Tag Archives: 2 fire emojis

Any Way the Wind Blows — Rainbow Rowell — Simon Snow #3

“This thing between us didn’t start with us dating. It didn’t even start when you kissed me. You’re in me so deep, I wouldn’t know how to dig you out. I may get fed up with you… But, Simon, I’ll never get tired of you.”

Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, LGBTQIA+
Actual Rating: 4.5 stars
Spicy Meter: 2 fire emojis
Content Warnings: Magical violence, death of parent, animal death, murder and murder attempts. Discusses mental illness. Also, has more sexual content than the other books, 10/10.

“Any Way the Wind Blows” follows our already loved wizards (and not)—Simon, Baz, Penelope, Shep, Agatha, Niamh—as they fall apart and then come to terms with their changing realities, as they visit Watford again. It’s a sweet ending to an action-packed series.

Originally I did not start reading Rainbow Rowell in search of fantasy and magical stories, I started reading her YA romance novels and that’s when I ran into “Fangirl” and fell in love with Cath and her world, yes, but I also fell for Simon Snow and the other characters Cath wrote about. So, when I heard Rainbow had published Simon’s book it was insane. Then make that a trilogy. It’s been precious.

Simon is such a teenager, I love it. This has truly been a coming-of-age triology. The second book, “Wayward Son”, was not my favorite, but the series redeemed itself with its third installment. There are a few things that were left up in the air and that kills me, given it’s the last book, but I still appreciated this closure.

If you’re a Harry Potter fan but don’t want to give J.K. Rowling royalties anymore, definitely grab the Simon Snow trilogy. It’ll have all the magical goodness you crave (with a lot more spice and queerness).

If you click here, you’ll be redirected to Goodreads, so you can add the book to your TBR list.

Or you could click here, and be redirected to Amazon, so you can order the book.

Wayward Son — Rainbow Rowell — Simon Snow #2

“Can I?” (…)
“Can you what, Simon? Kiss me? Kill me? Break my heart?”

Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, LGBTQIA+
Actual Rating: 3.5 stars
Spicy Meter: 2 fire emojis
Content Warnings: Magical violence, death of parent, animal death, murder and murder attempts. Discusses suicide and suicide attempts, emotional abuse, and bullying. Describes fire injuries.

Simon Snow is in the middle of an identity crisis. He was the “Chosen One”, the one who’s beat the bad guys… so what now? After all is said and done, what is his purpose after the war? I guess a roadtrip will tell.

I did not feel like this book was true to the characters we met the first time around—hence the downmark from the previous book. Literally the only thing holding this book at 3.5 stars is Snowbaz. Simon and Baz are still as perfect as they come.

Another thing that put me off was that ending. Like, was it an ending at all? I feel like I just read some filler novel on the waits for the last book.

I would say only grab this book if you’re ready to not give up on the series. If you’re willing to read “Any Way The Wind Blows” even if you hate “Wayward Son”, then grab “Wayward Son”.

If you click here, you’ll be redirected to Goodreads, so you can add the book to your TBR list.

Or you could click here, and be redirected to Amazon, so you can order the book.

Carry On — Rainbow Rowell — Simon Snow #1

“You have to pretend you get an endgame. You have to carry on like you will; otherwise, you can’t carry on at all.”

Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, LGBTQIA+
Actual Rating: 4 stars
Spicy Meter: 2 fire emojis
Content Warnings: Magical violence, death of parent, animal death, murder and murder attempts. Discusses suicide and suicide attempts, emotional abuse, and bullying. Describes fire injuries.

“Carry On” follows Simon Snow, the Chosen One, and his friends, ex girlfriend, and his archnemesis, Baz, as they try to survive through their last year at the Watford School of Magicks.

“Carry On” was one of the books that, last year, in the middle of the pandemic, pulled me back into the world of reading. I was a big reader when I was younger, all through middle school and high school, but as I delved into university it kind of became hard to take the time to do what I loved doing instead of what I needed to do.

Basically, “Carry On” is a ode to childish academic magic, and a gift to all Harry Potter lovers looking for a queer, non-homophobic alternative to the series we once loved.

Looking back to my review of this book, posted in Goodreads on June 2021, the only salvageable comment is how I do not like how many POVs this novel had, it got exhausting and confusing to keep up with. Now, I can just say that it’s a fun, not-so-short read that’ll bring you into a world of magic and chaos. I ultimately loved it.

I mean, I guess I already gave all my recommendations but, basically, if you like books about magic and Harry Potter, and don’t shy away from some queer romance, then you’re gonna love “Carry On”.

If you click here, you’ll be redirected to Goodreads, so you can add the book to your TBR list.

Or you could click here, and be redirected to Amazon, so you can order the book.

“You were the sun, and I was crashing into you. I’d wake up every morning and think, ‘This will end in flames.’ ”

ARC — Kiss Her Once for Me — Alison Cochrun

“Honesty game: I feel like I’ve known you forever.”

Genre: Romance, LGBTQIA+
Actual Rating: 5+ star emojis
Spicy Meter: 2 fire emojis
Content Warnings: As given by the author—there are moments of homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia. Deals with generalized anxiety disorders and stigmas around neurodiversity. Mentions adultery and cheating.

“Kiss Her Once for Me” follows Ellie Oliver, an animator and demisexual hopeless romantic, through two very impactful moments of her life—both revolving around the winter holidays. Bring on December 2021, where Ellie has just moved to Portland and is working at an animation studio, when she unexpectedly has a meet-cute and calamitous one night stand with Jack, only to never see her again. Then flash-forward to December 2022, where she’s working as a barista after losing her dream job in animation and she somehow agrees to fake-marry the coffee shop’s cute landlord, Andrew, so he can get his inheritance. But before they get married, Ellie has to endure a few days at his family’s cabin, celebrating Christmas… only to find out Andrew’s sister who he’s referred to as Jacqueline is actually Jack. The same Jack who broke Ellie’s heart last Christmas. -Queue in “Last Christmas” by Taylor Swift (2007 cover)-

First things first: get this book as a Christmas/holiday gift for all your lesbian, bisexual, queer, and sapphic-loving reader friends. Now. Go order them so they’ll be there for the holidays. I cannot begin to explain how much I loved this book.

“Kiss Her Once for Me” will be hands down my favorite holiday book this season—I have no proofs but also no doubts. This book had it all. Fake dating? Check. Marriage of convenience? Check. Miscommunication? Check. Close proximity? Check. Diverse characters? Check. Character growth? Check. Epic sapphic couple? Check check check.

I would not change a single thing about this book. Alison Chochrun is a swiftie, alright? The amount of times Taylor Swift is mentioned cannot be a coincidence, and I was there for it. I, too, have devoted countless hours to listening to Taylor Swift. I, too, believe evermore is an ode to Christmas. I, too, believe Lover is the superior album.

It isn’t the most explicit read, but there are some steamy scenes—and although this usually knocks down some stars while rating, I didn’t mind it too much through this read. The kissed were sweet and the conversation and intimacy achieved through communication was stellar. I did not feel like something was missing when I finished this read.

I would highly recommend “Kiss Her Once for Me” if you’re looking for a sapphic romance full of wintery feels. If you enjoy books by authors like Casey McQuiston, Rachael Lippincott, and Alexis Hall, then Alison Cochrun’s writing is right up your alley. This was such a fluid, lovely read. Oh, how I wish I could start reading it for the first time all over again.

If you click here, you’ll be redirected to Goodreads, so you can add the book to your TBR list.

Or you could click here, and be redirected to Amazon, so you can order the book.

ARC provided by Atria Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: November 01, 2022

ARC — Archangel’s Resurrection — Nalini Singh — Guild Hunter #15

“The kiss, it was everything, feeding his parched soul and healing broken things inside him.”

Genre: Romance, Fantasy
Actual Rating: 4 stars
Spicy Meter: 2 fire emojis
Content Warnings: Some sexual content and lots of violence and death.

“Archangel’s Resurrection” is the 15th book in Nalini Singh’s Guild Hunter series, and it follows Alexander, Archangel of Persia, and Zanaya, Queen of the Nile, through their impossible love story. We see them grow up, grow together, and grow apart out of necessity. Starting before they’re ascended to archangels and ending in a distrustful happily ever after, this romance is worth the eons it took to make.

Is it so wrong of me to want someone to love me as much as Alexander loves Zani? Is it? Okay, okay, so first things first: I am new to this series, but I did my research before reading this advanced reader copy (ARC)—and by that I mean I read summaries for the other books and decided to be open to any plotlines I might have missed. Basically, I got comfortable with not knowing.

I would not call this a standalone novel by any means, but I do give it credit where credit is due: you don’t need much background story to understand and appreciate this story Nalini Singh has brought together. It was a bit slow-paced for my liking, but I love the characters’ introspection, I feel like I got to know them so well (or perhaps old readers already knew them, but they were all new to me).

Based on what I saw from Nalini’s writing, I would highly recommend this book and this series. I didn’t believe I would enjoy this book as much as I did, especially this being my first exposure to the series. I don’t have time to grab this series right now but I am so tempted to tackle it on, page-count be damned.

If you click here, you’ll be redirected to Goodreads, so you can add the book to your TBR list.

Or you could click here, and be redirected to Amazon, so you can order the book.

ARC provided by Berkley Publishing Group through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I am part of this book’s blog tour, but this in no way affects this review.

Publication Date: October 25, 2022

“I love you, my Zani. I will love you till the end of time, whether that is tomorrow or eons from now.”

ARC — Did Not Finish — Nicola Marsh

Author: Nicola Marsh
Narrated By: Kendra Murray and Connor Brown.

Genre: Romance
Actual Rating: 4 stars
Spicy Meter: 2 fire emojis
Content Warnings: Discusses domestic abuse, parent death, car crashes, and snow storms. Has some sexual content and innuendos.

“Did Not Finish” follows Mia Samson, a book reviewer and aspiring author, as she is chosen to spend a week in a writers’ retreat with 5 other new writers and her favorite author, Axel Low. Little is known about this multi-bestselling author, Axel, so Mia was stoked to be there, with the non-disclosure agreement and all, by a small town in Nebraska—all her Gilmore Girls dreams were coming true. One thing she did not expect, though, was how they would be snowed in for that week… alone. Mia arrived a day before everyone else, so Axel could tear her novel apart, the same way Mia tore other’s careers apart with her DNF reviews. In this close-proximity and stranded approach to an enemies-to-lovers story, you’ll get to know Mia and Axel in depth, with all their doubts and insecurities.

If I’m being honest, I almost did not request this audiobook because the cover simply wasn’t for me. The color scheme, the fonts… It just did not look like the kind of books I usually like. I am so so glad I looked past that.

“Did Not Finish” tells the story of a warm romance stuck in the middle of a snowstorm. Starting with a sexual attraction and then moving into something more, it was great to see how Axel and Mia opened up to each other. This book is fast-paced and I was there for it.

I was lucky enough to get an advanced reader copy of the audiobook of this novel and I must say I loved the experience. I feel like there are books that work and there are books that don’t when performed as an audiobook, but this was definitely a book that did, if that makes sense. Mia’s and Axel’s voices, as narrated by Kendra Murray and Connor Brown, were just as I would have imaged them. The quality of the audiobook and narration are unparalleled, I am so glad I got to experience it.

About the actual contents of the story, we know things get frisky, but we don’t get too much detail on that. We also get to see how these characters have some moments of miscommunication due to their own traumas and doubts. I’m well aware this wasn’t a suspense book, but throughout the novel we know things about one character that the other character doesn’t know and that felt forbidden, low-key illegal. Like, with every single miscommunication we knew exactly what went wrong and what was the truth behind the misunderstanding.

I think Mia and Axel are an unusual pair, but I’m still happy they got their happily ever after. The grand gesture that came from the last misunderstanding was so sweet. Then, the epilogue was all we needed it to be. If I weren’t happily in a relationship, I would wonder why these kinds of things wouldn’t happen to me as a reviewer.

I would highly recommend this novel if you like books about books (and reviewers and authors). I found it hilarious how these characters talked about tropes when they were following tropes themselves. Nicola Marsh did an amazing job at capturing the subtle rivalry between reviewer and book author and she gave us a romance to remember long after the book is over.

If you click here, you’ll be redirected to Goodreads, so you can add the book to your TBR list.

Or you could click here, and be redirected to Amazon, so you can order the book.

ARC provided by NetGalley and Dreamscape Media, and published by Thorpe Bowker, in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: October 04, 2022

It’s In His Kiss — Julia Quinn — Bridgertons #7

Genre: Historical Romance
Actual Rating: 2 stars
Spicy Meter: 2 fire emojis
Content Warnings: Discusses parent death, unhappy marriages, and bastard son abuse.

“It’s In His Kiss” is the seventh book in the Bridgerton series, and it follows Hyacinth Bridgerton, the youngest of eight Bridgerton siblings, as she falls in love and solves a mystery. It also follows Gareth St. Clair, the legitimate (born in wedlock) but bastard (not sired by who is supposed to be his father) son of a very rude man.

I hated every moment of this book, it took me forever to read—it’s almost encouraging me not to read Bridgerton #8, but at this point it’d be sad if I didn’t push through. “It’s In His Kiss” could easily win the title to my least favorite Bridgerton book… it’s definitely in the running.

Hyacinth was irrevocably annoying and Gareth was rude and off-puttingly insecure. There wasn’t even that much there with the sexy scenes, Hyacinth was annoying all the same, with some repetitive thing she would bring up whenever they were close.

I would recommend you just skip this book altogether, but maybe that’s just me.

If you click here, you’ll be redirected to Goodreads, so you can add the book to your TBR list.

Or you could click here, and be redirected to Amazon, so you can order the book.

ARC — The Bodyguard — Katherine Center

“There’s nothing like the mutuality of a hug—the way you’re giving comfort but you’re getting it, too. I didn’t know what was real or fake anymore, but right then, it just didn’t matter.”

Genre: Women’s Fiction
Actual Rating: 5 stars
Spicy Meter: 2 fire emojis (stays PG13, but it’s great)
Content Warnings: Mentions cheating, cancer, car crashes, and discusses the loss of parents and alcoholism.

“The Hating Game” meets “Spoiler Alert” (or Starstruck, that Disney movie from the 2000s) in this exceptional novel about an Executive Protection Agent (essentially a bodyguard) and a superstar falling in love. “The Bodyguard” follows Hannah Brooks, a recently-dumped, ordinary-and-stumpy Executive Protection Agent, and Jack Stapleton, a famous actor who took a hiatus after a tragic accident that led to the death of one of his brothers. Now that Jack’s mother has been diagnosed with cancer, he steps back into society and is forced to get a security team—but refuses to scare his mother with the fact that he needs security at all. So in comes Hannah, who is lowkey forced to be Jack’s fake girlfriend while they stay at his family’s ranch. But when does faking end and reality starts? That’s for them to find out.

Oh God, I can’t even begin to explain how much I enjoyed this book. I loved the characters, I loved the plot and the writing, I hated the villains (for a change), and I just couldn’t get enough of the fanfiction feel of it all. I just have to mention it again: I can’t believe how good of a villain we got, I don’t know who I hated more: her ex boyfriend or her ex best friend, that’s all I’m saying.

Also, I can’t believe this is my first Katherine Center book, I’ll definitely be adding her to my TBR list. I really enjoyed her writing, her descriptions are there but aren’t long enough to be boring. The characters she crafted were both relatable and fantastical, in the best sense of the word. Both Hannah and Jack were so sweet. It’s like you know the things that happened in this book probably wouldn’t happen in real life, but they still technically could, and it would be wonderful if they did.

I also couldn’t tell you if this book was a slow burn or not, because it sort of was, but, at the same time, it felt like a romance from the start, even if that was fake. What I can tell you is that this book is filled with character development and growth, not just two shallow characters pining after one another.

I would recommend “The Bodyguard” to any readers who’ve enjoyed close proximity and fake dating trope books, like “The Spanish Love Deception” by Elena Armas, “The Unhoneymooners” by Christina Lauren, or “The Hating Game” by Sally Thorne. Also, if you’ve been into fanfiction at any point in your life, or if you’ve ever had a big crush on someone famous, this book is for you.

If you click here, you’ll be redirected to Goodreads, so you can add the book to your TBR list.

Or you could click here, and be redirected to Amazon, so you can order the book.

ARC provided by NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: July 19, 2022

“To what we’ve held onto. And what we’ve lost.”

The Temporary Roomie — Sarah Adams — It Happened In Nashville #2

Genre: Romance, Comedy
Actual Rating: 2 stars
Spicy meter: 2 fire emojis
Content Warnings: Mentions cheating and parent death, other than that none that I can think of.

“The Temporary Roomie” is the second book in the It Happened In Nashville series, and this time we’re following Jessie, Lucy’s new bestie, and Drew, Lucy’s brother. This book is set after the first book in the series, which was titled “The Off Limits Rule” but it could almost be read as a stand-alone. Jessie is far along in her pregnancy when she is essentially left homeless due to some plumbing issues in her house. Initially, she moves in with Lucy and Cooper, but they have a noisy house with a toddler running around when all Jessie wants to do is rest up before her baby arrives. And so on she goes and moves in with Drew, Lucy’s older brother, who’s a gynecologist and a bachelor who’s used to having roommates. The only problem? Jessie has hated Drew from day one, before even knowing him– so wouldn’t this be the perfect time to bug him out of his mind? Through a series of pranks, will Jessie and Drew grow closer or further apart?

I don’t know how I could like the first book in a series so much and then hate the second… But that’s exactly what has happened here. And it’s so confusing because I loved the romance between Jessie and Drew, but I hated the “getting there” part of it all. Like when they got together it was lovely, but you could’ve added those scenes into any other context, in any other romance, and it would’ve worked. Realistically, I don’t think Jessie and Drew would’ve ended together, given the way they treated each other if this was real life. And yes, I know it’s a book, and it’s precisely fiction, but when I’m reading pure romance I like it when the setting is somewhat possible. But I don’t know, maybe that’s just me.

I don’t think I will be recommending this book to anyone personally, but if you like books where there’s a lot of rude pranking and a lot of pregnancy talk, then this book might be for you.

If you click here, you’ll be redirected to Goodreads, so you can add the book to your TBR list.

Or you could click here, and be redirected to Amazon, so you can order the book.

ARC — Together We Burn — Isabel Ibañez

“Because it isn’t about my not wanting you, (…) I do, damn it. I do. So stay and talk to me, because if I can’t have more, then let me have less.”

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Actual Rating: 3.5 stars
Spicy Meter: 2 fire emojis
Content Warnings: Mentions parental death, violence, and animal death.

“Together We Burn” follows Zarela Zaldivar, a known flamenco dancer who’s the daughter of a famous Dragonador (so like, a matador but with dragons instead of bulls), as she tries to keep her family business afloat after her father is injured during one of the shows. To do so, she’ll need some help, and so in comes Arturo Diaz de Montserra, a dragon hunter who immediately sets it off with the wrong foot with Zarela. But after another accident takes place, Zarela starts to think that perhaps these aren’t accidents at all, but someone looking to bring the Zaldivar family down. Will Zarela and Arturo overlook their differences and work together to save things they both hold dear? Will truths be uncovered?

You know when a book captivates you right from the first line? Well, this was it. Isabel Ibañez wrote “My mother died screaming my name,” and she had me. I read this book in one sitting.

I loved the Spanglish aspects of this novel since Spanish is my native language. I loved the characters and the love story that was woven into the adventurous parts of this fantasy novel. And it wasn’t only Zarela and Arturo, no, I loved the side characters and, well, just from the premise of the book I knew animal cruelty would be involved, so keep that in mind, but it certainly wasn’t overly gruesome or as sensationalized as it could be. Ibañez simply writes it as it is, in this world of fantasy. The only think I didn’t like about this book (other than the animal cruelty) was that it could be overdramatic at times–which I guess is to be expected of a YA novel, but oh well.

I would recommend this book if you like the enemies-to-lovers trope, if you know and appreciate Spanish culture, or if you’re looking for a relatively short but entertaining fantasy standalone book. The world-building was complex but it didn’t feel forced. This was truly a masterpiece.

If you click here, you’ll be redirected to Goodreads, so you can add the book to your TBR list.

Or you could click here, and be redirected to Amazon, so you can order the book.

ARC provided by NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review.

“He’s all of the warm and sultry flavors of Santivilla. I hold smoke and fire and sweet wine in my mouth. We catch on fire under a million stars. Together we burn.”

Publication Date: May 31, 2022