Tag: 2023 Releases

Book Review: The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston

Dini @ dinipandareads10 Comments

The Seven Year Slip
Publisher: HQ
Pub Date: 27 June 2023
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Panda Rating:

(4.5 pandas)

📖 SYNOPSIS

An overworked book publicist with a perfectly planned future hits a snag when she falls in love with her temporary roommate…only to discover he lives seven years in the past, in this witty and wise new novel from the bestselling author of The Dead Romantics.

Sometimes, the worst day of your life happens, and you have to figure out how to live after it.

Six months ago, Clementine West had the worst day of her life. So, she came up with a plan to keep her heart safe: stay busy, work hard, take no risks. And it’s been working.

That is until one day she finds a strange man standing in her kitchen. A man with kind eyes, a crooked smile, and a recipe for the perfect lemon meringue pie. The kind of man that, before everything, she could have fallen for…

He’s perfect but for one thing: he lives in the past. Seven years ago, to be exact.

This should be impossible, but Clementine used to love impossible things. And maybe, just maybe, she will again. After all, love is never a matter of time – but a matter of timing.

⚠️ CONTENT/TRIGGER WARNINGS

Death of family member by suicide (recounted), grief & loss depiction, death of a grandparent from dementia (recounted)

Thanks to Leslie @ Books Are the New Black for buddy reading this with me! We loved it so hard! 💜

TL;DR: There was so much that I loved about this book but it was essentially a love letter to all the things that my inner (reluctantly) hopeless romantic dreams about and loves to giggle and kick my feet over. It’s one of those “impossible romances” a la Serendipity, Sleepless in Seattle, and Notting Hill (among others) rolled into one and my heart had a swooning good time reading about Clementine and Iwan’s story. This is a book that is heavily centered on grief and being stuck in the past, and of course, it’s about healing and finding hope through finding yourself again. I think if you’ve enjoyed Poston’s other romances, you’re bound to enjoy this one too!

Read More »

Book Review: Big Nick Energy by Morgan Elizabeth

Dini @ dinipandareads7 Comments

Big Nick Energy (Season for Revenge #4)
Pub Date: 24 October 2023
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Panda Rating:

(4 pandas)

📖 SYNOPSIS

When Connor Finch insists his one-time Tinder match, Shae, comes to his dad’s house for Thanksgiving with her two daughters, it’s because he refuses to let them be alone on her first-holiday post-divorce.

But when she arrives at the Christmas tree farm and ranch he grew up on, she meets his father—the crazy tall, built, golden retriever cowboy who tells her girls all about the magic of the stupid elf on a shelf.

Of course, when she later corners him and tells him thanks a lot for nothing and that she’s way too overwhelmed to have to deal with yet another responsibility, he feels terrible.

So terrible, he finds himself driving two hours every night just to deliver an elf, move him about, and create some Christmas magic for her girls.

But what happens when he decides meeting her the way he did was some kind of Christmas miracle, and he needs to convince Shae to give him a shot?

⚠️ CONTENT/TRIGGER WARNINGS

Abusive relationship (recounted), on-page threats and intimidation by abusive ex

I’ve seen this holiday romance everywhere in the past couple of weeks and I can see why everyone recommends it! Aside from the fun puntastic title and the holiday vibes that make it a perfect fit for the season, it was also one of the most heartwarming and feel-good romances that I’ve read in a while. What starts as a slightly awkward and tension-filled first encounter (with lots of dubious side-eyeing) turns into a beautiful, healing romance full of incredibly sweet and thoughtful moments! If you love the grumpy x sunshine and single parent tropes and where he falls first and falls hard for her and her kids, chances are you’ll really enjoy this romance.

Read More »

Book Review: Starling House by Alix E. Harrow

Dini @ dinipandareads7 Comments

Starling House
Publisher: Tor Books
Pub Date: 3 October 2023
Genre: Gothic Fantasy

Panda Rating:

(5 pandas)

📖 SYNOPSIS

A grim and gothic new tale from author Alix E. Harrow about a small town haunted by secrets that can’t stay buried and the sinister house that sits at the crossroads of it all.

Eden, Kentucky, is just another dying, bad-luck town, known only for the legend of E. Starling, the reclusive nineteenth-century author and illustrator who wrote The Underland–and disappeared. Before she vanished, Starling House appeared. But everyone agrees that it’s best to let the uncanny house―and its last lonely heir, Arthur Starling―go to rot.

Opal knows better than to mess with haunted houses or brooding men, but an unexpected job offer might be a chance to get her brother out of Eden. Too quickly, though, Starling House starts to feel dangerously like something she’s never had: a home.

As sinister forces converge on Starling House, Opal and Arthur are going to have to make a dire choice to dig up the buried secrets of the past and confront their own fears, or let Eden be taken over by literal nightmares.

If Opal wants a home, she’ll have to fight for it.

⚠️ CONTENT/TRIGGER WARNINGS

Grief, death of a parent (recounted), drowning (recounted), car accident (recounted), blackmail, fire, brief imprisonment, asthma attacks, poverty, racism, slavery, implications of sexual assault/incest/paedophilia, child marriage, gun violence (minor), implications of drugging, violence, blood

Why is it always the hardest to review a book you love? The words are swirling around in my head but they just won’t come out in the way I need them to! So sorry if this is a ‘mid’ slightly nonsensical ramble of a review.

TL;DR: Starling House is a hauntingly beautiful Southern Gothic with a rich fairytale-esque atmosphere. It doesn’t matter that I’ve probably read something similar-ish before because the combination of the author’s lush prose, relatable characters, and well-loved tropes mixed with the creepy foreboding vibe felt unique. I fell in love with Opal, Arthur, and the sentient House with its oddly endearing personality. I loved where Harrow took this story and what it turned into—from a slow beginning that steadily builds to an utterly explosive and ultimately satisfying ending.

This was a buddy read with Leslie and Julie and we had so much to gush about! It was a great group read and I’m so happy to say that all of us really loved it! 😍

Read More »

ARC Review: Sheets by Brenna Thummler

Dini @ dinipandareads12 Comments

Special thanks to Oni Press for providing a digital ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Sheets (Sheets #1)
Publisher: Oni Press
Publication Date: 28 August 2018
Genre: Middle-Grade Graphic Novel

Panda Rating:

(4 pandas)

📖 SYNOPSIS

Marjorie Glatt feels like a ghost. A practical thirteen year old in charge of the family laundry business, her daily routine features unforgiving customers, unbearable P.E. classes, and the fastidious Mr. Saubertuck who is committed to destroying everything she’s worked for.

Wendell is a ghost. A boy who lost his life much too young, his daily routine features ineffective death therapy, a sheet-dependent identity, and a dangerous need to seek purpose in the forbidden human world.

When their worlds collide, Marjorie is confronted by unexplainable disasters as Wendell transforms Glatt’s Laundry into his midnight playground, appearing as a mere sheet during the day. While Wendell attempts to create a new afterlife for himself, he unknowingly sabotages the life that Marjorie is struggling to maintain.

⚠️ CONTENT/TRIGGER WARNINGS

Death of parent, Child death, Bullying, Grief, Depression

If you’re like me and you pick this up solely because of the cover, and you don’t look at the synopsis, you might go into this thinking it’ll be a cute story about… Sheets? Turns out, while there are many sheets involved, it’s not at all the light-hearted cutesy story that I thought it would be. This deals with heavy themes of death, grief, belonging, and loneliness.

Read More »

The End of Year Book Tag – 2023 Edition

Dini @ dinipandareads16 Comments

It’s that time of the year when we start wrapping things up again and to kick things off this year I’ll be doing the End of Year Book Tag! I’ve been seeing more people do it lately which reminded me of its existence and since I’ve loved doing it in previous years, I thought why not? It’s been a minute since I did a tag, too. If you’re curious to see how my previous years went check out my 2019, 2020, and 2022 editions.

This tag was originally created by booktuber Ariel Bissett.

Are there any books you started this year that you need to finish?

There are a couple of books I started this year and still want to finish. At the top of that list are Rival Radio by Kathryn Nolan and Heartbreaker by Sarah MacLean.

Do you have an autumnal book to transition into the end of the year?

I’m not much of a seasonal reader so I don’t have a “go-to” book that I read to transition into the end of the year. I read a couple of fun ones this year though including:

Spell Bound, The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, Wrapped with A Beau, The Mistletoe Bet

Is there a new release that you’re still waiting for?

I actually have paid so little attention to releases this year because I just didn’t have the headspace. 😭 But these are a few of the December 2023 releases that came out last week that I’m looking forward to reading!

Raiders of the Lost Heart by Jo Segura, Technically Yours by Denise Williams, The Fake Mate by Lana Ferguson

What are three books you want to read before the year ends?

Is there a book that you think could still shock you and become your favourite of the year?

It’s been a tough reading year for me with a handful of books that have stood out but only one or two that really made it onto my new all-time faves list. I think A River Enchanted and Before I Let Go have the potential to be new favourites… Whether they become the favourite of the year? Well, we’ll see! 😂

Have you already started to make reading plans for 2024?

I was lucky to get my hands on a couple of ARCs for 2024 releases by BIPOC authors and I’m so looking forward to reading all of them! I’m also obsessed with all of these covers. Like, can we just sit here and appreciate them? 😍

I’m not tagging anyone this time but if you feel like doing it, feel free to link back so I can check out your answers! How was your reading in 2023? Discover any new all-time faves? Have you read any of these or are they also on your TBR?

Mini Book Review: Thornhedge by T. Kingfisher

Dini @ dinipandareads10 Comments

Thornhedge
Publisher: Tor
Pub Date: 15 August 2023
Genre: Adult Fantasy

Panda Rating:

(4 pandas)

📖 SYNOPSIS

Thornhedge is the tale of a kind-hearted, toad-shaped heroine, a gentle knight, and a mission gone completely sideways.

There’s a princess trapped in a tower. This isn’t her story.

Meet Toadling. On the day of her birth, she was stolen from her family by the fairies, but she grew up safe and loved in the warm waters of faerieland. Once an adult though, the fae ask a favor of Toadling: return to the human world and offer a blessing of protection to a newborn child. Simple, right?

But nothing with fairies is ever simple.

Centuries later, a knight approaches a towering wall of brambles, where the thorns are as thick as your arm and as sharp as swords. He’s heard there’s a curse here that needs breaking, but it’s a curse Toadling will do anything to uphold…

⚠️ CONTENT/TRIGGER WARNINGS

Death, murder, suicide (mentioned), blood, animal cruelty & death (mentioned)

Despite the underlying darkness of this story, Thornhedge was surprisingly sweet and wholesome. I’m so glad Kingfisher has fantasies that allow me to experience her immersive worlds, intriguing characters and wonderful writing. I otherwise would’ve missed out on a great author since I don’t read horror!

Read More »

Book Review: Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

Dini @ dinipandareads14 Comments

Assistant to the Villain (Assistant to the Villain #1)
Publisher: Transworld Digital
Pub Date: 14 September 2023
Genre: Fantasy Romance

Panda Rating:

(3.5 pandas)

📖 SYNOPSIS

From the creator of a viral TikTok series about the sunshine assistant to the evil villain and their unexpected romance comes the most hotly-anticipated romantic fantasy book of the the year!

Notorious, high-ranking villain seeks loyal, level-headed assistant for unspecified office duties, supporting staff for random mayhem, terror, and other Dark Things in General. Discretion a must. Excellent benefits.

ASSISTANT

With ailing family to support, Evie Sage’s employment status isn’t just important, it’s vital. So when a mishap with Rennedawn’s most infamous Villain results in a job offer-naturally, she says yes. No job is perfect, of course, but even less so when you develop a teeny crush on your terrifying, temperamental, and undeniably hot boss. Don’t find evil so attractive, Evie.

But just when she’s getting used to severed heads suspended from the ceiling and the odd squish of an errant eyeball beneath her heel, Evie suspects this dungeon has a huge rat…and not just the literal kind. Because something rotten is growing in the kingdom of Rennedawn, and someone wants to take the Villain-and his entire nefarious empire-out.

Now Evie must not only resist drooling over her boss but also figure out exactly who is sabotaging his work… and ensure he makes them pay.

After all, a good job is hard to find…

⚠️ CONTENT/TRIGGER WARNINGS

Violence, gore, blood, attempted sexual assault/harrassment (recounted), parental abandonment, family death (recounted), attempted murder, torture, kidnapping, imprisonment/captivity

TL;DR: From start to finish, Assistant to the Villain was an entertaining read. It was amusing, witty, and simple, and I honestly didn’t take it very seriously. This book didn’t try to be more than it was, which is a simple story with silly characters and a slightly meandering plot, but that made it all the more enjoyable to me. It was the perfect no thoughts mostly vibes read that I was in the perfect mood for, and I think that that’s key to enjoying this story. You need to just vibe and go with it to see where it takes you!

Read More »

Book Review: My Roommate is a Vampire by Jenna Levine

Dini @ dinipandareads14 Comments

My Roommate is a Vampire
Publisher: Berkley
Pub Date: 29 August 2023
Genre: Contemporary Paranormal Romance

Panda Rating:

(3.5 pandas)

📖 SYNOPSIS

True love is at stake in this charming, debut romantic comedy.

Cassie Greenberg loves being an artist, but it’s a tough way to make a living. On the brink of eviction, she’s desperate when she finds a too-good-to-be-true apartment in a beautiful Chicago neighborhood. Cassie knows there has to be a catch—only someone with a secret to hide would rent out a room for that price.

Of course, her new roommate Frederick J. Fitzwilliam is far from normal. He sleeps all day, is out at night on business, and talks like he walked out of a regency romance novel. He also leaves Cassie heart-melting notes around the apartment, cares about her art, and asks about her day. And he doesn’t look half bad shirtless, on the rare occasions they’re both home and awake. But when Cassie finds bags of blood in the fridge that definitely weren’t there earlier, Frederick has to come clean…

Cassie’s sexy new roommate is a vampire. And he has a proposition for her.

TL;DR: My Roommate is a Vampire was a funny and entertaining romance. This was a romcom that had plenty of romance and comedy with an additional paranormal twist in its modern-day setting! Cassie and Frederick were an endearingly awkward and cute vampire and human duo who were simply trying to figure out how to share the same space without giving in to the burning attraction they felt for each other knowing what a bad idea it would be to give in. Ultimately, this was a story that didn’t seem to take itself too seriously and I think if you’re looking for a laugh-out-loud read with cute feel-good moments, plus a couple of steamy ones too, then I would recommend this!

Read More »

Mini Book Review: The Duke Gets Desperate by Diana Quincy

Dini @ dinipandareads4 Comments

The Duke Gets Desperate (Sirens in Silk #1)
Publisher: Avon
Pub Date: 26 September 2023
Genre: Historical Romance

Panda Rating:

(4 pandas)

📖 SYNOPSIS

Diana Quincy returns with a steamy affair between an Arab-American woman who inherits a run-down castle in the English countryside and the duke who asserts the castle is his, in the first book in a brand-new Victorian historical romance series.

Anthony Cary, Duke of Strickland, inherits his spendthrift father’s title and can finally restore the family castle to its former glory. But at the reading of the will, Strick is stunned to learn that his father has secretly disentailed him, leaving the family manor–home to twelve generations of dukes–to Strick’s American stepmother. Everyone knows Strick detests the dowager duchess, and when she dies mysteriously, damning rumors start to surface.

When Raya Darwish unexpectedly inherits her glamorous late cousin’s castle in the English countryside, she clashes with the charismatic young duke who insists the castle is rightfully his. The estate is practically bankrupt, so she must find a way to work with the duke in order to save both of their futures.

The two cannot stand each other, but mutual disdain soon gives way to desire. When questions arise about how her cousin died, Raya cannot help wondering if Strick’s sudden unbridled passion for her is part of a scheme to get his castle back…

⚠️ CONTENT/TRIGGER WARNINGS

Misogyny, racism, xenophobia, attempted murder

TL;DR: The Duke Gets Desperate was not what I expected in the best way! I have to admit that this got off to a bit of a rocky start for me but my feelings (thankfully) changed along the way. Raya and (eventually) Anthony were so easy to root for. I love it when an MMC falls first and this man falls hard and fast for Raya and not in an instalove way because they properly couldn’t stand each other to start. And the mouth on him was quite a surprise! 😂🥵 Overall, this was a feisty and sexy historical romance and I’m excited to read more by this author.

Read More »

Book Review: The Dating Playbook by Farrah Rochon

Dini @ dinipandareads9 Comments

The Dating Playbook (The Boyfriend Project #2)
Publisher: Headline Eternal
Pub Date: 17 August 2021
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Panda Rating:

(4 pandas)

📖 SYNOPSIS

When a personal trainer agrees to fake date her client, all rules are out the window in this delightful romantic comedy from the USA Today bestselling author of The Boyfriend Project!

When it comes to personal training, Taylor Powell kicks serious butt. Unfortunately, her bills are piling up, rent is due, and the money situation is dire. Taylor needs more than the support of her new best friends, Samiah and London. She needs a miracle.

And Jamar Dixon might just be it. The oh-so-fine former footballer wants back into the NFL, and he wants Taylor to train him. There’s just one catch — no one can know what they’re doing. But when they’re accidentally outed as a couple, Taylor’s game plan is turned completely upside down. Is Jamar just playing to win… or is he playing for keeps?/em>

TL;DR: The Dating Playbook was my first book by Farrah Rochon and it won’t be my last. It’s funny, sexy, and smart but it also tackles some big issues like learning disorders and mental health. I loved the rep, the romance was fantastic and the girl-boss friendships between Taylor, Samiah and London were fantastic! The banter was also incredible and I loved TayJar together—even though their ship name could do with a bit of work, lol! Overall, this was a fun and satisfying romance to read and I’m looking forward to reading the other books in the series.

Read More »