The time it was a mutiny {12}

Hi guys! Welcome to another edition of the mutiny.

What’s the mutiny you ask? Well, I have always said that I wasn’t going to become a review blog and yet, I’ve had this itch in the back of my head… so here we are. I’m waging a mutiny against myself and I’m going to do some mini reviews + feature upcoming reads I’m excited about.

For this specific edition, I’m going to share some of my favorite reads from November and December, so settle in!

Stain by AG Howard — 4★ — This one took me some time to get into: I started it in January and didn’t finish it until November. It’s not the book’s fault, it’s mine.  There are several moving parts here and at times it was overwhelming; however I knew Anita would keep me captivated and she delivered. The writing is lush, the world is imaginative, and I was invested in what happened from the very start.

A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer — 5★ — This is one that I’ve had forever and I’m not sure why it took so long for me to get to it.  I loved Harper and Rhen and Grey. The three of them are so similar and so different and I really enjoyed reading them learn about each other in this strange dynamic. Plot wise, it’s sort of a slow build up, but the underlying expectation makes for some delicious tension.

King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo — 4★ — KOS is another book that I started in January and didn’t finish until the end of the year. Of course I loved Nina and Nikolai and Zoya. It was delightful seeing three sides of the story and only Leigh can get me to read multiple POVs without complaint. It did feel more like world building than action. Things were a bit slow and meandering and it was in those spaces that I kept setting it down and walking away for months at a time. Once the action really started to happen, I was captivated and couldn’t read fast enough.

The Queen of Nothing by Holly Black — 5★ — I started QON as soon as I got it in my greedy hands and straight up devoured it. I have loved Jude from the first page of this series. She’s stubborn and resilient and knows what she wants and how to go after it. I have been captivated by her story and her inner monologue and I can’t imagine anyone else telling this story. Of course I love Cardan and the way he and Jude push and pull and antagonize each other. Plot wise, it was nothing I expected and everything I wanted.

The Secret She Keeps by HelenKay Dimon — 4★ — I had really enjoyed the previous book in this series, so I was absolutely getting to this one. I loved Maddie and Connor. She’s tenacious and he’s charming and together they have banter and loads of chemistry. I did figure out the twist about half way through the book, but it didn’t take anything away from the story. I would have liked a little more from the ending, but I think I’m just being greedy.

My Darling Duke by Stacy Reid — 5★ — I love love loved Kitty and Alexander. They’re both smart, stubborn, good people in seemingly difficult situations. They’re so much alike, it was delightful reading them navigate this fake real relationship. Oh, and I could have choked on the chemistry between them. There’s loads of communication and yes, it’s not always the complete truth, but I never tired of the inner monologue from either MC.

Love Her or Lose Her by Tessa Bailey — 5★ — As soon as I read Rosie on the page of book 1, I couldn’t wait for her story. I loved her and Dominic. I love their history and their passion. The chemistry between them was overwhelming at times, yet somehow it really grounded them. Some scenes did feel a little repetitive, but it helped to show how they were taking down the walls and communicating. There were some subtle swoons and seeing these two reminisce and reconnect made it so easy to root for them.

The Prince of Broadway by Joanna Shupe — 5★ — I have loved everything I’ve read from Joanna and I no longer even read the synopsis. I love love loved Florence and Clay. They’re both determined, business minded, and know how to go after what they want. I especially loved that she was ready to do whatever it took to get her casino going. There are a few plot threads and I was eager to read about all of them. There are a few shoe drops and I wasn’t prepared for all of them, even when I knew they were going to happen; however, the grand gesture is the absolute best.

Undercover Bromance by Lyssa Kay Adams — 5★ — With this one still so far away from being released, I don’t want to post a review for it yet.  I will say that I devoured it and I think I love it more than Bromance Book Club. This one is fun and full of heart and absolutely heartbreaking and I have so many feelings.

Layoverland by Gabby Noone — I love this premise and that bright cover and I can’t wait to see how this unique sounding story plays out.

The Look-Alike by Erica Spinder — I’m making a conscious effort to get back to reading thrillers in 2020 and this is the first one on the list.  I’ve read other books from Erica and she never disappoints.

The Worst Best Man by Mia Sosa —  I love everything about this premise, especially the hate to love aspect.

What about you? Have you read any of these books or do you want to?