Free for All Friday: NetGalley TBR Updates (Sept 2025)

Intro

I have been quite the user of NetGalley lately, so my TBR is stacking up (at least for me). This extra sucks because I had *just* gotten my review ratio up to 81% when I got a bulk bunch of approvals. Now it is 77%, which still isn't too bad. Let's dive into what books are actually there!

My TBR

• A Killer Wedding by Joan O'Leary (Sept 2025)
• Last Chance Live! by Helena Haywoode Henry (Oct 2025)
• In Love's Key, Reprised by Guri Nojiro (Sept 2025)
• To Cage a Wild Bird by Brooke Fast (Mar 2026)
• Get Over It, April Evans by Ashley Herring Blake (Feb 2026)

Outro

I am quite excited for all of these, honestly. The variety is honestly my favorite part! Each of these should be a spectacular read, so keep an eye out over the next few months to see my thoughts on these! What is your NetGalley TBR looking like?

Top 5 Tuesday: Villains

Welcome back to Top 5 Tuesday, now following the list from That Artsy Reader Girl! As always, I do a top 5 instead of a top 10 because I tend to struggle to find 10 books for prompts.

This week's prompt is..... villains

It feels like spooky season is approaching with this prompt! It will honestly be a bit of a struggle to find characters for this prompt, as I do not tend to read books that include villains. Let's see what I find.

These are in no particular order

1. Rocky from the Webs We Weave series by Krista and Becca Ritchie
2. Troye from the Green Line Ice series by Bindi Kennedy
3. Josie from Battle of the Bookstores by Ali Brady
4. Charlie's right-hand man (sorry, I do not remember his name) from The Greatest of These by Erin FitzGerald
5. Diana from We Did Nothing Wrong by Hannah Jayne

Alright, none of them are villains, but they all make mean choices. Rocky is definitely not actually a villain, but he does have very questionable morals and is a con artist. Troye is certainly not either, to be honest, but he does play a partially antagonist role in the books. Josie is just a jerk a number of times, so due to my personal dislike of her, she is on this list. The one character I cannot remember a name for is the most villainous... I'm just a romance girlie, okay?

Here it all is in a pretty lil' graphic 😁

Look at me, successfully completing another week! Truly exciting stuff! Yay me! I hope to see you again tomorrow for me gushing about another book I am excited for!

August 2025 Reads

                                        August 2025 Reads 

This month I read 9 books 

These books were 88% fiction

They were 22% physical, 56% digital, and 22% audio

The most popular genres were romance, children's, and contemporary

My average rating was 4.28 stars

My longest reading day was the 13th

The Books

➽ Stella: The Shark Who Loves Treasure by Sarah Cullen

➽ Pig the Pug by Aaron Blabey

➽ The Third Gilmore Girl by Kelly Bishop

➽ Ringtail Bedtime by Sandra LJ

➽ Red Card by Maren Moore

➽ Checked by Love by Ariana St. Claire

➽ Rucked Up Ruse by Beatrice Bradshaw

➽ Tell Me Lies by Hannah Gray

➽ Kitty Season by Bindi Kennedy

 

Top 5 Tuesday: Books with Occupations in the Title

Welcome back to Top 5 Tuesday, now following the list from That Artsy Reader Girl! As always, I do a top 5 instead of a top 10 because I tend to struggle to find 10 books for prompts.

(Yes, I am late today, I am sick and doing odd shifts at work, so I am doing my best)

This week's prompt is..... books with occupations in the title

These are in no particular order

1. The Trouble with Love and Coaches by Harriet Ashford
2. The Manicurist's Daughter by Susan Lieu
3. The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters
4. Game, Get, Matchmaker by Evie Sterling
5. The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco by Michelle Chouinard

This was honestly such a fun prompt to look for. I had a bunch that most certainly referenced an MC's profession and whatnot. Even one that mentions being a hockey boy, but I dug deep into my reads from last year as well and found titles that truly due include the name of a profession. The last book on this list does count because one of the characters is a tour guide.

Here it all is in a pretty lil' graphic 😁

Truly, I think this week's prompt is my favorite I have done so far. I hope there are more like this on the list soon in the future! I fully intend on doing this (actually on Tuesday) next week, so I shall see you then!

 Free For All Friday: Roll the Dice Challenge

Intro

I found the roll the dice challenge on Twirling Book Princess blog and put it in my back pocket for a rainy day. This is that rainy day.

If you would like to do this challenge, consider yourself tagged!

The Prompts

• Favorite standalone
• Favorite sequel
• Favorite trilogy
• Favorite four-word title
• Last 5-star read
• Six books I recommend

My Picks

Favorite Standalone

Pillow Thoughts by Courtney Peppernell

This is a beautiful and relatable poetry collection.

Favorite Sequel

Destructively Mine by Krista and Becca Ritchie

The first book in this series is one of my favorite books of all time. The sequel just gave me even more of what I have been desperately craving. I loved every moment and the new reveals. 

Favorite Trilogy

The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Absolutely nobody should be surprised that books by my favorite author are on my list. I found this series to be a lot of fun. Is it technically longer than 3 books... maybe... but the core story is a trilogy, so shush.

Favorite Four-Word Title

We All Fall Down by Erin FitzGerald

While I cannot explain why, this title is absolutely perfect for this series and book in particular. I love its simplicity while simultaneously telling so much. Erin, you know I love you and your books so much! Y'all should support her!

Last Five-Star Read

One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune

This book was exactly what I needed when I read it! It's quintessentially summer and a quick feel-good read.

Six Books I Recommend

Till Summer Do Us Part by Meghan Quinn

The Trouble with Love and Coaches by Harriet Ashford

The First to Die at the End by Adam Silvera

Bridesmaid by Chance by Meghan Quinn

The Wiener Across the Way by Amy Award

Bunny Season by Bindi Kennedy

Outro

This was the absolute perfect and quick challenge! To my fellow bloggers, you should totally try it! I am also ecstatic that I was able to include all of my 5-star reads so far this year! It worked out so wonderfully.

Unfortunately, I have a super-long workday next Friday, so I won't be back then. That said, you can still catch me here earlier on that week!

Can't Wait Wednesday: Revolve

Can't Wait Wednesday

This week's book is.... Revolve

Author: Bal Khabra

Publisher: Berkley

Release Date: October 14th

Series: Off the Ice (#3)

Blurb:

Sierra Romanova was an Olympian figure skater before a life-altering accident on the ice left her with panic attacks every time she entered the rink. Now, back for her final year at Dalton University, she’s ready to reclaim the spotlight, with all eyes on her…including those of hockey player Dylan Donovan, whose audacious words goad her back into her skates to prove him wrong.

After getting kicked off his hockey team for his reckless behavior, Dylan is left with slim chances of making it to the NHL draft. But Dylan’s whole world revolves around the ice, and if hockey is forbidden, well, at least there’s figure skating. Even better, it means more time at the rink with Sierra. Sure, he’s helping her rebuild her confidence, but pushing her buttons along the way? That’s just a bonus.

As the figure skating world awaits Sierra's comeback, she finds herself in need of a new pairs partner. The only person she knows who can match her skill on the ice is none other than the cocky hockey player who refuses to cut her any slack. Dylan's a wildcard, Sierra's a seasoned pro, but together, they might just be the perfect match on the ice.

Explanation:

I am a huge hockey romance fan and already have Collide on my shelves. I am certain that I will adore this book too! I also adore figure skating. It's a very exciting time to be a fan, honestly. I am sure this book with be the perfect blend of the two.

See you next week for more excitement!

Top 5 Tuesday: Books with a High Page Count

Welcome back to Top 5 Tuesday, now following the list from That Artsy Reader Girl! As always, I do a top 5 instead of a top 10 because I tend to struggle to find 10 books for prompts.

This week's prompt is..... books with a high page count

These are in no particular order

1. The Charlie Method by Elle Kennedy
2. The First to Die at the End by Adam Silvera
3. Destructively Mine by Krista and Becca Ritchie
4. The Girlfriend Zone by Lauren Blakely
5. Ice Breaker by Ariel Dawn

I am the first to admit I tend to avoid books with over 500 pages. It takes a lot of a book to hold my attention for that long and to make me feel that the high number of pages is necessary to the narrative. Each one of these books was able to hold my attention with no issues! Some are even 5-star reads! Do you tend to like chunky reads?

Here it all is in a pretty lil' graphic 😁

I've got a lot on my plate lately, but I wouldn't have it any other way. As long as I keep a schedule, I should do just fine! Hopefully, next week I will be able to talk about books that are more in my normal page range. See you then!

Can't Wait Wednesday: Tourist Season

Can't Wait Wednesday

This week's book is.... Tourist Season

Author: Brynne Weaver

Publisher: Slowburn

Release Date: September 23rd, 2025

Series: The Season of Carnage

Blurb:

Welcome to Cape Carnage! Visit Once, Stay Forever.

Cape Carnage is a seaside town of colorful houses, quirky shops, and an unusually high body count. But with tourists comes trouble, and Harper Starling won’t let anyone ruin her picture-perfect home. A skilled gardener with killer instincts, Harper protects her sanctuary at any cost—especially for her aging mentor with a fading memory.

Troublesome tourists don’t check out of Carnage. They compost beneath Harper’s award-winning flowerbeds. But Nolan Rhodes isn’t your average tourist. Devilishly handsome, disarmingly charming, and skilled with a blade, Nolan is relentless in the pursuit of revenge. On every anniversary of the hit-and-run accident that fractured his life, Nolan slays another target. And he’s saved the best for last: the undeniably beautiful Harper Starling.

The problem? Harper isn’t the monster he expected. And she won’t go down without a fight. When an amateur true crime investigator comes to Cape Carnage on the trail of a long-lost serial killer, Harper and Nolan strike an uneasy truce. If Nolan helps Harper protect her town, she’ll keep quiet about his hunting habits . . . for now. But their alliance soon spirals into obsession, one that threatens to shatter every secret in Carnage—including their fragile love.

Tourist Season is a darkly funny, slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romance where destruction and desire are balanced on the edge of a blade—and where love is the most dangerous battleground of all.

Explanation:

This is the start of Brynne Weaver's new series. I loved the Ruinous Love trilogy, so I am excited to see what else she has in store. This one has a bit more of a thriller vibe than the other books, which I am additionally excited for as a romance and thriller lover. 

This is one of those moments I am intrigued to see how a writer can expand beyond their series of renown. I hope we all end up loving it!

See you again next week for more excitement! 

Can't Wait Wednesday: Merry Little Kissmas

 

Can't Wait Wednesday

This week's book is.... Merry Little Kissmas

Author: Lauren Blakely

Publisher: Lauren Blakely Books

Release Date: October 28th, 2025

Blurb:

Wanted: A fresh shot at love for the holidays. But fake dating my brother’s grumpy best friend? He’s my new client, for Santa’s sake!

As a professional matchmaker, my biggest job this holiday season should be simple: find a date for the sexy single dad hockey player—aka my brother’s best friend—for his team’s fancy Christmas Eve gala.

Sure, Rowan’s hot as a crackling fire and spicier than a gingerbread man, but he hasn’t just sworn off romance. The Christmas hater has made a bet that I can’t find him a holidate.

What’s a matchmaker to do?

Win, of course. Even if it means fake-dating the Grinch myself to get him ready for the real thing.

Only…these fake dates at Christmas tree farms and hot cocoa competitions in the snowy small town of Evergreen Falls start to feel a little too real as I get to know the man behind the scowl. Somewhere between kisses under the mistletoe and a snowed-in night in his cabin curled up by the fire (where the stockings aren’t the only thing hung), I realize I’m in over my elf-loving head.

And when Rowan opens up to me at last about his painful past, I’m determined to give my brother’s best friend the holiday he deserves.

But what if the only gift I want him to unwrap this season is… me?

Explanation:

I am a big fan of Lauren Blakely's books as of late. Also, this cover alone would totally sell me on this book! Isn't it totally adorable?

As summer is winding down, I am totally getting geared up for colder weather. As such, I am hyped for holiday reads! I just know Lauren's funny banter is going to play in perfectly to a book like this!

Come back next week to discover another book I am excited for!

 Top 5 Tuesday: Books Guaranteed to Put an End to Your Reading Slump

Welcome back to Top 5 Tuesday, now following the list from That Artsy Reader Girl! As always, I do a top 5 instead of a top 10 because I tend to struggle to find 10 books for prompts.

This week's prompt is..... books guaranteed to put an end to your reading slump

These are in no particular order

1. Red Card by Maren Moore
2. When Ivy Met Adam by Jennifer J. Coldwater
3. Punt in the Dark by Ariana St. Claire
4. The P*ssy Next Door by Amy Award
5. The Party by Natasha Preston

Red Card by Maren Moore comes out today and is personally healing my reading slump, so it absolutely deserves a spot on this list. The rest of these are relatively quick reads that can help you get another book under your belt. For me it is always ease of reading that lets me get back into things.

As a preschool teacher, I do want to share that I will count some of my picture book reads to my total as well. I sat down and read the book; it has words, therefore it is allowed to count. If you are really feeling extra slumpy, this can be a super-easy way to finish a story, which can ignite your passion for reading again.

Here it all is in a pretty lil' graphic 😁

I am admittedly proud of myself for all that is going on in my life right now! I have truly been doing a lot better and getting a lot of wins after a while of struggles. Despite the new business, you aren't gonna get rid of me that easily! I'm still gonna post when I can and read lots of great books, just maybe not as fast. See you next week!

 Free for All Friday: In My Audiobook Era Tag

Intro

I am very much in my audiobook era lately. As such, this challenge is absolutely perfect for me right now! I cannot wait to gush about all of my favorite audiobooks with all of you lovelies!

I found this from Dini Panda Reads, so thank you for the inspiration!

As always, anyone who sees this and is interested is allowed to do this tag. 

The Prompts

• What is the first audiobook you ever listened to?
• Who are your favorite narrators?
• What audiobook platform do you use?
• What book did you love on audio that you might not have enjoyed reading physically? 
• What is your go-to audiobook speed?
• Do you prefer single or dual/multi-narration?
• Do you listen while multitasking, or do you sit and listen like a movie?
• What's your biggest audiobook pet peeve? 
• If you could have any book made into an audiobook, which one would it be?
• What's your all-time favorite audiobook experience?
• Have you ever listened to an audiobook that made you pause and say, "Wait... what did I just hear?!"

My Responses and Discussion

What is the first audiobook you ever listened to?

Becoming by Michelle Obama

This was the first audiobook I remember reading, and I must say it was a fantastic choice! It is narrated by her, and that adds oh so much value. Hearing her read her own life story was truly inspiring. I highly recommend it if you haven't read it already! It certainly opened up the world of audiobooks for me. 

Who are your favorite narrators?

Jacob Morgan

Admittedly, I do not know many narrator names. It is something I want to work on. Jacob is one of the few ones I recognize, and I know I enjoy his intonation. 

What audiobook platform do you use?

Libby, Bookfunnel, and occasionally Spotify

Libby is the platform I use the most by far. I love using my local library, and bonus points that it is free! It also allows good speed customization and scrolling, which I appreciate. Bookfunnel is usually how I get and listen to any ALCs (advanced listener copies) of audiobooks. It is always exciting when I get the chance to use them. Every once in a while, I use Spotify for audiobooks. I do enjoy the platform for listening, so perhaps I will use it more soon.

What book did you love on audio that you might not have enjoyed reading physically?

Bury Your Gays by Chuck Tingle

This book would be way too scary for me in any format other than audio. With audio, I am able to let the scary parts play very quickly, so it went by speedily. It makes sure I do not focus on my fear too much, but get to enjoy the whole narrative. 

What is your go-to audiobook speed?

3x speed

Yes, really. I do, in fact, listen to almost all books that quickly. My ADHD works better when I can process words faster. Especially on low focus days, if I wanna read, it's gonna have to be a quick audiobook. My partner says it is my superpower, which I do not really deny.

Do you prefer single or dual/multi-narration?

Multi-narration

I enjoy multiple narrators because I feel it makes the experience feel a lot more immersive. Then you get the feeling of real dialogue and different accents as applicable. That said, I will never skip a book just because it has single narration. 

Do you listen while multitasking, or do you sit and listen like a movie?

Multitasking

As mentioned before, my ADHD makes my listening needs and experience unique. As such, I often use audiobooks to make mundane tasks feel bearable. Things like laundry, grinding in video games, or even calming activities like coloring are made so much better with an audiobook for me. That said, there are times that I do just listen to the book if I have nothing else I need to be doing, or I feel like the book requires more attention to follow. 

What's your biggest audiobook pet peeve?

Continuous mispronunciation

To be clear, I am not talking about different accents or dialects. I am talking about things like the "freesh ava ca do" meme. It does not happen often, but when it does, I cannot stand the book and have to turn it off. 

If you could have any book made into an audiobook, which one would it be?

Bunny Season by Bindi Kennedy

I have mentioned this book countless times on my blog this year, but it is for good reason. It is an incredible story that absolutely needs more love. I highly enjoyed the story and think the banter and funny moments would transfer fantastically to audio. 

What's your all-time favorite audiobook experience?

Lights Out by Navessa Allen

This was an incredibly tough choice to make for me, but I remember thinking the narration for this one was truly perfect! The tone and sarcasm at various moments translated so well and made me feel like I was really there with the characters.

Have you ever listened to an audiobook that made you pause and say, "Wait... what did I just hear?!"

Will My Cat Eat My Eyeballs by Caitlin Doughty

I feel like the name says it all. It definitely had moments that were surprising, but I still quite enjoyed it for its informative nature. I've discussed this book many times on here, so I shall not rant more. 

Outro

This challenge was a lot of fun! It has a nice variety of questions that really made me think. Are you an audiobook fan? I'd love to hear all about your favorites! See you next Friday for another something fun!

July 2025 Reads

  July 2025 Reads 

This month, I read 8 books 

These books were 100% fiction

They were 13% physical, 38% digital, and 50% audio

The most popular genres were romance, contemporary, and childrens

My average rating was 4.28 stars

My longest reading day was the 13th

The Books

➽ The Brave Bats of Congress Avenue Bridge by Sandra LJ

➽ Sara's Game by Erine Lindsey

➽ One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune

➽ Nights with Him by Lauren Blakely

➽ Forbidden Nights by Lauren Blakely

➽ Citlali and the Spiny Lizard by Sandra LJ

➽ Icebreaker by Ariel Dawn

➽ Beartown by Fredrik Backman

Can't Wait Wednesday: Red Card by Maren Moore

 

Can't Wait Wednesday

This week's book is.... Red Card

Author: Maren Moore

Publisher: Forever

Release Date: August 12th

Series: Prescott University #1

Blurb:

Leaving it all on the field is one thing. Giving his all to love? Terrifying.

British bad boy Cillian “Kill” Cairney is ruthless on the rugby pitch. After getting a permanent red card from his team in London, the only team that will have him is an Ivy League school in New Hampshire. But the guys hate him, his coach doesn’t trust him, and worst of all? His starting position is in the hands of his coach’s fiery, rugby-obsessed, very off-limits daughter. Not only does he have to earn his coach’s respect, but Kill has to earn Rory’s—and nothing has ever seemed more difficult. That is, until she approaches him with a proposition that could benefit them both . . . 

Rory St. James has spent all her life immersed in rugby. Which is... part of the problem. She’s tired of being friend-zoned. She wants to get the guy, and to do that, she needs the frustratingly charming Cillian to teach her. But the more time they spend together, the more lines begin to blur. In a game where trust and loyalty are tested, who will be the winner? Or will love be the final red card?

Explanation:

I have absolutely adored every sport romance I have read from Maren and know that this one is bound to be a banger too. I am also super happy for her because this is her first traditionally published book! I was so lucky to be able to grab this on read now from NetGalley, so I will hopefully start reading this tomorrow! 

Don't worry, lovelies, I am returning with this series too! I like the chance to hype up books I know are on the horizon that I am excited for. It makes my heart super happy when we get the chance to find upcoming releases together. It could help expand all of your TBRs! If you are wondering where I've been, see my last post. See y'all next week. 

Top 5 Tuesday: Beachy Reads

Welcome back to Top 5 Tuesday, now following the list from That Artsy Reader Girl! I finally got my stuff together enough to follow the official prompts! 

This week's prompt is..... beachy reads

These are in no particular order

1. One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune
2. The Guncle Abroad by Steven Rowley
3. Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan
4. The Trouble with Love and Ink by Harriet Ashford
5. The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren

Honorable mention to Beach Read by Emily Henry, but that felt like a way too obvious choice. Only One Golden Summer (a 5-star read) was read this year because, unfortunately, my reading this year has lacked that fantastic beachy reading vibe. This is something I really want to fix through the rest of this year. 

Here it all is in a pretty lil' graphic 😁

I'm sorry I've been very inconsistent about posting here. In truth, my personal life has been incredibly busy with travel, a new job, and a health scare. Things are all good now, but I am trying my best to adjust to my new normal. Hopefully, I will see you back here for another Top 5 Tuesday next week!

Free for All Friday: Mid-Year Book Freakout Tag 2025

 Mid-Year Book Freakout Tag

Intro

Is it still close enough to mid-year to do this, right? Given how little I've read in July, I totally think it is. If anyone would still like to do this at the end of July, consider yourself tagged. 

This tag originated on the Earl Grey Books YouTube channel. I found it from the bookchestirecat blog. Thank you to them for the inspiration.

Now it is time to reflect on my reading so far and hope that the second half of the year lives up to it!  Let's get into the prompts and my picks!

The Prompts

• Best book you've read so far
• Best sequel you've read so far 
• New release you haven't read yet, but want to 
• Most anticipated release for the second half of 2025 
• Biggest disappointment 
• Biggest surprise 
• Favorite new (to you) author
• Newest favorite character
• Book that made you cry
• Book that made you happy
• Favorite book-to-screen adaptation
• Favorite review
• Books you need to read by the end of the year

My Picks and Discussions

Best book I've read so far

The First to Die at the End by Adam Silvera

I unsurprisingly totally loved this one! It really made me think and provided a lot more information about the world and the start of Death Cast. I enjoyed tandem reading it. This story will stick with me for a long time which is why it is currently my number one.

Best sequel I've read so far

Destructively Mine by Krista and Becca Ritchie

I have tremendously adored both of the books in this series so far. I am truly obsesessed with the characters in particular. Having a whole cast of morally grey individuals is fascinating and creates a lot of wonderful tension. I ate up every additional tidbit this sequel provided. 

New release I haven't read yet, but want to

Caught Up by Navessa Allen

The audiobook for the first one was truly fantastic! I am excited to see what I think of the second, and yes, I will absolutely be consuming the audiobook for it too!

Most anticipated release for the second half of 2025

Red Card by Maren Moore

Maren Moore is quickly becoming my favorite sports romance author to date. The way she writes swoony chemistry moments is incredible. This is her first trad published book, so I am so happy for her! I have the ARC for it, which I will be starting very soon!

Biggest disappointment

Never Been Shipped by Alicia Thompson

The publisher actually reached out to me to offer me the ARC for this one. I was totally ecstatic to be working with a major publisher. Unfortunately, this book was a huge DNF for me. I could not tolerate the utter lack of development of the characters over time. Needless to say, I probably won't be working with the publisher again for a while.

Biggest surprise

Will My Cat Eat My Eyeballs?: Big Questions from Tiny Mortals about Death by Caitlin Doughty

To clarify, I am not sure that I enjoyed this book. I have loved her YouTube channel for years and the way she tells stories. What surprised me was how much value I think this book has. Yes, it is a bit morbid; any book about death will be. The way that death is discussed feels so natural (as it should). I would totally recommend this book to anyone with any kind of questions about death. It discusses everything in a very approachable way.

Favorite new (to you) author

Courtney Peppernell

I will be discussing the book of hers I read further below for another prompt, so here I will simply discuss her writing. Her approach to poetry is beautiful and eye-opening. Her poetry made me feel not only seen but understood. I am not usually one to pick up a poetry book, but I happened to find the book below in a little free library and decided to give it a shot. I am so glad I did and hope to read more of her poetry in the future. 

Newest favorite character

Donna from the Colson Creek series by Erin FitzGerald

This is a character that very quickly wormed her way into my heart. While she is not a main character in the books, she is absolutely a prominent one. She is the caring mother figure we all need in life. Her spunk, wit, and caring nature made her rise quickly to the top of my list. I am usually pretty terrible at remembering character names, so it is saying a lot that I will never forget hers. 

Book that made you cry

Pillow Thoughts by Courtney Peppernell

I told you I would be discussing Peppernell's book more, well, here I am. This book covers a lot of very relatable subjects pertaining to love. Some happy and some sad. It made me think thoughtfully about loved ones I have lost, which brought about a few tears. I am very happy I read it, and the tears honestly just let me feel even more connected to the poems. If you think there is even a slight chance you would enjoy a bit of poetry, this book is worth picking up. 

Book that made you happy

One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune

This book gave me that stereotypical summer read feeling I was craving so bad. Yes, her books are all pretty similar, and I'm happy about that because I adore her writing style and would love more of it. It gave me all of the warm fuzzies and hope for life. I listened to this one on a road trip and spent most of the time just envisioning being on the lake with the characters, which was glorious. 

Favorite book-to-screen adaptation

The Hunting Wives (by May Cobb)

I'll be honest, I do not watch a lot of book-to-screen adaptations, especially if I read the book. They often are totally ruined because they are not like what I pictured in my head. The Hunting Wives on Netflix is not that loyal to the book by the time the season is over. It reminded me of the Riverdale series in that it seemed to mostly borrow all of the existing characters and what their relationships would be, and add a ton to it. If I were solely wanting it to be a loyal adaptation of a book I was obsessed with, I would be disappointed. That said, if I judge it as a series of its own, I quite liked it and plan to watch any future seasons. 

Favorite review

The Trouble with Love and Coaches by Harriet Ashford

This book was a delightful read that I gave 5 stars. I am one of Harriet's friends now, and honestly, my review totally showed that. It is definitely a lot of praise for her, but I love it for that very reason. You should check it out to witness me gush if nothing else. 

Books I need to read by the end of the year

The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff

The Autist's Guide to the Galaxy by Clara Törnvall

I could probably put my entire physical TBR here, and it would be a reasonable response to this prompt. I picked two books that I am in the middle of because I do not want them to further fall to the wayside to never be finished. They are both non-fiction because I made it a goal to read notably more non-fiction books this year than I did last year. I want to keep at least 10% non-fiction if not higher. I am loving both of these books a lot, but they do require me to think and truly process what they have to say, which is why they are currently unfinished. Help keep me accountable to finish these, y'all!

Final Thoughts

This was such a fun (though time-consuming) tag! I appreciated the chance to reflect on my reads so far this year and consider what I want to be part of my reading for the rest of the year. Do we have any in common? Now I am looking forward to further reflection at the end of the year. I wonder how many of my picks will be different. For now I bid you adieu and hope to see you next Friday for another fun tag!

Ice Breaker by Ariel Dawn and Penny Fox Review

 

* This review is spoiler-free *

4.25/5 ⭐

Blurb

Alex

Returning home to recover after a terrible injury is the only way to get back on the ice. But coming home to Ashbourne means coming home to him—Jordan Mackenzie, my little brother's best friend and the one man I can't resist. Which is why when Mack offers to help, I can't say no... even if it means destroying both of us in the process.

Can I keep my hands and my heart to myself this time around? Or will my addiction to Jordan ruin me for good?

Jordan

Alex Brewer is everything I want and everything I can never have. Which is why when he shows up at my rehab center like a hurricane, I know I need to keep my distance. The sooner I can get him back on the ice, the sooner I can get my life back to normal. The problem is that the more time I spend with Alex, the more tempted I am to give in to him and my secret desires. Will I finally let myself have what I want?

Or will history repeat itself and destroy what's left of us?

Best Quote From the Book

“I feel for the chain around his neck, gripping onto the ring and I tug it hard. He gasps against my mouth, and  I take control of this situation."

LGBTQ+ Representation

5/5 🌈

This book does contain bisexual and gay representation via the main characters. It is a key element of the plot due to this being an MM romance. It is done so in a positive and respectful manner. I appreciated that each of the MMCs had a different perspective about their queer identity, as it adds a lot to the realism. 

My Thoughts

This one has a ton of drama, so if that is your thing, you will totally eat this book up. This book is exactly what I've come to expect from a spicy MM read. It has all the elements you know and love.

There is a bit of miscommunication, but it seems fitting for the characters. The way they talked about things felt realistic and genuine.

As this book is pretty chunky, it did take me some time to get through it. That said, the high page count let me feel like I got to know the characters quite well.

This book does contain a lot of open-door spicy scenes, including a threesome. If that is not your vibe, I do not recommend this book.

I was gifted this book by the author. My review is honest.

 Joy Delivered Duet Release Day

Happy release day to the Joy Delivered  Duet by Lauren Blakely. This duet features Nights with Him and Forbidden Nights. Each of these wonderful stories has a full cast for the audiobooks. 

Nights with Him tropes:

💜tortured hero

💜mistaken identity

💜starts with a bang

💜one night stand

💜billionaire hero

💜no strings romance

💜forbidden romance

Nights with Him Synopsis:

I didn’t know who the smoldering man in the expensive suit was that first night.

Only that he was commanding.

Intense.

And exactly what I needed to forget my heartbreak.

But there’s no forgetting him the next day when Jack Sullivan walks into my office.

Philanthropic billionaire, brilliant businessman, my brand-new client…

And off-limits in every possible way.

We should have walked away.

Instead, we made a new arrangement.

Thirty nights. No promises.

Just stolen moments in penthouses, in Paris hotel rooms, on Manhattan balconies.

But the deeper we go, the harder it is to pretend this is just physical.

Because when Jack starts to share the things he loves with me—the symphony, books, late nights exploring the city—he’s impossible to resist.

And the more nights we spend tangled in pleasure, the more he owns my once-guarded heart.

Soon, I start to believe in something more.

But Jack doesn’t do love.

His past still owns too much of him.

And no matter how deep we fall, some risks feel too impossible to take.

Unless I can convince him that what we have is worth breaking every rule.

Forbidden Nights tropes:

❤ best friends to lovers

❤ lessons in seduction

❤ best friend’s sister

❤ he’s rich and generous

Forbidden Nights Synopsis

My best friend is gorgeous, wildly successful, and loves to spoil me. He’s also sworn off love.

Which is why Nate Harper is the perfect man to help me.

I’ve spent my life being in control. Now I want to learn how to let go, and Nate decides he’s the only one who can teach me.

If anyone can show me how to surrender, it’s my confident, outrageously flirty friend.

The deal? No strings. No feelings. No risks.

As we travel to London, New York, and decadent tropical islands, he proves just how good giving in can feel.

It’s only an arrangement. Nothing more.

Except now he’s looking at me differently.

Touching me like he doesn’t want to stop.

Kissing me like he wants these late nights to keep going.

And suddenly, what started as casual feels a lot like something real.

But his scars run deep.

His heart’s on ice.

And our friendship means too much to risk it.

Unless I can convince him that some things are worth the fall.

Where to Get Them

Both Nights with Him and Forbidden Nights are available on KU for the ebook. The audiobooks are available on Audible. If you are looking for some swoon-worthy romances to keep you company, this duet is perfect for you!

June 2025 Reads

  June 2025 Reads

This month, I read 9 books 

These books were 67% fiction

They were 22% physical, 44% digital, and 33% audio

The most popular genres were romance, contemporary, and LGBTQ+

My average rating was 4.58 stars

My longest reading day was the 20th

The Books

➽ Battle of the Bookstores by Ali Brady

➽ The Lion in the Library by Amy Award

➽ Forechecked by Forever by Ariana St. Claire

➽ The Bad Boy Rule by Maren Moore

➽ The Overtime Kiss by Lauren Blakely

➽ Pillow Thoughts by Courtney Peppernell

➽ Unprotected: a Memoir by Billy Porter

➽ The First to Die at the End by Adam Silvera

➽ You Too?: 25 Voices Share Their #MeToo Stories

WPS Author Interview Day 30: Alek L. Cristea

 WPS Author Interview Day 30: Alek L. Cristea

Welcome to day 30 of the Wonderland Pride Spotlight author interviews! Today I am interviewing Alek L. Cristea. To see all of the spotlight posts created by my lovely community, head over to the hashtag #wonderlandpridespotlight over on Instagram! 

Alek's Books

• Breakout
• Cornucopia
• Homogeny

The Interview

1. Are you LGBTQ+? If so, how?

"I'm a trans gay man who recently discovered I'm aromantic, proving that the queer journey of self-discovery never truly ends!"

2. What books of yours have LGBTQ+ representation, and what rep do they have?

"All of them! Cornucopia features an achillean couple as two of the main characters. Homogeny includes achillean, trans, and sapphic pov characters. Breakout has a large cast with three main pov characters, and every major character is queer. The three protagonists are Malek, who is pansexual and panromantic; Làhn, who is gay and still exploring his identity; and Trystan, a trans boy who identifies as gay."

3. Why do you think LGBTQ+ rep in books is important?

"My go-to answer is that growing up without representation meant taking decades to work through my own queerness, and I'd rather those coming after us don't have to go through that. But there's another crucial reason for representation that isn't discussed enough: non-queer folks need to see queerness simply existing in media. That way, our existence is normalised, and not something that needs justification, or for our stories to be only centered on the queer experience to exist. Queer media isn’t a niche or a genre."

4. What got you into writing?

"To be honest, I can't really pinpoint it. I've been 'telling myself stories' - as my parents would say – since I was a kid. It started with dolls and action figures, before stories started living rent-free in my imagination, and finally those stories started to make their way onto paper."

5. Who is a queer figure you look up to?

"If I had to pick the person I've looked up to for the longest, it's probably Stephanie Sterling of Jimquisition fame (if you're into video games). I've followed them for a long time, and they've always been openly political with views I strongly agree with. When they came out as nonbinary some years back, watching them blossom into their true self while becoming even more outspoken about their opinions was inspiring. It made me more confident that I should never silence my political views out of fear of others' reactions."

WPS Author Interview Day 29: Ryan Hamshaw

 WPS Author Interview Day 29: Ryan Hamshaw

Welcome to day 29 of the Wonderland Pride Spotlight author interviews! Today I am interviewing Ryan Hamshaw. To see all of the spotlight posts created by my lovely community, head over to the hashtag #wonderlandpridespotlight over on Instagram! 

Ryan's Books

• Keepers of the Crossing: The Dark Friars
• The Handsel Witches (coming September 16th)

The Interview

1. Are you LGBTQ+? If so, how?

"Yes - I’m happily gay!"

2. What books of yours have LGBTQ+ representation, and what rep do they have?

"My debut novel, The Dark Friars, is an urban fantasy and the first book in the Keepers of the Crossing series. It features queer representation, including gay and pansexual characters. I want this series to centre queer characters, exploring identity, relationships, and loyalty through a supernatural lens."

3. Why do you think LGBTQ+ rep in books is important?

"Growing up, I rarely saw LGBTQ+ characters in the books I read. I didn’t even realise something was missing at the time, but there was always this quiet feeling of: Where are the people like me? Everyone deserves to feel seen in stories. Representation affirms that our identities, our experiences, and our love are real and valid, and worth writing about."

4. What got you into writing?

"Writing has always been part of my life. From scribbling stories in school and writing fan fiction in my spare time, to contributing to my college magazine. I even studied scriptwriting at university, though I eventually dropped out because uni just wasn’t the right fit for me. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I had more time to explore something creative, and I reconnected with writing again. That’s when The Dark Friars really began to take shape."

5. Who is a queer figure you look up to?

"Sir Ian McKellen. He’s always inspired me - not just through his incredible acting, but through how openly and positively he lives. His pride and honesty have had a real impact on me, especially in how I approach my work. He’s shown that using your voice matters, and that stories, whether on stage, screen, or page, can be a powerful force for change."