Goodreads

That cover and title – I mean…how can you look away? (I also LOVE that alternate cover). Kelly from Diva Booknerd wrote a gorgeous review for this one (all her reviews are gorgeous btw) and I think I need this book in my life.

4.

The Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi ~ Goodreads

I’m not a huge fantasy reader but I’ve had my eye on this book for a long time. Both Diva Booknerd and Amber from Du Livre loved it. I had a chance to try a sample the other day and the writing wasn’t too *over the top fantasy* for me so I think I’m going to give it a go.

5.

Picture Us in the Light by Kelly Loy Gilbert ~ Goodreads

I’m cheating and picking two here…cuz it’s my birthday (almost) and I can do what I want lol

This book just came out on Tuesday and it was popping up all over my Twitter feed. It sounds pretty gut wrenching but I think I’m in the mood for that right now.

Stay Sweet by Siobhan Vivian ~ Goodreads

Remember me mentioning my book yoda, Jen Ryland above? Well, she loved this one book – her review says it has girl power, female friendships, subtle, nuanced and realistic romance & ice cream!! Sold!

Are there any other books I should be adding to my birthday book haul?

And in case you haven't entered yet - I'm having a birthday giveaway right now - enter to win a book of your choice!

review: starry eyes by jenn bennett

Ever since last year’s homecoming dance, best friends-turned-best enemies Zorie and Lennon have made an art of avoiding each other. It doesn’t hurt that their families are the modern day, Californian version of the Montagues and Capulets.

But when a group camping trip goes south, Zorie and Lennon find themselves stranded in the wilderness. Alone. Together.

What could go wrong?

With no one but each other for company, Zorie and Lennon have no choice but to hash out their issues via witty jabs and insults as they try to make their way to safety. But fighting each other while also fighting off the forces of nature makes getting out of the woods in one piece less and less likely.

And as the two travel deeper into Northern California’s rugged backcountry, secrets and hidden feelings surface. But can Zorie and Lennon’s rekindled connection survive out in the real world? Or was it just a result of the fresh forest air and the magic of the twinkling stars? ~ Goodreads

Source: Finished copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Review:
So you know all those obnoxious bloggers who say this book was EVERYTHING, and you wish they wouldn’t because because you hate book hype and no book is EVERYTHING.

Well I am going to be THAT BLOGGER because Starry Eyes by Jenn Bennett was my everything.

I’ve had a pretty good reading run lately but those OMG - 5 star books that leave me smiling and on a week long book high are few and far between.

Bennett is an auto-buy author for me, so I already had a pretty good idea I would enjoy Starry Eyes, but it exceeded all my expectations.

Okay….okay…I’ll get to some actual reviewer type stuff lol

Zorie’s mom convinces her to go on a glamping trip with a group of popular kids from her school. Zorie is a planner (spontaneity gives her hives – literally) and is skeptical about the whole thing but goes anyway to; please her (step)mom, get away from from making a decision about something she’s recently discovered about her dad and maybe get a shot at her crush Brett, who is also going. Bonus – at the end of the trip she can go on to meet her astronomy club nearby to see the Perseid meteor shower.

She researches and makes her lists and is pretty sure she handle the change to her summer plans until her sworn enemy – Lennon - shows up to join the adventure.

Zorie and Lennon were best friends until “The Great Experiment”, where they secretly dated but turned enemies after a disastrous homecoming night that left them both feeling abandoned. Since that night, their families haven’t spoken other than when necessary. Her father convinces her to stay away from Lennon and his moms who own the sex toy store next door – which he blames for his massage customers turning away in droves, even though Zorie's acupuncturist mom isn’t having the same problems with clients. 

So best friends to more – to enemies – to stuck on a camping trip together. Family secrets. Glamping. Excitement!

Once the group is at the glamping grounds, bad decisions are made, tempers boil over, and Zorie and Lennon are abandoned in the woods by the rest of the gang. Luckily, Lennon has become an expert camper over their time apart. Something that surprises Zorie but there’s a lot of things she’s missed about Lennon's life since they stopped talking.

They decide to take the trek to the star gazing party anyway and Zorie learns to let go of her lists and plans while she and Lennon find out what actually happened that fateful night.

Zorie and Lennon have a lot to work through and they do. It’s so refreshing to see two characters talk open and honestly.

There are still tougher issues with her father to deal with once Zorie gets back home I was thrilled with how the issue was resolved – letting Zorie make peace with things without having to compromise her own feelings and needs.

As always, Bennett’s characters are real and quirky, the California wilderness setting was immersive and her portrayal of (unconventional) families is perfection.

Starry Eyes is about giving up control and let the unexpected happen – even if it’s scary – even if it might hurt. And love, family and acceptance aren’t always what you think it should look like but are family just the same.

Add in a series of hand drawn maps from the trip and of Zorie and Lennon’s path to love and sa-woon!

Starry Eyes made me laugh, cry (with happiness) and left me with a book high that will be hard for any other book to follow.

tell me something tuesday

Tell Me Something Tuesday is hosted by Rainy Day Ramblings and discusses a wide range of topics from books to blogging.

Question: Do you feel pressured to get your reviews posted in a timely manner?

Answer:

In my earlier blogging days when I took on too many review books – yes. THE PRESSURE!!!

These days – not really - because I pace myself now with requests and am able to read and review books around the week they are released. And everything else is a *for me* read so I review it whenever. Or not at all.

One thing I have changed over time is reviewing arc’s early. (like months early). I don’t do it anymore for a few reasons.

1) While I might have helped contribute to hype – most people forgot about the book (and my review) by the time the book came out. Maybe it helped with a few pre-orders but I don't know and wasn't worth #2 - below...

2) A few years ago, there was a lot of arc envy going around ( I know there’s always arc envy but this was a particularly ugly time in the blogosphere) and I just didn’t want to add to making anyone feel bad about not being able to get a book early. That extended to both other bloggers and even readers who started feeling out of the loop because they don’t have access to arc’s other than giveaways.

If I do read and love a book 6 months before it comes out – I might do a post on it saying how much I loved it – but save my formal review for closer to the release date.

* NOTE: I'm talking more about big pub HYPED books - where everyone already knows it's coming out and just feels left out because they can't read it for another 6 months. Not the less hyped books that need all the love and promotion they can get.

review: ivy aberdeen’s letter to the World by ashley herring blake

When a tornado rips through town, twelve-year-old Ivy Aberdeen's house is destroyed and her family of five is displaced. Ivy feels invisible and ignored in the aftermath of the storm--and what's worse, her notebook filled with secret drawings of girls holding hands has gone missing.

Mysteriously, Ivy's drawings begin to reappear in her locker with notes from someone telling her to open up about her identity. Ivy thinks--and hopes--that this someone might be her classmate, another girl for whom Ivy has begun to develop a crush. Will Ivy find the strength and courage to follow her true feelings? ~ Goodreads





Source: arc provided in exchange for an honest review

Review:

Ivy Aberdeen is a 12 year old girl struggling to find her place. She’s an artist – often collaborating with her mother, an author of a popular children’s series, and drawing in her sketchbook. Only now, as her friends talk more and more about liking boys and asking them to school dances, Ivy keeps drawing girls holding hands. She’s not even sure what this means but senses that it’s something she should keep secret, especially after overhearing her sister react poorly to her best friend’s coming out.

After a tornado blows through their small town, destroying the Aberdeen home, the family is forced to live in close proximity (6 people in ONE room!) and things come to a head, leaving Ivy increasingly confused and isolated. Her mom has recently given birth to twins and has very little time to spend with Ivy. Her older sister is deemed helpful, while, middle child, Ivy’s questions and well meaning attempts to help just get in the way. Ivy's parents consider sending her to stay with a her best friend while they sort out better living arrangements, thinking she would have more fun, but Ivy sees it as yet another rejection by her family.

Ivy’s sketchbook goes missing after the chaos of the tornado and pages start appearing in her locker, sometimes with a note encouraging her to tell someone her secret. Ivy isn’t sure if it’s someone who is about to expose her or possibly June, the girl who makes Ivy’s stomach do flips whenever she’s around.

Ivy Aberdeen kept breaking my heart and putting the pieces back together again. Her confusion, her loneliness…I felt it bone deep. But I also felt her joy as she finds love and (self) acceptance from her friends and family.

Art as an outlet for expression of painful or confusing feelings is another strong theme in this novel. I love that even though not everyone is as good as Ivy, they still try and have fun with it. I’m not artistic, at all, but I could see the world in brushstrokes and colors through Ivy. She’s just a really relatable protagonist that you root for and want to wrap in a big protective hug.

I haven't read a lot of mid-grade, but the few that I have, have been wonderful - defying age classifications with universal themes. Ivy Aberdeen’s Letter to the World is one such book, tackling family dynamics, new and changing friendship dynamics and self discovery, making it perfect for readers young and old.

It’s an especially great addition for LGBQT MG readers as it discuss Ivy’s growing feelings for girls and has supportive adult characters who help Ivy work things out, show that life is messy and adults don’t always get it right or have all the answers.

Friendships, family, love – they aren’t always easy or perfect but they can get better.

because it’s my birthday book giveaway!

My birthday is this month! (the 18th)

I won’t discuss age my because I have reached the top of the hill and am slowly sliding down the other side lol But I’m here, and that’s better than the alternative, so to celebrate I’m hosting a giveaway!!!

Isn’t that how birthday’s work?? You buy gifts for other people?? It’s how it works the blogosphere anyway. Any excuse to give away books!

The winner can choose any ONE book, up to $15 value

You can choose ANY book but here are few lists of April book releases for inspiration:

Most Popular Books Published in April 2018

YA Releases in April 2018
New and Upcoming Book Releases for April 2018

Rules &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp; stuff!

The winner will be announced on May 1st on this post in the rafflecopter form - and notified by email. Winner has 48 hours to respond or I will pick another winner. (read my full * My Giveaway Policy here)

International entries OK as long as The Book Depository ships to your country.

To enter – fill out the Rafflecopter form and leave a comment!


*I’m making this one super easy to enter so no extra entries, other than a tweet, but if you are looking for me elsewhere my SM links are in the sidebar. Twitter is where I like to chat, Instagram is where I mostly post about food, my dogs – Fonzi &amp;amp; Indy, one grumpy, clingy cat named Figment and, of course, books and  follow me on Goodreads if you want to know what I’m currently reading. Or subscribe to the blog via email or Bloglovin.



a Rafflecopter giveaway

whatever wednesday: TBB asks - spring edition

I’m joining in The Blended Blog’s April- Spring TBB Asks. I love this tag!

1. What 3 colors remind you most of Spring?
Pastels – usually green, pink, blue.

2. What is the first thing you’d add to your wardrobe in Spring?
Shorts. It’s FL so we head right to hot weather, but I love that I still get to wear sweaters once in awhile this time of year.

3. What is the first wardrobe item you ditch in Spring?
I guess my winter coat and scarf but again…I’m in FL so we don’t do full wardrobe changes.

4. Who mows the grass where you live?
Kevin and I – we swap, depending whose allergies are worse lol

5. What’s Spring like where you live?
Unless you love here it seems like nothing changes. It’s not as dramatic as other parts of the country but we start to have less extremes in temperature – bad thunder storms as the cold and warm fronts clash. Everything is bright green from the new leaves emerging (while the last of the dead live oak leaves fall), baby birds are tweeting and the butterflies start coming back.

6. What’s your favorite thing about Spring?
The animals returning to my yard (minus the evil crows who kill the baby animals and try to leave them in my bird bath – DISGUSTING), the perfect daytime temps (70’s) combined with cool nights.

7. Are you a Spring Cleaner?
Sort of? I did just do a big closet cleaning but it had less to do with spring than I get in these overhaul/purge moods.

8. Are you a Baseball Fan?
Nope. I’m not into nay sports really.

9. Tulips or Daffodils?
Anything. I love flowers and plants and nature!

10. Favorite Outdoor Spring Activity?
The farmer’s market, hiking with Kevin and Fonzi. This is usually my last outdoor hurrah before the heat and humidity sets in and I become an indoor hermit until winter.

Look at my adorable, happy spring kitty. He’s thrilled with his Easter finery – can’t you tell lol

Happy Spring everyone!!!

monday minis

Untouchable by Kay Simone, Ruth Luhnow

Source: Kindle Unlimited

“You’ve been alone for years and a hot gay massage therapist shows up at your door ready to screw. That’s the plot of a porn, not a romance.”

Morton Harper--Harp for short--is 44, divorced, hated by most of his picturesque Colorado town, and more than happy to spend the rest of his life holed up in the cabin he built on Storm Mountain. But when Harp seeks out a massage therapist to help him heal after a car accident, his whole world is turned upside down. Parker is almost two decades younger than Harp, handsome, and full of life--he should be the kind of person Harp hates. Instead, Harp finds himself reluctantly charmed by Parker’s bubbly personality, his patience for all of Harp’s quirks… and Parker’s six-pack doesn’t hurt either.

"I know I can trust you. And I know you’re being kind. But I’m rusty at having a friend."

Parker James is a miracle worker, both with muscles and with picky clients. But with Harp, he may have met his match. From the moment he sees Harp--axe in hand, glaring at him from the front yard, Parker knows he has his work cut out for him. But though Harp is moody, ornery, and closed off, Parker keeps catching a glimpse of someone who is funny and compassionate... and wounded. As they strike up an unlikely friendship, Parker longs for more--and though Harp has hurts of his own, he’s helping Parker heal his, too.

“I’ve never had someone like you before. Someone who wanted to take care of me. Someone who made me feel like I was the most important thing in the universe.”

As their sessions progress, both men find themselves falling for the other. But Parker’s confidence was shattered by a cruel ex and Harp is still reeling from a painful divorce and dramatic outing--and their own families and past hurts prove difficult to navigate, even as they come together. It’s undeniable that Parker and Harp make each other stronger and better--but can Parker really reach someone so untouchable?

Untouchable is a 275,000 word contemporary slow burn m/m romance with enemies-to-lovers, hurt/comfort, and May/December themes. ). ~ Goodreads

My thoughts: This book was soooooooo long. Even the summary is too long! Harp and Parker were great, troubled characters but this book could have been cut in half (at least) & probably would have still been too long. There is a constant stream of self doubt and miscommunication after every single interaction, obstacles tossed in at every turn. One step forward – three steps back. I don’t even know why I kept reading. Morbid curiosity, I think. I half expected amnesia or even one of the MC's to die or at least have a life altering injury tossed in. Then…the real issues – Parker’s often cruel and controlling parents & Harp’s ASSHOLE brother are dealt with off page. It’s too bad, because, like I said, the guys are great and there’s a solid foundation for an amazing story there.



A Girl Like Her (Ravenswood #1) by Talia Hibbert

Source: Kindle Unlimited

Everyone has secrets. He wants all of hers.

Meet the man next door...

After years of military service, Evan Miller wants a quiet life. The small town of Ravenswood seems perfect—until he stumbles upon a vicious web of lies with his new neighbour at its centre. 

Ruth Kabbah is rude, awkward, and, according to everyone in town, bad news. Thing is, no-one will tell Evan why. Does she perform ritual sacrifices? Howl at the moon? Pour the milk before the tea? He has no clue.

But he desperately wants to find out. Because Ruth doesn’t seem evil to him; she seems lonely. And funny, and clumsy, and secretly quite sweet, and really f*%king beautiful…

The more Evan’s isolated, eccentric neighbour pushes him away, the more he wants her. Her—and all her secrets. Because there’s no way a girl like Ruth truly deserves the town’s scorn.
… Is there? ~ Goodreads


My thoughts: A wonderful romance, set in the UK, between a WoC, with autism (own voices), heroine who has become the town pariah and the sweetest hero I’ve read in a long, long time.

People keep warning Evan off of Ruth – telling hims he’s the town whore, she’s dumb, she’s bad news. Although she is often abrupt and awkward with Evan, he likes to make up his own mind about people. Ruth’s protective shell keeps cracking bit by bit as Evan brings her homemade dinners. first Shepard's pie, then lasagna – didn’t I say he was the sweetest??!!

To be a tad nitpicky – there’s a lot from Ruth’s past that is revealed a little too slowly to the reader. Her interactions with other characters (especially her sister) and reactions often don’t quite make sense without context and while the ending was solid for Evan and Ruth – there were several other things, involving other characters, that were brought up and dropped, . I’m sure they’ll will be dealt with in future books but it felt odd. Nevertheless, A Girl like Her was a charming, often funny, slow burn romance.



Squared Away (Out of Uniform #5) by Annabeth Albert

Source: e-arc provided in exchange for an honest review

In the wake of tragedy, SEAL Mark Whitley rushed stateside to act as guardian to his sister’s three young children. But a conflicting will could give custody to someone else—someone Mark remembers as a too young, too hot, wild party boy. Even after six years, Mark can’t shake the memory of his close encounter with Isaiah James, or face up to what it says about his own sexuality.

Isaiah’s totally over the crush that made him proposition Mark all those years ago. In fact, he’s done with crushing on the wrong men altogether. For now, he’s throwing himself into proving he’s the best person to care for his cousin’s kids. But there’s no denying there’s something sexy about a big, tough military man with a baby in his arms.

As the legal details get sorted out, their long-buried attraction resurfaces, leading to intimate evenings after the kids are tucked in. A forever future is within reach for all of them, if only Mark can find the courage he needs to trust Isaiah with his secrets—and his heart. ~ Goodreads

My thoughts:  The Out of Uniform series is one of my favorites and this is yet another strong installment. Squared Away was almost too angsty for me, but Albert has a gift for taking flawed  or complicated characters to the edge and then showing how they learn and grow as individuals before coming together as a couple.

Mark and Isaiah have a lot to work through – a battle over the guardianship of 3 children after the death of Mark’s sister/Isaiah’s cousin, an age difference, Mark's demi sexual/grey ace sexuality (which Isaiah is awesome about), and enormous life changes but they learn to work as a team and overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles.