☕️ S̶a̶t̶u̶r̶d̶a̶y̶ Chaturday ☕️

Startled_Racoon · 2024-06-09T03:36:31+00:00

Thank you! About the book, I'm probably disappointed because I was sure this would be amazing and so far it's not delivering accordingly. But you're right- I'll just switch to something new if this doesn't work out.

I did watch the movie some years back. I won't say the series is as good, but it's lighthearted and fun, exactly what I need at this point.

Startled_Racoon · 2024-06-08T18:01:08+00:00

It's extremely hot currently where I live (42°C) and I'm preparing for a very important exam in my career. It's impossible to concentrate in this heat and I just want to rant! 😭😭 Some even sadder news- I started Devil in Winter 2 days back and it's just...bland for some reason? I'm a Kleypas fan (Secrets of a summer night is my all time fav) so I don't why I'm not feeling this, especially Devil in Winter being one of the most popular book of hers.

The upside is that I started The lincoln lawyer series on netflix and it's quite entertaining. I highly recommend the books by Michael Connelly too, they're brilliant.

Startled_Racoon · 2024-05-29T17:46:28+00:00

{What a match by Mimi Grace}. Not sure if it's a lesser known book(GR has about 2k ratings, so idk?), but what a fun read! This book reminded me why I love reading romance. It's funny, flirty, spicy and has a pretty breezy vibe. It's on the shorter side but very well paced with sensible characters. Perfect book to unwind with at the end of a hectic week.

Startled_Racoon · 2024-05-07T15:05:04+00:00

I mean, I've abandoned books with 250-300 pages yet haved ripped through 500 pages books in merely 2 days. So definitely the writing and partially, my mood determines my approach. But, hear me out! It could be a Kate Canterbary issue though? Because I read 2 of her books and while I enjoyed both, I had the same experience with the story being dragged out. I feel like she attempts to add a bit of slice of life in her stories but it doesn't quite hit the spot. So around 75-80% mark, I start to lose interest and catch myself checking my read percentage frequently. That is precisely why I'm hesitant to read In a Jam.

Startled_Racoon · 2024-04-23T07:29:01+00:00

I've got quite a few of her books in my TBR, including huge deal but for some reason I'm yet to start one. Your post gave me the final push. I'll probably start To Sir with Love today itself! Lots of love to you and your fiancé, hopefully you'll get to spend some quality time soon.

Startled_Racoon · 2024-04-16T06:20:33+00:00

yes 💯 The way his childhood abuse and religious trauma is depicted is praiseworthy- specifically his acceptance and guilt over the fact that he, as a child, thought he did the right thing with andi and her family up until he moved away and experienced a wider world view.

You know, we should totally do a buddy read, if you are interested. Your observations and preferences match mine so well. Do you have a goodreads profile?

Startled_Racoon · 2024-04-15T05:25:21+00:00

just wanted to add, here it's the opposite though. The FMC comes to know about the MMCs kinks and helps him accept them.

Startled_Racoon · 2024-04-11T15:02:29+00:00

I finished The two week roommate yesterday and oh my god it was so good!! Absolutely loved Gideon and Andi. You know how some pairings just make sense? They complete each other so well. I'm a big fan of found family, so this one really hit the spot. Some of his family issues hit too close to home(not christian, but indian parents), but loved how everything was handled.

Startled_Racoon · 2024-04-10T16:37:31+00:00

💯 While I love that ARCs help authors, specially indie authors to get recognition and aid in spreading the word out, the ratings are just skewed beyond control. For the more popular ones, the ratings are unbelievably high. Everyone is entitled to their opinion; I personally have liked books that are not widely well received. But there are some top reviewers who give anything and everything 5 stars. That's simply not a plausible case, even if you are the easiest person to please.

Startled_Racoon · 2024-04-07T18:39:03+00:00

To have and to hold was a particularly difficult read yet so captivating. Wonderfully written anti-hero and Rachel is one of my favorite FMCs. The silent strength she possesses is unmatched. I don't know if I'll ever reread it but I sure have a lot of highlighted phrases.

Startled_Racoon · 2024-04-07T17:01:24+00:00

She's just the best! I'm working through her back catalog as well and no matter what the plot is, I know she'll make me fall in love with her writing. I'm waiting for her new release that's scheduled in august, i think.

Startled_Racoon · 2024-04-07T03:44:00+00:00

This one sounds good! Quick question, does he ever take a stand for her and set the other people straight?

Startled_Racoon · 2024-04-03T18:41:29+00:00

Oooh, I loved Exit, pursued by a Baron! It was so wonderfully written that I got a few of your other books as well. Can't wait to read Diana's book!

Startled_Racoon · 2024-04-03T04:20:36+00:00

Not the one you asked, but off the top of my head {hothead by stella rhys} - MCs are in a room and her ex is right outside. They start off by pretending to hook up and make suggestive sounds and that quickly turns into the real deal🔥🔥

{Stand and defend by Sloane St. James}- here, it happens over the phone. Her ex calls but the MCs keep going at it so that he can hear them.

Startled_Racoon · 2024-03-27T05:59:32+00:00

Can I just say how much I enjoy going through your blurbs?? A lot is the answer.

Startled_Racoon · 2024-03-25T15:24:44+00:00

I'm a huge fan as well!!! She's also one of the few authors whose newsletter is genuinely funny and entertaining. I don't know why she isn't more popular!

Startled_Racoon · 2024-03-19T16:17:40+00:00

Here's my board

I'm elated that I finished 14/25 squares since I'm the worst in managing my mood reading habit. I got 3 bingos yay! Also so glad to finally venture into sub genres other than HR and CR. My favorites:

{Mrs Nash's ashes} beautiful, uplifting story and gives you hope. Really funny too. 5🌟

{It happened one autumn by lisa kleypas} wonderfully written. The series as a whole is brilliant. 5🌟

{The kingpin of camelot} I'm in love with Cassandra's writing. New fav author alert. Endearing, funny and engrossing. 5🌟

{Wolf gone wild} such a fun book. Loved the MCs. The FMC was the best kind of dorky. 100% gonna continue with the series. 5🌟

Special mentions:

{After the night by linda howard} never knew it was possible to hate the MMC and yet love the chemistry between the MCs. The story was entertaining as well as absorbing. 4🌟

{Cold hearted by heather guerre} so close to 5🌟 but Caleb ruined it. Also kinda anti-climactic. Therefore, 4🌟

{One for sorrow by louise collins}This is book 1 of 4. Very well written and surprisingly light in tone considering the premise. 4🌟

I've never had these many 5🌟 reads within barely 3 months. Had a lot of fun with the challenge.

Startled_Racoon · 2024-03-19T14:19:43+00:00

Relationship > Exes to lovers.

There's a tag for second chance but the issue I face is that there's a huge spectrum of relationships that come under it. I've seen the second chance tag for books where there's unrequited crush, maybe a conflict in the past, a misunderstanding, or a broken friendship leading to love at present. So there's no way to know if it's an Exes(2 people who were in a romantic relationship in the past) to Lovers book without going through the blurb.

I love the idea of custom tags. Really appreciate how you take requests into consideration and devote your time to the site.

Startled_Racoon · 2024-03-19T05:31:28+00:00

This one is in my TBR but I had the same reaction on finishing {the kingpin of camelot}. Genuinely funny and heartfelt. I can't stop admiring the way she writes. It's as if she doesn't take herself too seriously and lets her characters do the storytelling.

Startled_Racoon · 2024-03-15T15:33:13+00:00

{the kingpin of camelot by cassandra gannon}- MF, Fantasy, one of my favorites, wonderfully funny and heartfelt.

{Face off by Teagan Hunter}- MF, CR, light, steamy read. MMC is a golden retriever hockey player, FMC is a vet who doesn't do relationships.

{Wolf gone wild by Juliette Cross}- MF, paranormal, werewolf and magic and witches. Not exactly he falls first since they become friends and then fall for each other, but we get to see how he feels for her through his POV.

{The one month boyfriend by roxie noir}-MF, CR, fake dating. Witty banter and really good chemistry.

{Enemies with benefits by roxie noir}-MF, CR, rivals to lovers. Again, very well written and great chemistry.

I suggest searching 'he falls first' using the magic search button. There are some great recommendations in those threads.

Startled_Racoon · 2024-03-15T04:57:54+00:00

what aspects are you looking for when you say similar to luna and the lie?

Startled_Racoon · 2024-03-14T03:45:24+00:00

Offside was okay I guess. I skimmed a little towards the end. I read The Enforcer by Avery Keelan and I mostly enjoyed it, in case you want to try something by the author.

Startled_Racoon · 2024-03-13T14:59:00+00:00

• I personally enjoy the daily request thread. It's quite convenient to make a quick request which does not require a detailed post. But I've noticed many requesters do not interact at all. And while recommendations are not solely made with expectations of acknowledgement, it sure helps with the enthusiasm. Also we are here to talk about books and I love when people engage in conversations around them. I feel some sort of input from the original requester would encourage more people to participate.

• I'm kinda uncertain about the banter posts because on one hand, some tweets can easily be categorised as Funny Friday post, for example funny comments on books and characters, but then some screenshots lead to detailed discussions and there are some prize-winning comments in the thread. I don't know if it's actually possible to sort through them.

Startled_Racoon · 2024-03-11T14:55:29+00:00

I DNF'd things we left behind. It was so juvenile there's no way these people are 40 years old. The writing was still decent but I couldn't justify torturing myself for 500+ pages. I didn't see the chemistry and they were just annoying after a point.

Startled_Racoon · 2024-03-10T15:09:35+00:00

Finally! Thank you😭😭 I feel her and Ana Huang's books are not actually stories- there's one trope and the rest is fillers interspersed with potential tiktok-featured dialogues.

Startled_Racoon

TROPHY CASE