Book Review: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

Title: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

Author: Suzanne Collins

Series/Standalone: The Hunger Games Series (Prequel)

Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Dystopia

Pages: 541

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Year Published: 2020

Format: Audiobook

"It is the morning of the reaping that will kick off the tenth annual Hunger Games. In the Capital, eighteen-year-old Coriolanus Snow is preparing for his one shot at glory as a mentor in the Games. The once-mighty house of Snow has fallen on hard times, its fate hanging on the slender chance that Coriolanus will be able to outcharm, outwit, and outmaneuver his fellow students to mentor the winning tribute.

The odds are against him. He's been given the humiliating assignment of mentoring the female tribute from District 12, the lowest of the low. Their fates are now completely intertwined- every choice Coriolanus makes could lead to favor or failure, triumph or ruin. Inside the arena, it will be a fight to the death. Outside the arena, Coriolanus starts to feel for his doomed tribute... and must weigh his need to follow the rules against his desire to survive no matter what it takes."

My Rating: 4.5/5

It's been so long since I engaged with the Hunger Games universe and this book brought me right back in. Of course, I was curious how this whole concept began, why it kept going and how people could get to this point. I will say if you want a likeable main character or you are hoping that the author gives Snow a redemption arc, I wouldn't say this is what that is. This book answered a lot of these questions but also felt a bit abrupt at the end for me. I would recommend the audiobook, but I'm sure the physical read may go by just as fast. If you want to go back to the first time you read The Hunger Games and revisit the things it made you think, I'd recommend it. I may end up going to watch the movie because I am reinvested.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Powerless by Elsie Silver

Title: Powerless    

Author: Elsie Silver

Series/Standalone: Chestnut Springs Series (Book #3)

Genre: Adult Fiction, Romance, Smut

Pages: 396

Publisher: Self-Published

Year Published: 2023

Format: Kindle Unlimited

"Two childhood friends. Two broken hearts. One impromptu road trip to get away from everything. That's all this was supposed to be. Afterall, I've been living in the friend zone for years now.

But hockey heartthrob Jasper Gervais isn't looking at me like a friend anymore. And he isn't touching me like one either.

To his fans, he's the handsome, talented athlete on TV. But to me he's still the lost boy with sad eyes and a heart of gold.

The man I've loved in secret for years.

So when my life falls apart on my wedding day, it only makes sense that he's the one to swoop in and save me. And when his world comes crashing down around him, I'm there to return the favor.

But the more time we spend alone, the more Jasper doesn't feel like a friend at all. He feels like everything I've ever wanted and thought I could never have.

Our feelings aren't straight forward though. They twist and turn around the pain of his past and the reality of my present.

Jasper Gervais acts like he wants me. 

But after years of turning me away, he's going to need to prove it."

My Rating: 3.25/5

This is such a precise rating, and I know it's odd but I just didn't love this as much as I anticipated. There were scenes that I enjoyed, there were the characters that I enjoyed revisiting, but there were portions that I just didn't love. I think that the third act was set to a very fast pace and I wanted to slow it down a little. I think that for now I'm gonna take a break from contemporary romance and then jump back in when I'm ready. But don't worry this series will be completed once the final book comes out. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: The Winners by Fredrik Backman

Title: The Winners

Author: Fredrik Backman

Series/Standalone: Beartown Series (Book #3)

Genre: Literary Fiction, Contemporary, Adult

Pages: 671

Publisher: Atria Books

Year Published: 2022

Format: Audiobook

"Two years have passed since the events that no one wants to think about. Everyone has tried to move on, but there's something about this place that prevents it. The residents continue to grapple with life's big questions: What is a family? What is a community? And what, if anything, are we willing to sacrifice in order to protect them?

As the locals of Beartown struggle to overcome the past, great change is on the horizon. Someone is coming home after a long time away. Someone will be laid to rest. Someone will fall in love, someone will try to fix their marriage, and someone will do anything to save their children. Someone will submit to hate, someone will fight, and someone will grab a gun and walk towards the ice rink.

So what are the residents of Beartown willing to sacrifice for their home?"

My Rating: 5/5

I can't recommend the audiobooks enough for this series.  The way the author's story lends itself so well to audio narration is fantastic and the characters seem to jump off the page or the earbuds....? You get it. I have felt so deeply throughout this series. The pain, joy, fear and overall strength that the main characters in this series exhibit. The setting lends itself perfectly to the story and I would highly recommend anyone interested in picking up the books.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: This Shattered World by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner

Title: This Shattered World

Author(s): Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner

Series/Standalone: Starbound Series (Book #2)

Genre: Science Fiction, Young Adult, Romance

Pages: 394

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Year Published: 2014

Format: Hardcover Copy (Library)

"Jubilee Chase and Flynn Cormac should never have met.

Lee is captain of the forces sent to Avon to crush the terraformed planet's rebellious colonists, but she has her own reasons for hating the insurgents.

Rebellion is in Flynn's blood. Terraforming corporations make their fortune by recruiting colonists to make the inhospitable planets livable, with the promise of a better life for their children. But they never fulfilled their promise on Avon, and decades later, Flynn is leading the rebellion.

Desperate for any advantage in a bloody and unrelenting war, Flynn does the only thing that makes sense when he and Lee cross paths: he returns to base with her as a prisoner. But as his fellow rebels prepare to execute this tough-talking girl with nerves of steel, Flynn makes another choice that changes him forever. He and Lee escape the rebel base together, caught between two sides of a senseless war."

DNF @ 85%

My Rating: 1.5/5

I think that if I had been able to keep momentum with this book I would have kept reading, but something happened around the 75% mark that just made this book drag for me. I don't know if it was the book or something outside of the book that just ripped me out of it but then I couldn't seem to get back in no matter how much I tried. As per my 2023 goals, if I'm not having a good time, I don't have to finish a book. I can leave it and that's ok. What are your thoughts on DNFs?

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Grumpy Romance by Nia Arthurs

Title: Grumpy Romance

Author: Nia Arthurs

Series/Standalone: Billionaire Dads Series (Book #1)

Genre: Romantic Comedy, Adult Fiction

Pages: 414

Publisher: Independently Published

Year Published: 2021

Format: Kindle

First Line: "I know something's off when I walk into my apartment."

"Holland Alistar is the gorgeous computer prodigy who took the real estate game by storm. 

Arrogant. Surly. Eyes of steel.

He meets me on the worst day of my life and gets his fern kicked. Literally.

I'm sure I'm getting sued. Instead, I get a job offer.

Turns out, managing Allistair's schedule- and temper- is actually his revenge. 

In the office, his eyes follow me everywhere. Is he going to fire me or devour me?

I can't decide what I want either. I plan his death on my off-time. I kiss him senseless in my dreams.

Hate and want. Push and pull. All we do is tiptoe around what' between us.

Until on chance meeting with his adorable daughter changes everything.

Suddenly, I'm seeing the softer side of Alistair.

But falling for him wasn't in my job description. And neither is stealing kisses in the office stairwell.

Can I keep my head on my shoulders when the office grump sets his sights on me? And what will happen if news of our forbidden romance gets out?"

DNF @ 85%

My Rating: 1/5

I know that this series is for someone. I've just determined it wasn't me. While I like a single-dad romance, and I don't hate the billionaire boss play, I didn't love a lot about this book. I feel like if you're dipping your toes into romance this might work for you. I would also like to make this clear for people reading THIS IS FADE TO BLACK ROMANCE! Which is perfect if you're not into smutty writing. Just not perfect for me. Classy, I know! I don't forsee myself reading any of her work in the future, but again if you want written like a rom-com romance, it might be worth giving a shot.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: I Don't Need Therapy (and other lies I've told myself) by Toni Lodge

Title I Don't Need Therapy (and other lies I've told myself)

Author: Toni Lodge

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Nonfiction, Adult, Memoir

Pages: 256

Publisher: Alien & Unwin

Year Published: 2023

Format: Audiobook

"A hilarious memoir of home truths and whatever the opposite of 'that girl energy' is, from one half of the hit podcast Toni and Ryan.

Most of us tell little white lies all the time. Whether it's 'I'm five minutes away' or 'it must have gone to my spam folder', most of these fibs are harmless. But what if you realised that you weren't just lying about the little things, but the big 'life' stuff too?

When Toni Lodge sat down to write this memoir, she discovered that the leis she was telling herself were hiding some pretty important home truths- about her work, her identity and her mental health. her dogged pursuit of these truths sent her on a brazen exploration of everything from gastro, fame and Twilight to funerals, the Dalai Lama and Brazillian waxes.

In this hilarious warm hug of a book, Toni exposes the lies she has told herself about who she is and what she is capable of, inviting you on a riotous from that will make you laugh, cringe, cry and utterly rethink the truth behind the stories we tell ourselves."

My Rating: 4/5

As I say every time I review a memoir or a nonfiction story, I do not rate the content of the book I usually rate the writing style. Let's begin by saying if you haven't seen any TikToks, or videos of Toni and Ryan you must be living under a rock! They are hilarious, open and amazing folks and while I'm newer to their podcast, the community they create is amazing. This book really hit home to me about a lot of the lies I tell myself, and how I could really use a mindset change. Toni is relatable, funny, gorgeous, smart and talented! The only reason this didn't receive 5/5 from me is the chapter breakdown. It just felt a little disjointed in my mind. I still would highly recommend it.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney

Title: Rock Paper Scissors

Author: Alice Feeney

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Adult Fiction, Thriller

Pages: 294

Publisher: Flatiron Books

Year Published:2021

Format: Audiobook

"Think you know the person you married? Think again?

Things have been wrong with Mr. and Mrs. Wright for a long time. When Adam and Amelia win a weekend away in Scotland, it might be just what their marriage needs. Self-confessed workaholic and screenwriter Adam Wright has lived with face blindness his whole life. He can't recognize friends or family, or even his own wife.

Every anniversary the couple exchange traditional gifts- paper, cotton, pottery, tin and each year Adam's wife writes him a letter that she never lets him read. Until now. They both know this weekend will make or break their marriage, but they didn't randomly win this trip. One of them is lying, and someone doesn't want them to live happily ever after.

Ten years of marriage. Ten years of secrets and an anniversary they will never forget."

My Rating: 4/5

This wasn't what I thought it was going to be at all but I'm kind of glad for that. I ended up listening to the audiobook in one sitting (road trip anyone?) and it kept me hooked. I didn't feel the need to skip off it, but when we did get to the end I did kind of feel let down. There were still bits and pieces that surprised me and the atmosphere was excellently written. The atmosphere felt very similar to the shining to me so if that's something that interests you I would recommend it. I do hope to read more from the author, any recommendations of what to pick up next?

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: The Other Mrs. by Mary Kubica

Title: The Other Mrs.

Author: Mary Kubica

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Thriller, Adult Fiction

Pages: 416

Publisher: HarperCollins

Year Published: 2020

Format: Audiobook

"Sadie and Will Foust have only just moved their family from bustling Chicago to small-town Maine when their neighbour, Morgan Baines, is found dead in her home. The murder rocks their tiny coastal island, but no one is more shaken than Sadie, who is terrified by the thought of a killer in her very own backyard.

But it's not just Morgan's death that has Sadie on edge. It's their eerie old home, with its decrepit decor and creepy attic, which they inherited from Will's sister after she died unexpectedly. It's Will's disturbed teenage niece Imogen, with her dark and threatening presence. And it' the troubling past that continues to wear at the seams of their family.

As the eyes of suspicion turn toward the new family in town, Sadie is drawn deeper into the mystery of Morgan's death. But Sadie must be careful, for the more she discovers about Mrs. Baines, the more she begins to realize just how much she has to lose if the truth ever comes to light."

My Rating: 5/5

This thriller had me gawking by the end of the story. The way the author writes such a creepy and uncomfortable atmosphere is perfection. The audiobook kept me on my toes and kept me wanting more. Throughout the story, I did fall for different twists and turns and when we got to the end I was impressed by the author's ability to leave breadcrumbs throughout. I would recommend reading more by the author and I plan to read as much of her backlist as I can get my hands on.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Heartless by Elsie Silver

Title: Heartless

Author: Elsie Silver

Series/Standalone: Chestnut Spring Series (Book #2)

Genre: Adult, Romance, Smut, Contemporary

Pages: 476

Publisher: Self-Published

Year Published: 2022

Format: Ebook (Kindle Unlimited)

First Line:  "Lucy Reid's eyes flutter my way."

"Working as a nanny for the world's grumpiest single dad should have been simple. Except I can't keep my eyes off him. And he can't keep his hands off of me.

Cade Eaton is thirteen years older than i am and barely looks my way. Until I get him into the hot tub one night for a game of truth or dare. Then all bets are off- and so are our clothes.

He's gruff, a little rough around the edges. But broad-shoulder ranchers with calloused hands and filthy mouths are this city girl's kryptonite. So who am I to resist?

But it's in our quiet moments together that he softens. It's when he takes care of me that I realize his hardened exterior is just a facade. It's when I watch him go all sweet with his little boy that I really fall for him. 

Someone convinced him once that his best wasn't good enough. But I've never felt more cherished than I do in his arms.

My contract may say this arrangement is only for two months.

But my heart says this is forever."

My Rating: 5/5

I loved this second book. There were a few kinks that weren't necessarily for me but overall this book proved that certain tropes aren't ones I hate, they just need to be done well. I loved the smut, it was fun. The lusting after each other was great. The atmosphere was excellently written and the characters were fantastic. I also love the way the author introduces the next characters in the series so organically. It was excellent. I would highly recommend it!

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Good Girl Complex by Elle Kennedy

Title: Good Girl Complex

Author: Elle Kennedy

Series/Standalone: Avalon Bay Series (Book #1)

Genre: Adult Fiction, Romance, Contemporary

Pages: 368

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Year Published: 2022

Format: Audiobook

"She does everything right. So what could go wrong?

Mackenzie 'Mac' Cabot is a people pleaser. Her demanding parents. Her prep school friends. Her long-time boyfriend. It's exhausting, really, always following the rules. Unlike most twenty-year-olds, all she really wants to do is focus on growing her internet business, but she must get a college degree at her parents' insistence. That means moving to the beachside town of Avalon Bay, a community made up of locals and the wealthy students of Garnet College.

Mac's had plenty of practice suppressing her wilder impulses, but when she meets local bad boy Cooper Hartley, that ability is suddenly tested. Cooper is rough around the edge. Raw. Candid. A threat to her ordered existence. Their friendship soon becomes the realest thing in her life.

Despite his disdain for the trust-fund kids he sees coming and going from his town, Cooper soon realizes Mac isn't just another rich clone and falls for her. Hard. But as Mac finally starts feeling accepted by Cooper and his friends, the secret he's been keeping from her threatens the only place she's ever felt at home."

My Rating: 2.5/5

I'd heard a lot about this first book in this series and thought it sounded up my alley but the more I read the more it was just ok for me. It was fun, it followed the basic romance linear equation. I liked the characters fine, their separate lives made them feel unique, and the atmosphere was fun enough. It just didn't hit as hard as I wanted it too. I also found that while the sex scenes were fun, the pacing of the rest of the plot felt stilted. I do plan on reading the next book (mostly out of curiosity based on which characters it follows) but I'm not in a huge rush to carry on. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny