Book Review: Under One Roof by Ali Hazelwood

Title: Under One Roof

Author: Ali Hazelwood

Series/Standalone: The STEMinist Novellas (Book #1)

Genre: Romance, Smut, Novella

Pages: 112

Publisher: Berkley

Year Published: 2022

Format: Audiobook

"A scientist should never cohabitate with her annoyingly hot nemesis- it leads to combustion.

Mara, Sadie and Hannah are friends first, scientists always. Though their fields of study might take them to different corners of the world, they can all agree on this universal truth: when it comes to love and science, opposites attract and rivals make you burn...

As an environmental engineer, Mara knows all about the delicate nature of ecosystems. They require balance. And leaving the thermostat alone. And not stealing someone else's food. And other rules Liam, her detestable big-oil lawyer of a roommate, knows nothing about. Okay, sure, technically she's the interloper. Liam was already entrenched in his aunt's house like some glowering grumpy giant when Mara moved in, with his big muscles and kissable mouth just sitting there on the couch tempting respectable scientists to the dark side... but Helena was her mentor and Mara's not about to move out and give her inheritance without a fight. 

The problem is, living with someone means getting to know them. And the more Mara finds out about Liam, the harder it is to loathe him... and the easier it is to love him."

My Rating: 4.5/5

This is what I expect from a four-hour romance novella audio. This was smut! It was fun, it was a bit of pining but mostly knowing that by the end the people are getting together and it's gonna be fun to read about. If you've read Ali Hazelwood's other work you might want to take a minute in between this and the rest as I'm finding that most of her female main characters are fairly similar. That being said if it isn't broken, don't fix it!

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: The Singles Table by Sara Desai

Title: The Singles Table

Author: Sara Desai

Series/Standalone: Marriage Games Series (Book #3)

Genre: Romance, Contemporary, Adult

Pages: 322

Publisher: Berkley

Year Published: 2021

Format: Audiobook

"Opposite attract in this romantic comedy about a free-spirited lawyer who is determined to find the perfect match for the grumpy bachelor at her friend's wedding.

After a devastating break-up, celebrity-obsessed lawyer Zara Patel is determined never to open her heart again. She puts her energy into building her career and helping her friends find romance through the wedding season. She's never faced a guest at the singles table she couldn't match, until she crosses paths with the sinfully sexy Jay Donovan.

Former military security specialist Jay has no time for love. His life is about working hard, staying focused, and winning at all costs. When charismatic Zara crashes into his life, he's thrown into close contact with exactly the kind of chaos he wants to avoid. Worse, they're stuck together for the entire wedding season. 

So they make a deal. She'll find his special someone if he introduces her to his celebrity clients. but when their arrangement brings them together in ways they never expected, they realize that the perfect match might just be their own."

My Rating: 4/5

This was my favourite book in this series if memory serves. The author does an excellent job of having realistic characters and even more realistic conflicts. The characters are dynamic, they are unique and fun without being too over the top. The conflicts are real, deep seeded issues and the author gives them opportunities to work on themselves. The reason this isn't a five for me is the ending. I don't love some of the tropes that were used near the end. Overall super fun and romantic. Excellent Rom-Com!

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Down Amongst the Sticks and Bones by Seanan McGuire

Title: Down Amongst the Sticks and Bones

Author: Seanan McGuire

Series/Standalone: Wayward Children (Book #2)

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Horror

Pages: 187

Publisher: Tor

Year Published: 2017

Format: Hardcover (Library Copy)

First Line: "People who knew Chester and Serena Wolcott socially would have placed money on the idea that the couple would never choose to have children."

"Twin sisters Jack and Jill were seventeen when they found their way home and were packed off to Eleanor West's Home for Wayward Children.

This is the story of what happened first...

Jacqueline was her mother's perfect daughter- polite and quiet, always dressed as a princess. If her mother was sometimes a little strict, it's because crafting the perfect daughter takes discipline.

Jillian was her father's perfect daughter- adventurous, thrill-seeking, and a bit of a tom-boy. He really would have preferred a son, but you work with what you've got.

They were five when they learned that grown-ups can't be trusted.

They were twelve when they walked down the impossible staircase and discovered that the pretense of love can never be enough to prepare you a life filled with magic in a land filled with mad scientists and death and choices."

My Rating: 4/5

This series is so unusual and I wasn't anticipating loving the world. I didn't expect to want to binge-read as many of them as possible. So far I've already started the third one and it's been excellent. The author has such a way with atmospheric writing that even in a short amount of time it grabs your attention and sucks you in. I think that this one really helped build more about the idea of the doorways. I can't wait to read more!

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: The Final Gambit by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Title: The Final Gambit

Author: Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Series/Standalone: The Inheritance Games (Book #3)

Genre: Young Adult, Mystery

Pages: 400

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Year Published: 2022

Format: Audiobook

"Avery's fortune, life and loves are on the line in the game that everyone will be talking about. 

To inherit billions, all Avery Kylie Grambs has to do is survive a few more weeks living in Hawthorne House. The paparazzi are dogging her every step. Financial pressures are building. Danger is a fact of life and the only thing getting Avery through it all is the Hawthorne brothers. Her life is intertwined with theirs. She knows their secrets, and they know her.

But as the clock ticks down to the moment when Avery will become the richest teenager on the planet, trouble arrives in the form of a visitor who needs her help- and whose presence in Hawthorne House can change everything. It soon becomes clear that there is one last puzzle to solve, and Avery and the Hawthorne brothers are drawn into a dangerous game against an unknown and powerful player.

Secrets upon secrets. Riddles upon riddles. In this game, there are hearts and lives at stake- and there is nothing more Hawthorne than winning."

My Rating: 3.5/5

This was a fun audiobook and I think that if you can binge this series it's a great time. My issue might have been that I left so much time in between each installment (as I waiting on library copies). I love the idea of this and how the mansion plays into it. The idea of becoming so incredibly rich practically overnight and walking into a mansion filled with competitive/strategic family members is so fun for me. I think I would enjoy this more if it were an adult, but that is my own issue.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree

Title: Legends & Lattes

Author: Travis Baldree

Series/Standalone: Legends & Lattes Series (Book #1)

Genre: Fantasy, Cozy, Adult

Pages: 296

Publisher: Cryptid Press

Year Published: 2022

Format: Audiobook

"High Fantasy with a double-shot of self-reinvention. 

Worn out after decades of packing steel and raising hell, Viv the orc barbarian cashes out of the warrior's life with one final score. A forgotten legend, a fabled artifact and an unreasonable amount of hope lead her to the streets of Thune, where she plans to open the first coffee shop the city has ever seen.

However, her dreams of a fresh start pulling shots instead of swinging swords are hardly a sure bet. old frenemies and Thune's shady underbelly may just upset her plans. To finally build something that will last,  Viv will need some new partners and a different kind of resolve.

A hot cup of fantasy slice-of-life with a dollop of romantic froth."

My Rating: 5/5

I might have found a new favourite genre within the fantasy genre, but this cozy book owns my heart. The characters, the concept, and the idea of a retiring adventurer trying to build a cozy life are everything that I didn't know I needed. I recommend it if you're in the mood for a casual fantasy. In some ways, it reminded me of Kings of the Wild, but make it more small town. Can't wait to read more from the author.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Review: In Love & Pajamas by Catana Chetwynd

Title: In Love & Pajamas

Author: Catana Chetwynd

Artist(s): Catana Chetwynd

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Graphic Novel, Coffee Table Book, Humor

Pages: 128

Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing

Year Published: 2021

Format: Hardcover (Library Copy)

"When you've reached that sweatpants-wearing cozy place in your relationship, it's all in Love & Pajamas! This brand-new collection of Catan Comics presents some fan favorites and half of the book features never-before-seen comics that delight and amuse readers of all ages. Whole, sweet, feel-good humor!"

My Rating: 5/5

This was my husband's favourite of these comics that we've read together and I agree. This really sets the stage for long-term relationships. The others reminded me of times earlier in our lives, but these were so intensely us that I could hardly believe that this was somewhat universal for other couples. Fun, romantic and humour-filled. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood

Title: Love on the Brain

Author: Ali Hazelwood

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Romance, Adult, Contemporary

Pages: 368

Publisher: Berkley

Year Published: 2022

Format: Audiobook

"Bee Konigwasser lives by a simple code: What would Marie Curie do? If NASA offered her the lead on a neuroengineering project- a literal dream come true- Marie would accept without hesitation. Duh. But the mother of modern physics never had to co-lead with Levi Ward.

Sure, Levi is attractive in a tall, dark and piercing-eyes kind of way. But Levi made his feelings toward Bee very clear in grad school- archenemies work best employed in their own galaxies far, far away.

But when her equipment starts to go missing and the staff ignore her. Bee could swear she sees Levi softening into an ally, backing her plays, seconding her ideas... devouring her with those eyes. The possibilities have all her neurons firing.

But when it comes time to actually make a move and put her heart on the line, there's only one question that matters: What will Bee Konigswasser do?"

My Rating:4/5

When I was uncertain whether this book would be a hit for me, the author cranked up the heat! I was not ready for these spicy scenes but there were exactly what I didn't know I needed. I enjoyed reading about brains and astronauts, but I extra enjoyed the enemies to lovers. I loved the side characters and the puns. Overall so fun! My only complaint is that Bee and Olive from her other work felt too similar to me. Not because they are women in stem. Because they are both small petite women who have issues with attachment due to their pasts. While it was slightly different it was hard to not recall the first book.  Would recommend!

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: The Roommate by Rosie Danan

Title: The Roommate

Author: Rosie Danan

Series/Standalone: The Shameless Series (Book #1)

Genre: Romance, Adult Fiction

Pages: 325

Publisher: Berkley

Year Published: 2020

Format: Audiobook

"House Rules:

Do your own dishes.

Knock before entering the bathroom.

Never look up your roommate online.

The Wheatons are infamous among the east coast elite for their lack of impulse control, except for their daughter Clara. She's the consummate socialite: over-achieving, well-mannered, predictable.  But every Wheaton has their weakness. When Clara's childhood crush invites her to move cross-country, the offer is too much to resist. Unfortunately, it's also too good to be true.

After a bait-and-switch, Clara finds herself sharing a lease with a charming stranger, Josh might be a bit too perceptive- not to mention handsome- for comfort, but there's a good chance he and Clara could have survived sharing a summer sublet if she hadn't looked him up on the internet.

Once she learns how Josh has made a name for himself, Clara realizes living with him might make her the Wheaton's most scandalous story yet. his professional prowess inspires her to take tackling the stigma against female desire into her own hands. They may not agree on much, but Josh and Clara both believe women deserve better sex. What they decide to do about it will change both of their lives, and if they're lucky, they'll help everyone else get lucky too."

My Rating: 3/5

This was a really fun audiobook. I think that the premise of a socialite and an adult entertainer living together and starting a company together is just what everyone needs. This book has a lot of heart and I think that the author did a good job of telling Josh's story and a decent job about Clara. I just wanted more smut if I'm being honest. I think that the idea and the lust behind it were good but I wanted more smut overall. I liked it, it was fun but not a forever favourite. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Every Heart A Doorway by Seanan McGuire

Title: Every Heart A Doorway

Author: Seanan McGuire

Series/Standalone: Wayward Children Series (Book #1)

Genre: Thriller, Young Adult, Fantasy

Pages: 169

Publisher: Tor

Year Published: 2016

Format: Hardcover (Own It)

"Eleanor West's Home for Wayward Children

No Socilitations

No Visitors

No Quests

Children have always disappeared under the right conditions; slipping through the shadows under a bed or at the back of a wardrobe, tumbling down rabbit holes and into old wells, and emerging somewhere... else.

But magical lands have little need for used-up miracle children.

Nancy tumbled once, but now she's back. The things she's experienced... they change a person. The children under Miss West's care understand all too well. And each of them is seeking a way back to their own fantasy world.

But Nancy's arrival marks a change at the Home. There's a darkness just around each corner and when tragedy strikes, it's up to Nancy and her new-found schoolmates to get to the heart of the matter.

No matter the cost."

My Rating: 4/5

This book was so intensely popular back when I was binging booktube, but I somehow never picked it up. What I don't think was talked about enough is that this book is freaking odd. A great odd, but still odd. I wasn't expecting how the story was laid out but I can't wait to continue with the series. I think that with the idea of worlds opening up throughout other volumes, I will only grow to love this more. I would strongly recommend it although I'm a bit late to the party on this one.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Family of Liars by E. Lockhart

Title: Family of Liars

Author: E. Lockhart

Series/Standalone: We Were Liars (Prequel)

Genre: Young Adult, Thriller

Pages: 299

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Year Published: 2022

Format: Audiobook

"The prequel to We Were Liars takes readers back to the story of another summer, another generation, and the secrets that will haunt them for decades to come.

A windswept private island off the coast of Massachusetts.

A hungry ocean, churning with secrets and sorrow.

A fiery, addicted heiress. An irresistible, unpredictable boy.

A summer of unforgivable betrayal and terrible mistakes.

Welcome back to the Sinclair family.

They were always liars."

My Rating: 2/5

It has been a long time since I read We Were Liars so I don't think that I should have read this when I did. If I had reread We Were Liars and then read it it might have gotten a higher rating from me. But all in all, this felt unnecessary. I enjoy the concept, I like the idea that there is more to this family, but it just wasn't what I thought I was getting myself into.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny