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 last week, I managed to finish 3 books.
Hockey Girl Loves Drama Boy by Faith Erin Hicks ★★★★☆
I recently discovered this graphic novel existed and I read it in an hour, it was so easy to get through. This is a story about bullies, standing up to your bullies, and having the courage to ask for help. There were some moments that had me going “hmm, what’s this? 🤔” but for the most part, this was really enjoyable. I loved the friendship turned romance between Alix and Ezra—it was really cute and sweet. I just wish that this hadn’t ended so abruptly!
A Study in Drowning (A Study in Drowning #1) by Ava Reid ★★★★☆
I buddy read this with Chris and we both enjoyed it a lot! This was an interesting blend of dark academia, fae lore, and gothic romance. It was stunningly atmospheric and I felt every single drenched moment in Hiraeth down to my bones. This explores the dark side of academia where misogyny runs rampant, but it’s also a lovely ode to stories and the art of storytelling. I was loathe to put this book down every time I had to adult, and overall, I thought this was a compelling and satisfying read.
Always and Forever by Beverly Jenkins ★★★☆☆
The day has come when I’ve discovered my first Bev Jenkins that I didn’t love and, well, that made me sad. As always, the historical aspect was fantastic. However, the MMC really tested me. 😅 I was not his fan and I felt the FMC deserved better. I loved the girl group friendship that develops between Grace and the other brides-to-be and I also loved Grace’s aunts. Grace was your typical headstrong heroine, and I wished she had been more firm with Jackson, lol. His hot and cold attitude didn’t do it for me, and I think he should’ve groveled a lot more than he did!
- Sing Me to Sleep ⇢ 46% ⇢ I’m having mixed feelings about this right now. I’m struggling a bit with our MC. As a siren, Saoirse was quite literally born to kill and fights her nature every day. That said, she’s quite hard to like or root for. I normally enjoy morally grey characters and while Saoirse does have her reasons for doing what she does, there’s something about it that’s off-putting. It could just be her character though—she’s really unlikable. There have even been a few moments with her sister (who’s her raison d’etre) that have been irritating. Like, girl… It’s too much! But things are starting to get more intense now, so I’m curious to see how things will unfold knowing what we do now.
- A Theory of Dreaming ⇢ 3% ⇢ After really enjoying the first book, Chris and I decided to continue with the second while the memory of the first is still super fresh on our minds. I’m one chapter in and a bit behind, but I have a feeling we’re in for quite an angsty read. I’m unsure how I feel about that, lol. 😂
I’m hoping to read more for Black History Month (US) but I’m also possibly starting a buddy read with Anna very soon! 🙂
What are you currently reading? I hope you’re enjoying whatever book you’ve picked up, friends!
dinipandareads 
I tried reading A Study in Drowning, but it did not grab me. So I paused it at 20% or something like that, but I might give it another go now that I see you enjoyed it. Hope you enjoy the sequel too and all the books lined up next 🙂
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Fair enough. It’s definitely a slow-moving book that’s very much about the gothic, mysterious vibes on top of the very lush writing. I can understand how it’s not a book for everyone. But it was, in my opinion, worth it in the end 🙂 I hope you enjoy it if you do give it another go!
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I might give it another try! I truly believe that a book has to come to you at the right time. So I guess maybe I was not in the right headspace when tryied reading it, but I will try it again! Glad you enjoyed it, though I am always happy to read others’ opinions and see if mine will change 🙂
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I’m currently reading First Sign of Danger by Kelley Armstrong
In the last week I read 🥁
1 Ambush of Tigers by Eve Langlais
2 Lucky Charm by Veronica Scott
3 Stolen in Death by JD Robb. Finally! 10 star
4 Daring her Love by Melissa Foster.
5 Guild Boss by Jayne Castle. One from the backlist. 2021!
Not sure what next
Gill
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Wow! 10 star! That’s amazing 😍 Glad to hear that you loved it so much, Gill. I hope your other reads over the week continued to be great as well!
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I think I have a copy of A STUDY OF DROWNING, maybe from a book sub? lol idk!! I can’t keep up. Glad you both liked it. I hope you have a great reading week!
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Haha, I wouldn’t be surprised if it was from a book sub. Chris and I had it from Illumicrate (we’re doing a bunch of Illumicrate book reads at the mo) but I think it was a popular book sub title when it came out. I hope you enjoy it if you give it a go 😃
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It looks like you had a good reading week, Dini. I am listening to The Storm by Rachel Hawkins, but it is just okay for me. It has a lot of good reviews, so I’m giving it the benefit of the doubt.
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I hope that the book worked for you by the end, Carla! And if not, I hope whatever other reads you’ve picked up since have been better 🙂
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It picked up nicely and the ending was good.
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I have seen so many mixed reviews about A Study in Drowning. I might have to pick it up if I ever see it on Book Outlet now. I’m glad you guys enjoyed it!! I hope you enjoy the second!
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Oh really? I always thought there were so many positive reviews for A Study in Drowning and when I read it I totally understood why! It’s definitely not a loud story but it’s wonderfully gothic, mysterious and magical. Unfortunately, the second wasn’t a favourite, lol. I’m kinda bummed! I hope you enjoy the first book if you do get a copy 🙂
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Oh, no!! Maybe it was the second book that I was thinking of with the reviews. It might be why I never picked up the first one. I’m sorry that it didn’t work for you!
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Glad you enjoyed A Study in Drowning, and for reminding me I really need to pick up the sequel lol. Enjoy your reads.
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Unfortunately didn’t end up loving the second book as much as the first, but still glad I read it and now it’s off my list, lol. 😆 I hope you enjoy it if/when you pick it up!
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Hahaha good to know it wasn’t up to the first book. I don’t actually own it so might pass on buying now.
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Yeah, I don’t think it added anything new to the narrative and we didn’t even really get answers 🤔 It was a bummer! Lol
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I read a YA from Hicks and knew she did graphic novels. Sounds like a cute story, but abrupt endings do leave me wanting.
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I’ve only read a graphic novel that Hicks illustrated and it’s one of my favourites so I was very excited to read this one. I enjoyed it but abrupt endings are never fun!
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[…] #WWWWednesday: 18 February 2026 […]
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