Book Review: Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead by Elle Cosimano

Title: Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead

Author: Elle Cosimano

Series/Standalone: Finlay Donovan Series (Book #2)

Genre: Adult Fiction, Mystery, Cozy

Pages: 357

Publisher: Minotaur 

Year Published: 2022

Format: Audiobook

"Finlay Donovan is- once again- struggling to finish her next novel and keep her head above water as a single mother of two. On the bright side, she had her live-in nanny and confidant Vero to rely on, and the only dead body she's dealt with lately is that of her daughter's pet goldfish. 

On the not-so-bright side, someone out there wants her ex-husband, Steven, out of the picture. Permanently. Whatever else Stevenmay be, he's a good father, but saving him will send her down a rabbit hole of hit-women disguised as soccer moms, and a little bit more involvement with the Russian mob than she'd like. 

Meanwhile, Vero's keeping secrets, and Detective Nick Anthony seems determined to get back into her life. He may be a hot cop, but Finlay's first priority is preventing her family from sleeping with the fishes... and if that means bending a few laws then so be it.

With her next book's deadline looming and an ex-husband to keep alive, Finlay is quickly coming to the end of her rope. She can only hope there isn't a noose at the end of it..."

My Rating: 4/5

This is a fun series. I love the concept of this cozy mystery. A romance suspense novelist gets tied up in a world she's never imagined being a part of herself. A love interest with spice, but not to much, and a mystery that is goofy in many ways but with real consequences. I loved the humour, the friendships and the writing. Overall, very fun. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Title: Daisy Jones & The Six

Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Adult Fiction, Historical Fiction, Contemporary

Pages: 368

Publisher: Ballantine Books

Year Published: 2019

Format: Audiobook

"Everyone knows DAISY JONES & THE SIX, but nobody knows the reason behind their split at the absolute height of their popularity... until now.

Daisy is a girl coming of age in L.A. in the late sixties, sneaking into clubs on the Sunset Strip, sleeping with rock stars, and dreaming of singing at the Whisky a Go Go. The sex and drugs are thrilling, but it's the rock 'n' roll she loves most. BY the time she's twenty, her voice is getting noticed, and she has the kind of heedless beauty that makes people do crazy things.

Also getting noticed is The Six, a band led by the brooding Billy Dunne. On the eve of their first tour, his girlfriend Camila finds out she's pregnant, and with the pressure of impending fatherhood and fame, Bill goes a little wild on the road.

Daisy and Billy cross paths when a producer realizes that the key to supercharged success is to put the two together. What happens next will become the stuff of legend.

The making of that legend is chronicled in this riveting and unforgettable novel, written as an oral history of one of the biggest bands of the seventies. Taylor Jenkins Reid is a talented writer who takes her work to a new level with Daisy Jones & The Six, brilliantly, capturing a place and time in an utterly distinctive voice."

My Rating: 5/5

I listened to the audiobook of this novel, and it was absolutely excellent. I love Taylor Jenkins Reid's ability to pull you in and make you feel like you want to see all the things that the famous person has been in previously. I'm grateful that when reading this, the show had been produced (not that I'll watch the show), but this means that there are some songs that helped me fully immerse myself in the story. The twists, the turns, and the different voice actors make for a great atmosphere.

Can't wait to read more of her novels in the Reidverse.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty

Title: Nine Perfect Strangers

Author: Liane Moriarty

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Fiction, Contemporary, Thriller, Adult

Pages: 453

Publisher: Flatiron Books

Year Published: 2018

Format: Audiobook

"Could ten days at a health resort really change you forever?

These nine perfect strangers are about to find out...

Nine people gather at a remote health resort. Some are here to lose weight, some are here to get a reboot on life, some are here for reasons they can't even admit to themselves. Amidst all of the luxury and pampering, the mindfulness and meditation, they know these ten days might involve some real work. But none of them could imagine just how challenging the next ten days are going to be.

Frances Welty, the formerly best-selling romantic novelist, arrives at Tranquillum House nursing a bad back, a broken heart, and an exquisitely painful paper cut. She's immediately intrigued by her fellow guests. Most of them don't look to be in need of a health resort at all. But the person that intrigues her most is the strange and charismatic owner/director of Tranquillum House. Could this person really have the answers Frances didn't even know she was seeking? Should Frances put aside her doubts and immerse herself in everything that Tranquillum House has to offer- or should she run while she still can?

It's not long before every guest at Tranquillum House is asking exactly the same question.

Combining all the hallmarks that have made Liane Moriarty's writing a go-to for anyone looking for wickedly smart, page-turning fiction that will make you laugh and gasp, Nine Perfect Strangers once again shows why she is a master of her craft."

My Rating: 4/5

It had been a while since I had read any other works by the author, so I felt that I was approaching this author's book with fresh eyes. However, it did have a similar ambience to what I remembered of Big Little Lies. The unsettling idea that something isn't quite what it appears, and that we're on the tracks in a train that could derail at any minute. I love how individual each of her characters feels in both of these works that I've read. My only complaint was that I thought there would be a slightly bigger twist at the end of the book, but I understand how we came to the conclusion we did. 

Thank you for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: The Strawberry Patch Pancake House by Laurie Gilmore

Title: The Strawberry Patch Pancake House

Author: Laurie Gilmore

Series/Standalone: Dream Harbor Series (Book #4)

Genre: Adult Fiction, Romance, Contemporary

Pages: 361

Publisher: HarperCollins

Year Published: 2025

Format: Paperback (Own it)

"As a renowned chef, single-dad Archer never planned on moving to a small town, let alone running a pancake restaurant. But Dream Harbor needs a new chef, and Archer needs a community to help raise his daughter, Olive.

Iris has never managed to hold down a job for more than a few months. So when Mayor Kelly suggests Archer is looking for a nanny, and Iris might be available, she shudders at the thought. But in need of money she reluctantly agrees. 

As Archer and Iris get used to their new roles, is it possible that they might have more in common than they first thought, or is Olive just determined to play match-maker..."

My Rating: 2/5

I really enjoyed the start of this book. I was having a good time. I could see the miscommunication trope upcoming, but as for most of this series, that is to be expected. But then there were a few tropes used that I didn't love. They weren't used in a way I found believable or understandable for the character. It was already hard to see Iris in this romance after she said that children were terrifying in one of the last books. So while this was fun, it was my least favourite in the series so far by a mile. 

Thank you for reading,

Sidny 

Book Review: Upright Women Wanted by Sarah Gailey

Title: Upright Women Wanted

Author: Sarah Gailey

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Dystopian, Adult Fiction, Western

Pages: 176

Publisher: Tor

Year Published: 2020

Format: Audiobook

"'That girl's got more wrong notions than a barn owl's got mean looks.'

Esther is a stowaway. She's hidden herself in the Librarian's book wagon in an attempt to escape the marriage her father has arranged for her- a marriage to the man who was previously engaged to her best friend. her best friend who she was in love with. Her best friend, who was just executed for possession of resistance propaganda.

The future American Southwest is full of bandits, fascists, and queer librarian spies on horseback trying to do the right thing. They'll bring the fight to you."

My Rating: 5/5

I don't think that I've read a lot of short stories that I've loved, but this one was exactly what I wanted. Following nobinary, and LGBTQ librarians in the wild west, while they defend people's rights to love, and for women to just be people? Yes please! Sign me up. I look forward to reading more work by the author and hope to pick up more dystopian-style westerns in the future. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: The Scorpion and The Night Blossom by Amelie Wen Zhao

Title: The Scorpion and the Night Blossom

Author: Amelie Wen Zhao

Series/Standalone: The Three Realm Duology (Book #1)

Genre: Young Adult, Romantasy, Mythology

Pages: 400

Publisher: Penguin Random House

Year Published: 2025

Format: Physical (Library copy)

"In a world at war with demons, one girl will face the ultimate test when she is forced to enter into an ancient, deadly competition for the chance to save her mother's soul... before she loses her forever. From the New York Times bestselling author of Song of Silver, Flame Like Night comes the beginning of a dark and opulent fantasy duology, perfect for fans of Throne of Glass. 

Nine years ago, the war between the Kingdom of Night and the Kingdom of Rivers tore Àn’yīng’s family apart, leaving her mother barely alive and a baby sister to fend for. Now the mortal realm is falling into eternal night, and mó- beautiful, ravenous demons- roam the land, feasting on the flesh of humans and drinking their souls.

Àn’yīng is no longer a helpless child, though. Armed with her crescent blades and trained in the ancient art of practicioning, she has decided to enter the Immortality Trials, which are open to any mortal who can survive the journey to the immortal realm. Those who complete the Trials are granted a pill of eternal life- the one thing Àn’yīng knows can heal her dying mother. But to attain the prize, she must survive the competition.

Death is common in the Trials. Yet oddly, Àn’yīng finds that someone is helping her stay alive. A rival contestant. Powerful and handsome, Yù’chén is as secretive about his past as he is about his motives for protecting Àn’yīng.

The longer she survives the Trials, the clearer it becomes that all is not right in the immortal realm. To save her mother and herself, Àn’yīng will need to figure out whether she can truly trust the stranger she's falling for or if he's the most dangerous player of all... for herself and for all the realms."

My Rating: DNF

I made it about halfway through this book before admitting to myself that I wasn't loving it. I think that the author's writing style in this wasn't for me. I felt that I was being told a lot of things without a ton of illusion; it was like being told something from a monster manual as opposed to another method. That being said, I'm not sure what would have made it better for me. I'd be curious to try some of her other work and see how I feel, if it's the writing style or just the form of this storytelling for this one, for me. I might pick this one back up in the future, but for now, it's gonna be headed back to the library. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: The Third Gilmore Girl by Kelly Bishop

Title: The Third Gilmore Girl

Author: Kelly Bishop

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Adult, Memoir, Nonfiction

Pages: 256

Publisher: Gallery Books

Year Published: 2024

Format: Audiobook

"Beloved award-winning actress Kelly Bishop, famous for playing the iconic Emily Gilmore in Gilmore Girls, finally tells the whole story of her six decades in show business.

Kelly Bishop's storied career has been defined by landmark achievements, from winning a Tony Award for her turn in the original Broadway cast of A Chorus Line to her memorable performance as Jennifer Grey's mother in Dirty Dancing, but it is probably her role as matriarch Emily in the modern classic Gilmore Girls that cemented her legacy. Now, Bishop reflects on her remarkable life and looks towards the future, sharing some of her greatest stories and the life lessons she's learned on her journey. From her early transition from dance to drama, to marrying young to a compulsive gambler, to the losses and achievements she experienced- among them marching for women's rights and losing her second husband to cancer- Bishop offers a rich, genuine celebration of her life.

Full of witty insights, The Third Gilmore Girl is a warm, unapologetic, and powerful memoir from a woman who has left indelible impressions on her audiences for decades."

My Rating: 5/5

Reading this from the author narrating made it so much more heartfelt. Learning more about this marvellous actress's background and history in the arts. I also loved hearing about how she was so influential on Broadway and off. Her outlook on life and her ability to be so humble after being so amazing were incredible. This memoir moved me to tears. Would highly recommend it if you like celebrity memoirs.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: The Christmas Tree Farm by Laurie Gilmore

Title: The Christmas Tree Farm

Author: Laurie Gilmore

Series/Standalone: Dream Harbor Series (Book #3)

Genre: Romance, Adult Fiction, Cozy, Contemporary

Pages: 369

Publisher: HarperCollins

Year Published: 2024

Format: Audiobook (Own it Physically)

"Kira North hates Christmas. Which is unfortunate since she just bought a Christmas tree farm in a town that's too cute for its own good.

Bennett Ellis is on vacation in Dream Harbor taking a break from his life in California. And most importantly, taking a break from his latest run of disastrous dates. 

After a run in with Kira in her fields, Ben has no intentions of offering to help the grumpy owner set up her tree farm, despite the fact she's clearly got no idea what she's doing.

Kira knows she should stop being stubborn, but her farm is not all cute and cozy like people always show on social media, it's borderline dangerous with no heating, and she'd rather no one saw it. 

But somehow fate finds Ben at Kira's farm once more, and as Kira watches him swing an ax at the first tree, she finds herself appreciating his strength and questioning why she refused help in the first place..."

My Rating: 5/5

I absolutely loved this book. I thought that it was going to be a little too cutesy, but it surprised me with its smut, its depth and its ability to maintain the cozy vibes we had in the first two books. I loved it so much, in fact, I ordered a trophy copy immediately to add to my shelf, and forced my husband to start the first book so he can read this one too. If you're looking for cozy vibes, meets comfort show, meets smut, this is a great read.

Thanks for reading

Sidny

Book Review: The Cinnamon Bun Book Store by Laurie Gilmore

Title: The Cinnamon Bun Book Store

Author: Laurie Gilmore

Series/Standalone: Dream Harbor Series (Book #2)

Genre: Romance, Cozy, Contemporary, Adult

Pages: 384

Publisher: Indie Published

Year Published: 2024

Format: Audiobook (Own Physical Copy)

"When a secret message turns up hidden in a book in the Cinnamon Bun Bookstore, Hazel can't understand it. As more secret codes appear between the pages, she decides to follow the trail of clues... she just needs someone to help her out.

Gorgeous and outgoing fisherman, Noah is always up for an adventure. And a scavenger hunt sounds like a lot of fun. Even better that the cute bookseller he's been crushing on for months is the one who wants his help!

Hazel didn't go looking for romance, but as the treasure hunt leads her and Noah around Dream Harbor, their undeniable chemistry might be just as hot as the fresh-out-of-the-oven cinnamon buns the bookstore sells..."

My Rating: 4.5/5

I really enjoyed listening to the audiobook of this. The storyline is so cozy, and the characters are just quirky enough to remind you of either a certain popular comfort show. The dual perspectives, the quirky town characters and the changing seasons so well documented help me to love the series more and more. I found, though, that the struggle the couple faced was too avoidable to be realistic for me (as realistic as a town whose mayor has dream premonitions brought up at town meetings).

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Title: Catching Fire

Author: Suzanne Collins

Series/Standalone: The Hunger Games Series (Book #2)

Genre: Young Adult, Dystopia, Science Fiction

Pages: 391

Publisher: Scholastic

Year Published: 2009

Format: Paperback Copy (Own it)

"Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with fellow district tribute Peeta Mellark. But it was a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules. Katniss and Peeta should be happy. After all, they have just won for themselves and their families a life of safely and plenty. But there are rumors of rebellion among the subjects, and Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge."

My Rating: 4.5/5

I forgot many parts of this book, which made this reread even more fun. Seeing how this crosses over with both Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, and Sunrise on the Reaping. The ideas in dystopian literature are often so disturbing, but also have an undercurrent of potential in an uncomfortable way. I'm looking forward to rereading Mockingjay and seeing how the two prequels overlay. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

Title: Yellowface

Author: R.F. Kuang

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Fiction, Contemporary, Literary Fiction

Pages: 319

Publisher: William Morrow

Year Published: 2023

Format: Audiobook

"Authors Juniper Hayward and Athena Liu were supposed to be twin rising stars. But Athena is a literary darling while June is a nobody. Who wants stories about basic white girls? June thinks. So when June witnesses Athena's death in a freak accident, she acts on impulse, stealing Athena's just-finished masterpiece, an experimental novel about the unsung contributions of Chinese laborers during World War I.

So what if June edits Athena's novel and sends it to her agent as her own work? So what if she lets her new publisher rebrand her as Juniper Song- complete with an ambiguously ethnic author photo? The piece of history deserve to be told, whoever the teller. That is what June believes, and The New York Times bestseller list agrees. 

But June cannot escape Athena's shadow, and emerging evidence threatens her stolen success. As she races to protect her secret she discovers exactly how far she will go to keep what she thinks she deserves."

My Rating: 4/5

This is an important read. Being knowledgeable about where our stories come from, and thinking about how different perspectives come into play. This book brings up a lot of conversation pieces for readers, writers, and other people who engage with literature. The only aspect I didn't like was our main character. I know the purpose was that she is unlikable, but it was to the point where I sometimes didn't want to pick up the book because I knew that June was going to be a rough character to read from. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: None of This is True by Lisa Jewell

Title: None of This is True

Author: Lisa Jewell

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Adult Fiction, Thriller, Mystery

Pages: 390

Publisher: Atria Books

Year Published: 2023

Format: Audiobook

"Celebrating her forty-fifth birthday at her local pub, popular podcaster Alix Summers crosses paths with an unassuming woman called Josie Fair. Josie, it turns out, is also celebrating her forty-fifth birthday. They are, in fact, birthday twins. 

A few days later, Alix and Josie bump into each other again, this time outside Alix's children's school. Josie has been listening to Alix's podcast and thinks she might be an interesting subject for her series. She is, she tells Alix, on the cusp of great changes in her life.

Josie's life appears to be strange and complicated, and although Alix finds her unsettling, she can't resist the temptation to keep making the podcast. Slowly, she starts to realise that Josie has been hiding some very dark secrets, and before she knows it, Josie has inveigled her way into Alix's life- and into her home.

But, as quickly as she arrived, Josie disappears. Only then does Alix discover that Josie has left a terrible and terrifying legacy in her wake, and that Alix has become the subject of her own true crime podcast, with her life and her family's lives under mortal threat.

Who is Josie Fair? And what has she done?"

My Rating: 5/5

It's been a long time since I finished an audiobook so quickly. I often listen to audiobooks when I'm driving or doing chores, but I was finding more chores to do to keep reading this book. The twists, the turns, the podcast elements. The time jumps, different perspectives. All of it was doing exactly what I wanted. I loved this. I cannot recommend the audiobook enough.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Flawless by Sara Shephard

Title: Flawless

Author: Sara Shepard

Series/Standalone: Pretty Little Liars Series (Book #2)

Genre: Young Adult, Thriller, TV tie-in

Pages: 330

Publisher: HarperCollins

Year Published: 2007

Format: Audiobook (Own it)

"In the exclusive town of Rosewood, Pennsylvania, where the sweetest smiles hide the darkest secrets, four pretty little liars- Spencer, Aria, Emily and Hanna- have been very bad girls...

Spencer stole her sister's boyfriend. Aria is brokenhearted over her English teacher. Emily likes her new friend Maya... as much more than a friend. And Hanna's obsession with looking flawless is literally making her sick. But the most horrible secret of all is something so scandalous it could destroy their perfect little lives.

And someone named "A" is threatening to do just that.

At first they thought A was Alison, their friend who vanished three years ago... but then Alison turned up dead. So could A be Melissa, Spencer's ultracomptetive sister? Or Maya, who wants Emily all to herself? What about Toby, the mysterious guy who left town right after Alison went missing?

One thing's for certain: A's got the dirt to bury them all alive, and with every crumpled note, wicked IM, and vindictive text message A sends, the girls get a little closer to losing it all."

My Rating: 3/5

This series is so wild. Definitely a symbol of the time. It is entertaining, but it's not something I think that I'll remember long-term. I've enjoyed listening to the audiobook, and I can't wait to see more. I'm curious where the author takes us, and how the different factors will come to play.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Trial of the Sun Queen by Nisha J. Tuli

Title: Trial of the Sun Queen

Author: Nisha J. Tuli

Series/Standalone: Artefacts of Ouranos Series (Book #1)

Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Adult

Pages: 400

Publisher: Indie Published

Year Published: 2023

Format: Ebook (Kindle Unlimited)

"The Bachelor meets the Hunger Games. Ten women. A deadly contest. Only one can win the Sun King's heart.

Lor has endured twelve long years of torment under the Aurora King's rule. her only desire is to get free and pay him back for every moment of misery.

When a surprise release finds her in the hands of the Sun King, Lor is thrust into the spotlight when she competes against nine other Tributes for the role of queen. If she wins his heart, she'll earn her freedom and finally get her revenge.

But Lor doesn't belong in the Sun Queen Trials. She doesn't understand why she was freed, and she isn't a citizen of the Sun King's court. The other Tributes resent her presence and will stop at nothing to ensure Lor is wiped off the gameboard, permanently.

Now Lor must win, because if she loses, she dies. Or worse, she'll be sent back into the hands of the Aurora King."

My Rating: 3.75/5

I was recommended this book by a friend and had a great time while reading it, it was fun, decently paced and quick. It wasn't the most unique tale I'd ever read, but it had a few turns in it that kept it fun. Some things were left a little heavy-handed, but the characterization of both the Aurorian Prince and Lor was excellent. I love a dual narration. I look forward to continuing the series and seeing where the tales go from here.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Title: The Hunger Games

Author: Suzanne Collins

Series/Standalone: The Hunger Games Series (Book #1)

Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian, Science Fiction

Pages: 374

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Year Published: 2008

Format: Paperback (Own It)

"Winning means fame and fortune. Losing means certain death. The Hunger Games have begun...

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before- and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love."

My Rating: 4.5/5

This is me revisiting the original Hunger Games series after reading the two prequels. It's incredible the world that Suzanne Collins has created. The overlay after reading Sunrise on the Reaping is wild to think about. How the Game Masters do certain things not only to affect current tributes, but to punish past tributes who have angered the Capitol. The characters felt a little more bland than the ones in Sunrise on the Reaping, but seeing Haymitch appear so many years later gave me a jolt for sure. I'm curious to see what else I'll notice as I continue the original trilogy.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: A Touch of Chaos by Scarlett St. Clair

Title: A Touch of Chaos

Author: Scarlett St. Clair

Series/Standalone: Hades x Persephone (Book #4)

Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Mythology

Pages: 464

Publisher: Bloom Books

Year Published: 2024

Format: Audiobook

"The World Will Burn

Persephone, Goddess of Spring, never guessed a chance encounter with Hades, God of the Underworld, would change her life forever- but he did.

A fight for humanity and battles between gods, it's a world Persephone never thought she would see. To end the chaos, she must draw upon her darkness and embrace who she's become: Goddess, Wife, Queen of the Underworld.

Once, Persephone made bargains to save those she loves, now she will go to war for them."

My Rating: 3/5

This was not all I thought it would be. I enjoyed the series. I felt that the stakes were higher, but the spice was kind of all over the place. I've felt throughout the series that the build-up to spice isn't quite enough for me. The intimate scenes seem to come almost out of nowhere.  The characters have shown so much growth throughout. I'm curious if anyone whose read this and the Hades companion series, if the Hades one is worth it.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins

Title: Sunrise on the Reaping

Author: Suzanne Collins

Series/Standalone: Hunger Games Series (Book #0)

Genre: Dystopia, Science Fiction, Young Adult

Pages: 387

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Year Published: 2025

Format: Hardcover (Own it)

"When you've been set up to lose everything you love, what is there left to fight for?

As the day dawns on the fiftieth annual Hunger Games, fear grips the districts of Panem. This year, in honor of the Quarter Quell, twice as many tributes will be taken from their homes.

Back in District 12, Haymitch Abernathy is trying not to think too hard about his chances. All he cares about is making it through the day and being with the girl he loves.

When Haymitch's name is called, he can feel all his dreams break. He's torn from his family and his love, shuttled to the Capitol with the three other District 12 tributes; a young friend who's nearly a sister to him, a compulsive oddsmaker, and the most stuck-up girl in town. As the Games begin, Haymitch understands he's been set up to fail. But there's something in him that wants to fight... and have the fight reverberate far beyond the deadly arena."

My Rating: 5/5

I love a prequel and seeing where characters in a main series come from and how they got where they are. I don't think that I can say this book was enjoyable because it was graphic, it was uncomfortable to think about the progression of the games. I think that the plot was incredible, fast-paced, and helped the overall arc of the story. The different easter eggs kept me guessing and wondering how this overlapped with the main series.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed

Title: Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail

Author: Cheryl Strayed

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Nonfiction, Memoir, Travel

Pages: 336

Publisher: Knopf

Year Published: 2012

Format: Paperback (Library Copy)

"At twenty-two, Cheryl Strayed thought she had lost everything. In the wake of her mother's death, her family scattered, and her own marriage was soon destroyed. Four years later, with nothing more to lose, she made the most impulsive decision of her life. With no experience or training, driven only by blind will, she would hike more than a thousand miles of the Pacific Crest Trail from the Mojave Desert through California and Oregon to Washington State- and she would do it alone.

Told with suspense and style, sparkling with warmth and humor, Wild powerfully captures the terrors and pleasures of one young woman forging ahead against all odds on a journey that maddened, strengthened and ultimately healed her."

My Rating: 4/5

I have started to read more and more nonfiction reads, usually gravitating towards memoirs or biographies as I love hearing about how people survive, overcome or become who they are in current times. This was no different. I think that Cheryl's perspective is interesting, heartbreaking and quirky. It makes you wonder what you would do in her shoes, both throughout life and while on the trail itself. It inspires you. That being said, she did hike the trail in 1995, which was a vastly different time. I'm curious to see what has changed, would she do it again, etc. Overall, I enjoyed it.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: My Fight/Your Fight by Ronda Rousey

Title: My Fight/ Your Fight

Author: Ronda Rousey

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Nonfiction, Biography, Adult

Pages: 302

Publisher: Regan Arts

Year Published: 2015

Format: Audiobook

"'The fight is yours to win'

In this inspiring and moving book, Ronda Rousey, the Olympic medalist in judo, reigning UFC women's bantamweight champion, and Hollywood star charts her difficult path to glory.

Marked by her signature charm, barbed wit, and undeniable power, Rousey's account of the toughest fights of her life- in and outside the Octagon- reveals the painful loss of her father when she was eight years old, the intensity of her judo training, her battles with love, her meteoric rise to fame, the secret behind her undefeated UFC record, and what it takes to become the toughest woman on Eart. Rousey shares her hard-won lessons on how to be the best at what you do, including how to find fulfilment in the sacrifices, how to turn limitations into opportunities, and how to be the best on your worst day.

Packed with raw emotion, drama, and wisdom, this is an unforgettable book by one of the most remarkable women in the world."

My Rating: 4/5

While listening to this audiobook, I felt a variety of emotions. Empowered as a woman, determined to get in better shape, confused, unsure and mad for Ronda. Whether or not you are a fan of UFC, I think that this book is interesting as we hear about the first UFC women's champion and someone who influenced the sport.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Losers: Part 1 by Harley Laroux

Title: Losers Part 1

Author: Harley Laroux

Series/Standalone: Losers Duet (Book #1)

Genre: Adult, Smut, Why Choose Romance, Dark

Pages: 594

Publisher: Indie Published

Year Published: 2022

Format: Ebook (Kindle Unlimited)

"I was supposed to have it all.

I'd been Prom Queen, Cheer Captain- high school's most savage Queen Bee. I could have everything I wanted. Except them. The freaks, the weirdos, the school's ultimate losers; Manson, Jason, Lucas, and Vincent. our hatred for each other couldn't keep us apart, not even when my own mistake got Manson expelled and made me the ultimate villain to the rest of them.

One night was supposed to be enough.

I couldn't resist forever. For one night I gave myself over to the men I wasn't supposed to want and satisfied the darkest parts of my soul. But some things are meant to stay in the dark. One night, and it was over.

Nothing more than a game.

Now, with college behind me, our worlds collide yet again. Four men, all willing to share me as their plaything until my debt to them is paid. Another game to satiate my dark cravings, the twisted rules of which bring us all even closer than before. but games aren't meant to last.

When the debt is paid and the game is done, what if I don't want to walk away?"

My Rating: 3.75/5

This was such a wild read. I've read some other dark romances, so I was somewhat prepared going into this, but I don't think that I had a clue what I was getting into. The smut is insane, the plot is fun, and the characters are all very unique. I'm curious to see where the rest of the series goes, and I look forward to reading more by the author. While the writing style isn't my favourite, it is entertaining.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: A Touch of Malice by Scarlett St. Clair

Title: A Touch of Malice

Author: Scarlett St. Clair

Series/Standalone: Hades x Persephone Series (Book #3)

Genre: Romance, Adult Fiction, Mythology

Pages: 418

Publisher: Indie Published

Year Published: 2021

Format: Audiobook (Library)

"Persephone and Hades are engaged. In retaliation, Demeter summons a snowstorm that cripples New Greece, and refuses to lift the blizzard unless her daughter calls of her engagement. When the Olympians intervene, Persephone finds her future in the hands of ancient gods, and they are divided. Do they allow Persephone to marry Hades and go to war with Demeter or prohibit their union and take up arms against the God of the Dead? Nothing is certain but the promise of war."

My Rating: 4/5

This was such a great first read-through of this book. I loved the plot lines, the characters and the changes throughout. My only complaint would be that there was almost too much spice. I felt that it seemed to come out of nowhere at points where I thought we would be in a more plot-based storyline for a bit. I look forward to finishing this portion of the series soon.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Carnage by Shantel Tessier

Title: Carnage

Author: Shantel Tessier

Series/Standalone: L.O.R.D.S. (Book #5)

Genre: Dark Romance, Adult

Pages: 628

Publisher: Indie Published

Year Published: 2023

Format: Ebook (Kindle Unlimited)

"A PUPPET

The men in the secret society known as the Lords think they rule the world. And in a way, they do. Each has sold their soul to the devil at a young age in exchange for power and wealth. Like anything else, they have different levels of success. The more they're willing to serve, the more power they have.

Among them are the Spade brothers, who run Carnage. It's where the Lords who have not held up their oath go to live out the rest of their lives in shackles. Tucked away from the world as if they never existed.

I VOW. YOU VOW.  WE VOW.

I once belonged to a Lord- Saint Beckham Carter. Although nothing was holy about him, I still kneeled as if he could grant me eternity in a world where only evil existed.

At the time, I willingly vowed to be his and allowed him to share me with his "brothers." But things changed. And what I thought couldn't get any better got exceptionally worse. So I did the only thing I could and ran from him, knowing I could never return.

Now he's found me and dragged me back to his hell, where he will make me his pet. The world already thinks I'm dead, so no one will miss me. And I'm just another name on a long list of those who will never know freedom.

What he doesn't know is why I ran from him in the first place. A Lord doesn't listen to reason, so it's not like he'd care anyway. Saint was born a Lord, and he will die as one.

If life has taught me anything, it's that we all pay for our sins. And Saint will never let me forget that my place is at Carnage, serving him on my knees until death is granted."

My Rating:5/5

This was so over-the-top, crazy, and intense, as most of the books in this series are. But if you wanted to see Shantal Tessier take the series to a whole new level, I would highly recommend. Seeing what caused Saint to be the character we see in the first half of the series was super interesting, and then getting more context for the subplot that has run through all the other books so far. I'm looking forward to continuing the series soon.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny