While there are still a couple weeks left of the official summer season, temps are dropping and I have a few months worth of reading to fill y'all in on. I'll admit that I was definitely slacking in the ROONIE updates department for a while, but I'm happy to report that I successfully presented my final paper and wrapped up the Masters degree I was working on! With that accomplishment under my belt and no more homework on my plate, I'll have even more time to devote to ROONIE than I did before.
Bride by Ali Hazelwood
Overall Rating: 4.0 Stars
Format: Spotify Audiobook
I'm excited to see Hazelwood dabbling in the paranormal romance genre! This book had a great plot based around the union of a vampire bride and werewolf husband during a time of tension between their species. But she made sure to pay tribute to her STEM romance roots, with the FMC being a tech wiz.
The relationship between the main characters is the kind where one knows that they're mates but feels like they can't tell the other because there's just no way it would ever work. There is also a bit of mystery and the hunt to solve it thrown in here which adds for a side plot that is quite intriguing!
Hazelwood definitely brought the heat with the spicy scenes in this one. It is a bit of a slow burn, but once that light catches, it builds quickly. These scenes were not overbearing enough to distract from the story, though, they were perfectly scattered throughout the second half of the book. The epilogue left me feeling like there will for sure be another book to follow this one, but giving us the story of a different set of characters.
Crescent City House of Sky and Breath by Sarah J. Maas
Overall Rating: 4.0 Stars
Format: Physical Paperback
Independently, I think this was a good book. As always with Maasverse books, there was lots of action and tension that kept me wanting to read another chapter each time I swore the previous one was my last before bed. However, it did not live up to the expectations I had after reading the first book in this series which is an absolute masterpiece of fiction writing.
🚨SPOIELRS AHEAD🚨
🚨SPOIELRS AHEAD🚨
🚨SPOIELRS AHEAD🚨
The ending of this book left me quite conflicted. As an ACOTAR fangirl, part of me was stoked to find out Bryce ended up in Prythian with the inner circle and was introduced to the High Lord of the Night Court himself. But another part of me was a bit worried that Maas is going to continue riding the coattails of the ACOTAR series. I think I felt this way because I wasn't as blown away as I expected to be with the book itself and throwing Prythian in at the end just felt like throwing the CC series a life preserver.
I genuinely hope that the third book in this series honors the ACOTAR legacy and wins me over again for the CC series.
None of This is True by Lisa Jewell
Overall Rating: 3.5 Stars
Format: Spotify Audiobook
I think the title of this book was a little too straightforward and made the twists not as exciting or surprising, as I spent the whole time second guessing everything. Part of me doesn't even want to believe the ending, which leaves the whole thing feeling like an unsolved mystery case.
I didn’t connect to a single character in this story, either. None of them were relatable or easy to empathize with. I was really not a fan of the pedophile defense and victim blaming towards the end. A 40+ year old man should not be seduced by a 15 year old girl!
The most redeeming aspect of this book was that I listened to it on Spotify and loved the narration style. It listened a lot like a podcast with a wide array of voice actors for different witness interviews and encounters. That part was really cool. I’d love to find more audiobooks like this one in that aspect.
Wild About You by Kaitlyn Hill
Overall Rating: 4.0 Stars
Format: Physical Paperback
I ate this book up. Period.
It is a wholesome romance set in a reality TV show where random strangers are coupled up and then have to hike the Appalachian Trail and compete in challenges with the goal of winning the show and getting the prize money. The characters are all college aged and there is no spice, so this is a great read for a romance reader who enjoys lighthearted or some of the younger members of our reading community.
As a transplant to East TN myself, I loved the setting of this book and appreciated the opportunity to support an up-and-coming author who is also a local to the Smoky Mountains herself!
Mindf*ck Series by S. T. Abby
Overall Rating: 4.5 Stars
Format: Kindle Unlimited
This is a series of five short (the longest one is 177 pages) books and each one is just as good as the previous, so I am reviewing the series as a whole.
I LOVED IT.
Honestly, the only reason I didn't give the whole 5.0 stars is because some of it was just so unrealistic to me. Specifically the end of the last book. The life that the characters in the end live is just way too much of a 180 from where they started and it threw it all off for me. The support characters' side romance also felt way too rushed. Other than those points, the series was great.
Think Criminal Minds but one of the serial killers they're hunting also happens to be Derek Morgan's girlfriend. There are graphic scenes and content that may be uncomfortable for some readers. Please keep that in mind when going into it. But that is all I will say to keep this spoiler free. I went into this series blind and it was great.
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
Overall Rating: 3.8 Stars
Format: Physical Paperback
The first half of this book left me really wondering where the hype came from. It is a slow start with world building and character introductions. I was frustrated with some of the interactions and characters not speaking up about the bullying that should have been addressed.
However, the book did pick up in the latter half. I cannot say that I am completely on board with the hype after finishing it, but am definitely into it enough to continue reading the series. I hope the rest of the series keeps getting better and I have a more solid review for it as a whole in the future. Right now, I am just on the fence about it.
Rule Number One by Katherine Hastings
Overall Rating: 3.0 Stars
Format: e-Book
The characters in this book were just too much for me and the plot was predictable. I bought this e-book while it was free and don't see myself keeping it in my library.
Ivy is a babbling mess and not the kind of FMC that I can really put my support behind. Ethan is too good to be true and no man would pine after a woman he doesn't even know the way he did for Ivy. Personally, I am not a fan of the miscommunication or suppressed feelings tropes and that is the whole basis of this book.
Also, what kind of sister encourages you to get plastered and then sleep with a random stranger in a place you are not familiar with and have no trusted family or friends nearby (Ivy is on vacation at the beginning of the book) to get over a bad breakup (her boyfriend left her stranded on said vacation when his WIFE showed up and exposed him for cheating)?
Earth and Ember by Lindsey Pogue
Overall Rating: 4.0 Stars
Format: Spotify Audiobook
This audiobook was long. Very long. But held onto my interest the entire time.
I was surprised with how much I enjoyed listening to this book, considering how different it is to the stuff I usually enjoy.
I'd describe this as a sort of dystopian cowboys and Indians situation where resources are extremely limited and both populations realize that if they want to survive then it is time to overcome their blood feud and find peace. Of course, not everyone is on the same page about it and there are individuals who still need thorough convincing.
Kaia is one of the strongest FMCs I have read about in a while and I greatly enjoyed her courage and dedication to herself AND her people. Luke has a good heart, but has made mistakes that he doesn't believe Kaia can forgive. While their romance is not the main focal point of this book, it is a tense and appreciated addition!
Touched by Fire by Kel Carpenter
Overall Rating: 5.0 Stars
Format: Spotify Audiobook
My favorite book of the summer. I knew that I would enjoy this book based on the synopsis, but did not realize just how much I would.
The pace and writing of this book were perfect to keep readers engaged and on their toes. Every bit of information we're given leaves us wanting to know more and the cliffhanger that the book ends on is chefs kiss. I was immediately scouring Spotify to make sure the next book in this series is available to listen to.
Piper is a supernatural bounty hunter. Her sister is in a magic induced coma. She's bounty hunting to make a living, but also to find a way to bring her sister back to consciousness. One of her assignments almost leads her to an answer. But instead of finding a solution, she comes to face to face with an even bigger problem. A demon who believes himself to be her soulmate...
These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong
Overall Rating: 3.5 Stars
Format: Kindle Unlimited
This book dragged for the first 60% and I had to force myself to keep going. Everything just seemed to be progressing at a snail's pace and the encounters with the madness were repetitive. It is also obvious from very early on that the main characters are battling feelings for each other. However, the last bit was pretty good. The story did pick up towards the end when they started connecting dots of the origin of this madness and how they thought they could stop it. The book ends on a complete cliff hanger. I will probably read the second book but not right now.
I do wish the author would have used a bit more imagination in terms of character names... it's a Romeo & Juliet retelling with characters named Roma Montagova and Juliette Cai
The Housemaid's Secret by Freida McFadden
Overall Rating: 3.75 Stars
Format: Kindle Unlimited
My favorite things about this book are the pacing of the story and how easy it is to fly through the read, much like the first one. To me, both books so far have been low stress and just fun to read. The series isn't gripping and mind blowing like other thrillers can be, but that's not always what I want to reach for.
There were a couple things about this book that bothered me enough to drop my rating below 4.0 stars:
1. Poor broccoli. He tries so hard and deserves better.
2. Where is savage Millie who tortured a man for days?
3. Similar to book one, the end is too easy and felt quite rushed.
Things I enjoyed about this book:
1. Psycho rich housewife. Specifically, the fact that I despised her. Writing has to be good to provoke such emotions.
2. Revenge.
3. Enzo.
Want to share your thoughts? Feel free to comment below or find us on Instagram and give us a shout there. I’d love to hear about your favorite reads or moments from the summer.
Samantha H.
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