Tag: Romance

adult, ARC, Erotica, fantasy, Historical Fiction, mystery, Romance, Sci-Fi, ya

February 2020 Wrap Up

Courtney/Enchanted.to.Read.You

I felt a little better about this month! I read more than last month, which was nice. I think overall I enjoyed my books more, too. Let’s jump right in to what I read this month!

Ebooks Read

  1. Harmony by Addison Jane ★★★★
  2. The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levenseller ★★★★★
  3. Second Star by JM Sullivan ★★★
  4. The Girl’s Weekend by Jody Gehrman ★★★
  5. We Are Blood and Thunder by Kesia Lupo ★★★
  6. A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson ★★★★★
  7. Chasing Starlight by Teri Bailey Black ★★★
  8. Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen ★★★

Audiobooks Read

  1. Human Errors by Nathan H Lents ★★★
  2. The Last Black Unicorn by Tiffany Haddish ★★★★
  3. Buried Deep by Margot Hunt ★★★★
  4. My Lost Family by Danny Ben-Moshe ★★★

I had two favorite books this month – The Shadows Between Us and A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder! They were my only 5 star reads and so totally different. The Shadows Between Us is a fantasy about two bad people falling in love and being bad together. It was great. A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder’s inspiration came from true crime podcasts and it totally had that feel!

My least favorite book was probably Second Star or Lock and Key. Second Star was a sci-fi Peter Pan retelling and I just didn’t really connect with anyone. Lock and Key was like a day-to-day in the life of a teenager and it just wasn’t very enticing to me.

Stats

  • Goodreads Goal: 21/165. I’m 5 books behind schedule now, which is one more than last month. However, I read more so I think if I can keep up the pace I can get back on track!
  • I read 3204 pages, almost double last month! I also listened to 12 hours, 45 minutes, which is only two hours less than last month. My average rating was 3.5.
  • I read 1 erotica, 2 fantasy, 1 historical fiction, 3 mystery, 3 nonfic, 1 romance and 1 sci-fi.
  • I read 6 YA, 4 adult, and 1 new adult! I read 6 ARCs this month which was way better than last month.

Yearly Goals Check In

I didn’t think about doing this last month, so we will start here!

  • Monthly goal of 15 books a month – I read 12, 3 more than last month. I’m slowly getting there!
  • TBR Goal – I’ve kept up my TBR posts and even did a bonus post! I want to read 20 books off my tbr. I think I am at 3. I probably need to pick up the pace on that. I also want to get my TBR below 1800. I’m at 1904 so we’re getting there!
  • Words & Whimsy – I’ve done one author chat so far this year and I’m already scheduled for a couple more! It was so fun and I remembered why I loved it so much!
  • Book Battle – I used a lot of arcs that have been released as recs this month so that was great! I think I only missed two days of my discussion this month so that’s better!
  • My Blog – I wanted to do more blog tours and I think I have 3 coming in March! I wanted to up my follower count to over 150. I’m already at 151 in two months! THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH!! As of right now, I’m not going to up this. I”m just going to see where this year takes me. I also wanted to post at least every other day. Earlier this month I missed a few days, but I’ve been going good these last couple of weeks!
  • I wanted to keep up with my Owlcrate reading planner. That lasted all of a week. However, I have kept up with 3 book log spreadsheets, so I say that’s still a win! I also thought about getting back into bookstagram, but that’s on the back burner for now. I’m doing good just to keep up with what I got!

How many books did you read this month? What was your favorite and least favorite? How are you on your goodreads goal? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time…

contemporary, Romance, ya

First Impression Friday!

Courtney/Enchanted.to.Read.You

This is becoming one of my favorite posts to do! I love reading the first chapter of a book and really analyzing it. So far, I haven’t been far off in my predictions!

This week we are looking at Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen, the book that’s been on my TBR longest! It’s also from my TBR posts.

“”Ruby, where is your mother?” Ruby knows that the game is up. For the past few months, she’s been on her own in the yellow house, managing somehow, knowing that her mother will probably never return. That’s how she comes to live with Cora, the sister she hasn’t seen in ten years, and Cora’s husband Jamie, whose down-to-earth demeanor makes it hard for Ruby to believe he founded the most popular networking Web site around. A luxurious house, fancy private school, a new wardrobe, the promise of college and a future—it’s a dream come true. So why is Ruby such a reluctant Cinderella, wary and defensive? And why is Nate, the genial boy next door with some secrets of his own, unable to accept the help that Ruby is just learning to give?” Goodreads

So, I don’t know if I’ve ever read Sarah Dessen. I may have way back in the day, like high school days. I wasn’t super sure what to expect going into it.

The first chapter was LONG. Like, 32 pages. I’m more of a short and sweet kinda girl – I hate not ending on a chapter! So that was my first hiccup.

The first chapter was also LONG. It opened up with a ton of descriptions, which I don’t do well with. I don’t need to know the exact color of the carpet, walls, and drapes. Just tell me it’s nice and super expensive and I can imagine the rest. I found myself skimming the first few pages.

I also felt like nothing really happened in the first chapter. You meet Ruby, her sister Cora, and brother in law Jamie who she just moved in with. You find out she was living alone before that. But like, nothing else? I don’t know. It just seemed unnecessarily long.

My predictions for this book. Hm. I don’t think I’ll hate it, but I think maybe it isn’t really in my wheelhouse anymore. I feel like it’s going to be more of a day to day life thing instead of any action. I’m guessing it’ll be a 2-3 star read.

Have you read Lock and Key? What were your thoughts? Let me know in the comments below!

You can follow my live-reactions to this book on twitter here!

Until next time…

adult, contemporary, fantasy, Humor, Romance, ya

Down the TBR Part 13!

Courtney/Enchanted.to.Read.You

I’m so ready to trim the TBR again this week! The last two weeks I have added books to the tbr, so it really needs to get cleaned out. This meme is hosted by Zezee with Books. Here’s how it works:

The rules for Down the TBR Hole:
  • 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?

Here are this week’s books. At first glance, there’s a lot of Christmas. I feel like I will get rid of a good many. I’m starting the week at 1934.

The Lost Gate by Orson Scott Card

  • Date Added: June 27, 2015
  • Thoughts: YA fantasy, which is fun. I read some not great reviews. I love the cover, but I don’t think this one is for me.
  • Keep or Delete: Delete.

Wards of Faerie by Terry Brooks

  • Date Added: June 27, 2015
  • Thoughts: Another series in the Shannara Universe. I’ll keep for now, since I kept the others. If I don’t like them, I’ll come back and delete.
  • Keep or Delete: Keep.

Dark Bites by Sherrilyn Kenyon

  • Date Added: June 27, 2015
  • Thoughts: Series of paranormal romance short stories.
  • Keep or Delete: Keep

The Yada Yada Prayer Group by Neta Jackson

  • Date Added: June 27, 2015
  • Thoughts: Christian chick lit. I’ll pass
  • Keep or Delete: Delete

The Yada Yada Prayer Group Gets Decked Out by Neta Jackson

  • Date Added: June 27, 2015
  • Thoughts: Number 7 in the series. I think if I don’t like the first I probably won’t like the 7th.
  • Keep or Delete: Delete.

Sisterchicks on the Loose by Robin Jones Gunn

  • Date Added: June 27, 2015
  • Thoughts: Another Christian Chick lit. Just not my cup of tea.
  • Keep or Delete: Delete.

The Christmas Blessing by Donna VanLiere

  • Date Added: June 27, 2015
  • Thoughts: Ok, surprise. I’m keeping this one for this year’s Christmas! The MC is a doctor. I can’t not keep it.
  • Keep or Delete: Keep

The Christmas Promise by Donna VanLiere

  • Date Added: June 27, 2015
  • Thoughts: Christmas story about promises to each other. This one isn’t as enticing as the one above.
  • Keep or Delete: Delete

The Christmas Secret by Donna VanLiere

  • Date Added: June 27, 2015
  • Thoughts: This is about a woman who saves an elderly lady’s life, a man who is supposed to find her to reward her, and how they fall in love. Eh.
  • Keep or Delete: Delete.

The Christmas Note by Donna VanLiere

  • Date Added: June 27, 2015
  • Thoughts: Another elderly lady dies, and they find a note that reveals some family secrets.
  • Keep or Delete: Delete.

We are currently at 1927. I’m feeling frisky. Let’s do 10 more!

The Christmas Hope by Donna VanLiere

  • Date Added: June 27, 2015
  • Thoughts: Ugh. About a social worker taking in a kid for Christmas. My heart. I gotta keep.
  • Keep or Delete: Keep

Who Do I Talk To? by Neta Jackson

  • Date Added: June 27, 2015
  • Thoughts: I didn’t keep the other Yada books, do I don’t think I’ll keep this one either.
  • Keep or Delete: Delete

Miss Julia Stirs Up Trouble by Ann B Ross

  • Date Added: June 27, 2015
  • Thoughts: I deleted the other Miss Julia books. This is #14. I think I’ll delete this one too.
  • Keep or Delete: Delete

Sisterchicks in Wooden Shoes by Robin Jones Gunn

  • Date Added: June 27, 2015
  • Thoughts: I deleted the other Sisterchick book above, so I’ll delete this one too. If I can’t read #1 I won’t be able to read #8 lol.
  • Keep or Delete: Delete

Sisterchicks Do the Hula by Robin Jones Gunn

  • Date Added: June 27, 2015
  • Thoughts: Same as above.
  • Keep or Delete: Delete

Angels at the Table by Debbie Macomber

  • Date Added: June 27, 2015
  • Thoughts: Christmas book about angels bringing two people together to love.
  • Keep or Delete: Delete

Black Hills by Nora Roberts

  • Date Added: June 27, 2015
  • Thoughts: This sounds like it might be good, but I don’t know if it’s enough to keep. Especially since I haven’t read her other works.
  • Keep or Delete: Delete

Stars Collide by Janice Thompson

  • Date Added: June 27, 2015
  • Thoughts: About two actors who play a couple on screen but are actually a couple in real life.
  • Keep or Delete: Delete

A Promising Man by Elizabeth Young

  • Date Added: June 27, 2015
  • Thoughts: Sounds like it could be a cute romance. I’ll bite.
  • Keep or Delete: Keep.

It All Began in Monte Carlo by Elizabeth Adler

  • Date Added: June 27, 2015
  • Thoughts: I saw it was suspense, and thought ok. I can do this. But honestly, there’s A LOT going on in the synopsis and I’m just not up for that.
  • Keep or Delete: Delete.

We are ending at 1919! Only 20 books and we are under 1900! Progress, people! So, my biggest surprise was A Promising Man. I didn’t think I’d keep any of the second set of 10.

Only 123 books to go and we are done with everything I added on June 27! I don’t know why I added so many that day. Like, I wish I could go back to me then and ask myself what I was doing. Cause it’s causing me some headaches now.

I may do a bonus post later on this week. I am so ready to be under 1900 on my tbr and to have a true tbr! But I’ll also probably add any arcs I request or receive, so that will skew the numbers a bit.

Anyway, did I make any wrong choices? What do you think about these books? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time…

adult, contemporary, dystopian, fantasy, Romance

Down the TBR Part 12!

Courtney/Enchanted.to.Read.You

Another week of trimming the TBR! This meme is hosted by Zezee with Books. Here’s the rules:

The rules for Down the TBR Hole:
  • 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?

So, today we are starting at 1940. I just added the 7 arcs I got approved for this week. Oops. On first glance, there are definitely some I might consider keeping. There’s actually some fantasy and maybe some YA in here!

Three Fates by Nora Roberts

  • Date Added: June 27, 2015
  • Thoughts: Three people try to find a stolen statue. Eh.
  • Keep or Delete: Delete

Captivated and Entranced by Nora Roberts

  • Date Added: June 27, 2015
  • Thoughts: Two love stories. One about a screenplay writer and a witch. The second about a detective and a PI. Ok I’m into it.
  • Keep or Delete: Keep.

Three Brides, No Groom by Debbie Macomber

  • Date Added: June 27, 2015
  • Thoughts: Chick lit about three women at their 15-year reunion.
  • Keep or Delete: Delete

The Fair Folk by Marvin Kaye

  • Date Added: June 27, 2015
  • Thoughts: Book of short stories about Fey. I like it.
  • Keep or Delete: Keep!

The Passage by Justin Cronin

  • Date Added: June 27, 2015
  • Thoughts: Government experiments. Kidnapped kids. I don’t think it’s for me.
  • Keep or Delete: Delete

A Dance of Cloaks by David Dalglish

  • Date Added: June 27, 2015
  • Thoughts: My husband was excited to see this on the list. One of the few books he’s read and he loved it. About rogues and assassins.
  • Keep or Delete: Keep. I’ll give it a chance even though it’s epic fantasy, which usually isn’t my deal.

A Dance of Blades by David Dalglish

  • Date Added: June 27, 2015
  • Thoughts: Book 2 of A Dance of Cloaks. I’ll leave it in case I like the first.
  • Keep or Delete: Keep

The High Druid of Shannara Trilogy by Terry Brooks

  • Date Added: June 27, 2015
  • Thoughts: I mean, this sounds good. High fantasy kind of scares me – it’s usually too involved and too many people to keep up with. But I’ll give this one a try.
  • Keep or Delete: Keep

Madman by Tracy Groot

  • Date Added: June 27, 2015
  • Thoughts: The synopsis confuses me, so I’m going to say this is a no go.
  • Keep or Delete: Delete

The Thin Executioner by Darren Shan

  • Date Added: June 27, 2015
  • Thoughts: The MC takes a slave to sacrifice to the fire god to then get inhuman powers. I am going to pass.
  • Keep or Delete: Delete

We are ending at 1935. I kept 5 and deleted 5, so not too terribly bad. I actually deleted the YA, which surprised me. I also kept more of the high fantasy than I thought I would. They just sound SO GOOD.

What do you think? Did I make any wrong decisions? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time…

ARC, blog tour, contemporary, fantasy, Romance, ya

Stacking the Shelves!

Courtney/Enchanted.to.Read.You

Happy weekend, guys! This was a crazy week. I didn’t get to do near enough on the blog! We were short someone at work, with a record number of patients. Needless to say, I could barely stay up to read, let alone blog! Thankfully it’s the weekend. I plan to finish my current read, We are Blood and Thunder by Kesia Lupo, play DnD, and just relax!

So this meme is hosted by Tynga’s Reviews. Here’s what they have to say about it:


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!

This week I was approved for seven arcs on Netgalley! I went to Barnes and Noble, but didn’t buy any book! A travesty, I know. I just couldn’t decide. So here are the arcs I have added to my forever long TBR shelf this week:

Let’s start with the one I’m most excited about. The Scapegracers by Hannah Abigail Clarke.

The cover is gorge and immediately drew me in. Then I read the synopsis:

“An outcast teenage lesbian witch finds her coven hidden amongst the popular girls in her school, and performs some seriously badass magic in the process.“

I think I squealed when I got the acceptance email. No shame.

Next was The Stone of Sorrow by Brooke Carter.

“In a land of myth and ice, seventeen-year-old Runa Unnursdóttir is not the runecaster her clan has been hoping for.”

I love a good comeback story. Plus I love the girl’s hair and cloak. Cause who doesn’t want an amazing cloak?!

Where Dreams Descend by Janella Angeles. Again, another gorgeous cover. Like, I need her dress.

“Where Dreams Descend is the startling and romantic first book in Janella Angeles’ debut Kingdom of Cards fantasy duology where magic is both celebrated and feared, and no heart is left unscathed.“

I mean, how amazing does that sound?!

Music from Another World by Robin Talley.

“A master of award-winning queer historical fiction, New York Times bestselling author Robin Talley once again brings to life with heart and vivid detail an emotionally captivating story about the lives of two teen girls living in an age when just being yourself was an incredible act of bravery.“

I got chosen for a blog tour for this novel and I am so excited! Tour date TBA!

We Didn’t Ask for This by Adi Alsaid

“Central International School’s annual lock-in is legendary. Bonds are made. Contests are fought. Stories are forged that will be passed down from student to student for years to come. Every year, lock-in night changes lives. This year, it might just change the world.“

I got chosen for a blog tour for this title too! I can’t wait to dive in! Tour date TBA!

The Girl of Hawthorn and Glass by Adan Jerreat-Poole

“Even teenage assassins have dreams.“

We all know how I feel about an assassin book! Plus this cover. Omg. Swoon. I think this is the one I’m second most excited about!

The Bad Boy’s Forever by Blair Holden

“Tessa O’Connell is a girl with an unbreakable spirit and a strength that will get her through anything and this strength is one she needs now more than ever before. Through the two big chapters of her life, her goal remains to be fearless and make the best of all the opportunities that come her way.“

Oops. I didn’t realize this was book 3? So I’ll have to read book 1 and 2 first. But it sounds great and I love supporting wattpad authors!

So those are my seven new books this week! I hope to get to them soon. THey all sound amazing and I’m working really hard to get caught up on arcs!

Have you heard of any of these? What are your thoughts? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time..

adult, contemporary, Romance

Down the TBR Part 11!

Courtney/Enchanted.to.Read.You

Last week we made it through 100 books! I’m so excited to start the next 100 and dwindle down my TBR as much as possible. Lord knows I have a ton of current books to add!

First thoughts. Uhm. There are 7 Christmas books. What the hell?! Like, why? And the other three are Nora Roberts. So there’s not going to be a lot of diversity, unfortunately. This may be my second week in a row of deleting all 10! We’re staring at 1942. Let’s see where we end.

A Creed County Christmas by Linda Lael Miller

  • Date added: June 27, 2015
  • Thoughts: Christmas love story set in 1910 in the Montana wilderness. This is a book for my mom.
  • Keep or delete: Delete

The Christmas Brides by Linda Lael Miller

  • Date added: June 27, 2015
  • Thoughts: This has A Creed County Christmas plus another story. 2-in-1.
  • Keep or delete: Delete

Chesapeake Blue by Nora Roberts

  • Date added: June 27, 2015
  • Thoughts: Adult romance. Not sparking my interest.
  • Keep or delete: Delete.

Christmas in Apple Ridge by Cindy Woodsmall

  • Date added: June 27, 2015
  • Thoughts: Three Amish Christmas novellas.
  • Keep or delete: Delete

Lakeshore Chrsitmas by Susan Wiggs

  • Date added: June 27, 2015
  • Thoughts: A ‘prim’ librarian and troubled child star fall in love while putting on a Christmas Pageant.
  • Keep or delete: Delete

Love Finds You on Christmas Morning by Debby Mayne and Trish Perry

  • Date added: June 27, 2015
  • Thoughts: Two stories about two ladies who get proposed to in the same house on Christmas 85 years apart.
  • Keep or delete: Delete.

The Christmas Candle by Max Lucado

  • Date added: June 27, 2015
  • Thoughts: An Angel finds a poor candlemaker and he needs to decide who in town needs a Christmas Miracle.
  • Keep or delete: Delete

A Lancaster County Christmas by Suzanne Woods Fisher

  • Date added: June 27, 2015
  • Thoughts: Two couples pushed together during a snow storm to find the true meaning of Christmas.
  • Keep or delete: Delete

Northern Lights by Nora Roberts

  • Date added: June 27, 2015
  • Thoughts: Cop starts a new life in Alaska only to find there’s a murderer on the loose!
  • Keep or delete: Keep!

The MacKade Brothers: Rafe and Jared by Nora Roberts

  • Date added: June 27, 2015
  • Thoughts: Two love stories about two brothers. A bad boy and a lawyer.
  • Keep or delete: Delete

We are ending at 1933! I kept the one book about a murderer. I do love me some murder.

I’m again confused by all the Christmas books. I mean, I have kept one or two for this holiday season’s tbr, but none of these struck my fancy.

I’ll see yall again next week as we get through another 10!

Have you read any of these? Did I make the wrong decision? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time…

ARC, fantasy, Five Star Book, review, Romance, ya

The Shadows Between Us ARC Review!

Courtney/Enchanted.to.Read.You

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

Alessandra is tired of being overlooked, but she has a plan to gain power:

1) Woo the Shadow King.
2) Marry him.
3) Kill him and take his kingdom for herself.

No one knows the extent of the freshly crowned Shadow King’s power. Some say he can command the shadows that swirl around him to do his bidding. Others say they speak to him, whispering the thoughts of his enemies. Regardless, Alessandra knows what she deserves, and she’s going to do everything within her power to get it.

But Alessandra’s not the only one trying to kill the king. As attempts on his life are made, she finds herself trying to keep him alive long enough for him to make her his queen—all while struggling not to lose her heart. After all, who better for a Shadow King than a cunning, villainous queen?

– Goodreads

Tricia hinted at this novel back in 2019 when Words & Whimsy had the pleasure of chatting with her. I knew then and there I needed it. I was so excited to get this ARC. I was even more excited when I read the first line:

“They’ve never found the body of the first and only boy who broke my heart.
And they never will.”

Omg, guys. That first line, for me, ranks up there with the first line for Nevernight. I was instantly pulled in and wanted to put everything on hold to read this book, Work, sleep, cleaning. I didn’t want any of it. I just had to know about Alessandra’s journey. I read every moment I could. In the elevator, walking to my office, while on hold making appointments. I could not put this novel down.

Alessandra’s goal in simple. Make the king fall in love with her, like so many men have done. Marry the king. Kill the king and take the country as her own. Simple, right? It was, at first. Until these nasty things called feelings got involved.

I loved seeing how Alessandra and Kallias’ story and relationship progressed. I love an enemies to lovers story and this delivered! There were even sexy bits! There was also a tiny bit of a love triange.

Alessandra is not a character you root for. Quite honestly, she’s pretty evil. But you are shown enough vulnerability and kindness to make you fall for her. She even comments on her kindness and how it is out of character. She really reminds me of my dnd character which is part of the reason I think I love her so much. She firmly believes she is the best, smartest person in the room and no one can make her think differently. She’ll also kill you without a second thought.

“I try for a humble tone, but since I’ve no idea what that sounds like, I’m not so sure I manage it.”

Kallias is not so nice, himself. He sees women paraded in front of him day in and day out so he can choose one he likes to marry and have an heir. The only girl he is interested in is the one who will pay him no mind. Make fun of him, even! Who does that to a king?

Their relationship progressed in the best way. First Kallias sees her only as a friend, a confidant. But slowly he sees how cunning and ruthless Alessandra is. He then realizes she is meant to be his queen and he will do anything to have her.

There were small issues throughout the book that Kallias and Alessandra solved together. The ending was so surprising to me! I didn’t see the twist coming and I loved it!

I am so glad I was fortunate enough to be able to read an ARC of this book. I loved it so much. If you want in on the fun you can preorder here:

| Amazon| Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million |

Also checkout the preorder incentive here if you ordered a hardback copy!

Are you planning on picking up The Shadows Between Us? If you do I want to know your thoughts!

Until next time…

adult, ARC, contemporary, Erotica, fantasy, Historical Fiction, retelling, Romance, Sci-Fi, thriller, ya

February 2020 TBR

Courtney/Enchanted.to.Read.You

It is FINALLY February! I don’t know about you guys, but January seemed to drag on FOREVER! Especially this last week. But it’s a new month, and I’m going to try to hit it hard with my reading!

Below I’ll show you the 15 books I have on my TBR and the criteria I’m using them for! Book Battle stars anew today, and I’m hoping to lead my team to victory! Come join in the competitive reading fun here!

  1. Book by an Author Named Jane – Harmony by Addison Jane
  2. House on the Cover – The Girl’s Weekend by Jody Gehrman
  3. Book Set in England – We are Blood and Thunder by Kesia Lupo
  4. Retelling – Second Star by JM Sullivan
  5. Set in the Past – Chasing Starlight by Teri Bailey Black
  6. Club Read 1 – A Heart so Fierce and Broken by Brigid Kemmerer
  7. Club Read 2 – A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J Maas
  8. Criteria Choice 1 – Book by Tricia Levenseller – The Shadows Between Us
  9. Criteria Choice 2 – Book With a Dress on the Cover – Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers
  10. Female Author – A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson
  11. Book That Has Been on Your TBR for Over a Year – Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen
  12. Book About Love – Together We Caught Fire by Eva V. Fibson
  13. Book You Keep Hearing About – Blood Countess by Lana Popovic
  14. Standalone – Burn Our Bodies Down by Rory Power
  15. Black MC – The Raven and the Dove by Kaitlyn Davis

So, eleven of my books are ARCs. I’d love to put a dent in my ARC pile! The club reads are sequels – we can read any books in the series! I received a lovely finished copy of Blood Countess so I’m excited to check that one out as well!

What’s on your TBR this month? Have any thoughts on mine? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time…

adult, contemporary, Erotica, Four Star Book, Romance

Idol Thoughts Review

Courtney/Enchanted.to.Read.You
  • Title: Idol Thoughts
  • Author: J. S. Lee
  • Publisher: Axellia Publishing
  • Publish Date: Dec 3, 2018
  • Pages: 256
  • Book Form: E-Book
  • Genre: Romance
  • Dates Read: Jan 23 – Jan 27
  • Rating: ★★★★

I was supposed to manage them. I wasn’t supposed to fall in love with them.

Six months ago, I discovered I was the illegitimate heir to one of the K-Pop industry’s biggest entertainment companies. I didn’t want anything to do with the empire I had the chance to inherit.

Then I discovered how my jerk of a half-brother was currently running things. I might not want the job, but I damn well deserve it just as much as him. All I need to do is prove my worth by managing a failing boy band, H3RO, back to stardom.

Easy, right?

Tae, Dante, Minhyuk, Nate, Kyun, and Jun are as talented as they are good looking. Abandoned by their company, they’ve lost faith in everything and themselves. It’s down to me to save their careers – and their dreams – by delivering a number one single.

And yet, somehow, the bigger miracle will be not falling in love with all of them…

– Goodreads

Idol Thoughts was originally recommended to my friend, Hannah. She is a huge K-Pop fan. However, when I saw this book in Words & Whimsy, I knew I had to give it a try. I’ve been in about a two week slump. Nothing was grabbing my attention. My usual slump busters are smutty books, and this is a reverse harem, so I was like, ok let’s try. I’m so glad I did.

Now, a K-Pop fan I am not. Not that I dislike it, I just don’t listen to it. I know one song by BTS. There were a lot of words used in the book that I wasn’t sure of the meaning, but I felt there was enough context that it didn’t take anything away.

Holly, the MC, finds out that her dad is a manager of a huge K-Pop empire. He wants her to come to Korea and join the family business. Her half-brother is none to thrilled and gives her a task to save a group’s career. She thinks it will be impossible, but she pulls out all the stops once she meets the band. And fools around. With all of them.

I’m all for the reverse harem. It’s one of my favorite smut genres. But I was never sure if all the guys knew what was going on or if she was sneaking around. I just wanted everyone to know and be ok with it, honestly. The sex scenes were nicely written, as well as the growth of feelings between Holly and all the members of H3R0.

Idol Thoughts was the first of a trilogy, and I will for sure be reading the next two. I have to see how things turn out with the members of H3R0 and Holly’s brother!

Do you have any other reverse harem recs? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time…

adult, contemporary, Romance

First Impression Friday!

Courtney/Enchanted.to.Read.You

Wow! I cannot believe it is already Friday! This last week has not been a good reading week for me AT ALL. I’m only about halfway done with The Wives. I’m in such a slump so I decided to pick a book I thought would be a good slump buster!

This meme is hosted by JW Martin! Here’s what ya do:

First Impression Friday is a meme where you talk about a book you just started! You can be just a chapter or two in, or a little more.
Based on the start of the book, give a few impressions and predict how you’ll feel about the end!

I saw this novel recommended over at Words & Whimsy and decided to give it a try. So far, so good! It’s Idol Thoughts by JS Lee!

Six months ago, I discovered I was the illegitimate heir to one of the K-Pop industry’s biggest entertainment companies. I didn’t want anything to do with the empire I had the chance to inherit.

Then I discovered how my jerk of a half-brother was currently running things. I might not want the job, but I damn well deserve it just as much as him. All I need to do is prove my worth by managing a failing boy band, H3RO, back to stardom.

Easy, right?

Tae, Dante, Minhyuk, Nate, Kyun, and Jun are as talented as they are good looking. Abandoned by their company, they’ve lost faith in everything and themselves. It’s down to me to save their careers – and their dreams – by delivering a number one single.

And yet, somehow, the bigger miracle will be not falling in love with all of them…

– Goodreads

Okay, when I’m in a slump, I usually turn to a good, dirty book. They’re usually fast reads. This is a reverse harem, which I’m becoming a fan of! I mean, who doesn’t want multiple guys fawning over them, amirite?

So. First chapter. You meet Holly. Her dad left when she was young and she never knew him. All of a sudden, he contacts her and her mom, saying he wants her in on the family business – managing K-Pop groups. She knows nothing about the music industry and nothing about managing a K-Pop Group. Her half brother doesn’t like that she is creeping in on the family business and gives her a group to manage that destined for failure. They have to release an album and have a comeback in seven weeks! Sounds impossible.

At the end of the chapter, she moves into their dorm and meets all the members. All the members who are super attractive.

So my thoughts so far. The first chapter was quick and fun! I enjoyed meeting all the men and seeing her reaction to them. I have never read a book with K-Pop boys, so it’s new! I’ll be thinking about my friend Hannah the whole time!

I think I will really enjoy this one. The first chapter kept me interested and I can’t wait to dive in! I’m excited for the romance aspect as well! I’m hoping there will be some steamy scenes.

Have you read Idol Thoughts before? What did you think? Let me know below!

Until next time…