Bookmas

Twenty-Twenty Three // To Be Read

- Bunny 1 Comment

For Bookmas day 11, I let you know if I read my most anticipated releases of 2022. So, today for Bookmas day 12, I want to talk about my 2023 TBR. These are some of the books that I want to make a priority next year. I am not going to be including any 2023 releases on this list, so these are just backlist titles I haven’t gotten around to yet.


Icebreaker by Hannah Grace
“Sparks fly when a competitive figure skater and hockey team captain are forced to share a rink.”

Now I didn’t hear about the hype of this book until the end of year. Although I’m not the biggest adult romance fan, I’m curious to see what all the hype is about.

Kill Joy by Holly Jackson
“Find out where it all began for Pip in this prequel to the best-selling A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder,Good Girl, Bad Blood and As Good As Dead!”

This is a short prequel to the ‘A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder’ trilogy. It is the only book that I haven’t read and seems like it will be a pretty fast read. Even though I didn’t love the final book in the trilogy, I would still like to read this companion book.

The Daughter of Doctor Moreau by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
“From the New York Times bestselling author of Mexican Gothic and Velvet Was the Night comes a dreamy reimagining of The Island of Doctor Moreau set against the backdrop of nineteenth-century Mexico.”

I read ‘Mexican Gothic’ this year and have been hearing a lot about this book. I don’t know much about this book, but I enjoy Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s writing. And, this is targeted as a horror retelling, which sounds like something I’d enjoy.

The Do-Over by Lynn Painter
“In this riotous young adult romp for fans of Recommended for You and A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow, a teen girl has the worst Valentine’s Day ever—only to relive it over and over again.”

Even though I have only read one of Lynn Painter’s books, she has become one of my favorite YA authors. This is a 2023 must-read for me, because I am sure that I am going to love it.


Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney
“The NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR of Rock Paper Scissors returns with a locked-room mystery when a family reunion leads to murder in a delightfully twisty and atmospheric thriller.”

I wasn’t obsessed with ‘Rock, Paper, Scissors’, still I have heard nothing but great things about this book; specifically, that the twist in this book is really good.

Jo & Laurie by Margaret Stohl and Melissa de la Cruz
“Bestselling authors Margaret Stohl and Melissa de la Cruz bring us a romantic retelling of Little Women starring Jo March and her best friend, the boy next door, Theodore “Laurie” Laurence.”

I have been wanting to read this book for a while. Although, the ‘Little Women’ book isn’t my favorite, I usually love adaptations of the story. I’m curious to read a story all about Jo and Laurie, since we all know how their relationship turned out.

Moment of Truth by Kasie West
“Beloved author Kasie West once again delivers a witty, lighthearted romance that will charm her legions of fans and is perfect for readers of Jenny Han and Huntley Fitzpatrick.”

This is the only novel of Kasie West I have yet to read. I need to get to this one, so that I can finally be done with all her backlist titles.

The Guinevere Deception by Kiersten White
“From #1 New York Times bestselling author Kiersten White comes a new fantasy series reimagining the Arthurian legend, set in the magical world of Camelot . . . . There was nothing in the world as magical and terrifying as a girl.”

This is another book that has been on my radar for years. I have liked the previous things that I’ve read by Kiersten White, so I have high hopes for this historical fiction fantasy.


An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson
“From the internationally bestselling author of Sorcery of Thorns comes a breathtaking fantasy story of danger and forbidden love. This is the perfect read for fans of Cassandra Clare, Sarah J. Maas’s A COURT OF THORNS AND ROSES series, and Holly Black!”

I tend to be a fan of slower, lyrical-type books, and this book seems to fit that description. However, I do hope it doesn’t put me in a reading slump.

All These Bodies by Kendare Blake
“For months, a gruesome killer has been plaguing the Midwest. The murderer’s calling card? The bodies they leave behind are completely drained of blood.”

Since it’s release in 2021, this book has intrigued me. And, despite not having heard the best things about it I know that it is one I would like to read into 2023.

The Stand-In by Lily Chu
“Readers will delight in this glamourous, swoon worthy enemies-to-lovers romance that is as hilarious as it is heart-wrenching.”

This book hasn’t been talked about a lot, but I’m always down for a good ‘The Prince and the Pauper’ retelling. I have a feeling that I might love this book, so it is at the top of my list to read in 2023.

The Girls I’ve Been by Tess Sharpe
“In this feminist, suspenseful thriller, the daughter of a con artist is taken hostage in a bank heist—and will need to tap into all her skills in order to survive.”

This is another book that I need to read at the start of 2023. It sounds amazing and like nothing I’ve ever read before. Also, I just found out that it is being adapted into a Netflix original movie.

There you have my 2023 (backlist) TBR! In the comments, let me know what books you are dying to read in the new year. If you want to help support my growing blog, then give this post a like. You can also share this post, and follow my book blog as well.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Did I Read My 2022 Anticipated Releases?

- Bunny Leave a comment

For Bookmas day 11, I’m going to be talking about if I read the books I talked about in my most anticipated book releases of 2022 post. Let me just say that I didn’t do so well.
Related Post: 2022 Anticipated Releases // January – June
Related Post: 2022 Anticipated Book Releases // July – December

In January, I was looking forward to reading ‘Echoes and Empires’ by Morgan Rhodes and ‘The Bone Spindle’ by Leslie Vedder, but these books haven’t crossed my mind all year. Actually, I don’t even remember what they’re about. The Sam goes for ‘League of Liars’ by Astrid Scholte, which was a February anticipated release. However, I did happen to read ‘Finding Her Edge’ by Jennifer Iacopelli.

In March, ‘Remember Me Gone’ by Stacy Stokes and ‘Live, Laugh, Kidnap’ by Gabby Noone came out. I’m not sure I’m still interested in these two books, anymore. I was anticipating the release of ‘Hotel Magnifique’ by Emily J. Taylor, as well as ‘With and Without You’ by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka in April. Although, I’m not surprised I didn’t get to ‘Hotel Magnifique’, I’m shocked that I still haven’t read ‘With and Without You’.

And, sadly I didn’t read my May or June anticipated releases. However, I am still looking forward to reading ‘The Noh Family’ by Grace Shim, ‘Beauty and the Besharam’ by Lillie Vale, ‘TJ Powar Has Something to Prove’ by Jesmeen Kaur Deo, and ‘A Secret Princess’ by Margaret Stohl and Melissa de la Cruz.

I also didn’t read my most anticipated books for July. Mainly because it was hard to get a hold of the audiobook for ‘Frightmares’ by Eva V. Gibson. And. I really forgot about ‘A Heavy Dose of Allison Tandy’ by Jeff Bishop.

However, I did however read all of my August anticipated book releases! Yay me! And, luckily, I really enjoyed ‘Long Live The Pumpkin Queen’ by Shea Ernshaw, ‘12 To 22: POV You Wake Up in the Future!’ by Jen Calonita, and ‘Nothing More to Tell’ by Karen M. McManus.
Related Post: Long Live The Pumpkin Queen // Book Review

Unfortunately, I did bad on reading my September anticipated releases ‘Wishtress’ by Nadine Brandes and ‘Mere Mortals’ by Erin Jade Lange, which is a bummer since they both sound so interesting. I did manage to read one of my October anticipated releases, ‘Pretty Dead Queens’ by Alexa Donne, but didn’t find the time to read the other October release want to ‘The Art of Insanity’ by Christine Webb.

My November anticipated releases were ‘Friends Like These’ by Jennifer Lynn Alvarez and ‘Whiteout’ by Various Authors. I haven’t read either of them, but I will be picking up ‘Whiteout’ soon seeing that it’s my December 2022 book club read.

As for December, one of my anticipated releases hasn’t come out yet. Still, it is safe to say that I won’t be reading ‘Come Out, Come Out, Whatever You Are’ by Kathryn Foxfield and ‘So, This Is Love’ by Tracy Andreen before 2022 comes to an end.

So, I only read 5 of the books off my most anticipated book releases lists. There is just not enough time to read backlist titles as well as new release in the year. Hopefully, I can get to some of these books in 2023.

In the comments, let me know if you’ve read any of these books. Which ones should I make a priority to read soon? If you want to support my book blog, please give this post a like and a follow!

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

The Christmas Clash // Book Review

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About The Book
Sworn enemies from rival families, Chloe Kwon and Peter Li have always hated each other. But when their local mall is put up for auction right before Christmas, they band together to help save it, along with their families’ food court restaurants. This fun read will leave you nostalgic for that magical feeling of the mall at Christmastime.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3hekMNY

My Rating

If you like a YA enemies-to-lovers, with a slight Romeo and Juliet aspect, then you should give this book a read. In the book, we follow two teens, Chloe and Peter, who’s parents run restaurants at the local mall. However, their parents are sworn enemies.

Chloe and and Peter are meant to be seen as enemies throughout the book, but I got more of a frenemies vibe from them. We hear a lot about how they dislike each other, yet their interactions during the story are fairly civil. And I could definitely see something developing pretty early on between them.

I found Peter and Chloe yo be likable characters. It was nice that they could be honest with each other. There were times that they would be snarky, or snap at one another, but they were mature enough to apologize for their attitudes.

The dialog between the two was funny and real. I could tell from the beginning that I was going to enjoy the story. Although the writing was good, it did feel very YA. But, not necessarily in a bad way, if that makes any sense.

“I was just thinking about us. And how I didn’t really know you just two months ago, and now I can’t picture life without you. It’s truly a Christmas miracle.”

There were a few heavy topic touched on in the book, one being that parenting is hard. Children don’t always see the struggles that parents have to go through. Things aren’t always easy when it comes to being a parent.

The other major subject that the book focused on was racism. First and foremost this is a YA romance, but it did showcase that racism is still a big part of the world we live in today. I think that the race issue was handled well, but not sure it fit with the story. I wanted a more light and fluffy Christmas read, yet it is still a serious issue, so it is good when books shed light on real world topics.

Overall, the story was cute, enjoyable, and a quick read. However, I did find the ending a little far-fetched. It was one of those cheesy, happy, everyone wins kind of endings that can be a little too much for me at times. Nevertheless, it was a good reading experience, and there was a subtle nod to food delivery apps that was a nice bonus.

In the comments, let me know if you are a fan of enemies-to-lovers. I myself cannot get enough of them. Don’t forget to follow my blog if you like bookish content.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

The Christmas Murder Game // Book Review

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About The Book
Agatha Christie meets Clue in this delightful, tense manor house murder mystery. This clever murder mystery is the perfect gift for fans of classic mysteries, festive Christmas books, and armchair detective work. Twelve clues. Twelve keys. Twelve days of Christmas. But how many will die before Twelfth Night?
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3UBj1s0

My Rating

I had been looking forward to this book since I heard the plot, but sadly, it was a complete let down. When I think of this book, the word that comes to mind is ‘boring’. That’s not to say the plot was bad, because the story truly did have potential. However, it was executed poorly.

Most of the characters were unlikable or uninteresting. The tolerable characters played relatively small roles within the story. And, we didn’t get to know each person enough to fully understand them.

The main character, Lily, was okay, but I felt as though the author made her out to be this golden girl. She was smart, kind, and clearly her aunt’s favorite. At times, I could understand why her cousin, that aunt’s daughter, couldn’t stand her.

It was annoying that Lily never came to terms with her mothers death. Sure, finding her mothers body was terribly traumatic but it is infuriating when fictional characters ignore seeking help for something so obvious. You can only really move on once you have faced the loss.

“It’s cruel, when she thinks of it, to ask her to return to this house, with its secrets written on walls and she’s the one who has to strip back the wallpaper.”

Now the second half of the book was a lot faster-paced then the first half. Although, it was pretty clear to me who the killer was. I wasn’t completely correct on the killer, and didn’t guess their motive, but I was half right.

Overall, the book was slow, and the murder-mystery aspect didn’t actually take place until the halfway point. I will say that if you are looking for a book with a complicated family relationship in it, then you might want to give this one a read. Because family being ruthless is very central to the plot.

As for the writing style, it wasn’t horrible, so I might try to give this author another chance. This particular book just wasn’t for me. Also, there is a romance situation that I can’t talk about much since it’s a spoiler, but definitely research trigger warnings for this book before picking it up.

In the comments, let me know if you’ve read this book or are planning to. Don’t forget to support my book blog by giving a follow, too!

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Holiday Reads // Books Meet Fashion

- Bunny 1 Comment

Hi Friends,
It’s Bookmas Day 6! I thought it would be fun to create some outfits inspired by book covers. I loved the looks that I created and really were inspired by each book cover. Also, I think that all the outfits are prefect for the winter season.

It is always fun, yet challenging, doing these books meet fashion posts. Let me know in the comments, which outfit is your favorite. Mine is probably the ‘One Day In December’ look. Don’t forget to hit the follow button before you leave.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Bookish Giveaway // Holiday 2022

- Bunny Leave a comment


Hi Friends,
Today is Bookmas Day 5! And, it is giveaway day. I am going to be doing a bookish giveaway because I want to give back to all my lovely readers. This giveaway will run from today December 5th up until December 18th at 11:59 pm Central Standard Time.

The Rules
Follow My Blog
Must Be 18+ Or Have Parental Permission
Must Love Books

Prize
A Book Off Your Amazon Wishlist (Not Exceeding $15)

How To Enter
Comment Below Your Favorite Book Of 2022

I know that this giveaway might seem small, but I hope that you appreciate it nonetheless. But, in honor of the holiday season I want to give another small gift to all my readers. Using the code: BOOKSWITHBUNNY you can get 10% off everything in my bookish Etsy Shop (But First Bunny).

If you would like to support my social media you can follow me on Instagram (@Books.With.Bunny), Twitter (@BooksWithBunny) and TikTok (@BooksWithBunny). And, don’t forget to follow the blog and comment to enter the giveaway.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

A Merry Little Meet Cute | Book Review

- Bunny Leave a comment

About The Book
Cowritten by #1 New York Times bestselling author Julie Murphy and USA Today bestselling author Sierra Simone—a steamy plus-size holiday rom-com about an adult film star who is semi-accidentally cast as a lead in a family-friendly Christmas movie, and the former bad-boy pop star she falls in love with.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3UtRnNB

My Rating

After reading the plot of this book, I was a little unsure if I should pick it up. Not only is it an adult romance, but it has a bit of a smutty romance element to it. I am neither a big fan of adult romance or smutty books. However, I decided to give it a chance.

The plot is fairly straightforward with a plus-size adult pornstar, Bee, and former boy-band member Nolan cast as the leads in a new Hallmark like holiday film. But, things get complicated when Nolan is a fan of Bee’s adult work and Nolan happens to be Bee’s childhood crush.

Honestly, I loved how the book normalized the adult film industry. Bee besides being a porn star has a CloserDoor account (think OnlyFans). The book showcased that sex workers deserve to be treated as humans and shouldn’t be shamed for their careers.

There were also a lot of funny moments, since many of the characters worked in the adult film industry. And, all characters were fairly likeable. It was nice to have a plus-size main character, especially one that has a job that is typically associated with a certain type of figure.

The book does touch on the fact that you have to pretend a lot in Hollywood, and that the media twist a lot of things. Also, I like how the authors mentioned that internet hate is real. The internet has made it okay for people to say the most hateful things, which is really sad.

“The literal bed could have been on literal fire, and I still would have been there, pumping into my girl like a man possessed.”

Something that I found interesting and refreshing was that both main characters are bisexual, which I find to be pretty rare. I also liked how the subject of Bipolar disorder was handled. Nolan’s mother struggles with the disorder, and the topic was handled in a very real way. As someone that has Bipolar disorder, I truly appreciated the authors take on it.

Now for the smut side of things. This book was spicy. I am not a smut reader so take this with a grain of salt, but I found the book to have a 3/5 spice level. Truthfully, the more smutty scenes were a little weird for me to listen to.

Overall, the concept was unique, yet it worked well. The ending was cute, and everything wrapped up with a nice little bow. I did get the subtle message that everyone – not even ‘Hallmark’ movie watchers – are squeaky clean. And, perhaps those types of networks should broaden their views.

In the comments, let me know if you have read this holiday romance. What would your smut rating be? Before you go don’t forget to like this post and follow the blog.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

December 2022 // To Be Read

- Bunny 4 Comments

Hi Friends,
Today is the first day of Bookmas 2022! Bookmas was created by Hailey In Bookland, and is essentially where you post a bookish video, or blog post, everyday leading up until Christmas. I decided to start off Bookmas by sharing my December TBR. Since December is the last month of the year my TBR is very ambition. I have so many books that I would like to get to before the end of the year. I might take part in a holiday readathon, but I a not going to officially be joining any readathons this month. So, let’s get straight on to the books that I will be reading!

Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3ufEmfD

“Jam-packed with yuletide cheer, an unforgettable cast of characters, and Christina Lauren’s trademark “downright hilarious” (Helen Hoang, author of The Bride Test) hijinks, this swoon-worthy romantic read will make you believe in the power of wishes and the magic of the holidays.”

Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3EJLXYQ

“A Jewish twist on the classic Christmas enemies-to-lovers story. With dog walking, fossils, and a relatable main character navigating her first year of university, this one has so much to love. Fans of Hallmark movies will not want to miss this entertaining holiday read.”

Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3VD6Ewk

“Gwen Baker finds herself stuck in a Groundhog Day loop on Christmas Day with her family. “

Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3gRFFyq

“A laugh-out-loud, opposites attract romance about three of the world’s most beloved C’s: Christmas, Coffee, and Cats.”

Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3itzWiA

“Before there was Santa Claus, there was a young boy who believed in the impossible. . . . Lemony Snicket meets Klaus in this cheeky, Christmas classic-in-the-making that sparkles with wit and warmth!”

Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3H11hmK

“Dickens’s tale of a miserable miser who transforms into a kind and caring benefactor after three ghosts pay him a visit on Christmas Eve is one of the best-loved works in the English language and a true celebration of the Yuletide spirit.”

Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3uxE8AZ

“From international bestselling author Melissa Hill comes an adorable holiday romance about taking chances, falling in love, and trusting destiny. New York City at Christmas and a visit to Tiffany’s is a recipe to sweep a girl off her feet unless fate has other plans.”

Book Club Book
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3ugNLna

“Atlanta is blanketed with snow just before Christmas, but the warmth of young love just might melt the ice in this novel of Black joy, and cozy, sparkling romance—by the same unbeatable team of authors who wrote the New York Times bestseller Blackout!”

Honestly, I’m not sure how many of these books I will actually get to, since the holidays take up a lot of time in December. But, I have high hopes that I will read some great festive books. In the comments, let me know what’s on your December TBR. Don’t forget to hit the follow button before your leave, because it really does help my blog out.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

 

The Holiday Traditions Tag

- Bunny Leave a comment

Hi Friends,
I just knew that I had to do a holiday tag before Christmas came. This is a pretty old holiday tag that I discovered this year. But honestly, most tags are timeless.

Favorite holiday destination?
I always stay home and spend the holidays with my family. However, hypothetically, I think celebrating the holidays in England would be a dream come true. I wouldn’t want to spend Thanksgiving or Christmas away from my family, but I would love to spend New Years in England.

Any family traditions?
We have a few family traditions. About 7 years ago we started having lasagna on Christmas Eve. This is a tradition that my husband brought to us because it is a tradition that his family did. Also, we always open one gift on Christmas Eve, which is new PJs. Lastly, since I was an itty bitty kid, we have watched ‘A Muppets Christmas Carol’ right before bed on Christmas Eve.

Favorite ornament or decoration?
I don’t know if this counts, but I love Christmas trees and lights. Not sure if that is basic or random. There is just something about Christmas lights that make me smile. And, seeing a Christmas tree that is decked out in fun ornaments, classy ornaments, or just a few ornaments is heartwarming.

What are you doing for the holidays?
Spending Christmas Day at home in my PJs, watching holiday movies, and playing board games.

Are you a late or early Christmas shopper?
I am a way too early of a shopper. I am talking like January through November. However, next year I am going to try and find a good middle between early and late shopping.

Who usually cooks holiday dinners?
My mom does the cooking for Thanksgiving and Christmas. However, me and my sister always try to make a dish or two.

Have you ever gone Christmas caroling?
Nope. I would be way to nervous. Also, I don’t sing in public.

Do you live where it snows?
Not really. It has only ever snowed, probably, about 6 times here. I love the snow and think it would be amazing to have a white Christmas! But sadly, that isn’t usually the case.

One thing that makes you happiest at Christmas?
Buying gifts for others! Picking out something special for my people makes me happy. Yet I hate having to wait to see their reactions. Also, being surrounded with love at the holidays fills my cup ten times over.

What do you want most for Christmas?
Going to be honest here and say a baby. I would love it, and be super scared, anxious, and generally overly worried. But it would be very exciting to be pregnant. However, I don’t think that Santa has got that in his present bag for me. Other than that, I just want surprise gifts. I like seeing what others have picked out for me, rather than me telling them what to get me.

Happy Holidays! I tag everyone to do this tag, even if you are reading it after Christmas.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

These Are A Few Of My Favorite Posts

- Bunny Leave a comment

Hi Friends,
I started this bookish blog back in Mach of 2021, and boy has it been a ride. I’ve had fun writing all my posts, and sharing my love of books (and other things) with you all. In this post, I wanted to share some of the posts that I had the most fun writing for so far.

March TBR Feat. Tis The Damn Readathon
This was second post ever, and it is very special to me. I participated in my first readathon of the year. My husband pushed me to read a different book for each post. It was crazy, but I was glad that I challenged my self to read more than I usually would. So, this post will always be one of my favorites.

Coffee Meets Books // Holiday Edition
I thought that this post was very unique. Although it might have been done by others, it was interesting pairing books with coffee. I really had to think of what book to pair with each drink.

Ones I Couldn’t Live Without // Thankful Thursday
Although, I loved all my ‘Thankful Thursday’ posts, this one warms my heart. I was happy to get the opportunity to talk about the ones I love so much. It gave me a chance to remember how grateful I am to have these people in my life.

The Gilmore Girls Tag
If you have read my bio, you know I am a huge (no, mega!) Gilmore Girls fan. This tag was loads of fun to do, and I want to do another GG tag in the future.

Thanksgiving Day 2021 // A Day In Pictures
I don’t share too much of my personal life on the blog, so this post was a nice change. The photos gave my readers a small glimpse into my life. I hope that you enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed putting it together.

Music Meets Books // Holiday Edition
This is another recommendations post that was a blast to write. I came up with this idea, and immediately knew the book and song pairings. I think that a lot of the recommendations worked well, and it put me in the holiday spirit.

For The Ones You Love // Book Recommendations
As you can see, I love doing book recommendations. It was interesting suggestions books for people in other people’s lives. I don’t know if it actually helped anyone with their Christmas shopping, but I like to think it did. Nevertheless, it was a cute post, and different from the normal gift guides we get every year.

The Bookmas Tag
This post kind of kick started Bookmas 2021, which, if I being honest, has been a bit much too handle. However, I am happy that I decided to do the ’12 Days Of Bookmas’. This post had a ton of fun questions, and I had a good time coming up with my answers.

I love all my posts in their own ways, but these ones have stood out to me. If you are a fellow blogger, let me know what posts you enjoyed writing in 2021! As per usual, like, share, comment, and follow the blog. And once again, happy holidays to all of you.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny