en-US Thu, 24 Apr 2025 18:43:13 -0700 60 144 41 /images/layout/goodreads_logo_144.jpg 223406301 When a young woman is bequeathed a shuttered dance hall, she begins to dream of its heyday —and learns to see her present-day entanglements in a new light.

Jules is stunned when eccentric and glamorous retiree Kitty St. Clair passes away and bequeaths her a dilapidated dance hall in their quaint lakeside community.

That is until Reeve, a charming, successful developer,Ìýreturns to town, looking for the new owner of the dance hall, intent on turning it into luxury vacation condos. Suddenly Jules has a way to make her lifelong dream of going to med school a reality. But selling the dance hall will only add to the steadily rising real estate prices and make it harder for residents of her tiny vacation town to live there, not to mention, Reeve also happens to be the man who Jules shared a magical night with two summers ago-- and never heard from again.Ìý

Reeve wants a second chance with Jules and is determined to earn back her trust. But can she let herself fall for him again? Does he want her, or a guaranteed sale?Ìý

Jules wishes she could talk to Kitty, who always seemed to have the best advice, so she turns to the diary she left her. But as Jules falls asleep reading, she wakes up in the world of the diary, fifty years ago, accompanying a young Kitty to the dance hall in all its glory. Her dream visits to Kitty’s past begin to parallel the questions plaguing her in her own world. Will Kitty’s past hold the keys to unlocking Jules’s future?]]> Kate Robb 0593734130 Nichole 0 to-read, arc 0.0
author: Kate Robb
name: Nichole
average rating: 0.0
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/04/24
shelves: to-read, arc
review:

]]> 75293479
Deeply introverted Catriona lives for her work at Oxford and her fight for women's suffrage. She dreams of romance, too, but since all her attempts at love have ended badly, she now keeps her desires firmly locked inside her head--until she climbs out of a Scottish loch after a good swim and finds herself rather exposed to her new colleague.

Elias Khoury has wheedled his way into Professor Campbell's circle under false pretenses: he did not come to Oxford to classify ancient artefacts, he is determined to take them back to his homeland in the Middle East. Winning Catriona's favor could be the key to his success. Unfortunately, seducing the coolly intense lady scholar quickly becomes a mission in itself and his well-laid plans are in danger of derailing...

Forced into close proximity in Oxford's hallowed halls, two very different people have to face the fact that they might just be a perfect match. Soon, a risky new game begins that asks Catriona one more time to put her heart and wildest dreams at stake.]]> 432 Evie Dunmore 0593334663 Nichole 3 3.63 2023
author: Evie Dunmore
name: Nichole
average rating: 3.63
book published: 2023
rating: 3
read at: 2025/04/24
date added: 2025/04/24
shelves:
review:
Too much slow-burn, too little actual romance. However, it was a satisfying end to a series comprised of strong, intelligent women who don't compromise on their cause or morals.
]]> 59729041 For fans of Uprooted and For the Wolf comes a dark, lushly gothic fantasy about a maiden who must unleash the monster within to save her kingdom—but the monster in her head isn't the only threat lurking.

Elspeth needs a monster. The monster might be her.

Elspeth Spindle needs more than luck to stay safe in the eerie, mist-locked kingdom she calls home—she needs a monster. She calls him the Nightmare, an ancient, mercurial spirit trapped in her head. He protects her. He keeps her secrets.

But nothing comes for free, especially magic.

When Elspeth meets a mysterious highwayman on the forest road, her life takes a drastic turn. Thrust into a world of shadow and deception, she joins a dangerous quest to cure the kingdom of the dark magic infecting it. Except the highwayman just so happens to be the King’s own nephew, Captain of the Destriers…and guilty of high treason.

He and Elspeth have until Solstice to gather twelve Providence Cards—the keys to the cure. But as the stakes heighten and their undeniable attraction intensifies, Elspeth is forced to face her darkest secret yet: the Nightmare is slowly, darkly, taking over her mind. And she might not be able to stop him.]]> 419 Rachel Gillig Nichole 0 to-read, physical-tbr 4.40 2022
author: Rachel Gillig
name: Nichole
average rating: 4.40
book published: 2022
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/04/23
shelves: to-read, physical-tbr
review:

]]> 224082745 Past and present collide in this swoony romance when a girl searching for a sense of belonging may have found it in an unexpected—and undeniably charming—visitor from the nineteenth century.

Delaney Carmichael's final year of boarding school at Ivernia is not off to a great start. Losing her father has left her feeling completely unmoored—both emotionally and in terms of what she wants to do with her future. So when Delaney discovers that Ivernia—the one stable place in her life—is on the brink of shuttering its doors, it feels like the last straw. If life is measured in what she has to lose, then does anything matter?

Desperate for a solution, Delaney makes a wish—for a way to save Ivernia. The universe's response? Enter Lord William Cromwell of Dunbry, a tall, handsome, and woefully out-of-place-boy from nineteenth-century London. At first, Delaney thinks this charming English heartthrob might somehow be the answer to her problems, but when disastrous consequences begin to unfold at an alarming rate, she realizes that if she can't return William to where and when he belongs, the present could unravel completely. Much to Delaney's dismay, the only person capable of helping her is her brother's infuriating best friend, Sumner, a boy who seems dead-set on getting under her skin. With time quickly running out, can the two set things straight before the past begins messing with the present in irreversible ways?]]> Farrah Penn 0593528352 Nichole 0 to-read 0.0
author: Farrah Penn
name: Nichole
average rating: 0.0
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/04/22
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 218559595 Two writers compete for the chance to tell the larger-than-life story of a woman with more than a couple of plot twists up her sleeve in this dazzling and sweeping new novel from Emily Henry.

Alice Scott is an eternal optimist still dreaming of her big writing break. Hayden Anderson is a Pulitzer-prize winning human thundercloud. And they’re both on balmy Little Crescent Island for the same reason: To write the biography of a woman no one has seen in years--or at least to meet with the octogenarian who claims to be the Margaret Ives. Tragic heiress, former tabloid princess, and daughter of one of the most storied (and scandalous) families of the 20th Century.

When Margaret invites them both for a one-month trial period, after which she’ll choose the person who’ll tell her story, there are three things keeping Alice’s head in the game.

One: Alice genuinely likes people, which means people usually like Alice—and she has a whole month to win the legendary woman over.

Two: She’s ready for this job and the chance to impress her perennially unimpressed family with a Serious Publication

Three: Hayden Anderson, who should have no reason to be concerned about losing this book, is glowering at her in a shaken-to-the core way that suggests he sees her as competition.

But the problem is, Margaret is only giving each of them pieces of her story. Pieces they can’t swap to put together because of an ironclad NDA and an inconvenient yearning pulsing between them every time they’re in the same room.

And it’s becoming abundantly clear that their story—just like the tale Margaret’s spinning—could be a mystery, tragedy, or love ballad…depending on who’s telling it.]]> 432 Emily Henry Nichole 0 currently-reading 4.22 2025
author: Emily Henry
name: Nichole
average rating: 4.22
book published: 2025
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/04/22
shelves: currently-reading
review:

]]> 211142428 Jim O’Heir, who played Jerry (or Garry or Larry) onÌýParks and RecreationÌýand co-hosts the hit podcastÌýParks and Recollection, brings fans a heartfelt behind-the-scenes look at one of America’s most beloved sitcoms, brimming with never-before-told stories featuring the cast and crew, along with dozens of unseen photos!Ìý

For seven seasons, Leslie Knope and the Parks and Recreation gang charmed millions of viewers with their quirky antics and unwavering positivity. The sitcom continues to be a fan-favorite for streaming services today, nearly a decade after its finale. Now for the first time, Jim O’Heir, who played the lovable Jerry (or, well, Garry/Larry/Terry/Barry, depending on the episode), invites readers back to Pawnee for an exclusive look behind the scenes.

Joined by some of his Parks and Rec pals, including Chris Pratt, Retta, Rob Lowe, and showrunners Greg Daniels and Mike Schur, O’Heir reveals how this “little show that could� came to be, thanks to the tireless dedication and comedic genius of Amy Poehler, Nick Offerman, and the rest of the gang. As the show found its footing, the cast quickly bonded into a tight-knit family. Here O’Heir shares all his favorite unforgettable memories both on and off camera, from hilarious unscripted moments and epic dance-offs in the hair and makeup trailers, to iconic birthday parties at Rashida Jones’s house and quiet bonfires in Nick Offerman’s backyard.

Welcome to Pawnee is O’Heir’s loving tribute to Parks and Recreation, imbued with the same warmth and humor that endeared the show to millions.]]> 272 Jim O’Heir 0063293528 Nichole 0 to-read, physical-tbr 3.82 2024
author: Jim O’Heir
name: Nichole
average rating: 3.82
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/04/17
shelves: to-read, physical-tbr
review:

]]> 231363392 384 Jessica James 0593817737 Nichole 0 to-read 0.0
author: Jessica James
name: Nichole
average rating: 0.0
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/04/17
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 221360416 From the New York Times bestselling author of Almost There, a second chance romance between two dog lovers, perfect for readers of Abby Jimenez and Jasmine Guillory. Ìý

From the outside, veterinarian Evie Williams appears to have the perfectÌýbut boring life.ÌýShe is desperate to figure out a way to shake it up,Ìýbut gets more than she bargained for when she findsÌýher fiancé in bed with another woman. Suddenly, Evie is without a fiancé or a job, and isn’t sure what her next steps should be. That is, until her college crush, Bryson Mitchell, returns to town.ÌýÌý

Now, a nationally recognized veterinary surgeon, Bryson is stunned when he encounters Evie Williams for the first time in half a decade. When they learn the animal shelter where they used to volunteer is in danger of closing, the two must work together to save it. It has Bryson wondering, can he and Evie also save the friendship they once sharedÌýand finally bring it to the next level?ÌýÌý]]> Farrah Rochon Nichole 0 to-read, arc, physical-tbr 5.00
author: Farrah Rochon
name: Nichole
average rating: 5.00
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/04/12
shelves: to-read, arc, physical-tbr
review:

]]> 18889555 The visionary author’s masterpiece pulls us—along with her Black female hero—through time to face the horrors of slavery and explore the impacts of racism, sexism, and white supremacy then and now.

Dana, a modern black woman, is celebrating her twenty-sixth birthday with her new husband when she is snatched abruptly from her home in California and transported to the antebellum South. Rufus, the white son of a plantation owner, is drowning, and Dana has been summoned to save him. Dana is drawn back repeatedly through time to the slave quarters, and each time the stay grows longer, more arduous, and more dangerous until it is uncertain whether or not Dana's life will end, long before it has a chance to begin.]]> 264 Octavia E. Butler 0807083704 Nichole 0 currently-reading 4.37 1979
author: Octavia E. Butler
name: Nichole
average rating: 4.37
book published: 1979
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/04/02
shelves: currently-reading
review:

]]> 56226890 From the critically-acclaimed author of The Downstairs Girl comes the richly imagined story of Valora and Jamie Luck, twin British-Chinese acrobats traveling aboard the Titanic on its ill-fated maiden voyage.

Southampton, 1912: Seventeen-year-old British-Chinese Valora Luck has quit her job and smuggled herself aboard the Titanic with two goals in to reunite with her twin brother Jamie--her only family now that both their parents are dead--and to convince a part-owner of the Ringling Brothers Circus to take the twins on as acrobats. Quick-thinking Val talks her way into opulent first-class accommodations and finds Jamie with a group of fellow Chinese laborers in third class. But in the rigidly stratified world of the luxury liner, Val's ruse can only last so long, and after two long years apart, it's unclear if Jamie even wants the life Val proposes. Then, one moonless night in the North Atlantic, the unthinkable happens--the supposedly unsinkable ship is dealt a fatal blow--and Val and her companions suddenly find themselves in a race to survive.

Stacey Lee, master of historical fiction, brings a fresh perspective to an infamous tragedy, loosely inspired by the recently uncovered account of six Titanic survivors of Chinese descent.]]> 384 Stacey Lee 1524740993 Nichole 0 3.80 2021
author: Stacey Lee
name: Nichole
average rating: 3.80
book published: 2021
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/04/02
shelves:
review:
DNF @ 9%. Boring and I didn't care for any of the characters. Reviews don't show the book getting any better so I'm moving on.
]]> 211934965 All systems fail. All societies crumble. All worlds end.

In the authoritarian Federation, there is a plot to assassinate and replace the President, a man who has downloaded his mind to a succession of new bodies to maintain his grip on power. Meanwhile, on the fringes of a Western Europe that has renounced human governance in favor of ostensibly more efficient, objective, and peaceful AI Prime Ministers, an experimental artificial mind is malfunctioning, threatening to set off a chain of events that may spell the end of the Western world.

As the Federation and the West both start to crumble, Lilia, the brilliant scientist whose invention may be central to bringing down the seemingly immortal President, goes on the run, trying to break out from a near-impenetrable web of Federation surveillance. Her fate is bound up with a worldwide group of others fighting against the global status quo: Palmer, the man Lilia left behind in London, desperate to solve the mystery of her disappearance; Zoya, a veteran activist imprisoned in the taiga, whose book has inspired a revolutionary movement; Nikolai, the President’s personal physician, who has been forced into more and more harrowing decisions as he navigates the Federation’s palace politics; and Nurlan, the hapless parliamentary staffer whose attempt to save his Republic goes terribly awry. And then there is Krotov, head of the Federation’s security services, whose plots, agents, and assassins are everywhere.

Following the success of his debut novel, The Mountain in the Sea, Ray Nayler launches readers into a thrilling near-future world of geopolitical espionage. A cybernetic novel of political intrigue, Where the Axe is Buried combines the story of a near-impossible revolutionary operation with a blistering indictment of the many forms of authoritarianism that suffocate human freedom.]]> 336 Ray Nayler 0374615365 Nichole 0 to-read 4.18 2025
author: Ray Nayler
name: Nichole
average rating: 4.18
book published: 2025
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/04/01
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 55655306 A prim and proper lady thief must save her aunt from a crazed pirate and his dangerously charming henchman in this fantastical historical romance.

Cecilia Bassingwaite is the ideal Victorian lady. She's also a thief. Like the other members of the Wisteria Society crime sorority, she flies around England drinking tea, blackmailing friends, and acquiring treasure by interesting means. Sure, she has a dark and traumatic past and an overbearing aunt, but all things considered, it's a pleasant existence. Until the men show up.

Ned Lightbourne is a sometimes assassin who is smitten with Cecilia from the moment they meet. Unfortunately, that happens to be while he's under direct orders to kill her. His employer, Captain Morvath, who possesses a gothic abbey bristling with cannons and an unbridled hate for the world, intends to rid England of all its presumptuous women, starting with the Wisteria Society. Ned has plans of his own. But both men have made one grave mistake. Never underestimate a woman.

When Morvath imperils the Wisteria Society, Cecilia is forced to team up with her handsome would-be assassin to save the women who raised her--hopefully proving, once and for all, that she's as much of a scoundrel as the rest of them.]]> 336 India Holton Nichole 0 dnf
Confusing writing style and I couldn't take a chance on it getting better.]]> 3.80 2021
author: India Holton
name: Nichole
average rating: 3.80
book published: 2021
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/03/31
shelves: dnf
review:
DNF @ 5%.

Confusing writing style and I couldn't take a chance on it getting better.
]]> 222376906
Ten years ago, Vincent of Beckett wrote to Matilda on the darkest night of his life―begging the goddess he befriended in dreams to help him. When his request went unanswered, Vincent moved on, becoming the hardened, irreverent lord of the river who has long forgotten Matilda. That is, until she comes tumbling into his bedroom window with a letter for him.

As Fate would have it, Matilda and Vincent were destined to find each other beyond dreams. There may be a chance for Matilda to rewrite the blood-soaked ways of the gods, but at immense sacrifice. She will have to face something she fears even more than losing her magic: to be vulnerable, and to allow herself to finally be loved.]]> 544 Rebecca Ross 1250373352 Nichole 0 to-read 4.67 2025
author: Rebecca Ross
name: Nichole
average rating: 4.67
book published: 2025
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/03/27
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 221607478 The stunning conclusion to the story that started in What the River Knows. A lush immersive historical fantasy set in Egypt filled with adventure, and a rivals-to-lovers romance like no other!

1885, Egypt

Inez Olivera is left reeling from her cousin Elvira’s murder, and her mother’s betrayal, and when Tío Ricardo issues an ultimatum about her inheritance, she’s left with only one option to consider.

Marriage to Whitford Hayes.

Former British soldier, her uncle’s aide de camp, and one time nemesis, Whit has his own mysterious reasons for staying in Egypt. With her heart on the line, Inez might have to bind her fate to the one person whose secret plans could ruin her.]]> 400 Isabel Ibañez Nichole 1 4.00 2024
author: Isabel Ibañez
name: Nichole
average rating: 4.00
book published: 2024
rating: 1
read at: 2025/03/26
date added: 2025/03/26
shelves:
review:
I wish I could find where the entertainment is hiding with this one.
]]> 230094602 The phenomenal fifth book in the Hunger Games series! This Barnes & Noble Exclusive Edition contains an in-depth conversation between Suzanne Collins and her publisher, David Levithan.

When you’ve 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’s name is called, he can feel all his dreams break. He’s torn from his family and his love, shuttled to the Capitol with the three other District 12 tributes: a young friend who’s nearly a sister to him, a compulsive oddsmaker, and the most stuck-up girl in town. As the Games begin, Haymitch understands he’s been set up to fail. But there’s something in him that wants to fight . . . and have that fight reverberate far beyond the deadly arena.]]> 400 Suzanne Collins 154617575X Nichole 2
This should signify a sunset on me reading these books.]]> 4.71 2025
author: Suzanne Collins
name: Nichole
average rating: 4.71
book published: 2025
rating: 2
read at: 2025/03/23
date added: 2025/03/23
shelves:
review:
I now see the appeal of stepping off the cornucopia platform before the timer counts down.

This should signify a sunset on me reading these books.
]]> 199302548 In this exhilarating novel, two friends--often in love, but never lovers--come together as creative partners in the world of video game design, where success brings them fame, joy, tragedy, duplicity, and, ultimately, a kind of immortality.

On a bitter-cold day, in the December of his junior year at Harvard, Sam Masur exits a subway car and sees, amid the hordes of people waiting on the platform, Sadie Green. He calls her name. For a moment, she pretends she hasn't heard him, but then, she turns, and a game begins: a legendary collaboration that will launch them to stardom. These friends, intimates since childhood, borrow money, beg favors, and, before even graduating college, they have created their first blockbuster, Ichigo. Overnight, the world is theirs. Not even twenty-five years old, Sam and Sadie are brilliant, successful, and rich, but these qualities won't protect them from their own creative ambitions or the betrayals of their hearts.

Spanning thirty years, from Cambridge, Massachusetts, to Venice Beach, California, and lands in between and far beyond, Gabrielle Zevin's Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow is a dazzling and intricately imagined novel that examines the multifarious nature of identity, disability, failure, the redemptive possibilities in play, and above all, our need to connect: to be loved and to love. Yes, it is a love story, but it is not one you have read before.]]> 401 Gabrielle Zevin Nichole 4 4.12 2022
author: Gabrielle Zevin
name: Nichole
average rating: 4.12
book published: 2022
rating: 4
read at: 2025/03/10
date added: 2025/03/17
shelves:
review:
This was nothing like I've read before and I absolutely loved the layered storytelling. As something of a ✨girl gamer� I enjoyed video games as it related to the story and the number of video game references. However, I really didn't care for any of the main characters and wish I could've used respec on them.
]]> 207589000 The Mummy meets Death on the Nile in this lush, immersive historical fantasy set in Egypt filled with adventure, a rivals-to-lovers romance, and a dangerous race.

Bolivian-Argentinian Inez Olivera belongs to the glittering upper society of nineteenth century Buenos Aires, and like the rest of the world, the town is steeped in old world magic that’s been largely left behind or forgotten. Inez has everything a girl might want, except for the one thing she yearns the most: her globetrotting parents—who frequently leave her behind.

When she receives word of their tragic deaths, Inez inherits their massive fortune and a mysterious guardian, an archeologist in partnership with his Egyptian brother-in-law. Yearning for answers, Inez sails to Cairo, bringing her sketch pads and an ancient golden ring her father sent to her for safekeeping before he died. But upon her arrival, the old world magic tethered to the ring pulls her down a path where she soon discovers there’s more to her parent’s disappearance than what her guardian led her to believe.

With her guardian’s infuriatingly handsome assistant thwarting her at every turn, Inez must rely on ancient magic to uncover the truth about her parent’s disappearance—or risk becoming a pawn in a larger game that will kill her.]]> 416 Isabel Ibañez Nichole 3
The premise was interesting and should have been everything I'd want in a romantasy, but the execution slow and disjointed. The last 100-or-so pages and cliffhanger ending made up for the pacing issues spanning the rest of the book.

I already have the sequel from BOTM, so I'm hoping that one is an improvement.]]> 3.88 2023
author: Isabel Ibañez
name: Nichole
average rating: 3.88
book published: 2023
rating: 3
read at: 2025/03/15
date added: 2025/03/15
shelves:
review:
"The Nile knew everything, had seen the best and worst of Egypt."

The premise was interesting and should have been everything I'd want in a romantasy, but the execution slow and disjointed. The last 100-or-so pages and cliffhanger ending made up for the pacing issues spanning the rest of the book.

I already have the sequel from BOTM, so I'm hoping that one is an improvement.
]]> 228691354 What is wrong meets what feels right in this romance set in Italy by the New York Times bestselling author of Deep End.

Maya Killgore is twenty-three and still in the process of figuring out her life.

Conor Harkness is thirty-eight, and Maya cannot stop thinking about him.

It’s such a cliché, it almost makes her heart implode: older man and younger woman; successful biotech guy and struggling grad student; brother’s best friend and the girl he never even knew existed. As Conor loves to remind her, the power dynamic is too imbalanced. Any relationship between them would be problematic in too many ways to count, and Maya should just get over him. After all, he has made it clear that he wants her gone from his life.

But not everything is as it seems—and clichés sometimes become plot twists.

When Maya’s brother decides to get married in Taormina, she and Conor end up stuck together in a romantic Sicilian villa for over a week. There, on the beautiful Ionian coast, between ancient ruins, delicious foods, and natural caves, Maya realizes that Conor might be hiding something from her. And as the destination wedding begins to erupt out of control, she decides that a summer fling might be just what she needs—even if it’s a problematic one.]]> 416 Ali Hazelwood Nichole 0 to-read 5.00 2025
author: Ali Hazelwood
name: Nichole
average rating: 5.00
book published: 2025
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/03/13
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 199228303
I used to clean other people’s houses—now, I can’t believe this home is actually mine. The charming kitchen, the quiet cul-de-sac, the huge yard where my kids can play. My husband and I saved for years to give our children the life they deserve.

Even though I’m wary of our new neighbor Mrs. Lowell, when she invites us over for dinner it’s our chance to make friends. Her maid opens the door wearing a white apron, her hair in a tight bun. I know exactly what it’s like to be in her shoes.

But her cold stare gives me chills�

The Lowells� maid isn’t the only strange thing on our street. I’m sure I see a shadowy figure watching us. My husband leaves the house late at night. And when I meet a woman who lives across the way, her words chill me to the bone: Be careful of your neighbors.

Did I make a terrible mistake moving my family here?

I thought I’d left my darkest secrets behind. But could this quiet suburban street be the most dangerous place of all?]]> 402 Freida McFadden 183525229X Nichole 3
The first �75%� of this book was a slog, but I really enjoyed the twists and the ending. There were several callbacks to earlier books in the series as well.

Overall, I had a good time with the series and will be reading more Freida, but it also would've been okay for the first Housemaid to be a standalone.]]> 4.03 2024
author: Freida McFadden
name: Nichole
average rating: 4.03
book published: 2024
rating: 3
read at: 2025/03/06
date added: 2025/03/06
shelves:
review:
"The third in a series usually isn’t that great, so it’s not his fault."

The first �75%� of this book was a slog, but I really enjoyed the twists and the ending. There were several callbacks to earlier books in the series as well.

Overall, I had a good time with the series and will be reading more Freida, but it also would've been okay for the first Housemaid to be a standalone.
]]> 209492306 Enemies-to-lovers doesn't get more high stakes than a witch and a witch hunter falling in love in bestselling author Kristen Ciccarelli's latest romantic fantasy.

On the night Rune’s life changed forever, blood ran in the streets. Now, in the aftermath of a devastating revolution, witches have been diminished from powerful rulers to outcasts ruthlessly hunted due to their waning magic, and Rune must hide what she is.

Spending her days pretending to be nothing more than a vapid young socialite, Rune spends her nights as the Crimson Moth, a witch vigilante who rescues her kind from being purged. When a rescue goes wrong, she decides to throw the witch hunters off her scent and gain the intel she desperately needs by courting the handsome Gideon Sharpe � a notorious and unforgiving witch hunter loyal to the revolution � who she can't help but find herself falling for.

Gideon loathes the decadence and superficiality Rune represents, but when he learns the Crimson Moth has been using Rune’s merchant ships to smuggle renegade witches out of the republic, he inserts himself into her social circles by pretending to court her right back. He soon realizes that beneath her beauty and shallow façade, is someone fiercely intelligent and tender who feels like his perfect match. Except, what if she’s the very villain he’s been hunting?

Kristen Ciccarelli’s The Crimson Moth is the thrilling start to a romantic fantasy duology where the only thing more treacherous than being a witch…is falling in love.]]> 416 Kristen Ciccarelli Nichole 0 to-read, physical-tbr 4.27 2024
author: Kristen Ciccarelli
name: Nichole
average rating: 4.27
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/03/05
shelves: to-read, physical-tbr
review:

]]> 220921867 The Housemaid’s Wedding is a winter-themed short story meant to fill in the long gap between Book 2 of the Housemaid series (The Housemaid’s Secret) and Book 3 (The Housemaid is Watching). It can be read either between Book 2 and Book 3, or after Book 3.

Today is supposed to be the happiest day of my life.

I'm engaged to the man of my dreams, and in a few short hours, I'm going to stand before a judge, who will declare us husband and wife, till death does us part. Despite some bumps in the road, this day is everything I dreamed it would be.

There's only one problem:

Someone out there doesn't want me to live long enough to say my vows.

And if I'm not careful, they may very well get their wish.]]> 76 Freida McFadden Nichole 3 3.40 2024
author: Freida McFadden
name: Nichole
average rating: 3.40
book published: 2024
rating: 3
read at: 2025/03/04
date added: 2025/03/04
shelves:
review:
Not necessary, but I liked it well enough. The Enzo chapter alone made it worthwhile.
]]> 62848145 As he continues showing me their incredible penthouse apartment, I have a terrible feeling about the woman behind closed doors. But I can't risk losing this job � not if I want to keep my darkest secret safe . . .

It's hard to find an employer who doesn't ask too many questions about my past. So I thank my lucky stars that the Garricks miraculously give me a job, cleaning their stunning penthouse with views across the city and preparing fancy meals in their shiny kitchen. I can work here for a while, stay quiet until I get what I want. It's almost perfect. But I still haven't met Mrs Garrick, or seen inside the guest bedroom. I'm sure I hear her crying. I notice spots of blood around the neck of her white nightgowns when I'm doing laundry. And one day I can't help but knock on the door. When it gently swings open, what I see inside changes everything...

That's when I make a promise. After all, I've done this before. I can protect Mrs. Garrick while keeping my own secrets locked up safe. Douglas Garrick has done wrong. He is going to pay. It's simply a question of how far I'm willing to go...]]> 318 Freida McFadden 1837901317 Nichole 4 4.21 2023
author: Freida McFadden
name: Nichole
average rating: 4.21
book published: 2023
rating: 4
read at: 2025/03/04
date added: 2025/03/04
shelves:
review:
I didn't think things could get any more bonkers insane, but here we are. I devoured the ridiculousness and I'm definitely hungry for more.
]]> 61828435 You are the next step in human evolution.

At first, Logan Ramsay isn’t sure if anything’s different. He just feels a little . . . sharper. Better able to concentrate. Better at multitasking. Reading a bit faster, memorizing better, needing less sleep.

But before long, he can’t deny it: Something’s happening to his brain. To his body. He’s starting to see the world, and those around him—even those he loves most—in whole new ways.

The truth is, Logan’s genome has been hacked. And there’s a reason he’s been targeted for this upgrade. A reason that goes back decades to the darkest part of his past, and a horrific family legacy.

Worse still, what’s happening to him is just the first step in a much larger plan, one that will inflict the same changes on humanity at large—at a terrifying cost.

Because of his new abilities, Logan’s the one person in the world capable of stopping what’s been set in motion. But to have a chance at winning this war, he’ll have to become something other than himself. Maybe even something other than human.

And even as he’s fighting, he can’t help wondering: what if humanity’s only hope for a future really does lie in engineering our own evolution?

Intimate in scale yet epic in scope, Upgrade is an intricately plotted, lightning-fast tale that charts one man’s thrilling transformation, even as it asks us to ponder the limits of our humanity—and our boundless potential.]]> 341 Blake Crouch Nichole 4
This was a gripping page-turner exploring the horrifying potential for human biotechnology and how perfections in intelligence don't necessarily translate to emotional advancement. It's a weird time in our society to be reading something like this haha]]> 3.83 2022
author: Blake Crouch
name: Nichole
average rating: 3.83
book published: 2022
rating: 4
read at: 2025/03/03
date added: 2025/03/03
shelves:
review:
"Life never really goes the way you want or expect. Usually, even getting exactly what you want turns out not to have been what you really wanted. So, if you ever find a sliver of happiness and peace, just be thankful and live. Don't reach for more, because a sliver is more than most people ever find."

This was a gripping page-turner exploring the horrifying potential for human biotechnology and how perfections in intelligence don't necessarily translate to emotional advancement. It's a weird time in our society to be reading something like this haha
]]> 201736852 An alternative cover edition for this ASIN B01CWZFBZ4 can be found here and here

A twisting, haunting true-life murder mystery about one of the most monstrous crimes in American history
Ìý
In the 1920s, the richest people per capita in the world were members of the Osage Indian Nation in Oklahoma. After oil was discovered beneath their land, the Osage rode in chauffeured automobiles, built mansions, and sent their children to study in Europe.

Then, one by one, they began to be killed off. One Osage woman, Mollie Burkhart, watched as her family was murdered. Her older sister was shot. Her mother was then slowly poisoned. And it was just the beginning, as more Osage began to die under mysterious circumstances.

In this last remnant of the Wild West—where oilmen like J. P. Getty made their fortunes and where desperadoes such as Al Spencer, “the Phantom Terror,� roamed � virtually anyone who dared to investigate the killings were themselves murdered. As the death toll surpassed more than twenty-four Osage, the newly created F.B.I. took up the case, in what became one of the organization’s first major homicide investigations. But the bureau was then notoriously corrupt and initially bungled the case. Eventually the young director, J. Edgar Hoover, turned to a former Texas Ranger named Tom White to try unravel the mystery. White put together an undercover team, including one of the only Native American agents in the bureau. They infiltrated the region, struggling to adopt the latest modern techniques of detection. Together with the Osage they began to expose one of the most sinister conspiracies in American history.

In Killers of the Flower Moon, David Grann revisits a shocking series of crimes in which dozens of people were murdered in cold blood. The book is a masterpiece of narrative nonfiction, as each step in the investigation reveals a series of sinister secrets and reversals. But more than that, it is a searing indictment of the callousness and prejudice toward Native Americans that allowed the murderers to operate with impunity for so long. Killers of the Flower Moon is utterly riveting, but also emotionally devastating.]]> 347 David Grann Nichole 3 4.24 2017
author: David Grann
name: Nichole
average rating: 4.24
book published: 2017
rating: 3
read at: 2025/03/01
date added: 2025/03/01
shelves:
review:
It was an interesting, often well-written read, but my eyes started to glaze over about halfway through. It could've easily been 100 pages shorter and had more about the FBI.
]]> 210395729 The Invisible Life of Addie La Rue meets This is How You Lose The Time War in this fantastical love story that defies death as two souls reincarnate through the centuries.

They've loved each other in a thousand lifetimes. They've killed each other in every one.

Evelyn remembers all her past lives. She also remembers that in every single one, she’s been murdered before her eighteenth birthday by Arden, a supernatural being whose soul―and survival―is tethered to hers.

The problem is that she’s quite fond of the life she’s in now, and her little sister needs her for bone marrow transplants in order to stay alive. If Evelyn wants to save her sister, she’ll have to:

1. Find the centuries-old devil who hunts her through each life―before they find her first.
2. Figure out why she’s being hunted and finally break their curse.
3. Try not to fall in love.]]> 352 Laura Steven 1250333881 Nichole 0 to-read, physical-tbr 3.77 2025
author: Laura Steven
name: Nichole
average rating: 3.77
book published: 2025
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/02/27
shelves: to-read, physical-tbr
review:

]]> 127305853 From the celebrated author of The Nightingale and The Four Winds comes Kristin Hannah's The Women—at once an intimate portrait of coming of age in a dangerous time and an epic tale of a nation divided.

Women can be heroes. When twenty-year-old nursing student Frances “Frankie� McGrath hears these words, it is a revelation. Raised in the sun-drenched, idyllic world of Southern California and sheltered by her conservative parents, she has always prided herself on doing the right thing. But in 1965, the world is changing, and she suddenly dares to imagine a different future for herself. When her brother ships out to serve in Vietnam, she joins the Army Nurse Corps and follows his path.

As green and inexperienced as the men sent to Vietnam to fight, Frankie is over-whelmed by the chaos and destruction of war. Each day is a gamble of life and death, hope and betrayal; friendships run deep and can be shattered in an instant. In war, she meets—and becomes one of—the lucky, the brave, the broken, and the lost.

But war is just the beginning for Frankie and her veteran friends. The real battle lies in coming home to a changed and divided America, to angry protesters, and to a country that wants to forget Vietnam.

The Women is the story of one woman gone to war, but it shines a light on all women who put themselves in harm’s way and whose sacrifice and commitment to their country has too often been forgotten. A novel about deep friendships and bold patriotism, The Women is a richly drawn story with a memorable heroine whose idealism and courage under fire will come to define an era.]]> 471 Kristin Hannah 1250178630 Nichole 0 to-read, physical-tbr 4.59 2024
author: Kristin Hannah
name: Nichole
average rating: 4.59
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/02/27
shelves: to-read, physical-tbr
review:

]]> 128115472 494 L.C. Watson Nichole 0 to-read 5.00
author: L.C. Watson
name: Nichole
average rating: 5.00
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/02/27
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 60751525 In the vein of Madeline Miller’s Circe comes a bold and sweeping debut that reimagines the life of Kaikeyi, the vilified queen of the Indian epic the Ramayana.

“I was born on the full moon under an auspicious constellation, the holiest of positions—much good it did me.�

So begins Kaikeyi’s story, that of a young woman determined to create her own destiny in a world where gods and men dictate the shape of things to come. But as she transforms herself from an overlooked princess into a warrior, diplomat, and most-favored queen, Kaikeyi’s will clashes with the path that has been chosen for her family. And she must decide if her resistance is worth the destruction it will wreak.]]> 475 Vaishnavi Patel Nichole 5 4.21 2022
author: Vaishnavi Patel
name: Nichole
average rating: 4.21
book published: 2022
rating: 5
read at: 2025/02/26
date added: 2025/02/26
shelves:
review:
I knew nothing about the Ramayana when I started reading this, yet I was absolutely enthralled from beginning to end.
]]> 228481608 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—if he’ll 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’t matter if Serena doesn’t 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—and Koen might be the only thing standing between her and total annihilation…]]> 432 Ali Hazelwood 0593952588 Nichole 0 to-read 5.00 2025
author: Ali Hazelwood
name: Nichole
average rating: 5.00
book published: 2025
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/02/26
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 49209117
On one side are the adults, who are desperate to make Kettle Springs great again, and on the other are the kids, who want to have fun, make prank videos, and get out of Kettle Springs as quick as they can.

Kettle Springs is caught in a battle between old and new, tradition and progress. It’s a fight that looks like it will destroy the town. Until Frendo, the Baypen mascot, a creepy clown in a pork-pie hat, goes homicidal and decides that the only way for Kettle Springs to grow back is to cull the rotten crop of kids who live there now.]]> 352 Adam Cesare 0062854615 Nichole 3
This was a bingeable Gen-Z versus Boomer slasher that was bloody, violent, and completely different from what I expected.

Was it the best written? Most plot-driven? No, but I enjoyed it well enough to want to see the movie and check out the rest of the series.]]> 3.83 2020
author: Adam Cesare
name: Nichole
average rating: 3.83
book published: 2020
rating: 3
read at: 2025/02/23
date added: 2025/02/23
shelves:
review:
"Madness. Hate. Insecurity. Tradition. The American Dream."

This was a bingeable Gen-Z versus Boomer slasher that was bloody, violent, and completely different from what I expected.

Was it the best written? Most plot-driven? No, but I enjoyed it well enough to want to see the movie and check out the rest of the series.
]]> 217872631 Either you're in or you're out.

Welcome to the Thrashers, the elite friend group at New Helvetia High.

They’re everything everyone wants to be.

Jodi Dillon was never meant to be one of them. Julian, Lucy, Paige, and the infamous Zack Thrasher are rich, sophisticated, and love attention. Jodi feels out of place, but Zack’s her childhood best friend, so she’s in.

Then Emily Mills, who desperately wanted to be a Thrasher, dies—and the whispers about the Thrashers begin. As Emily’s journal surfaces, detectives close in, and Jodi faces an impossible choice: betray her friends or protect herself.

But as eerie messages and strange occurrences escalate, it becomes clear—Emily isn’t done with them yet.

A twisty thrill-ride of unforgettable drama and suspense that "encapsulates the vulnerability of adolescents playing adult games" (Ali Hazelwood) from USA Today bestselling author Julie Soto, The Thrashers will keep you up at night desperate to read just one more page.

"A tour-de-force YA debut from Julie Soto." - Alexa Donne

"For fans of Karen McManus and Kara Thomas, The Thrashers had me holding my breath, sweaty-palming my e-reader, and dying to flip each page to see what would happen next." - Susan Lee

"Expertly plotted and full of flawed, morally gray characters you still can't help rooting for, The Thrashers is one of the best books I've read this year." - Evelyn Skye]]> 346 Julie Soto 1250377188 Nichole 4 arc
Julie Soto proves that she has literary range with this one!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.]]> 4.23 2025
author: Julie Soto
name: Nichole
average rating: 4.23
book published: 2025
rating: 4
read at: 2025/02/20
date added: 2025/02/21
shelves: arc
review:
It was hard for me to pace myself and put this one down. It was a multilayered mystery/thriller with a powerful message about bullying, social dynamics, and family trauma. None of the characters were really redeemable to me, and that added a feel of authenticity to it. The twists kept me guessing and the ending was jaw-dropping.

Julie Soto proves that she has literary range with this one!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
]]> 212806981 A competitive diver and an ace swimmer jump into forbidden waters in this steamy college romance from the New York Times bestselling author of The Love Hypothesis.

Scarlett Vandermeer is swimming upstream. A Junior at Stanford and a student-athlete who specializes in platform diving, Scarlett prefers to keep her head down, concentrating on getting into med school and on recovering from the injury that almost ended her career. She has no time for relationships—at least, that’s what she tells herself.

Swim captain, world champion, all-around aquatics golden boy, Lukas Blomqvist thrives on discipline. It’s how he wins gold medals and breaks records: complete focus, with every stroke. On the surface, Lukas and Scarlett have nothing in common. Until a well-guarded secret slips out, and everything changes.

So they start an arrangement. And as the pressure leading to the Olympics heats up, so does their relationship. It was supposed to be just a temporary, mutually satisfying fling. But when staying away from Lukas becomes impossible, Scarlett realizes that her heart might be treading into dangerous water...]]> 447 Ali Hazelwood 0593550447 Nichole 3
This book will always be WHET to me, damnit.]]> 4.10 2025
author: Ali Hazelwood
name: Nichole
average rating: 4.10
book published: 2025
rating: 3
read at: 2025/02/19
date added: 2025/02/19
shelves:
review:
"I'm afraid of the unpredictability of existing. I'm afraid of not being able to control the direction of my life. I'm afraid that no matter how much I plan, I won't be able to avoid hurtful and sad things. But above all... Mostly I'm afraid of attempting something and not being perfect at it."

This book will always be WHET to me, damnit.
]]> 212391461
Felix Navarro is desperate to save his job so he can take care of his aging grandfather. He hopes a game night will boost the library's patron numbers-and its budget too. The only problem? He's a buttoned-up pragmatist who's never roleplayed a day in his life. Luckily for Felix, Jo is an experienced MnM Game Master, and she's willing to teach him... especially if that means time alone together.

As they gather at the gaming table, Jo uncovers Felix's soft heart (not to mention his killer forearms), and Felix finds himself falling hard and fast for Jo's charm, wit, and creative mind. The spark between them grows into a flame when they wind up sharing the only available hotel room at an MnM convention. But back home, not everything is fun and games. As their connection deepens, old wounds left by Jo's toxic ex begin to surface, and Felix's earnest affection suddenly feels too good to be true. If they want to create a real romance amidst a world of fantasy, Jo and Felix will have to roll the dice and take a chance on love.]]> 336 Elle M. Stewart Nichole 0 to-read, physical-tbr 4.10
author: Elle M. Stewart
name: Nichole
average rating: 4.10
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/02/18
shelves: to-read, physical-tbr
review:

]]> 221473137 A chance at love might not be out of this world in this astronomically charming romantic comedy from the USA Today bestselling author of Love and Other Conspiracies.

Los Angeles social media influencer El Martin seems to have a picture-perfect life. But what El wants more than anything is to find something real to make her heart race in a way it hasn’t in years. She doesn’t expect that feeling to come from capturing footage of an unidentified flying . . . thing, much less from the charming Man in Black who keeps following her around.

Agent Carter Brody is trying his best to keep the Private Intelligence Sector afloat by dragging their hopelessly out-of-date office into this century, even though what he really wants to do is follow in his father’s footsteps by identifying and hiding extraterrestrial sightings. He gets his chance after being assigned to El’s case and is stopped in his tracks not only by her ingenuity and confidence but also by an unnerving coincidence—her sighting looks eerily like what Carter himself saw right before a family tragedy.

The deeper El and Carter fall into the mystery, the harder it is for them to ignore their growing chemistry as their own alien feelings become dangerously terrestrial.]]> Mallory Marlowe 059364011X Nichole 4 arc
I thoroughly enjoyed how both main characters were in a sort of "opposites attract" relationship, but they both had a common goal in finding how to love themselves before they could love eachother. The FMC is an influencer who "has it all" in the public eye, but wants to prove she's more than a pretty face. The MMC isn't sure he's worthy of love because in his eyes he has nothing.

This was a very impressive sophomore release from Mallory Marlowe and I have added her to my auto-buy list for sure.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.]]> 4.67 2025
author: Mallory Marlowe
name: Nichole
average rating: 4.67
book published: 2025
rating: 4
read at: 2025/02/16
date added: 2025/02/17
shelves: arc
review:
I will (X-) file this as another out-of-this-world romcom from Mallory Marlowe. High stakes, witty banter, and spicy scenes that sent me into orbit--this had it all.

I thoroughly enjoyed how both main characters were in a sort of "opposites attract" relationship, but they both had a common goal in finding how to love themselves before they could love eachother. The FMC is an influencer who "has it all" in the public eye, but wants to prove she's more than a pretty face. The MMC isn't sure he's worthy of love because in his eyes he has nothing.

This was a very impressive sophomore release from Mallory Marlowe and I have added her to my auto-buy list for sure.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
]]> 199667455 “I want to ruin her so that she’s mine, my beautiful disaster. My wild creature. My goddess of chaos.�

The viral TikTok friends-to-lovers dark romantic comedy full of murder, chaos, and sizzling chemistry—unlike anything you’ve read before.

When a chance encounter sparks an unlikely bond between rival murderers Sloane and Rowan, they find something elusive—the friendship of two like-minded, pitch-black souls who just happen to enjoy killing other serial killers.

From small-town West Virginia to upscale California, and from downtown Boston to rural Texas, the two hunters collide in an annual game of blood and suffering, one that pits them against the most dangerous monsters in the country.

But as their friendship develops into something more, the restless ghosts left in their wake are only a few steps behind, ready to claim more than just their newfound love.

Can Rowan and Sloane dig themselves out of a game of graves?
Or have they finally met their match?

Tropes:
Golden retriever x black cat
He falls first
Touch him/her and die
Friends to lovers
Forced proximity
One bed]]> 355 Brynne Weaver 1638931747 Nichole 0 to-read, physical-tbr 4.05 2023
author: Brynne Weaver
name: Nichole
average rating: 4.05
book published: 2023
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/02/13
shelves: to-read, physical-tbr
review:

]]> 60556912
Every day I clean the Winchesters� beautiful house top to bottom. I collect their daughter from school. And I cook a delicious meal for the whole family before heading up to eat alone in my tiny room on the top floor.

I try to ignore how Nina makes a mess just to watch me clean it up. How she tells strange lies about her own daughter. And how her husband Andrew seems more broken every day. But as I look into Andrew’s handsome brown eyes, so full of pain, it’s hard not to imagine what it would be like to live Nina’s life. The walk-in closet, the fancy car, the perfect husband.

I only try on one of Nina’s pristine white dresses once. Just to see what it’s like. But she soon finds out� and by the time I realize my attic bedroom door only locks from the outside, it’s far too late.

But I reassure myself: the Winchesters don’t know who I really am.

They don’t know what I’m capable of�

An unbelievably twisty read that will have you glued to the pages late into the night. Anyone who loves The Woman in the Window, The Wife Between Us and The Girl on the Train won’t be able to put this down!]]> 329 Freida McFadden 1803144378 Nichole 5
Every time I thought I had it locked down (pun intended) I was pulled in a different direction.

My first Freida McFadden book, but definitely not my last.

Stay hydrated, y'all...
]]> 4.31 2022
author: Freida McFadden
name: Nichole
average rating: 4.31
book published: 2022
rating: 5
read at: 2025/02/10
date added: 2025/02/10
shelves:
review:
What the fuck did I just read?

Every time I thought I had it locked down (pun intended) I was pulled in a different direction.

My first Freida McFadden book, but definitely not my last.

Stay hydrated, y'all...

]]> 209439446
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—her 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—the truth. But a storm is coming...and not everyone can survive its wrath.]]> 527 Rebecca Yarros 1649374186 Nichole 3 4.18 2025
author: Rebecca Yarros
name: Nichole
average rating: 4.18
book published: 2025
rating: 3
read at: 2025/02/09
date added: 2025/02/09
shelves:
review:
I wish my signet was "How To Tell A Series Will Be Full Of Diminishing Returns."
]]> 125094716 A bold, clever, and sublimely sinister collection that dares to ask the “Are you ready to be un-settled?� Featuring stories by:

Norris Black � Amber Blaeser-Wardzala � Phoenix Boudreau � Cherie Dimaline � Carson Faust � Kelli Jo Ford � Kate Hart � Shane Hawk � Brandon Hobson � Darcie Little Badger � Conley Lyons � Nick Medina � Tiffany Morris � Tommy Orange � Mona Susan Power � Marcie R. Rendon � Waubgeshig Rice � Rebecca Roanhorse � Andrea L. Rogers � Morgan Talty � D.H. Trujillo � Theodore C. Van Alst Jr. � Richard Van Camp � David Heska Wanbli Weiden � Royce Young Wolf � Mathilda Zeller

Many Indigenous people believe that one should never whistle at night. This belief takes many for instance, Native Hawaiians believe it summons the Hukai’po, the spirits of ancient warriors, and Native Mexicans say it calls Lechuza, a witch that can transform into an owl. But what all these legends hold in common is the certainty that whistling at night can cause evil spirits to appear—and even follow you home.

These wholly original and shiver-inducing tales introduce readers to ghosts, curses, hauntings, monstrous creatures, complex family legacies, desperate deeds, and chilling acts of revenge. Introduced and contextualized by bestselling author Stephen Graham Jones, these stories are a celebration of Indigenous peoples� survival and imagination, and a glorious reveling in all the things an ill-advised whistle might summon.]]> 408 Shane Hawk Nichole 0 to-read, physical-tbr 3.90 2023
author: Shane Hawk
name: Nichole
average rating: 3.90
book published: 2023
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/02/08
shelves: to-read, physical-tbr
review:

]]> 74589478 From legendary entertainment journalist and author of Caddyshack comes a rollicking history of 1980s cinema—how eight legendary sci-fi films changed Hollywood foreverIn the summer of 1982, eight science fiction films were released within six weeks of one another. E.T., Tron, Star Wrath of Khan, Conan the Barbarian, Blade Runner, Poltergeist, The Thing, and Mad The Road Warrior changed the careers of some of Hollywood's now biggest names—altering the art of movie-making to this day.In The Future Was Now, Chris Nashawaty recounts the riotous genesis of these films, featuring an all-star cast of Hollywood luminaries and gadflies Steven Spielberg, at the height of his powers, conceives E.T. as an unlikely family tale, and quietly takes over the troubled production of Poltergeist, a horror film he had been nurturing for years. Ridley Scott, fresh off the success of Alien, tries his hand at an odd Philip K. Dick story that becomes Blade Runner—a box office failure turned cult classic. Similar stories arise for films like Tron, Conan the Barbarian, and The Thing. Taken as a whole, these films show a precarious turning-point in Hollywood history, when baffled film executives finally began to understand the potential of high-concept films with a rabid fanbase, merchandising potential, and endless possible sequels.Expertly researched, energetically told, and written with an unabashed love for the cinema, The Future Was Now is a chronicle of how the revolution sparked in a galaxy far, far away finally took root and changed Hollywood forever.]]> 282 Chris Nashawaty 125082706X Nichole 3
This was a fun read. The writing was very fluid and the anecdotes about Arnold Schwarzenegger particularly hilarious. ]]> 4.26 2024
author: Chris Nashawaty
name: Nichole
average rating: 4.26
book published: 2024
rating: 3
read at: 2025/02/07
date added: 2025/02/08
shelves:
review:
My husband's favorite movie is Ghostbusters, followed very closely by The Thing. I had never seen it before we got together. I remember asking him if it was a horror or suspenseful movie. His only response was "Yes."

This was a fun read. The writing was very fluid and the anecdotes about Arnold Schwarzenegger particularly hilarious.
]]> 217872616 An utterly delightful and sexy second-chance romance between a black cat and golden retriever with Mazey Edding's signature sparkling voice!

Eva Kitt never expected to be the host of Sausage Talk, interviewing B-list celebrities over lukewarm hot dogs, instead of pursuing the journalism career she dreamed of. But when Eva’s impromptu public call out of her college ex goes viral, she’s thrust into the spotlight. It doesn’t help said ex is Rylie Cooper, a beloved social media personality that has built a platform on deconstructing toxic masculinity and teaching men how to be good partners.

Forced to confront Rylie on a live episode of Sausage Talk, he offers Eva a allow him to take her on a series of dates to make up for his toxic behavior, then debrief them on his channel to show he’s changed. Eva refuses to play nice, but agrees to the scheme to advance her own career and continue defaming Rylie’s good name. When these manufactured dates start to feel real, Eva has to wonder if the boy that broke her heart has become the man that might heal it.]]> 384 Mazey Eddings 1250333326 Nichole 4 arc
This was a very enjoyable enemies-to-lovers, in which the FMC was a complete feral cat and the MMC a cuddly, green-flag-waving puppy of a man.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.]]> 3.75 2025
author: Mazey Eddings
name: Nichole
average rating: 3.75
book published: 2025
rating: 4
read at: 2025/02/02
date added: 2025/02/02
shelves: arc
review:
Mazey Eddings just has a knack for writing books that are full of humor and spice, but also with a layer of emotional depth helping both characters heal from past trauma.

This was a very enjoyable enemies-to-lovers, in which the FMC was a complete feral cat and the MMC a cuddly, green-flag-waving puppy of a man.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
]]> 213034811 Return to the Kingdom of �seldur, where enemies become lovers and dark secrets hide around each corner, the second novel in the Ashen series.

In the aftermath of a harrowing journey, Silla Nordvig’s dreams of a simple life have been shattered. Beaten, betrayed, and reeling from the revelation of her true name, she flees Kopa with Reynir Galtung, ruthless leader of the Bloodaxe Crew. But when they're forced into hiding together, Silla soon discovers that Rey has been keeping secrets of his own.

Stuck in a shield-home with the murderous man she thought she knew, Silla forms a new master the magic flowing through her veins to save her sister. But before she can do that, Silla must face her most formidable opponent yet—her own inner demons.

Saga Volsik has nothing to lose. They’ve murdered her family. Stolen her throne. And now they expect her to marry their son, but not if she can dismantle Queen Signe’s plans first. The only problem? The handsome Zagadkian dignitary who knows far too many of her secrets.

Silla and Saga will need to find the strength to step into their destiny and stop chaos from sweeping across the land. Meanwhile, dark threads continue to weave themselves through �seldur as magic long thought dead begins to wake.]]> 656 Demi Winters 0593975634 Nichole 0 to-read, physical-tbr 4.47 2024
author: Demi Winters
name: Nichole
average rating: 4.47
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/01/29
shelves: to-read, physical-tbr
review:

]]> 211004023 A spine-tingling thriller by New York Times bestselling author TJ Klune, about a 10-year-old girl with an impossible power, her father, and an unlikely stranger, who come together to confront the dangerous forces that want her at all costs. A strange story of family, love, comets, and bacon. Perfect for fans of Stranger Things.

In the spring of 1995, Nate Cartwright has lost everything: his parents are dead, his older brother wants nothing to do with him, and he's been fired from his job as a journalist in Washington DC. With nothing left to lose, he returns to his family's summer cabin outside the small mountain town of Roseland, Oregon to try and find some sense of direction. The cabin should be empty. It's not. Inside is a man named Alex. And with him is an extraordinary little girl who calls herself Artemis Darth Vader. Artemis, who isn't exactly as she appears.

Soon it becomes clear that Nate must make a choice: let himself drown in the memories of his past, or fight for a future he never thought possible. Because the girl is special. And forces are descending upon them who want nothing more than to control her.

At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.]]> 416 T.J. Klune 1250890438 Nichole 0 to-read, physical-tbr 4.11 2018
author: T.J. Klune
name: Nichole
average rating: 4.11
book published: 2018
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/01/29
shelves: to-read, physical-tbr
review:

]]> 223167693 A woman on the run. A crew of Viking mercenaries. A forbidden romance. And the secret which threatens them all.

Silla Nordvig is running for her life.

The Queen of �seldur has sent warriors to bring Silla to Sunnavík, where death awaits her. When her father is killed, his last words set Silla on a perilous travel the treacherous Road of Bones–a thousand-mile stretch haunted by warbands, creatures of darkness, and a mysterious murderer–and go to Kopa, where a shield-house awaits her.

After barely surviving the first stretch of road, a desperate Silla sneaks into a supply wagon belonging to the notorious Bloodaxe Crew. To make it to Kopa, she must win over Axe Eyes, the brooding leader of the Crew, while avoiding the Wolf, his distractingly handsome right-hand man. But the queen’s ruthless assassin has other plans and hunts Silla obsessively.

Will Silla make it safely to Kopa? Or will she fall prey to the perils of the Road of Bones?

Featuring an immersive world blending fairy tale with Vikings, The Road of Bones leads you on an adrenaline-fueled chase with fun banter and a slow-building enemies to lovers romance. The first book in the Ashen Series, you are one click away from reading it!]]> 560 Demi Winters Nichole 0 to-read, physical-tbr 3.98 2023
author: Demi Winters
name: Nichole
average rating: 3.98
book published: 2023
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/01/28
shelves: to-read, physical-tbr
review:

]]> 219917621 Two fledgling tabletop gamers find themselves falling for each other—both in and out of their weekly D&D sessions—in this charming, fantasy-tinged romance.

“Sweet, charming, and wonderful!�—Sarah Beth Durst, author of The Spellshop

When Sadie Brooks unexpectedly loses her marketing job, she flees New York City to spend the summer with her best friend in small-town Texas, where joining his Dungeons & Dragons campaign is the perfect distraction while she plans her next steps.

In the game, she becomes Jaylie, a powerful human cleric blessed by the Goddess of Luck. But in real life, Sadie believes her luck has run out—until she meets Noah Walker, the outgoing bartender roped into joining their party as Loren, an adventurous and charismatic lute-strumming elf. Just as Jaylie finds herself succumbing to the bard’s charms over the course of their party’s travels, Sadie also begins to fall under Noah’s spell.

As their relationship progresses in both worlds, Sadie wonders if what they have might last beyond the game. But like his traveling bard character, Noah never stays in one place for long. When a new opportunity arises in New York, Sadie must face the truth about why she lost her job in the first place—and whether she and Noah have found something in Texas worth staying for. Torn between her career dreams in the city and the exciting uncertainty of a new adventure, she will have no choice but to roll the dice.]]> Lenora Woods 0593975421 Nichole 5 arc
My current hyperfixation is Baldur's Gate 3 and this was a perfect companion piece; the illustration of Noah on the cover is so Gale-coded after all.

The characters, all of them, were so likeable and quirky in their own ways. My heart was so full reading the romance develop both in the characters' lives and in their D&D game. The chapters mostly alternated between the two and it was like reading two stories in one. I really loved everything about this and it is so impressive of a debut. I look forward to more by this author and will be ordering a physical copy for sure.

I could only hope that my Tav has an ending with Gale that compares to Jaylie and Loren.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review]]> 4.38 2025
author: Lenora Woods
name: Nichole
average rating: 4.38
book published: 2025
rating: 5
read at: 2025/01/27
date added: 2025/01/27
shelves: arc
review:
I feel like I hit a Nat-20, a critical roll with this adorable, charming debut from Lenora Woods!

My current hyperfixation is Baldur's Gate 3 and this was a perfect companion piece; the illustration of Noah on the cover is so Gale-coded after all.

The characters, all of them, were so likeable and quirky in their own ways. My heart was so full reading the romance develop both in the characters' lives and in their D&D game. The chapters mostly alternated between the two and it was like reading two stories in one. I really loved everything about this and it is so impressive of a debut. I look forward to more by this author and will be ordering a physical copy for sure.

I could only hope that my Tav has an ending with Gale that compares to Jaylie and Loren.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review
]]> 218727745 A debut fantasy romance filled with hope after heartbreak, secrets, and betrayal, as a dancer-turned-spy must decide how far she will go to secure her freedom

“Beautifully written, with immersive worldbuilding, a gripping plot, and heart-pounding danger around every turn.�—Kerri Maniscalco, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Throne of Secrets

My protector is gone, revealed to be a monster. But I remind myself that I am not a damsel. I’m no princess bound within a tower.

I am a shadow.

Vasalie Moran was once a dancer in King Illian’s court, until he framed her for murder. Barely surviving her two years in the dungeons, she’s suddenly called to face her king. He offers her a become his spy at the six-week royal Gathering and he’ll grant her freedom.

As Illian’s orders grow bloody and dangerous, forcing her to harm and betray those around her, Vasalie discovers that the monster she serves may be aligned with a bigger monster—one far closer to home. With her world threatened, Vasalie enlists the help of Illian’s brother and greatest adversary, the infamous King of the East.

As the rivalry between brothers escalates, with Vasalie caught in the middle, the horrifying truth of her past comes to light. If she wants to survive, she must decide who to trust, who to fight for, and how much of her soul she’s willing to damn in the process.]]> Brittney Arena 0593973208 Nichole 3 arc
I appreciated the disability representation in regards to the FMC, but it was a bit too character-driven and not enough plot-driven for my personal taste. It started off quite Throne Of Glass-esque but did eventually find its footing. It ramped up in intensity for the last 20-30% and the payoff was worth the slow build.

Overall, a solid debut from Brittney Arena and I could see this leading to a series run.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.]]> 3.93 2025
author: Brittney Arena
name: Nichole
average rating: 3.93
book published: 2025
rating: 3
read at: 2025/01/23
date added: 2025/01/23
shelves: arc
review:
3.5 ��

I appreciated the disability representation in regards to the FMC, but it was a bit too character-driven and not enough plot-driven for my personal taste. It started off quite Throne Of Glass-esque but did eventually find its footing. It ramped up in intensity for the last 20-30% and the payoff was worth the slow build.

Overall, a solid debut from Brittney Arena and I could see this leading to a series run.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
]]> 217388100
Terlu Perna broke the law because she was lonely. She cast a spell and created a magically sentient spider plant. As punishment, she was turned into a wooden statue and tucked away into an alcove in the North Reading Room of the Great Library of Alyssium.

This should have been the end of her story . . . Yet one day, Terlu wakes in the cold of winter on a nearly-deserted island full of hundreds of magical greenhouses. She’s starving and freezing, and the only other human on the island is a grumpy gardener. To her surprise, he offers Terlu a place to sleep, clean clothes, and freshly baked honey cakes—at least until she’s ready to sail home.

But Terlu can’t return home and doesn’t want to—the greenhouses are a dream come true, each more wondrous than the next. When she learns that the magic that sustains them is failing—causing the death of everything within them—Terlu knows she must help. Even if that means breaking the law again.

This time, though, she isn’t alone. Assisted by the gardener and a sentient rose, Terlu must unravel the secrets of a long-dead sorcerer if she wants to save the island—and have a fresh chance at happiness and love.

Funny, kind, and forgiving, The Enchanted Greenhouse is a story about giving second chances—to others and to yourself.]]> 384 Sarah Beth Durst 1250333989 Nichole 0 to-read 4.44 2025
author: Sarah Beth Durst
name: Nichole
average rating: 4.44
book published: 2025
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/01/16
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 216655567 The first novel in the all-new Golden Girls Cozy Mystery Series!

When Dorothy’s obnoxious date is found dead in a hotel freezer, it not only ruins a gorgeous cheesecake but threatens the elaborate St. Olaf–themed wedding Rose is hosting.

Things are heating up, and not just because of Blanche’s hot flashes. Rose’s cousin is eloping to Miami, and Rose is playing host. If she can't balance the groom’s family’s snobbery against the traditional St. Olaf wedding week guidelines, her hometown may never accept her cousin again!

Dorothy quickly realizes she needs a date with whom she can exchange wedding-related wisecracks. Turning to a newfangled VHS dating service, she believes she’s found the ideal conversationalist. Unfortunately, what looks good on TV can actually be a total jerk in real life. It seems she’ll just have to enjoy the company of Sophia, Blanche, and whomever Blanche has targeted for a hookup.

As the Girls all pitch in, Rose is thrilled that the tea-and-fish-themed kickoff event is perfect, not a herring out of place. That is until Dorothy’s date is found dead—face-planted in an otherwise scrumptious-looking cheesecake. With every guest a suspect (especially Dorothy) and a marriage on the line, the four besties must ID the real killer, get the should-be-happy couple down the aisle, and make sure nobody from St. Olaf gets lost in the wilds of Miami. It’s up to the Golden Girls to sleuth out a way for friendship and love to win the day!]]> 292 Rachel Ekstrom Courage 1368102972 Nichole 4 arc
I was thrilled to find out this book exists and felt like it was written for fans like me. It was like an extended episode fit to page and the author really captured the nuances of each character. The murder took somewhat of a backseat to the wedding plot, but I enjoyed the St. Olaf wedding traditions. A couple of decent twists were thrown in for good measure. Overall this was a charming read and I would absolutely recommend it to fans of the show. I look forward to the next slice of cheesecake in this series!

Thank you to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for being a friend and for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.]]> 3.66 2025
author: Rachel Ekstrom Courage
name: Nichole
average rating: 3.66
book published: 2025
rating: 4
read at: 2025/01/16
date added: 2025/01/16
shelves: arc
review:
The Golden Girls have been a part of me for pretty much my whole life. As an 80's baby, I spent many weekends with my grandmother and together we would watch The Golden Girls. Obviously I didn't grasp a lot of the humor until I was older, but they have remained a constant source of comfort through the years.

I was thrilled to find out this book exists and felt like it was written for fans like me. It was like an extended episode fit to page and the author really captured the nuances of each character. The murder took somewhat of a backseat to the wedding plot, but I enjoyed the St. Olaf wedding traditions. A couple of decent twists were thrown in for good measure. Overall this was a charming read and I would absolutely recommend it to fans of the show. I look forward to the next slice of cheesecake in this series!

Thank you to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for being a friend and for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
]]> 222706197 The HOTLY ANTICIPATED adult debut novel by the beloved, #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING author of the Caraval and Once Upon a Broken Heart series

It starts with a class in an old movie theater.

Folklore 517: Local Legends and Urban Myths, taught by a woman called the Professor. Most students believe the Professor’s stories are just fiction, but Holland St. James has always been convinced that magic is real. When she tracks down a local legend named the Watch Man, who can supposedly tell you when you’ll die, the world finally makes sense. Except that the Watch Man tells her she will die at midnight tomorrow unless she finds an ancient object called the Alchemical Heart.

With the clock ticking, Holland is pulled deeper into this magical world in the heart of Los Angeles—and into the path of a magnetic stranger. Everything about him feels like a bad idea, but he promises Holland that her sister sent him to protect her. As they chase clues and stories that take them closer to the Alchemical Heart, Holland realizes everyone in this intoxicating new world is lying to her, even this stranger. And if she can’t figure out whom to trust, not even the Alchemical Heart will save her.]]> 336 Stephanie Garber 125078915X Nichole 0 to-read 4.69 2025
author: Stephanie Garber
name: Nichole
average rating: 4.69
book published: 2025
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/01/16
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 75567865 The final novel in the First Law Trilogy by New York Times bestseller Joe Abercrombie.

Logen Ninefingers might only have one more fight in him -- but it's going to be a big one. Battle rages across the North, the king of the Northmen still stands firm, and there's only one man who can stop him. His oldest friend, and his oldest enemy: it's time for the Bloody-Nine to come home.

With too many masters and too little time, Superior Glokta is fighting a different kind of war. A secret struggle in which no one is safe, and no one can be trusted. As his days with a sword are far behind him, it's fortunate that he's deadly with his remaining weapons: blackmail, threats, and torture.

Jezal dan Luthar has decided that winning glory is too painful an undertaking and turned his back on soldiering for a simple life with the woman he loves. But love can be painful too -- and glory has a nasty habit of creeping up on a man when he least expects it.

The king of the Union lies on his deathbed, the peasants revolt, and the nobles scramble to steal his crown. No one believes that the shadow of war is about to fall across the heart of the Union. Only the First of the Magi can save the world, but there are risks. There is no risk more terrible, than to break the First Law...

First Law Trilogy
The Blade Itself
Before They Are Hanged
Last Argument of Kings

For more from Joe Abercrombie, check out:

Novels in the First Law world
Best Served Cold
The Heroes
Red Country]]> 642 Joe Abercrombie Nichole 4
I appreciated how there was no true "happy ending"- that made it seem more realistic. Morally gray, evil-leaning characters, loads of violence. Glokta is still my favorite of the characters and I found his story the most interesting.

Not sure if I will continue with the other books in the First Law universe, but I overall enjoyed each book more than the one preceding it.]]> 4.45 2008
author: Joe Abercrombie
name: Nichole
average rating: 4.45
book published: 2008
rating: 4
read at: 2025/01/14
date added: 2025/01/14
shelves:
review:
Such a satisfying conclusion to the trilogy!

I appreciated how there was no true "happy ending"- that made it seem more realistic. Morally gray, evil-leaning characters, loads of violence. Glokta is still my favorite of the characters and I found his story the most interesting.

Not sure if I will continue with the other books in the First Law universe, but I overall enjoyed each book more than the one preceding it.
]]> 205366148 Drawing on the Grimm Brothers� dark fairytale, “Godfather Death,� this new novel by the #1 New York Times bestselling author of House of Salt and Sorrows is a sweeping, fantastical saga of actions and consequences.

This is the story ofÌý Hazel, a young healer navigating a ruthless court to save the life of the king, grappling with a pantheon of gods with questionable agendas as she fights for agency and true love in her own life as the goddaughter of none other than Death himself.

All gifts come with a price.

Hazel Trépas has always known she wasn’t like the rest of her siblings. A thirteenth child, promised away to one of the gods, she spends her childhood waiting for her godfather—Merrick, the Dreaded End—to arrive.

When he does, he lays out exactly how he’s planned Hazel’s future. She will become a great healer, known throughout the kingdom for her precision and skill. To aid her endeavors, Merrick blesses Hazel with a gift, the ability to instantly deduce the exact cure needed to treat the sick.

But all gifts come with a price. Hazel can see when Death has claimed a patient—when all hope is gone—and is tasked to end their suffering, permanently. Haunted by the ghosts of those she’s killed, Hazel longs to run. But destiny brings her to the royal court, where she meets Leo, a rakish prince with a disdain for everything and everyone. And it’s where Hazel faces her biggest dilemma yet—to save the life of a king marked to die. Hazel knows what she is meant to do and knows what her heart is urging her toward, but what will happen if she goes against the will of Death?

From the astonishing mind of Erin A. Craig comes the breathtaking fairy tale retelling readers have been waiting for� what does a life well-lived mean, and how do we justify the impossible choices we make for the ones we love?]]> 501 Erin A. Craig 0593482603 Nichole 0 to-read, physical-tbr 4.19 2024
author: Erin A. Craig
name: Nichole
average rating: 4.19
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/01/11
shelves: to-read, physical-tbr
review:

]]> 211399780 A powerful and fierce reimagining of the earliest Roman legend: the twins, Romulus and Remus, mythical founders of history’s greatest empire, and the woman whose sacrifice made it all possible.

The names Romulus and Remus may be immortalized in map and stone and chronicle, but their mother exists only as a preface to her sons� journey, the princess turned oath-breaking priestess, condemned to death alongside her children.

But she did not die; she survived. And so does her story.

Beautiful, royal, rich: Rhea has it all—until her father loses his kingdom in a treacherous coup, and she is sent to the order of the Vestal Virgins to ensure she will never produce an heir.

Except when mortals scheme, gods laugh.

Rhea becomes pregnant, and human society turns against her. Abandoned, ostracized, and facing the gravest punishment, Rhea forges a dangerous deal with the divine, one that will forever change the trajectory of her life…and her beloved land.

To save her sons and reclaim their birthright, Rhea must summon nature’s mightiest force � a mother’s love � and fight.

All roads may lead to Rome, but they began with Rhea Silvia.]]> 400 Lauren J.A. Bear 0593638948 Nichole 0 to-read 4.34 2025
author: Lauren J.A. Bear
name: Nichole
average rating: 4.34
book published: 2025
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/01/01
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 146495682
The fake Canadian boyfriend. It's a thing. The get out of jail free card for all kinds of sticky social situations. “I can't go to prom; I'm going to be out of town visiting my boyfriend in Canada.� It's all over pop culture. But Aurora Evans did it first. Once upon a time she met a teenage hockey player at the Mall of America. He was from Canada. He was a boy. She may have fudged the “friend� part a little, but it wasn't like she was ever going to see him again. It wasn't like she hurt anyone. Until she did—years later—on both counts.
ÌýÌý
When pro hockey player and recent widower Mike Martin walks into the dance studio where Aurora Evans teaches, he's feeling overwhelmed with the fact that his wife may not have been exactly who he thought she was and the logistics of going back to work. As one of the few people his angry, heartbroken daughter connects with, Aurora agrees to be a pseudo nanny to help him navigate the upcoming school year and hockey season. To his surprise, she turns out to be the perfect balm for him as well. Aurora gets him. The real him underneath his pro jersey. And yet, he still finds himself holding back, unable to fully trust again—especially when he finds out the secret Aurora’s been hiding from him.]]> 371 Jenny Holiday Nichole 3 3.61 2024
author: Jenny Holiday
name: Nichole
average rating: 3.61
book published: 2024
rating: 3
read at: 2024/12/27
date added: 2024/12/27
shelves:
review:
I could not STAND how the FMC kept referring to the MMC by his full name the entire book. The third act break-up was lame and rushed, but the rest of it was okay I guess?
]]> 53912089
Fandom: Harry Potter
Pairing: Hermione Granger/Draco Malfoy
Words: 181,287]]> 724 LovesBitca8 Nichole 0 to-read 4.48
author: LovesBitca8
name: Nichole
average rating: 4.48
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/12/24
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 70239752
Or it was peaceful. Until Callum Dempsey turned up. A hot-shot (and, Katie has to admit, hot is annoyingly apt for him�) developer with zero eye for beauty or charm, in spite of his chiselled jaw. He’s not only building some hideous hotel just outside the village, but now he’s also planning to knock down Ennisbawn’s only remaining pub, to make way for a good view from the golf course.

It’s the final blow to the village and the last straw for Katie, who refuses to see her home disappear. Not to mention that the pub is the last connection to her parents, who had met at Ennisbawn’s once-famous matchmaking festival, both throwing coins into the wishing well that sits in the pub garden.

In an instant, Katie knows what to do. She’s going to uncover the now disused wishing well, she’s going to revive the matchmaking festival, and she’s going to single-handedly bring the town back to life again.

She might even help her two best friends find love as well. Since, heck, what’s another project when you’re taking on the world’s hottest, evilest man?

But what Ireland’s newest matchmaker doesn’t know is that even when someone’s really not your type on paper, love might be a little bit more than just a formula…]]> 346 Catherine Walsh 1803149159 Nichole 0 to-read 3.61
author: Catherine Walsh
name: Nichole
average rating: 3.61
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/12/21
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 59728404
It’s 7 a.m. on a Monday morning and Abby Reynolds isn’t where she wants to be. She wants to be in her beautiful loft apartment in Manhattan, drinking a coffee with her fiancé.

Instead, she’s heading back to the childhood home in rural Ireland she swore she’d never return to, with some big old secrets. Namely that she’s suddenly found herself unemployed, homeless, and absolutely 100% single.

She’s feeling all out of luck. Until the first person she meets after she touches down is an absurdly hot guy called Luke, who offers her a lift home. Gazing deep into his sparkling emerald-green eyes, Abby knows instantly that he’s exactly what she needs to take her mind off everything. The perfect rebound.

It’s a flawless plan. Until the next day, when Abby realizes who he actually is. Not just a stranger. He is, in fact, Luke Bailey, aka the boy next door. Luke Bailey who—so help her God—she’s pretty sure she once shared baths with, back when they were kids. Not that she can allow herself to imagine him in a bath now, not without blushing from head to foot.

And judging by the smirk on his face, the same Luke Bailey who’s known exactly who she was the whole time� And who, like everyone in the village, still thinks she’s a high-flying New Yorker� who’s getting married next year.

Abby is certain getting under Luke will help her get over her ex. But the truth is stopping her. Can she admit to everyone back home that she’s single and has lost everything? Because, if she wants the boy next door, she may just have to�

The perfect feel-good romantic comedy that will make you laugh until you cry and fall completely in love. Fans of Sophie Kinsella, Marian Keyes, and Emily Henry won’t be able to put this down!]]> 334 Catherine Walsh Nichole 0 to-read 3.88 2022
author: Catherine Walsh
name: Nichole
average rating: 3.88
book published: 2022
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/12/21
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 57955596 Who could have predicted this? Being at the same wedding. In Ireland. There’s a reason one-night stands are one-night stands. You’re not supposed to see each other again, especially not when you’re the maid of honor, and he’s the groom’s brother�

Sarah Anderson has never been more excited about anything in her life. She’s going to her best friend’s wedding. And not just any wedding. An Irish wedding. Goodbye New York, hello rolling green hills and men with beautiful accents and twinkling eyes.

But Sarah should have known that not all guests are fairy-tale princes�

There’s the chinless Uncle Trevor, whose idea of small talk is to claim climate change is a conspiracy.

Then there’s Great Aunt Eileen, who doesn’t talk at all (she’s too busy replacing the hotel cutlery with her own set).

Worst of all, there’s Declan Murphy. Best man. Brother of the groom. And the man Sarah last saw naked.

Is there anything more mortifying than bumping into a one-night stand halfway across the world? Especially as Declan seems determined to embarrass Sarah at every turn. At least when the wedding’s over she’ll never have to see him again.

But, back in New York, Sarah finds the more she tries to forget Declan, the more she can’t shake the thought of that infuriatingly charming smile and the way he wears a tux�

Was he really just for one night only, or might Declan Murphy be The One?

Prepare to laugh until you cry with this perfect feel-good romantic comedy about taking a chance on love. Fans of Sophie Ranald, Sophie Kinsella and Marian Keyes won’t be able to put this down!]]> 400 Catherine Walsh 1800195648 Nichole 0 to-read 3.80 2021
author: Catherine Walsh
name: Nichole
average rating: 3.80
book published: 2021
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/12/21
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 195487194
Christian’s fed up of being on his own every Christmas. He doesn’t mind being alone , but he hates his family’s sad eyes and soft tones as they sit around coupled up. Because he’s actually, totally, fine.

So when Megan literally bumps into Christian in a Dublin pub, they come up with a pact to see them through the holiday season. They’re going to be the very best fake dates for each other, ever .

Rules are drawn up, a contract is signed on a wine-stained napkin. They will sit through each other’s family gatherings and be outrageously in love until freed from their annual obligations. After all, it’s only for a few weeks.

But with everyone home for the holidays, two big families to deal with alongside old friends, old flames and old feelings, things are bound to get messy. And when a snowed-in cabin and a little Christmas magic are added to the mix, anything could happen�

A swoonworthy and utterly gorgeous romantic comedy that will make you laugh out loud and fall completely in love. Fans of Emily Henry, Sophie Kinsella and Abby Jimenez won’t be able to put this down!]]> 384 Catherine Walsh 1837906653 Nichole 5
A runaway bride, fake dating, he-falls-first, drama with low stakes at hand...Everything I would ask for in a Christmas read.

Is it too late to ask Krampus for more Catherine Walsh cozy romances? Because she just "gets it." ��]]> 4.08 2023
author: Catherine Walsh
name: Nichole
average rating: 4.08
book published: 2023
rating: 5
read at: 2024/12/21
date added: 2024/12/21
shelves:
review:
This had me blushing and kicking my feet, feeling such warmth when it's in the single-digits right now in Upstate New York.

A runaway bride, fake dating, he-falls-first, drama with low stakes at hand...Everything I would ask for in a Christmas read.

Is it too late to ask Krampus for more Catherine Walsh cozy romances? Because she just "gets it." ��
]]> 203883882 25 Catherine Walsh Nichole 3 3.65
author: Catherine Walsh
name: Nichole
average rating: 3.65
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2024/12/20
date added: 2024/12/20
shelves:
review:
Very cute! A charming, steamy quick novella to bridge the gap between the two books.
]]> 61401417 She’s meant to be catching flights, not catching feelings�

Molly and Andrew are just trying to get home to Ireland for the holidays, when a freak snowstorm grounds their flight.

Nothing romantic has ever happened between them: they’re friends and that’s all. But once a year, for the last ten years, Molly has spent seven hours and fifteen minutes sitting next to Andrew on the last flight before Christmas from Chicago to Dublin, drinking terrible airplane wine and catching up on each other’s lives. In spite of all the ways the two friends are different, it’s the holiday tradition neither of them has ever wanted to give up.

Molly isn’t that bothered by Christmas, but—in yet another way they’re total opposites—Andrew is a full-on fanatic for the festive season and she knows how much getting back to Ireland means to him. So, instead of doing the sane thing and just celebrating the holidays together in America, she does the stupid thing. The irrational thing. She vows to get him home. And in time for his mam’s famous Christmas dinner.

The clock is ticking. But Molly always has a plan. And—as long as the highly-specific combination of taxis, planes, boats, and trains all run on time—it can’t possibly go wrong.

What she doesn’t know is that, as the snow falls over the city and over the heads of two friends who are sure they’re not meant to be together, the universe might just have a plan of its own�

A totally gorgeous and escapist friends-to-lovers festive romance with a swoon-worthy hero. Perfect for fans of Sophie Kinsella, Mhairi Macfarlane, and Christina Lauren.]]> 354 Catherine Walsh 1803145455 Nichole 4 4.01 2022
author: Catherine Walsh
name: Nichole
average rating: 4.01
book published: 2022
rating: 4
read at: 2024/12/18
date added: 2024/12/18
shelves:
review:
This was basically "People We Meet On Christmas Vacation" and I loved every minute of it. So funny and cute!
]]> 54310306
Noemí is also an unlikely rescuer: She’s a glamorous debutante, and her chic gowns and perfect red lipstick are more suited for cocktail parties than amateur sleuthing. But she’s also tough and smart, with an indomitable will, and she is not afraid: Not of her cousin’s new husband, who is both menacing and alluring; not of his father, the ancient patriarch who seems to be fascinated by Noemí; and not even of the house itself, which begins to invade Noemi’s dreams with visions of blood and doom.

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

And Noemí, mesmerized by the terrifying yet seductive world of High Place, may soon find it impossible to ever leave this enigmatic house behind.]]> 336 Silvia Moreno-Garcia Nichole 4 3.71 2020
author: Silvia Moreno-Garcia
name: Nichole
average rating: 3.71
book published: 2020
rating: 4
read at: 2020/07/23
date added: 2024/12/18
shelves:
review:

]]> 58638093 The second novel in the wildly popular First Law Trilogy from New York Times bestseller Joe Abercrombie.

Superior Glokta has a problem. How do you defend a city surrounded by enemies and riddled with traitors, when your allies can by no means be trusted, and your predecessor vanished without a trace? It's enough to make a torturer want to run -- if he could even walk without a stick.

Northmen have spilled over the border of Angland and are spreading fire and death across the frozen country. Crown Prince Ladisla is poised to drive them back and win undying glory. There is only one problem -- he commands the worst-armed, worst-trained, worst-led army in the world.

And Bayaz, the First of the Magi, is leading a party of bold adventurers on a perilous mission through the ruins of the past. The most hated woman in the South, the most feared man in the North, and the most selfish boy in the Union make a strange alliance, but a deadly one. They might even stand a chance of saving mankind from the Eaters -- if they didn't hate each other quite so much.

Ancient secrets will be uncovered. Bloody battles will be won and lost. Bitter enemies will be forgiven -- but not before they are hanged.


First Law Trilogy
The Blade Itself
Before They Are Hanged
Last Argument of Kings


For more from Joe Abercrombie, check out:

Novels in the First Law world
Best Served Cold
The Heroes
Red Country]]> 644 Joe Abercrombie Nichole 4
I already have the third book on standby and I'm reluctant to immediately start reading because I'm not ready for this trilogy to end, but I also can't wait for what befalls the characters next.]]> 4.50 2007
author: Joe Abercrombie
name: Nichole
average rating: 4.50
book published: 2007
rating: 4
read at: 2024/12/15
date added: 2024/12/15
shelves:
review:
Leaps and bounds an improvement from the first book. This one hit the ground running with action, brutal imagery, and emotion. I appreciated more of the matter-of-fact storytelling and that nothing was sugarcoated and no character was safe. There was a blur of good guy/bad guy characteristics that is refreshing; like they are moreso morally gray. Glokta is still the character I was most enthralled by.

I already have the third book on standby and I'm reluctant to immediately start reading because I'm not ready for this trilogy to end, but I also can't wait for what befalls the characters next.
]]> 25465276 Murder most foul comes to the small town of Perry Hollow, Pa., in DEATH NOTICE, the debut thriller from Todd Ritter, hailed by bestselling author Lisa Unger as a “fresh new voice in fiction.�

On a frigid March morning, Perry Hollow Police Chief Kat Campbell finds the corpse of a local farmer in a homemade coffin on the side of the road. A gash on his neck has been sewn shut. So have his lips. Making matters even worse � the killer sent warning of the crime to Henry Goll, the reclusive obituary writer for the local newspaper.

Teaming up with State Police investigator Nick Donnelly, Kat and Henry find themselves racing to stop a serial killer before he can strike again. It’s a task that threatens their towns, their families and their very lives.

A blend of nail-biting suspense, heart-stopping action and instantly intriguing characters, Death Notice is a taut thriller that’s sure to be devoured by fans of Tess Gerritsen’s Rizzoli & Isles and Karin Slaughter’s Sarah Linton.
]]> 336 Todd Ritter Nichole 0 to-read 4.25 2010
author: Todd Ritter
name: Nichole
average rating: 4.25
book published: 2010
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/12/13
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 22521895
The year is 1869, and the Civil War haunts the city of Philadelphia like a stubborn ghost. Mothers in black continue to mourn their lost sons. Photographs of the dead adorn dim sitting rooms. Maimed and broken men roam the streets. One of those men is Edward Clark, who is still tormented by what he saw during the war. Also constantly in his thoughts is another, more distant tragedy--the murder of his mother at the hands of his father, the famed magician Magellan Holmes...a crime that Edward witnessed when he was only ten.

Now a crime reporter for one of the city's largest newspapers, Edward is asked to use his knowledge of illusions and visual trickery to expose the influx of mediums that descended on Philadelphia in the wake of the war. His first target is Mrs. Lucy Collins, a young widow who uses old-fashioned sleight of hand to prey on grieving families. Soon, Edward and Lucy become entwined in the murder of Lenora Grimes Pastor, the city's most highly regarded--and by all accounts, legitimate--medium, who dies mid-seance. With their reputations and livelihoods at risk, Edward and Lucy set out to find the real killer, and in the process unearth a terrifying hive of secrets that reaches well beyond Mrs. Pastor.

Blending historical detail with flights of fancy, "Things Half in Shadow" is a riveting thriller where "Medium" and "The Sixth Sense" meet "The Alienist"--and where nothing is quite as it seems...]]> 436 Alan Finn 1476761736 Nichole 0 to-read 4.06 2014
author: Alan Finn
name: Nichole
average rating: 4.06
book published: 2014
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/12/13
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 60896180
The fiercely-anticipated sequel to the #1 New York Times bestseller Once Upon a Broken Heart, starring Evangeline Fox and the Prince of Hearts on a new journey of magic, mystery, and heartbreak

Not every love is meant to be.

After Jacks, the Prince of Hearts, betrays her, Evangeline Fox swears she'll never trust him again. Now that she’s discovered her own magic, Evangeline believes she can use it to restore the chance at happily ever after that Jacks stole away.

But when a new terrifying curse is revealed, Evangeline finds herself entering into a tenuous partnership with the Prince of Hearts again. Only this time, the rules have changed. Jacks isn’t the only force Evangeline needs to be wary of. In fact, he might be the only one she can trust, despite her desire to despise him.

Instead of a love spell wreaking havoc on Evangeline’s life, a murderous spell has been cast. To break it, Evangeline and Jacks will have to do battle with old friends, new foes, and a magic that plays with heads and hearts. Evangeline has always trusted her heart, but this time she’s not sure she can�
.]]> 416 Stephanie Garber 1250874742 Nichole 3 4.65 2022
author: Stephanie Garber
name: Nichole
average rating: 4.65
book published: 2022
rating: 3
read at: 2022/10/06
date added: 2024/12/10
shelves:
review:

]]> 211053410 An incisive and insightful memoir by one of the most beloved icons of nineties television Jaleel White, the actor who portrayed Steve Urkel on the hit sitcom Family Matters.

At the tender age of twelve, Jaleel White auditioned for the role of Steve Urkel, the socially inept genius, who was in love with his next-door neighbor, Laura.

Though Steve Urkel was intended to be in only one episode, Jaleel’s indelible performance catapulted Urkel into the pantheon of American pop culture. But success can cost as much as it pays. After nine years on the popular sitcom Family Matters, Jaleel is twenty-one, a UCLA undergrad, and adjusting to a world and industry that sees him as the nasally nerd in high water pants, suspenders, and coke bottle glasses.

In this wise and witty memoir, Growing Up Urkel takes you on a memorable journey through the peaks, valleys, and plateaus of fame and fortune.]]> 335 Jaleel White 1668068915 Nichole 0 to-read 3.61
author: Jaleel White
name: Nichole
average rating: 3.61
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/12/05
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 220447128 256-Page Hardcover Book
Over 500 images, including never-before-seen performance photos from every era
In addition, exclusive rehearsal photos and behind-the-scenes images of instruments, costumes, set pieces and designer sketches]]> 256 Taylor Swift Nichole 0 to-read, physical-tbr 4.88 2024
author: Taylor Swift
name: Nichole
average rating: 4.88
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/11/29
shelves: to-read, physical-tbr
review:

]]> 50009069 The first novel in the First Law Trilogy and debut novel from New York Times bestseller, Joe Abercrombie.

Logen Ninefingers, infamous barbarian, has finally run out of luck. Caught in one feud too many, he's on the verge of becoming a dead barbarian -- leaving nothing behind him but bad songs, dead friends, and a lot of happy enemies.

Nobleman, dashing officer, and paragon of selfishness, Captain Jezal dan Luthar has nothing more dangerous in mind than fleecing his friends at cards and dreaming of glory in the fencing circle. But war is brewing, and on the battlefields of the frozen North they fight by altogether bloodier rules.

Inquisitor Glokta, cripple turned torturer, would like nothing better than to see Jezal come home in a box. But then Glokta hates cutting treason out of the Union one confession at a time leaves little room for friendship. His latest trail of corpses may lead him right to the rotten heart of government, if he can stay alive long enough to follow it.

Enter the wizard, Bayaz. A bald old man with a terrible temper and a pathetic assistant, he could be the First of the Magi, he could be a spectacular fraud, but whatever he is, he's about to make the lives of Logen, Jezal, and Glokta a whole lot more difficult.

Murderous conspiracies rise to the surface, old scores are ready to be settled, and the line between hero and villain is sharp enough to draw blood

Unpredictable, compelling, wickedly funny, and packed with unforgettable characters, The Blade Itself is noir fantasy with a real cutting edge.

First Law Trilogy
The Blade Itself
Before They Are Hanged
Last Argument of Kings

For more from Joe Abercrombie, check

Novels in the First Law world
Best Served Cold
The Heroes
Red Country
]]> 536 Joe Abercrombie 0316387339 Nichole 3
I really liked the writing style: matter-of-fact with a mixture of humor and emotion. The plot was very character-driven, but without an abundance of info-dumping. It also sounds silly, but I'm relieved that there weren't too many characters and confusing names/places. Glokta was my favorite character by far and I loved his internal monologues; I can't wait to read more about him.

I would've rated it higher had it not felt like a set-up for the other two books in the series, but I enjoyed this nonetheless. Another successful BarbarousKing Book Club read.

]]> 4.32 2006
author: Joe Abercrombie
name: Nichole
average rating: 4.32
book published: 2006
rating: 3
read at: 2024/11/28
date added: 2024/11/28
shelves:
review:
3.5��

I really liked the writing style: matter-of-fact with a mixture of humor and emotion. The plot was very character-driven, but without an abundance of info-dumping. It also sounds silly, but I'm relieved that there weren't too many characters and confusing names/places. Glokta was my favorite character by far and I loved his internal monologues; I can't wait to read more about him.

I would've rated it higher had it not felt like a set-up for the other two books in the series, but I enjoyed this nonetheless. Another successful BarbarousKing Book Club read.


]]> 203607356 Two very indoor people rough it on a remote island after getting swept up in an archaeologist’s hunt for a famed jewel in this dazzling new adventure rom-com by Kerry Rea, author of Lucy on the Wild Side.

If Emily Edwards knows one thing, it’s that you don’t go to a remote island by yourself. Ever the type A personality, Emily doesn’t want to hike around an unfamiliar island, but she’s determined to fulfill her late father’s national park bucket list, starting with Isle Royale National Park—home to wolves, bears, and hundred-year-old shipwrecks. She has no choice but to hire a tour guide, and there is only one that isn’t booked solid.

Ryder Fleet, co-owner of Fleet Outdoor Adventures, wouldn’t call himself a wilderness expert, and he definitely doesn’t know how to find true north. But when his dormant adventure guide business suddenly finds life again after a random inquiry, Ryder somehow finds himself on a ferry to Isle Royale with a very beautiful, no-nonsense woman. What this woman doesn’t know is that his brother Caleb, who died two years ago, was the outdoorsman of their business, while Ryder just did the marketing. But how hard could it be to hike up a few mountains?

Pretty difficult, actually, when murder is involved. Emily’s perfectly planned trek turns disastrous when she and Ryder witness a brutal crime and are suddenly forced to evade a group of archaeologists on the hunt for a jewel. As they spend nights together too close for comfort, they realize their shoddily built fire isn’t the only thing that’s kindling, and that they must trust each other if they want to escape the island with their lives—and hearts—intact.]]> 331 Kerry Rea 0593815653 Nichole 0 to-read 3.86 2024
author: Kerry Rea
name: Nichole
average rating: 3.86
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/11/26
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 221255822
Clementine Clark isn’t looking for love. Growing up with a single mom who weeps over a new guy each week tends to have that effect on a girl. But Clementine doesn’t mind being the rational one—she’s even buried her musical dreams so deeply within herself that she hardly notices the hole it’s left in her life.

That is until her best friend calls her with a life-changing opportunity: to join Irish megastar Halloran on his first US tour as a backing vocalist. Clementine wants to reject the offer, but the pay is enough to change her and her mom’s life. Overnight, Clementine goes from serving enchiladas at the Happy Tortilla to belting high notes before a cheering crowd.

But the whiplash of trading small-town Texas for sold-out stadiums is nothing compared to the rush of performing with the enigmatic Thomas Patrick Halloran. Poet, introvert, and lyrical genius, Halloran quickly gets under Clementine’s skin. The two couldn’t see the world more differently. And yet, over the course of the next eight weeks on tour, the romantic rockstar might just strike an unforgettable chord in Clementine. But will it be enough for an encore?]]> Kate Golden 0593953428 Nichole 0 to-read 4.00 2025
author: Kate Golden
name: Nichole
average rating: 4.00
book published: 2025
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/11/21
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 202289210 The tiny human hires me to shield her from the vengeance of a powerful organization. There’s nothing wrong with that, except she stole from them, got caught, and now I have to clean up her mess. Add to that her incessant chatter, and I’m in for the most unpleasant job in my career.

Until her enemies bring out the big guns, turning the irksome protection assignment into a lethal fight for survival. Necessity pushes my principal closer and closer—too close for comfort. Forced to hide in small spaces, her skin rubbing against my scales, her warm breath on my face, my exasperation gives way to lust.

It’s just physical attraction, I tell myself. All I want is to bury my two spikes in her tight body and feel her writhing under me in pleasure. Nothing more than that. Because it’s impossible I could want her–the annoying, ballsy little thief who makes the sun shine with a smile.

One thing is certain: this is no longer just a job. I’ll butcher everyone who wants to hurt her.

Monster Security Agency is the most elite bodyguard service in the world. These monster bodyguards are lethal, powerful, and determined to protect their clients at all costs. They shouldn't fall in love with their principals, but if they do? Things are bound to explode.

Here come spicy, romantic, and action-packed tales by your favorite paranormal and monster romance authors: Cassie Alexander, Layla Fae, and Cara Wylde. Dive into the world of the Monster Security Agency.

This book can be read as a standalone.]]> 246 Layla Fae Nichole 0 to-read 4.14
author: Layla Fae
name: Nichole
average rating: 4.14
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/11/21
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 221732219 A wandering fortune teller finds an unexpected family in this warm and wonderful debut fantasy, perfect for readers of Travis Baldree and Sangu Mandanna.

Tao is an immigrant fortune teller, traveling between villages with just her trusty mule for company. She only tells "small" whether it will hail next week; which boy the barmaid will kiss; when the cow will calve. She knows from bitter experience that big fortunes come with big consequences�

Even if it’s a lonely life, it’s better than the one she left behind. But a small fortune unexpectedly becomes something more when a (semi) reformed thief and an ex-mercenary recruit her into their desperate search for a lost child. Soon, they’re joined by a baker with a knead for adventure, and—of course—a slightly magical cat.

Tao sets down a new path with companions as big-hearted as her fortunes are small. But as she lowers her walls, the shadows of her past are closing in—and she’ll have to decide whether to risk everything to preserve the family she never thought she could have.]]> 324 Julie Leong Nichole 0 to-read, physical-tbr 3.72 2024
author: Julie Leong
name: Nichole
average rating: 3.72
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/11/20
shelves: to-read, physical-tbr
review:

]]> 221607519 From NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author Mary E. Pearson comes a thrilling romantic fantasy full of dangerous fae, dark secrets, and addictive romance-- the first book in a duology.

After losing both their parents, Bristol Keats and her sisters struggle to stay afloat in their small, quiet town of Bowskeep. When Bristol begins to receive letters from an “aunt� she’s never heard of who promises she can help, she reluctantly agrees to meet―and discovers that everything she thought she knew about her family is a lie. Even her father might still be alive, not killed but kidnapped by terrifying creatures to a whole other realm―the one he is from.

Desperate to save her father and find the truth, Bristol journeys to a land of gods and fae and monsters. Pulled into a dangerous world of magic and intrigue, she makes a deadly bargain with the fae king, Tyghan. But what she doesn't know is that he's the one who drove her parents to live a life on the run. And he is just as determined as she is to find her father―dead or alive.]]> 560 Mary E. Pearson Nichole 0 to-read, physical-tbr 3.31 2024
author: Mary E. Pearson
name: Nichole
average rating: 3.31
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/11/20
shelves: to-read, physical-tbr
review:

]]> 213423368 From the author of the nationally bestselling Dungeons and Drama comes another gaming romance that's sure to win you over!

Quinn Norton is starting over at a new high school and hopes that joining a D&D game will be the trick to making friends. The plan sounds even better when she’s invited into a group that includes Logan Weber, the cute and charming guy she met on her first day of class. But this isn’t your average D&D campaign� this group livestreams their games and enforces strict rules: no phones allowed, and no dating other group members.

Quinn is willing to accept the rules, even if it makes Logan off-limits. And she quickly learns that doing so won’t be a problem, since Logan goes from charismatic to insufferable as soon as she agrees to join. As their bickering—and bantering—intensifies inside and outside the game, Quinn can’t help wondering: Is Logan’s infuriating behavior a smokescreen for hidden feelings? Quinn is risking it all, and the twenty-sided dice are rolling!]]> 316 Kristy Boyce 0593899210 Nichole 3 arc
Another wholesome, quick teen romance with a cute D&D connection. I liked the change of scenery with this one, namely a fresh cast of characters and D&D being incorporated via livestreaming.

The supporting characters, namely Quinn's grandmother and her elderly companions, were the standout. The pickleball scene was just too cute!

I know I'm not the target audience for these being a ~40-year-old laaady~ but I'm glad I had a good roll of initiative.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children's/Delacorte Romance for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.]]> 4.13 2024
author: Kristy Boyce
name: Nichole
average rating: 4.13
book published: 2024
rating: 3
read at: 2024/11/15
date added: 2024/11/15
shelves: arc
review:
3.5��

Another wholesome, quick teen romance with a cute D&D connection. I liked the change of scenery with this one, namely a fresh cast of characters and D&D being incorporated via livestreaming.

The supporting characters, namely Quinn's grandmother and her elderly companions, were the standout. The pickleball scene was just too cute!

I know I'm not the target audience for these being a ~40-year-old laaady~ but I'm glad I had a good roll of initiative.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children's/Delacorte Romance for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
]]> 205804189
A cop walked into a nursing home and unloaded his weapons on elderly and staff alike. A mass of school shootings. Prison riots of unprecedented brutality. Mind-boggling acts of violence in every state.

4 Days Ago the murders increased ten-fold. . .

3 Days Ago the President addressed the nation and begged for calm and peace. . .

2 Days Ago the killers began to mobilize. . .

Yesterday all the power went out. . .

Tonight they're reading the names of those to be killed on the Emergency Broadcast System. You are listening over the battery-powered radio on your kitchen table, and they've just read yours. Your name is Jack Colclough. You have a wife, a daughter, and a young son. You live in Albuquerque, New Mexico. People are coming to your house to kill you and your family. You don't know why, but you don't have time to think about that any more. You only have time to R - U - N!

©2012 Blake Crouch (P)2012 Brilliance Audio, Inc.]]> 336 Blake Crouch 059387479X Nichole 0 to-read, physical-tbr 3.65 2011
author: Blake Crouch
name: Nichole
average rating: 3.65
book published: 2011
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/11/14
shelves: to-read, physical-tbr
review:

]]> 220389458 New York Times bestselling author Ali Hazelwood.

All newly minted pediatrician Jamie Malek wants is to borrow a roasting pan for Christmas dinner. Unfortunately, that requires her to interact with Marc—her best friend’s troublemaking brother, who’s now a tech billionaire. He’s the one who got away. She’s the one who broke his heart. Outside, a howling blizzard. Inside, a crackling fire. Suddenly, being snowbound with the man she never expected to see again might not be such a bad way to spend a winter’s night.

Ali Hazelwood’s Cruel Winter with You is part of Under the Mistletoe, a stirring collection of December romances that thrill and tingle all the way. They can be read or listened to in one swoony sitting.]]> 73 Ali Hazelwood 1662528396 Nichole 4 Edged by Ali Hazelwood again 3.68 2024
author: Ali Hazelwood
name: Nichole
average rating: 3.68
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2024/11/12
date added: 2024/11/12
shelves:
review:
Edged by Ali Hazelwood again
]]> 219764967 Welcome, welcome back to the mysteriously enchanting world of CARAVAL! Return to the legendary magic and the whimsical wonder with this beautifully illustrated holiday novella.

Snowflakes are falling.
Invitations are arriving.
And holiday magic is swirling in the capital city of the Meridian Empire.

It’s Great Holiday Eve Eve. Scarlett Dragna is planning a spectacular Holiday celebration for the city. Donatella is searching for the perfect gift. Julian is looking ridiculously handsome in green. And Legend . . .

Well, sadly Legend is not fond of the Great Holiday. Tella is hoping her perfect gift will change his mind. Unfortunately, she hasn’t found this perfect gift just yet. But it is Great Holiday Eve Eve . . . surely there’s some holiday magic swirling around.

Welcome, welcome back to the world of Caraval, where even holidays are not as they seem.

Set after Stephanie Garber's #1 NEW YORK TIMES bestselling Caraval series, this delightful novella will take readers on the ultimate holiday adventure full of clockwork boys, poisoned candy, impish snow globes, merriment, and―if Tella gets her way―love.

Gorgeously illustrated by Rosie Thorns, SPECTACULAR is the perfect edition for collectors, readers, dreamers, and lovers of holiday magic.]]> 219 Stephanie Garber 1250368693 Nichole 4 3.91 2024
author: Stephanie Garber
name: Nichole
average rating: 3.91
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2024/11/11
date added: 2024/11/11
shelves:
review:
The artwork accompanying this magical little novella was STUNNING and I love that it was focused more on Tella and Legend. Perfect for those that love the holidays and want a little more glimpse into the Caraval universe with the trademark whimsy and romance.
]]> 40381392 A love worth fighting for. A dream worth dying for. An ending worth waiting for.

It’s been two months since the Fates were freed from a deck of cards, two months since Legend claimed the throne for his own, and two months since Tella discovered the boy she fell in love with doesn’t really exist.

With lives, empires, and hearts hanging in the balance, Tella must decide if she’s going to trust Legend or a former enemy. After uncovering a secret that upends her life, Scarlett will need to do the impossible. And Legend has a choice to make that will forever change and define him.

Caraval is over, but perhaps the greatest game of all has begun. There are no spectators this time—only those who will win, and those who will lose everything.

Welcome, welcome to Finale . . . all games must come to an end.]]> 478 Stephanie Garber 1250157668 Nichole 4
HOWEVER

Both of the FMC were in MULTIPLE LOVE TRIANGLES and all I could think of was that quote from Heath Ledger in 10 Things I Hate About You: "Does she have beer-flavored nipples or something?"

Jacks was the best part. He deserved better. I remember the first time I read this being upset that Tella chose Legend over him, but OUABH fixed that for me haha]]> 4.14 2019
author: Stephanie Garber
name: Nichole
average rating: 4.14
book published: 2019
rating: 4
read at: 2024/11/10
date added: 2024/11/10
shelves:
review:
This is my favorite book in the series.

HOWEVER

Both of the FMC were in MULTIPLE LOVE TRIANGLES and all I could think of was that quote from Heath Ledger in 10 Things I Hate About You: "Does she have beer-flavored nipples or something?"

Jacks was the best part. He deserved better. I remember the first time I read this being upset that Tella chose Legend over him, but OUABH fixed that for me haha
]]> 36329818
After being swept up in the magical world of Caraval, Donatella Dragna has finally escaped her father and saved her sister, Scarlett, from a disastrous arranged marriage. The girls should be celebrating, but Tella isn’t yet free. She made a desperate bargain with a mysterious criminal, and what Tella owes him no one has ever been able to deliver: Caraval Master Legend’s true name.

The only chance of uncovering Legend’s identity is to win Caraval, so Tella throws herself into the legendary competition once more—and into the path of the murderous heir to the throne, a doomed love story, and a web of secrets…including her sister's. Caraval has always demanded bravery, cunning, and sacrifice, but now the game is asking for more. If Tella can’t fulfill her bargain and deliver Legend’s name, she’ll lose everything she cares about—maybe even her life. But if she wins, Legend and Caraval will be destroyed forever...

Welcome, welcome to Caraval . . . the games have only just begun.]]> 451 Stephanie Garber 125009531X Nichole 4
A lovestory with a multidimensional anti-hero is *chef's kiss*]]> 4.12 2018
author: Stephanie Garber
name: Nichole
average rating: 4.12
book published: 2018
rating: 4
read at: 2024/11/05
date added: 2024/11/05
shelves:
review:
"But she was too young for endings. Her adventures were only beginning. They would be bigger than promises, and brighter than constellations."

A lovestory with a multidimensional anti-hero is *chef's kiss*
]]> 61372592 A vivid trip through the mind of the top professional wrestler in the business—a nobody from nowhere who achieved his ambitions and walked away with the gold and the girl of his dreams.

Ride alongside Jon Moxley as he retraces some of the highways traveled on his remarkable journey. Revel in the never-before-told stories about his early life in Cincinnati, Ohio; the gritty independent wrestling scene where he cut his teeth; the complicated corporate landscape of the WWE where he bucked against authority; and the rebellious upstart AEW, where he won the championship in 2020 and was finally free to achieve the vision of the wrestler he’d always wanted to be.

With plenty of pitstops and revelatory insights, including grisly ultraviolent encounters, crazy characters who became lifelong friends, and his unforgettable matches in Japan, MOX is the riveting account of the life of a brawler. It is a tale written in blood and soaked in debauchery, with a good dose of wisdom accumulated along the way.

More than a backstage pass into the arena, MOX is a ticket into the ring. Once inside, you’ll never look at pro wrestling the same again.]]> 9 Jon Moxley Nichole 4
I deducted a star because it should've been told in a more chronological order, but Mox has always done what he wants so idk haha]]> 4.36 2021
author: Jon Moxley
name: Nichole
average rating: 4.36
book published: 2021
rating: 4
read at: 2024/11/01
date added: 2024/11/01
shelves:
review:
This was basically a 9+ hour Mox promo and I loved every minute of it.

I deducted a star because it should've been told in a more chronological order, but Mox has always done what he wants so idk haha
]]> 220817728 From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and Daisy Jones & The Six comes an epic new novel set against the backdrop of the 1980s Space Shuttle program about the extraordinary lengths we go to live and love beyond our limits.

Joan Goodwin has been obsessed with the stars for as long as she can remember. Thoughtful and reserved, Joan is content with her life as a professor of physics and astronomy at Rice University and as aunt to her precocious niece, Frances. That is, until she comes across an advertisement seeking the first women scientists to join NASA’s Space Shuttle program. Suddenly, Joan burns to be one of the few people to go to space.

Selected from a pool of thousands of applicants in the summer of 1980, Joan begins training at Houston’s Johnson Space Center, alongside an exceptional group of fellow candidates: Top Gun pilot Hank Redmond and scientist John Griffin, who are kind and easy-going even when the stakes are highest; mission specialist Lydia Danes, who has worked too hard to play nice; warm-hearted Donna Fitzgerald, who is navigating her own secrets; and Vanessa Ford, the magnetic and mysterious aeronautical engineer, who can fix any engine and fly any plane.

As the new astronauts become unlikely friends and prepare for their first flights, Joan finds a passion and a love she never imagined. In this new light, Joan begins to question everything she thinks she knows about her place in the observable universe.

Then, in December of 1984, on mission STS-LR9, everything changes in an instant.

Fast-paced, thrilling, and emotional, Atmosphere is Taylor Jenkins Reid at her best: transporting readers to iconic times and places, with complex protagonists, telling a passionate and soaring story about the transformative power of love, this time among the stars.]]> 352 Taylor Jenkins Reid 0593158717 Nichole 0 to-read 4.45 2025
author: Taylor Jenkins Reid
name: Nichole
average rating: 4.45
book published: 2025
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/10/30
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 27883214 A legendary competition.
A mesmerizing romance.
An unbreakable bond
between two sisters.

Scarlett Dragna has never left the tiny island where she and her sister, Tella, live with their powerful, and cruel, father. Now Scarlett’s father has arranged a marriage for her, and Scarlett thinks her dreams of seeing Caraval—the faraway, once-a-year performance where the audience participates in the show—are over.

But this year, Scarlett’s long-dreamt-of invitation finally arrives. With the help of a mysterious sailor, Tella whisks Scarlett away to the show. Only, as soon as they arrive, Tella is kidnapped by Caraval’s mastermind organizer, Legend. It turns out that this season’s Caraval revolves around Tella, and whoever finds her first is the winner.

Scarlett has been told that everything that happens during Caraval is only an elaborate performance. Nevertheless she becomes enmeshed in a game of love, heartbreak, and magic. And whether Caraval is real or not, Scarlett must find Tella before the five nights of the game are over or a dangerous domino effect of consequences will be set off, and her beloved sister will disappear forever.

Welcome, welcome to Caraval . . . beware of getting swept too far away.]]> 407 Stephanie Garber 1250095255 Nichole 4
The author writes with such a flowery prose that normally I would find annoying but really works perfectly to help tell the story.]]> 3.97 2016
author: Stephanie Garber
name: Nichole
average rating: 3.97
book published: 2016
rating: 4
read at: 2024/10/30
date added: 2024/10/30
shelves:
review:
My fourth time reading this and I enjoy it more each time. A whimsical, magical romantasy with a fairytale-esque story.

The author writes with such a flowery prose that normally I would find annoying but really works perfectly to help tell the story.
]]> 21942932 The Princess Bride, comes a first-person account and behind-the-scenes look at the making of the cult classic film filled with never-before-told stories and interviews with costars Robin Wright, Wallace Shawn, Billy Crystal, Christopher Guest, and Mandy Patinkin, as well as author and screenwriter William Goldman, producer Norman Lear, and director Rob Reiner.

The Princess Bride has been a family favorite for close to three decades. Ranked by the American Film Institute as one of the top 100 Greatest Love Stories and by the Writers Guild of America as one of the top 100 screenplays of all time, The Princess Bride will continue to resonate with audiences for years to come.

Cary Elwes was inspired to share his memories and give fans an unprecedented look into the creation of the film while participating in the twenty-fifth anniversary cast reunion. In As You Wish he has created an enchanting experience; in addition to interviews with his fellow cast mates, there are plenty of set secrets and backstage stories.

With a foreword by Rob Reiner, As You Wish is a must-have for all fans of this beloved film.]]> 272 Cary Elwes 1476764034 Nichole 0 to-read 4.15 2014
author: Cary Elwes
name: Nichole
average rating: 4.15
book published: 2014
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/10/27
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 60018639
Thistlefoot, as the house is called, has arrived from the Yagas' ancestral home in Russia--but not alone. A sinister figure known only as the Longshadow Man has tracked it to American shores, bearing with him violent secrets from the past: fiery memories that have hidden in Isaac and Bellatine's blood for generations. As the Yaga siblings embark with Thistlefoot on a final cross-country tour of their family's traveling theater show, the Longshadow Man follows in relentless pursuit, seeding destruction in his wake. Ultimately, time, magic, and legacy must collide--erupting in a powerful conflagration to determine who gets to remember the past and craft a new future.

An enchanted adventure illuminated by Jewish myth and adorned with lyrical prose as tantalizing and sweet as briar berries, Thistlefoot is an immersive modern fantasy saga by a bold new talent.]]> 448 GennaRose Nethercott 059346883X Nichole 0 dnf 3.92 2022
author: GennaRose Nethercott
name: Nichole
average rating: 3.92
book published: 2022
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/10/23
shelves: dnf
review:

]]> 214291045 “A brilliant, poignant love story perfect for fans of Emily Henry. With vibrant characters,ÌýYou Between the LinesÌýis a master class in the art of the romance novel.â€�
—Peyton Corinne, author ofÌýUnsteady

A former sorority girlÌýstarts a prestigious poetry MFA program only toÌýdiscover thatÌýone of her classmates is her high school crush-turned-nemesis—​and he can't stop writing about her.

No one’s more surprised than Leigh when a prestigious MFA program in North Carolina accepts her. A former sorority girl, Leigh’s the first to admit she knows more about the lyrics of Taylor Swift than T.S. Eliot, and she’s never been able to shake the “all-style-no-substanceâ€� feedback her high school crush made in their poetry workshop. Leigh's insecurities become all too real when Will, that same high school crush-turned-nemesis, shows up at orientation.ÌýAnd now, he’s William, exactly the kind of writer Leigh hates, complete with his pretentious sweater vests and tattered Moleskine. Leigh’s determined to prove herself—and William—wrong by landing the program’s highly-coveted fellowship. But Will’s dead-set on proving himself too, and in a small cohort, they can't keep apart for long.

When Will submits an intimate poem (that's maybe, probably, definitelyÌýabout Leigh) to workshop, they’re both forced to realize there’s more to the other than what’s on the page. And what’s between the lines may be even more interesting.

â€�You Between the LinesÌýis almost indescribably fresh and smart and tender, with not just some of the most gorgeously crisp prose, but poetry I’d pin to every one of my Pinterest boards. Leigh is my soulmate, and Will is the gold standard for book boyfriends.â€�
―Jessica Joyce, USA Today bestselling author of The Ex Vows and You, with a View]]> 365 Katie Naymon Nichole 3 arc
However, I was annoyed with Leigh. She came off as childish and the conflict felt repetitive and the lack of communication was agonizing.

I was pleased with how quickly the pace picked up in the spicy scenes and I was satisfied with the end resolution. Overall this was okay and I would be willing to read more from the author.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.]]> 3.95 2025
author: Katie Naymon
name: Nichole
average rating: 3.95
book published: 2025
rating: 3
read at: 2024/10/22
date added: 2024/10/22
shelves: arc
review:
I'll start this off by saying that the cover is gorgeous and I really liked the author's writing style. The concept was unique and I loved how the romance was played out through poetry prose.

However, I was annoyed with Leigh. She came off as childish and the conflict felt repetitive and the lack of communication was agonizing.

I was pleased with how quickly the pace picked up in the spicy scenes and I was satisfied with the end resolution. Overall this was okay and I would be willing to read more from the author.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
]]> 210482187 New York Times bestselling author of Fourth Wing comes a new contemporary romance about the summer a celebrated dancer returns home and unearths years of family secrets with the Coast Guard rescue swimmer she never forgot.

Elite ballerina Allie Rousseau is no stranger to pressure. With her mother’s eyes always watching, perfection was expected, no matter the cost. But when an injury jeopardizes all she’s sacrificed for, Allie returns to her summer home to heal and recover. But the memories she’s tried to forget rush in and threaten to take her under.

As a Coast Guard rescue swimmer, Hudson Ellis knows that hesitation can mean the difference between life and death. He’s always prided himself on being in the right place at the right time, especially when it came to Allie Rousseau…until the night he left for basic. After the biggest regret of his life, the secrets he keeps mean he can never be with the one woman he wants more than his next breath.

When Hudson’s niece shows up on Allie’s doorstep, desperate to find her birth mother, Allie finds herself in an unimaginable position. Allie and Hudson’s past and present might be endlessly complicated. The thread that tied them to each other all those years ago may have unraveled, but the truth could pull them back together, or drive them apart forever.]]> 459 Rebecca Yarros 1662514697 Nichole 0 to-read 4.19 2024
author: Rebecca Yarros
name: Nichole
average rating: 4.19
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/10/21
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 207610827 There’s power in a book�

They call them wayward girls. Loose girls. Girls who grew up too fast. And they’re sent to the Wellwood Home in St. Augustine, Florida, where unwed mothers are hidden by their families to have their babies in secret, give them up for adoption, and most important of all, to forget any of it ever happened.

Fifteen-year-old Fern arrives at the home in the sweltering summer of 1970, pregnant, terrified and alone. Under the watchful eye of the stern Miss Wellwood, she meets a dozen other girls in the same predicament. There’s Rose, a hippie who insists she’s going to find a way to keep her baby and escape to a commune. And Zinnia, a budding musician who knows she’s going to go home and marry her baby’s father. And Holly, a wisp of a girl, barely fourteen, mute and pregnant by no-one-knows-who.

Everything the girls eat, every moment of their waking day, and everything they’re allowed to talk about is strictly controlled by adults who claim they know what’s best for them. Then Fern meets a librarian who gives her an occult book about witchcraft, and power is in the hands of the girls for the first time in their lives. But power can destroy as easily as it creates, and it’s never given freely. There’s always a price to be paid…and it’s usually paid in blood.

In Witchcraft for Wayward Girls, the author of How to Sell a Haunted House and The Final Girl Support Group delivers another searing, completely original novel and further cements his status as a “horror master� (NPR).]]> 492 Grady Hendrix Nichole 0 to-read 4.10 2025
author: Grady Hendrix
name: Nichole
average rating: 4.10
book published: 2025
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/10/19
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 220196062 The Hating Game meets Legends & Lattes in this captivating and hilarious fantasy rom-com with a twist about two enemies who must work together to return to their reality.

Courtney’s only goal in life is to have no goals. She’s content with her dead-end job and simple existence, and everything is perfect until her neighbor, Bryce, shatters her peace by inexplicably deciding Courtney is his arch-nemesis. To her annoyance, Courtney finds herself committing to a life goal after hating Bryce back.

Just after the pair decide to loathe each other for all eternity, they unwittingly step through a portal and hurtle into a fantasy world together, where they are met by a prophecy-obsessed mentor who claims one of them is the Chosen One, destined to defeat an unknown Evil One. But instead of saving the world, the two only unleash more chaos by accidentally freeing a dragon, summoning an undead army, and almost poisoning their mentor with peanut butter.

To return to their world, Bryce and Courtney need magic, which is unfortunately fueled by charisma—meaning the two incompetent, underachieving heroes somehow have to get people to like them. With time running out and the Evil One looming, the enemies must work together and become worthy heroes so they can charm the world (but hopefully not each other), harness magic, overthrow Evil, and get home. Otherwise, they’ll be stuck in a doomed universe without running water—and with each other—forever.]]> Sloane Brooks Nichole 0 to-read 0.0 2025
author: Sloane Brooks
name: Nichole
average rating: 0.0
book published: 2025
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/10/16
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 55127740 From the #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Stalking Jack the Ripper series comes a new blockbuster series...

Two sisters.
One brutal murder.
A quest for vengeance that will unleash Hell itself...
And an intoxicating romance.

Emilia and her twin sister Vittoria are streghe - witches who live secretly among humans, avoiding notice and persecution. One night, Vittoria misses dinner service at the family's renowned Sicilian restaurant. Emilia soon finds the body of her beloved twin...desecrated beyond belief. Devastated, Emilia sets out to find her sister's killer and to seek vengeance at any cost—even if it means using dark magic that's been long forbidden.

Then Emilia meets Wrath, one of the Wicked—princes of Hell she has been warned against in tales since she was a child. Wrath claims to be on Emilia's side, tasked by his master with solving the series of women's murders on the island. But when it comes to the Wicked, nothing is as it seems...]]> 360 Kerri Maniscalco 1529350468 Nichole 0 to-read, physical-tbr 3.90 2020
author: Kerri Maniscalco
name: Nichole
average rating: 3.90
book published: 2020
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/10/06
shelves: to-read, physical-tbr
review:

]]> 217108838
An enemies-to-lovers spicy romance set in the world of video gaming from the bestselling author of The Love Hypothesis—available only in audio!

Viola Bowen has the chance of a lifetime: to design a video game based on her all-time favorite book series. The only problem? Her co-lead is Jesse F-ing Andrews, a.k.a. her arch-nemesis. Jesse has made it abundantly clear over the years that he wants nothing to do with her–and Viola has no idea why.

When their bosses insist a wintery retreat is the perfect team-building exercise, Viola can’t think of anything worse. Being freezing cold in a remote mountain lodge knowing Jesse is right next door? No, thank you.

But as the snow piles on, Viola discovers there’s more to Jesse than she knew, and heat builds in more ways than one.]]> 5 Ali Hazelwood Nichole 3
I honestly would've rated it higher if not for the narrator. I found her voice to be too gravelly and grating. Her vocal choice for the male characters was ridiculous and I cringed at it, especially during the smutty parts.

Thankfully it was a short novella and an entertaining couple of afternoons spent listening.]]> 3.55 2024
author: Ali Hazelwood
name: Nichole
average rating: 3.55
book published: 2024
rating: 3
read at: 2024/10/05
date added: 2024/10/05
shelves:
review:
This was classic Ali Hazelwood: tiny woman in a male-dominated field (in this case, video games!!!), a hulking big male rival who is PINING HARD for the FMC, filthy sex scenes, and snappy dialogue.

I honestly would've rated it higher if not for the narrator. I found her voice to be too gravelly and grating. Her vocal choice for the male characters was ridiculous and I cringed at it, especially during the smutty parts.

Thankfully it was a short novella and an entertaining couple of afternoons spent listening.
]]> 216270227 A funny and heartwarming debut romance about two exes forced to reunite when a plane crash leaves them stranded on a deserted island.

Piper Adams is completely, totally, one hundred percent over Wyatt, the former love of her life. At least, that’s what she tells herself. After he broke her heart, she stopped taking risks and focused instead on building a perfect—and perfectly safe—life. But bumping into Wyatt at the airport on the way to her best friend’s destination wedding wasn’t part of the plan. Neither was a canceled flight nor Wyatt’s offer of a ride on the tiny plane he’s flying to attend the same event. Desperate to make it on time, she accepts his offer, but things go from awkward to full-blown nightmare when their plane crashes in the Caribbean, stranding Piper on a deserted island with the last person she ever wanted to see again.

At first, rule-following Piper clashes with adventure-driven Wyatt, but as the days tick by, she can see the boy she once loved has grown into a man. A man who makes her laugh, knows his way around a fire, and is annoyingly hot shirtless. A man she could love again. As the chemistry still simmering between them boils over, Piper begins wishing Wyatt was more than just a survival partner. But for their love to survive a second chance, she’ll have to not only trust Wyatt again, but also learn to trust herself and find the courage to let go of her carefully curated life for the chance at something far greater—if they can survive the island long enough for rescue.]]> 302 Annie McQuaid 0063374870 Nichole 2 arc
Thank you to the publisher (Avon and Harper Voyager) and NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.]]> 3.48 2025
author: Annie McQuaid
name: Nichole
average rating: 3.48
book published: 2025
rating: 2
read at: 2024/10/02
date added: 2024/10/02
shelves: arc
review:
This book crashed and burned. I really didn't find either main characters likeable at all and they had zero chemistry. I also wasn't a fan of the overabundance of metaphors in the author's writing style. It had a good premise, but it ended up feeling just so dull.

Thank you to the publisher (Avon and Harper Voyager) and NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
]]> 45436994 Unpredictable. Unforgiving. Untamed.
For a family in crisis, the ultimate test of survival.

Ernt Allbright, a former POW, comes home from the Vietnam war a changed and volatile man. When he loses yet another job, he makes an impulsive decision: he will move his family north, to Alaska, where they will live off the grid in America’s last true frontier.

Thirteen-year-old Leni, a girl coming of age in a tumultuous time, caught in the riptide of her parents� passionate, stormy relationship, dares to hope that a new land will lead to a better future for her family. She is desperate for a place to belong. Her mother, Cora, will do anything and go anywhere for the man she loves, even if it means following him into the unknown.

At first, Alaska seems to be the answer to their prayers. In a wild, remote corner of the state, they find a fiercely independent community of strong men and even stronger women. The long, sunlit days and the generosity of the locals make up for the Allbrights� lack of preparation and dwindling resources.

But as winter approaches and darkness descends on Alaska, Ernt’s fragile mental state deteriorates and the family begins to fracture. Soon the perils outside pale in comparison to threats from within. In their small cabin, covered in snow, blanketed in eighteen hours of night, Leni and her mother learn the terrible truth: they are on their own. In the wild, there is no one to save them but themselves.

In this unforgettable portrait of human frailty and resilience, Kristin Hannah reveals the indomitable character of the modern American pioneer and the spirit of a vanishing Alaska―a place of incomparable beauty and danger. The Great Alone is a daring, beautiful, stay-up-all-night story about love and loss, the fight for survival, and the wildness that lives in both man and nature.]]> 440 Kristin Hannah Nichole 0 to-read, physical-tbr 4.59 2018
author: Kristin Hannah
name: Nichole
average rating: 4.59
book published: 2018
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/09/30
shelves: to-read, physical-tbr
review:

]]> 217002158 Six people ruined Anna Matheson's life.

Four men and two women, associated with her father's train engine company, who orchestrated an act of sabotage in 1942 that resulted in the deaths of 37 others, including her only brother, and framed her father for the crime.

It's now 1954 and Anna is ready for retribution. She has gathered the six on an overnight train from New York to Chicago and announced that she has proof of what they did, and that all six conspirators will be arrested when the train arrives in Chicago.

At 8pm, the train departs. And by 10pm, one of the six has been murdered.

But Anna isn't responsible for the killing, and there's no one else on the train... Someone else is enacting their own form of revenge, and they're making it look as though Anna is behind it.

Anna needs the conspirators alive, and the irony isn't lost on her. In order to destroy her enemies, she must save them first...]]> Riley Sager 1399742094 Nichole 0 to-read 4.88 2025
author: Riley Sager
name: Nichole
average rating: 4.88
book published: 2025
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/09/27
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 58690308 One summer. Two rivals. A plot twist they didn't see coming....

Nora Stephens� life is books—she’s read them all—and she is not that type of heroine. Not the plucky one, not the laidback dream girl, and especially not the sweetheart. In fact, the only people Nora is a heroine for are her clients, for whom she lands enormous deals as a cutthroat literary agent, and her beloved little sister Libby.

Which is why she agrees to go to Sunshine Falls, North Carolina for the month of August when Libby begs her for a sisters� trip away—with visions of a small-town transformation for Nora, who she’s convinced needs to become the heroine in her own story. But instead of picnics in meadows, or run-ins with a handsome country doctor or bulging-forearmed bartender, Nora keeps bumping into Charlie Lastra, a bookish brooding editor from back in the city. It would be a meet-cute if not for the fact that they’ve met many times and it’s never been cute.

If Nora knows she’s not an ideal heroine, Charlie knows he’s nobody’s hero, but as they are thrown together again and again—in a series of coincidences no editor worth their salt would allow—what they discover might just unravel the carefully crafted stories they’ve written about themselves.]]> 377 Emily Henry 0593334833 Nichole 3
1) Funny Story
2) People We Meet On Vacation
3) Beach Read
4) Book Lovers
5) Happy Place]]> 4.09 2022
author: Emily Henry
name: Nichole
average rating: 4.09
book published: 2022
rating: 3
read at: 2024/09/22
date added: 2024/09/22
shelves:
review:
I thought this was just okay? I did not (Book) Love(rs) it like I have some of EH's other offerings. I was kinda bored with it most of the time and thought the romance was corny (not in an endearing way.)

1) Funny Story
2) People We Meet On Vacation
3) Beach Read
4) Book Lovers
5) Happy Place
]]> 207950706 Travel to Planet Drag and explore the styles, influences, artists, and events that have made the art of drag so outrageously popular in 15 countries around the world.

Exquisitely styled by top drag queens, and with a foreword by Canada’s Drag Race judge Brooke Lynn Hytes, this is the ultimate guide to drag�a glittering, feathered foray into the past and present of this much-loved art form.

Gloriously embellished with historical photos—many never seen before—along with stylish contemporary shots of some of the world's biggest drag stars, this is a deep dive into drag’s meteoric rise to the mainstream.

The carnival court of drag has exploded and it now holds a fierce place in popular culture. And while Rupaul's Drag Race does highlight some nuanced differences between national drag styles, there’s a lot more to the story that you don’t know�

In this extravagant exploration across Planet Drag, we’ll stop
Ìý The UK, where pantomime culture gave us a wicked comic attitude that still prevails Germany, home to ‘tuntensâ€� who don’t see themselves as impersonating women at all The USA, a unique melting pot of drag culture France, where Joan of Arc is considered by some to be the very first drag king Australia, the country that birthed blockbuster film Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, which saw drag reach a whole new audience.

Plus, 10 more countries that have altered and expanded the art of drag in ways you might not expect.

This is drag unashamed, unneutered, unapologetic... and world-conquering. A must-have for any drag fan.

With contributions fromÌýZephyr Aspen, Kat Joplin, Alex Nolos, Javier Izquierdo, Jeffrey Rowe, Tsarlotte Lucifer, Juliana R. Santos, Courtney Norton, Presley Stewart and Viktor Skancke.]]> 356 Courtney Conquers 0711290733 Nichole 4 arc
Thank you to NetGalley and White Lion Publishing for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.]]> 4.33
author: Courtney Conquers
name: Nichole
average rating: 4.33
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2024/09/14
date added: 2024/09/14
shelves: arc
review:
As someone whose only exposure to drag is the first dozen seasons of Drag Race (I unfortunately live in a pretty Conservative area) this was entertaining, informative, and eye-opening. The rich text was supplemented with beautiful photographs and I devoured it in an afternoon.

Thank you to NetGalley and White Lion Publishing for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
]]> 211935489
When kings fall, queens rise.

Nothing about Semiramis's upbringing could have foretold her legacy or the power she would come to wield. A female ruler, once an orphan raised on the outskirts of an empire - certainly no one in Ancient Assyria would bend to her command willingly. Semiramis was a woman who knew if she wanted power, she would have to claim it.

There are whispers of her fame in Mesopotamian myth- Semiramis was a queen, an ambitious warrior, a commander whose reputation reaches the majestic proportions of Alexander the Great. Historical record, on the other hand, falls eerily quiet.

In her second novel, Costanza Casati brilliantly weaves myth and ancient history together to give Semiramis a voice, charting her captivating ascent to a throne no one promised her. The world Casati expertly builds is rich with dazzling detail and will transport her readers to the heat of the Assyrian Empire and a world long gone.]]> 448 Costanza Casati 1464228221 Nichole 2 arc
I almost DNF'd at the 30% mark, but I'm glad I ended up finishing. The story and pacing was a slog to get through. I really didn't care for any of the characters. However, it was written quite well and I did appreciate the author's attention to preserving the history in her retelling while adding her own enhancements.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.]]> 4.10 2024
author: Costanza Casati
name: Nichole
average rating: 4.10
book published: 2024
rating: 2
read at: 2024/09/13
date added: 2024/09/13
shelves: arc
review:
I loved Clytemnestra, so I had high hopes for this one, but it just didn't do it for me.

I almost DNF'd at the 30% mark, but I'm glad I ended up finishing. The story and pacing was a slog to get through. I really didn't care for any of the characters. However, it was written quite well and I did appreciate the author's attention to preserving the history in her retelling while adding her own enhancements.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
]]> 183394449 There will come a time when songs will be sung about her, about the people she loved and the ones she hated . . .

Huntress. Warrior. Mother. Murderess. Queen.

You are born to a king, but marry a tyrant. You stand helplessly as he sacrifices your child to placate the gods. You watch him wage war on a foreign shore and comfort yourself with violent thoughts of your own.

You play the part, fooling enemies who deny you justice. Slowly, you plot.

You are Clytemnestra.

But when the husband who owns you returns in triumph, what then?

Acceptance or vengeance - infamy follows both. So you bide your time and wait, until you might force the gods' hands and take revenge. Until you rise. For you understood something that the others don't. If power isn't given to you, you have to take it for yourself.

A blazing novel set in the world of Ancient Greece and told through the eyes of its greatest female protagonist, this is a thrilling tale of power and prophecies, of hatred, love, and of an unforgettable Queen who fiercely dealt out death to those who wronged her. ]]> 434 Costanza Casati Nichole 4
I was not familiar at all with the story of Clytemnestra, but the author did a stellar job humanizing her brutal, tragic, revengeful story. ]]> 4.25 2023
author: Costanza Casati
name: Nichole
average rating: 4.25
book published: 2023
rating: 4
read at: 2024/09/03
date added: 2024/09/03
shelves:
review:
"This is the life she has always known: an endless chain of brutality, with strength, pride, and beauty only bursting from the blood that someone else has spilled--nothing precious can ever blossom on a barren earth."

I was not familiar at all with the story of Clytemnestra, but the author did a stellar job humanizing her brutal, tragic, revengeful story.
]]> 61718053
They broke up six months ago. And still haven’t told their best friends.

Which is how they find themselves sharing the largest bedroom at the Maine cottage that has been their friend group’s yearly getaway for the last decade. Their annual respite from the world, where for one vibrant, blue week they leave behind their daily lives; have copious amounts of cheese, wine, and seafood; and soak up the salty coastal air with the people who understand them most.

Only this year, Harriet and Wyn are lying through their teeth while trying not to notice how desperately they still want each other. Because the cottage is for sale and this is the last week they’ll all have together in this place. They can’t stand to break their friends� hearts, and so they’ll play their parts. Harriet will be the driven surgical resident who never starts a fight, and Wyn will be the laid-back charmer who never lets the cracks show. It’s a flawless plan (if you look at it from a great distance and through a pair of sunscreen-smeared sunglasses). After years of being in love, how hard can it be to fake it for one week� in front of those who know you best?

A couple who broke up months ago make a pact to pretend to still be together for their annual weeklong vacation with their best friends in this glittering and wise new novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Emily Henry.]]> 400 Emily Henry 0593441273 Nichole 3
This had the usual Emily Henry brand of quirky and charm, but I found the main characters to be quite annoying and I was frustrated as FUCK at their lack of communication.

1) Funny Story
2) People We Meet On Vacation
3) Beach Read
4) Happy Place]]> 3.95 2023
author: Emily Henry
name: Nichole
average rating: 3.95
book published: 2023
rating: 3
read at: 2024/08/31
date added: 2024/08/31
shelves:
review:
Reading is my happy place, however reading this did not take me to my happy place.

This had the usual Emily Henry brand of quirky and charm, but I found the main characters to be quite annoying and I was frustrated as FUCK at their lack of communication.

1) Funny Story
2) People We Meet On Vacation
3) Beach Read
4) Happy Place
]]> 195834325
Together, they uncover a mystery from the unknown depths, destined to transform the underwater world they both equally fear and love. But by no mere coincidence, a seaquake destroys E.'s home, and she and Henerey vanish.

A year later, E.'s sister Sophy, and Henerey's brother Vyerin, are left to solve the mystery, piecing together the letters, sketches and field notes left behind—and learn what their siblings� disappearance might mean for life as they know it.
Ìý
Inspired, immersive, and full of heart, this charming epistolary tale is an adventure into the depths of a magical sea and the limits of the imagination from a marvelous debut voice.]]> 390 Sylvie Cathrall 0316565547 Nichole 0 to-read, physical-tbr 3.82 2024
author: Sylvie Cathrall
name: Nichole
average rating: 3.82
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/08/29
shelves: to-read, physical-tbr
review:

]]> 199302382 Shannon Chakraborty, the bestselling author of The City of Brass, spins a new trilogy of magic and mayhem on the high seas in this tale of pirates and sorcerers, forbidden artifacts and ancient mysteries, in one woman’s determined quest to seize a final chance at glory—and write her own legend.

Amina al-Sirafi should be content. After a storied and scandalous career as one of the Indian Ocean’s most notorious pirates, she’s survived backstabbing rogues, vengeful merchant princes, several husbands, and one actual demon to retire peacefully with her family to a life of piety, motherhood, and absolutely nothing that hints of the supernatural.

But when she’s tracked down by the obscenely wealthy mother of a former crewman, she’s offered a job no bandit could refuse: retrieve her comrade’s kidnapped daughter for a kingly sum. The chance to have one last adventure with her crew, do right by an old friend, and win a fortune that will secure her family’s future forever? It seems like such an obvious choice that it must be God’s will.

Yet the deeper Amina dives, the more it becomes alarmingly clear there’s more to this job, and the girl’s disappearance, than she was led to believe. For there’s always risk in wanting to become a legend, to seize one last chance at glory, to savor just a bit more power…and the price might be your very soul.]]> 477 Shannon Chakraborty 0062963503 Nichole 4 4.22 2023
author: Shannon Chakraborty
name: Nichole
average rating: 4.22
book published: 2023
rating: 4
read at: 2024/08/25
date added: 2024/08/25
shelves:
review:
A middle-aged female pirate on a quest for rescue and revenge in a book that also has solid worldbuilding, mythology, silly/humorous banter, unique creatures, and just a hint of romance. I had a lot of fun reading this one! It looks like it is the first book in a trilogy(?) and I'd love to set sail again.
]]> 60435878 Carrie Soto is fierce, and her determination to win at any cost has not made her popular.

By the time Carrie retires from tennis, she is the best player the world has ever seen. She has shattered every record and claimed twenty Slam titles. And if you ask her, she is entitled to every one. She sacrificed nearly everything to become the best, with her father as her coach.

But six years after her retirement, Carrie finds herself sitting in the stands of the 1994 US Open, watching her record be taken from her by a brutal, stunning, British player named Nicki Chan.

At thirty-seven years old, Carrie makes the monumental decision to come out of retirement and be coached by her father for one last year in an attempt to reclaim her record. Even if the sports media says that they never liked the 'Battle-Axe' anyway. Even if her body doesn't move as fast as it did. And even if it means swallowing her pride to train with a man she once almost opened her heart to: Bowe Huntley. Like her, he has something to prove before he gives up the game forever.

In spite of it all: Carrie Soto is back, for one epic final season. In this riveting and unforgettable novel, Taylor Jenkins Reid tells a story about the cost of greatness and a legendary athlete attempting a comeback.]]> 384 Taylor Jenkins Reid 0593158687 Nichole 4 4.19 2022
author: Taylor Jenkins Reid
name: Nichole
average rating: 4.19
book published: 2022
rating: 4
read at: 2024/08/20
date added: 2024/08/20
shelves:
review:
I don't give two shits about tennis, but this was a hell of a TJR book about tennis.
]]>