Book Review Round-Up #39

Apologies for the tardiness in my May book review. The transition back home has been a whirlwind. Settling in wasn’t as smooth sailing as I imagined—turns out, I didn’t soak up enough sunshine to last me till summer! Seattle, please, bring on the sun!

I managed to tackle six books last month, which, all things considered, isn’t too shabby. Three were physical copies and three audiobooks. Additionally, I made headway with two other books, but those will have to wait for June.. if I can conquer the second book. It’s a hefty fantasy read, and while it’s taking longer than expected, I’m fully immersed in its captivating universe.

Table of Contents

Book Review Round-Up #39

Alright, on to why you’re here! You guys know the drill… 💕

Read 8 books a month to hit my reading goal of 75
- Month Total: 6
  - Physical Books: 1
  - eBooks: 2
  - Audiobooks: 3
- Year Total: 41/75
Library vs Ownership
- Borrow: 6
  - Library: 4
  - KU: 2
- Own: 0

Category _{(don’t just read romance)}
- Romance
  - Hockey Romance
  - Cowboy Romance
  - Vampire/Ware Romantasy
- Murder Mystery
  - Thriller
  - Cozy
- Historical Women’s Fiction
Read more books with POC 👩🏻👩🏼👩🏽‍🦳👩🏽👩🏾
- Main Character: 1
- Author: 0

^{Ooop, guys. I failed a bit this month but all was traveling so much that I’m just proud of myself for reading!}

He’s Not My Type by Meghan Quinn

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💖 Starting with a BANG. 5 Star READ!! GAH! You guys, I lived, laughed, and LOVED this book. I couldn’t get enough—I devoured it in just two days! I stayed up until 2 am, laughing out loud. I loved it so much that I wanted a paperback copy to display as a trophy on my bookshelf. The teammates are pure comedic perfection, and she’s so relatable. It’s just such a good time. Pick up this book!

Rope the Moon by Ava Hunter

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💖 Ava Hunter is my go-to for a solid 4-star read. Her attention to detail is top-notch, and her characters? Chef’s kiss. The male lead in this one is an ex-marine who’s broody, quiet, and intense—like a smoldering hero straight out of a dream. But sometimes, he cranks the intensity up to eleven, and it’s a bit much. Meanwhile, the female lead is wonderfully relatable, navigating her trauma with grit and grace. Quick heads-up: check the trigger warnings before diving in!

Bride by Ali Hazelwood

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💖 I’ve done a lot of thinking about Ali Hazelwood’s latest novel. Our STEM queen has bravely dipped her toes into fantasy this time—kudos to her! There are elements I adore, but something’s holding me back from full-fledged love. Initially, I rated it a solid 4 stars, but now I’m leaning toward 3.5. Maybe it’s because I’m hesitating to dive into a potential sequel. Fingers crossed for book two, if it happens!

Murder in a Cup by Lauren Elliot

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☕ Listen – I love a quality 3-star cozy murder mystery and this one fits the bill! I didn’t predict who the murderer was and that’s okay. This is the second book in the series and I loved the first one so much that I was excited to continue to this one. Despite the time gap since the first book, I quickly found myself immersed in the story. I hope she writes a third! We are all crushing on that beautiful ex-cop of an Irish man!

The Villa by Rachel Hawkins

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🕵️‍♀️ This was my second book my this author and while it didn’t quite hit the mark like the first, it still left a poignant impression. A rollercoaster of emotions is always a sign of a good read! There were moments when the characters got on my nerves, and the pacing felt a bit slow. However, the flashbacks featuring journal entries and the tale of the sisters were my favorite parts even though it was stressful at times.

The Last Bookshop in London by Madeline Martine

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💖 Generally I don’t read WWII books. They always make me sad and angry. This book was the exception. This novel was lovely and as heartwarming as it was heartwrenching. I smiled and teared up multiple times. I cried while walking to the coffee shop because a moment caught me off guard. It’s beautifully written and tells the most wonderful story about community, humanity, and light through the darkest of days. Just brilliant.

That’s all for now! June is looking promising for more reading adventures. However, due to a recent ransomware attack at the library, I can’t return, check out, or place holds on books. It might be time to dive into the ones collecting dust on my shelves. 👀