Hello, hello and welcome back to another episode of WWW Wednesday, a weekly meme hosted by Sam @ Taking On A World of Words, which means I’ll be answering these questions:
- What did you read last?
- What are you currently reading?
- What will you read next?
Since I missed last Wednesday, today’s post is going to cover the books I read over the past two weeks for a total of 7 books, most of which I read while I was sick and half drowsing in bed trying to feel human again, lol. The reads were a bit of a mixed bag, although with more disappointments than wins, but I did (mostly) have fun reading them!
The Bullet That Missed (Thursday Murder Club #3) by Richard Osman ★★★★☆
Leslie and I have continued our buddy read of the Thursday Murder Club books and we’re loving them. This was another delightful addition, although it did feel more “filler” than other books. We were both surprised by how much Bogdan has grown on us throughout the series—I would fight for that man! 🥺
The Spellshop (Spellshop #1) by Sarah Beth Durst ★★★☆☆
This was my first buddy read with Charlotte and I think I may have enjoyed the buddy read more than the book itself. 🤭 It wasn’t terrible but this was a hyped book that missed the mark for me. I loved the premise but found the execution wanting. I wanted more world-building and character development, although the ending also felt too much… But, I loved the setting plus, CAZ & MEEP! 😍
Nine Month Contract (Mountain Men Matchmaker #1) by Amy Daws
While I enjoyed this a lot while reading it, the more I thought about it after, the more I realised the MMC really bothered me. He toed that red flag line hard throughout the book, but in the end he raced over it and made me feel massively ick! 🥴 I’m not giving it a rating for now.
The Galaxy and the Ground Within (Wayfarers #4) by Becky Chambers ★★★★☆
I’m so proud of Leslie and I for finishing this series! 🎉 While the whole series was a bit of a mixed bag for us, this was a great concluding companion novel that we really enjoyed. There were things in here that are so relevant to what’s happening in much of society globally these days: othering, xenophobia, racism, and systemic oppression. It was well handled by the author though!
Elvira Vance and the Monster Mystery by Kacy Ritter ★★★½
This was a fun MG fantasy mystery that gave me strong Scooby-Doo and the Gang vibes! If you like a monster-filled story and a magical mystery adventure ft. a great trio of friends, this would be a fun addition to your spooky season reading list! [CHECK OUT MY REVIEW]
Whisky Business (The Macabe Brothers #1) by Elliot Fletcher ★★★★½
I don’t know why I put this down the first time I tried reading it last year but I ate this up! Mal, the surly whisky man, absolutely melted my heart. Oh gosh, I loved him to bits! I also loved April and how well they complemented each other. Their banter, their sexy times, their hearts—so, so good. Plus, the Scottish setting? Perfection! 😍
Phantasma (Wicked Games #1) by Kaylie Smith ★★½??not sure lol
Friends, I’m so sad to say that this is another hyped romance fantasy that let me down! I felt like I was reading a completely different book from everyone else because while Smith’s writing wasn’t terrible, the plot, world-building, and romance were kind of a mess! I know I’m sat alone in the unpopular opinions corner here cos everyone seems to love this. I probably shoulda DNF but does anyone else have those books where you don’t really enjoy it yet you find yourself still reading to the end anyway—and also, will I read the sequel? I’ve kinda started already, haha. 😂
I’ve got a couple reads on at the minute although I’m currently giving most of my focus to the first two, which are buddy reads!
- The Gate of the Feral Gods ⇢ 21% ⇢ Started this buddy read with Leslie the other day and not a lot has happened just yet but it’s enough to keep me eagerly anticipating what comes next! Cos I have no doubt 💩 is gonna hit the fan real quick (and real soon, lol).
- The Jasmine Throne ⇢ 31% ⇢ This is a buddy re-read and the plan is for Jess and I to continue the series immediately or asap so that we can finally finish it! I clearly forgot a lot but it’s coming back to me in trickles. This is such a great fantasy though—super well written, intriguing lore and characters. I’m invested!
- A Master of Djinn ⇢ 30% ⇢ I’m enjoying this but it is also very slow and I’m ngl, it’s a bit of a struggle to focus sometimes. I love the humour, the setting, the world of djinn and other magic, it’s just the pace that’s not entirely working for me right now. Let’s see how we go!
- Enchantra ⇢ 18% ⇢ Ach, don’t ask me why I’m reading the second book when I didn’t enjoy the first so much. I am a bundle of contradictions. 🤡 It’s still early days but so far, I already feel like I’m enjoying it more than Phantasma! Let’s hope that feeling sticks. 🤞🏽
As usual, I’m just going where the mood takes me. Here are some possibilities:
What are you currently reading? I hope you’re enjoying whatever book you’ve picked up, friends!
dinipandareads 
I’ve just started Delusion in Death, book 35, by JD Robb. A marathon I started in April. Only 25 to go!
In the last week I’ve read:
1 Indulgence in Death by JD Robb.
2 Possession in Death by JD Robb. 3 Treachery in Death by JD Robb.
4 Consort’s Dragon by Eve Langlais.
5 New York to Dallas by JD Robb.
6 Chaos in Death by JD Robb.
7 Into the Void by Geezer Butler. Autobiography
8 Celebrity in Death by JD Robb.
9 Benet by Veronica Scott.
A new Eva Bjorg Aegisdottir is out tomorrow so a bit of Icelandic noir, plus a few more In Deaths. And I’ve still not read the new Murderbot short story
Gill
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Ooh, I’ve had my eye on the new Murderbot. I’m sad it’s so short but of course, I’m still going to read it. I’ve never heard of that author but Icelandic noir sounds amazing. I hope you enjoy the new releases and more of the In Deaths too. Happy reading! 🙂
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It doesn’t actually feature Murderbot, just it’s crew
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Oh that’s good to know! I hope it’s still as enjoyable (I’m sure it will be).
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yes, it was. There was a sly hint to Murderbot at the end
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Wohooo!! We finished started and finished a whole series in a couple of months!! New Achievement! Yes- DCC is my whole personality now. haha. I am glad we are now reading Carl/Donut/Mongo’s journey together. Woah, I am so sorry you did not like Phantasma! I’m shocked you are reading book two with such a low rating on the first! I still need to read the second. haha. I hope you have the best week, Dini!! ❤
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NEW ACHIEVEMENT! I really wonder what snarky comments the AI would say about our achievement of finally finishing a series off our TBR after having been on there for way too many years! 🤣 I’m so glad that we’re reading DCC together right now. I’m enjoying having someone to share wild theories and thoughts with! 🤭 I’m definitely in the minority with Phantasma and I’m so disappointed that I found it so messy, lol. But I’m happy to say that—so far (I really hope I’m not jinxing myself here)—I’m finding the second book more enjoyable. Let’s hope it continues the whole way through! Hope you also have a great week, Leslie 💜
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Oh no! Hope you’re feeling better Dini! Glad to hear you’re enjoying your re-read of The Jasmine Throne, I absolutely adored that series. and I hope Master of Djinn picks up for you, I’m a sucker for Fatma 🙂
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I love the subtle yet sharp humour in Master of Djinn and I’m a total sucker for Fatma as well! She’s incredible 😍 I also find that I’m enjoying both Hadia’s and Siti’s presence a lot as well. Maybe it’s just my reading mood at the moment but I’m finding the pacing to be a bit up and down. I’m excited to continue though and I hope it picks up for me too!
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I hope you’re feeling better now! I’ve only read one Sarah Beth Durst book, one of her YA ones. Unfortunately I wasn’t too into her storytelling, which is why I’ve been so hesitant to read her cozy fantasies. Then top it off with the mixed reviews & the fact that I’m not sure cozies are for me & tldr idk if I’ll try it haha.
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You know what? I totally get it. I do have a feeling the books might not be for you based on what you’ve said and your experiences with cosy fantasies. I honestly don’t think you’re missing out on much 🤭
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I am thrilled to see the McCabe love up there. I enjoyed that book and cannot wait to continue the series.
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YES! I’m kind of surprised that this book isn’t spoken about more (or did I miss the hype around it)? It was great and I’m excited to continue the series too 🙂 I hope you enjoy the next book!
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I do not recall any hype for that book
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You are right, it is quite a mixed bag in genres and enjoyment. I’m glad you had some great ones, Dini. I need to read the Whiskey book, I’ve seen some great reviews of that one, of course The Thursday Murder Club is also on my TBR shelf. Enjoy your upcoming reads.
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Ooh, I would highly recommend picking up the Thursday Murder Club books immediately (the Whisky one too but the Murder Club more, lol)! They are such fun reads and I know that every time I pick up one of the books, I’m in for a good time 🙂 I hope you love them whenever you get to them, Carla. Happy reading and hope your week is going well!
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I’ve just given Phantasma 3 stars, so you’re not alone in that corner! I did enjoy the reading experience generally, but there were a lot of flaws!
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OH, I’m glad to know that I’m not alone in this corner! 🤣 I’m kind of surprised by how divergent my feelings for the book are compared to the vast majority who can’t seem to get enough of it, lol. It wasn’t the worst reading experience but for all the hype around it, I defo expected a lot more!
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I’m glad you enjoyed both your buddy reads with Leslie. I’m sorry ours wasn’t quite what we hoped for though. At least it had elements we both enjoyed though. I’m just so frustrated that a lack of common sense had to pop up so frequently 🙄 also I’m so sorry to hear that Phantasma was a letdown for you. I’m curious about it due to the hype. I never marked it as a high priority read but I keep seeing it everywhere and that’s intrigued me 😂 but your experience has given me pause. I’m glad to hear the sequel is better so far though.
The Jasmine Throne is one of my 25 to read in 2025 and I’m so excited to get to it sometime. It sounds fantastic. I’m glad you’re enjoying the reread and hope the sequels are also hits.
Besides a buddy read for A Natural History Of Dragons (which I’m loving) I’m not reading anything atm as I finished my other book last night. I’ve got nine library books out though and I’m leaning towards trying We Have Always Lived In The Castle next out of those.
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I’m sorry ours didn’t live up to our expectations either, BUT it won’t be our last buddy read and I have hope that we’ll discover some good ones to come!!! 😃 Yeah, I know I’m definitely in the minority with my feelings on Phantasma. I think I just expected a whole lot more considering how it seems universally loved by even those who don’t normally read or enjoy romance fantasy. I thought the writing would be tighter and more “put together”, I suppose? But it didn’t work out that way for me. I really felt like I read a different book from everyone else, ngl! 😂🫣 I’d be curious to know your thoughts on it if you do pick it up and I hope that you love it as much as everyone else seemed to!
The Jasmine Throne is fantastic and I hope that you love it whenever you get to it! Also, I’m so glad to hear that you’re loving your buddy read. That book has been on my TBR for ages since I first heard about it. Hearing you’re all loving it makes me want to pick it up even sooner 🙂 Nine library books is a lot and I hope you enjoy whichever one of them you decide to pick up next, Charlotte! 😃
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True we already have five lined up 😂 so surely at least one, hopefully more, will be hits for both of us. I get that as when books have such a major hype level you kind of go in expecting something sensational. I do intend to read it, I just don’t know exactly when because I have so much that I want to get to. I’ll definitely let you know what I think of it when I get to it though.
Thank you 🥰 I have such high hopes for it. I think you’d like it too given the tone. I really hope you get to try it out sometime. All my holds came in roughly the same time 😂 one old which is over 700 pages long. But some of the others are fairly short. Anyway I’m sure I can get to them all and thank you 🥰
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[…] #WWWWednesday: 16 July 2025 […]
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