Wednesday, July 29, 2020

{Review} Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall

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Page Count: 432
Published On: July 7, 2020
Published by: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre(s): Adult LGBT+ Contemporary Romance

My Rating: 5 stars

Goodreads synopsis:


Wanted:
One (fake) boyfriend
Practically perfect in every way

Luc O'Donnell is tangentially--and reluctantly--famous. His rock star parents split when he was young, and the father he's never met spent the next twenty years cruising in and out of rehab. Now that his dad's making a comeback, Luc's back in the public eye, and one compromising photo is enough to ruin everything.

To clean up his image, Luc has to find a nice, normal relationship...and Oliver Blackwood is as nice and normal as they come. He's a barrister, an ethical vegetarian, and he's never inspired a moment of scandal in his life. In other words: perfect boyfriend material. Unfortunately, apart from being gay, single, and really, really in need of a date for a big event, Luc and Oliver have nothing in common. So they strike a deal to be publicity-friendly (fake) boyfriends until the dust has settled. Then they can go their separate ways and pretend it never happened.

But the thing about fake-dating is that it can feel a lot like real-dating. And that's when you get used to someone. Start falling for them. Don't ever want to let them go.


~ ~ ~

A massive thank you to Sourcebooks Casa & NetGalley for the eARC AND Hoopla Digital for having the book via audio! 

Hey, guys!

If you've been following me for the past couple of months, you'd know that I've been on a sort of binge when it comes to romance novels. I cannot get enough of them. I just want all of the happiness that I can get from them. They've brought me so much joy during such a stressful time. 

Boyfriend Material follows Luc and Oliver. Luc, the son of a monumentally public relationship between two British rock legends from the 1980s. While he'd rather not be, he's pretty famous and frequents the tabloids as the press continue to hound him and find any story to make him seem less than he is. To make sure his reputation stays PG, Luc has to find a boyfriend that can boost his image and keep him out of the trashy tabloids. 

Enter Oliver Blackwood -- a barrister and ethical vegetarian. To Luc, Oliver is everything he isn't. Naturally, he fudges the first date. Unfortunately, both of the guys need a partner for their future events. So! They strike up a deal. 

Enter the fake dating trope. Need I say more?

Boyfriend Material was everything I could have hoped for. It was charming, witty, and I adore the characters and their backstories. Alexis Hall is magical. There were so many moments where I would laugh out loud, yell at the characters, and I even teared up a bit. 

While Luc's life is pretty radical and isn't technically like many people's lives, I couldn't help but relate to him. Especially his self-deprecating banter between his friends and those he encountered and his struggle to find his self-worth and confidence. Luc's character was incredibly likable, but his actions were so frustrating because I really do not think like him at all. However, Alexis Hall did a fantastic job setting up his character flaws, his reasoning, and shoving the reader into his thought processes. 

Oliver's character was so well done too. His character development was just *chef's kiss*. I adored everything about his development and execution. His dry wit and eventual ability to open up to people was so wonderful to see. His backstory is so incredibly relatable and I couldn't help but tear up when he finally let Luc in. I've said it already, but his development was just god-tier. I am still reeling. I love him.

The relationship between Luc and Oliver was so delightful. Their chemistry was so well developed and their banter and moments together just made me squeal with excitement. 

The side characters were also so incredibly entertaining and well developed. Luc's coworkers and best friends were so well written. They weren't just included to continue the story along, They had their own lives and individual personalities that just made my reading experience so enjoyable. I really hope I can get some companion novels or novellas with their backstories. I need more from them! 

The humor in this book was just so well done too. If you enjoy British humor and references, this is definitely for you. I often cackled out loud because the lines or passages were just too freaking good. 

Overall, this book was a definite 5-star read. While the opening bits didn't immediately captivate me, I was easily drawn in once I started to get to know the characters. Do not let Luc's melodramatic and self-destructive personality draw you out of the story! Once I hit the second or third chapter, I didn't want to put this book down. In fact, once I was 30 pages into the book, I practically didn't. Even a week later I just want to pick it back up and reread it. It was such a phenomenal read.

I cannot recommend this book enough. This was such an excellent read. 


PLEASE READ THIS BOOK!

Happy reading,
Olivia
~ Liv the Book Nerd ~

Tuesday, July 28, 2020

{Bookish Playlist} Circe by Madeline Miller


Hey, guys!

If you've been following me for the past year or so, you'll probably know of my deep, intense love for Madeline Miller's novel, Circe. Since listening and reading it in June of 2019, I've read it once more earlier this year (2020). Circe has quickly become one of my all-time favorite novels. I cannot recommend it enough. It has become one of the books that inspire me, empowers me, and enthralls me. I've always loved mythology, but the stories that surround mythological women are my favorite. Madeline Miller and Circe are the definite reason why I'm currently writing my own novel surrounding the Norse goddess, Freyja. 

While driving home this afternoon, I was listening to Taylor Swift's newest album, Folklore (Oh my gosh it's so fantastic. Please listen and love it!). By far, my favorite song (right now) is "mad woman." It perfectly encapsulates so many moments (and the vibe) of Circe -- at least in my opinion...and based upon my reading experiences. 

In my playlist, you will find a mixture of folk-like sounds, songs with witchy-vibes, directly witchy musical content, some spooky, atmospheric pieces, and some of my favorite songs of all time. 


art created via ummmmandy's Picrew Girl Maker site 35959740. sy475
CIRCE art created via ummmmandy's Picrew Girl Maker site & added text added through PicCollage
Cover image is from Goodreads


Hey, guys!

If you've been following me for the past year or so, you'll probably know of my deep, intense love for Madeline Miller's novel, Circe. Since listening and reading it in June of 2019, I've read it once more earlier this year (2020). Circe has quickly become one of my all-time favorite novels. I cannot recommend it enough. It has become one of the books that inspire me, empowers me, and enthralls me. I've always loved mythology, but the stories that surround mythological women are my favorite. Madeline Miller and Circe are the definite reason why I'm currently writing my own novel surrounding the Norse goddess, Freyja

While driving home this afternoon, I was listening to Taylor Swift's newest album, Folklore (Oh my gosh it's so fantastic. Please listen and love it!). By far, my favorite song (right now) is "mad woman." It perfectly encapsulates so many moments (and the vibe) of Circe -- at least in my opinion...and based upon my reading experiences. 

In my playlist, you will find a mixture of folk-like sounds, songs with witchy-vibes, directly witchy musical content, some spooky, atmospheric pieces, and some of my favorite songs of all time. 

While you may not use Spotify, I've included a screenshot of the current song list. If you decide to follow the playlist, you will most likely see some new music added if I were to find more that encapsulate the novel. 


I'm planning on posting more bookish playlists, so if there are any books that you'd like to see featured, please comment below or connect with me on my social media! I'd love to expand on my playlist-making abilities. Additionally, if you have some songs that you think would be a fantastic addition, please share them! 


Happy reading!
Olivia
~ Liv the Book Nerd 


Friday, July 17, 2020

{ Blog Tour + Q&A } The Lost City (The Omte Origins #1) by Amanda Hocking



Hey, guys!

Who's ready for more Amanda Hocking? When I got an email saying that Amanda Hocking was diving into the Trylle world again, I was over the moon. I remember really loving the Trylle trilogy when I was in high school. I loved Hocking's ability to create such an interesting world and I loved her characters. I definitely recommend the Trylle trilogy. It was so much fun to read. I even convinced my siblings and mom to read the books and my mom has the bind-up of the trilogy on her bookshelves. 

Book Review: The Trylle Trilogy By Amanda Hocking | Fab And Faultless

Switched: {Goodreads link}
Ascend: {Goodreads link}

The Lost City will be out on July 7, 2020!

Page Count: 384
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Genres: YA Fantasy
Current Goodreads rating: 3.82/5 stars (121 ratings, 106 reviews)



S Y N O P S I S

Amanda Hocking, the New York Times bestselling author of The Kanin Chronicles, returns to the magical world of the Trylle Trilogy with The Lost City, the first novel in The Omte Origins—and the final story arc in her beloved series.

The storm and the orphan

Twenty years ago, a woman sought safety from the spinning ice and darkness that descended upon a small village. She was given shelter for the night by the local innkeepers but in the morning, she disappeared—leaving behind an infant. Now nineteen, Ulla Tulin is ready to find who abandoned her as a baby or why.

The institution and the quest

Ulla knows the answers to her identity and heritage may be found at the Mimirin where scholars dedicate themselves to chronicling troll history. Granted an internship translating old documents, Ulla starts researching her own family lineage with help from her handsome and charming colleague Pan Soriano.

The runaway and the mystery

But then Ulla meets Eliana, a young girl who no memory of who she is but who possesses otherworldly abilities. When Eliana is pursued and captured by bounty hunters, Ulla and Pan find themselves wrapped up in a dangerous game where folklore and myth become very real and very deadly—but one that could lead Ulla to the answers she’s been looking for.

~ ~ ~

A U T H O R B I O

Author bio:
AMANDA HOCKING is the author of over twenty young adult novels, including the New York Times bestselling Trylle Trilogy and Kanin Chronicles. Her love of pop culture and all things paranormal influence her writing. She spends her time in Minnesota, taking care of her menagerie of pets and working on her next book.

Amanda's Social Media Links:

Twitter @Amanda_Hocking

Early Praise for The Lost City:

"Hocking’s fast, engaging fantasy will draw in new and seasoned fans of the genre... [She] keeps the surprises coming, [leaving] readers eager to know more"
School Library Journal (starred review)

~ ~ ~

Q  &  A

Q&A with Amanda Hocking, author of THE LOST CITY: The Omte Origins #1

1. There's been so much excitement and anticipation for more books in the world of the Trylle and Kanin. What made you decide to revisit those worlds now in The Omte Origins trilogy? 

I knew as soon as I wrote Ulla as a small character in Crystal Kingdom (the final book of the Kanin Chronicles) that I was going to write a trilogy about her, but it was just a matter of when. After the Kanin Chronicles, I wanted to take a little break from that world and visit others – which I did with Freeks and the Valkyrie duology. By then, I was so ready to dive back into the world and answer some lingering questions I had left for the Trylle and Kanin.  

2. Why make this the final trilogy?

With the Omte Origins, I feel like I’ve been able to say everything I want to about the worlds. Through the three trilogies, I spent time with all five tribes. Wendy’s mother is Trylle and her father is Vittra, and her story has her visiting both kingdoms. Bryn’s mother is Skojare and her father is Kanin, and her trilogy shows life in the Kanin and Skojare cities, as well as traveling to others beyond that. I won’t say who exactly Ulla’s parents are (that would be spoiling the story) but her journey takes her through the troll kingdoms, with interesting detours through the Omte, Trylle, and Kanin tribes.

3. What are the most challenging aspects of writing a new trilogy that can be read independently, but is set in a world--the Trylle and Kanin--that you've written about before?  

The hardest challenge is getting new readers caught up with the world and the lingo without feeling repetitive and boring to longtime fans of the series. I try to use this an opportunity to show characters and situations from different angles. The Wendy the audience meets at the beginning of Switched is vastly different Wendy than the that Ulla knows in the Omte Origins. So for new readers, they get introduced Wendy as she currently is, and for repeat readers, they can see who Wendy has become and who she appears to be through the eyes of an average citizen with Ulla.

4. What’s the most fascinating thing you researched while writing The Lost City?

With the Omte Origins, I really looked back at the course of troll history, and their past has dovetailed with the Vikings and other arctic peoples. So I did a lot of research on early Vikings and indigenous arctic people, primarily the Inuit and the Sami. My favorite parts were reading their folklore. I even got an Inuit cookbook, and I attempted to make Bannock (a traditional Inuit bread). It did not turn out well, but I blame that entirely on my cooking skills (or lack thereof) and not the recipe.

5. The "Glossary" and "Tribal Facts" sections at the end of the book are fascinating and really help create a layered, fleshed-out world.  Was putting those together as much fun as writing the novel?  

It was so much fun. It’s been over ten years and nine books (and several short stories), so I have spent a lot time of thinking and doing world-building. I honestly have enough information for a history book about the worlds of the Trylle, but I don’t know there’s a demand for fictional textbooks. The Tribal Facts were actually one of the first things I wrote for the Omte series because I went through and get myself reacquainted and made sure I had all my important facts straight.

6. Was your writing routine affected by the stay-at-home orders due to the pandemic?  

My routine itself hasn’t been too affected since I write from home, but I would say that the stress has a negative impact on me, the way it has for many of us that work in creative fields – or any field at all, honestly. My husband has been working from home, and my stepson had been doing long-distance learning before summer break, but that hasn’t really changed too much for me. I usually work after they go to bed and stay up late into the early morning hours.

7. Were there any favorite songs or music you listened to while writing this book?  

Yes, definitely! I listen to so much music when I write, and I even have curated playlists to go along with my books on Spotify. Some of my favorite songs to write to were “Ella” by Myrkur, “Wild World” by Cat Stevens, and “Delicate” by Taylor Swift. I also listened to a lot of Wardruna, who is this Norwegian band who make traditional Nordic music with historically accurate instruments. For the soundtrack to the Omte Origins, I wanted it to be a blend of traditional Nordic music, mellow seventies folk to go with the trolls delayed pop culture tastes, and pop music that gets through with the trendier younger generations of trolls.

8. Do you think the music you listen to has an influence on the stories?  Or do the stories influence the music you choose?

I think it’s both, honestly. When I’m picking songs for the playlist, I definitely choose them based on the kind of emotions I want to feel and the tone I want to set for whatever I’m writing. Sometimes I’ll put particularly romantic songs on repeat when writing a love scene or an angry fast-paced instrumental for a fight scene.

9. What books or authors are you reading or excited to read lately?

I’m super excited about Faith: Taking Flight by Julie Murphy. It comes out the same day as The Lost City, and it’s about a plus-size teenage girl who discovers that she can fly. I recently read A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Rosanne Brown, and I’m counting down the days until The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna and The Project by Courtney Summers.

10.  Any hints you can share about what's coming next after The Omte Origins Trilogy?

I’m currently working on a stand-alone fantasy inspired by Greek mythology, but I don’t know when it will be out yet. I’ve got ideas for dozens of projects after that, and I’m working hard (and having fun) getting through them all.

Let's discuss this awesome world that Amanda Hocking has created! I hope you enjoy this Q&A & addition to the blog tour!

Happy reading!

Olivia
~ Liv the Book Nerd ~ Twitter // Instagram // Tumblr // Goodreads // YouTube // Bloglovin // Book Depository Affiliate Code // Ko-Fi // Book of the Month




Monday, July 13, 2020

{Review} Boss Man Bridegroom by Meghan Quinn

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My Rating: 3 stars

Page Count: 404
Published: January 23, 2020
Published by: Hot-Lanta Publishing LLC

Avg. Rating: 4.38 stars

Goodreads synopsis:

"Will you do me the greatest honor of all time and be my bridegroom?” she asks, hope in her eyes . . .

How did I get here? My assistant, bent on one knee, holding my hand, her expectant face waiting for an answer.

Just . . . how?

How did I go from being insulted by Charlee Cox to hiring her to be my assistant? How is it that she’s chaos in color - making me crazy and my life better at the same time?

I never thought I would be staring down at her bright blue eyes begging me to go along with this ridiculous scheme I suggested.

Yes, I suggested. Like the idiot I am, I thought hey, why not start an HR nightmare and have my assistant ask me to marry her?

Confused? Don’t worry, so am I.

But try to follow along, because this is how I became Boss Man Bridegroom.

$3.99 for Kindle or FREE with Kindle Unlimited

~ ~ ~

Hey, guys!

I read Boss Man Bridegroom for the Romancetheque Book Club and I had a lot of fun with this one. I kind of like CEO/Boss romances, but it has to be done really well for me to fully suspend my disbelief and fully enjoy it. 

Overall, this was a really really fun read. I was laughing out loud and yelling at the characters as I was reading, but there were some moments where I just had to stop and put the book down because something stupid would happen. When it came to the overall reading experience, it was either really exceptionally stupid or really adorable and fun. 

The characterization was really nicely done. There was a good mixture of snarky, sarcastic, and charismatic characters. In romance novels, there is often a good chunk of cheesy and over the top dialogue in romance novels, and that sometimes negatively impacts my enjoyment, but there was such a fairly mixture of natural and cheesy dialogue. The dialogue was probably one of the biggest factors for my more negative view of the novel. While cheesy and unrealistic interactions were fun, it became quite annoying when it would impact the relationship that was to develop. I love the sassy characters that the dialogue came from, but the schtick started to become really obnoxious and over the top. 

Though I quite liked this story, there were a few issues that I had. 
  • The relationship that developed throughout this book was really fun, but it really developed too quickly for my tastes. While I know that that is part of the genre, the book still seemed to develop over a longer period of time, but the feelings really just didn't seem naturally progressing.  There was just something missing. 
  • The conflicts that arose throughout the plot were valid and really new and fun, but I felt like the way that it developed was unrealistic and kind of strange.
  • There were some really humorous and wonderful moments throughout, but sometimes it was so forced and crass that it made me cringe instead of laugh.
What are some of your favorite office romance novels? Let's discuss in the comments!

Happy reading and stay safe!
Olivia
Liv the Book Nerd ~




Tuesday, July 7, 2020

{Review} Dark Lover (The Black Dagger Brotherhood #1) by J.R. Ward

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My Rating: 2.5 stars
Page Count: 393
Published: September 6, 2005
Published by: Penguin Group

Avg. Rating: 4.2 stars

Goodreads synopsis:

The only purebred vampire left on the planet and the leader of the Black Dagger Brotherhood, Wrath has a score to settle with the slayers who killed his parents centuries ago. But when his most trusted fighter is killed—orphaning a half-breed daughter unaware of her heritage or her fate—Wrath must put down his dagger and usher the beautiful female into another world.


Racked by a restlessness in her body that wasn’t there before, Beth Randall is helpless against the dangerously sexy man who comes to her at night with shadows in his eyes. His tales of the Brotherhood and blood frighten her. Yet his touch ignites a dawning new hunger—one that threatens to consume them both… 

~ ~ ~

Hey, guys!

This was just not my cup of tea, but I plan on continuing the series until I absolutely loath it. There was something about the characters and the world that was slowly being built that I just want to see what the hype is about.  Considering that this was written in the early 2000s, I think that the story has a lot of promise. I'm surprised that it was so mediocre (especially when the series is so popular and beloved by romance lovers). The number of name-dropped products and outdated technology mentioned was just so bizarre to me. 

Like many other romance novels (especially paranormal romance novels), I felt like this book abandoned or sacrificed the plot and the world-building for the sake of the development of the romance and the addition of smut. The lack of world-building and exploration and description just took away from the romance in my opinion. Additionally, I really didn't like any of the sections that didn't follow the vampires or the main character. The parts that followed the villain were just so boring to me because it felt like there wasn't much at all at stake. 

Overall, it just lacked the depth I would expect from an introduction to a 10+ book series.  I also would have been so more enthralled with the story and the romance if it hadn't relied on the worst tropes: insta-love/attraction, overprotective alpha holes, and badly fleshed out sacrifice. Granted, those tropes can be done really well (and I expected them to be done well because of the hype surrounding the series), but this was just so mediocre and dumb. I hope that the story and world become clearer to me as the series continues on. So many people love the series and were so excited for me to start it, but I'm really wary to even continue reading the series. 

Have you read these books? What do you think of them? Should I continue on with the story?

Happy reading and stay safe!
Olivia
Liv the Book Nerd ~



Monday, July 6, 2020

May & June 2020 Reading Wrap Up



Hey, guys,

I'm sure you've noticed, but I've taken June off from blogging. Not only is the world on fire, but I've also been searching for a full-time job after graduating from college, and I've been taking a long look at myself and my actions to see what I can do to be a better ally to POC & BIPOC. 

When I'm not searching for a job, I've been writing my novel and reading as much as I can. While I wish I could say that I've enjoyed my time to myself, it's been more stressful than anything as I continue to search for stability. I'm trying to get back into the swing of things, so bear with me as I get my feet back under me. Thank you so much for your patience!

Here is what I read!

M A Y   R E A D S

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Since my last reading wrap-up, I've read quite a lot of books. In May, I read a massive amount of romance novels and I fell in love with Tessa Dare's many novels. 
  • Not Like the Movies by Kerry Winfrey
    • 4 stars
    • Genre: Adult contemporary romance
    • I really enjoyed this novel. Thank you NetGalley & Berkley for allowing me to read this early! This book will be released on July 7, 2020.
    • Full review: {click here}
  • The Wallflower Wager (Girl Meets Duke #3) by Tessa Dare
    • 4.75 stars
    • Genre: Adult historical romance
    • This was such a phenomenal novel. I'm so so so excited to continue on with the Girl Meets Duke series. Tessa Dare had pushed back the release date for the fourth installment in the series, so I'm really looking forward to read it when it is released in 2021
  • How to Catch a Wild Viscount by Tessa Dare
    • 2 stars 
    • Genre: Adult historical romance
    • This was just a major let down when it comes to Tessa Dare. Of course, it was her first-ever published story, but it just wasn't good. I was soooo bored and the story was not compelling at all. I'm pretty sure that Tessa only keeps it up because her readers asked for it. If you're interested, it's free for Kindle and other online retailers via ebook. I didn't like it, but maybe someone does. 
  • A Heart of Blood and Ashes by Milla Vane
    • 3 stars
    • Genre: Adult fantasy romance
    • When reading this, I switched between the audiobook and the physical book because I wasn't really in the mood for an intense fantasy novel. I was originally recommended this book by the BaeCrate/BaeClub fam. I really enjoyed it, but I think I just read it when I wasn't ready. May was a very romance-heavy month because I was quite depressed because of COVID-19. Love that.
    • Here is my review! {click here}
  • Why Don't You Dance by Raymond Carver
    • 3 stars
    • Genre: Short story
    • This was such a bizarre short story. Alex and I listened to the story while we were driving home and I was just weirded out the entire time. We read it because he was taking a film and literature class) and apparently there's a movie that is loosely based on the story), but I wasn't a fan. 

Once Upon a Winter's Eve | Tessa DareLord Dashwood Missed Out: A Spindle Cove Novella - Kindle edition ...

I also managed to read the majority of Tessa Dare's Spindle Cove series. I've decided to pause my binge and save them for when the new Tessa books come out so that I can just binge the rest of it all in one week. I just adore adore adore everything about this series. I'm so obsessed with all of the heroes and heroines. They are so freaking fun. You definitely should read them if you love romance novels.
  • A Night to Surrender (Spindle Cove #1) by Tessa Dare
    • 4 stars
  • Once Upon A Winter's Eve (Spindle Cove #1.5) by Tessa Dare
    • 3 stars
  • A Week to Be Wicked (Spindle Cove #2) by Tessa Dare
    • 4 stars
  • A Lady By Midnight (Spindle Cove #3) by Tessa Dare
    • 4 stars
  • Beauty & the Blacksmith (Spindle Cove #3.5) by Tessa Dare
    • 4 stars
  • Any Duchess Will Do (Spindle Cove #4) by Tessa Dare
    • 4 stars
  • Lord Dashwood Missed Out  (Spindle Cove #4.5) by Tessa Dare
    • 3.5 stars
Again, I'm almost done with the Spindle Cove series and there will be another novella released either this fall or early next year which will follow one of my favorite characters. Once I'm caught up on the series (I have one more full-length novel), I want to post a massive series review, so stay tuned!


J U N E   R E A D S

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  • The Betrothed by Kiera Cass
    • 2.5 stars
    • Genre: YA fantasy romance
    • This was such a letdown. I was so underwhelmed and disappointed by this book. It definitely did not live up to the hype that was in my heart. I absolutely adored Kiera's previous novels. The Selection series is one of my all-time favorite series and I will love them forever, but The Betrothed was just a whole lot of nothing. The characters were so flat and two-dimensional, the plot was a whole lot of nothing and didn't pick up until the very end, and the romance was so surface level and nonengaging. I did not enjoy this reading experience and I honestly did not like the main character. I'm so sad that this book flopped so badly.
  • Conventionally Yours (True Colors #1) by Annabeth Albert
    • 3 stars
    • Genre: New adult LGBTQIA+ romance
    • Thank you to NetGalley & SourceBooksCASA for the eARC!
    • This was also a letdown, but it wasn't as monumental as The Betrothed, but it wasn't as good as I would have hoped. When I first started this book, I was really engaged with the build-up to the action of the plot, I loved the road-trip aspect (one bed!!!), and I really enjoyed the nerdy aspects of the book too. However, once I got about 3/4 of the way, for some reason, I had a really hard time telling the two main guys apart and I began to lose interest in the actual romance. Overall, I thought it was a bit too long. It almost dragged on in my opinion. 
  • Avatar: The Last Airbender: The Promise, Part 1 by Gene Luen Yang, Brian Konietzko, Michael Dante DiMartino, and Gurihiru 
    • 5 star
  • Avatar: The Last Airbender: The Promise, Part 2 by Gene Luen Yang, Brian Konietzko, Michael Dante DiMartino, and Gurihiru 
    • 4 stars
  • Avatar: The Last Airbender: The Promise, Part 3 by Gene Luen Yang, Brian Konietzko, Michael Dante DiMartino, and Gurihiru 
    • 5 stars
    • Genre: YA Fantasy graphic novels 
    • Parts 1-3 of this next part of the Avatar TLA series were just so phenomenal. Avatar TLA has been one of my all-time favorite shows from my childhood. ATLA was everything to me and I am so excited to be rewatching it with Alex. It's been our quarantine show. We love everything about it. The Promise is everything I could have hoped for. I can't wait to read the next parts. 
  • Black Enough: Stories of Being Young & Black in America edited by Ibi Zoboi, written by Tracey Baptiste, Coe Booth, Dhonielle Clayton, Brandy Colbert, Jay Coles, Lamar Giles, Leah Henderson, Justina Ireland, Varian Johnson, Kekla Magoon, Tochi Onybuchi, Jason Reynolds, Nic Stone, Liara Tamani, Renee Watson, and Rita Williams-Garcia
    • 4 stars
    • Genre: YA anthology
    • This was a phenomenal anthology. I adored all of the stories and the voices portrayed in all of them. This anthology opened my eyes to a lot of the hardships that Black individuals have to struggle with on a daily basis.  I absolutely recommend this to all YA readers if you are interested in expanding your reading horizons and learn more about what it means to be Black in the United States. Please read this!
  • The City of Brass (The Daevabad Trilogy #1) by S.A. Chakraborty
    • 4 stars
    • Genre: Adult high fantasy romance
    • Like I had mentioned in one of my blurbs about my fantasy-reading experiences of late, I'm really in the mood for lighter reads. However, I had started The City of Brass toward the beginning of April and I hate to have books on my "reading" shelf for too long. It just doesn't benefit my reading experience. Overall, I adored this novel. I can't wait to continue the rest of the trilogy. The characters were so fun to read about, the magic system was so freaking cool, and the world was lush and full of possibility. I cannot wait to see what book #2 holds. 
  • The Worst Best Man by Mia Sosa
    • 4 stars
    • Genres: Adult contemporary romance
    • Another wonderful read! This was such a fun romance novel with so much hilarious banter and characters that hooked me from page one. I love love love this book so much and I cannot wait to read the companion. I hope that there is some sort of cameo in the second book and we get to see where Lina and Max end up. I'd also love for Max's brother to get some sweet sweet comeuppance. He needs a swift kick in the ass. 
  • All Boys Aren't Blue by George M. Johnson
    • 4 stars
    • Genre: Nonfiction memoir --LGBTQIAP+
    • Thank you, to the lovely member of the book gifting page I am a part of. I won't disclose their name, but I really appreciate this gift!
    • Wow! Wow oh wow! What a fantastic memoir! This powerful memoir will leave you thinking for days. I cannot recommend this enough! In his memoir, George tells various stories that center around pivotal moments during this childhood. Throughout, George discusses his sexuality, what it meant to be Black and Queer, and family. I think this is such a perfect start for younger readers and older readers, alike. George doesn't shy away from the important and harder topics that our culture should normalize. I definitely recommend that you listen to the audiobook. What a fantastic experience. 
  • The A.I. Who Loved Me by Alyssa Cole
    • 2.5 stars
    • Genre: New adult science fiction romance
    • This was a title that was really hyped up in the romance-reading community, however, this was a bit of disappointment for me. Though this story was under 150 pages, it just dragged on for me. The format was really fun and it was a really smartly written sort of story considering it started as an Audible exclusive that was primarily meant to just be listened to, but the story was just boring for me. The connection that Trinity and Li Wei had was just so superficial to me, but the twists for their relationship toward the end were kind of fun. This was just not my favorite and I don't think I'll be continuing on with Alyssa Cole's work because I just haven't been impressed. I love how diverse and steamy her stories have been, but the relationships between the characters just haven't met the mark for me. It's just a chemistry problem.
  • Fake It For Daddy by B.B. Hamel
    • 2 stars
    • Genre: Adult contemporary romance
    • Before you judge me for the subject matter, the title, the tropes, and everything about this book -- Michelle from @berrybookpages convinced me to read this. I blame her for this foray into this trope. Granted, I won't be returning, but she convinced me to give it a go. This was just so two-dimensional, too convenient, and just not for me. I couldn't suspend my disbelief to read this. I just didn't enjoy this one as much as I would have hoped. It was just not my cup of tea. 
  • The Tea Dragon Tapestry (Tea Dragon #3) by Katie O'Neill
    • 5 stars
    • Genre: Middle-grade fantasy graphic novel
    • Thank you NetGalley and OniPress for the eARC!
    • This was everything I could have asked for in a finale. I have absolutely adored the Tea Dragons series. Katie O'Neill is such a magical human, her writing an artistic ability are flawless, and I cannot gush about her books enough. Please pick them up. They have beautiful representation, lovely storylines, and beautiful art. I cannot imagine anyone disliking these books.
    • {My review for books 1 & 2 and Dewdrop by Katie O'Neill}
  • Kat &  Juju by Kataneh Vahdani
    • 3 stars
    • Genre: Children's picture book
    • This was such a lovely picture book about individuality, friendship, and imagination. This is a lovely story for young readers. 
Total Pages Read: 6,201
Total Number of Books Read: 25
Average Rating: 3.14 stars

Happy reading and stay safe!
Olivia
Liv the Book Nerd ~