#Net Galley

[monomatica]

REVIEW : I Think They Love You by Julian Winters

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars

I typically read a book in 5 days but this one I read in 24 hours. I simply could not put it down. Maybe it’s because I love a Fake Dating Rom Com. Or that I was in the mood for a contemporary romance. Or because I fell in love with Denz and Braylon and their magnetic banter. Or because I could live vicariously through the parties featured in the story. It was probably all of the above because I absolutely loved it.

This is a fake dating mixed with second chance romance between Denzel Carter and Braylon Adams, who dated in college and then split up, and who meet again 5 years later which is where the book takes place. There are also some serious issues about meeting the expectations of your ambitious, talented family where everyone is involved in the family business, and the pressure you feel from your Father vs. finding your independence. There’s a bit of "nice Succession" in it, too, with a competition between Denz & Kami, the siblings that will inherit 24 Carter Gold, their Father’s very successful, high-end wedding-now-event planning company. It’s a wonderful framework for a romance and the extended family members are sassy and delightful.

There are super cute details like Brayson being labelled “Formerly Known as Bray” in his phone and “ex-now-fake-boyfriend” is how Denz refers to him in his POV. Braylon texts Denz random dad jokes which made me chuckle. The comedic timing is very funny. And of course there’s kissing with a 2/5 steam level!

I’ve only read Prince of the Palisades which I liked, but this grabbed me and never let go. Winters is known for writing contemporary YA romance, but I really hope he writes more queer adult romances because he’s great at it!

OUT: JAN 28, 2025

Thanks to NetGalley & St. Martin’s Press for the ARC

[quirkycatsfatstacks]

WOTN: A Killing Frost by Seanan McGuire

Fae Laws And Complications Abound in A Killing Frost A Killing Frost is the latest novel to come from the October Daye series. Once again, fae law is making Toby’s life difficult. You think being a hero would earn her a break or two, but that is not the case. Can you believe that October Daye is fourteen books in at this point? In many ways, it still feels like the series is brand new. Probably…

[mermaidsirennikita]

ARC Review: Her Lessons in Persuasion by Megan Frampton

4/5. Releases 1/24/2023.

For when you're vibing with... Fake dating, nerds in love, baby boy baby boy, and VIRGIN HEROES!!!

Wilhelmina is not particularly interested in finding a husband. At twenty-four, she's largely given up on it, instead compiling a list of the men she would not be interested in marrying (this list does include Ivan the Terrible, it is quite funny). Her new stepmother (19) has other ideas, instead insisting that Wilhelmina hits the town and looks for a man, which is why barrister Bram Townsend seems so convenient. He and Wilhelmina did share a pretty great kiss that time she accidentally fell on him, and he is up for a fake courtship...

Megan Frampton's books are great to read in the midst of an angsty period of your life, or between overwhelmingly heavy books. They're light, they're breezy, and they have enough story and romance to make you feel like you're investing in something, versus just moving your eyes across the page in order to pass the time. Her Lessons in Persuasion is no different. To me, this is the kind of book you could call a historical romcom and actually mean it.

Quick Takes:

--Both the hero and the heroine are virgins in this one, which I fucking loved. Bram may not know what he's doing, but he's researched it! Thoroughly! And he will apply that research! Frampton writes good sex, and I could've stood to see a bit more of it, but I do appreciate the virgin-on-virgin action here.

--Bram's backstory is actually pretty great, and an excellent setup for a series, bravo. I'll be interested to see a cluster of heroes who don't come from extreme privilege--Bram being a self-made hero and a complete nerd could've been hard to pull off, as I think we have this idea of the working class hero as like.... the rough and tumble, Derek Craven type. But she pulled it off really well here.

--I actually loved Alethea, Wilhelmina's young, excessively girly stepmother. At parts, I will say that I worried about Wilhelmina verging into Not Like Other Girls territory, but Frampton held her back. I mean, it's also a bit different when the girly girl you're not a fan of is boinking your dad. I can allow for some issues there.

--I appreciated the interclass conflict being present but not overwrought. It's a fact of life that neither Wilhelmina nor Bram seem particularly shocked by, and it makes sense to me that these two characters, both of which don't necessarily adhere to the stereotypes of their respective classes, would find each other.

--Supportive male friendships! A hero who's in a book club and DEFENDS HIS OPINIONS STRONGLY!!!

Is this fluffier than what I would typically opt for? Probably, yes. But it's very satisfying, very romantic, and just kind of... a lovely break from the constant dramarama of life and fiction.

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[protagonistspub]

Voice of the Ancient by Connilyn Cossette

Voice of the Ancient by Connilyn Cossette was an Advanced Reader’s Copy from NetGalley. It is Biblical fiction and the first book in The King’s Men series. It will be published by Bethany House and releases on 15 August 2023. This was my first book from the author and only the third book in the Biblical fiction genre I can recall ever reading. It will not be my last book from the author or the…

[asayeassefa]

[jesswallflowerreviews]

Dating and Other Theories

Dating and Other Theories by Susannah Nix Pub Date: Jun 20 2024

4 Stars

I recieved a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a review. I read this when it was originally published in 2018 and immediately read the following two books in the series. This series follows strong, smart, powerful women who do not hide their incredible knowledge and the men who are not afraid to love them. I have the following books in the series 4 stars as well. I can respect that they have decided to change the covers and titles as the trends in marketing have changed since then.

[monsterkong]

🚀 Unlocking Business Success: Mindset Matters with Phoebe

Hello, dream chasers! 🌟 Welcome back to Business Story of the Week! Today, we have an inspiring guest—Phoebe, a business mindset coach who’s here to spill the tea on how you can break through mental blocks and take your life and business to new heights. Let’s get into it!

Success: Is It Strategy or Mindset? 🤔

We’ve all been there—wondering if the right strategy will finally unlock the success we’ve been chasing. But here’s the truth: it’s mindset that really matters. Phoebe breaks it down for us in this week’s episode. 🧠 While strategies are important, it’s your mindset that will make or break your progress. You could have the best marketing plan in the world, but if your mindset isn’t in the right place, you’re setting yourself up for failure.

Phoebe’s Journey: From Health Challenges to Business Triumphs 💪

Phoebe didn’t have an easy start. Her 20s were filled with serious health issues—multiple surgeries, chronic pain, and even being told she had a 50% chance of survival due to a spinal infection. 😱 Can you imagine? Instead of letting that define her, Phoebe fought back. After 18 months of holistic treatments, she emerged stronger than ever, determined to help others achieve success—not just in business, but in life.

Her key takeaway? Your health—both physical and mental—is the foundation of your success. If you’re not taking care of yourself, you won’t be able to show up fully for your business or your dreams.

Mindset First, Strategy Second 🚀

Phoebe now works with entrepreneurs to help them separate strategy from mindset. It’s not enough to have a killer business plan. You need to believe in your ability to succeed, even when things get tough. One of Phoebe’s favorite responses when a client says, “I’ve tried that, and it didn’t work,” is: “It hasn’t worked yet.” That subtle shift in thinking changes everything.

So if you’re feeling stuck in your business or life, remember: it’s not about finding the perfect strategy. It’s about building the right mindset.

[bedrotgrrrl]

One of the best parts of being a bookseller: galley boxes! Spoils from Scholastic.

[libertyreads]

Book Review #34 of 2024--

The Stars Too Fondly by Emily Hamilton. Rating: 4 stars.

Read from May 24th to 28th.

Before I get into the review, a quick thank you to both NetGalley and the publishers over at Avon and Harper Voyager for allowing me access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review. The Stars Too Fondly is a Sci-Fi set in the near future of 2061. Following the tragic loss of the Providence I crew in 2041, the world became STEM obsessed and fearful of ever attempting to navigate the stars again. But when Cleo and her friends decide to break in to view the spaceship in person, things take an unexpected turn. Part space odyssey, part sapphic rom-com, this story combines fierce friendships, improbable love, and wonder into a sweeping adventure. The Stars Too Fondly comes out on June 11th and is available for pre-order now.

There was so much to enjoy in this one which makes me so, so glad both that Lala from BooksandLala talked about it in a video AND that the publishers let me read it early. I've been missing Sci-Fi so much lately and the absolute joy and wonder that the friend group experienced was exactly what I needed. The characters were so fun and fresh while still having their flaws. Each had their own distinct personality and their own relationships with each other (not just a friend group where everything's about the main character). I enjoyed seeing this take on intergalactic travel and how boring it can get. How completely wonderful and amazing and yet also emotionally draining being stuck in a tin can flying at near-light speed can be. I found the world they're traveling to to be so extraordinary and I wish we had more time to explore what kind of hardships they could have faced there. I know that's not the point of the novel but it would have been so much fun.

I wish there had been more of an explanation for the Other Place because, without it, the ending felt a little too deus ex machina for me. I also felt like it wasn't enough of a hard Sci-Fi for me. This one is totally a me problem and not a book problem. Since reading The Expanse, I've been really longing for a hard Sci-Fi with good character work and it's been difficult to find something similar to that. But this story had so much else going for it and there were so many other places it went that most people won't care about it being a...softer(?) Sci-Fi.

Overall, this was such a fun (and sometimes tense) read for me. If I had more available free time during the week I probably would have finished this one in a couple of sittings.

[quirkycatsfatstacks]

Review: Castle Swimmer Vol. 1

Writer/Artist: Wendy MartinPublisher: Ten Speed GraphicReleased: October 22, 2024Received: NetGalleyFind it on Goodreads | More Graphic Novels Summary: Kappa is the Beacon, a fact known well before his birth. Every culture and city has its own legend about Kappa. Some believe he’ll come and bring with him good fortune. Others think he’ll be what they need to change their lives forever. It’s…

[protagonistspub]

Memory Lane by Becky Wade

Memory Lane by Becky Wade was an Advanced Reader’s Copy from NetGalley. It is a Christian Romance and is the first in the Sons of Scandal series. Becky Wade is a new to me author. Remy is an artist on a remote island in Maine and one day she spots an man swimming in the ocean. Instinct drives her to undertake a rescue operation which results in the hypothermic man recovering in her home. He,…

[deludedimages]

Review for Let Me Tell You A Story, by Tim Waggoner

I’ll start this with a few comments. I’ve read the other two books in this series. They’re two of the best “How To Write” books. The other books on that list are Stephen King’s On Writing, On Writing Horror By the HWA, and John Gardner’s On Becoming A Novelist. Some of these are not true “How To” books. King’s is more of a memoir, plainly stated on the cover. The others are How To Write books.…

[contemporaryartists2023]

[cutemothman]

requesting an arc from a publisher with my 12 goodreads followers

[libertyreads]

November 2024 TBR--

I'm excited for my November reads which mostly consists of new releases/ARCs. I'm doing a very slow reread of one of my favorite books of all time which means Locke and Jean are spending November with me. I'm also finally reading another Hunger Games book for the first time. Let's get into the reads.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins-- This is going to be my first time reading the Hunger Games prequel. This one follows Coriolanus Snow as he mentors the female tribute from district 12 in the 10th Annual Hunger Games. I've heard some positive and negative things for this one so I am pretty nervous. I'm also usually not a huge fan of prequels coming out years after the original has finished.

Funny Story by Emily Henry-- Yes, I am now on the Emily Henry bandwagon. A couple months ago I read Happy Place and I am ready to get hurt again. I chose Funny Story as my next read since it follows a man and woman who are trying to save face in front of their exes by pretending online that they're together following humiliating breakups. I always love fake dating so don't even get me started. I'm so excited.

The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch-- This is the reread that I'm taking so completely slowly. I originally read this one in a week despite it being so dense because I was absolutely living for it. This time I'm only reading one or (at most) two chapters per day so I can really take the time to absorb it. The Lies of Locke Lamora follows an orphan who is raised to become a gentleman thief who charms people right out of their purses. There are aspects of found family and heists that just make my heart so happy. This is one of my favorite books of all time.

The Whispering Night by Susan Dennard (NetGalley ARC)-- I was shocked to find that I got approved for this ARC a couple of weeks ago. This one is going straight to the top of my reading priorities for the month since it comes out soon. This is the final book in the Luminaries series. We follow Winnie Wednesday who is looking forward to the Nightmare Masquerade which is a week long celebration of all things Luminary. But Winnie is confronted by a masked Diana and charged with an impossible task that threatens everything and everyone Winnie loves.

Against the Boards by Cynthia Gunderson (Kindle)-- My hockey romance for the month. I'm enjoying allowing myself to read a hockey romance every month and keeping this pattern going. There's hockey, there's romance, what's not to love? When Emma's controlling brother Sean tries to tell her who she can and can't date, Emma convinces his teammate Tyler to mess with Sean by pretending they're in a relationship for just one night. I assume that things spin out of control from there and the fake dating continues for longer than just one night. Also, I just now realized I'm reading two books this month with fake dating. You know what? I am not complaining.

Teen Titans: Starfire by Kami Garcia and Gabriel Picolo (New Release)-- After a bit of delay, we're getting the next graphic novel in the Teen Titans series. I don't know anything about Starfire, but we follow Kori Anders who has Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and is asked to participate in a clinical trial with her sister that is designed to advance treatments for EDS. But during treatment, Kori begins to discover some strange powers that she's never had before. I enjoy these graphic novels so much and I'm excited to meet a new character and see how she ties into the overarching plot.

Games Untold by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (New Release)-- Am I a sucker for all things Inheritance Games? Abso-fucking-lutely. This is a collection of short stories and novellas in the world of The Inheritance Games. The synopsis on GoodReads includes: this collection "proves that when you love the way Hawthornes love, there is no going back." The story I'm most excited for, of course, is $3CR3T $@NT@. But anything new from this world is going to get read by me. It just is. I love the Hawthornes (and Avery and Libby).

[monomatica]

Review : Earl Crush by Alexandra Vasti

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars

This is the 2nd Regency rom-com set in the world of Belvoir’s Library. The MCs are Lydia Hope-Wallace, who is one of Selina’s besties from London that you meet in Ne’er Duke Well, and Arthur Baird, the Earl of Strathrannoch in Scotland. Lydia is an heiress with a lot of money and no marriage prospects, and Arthur has a title, a rundown castle and a lack of funds to make repairs. After a miscommunication meet-cute, they develop the hots for each other.

💚 A FEW HIGHLIGHTS:

- Fake Married - Politics & Schemes - Longing & Lust - Vulnerability & Care - Love Letters - Can’t stop kissing - Only one bedroom - Too many brothers These two are so sweet together! Arthur understands her shyness and anxiety and wants to protect her. Lydia feels strength from him and loves his massive torso. He falls hard and is the biggest cinnamon roll. She is a smart politico with a talent for writing opinion pamphlets. Together they pretend to be married for “reasons” and they keep up the ruse for quite some time and is a lot of fun.

Aside from the romance I really loved getting cameos of characters from the 1st book when Selina & her besties put their wits together to solve the case. I honestly would watch a Masterpiece Theater series about the Belvoir’s Library and its female patrons solving crimes. Also, I may or may not have been teary-eyed at the ending.

I’ve read all of Vasti’s books so far and have liked every one, but am especially loving this Belvoir’s Library series. If you’re in the mood for a Regency rom-coms you’ll love this one too. I’m so excited for Georgiana’s book coming next! Her dog is named Sir Francis Bacon, Bacon for short, and I laughed so hard! 🥓

OUT: January 21, 2025

—Thank you to NetGalley & St. Martin’s Griffin for the ARC—

(No Zebras were harmed in the writing of this review 😉)