My Thoughts: The Silvered Serpents by Roshani Chokshi

The Silvered Serpents
(The Gilded Wolves #2)
by Roshani Chokshi

Publication Date: September 22nd 2020
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Pages: 416
ISBN: 9781250144577
Genre: Young Adult / Fantasy / Historical
Source: Netgalley Review Copy / Own

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They are each other's fiercest love, greatest danger, and only hope.

Séverin and his team members might have successfully thwarted the Fallen House, but victory came at a terrible cost -- one that still haunts all of them. Desperate to make amends, Séverin pursues a dangerous lead to find a long lost artifact rumoured to grant its possessor the power of God.

Their hunt lures them far from Paris, and into the icy heart of Russia where crystalline ice animals stalk forgotten mansions, broken goddesses carry deadly secrets, and a string of unsolved murders makes the crew question whether an ancient myth is a myth after all.

As hidden secrets come to the light and the ghosts of the past catch up to them, the crew will discover new dimensions of themselves. But what they find out may lead them down paths they never imagined.

A tale of love and betrayal as the crew risks their lives for one last job. (Goodreads)

I cannot believe that I waited so long to read The Gilded Wolves series by Roshani Chokshi! The first book, The Gilded Wolves, had been on my TBR for a while before I finally started it, and once I did so, I was kicking myself for not having started it sooner! Once I finished the first book, I immediately made plans to start The Silvered Serpents right away, and I’m so glad I did!

I always enjoy Roshani’s books whenever I read them. The first series I read by her was The Star-Touched Queen series, and then after that, The Pandava Quartet, which happens to be one of my most favorite middle-grade series. I will definitely be adding The Gilded Wolves to my list of favorites as well!

Since I didn’t write a review for the first book, let me assure you that I did enjoy it. The characters and the storyline were really great, and while the ending was a bit of a shock, it was still an all-around great read. I very much enjoyed it.

The Silvered Serpents picks up not long after where The Gilded Wolves leaves off and takes you on another great adventure full of twists that you probably won’t see coming, and so much going on that you won’t know what to expect next ... at least I didn’t! The book ends in a way that will leave you dying to get your hands on the third book, The Bronzed Beast, and I will be patiently waiting for it to release in September!

Oh, can I also say that I love so many of the characters in this series? They are all so great, and all for different reasons, and I adore them all. I can’t wait to see what’s next for them in the next book!

Overall;  The Silvered Serpents was a fantastic sequel to The Gilded Wolves! I really wish that I had started this series sooner, but I absolutely can’t wait to get my hands on the next book coming soon … it’s going to be a most anticipated read for me for sure!

My Thoughts: You Have a Match by Emma Lord

You Have a Match
by Emma Lord

Publication Date: January 12th 2021
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Pages: 320
ISBN: 9781250237309
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary
Source: Own, Netgalley Review Copy

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A new love, a secret sister, and a summer she'll never forget.

When Abby signs up for a DNA service, it’s mainly to give her friend and secret love interest, Leo, a nudge. After all, she knows who she is already: Avid photographer. Injury-prone tree climber. Best friend to Leo and Connie…although ever since the B.E.I. (Big Embarrassing Incident) with Leo, things have been awkward on that front.

But she didn’t know she’s a younger sister.

When the DNA service reveals Abby has a secret sister, shimmery-haired Instagram star Savannah Tully, it’s hard to believe they’re from the same planet, never mind the same parents — especially considering Savannah, queen of green smoothies, is only a year and a half older than Abby herself.

The logical course of action? Meet up at summer camp (obviously) and figure out why Abby’s parents gave Savvy up for adoption. But there are complications: Savvy is a rigid rule-follower and total narc. Leo is the camp’s co-chef, putting Abby's growing feelings for him on blast. And her parents have a secret that threatens to unravel everything.

But part of life is showing up, leaning in, and learning to fit all your awkward pieces together. Because sometimes, the hardest things can also be the best ones. (Goodreads)

You Have a Match is the second book that I have had the pleasure of reading by author Emma Lord, and I’m so thrilled to have read the book! I read Tweet Cute, also by this author, last year, and enjoyed the book SO much. (Especially considering that it was a You’ve Got Mail retelling!) I couldn’t wait to see how this new novel would compare, and I definitely was not disappointed!

Let’s start with the storyline for the book… I don’t think I have read many, (if any), books where a character has learned of a sibling from taking a DNA test. It was definitely interesting to read the story of how Abby discovered the sister that she never knew she had, and I really wanted to know everything happened to begin with. This storyline made the book a really quick read for me. I was hooked as I turned the pages because I just needed to know what happened in the past that kept these girls apart. (It’s a really good story, by the way, so if you’re curious, check it out.)

The book also has some really great characters as well. I love Abby, especially her love for photography. (I love it as well, and this book definitely made me want to get out with my camera ASAP.) I love her relationship with her friends and her family, including her grandfather who had recently passed away. And I loved watching her relationship grow with her long lost sister as well.

Overall; You Have a Match was such a cute read, and I’m so glad that I decided to check out the book. Emma Lord has once again managed to make me fall in love with her books, and I absolutely can’t wait to read more of them in the future. If you like a cute contemporary read, do check out You Have a Match!

Waiting on Wednesday: You Have a Match & The Wife Upstairs

You Have a Match
by Emma Lord

Release Date: January 12th 2021
by Wednesday Books

From the beloved author of Tweet Cute comes Emma Lord's You Have a Match, a YA novel of family, friendship, romance and sisterhood…

When Abby signs up for a DNA service, it’s mainly to give her friend and secret love interest, Leo, a nudge. After all, she knows who she is already: Avid photographer. Injury-prone tree climber. Best friend to Leo and Connie…although ever since the B.E.I. (Big Embarrassing Incident) with Leo, things have been awkward on that front.

But she didn’t know she’s a younger sister.

When the DNA service reveals Abby has a secret sister, shimmery-haired Instagram star Savannah Tully, it’s hard to believe they’re from the same planet, never mind the same parents—especially considering Savannah, queen of green smoothies, is only a year and a half older than Abby herself.

The logical course of action? Meet up at summer camp (obviously) and figure out why Abby’s parents gave Savvy up for adoption. But there are complications: Savvy is a rigid rule-follower and total narc. Leo is the camp’s co-chef, putting Abby's growing feelings for him on blast. And her parents have a secret that threatens to unravel everything.

But part of life is showing up, leaning in, and learning to fit all your awkward pieces together. Because sometimes, the hardest things can also be the best ones.

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The Wife Upstairs
by Rachel Hawkins

Release Date: January 5th 2021
by St. Martin's Press

A delicious twist on a Gothic classic, Rachel Hawkins's The Wife Upstairs pairs Southern charm with atmospheric domestic suspense, perfect for fans of B.A. Paris and Megan Miranda.

Meet Jane. Newly arrived to Birmingham, Alabama, Jane is a broke dog-walker in Thornfield Estates––a gated community full of McMansions, shiny SUVs, and bored housewives. The kind of place where no one will notice if Jane lifts the discarded tchotchkes and jewelry off the side tables of her well-heeled clients. Where no one will think to ask if Jane is her real name.

But her luck changes when she meets Eddie Rochester. Recently widowed, Eddie is Thornfield Estates’ most mysterious resident. His wife, Bea, drowned in a boating accident with her best friend, their bodies lost to the deep. Jane can’t help but see an opportunity in Eddie––not only is he rich, brooding, and handsome, he could also offer her the kind of protection she’s always yearned for.

Yet as Jane and Eddie fall for each other, Jane is increasingly haunted by the legend of Bea, an ambitious beauty with a rags-to-riches origin story, who launched a wildly successful southern lifestyle brand. How can she, plain Jane, ever measure up? And can she win Eddie’s heart before her past––or his––catches up to her?

With delicious suspense, incisive wit, and a fresh, feminist sensibility, The Wife Upstairs flips the script on a timeless tale of forbidden romance, ill-advised attraction, and a wife who just won’t stay buried. In this vivid reimagining of one of literature’s most twisted love triangles, which Mrs. Rochester will get her happy ending?

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•     •     •

Both of my WOW picks for this week sound fantastic!
I am really excited to read both of them.

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

My Thoughts: Tweet Cute by Emma Lord (Audiobook)

Tweet Cute
by Emma Lord
Twitter

Publication Date: January 21st 2020
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Pages: 368
ISBN: 9781250237323
Genre: YA Contemporary
Source: Netgalley Review Copy | Own

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A fresh, irresistible rom-com from debut author Emma Lord about the chances we take, the paths life can lead us on, and how love can be found in the opposite place you expected.

Meet Pepper, swim team captain, chronic overachiever, and all-around perfectionist. Her family may be falling apart, but their massive fast-food chain is booming ― mainly thanks to Pepper, who is barely managing to juggle real life while secretly running Big League Burger’s massive Twitter account.

Enter Jack, class clown and constant thorn in Pepper’s side. When he isn’t trying to duck out of his obscenely popular twin’s shadow, he’s busy working in his family’s deli. His relationship with the business that holds his future might be love/hate, but when Big League Burger steals his grandma’s iconic grilled cheese recipe, he’ll do whatever it takes to take them down, one tweet at a time.

All’s fair in love and cheese ― that is, until Pepper and Jack’s spat turns into a viral Twitter war. Little do they know, while they’re publicly duking it out with snarky memes and retweet battles, they’re also falling for each other in real life ― on an anonymous chat app Jack built.

As their relationship deepens and their online shenanigans escalate ― people on the internet are shipping them?? ― their battle gets more and more personal, until even these two rivals can’t ignore they were destined for the most unexpected, awkward, all-the-feels romance that neither of them expected. (Goodreads)

I picked up Tweet Cute by Emma Lord because it sounded super cute, and I’m ALL about cute reads with happily ever after’s right now. After reading the summary for the book, I knew I need to check it out, and I’m so glad that I did!

There are SO many things that I loved about Tweet Cute, with the main thing being the characters. Pepper and Jack are SO cute, and I very much enjoyed following their story and interactions over the course of the novel. They were so cute, and I love that if you put their names together, it’s PEPPER JACK. How cute is that??

I also really enjoyed the storyline for the book. It very much reminded me of the movie You’ve Got Mail with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, which just happens to be one of my most favorite movies, which I have watched at least 200 times. (Which is probably why the story for Tweet Cute seemed so familiar!) I was completely fascinated by the story, and it didn’t take me long to become absolutely hooked. I loved it!

And while I have the printed version of this book, I opted to listen to the audiobook instead, and I’m so glad that I did! Dan Bittner & Emily Shaffer did such great jobs with the voices for Pepper and Jack, and it took the story to a whole new level for me. It was great! If you have the opportunity to check out the audiobook, I highly recommend it!

Overall; Tweet Cute was absolutely adorable, and was exactly the book I needed to read at the moment. I am definitely fascinated by Emma’s writing, and I can’t wait to read more by her in the future! If you don’t already have this book on your TBR, do add it today!

Waiting on Wednesday:

The Map From Here to There
by Emery Lord
Website | Twitter | Instagram

Publication Date: January 7th 2020
Publisher: Bloomsbury YA
ISBN: 9781681199382

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Acclaimed author Emery Lord crafts a gorgeous story of friendship and identity, daring to ask: What happens after happily ever after?

It's senior year, and Paige Hancock is finally living her best life. She has a fun summer job, great friends, and a super charming boyfriend who totally gets her. But senior year also means big decisions. Weighing "the rest of her life," Paige feels her anxiety begin to pervade every decision she makes. Everything is exactly how she always wanted it to be--how can she leave it all behind next year? In her head, she knows there is so much more to experience after high school. But in her heart, is it so terrible to want everything to stay the same forever?

Emery Lord's award-winning storytelling shines with lovable characters and heartfelt exploration of life's most important questions. (Goodreads)

Anyone else super excited for this new book by Emery Lord?? I am SOOOOO excited to read it! I am huge fan of Emery's books, and I absolutely can't wait to check out this newest book.

Tweet Cute
by Emma Lord
Website | Twitter | Instagram

Publication Date: January 21st 2020
Publisher: Wednesday Books
ISBN: 9781250237323

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

A fresh, irresistible rom-com from debut author Emma Lord about the chances we take, the paths life can lead us on, and how love can be found in the opposite place you expected.

Meet Pepper, swim team captain, chronic overachiever, and all-around perfectionist. Her family may be falling apart, but their massive fast-food chain is booming ― mainly thanks to Pepper, who is barely managing to juggle real life while secretly running Big League Burger’s massive Twitter account.

Enter Jack, class clown and constant thorn in Pepper’s side. When he isn’t trying to duck out of his obscenely popular twin’s shadow, he’s busy working in his family’s deli. His relationship with the business that holds his future might be love/hate, but when Big League Burger steals his grandma’s iconic grilled cheese recipe, he’ll do whatever it takes to take them down, one tweet at a time.

All’s fair in love and cheese ― that is, until Pepper and Jack’s spat turns into a viral Twitter war. Little do they know, while they’re publicly duking it out with snarky memes and retweet battles, they’re also falling for each other in real life ― on an anonymous chat app Jack built.

As their relationship deepens and their online shenanigans escalate ― people on the internet are shipping them?? ― their battle gets more and more personal, until even these two rivals can’t ignore they were destined for the most unexpected, awkward, all-the-feels romance that neither of them expected. (Goodreads)

This new book by EMMA LORD, not to be mistaken as Emery Lord, sounds like it's going to be a super cute read! I love cute reads at the moment, so I'm very excited to check this one out!

•     •     •

Those are my WOW picks for this week!

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

Waiting on Wednesday: Tunnel of Bones & The Girl the Sea Gave Back

Tunnel of Bones
(Cassidy Blake #2)
by Victoria Schwab
Website | Twitter | Instagram

Publication Date: September 3rd 2019
Publisher: Scholastic Press
ISBN: 9781338111040

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Trouble is haunting Cassidy Blake . . . even more than usual.

She (plus her ghost best friend, Jacob, of course) are in Paris, where Cass's parents are filming their TV show about the world's most haunted cities. Sure, it's fun eating croissants and seeing the Eiffel Tower, but there's true ghostly danger lurking beneath Paris, in the creepy underground Catacombs.

When Cass accidentally awakens a frighteningly strong spirit, she must rely on her still-growing skills as a ghosthunter -- and turn to friends both old and new to help her unravel a mystery. But time is running out, and the spirit is only growing stronger.

And if Cass fails, the force she's unleashed could haunt the city forever. (Goodreads)

Have you checked out this middle grade series by Victoria Schwab?? I read the first book, City of Ghosts, last year, and really enjoyed it! I am very much looking forward to reading the sequel when it is released!

The Girl the Sea Gave Back
by Adrienne Young
Website | Twitter | Instagram

Publication Date: September 3rd 2019
Publisher: Wednesday Books
ISBN: 9781250168481

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The new gut-wrenching epic from the New York Times bestselling author of Sky in the Deep.

For as long as she can remember, Tova has lived among the Svell, the people who found her washed ashore as a child and use her for her gift as a Truthtongue. Her own home and clan are long-faded memories, but the sacred symbols and staves inked over every inch of her skin mark her as one who can cast the rune stones and see into the future. She has found a fragile place among those who fear her, but when two clans to the east bury their age-old blood feud and join together as one, her world is dangerously close to collapse.

For the first time in generations, the leaders of the Svell are divided. Should they maintain peace or go to war with the allied clans to protect their newfound power? And when their chieftain looks to Tova to cast the stones, she sets into motion a series of events that will not only change the landscape of the mainland forever but will give her something she believed she could never have again—a home. (Goodreads)

Does this story sound awesome, or what?? I have had Adrienne's Sky in the Deep on my TBR for the LONGEST, and now I'm adding this to my list to read ASAP as well! I am really looking forward to checking it out!

That's all for me this week... What about you??

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