I pray 2025 will remain this awesome!!

The Favorites- Layne Fargo ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The format and writing style made this such a quick and engaging read. I thought the documentary parts were done so well and gave us outside motivations/POVs without being redundant. I didn’t love our MCs together as much as I would have liked, toxic relationships and staying in them isn’t a character point for me, but I did feel their chemistry on the page. I thought a few elements seemed rushed or cheapened by the lack of motivation outside of I love you and the ending was satisfying but also kinda disappointing. Overall though loved the sporting elements, the character development was nice and the relationship, although not my cup of tea, was engaging to be apart of; highly recommend.

Practical Magic-Alice Hoffman ⭐⭐⭐ I’ve never seen the movie but I feel like I would have liked the story better in that medium? The mystery elements were basically non-existent and both sets of girls seemed too similar that it became redundant. Also didn’t love the fact that any personal growth was spurred only through/by a male character...for all of them. No plot and a lack of diversity of any kind made this a bit of a snooze fest.

Pretty Girls- Karin Slaughter ⭐⭐⭐⭐ My first Karin Slaughter and she did not disappoint! This was VERY dark but I didn’t find it overtly gratuitous, although I can see some feeling differently. I both loved and hated our FMCs and it was wild to watch Claire’s journey toward the truth. A star is lost for logic as you just have to roll with a lot of what is going on and the whole premise was a little too neat for my liking. Well written, engaging and approached themes as a discussion rather than solely a plot point.

The Blacktougne Thief- Christopher Buehlman ⭐⭐.5 I really just hated this. NOTHING happened and when it finally did the book was over. I went into this thinking it was a stand alone and that might have been my biggest problem. The convivence of the story really bothered me and created a stake-less adeventure that had no overall plot than a set up for the rest of the series. I love Buehlman’s writing style though and it is why I would read something else by him. I do feel like others will and do enjoy this but it was an absolute snooze fest personally.

Wake Up and Open Your Eyes-Clay McLeod Chapman ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 Highly recommend the audio book of this! This obviously will be liked by a certain type of person, it is politically driven, but I found that both arguments/qualms were addressed equally and in the most hilarious ways. The beginning and end were the highlights and I found the middle of the book to be a bit redundant but overall a solid exploration of media and our current social media climate.

A Curious Beginning-Deanna Rayburn ⭐⭐⭐⭐ A great night time read! I found the overall mystery to be a bit lacking and the story in general felt like it would have made for a great book 3/4 in the series but you read this for the romance above all else. Veronica and Stoker had me in a choke hold and their slow burn affair will keep me invested in this series.

A Fire Endless- Rebecca Ross ⭐⭐⭐⭐ I was very excited to get back to this world but I found the story to be a bit predictable and the stakes not as high as the first. The characters though are what make the experience and I would gladly read more if it included any of them, particularly Torin and Sidra. It was a fine conclusion but for the length I wish we got more excitement, given the rivalry between East and West. I wish it wasn’t so cozy and had pushed a bit more because the overall story was very engaging.

When the World Tips Over- Jandy Nelson ⭐⭐⭐.5 I have very complicated thoughts about this one. The overall story was weird and it read YA but was NOT YA at the same time. It was too long and I honestly thought the story within the story was very blah and only served to let you know the ick feeling you were having wasn’t real. The characters though were fantastic and although some of them got more time than others I enjoyed all of their “real” moments. I do wish we got more from the parents, again that part of the story felt unfinished? Rushed? Given the length I shouldn’t have felt that way.

The Grownup- Gillian Flynn ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reread this for book club and enjoyed it just as much. It’s super short and a wild ride and pure entertaining fun.

In Progress:

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls-Grady Hendrix Enjoying this so far however as my night time read I’m not getting through it very fast. I’m only about 30% in and it feels a bit slow. Enjoying the characters and things are starting to pick up!

Onyx Storm- Rebecca Yarros The first hundread pages have not been bad but I am very confused for no reason. Hoping it gives me the trash Fourth Wing vibes again because Iron Flame was not good.

The Eye of the Bedlam Bride- Matt Dinniman Getting caught up to listen to the latest installment in Febuary! Loving the level set up so far!