Bookish Posts and Books Read of Week of May 14th through May 20th
This has been such an interesting week for the romance community. The first being a fantasy romance by a small town romance author has TAKEN over the internet. And no I am not reading it haha I have really researched and its most likely not going to be for me. It seems to be a very SJM style of fantasy and thats just not my style. And from some trusted reviewers who have similar taste as I do didn’t enjoy it. So I am passing on it. I just think its hilarious over quickly it got hyped, like literally in two days, its bananas! Because she has been writing small town romance for years and now suddenly she is popular, I am confused haha but happy for her as an author! Next is there has been a lot of hype around the prequel to the Netflix Bridgerton series “Queen Charlotte” this is amazing! I can’t tell you how much you need to watch this show. Its superb. They handled this so very well. I personally think its the best of the Bridgerton series so far, I guarantee you will love it. My reading this week has been pretty dang good actually with 11 books read. I did grab up some random reads so I neglected by TBR a bit but still kept true to it for the most part.
(All my books read and their reviews are on Goodreads, I have linked for you)
List and Link book reviews with ratings and description of opinion via goodreads
Book Read-Hot Vampire Kiss by Lisa Renee Jones—Rating 4 Stars—This was such a fun book. The hero is a vampire and a werewolf hunter. The heroine gets attacked and the hero protects her and keeps her from going crazy with wolf hunger. I really found this so interesting. And my first PNR from this author so I found it intriguing.
Book Read-Hot Vampire Seduction by Lisa Renee Jones—Rating 4 Stars—This is the second brother and has a heroine who is a coroner and is investigating the creator of the Blood Red drug and she gets caught in a plot and our hero, Aiden, assists her on this. Really found this to be such a fun entertaining read!
Book Read-Hot Vampire Touch by Lisa Renee Jones—Rating 4 Stars—Thius is the finale in the brothers trilogy and this has a enemies to lovers mixed with a second chance romance. I really found this one so fascinating, it digs into some trauma as the hero is a bit tortured and battling with inner demons. Some truths get revealed and I just need more here. Quite a fun finale!
Book Read-Pen Pal by J.T. Geissinger—Rating 1 Star—This is NOT a romance. It doesn’t have a HEA and its really more of a erotic thriller. So its definitely not for me. Its either going to be a book you will love or hate. I hated it haha Its a miracle I got through it all.
Book Read-Saving Mia by Anna Stone—Rating 4 Stars—What a wonderful FF romance. This is where Mia is on auction for her virginity to help save her family from medical bills. Cassandra is a female dom and explore a relationship together. I really adored this one. Super sexy but so endearing and packed with some powerful feels. Definitely will be trying more of this author.
Book Read-Beware of Maverick by Linda Kage—Rating 5 Stars—Such a fun novella. This is in between the books “The Revenge Plan” and “Secrets We Keep” I really had a fun time with this one and it was a MM romance? Like the last thing I expected from this author. But so intriguing to see one of my favorite authors write a couple dynamic out of her comfort zone.
Book Read-Lunatic by Onley James—Rating 4 Stars—Another Necessary Evils installment and I ADORED it. Not my favorite of the series, but was still so interesting. Especially in expecting a story that delivers some surprises I didn’t expect. Onley James really threw me for a loop there.
Book Read-Winter Igniting by Rebecca Zanetti—Rating 4.5 Stars—This was such a fabulous book! One of my favorites of the series. These two were so endearing and loved their interactions together, it was so fun to read. The heroine is a bit damaged and shy around men, and the hero is NOT shy around women and is a bit of a scoundrel. So it was delightful. And it had a fake relationship aspect and working undercover so it was pure fun!
Book Read-The Devil I Don’t Know by L.K. Shaw—-Rating 4 Stars—This is a mafia romance with a traditional feel and a arranged marriage. It was so fun. this is my favorite set up in a mafia especially as there is low angst in the relationship and loved seeing these two just click so quickly! Had a blast with it. Not perfect writing but a enjoyable time.
Book Read-Barbarous by Minerva Spencer-–Rating 4.5 Stars—Minerva Spencer is quickly becoming a fun author to read. I really have struggled with historicals sometimes, but Minerva Spencer just clicks for me. I love the sense of adventure she portrays in her books. They are SO much fun. I did this in a combo of both ebook and audio. There is a scarred pirate hero, a monkey and a parrot and a heroine who is a mother of twins. So it was just delightful and if you are a HR fan then you will adore this author. And the cover is so pretty, I love the soft colors and the clinch.
Book Listened-Sin & Ink by Naima Simone—Rating 4.5 Stars—This was my first read from this author and I just really loved it. We have a forbidden relationship, it has a touch of taboo with the heroine being the widow of the hero’s brother but loved their chemistry and the way they connect over tattoos, so endearing! I can definitely see why its so well loved by so many readers and it has a bit of diversity in it with the heroine being pacific islander descent (we need more of that honestly, I loved how it was written). And all the FEELS, especially in the last few chapters, this author just really delivered the heart.
Book Review-Perfect Wreckage by Catherine Cowles
Summer Releases I Am Anticipating of 2023
Bookish Posts To Look Forward To This Week
Books I refuse to Accept Any Criticism From
Book Release Post
Book Review-The Heiress Bride by Madeline Hunter
Book Review-The Duchess Takes A Husband by Harper St. George
Recommend It: Creatures Under the Sea
Current Reads
My current audiobook for the weekend will be Witches Get Stitches by Juliette Cross. I have been meaning to read this series, everyone seems to love it. haha I enjoy them but its more I know the later books in the series are the best ones so I am intrigued to see more of these characters. I received the ARC for Shadow Dance so yeah I am reading this right now!!! I received the next two ARC’s and kinda in the mood for them which is: The Heiress Bride by Madeline Hunter and Resonance Surge by Nalini Singh. I am really excited for both of these. I really love the authenticity of Madeline Hunter, so I am intrigued by this one. Then we have the Psy Changeling installment, and I am SO excited for this one. We get back to the BEAR changelings. These are such a hoot so I am ready to laugh hard. Then to finish off my weekend I have Maniac by Onley James. I am feeling a bit bittersweet about this one because its the last book in the series, and I am kind of sad lol but I do know we have a new series starting that is connected to these, so I am curious to see what this author delivers. This romance though has been building throughout the whole series, so we finally get their story.
Book Releases I am Excited For
Liars Like Us by J.T. Geissinger
The Viscount Who Vexed Me by Julia London
Special Kind of Twisted by Lani Lynn Vale
The Dueling Duchess by Minerva Spencer
Scoring the Player by Rebecca Jenshak
My Weekly TBR
These are books that I have for what I term a flexible TBR shelf for the week. I am working my way through not being a mood reader, so this is a flexible TBR but try to keep my reading within this TBR. I have some fabulous books lined up, I picked up some random books last week, so I didn’t get to my full TBR as I had planned. So some same books I had planned last week, but I want to use this week to get caught up on ARC’s received and some Romanceopoly reads.
Favorite Book of the Week
New Additions to AR Library
I managed to pick up some goodies this week!!!! I really can’t wait to read these all. A good mix of sub genres I was able to grab up.
I must have missed the memo on this fantasy book that’s taken the world by storm in two days. Any hints on which book it was? Happy reading!
Sandy @ Somewhere Only We Know
I also subscribe to the genre romance necessity for an HEA. I would be so upset to find a supposed “romance” had no HEA after I spent a couple of hours reading it. I don’t keep up with internet trends. It seems some romance authors are making quite a stir on tiktok, and I have seen a slew of old books being republished by big press publishers. Good for them even if they are not my cup of tea
Well I am watching Queen Charlotte and loving it so far! And yes it’s funny to see everyone dicovering Rebecca Yarros’s book when we (romance readers) have read them for years now!
I missed the book hype about the small-town romance author’s new fantasy. I’m a fan of both romantic fantasy and SJM.
If a story can’t stand on its own without the romantic aspect, then I expect an HEA.
Hope you have a lovely week!
I heard about the JT Geissinger book shortly after it released. It surprised me she would write a book without an HEA. I know a LOT of people were really mad when it first came out.
I’m excited for Shadow Dance and Resonance Resurgence!!
I was startled when I saw the fantasy release, but I’ve seen other authors jump genres now and then so not too surprised. Fun that its doing so well. I’ve liked her contemporaries so I’m curious about it.
Glad you enjoyed Queen Charlotte.
Fun seeing your pile of fab reads. I’m working on the final book from that Rebecca Zanetti series.
Enjoy your new pile for this week’s reading.
I’ve loved Queen Charlotte so much! I love everything about Bridgerton.. and this was a great addition.
I see that you have If This Is Love by Jewel E. Ann on your TBR. I read it and loved it so much. That is absolutely on top of my favorite list. Amazing!
Have a great week and happy reading.
I saw a really ranty review about Pen Pal on BookTube a while back and it convinced me that it wasn’t one for me. Sounds like I made the right decision! I just downloaded Into the Tide from KU and plan to start it soon. I’m excited for my first by Pavlov!