July Wrap Up | 2019

Hello bookworms! I’m Nia and today I’m going to be talking about the books I read in July.

Now I have to say that July was a pretty decent reading month for me. I participated in The Reading Rush and also I read quite a lot of ARCs that I had pending, and though some of the books I read weren’t particularly my favorite, I also found some hidden gems that I absolutely adored.

As always, I’ll be leaving links if I had done a review about said book, as well as a description of what the book is about and a link to Goodreads, in case you’re interested to know more about it.

Without any further ado, let’s begin with my July wrap up!

The Merciful Crow | Margaret Owen

★★★★

I have already published a full review with all my thoughts about this book, so click here in case you want to check it out.

A future chieftain.

Fie abides by one rule: look after your own. Her Crow caste of undertakers and mercy-killers takes more abuse than coin, but when they’re called to collect royal dead, she’s hoping they’ll find the payout of a lifetime.

A fugitive prince.

When Crown Prince Jasimir turns out to have faked his death, Fie’s ready to cut her losses—and perhaps his throat. But he offers a wager that she can’t refuse: protect him from a ruthless queen, and he’ll protect the Crows when he reigns.

A too-cunning bodyguard.

Hawk warrior Tavin has always put Jas’s life before his, magically assuming the prince’s appearance and shadowing his every step. But what happens when Tavin begins to want something to call his own?

How The Light Gets In | Katy Upperman

★★.75

I was pretty intrigued by the premise of this novel, because in the past I’ve read similar stories to this one and really enjoyed, so I went with pretty high expectations into it, and overall I felt okay about it. It was quite a generic book, and though it had some elements that I really enjoyed, I also had my issues.

The plot wasn’t as unique as I thought it was. It was quite a typical YA book that dealt about the loss of a loved one. It had also some mystery going on that was keeping me interested, which I appreciate, but I would say the majority of the novel was focused on the romance and building a relationship between our main character and her love interest.

The book is told from Calliope’s POV, with some jumps between past and present, and though I found that a bit helpful for the reader to gathered more information about our protagonist and her relationship with her sister and her ex, I found it quite confusing at times those flashbacks, because there wasn’t anything that let me know I was reading something that happened in the past (some italics…), and at times I didn’t know if what I was reading was happening in the past or the present.

When it comes to the characters, I think they were okay. I absolutely adored Tucker and think he was such a cute and supportive love interest, and I really enjoyed the dynamics between him and Calliope, but I guess when it comes to our protagonist I was expecting much more. Since it’s a book that dealt with mental health, I was expecting to see it more present in the novel, and I was sadly disappointed. The book was more focused on the romance, and I feel Calliope’s development wasn’t really there during most of the book, and only I could see that in the last two or three chapters.

However, the romance was pretty well done. I liked how it wasn’t an insta love-y type of romance, but the author took her time to build a connection between those characters, which I so appreciated. I also enjoyed that evolution, though it’s true there were certain moments where it was a bit cheesy for my liking.

Something that I noticed and wasn’t the biggest fan of was how the side characters were barely there. Calliope’s parents were barely in the story and only appear so she could have an inner monologue or to add something to her arc, and that pretty much happened with the rest of the characters, which was so sad. I wanted to see more relationships apart from the romance, and I feel that was the only one that stood out.

Overall, I think this book was okay and wasn’t bad, but I’ve read others that I absolutely loved more than this one. It had its pros and its cons, so even though I enjoyed some parts of How the Light Gets In, there were other issues that made me lower my rating a bit.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. This doesn’t change my opinion whatsoever. All thoughts are my own.

Since her sister’s tragic death, seventeen-year-old Callie Ryan has basically given up. Her grades have plummeted, she’s quit her swim team, and she barely recognizes the people her parents have become.

When she returns to her aunt’s run-down coastal Victorian one year after Chloe’s death, Callie resigns herself to a summer of guilt and home renovations. She doesn’t expect to be charmed by the tiny coastal town or by Tucker Morgan, a local boy brimming with sunshine.

But even as her days begin to brighten, Callie’s nights are crowded with chilling dreams, unanswered questions, and eerie phenomenon that have her convinced she’s being haunted. Will Callie be able to figure out what her sister is trying to communicate before it’s too late?

Say You Still Love Me | K. A. Tucker

★★★★.25

I have already published a full review with all my thoughts about this book, so click here in case you want to check it out.

Life is a mixed bag for Piper Calloway.

On the one hand, she’s a twenty-nine-year-old VP at her dad’s multibillion-dollar real estate development firm, and living the high single life with her two best friends in a swanky downtown penthouse. On the other hand, she’s considered a pair of sexy legs in a male-dominated world and constantly has to prove her worth. Plus, she’s stuck seeing her narcissistic ex-fiancé—a fellow VP—on the other side of her glass office wall every day.

Things get exponentially more complicated for Piper when she runs into Kyle Miller—the handsome new security guard at Calloway Group Industries, and coincidentally the first love of her life.

The guy she hasn’t seen or heard from since they were summer camp counsellors together. The guy from the wrong side of the tracks. The guy who apparently doesn’t even remember her name.

Piper may be a high-powered businesswoman now, but she soon realizes that her schoolgirl crush is not only alive but stronger than ever, and crippling her concentration. What’s more, despite Kyle’s distant attitude, she’s convinced their reunion isn’t at all coincidental, and that his feelings for her still run deep. And she’s determined to make him admit to them, no matter the consequences.

A Dress For the Wicked | Autumn Krause

★★

My initial thoughts while reading the synopsis of A Dress for the Wicked were: I need this book in my life. It sounded so interesting and cool, and for one who loves fashion and clothes I knew I had to read it. Sadly for me, this is one of those cases where the idea was very good, but the execution failed.

The plot of the novel wasn’t bad at all. In fact, that was my favorite part of it. Though the writing wasn’t amazing, I found that the descriptions of the different clothes and fabrics were so flushed and vivid, and I could picture everything pretty clearly in my mind while I was reading them. I liked how fashion and clothing making took a major part of the story, and how everything that happened revolved around that.

My main issue was that, though those descriptions were good, there wasn’t much building to the world or the characters. It lacked a lot when it came to descriptions of the society and places of that era, and the pacing of the story was a bit off sometimes. I was really enjoying the beginning, but as I kept reading I became less and less invested in the story, and frankly, more bored. Though there was a lot of drama surrounding our protagonist, there weren’t any additions to make the story more interesting and unique, and that made it more lineal and flat.

When it comes to the characters, I’d say I wasn’t really impressed. I had a love/hate relationship with Emmy, our protagonist, that made me feel more distance throughout the novel. I found her decisions quite upsetting, and I also think she didn’t had a very impressive arc. Her dynamics with the rest of the characters were sometimes a bit forced, and she hardly had any evolution in the story. I don’t know, she was such a dull and flat character, and though I appreciated her passion for dressmaking, I would have loved for her to be more complex and flushed out.

With the romance happened pretty much the same. It was a pretty generic type of relationship, and it didn’t add much to the story and came a bit out of nowhere.

However, a character I totally adored was Sophia. She was such an engaging side character, and I loved her personality. I think she added a lot to the story, and I enjoyed the friendship she formed with Emmy.

I don’t know if there’s going to be a sequel, but if there’s not I think the ending was a bit wonky. There were a lot of plot points left unanswered, and so many questions that I think needed some type of explanation, so if A Dress for the Wicked is a standalone, I would be pretty disappointed.

Overall, I found this book a bit underwhelming. Yes, it had an incredible premise, and I enjoyed the parts where they were making dressed and competing with others, but I there were a lot of things that happened in the second and third part that made me disconnect with the story a lot more.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. This doesn’t change my opinion whatsoever. All thoughts are my own.

Nothing much happens in the sleepy town of Shy in Avon-upon-Kynt. And for eighteen years, Emmaline Watkins has feared that her future held just that: nothing.

But when the head of the most admired fashion house in the country opens her prestigious design competition to girls from outside the stylish capital city, Emmy’s dreams seem closer than they ever have before.

As the first “country girl” to compete, Emmy knows she’ll encounter extra hurdles on her way to the top. But as she navigates the twisted world of high fashion she starts to wonder: will she be able to tailor herself to fit into this dark, corrupted race? And at what cost?

Crown of Coral and Pearl | Mara Rutherford

★★★.25

I have already published a full review with all my thoughts about this book, so click here in case you want to check it out.

Nor once dreamed of seeing the wondrous wealth and beauty of Ilara, the kingdom that’s ruled her village for as long as anyone can remember. But when a childhood accident left her with a permanent scar, it became clear that her identical twin sister, Zadie, would likely be chosen to marry the Crown Prince—while Nor remained behind, unable to ever set foot on land.

Then Zadie is gravely injured, and Nor is sent to Ilara in her place. To Nor’s dismay, her future husband, Prince Ceren, is as forbidding and cold as his home—a castle carved into a mountain and devoid of sunlight. And as she grows closer to Ceren’s brother, the charming Prince Talin, Nor uncovers startling truths about a failing royal bloodline, a murdered queen… and a plot to destroy the home she was once so eager to leave.

In order to save her people, Nor must learn to negotiate the treacherous protocols of a court where lies reign and obsession rules. But discovering her own formidable strength may be the one move that costs her everything: the crown, Varenia and Zadie.

Dance of Thieves | Mary E. Pearson (Re-Read)

★★★★.75

I have already published a full review with all my thoughts about this book, so click here in case you want to check it out.

When the patriarch of the Ballenger empire dies, his son, Jase, becomes its new leader. Even nearby kingdoms bow to the strength of this outlaw family, who have always governed by their own rules. But a new era looms on the horizon, set in motion by a young queen, which makes her the target of the dynasty’s resentment and anger.

At the same time, Kazi, a legendary former street thief, is sent by the queen to investigate transgressions against the new settlements. When Kazi arrives in the forbidding land of the Ballengers, she learns that there is more to Jase than she thought. As unexpected events spiral out of their control, bringing them intimately together, they continue to play a cat and mouse game of false moves and motives in order to fulfill their own secret missions.

Vow of Thieves | Mary E. Pearson

★★★★★

I have already published a full review with all my thoughts about this book, so click here in case you want to check it out.

Kazi and Jase have survived, stronger and more in love than ever. Their new life now lies before them―the Ballengers will be outlaws no longer, Tor’s Watch will be a kingdom, and the two of them will meet all challenges side by side, together at last.

But an ominous warning mars their journey back, and in their rush to return to Tor’s Watch, just outside the fortress walls, they are violently attacked and torn apart―and each is thrust into their own new hell.

Unsure whether the other is alive or dead, Kazi and Jase must keep their wits among their greatest enemies and unlikeliest allies. And all the while, Death watches and waits.

Serpent & Dove | Shelby Mahurin

★★★.75

I have already published a full review with all my thoughts about this book, so click here in case you want to check it out.

Bound as one to love, honor, or burn.

Two years ago, Louise le Blanc fled her coven and took shelter in the city of Cesarine, forsaking all magic and living off whatever she could steal. There, witches like Lou are hunted. They are feared. And they are burned.

Sworn to the Church as a Chasseur, Reid Diggory has lived his life by one principle: thou shalt not suffer a witch to live. His path was never meant to cross with Lou’s, but a wicked stunt forces them into an impossible union—holy matrimony.

The war between witches and Church is an ancient one, and Lou’s most dangerous enemies bring a fate worse than fire. Unable to ignore her growing feelings, yet powerless to change what she is, a choice must be made.

And love makes fools of us all.

The Girl The Sea Gave Back | Adrienne Young

★★★.5

I have already published a full review with all my thoughts about this book, so click here in case you want to check it out.

For as long as she can remember, Tova has lived among the Svell, the people who found her washed ashore as a child and use her for her gift as a Truthtongue. Her own home and clan are long-faded memories, but the sacred symbols and staves inked over every inch of her skin mark her as one who can cast the rune stones and see into the future. She has found a fragile place among those who fear her, but when two clans to the east bury their age-old blood feud and join together as one, her world is dangerously close to collapse.

For the first time in generations, the leaders of the Svell are divided. Should they maintain peace or go to war with the allied clans to protect their newfound power? And when their chieftain looks to Tova to cast the stones, she sets into motion a series of events that will not only change the landscape of the mainland forever but will give her something she believed she could never have again—a home.

Hello Girls | Britany Cavallaro & Emily Henry

★.5

I have to say I was so excited to pick up this book, because the synopsis sounded incredible, and after knowing it was a contemporary retelling of Thelma & Louise, I knew I had to read it. And even though it had a few elements that I enjoyed, it was a bit lackluster and disappointing for me, and I was expecting so much more.

The thing about Hello Girls was that I had a concept of what the book would be on my mind, and though we got to see a couple scenes about that, it ended up being something entirely different. It was a very short book, and because it wasn’t that long I feel all the events that took place happened really fast, and there wasn’t time for the story to delve on details and to create complex arcs. There really weren’t bridges that connected certain scenes, and that made me quite confused during mostly the first half of the story, because I didn’t know their motivations or what was going on.

The plot was a bit dull, to be honest. When I read the synopsis I was expecting to see a story about two runaways who robbed banks or wealthy places, and instead it was more focused on the characters and their relationship, and especially how Winona overcame that abusive relationship she had with her dad. There were a few things that happened that didn’t really add anything to the story, and were only there to add a development in the characters or to create more drama.

Something that I adored was the relationship between Lucille and Winona. Though I think their characters needed a lot more work because they were very plain and generic, their friendship was absolutely fantastic. They had such great dynamics throughout the story, and I enjoyed seeing how much they cared about the other and how their bond evolved as the story progressed. Their chemistry was amazing, and if Hello Girls was longer, I think that relationship would have been much more complex and tight.

Overall, though Hello Girls had such an amazing concept, the story ended up being quite underwhelming. The characters weren’t flashed out, and Lucille’s arc especially was only surrounding Winona’s, instead of her having her own development, which was kinda sad to read, because that friendship they had was really well written.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. This doesn’t change my opinion whatsoever. All thoughts are my own.

Best friends are forged by fire. For Winona Olsen and Lucille Pryce, that fire happened the night they met outside the police station—both deciding whether to turn their families in.

Winona has been starving for life in the seemingly perfect home that she shares with her seemingly perfect father, celebrity weatherman Stormy Olsen. No one knows that he locks the pantry door to control her eating and leaves bruises where no one can see them.

Lucille has been suffocating beneath the needs of her mother and her drug-dealing brother, wondering if there’s more out there for her than disappearing waitress tips and generations of barely getting by.

One harrowing night, Winona and Lucille realize they can’t wait until graduation to start their new lives. They need out. Now. All they need is three grand, fast. And really, a stolen convertible to take them from Michigan to Las Vegas can’t hurt.

Fix Her Up | Tessa Bailey

★

Georgette Castle’s family runs the best home renovation business in town, but she picked balloons instead of blueprints and they haven’t taken her seriously since. Frankly, she’s over it. Georgie loves planning children’s birthday parties and making people laugh, just not at her own expense. She’s determined to fix herself up into a Woman of the World… whatever that means.

Phase one: new framework for her business (a website from this decade, perhaps?)

Phase two: a gut-reno on her wardrobe (fyi, leggings are pants.)

Phase three: updates to her exterior (do people still wax?)

Phase four: put herself on the market (and stop crushing on Travis Ford!)

Living her best life means facing the truth: Georgie hasn’t been on a date since, well, ever. Nobody’s asking the town clown out for a night of hot sex, that’s for sure. Maybe if people think she’s having a steamy love affair, they’ll acknowledge she’s not just the “little sister” who paints faces for a living. And who better to help demolish that image than the resident sports star and tabloid favorite?

Travis Ford was major league baseball’s hottest rookie when an injury ended his career. Now he’s flipping houses to keep busy and trying to forget his glory days. But he can’t even cross the street without someone recapping his greatest hits. Or making a joke about his… bat. And then there’s Georgie, his best friend’s sister, who is not a kid anymore. When she proposes a wild scheme—that they pretend to date, to shock her family and help him land a new job—he agrees. What’s the harm? It’s not like it’s real. But the girl Travis used to tease is now a funny, full-of-life woman and there’s nothing fake about how much he wants her…

Here There Are Monsters | Amelinda Bérubé

★

I was super intrigued by the premise of this novel, because even though I haven’t picked up many horror books lately, I love me a good mystery thriller, and this seemed like the perfect creepy and atmospheric read with a small town setting. But unfortunately I just didn’t click with this book at all, and I had to force myself to finish it so I could do a proper review.

I had two major issues with Here There Are Monsters that made me not enjoy it. The first one was regarding the plot. The plot (or what I read in the synopsis) didn’t start until I reached the half mark of the novel, and once it started everything was a bit messy. The jumps between present and past were a bit confusing and didn’t add pretty much anything to the plot. I don’t know, everything was so dry and boring, and I wasn’t engaged in the story.

I was hoping that despite the plot being a bit lacking and uninteresting, the atmosphere and the tone would be creepy and eerie, but to be honest, I was so underwhelmed by it. I didn’t feel scared or at the edge of my seat while reading it, and I think that the atmosphere wasn’t as scary as I wanted, and it had a couple of creepy descriptions and that was about it, which was so disappointing.

Another thing that it was lacking in Here There Are Monsters was the fantastical/paranormal element. There was hardly any explanation about that magic or the monsters, and I feel it was all a bit choppy and messy. I had so many questions and I didn’t get answers to any of them. Though I could understand that being a standalone the author wouldn’t delve much in that, it was such an important element to the story, and we barely got any information regarding the creatures or the whys.

The other thing that I was pretty disappointed with was the characters. They were so flat and one dimensional. Our protagonist barely had any evolution throughout the story, and the different interactions she had with the side characters were just so awkward and unrealistic sometimes. There was some type of romance that in my opinion was completely unnecessary, and the relationships Sky had with her sister wasn’t as complex as I wanted, and that made me distance a lot from the characters, and not understand the reasons for her to save her, because instead of showing us that sisterhood, I was thrown a lot of flashbacks and dull descriptions so I could relate or connect with them.

The ending was pretty anticlimactic. I honestly didn’t know how I was expecting Here There Are Monsters to end, but I guess I wanted a bigger shocking factor in the very climax of the story, and I just wasn’t the biggest fan of how everything ended.

Overall, Here There Are Monsters just wasn’t the book for me. I had such high expectations going into it, but it was such an anticlimactic story that was a bit disjointed and didn’t make the most sense.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. This doesn’t change my opinion whatsoever. All thoughts are my own.

The Blair Witch Project meets Imaginary Girls in this story of codependent sisterhood, the struggle to claim one’s own space, and the power of secrets

Sixteen-year-old Skye is done playing the knight in shining armor for her insufferable younger sister, Deirdre. Moving across the country seems like the perfect chance to start over.

In their isolated new neighborhood, Skye manages to fit in, but Deirdre withdraws from everyone, becoming fixated on the swampy woods behind their house and building monstrous sculptures out of sticks and bones.

Then Deirdre disappears.

And when something awful comes scratching at Skye’s window in the middle of the night, claiming she’s the only one who can save Deirdre, Skye knows she will stop at nothing to bring her sister home.

The Wild Heir | Karina Halle

★★★★

At first glance I probably seem like any good-looking guy in their late twenties. I have an obscene amount of confidence, a tattooed body sculpted by the Nordic gods, and I love the ladies as much as they love me.

If I’m not BASE jumping or car racing, I’m chasing other devious thrills with the woman of the week. And that’s fine if you’re the average single guy.
But I’m not the average single guy.
​
​I’m Crown Prince Magnus of Norway and my latest scandal just landed my entire royal family in hot water.

Now the only way the monarchy can save face is for me to smarten up – publicly. If I don’t, I’ll no longer be heir apparent to the throne. So it’s either I abdicate my future role as King or…
I get married.
To a blue-blooded stranger.

Enter Princess Isabella of the tiny country of Liechtenstein.

Quiet, intelligent, and uniquely beautiful, Ella doesn’t like this arrangement any more than I do and she’s not afraid to show it. She says I’m a womanizer, that I don’t take anything seriously, that my ego should be taken down a few pegs, and I think she aims to make me miserable for the rest of my life.

But even as our arranged marriage becomes a war of wit and words, I’m determined to break through Ella’s prim and proper façade to find the wild​, sexual​ and risk-taking woman underneath. I want to uncover the Queen inside her.

The only question is – will she let me?

There Will Come a Darkness | Katy Rose Pool

★★★.5

I have already published a full review with all my thoughts about this book, so click here in case you want to check it out.

The Age of Darkness approaches.
Five lives stand in its way.
Who will stop it… or unleash it?

For generations, the Seven Prophets guided humanity. Using their visions of the future, they ended wars and united nations―until the day, one hundred years ago, when the Prophets disappeared.

All they left behind was one final, secret prophecy, foretelling an Age of Darkness and the birth of a new Prophet who could be the world’s salvation . . . or the cause of its destruction. As chaos takes hold, five souls are set on a collision course:

A prince exiled from his kingdom.
A ruthless killer known as the Pale Hand.
A once-faithful leader torn between his duty and his heart.
A reckless gambler with the power to find anything or anyone.
And a dying girl on the verge of giving up.

Verity | Colleen Hoover

★★★.5

Lowen Ashleigh is a struggling writer on the brink of financial ruin when she accepts the job offer of a lifetime. Jeremy Crawford, husband of bestselling author Verity Crawford, has hired Lowen to complete the remaining books in a successful series his injured wife is unable to finish.

Lowen arrives at the Crawford home, ready to sort through years of Verity’s notes and outlines, hoping to find enough material to get her started. What Lowen doesn’t expect to uncover in the chaotic office is an unfinished autobiography Verity never intended for anyone to read. Page after page of bone-chilling admissions, including Verity’s recollection of what really happened the day her daughter died.

Lowen decides to keep the manuscript hidden from Jeremy, knowing its contents would devastate the already grieving father. But as Lowen’s feelings for Jeremy begin to intensify, she recognizes all the ways she could benefit if he were to read his wife’s words. After all, no matter how devoted Jeremy is to his injured wife, a truth this horrifying would make it impossible for him to continue to love her.

The Darkest Star | Jennifer L. Armentrout (Re-Read)

★★★★.25

I have already published a full review with all my thoughts about this book, so click here in case you want to check it out.

When seventeen-year-old Evie Dasher is caught up in a raid at a notorious club known as one of the few places where humans and the surviving Luxen can mingle freely, she meets Luc, an unnaturally beautiful guy she initially assumes is a Luxen…but he is in fact something much more powerful. Her growing attraction for Luc will lead her deeper and deeper into a world she’d only heard about, a world where everything she thought she knew will be turned on its head…

The Burning Shadow | Jennifer L. Armentrout 

★★★★.3

I have already published a full review with all my thoughts about this book, so click here in case you want to check it out.

When Evelyn Dasher crossed paths with Luc, she was thrown headfirst into the world of the Lux—only to discover that she was already far more involved in their world than she ever suspected.

Because the Luxen aren’t the only ones with a hidden past. There’s a gap in Evie’s memory, lost months of her life and a lingering sense that something happened, something she can’t remember and nobody is willing to tell her. She needs to find out the truth about who she is—and who she was. But every answer she finds only brings up more questions.

Her search for the truth brings her ever closer to Luc, the Origin at the center of it all. He’s powerful, arrogant, inhumanly beautiful, extremely dangerous…and possibly in love with her. But even as Evie falls for him, she can’t help but wonder if his attraction is to her, or to the memory of a girl who no longer exists.

And all the while, a new threat looms: reports of a flu-like, fatal virus that the government insists is being spread by Luxen. A horrifying illness that changes whoever it touches, spreading panic across a country already at its breaking point.

Call It What You Want | Brigid Kemmerer

★★★★

When his dad is caught embezzling funds from half the town, Rob goes from popular lacrosse player to social pariah. Even worse, his father’s failed suicide attempt leaves Rob and his mother responsible for his care.

Everyone thinks of Maegan as a typical overachiever, but she has a secret of her own after the pressure got to her last year. And when her sister comes home from college pregnant, keeping it from her parents might be more than she can handle.

When Rob and Maegan are paired together for a calculus project, they’re both reluctant to let anyone through the walls they’ve built. But when Maegan learns of Rob’s plan to fix the damage caused by his father, it could ruin more than their fragile new friendship…

This captivating, heartfelt novel asks the question: Is it okay to do something wrong for the right reasons?

Small Town Hearts | Lillie Vale

★★★

Fresh out of high school, Babe Vogel should be thrilled to have the whole summer at her fingertips. She loves living in her lighthouse home in the sleepy Maine beach town of Oar’s Rest and being a barista at the Busy Bean, but she’s totally freaking out about how her life will change when her two best friends go to college in the fall. And when a reckless kiss causes all three of them to break up, she may lose them a lot sooner. On top of that, her ex-girlfriend is back in town, bringing with her a slew of memories, both good and bad.

And then there’s Levi Keller, the cute artist who’s spending all his free time at the coffee shop where she works. Levi’s from out of town, and even though Babe knows better than to fall for a tourist who will leave when summer ends, she can’t stop herself from wanting to know him. Can Babe keep her distance, or will she break the one rule she’s always had – to never fall for a summer boy?

Wicked Fox | Kat Cho

★★

I’ll be posting a review of this book soon, so star tuned if you want to know my thoughts about it.

Eighteen-year-old Gu Miyoung has a secret–she’s a gumiho, a nine-tailed fox who must devour the energy of men in order to survive. Because so few believe in the old tales anymore, and with so many evil men no one will miss, the modern city of Seoul is the perfect place to hide and hunt.

But after feeding one full moon, Miyoung crosses paths with Jihoon, a human boy, being attacked by a goblin deep in the forest. Against her better judgment, she violates the rules of survival to rescue the boy, losing her fox bead–her gumiho soul–in the process.

Jihoon knows Miyoung is more than just a beautiful girl–he saw her nine tails the night she saved his life. His grandmother used to tell him stories of the gumiho, of their power and the danger they pose to humans. He’s drawn to her anyway.

With murderous forces lurking in the background, Miyoung and Jihoon develop a tenuous friendship that blossoms into something more. But when a young shaman tries to reunite Miyoung with her bead, the consequences are disastrous . . . forcing Miyoung to choose between her immortal life and Jihoon’s.

The Lady Rogue | Jenn Bennett

★★★★.25

I have already published a full review with all my thoughts about this book, so click here in case you want to check it out.

Some legends never die…

Traveling with her treasure-hunting father has always been a dream for Theodora. She’s read every book in his library, has an impressive knowledge of the world’s most sought-after relics, and has all the ambition in the world. What she doesn’t have is her father’s permission. That honor goes to her father’s nineteen-year-old protégé—and once-upon-a-time love of Theodora’s life—Huck Gallagher, while Theodora is left to sit alone in her hotel in Istanbul.

Until Huck arrives from an expedition without her father and enlists Theodora’s help in rescuing him. Armed with her father’s travel journal, the reluctant duo learns that her father had been digging up information on a legendary and magical ring that once belonged to Vlad the Impaler—more widely known as Dracula—and that it just might be the key to finding him.

Journeying into Romania, Theodora and Huck embark on a captivating adventure through Gothic villages and dark castles in the misty Carpathian Mountains to recover the notorious ring. But they aren’t the only ones who are searching for it. A secretive and dangerous occult society with a powerful link to Vlad the Impaler himself is hunting for it, too. And they will go to any lengths—including murder—to possess it.

What books have you been reading lately, and which one has been your most and least favorite? Have you read any of these ones? Let me know in the comments!

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