Romantasy

Books I Wish I Read In 2024!

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Hi Friends,
Happy Bookmas Day Eleven! Twenty-twenty-four was one of my best reading years. I read so many good books this year and pretty much stayed on track with my reading goal. However, there are only so many hours in the day to read, which means I didn’t get to every book I would have liked to. For this Bookmas post, I decided to talk about 10 books I wish I had read this year.

Quicksilver by Callie Hart
I’m going to be real and admit that I didn’t actually know about this book until closer to the end of the year. Also, the audiobook just recently came out, so there was a slim chance I would have read it sooner. But I hear this is one of the best adult romantasy books, and there’s a movie adaptation coming next year. I wish I had made it more of a priority in December, but unfortunately, I won’t be able to get to it until 2025.

Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli
I’ve been wanting to read this book since it was released, but something always seemed to get in the way. I know the sequel is coming out early next year, so I have to move this up my TBR. I’ve seen a lot of mixed reviews, which is probably why I didn’t push myself to read it this year. But it’s definitely one I really want to get to.

Hooked by Emily McIntire
Everyone always recommends this book to me, and I’ve put it on so many TBRs this year. I think my fear is that I won’t love the series as much as others. Sometimes, when a book or series is very popular, it doesn’t tend to live up to the hype for me. However, I really want to love this series, and I’ll be so sad if I don’t. But I won’t know unless I try!

When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker
I’m going to be honest here and admit that I know nothing about this book, but it was very hyped up, and it has dragons, so I wanted to read it this year. It was another one of those very popular romantasies that everyone was talking about. Did I get to it? No. But in my defense, this book is very long.

A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle L. Jensen
This was a Book of the Month pick for me, and yes, I am still heartbroken that I didn’t get the copy with the beautiful silver book edges. I know some people loved it and some didn’t like it at all, but as you can probably tell, a theme with most of these books is that I’ve become a romantasy girlie, so I needed to read all the romantasies. Somehow, though, this one just never made it onto my TBR, which is really unfortunate.

Reckless by Lauren Roberts
I’m only adding this one to the list because it’s the last book in the series that I need to read. If I had read it this year, I’d be caught up on the series. I’m not exactly sure when the next book comes out, but I know it’s sometime in early 2025. The problem with this one is that I didn’t actually love the first book, Powerless, but I was still hoping to read the sequel before the year’s end. I just don’t think that’s going to happen.

The Games Gods Play by Abigail Owen
This is another book I didn’t find out about until closer to the end of the year, so it makes sense why I didn’t pick it up. Still, everyone is loving this book, so I wish I’d known about it a little sooner. I’m getting major FOMO hearing about how good it is. It’s definitely going on my TBR for early 2025.

Bloodguard by Cecy Robson
I actually haven’t heard many things about this book, and what I have heard isn’t great. I pre-ordered it back when its original release date was March 2024, then it got pushed back to summer, but it didn’t actually come out until the fall. I thought I’d get a chance to read it as soon as it arrived, but that didn’t happen. I’m still looking forward to it, but I’m a little hesitant now.

The Bodyguard by Katherine Center
I’ve had this book on my “want to read” list since it came out in 2022. I know it’s a clean romance where the girl is the bodyguard for a famous celebrity. I really think I’m going to love Katherine Center’s writing, and for the life of me, I don’t know why I didn’t read it. I kept telling myself I’d get to it this year, but I just never did.

Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez
I’m so upset that I didn’t read—or even attempt to start—this interconnected standalone romcom series this year. I thought 2024 was going to be the year I became an Abby Jimenez girlie, but that didn’t happen. I own all of her books, and I haven’t read a single one. If I don’t start my Abby Jimenez journey next year, can I even call myself a romance reader?

In the comments, let me know if you’ve read any of these books and which ones I should make a big priority next year. Don’t forget that you can like this post—your likes really help me understand the type of content you want to see. And hitting the follow button ensures you never miss out on a new post!

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

My Dream Book Haul | Amazon BOGO Edition

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Hi Friends,
Amazon is currently offering a buy-one, get-one 50% off deal on select books. I always try to take advantage of a good book sale, but I’m on a small book-buying ban at the moment. So, instead, I thought I’d share the books I would get if I were shopping the sale.

Buy The Book

The Women by Kristin Hannah
I haven’t read a Kristin Hannah book yet, as historical fiction isn’t necessarily a genre I gravitate toward. But I’ve heard wonderful things about her writing, and so much praise surrounds this novel in particular. The plot follows the journey of an Army Nurse in 1965. I can tell that this will be an impactful story. Fun fact about me, I love nursing and think it’s one of the most incredible careers.

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The Wedding People by Alison Espach
This book is known to be an emotional read, with a few trigger warnings, one being for miscarriage. As someone currently going through fertility challenges, I may not be emotionally ready for it right now, but I’ve heard it’s a beautifully written story. Although I don’t often read literary fiction, I think this one would be something I’d enjoy. Plus, the cover is gorgeous.

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Dinner for Vampires by Bethany Joy Lenz
If you know my reading taste, you’ll know I’m usually not a nonfiction girl. However, as a huge fan of One Tree Hill—where Bethany Joy Lenz played Haley James Scott—this memoir is definitely tempting. The show was a big part of my teens, so I’d love to support her by reading it. I’ll just have to overlook the controversy surrounding the book.

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Spectacular by Stephanie Garber
This is a holiday book set in the Caraval world. I don’t know much about the plot, except that it once again follows sisters Scarlett and Tella. I loved the Caraval trilogy, so reading another book with these characters at Christmastime sounds perfect.
Related Post: Caraval | Book Review

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Bloodguard by Cecy Robson
This book has the most beautiful sprayed edges, and it’s about gladiators! The plot sounds incredibly unique, with a deadly tournament and a tortured male lead. Plus, it features an enemies-to-lovers romance, a trope I adore (and probably most romance readers do too).

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The Games Gods Play by Abigail Owen
This is a mythology-based romantasy retelling that’s been getting a lot of buzz. It’s said to be super fast-paced, with excellent writing and an amazing romance. This book has blown up in the book community, and I’m excited to see if it lives up to the hype.

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Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
I’ve never seriously considered diving into the Sarah J. Maas world, mainly because her series are so long and I’m unsure if the plots would interest me. However, I think I’d like to try her books, and what better time to get them than on sale? Throne of Glass seems like the right place to start, so I’d be tempted to pick it up for 50% off.

These are the six books I’d pick up if I were shopping the current Amazon book sale. If you’re not on a book-buying ban, I highly recommend checking them out and maybe adding a few to your cart. Don’t forget to like and share this post, and hit that follow button—your support really helps the blog reach other readers!

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Romantasy | 2024 Goodreads Choice Awards

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Hi Friends,
We’re talking about the 2024 Goodreads Choice Awards again! This time, I’m sharing my predictions for the romantasy category. I’m officially in my romantasy era, so I had a lot of fun picking out five books that I feel confident will be nominated. For many, voting in this category will be tough!

Bride by Ali Hazelwood
People seem to have mixed opinions on whether this is actually a romantasy or paranormal romance. However, since it’s tagged as fantasy romance on Goodreads, it’s safe to say that if it gets nominated, it will fall under the romantasy category. Currently, it has about a 4.0 rating on Goodreads, and Ali Hazelwood is a very popular author. That said, it seems to be one of those books you either love or hate, so while I expect it to be nominated, I don’t see it winning.

A Fate Inked In Blood by Danielle L. Jensen
This book was widely talked about when it came out earlier this year and received great reviews. Although it only has a 3.97 rating on Goodreads, I think it has the potential to be nominated due to all the attention it received. I’m not sure how it will fare compared to other romantasies that will be nominated, but I’m positive we’ll see this as one of the choices in the romantasy category.

Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli
This is a book I can’t wait to read and definitely see making it to the top ten of the awards. It has a solid rating, and most of the reviews are positive. I’ve been dying to read it since I’ve heard nothing but good things about it. I know it’s a witch and witch hunter story, which is a plot that many readers, including myself, tend to really enjoy.

When The Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker
This book has been all over the bookish side of TikTok and Instagram. It wasn’t on my radar before all the hype, but now it’s at the top of my must-read list! I could see this book winning the romantasy category, but I’m not 100% confident that it will be the winner. There have been a lot of good fantasy romances released, but this one is extremely popular, which makes it a strong contender.

The Ashes & The Star-Cursed King by Carissa Broadbent
This is the sequel to ‘The Serpent & The Wings of Night’, a book I loved! I can almost guarantee it will be nominated, and if it isn’t, I’ll be so upset. This romantasy series has become incredibly popular and well-loved. I haven’t read this book yet, but I really need to because I predict it will probably make it into the top 5 in the romantasy category.
Related Post: The Serpent and the Wings of Night | Book Review

There you have my predictions for the romantasy category of the 2024 Goodreads Choice Awards! Please leave your predictions in the comments below and let me know your favorite romantasy reads of 2024. Don’t forget, you can read some of these books on Everand [Here]. Before you go, hit the follow button so you never miss a post.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Currently Reading | Update & Thoughts (September 9, 2024)

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Hi Friends,
Today, I thought I’d give a quick reading update and chat about the books I’m currently diving into. I used to be so good at sticking to just one book at a time, but now I can’t help but read multiple books at once. I think it’s because I’m such a mood reader—I always need a book from a different genre on hand so I can pick up whatever fits my mood in the moment.

A Touch Of Darkness by Scarlett St. Clair
I’m about 50% into this one, and I’m absolutely loving it. It took me a bit to get into, but once it hooked me, I couldn’t put it down! Honestly, right now it’s giving me 5-star feels, and I can’t wait to see how it ends.

We Used To Live Here by Marcus Kliewer
I’m also 50% into this one, but I’ve got mixed feelings. I know this is a super popular thriller that a lot of people are raving about—it’s fast-paced with an interesting premise—but I’m just not that invested in the plot. The writing style isn’t my favorite, and it hasn’t captivated me yet. I’m hoping by the end I’ll understand all the hype!

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
I’m slowly making my way through this book and I’m only 35% in, but I’m really enjoying it so far. I can definitely see why it’s gotten so much attention. It’s giving me ‘Divergent’ and old-school YA fantasy vibes, and I’m living for the enemies-to-lovers romance. I can’t wait for the plot to pick up even more!
Related Post: Divergent｜Book Review

Let me know in the comments what you’re reading, or if you’ve read any of these books—feel free to share your spoiler-free thoughts! And don’t forget to follow the blog for more updates!

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Powerless | Book Review

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About The Book
In the kingdom of Ilya, only the empowered Elites, gifted with powers by the Plague, are allowed to stay; the powerless Ordinaries are banished. Paedyn Gray, an Ordinary, survives by posing as a Psychic in the city. When she saves a prince, she is forced into the deadly Purging Trials, designed to display Elite powers. Paedyn must navigate the Trials and her feelings for the prince, all while hiding her lack of abilities.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/459LXhv

My Rating

This book starts off a fantasy series on a solid note with its strong plot, but it may not captivate every reader. I appreciate Roberts’ efforts in crafting the world and characters, which is typical for a fantasy series debut. However, I personally felt that the pacing fell short, and I found myself craving a faster-paced story with more excitement and action.

One of the book’s strong points is its magic system, which gives off a YA fantasy vibe reminiscent of popular series like “Divergent” or “The Hunger Games.” The main character, Paedyn, stands out as a powerful female lead, confidently strong-willed thanks to her background of survival. And then there’s Kai, the male lead, who strikes a likable balance between toughness and kindness, making for some really engaging interactions between them.

The story mainly revolves around Paedyn and Kai, so the side characters don’t really play a significant role in the plot. However, I found Kitt, Kai’s brother and the future king, to be intriguing. Even though he’s not a major character, I enjoyed the moments between him and Kai, as well as the scene with Paedyn and him. I’m looking forward to learning more about him as the series progresses.

As for Paedyn and Kai’s romance, it follows the classic rivals-to-lovers theme, and I thought it was executed quite well. Nevertheless, I can understand if some readers find it a bit slow-paced, especially if they prefer their romantic plots to move along more quickly. As someone who openly dislikes slow-burn romance, this one really got on my nerves. However, I have to give credit where it’s due—the banter between Kai and Paedyn was spot on. Still, it didn’t quite make up for the overly drawn-out slow burn.

“If I am to be her enemy, I want it to be because she loathes herself for wanting me.”

For me, the plot falls short of delivering any groundbreaking revelations, which left me feeling disconnected from the story’s twists and turns. While I wasn’t deeply attached to the characters, the ending did stir up a mix of emotions, making me curious about where the series is headed next.

The author’s writing style heavily leans into the YA genre, which isn’t something I love, as I’ve been gravitating towards more adult fantasies these days. Additionally, the book’s length feels excessive, lacking consistent engagement throughout its 400 pages. I feel that if it had been a bit shorter, I might have enjoyed the story more.

Overall, the book didn’t hold my attention from start to finish, which is something I always hope for, especially in a fantasy series. However, its solid foundation and intriguing characters still give me enough reason to keep going with the series. I’m curious to see where the characters will go from here and how the story will unfold.

Share your thoughts on this book in the comments below! Don’t forget to hit the follow button so you never miss a post. Also, you can listen to the audiobook of ‘Powerless’ on Everand and get a free trial of the subscription service by using my link (click here).

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

One Dark Window | Book Review

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About The Book
This lush, dark fantasy debut delivers atmospheric world-building, witchy tarot-like magic, and a steamy romantic subthread. It’s a loose reimagination of the English folk ballad “The Highwayman” and reads like a timeless fable. Perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Naomi Novik, Hannah Whitten, and those that want a little spice in their gothic monster fantasy. For fans of Uprooted and For the Wolf comes a dark, lushly gothic fantasy about a maiden who must unleash the monster within to save her kingdom—but the monster in her head isn’t the only threat lurking.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3TWbvt8

My Rating

Honestly, I was gonna start off this review by giving my brief rundown of the synopsis, but this book has so many elements to it that I can’t actually describe it. There’s a magic tarot card of sorts, a fever that gives you magic, and somewhat of a corrupt kingdom. There’s even this deadly fog which can only be stopped if you collect all the cards, some of which cannot be found. So you can see that it’s a lot to condense into a few sentences.

That brief rundown of plot probably left you confused but as wanting to know more. Right? Well it did for me, because I found the book to be intriguing and like nothing I’ve ever read before. The elements of magic, tarot-like cards, and an amoral King worked well together. The added addition of the fever and fog was fantastic.

The female main characters was honestly a little boring. Her only interesting characteristic was that she had the fever as a child and ended up getting the nightmare from the nightmare card in her head. In addition to her, there were many side characters that I did enjoy, as well as the added comical relief character.

There was a pretty heavy romance sub plot, that I guess was supposed to be enemies to lovers. However, there wasn’t enough angst between the characters for them to seem like genuine enemies. I did enjoy the spicy scenes, but the romance wasn’t my favorite part of the story. Probably because I found myself being somewhat attracted to the nightmare. I have a thing for mysterious bad boys.

“I am the shepherd of shadow. The phantom of the fright. The demon in the daydream.”

The world building was heavy in this book, which is usual for fantasy books although I guess technically this is a romantasy. However, the atmosphere was amazing and the description of the world really brought it to life. Now it’s not a world I’d choose to live in, but it is an amazing fantasy universe.

The writing is what I struggled with more, because it wasn’t as engaging as I would have liked. Although, I was immersed in the story the author wasn’t able to keep my attention. There was just something missing from the book making the chapters feel as though they were dragging on forever.

Overall, I did start to enjoy the book around the 50% mark, so please don’t give up on it if you are considering DNFing it. The ending is amazing, and will leave you shocked. Although, I can see it being one of those books that could easily be forgotten within a few years. So, if you do read it I recommend quickly jumping into the sequel.

In the comments, let me know your thoughts on the book. I could definitely see this becoming a movie one day. Before you go please make my day by giving the blog a quick follow.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny