I enjoyed this… stayed up late reading it, which is one of my main tells that I‘m invested in a story. It does embrace tropes and well known story arcs, but still managed to surprise me at times. I‘ll be continuing with this series, and I‘m predicting it will get darker before the end. We haven‘t visited the Nightshade realm yet, after all.

This is a very cute story about finding family and finding yourself. I agree with other reviewers about how it wraps up quickly, and there are a few unclosed mysteries, like why did her great aunt leave Iris the house in the first place? But overall, I enjoyed this cozy romance.

This story has the ugly subject matter of war, but the writing is beautiful. I felt for Laura and Freddie with their stories alternating between chapters. The middle was a little slow for my taste, but the ending was satisfying. And, this OwlCrate edition is GORGEOUS!

The concept is unique, but the story got bogged down with too many details. Cyborg goblins are cool, but when each one is described extensively, the timing really grinds to a screeching halt.

I‘ll read book 2, because I am vested in seeing how Nix and Lark come through the full journey. I only hope it has faster pacing.

Bonus to the author for realistic portrayal of anxiety, PTSD and mental health.

This is the last installment of the aunties series. It was cute, full of the antics we‘ve come to love. I think book two was my favorite of the three, but they‘re all fun, easy reads.

This was a Dollar Tree book score. I have found some really great books there that I never would‘ve discovered on my own. This was a sweet slow build love story, but I think the real gem was Jo‘s relationship with her nieces and all of them dealing with the raw grief of losing her nephew and their brother respectively.

I liked this book, but I didn‘t love it. For one, as a 50 year old myself, I was a little offended at Hester being described as old and acting like an 80 year old instead of a 50 year old. Putting that aside, I did like Hester‘s friends, and I felt that Cordelia was strong for a 14 year old extremely sheltered girl.

…Doom appeared on Hester‘s doorstep, in the shape of a woman…

Moving on to my latest OwlCrate book. The redesigned dust jacket is lovely, and I really like the foiling on the hardcover. I hear good things about this book!

The author describes this book as a warm hug, and I would agree. It‘s sweet like jam and low stakes. There is more cuteness than conflict, but I wanted to slide through the pages and visit this charming island and all of its lovely inhabitants. A great book if you want something cozy and light.

I love the original cover, but the OwlCrate edition has great features too!

My letters are going out today! I had so much fun making all these cards. I hope you enjoy them!! #litsolacefallcardswap

This story was short and sweet. A very easy, enjoyable read. If you like Hallmark movies, this reads like a Hallmark movie on the page.

I loved this series! It was charming and romantic. The visual descriptions were so good - I truly felt like I was in Wisteria. I‘m not sure which couple was my favorite - I think they both are because they‘re so well matched! I‘m a little sad to see this world end, but I did love the ending. See what I did there? 😉

I love the dynamic between the villain and his assistant. The cast of supporting characters are fun, too. It‘s silly, but highly entertaining.

I‘m looking forward to the next book, which will hopefully tie up some of the loose ends from this one.

Thank you @jessinikkip for the amazing #LitsyLoveSummerSwap package. I‘ve wanted to read the first two books in the Glimmer Falls series for a while, and the other books sound great too. I think Eddie is trying to steal my cups! 🤣 I love the journal and pens too.

Thank you @Bookgoil and @Deblovestoread for organizing such a fun swap event! #LLSS

Favorite line is on page 3: I ignored him the way you do when you‘re trying to stay married. 🤣

This is a lovely book. I really enjoyed all the characters and Nora‘s family dynamic. She‘s a great mom.

Thank you @Deblovestoread for part II of the summer swap gifts. I love the Harry Potter book sleeve… it‘s so nice and big for large books! I‘m excited to read the book too. I love it all!! @Bookgoil #LitsyLoveSummerSwap #LLSS

Thank you @Deblovestoread for the sweet #LitsyLoveSummerSwap items! The Mickey Mouse Halloween sign is so cute! I‘ve wanted to read “One Dark Window” for a while now, and Anna of Green Gables is a classic! I appreciate you! 🥰😘 #LLSS @Bookgoil

Just finished this and I have all the feels. It‘s a beautiful story that reminds you that life is full of ups and downs, and it‘s important to keep a grateful outlook. Or at least that‘s what I took away from it. It made me think about how thankful I am for my husband and children and how even if I could go back and do it over, I‘d choose this life again.

I had to mail early because we leave for vacation tomorrow! Looking forward to seeing everyone‘s packages!

@Bookgoil @Deblovestoread #LitsyLovedSummerSwap #LitsyLoveSummerSwap #LLSS

I received this in the mail from Thriftbooks, but didn‘t order it. Did someone send me a gift?!

Eddie decided he likes this book enough to sit in it… in the basket, under the table. 😂

I did like this book, although there were some things that bothered me. Kate was not very nice a lot of the time, so the only reason I can think of that Ben pursued her was she was beautiful. He was also huge, as the author described over and over that his physique was big and muscular. I get tired of that trope… how many men are truly ripped with 8-pack abs?

The political basis of the story was interesting and timely in an election year.

Anyone else a big Mercy Thompson fan? I‘m excited to read this latest installment, although the ones that feature vampires are my favorite. I may have a slight crush on Stefen with his Mystery Machine van.

This book was so good. I loved Anna as a strong main character and Quan as her counterpart. They both are dealing with several personal issues, but it‘s beautiful how they come together to support each other. I also loved Helen Hoang‘s other stories and the autism rep in each!

I liked Misery a lot… she was a strong female lead, and like Lowe states, she‘s resilient. She truly experienced neglect and abuse at the hands of her father, but she still managed to see the good in others and trust. I liked that there was that substance to this story, so it was more than just the spice, vampyres or Weres. I hope Ali will write more books in this world.

This book focused on Jess‘ journey after her mother died, but it was really so much more. It explores life in all its pain and glory. It shows how resilient the human spirit can be, and it definitely draws on your emotions. Have some tissue handy… I sure needed it.

This was my first book by Debbie Johnson, but now I want to read more of her stories.

This was a sweet romance and a quick read. If you like hockey, as well as grumpy-sunshine and fake dating tropes, you‘ll enjoy this book!

These are the books I read on vacation. They‘re great picks because I loved them all. Just for Summer was my favorite, but not by much because they‘re all great!

I liked it… I did‘t love it. I found myself skipping over paragraphs that weren‘t necessary. Still, solid characters and world building and a great debut. I think because I read her Belladonna series first, it just didn‘t live up to those books which I love.

If you love Jude and Cardan like I do, then run don‘t walk to the Enemies & Lovers Kickstarter campaign: http://kck.st/4dp5o9J

Holly Black has created a strategy card game featuring her characters, and the concept art is gorgeous! They are foiled, and there are gold or green metallic edge options. The project funded in 30 minutes, but many options are still available!

I am no way paid or endorsed to say this… just a big fan!

“Are you flirting with me? It‘s a bit hard to tell, considering how terrifying you are.”

🤣🤣🤣

I‘m a few days late, but I was an 80‘s child, so I can‘t pass up this one. It‘s hard because I love so many songs from that time.

1. Time After Time Cyndi Lauper
2. Uptown Girl Billy Joel
3. Live and Die OMD

Of course, give me a few hours to think about it and I‘ll come up with three different ones! Thanks for the tag, @Eggs

#ThreeListThursday #TLT

This book was atmospheric and reminded me a bit of a southern gothic. I liked Opal as a flawed, yet scrappy main character who only wanted the best for her brother and was a survivor. I also love sentient house stories, and this did not disappoint. The OwlCrate version is gorgeous!

This was a quick read with lots of spice! I like the world building and the seven brothers. I‘m thrilled they will each get a standalone book and can‘t wait for Prince Gluttony‘s story. I felt like Wrath‘s story should‘ve been adult and not YA, so I‘m glad these are adult books.

#FirstLineFridays @ShyBookOwl

Sharing the first chapter line, not the prologue:

Miss Camilla Antonius had very little patience for fools, even handsome ones.

#WondrousWednesday

1) More hanging out with my best friend… seems that we‘re at a stage where we see each other infrequently.
2) Less drama and more justice in the world around me.
3) My husband and the life we‘ve built together. This July will be 30 years since we met and I‘m grateful for every moment.

@Eggs

Oh my gosh! What a fun Friday package! Thank you @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Read4life and @TieDyeDude … I‘m thrilled to be randomly chosen for such awesomeness! I haven‘t read this book yet and it looks fantastic. I appreciate you and the #LitsyLove community!

I really love Abbi Waxman‘s writing style. It‘s quirky and unique and so are her characters. Nina Hill is a very likeable woman who has anxiety and loves books more than people. She surrounded by supportive friends and newly found family. The planner entries in each chapter add a fun touch to the story.

A day late, but I‘m happy to still play along. #wondrouswednesday

Hardcover
Fiction
Historical
Recent release
Both
Physical
Print

Thanks for the tag, @Eggs
Historical

Thank you, @BethM for this exceptional #litsyfoundfamilyswap box! I love everything! The book light looks fabulous and with my aging eyes will come in handy! I also love the Ravenclaw bookmark - I‘ve never seen one like it before. I look forward to enjoying the beverages and tasty snacks while I read. Thank you @KateReadsYA for organizing!!

I really enjoyed this duology infused with eastern mythology and tea magic. Ning was a driven and strong heroine who also loved her family and aaa loyal to her friends. While there was a romance element, it wasn‘t central to the story. The focus was on Ning‘s journey of self discovery and empowerment.

Clyde wants to know what‘s in the box… so do I! 😂

Looking forward to the opening on March 30.

Thanks @BethM 🥰
#Litsyfoundfamilyswap @KateReadsYA

Destiny, secrets, loyal friendships and slow burning romance topped with action and adventure. This was a great fantasy read and satisfying standalone story. I loved all the main characters, the descriptions, and the story arc. Highly recommend!

This was a very satisfying conclusion to Wren and Oak‘s story, but what I love most is how we get to continue with these characters in future books. Holly has already indicated that we will see more of Jude and Cardan in a future book. Sign me up!

As one of my favorite authors, Holly Black did not disappoint with this one. I highly recommend!

I‘m going to dinner and the theatre tonight with my best friend… it‘s nice to have something to look forward to after work.

1. I just started The Prisoner‘s Throne by Holly Black, which takes place in Elfhame in the icy North kingdom.

2. I‘ll never tire of crossing into Diagon Alley and taking the Hogwarts Express to visit Hogsmeade at Universal Orlando. I can‘t wait for the Ministry of Magic in the new park!

@Eggs #WondrousWednesday

I‘m always happy to get snippets of Cardan… I just love that elf king!

Looking forward to seeing how Suren and Oak‘s story continues.

Re-reading for my bookclub. Still think this OwlCrate edition is absolutely gorgeous! My favorite parts are the foiled endpapers and glow in the dark dust jacket.

I like Mara Rutherford‘s writing style. This did not grab my attention quite as much as Poison Season, but I still enjoyed it. I also like that it‘s a standalone fantasy book. I don‘t always want to read a series!

This is such a meet cute story… literally. My favorites were the relationships between Franny and her best friends. I also loved seeing the relationship develop between Franny and Hayes. This was sweet, funny and a quick read.

1) gathering tax documents (I hate taxes) and paying bills (ditto).

2) Abu from Aladdin because he‘s funny and clever. Second favorite is Megara from Hercules; she‘s tough and puts Hades in his place.

3) I‘m happy each week as the days get longer. I also love when my tulips bloom.

Thanks for tagging me, @Crazeedi #motivationalmonday