July 2024 // To Be Read

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Hi Friends,
I’m excited to share my July TBR post! This month, I’ll be playing my roll-the-dice game again. For a detailed breakdown of the rules, please read my June TBR post. The new rule I added is that if I don’t complete my main TBR from the previous month, I have to add an extra roll. Also, if I get any doubles, I add one extra roll. Normally, I start with 5 rolls, but a double means I’ll do 6 rolls. Since I didn’t complete my June TBR, I started with 6 rolls and got doubles, so I have seven books on this TBR.

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Last year for Christmas, my husband did a 24-day bookish advent calendar for me. Unfortunately, I haven’t read many of those books. For this prompt, I’ll read ‘Vespertine’ by Margaret Rogerson, a young adult fantasy book.

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I typically don’t read books before I buy them, but I’ve been trying to get better at that, especially with YA books and authors whose works I don’t always love. For this prompt, I’m picking ‘Heiress Takes All’ by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka. The story takes place during a wedding and claims to have an “Oceans 11” vibe.

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For this prompt, I had many books to choose from, but with my husband’s help, I decided on ‘The Wisteria Society Of Lady Scoundrels’ by India Holton. This is a fun historical romance with pirates, making it a good summer read.

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I’m very happy I got this prompt because I’ve been wanting to read ‘The House Across The Lake’ by Riley Sager for a while. I think it will be a great thriller read for this time of year, and there is clearly water on the cover.

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I’m going to try and read the third book in the Lovelight Farm series by B.K. Borison called ‘Mixed Signals.’ This series consists of interconnected standalone romances. The fourth and final book in the series is set to release sometime this fall.

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I’m shocked by how many books I have on my shelves by authors I’ve never read before. Keeping with the summer and mystery trend, I’m choosing ‘The Summer She Went Missing’ by Chelsea Ichaso. This is a YA mystery, so I’m a bit worried I might not love it, but I’m going to approach it with an open mind.

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I have many BOTM books that I’ve bought secondhand. Soon, I’ll have Riley Sager’s newest book to add to my collection, but first, I want to get through some of his backlist titles, most of which I have as BOTM editions. For this prompt, I’m going with ‘The Last Time I Lied’ by Riley Sager, another perfect summer thriller set at a camp.

In the comments, let me know if you enjoy TBR games and what books you plan on reading in July. I plan on listening to the audiobook for most of these books via Everand (click here). Don’t forget to follow the blog to stay updated with all my posts.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Birthday // Book Tag

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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

A Game Most Foul // Book Review

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About The Book
Attending Ashford College’s writing seminar in London, Jules Montgomery faces challenges with her recent hearing loss and writer’s block. When a fellow student disappears and authorities show little concern, Jules teams up with new friends Percy and Suruthi. Together, aided unexpectedly by a man claiming to be Sherlock Holmes, they unravel mysteries both modern and from fiction, discovering truths that defy time and perception.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/45ImL1T

My Rating

First, I’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for granting me access to an audiobook ALC of “A Game Most Foul” by Alison Gervais. Going into this book, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. The premise of a young adult mystery with a Sherlock Holmes twist intrigued me, as I usually enjoy YA mysteries. However, I have mixed feelings about this one.

Let’s start with what I liked. The main character, Jules, is attending a writing workshop in the UK for the summer. Jules has tinnitus and uses hearing aids, which is a refreshing and important representation that’s rarely seen in books. The setting in London is always a plus for me; mysteries set there always seem more enjoyable to me. The plot about a missing classmate initially caught my interest, and I liked the small friend group Jules formed throughout the story.

However, the negatives outweighed the positives for me. Despite the intriguing premise, I found it hard to connect with Jules. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly why, but her intense interest in her classmate’s disappearance felt unnatural and a bit over-the-top. Additionally, the romance subplot seemed unnecessary and added little to the main story.

“There’s a story somewhere in my brain, maybe a mystery or a thriller, needing to be written.”

II didn’t expect Sherlock and Watson’s inclusion to be done the way it was. The supernatural element, while somewhat well executed, surprised me and didn’t fit smoothly with the story. I enjoyed Sherlock’s character as it stayed true to the original portrayal. However, I found the other characters less likable, especially the teenagers, who seemed to be trying too hard to act grown-up. They didn’t feel realistic as teenagers; it was obvious that an adult was writing them.

My main problem was with the writing style. It seemed better suited for younger readers than for young adults. Maybe it’s just me getting older or having different tastes, but it made it hard for me to stay engaged in the story. Still, I have to give credit for the ending—it tied things up neatly, even though by then, I wasn’t as invested in the plot.

Overall, while the book has its moments and brings some valuable representation to the table, I just didn’t find the story compelling. It might be more appealing to younger readers or those new to YA mysteries, but it didn’t keep me fully engaged. Thanks again to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for letting me listen to the ALC.

Please comment if you’re an older reader who still enjoys YA books. And don’t forget to like, share, and follow the blog before you go!

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Camp Foxenwood Readathon // To Be Read

- Bunny 2 Comments

Hi Friends,
Today, I’m sharing my July TBR! Well, sort of. This isn’t just my July TBR but a combination of the rest of June, July, and a little bit of August. I’m part of Alexandra Roselyn’s Patreon, and every season she hosts a Readathon for her subscribers. The summer Readathon is camp-inspired and runs from June 17th to August 5th. There are multiple cabins and bingo boards to choose from, making it a fun event. I’m going to try to complete the horror bingo board because it’s one of my favorite genres, and I’m in desperate need of Summerween! I’m aiming to read a different book for each prompt.

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When I saw this prompt, I immediately thought of this book. It doesn’t directly follow best friends, but the story revolves around a main character who thought she killed her best friend years ago. Now, a true crime podcast is trying to uncover what really happened. In my opinion, it fits the prompt perfectly.

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I’ve heard mixed reviews about this book, but I’m a big fan of Kiersten White’s writing. It has a paranormal monster element, which makes it suitable for this prompt.
Related Post: Mister Magic // Book Review

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This is a paranormal historical fiction horror with gothic vibes that I can’t wait to read. It’s a recent purchase, and I’m excited to dive into it.

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This is the third book in the Housemaid series. The first book was amazing, but the second was just okay. I’m hoping this one will be a pleasant surprise.

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I’ve been wanting to read this book for years. It’s a young adult horror novel that is supposedly a retelling of ‘Carrie’ by Stephen King, which sounds great to me.
Related Post: White Smoke // Book Review

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This manga literally has “summer” in the title, so it fits the prompt. It’s a LGBTQ+ horror manga about best friends Yoshiki and Hikaru. When Hikaru returns from a trip, Yoshiki starts to suspect that this person who looks like his best friend isn’t really Hikaru.

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I’m nervous about this one because I’ve read two other books by this author that I didn’t really like. However, I love haunted house and ghost stories. This book involves siblings going through their parents’ stuff and trying to sell their childhood home after their parents’ death, with some family secrets involved. A review described it as “Annabelle meets Child’s Play,” which intrigues me even more.
Related Post: The Final Girls Support Group // Book Review

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This 2024 release has a plot that sounds like it’s straight out of a horror movie or a supernatural episode. I’m excited to read it and hope it will be my first 5-star rating for this author.
Related Post: The Sundown Motel // Book Review

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This young adult horror book takes place on an island with a film crew and a creepy curse. It seems like a quick and engaging summer horror read, and I have high expectations for it.

That’s my Camp Foxenwood Readathon TBR! If you aren’t a member of Lexi’s Patreon, I highly recommend joining. I’ll be posting another July TBR soon, featuring my TBR game. Hit the follow button to get a notification when that post goes live.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

The Reappearance Of Rachel Price // Book Review

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About The Book
Eighteen-year-old Bel has lived in the shadow of her mother Rachel’s mysterious disappearance 16 years ago, of which she has no memory. Rachel, presumed dead, resurfaces during a true crime documentary, claiming an unbelievable tale. Unsure of its truth, Bel questions Rachel’s motives and the potential danger she poses. With cameras rolling, Bel embarks on a quest to uncover why Rachel returned and the secrets she may harbor.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3Rtgz89

My Rating

This book had me hooked from start to finish. The complex plot and unexpected twists kept me intrigued until the very end. Imagine your mom showing up after sixteen years – would you trust her? That’s the dilemma facing Bel, the main character, as she navigates who to believe and trust. It’s a gripping story that kept me on the edge of my seat.

One thing I loved about this book is how it keeps you guessing the whole time. Every chapter brings new surprises, making me wonder what’s going to happen next. I did get a bit frustrated with Bel since she always has her guard up and finds it hard to trust others, but the story is so gripping that it kept me interested with its compelling mystery.

The fact that there’s a documentary being made about Rachel’s disappearance and sudden return adds a really interesting twist to the story. It gives a whole new perspective on what’s happening, and I found it super captivating. Some might think it’s not needed, but for me, it made the mystery even more exciting.

“Making people leave her before they chose to go anyway. Same result in the end, because everybody left eventually, but it hurt less. That was what life was, choosing the way that hurt less.”

The book includes a bit of romance, but it’s mostly about Bel growing and learning to connect with someone. It’s not the main focus, so it doesn’t dominate the plot. However, it does add depth to her character and makes the story more meaningful. Personally, I enjoyed Bel’s love interest, Ash, even though he’s not the main character. Their differences made their relationship really enjoyable.

Jackson’s talent as a writer truly stands out in this book, with plenty of unexpected twists and a jaw-dropping ending that left me—and will surely leave other readers—stunned. While it might not surpass her earlier works, this book is a thrilling mystery that showcases Jackson’s knack for crafting engaging and emotionally resonant stories.

Overall, there were times when the story slowed down and the pacing wasn’t quite right, but the book ends with a deeply satisfying and intense conclusion. It has all the elements I look for in a great YA thriller – mystery, suspense, and plenty of emotionally powerful moments. If you love books that keep you captivated until the very last page, this one is definitely worth picking up.

In the comments, let me know if you have read this book. Don’t forget that you can like and share this post with other readers. Show your support for my blog by giving it a follow.

Until the next chapter,
Bunny

2024 Mid-Year Book Freakout // Book Tag

- Bunny 2 Comments

Hi Friends,
Each year on my book blog, I do the Mid-Year Book Freakout Tag, and 2024 is no exception. I’m excited to discuss the first half of my reading year with all of you.

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Although my favorite might change, right now, it’s ‘Happy Place’ by Emily Henry. This romance novel is an emotional rollercoaster.

Related Post: These Violent Delights // Book Review

I haven’t read many sequels yet, but I finished ‘Our Violent Ends’ by Chloe Gong, the second book in the ‘These Violent Delights’ duology. It was amazing! I loved the plot, characters, and ending.

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I’m really looking forward to reading ‘A Fate Inked in Blood’ by Danielle L. Jensen. It was a Book of the Month pick for me, and it sounds like an amazing fantasy. I’ve been in a romantasy mood lately, so this one is high on my TBR for the year.

Related Post: Belladonna // Book Review

I can’t wait to read ‘Wisteria’ by Adalyn Grace, the final book in the ‘Belladonna’ series. I’m eager to see how everything wraps up, but I’ll have to wait until August 2024 for its release.

Related Post: Practice Makes Perfect // Book Review

‘Practice Makes Perfect’ by Sarah Adams was a letdown. I had high hopes because of its exchange-of-services plot, but it didn’t meet my expectations.

Related Post: Daisy Jones And The Six // Book Review

‘Daisy Jones & The Six’ by Taylor Jenkins Reid surprised me. In my opinion, it’s a historical fiction novel in with a documentary aspect about a 70s rock band. It’s not my usual genre, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Related Post: Divine Rivals // Book Review

It’s hard to choose, but I’ll go with Rebecca Ross, the author of the ‘Letter Of Enchantments’ duology. Her lyrical writing style is beautiful.

Related Post: Ruthless Vows // Book Review

Speaking of the ‘Letters Of Enchantments’ duology, I have a huge crush on Rowan. He’s kind, intelligent, and has a way with words.

Related Post: Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia Of Faeries // Book Review

Wendell from ‘Emily Wilde’s Encyclopedia Of Faeries’ by Heather Fawcett is my pick. He’s charming, cocky, and funny. I loved his character and his relationship with Emily.

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Aside from the previously mentioned ‘Happy Place,’ which had me sobbing throughout, ‘The Reappearance Of Rachel Price’ by Holly Jackson had me in tears by the end.

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The “Tea Dragon” graphic novel series by K. O’Neil always makes me happy. They’re cute, quick reads with lovable characters and beautiful illustrations.

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I’ve spent too much on pretty books this year, but “Five Broken Blades” by Mai Corland stands out. It has stunning, detailed edges. I hope the story inside is just as beautiful.


There are many books I’d like to read before the year ends, but two of my highest priority reads are “Two Twisted Crowns” by Rachel Gillig and “Breaking Dawn” by Stephenie Meyer. I really want to finish these series.

In the comments, let me know your answers to these questions. If you’d like to listen to the audiobooks of some of these titles, you can sign up for a free trial of Everand using my link (click here). Are you a blogger? Then I challenge you to do this tag. Don’t forget to hit the follow button so you never miss a post.

Until the next chapter,
Bunny

Book Lovers // Book Review

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About The Book
Nora Stephens, a cutthroat literary agent, is not the typical heroine, but she agrees to a month-long trip to Sunshine Falls, North Carolina with her sister Libby. Libby envisions a small-town transformation for Nora, but instead of idyllic romance, Nora keeps encountering Charlie Lastra, a brooding editor from the city. Despite their un-cute history, repeated encounters with Charlie challenge Nora’s self-perceptions. Their unexpected connection might unravel the stories they’ve crafted about themselves.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/45D8Vy1

My Rating

This book marks my introduction to Emily Henry’s work, and I can see why she has a dedicated following. Her characters are well-crafted, and her writing style is engaging and immersive. However, I found it challenging to pinpoint the exact trope of this book—it teeters between semi-enemies-to-lovers and workplace romance. There is even a lot of focus on family and the complexity of family relationships.

First and foremost, the book is a romance, following the relationship between Nora and Charlie. The two must work together on a new book from one of Nora’s clients. As they navigate their similarities and differences, they inspire each other to become better versions of themselves and embrace who they’ve always been. Meanwhile, Nora, also a serious workaholic, finds herself whisked away on a girls’ trip to a small town in North Carolina by her younger sister, Libby.

While I enjoyed the dynamic between Nora and Libby, I found Libby’s character to be somewhat annoying at times, particularly in her tendency to belittle Nora’s lifestyle choices. Additionally, Nora’s constant sense of responsibility for Libby, stemming from their upbringing by a flighty mother, felt somewhat tiresome. I wanted to scream at Nora that you don’t have to give up your dreams for the people you love and then throw it in their faces. However, their sisterly bond does evolve throughout the story, offering a satisfying arc.

“Some books you don’t read so much as live, and finishing one of those always makes me think of ascending from a scuba dive. Like if I surface too fast I might get the bends.”

For me, the author’s writing really shined through in the first half of the book. There were moments that had me genuinely laughing out loud. However, I found as the story progressed it lost its grip on me, leading me to put it down for almost six months before picking it back up.

Overall, while I’m glad I finished it and would be open to reading more from Emily Henry, the story as a whole didn’t captivate me as much as I had hoped. But, I do think that my reading experience was much more positive than negative and there really was no reason for me to put the book down for so long. In short, it is a solid read, but didn’t strike me as anything particularly special.

In the comments, let me know your favorite Emily Henry book. Don’t forget that you can always like and share this post with others. Before you go, give the blog a quick follow. It’s completely free, and really helps my blog grow.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

She Drives Me Crazy // Book Review

- Bunny 1 Comment

About The Book
After an embarrassing loss to her ex-girlfriend in their first basketball game, seventeen-year-old Scottie Zajac gets into a fender bender with her nemesis, Irene Abraham, head cheerleader. Irene’s car needs repairs, forcing them to carpool and endure a rocky relationship. Scottie then bribes Irene into a fake-dating scheme to get back at her toxic ex and climb the social ladder. The scheme threatens to reveal real feelings between Scottie and Irene.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/4e7ppSQ

My Rating

Unfortunately, this book fell flat for me. It’s one of those books that just didn’t leave a lasting impression. Maybe it’s because it’s a YA contemporary, and sometimes they tend to blur together in my mind, but I don’t remember much about the story itself.

I do know that this is a queer romance with an enemies-to-lovers twist. However, I didn’t feel the chemistry between the two main female characters. You could also call it a forced proximity romance, since they (reluctantly) have to drive to school together, and there is a bit of fake dating involved as well, so this book incorporates a lot of very popular tropes.

One aspect I did enjoy was how the story highlights that not all cheerleaders are just pretty faces, and that cheerleading is tough work and a real sport. It also touches on the disparity in attention and recognition between women’s and men’s sports, with one of the main characters being a female basketball player.

“People break our hearts, but they create more room in them first, and that room makes it possible for us to become more ourselves.”

The personal struggles of the main characters were far more interesting than their romance, as far as I’m concerned. Scottie is dealing with a breakup, and coming to terms with the less-than-great aspects of her past relationship. Meanwhile, Irene is grappling with her sexuality, and the fallout from a toxic friendship that played with her emotions.

Overall, the romance was cute, and it’s a quick read if you’re looking for a light queer contemporary romance. But the developing love story wasn’t the most compelling part of the story. I wouldn’t say this is a must-read, and it’s definitely not a book I’ll remember in the future. This is pretty obvious since my memory of the plot is already fading.

In the comments, let me know if you’ve read this book. You can listen to this audiobook on Everand, and if you use my link (click here), you can get a free trial. Don’t forget to like and share this post with others. Your continued support means a lot to me, so please hit the follow button before you go.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Good Bad Girl | Book Review

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About The Book
Twenty years after a baby is stolen, a woman is murdered in a care home. Edith, planning her escape from the nursing home, bonds with Patience, who is hiding secrets. Edith’s estranged daughter, Clio, is soon approached by a suspicious person. The women must solve a mystery involving three suspects, two murders, and one missing baby. Good Bad Girl is a twist-filled thriller where no one can be trusted.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3Va1V6C

My Rating

I’m not exactly sure how to categorize this book, because it doesn’t really fall into the thriller category, but it wasn’t a very compelling mystery. Throughout the story, we follow four women’s different perspectives, all of which are connected. There’s the mystery of a missing baby from years ago, and a present day murder – all taking place around Mother’s Day.

Each woman had a very distinctive voice, but none of their perspectives really captivated me. Also, I didn’t find any of the characters in this book particularly likable, which isn’t a good thing, since you have to be somewhat invested in the characters you’re reading about.

Unfortunately, the plot also fell flat for me. Although there were two ‘sort of’ mysteries going on throughout the book, I wasn’t gripped by the story. I want there to be more twists and turns and shocking moments that I didn’t see coming, however, I completely figured out where the book was going from pretty early on. This book didn’t have any plot twists, which I think are an essential part of a good mystery/thriller.

“Everybody has a mother, but not everybody has a mother’s love.”

As for the writing, Alice Feeney is a great author! Although the storyline wasn’t for me, I still wanted to keep reading. I attribute my inability to put the book down to her fantastic writing style. Her books are fairly easy to read, and bingeable too. I read this book in about a day, and I could see others doing the same.

Overall, I didn’t hate the book, but it’s nothing to write home about. I would not recommend it to someone searching for a fast-paced and exciting mystery. One thing to know – motherhood is a big factor in this book, so maybe I would’ve had more of a connection to the story if I was a mother, but all in all, I don’t think you’re missing out on anything if you choose not to read the book.

In the comments, let me know if this is on your TBR. If you have already read the book, tell me your thoughts on it! Do you think it is worth the read? Or was it not the thriller for you? Don’t forget to share this post with others, and as always, you can follow the blog, so that you never miss a post.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Are You Listening? // Audiobook Recommendations

- Bunny 2 Comments

Hello Friends,
Today, I’m excited to talk about audiobooks, one of my favorite ways to read. If you’ve been following my blog, you know how much I love them. So, I wanted to share five exceptional audiobooks with you. The best part? You can find all of them on Everand.

This gripping mystery novel features a full cast of narrators, offering an immersive experience. The story follows a team of experts who come together to solve a cold case while filming a true crime documentary. With sound clips and interviews included, it truly grabs your attention.
Related Post: Murder In The Family // Book Review

A short but captivating audiobook, perfect for fans of the movie. It’s both eerie and entertaining, a bit creepier than the film, with some intriguing differences.
Related Post: Coraline // Book Review

This heartbreaking tale explores themes of grief with an original take on loss. The audiobook format adds a unique dimension by incorporating text message elements, making the story feel more real.
Related Post: Message Not Found // Book Review

Although this book wasn’t my favorite, the audiobook was outstanding. The skilled narrators brought the story to life, keeping me more engaged and immersed in the plot. Without the audiobook, I might not have finished the book at all.
Related Post: All Of Us Villains // Book Review

The first book in this YA fantasy series is long but captivating. The audiobook enhances the experience, especially with its detailed world-building and Arthurian elements. Listening to it helped me understand the story better.
Related Post: Legendborn // Book Review

Here are some of my favorite audiobooks. I’d love to hear about yours in the comments below! You can find these titles on Everand. If you’re not already a subscriber, you can sign up for a free trial using my link (click here). It’s my favorite platform for enjoying audiobooks. Before you go, please hit the follow button to show your support.

Until the next chapter,
Bunny