Weโre back with another Top Ten Tuesday, a weekly meme hosted by Jana @ That Artsy Reader Girl.
This week’s topic is Favorite Audiobook Narrators (or, if you donโt listen to audiobooks, name peopleโcelebrities or otherwiseโwho might make you reconsider.)
Perfect Match (Holiday Nights #2)
Pub Date: 6 February 2023
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Novella
Panda Rating:
(5 pandas)
They couldn’t be more different, but wild-at-heart (and in bed) Rose and sweet-but-square Tyler have to make it through a romantic Valentine’s weekend to win the prize at the end – all while proving they’re certainly, definitely,really not the perfect match the dating app proclaims them to be… right?
Rose
I went to my bestieโs over-the-top Valentineโs Day event alone, and when the first person I meet is straight-laced Tyler, I know Iโm leaving alone, too. Heโs all buttoned-up with nary a tattoo in sight, and he does mathโฆfor fun. In other words, definitely not my type. But when a dating app proclaims him my Perfect Match and offers up a pot of prize money if we spend a romantic weekend together, complete with an all-expenses paid luxury hotel and couples activities galore, I donโt need love as a motivatorโthat money will help save my fledgling, and failing, graphic design business. Now Tyler is looking at me like Iโm the perfect box of chocolates, talking about indulging in one last fling before he settles down. Suddenly, Iโm thinking Mr. All-Wrong-For-Me might be the perfect Mr. Right-Now.
Tyler
I went to a Valentineโs Day singlesโ event looking for love and left with Rose, whose vivacious attitude and sunset-hued hair sets her apart from every woman Iโve ever dated. Even if her curvy body stirs up a wilder side in me Iโve always kept under wraps, sheโs definitely not what Iโm looking for in a long-term partnerโฆ or so I thought. But somewhere between hiking with goats, getting our nails painted, and Roseโs lessons on new and inventive ways to share our heart-shaped bed, Iโm wondering if she might be just what I never knew I always needed. But when sheโs determined to part when our wild weekend is done, how can I convince her we might be a perfect match after all?
TL;DR: This opposites-attract romance was comforting, sweet and swoony! Rose and Tyler were ridiculously adorable together and I loved the feeling of safety and comfort that was present at the start of what’s obviously meant to be a healthy and loving relationship. Also, consent is so sexy and this was full of it! ๐ Read this if you’re into opposites attract, straight-laced & shy accountant types X chaotic ‘act first, think later’ & confident artist types, “good boy” (mild) praise kink, and sweet, soft and steamy romance. This was a good fun time!
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We’re back with another Sundays in Bed With… meme! This meme dares to ask you what book has been in your bed this morning and is hosted by Midnight Book Girl. Come share what book you’ve spent your time curled up reading in bed with or which book you wish you had time to read today!
I’ve got a few reads going on this Sunday and I’ve been (kinda) rotating them all day:
Hello friends, Iโm back today with another month’s edition for The Birthstone Book Covers series created by one of my favourites, Leslie. ๐ She began this at the start of 2022 and it was born out of her curiosity about birthstone colours. It’s fun to show different book covers/titles corresponding to that month’s birthstone. ๐
Happy Friday book lovers! We’re back with another First Lines Friday, a weekly feature for book lovers hosted by Wandering Words. What if instead of judging a book by its cover, its author or its prestige, we judged it by its opening lines? Here are the rules:
First lines:
“They say that spring never comes to the forest by Hemlock Falls.
It isn’t true, of course. Spring comes right after winter like it’s supposed to. What is true is how different the spring is in Hemlock Falls from the rest of the world. It’s quiet and lethal. Lonely and inevitable. It sneaks up on you, shaded by winter grey that doesn’t like to let go.”
A Marvellous Light (The Last Binding #1)
Publisher: Tor
Pub Date: 26 October 2021
Genre: Historical Fantasy/Romance
Panda Rating:
(4 pandas)
Set in an alternative Edwardian England, this is a comedy of manners, manor houses, and hedge mazes: including a magic-infused murder mystery and a delightful queer romance.
Young baronet Robin Blyth thought he was taking up a minor governmental post. However, he’s actually been appointed parliamentary liaison to a secret magical society. If it werenโt for this administrative error, heโd never have discovered the incredible magic underlying his world.
Cursed by mysterious attackers and plagued by visions, Robin becomes determined to drag answers from his missing predecessor โ but heโll need the help of Edwin Courcey, his hostile magical-society counterpart. Unwillingly thrown together, Robin and Edwin will discover a plot that threatens every magician in the British Isles.
The Binding meets Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell in debut author Freya Marskeโs A Marvellous Light.
Homomisia, sexism, racism, death of a parent, murder, attempted murder, torture, kidnapping, bullying, on-page sex
TL;DR: Despite a bit of a rocky and slow start, I did end up enjoying this book! This was a fun historical fantasy set in the Regency era that balanced the romance and mystery well. Although the mystery wasn’t entirely surprising, there were still some neat little twists that had me eager to learn more! Robin and Edwin were wonderful main characters and I loved their dynamic and romanceโI found it swoony, romantic and sweet. ๐ฅฐ Not to mention, it got unexpectedly steamy! Overall, a great read and I can’t wait to pick up the next book!
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Special thanks to Heather Frost for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Royal Rebel (Fate of Eyrinthia #4)
Pub Date: 21 April 2023
Genre: Young Adult Romantasy
Panda Rating:
(4.5 pandas)
A PRINCE fighting to save a princess
A SERJAH torn between duty and desire
A PRINCESS willing to sacrifice everything
A DECOY with nothing to lose
A WORLD about to be torn apart
After his fatherโs latest punishment, Grayson isnโt at his full strength. Trapped in Ryden and surrounded by enemies, he knows escaping with Mia will be more complicated than anticipated. Tyrell is determined to claim Mia for himself, and Henriโs plans for the rest of Eyrinthia are more horrific than Grayson ever imagined. Despite the increased danger, he and Mia must return to Mortise and warn Desfan of whatโs comingโeven though it may already be too late.
In Mortise, the palace is still reeling from the brutal attack that left many dead and even more wounded. Regardless of the chaos, Desfan is determined to continue with his coronation. As serjan, he hopes to bring stability to his country and solidify the peace with Devendra. But things in Eyrinthia are always complicated. When Prince Liam reveals they may be facing dangers from old enemies, Desfan will have to decide what kind of ruler he will be.
Devastating news from home has left Clare broken. Despite her heartache, she must once again be Sereneโs decoy when a terrifying report sends the princess on an unexpected mission to Zennor. Left at the palace, Clare helps Desfan build trust with the elite in Mortise while guarding a treasonous secret. Because as her grief transforms into a burning desire for vengeance, she is finally ready to embrace a new roleโrebel.
Eyrinthia is consumed by uncertainty. Duty. Desire. Sacrifice. Every rebellion has its cost.
Graphic: Blood, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, and Violence
Moderate: Torture, Murder, Physical abuse, and War
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child death, and Drug use
**Note: as this is the fourth in a series where you must read the previous books to understand what’s going on, this review may contain mild spoilers for certain parts of the previous books, but Iโll try to keep it as vague and contained as possible!**
TL;DR: Royal Rebel was a great addition to the Fate of Erynthia series. The story continues to be action-packed, politically charged, and in this book, a new mystery full of sinister undertones is introduced and I absolutely cannot wait to know what happens next. It was a treat to reunite with the huge cast of characters and I loved how their relationships evolvedโthere are so many ships to ship! One thing is for sure: I’m ready for more!
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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:
Weโre back with another Top Ten Tuesday, a weekly meme hosted by Jana @ That Artsy Reader Girl.
This week’s topic is Non-book Freebie (choose your own topic thatโs not related to books! This could be hobbies, TV shows/movies, bands/singers, food items/recipes, top ten things about you, your top ten favorite things, places youโve visited, favorite fashion designers, etc. Take this time to let your readers get to know you a little!)
Lizzie Blake’s Best Mistake (A Brush With Love #2)
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Pub Date: 6 September 2022
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Panda Rating:
(5 pandas)
Lizzie has made endless mistakes. Kitchen fires, pyramid schemes, bangs (of the hair and human variety), you name it, sheโs done itโฆ and made a mess of it too. One mistake sheโs never made is letting anyone get closer to her than a single hook-up. But after losing yet another bakery job due to her uncontrolled ADHD, she breaks her cardinal rule and has a two-night-stand that changes everything.
Once burned, twice shy, Rake has given up on relationships. And feelings. And any form of intimacy for that matter. Yet something about charming, chaotic Lizzie has him lowering his guard. For two nights, that is. Then itโs back home to Australia and far away from the pesky feelings Lizzie pulls from him. But when Lizzie tells him sheโs got an unexpected bun in the oven, heโll do whatever it takes to be a part of his childโs lifeโฆ except be emotionally vulnerable, obviously. Heโs never going to make that mistake again.
Through a series of mishaps, totally โplatonicโ single bed sharing, and an underground erotic baking scheme, Lizzie and Rake learn that even the biggest mistakes can have the most beautiful consequences.
Internalised ableism, sexual assault, on-page cheating recounted, unplanned pregnancy, abortion discussed, pregnancy, sex on-page
TL;DR: It took me long enough to pick this up (silly panda) but I’m so glad I finally read it because wow! I feel emotionally drained and invigorated at the same time and just thinking about these two has my heart squeezing with ALL THE FEELS. Prepare to be taken on an emotional ride! Edding’s writing radiated warmth, joy and comfort which is what made this so delightful to read. These characters are so personable and real and aside from the swoontastic romance, I appreciated how the author showed us what it’s like to live with a neurodivergent brain. I would definitely recommend this for those who are looking for a well-written romance that has the potential to make you laugh, swoon, and cry (in the best way, obviously)!
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