Read Or Not // Holiday Edition

- Bunny 4 Comments

Hi Friends,
Today is day 6 of Bookmas, and I’m going to be talking about holiday reads. Specifically, the ones I think are worth reading, and the ones that aren’t.

Buy Book: https://amzn.to/3taqfva
Related Post: Eight Nights Of Flirting // Book Review

Let’s start this off on a high note and talk about my favorite holiday read of 2022. This is the cutest YA Hanukkah romances that I have read. I completely recommend it, and love that it isn’t a Christmas book, since that’s what people typically read this time of year.

Buy Book: https://amzn.to/3tbDnjF
Related Post: In A Holidaze // Book Review

Honestly, this book wasn’t for me – from the romance, to the plot, I just couldn’t get into it. However, the writing was decent, but I will say that this is a book I would pass on. It really isn’t anything special.

Buy Book: https://amzn.to/483IbXd
Related Post: The Holiday Swap // Book Review

If you love Hallmark Christmas movies (which I know aren’t for everyone), then you will love this book. This seriously feels like you are watching one of there cheesy but heartwarming holiday movies, and I loved every second of it. I think that you should definitely give this book a read.

Buy Book: https://amzn.to/4ajmODo
Related Post: So, This Is Christmas // Book Review

I don’t want to go on a tangent about how much I dislike this book, so I’ll keep it short. This is a young adult contemporary that I was not a fan of whatsoever. Enough said.

Buy Book: https://amzn.to/418Epd0
Related Post: A Merry Little Meet Cute // Book Review

This book was a pleasant surprise because not only was it a cute holiday romance it is super steamy. I loved all the funny moments and it had great bipolar representations. I think it is good holiday read for someone that doesn’t mind a good amount of spicy.

Buy Book: https://amzn.to/3RuoQJb
Related Post: All I Want For Christmas // Book Review

If you are looking for a super cheesy and ridiculously Christmas read, then this is the book for you. As for me, it didn’t really work. In my opinion, I am going to have to say that it isn’t worth the read.

I hoped that this helped you plan your December TBR a littler better. Don’t forget to like and share the post. And, you can always support my blog by giving it a follow.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Holiday Books // Books Meet Fashion

- Bunny 1 Comment

Hi Friends,
For Day 5 of Bookmas, I’m going to be doing a bookish Christmas fashion post. I have done similar posts to this, and I have such a fun time creating outfits to match book covers.

Buy Book: https://amzn.to/41aTRp6
Related Post: The Holiday Swap // Book Review

Buy Book: https://amzn.to/41906tp

Buy Book: https://amzn.to/49ZFrMt

In the comments, let me know your thoughts on these outfits and books. Please follow the blog if you are enjoying my Bookmas content.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

The Family Game // Book Review

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About The Book
A confession to a grisly crime. A murder. And, suddenly, the game is in motion. Harriet Reed is newly engaged to Edward Holbeck, the heir to an extremely powerful American family. When Edward’s father hands her a tape of a book he’s been working on, she is desperate to listen. But as she presses play, it’s clear that this isn’t a novel. It’s a confession to murder.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/47AZWNM

My Rating

This was a very slow moving thriller that focused mainly on the main character. We get to learn a lot about her, and the story is told through her eyes. And although it wasn’t a quick paced story, I really enjoyed it and think that it’s a great winter time thriller.

In the book, we follow Harry, a novelist, who is newly engaged to Edward. Her fiancé comes from a very wealthy family. But Harry soon learns that the family not only has money, but secrets as well. Although she finds herself drawn in to her new family, she’s starting to wonder if they can truly be trusted.

Harry as a main character was great. I found her to be likable and for the most part smart. And I love that she was a thriller author, and used the knowledge she gained from writing her books to help her uncover some of the family’s secrets. However, Harry has a secret of her own, which shows the darker side to the character, but also very human side.

“Damaged people are dangerous. They know they can survive.”

No, I won’t say this book is full of twists and turns, but there were a few moments that shocked me. I enjoyed the slower pace of this book, and I loved that it was at Christmas time. I haven’t read many thrillers that take place during the holidays, so it was a nice change for me. And the mention of Krampus, although small, was pretty interesting.

I have heard others say that they wished that the book focused more on the family game part, which is understandable, considering it’s the title. However, that didn’t lessen my enjoyment of the book. And the ending was fantastic! It started off as a four star, but was bumped up to five because those last few chapters.

Overall, the writing was excellent, the plot was amazing, and my reading experience was great. I will 100% be reading more from this author, and I would recommend this book to others who are looking for a thriller to read in the winter time. But please check trigger warnings before picking up this book.

In the comments, let me know if you will be reading this book. Don’t forget that you can stay up to date with the blog by giving it a follow.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Audiobook Subscriptions // My Recommendation

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Hi Friends,
Today is day 3 of Bookmas, and I thought that I would share with you my top three favorite audiobook subscriptions. I solely read audiobooks because I simply prefer them, so I am pretty well versed in the world of audiobook subscriptions. Since it is the holiday season, you might be thinking about gifting someone in your life one of these subscriptions. So, I am going to let you know the pros and cons of each, and my personal favorite.

Audible
Let’s be real, this is probably the most popular audiobook subscription since it is a subsection of Amazon. However, that doesn’t necessarily make it the best audiobook subscription.

Pros
Amazon Originals: They have a catalog where you can find a ton of free audiobooks.

Audible Exclusives: This is great for someone that reads a lot of indie authors, because they have a lot of indie published books on audible, such as the Off Campus Series by Elle Kennedy.

2 For 1: Every month they do a two for one credit sale where you can get 2 audiobooks with one credit.

Cons
Price: A subscription is $14.99 a month, which is pretty high compared to other subscriptions.

One Book: You only get one audiobook a month and with the price it isn’t much different than buy the audiobook without committing to a subscription.

Everand (Perviously Scribd)
This is a subscription I’ve had for years although I don’t use it that much. Not because it’s bad, mind you – I used to not enjoy the app, but I do think it has gotten so much better.

Pros
Price: For being just $11.99 it’s pretty much a steal.

Unlimited Books: This is different than other subscriptions because you don’t get one audiobook a month. You get access to their catalog of audiobooks and can listen to multiple ones a month.

Ebooks: The cool thing about ever is that the subscription includes ebooks as well.

Cons
Slow App: Honestly, I find the app to run a bit slow. This isn’t a huge issue, it’s just something that can be a bit frustrating at times.

Limited Access: The most annoying thing about this subscription is that they limit access to certain books. They market the subscription as unlimited books a month but if you read a lot in one month they will lock your access to certain popular or trending books until the next month.

Rakuten Kobo
This is an audiobook subscription that I haven’t heard many mention. But, it’s one that my mom uses all the time.

Pros
Price: They have a few different plans but the most recommended is $10.99.

Cons
One Book: Similar to Audible you can only redeem your monthly credit for one book.

Purchasing: The worst thing about this subscription is the app. Mainly, the fact that you cannot purchase any book through it. You must go online using your desktop computer to purchase any audiobook.

So, which of these would I recommend? Personally, I would say that Everand is the best audiobook subscription for your buck. It is the one that I would suggest, especially if you are new to audiobooks. If you would like to subscribe please use my referral link (sign up here) and get 30 days for free. That being said, let me know what audiobook subscription is your favorites in the comments. Don’t forget to follow the blog for more Bookmas content.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Did I Read My 2023 Anticipated Releases?

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Hi Friends,
For day 2 of Bookmas, I am going to be taking a look back at my most anticipated book releases of 2023. I have done 4 anticipated releases post this year, so I am hoping that I have at least read half of the books that I was excited for this year. If not, I am going to try and make it a priority to read some of them before the year is over.

I did a post talking about my most anticipated YA romances, and I am happy to say that I read 3 out of the five books I mentioned in that post. I read ‘Never Vacation with Your Ex’, ‘Margo Zimmerman Gets the Girl’ and ‘Borrow My Heart.’ But, I wasn’t able to pick up ‘Promposal’ and I completely forgot about ‘The Borrow a Boyfriend Club.’ However, I am still interested in both of those books.
Related Post: 2023 YA Romances // Anticipated Releases

My next release post was talking about 2023 summer books. I read 5 of the books in that post, which were ‘The Only One Left,’ ‘The Seven Year Slip,’ ‘One of Us Is Back,’ ‘Delicate Condition,’ and ‘Foxglove.’ And, all of these books were between 4 and 5 stars for me. As for the ones I didn’t read we have ‘Summer Rental,’ ‘Business or Pleasure,’ and ‘Ghosted: A Northanger Abbey.’ All of those books still sound so good. There were two other books in this post, ‘The Trap‘ and ‘Good Bad Girl‘ that I didn’t read, but started. And, since putting down ‘Good Bad Girl’, I haven’t heard the greatest thing about it, so it might be a DNF.
Related Post: Anticipated Releases // Summer 2023

Moving on to a post I did recently, my October anticipated releases. I am going to keep this short and sweet by saying that I have yet to read any of the six books I mentioned. Still, I am very interested in all of them. Lastly, is my November book release post and, like October, I haven’t read any of these books. I might try and get to one out of six books in that post, which will most likely be ‘Iron Flame’ or ‘Betting On You.’
Related Post: Anticipated Releases // October 2023
Related Post: Anticipated Releases // November 2023

Honestly, I don’t think I did too badly this year when it came to reading books I was excited for. It doesn’t shock me that I did poorly in October and November, since I’m a mood reader and like to read certain books during those months. In the comments, tell me if you have read any of my anticipated releases, and if they are worth the read. Don’t forget that it is completely free and makes me smile when you follow the blog.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

December 2023 // To Be Read

- Bunny 2 Comments

Hi Friends,
Happy Bookmas Day 1! I am excited to be doing Bookmas again this year. I will be posting every day in December, so I thought that we would start off the month with my December TBR. I decided that I wanted to participate in a readathon to end the year. So, I will take part in the Bookmas readathon, which is a whole month long. You can watch Bekah, Books, and Bujo’s announcement video for more information. There are nine book prompts, and I hope to read different books for each prompt.

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From the bestselling author of Midnight in Everwood, comes another spellbinding literary fairy tale that’s The Great Gatsby meets Swan Lake.

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The author of the “swoon-worthy debut” (Harper’s Bazaar) The Charm Offensive returns with a festive romantic comedy about a woman who fakes an engagement with her landlord…only to fall for his sister.

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One Day in December is a joyous, heartwarming, and immensely moving love story to escape into and a reminder that fate takes inexplicable turns along the route to happiness.

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Before I Fall meets “bah, humbug” in this contemporary YA reimagining of A Christmas Carol from New York Times bestselling author Cynthia Hand.

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When two young rival journalists find love through a magical connection, they must face the depths of hell, in a war among gods, to seal their fate forever.

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A steamy holiday rom-com cowritten by #1 New York Times bestselling author Julie Murphy and USA Today bestselling author Sierra Simone—about an actress and a perpetually single former boy-band member reunited as costars on a steamy holiday film!

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Two best friends fake date to reach their holiday happily ever after in this first romantic comedy in the Lovelight series.

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Mary Kubica, author of Just the Nicest Couple, takes domestic secrets to a whole new level, showing that some people will stop at nothing to keep the truth buried.

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Kristen Simmons’s masterful breakout horror novel that’s “Jumanji but Japanese-inspired” (Kendare Blake) about estranged friends playing a deadly game in a nightmarish folkloric underworld.

In the comments, let me know what you will read in December. And tell me if you are looking forward to my Bookmas content. Do not forget to share this post with other bookish people. Remember to follow the blog so that you can never miss a post.

Raising The Horseman // Book Review

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About The Book
Kat Van Tassel wants nothing to do with Sleepy Hollow’s ghostly history. But when her mother gives her the original Katrina van Tassel’s diary on the two-hundredth anniversary of the Headless Horseman’s haunting, a new legend begins to take shape, weaving together the past and the present in eerie ways.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3uEar4t

My Rating

Honestly, I don’t know what I was expecting out of this book, because even the cover screams “middle grade Headless Horseman retelling”. Although, it is supposed to be young adult I can say that is not how it reads. And if you know me, you know, I’m not typically a fan of the middle grade genre. So it’s not surprising that I didn’t love the story.

In the book, we follow Kat, who is an ancestor of Katerina van Tassel. In her hometown, there’s this legend that the Headless Horseman protects Katerina’s descendants. But, Kat wants more than just to live in Sleepy Hollow forever like Katerina. However, when she’s given Katerina’s diary, she learns a lot more about her and her dreams.

Unfortunately, the characters in this book were basic. There wasn’t much insight into their personalities or motivations. The story lacked any depth in the characters, and there was absolutely no character development whatsoever. The romance aspect was very predictable and insta-lovey, which I am not a fan of.

“Family legend says he always swore it was the Headless Horseman who chased him through the hollow.”

And, don’t even get me started on Kat letting people walk all over her. The book completely brings forth a toxic relationship dynamic, which I was not expecting. However, it does add an interesting layer of complexity to the story, but it left me angry with the protagonist and her choices.

Although, I had issues with the characters, the chapters where we got a glimpse into Katerina’s life through her diary entries were fantastic. This storytelling approach was, for me, the highlight of the entire book. It was enjoyable to read about Katerina’s journey and her character development. I loved how the author showcased that our desires may not always be what we truly want.

Overall, the book fell short of being truly engaging, and the writing style, unfortunately, leans toward juvenile. Still, the story might appeal to a more younger audience looking for a quick read. On a positive note, the book delves into the theme of familial accountability, emphasizing that individuals shouldn’t be solely defined by the actions of their family.

Let me know if this book is on your TBR. Don’t forget to like and share this post with other readers. If you would like to get notified whenever there’s a new post, hit the follow button.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Never Vacation With Your Ex | Book Review

- Bunny 6 Comments

About The Book
A YA second chance romance where the rules for getting over an ex turn out to be more complicated than they seem. Kaylee Jordan’s one refuge, and the thing she looks forward to every summer? The vacation her family spends in Malibu with the Freeman-Yus. This year, there’s only one problem: Kaylee and their son, Dean, dated for the past three months, and Kaylee just unceremoniously dumped him.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/47yKm5s

My Rating

This is a friends-to-lovers high school romance, but with a twist – the love interests have actually already dated and broken up at the beginning of the book. However, they must now, as the title suggests, go on summer vacation with their families, and try to navigate this new normal as exes.

Kaylee is the female, and she has major commitment issues. She’ll date someone for a few months, break up with them, and then start a new relationship (or shall I say fling) with somebody else within weeks. She is also one of the star players on her high school volleyball team.

I understand that Kaylee had commitment issues, since in high school things are always changing. Also, she had a lot of struggles comparing herself to her mother, who was an Olympic volleyball star. All of these things factored into her commitment phobia. However, I didn’t like the fact that everyone blamed her for the break up.

“I could be the heartbroken one. I’ve just taught myself not to be.”

You could clearly see that she was struggling with the break up in her own way. Yes, Dean, her ex, was vividly sad, but her feelings should not have been ignored. Also, he clearly knew the rest. He was taking a chance dating her, because they were friends, and he saw her romantic history firsthand.

However, I did like the writing in this book, because I didn’t find it to be juvenile. The ending was done well, and I liked Kaylee’s character development. Also, there’s a slight exchange of service plot between Kaylee and Dean that I enjoyed, which isn’t surprising since it is one of my favorite plot devices.

Overall, it’s a easy read with a good plot. Also, I did like that Patrick and Siena from ‘With And Without You’ made an appearance in the book. I will continue to read more from this duo, since this isn’t their worst book, but it definitely isn’t there best either. I had a fairly decent reading experience, so I would call that a win.

In the comments, let me know your favorite book by this author duo. If didn’t already know, you can follow the blog to help show your support!

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

End Of November Readathon // To Be Read

- Bunny Leave a comment

Hi Friends,
I am loosely participating in an end of November readathon on Instagram. This is just a fun readathon, that is all about trying to see how many books you can read before the month ends. I have set the intention of reading 9 books, which I know is very ambitious. The readathon was created by @sassynutreads, and takes place from the 24th – 30th, so this TBR is a little late.

I am excited to try and get to all these books. Especially since I’m so close to hitting my reading goal for the year. Let me know what books you are hoping to read before the month is over. Don’t forget to show my blog some love by giving it a quick follow.

Until Then Next Chapter,
Bunny

Book Deals // Black Friday

- Bunny 2 Comments


Hi Friends,
If you live in America, you probably know that today is Black Friday. There are a ton of sales going on, but I wanted to share the bookish deals. There are some great deals on books, so I thought that I would let you know about them before they end.

Target

Personally, I think that this is the best Black Friday deal on books. They are offering buy two, get one free on books, movies, and music. Also, most of their books are normally 20% off, so get an additional 33% off each book. The sale is happening online as well, and you can even order online and do store curbside pickup to beat the crowds.

Barnes and Noble

The store is running their normal buy 1, get 1 for 50% off sale on select books, including classics. They are also doing 50% off popular books and 2-4x times the amount of stamps for members. Also, you can get the holiday tote for only $18.99 with purchase.

BookOutlet

This is probably the best online book seller around, and where my husband did most of my Christmas shopping this year. The site has all fiction books for $5.99, and 20% off all other genres. There are some practically new releases in stock, which makes this an incredible sale.

Amazon

I know that they have a bad reputation when it comes to delivering books, but I had to mention their sale since I know it’s a lot of peoples only source of book buying. They are offering 50% or more on select books, and doing their own buy two, get one free sale. However, it is a little bit harder to find the sale items on the site, so you really have to do some digging.

OwlCreate

This is a bookish subscription box that is offering a 6 month subscription for the price of 5 month. They are also doing 23% off 2023 young adult and middle grade book boxes. They have deals running all weekend, which is awesome!

Nerdy Ink

The site is running 40% off everything. If you have never visited the site, you are missing out. They sell beautiful dust jackets for books including some foil dust jackets. And, you can get stunning illustrated editions of Emma, and Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.

Those are all the deals that I know of and the ones I’m most looking forward to. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem like Half Priced Books will be having a Black Friday sale. However, remember to visit your indie bookstores to see if they are doing any deals. Before you go, hit the follow button to get post notifications.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny