Book Review: Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert

Act Your Age, Eve Brown (Brown Sisters #3)
Publisher: Avon
Pub Date: 9 March 2021
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Panda Rating:

(5 pandas)

๐Ÿ“– SYNOPSIS

Eve Brown is a certified hot mess. No matter how hard she strives to do right, her life always goes horribly wrongโ€”so sheโ€™s given up trying. But when her personal brand of chaos ruins an expensive wedding (someone had to liberate those poor doves), her parents draw the line. It’s time for Eve to grow up and prove herselfโ€”even though she’s not entirely sure howโ€ฆ

Jacob Wayne is in control. Always. The bed and breakfast ownerโ€™s on a mission to dominate the hospitality industryโ€”and he expects nothing less than perfection. So when a purple-haired tornado of a woman turns up out of the blue to interview for his open chef position, he tells her the brutal truth: not a chance in hell. Then she hits him with her carโ€”supposedly by accident. Yeah, right.

Now his arm is broken, his B&B is understaffed, and the dangerously unpredictable Eve is fluttering around, trying to help. Before long, sheโ€™s infiltrated his work, his kitchenโ€”and his spare bedroom. Jacob hates everything about it. Or rather, he should. Sunny, chaotic Eve is his natural-born nemesis, but the longer these two enemies spend in close quarters, the more their animosity turns into something else. Like Eve, the heat between them is impossible to ignoreโ€”and itโ€™s melting Jacobโ€™s frosty exterior.

โš ๏ธ CONTENT/TRIGGER WARNINGS

Ableism, childhood abandoment recounted, car accident

TL;DR: It took me forever to finally read this book and finishย The Brown Sistersย series but this solidifies it as one of my all-time favourite romance series and I highly recommend it! Eve and Jacob were so easy to root for and I loved their character arcs. I delighted in their connection and despite a rocky start to their relationship, they had fantastic chemistry and an emotional romance that’s written with so much heart! These two deserved all the happiness and I loved seeing them find it together. ๐Ÿฅฐ My heart is so full!

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Book Review: Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson

Open Water
Publisher: Penguin
Pub Date: 3 February 2022
Genre: Literary Fiction

Panda Rating:

(5 pandas)

๐Ÿ“– SYNOPSIS

Two young people meet at a pub in South East London. Both are Black British, both won scholarships to private schools where they struggled to belong, both are now artists — he a photographer, she a dancer — trying to make their mark in a city that by turns celebrates and rejects them. Tentatively, tenderly, they fall in love. But two people who seem destined to be together can still be torn apart by fear and violence.

At once an achingly beautiful love story and a potent insight into race and masculinity, Open Water asks what it means to be a person in a world that sees you only as a Black body, to be vulnerable when you are only respected for strength, to find safety in love, only to lose it. With gorgeous, soulful intensity, Caleb Azumah Nelson has written the most essential British debut of recent years.

โš ๏ธ CONTENT/TRIGGER WARNINGS

Racism, gang violence, gun violence, death by drive by shooting

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Book Review: Night Hawk by Beverly Jenkins

Night Hawk
Publisher: Avon
Pub Date: 25 October 2011
Genre: Historical Romance

Panda Rating:

(5 pandas)

๐Ÿ“– SYNOPSIS

Outlaw. Preacher. Night Hawk. He’s had many names, but he can’t escape the past.

Since Ian Vance’s beloved wife was murdered years ago, the hardened bounty hunter know she’ll never feel love or tenderness again, so he’s made it his mission to ensure others get their justice. But when he’s charged with delivering a sharp-eyed beauty to the law, Ian can’t help but feel he may still have something left to lose.

Orphaned at twelve, Maggie Freeman has always found her way out of trouble. But now there’s a vigilante mob at her back who would like nothing more than to see her hang for a crime she didn’t commit. Maggie may have to accept help for the first time in her life… even if it’s from the one man standing between her and freedom.

As the past closes in, the sassy prisoner and toughened lawman may just find a passion between them that could bring blinding happiness… if they’ll let it.

โš ๏ธ CONTENT/TRIGGER WARNINGS

Physical abuse, violence against women, slavery, forced prostitution, gun violence, racism, mentions of mob violence and lynching, mentions of forced assimilation and residential schools, police corruption, xenophobia

TL;DR:ย I can proudly call myself a historical romance girlie now because I’ve finally read a Bev Jenkins historical romance! ๐Ÿ˜‚ I’m ashamed it took me so long to pick one up, even if I’ve read one of her contemporary romantic suspense novellas before. And what everyone says is trueโ€”this was fantastic! Not only was this delightfully sensual and heartwarming but I learned so much about parts of American history that were completely new to me (and perhaps will be to other readers as well). I’m so glad I’ve already got more Bev Jenkins on my Kindle because I’ll be reading more this year!

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Blog Tour Review: Dark Star Burning, Ash Falls White by Amรฉlie Wen Zhao

Hello, friends. โœจ Today I’m excited to kick off the blog tour for the concluding book of an exciting Chinese mythology-inspired duology: Dark Star Burning, Ash Falls White by Amรฉlie Wen Zhao! Special thanks to the TBR & Beyond Tours team for organising the tour and including me in it.

Thanks to Delacorte Press for providing a digital ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Click here or on the banner above to check out the rest of the fantastic bloggers on tour!

Dark Star Burning, Ash Falls White (Song of the Last Kingdom #2)
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Publication Date: 2 January 2024
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Rep: Chinese

Panda Rating:

(4 pandas)

๐Ÿ“– SYNOPSIS

The epic sequel to the book Song of Silver, Flame Like Night, is a fast-paced, riveting YA fantasy inspired by the mythology and folklore of ancient China.

Years ago, the Elantian colonizers invaded Lanโ€™s homeland and killed her mother in their search to uncover the Last Kingdomโ€™s greatest the location of its legendary four Demon Gods. Lanโ€™s mother devoted her life to destroying the Demon Gods, and Lan is determined to finish her mission. Yet, there are others searching for the gods, too.

Zen knew his soul was forfeit the moment he made a deal with the Demon God known as the Black Tortoise, but heโ€™s willing to lose himself if it means saving the Kingdomโ€“and the girlโ€“he loves. But to crush the colonizers who have invaded his land he needs more power than even a single Demon God can provide. He needs an army. And he knows exactly where he can find itโ€“in the undead army his great grandfather lead decades ago.

The Elantians may have stolen their throne, but the battle for the Last Kingdom has only begun.

โš ๏ธ CONTENT/TRIGGER WARNINGS

Violence, blood, death of loved one, colonial themes. Also, see romance spoiler below for younger readers.

๐Ÿ“š BUY A COPY!

TL;DR: Dark Star Burning, Ash Falls White was a satisfying conclusion to this duology. Honestly, I wasn’t sure what to think at the start because it took a direction that I wasn’t expecting. I thought there would be more action but this is a slower-paced fantasy that includes more intricate world-building and in-depth exploration of historical and thematic concepts. That said, the culminating battles and the way the threads tie together in the end are bittersweet but no less rewarding. Lan and Zen were great leading characters who were easy to root for and made me love the story of the Last Kingdom.

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Book Review: Pride and Protest by Nikki Payne

Pride and Protest
Publisher: Berkley
Pub Date: 15 November 2022
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Retelling

Panda Rating:

(4.5 pandas)

๐Ÿ“– SYNOPSIS

Liza Bโ€“The Only DJ That Gives a Jamโ€”wants to take her neighborhood back from the soulless property developer dropping unaffordable condos on every street corner in DC. But her planned protest at their corporate event takes a turn after she mistakes the smoldering hot CEO for the waitstaff. When they go toe-to-toe, the sparks flyโ€”but her impossible-to-ignore family thwarts her every move. Liza wants Dorsey Fitzgerald out of her hood, but sheโ€™ll settle for getting him out of her head.

At first, Dorsey writes Liza Bennett off as an over-caffeinated woke weekend warrior. As the adopted Filipino son of a wealthy white family, heโ€™s always felt a bit out of place, and knows a fraud when he sees one. But when Lizaโ€™s protest results in a viral meme, their lives are turned upside down and Dorsey comes to realize this irresistible revolutionist is the most real woman heโ€™s ever met.

โš ๏ธ CONTENT/TRIGGER WARNINGS

Family death (recounted), racism, microaggressions, classism, incarceration (briefly recounted), explicit sexual content

TL;DR:ย I’ve been looking forward to reading this ever since I first heard about it and I’m glad that I finally read it. While there were elements I wanted more of I found myself enjoying this a lot! I especially loved the chemistry between Dorsey and Liza and I ate their romance up. The angst, tension, the way the atmosphere in the room changed when they came into contact, their peak horninessโ€”honestly, it was a fun sexual vibe! ๐Ÿฅต The Bennett family was a mess in their usual way but I appreciated the inclusion of modern issues such as gentrification and the way the story was conveyed through alternating POVs and mixed media. Overall, this was a witty, funny, and entertaining P&P retelling and I can’t wait to read more by this author!

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Book Review: The Dating Playbook by Farrah Rochon

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

Panda Rating:

(4 pandas)

๐Ÿ“– 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 wonโ€™t be my last. Itโ€™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 togetherโ€”even though their ship name could do with a bit of work, lol! Overall, this was a fun and satisfying romance to read and Iโ€™m looking forward to reading the other books in the series.

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Book Review: The Neighbor Favor by Kristina Forest

The Neighbor Favor
Publisher: Penguin
Pub Date: 28 February 2023
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Panda Rating:

(3.5 pandas)

๐Ÿ“– SYNOPSIS

Sometimes love is closer than you think… Fall head over heels with this charming and heart-fluttering romantic comedy.

Lily Greene has already found her perfect man: her favourite fantasy author. But after months of correspondence, he ghosts her – and she’s left broken-hearted.

Nick Brown has just moved in next door. Charming and attractive, he’s the perfect date for Lily to take to her sister’s upcoming wedding.

Little does Lily know that Nick is the very author she’d been talking to. And Nick has no idea that Lily is the shy, bookish woman he slowly fell in love with…

But he refuses to complicate things even more.

And yet when he sets her up with someone else, he can’t seem to get her off his mind…

TL;DR: I ended up having quite mixed feelings about The Neighbor Favor. It started off strongโ€”I was immediately reeled in by the set-up and their email exchanges. However, following that, I feel like the story slowed down too much and my interest kind of waned with it. Despite liking these two characters on their own and appreciating their journeys, I found their chemistry together lacking. No matter how much my serendipity-loving heart loved the idea of them finding each other in a city as big as New York, it wasnโ€™t enough to sell me on their connection. For sure, there were sweet moments but I just wanted to feel more! That said, I’m looking forward to reading about Lily’s sisters and can’t wait for the next book.

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#23for23: A Possibility Pile

In last week’s TTT post, I shared a list of 20 recommendations for the #23for23 reading challenge. Today, I’m sharing a possibility pile for what I hope to read to fulfil the challenge by the end of the year! But before we dive into this long list of possibilities, what is this challenge that I speak of?

I first heard about it on the Fated Mates podcast episode that brought the author Nikki Payne on to talk about it. The goal here is simple: read 23 books by BIPOC authors with BIPOC characters before the end of 2023.

DID YOU KNOW?

MISSION:ย Theย 23for23ย initiative amplifies and elevates marginalized voices in publishing by promoting, showcasing, and celebrating the works of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color dedicated to telling stories that center marginalized identities.

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Blog Tour Review: A Bright Heart by Kate Chenli

Hello, friends. โœจ Today I’m excited to kick off the blog tour for A Bright Heart by Kate Chenli! Special thanks to the TBR & Beyond Tours team for organising the tour and including me in it.

Thanks to Union Square & Co. for providing a digital ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Click here or on the banner above to check out the rest of the fantastic bloggers on tour!

A Bright Heart
Publisher: Union Square & Co.
Publication Date: 17 October 2023
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Rep: Chinese Rep

Panda Rating:

(3.5 pandas)

๐Ÿ“– SYNOPSIS

What if you could avenge your own murder? A brilliant young woman gets a second chance at life in this debut YA tale of vengeance, court intrigue, and romance, inspired by classic Chinese tropes.

Mingshin outsmarted three princes to help the man she loved become king. But she doesnโ€™t see Renโ€™s betrayal coming, not until sheโ€™s lying in a pool of her own blood on the palace steps.

As sheโ€™s dying, Mingshin makes a desperate plea to the gods to turn back time and give her a chance to make things right.

Mingshin wakes up two years earlier, her prayer granted, and swears two things: Ren will never become king, and she will never fall in love again.

But the timeline in this life has changed: a dignitary gifted with dark magic is threatening her kingdomโ€™s peace, and Renโ€™s thirst for power runs deeper than Mingshin could have imagined.

She finds herself allying with Jieh, another contender for the throne. Mingshin knows better than anyone not to give her heart to a prince. But in the viperโ€™s nest of the royal court, she and Jieh prove a phenomenal team. Can Mingshin avert the catastrophe of her past by once again learning to trustโ€ฆand maybe even love?

โš ๏ธ CONTENT/TRIGGER WARNINGS

Death, attempted murder, mentions of blood, drowning, violence, loss of limbs

๐Ÿ“š BUY A COPY!

TL;DR: A Bright Heart was an enjoyable YA fantasy debut with a lot of potential! Mingshin was a fierce, determined and easy to root for character and I loved her story of vengeance and justice. Even though I’m not very familiar with Wuxia stories, I appreciated how the author brought the popular second-chance revenge story trope to a wider audience and I think she delivered an intriguing story full of court intrigue, mystery, a bit of magic and mythology, as well as a sweet slow burn romance. This is a great introduction to Chinese fantasy and mythology and I’m already looking forward to the sequel!

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#TopTenTuesday: 23for23 Recommendations

Weโ€™re back with another Top Ten Tuesday, a weekly meme hosted by Jana @ That Artsy Reader Girl.

This week’s topic is actually Reading Goals I Still Want to Accomplish Before the End of the Year (Weโ€™ve just begun the last quarter of the year! What bookish goals would you still like to accomplish? If you participated in TTTโ€™s Bookish Goals for 2023 topic this past January, update us on which goals youโ€™ve achieved, which youโ€™ve given up on, and which ones youโ€™re still working on!) BUT I’M GOING ROGUE!

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