Book Review: Iron Widow

“Men wants us so badly for our bodies, yet hate us so much for our minds.”

While the boys of Huaxia dream of pairing up with the girls to pilot Chrysalises, giant robots that defeat the mecha ailens that lurk beyond the great wall where the girls dread it as they often die from mental strain. But, not all the girls dread pairing up with the boys, there is one girl who is more than ready to take on the challenge in an attempt to have her revenge on the man who killed her sister. When Zietan is chosen, she ends up getting more she’s bargained for as she is successful in killing the man who killed her sister but comes out of it unscathed thus dubbing her the iron widow. Now, she is set on understanding how the pilot system works in hopes of preventing more girls from being sacrificed.

This gave me pacific rim vibes as soon I read the summary on Goodreads and it did have that vibe while getting into the novel even though it started a little slow. But, I’ll get to that in a bit as I did enjoy the characters as they were all deeply flawed with good development to understand their motives even if I didn’t like the character. But, the big flaw that made me less invested in it was the lack of development with the magic system and world-building as there were times where I was confused and needed a little more information. I love good world-building and sadly this one didn’t have it and I do feel if the author had done more with the magic system then maybe I would’ve enjoyed it more than I did. The themes that are discussed throughout the novel are very relevant to what is happening now and I felt as though Zhao does a good job of connecting them to the plot. Overall, it was a good book even though I felt a little disappointed but feel free to check it out if it sounds enjoyable to you!

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 WRap Up #1

Here is the first round!

What a fun and entertaining read! It reminded me of the movie 27 dresses, which is one of my favorite movies. What I really loved about the book is how much I related to Lily as she was close to my age so I could really empathize with her struggles especially in terms of her so-called dating life. But, that’s the least of her worries as she’s got a busy schedule with being a bridesmaid five times. It’s becoming too much so Lily decides to create a anonymous blog where she can vent and de-stress but we all know all good things can’t be kept a secret for long? This is a funny, smart, heartwarming, beautiful, and entertaining tale that will captivate you till the end!

This was another book that had huge hype around and I was pleased that it lived up to it! I’ve been seeing this book all over tumblr and goodreads and a few people had told me about it so I decided to finally check it out. Enemies to lovers is my favorite trope and it was done so well in this book! I loved everything about and gushed and squealed till the end. The writing was a plus as it was beautifully written with heartwarming moments, humor, witty banter and lastly romance! The dynamics between Lucy and Josh were so great and I love the build up! A fantastic and fun read so check if out if you’d like!

So, this book completely lived up to the hype that it gets and I was so happy it did because there’s nothing worse than reading a book that doesn’t live up to the hype. But, this book was so much fun as I found myself unable to put it down. I felt so many emotions with this book as it had made me happily squeal with delight. I loved everything about it especially Olive even though she does do some things that made me roll my yes but her relationship with Adam was absolutely adorable. Both, Olive and Adam were interesting and flawed and I felt like I knew them so I was very invested in the relationship. It was SO CUTE!! Definitely check this book out!

This is my first book by Quinn and I’m a fan! I really enjoyed this and I’m going to check out her other books especially The Reunion as this novel leads up to it. This was a super cute and short read that was lovely all the way up to the cliffhanger which I hate. But, I love the characters especially Nora and Cooper and I did like the dynamics between them. It was a fun and entertaining ride and I can’t wait fore more of Cooper and Nora!



I really enjoyed this one! I loved the plot, the characters, and how the story developed throughout the novel. I did appreciate and love the character development and growth of Rosaline, and it felt very real as she is a completely different person at the baking competition than when we first met her. I think the author did a really great job with the characters especially Rosaline with making them feel human as there were things that she did that I didn’t like but that’s a part of being a human being. This was a very fun, entertaining and enjoyable novel so I would highly recommend it!

Wow, I wasn’t sure if I was going to enjoy this as much I did. The premise sounded familiar but I have liked her previous books so i thought I’d check it out. One of the many reasons that I loved the book is because Ari, the main character of the story has depression and the way it was depicted was very honest and truthful. When it comes to mental health, some books do great with it while others don’t pass the mark. As someone who has depression, I related a lot to Ari and understand the up’s and downs that come with it. The story was cute and I found the other characters interesting and unique! The dynamics that were developed throughout the story felt real so overall, it was a fun and cute novel!

JANUARY WRap Up

Hey everyone! This month has gone by so fast and I got in a lot of good books and I’m excited to share them with you all!

The Age of Overwhelm by Laura Van Dernoot Lipsky
Genre: Non-Fiction, Psychology, & Self-Help
Review: Here

Rating: 4.5

The Crossing Gate by Asiel R. Lavie
Genre: Fantasy, Fiction, Young Adult
Review: Here

Rating: 4.5

The Exiled Fleet by J.S. Dewes
Genre: Fiction, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
Review: Here

Rating: .4.5

Every Last Secret by A.R. Torre
Genre: Adult, Mystery, Thriller
Review: Here

Rating: 4.5

How To Stop Time by Matt Haig
Genre: Fantasy, Fiction, Historical-Fiction
Review: Here

Rating: 4.5

King of Battle and Blood by Scarlett St. Clair
Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Romance
Review: Here

Rating: 3.5/5

The Last Watch by J.S. Dewes
Genre: Fiction, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
Review: Here

Rating: 4.5

Lore Olympus by Rachel Symthe
Genre: Adult, Graphic Novels, Mythology
Review: Here

Rating 5.5

Love, Lists, & Fancy Ships by Sarah Grunder Ruiz
Genre: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Review: Here

Rating: 4.5

Quiet In Her Bones by Nalini Singh
Genre: Fiction, Mystery, Thriller
Review: Here

Rating: 4.5

Read Between The Lines by Rachel Lacey
Genre: Adult, LGBT, Romance
Review: Here

Rating: 4.5

Risk by Fleur Ferris
Genre: Fiction, Mystery, Thriller
Review: Here

Rating: 4.5

The Good Lie by A.R. Torre
Genre: Adult, Mystery, Thriller
Review: Here

Rating: 5.5

The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas
Genre: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Review: Here

Rating: 4.5

Take Me To Your Nerdy Leader by Hailey Gonzales
Genre: Contemporary, Fiction, YA
Review: Here

Rating: 5.5

What Happened To You? Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing by Dr. Bruce Perry & Oprah Winfrey
Genre: Mental Health, Non-Fiction, Self-Help
Review: Here

Rating: 5/5

When The Moon Was Ours by Anna-Marie McLemore
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, YA
Review: Here

Rating: 4.5

MOst anticipated books FOR FEBRUARY

Didn’t plan on doing this originally but I thought it would be fun to share my most anticipated books for each month of the year! I was going to do it all in one but that would go on forever!

Lockdown on London Lane by Beth Reekles
Genre: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Release Date: 2/1/2022

Hunt The Stars by Jessie Mihalik
Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
Release Date: 2/1/22

Theses Deadly Games by Diane Urban
Genre: Fiction, Mystery, Thrillers
Release Date: 2/1/2022

Not The Witch You Wed by April Asher
Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Romance
Release Date: 2/8/2022

Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors
Genre: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Release Date: 2/8/2022

House of Sky and Breath by Sarah J. Maas
Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Romance
Release Date: 2/15/2022

Second Star To The Left by Megan Van Dyke
Genre: Fantasy, Fiction, Retelling
Release Date: 2/15/2022

League Of Liars by Astrid Scholte
Genre: Fantasy, Fiction, Mystery
Release Date: 2/22/2022

Deliah Green Doesn’t Care by Ashley Herring Blake
Genre: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Release Date: 2/22/2022

Tripping Arcadia by Kit Mayquist
Genre: Adult, LGBT, Horror
Release Date: 2/22/2022

Fake by Erica Katz
Genre: Adult, Mystery, Thriller
Release Date: 2/22/2022

The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley
Genre: Adult, Mystery, Thriller
Release Date: 2/22/2022

Sisters of The Forsaken Stars by Lina Rather
Genre: Adult, LGBT, Sci-Fi
Release Date: 2/22/2022

ACE

The label of asexual should be value neutral. It should indicate little more than sexual orientation. Instead, asexual implies a slew of other, negative associations: passionless, uptight, boring, robotic, cold, prude, frigid, lacking, broken. These, especially broken, are the words aces use again and again to describe how we are perceived and made to feel.”

This book was not only en-lighting but made me feel seen, heard, and validated in ways that I can’t even begin to explain. I had herd about this book from other people who had found touching and informative. I went into this book not expecting much but just wanting to learn more about asexuality and I ended up leaving with not only being more informed but being more empowered. From the time that I entered high school to a few years ago, I felt confused with my sexuality as I wasn’t sure if I liked both sexes or just one, or if I wasn’t interested in sex at all. I can always remember my friends talking about relationships and sex and it made me a bit uncomfortable because I just didn’t feel very interested in it. Because of that, I always felt misunderstood and bullied and it wasn’t until a few years ago when I started finding out more about asexuality that I finally felt like I found what I was looking for as a teenager.

This book really made me feel understood and I can only hope the same for others who are dealing with similar feelings like I had and not being sure if they are asexual. I think asexuality is very misunderstood and even though more information is being introduced, there is still a very long way to go. But, I felt the way it was written in the book was well done and not over the top in anyway. In addition to how it was written, I did enjoy the feminism aspect of it because as someone who is white, I’ve never considered or even thought about the unique struggles if you’re a POC or trans. I think that’s very important to include when talking about issues like sexuality as you can lack privilege in one area and make up for it another. It’s important to know and understand the issues that others face as it helps bring more awareness to certain issues. Overall, this was a very informative, empowering, validating, and excellent book so I highly recommend checking it out.

Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell

Deja, I don’t want October to be over. Because October means you.”


This was a pretty fun and easy read. I’ve read a few of Rowell’s books and enjoyed them so I decided to check read this for my TBR. The story follows, Deja and Joshia who are seasonable best friends as every autumn throughout high school, they work together at the same pumpkin patch. But this time, it will be different as this is their last year working together before they graduate high school and go their separate ways. The two had different ideas for how their last shift should end but both believe that it should end with an adventure.

The characters especially Deja were fun, interesting, and relatable and I loved the relationship between Deja and Joshia as it felt real. The plot was cute and the ending was super cute and I liked how things developed throughout the story. I found the romance pretty cute and believable and I’m glad that it wasn’t rushed. Super cute and fun story so if you’re looking for a short and easy read, this is for you!

The Bronzed Beasts

“If you think what we are doing is impossible, then let us rewrite what possibility means. Together.”

Still reeling over Severin’s betrayal, the crew is fractured and while they armed with only a handful of hints, they must find their way through the snarled and haunted waterways of Venice, Italy to locate Severin. Meanwhile, Severin is on his own journey and one that could see him facing dangerous consequences as he faces the deranged whims of the patriarch of the fallen house and discover the location of a temple between a plague island where the divine lyre can be played and all his desires will come to pass. With only ten days until Lalia expires, the crew will face plague pits and dangerous masquerades, unearthly songs, and the shining steps of a temple whose powers might offer divinity itself but at a price that they’re not willing to pay.

Well this was a bit of letdown as I was anticipating that this would be a four or five star review. I was delighted to see the characters especially Zofia and Hypnos as they’ve been my favorites from the first book. I felt like they were fleshed out even more with growth as well as the other characters. Chokshi’s writing has really improved over the course of the trilogy and it really shows in this last book. I admire how she’s able to bring you into the world of the characters and make you feel like you’re apart of it. Now that I’ve talked about what I loved, it’s time to get what didn’t work for me. First off, the pacing was a little off at times and also didn’t match up to the plot in some parts so I felt confused during some parts. I felt like I was missing something and had to go back and reread certain sections. Which is why the ending didn’t really make a lot of sense to me because it felt rushed and forced as there were quite a few things that weren’t explained. So I feel like this book could’ve been a little better if things were explained better and not so forced as it felt. But, I’m sure others will enjoy it and that’s all that matters.