Category: ya

adult, contemporary, fantasy, Five Star Book, LGBT, Romance, ya

🌹 Beauty and the Beast Book Tag 🌹

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Tags are so fun and I am so glad my friend Erin tagged me in this! She’s a baby blogger. You should all go give her a like or follow over at EagerBeaverReader!

Beauty and the Beast is my favorite Disney movie and has been since I was a child. I mean, who doesn’t want Belle’s library?! This tag was found at The Book Nut. Let’s dive in!

🌹 “Oh what a guy, Gaston!” A villain you can’t help but love 🌹

The Darkling from Shadow and Bone for sure. He’s a love/hate kinda guy and I think we all secretly wish for him and Alina to be together.

🌹 “Here’s where she meets Prince Charming” Your OTP 🌹

Kaz and Inej 10000%. I will ship them until I die.

🌹 “I want so much more than this provincial life” A character destined for greater things 🌹

Alex and Henry are going to rule the world with so much love and inclusion. I want to live in this universe!

🌹 “Be our guest!” A book that made you hungry. 🌹

Between the baking and the grilled cheese wars, I just wanted to eat the most unhealthy things while reading this book.

🌹 “Beauty and the Beast” Opposites attract. 🌹

Ok, hear me out. There was a mild love interest in this, and they are definitely opposites.

🌹 “But there’s something in him that I simply didn’t see” A character who is more than they appear 🌹

Who is good? Who is bad? No one is who you think they are. This is the book all other thrillers have to live up to now.

🌹 “I was innocent and certain, now I’m wiser but unsure” A book that changed you in some way 🌹

D1V is more than just a gamer. She stands up for what she believes in and tries to make a stand against cyber bulling, especially in the cruel world of online games. I want to be more like her.

🌹 “Kill the Beast!” A book you picked up because of hype. 🌹

And did I love it as much as everyone else did? Of course I did!

🌹 “I’ll never shake away the pain” A book or moment that always makes you cry 🌹

My sweet JVN has been though some shit. My heart hurt for him the whole time I was listening. I’m so amazed that he could come out on top and be the beautiful human that he is.

🌹 “How does a moment last forever” A book that you’ve loved since you were little. 🌹

When I was three my Nana thought I was reading this book. She called my mom in a panic/surprise. They then realized I was holding the book upside down and had just memorized it.

I loved this tag! Some of the prompts really made me think!

What would your answers be for the prompts? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time…

adult, contemporary, Erotica, Historical Fiction, mystery, Sci-Fi, ya

Down the TBR Part 15

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This book meme is currently active over at Zezee with Books. Here’s what you do:

“A meme where we decide whether to keep or remove books on our TBR. The rules: Go to your Goodreads to-read shelf. Order on ascending date added. Take the first 5 (or 10 if you’re feeling adventurous) books. Read the synopses of the books. Decide: keep it or should it go?”

I’ve started doing this a little different. Same concept, but to cover more ground I’m going through one day at a time. Today we’ll examine all the books I added on July 15, 2015.

….Oof. Maybe not. So, I started getting all the books in a tab and it just kept going and going. Guys. I added 156 books that day! Whaaaat. That’s too many for one post. Cause I wouldn’t even want to read that. Let’s divide this up into a few posts. I’ll do 20 books this post, which is still kind of a lot, but I need to clear out this day! What was I thinking or doing? Lord.

Okay, so we’re starting at 1867. I’ve added a lot of arcs and books I found on other blogs. But maybe we can cut that number down!

✔ What I Kept ✔

✔ Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin

I have almost picked this book up many times. I need to get to it soon!

✔ Creation in Death by JD Robb

This is #25 in the series, but it sounds so good. Do I need to read these in order? Can I commit to a 25+ book series?!

✔ Salvation in Death by JD Robb

This one sounds good too! Please let me know if I need to read these in order.

✔ The Stranger I Married by Sylvia Day

I love a good historical romance. This one sounds great!

✔ Real Murders by Charlaine Harris

I love Charlaine, and I love a good cozy mystery.

✘ What I Deleted ✘

✘ Night Terror by John Passarella

I’m gonna get flack for this, I know. But I’m just not that into Supernatural anymore? Sorry, fandom!

✘ Before Sunrise by Diana Palmer

Just seems like typical chick-lit love story. Nothing jumps out at me.

✘ The Final Kill by Meg O’Brien

This one started off sounding great, but then it kind of turned into a political thriller so it kind of lost me.

✘ Free Spirit by Fern Michaels

Another chick-lit that isn’t sparking my interest.

✘ Wish List by Fern Michaels

Another chick lit. Honestly, these seem like something my grandma would read, which isn’t bad. We just don’t have the same taste.

✘ Dear Emily by Fern Michaels

Same as above.

✘ The Vampire Diaries books 1 & 2

I loved the tv show. The books? Not so much. One of the rare instances where TV was better than the original. I DNF’d book 1.

✘ The Vampire Diaries books 3 & 4

I couldn’t get through the first two soo…

✘ Irish Trilogy Collection by Nora Roberts

They all just seem typical love stories. Nothing sticks out at me.

✘ Birthright by Nora Roberts

It just sounded… eh.

✘ Born in.. Series by Nora Roberts

These all take place in Ireland, which is cool, but they’re all just romances. I usually need a little more than just a typical romance.

✘ Blue Smoke by Nora Roberts

Like the ones before, I guess. This sounded like it had more action, but it still didn’t really catch my attention.

✘ The Dark City by Catherine Fisher

This is a YA series, but I’m just not really into secret relics and like, kind of historical science fiction? It’s kind of hard to explain, I just know this isn’t for me.

Horde by Ann Aguirre

Number 3 in the series, but the synopsis of the first didn’t really sound great.

Sara’s Song by Fern Michaels

This has a doctor MC, which is usually an automatic keep, but its just a weird love triangle. Which usually I like, but this one seems super weird.

So, here’s where we stand. I am ending the TBR at 1852. I deleted 15/20, so that’s not bad! I’m excited to do my next post! From what I have just glanced at, I’ll be deleting a lot from this day.

What do you think about what I kept and deleted? Did I make any mistakes? Do I have to read the JD Robb series in order? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time…

ARC, contemporary, fantasy, ya

Stacking the Shelves!

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So it’s been a couple weeks since I’ve done this post! With the way the Saturdays fell I did my wrap up for February and my top 5 March releases.

Since February 22, I have been approved for 15 ARCs. Wow, I didn’t realize it was that many. Today I’ll show you the 6 I am currently most excited for!

Stacking the Shelves meme is hosted by Tynga’s Reviews. Here’s how it works:

“Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!”

Admission by Julie Buxbaum

“From the New York Times bestselling author of Tell Me Three Things comes an of-the-moment novel that peeks inside the private lives of the hypercompetitive and the hyperprivileged and takes on the college admissions bribery scandal that rocked the country.“

The college bribery was so interesting to me. I cannot wait to read this novel!

Release date: May 5, 2020

We are the Wildcats by Siobhan Vivian

“A toxic coach finds himself outplayed by the high school girls on his team in this deeply suspenseful novel, which unspools over twenty-four hours through six diverse perspectives.“

I am reading this after I finish All the Stars and Teeth (hopefully this weekend!) I CANNOT WAIT

Release date: March 31, 2020

The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea by Maggie Tokuda-Hall

“A desperate orphan turned pirate and a rebellious imperial daughter find a connection on the high seas in a world divided by colonialism and threaded with magic.“

Magic and pirates. I didn’t think I liked pirate books, but I’ve been real into them recently.

Release date: May 5, 2020

Spindle and Dagger by J. Anderson Coats

“This rich literary novel follows Elen, who must live a precarious lie in order to survive among the medieval Welsh warband that killed her family.“

I don’t think I’ve ever read a novel set in Wales, so I’m excited about that. It sounds like a super interesting read!

Release date: March 10, 2020

The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna

“Sixteen-year-old Deka lives in fear and anticipation of the blood ceremony that will determine whether she will become a member of her village. Already different from everyone else because of her unnatural intuition, Deka prays for red blood so she can finally feel like she belongs.“

This cover is gorgeous. It sounds amazing. I can’t wait! Thanks Steph for getting this one for me!

Release date: May 26, 2020

The Ballad of Ami Miles

“Raised in isolation at Heavenly Shepherd, her family’s trailer-dealership-turned-survival compound, Ami Miles knows that she was lucky to be born into a place of safety after the old world ended and the chaos began. But when her grandfather arranges a marriage to a cold-eyed stranger, she realizes that her “destiny” as one of the few females capable of still bearing children isn’t something she’s ready to face.“

This sounds so good. I love cult-y stories. I can’t wait to dive in!

Release date: May 26, 2020

So these are all releasing this month or May.. ha! I will definitely get to We Are the Wildcats this month, and maybe even Spindle and Dagger.

Are any of these on your radar? What are you looking forward to? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time…

fantasy, Romance, ya

⚓ First Impression Friday ⚓

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Normally when I do First Impression Friday, I read the first chapter and review it, give my thoughts and predictions. Yeah. That did not happen. I started and I.couldn’t.stop. I’m on chapter 6 now.

Set in a kingdom where danger lurks beneath the sea, mermaids seek vengeance with song, and magic is a choice.
She will reign.
As princess of the island kingdom Visidia, Amora Montara has spent her entire life training to be High Animancer—the master of souls. The rest of the realm can choose their magic, but for Amora, it’s never been a choice. To secure her place as heir to the throne, she must prove her mastery of the monarchy’s dangerous soul magic.
When her demonstration goes awry, Amora is forced to flee. She strikes a deal with Bastian, a mysterious pirate: he’ll help her prove she’s fit to rule, if she’ll help him reclaim his stolen magic.
But sailing the kingdom holds more wonder—and more peril—than Amora anticipated. A destructive new magic is on the rise, and if Amora is to conquer it, she’ll need to face legendary monsters, cross paths with vengeful mermaids, and deal with a stow-away she never expected… or risk the fate of Visidia and lose the crown forever.
I am the right choice. The only choice. And I will protect my kingdom.
-Goodreads

So, like I said, when I started this book I couldn’t stop. I’m usually not super into pirates and sea adventures, but this cover was gorgeous so I knew I had to try. I’m so glad I did.

It starts out with lying, people disguised as others, and magic that goes awry. Plus there’s so many different kinds of magic and rules. It’s so interesting!

I was immediately drawn to Amora. She just seemed so likeable and a heroine I can root for. I’m already shipping her and the love interest! Ahhhh!

I think this will be a 4-5 star read. Too soon to tell, but I know it’ll be a great fantasy!

Plus: we are discussing this book over at Words & Whimsy! Join us here!

Have you read All The Stars and Teeth? What were your thoughts? Let me know in the comments below.

Until next time…

ARC, fantasy, Romance, ya

🗡️ The Queen’s Assassin ARC Review 🗡️

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🗡️ Title: The Queen’s Assassin
🗡️ Author: Melissa de la Cruz
🗡️ Publisher: GP Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers
🗡️ Publish Date: Feb 4, 2020
🗡️ Book Form: Physical ARC
🗡️ Pages: 384
🗡️ Genre: Fantasy, YA, Romance
🗡️ Dates Read: Mar 7 – Mar 11
🗡️ Rating: 🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️

Thank you to GP Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and feelings are my own.

Perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Red Queen, this is the first novel in a sweeping YA fantasy-romance duet about a deadly assassin, his mysterious apprentice, and the country they are sworn to protect from #1 NYT bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz.

Caledon Holt is the kingdom’s deadliest weapon. No one alive can best him in speed, strength, or brains, which is why he’s the Hearthstone Guild’s most dangerous member. Cal is also the Queen’s Assassin, bound to her by magic and unable to leave her service until the task she’s set for him is fulfilled.
Shadow of the Honey Glade has been training all her life to join the Guild, hoping that one day she’ll become an assassin as feared and revered as Cal. But Shadow’s mother and aunts expect her to serve the crown as a lady of the Renovian Court.
When a surprise attack brings Shadow and Cal together, they’re forced to team up as assassin and apprentice. Even though Shadow’s life belongs to the court and Cal’s belongs to the queen, they cannot deny their attraction to each other. But now, with war on the horizon and true love at risk, Shadow and Cal will uncover a shocking web of lies that will change their paths forever.

– Goodreads

I received a beautiful arc of this in the mail and could not wait to dive in. We all know how much I love assassins. This book was good, but there was not enough assassin action for me!

The Queen’s Assassin is told from two POV’s – Shadow and Cal. Cal is the Queen’s Assassin. He saved Shadow’s life one day. As she ran to tell the Queen of his heroics, he was put into jail. Shadow knew she had to rescue him, along with convincing him to let her be his apprentice.

Cal agrees begrudgingly. Then, friendship forms. And also love, because why wouldn’t it?

I loved the growth of the relationship between Cal and Shadow. I was rooting for them the whole time. I mean, what ya fantasy couple do I not root for? I was so glad when feelings started forming. I wish there would have been more romance, but I liked the slow burn, will-they-won’t-they. I feel like there will be plenty of room for romance in book two!

The mystery of who was trying to kill the princess was great. I didn’t guess who the villain was. I loved all the espionage they had to go through to get to the answers.

My only complaint was for a book with assassin in the title, there wasn’t a lot of killing. Does that sound morbid? Probably. But if there’s assassin the title, I want assassin work! Hopefully there will be more of that in book two as well.

If you love ya fantasy, assassins, and slow burn romance, this book is definitely for you!

Is The Queen’s Assassin on your tbr? Have you read it? What did you think? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time…

ARC, contemporary, Four Star Book, review, Romance, ya

💔 Brief Chronicle of Another Stupid Heartbreak ARC Review 💔

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💔 Title: Brief Chronicle of Another Stupid Heartbreak
💔 Author: Adi Alsaid
💔 Publisher: Inkyard Press
💔 Publish Date: April 30, 2019
💔 Book Form: E-ARC
💔Pages: 384
💔Genre: YA, Contemporary, Romance
💔 Dates Read: Mar 3 – Mar 7
💔Rating: 💔💔💔💔

Thank you to Netgalley and Inkyard Press for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The summer after senior year is not going as eighteen-year-old Lu Charles expected: after her longtime boyfriend unexpectedly breaks up with her, Lu can’t write a single word, despite the fact that her college scholarship is tied to her columnist job at hip online magazine Misnomer. Then, she meets Cal.

Cal’s ever-practical girlfriend Iris is looking ahead to her first year of college, and her plans do not include a long-distance boyfriend. When Lu learns that Cal and Iris have planned to end their relationship at the end of the summer, she becomes fascinated and decides to chronicle the last months the couple will spend together.

The closer she gets to the couple, the more she likes them, and the more she wants to write about them. The summer unfurls, and Lu discovers what it really means to be in love. On the page, or off it. The book is touching exploration of love and how it shapes us both during a relationship and after it has ended.

– Goodreads

This is the first book by Adi Alsaid, but I know it will not be my last. I was instantly pulled into Lu’s story and couldn’t wait to see what happened.

In the beginning, and throughout the whole book, really, I wanted this weird relationship with Lu and the couple she eavesdropped on – Cal and Iris. I wanted Lu and Iris to become bffs. They seemed to instantly click and they jsut had a nice flow to their friendship. However, Lu met Cal before she met Iris. He sat beside her on a bench where they talked in fake French accents and helped French tourists find their way. They seemed to have instant chemistry and I really wanted Cal to be the one to mend Lu’s heart.

For a while, this weird situation seemed to work. Lu started hanging out with Cal and Iris together, then separate. When she and Cal were together, it seemed like a romantic connection. When Lu and Iris were together, they seemed like they had been friends forever.
Lu had a best friend before all this went down – Pete. He might have been my favorite. He was asexual and Lu described him as her wise old uncle, which he thought was pretty fitting. He was funny and smart and gave the best advice.

Lu was eavesdropping on Cal and Iris because she writes a love column. Since her boyfriend broke up with her, she had writer’s block. She was listening to what she thought was their breakup for inspiration. This is really the central plot of the book – Lu working through her heartbreak so she can write again. Besides, her whole future lies in this column. She has to keep it to get her scholarship to go to NYU for journalism.

Brief Chronicle of Another Stupid Heartbreak was such a quick, fun read. It made me laugh out loud at times. It also took me back to my past days of high school romance when a break up was totally the end of the world.

I would recommend this book if you like YA romance contemporaries – but the ending will surprise you! I want to say more thoughts about the ending, but I’m scared it’s spoilery so I will refrain.

Have you read Brief Chronicle of Another Stupid Heartbreak? What were your thoughts? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time…

fantasy, middle grade, Romance, ya

Down the TBR Part 14!

Courtney/Enchanted.to.Read.You

So I added some books to my TBR this week… I’m up to 1863. Today I’ll be clearing the day of July 7, 2015 which is 13 books.

At first glance, I already see some I’ll keep. A lot of YA series in this one!

✔ What I Kept ✔

✔ Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

I love a good dystopian YA, and this still sounds amazing. I really need to work this in soon. I’ve almost bought it at the bookstore about 100 times!

✔ Graceling by Kristin Cashore

I’ve actually wanted to read this book for forever too! I love YA fantasies with kings and royals and forbidden romances.

✔ The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

My friend Stephanie has been trying to get me to read this! Like as of the last month or so. So, it’s staying and I’m reading it just for her.

✔ The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong

I love a good ghost story around Halloween! I am going to save this one for my spooky tbr later this year!

✔ Fallen by Lauren Kate

So, I’m not sure about the synopsis, or if I’ll even like this book.

But look at that beautiful emo cover. I’ll be listening to Brand New and Taking Back Sunday while reading this.

✔ Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

I’ve never read one of Maggie’s books. I’ve been looking at this one a lot recently. I really need to read some of her work!

✔ Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout

I’m usually not an alien fan. However, many people have told me this is a great series. I may try this one soon!

✘ What I Deleted ✘

✘ The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau

This just isn’t sounding good to me anymore. I definitely would have liked it in my younger days, but two kids trying to keep the lights going in a dystopian world is just kind of eh to me.

✘ Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

This is another I would have loved in my younger days. I just need a little more substances to my vampires now that I’m older. I’m looking for more of an Eric than an Edward, if ya know what I mean.

✘ Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer

This sounds a little young for me too. The MC is 12, which I’m not opposed to, however, this just isn’t striking my fancy. I should have read this long ago.

✘ The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

I’m not a huge fan of gods, demigods, mythology.. all the books with that subject matter I end up giving low star ratings. I’m just going to save myself the pain and say nah fam.

✘ The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman

I don’t know what it is, but this just does not seem appealing to me at all. Maybe its the cover? Maybe it sounds too juvenile? I don’t know but I’m going to pass.

✘ Born at Midnight by C.C. Hunter

This is another paranormal book I would have loved back in the day. I just need a little more oomph now.

Wow! I kept 7/13 – over half! I think that’s the most I’ve ever kept. This was also all YA, which is pretty amazing. I figured I’d keep more once I started getting into my YA backlist.

I wish I would have read all the books I deleted in the past. The synopses sounded just like something I would have liked in my younger days. I’m sad I didn’t get to them because I feel like I wouldn’t enjoy them now.

I’m officially ending my TBR today at 1857.

What did you think about what I kept and deleted? Did I make any mistakes? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time…

ARC, contemporary, fantasy, Historical Fiction, mystery, thriller, ya

🔥 Top 5 Anticipated Releases for March 2020 🔥

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This is becoming one of my favorite monthly posts! And one of the posts that makes my tbr grow…

March is a huge month for releases and it was so hard to narrow them down! Here’s what I decided on:

🔥 Girls with Razor Hearts by Suzanne Young 🔥

Release Date: March 17

I fell in love with Suzanne during our author chat last year. Girls With Sharp Sticks was one of my top books of 2019 so I can’t wait to dive into this sequel!

I forgot to add this to my TBR, but I think I am going to replace We Didn’t Ask For This with this book. My blog tour for We Didn’t Ask For This is next month!

🔥 The Kingdom of Back by Marie Lu 🔥

I’m trash for Marie Lu. She’s one of my favorites. I will read whatever she puts out. Warcross is one of my favorite series of all time.

This is so different from everything else she has written, but I can’t wait to see how it is! And that cover! Ugh, so gorge.

🔥 The June Boys by Courtney C Stevens 🔥

I love a good kidnapper tale. And what’s interesting about this one is all the boys are returned unharmed – until they aren’t. Why is the Gemini Thief taking the boys? What does he do with them? Why kill now?

I HAVE TO KNOW!

🔥 We Are the Wildcats by Siobhan Vivian 🔥

I am so into girl power and girls supporting girls.

“A toxic coach finds himself outplayed by the high school girls on his team in this deeply suspenseful novel, which unspools over twenty-four hours through six diverse perspectives.“

Like, COME ON! That sounds so amazing! Booo toxic masculinity! Burn the patriarchy!

🔥 All the Pretty Things by Emily Arsenault 🔥

I am super pumped for this thriller. First, the cover is creepy as hell. That’s one ride I do not want to get on.

When your best friend stops talking to you and you start discovering secrets involving her and the dead guy, you know it’s going to be a wild ride.

Well, these are my top 5 releases of March 2020! They’re all on my TBR except Kingdom of Back, which will be on April’s TBR!

What do you think of these? What is your most anticipated release? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time…

ARC, contemporary, ya

First Impression Friday

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I wanted to read at least 3 books this week, but I’m just now starting my second. I feel like this will be a super quick read, though! I read the first chapter of Brief Chronicle of Another Stupid Heartbreak by Adi Alsaid and loved it! I have two of his books on my TBR this month, so I hope they both live up to what I think they will!

“The summer after senior year is not going as eighteen-year-old Lu Charles expected: after her longtime boyfriend unexpectedly breaks up with her, Lu can’t write a single word, despite the fact that her college scholarship is tied to her columnist job at hip online magazine Misnomer. Then, she meets Cal.
Cal’s ever-practical girlfriend Iris is looking ahead to her first year of college, and her plans do not include a long-distance boyfriend. When Lu learns that Cal and Iris have planned to end their relationship at the end of the summer, she becomes fascinated and decides to chronicle the last months the couple will spend together.
The closer she gets to the couple, the more she likes them, and the more she wants to write about them. The summer unfurls, and Lu discovers what it really means to be in love. On the page, or off it. The book is touching exploration of love and how it shapes us both during a relationship and after it has ended.” – Goodreads

In the fist chapter, we meet Lu. Lu’s boyfriend just broke up with her. She’s hoping to meet him and try to get him back. While she’s waiting, a cute guy sits next to her and they have a lovely chat/flirt. After he leaves, she goes to the bookstore, where she sees a girl crying. She then realized girl is there to meet the guy Lu was just chatting with!

I was instantly pulled in. I wanted to know how this was going to play out. Even though Lu was still thinking about her ex, she was having fun with this new guy! I was hoping he would be the one to heal her heart, but I guess we’ll have to see!

I got through the first chapter, which was 4% of the book. My kindle tells me I have just over 4 hours left to read. I’m guessing this will be a solid 4 star book!

Have you read Brief Chronicle of Another Stupid Heartbreak? What were your thoughts? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time…

ARC, contemporary, fantasy, review, two star book, ya

Lovestruck ARC Review

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🏹 Title: Lovestruck
🏹 Author: Kate Watson
🏹 Publisher: Flux
🏹 Publish Date: April 2, 2019
🏹 Book Form: E-ARC
🏹 Pages: 350
🏹 Genre: Romance, Fantasy, Mythology
🏹 Dates Read: Feb 28 – Mar 3
🏹 Rating: 🏹🏹

Sixteen-year-old cupid-in-training Kali is in an Olympus-sized mountain of trouble. Rule number one in arrow-toting matchmaking: don’t stick yourself. But accidents happen, and Kali instantly falls hard for her indie rock, bass-playing target, Benicio.
The God of Love is going to kill her. Even if he is her dad.
Being the daughter of Eros isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. For one thing, a girl can get jaded when her parents have the most beautiful and fatalistic love story in history. For another, immortality royally sucks when the Oracle condemns you to eternity in the wrong profession. Do the Gods care that Kali wants to ditch the love stuff and be a muse?
Nope.
To reclaim her heart and her destiny, Kali is left with no choice but to defy the Gods, tempt the Fates, date the mortal love-of-her-life, and hope she doesn’t lose her best friend, Hector, in the process.

– Goodreads

So many conflicting emotions about Lovestruck. I wanted to like this book. I loved the premise. It just fell really flat for me.

Kali is basically Cupid. She is tasked with making love matches. She has been studying her mark for weeks. The time has come. She about to shoot him, when suddenly she sticks herself with her arrow. Now she is matched with Ben. Since Kali is immortal, it cannot be reversed. Kali must now go on a quest with the help of her god and goddess friends to find a way to reverse what has happened.

Everyone in this novel was SO DANG DRAMATIC. Like, think of the most dramatic individual you know. Times it by 10 (yes, I promise) and those are the characters. Hector accidentally stuck himself while looking at Kali. Now he is matched with her. She dated him for a while, loved it, but then broke up with him. Yet, when she sees him with another girl, she flips out! You’re the one that left him, honey. You’re to blame.

Ben, Kali’s mark-turned-boyfriend, is emo. But not in the cute, early 2000s emo way. No. If she even mentions Hector, he starts brooding and turning super angsty. I couldn’t with him. He would be so mean to Kali, and she’d just write it off like it was nothing. She just loved that he called her his muse and she inspired his music. I wanted them both to jump off a cliff.

The only characters I liked were Tony and Artmetis. They actually seemed like the genuinely liked each other. I was rooting for them through the whole book.

I know, I’ve been ranting. So why did I give Lovestruck two stars (or arrows)? I love the premise. This story could have been wonderful had it been executed better. I would even be ok with the weird love triangle between Kali, Hec, and Ben had they not been so damn dramatic.

I don’t know that i can recommend this book. Maybe if you like mythology – there were TONS of gods and goddesses in this. But just be prepared for the worst teenage dramatics.

Have you read Lovestruck? What did you think? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time…