Love On The Brain | Book Review

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About The Book
Bee Königswasser, a neuroengineer, gets her dream job at NASA, only to find herself partnered with her nemesis. Despite his heroism and appeal, Levi had previously established them as enemies. However, shared work difficulties strengthen Bee and Levi’s bond. Forcing Bee to contemplate whether she and Levi could become something more than enemies.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/4czbnHn

My Rating

I’ve heard this book compared a lot to ‘The Love Hypothesis,’ Ali Hazelwood’s first STEM romance, with people saying it has a very similar plot. However, I don’t see that at all, apart from the sunshiny and somewhat clueless main female character, and of course, the STEM setting. There aren’t many similarities between the books, and the tropes in each are completely different.

Honestly, as someone who loved ‘The Love Hypothesis,’ I enjoyed this one slightly more and think it’s an underrated novel where Ali Hazelwood is concerned. The main female character, Bee, is a Marie Curie-obsessed scientist who is offered her dream job working on a project for NASA. Unfortunately, she has to work with her grad school nemesis, Levi.

You might think this is an enemies-to-lovers story with a touch of workplace romance. However, that’s not the case; there is so much more to the plot. I loved Bee and Levi’s interactions throughout the book. She was so sure that he hated her, but that simply wasn’t true. And yes, one could say she was oblivious, but I found it hilarious.

“Science is reliable in its variability. Science does whatever the fuck it wants. God, I love science.”

There was this whole ‘You’ve Got Mail’-esque plot that I didn’t expect but loved. I’m a big fan of secret pen pals or, in this case, online friends. It adds such a fun layer to the story, and I couldn’t wait for things to be revealed. I will say that this book wasn’t a quick read, but the plot was more than just romance; a lot happened within 350 pages.

The characters Ali writes are amazing, and all you want is for them to get their HEA. For me, Bee and Levi complemented each other wonderfully, and they might even be one of my new favorite couples. However, I have a feeling I’ll be saying that about all the couples in Ali Hazelwood’s books.

Overall, I think this book shouldn’t be disregarded. The plot is interesting, the side characters are great, the banter is wonderful but not overwhelming, and the romance is fantastic. Also, the spice in this book is great! It’s open-door, and I would rate it a 3 out of 5 on the steamy scale, but that might be a bit too high.

Please let me know in the comments if you’ve read this book. Also, feel free to follow me on Instagram for more bookish content. And if you enjoy my blog, please show some love by giving it a quick follow.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Back To School | Book Recommendations

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Hi Friends,
I can’t believe it’s already back-to-school season! The months have flown by so quickly, but I’m excited for fall. I know some of you might not be thrilled about school starting again, so I thought I’d share some book recommendations to help you get into the back-to-school spirit.

Matilda by Roald Dahl
This middle-grade novel is a quick read about a young girl with a tough home life. Matilda loves to read and is excited about going to school for the first time. I enjoyed both the book and its movie adaptation.

One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus
This book is packed with drama, friendships, and a murder mystery. It starts right at the beginning of a new school year, and it’s a fast-paced read that keeps you hooked.
Related Post: One Of Us Is Lying | Book Review

Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson
This YA mystery kicks off a series about a teenage girl who loves true crime and attends a boarding school where a murder takes place. I didn’t love it, but if you enjoy boarding school settings, it’s worth a read, especially in the fall.

The Ivies by Alexa Donne
Another YA mystery thriller, this book is set in a boarding school and revolves around students aiming for Ivy League colleges, with a murder thrown into the mix. It wasn’t my favorite, but it fits the back-to-school theme.
Related Post: The Ivies | Book Review

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli
This contemporary YA novel is great for starting the school year, especially if you’re figuring things out about yourself. The main character has a supportive family and friends but still struggles with his identity. The book has a fantastic ending and a movie adaptation worth watching.

The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake
I haven’t read this one yet, but it’s a dark academia novel involving a secret society and magic. It sounds like a good pick if you’re into fantasy elements.

There you go—some book recommendations for back-to-school reading. If you have an Everand subscription, some of these books are available there. If you want to try out the service, you can use my link (click here) for a free trial. Check out my Amazon Storefront page for all the titles mentioned here. Don’t forget to click follow so you never miss a post!

The Hacienda | Blog Post

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About The Book
Years after her father’s execution, Beatriz marries Don Rodolfo Solórzano for the safety of his countryside estate, Hacienda San Isidro. However, the hacienda is far from a sanctuary, as eerie visions and unexplained events plague her. Rodolfo’s sister and the household staff’s odd behaviors deepen Beatriz’s unease. She seeks help from Padre Andrés, a priest with hidden powers, to confront the malevolent force haunting the estate. But the darkness within the hacienda may prove to be her downfall.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3SUy5Ty

My Rating

This book is often compared to Rebecca meets Mexican Gothic. While I haven’t read ‘Rebecca’, I did read ‘Mexican Gothic’ by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. I love haunted house stories, so I had high hopes for this book, and for the most part, it didn’t disappoint.

The story is about Beatriz, a new bride who moves into her husband’s countryside estate, the Hacienda. But she quickly realizes things aren’t quite right at Hacienda San Isidro. She starts hearing voices and even sees a dead body. Honestly, she handled it way better than I would have.

Beatriz is an interesting character. She married a man she barely knew, hoping for a better life, but ended up in a situation that might be even worse than what she left behind. What I liked about the story is that it’s not just told from Beatriz’s point of view. We also get some chapters from Padre Andrés, the young priest she turns to for help. Even though his chapters are fewer, it was interesting to see things, especially the past, from his perspective.

“There is nothing more beautiful than the sound of match against paper, the sharp spark of amber and gold, the small crackle of a wick taking flame.”

You can tell from the description that there’s a bit of a magical element in the story, and the author blends it in really well. It gives the book something unique that makes it stand out among other Gothic haunted house stories. It even gave me *The Conjuring* movie vibes, which I really liked.

The writing is good, but sometimes it felt a bit slow, which made the story drag a little. But I never wanted to put it down, and once I started reading, I needed to know how it would end. Also, the book does mention some heavy and possibly triggering topics, which was a bit unexpected.

Overall, I enjoyed the historical setting, and I didn’t mind that the ending was a bit predictable. My only real complaint is how the romance part ended, though I’m not sure you’d even call it a romance. Still, I’m interested in reading more from this author, and I’d recommend this book to anyone just starting to explore the horror genre.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on the book in the comments. If you liked this post, please give it a like and share it with your friends. Don’t forget to follow the blog for more book-related content.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Beach Read | Book Review

- Bunny 3 Comments

About The Book
Augustus Everett, a literary fiction author, and January Andrews, a romance writer, are polar opposites. They end up as neighbors in beach houses, both struggling with writer’s block. To shake things up, they make a deal: Augustus will write a happy story, and January will attempt a serious novel. As they explore each other’s worlds, they vow not to fall in love—though that might be inevitable.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3YOSmOa

My Rating

I’d heard so much about ‘Beach Read’ by Emily Henry before picking it up, and it’s easy to see why it’s one of her most popular books. I initially thought it was an enemies-to-lovers story, but it’s more of an opposites-attract situation, which was a pleasant surprise.

What really caught me off guard was the depth of the main character, January. I went into the book expecting a light and fluffy rom-com, but her struggles added an unexpected heaviness to the story. These layers made her character much more relatable and interesting to follow.

The interactions between January and Augustus, the male lead, were a highlight for me. Their chemistry felt genuine, not just driven by witty banter, which made their connection feel authentic. Their agreement to write books in each other’s genres was a fun twist, and I loved their research outings together. You could feel their attraction build gradually, rather than being an instant connection, which made it even more satisfying.

I appreciated how the characters learned to open up to each other while still dealing with their personal issues independently. This gave their relationship a healthy dynamic, avoiding the trap of a rebound or grief-driven romance. I also liked how they pushed each other out of their comfort zones, not just in their writing but in their personal growth.

“People were complicated. They weren’t math problems; they were collections of feelings and decisions and dumb luck.”

The only part that left me conflicted was how January’s issues with her dad were resolved. While I didn’t dislike the direction it took, I wasn’t a fan of it either. That said, I understand it was a complicated and messy situation, so I get that it isn’t something that can be easily resolved. However, it didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment of the story.

The writing was fantastic, and I’m realizing that I might just be an Emily Henry fan. While her style isn’t necessarily groundbreaking, it’s impressive to learn that she didn’t even consider herself a romance writer when she wrote this book. Knowing she primarily wrote young adult books before this showcases just how talented she is.

Overall, I can see why this book gets so much hype, and for once, I actually agree with it. I know—shocker! If you’re looking for a fun romance that still touches on deeper topics, this is a great pick. It’s the perfect beach read—pun intended—that you can easily devour in a day. Also, if I had to rate this book on a spice scale, I would say it’s probably a 2 out of 5, so the sexy scenes aren’t that intense.

In the comments, let me know if you’ve read this book or if it’s on your TBR. Don’t forget to share this post with other book lovers. And if you enjoy bookish content, click the follow button so you never miss a post!

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

By The Cover | August 2024

- Bunny Leave a comment

Hi Friends,
It’s time for another “Judging Books by Their Cover” post! There are so many great books coming out this month, and a lot of them are ones I want to read. Just a heads-up: these are just my opinions, and I’m not trying to bash the authors or cover designers. We all have different tastes when it comes to books and their covers.

The Pairing by Casey McQuiston (August 6th)
I really like the color scheme of this cover and the overall concept. But, it feels a bit unfinished and odd that the faces don’t have any details like lips, noses, or eyes. The two characters’ faces sort of blend together. On the bright side, the detailing on the edges of the book, from what I’ve seen, is stunning.

Lady Macbeth by Ava Reid (August 6th)
I’m torn on this cover because I both like it and don’t like it. It’s pretty simple, which works, but I think it could use a bit more expression on the girl’s face—maybe some haunted eyes would’ve added more impact. There’s another cover for this book that I prefer a lot more.

A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher (August 6th)
I like this cover overall, but there are a few things that bug me. The black circle behind the text and the purple font don’t really match the rest of the colors. I like the trees and stars, but I wish the cover gave off more of a “sorceress” vibe since it’s a fantasy book.

The Phoenix Keeper by S.A. MacLean (August 13th)
I absolutely love this cover and would buy this book just based on it. The color scheme is great, and the way the phoenixes look like they’re woven into the trees is really cool. The feathers floating around are a nice touch too. This one really stands out to me.

Oath of Fire by K. Arsenault Rivera (August 13th)
I’m a bit mixed on this cover. I love the fiery mask and the textured background, and the ornate framing on the cover is beautiful. But, the title and author name don’t really stand out. If I saw this book in a store, I’d think the cover was pretty, but I might not remember the name of the book.

Wisteria by Adalyn Grace (August 20th)
I’m a huge fan of this series, so I might be biased, but I love this cover. It’s stunning, and I really like how all the covers in this series match so well. Everything from the title style to the girl and the Wisteria flowers around her looks amazing.

So, those are my thoughts on some of the August book covers. Let me know in the comments what you think about these covers and if any of these books are on your TBR. Don’t forget to follow the blog so you never miss a bookish post!

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder | TV Show Review

- Bunny Leave a comment

About The Book
Five years after Andie Bell’s murder, everyone believes her boyfriend, Sal Singh, did it—except Pip Fitz-Amobi. Determined to prove his innocence, Pip digs deeper, risking her safety as she uncovers new truths. If the real killer is still out there, how far will they go to stop her? The six-episode adaptation of *A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder* by Holly Jackson is produced by Moonage Pictures and will premiere on BBC Three and BBC iPlayer.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/4dpLk72

My Rating

I’m not going to dive too deep into the plot, since many of you probably already know the basics. If you want a more detailed synopsis, check out my review of the book. Now, onto the show. I apologize in advance if this comes off as a bit of a rant.

First off, Emma Myers’ portrayal of Pip didn’t quite hit the mark for me. Her British accent lacked authenticity, and her interpretation of Pip resembled the character from book three more than from book one. She just didn’t match the image I had of Pip from the book.

The episodes moved at a slow pace, and I felt disappointed that the show omitted the mixed media elements that played such a key role in the book. They also skipped over scenes where Pip interviews various people, which really diminished her investigative drive. Instead, in each episode, Pip contemplated quitting the investigation only to be pulled back in by new developments, which became repetitive.

I didn’t sense any real chemistry between Pip and Ravi, even though their relationship becomes central in the books. They also significantly changed another character, Andie Bell. In the book, she’s a complex figure with a darker side, but in the show, they portrayed her as a more straightforward, sympathetic character, missing a lot of the depth from the source material.

“Nice work, Sarge.”

The series focused more on setting up future seasons rather than delving deeply into the mystery itself. The creators seemed to hint at events from the third book, which suggests they’re planning for multiple seasons. However, they cut out a character from book one who plays a major role in the second book, leaving me curious about how they’ll handle that if the show continues.

I had hoped for a show that mirrored the book’s investigative process, with Pip deeply involved in the case. Instead, the show limited her interactions to just a few characters, had her jump to conclusions, and relied on Instagram for information rather than actual sleuthing. The six-episode format felt too stretched—this might have worked better as a two-hour movie, allowing for more focus on the mystery.

Overall, the adaptation failed to deliver on the mystery or the mixed media aspects and didn’t fully commit to the British setting, as the actress playing the main character struggled with a poorly executed British accent despite appearing in every scene. On the plus side, the location and lighting stood out, probably the best part of the adaptation, along with the adult actors, who delivered strong performances.

In the comments, let me know if you’ve seen the show and your thoughts on it! Do you think it matched the book? Did you prefer the show over the book? Don’t forget to like and share this post. If you want to join my little book-loving community, please press the follow button!

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Friday Reads #20

- Bunny Leave a comment

Hi Friends,
Happy National Book Lovers Day! Since today is all about celebrating being a reader, I thought I’d do a quick Friday Reads. I haven’t done one of these posts in a while, but I wanted to share my weekend reading plans with you.

The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston
I started this book yesterday and I’m already 30% through the audiobook. I’m enjoying the plot and am curious to see where the story goes. I’ll most likely finish this book soon.

Final Girls by Riley Sager
I’ve been on a Riley Sager kick recently, so I’m excited to read another one of their books. This is on my TBR for the month and should be a fairly quick read. I’m confident that I’ll be able to finish it this weekend.

Coraline by Neil Gaiman
I’ve been in the mood for fall lately, especially with the weather cooling off where I live. One of my favorite fall books that I read every year is ‘Coraline,’ so I’m hoping to binge it this weekend.
Related Post: Coraline | Book Review

There you have my weekend reading plans! Let me know what you’re currently reading or what you hope to read this weekend. Once again, happy National Book Lovers Day. Also, if you want to listen to ‘Coraline’ on audiobook, you should sign up for Everand, a great audiobook subscription service. You can get a free trial by using my link (click here). Before you go, make my day by hitting the follow button so you never miss a post.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

 

 

Daughter Of The Siren Queen | Book Review

- Bunny Leave a comment

About The Book
Alosa has recovered all three pieces of a legendary treasure map and holds the pirates who captured her as prisoners. First mate Riden, still attractive and loyal, is now under her orders. Vordan, the villain, will soon face her father’s justice. However, Vordan reveals a secret about her father, leading Alosa and her crew into a deadly race against the Pirate King. Confident in her abilities, Alosa is determined to recover the treasure first as the daughter of the Siren Queen.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/4dxfMM1

My Rating

I am confused about my feelings regarding this book. I enjoyed the writing and the story as a whole, but I didn’t love the main protagonist, Alosa, as much as I did in the first book. I had such high hopes for this book, as I liked the first one a lot. However, there was something about the way Alosa was portrayed in this book that didn’t work for me.

Alosa felt more heartless somehow, but I do feel like she was probably as fierce in the first book, and it just didn’t bother me as much. She came across as morally grey, and a bit of a hypocrite. She would call others out for being cruel and having agendas, but I can’t help but feel she’s the pot calling the kettle black. She felt so enraged, but I do understand that her upbringing and backstory have a lot to do with her personality and actions.

Besides her character flaws, the romance wasn’t as compelling this time around. I wanted to feel the same connection between Alosa and her love interest, Riden, that I did in the first book. Sadly, it wasn’t there. Still, this could just be due to my distaste for Alosa, and not a fault of the story, because I did really like Riden as a love interest.

“I braved the ocean for you. Will you brave land for your queen?”

Despite my issues with Alosa’s character, I did find the plot fairly interesting, and Tricia Levenseller’s books are very easy to get through. They aren’t too complex, and are very fast-paced. I find that she has a wonderful storytelling ability that helps immerse you in the story and characters. But I did find that once I put the book down, I would forget where I was in the story, so it isn’t a book that left a lasting impression on me.

Overall, the ending was nicely done, and I did come to tolerate Alosa’s character. There were some sad moments, but I don’t feel like I connected enough with all the characters to actually care for them. Still, it was a good conclusion, and it read like the final book in a duology. I believe that is what the author had originally intended before turning this into a trilogy.

In the comments, let me know if you enjoy pirate or siren stories. The audiobook can be read on Everand. If you are interested in the service, use my link (click here) to get a free trial. Don’t forget to like and share this post with other book lovers. If you enjoy book reviews, give my blog a follow before you go.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

August 2024 | To Be Read

- Bunny Leave a comment

Hi Friends,
Today I am sharing my August TBR! I am excited and a little bit scared because July was probably my worst reading month of the year. To make up for my lack of reading, I have decided to challenge myself and attempt to read 20 books in August. I will be aiming to finish some books I have already started and read a lot of the summer books I haven’t gotten to yet. And, of course, I always have some ARCs to read.

Even though I have a pretty intense reading month planned, I still wanted to do some sort of TBR game. This month, I used a spinner wheel that gave me book covers instead of prompts. So, the book choices were completely out of my hands, which was terrifying and exciting at the same time.

Buy The Book

Buy The Book

Buy The Book

Buy The Book

Buy The Book

Buy The Book

Buy The Book

Buy The Book

This TBR might seem a bit short considering I said I want to read a lot in August, but the rest of the books I plan to read will likely be mood reads, review copies, and books for secret posts. As usual, I will be listening to the audiobooks for all of these books, and two of them are available on Everand, which is my favorite audiobook subscription service. Remember that you can use my link (click here) for a free trial. In the comments, let me know what books are on your TBR for the month. Don’t forget that you can show your support for my blog by giving it a follow.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

2024 Mid Year Calm Down | Book Tag

- Bunny Leave a comment

Hi Friends,
I recently did the “Mid-Year Book Freakout” book tag, which is a very popular tag that circulates in the book community every year around this time. However, I noticed that a new mid-year book tag has been created, and it focuses on peacefulness. So, I thought it might be fun to try this tag as well. The tag was created by Leandra The TBR Zero on YouTube.


Honestly, this year has brought me the most amazing bookish friends and community. Although I’ve been part of the book community for years, this is the first time I’ve truly felt integrated into it. It’s made my heart so happy.


‘Anne of Green Gables: A Graphic Novel,’ adapted by Mariah Marsden and illustrated by Brenna Thummler, was such a pleasant, easy read. The beautiful illustrations made the book stand out, and I can now understand why it is considered a classic.
Related Post: Anne Of Green Gables | Book Review


I’d choose ‘How To Plot A Payback’ by Melissa Ferguson, an ARC I was fortunate to receive via NetGalley. This refreshing and clean workplace romance was a pleasant surprise—I enjoyed it much more than I expected.
Related Post: How To Plot A Payback | Book Review


‘The Naturals‘ by Jennifer Lynn Barnes really energized me. The plot is incredibly engaging, and the book is such a fast read.


I’m choosing Chloe Gong because I finally finished her ‘These Violent Delights’ duology. I had forgotten how good her writing is and can’t wait to read more of her work.
Related Post: These Violent Delights | Book Review


I read ‘Flawless’ by Elsie Silver, a cowboy romance—definitely not a genre I usually pick up. I’m still unsure about this series, but I’m excited to explore the Elsie Silver fandom and see what all the hype is about.
Related Post: Flawless | Book Review


I’ve discovered that I’m really into magical realism and am fully embracing my romantasy era. Those are the two biggest changes I’ve noticed in my reading habits this year.


I want to stop starting multiple books at once. I used to be the type of reader who would finish one book before starting another, but now I’m juggling about five books at the same time. This is a habit I’m eager to break.


I’m not aware of any upcoming bookish events as I’m not attending any. However, I’m very excited about ‘Nothing Like the Movies‘ by Lynn Painter, the sequel to ‘Better Than the Movies,’ which is coming out later this year. I’m envious of those who have received ARCs of the book.
Related Post: Better Than the Movies | Book Review


I prefer to keep personal goals private, but related to books, I’m aiming to visit new bookstores and shop at more indie bookshops.

That’s it for my answers to this fun new tag! I’d love to hear from fellow bloggers—feel free to leave your answers in the comments below. And don’t forget to show my blog some love by following it.

Until the Next Chapter,
Bunny