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 TheStories of Edgar Allan Poe (Manga Classics) by Edgar Allan Poe.
Goodreads Synopsis:
The Stories of Edgar Allan Poe is a brilliant collection of some of his best-known stories: The Tell Tale Heart (a murder’s haunting guilt), illustrated by Virginia Nitouhei The Cask of Amontillado (a story of brilliant revenge), and illustrated by Chagen The Fall of the House of Usher (an ancient house full of very dark secretes), illustrated by Linus Liu and Man Yiu
Also included in this collection are The Mask of the Red Death (horrors of ‘the Plague’), as illustrated by Uka Nagao, and the most famous of all his poems, The Raven (a lover’s decline into madness), illustrated by Pikomaro.
Best read in a dimly-lit room with the curtains drawn, Poe’s brilliant works come to life in darkly thrilling ways in this Manga Classic adaptation.
Title: I’m Dreaming of a Wyatt Christmas Author: Tiffany Schmidt Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Contemporary Publisher: Amulet Books Source: Publisher via NetGalley Format: Ebook Release Date: October 26, 2021 Rating: ★★★★★
Goodreads Synopsis:
Ballet and babysitting bring two teens together in this very merry holiday rom-com from the author of the acclaimed Bookish Boyfriends series
Noelle Partridge is known for three things: being the best ballet dancer, babysitter, and person with the most Christmas spirit in her small town. But lately she’s bored by the lessons at her dance school, and her friends and father are more bah humbug than Hallmark movie marathon. So when her favorite babysitting clients ask her to accompany them on a ski trip over winter break, she packs her bags for the slopes. It helps that they’re offering double her rate—she’ll need the money for Beacon, an elite ballet academy that’s granted her an audition.
Noelle is ready to “Deck the Halls” and have fa la la la fun, until Wyatt, the older half-brother of her babysitting charges, decides to surprise his family for the holiday. He’s one of the best dancers at Beacon, and makes Noelle’s head spin faster than pirouettes. Unfortunately, she also manages to step on his toes—spoiling his surprise and complicating his secret plans. After a few missteps, Noelle and Wyatt begin to thaw toward each other and bond over the big decisions looming in each of their lives. With enough Christmas magic, Noelle might just start the New Year with lots of babysitting cash in her pocket and a chance with the pas de deux partner of her dreams.
Review:
Fourteen-year-old Noelle is a ballet dancer, a babysitter, and obsessed with Christmas. When her favourite babysitting clients, the Kahales, ask her to go away with them to Vermont for Christmas, she agrees. It’s the perfect excuse to avoid her father, who has been busy with work and ignoring Noelle lately. Noelle gets a huge surprise when the older half-brother of the kids who she babysits arrives. She’s never met Wyatt, but she’s had a crush on him since she saw his photos and videos of him dancing. Their relationship is off to a rocky start, when Wyatt’s younger siblings like Noelle more than him, but they soon realize they can bond over their similar family issues. Noelle and Wyatt have more in common than they thought, and they may be just what the other needs.
This is a perfect holiday romance! It was hard to remember that Noelle was only fourteen-years-old in this story. There wasn’t anything adult themed in the book, but it was so relatable and fun. Noelle and Wyatt had a slow build romance, but that made it more rewarding when they finally figured out their feelings for each other.
Though the main characters were young teenagers, Noelle still had to deal with some mature issues. She was still recovering from the death of her mother six years earlier, which was always a difficult memory at the holidays. She wanted to attend a dance boarding school, but didn’t know how to speak to her father since they had a fight and weren’t speaking. Noelle was also experiencing her first love, and the complications that came with liking the son of her employer. Though these were some potentially difficult topics, they were handled really well and the story still had a light tone.
I’m Dreaming of a Wyatt Christmas is a fun young adult holiday romance!
Thank you Amulet Books for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
What to read next:
The Holiday Switch by Tif Marcelo
New Year’s Kiss by Lee Matthews
Have you read I’m Dreaming of a Wyatt Christmas? What did you think of it?
Title: Happy Narwhalidays (Narwhal and Jelly #5) Author: Ben Clanton Genre: Children’s, Picture Book Publisher: Tundra Books Source: Publisher via NetGalley Format: Ebook Release Date: September 8, 2020 Rating: ★★★★★
Goodreads Synopsis:
Narwhal and Jelly spread some holiday cheer (and warm waffle pudding)!
It’s the festive season in the world wide waters, and Narwhal is looking forward to cozying up with a good book, singing and partying with his pod pals and enjoying some warm waffle pudding. But most of all he’s excited about the arrival of the Merry Mermicorn! According to Narwhal, she’s part mermaid, part unicorn and completely mer-aculous! Jelly is of course skeptical about the existence of the “Mira-Miny-What-A Corn” . . . even when he receives a mysterious present. It must be from Narwhal. Now Jelly has to get the perfect gift, but finding a present for someone as unique as Narwhal is no easy feat, even when you have six tentacles. How will Jelly ever come up with a whaley great gift for a best pal who spreads cheer all through the year?
Review:
It’s winter and Narwhal and Jelly are ready to celebrate! Narwhal is excited to await the arrival of the Merry Mermicorn. She’s part mermaid and part unicorn, and she delivers gifts. Jelly has never heard of her and doesn’t think she’s real. When Jelly gets a mysterious gift, he suspects it’s from Narwhal so he has to find the perfect gift for his cheerful and festive best friend.
I love the Narwhal and Jelly books! Narwhal has a cheerful innocence, while Jelly is suspicious of everything. They balance each other out and try to teach each other about new things.
There were some cute water inspired festive songs and sayings in the story. The Merry Mermicorn was like Santa Claus. They sang songs like “Jingle Shells” and “We Fish You a Merry Mermicorn.” The Turtle and Shelly even went to light a “minnow-orah.”
Happy Narwhalidays is an adorable holiday children’s book!
Thank you Tundra Books for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Title: Believe Me (Shatter Me #6.5) Author: Tahereh Mafi Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Novella Publisher: HarperCollins Source: Purchased Format: Paperback Release Date: November 16, 2021 Rating: ★★★★★
Goodreads Synopsis:
The devastatingly romantic fifth novella in the New York Timesand USA Today bestselling Shatter Me series, chronicling the events after Imagine Me, the explosive sixth novel.
Juliette and Warner fought hard to take down the Reestablishment once and for all. Life in the aftermath isn’t easy, as they and their friends at the Sanctuary work with their limited resources to stabilize the world.
Warner has his sights set on more than just politics. Since he proposed to Juliette two weeks ago, he’s been eager to finally marry her, the person he loves more than anything and has endured so much to be with. But with so much chaos around them, it’s been nearly impossible for them to have a wedding. And even Juliette has been distracted by everything they need to do.
At long last, Warner and Juliette’s future together is within reach, but the world continues to try to pull them apart. Will they finally be able to be happily, officially, together?
Celebrate the tenth anniversary of Tahereh Mafi’s bestselling Shatter Me series with Believe Me!
Review:
Juliette and Warner are ready to begin their new lives at the Sanctuary. Their first task is to get married. However, their clothes are destroyed and they have to suddenly postpone the wedding at the last minute. Warner is devastated, and he’s certain that Juliette is hiding something from him. The world keeps pulling them apart, but they have to figure out how to be together.
This novella follows the events of the final novel in the Shatter Me series. It was a little slow at times, since the main plot has been completed in the series. There were a lot of scenes of just Warner speaking to other characters. However, I loved reuniting with these characters one last time. There was still loads of tension, even though there wasn’t as much of a plot. It was fun to revisit these characters living their new lives.
Believe Me is a great final book in the Shatter Me series!
TBR Thursday is a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly Faye Reads, where you post a title from your shelf or e-reader and find out what others think about it.
My pick this week is A Touch of Darkness by Scarlett St. Clair.
Goodreads Synopsis:
A Modern Hades and Persephone Retelling
Persephone is the Goddess of Spring by title only. The truth is, since she was a little girl, flowers have shriveled at her touch. After moving to New Athens, she hopes to lead an unassuming life disguised as a mortal journalist.
Hades, God of the Dead, has built a gambling empire in the mortal world and his favorite bets are rumored to be impossible.
After a chance encounter with Hades, Persephone finds herself in a contract with the God of the Dead and the terms are impossible: Persephone must create life in the Underworld or lose her freedom forever.
The bet does more than expose Persephone’s failure as a goddess, however. As she struggles to sow the seeds of her freedom, love for the God of the Dead grows—and it’s forbidden.
Have you read this book? What did you think of it?
Title: God Rest Ye, Royal Gentlemen (Her Royal Spyness #15) Author: Rhys Bowen Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Cozy Mystery Publisher: Berkley Books Source: Publisher via NetGalley Format: Ebook Release Date: October 12, 2021 Rating: ★★★★★
Goodreads Synopsis:
Georgie is back and hanging the stockings with care when a murder interrupts her Christmas cheer in this all-new installment in the New York Times bestselling Royal Spyness series from Rhys Bowen.
Georgie is excited for her first Christmas as a married woman in her lovely new home. She suggests to her dashing husband, Darcy, that they have a little house party, but when Darcy receives a letter from his aunt Ermintrude, there is an abrupt change in plans. She has moved to a house on the edge of the Sandringham estate, near the royal family, and wants to invite Darcy and his new bride for Christmas. Aunt Ermintrude hints that the queen would like Georgie nearby. Georgie had not known that Aunt Ermintrude was a former lady-in-waiting and close confidante of her royal highness. The letter is therefore almost a royal request, so Georgie, Darcy, and their Christmas guests: Mummy, Grandad, Fig, and Binky all head to Sandringham.
Georgie soon learns that the notorious Mrs. Simpson, mistress to the Prince of Wales, will also be in attendance. It is now crystal clear to Georgie that the Queen expects her to do a bit of spying. There is tension in the air from the get-go, and when Georgie pays a visit to the queen, she learns that there is more to her request than just some simple eavesdropping. There have been a couple of strange accidents at the estate recently. Two gentlemen of the royal household have died in mysterious circumstances and another has been shot by mistake during a hunt. Georgie begins to suspect that a member of the royal family is the real target but her investigation will put her new husband and love of her life, Darcy, in the crosshairs of a killer.
Review:
Georgie is preparing for her first Christmas with her husband, Darcy, when he receives a letter from his aunt inviting them to visit for Christmas at her home on the Sandringham estate. They bring Georgie’s mother and brother with them. When they arrive, they find the Prince of Wales and Mrs. Simpson are there too, as she is not permitted to be with the Royal Family for the holiday. Georgie soon discovers that there have been mysterious fatal accidents on the estate over the last year, which makes her keep an eye out for danger. Then, a couple of near misses make her suspect that a member of the Royal Family is being targeted. She must investigate these accidents before it’s too late.
It’s been a while since I’ve read a cozy mystery, and this one was the perfect book to jump back into the genre. I loved the setting of England in the 1930s. The Royal Family played an important role in the story because the King was a distant cousin of Georgie. I love any story with the Royal Family in it!
Though this book is number 15 in the series, I could follow it. The characters and their relationships as well as past events were described thoroughly in the first few chapters so I knew who they were right away. It is easy to read this book even if you haven’t read the previous ones.
The mystery part of this cozy mystery didn’t start until about the final third of the story. There was a lot of foreshadowing before it happened, so I was prepared for something dramatic to happen. I enjoyed the historical elements of the story that weren’t about the mystery.
God Rest Ye, Royal Gentlemen is a great historical holiday story!
Thank you Berkley Books for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
What to read next:
The Last Mrs. Summers (Her Royal Spyness #14) by Rhys Bowen
Love and Death Among the Cheetahs (Her Royal Spyness #13) by Rhys Bowen
Have you read God Rest Ye, Royal Gentlemen? What did you think of it?
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 A Lullaby for Witches by Hester Fox. The expected publication date is February 1, 2022.
Goodreads Synopsis:
Two women. A history of witchcraft. And a deep-rooted female power that sings across the centuries.
Once there was a young woman from a well-to-do New England family who never quite fit with the drawing rooms and parlors of her kin.
Called instead to the tangled woods and wild cliffs surrounding her family’s estate, Margaret Harlowe grew both stranger and more beautiful as she cultivated her uncanny power. Soon, whispers of “witch” dogged her footsteps, and Margaret’s power began to wind itself with the tendrils of something darker.
One hundred and fifty years later, Augusta Podos takes a dream job at Harlowe House, the historic home of a wealthy New England family that has been turned into a small museum in Tynemouth, Massachusetts. When Augusta stumbles across an oblique reference to a daughter of the Harlowes who has nearly been expunged from the historical record, the mystery is too intriguing to ignore.
But as she digs deeper, something sinister unfurls from its sleep, a dark power that binds one woman to the other across lines of blood and time. If Augusta can’t resist its allure, everything she knows and loves—including her very life—could be lost forever.
Title: Wrapped Up in You Author: Talia Hibbert Genre: Romance, Novella, Contemporary Publisher: Kobo Originals Source: Purchased Format: Ebook Release Date: November 16, 2020 Rating: ★★★★★
Goodreads Synopsis:
William Reid is nothing special, except for his billion-dollar acting career and his, you know, face. (Apparently, it’s a good one.) Winning ‘Sexiest Man Alive’ was nice, but this Christmas, he has more important goals in mind… like finally winning over his best friend’s little sister, the super-smart and kinda-scary Abbie Farrell.
When a blizzard leaves Will and Abbie alone at Grandma Farrell’s house (if bunking with 27 pets counts as ‘alone’), it’s the perfect opportunity to pull off a Christmas miracle. Convincing clever, frosty Abbie to give Will a chance will take more than mistletoe, but hiding his lifelong crush on her is no longer an option.
Review:
Abbie Farrell goes to spend Christmas with her grandmother early, and finds her childhood best friend, Will Reid, there too. Will is an actor in California, who stars in superhero movies, but he’s returned home for the holidays. What Abbie doesn’t know is that Will is prepared to confess his lifelong love for Abbie this Christmas. When they’re the only ones together at the house, they have to come clean with the feelings they’ve both had for their entire lives.
This was a short and sweet holiday novella. Abbie and Will were well developed characters with an extensive backstory that was mentioned throughout the story. I was rooting for them to get together throughout the whole story.
This was a friends to lovers story, and I haven’t read many of those so I really enjoyed this one. The ending of the story also had Talia Hibbert’s signature steamy romance.
Wrapped Up in Christmas is a fun holiday romance!
What to read next:
Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert
Booked for Christmas by Lily Menon
Have you read Wrapped Up in You? What did you think of it?
Jill's Book Blog 