Wednesday, July 31, 2019

July '19 Wrap Up & Book Haul


Happy Last day of July, Bookworms!!

Can you believe that July is almost over? This month, like all months, has gone by too quickly. I'm not sure I'm reading for August, even though that does mean we are that much closer to Fall, and I'm ALL for that. :)

July was a pretty good reading month for me! Check out what I read this month, and the books I added to my collection, below!


Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim
The Wedding Party by Jasmine Guillory
The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman
House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig
A Dress for the Wicked by Autumn Krause

*not pictured*
Ghosts of the Shadow Market by Cassandra Clare
The Iron Trial by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare
How to Hack a Heartbreak byKristin Rockaway
The Map From Here to There by Emery Lord
A Heart So Fierce and Broken by Brigid Kemmerer



Ghosts of the Shadow Market by Cassandra Clare (and other authors)
Avenged by Amy Tintera
The Great Hunt by Wendy Higgins
Autoboyography by Christina Lauren
The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman
The Wedding Party by Jasmine Guillory
The Young Elites by Marie Lu
The Dark Prophecy by Rick Riordan
LifeL1K3 by Jay Kristoff
The Crown's Fate by Evelyn Skye
An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco

* not pictured *
The Summer of Sunshine and Margot by Susan Mallery
Maybe This Time by Kasie West
Rich People Problems by Kevin Kwan


•   •   •


So many great books for July! Here's hoping August will be just as good!

How was your reading month in July??

Thursday, July 25, 2019

My Thoughts: Ruined by Amy Tintera

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26074185-ruined
Ruined
(Ruined #1)
by Amy Tintera
Website | Twitter | Instagram

Publication Date: May 3rd 2016
Publisher: Harper Teen
Pages: 355
ISBN: 9780062396600
Genre: Young Adult | Fantasy
Source: Edelweiss Review Copy / Own

Add to Goodreads

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

A revenge that will consume her. A love that will ruin her.

Emelina Flores has nothing. Her home in Ruina has been ravaged by war. She lacks the powers of her fellow Ruined. Worst of all, she witnessed her parents’ brutal murders and watched helplessly as her sister, Olivia, was kidnapped.

But because Em has nothing, she has nothing to lose. Driven by a blind desire for revenge, Em sets off on a dangerous journey to the enemy kingdom of Lera. Somewhere within Lera’s borders, Em hopes to find Olivia. But in order to find her, Em must infiltrate the royal family.

In a brilliant, elaborate plan of deception and murder, Em marries Prince Casimir, next in line to take Lera’s throne. If anyone in Lera discovers Em is not Casimir’s true betrothed, Em will be executed on the spot. But it’s the only way to salvage Em’s kingdom and what is left of her family.

Em is determined to succeed, but the closer she gets to the prince, the more she questions her mission. Em’s rage-filled heart begins to soften. But with her life—and her family—on the line, love could be Em’s deadliest mistake. (Goodreads)


I originally read Ruined by Amy Tintera back in 2016, but for some reason I never reviewed the book or continued the series, even though I totally meant to do so. I’ve recently been on a mission to read, (and/or finish), all of the book series that I am behind on, and the Ruined series was high on my list to read this year. I definitely enjoyed reading this book again, and I’m super excited to continue with the rest of the series!

As I mentioned above, I read Ruined way back in 2016 when it was first released, and remember really loving the story when I read it. That being said, having read the book so long ago, and having read hundreds of books since then, I didn’t remember much about the storyline. I was more than happy to start the series over from the beginning, and I’m thrilled that once I started reading the book again, everything that I had forgotten from the first time I read it came flooding back. (Don’t you love it when that happens?!)

There are a lot of things that I really like about this book. It has a great group of characters, including Emelina, the main character, who is an awesome heroine, and also Prince Casimir, who is adorable in a sheltered, naïve kind of way. It was interesting to watch their relationship grow over the course of the book. And while they were definitely my favorites in the book, there are also some pretty awesome secondary characters as well.

Another thing that I liked from the book was the storyline. It’s a fantasy that includes kingdoms and special powers and kings and queens, and it all wraps up into quite an addictive story. I’m super excited to finally get the second (and third) book in my hands so I can continue the storyline and see what’s going to happen next. (And I’m definitely kicking myself for not having continued this series sooner!)

Overall; Ruined is the first book in what should prove to be an awesome series by Amy Tintera! I wish I had read/finished this series sooner, but I’m excited to finally be reading it now, and better late than never, right? If you enjoy a good fantasy, definitely look into this series!

Wednesday, July 24, 2019

My Thoughts: The Crown's Fate by Evelyn Skye

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27211901-the-crown-s-fate
The Crown's Fate
(The Crown's Game #2)
by Evelyn Skye
Website | Twitter | Instagram

Publication Date: May 16th 2017
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Pages: 417
ISBN: 9780062422613
Genre: Young Adult | Fantasy
Source: Edelweiss Review Copy \ Own

Add to Goodreads

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

Russia is on the brink of great change. Pasha’s coronation approaches, and Vika is now the Imperial Enchanter, but the role she once coveted may be more difficult—and dangerous—than she ever expected.

Pasha is grappling with his own problems—his legitimacy is in doubt, the girl he loves loathes him, and he believes his best friend is dead. When a challenger to the throne emerges—and with the magic in Russia growing rapidly—Pasha must do whatever it takes to keep his position and protect his kingdom.

For Nikolai, the ending of the Crown’s Game stung deeply. Although he just managed to escape death, Nikolai remains alone, a shadow hidden in a not-quite-real world of his own creation. But when he’s given a second chance at life—tied to a dark price—Nikolai must decide just how far he’s willing to go to return to the world.

With revolution on the rise, dangerous new magic rearing up, and a tsardom up for the taking, Vika, Nikolai, and Pasha must fight—or face the destruction of not only their world but also themselves. (Goodreads)

The Crown’s Fate is the second and final book in the The Crown’s Game duology by Evelyn Skye, and after having read the first book, The Crown’s Game, twice, I couldn’t wait to see what happened next and how this series was going to end. It was such a great read!

The Crown’s Fate picks up right after The Crown’s Game leaves off. After that pretty massive cliffhanger in the first book, I had no idea what to expect from this sequel. But what an interesting sequel it was!

One of the things I liked the most from this series was how magical the story was, and how lyrical the writing was. As I mentioned in my review for The Crown’s Game, this series very much reminds me of The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, which is one of my most favorite magical reads. This story has a similar feel, so if you like that book, you should definitely check out this series. I also found the Russian history and setting for the book as well. The setting was SO well described over the course of both books, and I could picture it perfectly in my mind.

Another thing that I really loved about this series were the characters. Vika was definitely my favorite, and I enjoyed watching her character grow over the course of the book. She’s such a great magician! I also love Pasha and Nikolai as well, though it seemed like the two switched places sometime between the first book and the second. I didn’t care for the evil versions of these characters at all, but I loved it when they were, you know, normal. :)

Overall; The Crown’s Fate was a really nice follow-up to The Crown’s Game, and I think it really wrapped up this duology quite nicely. I’m sad that the series had to come to an end, but I’m thrilled that I can read the books again, and I’m definitely going to try to do that soon. I will also definitely be keeping my eye out for more books by Evelyn in the future!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BzsY7_5nzMg/

Waiting on Wednesday: Five Dark Fates and Serpent & Dove

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35391237-five-dark-fates
Five Dark Fates
(Three Dark Crowns #4)
by Kendare Blake
Website | Twitter | Instagram

Publication Date: September 3rd 2019
Publisher: Harper Teen
ISBN: 9780062686176

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

After the battle with Katharine, the rebellion lies in tatters. Jules’s legion curse has been unbound, leaving her out of her mind and unfit to rule. Arsinoe must find a cure, even as the responsibility of stopping the ravaging mist rests heavy on her shoulders, and her shoulders alone. Mirabella has disappeared.

Queen Katharine’s rule over Fennbirn remains intact—for now. But her attack on the rebellion exacted a high price: her beloved Pietyr. Without him, who can she rely upon when Mirabella arrives, seemingly under a banner of truce? As oldest and youngest circle each other, and Katharine begins to yearn for the closeness that Mirabella and Arsinoe share, the dead queens hiss caution—Mirabella is not to be trusted.

In this conclusion to the Three Dark Crowns series, three dark sisters will rise to fight as the secrets of Fennbirn’s history are laid bare. Allegiances will shift. Bonds will be tested, and some broken forever.


The fate of the island lies in the hands of its queens. (Goodreads)

Hands up if you're super excited to get your hands on this book!
*HANDS UP*
I am so curious to see how this series is going to end,
even though I also totally don't want it to end AT ALL!


https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40024139-serpent-dove
Serpent & Dove
(Serpent & Dove #1)
by Shelby Mahurin
Website | Twitter | Instagram

Publication Date: September 3rd 2019
Publisher: Harper Teen
ISBN: 9780062878021

Add to Goodreads

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

Bound as one to love, honor, or burn.

Two years ago, Louise le Blanc fled her coven and took shelter in the city of Cesarine, forsaking all magic and living off whatever she could steal. There, witches like Lou are hunted. They are feared. And they are burned.

Sworn to the Church as a Chasseur, Reid Diggory has lived his life by one principle: thou shalt not suffer a witch to live. His path was never meant to cross with Lou's, but a wicked stunt forces them into an impossible union—holy matrimony.

The war between witches and Church is an ancient one, and Lou's most dangerous enemies bring a fate worse than fire. Unable to ignore her growing feelings, yet powerless to change what she is, a choice must be made.

And love makes fools of us all. (Goodreads)

Does this book sound awesome, or what??
And the cover is super gorgeous as well.
I can't wait to check it out!!

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


Tuesday, July 23, 2019

My Thoughts: The Plus One by Sophia Money-Coutts (Audiobook)

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41716146-the-plus-one
The Plus One
by  Sophia Money-Coutts
Website | Twitter | Instagram

Publication Date: May 28th 2019
Publisher: HQ
Pages: 384
ISBN: 9780008328641
Genre: Adult Fiction | Contemporary | Romance
Source: Edelweiss Review Copy

Add to Goodreads

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

‘So funny. And the sex is amazing – makes me feel like a nun!’ Jilly Cooper

‘Light, fizzy and as snort-inducing as a pint of Prosecco.’ Evening Standard Magazine

‘Hilarious and compelling.’ Daily Mail

‘Perfect summer reading for fans of Jilly Cooper and Bridget Jones.’ HELLO!

The Plus One [n] informal a person who accompanies an invited person to a wedding or a reminder of being single, alone and absolutely plus none

Polly Spencer is fine. She’s single, turning thirty and only managed to have sex twice last year (both times with a Swedish banker called Fred), but seriously, she’s fine. Even if she’s still stuck at Posh! magazine writing about royal babies and the chances of finding a plus one to her best friend’s summer wedding are looking worryingly slim.

But it’s a New Year, a new leaf and all that. Polly’s determined that over the next 365 days she’ll remember to shave her legs, drink less wine and generally get her s**t together. Her latest piece is on the infamous Jasper, Marquess of Milton, undoubtedly neither a plus one nor ‘the one’. She’s heard the stories, there’s no way she’ll succumb to his charms…

A laugh-out-loud, toe-curlingly honest debut for fans of Helen Fielding, Bryony Gordon and Jilly Cooper. (Goodreads)


The first thing that drew me to The Plus One by Sophia Money-Coutts was the adorable cover for the book. It definitely draws your attention! Then I checked out the summary for the book, and knew I had to check it out. The story sounded like a lot of fun, and it was!

If you’ve followed me on social media or here on my blog for a while, you’ll know that contemporaries are my absolutely favorite at the moment, particularly rom-coms, and I can’t seem to get enough of them. The Plus One sounded right up my alley in that department, and I was super excited to check it out.

One thing that I loved about this book is how relatable it was. We’ve all felt the things that Polly felt throughout the story; the insecurities, the lack of confidence, we’ve all been there. BUT, Polly definitely handles all that life throws at her in a much better way that I would, but that just made me like her even more. Thus, hilarious moments ensue throughout the story.

The storyline for the book was cute and lots of fun, but also had a few touching moments as well, mostly involving Polly and her mom. I loved their relationship so much, and though they are going through a trying time during the story, their relationship stays strong. I love that.

I also really enjoyed a twist near the end of the book that I totally didn’t see coming, even though I should have! (Don’t worry, I am not going to spoil it for you, but if you do read the book, do let me know if you saw it coming or not!)

I also want to add that while I had a digital version of this book, I opted to listen to the audiobook, as I discovered that it’s actually narrated by the author, Sophia Money-Coutts herself. This was a really great decision on my part, as Sophia did an excellent job of telling me her story! I wish more authors were narrators for their books. How awesome would that be??

Overall; The Plus One was a hilarious and relatable read, and I enjoyed it more than I expected to! I am definitely looking forward to reading more of Sophia’s books, including her next book, What Happens Now, which is currently set to release in August! (Though I am not sure if that’s for the US release, or the UK.) Either way, I’m excited to check it out.

Monday, July 22, 2019

My Thoughts: The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42431386-the-bookish-life-of-nina-hill
The Bookish Life of Nina Hill
by Abbi Waxman
Website | Twitter | Instagram

Publication Date: July 9th 2019
Publisher: Berkley Books
Pages: 352
ISBN: 9780451491879
Genre: Adult Fiction | Contemporary | Romance
Source: Netgalley Review Copy / Own

Add to Goodreads

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

"Abbi Waxman is both irreverent and thoughtful."--#1 New York Times bestselling author Emily Giffin

The author of Other People's Houses and The Garden of Small Beginnings delivers a quirky and charming novel chronicling the life of confirmed introvert Nina Hill as she does her best to fly under everyone's radar.

Meet Nina Hill: A young woman supremely confident in her own...shell.

The only child of a single mother, Nina has her life just as she wants it: a job in a bookstore, a kick-butt trivia team, a world-class planner and a cat named Phil. If she sometimes suspects there might be more to life than reading, she just shrugs and picks up a new book.

When the father Nina never knew existed suddenly dies, leaving behind innumerable sisters, brothers, nieces, and nephews, Nina is horrified. They all live close by! They're all--or mostly all--excited to meet her! She'll have to Speak. To. Strangers. It's a disaster! And as if that wasn't enough, Tom, her trivia nemesis, has turned out to be cute, funny, and deeply interested in getting to know her. Doesn't he realize what a terrible idea that is?

Nina considers her options.
1. Completely change her name and appearance. (Too drastic, plus she likes her hair.)
2. Flee to a deserted island. (Hard pass, see: coffee).
3. Hide in a corner of her apartment and rock back and forth. (Already doing it.)

It's time for Nina to come out of her comfortable shell, but she isn't convinced real life could ever live up to fiction. It's going to take a brand-new family, a persistent suitor, and the combined effects of ice cream and trivia to make her turn her own fresh page. (Goodreads)


The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman was one of my most anticipated reads for this summer, and I am so thrilled to have finally read the book! Just judging by the summary for the book, I knew I would love it, AND I DID!

One of the things I love most about this book is how much I related to it. The main character, Nina, and I have SO much in common, and it was interesting to see so much of myself in a book character! (Though I am definitely a bit more introverted, especially around people, but I totally get it, Nina.) Nina was great, and I very much enjoyed reading the story from her point of view. Also, I love her love of books as well!

The storyline for this book was super cute as well, and I was hooked as I flew through the pages. I love that Nina participated in trivia nights, and was in so many different book clubs. (I would totally do this if any were available in my area, but alas, I have yet to find one.) This also made the story relatable, and I loved it. Through in some great secondary characters, and this was just an around fun book!

Overall; The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman was just the book I needed to read at the moment, and I’m SO thrilled to have read it and added it to my collection! I loved the characters, and the storyline, and being able to relate to so much in the book, and it was all really great. I definitely need more books like this in my life, and I will most definitely be keeping my eye out for more books by Abbi Waxman in the future!

Thursday, July 11, 2019

My Thoughts: The Crown's Game by Evelyn Skye (Audiobook)

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26156203-the-crown-s-game
The Crown's Game
(The Crown's Game #1)
by Evelyn Skye
Website | Twitter | Instagram

Publication Date: May 17th 2016
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Pages: 407
ISBN: 9780062422583
Genre: Young Adult | Fantasy
Source: Edelweiss Review Copy \ Own

Add to Goodreads

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

Vika Andreyeva can summon the snow and turn ash into gold. Nikolai Karimov can see through walls and conjure bridges out of thin air. They are enchanters—the only two in Russia—and with the Ottoman Empire and the Kazakhs threatening, the tsar needs a powerful enchanter by his side.

And so he initiates the Crown’s Game, an ancient duel of magical skill—the greatest test an enchanter will ever know. The victor becomes the Imperial Enchanter and the tsar’s most respected adviser. The defeated is sentenced to death.

Raised on tiny Ovchinin Island her whole life, Vika is eager for the chance to show off her talent in the grand capital of Saint Petersburg. But can she kill another enchanter—even when his magic calls to her like nothing else ever has?

For Nikolai, an orphan, the Crown’s Game is the chance of a lifetime. But his deadly opponent is a force to be reckoned with—beautiful, whip-smart, imaginative—and he can’t stop thinking about her.

And when Pasha, Nikolai’s best friend and heir to the throne, also starts to fall for the mysterious enchantress, Nikolai must defeat the girl they both love…or be killed himself.

As long-buried secrets emerge, threatening the future of the empire, it becomes dangerously clear—the Crown’s Game is not one to lose. (Goodreads)


I originally read The Crown’s Game by Evelyn Skye way back in 2016 when it was first released, and I remember loving the story SO much, but for some reason never read the second book in the story. After recently reading Evelyn’s newest book, Circle of Shadows, which I enjoyed SO much as well, it reminded me that I still needed to finish this series, so I set out to do just that!

As I mentioned above, I originally read this book a few years ago, and while I remember some of the story, most of the details have been forgotten in my old brain. (That’s what happens when you read hundreds of books a year!) I do remember how much I enjoyed the story the first time I read it, so I was more than happy to dive back into it again, and I’m thrilled that once I did, all the details from the story came rushing back. That being said, I think I enjoyed reading the book even more the second time around, and I’m excited to get my hands on the sequel now!

One of the things that I love most about The Crown’s Game is how magical the story is. It reminds me a little of The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, which happens to be one of my most favorite fantasy stories. The storyline for this book was absolutely addictive, and the setting was so well described, that I could picture everything perfectly in my mind.

The book also has a really great group of characters, including the two main characters, Vika and Nikolai, who are both enchanters, and who are both absolutely fantastic. The story is told from their alternating viewpoints, and I was completely fascinated by them both.

I also want to add that I listened to the audiobook for this re-read, and it was Fantastic. Steve West did an amazing job of narrating the story, and it made this magical story even more magical. If you have the opportunity to check this book out in audio format, I highly recommend it.

Overall; I enjoyed The Crown’s Game the first time I read it, and I think I enjoyed it EVEN MORE the second time around! I am absolutely kicking myself for not having finished this series sooner, but I’m thrilled that I am doing just that now. I can’t wait to get my hands on the next book asap! If you’re a fan of magical fantasy stories, do check this book out right away!
https://www.instagram.com/p/ByXanlppPey/

Wednesday, July 10, 2019

Waiting on Wednesday: Vow of Thieves & The Merciful Crow

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34196663-vow-of-thieves
Vow of Thieves
(Dance of Thieves #2)
by Mary E. Pearson
Website | Twitter | Instagram

Publication Date: August 6th 2019
Publisher: Henry Holt
ISBN: 9781250162656

Add to Goodreads

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

Kazi and Jase have survived, stronger and more in love than ever. Their new life now lies before them―the Ballengers will be outlaws no longer, Tor's Watch will be a kingdom, and the two of them will meet all challenges side by side, together at last.

But an ominous warning mars their journey back, and in their rush to return to Tor's Watch, just outside the fortress walls, they are violently attacked and torn apart―and each is thrust into their own new hell.

Unsure whether the other is alive or dead, Kazi and Jase must keep their wits among their greatest enemies and unlikeliest allies. And all the while, Death watches and waits. (Goodreads)

It's pretty obvious to ANYONE who follows me how much I love The Remnant Chronicles and Dance of Thieves series by Mary E. Pearson, so of course one of my WOW picks will have to be her newest upcoming release, Vow of Thieves, the second and final book in the Dance of Thieves series! This is my MOST anticipated read for 2019, and it was SO worth the wait. I'm halfway through already, and I love it, and I don't want it to end. :) I can't wait for my finished copy to arrive so I can add it to my collection!

If you haven't yet read these series, you should.




https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36483378-the-merciful-crow
The Merciful Crow
(The Merciful Crow #1)
by Margaret Owen
Website | Twitter | Instagram

Publication Date: July 30th 2019
Publisher: Henry Holt (BYR)
ISBN: 9781250191922

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

A future chieftain

Fie abides by one rule: look after your own. Her Crow caste of undertakers and mercy-killers takes more abuse than coin, but when they’re called to collect royal dead, she’s hoping they’ll find the payout of a lifetime.

A fugitive prince

When Crown Prince Jasimir turns out to have faked his death, Fie’s ready to cut her losses—and perhaps his throat. But he offers a wager that she can’t refuse: protect him from a ruthless queen, and he’ll protect the Crows when he reigns.

A too-cunning bodyguard

Hawk warrior Tavin has always put Jas’s life before his, magically assuming the prince’s appearance and shadowing his every step. But what happens when Tavin begins to want something to call his own? (Goodreads)

Ummm, did you read the summary for this book?!
Does it sound like it's going to be an awesome read, or what??
I am very much looking forward to checking this out as well!

•   •   •

Those are my WOW picks for this week!
Now, what books are you waiting for??
**"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine,
that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.**


Tuesday, July 9, 2019

My Thoughts: Waiting for Tom Hanks by Kerry Winfrey

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40969415-waiting-for-tom-hanks
Waiting for Tom Hanks
by Kerry Winfrey
Website | Twitter | Instagram

Publication Date: June 11th 2019
Publisher: Berkley Books
Pages: 320
ISBN: 9781984804020
Genre: Adult Fiction | Romance | Contemporary
Source: Review Copy / Own

Add to Goodreads

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

Can a romcom-obssessed romantic finally experience the meet-cute she always dreamed of or will reality never compare to fiction, in this charming debut adult novel from Kerry Winfrey.

Annie is twenty-seven years old, single, and obsessed with romantic comedies (she and her mother watched them religiously, before her mom died). Her dating life is limited by the expectations she’s formed from these movies. She is not as open to new experiences as she might be, because she’s waiting for her Tom Hanks–i.e., a guy she’ll find in the perfect, meet-cute romantic comedy way. When Annie does finally meet her perfect match, it’s not quite in the way she expected, and she’s forced to reckon with the walls she’s built around herself over the years. (Goodreads)


When I first discovered Waiting for Tom Hanks by Kerry Winfrey, I knew I would have to read the book! Not only is Tom Hanks one of my favorite actors, but his movie with Meg Ryan, You’ve Got Mail, is my all-time most favorite movie ever. (Seriously, I have watched it HUNDREDS of times, and it never gets old.) The summary for the book sounded really awesome, and I was excited to check it out. I’m SO glad I did!!

If you know me any at all, then you know that I am a HUGE fan of contemporary and rom-coms, and I’m always on the lookout for something new in this genre to read. I started Waiting for Tom Hanks because Tom Hanks was in the title, and I stayed because it was such a fun read.

This book has a super great cast of characters, and I really enjoyed following the main character, Annie, as she tried to find her Tom Hanks. Annie has so many fun moments throughout the book, and it was fun experiencing them with her. Also, the love interest in the story is adorable, and I loved their meet cute. There are a lot of fun secondary characters in the story as well!

And while the characters in the book were great, I also want to add that I enjoyed the storyline as well. It was cute, and fun, and I loved that ALL of my favorite movies were mentioned throughout the book as well! (You’ve Got Mail, While You Were Sleeping, Sleepless in Seattle, etc.) I do not know of many other books that mention these, and it instantly made me love the story.

Overall; Waiting for Tom Hanks by Kerry Winfrey was a super cute, quick read, and I’m so glad that I checked it out! I’ll definitely be keeping my eye out for more books from Kerry in the future!

Monday, July 8, 2019

My Thoughts: Soul of the Sword by Julie Kagawa

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41733208-soul-of-the-sword
Soul of the Sword
(Shadow of the Fox #2)
by Julie Kagawa
Website | Twitter | Instagram

Publication Date: June 18th 2019
Publisher: Inkyard Press
Pages: 432
ISBN: 9781335184993
Genre: Young Adult | Fantasy
Source: Netgalley Review Copy / Own

Add to Goodreads

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

One thousand years ago, a wish was made to the Harbinger of Change and a sword of rage and lightning was forged. Kamigoroshi. The Godslayer. It had one task: to seal away the powerful demon Hakaimono.

Now he has broken free.

Kitsune shapeshifter Yumeko has one task: to take her piece of the ancient and powerful scroll to the Steel Feather temple in order to prevent the summoning of the Harbinger of Change, the great Kami Dragon who will grant one wish to whomever holds the Scroll of a Thousand Prayers. But she has a new enemy now. The demon Hakaimono, who for centuries was trapped in a cursed sword, has escaped and possessed the boy she thought would protect her, Kage Tatsumi of the Shadow Clan.

Hakaimono has done the unthinkable and joined forces with the Master of Demons in order to break the curse of the sword and set himself free. To overthrow the empire and cover the land in darkness, they need one thing: the Scroll of a Thousand Prayers. As the paths of Yumeko and the possessed Tatsumi cross once again, the entire empire will be thrown into chaos. (Goodreads)


Soul of the Sword is the highly anticipated second book in the Shadow of the Fox series by Julie Kagawa, and was high on my list of anticipated reads for 2019! I am huge fan of Julie’s books, and I am always excited to read something new by her. I was completely engrossed by Shadow of the Fox when I read it last year, and I was very much looking forward to seeing where this sequel would take me. I am thrilled to tell you that this sequel was everything that I hoped it would be, and MORE!

It had been a while since I read a book by Julie Kagawa when I picked up Shadow of the Fox last year, but I devoured that book faster than expected, and after the ending in that book, it left me wanting more. So to fill the time until Soul of the Sword was released, I decided to read Julie’s Talon series, which was also great, and which revived my love for Julie’s writing. By the time Soul of the Sword was set to release, I was extremely hyped for the book, and I couldn’t wait to devour it as well.

Soul of the Sword picks up right where Shadow of the Fox left off, and I had no idea what to expect next in the story. Without giving away any spoilers, this book was a wild ride, full of twists and surprises, and I was absolutely hooked as I turned the pages. The world-building for this series is excellent, and I love that Julie describes things in a way to where I can picture it all perfectly in my mind.

Also, all of the characters that we met and loved in the first book are back again in this sequel, along with a few interesting new characters as well, and I very much enjoyed them all! I do have to say that I missed the Tatsumi that we knew from the first book, and I hope that we get to see the real him again soon. Otherwise, the characters are all great, and I love Yumeko and her crew so much.

Overall; Soul of the Sword was an excellent sequel to Shadow of the Fox, and I now can’t wait to get my hands on the next book in the series, Night of the Dragon, which is currently set to release in April 2020. I am super curious to see where this story will go next. Fans of Julie Kagawa, or fans of fantasy stories in general, do add this awesome series to your TBR!
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Monday, July 1, 2019

My July '19 TBR

Happy First Day of July, Bookworms!!

Can you believe it's July already?? I still can't believe June went by so quickly.

June was a great month for books and reading, and I'm hoping to have another great month in July as well. What better time of year for reading by the pool, (or inside in the air conditioning), and I'm hoping to read as much as I possibly can this month.

Here's my tentative July TBR!!

Books I'm Reading:

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir *
The Crown's Fate by Evelyn Skye
Vow of Thieves by Mary E. Pearson
The Young Elites by Marie Lu *
LifeL1k3 by Jay Kristoff
Rich People Problems by Kevin Kwan
Avenged by Amy Tintera
The Friend Zone by Abby Jimenez

* = re-reads

e-ARC's I'm Reading:

The Golden Hour by Beatriz Williams
The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman
The Wedding Party by Jasmine Guillory
How to Hack a Heartbreak by Kristin Rockaway
Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim

•   •   •

There you have it, my little TBR for July! I also have a few beach and summer themed books and audiobooks that I'm excited to check out as well, and I'm super excited to get started on everything.

:)

What's on your July TBR??


July Bookstagram Challenge!! #AlltheBooksJuly19

https://www.instagram.com/p/BzGV3LWHgeI/

Happy July, Bookworms and Bookstagrammers!!

Are you looking for a fun book challenge for July??
If so, head over to Instagram and check out #AlltheBooksJuly19,
hosted by myself and @Loriimagination!!

A Book Challenge is a great way to fill your feed with lots of bookish photos,
as well as a great way to meet fellow bookworms like yourself!!

And just imagine seeing all those great bookish photos in your feed. :)

Sound like fun?? If so, head over to Instagram and join along!!

#AlltheBooksJuly19