It took a litte while longer then i thought!!I am also batting a small sinus infection and am happy to be back!!
Small Break!!!
So i will be back in a few weeks!! Once my show is over and i can make contact again!!
See you all soon!!
The Villa(Non-Spoiler review)
The Villa by Rachel Hawkins
Published by St. Martin’s Press (January 3, 2023)
Genres: Middle Grade , Adventure
Pages: 283
Format: Audibook
Source:borrowed
2032 challenge:
Standalone/ Series: Standalone
Rep:
Other Notes
Bookshop.org Barnes & Noble, Goodreads
I would give this book 4 for a review.
Summary!!!
The bestselling author of The Wife Upstairs returns with a brilliant new gothic suspense set at an Italian villa with a dark history.
As kids, Emily and Chess were inseparable. But by their 30s, their bond has been strained by the demands of their adult lives. So when Chess suggests a girls trip to Italy, Emily jumps at the chance to reconnect with her best friend.
Villa Aestas in Orvieto is a high-end holiday home now, but in 1974, it was known as Villa Rosato, and rented for the summer by a notorious rock star, Noel Gordon. In an attempt to reignite his creative spark, Noel invites up-and-coming musician, Pierce Sheldon to join him, as well as Pierce’s girlfriend, Mari, and her stepsister, Lara. But he also sets in motion a chain of events that leads to Mari writing one of the greatest horror novels of all time, Lara composing a platinum album––and ends in Pierce’s brutal murder.
As Emily digs into the villa’s complicated history, she begins to think there might be more to the story of that fateful summer in 1974. That perhaps Pierce’s murder wasn’t just a tale of sex, drugs, and rock & roll gone wrong, but that something more sinister might have occurred––and that there might be clues hidden in the now-iconic works that Mari and Lara left behind.
Yet the closer that Emily gets to the truth, the more tension she feels developing between her and Chess. As secrets from the past come to light, equally dangerous betrayals from the present also emerge––and it begins to look like the villa will claim another victim before the summer ends.
Inspired by Fleetwood Mac, the Manson murders, and the infamous summer Percy and Mary Shelley spent with Lord Byron at a Lake Geneva castle––the birthplace of Frankenstein––The Villa welcomes you into its deadly legacy.
My Thoughts:
This book was a fun read. It was really quick read!! I don’t both times lines in this book work as well for me. I was much more connected to the present stroyline. I also loved the main character is book and i often stuggle with that in thrillers. I also loved the italian settign and thought the mystery was unique and i def like the listening experience!!
Tempt Me at Twilight(Non-Spoiler review)
Tempt Me at Twilight by Lisa Kleypas
Published by St. Martin’s Paperbacks; First edition (August 25, 2009)
Genres: adult, historical romance
Pages: 373
Format: Hardback
Source: Owl Crate Junior
2023 challenge:BTBLC
Standalone/ Series: Series
Rep: n/a
Other Notes
Bookshop.org Barnes & Noble, Goodreads
I would give this book 3 for a review.
Summary!!!
Poppy Hathaway loves her unconventional family, though she longs for normalcy. Then fate leads to a meeting with Harry Rutledge, an enigmatic hotel owner and inventor with wealth, power, and a dangerous hidden life. When their flirtation compromises her own reputation, Poppy shocks everyone by accepting his proposal—only to find that her new husband offers his passion, but not his trust.
Harry was willing to do anything to win Poppy—except to open his heart. All his life, he has held the world at arm’s length…but the sharp, beguiling Poppy demands to be his wife in every way that matters. Still, as desire grows between them, an enemy lurks in the shadows. Now if Harry wants to keep Poppy by his side, he must forge a true union of body and soul, once and for all.
My Thoughts:
I think this book was a fun read. I really like the family dynamics in the series and think that is fun. I really liked poppy as a main character, her hero henry was not my type of hero but it was a fun and quick listen!! I am not loving this series as much as i hoped!! But i have heard such good things about the last book in the series!
The Happily Ever After Playlist (Non-Spoiler review)
The Happily Ever After Playlist by Abby Jimenez
Published by Forever (April 14, 2020)
Genres: Adult, Romance
Pages: 401
Source: borrowed
Format: Audiobook
2022 challenge: BTBLC
Standalone/ Series:Series
Rep: n/a
Other Notes
Bookshop.org Barnes & Noble, Goodreads
I would give this book 5 for a review.
Summary!!!
Artist Sloan Monroe just can’t seem to get her life on track. But one trouble-making pup who randomly jumps into her car with a “take me home” look in his eyes is about to change everything. With Tucker by her side, Sloan finally starts to feel more like herself. Then, after weeks of unanswered texts, Tucker’s owner reaches out. He’s a musician on tour in Australia. And bottom line: He wants Tucker back.
Well, Sloan’s not about to give up her dog without a fight. But what if this Jason guy really loves Tucker? As their flirty texts turn into long calls, Sloan can’t deny a connection. Jason is hot and nice and funny. There’s no telling what could happen when they meet in person. The question is: With his music career on the rise, how long will Jason really stick around? And is it possible for Sloan to survive another heartbreak?
My Thoughts:
I really thought this book was cute!! I really loved the dog element and also loved both main character pov in this read! I also really enoyed all the side charcters This book had a nice balance of steam and plot and just loved all the self disvoery elements that character was dealing with!!! I loved seeing minor character from her next book!! Very fun read!!
The Appeal( Non-Spoiler Review)
The Appeal by Janice Hallett
Published by Atria Books (January 25, 2022)
Genres: adult, mystery
Pages: 432
Format: Audibook
Source: Audilbe
2023 challenge: BTBC
Standalone/ Series: Series
Rep: N.A
Other Notes
Bookshop.org Barnes & Noble, Goodreads
I would give this book 3 for a review.
Summary!!!
The Fairway Players, a local theatre group, is in the midst of rehearsals when tragedy strikes the family of director Martin Hayward and his wife Helen, the play’s star. Their young granddaughter has been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, and with an experimental treatment costing a tremendous sum, their castmates rally to raise the money to give her a chance at survival.
But not everybody is convinced of the experimental treatment’s efficacy—nor of the good intentions of those involved. As tension grows within the community, things come to a shocking head at the explosive dress rehearsal. The next day, a dead body is found, and soon, an arrest is made. In the run-up to the trial, two young lawyers sift through the material—emails, messages, letters—with a growing suspicion that the killer may be hiding in plain sight. The evidence is all there, between the lines, waiting to be uncovered.
A wholly modern and gripping take on the epistolary novel, The Appeal is a “daring…clever, and funny” (The Times, London) debut for fans of Richard Osman and Lucy Foley.
My Thoughts:
This book was such a fun read. I loved the formate because it was told through only emails and that was unique take. Becaue of the unqiue formate, I think you got less connected to the character and it was harder to solve the mytery. I really loved the theater backdrop, but i did not just feel that connected to the characters overall!!
WWW: Sun and the Star!!
Lets take a sneak peek at the book I am super excited to read soon!!
Cover!!
Summary!!
Demigods Nico di Angelo and Will Solace must endure the terrors of Tartarus to rescue an old friend in this thrilling adventure co-written by New York Times #1 best-selling author Rick Riordan and award-winning author Mark Oshiro. Percy Jackson fans, rejoice! Nico and Will have a book of their own! As the son of Hades, Nico di Angelo has been through so much, from the premature deaths of his mother and sister, to being outed against his will, to losing his friend Jason during the trials of Apollo. But there is a ray of sunshine in his life–literally: his boyfriend, Will Solace, the son of Apollo. Together the two demigods can overcome any obstacle or foe. At least, that’s been the case so far . . . Now Nico is being plagued by a voice calling out to him from Tartarus, the lowest part of the Underworld. He thinks he knows who it is: a reformed Titan named Bob whom Percy and Annabeth had to leave behind when they escaped Hades’s realm. Nico’s dreams and Rachel Dare’s latest prophecy leave little doubt in Nico’s mind that Bob is in some kind of trouble. Nico has to go on this quest, whether Mr. D and Chiron like it or not. And of course Will insists on coming with. But can a being made of light survive in the darkest part of the world? and what does the prophecy mean that Nico will have to “leave something of equal value behind?” Nico will have to face demons both internal and external as his relationship with Will is tested to the core in this standalone adventure featuring two of the most popular characters in the Percy Jackson saga. Complete your Nico di Angelo collection with these series by Rick Riordan: Percy Jackson and the Olympians The Heroes of Olympus The Trials of Apollo
Book Information!!
- Publisher : Disney Hyperion (May 2, 2023)
- Publication date : May 2, 2023
- Language : English
- File size : 3048 KB
- Text-to-Speech : Enabled
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Not Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Sticky notes : On Kindle Scribe
- Print length : 467 pages
I am super excited to tackle this book soon!!
Later book lovers
April reading wrap up part 2!!! 13 reads!!
So I def had a strong end of the month and hope to keep this trend going!! Lets take a look at what I was able to finish!!
- Barb the Last Berzerker(PT) 3 Stars
- The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times (NF) —-
- In the Market for Murder (Audibook) 3 Stars
- Suee and the Shadow (PT) 3 Stars
- Spy×Family, Vol. 1 (PT) 5 Stars
- The Golden Frog Games ( Arc PT) 3 Stars
- Master of Iron ( EOS) 4 Stars
- Death Around the Bend (Audibook) 3 Stars
- These Twisted Bonds ( E0S) 4 Stars
- Shattered Sea ( Audibook) 4 Stars
- Unseelie ( Audibook) 3 Stars
- The Bride Goes Rogue ( Audibook) 5 Stars
- Spell Bound ( Arc) 5 Stars
April Total Books Read 23 Total Pages Read 7565 Average Pages Per Day 252.17 Average Page Count 328.91 Most Read Genre YA Fantsay Books With Rep 10 Author Read From Before 16 Star Rating Breakdown 5 stars 5 4.5 stars 2 4 stars 3 3.5 stars 5 3 stars 5 2.5 stars 1 2 stars 0 1.5 stars 0 1 stars 0 Average Star Rating 3.52 Publication Break Down New Release 8 Backlist 10 Last Year 5 Format Break Down Physical 8 Audiobook 11 Mixed Media 0 E-book 3 Series Breakdown Series Started 3 Series Continued 7 Series Completed 4 Series Caught Up With 0 Standalone 9 Acquired Breakdown ARC 3 Audible 2 KU 2 Library 5 Netgalley 3 Owned 5 Scribd 0 Genre Breakdown 2 YA Contempory 1 Thriller 6 YA Fantsay 4 Historcal romance 0 1 Non-Fiction 2 Middle grade 2 Mystery 2 Graphic novel 1 Fantasy Romance 1 Romance | ||
| Total Books Read | 11 | |
| Total Pages Read | 4525 | |
| Average Pages Per Day | 145.97 | |
| Average Page Count | 411.36 | |
| Most Read Genre | YA Fantsay | |
| Books With Rep | 4 | |
| Author Read From Before | 8 | |
| 5 stars | 4 | |
| 4.5 stars | 0 | |
| 4 stars | 4 | |
| 3.5 stars | 2 | |
| 3 stars | 0 | |
| 2.5 stars | 0 | |
| 2 stars | 0 | |
| 1.5 stars | 0 | |
| 1 stars | 0 | |
| Average Star Rating | 3.91 | |
| Publication Break Down | ||
| New Release | 6 | |
| Backlist | 5 | |
| Last Year | 0 | |
| Format Break Down | ||
| Physical | 4 | |
| Audiobook | 6 | |
| Mixed Media | 0 | |
| E-book | 1 | |
| Series Breakdown | ||
| Series Started | 5 | |
| Series Continued | 2 | |
| Series Completed | 0 | |
| Series Caught Up With | 0 | |
| Standalone | 3 | |
| Acquired Breakdown | ||
| 0 | ||
| Audible | 3 | |
| KU | 0 | |
| Library | 2 | |
| Netgalley | 4 | |
| Owned | 1 | |
| 0 | ||
| Genre Breakdown | ||
| 1 | Middle Grade Fantsay | |
| 1 | Non-Fiction | |
| 5 | YA Fantsay | |
| 2 | Historcal romance | |
| 1 | Mystery | |
What I am currently reading!!!
So I will admit, this month will be a test cause i have so much going on but i did make some reading progress this week and amd excited for next week as well!!
What I am finsiehd reading!!\
Def a fun murdery mystery set in regency england!! not a new favorite but a fun read!!
What I am currently reading!!
I am so excited to star this one!!
What I want to read next!!
I am excited to start this one soon!
Let me know your reading plans in the comments!!
The Isles of the Gods( Non-Spoiler Review)
The Isles of the Gods by Amie Kaufman
Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers (May 2, 2023)
Genres: young adult, fantsaay
Pages: 455
Format: arc
Source: Owl Crate Junior: Arc
2023 challenge: 2023
Standalone/ Series: Series
Rep:
Other Notes
Bookshop.org Barnes & Noble, Goodreads
I would give this book 5 for a review.
Summary!!!
Magic, romance, and slumbering gods clash in the start of a riveting fantasy series that spans gangsters’ dens, forgotten temples, and the high seas from the New York Times bestselling author of the Aurora Cycle and the Illuminae Files.
Selly has salt water in her veins. So when her father leaves her high and dry in the port of Kirkpool, she has no intention of riding out the winter at home while he sails off to adventure. But any plans to follow him are dashed when a handsome stranger with tell-tale magician’s marks on his arm commandeers her ship. He is Prince Leander of Alinor and he needs to cross the Crescent Sea without detection so he can complete a ritual on the sacred Isles of the Gods. Selly has no desire to escort a spoiled prince anywhere, and no time for his entitled demands or his good looks. But what starts as a leisure cruise will lead to acts of treason and sheer terror on the high seas, bringing two countries to the brink of war, two strangers closer than they ever thought possible and stirring two dangerous gods from centuries of slumber…
My Thoughts:
I adored this book so much! I have been following amie podcast and this book so lived up to the hype. this book was prefect and i devored it in a week. I LOVED the characters and may have a found a some new all time favorites. i also loved the world and the how the world was crafted, it def gave me avatar the last airbender vibes, but some much more then that. I also loved the characters dynmaics cause they were forced to go on quest and just a fast pace ride! i am dying for book 2! If you loved he sea adventures in all the tides and fate and or fable def add this book to your tbr!!
Laura's Bookish Life 