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 Love Freebie, so I decided to do Books with Love in the Title. Here’s my list:
1. I’d Tell You I Love You, But Then I’d Have to Kill You by Ally Carter
2. Love, Comment, Subscribe by Cathy Yardley
3. Love You Forever by Robert Munsch, Sheila McGraw
4. The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas
5. P.S. I Love You by Cecelia Ahern
6. The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
7. The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood
8. Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover
9. To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han
10. Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
(All book covers from Goodreads)
What’s your list of books on your Top Ten Tuesday?
Jane the Virgin meets To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before in this charming debut romantic comedy filled with Black Girl Magic. Perfect for fans of Mary H. K. Choi and Nicola Yoon, with crossover appeal for readers of Jasmine Guillory and Talia Hibbert romances.
Sixteen-year-old Tessa Johnson has never felt like the protagonist in her own life. She’s rarely seen herself reflected in the pages of the romance novels she loves. The only place she’s a true leading lady is in her own writing—in the swoony love stories she shares only with Caroline, her best friend and #1 devoted reader.
When Tessa is accepted into the creative writing program of a prestigious art school, she’s excited to finally let her stories shine. But when she goes to her first workshop, the words are just…gone. Fortunately, Caroline has a solution: Tessa just needs to find some inspiration in a real-life love story of her own. And she’s ready with a list of romance novel-inspired steps to a happily ever after. Nico, the brooding artist who looks like he walked out of one of Tessa’s stories, is cast as the perfect Prince Charming.
But as Tessa checks off each item off Caroline’s list, she gets further and further away from herself. She risks losing everything she cares about—including the surprising bond she develops with sweet Sam, who lives across the street. She’s well on her way to having her own real-life love story, but is it the one she wants, after all?
Review:
Sixteen-year-old Tessa Johnson is a romance writer, but she’s never experienced a true romance herself or seen herself in the pages of published romance novels. When she moves to Long Beach and starts attending an arts high school, Tessa experiences one of the worst things a writer can have: writer’s block. Her friend from her old town has the perfect solution. She suggests that Tessa find her own romance to give her inspiration to write. Luckily, one of the students in her class looks like the dreamy main character in one of her stories. However, as Tessa spends more time with that guy, she starts to turn into a different person, lying to everyone around her. Her neighbour, Sam, is someone who she’s never afraid to be herself with, but he isn’t her type. Tessa has to figure out what her real love story is so she can get her writing groove back.
I loved this book so much. I could relate to Tessa. I also loved to write as a teen. I didn’t know much about writing back then so I wouldn’t have been able to do a program like Tessa did, though I would love it now!
Tessa experienced some realistic relationship problems in this story. There were a lot of red flags with one of the guys that Tessa liked. I recognized these red flags right away, but Tessa tried to brush them off. I would have and did try to ignore some of the problematic things that friends or boyfriends did, so that I could still be with them, but now I realize that was harmful to myself. I loved that this aspect of problematic and toxic relationships was explored in this book, because I wish I had learned that lesson sooner in life.
Happily Ever Afters is a great YA romance! I can’t wait to read the sequel!
What to read next:
One True Loves by Elise Bryant
Serendipity by Marissa Meyer
Other books in the series:
One True Loves
Have you read Happily Ever Afters? What did you think of it?
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 Happily Ever Afters (Happily Ever Afters #1) by Elise Bryant.
What I’m currently reading:
I’m currently reading The Last Grand Duchess by Bryn Turnbull.
What I’m reading next:
Next I will be reading Love, Comment, Subscribe by Cathy Yardley.
What are you guys reading this week? Have you read any of these books?
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 Happily Ever Afters (Happily Ever Afters #1) by Elise Bryant.
Goodreads Synopsis:
Jane the Virgin meets To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before in this charming debut romantic comedy filled with Black Girl Magic. Perfect for fans of Mary H. K. Choi and Nicola Yoon, with crossover appeal for readers of Jasmine Guillory and Talia Hibbert romances.
Sixteen-year-old Tessa Johnson has never felt like the protagonist in her own life. She’s rarely seen herself reflected in the pages of the romance novels she loves. The only place she’s a true leading lady is in her own writing—in the swoony love stories she shares only with Caroline, her best friend and #1 devoted reader.
When Tessa is accepted into the creative writing program of a prestigious art school, she’s excited to finally let her stories shine. But when she goes to her first workshop, the words are just…gone. Fortunately, Caroline has a solution: Tessa just needs to find some inspiration in a real-life love story of her own. And she’s ready with a list of romance novel-inspired steps to a happily ever after. Nico, the brooding artist who looks like he walked out of one of Tessa’s stories, is cast as the perfect Prince Charming.
But as Tessa checks off each item off Caroline’s list, she gets further and further away from herself. She risks losing everything she cares about—including the surprising bond she develops with sweet Sam, who lives across the street. She’s well on her way to having her own real-life love story, but is it the one she wants, after all?
Title: A Lullaby for Witches Author: Hester Fox Genre: Historical Fiction, Paranormal Publisher: Graydon House Source: Publisher via NetGalley Format: Ebook Release Date: February 1, 2022 Rating: ★★★★★
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.
Review:
Augusta Podos has worked at a dead end job giving tours in Salem, when she discovers her dream job at the historic Hawlowe House. While working, she discovers a woman named Margaret Harlowe, who lived in the house a hundred and fifty years ago, but her life is a mystery. Augusta makes it her mission to find out everything she can about Margaret to get her the justice she deserved. However, her research reveals a close bond between the two women, that Augusta must overcome to finally get to the truth.
This was a tragic story about how women can be lost in history. Both Margaret and Augusta experienced abusive relationships. In Margaret’s case, it ended in her disappearance from history. Margaret was rumored to be a witch, and wasn’t well liked in her time, but she still deserved to live her life and have her story told after death. This story told the complete history of Margaret and tied up all the loose threads in the ending.
This story took a surprising supernatural turn that I wasn’t expecting. I really enjoyed the story but I wasn’t expecting it to have a supernatural, ghostly element. I won’t say too much about that so I don’t give any spoilers. This supernatural element was unexpected in a historical novel but I enjoyed it.
A Lullaby for Witches is a beautiful historical fiction story.
Thank you HarperCollins for providing a copy of this book.
What to read next:
The Widow of Pale Harbor by Hester Fox
The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner
About the author:
Hester Fox is a full-time writer and mother, with a background in museum work and historical archaeology. A native New-Englander, she now lives in rural Virginia with her husband and their son.
Have you read A Lullaby for Witches? What did you think of it?
Title: How to Survive a Scandal (Rebels with a Cause #1) Author: Samara Parish Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance Publisher: Forever Source: Publisher Format: Paperback Release Date: May 25, 2021 Rating: ★★★★★
Goodreads Synopsis:
In this whirlwind Regency romance, a near-death experience leads to a marriage of convenience for two unsuspecting strangers, but will their unusual meeting lead them to true love?
Lady Amelia was raised to be the perfect duchess, accomplished in embroidery, floral arrangement, and managing a massive household. But when an innocent mistake forces her and the uncouth, untitled Benedict Asterly into a marriage of convenience, all her training appears to be for naught. Even worse, she finds herself inexplicably drawn to this man no finishing school could have prepared her for.
Benedict Asterly never dreamed saving Amelia’s life would lead to him being shackled to the hoity Society miss. Benedict was taught to distrust the aristocracy at a young age, so when news of his marriage endangers a business deal, Benedict is wary of Amelia’s offer to help. But his quick-witted, elegant bride defies all his expectations… and if he’s not careful, she’ll break down the walls around his guarded heart.
Review:
Lady Amelia has been preparing to marry a Duke her entire life. However, her plans are derailed when she’s found in a compromising position with the untitled Benedict Asterly. She must marry Benedict and move away from the ton in London. Benedict’s work building trains is threatened when he’s associated with Amelia from the upper class. Then he gets some news that changes his station in life. Though Amelia and Benedict don’t seem to have anything in common, they begin to fall for each other, but they have to stand up to the gossip.
I loved the fast pace of this story. The action began right on the first page, with Benedict finding Amelia in a crashed carriage and having to take her somewhere to warm her up. Then they were caught together in a room alone and partly undressed, so the gossip began then too.
Gossip was a huge part of this story. All of the problems in this story were caused by gossip. People in both the upper and lower classes wanted to tear each other down, just for the power of knowing something about someone else. It was amazing to see how destructive gossip was in this story.
How to Survive a Scandal is a great historical fiction romance!
Thank you Forever for providing a copy of this book.
What to read next:
How to Deceive a Duke by Samara Parish
Not the Kind of Earl You Marry by Kate Pembrooke
Other books in the series:
How to Deceive a Duke
Have you read How to Survive a Scandal? What did you think of it?
Title: The Iron Sword (The Iron Fey: Evenfall #2) Author: Julie Kagawa Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy Publisher: Inkyard Press Source: Publisher via NetGalley Format: Ebook Release Date: February 1, 2022 Rating: ★★★
Goodreads Synopsis:
As Evenfall nears, the stakes grow ever higher for those in Faery…
Banished from the Winter Court for daring to fall in love, Prince Ash achieved the impossible and journeyed to the End of the World to earn a soul and keep his vow to always stand beside Queen Meghan of the Iron Fey.
Now he faces even more incomprehensible odds. Their son, King Keirran of the Forgotten, is missing. Something more ancient than the courts of Faery and more evil than anything Ash has faced in a millennium is rising as Evenfall approaches. And if Ash and his allies cannot stop it, the chaos that has begun to divide the world will shatter it for eternity.
Review:
Prince Ash has stood by Queen Meghan, the Iron Queen, since he was banished from the Winter Court. Now, their son, King Keirran of the Forgotten, has gone missing. There is an evil force approaching Nevernever that they will have to stop so that they can find Keirran and save their world.
I haven’t read the original Iron Fey series, but I really enjoyed the previous book in this spin off series. This book began with a great, quick recap of the last book, which was very helpful. I was situated right in the action immediately.
Since I haven’t read the original series, I wasn’t as invested in the characters as I could have been. In the last book, Puck was the narrator, and he was charming and funny. Ash was the narrator in this book, and he didn’t have the same entertaining narrative. Though I also didn’t have a connection to the characters in the first book, Puck kept me interested in the story. Unfortunately I couldn’t get as invested in this story.
The Iron Sword would be great for fans of The Iron Fey series.
Thank you HarperCollins for providing a copy of this book.
What to read next:
The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
About the author:
Born in Sacramento, CA, Julie Kagawa moved to Hawaii at the age of nine. There she learned many things; how to bodyboard, that teachers scream when you put centipedes in their desks, and that writing stories in math class is a great way to kill time. Her teachers were glad to see her graduate.
Julie now lives is Louisville, KY with her husband and furkids. She is the international and NYT bestselling author of The Iron Fey series. Visit her at juliekagawa.com.
Have you read The Iron Sword? What did you think of it?
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 Legendborn by Tracy Deonn.
Goodreads Synopsis:
After her mother dies in an accident, sixteen-year-old Bree Matthews wants nothing to do with her family memories or childhood home. A residential program for bright high schoolers at UNC–Chapel Hill seems like the perfect escape—until Bree witnesses a magical attack her very first night on campus.
A flying demon feeding on human energies.
A secret society of so called “Legendborn” students that hunt the creatures down.
And a mysterious teenage mage who calls himself a “Merlin” and who attempts—and fails—to wipe Bree’s memory of everything she saw.
The mage’s failure unlocks Bree’s own unique magic and a buried memory with a hidden connection: the night her mother died, another Merlin was at the hospital. Now that Bree knows there’s more to her mother’s death than what’s on the police report, she’ll do whatever it takes to find out the truth, even if that means infiltrating the Legendborn as one of their initiates.
She recruits Nick, a self-exiled Legendborn with his own grudge against the group, and their reluctant partnership pulls them deeper into the society’s secrets—and closer to each other. But when the Legendborn reveal themselves as the descendants of King Arthur’s knights and explain that a magical war is coming, Bree has to decide how far she’ll go for the truth and whether she should use her magic to take the society down—or join the fight.
Have you read this book? What did you think of it?
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