The Reading Hideaway

    *I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.* Spells Trouble instantly made me think of the Disney Channel Original Movie, Twitches (ya know, twin witches saving the world and all), Men in Black and Sabrina the Teenage Witch.  The concept was there with Hunter and Mercy being tasked to save the trees that also act as gateways to various Underworlds, but I felt like it wasn't fleshed out completely.  Maybe that's because this is book one of the series..?  I'm not sure, but it had potential. I felt like the writing was at a middle-school level; however, there was a (unnecessary) detailed sex scene that would be appropriate for older YA readers.  I say unnecessary because I felt like the Mercy/Kirk relationship story line was a side thought or a filler episode that wasn't needed.  I didn't find it to strengthen the plot at all.  An additional side story involved Emily, Mercy's best friend, and that one also threw me for...

  *I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.* The first book I read by Nicola Yoon was Everything, Everything .  I mean, I had to read it before I saw the movie (I have yet to see the movie).  Besides the point - it tugged at my heart strings, was impossible for me to put down, and made me cry and want to throw the book across the room because "HOW COULD SHE DO THAT?" Instructions for Dancing was no different. I'm obsessed.  I love Yoon's writing style, I love her character development, I love how this plot was partly inspired by the movie "Big" (and is even mentioned in Evie's story), I love how there was a ballroom dance competition involved.  I'm serious... I'm obsessed. I related to Evie as I'm not really a "romantic".  I despise Valentine's Day, I make comments about couples PDA and dating..?  Don't even get me started.  Ironically, I happened to be reading this book at the perfect time in m...

*I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.* Both the cover and the title of Kisses & Croissants caught my attention, but as I read Mia's story, I found it hard to keep my attention.  Mia is an aspiring ballerina in high school who has the opportunity of a lifetime to study ballet in Paris (*cue Hilary Duff singing "This Is What Dreams Are Made Of").  She just so happens to be accompanied by a classmate named Aubrey who she finds hard to get along with - only to get to the ballet academy and find out their roommates.  Then, if you couldn't guess by the title, Mia finds herself swept off her feet by a French boy named Louis.  Ballet or boy?  Which will she choose? That's not the only plot line, though.   On top of being torn between chasing her dream or chasing a boy, Mia is determined to learn more about her family history to see if ballet truly is in her blood by searching one art museum after another to see if a famous...

  *I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.* I felt like Elayne herself was repeatedly flicking me in the forehead to get my attention as I read this book.  I resonated so much with her words and I know a lot of my strong friends would too. Get Over "I Got It" came across my Netgalley feed as I was scrolling through the self-help/personal growth section and from the title alone I was sold.  I like to say I'm Wonder Woman (because, duh) but I've learned time and time again I can't do it all and I most definitely can't do it all alone.  I take pride in being an independent woman who "doesn't need a man" and, if you're an enneagram person, I'm a type two - the helper.  The word "no" is not a word I use often, although I am learning to use it more.  Being a helper and being confident in your no are just two concepts that Elayne addresses in this book. I found this to be a quick read with a lot of wise n...

*I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.* What Beauty There Is was a recommended book on my Netgalley homepage and I was enchanted by the cover, so I requested it without looking too much into it.  I found it to be a fast-paced, survival story about two teenagers and a young boy who are connected by the criminal pasts of their fathers.  As I was reading, it felt like I was watching a movie.  Anderson's writing is extremely engaging and keeps you on edge page after page. From the first chapter, you know this book is going to be tragic... but you can't stop reading.  At least, I couldn't.  I liked the multiple points of view where the reader sees Ava's thoughts while following Jack's story; however, I was annoyed with Jack's resistance towards help when that's what he so desperately needed.  I'm not sure he nor his brother would've survived as long as they did in real life... it might've been a bit of a stretch.  The ...

*I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.* I'm a Converse girl, so the cover caught my eye immediately.  When I started reading, the idea with the main character becoming a groupie for a young, up-and-coming band with some cute male members was intriguing; however, the writing didn't sell it for me.  I stopped reading about 20% of the way through.  I couldn't relate to the characters and I wasn't a fan of Rose at all.  The flow was extremely choppy and, ironically, broken.  I hate being someone to not finish reading a book (or finish what I started in general), but this one made me walk away. Not Broken was released March 16, 2021 .

*I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.* This book had me hook, line and sinker within the first five chapters.  I found it to be unique, funny, and relatable.  I loved all the characters (except D - she was obnoxious, but there always has to be one in the bunch) and the flow was great.  Also, the title - Sunkissed - is adorable and fitting for Avery's story. This book gave me Disney Channel Original Movie vibes (Camp Rock/Lemonade Mouth) and would be a great summer read!  I honestly have no complaints and look forward to reading another book by Kasie West. Sunkissed was released May 4, 2021.  It is available to purchase through major retailers, or my personal favorite book distributor, Bookshop .  Buy through Bookshop, support local bookstores!

*I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.* I should've kept track of how many times I asked myself, "What the nut?" as I was reading this book. Long story short - it was not my cup of tea.  I didn't connect to any of the characters.  I thought both Mick and Veronica were selfish and rude beaches who never did anything wrong and Nico was well... Nico.  (I don't want to give too much away).  The "installs" made me think of Step Up Revolution (a positive) and the plot in general was very unpredictable (also a positive), it just wasn't what I thought it was going to be.  I didn't vibe with the writing for some reason - if someone could help me figure out why that would be great - and the end was actually wicked disturbing.  A solid quick read though. Not sure if I would recommend this book... might be a cool tv show though to be honest. She's Too Pretty to Burn was released March 30, 2021.  It is available to purchas...

  Last month I had a valid excuse for being MIA blog-wise... this month, not so much.  I'm bummed with how much I've put reading on the back burner and I am honestly in a blogging slump, but I have a whole list of books to review and you bet your biscuits I'm gonna review them!  Just... not as timely as I would hope.  My groove has officially been thrown off. - Books Read -  In May, I read three e-books. Five Ways to Fall Out of Love by Emily Martin The Girl Who Escaped from Auschwitz by Ellie Midwood She's Too Pretty to Burn by Wendy Heard *Review coming soon* - Currently Reading -  - TBR Pile for June -  Kisses & Croissants by Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau What Beauty There Is by Cory Anderson My Epic Spring Break (Up) by Kristin Rockaway Get Over 'I Got It' by Elayne Fluker Spells Trouble by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast The Woman with the Blue Star by Pam Jenoff Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCafferty Homewrecker by Deanna Cameron This Is for Tonigh...

*I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.* This story is based off historical fact and real people who were prisoners in Auschwitz during the Holocaust.  The only thing I struggled with was the amount of time it took me to get into.  The beginning was just too slow for me, although the build was essential for the plot.  Descriptions throughout this book made you feel as though you were really there witnessing the horrors for yourself, and there was more than one time reading where I felt sick to my stomach. The romance between Mala and Edek brought about a sense of hope and every time they met up with one another, butterflies swarmed my stomach.  A third character who stood out to me was Mala's closest friend and accomplice, Zippy.  I loved her fire and resilience; same goes for Mala who stopped at nothing to save as many prisoners as she could by assigning them to specific work forces and/or literally giving them the clothes off her...