Tuesday, April 30, 2019

April Wrap Up & Book Haul

Can you believe that today is the last day of April??
This month has gone by SO quickly,
but I'm pretty thrilled that it was a pretty awesome book month for me!!
(I am SO glad to finally be over the book slump that I've been in since January.)

Here's what I read this month, and the new books I added to my collection as well!
Defy Me by Tahereh Mafi
Meet Cute by Helena Hunting
Fumbled by Alexa Martin
Secrets of the Tulip Sisters by Susan Mallery
Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman
Sailing Lessons by Hannah McKinnon
Spring Fever by Mary Kay Andrews
Autoboyography by Christina Lauren
Aru Shah and the Song of Death by Roshani Chokshi
Serious Moonlight by Jenn Bennett
Defy the Fates by Claudia Gray
If I'm Being Honest by Emily Wibberly &  Austin Siegemund-Broka
Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson
The Red Scrolls of Magic by Cassandra Clare and Wesley Chu

(New Books from Book Outlet and Thrift Books)

Lair of Dreams by Libba Bray
Surprise Me & My Not So Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella
Boardwalk Summer by Meredith Jaeger
Ladies' Night & Summer Rental by Mary Kay Andrews
Nothing More & Nothing Less by Anna Todd
Rainy Day Friends by Jill Shalvis
Year One by Nora Roberts
The Forever Summer by Jamie Brenner
The Perfect Couple by Elin Hilderbrand
Splendor, Envy & Rumors by Anna Godbersen

A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas
Fire With Fire by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian
Fumbled & Intercepted by Alexa Martin
Defy the Stars by Claudia Gray
Serious Moonlight by Jenn Bennett
The Kiss of Deception & The Heart of Betrayal by Mary E. Pearson
The One, The Heir, & The Crown by Kiera Cass
Defy Me by Tahereh Mafi
Aru Shah and the Song of Death by Roshani Chokshi
Soldier & Legion by Julie Kagawa
The Red Scrolls of Magic by Cassandra Clare & Wesley Chu

* * * Ebooks & Audiobooks Not Pictured * **
Drawing Home by Jamie Brenner
One Summer in Paris by Sarah Morgan
Lost Roses by Martha Hall Kelly

•  •  •

Whooo! Is that a lot of books, or what??
It feels like it's been too long since I've posted a good wrap up post, 
so I'm glad to finally have something to post.
:)

How was your reading month??

My Thoughts: Aru Shah and the Song of Death by Roshani Chokshi

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36323794-aru-shah-and-the-song-of-death
Aru Shah and the Song of Death
(Pandava Quartet #2)
by Roshani Chokshi
Website | Twitter | Instagram

Publication Date: April 30th 2019
Publisher: Rick Riordan Presents
Pages: 400
ISBN: 9781368013840
Genre: Middle Grade | Fantasy | Mythology
Source: Netgalley Review Copy

Add to Goodreads

Available for Purchase:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

Aru is only just getting the hang of this whole Pandava thing when the Otherworld goes into full panic mode. The god of love's bow and arrow have gone missing, and the thief isn't playing Cupid. Instead, they're turning people into heartless fighting-machine zombies. If that weren't bad enough, somehow Aru gets framed as the thief. If she doesn't find the arrow by the next full moon, she'll be kicked out of the Otherworld. For good.

But, for better or worse, she won't be going it alone.

Along with her soul-sister, Mini, Aru will team up with Brynne, an ultra-strong girl who knows more than she lets on, and Aiden, the boy who lives across the street and is also hiding plenty of secrets. Together they'll battle demons, travel through a glittering and dangerous serpent realm, and discover that their enemy isn't at all who they expected. (Goodreads)


Aru Shah and the Song of Death, the second book in the Pandava Quartet series by Roshani Chokshi, was super high on my list of most anticipated reads for 2019. I read Aru Shah and the End of Time, the first book in the series, last year, and enjoyed the story SO much that I couldn't wait to get my hands on this sequel. It definitely did not disappoint!!

One of the things that I love most about this book series is that it reminds me so much of the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan. They are fun, addictive reads that you can't help but love. So, it will come as no surprise to you that this book is one of many books brought to you by the Rick Riordan Presents, which is an imprint by Rick Riordan himself, which brings us middle grade books by authors from underrepresented cultures and backgrounds. I have had the pleasure of reading quite a few books from this imprint already, and they are all SO great!

Another thing that I love about this book is that the storyline is all about Hindu mythology, which I admittedly know very little about, but am learning more and more of as I read the books! I love that these stories are engaging and addictive, but also leave me feeling like I've learned something after I close the book. And the more I read these books, the more fascinated I become with the mythology, and it definitely leaves me wanting more! The storyline also has great messages and situations that so many will be able to relate to, and I love that as well.

And I can't finish up this review without saying something about the characters in the book. If you've read my review for the first book, you'll know just how much I adore the characters in the story, including the main characters, Aru and Mini, and especially Boo. And while we get our fill of these characters again, we are also introduced to a lot of new characters in this book, and I guarantee that you're going to love them all as well! (Brynne and Aidan especially!)

Overall; I was once again captivated by the awesomeness that is Aru Shah and her fantastic story. Roshani Chokshi definitely has yet another hit on her hands with Aru Shah and the Song of Death, and I absolutely can't wait to get my hands on the next book in the series, which is currently untitled and without a release day, but which I will most definitely be keeping my eye out for! If you've not yet read this series, I highly recommend it! (Especially if you like books like the Percy Jackson series!)

Monday, April 29, 2019

May Bookstagram Challenge!! #AlltheBooksMay19

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bwmex_SHf_V/

May is right around the corner, and it's almost time to start a new book challenge!!
Would you like to join along??
If so head over to Instagram and join Lori (loriimagination) and I 
#AlltheBooksMay19, our May Book Challenge!!

Why should you join along?

1. It's a lot of fun!

2. You get to see awesome book photos ALL DAY LONG!!

3. It's great way to discover new books, and meet new people!

4. Did I mention that you get to see photos of books all day?
(It's seriously the best!)

Sound like fun? It is! Head over to Instagram and check it out!!

#AlltheBooksMay19

My Thoughts: Fumbled by Alexa Martin

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40719305-fumbled
Fumbled
(Playbook #2)
by Alexa Martin
Website | Twitter | Instagram

Publication Date: April 23rd 2019
Publisher: Berkley Books
Pages: 336
ISBN: 9780451491978
Genre: Adult Fiction | Romance | Sports
Source: Review Copy / Own

Add to Goodreads

Available for Purchase:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

A second chance doesn't guarantee a touchdown in this new contemporary romance from the author of Intercepted.

Single-mother Poppy Patterson moved across the country when she was sixteen and pregnant to find a new normal. After years of hard work, she's built a life she loves. It may include a job at a nightclub, weekend soccer games, and more stretch marks than she anticipated, but it's all hers, and nobody can take that away. Well, except for one person.

TK Moore, the starting wide receiver for the Denver Mustangs, dreamt his entire life about being in the NFL. His world is football, parties, and women. Maybe at one point he thought his future would play out with his high school sweetheart by his side, but Poppy is long gone and he's moved on.  

When Poppy and TK cross paths in the most unlikely of places, emotions they've suppressed for years come rushing back. But with all the secrets they never told each other lying between them, they'll need more than a dating playbook to help them navigate their relationship. (Goodreads)


When a review copy of Fumbled, the second book in the Playbook series by Alexa Martin, arrived on my doorstep, (provided courtesy of Berkley Romance), I was super excited to check out the book. I have had Intercepted, the first book in the series, on my TBR for the longest, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity to binge-read the books. So that is exactly what I did!

As I mentioned above, Intercepted and Fumbled are the first two books in the Playbook series by Alexa Martin, these stories are all about football. I'm not much of a sports fan, even though I did use to watch football religiously, but while the book is set around the sport, it is definitely not the main focus, which I found to be enjoyable. And while the books are set around the same sports team, each book has a different set of main characters, which I also enjoyed.

Fumbled, (as well as Intercepted), was a really quick read, and I enjoyed both the cute and fun (and sometimes drama filled) storylines, as well as the important messages that were in the book, including some of the dangers that come along with the sport, as well as the treatment that women have to deal with on a daily basis. This book really has it all, including really awesome characters, and a super sweet, (also STEAMY), romance as well.

Overall; though I am not a huge fan of sports books, I did really enjoy both Intercepted and Fumbled! I flew through these books in no time, and they definitely left me wanting more, so I will be patiently waiting the release of the next book in the series, Blitzed, which is currently set to release in December! I absolutely can't wait to check it out.

Friday, April 26, 2019

My Thoughts: The Red Scrolls of Magic by Cassandra Clare and Wesley Chu (Audiobook)

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35297403-the-red-scrolls-of-magic
The Red Scrolls of Magic
(The Eldest Curses #1)
by Cassandra Clare
Website | Twitter | Instagram
& Wesley Chu
Website

Publication Date: April 9th 2019
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Pages: 350
ISBN: 9781481495080
Genre: Young Adult | Fantasy
Source: Review Copy from Publisher / Own

Add to Goodreads

Available for Purchase:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

From #1 New York Times bestseller Cassandra Clare and Wesley Chu comes the first book in a new trilogy featuring the centuries-old High Warlock Magnus Bane and Alec Lightwood after they survive the Mortal War.

Magnus Bane, a centuries old High Warlock, has taken possession of one of the great relics of the supernatural world, a powerful spell book of dark magic known as The Book of the White and there are many who want to claim it for themselves.

After the Mortal War where the part-human and part-angel Shadowhunters teamed with the part human-demon Downworlders to fight against the incursion of an army of demons, Magnus and his new lover, the mortal Alec Lightwood celebrate their survival and victory by escaping the supernatural battlefield of New York City by touring the world, but the world won’t leave them alone.

The first adult novel set within #1 New York Times bestselling author Cassandra Clare’s Shadowhunter series, The Lost Book of the White, written with award-winning science fiction author Wesley Chu, is a fantasy thriller that will give new readers a great way to enter the Shadowhunters world and give the millions of readers across the globe answers they’ve been looking for in this start of The Eldest Curses trilogy. (Goodreads)


I am a sucker for Cassandra Clare’s books, and I’m always excited when she has something new releasing. I absolutely couldn’t wait to get started on The Red Scrolls of Magic, which is the first book in the brand new Eldest Curses series, which she co-wrote with Wesley Chu. I am so thrilled to have read this book. It did not disappoint!

The Red Scrolls of Magic may be the beginning of a new series, but it’s set in the same world as Cassie’s other Shadowhunter books. This book actually takes place not long after the end of The Mortal Instruments series, and the story is all about Magnus and Alec. (Malec!) I love that the storyline for this book felt completely new, yet so familiar as well. I really enjoyed it, and I’m super curious to see where this story is going to go. I also really loved the setting for the book! I’ve read quite a few books lately that are set in Paris and other parts of Europe, and it’s so interesting to read about! Those are definitely places that I want to visit as well.

As I mentioned before, this book is all about Magnus and Alec. I have been SO curious about Magnus since I first met him in The Mortal Instruments series, and I am thrilled we are FINALLY getting to know more of his story. And oh what a story he has! We get to learn so much of Magnus’s past in this book, yet it still left me wanting to know more and more about him. I really enjoyed Alec in this story as well, and I loved watching the relationship grow between he and Magnus as the story went along. There are also a lot of new, and a few familiar, secondary characters in this story to get to know as well!

I also want to add that I switched between the print version of this book and the audiobook, which is narrated by the talented DB Wong, who did an excellent job with the voices and story. I very much enjoyed listening along as I read this book!

Overall; The Eldest Curses series is off to a great start with The Red Scrolls of Magic! I really enjoyed both the newness and familiarity of this story, and I can’t wait to get my hands on the next book to read more. I love Magnus and Alec, and I need more of their story asap! I will most definitely be keeping my eye out for The Lost Book of White and The Black Volume of the Dead!
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bvv8VJrHdrr/

Monday, April 22, 2019

My Thoughts: Serious Moonlight by Jenn Bennett

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36511805-serious-moonlight
Serious Moonlight
by Jenn Bennett
Website | Twitter | Instagram

Publication Date: April 16th 2019
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pages: 432
ISBN: 9781534425149
Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary
Source: Review Copy From Publisher / Own

Add to Goodreads

Available for Purchase:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

After an awkward first encounter, Birdie and Daniel are forced to work together in a Seattle hotel where a famous author leads a mysterious and secluded life in this romantic contemporary novel from the author of Alex, Approximately.

Mystery-book aficionado Birdie Lindberg has an overactive imagination. Raised in isolation and homeschooled by strict grandparents, she’s cultivated a whimsical fantasy life in which she plays the heroic detective and every stranger is a suspect. But her solitary world expands when she takes a job the summer before college, working the graveyard shift at a historic Seattle hotel.

In her new job, Birdie hopes to blossom from introverted dreamer to brave pioneer, and gregarious Daniel Aoki volunteers to be her guide. The hotel’s charismatic young van driver shares the same nocturnal shift and patronizes the waterfront Moonlight Diner where she waits for the early morning ferry after work. Daniel also shares her appetite for intrigue, and he’s stumbled upon a real-life mystery: a famous reclusive writer—never before seen in public—might be secretly meeting someone at the hotel.

To uncover the writer’s puzzling identity, Birdie must come out of her shell…discovering that most confounding mystery of all may be her growing feelings for the elusive riddle that is Daniel. (Goodreads)


I was super excited to get started on Serious Moonlight, as I have read both of Jenn Bennett’s previous books, Alex, Approximately and Starry Eyes, and really enjoyed them both. I couldn’t wait to get started on this newest book journey from Jenn with Serious Moonlight!

There are so many things that I enjoyed about this book, with one being the characters. There are a lot of characters in this book to like, including the main character, Birdie. I really enjoyed Birdie’s love of mysteries, and she’s pretty awesome at detective work. She didn’t have the best childhood growing up, but she’s doing the best she can for herself. Daniel definitely helps her out along the way, and I really enjoyed watching the relationship grow between the two of them. (Also, Daniel is seriously the best.)

Another thing I really enjoyed about this book was the setting. I can’t say that I’ve read many books that are set in Seattle, and I thought Jenn did a great job of describing all of the places Birdie and Daniel visited throughout the story. It totally made me want to visit there sometime!

And I also really enjoyed the storyline for the book. I am a sucker for a good contemporary story, and this book definitely fit the bill. This book discusses a wide range of things including sex and health, as well as death and suicide, and I know a lot of people will find things in the story to relate to. (I know I did.) I love that there is even a little mystery in the story as well, even if it went in a direction I didn’t really expect, but that definitely added to the story.

Overall; I think Jenn Bennett definitely has another hit on her hands with Serious Moonlight! This story has a little bit of everything, and it was just what I needed to read at the moment. I’m beyond thrilled to have a copy sitting on my shelf alongside Alex, Approximately and Starry Eyes, and I will definitely be keeping my eye out for more from Jenn in the future!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BwJsA-dnlFP/

Wednesday, April 17, 2019

Waiting on Wednesday: There's Something About Sweetie & Somewhere Only We Know

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35583527-there-s-something-about-sweetie
There's Something About Sweetie
(Dimple and Rishi #2)
by Sandhya Menon
Website | Twitter | Instagram

Publication Date: May 14th 2019
Publisher: Simon Pulse
ISBN: 9781534416789

Add to Goodreads

Available for Pre-Order:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

The irresistible companion novel to the New York Times bestseller When Dimple Met Rishi, which follows Rishi’s brother, Ashish, and a confident fat athlete named Sweetie as they both discover what love means to them.

Ashish Patel
didn’t know love could be so…sucky. After he’s dumped by his ex-girlfriend, his mojo goes AWOL. Even worse, his parents are annoyingly, smugly confident they could find him a better match. So, in a moment of weakness, Ash challenges them to set him up.


The Patels insist that Ashish date an Indian-American girl—under contract. Per subclause 1(a), he’ll be taking his date on “fun” excursions like visiting the Hindu temple and his eccentric Gita Auntie. Kill him now. How is this ever going to work?

Sweetie Nair is many things: a formidable track athlete who can outrun most people in California, a loyal friend, a shower-singing champion. Oh, and she’s also fat. To Sweetie’s traditional parents, this last detail is the kiss of death.

Sweetie loves her parents, but she’s so tired of being told she’s lacking because she’s fat. She decides it’s time to kick off the Sassy Sweetie Project, where she’ll show the world (and herself) what she’s really made of.

Ashish and Sweetie both have something to prove. But with each date they realize there’s an unexpected magic growing between them. Can they find their true selves without losing each other? (Goodreads)

Ohhhh!
Are you, like me, SO EXCITED for this book??
I absolutely loved When Dimple Met Rishi, and I'm super excited for Ashish's story!!
I can't wait to get started on it, and hopefully soon!


https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36992163-somewhere-only-we-know?from_search=true
Somewhere Only We Know
by Maurene Goo
Website | Twitter | Instagram

Publication Date: May 7th 2019
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
ISBN: 9780374310578

Add to Goodreads

Available for Pre-Order:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

10 00 p.m.: Lucky is the biggest K-pop star on the scene, and she's just performed her hit song "Heartbeat" in Hong Kong to thousands of adoring fans. She's about to debut on The Tonight Show in America, hopefully a breakout performance for her career. But right now? She's in her fancy hotel, trying to fall asleep but dying for a hamburger.

11 00 p.m.: Jack is sneaking into a fancy hotel, on assignment for his tabloid job that he keeps secret from his parents. On his way out of the hotel, he runs into a girl wearing slippers, a girl who is single-mindedly determined to find a hamburger. She looks kind of familiar. She's very cute. He's maybe curious.

12:00 a.m.: Nothing will ever be the same. (Goodreads)

Confession: I have never read a book by Maurene Goo before!
(Even though I have quite a few of her books on my TBR,
and even have one book sitting on my shelf!)
This book sounds really cute, and the perfect book for my first Maurene read.
I'm super excited to start it!

**"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine,
that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.**


Tuesday, April 16, 2019

Top Ten Tuesday: Rainy Day Reads


April 16th: Rainy Day Reads

Happy Tuesday, Bookworms!!
Do you have a particular type of book that you love to read on rainy days?
I looooove curling up with a good contemporary on a rainy day,
and on sunny day, and any other kind of day!

Here are just a few books that I would love to read on a rainy day!!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42201431-the-unhoneymooners https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43124133-ayesha-at-last?from_search=true

The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren
Ayesha at Last by Uzma Jalaluddin

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41063454-meet-cute?from_search=true https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41716146-the-plus-one

Meet Cute by Helena Hunting
The Plus One by Sophia Money-Coutts

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42202094-passion-on-park-avenue https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40969415-waiting-for-tom-hanks

Passion on Park Avenue by Lauren Layne
Waiting for Tom Hanks by Kerry Winfrey

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37585029-intercepted https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33815781-the-wedding-date

Intercepted by Alexa Martin
The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39752830-california-girls?from_search=true https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35397715-one-and-only

California Girls by Susan Mallery
One and Only by Jenny Holiday

•    •    •

Those are just a few of the books I'd love to curl up with on a rainy day!!
What books do you like to read when it's rainy out??

Monday, April 15, 2019

My Thoughts: Lost Roses by Martha Hall Kelly

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40988979-lost-roses
Lost Roses
(Lilac Girls #2 Prequel)
by Martha Hall Kelly
Website | Twitter | Instagram

Publication Date: April 9th 2019
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Pages: 448
ISBN: 9781524796372
Genre: Adult Fiction | Historical
Source: Netgalley Review Copy

Add to Goodreads

Available for Purchase:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

The runaway bestseller Lilac Girls introduced the real-life heroine Caroline Ferriday. This sweeping new novel, set a generation earlier and also inspired by true events, features Caroline's mother, Eliza, and follows three equally indomitable women from St. Petersburg to Paris under the shadow of World War I.

It is 1914 and the world has been on the brink of war so many times, many New Yorker's treat the subject with only passing interest. Eliza Ferriday is thrilled to be traveling to St. Petersburg with Sofya Streshnayva, a cousin of the Romanov's. The two met years ago one summer in Paris and became close confidantes. Now Eliza embarks on the trip of a lifetime, home with Sofya to see the splendors of Russia. But when Austria declares war on Serbia and Russia's Imperial dynasty begins to fall, Eliza escapes back to America, while Sofya and her family flee to their country estate. In need of domestic help, they hire the local fortuneteller's daughter, Varinka, unknowingly bringing intense danger into their household. On the other side of the Atlantic, Eliza is doing her part to help the White Russian families find safety as they escape the revolution. But when Sofya's letters suddenly stop coming she fears the worst for her best friend.

From the turbulent streets of St. Petersburg to the avenues of Paris and the society of fallen Russian emigre's who live there, the lives of Eliza, Sofya, and Varinka will intersect in profound ways, taking readers on a breathtaking ride through a momentous time in history. (Goodreads)


I have had a copy of Lilac Girls by Martha Kelly Hall sitting on my bookshelf for the longest, but have not yet had the opportunity to pick up the book. When I discovered Lost Roses, I knew I wanted to read both books as soon as possible. I had hoped to read Lilac Girls first, but then I discovered that Lost Roses was a prequel, so I decided to start with it. (I’m not sure if everyone should read the books this way, that is just the way that I decided to read them.) I am just thrilled to have finally read something by Martha, and I can’t wait to read more!

As I mentioned above, Lost Roses is the prequel to Lilac Girls, even though the story was written after Lilac Girls was published. I have to be completely honest and tell you that I have not read very many books set during World War I, and I actually have very little knowledge on anything other than the US parts of it. Lost Roses was set during that time period, and focuses mainly on the Russian aspects of the war. That made the storyline for this book very interesting for me, as I love learning something new, even when it is super hard to read about, (and some parts of this book were definitely hard to read). I had no idea that any of the stuff in this story had actually happened, and about it was definitely an eye-opening experience for me.

The story is told from three different viewpoints, by Eliza, Sofya, and Varinka. I’m not going to go into too many details about these women, but I will say that each one is fascinating in their own way, and each of them has an interesting story to tell. Sofya’s story is definitely the most heartbreaking to read, while Varinka’s story often frustrated me to no end. Eliza’s story felt completely different, yet still so relatable, and I do love her and her mother and daughter as well. (Her daughter, Caroline, is one of the main characters in Lilac Girls!)

Overall; I am so thrilled to have read Lost Roses, as I have wanted to read something by Martha Hall Kelly for the longest! I am now even more excited to read Lilac Girls, which I am hoping to get to as soon as I possibly can. I will also be on the lookout for more books by Martha in the future!

Wednesday, April 10, 2019

My Thoughts: One Summer in Paris by Sarah Morgan

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40142492-one-summer-in-paris
One Summer in Paris
by Sarah Morgan
Website | Twitter | Instagram

Publication Date: April 9th 2019
Publisher: Harlequin Books
Pages: 400
ISBN: 9781335507549
Genre: Adult Fiction | Romance | Contemporary
Source: Netgalley Review Copy

Add to Goodreads

Available for Purchase:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

“Morgan is a masterful storyteller, and readers will be fully immersed in this realistic but magical summer in Paris. Packed full of love, loss, heartbreak, and hope, this may just be Morgan’s best book yet. For fans of Jojo Moyes, Taylor Jenkins Reid, and Stacey Ballis” -Booklist Review on One Summer in Paris

USA TODAY bestselling author Sarah Morgan returns with this heartwarming novel about the power of friendship, love and what happens when an ending is just the beginning…

To celebrate their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary, Grace has planned the surprise of a lifetime for her husband—a romantic getaway to Paris. But she never expected he’d have a surprise of his own: he wants a divorce. Reeling from the shock but refusing to be broken, a devastated Grace makes the bold decision to go to Paris alone.

Audrey, a young woman from London, has left behind a heartache of her own when she arrives in Paris. A job in a bookshop is her ticket to freedom, but with no money and no knowledge of the French language, suddenly a summer spent wandering the cobbled streets alone seems much more likely…until she meets Grace, and everything changes.

Grace can’t believe how daring Audrey is. Audrey can’t believe how cautious newly single Grace is. Living in neighboring apartments above the bookshop, this unlikely pair offer each other just what they’ve both been missing. They came to Paris to find themselves, but finding this unbreakable friendship might be the best thing that’s ever happened to them… (Goodreads)


I am ALL about reading summer themed books at the moment, so when I discovered One Summer in Paris by Sarah Morgan, I knew I would have to add it to my reading list! I have had a few of Sarah’s books on my TBR for a while now, but have not had the opportunity to read them yet, and One Summer in Paris sounded like a great place to start!

First of all, reading this book totally made me want to visit Paris. (Something I hope to do, one day, if I can get over my fear of flying!) The setting for the book was one of my most favorite things. Sarah did a great job of describing Paris, and I could picture it clearly in my mind. I do wish that the characters had visited more places throughout the story, but I loved the places they did visit. (Hopefully I will get to as well one day!)

Another thing I really enjoyed about this book was the characters. The story is told from a couple of different ladies’ viewpoints, which I enjoyed, and though each lady was from different age groups, I still managed to relate with each of them. (I love when that happens!) I think I related to Graces story the most, and I enjoyed watching her character grow over the course of the story.

Overall; One Summer in Paris is a quick, interesting read, and it was just the book I needed to kick off my summer reading list! I am definitely now excited to read more of Sarah’s books, and I do believe I will be checking out How to Keep a Secret and the From Manhattan with Love series soon!

Waiting on Wednesday: Finale & We Hunt the Flame

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36492488-we-hunt-the-flame
Finale
(Caraval #3)
by Stephanie Garber
Website | Twitter | Instagram

Publication Date: May 7th 2019
Publisher: Flatiron Books
ISBN: 9781250157669

Add to Goodreads

Available for Pre-Order:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

Welcome, welcome to Finale, the third and final book in the #1 New York Times bestselling Caraval series!

Welcome, welcome to Caraval...all games must come to an end.

It’s been two months since the last Caraval concluded, two months since the Fates have been freed from an enchanted deck of cards, two months since Tella has seen Legend, and two months since Legend claimed the empire’s throne as his own. Now, Legend is preparing for his official coronation and Tella is determined to stop it. She believes her own mother, who still remains in an enchanted sleep, is the rightful heir to the throne.

Meanwhile, Scarlett has started a game of her own. She’s challenged Julian and her former fiancé, Count Nicolas d’Arcy, to a competition where the winner will receive her hand in marriage. Finaly, Scarlett feels as if she is in complete control over her life and future. She is unaware that her mother’s past has put her in the greatest danger of all.

Caraval is over, but perhaps the greatest game of all has begun―with lives, empires, and hearts all at stake. There are no spectators this time: only those who will win...and those who will lose everything. . . (Goodreads)

Whooo! Is anyone else super curious for this book?
I'm dying to know how the series is going to end.
I can't wait to get started on this!!


https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36492488-we-hunt-the-flame
We Hunt the Flame
(Sands of Arawiya #1)
by Hafsah Faizal
Website | Twitter | Instagram

Publication Date: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Publisher: May 14th 2019
ISBN: 9780374311544

Add to Goodreads

Available for Pre-Order:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

People lived because she killed.
People died because he lived.


Zafira is the Hunter, disguising herself as a man when she braves the cursed forest of the Arz to feed her people. Nasir is the Prince of Death, assassinating those foolish enough to defy his autocratic father, the king. If Zafira was exposed as a girl, all of her achievements would be rejected; if Nasir displayed his compassion, his father would punish him in the most brutal of ways.

Both are legends in the kingdom of Arawiya—but neither wants to be.

War is brewing, and the Arz sweeps closer with each passing day, engulfing the land in shadow. When Zafira embarks on a quest to uncover a lost artifact that can restore magic to her suffering world and stop the Arz, Nasir is sent by the king on a similar mission: retrieve the artifact and kill the Hunter. But an ancient evil stirs as their journey unfolds—and the prize they seek may pose a threat greater than either can imagine.

Set in a richly detailed world inspired by ancient Arabia, We Hunt the Flame is a gripping debut of discovery, conquering fear, and taking identity into your own hands. (Goodreads)

Does this sound really awesome, or what??
I've heard nothing but good things from people who have read it so far,
and I absolutely can't wait to read it myself!
(And soon!)

**"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine,
that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.**