Book Review: Kamila KNows Best

“Shit. Was there supposed to be a Breakfast At Tiffany’s theme tonight?”

Kamila Hussain lives a life of comfort. She is the go friend for advice especially with love, has a supportive network full of friends and family that care for her, access to all the bollywood parties that she wants, and a dog with that has more followers on Instagram than most people do. While she spends more time giving her friends advice on love, she can’t be bothered to think of her own love life. But, when she hears of an old rival who has eyes for her longtime friend, Rohan who has been a rock for her throughout her life, she can’t bear losing him to someone else. The more Kamila tries to plan, the more things start falling apart and if Kamila doesn’t think of something quick, she may lose the one person who means the most to her.

I absolutely love Austen retellings as she’s one of my favorite authors so this book was a real treat! It was such a fun and heartwarming tale and I found all the characters especially Kamila and Rohan to be unique and flawed in their own ways. I could definitely feel the chemistry between them so that was good because there’s nothing worse than when it’s not developed or seems forced. Another thing that I liked is that even if there wasn’t a romance factor, the two were very unique on their own with interesting backstories and their dynamics were very fleshed out. I apprenticed the focus that Heron did on Kamila’s work life and how she felt so much pressure due to her culture and being the woman that she wanted to be. That is something that rang true for me so I felt for her and I appreciated that focus because I think there are times where authors focus too much on the romance and not enough on the heroine and it’s important that stories don’t put so much focus on the romance and being your own person in addition to be in a relationship. This was a very fun book so I highly recommend that you check it out!

Book Review: A Magic steeped in poison

“Grief has a taste, bitter and lingering, but so soft it sometimes disguises itself as sweetness.”

Nig couldn’t imagine things get any worse but unfortunately, they’re gonna get worse before they get better. Haunted and grief stricken over being responsible fro the death of her mother, an unfortunate accident that occurred with Nig brewing tea for her without knowing that it was poison. Now, her sister has succumbed to to the same tea and Nig must do something fast as time is running out. When she hears about an upcoming tournament held in the imperial city, she realizes this is the only chance to save her sister as the winner will receive a favor from the princess.

This was on such a fun book! The entire novel was full of surprises, twists, angst and heart warming moments that made it difficult to put down. But, one of the things that I absolutely loved about it was how their magic system was based on different types of tea, it was so beautifully done. I think Lin wrote is so well that you couldn’t help but be interested in this aspect and I’ve never seen that done before. I really hope this becomes a thing because as a tea lover, it was so fun to read about mixed in with different fantasy elements. The other parts of the book were fantastic and I really loved the dynamics between the characters and especially Nig as I felt for her during the journey as she was dealing with so many different emotions and haunted by the things she’d done. The only thing I didn’t like was the cliffhanger but at least its not one that will keep me up at night wondering what will come next. I really enjoyed this and highly recommend it!

Book Review #1

“I think I might fetch you the moon if only to spare your tears again.”

To many, Alizeh is just a servant and a disposable one at that. But, what they don’t know is that she is really a heir to Jinn dynasty forced to hide in plain sight. She is also the one person no would especially Prince Karman would expect to uproot his kingdom and the world. The Crown Prince has heard of the prophecies foretelling his grandfather’s death but he can’t bring himself to believe that Alizeh, the servant girl who hasn’t left his mind to be the one to bring down his kingdom.

This Woven Kingdom by Tarereh Mafi was such a thrilling and wild ride from beginning to end! This is one of the best books I’ve read this year and I’m glad it lived up to the hype because it’s always so disappointing when books don’t live up to it but this was a real treat. There was so much about this novel that I loved as everything felt so connected as Mafi developed a beautifully written world that felt so real. The characters especially Alizeh and Karman were equally flawed and developed and their chemistry was so so good. The romance felt very real within their dynamics. That’s always a good thing because there’s nothing worse when the romance is under developed and/or feels forced because that just ruins it for me. I can’t stay invested in the story when I feel like it’s forced but gladly I feel that here. Even on their own, Alizeh and Karman were interesting characters as Alizeh proved that she is no mere servant girl and her actions felt genuine, honest, and true to how she presented herself as a compassionate and selfless warrior who was bad ass at the same time. Then, we have Karman who is very confident and bold and know what he truly wants in life and Mafi did such a great job with their dynamics that it was hard not to root for them.

Lastly, I really enjoyed how Mafi mixed Persian Mythology and Cinderella that made it so unique and interesting.It didn’t feel overdone and really helped with developing the romance between Karman and Alizeh. Overall, I really enjoyed the tale and how it unfolded so I would highly recommend it!!

MAY TBR

Well, it’s a few days behind but better late than never! Here is my list for this month and I’m excited to share my picks with you.

A Magic Stepped in Poison by Judy L. Lin
Genre: Fantasy, Fiction, YA

A Thousand Steps into Night by Traci Chee
Genre: Fantasy, Fiction, YA

Angelfall by Susan He
Genre: Fantasy, Fiction, YA

The Chosen and The Beautiful by Nghi Vo
Genre: Fiction, Fantasy, Historical Fiction

Crying In H Mart by Michelle Zauner
Genre: Autobiography, Memoir, Not-Fiction,

Everything Here Is Beautiful by Mira T. Lee
Genre: Adult, Contemporary, Fiction

Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng
Genre: Adult, Contemporary, Mystery

The Girl Who Fell Beneath The Sea by Axie Oh
Genre: Fantasy, Retelling, YA

Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao
Genre: Fantasy, Fiction, Romance

The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri
Genre: Fantasy, Fiction, LGBT

Kamila Knows Best by Faith Heron
Genre: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

The Map Of Salt And Stars by Zeyn Jorkhadar
Genre: Fantasy, Fiction, Historical-Fiction

Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker
Genre: Fantasy, LGBT, YA

Set On You by Amy Lee
Genre: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

She Who Became The Sun by Shelly Parker-Chan
Genre: Fiction, Fantasy, LGBT

Squad by Maggie Tokud-Hall
Genre: Fantasy, Graphic Novels, LGBT

Thief Of Souls by Brian Klingborg
Genre: Adult, Mystery, Thriller

This Woven Kingdom by Tahereh Mafi
Genre: Fantasy, Fiction, Romance

What My Bones Know by Stephanie Foo
Genre: Memoir, Mental Health, Non Fiction

April 2022

Here we go! Very excited for this month’s selection!

The Boy From The Woods by Harlan Coben
Genre: Fiction, Mystery, Thriller

Dark Across The Bay by Ania Ahlborn
Genre: Fiction, Mystery, Thriller,

Erebus Dawning by AJ Super
Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Sci-Fi

A Fate Of Wrath & Flame by K.A. Tucker
Genre: Fantasy, New Adult, Romance

Fevered Star by Rebecca RoanHorse
Genre: Adult, Fantasy, LGBT

A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine
Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Sci-Fi

Of Arrows & Anarchy by Morgan Perryman
Genre: Adult, Fantasy, LGBT

Promised in Fire by Jasmine Walt
Genre: Fantasy, New Adult, Romance

The Unspoken Name by A.K. Larkwood
Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Romance

The Resting Place by Camilla Sten
Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller

The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton
Genre: Fiction, Mystery, Thriller

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Genre: Historical-Fiction, LGBT, Romance

Spear by Nicola Griffith
Genre: Adult, Fantasy, LGBT

Tell Me An Ending by Jo Harkin
Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Sci-Fi

Tired as Fuck by Caroline Dooner
Genre: Mental Health, Non-Fiction, Self-Help

To Bleed A Crystal Bloom by Sarah A. Parker
Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Romance

Verity by Coleen Hoover
Genre: Mystery, Romance, Thriller

MARCH WRAP UP

Yaaay! March was a good month for me so here are the reads I finished!

The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake
Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Fiction
Review: Here

Rating: 4/5

Daughter Of The Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan
Genre: Fantasy, Retelling, YA
Review: Here

Rating: 5.5

From Salt To Skye by Adriane Leigh
Genre: Fantasy, Fiction, Romance
Review: Here

Rating: 3.5

Gallant by V.E. Schwab
Genre: Fantasy, Fiction, YA
Review: Here

Rating: 4.5

The Goddess Of Nothing At All by Cat Rector
Genre: Fantasy, Historical-Fiction, Mythology
Review: Here

Rating: 5.5

Heavenly Bodies by Imani Erriu
Genre: Fantasy, Fiction, Sci-Fi
Review: Here

Rating: 2.5/5

A Hunt of Shadows by Elise Kova
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, YA
Review: Here

Rating: 4.5

Hunt The Stars by Jessie Mihalik
Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
Review: Here

Rating: 4.5

A Master Of Djinn by P. Djeli Clark
Genre: Fantasy, LGBT, Mystery
Review: Here

Rating: 5.5

The Quarter Storm by Veronica G. Henry
Genre: Fantasy, Fiction, Mystery
Review: Here

Rating: 3.5

River of Shadows by Karina Halle
Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Romance
Review: Here

Rating: 4.5

Seven Devils by Laura Lam
Genre: Fantasy, LGBT, Sci-Fi
Review: Here

Rating: 3.5.5

Seven Mercies by Laura Lam & Elizabeth May
Genre: Fantasy, LGBT, Sci-Fi
Review: Here

Sisters of The Vast Black by Lina Rather
Genre: Adult, LGBT, Sci-Fi
Review: Here

Rating: 3/5

Star Father by Charlie N. Holmberg
Genre: Fantasy, Mythology, Sci-Fi
Review: Here

Rating: 5.5

Star Mother by Charlie N. Holmberg
Genre: Fantasy, Fiction, Romance
Review: Here

Rating: 5.5

What Lies Beyond The Veil by Harper L. Woods
Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Romance
Review: Here
Rating: 2.5.5

MARCH TBR

Wow, I can’t believe it’s March already! Excited for everyone to see what I have picked for this month, it’s gonna be a good one!

Ashes Of Gold by J. Elle
Genre: Fantasy, Fiction, YA

The Circus Infinite by Khan Wong
Genre: Adult, LGBT, Sci-Fi

Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tann
Genre: Fantasy, Retellings, Romance

Finlay Donovan is Killing It by Elle Cosimano
Genre: Adult, Fiction, Mystery

Flames Of Chaos by Amelia Hutchins
Genre:Adult, Fantasy, Romance

The Flight Attendant by Chris Bohjalian
Genre: Fiction, Mystery, Thriller

Gallant by V.E.Schwab
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, YA

The Goddess of Nothing At All by Cat Rector
Genre: Adult, Fiction, Fantasy

Heavenly Bodies by Imani Erriu
Genre: Fantasy, Fiction, Romance

How High We Go In The Dark by Sequoia Nagamatsu
Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Sci-Fi

A Hunt of Shadows by Elise Kova
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, YA

Hunt The Stars by Jessie Mihalik
Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Sci-Fi

The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley
Genre: Fiction, Mystery, Thriller

The Quarter Storm by Veronica G. Henry
Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Mystery

The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams
Genre: Contemporary, Fiction, Romance

The Reunion by Meghan Quinn
Genre: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

River of Shadows by Karina Halle
Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Romance

Star Mother by Charlie N. Holmerg
Genre: Adult, Fiction, Romance

Second Star To The Left by Megan Van Dyke
Genre: Fantasy, Retellings, Romance

Seven Devils by Laura Lam & Elizabeth May
Genre: Adult, LGBT, Romance

Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score
Genre: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

What Lies Beyond The Veil by Harper L. Woods
Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Romance

The Winding by Avi Datta
Genre: Adult, Fiction, Sci-Fi

The Woman In The Window by A.J. Finn
Genre: Fiction, Mystery, Thriller

Yes and I Love You by Roni Loren
Genre: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Romance wrap up #3

Here is the last wrap up for the month!

I finally decided to check this book out as there has been so buzz about it and I was glad the hype was real! I’m reading the second book right now so that will on next month’s wrap up but this was a very enjoyable and entertaining book. The characters especially Simon and Baz were very fleshed out which made it very easy to invested in the story.It was very heartwarming with fun and sweet moments mixed with twists and turns that makes you invested and eager for more!

This story had so much going for it with excellent writing, witty humor, intriguing plot and interesting dynamics between each of the characters. Unfortunately, the main character was very unlikable and was more annoying than anything else. The story follows Gabby, a young woman who is still trying to sort out what she wants to do with her life. She is ready to be in a job that she loves and feels passionate about. But, just as she feels like nothing will change, she gets cast as an extra on Passion Medical, a hit tv show, she finds herself being thrust into an adventure she didn’t see coming.

I really wanted to like this book but Gabby wasn’t a very engaging character. In fact, I found her vain, self-centered, and acted more like a teenager who doesn’t get what she wants than being an adult and trying to find your place in the world. She was more interested with flirting with Will and trying to get his attention than anything else. It was very hard to root for her and in fact, I found myself wishing that she would actually face consequences for her actions. It’s such a shame she was so unlikable because her family issues were very realistic with her brother dealing with a heroine addiction, parents divorcing, and sister separating from her husband.

Holy shit!! This book was so much fun, I loved it from beginning to end. This will for sure be in my round up of favorite books of 2022. I don’t think I’ve laughed so much during a book than I did with this one and I felt like it helped with developing the plot through till the end. The plot follows Lou and Thomas, the two of them are struggling with their own demons while trying to have success in their own lives. They were both intriguing, interesting, and unique and I felt invested in their lives which helps with staying invested in the story. There is nothing worse than a good plot but under developed characters cause it just makes you wanna stop reading it. This book was a real delight so I highly recommend it!

It can be challenging to bring in real life issues into a romance story as sometimes it’s done well and other times it’s not. But, this was not the case with this heartwarming yet moving novel about learning to trust and fall in love with someone who loves you unconditionally. The story follows Niya, who is doing her best to heal from a abusive relationship previously and while she isn’t interested in dating, her friends have other plans. She decides to give it a go to make them happy but soon finds herself falling in love with Jake, who makes her feel like herself again. What I loved about this particular story is how well the characters were written and the romance was very sweet and real. I appreciate how the author weaved in Niya’s prior relationship that was abusive. I thought the way it was done was very well and I was rooting for Niya the entire time! I would highly recommend this! Just be aware of the trigger warnings!

What a wholesome, heart-warming, fun love story from beginning to end. While it is a romance, it is so much more than that. It’s really a story about finding your true purpose, standing up for what’s right, and being content with who you are. The representation is so wonderful in this book and I took away a lot more than I anticipated. The friendship and romance between Adam and Zayneb was truly wholesome and very real. I was rooting for them from the beginning and I love how it developed to the end.

Romance ROUnd Up #2

Now for round #2!!

What a fun book! This is another one that lived up to the hype so I was happy about that. I will defintely be reading the #2 & #3 book in this series. I had heard really good things about this so I’m glad it lived up to my expectations. Slow burn and fake dating are two of my favorite tropes and it was done really well in the book as it felt very real. I love the dynamics between the two main characters, Stella and Michael who are so perfect for each other. This was a truly fun and cute read!

What a fun and enjoyable read! I have really enjoyed this series as I found the characters especially the women interesting and unique in their own way. The story follows Khai & Esme as the two navigate through their sudden romance. Both Khai & Esme are fully fleshed out characters who have their own struggles that make them compelling characters. Khai with his autism and Esme with being a young single mother, I felt for both of them as they tried to deal with own struggles while navigating their sudden romance. I really enjoy Hoang’s writing especially making her characters seem very real so it’s easy to identify with them. I loved this book and can’t wait to read the 3rd one!

I can’t decide which of these books I liked the best in the series as they were all so unique, interesting, and fun in their own way. Hoang does an excellent job of not doing the same old things especially with similar characters. I feel like they’re brand new and that’s what keeps interested and entertained! So onto the book, I love Anna and Quan, they were very fun and interesting characters and I loved the dynamic between them. I related a lot to Anna especially with her mental health and enjoyed seeing her grow as a person and I love how Quan was so tender with her. They really had great chemistry and I was rooting for them the entire time! Hoang never disappoints as I laughed and cried from the beginning to end! Highly suggest reading this series, I loved it so much!

This book is such an emotional roller-coaster and Sarah J Maas is lucky that I love her books so much because I never read books that are 700 or 800 pages long. But, I love her characters and world building and this book lives up to it. One of the things that I love about Sarah j Maas books is how she builds her worlds as it always feel like you’re there in the world as the story is unfolding. World-building is something that gets me hooked on a story and she really has a way with words that I’ve always loved. The characters, Bryce and Hunt were unique and interesting and they had their own flaws that made their dynamic very real. With the way that she builds the world and characters makes it so easy to be invested that you get lost in the world. That’s what I’ve always loved about her books!

WOW! The book was wild, chaotic, entertaining and full of high octane drama. The beginning of the book was a little slow but man it picked up and I hooked and not able to put it down till the end. The sequel follows Bryce and Hunt on a new adventure and while they want to relax and time for themselves, the world has other plans.It was so good to see Bryce and Hunt, their relationships is done so well and I love them.This book was well worth the wait but I hate that I have to wait even longer for the third book. She’s so good with characters and how she builds her world that makes you feel like you’re actually there. This book was so good and I loved every minute of it!! Highly recommend this book!