ARC, contemporary, Erotica, One Star Book, Romance, ya

🏈 Jane’s Team ARC Review 🏈

Courtney/Enchanted.to.Read.You

🏈 Title : Jane’s Team
🏈 Author : Janie Marie
🏈 Publisher : Kindle
🏈 Publish Date : April 2, 2020
🏈 Genre : YA, Romance, Sports
🏈 Book Form : E-ARC
🏈 Pages : 375 pages
🏈 Dates Read : Apr 25 – Apr 28
🏈 Rating : 🏈.5

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

When you’re in love with your best friend, life is complicated. When he’s also your stepbrother, it’s a nightmare.

Jane’s apparently a magnet for chaos. Because now she’s agreed to tutor her stepbrother’s enemy, and that sexy bad boy might have a thing for her. She might also love that a tingle surrounds her soul whenever he’s close. Throw his two brothers into the mix, dangerous rivals looking to destroy every one of them, and parents controlling her love life. It’s safe to say she’s wandered into the apocalypse.

At least being torn between four hot guys isn’t the end of the world. Just kidding. It totally is. But they’ll all realize something.

Jane’s the ruler of her life. No one else. Long live the queen . . . and her kings.

– Goodreads

Okay, look. I can get down with some freaky, forbidden romances. Don’t bother me one little bit. However, there were some glowering issues with this book. The more I thought about it, the more mad I got. That’s why you see the rating changed from 3 stars on my April wrap up to 1.5 stars now.

This story follows Jane who has been in love with her step-brother, David, since before they were step siblings. She also has a crush on the jerk next door, Ryder. Jane is forced to tutor Ryder, star of the football team, and learns maybe he isn’t such a jerk after all. Then somehow his two brothers Luc and Tercero are factored in and she just.can’t.choose. Four super hot guys fawning over this girl who’s never even been kissed.

It starts with Ryder and David, and they decide to share and let her explore and make up her mind. Then comes the other two brothers, and they decide to be one big happy family.

All that? Good. Doesn’t bother me one bit. You know what DOES bother me? THE MEN IN THIS BOOK!

I felt every man was so misogynist and just, ugh. They didn’t treat Jane with respect at all. They all try to boss her around. It was the things that were said to her that really pissed me off. Jane, of course, was very insecure in their arrangement. She wanted all the guys, yes, but she was scared of how they would be perceived. Constantly wondered why she couldn’t just choose one. She would say things like, “I’m so dumb” or “I’m such a how” and the boys would smirk their sexy smirk, say “I know.” or “A little” and start kissing her. WHAT?! I thought about this for days after and just kept getting more and more angry. Who says that to someone they ‘love’?! It didn’t seem to be in a joking manner, either. They just.. almost seemed like they were saying it to shut her up? I don’t know. I’m getting angry thinking about it again.

The romance scenes weren’t bad. They were spicy and well done. Like I said, that wasn’t the issue.

This is also an alternate universe for the author’s Gods and Monsters series. You don’t have to read that to understand this book. Unfortunately, I don’t think I’ll be picking it up.

Have you read Jane’s Team or Gods and Monsters? What did you think? Let me know in the comments!

Until next time…

ARC, blog tour, book meme, book tag, contemporary, LGBT, ya

#5OnMyTBR

Courtney/Enchanted.to.Read.You

So excited to take part in another week of #5OnMyTBR! Here’s how it works:

#5OnMyTBR is a bookish meme hosted by E. @Local Bee Hunter’s Nook  and you can learn more about it here or in the post announcing it. It occurs every Monday when we post about 5 books on our TBR.

This week is one of my favorite genres – contemporary!

Four Days of You and Me by Miranda Kenneally
Release Date: May 5, 2020

This is on my TBR this month and I’m so excited to get to it! This follows a couple on the same day over 4 years time. I can’t wait to see how they grow together during their highschool years!

Breath Like Water by Anna Jarzab
Release Date: May 19, 2020

This is another on my TBR this month. I was fortunate to be invited to this novel’s blog tour!

The Mall by Megan McCafferty
Release Date: July 28, 2020

When I saw the cover, I knew I had to have this book! Plus it’s set in the 1990’s, which honestly, was an amazing time.

Yes No Maybe So by Becy Albertalli and Aisha Saeed
Release Date: February 4, 2020

Ugh, I really need to fit this book in my TBR! It’s so timely with election year this year.

Meet Cute Club by Jack Harbon
Release Date: May 5, 2020

This sounds adorable and I need it now!

What contemporaries are on your TBR? Do we have any of the same ones? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time…

adult, book meme, book tag, contemporary, mystery

🤔 Down the TBR Part 22 🤔

Courtney/Enchanted.to.Read.You

Another week to clear this forever long TBR! I did go an make sure a lot of my arcs were on my TBR, so we’re starting at 1794, which is more than last week. Let’s get right into it!

✔ What I Kept ✔

French Silk by Sandra Brown

I’m kind of a sucker for stories set in New Orleans. Plus this is a woman who is falling in love and trying to prove her innocence but has secrets she has sworn to take to the grave!

The Chamber by John Grisham

I said I didn’t like legal thrillers, but this is set in MS. And I’ve read another Grisham book and liked it, so I’ll give this one a go.

A Time to Kill by John Grisham

Another legal thriller, but this is also set in MS and by Grisham so I’ll give it a try.

It’s Not Easy Being Green by Jim Henson

I got this book when I graduated nursing school as a gift. I should probably read it.

✘ What I Deleted ✘

Texas Heat by Fern Michaels

I’ve deleted the others in the series.

Pursuit by Karen Robards

The synopsis just didn’t stick out to me.

A Whole New Light by Sandra Brown

Just very chick lit romance. Eh.

The Crush by Sandra Brown

The synopsis seemed kind of convoluted, so I feel like the story may be the same way.

Unspeakable by Sandra Brown

A psychopath escapes prison and tries to kill a deaf mom and her kids. No thanks.

Smash Cut by Sandra Brown

Not a huge fan of legal thrillers, and this is like a mix of that and a normal mystery with some romance thrown in? I’m going to pass.

We are ending the TBR at 1788. Not too bad! I’m so ready to get through all these books and get a true TBR!

What did you think of my decisions? Would you have made any different ones? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time…

ARC, contemporary, fantasy, Sci-Fi, ya

🤩 Top 5 Anticipated May Releases 🤩

Courtney/Enchanted.to.Read.You

May has some GREAT releases, guys! Even though a lot of books are getting pushed back, I still had to narrow down to the top 5 I am looking forward to. Let’s jump right in!

The Betrothed by Kiera Cass

Release Date: May 5, 2020

I LOVED the Selection series. I can’t wait to read her next romance!

Of Silver and Shadow by Jennifer Gruenke

Release Date: May 26, 2020

I am so excited I got this ARC! The cover is intriguing! It’s on my TBR this month.

The Life and (Medieval) Times of Kit Sweetly by Jamie Pacton

Release Date: May 5, 2020

I love books that are set in renaissance faires or medieval themed, so this is a must for me! I will try to work it in in June, probably.

Aurora Burning by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

Release Date: May 5, 2020

I hate space books, unless Amie and Jay are involved. I can’t wait to read this and I REALLY can’t wait to chat with them later this month!

A Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

Release Date: May 19, 2020

I can’t wait for this. I think I may do a Hunger Games reread next month with this at the end. I don’t know why I didn’t fit it in my TBR this month. Just too much to read!

What are your most anticipated releases this month? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time…

ARC, blog tour, contemporary, dystopian, fantasy, ya

🌞 May TBR 🌞

Courtney/Enchanted.to.Read.You

Okay, I went REALLY ambitious with this months TBR! I am participating in Words & Whimsy Reading Challenge again, along with Bookemon! I just learned about Bookemon Readathon and I am so excited. I love Pokemon and reading, so putting them together is heaven for me!

First let’s start off with Words & Whimsy. Our theme is space – Broken Worlds! Here’s our criteria, Instagram challenge, and mini game!

Graphics made by the amazing Jordan.

Now, let’s get into this TBR.

Now for Bookemon! The bookemon I choose as my sidekick is Paperchu! Since he is electric, I get 100 combat points for every hour I read electronically. Since I read exclusively on kindle, I thought he was perfect for me!

All of my books can fit somewhere into the bookemon criteria, but there are a few I have added to complete additional challenges.

So as you can see, I have 16 books on my TBR. That’s a lot for me, but I’m hoping to get through as many as I can!

What’s on your TBR for May? Do we share any books? Are you participating in Bookemon or Words & Whimsy Reading Challenge? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time…

ARC, blog tour, contemporary, fantasy, Five Star Book, ya

🌦️ April Wrap Up 🌦️

Courtney/Enchanted.to.Read.You

Well, now that I’ve adjusted to the new normal, I’ll be going back to work full time next week! I’m sure this will put a damper on my reading, and I have a HUGE TBR for May. I just could not decide!

April has been my best reading month with 12 books. I’m hoping to keep up and may up the count next month! I’m shooting for 10 a month, and anything over is great!

My favorite book this month was probably Girls with Razor Hearts by Suzanne Young. Crave by Tracy Wolff was a very close second! My least favorite book was Hot Pterodactyl Boyfriend by Alan Cumyn. I mean, I knew it was bad going into it, but I had to see what all of the fuss was about. Believe me. I saw.

I had a much better reading month in April. My ratings were a lot higher than March, which I was happy about. I read a lot of great books this month!

  1. Girls with Razor Hearts by Suzanne Young 🌦️🌦️🌦️🌦️🌦️
  2. We Didn’t Ask for This by Adi Alsaid 🌦️🌦️🌦️🌦️
  3. Ghosted in LA by Sina Grace 🌦️🌦️🌦️🌦️🌦️
  4. Crave by Tracy Wolff 🌦️🌦️🌦️🌦️🌦️
  5. Open Fire by Amber Lough 🌦️🌦️🌦️
  6. Deny Me by Karen Cole 🌦️🌦️🌦️
  7. Red Hood by Elana K Arnold 🌦️🌦️🌦️🌦️.5
  8. The Burning by Laura Bates 🌦️🌦️🌦️🌦️
  9. Shredded by Tracy Wolff 🌦️🌦️🌦️🌦️
  10. Hot Pterodactyl Boyfriend by Alan Cumyn 🌦️
  11. What I Like About You by Marisa Kanter 🌦️🌦️🌦️🌦️
  12. Jane’s Team by Janie Marie 🌦️🌦️🌦️

🌦️ Stats 🌦️

  • Goodreads Goal: 41/120. I am two books AHEAD OF SCHEDULE! WHAT?! This is the first time all year I’ve been ahead of schedule and I am so excited!
  • I read 4427 pages, which is the most all year! I feel really great about this month. I am so proud of myself! My average rating was 3.71, which is also better than last month!
  • For genres, I read three contemporary and fantasy, two romance, one sci fi, thriller, and historical fiction and graphic novel.
  • This was a YA heavy month, with 10 YA books, one new adult and adult.
  • I read 9 ARCs this month – two more than last month! My tbr for May is very ARC heavy, so I’m hoping to keep making a dent in this pile I have! I am so very grateful and honored to have such an ARC heavy TBR pile!

🌦️ Yearly Goals Check In 🌦️

  • Goal of 10 books a month : I exceeded this goal with 12! It feels so good! Hoping to exceed it next month too.
  • TBR Posts : Still doing a post every Sunday, still only read 4 from it, haha. I am doing good slimming it down though! Under 1800!
  • Words & Whimsy : I had the pleasure of talking to Tracy Wolff this month! It was a blast! She is so sweet and down to earth. We have 7 chats (I think?) scheduled for May. I can’t wait to see who I’ll get to talk to! We have some big names this month – Christopher Paolini and then a joint chat with Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman! You don’t want to miss it! Join us here!
  • Words & Whimsy Reading Challenge : Our first month was a hit! May’s theme is Broken Worlds – aka space! We have open, interpretive criteria and fun group chats! Join here!
  • Mithah Reads : This month was hard blog wise. I’ve been working part time basically, but my three year old is NOT wanting to let me blog! And honestly, he wears me out so I’m going to bed a lot earlier! Hopefully once I’m back working full time in May I can get back into my blogging routine! I’ve got three blog tours next month and reviews from April to catch up on!
  • I’m still keeping up with my three blogging spreadsheets which I am very excited about. I love seeing all the data they track!

How many books did you read in April? What was your favorite? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time…

adult, book meme, book tag, Romance

😷 Down the TBR Part 21 😷

Courtney/Enchanted.to.Read.You

I hope everyone is staying safe out there! I’m still working a reduced schedule, which I love! I don’t know what I am going to do when I go back to working full time. I have gotten so much reading done! I am for sure going to miss by 12-4 hours.

This week, we are starting the TBR at 1785. I am going to do a quick one today, looking at 10 books. My toddler is occupied for now, but I never know how long that’s going to last.

✔ What I Kept ✔

The Nosy Neighbor by Fern Michaels
This one seems cute, along with some intrigue! I’ll usually give it a chance if the FBI is involved.

Hot Ice by Nora Roberts
This one sounds so good! I love a romantic suspense.

✘ What I Deleted ✘

Seasons of Her Life by Fern Michaels
This one is just too chick-lit for me.

Blue Dahlia by Nora Roberts
This one just didn’t catch my interest.

Black Rose by Nora Roberts
This is book #2 to Blue Dahlia.

Texas Rich by Fern Michaels
I thought I already deleted this from my TBR. I know I deleted the others in the series.

Texas Heat by Fern Michaels
Maybe I deleted books 3 and 4. I know I deleted Texas something!

Private Scandals by Nora Roberts
This one also sounds super chick lit.

Listen to Your Heart by Fern Michaels
Another super chick lit romance.

Kentucky Rich by Fern Michaels
I am fairly certain I have deleted the other books in this series.

I ended this one pretty well. Only kept 2/10. We are ending the week at 1778! I am going to go through and make sure all my ARCs are on my TBR, so the number may be a little different next week!

What did you think of my selections? Are there any I should have kept? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time….

ARC, contemporary, Four Star Book, ya

🔥 The Burning ARC Review 🔥

Courtney/Enchanted.to.Read.You

🔥 Title: The Burning
🔥 Author: Laura Bates
🔥 Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
🔥 Publish Date: April 7, 2020
🔥 Genre: YA, Contemporary, Feminism
🔥 Book Form: E-ARC
🔥 Pages: 352
🔥 Dates Read: Apr 17 – Apr 23
🔥 Rating: 🔥🔥🔥🔥

Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Fire for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A rumor is like fire.

Once a whore, always a whore.

Roses are red.
Violets are blue.
Anna’s a slut.
We all know it’s true.

And a fire that spreads online… is impossible to extinguish.

New school. Check.
New town. Check.
New last name. Check.
Social media profiles? Deleted.

Anna and her mother have moved hundreds of miles to put the past behind them. Anna hopes to make a fresh start and escape the harassment she’s been subjected to. But then rumors and whispers start, and Anna tries to ignore what is happening by immersing herself in  learning about Maggie, a local woman accused of witchcraft in the seventeenth century. A woman who was shamed. Silenced. And whose story has unsettling parallels to Anna’s own.

From Laura Bates, internationally renowned feminist and founder of the Everyday Sexism Project, comes a debut novel for the #metoo era. It’s a powerful call to action, reminding all readers of the implications of sexism and the role we can each play in ending it.

– Goodreads

Yes, it did take me a few days to read this book. I was slumping after I finished Red Hood. The Burning is a heavy book. I took a break, read something light, then came back and flew through this one!

From the get-go we know Anna has secrets. She keeps referencing something that happened at her old school. Something bad enough for her to move away, change her name, and start over. Even give up having a phone and a social media presence. I love/hate books like that. I honestly love it, but my curiosity gets the best of me. Its SO HARD not knowing! I think this is a big part of why I flew through it. Once we found out what the secret was, the book started really gaining steam and going much more quickly.

On top of Anna’s story, we also see her researching a woman who lived in her village in the 1600s that was tried and convicted of witchcraft. At some points, I thought this was more interesting than Anna’s story. I loved the glimpses into the past and all the research she did. Honestly, I want a book just about Maggie!

Laura Bates did great touching on slut shaming. It’s the whole focus of the novel. She did a great job of showing what happens to victims and those around them like friends and family, victim blaming from men and women, and the awful aftermath.

This was a great feminist read. I recommend it to anyone who loves ya feminist contemporaries.

Have you read The Burning? What were your thoughts? Let me know in the comments below! Until next time…

contemporary, Four Star Book, New Adult, Romance

🏔️ Shredded Review 🏔️

Courtney/Enchanted.to.Read.You

🏔️ Title: Shredded
🏔️ Author: Tracy Wolff
🏔️ Publisher: Flirt
🏔️ Publish Date: February 4, 2014
🏔️ Genre: New Adult, Romance, Sports
🏔️ Pages: 304
🏔️ Book Form: E- Book
🏔️ Dates Read: Apr 19 – Apr 21
🏔️ Rating: 🏔️🏔️🏔️🏔️

Twenty-one-year-old professional snowboarder Z Michaels is the bad boy of Park City, Utah. He’s always had his pick of any girl in town—and on the competition circuit. But underneath his cool exterior is a young man in turmoil, trying to take the edge off tragedy by overindulging in sex and shredding the slopes. In fact, Z’s reckless behavior is a thinly veiled attempt to blunt his emotional suffering with physical pain.

Ophelia Richardson isn’t like any girl Z has ever met. Though she’s from New Orleans high society, she’s no Southern belle—and she’s not shy about being miserable in frozen, godforsaken Park City. But laying low is her only option after her ex, a rich boy who couldn’t take no for an answer, nearly killed her in a jealous rage. Following that terrifying encounter, the last thing Ophelia needs is a boyfriend—especially one as rich and arrogant as Z. But Ophelia soon discovers that he isn’t what he seems. If anything, Z may be even more damaged than she is.

Tormented by their pasts and feeling alone in the world, Z and Ophelia find a connection unlike any they’ve ever known. But with Ophelia hiding the details of her life in Louisiana and Z’s death wish reaching terrifying new heights, their relationship seems to be going downhill before it even begins—unless they can find the strength in each other to trust, grow, and love again.

– Goodreads

I decided to pick this book up after chatting with Tracy. I had just finished Crave and Red Hood, which were both amazing, and had somewhat of a book hangover. She said for anyone starting with her romances (she has written over 60) that she would start with this series. It’s one of her favorites she had ever written. Romances usually pull me out of slumps, and this did a great job!

The story follows Z and Ophelia. I liked that it was insta-love for him, but not really for Ophelia. I mean, sure, she thought he was super hot, but it felt like it took way more for her to fall for Z and let him in. I thought it was an interesting twist and one I haven’t read many of! Usually it’s the girl falling instantly for the guy.

I loved the progression of their relationship. They both had some kind of baggage and it came out slowly. Nothing was perfect at any point, but they learned how to be perfect for each other. During the chat, Tracy said she tried to write her heroes how she taught her boys – how to treat women with respect and never force anything. I could totally see this in Z!

All of the side characters were great. The next books in the series focus on Z’s friends. I’m assuming there will be cameos from Z and Ophelia, which will be super fun to see! I will definitely continue on with the Extreme Risk books!

I recommend to anyone who loves romances and snowboarding! It was a great change of scenery from what I usually read.

Have you read Shredded or any other romances by Tracy Wolff? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time…

fantasy, Four Star Book, retelling, ya

🐺 Red Hood Review 🐺

Courtney/Enchanted.to.Read.You

🐺 Title: Red Hood
🐺 Author: Elana K Arnold
🐺 Publisher: Balzer + Bray
🐺 Publish Date: February 25, 2020
🐺 Book Form: E-book
🐺 Pages: 368
🐺 Genre: Fantasy, Retelling, YA
🐺 Dates Read: Apr 11 – Apr 17
🐺 Rating: 🐺🐺🐺🐺.5

You are alone in the woods, seen only by the unblinking yellow moon. Your hands are empty. You are nearly naked.

And the wolf is angry.

Since her grandmother became her caretaker when she was four years old, Bisou Martel has lived a quiet life in a little house in Seattle. She’s kept mostly to herself. She’s been good. But then comes the night of homecoming, when she finds herself running for her life over roots and between trees, a fury of claws and teeth behind her. A wolf attacks. Bisou fights back. A new moon rises. And with it, questions. About the blood in Bisou’s past and on her hands as she stumbles home. About broken boys and vicious wolves. About girls lost in the woods—frightened, but not alone.

– Goodreads
Image by TheProseAndCons

Before we get into this review, I just want to point out Words and Whimsy is speaking with Elana K Arnold THIS SUNDAY at 8PM EST! Come join us here! It’s bound to be a great discussion!

Red Hood was the first book by Elana K Arnold that I have read, but now I have to go back and read Damsel! Red Hood was SO GOOD!

I don’t think I’ve ever eyeball-read a 2nd Person POV before. The only other one I can think of is You by Caroline Kepnes and I did the audio for that one. I know in the discussion, some were turned off my the 2nd POV, but I felt it put me more into the story. I was so immersed. It makes me want to look for other 2nd POV books!

The story follows Bisou, who gets her period and things get weird. Both for her, and the book. Like, the end of the first chapter is CRAZY. I’m not going to go into it, because spoilers, but omg. Never read anything like it and don’t think I will again. It’s WILD.

I was so immersed in the story. I loved learning about Bisou’s heritage. There’s a POV shift in part two, and it was like being told a bedtime story, albeit a very messed up one. It was so interesting to me.

Bisou has been through a LOT, and she handles it so well. She’s vulnerable, but strong. I loved following her. The side characters were great, too. Meme was my absoloute favorite.

This is a very feminist story. I loved the girl power, that girls are strong, and we can overcome the wolves. We’ve all met a wolf. We’ve all been victimized by one. Bisou handles them with such ferocity you’re left wondering who is really the predator, and who is the prey. This is also the only Little Red Riding Hood retelling I’ve ever read, and I loved it!

I recommend this to anyone who loves YA retellings, feminist novels, or books with super strong female protagonists. You won’t be disappointed!

Have you read Red Hood? Is it on your TBR? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time…