Book Review: Spin The Dawn by Elizabeth Lim

Author: Elizabeth Lim
Series: The Blood of Stars #1
Audience:  Young Adult
Genre: High Fantasy, Fairy tale retelling
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
Release Date: July 9th 2019
My Rating: 5 Cups
Source: Netgalley

Blurb (from Goodreads):

Project Runway meets Mulan in this sweeping YA fantasy about a young girl who poses as a boy to compete for the role of imperial tailor and embarks on an impossible journey to sew three magic dresses, from the sun, the moon, and the stars.

Maia Tamarin dreams of becoming the greatest tailor in the land, but as a girl, the best she can hope for is to marry well. When a royal messenger summons her ailing father, once a tailor of renown, to court, Maia poses as a boy and takes his place. She knows her life is forfeit if her secret is discovered, but she'll take that risk to achieve her dream and save her family from ruin. There's just one catch: Maia is one of twelve tailors vying for the job.

Backstabbing and lies run rampant as the tailors compete in challenges to prove their artistry and skill. Maia's task is further complicated when she draws the attention of the court magician, Edan, whose piercing eyes seem to see straight through her disguise.

And nothing could have prepared her for the final challenge: to sew three magic gowns for the emperor's reluctant bride-to-be, from the laughter of the sun, the tears of the moon, and the blood of stars. With this impossible task before her, she embarks on a journey to the far reaches of the kingdom, seeking the sun, the moon, and the stars, and finding more than she ever could have imagined.

Steeped in Chinese culture, sizzling with forbidden romance, and shimmering with magic, this young adult fantasy is pitch-perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas or Renée Ahdieh.

*Disclaimer: I received an eARC of this book from Penguin Random House in exchange for an honest review. This does not influence my rating or the content of my review in any way.

Spin The Dawn is one of the books I've been deathly afraid to read. The more of my friends were reading it and loving it, the more I was afraid of reading it. Thankfully ARC August happened and Soph @ Bookwyrming Thoughts had been lovingly and gently pestering urging me to add this book to my TBR, and since I also had the sequel, I decided this was the time. I did not expect to love this book as much as I did, and if you take nothing else from my review, know that I am very tempted to double my rating into a 10-cups rating, which I've never done. EVER. In 10 years of blogging. So there you have it. Let's get to it, shall we?

Book Review: Chasing Bliss by Lexi Blake

Author: Lexi Blake
Series: Nights in Bliss, Colorado #7
Audience:  +18
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Erotic Romance
Publisher: DLZ Entertainment, LLC
Release Date: April 23rd 2019 (first published August 10th 2012)
My Rating: 5 Cups
Source: Social Butterfly PR

Blurb (from Goodreads):

Re-released in a second edition with new content.

Gemma Wells came to Bliss, Colorado, after a scandal cost her everything. Utterly lost, the disgraced attorney built walls so high that she thinks no one can get through them. She’s given up on love, friendship, and all matters of the heart.

Jesse McCann and Cade Sinclair have floated through life, enjoying the world around them, but never allowing themselves to become a part of it. One look at the pretty attorney and Jesse realizes he’s finally found a reason to stay put. Cade isn’t so sure. He’s crazy about her, but he also knows he doesn’t deserve her.

As they begin to find their way together, a dark secret from Gemma’s past threatens to wreck their futures. Her ex-fiancé is back, bringing danger with him, and their time is running out. Jesse and Cade have to melt this Ice Queen’s heart, or she might not leave Bliss alive.

*Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from Social Butterfly PR in exchange for an honest review. This does not influence my rating or the content of my review in any way.

**Disclaimer: This book contains mature content. As a result, my review may contain references to content intended for mature audiences only.

I finally got to read Gemma's story, guys!! I'm so happy! I truly feel like my month is complete, and this is not me exaggerating. I come back to the world of Bliss, Colorado with a giant smile on my face each and every time, and with each book I finish, my smile gets bigger. This series has become sort of like my "reset" series: whenever I need to read something I know I'll love, I go to Bliss. Gemma's story is no different. Let me tell you all about it!

Book Review: Sinner by Sierra Simone

Author: Sierra Simone
Series: Priest #2
Audience: +18
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Erotic Romance
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: March 15th 2018
My Rating: 5 Cups
Source: Freebie
Blurb (from Goodreads):

I’m not a good man, and I’ve never pretended to be. I don’t believe in goodness or God or any happy ending that isn’t paid for in advance.
What do I believe in? Money. Sex. Macallan 18.
They have words for men like me—playboy. Womanizer. Skirt chaser.
My brother used to be a priest, and he only has one word for me.

Sinner.

***Sinner is a standalone companion to Priest about Father Bell's brother Sean. You do not have to read Priest or Midnight Mass to read Sinner***

*Disclaimer: I received this book for free from an author newsletter. This does not influence my rating or the content of my review

**Disclaimer: This book contains mature content. As a result, my review may contain references to content intended for mature audiences only.

You know those books that you read and you love, but you have to wait to write a review, because you just don't know how to put your feelings into words? This was me with Sinner. I read this book back in January, but it took me 8 months to get over my love for it to be able to form intelligent words and sentences about it. Because Sinner is more than just a taboo erotic romance, so much more.

Blog Tour Book Review: Stealing Summer by Lexi Blake

Author: Lexi Blake

Series: Hunter #5, Thieves #10
Audience:  +18
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Erotic Romance
Publisher: DLZ Entertainment, LLC
Release Date: July 14th 2020
My Rating: 5 Cups
Source: Social Butterfly PR

Blurb (from Goodreads):

From New York Times and USA Today bestseller Lexi Blake comes a new epic-length story in her Thieves/Hunter world…

A daughter lost

Summer has spent her whole life wondering about the family she left behind. On the night she came into being she only had a few moments with them. In that brief time, she reached out to her father, looking deep into his soul, and gifted him the will to go on. But now she is the one in need. Once a child made of pure magic, she is forced to live as a mortal. Her power caused great harm, and she has sworn never to let it happen again. With her friends beside her, she tries her best to help those she can. If that requires her to do a little thievery, well, she is her mother’s daughter, after all.

Everything changes when a woman falls from the sky and Summer meets the handsome vampire named Marcus Vorenus. Just as her past begins to catch up with her, she might have finally met her future.

A mother discovered

Kelsey Owens went searching for Dev and Marcus but all she found was a trap. She was pulled through a magical painting and thrown smack into the middle of a battle on a foreign plane of existence. Luckily she’s good in a fight. Saving the woman targeted by the horde of brutal soldiers, Kelsey is shocked by her resemblance to her queen. As Kelsey investigates the mystery surrounding Summer Donovan-Quinn, she also hunts for a way back to the husbands and son she just claimed.

A queen exiled

Zoey Donovan-Quinn is not happy. The wizard Myrddin is back, her marriage is troubled, and she is sure those two problems are connected. But nothing is more worrying than Dev’s sudden disappearance. When she and Daniel go looking for him, they are drawn into a world thought lost to the Earth plane. Danger awaits them there, but so does the daughter they thought they would never see again. She hopes they survive their reunion.

Three heroines. One mystery. And an ending that will change the Thieves world forever…

*Disclaimer: I received an eARC of his book from Social Butterfly PR in exchange for an honest review. This does not influence my rating or the content of my review in any way.

**Disclaimer: This book contains mature content. As a result, my review may contain references to content intended for mature audiences only.

I just finished reading this book and my head is spinning. I don't even know how to put all my feelings into words right now, but I'll try my best. Because Lexi Blake has gone and done it again, folks. She's written a fantastic story, and I don't know how I'm supposed to feel right now. Let's get started, because there is a lot to talk about.

Book Review: Hands Down by Mariana Zapata

Author: Mariana Zapata
Series: N/A
Audience: +18
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Sports romance
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date:  July 2nd 2020
My Rating: 5 Cups
Source: My copy
Blurb (from Goodreads):

Before he was Big Texas, he was Zac the Snack Pack.

Bianca Brannen knows time—mostly—heals all wounds. Including those your once loved ones might have unintentionally given you. (Those just take longer.)

She thinks she’s ready when a call has her walking back into her old friend’s life. Or at least as prepared as possible to see the starting quarterback in the National Football Organization. Before the lights, the fans, and the millions, he’d been a skinny kid with a heart of gold.

Waltzing out of Zac Travis’s life should be easy. Just as easy as he walked out of hers.

Whenever Mariana Zapata comes out with a new book, my heart does a weird thing. That's because I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that it's going to be a fantastic story. Whether she writes about sports, adult entertainers, or tattoo shop owners, this woman can make a story seem like the best love story in the world. So when I heard that she had a new book coming out I knew I had to grab it as soon as possible. And when I got it, I started reading it as fast as I could.

Book Review: The Faerie Prince by Rachel Morgan

Author: Rachel Morgan
Series: Creepy Hollow #2
Audience: Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date:  May 1st 2013
My Rating: 4 Cups
Source: My copy
Blurb (from Goodreads):

Action, intrigue, and romance to swoon for!

With graduation just weeks away, guardian trainee Violet Fairdale is determined to claim the top spot in her class. But first, she'll have to survive her final assignment--and the guy she's been forced to partner with.

Her confusing feelings for Ryn aren't the only thing making life difficult, though. With enchanted storms wreaking havoc in the fae realm, a murder within the Guild, and an Unseelie prince still determined to possess Vi's special magic, graduation is about to become the least of her problems.

It's graduation time for Violet and Ryn, and things aren't exactly going as planned. That's right, guys, me and Jamsu are back with another buddy read, this time for book 2 in the Creepy Hollow series by Rachel Morgan. I enjoyed the second book a lot more and, unlike before, I was completely taken by surprise by certain events. Let me tell you all about it.

Book Review: The Faerie Guardian by Rachel Morgan

Author: Rachel Morgan
Series: Creepy Hollow #1
Audience: Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date:  October 27th 2012
My Rating: 3.5 Cups
Source: My copy
Blurb (from Goodreads):

She's fae. He's human. He should never have followed her into the magic realm…

Violet has one job: protect humans from dangerous magical creatures. It's a job she's good at—until the cute human guy whose life she just saved follows her into the fae world.

Now she's broken faerie law, risking her future at the Guild of Guardians. She needs to get Nate home and make him forget everything he's discovered.

If only someone wasn't intent on hunting him down.

Vi and Nate are pulled into the darker side of the fae world, where deadly magic and long-forgotten secrets exist.

Vi might be one of the best, but can she get them out alive?

Dazzling magic, page-turning action, family secrets, and swoon-worthy romance. Grab your copy today to be swept away into this enchanting world!

Jamsu and I had to much fun during our Vampire Academy/Bloodlines buddy read, that we decided to continue knocking off a few books from our TBRs that we had in common. So we picked The Faerie Guardian and let me tell you, I had a ton of fun.

Book Review: The Ruby Circle by Richelle Mead

Author: Richelle Mead
Series: Bloodlines #6
Audience: Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal
Publisher: Razorbill
Release Date:  February 10th 2015
My Rating: 3 Cups
Source: My copy
Blurb (from Goodreads):

THEY WILL BE TESTED

Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets - and human lives.

Their forbidden romance exposed, Sydney and Adrian find themselves facing the wrath of both the Alchemists and the Moroi in this electrifying conclusion to Richelle Mead’s bestselling Bloodlines series.

When the life of someone they both love is put on the line, Sydney risks everything to hunt down a deadly former nemesis. Meanwhile, she and Adrian becomes enmeshed in a puzzle that could hold the key to a shocking secret about spirit magic, a secret that could shake the entire Moroi world and alter their lives forever.

Don't miss their unforgettable final chapter. . . .

LOVE WILL CONQUER ALL

**Disclaimer: This is book 6 in the Bloodlines series and book 11 in the Vampire Academy series. Spoilers are unavoidable for previous books. 

The day has come! Jamsu and I have reached the end of our Vampire Academy/Bloodlines, and I feel so sad, you guys! When we started out buddy read, I knew it would be a wonderful experience, but also heartbreaking. I just didn't expect how heartbreaking it would be.

Buckle up, my dear book lovers, and join me for the last time on this wonderful adventure. I mention this in the disclaimer I put above, but this review will contain spoilers. There's just no way around it.

Book Review: Silver Shadows by Richelle Mead

Author: Richelle Mead
Series: Bloodlines #5
Audience: Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal
Publisher: Razorbill
Release Date:  July 29th 2014
My Rating: 4.5 Cups
Source: My copy
Blurb (from Goodreads):

Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets—and human lives.

In The Fiery Heart, Sydney risked everything to follow her gut, walking a dangerous line to keep her feelings hidden from the Alchemists.

Now in the aftermath of an event that ripped their world apart, Sydney and Adrian struggle to pick up the pieces and find their way back to each other. But first, they have to survive.

For Sydney, trapped and surrounded by adversaries, life becomes a daily struggle to hold on to her identity and the memories of those she loves. Meanwhile, Adrian clings to hope in the face of those who tell him Sydney is a lost cause, but the battle proves daunting as old demons and new temptations begin to seize hold of him. . . .

Their worst fears now a chilling reality, Sydney and Adrian face their darkest hour in this heart-pounding fifth installment in the New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series, where all bets are off.

*Disclaimer: This is book 5 in the Bloodlines series and book 11 in the Vampire Academy series. Spoilers are unavoidable for previous books. Plus, this book is 6 year old.

My buddy read with Jamsu @ Jamsudreams continues with Silver Shadows. This book came out almost 6 years ago, but this is the first time I've had the courage to read it. I'm not ready for our buddy read to end *insert sobs*

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. Not only do we get to see how far the so-called "good guys" are willing to take things in order to make sure that everyone plays by their rules, but we also get to see Sydney being totally rebellious and I am here for it.

Reread Book Review: The Fiery Heart by Richelle Mead

Author: Richelle Mead
Series: Bloodlines #4
Audience: Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal
Publisher: Razorbill
Release Date:  November 19th 2013
My Rating: 4.5 Cups
Source: My copy
Blurb (from Goodreads):

Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the wolds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets - and human lives.

In The Indigo Spell, Sydney was torn between the Alchemist way of life and what her heart and gut were telling her to do. And in one breathtaking moment that Richelle Mead fans will never forget, she made a decision that shocked even her. . . .

But the struggle isn't over for Sydney. As she navigates the aftermath of her life-changing decision, she still finds herself pulled in too many directions at once. Her sister Zoe has arrived, and while Sydney longs to grow closer to her, there's still so much she must keep secret. Working with Marcus has changed the way she views the Alchemists, and Sydney must tread a careful path as she harnesses her profound magical ability to undermine the way of life she was raised to defend. Consumed by passion and vengeance, Sydney struggles to keep her secret life under wraps as the threat of exposure—and re-education—looms larger than ever.


Pulses will race throughout this smoldering fourth installment in the New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series, where no secret is safe.

We're finally getting to some very interesting parts in the story, guys! My buddy read of the Vampire Academy/Bloodlines world with Jamsu @ Jamsudreams continues with The Fiery Heart. This is the last book in the series that I'm rereading, so the next two are going to be complete surprises for me and I cannot wait to start reading them!

I already reviewed this book when it came out, so if you want you can go ahead and read my original review here.

Reread Book Review: The Indigo Spell by Richelle Mead

Author: Richelle Mead
Series: Bloodlines #3
Audience: Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal
Publisher: Razorbill
Release Date:  February 12th 2013
My Rating: 4 Cups
Source: My copy
Blurb (from Goodreads):

Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets - and human lives.

In the aftermath of a forbidden moment that rocked Sydney to her core, she finds herself struggling to draw the line between her Alchemist teachings and what her heart is urging her to do.

Then she finally tracks down the elusive, enigmatic Marcus Finch - a former Alchemist who the organization denies exists, and who lives in shadows, on the run. With Marcus's help, Sydney realizes that the group she's been loyal to her whole life has been hiding the truth from her. Is it possible that her golden lily tattoo might have more power over her than she thinks?

As she struggles to come to terms with what that might mean, Sydney is compelled to use her growing magical powers to track down an evil magic user who is targeting powerful young witches. Using magic goes against everything she always thought she believed, but she realizes that her only hope is to embrace her special blood - or else she might be next.


Forging her own way is harder than Sydney ever dreamed. Maybe by turning off her brain - and following her heart - she'll be able to finally figure out where she belongs.

Jamsu and I are continuing out buddy reread of the Bloodlines series and we're getting close to the end. I am not ready, people, I just need to say that right now.

The one thing I'm happy about regarding books 3 and 4 is that I barely remember anything from my first time reading them, so I don't have to worry about the fact that  know what's coming. I've had a few of those "Oooooh, nooooo, this is happening" moments in the previous two books, but not this time, which made me feel a bit more relaxed while reading The Indigo Spell. I also went over my previous review of the book, that you can read here, and I have to say that for the most part, I still feel the same way. In some ways, however, my opinions have changed. Let me tell you all about it.

Blog Tour Book Review: Butterfly Bayou by Lexi Blake

Author: Lexi Blake
Series: Butterfly Bayou #1
Audience:  +18
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: May 5th 2020
My Rating: 4.5 Cups
Source: Social Butterfly PR

Blurb (from Goodreads):

New York Times bestselling author Lexi Blake is back with an all-new heartwarming, small-town contemporary romance series set against the spicy southern backdrop of Louisiana's Butterfly Bayou.

Life in Dallas took a tragic turn for nurse practitioner Lila Daley. In need of a fresh start, she retreats to Papillon, Louisiana, a tiny town on the bayou. Sure she's greeted by a gator, finds herself in the middle of golf cart wars, and unwittingly adopts a scruffy dog, but Lila remains undaunted. She's focused on running the town's medical clinic, but fitting into the quirky community is harder than she imagined.

As a single dad, Sheriff Armie LaVigne embraces routine. But there is nothing routine about the town's newest resident. Lila is a gorgeous fish out of water and he’s ready to catch her. In fact, in no time at all, Armie knows Lila is the woman for him and he plans to win her heart. But when the past threatens their happiness, Armie will have to decide if he has the courage to trust Lila enough to find a true happily ever after.

*Disclaimer: I received an eARC of his book from Social Butterfly PR in exchange for an honest review. This does not influence my rating or the content of my review in any way.

**Disclaimer: This book contains mature content. As a result, my review may contain references to content intended for mature audiences only

Every new book that Lexi Blake puts out is an adventure to me, and I'm honestly such a fangirl of hers that I don't even read the blurb anymore. I just know that I'll love it, and to expect laughter, tears, and lots of happy feelings. Butterfly Bayou is the first book in a new Lexi Blake series, and it's just the perfect start to a new world, and it delivers laughter, tears, and happy feelings.

Reread Review: The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead

Author: Richelle Mead
Series: Bloodlines #2
Audience: Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal
Publisher: Razorbill
Release Date:  June 12th 2012
My Rating: 4 Cups
Source: My copy
Blurb (from Goodreads):

Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. Alchemists protect vampire secrets - and human lives.

Sydney would love to go to college, but instead, she's been sent into hiding at a posh boarding school in Palm Springs, California - tasked with protecting Moroi princess Jill Dragomir from assassins who want to throw the Moroi court into civil war. Formerly in disgrace, Sydney is now praised for her loyalty and obedience, and held up as the model of an exemplary Alchemist.

But the closer she grows to Jill, Eddie, and especially Adrian, the more she finds herself questioning her age-old Alchemist beliefs, her idea of family, and her sense of what it means to truly belong. Her world becomes even more complicated when magical experiments show Sydney may hold the key to prevent becoming Strigoi - the fiercest vampires, the ones who don't die. But it's her fear of being just that - special, magical, powerful - that scares her more than anything. Equally daunting is her new romance with Braydon, a cute, brainy guy who seems to be her match in every way. Yet, as perfect as he seems, Sydney finds herself being drawn to someone else - someone forbidden to her.

When a shocking secret threatens to tear the vampire world apart, Sydney's loyalties are suddenly tested more than ever before. She wonders how she's supposed to strike a balance between the principles and dogmas she's been taught, and what her instincts are now telling her.

Should she trust the Alchemists - or her heart?

My Bloodlines buddy reread with Jamsu @ Jamsudreams continues. I have to say that I'm happy for the fact that it feels like I'm reading these books for the first time all over again. Since I only read these books only once before, a lot of the stuff that happens is a shocker for me, so I get to be surprised by them again. The Golden Lily had a few elements that I remembered, but it was mostly about the smallest of details and not the important stuff. I did have as much fun now as I did the first time I read the book.

Reread Book Review: Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

Author: Richelle Mead
Series: Bloodlines #1
Audience: Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal
Publisher: Razorbill
Release Date:  August 23rd 2011
My Rating: 4 Cups
Source: My copy
Blurb (from Goodreads):

I wasn't free of my past, not yet.

Sydney's blood is special. That's because she's an alchemist - one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets - and human lives. But the last encounter Sydney had with vampires got her in deep trouble with the other alchemists. And now with her allegiences in question, her future is on the line.

When Sydney is torn from her bed in the middle of the night, at first she thinks she's still being punished for her complicated alliance with dhampir Rose Hathaway. But what unfolds is far worse. Jill Dragomir - the sister of Moroi Queen Lissa Dragomir - is in mortal danger, and the Moroi must send her into hiding. To avoid a civil war, Sydney is called upon to act as Jill's guardian and protector, posing as her roommate in the unlikeliest of places: a human boarding school in Palm Springs, California. The last thing Sydney wants is to be accused of sympathizing with vampires. And now she has to live with one.

The Moroi court believe Jill and Sydney will be safe at Amberwood Prep, but threats, distractions, and forbidden romance lurk both outside - and within - the school grounds. Now that they're in hiding, the drama is only just beginning.

My buddy read with Jamsu @ Jamsudreams continues with Bloodlines by Richelle Mead. I've been dying to get to this series ever since Sydney was introduced in Blood Promise. As fun as it was revisiting Rose and Dimitri, Sydney and Adrian's story is the one I've been meaning to read for the past few years. I've always been afraid of reading the last 2 books in this series, but having Jamsu as a reading partner helps me get over my "reading the last book in a series" fear.

This is also my 3rd time rereading Bloodlines. Let me tell you what I saw differently this time.

Reread Book Review: Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead

Author: Richelle Mead
Series: Vampire Academy #6
Audience: Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal
Publisher: Razorbill
Release Date:  December 7th 2010
My Rating: 3 Cups
Source: My copy
Blurb (from Goodreads):

They come first.

My vision was growing dimmer, the blackness and ghosts closing in. I swore it was like I could hear Robert whispering in my ear: The world of the dead won't give you up a second time. Just before the light completely vanished, I saw Dimitri's face join Lissa's. I wanted to smile. I decided then that if the two people I loved most were safe, I could leave this world.

The dead could finally have me.

Rose Hathaway has always played by her own rules. She broke the law when she ran away from St. Vladimir's Academy with her best friend and last surviving Dragomir princess, Lissa. She broke the law when she fell in love with her gorgeous, off-limits instructor, Dimitri. And she dared to defy Queen Tatiana, leader of the Moroi world, risking her life and reputation to protect generations of dhampir guardians to come.

Now the law has finally caught up with Rose - for a crime she didn't even commit. She's in prison for the highest offense imaginable: the assassination of a monarch. She'll need help from both Dimitri and Adrian to find the one living person who can stall her execution and force the Moroi elite to acknowledge a shocking new candidate for the royal throne: Vasilisa Dragomir.

But the clock on Rose's life is running out. Rose knows in her heart the world of the dead wants her back...and this time she is truly out of second chances. The big question is, when your whole life is about saving others, who will save you?

Join Rose, Dimitri, Adrian, and Lissa in Last Sacrifice, the epic, unforgettable finale to Richelle Mead's international #1 bestselling Vampire Academy series.

The day has come, my dear fellow book lovers. Jamsu and I are finally at the end of our Vampire Academy buddy reread. I didn't imagine I'd be this happy to read the final book in a series that I love so much, but here we are. Here's the thing. This reread has made me realize once again that the way one feels about the book they're reading is influenced by a lot of things that are not related to the book itself. Let me tell you all about it.

Book Review: This Mortal Coil by Emily Suvada

Author: Emily Suvada

Series: This Mortal Coil #1
Audience: Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Dystopia
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Release Date:  November 7th 2017
My Rating: 4.5 Cups
Source: RivetedLit
Blurb (from Goodreads):

In this gripping debut novel, seventeen-year-old Cat must use her gene-hacking skills to decode her late father’s message concealing a vaccine to a horrifying plague.

Catarina Agatta is a hacker. She can cripple mainframes and crash through firewalls, but that’s not what makes her special. In Cat’s world, people are implanted with technology to recode their DNA, allowing them to change their bodies in any way they want. And Cat happens to be a gene-hacking genius.

That’s no surprise, since Cat’s father is Dr. Lachlan Agatta, a legendary geneticist who may be the last hope for defeating a plague that has brought humanity to the brink of extinction. But during the outbreak, Lachlan was kidnapped by a shadowy organization called Cartaxus, leaving Cat to survive the last two years on her own.

When a Cartaxus soldier, Cole, arrives with news that her father has been killed, Cat’s instincts tell her it’s just another Cartaxus lie. But Cole also brings a message: before Lachlan died, he managed to create a vaccine, and Cole needs Cat’s help to release it and save the human race.

Now Cat must decide who she can trust: The soldier with secrets of his own? The father who made her promise to hide from Cartaxus at all costs? In a world where nature itself can be rewritten, how much can she even trust herself?

I was kindly encouraged to read this book by not one, not two, but FOUR different friends. Clo, Haley, Kal, and Soph have all instructed me to read this book, and when four bloggers tell you to read a book, you don't resist it, you don't put up a fight, you just read it. I am very glad that I listened to these awesome people.

Blog Tour Book Review: Reborn Yesterday by Tessa Bailey

Author: Tessa Bailey
Series: Phenomenal Fate #1
Audience:  +18
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: March 17th 2020
My Rating: 4.5 Cups
Source: Social Butterfly PR

Blurb (from Goodreads):

A timeless love story with bite.

It was a night like any other for funeral home director Ginny Lynn, until the exceptionally handsome—and unfortunately deceased—young man on her embalming table sat up, opened his emerald eyes and changed the course of her life forever, making her feel quite fluttery while he was at it.

Humans aren't supposed to know Jonas Cantrell, or any vampire, exists. It's kind of a major rule. Despite his instantaneous bond with perfectly peculiar Ginny, he has no choice but to erase her memories of their one and only meeting.

That was the plan. Before a reluctant Jonas can wipe Ginny's mind clean, she reveals a secret that brings their worlds crashing together. Human and vampire. Past and present. Darkness and light. And while their love is strictly forbidden, it might be the only thing that can save them…

Reborn Yesterday is a standalone paranormal romantic comedy with a happily ever after.

*Disclaimer: I received an eARC of his book from Social Butterfly PR in exchange for an honest review. This does not influence my rating or the content of my review in any way.

**Disclaimer: This book contains mature content. As a result, my review may contain references to content intended for mature audiences only.

I've been dying to read this book ever since I first heard that Tessa was writing it. I remember her mentioning it on the Read Me Romance podcast and I was super excited about it, so I had a ton of high expectations. I am very happy that not only did it meet every single one of them, but it also exceeded them.

Reread Book Review: Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead

Author: Richelle Mead
Series: Vampire Academy #5
Audience: Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal
Publisher: Razorbill
Release Date:  May 1st 2010
My Rating: 3 Cups
Source: My copy
Blurb (from Goodreads):

After a long and heartbreaking journey to Dimitri's birthplace in Siberia, Rose Hathaway has finally returned to St. Vladimir's and to her best friend, Lissa. It is at long last graduation, and the girls can't wait for their real lives beyond the Academy's iron gates to begin. But Rose's heart still aches for Dimitri, and she knows he's out there, somewhere.

She failed to kill him when she had the chance. And now her worst fears are about to come true. Dimitri has tasted her blood, and now he is hunting her. And this time he won't rest until Rose joins him . . . forever.

My buddy read with Jamsu @ Jamsudreams of the Vampire Academy series continues. I have to say that so far, this has been the most disappointing reread out of the entire series. Let me tell you all about it!

Blog Tour Book Review: Wild, Wild Rake by Janna MacGregor

Author: Janna MacGregor

Series: The Cavensham Heiresses #6

Audience: Over 18

Genre: Historical Romance

Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks

Release Date: February 25th 2020

My Rating: 4 Cups

Source:  St. Martin's

Blurb (from Goodreads):

Her first marriage was an epic failure.

Lady Avalon Warwyck never did love her husband. Arrogant, selfish, and cruel, it’s a blessing when she’s widowed and left to raise her son all by herself. Finally, Avalon can live freely and do the work she loves: helping fallen women become businesswomen. She’s lived these past ten years with no desire to remarry―that is, until Mr. Devan Farris comes to town.

Can he convince her to take another chance at happily ever after?

Devan Farris―charming vicar, reputed rake, and the brother of Avalon’s son’s guardian―is reluctantly sent to town to keep tabs on Avalon and her son. Devan wishes he didn’t have to meddle in her affairs; he’s not one to trod on a woman’s independent nature and keen sense of convictions. But she’ll have nothing to do with vicar with a wild reputation―even though he’s never given his heart and body to another. If only he could find a way to show Avalon who he really is on the inside―a good, true soul looking for its other half. But how can prove that he wants to love and care for her. . .until death do they part?

*Disclaimer: I received an eARC of his book from St. Martin's in exchange for an honest review. This does not influence my rating or the content of my review in any way.

**Disclaimer: This book contains mature content. As a result, my review may contain references to content intended for mature audiences only.

A delightful story about a vicar with a lot of secrets, and a young widow with a broken heart. Basically this book was just what I needed right now. I have only read one other book in the Cavensham Heiresses series, which I can now see it is a mistake, one that I need to correct quickly.

Reread Book Review: Blood Promise by Richelle Mead

Author: Richelle Mead
Series: Vampire Academy #4
Audience: Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal
Publisher: Razorbill
Release Date:  August 1st 2009
My Rating: 4 Cups
Source: My copy
Blurb (from Goodreads):

Rose Hathaway's life will never be the same.

The recent attack on St. Vladimir's Academy devastated the entire Moroi world. Many are dead. And, for the few victims carried off by Strigoi, their fates are even worse. A rare tattoo now adorns Rose's neck, a mark that says she's killed far too many Strigoi to count. But only one victim matters ... Dimitri Belikov. Rose must now choose one of two very different paths: honoring her life's vow to protect Lissa—her best friend and the last surviving Dragomir princess—or, dropping out of the Academy to strike out on her own and hunt down the man she loves. She'll have to go to the ends of the earth to find Dimitri and keep the promise he begged her to make. But the question is, when the time comes, will he want to be saved?


Now, with everything at stake—and worlds away from St. Vladimir's and her unguarded, vulnerable, and newly rebellious best friend—can Rose find the strength to destroy Dimitri? Or, will she sacrifice herself for a chance at eternal love?

My buddy read with Jamsu @ Jamsudreams of the Vampire Academy series continues. We have finally gotten to Blood Promise and this is one of the books in the series I've been most excited to read. Not only because we meed Sydney and Abe, but because evil Dimitri is a thing.