fantasy, Historical Fiction, three star book, ya

An Affair of Poisons Review

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  • Title: An Affair of Poisons
  • Author: Addie Thorley
  • Book Form: E-Book
  • Pages: 391
  • Publisher: Page Street Kids
  • Genre: Historical Fiction, Fantasy, YA
  • Rating: ★★★.5


No one looks kindly on the killer of a king. 

After unwittingly helping her mother poison King Louis XIV, seventeen-year-old alchemist Mirabelle Monvoisin is forced to see her mother’s Shadow Society in a horrifying new light: they’re not heroes of the people, as they’ve always claimed to be, but murderers. Herself included. Mira tries to ease her guilt by brewing helpful curatives, but her hunger tonics and headache remedies cannot right past wrongs or save the dissenters her mother vows to purge.

Royal bastard Josse de Bourbon is more kitchen boy than fils de France. But when the Shadow Society assassinates the Sun King and half of the royal court, he must become the prince he was never meant to be in order to save his injured sisters and the petulant dauphin. Forced to hide in the sewers beneath the city, Josse’s hope of reclaiming Paris seems impossible―until his path collides with Mirabelle’s.

She’s a deadly poisoner. He’s a bastard prince. They are sworn enemies, yet they form a tenuous pact to unite the commoners and former nobility against the Shadow Society. But can a rebellion built on mistrust ever hope to succeed?

– Goodreads

I was so, so excited to read this book. The description was amazing. Then, only on page 1, was this quote:

Today I will kill a man.

– Mirabelle

So I’m like, hell yeah! I’m here for this girl who is so nonchalant about killing. But then, I just couldn’t get into it. I stopped and started this book multiple times throughout the month. It wasn’t that it was bad, it was just … slow.

The action was so slow to build. It took over half the book. But once the action hit, man it hit. Once they started making plans, acting them out, and creating potions for the right reasons, I was here for it! It just took a little too long to get to it.

I loved that it was set in Paris around the time of Versailles. I am in love with that time period in Paris. There was a little French here and there, but not near as much as Enchantee. I loved the premise of this book. A girl making potions for a society who gets caught up in things she doesn’t agree with, so she decides to make a change. Yes, please. It sounds amazing. I just think it took a little too long to get there.

Up until the end, I wasn’t invested in the characters. I didn’t care who lived or died. The last like, 25% though really changed my mind. But that’s a lot of book to get through before you start caring.

If you like old Paris, poisons, and political unrest, give this book a try. Maybe it will suck you in from the beginning. I hope it does, because the ending was great.

Until next time…

adult, Five Star Book, Humor, Memoir

The Greatest Love Story Ever Told Review

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  • Title: The Greatest Love Story Ever Told
  • Author: Megan Mullally and Nick Offerman
  • Book Form: Audio
  • Pages: 269
  • Publisher: Dutton
  • Genre: Nonfiction, Humor, Memoir
  • Rating: ★★★★★


At last, the full story behind Megan Mullally and Nick Offerman’s epic romance, including stories, portraits, and the occasional puzzle, all telling the smoldering tale that has fascinated Hollywood for over a decade. 

The year: 2000. The setting: Los Angeles. A gorgeous virtuoso of an actress had agreed to star in a random play, and a basement-dwelling scenic carpenter had said he would assay a supporting role in the selfsame pageant. At the first rehearsal, she surveyed her fellow cast members, as one does, determining if any of the men might qualify to provide her with a satisfying fling. Her gaze fell upon the carpenter, and like a bolt of lightning, the thought struck her: No dice. Moving on.

Yet, unbeknownst to our protagonists, Cupid had merely set down his bow and picked up a rocket launcher. Then fired a love rocket (not a euphemism). The players were Megan Mullally and Nick Offerman, and the resulting romance, once it ignited, was . . . epic. Beyond epic. It resulted in a coupling that has endured to this day; a sizzling, perpetual tryst that has captivated the world with its kindness, athleticism, astonishingly low-brow humor, and true (fire emoji) passion.

How did they do it? They came from completely different families, endured a significant age difference, and were separated by the gulf of several social strata. Megan loved books and art history; Nick loved hammers. But much more than these seemingly unsurpassable obstacles were the values they held in common: respect, decency, the ability to mention genitalia in almost any context, and an abiding obsession with the songs of Tom Waits.

Eighteen years later, they’re still very much in love, and have finally decided to reveal the philosophical mountains they have conquered, the lessons they’ve learned, and the myriad jigsaw puzzles they’ve completed, in a book. Featuring anecdotes, hijinks, interviews, photos, and a veritable grab bag of tomfoolery, this is not only the intoxicating book that Mullally’s and Offerman’s fans have been waiting for, it might just hold the solution to the greatest threat facing our modern world: the single life

– Goodreads

Okay guys. This book!!! I was so in love. I’ve been a huge Nick Offerman fan for a while now so I loved learning about his real life. I’ve never seen Will and Grace (I know, shame) but Megan was so funny and instantly pulled me in. I listened to the audio, which I fully recommend. It’s so funny to hear their back and forth banter and plethora of sex jokes.

This is a book about, well, the greatest love story ever told. It takes you from when Nick met Megan, their dating, their wedding, and how they manage to stay in love when other Hollywood couples fail.

I love learning the things they do to stay connected with one another. They take you through this journey in such a funny way. I just loved learning about them.

One downside to the audio was you couldn’t see the section of pictures that comes with the print book. Obviously. But never fear! Nick and Meagan hilariously describe the pictures to you. Sure, it’s not the same as looking at them, but it gave me a good laugh.

If you are a fan of Parks and Rec or Will and Grace, you should read this book. Or listen, that’s probably even better. It shows the love these two still have for one another. They are great #relationshipgoals

Until next time…

adult, Five Star Book, Historical Fiction

Daisy Jones and the Six Review

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  • Title: Daisy Jones and the Six
  • Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid
  • Book Form: Audio
  • Pages: 368
  • Publisher: Ballentine Books
  • Genre: Historical Fiction
  • Rating: ★★★★★


Everyone knows Daisy Jones & The Six, but nobody knows the reason behind their split at the absolute height of their popularity . . . until now.

Daisy is a girl coming of age in L.A. in the late sixties, sneaking into clubs on the Sunset Strip, sleeping with rock stars, and dreaming of singing at the Whisky a Go Go. The sex and drugs are thrilling, but it’s the rock and roll she loves most. By the time she’s twenty, her voice is getting noticed, and she has the kind of heedless beauty that makes people do crazy things.

Also getting noticed is The Six, a band led by the brooding Billy Dunne. On the eve of their first tour, his girlfriend Camila finds out she’s pregnant, and with the pressure of impending fatherhood and fame, Billy goes a little wild on the road.

Daisy and Billy cross paths when a producer realizes that the key to supercharged success is to put the two together. What happens next will become the stuff of legend.

The making of that legend is chronicled in this riveting and unforgettable novel, written as an oral history of one of the biggest bands of the seventies. Taylor Jenkins Reid is a talented writer who takes her work to a new level with Daisy Jones & The Six, brilliantly capturing a place and time in an utterly distinctive voice.

– Goodreads

Daisy Jones and the Six was a club read in Book Battle for April. I feel like almost everyone read it, including me. I’m so glad I did.

I actually did the audio, which holy crap. One of the best I’ve ever listened too. It’s full cast, so you feel like you’re getting every character’s unique perspective.

This follows a band who has just come together, rises to fame, then suddenly breaks up while they’re at the top. No one has known the full story until now, and what a story it was. There was a nice twist at the end I didn’t see coming, so that was nice.

Daisy Jones and the Six was definitely a page turner. It’s listed as historical fiction – I guess because it takes place in the 70s. The audio really gave you a 70s vibe and made you feel like you were there in the action. I had investments in almost all of the characters. I cheered for them, hated them at times, and just wanted them to end up happy. There was a lot of character growth and discovery. Some took longer to grow, while others figured their life out pretty quickly. Honestly, there was nothing I didn’t like about this audio. It was pretty perfect. It might have been the first ensemble cast I’ve listened too.

On another note – this book has been picked up by amazon to be turned into a miniseries! I can’t wait. I am so excited to hear the music and lyrics come to life – which is something the audio didn’t do, unfortunately.

I have recommended this book to both Book Battle players and members of Words & Whimsy. I do fully recommend the audio. Amazing is the only word I can think to use for it.

Until next time…

adult, Romance, three star book

One of the Guys Review

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  • Title: One of the Guys
  • Author: Delaney Diamond
  • Book Form: Audio
  • Pages: 194
  • Publisher: Garden Avenue Press
  • Rating: ★★★.5


Mechanic Ronnie Taylor spends most of her time with men. As such, she’s always been tough, but Diego Molina makes her feel the opposite of tough. The big Cuban is brash, bold, and gets under her skin. She finally has to admit the reason he annoys her isn’t because she dislikes him. It’s because she likes him a little too much.

When Diego turns the tables on Ronnie, he uncovers the sensual woman hiding underneath. But past regrets threaten to derail their new relationship. Before they can get to forever, they must trust that they’ve found what they’ve been looking for all along.

– Goodreads

I was apparently on a romance kick last month.

This was a good read. I loved that Ronnie – Veronica – was a mechanic. She was a strong female character, but she also had some baggage. She seemed super cool with a shaved head and a no-one-cares attitude.

Diego was relentless, though. He had a longing for Ronnie for as long as he had known her. He finally was able to convince her to give their relationship a try. Ronnie was, of course, into it. I also loved that Diego was into Ronnie since she’s not a girly girl. I loved he was into her shaved head. So when she did dress up for him it was a wowza moment.

This wasn’t just a blow your mind romance novel. The spicy scenes were good. I liked the progression of the romance. I am looking forward to reading more of Delaney’s books in the future!

Until next time…

adult, Erotica, Romance, three star book

Yield: Emily & Damon Review

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  • Title: Yield: Emily & Damon
  • Author: Lilia Moon
  • Book Form: Audio
  • Pages: 246
  • Publisher: Amazon Digital Services LLC
  • Genre: Erotica, Romance, Adult
  • Rating: ★★★.5


Emily Madigan is Seattle’s best wedding planner. Her superpower is managing a thousand details without dropping a single one, and her deepest desire is an hour-long bubble bath and a foot rub. 

Until her newest clients want to get married at a BDSM club. 

Damon Black owns Fettered. He’s proud of who he is and what he does, and nothing scares him – until two of his favorite people want to get married at the place where they fell in love, no matter how many spanking benches they have to move out of the way to do it. 

Damon knows as soon as he lays eyes on Emily that she doesn’t belong in his world. A quick tour of his club will prove it. 

Except it doesn’t…

– Goodreads

This is the only way to describe this book. Hot. I was listening at work and oh man, at parts I knew I was blushing.

Emily is good. She’s put together, wears dresses with matching floral shoes. She’s everything a BDSM club is not. Then she meets Damon.

Of course, she instantly falls for him. Realizes somehow she’s turned on by all the BDSM play while walking through the club, then gets thrown into a world she’s scared of but excited by.

Damon agrees to a 24 hour contract to show her what it’s all about. Once the 24 hours are over, they are over. No more. But it never works that way, does it?

The main thing I liked about this book was the focus on consent. Damon takes pride in making sure his club is safe. That carries over to Emily too. He explains everything. Let’s her know she can opt out at any time. Has safewords in place. But over and over throughout the book, they mention consent consent consent. I think that’s very important for a novel with content such as this one.

Overall, I enjoyed it. It was a typical at-first-sight romance. It got points added for consent. If you want an easy read/listen, this is a good choice.

Until next time…

fantasy, Four Star Book, graphic novel, ya

Lumberjanes Vol 1 Review

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  • Title: Lumberjanes Vol 1: Beware the Kitten Holy
  • Author: Noelle Stevenson
  • Book Form: Ebook/Graphic Novel
  • Pages: 128
  • Publisher: BOOM! Box
  • Genre: Graphic Novel, Fantasy, YA
  • Rating: ★★★★


At Miss Qiunzilla Thiskwin Penniquiqul Thistle Crumpet’s camp for hard-core lady-types, things are not what they seem. Three-eyed foxes. Secret caves. Anagrams. Luckily, Jo, April, Mal, Molly, and Ripley are five rad, butt-kicking best pals determined to have an awesome summer together… And they’re not gonna let a magical quest or an array of supernatural critters get in their way! The mystery keeps getting bigger, and it all begins here.

-Goodreads

This graphic novel was adorable. I loved following the girls through their camping experience. Of course, they followed none of the rules. Stayed out late, snuck out, found boys. But not for the purpose you’re thinking. The boys were brainwashed and they had to save their camp!

I went to camp when I was a kid. Once. I did NOT have a great time like these girls did. All I remember is getting stung by a wasp and my bestfriend leaving me by myself because she got to go home because she had an ‘ear infection’. I still don’t believe her and I’m still salty she left me. haha!

If you’re into kick-butt girls who break all the rules in order to have a good time – and save the camp – I definitely recommend this book! It was so funny, and such a fast read. I’m thinking of adding Vol. 2 to my TBR this month! Maybe graphic novels are my thing. Who knows?

Until next time…

ARC, contemporary, fantasy, graphic novel, Sci-Fi, ya

May Plan

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WOW! May already. This year is flying by with Book Battle! Here are my 15 planned reads for next month! Not including the random audios I will find on scribd.

As you can see, a lot of Jay Kristoff this month, since he is coming to chat with Book Battle May 21! Also a lot of space, since our theme is Space: The New Frontier!

Sadie is the only audio I know I am going to read. I’m also tempted to get Aurora Rising in audio, but we will see. There’s also eight ARCs listed! I hope I can stick to my TBR this month! I’m excited about it!

Also, notice the nurse book! Nurse’s Week is May 6-12 so Kahla included a nurse prompt for me! I’m super excited about it, too!

Until next time…

adult, ARC, contemporary, fantasy, Five Star Book, Four Star Book, graphic novel, three star book, ya

April Wrap Up

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Wow! How is April already gone? Mylzs second birthday is early next month and I am not at all prepared!

I totaled 17 books this month, which is pretty good for a hard month in book battle. I try to read at least 15 a month, so I’m glad I hit my goal. Nine were audios, which I think is a record. Three were graphic novels, which may also be a record. Then five physicals.

Here’s what I read:

AUDIOS

  • True West by Sam Shepard – Two stars. I bought solely because Kit Harington was narrating it. I couldn’t even tell it was him and the story was hard to follow.
  • Hidden Bodies by Caroline Kepnes – Five stars. Another creepy, enthralling read. Can’t wait for book 3.
  • What I Saw and How I Lied by Judy Brundell – Four stars. Great mystery set right after WW2. Very emerging.
  • Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid – Five Star. Full review to come. Ensemble cast and one of the best audio’s I’ve ever heard.
  • The Greatest Love Story Ever Told by Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally – Five stars. Full review to come. Super funny.
  • One of the Guys by Delaney Diamond – Three star. Nothing wrong with it, but typical romance. Full review to come.
  • Picture Perfect love by Melissa McClone – Three stars. Another typical romance. Full review to come.
  • Yield by Lilia Moon – Three and a half stars. Super spicy read! Full Review to come.
  • Recalculating by Jennifer Weiner – Three and a half stars. Original mystery/thriller. Full review to come.

GRAPHIC NOVELS

  • A Boy Called Bat by Elana K. Arnold – Four stars. Great introduction to kids who have autism.
  • The Dreadful Fate of Jonathan York by Kory Merritt – Four stars. Super creepy art.
  • Lumberjanes by Noelle Stevenson – Four stars. Great friendship and girl power. Full Review to come.

PHYSICAL BOOKS

  • An Affair of Poisons by Addie Thorley – Four Stars. Love a book set in old Paris. Full review to come.
  • Little Darlings by Melanie Golding – Four and a half stars. Arc. Super creepy. Super amazing. Great look at PPD/PPA
  • Alanna: The First Adventure by Tamora Pierce – Great beginning to one of the OGs of YA. This was recommended to me by another Words and Whimsy modmin and I loved it! Can’t wait to continue the series.
  • White Rose by Kip Wilson – Four stars. ARC. Written in verse. German resistance in WW2. Amazing read.
  • Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller – Five stars. My second Tricia book and I fell even more in love with her.

As you can see, I never stick to my TBRs. Ever. BUT I will have my May TBR up tomorrow!

Until next time..

fantasy, Four Star Book, graphic novel, Horror, middle grade

The Dreadful Fate of Jonathan York Review

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  • Title: The Dreadful Fate of Jonathan York
  • Author: Kory Merritt
  • Book Form: Ebook
  • Pages: 128
  • Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing
  • Genre: Fantasy, Horror, Middle Grade, Graphic Novel
  • Rating: ★★★★


Discover the horrible fate of Jonathan York as he sets out on his journey through a spooky forest with an alarming party of travelmates!

Jonathan York has led a boring life — a pointless degree from the community college, a lackluster job at the General Store, and never any desire for something more exciting. But when fate leaves him stranded in a sinister land, he finds himself seeking an adventure of his own. Along the way he encounters ghoulish thieves, ravenous swamp monsters, a dastardly ice cream conspiracy, and a necromancer bent on human sacrifice.

In this beautifully illustrated, four-color novel, Jonathan York’s life takes a decidedly spooky turn!

– goodreads

I’ll be the first to admit, I’m not a huge graphic novel reader. Honestly, I read them when I think I won’t finish Book Battle criteria. They’re just not really my thing. But man, am I glad I picked this one up.

The art is amazing. It gives off a very creepy, Nightmare Before Christmas type vibe. That was exciting since that’s been my favorite movie since I was like, three.

The story was just as good as the art! Jonathan York gets lost in a swamp. He and three other people find shelter with an old man and woman, if they tell them a story. Jonathan doesn’t have a story worth telling, so he gets kicked out and ends up in a very story-worthy adventure.

I can see how this reads a middle grade. This is all about finding yourself, overcoming your fears, and not living life on the safe, boring side. I was enthralled with the book from the very first page and couldn’t put it down.

I would recommend this to anyone who has kids struggling with who they are, or even adults! Also, anyone who likes Nightmare Before Christmas-esque art will love this!

Until next time…

adult, ARC, Four Star Book, Horror, mystery

Little Darlings Review

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  • Title: Little Darlings
  • Author: Melanie Golding
  • Book Form: E-Galley
  • Pages: 304
  • Publisher: Crooked Lane Books
  • Genre: Thriller, Mystery, Horror
  • Rating: ★★★★.5


“Mother knows best” takes on a sinister new meaning in this unsettling thriller perfect for fans of Neil Gaiman and Grimms’ Fairy Tales.

Everyone says Lauren Tranter is exhausted, that she needs rest. And they’re right; with newborn twins, Morgan and Riley, she’s never been more tired in her life. But she knows what she saw: that night, in her hospital room, a woman tried to take her babies and replace them with her own…creatures. Yet when the police arrived, they saw no one. Everyone, from her doctor to her husband, thinks she’s imagining things.

A month passes. And one bright summer morning, the babies disappear from Lauren’s side in a park. But when they’re found, something is different about them. The infants look like Morgan and Riley―to everyone else. But to Lauren, something is off. As everyone around her celebrates their return, Lauren begins to scream, These are not my babies.

Determined to bring her true infant sons home, Lauren will risk the unthinkable. But if she’s wrong about what she saw…she’ll be making the biggest mistake of her life.

Compulsive, creepy, and inspired by some our darkest fairy tales, Little Darlings will have you checking―and rechecking―your own little ones. Just to be sure. Just to be safe.

-Goodreads

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

Little Darlings will have you checking―and rechecking―your own little ones. Just to be sure. Just to be safe. If this isn’t the TRUEST thing. Yall. I don’t read horror. I’m a baby. This book reminded me why. But would I recommend it to EVERYONE? Yes, yes I would.

Little Darlings was probably the creepiest book I’ve ever written. And it started so soon! Like, no buildup. Just creep factor 1000. So this is about Lauren, who has twins, and is convinced that the Lake Lady switched them with changelings. Did she? I still don’t know, man. Not to say the book doesn’t give you resolution – it does! But it still leaves you wondering is that what really happened?!

Aside from the creep factor, questioning yourself, and wondering how we got to where we are, this book shines very important light on post-partum depression and post-partum anxiety. I suffered with both after the birth of my two year old, and still struggle today. I remember thinking the same things as Lauren. Checking him 100 times a night to make sure he’s breathing. Not really trusting anyone else with him, because what if they do something wrong? I think that is where the book hit me the hardest. It’s easy for people to say, ‘Oh, she’s crazy.’ But was Lauren crazy? These thoughts were very very real to her. It was way too easy to put myself in her shoes and question everything.

Little Darlings gave me nightmares, guys. I read it before bed twice, and each night had super freaky dreams. For that reason, it took me a little longer to read since I could only read it during daylight hours.

This book blew me away. I would recommend it to anyone who likes horror or a good psychological thriller. Maybe not if you just had a baby, though.

Until next time…