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

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. 

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

• 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 ~

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