Tag: bookblog

Lavender House by Lev AC Rosen 🌟 Arc Review 🌟

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Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for this Arc!!

Found family, lgbtqia+ in the 1950’s and a murder mystery! There is not much more that my soul could ask for.

A very popular soap maker dies and her wife wants someone to solve the case, but kinda secretly bc of her and her household’s lgbtq status at that time. In other words, just trying not to draw attention. That’s where the main character comes in. A disgraced cop who was just fired for being found in a compromised position during a police raid at a gay club.

He meets the lgbtqia family of Lavender house and gets a feel for what a real found family is. That he shouldn’t have to hide a part of himself to be accepted and loved. This story touches on homophobia during the 1950’s and can be quite triggering but I think it was done in a good way. I also really enjoyed the murder mystery, especially because it kept me on my toes till the end.

Out October 18, 2022!

Content Warnings for homophobia, violence and death

The Daughter of Doctor Moreau by Silvia Moreno-Garcia 🌟 ARC Review 🌟

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Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for this Arc!!

This is another remarkable read by Silvia Moreno-Garcia! If the authors name doesn’t catch your attention then maybe the title will; The Daughter of Dr. Moreau. How does this not leap out and beg to be read and enjoyed? As soon as I saw this book, especially with such a beautiful cover, I was on it… And it did not disappoint!

Carlota is the only child of Dr. Moreau and leads a simple but elegant life on their property of Yuxaktan. Among the hybrids and beautiful plant life lies secrets that even she cannot guess at. When a rich and powerful young man comes seeking her attention this acts as a catalyst for life changing events.

I highly recommend this as a gorgeous and beautifully told story that I was lucky enough to luxuriate in

TW: Violence

Out July 19, 2022!

Bookish thoughts…

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Pictured is the book Kaikeyi by Vaisnavi Patel. I loved this story. Gorgeous retelling and what really caught my attention was not only the look at the gods and goddesses but many mythical stories about them.

So, I joined BOTM in March because I felt like it was a really inexpensive and easy way to get books. However, the prices have risen in this short amount of time! It’s not that big of a deal but it’s getting closer to what I would pay for a nice new copy at the bookstore. And, while it’s great to buy new releases, I personally feel like I would rather spend the money on just the new releases that I’ve been looking forward to. Which, are not usually in BOTM. So, I canceled. And, that is my story of the short period I was a member.

Current Reads

These are my current reads. People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry, The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix and A Shadow In the Glass by Jia Harwood. I’m loving these and can’t wait to tell you more!

One of the Girls by Lucy Clarke 🌟 ARC Review 🌟

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Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for this Arc!!

I’m just going to say it: This is a must-read for thriller lovers!!! It was more than just a thriller while keeping me on the edge of my seat and guessing at every new chapter.

Six friends go on a hen weekend to celebrate a bride to be in a beautiful villa on the gorgeous seaside cliffs of Greece. However, they have no idea what is in store for them. What each singular person brings as her past, her present, her future, that can bring about all kinds of drama when they learn of each other’s secrets.

I loved the emotion in this book. I was so suspicious of every character. Sometimes hating them but then there would be a twist and I could somehow relate. And, then, that ending!! It’s brilliant. And, I want to add that the last line in the book was the absolute perfect ending.

Highly recommend!

Out June 28th!

TW: Alcohol use, violence, grief

The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager 🌟 ARC Review 🌟

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Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for this Arc!!

Wow! Riley Sager is my favorite thriller author, so I always have high expectations when reading one of this author’s books. But this story went so above and beyond my expectations that I simply can’t believe it!

Casey is a star of the screen and stage, but unfortunately her career has taken a dive which is why she finds herself secluded in her family lake house on Lake Greene. While boozing away her time there, Casey has a curious encounter with a neighbor and this is when things start getting really interesting!

I thought to myself so many times that I knew how this would end but from major twist to major twist I realized I needed just to sit back and enjoy the ride. I highly recommend this!

Out June 21st!

The Self-Made Widow by Fabian Nicieza 🌟 ARC Review 🌟

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Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for this Arc!

I didn’t realize this book was a sequel. However, as I read, the story contains plenty of information about the MC and her past plus what has led up to this book that I was able to fully understand pretty much everything. And, one thing is for sure, I loved this read!

This author has created some incredibly interesting characters in Andrea and in the person that helped in solving this mystery, Kenny. I never knew exactly what to expect from either of them. This story takes place in a suburban setting in New Jersey where Andrea lives. It seems she was just starting to fit in with the other suburbanites until one of their husband’s die and Andrea begins to suspect murder.

I loved how this had a balance between representing both healthy and unhealthy relationships in friendship and marriage. And, I also love how the author didn’t sugarcoat the ugly side of situations like this from any angle. Overall, I really liked this book and definitely recommend this as a thrilling, fast-paced murder/mystery!

Out June 21st!

The Final Strife by Saara El-Arifi 🌟 Arc Review 🌟

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Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for this Arc!

This book is incredible and I can’t wait to read more in this trilogy!

This is epic fantasy at its best. A detailed world that bases a person’s worth on the color of their blood. Embers have red blood, Dusters blue and Ghostings translucent. This story is definitely dark but I liked that because it made everything so real for me while I was reading.

The main characters grow throughout the story and I loved the f/f enemies to lovers relationship, not to mention, opposites attract also. This book was thrilling and surged with life. I didn’t realize I would get so hooked but I am happy I did.

I cannot recommend this more!

Out June 21st!

TW for addiction, abuse and death.

The Holloway Girls by Susan Crispell!! 🌟 Arc Review 🌟

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Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for this Arc!!

Remy is a Holloway girl. And, this comes with a strange sort of responsibility for a girl at age 16. A Holloway girl’s kiss supposedly brings bad luck during her season. However, when it’s Remy’s turn, she discovers that even something as simple as a lucky kiss can turn bad. She kisses her crush and he falls under a spell of bad luck! But, is this really Remy’s fault?

I mostly enjoyed this story. My favorite piece to this tale is Tobin’s character and how Remy seems to grow stronger and more confident by the end of the book. The magic is really low-key and not discussed in great detail but that didn’t take away from this fun, fast-paced read.

Out June 7th!

Last Call at the Nightingale by Katharine Schellman!! 🌟 Arc Review 🌟

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Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for this incredible arc!!

I adored this read!! The roaring twenties in New York City! An underground club called The Nightingale that welcomes all patrons equally. Let the drinks flow and the jazz wash away your worries.

This was Vivian’s favorite spot and she would do anything to protect her little piece of heaven even if it meant getting involved in solving a murder that occurred. This murder/mystery is slow-paced but moves smoothly and enjoyably. Especially because it is such a character driven plot.

I really enjoyed this and recommend as a good read!

Out June 7th!!

Witch 13 by Patrick Delaney! 🌟 Arc Review 🌟

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Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for this Arc!!

Wow! This is pure horror with all the gore included! And, it has illustrations… which are seriously freaky! (I thank you for the nightmares but I need an eraser for my brain bc scary).

The plot really centers around a small town sheriff and her deputy on her last night on the job…. and, of course, the witch. There are several issues revolving around the sheriff and why she is leaving that make up part of the story. But, mainly, the focus goes to the witch and her tricks and treats on this Christmas-y night.

I did feel like the chapters jumped around a bit and that the ending was wanting but still a good horror read to check out.

Out June 7th