Book Review: Wolf in Sheep's Clothing by Charlie Adhara

Title: Wolf in Sheep's Clothing
Author: Charlie Adhara
Series: Big Bad Wolf, #4
Publisher: Carina Press
Publication Date: March 2, 2020

Synopsis: Agent Cooper Dayton and his partner, Oliver Park, are going undercover—at a retreat for couples who need counselling. They do say the best cover story is one that’s close to the truth… 

Agent Cooper Dayton is almost relieved to get a phone call from his former boss at the Bureau of Special Investigations. It means a temporary reprieve from tensions created by house hunting with Oliver Park, his partner both in work and in life. Living together in a forever home is exactly what Cooper wants. He’s just not keen on working out the details.

With a former alpha werewolf missing, Cooper and Park are loaned to the BSI to conduct the search at a secluded mountain retreat. The agents will travel to the resort undercover…as a couple in need of counseling.

The resort is picturesque, the grounds are stunning and the staff members are all suspicious as hell.

With a long list of suspects and danger lurking around every cabin, Cooper should be focusing on the case. But he’s always been anxious about the power dynamics in his relationship with Park, and participating in the couples’ activities at the retreat brings it all to the surface. A storm is brewing, though, and Cooper and Park must rush to solve the case before the weather turns. Or before any more guests—or the agents themselves—end up dead.

Review: When I first read the Big Bad Wolf trilogy, I completely fell in love and was heartbroken that it was over. And then Charlie Adhara gifted us with Wolf In Sheep's Clothing. Cooper and Oliver are at it again with their next big mystery. I loved the setting of this book, getting to learn more about AQs, and seeing their relationship further develop. It was a perfect balance between the investigation that kept me on my toes and my favorite duo who kept me laughing and swooning throughout. I am beyond happy the series will be continuning and only a *little* miffed I have to wait till 2021 for the next one...

An ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley.

Rating: 5/5 stars

-Kristen ♥

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Book Review: Graveyard Shift by Jenn Burke

Title: Graveyard Shift
Author: Jenn Burke
Series: Not Dead Yet, #3
Publisher: Carina Press
Publication Date: November 4, 2019

Synopsis: Shifting Into High Fear

Ghost/god Wes Cooper and his not-life partner, vampire Hudson Rojas, have settled into cohabitation in an upscale part of Toronto. So what if their hoity-toity new neighbors haven’t exactly rolled out the welcome mat for the paranormal pair? Their PI business is booming, and when a suspect they’ve been tailing winds up in the morgue, it’s alongside a rash of other shifters in apparent drug-related fatalities.

Now Wes and Hudson must connect the dots between the shifter deaths and an uptick in brutal vampire attacks across the city. Throw in a surprise visit from Hudson’s niece—who may or may not be on the run from European paranormal police (who may or may not exist)—and guardianship of a teen shifter who might be the key to solving the whole mystery (if only she could recover her memory), and Wes and Hudson have never been busier…or happier.

But when a nightmare from Hudson’s past comes back to haunt him, their weird, little found family is pushed to the brink. Mucking this up would mean Hudson and Wes missing their second chance at happily-forever-afterlife…

Review: The Not Dead Yet series has been such a delight to read and Graveyard Shift was a great conclusion. The premise is what first caught my attention and it was executed so well. The overall pacing is phenomenal- Jenn Burke has a way of drawing you and not letting you go! I devoured all three books in four days. The characters are all so amazing and I loved seeing their little family grow throughout the series. Graveyard Shift is definitely the saddest of the bunch, but don't let that deter you! There are still plenty of funny and swoony moments. Wes really comes into his own, Hud opens up more, and the rest of the gang still kicks ass! My fingers are crossed that we will get more books because there's no way Wes & Hudson are going to stay out of trouble!

An ARC was provided by the author.

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

-Kristen ♥

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Book Review: Monster of the Week by F.T. Lukens

Title: Monster of the Week
Author: F.T. Lukens
Series: The Rules, #2
Publisher: Duet Books
Publication Date: October 15, 2019

Synopsis: Spring semester of Bridger Whitt's senior year of high school is looking great. He has the perfect boyfriend, a stellar best friend, and an acceptance letter to college. He also has this incredible job as an assistant to Pavel Chudinov, an intermediary tasked with helping cryptids navigate the modern world. His days are filled with kisses, laughs, pixies, and the occasional unicorn. Life is awesome. But as graduation draws near, Bridger's perfect life begins to unravel. Uncertainties about his future surface, his estranged dad shows up out of nowhere, and, perhaps worst of all, a monster-hunting television show arrives in town to investigate the series of strange events from last fall. The show's intrepid host will not be deterred, and Bridger finds himself trapped in a game of cat and mouse that could very well put the myth world at risk. Again.

Review: This series is quirky & adorable and Monster of the Week made for a great next installment! Bridger is his usual hilarious mess and I love him. Leo is practically perfect. Getting to see their relationship develop more was icing on the cake. And where would the book be without the rest of the gang, Astrid, Pavel, Elena, & the Pixies? The world continues to be both fascinating and endlessly entertaining, so I certainly wouldn't mind getting even more books! *hint hint* Overall, I'm completely smitten and loved every sparkly page of this goofy not-at-all-horror/totally-a-romance story.

An ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley.

Rating: 5/5 stars

-Kristen ♥

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Book Review: Again, but Better by Christine Riccio

Title: Again, but Better
Author: Christine Riccio
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Publication Date: May 7, 2019

Synopsis: From one of the most followed booktubers today, comes Again, but Better, a story about second chances, discovering yourself, and being brave enough to try again. 

Shane has been doing college all wrong. Pre-med, stellar grades, and happy parents…sounds ideal—but Shane's made zero friends, goes home every weekend, and romance…what’s that?

Her life has been dorm, dining hall, class, repeat. Time's a ticking, and she needs a change—there's nothing like moving to a new country to really mix things up. Shane signs up for a semester abroad in London. She's going to right all her college mistakes: make friends, pursue boys, and find adventure! 

Easier said than done. She is soon faced with the complicated realities of living outside her bubble, and when self-doubt sneaks in, her new life starts to fall apart.

Shane comes to find that, with the right amount of courage and determination one can conquer anything. Throw in some fate and a touch of magic—the possibilities are endless.

Review: Again, but Better was so much fun- filled with bookish references, song lyrics, movie discussions, and little YA winks- it was relatable and thoroughly entertaining. If you are a fan of Christine’s booktube channel, a lot of her personality shines through the story, but Shane still stands out as her own character. This book makes me wish I could have done a study abroad program! I loved reading about Shane’s stay in London and her many travels. Pilot! He was definitely a swoon-worthy love interest. He did frustrate me a bit with his inability to do the right thing. But I recognize it stemmed from a very human character flaw he eventually worked through. His banter with Shane had me grinning. Something that was very unexpected (but now looking at that title, I should have known) was the speculative twist that I not only enjoyed, but was left wanting to know more! The ending left me so satisfied, with an epic epilogue I absolutely adored. Overall, I definitely enjoyed this story and am looking forward to Christine’s next work.

An ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley.

Rating: 4/5 stars

-Kristen ♥

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Book Review: Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

Title: Red, White & Royal Blue
Author: Casey McQuiston
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Publication Date: May 14, 2019

Synopsis: A big-hearted romantic comedy in which the First Son falls in love with the Prince of Wales after an incident of international proportions forces them to pretend to be best friends...

First Son Alex Claremont-Diaz is the closest thing to a prince this side of the Atlantic. With his intrepid sister and the Veep’s genius granddaughter, they’re the White House Trio, a beautiful millennial marketing strategy for his mother, President Ellen Claremont. International socialite duties do have downsides—namely, when photos of a confrontation with his longtime nemesis Prince Henry at a royal wedding leak to the tabloids and threaten American/British relations.

The plan for damage control: staging a fake friendship between the First Son and the Prince. Alex is busy enough handling his mother’s bloodthirsty opponents and his own political ambitions without an uptight royal slowing him down. But beneath Henry’s Prince Charming veneer, there’s a soft-hearted eccentric with a dry sense of humor and more than one ghost haunting him.

As President Claremont kicks off her reelection bid, Alex finds himself hurtling into a secret relationship with Henry that could derail the campaign and upend two nations. And Henry throws everything into question for Alex, an impulsive, charming guy who thought he knew everything: What is worth the sacrifice? How do you do all the good you can do? And, most importantly, how will history remember you?

Review: Ahhh, this book was marvelous! And romantic! And funny! Alex and Henry were amazing, nuanced, and so perfect for each other. Their banter was everything. Their emails were swoony. I loved the side characters and the world they lived in, which was just a little bit better than ours- enough to feel hopeful that we can one day make it a reality. The President's son and the prince of England falling in love is a story I've definitely wanted, and Casey McQuiston delivered! I even got a little teary-eyed at one point, which almost never happens! I cannot recommend this book enough. It will set your heart aflutter and linger long after the final page is turned.

An ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley.

Rating: 5/5 stars

-Kristen ♥

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Book Review: Prince of Air and Darkness by M.A. Grant

Title: Prince of Air and Darkness
Author: M.A. Grant
Series: The Darkest Court, #1
Publisher: Carina Press
Publication Date: February 25, 2019

Synopsis: Phineas Smith has been cursed with a power no one could control. 

Roark Lyne is his worst enemy and his only hope.

The only human student at Mather’s School of Magick, Phineas Smith has a target on his back. Born with the rare ability to tap into unlimited magick, he finds both Faerie Courts want his allegiance—and will do anything to get it.

They don’t realize he can’t levitate a feather, much less defend the Faerie Realm as it slips into civil war.

Unseelie Prince Roark Lyne, Phineas’s roommate—and self-proclaimed arch nemesis—is beautiful and brave and a pain in the ass. Phineas can’t begin to sort through their six years of sexual tension masquerading as mutual dislike. But Roark is also the only one able to help Finn tame his magick. 

Trusting Roark’s mysterious motives may be foolish; not accepting his temporary protection would be deadly.

Caught in the middle of the impending war, Phineas and Roark forge a dangerous alliance. And as the walls between them crumble, Phineas realizes that Roark isn’t the monster he’d imagined. But their growing intimacy threatens to expose a secret that could either turn the tide of the war…or destroy them both.

Review: Prince of Air and Darkness absolutely hit the spot. It certainly has some Carry On vibes, but clearly stands on its own as a unique piece of work with distinct characters I couldn’t help but fall for, especially dear Roark, whose feelings for Finn made me giddy. I am completely fascinated with the world M.A. Grant has built and cannot wait to return to it in the sequel, where I hope Roark and Phineas will still have a prominent role. They were so fun together and there definitely seems to be more under the surface in terms of their magicks. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this start to a new and exciting series!

An ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley.

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

-Kristen ♥

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Book Review: A Nordic King by Karina Halle

Title: A Nordic King
Author: Karina Halle
Publication Date: September 21, 2018

Synopsis: A STANDALONE ROYAL ROMANCE

When I first applied for the job I thought it would be like all the others: working as a nanny for an aristocratic family.
Then I got the job and found out how wrong I was.

Now I’m the new nanny for two adorable little girls who happen to be princesses.

Their father is the widowed King of Denmark.
And my new home? The royal palace in Copenhagen.
Adjusting to my new life isn't easy but the hardest part hasn’t been the girls who still grieve over the loss of their mother.

It’s their father.
Cold, mysterious and moody, with an icy stare that seems to penetrate your soul, King Aksel may have hired me to take care of his daughters but he wants as little to do with me as possible.

Yet the longer I share these palace walls with this man, the more that I’m drawn to him. His chiseled face and sexual swagger are only part of the package. It’s in the long, intense glances at the dinner table, the way we’ll brush up against each other in the halls, the rare glimpses of the man deep inside, like the sun passing through clouds.
But no matter how I feel about him, we can never be together. 

You think it's bad enough being in love with your boss?
Try falling in love with a king.

Review: A Nordic King was a really perfect read for me! It had all the elements I love in a romance, with a few twists, such as the way the conflict was handled, that made it really refreshing. I completely fell in love with the characters, the story, and the romance. I had no idea I had a thing for Danish men, but thanks to Aksel, I certainly do now. The main cast was developed; you really get to know the two young princesses, Clara and Freja; Maja; and of course, Snarf Snarf! Our Australian heroine, Aurora, was sassy and kind. This book just hit me in the feels and has me excited to read more by Karina Halle.

An ARC was provided by the author.

Rating: 5/5 Stars

-Kristen ♥

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Book Review: The Dreadful Tale of Prosper Redding by Alexandra Bracken

Title: The Dreadful Tale of Prosper Redding
Author: Alexandra Bracken
Series: The Dreadful Tale of Prosper Redding, #1
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Publication Date: September 5, 2017

Synopsis: "I would say it's a pleasure to meet thee, Prosperity Oceanus Redding, but truly, I only anticipate the delights of destroying thy happiness." 

Prosper is the only unexceptional Redding in his old and storied family history — that is, until he discovers the demon living inside him. Turns out Prosper's great-great-great-great-great-something grandfather made — and then broke — a contract with a malefactor, a demon who exchanges fortune for eternal servitude. And, weirdly enough, four-thousand-year-old Alastor isn't exactly the forgiving type.

The fiend has reawakened with one purpose — to destroy the family whose success he ensured and who then betrayed him. With only days to break the curse and banish Alastor back to the demon realm, Prosper is playing unwilling host to the fiend, who delights in tormenting him with nasty insults and constant attempts trick him into a contract. Yeah, Prosper will take his future without a side of eternal servitude, thanks.

Little does Prosper know, the malefactor's control over his body grows stronger with each passing night, and there's a lot Alastor isn't telling his dim-witted (but admittedly strong-willed) human host. 

From #1 New York Times best-selling author Alexandra Bracken comes a tale of betrayal and revenge, of old hurts passed down from generation to generation. Can you ever fully right a wrong, ever truly escape your history? Or will Prosper and Alastor be doomed to repeat it?

Review: I don’t often read Middle-Grade books, but the premise of The Dreadful Tale of Prosper Redding had me so intrigued that I couldn’t resist picking it up. And Alexandra Bracken did not disappoint. This was a fun, dark read with wonderful characters and fascinating creatures. We follow twelve-year-old Prosperity Oceanus Redding as he learns he is the host of a demon/fiend prince named Alastor, who is determined to exact revenge on his family, and who Prosper is determined to get rid of. I absolutely adored Prosper! He comes from a very respectable family but has always felt like he wasn’t quite good enough, especially compared to his twin sister, Prudence Fidelia Redding. He is an artist, loyal, and kind-hearted and I really enjoyed his narration. But I also loved getting to be inside Alastor’s head! He’s old-fashioned, stubborn, and just a little cheeky and I am excited to see his relationship with Prosper develop more. Prosper also becomes friends with another favorite character, a witch named Nell, who is proud, resilient, and kicks butt. The twists and turns were great, the atmosphere was delicious, and that cliffhanger left me eagerly awaiting the sequel.

An ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley.

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

-Kristen ♥

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Book Review: The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang

Title: The Prince and the Dressmaker
Author: Jen Wang
Publisher: First Second
Publication Date: February 13, 2018

Synopsis: Paris, at the dawn of the modern age:

Prince Sebastian is looking for a bride―or rather, his parents are looking for one for him. Sebastian is too busy hiding his secret life from everyone. At night he puts on daring dresses and takes Paris by storm as the fabulous Lady Crystallia―the hottest fashion icon in the world capital of fashion! 

Sebastian’s secret weapon (and best friend) is the brilliant dressmaker Frances―one of only two people who know the truth: sometimes this boy wears dresses. But Frances dreams of greatness, and being someone’s secret weapon means being a secret. Forever. How long can Frances defer her dreams to protect a friend? Jen Wang weaves an exuberantly romantic tale of identity, young love, art, and family. A fairy tale for any age, The Prince and the Dressmaker will steal your heart.

Review: Graphic novels are still a fairly new genre to me, but with each one I read I fall in love a little bit more and The Prince and the Dressmaker has got to be the sweetest one I’ve read yet! Jen Wang’s illustrations were fantastic, the characters lovely, and the dresses absolutely divine. I loved watching Prince Sebastian’s confidence grow as he transformed into Lady Crystallia and I adored Frances’ friendship and easy acceptance. This story is about two characters going after their dreams and my heart warmed as I watched them come true. The ending was my favorite part as love conquered the day and I cannot wait to get my hands on a physical copy so I can read it all over again.

(I know there's a while to wait until the release of this book, BUT I WAS JUST TOO EXCITED NOT TO SHARE!!)

An ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley.

Rating: 5/5 stars

-Kristen ♥

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Book Review: Antisocial by Heidi Cullinan

Title: Antisocial
Author: Heidi Cullinan
Publication Date: August 8, 2017

Synopsis: A single stroke can change your world. 

Xander Fairchild can’t stand people in general and frat boys in particular, so when he’s forced to spend his summer working on his senior project with Skylar Stone, a silver-tongued Delta Sig with a trust fund who wants to make Xander over into a shiny new image, Xander is determined to resist. He came to idyllic, Japanese culture-soaked Benten College to hide and make manga, not to be transformed into a corporate clone in the eleventh hour.

Skylar’s life has been laid out for him since before he was born, but all it takes is one look at Xander’s artwork, and the veneer around him begins to crack. Xander himself does plenty of damage too. There’s something about the antisocial artist’s refusal to yield that forces Skylar to acknowledge how much his own orchestrated future is killing him slowly…as is the truth about his gray-spectrum sexuality, which he hasn’t dared to speak aloud, even to himself.

Through a summer of art and friendship, Xander and Skylar learn more about each other, themselves, and their feelings for one another. But as their senior year begins, they must decide if they will part ways and return to the dull futures they had planned, or if they will take a risk and leap into a brightly colored future—together.

Review: This book absolutely warmed my heart. I fell in love with the story and the characters, and was so happy with the representation in this novel. At the very core, this was a story about being true to yourself and being happy. It tells us that our families are made up of the people who love and support us even if they're not related by blood or law. It tells the reader these truths through the relationship of Xavier and Skylar. These two were adorable and I loved watching them grow as people and grow together as a couple. Heidi Cullinan captured Xavier's passion for art so beautifully and had me aching to see the paintings she described. Just as beautiful was watching Skylar shed his false exterior and accept who he really was. This was my first time reading about a character who falls on the ace/gray spectrum and I hope to read more in the future. I was also drawn into the setting- Benten College, which is absolutely drenched in Japanese culture. Xavier and Skylar's group of friends were charming, and while some were more developed than others, they became family over the course of the book. My favorites were Zelda, a fierce friend of Xavier's from the beginning who is unafraid of anything and Unc, a wonderfully cheerful fraternity brother of Skylar's who was always willing to lend a helping hand. Overall, I absolutely loved this book and hope I get to read more about these characters again someday.

An ARC was provided by the author through NetGalley.

Rating: 5/5 stars

-Kristen ♥

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Book Review: Noteworthy by Riley Redgate

Title: Noteworthy
Author: Riley Redgate
Publisher: Amulet Books
Publication Date: May 2, 2017

Synopsis: It’s the start of Jordan Sun’s junior year at the Kensington-Blaine Boarding School for the Performing Arts. Unfortunately, she’s an Alto 2, which—in the musical theatre world—is sort of like being a vulture in the wild: She has a spot in the ecosystem, but nobody’s falling over themselves to express their appreciation. So it’s no surprise when she gets shut out of the fall musical for the third year straight.

Then the school gets a mass email: A spot has opened up in the Sharpshooters, Kensington’s elite a cappella octet. Worshiped ... revered ... all male. Desperate to prove herself, Jordan auditions in her most convincing drag, and it turns out that Jordan Sun, Tenor 1, is exactly what the Sharps are looking for.

Review: I absolutely loved this book! First, it features one of my favorite tropes; girls disguising themselves as boys to go after something they want. And second, it has a diverse cast of characters that I completely adored. Our protagonist, Jordan Sun, attends this elite boarding school for the arts; but because she doesn't fit any of the roles she auditions for, she never gets casted. That's when Jordan decides to take matters into her own hands, disguising herself as Julian in order to audition for her school's most popular a cappella group, the Sharpshooters. I loved this group of boys, but my absolute favorites were Isaac and Nihal, who grew the closest to J. I loved reading the lyrics of the songs they were performing and it was amazing getting to listen to the songs come to life on Riley Redgate’s website! Overall, this book was fun, inclusive, and aca-mazing! 

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

-Kristen ♥

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