Tarryn's bookshelf: read en-US Mon, 05 May 2025 00:17:22 -0700 60 Tarryn's bookshelf: read 144 41 /images/layout/goodreads_logo_144.jpg Love, Rosie 147865
She gets into Boston University, Alex gets into Harvard, and everything is falling into place, when on the eve of her departure, Rosie gets news that will change their lives forever: She's pregnant by a boy she'd gone out with while on the rebound from Alex.

Her dreams for college, Alex, and a glamorous career dashed, Rosie stays in Dublin to become a single mother, while Alex pursues a medical career and a new love in Boston. But destiny is a funny thing, and in this novel, structured as a series of clever e-mails, letters, notes, and a trail of missed opportunities, Alex and Rosie find out that fate isn't done with them yet.

Sometimes you have to look at life in a whole new way...

From the bestselling author of PS, I Love You comes a delightfully enchanting novel about what happens when two people who are meant to be together just can't seem to get it right.]]> 512 Cecelia Ahern 0786891084 Tarryn 4
3.5. I liked it but I'm also kind of frustrated x disappointed.]]> 3.95 2004 Love, Rosie
author: Cecelia Ahern
name: Tarryn
average rating: 3.95
book published: 2004
rating: 4
read at: 2017/04/21
date added: 2025/05/05
shelves: angsty-adult-love, contemporaries, disappointments, quirky-snarky-unique-heroines
review:
Original review from 2017 ~

3.5. I liked it but I'm also kind of frustrated x disappointed.
]]> <![CDATA[Always and Forever, Lara Jean (To All the Boys I've Loved Before, #3)]]> 35247769 Lara Jean is having the best senior year.

And there鈥檚 still so much to look forward to: a class trip to New York City, prom with her boyfriend Peter, Beach Week after graduation, and her dad鈥檚 wedding to Ms. Rothschild. Then she鈥檒l be off to college with Peter, at a school close enough for her to come home and bake chocolate chip cookies on the weekends.

Life couldn鈥檛 be more perfect!

At least, that鈥檚 what Lara Jean thinks . . . until she gets some unexpected news.

Now the girl who dreads change must rethink all her plans鈥攂ut when your heart and your head are saying two different things, which one should you listen to?]]> 325 Jenny Han 1481430483 Tarryn 3
3.5 stars. Pretty sweet and a story I would have appreciated way more, personally, when I was still in high school. This one will be interesting to see translated into movie.]]> 3.99 2017 Always and Forever, Lara Jean (To All the Boys I've Loved Before, #3)
author: Jenny Han
name: Tarryn
average rating: 3.99
book published: 2017
rating: 3
read at: 2020/02/25
date added: 2025/05/05
shelves: fluffy-bits, fun-love, libby, teen-rom-low-on-com
review:
Original review from 2020 ~

3.5 stars. Pretty sweet and a story I would have appreciated way more, personally, when I was still in high school. This one will be interesting to see translated into movie.
]]> <![CDATA[P.S. I Still Love You (To All the Boys I've Loved Before, #2)]]> 20698530 Lara Jean didn鈥檛 expect to really fall for Peter.

They were just pretending. Until they weren鈥檛. And now Lara Jean has to learn what it's like to be in a real relationship and not just a make-believe one.

But when another boy from her past returns to her life, Lara Jean鈥檚 feelings for him suddenly return too. Can a girl be in love with two boys at once?

In this charming and heartfelt sequel to the New York Times bestseller To All the Boys I've Loved Before, Lara Jean is about to find out that falling in love is the easy part.]]> 337 Jenny Han 144242673X Tarryn 4 4.01 2015 P.S. I Still Love You (To All the Boys I've Loved Before, #2)
author: Jenny Han
name: Tarryn
average rating: 4.01
book published: 2015
rating: 4
read at: 2020/02/09
date added: 2025/05/05
shelves: annoying-mains, fluffy-bits, fun-love, girl-friendships-are-complicated, libby, teen-rom-low-on-com, why-is-he-the-love-interest
review:
Another 3.5 stars. I really wished I鈥檇 finished out this whole series before the movie came out for book 1 because now all of my opinions are totally overshadowed by the greatness of the movie. It鈥檚 not nearly as fun to be with these characters when Peter is way more of a douche than he is when played by Noah Centineo. Ughhhh.
]]> <![CDATA[To All the Boys I've Loved Before (To All the Boys I've Loved Before, #1)]]> 15749186
But one day Lara Jean discovers that somehow her secret box of letters has been mailed, causing all her crushes from her past to confront her about the letters: her first kiss, the boy from summer camp, even her sister's ex-boyfriend, Josh.

As she learns to deal with her past loves face to face, Lara Jean discovers that something good may come out of these letters after all.]]> 355 Jenny Han 1442426713 Tarryn 4 4.04 2014 To All the Boys I've Loved Before (To All the Boys I've Loved Before, #1)
author: Jenny Han
name: Tarryn
average rating: 4.04
book published: 2014
rating: 4
read at: 2017/05/29
date added: 2025/05/05
shelves: annoying-mains, fluffy-bits, fun-love, girl-friendships-are-complicated, libby, reread, teen-rom-low-on-com, you-lose-something-on-the-reread
review:
Around a 3.5 star. This is one of the rare exclusions to the book being better than the movie. The movie is faaaaaar better.
]]> <![CDATA[The Summer I Turned Pretty (Summer, #1)]]> 60911699
Belly measures her life in summers. Everything good, everything magical happens between the months of June and August. Winters are simply a time to count the weeks until the next summer, a place away from the beach house, away from Susannah, and most importantly, away from Jeremiah and Conrad. They are the boys that Belly has known since her very first summer -- they have been her brother figures, her crushes, and everything in between. But one summer, one wonderful and terrible summer, the more everything changes, the more it all ends up just the way it should have been all along.]]> 295 Jenny Han Tarryn 0 currently-reading 3.80 2009 The Summer I Turned Pretty (Summer, #1)
author: Jenny Han
name: Tarryn
average rating: 3.80
book published: 2009
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/05/04
shelves: currently-reading
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Bride to the Fiend Prince (Dark Rulers, #1)]]> 222292522

Trigger warnings are available on the author's website and in the front matter of the book.]]> Rebecca F. Kenney Tarryn 4 3.64 2021 Bride to the Fiend Prince (Dark Rulers, #1)
author: Rebecca F. Kenney
name: Tarryn
average rating: 3.64
book published: 2021
rating: 4
read at: 2025/05/04
date added: 2025/05/04
shelves: a-world-but-not-our-own, i-guessed-the-twist, instalove, kindle-unlimited, magical-people-magicking, murder-x-attempts, royalty-blows, smut-with-some-substance
review:

]]> Shallow River 59763841
When River McAllister escaped from Shallow Hill, she left her innocence behind--and some of her sanity, too. Now she's rebuilding her life with her dream man and life couldn't be better.

Ryan Fitzgerald is everything you'd want in a man. Attractive, rich, an aspiring lawyer, and would do anything to keep River. But that's not the only thing that attracts her. It's his attentiveness, his possessiveness... maybe not so much his temper.

When her relationship takes a dark turn, Ryan's estranged brother, Mako, is the only one who sees it. He knows exactly what Ryan is capable of, and it's not the first time he had to be a knight in shining armor.

River came from Shallow Hill, though. She's never needed saving before. What Mako doesn't see, is that River is perfectly capable of taking care of herself.

The only one who should be scared is Ryan.


Trigger Warning: Shallow River is a dark romance that contains domestic violence, rape, violence, and sexual situations.]]> 437 H.D. Carlton Tarryn 3 3.5 stars 4.25 2020 Shallow River
author: H.D. Carlton
name: Tarryn
average rating: 4.25
book published: 2020
rating: 3
read at: 2025/05/02
date added: 2025/05/02
shelves: angsty-angst, f-f, instalove, kindle-unlimited, murder-x-attempts, perverted-and-unashamed, smut-with-some-substance
review:
3.5 stars
]]> TEOI 75673451 Blurb coming soon... H.D. Carlton Tarryn 0 to-read 4.47 TEOI
author: H.D. Carlton
name: Tarryn
average rating: 4.47
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/05/02
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow (Nevermoor, #2)]]> 39675426 The captivating and heart-pounding sequel to the New York Times bestselling and #1 Kids' Indie Next Pick The Trials of Morrigan Crow, as heroine Morrigan battles a new evil. Morrigan Crow and her best friend Hawthorne Swift are now proud scholars in the elite Wundrous Society, but life is far from perfect. Does Morrigan have what it takes to prove that she belongs in the Society? The Trials of Morrigan Crow was an instant New York Times bestseller, an IndieBound bestseller and a #1 Indies Introduce Pick, with movie rights sold to Fox.]]> 545 Jessica Townsend 0316508934 Tarryn 0 currently-reading 4.54 2018 Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow (Nevermoor, #2)
author: Jessica Townsend
name: Tarryn
average rating: 4.54
book published: 2018
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/04/29
shelves: currently-reading
review:

]]> Him (Him #1) 59754566 They don鈥檛 play for the same team. Or do they?

Jamie Canning has never been able to figure out how he lost his closest friend. Four years ago, his tattooed, wise-cracking, rule-breaking roommate cut him off without an explanation. So what if things got a little weird on the last night of hockey camp the summer they were eighteen? It was just a little drunken foolishness. Nobody died.

Ryan Wesley鈥檚 biggest regret is coaxing his very straight friend into a bet that pushed the boundaries of their relationship. Now, with their college teams set to face off at the national championship, he鈥檒l finally get a chance to apologize. But all it takes is one look at his longtime crush, and the ache is stronger than ever.

Jamie has waited a long time for answers, but walks away with only more questions鈥攃an one night of sex ruin a friendship? If not, how about six more weeks of it? When Wesley turns up to coach alongside Jamie for one more hot summer at camp, Jamie has a few things to discover about his old friend...and a big one to learn about himself.

Warning: contains sexual situations, hotties on hockey skates, skinnydipping, shenanigans in an SUV and proof that coming out to your family on social media is a dicey proposition.]]> 326 Sarina Bowen 1954500491 Tarryn 4 4.10 2015 Him (Him #1)
author: Sarina Bowen
name: Tarryn
average rating: 4.10
book published: 2015
rating: 4
read at: 2016/09/30
date added: 2025/04/26
shelves: m-m, new-adults-are-dumb, scribd, smut-with-some-substance
review:

]]> Phantom's Thrall 60856114
Do not read unless you're fully prepared for a deliciously debauched Phantom, an innocent virgin Christine, and an MMM+F reverse harem with crossed swords where all the relationships are important. There's also actual magic, and the Phantom's secret isn't quite what you think it is...]]> 295 Jessamine Rue Tarryn 0 to-read 3.65 2022 Phantom's Thrall
author: Jessamine Rue
name: Tarryn
average rating: 3.65
book published: 2022
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/04/21
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow (Nevermoor, #1)]]> 34219898
Morrigan Crow is cursed. Having been born on Eventide, the unluckiest day for any child to be born, she's blamed for all local misfortunes, from hailstorms to heart attacks--and, worst of all, the curse means that Morrigan is doomed to die at midnight on her eleventh birthday.

But as Morrigan awaits her fate, a strange and remarkable man named Jupiter North appears. Chased by black-smoke hounds and shadowy hunters on horseback, he whisks her away into the safety of a secret, magical city called Nevermoor.

It's then that Morrigan discovers Jupiter has chosen her to contend for a place in the city's most prestigious organization: the Wundrous Society. In order to join, she must compete in four difficult and dangerous trials against hundreds of other children, each boasting an extraordinary talent that sets them apart--an extraordinary talent that Morrigan insists she does not have. To stay in the safety of Nevermoor for good, Morrigan will need to find a way to pass the tests--or she'll have to leave the city to confront her deadly fate.

Perfect for fans of the Harry Potter series and Neil Gaiman, this fast-paced plot and imaginative world has a fresh new take on magic that will appeal to a new generation of readers.]]> 461 Jessica Townsend 0316508888 Tarryn 4
Original review from 2020:

This was a really fun book, y鈥檃ll! One of my favorite things is that the main character wasn鈥檛 unbearably annoying. Idk what it is about middle grade books having incredibly irksome young heroes and heroines but (so far) Miss Morrigan Crow has avoided being one of them, which made the tale even more enjoyable.

The story felt fresh, the world felt new and I was genuinely interested in everything that happened.]]> 4.37 2017 Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow (Nevermoor, #1)
author: Jessica Townsend
name: Tarryn
average rating: 4.37
book published: 2017
rating: 4
read at: 2025/04/20
date added: 2025/04/20
shelves: a-world-but-not-our-own, adventure-is-out-there, libby, magical-people-magicking, psychic-powers-and-all-that-jazz, space-and-time-and-dimension-travel, young-reading, reread, favorites, to-physically-own
review:
4.5

Original review from 2020:

This was a really fun book, y鈥檃ll! One of my favorite things is that the main character wasn鈥檛 unbearably annoying. Idk what it is about middle grade books having incredibly irksome young heroes and heroines but (so far) Miss Morrigan Crow has avoided being one of them, which made the tale even more enjoyable.

The story felt fresh, the world felt new and I was genuinely interested in everything that happened.
]]> Audition 216247518 One woman, the performance of a lifetime. Or two. A mesmerizing Mobius strip of a novel that asks who we are to the people we love.

Two people meet for lunch in a Manhattan restaurant. She鈥檚 an elegant and accomplished actress in rehearsals for an upcoming premiere. He鈥檚 attractive, troubling, and young鈥攜oung enough to be her son. Who is he to her, and who is she to him? In Audition, two competing narratives unspool, rewriting our understanding of the roles we play every day鈥攑artner, parent, creator, muse鈥攁nd the truths every performance masks, especially from those who think they know us best.]]> 208 Katie Kitamura 059385232X Tarryn 0 to-read 3.54 2025 Audition
author: Katie Kitamura
name: Tarryn
average rating: 3.54
book published: 2025
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/04/18
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Megan Meade's Guide to the McGowan Boys]]> 238360 Living in a house with seven boys will give Megan, who has never even been kissed, the perfect opportunity to learn everything there is to know about boys. And she'll send all her notes to her best friend, Tracy, in...

Megan Meade's Guide to the McGowan Boys

Observation #1: Being an army brat sucks. Except that this is definitely a better alternative to moving to Korea.

Observation #2: Forget evil, laughing, little monsters. These guys have been touched by the Abercrombie gods. They are a blur of toned, suntanned perfection.

Observation #3: I need a lock on my door. STAT.

Observation #4: Three words: six-pack abs.

Observation #5: Do not even get me started on the state of the bathroom. I'm thinking of calling in a hazmat team. Seriously.

Observation #6: These boys know how to make enemies. Big time.

Megan Meade will have to juggle a new school, a new family, a new crush -- on the boy next door, as in next bedroom door -- and a new life. Will she survive the McGowan boys?

]]> 268 Kate Brian 1416900314 Tarryn 5 Originally read in 2008! 3.92 2005 Megan Meade's Guide to the McGowan Boys
author: Kate Brian
name: Tarryn
average rating: 3.92
book published: 2005
rating: 5
read at: 2008/01/01
date added: 2025/04/18
shelves: favorites-from-youth, in-love-with-a-fictional-character
review:
Originally read in 2008!
]]> Icing on the Lake 501804 by Kirsten (with help from Crystal, Jones, and Emma)

1. Survive the month at my sister's house. Survive my 3-yr-old nephew and crazy sister.

2. Learn to ice skate better. Or not fall down. Or just get a cuter skating outfit.

3. Find hockey-playing, winter-loving hottie. and invite him to the weekend cabin trip (aka "groundhog getaway") with everyone.

Oh, sure. No problem.]]> 342 Catherine Clark 0060815345 Tarryn 4 Originally read in 2008! 3.80 2005 Icing on the Lake
author: Catherine Clark
name: Tarryn
average rating: 3.80
book published: 2005
rating: 4
read at: 2008/01/01
date added: 2025/04/18
shelves: fluffy-bits, fun-love, i-have-no-memory-of-reading-this
review:
Originally read in 2008!
]]> Island Girls (and Boys) 393905 From the author of Caribbean Cruising and The Boyfriend League comes another beach-perfect summer romance, perfect for fans of Stephanie Perkins, Lauren Barnholdt, and Susane Colasanti.

3 girls plus 3 dogs plus 2 boyfriends plus 1 island equals a summer to remember!

Date: July 4
Rental type: 2-person sailboat
Rented by: Jen Taylor and Dylan Nelson
Rental time: 8:15 p.m.
Destination: Out to sea!
Life jackets: 2
Time back: ??? Don't wait up!]]> 313 Rachel Hawthorne 0060755466 Tarryn 3 Originally read in 2008! 3.67 2005 Island Girls (and Boys)
author: Rachel Hawthorne
name: Tarryn
average rating: 3.67
book published: 2005
rating: 3
read at: 2008/01/01
date added: 2025/04/18
shelves: fluffy-bits, i-have-no-memory-of-reading-this
review:
Originally read in 2008!
]]> Thrill Ride 171009 Thrill Ride!
One-day admission: $15

Summer job:

Pros:
Living on my own (plus roommates)
Rides are free (but avoid the roller coasters鈥攖oo scary!)
Super-hot coworker . . .

Cons:
Periodic homesickness
Dressing like Gretel for job in fairyland gift shop
Super-hot coworker . . . and boyfriend back home. Too thrilling!]]> 297 Rachel Hawthorne 0060839546 Tarryn 5 Originally read in 2009! 3.91 2006 Thrill Ride
author: Rachel Hawthorne
name: Tarryn
average rating: 3.91
book published: 2006
rating: 5
read at: 2009/01/01
date added: 2025/04/18
shelves: fun-love, favorites-from-youth, i-have-no-memory-of-reading-this
review:
Originally read in 2009!
]]> Labor of Love 2237499 From the author of Trouble from the Start and The Boyfriend League comes a sweet summer romance, perfect for fans of Stephanie Perkins, Lauren Barnholdt and Susane Colasanti.

Dawn has found the perfect way to forget her cheating boyfriend: leave town for the summer and do something very distracting, like volunteering to help rebuild storm-torn New Orleans. But when she meets handsome, kind Brady, Dawn realizes she could be fixing more than a devastated house鈥攕he might also be able to repair her broken heart.]]> 296 Rachel Hawthorne 0061363847 Tarryn 4
Cute and quick. Nothing too special but still definitely an enjoyable read.]]> 3.89 2008 Labor of Love
author: Rachel Hawthorne
name: Tarryn
average rating: 3.89
book published: 2008
rating: 4
read at: 2009/01/01
date added: 2025/04/18
shelves: fluffy-bits, i-have-no-memory-of-reading-this
review:
Originally read in 2009!

Cute and quick. Nothing too special but still definitely an enjoyable read.
]]> Caribbean Cruising 171008
Lindsay has never been on a cruise, but she knows exactly what she wants to do now that she is: climb a waterfall, snorkel, meet lots of cute guys, and look for one perfect guy for a summer fling.

But her to-do list isn't going according to plan, especially when she discovers that it's impossible to have a fling-when you're actually falling in love.]]> 314 Rachel Hawthorne 0060565071 Tarryn 5
Fun, fluffy, a little sexy. I finished this book within a few hours. It's quick, and not some incredible, mind blowing read, but I still adored it. It made me happy, and I think that's good enough.]]> 3.86 2004 Caribbean Cruising
author: Rachel Hawthorne
name: Tarryn
average rating: 3.86
book published: 2004
rating: 5
read at: 2012/10/06
date added: 2025/04/18
shelves: favorites-from-youth, fluffy-bits, fun-love, instalove, road-trips-and-holidays
review:
Originally read in 2008!

Fun, fluffy, a little sexy. I finished this book within a few hours. It's quick, and not some incredible, mind blowing read, but I still adored it. It made me happy, and I think that's good enough.
]]> The Boyfriend League 403129 315 Rachel Hawthorne 0061138371 Tarryn 3 Originally read in 2009! 3.92 2007 The Boyfriend League
author: Rachel Hawthorne
name: Tarryn
average rating: 3.92
book published: 2007
rating: 3
read at: 2009/01/01
date added: 2025/04/18
shelves: fluffy-bits, fun-love, i-have-no-memory-of-reading-this
review:
Originally read in 2009!
]]> Abandon (Abandon, #1) 9397967
But now she's moved to a new town. Maybe at her new school, she can start fresh. Maybe she can stop feeling so afraid.

Only she can't. Because even here, he finds her. That's how desperately he wants her back. She knows he's no guardian angel, and his dark world isn't exactly heaven, yet she can't stay away . . . especially since he always appears when she least expects it, but exactly when she needs him most.

But if she lets herself fall any further, she may just find herself back in the one place she most fears: the Underworld.]]> 304 Meg Cabot 0545284104 Tarryn 3
I've never felt like less happened in a book. Ever. How was this 300 pages? It seems like it only had enough interesting content in it for a 40 page novella. This is truly the most disappointing and pointless thing. I've never been so unhappy with a Meg Cabot book. Maybe a more in depth review to come.

- - - -

2.5 stars

Okay, it's been a couple days and I may (or may not) now have the coherent ability to express why I truly disliked this book.

The main issue, I believe, is that I don't feel like I got to know any of the characters, whatsoever. Each and every one of them was a flimsy caricature of a typical YA character. Pierce is love struck and denying it, special and important for absolutely no reason at all, moody, and to top it all off, completely useless on her own. John is brooding, mysterious, and overprotective (coughCONTROLLINGcough). Friends and family are all underdeveloped plot devices or background noise.

What may be even worse than all of these underdeveloped characters is the underdeveloped plot. The main point of tension and contrition between Pierce and John surrounds Pierce's experience in the underworld. You're made to believe that they have this long history and that this occurred over a long expanse of time. And yet it is soon revealed that this whole thing probably only took up a couple hours of their lives. The pacing is awkward like that for the entire novel. Things that you believe should take more time for development or explanation are all woefully rushed. It left little time to process any meaning behind the developments of the story which really just left me feeling as though absolutely nothing had happened. It was all so rushed, so nothing felt important.

And there were literally no clues or build up to a single reveal in the entire story. The climactic reveal of something toward the end came so out of left field and involved a character who hadn't spoken in the present narrative since about the first or second chapter, that I couldn't believe it was even a thing. Not because it was so shocking or interesting but because it made no sense as there had been literally no build up to it.

All in all, I'm a masochist so I will read the other two books and hope they somehow get better, but considering that this woman wrote what is one of my most favorite series ever (The Mediator) I am thoroughly disappointed by this book. By far the worst Meg Cabot book I've ever read.]]> 3.70 2011 Abandon (Abandon, #1)
author: Meg Cabot
name: Tarryn
average rating: 3.70
book published: 2011
rating: 3
read at: 2016/01/05
date added: 2025/04/18
shelves: demons-being-rude, disappointments, i-have-no-memory-of-reading-this, mythics-kicking-ass
review:
Original review from 2016:

I've never felt like less happened in a book. Ever. How was this 300 pages? It seems like it only had enough interesting content in it for a 40 page novella. This is truly the most disappointing and pointless thing. I've never been so unhappy with a Meg Cabot book. Maybe a more in depth review to come.

- - - -

2.5 stars

Okay, it's been a couple days and I may (or may not) now have the coherent ability to express why I truly disliked this book.

The main issue, I believe, is that I don't feel like I got to know any of the characters, whatsoever. Each and every one of them was a flimsy caricature of a typical YA character. Pierce is love struck and denying it, special and important for absolutely no reason at all, moody, and to top it all off, completely useless on her own. John is brooding, mysterious, and overprotective (coughCONTROLLINGcough). Friends and family are all underdeveloped plot devices or background noise.

What may be even worse than all of these underdeveloped characters is the underdeveloped plot. The main point of tension and contrition between Pierce and John surrounds Pierce's experience in the underworld. You're made to believe that they have this long history and that this occurred over a long expanse of time. And yet it is soon revealed that this whole thing probably only took up a couple hours of their lives. The pacing is awkward like that for the entire novel. Things that you believe should take more time for development or explanation are all woefully rushed. It left little time to process any meaning behind the developments of the story which really just left me feeling as though absolutely nothing had happened. It was all so rushed, so nothing felt important.

And there were literally no clues or build up to a single reveal in the entire story. The climactic reveal of something toward the end came so out of left field and involved a character who hadn't spoken in the present narrative since about the first or second chapter, that I couldn't believe it was even a thing. Not because it was so shocking or interesting but because it made no sense as there had been literally no build up to it.

All in all, I'm a masochist so I will read the other two books and hope they somehow get better, but considering that this woman wrote what is one of my most favorite series ever (The Mediator) I am thoroughly disappointed by this book. By far the worst Meg Cabot book I've ever read.
]]> Wish You Were Here 2208499 224 Catherine Clark 0060559837 Tarryn 4 Originally read in 2008! 3.53 2008 Wish You Were Here
author: Catherine Clark
name: Tarryn
average rating: 3.53
book published: 2008
rating: 4
read at: 2008/01/01
date added: 2025/04/18
shelves: fun-love, i-have-no-memory-of-reading-this
review:
Originally read in 2008!
]]> <![CDATA[A Question of Holmes (Charlotte Holmes, #4)]]> 38251245 The fourth book in the New York Times bestselling Charlotte Holmes series!

Charlotte Holmes and Jamie Watson think they鈥檙e finally in the clear. They鈥檝e left Sherringford School鈥攁nd the Moriartys鈥攂ehind for a pre-college summer program at Oxford University. A chance to start from scratch and explore dating for the first time, while exploring a new city with all the freedom their program provides. But when they arrive, Charlotte is immediately drawn into a new case: a series of accidents have been befalling the members of the community theater troupe in Oxford, and now, on the eve of their production of Hamlet, they鈥檙e starting all over again. What once seemed like a comedy of errors is now a race to prevent the next tragedy鈥攂efore Charlotte or Jamie is the next victim.]]> 320 Brittany Cavallaro 006284024X Tarryn 4
I don鈥檛 think I ever expected a satisfying end for this series, and yet here we are, and I鈥檓 satisfied!

I think it鈥檚 truly the fact that Cavallaro took a departure from the more convoluted plots and let us see a softer, more vulnerable Holmes that really made this excellent. Plus, it was such Holmes x Watson fanservice that I could cry. I mean, okay, maybe I鈥檓 already crying. I truly couldn鈥檛 have asked for a better farewell.]]> 3.96 2019 A Question of Holmes (Charlotte Holmes, #4)
author: Brittany Cavallaro
name: Tarryn
average rating: 3.96
book published: 2019
rating: 4
read at: 2019/04/01
date added: 2025/04/18
shelves: great-ends-for-great-series, made-me-angry, mystery, otp-otp-otp, scribd
review:
Original review from 2019:

I don鈥檛 think I ever expected a satisfying end for this series, and yet here we are, and I鈥檓 satisfied!

I think it鈥檚 truly the fact that Cavallaro took a departure from the more convoluted plots and let us see a softer, more vulnerable Holmes that really made this excellent. Plus, it was such Holmes x Watson fanservice that I could cry. I mean, okay, maybe I鈥檓 already crying. I truly couldn鈥檛 have asked for a better farewell.
]]> <![CDATA[The Case for Jamie (Charlotte Holmes #3)]]> 35444098 New York Times bestselling Charlotte Holmes series.

It鈥檚 been a year since the shocking death of August Moriarty, and Jamie and Charlotte haven鈥檛 spoken.

Jamie is going through the motions at Sherringford, trying to finish his senior year without incident, with a nice girlfriend he can鈥檛 seem to fall for.

Charlotte is on the run, from Lucien Moriarty and from her own mistakes. No one has seen her since that fateful night on the lawn in Sussex鈥攁nd Charlotte wants it that way. She knows she isn鈥檛 safe to be around. She knows her Watson can鈥檛 forgive her.

Holmes and Watson may not be looking to reconcile, but when strange things start happening, it鈥檚 clear that someone wants the team back together. Someone who has been quietly observing them both. Making plans. Biding their time.

Someone who wants to see one of them suffer and the other one dead.]]> 336 Brittany Cavallaro Tarryn 3 mystery, scribd, slow-going
This book really didn鈥檛 even get interesting until about 70% through. The emails at the end almost make up for everything though because my heart feels satisfied.]]> 4.08 2018 The Case for Jamie (Charlotte Holmes #3)
author: Brittany Cavallaro
name: Tarryn
average rating: 4.08
book published: 2018
rating: 3
read at: 2019/02/21
date added: 2025/04/18
shelves: mystery, scribd, slow-going
review:
Original review from 2019:

This book really didn鈥檛 even get interesting until about 70% through. The emails at the end almost make up for everything though because my heart feels satisfied.
]]> <![CDATA[A Study in Charlotte (Charlotte Holmes, #1)]]> 38908121 The first book in a witty, suspenseful new series about a brilliant new crime-solving duo: the teen descendants of Sherlock Holmes and John Watson. This clever page-turner will appeal to fans of Maureen Johnson and Ally Carter.

Jamie Watson has always been intrigued by Charlotte Holmes; after all, their great-great-great-grandfathers are one of the most infamous pairs in history. But the Holmes family has always been odd, and Charlotte is no exception. She鈥檚 inherited Sherlock鈥檚 volatility and some of his vices鈥攁nd when Jamie and Charlotte end up at the same Connecticut boarding school, Charlotte makes it clear she鈥檚 not looking for friends.

But when a student they both have a history with dies under suspicious circumstances, ripped straight from the most terrifying of the Sherlock Holmes stories, Jamie can no longer afford to keep his distance. Danger is mounting and nowhere is safe鈥攁nd the only people they can trust are each other.]]> 330 Brittany Cavallaro Tarryn 4 3.87 2016 A Study in Charlotte (Charlotte Holmes, #1)
author: Brittany Cavallaro
name: Tarryn
average rating: 3.87
book published: 2016
rating: 4
read at: 2017/01/17
date added: 2025/04/18
shelves: instalove, mystery, reread, scribd
review:

]]> <![CDATA[The Last of August (Charlotte Holmes, #2)]]> 30256105 Watson and Holmes: A match made in disaster.

Jamie Watson and Charlotte Holmes are looking for a winter-break reprieve after a fall semester that almost got them killed. But Charlotte isn鈥檛 the only Holmes with secrets, and the mood at her family鈥檚 Sussex estate is palpably tense. On top of everything else, Holmes and Watson could be becoming more than friends鈥攂ut still, the darkness in Charlotte鈥檚 past is a wall between them.

A distraction arises soon enough, because Charlotte鈥檚 beloved uncle Leander goes missing from the estate鈥攁fter being oddly private about his latest assignment in a German art forgery ring. The game is afoot once again, and Charlotte is single-minded in her pursuit.

Their first stop? Berlin. Their first contact? August Moriarty (formerly Charlotte鈥檚 obsession, currently believed by most to be dead), whose powerful family has been ripping off famous paintings for the last hundred years. But as they follow the gritty underground scene in Berlin to glittering art houses in Prague, Holmes and Watson begin to realize that this is a much more complicated case than a disappearance. Much more dangerous, too.

What they learn might change everything they know about their families, themselves, and each other.]]> 317 Brittany Cavallaro 0062398946 Tarryn 3 3.59 2017 The Last of August (Charlotte Holmes, #2)
author: Brittany Cavallaro
name: Tarryn
average rating: 3.59
book published: 2017
rating: 3
read at: 2017/01/31
date added: 2025/04/18
shelves: angsty-angst, annoying-mains, arc, character-deaths-that-got-me-shook, mystery, reread, scribd
review:

]]> Love on the Lifts 171012 Winter Break super-secret perfect cocoa recipe:

8 oz steamed whole milk
(no skim! doesn't work!)

2 tbsp. dark cocoa powder (big scoops)

1 tbsp. sugar (can't be too sweet)

4 dried, crushed mint leaves
(or 1 tbsp. mint syrup)

Stir thoroughly. Add mint swizzle stick. Combine with cute ski instructor, or brother's cute best friend, or cute guy you never noticed was so cute...Enjoy.

]]> 301 Rachel Hawthorne 0060815361 Tarryn 4 Originally read in 2009! 3.90 2005 Love on the Lifts
author: Rachel Hawthorne
name: Tarryn
average rating: 3.90
book published: 2005
rating: 4
read at: 2009/01/01
date added: 2025/04/18
shelves: fluffy-bits, fun-love, i-have-no-memory-of-reading-this
review:
Originally read in 2009!
]]> The Best Girl 2308561 275 Emma Harrison 0061228249 Tarryn 4 Originally read in 2008! 3.81 2007 The Best Girl
author: Emma Harrison
name: Tarryn
average rating: 3.81
book published: 2007
rating: 4
read at: 2008/01/01
date added: 2025/04/18
shelves: i-have-no-memory-of-reading-this
review:
Originally read in 2008!
]]> <![CDATA[Missing You (1-800-Where-R-You, #5)]]> 23218
Ever since a walk home on a particularly stormy day, Jessica Mastriani has had an ability like no other. She became known worldwide as Lightning Girl--a psychic who could find the location of anyone, dead or alive. Jess finally had no choice but to embrace her newfound talent, and ended up lending her skills to the U.S. government.

But her work for them has taken a terrible toll, and Jess resurfaces months later a shadow of her former self, her powers gone, Lightning Girl no more. Her only hope is starting over in a new place, a big city where nobody knows her.

It's only when Rob Wilkins unexpectedly shows up on her doorstep that she's forced to face her past. Rob, all the way from back home, needs her help. But how can Jess, her powers gone, find anyone, let alone the sister of a man she once loved . . . when she can't even find herself?

Missing You, the fifth and final book in the 1-800-Where-R-You series]]> 288 Meg Cabot 0060874309 Tarryn 4 Originally read in 2007! 4.18 2006 Missing You (1-800-Where-R-You, #5)
author: Meg Cabot
name: Tarryn
average rating: 4.18
book published: 2006
rating: 4
read at: 2007/01/01
date added: 2025/04/17
shelves: psychic-powers-and-all-that-jazz
review:
Originally read in 2007!
]]> <![CDATA[Sanctuary (1-800-Where-R-You, #4)]]> 199781 JESS MASTRIANI

Knew she wasn't going to be able to hide her psychic powers from the U.S. government forever. But she never thought that she and Dr. Krantz, the special agent brought in to convince Jess to join his elite team of "specially gifted" crime solvers, would have something in common.

When a local boy's disappearance is attributed to a backwoods militia group, it turns out that Jess and Dr. Krantz have the same goal. Suddenly Jess finds herself collaborating with one enemy in order to stop a far worse one. In an atmosphere of hate and fear, Jess and Dr. Krantz must work together to unite a community and save a life...without losing their own.

]]> 231 Jenny Carroll 1416927077 Tarryn 4 Originally read in 2007! 4.11 2002 Sanctuary (1-800-Where-R-You, #4)
author: Jenny Carroll
name: Tarryn
average rating: 4.11
book published: 2002
rating: 4
read at: 2007/01/01
date added: 2025/04/17
shelves: psychic-powers-and-all-that-jazz
review:
Originally read in 2007!
]]> <![CDATA[Safe House (1-800-Where-R-You, #3)]]> 187809 262 Jenny Carroll 1416927069 Tarryn 4 Originally read in 2007! 4.11 2002 Safe House (1-800-Where-R-You, #3)
author: Jenny Carroll
name: Tarryn
average rating: 4.11
book published: 2002
rating: 4
read at: 2007/01/01
date added: 2025/04/17
shelves: psychic-powers-and-all-that-jazz
review:
Originally read in 2007!
]]> <![CDATA[Code Name Cassandra (1-800-Where-R-You, #2)]]> 199783 was dubbed "Lightning Girl" by the press when she developed a psychic ability to find missing children after she was struck by lightning during a huge storm. Now Jess has lost her miraculous powers...or at least she would like the media and the government to think so. All she wants is to be left alone.

But it doesn't look like Jess is going to get her wish -- especially not while working at a summer camp for musically gifted kids. When the father of a missing girl shows up to beg Jess to find his daughter, Jess can't say no. Now the Feds are on her tail again, as is one ornery stepdad, who'd like to see Lightning Girl...well, dead.]]> 264 Jenny Carroll 1416927042 Tarryn 5 Originally read in 2007! 4.07 2001 Code Name Cassandra (1-800-Where-R-You, #2)
author: Jenny Carroll
name: Tarryn
average rating: 4.07
book published: 2001
rating: 5
read at: 2007/01/01
date added: 2025/04/17
shelves: favorites-from-youth, mystery, psychic-powers-and-all-that-jazz
review:
Originally read in 2007!
]]> <![CDATA[When Lightning Strikes (1-800-Where-R-You, #1)]]> 207682
Just because her best friend wants to exercise, Jessica Mastriani agrees to walk the two miles home from their high school. Straight into a huge Indiana thunderstorm.
And straight into trouble.
Not that Jess has never been in trouble before. Her extracurricular activities, instead of cheerleading or 4-H, include fistfights with the football team and monthlong stints in detention -- luckily, sitting right next to Rob, the sexiest senior around.
But this trouble is serious.
Because somehow on that long walk home, Jessica acquired a newfound talent. An amazing power that can be used for good...or for evil.
Run, Jessica. Run.]]> 266 Jenny Carroll 1416927050 Tarryn 5 Originally read in 2007! 4.06 2001 When Lightning Strikes (1-800-Where-R-You, #1)
author: Jenny Carroll
name: Tarryn
average rating: 4.06
book published: 2001
rating: 5
read at: 2008/01/01
date added: 2025/04/17
shelves: favorites-from-youth, psychic-powers-and-all-that-jazz
review:
Originally read in 2007!
]]> How to Be Popular 23221 288 Meg Cabot 0060880120 Tarryn 4 fluffy-bits Originally read in 2007! 3.55 2006 How to Be Popular
author: Meg Cabot
name: Tarryn
average rating: 3.55
book published: 2006
rating: 4
read at: 2007/01/01
date added: 2025/04/17
shelves: fluffy-bits
review:
Originally read in 2007!
]]> Snowed In 397813 261 Rachel Hawthorne 0061138363 Tarryn 5
Cute and snuggly. Sit down with some hot chocolate and enjoy!]]> 3.76 2007 Snowed In
author: Rachel Hawthorne
name: Tarryn
average rating: 3.76
book published: 2007
rating: 5
read at: 2008/01/01
date added: 2025/04/17
shelves: fluffy-bits, fun-love, favorites-from-youth
review:
Originally read in 2008!

Cute and snuggly. Sit down with some hot chocolate and enjoy!
]]> Wayward Son (Simon Snow, #2) 44034303
So why can鈥檛 Simon Snow get off the couch?

What he needs, according to his best friend, is a change of scenery. He just needs to see himself in a new light鈥�

That鈥檚 how Simon and Penny and Baz end up in a vintage convertible, tearing across the American West.

They find trouble, of course. (Dragons, vampires, skunk-headed things with shotguns.) And they get lost. They get so lost, they start to wonder whether they ever knew where they were headed in the first place鈥�

With Wayward Son, Rainbow Rowell has written a book for everyone who ever wondered what happened to the Chosen One after he saved the day. And a book for everyone who was ever more curious about the second kiss than the first. It鈥檚 another helping of sour cherry scones with an absolutely decadent amount of butter.

Come on, Simon Snow. Your hero鈥檚 journey might be over 鈥� but your life has just begun.]]> 356 Rainbow Rowell 1509896880 Tarryn 2 3.99 2019 Wayward Son (Simon Snow, #2)
author: Rainbow Rowell
name: Tarryn
average rating: 3.99
book published: 2019
rating: 2
read at: 2019/12/14
date added: 2025/04/16
shelves: adventure-is-out-there, disappointments, lgbtqai, libby, magical-people-magicking, murder-x-attempts, overrated-to-the-max, road-trips-and-holidays, vamps-doing-vampy-things
review:
This was insignificant to me. It was fluff and filler and there wasn鈥檛 even any gratuitous Simon x Baz to make up for it. I only even like Baz and Shepard as characters. I pretty much don鈥檛 care about anyone or anything else in this series. Listening to this book made me realize I need to go change my rating of Carry On to a 2 star, as well. I鈥檒l still finish out the series when the third book comes out, but honestly, this is so pointless.
]]> Carry On (Simon Snow, #1) 23734628
That鈥檚 what his roommate, Baz, says. And Baz might be evil and a vampire and a complete git, but he鈥檚 probably right.

Half the time, Simon can鈥檛 even make his wand work, and the other half, he sets something on fire. His mentor鈥檚 avoiding him, his girlfriend broke up with him, and there鈥檚 a magic-eating monster running around wearing Simon鈥檚 face. Baz would be having a field day with all this, if he were here鈥攊t鈥檚 their last year at the Watford School of Magicks, and Simon鈥檚 infuriating nemesis didn鈥檛 even bother to show up.

Carry On is a ghost story, a love story, a mystery and a melodrama. It has just as much kissing and talking as you鈥檇 expect from a Rainbow Rowell story鈥攂ut far, far more monsters.]]> 522 Rainbow Rowell 1250049555 Tarryn 2 4.14 2015 Carry On (Simon Snow, #1)
author: Rainbow Rowell
name: Tarryn
average rating: 4.14
book published: 2015
rating: 2
read at: 2016/01/12
date added: 2025/04/16
shelves: ghosties-and-ghoulies, lgbtqai, libby, m-m, magical-people-magicking, murder-x-attempts, reread, vamps-doing-vampy-things, you-lose-something-on-the-reread
review:
This book is over 500 pages long and still somehow manages to be hopelessly rushed. Probably because the first 400 or so pages aren鈥檛 utilized for anything.
]]> Does It Hurt? 60034351
I've forgotten the answer to that question long ago. Ever since I ran from that house, so desperate to escape, I left with only the clothes on my back and socks on my feet. After that day, I've only ever walked in stolen shoes.

Could I be a girl who is searching for the meaning of life in faceless men? They were all so forgettable. Until he came along. He took me under a waterfall and made me forget my name, and in return, I took his instead.

Enzo Vitale.

An enigmatic man that will only ever love the deep sea. Or rather the predators that inhabit it. Turns out, he's not so different than the monsters he feeds. He lured me onto his boat like a fish in the ocean, seeking vengeance for my crime. Had I realized his intentions, and that a massive storm would leave us shipwrecked, I would've ran.

Now, I'm a girl who's seeking refuge in a decrepit lighthouse with a man who loathes me almost as much as he craves me. He wants to hurt me, but the old caretaker of the abandoned island may have intentions far more sinister.

It's no longer a question of who I am, but rather, will I survive?]]> 432 H.D. Carlton Tarryn 4 4.5 3.90 2022 Does It Hurt?
author: H.D. Carlton
name: Tarryn
average rating: 3.90
book published: 2022
rating: 4
read at: 2025/04/16
date added: 2025/04/16
shelves: adventure-is-out-there, angsty-angst, enemies-to-lovers-babyyy, i-guessed-the-twist, kindle-unlimited, murder-x-attempts, perverted-and-unashamed, smut-with-some-substance
review:
4.5
]]> Babe in Boyland 8101452 and girls in ways she never expected-especially when she falls for her dreamy roommate, Emilio. How can she show him she likes him without blowing her cover?]]> 292 Jody Gehrman 0803732740 Tarryn 3
At first I absolutely detested this book. It was ridiculous, annoying, contrived, and a poorly written and structured rip off of far too many similar plots. The good thing is, it's a very quick read. The second good thing is that a little more than half way through it suddenly becomes tolerable and nearly decent. While Natalie was fairly obnoxious at first, she did, in fact, grow on me. I liked the male characters she befriended along the way. I liked that the one snarky friendship quarrel along the way was very short lived (nothing turns me off to a book quicker than a bitchy friend fight). I even liked the character of Emilio, which I wasn't sure I would. While the entire book seemed like a faltering mash up of the 80s movie Just One of the Guys and the Amanda Bynes movie She's the Man (the ball to the crotch part, hellooo!) It still ended up being halfway decent and not a complete waste of time. And if anything had me questioning whether I thought this book was rubbish or whether it wasn't half bad, my mind was definitively made up when Emilio tells Natalie he was relieved when he found out she was a girl because he had started to question his sexual orientation. After I read that, even though it was at the end, I was sold. Nuff said.]]> 3.66 2011 Babe in Boyland
author: Jody Gehrman
name: Tarryn
average rating: 3.66
book published: 2011
rating: 3
read at: 2011/11/14
date added: 2025/04/14
shelves: fluffy-bits, i-have-no-memory-of-reading-this
review:
Original 2011 review:

At first I absolutely detested this book. It was ridiculous, annoying, contrived, and a poorly written and structured rip off of far too many similar plots. The good thing is, it's a very quick read. The second good thing is that a little more than half way through it suddenly becomes tolerable and nearly decent. While Natalie was fairly obnoxious at first, she did, in fact, grow on me. I liked the male characters she befriended along the way. I liked that the one snarky friendship quarrel along the way was very short lived (nothing turns me off to a book quicker than a bitchy friend fight). I even liked the character of Emilio, which I wasn't sure I would. While the entire book seemed like a faltering mash up of the 80s movie Just One of the Guys and the Amanda Bynes movie She's the Man (the ball to the crotch part, hellooo!) It still ended up being halfway decent and not a complete waste of time. And if anything had me questioning whether I thought this book was rubbish or whether it wasn't half bad, my mind was definitively made up when Emilio tells Natalie he was relieved when he found out she was a girl because he had started to question his sexual orientation. After I read that, even though it was at the end, I was sold. Nuff said.
]]> <![CDATA[Convergence of Desire (The Lovelocks of London, #1)]]> 61993247
Harriet 鈥淗arry鈥� Lovelock lives a life of the mind, and she knows she can prove a theorem that has baffled male mathematicians for two centuries. But her stepmother wants her married and the swirl of the Season saps Harry鈥檚 energy and distracts her from her work. She has to put an end to the tedium of balls. Now. Full stop.

Thomas Drake, the Earl Drake, devotes himself to the pleasures of the flesh, even as he wrestles with his own demons and intractable problems. He needs to marry wealth, but could he ever be satisfied by just one woman?

She can spend all her time on her proof. He can have any woman he wants, except her.

Their marriage of convenience could prove to be the perfect partnership鈥攁s long as love never enters the equation.

Convergence of Desire is book one of the steamy Regency romance series The Lovelocks of London from author Felicity Niven. However, it can be enjoyed as a stand-alone book. It has a happily-ever-after ending, a marriage of convenience, a slow burn, a neurodivergent heroine, and no cliffhanger.

Content warnings: steamy sexual material, coarse language, consensual non-monogamy, physical and sexual assault.]]> 329 Felicity Niven 1958917001 Tarryn 0 to-read 4.07 2022 Convergence of Desire (The Lovelocks of London, #1)
author: Felicity Niven
name: Tarryn
average rating: 4.07
book published: 2022
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/04/13
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Scythe & Sparrow (The Ruinous Love Trilogy, #3)]]> 215098003 God, I want to kiss her. I want to feel the heat of her lips against mine. Would she want that? Would she melt against me if she did? Or would the tension I feel between us snap and release something feral inside her? Inside me?

From the #1听New York Times听补苍诲听USA TODAY听bestselling author of the genre-breaking international TikTok sensation听Butcher & Blackbird听and听Leather & Lark听comes the final book in the Ruinous Love Trilogy鈥攁 friends-with-benefits dark romantic comedy packed with murder, mayhem, and spice.

Doctor Fionn Kane is running from a broken heart, one he hopes to mend in small-town Nebraska, far away from his almost-fianc茅 and his derailed surgical career. It鈥檚 a simpler head down, hard work, and听absolutely no听romantic relationships. He wants none of the circus he left behind in Boston.

But then the听谤别补濒听circus finds him.

Motorcycle performer Rose Evans has spent a decade on the road with the Silveria Circus, and it suits her just fine, especially when she has the urge to indulge in a little murder when she鈥檚 not in the spotlight. But when a kill goes awry and she ends up with an injured leg, Rose finds herself stuck in Nebraska, at the home of the adorably nerdy town doctor.

The problem is, not every broken heart can be sewn back together.

. . . And the longer you stay in one place, the more likely your ghosts are to catch up.


Friends with benefits
Small town romance
Fish out of water
Forced proximity
Hurt/care
Touch her and die]]> 416 Brynne Weaver Tarryn 4 4.5 stars 4.19 2025 Scythe & Sparrow (The Ruinous Love Trilogy, #3)
author: Brynne Weaver
name: Tarryn
average rating: 4.19
book published: 2025
rating: 4
read at: 2025/04/08
date added: 2025/04/08
shelves: angsty-adult-love, dangerously-funny, fun-love, great-ends-for-great-series, killin-for-a-livin, libby, murder-x-attempts, perverted-and-unashamed, quirky-snarky-unique-heroines, smut-with-some-substance
review:
4.5 stars
]]> <![CDATA[First-Time Caller (Heartstrings, #1)]]> 213243908 A hopeless romantic meets a jaded radio host in this cozy, Sleepless in Seattle-inspired love story from beloved author B.K. Borison.

Aiden Valentine has a secret: he's fallen out of love with love. And as the host of Baltimore's romance hotline, that's a bit of a problem. But when a young girl calls in to the station asking for dating advice for her mom, the interview goes viral, thrusting Aiden and Heartstrings into the limelight.

Lucie Stone thought she was doing just fine. She has a good job; an incredible family; and a smart, slightly devious kid. But when all of Baltimore is suddenly scrutinizing her love life-or lack thereof鈥攕he begins to question if she's as happy as she thought. Maybe a little more romance wouldn't be such a bad thing.

Everyone wants Lucie to find her happy ending... even the handsome, temperamental man calling the shots. But when sparks start to fly behind the scenes, Lucie must make the final call between the radio-sponsored happily ever after or the man in the headphones next to her.]]> 448 B.K. Borison 0593641191 Tarryn 0 to-read 4.05 2025 First-Time Caller (Heartstrings, #1)
author: B.K. Borison
name: Tarryn
average rating: 4.05
book published: 2025
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/04/05
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[The Rose Bargain: A Victorian Young Adult Romantasy Novel]]> 211742041 The Cruel Prince meets The Selection in this captivating duology opener brimming with heart-pounding romance, vicious competition, and beautiful, cruel fae, from the New York Times bestselling author of The Witch Haven, Sasha Peyton Smith.

Every citizen of England is granted one bargain from their immortal fae queen.

High society girls are expected to bargain for qualities that will win them suitors: a rare talent for piano in exchange for one鈥檚 happiest childhood memory. A perfect smile for one鈥檚 ability to taste.

But Ivy Benton鈥檚 debut season arrives with a shocking twist: a competition to secure the heart of the Queen鈥檚 fae son, Prince Bram. A prize that could save Ivy鈥檚 family from ruin鈥� and free her sister from the bargain that destroyed her.

Yet every glittering fae deal has a rotting heart鈥攁nd at the center of this contest is a dark plot that could destroy everything Ivy knows.

Sweepingly romantic and deceptively enchanting, this alternate history romantasy will enthrall readers of Holly Black, Stephanie Garber, and Adalyn Grace.]]> 400 Sasha Peyton Smith 0063372525 Tarryn 0 to-read 3.97 2025 The Rose Bargain: A Victorian Young Adult Romantasy Novel
author: Sasha Peyton Smith
name: Tarryn
average rating: 3.97
book published: 2025
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/04/05
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> Honey & Spice 59088365 Introducing internationally bestselling author Bolu Babalola's dazzling debut novel, full of passion, humor, and heart, that centers on a young Black British woman who has no interest in love and unexpectedly finds herself caught up in a fake relationship with the man she warned her girls about

Sweet like plantain, hot like pepper. They taste the best when together...

Sharp-tongued (and secretly soft-hearted) Kiki Banjo has just made a huge mistake. As an expert in relationship-evasion and the host of the popular student radio show Brown Sugar, she's made it her mission to make sure the women of the African-Caribbean Society at Whitewell University do not fall into the mess of "situationships", players, and heartbreak. But when the Queen of the Unbothered kisses Malakai Korede, the guy she just publicly denounced as "The Wastemen of Whitewell," in front of every Blackwellian on campus, she finds her show on the brink.

They're soon embroiled in a fake relationship to try and salvage their reputations and save their futures. Kiki has never surrendered her heart before, and a player like Malakai won't be the one to change that, no matter how charming he is or how electric their connection feels. But surprisingly entertaining study sessions and intimate, late-night talks at old-fashioned diners force Kiki to look beyond her own presumptions. Is she ready to open herself up to something deeper?

A gloriously funny and sparkling debut novel, Honey and Spice is full of delicious tension and romantic intrigue that will make you weak at the knees.]]> 368 Bolu Babalola 0063141485 Tarryn 0 to-read 3.90 2022 Honey & Spice
author: Bolu Babalola
name: Tarryn
average rating: 3.90
book published: 2022
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/04/05
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[The Beastly Brothers: A Beauty & the Beast retelling with two beasts (Beloved Villains Book 5)]]> 63001194 (Previously published as the serial story "Beauty and Two Beasts" on Kindle Vella. This version has been spiced up quite a bit more!)
When Lyrical's family sells her to slavers, she expects the worst. But demon wolves attack the slavers' cart, freeing her to run into the forest, where she discovers a mysterious castle surrounded by a garden maze. Two cursed brothers inhabit the castle and its grounds. Both are monstrous in form, as well as damaged and dangerous at heart. And both are intent on claiming her.

In this dark, spicy Beauty & the Beast fairytale retelling, the main character is intimately involved with both brothers (separately), but she chooses one.

Trigger and content warnings can be found on the author's website and in the front matter of the book.]]> 369 Rebecca F. Kenney Tarryn 3
I loved seeing Kenney do some true monster romance, but everything moved too fast. The story was so incredibly rushed and it was a real detriment. There were so many elements that could have been fleshed out, but were never able to. This story just didn't have enough room to breath.

I'm pretty sure the story originally debuted on Kindle Vella which, from my understanding, is like a live updated story that premieres chapters each week? I might be making that up, but alas, I shan't be Googling it and instead will just keep typing here.

Anyway, if the story was originally more short form and was adapted to a normal novel then I can see how this just wasn't properly attended to with added content. It says that it was essentially expanded from it's Vella form but I think we could have used a fair amount more to fully flesh everything out. ]]> 3.75 The Beastly Brothers: A Beauty & the Beast retelling with two beasts (Beloved Villains Book 5)
author: Rebecca F. Kenney
name: Tarryn
average rating: 3.75
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2025/03/22
date added: 2025/04/05
shelves: a-world-but-not-our-own, angsty-angst, attack-of-the-sequel, disappointments, fae-tales, instalove, kindle-unlimited, magical-people-magicking, murder-x-attempts, perverted-and-unashamed, reimagined, royalty-blows, smut-with-some-substance, weres-and-shifters
review:
This is an older Kenney story, and you can tell. While the bones of her talent are there, it's still only an endeavor in her path to growth. And ya'll know how I fucking rave about her books, so there has been soooo much growth to the writing since this.

I loved seeing Kenney do some true monster romance, but everything moved too fast. The story was so incredibly rushed and it was a real detriment. There were so many elements that could have been fleshed out, but were never able to. This story just didn't have enough room to breath.

I'm pretty sure the story originally debuted on Kindle Vella which, from my understanding, is like a live updated story that premieres chapters each week? I might be making that up, but alas, I shan't be Googling it and instead will just keep typing here.

Anyway, if the story was originally more short form and was adapted to a normal novel then I can see how this just wasn't properly attended to with added content. It says that it was essentially expanded from it's Vella form but I think we could have used a fair amount more to fully flesh everything out.
]]> <![CDATA[The Midnight King: A Cinderella Retelling (Beloved Villains)]]> 222152090
This spicy romantasy retelling of the Cinderella fairytale will appeal to fans of Scarlett St. Clair, Karina Halle, and Raven Kennedy. It's a fantasy romance novella with a love triangle and frequent spicy scenes in addition to a compelling plot. This ebook includes all available bonus chapters. Reading guidance can be found at the beginning of the book or on the author's website.]]> 305 Rebecca F. Kenney Tarryn 4 Wicked Darlings universe, which is my EVERYTHING.

The Midnight King served so much harder than I expected. I mean, first off, I didn't expect the WD connection. What a phenomenal surprise. And it worked so well. We also get some real Ella Enchanted vibes, which really added to the darker elements of the story.

I loved how everything played out. Some really fun twists and reveals that I didn't expect. Has to be one of my favorite Cinderella reimagings! Oh, how I hope we continue to visit the Wicked Darlings world!]]> 4.11 The Midnight King: A Cinderella Retelling (Beloved Villains)
author: Rebecca F. Kenney
name: Tarryn
average rating: 4.11
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2025/03/19
date added: 2025/04/05
shelves: a-world-but-not-our-own, body-swapping-fun, covers-that-make-me-cringe, fae-tales, instalove, magical-people-magicking, murder-x-attempts, reimagined, royalty-blows, smut-with-some-substance, space-and-time-and-dimension-travel, young-reading
review:
Oh, baaaaaaby. Kenney is in her stride. And she's writing connective stories to the Wicked Darlings universe, which is my EVERYTHING.

The Midnight King served so much harder than I expected. I mean, first off, I didn't expect the WD connection. What a phenomenal surprise. And it worked so well. We also get some real Ella Enchanted vibes, which really added to the darker elements of the story.

I loved how everything played out. Some really fun twists and reveals that I didn't expect. Has to be one of my favorite Cinderella reimagings! Oh, how I hope we continue to visit the Wicked Darlings world!
]]> Phantom 217987129 The married woman of the manor. The stranger outside. An intoxicating novel of dark temptation and dangerous desire by the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Cat and Mouse Duet.

November 12, 1944. This house holds on to souls for a lifetime. I thought I had given it to my husband when I vowed to love him until the end of time. I lied. Nothing could have prepared me for the day my phantom appeared outside my window. He was terrifying, yet hypnotizing, and I couldn鈥檛 deny my intrigue. I never intended to fall into a whirlwind romance with my stalker. Especially because he鈥檚 so much more than that. A criminal. A mobster. The man who offers me solace from the monster in Parsons Manor. There are many that haunt these halls, yet it鈥檚 only my husband I fear.]]> 367 H.D. Carlton Tarryn 4
My thoughts after reading: I'm SO glad Carlton wrote this book.

I don't know what it is, my dudes. But this one? *chef's kiss* Give me more!

This is the story of Genevieve or Gigi, Adeline's (From Carlton's Haunting Adeline fame) great-grandmother. And if you've read that duology, you probably understand why, when I first saw this pop up on Kindle Unlimited, I was like - uhhhh, but why? And Carlton said, why not?! Thank godddddd.

Genevieve and Ronaldo were engaging to me in a way that Adeline and Zade never were. And Ronaldo is my type of crazy main. Now he's a man I can understand falling for after he stalks you for a while ]]> 3.97 2025 Phantom
author: H.D. Carlton
name: Tarryn
average rating: 3.97
book published: 2025
rating: 4
read at: 2025/04/05
date added: 2025/04/05
shelves: angsty-adult-love, fluffy-bits, ghosties-and-ghoulies, historical-setting, instalove, killin-for-a-livin, kindle-unlimited, made-me-cry, murder-x-attempts, perverted-and-unashamed, smut-with-some-substance
review:
My thoughts before reading: Carlton didn't really need to write this book.

My thoughts after reading: I'm SO glad Carlton wrote this book.

I don't know what it is, my dudes. But this one? *chef's kiss* Give me more!

This is the story of Genevieve or Gigi, Adeline's (From Carlton's Haunting Adeline fame) great-grandmother. And if you've read that duology, you probably understand why, when I first saw this pop up on Kindle Unlimited, I was like - uhhhh, but why? And Carlton said, why not?! Thank godddddd.

Genevieve and Ronaldo were engaging to me in a way that Adeline and Zade never were. And Ronaldo is my type of crazy main. Now he's a man I can understand falling for after he stalks you for a while
]]> The Day of the Door 194028842
Now two decades later, Stella promises to finally reveal the truth of what happened on The Day of the Door. Accompanied by a paranormal investigative team, the Lasco family comes together one final time, but no one is prepared for the revelations waiting for them on the third floor.]]> 228 Laurel Hightower Tarryn 0 to-read 3.90 2024 The Day of the Door
author: Laurel Hightower
name: Tarryn
average rating: 3.90
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/04/03
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> Pet Sematary 33124137 This is an alternate Cover Edition for ASIN: B00K3NEE56. When the Creeds move into a beautiful old house in rural Maine, it all seems too good to be true: physician father, beautiful wife, charming little daughter, adorable infant son-and now an idyllic home. As a family, they've got it all...right down to the friendly car. But the nearby woods hide a blood-chilling truth-more terrifying than death itself-and hideously more powerful. The Creeds are going to learn that sometimes dead is better.]]> 580 Stephen King Tarryn 4 4.21 1983 Pet Sematary
author: Stephen King
name: Tarryn
average rating: 4.21
book published: 1983
rating: 4
read at: 2019/04/09
date added: 2025/04/03
shelves: angsty-adult-love, creepy-af, ghosties-and-ghoulies, scribd, undead-creatures
review:

]]> Time Loops & Meet Cutes 220161319 The 鈥渕asterful, inspiring, and full of heart鈥� (Ali Hazelwood, New York Times bestselling author) Jackie Lau returns with a thoroughly unique love story about a woman reliving the same Friday over and over again鈥攁nd the intriguing man who can鈥檛 quite remember her.

Noelle Tom really shouldn鈥檛 have eaten those dumplings at the night market. But the old lady at the stall said they鈥檇 give her what she needed most, and what Noelle desperately needed after another long workweek was food.

Except now she鈥檚 reliving the same Friday over and over. Every morning her alarm goes off at 6:45 no matter what, the Wordle answer is always 鈥渉appy,鈥� and she watches a silly squirrel video go viral day after day. And no matter how much she works on the same proposal, it鈥檚 always erased when she wakes up. It seems Monday will never come in this workaholic鈥檚 worst nightmare.

Noelle has no idea how being trapped in a time loop is the 鈥渢hing she needed most,鈥� especially now that everything seems meaningless. Sure, three fancy meals in a row is a fun treat, but it鈥檚 getting repetitive. Noelle鈥檚 not sure what lesson the old lady was trying to impart. Even a trip to the dumpling stall doesn鈥檛 help鈥ecause there鈥檚 no sign of it.

But then she meets a young woman who also ate the dumplings, and good-looking Cam, who appears in multiple places on her Friday. While he seems to have no memory of their encounters, there are signs he might be the key to getting un-stuck. But Noelle will have to put work aside and live a little in order to make him notice her. As their flirtation progresses, Noelle begins to worry that if she ever gets to turn the calendar page, Cam won鈥檛 know who she is and her life may never return to what it was before that fateful Friday鈥]> 352 Jackie Lau 1668030799 Tarryn 0 to-read 3.97 2025 Time Loops & Meet Cutes
author: Jackie Lau
name: Tarryn
average rating: 3.97
book published: 2025
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/04/03
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> Destined (Wings, #4) 12846479 听
Laurel used to think she was an ordinary girl from Crescent City, California. She never would have believed she was truly a faerie from a realm called Avalon.
听
Now Laurel must risk her life to save Avalon from destruction by Yuki鈥攁 rare and powerful Winter faerie鈥攁nd troll-hunter Klea. But Laurel won鈥檛 have to fight alone; David and Tamani, two boys she loves in different ways, will be by her side, along with her best friend, Chelsea.
听
Readers of the Need and Graceling series will want to follow Laurel鈥檚 story from its beginning in Wings to its heart-stopping end in Destined .
听]]> 307 Aprilynne Pike 0061668125 Tarryn 4
But really..."I miss him already". Please shoot me, I ship it. Thanks, Pike, for ending the series by creating a fucking new OTP! D:

2020 review: okay, so I think I know what happened. The one and only time I鈥檇 read this book was back in 2014. Since then I鈥檝e carried the lingering sense of utter disappointment I recalled feeling from reading it. Time blurred the actual events of the book pretty much down to nothing, but I was still left with the sense that I did not like this book. And at the time, I didn鈥檛.

But now? Rereading this book (this time on audio) had me feeling super confused because I wasn鈥檛 annoyed...at all. I basically couldn鈥檛 remember anything that had happened so it was like a totally new read, but this time I was totally into it. In fact, I REALLY liked it, more than I enjoyed the reread of the other three books, of which I had stronger memories of. Inexplicably I even spent a good majority of the book crying about it lol Quite a drastic change in reaction, right?

Well like I said, I think I know what happened: summer of 2014 I was on a 鈥渇inish this series鈥� kick. I was determined to finish a bunch of teen series I鈥檇 started over the years but never completed. Wings was one of, if not, the last series I plowed through and at that point I was running on sheer force of will and stubbornness, because prior to it I had finished the Fallen series and the Hush, Hush series. Suffice it to say, those were two TEDIOUS series for me to finish, and I think by the time I was getting through Wings I was just over EVERYTHING.

So I this is a formal apology to Destined, book 4 in the Wings series: I am so sorry for hating you when you鈥檙e actually not that bad lol I even raised your rating which was originally a 3 star but is now a 4 (but honestly maybe a 4.5, but I鈥檓 not bumping it up any more because it wasn鈥檛 *that* remarkable haha)

But now to see if that 5th book that I didn鈥檛 know existed until a week ago is any good....

(Also, now I鈥檓 wondering if I should be a masochist and reread the Fallen and Hush, Hush series on audio to see if I don鈥檛 hate them anymore lol)]]> 4.17 2012 Destined (Wings, #4)
author: Aprilynne Pike
name: Tarryn
average rating: 4.17
book published: 2012
rating: 4
read at: 2014/12/03
date added: 2025/03/30
shelves: fae-tales, libby, murder-x-attempts, made-me-cry, reread, royalty-blows, you-gain-something-on-the-reread
review:
2014 review: I don't even know what to think. I was annoyed a good majority of the time, but the end, with David's letter broke my heart. Still, this was a pretty big disappointment and I'm not sure if it's the books fault or that I'm just starting to grow out of some of the more mediocre grade young adult novels.

But really..."I miss him already". Please shoot me, I ship it. Thanks, Pike, for ending the series by creating a fucking new OTP! D:

2020 review: okay, so I think I know what happened. The one and only time I鈥檇 read this book was back in 2014. Since then I鈥檝e carried the lingering sense of utter disappointment I recalled feeling from reading it. Time blurred the actual events of the book pretty much down to nothing, but I was still left with the sense that I did not like this book. And at the time, I didn鈥檛.

But now? Rereading this book (this time on audio) had me feeling super confused because I wasn鈥檛 annoyed...at all. I basically couldn鈥檛 remember anything that had happened so it was like a totally new read, but this time I was totally into it. In fact, I REALLY liked it, more than I enjoyed the reread of the other three books, of which I had stronger memories of. Inexplicably I even spent a good majority of the book crying about it lol Quite a drastic change in reaction, right?

Well like I said, I think I know what happened: summer of 2014 I was on a 鈥渇inish this series鈥� kick. I was determined to finish a bunch of teen series I鈥檇 started over the years but never completed. Wings was one of, if not, the last series I plowed through and at that point I was running on sheer force of will and stubbornness, because prior to it I had finished the Fallen series and the Hush, Hush series. Suffice it to say, those were two TEDIOUS series for me to finish, and I think by the time I was getting through Wings I was just over EVERYTHING.

So I this is a formal apology to Destined, book 4 in the Wings series: I am so sorry for hating you when you鈥檙e actually not that bad lol I even raised your rating which was originally a 3 star but is now a 4 (but honestly maybe a 4.5, but I鈥檓 not bumping it up any more because it wasn鈥檛 *that* remarkable haha)

But now to see if that 5th book that I didn鈥檛 know existed until a week ago is any good....

(Also, now I鈥檓 wondering if I should be a masochist and reread the Fallen and Hush, Hush series on audio to see if I don鈥檛 hate them anymore lol)
]]> Illusions (Wings, #3) 6918909 "I don't do patrols, I don't go hunting, I just stick close to you. You live your life, I'll keep you safe," Tamani said, sweeping a lock of hair from her face. "Or die trying."

Laurel hasn't seen Tamani since she begged him to let her go last year. Though her heart still aches, Laurel is confident that David was the right choice.

But just as life returns to normal, Laurel realizes that a hidden enemy lies in wait. Once again, Laurel must turn to Tamani to protect and guide her, for the danger that now threatens Avalon is one that no faerie thought would ever be possible.]]> 375 Aprilynne Pike 0061668095 Tarryn 4 fae-tales, libby, reread
his series is getting more and more interesting. My first thought when I started reading this book was: TAMANI IS SCOTTISH?! I had some trouble with this for a while, even after I was done with this book. But then I Youtube searched Scottish accents, found that an actor I love, James Mcavoy, is Scottish, listened to him speak, and was perfectly content with Tamani's brouge.

Laurel is still driving me kind of crazy. It was a whole bunch of steps with her in this book; one step forward, two steps back, take one huge leap, then two steps forward, one step back. Over and over. Oh, well. There were some moments where she seemed to be making great decisions but then began to stumble. I wish there were more Avalon moments in this book, because so far in this series, other than one part in this book, my favorite thing that's happened was Laurel's first visit to Avalon at the beginning of Spells.

I don't know how I feel about Yuki; near the end of the book she started to irritate me and by the very end I don't think I liked her at all. I'm just already ready for the next book. Aprilynne, please don't make us wait a whole year! PLEASE! Gahhhhhhhhhhh.

Really great book. Read it.]]> 4.11 2011 Illusions (Wings, #3)
author: Aprilynne Pike
name: Tarryn
average rating: 4.11
book published: 2011
rating: 4
read at: 2014/07/21
date added: 2025/03/30
shelves: fae-tales, libby, reread
review:
Original 2014 review:

his series is getting more and more interesting. My first thought when I started reading this book was: TAMANI IS SCOTTISH?! I had some trouble with this for a while, even after I was done with this book. But then I Youtube searched Scottish accents, found that an actor I love, James Mcavoy, is Scottish, listened to him speak, and was perfectly content with Tamani's brouge.

Laurel is still driving me kind of crazy. It was a whole bunch of steps with her in this book; one step forward, two steps back, take one huge leap, then two steps forward, one step back. Over and over. Oh, well. There were some moments where she seemed to be making great decisions but then began to stumble. I wish there were more Avalon moments in this book, because so far in this series, other than one part in this book, my favorite thing that's happened was Laurel's first visit to Avalon at the beginning of Spells.

I don't know how I feel about Yuki; near the end of the book she started to irritate me and by the very end I don't think I liked her at all. I'm just already ready for the next book. Aprilynne, please don't make us wait a whole year! PLEASE! Gahhhhhhhhhhh.

Really great book. Read it.
]]> Spells (Wings, #2) 6801582 "I can't just storm in and proclaim my intentions. I can't 'steal' you away. I just have to wait and hope that, someday, you'll ask," Tamani said.

"And if I don't?" Laurel said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Then I guess I'll be waiting forever."

Although Laurel has come to accept her true identity as a faerie, she refuses to turn her back on her human life - and especially her boyfriend, David - to return to the faerie world.

But when she is summoned to Avalon, Laurel's feelings for the charismatic faerie sentry Tamani are undeniable. She is forced to make a choice - a choice that could break her heart.]]> 359 Aprilynne Pike 0061668060 Tarryn 4
2020 rating and review: 4 stars. It鈥檚 so interesting what time does to the books you once loved. This series, and this book, used to be one of my all time favorites. And now? I still like it, absolutely. But favorite? Not at all. While some things, like the descriptions of Avalon, are still some of my favorite aspects of this book. But I鈥檓 significantly less interested in the love triangle. Do I still prefer Tamani over David? Definitely. But do I care? Not a ton.

Laurel is still a very frustrating character, it鈥檚 clear by basically everything she says and does that she鈥檚 very selfish but I think I鈥檓 realizing now that one of the reasons she bothers me so much is that I would probably be making a lot of the same mistakes and decisions she does, and that awareness is a bummer haha.

The reread of this series has really highlighted some new aspects that I never really cared too much about. Firstly, Chelsea. She鈥檚 amazing!!!! I don鈥檛 think I paid too much mind to her or gave her the props she deserved when I first was obsessed with this series. But now I am very much aware that she is absolutely the best character in this series. And the most gripping part of this book for me now was Laurel鈥檚 relationship with her mom. I can鈥檛 remember feeling much of anything about it years ago, but I actually cried basically any time there was a scene focused on them. It really is so fascinating to come back to series from my past and relive them, knowing that I鈥檓 basically an entire different person than I was when I first fell in love with these stories, to see what catches me now.]]> 3.98 2009 Spells (Wings, #2)
author: Aprilynne Pike
name: Tarryn
average rating: 3.98
book published: 2009
rating: 4
read at: 2014/07/03
date added: 2025/03/30
shelves: annoying-mains, fae-tales, in-love-with-a-fictional-character, libby, murder-x-attempts, made-me-cry, reread
review:
2014 rating and review: 5 stars. Oh, how this book killed me. The beginning, when Laurel was in Avalon, was superb. I enjoyed it so much. After that, it was still good, but I knew that the story was going to end up crushing my soul. Spells has left me waiting for Illusions, feeling as though I might have a heart attack before it gets released. Ahh, I can't wait!!

2020 rating and review: 4 stars. It鈥檚 so interesting what time does to the books you once loved. This series, and this book, used to be one of my all time favorites. And now? I still like it, absolutely. But favorite? Not at all. While some things, like the descriptions of Avalon, are still some of my favorite aspects of this book. But I鈥檓 significantly less interested in the love triangle. Do I still prefer Tamani over David? Definitely. But do I care? Not a ton.

Laurel is still a very frustrating character, it鈥檚 clear by basically everything she says and does that she鈥檚 very selfish but I think I鈥檓 realizing now that one of the reasons she bothers me so much is that I would probably be making a lot of the same mistakes and decisions she does, and that awareness is a bummer haha.

The reread of this series has really highlighted some new aspects that I never really cared too much about. Firstly, Chelsea. She鈥檚 amazing!!!! I don鈥檛 think I paid too much mind to her or gave her the props she deserved when I first was obsessed with this series. But now I am very much aware that she is absolutely the best character in this series. And the most gripping part of this book for me now was Laurel鈥檚 relationship with her mom. I can鈥檛 remember feeling much of anything about it years ago, but I actually cried basically any time there was a scene focused on them. It really is so fascinating to come back to series from my past and relive them, knowing that I鈥檓 basically an entire different person than I was when I first fell in love with these stories, to see what catches me now.
]]> Wings (Wings, #1) 5056084
Laurel turned to the mirror again, her eyes on the hovering petals that floated beside her head. They looked almost like wings.

In this extraordinary tale of magic and intrigue, romance and danger, everything you thought you knew about faeries will be changed forever.]]> 290 Aprilynne Pike 0061668036 Tarryn 4
I absolutely adore this book and its concept. It's interesting and refreshing and I loved all the characters. I feel more with the triangle in this book than the ones in most books.]]> 3.77 2009 Wings (Wings, #1)
author: Aprilynne Pike
name: Tarryn
average rating: 3.77
book published: 2009
rating: 4
read at: 2014/06/10
date added: 2025/03/30
shelves: fae-tales, in-love-with-a-fictional-character, libby, murder-x-attempts, reread, you-lose-something-on-the-reread
review:
Original review from eons ago:

I absolutely adore this book and its concept. It's interesting and refreshing and I loved all the characters. I feel more with the triangle in this book than the ones in most books.
]]> Shy Girl 224070664
For fans of Nightbitch by Rachel Yoder and Lisa Taddeo's Animal, Shy Girl is a harrowing tale of girlhood, survival, autonomy, and revenge.]]> 247 Mia Ballard Tarryn 0 to-read 3.98 2025 Shy Girl
author: Mia Ballard
name: Tarryn
average rating: 3.98
book published: 2025
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/03/28
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> Boys with Sharp Teeth 208840739 We Were Liars meets The Raven Boys in this mind-bending YA debut about dark revenge, twisted desire, and the sinister secrets lurking behind the walls of an elite boarding school.

Seventeen-year-old Marin James has spent her entire life living in the shadow of the exclusive Huntsworth Academy. And when her cousin鈥檚 dead body is found in a creek on school property, Marin knows exactly who鈥檚 to blame: Adrian Hargraves and Henry Wu, the enigmatic yet dangerously alluring leaders of the school's social elite.

Swapping her ripped jeans for a crisp prep school skirt, Marin infiltrates Huntsworth to seek justice. But her quest is quickly muddied by a confusing attraction to her new life, and to the two dysfunctional and depraved boys who somehow understand her better than anyone ever has.

When Marin uncovers an otherworldly secret the boys are hiding within Huntsworth's ivied gates, the lines between right and wrong, love and hate, and nightmare and reality begin to crumble -- and nothing is as it seems.

Welcome to Huntsworth Academy.]]> 400 Jenni Howell 1250334594 Tarryn 0 to-read 3.36 2025 Boys with Sharp Teeth
author: Jenni Howell
name: Tarryn
average rating: 3.36
book published: 2025
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/03/28
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Harry Potter, #5)]]> 2
Harry has had enough. He is beginning to think he must do something, anything, to change his situation, when the summer holidays come to an end in a very dramatic fashion. What Harry is about to discover in his new year at Hogwarts will turn his world upside down...]]> 912 J.K. Rowling Tarryn 5 4.50 2003 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Harry Potter, #5)
author: J.K. Rowling
name: Tarryn
average rating: 4.50
book published: 2003
rating: 5
read at: 2019/06/15
date added: 2025/03/25
shelves: adventure-is-out-there, angsty-angst, annoying-mains, character-deaths-that-got-me-shook, ghosties-and-ghoulies, heists-and-break-ins, libby, magical-people-magicking, murder-x-attempts, reread, young-reading
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Harry Potter, #4)]]> 6 734 J.K. Rowling 0439139597 Tarryn 5 4.56 2000 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Harry Potter, #4)
author: J.K. Rowling
name: Tarryn
average rating: 4.56
book published: 2000
rating: 5
read at: 2019/05/29
date added: 2025/03/25
shelves: adventure-is-out-there, angsty-angst, character-deaths-that-got-me-shook, favorites, libby, magical-people-magicking, murder-x-attempts, made-me-cry, reread, young-reading
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Harry Potter, #2)]]> 15881
And strike it does. For in Harry鈥檚 second year at Hogwarts, fresh torments and horrors arise, including an outrageously stuck-up new professor and a spirit who haunts the girls鈥� bathroom. But then the real trouble begins 鈥� someone is turning Hogwarts students to stone. Could it be Draco Malfoy, a more poisonous rival than ever? Could it possibly be Hagrid, whose mysterious past is finally told? Or could it be the one everyone at Hogwarts most suspects鈥� Harry Potter himself!]]> 352 J.K. Rowling Tarryn 5 4.42 1998 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Harry Potter, #2)
author: J.K. Rowling
name: Tarryn
average rating: 4.42
book published: 1998
rating: 5
read at: 2011/11/13
date added: 2025/03/25
shelves: adventure-is-out-there, favorites, ghosties-and-ghoulies, libby, magical-people-magicking, murder-x-attempts, reread, young-reading
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Harry Potter, #3)]]> 5 435 J.K. Rowling 043965548X Tarryn 5 4.57 1999 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Harry Potter, #3)
author: J.K. Rowling
name: Tarryn
average rating: 4.57
book published: 1999
rating: 5
read at: 2019/05/20
date added: 2025/03/25
shelves: adventure-is-out-there, ghosties-and-ghoulies, libby, magical-people-magicking, made-me-cry, murder-x-attempts, reread, space-and-time-and-dimension-travel, young-reading
review:

]]> <![CDATA[The Maleficent Faerie (Beloved Villains, #2)]]> 126168670 When Malec, the Void King, attacks Princess Dawn's carriage, her Fae bodyguard Aura switches places with her. Glamoured as a human, Aura must fool Malec into thinking she's the Princess he cursed 25 years ago. Relentless and powerful, but with a vulnerable side he hides from others, Malec begins to crave Aura's respect as much as he craves her body.


Trigger warnings and content warnings can be found on the author's website or in the front matter of the book.]]> 337 Rebecca F. Kenney Tarryn 4 not vibing at first. My hackles raised, I felt a dreadful familiarity creeping nearer. But what could it be? Oh. Oh, no. Is this just my most disliked Kenney novel, The Gargoyle Protector, but Faerie instead of Gargoyle? The same prejudiced main? The heated political climate with a clear divide? I was ready to riot. (joke!!)

Thankfully, our girl has continued to grow as a writer and has developed enough to take the story in a much more tolerable direction with characters much more redeemable feeling.

Also, Kenney has really stepped it up on adding fun twists. As a brain-off reader of most things, it made for a very fun ride!]]> 3.97 The Maleficent Faerie (Beloved Villains, #2)
author: Rebecca F. Kenney
name: Tarryn
average rating: 3.97
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2025/03/06
date added: 2025/03/25
shelves: enemies-to-lovers-babyyy, fae-tales, here-be-dragons, instalove, kindle-unlimited, made-me-cry, magical-people-magicking, murder-x-attempts, perverted-and-unashamed, reimagined, royalty-blows, smut-with-some-substance, space-and-time-and-dimension-travel, the-world-is-totally-fucked
review:
This one had me scared, ya'll!! The vibes just were not vibing at first. My hackles raised, I felt a dreadful familiarity creeping nearer. But what could it be? Oh. Oh, no. Is this just my most disliked Kenney novel, The Gargoyle Protector, but Faerie instead of Gargoyle? The same prejudiced main? The heated political climate with a clear divide? I was ready to riot. (joke!!)

Thankfully, our girl has continued to grow as a writer and has developed enough to take the story in a much more tolerable direction with characters much more redeemable feeling.

Also, Kenney has really stepped it up on adding fun twists. As a brain-off reader of most things, it made for a very fun ride!
]]> <![CDATA[Mockingjay (The Hunger Games, #3)]]> 7260188 My name is Katniss Everdeen.
Why am I not dead?
I should be dead.

Katniss Everdeen, girl on fire, has survived, even though her home has been destroyed. Gale has escaped. Katniss's family is safe. Peeta has been captured by the Capitol. District 13 really does exist. There are rebels. There are new leaders. A revolution is unfolding.

It is by design that Katniss was rescued from the arena in the cruel and haunting Quarter Quell, and it is by design that she has long been part of the revolution without knowing it. District 13 has come out of the shadows and is plotting to overthrow the Capitol. Everyone, it seems, has had a hand in the carefully laid plans鈥攅xcept Katniss.

The success of the rebellion hinges on Katniss's willingness to be a pawn, to accept responsibility for countless lives, and to change the course of the future of Panem. To do this, she must put aside her feelings of anger and distrust. She must become the rebels' Mockingjay鈥攏o matter what the personal cost.]]> 390 Suzanne Collins 0439023513 Tarryn 5 4.10 2010 Mockingjay (The Hunger Games, #3)
author: Suzanne Collins
name: Tarryn
average rating: 4.10
book published: 2010
rating: 5
read at: 2021/05/09
date added: 2025/03/25
shelves: angsty-angst, character-deaths-that-got-me-shook, great-ends-for-great-series, in-love-with-a-fictional-character, libby, made-me-cry, murder-x-attempts, otp-otp-otp, reread, god-tier-audio, the-world-is-totally-fucked, you-gain-something-on-the-reread
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Catching Fire (The Hunger Games, #2)]]> 6148028 Sparks are igniting.
Flames are spreading.
And the Capitol wants revenge.

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the Hunger Games. She and fellow District 12 tribute Peeta Mellark are miraculously still alive. Katniss should be relieved, happy even. After all, she has returned to her family and her longtime friend, Gale. Yet nothing is the way Katniss wishes it to be. Gale holds her at an icy distance. Peeta has turned his back on her completely. And there are whispers of a rebellion against the Capitol鈥攁 rebellion that Katniss and Peeta may have helped create.

Much to her shock, Katniss has fueled an unrest that she's afraid she cannot stop. And what scares her even more is that she's not entirely convinced she should try. As time draws near for Katniss and Peeta to visit the districts on the Capitol's cruel Victory Tour, the stakes are higher than ever. If they can't prove, without a shadow of a doubt, that they are lost in their love for each other, the consequences will be horrifying.

In Catching Fire, the second novel of the Hunger Games trilogy, Suzanne Collins continues the story of Katniss Everdeen, testing her more than ever before . . . and surprising readers at every turn.]]> 391 Suzanne Collins 0439023491 Tarryn 5 4.34 2009 Catching Fire (The Hunger Games, #2)
author: Suzanne Collins
name: Tarryn
average rating: 4.34
book published: 2009
rating: 5
read at: 2021/01/16
date added: 2025/03/25
shelves: angsty-angst, character-deaths-that-got-me-shook, favorites, in-love-with-a-fictional-character, libby, murder-x-attempts, made-me-cry, otp-otp-otp, reread, the-world-is-totally-fucked, god-tier-audio
review:

]]> <![CDATA[The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, #1)]]> 2767052
Winning means fame and fortune. Losing means certain death. The Hunger Games have begun. . . .

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before-and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.]]> 374 Suzanne Collins Tarryn 5 4.34 2008 The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, #1)
author: Suzanne Collins
name: Tarryn
average rating: 4.34
book published: 2008
rating: 5
read at: 2020/12/09
date added: 2025/03/25
shelves: angsty-angst, character-deaths-that-got-me-shook, god-tier-audio, in-love-with-a-fictional-character, libby, murder-x-attempts, made-me-cry, otp-otp-otp, reread, the-world-is-totally-fucked
review:
There are some series that really don鈥檛 hold up to the hype they received at the height of their fame. The Hunger Games isn鈥檛 one of those series. Every time I come back to it, I find myself pleasantly surprised to re-discover how truly exceptional the story is. While I鈥檝e read the series through several times, it鈥檚 been a good handful of years since my last read through and I found myself as engaged and emotionally sucked in as I was the very first time I read this book. This was also my first time listening to it on audio and I decided on the special edition that鈥檚 read by Tatiana Maslany and that was 100% the right choice. She was just phenomenal and really captured a heart and spirit of Katniss Everdeen that was moving to listen to.
]]> <![CDATA[Something Borrowed (Darcy & Rachel, #1)]]> 42156 Something Borrowed tells the story of Rachel, a young attorney living and working in Manhattan.

Rachel has always been the consummate good girl鈥攗ntil her thirtieth birthday, when her best friend, Darcy, throws her a party. That night, after too many drinks, Rachel ends up in bed with Darcy's fianc茅. Although she wakes up determined to put the one-night fling behind her, Rachel is horrified to discover that she has genuine feelings for the one guy she should run from. As the September wedding date nears, Rachel knows she has to make a choice. In doing so, she discovers that the lines between right and wrong can be blurry, endings aren't always neat, and sometimes you have to risk all to win true happiness.

Something Borrowed is a phenomenal debut novel that will have you laughing, crying, and calling your best friend.
]]> 336 Emily Giffin 031232118X Tarryn 4
I watched the movie before I read this book and found it fairly entertaining but nothing too special. I kept hearing the book was much better and made sense of the relationships much more.

Firstly, Ethan and Hillary were the only characters I really even liked. Ironically, Ethan was the only character in the movie I liked and the movie clearly mashed Hillary and Ethan into a singular character. All the other characters were extremely annoying. I wasn't into the relationship between Rachel and Dex. I felt bad about the friendship between Rachel and Darcy, but Darcy was extremely unlikeable so I got over that.

Overall, I just wasn't invested in the characters or their story. I would have much preferred more of Rachel hanging out with Hillary and Ethan and I really thought Rachel should have moved to London. I've given it four stars, however, because it was never boring, and it was really well written and fairly fast paced. Still it's not something I would read again and I'm really hesitant to read Something Blue because the idea of Darcy and Ethan is fairly upsetting, especially with the mental image of John Krasinski and Kate Hudson.]]> 3.89 2004 Something Borrowed (Darcy & Rachel, #1)
author: Emily Giffin
name: Tarryn
average rating: 3.89
book published: 2004
rating: 4
read at: 2012/06/25
date added: 2025/03/25
shelves: angsty-adult-love, contemporaries, girl-friendships-are-complicated
review:
~Original 2012 review~

I watched the movie before I read this book and found it fairly entertaining but nothing too special. I kept hearing the book was much better and made sense of the relationships much more.

Firstly, Ethan and Hillary were the only characters I really even liked. Ironically, Ethan was the only character in the movie I liked and the movie clearly mashed Hillary and Ethan into a singular character. All the other characters were extremely annoying. I wasn't into the relationship between Rachel and Dex. I felt bad about the friendship between Rachel and Darcy, but Darcy was extremely unlikeable so I got over that.

Overall, I just wasn't invested in the characters or their story. I would have much preferred more of Rachel hanging out with Hillary and Ethan and I really thought Rachel should have moved to London. I've given it four stars, however, because it was never boring, and it was really well written and fairly fast paced. Still it's not something I would read again and I'm really hesitant to read Something Blue because the idea of Darcy and Ethan is fairly upsetting, especially with the mental image of John Krasinski and Kate Hudson.
]]> <![CDATA[A Dance with Dragons (A Song of Ice and Fire, #5)]]> 10664113 Alternate cover edition of ASIN B004XISI4A

In the aftermath of a colossal battle, the future of the Seven Kingdoms hangs in the balance鈥攂eset by newly emerging threats from every direction. In the east, Daenerys Targaryen, the last scion of House Targaryen, rules with her three dragons as queen of a city built on dust and death. But Daenerys has thousands of enemies, and many have set out to find her. As they gather, one young man embarks upon his own quest for the queen, with an entirely different goal in mind.

Fleeing from Westeros with a price on his head, Tyrion Lannister, too, is making his way to Daenerys. But his newest allies in this quest are not the rag-tag band they seem, and at their heart lies one who could undo Daenerys鈥檚 claim to Westeros forever.

Meanwhile, to the north lies the mammoth Wall of ice and stone鈥攁 structure only as strong as those guarding it. There, Jon Snow, 998th Lord Commander of the Night鈥檚 Watch, will face his greatest challenge. For he has powerful foes not only within the Watch but also beyond, in the land of the creatures of ice.

From all corners, bitter conflicts reignite, intimate betrayals are perpetrated, and a grand cast of outlaws and priests, soldiers and skinchangers, nobles and slaves, will face seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Some will fail, others will grow in the strength of darkness. But in a time of rising restlessness, the tides of destiny and politics will lead inevitably to the greatest dance of all.]]> 1125 George R.R. Martin Tarryn 4 a-world-but-not-our-own 4.33 2011 A Dance with Dragons (A Song of Ice and Fire, #5)
author: George R.R. Martin
name: Tarryn
average rating: 4.33
book published: 2011
rating: 4
read at: 2019/04/20
date added: 2025/03/22
shelves: a-world-but-not-our-own
review:

]]> <![CDATA[A Feast for Crows (A Song of Ice and Fire, #4)]]> 13497 Crows will fight over a dead man's flesh, and kill each other for his eyes.

Bloodthirsty, treacherous and cunning, the Lannisters are in power on the Iron Throne in the name of the boy-king Tommen. The war in the Seven Kingdoms has burned itself out, but in its bitter aftermath new conflicts spark to life.

The Martells of Dorne and the Starks of Winterfell seek vengeance for their dead. Euron Crow's Eye, as black a pirate as ever raised a sail, returns from the smoking ruins of Valyria to claim the Iron Isles. From the icy north, where Others threaten the Wall, apprentice Maester Samwell Tarly brings a mysterious babe in arms to the Citadel.

Against a backdrop of incest and fratricide, alchemy and murder, victory will go to the men and women possessed of the coldest steel and the coldest hearts.]]> 1060 George R.R. Martin 055358202X Tarryn 3 4.16 2005 A Feast for Crows (A Song of Ice and Fire, #4)
author: George R.R. Martin
name: Tarryn
average rating: 4.16
book published: 2005
rating: 3
read at: 2019/02/27
date added: 2025/03/22
shelves: a-world-but-not-our-own, historical-setting, libby, murder-x-attempts, royalty-blows, slow-going, the-world-is-totally-fucked, undead-creatures
review:

]]> <![CDATA[A Clash of Kings (A Song of Ice and Fire, #2)]]> 10572
It is a tale in which brother plots against brother and the dead rise to walk in the night. Here a princess masquerades as an orphan boy; a knight of the mind prepares a poison for a treacherous sorceress; and wild men descend from the Mountains of the Moon to ravage the countryside. Against a backdrop of incest and fratricide, alchemy and murder, victory may go to the men and women possessed of the coldest steel...and the coldest hearts. For when kings clash, the whole land trembles.

Here is the second volume in George R.R. Martin magnificent cycle of novels that includes A Game of Thrones and A Storm of Swords. As a whole, this series comprises a genuine masterpiece of modern fantasy, bringing together the best the genre has to offer. Magic, mystery, intrigue, romance, and adventure fill these pages and transport us to a world unlike any we have ever experienced. Already hailed as a classic, George R.R. Martin stunning series is destined to stand as one of the great achievements of imaginative fiction.]]> 1009 George R.R. Martin 0553381695 Tarryn 4 4.42 1998 A Clash of Kings (A Song of Ice and Fire, #2)
author: George R.R. Martin
name: Tarryn
average rating: 4.42
book published: 1998
rating: 4
read at: 2019/01/31
date added: 2025/03/22
shelves: adventure-is-out-there, demons-being-rude, historical-setting, libby, magical-people-magicking, royalty-blows, the-world-is-totally-fucked, undead-creatures
review:

]]> <![CDATA[A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1)]]> 13496
Sweeping from a harsh land of cold to a summertime kingdom of epicurean plenty, A Game of Thrones tells a tale of lords and ladies, soldiers and sorcerers, assassins and bastards, who come together in a time of grim omens. Here an enigmatic band of warriors bear swords of no human metal; a tribe of fierce wildlings carry men off into madness; a cruel young dragon prince barters his sister to win back his throne; a child is lost in the twilight between life and death; and a determined woman undertakes a treacherous journey to protect all she holds dear. Amid plots and counter-plots, tragedy and betrayal, victory and terror, allies and enemies, the fate of the Starks hangs perilously in the balance, as each side endeavors to win that deadliest of conflicts: the game of thrones.]]> 835 George R.R. Martin 0553588486 Tarryn 4 4.44 1996 A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1)
author: George R.R. Martin
name: Tarryn
average rating: 4.44
book published: 1996
rating: 4
read at: 2019/01/16
date added: 2025/03/22
shelves: a-world-but-not-our-own, historical-setting, libby, murder-x-attempts, royalty-blows, the-world-is-totally-fucked, undead-creatures
review:

]]> The Staircase in the Woods 216971219 A group of friends investigates the mystery of a strange staircase in the woods in this mesmerizing horror novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Book of Accidents.

Five high school friends are bonded by an oath to protect one another no matter what.

Then, on a camping trip in the middle of the forest, they find something a mysterious staircase to nowhere.

One friend walks up鈥攁nd never comes back down. Then the staircase disappears.

Twenty years later, the staircase has reappeared. Now the group returns to find the lost boy鈥攁nd what lies beyond the staircase in the woods. . . .]]> 388 Chuck Wendig 0593156560 Tarryn 0 to-read 3.84 2025 The Staircase in the Woods
author: Chuck Wendig
name: Tarryn
average rating: 3.84
book published: 2025
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/03/21
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> Eat the Ones You Love 203579211
During a grocery run to her local shopping center, Shell Pine sees a 鈥楬ELP NEEDED鈥� sign in a flower shop window. She鈥檚 just left her fianc茅, lost her job, and moved home to her parents鈥� house. She has to make a change and bring some good into her life, so she goes inside and takes a chance. Shell realizes right away that flowers are just the good thing she's been looking for, as is Neve, the beautiful florist who wrote the sign asking for help. The thing is, Neve needs help more than Shell could possibly imagine.

An orchid growing out of sight in the heart of the mall is watching them closely. His name is Baby, and the beautiful florist belongs to him. He鈥檚 young, he鈥檚 hungry, and he鈥檒l do just about anything to make sure he can keep growing big and strong. Nothing he eats 鈥� nobody he eats 鈥� can satisfy him, except the thing he most desires. Neve. He adores her and wants to consume her, and will stop at nothing to eat the one he loves.

This is a story about possession, and monstrosity, and working retail. It is about hunger and desire, and other terrible things that grow.]]> 288 Sarah Maria Griffin 1250910692 Tarryn 0 to-read 3.80 2025 Eat the Ones You Love
author: Sarah Maria Griffin
name: Tarryn
average rating: 3.80
book published: 2025
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/03/21
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[The Nameless Trickster (For the Love of the Villain #3)]]> 202793347 When Juliette鈥檚 older brother makes an astounding claim to save his own skin, Juliette is escorted to the palace, along with other magically gifted young women who are being taken from their villages so the king can choose a bride.But Juliette鈥檚 brother lied. She has no magic. She鈥檚 a baker and a businesswoman, not a sorceress鈥� and now she鈥檚 trapped, facing death if she displeases the king.When a handsome tattooed man shows up and proposes a bargain, Juliette makes a deal with him out of desperation. But their collaboration results in a crisis neither of them expected, one with dire consequences鈥�Unless Juliette can learn the stranger鈥檚 true name.This spicy grownup retelling of Rumplestiltskin is perfect for fans of romantasy & fantasy romance books, and it blends a cozy fantasy atmosphere with more intense, dark fantasy vibes. Reading guidance for the darker moments can be found in the front of the book.]]> 281 Rebecca F. Kenney Tarryn 3 3.75 stars 3.67 The Nameless Trickster (For the Love of the Villain #3)
author: Rebecca F. Kenney
name: Tarryn
average rating: 3.67
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2025/03/13
date added: 2025/03/13
shelves: a-world-but-not-our-own, fae-tales, instalove, kindle-unlimited, magical-people-magicking, murder-x-attempts, perverted-and-unashamed, reimagined, royalty-blows, smut-with-some-substance, spies-and-espionage
review:
3.75 stars
]]> <![CDATA[My Funny Demon Valentine (Hell Bent, #1)]]> 58902005 Asmodeus, Prince of Hell, just wants to play music. Jazz, specifically.

Unfortunately, he鈥檚 a demon, and he鈥檚 supposed to be evil. A career as a musician isn鈥檛 exactly an option.
And he鈥檚 cursed, to top it all off.

Sick of playing by the rules, Ash and his brothers escape Hell in search of freedom on Earth, only to discover it鈥檚 harder than they thought to keep their enemies off their tail. The four rogues quickly become the Underworld鈥檚 Most Wanted, and if they鈥檙e caught鈥�
The consequences will be dire.

Everything changes for Ash when he meets a beautiful violinist who can see through his curse. It must be too good to be true, but he can鈥檛 resist the temptation.
No matter the risk, he has to have her.

Evangeline Gregory is just your average human. She works at a jazz bar, plays gigs on weekends鈥�
And, apparently, hallucinates demons.

At least, that鈥檚 what she tells herself happens when, moments after she meets the man of her dreams, she sees him shift into a seven-foot-tall, red-skinned monster.

Not believing her own eyes, Eva decides to investigate and soon finds herself caught in the middle of a supernatural clusterf**k of epic proportions. But Ash isn鈥檛 the only one keeping secrets, and the search for answers reveals a shocking truth that will change the course of her life forever.

Or maybe just doom it.


My Funny Demon Valentine is a steamy paranormal romance about learning how to love (and what love is in the first place) with an HEA, clothes-ripping-hot love scenes, and a crew of devilish demon brothers who are supposed to be the bad guys.
There鈥檚 violence, sex, and too much swearing. You鈥檝e been warned.]]> 360 Aurora Ascher 1777853206 Tarryn 0 to-read 3.76 2021 My Funny Demon Valentine (Hell Bent, #1)
author: Aurora Ascher
name: Tarryn
average rating: 3.76
book published: 2021
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/03/13
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Leather & Lark (Ruinous Love, #2)]]> 202329680 鈥淚 don鈥檛 just want to hear her laugh, I need to earn it. Every time I gain a little ground, I want more. I want to break out of the shade and back into her light. Without even realizing it, I鈥檝e become addicted to it. To her.鈥�

From the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of the genre-breaking international TikTok sensation Butcher & Blackbird comes the second book in the Ruinous Love Trilogy鈥攁 hate-to-love dark romantic comedy packed with danger, chaos, and heat.

Contract killer Lachlan Kane wants a quiet life working in his leather studio and forgetting all about his traumatic past. But when he botches a job for his boss鈥檚 biggest client, Lachlan knows he鈥檒l never claw his way out of the underworld. At least, not until songbird Lark Montague offers him a use his skills to hunt down a killer and she鈥檒l find a way to secure his freedom. The catch? He has to marry her first.

And they can鈥檛 stand each other.

Indie singer-songwriter Lark is the sunshine and glitter that burns through every cloud and clings to every crevice that Lachlan Kane tries to hide inside. The surly older brother of her best friend鈥檚 soulmate, Lachlan thinks she鈥檚 just a privileged princess, but Lark has plenty of secrets hiding in the shadows of her bright light. With her formidable family in a tailspin and her best friend鈥檚 happiness on the line, she鈥檚 willing to make a vow to the man she鈥檚 determined to hate, no matter how tempting the broody assassin might be.

As Lachlan and Lark navigate the dark world that binds them together, it becomes impossible to discern their fake marriage from a real one. But it鈥檚 not just familiar dangers that haunt them.

There鈥檚 another phantom lurking on their doorstep.

And this one has come for blood.

Tropes:
Hate-to-love
Marriage of convenience
Grumpy / sunshine
He falls first
Groveling, but make it psycho
Touch her/him and die]]> 409 Brynne Weaver 1638931801 Tarryn 4
No one else is allowed to narrate sexy, smutty books anymore. Just these two*. Sorry to everyone else who has to find a new career, but this is for the best, I swear.

While, admittedly, I wasn't as instantaneously engaged with Leather & Lark the way I was with Butcher & Blackbird, I think I enjoyed the last third of it more than its predecessor!

Lachlan and Lark are an insanely delicious and painful slow burn. Unbearably so. It was great! I really appreciate how fleshed out Weaver's characters feel. They each have their own distinguishable quirks but none of it feels shoe-horned. There's a natural character building that occurs that is very satisfying. I most definitely believe it's amplified by the continued phenomenal narration we receive.

Lark was an incredibly impressive follow-up to Sloane. It's really no wonder that they're best friends. Their relationship is so fantastic to me. The relationships in this series, period, are just sooooo good.

Overall, I just love how much Weaver clearly has fun with this series. Her humor is impeccable and I'll eat it up every time.



*Narrators are Samantha Brentmoor and Eric Nolan 鉂わ笍]]> 4.13 2024 Leather & Lark (Ruinous Love, #2)
author: Brynne Weaver
name: Tarryn
average rating: 4.13
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2025/03/06
date added: 2025/03/06
shelves: character-deaths-that-got-me-shook, dangerously-funny, enemies-to-lovers-babyyy, god-tier-audio, its-all-pretend-until-it-isnt, killin-for-a-livin, libby, made-me-cry, murder-x-attempts, perverted-and-unashamed, quirky-snarky-unique-heroines, smut-with-some-substance
review:
4.5 stars!

No one else is allowed to narrate sexy, smutty books anymore. Just these two*. Sorry to everyone else who has to find a new career, but this is for the best, I swear.

While, admittedly, I wasn't as instantaneously engaged with Leather & Lark the way I was with Butcher & Blackbird, I think I enjoyed the last third of it more than its predecessor!

Lachlan and Lark are an insanely delicious and painful slow burn. Unbearably so. It was great! I really appreciate how fleshed out Weaver's characters feel. They each have their own distinguishable quirks but none of it feels shoe-horned. There's a natural character building that occurs that is very satisfying. I most definitely believe it's amplified by the continued phenomenal narration we receive.

Lark was an incredibly impressive follow-up to Sloane. It's really no wonder that they're best friends. Their relationship is so fantastic to me. The relationships in this series, period, are just sooooo good.

Overall, I just love how much Weaver clearly has fun with this series. Her humor is impeccable and I'll eat it up every time.



*Narrators are Samantha Brentmoor and Eric Nolan 鉂わ笍
]]> <![CDATA[Apollo (The Immortal Warriors, #6)]]> 204164594 I was supposed to be on vacation on Earth, resting after I helped Pan defeat Hook and free the realms. I didn't expect to meet Cassandra, a woman with a soul full of the most beautiful music I'd ever heard. Nor did I expect my encounter with her to consume my mind.
But my father Zeus is determined to exert his power over me, to reinforce his dominance and ensure that I'm no threat to him. Because of his suspicion and envy, visiting Cassandra on Earth is more complicated and dangerous than I anticipated.

She's so full of sadness and beauty. I crave her like I've craved no one else in this lifetime. But her pain makes her wary, so I have to move slowly, and sing softly.

I've never met anyone like her. And I'm not sure I can resist her.

It's best if you read the two Peter Pan books and Hades before you read this one, otherwise there will be spoilers!

Trigger warnings and content warnings can be found on the author's website or in the front matter of the book.]]> 321 Rebecca F. Kenney Tarryn 4
Apollo was much more enjoyable than the last entry, Hades. Thank fuck. Sorry, Rebecca. I love you, I do. You can step on my neck, that's the level of 'I love your books' I'm at lol But you can't win 'em all and unfortunately for me, Hades was a loss.

This, however? Wiiiiiiin. And a great note to end the series on, imo. Even though I would honestly take Kenney continuing all of her series in infinitum.

The book provided me more evidence that Kenney is just the perf author for me in that she made it very clear that we share very similar flavors of depression lmao. In the foreword Kenney makes it clear that her source of inspiration for Cassandra's pain was her own. Now, thanks to my bff medication, none of Cassandra's emotional duress resonates with me anymore. But I know it and I know it well. For that reason, Cassandra was an incredibly compelling and relatable character to me in a lot of ways.

Apollo is a fantastic, quippy himbo hero. We love him. We ignore how deep down we dislike the whole 'he's lived thousands of years and she's in her 20's' thing. We find and claim our little joys where we can, ya dig? :)

I was surprised the book managed to wrap up so quickly without feeling too lacking from it. This is the kind of content that, were Kenney to the popularity of someone like SJM, would easily be made into an entire series of its own. Alas, I remain grateful that she is talented enough to be able to condense such epic concepts into singular stories. We should only be so lucky that one day she's able to flesh these worlds of her out more intricately. ]]> 4.26 Apollo (The Immortal Warriors, #6)
author: Rebecca F. Kenney
name: Tarryn
average rating: 4.26
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2025/02/25
date added: 2025/03/06
shelves: adventure-is-out-there, fluffy-bits, great-ends-for-great-series, instalove, kindle-unlimited, magical-people-magicking, murder-x-attempts, mythics-kicking-ass, perverted-and-unashamed, reimagined, royalty-blows, smut-with-some-substance, space-and-time-and-dimension-travel, young-forever-no-blood-needed
review:
And with that, I've officially completed my first full backlog series of Kenney's! What a journey, and a good one it was!

Apollo was much more enjoyable than the last entry, Hades. Thank fuck. Sorry, Rebecca. I love you, I do. You can step on my neck, that's the level of 'I love your books' I'm at lol But you can't win 'em all and unfortunately for me, Hades was a loss.

This, however? Wiiiiiiin. And a great note to end the series on, imo. Even though I would honestly take Kenney continuing all of her series in infinitum.

The book provided me more evidence that Kenney is just the perf author for me in that she made it very clear that we share very similar flavors of depression lmao. In the foreword Kenney makes it clear that her source of inspiration for Cassandra's pain was her own. Now, thanks to my bff medication, none of Cassandra's emotional duress resonates with me anymore. But I know it and I know it well. For that reason, Cassandra was an incredibly compelling and relatable character to me in a lot of ways.

Apollo is a fantastic, quippy himbo hero. We love him. We ignore how deep down we dislike the whole 'he's lived thousands of years and she's in her 20's' thing. We find and claim our little joys where we can, ya dig? :)

I was surprised the book managed to wrap up so quickly without feeling too lacking from it. This is the kind of content that, were Kenney to the popularity of someone like SJM, would easily be made into an entire series of its own. Alas, I remain grateful that she is talented enough to be able to condense such epic concepts into singular stories. We should only be so lucky that one day she's able to flesh these worlds of her out more intricately.
]]> <![CDATA[Daughter of the Moon Goddess (The Celestial Kingdom, #1)]]> 57789637
鈥淓pic, romantic, and enthralling from start to finish.鈥濃擲tephanie Garber, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Caraval series

鈥淎n all-consuming work of literary fantasy that is breathtaking both for its beauty and its suspense."鈥擝ookPage, starred review

A captivating and romantic debut epic fantasy inspired by the legend of the Chinese moon goddess, Chang鈥檈, in which a young woman鈥檚 quest to free her mother pits her against the most powerful immortal in the realm.

Growing up on the moon, Xingyin is accustomed to solitude, unaware that she is being hidden from the feared Celestial Emperor who exiled her mother for stealing his elixir of immortality. But when Xingyin鈥檚 magic flares and her existence is discovered, she is forced to flee her home, leaving her mother behind.

Alone, powerless, and afraid, she makes her way to the Celestial Kingdom, a land of wonder and secrets. Disguising her identity, she seizes an opportunity to learn alongside the emperor鈥檚 son, mastering archery and magic, even as passion flames between her and the prince.

To save her mother, Xingyin embarks on a perilous quest, confronting legendary creatures and vicious enemies. But when treachery looms and forbidden magic threatens the kingdom, she must challenge the ruthless Celestial Emperor for her dream鈥攕triking a dangerous bargain in which she is torn between losing all she loves or plunging the realm into chaos.

Daughter of the Moon Goddess begins an enchanting duology which weaves ancient Chinese mythology into a sweeping adventure of immortals and magic, of loss and sacrifice鈥攚here love vies with honor, dreams are fraught with betrayal, and hope emerges triumphant.]]> 503 Sue Lynn Tan 0063031302 Tarryn 0 to-read 4.08 2022 Daughter of the Moon Goddess (The Celestial Kingdom, #1)
author: Sue Lynn Tan
name: Tarryn
average rating: 4.08
book published: 2022
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/03/03
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> Iron Flame (The Empyrean, #2) 150260809
Everyone expected Violet Sorrengail to die during her first year at Basgiath War College鈥擵iolet included. But Threshing was only the first impossible test meant to weed out the weak-willed, the unworthy, and the unlucky.

Now the real training begins, and Violet鈥檚 already wondering how she鈥檒l get through. It鈥檚 not just that it鈥檚 grueling and maliciously brutal, or even that it鈥檚 designed to stretch the riders鈥� capacity for pain beyond endurance. It鈥檚 the new vice commandant, who鈥檚 made it his personal mission to teach Violet exactly how powerless she is鈥搖nless she betrays the man she loves.

Although Violet鈥檚 body might be weaker and frailer than everyone else鈥檚, she still has her wits鈥攁nd a will of iron. And leadership is forgetting the most important lesson Basgiath has taught her: Dragon riders make their own rules.

But a determination to survive won鈥檛 be enough this year.

Because Violet knows the real secret hidden for centuries at Basgiath War College鈥攁nd nothing, not even dragon fire, may be enough to save them in the end.]]> 886 Rebecca Yarros Tarryn 4 Didn鈥檛 expect the full body sobbing, but here we are ]]> 4.56 2023 Iron Flame (The Empyrean, #2)
author: Rebecca Yarros
name: Tarryn
average rating: 4.56
book published: 2023
rating: 4
read at: 2025/02/20
date added: 2025/02/27
shelves: a-world-but-not-our-own, adventure-is-out-there, angsty-angst, better-than-book-one, character-deaths-that-got-me-shook, here-be-dragons, i-guessed-the-twist, libby, made-me-cry, magical-people-magicking, murder-x-attempts, smut-with-some-substance, the-world-is-totally-fucked, reread, kindle-unlimited, royalty-blows, spies-and-espionage, god-tier-audio, you-gain-something-on-the-reread
review:
4.5 stars.
Didn鈥檛 expect the full body sobbing, but here we are
]]> Onyx Storm (The Empyrean, #3) 209668781 Discover the instant #1 New York Times bestseller! TV series now in development at MGM Amazon Studios with Michael B. Jordan鈥檚 Outlier Society.

Accolades for Fourth Wing
Amazon Best Books of the Year, #4 鈥� Apple Best Books of the Year 2023 鈥� Barnes & Noble Best Fantasy Book of 2023 鈥� NPR "Books We Love" 2023 鈥� Audible Best Books of 2023 鈥� Hudson Book of the Year 鈥� Google Play Best Books of 2023 鈥� Indigo Best Books of 2023 鈥� Waterstones Book of the Year finalist 鈥� 欧宝娱乐 Choice Award Winner 鈥� Newsweek Staffers鈥� Favorite Books of 2023 鈥� Paste Magazine鈥檚 Best Books of 2023 鈥� TikTok Book Awards UK and Ireland Book of the Year (International) 2024

After nearly eighteen months at Basgiath War College, Violet Sorrengail knows there鈥檚 no more time for lessons. No more time for uncertainty.

Because the battle has truly begun, and with enemies closing in from outside their walls and within their ranks, it鈥檚 impossible to know who to trust.

Now Violet must journey beyond the failing Aretian wards to seek allies from unfamiliar lands to stand with Navarre. The trip will test every bit of her wit, luck, and strength, but she will do anything to save what she loves鈥攈er dragons, her family, her home, and him.

Even if it means keeping a secret so big, it could destroy everything.

They need an army. They need power. They need magic. And they need the one thing only Violet can find鈥攖he truth.

But a storm is coming...and not everyone can survive its wrath.

The Empyrean series is best enjoyed in order.
Reading Order:
Book #1 Fourth Wing
Book #2 Iron Flame
Book #3 Onyx Storm]]> 758 Rebecca Yarros 1649376944 Tarryn 0 currently-reading 4.42 2025 Onyx Storm (The Empyrean, #3)
author: Rebecca Yarros
name: Tarryn
average rating: 4.42
book published: 2025
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/02/27
shelves: currently-reading
review:

]]> Mate (Bride, #2) 228256271 A Human hybrid and an Alpha Were claw against the bonds of fate in the highly anticipated companion novel to the New York Times bestselling Bride.

Serena Paris is orphaned, pack-less, and one of a kind. Coming forward as the first Human-Were hybrid was supposed to heal a centuries-long rift between species. Instead, it made her a target, prey to the ruthless political machinations between Weres, Vampyres, and Humans. With her enemies closing in on her, she has only one option left鈥攊f he鈥檒l have her.

As Alpha of the Northwest pack, Koen Alexander commands obedience. His authority is so absolute, only a fool would threaten his mate. It doesn鈥檛 matter if Serena doesn鈥檛 reciprocate his feelings, nothing will stop him from keeping her safe.

But power-hungry Vampyres and Weres are not the only threats chasing Serena. Sooner or later, her past is bound to catch up with her鈥攁nd Koen might be the only thing standing between her and total annihilation鈥]> 432 Ali Hazelwood 0593955013 Tarryn 0 to-read 4.41 2025 Mate (Bride, #2)
author: Ali Hazelwood
name: Tarryn
average rating: 4.41
book published: 2025
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/02/25
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[After Dark (Ghost Hunters, #1)]]> 331005
Take the dead body that she discovered in one of the sarcophagus exhibits. Who needed that? Finding out that her new client, Emmett London, is one of the most dangerous men in the city isn鈥檛 helping matters either. And that鈥檚 just today鈥檚 list of setbacks. Here in the shadows of the Dead City of Old Cadence, things don鈥檛 really heat up until After Dark.]]> 352 Jayne Castle Tarryn 0 to-read 3.97 2000 After Dark (Ghost Hunters, #1)
author: Jayne Castle
name: Tarryn
average rating: 3.97
book published: 2000
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/02/21
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[A Heart So Cold and Wicked (Mythic Holidays, #2)]]> 215343676 He saved her from a murderer. But can he protect her from himself?
Kidnapped by a serial killer, Feather has lived in a remote cabin for years, surviving by cleverness and caution. One night, she unwittingly summons a Fae demon known as Krampus, who enacts vengeance on her kidnapper and leaves Feather free... but with nowhere to go and no memory of the family from which she was stolen.
Krampus, a vicious horned Fae with a wicked tongue, doesn't want anything to do with a helpless human girl, though he eventually agrees to let her stay in his huge, decaying mansion as his maid. But Krampus isn't the only monster in the house, which complicates Feather's efforts to clean each room in the strangely sentient dwelling.
For his part, Krampus becomes increasingly obsessed with the brown-eyed girl he rescued, a fascination that makes him more vulnerable to the Fae-hunters who've been hired to kill him. When the danger becomes too great to ignore, Feather must decide what freedom truly means... and what she's willing to sacrifice to gain it.

This standalone, spicy fantasy romance has wintry vibes but can be read at any time of the year. It features Germanic mythology and monsters, a medieval-fantasy version of a serial killer, and the Fae universe of the Wicked Darlings series.]]> 361 Rebecca F. Kenney Tarryn 5
This is me, once again, trying to speak directly to Rebecca F. Kenney: Ma'am, if you'd like all of my pertinent information, it's yours. Social security number, banking information, all my passcodes, etc. It's all yours - there's no 'if'. It's a willing gift to say thank you, I am in your eternal service for writing the books you write lmao. Because who if not YOU is going to write a Krampus themed smut novel that left me in utter shambles over how great it was? That's right, NO ONE.

I don't know what to tell anyone else reading this. It's a fucking Krampus themed smut novel. And it's GREAT. The nuance! The creativity! The fun! You're telling me this chick can talk to houses, tame the wild energies of MULTIPLE eldritch monsters and also get dicked down by a horned faerie? THIS WAS FANTASTIC!]]> 4.17 A Heart So Cold and Wicked (Mythic Holidays, #2)
author: Rebecca F. Kenney
name: Tarryn
average rating: 4.17
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2025/02/19
date added: 2025/02/20
shelves: angsty-angst, demons-being-rude, fae-tales, girl-friendships-are-complicated, instalove, kindle-unlimited, magical-people-magicking, murder-x-attempts, perverted-and-unashamed, psychic-powers-and-all-that-jazz, reimagined, smut-with-some-substance, space-and-time-and-dimension-travel, supernatural-hunters
review:
BRILLIANT.

This is me, once again, trying to speak directly to Rebecca F. Kenney: Ma'am, if you'd like all of my pertinent information, it's yours. Social security number, banking information, all my passcodes, etc. It's all yours - there's no 'if'. It's a willing gift to say thank you, I am in your eternal service for writing the books you write lmao. Because who if not YOU is going to write a Krampus themed smut novel that left me in utter shambles over how great it was? That's right, NO ONE.

I don't know what to tell anyone else reading this. It's a fucking Krampus themed smut novel. And it's GREAT. The nuance! The creativity! The fun! You're telling me this chick can talk to houses, tame the wild energies of MULTIPLE eldritch monsters and also get dicked down by a horned faerie? THIS WAS FANTASTIC!
]]> Kidnapped by the Krampus 200345178
Is Krampus real?

TWYLA

That's the question burning in my investigative journalist mind as I sneak into Krampus World to learn the truth about the eccentric CEO who always wears the monstrous holiday costume. I'm definitely making the naughty list for this.

After sharing a drink with the mysterious and quiet CEO, the last thing I expect is waking up with no clothes in the most beautiful winter castle. This horned heartthrob billionaire kidnapped me!

Despite the language barrier, I soon learn that his punishments are hot enough to melt the North Pole. And there are far worse things than being treated like a Christmas princess in a Yuletide-themed castle.

As I unwrap the layers of this hooved and horned enigma, I suspect the monster may be as real as Rudolph's red nose! And I might be falling for him faster than Santa coming down the chimney.

Well.... Monster romance is trending after all!

KRAMPUS

Don鈥檛 show them your tongue.
Don鈥檛 growl.
Don鈥檛 urge them to check your body for some nonexistent zipper.
Don鈥檛 wag your tail.
Don't show them how well you dance in hooves.

After a century of failures to find true love, Twyla is my last chance to break the curse before the clock runs out. I will do whatever it takes to keep my little star, my light in the darkness. It turns out this naughty girl may love my monstrous punishments and the magic of my realm.

It's not long before Twyla tangles around my heart more than twinkle lights. But can she believe a monster is her happily ever after? Will she save me from my icy fate?

Or am I doomed to be the demon of Yuletide with a frozen heart forever?

From bestselling author Emily Shore comes a romantasy that will give you all those Hallmark feels with a sack full of spicy surprises. A Christmas kidnapping never felt so dark and enchanting鈥攐r so cozy. Get ready for a rollercoaster sleigh ride that'll have you believing in holiday miracles and a mischievous monster you'll be dying to get under the mistletoe!]]> 250 Emily Shore Tarryn 0 to-read 3.68 Kidnapped by the Krampus
author: Emily Shore
name: Tarryn
average rating: 3.68
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/02/18
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping]]> 182484370
Sera Swan was once one of the most powerful witches in Britain. Then she resurrected her great-aunt Jasmine from the (very recently) dead, lost most of her magic, befriended a semi-villainous talking fox, and was exiled from her magical Guild. Now she ( slightly reluctantly and just a bit grumpily) helps Aunt Jasmine run an inn in Lancashire, where she deals with her quirky guests' shenanigans, tries to keep the talking fox in check, and longs for the magical future she lost.

When she learns about an old spellbook that holds the secret to restoring her power, she turns to Luke Larsen, a gorgeous historian who might just be able to help her unlock the book鈥檚 mysteries. Luke, who has his own reasons for staying at the inn, never planned on getting involved in the madcap goings-on around him and certainly had no intention of letting certain grumpy innkeepers past his icy walls, so no one is more surprised than he is when he not only agrees to help, but also finds himself thawing .

Running an inn, reclaiming lost magic, and staying one step ahead of the watchful Guild is a lot for anyone, but Sera is about to discover that she doesn鈥檛 have to do it alone... and that the weird, wonderful family she鈥檚 made might be the best magic of all.]]> 352 Sangu Mandanna 0593439376 Tarryn 0 to-read 4.59 2025 A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping
author: Sangu Mandanna
name: Tarryn
average rating: 4.59
book published: 2025
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/02/15
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[A Soul to Embrace: Duskwalker Brides: Book Eight]]> 221393734 All Zylah wanted was to heal.

Lost, alone, and nameless, she seeks out a companion. Someone to cherish amidst the chaos and the Demon attacks. When she stumbles across a broken and injured Jabez, she uses her healing hands to save him, never questioning his motives for staying.

As the emotions growing between them become tangled, her infatuation turns into dangerous passion. She longs to keep her claws in this handsome and enthralling male, whose chilling gaze has softened in the time they鈥檝e spent together.

All Jabez wanted was revenge.

Not even his near death can shake Jabez鈥檚 determination to destroy the Elvish people. The hatred clinging to his heart is impossible to relinquish, and when faced with an unexpected opportunity to resurrect his war, Jabez eagerly takes it. His new companion is the answer, though she isn鈥檛 what she seems.

After gaining humanity, her personality shines, and she completely turns his life and thoughts upside down. The longer he remains at her side, the more he desires to protect her 鈥� even from himself.

Can he give up his revenge and risk losing everything... for someone who could come to hate him because of his cruel past?

** This book contains a side story novella in it at the end - around 88% **]]> 875 Opal Reyne 097566302X Tarryn 4
There have been plenty of ups, many downs and a great ride, overall.

We're faced with an immense switch-up in this story, even more-so than in book 4 with Merikh and Raewyn. Not only are neither of our mains human in any capacity, we also get Zylah, our first female Duskwalker.

I know many were hesitant to have Jabez as the romantic interest of our first bone-mommy (I *had* to), but I never felt many qualms. Suuuure, Jabez [spoilers removed]. And yet, this didn't stop me from being completely open to a Jabez redemption arc.

Let us remember, we're reading a series where the romantic lead must murder and eat humans in order to become even remotely tolerable as said romantic lead. So sue me if I can get over the past discretions of a demon/elf hybrid lol

I still war with my disdain over Zylah being a softer character. I know it was necessary, I know it makes sense. Especially to provide a dichotomy to both Jabez and her own inherent nature. And I do love that human women like Reia, Mayumi and Emerie are some of the fiercest we get in the series, but I do still wish Zylah was a little more with it.

I enjoyed the way Jabez progressed with Zylah, overall. I could probably be nit-picky, but you know what? I don't wanna lol. I choose to accept what is and be good with it.

I'm SO THANKFUL to the extra 'story' we get at the end, though I absolutely consider it an extended epilogue. It really tied everything together in a way much more satisfying than the technical ending. It was a fitting and satisfying ending.

I haven't stuck with a series this long, so consistently, since I was in high school. Opal, you really are that girl. I cannot wait for the final story of the Witch Owl and The Void, and anything else she decides to give us from this universe in the future 鉂わ笍]]> 4.66 2024 A Soul to Embrace: Duskwalker Brides: Book Eight
author: Opal Reyne
name: Tarryn
average rating: 4.66
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2025/02/06
date added: 2025/02/13
shelves: a-world-but-not-our-own, demons-being-rude, fae-tales, kindle-unlimited, magical-people-magicking, murder-x-attempts, perverted-and-unashamed, smut-with-some-substance, space-and-time-and-dimension-travel, young-forever-no-blood-needed
review:
Here we are, 8 books deep and on the penultimate tale of the original Duskwalker Brides series, and really the finale on the original Brides. It's been a journey, that's for sure.

There have been plenty of ups, many downs and a great ride, overall.

We're faced with an immense switch-up in this story, even more-so than in book 4 with Merikh and Raewyn. Not only are neither of our mains human in any capacity, we also get Zylah, our first female Duskwalker.

I know many were hesitant to have Jabez as the romantic interest of our first bone-mommy (I *had* to), but I never felt many qualms. Suuuure, Jabez [spoilers removed]. And yet, this didn't stop me from being completely open to a Jabez redemption arc.

Let us remember, we're reading a series where the romantic lead must murder and eat humans in order to become even remotely tolerable as said romantic lead. So sue me if I can get over the past discretions of a demon/elf hybrid lol

I still war with my disdain over Zylah being a softer character. I know it was necessary, I know it makes sense. Especially to provide a dichotomy to both Jabez and her own inherent nature. And I do love that human women like Reia, Mayumi and Emerie are some of the fiercest we get in the series, but I do still wish Zylah was a little more with it.

I enjoyed the way Jabez progressed with Zylah, overall. I could probably be nit-picky, but you know what? I don't wanna lol. I choose to accept what is and be good with it.

I'm SO THANKFUL to the extra 'story' we get at the end, though I absolutely consider it an extended epilogue. It really tied everything together in a way much more satisfying than the technical ending. It was a fitting and satisfying ending.

I haven't stuck with a series this long, so consistently, since I was in high school. Opal, you really are that girl. I cannot wait for the final story of the Witch Owl and The Void, and anything else she decides to give us from this universe in the future 鉂わ笍
]]> <![CDATA[The Wraith King (The Rise of Northgall, #1)]]> 202452565 Una Hartstone, Princess of Issos, learns the price the Wraith King demands to end the war once and for all. Her. In exchange for the safety of her people, she agrees to give her life鈥攁nd her body鈥攖o her greatest enemy.

Gollaya Verbane is determined to fulfill his destiny and his god鈥檚 prophecy. When his seer points to the Princess of Issos as the key to the rise of the dark fae, he demands her submission. But when she finally yields, he realizes Una is much more to him than a priceless weapon.

A mystery that has haunted Una for years awakens when she is abducted and dragged back to N盲kt Mir. The palace hides many dark secrets鈥nd at least one traitor. A traitor determined to take King Goll鈥檚 throne鈥攁nd all he possesses. What he doesn鈥檛 know is that Una鈥檚 magick is more powerful than he can imagine, and that Goll will burn the whole world to save her.]]> 452 Juliette Cross Tarryn 0 to-read 3.65 2024 The Wraith King (The Rise of Northgall, #1)
author: Juliette Cross
name: Tarryn
average rating: 3.65
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/02/11
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Fourth Wing (The Empyrean, #1)]]> 63219094 Enter the brutal and elite world of a war college for dragon riders from #1 New York Times bestselling author Rebecca Yarros.

Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail was supposed to enter the Scribe Quadrant, living a quiet life among books and history. Now, the commanding general鈥攁lso known as her tough-as-talons mother鈥攈as ordered Violet to join the hundreds of candidates striving to become the elite of Navarre: dragon riders.

But when you鈥檙e smaller than everyone else and your body is brittle, death is only a heartbeat away...because dragons don鈥檛 bond to 鈥渇ragile鈥� humans. They incinerate them.

With fewer dragons willing to bond than cadets, most would kill Violet to better their own chances of success. The rest would kill her just for being her mother鈥檚 daughter鈥攍ike Xaden Riorson, the most powerful and ruthless wingleader in the Riders Quadrant.

She鈥檒l need every edge her wits can give her just to see the next sunrise.

Yet, with every day that passes, the war outside grows more deadly, the kingdom's protective wards are failing, and the death toll continues to rise. Even worse, Violet begins to suspect leadership is hiding a terrible secret.

Friends, enemies, lovers. Everyone at Basgiath War College has an agenda鈥攂ecause once you enter, there are only two ways out: graduate or die.]]> 665 Rebecca Yarros Tarryn 5 Fourth Wing was a highly respectable 4 star rating for me when I first read it in the fall of 2023.

Upon my reread, specifically listening to the Graphic Audio version, she has risen in ranks - I bestow upon thee 5 stars!

I don't know what it says about my physical health, but the way I really found comfort in Violet Sorrengail's frailty, this time around. Because it's actually strength.

I remember the first time I read this, I thought about how unrealistic I found it that she could find ways to thrive when her body is also constantly working against her. As my own chronic illness develops, I found her to be so much more empowering that I gave her credit for, the first time around. Every time she tries, every time she pushes past her limits, limits that aren't there for other people, and every time she acknowledged that she knows pain, so she can handle worse it made me feel stronger.

I was also able to see so much more of the groundwork that Yarros is putting in to this story. Relevant details hidden in plain sight from the very beginning. It's quite stunning to experience, honestly. I'm able to overlook some of the corniness and trope-heaviness in favor of the fact that I found it to be truly and fully gripping. ]]> 4.74 2023 Fourth Wing (The Empyrean, #1)
author: Rebecca Yarros
name: Tarryn
average rating: 4.74
book published: 2023
rating: 5
read at: 2025/01/25
date added: 2025/02/11
shelves: a-world-but-not-our-own, adventure-is-out-there, angsty-angst, character-deaths-that-got-me-shook, enemies-to-lovers-babyyy, here-be-dragons, libby, magical-people-magicking, murder-x-attempts, smut-with-some-substance, spies-and-espionage, the-world-is-totally-fucked, reread, dangerously-funny, god-tier-audio, in-love-with-a-fictional-character, kindle-unlimited, to-physically-own
review:
Fourth Wing was a highly respectable 4 star rating for me when I first read it in the fall of 2023.

Upon my reread, specifically listening to the Graphic Audio version, she has risen in ranks - I bestow upon thee 5 stars!

I don't know what it says about my physical health, but the way I really found comfort in Violet Sorrengail's frailty, this time around. Because it's actually strength.

I remember the first time I read this, I thought about how unrealistic I found it that she could find ways to thrive when her body is also constantly working against her. As my own chronic illness develops, I found her to be so much more empowering that I gave her credit for, the first time around. Every time she tries, every time she pushes past her limits, limits that aren't there for other people, and every time she acknowledged that she knows pain, so she can handle worse it made me feel stronger.

I was also able to see so much more of the groundwork that Yarros is putting in to this story. Relevant details hidden in plain sight from the very beginning. It's quite stunning to experience, honestly. I'm able to overlook some of the corniness and trope-heaviness in favor of the fact that I found it to be truly and fully gripping.
]]> <![CDATA[Devourer of Men (Devourer, #1)]]> 210387794 in no mood. And worse, they鈥檙e unknowingly endangering themselves by asking for me by a name I long considered dead.

Now, not only do I have to save myself, I have to save the two men who I swore I would murder with my bare hands if I ever set eyes on them again considering they abandoned me.

Unfortunately for me, Roc and Hook have other plans, and when I find myself caught between them, I have to make a decision: risk my heart or risk my life?

Devourer of Men is a dark MMF romantasy fairytale retelling. Characters have been aged up for this darker, grittier version. For a full list of content warnings, please visit the author's website.]]> 222 Nikki St. Crowe Tarryn 4
Oh, how I yearn for St. Crowe to be a 'puts out a 700 page tome every 6 months' girly. But alas, that is not her journey and we must respect how the Queen works.

Devourer of Men is another prime example of how masterfully Nikki St. Crowe weaves a tale, because how did she put so much content into so few pages? How did she do this without making me furious and instead just leaving me yearning (the revelation that there will be a sequel has most definitely quelled a lot of turmoil that may have otherwise occurred)?

It wasn't enough, it just wasn't - but that's me being greedy, not any shortcoming of the story. I was all in, every single page. I've been sweating over Hook and Croc for actual years now, and while I though 'Wendy is unnecessary' to this dynamic, I very quickly became a staunch supporter.

I can't wait for more from these three!]]> 4.10 2024 Devourer of Men (Devourer, #1)
author: Nikki St. Crowe
name: Tarryn
average rating: 4.10
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2025/02/11
date added: 2025/02/11
shelves: adventure-is-out-there, angsty-angst, enemies-to-lovers-babyyy, kindle-unlimited, m-m, magical-people-magicking, murder-x-attempts, perverted-and-unashamed, reimagined, royalty-blows, smut-with-some-substance, weres-and-shifters, young-forever-no-blood-needed
review:
4.5 stars and the half star removal is purely because this book should have been AT LEAST 100-150 pages longer.

Oh, how I yearn for St. Crowe to be a 'puts out a 700 page tome every 6 months' girly. But alas, that is not her journey and we must respect how the Queen works.

Devourer of Men is another prime example of how masterfully Nikki St. Crowe weaves a tale, because how did she put so much content into so few pages? How did she do this without making me furious and instead just leaving me yearning (the revelation that there will be a sequel has most definitely quelled a lot of turmoil that may have otherwise occurred)?

It wasn't enough, it just wasn't - but that's me being greedy, not any shortcoming of the story. I was all in, every single page. I've been sweating over Hook and Croc for actual years now, and while I though 'Wendy is unnecessary' to this dynamic, I very quickly became a staunch supporter.

I can't wait for more from these three!
]]> <![CDATA[A Tale of Vines and Vengeance (Wicked Darlings, #3.5)]]> 206025634 If you loved Clara and her handsome Sugarplum Faerie, Finias, you'll enjoy this small glimpse into their life after the events of the series.]]> 51 Rebecca F. Kenney Tarryn 4
Dearest Rebecca F. Kenney,

I have a proposition for you. It goes like this: You - continue to write within the Wicked Darlings universe indefinitely. I - do whatever the hell you want me to do so that I can read the Wicked Darlings universe indefinitely.

I await your response with bated breath.

Yours eternally,

Tarryn ]]> 3.94 A Tale of Vines and Vengeance (Wicked Darlings, #3.5)
author: Rebecca F. Kenney
name: Tarryn
average rating: 3.94
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2025/02/07
date added: 2025/02/07
shelves: a-world-but-not-our-own, adventure-is-out-there, fae-tales, fluffy-bits, kindle-unlimited, magical-people-magicking, murder-x-attempts, reimagined, smut-with-some-substance, perverted-and-unashamed
review:
3.75 stars.

Dearest Rebecca F. Kenney,

I have a proposition for you. It goes like this: You - continue to write within the Wicked Darlings universe indefinitely. I - do whatever the hell you want me to do so that I can read the Wicked Darlings universe indefinitely.

I await your response with bated breath.

Yours eternally,

Tarryn
]]> Kill for Me, Kill for You 176451879
One dark evening on New York City鈥檚 Upper West Side, two strangers meet by chance. Over drinks, Amanda and Wendy realize they have much in common, especially loneliness and an intense desire for revenge against the men who destroyed their families. As they talk into the night, they come up with the perfect if you kill for me, I鈥檒l kill for you.

In another part of the city, Ruth is home alone when the beautiful brownstone she shares with her husband, Scott, is invaded. She鈥檚 attacked by a man with piercing blue eyes, who disappears into the night. Will she ever be able to feel safe again while the blue-eyed stranger is out there?

Intricate, heart-racing, and from an author who 鈥渋s the real deal鈥� (Lee Child, #1 New York Times bestselling author), Kill for Me, Kill for You will keep you breathless until the final page.]]> 340 Steve Cavanagh 1668049341 Tarryn 0 to-read 4.13 2023 Kill for Me, Kill for You
author: Steve Cavanagh
name: Tarryn
average rating: 4.13
book published: 2023
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/01/30
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> Water Moon 122952333 A woman inherits a pawnshop where you can sell your regrets, and then embarks on a magical journey when a charming young physicist wanders into the shop, in this dreamlike and enchanting fantasy novel.

On a backstreet in Tokyo lies a pawnshop, but not everyone can find it. Most will see a cozy ramen restaurant. And only the chosen ones鈥攖hose who are lost鈥攚ill find a place to pawn their life choices and deepest regrets.

Hana Ishikawa wakes on her first morning as the pawnshop鈥檚 new owner to find it ransacked, the shop鈥檚 most precious acquisition stolen, and her father missing. And then into the shop stumbles a charming stranger, quite unlike its other customers, for he offers help instead of seeking it.

Together, they must journey through a mystical world to find Hana鈥檚 father and the stolen choice鈥攂y way of rain puddles, rides on paper cranes, the bridge between midnight and morning, and a night market in the clouds.

But as they get closer to the truth, Hana must reveal a secret of her own鈥攁nd risk making a choice that she will never be able to take back.]]> 375 Samantha Sotto Yambao 0857505335 Tarryn 0 to-read 3.65 2025 Water Moon
author: Samantha Sotto Yambao
name: Tarryn
average rating: 3.65
book published: 2025
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/01/25
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> Naughty & Nice 221281217 all-new and addictive MFM, why-choose, snowed-in, one-bed, Christmas standalone from the USA Today & Wall Street Journal bestselling author, Tracy Lorraine.

It was supposed to be the perfect Christmas鈥� until it went from cozy to crowded.

A secluded log cabin with snow-covered hills and crackling fires.

Pure bliss.

Or at least that was what my best friend and I had planned.

But plans change when his twin brother decides to crash our holiday escape.

Hendrix is steady, kind, and always by my side.

Wilder is well鈥� wild.

He鈥檚 everything I shouldn鈥檛 want while his twin鈥攎y best friend鈥攊s the perfect guy.

Not that he鈥檚 ever looked at me that way.

Unlike his brother鈥� who can鈥檛 seem to take his eyes off of me.

One is my perfect match.

The other one I can鈥檛 stop thinking about.

A few days in a remote location with both is a recipe for disaster, especially with a storm brewing.

When the lights go out this Christmas, am I going to be naughty or nice鈥� or both?

Dear Reader,

Naughty & Nice is a MFM why choose romance, meaning our leading lady has several love interests and never has to choose to find her HEA.]]> 360 Tracy Lorraine Tarryn 3 Naughty & Nice is a brain-off book, through and through.

Want perfect editing and an actual plot? Get lost! ]]> 3.90 Naughty & Nice
author: Tracy Lorraine
name: Tarryn
average rating: 3.90
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2025/01/17
date added: 2025/01/24
shelves: fluffy-bits, instalove, kindle-unlimited, perverted-and-unashamed
review:
Naughty & Nice is a brain-off book, through and through.

Want perfect editing and an actual plot? Get lost!
]]> Daydream (Maple Hills, #3) 199798652
When his procrastination lands him in a difficult class with his least favorite professor, Henry Turner knows he鈥檚 going to have to work extra hard to survive his junior year of college. And now with his new title of captain for the hockey team鈥攚hich he didn鈥檛 even want鈥擧enry absolutely cannot fail. Enter Halle Jacobs, a fellow junior who finds herself befriended by Henry when he accidentally crashes her book club.

Halle may not have the romantic pursuits of her favorite fictional leads, but she鈥檚 an academic superstar, and as soon as she hears about Henry鈥檚 problems with his class reading material, she offers to help. Too bad being a private tutor isn鈥檛 exactly ideal given her own studies, job, book club, and the novel she鈥檚 trying to write. But new experiences are the key to beating her writer鈥檚 block, and Henry鈥檚 promising to be the one to give them to her.

They just need to stick to their rule book.

Oh, and not fall in love.]]> 433 Hannah Grace 1668026252 Tarryn 0 to-read 3.91 2024 Daydream (Maple Hills, #3)
author: Hannah Grace
name: Tarryn
average rating: 3.91
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/01/21
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> The October Country 93251
Contents:

路 The Dwarf 路 ss Fantastic Jan/Feb 鈥�54
路 The Next in Line 路 nv Dark Carnival, Arkham House: Sauk City, WI, 1947
路 The Watchful Poker Chip of H. Matisse 路 ss Beyond Fantasy Fiction Mar 鈥�54
路 Skeleton 路 ss Weird Tales Sep 鈥�45
路 The Jar 路 ss Weird Tales Nov 鈥�44
路 The Lake 路 ss Weird Tales May 鈥�44
路 The Emissary 路 ss Dark Carnival, Arkham House: Sauk City, WI, 1947
路 Touched with Fire [鈥淪hopping for Death鈥漖 路 ss Maclean鈥檚 Jun 1 鈥�54
路 The Small Assassin 路 ss Dime Mystery Magazine Nov 鈥�46
路 The Crowd 路 ss Weird Tales May 鈥�43
路 Jack-in-the-Box 路 ss Dark Carnival, Arkham House: Sauk City, WI, 1947
路 The Scythe 路 ss Weird Tales Jul 鈥�43
路 Uncle Einar 路 ss Dark Carnival, Arkham House: Sauk City, WI, 1947
路 The Wind 路 ss Weird Tales Mar 鈥�43
路 The Man Upstairs 路 ss Harper鈥檚 Mar 鈥�47
路 There Was an Old Woman 路 ss Weird Tales Jul 鈥�44
路 The Cistern 路 ss Mademoiselle May 鈥�47
路 Homecoming 路 ss Mademoiselle Oct 鈥�46
路 The Wonderful Death of Dudley Stone 路 ss Charm Jul 鈥�54]]> 334 Ray Bradbury 0380973871 Tarryn 0 to-read 4.13 1955 The October Country
author: Ray Bradbury
name: Tarryn
average rating: 4.13
book published: 1955
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/01/15
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[The Baby Dragon Caf茅 (The Baby Dragon, #1)]]> 215767834 The perfect read for fans of Pumpkin Spice Caf茅 and Legends and Lattes!

When Saphira opened up her caf茅 for baby dragons and their humans, she wasn鈥檛 expecting it to be so difficult to keep the fires burning. It turns out, young dragons are not the best magical animals to keep in a caf茅, and replacing all that burnt furniture is costing Saphira more than she can afford from selling dragon-roasted coffee.

Aiden is a local gardener, and local heart-throb, more interested in his plants than actually spending time with his disobedient baby dragon. When Aiden walks into Saphira鈥檚 caf茅, he has a genius idea 鈥� he'll ask Saphira to train his baby dragon, and he'll pay her enough to keep the caf茅 afloat.

Saphira鈥檚 happy-go-lucky attitude doesn鈥檛 seem to do anything but irritate the grumpy-but-gorgeous Aiden, except that everywhere she goes, she finds him there. But can this dragon caf茅 owner turn her fortunes around, and maybe find love along the way?]]> 317 A.T. Qureshi 0008727678 Tarryn 0 to-read 3.19 2025 The Baby Dragon Caf茅 (The Baby Dragon, #1)
author: A.T. Qureshi
name: Tarryn
average rating: 3.19
book published: 2025
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/01/15
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Curse Painter (Art Mages of Lure, #1)]]> 55111736 Art is magic. Art is a curse.

Briar can curse with the flick of a paintbrush. Her paintings maim, bewitch, and鈥攎ost effectively of all鈥攄estroy. But Briar doesn't want to hurt people anymore. She has fled her family's deadly curse business to start a new life peddling nonlethal jinxes and petty revenge.

Briar鈥檚 destructive powers catch the eye of a charismatic young outlaw called Archer, who hires her to help him save a kidnapped friend from a ruthless baron. Briar thinks this is her chance to make amends for her crimes, but the family business won鈥檛 let her go so easily.

When her violent past jeopardizes Archer鈥檚 rescue mission, Briar must confront the dark arts she left behind鈥攁nd decide what she鈥檚 willing to destroy in order to be good.]]> 320 Jordan Rivet Tarryn 0 to-read 3.93 2020 Curse Painter (Art Mages of Lure, #1)
author: Jordan Rivet
name: Tarryn
average rating: 3.93
book published: 2020
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/01/09
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Vanya and the Wild Hunt (Vanya #1)]]> 200982337 Amari and the Night Brothers meets Nevermoor in this enchanting middle grade fantasy, inspired by Indian mythology and British folklore, about a neurodivergent heroine, a mysterious school, and a world of magical creatures.

Eleven-year-old Vanya Vallen has always felt like she doesn鈥檛 fit in. She鈥檚 British-Indian in a mostly white town in England, her parents won鈥檛 talk about their pasts, and she has ADHD.

Oh, and she talks to books. More importantly, the books talk back.

When her family is attacked by a monster she believed only existed in fairytales, Vanya discovers that her parents have secrets, and that there are a lot more monsters out there. Overnight, she鈥檚 whisked off to the enchanted library and school of Auramere, where she joins the ranks of archwitches and archivists.

Life at Auramere is unexpected, exciting and wonderful. But even here, there鈥檚 no escaping monsters. The mysterious, powerful Wild Hunt is on the prowl, and Vanya will need all her creativity and courage to unmask its leader and stop them before they destroy the only place she鈥檚 ever truly belonged.

From the critically-acclaimed author of the Kiki Kallira series and The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches comes an action-packed and magical middle grade fantasy, perfect for fans of J.K. Rowling and Rick Riordan.]]> 288 Sangu Mandanna 1250899834 Tarryn 0 to-read 4.21 2025 Vanya and the Wild Hunt (Vanya #1)
author: Sangu Mandanna
name: Tarryn
average rating: 4.21
book published: 2025
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/01/07
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Sunrise on the Reaping (The Hunger Games, #0.5)]]> 214331246 When you鈥檝e been set up to lose everything you love, what is there left to fight for?

As the day dawns on the fiftieth annual Hunger Games, fear grips the districts of Panem. This year, in honor of the Quarter Quell, twice as many tributes will be taken from their homes.

Back in District 12, Haymitch Abernathy is trying not to think too hard about his chances. All he cares about is making it through the day and being with the girl he loves.

When Haymitch鈥檚 name is called, he can feel all his dreams break. He鈥檚 torn from his family and his love, shuttled to the Capitol with the three other District 12 tributes: a young friend who鈥檚 nearly a sister to him, a compulsive oddsmaker, and the most stuck-up girl in town. As the Games begin, Haymitch understands he鈥檚 been set up to fail. But there鈥檚 something in him that wants to fight . . . and have that fight reverberate far beyond the deadly arena.]]> 387 Suzanne Collins 1546171460 Tarryn 0 to-read 4.61 2025 Sunrise on the Reaping (The Hunger Games, #0.5)
author: Suzanne Collins
name: Tarryn
average rating: 4.61
book published: 2025
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/12/26
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[The Anthropocene Reviewed: Essays on a Human-Centered Planet]]> 75670157 "Masterful. The Anthropocene Reviewed is a beautiful, timely book about the human condition--and a timeless reminder to pay attention to your attention." --Adam Grant, #1 bestselling author of Think Again and host of the podcast Re: Thinking

The instant #1 bestseller from John Green, author of The Fault in Our Stars and Turtles All the Way Down, is now available in paperback with two brand-new essays!

"Gloriously personal and life-affirming. The perfect book for right now." --People
"Essential to the human conversation." --Library Journal, starred review

The Anthropocene is the current geologic age, in which humans have profoundly reshaped the planet and its biodiversity. In this remarkable symphony of essays, bestselling author John Green reviews different facets of the human-centered planet on a five-star scale--from the QWERTY keyboard and sunsets to Canada geese and Penguins of Madagascar. Funny, complex, and rich with detail, the reviews chart the contradictions of contemporary humanity.

John Green's gift for storytelling shines throughout this masterful collection. The Anthropocene Reviewed is an open-hearted exploration of the paths we forge and an unironic celebration of falling in love with the world.]]> 318 John Green 0525555242 Tarryn 0 to-read 4.39 2021 The Anthropocene Reviewed: Essays on a Human-Centered Planet
author: John Green
name: Tarryn
average rating: 4.39
book published: 2021
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/12/23
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> Mexican Gothic 52873094
Noem铆 is also an unlikely rescuer: She鈥檚 a glamorous debutante, and her chic gowns and perfect red lipstick are more suited for cocktail parties than amateur sleuthing. But she鈥檚 also tough and smart, with an indomitable will, and she is not afraid: Not of her cousin鈥檚 new husband, who is both menacing and alluring; not of his father, the ancient patriarch who seems to be fascinated by Noem铆; and not even of the house itself, which begins to invade Noemi鈥檚 dreams with visions of blood and doom.

Her only ally in this inhospitable abode is the family鈥檚 youngest son. Shy and gentle, he seems to want to help Noem铆, but might also be hiding dark knowledge of his family鈥檚 past. For there are many secrets behind the walls of High Place. The family鈥檚 once colossal wealth and faded mining empire kept them from prying eyes, but as Noem铆 digs deeper she unearths stories of violence and madness.

And Noem铆, mesmerized by the terrifying yet seductive world of High Place, may soon find it impossible to ever leave this enigmatic house behind.]]> 304 Silvia Moreno-Garcia Tarryn 4 3.76 2020 Mexican Gothic
author: Silvia Moreno-Garcia
name: Tarryn
average rating: 3.76
book published: 2020
rating: 4
read at: 2023/09/23
date added: 2024/12/18
shelves: arc-after-release, body-swapping-fun, creepy-af, ghosties-and-ghoulies, historical-setting, libby, murder-x-attempts, psychic-powers-and-all-that-jazz, young-forever-no-blood-needed
review:
Not at all what I expected, not really scary whatsoever, but still extremely lovely!
]]> <![CDATA[The Spirit Collection of Thorne Hall]]> 213245106 A young woman forced to live with ghosts in a mansion frozen in time must decide between forbidden love and the price of freedom in this gothic fantasy where Jane Eyre meets The Haunting of Bly Manor, perfect for fans of Starling House.

At Thorne Hall, a grand estate nestled in the Berkshires, fifteen restless spirits roam, bound within the mansion鈥檚 walls since the Gilded Age. Elegy Thorne bears the weight of her family鈥檚 curse to preserve the mansion as it was in the 1890s, using ancient folk songs to keep the spirits secret and silent in order to avoid deadly consequences.

When a mischievous child spirit wreaks havoc on the manor, the Thorne family calls upon their trusted preservationist to restore the mansion. He brings along his son, Atticus 鈥� a vibrant man full of life and ideas of modernization 鈥� and Elegy is captivated by him, igniting a longing for freedom she鈥檚 never dared to embrace.

Torn between her desire to follow her heart and her duty to her family and its legacy, Elegy begins searching for a way to release the spirit collection back to the afterlife and set both herself and the ghosts free. With century-old secrets, peculiar magic, and spirits both whimsical and deadly, Thorne Hall will haunt and enrapture readers鈥攁nd you might just not want to leave.]]> 320 J. Ann Thomas Tarryn 0 to-read 3.76 2025 The Spirit Collection of Thorne Hall
author: J. Ann Thomas
name: Tarryn
average rating: 3.76
book published: 2025
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/12/14
shelves: to-read
review:

]]>