The Hating Game by Sally Thorne

Summary: "For Lucy Hutton and Joshua Templeman, executive assistants to the CEOs of newly merged Bexley-Gamin Publishing, it's hate-at-first-sight. So begins a series of daily passive-aggressive maneuvers, including the staring game, the mirror game, and the HR game, each played with the intensity of the Hunger Games. Their mutual antipathy grows when a new executive position opens at Bexley-Gamin, and both their bosses put their names up for the promotion. Then, the high-stakes games begin!"

Well, The Hating Game started off promising, but slowly dissolved into disappointment. I thought it would provide an insider-look into the publishing industry, but no, it really could have been any company that Lucy and Josh worked for. Lucy's thoughts begin to solely focus on Josh, as she has no other friends, interests or hobbies. Lucy and Josh are flat characters with almost no depth. What a shame! 


374 pages

The Year of Secret Assignments by Jaclyn Moriarty

Summary: "Three female students from Ashbury High write to three male students from rival Brookfield High as part of a pen pal program, leading to romance, humiliation, revenge plots, and war between the schools."

The Year of Secret Assignments is the sequel(ish) to one of my favorite books from my teen years, Feeling Sorry for Celia. I enjoyed this trip down memory lane and appreciated the epistolary format! It's one of my favorite novel forms. In this installment, I enjoyed the fun and varied personalities of the boys and girls - they were a joy to read. A few of the entries were a tad long and boring, but overall, it was an enjoyable read! 

340 pages

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Summary: "Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price—and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can't pull it off alone...

A convict with a thirst for revenge
A sharpshooter who can't walk away from a wager
A runaway with a privileged past
A spy known as the Wraith
A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums
A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes 

Kaz's crew are the only ones who might stand between the world and destruction—if they don't kill each other first."

While I struggled with this book in the beginning, I unexpectedly fell deeply in love with the characters and this world. Kaz, Jesper, Inej, Nina, Matthias and Wylan have wound their way into my heart and will never let go! I cannot wait to get my hands on The Crooked Kingdom, which is the second and final book in this two-book series. 

Each chapter is from a different character's POV, which made for a fun story. With each chapter, the reader gets a little more backstory, piece by piece, to better understand the character's present situation and motivations. Matthias and Nina's story was intriguing and beautiful! I would read an entire book just dedicated to their history. 

Favorite Quote: “I have been made to protect you. Only in death will I be kept from this oath.” 

465 pages

Paper Princess (Royals #1) by Erin Watt

Summary: "Ella Harper has spent her whole life moving from town to town with her mother, struggling to make ends meet. After her mother dies, Callum Royal appears, plucking Ella out of poverty and tossing her into his posh mansion among his five sons who all hate her. It's a life of wealth, excess, and deception. And Reed Royal is determined to send her back to the slums she came from. He says she doesn't belong with the Royals. If Ella is going to survive her time in the Royal palace, she'll need to learn to issue her own Royal decrees."

This is one of those books that you enjoy well-enough while reading it, as long as you don't think too much. I initially couldn't put it down, as I was intrigued by Ella's grit and determination to survive on her own. However, once she moves in with the Royals, the book slowly goes downhill. The romantic lead is her "step-brother" Reed, and he is the WORST. I HATE him. He treats Ella like garbage, and not in the fun "enemies-to-friends" type of way. He has no redeeming qualities, and as soon as he shows Ella some affection, she falls head-over-heels in love with him. It's truly appalling. 

The author, Erin Watt, is actually two New Adult authors working together: Elle Kennedy and Jen Frederick. While I adore Elle Kennedy, I could not believe that she could write a character as great as Garrett in The Deal, and then allow a character like Reed to exist.

364 pages

Can You Keep a Secret? by Sophie Kinsella

Summary: "Trials and tribulations of a single girl living and working in London. During a turbulent flight Emma pours her heart and soul out to a complete stranger, only to live to regret it."

I found this book through reading rave reviews of it on Goodreads and thought that it surely couldn't live up to the hype. But no, I was wrong, it exceeded the hype!

Emma Corrigan is fun, charming, entertaining and relatable, which makes her my top choice for English heroines! Sophie Kinsella captures the charm of British humor to the fullest extent, and I wish that JoJo Moyes would inject more of that into her writing. I loved the witticisms and quips and inside look into Emma's world. She seemed more real and relatable than Bridget Jones, and I truly laughed out loud in multiple places. In a few plot points, I was afraid that Emma would fall into overdone and cliched responses, but she responded in a sincere and thoughtful way. 

On to the next Sophie Kinsella novel!

357 pages

Heartless by Marissa Meyer

The Lunar Chronicles is one of my all-time favorite book series, and I couldn't wait to get my hands on Marissa Meyer's new book, Heartless.

....I wish I had never heard of it. 

....I wish I had never read it. 

....Marissa Meyer is the one who is HEARTLESS. 

453 pages

The Lovely Reckless by Kami Garcia

Summary: "Romeo and Juliet meets The Fast and the Furious in this edgy romance set in the suburbs of Washington, DC."

Well, I LOVE The Fast and the Furious, so I was quite anxious to get my hands on this one! The Lovely Reckless was also recommended by Katie McGarry, and I can see why! The angst and romance were very similar to Katie McGarry's plot and story-telling style. While I enjoyed myself throughout this book, it left a little to be desired.  

I'm sure you could predict the entire thing!



374 pages

Manhunting by Jennifer Crusie

Summary: "Kate Svenson is attractive, successful, a brilliant businesswoman - and miserable. After three failed engagements, she realises it's time for a PLAN...and organised, detailed agenda with a clear goal: finding Mr. Right.

The Cabins resort is ripe with eligible bachelors, all rich, distinguished and ambitious - just her type. And they're dropping like flies around her...at least, that's how Jake Templeton views the situation. After he's stuck pulling her latest reject out of the swimming pool, Jake's convinced this femme fatale is trouble. Especially for him..."

Jennifer Crusie may just be one of my new favorite chick lit authors! Manhunting is the perfect beach/summer read (even though I read it in dreary November). It was funny, sweet and charming. It's not overly complicated or dramatic. Just a short and lively story of the adventure of falling in love! 

328 pages

Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers

Summary: "Sybella's duty as Death's assassin in 15th-century France forces her return home to the personal hell that she had finally escaped. Love and romance, history and magic, vengeance and salvation converge in this sequel to Grave Mercy."

Even though Sybella and Beast were excellent minor characters in Grave Mercy, I wasn't quite as enthralled with their story in Dark Triumph. I thoroughly missed Ismae and Duval, and they were not in this sequel nearly enough. Dark Triumph lacks the political intrigue and mystery of the first novel. I also found Sybella and Beast's relationship to be a little too close to "insta-love" for my tastes. The sub-par quality of Dark Triumph serves to reinforce how unique and special Grave Mercy really is.

I can't decide if I'll read the third and final installment, Mortal Heart. 


387 pages

Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie

Summary: "Agreeing not to pursue a relationship after one date, unlikely lovers Min Dobbs and Cal Morrisey are thrown together again in the wake of such factors as a jealous ex-boyfriend, a determined psychologist, and a bizarrely intelligent cat."

Bet Me is the first book by Jennifer Crusie that I've read, and it was wonderful! Cal and Min are interesting and complex characters. Their conversations are fun and unique. Similarly, their chemistry is off the charts! I couldn't put it down.

337 pages

Sacked by Jen Frederick

Summary: "Knox Masters is a quarterback's worst nightmare. Warrior. Champion. Now, he's set his sight on two things: the national title... and Ellie Campbell. Sure, she's the sister of his fellow teammate, but that's not going to stop him. Especially not when he's convinced Ellie is the one. But Ellie isn't as sure. She's trying to start a new life. And it's not just her cardinal rule of never dating her brother's teammates that keeps her away-- Ellie has a dark secret that would jeopardize everything Knox is pursuing."

Well, it started off a little rough, but next thing I knew, I was half-way finished with the book! I enjoyed it, even though it became a little too unrealistic toward the end. Oh well! Knox was obnoxious at first, but he was actually a good guy throughout the book and had a refreshing mindset. 

385 pages

Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

Summary: "In the fifteenth-century kingdom of Brittany, seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where she learns that the god of Death has blessed her with dangerous gifts--and a violent destiny."

This book just blew all the other books I've read this year out of the water. I believe that it was first popular a few years ago, and the term people used was "assassin nuns." :D Can't get much cooler than that! It's not for the faint of heart, as it deals with some dark and nasty stuff. But the story of a "handmaiden of Death" is actually lighter and more inspiring than you might think! 

It reminded me a bit of Poison Study, and Duval (main male character) is quite like Valek, which is a very good thing!!

I enjoyed this story so, so, so much, and I can't quite explain why. Grave Mercy is over 500 pages, but it felt like 100. I read through it super fast, and it still didn't leave me satisfied. I can't wait to get my hands on the next one! 

549 pages

Practice Makes Perfect by Julie James

Summary: "Payton Kendall and J.D. Jameson are lawyers who know the meaning of objection. A feminist to the bone, Payton has fought hard to succeed in a profession dominated by men. Born wealthy, privileged, and cocky, J.D. has fought hard to ignore her. Face to face, they’re perfectly civil. They have to be. For eight years they’ve kept a safe distance and tolerated each other as co-workers for one reason only: to make partner at the firm. But all bets are off when they’re asked to join forces on a major case."

Whew, another Julie James' book! She is just one of the best! It was a bit inspired by Pride and Prejudice, which was fun to read in terms of rival lawyers in a big law firm in Chicago. I was disappointed with a few bits of how Payton and J.D.'s rivalry played out...but overall, it was a great story! 

305 pages

The Boy is Back by Meg Cabot

Summary: "A viral scandal draws notorious celebrity golfer Reed Stewart back to his tiny Indiana hometown, where he reunites with small business owner Becky Flowers in ways that challenge their perceptions about each other."

I adore the books in the Boy series by Meg Cabot, especially Boy Meets Girl. Boy Meets Girl is one of my all-time favorite books, and it's one that I read over and over again. Thus, my expectations for the newest installment of the series were a bit high. However, in reality, the book fell a bit short of meeting those expectations. The creativity of the format was not as interesting as it could have been, nor was Becky's character as well-developed as she should have been. She did not have 1/10th of the personality of Kate Mackenzie. I did enjoy Reed's character and overall the story was interesting, just not nearly as funny or clever as the other books in the series. 

357 pages

Starflight by Melissa Landers

Summary: "Former high school enemies Solara Brooks and Doran Spaulding must team up when they find themselves aboard a renegade spaceship."

Oh.My.Gosh. I LOVED Starflight! What a fun and refreshing read! This novel has everything I love: 

• band of misfits, 
• enemies to lovers trope, 
• a lost princess, 
• cage fights, 
• adventure, 
• space exploration, 
• pirates --- 
• SPACE PIRATES!

What more could you ask for from a novel? I can't explain all the good parts of this book without spoiling it, but it was a solid read!

I am eagerly anticipating the next novel, Starfall, due out next February! 

359 pages

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Parts One and Two by J.K. Rowling, John Tiffany, Jack Thorne

Summary: "As an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic, a husband, and a father, Harry Potter struggles with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs while his youngest son, Albus, finds the weight of the family legacy difficult to bear." - The official script of the original West End production.

Oh.My.Word. I was blown away by this play and all the places that J.K. Rowling went with it. I cried, I laughed, and I yelled. It gave me all the feels. I wish I could see it in person - maybe one day! 

I was pleasantly surprised by the Malfoys in this play, and I truly loved Scorpius as a character. He is simply the best. 

327 pages

The Martian by Andy Weir

Confession: I watched the movie before I read the book. 

Therefore, I pictured many of the characters as they were depicted and portrayed in the movie. Luckily, they matched up pretty easily! Also, the movie sets/scenes allowed my brain to concentrate on the technical details of the novel, rather than trying to imagine images of Mars all on my own. 

I particularly loved Mark's voice, spirit, determination and humor. It was also oddly inspiring, as if Mark can figure out how to survive on Mars, then I can certainly get a few simple things done here on Earth!

Conclusion: I loved this book!

369 pages

Things I Can't Forget by Miranda Kenneally

Summary: "Seeking God's forgiveness for a past sin, eighteen-year-old Kate finds summer employment at a church camp, where she is tempted to have a fling with co-counselor Matt."

I don't think I am capable of putting into words how disappointing this book is, especially compared to the awesome quality of the first two books in this series. Things I Can't Forget had me rolling my eyes and wanting to slam the book on the table. Repeatedly.  

I understand what the author was trying to do with this book, and I appreciate the way she encouraged her readers to be true to themselves. However, the inner-thoughts of the main character were simple-minded and repetitive. It was the same inner-conversation and moral dilemmas over and over and over and over again. I feel like I'm reading an entirely different series! I don't even know if I will continue with it or not...

The only bright spots were the appearances of characters from the first two books: Jordan and Henry, Parker and Will. 

312 pages

Stealing Parker by Miranda Kenneally

Summary: "Parker Shelton pretty much has the perfect life. She's on her way to becoming valedictorian at Hundred Oaks High, she's made the all-star softball team, and she has plenty of friends. Then her mother's scandal rocks their small town and suddenly no one will talk to her. Now Parker wants a new life."

Parker is a wonderful main character! I loved her, and I don't think I've ever related to a character more! Her personality and interests were very similar to mine, and I really enjoyed her point-of-view. 

The subject matter of Stealing Parker is way more serious and intense than Catching Jordan, and it took me by surprise, in both good and bad ways. 


242 pages

Being Sloane Jacobs by Lauren Morrill

Summary: "Sloane Emily Jacobs and Sloane Devon Jacobs, from very different worlds but both with problem families, meet in Montreal where they will stay in the same hotel while attending camp, one for figure skating, the other for ice hockey."

Oh dear, I really wanted to like this book. Lauren Morrill's first novel, Meant to Be, is incredibly witty and laugh-out-loud funny, but Being Sloane Jacobs comes no where close to that level of entertainment.

I was intrigued by the Parent Trap-like set-up, as well as the ice hockey/figure skating crossover, but it never quite fulfilled the potential of either of those stories. It was actually a bit boring. I was never eager to pick up the book to see what would happen next, as it never really hit hard on the emotions or suspense of the story. 

The dual perspectives was also confusing at times, as each Sloane's thoughts were not unique enough to feel like you were reading two different girls from two very different backgrounds. 

330 pages