tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8557407526053670242024-03-18T08:52:53.795-07:00The Romance BookieA Lifestyle BlogThe Romance Bookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12805516737726198076noreply@blogger.comBlogger857125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-855740752605367024.post-66277218851377711672023-01-26T14:35:00.003-08:002023-01-26T14:35:23.710-08:00Under One Roof (The STEMinist Novella #1) by Ali Hazelwood (Audiobook)<p> Hey Everyone!</p><p>Time for another review! This one I listened to the other day, because I needed a break from my current main audiobook. I'm currently listening to <i>Spare</i> by Prince Harry, the memoir he released a couple of weeks ago, and while I am finding it good, I was in the mood for a rom-com, during my afternoon off the other day. So Ali Hazelwood's novella <i>Under The Roof</i>, seemed like the perfect little read to fill my time!</p><p><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59651557-under-one-roof?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=tKmhcau3z6&rank=1">From Goodreads:</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4x9AnM6_hZMR_cDszXT7QbTE527W4AKdeF2cfFujybJdBagVXMJWJKtBcgFVIwEmtprODTgnFcxW5TQqyLHZZmg8mKB3c-rRlp-ERMYRhBlTFPFBUj_hde1xds2cvw_MPSIBz48z1XbKqNZhnMcitEQ-nDee7Ntuy6V3RUdy_D8tNm_AtNuWrObDj/s2475/59651557.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2475" data-original-width="1650" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4x9AnM6_hZMR_cDszXT7QbTE527W4AKdeF2cfFujybJdBagVXMJWJKtBcgFVIwEmtprODTgnFcxW5TQqyLHZZmg8mKB3c-rRlp-ERMYRhBlTFPFBUj_hde1xds2cvw_MPSIBz48z1XbKqNZhnMcitEQ-nDee7Ntuy6V3RUdy_D8tNm_AtNuWrObDj/s320/59651557.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i>A scientist should never cohabitate with her annoyingly hot nemesis -- it leads to combustion.</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Mara, Sadie, and Hannah are friends first, scientists always. Though their fields of study might take them to different corners of the world, they can all agree on this universal truth: when it comes to love and science, opposites attract and rivals make you burn...</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>As an environmental engineer, Mara knows all about the delicate nature of ecosystems. They require balance. And leaving the thermostat alone. And not stealing someone else's food. And other rules Liam, her detestable big-oil lawyer of a roommate, knows nothing about. Okay, sure, technically she's the interloper. Liam was already entrenched in his aunt's house like some glowering grumpy giant when Mara moved in, with his big muscles and kissable mouth just sitting there on the couch tempting respectable scientists to the dark side...but Helena was her mentor and Mara's not about to move out and give up her inheritance without a fight.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The problem is, living with someone means getting to know them. And the more Mara finds out about Liam, the harder it is to loathe him...and the easier it is to love him.</i></div><br /><p>My Thoughts:</p><p>It was cute. But I want to say, reading Ali Hazelwood's novels in the past I noticed something that she likes to do in her books that bothers me. Hazelwood is big girl power, feminism, and equal-work force environments. All very valid points, and admirable. The issue I have that she does, is while the character complains about the sexist work environment she works in daily, she not even five minutes later is sexualizing the man she is sharing a roof with. In one scene Liam is shoveling snow and says he must have "majored in snow shoveling and minored in muscles". I just found this to be hypocritical, considering her complaints about her coworkers flirting with her, and not taking her serious at work. I just think, it goes both ways. If I remember right, this was a thing I noticed in her other two books I read last year. </p><p>Overall though, I found it to be a cute in-between book that I was looking to fill my time and get my mind off the real world. There were some steamy moments, and even though it was a short book, it felt complete. </p><p>Overall Rating:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGKr0FPAQc3Vht9TD5lpAPAVbBKjZucJ-AWeLLRrUuXGzWqbs5YJ5jfPHXZaAdaTX1--b0gkuLOT1PNtGkn38ninUevqePZ1ZEUrzQtZfupZmVNxfN8kVvwQ3t7vcqJkWubES81P7bD_JgKBj9r8nixvw2Yqs9901i8TXVSvgkeaDr9j26ldRdzszB/s174/Three%20Stars%20Bookie%2012-00-41.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="75" data-original-width="174" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGKr0FPAQc3Vht9TD5lpAPAVbBKjZucJ-AWeLLRrUuXGzWqbs5YJ5jfPHXZaAdaTX1--b0gkuLOT1PNtGkn38ninUevqePZ1ZEUrzQtZfupZmVNxfN8kVvwQ3t7vcqJkWubES81P7bD_JgKBj9r8nixvw2Yqs9901i8TXVSvgkeaDr9j26ldRdzszB/w320-h138/Three%20Stars%20Bookie%2012-00-41.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>It was cute, however, not my favorite. I'm still deciding if Ali Hazelwood will be on my list of auto-buys. In the end, her books are sometimes what I need, just not my favorite. They feel like Hallmark movies, and that is something that girl sometimes needs. Just a fun romantic Hallmark movie on a lonely afternoon or evening. If that's what you need, I'd check this one out!</p><p style="text-align: right;">The Romance Bookie :)</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>The Romance Bookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12805516737726198076noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-855740752605367024.post-13355725582006851802023-01-24T20:52:00.004-08:002023-01-24T20:52:53.765-08:00A Good Girl's Guide to Murder (A Good Girl's Guide to Murder #1) by Holly Jackson<p> Hey Everyone!</p><p><br /></p><p>I've got some catching up to do! Hopefully, more reviews will be up very soon, as I've got a list of ones I need to read, for some of the books I've read this year. </p><p>I know I am late to the game, but a friend and I have decided to start our little book club together, and for our first book we chose <i>A Good Girl's Guide to Murder</i> by Holly Jackson.</p><p>This one has been on my radar for a few months now, mainly because of finding my love for YA Murder-Mystery/Thrillers last year. I understand, it's been hyped about for quite some time now, but I finally got to find out why.</p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45874065-a-good-girl-s-guide-to-murder">From Goodreads:</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdXerG0IAcm2TfUF2CPQp8RqqtL0DcbaGYcl8eqcX9dJXnjpXckkjeU4kxnIV8qwfJ6VL6EZgMo6Da76A9Ok5Ac3kluhCnMBDsd2tuvIUMId0yrHulWPzVbqJPYQqXR4o3nxluSlxi3fvBGc89T4Ugd3oRTk68wNVS_hw1cQi9FYifqw9veZsaKmuc/s2550/45874065.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2550" data-original-width="1688" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdXerG0IAcm2TfUF2CPQp8RqqtL0DcbaGYcl8eqcX9dJXnjpXckkjeU4kxnIV8qwfJ6VL6EZgMo6Da76A9Ok5Ac3kluhCnMBDsd2tuvIUMId0yrHulWPzVbqJPYQqXR4o3nxluSlxi3fvBGc89T4Ugd3oRTk68wNVS_hw1cQi9FYifqw9veZsaKmuc/s320/45874065.jpeg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i>For readers of Kara Thomas and Karen McManus, an addictive, twisty crime thriller with shades of </i>Serial<i> and </i>Making a Murderer<i> about a closed local murder case that doesn't add up, and a girl who's determined to find the real killer -- but not everyone wants her meddling in the past.</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i>Everyone in Fairview knows the story.</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Pretty and popular high school senior Andie Bell was murdered by her boyfriend, Sal Singh, who then killed himself. It was all anyone could talk about. And five years later, Pip sees how the tragedy still haunts her town.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>But she can't shake the feeling that there was more to what happened that day. She knew Sal when she was a child, and he was always so kind to her. How could he possibly have been a killer?</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Now a senior herself, Pip decides to reexamine the closed case for her final project, at first just to cast doubt on the original investigation. But soon she discovers a trail of dark secrets that might actually prove Sal innocent...and the line between past and present begins to blur. Someone in Fairview doesn't want Pip digging around for answers, and now her own life might be in danger.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>This is the story of an investigation turned obsession, full of twists and turns and with an ending you'll never expect.</i></div><p><br /></p><p>My Thoughts:</p><p>WOW. From beginning to end, I was hooked. It really kept me on my toes the entire time. I know it's only January, but there is a good chance this may make it to one of my favorites of the year. I can tell you I read "One of Us is Lying"by Karen M. McManus very early last year, and it ended up being my favorite book of 2022. </p><p>My preference for novels has been audiobooks for quite some time now, just due to not being able to shut down my brain enough to sit down and read a novel, but <i>A Good Girl's Guide to Murder</i>" was the first physical novel that I have completed in a long time. I can ebooks every so often, but an actual physical book? Haven't done it in months. Graphic novels have been my go to. But this thriller just kept me wanting more.</p><p>I devoured it in a few short days and I did not want it to end. I ended up picking up the hardcover box set of the three books in the series from Amazon, before I had finished the paperback. I was expecting it to end on a hook since there are two other books, so I wanted to be prepared and just be able to start book 2 immediately.</p><p>I'm glad this one felt like it had an ending. It is allowing me to take a short break and read a few others books first from my TBR; but I am super curious what will be in books 2 and 3, because I have not read the synopsis's for either, and this felt truly like it could be a standalone. But I'll be reading them soon, and anything else that Holly Jackson has written. </p><p>Overall Rating:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio_C95y7Im0tlJjDeNs1FdMSY1DOCnJ7XHLveQc0bK2NhZR9qfAVXc97gvdYNPX5MjbOHBkTAmujooJ884c3apcitCDyrAbWCGwHaLA_jkPipWhAbKMvHYULczuImIHrmR8bjYFgXuL4KwdTmY4WscTyEHWucyuYHlFMEt6U6i7TqSC2ntCTUdzFop/s225/Five%20Stars%20Bookie.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="95" data-original-width="225" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio_C95y7Im0tlJjDeNs1FdMSY1DOCnJ7XHLveQc0bK2NhZR9qfAVXc97gvdYNPX5MjbOHBkTAmujooJ884c3apcitCDyrAbWCGwHaLA_jkPipWhAbKMvHYULczuImIHrmR8bjYFgXuL4KwdTmY4WscTyEHWucyuYHlFMEt6U6i7TqSC2ntCTUdzFop/w320-h135/Five%20Stars%20Bookie.png" width="320" /></a></div>I've read nine books so far in January, and I already know this will be my favorite of the month, I don't see how another book could top this one as of right now. I read "Five Survive" a few weeks ago, and my review will go up for that one hopefully soon. That one was Holly Jackson's 2022 release, that came out in November. <i>A Good Girls Guide to Murder</i> was better, it was more suspenseful, had absolutely zero downtime, where I wanted to skip ahead, it was just intense from beginning until end and the exact thing I needed to have me keep turning pages, even though I should have been doing other stuff.<div><br /></div><div>If you haven't read it, and you're interested in thrillers, without blood and gore, definitely check this one out!</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: right;">The Romance Bookie :)</div><p><br /></p></div>The Romance Bookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12805516737726198076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-855740752605367024.post-62006500687271699512023-01-05T09:54:00.002-08:002023-01-05T09:54:22.757-08:00Nick and Charlie by Alice Oseman <p> Hey Everyone!</p><p><br /></p><p>Happy New Year!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijgTE1nffc82vP7i44GzCyVxCzDJ97ESYrAPNPHEIojp9_4FXG4R3jkmI3qqcVxSzFUrt3ZHX50Sra19Im3jNQw-uKuI67f2hBbFZMUauLLk1HMvi1762EGR8GQ1Bss7wAfqHjYQhIcPoSiNFrZDoMJWD9FPV9lZm6eIFbt3uD6p7vaL-Ar8RbW2s9/s500/ny-269.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijgTE1nffc82vP7i44GzCyVxCzDJ97ESYrAPNPHEIojp9_4FXG4R3jkmI3qqcVxSzFUrt3ZHX50Sra19Im3jNQw-uKuI67f2hBbFZMUauLLk1HMvi1762EGR8GQ1Bss7wAfqHjYQhIcPoSiNFrZDoMJWD9FPV9lZm6eIFbt3uD6p7vaL-Ar8RbW2s9/s320/ny-269.gif" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>I can't believe we are already on day 5 of the New Year, but here we go!</p><p>I just finished my third book of 2023, and am thoroughly enjoying this time off to recuperate after a surgery I had a couple of weeks ago, and getting lots of time to work on my planner and read!</p><p>For today's review I have a new release! <i>Nick and Charlie </i>by Alice Oseman, which was just officially released this past Tuesday! I was able to find a copy last week during the annual 50% off hardcovers sale at Barnes and Noble, so I was super excited to have it in my hands early. I love the <i>Heartstopper </i>series, and am looking forward to the last volume, set to hopefully release next month? Not sure though if that's official, because there still isn't a cover, and it's hard to believe an author could have two releases within such a short time...but weirder things have happened, and I'm really hoping the last volume comes out next month, because I'm looking forward to finding out how Nick and Charlie's relationship gets a conclusion.</p><p><br /></p><p>Anyway, onto my review for <i>Nick and Charlie</i>!</p><p><br /></p><p>From Goodreads:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIpqNJn3uSTRmlgvWezynnENOkLz3dUlNGoEksfqMuoYfRPGmy88Ic_sU4mUMi2J-BZEYMtCvZ7nfb_leDVbL7LHKw8Sw7c9xKjoHr-1i0gZD8Jl9cSuq2ZZVP1h6f4970dR7hDTEaOxjuxalGCZ-8jx9Yn4HEssrGhD1z5LUuLO31a4Bc-XJeYDUK/s1200/61285758.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIpqNJn3uSTRmlgvWezynnENOkLz3dUlNGoEksfqMuoYfRPGmy88Ic_sU4mUMi2J-BZEYMtCvZ7nfb_leDVbL7LHKw8Sw7c9xKjoHr-1i0gZD8Jl9cSuq2ZZVP1h6f4970dR7hDTEaOxjuxalGCZ-8jx9Yn4HEssrGhD1z5LUuLO31a4Bc-XJeYDUK/s320/61285758.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>From the mega-bestselling creator of </i>Hearstopper<i>, a must-have novella in which </i>Heartstopper's <i>lead characters, Nick and Charlie, face one of their biggest challenges yet.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Absence makes the heart grow fonder...right?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Everyone know that Nick and Charlie love their nearly inseparable life together. But soon Nick will be leaving for university, and Charlie, a year younger, will be left behind. Everyone's asking if they're staying together, which is a stupid question...or at least that's what Nick and Charlie assume at first.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>As the time to say goodbye gets inevitably closer, both Nick and Charlie start to question whether their love is strong enough to survive being apart. Charlie is sure he's holding Nick back...and Nick can't tell what Charlie's thinking. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Things spiral from there.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Everyone knows that first loves rarely last forever. What will it take for Nick and Charlie to defy the odds?</i></div><p><br /></p><p>My Thoughts:</p><p>This was a cute continuation? I guess in between novella of the series. Technically it's part of Alice Oseman's <i>Solitaire </i>series, but honestly I'm counting it towards an in-between in <i>Heartstopper</i>. Unlike the <i>Heartstopper</i> series which is in graphic novel format, this is in novel format. It was a fun little read. Took me an hour or so to read. The font is really big, like honestly almost middle school grade type font. However, I would definitely say this IS NOT a middle grade book. The content, I think, is a bit mature for a middle grade. But it was a nice easy read, especially since I've been preferring audiobooks versus reading physical novels, since my brain hasn't been able to focus on longer written out stories, for some reason, for quite some time now. But it's one I felt I needed to physically read. </p><p>As far as the characters, you have Charlie who is shows his insecurities once again, and Nick who is oblivious to them. But it works. They both are so into each other, as a reader, I find myself routing for them over and over again. </p><p>Overall Rating:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxuDFESAT_ByDYjvDmKz2xLe4Z82qVhZYz0Bbcmh0Mi2hiqML7-NeN-gRRaHn4A3zlEVqJW6EauRzvTG0cZby-BHnALExmqWQvwxXyW8_Jq9ckDcVkE7oV-qqMpubdyHvGY8YQuQVy4NGNopGUq1BrScrUf8QwGXEx08SZGpKVd2-5JS5tF7BN4DdQ/s162/Four%20Star%20Bookie%20copy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="75" data-original-width="162" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxuDFESAT_ByDYjvDmKz2xLe4Z82qVhZYz0Bbcmh0Mi2hiqML7-NeN-gRRaHn4A3zlEVqJW6EauRzvTG0cZby-BHnALExmqWQvwxXyW8_Jq9ckDcVkE7oV-qqMpubdyHvGY8YQuQVy4NGNopGUq1BrScrUf8QwGXEx08SZGpKVd2-5JS5tF7BN4DdQ/w320-h148/Four%20Star%20Bookie%20copy.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">4.5 bookies from me! Really enjoyed it! It was great being back in their world, and I am so looking forward to how their story ends...hopefully next month, in volume 5 of <i>Heartstopper</i>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Happy New Year again! And let me know what you've read so far this year in the comments? I'd love to hear!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">The Romance Bookie :)</div><br /><p><br /></p>The Romance Bookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12805516737726198076noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-855740752605367024.post-22779402258361512682022-12-28T15:25:00.002-08:002022-12-28T15:25:44.314-08:00The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid (Audiobook)<p> Hey Everyone!</p><p>Better late than never, but I'm so unbelievably behind on reviews, and there is just no way that I'm catching up this point, so I'm just going to start anew, and start reviewing again what I read. I might go back and fill in reviews for books I read this year, later on, just so they can be added to my reviewed page. But that is for a later time. </p><p>Due to my recovery, I'm having more downtime, and I am getting some serious reading in this last week of 2022. I ended up getting in a last minute book that I honestly almost didn't read after finally getting it from the waitlist at my local library; but am so glad I gave it a chance, because the ending made it become one of my favorites of 2022.</p><p>So here is my review of <i>The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo</i> by Taylor Jenkins Reid.</p><p><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32620332-the-seven-husbands-of-evelyn-hugo?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=bz4MHtaKgN&rank=1">From Goodreads:</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihckky7Gs0gGyVp3vooYpNL67-cCfupVKJ1xKIG0DUWf59GEqe8NfMG7DZ1JWmpCeWdBtYMLvFEhh8TPIsxz7aLfeoqmgubSYOi3OneAcBVzgHW2aX-ENOHC0AN0mDz3v9MyV01_KtDdrY20BGWrGVwFtWUVawIeonvJ_VRD_Lfk6WIwYcXltEt6uJ/s475/45416596._SY475_.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="299" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihckky7Gs0gGyVp3vooYpNL67-cCfupVKJ1xKIG0DUWf59GEqe8NfMG7DZ1JWmpCeWdBtYMLvFEhh8TPIsxz7aLfeoqmgubSYOi3OneAcBVzgHW2aX-ENOHC0AN0mDz3v9MyV01_KtDdrY20BGWrGVwFtWUVawIeonvJ_VRD_Lfk6WIwYcXltEt6uJ/s320/45416596._SY475_.jpeg" width="201" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i>From the </i>New York Times <i>bestselling author of </i>Daisy Jones & the Six<i>- an entrancing and "wildly addictive journey of a reclusive Hollywood starlet" (PopSugar) as she reflects on her relentless rise to the top and the risks she took, the loves she lost, and the long-held secrets the public could never imagine.</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Aging and reclusive Hollywood movie icon Evelyn Hugo is finally ready to tell the truth about her glamorous and scandalous life. But when she chooses unknown magazine reporter Monique Grant for the job, no one is more astounded than Monique herself. Why her? Why now?</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Monique is not exactly on top of the world. Her husband has left her, and her professional life is going nowhere. Regardless of why Evelyn has selected her to write her biography, Monique is determined to use this opportunity to jumpstart her career.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Summoned to Evelyn's luxurious apartment, Monique listens in fascination as the actress tells her story. From making her way to Los Angeles in the 1950s to her decision to leave show business in the 80s, and, of course, the seven husbands along the way, Evelyn unspools a tale of ruthless ambition, unexpected friendship, and a great forbidden love. Monique begins to feel a very real connection to the legendary star, but as Evelyn's story nears its conclusion, it becomes clear that her life intersects with Monique's own in tragic and irreversible ways.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>"Heartbreaking, yet beautiful" (Jamie Blynn, </i>US Weekly<i>), </i>The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo<i> is "Tinseltown drama at its finest" (</i>Redbook<i>): a mesmerizing journey through the splendor of old Hollywood into the harsh realities of the present day as two women struggle with what it means --and what it costs -- to face the truth.</i></div><p>My Thoughts: </p><p>First off, I am going to be honest and say, this is not my usual read. I am not usually a fan of adult fiction with multiple timelines, historical elements, and honestly like this book...usually. But <i>The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo</i> held my fascination as the story went on, and by the end I was beyond mesmerized. </p><p>I have always been interested in old Hollywood, especially in the life story of Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe. I started reading about Marilyn starting in middle school, checking out many books from the library and reading a ton of online articles (using my dial-up internet back in the day). Old Hollywood is a fascinating time, and there were so many elements not practiced anymore, and for good reason. </p><p>For instance, back then studios would sign contracts with actors where the actors were essentially owned by those studios, for years, and not a guarantee they would get work, if they didn't prove they were good. It was tough times. Not only was Hollywood different but the world was different, and not so open to views as it has been shown to be more now a days, at least in certain parts of the world. </p><p><i>The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo</i> showed some these different pieces of the world, that isn't talked about very much, or at least wasn't before a few years ago. </p><p>A really fascinating story, that I would definitely recommend to anyone into Hollywood, old Hollywood, and looking for a good book with a good insane twist at the end! </p><p>That twist was crazy! I figured it out before it was said, but it still caught me by surprise, and added a really good element to the book. </p><p>Overall Rating: </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikY4o0g9307BHZoWuMKa2YZGVQK2mvP2IvhaeQu6ZZnGx731kOWfwurZZpH4dGbB3Jdg_9t4qPYCCm2QEMfQORhLxhZrCb7kwQeSrkQ--BWrYnkFK1sMO80_BfDGEelrfS9pBubNHA5qMG7rXpC77YiBZosrrb0OPpV_VAT5G590P3OlnKL0qkSLIj/s225/Five%20Stars%20Bookie.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="95" data-original-width="225" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikY4o0g9307BHZoWuMKa2YZGVQK2mvP2IvhaeQu6ZZnGx731kOWfwurZZpH4dGbB3Jdg_9t4qPYCCm2QEMfQORhLxhZrCb7kwQeSrkQ--BWrYnkFK1sMO80_BfDGEelrfS9pBubNHA5qMG7rXpC77YiBZosrrb0OPpV_VAT5G590P3OlnKL0qkSLIj/w320-h135/Five%20Stars%20Bookie.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Definitely check this one, if you haven't already. I know I am late to the game, because this one was released in 2017. I just felt the need to write about this one, because it spoke to me in many ways. There is a subject that is rarely talked about in this, (I can't say what it is, because it gives away the twist at the end), but it is something that resonates with me a lot. My family went through this with my grandma, and it hit close to home. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">The Romance Bookie</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">PS: Hope everyone has a wonderful New Year! I am not sure if I'll be writing another post before the new year, so just wanted to say it now!</div><br /><p><br /></p>The Romance Bookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12805516737726198076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-855740752605367024.post-26051784253579038272022-12-21T10:10:00.003-08:002022-12-21T10:10:41.370-08:002022 & The Romance Bookie's 12th Blogaversary!<p> Happy Holidays!</p><p>Wow, it's been a long time! Way too long! </p><p>As always life has been all-time consuming. I have been focusing on The Romance Bookie's Instagram page more, since that is where blogging has led, more so than written blogs now-a-days. But honestly, I miss my platform here. I highly doubt people are reading these anymore, but I thought it would be nice to give an update.</p><p>Did I read in 2022?</p><p>Yes. Yes, I did. In fact, I surpassed my reading goals. I went into 2022 hoping to read at least 50 books, then moved it up to 75 mid-year, and now I'm super close to hitting that 100 mark. I've got a week left, and I'm hopeful I can do it. I haven't read 100 books in a year in a long time. Probably before I met my husband 😅. Now, here I am almost ten years into my relationship, we have a two-year-old wild child, and I have read almost a 100 books. </p><p>2022 was a year of focusing on myself, for the first time in a long time. Mid-2021, I ended up having a life-changing surgery that has caused me to lose a significant amount of weight. I am feeling so much better now, in a lot of ways. I ran quite a few virtual 5k's this year! I go to the gym very regularly and enjoy doing so. And I just hit a normal BMI the other morning, for the first time in my life. I never thought I would get to this point. </p><p>Mentally, I could be doing better. I'll admit that. Social media isn't the best place to be. It can be very draining, and let's be honest we show the good side of things more so than the bad. I choose to do so, because I don't find it appropriate to be putting my problems online, but also because I feel there is enough bad in the world, why not focus on the good sometimes. </p><p>But all in all, I don't regret this year. Lessons were learned, goals were accomplished, and I got to make some very fond memories with my little family. Along the way, we traveled quite a bit. My son got to visit three different states this year (two of which were new to me too!). We went to North Carolina and saw snow fall, Florida to go to the 50th Walt Disney World Celebration, Colorado to visit family, San Diego with Oma and Grandpa, Palm Springs to see a cancelled Hot Air Balloon Festival, Disneyland multiple times, and my husband and I got to go on my first-ever cruise, we went on a four-day trip to Mexico for our ninth anniversary. </p><p>Oh and the biggest thing of all?</p><p>We bought our first house together! </p><p>After moving our fifth time, we have finally settled permanently down, and get to have, hopefully, many many years of making memories in our new home. </p><p><br /></p><p>2022 was all-in-all a good year. </p><p>We've got some tough decisions coming our way in 2023, but I am hopeful that my family will get through it, and make the most of our time together. </p><p><br /></p><p>As far as reading challenges!</p><p>Let's dive right in to that!</p><p>Challenges Participated in 2022:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>A-Z Challenge ✅</li><li><a href="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2351/8069/files/ReadingChallenge2022_Checklist.pdf?v=1644860440">2022 Little Inkling's Always Fully Booked Challenge </a>✅</li><li>Reading Rainbow ✅</li><li>Little Inkling's On the Cover Challenge ✅</li><li><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/480505050/reading-challenge-planner-stickers?click_key=f5ba0ea47bdc63f134970d3f0c160ec6ea03d5af%3A480505050&click_sum=8204b8c2&ref=shop_home_active_45&crt=1&sts=1">Peanut Butter Taco Reading Challenge</a> ✅<br /></li><li><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/896050234/romance-reading-challenge-planner?click_key=c055240cfa875175e4dcc8384d4c53bd50a54f60%3A896050234&click_sum=59c7d76b&ref=shop_home_active_44&crt=1&sts=1">Peanut Butter Taco Romance Challenge</a> ✅<br /></li><li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1208628009497556">Literally Bookish Challenge</a> ✅ (Completed all, but the last Bonus prompt)<br /></li><li><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/1127726631/level-up-2022-reading-challenge?click_key=276af5fe6e077972729f5959b5adbe07f40f97d5%3A1127726631&click_sum=17b6297a&ref=shop_home_active_11&sts=1">Creating and Co. Level Up Challenge </a> ✅<br /></li><li><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/1127722865/2022-reading-challenge-dashboard-and?click_key=9f80beb1e7155524154b32ab2b3a638e31a3965f%3A1127722865&click_sum=ccef1096&ref=shop_home_active_4&crt=1&sts=1">Into the Bookverse 2022 Challenge</a> (Did not complete the "Chosen One" trope Prompt)<br /></li></ul><div><br /></div><div>So I completed 8/9 challenges! Not Bad I think! And the Chosen One Prompt, I'm not sure about, I may have read a book but just couldn't think of which one to cover that one. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I have absolutely fallen in love with <a href="https://littleinklings.ca">Little Inkling Designs</a>'s Always Fully Booked Planner, and have already gotten my 2023 planner, and am currently in the process of setting it up. There are so many awesome challenges I am planning on participating in next year; which I hope to share in my next post. </div><div><br /></div><div>As far as keeping up with The Romance Bookie blog...honestly, I am not going to promise anything. One of my goals this year had been to continue leaving reviews for the books I read on here, but at this point I am probably at least 50 books behind, and there is no way I would catch up. I am hoping to write a bit more, and leave reviews here and there in 2023. </div><div><br /></div><div>For now I am going to go back to spending time with my family and enjoying the holiday season as much as possible. I hope everyone who celebrates has a Merry Christmas, and for those that don't celebrate, I hope you have a good read of your week. And Happy New Years to all!</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;">The Romance Bookie :)</div><p></p>The Romance Bookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12805516737726198076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-855740752605367024.post-60110983233098175272022-03-22T09:03:00.002-07:002022-03-22T09:03:15.444-07:00People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry (Audiobook)<p> Hey!</p><p>I'm so excited for this review! I have been meaning to read this next book since it came out last year! It took forever for my turn to come up at the library for this audiobook, after over a dozen weeks of waiting, I finally got it!</p><p>So here is my review of <i>The People We Meet On Vacation</i> by Emily Henry!</p><p><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54985743-people-we-meet-on-vacation">From Goodreads:</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-lmKGyh2gI6GnwGhlogG8v54HSidylJ9CGqmU5xQnmmEHuHtNW-i3UD3CrdlSX8XhjY81bHp-GEhVxPw6dbbAilFfiiZLMZboag4ZR7px9mKgTLvCHgZUux6BCGVIc8qU2thRqA0Am9IiEkuS6YDRqGWsTQownfaotmsgQtnj4M6MxXitzexgdAT1/s700/54985743.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="467" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-lmKGyh2gI6GnwGhlogG8v54HSidylJ9CGqmU5xQnmmEHuHtNW-i3UD3CrdlSX8XhjY81bHp-GEhVxPw6dbbAilFfiiZLMZboag4ZR7px9mKgTLvCHgZUux6BCGVIc8qU2thRqA0Am9IiEkuS6YDRqGWsTQownfaotmsgQtnj4M6MxXitzexgdAT1/s320/54985743.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i>Two best friends. Ten summer trips. One last chance to fall in love.</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Poppy and Alex. Alex and Poppy. They have nothing in common. She's a wild child; he wears khakis. She has insatiable wanderlust; he prefers to stay home with a book. And somehow, ever since a fateful car share home from college many years ago, they are the very best of friends. For most of the year they live far apart--she's in New York City, and he's in their small hometown--but every summer, for a decade, they have taken one glorious week of vacation together.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Until two years ago, when they ruined everything. They haven't spoken since. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Poppy has everything she should want, but she's stuck in a rut. When someone asks when she was last truly happy, she knows, without a doubt, it was on that ill-fated, final trip with Alex. And so, she decides to convince her best friend to take one more vacation together--lay everything on the table, make it all right. Miraculously, he agrees.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Now she has a week to fix everything. If only she can get around the one big truth that has always stood quietly in the middle of their seemingly perfect relationship. What could possibly go wrong?</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">From the </i><b>New York Times </b><i style="font-weight: bold;">bestselling author of </i><b>Beach Read</b><i style="font-weight: bold;">, a sparkling new novel that will leave you with the warm, hazy afterglow usually reserved for the best vacations</i>.</div><p><br /></p><p>My Thoughts:</p><p>That last bit too that description...the one in bold? Yeah, that describes this book perfectly! This was such a fun read! I loved the story, the characters, the settings! Everything was just so good! I'm pretty sure its my favorite book read in March...definitely so far, but we'll see how the rest of the month goes. I will say, it's going to be tough to beat this one. </p><p>It was just my type of read. Contemporary romance with a best friends to lovers trope? Sign-me up! </p><p>Alex and Poppy go to Palm Springs for their first (Possibly last vacation) in two years, and it was so fun hearing the details of Palm Springs, because my husband and I have been there a couple of times on vacations. It's just so fun reading about places you've been before. </p><p>Overall Rating:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUCZwAzVcTe_ul9To5BkIdOk3bAm7Nslx0aSyfZJvrx3edULDpoj2YQI5cZL8ypNYCeIYc-6SrwnKPSqz5dsm-4-qDhlPVQzENvfbSyUe2qfDIPGvBDIKNRB0C5DS_4AT6rGrMK0DQrwjS0QwHn2YexCMsfzIejhYPfUWnIKLLkRoZ_8NaJcb2UAWt/s225/Five%20Stars%20Bookie.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="95" data-original-width="225" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUCZwAzVcTe_ul9To5BkIdOk3bAm7Nslx0aSyfZJvrx3edULDpoj2YQI5cZL8ypNYCeIYc-6SrwnKPSqz5dsm-4-qDhlPVQzENvfbSyUe2qfDIPGvBDIKNRB0C5DS_4AT6rGrMK0DQrwjS0QwHn2YexCMsfzIejhYPfUWnIKLLkRoZ_8NaJcb2UAWt/w320-h135/Five%20Stars%20Bookie.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Definitely check this one out, if you need a cute romance read! It was funny, cute, and was the perfect treat! I wasn't in a reading rut before this, but I have definitely been zooming through the books since then! It was just exactly what I needed to have that feeling of cutesy-butterflies in my stomach. That feeling you only get after a good romance novel. :)</p><p style="text-align: right;">The Romance Bookie :)</p>The Romance Bookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12805516737726198076noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-855740752605367024.post-74492247468016443602022-03-22T08:32:00.003-07:002022-03-22T08:32:53.367-07:00Last Chance Books by Kelsey Rodkey (Audiobook)<p> Hey Everyone!</p><p>It's been a minute, and for once it isn't because I haven't been reading! In fact, I have A LOT of catching up to do! Like a lot!</p><p>I have been reading a lot! In fact, every time I finish a book, I just roll right into the next one, instead of updating The Romance Bookie, working on the Bookstagram, or even updating my Always Fully Booked Planner. </p><p>So here goes the updating!</p><p>This review is for <i>Last Chance Books</i> by Kelsey Rodkey.</p><p><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55004134-last-chance-books">From Goodreads:</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdepdlfCGYDR7REbDYmdOyulVHUKcEk9gl3aZ6PKab7Y8Wqf-Oxa1nnm8kWIfi-7taEhT9EpmJvkaxyBH1c2YwLf48NoC7aD1anpnODOGhjYuBchR4X_5xdVUweScIGJWkUqoXqA1Zc-mP_Pd2ZR8uBNaSxnQmSPR-s4aoXXz2JWofOgA867JqodkT/s1200/55004134.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="795" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdepdlfCGYDR7REbDYmdOyulVHUKcEk9gl3aZ6PKab7Y8Wqf-Oxa1nnm8kWIfi-7taEhT9EpmJvkaxyBH1c2YwLf48NoC7aD1anpnODOGhjYuBchR4X_5xdVUweScIGJWkUqoXqA1Zc-mP_Pd2ZR8uBNaSxnQmSPR-s4aoXXz2JWofOgA867JqodkT/s320/55004134.jpeg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Don't you just love the smell of old books in the morning?</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Madeline Moore does. Books & Moore, the musty bookstore her family has owned for generations, is where she feels most herself. Nothing is going to stop her from coming back after college to take over the store from her beloved aunt.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Nothing, that is--until a chain bookstore called Prologue opens across the street and threatens to shut them down. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Madeline sets out to demolish the competition, but Jasper, the guy who works over at Prologue, seems intent on ruining her life. Not only is he taking her customers, he has the unbelievable audacity to be...extremely cute.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>But that doesn't matter. Jasper is the enemy and he will be destroyed. After all-- all's fair in love and (books) wars.</i></div><p><br /></p><p>My Thoughts:</p><p>So this was an absolute cover-buy for me. A book featuring two rival bookstores and two people who run said opposite bookstores? Yeah you have my attention.</p><p>Unfortunately this one fell way short for me. I'm talking way short.</p><p>The description is where my like for this book ends. I liked the story idea, but everything about it just fell way short for me. </p><p>I absolutely disliked the main character, Madeline. What an immature, self-centered, nasty person. I just did not like her at all. Then the enemy/love interest, Jasper? Oh my goodness, what a dull, uninteresting character. </p><p>I should also mention that I listened to the audiobook for this one; which really set another mood for me, when it came to this book. And not a good one. </p><p>The narrator for the audiobook was awful. I feel bad writing this, but I almost made this book a "Did-Not-Finish" a few times. I do wonder if my views of this book would be different if I hadn't listened to the audiobook. However, the narrator, I'm pretty sure, didn't add the amount of times that Madeline uses the word "like". </p><p>Also what was the narrator thinking when it came to giving the other characters, especially the guys their voices???!! </p><p>All the guy characters had a sleepy lull voice to their head. Okay, I'm just going to say it...they sounded stoned out of their minds. All of them. Same with Madeline's best friend. Her best friend was a "Famous" You-Tuber and her voice sounded like this guy...</p><p> </p>
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="197" src="https://giphy.com/embed/sW6P26sp3HFvy" width="480"></iframe></div><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://giphy.com/gifs/ferris-buellers-day-off-bueller-sW6P26sp3HFvy">via GIPHY</a></p><p style="text-align: left;">This book just fell so short for me.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Overall Rating:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG_1TNy6eDkyO7mSDQ2D_Q8UkJJJrLupPSjP_JHf-nTxk3qwfO_AgN5a-J68OfLaeT-An_mHpUNwCoA2RSQkp9ovz5dDggQ6P2DCtpVi8R-1uBam3hHB-8RvN3gYQcoBuQ7Q0ygJm1jGsglC2RL7MlDsIl6KJSdjSqKd9z4iyH0TFde7FC8YuiXqBI/s171/Two%20Stars%20Bookie%2011-54-49.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="75" data-original-width="171" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG_1TNy6eDkyO7mSDQ2D_Q8UkJJJrLupPSjP_JHf-nTxk3qwfO_AgN5a-J68OfLaeT-An_mHpUNwCoA2RSQkp9ovz5dDggQ6P2DCtpVi8R-1uBam3hHB-8RvN3gYQcoBuQ7Q0ygJm1jGsglC2RL7MlDsIl6KJSdjSqKd9z4iyH0TFde7FC8YuiXqBI/w320-h140/Two%20Stars%20Bookie%2011-54-49.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;">The only reason I'm giving this one two, instead of one bookie, is because I managed to finish it, and I still like the story concept. It was just executed very poorly for my liking.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: right;">The Romance Bookie :)</p>
The Romance Bookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12805516737726198076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-855740752605367024.post-1456364920386926732022-03-02T21:40:00.002-08:002022-03-02T21:40:21.422-08:00A Court of Thorns and Roses (A Court of Thorns and Roses #1) by Sarah J. Maas (Audiobook)<p> Hey Everyone!</p><p>I've got another review for 2022! I have been hearing so much about Sarah J. Maas, and just haven't had a chance to read anything by her; but I knew I needed to at some point! Then, a couple of weeks ago I was going through the Hoopla App on my phone, and I saw that my local library offered the <i>Court of Thorns and Roses </i>series! So I jumped on the chance, and checked out the first book in the series, titled the same. </p><p>So here is my review!</p><p><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55388579-a-court-of-thorns-and-roses">From Goodreads:</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiArCEvhH2zuanJPEzzWN86PHn_nFlsub87twXwQaXmSYQuskWUu6sIxb1fQpZBWpYwDFC-Opxt31xV7BAaMo3UzNIadakFf1nfQ13rvZmcyDD1zcmiMi7FsvjB11-1CcHvcN4LLOiyZ4BqEszc2Bu1YI0IkPVMT3u96PwgQGtBJqd5JDgN6yqkBD6K=s318" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="318" data-original-width="318" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiArCEvhH2zuanJPEzzWN86PHn_nFlsub87twXwQaXmSYQuskWUu6sIxb1fQpZBWpYwDFC-Opxt31xV7BAaMo3UzNIadakFf1nfQ13rvZmcyDD1zcmiMi7FsvjB11-1CcHvcN4LLOiyZ4BqEszc2Bu1YI0IkPVMT3u96PwgQGtBJqd5JDgN6yqkBD6K" width="318" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Feyre's survival rests upon her ability to hunt and kill - the forest where she lives is a cold, bleak place in the long winter months. So when she spots a deer in the forest being pursued by a wolf, she cannot resist fighting it for the flesh. But to do so, she must kill the predator and killing something so precious comes at a price...</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Dragged to a magical kingdom for the murder of a faerie, Feyre discovers that her captor, his face obscured by a jeweled mask, is hiding far more than his piercing green eyes would suggest. Feyre's presence at the court is closely guarded, and as she begins to learn why, her feelings for him turn from hostility to passion and the faerie lands become an even more dangerous place. Feyre must fight to break an ancient curse, or she will lose him forever.</i></div><p>My Thoughts: </p><p>Honestly, I can't believe it's taken me this long to read a Sarah J. Maas book. If this book had existed prior to 2013, I would have read it. I used to read a lot more fantasy back in the day, but just haven't had the mindset as much as I used to. I find that fantasy is a subject you need to pay very close attention to, because you're introduced to so many new things; unlike the normal contemporary romances I read. The main reason this one caught my attention is because I was told it was a semi-<i>Beauty and the Beast</i> retelling, and that got me very excited. I love retellings, especially ones based on this story. I read <a href="http://romancebookie.blogspot.com/2011/03/beastly.html"><i>Beastly </i>by Alex Flinn</a> back in 2011! </p><p><i>A Court of Thorns and Roses </i>was quite different though. While it may have started off as having certain similarities to <i>Beauty and the Beast</i>, it quickly became so much more. It became a fantasy world all on its own. One, I became very immersed in while listening, and had me grasping to learn more and more about this new fantasy world I had not been introduced to before.</p><p>Overall Rating:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhtwwSJBBwzzxHXg3HOjA3RY2Hto42h8qDM5fbO0qm0dyo3AqZWNbNC98j0ovHGGfosDyZ7G0fsF94SwC9Wa81H9UCfc0k3_hY_rbjD0YFQYq_yNMHq8mierStwH6UczOqJ1yH-6_23WxgSNhSrLgpjcfQ85vmTFDk0n1IDU7FUOJfdV4Vji_vvrd10=s225" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="95" data-original-width="225" height="95" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhtwwSJBBwzzxHXg3HOjA3RY2Hto42h8qDM5fbO0qm0dyo3AqZWNbNC98j0ovHGGfosDyZ7G0fsF94SwC9Wa81H9UCfc0k3_hY_rbjD0YFQYq_yNMHq8mierStwH6UczOqJ1yH-6_23WxgSNhSrLgpjcfQ85vmTFDk0n1IDU7FUOJfdV4Vji_vvrd10" width="225" /></a></div><br /><p>I finished this book in February, and it slipped in, in the last moment to become my favorite book of the month! I'm currently rereading a favorite book of mine, for a quick break, and something a little simpler, and then I'm hoping to dig right into book two, <i>A Court of Mist and Fury </i>later on this month! </p><p>I hope everyone had a good reading month, and is having a good start to their March!</p><p style="text-align: right;">The Romance Bookie :)</p>The Romance Bookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12805516737726198076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-855740752605367024.post-78923058727755849382022-02-15T17:23:00.003-08:002022-02-15T17:23:34.028-08:00One of Us is Next (One of Us is Lying #2) by Karen M McManus (Audiobook)<p> Hey Everyone!</p><p>Alright, time for the review of book 2 of the <i>One of Us Is Lying </i>series by Karen M. McManus, <i>One of Us Is Next</i>! </p><p><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44654627-one-of-us-is-next">From Goodreads:</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhtXYzYwcErKxZYuIYbOOYnebPQr7kLmo9ISduTHTGRYU6hDmoUJ-4On8nTY_xZ_gX77rfH-SkNdJpk8sGXm1zjl53p_mBVSeX72CQTedef8jEvVa0-ukqvgd2oungUvHWgdB4PDgaA9TWbpnbp92BlhJ8W4i3Llhu_DJO0XMp2Ne8OitONqNyIIsyC=s475" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="315" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhtXYzYwcErKxZYuIYbOOYnebPQr7kLmo9ISduTHTGRYU6hDmoUJ-4On8nTY_xZ_gX77rfH-SkNdJpk8sGXm1zjl53p_mBVSeX72CQTedef8jEvVa0-ukqvgd2oungUvHWgdB4PDgaA9TWbpnbp92BlhJ8W4i3Llhu_DJO0XMp2Ne8OitONqNyIIsyC=s320" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Come on, Bayview, you know you've missed this. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>A ton of copycat gossip apps have popped up since Simon died, but in the year since the Bayview four were cleared of his shocking death, no one's been able to fill the gossip void quite like he could. The problem is no one has the facts.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Until now.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>This time it's not an app, though--it's a game.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Truth or Dare.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><b>Phoebe's</b> the first target. If you choose to play, it's a truth. And hers is dark.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Then comes <b>Maeve</b> and she should know better--always choose the dare.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>But by the time </i><b style="font-style: italic;">Knox</b><i> is about to be tagged, things have gotten dangerous. The dares have become deadly, and if Maeve learned anything from Bronwyn last year, it's that they can't count on the police for help. Or protection.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Simon's gone, but someone's determined to keep his legacy at Bayview High alive. And this time, there's a whole new set of rules. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><b>The highly anticipated sequel to the New York Times bestselling thriller everyone is talking about, One of Us is Lying! There's a new mystery to solve at Bayview High, and there's a whole new set of rules. </b></i></div><br /><p>My Thoughts:</p><p>I am not usually someone who reads thriller series, but I am really liking this one! I am kind of bummed that Goodreads is saying we have to wait until next year for the third book, because this one definitely ended like it is going to continue! </p><p>I am very curious where the story will go, because the first ended on a pretty final note, and then the second brought back the story in a neat way to make it different, and so it will be interesting to see where the author takes the third book, especially since you do get a lot of questions answered in this one! </p><p>Again the author, Karen M. McManus does a great job with each of the characters. I was excited to see Maeve as a main character in this one, because you got to know her a little bit through her older sister, Bronwyn, in the first book. Her story made me worry quite a bit, but it ended up being really good. </p><p>Maeve's best friend, Knox is also a great character! Him and Phoebe end up being equally great character, but Phoebe ended up being my favorite. Her story was complex with her background and her sad past, that I really felt for her. </p><p>I'm very interested to see who the next book will focus on, because I have a feeling if it is about different characters, that at least one of the characters we will already have been introduced to in these first two books!</p><p>Overall Rating:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgsrav7HASF30WBhPvjFWqGj29ocw6iEhj_TErY_Vf-Lbq_VLjalG_Fz2VA8URIcqYy5KhMKEw0CX4NAVrbkbRU68r6IIgFtuRd9kDqP1wK73f4WRWPdDUBrpt1AlV0XkBMi2AaVwAXiFfwg9kpEWlCvPVw-BaWCFaYEhNDZ4f0g2lczLp6klHhHPvQ=s225" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="95" data-original-width="225" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgsrav7HASF30WBhPvjFWqGj29ocw6iEhj_TErY_Vf-Lbq_VLjalG_Fz2VA8URIcqYy5KhMKEw0CX4NAVrbkbRU68r6IIgFtuRd9kDqP1wK73f4WRWPdDUBrpt1AlV0XkBMi2AaVwAXiFfwg9kpEWlCvPVw-BaWCFaYEhNDZ4f0g2lczLp6klHhHPvQ=w320-h135" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Again, check this one out if you're in the mood for a good Young Adult Thriller! It will keep you on your toes!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">The Romance Bookie :)</div><br /><p><br /></p>The Romance Bookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12805516737726198076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-855740752605367024.post-34757487096280653702022-02-15T16:51:00.005-08:002022-02-15T17:05:04.588-08:00One of Us is Lying (One of Us is Lying #1) by Karen M McManus (Audiobook)<p> Hey Everyone!</p><p>I can't believe I forgot to write a review for this one! It was so good! I started listening to it while on my trip, and finished it last week! <i>One of Us is Lying</i>, the first book in the series by the same name, by Karen M McManus. </p><p><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58679358-one-of-us-is-lying">From Goodreads:</a></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiLJt0nYjcDhYjhldY0-lAcQJ1fNXuqY856e8NPvwLE6ojNZ_IrkkAoWM_rsleNyF-y6vDTX3NgKqcll6cNgkgVjGbyzFAtZjRMXOmhH226gZrnxzwZQ7KTglADXbgHcn0MG7d4upRBKkH1klVDqcsx-bCWLLBWro_kUDGR3mKvZE6LL_gVomRnsxcM=s400" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="265" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiLJt0nYjcDhYjhldY0-lAcQJ1fNXuqY856e8NPvwLE6ojNZ_IrkkAoWM_rsleNyF-y6vDTX3NgKqcll6cNgkgVjGbyzFAtZjRMXOmhH226gZrnxzwZQ7KTglADXbgHcn0MG7d4upRBKkH1klVDqcsx-bCWLLBWro_kUDGR3mKvZE6LL_gVomRnsxcM=s320" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Pay close attention and you might solve this.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>On Monday afternoon, five students at Bayview High walk into detention.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Bronwyn, <b>the brain</b>, is Yale-bound and never breaks a rule.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Addy, <b>the beauty</b>, is the picture-perfect homecoming princess.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Nate, <b>the criminal</b>, is already on probation for dealing.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Cooper, <b>the athlete</b>, is the all-star baseball pitcher.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>And Simon, <b>the outcast</b>, is the creator of Bayview High's notorious gossip app.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Only, Simon never makes it out of that classroom. Before the end of detention Simon's dead. And according to investigators, his death wasn't an accident. On Monday, he died. But on Tuesday, he'd planned to post juicy reveals about all four of his high-profile classmates, which makes all four of them suspects in his murder. Or are they the perfect patsies for a killer who's still on the loose?</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Everyone has secrets, right? What really matters is how far you would go to protect them.</i></div><br /><p>My Thoughts:</p><p>I love the movie <i>The Breakfast Club</i>! And this book was like a suspenseful <i>Breakfast Club </i>with a murder mystery! Really good! The audiobook really brought it to life, because each character has their own narrator, which I think is very uncommon for multiple POV books, so that was a nice touch! The characters all really come to life with this book, and you get to see different sides to each of them as the mystery comes closer and closer to being solved. </p><p>The ending to this one, was a trip! I honestly didn't see it coming! Really good twist there!</p><p>Overall Rating:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgRYWeFloUbSstM6lEyWSJefwzbgByt7_yBUmXIrsE6cTkr-_sMaem52qMzza6xLmcinFmckyYMt_kC5TrYK8CJwmyGbnKU2iTBjB0LlGnuFu10G67e3Nghh7ma7CDHZT_BkkIAe9t_5YPYYllGDNG4cK6l5UCfdoHCv0vwKF5TpieGCRHtHZl3EjEI=s225" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="95" data-original-width="225" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgRYWeFloUbSstM6lEyWSJefwzbgByt7_yBUmXIrsE6cTkr-_sMaem52qMzza6xLmcinFmckyYMt_kC5TrYK8CJwmyGbnKU2iTBjB0LlGnuFu10G67e3Nghh7ma7CDHZT_BkkIAe9t_5YPYYllGDNG4cK6l5UCfdoHCv0vwKF5TpieGCRHtHZl3EjEI=w320-h135" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Apparently this is a show on the streaming service, Peacock, so I'm excited to check that out! Hopefully they have a free trial, so I don't to sign up for yet another streaming service 😂. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Definitely check this one out if you like a good suspense. It gave off vibes of <i>Pretty Little Liars, </i>but more mature. The characters were all around much more likable, but the suspense, and story vibes gave off similarities here and there. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Review of Book 2 is coming next, so look out for that!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">The Romance Bookie :)</div>The Romance Bookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12805516737726198076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-855740752605367024.post-73283866157504117752022-02-09T13:57:00.002-08:002022-02-09T13:57:10.412-08:00When You Get the Chance by Emma Lord (Audiobook)<p> Hey Everyone!</p><p>So I have some catching up to do! I went on vacation for the last three weeks, and we only got back on Sunday evening, so I haven't been in front of my computer until now. We had a great time! We got to experience snow for the first time, like the most beautiful powdery white snow you can imagine during our trip to Raleigh, North Carolina, and then after spending a week there we flew to Florida to celebrate the 50th with Walt Disney World! It was a lot of firsts for our son, including flying on an airplane, snow, and of course going to Walt Disney World, so it was all very exciting. Albeit, a little stressful at times, but so worth it! </p><p>I am excited to be home again. Just to have these quiet moments while my son is taking a nap, and being able to catch up on some things, feels nice. Plus a little space never hurt anyone ;). </p><p>Anyway, during my trip I utilized the gyms in our hotel room, and during that alone time, I got to put in some time listening to audiobooks! So I have two reviews to catch up on over the next couple of days!</p><p>This first review is for a January release, that I just had to read after reading the description! It sounded so cute and takes place in my favorite city! NYC! </p><p>So here is my review for <i>When You Get the Chance </i>by Emma Lord!</p><p><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58846643-when-you-get-the-chance">From Goodreads:</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjawfd2dWBytaDdWLPQZhNkWXJs5OcveTSWsfRDgzPC2CIdSxPIYpYBU0PR13I20CPqzpGOeNrQpg2LMVkTtSonjcHmJ3_7oQVyGvMHmWqVEF8Gfczmrlr1FDHCWi7-t8IHtnSF-0sLw3HoYTNN26jN5qjlIHdc5nTYruPXMBUkukYyTOvBi0PGkxe6=s318" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="318" data-original-width="318" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjawfd2dWBytaDdWLPQZhNkWXJs5OcveTSWsfRDgzPC2CIdSxPIYpYBU0PR13I20CPqzpGOeNrQpg2LMVkTtSonjcHmJ3_7oQVyGvMHmWqVEF8Gfczmrlr1FDHCWi7-t8IHtnSF-0sLw3HoYTNN26jN5qjlIHdc5nTYruPXMBUkukYyTOvBi0PGkxe6=w320-h320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i>A big-hearted novel about falling in love, making a mess, and learning to let go, </i>When You Get the Chance<i> is the next effervescent novel from Emma Lord, </i>New York Times <i>bestselling author of the Reese Witherspoon YA Book Club pick </i>You Have a Match<i>.</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Nothing will get in the way of Millie Price's dream of becoming a Broadway Star. Not her lovable but super introverted dad, who raised Millie alone since she was a baby. Not her drama club rival, Oliver, who is the very definition of Simmering Romantic Tension. And not her "Millie Moods," the feelings of intense emotion that threaten to overwhelm. Millie needs an ally. And when an accidentally left-open browser brings Millie to her dad's embarrassingly mood LiveJournal from 2003, Millie knows just what to do -- find her mom. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>But how can you find a new part of your life and expect it to fit into your old one without leaving any marks? And why is it that when you go looking for the past, it somehow keeps bringing you back to what you've had all along?</i></div><br /><p>My Thoughts:</p><p>This was a fun one! It's a YA novel that takes place New York City, which is always an eye-catcher for me, because I just leaving reading about adventures in the Big Apple. Millie was a cute character, who always puts herself in whatever role she is playing and becomes that person, but this summer is different; she is ready to find out more about a life that has always been kept from her...her mother. So she goes on the hunt to find three possible suspects, with the help from her best friend, and emerges herself into getting into all three women's lives. For one she goes to late-night broadway parties, for another she applies for a summer internship, and for the third she takes dance classes (the one part of stage acting, she's always had trouble with). </p><p>It was a fun mystery learning along with Millie, as she got closer and closer to putting the pieces together to find out who her mother is. Honestly, by the end, you're not sure she'll actually find out. I suspected the person who ended up being her mother, about 3/4 of the way in, but wasn't 100% sure. It was a great reveal though!</p><p>I ended up listening to the audiobook and quite enjoyed that as well! Since it was a new book, I did use my monthly credit from Audible for it, and I was not disappointed with my choice! Glad it wasn't a waste of a credit!</p><p>Definitely give this one a chance, if you're looking for a fun read that takes places in the big city, with a bit of a mystery interlaced. </p><p style="text-align: right;">The Romance Bookie :)</p>The Romance Bookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12805516737726198076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-855740752605367024.post-45100450923305481492022-01-19T13:10:00.003-08:002022-01-19T13:10:38.285-08:00Josh and Gemma Make a Baby by Sarah Ready (ARC) (Audiobook)<p> Hey Everyone!</p><p>I haven't had the opportunity to read an ARC in years, and this was my first time getting to listen to an ARC via audiobook, so it was pretty exciting. Years and years ago I made a Netgalley account, and I honestly became horrible at keeping up with all the books I was requesting. I just found out that Netgalley is doing audiobooks now too, and that got me very excited, because audiobooks and physical books are my jam! So I am swearing to myself that I will only request one book at a time, so I make sure to actually review it!</p><p>My first Netgalley review in many many years is for <i>Josh and Gemma Make a Baby </i>by Sarah Ready which will be released on January 25th!</p><p><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59913408-josh-and-gemma-make-a-baby">From Goodreads:</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjtNuNao-D9KkEGmzBvz0a9yYdPe1uMiqQ73GbLFsZ5QOSv51swm6lv3G9UcksuJGKnq2DgT7z-yrbrpAaWhhx8ZiU_s_VJUcQlyR0K89NfR0t672ursgUV4UeOryrnTN2kC45ttzKAc1CCw-lbNT7yrUfUX0WR7IcSqNYk6Mjp9eOOiV0jFQFEUzPI=s255" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="255" data-original-width="255" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjtNuNao-D9KkEGmzBvz0a9yYdPe1uMiqQ73GbLFsZ5QOSv51swm6lv3G9UcksuJGKnq2DgT7z-yrbrpAaWhhx8ZiU_s_VJUcQlyR0K89NfR0t672ursgUV4UeOryrnTN2kC45ttzKAc1CCw-lbNT7yrUfUX0WR7IcSqNYk6Mjp9eOOiV0jFQFEUzPI" width="255" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i>New Year's Resolution:</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i>Have a baby</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i>Preferably with Josh Lewenthal.</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Meet Gemma Jacobs. She's driven, energetic, and a positive thinker. She has a great career working for famed self-help guru Ian Fortune, she lives in a cute studio apartment in Manhattan, and her family is supportive and loving (albeit a little kooky). Her life is perfect. Absolutely wonderful.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Except for one tiny little thing.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>After a decade of disastrous relationships and an infertility diagnosis, Gemma doesn't want a Mr. Right (or even a Mr. Right Now), she just wants a baby.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>And all she needs is an egg, some sperm, and IVF.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>So Gemma makes a New Year's resolution: have a baby.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Josh Lewenthal is a laid back, relaxed, find-the-humor in life kind of guy. The polar opposite of Gemma. He's also her brother's best friend. For the past twenty years Josh has attended every Jacobs' family birthday, holiday, and event - he's always around.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Gemma knows him. He's nice (enough), he's funny (-ish), he's healthy (she thinks) and he didn't burn any ants with a magnifying glass as a kid. Which, in Gemma's mind, makes him the perfect option for a sperm donor. So Gemma wants to make a deal. An unemotional, businesslike arrangement. No commitments, just a baby.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>To Gemma's surprise, Josh agrees.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>They have nothing in common, except their agreement to make a baby and their desire to keep things businesslike. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>But the thing about baby-making...it's hard to keep it businesslike, it's nearly impossible to keep it unemotional, and it's definitely impossible to keep your heart out of the mix. Because when you're making a baby together, things have a way to starting to feel like you're making other things too - like a life, and a family, and love. And when the baby-making ends, you wish that everything else didn't have to end too. </i></div><br /><p>My Thoughts:</p><p>Story-wise I liked <i>Josh and Gemma Make a Baby. </i>It deals with a subject that I almost had to go through...infertility. I ended up being one of the lucky ones, who got pregnant naturally with my son. However, before getting pregnant, I was mentally getting myself ready to have to go through this journey, and honestly even considering not going through it, because I was afraid it would have a negative outcome. I was diagnosed with PCOS in 2018, and was told by multiple doctors that it would be extremely difficult for me to get pregnant, even going through IVF would be a struggle, because PCOS women have a hard time sometimes producing viable eggs. In America, unfortunately, IVF is not usually covered by insurance, so it's VERY expensive. It's also an absolute mental struggle to go through something like this, which is something this book addresses. Gemma's was a very strong character for going through this pretty much all on her own. Yes, she had Josh, but Josh wasn't honestly that hands on at first, because he was supposed to just be a side thing to help her get the deed done, so to say. </p><p>Now, something that did bother me was how judgmental Gemma was. She made awful assumptions about a lot of people around her, which was kind of the opposite of what she represents herself to be, working for a self-help guru; who encourages people to live their best life possible. Her assumptions about Josh were very presumptuous, and honestly it bothered me how often she made them with no real background proof on why she thought this. </p><p>Josh was a fine character, with a good background story. And then you have Gemma's boss/love interest Ian, who...can go live in a dumpster for all I care...let's just leave it at that. </p><p>Where my absolute dislike came for this book, was the narrator of the audiobook. I did not like the narrator's voice at all. Her voice was like a roller coaster, up and down on the pitch, like every sentence was a question. I personally found it annoying. </p><p>Overall Rating: </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibITnmFXXg1aLQhZv0_ViL0ezPuV9cDW4OxndSTA3tDTPKurFprW1hf2ePu-ssFxjcPJP9b7cVv2Y_JXiVkZhe4hP62UAmnlIMcCQB71eulO40CcSys7Qd-uK0MSnREGmh2thODLcKR4atuIJoNsu_N-cXz22PXTT_dieerlSbyWs0xZFrSja9QCk1=s174" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="75" data-original-width="174" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibITnmFXXg1aLQhZv0_ViL0ezPuV9cDW4OxndSTA3tDTPKurFprW1hf2ePu-ssFxjcPJP9b7cVv2Y_JXiVkZhe4hP62UAmnlIMcCQB71eulO40CcSys7Qd-uK0MSnREGmh2thODLcKR4atuIJoNsu_N-cXz22PXTT_dieerlSbyWs0xZFrSja9QCk1=w320-h138" width="320" /></a></div>The book was pretty good, I didn't absolutely love it, and the main character had her moments where I couldn't stand her. And then when it comes to the audiobook I would honestly give it a lower rating. Just not my favorite voice for reading a book. <p></p><p>I wouldn't recommend the audiobook, but I do think if the subject is something you're interested in then check it out. There is a lot of great information that gives information on the process of IVF, support needed during the process, and lessons learned. </p><p>This book comes out on January 25th, 2022! </p><p><br /></p><p></p><div style="text-align: right;">The Romance Bookie :)</div> <p></p>The Romance Bookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12805516737726198076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-855740752605367024.post-68270389748115914092022-01-12T20:28:00.003-08:002022-01-12T20:28:39.818-08:00Heartless by Marissa Meyer (Audiobook)<p> Hey!</p><p>Apparently January has become the month I catch up on Marissa Meyer's books! I've been behind for a few years! And now with the access to my local libraries Audiobook database, I get that chance to catch-up! </p><p>I have <i>Heartless </i>on my shelf since its release in 2016, and just have never had a chance to read it, or honestly been in the mind set, because I rarely read fantasies at this point; so when it saw on the Libby App, I finally checked-it out via audiobook and began. </p><p><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18584855-heartless?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=lvbgNXHgnw&rank=1">From Goodreads:</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjTs9Z64O6awMS733WkpFfiJASvlWgGFQ9kAxMsyKTt_Oimx-E_zkj91yPZL_TlDbsRByfI_Zg1yUStYzERTnlrosrwFGGellf_T0jcNW23Zje6sLaXeuEWd9SQuFPqCTFChiQB0DHm_Kqi1wYoI8iFnV0JP-BX_EI-tpD5XTDL0xCZOQMugvHnd7zj=s475" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="304" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjTs9Z64O6awMS733WkpFfiJASvlWgGFQ9kAxMsyKTt_Oimx-E_zkj91yPZL_TlDbsRByfI_Zg1yUStYzERTnlrosrwFGGellf_T0jcNW23Zje6sLaXeuEWd9SQuFPqCTFChiQB0DHm_Kqi1wYoI8iFnV0JP-BX_EI-tpD5XTDL0xCZOQMugvHnd7zj=s320" width="205" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i>Long before she was the terror of Wonderland -- the infamous Queen of Hearts -- she was just a girl who wanted to fall in love.</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Catherine may be one of the most desired girls in Wonderland, and a favorite of the unmarried King of Hearts, but her interests lie elsewhere. A talented baker, all she wants is to open a shop with her best friend. But according to her mother, such a goal is unthinkable for the young woman who could be the next queen.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Then Cath meets Jest, the handsome and mysterious court joker. For the first time, she feels the pull of true attraction. At the risk of offending the king and infuriating her parents, she and Jest enter into an intense, secret courtship. Cath is determined to define her own destiny and fall in love on her terms. But in a land thriving with magic, madness, and monsters, fate has other plans.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>In her first stand-alone teen novel, the </i>New York Times-<i>bestselling author dazzles us with a prequel to</i> <i>Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.</i></div><br /><p>My Thoughts:</p><p>Honestly, I have never been a huge fan of <i>Alice in Wonderland</i>, it's always just been a little too...I don't know how to say this... maybe too quirky for me. I am not sure the whole colorful-on-acid thing is for me. But I enjoy origin stories, and so I knew this book always sounded intriguing to me. And let's be honest, Marissa Meyer is the queen of fairytale retellings, so I knew I knew I couldn't miss out on this one. </p><p>Better Late than Never, I guess!</p><p><i>Heartless </i>was So good! Marissa Meyer does it again! I mean, it shouldn't be surprising for me, I think its more because it is related to <i>Alice in Wonderland, </i>but I really enjoyed this one. Rebecca Soler is the narrator of the entire <i>Lunar Chronicles </i>series, for the audiobooks, and she is amazing! She gives each and every character their own voice, and it is just amazing! </p><p>She really brings this book alive! </p><p>Now, I will admit that having read the audiobook, I did have a few moments where events weren't clicking in my brain as well as if I would have read the actual book, but I think that's because <i>Alice in Wonderland</i>uses a lot of make-believe words and things and that got a little confusing to keep up every so often. </p><p>To hear how the Queen of Hearts came be the vicious person that she became in <i>Alice</i>, was an experience that I didn't know I needed. This was different than my last origin story, which was <a href="https://romancebookie.blogspot.com/2021/05/hello-cruel-heart-by-maureen-johnson.html">Hello, Cruel Heart by Maureen Johnson</a>, the story of how Cruella de Vil came be the person we knew about. I thought <i>Heartless </i>I think was a better showcase of how an innocent young woman, who had dreams beyond her reach, get torn down and everything she loves taken away from her, and how she has nothing left but resentment by the end. I almost understood <i>Heartless </i>more. Maybe because it takes place in a fantasy world, but I just enjoyed this one more.</p><p>Overall Rating:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh4bsdnoPKDLmVLaBVJ9QgzfSrNc1osbAG3ot9P8Z2r1-Z5fnFrd3TRxIhnYdblrrlOyopy9kLQHL0qa31WALO-vPBzLuxhMEYvy2CARn84ZzYH5RtjFuJt8Lj2d3jiAdAdfDzpmckfMiA4roNKfl7p3Y_59X4JyJcXmRcCmgXPJwer0PVXTcHGaUc5=s162" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="75" data-original-width="162" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh4bsdnoPKDLmVLaBVJ9QgzfSrNc1osbAG3ot9P8Z2r1-Z5fnFrd3TRxIhnYdblrrlOyopy9kLQHL0qa31WALO-vPBzLuxhMEYvy2CARn84ZzYH5RtjFuJt8Lj2d3jiAdAdfDzpmckfMiA4roNKfl7p3Y_59X4JyJcXmRcCmgXPJwer0PVXTcHGaUc5=w320-h148" width="320" /></a></div>Four and a half for me! It was great! I highly recommend the audiobook, even if you've already read this one. Rebecca Soler really brought this one alive. It's a long one, around 15 hours, but well worth it!<div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: right;">The Romance Bookie :)</div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>The Romance Bookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12805516737726198076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-855740752605367024.post-69469997020948839402022-01-05T14:00:00.001-08:002022-01-05T14:00:05.242-08:00Mind the Gap, Dash & Lily (Dash & Lily #3) by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan (Audiobook)<p> Hey!</p><p>Here for another review! This one for the third book in the <i>Dash and Lily</i> series, <i>Mind the Gap, Dash & Lily</i> by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan!</p><p><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53330244-mind-the-gap-dash-lily">From Goodreads:</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgEpxFNG-wJZD3zIA7p7LOLnSlEFW_jLe6D4AKmZLUezI9E8mgEY1z7MmPkoHBx21zghdStV2JiFdDb89EgaAywwYiYXKXazPBoLkXku1GiFzBwKSBNLvY_WLUrv-n4NgV-uBkSzz_B0MDhl8Db5H9URrpjRf8DDW1GMdCGuB7_6lXodKvhXM0LGeOk=s499" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="331" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgEpxFNG-wJZD3zIA7p7LOLnSlEFW_jLe6D4AKmZLUezI9E8mgEY1z7MmPkoHBx21zghdStV2JiFdDb89EgaAywwYiYXKXazPBoLkXku1GiFzBwKSBNLvY_WLUrv-n4NgV-uBkSzz_B0MDhl8Db5H9URrpjRf8DDW1GMdCGuB7_6lXodKvhXM0LGeOk=s320" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i>For Dash and Lily, it's beginning to look a lot like...distance! Just in time for the series release of </i>Dash & Lily<i>on Netflix comes a new helping of love -- this time across the pond as best-selling authors Rachel Cohn and David Levithan send Dash and Lily to England.</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Dash and Lily were feeling closer than ever...it's just too bad they're now an ocean apart. After Dash gets accepted to Oxford University and Lily stays in New York to take care of her dog walking business, the devoted couple are struggling to make a long distance relationship work. And when Dash breaks the news that he </i>won't<i> be coming home for Christmas, Lily makes a decision: if Dash can't come to her, she'll join him in London. It's a perfect romantic gesture...that spins out of Lily's control. Soon Dash and Lily are feeling more of a gap between them, even though they're in the same city. Will London bring them together again-- or will it be their undoing?</i></div><p>My Thoughts:</p><p>I enjoyed <i>Mind the Gap, Dash & Lily</i>! I'm kind of bummed that Netflix canceled the show after one season; it would have been nice to see the series continue with the books. But I'm glad we have the sequels to read, to at least find out what happens to Dash and Lily. </p><p>While the second book wasn't my favorite, the third I liked more. While Lily is still her scattered self, and Dash is still a too-serious dick at times, London was good for these characters. You get a bit more insight into Dash's mind in this one, and to see him go through the anxiety attacks was eye opening for his character. Lily finds herself a bit in this one, which was good to see, because honestly she was annoying me a bit in the second book. </p><p>I really liked the introduction of Dash's grandmother, Gem. She was a great addition to the cast. </p><p>Overall Rating:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibkjnaOAGL3490zssGKH6X30j9Gtsh7oav_Ji7DhRDJiH8Va-9N0QF7shV3XDSvQOjIloCmHc8UmF4ofydBDuGrW0mNptWXshEXICsbLPK7bPcWF5bGdZxU3vdbx567f7Ud5mGGScZV065QKFO1bzQ_g8Cjbwd0KBK0gP9BXsTT7I38ldnQ_L7uBnP=s162" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="75" data-original-width="162" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibkjnaOAGL3490zssGKH6X30j9Gtsh7oav_Ji7DhRDJiH8Va-9N0QF7shV3XDSvQOjIloCmHc8UmF4ofydBDuGrW0mNptWXshEXICsbLPK7bPcWF5bGdZxU3vdbx567f7Ud5mGGScZV065QKFO1bzQ_g8Cjbwd0KBK0gP9BXsTT7I38ldnQ_L7uBnP=w320-h148" width="320" /></a></div>Even though this one takes place across the ocean, most of the characters from the previous novels make an appearance, besides Dash's parents, which to be honest is fine. I like that we got more of Boomer and Sofia, and Lily's eccentric aunt is back too! I love her! <div><br /></div><div>If you read the first two, definitely finish the series, with <i>Mind the Gap, Dash & Lily</i>.</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: right;">The Romance Bookie :)</div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>The Romance Bookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12805516737726198076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-855740752605367024.post-44451152120806403492022-01-05T07:00:00.001-08:002022-01-05T07:00:00.165-08:00Recommended for You by Laura Silverman<p> Hey Everyone!</p><p>Another review coming your way!</p><p>This one is of a book I found at the library a couple of weeks ago, and it was an absolute cover-read! The cover caught my attention, and then once I read the inside flap, I knew this sounded like my kind of book!</p><p>So here's my review of <i>Recommended for You</i> by Laura Silverman!</p><p><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50891959-recommended-for-you">From Goodreads:</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiWBt3FbNBabOKsJqmhPUOYDs_HbWhAKc8lRIWG1eMF-tM1QO_1siqCbS0Lx4almQQl3XKBQfn7O35x26dDKpb-B_TaBdwc50u3CKWesoxqpnu5iK7aGN3hDS1qZ35BBOx3aiwnDPGHCcWy60GTCdYHpZXcYU8ZDJRpbJyq9QuwXxGm447txIEmsbFr=s2154" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2154" data-original-width="1400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiWBt3FbNBabOKsJqmhPUOYDs_HbWhAKc8lRIWG1eMF-tM1QO_1siqCbS0Lx4almQQl3XKBQfn7O35x26dDKpb-B_TaBdwc50u3CKWesoxqpnu5iK7aGN3hDS1qZ35BBOx3aiwnDPGHCcWy60GTCdYHpZXcYU8ZDJRpbJyq9QuwXxGm447txIEmsbFr=s320" width="208" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>To All the Boys I've Loved Before <i>meets </i>You've Got Mail<i> in this charming and hilarious rom-com following two teen booksellers whose rivalry is taken to the next level as they compete for the top bookseller bonus.</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Shoshanna Greenberg loves working at Once Upon, her favorite local bookstore. And with her moms fighting at home and beloved car teetering on the brink of death, the store has become a welcome escape.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>When her boss announces a holiday bonus to the person who sells the most books, Shoshanna sees an opportunity to at least fix her car, if none of her other problems. The only person standing in her way? New hire Jake Kaplan.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Jake is an affront to everything Shoshanna stands for. He doesn't even read! But somehow his sales start to rival hers. Jake may one cute (really cute), and he may be an eligible Jewish single (hard to find south of Atlanta), but he's also the enemy, and Shoshanna is ready to take him down.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>But as the competition intensifies, Jake and Shoshanna grow closer and realize they might be more on the same page than either expects...</i></div><br /><p>My Thoughts:</p><p>Where to start? First off, I would say this book is like a book version of the movie <i>Empire Records</i>. But way more teeny-boppy. Besides taking place in a book store, I wouldn't compare it <i>You've Got Mail</i>. </p><p>I thought the story was cute. I love that it took place in a book store, those types of stories always get me, especially contemporary novels! However, Shoshanna. Oh, Shoshanna. Maybe it is because I'm 30, and have lived life a bit, but I just could not find myself relating to Shoshanna. I'm not saying her problems aren't problems, it's just the immature way she handled anything that came at her. It was cringe-worthy, and I just thought about how much of a sheltered life this character has lived, even though you wouldn't think so, knowing that she has two mom's, is half black, and Jewish. It honestly felt like the author, didn't do the character justice. Which I don't know if that's possible when the author made the character up herself. </p><p>Everything just flowed a little much into place, there was no real struggle. It just was "Oh darn, this sucks." And then the next, "Rainbows and butterflies, everything is fine again."</p><p>The part that was a bit hard for me to grasp, how this entire story took place over a single week. It made Jake and Shoshanna's relationship a little hard to grasp. It was all so convenient, and just needed more struggle and drama I thought. The drama that occurred, was just a bit 🥱. </p><p>Overall Rating:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQL96gj23CTkPFeQuueemTm-JkwboYoAd5HIs7a0Rl0n1-9xCXgTAU88J8KdewoGsl_8uR5Ze8D2bpShFCXg2FX2jb5ed5dQD9y-LVgj47zFokAZWjDgoeO58yPrOjBSIP4UVPbIFi3UM3Qi3uzKXW6IkFJTsd4Cn8zvc0LsKAXq1yLdYCISb_3oFw=s171" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="75" data-original-width="171" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQL96gj23CTkPFeQuueemTm-JkwboYoAd5HIs7a0Rl0n1-9xCXgTAU88J8KdewoGsl_8uR5Ze8D2bpShFCXg2FX2jb5ed5dQD9y-LVgj47zFokAZWjDgoeO58yPrOjBSIP4UVPbIFi3UM3Qi3uzKXW6IkFJTsd4Cn8zvc0LsKAXq1yLdYCISb_3oFw=w320-h140" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>I went back and forth on this rating. In the end I think it is a two and a half star read for me. I didn't hate it, the problem is there are just too many things that bothered me about this one, and I wasn't able to truly appreciate the setting and storyline of this book, like I hoped I would. But again, it may very well be, that I just was too old for this one. I still enjoy Middle-grade, and definitely still enjoy YA, but this one just had a character that I couldn't get into.</p><p style="text-align: right;">The Romance Bookie :)</p>The Romance Bookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12805516737726198076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-855740752605367024.post-28620170821407187852022-01-03T17:19:00.002-08:002022-01-03T17:19:09.433-08:00Heartstopper: Volume 4 by Alice Oseman (Graphic Novel)<p> Book #2 of 2022 ✔!</p><p>Now it was a graphic novel, therefore a fun easy read for me, but still think I'm off to a great start in 2022! I'm also so excited to have gotten my hands on this one early, because it technically isn't supposed to be released until tomorrow! But for some reason my local Barnes and Noble already had copies sitting on the shelf, so I ended up sneaking into my pile during the 50% off hardbacks sale, even though this one was a paperback 😉.</p><p><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56060300-heartstopper">From Goodreads:</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEioohF_2Q4XaiXi0MR0yBQBLPRmTlEckoDQK4b5842d96vCfHTodfl6MGA1-CW67-gdj2SwVOayF3VNwdO_hnM7WV3O4F-CP0clUcL5h777DqXR8V5VbpD61zN9IWuzpNqORlc93r80y3vwPKqf3QxSbvPjoLWqPa3nAoRWkf7S9J-USnXvCxwK5N5y=s2775" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2775" data-original-width="1875" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEioohF_2Q4XaiXi0MR0yBQBLPRmTlEckoDQK4b5842d96vCfHTodfl6MGA1-CW67-gdj2SwVOayF3VNwdO_hnM7WV3O4F-CP0clUcL5h777DqXR8V5VbpD61zN9IWuzpNqORlc93r80y3vwPKqf3QxSbvPjoLWqPa3nAoRWkf7S9J-USnXvCxwK5N5y=s320" width="216" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Boy meets boy. Boys become friends. Boys fall in love. The bestselling LGBTQ+ graphic novel about life, love, and everything that happens in between: this is the fourth volume of HEARTSTOPPER, for fans of </i>The Art of Being Normal, <i>Holly Bourne and </i>Love, Simon.</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Charlie didn't think Nick could ever like him back, but now they're officially boyfriends. Charlie's beginning to feel ready to say those three little words: </i>I love you.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Nick's been feeling the same, but he's got a lot on his mind - not least coming out to his dad, and the fact that Charlie might have an eating disorder.</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>As summer turns to autumn and a new school year begins, Charlie and Nick are about to learn a lot about what love means.</i></p><p style="text-align: center;">Heartstopper<i> is about love, friendship, loyalty and mental illness. It encompasses all the small stories of Nick and Charlie's lives that together make up something larger, which speaks to all of us.</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>This is the fourth volume of </i>Heartstopper<i>, which has now been optioned for television by See-Saw Films.</i></p><p>My Thoughts:</p><p>EEEE!! Did you read that last part on the description of the fourth volume??? "Which has now been optioned for television..."!!!!??? </p><p>How exciting! </p><p>I have truly enjoyed reading about Charlie and Nick's love journey. And it really has been a journey. The fourth volume focuses more on Charlie and his mental and physical health. Nick is there every step of the way for Charlie, and their love just keeps growing. I am both excited and sad for the fifth volume, because it will be the last in this series. I am wondering if Alice Oseman is planning is a spin-off series on some of the other characters, because in her author note at the end of the book, she wrote "I know that many of you are sad that the next volume will be the final volume of Nick and Charlie's story." I don't know why but I have a feeling we will hearing about some of the other characters next! I sure hope so! Because there has been some building up on some of the side character throughout the volumes. If that happens I hope we get to see more of Charlie and Nick through those!</p><p>Overall Rating:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhd1G2L_uM8uMAoh54EQWvDvUHASahsj0pJ4h_cdI-dEgpn7kLUO7x40Hh1gB1Fd0nTylZvHE3nKR0xfak_k9-p_FuCWSu2ZiuUNtZXWfc-AtVbvbHPtfZ7bO_s6DN86EpjWtGHOg0x0l57mbh2IrTcVZxli50hy6UiYDnu6rH8hnfgcgr1dn39LQXg=s225" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="95" data-original-width="225" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhd1G2L_uM8uMAoh54EQWvDvUHASahsj0pJ4h_cdI-dEgpn7kLUO7x40Hh1gB1Fd0nTylZvHE3nKR0xfak_k9-p_FuCWSu2ZiuUNtZXWfc-AtVbvbHPtfZ7bO_s6DN86EpjWtGHOg0x0l57mbh2IrTcVZxli50hy6UiYDnu6rH8hnfgcgr1dn39LQXg=w320-h135" width="320" /></a></div>A great series! And a fun easy read! I would recommend, but I know so many have already read these! I'm pretty late to the game! :)<div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: right;">The Romance Bookie :)</div><p><br /></p></div>The Romance Bookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12805516737726198076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-855740752605367024.post-56658888235919594842022-01-02T13:06:00.001-08:002022-01-02T13:06:08.374-08:00Gilded (Gilded #1) by Marissa Meyer (Audiobook)<p>I finished my first book of 2022!! </p><p>And I did it on January 1st!!</p><p>Now I did start it last week, when it was technically still 2021, but I still needed to read quite a bit when 2022 started, and after listening over 4 hours yesterday, I finally finished!</p><p><i>Gilded</i>, the first book in Marissa Meyer's new series!</p><p><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56614597-gilded?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=STsRCEBa9e&rank=4">From Goodreads:</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhH9W3Qw8Z-WDXz7kH2UZVO2vAFyqlnmmdeTa03ugEJiD078uzr7lKh4o5YMh1qq2PZ0qeFRkLJDOv6gsYelpelEhtD2hTZKFWXjPFWgptlBt00VfKOFn-b24F4zWWUXiuncZnIX5OZt1XRq3eu8LfxWwKiiLbUif0KJjSgdcZDKuImUQtAuTQCCy08=s1000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="657" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhH9W3Qw8Z-WDXz7kH2UZVO2vAFyqlnmmdeTa03ugEJiD078uzr7lKh4o5YMh1qq2PZ0qeFRkLJDOv6gsYelpelEhtD2hTZKFWXjPFWgptlBt00VfKOFn-b24F4zWWUXiuncZnIX5OZt1XRq3eu8LfxWwKiiLbUif0KJjSgdcZDKuImUQtAuTQCCy08=s320" width="210" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Long ago cursed by the god of lies, a poor miller's daughter has developed a talent for spinning stories that are fantasical and spellbinding and entirely untrue.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Or so everyone believes.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>When one of Serilda's outlandish tales draws the attention of the sinister Erlking and his undead hunters, she finds herself swept away into a grim world where ghouls and phantoms prowl the earth and hollow-eyed ravens track every move. The king orders Serilda to complete the impossible task of spinning straw into gold, or be killed for telling falsehoods. In her desperation, Serilda unwittingly summons a mysterious boy to her aid. He agrees to help her...for a price. Love isn't meant to be part of the bargain.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Soon Serilda realizes that there is more than one secret hidden in the castle walls, including an ancient curse that must be broken if she hopes to end the tyranny of the king and his wild hunt forever.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><b>Marissa Meyer, #1 New York Times-bestselling author, returns to the fairytale world with this haunting retelling of Rumpelstiltskin.</b></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>My Thoughts:</p><p> Growing up I LOVED Grimm and Hans Christian Anderson fairytales! The Grimm Brother's did use the Black Forest for most of their inspiration for their stories, which is where my dad grew up, and I got to camp in a few times as a young child. Fairytales hold a special place in my heart, and I plan on reading them to my son once he gets a little older! I think they are a great way to teach morals! </p><p>Anyway, I love retellings, and Marissa Meyer is the Queen of fairytale retellings! This latest one, is part of a new series, and it involves a retelling of the classic story <i>Rumpelstiltskin</i>; which was one of my favorites. This is such an interesting take on the classic tale! The character of Rumpelstiltskin gets to be a bit different than what is normally told, you get to see a different side of him, one I truly enjoyed. </p><p>Overall Rating:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0aii4afNhC6AxN1KBr9JbEO9H0VwWMA64xAMJuCY2aAwaTRovUaiMDtzSM9V9DYHvAr0cNB6CiC8c065BWzMD4-siNkc6lr7CE9z8Kmd2cJrIndTnawfRonQtPmZj2PgKPxBoZzIRNcxjfIwslVfsb4VqHv0odXif_AfNj-QQZu_XOnDejhz8kWtm=s162" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="75" data-original-width="162" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0aii4afNhC6AxN1KBr9JbEO9H0VwWMA64xAMJuCY2aAwaTRovUaiMDtzSM9V9DYHvAr0cNB6CiC8c065BWzMD4-siNkc6lr7CE9z8Kmd2cJrIndTnawfRonQtPmZj2PgKPxBoZzIRNcxjfIwslVfsb4VqHv0odXif_AfNj-QQZu_XOnDejhz8kWtm=w320-h148" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is a dark read, I mean the classic fairytales were dark, and Marissa Meyer held that in her writing. But she was still able to make it her own, while keeping the integrity of the story alive. I am very much looking forward to book 2, which she just announced will be titled <i>Cursed</i>! I can't wait to hear more about Serilda's story and about the Gilded Geist! :) I'll just have to wait until November to find out!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">The Romance Bookie :)</div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>The Romance Bookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12805516737726198076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-855740752605367024.post-45974395382054364332022-01-01T07:00:00.132-08:002022-01-01T07:00:00.186-08:002022 Reading Challenges!<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="395" src="https://giphy.com/embed/NsTceS2EH3Mli" width="480"></iframe></div><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://giphy.com/gifs/happy-new-year-years-hny-NsTceS2EH3Mli">via GIPHY</a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Happy New Year!</p><p style="text-align: left;">I cannot believe it is 2022! I feel like it was just yesterday that we were welcoming 2020 with the open arms of a gleeful child, only to be met with doom. But 2022, is going to be better! Positive thoughts everyone! I know I am excited for some fun plans already coming up early this year. For one, my husband and I are taking our son on his first plane ride and we are going to the Walt Disney World to celebrate the 50th anniversary of WDW!! We are so unbelievably excited to show him one of our favorite places! So it's hopefully already going to start off as a good year!</p><p style="text-align: left;">But a new year also means new goals, new year resolutions, and sometimes even new beginnings for some! For me this year, I would like to spend 2022 working on myself, especially my mental and physical health. I hope to continue losing weight, start working out more, and keep up with what I have been doing. Next, I would like to prioritize my family more. My husband and son are my world, and I am tired of others needs getting in the way of those who actually appreciate what I do for them. </p><p style="text-align: left;">And last...</p><p style="text-align: left;">A new year means new Reading Goals!</p><p style="text-align: left;">A big things for me this year, and this is part of my goal of focusing on myself a bit, is reading more and accomplishing some reading goals! </p><p style="text-align: left;">So here are my Reading Goals for 2022:</p><p style="text-align: left;">1. Read 50 books!</p><p style="text-align: left;">I ended 2021, with reading quite a bit more than I anticipated to read! My original goal was 15 books, and that turned into 25, and then 30, and then that 30 was crushed by me reading just over 40 books!</p><p style="text-align: left;">So for 2022, I am hoping to crush it even more, and read FIFTY books! Something I haven't done in years!</p><p style="text-align: left;">2. Blog More!</p><p style="text-align: left;">I would like to keep up with The Romance Bookie more! I've been posting my reviews, but I would love to start having regular posts again, that add more here. I used to do things like interviews, favorite songs of the week, etc. I'm not sure if I'll go as extreme as I used to with participating in book tours and stuff, that is just something I don't want to commit to anymore; but I would love to figure out some new ways to add to The Romance Bookie, that doesn't take away from the spirit.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">3. Listen to at least 10 Audiobooks!</p><p style="text-align: left;">I have really gotten into listening to audiobooks while I work on art projects, and use my planner. I got a library card to my new local library and they have a great online audiobook catalog that I have been working through. I do count audiobooks towards my reading goal of reading 50 books. I think I can do this one! I think it is actually pretty low, especially since I managed to listen to 5 books in December alone, but I'm worried I'll run out of books to listen to. But we will see!</p><p style="text-align: left;">4. Read at Least 10 Books from TBR Shelf!</p><p style="text-align: left;">I paired down my TBR Shelf quite a bit in 2021! We moved, and it was a big move! There is a good chance that an even bigger move is ahead for us in 2022, and we took the opportunity to really purge during our last move. I wanted to pretty much start over my TBR shelf, so I donated a lot of books. There were books on that shelf that I had been collecting since starting The Romance Bookie in 2010. So many books that I picked up from Thrift Store trips and Goodwill, and they just sat and sat on my shelf, and I knew I just wasn't going to ever get to them. It was time for them to find a new home where they could actually get enjoyed. My taste also has changed a little since then, so I felt like I had either outgrown them, or just wasn't into it anymore. </p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">5. Keep up with <a href="https://www.instagram.com/theromancebookie/">The Romance Bookie Bookstagram</a>!</p><p style="text-align: left;">The last few months have been a bit crazy for my family. A lot of big changes, and while I have been reading more, I've kind of lost touch with The Romance Bookie instagram. I just don't know what to post half the time, and I feel like a fraud. But it is such a fun community, and I would love to become a bigger part of it. I also love making book friends through it! </p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">6. Complete at least 3 Reading Challenges!</p><p style="text-align: left;">So I'm being a bit crazy this year! I am attempting NINE different reading challenges in 2022! Many of them thanks to the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/alwaysfullybooked">Always Fully Booked Facebook Page</a>. I am using my Always Fully Books Planner this year, and hope to keep up with it meticulously! It's going to be my motivation to read this year. I want to work on my planner, therefore I need to read. Anyway, on the FB page, I have come across some awesome reading challenges, that I will be participating in this year! I will be sharing those below, and you can see those above in the tabs under "2022 Reading Challenges!" </p><p style="text-align: left;">Since, I'm participating in 9, I honestly don't expect to be able to finish them all, because I really want to have fun with my reading. I don't want it to become a chore. So my goal is complete at least 3 of them, which I think is very doable!</p><p style="text-align: left;">7. And lastly, DO NOT FORGET MY LOVE FOR READING!</p><p style="text-align: left;">Reading is my escape. I have mentioned this quite a bit on The Romance Bookie, and I want it to remain true. I don't want reading to feel like a school assignment. I finished school. I have my bachelors, I don't need to give myself unnecessary homework assignments. Reading is my escape from reality, and I want 2022 to keep that love, and cherish it!</p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">And now on to the 2022 Reading Challenges I will be participating in!</p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">1. A-Z Challenge!</p><p style="text-align: left;">This one is pretty self explanatory. Read 26 different books that start with a letter of the alphabet. </p><p style="text-align: left;">2. <a href="https://littleinklings.ca/pages/free-printables">2022 Always Fully Booked Challenge!</a></p><p style="text-align: left;">This is a new one for me and is a part of my Always Fully Booked Planner by Little Inkling Designs. The designer behind Little Inkling Designs, posted a printable for the 2021 Always Fully Booked Challenge last year, and it says that 2022 is coming soon, so hopefully that will be posted soon!</p><p style="text-align: left;">This one just has 30 prompts that we need to accomplish. </p><p style="text-align: left;">3. Reading Rainbow</p><p style="text-align: left;">This one is also pretty self explanatory. I did this one in 2021, thanks to my Little Inkling Designs <a href="https://littleinklings.ca/collections/planners/products/a-novel-companion-colourful-edition-1">Novel Companion</a>, which really got me started on my love for Planning. For this challenge, you read books that have cover colors that are part of the rainbow. So a green cover, blue, indigo, etc. Each color equals a different book, and the color needs to be the prominent color on the cover.</p><p style="text-align: left;">4. "On the Cover" Challenge</p><p style="text-align: left;">For the "On the Cover" challenge I was also introduced to this one through my Novel Companion in 2021, so I'm excited to do this one again! I didn't quite to get finish it, I didn't end up completing two of the prompts in 2021, so hopefully 2022 will be my year! The prompts are different this year too, and also featured in my Always Fully Booked Planner!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtf3vubSbN8EAOQeMxvtK9NpSag9QiEdSqr2b_tVmALNAvgp4kmoqauto5PxEzKdaY_KMeXzypNxXsGSTx4nMEXkdPyvG4fgJs40kCkIsZSbDqKIXO2DYxSt7UN5ZxC4BBJMaUTBwxSTh7TpDUE-XH6PURUJUVMG3pQqRlrU2IZez-T-C9_W6Sb_mi=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtf3vubSbN8EAOQeMxvtK9NpSag9QiEdSqr2b_tVmALNAvgp4kmoqauto5PxEzKdaY_KMeXzypNxXsGSTx4nMEXkdPyvG4fgJs40kCkIsZSbDqKIXO2DYxSt7UN5ZxC4BBJMaUTBwxSTh7TpDUE-XH6PURUJUVMG3pQqRlrU2IZez-T-C9_W6Sb_mi=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;">5. <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/480505050/reading-challenge-planner-stickers?click_key=f5ba0ea47bdc63f134970d3f0c160ec6ea03d5af%3A480505050&click_sum=8204b8c2&ref=shop_home_active_45&crt=1&sts=1">Peanut Butter Taco 2022 Reading Challenge!</a></p><p style="text-align: left;">I have become obsessed with Etsy, now that I have gotten into the planner community so much. I have Michaels very close to me, but there is just something about making your planner so unique with designs that individual people work so hard on making and putting there! Through my new found love for planning, I came across an Etsy shop that comes recommended almost automatically when searching for Bookish planner stickers: Peanut Butter Taco. Through this Etsy shop, I found the Peanut Butter Taco 2022 Reading Challenge!</p><p style="text-align: left;">I am personally not going to be attempting ALL of the prompts, instead I picked ones that I knew I could do, and turned it into my own personal challenge for myself to accomplish. </p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiD01b00U6gQi_-fZFG4MzrzAn7dH7ZKAaPokdcEQnvdUII1FlB9thZTMf0H3A5wTvVeLKMXiFe-h288Kn1UZBvLZ3aWVGXqHg-XawOUtl5Rf0X-8UVxFLc0grTRhvfoEjlBWfGiwE4OMrVthARp6Vf896uhBMGzaA2C-FB5cev8Vzjun_fZP-8Mc4f=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiD01b00U6gQi_-fZFG4MzrzAn7dH7ZKAaPokdcEQnvdUII1FlB9thZTMf0H3A5wTvVeLKMXiFe-h288Kn1UZBvLZ3aWVGXqHg-XawOUtl5Rf0X-8UVxFLc0grTRhvfoEjlBWfGiwE4OMrVthARp6Vf896uhBMGzaA2C-FB5cev8Vzjun_fZP-8Mc4f=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;">6. <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/896050234/romance-reading-challenge-planner?click_key=c055240cfa875175e4dcc8384d4c53bd50a54f60%3A896050234&click_sum=59c7d76b&ref=shop_home_active_44&crt=1&sts=1">The Peanut Butter Taco 2022 Romance Challenge!</a></p><p style="text-align: left;">Another one from Peanut Butter Taco! This one is all Romance reads, which if you've been to The <i>Romance</i> Bookie page before, then you know I have a thing for Romance books. So I knew I wanted to participate in this one! </p><p style="text-align: left;">I ended up making my own stickers for it, and again picked and chose what I wanted to read. I also wanted to make sure they all would fit on one page in my planner.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgYgpC_7xJ6GoIVc70D0vz3T3aeyEGKf8rcf-hjpvQ63B0lBISG2N7Glc83l7Ys5PHe4cjCgBT13ZAPyh_mskwiTQCQo03l5BmhyBDcUfcMToOPaUxVo9gqz6jTZs9HJUFfUeiCLBA6K1l3X90YJGMYAlWw-8CMk7pDIR-kHpxTZwbiLzCnlb1IsVkc=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgYgpC_7xJ6GoIVc70D0vz3T3aeyEGKf8rcf-hjpvQ63B0lBISG2N7Glc83l7Ys5PHe4cjCgBT13ZAPyh_mskwiTQCQo03l5BmhyBDcUfcMToOPaUxVo9gqz6jTZs9HJUFfUeiCLBA6K1l3X90YJGMYAlWw-8CMk7pDIR-kHpxTZwbiLzCnlb1IsVkc=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;">7. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1208628009497556">LiterALLy Bookish 2022 Reading Challenge</a></p><p style="text-align: left;">The LiterALLy Bookish 2022 Reading Challenge, I also found through the Always Fully Booked Facebook page. The creator of this challenge actually was kind enough to send me a bookmark with all the prompts on it, so that has been glued into my planner!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgluYZAz8lC1bUbPMDXTbAsDQPVFhFjCfVoz7GTKUT6oo0Rlkx2ijidtQlLDDApYTcI12hHhU-PWcSMJDZUP3r75GVrHk0RZHmx486UO_elO3IfKkhRyxHlvmCpvrnqXKaT3pwcVXJ_7L97yeJ5uuplTod87ScSVTS1mZ_TV6uhc18j-LF4pXVqfM4p=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgluYZAz8lC1bUbPMDXTbAsDQPVFhFjCfVoz7GTKUT6oo0Rlkx2ijidtQlLDDApYTcI12hHhU-PWcSMJDZUP3r75GVrHk0RZHmx486UO_elO3IfKkhRyxHlvmCpvrnqXKaT3pwcVXJ_7L97yeJ5uuplTod87ScSVTS1mZ_TV6uhc18j-LF4pXVqfM4p=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;">8. <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/1127726631/level-up-2022-reading-challenge?click_key=276af5fe6e077972729f5959b5adbe07f40f97d5%3A1127726631&click_sum=17b6297a&ref=shop_home_active_11&sts=1">Creating and Co. Level Up 2022 Challenge</a></p><p style="text-align: left;">Another great Etsy find! This one caught my eye, because I have a secret obsession with PacMan, and this combines PacMan graphics with reading...you know I am in!</p><p style="text-align: left;">I am not sure if I'll be doing this one in order, but I'm going to try. I just hate having books be assigned more or less, so I'll have to see how this one goes. But it just looked too cute to pass up!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQjCtQ-m-UQGygQ_vZ-LDV4XKGRZHFVx1XAgkEwVaQojZbPv6obPRTepVGkuZ_5g41eXh_LGoC-gB-l5MvvrP6G98juDIiaOZ2hcgrQHQq6QLCfZuH__RpxWjFEAFrwA0tYhskTFhKZ1O-1EKsQJswxXnMZTf90xUUj6u3rftxP2homZxwIuLyOpQM=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQjCtQ-m-UQGygQ_vZ-LDV4XKGRZHFVx1XAgkEwVaQojZbPv6obPRTepVGkuZ_5g41eXh_LGoC-gB-l5MvvrP6G98juDIiaOZ2hcgrQHQq6QLCfZuH__RpxWjFEAFrwA0tYhskTFhKZ1O-1EKsQJswxXnMZTf90xUUj6u3rftxP2homZxwIuLyOpQM=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;">And Last...</p><p style="text-align: left;">9. <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/1127722865/2022-reading-challenge-dashboard-and?click_key=9f80beb1e7155524154b32ab2b3a638e31a3965f%3A1127722865&click_sum=ccef1096&ref=shop_home_active_4&crt=1&sts=1">Into the Bookverse 2022 Reading Challenge</a></p><p style="text-align: left;">This one is also from Creating and Co on Etsy, and looked like a lot of fun. I love the graphics that go with this, and just like the Level Up Challenge it's like a game board that you need to fill. So I'm excited about this one!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhgyMaUHaaqyN9o-WPheiyMq_pNX5v3va0ouTxWVayLqIp1XYE4IESgIEMMMHZly_IZebrqbkTjPLauz-fQvAUQ7biqB22c77DjI4N_wr8wtkpaeKdUl616p92NfkyHYVrPR_lAi6-CpyblGQ3SPvbx5x0MYd0gEkAgltGRqAvwlFu0eWfkMlRdZDrf=s4031" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3023" data-original-width="4031" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhgyMaUHaaqyN9o-WPheiyMq_pNX5v3va0ouTxWVayLqIp1XYE4IESgIEMMMHZly_IZebrqbkTjPLauz-fQvAUQ7biqB22c77DjI4N_wr8wtkpaeKdUl616p92NfkyHYVrPR_lAi6-CpyblGQ3SPvbx5x0MYd0gEkAgltGRqAvwlFu0eWfkMlRdZDrf=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;">So that's what I will be attempting to participate in 2022! </p><p style="text-align: left;">What Reading Challenges are you trying to accomplish this year? And do you have any reading goals overall? I'd love to hear from you!</p><p style="text-align: right;">The Romance Bookie :)</p>
The Romance Bookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12805516737726198076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-855740752605367024.post-60900879142131800082021-12-31T07:00:00.001-08:002021-12-31T07:00:00.168-08:00My Highlights of 2021<p> Hey Everyone!</p><p>A new year is once again upon us! I don't know about you, but I feel like 2021 just zoomed by! Maybe it's because my 15 month old has just grown like a weed, and I just want to 😠every time I go through photos on my phone and see the changes happening everyday. </p><p>2022 is upon us! Well, almost. Which means a new year of possibilities, goals, family moments, and so many positive things hopefully. </p><p>I honestly can't complain about 2021, not when my family and I have experienced so much worse in the past. I know this is a weird time we are living in, but I am just so grateful to be here, with my husband and our son, and our grumpy dog. </p><p>Some highlights of 2021 were: (these may not be in order)</p><p>1. We went to the reopening of Disneyland. After 412 days of closure due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Disneyland was able to reopen and my family and I got to go. It was such an incredible experience, being there, and experiencing such a historic event.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8W-kTOd6h1UllZHdITkcakVDmPqwqXpu7xPYKSatdK9_XbJ678fqbwEWTM8obg5NYbvEVoknPV3-S5XkCzoQMLYiZWKxY39WoLRI-_44WL50VugZKD-CMC-2Y1ompCl9P1l2Kc542urmlEFxpN6LtHuxQ1UqvnF89pwr2fHqQpVHyI2KQqEYf0hS1=s5568" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5568" data-original-width="3712" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8W-kTOd6h1UllZHdITkcakVDmPqwqXpu7xPYKSatdK9_XbJ678fqbwEWTM8obg5NYbvEVoknPV3-S5XkCzoQMLYiZWKxY39WoLRI-_44WL50VugZKD-CMC-2Y1ompCl9P1l2Kc542urmlEFxpN6LtHuxQ1UqvnF89pwr2fHqQpVHyI2KQqEYf0hS1=s320" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>2. I got to renovate and decorate my office. I went all out, painted the whole space myself, bought curtains, decorations, and even a couch! It was so much fun, and such awesome to have my own space once again for all of my beautiful books, and collectibles. <div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVhAtUri5KGz7VLkz79OBpS05qh8e_ys17-OUi53L2AG9OI2yVF8bJOUvHTN4OkNLDBNOn5VP9bt07VcWFNEQg-frNdGOm3-rzZVQo3xpfD-pxLN2d6Eg9IqvO_NF19pipWRJLB-3qTNkSM9pQBJUz4LlJUaklOX30qDddCmK3FwxgQhGi2rmGDCNi=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVhAtUri5KGz7VLkz79OBpS05qh8e_ys17-OUi53L2AG9OI2yVF8bJOUvHTN4OkNLDBNOn5VP9bt07VcWFNEQg-frNdGOm3-rzZVQo3xpfD-pxLN2d6Eg9IqvO_NF19pipWRJLB-3qTNkSM9pQBJUz4LlJUaklOX30qDddCmK3FwxgQhGi2rmGDCNi=w240-h320" width="240" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVUIJ4B55_7RnlkNq5XH3jTHfGzAZIzff6pqPb7pVKvzlz2H81xvpCRnrbuGjOTw_XAqpgbm2KReDgMS337y8Bpchhx0f-05O6XK0tW52oWvIX-8rwQhAQcFKQzWzY1L8BKMvc2rYdrSgAXe-PTe5xgv7D0G3Gz0xoQhe_8U12K8S5LyJd-m09rCFX=s4031" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4031" data-original-width="2468" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVUIJ4B55_7RnlkNq5XH3jTHfGzAZIzff6pqPb7pVKvzlz2H81xvpCRnrbuGjOTw_XAqpgbm2KReDgMS337y8Bpchhx0f-05O6XK0tW52oWvIX-8rwQhAQcFKQzWzY1L8BKMvc2rYdrSgAXe-PTe5xgv7D0G3Gz0xoQhe_8U12K8S5LyJd-m09rCFX=w197-h320" width="197" /></a><br /><br /></div><br /><div><br /><p>3. I got to celebrate my first ever Mother's Day. My husband made me feel so unbelievably special, as he always does. <3</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjoZEr9T_7DQB93PW1Mp0xYpzAMIwd-ZEkyvfiTN-kqYMXn7Xokp_nolUf7nlYLj7Gjc4Q2fWCKEhX_3tplfgiM2nWvC03sHY9cZ7bZ7nTGmKWV9lTy7miFBQlyp5ezK3S1Hsv5NTup1YMPMGOVgNYHkhycgEO2K68qrVI3gA05DkHFuSpbm4IFy2m5=s4031" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2255" data-original-width="4031" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjoZEr9T_7DQB93PW1Mp0xYpzAMIwd-ZEkyvfiTN-kqYMXn7Xokp_nolUf7nlYLj7Gjc4Q2fWCKEhX_3tplfgiM2nWvC03sHY9cZ7bZ7nTGmKWV9lTy7miFBQlyp5ezK3S1Hsv5NTup1YMPMGOVgNYHkhycgEO2K68qrVI3gA05DkHFuSpbm4IFy2m5=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>3. We went to Monterey on a family trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgb1QaWaHXEp4DEnyCC_jGIXH_ratUKYGWcu5XIeEXpGqcHNWrhpNk60ehJ3Mpvg8gLC52iBK5zAQhMBpKkC_2-tp1KNM0h9_hsLG5GLtNgQoq-I26YdNDQRUEDCIQCWLIYDyzNm1N3-SIsNPDty08VmVCLeH9QJ8aCZZl0xM1f7uyPVDMpNmvfSoH5=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgb1QaWaHXEp4DEnyCC_jGIXH_ratUKYGWcu5XIeEXpGqcHNWrhpNk60ehJ3Mpvg8gLC52iBK5zAQhMBpKkC_2-tp1KNM0h9_hsLG5GLtNgQoq-I26YdNDQRUEDCIQCWLIYDyzNm1N3-SIsNPDty08VmVCLeH9QJ8aCZZl0xM1f7uyPVDMpNmvfSoH5=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>4. I became a Bookstagrammer! <a href="https://www.instagram.com/theromancebookie/">The Romance Bookie is now on Instagram!</a> So I've had a lot of fun taking photos of my books (and Funko Pops!) this year!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQP9sUTbmabDrpUl0NkZMTNS2xdAV7HYgDahIJJYgfcdXkckA3Udgch80IurBpnQAa1yqz89ZxUk91rE_zsweS3uZZdgFT5VxO-BA1UUHSRVyvGZvz_ICclixDe2JLoFEoH43CKKjFvXB9AQ9zCFEUMgcqR73QLPbJzvhdzimedZPhxoxzwO6zMTlV=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQP9sUTbmabDrpUl0NkZMTNS2xdAV7HYgDahIJJYgfcdXkckA3Udgch80IurBpnQAa1yqz89ZxUk91rE_zsweS3uZZdgFT5VxO-BA1UUHSRVyvGZvz_ICclixDe2JLoFEoH43CKKjFvXB9AQ9zCFEUMgcqR73QLPbJzvhdzimedZPhxoxzwO6zMTlV=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>5. I started a new hobby. I joined the Planner Life! I am obsessed with planners, and it is all thanks to finding <a href="https://littleinklings.ca">Little Inkling Designs</a> Novel Companion this year! This obsession has grown ten folds, and expanded to an entire room! But I am loving it and it has gotten me back into reading!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiIo0hZOUbfsCOspdfEs_Hx9Kfrvm8Mx17MXefMusNpO3EKZmm5ZN6sKoVTB-MYVRyWfZZvHMAkeVxvmVDgKQH-59ZpiV2ucRH8uZQaspIEUU4xZEUCJBYvKkzhZsRZJgUP5y1mFGeSlpixJNWS3C45eogo0zplROvfOON_ymVKeUxSt3Ae9L2Ngg-M=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiIo0hZOUbfsCOspdfEs_Hx9Kfrvm8Mx17MXefMusNpO3EKZmm5ZN6sKoVTB-MYVRyWfZZvHMAkeVxvmVDgKQH-59ZpiV2ucRH8uZQaspIEUU4xZEUCJBYvKkzhZsRZJgUP5y1mFGeSlpixJNWS3C45eogo0zplROvfOON_ymVKeUxSt3Ae9L2Ngg-M=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>6. My family and I decided to put my family home up for sale, and my husband and I moved to a new town, which we absolutely love! The picture below is of my family's property. Moving also allowed me to once again have a new space, not as big as my original space, but I'm really loving my cozy new place!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwGB_odmXrHH5VoPh_IDA7wpZiQvPDD0Fq5sZO0QQAGGX9HQukzAj7nu6yUmyTPeDHPnVXUI0GiSe8ndUIvsg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><p>7. For my husband's first Father's Day, I made him something that is on my to-cook bucket list...a Beef Wellington. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjfmS6El2sd1aTCSwLRDheuX8EERsZl4m-v4vxoSQRjqX0vYOxi0nqtT6OBgApH8PSokqGz-fduWit7LmhKStg7vcNjzfkaLDz4_5j2SihJdDpt-fmNGE-HqcXz60a4s_TdJ5QoYYzN17AfGDSr1AvqoWashxZrSqwgAgrOaAGGtZt7fCIKOZDZU0xZ=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjfmS6El2sd1aTCSwLRDheuX8EERsZl4m-v4vxoSQRjqX0vYOxi0nqtT6OBgApH8PSokqGz-fduWit7LmhKStg7vcNjzfkaLDz4_5j2SihJdDpt-fmNGE-HqcXz60a4s_TdJ5QoYYzN17AfGDSr1AvqoWashxZrSqwgAgrOaAGGtZt7fCIKOZDZU0xZ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">8. I became a US Citizen! After 23-years in America, I finally get to call myself, officially, an American! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><br /><p>9. I started a very serious health journey this year, for myself and for my family, and have lost just over 90 lbs so far. The picture on the left is me in July during my Citizenship ceremony, and the one of the left was a couple of weeks ago.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgOhFBLwSUHLhQ465QwvILQIzG3UdEw6x3ruoS6Sm5bTEHTKObQNCtPjJlSF2HLkxaSG1erxghLC4cHFjELQhJXgr26kott5KhZ25AkMp_CfKqotDi1CbeVgTcVwUytNFmros5ueRfzpSFwkojdh9HNFCyuK33zIjGie2fEHcsbJBMEQNSNF9VVaMWP=s4002" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4002" data-original-width="1238" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgOhFBLwSUHLhQ465QwvILQIzG3UdEw6x3ruoS6Sm5bTEHTKObQNCtPjJlSF2HLkxaSG1erxghLC4cHFjELQhJXgr26kott5KhZ25AkMp_CfKqotDi1CbeVgTcVwUytNFmros5ueRfzpSFwkojdh9HNFCyuK33zIjGie2fEHcsbJBMEQNSNF9VVaMWP=s320" width="99" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh2F0WHejQViAsqdJLuI1IdYLidRX-m2vPOvEP70FkbOKMPo2k9_SHYp4FrWer2McZpKofmSNUsCKqmU4jgCTcEvSvei51n8W0mBL10zVskN9tME-3LtqiasehtglySNw--OIWsjhJhdF1jszyAu9gW54ib5QvX8-XI1M_ORQcEupzUZEV3BqNDXMBm=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh2F0WHejQViAsqdJLuI1IdYLidRX-m2vPOvEP70FkbOKMPo2k9_SHYp4FrWer2McZpKofmSNUsCKqmU4jgCTcEvSvei51n8W0mBL10zVskN9tME-3LtqiasehtglySNw--OIWsjhJhdF1jszyAu9gW54ib5QvX8-XI1M_ORQcEupzUZEV3BqNDXMBm=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">10. We celebrated our son's first birthday at Disneyland once again! We didn't even think about going back, but couldn't resist, when Disneyland had a sale on their tickets. It was such a fun trip, and we got to do Oogie Boogie Nights, dressed as Jungle Cruise Skippers!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Alex had just started walking, so he got to walk around Disneyland, and had a blast!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">My family and I had our ups and downs in 2021, but overall it was a good year. Some big changes came our way, and we are trying to embrace them towards a new beginning, so to say.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I hope everyone had a good 2021, and that 2022 brings you lots of happiness and fulfillment. <3</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Happy New Year!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;">The Romance Bookie :)</div></div></div>The Romance Bookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12805516737726198076noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-855740752605367024.post-89602612369110221842021-12-29T12:15:00.002-08:002021-12-29T12:15:39.864-08:00My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories by Anthology (Edited by Stephanie Perkins)<p> Hey!</p><p>This might be my last book of 2021! I'm really glad I was able to get this one in, because I meant to finish it before Christmas, but just didn't have the chance, because I was more listening to books than reading physical copies, but I did it!</p><p>This review is for <i>My True Love Gave to Me</i>, an anthology of 12 Holiday stories written by 12 different Young Adult authors; ranging from contemporary romances to fantasy. </p><p><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20309175-my-true-love-gave-to-me">From Goodreads:</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi7y2MxJpoErUFC3ZxY8LKjkLAgTBrezFuSp9WggTKsE5kKDiY0yy8oMpYGl9eN5AS13uLbm0cRoEmU78tku9O_8peYLTRjhrdL-wJEHwJ70XwoaW_Gu_hQ9VN12xCeYPhsgg-gNi47AyWrKtqLG6map6jGse2DxSLo8Q5WlZVLLcyMjqC6RShVqO5c=s475" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="293" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi7y2MxJpoErUFC3ZxY8LKjkLAgTBrezFuSp9WggTKsE5kKDiY0yy8oMpYGl9eN5AS13uLbm0cRoEmU78tku9O_8peYLTRjhrdL-wJEHwJ70XwoaW_Gu_hQ9VN12xCeYPhsgg-gNi47AyWrKtqLG6map6jGse2DxSLo8Q5WlZVLLcyMjqC6RShVqO5c=s320" width="197" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>If you love holiday stories, holiday movies, made-for-TV-holiday specials, holiday episodes of your favorite sitcoms and, especially, if you love holiday anthologies, you're going to fall in love with </i>My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories<i> by twelve bestselling young adult writers, edited by international bestselling author Stephanie Perkins. Whether you enjoy celebrating Christmas or Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, or New Year's there's something here for everyone. So curl up by the fireplace and get cozy. You have twelve reasons this season to stay indoors and fall in love.</i></div><p><br /></p><p>My Thoughts:</p><p>I love Young Adult Anthologies, every so often. You get some of your favorite authors all in one place, and these great little short stories of bonus works that they have written. Holiday anthologies are even better, because they include the holidays, which is my favorite time of year! I have wanted to read <i>My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories</i> since its release in 2014, but for some reason just never got around to it. Most likely, because the holiday season is always a bit busy, and when I did remember it, it wasn't the time of year to read it (I prefer to read my holidays books during the proper season). But when I saw it sitting in a special holiday-edition shelf at my local library, I figured this was my chance to finally get to read it! I have been a fan of Stephanie Perkins for a long time, and knew this would be a good one! </p><p>There are so many talented authors in this anthology! I enjoyed each and every story. My favorites were by Stephanie Perkins, Gayle Forman, Matt de la Pena, and Ally Carter. Those stuck out for me the most! There were also some interesting ones, that weren't quite what I expected, but I still enjoyed them.</p><p>Overall Rating:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjjB3Mj1U0_AVCuBmeV1t_k90BpiRLW92nuyFVRfhaA6JtecFhS-hHNkwi3HqxaV-z2_PaT-4ZAz2UODvMFw3eAjIinqDRmkyMjuKpkxAgXiRQcuYJFiKCF-ZjNy4ynYsN71vLVVeKSNhEIMcyM3PHY5PtAxRaZEnIeXRuxTXfRM0r3ECgDjSYvCWiQ=s162" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="75" data-original-width="162" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjjB3Mj1U0_AVCuBmeV1t_k90BpiRLW92nuyFVRfhaA6JtecFhS-hHNkwi3HqxaV-z2_PaT-4ZAz2UODvMFw3eAjIinqDRmkyMjuKpkxAgXiRQcuYJFiKCF-ZjNy4ynYsN71vLVVeKSNhEIMcyM3PHY5PtAxRaZEnIeXRuxTXfRM0r3ECgDjSYvCWiQ=w320-h148" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>It was nice to read this one, because it was easy to stop. Once I finished a story, which all felt like mini novels all in one place, I was able to take a breath, take in what I had just read, and go about my day getting to do what I needed to do. And then I got to go back to it, and read a completely different story later. It's nice to be able to do that sometimes! </p><p>So if you like stories about the holidays, then definitely check this one out! There are contemporary romance stories and fantasy stories throughout!</p><p>Hope everyone is getting some rest this week, before 2022 begins and enjoys the rest of 2021!</p><p style="text-align: right;">The Romance Bookie :)</p>The Romance Bookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12805516737726198076noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-855740752605367024.post-58101004861383866492021-12-28T11:00:00.001-08:002021-12-28T11:17:39.906-08:00Pumpkin Heads by Rainbow Rowell and Faith Erin Hicks (Illustrator) (Graphic Novel)<p>Hey Everyone!</p><p><br /></p><p>I hope you had a wonderful Christmas (if you celebrate) with loved ones. Ours was very nice, one of the nicest we've had in a long time. Our son is old enough now to get more into it, than he did last year (he was only 3 months old last year), and it was such a joy to see him get excited to open presents, enjoy food, listening to Christmas music, and spending time with family. </p><p>I ended up reading a quick read the other night, and thought I'd share my thoughts on it.</p><p><i>Pumpkin Heads</i> by Rainbow Rowell, and illustrated by Faith Erin Hicks.</p><p><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40864789-pumpkinheads">From Goodreads:</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh1tBG4eAZEufT9hXr55X9Va5f-E69SIL-vLnWeYrHR71UJDNb7zj76h6_oIVmdgB9FvawlBXxdikpiFJEGJRW1PLFKJAZnQD2KaiT0wwHIyJTnYL5FkCznLyBK7PiqcSGhEaEbb1z55shSMozjh1DubdZn8ehPLarWUsNjKohodVH1cwCJY5g6wVHj=s450" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="318" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh1tBG4eAZEufT9hXr55X9Va5f-E69SIL-vLnWeYrHR71UJDNb7zj76h6_oIVmdgB9FvawlBXxdikpiFJEGJRW1PLFKJAZnQD2KaiT0wwHIyJTnYL5FkCznLyBK7PiqcSGhEaEbb1z55shSMozjh1DubdZn8ehPLarWUsNjKohodVH1cwCJY5g6wVHj=s320" width="226" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Deja and Josiah are seasonal best friends.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Every autumn, all through high school, they've worked together at the best pumpkin patch in the whole wide world. (Not many people know that the best pumpkin patch in the whole wide world is in Omaha, Nebraska, but it definitely is.) They say good-bye every Halloween, and they're reunited every September 1.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>But this Halloween is different --Josiah and Deja are finally seniors, and this is their final season at the pumpkin patch. Their last shift together. Their last good-bye.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Josiah's ready to spend the whole night feeling melancholy about it. Deja isn't ready to let him. She's got a plan: What if--instead of moping and the usual slinging lima beans down at the Succotash Hut--they went out with a bang? They could see all the sights! Taste all the snacks! And Josiah could finally talk to that cute girl he's been mooning over for three years...</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>What is their last shift was an adventure?</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><b>Beloved writer Rainbow Rowell and Eisner Award-winning artist Faith Erin Hicks have teamed up to create this tender and hilarious story about two </b></i><b><i>irresistible teens discovering what it means to leave behind a place--and a person--with no regrets.</i></b></div><p><br /></p><p>My Thoughts:</p><p>A super quick fun read! I loved the build of the story, the adventure that Deja and Josiah go on throughout the pumpkin patch. We have a pretty cool pumpkin patch near our new house, that goes all out, but this pumpkin patch in <i>Pumpkin Heads</i>, sounds AMAZING! So much fun, and a fun teen hangout during the fall evenings. I wish we had a place like that when I was younger. </p><p>Overall Rating:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3PsvCqeEv-pWm73M9L0VuxkTTjCl65EpgrHUX8F7SpamNAHIjNa3xbb7k4lMq547S-270UayjKdNQOCz25tgDJK8KlYG425VidLm1_mNcolFQxrXtPbVlgnIQKShreVKOvpNfzmih1hQJ-LgW-hx437VX-ohOLdveP991UqED4EsRm_XCAi_q2MJp=s162" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="75" data-original-width="162" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3PsvCqeEv-pWm73M9L0VuxkTTjCl65EpgrHUX8F7SpamNAHIjNa3xbb7k4lMq547S-270UayjKdNQOCz25tgDJK8KlYG425VidLm1_mNcolFQxrXtPbVlgnIQKShreVKOvpNfzmih1hQJ-LgW-hx437VX-ohOLdveP991UqED4EsRm_XCAi_q2MJp=w320-h148" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Again, a really quick fun read. Perfect for the fall! I read it a bit late obviously in the year, but I still enjoyed it! I love Rainbow Rowell's books, so it was fun to get to read another graphic novel written by her! I'm still waiting for <i>Fangirl Volume 2</i> to be released!</p><p style="text-align: right;">The Romance Bookie :)</p>The Romance Bookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12805516737726198076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-855740752605367024.post-15797963337134530512021-12-24T08:55:00.003-08:002021-12-24T08:55:46.796-08:00If the Shoe Fits (Meant to Be #1) by Julie Murphy (Audiobook)<p> Merry Christmas Eve!</p><p>I can't believe Christmas is here once again! I'm so looking forward to bringing my son downstairs tomorrow morning, and having him see our Christmas Tree all lit up with lots of goodies for him underneath, and then listening to Christmas music, and watching one of my favorite Christmas movies, <i>Christmas Vacation! </i></p><p>I love this time of year, getting to cozy up with my husband on the couch, under lots of blankets, fuzzy socks on, warm PJs, and watching a movie while sip on our hot drinks. 💖</p><p>In the meantime, I do have a review for you!</p><p>I just finished listening to the audiobook of <i>If the Shoe Fits</i> by Julie Murphy!</p><p><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58990367-if-the-shoe-fits">From Goodreads:</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhKK7aZgR7zxZLjT4uOQHMN4yJAEioUuCshzWbsAfRP4Zsit34J_wHvO942R5ZW695WlR5ldAzeI9yBQZxg0BQlJoRyuTyvvyZhK5PXPQGtmeXpnY3LM6K3ZpTfaKFaerZ7BZGUpo1ESVVqsyiyC4atvJDiazpC9MFVoUpeI7AfoRZTrmfbHKP8xRaV=s475" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="315" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhKK7aZgR7zxZLjT4uOQHMN4yJAEioUuCshzWbsAfRP4Zsit34J_wHvO942R5ZW695WlR5ldAzeI9yBQZxg0BQlJoRyuTyvvyZhK5PXPQGtmeXpnY3LM6K3ZpTfaKFaerZ7BZGUpo1ESVVqsyiyC4atvJDiazpC9MFVoUpeI7AfoRZTrmfbHKP8xRaV=s320" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>After having just graduated with a degree in shoe design, and trying to get her feet on the ground, Cindy is working for her stepmother, who happens to be the executive producer of America's favorite reality show, </i>Before Midnight<i>. When a spot on the show needs filling ASAP, Cindy volunteers, hoping it might help jump-start her fashion career, or at least give her something to do while her peers land jobs in the world of high fashion.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Turns out being the only plus size woman on a reality dating competition makes a splash, and soon Cindy becomes a body positivity icon for women everywhere. What she doesn't expect? That she may just find inspiration-and-love-in the process. Ultimately, Cindy learns that if the shoe doesn't fit, maybe it's time to design her own.</i></div><p><br /></p><p>My Thoughts:</p><p>So this one was cute. Cheesy, Cinderella-story retelling, but that's my kind of thing, so I enjoyed it. I will say that Cindy didn't exactly get told she a spot opened up on the show for her, it was actually for her stepsisters, Cindy just ended up pushing her stepmother to allow her to be on the show, more than anything. I did like that for once, there was no "evil-stepmother and stepsisters" dynamic. In fact, Cindy was the more "unkind" person in this one, I thought, because she didn't always think great thoughts of the family that took her in after both of her parents died. Now, I understand why Cindy was the way she is, life really does seem unfair after it takes away your loved ones. </p><p>But anyway, I enjoyed it! It was cute. And while I hate dating reality shows, like <i>The Bachelor</i>, which is obviously what the reality show Cindy goes on, is based on, I enjoyed listening to this one. I wish plus-size women were represented more often on TV, especially reality TV, and not in the bad light that they normally are (i.e. <i>My 600 lbs life</i>). </p><p>Overall Rating:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgKx-d-0ayM0UA1g6ews9Bi9LdXDvLHVySMfkk7lQEWYBKVFS1vBpALXngZ9KqCtKFLo6ll_WbpBj4qZbWurywdWqPlhGLyYQx57J8YcqmwoH0k0V7Cx8C8TrfXcweFESp_otzIpfWe_QIwVI2UYvWGhngvVvxxYbkaq0mDJxfokTvDju0x1W2mRH0z=s162" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="75" data-original-width="162" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgKx-d-0ayM0UA1g6ews9Bi9LdXDvLHVySMfkk7lQEWYBKVFS1vBpALXngZ9KqCtKFLo6ll_WbpBj4qZbWurywdWqPlhGLyYQx57J8YcqmwoH0k0V7Cx8C8TrfXcweFESp_otzIpfWe_QIwVI2UYvWGhngvVvxxYbkaq0mDJxfokTvDju0x1W2mRH0z=w320-h148" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>I enjoyed this one! I liked the story, I liked the characters, the plot. It was my kind of story. My only complaint has to go to the audiobook version, and that is I wasn't a huge fan of the narrator for this one. I thought her voice was really airy, and just came off as ditzy at times. </p><p><br /></p><p>Anyway, I hope everyone has a nice holiday with your loved ones, all snuggled up and warm! And I'll be back soon! :)</p><p style="text-align: right;">The Romance Bookie :)</p>The Romance Bookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12805516737726198076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-855740752605367024.post-71609402787250941752021-12-20T08:28:00.005-08:002021-12-20T08:28:59.733-08:00Majesty (American Royals #2) by Katharine McGee (Audiobook)<p> Hey! </p><p><br /></p><p>Finished another one!!! Not sure how many more I can in the eleven days we have left in 2021, but I am trying! I want to read at least one more, and that's a library book I need to return asap. </p><p><br /></p><p>I ended up listening to <i>Majesty, </i>the second <i>American Royal </i>book by Katharine McGee. I've been having so much fun listening to audiobooks while I work on my planner! Especially now that I got my Always Fully Booked Planner from Little Inkling Designs!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj5-DWUELBXX8Rmqg3gy3m65T7eIrvii3PMD5obTUCZdwoJJzEbUBNGpKgsM-XfQpGvXvlKJfU9anxMR6OSkIAI6BYFgI-JnPmnc3WTEcriBHoz-Uf05b66lvjwdipUUetQjg2ck13KAM7Opx0KdKy_ng3HYDAMltKVn_l3C-xQxTTvRzNbh3A2qeqi=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj5-DWUELBXX8Rmqg3gy3m65T7eIrvii3PMD5obTUCZdwoJJzEbUBNGpKgsM-XfQpGvXvlKJfU9anxMR6OSkIAI6BYFgI-JnPmnc3WTEcriBHoz-Uf05b66lvjwdipUUetQjg2ck13KAM7Opx0KdKy_ng3HYDAMltKVn_l3C-xQxTTvRzNbh3A2qeqi=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Isn't it gorgeous???!!! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I am having so much fun setting it up for 2022! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Anyway, on the my review!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">From <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51518972-majesty?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=u88sK2I0ch&rank=2">Goodreads:</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiyM_6ojqlQ4CmYue52dr67Lwppwbr8bjzyvjMgW0bl8LPybtVg3hZtExZS43263fT5rDhTVcr5RAHXGAzJV8MCr9IJPiH8BnmifQMZDS8Gr48BSgdBdkNDUI8UaOGwNrtQWPgDPMrMsneBkentGLJbvZzglAHM0zfZqvTiMN8BJ_ehwRoFWcaYIcm2=s499" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="330" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiyM_6ojqlQ4CmYue52dr67Lwppwbr8bjzyvjMgW0bl8LPybtVg3hZtExZS43263fT5rDhTVcr5RAHXGAzJV8MCr9IJPiH8BnmifQMZDS8Gr48BSgdBdkNDUI8UaOGwNrtQWPgDPMrMsneBkentGLJbvZzglAHM0zfZqvTiMN8BJ_ehwRoFWcaYIcm2=s320" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i>Is American ready for its first queen?</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Power is intoxicating. Like first love, it can leave you breathless. Princess Beatrice was born with it. Princess Samantha was born with less. Some, like Nina Gonzalez, are pulled into it. And a few will claw their way in. Ahem, we're looking at you Daphne Deighton.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>As America adjusts to the idea of a queen on the throne, Beatrice grapples with everything she lost when she gained the ultimate crown. Samantha is busy living up to her "party princess" persona...and maybe adding a party prince to her side. Nina is trying to avoid the palace--and Prince Jefferson--at all costs. And a dangerous secret threatens to undo all of Daphne's carefully laid "marry Prince Jefferson" plans.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>A new reign has begun....</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My Thoughts:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I know it's late in the year, but I think it is safe to say that this has become my favorite series of 2021! I truly enjoyed this one just as much as the first book! It surprised me how different of a turn each of the stories went in with the second book, because I really thought Katharine McGee had laid it all out in the first one, but then BAM! she does a 180 and all of sudden everyone is a completely different place! But I liked it! A lot!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My favorite story in this one was Queen Beatrice. Her story intensified even more with this one, and I just kept wanting more. Princess Samantha is realizing her true potential, while Nina, who didn't have as much of a roll in this one, was finding a way to be her own person, versus a part of the palace life. And then there is Daphne...OH Daphne! You want to hate her, but her side of the story is so juicy. She is still a terrible person, but you just keep waiting for her to get what is owed to her. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This series has become very addictive, and I'm only on book 2! Okay, so the third book doesn't actually come out until May, so I'm with everyone else who has read the series so far! But book three <i>Rivals </i>is on my list of Most Anticipated Books of 2022! Really excited to get my hands on it! Or I guess my earbuds in my ear, and be able to listen to it, because Brittany Pressley is a great narrator who really had brought these books to life for me!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Overall Rating:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgwfexo0Khzp5buDqusqaV9PsE29GT-P9uBsMFIlFPWw-bDJV8AWHm7r-nnIJVrewNWF7DHQNfhQ9TXjJaPN352_XE1kHfFgHd59t2WzjL6DhgtIRZHNNqu7bWz6hdobIkSyMOy7ilPe4EuHHsuOgL_nLXBY17x9OmBJk6bgargEi_PgXWpP0L5w91U=s225" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="95" data-original-width="225" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgwfexo0Khzp5buDqusqaV9PsE29GT-P9uBsMFIlFPWw-bDJV8AWHm7r-nnIJVrewNWF7DHQNfhQ9TXjJaPN352_XE1kHfFgHd59t2WzjL6DhgtIRZHNNqu7bWz6hdobIkSyMOy7ilPe4EuHHsuOgL_nLXBY17x9OmBJk6bgargEi_PgXWpP0L5w91U=w320-h135" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Really loved it! It's a new favorite of mine! I'm actually thinking about ultimately adding physical copies to my shelf, but need to get those a bit more organized first! Definitely check this one out if you are a fan of <i>Princess Diaries, Gossip Girl, </i>and love a little drama in your reads...really a lot of drama. 😉</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas, who celebrates it! And hope to write again soon!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'll be doing a post on all the challenges I hope to participate and complete next year, soon!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">The Romance Bookie :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>The Romance Bookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12805516737726198076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-855740752605367024.post-75332520106679034852021-12-15T09:04:00.003-08:002021-12-15T09:04:35.415-08:00The Twelve Days of Dash & Lily (Dash & Lily #2) by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan (Audiobook)<p> Hey!</p><p>Another review coming your way! This was a quick holiday read that I listened to on Audiobook over the last few days. </p><p>I had the opportunity back in the day to read an ARC of the first book in this series, and absolutely loved it! Since then <a href="http://romancebookie.blogspot.com/2013/02/dash-and-lilys-book-of-dares-by-rachel.html">Dash & Lily's Book of Dares</a> has been released as Netflix movie (which is also super cute), and two more books have been added to the story; something I didn't learn about until last year, when I watched the movie. Since then, I've wanted to read the next books, because I truly loved the first book. It was such a fun read, that took you through the streets of my favorite setting in a book, New York City. It was a story of finding oneself, finding love, friendship, family, and so much more. </p><p>When I found out that my local library had an online audiobook library I ended up finding, <i>The Twelve Days of Dash & Lily</i>, and since it's the holiday season, I thought what a great time to finally read this book off my TBR list!</p><p><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26258306-the-twelve-days-of-dash-lily">From Goodreads:</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhByRHsigbbgP7WjQiSFsiOo3jnXTHiEs8gPKRpVtIyAnqQQxm6ZsEHSSNuv2b2dzmG1Ad8xZRGOO0mS41muujOfcLMwsWxsYBmmyMyRtebWg0sV4GIxQy6Duy5RqUm8vpa4kk08tEMDV1JfXr-b8ZxgFwrntYw-Nd02xjUmaem55jWRZwqCTqFwEtp=s475" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="316" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhByRHsigbbgP7WjQiSFsiOo3jnXTHiEs8gPKRpVtIyAnqQQxm6ZsEHSSNuv2b2dzmG1Ad8xZRGOO0mS41muujOfcLMwsWxsYBmmyMyRtebWg0sV4GIxQy6Duy5RqUm8vpa4kk08tEMDV1JfXr-b8ZxgFwrntYw-Nd02xjUmaem55jWRZwqCTqFwEtp=s320" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Dash and Lily have had a tough year since they first fell in love among the shelves of their favorite bookstore. Lily's beloved grandfather suffered a heart attack, and his difficult road to recovery has taken a major toll on her typically sunny disposition.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>With only twelve days left until Christmas -- Lily's </i>favorite<i> time of the year -- Dash, Lily's brother Langston, and their closest friends must take Manhattan by storm to help Lily recapture the unique holiday magic of a glittering, snow covered New York City in December.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><br /></p><p>My Thoughts:</p><p>It has been so long since I got to enjoy <i>Dash & Lily's Book of Dares</i>, but I still think about that book every so often, so that should tell you how much enjoyed it. Rachel Cohn and David Levithan are book match made in heaven when it comes to them writing together. They have this amazing talent to have their two characters flow flawlessly together to make a great story. </p><p><i>The Twelve Days of Dash & Lily</i> did have that natural flow that Levithan and Cohn has mastered over the last almost two decades together. However, I don't know if it is because I listened to the audiobook and heard a different POV taken on Dash and Lily's characters, but I ended up not liking this one as much as I had hoped. </p><p>While the story flowed great, and wasn't bad or anything, I just had a really hard time with Lily. Her immaturity really flowed through in this book. Now, again it's been almost a decade since I read <i>Dash & Lily's Book of Dares</i> and my 30 year old self is a bit different than my 21-year old self from back then; but Lily just felt too young for me in this one. I found her annoying, unrealistic, and naive. I'm not even sure I found myself routing for Dash and Lily to make it by the end of this one. </p><p>My Rating: </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhkGtXKE_z8pUE1Flb0R35X6XhVS4lg7i9bSq-8Dhf7XJb035FIqjA-QB5C_KMFbuJv1Q-2lkGklvgDqCuGjzASavzCUOuFrF_x6YX3tPMFaeJTvyQ4ZVYiRvxCbpzXgmBO6jGfB0VQN4bCChuLTsSARagrX1QBhwCfa6GvkcdFlfd1XUx_p0zZI7S1=s174" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="75" data-original-width="174" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhkGtXKE_z8pUE1Flb0R35X6XhVS4lg7i9bSq-8Dhf7XJb035FIqjA-QB5C_KMFbuJv1Q-2lkGklvgDqCuGjzASavzCUOuFrF_x6YX3tPMFaeJTvyQ4ZVYiRvxCbpzXgmBO6jGfB0VQN4bCChuLTsSARagrX1QBhwCfa6GvkcdFlfd1XUx_p0zZI7S1=w320-h138" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>I'm giving it three bookies, because I still think the talent from Levithan and Cohn is obvious in this one! But because of the turn of events, and the character development, it didn't become a favorite of mine. I have the third book in the series on hold at the library, but am not sure if I'll keep it. We'll see once it comes in for me to try to read. </p><p style="text-align: right;">The Romance Bookie :)</p>The Romance Bookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12805516737726198076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-855740752605367024.post-15793795074250559492021-12-15T08:36:00.004-08:002021-12-15T08:36:59.083-08:00American Royals (American Royals #1) by Katharine McGee (Audiobook)<p> Hey Everyone!</p><p>I am really excited to write this review. I didn't think I would I would be able to read another book this year, let alone two, and then also have one of them be a favorite of the year! I am on a roll this month and trying to keep the momentum going!</p><p>For my review today I have an audiobook I got to listen to, for <i>American Royals</i> by Katharine McGee.</p><p><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43744300-american-royals">From Goodreads:</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhpUvkYK1Ariai81Zy76Zo-VuofHsTntPIicYtN_l6Lp5WgVicZdafc0PpypUFSvyAcRwkn9A6cNnOpsmNFsv3Y7peuG48EFmEpCkTgqk-7Dg8HPko7PzchvxrpIFO35BwKZct23ZJ_HiTw70gw-56VrpTvAvnFZ3n1cdjnPeeMnA1vyJj6f1J2hbsS=s475" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="314" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhpUvkYK1Ariai81Zy76Zo-VuofHsTntPIicYtN_l6Lp5WgVicZdafc0PpypUFSvyAcRwkn9A6cNnOpsmNFsv3Y7peuG48EFmEpCkTgqk-7Dg8HPko7PzchvxrpIFO35BwKZct23ZJ_HiTw70gw-56VrpTvAvnFZ3n1cdjnPeeMnA1vyJj6f1J2hbsS=s320" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>What if America had a royal family?</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>When America won the Revolutionary War, its people offered General George Washington a crown. Two and a half centuries later, the House of Washington still sits on the throne.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>As Princess Beatrice gets closer to becoming America's first queen regnant, the duty she has embraced her entire life suddenly feels stifling.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Nobody cares about the spare except when she's breaking the rules, so Princess Samantha doesn't care much about anything, either...except the one boy who is distinctly off-limits to her.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>And then there Samantha's twin, Prince Jefferson. If he's been born a generation earlier, he would have stood first in line for the throne, but the new laws of succession make him third. Most of America adores their devastatingly handsome prince...but two very different girls are vying to capture </i>his <i>heart. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>My Thoughts:</p><p>Really, truly enjoyed this one. So much so that when I saw my local library didn't have the second book as an audiobook, that I ended up buying it. I loved the story idea, the characters, the family, the friendships, the drama. I just honestly enjoyed every part of this book! It was a fun read that I needed! </p><p>I also enjoyed the audiobook. The narrator did a fabulous job differentiating each character, and bringing them to life. I started picking up fairly early to whose story I was listening to, if I happened to miss a part (each chapter is in the POV of each of the characters and switches off). </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgRq3XJ8XeREHtBQVfxK6bmLphCeFtqHY7ykMJEbvDngPb--tSP36Kv6q98vpwgOQ1NJI-PQhIaXRxocg5dThqYPjMN-aJijaCWAtkUS3-jp4gWrIdkpBGv3n0rlHw75EtLJgBqmOQt825fRfa6HsedxH2fBlHvmVet66BPa5li34Kr5CabOM0zx2lT=s225" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="95" data-original-width="225" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgRq3XJ8XeREHtBQVfxK6bmLphCeFtqHY7ykMJEbvDngPb--tSP36Kv6q98vpwgOQ1NJI-PQhIaXRxocg5dThqYPjMN-aJijaCWAtkUS3-jp4gWrIdkpBGv3n0rlHw75EtLJgBqmOQt825fRfa6HsedxH2fBlHvmVet66BPa5li34Kr5CabOM0zx2lT=w320-h135" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><i>American Royals</i> has it all for me! The friendships, family drama, love triangles, this interesting take on a what-if on American history, and so much more. The drama between Nina, Daphne, and Prince Jefferson I am especially excited to hear more about!</p><p>I am very much looking forward to hearing more, especially after the cliff-hanger this ending left me with! </p><p><br /></p><p>I hope everyone is having a good holiday season! </p><p style="text-align: right;">The Romance Bookie :)</p>The Romance Bookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12805516737726198076noreply@blogger.com0