The Sun Down Motel // Book Review

About The Book
The secrets lurking in a rundown roadside motel ensnare a young woman, just as they did her aunt thirty-five years before, in this new atmospheric suspense novel from the national bestselling and award-winning author of The Broken Girls. Every small town like Fell, New York, has a place like the Sun Down Motel. Some customers are from out of town, passing through on their way to someplace better. Some are locals, trying to hide their secrets.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/4aB8HZy

My Rating


I had a feeling that I was going to love this author’s works, and I wasn’t wrong. This plot was so engaging and fast paced, and the writing was phenomenal. Now it does lean more towards mystery/thriller, but that didn’t hinder my enjoyment.

The story is told in two timelines. In 1982, we follow Viv who is the night clerk at the eerie Sundown Motel. 35 years later, her niece, Carly, works her same shift at the same motel. However, Carly is there for a purpose – to uncover what happened to her aunt Vivi, who seemingly disappeared all those years ago.

I’m not normally one to enjoy dual timeline stories, but this book was written so well that I was engaged equally in both the girls stories. Now I did prefer Viv’s plot a little bit more, since I felt that it was a little more exciting. However, the whole story worked so well, and there really wasn’t a dull moment.

“How it didn’t matter how afraid or how careful you were—it could always be you.”

The setting for the book was great, and really played into the thriller vibes. I mean a creepy hotel in a small town that’s been known for women being murdered? I’d probably be on the next bus out of there. And, the fact that there was a haunting aspect to the story was awesome and unexpected.

However, my only con, and the reason it isn’t a five star read was that I didn’t feel as though Carly understood Viv. After spending all of this time trying to figure out what happened to her by the end of the book she didn’t seem to understand Viv’s choices. It was a bit frustrating to me, but not something that truly hindered my enjoyment of the book.

Overall, I will continue to pick up more from this author. This book was a fantastic read, that I think a lot of readers will enjoy. But please, check trigger warnings before reading it, as some of the content matter can be upsetting to certain readers. You can find a list of trigger warnings at Book Trigger Warnings.

In the comments, let me know if you have read anything by this author. Don’t forget that you can like and share this post with others. Before you go, hit the follow button so that you never miss a post.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

March 2024 // Reading Wrap Up

Hi Friends,
March has officially ended, so now it is time for my March reading wrap up. I’m surprised that I was able to read 12 books in the month of March, considering that I was in a huge reading slump for a big part of the month. But, I was able to catch up on my reading goal, which makes me so happy.



Ruthless Vows (Letters of Enchantment, 2) by Rebecca Ross
This was probably my favorite read of the month, and the conclusion of an amazing duology. I can say much about it without spoilers, but it was a satisfying ending.
Related Post: Ruthless Vows // Book Review

In the Weeds (Lovelight 2) by B.K. Borison
This is the second book in a romance series of interconnected standalones. They take place in the small town of Lovelight, but mainly on this Christmas tree farm in the town. This one was a second chance romance between a farmer from that farm, and an influencer.

The Naturals (The Naturals, 1) by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
I think BookTok is the major contributor to the sudden success of this series. This is the first book in a series that follows a bunch of teenagers with unique skills, being recruited by the FBI to solve cold cases. And from this first book, I can see why everyone loves this series.

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
This is a somewhat of a psychological thriller about a therapist working at a psychiatric clinic to get close to a woman that was convicted of killing her husband, but hasn’t spoken in years. Lots of twists and turns, but the ending was quite predictable.



Brutal Obsession by S. Massery
This is a dark hockey romance, the first in an interconnected, standalone series. This book was very intense, and a dark Romance for sure. Not exactly sure how I feel about it but I do really enjoy these books.

Killer Instinct (The Naturals, 2) by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
This is the second book in the ‘Naturals’ series, and again, it follows the exact same formula of the first book. We are following the same group of teenagers working for the FBI trying to stop another serial killer. Super fast-paced, and a good read.

Where Darkness Blooms by Andrea Hannah
This is a young adult contemporary thriller, where we follow four girls, whose mothers mysteriously disappeared one day. The story was definitely a roller coaster, and it was interesting to get the perspectives of all four girls throughout the book.

She Drives Me Crazy by Kelly Quindlen
This is a young adult queer romance that is part enemies to lovers, part opposites attract. Honestly, I don’t have much to say about this book, because it doesn’t really stick out in my mind.



How to Plot a Payback by Melissa Ferguson
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of the audiobook through NetGalley. I am so happy that I got the chance to read this book because it took me completely by surprise. It was such a fantastic read.

The Nowhere Girls (Detective Nikki Cassidy) by Dana Perry
This is another book that I received the audiobook ARC via NetGalley. If you’re a fan of Law and Order: SVU, then I think you’d really enjoy this book. Apparently it’s part of a series that follows different FBI agents. In this book, we follow Detective Nikki Cassidy, who returns home to get answers from the man who murdered her 12 year old sister. But when he confesses that he didn’t murder her sister, Nikki starts to wonder if her sister’s killer is still out there.

What Lies in the Woods by Kate Alice Marshall
Yes, this is actually on my April TBR, but I went ahead and read it early. This is an adult mystery/thriller, where our main character, Naomi, is trying to put together the pieces of what really happened when she was attacked at 11 years old. Super quick read, in my opinion, but I unfortunately didn’t love it as much as I thought I would.

Happily Never After by Lynn Painter
I’ve heard so many people talk about wanting to read this book, but nobody actually reviewing it. She wrote my all-time favorite young adult, contemporary romance ‘Better Than The Movies’. This, however, is an adult romance; and sadly, I didn’t love it. But it’s Lynn Painter, so I still recommend the book.


Those are all 12 books that I read in the month of March. In the comments, let me know how many books you were able to read. The audiobook for some of these books are available on Everand, and you can get a free trial when you sign up using my link. Don’t forget to hit the follow button, so that you get notified whenever there’s a new post, because I will have reviews up for almost all the books that I have read in the month of March.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

April 2024 // To Be Read

Hi Friends,
Today I’ll be doing my April TBR post. This month, I’ll be using prompts to pick my TBR again. Since I’ve learned that my mood reader personality usually gets the best of me, I decided to only pick 5 prompts.


Buy Book: https://amzn.to/3xmi9kQ
Kate Alice Marshall’s What Lies in the Woods is a thrilling novel about friendship, secrets, betrayal, and lies – and having the courage to face the past.”

I have been wanting to read this book for the longest time. This is an adult thriller that I’ve heard a lot of a good things about. I haven’t read anything else by this author yet, but this is a 5 star prediction book for me.


Buy Book: https://amzn.to/3IYq2Q2
Starling House is a gorgeous, modern gothic fantasy from the New York Times bestselling author of The Ten Thousand Doors of January.”

I have been dying to read this fantasy book. Honestly, I don’t know much about the plot, except that Starling House is a place. I do believe that this is a standalone book, which is pretty unusual for a fantasy.


Buy Book: https://amzn.to/3vscUjb
“One boy. One girl. A bond that is forged in an instant and cherished for a decade. A bond that neither time nor distance can break. A bond that will last forever.”

I have seen this book all over BookTok. This is a young adult contemporary, and apparently it’s heartbreaking. I hear that within the first few pages you are sobbing. I am unsure if I’m mentally ready, but I would like to know what all the hype is about.


Buy Book: https://amzn.to/3TVW4mg
A true crime blogger gets more than she bargained for while interviewing the woman acquitted of two cold case slayings in this chilling new novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Sun Down Motel.”

I got this book at Half Price Books, and have been dying to read it for months. This is another 5 star prediction book. The plot follows a true crime blogger. Need I say more?


Buy Book: https://amzn.to/3PDQouk
“A reality show on a remote Caribbean island. Ten teen influencers. One dead body.“

This is an adult thriller about influencers. I haven’t heard anyone talking about this book, but I think it’s going to be an entertaining read.


A few of these books are available in audiobook format on Everand, so I’ll be making good use of my subscription. In the comments, let me know what’s on your April TBR. Don’t forget to follow the blog before you go, so that you never miss a post.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Ruthless Vows // Book Review

About The Book
Get ready for the epic conclusion every reader of Divine Rivals has been waiting for. An unforgettable story of love and betrayal, Ruthless Vows brings Iris and Roman closer together as they face impossible choices. The epic conclusion to the intensely romantic and beautifully written story that started in Divine Rivals.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/499o0ay

My Rating


I wouldn’t say that I was disappointed in this book, by any means. However, I wouldn’t agree that it lived up to the first book. I was simultaneously putting off reading this book and dying to pick it up. Since, the first book was done so well, and the cliffhanger ending left me heartbroken, I needed to know what was going to happen. Yet, I was scared that I wasn’t going to love this conclusion as much. Before you keep reading, know that this review will have spoilers since it is the second book in a duology.

The book picks up right where the first book left off, and we find Iris living back at home with her brother heartbroken about being separated from Roman. While Roman is being healed and taken hostage (so to speak) by the god Dacre to be his personal war correspondent. And, let me just say, I couldn’t wait for Iris and Roman to find each other once again. Because, their relationship is what really makes this story for me.

Something that I loved about this book was that there weren’t any slow paced moments. The first book took a while to get into the heart of the story, but this was very fast paced. But, my favorite thing was that we didn’t wait endless chapters for Iris and Roman to meet again. The author doesn’t do slow burn, and doesn’t drags things out needlessly, which I am a major fan of. I’m an impatient girl, so if you’re like me, then you’ll enjoy the fact that she doesn’t make us wait forever for things to happen.

As for the plot, we are still following the war, but this time we get a little more context on the Gods. We learn about Dacre and a bit more about Enva. And, it went more into depth about the magic system. The first book focused more with the romance side of things, which this book does as well. However, I believe that the stakes were higher in this book than in the first.

“Write me a story where there is no ending, Kitt. Write to me and fill my empty spaces.”

We got to see more of the side characters in this book, which was nice. I loved Attie in the first book, and her playing a bigger role in this plot was great. Also, romance the author gave her was a nice added touch. And, let’s not forget Forest, Iris’ brother, we don’t see him much in the book but the author does a great job of showcasing how fighting in a war can effect someone, and the emotional and physical toll it takes on someone.

But, I will say that this book just like the first is centered on love. It shows that true love can conquer anything and the length one will go for love. If you have read the first book than you know that the war was started because of love, but in actuality in infatuation, which are to very different things. Dacre felt entitled to not only Enva but the people of the world, yet he did nothing that made him deserving of that love. The book shows that wanting love and deserving it are two very different things, and even Gods can be selfish creatures.

Overall, the book was written beautifully, and was a great conclusion to the duology. However, there were some moments that broke my heart but I kept it together and surprising didn’t cry. But, if you have read the first book and it wasn’t as intense as you would have preferred than I would suggest you giving this book a chance. It is a lot more fast paced while still being mainly a magical romance rather than a fantasy.

In the comments, let me know your thoughts on the duology as a whole. Don’t forget that you can always like and share this post with other book lovers. And please, give the follow button a push before you go, so that you can support my blog.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Bows And Books Readathon // To Be Read

Hi Friends,
Today, I am going to share my TBR for the ‘Bows and Books’ readathon. The readathon began on March 21st and ends on March 24th. You can view one of the YouTube announcement videos to get all the details on the readathon and prompts. Since this is a shorter readathon, I will only try to get through two books. I have been in a major reading slump, so I do not know how well I am actually going to do with my reading this weekend.


Read A Book With A Bow On The Cover
Read A Book By A Female Author
Buy Book: https://amzn.to/3TrrGi5

High school nemeses fall in love in Kelly Quindlen’s She Drives Me Crazy, a queer YA rom com perfect for fans of Becky Albertalli and Casey McQuiston.


Read A Book With The Letters B, O, or W in the title

Buy Book: https://amzn.to/3x7iwzI

Andrea Hannah’s Where Darkness Blooms is a supernatural thriller about an eerie town where the sunflowers whisper secrets and the land hungers for blood.


If you are an Everand user, such as myself, you can find the audiobooks for both books in their catalog. If you would like to try out Everand, use my link (click here) to get a 30 day free trial. In the comments, let me know if you will participate in this readathon. Do not forget to follow the blog, so that you never miss a new post.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Divine Rivals // Book Review

About The Book
Sweeping and romantic, Divine Rivals is the explosive kick off to a new series from Rebecca Ross. Pick up this inventive and harrowing story about two young journalists and a war that has the fate of mankind hanging in the balance. Shadow and Bone meets Lore in Rebecca Ross’s Divine Rivals, an epic enemies-to-lovers fantasy novel filled with hope and heartbreak, and the unparalleled power of love.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3TKdnqk

My Rating


I am not going to lie; at first I thought that this book was not going to live up to the hype. The first few chapters were pretty slow, and I wasn’t sure how much the story was going to pick up. But, once we got into the magical side of things, I was shocked as to how much I was enjoying the plot, characters, and writing.

The book follows Iris and Roman, who are young rival journalists that are connected through magical typewriters. Honestly, I don’t believe that is a spoiler since we find that out early on. They both end up writing about the ongoing war between the god Dacre and the goddess Enva. And, let me just say that both of these characters are lovely together and separately.

I will say that I don’t feel like there is much depth to this plot. Yes, we follow Iris and Roman as they write about this magical war and watch their connection grow. We learn about them as people and how the war got started. And, there is a bit of a ‘You’ve Got Mail’ element to the book. But there isn’t a ton of action throughout the story. In my opinion, the book is a romantasy at it’s core.

However, the fact that it is primarily a romance doesn’t hurt the book at all. I fell in love with Roman and Iris’ love story. It was refreshing that the author didn’t drag out their relationship, or add in any miscommunication. If you know anything about me, I am not a slow burn romance girl, so I was happy that that trope wasn’t a part of the book. And, as for spicy, the book has very little of it and is a more of a closed-door romance.

“Even in the silence, I hope you will find the words you need to share.”

The world that the author created was very unique. I haven’t read a story that featured gods as a major plot point, but also incorporated magic and a war. Also, as a former English major, the fact that it followed journalists was a nice touch too. I loved learning about the war, and how different both the gods were. The scenes when the characters were in the thick of the war and dealing with it captured how traumatic war can be.

Nevertheless, what really made the book stand out was the writing style. It had such a lyrical writing style, that you know this author was meant to write books. I can see how some people might not connect with this slow-paced, more poetic style of writing. It is very personal taste, but I have always enjoyed books that are written this way. And, when it comes to a magical story that has a bit of a historical element to, it the style works very well.

Overall, this is an amazing book, but I do see it falling in to the 3-star range for many readers. But to me, it is outstanding. Would I characterize the book as solely fantasy? Not necessarily. After thinking about it, I would say it is a magical realism with a romance. So, if you aren’t a fan of either of those genres, then maybe don’t pick this book up. Especially if you aren’t a romance fan, because that is a big part of the plot. Also, the ending of this book will make you cry, and probably want to imminently read the sequel.

In the comments, let me know if you have read anything by this author. I am curious to read her other books. If you would like to read the book, the audiobook is available on Everand, and as always, you can use my link (click here) to get a 30 day free trial. Don’t forget that it is also completely free to follow my blog, and it really does help it grow.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

The Serpent And The Wings Of Night | Book Review

About The Book
Oraya, the adopted human daughter of the Nightborn vampire king, enters the deadly Kejari tournament to prove herself. Among ruthless vampire warriors, she must form an uneasy alliance with a mysterious rival to survive.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/4a5GyKh

My Rating


To be completely honest, I had no idea that this book was about vampires and a Hunger Games type competition. And, yes I understand that the comparison to ‘The Hunger Games’ is getting old, but when I think of a book that has a fight to the death tournament element, it is the first book that comes to mind. Especially since it is one of the books that did the competition plot well. However, this book does a fantastic job with it, too!

The story follows Oraya, a human girl raised by a vampire king. She must enter deadly contest where the winner is granted a wish. However, her alliance, and her connection to another competitor, Raihn, could just be her undoing. The two characters form this bond, and their chemistry was undeniable. Throughout the story you watched them grow from frenemies, to partners, to friends.

Oraya was such a strong female character, and you could tell that she felt out of place in her life. I loved how she didn’t feel like she fit in with the vampires, but also didn’t connect with humans either. She was a character that put up walls, and was looking for some sort of family unit. As for Raihn, I loved him. He was charming, funny, and for a vampire, so full of life. He has been added to my list of book crushes for sure.

The plot for the book was very strong and well developed. I loved the mixture of vampires, a competition, magic, and even romance. Although I do think that the book was little long, I have come to except that in first books in fantasy series. The author wants to take the time to build the world and characters. However, I think that the book would have still be able to get the story across in 400 pages verse 500 pages. But, that is just a personal opinion.

“A dead lover can never break your heart.”

The book borders the line between romantasy and traditional fantasy. Personally, I would say that this is more of a high fantasy yet I could see why other would consider it a romantic fantasy. Speaking on the romance side of things, there isn’t a ton of spicy in this book, since I’d consider it to be a slow burn romance. Still, we do get one steamy scene closer to the end.

The atmosphere was amazing, and the author did a great job bringing this world to life. The writing style was very captivating, and you were immersed into the story. Throughout the book, I was not only intrigued by what was going to happen next, but enjoying ever minute of the story. I felt that it was different enough from other books that follow similar plots that it kept me engaged and guessing.

Overall, this is a great read, and I think more seasoned fantasy readers might really appreciate it. If you aren’t someone that tends to read a lot of fantasy, you might find it a little slow at some parts. Still, the ending is phenomenal, and I am not sure where the author is going to take the story next. I will admit that I did suspect one of the twists early on, but the final twist came as a complete shock to me.

In the comments, let me know if you have read this book. I do believe that it was originally a self published novel, and it is available on KU. Before you go, please like and share this post with others. Don’t forget that you can always hit the follow button so that you receive post notifications.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Authors I’ll Love // Female Authors

Hi Friends,
On March 8th, it was International Women’s Day, so I thought that it would be awesome to talk about some female authors. I wanted to share five female authors that I have not yet read, but that I think I will love. Discovering new favorite authors is one of my favorite things, so I cannot wait to see whether these authors live up to the hype in my head.


Abby Jimenez
Truth be told, I have not heard many great things about this author’s backlist titles, but her ‘Part Of Your World‘ interconnected standalone romance series intrigues me. The first book in the series, ‘Part Of Your World’, reminds me so much of the TV show ‘Hart Of Dixie,’ which I enjoyed a lot. Something about this book and it’s companion novel makes me believe that I’m going to truly enjoy her books.


Hannah Grace
I am shocked that I have not picked up any of the authors’ books. I know that she writes new adult, college-aged, romance novels. I own both ‘Icebreaker‘ and ‘Wildfire, ’ both of which are very popular. Although I have never read a hockey romance, something tells me that ‘Icebreaker’ is going to be one that I adore. In addition, I hear that the spicy is done very well.


Rachel Lynn Solomon
Every time I read the synopsis of her books, I automatically added it to my TBR. I have so many five-star predictions from this author, which is probably why I still have not yet read anything by her. Honestly, ‘Weather Girl‘ is a book that speaks to me, because I am a little obsessed with the weather. I feel that her books will give me the same feeling as Lynn Painter’s books, so basically romance with some witty banter and a great storyline.


Katherine Center
This is an author that I’m nervous about, because I could see myself either loving or hating her books. Her stories sound very interesting, and I have heard good things about her books. However, I believe that she writes relatively closed-door romances. Now, if you know me, I do not mind spicy, and I prefer open-door or even cracked-door romance. Fade to black romance books just are not my thing these days. Still, I do think that I will enjoy her writing, and could find her books to be a nice change compared to other authors I read.


Meghan Quinn
I do not know a ton about this author’s books, except for the one that I own, ‘A Not So Meet Cute,’ which is a fake dating romance. Need I say more? I believe that she used to be an indie author, but her books are now being traditionally published. Her books are rated fairly high on GoodReads, and I think her plots sound original. I mean ‘Kiss and Don’t Tell’ is a steamy hockey romance where the main character falls for her ex-boyfriends half-brothers. Tell me why that gives me Payton and Lucas from One Tree Hill vibes.


If you have read books by any of these authors, please leave a comment letting me know. In the comments, share some more female authors that you think I should read. Be sure to check Everand to see if they have any of these authors’ audiobooks or eBooks in their library. Do not forget to hit the follow button so that you never miss a post.

The Backlist Readathon // Book Review

Hi Friends,
Yes, I am here with another TBR post. In my defense, I did say that there were going to be a lot this month. This one is for the Backlist Readathon, which is taking place from March 8th – 15th. Hopefully this will help me get some older books from my shelves read. The only caveat: I’m adding a rule to this readathon that all my books must be published before 2021 to be considered a backlist. Originally, the readathon rules were that any book published in 2023 or older counts as a backlist book.


Buy Book: https://amzn.to/3VaWkyS

Cold cases are about to get hot. Don’t miss this exhilarating crime thriller—perfect for fans of Criminal Minds and A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder—from Jennifer Lynn Barnes, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Inheritance Games.


Buy Book: https://amzn.to/3PcJIU3

The third novel from Riley Redgate, the beloved author of Seven Ways We Lie, Final Draft is “an intensely focused portrait of a girl who, through first love and first loss, begins to find the story she wants to tell” (Booklist).


Buy Book: https://amzn.to/4a55zEJ

The Silent Patient is a shocking psychological thriller of a woman’s act of violence against her husband―and of the therapist obsessed with uncovering her motive.


Buy Book: https://amzn.to/43cusMo

From the author of Survive the Night and Final Girls comes a tense and twisty thriller about a summer camp that’s impossible to forget—no matter how hard you try.


Buy Book: https://amzn.to/3PieGtN

From bestselling author B.A. Paris comes the gripping thriller and international phenomenon Behind Closed Doors. The perfect marriage? Or the perfect lie?


There is a bonus prompt, but I (surprisingly) didn’t have a book that fit it. In the comments, let me know if you will be doing the backlist readathon as well. I checked to see if any of these books were available on Everand, and some of them were, which is exciting! Remember that you can get a 30 day free trial (click here) and gain access to their huge catalog of ebooks and audiobooks. Before you go, know that I am truly happy you stopped by the blog, and it would be amazing if you hit the follow button.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Kisses and Croissants // Book Review

About The Book
Mia Jenrow has always known she’s destined to be a professional ballerina. Mia is planning to spend a magical summer in France pursuing her dream, but as she pirou-ettes into Paris, she soon realizes it may be a bit more complicated than she hoped. As sweet as a macaroon from Laduree, this romantic novel set in Paris about an American ballerina and a charming French boy is perfect for fans of American Royals and Netflix’s Emily in Paris.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3T7TQOQ

My Rating


This book wasn’t for me the plot felt very basic, there was an instata love romance and the characters didn’t have much depth. I tired my best to give the book a chance but I just couldn’t get into the story. The book for a 17 year old Mia, who is spending the summer at an elite ballet academy in Paris.

Mia is all about ballet and her one desire to get into a prestigious, ballet academy in America. She hopes her time training in Paris well open these doors for her. Unfortunately, I found Mia to be super immature. I understand you’re in Paris. It’s a new experience and you’re excited, but for someone who was supposedly all about dance, she thought about other things way too much.

There is this a whole side plot that had to do with a Family legend, that Mia was trying to uncover, just approve that dance was in her blood. It was cute, but just not interesting. However, it did add a little something extra to the plot.

“French kisses taste a million times better in France.”

As for the romance, like I mentioned before it was way to insta-love. Also, I predicted what was going to happen with them from the start since was very obvious. Although it was a very cute teen romance, it just felt rushed.

But I did enjoy Mia and Audrey’s friendship. They started out as Frenemies, but really form a bond and learned from each other. I personally loved the character of Audrey and would love if the author wrote a book following her.

Overall, the plot just wasn’t for me and it felt very young. The writing style didn’t really immerse me into the story or a Paris, which was a letdown. However, the ending was a bit shocking, and I liked how everything was wrapped up.

In the comments let me know if you enjoy books with Insta love. If you would like to give my blog a follow before you go it would me a lot to me.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny