WPS Author Interview Day 6: Kimm Topping

 WPS Author Interview Day 6: Kimm Topping

Welcome to day 6 of the Wonderland Pride Spotlight author interviews! Today I am interviewing Kimm Topping. To see all of the spotlight posts created by my lovely community, head over to the hashtag #wonderlandpridespotlight over on Instagram! 

Kimm's Books

• Generation Queer

The Interview

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

"Yep! I'm trans/gender fluid and queer."

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

"Generation Queer is my debut book and it features 31 people from around the country who started their advocacy as young people. They are artists, educators, and organizers all with different approaches to their work. There's representation across the entire LGBTQIA2S+ community in the book. The book also focuses on the ways that race, ethnicity, religion, disability, and class intersect with trans and queer experiences."

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

"It's essential! We need to see ourselves represented to know what possibilities there are. You might have heard Laverne Cox talk about 'possibility models.' LGBTQ+ people don't need to be superheroes, but it's so crucial for us to see possibilities for our future. To imagine full lives for ourselves, and more loving, inclusive futures for all. Books are one way we access and celebrate those stories."

4. What got you into writing?

"I've been drawn to writing and any forms of art that tell the truth since I was pretty young. I love that writing and art can express truths about humanity in meaningful ways that people can connect to and access. After working with LGBTQ+ youth for years, I wanted to celebrate their brilliance, advocacy, and joy through my writing. I plan to keep at it! I've been working on new nonfiction projects and experimenting with poetry and fiction."

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

"There are so many - all of the people featured in Generation Queer, of course. Janet Mock is also an incredible influence. Reading her book, Redefining Realness, was the first time I genuinely learned about trans people and communities in a positive way. I had the opportunity to see her speak, and it changed the way I understood myself. It helped me feel connected to this broader community."

WPS Author Interview Day 5: C.J. Tuma

 WPS Author Interview Day 5: C.J. Tuma

Welcome to day 5 of the Wonderland Pride Spotlight author interviews! Today I am interviewing C.J. Tuma. To see all of the spotlight posts created by my lovely community, head over to the hashtag #wonderlandpridespotlight over on Instagram! 

CJ's Books

• First Oaths (coming October 2025)
• Solemn Vows (coming February 2026)
• Sacred Orders (coming June 2026
• Last Rites (coming October 2026)

The Interview

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

"I am a nonbinary ace lesbian, so I tick a lot of LGBTQ+ boxes! lol"

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

"My series (co-written by my ace bestie) coming out in October features an MM main couple (one of whom is demisexual) and several LGBTQ side characters."

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

"I think it’s so important for people to be able to see themselves in characters, and for too long it’s been standard for the main couple in a book to be straight. I want my stories to be a place where people can feel seen and represented across the spectrum of sexuality. On top of writing with the assumption that all main characters are at least bi until proven otherwise, I strive to have my worlds be largely queer-normative—though there is a particular character in this upcoming series who is a jerk about it, but he’s the odd one out—because without the religious influences of the real world, why should LGBTQ+ people be considered aberrant or sinful? Many cultures used to celebrate queer folks, and it’s time to bring that back."

4. What got you into writing?

"I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember, but the biggest influence and the reason I’m still writing today is my fifth-grade teacher. I wrote a bit of description that I was particularly proud of about the moonlight on the snow one evening while walking to my best friend’s house, and then wrote it in my journal for school the next day. My teacher was so impressed with it that she read it for the whole class, and I think that was the first time I realized I might be good at it. From then on, I always knew I was going to be a writer, even if it took me decades more to get to the point of being happy enough with something to publish it."

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

"I can’t think of one particular person off the top of my head, but collectively, I would have to say the lesbians who took care of those dying during the AIDS crisis in the 80s. When everyone else was afraid to be near those who were ill because they weren’t sure how HIV/AIDS was transmitted and thus were willing to let them die alone, the lesbians stepped up and made sure they were looked after. They treated the ill and dying with the humanity that the rest of the world was not, and I think we could all learn a thing or two from their selflessness and the love they had for their queer brothers."

WPS Author Interview Day 4: Any

 WPS Author Interview Day 4: Any

Welcome to day 4 of the Wonderland Pride Spotlight author interviews! Today I am interviewing Any. To see all of the spotlight posts created by my lovely community, head over to the hashtag #wonderlandpridespotlight over on Instagram! 

Any's Books

• Y’a d’la fierté dans l’air (she is one of the authors in this anthology)

The Interview

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

"No, but love is love no matter who you are attracted to."

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

"Yes, I have one: Y’a d’la fierté dans l’air, an anthology in collaboration with Montreal Pride. In my story, Leila [fell] in love with a woman, and she is thinking about all the great moments they have together."

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

"Yes, very important because most of [us] know at least one person who is part of this community and they are inspiring, plus it’s help[ful] to write stories that have never been [written] before. They should be represented just like heterosexual[s]. Every one of us is unique." (Quote modified to be grammatically correct, all changes are in brackets)

4. What got you into writing?

"I always love[d] creating stories, even when I was a little girl, and after I lost my grandma, I thought a lot about what I would really love to do in life, and it was the first thing that came [to] my mind. I wanted to be in touch with my artistic side, and I found out that it was the first thing I really enjoyed [doing] without feeling anxious." (Quote modified to be grammatically correct, all changes are in brackets)

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

"If I have to pick just one, I would say RuPaul. I love RuPaul’s Drag Race, especially the karaoke part, and I always [end] up laughing and forget about my problems after watching the show."

WPS Author Interview Day 3: Adrienne Lothy

 WPS Author Interview Day 3: Adrienne Lothy

Welcome to day 3 of the Wonderland Pride Spotlight author interviews! Today I am interviewing Adrienne Lothy. To see all of the spotlight posts created by my lovely community, head over to the hashtag #wonderlandpridespotlight over on Instagram! 

Adrienne's Books

• Kestrel
• Killjoy (coming June 24th)

The Interview

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

"I’m bisexual grey-ace! And non-binary. I go by she or they."

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

"My debut novel, Kestrel, is an MM enemies-to-lovers sci-fi romance and the first in an ongoing trilogy. Both romantic leads are gay men. The sequel, Killjoy, which comes out June 24th, features the same couple, as well as sapphic, polyamorous, and trans representation in some of the prominent side characters."

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

"I think LGBTQ+ representation is vital, because it gives a safe space for diverse readers. Books like this help show we’re not alone, that we deserve our own happily ever after too. Having LGBTQ+ characters out fighting crime, slaying dragons, falling in love, running their own businesses, sailing the world on a pirate ship (or any other story you could think of) shows queer readers that we all deserve our own adventures. We’re not just side characters… we get to be the heroes of our own stories too."

4. What got you into writing?

"I’ve always known I wanted to be a writer. Even back in primary school, I was scrawling out story after story on notebook paper, accompanied by little illustrations. As I grew older and matured, so did my ideas, until they became complex novels. I can’t imagine a life without the joy of stories in it. I’m so privileged and happy that I get to share my writing with the world."

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

"This one really stumped me, because there are just so many to choose from! I’ll have to go with C.S. Pacat, though. Her books really opened my eyes to how deep and beautiful queer romance books are. I’d never read romance before that, and to say I was obsessed is an understatement. Her books inspired my own to eventually exist, because I wanted to create my own queer love stories too. And I haven’t stopped reading or writing diverse romance books since."

WPS Author Interview Day 2: Kai Jennex

 WPS Author Interview Day 2: Kai Jennex

Welcome to day 2 of the Wonderland Pride Spotlight author interviews! Today I am interviewing Kai Jennex. To see all of the spotlight posts created by my lovely community, head over to the hashtag #wonderlandpridespotlight over on Instagram! 

Kai's Book

• Cold Fire

The Interview

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

"Yes, gender fluid, pansexual and demisexual."

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

"All of my books have representation. I only write MM romance, or MM+ romance."

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

"Because I know what it's like to crave reading a story that you can see yourself in. There was nothing for so long, and when the dam finally broke and LGBTQ+ books became more numerous, I decided to publish some of my work and share it with others."

4. What got you into writing?

"I've been writing since I was in elementary. I struggle with it because of my ADHD and dyslexia, but working twice as hard to create my stories feels so rewarding that I can't stop. I needed a place to escape, and instead of daydreaming elaborate plots in my head, I started putting words to paper. There was nothing specific that started it, I just wanted a place to feel like I was home."

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

"Ian Mckellen is always at the top of my list. He's so unapologetically himself that I find it inspiring."

WPS Author Interview Day 1: Xan van Rooyen

 WPS Author Interview Day 1: Xan van Rooyen

Welcome to day 1 of the Wonderland Pride Spotlight author interviews! Today I am interviewing Xan van Rooyen. To see all of the spotlight posts created by my lovely community, head over to the hashtag #wonderlandlpridespotlight over on Instagram! 

Xan's Books

• Second Soul (releasing January 2026)
• Waypoint Seven
• Silver Helix
• My Name is Magic
• By the Blood of Rowans
• The Other Me
• I Heart Robot

The Interview

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

"I don't love labels and if I had any choice I probably would use any to describe myself - I'm just me afterall, but I understand how helpful labels can be in letting others know who I am so I describe myself as nonbinary and bisexual (meaning that I'm attracted to more than one gender) but I'm also more demi-ace, and these days I find myself drawn more and more to 'autigender' as my experience of gender and autism seem inextricably entwined."

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

"All my books have LGBTQ+ characters in them. My most recent novels feature nonbinary protagonists with an array of queer side characters. My two new novels also both feature nonbinary main characters as well as various other queer side characters. It might be easier to say which of my characters aren't queer!"

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

"Because despite how hard certain politicians might want to erase queer people, we are here - we have always been here, and LGBTQ+ people should be seen and heard just like every other person. We should be able to read stories about all identities and their various intersections, and young readers especially deserve to read books where they can see themselves reflected in the pages."

4. What got you into writing?

"I've always been an avid reader and started telling stories before I could hold a pencil. I used to dictate them to my mom before I could write. I can't ever remember a time I wasn't reading or writing. I had a really wonderful English teacher in high school who encouraged me to take writing a bit more seriously, but it wasn't until I was at university studying music, that a friend introduced me to NaNoWriMo, which is when I actually managed to write my first novel."

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

"Marsha P Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, and all the other trans people, especially the BIPOC trans community, who fought for queer rights during Stonewell and who have never stopped fighting despite the many layers of discrimination they face.  In particular, writers like bell hooks, Audre Lorde, and Octavia Butler are figures I look up to for their valuable work challenging the status quo through their work in education, activism, and fiction."

Free For All Friday: Spring Cleaning Book Tag

Free For All Friday: Spring Cleaning Book Tag

Intro

Hello loveslies! As the spring weather is coming to a close, what better time to finally complete a bit of bookish spring cleaning? Of course, this is just a book challenge. I actually managed my shelves not that long ago. I saw this tag on Dini Panda Reads' blog. Anyone who sees this is welcome to give the challenge a try! Let's get to cleaning!

The Prompts

• Getting started: A book series you've been wanting to read (Beartown)
• Cleaning/organizing closet: the best way to organize books (by author and series)
• Getting rid of unnecessary things: book/series you no longer need (Skink No SUrrender)
• Get some air: your favorite lighthearted read (Beg, Borrow, or Steal)
• Clean out the kitchen cupboards: your favorite food-themed read (Sweet on You (on a peach farm))
• Dust the shelves: the fifth book on your shelves (Unsteady by Peyton Corinne)
• Wishing for the end: a 2025 release you are excited about (Caught Up)
• Long but satisfying: the longest book series you've read (Wolf Mountain Ranchers)

My Picks and Explanations

Getting Started: I have really been wanting to try reading the Beartown series by Fredrik Backman. I've heard fantastic things about it, and I am a big hockey fan, so I think it would be totally up my alley!

Cleaning/organizing closet: I admit I don't have the best shelf organization due to very limited shelf space. That said, I always keep series and authors together. Otherwise, it is just based on what fits. 😬 Hopefully, in the future, I also have room to sort by genre.

Getting rid of unnecessary things: The only book on my shelves that I don't know if I would actually read is Skink No Surrender by Carl Hiaasen. I used to love his book growing up. I had gotten this one and even started it, but never got the chance to finish it. 

Get some air: I had a bit of trouble deciding what book I've read recently that would actually be considered nearly entirely lighthearted. That is when I landed on Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams. I remember it being quite lighthearted and a fun read. If I am incorrect and forgot something notably heavy, my apologies.

Clean out the kitchen cupboards: There are very few food-themed books I've read, which feels like a fail on my end, and I will do my best to remedy this in the near future. That said, I did recently read a book set on a peach farm, so I think that counts. Right? That book is Sweet on You by Dani Galliaro.

Dust the shelves: After referencing my shelves, the fifth book on it is Unsteady by Peyton Corinne. Which I admit I saw in Barnes & Noble one day, and totally fell in love with the cover. Needless to say, I really want to read it when I have the time. It appears to not be too long. 

Wishing for the end: Admittedly, I have a whole series on my blog called Can't Wait Wednesday, so I had a lot of trouble deciding which I wanted to choose for this challenge. In the end, Caught Up by Navessa Allen won out. I cannot wait to experience more of her dark comedic writing later this year!

Long but satisfying: This prompt seems to really be made for the fantasy reader girlies, so this isn't really for me. I am also generally not a fan of super-long series, so the longest I could remember reading in recent memory was the Wolf Mountain Ranchers series by Erin FitzGerald. 

Outro

Well, lovelies, we have come to the end. Do you feel cleaner? I don't know if I would go that far, but I do feel productive, so that is worth something. I absolutely love doing book tags like this one, so if you discover any in the book blogging world, feel free to send them my way! I will see you all on Sunday for the start of the Wonderland Pride Spotlight interviews!

 Wonderland Pride Spotlight Lineup

Hello lovelies! Today, I'm here to share all of the authors involved in the Wonderland Pride Spotlight project this year! You will get to see interviews with them every single day of Pride! Thank you to everyone who is participating and giving this project love!

The Lineup

• Xan van Rooyen
• Kai Jennex
• Adrienne Lothy
• Any
• C.J. Tuma
• Kimm Topping
• Sonia Blue
• Paul Coccia
• Jo Morgan
• M.E. Samm
• G. L. Rueda
• Gabriel Hargrave
• R. Dawnraven
• Logan Sage Adams
• Rachel O’Rourke
• D.C. Emerson
• Rochelle Wolf
• A.E. Jensen
• Diahanna Aurora Hampton
• Kree Sullivan
• Lacey Ray
• Bree Wiley
• Dakota Jackson
• Marlon Yelich
• Rian Durant
• Kate Hyers & J.C. Smith (an author duo)
• Christopher Hartland
• Kelly Brocklehurst
• Heather Leighson
• Rayne Hawthorne
• Iris Retzlaff
• Ryan Hamshaw
• Alek L. Cristea

Outro

Isn't this lineup incredible? Each person listed here is an indie author who includes LGBTQ+ characters in their work. Many of whom are part of the LGBTQ+ community themselves. See you this Pride month!

Free For All Friday: The Wonderland Pride Spotlight Project

 

Free For All Friday: The Wonderland Pride Spotlight Project

Discussing My Project

Over on Instagram, I'm starting a project called The Wonderland Pride Spotlight project. All of Pride month, different LGBTQ+ authors and authors who include rep will be featured each day. All of these authors were personally interviewed by me as part of the project. I will be including the full interviews on my blog each day (I apologize for the spam in advance).

The project is designed to showcase books with representation in hopes that it becomes more normalized. The real world has many queer people in it, the literary world should too. 

If anyone is interested in participating, just let me know! 

Behind the Scenes

The existing support for this project has been overwhelming! It is truly a wonderful feeling to see just how many people are as passionate as I am about using their platform to uplift marginalized voices. I am so very thankful for everyone who has given me the chance to make this project the success I'm hoping it will be!

Speaking to the authors has been nothing less than inspiring. To see why each and every one of them got into writing, why they find rep important, and what queer figures they look up to has truly been fascinating. I've found the entire experience surprisingly enlightening. The kindness and compassion they have expressed to me warms my heart. 

I'll admit, setting up this project has been a ton of work, but it is a labor of love to be sure! I've had to do a lot of speaking to strangers to make this happen, which was definitely a hurdle with my social anxiety. That said, I've done it and I'm massively proud of myself. 

This year, I've created a guide to help posters have all of the information they need in one place. My goal is to simplify everything related to the project for the participants. I assessed what went well and what didn't to make big changes from last year's version of the project. It was a lot to assemble, but I benefit from it as well. I still have to get to work on my own posts, but that is my plan for the rest of today. 

Here's to hoping the project runs smoothly come June! I've got to get back to work!

Can't Wait Wednesday: Till Summer Do Us Part

 

Can't Wait Wednesday

This week's book is.... Till Summer Do Us Part

Author: Meghan Quinn

Publisher: Bloom

Release Date: June 3rd

Blurb:

Scottie Price just started a new job, and it's a real sausage fest. She's the only woman on a team filled with Brads and Chads. Expecting a bachelor pad atmosphere, she is quickly corrected when she finds out everyone is happily married.

In an effort to impress her boss, Scottie mentions her nonexistent husband in a company meeting. But eagle-eyed Chad points out her lack of wedding ring. Panicked, Scottie creates a story about her unhappy marriage. Unfortunately for Scottie, her boss has a solution—a one-on-one session with the best marriage counselor in the Northeast, who happens to be her boss’s husband.

With no way out of her lie, Scottie agrees to see him. Frantic, she calls in help from her best friend, who sets her up with his brother, an improv-obsessed millionaire.

Enter Wilder Wells. More than happy to take on the job, he teaches Scottie the main rule of improv: always say yes. But the rule backfires during the session when Wilder signs them up for an eight-day summer marriage camp with all of Scottie’s co-workers, where she’ll have to share a cabin with her way-too-handsome fake husband.

Explanation:

I loved her book, Bridesmaid by Chance. You can see my thoughts on it here. I am so incredibly in the mood for a summery romance book. They are all such a vibe, and I am here for it! With the dreary weather I've had lately, I have to read about sunshine to make up for it.  Luckily for me, I have the ALC and so far I'm really loving it! Stay tuned for my thoughts on it.

 

Top 5 Tuesday: Books with Hearts on the Cover

Welcome back to Top 5 Tuesday! This week, I'm feeling the love, and what better way to celebrate than with hearts

This week's prompt is..... books with hearts on the cover

These are in no particular order

1. Wild Love by Elsie Sliver
2. The Girlfriend Zone by Lauren Blakely
3. Punt in the Dark by Ariana St. Claire
4. The Trouble with Love and Coaches by Harriet Ashford
5. Overturned by Lamar Giles

These are all books I've read in 2025. Admittedly, there may be some higher-rated books in previous years, but I try to keep my picks as recent as possible on here. These are all books I enjoyed and would recommend. 

Here it all is in a pretty lil' graphic 😁

I'm so happy I got a chance to get this up for you all this week. Yay me for pre-planning! I'll see you all next week for even more fun!

Free For All Friday: 2025 Reading Firsts

 

Free For All Friday: 2025 Reading Firsts

Describing the Tag

The 2025 Reading Firsts tag is all about discussing which book you read (or other milestone) first in various categories. It seemed like the perfect opportunity to look back at some of my earlier reads and reminisce. I saw A Knight's Reads do this and knew it would be perfect for me. 

If you see this and feel like you wanna give it a try, consider yourself tagged! 

The Prompts

• First book read in 2025
• First book reviewed in 2025
• First debut novel read in 2025
• First new-to-me author of 2025
• First book that slayed me in 2025
• First book of 2025 I wish I could get back the time I spent reading it

My Picks and Explanations

If any of these books fit multiple prompts, I would choose the next book to have all different reads

First book read

Don't You Cry by Mary Kubica

I had mixed feelings about this one. I had a lot of trouble keeping up with the different perspectives, which didn't help my experience. If you pick this one up, maybe try physical or digital because the audio didn't work out.

First book reviewed

Recommended Reading by Paul J. Coccia

My first review on my blog of the year! You can check it out here. Spoiler alert, I quite enjoyed it and recommend it to anyone who likes LGBTQ+ YA stories.

First debut novel

Good Lookin' Cookin' by Dolly Parton and Rachel Parton George

This is a bit of a cop-out answer, as it is certainly not Dolly's first book. That said, it is Rachel's first book. Admittedly, I only listened to the audiobook, so I cannot speak to the recipes personally, but I am confident they are fantastic. 

 

First new-to-me author

When Haru Was Here by Dustin Thao

The real answer is Mark Kubica, but as discussed earlier, I'm not repeating. Well, Dustin was my second and... I wish he weren't. I did not like this book very much. I haven't heard anything better about his other stories either. The cover art is by far the best part about his books. 

First book that slayed me

Bunny Season by Bindi Kennedy

I wasn't entirely sure what this prompt meant, so I took it to mean my first 5-star read of the year. This book is incredible, and Bindi is an incredible human who deserves all of the love! If a hockey romcom is at all of interest to you, this is a must-read!

First book I regret reading

Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren

I normally enjoy the books by Christina Lauren, but unfortunately, this was not one of them. The miscommunication in it is so monstrously bad. The book would be significantly shorter if even a single productive conversation had happened. 

Final Thoughts

Wowie, this was quite the adventure down memory lane. We had some highs and some lows. I liked this challenge and how simple it was. Have you read any of these? I'll see all of you again next Free For All Friday, where who knows what we will end up discussing. Fridays will always be my favorite blog day because I get to show the most of my personality in my posts. 

Can't Wait Wednesday: Problematic Summer Romance

 

 Can't Wait Wednesday

This week's book is.... Problematic Summer Romance

Author: Ali Hazelwood

Publisher: Berkley

Release Date: May 27th

Series: Not in Love

Blurb:

Maya Killgore is twenty-three and still in the process of figuring out her life.

Conor Harkness is thirty-eight, and Maya cannot stop thinking about him.

It’s such a cliché, it almost makes her heart implode: older man and younger woman; successful biotech guy and struggling grad student; brother’s best friend and the girl he never even knew existed. As Conor loves to remind her, the power dynamic is too imbalanced. Any relationship between them would be problematic in too many ways to count, and Maya should just get over him. After all, he has made it clear that he wants her gone from his life.

But not everything is as it seems—and clichés sometimes become plot twists.

When Maya’s brother decides to get married in Taormina, she and Conor end up stuck together in a romantic Sicilian villa for over a week. There, on the beautiful Ionian coast, between ancient ruins, delicious foods, and natural caves, Maya realizes that Conor might be hiding something from her. And as the destination wedding begins to erupt out of control, she decides that a summer fling might be just what she needs—even if it’s a problematic one.

Explanation:

I have enjoyed all of Ali Hazelwood's releases to date, excluding Bride (I will not be reading that one because I know it is not at all for me). I am so incredibly ready for a summery romance story, and I know this one will fill that craving. I am also super excited to go back to the characters of Not in Love. It should be a fantastic read for me!

What new release are you hyped for?

Top 5 Tuesday: Reading Spots

Welcome back to Top 5 Tuesday! This week, I'm gonna talk about where I love to read

This week's prompt is..... reading spots

These are in order, for once

1. My bed
2. In a beach chair at the lake
3. In my headphones while on a walk
4. At my desk
5. Curled up in a corner with many pillows and a blanket

I like to be comfortable and love some pretty sights. What are your favorite reading spots?

Here it all is in a pretty lil' graphic 😁

I'm currently very wrapped up in planning my Wonderland Pride Project, so tbd on if there will be a blog post next week

Free For All Friday: The Folklore Book Tag

 

Free For All  Friday: The Folklore Book Tag

Intro

Hello lovelies! I'll admit, I'm not a huge Swiftie at this point. That's my sister. I liked her when she did country, but after that, I kept less track of her. In honor of my sister's love and how much I like this challenge's prompt, here is my take. 

If you are a Swiftie, how are my picks?

The Rules

• Link to the original creator: you can check her out here (she is no longer an active blogger, though)
• Tag at least 3 people.... well, the first three people to see this and want to do it... consider yourself tagged
• Declare the rules and list of prompts in your post
• Thank whoever tagged you and link to their post. I was "tagged" by Leslie at Books are the New Black, which you can check out here

The Songs and Their Prompts

• The 1: a book with an ending that left you speechless
• Cardigan: a book that makes you feel happy and sad all at once
• The Last Great American Dynasty: a book with a fascinating and extremely well-told story
• Exile: a book you wish you hadn't read
• My Tears Ricochet: a book that made you cry uncontrollably
• Mirror Ball: a book that feels like it was written just for you
• Seven: a childhood book that makes you feel nostalgic
• August: a book that reminds you of summer
• This is Me Trying: a book that deals with loneliness and sadness
• Illicit Affairs: a book that gave you a book hangover
• Invisible String: a book that came in your life at exactly the right time
• Mad Woman: a book with a female character you adore
• Epiphany: a book that is haunting
• Betty: a book couple that fills you with yearning
• Peace: a book character you'd die for because you love them so much
• Hoax: a book you thought you were going to love but didn't

My Picks and Explanations

The 1

Heartbreak Beach by Bailey Thomas

The ending of this one certainly left me speechless... but not in a good way. It took possibly the dumbest twist I've ever read. I won't say more to avoid spoilers, but just know... I hated this book and do not recommend it. 

Cardigan

A Mark on My Soul by Jordon Greene

This one was a very endearing story initially. It then definitely made me cry by the end. I won't be explaining why (again to avoid spoilers). If you are looking for a queer story that will make you cry, I highly recommend. 

The Last Great American Dynasty

Such a Bad Influence by Olivia Muenter

The way this book covers the impacts of social media in a thriller setting was truly fantastic. I loved how it flowed from thrilling to calmer moments. Seeing the current-day setting truly shape the book was incredibly fascinating.

Exile

Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

This one was such a miss for me. I felt like the annoyingness and stupidity of the MC took away from the important message Kuang was trying to make. I ended up just annoyed by the end. I was better off sticking to just knowing this book from the reviews. (I know this one is super popular, but I am welcome to my opinion, as are all of you).

My Tears Ricochet

Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid

I became wildly emotionally invested in this one and absolutely loved it. I absolutely bawled at the heartbreak and triumph at the end of it. (You guessed it, no elaborating to avoid spoilers). 

Mirror Ball

The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Absolutely everything about this book (and the series as a whole) is perfect to me. When I first read it as a freshman in high school, I was super hooked. The way it blended psychology with a cast of interesting YA characters was peak for me. Unlike most people, who are the opposite, this book got me into Criminal Minds. 

Seven

Magic Treehouse #16: Hour of the Olympics by Mary Pope Osbourne

This one was a true childhood favorite of mine in a series I collected and read as many as I could. I would find them at library book sales and see how large I could build my collection. I picked this one in the series in particular because it also plays into a special interest of mine: the Olympics. I've always been obsessed with it. (Yes, I know the ways it is problematic, it's part of my fascination).

August

Meet Me at the Lake by Carley Fortune

Honestly, all of her books feel like the perfect embodiment of summer to me. I love all of them, but this one was my favorite. As a kid who would spend summer at a lake, it was the life experience I wish I had.

This is Me Trying

The Manicuist's Daughter by Susan Lieu

This book conveys familial and racial pressure quite well. She discusses how she always felt alone amongst her own people. 

Illicit Affairs

Destructively Mine by Krista and Becca Ritchie

I just finished this one, and honestly, all other books feel dull compared to it. As such, I am struggling to get through them. I highly recommend this series as I am truly obsessed with these characters. I will be UNWELL when this series ends. 

Invisible String

The Hunting Wives by May Cobb

It was when I read this book that made it a 5-star for me, and a book I will never forget. I absolutely pictured one of the main characters as my neighbor, and my brain absolutely latched on to the concept. I was in the perfect mood for a thriller like it, and I'm so thankful I picked it up when I did. 

Mad Woman

Bunny Season by Bindi Kennedy

Lotte (the FMC) is so sweet, and I could totally see myself being best friends with her. She had really human flaws that made me love her even more. 

Epiphany

Wait Till Helen Comes by Mary Downing Hahn

I don't read almost any "haunting" books, so I had to pull a childhood favorite. It has a ghost who haunts, so I think it counts. It was a book my mom introduced to me, which means it has a special place in my heart. 

Betty

Streams and Schemes by Rebecca Kinkade

The couple in this one is oh so hot! I love them and their banter so much. I just find them so dynamic that they have me hooked. 

Peace

Will from Practice Makes Perfect by Sarah Adams

I'll admit, I don't really feel like I'd die for any book character, so I just picked one I like and would love to know in real life. Will takes time to come out of his shell, and that is always endearing to me. 

Hoax

Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez

It turns out I didn't even actually rate it. I felt so meh about the book, I couldn't even form enough of an opinion to give it a star rating. Everyone raves about Jimenez's writing, but it is mediocre to me. 

Conclusion

Woo boy, I have a feeling some of the picks I have here are gonna ruffle some feathers. As a friendly reminder, everyone is allowed to have their own book tastes and discuss what did and did not work for them. I had a lot of fun with this challenge, and it reminded me about a lot of books I haven't thought about in a hot minute. 

Can't Wait Wednesday: Caught Up

 Can't Wait Wednesday

This week's book is.... Caught Up

Author: Navessa Allen

Publisher: Zando – Slowburn

Release Date: June 10th, 2025

Series: Into Darkness

Blurb:

I wanted this woman, and I was a man who always got what he wanted.

Nico 'Junior' Trocci knows Lauren Marchetti is off limits. She is sweetness and laughter, whereas Junior exists in a world of violence and depravity. Men like him don't get to have women like her. It's why he pushed her away back in high school and has kept his distance ever since.

But when Junior looks Lauren up online, he discovers the shy, bookish girl he remembers is gone. In her place is a strikingly beautiful woman whose social media is filled with scantily clad pictures of herself and a connection to a nearby play club. Junior's innocent curiosity quickly turns into a dark obsession. But watching Lauren from a distance isn't enough; he needs to make her his.

He's ruthless; a walking red flag. Good thing red is my favorite color.

Lauren is intrigued by the mystery man who keeps showing up at her club, who tempts her white-hot desires. But as their flirty online messages stir up a deeper form of connection, Lauren worries she's developing real feelings for this brooding stranger. As their combined desire ratchets up to a breaking point, who will seduce who? And will they survive the fall?

Explanation:

I was absolutely obsessed with the audio for the first book in this series. It was so funny despite being a dark romance, so when I discovered a second one is coming out soon, you just know I have to pick it up! 

I hope that the audio for this one lives up to the wonderful and funny vibes of the first. I've totally been in the mood for Allen's type of humor lately, so this book can't come out soon enough! Based on what she has revealed about it on socials, it should be a wonderful time just like Lights Out.

See you next week for another exciting upcoming release!

 

Top 5 Tuesday: Non-Fiction Books

Welcome back to Top 5 Tuesday! This week, I wanted to dive into a genre I often don't appreciate enough

This week's prompt is..... non-fiction books

I have read all of these books this year. I might go back at the end of the year and see if my list changes at all. They are in order based on my star rating. 

1. Will My Cat Eat My Eyeballs?: Big Questions from Tiny Mortals about Death by Caitlin Doughty
2. Smoke Gets in Your Eyes: And Other Lessons from the Crematory by Caitlin Doughty
3. Be Prepared by Vera Brosgol
4. The Manicurist's Daughter by Susan Lieu
5. Good Lookin' Cookin': A Year of Meals - A Lifetime of Family, Friends, and Food by Dolly Parton and Rachel Parton George

Can you tell I like Caitlin Doughty? She has a YouTube channel called Ask a Mortician. It's where I first discovered her and fell in love with her style of storytelling. If you don't mind learning about death, I highly recommend her books and videos.

Here it all is in a pretty lil' graphic 😁

Hopefully, I'll see you back here next Tuesday!

Destructively Mine by Krista and Becca Ritchie Review

 

* This review is spoiler-free *

5/5 ⭐

Blurb

As the daughter of a con artist, Phoebe Graves only knew a life of swindling the rich until her best friend and fellow grifter, Hailey Tinrock, proposed an idea to start a new, honest life in a wealthy college town of Connecticut. Once there, they decided to leave behind their deceitful tricks and be truthful for once. But you know what they say about best intentions. . . .

While Phoebe is fake-dating Jake Waterford, the third-born son to an uber-wealthy and influential family, she’s actually dating and falling deeper in love with Brayden “Rocky” Tinrock—Hailey’s older brother. To make matters more complicated, Phoebe’s mother shows up out of the blue with conniving match-making designs of her own.

Her mother’s arrival threatens to unravel Phoebe’s plans. To keep her love, her friends, and her newfound happiness, Phoebe will have to return to her old games . . . and win.

Best Quote From the Book

“Like I'm an open book, when I feel like I've always lived untouched and lost on a dusty shelf. How long has he held the pages of who I am? How long has he loved each messy line? How long have I loved the pages of who he is?"

LGBTQ+ Representation

4/5 🌈

This book does contain bisexual and pansexual representation via the main characters. I like that it is just part of them and isn't made a big deal. I do wish it were a bit more impactful for their storylines, but other than that, zero complaints. 

My Thoughts

I am well and truly obsessed with this book and these characters. Which should come as no surprise if you are at all familiar with my review of the first book in the series. I was obsessed with them then, I'm still obsessed now. They are the perfect morally grey characters that have me totally rooting for them while still questioning their choices. This one is even more twisted than the first, with more exciting and dark characters added to the mix. I don't think it is possible to be more invested in a group of characters than I am with these guys. I will be very impatiently awaiting the third book in the series. 

There is a delicious amount of tension throughout this story. Both between Rocky and Phoebe and the stakes they are in. This is masterfully interwoven with funny moments to create an addictive story. It has me swooning, laughing, crying, and everything in between. Which is a testament to how much these characters mean to me. 

My only complaint is that this story included another "event that shall not be discussed and will only be referred to by the location it occurred." Thankfully, the suspense doesn't last nearly as long in this one. 

This book does contain spice that is well-intertwined with the plot. If that is not your thing, I do not recommend this book because it is a key part of the characterization. I will also say, this was some of the most respectful and communicative spice I've ever read. I wish this were the norm in books because it was legitimately healthy in that way.

Overall, it sums up to the fact that this book has left me an emotional wreck, and I'm thankful for it. If you are looking for morally grey characters you are gonna care about, I highly recommend this series. 

I received this book as an ARC from Valentine PR. My review is honest and voluntary.

Friday Free For All: Rory Gilmore's Reading List

 

 Friday Free For All: Rory Gilmore's Reading List

How Many I've Read and My Thoughts

Hello lovelies! Fancy seeing you here for another week. I recently started watching Gilmore Girls for the first time, and needless to say, I am OBSESSED! Rory and her reading habits have totally stolen my heart. Dedicated fans have kept track of every book she's read throughout the show. In this blog, I'll get into the ones I've read, my thoughts on the list, and general thoughts on reading lists like this one. 

I'm sure we are all shocked to know I haven't read all that many books from the list. I was a newborn when the show started, and her reading taste is mainly before that. This is a judgment-free zone. If you want to check out the list and see how we compare, you can check it out here. 

I shall list out the ones I've read and some very brief thoughts

• 1984 by George Orwell (a must-read for everyone, especially in the current world situation)
• Candide by Voltaire (I was desperately waiting for this one to be over. Candide (the character) pissed me off at various moments)
• Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury (another must-read, given the censorship currently occurring)
• Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (I actually enjoyed this one; we had to write poems inspired by the story for my English class in high school)
• The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (my absolute favorite classic. What can I say, I like reading about rich people making poor decisions)
• The Jungle by Upton Sinclair (this one was so graphic but also so important for its time)
• Lord of the Flies by William Golding (I don't think I could've hated this book more. It grossed me out. The movie is worse)
• Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse (I actually read this one at the request of my partner, while not my vibe, it was inspiring)
• A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams (we acted this one out in English class, I enjoyed it, but I had way too many parts to focus on any parts of the story that weren't mine)
• To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (another favorite classic of mine, it has truly stuck with me)
• Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll (you'll be shocked to know I've read this one. It totally didn't inspire the name for my bookish persona at all...)
• Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White (an iconic book that made my childhood. The movie is also adorable. 
• Eloise at the Plaza by Kay Thompson (Eloise is an icon that I aspire to be)
• Encyclopedia Brown: Boy Detective by Donald J. Sobol (my stepdad loved this series and passed on the excitement to me. While not my favorite children's mystery series, it is nice)
• Goldilocks and the Three Bears by Jan Brett (I have to question who hasn't read this story, and the million adaptations of it)
• Horton Hears A Who! by Dr. Seuss (I feel like I recall enjoying the movie for this one. I read every Seuss book I had access to a million times as a kid. Unfortunately, the author isn't a great person)
• How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss (a Christmas classic my family reads (and watches) almost every December)
• Nancy Drew and the Witch Tree Symbol by Carolyn Keene (this was the mystery series my mother loved a lot. I read a lot of them as she had the whole collection)
• Stuart Little by E.B. White (the only children's story on her list I didn't love. I think I thought it was lame as a kid)
• Night by Elie Wiesel (I cannot convey enough how much this one made me sob. It's real and horrifying, and while set in the past, is starting to look like our future)
• Beowulf (I read this, but don't remember it at all)
• Hamlet by William Shakespeare (one of many of his plays I read)
• Macbeth by William Shakespeare (a classic for a reason)
• The Merry Wives of Windsor by William Shakespeare (it was absolute chaos trying to read this aloud in class)
• A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare (my favorite of his plays)
• Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare (we all know it, only some love it)

For almost all of these being notably older than me and not being a big classics fan, I feel I did quite well. 26 out of... well... many... I'm proud of myself. I also saw a few on my TBR, such as A Picture of Dorian Grey, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, and Middlesex. I don't think I'll be making a challenge of reading the whole list, but I hope to use it as inspiration.

Obviously, my main "issue" with the list is that there are none of the modern books I've read and loved. That is due to the show ending in 2007. I'd be very curious to see what books were on here if Rory were reading in 2025. I have to admire that the list is shockingly varied. Every genre is represented, and many of the books that are notable to the zeitgeist at the time are on the list. 

Most of the books on this list (apart from the children's books) were read as part of my school education. I'm actually pretty pleased by this because it shows that my education was making us read important books. A lot of these stories gave me perspectives about the world I wouldn't have gotten otherwise. While there were some I didn't love, they were still worth reading to expand my horizons. 

Lists like this are a blessing and a curse. They can introduce you to new stories and remind you of old favorites. That said, they can also literally shame, or feel like shame, people for not reading the books on the list. This list has 399 books on it. I've read 6% of that. I've barely scratched the surface. While I don't necessarily feel this in this case, there are a lot of lists that feel like they are mocking you for not having the elite reading from reading every book on the list (looking at you, Goodreads). So it really depends on the list on whether I feel animosity for it. Overall, this was a fun list, and I hope to check back in with it in a few years to see if I've read anything else on it.