What Once Was Mine | Book Review

About The Book
What Once Was Mine is the 12th book in the series. This book is focused on the story of Tangled. Instead of Rapunzel’s mother being given the Sundrop Flower, she is instead given the Moondrop Flower. Needless to say, Rapunzel’s story becomes a much different tale than the one that we all know and love.

My Rating

 


I had a feeling going into this book that I was going to enjoy it, and I wasn’t wrong. The plot was different than I imagined, but that wasn’t a bed thing. Right from the start, I got ‘The Princess Bride’ vibes, because there was a whole storytelling aspect thrown in. If you’ve seen the movie, or read the book, then you will know what I’m talking about.

As for the story, it was very original, yet it still kept the true the essence of the ‘Tangled’ movie. There were (of course) some differences, but they just made the story more interesting. It was truly a new, refreshing take on the story that, as a tangled fan, I found entertaining.

Unlike the movie, Mother Gothel was way more cruel and ruthless. Honestly, I felt bad for Rapunzel, because it was almost as if she was neglected, or even unloved. She was gaslighted, and possible had Stockholm syndrome. I might be overreacting, but Rapunzel and Mother Gothel’s relationship seemed darker in the book, as compared to the movie.

In the book, I found Rapunzel to be a bit annoying and childish at times, yet I can see that being locked in a tower can make you not able to grow up, so to speak. Also, she came off as boy crazy., which was irritating. However, even in the movie, I found her a tad annoying, so I guess the author kept true to her personality. She just isn’t my favorite Disney princess.

There was the addition of some new characters, which I loved. We got a strong female, an older witch, and of course Flynn Rider. Let me say, out of all the Disney princess’ love interests, Flynn is my favorite. He’s cocky, funny, and charming! Who isn’t in love with Flynn Rider?

“The truth about you is all tangled, like your braids, Rapunzel. Bound up unnaturally. It’s time to let it all down, to let it out, let it go.”

Of course, to keep true to the original story, Rapunzel and Flynn end up together, but to me it was an instant love romance. Don’t get me wrong, sometimes I like a good insta-love plot, but only if they are done right. However, this one fell short, since I didn’t see a real connection between the two characters. At least, not the same connection they developed in the animated film.

The message within the story was that we must accept and forgive ourselves. And, we must look deep inside us to find what true love means to us. The plot had a lot to do with loving yourself, as well as love in general. It was a simple message that wasn’t shoved in the reader’s face. It existed more in the background, but was there all the same.

Overall, I liked the story, writing, and how everything was wrapped up at the end. However, the plot as a whole is darker than the original story, while still being tween and teen friendly. I would daresay that I liked the book slightly more than the movie, and the movie was good. The book does touch on the topic of cancer, specifically in teenagers, so that may be triggering to some readers.

In the comments, let me know which Disney princess is your favorite. Mine has always been Belle from ‘Beauty and the Beast’. Don’t forget to give this post a like and share! If you want to support my blog, and like bookish content like this, you can follow my blog to get post notifications.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Related Post: Unbirthday Book Review
Related Post: Conceal, Don’t Feel Book Review

Finally Fall | Book Tag

Hi friends,
Today, I’m kicking off the autumn season with the Finally Fall Book Tag! From what I’ve found, this tag was originally created by Alina Milena on Booktube. There are just ten bookish questions, all relating to fall. I’m a huge fan of fall and winter—let’s just say those are the seasons where I thrive and feel the happiest. So, this time of year always lifts my spirits. These questions were so much fun to answer, and they’ve made me even more excited that fall has finally begun!



My go-to for a book with a vivid setting has lately been the Belladonna series by Adalyn Grace. But to change things up a bit since I always talk about those books, I’m going to mention The Shepherd King duology by Rachel Gillig. I’ve only read the first book, ‘One Dark Window‘, but this gothic fantasy has such a vivid and interesting world.
Related Post: Belladonna | Book Review
Related Post: One Dark Window | Book Review



A book I recently read was ‘In an Instant‘ by Suzanne Redfearn. It was both heartbreaking and powerful. The story deals with loss, grief, and tragedy in such a raw, realistic way. The writing was fantastic, but it was definitely a tough book to get through.



I’m going to out myself here and admit that I don’t typically read non-fiction books. However, I ended up reading ‘It All Began with a Scream‘ by Padraic Maroney, which might be a weird choice. It’s a non-fiction book about the successful Scream horror movie franchise. I found it interesting to hear from the actors and learn about all the behind-the-scenes drama. I discovered a lot of things about the movies that I didn’t know before, and as a horror movie lover, it was definitely a good read.



The first group that came to mind was the friend group in the Maple Hills series by Hannah Grace. While reading ‘Icebreaker‘, I found myself falling in love with them and adoring the personalities of all the hockey guys. They’re such a great group of people who would be fun to hang out with and would always have your back.



While looking at my bookshelf, I noticed that every single book in The Stalking Jack the Ripper series by Kerri Maniscalco has very fall-colored spines. This makes sense, considering the series is quite eerie and gothic. I personally think these books make great fall reads, and I love how the color scheme fits perfectly with the autumn season.



This is one of those instances when I read the question, and a book popped into my mind immediately. The book is ‘What Once was Mine: A Twisted Tale‘ by Liz Braswell. This is a reimagining of Tangled and one of the only Twisted Tale books that I truly enjoyed. The premise is very much like *The Princess Bride*, where the story is being told to someone, and I loved that aspect of it.
Related Post: What Once Was Mine | Book Review



I found ‘House Of Hollow‘ to be creepy and dark. While it’s not too intense since it’s a YA novel, it definitely leans into horror. I thought the plot was really interesting and quite spine-chilling. I’ve heard it compared to the Brothers Grimm books, and I agree with that comparison. I don’t think this book gets enough hype.
Related Post: House Of Hollow | Book Review



I believe that ‘Pumpkinheads‘ by Rainbow Rowell and Faith Erin Hicks is the perfect answer to this question. This is such a cute, cozy fall graphic novel. It takes place on Halloween night at a pumpkin farm, featuring games, train rides, and food stands. The book is a quick read that not only gets you into the fall mood but also makes you smile. This is one of those stories I read every year simply because it’s so good and heartwarming. Plus, the artwork is stunning!



I hate to say this because I feel like I mention it all the time, but I’m always honest in my answers. The book I go back to every year is ‘A Christmas Carol‘ by Charles Dickens. It’s my favorite book and a timeless story. That said, I’d really like to reread ‘Little Women‘ this year, so I hope I can get to that soon.
Related Post: Little Women | Book Review



I’m not sure if this is necessarily an accessory, but I love having a cozy ambiance video playing in the background while I read. It really helps set the mood for the season. To make things even cozier, I like to have a warm beverage as well.


I hope you enjoyed this tag, and please let me know your answers in the comments below! In case you want to read these books, you can find some on Everand, which offers a free trial when you use my link (click here). Sadly, they don’t have all the books I mentioned, but it’s still a service I love to recommend. If you’re a fan of tags, please like and share this post. Your support means a lot to me, so don’t forget to hit the follow button before you go!

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Birthday // Book Tag

Hi Friends,
It’s my birthday! I thought it would be fun to do a birthday-inspired book tag. This is the ‘Birthday’ book tag that I found on YouTube. I don’t know who the original creator is, but the video I watched was from Lindsey From BFCG.



This one was hard, but I chose ‘What Once Was Mine’ by Liz Braswell. Most of the Twisted Tales books I’ve read seem somewhat mediocre and unoriginal, but this one was pretty good. I enjoyed the new spin on the Tangled story.
Related Post: What Once Was Mine // Book Review



There’s a 2024 release I’ve talked about endlessly, so instead, I’ll mention ‘Spectacular’ by Stephanie Garber. It’s a novella set in the Caraval world, coming out later this year.
Related Post: Caraval // Book Review



‘Weyward’ by Emilia Hart took me by surprise this year. The premise sounded interesting, but I had heard mixed reviews. However, I really enjoyed the story and its witchy aspects.
Related Post: Weyward // Book Review



‘A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder’ by Holly Jackson! When I first read it in 2021, it was incredibly hyped and still is today. The entire trilogy, especially the first two books, is definitely worth the hype.
Related Post: A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder // Book Review



Honestly, I don’t have a specific book for this. I don’t annotate my books, so I don’t always remember beautiful quotes. I just remember my favorite ones, but no single book stands out.



My husband reminded me of a book that fits this question perfectly: ‘The Golden Compass‘ by Philip Pullman. I received beautiful editions of the entire series for my birthday when I was a teenager. However, I only read the first two books in the trilogy and don’t think I fully understood or appreciated the story then. I was relatively new to reading, and this probably wasn’t the best fantasy series to start with. I think I’d enjoy them much more today.



2013 was probably one of the toughest years of my life, but it was also the year I read ‘Delirium‘ by Lauren Oliver. This book helped me discover audiobooks, which changed my reading experience forever.


In the comments, please send me some love by leaving birthday wishes. If you want to check out my book wishlist, click here, but you are under no obligation to send a gift. However, your continued support means the world to me, and the best birthday gift would be if you followed the blog.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

So This Is Love // Book Review

About The Book
Faced with questions of love and loyalty to the kingdom, Cinderella must find a way to stop the villains of past and present . . . before it’s too late. The 9th installment in the New York Times best-selling A TWISTED TALE series asks: What if Cinderella never tried on the glass slipper?
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3Sm0mjp

My Rating


I was wary going into this book, since I wasn’t sure what to expect from it. However, Cinderella reminds me a lot of my mom, so I have a special place in my heart for her.

Right off the bat, the writing style was wonderful. The author really brought the story to life, as well as adding a lot of interesting little tidbits into the story. Like creating a wonderful backstory behind Cinderella’s name.

In the retelling, the characters hold true to their original personalities. Cinderella is just as sweet, kind, and positive as she has always been. Yet, she is independent, and not a damsel in distress. She fight for herself, which makes sense considering the life she has had.

The evil stepmother and stepsisters didn’t play a huge role in the book, but were, for the most part, similar to the original characters.

However, the evil stepmother was a lot crueler this time around, and really hated Cinderella. In the book, I couldn’t believe the length her evil stepmother would go to get rid of her.

The prince was an okay character, but didn’t have much personality. There was the addition of the Prince’s aunt, which I enjoyed a lot. She was a strong willed women with a hidden soft side. They also gave Cinderella a human friend, however the mice and her dog were still included in the story.

“Women are always waiting on men- let it be the other way around for a change.”

The villain of the story was the king’s advisor, and he was a despicable villain. I despised him throughout the story, so the author did a great job at creating a truly unlikeable villain.

The story is slow moving, but there are many interesting pieces to the plot. Especially the fact that magic is forbidden in the land. That twist added such a cool element to the story, making it more fantastical and less of a simple love story.

Still, the love story side was sweet and romantic. And the notion that not everyone will love you, but that’s okay was also a nice added message to the story. Also, the fact that there was more to their love story, instead of them just living happily ever after, was very realistic.

Overall, the ending was good, and the story was well-executed. It isn’t my favorite retelling, but a good read nonetheless. I would have just preferred a more fast paced plot.

Let me know in the comments if you have read this twisted tale book. And before you go, check out my reviews of some of the other twisted tale books.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Related Posts: Unbirthday // Book Review
Related Posts: Conceal, Don’t Feel // Book Review
Related Posts: What Once Was Mine // Book Review

Books I Wish I’d Read // In 2021

Hi Friends,
There were so many books that I wanted to read in twenty-twenty one. But, sadly I didn’t have time to read every book on my TBR. If only the days were longer, and I had hours to dedicate to reading. Nevertheless, I put together a list of the top books that I wanted to read, but never got to.

Caraval by Stephanie Garber
“Welcome to Caraval, where nothing is quite what it seems. Caraval is Magic. Mystery. Adventure. And for Scarlett and her beloved sister Tella it represents freedom and an escape from their ruthless, abusive father.”

I was hoping to reread this book, and possibly finish the whole series. However, I was never able to fit it on to my TBR. Although, I don’t think I was ever really in the mood to pick it up. It is, still, a great fantasy series that I would like to complete.

The Lucky List by Rachael Lippincott
“Two girls, one list and twelve chances to fall in love this summer. From the #1 New York Times bestselling co-author of Five Feet Apart comes a gripping new romance, perfect for fans of The Perks of Being a Wallflower and Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda.”

I am so sad that I didn’t get around to reading this book. It is by one of the authors of ‘Five Feet Apart,’ which I read this year and loved. I don’t know much about this book except that it is a YA contemporary that gives me summer romance vibes. I think it is a female-female love story, which I am here for.

White Smoke by Tiffany D. Jackson
“The Haunting of Hill House meets Get Out in this chilling YA psychological thriller and modern take on the classic haunted house story from New York Times bestselling author Tiffany D. Jackson!”

I have heard nothing but good things about Tiffany D. Jackson’s writing. So I was looking forward to picking up her newest novel. I was going to read it in October, but failed to. It is a YA thriller, which is awesome since I have been branching out into that genre lately. I will mostly likely be reading this in October of 2022. Maybe even sooner.

What Once Was Mine (Twisted Tales, #12) by Liz Braswell
“The 12th installment in the New York Times best-selling series asks: What if Rapunzel’s mother drank a potion from the wrong flower?”

I have been getting into the Twisted Tales series, and managed to read two of them this year. When I read the plot of this one, I was anticipating its release. It is a twist on the ‘Tangled’ animated film, which followed Rapunzel. Honestly, I kind of forgot about the book once it was released. I do hope to read it next year, but might get to more of the previous books in the series first.

The Mary Shelley Club by Goldy Moldavsky
“New York Times-bestselling author Goldy Moldavsky delivers a deliciously twisty YA thriller that’s Scream meets Karen McManus about a mysterious club with an obsession for horror.”

I saw this book in store during spooky season, but the cover didn’t wow me. The title did catch my eye, though. However, once I found out about the interesting plot, I already had other books that I wanted to read more. I haven’t seen many people mention the book, but it is high on my radar.

Tweet Cute by Emma Lord
“A fresh, irresistible rom-com from debut author Emma Lord about the chances we take, the paths life can lead us on, and how love can be found in the opposite place you expected.”

This is a book that has been raved about from fans of YA contemporaries for a while. It is a hate-to-love story, which you should know by now is one of my favorite tropes. I think this is a summer read, but as usual, it never made it on to my TBR for the year. Next year, I will for sure pick this up. But, please don’t hold me to that promise.
The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
“She came from nothing. They had everything. Now there’s only one rule: winner takes all. An utterly addictive and twisty thriller, full of dark family secrets and deadly stakes. Perfect for fans of One of Us is Lying and Knives Out.”

This is one that I heard about later in the year, and it seems like YA thriller with a fascinating mystery aspect. Again, this is one that I didn’t get to pick up during spooky season. I way to preoccupied with Karen M. McManus books to read any other YA thrillers. I do want to make an effort to read this book, which I believe is duology.

The Girls I’ve Been by Tess Sharpe
“A slick, twisty YA page-turner about the daughter of a con artist who is taken hostage in a bank heist.”

To be honest, this was a last minute addition to the list. I had seen the cover, but pegged it as an adult thriller. Once I discovered that it was a YA book about a former con-artist, it immediately made it on to my TBR. I read about a con-artist early this year, and that type of character transfixes me. I want to predict that this will be a 4 or 5 star read that I will be picking up sooner rather than later.

Those are some of the many books that I wanted to read in 2021, but didn’t have time to read. Let me know the books you wanted to pick up this year, but never managed to. If you want to give me a holiday gift, then like, share, and follow the blog.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Most Anticipated Book Releases // End Of The Year

Hi Friends,
The end of the year is creeping up fast, which is insane. Lately, I have been looking at the fall and winter book releases. In this post, I am going to be sharing my most anticipated releases for the last half of 2021.

September

What Once Was Mine by Liz Braswell (September 7th)

Disney retellings always peak my interest. This one is about Rapunzel, which is awesome since Tangled is one of my favorite Disney princess movies.

As If on Cue by Marisa Kanter (September 21st)

YA enemies-to-lovers are some of the best books, so I hope this one doesn’t disappoint. Sadly, I haven’t had the best lucky with hate-to-love romances this year. However, I am not going to let that effect my opinion of this book.

Once Upon A Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber (September 28th)

This is the first book in a new fairy tale series by Garber. The book is described as a whimsical romance that shows the length people will go to for happily ever after. This book has been getting a lot of buzz in the book world, and for good reason. It sounds amazing!

October


Squad by Lisa Sterle, Maggie Tokuda-Hall (October 5th)

This book is marketed as a combination of Buffy, Mean Girls, Teen Wolf, and every other teen drama. In the book, Becca learns that her new friends are a group of werewolves. Now, if I were her I’d be freaking out.

The Holiday Swap by Maggie Knox (October 5th)

I am obsessed with life swap stories. Whether the look-a-likes know each other or not. I cannot resist a good switch story. This one is about two sisters that trade places a few weeks before Christmas. It is going to be a messy romance, and I am here for it.

So, This Is Christmas by Tracy Andreen (October 5th)

This is a YA holiday book about a sixteen-year-old girl that returns home to her small town in Oklahoma. But, this Christmas everything seems to be different. Being a Christmas lover from Oklahoma, I cannot wait for this book.

November

Gilded by Marissa Meyer (November 2nd)
Another fairytale retelling that sounds incredible. This one is a reimaging of the Rumpelstiltskin story we have all come to know. I don’t know it is my love for the series ‘Once Upon A Time’, but Rumpelstiltskin is a character that has always intrigued me.

You’ve Reached Sam by Dustin Thao (November 2nd)

Should I just start crying now? I know this book is going to pull at my heartstrings. When a teenage girl’s boyfriend unexpectedly dies she’s heartbroken. But, she’s shocked when she calls his voicemail and he picks up. I’m not sure where the plots going to go, but I know it will be sad read.

You’ll Be the Death of Me by Karen M. McManus (November 30th)

All I know is that this is a thriller inspired by ‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.’ But I really don’t need to know anything else. One because I have been loving YA thrillers lately. Secondly, Karen M. McManus is one of my new favorite authors.

December

If This Gets Out by Cale Dietrich, Sophie Gonzales (December 7th)

I think this book is going to be swoon-worthy. It is a queer YA romance about to band member, Ruben and Zach, that start a romance. It sounds like there might be a lot of drama, but a cute relationship as well.

The Big Reveal by Jen Larsen (December 7th)

A young adult novel about a girl that gets accepted into her dream dance academy. In order to raise money to attend the school, she puts on an invite-only burlesque show. The book touches on topics such slut-and body-shaming.This is for sure going to be a lighthearted, but powerful contemporary.

How Not to Fall in Love by Jacqueline Firkins (December 21st)

I am counting down the days to the release of this YA contemporary. The story follows a pessimistic girl with a hard time believing in true love. Her hopeless romantic best friend enlist her help, so he doesn’t need up getting heartbroken for millionth time. But, of course a romance is bound to develop, and it will be delightful.

Those are the books releases at the top of my list for the last half of the year. Are any of these books on your tbr? What books are you looking forward to being released? Before you go, like and share this post. And, follow the blog to get notified about more bookish posts.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

 

We Used To Live Here | Book Review

About The Book
Young house-flippers Charlie and Eve score a great deal on an old home, but a family’s unexpected visit triggers eerie events. When their child goes missing and strange presences appear, the family won’t leave, and Charlie soon disappears too. As Eve’s grasp on reality fades, she begins to question what’s real and what horrors the house may hold.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/48qdFbw

My Rating


I’m not quite sure what to say about this book—it wasn’t as scary or compelling as people claimed. Still, it was weird and unlike anything I’ve read before. Sadly, the plot didn’t captivate me at all. I’m always down for a good strange, psychological thriller unfortunately, this book fell so flat and bored to me at times. OK, it bored me most of the time.

It was such a hard book for me to get through, and I don’t exactly know why because the plot was interesting. In the first few chapters, I was really wanting to know what was going to happen. We have a main character, Eve, who is a bit socially awkward and shy. When a family appears on her and her girlfriend’s doorstep, claiming the father once lived there, she lets them in—but things quickly get weird.

The setup makes you want to keep reading to figure out what the family is really doing there and where things are going to go. But by the 20% mark, I found myself not really caring about the story or the characters. There were some interesting moments here and there, but overall, I felt like I was just pushing myself to get through the book.

“Get them to leave. Whatever means necessary…”

The story didn’t scare or shock me at all. I had a lot of questions throughout, hoping they’d be answered by the end, but I felt like none of them really were. It seemed like the author added many elements to make the book stand out or feel different from other horror novels. However, some things didn’t flow together, and I couldn’t understand the overarching plot. Maybe I just prefer straightforward horror, and elevated horror isn’t my thing.

That said, I did like the main character’s development throughout the book. She starts off shy and passive but grows increasingly suspicious, strong, and determined. I think the author was trying to make her somewhat of an unreliable narrator, but I never truly felt she was. I was on her side throughout the entire book.

Overall, this isn’t a bad book, but it’s far from the scariest thing I’ve ever read. I don’t really understand the hype behind it. I’m not sure if my issues were with the plot or the writing. It might have been the added mixed-media excerpts that felt unnecessary. Nevertheless, it’s not a book I’d recommend to other horror lovers. And let me just say, the ending truly frustrated me.

In the comments, let me know if you share my thoughts on this book or if you enjoyed it. Don’t forget to like and share this post with all your reader friends. Hit the follow button; it’s completely free and helps my blog grow.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Given Our History | Book Review

About The Book
Clara Fernsby, an assistant professor up for tenure, is shocked when her former best friend and love, Theodore Harrison, returns as a visiting scholar. Ten years after their falling out, Clara finds herself reliving their past. As they reconnect over a shared project, Clara realizes she might be falling for him again and is determined not to make the same mistakes—but will history end up repeating itself?
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3AcrqOk

My Rating


If you’re like me and prefer second chance romances where the love interests haven’t been pining for each other for years, then this is a great read for you. In the book, we follow former best friends Clara and Teddy, who, years after their falling out, are now both history professors and must work together for a semester.

Is this the most original, swoon worthy romcom? No. But did I have a great time reading it? Yes! If you aren’t a fan of books that read like a Hallmark movie, I would strongly recommend not picking this book up. However, I’m always down for a book that feels like a lighthearted romance movie—one that isn’t too complicated and is an easy read.

I really enjoyed our two leads. I’d almost say this has a bit of the grumpy sunshine trope, but the girl is the grumpy one. She definitely has tunnel vision when it comes to life. As for Teddy, he was sweet and caring, and you could see what an impact Clara’s friendship had on his life.

“You know, you mentioned once that you enjoy history because humans haven’t changed all that much. You said that like it’s a good thing.”

I loved that we got chapters from the past to see how their friendship began and where things went wrong. It was really a case of right person, wrong time. And let me just say, the level of maturity these characters had was wonderful! Also, it had one of the best descriptions of the struggles of love, and it will probably always be one of my favorite paragraphs from a book.

The writing was well done, and I didn’t feel there were any slow parts. I thought the story moved along nicely, and the character development was great. The book is, of course, a romance, but Clara’s personal and professional journey was also a highlight. I also liked the sister relationship, although minimal, that was part of the story.

Overall, if you are looking for a fast, sweet read that will get you out of a reading slump, I would recommend this book. Even though it takes place in the fall, I think it can be enjoyed any time of the year. I’m looking forward to seeing what the author releases next.

In the comments, let me know if this book is on your TBR. You can listen to it with an Everand [here] subscription. Don’t forget to hit the like and share buttons so that other book lovers can find this post. Before you go, give the blog a follow so you never miss a book review.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Mystery & Thriller | 2024 Goodreads Choice Awards

Hi Friends,
It’s almost time for the 2024 Goodreads Choice Awards, so I thought it would be fun to share my predictions for certain categories. I might have more predictions in some categories than others, depending on how often I read that genre. In this post, I’ll discuss the mystery and thriller category and talk about ten books I think will be nominated. Please keep in mind that a book needs a Goodreads rating of at least 3.5 to be nominated for the Goodreads Choice Awards.


First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston
This 2024 mystery thriller release surprised everyone. While it leans more toward mystery and suspense, it still fits within the mystery and thriller category according to Goodreads. With a solid rating and overwhelmingly positive reviews, I expect it to receive a nomination.
Related Post: First Lie Wins | Book Review


The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley
Lucy Foley has not only been nominated before but also won in 2020 with her book ‘The Guest List’. However, this book hasn’t generated much discussion, and I haven’t heard many opinions about it. Still, considering she’s a past winner, I don’t see her getting left out as a nominee. However, I don’t think it will win or make it into the top 10.
Related Post: The Guest List | Book Review


Middle of the Night by Riley Sager
I’ll be shocked if Riley Sager’s newest book isn’t nominated or doesn’t make it into the top 5. He’s pretty much a staple in the mystery thriller genre, and I believe he’s received nominations for almost every new release. While this book didn’t receive as much hype as some of his previous ones, its average rating is decent enough for a nomination.


The Last One at the Wedding by Jason Rekulak
This is probably just wishful thinking on my part because I loved ‘Hidden Pictures’ by this author, which won the horror category in 2022. I have high hopes for his latest book to be nominated. I’m placing it in the mystery and thriller category since Goodreads lists thriller as the primary genre, but it could just as easily fit into the horror category.
Related Post: Hidden Pictures | Book Review


The Housemaid Is Watching by Freida McFadden
I have no doubt that this book will be nominated. Honestly, I predict that multiple Freida books may receive nominations, as they did last year. However, I hope that doesn’t happen again, since nominating only one book per author would give other writers a better chance of winning. Still, given the popularity of the Housemaid books, I see this as an automatic nominee.
Related Post: The Housemaid | Book Review



Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera
This book was one of the most hyped mystery thrillers of the past year. I haven’t read it yet, which is a bit disappointing, but I’ve heard the story and twists are amazing. I’m pretty sure it gained popularity with the help of Bookstagram and is still being recommended frequently. So, if they select books based on ratings and popularity, it will most likely be a contender in the mystery and thriller category.


The Night We Lost Him by Laura Dave
This book released in September, and while the ratings aren’t incredibly strong, they’re still good enough for a nomination. Given that her book ‘The Last Thing He Told Me’ won in the mystery and thriller category, I don’t think she’ll get snubbed this year. However, I don’t predict a win, as this book has been overshadowed by other 2024 releases.


We Solve Murders by Richard Osman
I haven’t seen much buzz about this book, but it has a fairly high rating. Plus, Richard Osman has a solid fanbase and has received nominations in the past. His book ‘The Last Devil to Die’ placed fourth in the mystery and thriller category in 2023, but that was the last book in a series. Since this is the first book in a new mystery series, it could give him a better chance of winning.


The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
This book could be a strong contender for the mystery and thriller category this year. Not only does it have over a 4.20 rating on Goodreads, but I also haven’t seen many reviews below 4 stars. While I don’t know much about the plot, it seems to lean more toward the mystery and fiction side of things. Liz Moore received a Goodreads Choice Award nomination in 2020 and made it into the top 10 that year.


Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth
TThis might be the underdog of my predictions. Sally Hepworth is a successful mystery and thriller author, but she doesn’t get much attention in the book community. I was surprised to learn she’s only been nominated once for the Goodreads Choice Awards, back in 2019, despite her books having decent ratings. I’ve heard great things about this one and have been wanting to read it. I’d be pleasantly surprised to see it nominated.


And that wraps up my predictions for the Mystery and Thriller category on Goodreads. In the comments, let me know if you agree or disagree with my predictions, and feel free to share any books you think will be nominated. I’m unsure how many of these books are available on Everand, but you can get a free trial using my link [here]. Don’t forget to share this post with others and hit the like button as well. If you love bookish content, follow the blog so you never miss a post.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

6 Romance Books I’ll Fall In Love With

Hi Friends,
September 28th marked 20 years since Jesse McCartney’s Beautiful Soul album was released. While the Internet lists various dates for the album’s release, Jesse himself confirmed that it was released on September 28, 2004. Back in the day, my sister and I loved the show Summerland, and when I was thirteen, I attended one of Jesse McCartney’s very first concerts. In honor of the 20th anniversary, I decided to share six romances that I’m pretty sure I will love!



This Spells Love By Kate Robb
“A young woman tries to heal her heartbreak by casting a spell to erase her ex from her past, but she wakes up in an alternate reality where she’s lost more than she wished for in this witty, whimsical friends-to-lovers debut.”

This magical realism romcom sounds perfect for me; everything about the premise is right up my alley.

The Nanny By Lana Ferguson
“A woman discovers the father of the child she is nannying may be her biggest (Only)Fan in this steamy contemporary romance by Lana Ferguson.”

Give me a single-dad romance with spice, and I’ll be happy! I also believe this is an age-gap romance, which has been one of my favorite tropes lately.

Delilah Green Doesn’t Care By Ashley Herring Blake
“A clever and steamy queer romantic comedy about taking chances and accepting love—with all its complications—from the author of Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail.”

I’m not sure where I first heard about this book, but it’s been on my radar for the past year. I know it’s a favorite sapphic romance for many, and it apparently features the one-bed trope.



The Comeback By Lily Chu
“Who is Ariadne Hui? Laser-focused lawyer diligently climbing the corporate ladder? The “perfect” daughter living out her father’s dream? Shocking love interest of South Korea’s hottest star?”

I previously read a book by this author that I gave five stars, so I’m hopeful I’ll love this one too. It is a celebrity-regular person romance, which is a plot that I’ve enjoyed before.

The Love of My Afterlife By Kirsty Greenwood
“A recently deceased woman meets “the one” in the afterlife waiting room, scoring a second chance at life (and love!) if she can find him on earth before ten days are up.”

This book became popular out of nowhere, and it’s another cute magical realism adult romance. As you can tell, magical realism has become one of my favorite genres, and I’m curious about all the hype surrounding this book.

Love in the Time of Serial Killers By Alicia Thompson
“Turns out that reading nothing but true crime isn’t exactly conducive to modern dating—and one woman is going to have to learn how to give love a chance when she’s used to suspecting the worst.”

I’ve heard mixed things about this book, but the synopsis and title make me think it’ll be a cheesy, silly Hallmark movie and I don’t mind that at all. Some of my favorite romances have that feel-good vibe!


There you have it, six adult romcoms that I’m sure will become new favorites of mine. If you’ve read any of these books, let me know in the comments below. Don’t forget that liking and sharing this post helps it reach other book lovers. If you want to be part of my bookish community, please hit the follow button!

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny