Month: July 2019

Review: Red, White and Royal Blue

Title: Red, White and Royal Blue
Author: Casey McQuiston
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: Ebook
Release Date: May 14, 2019
Rating: ★★★★★

goodreads-badge-add-plus-71eae69ca0307d077df66a58ec068898

Goodreads Synopsis:

A big-hearted romantic comedy in which First Son Alex falls in love with Prince Henry of Wales after an incident of international proportions forces them to pretend to be best friends…

First Son Alex Claremont-Diaz is the closest thing to a prince this side of the Atlantic. With his intrepid sister and the Veep’s genius granddaughter, they’re the White House Trio, a beautiful millennial marketing strategy for his mother, President Ellen Claremont. International socialite duties do have downsides—namely, when photos of a confrontation with his longtime nemesis Prince Henry at a royal wedding leak to the tabloids and threaten American/British relations.

The plan for damage control: staging a fake friendship between the First Son and the Prince. Alex is busy enough handling his mother’s bloodthirsty opponents and his own political ambitions without an uptight royal slowing him down. But beneath Henry’s Prince Charming veneer, there’s a soft-hearted eccentric with a dry sense of humor and more than one ghost haunting him. 

As President Claremont kicks off her reelection bid, Alex finds himself hurtling into a secret relationship with Henry that could derail the campaign and upend two nations. And Henry throws everything into question for Alex, an impulsive, charming guy who thought he knew everything: What is worth the sacrifice? How do you do all the good you can do? And, most importantly, how will history remember you?

Review:

This book definitely lived up to the hype!

I loved this parallel universe with a queer romance between a prince and a first son. They were such a cute couple! It really didn’t feel that far off from the future. Things are changing everyday, and I can imagine these kinds of changes in these historical institutions. However, it was heartbreaking that these two boys, who were perfect for each other, could have been kept apart because of some people’s prejudice.

Some of the parts were predictable, but that’s what I loved about the story. I could tell that Alex and Henry would get together, because of the tension between them. I also predicted that they would be caught in some way because that was the danger of their relationship becoming public.

I’m so glad I read this story! I loved it!

Thank you St. Martin’s Press for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What to read next:

Royals (Royals #1) by Rachel Hawkins

Her Royal Highness (Royals #2) by Rachel Hawkins

Have you read Red, White and Royal Blue? What did you think of it?

‘Waiting on’ Wednesday – July 31

This is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine. In this post we highlight a book that’s highly anticipated.

The book that I’m waiting on this Wednesday is Love at First Like by Hannah Orenstein. The release date is August 6, 2019.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Eliza Roth and her sister Sophie co-own a jewelry shop in Brooklyn. One night, after learning of an ex’s engagement, Eliza accidentally posts a photo of herself wearing a diamond ring on that finger to her Instagram account beloved by 100,000 followers. Sales skyrocket, press rolls in, and Eliza learns that her personal life is good for business. So she has a choice: continue the ruse or clear up the misunderstanding. With mounting financial pressure, Eliza sets off to find a fake fiancé.

Fellow entrepreneur Blake seems like the perfect match on paper. And in real life he shows promise, too. He would be perfect, if only Eliza didn’t feel also drawn to someone else. But Blake doesn’t know Eliza is “engaged”; Sophie asks Eliza for an impossible sum of money; and Eliza’s lies start to spiral out of control. She can either stay engaged online or fall in love in real life. 

What books are you waiting on this week?

Review: Pillow Thoughts III: Mending the Mind

Title: Pillow Thoughts III: Mending the Mind
Author: Courtney Peppernell
Genre: Poetry
Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: Ebook
Release Date: August 6, 2019
Rating: ★★★★★

goodreads-badge-add-plus-71eae69ca0307d077df66a58ec068898

Goodreads Synopsis:

In a voice that is inclusive and open to all, Courtney Peppernell presents a tribute to her readers in the third installment of her bestselling Pillow Thoughts series.

A beautifully raw and poignant collection of poetry and prose, Pillow Thoughts III continues the series from poet Courtney Peppernell. Fix yourself a warm drink and settle into Peppernell’s words as she pens a tribute to her readers who are bravely continuing their journey from hurt to healing. 

Review:

I don’t read a lot of poetry, but I’ve heard a lot about this collection so I wanted to read it. I loved it!

There were sections of this collection about anxiety and love that I found so relatable. Some of the poems were just one line on a page, but they were poignant and memorable.

This is a great, short poetry collection. I’ll definitely have to look for the other books in the series!

Thank you Andrews McMeel Publishing for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What to read next:

Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur

Have you read Pillow Thoughts III: Mending the Mind? What did you think of it?

Top Ten Tuesday – Freebie (Books I Could Re-Read Forever)

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish and it is now hosted by The Artsy Reader Girl. This week’s theme is a Freebie, so I chose to do an old topic: Books I Could Re-Read Forever. Here’s my list:

1. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling

2. We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

3. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

4. Shadowland (The Mediator #1) by Meg Cabot

5. Lady Smoke (Ash Princess Trilogy #2) by Laura Sebastian

6. One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus

7. The Last Magician by Lisa Maxwell

8. Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake

9. Kens by Raziel Reid

10. A Darker Shade of Magic (Shades of Magic #1) by V.E. Schwab

(All photos taken from Goodreads)

Blog Tour Review: Season of the Witch

Title: Season of the Witch
Author: Sarah Rees Brennan
Genre: Young Adult, Horror
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Source: Publisher
Format: Ebook
Release Date: July 9, 2019
Rating: ★★★★★

goodreads-badge-add-plus-71eae69ca0307d077df66a58ec068898

Goodreads Synopsis:

It’s the summer before her sixteenth birthday, and Sabrina Spellman knows her world is about to change. She’s always studied magic and spells with her aunts, Hilda and Zelda. But she’s also lived a normal mortal life – attending Baxter High, hanging out with her friends Susie and Roz, and going to the movies with her boyfriend, Harvey Kinkle.

Now time is running out on her every day, normal world, and leaving behind Roz and Susie and Harvey is a lot harder than she thought it would be. Especially because Sabrina isn’t sure how Harvey feels about her. Her cousin Ambrose suggests performing a spell to discover Harvey’s true feelings. But when a mysterious wood spirit interferes, the spell backfires in a big way.

Sabrina has always been attracted to the power of being a witch. But now she can’t help wondering if that power is leading her down the wrong path. Will she choose to forsake the path of light and follow the path of night?

Review:

This is a great prequel to the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.

I read the graphic novel of the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina before I watched the show on Netflix. The graphic novel was the creepiest one I’ve ever read! The show is also quite creepy and gruesome. I was so glad that this book didn’t have the same horror themes.

I loved the way the characters were introduced in this story. The story added a lot to the plot, by introducing the characters before the beginning of the show. It also gave a lot of the background on Ambrose, who I always found was a confusing character, as to how and why he was there. It also gave some details on Harvey’s family.

I really enjoyed this story!

Thank you Scholastic for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What to read next:

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Vol. 1: The Crucible by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, Robert Hack

About the Author:

SARAH REES BRENNAN is a New York Times bestselling author whose novels have been long-listed for the Carnegie Medal and short-listed for both a Nebula Award and a Hugo Award, as well as received multiple starred reviews. Her most recent novels include In Other Lands, Tell the Wind and Fire and the Lynburn Legacy trilogy. 

Giveaway:

5 copies of SABRINA: SEASON OF THE WITCH by SARAH REES BRENNAN

US Only

Link:http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/d9681b86388/?

Blog Tour Schedule:

July 24th

Popthebutterfly Reads– Creative Post/Bookstagram
The Reading Life- Bookstagram
Book Slaying– Review & Favorite Quotes

July 25th

One More Chapter– Review
Booked J- Review
Rhythmicbooktrovert- Review & Favorite Quotes


July 26th

Lost in Storyland- Interview
Starlight Reads- Bookstagram
BookCrushin- Creative Post

July 27th

The Book Nut– Playlist
onemused- Bookstagram
Morgan Vega- Review

July 28th

Here’s to Happy Endings– Review
Sometimes Leelynn Reads– Interview

July 29th

Moonlight Rendezvous– Review
Jill’s Book Blog- Review
The Reading Corner for All- Bookstagram

July 30th

Story-eyed Reviews– Review & Favorite Quotes
Musings of a (Book) Girl- Review/Creative Post
Twilight Reader- Playlist
A Book Addict’s Bookshelves- Playlist

Thank you The Fantastic Flying Book Club and Scholastic for letting me participate in this blog tour.

Have you read Season of the Witch? What did you think of it?

It’s Monday, What Are You Reading? – July 29

This blog meme is hosted by Book Date. It is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week.  It’s a great post to organize yourself. It’s an opportunity to visit and comment, and er… add to that ever growing TBR pile!

What I just finished:

This weekend I finished Season of the Witch by Sarah Rees Brennan.

What I’m currently reading:

I’m currently reading Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston.

What I’m reading next:

Next I will be reading Changeling (The Oddmire #1) by William Ritter.

What are you guys reading this week? Have you read any of these books?

Jill’s Weekly Wrap-Up – July 28

Here are my reviews for the week with my ratings:

I did 9 weekly blogging memes:

How was your week? What did you guys read?

Sundays in Bed With… Pillow Thoughts III: Mending the Mind

The meme that dares to ask what book has been in your bed this morning? Come share what book you’ve spent time curled up reading in bed, or which book you wish you had time to read today! This meme is hosted by Midnight Book Girl.

This Sunday I’m reading Pillow Thoughts III: Mending the Mind by Courtney Peppernell.

Goodreads Synopsis:

In a voice that is inclusive and open to all, Courtney Peppernell presents a tribute to her readers in the third installment of her bestselling Pillow Thoughts series.

A beautifully raw and poignant collection of poetry and prose, Pillow Thoughts III continues the series from poet Courtney Peppernell. Fix yourself a warm drink and settle into Peppernell’s words as she pens a tribute to her readers who are bravely continuing their journey from hurt to healing. 

What book are you in bed with today?

Six for Sunday – Summer Novels With Food in Them

This meme is hosted by Steph at A little but a lot. The weekly prompts for 2019 can be found here.

This week’s prompt is Ice Cream and Book Combinations. It was hard to find books about ice cream, but here’s a list of summery books with food in them. Here’s my list:

1. The Art of French Kissing by Brianna R. Shrum

2. Stay Sweet by Siobhan Vivian

3. The Summer of Jordi Perez (And The Best Burger in Los Angeles) by Amy Spalding

4. The Way You Make Me Feel by Maurene Goo

5. Dumplin’ by Julie Murphy

6. My Ideal Boyfriend is a Croissant by Laura Dockrill

Did you write a #SixforSunday post? What was your list of Ice Cream and Book Combinations?

Review: Titans (Titans #1)

Title: Titans (Titans #1)
Author: Kate O’Hearn
Genre: Middle Grade, Fantasy
Publisher: Simon and Schuster Canada
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: Ebook
Release Date: July 9, 2019
Rating: ★★★★★

goodreads-badge-add-plus-71eae69ca0307d077df66a58ec068898

Goodreads Synopsis:

A group of kids must stop invaders before they take over Titus—and the rest of the universe—in this first book in a brand-new series from bestselling Pegasus author Kate O’Hearn, who masterfully blends mystery and mythology together.

Fifteen years ago, Olympus was destroyed and the Olympians were resettled on Titus. Since then Earth has been declared a quarantined world. Neither Titans nor Olympians are allowed to visit and under no circumstances are humans allowed on Titus. The Titans and Olympians are keeping the peace. But the deep-seated mistrust still lingers, so when a human ends up on Titus, he could be the spark that reignites the war…

Astraea is a Titan, granddaughter of Hyperion, and now a reluctant student at the brand-new school, Arcadia. She just knows that it’s going to be awful, and that there is no way that Titans and Olympians will ever get along! At least she’s got her best friend, a winged-horse named Zephyr, to keep her company. Then the night before the first day of school, Astraea hears her parents discussing something terrifying: a human has been spotted on Titus. But that’s not possible. All routes to Earth via the Solar Stream have been closed—no one can travel between the two worlds…or can they?

When Astraea and Zephyr get detention on their first day—for fighting with a centaur—they’re sent to the orchards to harvest nectar. There they discover a human boy named Jake. How he got to Titus is a mystery to him and to them. They have to get him home before anyone else discovers him.

But what the trio uncovers is something much bigger than one human boy. It’s a scheme to take down the rulers of this world, conquer it, and then do the same across the galaxy. Can a group of kids stop the invaders? Or is Titus, like Olympus before it, doomed?

Review:

This book is an exciting start to a new series. It takes place after Kate O’Hearn’s series Pegasus. Some of the same characters are mentioned but it has a different storyline.

Titus is a planet filled with Titans and Olympians. They are the same familiar figures from Ancient Greece. I love stories about Ancient Greece, so I was excited to read this book.

The mix of ancient characters with space travel was interesting. It was a combination of ancient figures with futuristic abilities such as traveling to different planets.

I loved this adventure story. I’ll have to check out Kate O’Hearn’s other series next!

Thank you Simon and Schuster Canada for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What to read next:

The Flame of Olympus (Pegasus #1) by Kate O’Hearn

The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #1) by Rick Riordan

Have you read Titans? What did you think of it?