Things to Do When It's Raining: A review

From Goodreads: When secrets tear love apart, can the truth mend it?

Mae Summers and Gabriel Broadbent grew up together in the idyllic Summers’ Inn, perched at the edge the St. Lawrence river. Mae was orphaned at the age of six and Gabe needed protection from his alcoholic father, so both were raised under one roof by Mae’s grandparents, Lilly and George. A childhood friendship quickly developed into a first love—a love that was suddenly broken by Gabe’s unexpected departure. Mae grew up, got over her heartbreak, and started a life for herself in New York City.

After more than a decade, Mae and Gabe find themselves pulled back to Alexandria Bay. Hoping to find solace within the Summers’ Inn, Mae instead finds her grandparents in the midst of decline and their past unravelling around her. A lifetime of secrets stand in the way of this unconventional family’s happiness. Will they be able to reclaim the past and come together, or will they remain separate islands?

My thoughts: I had a hard time with this one. I was really intrigued by the synopsis, title, and cover image, but it just fell short for me. Characters are integral to me, and I like a good flawed character, but I didn't like any of these characters. They all seemed to ruminate for years over things they did, or things that were done to them. So much so that it completely affected every aspect of their lives. I had a hard time connecting to anyone in the story, which is important to me as a reader.  

I was really confused for the first few chapters, too, because so many characters were introduced at once. I often forgot whose perspective I was reading from. There were two characters with names that started with 'V', and I kept confusing the two. 

I did really like the setting. The river played a big part and definitely felt like a character at times. The cover leads you to believe the story will be optimistic and sunny, but in reality it was kind of dark and dreary. I like when the atmosphere interacts with characters and becomes one itself. 

I ended up rating this 3 out of 5. It was a decent story, but just not the right one for me. I still think it's worth a read, though. I really wanted to like this one more than I did. 

A free digital copy of this book was provided by Simon and Schuster Canada in exchange for an honest review. 

Review: The Blackbird Season by Kate Moretti

From the publisher:
“Where did they come from? Why did they fall? The question would be asked a thousand times…

Until, of course, more important question arose, at which time everyone promptly forgot that a thousand birds fell on the town of Mount Oanoke at all.”

In a quiet Pennsylvania town, a thousand dead starlings fall onto a high school baseball field, unleashing a horrifying and unexpected chain of events that will rock the close-knit community.

Beloved baseball coach and teacher Nate Winters and his wife, Alecia, are well respected throughout town. That is, until one of the many reporters investigating the bizarre bird phenomenon catches Nate embracing a wayward student, Lucia Hamm, in front of a sleazy motel. Lucia soon buoys the scandal by claiming that she and Nate are engaged in an affair, throwing the town into an uproar…and leaving Alecia to wonder if her husband has a second life.

And when Lucia suddenly disappears, the police only to have one suspect: Nate.

Nate’s coworker and sole supporter, Bridget Harris, Lucia’s creative writing teacher, is determined to prove his innocence. She has Lucia’s class journal, and while some of the entries appear particularly damning to Nate’s case, others just don’t add up. Bridget knows the key to Nate’s exoneration and the truth of Lucia’s disappearance lie within the walls of the school and in the pages of that journal.

My thoughts: This was the perfect book to read this time of year. Kind of creepy, kind of atmospheric, and definitely intriguing. I haven't read Moretti's previous bestselling The Vanishing Year, so I was able to go into this novel without any expectations. This novel is told from four points of view, Nate (the accused), Alecia (Nate's wife), Bridget (Nate and Alecia's friend, and also Nate's co-worker), and Lucia (the missing teen), which means it is very character-driven. Personally, I love character-driven books. I love being able to get inside a character's head, and try to figure out why they act the way they do. I think it allows a unique perspective into the plot, as well.

I found some of the characters hard to like and trust. Nate came across as unintentionally pompous. He had to be liked by absolutely everybody, despite their feelings towards him. Alecia was a bit hard to like, too, but I was able to sympathize with her more than Nate. She didn't know what to believe, which I understood. How easy would it be to deny that your husband is capable of something so horrible? At the same time, how easy would it be to believe once you start finding what you think is undeniable evidence? It's not as easy as one would assume.

Lucia was easy to sympathize with, especially the more you got to know her. She was a teen with typical teen problems, but she also had a difficult home life. She was my favourite character, and I wish we had more from her perspective. I loved her journal entries, and think she was very intelligent. She is accused of being a witch, and you can certainly understand why as you read the novel.

There was a lot going on in this novel, but it all fits together by the end and I loved that you never really knew who to trust. The ending was not what I expected, but I was happy with it. I rated this one 3.5 out of 5 stars, and would highly recommend it to people who love character-driven mysteries.

A copy of this book was provided by Simon and Schuster Canada, but as always, opinions are my own.

Mrs. Fletcher by Tom Perrotta

From the publisher: Eve Fletcher is trying to figure out what comes next. A forty-six-year-old divorcee whose beloved only child has just left for college, Eve is struggling to adjust to her empty nest when one night her phone lights up with a text message. Sent from an anonymous number, the mysterious sender tells Eve, “U R my MILF!” Over the months that follow, that message comes to obsess Eve. While leading her all-too-placid life—serving as Executive Director of the local senior center by day and taking a community college course on Gender and Society at night—Eve can’t curtail her own interest in a porn website called MILFateria.com, which features the erotic exploits of ordinary, middle-aged women like herself. Before long, Eve’s online fixations begin to spill over into real life, revealing new romantic possibilities that threaten to upend her quiet suburban existence.

Meanwhile, miles away at the state college, Eve’s son Brendan—a jock and aspiring frat boy—discovers that his new campus isn’t nearly as welcoming to his hard-partying lifestyle as he had imagined. Only a few weeks into his freshman year, Brendan is floundering in a college environment that challenges his white-dude privilege and shames him for his outmoded, chauvinistic ideas of sex. As the New England autumn turns cold, both mother and son find themselves enmeshed in morally fraught situations that come to a head on one fateful November night.

My thoughts: Mrs. Fletcher is my first Perrotta book, and I'm not sure how I felt about it. Eve is struggling with her identity as a recent 'empty nester', and after getting the 'U R my MILF' text ends up on a porn site. I thought it was interesting how the text and site led her on such a sexual identity journey. There is definitely some satire in this novel, but it manages to be up to date on current social headlines. I thought there was a lot going on with Eve's character. Discovering your sexual identity is not a linear thing, but I think there was just too much going on. I also did not connect with her, and I know that's not important to some readers, but it is to me.

Brendan made me very angry. He was so privileged and spoiled and he had no idea. He did not treat women well, and once he's finally called out on it, he goes running back to his mom. I don't know if it's because I'm a mom to a son myself (mind you, he's one so not the same) but I was very frustrated by most of Brendan's behaviour and I found his chapters difficult to read.

In the end I rated this 3 out of 5 stars. It definitely wasn't horrible, and I liked the way it made me question some of my own ideas, but it wasn't my favourite. I was a fan of the side characters more than the two Fletchers, and wanted more of their stories.

Good read, but not my favourite.

I received a copy of this book for free from Simon and Schuster Canada, but as always, opinions are my own.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

 

Are you looking for the perfect summer read? Well, you can stop searching now because The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid absolutely delivers a scorching summer read. This book has it all: diversity, romance, humor, and a little intrigue. If you've never read anything by Taylor Jenkins Reid, you seriously need to. I read my first book by her last year and immediately fell in love. She's one of my favourite authors and one I can truly say just keeps getting better. This story is woven together so intricately that you will begin to wonder if you're actually reading a celebrity memoir.

Evelyn Hugo is a 79 year old former Hollywood headliner who is finally ready to tell the story of her seven husbands. Throughout her time in Hollywood she was the seductive blonde with massive sex appeal and more than one scandal to her name. There is way more than meets the eye with Evelyn, though. She recruits journalist, Monique, to tell her story. Monique is fairly young and going through a divorce. Evelyn's choice to recruit Monique leaves her curious and left me wondering if there was some sort of connection between the two.

I found myself getting lost in this beautiful story. Each section is about Evelyn's relationship with one of her husbands and I could not read this fast enough. There is one person in particular who is the love of Evelyn's life and one of the reasons she has chosen to finally tell her story. I won't spoil anything, though, because it is truly better to not know who her one true love is until she wants you to know.

This story was completely captivating. Evelyn was a fantastic character full of contradictions; humble yet bold, soft yet hard, and a little infuriating at times. She was the perfect actress and one Hollywood would surely be obsessed with today if she were real. I really did feel like she was real at times, which is a testament to Taylor Jenkins Reid. Reid has a way with words, especially when dealing with love and loss. She shines brightest when she's writing about love and loss and what it means to be human. Her characters become real people right before your eyes.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is a must-read this summer! It's on sale today, so go out and buy it! While you're there, pick up one of Taylor Jenkin Reid's other books because she is amazing. I would probably read her grocery list and be enthralled.

I'm part of Simon and Schuster Canada's blog tour, so a copy of the book was provided for free, but as always, opinions remain my own. Make sure to check out my fellow bloggers posts; something tells me their feelings will be similar to my own.

Promises to Keep by Genevieve Graham

Hi everyone! It's been a while. My son is now 7 months old, which is absolutely crazy. Time flies even faster when you become a parent!

Today I've got a review of Promises to Keep by Genevieve Graham, which was sent to me by Simon and Schuster Canada. As always, opinions are my own.

I was initially drawn to this book because a.) it's by a Canadian author and b.) it takes place (partially) in Nova Scotia. I think I've mentioned it before, but I love Nova Scotia. I've only been there twice, but it completely stole my heart both times. I was also drawn to this story because it's based on actual events. In 1755, the Acadians of Grand Pré, Nova Scotia were expelled from their land by British soldiers. They were forced onto ships and sent away to various parts of Canada and the US. Promises to Keep tells the story of Amélie Belliveau and her Acadian family and their expulsion. Amélie and her family are loaded onto two separate boats and sent off to sea.

Amélie is a strong willed, spirited girl who falls in love with someone she shouldn't - a soldier for the British, however, Connor is not the soldier he appears to be. He is not as loyal as the British think he is. Amélie lives with her mom, dad, two sisters, and two brothers. She also has a close relationship with some members of the Mi'kmaq tribe who live in the forest nearby.

I liked Amélie because she was tough. She didn't just sit back and let the awful expulsion happen without consequence. She was perhaps a little too headstrong, but I liked her fearlessness. She was the sister and daughter her family needed her to be. I liked Connor for the same reasons. He was definitely not afraid of the British and had no trouble trying to undermine their mission.

I did feel like the connection between Amélie and Connor was a little instantaneous, but it felt and read genuine. I loved that it was written in dual perspective, because I was able to read how both were feeling and it made the whole experience that much more emotional.

I also really enjoyed the character of Me'tekw. He only has a couple of chapters, but they are so significant integral to the whole story. His story begins as a prequel and just leaves you wanting to know where his story ends.

I gave this book a 3.5 out of 5 stars because I really enjoyed it and it was a quick read. If you're looking for a great historical fiction based on actual events then definitely pick this up. Pick it up if you're looking to read beautiful descriptions about Nova Scotia. Graham made me remember why I love the province so much and reminded me that I need to get back there immediately.

I've never been to Grand Pré (it poured rain the day we were going to go), but we did go to a lookout spot that overlooks the general area of where Grand Pré is. Fun story, our car died at the top of the lookout point.

Isn't it pretty? Go and buy Promises to Keep so you can read about these beautiful views. It's on sale today!

One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid

The hardest thing as a book blogger/reviewer is writing a review for a book you absolutely loved. If I didn't like a book, I can usually find a few reasons why and BAM, there you go. For a book I loved, I just want to write, 'THIS WAS AWESOME. READ IT,' but I don't think that's really effective.

The book that I absolutely loved and am therefore having a hard time reviewing, is One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid. I picked up After I Do by Reid earlier this year, and completely fell in love. Why did no one tell me to read her books earlier? When the lovely people at Simon and Schuster Canada contacted me and asked if I'd like an early copy of One True Loves, I immediately said YESPLEASEGIMMETHANKYOU. Or, you know, 'yes, please! Thank you!' like an actual polite human. I devoured this book in two sittings, staying up way too late one Sunday night.

The quick synopsis for this book is Emma marries her high school sweetheart, Jessie. They spend their days traveling and living their lives far away from their hometown. On their first wedding anniversary, Jessie disappears in a helicopter accident over the Pacific. Emma moves home to grieve and try to start over, where she is reacquainted with an old friend named Sam. Sam used to work in her parent's bookshop. They fall in love, get engaged, and then Jessie is found alive. Emma clearly has a choice to make. Does she choose Sam, her new love who offers her the quiet life she's discovered she really loves, or does she choose Jessie, who offers her the crazy, travel-filled life she once had?

I loved both Sam and Jessie for different reasons, however I did lean towards one of them more than the other. I won't say who, because that's who she ultimately picked and I was very happy with the end of this book. They both offered her a completely different lifestyle, and part of her choice was choosing which version of Emma she wanted to be. It wasn't just about choosing the right guy. She had to choose the right Emma. I loved trying to figure out who she was going to pick and see her settle into her future. There was a lot of growth for Emma, and it all felt very genuine.

One of my favourite chapters in this book was the chapter dealing with Emma's grief. It was so raw, and yet so beautifully written. I completely felt Emma's pain and anguish. That chapter didn't follow the format of the rest of the book, but I thought it worked really well. The rest of the book is written in Before and After, so you really get a sense of Emma, Sam, and Jessie.

No one writes about love and loss like Taylor Jenkins Reid. I've now read all of her books, and I've loved every one of them. She has a way with words that leaves you nodding along. I'm married, and many of her books deal with marriage in some sense, so I can always relate to the characters. I think you could definitely enjoy these books even if you aren't married. There is something to take away from each book, no matter your season of life. Her books always leave you wondering what you'd do in the situation she poses, and I find myself incredibly grateful for all I have.

One True Loves is on sale today, so please do yourself a favour and go out and buy it and then buy her entire back list. You won't be sorry.

The Storm Sister by Lucinda Riley

Last summer I randomly bought The Seven Sisters and I fell in love with it. When I learned that it was going to be a series of seven books, I was excited and, of course, impatient. I reached out to Simon and Schuster Canada about reviewing The Storm Sister and since they're awesome people, they sent me a copy. Thank you Simon and Schuster Canada!

The general premise of these books is that there are six sisters who were adopted as babies by Pa Salt. Pa Salt has sadly died and has left each sister a clue to where they were adopted from and their heritage. The Seven Sisters followed Maia and her roots to Brazil. The Storm Sister follows Ally to her roots in Norway, where she finds she may be related somehow to a famous composer.

The thing I love about these books is that essentially, you get two stories in one. Ally is struggling to come to terms with some losses in her life and how to move on in 2007. The other perspective is of Anna and Jens in the late 1800s/early 1900s, who may be somehow related to Ally. I love the dual perspectives and the history involved in Anna and Jens story. Despite not being alive in the same time period, I found some similarities between Anna and Ally and their circumstances.

Riley weaves such an intricate story within a story and really leaves you needing to know if Ally is related to the famous Anna and Jens. Switching between the two time periods is effortless and even if you know nothing about classical music, you won't find the story hard to follow. In fact, you'll probably learn a thing or two.

I love all the characters in this story. Ally is (so far) my favourite sister and my heart broke for her on more than one occasion. I like how you get glimpses of the other sisters, but you don't get to fully know them until their own story is written. I want to know more about the secondary characters such as Ma, who has been the girls' guardian alongside Pa Salt. I figure those details will slowly come out as the series progresses.

I highly recommend this series. I've rated both books 5 out of 5 stars. I would advise starting with The Seven Sisters, but I don't think you absolutely have to. Why wouldn't you, though, when both stories are so good? This is definitely a series you want to get hooked on.

2015 Reading Survey!

I love doing the end of year survey written by Jamie at The Perpetual Page-Turner every year. It's a fun way to review the books you read this year. I read a lot of great and not-so great books this year.

Number of books you read: 100! I read the most books I've ever read this year, which is pretty exciting. I also branched out and tried audio books and graphic novels, which I'm very pleased with myself for doing.
Number of re-reads: 3, and they were all Harry Potter books.
Genre you read the most from: I read a lot of contemporary and a lot of fantasy this year. I read more fantasy this year than ever before.

1. Best Book You Read In 2015?
Adult contemporary: Me Before You by JoJo Moyes.
Historical fiction: The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah. I was so happy to see this book win a Goodreads Choice Award.
YA contemporary: Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen and All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven. Also I'll Meet You There by Heather Demetrios. I can't pick just one!
YA fantasy/retelling: An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir. Can't wait for the next book!
Thriller/mystery: The Blue by Lucy Clarke and Those Girls by Chevy Stevens

2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?
The Wicked Will Rise by Danielle Paige was massively disappointing. I didn't love The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins as much as I thought I would, but I think that was because of the hype.

 3. Most surprising (in a good way or bad way) book you read?  
Night Film by Marisha Pessl. I was so drawn into this book and basically didn't put it down for two days.

 4. Book You “Pushed” The Most People To Read (And They Did)?I pushed Lindsey Kelk's books quite a bit this year, such as the I Heart series and Always the Bridesmaid. Her books are always hilarious and fun to read.

 5. Best series you started in 2015? Best Sequel of 2015? Best Series Ender of 2015?The Falling Kingdoms series by Morgan Rhodes is fantastic so far. I also started and finished The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer and loved it. I started a few other series that only have the first book out so far. I'm excited for the next ones in the series, like An Ember in the Ashes and A Court of Thorns and Roses, and The Seven Sisters by Lucinda Riley.

6. Favorite new author you discovered in 2015?
 Colleen Hoover. I have a love/hate relationship with her books.

7. Best book from a genre you don’t typically read/was out of your comfort zone?The Martian by Andy Weir. It was more science fiction than I usually read, but I loved it.

 8. Most action-packed/thrilling/unputdownable book of the year?Any and all of the fantasy/thriller/mystery books I read.

 9. Book You Read In 2015 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year?
 Honestly, probably the Harry Potter books again.

10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2015?
Furiously Happy by Jenny Lawson because who doesn't like a taxidermy raccoon named Rory?

11. Most memorable character of 2015?I'm still thinking about Will Traynor.

 12. Most beautifully written book read in 2015?
The Little Bookshop on the Seine by Rebecca Raisin was beautifully descriptive of Paris.

13. Most Thought-Provoking/ Life-Changing Book of 2015?
The non-fiction books I read, such as Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes, Big Magic by Liz Gilbert, and The Lost Girls.

 14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2015 to finally read? 
Cinder by Marissa Meyer. I wasn't sure that they'd be 'me' books, but I liked them a lot.

 15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2015?
I'm kicking myself for not making any notes on quotes/passages this year.

16.Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2015?
Shortest was Ms. Marvel, Vol. 3: Crushed at 112 pages and longest was Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon at 1,070 pages.

 17. Book That Shocked You The MostEach book in The Falling Kingdoms series. Don't ever think your favourite characters are safe because Rhodes is ruthless.

18. OTP OF THE YEAR (you will go down with this ship!)
All the pairings in The Lunar Chronicles. I sound like a broken record, but it's true.

19. Favorite Non-Romantic Relationship Of The Year
The female friendships in both of Emery Lord's books.

20. Favorite Book You Read in 2015 From An Author You’ve Read Previously
Always The Bridesmaid by Lindsey Kelk.

21. Best Book You Read In 2015That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else/Peer Pressure:
The Martian, The Girl on the Train, and probably other new releases.

22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2015?
I don't really have a fictional crush, but probably Jamie Fraser from the Outlander series.
 
23. Best 2015 debut you read?
An Ember in the Ashes.
 
24. Best Worldbuilding/Most Vivid Setting You Read This Year?
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas or The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkowski.
 
25. Book That Put A Smile On Your Face/Was The Most FUN To Read?
Anything by Lindsey Kelk. Wanderlove by Kirsten Hubbard.
 
26. Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2015?
ME BEFORE YOU. That book hurt my soul.
 
27. Hidden Gem Of The Year?
The Lost Girls by Jennifer Baggett, Holly C. Corbett, and Amanda Pressner was a non-fiction book about three friends traveling. I loved it so much, but it did nothing for my wanderlust.
 
28. Book That Crushed Your Soul?
Me Before You, again. I'm sorry, but that book killed me.
 
29. Most Unique Book You Read In 2015?
An Age of License by Lucy Knisley is a travel memoir drawn and illustrated by the author. It was fantastic.
 
30. Book That Made You The Most Mad (doesn’t necessarily mean you didn’t like it)?
All The Rage by Courtney Summers definitely gave me all the rage, but I really liked the book.

Looking Ahead to 2016

1. One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2015 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2016?
Ahh, so many. I don't even know if I can pick!

2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2016 (non-debut)? When We Collided by Emery Lord and The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson. I also just learned that Jodi Picoult has a new one out in October and I NEED IT.
 
3. 2016 Debut You Are Most Anticipating?
I went through my shelves and couldn't pick any out. I'm sure I have one and I've just forgotten to shelve it.
 
 4. Series Ending/A Sequel You Are Most Anticipating in 2016?
I don't think any of my series are ending this year.

5. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging Life In 2016?
I want to read 50 books, and I want to read what I want to read. I don't want to feel pressured to read certain books. In my blogging life, I want to blog more and write different types of posts.

6. A 2016 Release You’ve Already Read & Recommend To Everyone:
I haven't finished it yet, but I'm currently reading Dark Territory by Susan Philpott and I think everyone should read the first book, Blown Red, and then read this one.

Top Ten Best Books I Read In 2015

As always, Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the ladies over at The Broke and the Bookish.

Narrowing down my favourite books of the year is next to impossible. In order to do so, I went to Goodreads and these 13 books are the only books to receive the coveted 5 star rating from me this year.

All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven - This book killed me and broke my heart.

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah - If you like historical fiction, this HAS to be on your list. It was fantastic!

I'll Meet You There by Heather Demetrios - I loved this one. It felt very authentic and real.

The Lost Girls: Three Friends. Four Continents. One Unconventional Detour Around the World by Jennifer Baggett, Holly C. Corbett, and Amanda Pressner - This made me want to quit my job and travel even more than I already do.

Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen - I was starting to wonder if I was outgrowing Dessen, but after this book, I definitely think I'm not.

Before The Storm and Secrets She Left Behind by Diane Chamberlain - Such a fun duology with an awesome main character.

The Seven Sisters by Lucinda Riley - Another historical fiction, but this one takes place in the past and present. Can't wait to read the rest!

The Blue by Lucy Clarke - Clarke's books have the best settings and always make me long to travel. This one had a bit of a mystery, too.

Those Girls by Chevy Stevens - If you're looking for a thrilling mystery, this is the book you want.

Always The Bridesmaid by Lindsey Kelk - Kelk is hilarious and this one had me laughing out loud.

Me Before You by JoJo Moyes - Another one that broke my heart into a million pieces.

Furiously Happy: A Funny Book About Horrible Things by Jenny Lawson - Lawson is a brilliant advocate for mental illness, but she is also hilarious.

Christmas Reads

I love Christmas books. They give me the feelings that actual Christmas no longer does. They leave me feeling warm and hopeful, while actual Christmas leaves me feeling stressed and anxious. I'm not a Grinch at all, however, I do struggle with Christmas. My favourite part is all the decorations and lights. My least favourite is shopping. It's become way too stressful and frustrating. I also lost my grandma on December 22nd, 2011, so Christmas just isn't the same anymore.

That all being said, I do love the feelings that Christmas books give me and I always look forward to reading them each year. So far this year, I've only read two. The first was Dashing Through the Snow by Debbie Macomber. I've read a few Macomber books and she definitely knows how to get that Christmas feeling flowing. This book wasn't my favourite. It had a great premise, but it fell a little flat for me.

Ashley has to get home to her mom in Seattle for Christmas and Dash has to get to Seattle for a job interview, but there's a problem, all flights are booked. They both decide to rent a car, but there's only one car left. Despite being strangers, they decide to share the car. I love road trip books, and this one had its moments but I had some issues. I did enjoy the banter between Ashley and Dash. I did not enjoy how elusive Dash was with his job interview. I just wanted to know what job he was interviewing for.

The entire FBI/mistaken identity of Ashley was a little too much and too unbelievable for me. I honestly could have done without that entire setting. The ending was very anti-climatic, and it all ended way too perfectly. I expect Christmas books to be cheesy, but this was almost too cheesy. I did give this 3 stars because I was looking for something quick and cheesy and that is exactly what I got.

I received this book through NetGalley

The next one I read was One Wish in Manhattan by Mandy Baggot. I really adored this one! Hayley is heading to New York with her nine year old daughter Angel with one wish: to find Angel's dad. Angel is the product of a one night stand in New York and now Hayley is determined to find him, even though they've had no contact whatsoever since that one night.

Oliver Drummond is the CEO of a large company, and has a reputation of being a bit of a ladies man. A chance encounter at a Chinese restaurant sets the whole book in motion, but Oliver also has a secret. He believes he has a life threatening gene defect that could end his life at any moment.

As I said, I really liked this book. I could see the setting perfectly, and to see New York at Christmas is on my bucket list. Baggot did an incredible job of setting up the scenery and I really did feel like I was there. Angel and Hayley were so much fun. I loved their relationship and banter. It reminded me a little bit of Rory and Lorelai in Gilmore Girls. They got themselves into a few silly situations, but they only added to the story.

Oliver was a little frustrating at times, but I liked his character, too. He was a little misunderstood, and through the book he really came into himself. I liked the romance because while it was a little unbelievable, it was sweet and imperfect.

My only complaint about this book was that it felt a little bit long at times. It dragged a little bit, but I still really enjoyed it and gave it a 4 out of 5 stars. It's the perfect book to read during this time of year.

What are your favourite Christmas books? I'm always looking for more to add to my list.

Top Ten New-to-Me Authors I Read in 2015

 

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the ladies over at The Broke and the Bookish.

Creating this list, I found I didn't actually read a lot of new authors. There was only about a handful more that I could have added to this list. I should make a goal to change that in 2016. Who knows how many other fantastic authors I'm missing out on.

This is not in any particular order, just the order they showed up in my Goodreads.

Some of these authors are debut authors, like Sabaa Tahir and Susan Philpott so I've only obviously read their debuts. You should check them out if you're looking for a new author. Sabaa Tahir wrote An Ember in the Ashes, which I absolutely loved and was one of my favourite fantasy novels this year. Philpott wrote an exciting cross-Canada story about an underground railway system that helps women in trouble. It's called Blown Red and I have an arc of the second one, Dark Territory, which is set to come out in January.

The others on the list all have multiple books out and some are very well-known. I wrote yesterday about my complicated relationship with Colleen Hoover. My favourite of her books so far is Maybe Someday.

Morgan Rhodes is releasing the fourth book in her Falling Kingdoms series next week and I cannot wait to get my hands on it! Check it out if you're missing Game of Thrones, like I always am.

Lucinda Riley writes historical fiction novels and I read the first book in her newest series called The Seven Sisters and I loved it. I'm impatiently waiting for the next one, The Storm Sister, to come out in the spring.

Emery Lord is a master at writing female friendships and I fell in love with her love of female friendships.

Marissa Meyer writes the Lunar Chronicles series and I should be ashamed that I only read them this year, but I actually loved being able to mostly marathon the series. Winter was an incredible end to the series.

Jennifer Niven wrote All The Bright Places which killed me and I think it's an important book for everyone. It's, of course, being made into a movie so that should be interesting.

Harlan Coben is the author of many suburban thrillers and I love me a good thriller. I seem to get instantly addicted to his books and fly through them.

I've only read one JoJo Moyes books so far, Me Before You, and that book left me a weeping mess. I seriously need to pick up her other books asap.

Mini-Reviews: Ink and Bone and Off The Page

The last two months have not been very good reading months for me. I always seem to get a bit slumpy during the beginning of fall, which makes no sense as fall is such a good reading time. I think I'm finally getting out of the slump, as it's only November 9th and I've already read 3.5 books. In an effort to make this blog more active, I have two mini-reviews today.

 



 

First off, this cover is gorgeous! The spine looks like an old leather bound hardcover, and I just love it. The reason I was so drawn to this book was because it's about books, and because it had a lot of Harry Potter comparisons. It is definitely nothing like Harry Potter. They both take place in a learning environment, but there is no awesome school like Hogwarts in this book. The only real similar thing was a chess set that moves itself, which to be honest, kind of bugged me. Oh, and there's a train that transports them, but it's much more fancy than the Hogwarts Express.

 

I spent the first half of this book not really caring about it. I was liking it enough, but it wasn't completely holding my attention. The premise is really interesting. Real books are kept controlled by the Library and to be in possession of them is a crime. There's a group of students who are being trained to work for the Library (there are different job titles), and then they are sent to war-torn England to try and smuggle out some books. Naturally, people are trying to kill the students. This was when the story got really interesting.

 

At times I found it hard to care about the characters. I thought they were well-written and such, but I just didn't care that much until about the middle of the book. It probably sounds like I didn't enjoy this book, and that's not true. I did like it, but I did have some issues. I didn't really like/care about the romance . It felt forced and rushed and just off. I do plan to read the next one because once I finally became invested in the story, I really needed to know what happens.

 

I gave this a 3 out of 5 stars because it was a bit slow at first, but it ending up picking up in the latter half.

 

 

If you've been reading my blog for any length of time then you know that Jodi Picoult is one of my favourite authors, and I will basically try anything that she writes. Off The Page is the companion book to her book Between The Lines, which was co-written with her daughter Samantha van Leer. I read Between The Lines back in 2012 and really liked it.

 

Between The Lines is about a girl who falls in love with a prince from a book, and about how they try to get him out of the book. Off The Page is about the boy, Oliver, out of the book and living in the real world. I'll mention right away that you do need to suspend your beliefs in order to read this book, but I really loved it. I had such a good time reading this book. It's fun, and cute, and maybe a bit cheesy, but there are also some serious undertones to it.

 

In order for Oliver to leave the book, someone had to take his place. The authors son, Edgar, happened to be the one who took Oliver's place.  The author doesn't know that the boy living with her is the character she created, and most definitely not her son.

 

Watching Oliver try to navigate modern life/high school was funny and sweet, until something happens to the author and it's decided that Oliver needs to go back to the book so that Edgar can come out and be with his mom. Problems arise when they try to get Edgar back out and Oliver back in. I loved the cast of characters, both in the book and in the real world. I will never forgive Picoult and van Leer for a particular THING that happened, though. I just don't think IT had to happen.

 

Like I said before, I had a lot of fun reading this book. It's almost like a modern day fairy tale, and is perfect for anyone who hasn't read a good old fairy tale in a long time. After all, who hasn't fallen for a book character and wished they could be a real person?

 

 



October Wrap-Up!

It's been far too long (again). I don't know what it is about this time of year, but I seem to go through a bit of a slow reading phase. I had computer problems at the beginning of the month, which left me without a computer for about a week. I also got sick, and didn't read or do much other than work that week.

This month I read 6 novels and 1 graphic novel, which is definitely less than usual for me.

Dumplin' by Julie Murphy - This was a great book, and had an important message, but I did have some problems with the main character, Dumplin'. At times, she seemed very judgemental for someone who is aware of being judged for most of her life. She was flawed for sure, which made her more relatable, but I did find myself a little annoyed at her at times. Her relationship with her mother made me a bit sad, too.  I gave it 4 stars because despite my issues, I really enjoyed it.

Furiously Happy: A Funny Book About Horrible Things by Jenny Lawson - I loved this book. Jenny Lawson is the face behind the massively popular The Bloggess. She openly suffers from mental illness and is not ashamed of it. She is an important advocate, and I think more people need to be aware of who she is. Her book was hilarious. I actually had tears running down my face at times, and read a few passages to my husband (who thought I was nuts, but laughed). While it's hilarious, it's also important and sad, and an eye-opener for those who perhaps don't suffer in the same way. 5 out of 5 stars.

Night Film by Marisha Pessl - I read this book in two days. Partly because my computer was dead at that point, and I was on vacation from work with not much else to do, but partly because I couldn't put it down. I really loved the format. There were articles, webpages, photos, police reports, and other random things scattered throughout, and that's honestly one of my favourite things to find in books. I did find that it dragged a little at times, which is why I gave it four stars, but this story gets into your head and does not leave until after you're finished.

What a Girl Wants by Lindsey Kelk - This is book two in her A Girl series (the final book comes out November 10th), and I liked it a lot. Tess is most definitely flawed, but I find obviously flawed characters relatable. She's hilarious and crass, and is torn between two men. This takes place mostly in Milan and should be read in the sun with a drink in your hand. 4 stars.

Ms. Marvel, Vol. 2: Generation Why by G. Willow Wilson - I liked this volume more than volume 1 because more was revealed about her powers and how she came to have them. Also, Wolverine! 3 stars.

Pretending to Dance by Diane Chamberlain - This was pretty good, but not my favourite Chamberlain book. I think I would have liked it better had I not figured out the ending within the first few pages. Molly believes her mother murdered her father when she was a child and hasn't spoken to her since. She and her husband are in the process of adopting a child, which brings up her past. I did like how it was told, alternating between the past and present, but I had a hard time connecting with Molly, and like I said, I'd already figured it out. 3.5 stars.

Hold Tight by Harlan Coben - This was a quick read, and one I enjoyed, but it was a little unbelievable at times. I like Coben's ability to take suburban life and make it terrifying, because let's be honest, real life can be quite scary at times. 3 stars.

I'm currently reading Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine, which is pretty good so far. I'm still not in a huge reading mood, so who knows how long it will take me to finish.

Like I mentioned, this was a slow month. Tomorrow brings November, which already has me super excited to start reading Christmas books. I've been excited since, like, August. My TBR for the next two months will be full of fun Christmas reads. Do you have any favourite Christmas books? I always love recommendations.

Since today is Halloween, I'll end with a photo montage of my cats as pretty princesses last year, including our very male cat, Ollie. This year, they're a shark but they're even less co-operative and I value having fingers.

Top Ten Tuesday: Fall TBR

 

I'm not the greatest at sticking to TBRs because I like to read whatever I'm in the mood for, but I'll try my best. I love fall and everything about it, except that it leads to winter. I hate winter.

My husband loves Halloween and horror, so come October horror movies are constantly on our TV. October always makes me want to read some darker books, so there will be some of those on here.

The Green Mile by Stephen King - I've never read Stephen King (I know), and a co-worker lent me The Green Mile awhile ago, so I should probably get to it. The Green Mile was originally released as a serial. I thought that was really cool, and I'd love to see another book release that way.

Bloodfever by Karen Marie Moning - I read Darkfever earlier this month and liked it. It wasn't super amazing or anything, but it kept my interest and I want to know what happens next.

 

Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine - I'm really interested in checking out the book that has received some Harry Potter comparisons. It sounds good, but nothing will ever live up to Harry Potter.

 

Legacy of Kings by Eleanor Herman - This is a historical fiction YA, which I haven't read much of, so I'm really looking forward to it. Plus, it's beautiful. Look at that cover!

 

Pretending to Dance by Diane Chamberlain - Chamberlain is one of my favourite authors, so I'm definitely excited to check out her new release out on October 6th.

 

The Illegal by Lawrence Hill - I absolutely loved The Book of Negroes (loved so much that I read it in two days), so I cannot wait to get to this. I'm currently #30 in line at the library for this, which means I'll probably end up just buying it.

 

Frozen Tides by Morgan Rhodes - This comes out in December and may end up being a winter TBR book, but who knows. I recently fell in love with the Falling Kingdoms series and think everyone should check it out! This is book 4.

 

Dumplin' by Julie Murphy - I've been hearing nothing but great things about this book, so I definitely need to check it out soon.

 

The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon - I've been feeling the urge to jump back into Jamie and Claire's world, and fall is the perfect time to settle in with this series.

 

The last slot is reserved for the mystery/thrillers that I love so much.

 My mom and I both love them, so we pass them back and forth between us, which is something I really love. The above are just a few that I have waiting for me.

 

What do you plan on reading this season? Are you horrible at sticking to TBRs, too?

 

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the ladies over at The Broke and the Bookish.

Top Ten Series I have YET To Finish

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the ladies over at The Broke and the Bookish. This weeks topic is ten series that are completed, but that I have yet to complete. I have a love/hate relationship with series. I love all the extra time spent with characters, but some series are just so long and drawn out. I don't even want to count the incomplete series that I have on the go that still have books to come out.

1. The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare- I just need to read City of Heavenly Fire. I started this series late last year, and read the majority of them earlier this year. I was waiting for CoHF to come out in paperback, which it now has so I have no excuse.

2. The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare - Another reason I haven't finished TMI is because I wanted to read this series before I read CoHF. I read the first one, and didn't like it a much as the TMI books, but I do need to finish it. I've been feeling the need to finish CoHF lately, so maybe I'll finish this series soon.

3. Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan - I've only read the first one so far. I will eventually finish the others. I actually started listening to the second last week as I was on the treadmill, but I kind of want to just read it.

4. Anne of Green Gables by LM Montgomery - I read the first one, and I've been collecting the others in used bookshops. I bought the first and second from bookshops on Prince Edward Island, which is where the books are based.

5. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins -This is more of a companion series, but it counts. I've only read Anna so far. I didn't love it but I do want to continue, so I'm saving the other two for when I want a fun, quick read.

6. Lowcountry Summer series by Mary Alice Monroe - This series is about three adult half sisters who are visiting their grandmother for the summer. Each book follows a different sister. I actually don't know why I haven't finished this, as I flew through the first two.

7. Slammed by Colleen Hoover- This is one I don't think I'll actually finish. I really liked Slammed, but I don't know if I care enough to read the other two.

8. Cedar Cove series by Debbie Macomber - This series has 12 books and so far I've read 3 of them. I'm not in a huge hurry to finish these, but I will eventually.

9. The Ascendance Trilogy by Jennifer A. Nielsen - I don't actually know why I haven't finished this series because I really liked it and as they're middle grade, they're really quick reads.

I think that's all of the completed series that I haven't finished yet. There was actually more than I thought that there would be. Have you not completed any of these? Which one do I absolutely need to finish asap?

 

 

It's time for another edition of 'holy crap, another month has gone by!' otherwise known as my August wrap-up. This month I read a total of nine books, which is a little less than I had been reading lately, but I'm okay with that because I took my time with two of the books I read.

 

A Tap on the Window by Linwood Barclay - This was a 3 star read for me. It wasn't really anything spectacular, but I did enjoy reading it. There were twists and turns, and I always like a good mystery/thriller. Barclay has a way of drawing you completely into the story.

 

The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh - Ooh, this book. I was very hesitant about reading this when I first heard about it because it didn't really sound all that appealing to me. Then one day this month I got it into my head that I absolutely HAD to read it, so I picked it up. I should have listened to my gut. It was just okay. I had a few issues with it, mostly with the romance, which made reading it difficult. I just did not like the way the romance played out. Also, I was horrible at pronouncing the names, which was kind of frustrating. I struggled to get through the first half, but it did pick up during the second half. I didn't HATE it, but I really didn't love it. I don't know if I'll continue with this series. Actual rating for this is probably 2.5 stars. A lot of people absolutely love this book, so don't let my thoughts stop you from reading it.

 

A Book of Spirits and Thieves by Morgan Rhodes - If you've been reading my blog the last month or so, you'll know that I've fallen for the Falling Kingdoms series by Morgan Rhodes. I've devoured the three books in that series so far, and I can't wait for the fourth to come out in December. A Book of Spirits and Thieves is a spin-off series, so I picked it up this month. While I didn't enjoy this as much as the Falling Kingdoms books, it was still interesting and I'll be reading the rest of the series. It takes place in modern day Toronto, as well as the land in Falling Kindoms, Mytica. I love Mytica, which is why I think I didn't like this one as much, because I just wanted more Mytica scenes.

 

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling - This was my 4th/5th? time re-reading this, and I just loved it again. I bought the new Bloomsbury paperback edition because I absolutely love the covers. I have all the original first edition hardbacks, but I could not resist this cover. I want to get the rest of them asap. This was one of the books that I took my time reading this month. I just wanted to take it slow and enjoy it.

 

 

 

All The Rage by Courtney Summers - This book was fantastic, but also infuriating and sad. Basically, a girl is raped by a popular, rich boy and no one believes her and makes her life hell. Then, a popular girl goes missing and people start opening their eyes. This book was hard to read at times because of how real it truly was. Countless rapes go unreported every year because the victim thinks that no one will believe her/him. This needs to change. More people need to read this book, and look at the consequences of victims keeping quiet.

 

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling - My awesome husband came home one day and surprised me with the next book in the lovely new Bloomsbury covers, so of course I had to read it. I've been on a huge Harry Potter kick this month. We re-watched the first movie, I bought a shirt, and I've been playing the Lego Harry Potter game for the Wii. I will never stop loving this world. I also took my time re-reading this book.

 

Happiness for Beginners by Katherine Center - I loved this book. I have a full review here, so I won't say much, but it was a great read if you're looking to read about self-discovery in an awesome wilderness adventure setting.

Always the Bridesmaid by Lindsey Kelk - I plan to do a proper review for this book, so I'll just say that I loved it! It was hilarious, and real, and might be my new favourite Lindsey Kelk book.

 

Other things:

This month went by way too quickly! I really didn't do anything, except work and hang out with my husband and our cats. I'm ready for the weather to cool down a bit, but am definitely never ready for snow. Below are a few photos of Ollie because he's cute, and the only one of our three cats that somewhat tolerates photos.



 

I love this face.

All stretched out for a Sunday nap.

 We bought a new bed, and Ollie had to test the mattress to see if it was safe for us.

Top Ten Of My Auto-Buy Authors

Top Ten Of Your Auto-buy Authors (no matter the genre or what it's about...you'll buy it from these authors!) Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the ladies over at The Broke and the Bookish.

I feel like a broken record with many of these, but what can I say? I like to support my favourites. Some of these authors I still have unread books by, but I intend to get to them.

Jodi Picoult - I don't think I could rave about Picoult any more than I already do. Leaving Time blew me away, as do all of her books.

Kristin Hannah - Hannah is an author that I think just keeps getting better the more she writes. I absolutely adored The Nightingale. It's a historical fiction set during WW2, and shows the struggles that the women had to go through. It also shows had amazing they were, and how integral to the war effort they were.

Chevy Stevens - If you like thrillers, Stevens' has to be on your TBR. She is fantastic at writing thrillers that get into your head. Her latest release, Those Girls, left me an emotional wreck by the end.

Lucy Clarke - She only as three books out so far, but I have absolutely loved each one. Her newest, The Blue, just came out this month and it was a 5 star read for me. She is a master at writing breathtaking settings. Random bonus: her covers are always gorgeous.

Emery Lord - Lord is a new addition to my auto-buys, as I just read both of her books, Open Road Summer and The Start of Me and You, this year. She writes YA contemporary fiction, and celebrates female friendship, which is a nice change.

Sarah Dessen - I've been reading Dessen's novels for about 10 years now, and I don't see myself ever stopping. They're YA, but they always make me nostalgic and understand my past a little bit more. Saint Anything was released earlier this year, and it's Dessen at her finest.

Kimberly McCreight - Her latest, Where They Found Her, as well as her previous book, Reconstructing Amelia, kept me guessing the entire time. Her characters are very relatable, and you may find yourself in one of them. Perhaps even the 'bad guy'.

Morgan Matson - She is another contemporary YA writer who writes realistic characters. I wrote a Why You Should be Reading Morgan Matson post last year that better explains my love for her books.

Lindsey Kelk - Her books are just so much fun to read. I always turn to her when I need something light and fun. I don't consider 'light and fun' to be a negative thing at all. I recently started her I Heart series and loved the first book. I also really loved The Single Girls' To-Do List.

Diane Chamberlain - She is an author whose back list I still need to finish (I have Summer's Child sitting right next to me), and is someone I turn to when I need a book that I know I'll love.

I know I've mentioned all of these authors in previous posts, buy they're all just so good! Who is your #1 MUST BUY author?

Mini-Reviews

It's been awhile since I've done any mini-reviews. Sometimes I don't have enough thoughts/feelings about a book to write a whole post, so mini-reviews can be easier and more fun to do for those books.

Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella
This was Kinsella's first YA book, and while I did enjoy it, I had some problems. I was not a big fan of the romance. It bothered me that a boy was so pivotal in helping her with her anxiety. He did not 'cure' her, which I appreciated, but it seemed like he had a lot more influence over her than her family. Audrey's mom was hilarious. She was neurotic and totally not helping Audrey's anxiety, but I thought she was funny. I gave this 4 out of 5 stars.

I Heart New York by Lindsey Kelk
I really love Kelk's novels. They're light, funny, and all feature relatable characters. This one was about Angela who catches her fiancé cheating on her at her best friend's wedding, causes a scene, and flees to New York City. Who hasn't thought about doing that? I sure have. Angela meets a cast of awesome people while in NYC, including Jenny (who I love) who decides she needs to date around to get over her fiancé. Plus, she's a writer and writes about it in her blog. I loved this book. I loved the setting, characters, and all the random things she gets up to. Can't wait to read the others in the series. 4.5 out of 5 stars for this one.

In The Unlikely Event by Judy Blume
I feel like I'm in the minority here because I did not LOVE this book. I didn't read Blume growing up. I was more into The Babysitters Club, Little Sister and Goosebumps books. I read Summer Sisters years ago, and liked it, but I didn't have those nostalgic Blume feelings like many others. Perhaps that affected my rating because I didn't feel nostalgic. I thought the book was good, but not amazing. I was a little bored at times, and all the characters were a bit confusing in the beginning. I read this during a crazy heat wave, so maybe I was just hot and cranky. 3.5 stars.

The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh
This was a case where I should have listened to my gut. I resisted reading this for a long time because it just didn't sound like my thing, but then I gave into the hype and read it. Shazi volunteers to marry the king who kills his brides every morning at dawn because she plans to kill him. Sounds decent, right? I didn't love it. Part of what bothered me was that I didn't know how to pronounce many of the names, so I was spending too much time trying to figure them out. The romance was also not for me. I struggled to get through the first half, though it did pick up during the last half. I haven't decided if I'll continue with this series. 2.5/3 out of 5 stars.

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Authors I've Read The Most From

Thought I'd try something new and put some text on one of my photos. Do you like?

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the ladies over at The Broke and the Bookish.

I used Goodreads for this, and I wasn't really all that surprised by my results.

Jodi Picoult - 19 books
Not surprised by this at all because Picoult is one of my most favourite authors. Her books just keep getting better and better! I'd recommend Leaving Time, 19 Minutes, Handle with Care, and The Pact. I always know to expect some sort of twist in her books, but it still usually manages to catch me off guard.

Kristin Hannah - 15 books
Also not surprised at all. You must check out her most recent release, The Nightingale. I loved it so freaking much. Also Firefly Lane (though it's sequel Fly Away was just okay), Night Road, Home Front, and Winter Garden. Her books are all quite different and I just really enjoy her writing.

Sarah Dessen - 12 books
I've read every single Dessen book, and will continue to do so until she stops writing. I hope to one day have a daughter that I can pass these books onto.

Jane Green - 9 books
One summer a few years ago (2010? holy crap that was 5 years ago) I went through a big Jane Green phase. I still enjoy her books, especially when I want something light and fun. Favourites include The Beach House, Family Pictures, and Another Piece of My Heart.

Nicholas Sparks - 9 books
I feel like some people are ashamed that they read Sparks books. I'm not. I like his books, though I hate that he seems to be writing books just to get them made into movies. My favourite is The Last Song. The movie was pretty terrible, but I flew through this book and still randomly think about it.

Diane Chamberlain - 7 books
I thought this number would be higher because I freaking love Chamberlain. I'm still slowly working on her back list, but so far there's only been one book that I thought was just okay. I really recommend Before The Storm, Secrets She Left Behind (don't read the synopsis before reading Before the Storm!), Necessary Lies, and The Midwife's Confession.

Cassandra Clare - 6 books
I was really into The Moral Instruments series late last year/early this year. I still need to read City of Heavenly Fire, but I want to read the last two Infernal Devices books first. I think I kind of burned myself out on this world a bit, so I'm taking a break.

J.K. Rowling - 6 books
This is actually 7 books because I've read all 7 Harry Potter books multiple times, but I'm currently re-reading the 5th, so I think Goodreads is confused. I've also read The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith and want to pick up The Silkworm.

Chevy Stevens - 5 books
I've read all of her books and absolutely love them. I can't even recommend one over the other because I loved them all, but definitely read her latest Those Girls and Still Missing.

Diana Gabaldon - 5 books
I really love the Outlander series and am slowly working my way through it. The books are so long, so it's taking a while because I can't read them back to back. I love Jamie and Claire, though. My favourite book in the series after Outlander is Drums of Autumn.

Have you read any of these authors? Who was your #1 read author?

The Falling Kingdoms Series by Morgan Rhodes

I've found myself getting into fantasy series this year. It's not a big surprise, considering my huge love for all things Harry Potter, but it had been awhile since I had been really into reading fantasy. I've been all about the contemporaries for a few years, which I still love.

I don't always love really high fantasy stories, though, so when I heard that Morgan Rhodes Falling Kingdoms series is not as high fantasy as other series, I decided to check it out. I had heard a lot of Game of Thrones comparisons, which made me a little skeptical, but I found myself really enjoying this series.

Falling Kingdoms synopsis:
In the three kingdoms of Mytica, magic has long been forgotten. And while hard-won peace has reigned for centuries, a deadly unrest now simmers below the surface.

As the rulers of each kingdom grapple for power, the lives of their subjects are brutally transformed... and four key players, royals and rebels alike, find their fates forever intertwined. Cleo, Jonas, Lucia, and Magnus are caught in a dizzying world of treacherous betrayals, shocking murders, secret alliances, and even unforeseen love.

The only outcome that's certain is that kingdoms will fall. Who will emerge triumphant when all they know has collapsed?

It's the eve of war.... Choose your side.

Princess: Raised in pampered luxury, Cleo must now embark on a rough and treacherous journey into enemy territory in search of magic long thought extinct.

Rebel: Jonas, enraged at injustice, lashes out against the forces of oppression that have kept his country cruelly impoverished. To his shock, he finds himself the leader of a people's revolution centuries in the making.

Sorceress: Lucia, adopted at birth into the royal family, discovers the truth about her past—and the supernatural legacy she is destined to wield.

Heir: Bred for aggression and trained to conquer, firstborn son Magnus begins to realise that the heart can be more lethal than the sword....

While I don't think the GoT comparisons are entirely accurate/fair (and I'm not saying one is better than the other), one thing that is somewhat similar is how ruthless Rhodes is with her characters! Do not get attached to anyone because you may find yourself mourning them. I'm liking the ruthlessness, though, because it definitely kept me on my toes.

One reason I'm enjoying this series so much is because of the writing. Rhodes is an excellent writer and the books draw you in immediately. The writing is easy to read, and I found myself reading these quickly. In fact, I read the second book Rebel Spring in one sitting!

Each book is told through four perspectives, which works really well. I love that we get a deep look into each characters thoughts and actions. It makes the book so much more readable and enjoyable. The characters are really great, too. I find myself really liking Cleo, especially since she's evolving so much in each book. Don't think this princess is a weak little girl, because she is one of the strongest characters. I also love Jonas. He's the underdog that you really want to win because of the crappiness that has been his life.

The magic system in these books is really interesting. There are four Kindred, which are magical elemental crystals, that when used together make their owner the most powerful person in the universe. Naturally, everyone wants them, but they're not as easy to find and use as one may think.

These books definitely keep me guessing. Alliances may not be as strong as you think, characters aren't always who you think they are, and the enemy may not always be the bad guy. It's not a series that you can figure out easily.

Rhodes also has a spin-off series that has just released this year called A Book of Spirits and Thieves. I've also read this one, and it's really fun. This series takes place in the world of Mytica, but also in present-day Toronto, which is really cool. It's a series that can be read on its own, but I would recommend at least reading Falling Kingdoms before picking up ABoSaT.

One final reason I love this series is because Morgan Rhodes is Canadian. As a Canadian, I am always super excited to find books written by Canadians that I love. There are Tim Horton's references in A Book of Spirits and Thieves!

I definitely recommend this series as each book just keeps getting better and better. The more layers that are revealed in the story, the more hooked I become. I definitely need book 4, Frozen Tides, asap!