This was a fun sports #Romance #audiobook narrated in duet. 🌶️

I had to rewind one particular part twice because I just couldn't believe narrator Connor Crais pronounced a certain German philosopher's name properly. 😉

#SeriesLove2025 @Andrew65 @TheSpineView

#weekendreads @rachelsbrittain

Started three different ARCs. Because that's how I'll definitely get through my #NetGalley #MountARC faster. 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️

Random find on Audible - free with subscription

#52bookclub25 #Prompt41

M/M version of Notinghill - bookseller meets US actor, including a spilled drink scene 🤪 - some 🌶️

#SeriesLove2025 @Andrew65 @TheSpineView

#52bookclub25 #Prompt19

Not a single likeable character. Everyone is 🛌 with everyone else and seemingly the whole town knows, but no one spotted the physical abuse?

Maybe Tintera should stick to YA novels.

The #audiobook was done well though, I liked the podcast sound effects.

Two royal envoys, Calarian and Benji, are on a quest to help the duke of Tournel with a mountain troll problem. What could possibly go wrong? Well, the duke goes splat! The "new" duke is the first "idiot" the two elfs meet, Lars Melker the cowherd. And that sets the wheels in motion which might lead to a dictatorship or the first constitutional dukedom in Aguillon.

Add in their mutual attraction to Lars and emotions might happen, as well as ?️

Book 5 of the Time Police series does not disappoint. Sadly, no St Mary's involvement, but that might be for the better.

Team Weird, together with Team 235 have to stop a runaway steam train that's been chug-chug-chugging all over the timeline and across several continents.

Meanwhile at TPHQ there is a funding and staffing problem. The latter might be solved by throwing officers down the stairs.

#MountARC #NetGalley #ARC - from years ago 🫣

It's 1929 in Britain. Skelton is a nerdy barrister, who's originally from Yorkshire. He takes on the case of MaryDutton, who is accused of poisoning her abusive husband.

It's a slow and meandering story, funny at times. Perfect for fans of the Golden Era murder mystery books.

First in a series.
#SeriesLove2025 @Andrew65 @TheSpineView

Working on #MountARC

Pub Day was 31 December

Didn't like the writing style, too much telling, too little showing. Didn't like the characters either and their insta-lust/love romance didn't work for me.
Not sure why this book is labeled 'erotica', it's pretty tame compared to some other open door contemporary romances I've read.

#NetGalley #ARC

#WhereAreYouMonday @Cupcake12

In the country of Aguillon, in a town near the mountains, where two elves try to help the just appointed new duke (former cow-herd) with a mountain troll problem.

Funny, queer, D&D like, adventure story with 🌶️

#SeriesLove2025 @Andrew65 @TheSpineView

Second novella in trilogy - third is supposed to be published in April 2025.

Ada and Rian meet again. Months after the events at the Roundabout Ada is tasked with stealing something from a museum during an important gala (think Ocean's 8 with the Met Gala, lots of VIPs,...). Rian, knowing Ada won't let this opportunity pass her, is present to stop her. What is she trying to fit into her teeny tiny purse? A canopic jar?

Spoiler-ish comment ⬇️

First novella in a fun Sci-fi trilogy with a dash of romance.

There is a heist. And, without spoiling too much, neither Ada nor Rian are what they pretend to be.

#SeriesLove2025 @Andrew65 @TheSpineView

Spoiler-ish comment below ⬇️

Two redheads are rescued from prison by a merry band of adventurers. One of the redheads is the heir to the throne, but the idiot leading the band can't decide which one it is and, to be on the safe side, takes both. A quest through dangerous swamps, battles with bandits, and facing the villain ensues.

If you are a fan of lough out loud funny D&D campaign style stories with an M/M forced proximity romance, read this.

#52bookclub25 ⬇️

#NetGalley #ARC #MountARC Pub Day: 14 January

A mysterious tower appears in the sky above England. Since neither the military nor any other form of investigation with drones, helicopters, cameras etc reveals anything about the tower, the British do what they do best: Carry on. Then a "countdown" appears on the outside of the tower, as well as the word 'Ascend' and thirteen people from all works of life are beamed onto the base of the tower. ⬇️

#52bookclub25 #Prompt10

First in a #Romantasy series.

Arranged marriage between a borderlord and a princess of the realm that has sparks flying during the wedding night already. Then, just when the couple gets used to each other there's a dragon attack and the groom just won't believe his bride is dead.

The twists didn't come as a surprise, I think they weren't supposed to.

Story ends in a cliffhanger.

Low pick.

Cut your hair. Put on trousers. Pack your bag. And don't forget to pack an extra pair of socks.

#OokBOokClub #Discworld #SirTerryPratchett

#SeriesLove2025 @Andrew65 @TheSpineView

Contemporary hospital shifter romance. Fake dating/mating that turns real very soon.

Mackenzie Carter (ER resident) needs a selfie with a possible date to get her scheming grandmother off her back. Dr Noah Taylor (surgeon) needs a mate to appease the hospital board after they found out about his alpha status. A bargain is struck and the two of them enter a fake mate-ship. But needing to spend time together actually brings them together.

3.75/5🌟

#OokBOokClub

Just a friendly reminder that we'll be reading #MakingMoney next! Dig out your books, put in your library holds, or place your orders! The next Discworld adventure continues on February 8th! Woohoo!

If anyone wants to be tagged/untagged for future posts please let me know! Happy to oblige!

#Discworld #SirTerryPratchett #TerryPratchett #PratchettPosse #ReadAlong #BuddyRead #EpicBuddyRead

#OokBOokClub-ers, our Discworld adventure continues TODAY with #GoingPostal!

Looking forward to our discussion next month!

Happy reading!

#Discworld #SirTerryPratchett #TerryPratchett #PratchettPosse #ReadAlong #BuddyRead #EpicBuddyRead

Hello friends! Open discussion is in the FOLLOWING POST marked as a spoiler. Find the Monstrous Regiment post & tap "show me" on the spoiler tag to join in the discussion. Join in whenever you can! Today. Tomorrow. Next month! The post will always be up so just tag each other & we'll jump in to discuss with you. Feel free to chat about anything!

#Discworld #SirTerryPratchett #TerryPratchett #PratchettPosse #ReadAlong #BuddyRead #OokBOokClub

Olivie Blake and I are hit and miss. Some of her writing works for me, some doesn't.

This collection of short stories was, as you might guess, a mixed bag.

I liked The Animation Games, where two people come back from the dead over and over again just to kill each other again and again - and yes, they love each other. 😉

Low pick.

#audiobook

#AuldLangSpine @sebrittainclark @monalyisha

#AuldLangSpine @sebrittainclark @monalyisha

I liked this vampire-werewolf marriage of convenience romance far more than I expected I would. Thanks for putting it on the list, Sarah!

#12Booksof2024 @Andrew65

Cosy fantasy romance between a ghost whisperer and a ghost hunter.

I really liked the idea of a sentient inn that helps spirits to move on to the afterlife and its new innkeeper, who can see ghosts, and needs to learn the ropes. The atmosphere of the inn was incredible, I wish I could have joined the spirits for one of their tea parties.

#NetGalley #ARC #MountARC
⬇️

#12Booksof2024 @Andrew65

Finished early this morning after I admired the aurora (background picture).

It could be penned as an epic love story between an angel and a demon. It is much more. The story explores grief and memory and the transformation of a city, its people and cultures over centuries.

#12Booksof2024 @Andrew65

Gave this a try. It was penned as Adult Fantasy.

I guess I expected something different than a story with an NA main character, cringe-y "real world" banter in a High Fantasy setting, and clunky writing.

#12Booksof2024 @Andrew65

YA Coming of Age/Dark Academia Historical Fiction set in mid-19th century Edinburgh with a M/M romance sideplot

James Willoughby has recently decided to become a surgeon and to study at the University of Edinburgh. An excellent decision for the son of a noble family if it wasn't for the family lacking in funds. In order to afford his position in an anatomist's course, the resident resurrectionist Aneurin offers the naïve James a job... ⬇️

The winner for #WorstRead2024 is The Mars House.

Thank you, @CSeydel for creating the brackets.

#12Booksof2024 @Andrew65

Guess I am a Book-Dragon.🐉

The final tally says 445 books read. Not including the 8 I DNF'd. My goal was 250.

I took part in 10 #BuddyRead and 1 #ReadAlong on StoryGraph

Please ignore pages and hours on StoryGraph, they aren't correct. I was too lazy to enter the correct editions I was reading.

I finished the #52bookclub24 challenge for the first time!!!

Last finished book for 2024, probably.

Non-fiction

Preston collected formerly published stories of his about mysteries and murders in this volume. Among them are the story of the Money Pit on Oak Island, or the strange murders of couples in Tuscany, and the titular Lost Tomb (KV5).

Interesting to read and, this is why it took me twice as long as usual to finish, it sent me down several Wikipedia/Google rabbit holes.

I tried to gel with this book, but it didn't work. Due to each chapter being from a different character's POV, it was hard to follow the underlying plot of the story. The many POV were supposed to give the story a found family vibe, but I was never convinced of it. All in all, it seemed more like a collection of short stories that are interconnected than a novel with a thriller-ish plot and fully fleshed-out characters.

#NetGalley #ARC #MountARC

If you are looking for a cosy read that gives you Studio Gibli vibes, this is the book for you.

A hidden world behind the mundane reality, full of magic and wonder, and poetically described. A young pawnbroker brought up in this magical world and a young physicist from the 'real' embark on an adventure to find the pawnbroker's father.

I liked the whimsical nature of the book, it reminded me of The Starless Sea. ⬇️

#NetGalley #ARC #MountARC

I received an extract of this novel for reviewing purposes and can honestly say, those three chapters were not enough to fully form an opinion about the book. The extract packed a lot: village history, description of the game, a reading list, a true crime podcast, and some character introductions.

Six crime writers are invited to a snowy village in north Yorkshire where they are supposed to solve the ⬇️

#NetGalley #ARC #MountARC

#MountARC #NetGalley #ARC

Emily and Wendell embark on their journey into Wendell's realm. Having previously defeated his step-mother, taking the throne should be a formality, yet it is not so easy. A dark curse is threatening the kingdom and Emily soon realises they are living in a "fairy tale" whose many versions don't seem to have a happy ending. Emily is determined to use all her scholarly powers to find ⬇️

Listened to Levar Burton read this short story about a girl asking for a miracle.

It's part of the Dead Djinn Universe; steampunk Cairo where mechanical Angels, Djinn and, amongst others, boiler-plate eunuchs live among the human inhabitants of the city.

#SeriesLove2024 @TheSpineView @Andrew65
#OutWithTheOldInWithTheNew #YearEnd #20in4 #readathon

Read as part of #OutWithTheOldInWithTheNew #YearEnd #20in4 #readathon @Andrew65

Was it historically accurate? Not entirely.
Was it fun to read and listen to? Yes!! Yes!!
Would I recommend it to anyone who likes queer #HistoricalRomance #RomCom? Of course!

#SeriesLove2024 @TheSpineView

#12Booksof2024 @Andrew65

#12Booksof2024 @Andrew65

#OutWithTheOldInWithTheNew #YearEnd #20in4 #readathon @Andrew65

This sounded interesting but I neither liked the main characters nor the story. It was #MoreMehThanYeah and definitely not what I've come to like about Caine's writing.

#12Booksof2024 @Andrew65

2nd book of #OutWithTheOldInWithTheNew #YearEnd #20in4 #readathon @Andrew65

Third book in Devoured Worlds series.

What a ride?! At times I thought it was dragging on. Then there was so much action I had to go back and listen to some parts again. And then I checked how much book was left because it just couldn't end yet.

Definitely a series I'll be re-reading.

#SeriesLove2024 @TheSpineView

First book of the #OutWithTheOldInWithTheNew #YearEnd #20in4 #readathon

@Andrew65

When Alice met Ben for the first time, she was visiting her husband's grave alone for the first time. Ben was visiting his brother's grave, right next to Alice's husbands. Ben was dressed as Kermit the Frog, a stipulation in his brother's will.

Over the next years Ben and Alice meet once a year, when Ben has to wear a costume at the cemetery. ⬇️

#12Booksof2024 @Andrew65

Fourth book in the Belles of London series.

Stella needs to get out from under her brother's thumb. But how shall this prematurely grey equestrian make a living for herself and her horse. Artist Teddy, bound to a wheelchair, has just found his muse, but does he dare make Stella an offer she should definitely refuse if she wants to protect her reputation?

I liked the representation of a disabled person in Victorian times.⬇️

Just finished my Mars Rover Perseverance and the tagged #audiobook.

A "Importance of Being Earnest" kind of story. Cousins Bella and Izzy are in London for the season. Noble born Izzy isn't feeling up to making her debut and since it's her aunt, the duchess, who keeps mixing up the two young women, they decide to make the most of this. Mix up, misunderstandings, but eventually happy matrimony for both cousins.

Low pick

#12Booksof2024 @Andrew65