Rydeville Rocks my World

Book six in the Rydeville Elite series is finally here!!!  Not only that, but we finally get Sawyer and Xavier's story.  I've been shipping them since the series began, so I was super stoked to get my hands on this book.  Do any of you have that author that can just do no wrong?  For me, that's Siobhan Davis (and a couple others, but Ms. Davis definitely tops the list.)  This woman has written so many different genres since I started following her work, and each is just a masterpiece!  I have not read one that I didn't like and she's even opened me up to some new genres and subgenres.  Rydeville is one of those series that was a first for me in the Bully Romance category.  I didn't really know if I'd be into it, and it's evolved as a series to be so much more, but either way I've read several other bully romance since and it's all thanks to Davis.  The following is my review for Sawyer, book six! 

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Sawyer by Siobhan Davis

I don't think it's possible to be disappointed by a Siobhan Davis book, but I'll admit to being pretty scared and angry at one or two points in this story.  Luckily, by the end, I was happy again.  

I've been looking forward to Sawyer and Xavier's story for quite some time and not only was the romance there, but the adventure and excitement does not stop throughout the course of this book.  Even at the end, my heart was racing as the guys discovered something that I had suspected earlier.

The chemistry between Sawyer and Xavier is palpable and I loved how hot these two get for each other.  Their story truly proved the old adage that sometimes things have to fall apart before they can fall back together.  Both had things in their past that were getting in their own way and when they finally released that stuff and opened up and became vulnerable with each other, they were able to truly let love in.

I know this series is nearing an end, and I have to admit to being a bit upset about that.  But, isn't that the greatest sign?  When you are so into a world and series that you just want it to keep going and going?  If you are a fan of thriller-esque type books, but also want a lot of romance and steam, this is the series for you!  You will be fully invested and feeling all the feels, and you will not be sorry!

A little Backwards

I did this a little backwards... normally I would read the book(s) before watching a screen adaptation, but everyone was hounding me to watch Game of Thrones and so I saw the first four seasons before picking up this book.  I do like the show, though it's not a show I could binge-watch really.  There's a lot of gore and things that make it an occasional show for me, which is why it's taking so long for me to finish it.  In any case, I picked up the book from my Libby app and listened while working on my house and other things.  It was LONG, like over 30 hours.  I'm usually not much of a fan of longer books, but that didn't really bother me at first.  When I thought about listening to the others in the series and realized that some of them are even longer, that's when I decided that maybe it's not imperative that I read the whole series.  I may come back to it, I may not.  What I did listen to, I enjoyed.  The following is my review.

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A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin

 I have watched the first four seasons of Game of Thrones the TV adaptation and so I thought it might be interesting to compare it to the book.  I chose to listen to the audio book because I've been so busy and because it's a rather long book.  One thing I will say in regards to the audio book specifically; I did not like the voice they had for the Imp.  I think mainly because I like the actor who plays him in the show and it did not do his rendition of the character justice.  But that's not entirely fair, I know, because the show came later.  I do think that the show stayed pretty close to the book, at least in this first in the series.  

The book itself is very well written, though extremely long.  I recommend having plenty of time to sit and read if you are going to tackle this series.  There are so many moving parts to this story that all connect in some way.  It makes for a very adventurous tale, but a clear mind needed to keep everything and everyone straight.

If you are a fan of the Epic Fantasy type genre, or a fan of the show on HBO, it's likely that you will enjoy the book.

Intriguing!

This book was such a different type of story and background than I've read before.  I couldn't help but be impressed, as you will see in my review below.  It's always great, for me, when I find a new author who I end up really enjoying their work.  I know there are so many authors out there I have yet to find, but every time I do find one, it gives me this simple pleasure that I can't deny.  I also love when the stories are so different, I know the saying "there's nothing new under the sun" but sometimes just the execution is different enough to make you sit up and notice.  In any case, here's my review...

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The Reaper's Kiss by Abigail Baker 

What an interesting idea for a book and a world to create.  I'm impressed and astounded at the author's creativity and imagination.  I don't think I've ever read anything with this type of creature and dynamic before.  Having the Scriveners who mark the people for death and then the reapers who come to ferry them away, it really painted a picture in the reader's mind and hooks them immediately into the story.

In addition to that side of the story, there is also a totalitarian feel to the system in which they live.  This gave me sort of dystopian vibes with a main character or characters trying to overthrow an unjust government.  In this, however, there is much more at stake and the ending of the book is traumatic in it's proof of that.  I'm happy to see that this is marked as book one, so surely I will have more of this world to enjoy.

I really love the main characters in this book.  Ollie is a strong woman in her own right and seems to get stronger the deeper into the situation she becomes.  She makes decisions based on what is best for the people she cares about without much thought to herself.  Brent is compassionate, but also a good leader and sees clearly the difference between right and wrong.

I look forward to reading more about this world and these characters.  Also, I look forward to seeing what else this author has to read!

From Milestone to Red River

I've been hooked on Piper James writing since I read the first page of the first Milestone Mischief book, so imagine my delight when I found out there was to be a sort of spin off series called Red River Romps.  It begins with the sibling of two of the characters in the other series and I'm assuming will continue with the siblings of one of the main characters in this first book.  I feel like it's a sure sign that it's a good book or series when the author keeps revisiting those people and that world they've created.  And, as I expected, I loved this book!  The following is my review...

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It Started With a Bang by Piper James

 Piper James has won my heart!  I'm so happy to revisit some of the characters from her Milestone Mischief series and looking forward to all the new characters in what is sure to be a fabulous new series.  

I've wanted to hear Belle's story since she first appeared in the Milestone books.  I wasn't eager to see her dad again, what a putz, but I wanted to see the story about such a strong and independent woman.  I was definitely impressed with how her story went.  She took control of her own life and I love that in a female character.  Especially one faced with such open sexism and misogyny as Belle was.

When it comes to Ryder, I feel like he was the perfect match for Belle.  He was strong and independent in his own right, but not at all threatened by a strong woman.  In fact, I love how he celebrated in her victories and honestly wanted the best for her.  And their chemistry was off the charts!

James has a talent for writing romance that romance lovers want and need!  I can't wait to see more from the Red River Romps series.  If you're a fan of contemporary romance with just the right amount of spice and characters that are truly relatable, Piper James is the author for you!

Tragic Stories

There's something to be said for the reading of tragic stories.  Those ones where the protagonist has lived through something monumental and life changing and we see the differences in that character and how they've grown, matured, adapted and hopefully dealt with the tragedy that's occurred.  These Things I've Done is just that kind of story, with a little bit of romance thrown in.  Phillips has written beautifully and masterfully expressed the things that a person might go through if death has changed their entire life.  I'm not going to lie, it was very emotional to read and I can guess that some people might be hesitant to read it due to the sadness they'll feel.  Personally, I loved it because it wasn't a book set out to make you cry.  It truly was a story of growth and healing, forgiveness and love.  That said, the following is my review ...

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These Things I've Done by Rebecca Phillips

 While this was a super emotional and difficult read, it was also one of the most amazing YA novels I've read in awhile.  Covering mistakes that you can't take back, accidents with horrible consequences, and complicated relationships, this book will really make you look inside yourself to see how you would handle the things that Dara had to handle.

While it's very secondary to the main idea and point of the story, I'm also a sucker for best friend's brother romances... This book has a bit of that as well, though not in the normal way you see in that kind of story.  It's a very complicated situation and it's messy, but you can tell that it will be worth it in the end.

Because the subject matter of the book is so sensitive, I do recommend reading the blurb so you know what you're going into.  But I also recommend reading the book, I think it was written beautifully and can really touch lives.

Making Choices

I had heard of this book on TikTok, the people of BookTok spoke very highly and I felt as if I must read this book.  I went and put it on hold on the Libby app and waited.  The day I started a quite different kind of book, a 30 some hour audiobook, is the day Addie came available.  My choice was to finish the book I'd just started and push back my borrowing of the book I wanted, or to pause the book and listen to this one immediately.  I simply couldn't wait anymore to read this one, so I paused where I was in Game of Thrones and began to listen to The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue.  I'm not sorry.  It was a beautiful story and I feel like it was just what I needed to hear at the time.  I truly believe that books speak to people differently, I also believe that God (or whatever higher power you believe in) puts things in your path for a reason.  I needed this book right now as I'm going through some changes in my life.  I took away from this book just what I needed to move forward with less trepidation and doubt and more embracing of my future and all it might hold.  The following is my review...

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The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab

What a wonderfully beautiful story.  I was moved to tears at points and I found it to be a truly unique way of telling the tale of someone wishing for more time. I found the characters to be well written and very intriguing.  I connected with Addie from the beginning and found that I could even understand, if not connect or like Luke.  

I love the telling of Addie's travels and experiences as much as I loved the romance in the story.  It was such an all encompassing book and there is not a single part that was boring or lacking in some kind of excitement.

Spanning over hundreds of years of history and lives and loves, I think The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue will charm and captivate audiences for years to come.

Slowing down...

Not on purpose, but my reading seems to be slowing down.  I would have thought the opposite to be true when the summer came and I wasn't working every day anymore.  I think the biggest thing is that I'm able to get out and hang out with friends again.  There is a higher rate of vaccination and I, myself, am fully vaccinated, and I'm very much enjoying going out with friends or even just visiting them at their homes.  But, alas, it does cut into reading time.  In any case, I've finished another Bridgerton book and my review is below.  I hope all of you are enjoying some more freedoms than you were at this point last year!

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It's In His Kiss by Julia Quinn

 I'm a bit in shock that I'm already to Hyacinth in this series.  These books are so captivating and engaging that I'm finding myself flying right through the series.  I didn't have any preconceived notions of what Hyacinth's story would be like, and I think that made the reading of it even more enjoyable.

I found Garreth's back story to be so sad.  I don't like parents who treat their kids the way that he was treated, regardless of the reasoning.  I was so happy to see him find a new sense of family.

One thing I really loved about this book was having so much of Lady Danbury involved.  She is definitely one of my favorite side characters and I love seeing the Bridgerton family interacting with her.  This book, in particular, had what is sure to be my all time favorite Danbury scene and line in the entire series.  It made me tear up a little.  (I'll let you read it for yourself!)

I also very much liked the epilogue.  I truly adore seeing a beloved character's children in a story or epilogue or even sequel and I liked seeing Isabella.  

I'm a bit sad that I'm nearing the end of this series.  I am sure to be recommending it for years to come.

A bit Behind, Oops!

 I finished a book yesterday and wrote my review on GoodReads and cross posted it to most of the sites I use, but I forgot to write a blog post!  Oops!  Then today I finished another book, so this is going to be another twofer posting!  

The first book was another Bridgerton book.  This time it was Francesca's story, and I had been so curious about it that I sort of flew through it!  The second was a book called Six Weeks by an author I found on TikTok.  I enjoyed both books and the reviews I've posted are below.

On a side note, if you are following this blog and you know someone who might also enjoy reading the things I have to say about the books I read, would you mind sharing?  Also, if you're interested in what I post on TikTok, my handle is @myntopreads!

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When He Was Wicked by Julia Quinn

Throughout the previous six books, I was always very curious to know what had happened with Francesca. We rarely see or hear of her and it's always a mention in some kind of off hand way. So, I was very eager to get through this book and find out what was going on with the sixth Bridgerton sibling.

This book was one of the most emotionally charged books in the series thus far. I was moved to literal tears at one point, and I may have been previously, but this was on a whole new level. Francesca's past and even present is saddening and heart wrenching. Where she ends up was so uplifting and I was immensely pleased with the ending of this story.

I feel like we saw less of the other Bridgertons in this book, but that wasn't the reason for my 4 star rating (rather than 5.) I honestly felt a lack of closure when it came to Michael's situation and I wish we'd had a definitive answer that he was going to be ok. Other than that, this book was almost perfection. I loved the story line, the progression and the characters. 

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Six Weeks by T. Spear

This short but wonderful debut book from author T. Spear was just the right one to kick off my summer break! I loved the characters and fell right into the world and the story that was woven. My heart was breaking for the main character and the troubles she had going into the book and throughout with her family and what she left behind. I was so happy to see things get sort of worked out for her. I would LOVE to see a sequel or follow up with how she manages after the events of this book. If you like military romance with some spice and heat, but also tenderness and heartbreak, this is the book for you!

Finishing a Trilogy

While I admit that this trilogy started off slow for me, I'm so glad I kept reading.  Once I got into the story, I found it to go along a lot faster and I really enjoyed the ride.  I've seen some people be upset about a lack of spice between the two main characters, but I have to disagree.  I think the lack of spice and the constant frustration of will they or won't they realize their feelings for each other made the series that much more interesting.  And to be honest, while I love the smexy scenes in some books, sometimes it's great to read something without it.  The following is my review of The Queen of Nothing, which is the 3rd and final book in The Folk of the Air series by Holly Black.

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The Queen of Nothing by Holly Black

 I was very impressed with the conclusion to this series.  Too often a series like this is forced into an ending that seems rushed or implausible.  I found this book to end things nicely and organically as to the flow of the story within this universe.

I love how the romance of the story is a very slow burn, and also enemies to lovers style of romance.  And that it's so far removed from the main part of the story.  The romance aspect is almost an after thought, where as the meat of the story is about Cardan and Jude maturing and growing into their own strength and personalities.

I love how the story ended.  I particularly adored how the Heather and Viv storyline ended up.  I was also almost motherly proud of how Jude handled things in the end.  I would definitely recommend this series to people who enjoy tales of the Fae and those who have read and enjoyed Ms. Black's work in the past.