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daniobsessivelyreads's reviews
779 reviews
Ruins of Starlight by B.C. FaJohn
adventurous
challenging
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
**๐จ๐น๐ช ๐น๐๐๐๐๐** ๐น๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐บ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ฉ.๐ช. ๐ญ๐๐ฑ๐๐๐ (๐ช๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ซ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ #1)
Release Date: February 11, 2025
5โญ๏ธ3๐ถ
I love B. C. FaJohn! She always delivers the darkest and broodiest of males. Who always have the most formidable of powers, but have a soft spot for that one FMC.
Morgana has been on her own for a while; however, her brother went missing while in service to the Anarcists in the Shadow Realm. While searching for him, she finds Astor torturing someone that may have had information about her brother. Astor turns out to be the nameless faceless Crown Prince who is looking for a cure to his Shadow Magic that is slowly poisoning him from the inside out.
The tension and slow burn between Astor and Morgana is delicious! They both have a very dark past and neither of them hesitate to use their darker side to get what they want.
I highly recommend this book for all From Blood and Ash fans or A Court of Thrones and Roses fans!
Themes/Tropes:
๐Victorian Era Fantasy
๐Shadow Daddy
๐ Grumpy-grumpy
๐Shadow Mommy
๐Searching for lost family
๐Enemies to lovers
๐Dark and Broody Past
TW:
โจDrug Abuse
โจFighting sequences
โจPhysical child abuse (past)
โจAbuse by a parent
โจMurder
โจTorture
โจSexual slavery (past)
Release Date: February 11, 2025
5โญ๏ธ3๐ถ
I love B. C. FaJohn! She always delivers the darkest and broodiest of males. Who always have the most formidable of powers, but have a soft spot for that one FMC.
Morgana has been on her own for a while; however, her brother went missing while in service to the Anarcists in the Shadow Realm. While searching for him, she finds Astor torturing someone that may have had information about her brother. Astor turns out to be the nameless faceless Crown Prince who is looking for a cure to his Shadow Magic that is slowly poisoning him from the inside out.
The tension and slow burn between Astor and Morgana is delicious! They both have a very dark past and neither of them hesitate to use their darker side to get what they want.
I highly recommend this book for all From Blood and Ash fans or A Court of Thrones and Roses fans!
Themes/Tropes:
๐Victorian Era Fantasy
๐Shadow Daddy
๐ Grumpy-grumpy
๐Shadow Mommy
๐Searching for lost family
๐Enemies to lovers
๐Dark and Broody Past
TW:
โจDrug Abuse
โจFighting sequences
โจPhysical child abuse (past)
โจAbuse by a parent
โจMurder
โจTorture
โจSexual slavery (past)
A Crown of Victory and Vengeance by Vera Raye
adventurous
challenging
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
**๐จ๐น๐ช ๐น๐๐๐๐๐** ๐จ ๐ช๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ฝ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐
๐ฝ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ฝ๐๐๐ ๐น๐๐๐ (๐ป๐๐ ๐ช๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐บ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐บ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐
๐ช๐๐๐๐ ๐บ๐๐๐
๐๐๐ #2)
Release Date: February 25, 2025
5โญ๏ธ4๐ถ
This book has landed Vera Raye as one of my must read authors. This is the second book in The Curse of Silver Secrets and Cruel Shadows series, and I cannot get enough! The first book ended on a cliffhanger of epic proporations. Evie has called into question everything she knows and loves due to the betrayal in the first book. Zandyr did what he had to, but now things he should have done everything differently. The conflict between these two is so FIREY!
The Blood Brotherhood Dynasty is preparing for war against the Serpents. But when Zandyr leaves for war, he leaves his new wife to try and keep the capital safe from the underhanded, cold-hearted advisors that have done nothing for the common people of Pheonix Peak. Banu and Valuta have convinced the Blood Brotherhood Court that they only want the best for them, but they're really spinning everything to their own advantage. Including, defaming Evie to the point that all the common people believe her to be nothing more than a shallow gold digger that just wants Zandyr for his title.
The political machinations in this book, plus the spicy tension, plus the battles and training sequences! I ate up every crump and was not hungry afterwards. I highly recommend this series for Jennifer Armentrout, Sarah Maas, Danielle Jensen, and Elise Kova fans!
Themes/Tropes:
๐Enemies-to-lovers
๐Arranged Marriage
๐Fated Mates
๐Rival Kingdoms at war
๐Political backstabbing
๐Grumpy-grumpy
๐Hidden princess
TW:
โจMurder
โจBattle sequences
โจGore
โจPolitical betrayal/slander
โจIndifferent parents
โจParental Abandonment (past)
Release Date: February 25, 2025
5โญ๏ธ4๐ถ
This book has landed Vera Raye as one of my must read authors. This is the second book in The Curse of Silver Secrets and Cruel Shadows series, and I cannot get enough! The first book ended on a cliffhanger of epic proporations. Evie has called into question everything she knows and loves due to the betrayal in the first book. Zandyr did what he had to, but now things he should have done everything differently. The conflict between these two is so FIREY!
The Blood Brotherhood Dynasty is preparing for war against the Serpents. But when Zandyr leaves for war, he leaves his new wife to try and keep the capital safe from the underhanded, cold-hearted advisors that have done nothing for the common people of Pheonix Peak. Banu and Valuta have convinced the Blood Brotherhood Court that they only want the best for them, but they're really spinning everything to their own advantage. Including, defaming Evie to the point that all the common people believe her to be nothing more than a shallow gold digger that just wants Zandyr for his title.
The political machinations in this book, plus the spicy tension, plus the battles and training sequences! I ate up every crump and was not hungry afterwards. I highly recommend this series for Jennifer Armentrout, Sarah Maas, Danielle Jensen, and Elise Kova fans!
Themes/Tropes:
๐Enemies-to-lovers
๐Arranged Marriage
๐Fated Mates
๐Rival Kingdoms at war
๐Political backstabbing
๐Grumpy-grumpy
๐Hidden princess
TW:
โจMurder
โจBattle sequences
โจGore
โจPolitical betrayal/slander
โจIndifferent parents
โจParental Abandonment (past)
Iron & Embers by Helen Scheuerer
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
**๐จ๐น๐ช ๐น๐๐๐๐๐** ๐ฐ๐๐๐ & ๐ฌ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ฏ๐๐๐๐ ๐บ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ (๐ป๐๐ ๐จ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ป๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ #1 )
Release Date: January 28, 2025
5โญ๏ธ4๐ถ
This book sucked me in from the moment the lost princess turned assassin via going to school to become a full Alchemist who can poison or heal someone in a moment. Wren has only ever wanted to go to Drevenor school to hone her skills with herbs, poisons, and potions. Prior to the war, she had been an apprentice in Thezmarr to become a healer, but after the war her focus became revenge. In the five years since the war ended, she has spent her time tracking down and poisoning all those who took her friends and family.
Torj is a Warsword who has been enamored with her since before the war when they were living in Thezmarr together, but her path for vengeance did not allow for love and romance. So, he watched over her from afar.
Torj and Wren are forced to work together when Torj is posted as her personal bodyguard after an attempt on another royals life has put all royals in jeopardy. Torj is not thrilled with this post, because he has been avoiding Wren since she ruined his mission two years ago with her plans for vengeance.
Themes/Tropes:
๐Warrior-Warrior relationship
๐Bodyguard Romance
๐Lost Princess Trope
๐Throne of Glass vibes
๐Snape vibes
๐Dark Acadamia Potion/Poison school
๐Harry Potter/Hunger Games Vibes
TW:
โจLoss of family members
โจMurder by violence
โจMurder by poisoning
โจBattle Sequences
โจPhysical Trials
Release Date: January 28, 2025
5โญ๏ธ4๐ถ
This book sucked me in from the moment the lost princess turned assassin via going to school to become a full Alchemist who can poison or heal someone in a moment. Wren has only ever wanted to go to Drevenor school to hone her skills with herbs, poisons, and potions. Prior to the war, she had been an apprentice in Thezmarr to become a healer, but after the war her focus became revenge. In the five years since the war ended, she has spent her time tracking down and poisoning all those who took her friends and family.
Torj is a Warsword who has been enamored with her since before the war when they were living in Thezmarr together, but her path for vengeance did not allow for love and romance. So, he watched over her from afar.
Torj and Wren are forced to work together when Torj is posted as her personal bodyguard after an attempt on another royals life has put all royals in jeopardy. Torj is not thrilled with this post, because he has been avoiding Wren since she ruined his mission two years ago with her plans for vengeance.
Themes/Tropes:
๐Warrior-Warrior relationship
๐Bodyguard Romance
๐Lost Princess Trope
๐Throne of Glass vibes
๐Snape vibes
๐Dark Acadamia Potion/Poison school
๐Harry Potter/Hunger Games Vibes
TW:
โจLoss of family members
โจMurder by violence
โจMurder by poisoning
โจBattle Sequences
โจPhysical Trials
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
**๐น๐ฌ๐ฝ๐ฐ๐ฌ๐พ** ๐ถ๐๐๐ ๐บ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐น๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ (๐ป๐๐ ๐ฌ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ #3)
Release Date: January 21, 2025
5โญ๏ธ4๐ถ
This series gets more and more complex and emotional as it progresses, and it's delicious to read. Violet and Xaden continue to try and find a way to defeat the Venin without loosing all those that they hold dear.
Andarna appears to be a seventh breed of dragon that may or may not exist, so they spend a good portion of the book trying to find them in order for them to help restore the wards.
Venin continue to attack with increasing strength and frequency. Many civilians are lost to the Venin. Xaden's "problem" continues to grow worse, and he pulls away from Violet thinking that is what is best for her.
By the end of this book, I have many more questions that I started with, and only a few answers to questions I had going into this book. However, I'm on this train for the long haul and can't wait for the next book in the series.
Themes/Tropes:
๐Enemies-to-lovers
๐Dragon Riders
๐College/Acadamia Setting
๐Hunger Games Vibes
๐Ender's Games Vibes
๐Dragons-Wyverns-Sorcerers
๐Bad Boy with Good Intentions
TW:
โจDeath
โจViolence
โจMurder
โจTraining and Battle Sequences
โจLoss of Parent (past)
โจLoss in general
Release Date: January 21, 2025
5โญ๏ธ4๐ถ
This series gets more and more complex and emotional as it progresses, and it's delicious to read. Violet and Xaden continue to try and find a way to defeat the Venin without loosing all those that they hold dear.
Andarna appears to be a seventh breed of dragon that may or may not exist, so they spend a good portion of the book trying to find them in order for them to help restore the wards.
Venin continue to attack with increasing strength and frequency. Many civilians are lost to the Venin. Xaden's "problem" continues to grow worse, and he pulls away from Violet thinking that is what is best for her.
By the end of this book, I have many more questions that I started with, and only a few answers to questions I had going into this book. However, I'm on this train for the long haul and can't wait for the next book in the series.
Themes/Tropes:
๐Enemies-to-lovers
๐Dragon Riders
๐College/Acadamia Setting
๐Hunger Games Vibes
๐Ender's Games Vibes
๐Dragons-Wyverns-Sorcerers
๐Bad Boy with Good Intentions
TW:
โจDeath
โจViolence
โจMurder
โจTraining and Battle Sequences
โจLoss of Parent (past)
โจLoss in general
Redeemed by Lauren Asher
adventurous
challenging
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
**๐น๐ฌ๐ฝ๐ฐ๐ฌ๐พ** ๐น๐๐
๐๐๐๐๐
๐๐ ๐ณ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐จ๐๐๐๐ (๐ซ๐๐๐๐ ๐จ๐๐ ๐บ๐๐๐๐๐ #4
Release Date: January 23, 2021
5โญ๏ธ4๐ถ
This isn't as fast or furious as the first three books in this series; however, it totally makes up for it with emotional depth and trauma. Both the FMC and MMC have major trauma that they decide to work on separately and together in order to find their better selves. I highly recommend this book to all readers.
Santiago Alatorre was on track to be the number one F1 driver in Europe, until a very damaging crash took his love of driving, his career, and his self-confidence away. After the fateful crash, he spends years hiding away on his property in Lake Como, Italy until fate takes another turn and a young woman breaks into his property.
Chloe Carter has lived in NYC her whole life in and out of foster care due to her mother's neglect. She's given her druggie mother more chances than she should have to come clean and have a positive relationship with her, but it never works out. Her best friend Brooke has taken care of her and she's done the same for her since they've been in foster care together. Brooke buys her a DNA testing kit, and Chloe finds out she has an immediate family member who lives in the Lake Como area.
Sparks fly between Chloe and Santi. They agree to fake date each other, so that Santi's family will stop hovering so much and so Chloe has an in with her newly aquired family member. They say they're fake dating until they both realize that their feelings are very real.
Themes/Tropes:
๐Physical trauma to the body
๐PTSD due to car crash
๐Fake dating
๐Grumpy-sunshine
๐Coming back to racing after career ending crash
TW:
โจPTSD
โจNegletful, manipulative, and abusive mother
โจDepression
โจSelf doubt
Release Date: January 23, 2021
5โญ๏ธ4๐ถ
This isn't as fast or furious as the first three books in this series; however, it totally makes up for it with emotional depth and trauma. Both the FMC and MMC have major trauma that they decide to work on separately and together in order to find their better selves. I highly recommend this book to all readers.
Santiago Alatorre was on track to be the number one F1 driver in Europe, until a very damaging crash took his love of driving, his career, and his self-confidence away. After the fateful crash, he spends years hiding away on his property in Lake Como, Italy until fate takes another turn and a young woman breaks into his property.
Chloe Carter has lived in NYC her whole life in and out of foster care due to her mother's neglect. She's given her druggie mother more chances than she should have to come clean and have a positive relationship with her, but it never works out. Her best friend Brooke has taken care of her and she's done the same for her since they've been in foster care together. Brooke buys her a DNA testing kit, and Chloe finds out she has an immediate family member who lives in the Lake Como area.
Sparks fly between Chloe and Santi. They agree to fake date each other, so that Santi's family will stop hovering so much and so Chloe has an in with her newly aquired family member. They say they're fake dating until they both realize that their feelings are very real.
Themes/Tropes:
๐Physical trauma to the body
๐PTSD due to car crash
๐Fake dating
๐Grumpy-sunshine
๐Coming back to racing after career ending crash
TW:
โจPTSD
โจNegletful, manipulative, and abusive mother
โจDepression
โจSelf doubt
Wrecked by Lauren Asher
adventurous
challenging
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
**๐น๐๐๐๐๐** ๐พ๐๐๐๐๐๐
๐๐ ๐ณ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐จ๐๐๐๐
Release Date: September 30, 2020
4โญ๏ธ3.5๐ถ
This is the third book in the Dirty Air series by Lauren Asher, and It's just as fast and hot as the first two! Racing bad boy Jax is feeling more alone and anxiety prone than ever. His tattoos and all black attire doesn't scare off Elena.
Jax's boss has hired Elena to babysit him 24/7 due to his recent exploits with drugs, alcohol, and women that have landed him in the tabloids and not in a good way. Jax has been battling anxiety and panic attacks. His mother's declining health with Huntington's disease has only increased his overall anxiety.
Elena is not easily scared off by his bad boy persona or snapping attitude. She sees that he's hurting underneath his hard exterior. Despite her best efforts, she's starting to have feelings for him. Plus, the large paycheck to babysit him helps her pay for her grandmother's care for her Alzheimer's.
Themes/Tropes:
๐Bad boy with emotional issues
๐Race car driving adrenaline seeker
๐Straight lace girl w/ bad boy
๐Grumpy-sunshine
๐Racing hotties
TW:
โจMurder
โจGang related violence (past)
โจAnxiety
โจPanic Attacks
โจPrescription Drug Abuse
Brewing Up a Bad Boy: A Spicy Romantic Comedy by Katherine Garbera
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
**๐จ๐น๐ช ๐น๐๐๐๐๐** ๐ฉ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ผ๐ ๐ ๐ฉ๐๐
๐ฉ๐๐ (๐พ๐๐๐๐๐
๐บ๐๐๐๐๐๐ #3) ๐๐ ๐ฒ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ฎ๐๐๐๐๐๐
Release Date: January 21, 2025
4โญ๏ธ4๐ถ
This book is 100% second chance romance. Poppy and Alistair were previously married when she was only 18, but unbeknownst to her Alistair was only dating/marrying her for her family's tea recipes. After their marriage, she found out about that twist in her contract with her father-in-law and immediately asked for a divorce. Alistair was doing all of this to Poppy to prove to his father that he is the better son.
After the divorce, Alistair realizes that his Father's approval will never happen and is not needed, and that he let go of the only person who's ever loved or cared about him for him. After a lot of therapy and soul-searching, Alistair attempts to right his wrongs with Poppy by going to battle with her against his father for her tear recipes. Somewhere along the way, Poppy realizes how much they have both grown and changed since their divorce.
This book has all the highs and lows, and there is plenty of spice to go with it all.
Themes/Tropes:
๐Second Chance Love
๐Bad boy energy
๐Jealous Boyfriend
๐Fake Marriage
TW:
โจMental breaks (yelling, punching objects)
โจTherapy for Anger Management
โจManipulative Parents
โจBetrayal
Release Date: January 21, 2025
4โญ๏ธ4๐ถ
This book is 100% second chance romance. Poppy and Alistair were previously married when she was only 18, but unbeknownst to her Alistair was only dating/marrying her for her family's tea recipes. After their marriage, she found out about that twist in her contract with her father-in-law and immediately asked for a divorce. Alistair was doing all of this to Poppy to prove to his father that he is the better son.
After the divorce, Alistair realizes that his Father's approval will never happen and is not needed, and that he let go of the only person who's ever loved or cared about him for him. After a lot of therapy and soul-searching, Alistair attempts to right his wrongs with Poppy by going to battle with her against his father for her tear recipes. Somewhere along the way, Poppy realizes how much they have both grown and changed since their divorce.
This book has all the highs and lows, and there is plenty of spice to go with it all.
Themes/Tropes:
๐Second Chance Love
๐Bad boy energy
๐Jealous Boyfriend
๐Fake Marriage
TW:
โจMental breaks (yelling, punching objects)
โจTherapy for Anger Management
โจManipulative Parents
โจBetrayal
Give Me Butterflies by Jillian Meadows
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
**๐จ๐น๐ช ๐น๐๐๐๐๐** ๐ฎ๐๐๐ ๐ด๐ ๐ฉ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ฑ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ด๐๐๐
๐๐๐
Release Date: January 21, 2025
5โญ๏ธ5๐ถ
I absolutely loved this Rom Com with all the feel goods and heart warming characters. Millie works at a Natural History Museum in the "Butterfly House" essentially and she's applying to become a Director within the Museum. The Director position has been her dream job for a while now, and she's doing everything in her power to do well with the interview process.
Finn also works at the Natural History museum, but in the Astronomy department. Millie accidentally runs into his car in the parking lot on the morning of her first interview. She sees him and this his a brooding dark lord straight out of the Star Wars franchise. She has a minor panic attack when she goes inside and realizes he's on the panel of people that are interviewing her for her dream job.
Millie meets the Kylo Ren double again when she finds out he has twin 5 year old girls in her Summer Camp program, Avery and Eloise. They're absolutely adorable, and she finds out that their mother died due to cancer and Finn is actually their uncle who adopted them.
Millie finds herself going to Finn's house every Friday to hang out with his girls to bake cooks, make pizza, and general teach Finn how to not burn the kitchen down. There friendship turns from grumpy and sunshine to sunshine and sunshine. But she doesn't want their relationship to be anything more than friends, so it doesn't put her dream job in jeopardy. They just can't seem to stay away from each other.
This is definitely in my top 5 rom coms ever! I'm going to be recommending this to every rom com reader I know!
Themes/Tropes:
๐Nerd-nerd couple
๐Enemies-to-lovers
๐Boss-sub-employee relationship
๐Grumpy-sunshine
TW:
โจVerbal abuse and gaslighting (past)
โจLoss of a parent
โจLoss of a sibling via cancer
โจEmotionally distant and manipulative parents
โจAnxiety symptoms and attacks
Release Date: January 21, 2025
5โญ๏ธ5๐ถ
I absolutely loved this Rom Com with all the feel goods and heart warming characters. Millie works at a Natural History Museum in the "Butterfly House" essentially and she's applying to become a Director within the Museum. The Director position has been her dream job for a while now, and she's doing everything in her power to do well with the interview process.
Finn also works at the Natural History museum, but in the Astronomy department. Millie accidentally runs into his car in the parking lot on the morning of her first interview. She sees him and this his a brooding dark lord straight out of the Star Wars franchise. She has a minor panic attack when she goes inside and realizes he's on the panel of people that are interviewing her for her dream job.
Millie meets the Kylo Ren double again when she finds out he has twin 5 year old girls in her Summer Camp program, Avery and Eloise. They're absolutely adorable, and she finds out that their mother died due to cancer and Finn is actually their uncle who adopted them.
Millie finds herself going to Finn's house every Friday to hang out with his girls to bake cooks, make pizza, and general teach Finn how to not burn the kitchen down. There friendship turns from grumpy and sunshine to sunshine and sunshine. But she doesn't want their relationship to be anything more than friends, so it doesn't put her dream job in jeopardy. They just can't seem to stay away from each other.
This is definitely in my top 5 rom coms ever! I'm going to be recommending this to every rom com reader I know!
Themes/Tropes:
๐Nerd-nerd couple
๐Enemies-to-lovers
๐Boss-sub-employee relationship
๐Grumpy-sunshine
TW:
โจVerbal abuse and gaslighting (past)
โจLoss of a parent
โจLoss of a sibling via cancer
โจEmotionally distant and manipulative parents
โจAnxiety symptoms and attacks
Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao
emotional
3.0
**๐จ๐น๐ช ๐น๐๐๐๐๐** ๐พ๐๐๐๐ ๐ด๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐บ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐บ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐
Release Date: January 14, 2025
3โญ๏ธ
This book is not for me, so I DNFed it. There are people out there that love the "what if" books where you go down a rabbit hole of "what if" I never got on that bus (or whatever it is), then the MC wakes up at the end of the book and realizes none of it was real.
I feel like that's where this book is going. There is a Pawn Shop in Tokyo where anyone who has made a choice in the past that they regret and cannot get past it, they can come to this Pawn Shop and "trade their choice away." So, they essentially forget they ever made that choice and they can move on with their lives. The FMC is inheriting the pawn shop from her elderly father, who has mostly lived inside a Sake bottle since his wife left.
Themes/Tropes:
๐"what if" rabbit hole
๐Black Box Magic
TW:
โจAlcohol Abuse
Release Date: January 14, 2025
3โญ๏ธ
This book is not for me, so I DNFed it. There are people out there that love the "what if" books where you go down a rabbit hole of "what if" I never got on that bus (or whatever it is), then the MC wakes up at the end of the book and realizes none of it was real.
I feel like that's where this book is going. There is a Pawn Shop in Tokyo where anyone who has made a choice in the past that they regret and cannot get past it, they can come to this Pawn Shop and "trade their choice away." So, they essentially forget they ever made that choice and they can move on with their lives. The FMC is inheriting the pawn shop from her elderly father, who has mostly lived inside a Sake bottle since his wife left.
Themes/Tropes:
๐"what if" rabbit hole
๐Black Box Magic
TW:
โจAlcohol Abuse
Work in Progress by Kat Mackenzie
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
**๐จ๐น๐ช ๐น๐๐๐๐๐** ๐พ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ท๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ฒ๐๐ ๐ด๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐
Release Date: January 14, 2025
4.5โญ๏ธ2.5๐ถ
This book is so heartwarming and real! It was exactly what I needed this week to lift my spirits! I have to thank Kat Mackenzie for making me want to go on a bus tour of Scotland....right now! This book was so magical and whimsical with its adorable little bus full of adorable older ladies. This book gave me all the wanderlust for a country that I've always longed to see. I think I'm going to have to move Scotland up on my bucket list!
Alice is nearing 30 and has just lost her job and her fiancรฉ. What better time to travel to Scotland? She books a super affordable last minute flight to Edinburgh and signs up for a Literary Bus Tour of Scotland (specifically for female tourists). Except go off the rails, starting with her flight to Edinburgh. At the end of the harrowing 36 hour flight, she meets a man at the baggage claim counter that will do nothing but get in her way, who later turns out to be the one and only tour guide for her 3 week long trip.
Alice slowly warms to the bus full of older ladies, and the handsome tour guide also starts to grow on her. From sharing her story with a group of experience women, she realizes that no ones life is perfect and many things happen for the better. While her ex was very good on paper, she comes to realize that she didn't have any real passion with him. But she may have found real passion with the Scottish, worldly tour guide.
I ate this book up, and left no crumbs!
Themes/Tropes:
๐Rom Com
๐Contemporary Romance
๐Traveling to find yourself
๐Scotland
๐Trip of your dreams
๐Enemies-to-lovers
๐Finding your passion
TW:
โจCheating
โจLoss (past)
Release Date: January 14, 2025
4.5โญ๏ธ2.5๐ถ
This book is so heartwarming and real! It was exactly what I needed this week to lift my spirits! I have to thank Kat Mackenzie for making me want to go on a bus tour of Scotland....right now! This book was so magical and whimsical with its adorable little bus full of adorable older ladies. This book gave me all the wanderlust for a country that I've always longed to see. I think I'm going to have to move Scotland up on my bucket list!
Alice is nearing 30 and has just lost her job and her fiancรฉ. What better time to travel to Scotland? She books a super affordable last minute flight to Edinburgh and signs up for a Literary Bus Tour of Scotland (specifically for female tourists). Except go off the rails, starting with her flight to Edinburgh. At the end of the harrowing 36 hour flight, she meets a man at the baggage claim counter that will do nothing but get in her way, who later turns out to be the one and only tour guide for her 3 week long trip.
Alice slowly warms to the bus full of older ladies, and the handsome tour guide also starts to grow on her. From sharing her story with a group of experience women, she realizes that no ones life is perfect and many things happen for the better. While her ex was very good on paper, she comes to realize that she didn't have any real passion with him. But she may have found real passion with the Scottish, worldly tour guide.
I ate this book up, and left no crumbs!
Themes/Tropes:
๐Rom Com
๐Contemporary Romance
๐Traveling to find yourself
๐Scotland
๐Trip of your dreams
๐Enemies-to-lovers
๐Finding your passion
TW:
โจCheating
โจLoss (past)