House Of Hunger // Book Review

- Bunny 1 Comment

About The Book
WANTED – Bloodmaid of exceptional taste. Must have a keen proclivity for life’s finer pleasures. Girls of weak will need not apply. Though she knows little about the far north—where wealthy nobles live in luxury and drink the blood of those in their service—Marion applies to the position. But when she discovers that the ancient walls of the House of Hunger hide even older secrets.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/48U7fkH

My Rating

If you are a fan of ‘The Vampire Diaries,’ then you are going to love this book. It seriously gives the “1800’s Salvatore Brothers/Katherine Pierce” vibes, and I loved it. This comes from a primarily non-historical fiction reader, but the fact that it was mixed with a bit of an odd blood drinking twist really made it work for me.

The book follows a young woman named Marion, who decides to take a position as a bloodmaid. Essentially, bloodmaids are women who are paid to bleed for very wealthy and powerful families. However, I thought that this was a Vampire-esque story. But don’t be mistaken, it is not. The author never references the blood drinking creatures of the night, so as I understand it, that these are regular wealthy families that use blood to sustain their lives.

Marion was an incredible protagonist. Yes, at times, she enjoyed being a bloodmaid, and submitting to Countess Lisavet charms. However, she was not easily fooled, and could tell that things were not as they seemed. She was smart, and I think that all her time growing up in a toxic environment made her more aware of when things seemed strange.

“Sometimes I feel like I’ve been building you a House out of my own bones.”

As for the Countess, she gave off major Katherine Pierce vibes. She was charming; she knew exactly what to say, and do, to get what she wanted. It was easy to fall under her spell. I simultaneously hated and loved her at the same time. She is a rather complex character.

I loved watching Marion, interacting with the other bloodmaids. They formed a family bond, which makes sense – when you sell your blood with a bunch of other women, you are going to feel a connection with them.

Overall, the writing is what made the story excellent, and it really came to life. It was well paced, and kept me wanting to read. And the ending? Incredible! It is not particularly a scary book, but it gives off eerie gothic vibes that make it a great fall read. I devoured this book! It may not be for everyone, but I highly enjoyed and recommend it.

In the comments, let me know if you have this book on your TBR. If you like my bookish content please support my blog by giving it a follow.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

The Seven Year Slip | Book Review

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About The Book
An overworked book publicist with a perfectly planned future hits a snag when she falls in love with her temporary roommate only to discover he lives seven years in the past, in this witty and wise new novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Dead Romantics. After all, love is never a matter of time—but a matter of timing.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3M2jvWx

My Rating

This book is full of romance, time travel, and grief. Sure, they seem like a weird combination, but Ashley Poston somehow makes all these plot points work together. She gives us a story that deals with the past, present and future. I loved the ‘Lake House’ movie vibes of the story, yet grief is a huge topic, which at times did overshadow the romance plot.

The main character, Clementine, is struggling with her aunt’s passing, as well as the possibility of a promotion she doesn’t want. But, when her late aunt’s apartment keeps sending her backwards in time seven years, where she connects with a charming young southern man, she might be forced to start following her heart instead of her head.

I loved the romance side of things! Right away, you could feel the chemistry between Clementine and the stranger. A big thing in the story is how you just know when you’re in love with someone. And, I think that really showed when these two were together. Personally, I agree with the “when you know, you know sentiment”. I met my husband and we both just knew.

The entire story was very engaging, and I wanted to keep reading. I needed to know how things were going to turn out! Honestly, throughout the whole book, I kept guessing where things were going to go. Even though I wasn’t always right, some of my assessments were spot on. And, I loved how the past and present collided in a way that made total sense for the story.

“That was love, wasn’t it? It wasn’t just a quick drop — it was falling, over and over again, for your person.”

As for the grief plot, I felt that it was a bit heavy on the grief. However, in the author’s notes, she mentioned how she might not have tackled loss in the best way possible. I understand why loss and grief was such a big part of the story, because it really helped Clementine rethink her present life and what she wants for the future, yet was just an overwhelming dark cloud throughout the story.

The writing wasn’t my favorite, but that’s not to say it was bad either. I have read Poston’s young adult books before, and felt that her writing is very simple. But, it is easy to read, and her stories are unique in their own way. I really enjoyed how seamlessly the plot flowed, and would read another one of her adult romances in the future.

Overall, this was a solid read, with a fun magical realism element to it. I would have liked an epilogue, but that’s just a personal opinion, since the story didn’t really require it. I do want to mention something, and this might be a spoiler, but I feel that it is important to share. The book deals with suicide, so if that is at all triggering, please do keep that in mind.

In the comments, let me know if this book is on your TBR. Don’t forget to like and share this post with other book lovers. If you enjoy my content, then hit the follow button, so that you can get notified whenever there’s a new post.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

54321 // Book Tag

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Hi Friends,
I came across the ‘54321’ book tag a while ago on the book blog ‘Amy Leigh Reads‘ and thought that it would be a fun quick tag to do. I am not going to give much context to my answers, but if you have been following my blog for sometime, they’re pretty self-explanatory.

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In the comments section, feel free to leave your answers to these questions. Do not forget to share this post with other booklovers. If you enjoy my bookish content, please give my blog a follow because your support really helps my blog grow.

Ace Of Spades // Book Review

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About The Book
Gossip Girl meets Get Out in Ace of Spades, a YA contemporary thriller by debut author Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé about two students, Devon & Chiamaka, and their struggles against an anonymous bully. As Aces shows no sign of stopping, what seemed like a sick prank quickly turns into a dangerous game, with all the cards stacked against them. Can Devon and Chiamaka stop Aces before things become incredibly deadly?
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/46q5ZEa

My Rating

This is a gripping tale, with the main characters Devon Richards and Chiamaka Adebayo standing out as minorities in their high school. Chiamaka is portrayed as the classic, smart, ‘queen bee,’ and Devon as the music geek from the wrong side of the tracks.

The plot of the book is undeniably interesting, as it revolves around a mysterious threat targeting Devon and Chiamaka, the only two black students at Niveus Private Academy. This premise immediately captivated me, and kept me engaged throughout the book.

While the writing was commendable and entertaining, I found the book to be a bit lengthy. At times, it felt like I was waiting for something significant to occur. Additionally, the fact that Devon and Chiamaka spent a substantial portion of the book apart was somewhat disappointing, as I hoped for more interaction between them.

“But racism isn’t just about that—it’s not about being nice or mean. Or good versus bad. It’s bigger than that.”

Devon’s character was my favorite, and I felt that I enjoyed his chapters and point of view more than Chiamaka, who came across as somewhat cold. Once the two characters finally started to interact, I did not see much of a friendship form until closer to the end of the book. However, the opposites in their personalities may have been intentional, adding depth to their dynamic.

The ending of the book was shocking, and the revelation behind the attacks on Devon and Chiamaka was unexpected. Furthermore, the book’s unique approach to addressing racism was very impressive. The author was able to tackle such an important social issues in a compelling manner.

Overall, the story is an intriguing reading with engaging characters and captivating plot. It may feel a bit long, and the characters maybe could have interacted more. However, the ending, as well as its take on the topic of racism, makes it a good enough read. One quick thing is that the book features LGBT+ representation, which is something I always like to see in books.

In the comments, let me know if you have read anything from this author previously. Do not forget to like and share this post with others. Before you go, feel free to hit the following button.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

My Fall Makeup Bag // Toss-Up Tuesday

- Bunny 1 Comment

Hi Friends,
In today’s post, I am going to talk about what is in my makeup bag, and the beauty products that I like to use in the fall. I would not say that I am a huge makeup girlie, but I do find that makeup makes me feel more confident. Also, I am not going to mention things like foundation, concealer, setting powder, or mascara because those products do not typically change from season to season.

Blush

The blushes I enjoy in the fall are usually red or berry colors. One of my favorites is the MAC Cosmetics blush in ‘Burnt Pepper, ’ which is a beautiful, deep matte red shade. Another great fall blush in my makeup bag that I find to be a similar to the MAC one, but a bit more shimmery, is ‘Brick Red’ by e.l.f. Cosmetics. These are the two blushes I am always reaching for in the fall.

Bronzer

My go-to-fall bronzer is the Too Faced ‘Chocolate Soleil’ Matte Bronzer in medium/deep. However, currently in my fall makeup bag, I have an e.l.f. Cosmetics Halo Glow Contour in fair/light. It is a new product that I am testing.

Highlighter

This is probably my absolute favorite beauty product, so I have a lot to choose from. In the fall, I like to go for a more white highlighter. The two currently in my makeup bag are the e.l.f. Halo Glow Highlighter in ‘Rose Quartz.’ The other is the I Heart Revolution Disney Cinderella Highlighter in ‘Just Before Midnight.’

Face Palette

I have a ton of face palettes, but the one that I keep in my fall makeup bag is the Makeup Revolution The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror Face Palette Spooktacular. There is no better face palette that I could have chosen for the fall time.

Eyeshadow Palette

I am no longer really an eyeshadow wearer, but I love a good seasonal eyeshadow palette. In my fall makeup bag, I have my ColourPop cosmetics original ‘Hocus Pocus’ palette. The colors are so pretty, and you can create a perfect fall-eye look with just this one palette.

Lipstick

As for lipstick, I have become more of a natural lip girl, but in my makeup bag, I have three that are perfect for this time of year. These are the three lipsticks released in the Makeup Revolution X Corpse Bride Collection. The colors represent Emily, Victor, and Victoria.

Hope you enjoyed getting a sneak peek into my makeup bag. I know that this was a different type of post from me, but I love sharing other parts of my personality besides my love of books. However, don’t worry, the book content is not going anywhere, so remember to follow the blog to get notified whenever there is a new post.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

The Kiss Curse | Book Review

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About The Book
In Erin Sterling’s follow-up to The Ex Hex, fan favorite Gwyn teams up with the handsome Wells Penhallow to confront a mysterious coven of witches. As Gwyn’s powers fade, they must uncover the witches’ intentions and restore her magic before it’s too late.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3rC4pjJ

My Rating

If you’re looking for a witchy romcom with the perfect blend of witty banter and romance, this is a great read for you. This companion novel to The Ex Hex (also by Erin Sterling), which followed Vivi and Rhys, focuses on Gwyn and Wells.

Gwyn, Vivi’s cousin, is a strong-willed and opinionated witch. Wells, a serious, no-nonsense warlock, is Rhys’s brother, who you may remember as Vivi’s ex-boyfriend from the previous book.

One of my favorite parts of the story was how well the pairing worked. Gwyn brings out a more laid-back side of Wells, and I loved how she always teased him. He kept up with her sarcasm, which was awesome. As a result, the story was filled with witty banter throughout.

“The best magic is always a little risky, right?”

The book contains some spicy scenes that I loved. While there isn’t a ton of smut and most of the romance scenes are the “fade to black” type, the chemistry between the characters made the scenes even better. This is definitely a “he falls first” type of romance.

In addition to the romance, the plot was amazing. I loved the storyline and all the fun magical moments. It gave me the cozy fall vibes I look for in a witchy romcom. The pacing of the story was good, and I liked how everything wrapped up.

Overall, this was a ten-out-of-ten read. It’s a great frenemies-to-lovers magical romance, and I think many people will enjoy the story. I mean, it’s a witchy tale with my favorite trope—no wonder I liked it!

In the comments, share whether you are a fan of Gwyn and Wells. Don’t forget to like and share this post with others, and hit that follow button before you go.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Anticipated Releases // October 2023

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Hi Friends,
I cannot believe that it is already October. Where has the year gone? But, I do love the last three months of the year the best! Not only for the holidays, but also all the seasonal book releases. So, let’s talk about the October releases that I’m most excited about this year.

Hatchet Girls by Diana Rodriguez Wallach (October 10th): This book sounds amazing! It’s essentially a retelling of Lizzie Borden and how a similar crime would be handled today. I would love to get to this as soon as it comes out, because the Lizzie Borden story has always fascinated me. That’s not weird, right?

The Fall of Whit Rivera (October 10th): This is a cozy autumn young adult romance that I think I’m going to really enjoy. The plot is about two high school enemies that have to work together to plan the fall dance. I’m always down to read an enemies-to-lovers romance, and one that takes place in the fall is even better.

All That Consumes Us by Erica Waters (October 17th): This is a gothic young adult dark academia that sounds very creepy. In the book, a girl gets invited into a elite academic society, but starts to realize that it’s more of a nightmare than a dream come true. It seems like the perfect read for the spooky season.

Thin Air by Kellie M. Parker (October 17th): I’m very excited for this release because it’s a young adult mystery thriller which is one of my absolute favorite genres. From what I gather it’s about 12 contestants who end up on a deadly flight. But, I really don’t need to know much about it since it’s supposedly perfect for fans of Karen M. McManus, which basically means it’s meant for me.

People to Follow by Olivia Worley (October 31st): I heard about this book a while back, and I cannot wait to read it! This is an adult thriller about a bunch of influencers that get invited to a remote island and then the begin dying. Honestly, it sounds like a more adult version of ‘The Island’ by Natasha Preston that I read earlier this year but more up my alley.

The Rosewood Hunt by Mackenzie Reed (October 31st): This is giving ‘The Inheritance Games’ by Jennifer Lynn Barnes vibes. However, this plot sounds bit more intriguing to me. The book follows Lily Rosewood and three others on a treasure hunt for the Rosewood fortune left behind by Lily’s recently deceased grandmother. Although, ‘The Inheritance Games’ was a DNF for me, I have high hopes for this book.

There you have some of my most anticipated releases for October. Oddly enough, I’m typically the last to know about new book releases, so there are probably a ton that I’m forgetting. In the comments, let me know what is your most anticipated book release for the month. Don’t forget to follow the blog so that you never miss a post.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Delicate Conditions // Book Review

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About The Book
Anna Alcott is desperate to have a family. But as she tries to balance her increasingly public life as an indie actress with a grueling IVF journey, she starts to suspect that someone is going to great lengths to make sure that never happens. And despite everything she’s gone through to make this pregnancy a reality, not even her husband is willing to believe that someone is playing twisted games with her.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3RM0GKP

My Rating

I picked this book up for two reasons – the first being that I loved Danielle Valentine‘s book ‘How To Survive Your Murder.’ Second, I learned that it was going to be the basis for season 12 of the show ‘American Horror Story.’ The book follows actress Anna Alcott, as she and her husband, Dex, are in their third IVF round. However, as Anna’s pregnancy progresses, weird events start to occur. She does not know who to trust or if she can trust her self.

Honestly, I had a hard time figuring out what was going on. There was one suspicion that I had early on in the book, which ended up being correct. However, I am not sure that many readers would jump to the same conclusion. The author did a great job with the storyline, so I would not want to spoil the book for anyone.

The book is based around Anna, and although there are other characters, we mostly learn about her. She is the center of the story and, at times, an unreliable narrator because Anna doubts herself and what she believes to be true. There were many other characters in the book, but they did not play a key part in the majority of the story.

“I didn’t know this then, but the truth is there’s no such thing as an uncomplicated pregnancy. We all give something up in exchange for our babies.”

However, Anna’s husband, Dexter, was central to the plot, and he was simply infuriating. The man did not listen to his wife. They were undergoing IVF together, and he kept ignoring her concerns. He was also acted very suspicious. At more than one point in the story, I wanted Anna to leave her husband for her bodyguard.

In addition to this interesting plot, the writing was phenomenal. There is just something about Danielle Valentine’s books that makes them enjoyable. I cannot wait to see what she puts out next! I already know that she can write a fun campy slasher. With this book, she proved that she could also put out a great adult thriller.

Overall, this is a good read-and-decent thriller. However, it is compared to Rosemary’s Baby, which I have never seen, but I understand the comparison. Although I do not think it follows the plot too similarly, so do not go into it, expecting it to be a spot-on retelling of that classic story.

In the comments, let me know if you will be watching the new season of ‘American Horror Story.’ Or, if you’re a fan of ‘Rosemary’s Baby.’ Do not forget to give my blog a follow, because your support helps my blog reach other book lovers.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

The Ex Hex | Book Review

- Bunny 2 Comments

About The Book
Vivienne Jones, a small-town witch, must team up with Rhys Penhallow, the man who broke her heart, when his return to Graves Glen triggers a series of supernatural disasters. They have to work together to save the town and break the breakup curse while trying to ignore their undeniable chemistry.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3F3J31J

My Rating

If you’re looking for a cozy, witchy romance, then look no further. This is a second chance romance about a witch and a warlock that must work together to break a curse that has thrown their town into magical chaos.

In the book, we follow Vivienne, who is a college professor and witch. Vivi is the sensible type of girl, and hasn’t really given into her witchy side. I loved her relationship with her family. Her aunt and her cousin are her best friends and support system.

Rhys is Vivi ex-boyfriend and warlock that returns to town on his father orders. He’s very charming, and acts before he thinks. His personality is very go with the flow and I liked the contrast between his more easygoing demeanor and Vivi’s somewhat more methodical personality.

“Never mix vodka and witchcraft.”

I loved how Vivi’s teenage self is coming back to bite her in the book. Because, a harmless joking curse she put on Rhys after their bad breakup is the cause of all the town’s misfortune. I liked seeing Rhys and Vivi work together, and realize how much their past relationship meant to them.

Unfortunately, this was a second chance romance book, and although I liked the characters and the plot, I am not a fan of second chance romances. The fact that Vivi and Rhys were still carrying that baggage for each other, even after 9 years, is ridiculous. Neither of them were in a relationship or have even had any meaningful relationships.

Overall, the writing and storyline saved the book for me. I was completely engaged the entire time reading it, and I loved all the witchy Halloween vibes. The ending was so good, and it instantly put me in the fall mood. So, I would recommend this book for anyone looking for a good fall magical romance.

In the comments, leave me some witchy book recommendations. Don’t forget to share this post with other book lovers. And, as always, follow the blog before you go.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Mister Magic | Book Review

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About The Book
Thirty years after a tragic accident halted Mister Magic, its five surviving cast members moved on. A twist of fate brings the cast back together. But as the Circle of Friends reclaim parts of their past, they begin to wonder: Are they here by choice, or have they been lured into a trap?
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/46hkQB0

My Rating

This book was nothing like I expected, but in the best possible way. I am a very big fan of Kiersten White’s writing style and her books always seem to captivate me. The premise of the book sounded unlike anything I had heard before. A group of childhood friends, who were on a television show together, come back years later to uncover hidden secrets about their beloved TV program. It is similar to Barney but with a supernatural twist.

The book mainly follows Val, who was one of the cast members of the children’s show ‘Mister Magic.’ She had disappeared years ago, and her disappearance was the reason behind the shows cancellation. Val is an unreliable narrator, since she has no memories of her time on ‘Mister Magic.’ However, I found that the rest of her cast members were also somewhat unreliable since their memories of the show were somewhat blurry.

The plot follows Val, as she decides to join five out of six former cast members to celebrate the show’s 30th anniversary by doing a podcast that talks about the show. However, in truth, she is hoping to discover what actually happened all those years ago, and who the sixth-cast member really was. And let me tell you that the mystery aspect was done very well. Honestly, I had no idea who to trust or what was going to happen.

“Children accept absurdity because everything is absurd, everything made up of complex rules and systems that they don’t understand.”

The book was fast-paced, and it kept me engaged for the whole time. I needed to know what was going to happen! I loved seeing these former childhood friends reconnecting and forming bonds as adults. They all had their share of trauma, but I found the added found family element to be a nice touch in a thriller novel.

The only con I had with the book was a certain subject matter that I am not usually fond of in books, but to talk about it outright would be kind of spoiler-ish. All that I will say is that despite my usual distaste for this plot device, it had a remarkable lack of impact on my overall enjoyment of the book. Thus, it is nothing too earth shattering.

Overall, the supernatural element was a little weird, but I think the author did a good job by tying everything together. I did happen to figure out how the book was going to end, so, unfortunately, I was not too shocked at the outcome. However, there were a few twists that I did not see coming, and I think Kiersten White put quite some thought into the story. Although it fits more into the supernatural and magical realism category, so keep that in mind when picking it up.

In the comments, let me know what your favorite children’s show was. I was a ‘Blue’s Clues’ kid myself. Don’t forget to hit the follow button and like this post.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny