Romance

Written In The Stars

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Rating: 5/5

“Life would be a lot better if we all spent a little more time staring at the stars.”

Darcy is a nonsense, analytical, by the books and Elle is free-spirited, fun, and is one of the authors of a very popular astrology twitter page. But, when Darcy’s brother who also happens to be Elle’s new business partner spills his happiness about their first date being a success, Elle is sure he’s confused. Darcy begs Elle to go along with it and she agrees but on one condition: Darcy has to help Elle navigate the holidays with dealing with overbearing family. What happens a fake relationship starts to turn into something real?

Holy shit, this book was so good! Fake dating is one of my favorite tropes and it was done so well here. I loved everything about this book especially the relationship with Darcy and Elle. It really was believable and I loved seeing their feelings change for each other throughout the book and the smut was hot too. In addition to that, I really enjoy Darcy and Elle step out of their comfort zones and deal with issues that are relevant and it felt very real. They came over their own fears and insecurities and learn that not only do they need to love others but also themselves.

Overall, this was a really fun book so I definitely recommend it especially if you like sapphic novels. This was a real delight!

Her Royal Highness by Rachel Hawkins

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Rating: 3/5

“It’s not cool to stare, I know that, but this is literally the prettiest girl I’ve ever seen in my life.” 

Devastated by the revelation that her best friend/on-off again girlfriend kissed someone else, Millie Quint can’t bare to confront her so she decides apply for scholarships so she can get far away. The last place she expected to get accepted into would be one of the most exclusive and elite boarding schools in Scotland. Not only is the school gorgeous but it’s a completely different life than her own. There’s only one problem: Princess Flora of Scotland is her roommate and the two couldn’t be more different. What happens when the two start to realize they aren’t that different than they think? Will sparks fly or will Millie get burnt again?

Originally, wasn’t on my tbr until I started looking again at LGBT recs on Goodreads last night and this popped up for me. I would’ve given it a higher rating had the relationship between the two feel rushed. I would’ve liked to seen more development in the relationship. The writing also could’ve been a bit better as I feel like that would’ve helped with the development of the relationship. But, aside from that I loved Millie and Princess Fiona, I thought they were very well written characters who were very unique in their own right. Plus, I love enemies to friends and eventually lovers, it’s probably one of my favorite tropes.

Overall, it was a cute book!

June TBR

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Happy June Everyone!! I’m excited to get reading for this month because it also happens to LGBT month and I will be celebrating my birthday as well so it’s a good month all around.

The Charm Offensive by Allison Cochrun
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, LGBT

Cinderella is Dead by Kaylnn Brayon
Genre: LGBT, Fantasy, YA

The Unbroken #1 by C.L. Clark
Genre: LGBT, Fantasy, Adult

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In Deeper Waters by F.T. Lukens
Genre: Fantasy, LGBT, YA

Sistersong by Lucy Holland
Genre: LGBT, Fantasy, Historical Fiction

Kate In Waiting by Becky Albertalli
Genre: Fiction, Romance, Contemporary

The Dark Tide by Alicia Jasinska
Genre: LGBT, Romance, Fantasy


Rainbirds by Clarissa Goenawan
Genre: Mystery, Fiction, Contemporary

Life’s Too Short by Abby Jimenez
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Fiction

The Sky Blues by Robbie Couch
Genre: LGBT, Ya, Romance

Written in the Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur
Genre: Contemporary, LGBT, Romance

Perfect on Paper by Sophie Gonzales
Genre: LGBT, Romance, YA

The Mirror Season by Anna Marie McLemore
Genre: Fantasy, Magical Realism, LGBT

Between Perfect and Real by Ray Stoeve
Genre: LGBT, Contemporary, YA

Can’t Take That Away by Steven Salvatore
Genre: LGBT, YA

May Wrap-Up

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Wow, I can’t believe May is nearly done. This has been a wild and crazy month but I did manage to do a lot of reading and instead of sharing what I read with you, I’m going to share my favorites.

Divine Blood by Beck Michaels
Genre – Fantasy, Romance, YA
Full Review – Here

Rating: 4/5

Champion by Marie Lu
Genre – Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Romance, YA
Full Review – Here

Rating: 4/5

Anxious People by Fredrik Backman
Genre – Contemporary, Fiction, Mental Health
Full Review – Here

Rating: 4/5

From Blood And Ash #1 by Jennifer Armentrout
Genre – Fantasy, Romance, NA
Full Review – Here

Rating: 4/5

Shattered Kingdom by Angelina Steffort
Genre – Fantasy, Romance, YA
Full Review – Here

Rating: 4/5

The Guest List by Lucy Foley
Genre – Mystery, Thriller
Full Review – Here

Rating: 4/5

The Beautiful Ones

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Rating: 4/5

“It was not effortlessly. It tore me apart, but the poison has bled out.”

Well, this was a nice surprise as Historical Fiction and I don’t really get along but the story, characters, writing made me fall in love with it. This is the second book that I’ve read by Garcia and I did enjoy Mexican Gothic and I’d heard good things about this book, so I figured why not?

The story follows Hector, Valarie, and Nina as they try to avoid scandal while trying to win what they desire. Hector and Valarie were lovers but Valarie ended the engagement so she could marry into the wealthy Beaulieu family. To be closer to Valarie and attempt to win her back, he decides to court Nina Beaulieu and what follows is a story of love, betrayal, and a struggle between conforming and passion.

First off, I absolutely loved the romance, it was subtle very intriguing and kept me interested. I found the character quirky and interesting, they all had different aspects to them and were well written. Nina was probably my favorite character, I found her fun, honest, and had youthful wild side to her that was entertaining. The other characters were just as entertaining and complex but I found myself feeling happy reading about her. Finally, I loved the antagonists because I hated yet loved them at the same time, they were unique and interesting and found myself invested in their stories.

Overall, it was an enjoyable read and I’m not to read books that heavily focus on “scandal” and “gossip” so this was a very nice surprise.

Divine Blood (Guardians of the Maiden #1)

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Rating: 4/5

“He was starlight, and wonder, and questions without answers.” 

Going into this book, I didn’t have a lot of expectations as I hadn’t heard of it until browsing through goodreads and it came up. Seeing that people were saying how similar it was to Lord of the Rings, The Cruel Prince, and Throne of Glass and they weren’t wrong.

Divine Blood follows Dyna, who had everything taken from her by the shadow demon and only when she discovers, she can fight back does she find her way to Cassiel, a celestial prince who wants nothing to do with her. That is until, he finds that she can lead him to the life that he always wanted. But, they must work together to seek what they desire as they aren’t the only ones who are looking.

Oh man, this book had everything that I love. Dyna, Cassiel, and Zev were the main highlights especially the dynamics between Dyna and Cassiel, they hate each other and it’s so good. There is a lot of character development on the way which is what I was hoping to see cause I lose interest in the characters if there is zero development or it’s written poorly.

Other than the characters, I loved the magical aspect as it had every magical creature you could think of and I found that very enjoyable. It really did feel like LOTR and Throne of Glass and those are two of my favorite series. I love how Beck went into detail of how these different magical creatures interact with each other because that something that I was hoping to see.

There really isn’t much to complain about except maybe there wasn’t a lot of progress in the characters journey but there were other things that made it worth while and I can’t wait for the second book! I would highly recommend if you’re looking for something similar to The Cruel Prince, Throne of Glass and LOTR.

Champion (Legend #3)

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Rating: 5/5

I scream for everything that has gone wrong. I scream for everything broken in our lives.

Well, this was extremely satisying yet made me an emotional wreck as this wraps up the series and while I didn’t want it to end, I was very satisfied with how it played out. I was a little worried going into that it wouldn’t live up to the expectations I had and boy did it deliver.

Champion follows June and Day as they have not only sacrificed so much for each other but for their people. The time for peace is short lived as they are thrown into a new conflict, one that could test the bond that they have for each other. This heart-pounding and suspenseful last installment of the Legend series will reach a stunning conclusion.

I don’t know Marie Lu does but she’s such an amazing writer especially when it comes to plots as I have always enjoyed the plot of her books regardless of everything else. Champion was thrilling, gut-wreching, beautiful, and filled with so much action that I literally couldn’t put the book down and I have her to thank for that. I have really enjoyed following the adventures of June and Day and I do love their relationship as it’s very well written and there has been so much growth between the two throughout the series. That’s part of the reason why I was so emotional while reading this book because there are some beautiful yet heart breaking moments between the two.

I don’t want to go into too much further without spoiling it but this was such a satisfying conclusion to the series and I highly recommend it.

Prodigy (Legend #2)

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Rating: 5/5

Love is illogical, love had consequences–I did this to myself, and I should be able to take it.

Ahhhh! Marie Lu is one of my favorite writers and it’s hard to pick a favorite of hers that I love but this one pretty close. I had read Legend awhile back and thoroughly enjoyed it so I was glad that I was finally able to catch up with the series. But there is so much about this book that I loved.

Prodigy is an action packed adventure that leaves you wanting more and I turned the page in excitement and anxiety. The beginning was a little slow but it picks up towards the middle and becomes very fast paced with tons of action, emotions, feelings, and secret being uncovered that change the game. One thing that I love about her writing is that she has well written developed characters that make you feel like you know them personally.

It follows the first book with Day & June trying to save Eden, I don’t want to spoil anything so I’m trying my hardest be selective with what I write for the review. But, the ending did hit me pretty hard and I had to get through Champion which is coming up next for review! Overall, this book was rather enjoyable and Marie Lu is such a fantastic story teller to I high recommend checking out any of her books.

Namesake (Fable #2)

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Rating: 4/5

“We were salt and sand and sea and storm.”

Namesake is the enthralling second installment in the Fable series by Amanda Young. A year ago, I had heard people talking about Fable and how good it was and I finally decided to check it out and I wasn’t disappointed at all. This second installment finds Fable diving deeper into a world of deceptions, betrayal, and she will learn the secrets that her mother took to her grave.

This book was just as good if not better than the first book! Fable’s world is even more cutthroat, devious, double crossing than in the first book which is what I loved. I love Fable, I think she is a great protagonist and I rather enjoyed the dynamics between herself and Koy, who is stuck with Fable and doesn’t have a choice. Another relationship that I loved seeing develop was between Fable and Saint, it even made me a bit emotional because of complex it was.

Overall, I was pleased with the plot, the characters and seeing where they went and what was going to happen next. It was a very enjoyable book and I was hoping that I would enjoy it because while I did like the first, I felt like there could’ve been more done in terms of story. But we’ll see what happens next and hopefully we won’t have to wait too long!