Review: This Book Kills!

This Book Kills by Ravena Guron

I'll make it clear from the I did not kill Hugh Henry Van Boren. I didn't even help…Well, not intentionally.

All Jess Choudhary wants is to keep her head down, do her work, and make it through high school without any problems. As a scholarship student—and one of only two students of Indian heritage—her future at the elite school depends on her ability to keep a low profile and spotless record. But when one of the most popular and richest kids in the school ends up dead in the exact same way as a character in a short story she wrote, Jess unintentionally finds herself at the center of the investigation.

And then Jess receives an anonymous text thanking her for the inspiration.

As rumors run rampant about who the murderer could be, Jess knows if she doesn't solve this mystery herself, she'll finally have something in common with she'll be dead too.

-summary and cover via Goodreads

Review: This was a fantastic YA Mystery novel! It had plenty of twists, and an ending that I didn't predict, which is always nice when a mystery is able to surprise me. Jess was a great main character, and I thought all the supporting characters were well written. I know this was meant to be a standalone, but I would love to have more books featuring Jess and her friends. I figure at that school there are probably a lot more mysteries to investigate! Overall, I would definitely recommend to anyone who enjoys a good mystery!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

Mid-Year Book Freakout Tag: 2024 Edition!

Hi, everyone! I know I haven't blogged in awhile. I talked a little bit about why on social media, but long story short, my health has not been great, and my computer no longer works, so I have to use my kindle fire tablet to blog, which has taken time to get used to working with. But I miss blogging! I've had plans to return for awhile, and I decided why not with the Mid Year Tag? 

And yes, I realize that this is going up the last day of July, which is technically past the mid year mark, but I'm posting it anyway. :P

Best book you’ve read so far in 2024?

I thought a lot about what book to put for this answer, and I decided to go with FATAL FIRST EDITION by Jenn McKinlay, the 14th book in the Library Lover's series. I read this book with my Mom (this is her favorite series), and I loved discussing it with her while we read! Also, it was another fantastic book featuring Lindsey, Sully, and their friends. And part of the book takes place on a train? I want more books, particularly mysteries, to feature trains! The vibes are perfect.

Best sequel you've read so far in 2024?

The 14th Library Lover's mystery, see above! :)

New release you haven't read yet, but want to?

There are many, many books I could list here, but I really want to read THE LOVE REMEDY by Elizabeth Everett, and

Most anticipated release for the second half of the year?

Is it too much if I say the next Library Lover's book, A MERRY LITTLE MURDER PLOT? :)

Biggest disappointment?

I don't want to answer this question...

Biggest surprise?

I'm going to go with a Picture Book for this one, and say A BEAR, A BEE, AND A HONEY TREE by Daniel Bernstrom and Brandon James Scott. I went into this with no expectations, and was pleasantly surprised by how much I loved it! This was a delightful PB, that told an adorable story about a bear, with very few words. I highly recommend it!

Favorite new author (debut or new to you)?

Ravena Guron! I read an e-ARC of THIS BOOK KILLS from the publisher (Look for my review in September!), and loved it! I really look forward to reading more by this author.

Newest fictional crush?

I really loved Max from HAPPILY NEVER AFTER by Lynn Painter!

Newest favorite character?

Sophie and Max from HAPPILY NEVER AFTER were both great!

Book that made you cry?

I know there have been multiple books this year, but I don't remember which ones at the moment...

Book that made you happy?

All the ones I've mentioned here!

Most beautiful book you've bought so far this year (or received)?

I haven't bought many physical books this year, so I don't know what to put here? *ponders*

What books do you need to read by the end of the year?

ALL OF THEM. But honestly, I have so many I want/need to read!

What books have been your favorite (so far) in 2024? :)

March '24 Mini Reviews!

Here are mini reviews for a few March releases!

Maya's Laws of Love by Alina Khawaja

I really enjoyed reading this debut adult romance, and I look forward to what Ms. Khawaja writes next!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

How to Solve Your Own Murder by Kristen Perrin

This was a really unique mystery, with lots of twists and turns! I would definitely recommend to those who think it sounds interesting!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

Damned If I Duke by Anna Bradley

This was a good historical romance with great characters and an interesting plot!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

A Governess's Guide to Passion and Peril by Manda Collins

This was another wonderful adult historical romance/mystery from Manda Collins! Her characters are always great, with a fun plot. I would definitely recommend to fans of her previous novels!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

A Deadly Endeavor by Jenny Adams

I really liked this historical mystery! The characters and plot were interesting. I would definitely recommend to those who think it sounds good!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

In a Not So Perfect World by Neely Tubati Alexander

This was a good adult contemporary romance, that I would definitely recommend to those who think it sounds interesting!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

Rules for Rule Breaking by Talia Tucker

This was a great YA debut novel, with great characters and a fun plot! I look forward to what Ms. Tucker writes next!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

Blog Tour: HAPPILY NEVER AFTER - Review

Happily Never After by Lynn Painter

Their name? The objectors.

Their job? To break off weddings as hired. 

Their dilemma? They might just be in love with each other.

When Sophie Steinbeck finds out just before her nuptials that her fiancé has cheated yet again, she desperately wants to call it off. But because her future father-in-law is her dad’s cutthroat boss, she doesn’t want to be the one to do it. Her savior comes in the form of a professional objector, whose purpose is to show up at weddings and proclaim the words no couple (usually) wants to hear at their ceremony: “I object!”

During anti-wedding festivities that night, Sophie learns more about Max the Objector’s job. It makes perfect sense to her: he saves people from wasting their lives, from hurting each other. He’s a modern-day hero. And Sophie wants in.

The two love cynics start working together, going from wedding to wedding, and Sophie’s having more fun than she’s had in ages. She looks forward to every nerve-racking ceremony saving the lovesick souls of the betrothed masses. As Sophie and Max spend more time together, however, they realize that their physical chemistry is off the charts, leading them to dabble in a little hookup session or two—but it’s totally fine, because they definitely do not have feelings for each other. Love doesn’t exist, after all.

And then everything changes. A groom-to-be hires Sophie to object, but his fiancée is the woman who broke Max’s heart. As Max wrestles with whether he can be a party to his ex’s getting hurt, Sophie grapples with the sudden realization that she may have fallen hard for her partner in crime.

-summary and cover via Goodreads

Review: ”I love you”, ain’t that the worst thing you ever heard?

That line from Cruel Summer by Taylor Swift kept popping into my head the whole time I was reading the second half of HAPPILY NEVER AFTER, and I think it fits the main character Sophie so well. 

I loved Sophie and Max as characters, and their romance was absolutely adorable! The banter was very fun! I smiled so much while reading. Lynn Painter writes absolutely wonderful adult romance novels! A total feel good read, that I definitely would recommend!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

Blog Tour: Recipe For A Charmed Life - Review!

After a day of unrivaled disappointments, a promising young chef finds every bite of food suddenly tastes bitter. To save her career, she travels to the Pacific Northwest to reconnect with her estranged mom, and discovers a family legacy she never suspected in this delicious novel from the bestselling author of The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie.

American chef Georgia May Jackson has one goal—to run her own restaurant in Paris. After a grueling decade working in Parisian kitchens, she is on the cusp of success. But in one disastrous night, Georgia loses her sous-chef position, her French boyfriend, and her sense of taste! Renowned for her refined palate and daring use of bold flavors to create remarkable dishes, Georgia is devastated to discover her culinary gift has simply...vanished.

When she receives a surprising invitation from her estranged mother, Georgia flees to a small island near Seattle hoping the visit will help her regain her spark in the kitchen. There she tentatively reconnects with her mom, a free-spirited hippie eager to make up for her past mistakes. But there’s something about the enigmatic island Georgia just can’t piece together. Good luck charms keep appearing in the oddest places. Her neighbor is a puzzlingly antagonist (and annoyingly handsome) oyster farmer. And her mom keeps hinting at a mysterious family legacy.

With the clock ticking and time running out to win her dream job in Paris, Georgia begins to unravel some astonishing secrets that make her wonder if the true recipe for a charmed life might look—and taste—very different than she ever imagined.

Review: I really enjoyed this romance novel! The characters were all fantastic, and I thought the writing was really well done. And I love the cover (isn’t it so cute?!)! Overall, I would definitely recommend to those who think it sounds good!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.