Friday Reads #4

- Bunny 2 Comments

Hi Friends,
I am here to do another Friday reads post. I didn’t do so well last weekend, so I’m hoping to make up for lost time. For some reason I have been in a huge reading slump, but maybe my weekend reading plans will pull me out of it.


“From the author of You Must Not Miss comes a haunting contemporary horror novel that explores themes of mental illness, rage, and grief, twisted with spine-chilling elements of Stephen King and Agatha Christie.”


“#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * From the bestselling author of One of Us Is Lying comes your next obsession. You’ll never feel the same about family again.”


“They were cowriting literary darlings until they hit a plot hole that turned their lives upside down.”


“The highly anticipated sequel to the international bestseller, A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder! More dark secrets are exposed in this addictive, true-crime fueled mystery.”

Those are my overly ambitious reading plans that may or may not work out. However, if all I do is kick this reading slump then I will call this weekend a win. What are you reading this weekend?

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Intimidating TBR // Book Tag

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Hi Friends,
I saw this tag BookTubber LiterallyLo channel, and wanted to do it for myself. I feel like most readers always have some intimidating books on their TBR, and I am no exception. As always, let’s jump right into the questions.


For me that would be ‘Long May She Reign’ by Rhiannon Thomas. I bought this book on a whim. Truthfully, it was a cover buy. I read about 40%, but for some reason I put it down and picked the book up again. I might eventually like to finish it, still it could go either way.

I would have to say ‘It’ by Stephen King since it is extremely long. I’d like to see what the hype is all about, and I have seen both versions of the movie. However, the audiobook being 45 hours is quite intimidating.


I don’t really get this question, because it should be obvious that you can’t read a sequel without reading the first book in the series. I guess some series I would like to start, and at least get to the sequel this year are ‘The Hawthorne Legacy’ by Jennifer Lynn Barnes and ‘Meg and Jo’ (The March Sisters #1) by Virginia Kantra.


Emma Lord’s ‘When You Get the Chance’ that came out in January 2022. It is a Young Adult Mama Mia style retelling. I mostly listen to audiobooks using the Libby app, but with it being a newer release there is a long wait to read it.


This question is easy for me to answer ‘Red, White & Royal Blue’ by Casey McQuiston. I read ‘One Last Stop’ by Casey McQuiston, which was a pretty disappointing read. I have heard great things about this book, yet I don’t want to be disappointed again.


The third book in the ‘The Thousandth Floor’ series ‘The Towering Sky’ by Katharine McGee. I fell into a slight reading slump after the second book, so I have been hesitant to pick up the last book in the trilogy.


Honestly, I could say Stephen King’s ‘It’ again, yet I think I shouldn’t repeat answers. So, I will go with ‘A Court of Thorns and Roses’ by Sarah J. Maas, because not only is the first book pretty big but the books get longer as the series progresses. Also, I kind of think that SJM is overrated.


I am not normally a cover buyer, but I am guilty of doing it every once in a while. My most recent cover buy was ‘We Are the Wildcats’ by Siobhan Vivian. Now I’m unsure if other will find this cover all to enticing, yet I find the cover pretty. The sad part is I am unsure whether I’m going to actually enjoy the book, since it isn’t a story I would typically gravitate too.


It would 100% be ‘The Love Hypothesis’ by Ali Hazelwood. This book is probably one of the most raved about books of 2021, and it is still getting attention to date. However, I am just starting to read more adult romances so I am so scared that I am not going to love the book as much as others. The hype is super intimidating making me not want to risk giving it a chance.

I want to tag so awesome book bloggers! I would like to see Becky’s Book Blog, The Midnight Book Blog and Comfort Reads do this tag. Don’t forget to give my blog a follow because it honestly makes my day. As well as reading your comments.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

10 Random Questions // Toss-Up Tuesday

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Hi Friends,
I thought it might be fun to do a little get to know me personally tag. However, these questions aren’t super personal. Perhaps later on if you guys want I will do a post were I answer some of your questions. Anyhow, I found these questions randomly online and on YouTube. I picked out the questions I thought would be most fun answering for all.

How Old Are You? I am 29 years old

When Were You Born? I was born in June on the 27th to be exact, which makes me a cancer baby.

Do You Have Any Pets? Yep, I have 3 cats and 2 dogs. All of them are girls.

Are You In A Relationship? I have been with my hubby for 9 years. We will celebrate of second wedding anniversary in October.

Do You Suffer From Any Mental Health Issues? I have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, depression and anxiety.

Favorite Makeup Brand? This is hard but I think I would have to say Clinique and Makeup Revolution.

Favorite Clothing Store? Walmart for sure!

Favorite Color? Pink, which is a pretty basic answer.

Favorite Candy? Probably any kind of gummy candy and Reese’s.

Go To Starbucks Order? On most days it’s a hot tall non-fat white chocolate mocha with whip. But, on hot days I go for an iced non-fat white mocha with no whip and vanilla sweet cream foam.

Those are all the questions I am going to answer in this post. If you want to stay up to date with my life and random thoughts follow me on Twitter and Instagram. Please follow the blog, and comment below with any post questions you might have for me.

Ciao,
Bunny

Friday Reads #3

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Hi Friends,
It’s time for another Friday reads post. In these posts I will share what I plan on reading throughout the weekend. I usually have some ambitions reading plans especially since I am 4 books behind in my reading goal.


“Fans of I Was Here by Gayle Forman and Far from the Tree by Robin Benway will be floored by this heartbreaking yet uplifting teen novel about a grieving girl who follows a mysterious list across the country after her older sister’s death.”


“What’s better than one deliciously cozy, swoon-worthy holiday story? Four of them, from some of today’s bestselling authors.”


“Looking for Alaska brilliantly chronicles the indelible impact one life can have on another. A modern classic, this stunning debut marked #1 bestselling author John Green’s arrival as a groundbreaking new voice in contemporary fiction.”


“In this New York Times bestselling sequel to Kerri Maniscalco’s haunting #1 debut Stalking Jack the Ripper, bizarre murders are discovered in the castle of Prince Vlad the Impaler, otherwise known as Dracula. Could it be a copycat killer . . . or has the depraved prince been brought back to life?”


“From the author of You Must Not Miss comes a haunting contemporary horror novel that explores themes of mental illness, rage, and grief, twisted with spine-chilling elements of Stephen King and Agatha Christie.”

Yep, I most likely will not get to all these books but I am sure as hell going to try. I have been wanting to get some of these books for a while, and what better time than the present. Let me know what you are reading this weekend in the comments. And, give my blog a follow to get notifications for all my bookish posts.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

I Wish Was A Movie // Thriller Books

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Hi Friends,
I love books as much as the next reader, but sometimes I read a book that I wish had been a movie instead. This might sound odd since there are movie adaptions of books. However, if I read the book before seeing the movie I cannot help but compare the two. And, usually the book wins. These are some thriller/horror books that I’ve read and haven’t read that I would preferr being a film.

The Violent Season by Sara Walters: I was lucky enough to get approved for an audiobook ARC copy from Netgalley. Unfortunately, I got 30% of the way through it and had to DNF the book. There wasn’t anything particularly horrible about the plot or characters. But the whole time I was listening to it I could only imagine it as a film. The plot was a bit all over the place, so I think seeing it would have been easier seeing the story play out on screen.

Wilder Girls by Rory Power: This is a feminist retelling of ‘Lord Of The Flies’ by William Golding. It is a sapphic horror that is said to be pretty dark at times. The plot follows a group of girls that must quarantine inside their school due to a deadly toxicson. This straight up seems like a thriller film. It’s like ‘The Faculty’ meets the Hulu Original series ‘Freakish’. I would totally watch this movie, but I’m not necessarily inclined to read the book.

Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson: I can already see these books as Netflix original movies. I started the first book, but put it down before even making a dent in the story. The pacing was slow and didn’t grip me. I think that if these books were films or a mini series the drawn-out plot wouldn’t be so bad. Granted I didn’t get very far into story before setting it aside, so it could get better. However, I still think the this book series would be perfect to adapt for film or TV.

There you have the three books I would chose to be films over books. I want to note that these author are all incredible, which their work proves. It isn’t so much the writing, but the plot that screams movie. Before you go do all the fun things like, share and follow the blog.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Caraval | Book Review

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About The Book
Scarlett’s dreams of seeing Caraval seem lost after her father arranges her marriage—until an invitation arrives. With a mysterious sailor’s help, her sister Tella brings Scarlett to Caraval, only to be kidnapped by its enigmatic master, Legend. Now, Scarlett must race through the elaborate game to find Tella before the five nights end and she vanishes forever.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/4eXaiLx

My Rating

This book was captivating from the start, and the plot never slowed down. The concept of a magical carnival was fantastic, as I find carnival-centered stories fascinating—though I haven’t read many others yet, so my opinion might change in the future.

Scarlett, the main character, often second-guesses herself and is afraid to break rules, which is understandable given her tough home life. Still, I found her likable and didn’t mind her more cautious traits, though I could see how others might find her frustrating. Her sister, Tella, is a bit reckless and immature, yet I understood her desire for a better life for both of them. She came across as stronger and smarter than the book might show at first.

The story kept me guessing constantly, never quite knowing who to trust. At one point, I thought I’d figured everything out—but then something happened, and I was back to having no idea what to expect. I tend to enjoy books with unpredictable plots, which I think resonates with most readers.

The world-building was outstanding. The author brought Caraval to life, making me feel like I was playing the game alongside the characters. Without lengthy descriptions, the author gave enough vivid details to make the Caraval feel real.

“Hope is a powerful thing. Some say it’s a different breed of magic altogether.”

The book explores themes of sisterhood and relationships, though more as a subtle backdrop. It’s dark and whimsical, with the whimsical elements helping keep the story light. The plot ultimately shows that everyone has an agenda and that everything comes at a price.

Another major theme of the book is control, and being controlled. It seemed like almost everyone wanted to control Scarlett—even Tella. I didn’t like how Tella pressured Scarlett into things she was against, even if it was out of love and a desire to protect her. It still felt underhanded. By the end, I really felt for Scarlett. Speaking of the ending, there’s a minor cliffhanger that has me intrigued, and I’m curious to see what comes next!

Despite all the positives, the story didn’t quite make it to a 5-star rating for me. However, Julian, the love interest, was definitely a highlight—he was very swoon-worthy. One thing to know about this book is that, while it’s essentially a fantasy story, it does address some heavy topics. You can check the book’s page on Book Trigger Warnings for more details.

Please share this post with other fantasy readers, and comment with your thoughts on the book if you’ve read it. I love interacting with my readers in the comments! And don’t forget to follow my blog—it truly makes my day!

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

You’ve Reached Sam // Book Review

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Authort: Dustin Thao
Published: 2020
Genre: Young Adult/Contemporary/Magical Realism
Rating:Full, star, bookmark, favorite, favourite, like, rating icon - Download on IconfinderFull, star, bookmark, favorite, favourite, like, rating icon - Download on Iconfinder

Synopsis
Seventeen-year-old Julie has her future all planned out—move out of her small town with her boyfriend Sam, attend college in the city, spend a summer in Japan. But then Sam dies. And everything changes. Heartbroken, Julie skips his funeral, throws out his things, and tries everything to forget him and the tragic way he died. But a message Sam left behind in her yearbook forces back memories. Desperate to hear his voice one more time, Julie calls Sam’s cellphone just to listen to his voicemail. And Sam picks up the phone.

I don’t want this review to be completely negative, but I always want to give you my true unfiltered opinion. And, truthfully, the story could have been executed better. The plot had so much promise, and I was hoping for a tear-jerking story. But, it didn’t live up to my expectations. The book started off a week after the male love interest, Sam’s, death. This was interesting, since most books don’t follow someone during the grieving process. This is exactly what the plot of the book was – watching someone, in this case Julie, struggle with their grief.

As the synopsis shows, there is a magical realism component in the story, which is that Julie and Sam can talk via phone to one another. The author’s take on this plot point was interesting, but different than how I imagined. I don’t know what I was hoping for – just that I wasn’t sold on the way this element was developed.

Julie as a character was just okay. But, it was annoying that she was clearly oblivious to the fact that she had Sam wrapped around her finger. She was willing to let him change all his plans for her, and forget about some of his friends in order to spend time with her. Their lives literally revolved around one another. Their relationship was frustrating to read about to say the least. Still, I guess that is how first love is for people.

“We are two parts of a song. He is the music. I am the words.”

Sam got on my nerves a lot. He was apparently such a devoted and kind boyfriend while alive, but in death he was kind of rude. At times he would snapped at Julie, even though she was doing things to make him happy. She might have occasionally overstepped, but he didn’t have to be so salty towards her. He always ‘unintentionally’ made her feel guilty about him dying. He claimed to want her to move on, but every time she tried to, he would make her feel bad about it.

All in all, I assume the moral of the story is that we shouldn’t live in the loss, and to not let grief consume us. You can’t hold on to the hope that the person you lost will come back. The only thing one can do is keep them in our hearts, and try to live on for them. The good thing about the book was that it was a quick read, which was nice for me.

However, I wasn’t emotionally invested in the storytelling. I mean, I didn’t even cry. I would recommend the book to fans of ‘If I Stay’ by Gale Forman. I have never read that book, but I did see the movie. For some reason, I find these two stories to be somewhat similar. Also, in ‘If I Stay’, there was the whole in between element, and I think that Sam was definitely caught in the in between.

Please give me your thoughts on this book, since I am probably going to get a lot of flak for this review. However, one thing is for sure – the book cover is stunning! Don’t forget to give my blog a follow.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Convenient Interruptions // Pre-Order Now

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Hi Friends,
I never truly imagined that this day would come, and even now it feels surreal. Convenient Interruptions, my first ever book is now available for pre-order here. This is a collection of poems that mean so much to me. The book will be solely available on Amazon, and the paperback will be available the day the ebook is released. As of now, KDP only allows you to do a pre-order for an ebook, so if you would like to pre-order the ebook version please do so here. Otherwise, you can buy the paperback edition on April 12, 2022. Thank you for all of the support! And, follow my blog to support me even more.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

All This Time // Book Review

- Bunny 2 Comments

Author: Mikki Daughtry and Rachael Lippincott
Published: 2020
Genre: Young Adult/Romance/Mental Health
Rating:Full, star, bookmark, favorite, favourite, like, rating icon - Download on IconfinderFull, star, bookmark, favorite, favourite, like, rating icon - Download on IconfinderFull, star, bookmark, favorite, favourite, like, rating icon - Download on Iconfinder

Synopsis
Kyle and Kimberly have been the perfect couple all through high school, but when Kimberly breaks up with him on the night of their graduation party, Kyle’s entire world upends – literally. Their car crashes and when he awakes, he has a brain injury. Kimberly is dead. And no one in his life could possibly understand. Until Marley. Marley is suffering from her own loss, a loss she thinks was her fault. As Kyle and Marley work to heal each other’s wounds, their feelings for each other grow stronger. But Kyle can’t shake the sense that he’s headed for another crashing moment that will blow up his life as soon as he’s started to put it back together. And he’s right.

I was very excited to read this book, since I was a huge fan of ‘Five Feet Apart’ by this author duo. The only thing I knew about this story was that it was going to be a hard-hitting contemporary. Or so I thought. The story has a very interesting concept, with a few twist and turns.

The plot is less about death and grief, more about life and healing. One of the most interesting factors was that for the first half of the book, you think you are reading one story, but the second half is a completely different story.

The twists were somewhat shocking, but I figured out one of them pretty early. For me, that isn’t necessarily a con, but I know some people would prefer more of a surprise.

“That’s the first thing you said to me, remember? Once upon a time.”

I thought that I was going to bawl my eyes out, as I did with ‘Five Feet Apart’, but that wasn’t the case. I’m not going to say that the book wasn’t touching. Still, I didn’t find it too hard-hitting. In my opinion, if you aren’t into heartbreaking books, then you should be safe reading this one.

The ending was nice, and wrapped up the story well. We should always remember the ones we love, and how they made us feel. Keep their memory alive in our hearts. But there does come a point when the grieving should end. We shouldn’t let loss consume us.

The writing was great. I find the authors to be great storytellers, and I will for sure be picking up more of their books. Let me know in the comments if you have read, or are planning on reading, this book. You can always follow the blog, which really helps it to grow!

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Friday Reads #2

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Hi Friends,
I am doing another Friday reads post. This weekend, my reading plans aren’t too crazy, since I feel a reading slump coming on. I only have two books that I hope to finish.

The Ivies by Alexa Donne
I have been in a mystery-thriller mood, so I wanted to pick up one on my owned TBR. This is a private school murder mystery about a group of girls that would do anything to get into the college of their choice.

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
I need to finish this book! Like, badly. Me and my husband have been reading this book slowly since last year. I would really like to finally finish it, and move on to the second book in the series.

Fool Me Twice by Carrie Aarons
This is a book that has been on my TBR for a while, and I started it a few days ago. I haven’t gotten too far into it, so I would like to make it to the 50% mark by the weekend’s end.

Those are all my reading plans for the next couple of days. In the comments, tell me what you are currently reading. Also, don’t go before following the blog, which keeps you notified on all my new posts.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny