Tag: Reader

Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah 🌟 Arc Review 🌟

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An incredibly intriguing and explosive take on a dystopian future and America’s prison system.

While this book gives no definitive answer to the multitude of issues in current day prisons across America, this still left me feeling like my eyes are more open to the very real problems at hand.

This story seems to jump all over the place, featuring quite a few different characters and viewpoints, but mostly, this story follows Loretta Thurwar. Thurwar is the reigning champion of a cruel TV show that pits prisoners in fights to the death. The prize for winning, which is beyond difficult, is freedom.

This is a startling but necessary social commentary on many things besides just the prison system. And, without a doubt, this has rattled me. This is a thought-provoking and insightful look into humanity, and I am really glad I read this.

Out May 2, 2023

Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!

Queen Bee by Amalie Howard 🌟 Arc Review 🌟

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I love a good revenge story and the fact that this takes place during the Regency era just made me so happy!

Lyra has a difficult past. She had a friend that she thought was trustworthy when she was young. But, when a new and rich (and handsome) boy moves into town, Ela doesn’t realize the overwhelming power of jealousy, particularly in her best friend, Poppy. Poppy not only starts a rumor but “finds evidence” making Ela look like she was with a boy, therefore Ela loses all respect from her peers and even her family and is sent to a small, country, boarding school for problematic girls.

However, like I said, this is about revenge. When Lyra (Ela) returns for the season years later, she immediately grabs everyone’s attention. But is dragging down Poppy and lying to the boy from her past worth it? Some would say yes and some would say no. I suggest read and find out!

This was a great read! A really delicious, often humorous look at what makes real friends so important. I loved this story!

Out April 4, 2023!

In Nightfall by Suzanne Young 🌟 Arc Review 🌟

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Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!!!

Yes! A Lost Boys retelling, except the ladies are the boss in this one?? What? Do you think I loved this? I want to stomp down in front of some kind of audience and just slam this book on the table… BOOM. This was so good!

It’s witty, charming, fast-paced, and exciting. And, there were some real thrills and chills in this story! Theo and her brother Marco find themselves in Nightfall, Oregon, for the summer with their dad. They are staying with their grandma, who definitely comes across as a strange character. But, what’s even stranger are the locals. Theo and Marco are both immediately picked up by some very attractive people. Somehow supermodel stage ready in this small rainy town.

One of the things I really loved were the podcasters. Two horror/reality podcasters were visiting and luckily Theo quickly befriended them. Theo is a great character. Her reaction to everything is super on par with how I would react, lol. She felt very real to me. So, I loved reading her perspective.

This was an absolute blast and I completely enjoyed this!

Out March 28, 2023!

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!

The Favor by Nora Murphy 🌟 ARC Review 🌟

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Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for this incredible arc!!!

Wow! This was so intense! Exactly what I want out of a revenge-like thriller which is what this basically is.

Two women, absolutely controlled by their husband’s, are able to somewhat help each other in the most fierce way possible. Their husband’s look great to the outside world, like so many abusers do. And, when I speak of abusers, it’s with the knowledge that anybody, any gender, any person, can be an abuser. And, abuse can come in many forms. In this case, it is control. These women live such similar lives and really do not know each other. However, that does not stop them from seeing each other’s common reality and taking steps to stop it from happening.

I definitely recommend this one!

Out May 31st!

TW for abusive situations, death and alcohol abuse.

🌟 Arc Review 🌟

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Dark Circles by Caite Dolan-Leach

Thank you netgalley and Publisher for this Arc!!

This was a chilling read for me and it genuinely creeped me out.

A young actress goes to stay at a wellness center after a very public meltdown. And she then winds up creating a podcast about this center which seems to hold many secrets!

This story was addictive and pulled me along easily. It was a fun, quick read that left me with goosebumps. I love a twisty thriller and this filled that role perfectly for me!

Out April 26th!

🌟 Arc Review 🌟 Dead Girls Cant Tell Secrets by Chelsea Ichaso!

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Thank you Netgalley for this Arc!

Savannah’s little sister, Piper, is in a coma. However, Savannah does not believe the story of an accident. She becomes obsessed with finding out who did this to her sister. This leads the reader into a fast-paced, mysterious and quick read that is sometimes exhilarating.

I didn’t completely love this but I can see how others would. I really feel that the MC could have been a stronger a more level headed character. Really, some of the decisions were just obviously not the right choices and that’s something that gets on my nerves.

I would definitely say to give this a go and see what you think!

Out April 5th!

🌟Arc Review 🌟 The Match by Harlan Coben!

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Thank you Netgalley for this Arc!

Harlan Coben is a masterful storyteller and this was another terrific read. The Match carries on the tale of Wilde. Wilde is a man with a mysterious past but in this sequel the threads of his history have begun to be pulled apart. I loved the revelations about this character and the connections he seems to be embracing more in this book.

Of course, this was also a complete thrill-ride full of suspence and action! I loved the fast pace of the book and I consumed it in one sitting. I definitely recommend this series and this author!

Look for this on March 15th!

🌟 The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake! (Thoughts and Review) 🌟

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This book was amazing! The choosing of the players in what ultimately amounts to a game of wits between these six magical people who have been offered a chance to become members in a world changing secret society. Things may seem straightforward, however there are so many secrets kept and so many revealed that I know this will make for an excellent reread.

There are some characters I love. Some I thought I loved until I knew better. Some I thought I completely disliked until I learned more. And, of course, some I just do not care for and never will. It’s these little distinctions that make me so crazy about this book. Not only are the initiates trying to figure each other out, figure the game out, but I’m in the exact same position as a reader. Which is something I adore!

I definitely recommend this! Dark Acedemia with a magical twist!

Trigger warnings for manipulation bw characters, some unsettling scenes and violence.

🌟 Currently Reading 🌟

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Hi hi hi! I hope you are doing well. However, today is Monday so it’s a pretty meh day. 😐

So here is a list of my current reads!

Loving this book! A really eerie story focused on a Vicar with a mysterious past and her 15 year old daughter. They recently moved to an incredibly small town where mom, Jack, is taking over as Vicar at the church. However, neither Jack or her daughter Flo, are very welcome.

This barely sums up what is happening but I like it bc it has that creepy vibe of what is teetering over the edge between good and evil. I am about halfway through and I am full of questions!

This is the next Arc I’m reading after I finish Burning Girls. It seems to be an intense psychological thriller (major emphasis on the psychological part). I love books like this about different dimensions, alternate universes. It seems like another great mind trip read and I believe it’s coming out on February 22nd! So I’m rushing to get to it!

This is the second book in the House of Night series by a mother/daughter duo working together as authors (gotta admit, that’s cool). I did not love the first one bc there was excessive slut shaming and just females putting down other females… which, is not how life should be folks!!

I just started this but put it down to focus on 1 thing at a time. But so far I am really enjoying book 2 more than the first. So, yay! I’m excited!

Rereading Percy Jackson because I love this series. That is all.

My cat and I hope you have a great day! Any thoughts or questions or book recommendations for me, please comment!! I’d love to hear from you!