Andie

I liked it, definitely enjoyable but kinda forgettable. I might feel this way because I've read too many books with the same trope.

I don't have words to describe any of this mess.
This is not a romance, this is a dysfunctional, disturbing, romanticized abusive relationship. It's toxic and unhealthy.
600 pages of no character development, zero character growth, no plot and choppy writing.
Don't recommend and won't continue this series.

That endiiiiiiiiing! I need to know what's going to happen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok, I just had a mini breakdown because that ending gave me chills. I'm loving this series! These characters are so amazing! I love Tessa, Will, Jem, Charlotte and Sophie! I can't believe I waited this long to start this series. Now, all I want to do is binge read EVERY BOOK in the Shadowhunter's world. I'm really curious about The Dark Artifices series. And now... CLOCKWORK PRINCESS!

Reading this book in the dark was probably the stupidest idea I had in a while.
Couldn't sleep after reading it! What a haunting scary ride!

So, I hated Jax in the Rivals series but I loved Annie (Jax daughter) and Tyler so much that I wanted more of their past as children... so I decided to read this series and I really liked Haley! Jax... was hot I guess. I understand why Haley is attracted to him but I'm still not in love with him. Overall, I enjoyed it.

2.5 stars
Definitely, the most unique book I've read this year. A dark feminist retelling of Macbeth and I loved the concept.
Sadly, the writing style wasn't for me. It constantly pulled me out of the story and it affected my enjoyment.

This sequel is amazing, this world is fantastic and I'm officially obsessed with this series.
After The Raven and The Dove's ending, I was so anxious to start The Hunter and The Mage. I was happy that it started up right where the first book ended. It was a roller-coaster and I read it in a day. Couldn't stop!
The multiple POVs kept me enraptured by the story, the details about the magic system, the world above and the world below painted a perfect picture of Lyanna's world and Malek's world. The world building is so impressive, there's so many distinctive details between the worlds and the dynamics are so different and vivid. Both worlds are stunning with amazing characters, a rich detailed magic system and an ancient mysterious prophecy about a queen and a king that can save both worlds.
This story is breathtaking and captivating, with flawed, wonderful and, at times, infuriating characters. Rafe and Xander are definitely my favorites and I devoured their POVs. Lyanna was a little off balance at the beginning of the story, which was understandable, fortunately she really shined through the story and grew into an amazing, strong heroine. I really loathe Malek, can't stand the way he controlled everyone and how he justified his actions for the sake of the greater good. Cassi... Well, Cassi was the most infuriating character ever! Especially because I don't want to care for her but then she did a few noble actions here and there and I ended up caring again, you know? 
I loved The Hunter and The Mage, I think it's a beautifully written tale of magic, love, friendship, survival and unexpected twists. I'm in love with this compelling series and I'm really looking forward to the next book. Highly recommended, a top favorite of 2020.

Books, Coffee & Passion

I wanted to read at least 2 nonfiction books in 2020 and I decided to pick Scrappy Little Nobody because I thought it would be fun. This book is hilarious, sassy, crazy and enjoyable. It felt honest and real, almost like reading a letter from a friend that was telling me about their life.
Pitch Perfect is only mentioned briefly unfortunately, but there are stories about Camp, Twilight, Into The Woods, Up in the Air that I really loved to read. I think my favorite part is when Anna talks about her performance at the Oscars with Neil Patrick Harris and Jack Black.
There was a chapter or two that in my opinion didn't add much, like the fake parties chapter, but overall it was super funny and charming. Anna Kendrick is insecure, awkward, stubborn, hilarious, sarcastic and surprisingly relatable. I was surprised by how much she shared about her insecurities and her romantic life, it was very refreshing.
Scrappy Little Nobody is a funny, charming, witty, entertaining book.

I enjoyed it but I wasn't very surprised by the ending. The build up to figuring out who was the murderer felt a little flat and when it ended I just didn't care much because I already predicted it. All the hype made me expect a lot more from this story.
The characters were likable and I was definitely rooting for all 4.
Overall, enjoyable and entertaining. I just think I wanted a shocking twist. A bang. And it didn't happen at least for me.

Books, Coffee & Passion
I'm obsessed with podcasts so I knew I needed to read I Hope You're Listening as soon as I read its synopsis. Additionally, I couldn't resist the fact that it's a mystery thriller which made it perfect to read in October. I'm so glad I read it!
I read 50% in one sitting and I only stopped because I needed to work and while I was at work, I kept thinking about this story. As soon as I got home, I finished it because I literally couldn't wait. I guess you can tell I was really hooked! I totally was. From page one, this book kept me on my toes. Guessing, guessing, guessing. There's something about Tom Ryan's writing that captivated me completely and I just couldn't stop reading. I NEEDED to know what, who and why, especially regarding the main mystery. Yes, there's more than one mystery!
Dee is an amazing character, she kept so much to herself, she carried so much on her shoulders and even when she was being self-absorbed, like any teenager especially a teen that went through what she did when she was a child, I absolutely loved her. Burke, her childhood friend, was also a great character, their friendship was solid even with its ups and downs and I loved their moments together. I wish we could've seen more of Burke as the story developed. I also loved Dee's Dad, he was so funny and sweet. I really enjoyed the fact he was a stay-at-home Dad. Sarah, who moves into the house across the street, was a great addition to the story. She played a major role in Dee's character development and I really liked how their relationship grew. She was exactly what Dee needed.
There were a few things that I felt weren't explained well or at all. Sarah figures something out and I didn't get how she grasped it. It bothered me that Dee didn't even ask Sarah how she figured it out which made me feel like there was a piece of the puzzle missing. Also, one of the mysteries, the one wrapped up at the very end of the book, is solved but I couldn't figure out how too. I don't think we got the details of how the person who solved it got to the bottom of it or maybe I missed something? Anyway, I really loved how the main mystery is wrapped up, though, as well as the mystery that Dee, as The Seeker, was helping to solve on her podcast. This was the first book written by Tom Ryan I've read and it definitely won't be the last.
Overall, I Hope You're Listening is a gripping, emotional, fast paced, entertaining, solid YA mystery thriller. I recommend it to readers who enjoy this genre or that are looking for an enjoyable mystery October read.
Rep: LGBTQIAP+
TW: Drug use; Child Abduction/Kidnapping.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is a very powerful important anthology.
Families moving from their home country to a new one, leaving family and friends behind not knowing if they would see them again in the future, packing their whole live in one suitcase, feeling unsafe in their new country... it's gut-wrenching. So many different journeys. Almost every single one of these stories packed a punch and had such powerful messages.
There was only one story that I didn't enjoy.
I think everyone should read this.

2.5 stars
I read The Midnight Swimming Club to fulfill a prompt in Becca's Bookopoly Readathon: Highest Rated. At the time, it was the highest rated book on my TBR Goodreads shelf.
The synopsis was very promising and I was excited to read it. Unfortunately, I didn't realize that this book is only 139 pages long. The heavy topics in this story were just too many for its page length. And it showed.
On the other hand, I still empathized with Patricia and all the things she was going through. It's an entertaining story. There were a few absurd, yet hilarious, scenes and a few heavy moments. I kept wishing during the entire story that Patricia would talk to her dad and/or her mom but this is a common issue in a YA contemporary book in my opinion. The fact that everything was happening too fast, meant that a lot of the heavy topics were not expanded enough. Overall, I liked the story but I wish it was fully developed.
TW: bullying, body shaming, peer pressure, divorce, suicide.

5 stars of pure enjoyment!
I was not ready for that ending and I freaking loved it. The perfect ending to a love triangle.
I'm obsessed with the Shadowhunters world and I can't wait to read The Dark Artifices next!

I loved it!
This world is amazing! Can't wait for the next books!!!

Books, Coffee & Passion
Second Dive is the third book in the Kings of the Water series but it can be read as a standalone. I haven't read the other two books in this series, but I'm intrigued so I might go back to read them. I will definitely keep an eye out for the next book in this series that will be Hunter's, one of Noah's best friends, story.
I went into Second Dive thinking it would be angsty, funny and sweet. I wasn't ready for this story. This was so emotional, it tugged at my heartstrings and played games with my heart. Everything that Chloe went through, was still going through, was a lot. A LOT. Noah was awful to her when they bumped into each other after ten years, but I think his attitude is justified by the last time Chloe was in touch with him.
As soon as they spoke for the first time in the book, after not seeing each other for a decade, I could see that the chemistry between them was freaking amazing! They were drawn to each other and their emotional connection was almost visible. I was worried that Chloe's reasons for lying to Noah, all those years ago, wouldn't feel enough for me. Boy, was I wrong! Her reasons were more than enough for me, actually I really admired Chloe after she opened up to Noah about that. She was a great heroine: sweet, funny, caring and so, so fierce, such an inspiration. I had my ups and downs with Noah, like I said I understood his behavior in the beginning, but there was this scene... that really messed me up emotionally and I didn't like how he dealt with it, at least at first. Fortunately, he came to his senses and then he kind of won me over.
I really enjoyed Chloe and Noah's story, there were a few details here and there through the story that I wish were more fleshed out. I also wished Noah's swimming career had a little more impact in the story. Overall, Second Dive was a very emotional second chance romance with great characters, lots of heartache moments and a stunningly beautiful love story that broke my heart and glued it back together.

I would like to thank the author for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Trigger warnings: Health issues, miscarriage, self harm.

Books, Coffee & Passion
4.5 stars
As soon as I saw that Loverboy was releasing, I knew I needed to read it as soon as I could get my hands on it! I missed the first book in The Company, but fortunately Loverboy can be read as a standalone.
Gunnar and Posy worked together, for a summer, fifteen years ago, they were constantly challenging each other, annoying each other and lusting for each other. They were rivals for the same promotion and things didn't exactly end well between them. Now, Gunnar got a new assignment from The Company: he needs to go undercover as a barista in a pie shop to uncover a murderer. That's a normal day in Gunner's life. The problem is that he hates coffee and that specific pie shop is owned by Posy...
Gunnar was an amazing character, he was a hot, cocky, extra confident charming guy with a great sense of humor. He was so funny! The way he flirted with Posy and how he kept on annoying her just to get her to admit she was attracted to him was so amusing. Posy was also amazing, she was sweet, smart, sassy and funny. She definitely gave Gunnar a run for his money. Their banter was so good, the way they dealt with their past was perfect and their chemistry was sizzling! Even though they didn't have a relationship before, this still felt like their second chance. The secondary characters were great, especially Posy's nephew; Max and Scout.
I was really invested in the mystery too. I figured a small part of it relatively soon but there was a lot I did not see coming. When things started to unravel, it got addictive! I was a little disappointed that we didn't get all the answers in this book, but I understand it because I bet we'll get all the answers in Max's story, which definitely makes more sense. I was satisfied with was solved in this book and I'm really excited to read Max and Scout's (hopefully both of them together) book!
Overall, Loverboy was an entertaining, engaging and captivating story with lots of pie, coffee, suspense, funny moments and amazing characters.

4.5 stars

The characters are freaking amazing and I couldn't put it down!
First half of it was definitely 5 stars, the second half was 4 stars because there was a little too much drama but I freaking loved it! The epilogue was so perfect, I loved it!
Definitely one of the best romances I've read in 2020. Highly recommended.

I loved Plundered! These two, Kaalek and Tara were amazing characters and they were even better together.
Plundered starts right after Possessed, Tara was trying to rescue her sister, because she thought Astrid was Kratos' captive. The last time she had seen her sister was when Astrid volunteered herself to go with the Vandars to save everyone on Tara's ship. Tara was trying desperately  to track Kratos' ship which puts her on Kaalek's radar. Krato's brother, Kaalek, wasn't interested in a human female but he also didn't want anyone tracking a Vandar's ship so he boarded her ship and ended up taking Astrid as his captive. Astrid was so feisty, she fought Kaalek every chance she got, their banter was incredible and their chemistry... off the charts!
Plundered was a well-written, fun, fast paced, steamy story with great characters navigating an intriguing world. Definitely my favorite book in this series so far.

3.5 stars
I'm obsessed with this series and this world, I've said it in the first two books and I'm saying it again.
Pillaged is the third book in the Raider Warlords of the Vandar. This book is about Toraan, Krato's and Kaalek's younger brother, and Rachael, the Zagrath Admiral's runaway bride. Rachael escaped the Empire's ship and fell right into the arms of Toraan. At first, their relationship is about mutual benefits: Rachael tells Toraan everything she knows about the Zagrath's strategy and Toraan protects her from the Zagrath and the Admiral. But soon their chemistry changes the plan...

I'm sorry to say this wasn't my favorite book in the series. Toraan is a very strategic Warlord, sometimes he was so calculating that he came off as cold. I liked that we get a bit from his romantic past that did explain how cautious he was with his heart. I definitely liked Rachael, she ran away from the Admiral fiercely and I loved how she was a really fierce sweet independent girl (what she did, before her parents send her away to marry the very old Admiral, was hilarious!). The storyline was great, the world building was a little more developed and I really enjoyed the fact we got to see more of the Vandar's world. However, my favorite couple in this series is still Kaalek and Astrid, from the second book in this series.

Overall, Pillaged was a good addition to this series with a great storyline, steamy scenes and lots of action. Can't wait to read the next one!

3.5 stars

I'm not rating this book. It has been generating a lot of backlash, we should be giving more attention to nonfiction books written by AOC about racism. I'm not upset I've read it but I'm moving on from it to read books on this topic written by Ibram X. Kendi, Reni Eddo-Lodge and other authors.
Maybe I'll rate this someday, maybe not.

Another one that didn't work for me.
I have been in a mood for dark romance but when I'm reading it I'm suddenly not in the mood for dark romance at all. Can't understand it, can't explain it.
Skye Warren's books used to work for me but not so much lately and clearly not this one.
Everything felt disconnected, characters acting out of character and choices made that didn't make any sense.

Books, Coffee & Passion

Balls to the Wall is a very emotional friends to enemies to lovers romance. In my opinion, this book felt a lot like a second chance romance except it wasn't really one because Remy and Parker never really dated each other. But there were a lot of past (and present) feelings between them.
I was a bit confused at first when I started reading because I couldn't quite figure out what could've possibly happen between Remy and Parker. Honestly, it took me a while to really grasp how their friendship, or lack thereof, and their feelings evolved through the years. There were so many hidden feelings, so much angst, so many hidden emotions and misunderstandings. There was so much history between these two that my heart broke mainly for Parker.

This is a very emotional story. Parker went through a lot in her life, living in a small town where everyone shared opinions on what she should do and everyone thought they knew what really happened between her, Remy and Danny, her husband, before they were deployed overseas. Remy was a cop now, back home, but he kept his distance from Parker even though he promised Danny that he would watch out for her. Slowly, we get the full picture of what really happened between Remy and Parker. Which brings me to the reason I didn't love Remy, his motives for staying away from Parker didn't make sense to me. I definitely understood why he pushed her away before his first deployment but it just didn't make sense how he was still keeping himself totally removed from Parker's life in the beginning of the book. Also, Parker should have definitely made him grovel. I think there were a lot of secrets and guilt that just generated a lot of hurt especially in Parker's, and also in Remy's, lives.

Remy had some redeeming qualities: the letters were amazing (you'll get it if you read the book) and his relationship with Nox was heart warming and cute. His character development was good but he never really won me over. Parker and Remy had a lot of chemistry between them, so I certainly enjoyed when things started happening between them. I really enjoyed the secondary characters, the small town setting and I'm very intrigued about the next book in this series that will be Kennedy, Parker's best friend and my favorite secondary character, and Linc's story. I'll definitely read the next one in this series.

I'm obsessed with the Bromance Book Club. I think what lacked from this one was more of the club in this story. This book focus on a very serious topic and maybe that's why we don't get as much bromance book club as in the first one. I absolutely loved Mack, it took me a while to warm up to Liv but I ended up loving her too.
Really excited to read the next one in this series!

This was a cool story.

What I liked:

the futuristic very interesting world;
the Lunar vs Earth brewing conflict;
the cyborgs;
the political intrigue.

Didn't really care for:

the romance;
the predictability (we all knew who Cinder was);
underdeveloped characters
I wish Cinder would have been a Lunar cyborg girl and not a lost Princess.

It was still an enjoyable read and I'm hoping it gets better in the next book, so I'll keep on reading this series.