Contemporary

Beach Read | Book Review

- Bunny 3 Comments

About The Book
Augustus Everett, a literary fiction author, and January Andrews, a romance writer, are polar opposites. They end up as neighbors in beach houses, both struggling with writer’s block. To shake things up, they make a deal: Augustus will write a happy story, and January will attempt a serious novel. As they explore each other’s worlds, they vow not to fall in love—though that might be inevitable.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3YOSmOa

My Rating

I’d heard so much about ‘Beach Read’ by Emily Henry before picking it up, and it’s easy to see why it’s one of her most popular books. I initially thought it was an enemies-to-lovers story, but it’s more of an opposites-attract situation, which was a pleasant surprise.

What really caught me off guard was the depth of the main character, January. I went into the book expecting a light and fluffy rom-com, but her struggles added an unexpected heaviness to the story. These layers made her character much more relatable and interesting to follow.

The interactions between January and Augustus, the male lead, were a highlight for me. Their chemistry felt genuine, not just driven by witty banter, which made their connection feel authentic. Their agreement to write books in each other’s genres was a fun twist, and I loved their research outings together. You could feel their attraction build gradually, rather than being an instant connection, which made it even more satisfying.

I appreciated how the characters learned to open up to each other while still dealing with their personal issues independently. This gave their relationship a healthy dynamic, avoiding the trap of a rebound or grief-driven romance. I also liked how they pushed each other out of their comfort zones, not just in their writing but in their personal growth.

“People were complicated. They weren’t math problems; they were collections of feelings and decisions and dumb luck.”

The only part that left me conflicted was how January’s issues with her dad were resolved. While I didn’t dislike the direction it took, I wasn’t a fan of it either. That said, I understand it was a complicated and messy situation, so I get that it isn’t something that can be easily resolved. However, it didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment of the story.

The writing was fantastic, and I’m realizing that I might just be an Emily Henry fan. While her style isn’t necessarily groundbreaking, it’s impressive to learn that she didn’t even consider herself a romance writer when she wrote this book. Knowing she primarily wrote young adult books before this showcases just how talented she is.

Overall, I can see why this book gets so much hype, and for once, I actually agree with it. I know—shocker! If you’re looking for a fun romance that still touches on deeper topics, this is a great pick. It’s the perfect beach read—pun intended—that you can easily devour in a day. Also, if I had to rate this book on a spice scale, I would say it’s probably a 2 out of 5, so the sexy scenes aren’t that intense.

In the comments, let me know if you’ve read this book or if it’s on your TBR. Don’t forget to share this post with other book lovers. And if you enjoy bookish content, click the follow button so you never miss a post!

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Asking For A Friend | Book Review

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About The Book
Juliana Zhao, confident in her expertise on love and her chance to win the Asian Americans in Business Competition, is forced to team up with her frenemy, Garrett Tsai, after her partner drops her. As they clash over their dating advice column, Juliana starts questioning her priorities and the sacrifices she’s made. With the competition intensifying, she must decide if winning is worth it.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3y90Apd

My Rating

*I want to thank the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book. However, please know that my reviews are 100% honest and reflect my own thoughts.*

This is an interesting book to explain because it is so much more than a romance and even a love advice column as the synopsis suggests. That isn’t a bad thing, but there are many layers to the story. It dives deep into the complexities of family expectations, personal growth, and the cultural pressures faced by its characters. To me, this multi-faceted approach makes the book stand out in the crowded YA genre.

The main protagonist, Julianna, is always trying to live up to her mother’s high expectations and standards. She tries not to make waves like her older, disowned sister Bella, or her younger sister Hattie, who isn’t shy about questioning their mother. Her goal is to win the Asian Americans in Business Competition started by her deceased father, get into an Ivy League school, and become a success. This relentless pursuit of perfection adds a lot of tension and depth to her character.

I loved how Julianna’s thoughts and plans evolved throughout the book. Her character development was remarkable. Her relationship with Garrett, her former childhood friend, was especially touching because they both understood each other, despite their different struggles. Their reconnection felt genuine, and you could see them growing from friends into something more.

“I wanted the days when I didn’t even know what it was to think of the future.”

This book really focuses on Taiwanese culture and the type of pressure that, I assume, many Asian children have put on them. However, it was nice that the author showcased that not all Asian families hold their children to such high standards and let them make their own choices without judgment. This gave a clearer and more detailed view of cultural expectations.

The writing in this book was a pleasant surprise because, for a YA novel, it didn’t feel too juvenile. In my opinion, the story was well thought out, and there were no moments when the characters seemed immature. The reasoning behind Julianna and Garrett’s falling out was very realistic and understandable, which I appreciated.

Overall, I was surprised by the heavier and sadder parts of the plot. I expected the book to focus more on the advice column, but it turned out to be about following your own advice and figuring out what you want from life. I think many teens, especially those in the Asian community, can relate to this story. I also love a story with an epilogue, and this one wrapped things up nicely.

In the comments, let me know if this book is on your TBR and whether you think you give good advice. Don’t forget to like and share this post with others. As always, please hit the follow button before you go.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Red, White, and Blue Books // July 4th Reading

- Bunny 2 Comments

Hi Friends,
In honor of the 4th of July holiday, I wanted to share some red, white, and blue books. These might not be my all-time favorite books in these colors, but they are definitely ones worth checking out. I know this post isn’t the most original, but I love recommending books I’ve enjoyed. I hope you might find joy in them too!

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‘Summer’s Edge’ By Dana Mele
I am going to be upfront and admit that this isn’t truly a favorite of mine, but I think the concept of this book is really cool. It’s a queer young adult paranormal thriller that takes place during the summer. Although I had my issues with it, I do think that it is a pretty decent summer thriller. Also, it is compared to *I Know What You Did Last Summer*, which, if you are a horror movie fan, takes place during July 4th.
Related Post: Summer’s Edge // Book Review

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‘A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder’ By Holly Jackson
I really wanted to give out new recommendations, but when it came to a white book, the only one that stood out was *A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder*. I’m not going to rave about it too much since it is a widely popular YA mystery book, but this is such a good, fast-paced mystery with great characters and an interesting storyline.
Related Post: A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder // Book Review

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‘How Not to Fall in Love’ By Jacqueline Firkins
This is a blue book that I think is underrated. It is a young adult friends-to-lovers romance. I found it to be so cute, and it has the exchange of service plot that I adore. The plot follows Harper, who tries to teach her hopeless romantic best friend Theo how not to fall in love with every girl they go out with. I read this book really fast, so if you’re looking for a quick and cute read, you should definitely give this book a chance.
Related Post: How Not to Fall in Love // Book Review

There you have three recommendations for books to read this 4th of July. These books might not take place during the summer holiday, but they are still good reads nonetheless. Before you leave, hit the follow button so that you get notified whenever there’s a new post.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

She Drives Me Crazy // Book Review

- Bunny 1 Comment

About The Book
After an embarrassing loss to her ex-girlfriend in their first basketball game, seventeen-year-old Scottie Zajac gets into a fender bender with her nemesis, Irene Abraham, head cheerleader. Irene’s car needs repairs, forcing them to carpool and endure a rocky relationship. Scottie then bribes Irene into a fake-dating scheme to get back at her toxic ex and climb the social ladder. The scheme threatens to reveal real feelings between Scottie and Irene.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/4e7ppSQ

My Rating

Unfortunately, this book fell flat for me. It’s one of those books that just didn’t leave a lasting impression. Maybe it’s because it’s a YA contemporary, and sometimes they tend to blur together in my mind, but I don’t remember much about the story itself.

I do know that this is a queer romance with an enemies-to-lovers twist. However, I didn’t feel the chemistry between the two main female characters. You could also call it a forced proximity romance, since they (reluctantly) have to drive to school together, and there is a bit of fake dating involved as well, so this book incorporates a lot of very popular tropes.

One aspect I did enjoy was how the story highlights that not all cheerleaders are just pretty faces, and that cheerleading is tough work and a real sport. It also touches on the disparity in attention and recognition between women’s and men’s sports, with one of the main characters being a female basketball player.

“People break our hearts, but they create more room in them first, and that room makes it possible for us to become more ourselves.”

The personal struggles of the main characters were far more interesting than their romance, as far as I’m concerned. Scottie is dealing with a breakup, and coming to terms with the less-than-great aspects of her past relationship. Meanwhile, Irene is grappling with her sexuality, and the fallout from a toxic friendship that played with her emotions.

Overall, the romance was cute, and it’s a quick read if you’re looking for a light queer contemporary romance. But the developing love story wasn’t the most compelling part of the story. I wouldn’t say this is a must-read, and it’s definitely not a book I’ll remember in the future. This is pretty obvious since my memory of the plot is already fading.

In the comments, let me know if you’ve read this book. You can listen to this audiobook on Everand, and if you use my link (click here), you can get a free trial. Don’t forget to like and share this post with others. Your continued support means a lot to me, so please hit the follow button before you go.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

June 2024 // To Be Read

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Hi Friends,
Today, I’m sharing my June TBR, and I couldn’t be more excited! June is my birthday month, so I’ve come up with a special way to choose my TBR using a ‘Roll The Dice’ game. The game is pretty simple: I use a six-sided die, roll it once to determine the column, and roll it again to find the row and prompt. I hope that makes sense. As usual, I’m picking five prompts, but to make things more interesting, if I roll the same number three times, I’ll add an extra roll. This rule only applies once, so I’ll never have more than six books on my TBR.


For this prompt, I chose ‘Bunny’ by Mona Awad. I’m both excited and nervous to read this book because I have such high expectations for it. It will be devastating if I don’t enjoy it, but maybe I’m being too dramatic.

This prompt means I have to scroll through Instagram (Bookstagram) and read the first book I see that I own. The first picture I saw that included a book on my physical TBR was shared by wallflower.bookshop. It showed the entire Chestnut Springs series by Elsie Silver, so I’ll be reading ‘Heartless’, the second book in this companion cowboy romance series.

This one might make my June reading a bit chaotic since I’m adding two books to my TBR. The first book that came to mind was ‘Magnolia Parks’ by Jessa Hastings. I discovered that ‘Magnolia Parks’ can be tandem-read with ‘Daisy Haites’, so I’ll be reading both. Unfortunately, I don’t own these books, so they won’t help reduce my physical TBR.

The only book I could think of for this prompt is ‘The Unmaking of June Farrow’ by Adrienne Young. I’m a bit disappointed that I don’t own this book either, but I’ve heard great things about it and have been wanting to read it.


For this prompt, I chose an ARC I received from NetGalley called ‘A Game Most Foul’ by Alison Gervais, which will be released on June 18th. I’m a bit nervous because I’ve never read anything by this author. However, I do enjoy a good YA mystery.


For this prompt, I picked ‘The Last Girls Standing’ by Jennifer Dugan, a young adult thriller about the surviving counselors of a summer camp massacre. This book sounds like a fast-paced thriller and includes LGBT representation, which is perfect since June is Pride Month.

That’s my June TBR! Let me know in the comments what you plan on reading this month. Don’t forget to check out Everand, my favorite audiobook and ebook subscription service, to see if any of these books are available. By using my link (click here), you can get a free trial of the of Everand. Before you go, please show your support by following the blog.

Until the next chapter,
Bunny

With And Without You // Book Review

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About The Book
High school seniors Siena and Patrick, dubbed Couple Most Likely to Marry, face a dilemma as college approaches. Siena questions whether staying together is right for their future, but before she can voice her concerns, Patrick announces his family’s move to Austin. Despite the distance, their relationship evolves during visits throughout the school year, leading Siena to rediscover her love for Patrick.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3R3Pg4a

My Rating

I adored this book and found it to be an absolutely charming young adult love story. Initially, I gave it 4 stars, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized it deserved 5 stars. This surprised me since I don’t usually rate this author duo’s books so highly.

The story follows high school student Siena, who feels defined by her long-term relationship with Patrick. She decides it’s time to end the relationship, but when Patrick reveals he’s moving, she ultimately agrees to try long distance. Siena hopes this will give her the opportunity to grow without losing Patrick.

I am team Patrick all the way! He was kind, understanding, and confident. However, Siena was probably the only downside of the book. She spent too much time debating whether to end her relationship, which became a bit annoying.

“The distance doesn’t matter. It doesn’t define our relationship, because we’ll always have this—being together—eventually. It’s more like a Temporarily Distant Relationship.”

Even so, I enjoyed the storyline. As a former long-distance relationship (LDR) girlfriend, I know how challenging they can be. It was nice to see both characters grow individually and reignite the spark in their relationship. I loved how the plot focused on the lack of communication, which is often what ends a relationship.

The ending was perfect! Honestly, there were some moments I didn’t see coming, which I loved. Normally, a young adult contemporary doesn’t have many surprises, so it was an added bonus to see the authors take the road less traveled.

Overall, I will probably continue to read this author duo’s young adult books. This is a solid contemporary that will make you laugh, cry, and smile. It is now one of my favorite young adult reads, and I will be recommending it to other YA contemporary readers. Hopefully, I will continue to find more gems like this within the genre.

In the comments, let me know if you’ve ever been in a long-distance relationship. Don’t forget to support my blog by getting post notifications. All you have to do is hit the follow button.

Until the next chapter,
Bunny

Weyward | Book Review

- Bunny Leave a comment

About The Book
In 2019, Kate escapes her abusive partner to live in Weyward Cottage, inherited from a mysterious great-aunt. In 1619, Altha awaits trial for murder, desperately fighting accusations of witchcraft. During World War II, Violet is confined to her family’s estate, seeking answers about her mother’s mysterious past. These intertwined stories of Kate, Altha, and Violet span five centuries, highlighting their resilience. “Weyward” is a captivating debut novel about female strength.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/4bpemlU

My Rating

I’ll admit, I wasn’t immediately drawn into the story, but there was something about it that kept me intrigued. As I delved deeper, I found myself captivated by the historical elements and witchy vibes. Plus, the way all three characters and timelines were woven together was nothing short of brilliant.

I’ve never been a huge fan of historical fiction, but the book has completely changed my perspective. Turns out, I have a soft spot for stories that blend history with a touch of magical realism. Who knew? I think that the writing really helped me enjoy the genre, and I’ll definitely be reading more books by this author in the future.

Let’s talk characters. Altha, Violet, and Kate—three women from different time periods, each with their own story to tell. While I liked them all, I couldn’t shake the feeling that they lacked distinct personalities. Still, their journeys were compelling enough to keep me turning the pages.

“Everything is made out of magic, leaves and trees, flowers and birds, badgers and foxes and squirrels and people. So it must be all around us.”

When it comes to pacing, it’s not what I’d call a fast-moving story. But you know what? That’s okay. The slower pace actually worked in favor of the narrative, allowing me to fully immerse myself in the plot and each character’s story. I was completely invested, despite having a pretty good idea of where the plot was headed.

Now, here’s something I didn’t love so much about the book. While I appreciated the feminist themes woven throughout, I couldn’t help but feel like the portrayal of men was a bit one-sided. Sure, not all men are saints, but lumping them all together felt a tad unfair. It would have been nice to see a broader range of male characters, acknowledging that while some men can be horrible, others can be kind and true of heart.

Overall, this is a beautifully written novel with an intriguing storyline. The ending tied everything up nicely, though I couldn’t shake the feeling that the feminist message was a bit heavy-handed. Still, it’s definitely worth a read, especially if you’re a fan of historical fiction with a magical twist. It’s 100% a girls supporting girls book, which is great, but it also contains a lot of triggering topics, so please check out Trigger Warning Database for a complete list.

Have you read “Weyward”? I’d love to hear your thoughts! And if you’re interested in checking it out, the audiobook is available on Everand—I’ve got a link (click here) for a free trial if you’re interested. Don’t forget to hit that follow button for more bookish content!

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

May 2024 // To Be Read

- Bunny Leave a comment

Hi Friends,
I realize it’s rather late in the month, but I still wanted to share my May TBR. Once again, I used prompts to pick my TBR. I selected five prompts and chose a book that fits each one. I must say, I’m very excited about this month’s book selections.

Buy Book: https://amzn.to/3UyrmPb

“Weaving together the stories of three extraordinary women across five centuries, Emilia Hart’s Weyward is an astonishing debut, and an enthralling novel of female resilience.”

This is a book I have heard many things about and can’t wait to jump into. It’s a magical realism story about witches, and I’ve been told that it’s a great read.

Buy Book: https://amzn.to/3JT0QuZ

“A TV meteorologist and a sports reporter scheme to reunite their divorced bosses with unforecasted results in this electrifying romance from the author of The Ex Talk.”

I have been wanting to read this book for the longest time, so hopefully, this will finally be the month. Since I’m practically obsessed with the weather, it seems like the perfect adult romance for me.

Buy Book: https://amzn.to/3wxLCIM

“A curmudgeonly professor journeys to a small town in the far north to study faerie folklore and discovers dark fae magic, friendship, and love in the start of a heartwarming and enchanting new fantasy series.”

This is a cozy fantasy, a genre I haven’t explored much. However, I know that this book is well-liked, and the plot intrigues me.

Buy Book: https://amzn.to/3UVeyUi

“A couple who broke up months ago pretend to still be together for their annual weeklong vacation with their best friends in this glittering and wise new novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Emily Henry.”

I’m not sure what’s drawing me towards this book, but I have a feeling that I am going to love it. Despite the fact that the main romance trope in the book is second chance, which is my least favorite book romance plot.

Buy Book: https://amzn.to/3yqe1kg

“In modern-day Manhattan where we lay our scene, two rival witch families fight to maintain control of their respective criminal empires.”

The first sentence of this book truly captivated me, so I have high hopes for it. Also, as you can tell, I enjoy a good witchy book.

Let me know in the comments what is on your May TBR. Remember to check Everand to see if any of these titles are available in the catalog. As always, you can use my link (click here) to get a 30-day free trial. Don’t forget that your support means a lot to me, so please follow the blog.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Cupcake | Book Review

- Bunny Leave a comment

About The Book
Cupcake isn’t the unnoticed girl waiting for a makeover. In fact, she loves herself just the way she is. But when she unexpectedly finds herself on the Homecoming Court, alongside a brooding partner named Rhys, everything changes. Rhys is mysterious and distant, and she can’t figure him out. As the spotlight shines brighter on the pair, Cupcake starts to question her feelings for Rhys. And, as the two grow closer, she realizes there’s more to both of them than meets the eye.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/44bryIz

My Rating

This book surprised me in the best way, since I haven’t been loving young adult contemporaries. I picked the book up on a whim because it has a plus size main character, which isn’t something you normally read in romance novels. Let alone a young adult romance. I wasn’t thinking it would be anything special, but found it to be such a quick and good read.

The plot follows Ariel, nicknamed Cupcake, who is shocked when she ends up on Homecoming court. Her partner is a popular jock, Rhys, who Cupcake thinks she has nothing in common with. But, as you could probably tell, the author follows the basic ‘opposites attract’ trope that is very common in young adult books. But, there was also an element of forced proximity to the story.

Ariel is a wonderful main character because she is very body positive. She knows that even though she’s a little bit bigger, that doesn’t make her less of a person. But, I found it to be very realistic when she did let comments about her weight affect her. It is hard to love yourself and your body 100% of the time. Unfortunately, Rhys wasn’t as fleshed out a characters, and it seemed like the author wanted him to be the brooding bad boy at times, but then made him the nice guy too.

“When I found out you’d read my favorite book series, some part of knew you were the one.”

The romance was very cute and wholesome. There was absolutely zero smut throughout the book, and not even really any talk about things more than kissing. Although, the characters are high school seniors, or possibly juniors, it leans towards the younger side of the YA genre. But, I don’t think that is a negative thing at all, since when I read young adult books, I expect there to be little or no spice.

The only issue I had was that the ending conflict was very immature, but I did have to remind myself it is a young adult book. Although, this is mainly a fluffy romance there is a brief mention of ED, which I know can be hard for some people to read about. There is also mention of mental health struggles and body shaming. The book is generally lighthearted but I did want to mention those possibly triggering topics.

Overall, this is going to be your typically young adult read, that I found to be breath of fresh air. It is a shame how underrated it is, since I could see a lot of younger people enjoying it. I had a good time reading it, and finished it fairly quick. So, if you are looking for a cutesy young adult romance, or have a teen reader in your life, I’d recommend giving this book a read.

In the comments, let me know if you have heard of this book. Thank you so much for reading this post, and stopping by my blog. As always, it is completely free to follow the blog, and it really does help it grow.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Books Inspired By // Taylor Swift

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Hi Friends,
I know that some of my readers must be Taylor Swift fans. I have been listening to her music since the release of the ‘Our Song’ music video. So, in honor of her new album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” I thought that I would share five books that were apparently inspired by her.

Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3WaZfIa

Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/4d4VWbx

Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3Ucjvq8

Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3JvT362

Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3JATxaR

In the comments, let me know which song from her new album is your favorite. Unfortunately, only one of these books can be found on Everand, but you’d like to check out other books they have you can use my link (click here) to get a free trial of their subscription service. Don’t forget to share and like this post. And, as always, you can support the blog by giving it a follow.

Until the next chapter,
Bunny