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readwithbec_'s reviews
57 reviews
Kisses Cuddles Christmas and You by Bindi Kennedy
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Kisses Cuddles Christmas and You by Bindi Kennedy
Thoughts: Kisses, Cuddles, Christmas, and You” was such a cute Christmas novella! It follows Sadie and Oliver, who were childhood best friends, lost touch, and later find each other again. It’s such a sweet story! If you love friends-to-lovers and childhood sweethearts, you’ll enjoy this book!
Synopsis: At the age of ten, I was confident of two I was in love with my best friend, Sadie Beaufort. One day, when we were old and gross like our parents, we would get married. However, I was pretty sure we wouldn’t have kids. Rumour had it that making babies was also gross. At fifteen, Sadie still owned my heart, but things began to change. For example, the whole baby-making process seemed much, much more appealing. Through tragedy and triumph, we were inseparable. Nothing and no one could ever come between us. We were fated. Meant to be...or so we thought.
★★★★☆
Thoughts: Kisses, Cuddles, Christmas, and You” was such a cute Christmas novella! It follows Sadie and Oliver, who were childhood best friends, lost touch, and later find each other again. It’s such a sweet story! If you love friends-to-lovers and childhood sweethearts, you’ll enjoy this book!
Synopsis: At the age of ten, I was confident of two I was in love with my best friend, Sadie Beaufort. One day, when we were old and gross like our parents, we would get married. However, I was pretty sure we wouldn’t have kids. Rumour had it that making babies was also gross. At fifteen, Sadie still owned my heart, but things began to change. For example, the whole baby-making process seemed much, much more appealing. Through tragedy and triumph, we were inseparable. Nothing and no one could ever come between us. We were fated. Meant to be...or so we thought.
★★★★☆
The Other Bridget by Rachael Johns
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
The Other Bridget by Rachael Johns
AD PR Product [Gifted]: Thank you Penguin Australia and Rachael Johns for allowing me to be apart of this Penguin Readalong.
Thoughts: The Other Bridget follows FMC Bridget, who just so happens to share the same name as the iconic Bridget Jones! Set in Perth, WA, I loved being able to picture the local spots mentioned throughout the story. Bridget’s connection to books, as a librarian at a local Perth library, brought a special touch to the book. This book had me on the edge of my seat, particularly with Fabio – I never saw the way things unfolded coming. And the banter between Bridget and Sully? Absolutely brilliant. If you are a fan of enemies-to-lovers, friends-to-lovers, and a bit of workplace drama, this book is a must-read!
Synopsis: Named after a famous fictional character, librarian Bridget Jones was raised on a remote cattle station, with only her mother’s romance novels for company. Now living alone in Fremantle, Bridget is a hopeless romantic. She also believes that anyone who doesn’t like reading just hasn’t met the right book yet, and that connecting books to their readers is her superpower. If only her love life was that easy. When handsome Italian barista Fabio progresses from flirting with love hearts on her coffee foam to joining the book club she runs at her library, Bridget prays her romance ‘curse’ won’t ruin things. But it’s the attention of her cranky neighbour Sully that seems to be the major obstacle in her life. Why is he going to so much effort to get under her skin? With the help of her close friends and the colourful characters who frequent her library, Bridget decides to put both men to the test by finding just the right books to capture their very different hearts. She soon discovers that not all romances start with a meet-cute, but they might just end in happily ever after…
Please check trigger/content warnings prior to reading this book.
★★★★★
AD PR Product [Gifted]: Thank you Penguin Australia and Rachael Johns for allowing me to be apart of this Penguin Readalong.
Thoughts: The Other Bridget follows FMC Bridget, who just so happens to share the same name as the iconic Bridget Jones! Set in Perth, WA, I loved being able to picture the local spots mentioned throughout the story. Bridget’s connection to books, as a librarian at a local Perth library, brought a special touch to the book. This book had me on the edge of my seat, particularly with Fabio – I never saw the way things unfolded coming. And the banter between Bridget and Sully? Absolutely brilliant. If you are a fan of enemies-to-lovers, friends-to-lovers, and a bit of workplace drama, this book is a must-read!
Synopsis: Named after a famous fictional character, librarian Bridget Jones was raised on a remote cattle station, with only her mother’s romance novels for company. Now living alone in Fremantle, Bridget is a hopeless romantic. She also believes that anyone who doesn’t like reading just hasn’t met the right book yet, and that connecting books to their readers is her superpower. If only her love life was that easy. When handsome Italian barista Fabio progresses from flirting with love hearts on her coffee foam to joining the book club she runs at her library, Bridget prays her romance ‘curse’ won’t ruin things. But it’s the attention of her cranky neighbour Sully that seems to be the major obstacle in her life. Why is he going to so much effort to get under her skin? With the help of her close friends and the colourful characters who frequent her library, Bridget decides to put both men to the test by finding just the right books to capture their very different hearts. She soon discovers that not all romances start with a meet-cute, but they might just end in happily ever after…
Please check trigger/content warnings prior to reading this book.
★★★★★
Here Comes Santa Claus: A Christmas Romance Novella by Erin A. King
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Here Comes Santa Claus by Erin A. King
“𝔾𝕠. 𝕋𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖’𝕤 𝕗𝕣𝕠𝕤𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕣𝕠𝕤𝕖𝕤 𝕨𝕒𝕚𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕚𝕟 ℕ𝕖𝕓𝕣𝕒𝕤𝕜𝕒. 𝕀’𝕝𝕝 𝕓𝕖 𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖 𝕨𝕙𝕖𝕟 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕘𝕖𝕥 𝕓𝕒𝕔𝕜, 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕀’𝕝𝕝 𝕥𝕒𝕜𝕖 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕠𝕦𝕥 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕒 𝕡𝕣𝕠𝕡𝕖𝕣 𝕕𝕒𝕥𝕖. 𝔸 𝕘𝕣𝕠𝕨𝕟-𝕦𝕡-𝕤𝕚𝕫𝕖𝕕 𝕓𝕠𝕥𝕥𝕝𝕖 𝕠𝕗 𝕨𝕚𝕟𝕖, 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕒𝕟 𝕒𝕔𝕥𝕦𝕒𝕝 𝕥𝕒𝕓𝕝𝕖 𝕥𝕠 𝕖𝕒𝕥 𝕠𝕗𝕗 𝕠𝕗, 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕔𝕙𝕒𝕚𝕣𝕤, 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕪𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕘.”
Thoughts: This Christmas romance novella was short but sweet. I enjoyed both the MMC and FMC, as well as their character development in such a short amount of time. Given that it was a novella, some parts did feel a bit too straightforward and lacked detail. If you enjoy forced proximity and holiday romance, you’ll enjoy this book.
Synopsis: Zoe Monroe hasn’t seen her younger sister on their shared Christmas Eve birthday in five years. When a blizzard strands her at the airport on December 23rd, it looks like this year will be no different. Fortunately, a sexy stranger in a Santa suit offers to share the last available hotel room with her. While he’s not who she’d planned to spend her Christmas with, she can’t deny that he jingles her bells. Maybe this year, she’ll make sure she ends up on Santa’s naughty list…
★★★☆☆
“𝔾𝕠. 𝕋𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖’𝕤 𝕗𝕣𝕠𝕤𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕣𝕠𝕤𝕖𝕤 𝕨𝕒𝕚𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕚𝕟 ℕ𝕖𝕓𝕣𝕒𝕤𝕜𝕒. 𝕀’𝕝𝕝 𝕓𝕖 𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖 𝕨𝕙𝕖𝕟 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕘𝕖𝕥 𝕓𝕒𝕔𝕜, 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕀’𝕝𝕝 𝕥𝕒𝕜𝕖 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕠𝕦𝕥 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕒 𝕡𝕣𝕠𝕡𝕖𝕣 𝕕𝕒𝕥𝕖. 𝔸 𝕘𝕣𝕠𝕨𝕟-𝕦𝕡-𝕤𝕚𝕫𝕖𝕕 𝕓𝕠𝕥𝕥𝕝𝕖 𝕠𝕗 𝕨𝕚𝕟𝕖, 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕒𝕟 𝕒𝕔𝕥𝕦𝕒𝕝 𝕥𝕒𝕓𝕝𝕖 𝕥𝕠 𝕖𝕒𝕥 𝕠𝕗𝕗 𝕠𝕗, 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕔𝕙𝕒𝕚𝕣𝕤, 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕪𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕘.”
Thoughts: This Christmas romance novella was short but sweet. I enjoyed both the MMC and FMC, as well as their character development in such a short amount of time. Given that it was a novella, some parts did feel a bit too straightforward and lacked detail. If you enjoy forced proximity and holiday romance, you’ll enjoy this book.
Synopsis: Zoe Monroe hasn’t seen her younger sister on their shared Christmas Eve birthday in five years. When a blizzard strands her at the airport on December 23rd, it looks like this year will be no different. Fortunately, a sexy stranger in a Santa suit offers to share the last available hotel room with her. While he’s not who she’d planned to spend her Christmas with, she can’t deny that he jingles her bells. Maybe this year, she’ll make sure she ends up on Santa’s naughty list…
★★★☆☆
Nothing But Blackened Teeth by Cassandra Khaw
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
2.0
Nothing but Blackened Teeth by Cassandra Khaw
“𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕕𝕖𝕒𝕕 𝕞𝕚𝕤𝕤 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕤𝕦𝕟. 𝕀𝕥’𝕤 𝕕𝕒𝕣𝕜 𝕕𝕠𝕨𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖”.
Thoughts: Nothing but Blackened Teeth is the first horror fiction book I have read. While horror is not my usual genre, I was intrigued to give this one a try. Unfortunately, it missed the mark for me, and I did not enjoy it. I almost chose to DNF at 30% but pushed through since it was only 177 pages. Neither the characters nor the plot were likable or engaging.
Synopsis: A group of thrill-seeking friends in search of the perfect wedding venue plan to spend the night in a Heian-era mansion. Long abandoned, and unknown to them, this mansion rests on the bones of a bride, and its walls are packed with the remains of the girls sacrificed to keep her company. Their night of food, drinks, and games quickly spirals into a nightmare, as the house welcomes its new guests. For lurking in the shadows is the ghost bride with a black smile and a hungry heart. And she gets lonely down there in the dirt. Effortlessly taking the classic haunted house story and turning it on its head, Nothing but Blackened Teeth is a sharp and devastating exploration of grief, the parasitic nature of relationships, and the consequences of our actions.
Please check trigger/content warnings prior to reading this book.
★★☆☆☆
“𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕕𝕖𝕒𝕕 𝕞𝕚𝕤𝕤 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕤𝕦𝕟. 𝕀𝕥’𝕤 𝕕𝕒𝕣𝕜 𝕕𝕠𝕨𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖”.
Thoughts: Nothing but Blackened Teeth is the first horror fiction book I have read. While horror is not my usual genre, I was intrigued to give this one a try. Unfortunately, it missed the mark for me, and I did not enjoy it. I almost chose to DNF at 30% but pushed through since it was only 177 pages. Neither the characters nor the plot were likable or engaging.
Synopsis: A group of thrill-seeking friends in search of the perfect wedding venue plan to spend the night in a Heian-era mansion. Long abandoned, and unknown to them, this mansion rests on the bones of a bride, and its walls are packed with the remains of the girls sacrificed to keep her company. Their night of food, drinks, and games quickly spirals into a nightmare, as the house welcomes its new guests. For lurking in the shadows is the ghost bride with a black smile and a hungry heart. And she gets lonely down there in the dirt. Effortlessly taking the classic haunted house story and turning it on its head, Nothing but Blackened Teeth is a sharp and devastating exploration of grief, the parasitic nature of relationships, and the consequences of our actions.
Please check trigger/content warnings prior to reading this book.
★★☆☆☆
The Trip by Phoebe Morgan
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
The Trip by Phoebe Morgan
AD PR PRODUCT: Thank you Harlequin (HQ) Australia and Phoebe Morgan for gifting me a copy of The Trip for an honest review!
The Trip is now available for purchase! [Amazon, Dymocks, QBD & BIGW]
Thoughts: This suspenseful crime psychological thriller had me on the edge of my seat! I enjoyed the short chapters and the changing points of view. The book became even more gripping around the 70% mark, and I was completely surprised by the ending. I highly recommend it if you’re looking for a jaw-dropping thriller!
Synopsis: The perfect holiday. The perfect crime. Four friends on the holiday of a lifetime. Until a vicious murder shatters their paradise. Four friends who’d do anything for each other, until now. Only one of them committed a crime. But all four know how to keep a secret. And they’re all guilty of something…
Please check trigger/content warnings prior to reading this book.
★★★★☆
AD PR PRODUCT: Thank you Harlequin (HQ) Australia and Phoebe Morgan for gifting me a copy of The Trip for an honest review!
The Trip is now available for purchase! [Amazon, Dymocks, QBD & BIGW]
Thoughts: This suspenseful crime psychological thriller had me on the edge of my seat! I enjoyed the short chapters and the changing points of view. The book became even more gripping around the 70% mark, and I was completely surprised by the ending. I highly recommend it if you’re looking for a jaw-dropping thriller!
Synopsis: The perfect holiday. The perfect crime. Four friends on the holiday of a lifetime. Until a vicious murder shatters their paradise. Four friends who’d do anything for each other, until now. Only one of them committed a crime. But all four know how to keep a secret. And they’re all guilty of something…
Please check trigger/content warnings prior to reading this book.
★★★★☆
I Don't Need Therapy by Toni Lodge
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
3.0
I Don’t Need Therapy by Toni Lodge
Thoughts: I kept seeing this memoir in local bookstores and thought I would give it a listen. I did not know who Toni was prior to listening to her audiobook. The audiobook was both emotional and funny, and at times, relatable.
Synopsis: Most of us tell little white lies all the time. Whether it’s ‘I’m five minutes away’ or ‘It must have gone to my spam folder’, most of these fibs are harmless. But what if you realised that you weren’t just lying about the little things, but the big ‘life’ stuff too? When Toni Lodge sat down to write this memoir, she discovered that the lies she was telling herself were hiding some pretty important home truths—about her work, her identity and her mental health. Her dogged pursuit of these truths sent her on a brazen exploration of everything from gastro, fame and Twilight to funerals, the Dalai Lama and Brazilian waxes. In this hilarious warm hug of a book, Toni exposes the lies she has told herself about who she is and what she is capable of, inviting you on a riotous romp that will make you laugh, cringe, cry and utterly rethink the truth behind the stories we tell ourselves.
Please check trigger/content warnings prior to reading this book.
★★★☆☆
Thoughts: I kept seeing this memoir in local bookstores and thought I would give it a listen. I did not know who Toni was prior to listening to her audiobook. The audiobook was both emotional and funny, and at times, relatable.
Synopsis: Most of us tell little white lies all the time. Whether it’s ‘I’m five minutes away’ or ‘It must have gone to my spam folder’, most of these fibs are harmless. But what if you realised that you weren’t just lying about the little things, but the big ‘life’ stuff too? When Toni Lodge sat down to write this memoir, she discovered that the lies she was telling herself were hiding some pretty important home truths—about her work, her identity and her mental health. Her dogged pursuit of these truths sent her on a brazen exploration of everything from gastro, fame and Twilight to funerals, the Dalai Lama and Brazilian waxes. In this hilarious warm hug of a book, Toni exposes the lies she has told herself about who she is and what she is capable of, inviting you on a riotous romp that will make you laugh, cringe, cry and utterly rethink the truth behind the stories we tell ourselves.
Please check trigger/content warnings prior to reading this book.
★★★☆☆
The Teacher by Freida McFadden
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
The Teacher by Freida McFadden
“𝕐𝕠𝕦 𝕜𝕟𝕠𝕨 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤 𝕒𝕣𝕖 𝕤𝕖𝕣𝕚𝕠𝕦𝕤𝕝𝕪 𝕓𝕒𝕕 𝕨𝕙𝕖𝕟 𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕟 𝕚𝕔𝕖-𝕔𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕞 𝕕𝕠𝕖𝕤𝕟’𝕥 𝕙𝕖𝕝𝕡”.
Thoughts: Freida, you have done it again. This was an easy, quick read that kept me on my toes, wanting to know what would happen next. Just when you think you know what is going to happen, Freida throws in another twist! It was a very enjoyable read!
Synopsis: Addie is an ostracized student attending Caseham High. The other students believe she was romantically involved with one of the teachers last year and that he was fired as a result. Meanwhile, Eve and Nate Bennett are a married couple who are both teachers at the school. Eve is paranoid about her handsome husband, the late nights he works and the many young women at school who have crushes on him. In this twisty psychological thriller, it’s never quite clear who can be trusted, what secrets each of the characters hold, and where the truth lies.
Please check trigger/content warnings prior to reading this book.
★★★★☆
“𝕐𝕠𝕦 𝕜𝕟𝕠𝕨 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤 𝕒𝕣𝕖 𝕤𝕖𝕣𝕚𝕠𝕦𝕤𝕝𝕪 𝕓𝕒𝕕 𝕨𝕙𝕖𝕟 𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕟 𝕚𝕔𝕖-𝕔𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕞 𝕕𝕠𝕖𝕤𝕟’𝕥 𝕙𝕖𝕝𝕡”.
Thoughts: Freida, you have done it again. This was an easy, quick read that kept me on my toes, wanting to know what would happen next. Just when you think you know what is going to happen, Freida throws in another twist! It was a very enjoyable read!
Synopsis: Addie is an ostracized student attending Caseham High. The other students believe she was romantically involved with one of the teachers last year and that he was fired as a result. Meanwhile, Eve and Nate Bennett are a married couple who are both teachers at the school. Eve is paranoid about her handsome husband, the late nights he works and the many young women at school who have crushes on him. In this twisty psychological thriller, it’s never quite clear who can be trusted, what secrets each of the characters hold, and where the truth lies.
Please check trigger/content warnings prior to reading this book.
★★★★☆
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sara J Maas
AD PR PRODUCT: Thank you, Tandem Collective and Bloomsbury Publishing, for allowing me to participate in this readalong!
“𝔻𝕠𝕟’𝕥 𝕗𝕖𝕖𝕝 𝕓𝕒𝕕 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕠𝕟𝕖 𝕞𝕠𝕞𝕖𝕟𝕥 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕕𝕠𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕨𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕓𝕣𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕛𝕠𝕪.”
Thoughts: ‘A Court of Thorns and Roses’ is book #1 in the ACOTAR series! I am very late to the ACOTAR party, but I am glad I finally read this book. I did find the start a bit slow, but I really enjoyed the second half. The world-building and character development was enjoyable. I think this is a great read for anyone new to romantasy like me. I cannot wait to read the rest of the series!
Synopsis: Nineteen-year-old Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, and a beast-like creature demands punishment for it. She is taken to the land of the faerie, Prythian, by her captor, Tamlin, who is an immortal faerie. She comes to live with him at his estate in the Spring Court. Feyre learns that he is a High Lord of Prythian, and eventually realizes that what she has previously learnt about the dangerous faerie world is false.
Please check trigger/content warnings prior to reading this book.
★★★★☆
AD PR PRODUCT: Thank you, Tandem Collective and Bloomsbury Publishing, for allowing me to participate in this readalong!
“𝔻𝕠𝕟’𝕥 𝕗𝕖𝕖𝕝 𝕓𝕒𝕕 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕠𝕟𝕖 𝕞𝕠𝕞𝕖𝕟𝕥 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕕𝕠𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕨𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕓𝕣𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕛𝕠𝕪.”
Thoughts: ‘A Court of Thorns and Roses’ is book #1 in the ACOTAR series! I am very late to the ACOTAR party, but I am glad I finally read this book. I did find the start a bit slow, but I really enjoyed the second half. The world-building and character development was enjoyable. I think this is a great read for anyone new to romantasy like me. I cannot wait to read the rest of the series!
Synopsis: Nineteen-year-old Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, and a beast-like creature demands punishment for it. She is taken to the land of the faerie, Prythian, by her captor, Tamlin, who is an immortal faerie. She comes to live with him at his estate in the Spring Court. Feyre learns that he is a High Lord of Prythian, and eventually realizes that what she has previously learnt about the dangerous faerie world is false.
Please check trigger/content warnings prior to reading this book.
★★★★☆
A Thousand Broken Pieces by Tillie Cole
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A Thousand Broken Pieces by Tillie Cole
AD PR PRODUCT - Thank you Valentine PR & Tillie Cole for gifting me an ARC copy of A Thousand Broken Pieces for an honest review!
“𝕃𝕠𝕧𝕖 𝕕𝕚𝕕𝕟’𝕥 𝕕𝕚𝕖; 𝕚𝕥 𝕨𝕒𝕤 𝕖𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕟𝕒𝕝. 𝕀𝕥 𝕨𝕒𝕤 𝕒 𝕥𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕠𝕠 𝕠𝕟 𝕠𝕦𝕣 𝕤𝕠𝕦𝕝𝕤. 𝔸 𝕘𝕚𝕗𝕥 𝕥𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕟 𝕕𝕖𝕒𝕥𝕙 𝕔𝕠𝕦𝕝𝕕 𝕟𝕠𝕥 𝕥𝕒𝕜𝕖 𝕒𝕨𝕒𝕪. 𝕀𝕗 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕙𝕒𝕧𝕖 𝕓𝕖𝕖𝕟 𝕝𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕕, 𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕟 𝕚𝕗 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕙𝕒𝕧𝕖 𝕝𝕠𝕤𝕥, 𝕥𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕝𝕠𝕧𝕖 𝕨𝕚𝕝𝕝 𝕟𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕣 𝕝𝕖𝕒𝕧𝕖. 𝕀𝕥 𝕨𝕚𝕝𝕝 𝕗𝕚𝕝𝕝 𝕪𝕠𝕦𝕣 𝕙𝕖𝕒𝕣𝕥 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕡𝕒𝕥𝕔𝕙 𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕣 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕙𝕠𝕝𝕖𝕤 𝕥𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕘𝕣𝕚𝕖𝕗 𝕝𝕖𝕒𝕧𝕖𝕤 𝕓𝕖𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕕. 𝕎𝕖 𝕛𝕦𝕤𝕥 𝕞𝕦𝕤𝕥 𝕙𝕠𝕝𝕕 𝕠𝕟 𝕥𝕠 𝕚𝕥 𝕨𝕙𝕖𝕟 𝕒𝕝𝕝 𝕤𝕖𝕖𝕞𝕤 𝕚𝕞𝕡𝕠𝕤𝕤𝕚𝕓𝕝𝕖.”
Thoughts: If you have read A Thousand Boy Kisses, this is the sequel and follows Poppy’s sister Savannah’s experience with grief. This book had me emotional within the first few pages of the prologue. I really enjoyed how grief was explored in this book and how each of the characters had their own way of grieving. If you enjoyed the first book, you will definitely enjoy the sequel too!
Synopsis: Can two broken hearts make a whole...? After losing her beloved sister three years ago, Savannah Litchfield has been living half a life. When Savannah’s therapist suggests joining a trip around the world for grieving teens she agrees to go clutching tightly to the unread journal her sister left behind. Seventeen-year-old Cael Woods is angry. One year after losing his older brother his life has spiraled. Once the most promising hockey player in the junior league, Cael can no longer step onto the ice. When his parents sign him up for a trip abroad no part of him wants to go. As Cael and Savannah embark on a journey they begin to find solace in each other. As they start to heal piece by broken piece, could this be the start of a love they never thought they’d feel again? A Thousand Broken Pieces is a beautiful and life-affirming novel about grief, love and friendship.
Please check trigger/content warnings prior to reading this book.
★★★★☆
AD PR PRODUCT - Thank you Valentine PR & Tillie Cole for gifting me an ARC copy of A Thousand Broken Pieces for an honest review!
“𝕃𝕠𝕧𝕖 𝕕𝕚𝕕𝕟’𝕥 𝕕𝕚𝕖; 𝕚𝕥 𝕨𝕒𝕤 𝕖𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕟𝕒𝕝. 𝕀𝕥 𝕨𝕒𝕤 𝕒 𝕥𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕠𝕠 𝕠𝕟 𝕠𝕦𝕣 𝕤𝕠𝕦𝕝𝕤. 𝔸 𝕘𝕚𝕗𝕥 𝕥𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕟 𝕕𝕖𝕒𝕥𝕙 𝕔𝕠𝕦𝕝𝕕 𝕟𝕠𝕥 𝕥𝕒𝕜𝕖 𝕒𝕨𝕒𝕪. 𝕀𝕗 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕙𝕒𝕧𝕖 𝕓𝕖𝕖𝕟 𝕝𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕕, 𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕟 𝕚𝕗 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕙𝕒𝕧𝕖 𝕝𝕠𝕤𝕥, 𝕥𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕝𝕠𝕧𝕖 𝕨𝕚𝕝𝕝 𝕟𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕣 𝕝𝕖𝕒𝕧𝕖. 𝕀𝕥 𝕨𝕚𝕝𝕝 𝕗𝕚𝕝𝕝 𝕪𝕠𝕦𝕣 𝕙𝕖𝕒𝕣𝕥 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕡𝕒𝕥𝕔𝕙 𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕣 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕙𝕠𝕝𝕖𝕤 𝕥𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕘𝕣𝕚𝕖𝕗 𝕝𝕖𝕒𝕧𝕖𝕤 𝕓𝕖𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕕. 𝕎𝕖 𝕛𝕦𝕤𝕥 𝕞𝕦𝕤𝕥 𝕙𝕠𝕝𝕕 𝕠𝕟 𝕥𝕠 𝕚𝕥 𝕨𝕙𝕖𝕟 𝕒𝕝𝕝 𝕤𝕖𝕖𝕞𝕤 𝕚𝕞𝕡𝕠𝕤𝕤𝕚𝕓𝕝𝕖.”
Thoughts: If you have read A Thousand Boy Kisses, this is the sequel and follows Poppy’s sister Savannah’s experience with grief. This book had me emotional within the first few pages of the prologue. I really enjoyed how grief was explored in this book and how each of the characters had their own way of grieving. If you enjoyed the first book, you will definitely enjoy the sequel too!
Synopsis: Can two broken hearts make a whole...? After losing her beloved sister three years ago, Savannah Litchfield has been living half a life. When Savannah’s therapist suggests joining a trip around the world for grieving teens she agrees to go clutching tightly to the unread journal her sister left behind. Seventeen-year-old Cael Woods is angry. One year after losing his older brother his life has spiraled. Once the most promising hockey player in the junior league, Cael can no longer step onto the ice. When his parents sign him up for a trip abroad no part of him wants to go. As Cael and Savannah embark on a journey they begin to find solace in each other. As they start to heal piece by broken piece, could this be the start of a love they never thought they’d feel again? A Thousand Broken Pieces is a beautiful and life-affirming novel about grief, love and friendship.
Please check trigger/content warnings prior to reading this book.
★★★★☆
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Grief
The North Wind by Alexandria Warwick
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
The North Wind by Alexandria Warwick
“𝕀𝕗 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕜𝕟𝕖𝕨 𝕨𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕚𝕥 𝕗𝕖𝕝𝕥 𝕝𝕚𝕜𝕖 𝕥𝕠 𝕝𝕠𝕧𝕖 𝕤𝕠𝕞𝕖𝕠𝕟𝕖 𝕨𝕚𝕥𝕙 𝕪𝕠𝕦𝕣 𝕖𝕟𝕥𝕚𝕣𝕖 𝕓𝕖𝕚𝕟𝕘, 𝕪𝕠𝕦’𝕕 𝕜𝕟𝕠𝕨 𝕀 𝕟𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕣 𝕙𝕒𝕕 𝕒 𝕔𝕙𝕠𝕚𝕔𝕖.”
PR AD Product: Thank you, Alexandria Warwick, Simon & Schuster, and Tandem Collective, for the opportunity to be a part of this readalong and for the lovely gifts.
Thoughts: “The North Wind” is the first book in The Four Winds series! This was my first Romantasy book, and I am so excited to read more of this genre. The story was inspired by Beauty and the Beast and the myth of Hades and Persephone. I loved Wren as the FMC and enjoyed the character growth of both her and MMC. If you love enemies to lovers, slow burn and one bed, you will enjoy this book!
Synopsis: Wren of Edgewood is no stranger to suffering. With her parents gone, it is Wren’s responsibility to ensure she and her sister survive the harsh and endless winter, but if the legends are to be believed, their home may not be safe for much longer. For three hundred years, the land surrounding Edgewood has been encased in ice as the Shade, a magical barrier that protects the townsfolk from the Deadlands beyond, weakens. Only one thing can stop the Shade’s fall: the blood of a mortal woman bound in wedlock to the North Wind, a dangerous immortal whose heart is said to be as frigid as the land he rules. And the time has come to choose his bride. When the North Wind sets his eyes on Wren’s sister, Wren will do anything to save her – even if it means sacrificing herself in the process. But mortal or not, Wren won’t go down without a fight.
Please check trigger/content warnings before reading this book.
★★★★☆
“𝕀𝕗 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕜𝕟𝕖𝕨 𝕨𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕚𝕥 𝕗𝕖𝕝𝕥 𝕝𝕚𝕜𝕖 𝕥𝕠 𝕝𝕠𝕧𝕖 𝕤𝕠𝕞𝕖𝕠𝕟𝕖 𝕨𝕚𝕥𝕙 𝕪𝕠𝕦𝕣 𝕖𝕟𝕥𝕚𝕣𝕖 𝕓𝕖𝕚𝕟𝕘, 𝕪𝕠𝕦’𝕕 𝕜𝕟𝕠𝕨 𝕀 𝕟𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕣 𝕙𝕒𝕕 𝕒 𝕔𝕙𝕠𝕚𝕔𝕖.”
PR AD Product: Thank you, Alexandria Warwick, Simon & Schuster, and Tandem Collective, for the opportunity to be a part of this readalong and for the lovely gifts.
Thoughts: “The North Wind” is the first book in The Four Winds series! This was my first Romantasy book, and I am so excited to read more of this genre. The story was inspired by Beauty and the Beast and the myth of Hades and Persephone. I loved Wren as the FMC and enjoyed the character growth of both her and MMC. If you love enemies to lovers, slow burn and one bed, you will enjoy this book!
Synopsis: Wren of Edgewood is no stranger to suffering. With her parents gone, it is Wren’s responsibility to ensure she and her sister survive the harsh and endless winter, but if the legends are to be believed, their home may not be safe for much longer. For three hundred years, the land surrounding Edgewood has been encased in ice as the Shade, a magical barrier that protects the townsfolk from the Deadlands beyond, weakens. Only one thing can stop the Shade’s fall: the blood of a mortal woman bound in wedlock to the North Wind, a dangerous immortal whose heart is said to be as frigid as the land he rules. And the time has come to choose his bride. When the North Wind sets his eyes on Wren’s sister, Wren will do anything to save her – even if it means sacrificing herself in the process. But mortal or not, Wren won’t go down without a fight.
Please check trigger/content warnings before reading this book.
★★★★☆