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

Add to Goodreads

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

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: Isn't It Bromantic by Lyssa Kay Adams

Isn't It Bromantic
(Bromance Book Club #4)
by Lyssa Kay Adams

Publication Date: July 20th 2021
Publisher: Berkley Books
Pages: 352
ISBN: 9780593332771
Genre: Adult / Romance / Contemporary
Source: Netgalley Review Copy / Own

Add to Goodreads

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

With his passion for romance novels, it was only a matter of time before Vlad wrote one.

Elena Konnikova has lived her entire adult life in the shadows. As the daughter of a Russian journalist who mysteriously disappeared, she escaped danger the only way she knew how: She married her childhood friend, Vladimir, and moved to the United States, where he is a professional hockey player in Nashville.

Vlad, aka the Russian, thought he could be content with his marriage of convenience. But it’s become too difficult to continue in a one-sided relationship. He joined the Bromance Book Club to learn how to make his wife love him, but all he’s learned is that he deserves more. He’s ready to create his own sweeping romance—both on and off the page.

The bros are unwilling to let Vlad forgo true love—and this time they’re not operating solo. They join forces with Vlad’s neighbors, a group of meddling widows who call themselves the Loners. But just when things finally look promising, Elena’s past life intrudes and their happily ever after is cast into doubt. (Goodreads)

The Bromance Book Club series by Lyssa Kay Adams is hands down one of my most favorite romance series at the moment. I have really enjoyed reading all the books as they have been released, but Isn’t it Bromantic is both my most anticipated AND my favorite book in the series!

To be honest, I really wasn’t sure what to expect from this story. If you’ve read the previous books, then you know all about Vlad and his sounds and smells. (ROFL!) Just going by those books, it was kind of hard to think of him as a romantic lead. But, Lyssa definitely pulled it off! Vlad is adorable and sensitive, and such a great guy, and I definitely enjoyed seeing this softer, (yet still very manly), side of him.

I also really liked Elena as well. I found her to be relatable in some ways, and it was interesting to see her character grow throughout the story. The relationship between her and Vlad was soooo adorable … and steamy … and I really enjoyed watching it blossom. The storyline was great as well … both with Vlad recovering from his injury and his secret project, as well as Elena and hers also! (There’s also a twist that I didn’t see coming!)

And, of course, it makes me so happy that all the characters from the previous books are once again in this new book. I love their bromance book club, and there are so many guys that still need their own books! And since there were quite a few new characters introduced in this new book, I have my fingers crossed that we will see some new stories for them soon. *please please please*!!!

Overall; I definitely enjoyed Isn’t It Bromantic SOOOO much more than I expected to! I was definitely intrigued before I started it, and I loved the story, and the characters, of course, and I really hope we get more books in the series. I would really, really love that. If you’ve enjoyed the previous books in the series, do check out this newest addition as well!

My July '21 TBR!

Happy First Day of July, Bookworms!!

Can you believe it's July? We are officially halfway through 2021!
This year is going by way too quickly.

I have a great TBR picked out to tackle this month!
I have a few new reads, a few new-to-me reads, and a few series I'm continuing!
(And also hopefully catching up on some reads as well!)

I'm very excited for all of these books,
but I'm also SUPER excited to start my yearly re-read of*The Remnant Chronicles*!!

Here's what I'm reading in July...

This Poison Heart by Kalynn Bayron
The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson
Unravel the Dusk by Elizabeth Lim
Jay's Gay Agenda by Jason June
Heartstopper Vol 2 by Alice Offman
The City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty
The Silvered Serpents by Roshani Chokshi
People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
The Road Trip by Beth O'Leary
Very Sincerely Yours by Kerry Winfrey
Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade

•     •     •

There are also a few new releases coming out this month that I'm really looking forward to reading as well!

What books are you hoping to read this month??

16 Books on my Summer TBR: YA Edition

Hello again, Bookworms!

I'm back today with yet another summer TBR post! (What can I say, there are just SO many good books to read this summer!) Today I'm sharing some of the newest YA books that I am hoping to read this season!

Check them out!

*in order by release date*

Instructions for Dancing by Nicola Yoon
Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé



Blood Like Magic by Liselle Sambury
This Poison Heart by Kalynn Bayron



Jay's Gay Agenda by Jason June
My Contrary Mary by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ahston, Jodi Meadows



Gods & Monsters by Shelby Mahurin
Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim



Rise to the Sun by Leah Johnson
Redemptor by Jordan Ifueko



Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber
Vespertine by Margaret Rogerson



Defy the Night by Brigid Kemmerer
Steelstriker by Marie Lu

•     •     •

So many awesome books, right?? Are any of these on your summer TBR??

18 Books on my Summer TBR!

 

Summer is officially here, Bookworms!!
It's time for some SUMMER READING!!

Did you know that summer is my least favorite season?? It's SO hot and humid here in the south, and I am not a fan at all. But, I do love summer break from school and ALL the summer reading!

And there are SO many books that I am hoping to read this summer... SO many, in fact, that I have to break down my TBR into two seperate posts!

(Check back tomorrow for YA edition of my summer TBR!)

Without further ado ... here are some of the books that I am hoping to read this summer!

*in order of release date*

That Summer by Jennifer Weiner
Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid



The Road Trip by Beth O'Leary
The Disappearing Act by Catharine Steadman



The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels by India Holton
It Happened on Summer by Tessa Bailey



While We Were Dating by Jasmine Guillory
Isn't It Bromantic by Lyssa Kay Adams



Totally Forked by Penny Reid
The Duke Goes Down by Sophie Jordan



Not a Happy Family by Shari Lapena
If The Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy



Velvet Was the Night by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Bombshell by Sarah MacLean



A Slow Fire Burning by Paula Hawkins
The Heart Principle by Helen Hoang



When Sparks Fly by Helena Hunting
Portrait of a Scotsman by Evie Dunmore

•     •     •

So many great books, right?? I can't wait to read them all!

(Actually, I've already read Isn't It Bromantic, but I am totally going to check out the audiobook once it's released!)

What books are you looking forward to reading this summer??

My Thoughts: Hang the Moon by Alexandria Bellefleur

Hang the Moon
(Written in the Stars #2)
by Alexandria Bellefleur

Publication Date: May 25th 2021
Publisher: Avon
Pages: 384
ISBN: 9780063000841
Genre: Adult Ficiton / Romance / Contemporary
Source: Netgalley Review Copy / Own

Add to Goodreads

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

In a delightful follow-up to Written in the Stars, Alexandria Bellefleur delivers another #ownvoices queer rom-com about a hopeless romantic who vows to show his childhood crush that romance isn’t dead by recreating iconic dates from his favorite films...

Brendon Lowell loves love. It’s why he created a dating app to help people find their one true pairing and why he’s convinced “the one” is out there, even if he hasn’t met her yet. Or... has he? When his sister's best friend turns up in Seattle unexpectedly, Brendon jumps at the chance to hang out with her. He’s crushed on Annie since they were kids, and the stars have finally aligned, putting them in the same city at the same time.

Annie booked a spur-of-the-moment trip to Seattle to spend time with friends before moving across the globe. She’s not looking for love, especially with her best friend’s brother. Annie remembers Brendon as a sweet, dorky kid. Except, the 6-foot-4 man who shows up at her door is a certified Hot Nerd and Annie... wants him? Oh yes.

Getting involved would be a terrible idea—her stay is temporary and he wants forever—but when Brendon learns Annie has given up on dating, he’s determined to prove that romance is real. Taking cues from his favorite rom-coms, Brendon plans to woo her with elaborate dates straight out of Nora Ephron’s playbook. The clock is ticking on Annie’s time in Seattle, and Brendon’s starting to realize romance isn’t just flowers and chocolate. But maybe real love doesn’t need to be as perfect as the movies... as long as you think your partner hung the moon. (Goodreads)

Hang the Moon is the absolutely adorable sequel to Written in the Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur, and also one of my most anticipated reads this spring! I loved Written in the Stars when I read it last year, so I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this sequel… Especially since it’s Annie and Brendon’s story!

So, if you’ve never read my review for Written in the Stars, let me tell you … It was one of my most favorite reads of 2020. It was a sapphic, fake dating, Pride and Prejudice retelling, and I loved every minute of it. Elle and Darcy were fantastic, and I loved their story.

Hang the Moon is all about Annie and Brendon. Annie is Darcy’s best friend, and Brendon is Darcy’s brother. We meet them in the first book, where we discover that Brendon had a huge crush on Anne when they were younger. They reconnect in Hang the Moon, and let me tell you, the sparks… they FLY!

Annie and Brendon were SO ADORABLE! They are definitely now on my list of favorite couples. The chemistry between the two is fantastic, and I loved their interactions with each other. (Did I mention that they were adorable? Because they are!) They have the absolute best storyline with Brenden trying to prove to Annie that love still exists by wooing her, using some of my most favorite rom-coms ever as inspiration. This book had it all and I was so here for it!

Oh and I also love that Darcy and Elle were in this book as well! It was so fun to catch up with them to see what they’d been up to since the last book ended!

Overall; If you can’t tell from above, I really loved Hang the Moon! This was a fantastic sequel that made me laugh and smile SO much, and it was just an all-around enjoyable read. And I’m SOOOO excited to discover that there is going to be a third book, Count Your Lucky Stars, which will be Margot’s story, and is set to release in February 2022!

My Thoughts: We Free the Stars by Hafsah Faizal

We Free the Stars
(Sands of Arawiya #2)
by Hafsah Faizal

Publication Date: January 19th 2021
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Pages: 592
ISBN: 9780374311575
Genre: Young Adult / Fantasy
Source: Netgalley Review Copy / Own

Add to Goodreads

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

The battle on Sharr is over. The dark forest has fallen. Altair may be captive, but Zafira, Nasir, and Kifah are bound for Sultan’s Keep, determined to finish the plan he set in motion: restoring the hearts of the Sisters of Old to the minarets of each caliphate, and finally returning magic to all of Arawiya. But they are low on resources and allies alike, and the kingdom teems with fear of the Lion of the Night’s return.

As the zumra plots to overthrow the kingdom’s darkest threat, Nasir fights to command the magic in his blood. He must learn to hone his power into a weapon, to wield not only against the Lion but against his father, trapped under the Lion’s control. Zafira battles a very different darkness festering in her through her bond with the Jawarat—a darkness that hums with voices, pushing her to the brink of her sanity and to the edge of a chaos she dare not unleash. In spite of the darkness enclosing ever faster, Nasir and Zafira find themselves falling into a love they can’t stand to lose…but time is running out to achieve their ends, and if order is to be restored, drastic sacrifices will have to be made.

Lush and striking, hopeful and devastating, We Free the Stars is the masterful conclusion to the Sands of Arawiya duology by New York Times–bestselling author Hafsah Faizal. (Goodreads)

We Free the Stars, the much-anticipated sequel to We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal, was very high on my list of most anticipated reads for 2021, and I am beyond thrilled, and a little sad, to have finally read the book! It was well worth the wait.

If you’ve read my review for We Hunt the Flame, then you probably know that the book and I got off to an … interesting start. I tried four separate times to read the book, but couldn’t get into it the first three. (It was definitely an *it’s me, not the book* situation.) I was determined that my fourth try was going to be my last, and I don’t what happened, but SOMETHING CLICKED, and I devoured the book! It quickly became one of my favorite reads of 2019, and is also on my favorite series list as well.

Before starting We Free the Stars, I decided to read We Hunt the Flame again to refresh the story in my brain. I am so glad that I did! I loved the story even more the second time around, and I had somehow forgotten, (or blocked, lol), the ending of the book. HOW could I have forgotten it?? (I’m so sorry, Altair!) I’m very glad that I decided to re-read.

We Free the Stars picks up right where We Hunt the Flame leaves off, and takes you on another great adventure that will have you hooked as you turn the pages. I don’t want to say too much about the story here, because I don’t want to spoil anything for anyone, but WOW. What a story! I loved it so much, and all the characters as well. They are all so great! Especially Zafira. She’s so awesome!

This series really is such a great read, and I am so sad to see it end. If I had any complaint about the books, it would be that this is just a duology and not a trilogy. I would love more! I’m not at all ready to let these characters and this story go. Sigh.

I also want to add that while I have finished copies of the books, I decided to listen to the audiobooks for them, and they are fantastic! The narrators, Fiona Hardingham and Steve West are two of my most favorite narrators, and I loved listening to them in yet another series!

Overall; I really, really enjoyed We Free the Stars SO much! It was a great ending to a fantastic series. This will definitely be a series that I read again and again in the future, and I already can’t wait to start the story over. I'm also excited to check out more books by Hafsah in the future, including her upcoming series, A Tempest of Tea, which is expected to release sometime in 2022! If you haven't already checked out the Sands of Arawiya series, I highly recommend it! And the audiobooks as well!