Frank Szatowski is shocked when his daughter, Maggie, calls him for the first time in three years. He was convinced that their estrangement would become permanent. He’s even more surprised when she invites him to her upcoming wedding in New Hampshire. Frank is ecstatic, and determined to finally make things right.
He arrives to find that the wedding is at a private estate―very secluded, very luxurious, very much out of his league. It seems that Maggie failed to mention that she’s marrying Aidan Gardner, the son of a famous tech billionaire. Feeling desperately out of place, Frank focuses on reconnecting with Maggie and getting to know her new family. But it’s difficult: Aidan is withdrawn and evasive; Maggie doesn’t seem to have time for him; and he finds that the locals are disturbingly hostile to the Gardners. Frank needs to know more about this family his daughter is marrying into, but if he pushes too hard, he could lose Maggie forever.
An edge-of-your-seat thriller that delves deep into the heart of one family, The Last One at the Wedding is a work of brilliant suspense from a true modern master.
My Mini Review:
I’m a very character driven reader, and these characters were all unlikable, but compelling. I think this is the way the author meant it. The plot was a slow-burn, but very intriguing. I was not expecting some of the twists. I took one star because I felt like we were building up to a shocking ending, but it was very underwhelming. I was a big fan of his last book, and this one did not disappoint. If you like slow-burn domestic thrillers, then this one is for you.
Disclaimers: I was not paid for this review, and all opinions on this blog are my own.
As an amazon affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases.
A former slave fighting for justice. A reclusive warrior who no longer believes it exists. And a dark magic that will entangle their fates.
Ripped from a forgotten homeland as a child, Tisaanah learned how to survive with nothing but a sharp wit and a touch of magic. But the night she tries to buy her freedom, she barely escapes with her life.
Desperate to save the best friend she left behind, Tisaanah journeys to the Orders, the most powerful organizations of magic Wielders in the world. But to join their ranks, she must complete an apprenticeship with Maxantarius Farlione, a handsome and reclusive fire wielder who despises the Orders.
The Orders’ intentions are cryptic, and Tisaanah must prove herself under the threat of looming war. But even more dangerous are her growing feelings for Maxantarius. The bloody past he wants to forget may be the key to her future… or the downfall of them both.
But Tisaanah will stop at nothing to save those she abandoned. Even if it means gambling in the Orders’ deadly games. Even if it means sacrificing her heart.
Even if it means wielding death itself.
Fans of epic romantic fantasy like Sarah J. Maas and Raven Kennedy will devour this tale of dark magic, passionate romance, vengeance, and redemption.(Note: This book contains adult material.)
My Mini Review:
I loved Tisaanah and Max so much. This was a very slow-burn though when it came to the romance. When it came to the plot, it was super action packed and fast paced. I really loved the magic system and the way the powers manifested so differently in every character. The side characters were good, but I didn’t grow too attached to any of them. My focus was purely on Tisaanah who would probably like it that way. I highly recommend this one to all Fantasy and Romantasy fans.
Disclaimers: I was not paid for this review, and all opinions on this blog are my own.
As an amazon affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases.
I haven’t been here in forever because I lost my laptop with everything in it when it crashed. I didn’t think I would be able to get my blog back, but here I am! Thank you for still sticking around 🙂
Synopsis:
Do not touch the sword. Do not turn the key. Do not open the gate.
Twenty-four-year-old Saeris Fane is good at keeping secrets. No one knows about the strange powers she possesses, or the fact that she has been picking pockets and stealing from the Undying Queen’s reservoirs for as long as she can remember. In the land of the unforgiving desert, there isn’t much a girl wouldn’t do for a glass of water. But a secret is like a knot. Sooner or later, it is bound to come undone.
When Saeris comes face-to-face with Death himself, she inadvertently reopens a gateway between realms and is transported to a land of ice and snow. The Fae have always been the stuff of myth, of legend, of nightmares…but it turns out they’re real, and Saeris has landed right in the middle of a centuries-long conflict that might just get her killed.
The first of her kind to tread the frozen mountains of Yvelia in over a thousand years, Saeris mistakenly binds herself to Kingfisher, a handsome Fae warrior, who has secrets and nefarious agendas of his own. He will use her Alchemist’s magic to protect his people, no matter what it costs him… or her. Death has a name. It is Kingfisher of the Ajun Gate. His past is murky. His attitude stinks. And he’s the only way Saeris is going to make it home.
Be careful of the deals you make, dear child. The devil is in the details…
My Mini Review:
I loved this book so much. I really liked the magic system. The chemistry between the FMC and MMC was amazing. The FMC was such a badass. The side characters were also great and kept me entertained. There was nothing I would have changed about it. Only thing I’m upset about is that book 2 is not out yet.
Disclaimers: I was not paid for this review, and all opinions on this blog are my own.
As an amazon affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases.
It seems like any other day. You wake up, pour a cup of coffee, and head out.
But today, when you open your front door, waiting for you is a small wooden box. This box holds your fate inside: the answer to the exact number of years you will live.
From suburban doorsteps to desert tents, every person on every continent receives the same box. In an instant, the world is thrust into a collective frenzy. Where did these boxes come from? What do they mean? Is there truth to what they promise?
As society comes together and pulls apart, everyone faces the same shocking choice: Do they wish to know how long they’ll live? And, if so, what will they do with that knowledge?
The Measure charts the dawn of this new world through an unforgettable cast of characters whose decisions and fates interweave with one another: best friends whose dreams are forever entwined, pen pals finding refuge in the unknown, a couple who thought they didn’t have to rush, a doctor who cannot save himself, and a politician whose box becomes the powder keg that ultimately changes everything.
My Review:
I love books that dive into the human condition, and this one had such a unique thought provoking premise. I enjoyed the multiple POV’s, which worked so great because different people will always choose different paths, and as a reader I wanted to find out how their paths would end and how they interconnected. What if you looked? What if you didn’t? What if your partner had a short string? I was satisfied to learn the answers to all my questions by the end. I found myself turning page after page and finishing it in one day. Pick it up and you won’t regret it, just make sure you have time to read it all because you won’t want to put it back down.
Disclaimer: I was not paid for this review, and all opinions on this blog are my own.
Chemist Elizabeth Zott is not your average woman. In fact, Elizabeth Zott would be the first to point out that there is no such thing as an average woman. But it’s the early 1960s and her all-male team at Hastings Research Institute takes a very unscientific view of equality. Except for one: Calvin Evans; the lonely, brilliant, Nobel–prize nominated grudge-holder who falls in love with—of all things—her mind. True chemistry results.
But like science, life is unpredictable. Which is why a few years later Elizabeth Zott finds herself not only a single mother, but the reluctant star of America’s most beloved cooking show Supper at Six. Elizabeth’s unusual approach to cooking (“combine one tablespoon acetic acid with a pinch of sodium chloride”) proves revolutionary. But as her following grows, not everyone is happy. Because as it turns out, Elizabeth Zott isn’t just teaching women to cook. She’s daring them to change the status quo.
Laugh-out-loud funny, shrewdly observant, and studded with a dazzling cast of supporting characters, Lessons in Chemistry is as original and vibrant as its protagonist.
My Review:
If you are a woman, I am warning you now that you will find this book difficult to read, but it’s definitely 100% worth it! I laughed, I cried, and I fumed over all the injustices. I had to put it down several times, on days when the words struck a bit too close to home, but then I would take some deep breaths and dive back in. I am a dog person, and if you are one of those you will also love this book for that reason alone. I hate that I waited so long to read it. Amazing job Bonnie Garmus! All the awards this book has received and will receive are well deserved!
Disclaimer: I was not paid for this review, and all opinions on this blog are my own.
Bee Königswasser lives by a simple code: What would Marie Curie do? If NASA offered her the lead on a neuroengineering project – a literal dream come true – Marie would accept without hesitation. Duh. But the mother of modern physics never had to co-lead with Levi Ward.
Sure, Levi is attractive in a tall, dark, and piercing-eyes kind of way. But Levi made his feelings toward Bee very clear in grad school – archenemies work best employed in their own galaxies far, far away.
But when her equipment starts to go missing and the staff ignore her, Bee could swear she sees Levi softening into an ally, backing her plays, seconding her ideas… devouring her with those eyes. The possibilities have all her neurons firing.
But when it comes time to actually make a move and put her heart on the line, there’s only one question that matters: What will Bee Königswasser do?
My Mini Review:
I enjoyed this one so much. Maybe a bit more than The Love Hypothesis. Except, there was a lot more of the “miscommunication” trope in this one for my liking. I loved the slow burn romance, the spice, and the side characters were amazing! Her assistant Rocio! I loved her. She was hilarious. I enjoyed the banter between the characters. I liked the plot twist at the end and the action. This book was just a perfect wholesome STEM Romance.
If you are interested in buying this book please visit my Pango Store!
In a peaceful retirement village, four unlikely friends meet up once a week to investigate unsolved murders.
But when a brutal killing takes place on their very doorstep, the Thursday Murder Club find themselves in the middle of their first live case. Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron might be pushing eighty but they still have a few tricks up their sleeves.
Can our unorthodox but brilliant gang catch the killer before it’s too late?
My Review:
This was such an amazing cozy mystery. I fell in love with all the characters. How is that even possible? There were so many I had a hard time keeping them straight at first, but once I got the hang of all the names it was smooth sailing from there. These old people were hilarious. The detectives were great. The husbands and the side characters were also amazing. I mean, I even had a hard time disliking the people I know I was probably supposed to hate, but they were all so genuine I had to like them. I did not solve the whole mystery until the end, and I love when that happens. The Thursday Murder Club has my heart, and I cannot wait to read the rest of the series.
If you liked this review, visit my Pango Store where I sell all the books I read for a fair price and in great condition.
This is a meme hosted by Taking on a World of Words where you answer three questions: What are you reading now? What did you just read? What will you be reading next? I can’t believe we are already half-way through August, and I’ve barely made a dent on my TBR. Help! I’ve just been in one of those moods where I lose interest in all the books I pick up. I’ve also been dealing with my first-born starting Kindergarten in the middle of a pandemic. I finally just decided to home school him for the time being, until all this is over. It’s what I felt was right for my family. To all the parents out there struggling with what to do, just do what feels right and what works for you and your family. Every situation and child is different. Lets not judge others and just offer our support in any way we can in these difficult times. Now on to the books!
Disclaimer: All opinions on this blog are my own. If you are interested in purchasing any of these books, please consider using my Amazon affiliate link by clicking on the pictures and/or links and I will receive a small fee, but your book will still cost the same.
As you guys know, I usually read three books at a time in different formats. I’m currently reading Wolfsong (Green Creek, #1) by T.J. Klune in ebook form, and I’m really enjoying it. I recently discovered Klune’s books after reading The House in the Cerulean Sea, and I completely fell in love with his writing. His characters are so adorable, they are the kind of people you root for during the whole book. I’m also rereading the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas because I haven’t reread them in a while and I was missing them. I had never listened to the audio books before and I’m loving it. I’m also reading The Shadows by Alex North, the hardback. I loved The Whisper Man by him and I’m liking this one too. I’m new to the concept of lucid dreaming and I’m enjoying learning about it.
I just read Midnight Sun (Twilight,#5) by Stephenie Meyer, you can click on the link to read my nostalgic ramblings. I also read Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren, which I really enjoyed. It quickly became my favorite book by these authors.
Seeing how I’m enjoying the Green Creek series by T.J. Klune, I’ll probably continue on to book two. I also plan to keep rereading the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas. This might all change with my mood though since I’m unfortunately a mood reader.
Let me know what you are reading in the comments? Or any recent books you’ve read that you think I should read!
This is a meme hosted by Taking on a World of Words where you answer three questions: What are you reading now? What did you just read? What will you be reading next? I’m using this as a way to keep track of my books as well. I already keep track of them on Goodreads, if you have an account add me please, but I thought these Wednesday posts are also a good way to talk about my reading progress here with you guys. Let me know what you are reading and how you’re liking it in the comments. Now on to the books!
I’ve gotten into this habit of reading three books at a time: one e-book, one physical book, and an audio book. I’m currently reading Red Rising (Red Rising Saga, #1) by Pierce Brown. I’ve heard such great things about this series, and I felt like starting a long one. I’m also listening to an audio book of Thunderhead (Arc of a Scythe, #2) by Neal Shusterman. Finally, I know! It’s been taking me forever to finish the series, not because it’s bad but because the first book had some closure to it and I didn’t immediately feel like grabbing the second one. Lastly, I’m reading Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren. This is another one I’ve been putting off, and as soon as I started reading it I knew this book would destroy me. It’s about young love and this has always been a weakness of mine.
I plan to finish the Scythe series by reading The Toll next. I’ve also been curious about The Guest List audio book so I will probably listen to that one next too. Lastly, I’ve been wanting to read Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner’s These Broken Stars series, so I think I will start that one as an e-book as well.
I just finished my reread of the Illuminae Files series by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff, and it was just as amazing as the first time around. I also reread Twilight in preparation for Midnight Sun (Twilight, #5) by Stephenie Meyer. Rereading this one reminded me how much I’ve outgrown these books, since I read them back in High School, but it still gave me a nice nostalgic feeling, and it got me all hyped up for Midnight Sun.
I saw this book tag on Mani’s Book Corner and thought it looked really fun. If you are reading this then consider yourself tagged. Please remember to tag me back so I can read your answers. Now on to the books!
Disclaimer: All opinions on this blog are my own. If you are interested in purchasing any of these books, please consider using my Amazon affiliate link by clicking on the pictures and/or links and I will receive a small fee, but your book will still cost the same.
I am more likely to read newer books than older ones that have been sitting on my shelf for a while. Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren has been out since 2018 and I keep putting it off. I tried the audio book at some point to see if that motivated me, but the narrator’s voice was really annoying so I stopped.
2. What is your current read, your last read, and the book you will read next?
Current read: Gemina (Illuminae Files, #2) by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
Last read: Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center
Next read: Obsidio (Illuminae Files, #3) by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
I love ALMOST all Cassandra Clare books, and I adore Shadowhunters, but I just couldn’t get into Lady Midnight. Most probably it was due to it containing one of my most hated tropes “forbidden love” *shudders*
4. What book do you keep telling yourself you will read, but you probably won’t?
My pile of ARC’s. Just kidding! I do eventually read those 🙂
5. Which book are you saving for retirement?
I haven’t read many classics, and I think when I retire and have the time I might make a list and read the most famous ones.
6. Last page: Do you read it first or wait to the end?
What kind of monster does this?! I have heard of people doing this, but I don’t like to spoil the ending for myself. I know the last page is out of context and I probably wouldn’t understand it if I read it, but then I would be wondering about it the whole book.
7. Acknowledgements: are they a waste of paper and ink or interesting?
I like to read acknowledgements. Sometimes they are boring, but a lot of times they are interesting. For example, in Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center I got to learn that her husband is a firefighter and he was a really great help to her while writing and editing. I always like to learn things about the authors which makes their stories more real and relatable.
8. Which book character would you switch places with?
Definitely Feyre from A Court of Thorns and Roses, not only is she married to Rhysand (who is my book boyfriend), but she gets to live in the Night Court and be part of the Inner Circle.
9. Do you have a book that reminds you of something specific in your life?
When I was thirteen I got Treasure Island from the school book fair. The class clown in my science classroom thought it would be funny to write on it. I’ve never liked writing on books, so I was pissed. That’s how our back and forth banter and eventually our relationship began. The class clown and the bookworm. That boy is now my husband. We have been together for sixteen years and counting.
P.S. He wrote “Hi”
P.S.S. He’s still a clown, and his dad jokes are the best 🙂
10. Name a book that you acquired in an interesting way.
I cannot think of one.
11. Have you ever given away a book for a special reason to a special person?
I give books as gifts all the time. Sometimes I’ll read a book and it will remind me of someone and I’ll give them a copy. Last year for mother’s day I gave my grandma, mom, and my aunt all a copy of the same book (Angels and Demons by Dan Brown) so that they could do a buddy read.
This battered paperback copy of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone has been with me since I was twelve years old. It has been through about ten moves and too many rereads to count.
13. Any required reading you hated in High School that wasn’t so bad a few years later?
I was that nerd that actually liked required reading AND enjoyed it. I do remember not really liking The Scarlet Letter, but I never reread it.
14. Used or brand new?
A good book is a good book to me no matter what condition it’s in. I enjoy browsing regular book stores, as well as used book stores.
15. Have you ever read a Dan Brown book?
Yes, but only one: The Da Vinci Code. I do plan to read the rest of the Robert Langdon series eventually.
16. Have you ever seen a movie that you liked more than the book?
It’s so cliché that The Hunger Games make me hungry, but they do. It’s not the parts when they’re in the games and can’t get any food, or when they are back home in the Districts. It’s the parties with all the lavish food and drinks that really get me every time.
18. Who is the person who’s book advice you’ll always take?
All of you wonderful people who actually read and take the time to comment on my posts and give me bookish advice. Also, all my friends on Bookstagram and Goodreads who have really good taste in books. I really appreciate all of you ❤
19. Most read authors?
Stephen King, Sarah J. Maas, Leigh Bardugo, and Nicolas Sparks. What a weird mix I know. I like to mix it up genre wise every once in a while.
20. Ship from two different books?
Mia from Nevernight and Mor from ACOTAR, dark and light, they would go so well together!
Dee’s Reading Tree 