My Rating System

When it comes to rating our reads, everyone has their own system of how they decide how many stars a book receives. Some are simple, some are more complex, some are more critical and some seem to give every book 5 stars. I'm a 5 star rater, for the most part. This made me think a little bit more about why I rate books the way I do. So here you go!

⭐ - The book couldn't hold my interest or I didn't grab me within the first few chapters. I usually DNF these or power through. However, life is too short to continue to read a book you don't enjoy

⭐⭐ - There were character and/or plot issues. Too much redundancy or scenes that do not add to the plot. Several grammatical/editing errors.

⭐⭐⭐ - Decent plot and likeable characters. The storyline didn't exactly blow my mind, but I still liked it. Would still recommend.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Great plot with loveable characters. Fast paced and easy to get into. Few complaints and would definitely recommend.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Exceptional plot and new concept I haven't read before. Strong, loveable characters. No complaints. Highly recommend.

And that's my system!

BOOKS CAN HEAL

I have been thinking about this post for a while. The words I wanted use, my thoughts, the reasons behind this post, etc., etc., etc. I’m hoping I can finally get my thoughts down and express to my 5 readers what I want to share.

 

In the past, when people have asked me why I like to read, I have always responded with something like “Reading’s my favorite.” “The human world, it’s a mess.” “I just like to read.” “It’s my outlet for escape.” I mean, those are pretty good, respectable answers. Also…..I can’t remember a time when I didn’t like to read. I’ve been reading since I can remember. I was encouraged to read by both of grandmothers and my parents. Shopping for me is pretty easy…….books, books, more books, and bookish merchandise.

 

However, in 2022, my passion for reading and books have risen to a whole other level. It has been…..healing. Surprisingly healing.

 

2022 has been hard. Really hard. I thoughT 2020 was hard. The year I lost my mom was hard. 2022 has been a close second. Due to my own choices, choices of others, and just regular life. All of the hard moments range from my mother in law passing away, becoming a victim of fraud, navigating a faith crisis, issues in my personal life, and putting our dog down, just to name a few. I was so affected mentally and emotionally through some of these hardships that I became deeply depressed and suicidal. It was a very dark time, walking through a fog not sure I would ever find the light at the end of the tunnel.

 

Then I found Booktok…..

 

I was scrolling through Tik Tok and saw all these users talking about books and doing book hauls and reviewing books. There was one specific user that I was just drawn to. She is the cutest girl who was so….real. It was a breath of fresh air! I grew to love watching her videos and listening to her. She is just the most darling girl! As I was going through her videos and watching her, I thought…….I like books! I like to read! I can totally do this!

 

So…..I started a booktok account. I started doing videos of book hauls, book reviews, doing videos with just sounds and before I knew it…..I started getting all these followers. Then I learned about Amazon Wishlists, different tropes, book fairying, buddy reads, etc. I started having fun with it even though it was so outside of my comfort zone.

 

Then I remembered I had a Bookstagram account that I had neglected. So…..I started becoming more active on Instagram and connecting the two accounts. And started gaining more followers on Instagram that had the same interests that I did.

Putting myself out there and sharing my passion with complete strangers helped in my healing process I started to feel better mentally and emotionally. I started to learn more about myself and what I could offer others. Something that was authentically me and 100% mine.  It has been truly freeing!

 

Throughout this process, several things have happened that wouldn’t have otherwise:

·         Joined a group of readers that help support independent authors by reading, reviewing, and sharing their books on social media

·         Met and have become friends with different authors

·         Taught myself how to makes templates and videos

·         Allowed myself to be creative with content

·         Continued to add to my endless TBR

·         Allowed myself to be introduced to different types of books

·         And lastly…..made SO MANY FRIENDS from all over the world that love to read as much as I do, who support my content, and vice versa

 

This has not been and easy journey and being vulnerable is definitely uncomfortable. However, because I have allowed myself to be vulnerable and step out of comfort zone, I have learned what I can do and what I am capable of.  This journey has helped me be more comfortable in my own skin.

 

Honestly, there have been other things that have helped me through this journey of self-discovery, but because this is a book blog, I’ll just share this part…….. for now.

 

I’m anxious, in a good way, to see where 2023 will take me on this journey of passion for books and reading.

I'm Behind....Reviews on Recent ARCs

Rated 4 stars on Goodreads. This ARC was provided to me by the author herself. Released on November 15, 2022.

I always love a good fairy-tale retelling and this one did not disappoint.

Cinder is a retelling of Cinderella....But in reverse. 

Jessamine is already born a princess. She is already heir to the throne. She can talk to animals. Falls in love and is loved by a prince. Everything is perfect....until it isn't.

When tragedy strikes and her parents are killed, Jessamine is stripped of everything. Her title, her family, etc. This story goes on to tell us how she endures. Because it could go one way or another. And unfortunately, the story takes a bitter turn.

I loved the magical aspect of the story....talking to animals, creating potions, magical creatures, magical kingdoms, etc. The love story with the prince is sweet and romantic. Jessamine is kind of a brat but it works to her advantage and helps her survive.

A great story for readers of all ages.

I rated this 5 stars on Goodreads. This ARC was provided to me by the author herself. Release date November 10, 2022.

Emma loses her best friend in a tragic accident and must figure out a way to pick up the pieces of her life. Telling everyone she is fine, Emma learns she is really fine. Instead of seeking help, she self medicates and feels she is deserving of punishment. After hitting rock-bottom, she realizes she won't heal unless she changes her ways.

After meeting new friends who love her unconditionally and want to help her, she struggles and perseveres to get back to a better place.....mentally and physically. She also learns to accept the love and care she is so deserving of. 

I rated this 5 stars on Goodreads. This ARC was provided to me by the author herself. This will be released on November 18, 2022.

"One day, you will tell your story of how overcame what you went through, and it will be someone else's survival guide." - Brene Brown

This book was so amazing, gave me all the feels, and almost broke me all at the same time. This author has such a way of writing this so you could truly feel what the characters were experiencing.

Daphne is still struggling with the grief of losing her mother to cancer and being newly divorced. She wants to move forward but isn't sure how that looks for her. In steps Henry who is perfect in every way but is struggling with his on grief......because someone he loves and is very dear to him is fighting cancer.

Grief is complicated and hard to navigate. As Henry and Daphne are working through their different stages of grief, they will also learn how weak and vulnerable as well as strong they both really are.

This book affected me as I lost my mother to breast cancer a few years ago. I have never been able to articulate my feelings in such a way as this author did. To help people understand how heartbreaking and unfair this disease is and how it is no respecter of persons

I rated this 4 stars on Goodreads. This ARC was provided to me by the author herself. Release date November 2, 2022.

"Who knew Santa delivered before Christmas?"

"I don't just want this, I need this like Santa needs his sleigh?

"You've loved and been loved. I would never regret loving someone even if t didn't work out."

Alice wants so much for Christmas and hopefully Santa can deliver.

Axel is trouble and Alice can see it from a mile away. However, that doesn't prevent her from falling for him. Axel feels like he isn't good enough for Alice especially with the 12 year age gap and the fact that he has 2 children. But love is no respecter of persons. 

After playing Santa at Alice's work holiday party, Axel falls and falls hard. But are the feelings returned? Can Axel recover from his divorce and still be happy?

I love that the female character was written as a sassy, sweet, and curvy girl. Axel was moody and vulnerable. The perfect recipe for a HEA with all the feels of a spicy Hallmark Christmas movie. 

A Murderous Grudge by J.M. Roberts (ARC provided by the author)

This was an ARC that I received from the author herself. I rated this 4 stars on Goodreads. I'm grateful for the opportunity that I had to read and review this book.

This is a cute, cozy, murder mystery. This is filled with Hallmark and Gilmore Girl vibes, sweet romance, and of course......murder.

Peggy Rector moves back to Stinky Springs, TX after the death of her husband. After 20 plus years of being a nurse in the ER, she becomes a full time author writing romance novels. She also takes requests from women to write a romance book based on their own fantasies. Hey...whatever pays the bills.

Thinking she has moved back home to a small, quiet country town, her life becomes more complicated. She an upset husband of a client who is stalking her, narrowly escapes being mauled by a mountain lion, meets up with a high school boyfriend, and gets tangled up in a murder.  

I though this was well written and I always love a good murder mystery. This was a clean, easy read. I did have a hard time in the beginning trying to distinguish the characters from each other. However it was an easy story to follow. And a good escape.

Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell

Rated 5 stars on Goodreads.

This book was INSANE!!! So many plot twists that I had no idea of what was going on. I had no idea which direction this book was going to go. This is the first book I have read by this author and I was not disappointed.

Ellie goes missing at 16. While her family mourns her loss, they fall apart. Parents go their separate ways and siblings continue to live their lives. The only thing holding them together is the hope that they'll eventually find Ellis.

10 years later, Ellie's mom, Laurel, meets Floyd. This is the chance Laurel has been waiting for to finally move forward. There is only one thing that holds Laurel back.....Floyd has a daughter who looks EXACTLY like Ellie. But that's impossible, right?? The more she gets to know Floyd and Ellie, she notices that a lot of things don't add up. There are too many inconsistencies and too many holes that need to be filled. The more Laurel starts to investigate, she learns Floyd isn't being 100% honest.

What I loved about this book is just when you think you know what is going one, Lisa Jewell totally turns it around on you.

Burn It Down by J.J. Grice (ARC provided by the author)

I rate this book 4/5 stars on Goodreads.

This is an ARC that was provided to me by the author.

This was my first book in the LGBTQ and MM genre and I have to honest I was a little nervous to read this. However, I immediately fell in love with Cooper and Tatum and their love story.

This book has a little bit of everything....spice, mystery, addiction, mental health, complicated family situations, etc. This author hit a lot of great topics.

Tatum is a firefighter in Austin who has his eye on the devastatingly handsome detective, Cooper Brandt. When they finally hook up, Cooper wants to keep it casual and Tatum is on board. However, once their feelings become stronger for each other, Tatum is worried about getting his heart broken while Cooper is trying to reconcile his feelings of being in a committed relationship after his alcohol problem. They are also very focused on the fact that there is an arsonist who is causing all the recent fires.

While Tatum is putting out fires, Cooper is trying to investigate who is starting the fires. This something that could possible put a wedge in their relationship. But love is stronger than that, right??

This was an amazing read. I loved the characters, the story, and the writing.

Not The Witch You Wed by April Asher

"Magic never made love any easier."

I rated this book 4/5 stars on Goodreads.

Violet is considered the Maxwell Dud. Born into a with family, Violet ahs not magical powers to speak of.....and she is pretty ok with that. She can live a normal life. No expectations. Until, that is, she reunites with Lincoln Thorne....the man who broke her heart 14 years earlier. 

However, because Violet is the firstborn, she is Prima Apparent for the supernatural council. She is given 3 months to prove she doesn't have any magical abilities otherwise she will be forced into a witch bond. 

Lincoln finds himself in the same predicament as he is almost 33 years old and the leader of the NAP (North American Pack of animal shifters). The two strike a deal to "fake date" for 3 months. Totally harmless and nothing could possibly go wrong....until it does. Because fake dating never ends in disaster, right?

This was a cute, witchy romance. A ton of Gilmore Girl vibes and fun back and forth bantering. Violet is sassy, confident, and witty. Lincoln is protective and possessive yet sweet. I loved the writing style. It was a slow burn with a lot of build up.