It’s time to switch over and start a new yearly book list! As I finish each book, I share it and a mini review in real-time on my Instagram Stories and I also keep an updated list here.
If you’re interested in my previous lists, you can find them here: 2020 Book List, 2021 Book List and 2022 Book List. Feel free to bookmark this page, as I will keep it updated as I finish each book. I’ll also stick a link to this post over on the right sidebar for easy access.
Here are the books I’ve read so far in 2023:
| Book #, Information & Link | Mini Book Review |
| Book #1 of 2023: The Love That Split The World by Emily Henry | Natalie’s last few days of her senior year is off to a magical start… until she starts seeing momentary glimpses of things looking wrong. But then her wold town disappears for hours, fading away into rolling hills and grazing buffalo, and Nat knows something isn’t right. This is a time-traveling love story and I really wanted to like it. But it was confusing and clunky and the explanations were just so verbose and random. I really thought the book was leading up to an ending that would make everything work and make sense. But it just left me annoyed at how murky it all was. |
| Book #2 of 2023: The Girl Who Was Taken by Charlie Donlea | The night they go missing, high school seniors Nicole Cutty and Megan McDonald are at a beach party in their small town of Emerson Bay, North Carolina. Two weeks later, Megan escapes from a bunker. It’s a triumphant story, except for one inconvenient detail: Nicole is still missing. Holy crap this story was suspenseful. I literally felt out of breath racing through the end and yelled HOLY SHIT multiple times. If you love a suspenseful murder mystery, you’ll be glued to this one. |
| Book #3 of 2023: When in Rome by Sarah Adams | Inspired by her favorite Audrey Hepburn film, Roman Holiday, a superstar pop singer is feeling burnt out and decides to escape to Rome. The closest Rome to her… Rome, Kentucky. This romantic comedy is one of the BEST I’ve read in quite awhile. I loved the relationship between Amelia and Noah and I loved his busybody sisters. If you’re looking for a romantic, feel-good story that will also make you giggle, this one is fantastic. |
| Book #4 of 2023: Mad About You by Mhairi McFarlane | A sharp, emotional novel about a women who calls off her engagement to “the perfect man” and moves in with a charming stranger who makes her question everything about her life, her past, and the secretes she’s kept for far too long. I absolutely love Mhairi McFarlane and this book is another fantastic read from her. There are some tough parts of bad relationships and emotional abuse, but oh my gosh does she persevere. There are amazing friendships, girl power support, a bad guy getting his comeuppance, and romance too. Loved it! |
| Book #5 of 2023: Spells for Lost Things by Jenna Evans Welch | A travel-loveing teen of divorced parents, Willow is forced to spend the summer she expected to be filled with wanderlust instead stuck in Salem. She connects with another teen, Mason, who is dealing with his own heavy family issues and time in foster care. While a romance brews between the two, they also work to solve a long family curse of Willow’s. Every chapter switches between Willow and Mason, which for me made the book drag on a bit. It’s a YA novel, but it also deals with first love, foster care and addiction. I thought it was a sweet and touching story of redemption and finding a place where you fit. |
| Book #6 of 2023: The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie by Rachel Linden | As Lolly Blanchard’s thirty-third birthday approaches, her quirky great-aunt gives her a mysterious gift — three lemon drops, each of which allows her to live a single day in a life that might have been hers. I love the premise of this book — who doesn’t think ‘what if’ when looking at different times in their life? I loved Lolly and couldn’t put this book down. In fact, I read it all in one day. It was sweet. And bittersweet. And I loved it. |
| Book #7 of 2023: No Funny Business by Amanda Aksel | Olivia Vincent dreams of stand-up comedy stardom. Lawyer by day, comic at night… it’s only a matter of time before she drops the ball and loses her day job. Determined to pursue her dreams, she snags an audition in Los Angeles for a coveted spot on light-night TV. But the only way to get there is to seasoned stand-up comic Nick Leto on a cross-country road tour. I loved the buddy road trip vibe between Olivia and Nick. Lots of sarcastic banter and flirting. I was a bit put off that it apparently takes 2 weeks to fall in love, but that’s RomCom for you! A fun read with lots of Seinfeld and stand-up comic references. |
| Book #8 of 2023: How to Manifest by Laura Chung | Manifestation is a wildly popular concept emphasizing the strength of personal power in bringing your deepest desires into the realm of the physical. Wellness educator Laura Chung charts a 40-day plan for manifesting dreams. When I’m at the library, I always like to grab a couple books outside my normal comfort zone. This was an interesting read. While I’m not 100% in, I did make a ‘manifesting vision board’ on my phone to help me focus on what I really want my life to loo like. |
| Book #9 of 2023: Improbably Yours by Kerry Anne King | Blythe Harmon is on the fast track to a life she never wanted. On her thirtieth birthday, just as she’s about to lock herself into a high-powered job and accept a marriage proposal to match, an unusual bequest from her beloved late grandmother, Nomi, offers an escape and an invitation to adventure. I loved the book so much. The way she decides to take back her life and follow her grandmother’s treasure hunt just made me cheer for her. I did see the ‘big reveal’ coming from a mile away, but didn’t really care because the journey was so fun. |
| Book #10 of 2023: If the Dress Fits by Liz Talley | A new book in the Deconstructed series! Cricket Crosby is back and ready to balance running her antiques store with proving her PI chops… if someone will take a chance on her. When a local PI catches a case involving the theft of luxury goods, he hires the former debutante to go undercover to trap a thief. This book was super fun and a mix of mystery and a little romance. Loved it and I hope they continue the series! |
| Book #11 of 2023: Witcha Gonna Do? by Avery Flynn | An unlucky witch and her know-it-all nemesis must team up in the first of a new, spicy romantic comedy series. What can I say — I love witchy books. Add in a super hot romance and a heist and it’s a great and super fun start to this new series. |
| Book #12 of 2023: Hashtag Authentic by Sara Tasker | From the secrets of visual storytelling and crafting thumb-stopping Instagram photographs, to archiving your day-to-day life and remaining authentic to your true self, this book is an interactive tool for finding your online voice, growing your tribe, and using these skills to change your life, and – just possibly – the world. NOPE. I know I was supposed to find this 100% inspirational. Instead it made me feel shitty about myself 90% and 10% I should try harder. The photos were pretty though. |
| Book 13 of 2023: The Most Likely Club by Elyssa Friedland | Melissa Levin, Priya Chowdhury, Tara Taylor and Suki Hammer were going places when they graduated high school in 1997. Their yearbook superlatives were Most Likely to Win the White House, Cure Cancer, Open a Michelin-Starred Restaurant, and Jon the Forbes 400, respectively. Fast forward twenty-five years and nothing has gone according to plan. I gave up after 66 pages because I just felt like the book was full of unlikable characters and it wasn’t doing it for me at all. |
| Book #14 of 2023: This Time Next Door by Gretchen Galway | Rose Devlin may shop in the plus-size department, but she’s never had a problem attracting men – with disastrous consequences. When Rose asks the cute-but-geeky guy next door to help her land a job in high tech, she never expects that nerdy Mark is the kind of many she’s looking for. I liked that the lead was a plus sized lady who was confident in herself. I didn’t love the romance though. It just felt kind of ick in some places. And please for the love of god, PDA in front of family is NOT SEXY! |
| Book #15 of 2023: The Chemistry of Love by Sariah Wilson | How can Anna Ellis, a geeky, brilliant and hopelessly smitten cosmetic chemist possibly win over Craig Kimball, the man of her dreams – who also happens to be her boss? The answer is Craig’s half brother, Marco because whatever Marco has, Craig wants. That can be Anna, if she’s game to play.; This was the BEST romance I read in white awhile. It’s hilarious and dorky and so romantic I gasped and held my heart. Also, as a bonus currently free on Kindle Unlimited. Add this one to your TBR list and you won’t be disappointed! |
| Book #16 of 2023: My Hygge Home by Meik Wiking | By the founder of the Happiness Institute in Copenhagen, this book about Hygge (pronounced Hyou-gah) is an almost scholarly look at what makes a home happy. I loved this book and will need to revisit different portions that really resonated with me. A quote I loved: “Hygge is not about having it all. It is about enjoying what you have and enjoying it with the people in your life.” |
| Book #17 of 2023: The American Roommate Experiment by Elena Armas | Rosie Graham just quit her well paid job to focus on her secret career as a romance writer. Then, the ceiling of her New York apartment literally crumbles on her. Luckily she has her best friend Lina’s spare key while she’s out of town. But Rosie doesn’t know that Lina has already lent her apartment to her cousin Lucas. If you love a slow burn romance that roars into a full on SPICY fire, you will love this book. |
| Book #18 of 2023: Make Thrift Mend by Katrina Rodabaugh | Whether you want to repair your go-to jeans, refresh a favorite garment, alter or dye clothing you already have — this book as all the know-how you’ll need. I found this book both beautiful and very inspiring. I especially loved the section on visible mending and plan to use her tips in my next mending project. This one is a keeper you’ll want for your bookcase or coffee table! |
| Book #19 of 2023: Back in a Spell by Lana Harper (Witches of Thistle Grove #3) | An awkward first date leads to a sparkling romance between one of the most powerful witches in town and a magical newbie in this rom-com. I’m normally a big fan of magical books, especially when the underdog is able to kick some butt. This one though, was a total miss for me. It just felt really clunky and like they were trying to be super politically correct. It was just blegh for me and I’m not interested in exploring the rest of the series. (Oops. See Book #61 of 2023). |
| Book #20 of 2023: Marlowe Banks, Redesigned by Jacqueline Firkins | Desperate to hide from her failures, Marlowe Banks flees New York City to embrace invisibility in Los Angeles as a menial Production Assistant on a popular TV show. When a costume mix-up requires Marlowe to step into in a scene, the camera catches a heated look between her and Angus Gordon, the show’s arrogant bad boy, thrusting Marlowe into the spotlight. This book was so fantastic and romantic and I love it so much! There is a real-feeling romance and some amazing thoughts on the shiny varnish of social media and celebrity culture. Not only a romance, but a girl coming into her own story and one of the best I’ve read in awhile. 5 Stars! Add it to your reading list ASAP!! |
| Book #21 of 2023: Spare by Prince Harry | Prince Harry’s memoir covered everything from losing his mother, growing up with his brother, struggling at school and serving in the British Army. Suffering from post-traumatic stress and panic attacks. Falling in love with his wife and children. And his split with the Royal Family. I don’t know what I was expecting going into this book but it was honest, captivating, silly, angering and so sad. An absolute page-turner and I have such an understanding of his life and struggles over the years. Frankly, I want to give him a big hug. But that would be weird. Highly recommend this book – its amazing. |
| Book #22 of 2023: Magnolias and Murder by Tegan Maher (Witches of Keyhole Lake 16) | The 16th in the Witches of Keyhole Lake Southern Mysteries series. At this point, I’m concerned about how many murders happen in their small town. Not the best in the series and had some noticeable typos too. Pretty much no “witchyness” and mostly just solving the murder. Meh. |
| Book #23 of 2023: Party of Two by Jasmine Guillory | Dating is the last thing on Olivia Monroe’s mind when she moves to LA to start her own law firm. But when she meets a gorgeous man at a hotel bar and they spend the entire night flirting, she discovers too late that he is none other than hotshot junior senator Max Powell. Oh boy, such a romance! I loved this book. I loved the characters and their real problems and their slow growing relationship. Love, love, love! |
| Book #24 of 2023: I’ll Stop the World by Lauren Thoman | Justin Warren has had his life defined by the suspicious deaths of his grandparents and the ripple effects are still felt after thirty-eight years. In a cosmic twist of fate, Justin crashes into the path of Rose Yin — but she lives in 1985 and Justin is from 2023. Justin and Rose have just one week to get him unstuck in time and put each of them in control of their futures―by solving a murder that hasn’t even happened yet. This one was a March First Reads book on kindle, so it’s free for Prime members before it’s released on April 1st to everyone. It started a bit slow but once the mystery really got going I couldn’t put it down! The last third was very suspenseful and this book is absolutely worth reading! |
| Book #25 of 2023: Tuesdays with Morrie: An Old Man, a Young Man, and Life’s Greatest Lesson by Mitch Albom | Mitch lost track of his college professor Morrie Schwartz, but rediscovered him in the last months of the older man’s life. Knowing he was dying, Morrie visited with Mitch in his study every Tuesday, just as they used to back in college. Their rekindled relationship turned into one final “class”: lessons in how to live. “The truth is, Mitch,” he said, “once you learn how to die, you learn how to live.” You guys. I know I was supposed to love this — especially considering it had over 25,000 reviews on Amazon and 5 stars. But, I didn’t. I enjoyed the beginning but by the middle I kept finding reasons to put the book aside. I swear, I’m not a monster. It just didn’t give me the warm fuzzies like it did everyone else. |
| Book #26 of 2023: We Came. We Saw. We Left. by Charles Wheelan | Charlis Wheelan and his family took 9 months off and traveled the world for a gap-year. Two parents, three teenagers and siz continents and just one flesh-eating bacterial infection. I really enjoyed this book — especially the ‘how to’ planning part of what makes a trip like this possible and the day-to-day of traveling with family on a small budget. Favorite quotes: “When a child grows up our role as parents changes from managers to consultants.” and “Interesting travel does not sate the urge to explore; it feeds it.” |
| Book #27 of 2023: The Rom-Com Agenda by Jayne Denker | I’m not giving you a synopsis of this one. In fact, don’t read the back when you get it. Because it is a rom-com lovers dream. It has all kind of flavors of When Harry Met Sally and Love, Actually and Hallmark movies and so much goodness. And a strong female lead and an awesome friend group and a swoony man. Absolutely loved it! |
| Book #28 of 2023: Immortality: A Love Story by Dana Schwartz | The sequel to Anatomy: A Love story and I loved it even more than the first book. This one moved so much quicker and had so much mystery and intrigue and flavors of Death Becomes Her. I highly recommend both books. I could not put this one down and read the whole thing today. |
| Book #29 of 2023: Magical Midlife Alliance (Leveling Up book 7) by K.F. Breene | Book 7 in the Magical Midlife series and ooooh it’s a good one! In this book, they are looking to make an alliance for an upcoming battle. And it’s stressful and ridiculous and hilarious. I’ve loved this entire series and this last story is no exception. There’s friendship and battles and laughs. Of course, there is more coming. Otherwise I’d just start at the beginning and read them all over again because the series is THAT good! |
| Book #30 of 2023: A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik (The Scholomance Book 1) | The first book in the Scholomance trilogy and it is a dark school of magic where students battle monsters and try to survive to graduation. It took me a while to get into this book and finally when I conflated the main character as a Wednesday-type of girl it clicked. By the end of the book I’m hooked and ready for the next book in the series. |
| Book #31 of 2023: The Strange Inheritance of Leah Fern by Rita Zoey Chin | An enchanting novel about the transcendent powers of the imagination, the magic of the threshold between past and present, and the courage it takes to love. It’s about grief, finding yourself, a very odd road trip and not missing chances before they go by. This was a book I had to savor because it was so beautiful and sad and hopeful. |
| Book #32 of 2023: The Last Graduate by Naomi Novik (The Scholomance Book 2) | Sequel to A Deadly Education and the second in the Scholomance trilogy. Graduation day looms near and the climatic battle was absolutely thrilling. However, the book needed with a Cliff-hanger so thankfully I already have the 3rd book waiting on my kindle! Highly recommend this series! |
| Book #33 of 2023: The Golden Enclaves by Naomi Novik (The Scholomance Book 3) | Last book in the Scholomance trilogy and a fantastic end to the series. So much growth in the main characters, while still giving lots of action and adventure. I loved the finale and highly recommend the series for someone who wants a more grown up version of Harry Potter of the Hunger Games! |
| Book #34 of 2023: The Seat Filler by Sariah Wilson | A cute RomCom with a movie star and a dog groomer. I downloaded this in the airport because I wasn’t feeling any of my other selections and read the whole thing on my plane ride. It was a fun, low stakes and very sweet little romance. And included for free if you have a Kindle Unlimited subscription! |
| Book # 35 of 2023: Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail by Ashley Herring Blake | HGTV meets sassy romance. Astrid Parker is a little uptight, focused on a career she isn’t even sure she likes, and recently broke up with her fiancé. Jordan Everwood is the granddaughter and carpenter on their project of renovating a run-down Inn. Enemies to lovers. Haters to friends. This book has it all, along with some super hot chemistry! |
| Book #36 of 2023: Yearbook by Seth Rogen | A collection of funny personal essays from Seth Rogen, actor/writer/producer. I wouldn’t call myself a ‘fan’ of Seth, but I feel a generalized like towards him. He just seems like a cool guy and I think he’s funny. Well, this book did not disappoint and I literally cackled out loud throughout the book. He is so incredibly witty and sneaked in these hilarious lines that catch you off guard. Highly recommend! |
| Book #37 of 2023: How Not to Fall In Love by Jacqueline Firkins | Harper works in her mom’s wedding shop, altering dresses for petulant and picky brides who are more focused on hemlines than love. Her best friend Theo is her opposite. One date and he’s already dreaming of happily-ever-afters. In this sweet YA rom-com, Harper tries to teach Theo not to fall in love. Sure it’s predictable, but it’s also very sweet and I love the relationship between Harper and her mom. A fun read! |
| Book #38 of 2023: I’m Glad My Mom Died: A Memoir by Jeannette McCurdy | A memoir by iCarly and Sam & Cat star Jennette McCurdy about her struggles as a former child actor—including eating disorders, addiction, and a complicated relationship with her overbearing mother—and how she retook control of her life. I had heard about this memoir for months before I finally pulled the trigger and added it to my library hold list. I was so moved by Jennette’s story of growing up, her struggle with anorexia and bulimia, and difficulty in being a child actor who is no longer a child. A really heartbreaking read, that makes me really hopeful for her future. |
| Book #39 of 2023: Really good, Actually by Monica Heisey | Here’s what they said this book was about: “A hilarious and painfully relatable debut novel about one woman’s messy search for joy and meaning in the wake of an unexpected breakup, from comedian, essayist, and award-winning screenwriter Monica Heisey” That’s a total lie. I HATED this book. It was sad and depressing. I mean, I wasn’t fully expecting a book about divorce to be funny, but it was a huge chore to get to the end. Terrible and I’m mad I read the whole thing. |
| Book #40 of 2023: Flea Market Style by Emily Chalmers | I grabbed a few design books for inspiration for our bedroom and all-around house updates. I thought I would love this one because eclectic and comfy is my jam. Most of the images in this book were way too cluttered for me though. Also, comparing London flea market finds to Maryland finds is hilarious. |
| Book #41 of 2023: Hygge & West Home: Design for Cozy Life by Christina Coop and Aimee Lagos | Such a beautiful coffee table book! I love me some hygge, so I enjoyed this design book a bit more. Love a Scandinavian style mixed with mid-century modern and general hygge cuddly stuff. Enjoyed this book — but wanted more images and less words. |
| Book #42 of 2023: Beyond Belief by Jenna Miscavige Hill | Jenna Miscavige Hill, niece of Church of Scientology leader David Miscavige, was raised as a Scientologist but left the controversial religion in 2005. In this tell-all memoir, she shares her true story of life inside the upper ranks of the sect. This book was WAY too into the weeds. Out of a 400 page book, the first 200 pages covered her as an infant until age 13. It was so much information that was unneeded and almost robotic in its delivery. She didn’t break free until literally the last few chapters. I honestly thought this story would be less boring. |
| Book #43 of 2023: You Grow Gurl by Christopher Griffin | If you have ever wanted to read a book about plants by a non-binary femme plant influencer named Plant Kween… this is your book. It is a fun and fabulous guide to keeping your green gurls growing and thriving. There are tips on everything from propagating to measuring humidity to repotting. And advice like: “Pair that kween with a planter, hunty” Super fun and really helpful as a guide for this plant newbie! |
| Book #44 of 2023: Best Served Hot by Amanda Elliot | Two restaurant critics learn their opposing tastes might make for a five-star relationship in the next foodie romantic comedy. It’s okay to try a book and not like it. I got 80 pages into this one, hated it and moved on. |
| Book #45 of 2023: The Little French Bistro by Nina George | Marianne is stuck in a loveless, unhappy marriage. After forty-one years, she has reached her limit, and one evening in Paris she decides to take action. An absolutely beautiful, poetic story of second chances. Some sentences were so gorgeous, I had to re-read and savor them. From the book: “And did the sea want you?” “I would gladly have drowned in it, Marianne said quietly. “It would have buried every-thing. First it would have swept over my head and then it would have forgotten me. That’s how it was supposed to be: I was on a quest for death. “But then?” Pascale asked anxiously. “Then life intervened.” |
| Book #46 of 2023: You Should Smile More by Anastasia Ryan | When Vanessa Blair is fired because of her “resting bitch face,” her friends help her get revenge. This book was exactly what I needed and I actually laughed out loud multiple times — loved the friendships, the crazy mom, the Bridge Brigade, wild kittens and even a new love. Hilarious and a great ‘wronged women gets revenge’ story! |
| Book #47 of 2023: The Last Chance Library by Freya Sampson | Lonely, shy and reclusive librarian June Jones has never left the sleepy English village where she grew up. But when her library is threatened with closure, she joins a band of eccentric locals in a campaign to keep the library. This book is an ode to libraries and building a community. It was very sweet and heavy on the friendships and a little bit of romance too. |
| Book #48 of 2023: Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn | They’ve spent their lives as the deadliest assassins, but now that they’re sixty years old, four women friends are retiring. But when they are sent on an all-expenses paid vacation to mark their retirement, they are targeted by one of their own. They’re about to teach their organization what it really means to be a woman—and a killer—of a certain age. Holy crap you guys. This may be the best book I’ve read so far this year! It’s hilarious and thrilling and suspenseful and so, so, so good. I wish I could wipe it from my mind and read it all over again. Buy this one ASAP… it’s absolutely 5 stars reading! |
| Book #49 of 2023: Love, Pamela by Pamela Anderson | In this honest, layered and unforgettable book that alternates between storytelling and her own poetry, Pamela Anderson breaks the mold of the celebrity memoir while taking back the tale that has been crafted about her. I went into this thinking it would be a rock and roll Hollywood tell-all from the famous sex symbol. Instead, it is a journey though her life, her growth and her passionate activism. I wish there was a little more behind-the-scenes on her life and her relationships. But it was a nice read that makes you respect Pam’s strength and passion for learning |
| Book #50 of 2023: A Curious Beginning (A Veronica Speedwell Mystery, 1) by Deanna Raybourn | London, 1887. After burying her spinster aunt, orphaned Veronica Speedwell is free to resume her world travels in pursuit of scientific inquiry—and the occasional romantic dalliance. But fate has other plans which turn into an adventure with Veronica on the run with Stoker, a reclusive and bad-tempered natural historian. I’ll be the first to say that period pieces are not my thing. However, this character-driven mystery immediately pulled me in. Veronica is smart and strong and a woman of her own mind. I was cheering for her from the beginning when she chased a man out of her house with a sword. I couldn’t put this book down, but I also tried to read it slow so I could savor it. I’m so excited that there are more books in this series! |
| Book #51 of 2023: Never Ever Getting Back Together by Sophie Gonzales | When their now famous ex-boyfriend asks them to participate in a teen reality show, two eighteen year old girls―one bent on revenge, the other open to rekindling romance―get tangled up in an unexpected twist when they fall for each other instead. This fun YA book is like the bachelor meets teen romance. It was cute but very predictable. |
| Book #52 of 2023: The It Girl by Ruth Ware | April Clarke-Cliveden was vivacious, bright, occasionally vicious, and the ultimate It girl, she quickly pulled Hannah into her dazzling orbit. Together, they developed a group of devoted and inseparable friends—Will, Hugh, Ryan, and Emily—during their first term. By the end of the year, April was dead. The book flips between before April’s murder and 10 years later. To be honest, I found the ‘before’ chapters much more interesting as the ‘after’ chapters just dragged and dragged. The ending makes sense, I just feel like we could have gotten there much faster. All in all, this one was kind of an ‘eh’ from me. |
| Book #53 of 2023: Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez | To give a synopsis of this book would do it a disservice. I loved it. I. LOVED. IT. It was romance and friendship and so hilarious I laughed out loud throughout and so romantic I swooned and so sad I cried. In the middle of the book, I put it down to text my friend that she MUST read it. By 2/3 of the way though, I decided that while this copy is going back to the library I’ll need to buy one to keep forever. So that I can re-read it on bad days and laugh and cry. And love it some more. Highly recommend and possibly the best book of the year. |
| Book #54 of 2023: Things We Hide From The Light by Lucy Score | Nash Morgan is recovering from being shot and his Southern charm has been overshadowed by panic attacks and nightmares. Nash isn’t about to let anyone in his life know he’s struggling. But his new next-door neighbor, smart and sexy Lina, sees his shadows. Oooh this book was on fire! A fiery romance, some awesome friendships, a female lead that doesn’t take anyone’s shit and doesn’t shy away from breaking a nose, a who-done-it suspenseful mystery, and some super spicy love scenes. A perfect beach read or really anytime, anywhere read! Add it to your TBR pile and you won’t regret it! |
| Book #55 of 2023: A Perilous Undertaking by Deanna Raybourn (Veronica Speedwell #2) | The second book in the Veronica Speedwell mystery series and another wonderful who-done-it. Veronica and Stoker work together to solve another murder and their relationship slowly grows as well. Love them together as a Sherlock and Watson team. A great addition to the series and I can’t wait to read the next one! |
| Book #56 of 2023: A Treacherous Curse by Deanna Raybourn (Veronica Speedwell #3) | Another mystery in the Veronica Speedwell series and I love the growing relationship between our heroine and Stroker with the bit of a relationship cliffhanger at the end {swoon}. A fun mystery of a murder and Egyptian artifacts with a hilarious chase though the sewers. Loving this series and waiting with baited breath for the next book to come in at the library for me! |
| Book #57 of 2023: Run Rose Run by Dolly Parton and James Patterson | AnnieLee Keyes, is a new singer who arrived in Nashville and she has more beauty, talent, and ambition than most and a dangerous past that she’s running from. When retired singing legend Ruthanna hears AnnieLee sing, she decides to help the ingenue. But a boost from a mega-star like Ruthanna may spotlight the talented newcomer’s secret and put her in danger. I thought the Dolly and James Patterson combo would be interesting. And it’s clear that the Ruthanna character is based on Dolly. However, I didn’t love the book. It was a weird mashup of a singers rise and the ‘bad guy’ that keeps coming out of nowhere. And the explanation at the end was just odd and clunky. |
| Book #58 of 2023: A Dangerous Collaboration by Deanna Raybourn (Veronica Speedwell #4) | There is something satisfying about being in the middle of a fantastic book series. Each mystery is a pleasure, the growing relationship between Veronica and Stroker is adorable. And having finished book 4 of 8, it is still wonderful and not yet bittersweet. |
| Book #59 of 2023: Talk Bookish to Me by Kate Bromley | A second-chance romance with a bunch of bumps in the way makes for a twisty-turny rom-com. There’s the chaos of an upcoming wedding, some mistaken circumstances and even a bit of ‘oh no, my crush is forced to move in to my place for a few days’. Even so, this feels fresh and entertaining and not stale at all. |
| Book #60 of 2023: A Murderous Relation by Deanna Raybourn (Veronica Speedwell #5) | Still on the Veronica Speedwell mystery series and this one was absolutely fantastic. Not only did it revisit characters and plots from previous books, but the main relationships continued to grow and move forward. I especially enjoyed the authors notes at the end on how she worked historical facts into the plot. Loved it! |
| Book #61 of 2023: Paybacks a Witch by Lana Harper (Witches of Thistle Grove #1) | Emmy Harlow, a not a very powerful witch, comes back home to Thistle Grove for the first time in 9 years to serve as arbiter for a spellcasting tournament. There’s a plot to destroy an old boyfriend, finding love with a new girlfriend and best friend time and shenanigans. I realized as I started this book that I actually already read another one in the series and didn’t like it at all…(see review for Book #19 of 2023) but thankfully enjoyed this one more. Still not a favorite, but good enough to read the 2nd book in the series. |
| Book #62 of 2023: How to Sew Clothes by Amelia Greenhall and Amy Bornman | Whether you are just learning how to sew or want to reignite your excitement for sewing, How to Sew Clothes makes sewing feel possible. Inside, they have included an envelope full of pattern sheets and very detailed instructions to guide you through the process of making simple wardrobe essentials. This book is very much my aesthetic right now. I would happily wear any item on the cover. This book was conversational, with easy to understand instructions and lots of helpful tips and hints. I’ve always been a ‘just figure it out’ crafter, and found some really usefully knowledge here. Even if I’m not quite at the point where I have the time/interest in sewing my own clothing. Yet. |
| Book #63 of 2023: Play the Fool by Lina Chern | A cynical tarot card reader seeks to uncover the truth about her friend’s mysterious death in this whodunit mystery. This mystery was weird and winding and I honestly had no idea how it all was going to fit together before it finally did. The main character was kind of annoying in how ‘downtrodden’ she was making her own life. With that being said, I’d actually be up for a sequel where she has a bit of growth and comes into her own a bit more. |
| Book #64 of 2023: The First Date Prophecy by Kate and Danny Tamberelli | When Lucy and former child-star Rudy Riziero match online, they’re eager to meet. But after their first date ends in a psychic’s prophecy that is equal parts great fortune and certain doom, their flirty quips end and their search for answers to some of life’s big questions begins. A super fun and funny rom-com and I loved the 90’s star aspect of it and his after-stardom life. Even funnier that it was based on the real life married authors meet-cute. |
| Book #65 of 2023: With Love From London by Sarah Jio | When a woman inherits her estranged mother’s bookstore in London’s Primrose Hill, she finds herself thrust into the pages of a new story, filled with long-held family secrets, the possibility of new love, and, perhaps, the single greatest challenge of her life. This story alternates between Valentina’s story and the story of her mother, Eloise. If a story could be a comforting hug with a cup of coffee, it would be this one. It was bittersweet and romantic, with strong friendships. I wish I could jump into the pages and live there for awhile. |
| Book #66 of 2023: Happy Money, Happy Life by Jason Votug | This book was obviously written by someone rich. While it would be nice to follow your passions, only work at something they makes you happy and take mid-life sabbaticals to reorient your goals. That is pretty much bullshit for a normal working family with all the bills that come with it. Yes, I would love to ‘seek financial wholeness and happiness’ but I also have a mortgage, and a million other bills. So my ‘happy vision statement’ is to not finish the book because it’s pissing me off. |
| Book #67 of 2023: An Unexpected Peril by Deanna Raybourn (Veronica Speedwell #6) | After a couple disappointing books, I returned to the Veronica Speedwell series for another delightful murder mystery. Still loving Veronica and Stoker and every mystery is not only solved, but brings us closer to Veronica’s birth family. If you haven’t given this series a try yet, I highly recommend it! |
| Book #68 of 2023: An Impossible Imposter by Deanna Raybourn (Veronica Speedwell #7) | Ooooh this one was so, so good! Another fantastic mystery for our team of Veronica and Stoker. But this one had a twist that made me gasp. And then ANOTHER shocking twist. One of the best in the series so far and I loved it! |
| Book #69 of 2023: Modern Embroidery by Rachel Dobbins | A really great embroidery book for beginning and intermediate crafters. It approaches the fiber art form from an artist perspective with lots of encouragement to make each project your own. Loved the patterns at the end that you can copy to transfer paper for you own work. If you have a crafty friend, this beautiful hardback would make a perfect gift! |
| Book #70 of 2023: The Little Flower Shop by Lori Foster | Since her divorce, Emily Lucretia—affectionately known as the flower lady to the people of Cemetery, Indiana—has been focused on her flower shop and taking care of her aging aunt and uncle. Saul Culver, the town’s favorite bachelor and owner of the local barbecue joint, has been interested in Emily for a while and is determined to show her just how special she is. Well-meaning locals have started tagging photos of Emily with #theflowerlady on social media—and now the entire town is involved in finding her Mr. Right. If you need a book in your life with no conflict, no mystery, no suspense, just a bunch of happy people falling in love with each other, this is the book for you. Yes, it’s a little bit boring with literally no conflict at all. And everyone is perfect with no flaws. A little bit like a Hallmark movie, but honestly I think we all can use a little happy break from drama sometimes. |
| Book #71 of 2023: 24 Hours in Italy by Romi Moondi | This is the sequel to “24 Hours in Paris” which I read last year. Two years have passed since Mira and Jake missed their flight and spent a magical 24 hours together in Paris. Sparks flew. Romance bloomed. But life got in the way. When they’re reunited for another whirlwind adventure, will they connect in the same way? I very much appreciated the authors quick recap of the first book, as it was a bit hazy in my mind. This book though was much less of a romance for me and more of the back and forth pain of meeting up with an ex and deciding if you want to give it another chance. I didn’t love it and honestly felt like they should probably break up and move on. |
| Book #72 of 2023 Fat Talk: Parenting in the age of diet culture by Virginia Sole-Smith | By the time they reach kindergarten, most kids believe that “fat” is bad. By middle school, more than a quarter of them have gone on a diet. And multibillion-dollar industries thrive on this fear of fatness. We’ve fought the “war on obesity” for over forty years and Americans aren’t thinner or happier with their bodies. This deeply researched book offers strategies for how families can change the conversation around weight, health, and self-worth. I found it fascinating and depressing and eye opening and horrifying. Over the past decade, I’ve been very careful on food talk, fat talk and overall body talk with my son. However, internally I still have work to do. |
| Book #73 of 2023: Right Girl, Wrong Side by Ginny Baird | A story about two disputing families sharing a beach house and the messiness that comes from falling in love with someone who your family is determined to despise. A bit of a Romeo and Juliet vibe meets Hallmark movie. It was a cute and predictable story, and very very saccharine sweet. I wasn’t really a fan, but did finish the book. |
| Book #74 of 2023: Lose weight without losing your mind by Graeme Tomlinson | I follow The Fitness Chef on Instagram and a lot of his posts really resonate with me, so I ordered all 3 of his books. This one goes into why there are ‘no good and bad foods’ and talks about how to have a healthy and happy relationship with food. I really enjoyed it and love his approach to food and health. |
| Book #75 of 2023: A Sinister Revenge by Deanna Raybourn (Veronica Speedwell 8) | Veronica and Stoker must find and stop a devious killer when a group of old friends is targeted for death. I have loved all 8 of the Veronica Speedwell series and this one was just as wonderful as the rest. I’m happy to see that book 9 is on the way… but sad that I have to wait until March 2023 to read it! |
| Book #76 of 2023: How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk By Adele Faber and Elaine Maish | This bestselling classic on communication between parents and children includes fresh insights and suggestions, as well as the author’s time-tested methods to solve common problems and build foundations for lasting relationships. I try very hard to have open and empathic communication with my kid and thought this book would be an interesting read. As it is, I think it would be more helpful for smaller children. There are a lot of samples of conversations to practice, which can be really helpful for newer parents. |
| Book #77 of 2023: The Rewind by Allison Winn Scotch | Two exes wake up together with wedding bands on their fingers—and no idea how they got there. They have just one New Year’s Eve at the end of 1999 to figure it out. I was so interested in this premise, I BOUGHT this book (says the girl obsessed with library books). The story goes back and forth between 1999 and 1989, with the two exes trying to figure out what happened and also looking back at their previous relationship. I found it a bit too jumpy and frankly didn’t really find either of the characters likable. The end just got thrown on there and there was no real build up to wish for them to be happy together. Honestly, I think getting some closure and moving on would have been better for both of them! |
| Book #78 of 2023: Sing Your Name Out Loud by Jason Derulo | I 100% picked this book up at the library because the title made me literally laugh out loud. (For those who don’t know, Jason Derulo is a famous pop singer who sings his own name at the beginning of some of his songs). I was pleasantly surprised at this book — he has amazing work ethic and some great tips for meeting your own goals. |
| Book #79 of 2023: Eat What You Love and Lose Weight for Life by Graeme Tomlinson | A great follow up to the first book by the Fitness Chef (Book #74 of 2023)! This one has lots of infographics and meal inspiration recipes. Love the approach to eat food that makes you happy and full… just watch the calories consumed to stay within your goal. Love the idea of a weekly goal, rather than a daily goal to keep from weekend days impacting all your weeks work. |
| Book #80 of 2023: The Do Over by Sharon M. Peterson | After being dumped on live radio by her boyfriend, Perci realizes things have to change. She decided on a list of New Year’s resolutions designed to help her from being such a push over/people-pleaser and live the life she actually wants to live. Such a fun book of finally reaching that breaking point of making a change happen. Loved cheering Perci on in her life and the fun romance too. |
| Book #81 of 2023: Goodbye Earl: A Revenge Story by Leesa Cross-Smith | Taking inspiration from the infamous, empowering song, Goodbye Earl follows four best friends through two unforgettable summers, fifteen years apart where they take fate into their own hands. Loved the premise of this book but not the execution. There were way too many characters and I kept mixing them up and really didn’t care about most of them. The flipping back and forth by 15 years was annoying and honestly really boring. It’s bad when you want to get to the good part (aka some murder of someone who deserves it) and it doesn’t happen until the last third of the book. |
| Book #82 of 2023: Famous for a Living by Melissa Ferguson | When her business partner is accused of serious financial crimes, superstar influencer Cat Cranwellis gets cancelled. Needing a break from her downfall, Cat accepts her uncle’s offer to work with him in Kannery National Park, Montana. A fun combination of ‘fish out of water’ combined with city girl falls for rugged mountain man. Just a light and fun little romance to enjoy! |
| Book #83 of 2023: Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers | Vera Wong is a lonely little old lady who lives above her forgotten tea shop in the middle of Chinatown. One morning, Vera trudges downstairs to find a curious thing—a dead man in the middle of her tea shop. She decides to solve his murder and it takes many twists and turns to get there. This is marked on Amazon as one of the best books of 2023 so far, and it just wasn’t for me. I found it quite tedious and it dragged on and on and I finally had to skip chapters to the end because I was bored and ready to move on. |
| Book #84 of 2023: Down the Rabbit Hole by Holly Madison | The real, untold, and unvarnished story of life inside the legendary Playboy Mansion—and the man who holds the key—from the woman who was Hef’s #1 girlfriend and star of The Girls Next Door. I like to pick up random memoirs and this one did NOT disappoint! Not knowing much about Holly before the book (other than catching a few episodes of Girls Next Door over a decade ago) it was fascinating to read about her experience at the Playboy Mansion, the emotional warfare she went though, and becoming successful once she left. A really interesting read if you’re nosy like me! |
| Book #85 of 2023: Charm City Rocks by Matthew Norman | When a single dad meets the former rock-star crush of his youth, everything they thought they knew about happiness and love is thrown into chaos in this hopeful, heartwarming romantic comedy. This is the most Baltimore book I’ve EVER read. It’s set in Baltimore and there are crabs and Natty Boh and Orioles games. And a rat. And squeegie kids. Just less murdery. Honestly, the romance was really sweet and the book was fun… but for sometime who actually works in Baltimore I have to wonder where this Hallmark version of the city is? Lol |
| Book #86 of 2023: Even When You Lie by Michelle Cruz | Reagan Reyes is a former intelligence officer and the in-house investigator for criminal defense attorney, Cade McCarrick…and she’s his lover, despite the law firm’s rules forbidding romantic relationships. A mysterious woman leaves an envelope for Cade and is soon discovered dead. Reagan uncovers a connection to a recent murder outside a Deep Ellum nightclub—and an even more ominous link to the dead woman. This book was super suspenseful with so many twists and turns. I was happy to not guess the ending (I was totally wrong on what I guessed) and could not turn the pages faster for the last few chapters! Such a good book and I highly recommend it for fans of suspense. |
| Book #87 of 2023: Magical Midlife Battle (Leveling Up Book 8) By K.F. Breene | The last few books have been building up to the battle and it’s finally here. And they are not ready. If they lose this battle, every shifter in the world will be in jeopardy. But to fight means danger they might not all walk away from. Wow. This series. Just wow. You would think once you get to the 8th book that it would be a boring rehash but holy wow is this book good. I literally cried actual tears at one point. And I’m so happy that this series will be continuing on, because I am in no way done with these characters. And I will absolutely be re-reading this series at some point because it is SO GOOD. |
| Book #88 of 2023: The Hanging City by Charlie N. Holmberg | Seven years on the run from her abusive father, and with no hope of sanctuary among the dwindling pockets of human civilization, Lark’s sole chance for refuge could lie in Cagmar, the city of trolls―a brutal species and the sworn enemies of humanity. She finds unexpected friendship in the city and, even more surprisingly, love. This is a weird one guys. It’s like a Romeo and Juliet meets Beauty and the Beast vibe. There are lots of bad guys and she falls in love with. A Troll. Sigh. It’s suspenseful and entertaining but the human and troll love story was a bit too much for me.  |
| Book #89 of 2023: Practice Makes Perfect by Sarah Adams | Annie Walker is on a quest to find her perfect match—but realizes maybe she needs a little help practicing dating because she’s kind of a mess. Will, the sexy, tattooed bodyguard of her friend is the perfect teacher. As the lines of their friendship become dangerously blurred, Annie reconsiders her dream guy. First off, I didn’t realize this book was in the same town as When In Rome (Book #3 of 2023), which I loved. This book was EXACTLY what I needed right now. It was sweet and funny and steamy. And if you love a good friends to lovers romance with some family shenanigans you’ll love this book! |
| Book #90 of 2023: Main Character Energy By Jamie Varon | Poppy Banks would rather be writing mysteries than writing listicles for her dead-end job. However after a series of rejections and yet another put down from her unsupportive mom, she decides to give up on her dreams. Until her beloved aunt dies and leaves her a grand surprise… with strings attached. A very sweet story of following your dreams and realizing that you are enough and deserve good things. A couple of the twists were very, very easy to see from a mile away, but the story was nice and everything was tied up at the end with a nice little bow. |
| Book #91 of 2023: The Year of Second Chances By Lara Avery | After her husband has been gone for a year, widow Robin Lindstrom receives an email from him telling her he set up a dating service account for her. And so Robin tentatively takes steps to put herself out into the world once more. This book was very sweet and a little bittersweet. There were some funny dates, her figuring out what she wanted to do with her life, and how to deal with changing relationships with her family. All in all, it was a really good book and I recommend it! |
| Book #92 of 2023: Things We Left Behind by Lucy Score | I’ve been waiting for this book to come out as soon as I heard there was going to be a third book in the Knockemout series! In fact, I’ve been on the library hold list but was pleasantly surprised that it popped up as free on Kindle Unlimited! You don’t need to read the other two books to enjoy this one and OHMYGOSH is it good. It’s got suspense and kicking butt and romance and spicy steamy scenes. And a fist fight that had me laughing out loud. And a part where I yelled at the book. And a part where I gasped. And there were tears. You guys. This is absolutely going to be in my top 5 books of the year. READ IT!! |
| Book #93 of 2023: The life-changing magic of tidying up by Marie Kondo | YES. This resonated with me so much and I can’t wait to start ripping apart my house again. Much more in depth than her TV show (of course), this book is just so inspiring and lights a fire in me to start tidying. |
| Book #94 of 2023: Grave Duty (Shelby Nichols 17) by Colleen Helme | I’ve been reading the Shelby Nichols adventures for awhile, but I have to say the latest book is pretty terrible. There were too many characters and criss-crossing story lines. And I don’t know if this has always been the case, but Shelby’s optimism really just felt more like she was a simpleton with no emotional complexity. The emotional affair she’s having with a coworker is just so stupid with no sense of consequences for anyone. The writing really needed to be massively edited. I guess this is one of those series that should have ended sooner. |
| Book #95 of 2023: Paper Cuts (Secret, Book and Scone Society 6) by Ellery Adams | A pretty quick mystery makes up the 6th in this series and it’s currently free on Kindle Unlimited. A shocking murder is blamed on Nora (again, this woman has some bad luck!) and so she and her friends try to solve the mystery of who-done-it. All in all, it was entertaining but not fantastic. However, it was a good continuation of the series and tied up some loose ends from previous books. |
| Book #96 of 2023: Mochas and Murder (Witches of Keyhole Lake 17) by Tegan Maher | Another murder mystery series that I’ve been reading for quite a while — this one with witches. A fun, quick read and free on Kindle Unlimited. Like all the Keyhole Lake books… it makes me hungry for coffee, scones and BBQ. It was a little annoying that the author works in references to things that happened in an adjoining series (that I have not read), but honestly , I don’t love this series enough to catch up. |
| Book #97 of 2023: The Marvelous Monroe Girls by Shirley Jump | Gabriella Monroe’ life is a mess — sales are down at her vintage dress shop, her beloved grandmother isn’t her usual spunky self, and she desperately misses the closeness she had with her sisters. This was a very sweet family-centered book with a childhood friends love story. The love story tops out at a kiss or two (0% spicy for my fellow spicy fans). No big stakes, but a fun read where everyone ends up happy. |
| Book #98 of 2023: Rock Bottom Girl by Lucy Score | Downsized, broke, and dumped, 38-year-old Marley sneaks home to her childhood bedroom in the town she couldn’t wait to escape twenty years ago. Desperate for a new start, Marley accepts a temporary position to teach PE and coach the girls soccer team at her old high school. Then, there’s the deal with Jack Westin, high school bad boy turned sexy good guy. He’ll teach her how to coach if she teaches him how to be in a relationship. After a few “meh” books, this was exactly what I needed. It was hilarious — like I literally laughed out loud — and sweet and romantic and spicy. I wish I could buy a copy for everyone who loves reading and make them read it. 5 stars. Absolute winner! |
| Book #99 of 2023: The Spy Coast by Tess Gerritsen | Retired CIA spy Maggie Bird is living quietly on her chicken farm, still wary of blowback from the events that forced her early retirement. But when a body turns up in Maggie’s driveway, she knows it’s a message from former foes who haven’t forgotten her. Maggie turns to her local circle of old friends―all retirees from the CIA―to help uncover the truth about who is trying to kill her, and why. This spy thriller was suspenseful and engaging and just flew by! I loved the mystery and the retired spies who still have it… even with a few gray hairs. Super fun story and I’m excited that there is a second one in the series coming out in the spring! |
| Book #100 of 2023: Ex Appeal by Cathy Yardley | A hacker and a fixer―who just happen to be high school exes―reunite to help each other out in this second-chance romance. This was a fun low-stakes romance with a side of office espionage and hacking. It was just okay though and honestly not good enough to entice me to read the others in the series. |
| Book #101 of 2023: Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass 1) by Sarah J Maas | In a land without magic, an assassin is summoned to the castle to win her freedom. If she defeats twenty-three murderers, thieves, and warriors in a competition, she will be released from prison to serve as the King’s Champion. This author never disappoints and this start of the series was no exception! I would have devoured this ages ago, but I was waiting for my library copy to come in. And now I’m hooked, so I can’t wait for the second book and NEED to buy it so I can continue the adventure. |
| Book #102 of 2023: Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass 2) by Sarah J Maas | The second book in the series picks up with Celaena in her new position as the Kings Champion. But she is far from loyal to the crown. Her search for answers ensnares those closest to her, and no one is safe from suspicion. This book raced along and I could not put it down. There was a shocking death and a not shocking at all revelation about Celaena. I can’t wait to dig into the next book in the series! |
| Book #103 of 2023: Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass 3) by Sarah J Maas | Celaena Sardothien has survived deadly contests and shattering heartbreak, but now she must travel to a new land to confront her darkest truth. Meanwhile, monstrous forces are gathering on the horizon, intent on enslaving her world. The third book in the series was just as good as the last two and I devoured all 565 pages quickly. With that being said, I didn’t love that the story was split between 3 main locations/groups of people — as I just wasn’t invested in one of them. Also, I understand that this 7 book series is an “epic journey” but it could certainly go a little quicker… On to the next one! |
| Book #104 of 2023: Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass 4) by Sarah J Maas | Celaena Sardothien has embraced her identity as Aelin Galathynius, Queen of Terrasen. But before she can reclaim her throne, she must fight. She will fight for her cousin, a warrior prepared to die for her. She will fight for her friend, a young man trapped in an unspeakable prison. And she will fight for her people, enslaved to a brutal king and awaiting their lost queen’s triumphant return. Oooh this book was excellent! Finally so many things were happening and so many plans came to fruition! I almost feel like this could have been the end of the series with so many loose ends that were tied up. The book ends on a very hopeful note and I can’t wait to see where the story goes next. |
| Book #105 of 2023: Bossypants by Tina Fey | I feel like everyone loves this memoir and it is even called “a laugh out loud” and “whip smart masterpiece”. Um. I just couldn’t get into it. I didn’t find it funny at all even in a half-hearted haha kind of way. I tried, I gave up and I’m moving on. |
| Book #106 of 2023: Codename Charming By Lucy Parker | A delicious romantic comedy about a fake relationship between a grumpy royal bodyguard and the charming, sunny assistant who melts his cold, hard exterior. Oh my god. You guys. This book is so freaking good. It was sweet and sexy and so romantic and hilarious. Like actual laugh out loud funny! A fantastic romcom and I give it 5 stars! |
| Book #107 of 2023: Every Wish Way By Shannon Bright | This book was made for fans of Jane Austen, magic and romance. Iza unlocks a genie who gives her 3 wishes, so she decides to wish for a modern day Mr Darcy. And of course everything doesn’t go as planned. I may have liked this more if I were a Pride and Prejudice fan (sorry!!), but as it was it was fun but a bit predictable. |
| Book #108 of 2023: Empire of Storms (Throne of Glass 5) by Sarah J Maas | Book 5 in the series sees many setbacks and the coming together of the team that is going to take this series to the end. It was a bit frustrating though and honestly some of it was a bit of a slog. I kinda wanted to hit fast forward at parts and get to the war that is brewing. I have fallen in love with characters that I previously despised though. The end. Damn! I was not expecting that. Where the last book ended on a hopeful note, the end of this one is very bleak. And knowing that the last book is 992 pages makes me feel like things are going to be bleak for a while longer. (Note: I will be skipping book 6 in the series because it is a 600+ page ‘side quest’ story that runs concurrent to this one. I’m kind of ready for this series to be over, so I’m passing on the side quest and going straight to the last book for the end of the series) |
| Book #109 of 2023: | … Coming Soon… |
Most of my books are borrowed using Kindle Unlimited (you can read my full review from 2015 here). If you don’t have Kindle Unlimited yet, it’s like an all-you-can-read for books and I’ve been using it for the last few years: Kindle Unlimited Membership Plans.
I also regularly use my local library for physical books and both Overdrive and Hoopla through my local library website for online books (you can download them straight to your Kindle or read them on your web browser). If you have a library card, be sure to check your library’s website to see if they work with an online partner. I mean, FREE BOOKS!
Disclaimer: This post contains Amazon affiliate links. This means that clicking on a link may help me earn a small commission at no cost to you.