A Modern Mermaid Tale I Couldn’t Put Down

Now we all know the original story of The Little Mermaid. This book was another one of those where the story became more modern day. Ariel del Mar has been a singer who wants a different lifestyle and just so happens to meet her Prince Charming. I loved how much this romance story felt so real and how much it followed the tale it was based on. 

Ariel del Mar is one of the most famous singers in the world. She and her sisters—together, known as the band Siren Seven—have been a pop culture phenomenon since they were kids. On stage, wearing her iconic red wig and sequined costumes, staring out at a sea of fans, is where she shines. Anyone would think she’s the girl who has everything. 

But lately, she wants more. Siren Seven is wrapping up their farewell tour and Ariel can’t wait to spend the summer just living a normal life—part of a world she’s only ever seen from the outside. But her father, the head of Atlantica Records, has other plans: begin her breakout solo career immediately, starting with a splashy announcement on a morning talk show. 

The night before, Ariel and her sisters sneak out of their Manhattan penthouse for a night of incognito fun at a rock concert in Brooklyn. It’s there that Ariel crosses paths with Eric Reyes, dreamy lead singer of an up-and-coming band. Unaware of her true identity, Eric spontaneously invites her on the road for the summer. And for the first time in her life, Ariel disobeys her father—and goes with him. 

Caught between the world she longs for and the one she’s left behind, can Ariel follow her dreams, fall in love and, somehow, find her own voice?

I love the idea that it was more transparent that Ariel ran away from her father. Not only because she had fallen in love, but also because she was sick of him sheltering her. It gave a spin in which her father is the bad guy of the story, which can also be interpreted in The Little Mermaid. Overall I really loved this book and its events and this series has been the best I've read in a while.

A Beautiful Modern Twist on a Classic Tale

 Another Disney story but with a more realistic storyline to it. By The Book by Jasmine Guillory was one of these stories that just blew me away. Every single bit of this book truly told the Beauty and the Beast tale and I enjoyed this rendition. 

Isabelle is completely lost. When she first began her career in publishing right out of college, she did not expect to be 25, living at home, still an editorial assistant and the only Black employee at her publishing house. Overworked and underpaid, constantly torn between speaking up or stifling herself, Izzy thinks there must be more to this publishing life. So when she overhears her boss complaining about a beastly high-profile author who has failed to deliver his long-awaited manuscript, Isabelle sees an opportunity to finally get the promotion she deserves.

All she has to do is go to the author’s Santa Barbara mansion and give him a quick pep talk or three. How hard could it be?

But Izzy quickly finds out she is in over her head. Beau Towers is not some celebrity lightweight writing a tell-all memoir. He is jaded and withdrawn and—it turns out—just as lost as Izzy. But despite his standoffishness, Izzy needs Beau to deliver and with her encouragement, his story begins to spill onto the page. They soon discover they have more in common than either of them expected and as their deadline nears, Izzy and Beau begin to realize there may be something there that wasn't there before. 

Just like the Beast, Beau was a character that I hated in the beginning but grew to love the more he opened up. He made his mistakes and was able to come back from them twofold. His relationship with Izzy was just a typical relationship if life. It had its ups and its down but he loved her no matter the situation. Also, the notebook that he wrote in everyday about how much he loved her, even from the first day was just the most romantic thing.

Reflections of Power: Mirror, Mirror

Mirror, Mirror is a twisted tale of Snow White in which the Evil Queen poisons the Prince instead. How could this really make the story different you ask? Although the ending was very similar, the plot in the middle changed the entire storyline.

Following her beloved mother's death, the kingdom falls into the hands of Snow White's stepmother, commonly referred to as "the Evil Queen" by those she rules. Snow keeps her head down at the castle, hoping to make the best of her situation.

But when new information about her parents resurfaces and a plot to kill her goes haywire, everything changes for Snow. With the help of a group of wary dwarfs, a kind prince she thought she'd never see again and a mysterious stranger from her past, Snow embarks on a quest to stop the Evil Queen and take back her kingdom. But can she stop an enemy who knows her every move and will stop at nothing to retain her power... including going after the ones Snow loves?

The mirror in this story really plays a much larger role as the Evil Queen has used its power so much that she and the mirror have started to become one and the same. She uses the power to lock Snow White's father out of the kingdom and uses it to spy on anyone she wishes. The more the Queen uses its power, the more she loses her humanity until she becomes consumed by her own reflection.

This version of the story starts off as a retelling of the original Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs but the best part is, you never know what is going to happen next. The twists and turns from the original storyline come out of nowhere and shock you before you can expect it.

The Shoe Fits on This Romance

"If the Shoe Fits" by Julie Murphy was revolutionary for me to read. This book took a classic fairy tale story, changed the whole thing and added a huge section of diversity. Written by a plus size author, we are introduced to the first ever plus sized Cinderella, who doesn't need a fairy godmother.

After having just graduated with a degree in shoe design and trying to get her feet on the ground, Cindy is working for her stepmother, who happens to be the executive producer of America's favorite reality show, Before Midnight. When a spot on the show needs filling ASAP, Cindy volunteers, hoping it might help jump-start her fashion career, or at least give her something to do while her peers land jobs in the world of high fashion.

Turns out being the only plus size woman on a reality dating competition makes a splash and soon Cindy becomes a body positivity icon for women everywhere. What she doesn't expect? That she may just find inspiration-and love-in the process. Ultimately, Cindy learns that if the shoe doesn't fit, maybe it's time to design your own.

This was a very interesting turn on the fairy tale. The step mother and sisters were very kind and Cindy already knew her prince. Also the fact that it all took place on a dating television show was even better to add to the drama. I thought this was a very cute adaptation because when you think about the ball that Cinderella goes to, isn't that pretty much just a dating game?

I enjoyed that Cindy was very independent and did not need saving from any of the other girls or anyone else in the book. She was a fashion designer who knew what she loved and even in the end did it even if it meant she would have to move across the world. It felt like the perfect ending for someone who had learned that if the shoe doesn’t fit, you have every right to design your own.

Part of Your World: A Twisted Tale

Another Little Mermaid book? You bet. For some reason, I’ve been on a kick for retellings of The Little Mermaid. Part of Your World by Liz Braswell did not disappoint. Just like Hexed, it was fun to read a familiar story with a huge twist.

It’s been five years since the infamous sea witch defeated the little mermaid and took King Triton’s life in the process. Ariel is now the voiceless queen of Atlantica, while Ursula runs Prince Eric’s kingdom on land. But when Ariel discovers that her father might still be alive, she finds herself returning to a world — and a prince — she never imagined she would see again.

I’ve always been on the side of villains so it was interesting to see this version of what happens if they win. Ursula as Vanessa was one of my favorite villains and I’m not sure if that’s because of her incredible voice — Ariel’s voice — or because she really looks like me.

One of the reasons retellings like this are so fun to read is because we already know the plot of the story. We know Ariel, Eric, Ursula and Triton. We know their relationships, their struggles, their desires. But when you twist just one outcome, everything changes. Suddenly, you’re looking at these characters through a completely different lens.

For example, Eric isn’t just the charming prince anymore. He’s a man living under a villain’s control. His mentality has shifted and in many ways he’s lost himself.

And then there’s Ariel, who might be the most interesting character in this version. She’s not the naive teenager who dreams of being “part of your world.” She’s older, a queen still without her voice and haunted by her youthful mistake.

Throughout the story, you see the shell around both characters begin to crack. Slowly, they revert back to the bubbly, hopeful characters that felt so familiar in the classic movie.

Crying in H Mart: A Story of Grief, Love and Food

Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner is one of those books that stays with you long after you finish. I picked it up thinking it would be a thoughtful memoir, but I wasn’t prepared for how deeply it relates to me. I could relate to her story so much that it was so moving to read her story so recent to the death in mine.

With humor and heart, she tells of growing up one of the few Asian American kids at her school in Eugene, Oregon; of struggling with her mother's particular, high expectations of her; of a painful adolescence; of treasured months spent in her grandmother's tiny apartment in Seoul, where she and her mother would bond, late at night, over heaping plates of food.

It was her mother's diagnosis of terminal cancer, when Michelle was twenty-five, that forced a reckoning with her identity and brought her to reclaim the gifts of taste, language and history her mother had given her.

 

Now, as I said before, my story can closely relate to hers. I just lost my grandpa to a battle with cancer about a month ago. When Michelle wrote about the progress of her mother’s death, it was so real. It was just as I had experienced my grandpa’s. I think it was fate for me to read this book when I did. I have had it on my reading list since my junior year of high school and it was now that I decided to read it.

For Michelle, it wasn't just so much about losing her mother as it was about her heritage. She lost a part of herself but also started to realize how distant she was to the culture that had raised her. This memoir was really scattered throughout various parts of her life. 

Overall, this memoir was written very well. It was not the best memoir I have ever read, but it was for sure the first one I could relate to the closest. Our culture is a part of us, no matter how big or small that culture may be. It is important for us to remember our roots and to thrive with respect to them.

 

Falling for a Different Type of Relationship

The Never After series by Emily McIntire is one of the most interesting series that I have read before. Her concept with these, are that the main character falls in love with the villain. For example, the first book in the series is Hooked, where Wendy falls in love with Captain Hook. Now, these stories don't take place in the same setting or plot as the movie. Emily McIntire changes the narrative to be a more mafia style, dark romance that really changes how the story ends. 

Most recently, Emily McIntire wrote Hexed, in which Prince Eric falls in love with Ursula. This book ended up being one of my favorites in the series as I enjoyed the relationship between Venesa (Ursula) and Enzo (Eric). 

Venesa Andersen has never been good. She wasn’t good enough for her parents, and she isn’t good enough for the gangster uncle who took her in after they died. But she’s cunning. Beautiful. Dutiful to her uncle’s demands. And she doesn’t have time for a moral compass, anyway. When her runaway cousin returns to their coastal southern town, she brings a man with her…and Venesa soon realizes he’s the only one who’s ever seen her for her.

There’s just one problem: she can never have him.

Enzo “Loverboy” Marino is a wealthy businessman by day and prince of the underworld by night. Underboss to a notorious mafia man, he answers to no one except his father, the strongest don in the Northeast. When he’s tasked with marriage, Enzo doesn’t think twice.

Until he meets his fiancée’s cousin.

When plans unravel and temptation sings its siren song, they’ll both have to choose what’s more important: duty to their families, or a forbidden love that was never supposed to be.

This series is particularly fun because you can see each piece of the original story take its place. Such as characters, words, monumental moments and symbols. When it clicks as to what Emily McIntire has hidden each thing as, you feel very proud of yourself. 

In this book Bastian references Sebastian, we still get the famous "but daddy, I love him" quote and Enzo gives Venesa a seashell necklace. Just like the one Ursula has in the movie. Overall, although it is a very smutty book, the plot is still to die for and I found myself not being able to get enough.

Ali Hazelwood’s STEMinist Novellas That Melted My Heart

Ever since I read Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood, I have been in love with her books. In this case, Loathe To Love You was no different. This book was made up of three separate stories that were all connected together. It was fun to read about each character and their relationships with one another as they faced a problem within their life.

Loathe to Love You is a collection of three connected STEMinist novellas by Ali Hazelwood, featuring three female friends who find love with their rivals through forced proximity scenarios like cohabitation, being stuck in an elevator or stranded in the Arctic. The stories follow Mara, a lawyer and environmental engineer, Sadie, a civil engineer and Hannah, a NASA aerospace engineer, as their initial friction evolves into romance within each story. The collection also includes a bonus chapter where the friends meet up, tying all their storylines together.  

Although I just gave an overall description of the collection, here is a more detailed version for each book.

Under One Roof

An environmental engineer discovers that scientists should never cohabitate when she finds herself stuck with the roommate from hell, a detestable big-oil lawyer who will not leave the thermostat alone.

Stuck with You

A civil engineer and her nemesis take their rivalry and love, to the next level when they get stuck in a New York elevator.

Below Zero

A NASA aerospace engineer's frozen heart melts as she lies injured and stranded at a remote Arctic research station and the only person willing to undertake the dangerous rescue mission is her longtime rival.

Each one of these novellas was just as cute as the next! Out of all three, Below Zero was for sure my favorite. The relationship between Hannah and Ian was very intriguing to follow as it never was super steady. But, spoiler alert, Ian did the absolute most that he could to make sure that Hannah would be saved, even if it was not his project.

If that does not scream Prince Charming I do not know what does. Ian is the type of boyfriend that in every story I fall in love with first. Although he and Hannah had their rough patches, he was able to fix it all by saving her life.

Was It Really The Summer I Turned Pretty?

This year's hit TV show has been The Summer I Turned Pretty. Everywhere I turned, people were either talking about it, posting about it or recommending it. I decided that before I watch show for the first time, I would read the books to compare. So far I have been impressed with the series and understand why it has become so popular. I've been watching the series as well and have seen that there are a lot of differences so far!

Some summers are just destined to be pretty. Belly measures her life in summers. Everything good, everything magical happens between the months of June and August. Winters are simply a time to count the weeks until the next summer, a place away from the beach house, away from Susannah and most importantly, away from Jeremiah and Conrad. They are the boys that Belly has known since her very first summer, they have been her brother figures, her crushes and everything in between. But one summer, one wonderful and terrible summer, the more everything changes, the more it all ends up just the way it should have been all along.

Now, one of the biggest questions fans always seem to debate is if each viewer/reader is team Conrad or Jeremiah. Honestly, if you were to ask me right now which team I’m on, I’d have to say neither. They both have had their moments where I like them, but they have often had rougher moments with Belly that make me change my mind.

I will say that I was not super in love with the book either, since it tends to skip a lot between the present and the past. It becomes very confusing as to when the section of the book is taking place. The TV Series has been really good and I find a lot easier to follow than the book. I have noticed plenty of differences such as Laurel finding her own love in the show. Some of the events of the book 

Overall, I have truly enjoyed reading this series, especially now that I am older because I feel like I can really relate with Belly. I am the middle cousin so all of my older cousins clicked well because there was a 3 year gap between me and the youngest of the oldest. The same thing applied to my younger cousins so I felt stuck in the middle with no where to go. I would try to fit in and impress my cousins to find where I belonged with my family, but just like Belly, I often made a large mistake that outcasted me even more.

I cannot wait to continue this roller coaster of a series and see what else lies ahead for Belly and who ultimately ends as her forever person.

The Maiden, the Guard, and My Mixed Emotions

From Blood and Ash is a book that I believe I originally found recommended to me on TikTok, but a friend recently mentioned it so I thought I would dive into it soon. I'm not entirely sure how I feel about it yet, as there are some parts I love and others not so much. As this is the first book in the series I'm going to do what I always do and see the whole series out.

Chosen from birth to usher in a new era, Poppy’s life has never been her own. The life of the Maiden is solitary. Never to be touched. Never to be looked upon. Never to be spoken to. Never to experience pleasure. Waiting for the day of her Ascension, she would rather be with the guards, fighting back the evil that took her family, than preparing to be found worthy by the gods. But the choice has never been hers.

The entire kingdom’s future rests on Poppy’s shoulders, something she’s not even quite sure she wants for herself. Because a Maiden has a heart. And a soul. And longing. And when Hawke, a golden-eyed guard honor bound to ensure her Ascension, enters her life, destiny and duty become tangled with desire and need. He incites her anger, makes her question everything she believes in and tempts her with the forbidden.

As the shadow of those cursed draws closer, the line between what is forbidden and what is right becomes blurred. Poppy is not only on the verge of losing her heart and being found unworthy by the gods, but also her life when every blood-soaked thread that holds her world together begins to unravel.

All of these characters are what is setting me on the line between loving and hating this book. The plot is good and I can follow it easily but I still need to figure out what I think of the characters. As much as I love the growing relationship between Poppy and Hawke, they can both be very annoying at times and that's something that can lead me to disliking the book.

In my opinion, the characters are just as important, if not more important than the plot and I still am very curious about how I will enjoy this series. As for now, its getting a middle rating, in hopes that when I read the other books in the Blood and Ash series they can have higher ratings.

Stars: 3

Spice: 2

My New Favorite Series: Falling Hard for Twisted Games

After reading the second book of the Twisted series by Ana Huang, Twisted Games, in only 3 days, its safe to say that it is for sure my new favorite series. If you see me reading at all this week, I am either finishing book 3 or in the process of reading book 4. I cannot put this series down because I am absolutely addicted.

Stoic, broody and arrogant, elite bodyguard Rhys Larsen has 2 rules: 1) Protect his clients at all costs 2) Do not become emotionally involved. Ever. He has never once been tempted to break those rules...until her.

Bridget von Ascheberg. A princess with a stubborn streak that matches his own and a hidden fire that reduces his rules to ash. She's nothing he expected and everything he never knew he needed. Day by day, inch by inch, she breaks down his defenses until he's faced with a truth he can no longer deny: he swore an oath to protect her, but all he wants is to have her to himself.

Because she's his. His princess.

Regal, strong-willed and bound by the chains of duty, Princess Bridget dreams of the freedom to live and love as she chooses. But when her brother abdicates, she's suddenly faced with the prospect of a loveless, politically expedient marriage and a throne she never wanted. And as she navigates the intricacies-and treacheries-of her new role, she must also hide her desire for a man she can't have.

Her bodyguard.

Her protector.

Her ultimate ruin.

Unexpected and forbidden, theirs is a love that could destroy a kingdom...and doom them both.

Bridget and Rhys' love was one like no other as throughout it all they stuck together. They had very short moments of not being with each other but the book moved very fast through those moments which I appreciated. As much as I love getting more character development when the characters are far apart, they typically just have moments of dread or complaint during this time.

Ana Huang has deemed this book a stand alone from the first but I believe it is very vital to read the first book before this one to truly understand the repeat faces as well as the background information. Unlike A Court of Thorns and Roses, the first book in this series is not a bore and is very easy to read if you enjoy the characters like I did.

Stars: 5

Spice: 4

A New Favorite Series? Twisted Love Review

I have seen the Twisted series by Ana Huang all over stores and TikTok. It has been on my reading list for forever but this week I finally indulged and read it thanks to getting a hard copy at the ONU Thrift Club's Blind Date with a Book event. I recommend this book to people who have enjoyed their TikTok romance reads as well as steamy brothers best friend romances. 

He has a heart of ice…but for her, he'd burn the world. Alex Volkov is a devil blessed with the face of an angel and cursed with a past he can't escape. Driven by a tragedy that has haunted him for most of his life, his ruthless pursuits for success and vengeance leave little room for matters of the heart. But when he's forced to look after his best friend's sister, he starts to feel something in his chest:

A crack.

A melt.

A fire that could end his world as he knew it.

Ava Chen is a free spirit trapped by nightmares of a childhood she can't remember. But despite her broken past, she's never stopped seeing the beauty in the world...including the heart beneath the icy exterior of a man she shouldn't want.

Her brother's best friend.

Her neighbor.

Her savior and her downfall.

Theirs is a love that was never supposed to happen-but when it does, it unleashes secrets that could destroy them both...and everything they hold dear.

Ava and Alex's relationship was never one that was ideal throughout the entirety of the book. But that's the sort of romance books I tend to enjoy since I can see how they play out in the end. It did not take me very long to fall in love with both of the characters even though Alex was very standoffish in the beginning. I felt that Ava and I were very similar as we are both bright people who look for the positive in everything and tend to keep a cheerful demeanor.

Typically I will just rent out books from my library at home to read but due to me loving this series so much and having three weeks before I even go home, I bought Kindle Unlimited just so I can finish the series. Safe to say I am really looking forward to the rest of this series and I hope that it is just as good as the first.

Stars: 5

Spice: 4

The Final Nail in the Hot and Hammered Series

Tools of Engagement by Tessa Baily is the final book in the Hot and Hammered series. It still continues down the path of home renovations but this time focuses on the final Castle family member's life drama. This final book shows us just how one uncle trying to raise his sister's daughter alone can grab hold of your heart at the wrong time.

Everything in Bethany Castle's world is organized, planned and styled to perfection. That is why the homes she designs for her family's real estate business are the most sought-after in town. The only thing not perfect? Her track record with men. She's on a dating hiatus and after helping her friends achieve their dreams, Bethany finally has time to focus on her own: flip a house, from framework to furnishings, all by herself. But her older brother runs the company and refuses to take her seriously.

When a television producer gets wind of the Castle sibling rivalry, they’re invited on a new show, Flip Off, a competition to see who can do the best renovation. Bethany wants bragging rights, but she needs a crew and the only member of her brother's construction team willing to jump ship is Wes Daniels, the new guy in town. His Texas drawl and handsome face got under Bethany's skin on day one, but the last thing she needs is some cocky young cowboy in her way.

As the race to renovate heats up, Wes and Bethany are forced into close quarters and banter as they remodel the ugliest house on the block. But Bethany's perfectly structured life is one kiss away from going up in smoke and she knows falling for a guy like Wes would be a flipping disaster.

Wes was a character that I did not prefer in the second book of the series, but this book has definitely changed my mind about him. I always love reading about single men trying to navigate the world of raising a sassy elementary-level girl. Bethany also not knowing how to deal with children also elevated the comedy of the situation

Like I have said in the other reviews of the first two books of the series, if you like a cute romance and house flipping like HGTV, this series is absolutely perfect for you. Hot and Hammered is a series unlike any other thanks to Tessa Bailey. I feel that if houses are not quite your thing, you should still check out any other book that she has made because they are all fantastic!

Stars: 3/5

Spice: 4/5

When Happily Ever After Needs a Renovation

Love Her or Lose Her is the second book in Tessa Bailey’s Hot and Hammered series and while it didn’t completely match the magic of the first book for me, it still delivered an engaging story. I genuinely enjoyed reading it, even if I didn’t connect with the characters quite as deeply. Rosie and Dominic’s personalities were a bit harder to love, but they’re flawed in a very raw and human way, which sometimes made it difficult to support them, but also made their journey feel more real.

The story follows Rosie and Dominic Vega, a seemingly perfect couple who’ve lost their spark over the years. Once high school sweethearts, best friends and completely obsessed with each other, they’ve now fallen into a routine that feels more like strangers sharing a space than partners in love. Dominic, a former soldier, has retreated emotionally, giving Rosie little more than grunts and blank stares, even though he’s still a loyal husband and a reliable provider. But Rosie wants more. More passion, more communication, more connection and she’s finally ready to stop settling.

Encouraged by her fiercely supportive group of girlfriends, Rosie makes two big decisions: she’s going to chase her lifelong dream of opening a restaurant and she’s going to fight for her marriage, starting with marriage boot camp. And not just any marriage boot camp, this one’s led by a laid-back, eccentric therapist who’s all about feelings, incense and emotional vulnerability. But just when it seems like everything is finally falling into place, Rosie uncovers a secret Dominic’s been keeping.

Overall, Love Her or Lose Her is a heartfelt second-chance romance that explores what happens after the honeymoon phase ends. While I personally didn’t adore the characters as much as in the first book, I appreciated their growth and the emotional weight of their story. I enjoyed how Tessa Bailey wrote a story based on real-life problems that aren't typically read about or talked about overall. Rosie and Dom’s journey isn’t perfect, but it’s honest, messy and ultimately hopeful.

Stars: 3/5

Spice: 4/5

A Must-Read for HGTV Lovers and Romance Fans

The first time I read Fix Her Up by Tessa Bailey, I knew it was a book I’d come back to. And now, after a re-read, I can confirm that it’s just as fun, steamy, and satisfying the second time around. I only read this book which is the first in the series and have decided that I wanted to reread this book and finish up the series. I first read this book in October of 2023, and my opinions have not changed. If you love home renovations, HGTV marathons, and swoon-worthy romance, Fix Her Up is a book you need on your shelf.

Georgette Castle grew up in a family of home renovation pros, but instead of following in their footsteps, she pursued a career as a children’s party planner. With this, her family and much of the town see her as the “kid sister” rather than a serious businesswoman. Tired of being overlooked, Georgie embarks on a personal makeover, complete with a business revamp, a wardrobe overhaul, and a bold new approach to dating.

Enter Travis Ford, former baseball star and her older brother’s best friend. After an injury ends his career, Travis finds himself stuck in a town that only sees him as a washed-up athlete. When Georgie proposes a fake relationship to help them both shift public perception, her as a grown woman and him as a reliable professional, he agrees. But as their pretend romance heats up, real feelings start to blur the lines between fantasy and reality.

The first time I read it, I loved the slow burn and chemistry between Georgie and Travis. On the re-read, I caught even more of their small, heartfelt moments that make their romance so fun to read. While the story isn’t centered around home renovation, the setting and family business give it that cozy, small-town, fixer-upper feel. If you love watching house flips and interior makeovers, this book has that same satisfying charm.

Overall, Tessa Bailey is a romance author I would recommend to any reader, whether you've read romance before or if you are just dipping your toe into the genre. Her books are all super fun to read aren't too long and don't drag out either. You definitely will fall in love with at least one of her characters and find a resemblance within yourself.

Stars: 4

Spice: 4

Less Smut, More Heart: Why I Loved Daydream

Some of you readers or even TikTok users have heard of Icebreaker by Hannah Grace (Maple Hills Series #1). If you do not know this book here is a quick rundown for you: 

A college hockey romance about Anastasia, a competitive figure skater, and Nate, the captain of the hockey team. They are forced to work together when their teams must share a rink, but their initial rivalry turns into an unexpected romance.

This book has since sparked so much controversy on TikTok due to parents being deceived of it's content. They thought this book was just a cute little romance, but when they had their teenager reading smut (sex) that's when they drew the line. I however truly enjoyed this book, so much so that I just recently read the most recent book in the series, Daydream (Maple Hills Series #3). 

Here is my review of Daydream!

When his procrastination lands him in a difficult class with his least favorite professor, Henry Turner knows he’s going to have to work extra hard to survive his junior year of college. And now with his new title of captain for the hockey team, which he didn’t even want, Henry absolutely cannot fail. Enter Halle Jacobs, a fellow junior who finds herself befriended by Henry when he accidentally crashes her book club.

Halle may not have the romantic pursuits of her favorite fictional leads, but she’s an academic superstar, and as soon as she hears about Henry’s problems with his class reading material, she offers to help. Too bad being a private tutor isn’t exactly ideal given her own studies, job, book club, and the novel she’s trying to write. But new experiences are the key to beating her writer’s block, and Henry’s promising to be the one to give them to her. They just need to stick to their rule book, and not fall in love.

This book was super cute and way less smutty than Icebreaker. Halle and Henry have become my new romance book babies as I just adore them so much. Similar to Night Shift (which I wrote about in a previous review), I could really relate to Halle since she is a cute book reader and writer. She also is a people pleaser and although she takes on a lot more than I could in the book, it was still nice to see some representation for the people who work too hard.

Stars: 4

Spice: 2

Three Months Later: My Take on Ruin and Rising

I have finally finished the Shadow and Bone trilogy, also known as the Grishaverse trilogy and I am thankful to be done with it. It took me three months to power through all three books and while there were moments I enjoyed, overall, it felt like a long journey that I was more excited to just complete.

Of the three books, I appreciated Ruin and Rising the most because it provided closure to many of the loose ends from the previous books. While the pacing of the series was inconsistent at times, the final book managed to maintain my interest with unexpected plot twists that kept me guessing. Even though I had a general idea of how the story would conclude, there were enough surprises to make the finale engaging.

The story follows Alina and her friends as they escape captivity and set out on a dangerous quest to locate the third and final amplifier. This legendary source of power could give Alina the strength she needs to finally defeat the Darkling and bring peace to Ravka. However, along the way, the group encounters shocking revelations, difficult choices and the looming threat of an all-out war. As the final confrontation approaches, Alina must decide just how much she is willing to sacrifice, not only for victory but also for the future of the world she is fighting to protect.

Now that I have completed the trilogy, I plan on watching the Netflix adaptation of Shadow and Bone. I am hoping that the show will bring more depth to elements that I found difficult to understand in the books and perhaps make some of the characters and plot more engaging. Sometimes, a visual adaptation can improve the storytelling in ways that a book cannot, so I am optimistic about how the series will compare.

Overall, I do not recommend this trilogy to anyone looking for a fantasy series. If you are searching for a more enjoyable fantasy read, I would highly recommend A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas or The Betrothed by Kiera Cass. 

According to Goodreads, readers who enjoyed the Shadow and Bone trilogy often also liked The Cruel Prince by Holly Black, Powerless by Lauren Roberts and Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros. All three of these books are on my to-read list and I am curious to see how they compare. For now, I am just glad to have finished this trilogy and am ready to move on to a better reading adventure.

Stars: 3/5

Spice: 1/5

Adorable but Annoying? My Review of Night Shift

Night Shift by Annie Crown was the most adorable romance I have read in a while. I believe I found this book on either TikTok or Instagram before it came out. Since then, it has been sitting on my reading list, waiting to be read. Driving an hour and a half to my boyfriend's house is always the perfect time to read a romance, and this one hit the spot.

Kendall Holiday spends her Friday nights exactly where she wants to be. With her head buried in a spicy romance novel while she works the night shift at her university's library. She knows she could join her friends for a weekend of drinks and college parties, but she likes her alone time, so she tells herself she isn't hiding when she gets lost in the pages of fictional love stories.

But that all changes when Vincent Knight, captain of the basketball team, turns up with an injured wrist, a sour mood, and a pressing need for poetry recommendations for a class he hates. Vincent is tall, smart-mouthed and challenges Kendall like no one has before. Suddenly, she's falling headfirst into her very own romance novel, but it takes a lot more truth than tropes to get to a happy ever after in real life.

As a reader who focuses on tropes and happily ever after, it was fun to read a book where the main character was the same way. Kendall was always looking at her relationship with Vincent through tropes or scenes from books she had previously read.  It was nice to be able to have a character that I could relate to in this non-typical way.

This book was a short read, which I enjoyed because it meant that the scenes did not drag on too much and neither did the relationship between Vincent and Kendall. I will mention that I did not enjoy how much conflict and miscommunication there was between these two characters. It became repetitive and made me feel annoyed with the author.

Stars: 4

Spice: 3 

Love on the Line: A Review of Hook, Line, and Sinker

Hook, Line, and Sinker by Tessa Bailey is a sweet conclusion to the Bellinger Sisters series. While it may not have quite lived up to It Happened One Summer, this sequel is still a heartwarming romance filled with growth and humor.

This book follows Hannah Bellinger, the younger and more understated of the two sisters. Unlike her sister, Piper, who thrives in the spotlight, Hannah has always seen herself as the supporting character in other people’s stories. Working as a music production assistant, she returns to the charming fishing town of Westport for a film project, determined to prove herself in her industry. With no place to stay, she ends up crashing at the home of her close friend, Fox Thornton.

Fox is Westport’s resident ladies’ man, though he puts on a carefree facade. Fox struggles with insecurities and believes he’s only worth a good time. However, what Hannah doesn’t realize is that Fox has secretly harbored feelings for her all along. Unlike his usual flings, his connection with Hannah feels different and he’s terrified of ruining what they have and disappointing someone who deserves better. As they spend more time together, their friendship begins to blur into something more, forcing Fox to confront his fears of unworthiness and Hannah to recognize that she doesn’t have to settle for a background role in her own life.

Though it may not have had the same spark as the first book, Hook, Line, and Sinker is still an enjoyable, easy read for romance lovers. The town of Westport continues to be a charming town for love stories. If you enjoy contemporary romance with lovable characters and a touch of small-town magic, the entire Bellinger Sisters series is definitely worth the read!

Stars: 3

Spice: 2

It Happened One Summer: The Perfect Book for Your Next Vacation

If you're searching for the perfect summer read, It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey is a must-read. This Schitt’s Creek-inspired, Hollywood-to-small-town novel is an enemies-to-lovers story. This book is perfect for small-town vacations or just sitting on the beach!

Piper Bellinger, a glamorous and carefree LA aristocrat, is living her best life until one night of reckless partying lands her in trouble. Her stepfather decides it’s time for a wake-up call, cutting her off financially and sending her to a small, working-class fishing town in Washington to prove she can be responsible. Piper finds herself in a world where no one is impressed by her status, especially Brendan Taggart. Brendan is the town’s no-nonsense sea captain who has little patience for Piper’s flashy lifestyle. He doubts she’ll last more than a few days in a place so far removed from her glamorous comfort zone. 

At first, I found Piper a bit difficult to love as she felt like the stereotypical spoiled rich girl. But as the story progressed, I couldn’t help but fall for her character development. As someone familiar with small dockside towns, this book does a wonderful job of putting you right into the setting.

I already can’t wait to continue with the Bellinger Sisters series as I’m not ready to say goodbye to these characters just yet! Whether you’re a typical romance reader or just dipping your toes into it, It Happened One Summer is a fantastic pick for your next beach read.

Stars: 4

Spice: 2