Review: Trial of the Cursed Egg by Serenity Rayne

Trial of the Cursed Egg: Dragonis Academy Year One by Serenity Rayne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really wanted to LOVE LOVE this book, but I only liked it. Perhaps I should explain...

Mina was raised by a man who pushed her beyond what would be considered normal. At first you think it's an overprotective father who just wanted to make sure she could take care of herself in a world that would take who she is and fear her or want to rid the world of her, or both... what we find out later shocks the heck out of us. (You'll have to read to find out!)

For year one of an academy book, I expected more friend groups in her peers other than her mate's (Abraxis) sister, Cora. Instead, you only get to know her nest mates. It feels like there should be more meat to the first year; bonds formed, friends lost, enemies made (and Ms. Rayne does that in spades!).

I feel some of the scenes were rushed through and the battles could have been drawn out a little bit.

Now, my nit picking aside, I was drawn into this book and flipping way past my bedtime. So that's why this book gets my 4 star rating. It deserves accolades for Mina and her kick ass attitude, and for Abraxis and his touch her and die vibes. Character development, CHECK CHECK CHECK!

I'd like to thank the author and Literary Inspired for allowing me the pleasure of reading this book.

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Audiobook Review: Insignificant Others by Sarah Jio

Insignificant Others by Sarah Jio
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lena's had a life filled with missed opportunities or Insignificant Others if you please. After the failure of one of these opportunities, she runs home to her aunt for comfort. Once Rosie goes to bed, Lena remembers the studio in the backyard and decides to check it out. Once inside, she falls asleep and is thrust into a series of "what if" scenarios of the men she's met in her life. Some of the instances are great, and some... just NOT! The lessons Lena learns throughout this book are invaluable and are some lessons we all should learn.

Ms. Jio did an excellent job piecing together this tangled web. I enjoyed getting to know Lena and all the men in her life... well, almost all of them.

I did find that this book could have done with one or two less men since it seemed to drag out a bit. And at the end I was prepared to be very upset that the book wasn't going to end the way "I" wanted it to, but... it did and I'm so happy!

I'd like to thank the publisher/author/NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book.

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Audiobook Review: When Ivy Met Adam by Jennifer J. Coldwater

When Ivy Met Adam by Jennifer J. Coldwater
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What do you do when true love leaves? You move on...
What do you do when love knocks again? You let it in...
But is everything as it seems? I guess you'll have to read to find out.

I'm going to struggle here today with this review. Not because I can't find good things to say, but because there is nothing that I can say that can do this book justice.

One of the hazards of reading so many books in a year is that you find you forget what happens in the book in favor of starting your next read, but I can tell that this will not be the case with this book.

While I was still reading this, I noted in my journal the following sentences that sum up how I feel about this book:

"The author is absolutely amazing!! She has touched so firmly on what it is to be bisexual, transgender, and pansexual! The emotion in this book is beyond raw and just has touched every fiber of my being."

"...this book is pure art at its finest. I love it because it allows every nuance of people to be respected and heard."

I'm not sure I can say anything today that will allow me to convey how I feel any more than the words above have. "When Ivy Met Adam" should be on everyone's TBR list. If you don't read this, you're missing out.

I'd like to thank the author profusely for the opportunity to read this book. And thanks also go out to Happily Booked PR.

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Audiobook Review: The Library of Lost Dollhouses by Elise Hooper

The Library of Lost Dollhouses by Elise Hooper
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I'm not normally a fan of books that switch back and forth between time periods, but this book did it so well that it was seamless.

Tildy is the head curator at a San Francisco library. Her library is her home, and even when the library was closed during COVID (nice fact drop there as the book is set in 2024 for the current time period) she still found herself drawn to the library. When a school bus breaks down in front of the library, she allows the kids to come in and wait for the bus to be ready to take them off to school. While one child (with a few friends to boot) comes in to use the bathroom, they find a secret room with two exquisite dollhouses in it. This leads Tildy down a road of discovery to find out more about the dollhouse creator and about her deceased mother. How the two connect... well, you have to read the book to find out.

Cora, the other main character in this book (also the dollhouse creator) has a secret that she has to keep and runs to Paris to get away from. Can she outrun her past, or will it catch up to her? Cora doesn't just build dollhouses, she builds secrets and dreams.

The book took a bit to get into, but once I got my footing, I couldn't stop listening. Steeped in history and twists and turns, this book was really good. The narrators in this book were exceptional. To the point that I could barely tell the difference in the voices.

I'd like to thank HarperAudio Adult and Net Galley for the opportunity to review this audiobook.

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Review: Beyond the Teacups by Hailey Renee

Beyond The Teacups by Hailey Renee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When I first started reading this book, it was just a book, nothing more. But with each passing page, it swept me up into a story so well told that I felt as if I were delving into the story of a dear friend. I got to watch as Ophelia broke free from the cage in which she was caught in and became a beautiful soaring butterfly! Being able to see how Emmett took care of her and saw her was a beautiful thing to witness. And Emmett wasn't completely unscarred by life and not only did Ophelia help him through that, but so did his dear friend, James.

This book was so moving that I hated when it was over. I hated to see my dear, dear friends fade away into the night not to be seen again. But I was so happy that everything worked out for them (it is a HEA, after all). The mental health representation in this book is spot on and I appreciate the time and effort the author took in getting it spot on. Kudos Hailey, kudos.

I'd like to thank the author for the opportunity to read this book.

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Review: The Pump Fake by Nichole Ruschelle

The Pump Fake: Sexy as Sin Series by Nichole Ruschelle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Okay, first comes first, Jade is a bada$$! I love her attitude problem, but that could be because I have a itty bitty, teeny tiny one myself. But I digress...

When Jade's attitude problem becomes a problem for the WNBA and they threaten to trade her for someone more "likeable" her manager (and best friend) Cliff decide that having her fake date someone would soften her edges and have her seem more likeable. But the tides turn when Jade decides that the only one she trusts to do this is Cliff himself.

Both parties have harbored secret feelings for each other for a long time but once they start faking it... it just seems real. Jade also takes it a step farther and makes an effort to interact with her team more and she not only "seems" to be more likable, but she becomes more likable.

If you like sports romance books/novellas, this one is great. Pick it up for the romance and stay for the characters, and exceptional plot line.

I'd like to thank the author, and Happily Booked PR for the opportunity to review this book.

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Audiobook Review: Staged by C.L. West

Staged by C.L. West
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sam saw something she wasn't meant to see. Will anything he has to say make things better? (Let's hope not!)

Kolt's behavior has gotten him in a bit of a pickle with everyone. Will meeting a stranger in a hotel bar solve all his problems, or be the start of something else altogether?

It looks like Sam could solve all of Kolt's problems, but will she be willing to fake a relationship and if she does, will they be able to keep all the lines they're blurring in focus long enough to make it to the end without anyone getting hurt?

C.L. West succeeded in bringing together this musician, fake relationship book with no hitch. The characters were endearing (though if I were Sam I would have thrown a few punches at the beginning of this book - but to find out you'll have to read the book, sneaky aren't I?), the book seemed well researched and just gave you all the good feels.

I'd like to thank the author, and StoryOrigin for allowing me to review this book.



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