The Thing About Love by Julie James

The Thing About Love by Julie James
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Not bad. I liked the undercover FBI officer thread in this book. It kept things interesting. This is officially my last Julie James novel to read, until she publishes another.

Book 181 read in 2019

Pages: 373

Courtney Crumrin and the Night Things by Ted Naifeh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a creepy but yet good graphic novel. I started this to get the extra points for name, but I could see myself reading them all. It is a nice little break from my normal reading. 

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128 Pages

Just the Sexiest Man Alive by Julie James

Just the Sexiest Man Alive by Julie James
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This one was different in a way that I found refreshing. It was also a good book to read on a long drive, because it's easy to follow, and the drama and humor distracted me from the travel (not in a dangerous way, of course).

Book 180 read in 2018

Pages: 296

The Fifth Trimester by Lauren Smith Brody

The Fifth Trimester: The Working Mom's Guide to Style, Sanity, and Big Success After Baby by Lauren Smith Brody
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

With the help of interviews from real mothers (interestingly including Chef Vivian Howard), Lauren Smith Brody provides useful advice for the "fifth trimester", the time when new mothers return to work. Most of the advice comes from high-profile businesswomen. However, while the options may not be the same, the idea of ignoring false limitations and achieving a work-life balance applies to many readers.

416 pages

No Rest for the Wicked by Kresley Cole
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

These books are truly a great mixture of romance and paranormal. I am still enjoying them but at this point I am not hooked where I feel like I need to finish them all right away.  

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356 Pages

Practice Makes Perfect by Julie James

Practice Makes Perfect by Julie James
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I'm continuing my Julie James kick, and apparently, I like bickering lawyers who are always trying to one up each other. This one also has a lot of humor.

Book 179 read in 2018

Pages: 291

A Hunger Like No Other by Kresley Cole
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was better than the first one, and I am hearing that they just keep getting better and better. I am not at this point hooked and feel like I need to finish right now. However, I am enjoying them a lot. 

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356 Pages

Suddenly One Summer by Julie James

Suddenly One Summer by Julie James
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Since I've been in a grumpy book mood lately and barely have read anything, I knew I had to shake things up. I've had a hard time concentrating on reading, because my head has been too full.

As a result, I picked up a Julie James novel, as she is generally fun and easy to read, which this was. I do still prefer her FBI/US Attorney series over this one, but it was a good read and distracted me from myself.

Book 178 read in 2018

Pages: 291

Shattered (The Iron Druid Chronicles, #7)

Shattered (The Iron Druid Chronicles, #7) 
by Kevin Hearne
Pages: 352
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Atticus O'Sullivan the last surviving Druid now has company. His apprentice Granuaile is now a full-fledged Druid and his mentor has been rescued from an island frozen in time. But Owen has been there For nearly two thousand years and basics of every day modern life are shocking too him.

While Atticus is trying to help Owen acclimate, Granuaile is called to India to face an evil spirit that his possessing her archaeologist father. Assisted by the witch Laska Granuaile may be able to vanquish the spirit but will her father survive the process?

And we get to meet Yeti. They love Bacon!

Manners & Mutiny by Gail Carriger

Lessons in the art of espionage aboard Mademoiselle Geraldine's floating dirigible have become tedious without Sophronia's sweet sootie Soap nearby. She would much rather be using her skills to thwart the dastardly Picklemen, yet her concerns about their wicked intentions are ignored, and now she's not sure whom to trust. What does the brusque werewolf dewan know? On whose side is the ever-stylish vampire Lord Akeldama? Only one thing is certain: a large-scale plot is under way, and when it comes to fruition, Sophronia must be ready to save her friends, her school, and all of London from disaster--in decidedly dramatic fashion, of course.

By this point, we all know I enjoy these.  I have to admit, however, that this one is my least favorite of the four.  It does wrap everything up in a nice bow, but I just didn't feel as invested in the overall mystery.  

Overall thoughts - unique, fun series and good for all ages.  :)

4/5

337 pages

Hopeless by Colleen Hoover
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As always Colleen delivered a great emotional story. I really enjoyed this story, and half way through I had a good idea where it was going. But then I was shocked by all that I didn't see coming at all. 

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410 Pages

Hero at the Fall by Alwyn Hamilton

Hero at the Fall by Alwyn Hamilton
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I just couldn't get into this, nor could I get invested in most of the characters or keep them straight.

I thought book one was outstanding. I loved it to pieces. Book two was a major disappointment. This was not as bad as book two, but I was hoping this was going to come back and redeem the series. It didn't for me. Sure, there's some interesting stuff that happens, but there's also some long, random, confusing stuff that seemed unnecessary to me. The majority of the characters felt 2D, so it was very hard for me to invest in them and keep them straight. At this point in the story, they should have all left a mark on me, but they haven't.

I'm sad. I wanted to love this. I wanted book 2 to be a fluke or a bad egg, or something that was stretching the story further than it needed to be stretched. I so wanted book 3 to come back and recapture the magic of book one, and it failed for me. It felt like a chore to force my way through it, even though there were a few parts that I did really enjoy. I guess they can't all be a win.

Book 177 read in 2018

Pages: 463

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Most of you have already read this series, so I really can't add anything that you don't already know about this book. I have been enjoying reading them, however, sadly I have not enjoyed them as much as others. I am hoping that part of this is because I have been taking a pause between books and that is why I am losing interest. 

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652 Pages

The Fold by Peter Clines

  The Fold
 by Peter Clines
 Pages: 384
 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

This was a great book. The characters are believable and relate-able. It is a stand-alone story but does have some tie-ins to Peter Clines' previous book 14. My husband and I both liked this book so much we're going to buy a copy of it and 14.  Mike seems like your average high school English teacher to his students and co-workers but one of his old friends knows better. He has been trying to get Mike to work for him and the government for years. Mike has always refused. But then he presents Mike with an irresistible mystery for Mike to solve and he just can't pass up the temporary summer job. He fully plans to go back to teaching in the fall but little does he know things will never be the same once he learns about the Albuquerque Door.

A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas

A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I confess this wasn't everything I hoped for, but if you love the series/world/characters, you'll probably still want to read it. While I enjoyed having more time in this world, there just wasn't much plot/action/intrigue with this one. It's more like a series of vignettes, with each chapter in a different POV, and it all ties together towards one event/ending/holiday.

I don't hate it, but it definitely didn't captivate me or hold my attention the way I hoped and expected. It's was more about giving you a feel good wrap up on Rhys and Feyre, while not really advancing the other characters in their lives/relationships. So it strangely felt like standing still, while also somehow wrapping up a "happier" ending for Rhys and Feyre.

I could have used a bit more action and intention. That's all.

Book 176 read in 2018

Pages: 224

Doctor Who: The Official Cookbook: 40 Wibbly-Wobbly Timey-Wimey Recipes by Joanna Farrow

The perfect addition to every Doctor Who fan’s shelf, Doctor Who: The Official Cookbook features a cornucopia of delicious, easy-to-make recipes—from the simple, to the showstoppers—with an exciting Whovian twist. Enjoy the Doctor’s own favorite, fish fingers and custard, share some Cyberman Pie with friends, treat the family to Cassandra Pizza, or indulge your sweet tooth with a Supreme Dalek Cake.

Throwing a viewing party of your favorite episodes? Serve up some Ood Rolls, Salt and Pepper Sontarans, and Weeping Angel Food Cake. And don’t forget the centerpiece for every Whovian get-together, a Gingerbread TARDIS and, of course, 12 Cookie Doctors.

Illustrated with stills from the television show and seasoned with fun food ephemera and quotes from the Doctor’s universe, Doctor Who: The Official Cookbook has something weird, wacky, and tasty for every fan.

Yes, I am that kind of fan.  I love ALL things Doctor Who.  I read the comics and novels, watch every behind-the-scenes or featurette, and color in the coloring books.  So of course I own and love the cookbook.  This is seriously cute.  Will I ever cook anything out of it?  Probably not.  But man do I love the sheer adorableness of it all.  :)  Here are some pictures of the things you can make:

 

5/5

160 pages

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this book just not as much as the first 4 books. I think part of the problem is that I started this early in April and didn't finish until yesterday. So the gap of time may have been the issue. I have plans on working on the next books now and finish so that I can finally say that I have finished a series I have wanted to read for years now. Onto book 6... 
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870 Pages

Waistcoats & Weaponry by Gail Carriger

Sophronia continues her second year at finishing school in style—with a steel-bladed fan secreted in the folds of her ball gown, of course. Such a fashionable choice of weapon comes in handy when Sophronia, her best friend Dimity, sweet sootie Soap, and the charming Lord Felix Mersey stowaway on a train to return their classmate Sidheag to her werewolf pack in Scotland. 

No one suspected what—or who—they would find aboard that suspiciously empty train. Sophronia uncovers a plot that threatens to throw all of London into chaos and she must decide where her loyalties lie, once and for all.

This is book three of the Finishing School Series.  I continue to enjoy these and have already started the fourth and final book.  So far, this is my favorite of the series as the characters are far enough along in their espionage training for some life-altering things to happen to them and around them.  I'm also amused by the techniques the ladies use (like vocal affectations and demure flirting) to manipulate and melt the men around them to learn their secrets.  Some things never change. :)

4/5

320 pages

The Perfect Husband by Lisa Gardner

Jim Beckett was everything she'd ever dreamed of...But two years after Tess married the decorated cop and bore his child, she helped put him behind bars for savagely murdering ten women. Even locked up in a maximum security prison, he vowed he would come after her and make her pay. Now the cunning killer has escaped--and the most dangerous game of all begins.... 
After a lifetime of fear, Tess will do something she's never done before. She's going to learn to protect her daughter and fight back, with the help of a burned-out ex-marine. As the largest manhunt four states have ever seen mobilizes to catch Beckett, the clock winds down to the terrifying reunion between husband and wife. And Tess knows that this time, her only choices are to kill--or be killed.


I was not a fan of this one. There's unnecessary romance between Tess and J.T. which I didn't believe and thought would be really bad for Tess's character, and the suspense just wasn't there for me. 

Rating: 2 out of 5

Pages: 432

The Hating Game by Sally Thorne

 Lucy Hutton and Joshua Templeman hate each other. Not dislike. Not begrudgingly tolerate. Hate. And they have no problem displaying their feelings through a series of ritualistic passive aggressive maneuvers as they sit across from each other, executive assistants to co-CEOs of a publishing company. Lucy can’t understand Joshua’s joyless, uptight, meticulous approach to his job. Joshua is clearly baffled by Lucy’s overly bright clothes, quirkiness, and Pollyanna attitude.

Now up for the same promotion, their battle of wills has come to a head and Lucy refuses to back down when their latest game could cost her her dream job…But the tension between Lucy and Joshua has also reached its boiling point, and Lucy is discovering that maybe she doesn’t hate Joshua. And maybe, he doesn’t hate her either. Or maybe this is just another game.

One of my favorite romance novels! It's funny, frustrating, and well worth the read. :) 

Rating: 5 out of 5

Pages: 387

The Wright Mistake by K.A. Linde
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Wright Mistake is a heartwarming tale about the quirky, fun-loving Julia who has always had a weakness for bad boys and a past full of heartbreak, and Austin the sexy, charismatic playboy who covers his deep-sadness and prefers the numbness and oblivion he finds in a bottle. 

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341 Pages


The Wright Secret by K.A. Linde
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Morgan has it all, and is on the top of her career. She has always had a crush on one of her brother's best friends, Patrick, but it's never been that way for him. Patrick is blindsided when he starts falling for Morgan. He can't believe that he is falling for his best friends little sister and he is also very close with all the Wright brothers. Once him and Morgan get closer, he finds it harder to turn of the feelings for her. 
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306 Pages

Blood Oath by Christopher Farnsworth

Zach Barrows is an ambitious young White House staffer whose career takes an unexpected turn when he's partnered with Nathaniel Cade, a secret agent sworn to protect the President. But Cade is no ordinary civil servant. Bound by a special blood oath, he is a vampire. Cade battles nightmares before they can break into the daylight world of the American dream, enemies far stranger-and far more dangerous-than civilians have ever imagined.

This is a re-read for me (multiple times over).  It's a book I go to when I want to escape into something fun and fast.  The audiobook is excellent.  Give it a go if you like thrillers and vampires but are tired of all the teen angst and romance.  This vampire is a vampire.  And the monsters (both human and supernatural) are intense.

5/5

400 pages