- Twitter summary: Landon accidentally receives the wrong cake from Aubrey’s bakery and writes a scathing review, ruining Aubrey’s reputation as a pastry chef. Little did they know, they actually met each other at a bar on that fateful day…
- The good: I was salivating at Lee’s scrumptious food descriptions and thoroughly enjoyed imagining I was the one eating the food. It reminds me that I need a piece of cake, stat.
- The bad: I had trouble making genuine connections with both main characters and felt their lack of chemistry. It felt forced. However, my biggest issue with the book was the unnecessary obstacles — *spoiler alert* think daddy issues and the unplanned pregnancy — that ruined it for me.
- Recommendation: If you’re hungry and/or desperately craving dessert, then yes.
- Overall rating: 2/5 sweet buns
- Goodreads link
Lady Smoke by Laura Sebastian
- Twitter summary: Theo spends the majority of this book divulging her feelings to Soren and pretending to date potential suitors for her hand in marriage.
- The good: The normally dreaded Book 2 of a trilogy was not the case for this series. I can’t predict how this series will end and I am loving it. I appreciated the character and plot development as I found it realistic for a fantasy series. Minimal amounts of eye-rolling except for…
- The bad: Move over, Cress [Book 1]. Blaise has now overtaken the throne as worst character. In fact, I am intrigued to find out what Cress has planned in Book 3.
- Recommendation: Yes and Book 3 is on my TBR.
- Overall rating: 3/5 fire gems
- Goodreads link
Majesty by Katharine McGee
- Twitter summary: Beatrice is now the first Queen of America. Samantha is still irresponsible. Don’t even get me started on Daphne. No idea why Nina is still in this series.
- The good: The only redeeming protagonist that I enjoyed was Beatrice. Thank goodness she finally stood up for herself. You go, Queen Bee.
- The bad: Like a terrible car crash in which you can’t look away, I skimmed so I would know what happened. But let me be honest, I already knew what was going to happen. Nothing surprised me.
- Recommendation: No
- Overall rating: 2/5 royal weddings
- Goodreads link
Broken Strings by Eric Walters and Kathy Kacer
- Twitter summary: Shirli unravels her grandfather’s hidden past while searching the attic for props to use in her junior high musical.
- The good: Set in 2002, not long after 9/11, Walters and Kacer writes a beautiful story about Shirli, her grandfather’s past life experiences and the power of music. The key plot points were uplifting yet honest in delivery. I found myself drawn to Zayde’s vulnerability and truly appreciated the way the authors wrote about the Holocaust.
- The bad: Definitely written for a pre-teen audience and thus, I was constantly annoyed with the immaturity of the characters to truly enjoy the story.
- Recommendation: A heartwarming story but a bit too juvenile for me.
- Overall rating: 2/5 musicals
- Goodreads link
Rage and Ruin by Jennifer L. Armentrout
- Twitter summary: Trinity and Zayne, now bonded, can’t resist each other and Zayne is now as vulnerable as a human. Oh, and the Harbinger finally makes an appearance.
- The good: That’s who the Harbinger is, what?! Zayne is now a — what?! Armentrout has built this rich and captivating world of earthly Avengers (haha) and I can’t get enough. I am extremely interested to see how this series ends.
- The bad: I dislike cliffhangers — I need Book 3 stat, like yesterday. I am knocking this down to a 4/5 cookies in bed rating because, although I know this is a YA novel, I couldn’t stand Trinity at times. I’m rooting for her but grow up, your whole world is at stake. Hopefully, there will fulfilling character development in Book 3.
- Recommendation: Yes, please read so that maybe we can all petition to push up the publishing date for Book 3!
- Overall rating: 4/5 cookies in bed
- Goodreads link
Growing Young by Marta Zaraska
- Twitter summary: Stop buying the organic gluten-free food and popping dozens of supplements. Instead, focus on strengthening relationships and finding purpose in life.
- The good: I appreciated how Zaraska presented a well-balanced perspective (backed with scientific research) on the current day healthy living fads, e.g., fitness trackers, super foods and zen retreats. Each chapter is detailed with the right mix of science and Zaraska’s own experiences and opinions. Zaraska also ends each chapter with practical suggestions as a summary. I found the chapters about food and meditation particularly fascinating.
- The bad: At times, the detail was overwhelming and I ended up skimming through the content. I’ll likely pick-up a physical copy of the book to annotate.
- Recommendation: Yes, it’s time to shift our mindset to overall health and living life.
- Overall rating: 4/5 centenarians
- Goodreads link
Paris Is Always a Good Idea by Jenn McKinlay
- Twitter summary: After learning that her father is suddenly remarrying, Chelsea embarks on a quest to rekindle three old loves from her post-college gap year. Too bad she can’t seem to get rid of her annoying coworker.
- The good: I want this warm and fuzzy feeling to last. McKinlay wrote a perfect blend of fun, flirtatious banter and touches of grief and real life that made me smile. Sadly, I do not have any coworkers like Jason. P.S. the epilogue is perfect.
- The bad: Didn’t care for two specific scenes: (1) the Paris fight as it was utterly ridiculous and (2) the morning after conflict in Italy because it made the story feel cheap and terribly predictable.
- Recommendation: Yes, I definitely recommend and if I find myself needing a fun, breezy pick-me-up, I’ll read this book again.
- Overall rating: 5/5 Chianti Classico wine festivals
- Goodreads link
See No Stranger by Valarie Kaur
- Twitter summary: “Out in the world, I notice the unconscious biases that arise in me when I look at faces on the street or in the news. To practice seeing each of them as a sister or brother or family member, I say in my mind: You are a part of me that I do not yet know.”
- The good: Valarie Kaur is simply amazing. Some part inside of me told me to pre-order this book and embark on a daily lifetime journey of revolutionary love. This will be the book I share with family, friends and acquaintances. Read this book, labour in it for others, opponents and yourself. Kaur has provided us with her wisdom, stories and the revolutionary love compass. Let us begin.
- The bad: None except I now have a strong wonder of everything Kaur does. My eyes are wide open.
- Recommendation: Yes, I could give you a million and one reasons to read this book and labour in it.
- Overall rating: 5/5 revolutionary loves
- Goodreads link
Great and Precious Things by Rebecca Yarros
- Twitter summary: Life is full of choices.
- The good: This book has substance — I initially thought it was just about a macho guy coming back home after years away — and it was heart-warming to read. I loved Cam’s fortitude in fighting for his dad’s choice. Yarros writes a beautiful story about the relationships between brothers and father and sons.
- The bad: Ugh Xander. I knew there was more to him.
- Recommendation: Yes.
- Overall rating: 4/5 life choices
- Goodreads link
Love Lettering by Kate Clayborn
- Twitter summary: A talented hand-lettering artist predicted her client’s failed marriage and left a secret message on the wedding program. A year later, the ex-groom-to-be comes knocking on her door.
- The good: I’ve read many Chick Lit books and so I enjoyed the different culmination of the book. Readers, you’re in for a surprise because I seriously did not see that plot twist coming.
- the bad: I was interested in reading this book because I recently restarted bullet journalling. However, I quickly realized I didn’t care for the plot: Meg’s career direction — meh; her best friend — whatever; her annoying clients — goodbye.
- Recommendation: I’d skip unless you love finding calligraphy and lettering references.
- Overall rating: 2/5 secret messages
- Goodreads link
amongthecrowd reads 