Book Review

People To Follow | Book Review

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About The Book
In Real Life, the hit reality show, challenges influencers to disconnect for 21 days. Elody, Kira, Logan, and Max see their dream job take a deadly turn when their crew vanishes and they find a body. Isolated, they receive threatening messages from a Sponsor. With their every move watched, this cancellation could be final.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/43kJ0tT

My Rating

Debut novels can be hit or miss, and this one is a bit of both. The writing isn’t bad, but the story felt a bit generic and unoriginal. It’s yet another tale about influencers, and those can get old fast unless they bring something fresh to the table. Unfortunately, this one doesn’t. It’s not that the plot was bad; it just lacked that special spark.

The biggest issue for me was how predictable everything felt. As a thriller fan, I was hoping for more surprises and a plot that would keep me guessing. Instead, the story was so straightforward, I could see where it was going from a mile away. That predictability really dulled the experience and made me lose interest.

Another struggle was the number of character perspectives. It’s tough to juggle so many viewpoints, and in this case, it made the story less engaging. None of the characters stood out as particularly likable or relatable, which made it hard to care about what happened to them. In a thriller, you need someone to root for or at least be intrigued by, but these characters didn’t do it for me.

“YOU’VE BEEN #CANCELED.”

The pacing was another letdown. While it wasn’t painfully slow, it didn’t exactly keep me on the edge of my seat either. The mystery and thriller elements lacked intensity. There were very few shocking moments, but I found myself wishing for more twists and turns. For a genre that thrives on suspense, this one felt pretty tame.

The ending was also a mixed bag. It didn’t shock me, but it didn’t disappoint me either. It was just… okay. For seasoned thriller readers, this probably won’t be the most satisfying read since it lacks the depth and excitement we’re used to. That said, it’s not all bad.

Overall, the island setting gives the book a nice summer vibe, making it a decent pick if you’re looking for something light and easy to get through in a few days. If you’re new to adult thrillers and typically read young adult, this might be a good stepping stone into the genre. The author shows promise, and I’m curious to see what she writes next.

In the comments, let me know your favorite isolated island book or movie. My favorite island-based thriller movie is I Still Know What You Did Last Summer. You can read this book for yourself on Everand and get a free trial by using my link (click here). Don’t forget to follow the blog so you never miss a post!

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Moving Forward | Book Review

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About The Book
Maxine Dawson is struggling to cope with her fiancé’s death, moving back home, and her best friend’s wedding. Cain Hazelton, a solitary man with a temper, only cares about his Grams. When their paths collide, Max and Cain unexpectedly find solace in each other. Max calms Cain; Cain helps Max confront her buried emotions. Facing their past may be the key to building a future together.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3SCc4bl

My Rating

This is an adult romance that’s all about healing and overcoming grief. The book centers on Maxine, who is still grieving the loss of her fiancé, Ethan. She feels like she can’t move on, because doing so would betray his memory and her love for him. However, when her best friend, who also happens to be Ethan’s twin sister, is getting married in Orchid Valley, Maxine comes face-to-face with someone who might just give her a reason to open her heart again.

Cain is such a complex character because he has a lot of demons. He’s still dealing with grief from his mother’s passing years ago, his father abandoning him, and the loss of his grandfather. This book does include trigger warnings for self-harm, which plays a big role in Cain’s story, along with how he treated others during his late teens and early twenties. Still, I really loved his relationship with his grandmother and the growth he showed throughout the story.

Honestly, the romance between Maxine and Cain is super fast-paced and definitely insta-lovey. It’s the kind of relationship that probably wouldn’t happen in real life and felt a bit far-fetched. But for some reason, I didn’t mind it, which is weird because I usually don’t care for love-at-first-sight tropes. That kind of thing has to be done right, and I think the author made it work here.

I wouldn’t say the book was heavy on spice. Don’t get me wrong, there were a few spicy scenes, but nothing too intense. It was more of an emotional read. Even though they connected quickly and developed feelings for each other fast, the story was really about them helping each other grow and realizing there’s more to life than they thought.

Also, I loved that Cain was so supportive of Maxine’s love for Ethan. He didn’t want her to forget him or feel like she had to replace him. He even asked her questions about Ethan and promised to keep doing so, which I thought was incredibly sweet and really showed his true character.

“Believe me, life’s too short to get lost in your own misfortune.”

Now, I will say the story focused heavily on Maxine’s grief, so we didn’t get to see much of her personality. As for Cain, he had a lot of layers, and I feel like we got to know him much better, his thoughts, feelings, and growth. I wouldn’t call that a con exactly, but it was something I noticed while reading.

One actual con for me was Maxine’s best friend (Ethan’s twin sister). I found her way too hard on Cain, and she crossed the line more than once. Honestly, she was a pretty bad friend to Max at times. She did eventually own up to her actions and apologize, but it usually came after she’d done something awful.

What’s wild is that her older sister, who’s married and expecting, actually dated Cain in high school. She didn’t have nearly as much of a problem with him. Even though she knew he’d done crappy things and treated her poorly, and there was an incident involving him and Ethan that’s briefly touched on, she still gave him the benefit of the doubt. So yeah, I wasn’t a fan of the best friend, and that was probably my biggest issue with the book.

Overall, I’d recommend looking up trigger warnings before reading. If anything I mentioned is triggering for you, it might not be the best fit. But I really enjoyed the author’s writing style, the pacing, the romance, and especially the ending. The way the story wrapped up showed just how much the characters had grown. It’s not an all-time favorite, but I’ll definitely be reading more from this author.

In the comments, let me know if this book is on your TBR! Please give this post a like, and if you could share it with other readers, that would mean a lot to me. Before you go, make sure to sign up for my blog’s mailing list. It really helps the blog grow, and ensures you never miss a new post.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Lightening In Her Hands | Book Review

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About The Book
Teal Flores must master her powers, find her mom, and resist Carter Velasquez. To get his inheritance before 30, Carter needs Teal to play his wife. Fake marriage? Check. Living together? Double check! Romantic sparks and some serious drama, courtesy of Teal? Triple check! Perhaps their quest to find Teal’s mother might unexpectedly lead them to true love.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3RSF4LR

My Rating

I loved the first book in this series, so I was very excited to jump into the second installment! The series is about the Flores women, each possessing magical abilities. Sage Flores was the protagonist of the first novel. Following their mother’s departure, she and her two younger sisters were raised by their great-aunt. The first book left me really looking forward to this one, which is all about Teal, the middle sister. She appears cold in the first book, but it’s plain to see she’s got a lot of issues from her childhood and a really toxic ex. She’s also bipolar, and being a bipolar girl myself, I really love books that explore the disorder.

Marriage of convenience and friends-to-lovers are the romance tropes in this book, which made me nervous. But I loved watching Teal fall for someone and open up. Given her last relationship, many of her views and actions regarding relationships were understandable. With that being said, my feelings toward Carter, the love interest, were mixed. I was glad Teal called him out on his behavior and made him understand he should support her.

And seeing Carter understand Teal after she let him in? Yeah, that totally made me root for them. However, this book didn’t change my mind about the friends-to-lovers trope. I still don’t like it very much. Although some books have changed my mind about this trope, this one unfortunately didn’t. But, I thought their relationship was cute, and the love scenes were hot.

“You’re not broken. And you’ve always been my first choice.”

I really loved how they handled Teal’s powers being tied to her emotions. Those of us with bipolar disorder understand the difficulty of managing our emotions. While multiple factors contributed to her inability to control her magic, they all affected her emotions. The author really showed how she struggled with her emotions.

To me, the book’s most captivating aspect was the sisters’ journey of understanding and accepting their mother’s absence. And Teal’s whole emotional journey and finding herself was amazing. I especially loved how much her character grew throughout the book. And the ending was perfect!

Overall, it was good, but not as good as the first one. It was far less engaging than I had expected. No hate, but the plot dragged sometimes, and the romance wasn’t amazing. I really thought it would be a bit more entertaining, still I would recommend. If you like slow-burn stories with magic, friends-to-lovers, and lots of feels, give this book a try.

Check out my review of Witch of Wild Things if you haven’t already! Don’t forget to like and share this post before you go! Remember to subscribe to my mailing list for new post notifications!

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

All In | Book Review

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About The Book
A killer’s on the loose in Vegas, leaving no trace and changing their MO every time, so Cassie Hobbes and the Naturals are called in. Each victim has a mysterious number tattoo, and it’s a code the team has to crack. With each clue, the Naturals get closer to the killer, but the risk grows higher. As tensions escalate and the personal cost increases, the team faces deadly challenges and impossible decisions.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/4lQ8MPr

My Rating

The Naturals series continues with its third installment, focusing on teens with special abilities working for the FBI. Each teen has a unique skill, with Cassie, the protagonist, being one of the profilers in the group. Together, they are all essential in catching the most dangerous serial killers. I thought this book had a really good storyline. In addition to the captivating mystery, there were also several intriguing subplots. Plus, the Las Vegas setting was amazing.

Even though Cassie’s still the main character, this story’s really about Sloane, the statistics whiz. I’m glad we got more of her backstory, since her role was minimal in the first two books. I think this is the first time we see just how tight-knit this group of teenagers is. The FBI brought them together, but they’re family now.

That mystery was a page-turner; I always love the chapters from the unsub’s point of view. Those chapters aren’t scary, but they’re really cool. I can’t put down the books in this series because they’re so fast-paced and gripping. I also thought Sloane’s backstory was really interesting, but kind of heartbreaking.

“Luckily for us, I’ve never met a bad idea I did not immediately embrace like the dearest of friends.”

There’s a surprising twist in the book about a new development in Cassie’s mom’s case. This crazy twist totally shocked me and left me dying to know what is going to happen next! Unfortunately, my feelings toward Cassie haven’t changed; I’m still not a big fan. I’m always disappointed when I dislike the main character.

The author crafted the mystery in the third book exceptionally well and made it superior to the others in the series. The mystery was so good, I couldn’t guess the unsub’s identity. However, the book wasn’t perfect. There were way too many plots going on at the same time! But, it makes sense. With all the questions from earlier books, the author was probably using this one to connect everything.

Overall, the author’s writing in this series isn’t exceptional, but Criminal Minds and CSI fans will be hooked. For me, this series is a top-tier YA mystery, with each book being a quick and easy read. While the formula is similar for all these books, the plots and characters are engaging.

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Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Spark Of The Everflame | Book Review

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About The Book
Healer Diem Bellator dreams of escaping her village, ruled by tyrannical god-offspring. Her mother’s disappearance reveals a dangerous secret, thrusting Diem into a world of royalty. She’s caught in her mother’s mysteries and a civil war. The king’s heir watches Diem closely, while rebels seek her alliance. Diem must navigate love, power, and politics to protect her family and humanity.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/4lTsVnN

My Rating

This book went from indie publishing to a traditional publishing deal thanks to its BookTok fame. The story centers on Diem Bellator in a realm ruled by the children of Gods. Despite being a skilled healer who always follows the rules, her family’s life has been disrupted since her mother’s disappearance. In the book, Diem finds out her mom had secrets, and some could be about her. This book has magic, adventure, and a slow-burn romance.

I loved every character, even the ones I didn’t like, because they were all important to the story. But I loved Diem the most! She was a powerful female character, but showed she had soft moments and insecurities. Another thing I loved was her amazing relationship with her brother and how brave she was, always helping others, even if it was dangerous.

The romance in this book is another story altogether! I wouldn’t call this a love triangle, even with two romantic interests, because Diem’s chemistry with one is obvious, and I’m rooting for them. I haven’t read a truly great enemies-to-lovers/he falls first story in a long time, but this one was amazing! Normally I don’t like slow burn romances, but this one worked great.

“It’s not the worst thing to break a little every now and then. It builds character.”

The book was so immersive, I loved it from start to finish. Even though the ending was kinda predictable, it was still shocking and sets up the next book perfectly. My only problem was that the world was a little hard to grasp at first. I needed to reread the first few chapters a couple of times to fully understand the universe. Don’t worry though, as the book progresses and we discover more about the Gods and the world, it becomes easier to understand.

Overall, I gave this a solid five-star rating! I loved that book and will definitely recommend it to others. If you like fantasy books with some romance, give this one a try! If you aren’t a fan of spicy books, you’ll be relieved to know this one is pretty clean. I wouldn’t say that it’s a closed-door romance, but more like a cracked-door romance.

Let me know in the comments if you’ve read this book. However, please avoid any spoilers in your comments. Like and share this post so others see it! Join my mailing list before you go so you don’t miss out on new posts!

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

What Lies In The Woods | Book Review

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About The Book
As children, Naomi, Cassidy, and Olivia believed in magic. Then one summer, Naomi suffered a brutal attack but survived. She and her friends identified the attacker, leading to the capture and prosecution of a serial killer. But the girls are hiding something. Years later, all grown up, Naomi must confront the truth about what happened in the woods.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/42c2XE4

My Rating

My expectations were sky-high for this book because of the rave reviews and the author’s popularity in the mystery/thriller genre, leading me to anticipate a five-star read. Though the synopsis included many elements I usually enjoy, I almost gave up on the book, which is disappointing.

Naomi, the story’s protagonist, survived a brutal attack over twenty years ago while exploring the woods with her two best friends. Now, years later and with her assailant dead, Naomi doubts her own memories. The story felt like a true crime vibe, reminding me of similar incidents I’ve heard about over the years (i.e. the Slender Man stabbing).

The mystery is kinda cliché, a past secret revealed years later. I’m not complaining, but common plots need twists, otherwise they’re predictable. And, sadly, it was as predictable as could be. I saw the ending coming a mile away, so the book was a bit of a letdown.

“Nothing good comes from digging up old trouble.”

Since I’ve read a ton of mystery/thriller books, it’s pretty hard to surprise me, so I’m not usually bummed when I figure out the ending. But, honestly, this book was boring. Though it pains me to admit, I had to push myself to finish. I found the first 75% of the book to be slow and uninteresting. I’m a sucker for unreliable narrators, but this book’s writing just didn’t grab me.

Overall, I thought the story was weak, the characters blah, and the ending disappointing. If you’re into mysteries/thrillers like me, skip this book. Honestly, I don’t get the hype, and I wouldn’t suggest it. Despite this, I may give the author another opportunity in the future.

Do you think this book is as good as everyone says? Comment below! Don’t forget to like and share this post! Sign up for my mailing list (in the sidebar) so you don’t miss new posts!

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Business Casual | Book Review

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About The Book
Nova doesn’t want love, especially not with Charlie. But despite her resistance, she’s drawn to him. So, Nova proposes a one-night stand to stop their distracting attraction. That night changes everything, making it impossible to avoid each other. Especially since Charlie wants to prove their chemistry goes beyond a single hookup.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3EmywBQ

My Rating

I hadn’t been a huge fan of the Lovelight Farms series, so I went into the last book with some apprehension. It’s a series of love stories, all in the same small town, but each book happens in a different season. However, characters from the previous books appear in this story.

This story centers around Charlie and Nova. Charlie is Stella’s half-brother, and Stella owns Lovelight Farms. Nova is Beckett’s younger sister, and Beckett is a farmhand at Lovelight Farms. In the books, we really get to know Charlie well. He’s portrayed as this fun-loving, always-positive New York businessman.

Nova had, at most, a minor role in the rest of the books. I wondered why the author picked her as the female lead, but I liked her character, nonetheless. It was fun learning about her, since we knew rather little about her background or her true personality. I also liked that she was a tattoo artist, it’s a profession I’m fascinated by. It was fun getting to know a new character, and seeing more of ones I already knew. I just want to say, their romance was adorable.

“She looks like she could eat me alive. I fucking love it.”

Their relationship started out light and fun, but their connection was obvious from the beginning. I loved watching them change and grow throughout the story. I thought the character development in this book was superb. Plus, it totally showed how scary and tough it is to fall for someone, and to trust them completely.

My favorite thing about the book? Charlie! I loved how the story showed him figuring out what he wanted out of life. He seemed so lost and without a sense of belonging, which made me feel sorry for him. It’s a romance, but it’s so much more than that. It’s about family, too! One important theme is that there are people who love you, even if you’re not aware of it, because home is not only a place but also the individuals with whom you choose to spend your life.

Overall, the only thing I didn’t like about the book was the writing style. It didn’t grab me as much as I wish it did. It was okay, but I didn’t get super hooked. Also, to me, the spicy scenes were just okay, but I can see why some people would consider them steamy. Still, I loved Nova and Charlie together, and the story was, overall, great!

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Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

The Labyrinth Of Lost And Found | Book Review

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About The Book
Eleven-year-old Benjamiah prefers science and logic over magic. Then a magic doll pulls him into another world. The realm is filled with mysterious magi and a Minotaur. Benjamiah joins Elizabella to solve her brother’s disappearance. The journey is dangerous, and soon they must escape the labyrinth or risk being lost forever.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/4je4fE8

My Rating

I found this story imaginative and amazing. I’m not usually a fan of middle-grade books, but this one was awesome. The characters, plot, and world were all fantastic. There’s so much to this story, it’s hard to even explain. The book’s about Benjamiah Creek, a young boy who ends up in the magical land of Wreathenwold. He’s soon off on a wild, crazy adventure across the land with Elizabeth, who’s determined to find her brother, no matter what.

The characters Benjamiah and Elizabeth were likeable and well-developed. While their youth showed throughout the story, they never seemed immature. They were determined and strong, formed an incredible friendship. I adored seeing their relationship deepen as they embarked on a crazy adventure together.

I’m being completely serious when I say this plot was intense. Throughout the entire book, I found myself emotionally invested in the two characters. I really wanted things to go well for them, but sometimes it felt like they were always unlucky. I got so emotional listening to the audiobook that I had to pause it. Didn’t see that coming!

“Love is the very highest form of courage.”

The ending was so good; I wanted more! That author did an amazing job of creating this magical world. It wasn’t a perfect ending, but it answered a lot, particularly how Benjamiah wound up in Wreathenwold.

Overall, I absolutely loved this book! But, it might not be for younger readers. I’m an adult, and I still found parts of the story confusing because of its complexity. I would classify it as more of an upper middle-grade book. Though it’s long for a middle-grade novel, I’m still deeply invested in this series. I am so excited to read the sequel and discover what new adventure awaits these characters.

Do you have this book on your TBR? Let me know in the comments! Show your support by liking and sharing this post. Check out the audiobook on Everand! My link (click here) gets you a free trial. Don’t forget to sign up for my mailing list to help support my blog!

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

One Year At Ellsmere | Book Review

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About The Book
Winning a scholarship to the esteemed Ellsmere Academy, studious thirteen-year-old Juniper anticipates a perfect academic environment. However, life at Ellsmere is less than perfect; she’s considered a “special project,” the school’s queen bee is trying to sabotage her, and there are rumors of a mythical beast living nearby.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/4i851Si

My Rating

This graphic novel was way better than I expected, especially since I didn’t know anything about it. Set in a boarding school, it follows Jun, a scholarship student, as she adapts to her new environment. The story really centers on Jun and her sweet and supportive roommate Cassie; their friendship is the best part.

This story explores bullying, empathy, and the value of real friends. Jun’s experiences at Elsmere Academy highlight the importance of being true to yourself and confronting bullies, which I think can really appeal to younger readers.

“I’m here to learn, not make friends.”

I finished it quickly, but it could’ve used more depth. Although beautiful, the artwork wasn’t unique or particularly memorable compared to other graphic novels I’ve read. Still, it has a satisfying ending that wraps everything up cleverly.

Overall, while well-written, the story’s themes and style may resonate most with middle-grade readers. A few personal preferences aside, it effectively conveys a heartwarming tale of courage and friendship. While this book wasn’t for me, I enjoyed reading it, and I think my younger self would have loved the plot.

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Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Starling House | Book Review

- Bunny Leave a comment

About The Book
Starling House has captivated Opal since childhood. The chance to work there and create a brighter future for her brother was an offer she couldn’t decline. The closer Opal gets to Arthur, the owner of the house, the more she uncovers about Starling House’s dark history and her hometown’s hidden secrets.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/446rZ8S

My Rating

I expected this book to be a gripping gothic magical paranormal tale. Unfortunately, the book was quite slow and not engaging. The book description sounded great, but the story itself was boring. The book’s about Opal and her years-long obsession with the mysterious Starling House and what’s hidden inside.

Opal’s character, and the book’s slow pace, were my biggest problems. I wasn’t interested in her numerous family and personal issues. It was supposed to be a creepy Gothic story, but it only sort of was.

I would say that my issue isn’t fully with the book, but with the plot not meeting my expectations. I thought it would be more of a fantasy, but it wasn’t. However, the book did have some good points, such as Opal’s bond with her brother.

“I figure dreams are like stray cats, which go away if I quit feeding them.”

The romance in this book felt forced, and out of place. I didn’t see a spark between Opal and Arthur. I would have liked it better without the romance, which is saying something, because I usually love romance stories.

Overall, the last five chapters were the best part. That’s when things really got interesting. I didn’t think Starling House’s backstory would be so intense and dark. That being said, I still wasn’t a fan of the story, but everyone’s different. If the book sounded at all interesting to you, then give it a read.

If you have read anything else by this author that you think I might like, please let me know. The audiobook for this title can be found on Everand, if you’re interested. My link (click here) will give you a free trial of the service. Your email signup is a huge help in getting my blog seen and growing, so please sign up!

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny