Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Books On My Spring 2021 TBR List

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme created by The Broke and The Bookish and currently hosted by Jana @ That Artsy Reader Girl.

Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Books On My Spring TBR

This week’s TTT is another seasonal TBR, this one for Spring 2021. I'm still not making too strict of TBR lists because I've largely been mood reading lately but here are a few that I'm looking forward to, pushing to the top of my TBR, and a few ARCs I hope to get out of the way. 

1. The Sanatorium by Sarah Pearse

I got this book a few weeks ago and although it looks like more of a winter read I definitely want to read it yet this month if I'm able to. 

2. Cool for the Summer by Dahlia Adler (ARC)

I picked up the eARC for this a few weeks ago on Netgalley and kind of started it after The Dead and The Dark but my urgent need to read From Blood and Ash *right that minute* made me set it down. I'm looking forward to getting back into it. 

3. Trouble Girls by Julia Lynn Rubin (ARC)

This was another eARC I picked up at the same time as The Dead and The Dark and Cool for the Summer  and it sounds really good. 

4. What She Found in the Woods by Josephine Angelini

I've wanted to read this one since I first read about it in the publisher's newsletter and I finally found it in my library system's Hoopla. I'm probably going to read it in April (I used up all of my March borrows).

5. The House Guest by Mark Edwards

I won an ebook copy of The House Guest last year through Goodreads but it's been sitting on my kindle ever since. I think it's time I finally read it, don't you?

6. Bloodine by Jess Lourey

I'm still in Thriller reading mood and this one sounds really good. It also helps that it's on my kindle and helps my goal of actually reading up some of the books I keep putting on my kindle then never reading because I still prefer print books. 

7. Amelia Unabridged by Ashley Schumacher

I've heard really good things about Amelia Unabridged and since its one of the most recent books I've gotten (that I haven't read yet) I definitely want to get to it this spring.

8. The Lost Village by Camilla Sten

This book sounds slightly disturbing and I wasn't sure at first if I wanted to put it on my TBR but something is nagging at me that I might really like it. 

9. A Thousand Beginnings and Endings edited by Ellen Oh

I've seen this book on bookstagram and I've always loved the cover but I just recently took a look at what it's about on Goodreads and added it to my library to-borrow list. 

10. The Duke and I (Bridgerton #1) by Julia Quinn

 
Yes, I've seen the Netflix show. I'm even considering rewatching it. And I want to read the book... but I'm kind of nervous to. These type of books are so removed from my comfort zone that I'm afraid I'm going to think the book is really cheesy and hate it. 

***

What books do you want to read this spring? Have you read any of my picks? What did you think of them?

Let me know in the comments or drop a link to your TTT!

Happy Reading Bookdragons!

-Taylor

{Book Review} SPOILER ALERT by Olivia Dade

Title: Spoiler Alert

Author: Olivia Dade

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: October 6, 2020 from Avon Books

Format: Paperback, Audiobook, eBook, 

Page Count: 416 Pages

Blurb:
Olivia Dade bursts onto the scene in this delightfully fun romantic comedy set in the world of fanfiction, in which a devoted fan goes on an unexpected date with her celebrity crush, who’s secretly posting fanfiction of his own. 

Marcus Caster-Rupp has a secret. While the world knows him as Aeneas, the star of the biggest show on TV, Gods of the Gates, he's known to fanfiction readers as Book!AeneasWouldNever, an anonymous and popular poster. Marcus is able to get out his own frustrations with his character through his stories, especially the ones that feature the internet’s favorite couple to ship, Aeneas and Lavinia. But if anyone ever found out about his online persona, he’d be fired. Immediately.

April Whittier has secrets of her own. A hardcore Lavinia fan, she’s hidden her fanfiction and cosplay hobby from her “real life” for years—but not anymore. When she decides to post her latest Lavinia creation on Twitter, her photo goes viral. Trolls and supporters alike are commenting on her plus-size take, but when Marcus, one half of her OTP, sees her pic and asks her out on a date to spite her critics, she realizes life is really stranger than fanfiction.

Even though their first date is a disaster, Marcus quickly realizes that he wants much more from April than a one-time publicity stunt. And when he discovers she’s actually Unapologetic Lavinia Stan, his closest fandom friend, he has one more huge secret to hide from her.

With love and Marcus’s career on the line, can the two of them stop hiding once and for all, or will a match made in fandom end up prematurely cancelled?

My Review:

It's so refreshing to see a "fat" heroine get the hot, fit male lead. It's a type of diversity that is not as popular in contemporary romance and as a plus sized woman I like the representation. 

April seems like a confident strong woman on the surface but behind the scenes (even though she keeps claiming she isn't) she's really insecure about her weight and how people perceive her. She says on the page that she doesn't care about what strangers think only people she cares about but she's a little too sensitive when it comes to her relationship with Marcus and it can put the reader off. 

*Spoiler Warning* 

The drama when Marcus asks her if she wants to go to the gym with him is one example. April sees it as Marcus not liking how she looks and trying to change her and decides to give him the cold shoulder and stop speaking to him. Talk about an overreaction. The guy is an actor - a really fit one at that. Going to the gym is probably just part of his daily routine like some people go to the coffee shop or something. If it were me it wouldn't have bothered me, I do like a nice exercise bike after all and if I got tired I would have made an excuse to sit by the pool or something. And then the fiasco with the buffet. Just because he eats hard boiled eggs and oatmeal doesn't mean you have to.. but whatever. Be a drama queen. Screw up a budding relationship. 

And then when April finds out Marcus's online identity and blows a gasket? Here we go again... seriously I wouldn't have been angry. It would have been like, really? That's so cool! Like finding out your man is superman or something. But of course April overreacts and breaks up with Marcus. 

**

Other than that I really enjoyed the book. I liked Marcus and how on screen he shows this confident, albeit dense celebrity who has it all but behind the scenes he comes from parents that really screwed him up and stomped on his spirit just because he has a learning disability. 

I love the fandom for the show Marcus is on and wish that there was a community like it where I could show my love for a specific show or fandom besides the (sometimes divisive and nitpicky) social media I'm already on.

And I love the chemistry between April and Marcus. Who doesn't wish that a celebrity they like would meet-cute with them and fall madly in love?

There's going to be another book centered around Marcus's co-star Alex and I'm excited to read it. 

Overall, I really loved this book. I couldn't put it down and other than the couple times where I wanted to ask April wtf is wrong with her it was an enjoyable read. I know and appreciate that the author specifically chose a plus-sized heroine to send a message, I just wish writers would realize that not all plus sized woman are so sensitive about their bodies. We are what we are, and we don't fall apart at every suggestion of working out or healthy food. I love healthier food and exercising, I just don't seem to take the weight off. And I do have a man that loves me. Men being attracted to me has never been an issue. But hey, maybe that's just me. 

My Rating:

🌟🌟🌟🌟

4 of 5 Stars!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 11 May 2020

 

#IMWAYR is a weekly meme started on J Kaye’s blog and then was hosted by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at The Book Date.

What I Read Last Week:

A Werewolf in Riverdale by Caleb Roehrig

I started this one but I wasn't feeling it so I set it aside. I think I might be more in the mood to read it closer to Halloween. 

Dare to Resist by Carly Phillips

I have a review coming up for this one tomorrow (so check back to see my thoughts) in the meantime, I will say that I've been reading Carly Phillips since I was a teenager and I was excited to be on the blog tour - 4 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Currently Reading
Maybe This Time by Jennifer Crusie

I was actually going to start rereading this one a couple weeks ago before I read The Betrothed but I got caught up with other books. I'm so happy to be rereading this one because it's my favorite book and I needed to revisit these characters right now.
 

Up Next
The Plus-One Proposal by Cassie Cross

This is the next ARC I have to read for a blog tour later this week so once I finish Maybe This Time I'll get into it.

Dawn Till Dusk by Tyffany Hackett and Becky Moynihan

Another ARC on my May must-get-to list is this eagerly awaited urban fantasy written by two of my writer friends. *Come back Friday the 15th for a cover reveal of book 2!*

What have you been reading lately? Do you ever find that you can only read certain genres/sub-genres at specific times of year? (Example: werewolves at Halloween)

Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Books on my Spring TBR

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme created by The Broke and The Bookish and currently hosted by Jana @ That Artsy Reader Girl.

Top Ten Tuesday: Spring TBR

 This week's TTT is about our Spring TBR. Since I, as usual, am way behind on my ARC reading this season I’ll be catching up on some ARCs and continuing on my Thriller binge - both backlist and new releases...

1. Hideaway by Nora Roberts

2. Darling Rose Gold by Stephanie Wrobel 

3. The Invited by Jennifer McMahon

4. Abigale Hall by Lauren A. Forry

5. The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley

6. A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson

7. Redemption Prep by Samuel Miller

8. The Return by Rachel Harrison

9. They Wish They Were Us by Jessica Goodman
10. The Assistant by Marni Mann

Have you read, or do you plan to read, any of these? What books do you want to read this spring?Let me know  in the comments & drop me a link to your TTT!

Happy Reading Bookdragons!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? - 6 January 2020

#IMWAYR is a weekly meme started on J Kaye’s blog and then was hosted by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at The Book Date.

Hey Bookdragons! 

What I Read Last Week:

My 2020 reading year is off to a slow start because I've been really busy. I did finish my annual rereading of Texas Gothic but that's about it. 

What I Am Reading Now:

Ok status update... 1 hour into a 33+ hour audiobook 

Getting into my January ARC reading I've started Echoes Between Us, Katie McGarry's next novel to break my heart into pieces. 

Up Next:

The blog tour for this one got pushed back a week so I've read the first few chapters but have time to finish Echoes Between Us first and the other review book I will be receiving this week for an ARC tour...

I got picked for the Agnes at the End of the World Street Team! I'm so excited to read this one and I'll be getting the first copy of the ARC Tour copies on Wednesday so I plan to binge it right away. 

What are you reading this week? Are you getting a lot of reading done since the beginning of the year?

Bookish and Not So Bookish Thoughts - 6 June 2019

Bookish (And Not So Bookish) Thoughts is a Weekly Meme hosted by Christine @ Bookishly  Boisterous.

Happy Thursday Bookdragons! 

1. It's been a majorly hectic week. Nearly everyone I have had to deal with has been a total jerk (and that's putting it nicely). I'd say that people were going crazy because of a full moon but we're not there yet. I'm hoping things calm down this weekend, I desperately need some relaxation and a little happy time.

2. I never thought of myself as a mood reader but lately I cannot get enough of horror novels or thrillers. Most of the ARCs I've been reading or requesting lately have been falling into one of those two categories and can I just say that there are some amazing YA horror novels coming out this year? Thrillers too. I just got All Eyes on Us by Kit Frick which is a thriller compared to Pretty Little Liars and I am so excited to read it this weekend.   

3. It's mosquito season again here in Wisconsin. I hate the damn things and I already have a few bites and constantly feel itchy. I love summer but I could do without the insect life. 

4. I've decided one of my new year's resolutions for 2020 already: do not request any ARCs (eARC or physical) I've had so many to get through these past months I barely have time for new releases which makes me sad because a lot of them I've been really excited about.

5. It's Pride Month! Are you planning to read any books with a LGBTQ+ rep? I didn't plan on it being this way but I have a ton of books on my TBR cart that fit into that category. 

The Saturday Review - 16 March 2019

The Saturday Review is a weekly meme hosted by me (Taylor Fenner's Bookish World) where fellow book bloggers and readers can share what books they've recently reviewed. 

99% Faking It by Chris Cannon

Blurb:

Lisa is a card-carrying, book-loving Gryffindor. Solid. And that’s why everyone knows she’s awesome. Well, except for her crush, Matt. He only ever sees her as a friend. Plus, he's got his eye on another girl. Oh well, plenty of fish and all that.

Good thing Lisa just read a book on the “wedding ring phenomenon”—you get more attention when you’re already taken. What if Lisa pretends to be Matt’s plus one? Maybe it’ll help Matt get his girl and Lisa can hook her own fish. 

After the plan works, Matt suddenly claims he doesn’t like the view from the friend-zone and wants her instead… But she isn’t interested in being anyone’s second choice. If this guy wants to earn her attention, he’ll need more than some silly “phenomenon.” 

He’ll need to go all out...

Disclaimer: This book contains multiple nerd-girl references, cute puppies, and snarky humor that will make you LOL!

Each book in the Dating Dilemmas series is STANDALONE:

* The Dating Debate

* 99% Faking It

My Review:

Cover: 🌟🌟🌟 (I think this cover looks sweet and romantic. It makes me think of a summer beach read for some reason.)
Summary/Tagline: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 ("She's nobody's second choice." This makes Lisa sound like a confident, strong female right off the bat, which I like. And after reading the blurb it makes you want to read on.)
Characters: 🌟🌟🌟 🌟   (Even though I haven't read the first standalone in this series I absolutely loved Nina and Lisa but I could have warmed up to Matt a little more. What can I say? I tend to have it out for male characters that use a female friend to try to snag another girl. There's a lot of banter and fandom in between the characters, which I loved... I just wish Matt were a little more developed.)
Worldbuilding: 🌟🌟🌟 (I thought Lisa and Matt's world was well rounded and you definitely get a clear picture of their lives.)
Story: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 (This is a sweet friends-to-lovers romance, which is one of my favorite tropes and I enjoyed it a lot! This one will make you laugh and share your love for books, especially Harry Potter, you'll root for Matt and Lisa and get frustrated when they just can't seem to get it together. The characters in this book are quirky and you quickly find yourself unable to put it down. Overall, if you're looking for a contemporary romance, I definitely recommend this one!)
Overall: 🌟🌟🌟 3.6 of 5 Stars!

My Rating:

🌟🌟🌟 

3.6 of 5 Stars!

From Breath and Ruin by Carrie Ann Ryan

Blurb:

In her YA debut, New York Times bestselling author Carrie Ann Ryan dives into a world with magic and sacrifice with the Elements of Five.

Five hundred years ago, the Maison Realm was shattered, divided into warring kingdoms of elemental Wielders with fate and truth shadowed and uncertain. Now, factions of both the light and dark venture into the human realm in search of the prophesied Spirit Priestess who is said to Wield the Elements of Five to bring the two fractured kingdoms together.

Lyric has no idea that there's a realm outside the human one she lives in. When fate and circumstances are pulled from her hands after an accident, she finds out that nothing is as it seems.

War is raging around her, and when Lyric realizes that they are searching for her, she must rely on those she once trusted as she trains: a boy who isn't who she thought, and a new realm of warriors who have come to protect her.

For the darkness is coming, and the Queen of Obscurité wants to ensure that the King of Lumière can't get his hands on Lyric. And the only way to ensure that is if Lyric herself is no more...no matter the cost to prophecy.

My Review:
Cover: 🌟🌟 (I'm not crazy about the cover here. It's a little too plain for me and tells me nothing about the book nor does it really grab me to want to pick it up if I saw it at the book store. I do like the color though.)
Summary/Tagline: 🌟🌟🌟 ("Five elements. One Realm. One Choice." Sounds mysterious and makes you want to open the book and learn more.)
Characters: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 (I had a lot of trouble connecting with Lyric in the beginning of this book but she grew on me toward the end. I absolutely loved Braelynn and Rhodes but admittedly I hated Emory with a passion. All of these opinions, obviously lend credit to the author to create characters developed enough for me to feel that strongly for or against - with the exception of Lyric.. like I said, it was a struggle for a while.)
Worldbuilding: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 (I really enjoyed the worldbuilding in this one and so wished there would have been a map - maybe in the next book??? I could see it so clearly, like I was right there in the book.)
Story: 🌟🌟🌟(The plot wasn't bad, my struggle was with Lyric which made it hard for me to get into the beginning of this book, but I loved the premise of the story to keep going and it really paid off. I'm not saying I loved this one, but I definitely want to read the next book!)

Overall: 🌟🌟🌟 3.2 of 5 Stars!
My Rating:
🌟🌟🌟
3.2 of 5 stars! 

F is for Friday - 22 February 2019

F Is For Friday is a weekly meme created and hosted by Nomadic Worlds.

How it Works:

1. Credit the creator of this tag (Nomadic Worlds ) and link back.

2. Answer the four questions to the best of your ability.

3. Most important of all, enjoy yourself!

Questions:

F – Feature your latest book obsession (it doesn’t have to be your current read)

I – Indicate which book/s you are looking forward to reading this weekend.

F – Favorite quote of the week/day

F – Five things you’re happy or grateful for this week.

F- Feature your latest book obsession (it doesn't have to be your current read)

I'm not quite halfway through The Black Witch but I'm kind of obsessed with this series already! The next book looks especially good and I'm eager to finish listening to The Black Witch (audiobook) and check The Iron Flower out from the library!

I – Indicate which book/s you are looking forward to reading this weekend.

I'm going to try to finish this one by Monday which shouldn't be hard because I love this series so much and can't wait to see how it ends! Seriously, if you want a fantasy trilogy infused by stylized Asian culture, gorgeous clothing descriptions, and awesome monsters, you need to read this series!!

F – Favorite quote of the week/day

“People see what they expect to see,” he says sharply. “Through a filter of their own hatred and prejudice.”

 ― Laurie Forest, The Black Witch

This is true. Sometimes people are so steeped in their prejudices that they judge everyone by the actions and reputations of a few.  

F – Five things you’re happy or grateful for this week.

1.  My Beat the Algorithm ladies (always)

2. Surprise book mail

3. Sympathetic people who take pity on me when I fall on ice

4. My boyfriend
5. Takeout

Have a great weekend Bookdragons!

Book Review: Kiss of the Royal by Lindsey Duga

Kiss of the Royal by Lindsey Duga

Blurb:

In the war against the Forces of Darkness, the Royals are losing. Princess Ivy is determined to end this centuries-long conflict once and for all, so her new battle partner must succeed where the others failed. Prince Zach’s unparalleled skill with a sword, enhanced by Ivy’s magic Kiss, should make them an unstoppable pair—but try convincing Zach of that.

Prince Zach has spent his life preparing for battle, but he would rather be branded a heretic than use his lips as nothing more than a way to transfer magic. A kiss is a symbol of love, and love is the most powerful weapon they have—but try convincing Ivy of that.

With the fate of their world on the line, the battlefield has become a testing ground, and only one of them can be right. Falling for each other wasn’t part of the plan—but try convincing their hearts of that.

My Review:

I was intrigued by the idea of this book - a kiss that can heal or make the receiver stronger in  battle. I liked the mythology of how the Royals came to be even though it seemed a little like sister wives that first Raed had kids with Myriana then turned around and had kids with her friend to "continue the species." Now, at present time it seems anyone can be a "Royal," which struck me as odd since most books I've read lays out a kingdom with one king and queen, their children, maybe some siblings as Dukes and Duchesses, etc. So it felt like the idea of being Royal wasn't so special after all.

First we meet Ivy, and of course being a direct descendant of Myriana she's more powerful than the rest of the "Royals," but her battle partners keep getting killed. She's afraid she'll be put out to pasture for breeding purposes, so to speak. Insert Zach, a prince with legendary swordsman skills from a neighboring kingdom. Together they could be unstoppable - but Zach's mother was a "Romantica," a believer that Love - not a Royal's kiss - would defeat the dark forces. On this, I kind of have to see Zach's point - Ivy's world is so cold; do your duty then when you're too old or your kiss isn't good enough anymore you get sent away to make more royals. There's no real family connections, no warmth, no love. 

Kiss of the Royal moves quick enough but I feel like the world and minor characters could have been a bit more developed. The whole point of this book is two people who don't agree on how things should be falling in love and true love's kiss triumphing over evil which is all fine and good but reads more like a Disney fairytale. It's filled with magic, curses, witches, and dragons to be slayed. 

Overall, I liked this book and I'm glad it was a standalone. I think this is a perfect book for readers looking for a YA Fantasy reminiscent of fairytales of old.

My Rating:

🌟🌟🌟

3 of 5 Stars!