The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren

ARC provided by the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

I haven’t read to many Christina Lauren books, but these ladies sure can write a good romance. This was such a cute Rom-Com, it will make the perfect summer read. I finished it in two sitting, the pages just flew by.  This book was such a fun ride and has me aching to pick up more books from Christina Lauren.

That’s the point of luck; it happens when and where it happens.

The Unhoneymooners follows Olive Torres as she goes on her twin sister Ami’s honeymoon. During the wedding reception everyone comes down with a bad case of food poisoning, except for Olive and Ethan, Ami’s new husbands brother.Olive and Ethan have hated each other from the moment they met three years ago, now on there siblings honeymoon in Maui they must pretend to be newlyweds. They get into some pretty sticky situations, and soon the fake marriage alerts them to the fake that they have a lot of chemistry. That they may have been wrong in hating each other.

“When I signed up for this honeymoon, I had no idea it would involve so much nudity.”

This book has one a my favorite tropes , Hate to Love  and this book fueled my love for that trope.  Also includes fake dating/fake marriage and a slow burn romance .I was laughing out loud and swooning over Ethan. I was obsessed with there banter, Olive is so sassy and Ethan’s attitude was just to much, I loved them. I really love that Olive is a strong curvy woman who stands up for herself and takes no shit from Ethan. Throughout the story she starts to discover who she really is, and what is important to her. Ethan comes across as a huge jerk at first but honestly that’s what made me love him. As the book progresses we find he is actually really sweet and hilarious.

I had a few issues with the story but those are more personal opinions than the book being bad. I really didn’t like Dane, Olive’s sisters husband, he was honestly the worst! Ethan coming to his defense, I understand where he was coming from but it infuriated me that he was standing up for such a shitty person.

If you’re a fan of rom-coms, and want a funny, cute book, I highly recommend picking this one up. I just loved this so so so so much! Christina Lauren is one  quickly becoming of my favorite authors.

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Daisy Jones and The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

“You can justify anything. If you’re narcissistic enough to believe that the universe conspires for and against you—which we all are, deep down—then you can convince yourself you’re getting signs about anything and everything.”

TW: substance abuse/addiction, abortion

Truly one of the most remarkable stories I have ever had the pleasure of reading .Having read and absolutely LOVED The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo last year I couldn’t wait for Reid’s newest book.I tried to get an ARC but the God’s did not bless me with an opportunity. I have to say the wait was absolutely worth it,I read this book via audiobook and it was fantastic. The book is written in interview format, which worked out so well in audiobook, it’s also a full cast.

Daisy Jones & The Six is about a band formed in the 1970’s. The book is told through interviews with the band members. Our leading lady Daisy is a young beautiful teenager, she desperately wants to be seen. Her parents are never home, and don’t pay her any attention. Daisy becomes a regular at nightclubs and starts getting into being a groupie, witch includes sex, drugs and the Wild life of rock n roll. Daisy gets involved with a musician, he is struggling to write his next song so Daisy ends up writing some lyrics. This man claims them as his own,well this infuriates Daisy and from this point forward she is determined to be a songwriter.

 “I had absolutely no interest in being somebody else’s muse.
I am not a muse.
I am the somebody.

End of fucking story.”

She soon gets involved with this band The Six. It started out as a writing gig with the lead singer Billy but then one night she performed with the band. The fans absolutely adored her and it was decided she would join the band.I was obsessed with this story, I fell really hard for Daisy and needed to know her every move. Daisy was never afraid to be herself and she expressed that at every opportunity. She was raw and emotional. I couldn’t get enough of her. Taylor Jenkins writes beautiful complex characters, to a point that I actually believe they could be real people. This book has a large cast of characters, from the band members to music producers and photographers.

“It was America. It was tits. It was sex. It was drugs. It was summer. It was angst. It was rock ’n’ roll.”

This Book is all about female empowerment, supporting other women and demanding credit where it is due. Carmilla is such a well written character, she loves without asking for anything in return, she’s devoted and not jealous of the women surrounding Billy. Karen she is the only female in the band before Daisy came along, she does not take shot from anyone and stands up for what she believes. I won’t go into what I mean because of spoilers.

Speaking of Billy, he is selfish and stubborn. He is a perfectionist when it comes to his songwriting, when it comes to music he’s the boss or you can find the door and leave. Even during the rough times his love for Carmilla shines through everything he does.

“Art doesn’t owe anything to anyone.”

The atmosphere of the 70’s was captured perfectly. This book does heavily talk about alcohol and drug abuse, because that was a big scene during this time period. I cannot wait for the tv show, to see which actors will play the characters and being able to hear all the songs!

This book has been getting a lot of mixed reviews, a lot of people really don’t like it. For me this is a five star read!

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Get To Know Me Tag

Hello! Since I’ve gained so many awesome new followers in the past two months, which I am so blessed you all subscribed to my blog! I thought I would do this tag as a way to introduce myself.

1. What do you study/what is your job?

First of all I’m a mom to two beautiful kids, my son is 12 and my daughter just turned 15 months old. You can read her most recent update here. Aside from mommying, I work full time as a personal support worker in a mental health special care home. I’m not currently studying but I am halfway through the LPN program, I’m not sure if I’m going to return or not at the moment.

2. What is your favorite social media channel?

Currently it’s Instagram, I’m a visual person. So I love seeing everyone’s photos and there creativity. I’ve been busy trying grow my presence over the past two months and I’m really loving it.

3. If you had another channel, what would it be about?

I would really like to make booktube videos but my anxiety gets the better of me. But I’m hopeful that one of these days to dive into youtube. I’d like to creat book content ,as well as mommy lifestyle content.

4. Do you play an instruments?

No, but I would love to learn guitar.

5. What hobbies do you have other than reading?

I don’t have to much time for much else between the kids, work and reading. But I don’t binge a lot of tv, and I’m trying to get more into photography.

6. Favorite TV Shows?

Here is where I could go on forever but I’ll try and narrow it down a little. My all time favourite tv show will always be Gilmore Girls. I love this show and its characters so freaking much. Another fave is Game of Thrones, who else is excited for the final season?! Hmm let me see I also love The Office, Jane the Virgin, This is Us,Queer Eye and How to get away with murder. There’s more of course but I’ll stop here.

7. What got you into reading?

I have always been a huge reader, I didn’t have many friends growing up. Books ended up being my best friend and shaped who I am today. My dad would take me to the library during the summer and I’d spend hours browsing the shelves.

From goosebumps to the babysitters club. In middle school I became obsessed with Stephen King I couldn’t get enough. Then I discovered Harry Potter and it changed my life! I didn’t read as much in high school then I had Noah. Around the time Noah was 2 I started reading Twilight and it re ignited my love for reading and I never stoped.

8.What are your favorite and least favorite genres?

My heart will always belong to Fantasy. I love huge lush worlds full of magic. Also contemporary is becoming what I teach for the most. My least favourite would have to be historical, steampunk and westerns.

9.What books define your childhood?

I discussed some in an earlier question, but some others include Heartland, The Saddle Club, Shivers and Nancy Drew.

10.Tell us an interesting fact about you!

With The Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo

I received a copy from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

[Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links which means that if you click on a link and purchase something I’ve talked about or recommended, I’ll receive a very small percentage of the sale. ]

“Sometimes focusing on what you can control is the only way to lessen the pang in your chest when you think about the things you can’t.”

The first time I saw the cover of this book I fell in love, it is so gorgeous!! This book means so much to me! This story was very empowering. Emoni was such a strong character and full of passion. Also the amount of representation in the book was excellent. Emoni is part Puerto-Rican and Black and a  teenage mother, there is also a lesbian side character.

Emoni is told that she has a magic touch when it comes to cooking. She takes a recipe and makes her her own by adding spices she believes will enhance the flavors. I felt such a deep connection to Emoni, she is a badass single teen mom, with a beautiful little girl. Many of you probably don’t know that I had my son Noah when I was 17.  I understand her struggles, she wants to provide for her daughter. To make the right decisions so that there future will be secure. I have never felt such a connection with a character before, I cried so many tears throughout this book.

When Emoni discovers she has a chance to take a culinary cooking class as an elective in school. She cannot decide if it’s the right choice to take the class,they will also be going on a trip to Spain at the end of the semester. She already has to keep up with school work, and she works part time to help cover the cost of the baby, plus actually taking care of the baby. Emoni has a lot on her plate. She dreams of becoming a chef and someday working in a restaurant. This book could have been full of stereotypes about teen mother’s, but it wasn’t. It was a beautiful story, about a girl despite her circumstances goes after her dream. Oh my Goodness, I’m crying again just typing this review.

” I want to be able to take care of my own and the only thing I would want to study is culinary arts, but why try to learn that in a school when I could learn it in a real restaurant where I’m making money instead of spending it?”” 

The side character’s were also an amazing addition to the story, Emoni’s best friend is her rock. She has been there for her all through her pregnancy and remained after the baby was born. She is also a lesbian and has the cutest relationship!

The chapters are also really short which I loved. The start of new sections also has little recopies which I thought was a nice touch.It was next to impossible to put down With the Heat on High.

Overall, I would strongly recommend this book.

 Pre-Order With the Fire on High
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March Monthly Wrap Up

It’s that time again, the end of the month and that means I get to talk about all the books I’ve read. I felt a little slumpy that’s why Harry Potter is thrown in there, but I actually managed to read 9 books in March.

Books Read

Four Dead Queens by Astrid Scholte

Four Dead Queens is a a fantastic fantasy debut. This is a standalone where there are four quadrants and a queen rules each quadrant .This book is set up like a murder mystery— there are so many fantastic twists. I am absolutely blown away by this book. I devoured this book in a few days as I just couldn’t put it down.

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

This is my third time reading City of Bones, I have never made it past City of Glass, but 2019 will be the year I finish all of Cassandra Clare’s books. I still really love this first installment to the series. I love Clary and I always have, I cannot wait to see her development as a character, as for Jace I really don’t like him. I continue to find him annoying, and I don’t understand how so many people love him. I’m excited to see where this series goes.

Sorcery of Thorns by Magarete Rogerson

Sorcery of Thorns has been at the top of my list when it comes to 2019 releases. Enchanted of Ravens was one of my favorite books of  .To say I loved this book would not even begin to describe how I felt about it! I really liked  the romance. It was a slow burn romance, which is one of my favorite tropes. The ending was absolutely amazing It had me on the edge of my seat, and I honestly wanted to jump up and down!

Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets by J.K Rowling

I wasn’t planning on reading this book but my library hold for the audiobook came in, and I couldn’t pass that up. I’ve never listened to the audiobooks before, and its such a fun experience I would listen to it before bed, and theirs no pressure because I’ve read them so many times. This is probably my least favorite HP book, there isnt as much action as the first book, and Lockhart really annoys me.

With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo

The first time I saw the cover of this book I fell in love, it is so gorgeous!! This book means so much to me! This story was very empowering. Emoni was such a strong character and full of passion. Also the amount of representation in the book was excellent. Emoni is part Puerto-Rican and Black and a  teenage mother, there is also a lesbian side character.It was a beautiful story, about a girl despite her circumstances goes after her dream.

The Mermaids Voice Returns in This One by Amanda Lovelace

This is the final poetry collection in a three book series. Amanda has been my favorite poet since her Tumblr days, and I will forever support her. This collection focuses on sexual assault and her healing journey. Her writing is so raw and powerful, you can see she pours her heart and soul into each word.I really loved this collection.

The Risk by Elle Kennedy

Elle Kennedy is the queen of sports romance, and I don’t even like sports haha but I will read every book she writes. There just that good.From the very first page, I was obsessed with the banter between Brenna and Jake.I rated this book 5 stars, and I will have a full review up really soon!

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

I Buddy read this book with Amy and Amber. This book was so good that none of us stuck to the reading schedule, we just needed to know what happened next. I haven’t had much luck with thrillers lately and I’m happy to report that this one was really well done.This book is the very definition of a page-turner, the characters are not always what they seem, there complex and have lots of secrets. That ending though !!

The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren 

This was such a cute Rom-Com, it will make the perfect summer read. I finished it in two sitting, the pages just flew by. .I was laughing out loud and swooning over Ethan. I was obsessed with there banter! This book was such a fun ride and has me aching to pick up more books from Christina Lauren.

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How was your month of March? What were your favourite reads?

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March Book Haul

Hello bookworms! Can you believe Match is done in a few days. I’ve acquired quite a few books this month. I usually don’t buy to many but so many came out in March and April is another big book month. Also I want to say a huge thank you to all the publishers on Netgalley and Edelweiss. Okay enough talking, here are the books I’ve added to my collection this month!

Physical Books

Summer of Salt by Katrina Leno

Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon

The Mermaids Voice Returns in this One- Amanda LoveLace

Daisy Jones and the Six- Taylor Jenkins Reid

Five Feet Apart – Rachael Lippicott

Now you see her – Heidi Perks,  A Paperback copy was sent to me by the publisher as part of the Twitter party for the paperback release!

E-Books Bought

Shadow Me- Tahareh Mafi

Six of Crows -Leigh Bardugo

NetGalley/ Edelweiss

The Fever King by Victoria Lee

Aurora Rising by Amie Kauffman and Jay Kristoff

Lock Every Door by Riley Sager

Meet Cute- Helena Hunting

Fix Her Up – Tessa Bailey

Waiting For Tom Hanks – Kerry Winfrey

When We Left Cuba – Chanel Cleeton

My Lovely Wife – Samantha Downing

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That’s all for now, Let’s me know if you got any of these books, maybe we can buddy read!!

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Down The TBR Hole #18

Down the TBR Hole was originally created by Lost in a Story! The point of it is to Narrow down your GoodReads TBR shelf.

How it works:
➽ Go to your Goodreads to-read shelf.
➽ Order on ascending date added.
➽ Take the first 5 (or 10 if you’re feeling adventurous) books
➽ Read the synopses of the books
➽ Decide: keep it or should it go?

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The Six Books:

Red Sister by Mark Lawrence 

I can’t believe this book has sat on my TBR unread for so long, I’m really hoping to change that this year. Keep

The Handmaids Tale by Margaret Atwood

I bought the book shortly after the show was released, and this might make me a bad Canadian but I’ve lost interest in reading the book. I do however really want to watch the show. Delete

Cracked Kingdom by Erin Watt

Yes! I need to finish this series. I have loved all the other book’s, so i really need to get to this one. Keep

Words on the Bathroom Walls by Julia Walton

I have so many contemporaries to read, and as good as this one sounds, I’m interested in so many more. Delete

Everything Leads to You by Nina LaCour

Again, I’m going to let this one go. Its been on my TBR for years and I’ve yet to pick it yup. Delete

Vinyl by Sophia Elaine Hanson

I really want to read this one, to support Sophia, her poetry is amazing so I have no doubt that her novels will be anything less than great. Keep

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Sorcery Of Thorns by Magaret Rogerson

ARC received by Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

Sorcery of Thorns has been at the top of my list when it comes to 2019 releases. Enchanted of Ravens was one of my favorite books of  .To say I loved this book would not even begin to describe how I felt about it!

Elisabeth, works as an apprentice in a magical library full of magical books with souls, who whisper and interact with the characters. When the books get damaged they turn into huge rampaging monsters. Elisabeth’s interactions with the grimoires gave me all the feels! Elisabeth inst like all the other apprentices, she grew up in the library having been abandoned on its steps as a baby, the other apprentices only start to study at the library at the age of thirteen.  Despite growing up in the library some of the wardens look down on her.

When a dangerous grimoire is released Elisabeth is is thrown into the middle of the situation and soon find herself with charges against her. She is taken away from the library by the Magister,a sorcerer she had briefly met in the past. He is to bring her to the capital to be judged for her crimes.

Elisabeth: I loved her so much! Honestly one of my new favorite characters!! She is full of sass, always getting herself into trouble. She was a badass, and didn’t take crap from anyone and stood up for those she cared about. She also has a soft spot when it comes to the grimoires, I love how she interacts with them.

Nathaniel: I fell in love with immediately. He is such a soft boy! He is also Bi. He openly says that he enjoys the company of men and women. He is portrayed as the villain but he is so much more than a sorcerer.

Silas: OHMYGOD I loved him so much!! He is a demon that turns into a big white fluffy cat. He is bound to Nathaniel but there relationship goes way beyond master and servant. He genuinely cares for Nathaniel, though he tries to hide it. I love that he is supposed to be this evil powerful demon, but he cooks and makes sure there all dressed nicely.

Another thing that I really liked was the romance. It was a slow burn romance, which is one of my favorite tropes. There relationship is everything, its so sweet. You can feel the tension are there interacts become more frequent.

The ending was absolutely amazing It had me on the edge of my seat, and I honestly wanted to jump up and down! I will 100% be pre-ordering the hardback.Sorcery Of Thorns will be released on June 4 2019, and i strongly urge you all to pick it up!

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Top Ten Tuesday:Books On My Spring 2019 TBR

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018.

This weeks topic is what books are on your spring tbr, while I don’t like making monthly tbr’s, I do try and make seasonal lists. I am so excited that it’s finally spring, I am so over this cold weather and there are so many amazing book’s being released it was hard to narrow it down. So here are the books that I’m hoping to get to this Spring season!

Spring TBR

1. Wicked Saints by Emily A Duncan

2. Aurora Rising by Amie Kauffman and Jay Kristoff

3. Lock Every Door by Riley Sager

4. The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren

5. Descendant of the Crane by Joan He

6. We Hunt The Flame by Hafsah Faizal

7. Say You Still Love Me by K A Tucker

8.The Risk by Elle Kennedy

9.Summer of Salt by Katrina Leno

10. The Bride Test by Helen Hoang

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I am seriously so excited for all of these releases!

Is there any books i mentioned that are also on your TBR? What books are you most exciting to read this spring?

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Aquicorn Cove by Katie O’Neill

Katie O’Neil had the most breathtakingly adorable illustrations! The Aquicorns are the perfect mixture of unicorn and seahorse. The panel colors are beautiful all in light pastels, the art represent s the mood of the story perfectly.

Aquicorn Cove follows a young girl named Lana, she along with her father come to visit her Auntie Mae. There was recently a really bad storm on her little island. Lana is grieving the loss of her mother. She feels a strong connection to her mother being on the island, where she grew up. This graphic novel does a beautiful job describing grief and sadness. Lana shows the reader through flashbacks just how alone she feels in her new town, without her mother by her side.

Once arriving on the island Lana realizes just how much she misses the ocean. As Lana explores the beach, she discovers a small injured auquicorn. With the help of her aunt, they care for the small creature.

This story also addresses important issues such as climate change, pollution, and over-fishing. Lana learns of the effect the island has on these sea creatures, she decides to take responsibility for protecting the ocean.

I cannot wait to read Katie’s other works, and I highly recommend this graphic novel. It is a middle grade story but I believe everyone can benefit from reading.

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