Monthly Re-Cap - Jan 2024

Hello Readers, Bloggers, and Awesome people! 

Here is the progress from January

No TBR this past month, I needed to get the year going first.

I picked some books off my shelf that have been sitting there for a bit.

I am going to read through some of my physical TBR this year.

~~Books I Read in January 2024~~  

 

  

    

 TBR for February

• Empire of the Damned (Emplire of the Vampire #2) By Jay Kristoff - review copy
• Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree
• Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
• Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Meahrer
• Meet Your Match by MorriganMercy (fanfic)
• New Witch on the Block by Louisa West

How was your January reading?  

Feel free to share it in the comments below! I would love to know what you are reading! 

Recent Reads: The Last Line by Stephen Ronson

The Last Line by Stephen Ronson  

Publisher:  Hodder & Stoughton
Publication Date:  November 16, 2023 

 

Format: Audible Audiobook
Source: Bought/Own

Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

THE LAST LINE is a blistering action thriller combined with a smart noir mystery, played out expertly against the taut backdrop of the British home front.

'John Cook is the Jack Reacher of 1940s Britain' Damien Lewis

May 1940.

With Nazi forces sweeping across France, invasion seems imminent. The English Channel has never felt so narrow.

In rural Sussex, war veteran John Cook has been tasked with preparing the resistance effort, should the worst happen.

But even as the foreign threat looms, it's rumours of a missing child that are troubling Cook. A twelve-year-old girl was evacuated from London and never seen again, and she's just the tip of the iceberg - countless evacuees haven't made it to their host families.

As Cook investigates, he uncovers a dark conspiracy that reaches to the highest ranks of society. He will do whatever it takes to make the culprits pay. There are some lines you just don't cross.

Review: 

A historical fiction, thriller with an English setting - Reacher meets WWII.

This was an action-packed read with a few plot lines to follow along with. 

• Plot 1 - John Cook is ex-military but Germany is about to cross the English Channel and he is a last line of defense. 
• Plot 2- a murder mystery
• Plot 3 - missing girl(s)?

There was a lot going on in this book and lots of characters too. The audio was really well done though and I enjoyed listening to the story. 

Cook, our main character, was strong but stubborn adding to the action of the story. His antics allow for a number of twits in the novel. He was determined and passionate, but also felt like a realistic character. 

Immediately finishing the audiobook, I felt like there was too much going on and that the plot was lost a bit. After sitting with it for a while and really thinking about all of the various smaller plots, I realized that all of them are connected to the war/ war efforts and so John Cook is the last line for more than just an invasion. The overall book was so quick-paced that if you aren't paying attention a reader could miss details, there was so much happening, but it all added to the build up of Cook as a dependable character. 

If you like war-time thrillers and/or determined and dangerous main characters - this book is certainly for you. 

Other thoughts - I am from the US, so a map would have been helpful (does the Hardback have a map?) 

2023 Reading Wrap Up

 Hi Readers, Welcome to 2024! 

I am a bit late sharing this but wanted to get it out... even if late :)

In 2023, I using a reading journal again and I wanted to share some of the stats with you... hopefully you will find them interesting. 

In 2023, I read 100 books. 

My Goodreads goal was 100.

So YAY!

Format of those 100 books was...

I read  22 Physical books

I listened to 9 books on Audible.

and

I read 69 books on an e-reader/ my Kindle.

I read ~28,861 pages in 2023. Which equates to about 289 pages/book

And nothing is complete without favories right?! So here they are:

1. January: Babel by RF Kuang
2. February:  The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
3. March: The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent
4. April: NONE
5. May: Manacled by SenLinYu (fanfic)
6. June: Neon Gods by Katee Robert
7. July: Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarro
8. August: Bring Him to His Knees by Musyc (fanfic)
9. September: Deadly Education by Naomi Novik
10. October: Remain Nameless by HeyJude19 (fanfic)
11. November: The Last Graduate by Naomi Novik
12. December: Six Scroched Roses by Carissa Broadbent

Then I made a bracket...for my favorite book of the year...

 

Favorite of the year: Manacled!

Building the Book Pile #438

Welcome to Building the Book Pile!

Hello Readers, Bloggers, and Awesome people! 

I did a fair amount of reading this week and worked on some reviews of things read in November/ December. So sorry for books that are Christmas and holiday themed coming up in the review queue. 

The weather has been weird in New England lately, snow, sleet, but somewhat warm all things considered. We have been getting snow and then it all melts off and then we get hit again, which is odd. That said, we are doing good. Pets are happy and the chickens are still getting some free range time. 

For January, I have been trying to read more of my owned books before they year really kicks off for review copies. I have read 3 that have been on my shelf for a bit and I hope to get at least one more done before the end of the month - wish me luck!

Coming up on the Blog

2023 Wrap Up

Recent Reads: The Last Line by Stephen Ronson (Adult)

Recent Reads: The Christmas Letters by Jenny Proctor (Adult)

Monthly Re-Cap and TBR Pile

Recent Reads: Spookily Yours by Jennifer Chipman (Adult)

Books Received Recently...   

 

 

Sunday Money by Maggie Hill - from publisher for review, out May 2024

The Boyfriend Wish by Swati Teerdhala - from publisher for review, out Feb 2024

Have you missed anything lately?

Recent Reads: My Roommate is a Vampire by Jenna Levine (Adult) -5 stars

Recent Reads: Bound in Honey by Jamie Dalton (Adult/ YA) -5 stars

Recent Reads: Misadventures & Misletoe Series (Adult, Novellas) -5 and 4 stars

Donating Caffeine is greatly appreciated ... Donate on Ko-fi

What have you been reading?  Leave a comment for me.

Happy Reading!

Recent Reads: Series - Misadventures & Mistletoe by Wren Morris

From Cocktails and Sleigh Bells by Wren Morris

Series: Misadventures and Mistletoe #1
Publisher: Kindle Edition
Publication Date:  December 6, 2022

 

Format: Ebook, Novella
Source: Kindle Unlimited

Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

It was one night before Christmas, but for Cole and Kris, one night might not be enough.

Nicole “Cole” Barnes can’t seem to summon any Christmas cheer, not even while donning her best irreverent reindeer sweater for her bar’s annual contest. Slipping on the ice after a long Christmas Eve shift feels like the perfect nightcap to her lackluster holiday… until she’s rescued by a handsome stranger.

Turns out, she and her would-be-hero have a lot in common: they're both long time service professionals running low on Christmas spirit.

The catch? He’s Santa (for real), but he’s not at all the holly jolly grandpa in the greeting cards.

Kris Kringle has been running Santa Enterprises for years, but the ho-ho-ho has become rather ho-hum. This feisty bartender’s scorching wit could be just what he needs to stoke his passion again… if she doesn’t roast his chestnuts on an open fire first.

Cocktails to Sleigh Bells is a stand-alone MF holiday romcom novella. It has no cliffhanger and ends in a HEA.

Review: 

Found while looking for holiday novellas to complete my goodread challenge. SO CUTE!

Cole, aka Nicole, is a bartender, if is Christmas eve and one her way home she slips and falls and hits her head. Kris happens to be there and gets her up. Cole panics when she comes to but they decide to spend some time together to ensure she is alright. This short read is told in alternating points of view - Cole and Kris. 

The spend some time together watching movies and talking and actually falling for each other, both normally lonely during the holidays. But Kris is actually THE Kris Kringle, Santa. He runs Santa Enterprises and they are speinding time in his magical world, although Cole doesn't know that. Kris' team busts in at one point and gives some of it away, especially because they are named after the famous reindeer. 

Overall, while short, this was so cute, LOL funny, and I loved Cole and Kris. The alternating chapters were really well done. I also really liked how Morris did the North Pole world and the guys were perfect event though we only have a brief glimpse of them. 

This can be read as a standalone, but there will be more in the series following the team. It is a perfect, slightly spicy, holiday romance novella/rom-com. 

 

From Snowball Fights to Hot Summer Nights by Wren Morris 

Series: Misadventures and Mistletoe #2

Publisher: Kindle Edition

Publication Date:  September 29, 2023

  

Format: Ebook, Novella

Source: Kindle Unlimited

Rating:

Goodreads Synopsis: 

The Delivery Team at Santa Enterprises brings cheer during the holidays, but Dancer is putting a little Christmas in July with a hot summer romance.

When a friend gets injured right before a performance for charity Dancer offers to take his place. Unexpectedly among all the sequins and spotlights, he finds not one chance at love, but two.

He never thought Trevor, the sweet but quiet bouncer, was interested…but the way he watches Dancer from the audience says otherwise.

Candace Cane, another performer, is as sweet and refreshing as her name. When she urges Trevor and Dancer to act on their feelings, they both realize they’re interested in her as well—but a relationship is the last thing on Candy’s mind.

Will these three find love with a little Christmas magic, or will fate pass them by?

From Snowball Fights to Hot Summer Nights is book two in the Misadventures and Mistletoe series. Each book will focus on a new romance for one (or more) of the Santa Enterprises team. This is a complete MMF romance and ends in a HEA.

Review: 

Shorter review for this one. Cole and Kris make an appearance and it is probably a good idea to read the fisrt book to get the overall Santa Enterprises feel.

This installment follows Dancer. After a snowball fight gone very wrong, Dancer has to take the place of a friend at a charity event. Interestingly enough though, this event is a stripping one. He meets another dancer named Candace Cane (actual name, goes by Candy). He really likes she, she is a breath of fresh air and helps him finally get the attention of Trevor (the bouncer from Cole's bar). 

This becomes a MMF romance with a fair amount of spice. When they all finally get together it is cute and funny, and sometimes awkward as they figure out themselves and each other.

I liked that this was another holiday themed novella. the MMF part was done well. There was a lot of communication and agreements which I felt was good to show even in a short novella. 

I loved the Kris/Cole hightlights and really love this world overall. I will be checking for more installments. 

Recent Reads: Bound by Honey by Jamie Dalton

Bound by Honey by Jamie Dalton 

Series: Starry Kingdoms of the Fae Collection
Publisher: Kindle Edition
Publication Date: August 11, 2023 

 

Format: Ebook
Source: Kindle Unlimited

Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

A magical library, an incurable curse, and a woman who loves her coffee.

Sage thought working in a magical library was already the stuff of fairytales. When a gargoyle named Freddy is your coworker, you know your job is anything but ordinary. But even Sage couldn't have predicted the chaos that ensues when The Charming Four come knocking.

With their leader, Prince Finn, cursed and Sage in need of a place to stay, she can't help but get involved in his quest for a cure.

When his brother, the Crown Prince, is up to no good and secrets are being kept, will Sage step up to the challenge or keep her cozy life cozy?

This enemies to lovers low-risk, high-stakes cozy fantasy romance is packed with sass, charm, and plenty of magic. If you enjoy the heavy male cast (but she only ends up with one person) in things such as Meteor Garden, the cozy fantasy vibes of That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon, but need that sprinkled of Beauty and the Beast this book is for you!

Bound by Honey is the 11th book in the Starry Kingdoms of the Fae Collection. These books are all standalones written by your favorite fantasy authors and are the perfect read for your summer vacation. Prepare to be swept away into magical worlds with tropes you obsess over and swoon-worthy romance.

Review: 

I found this book and series on Stuff your Kindle day as a Freebie, but it is also available on Kindle Unlimited for those that subscribe. The series is a number of books in the same world all titled "Bound By ____" but they are by various authors. 

This installment follows Sage a library worker and the Charming Four, which is a guild of famous wizards/ fae with powers. They enlist her to help them because she was trained to be an apothecary by her father. They need someone to help heal and she has that ability. During her time at the library she also met a gargoyle and is trying to find a way to turn him back human, so having the time to experiment would be ideal for her. To her surprise, one of the Charming Four is also a Prince and needs her help more than he is willing to admit. 

I really liked the magic and quests in this world, it was fun and creative. I especially loved the magical library, the dragons, and the overall booking being a clean fantasy romance. It was lovely.  I also liked the cozy vibe this gave off, yes there was tension and some moment of anxiety but overall, it was really a cozy mystery rolled into a fantasy romance. 

Sage was stubborn and often getting herself into trouble, and most of her actions I was concerned about. She put herself in bad situations more than she realized and should have. The Charming Four were entertaining, their personalities all play well off each other, some moody-broody, others more playful and joking. They take turns taking care of Sage in various ways, but all are very protective of her. 

I really liked the play on honey that was the basis of this book. Honey really is such an amazing thing and it being the magical thing to really solve all problems was so perfect here. In real life - it is just as amazing!

After reading this book, I am going to pick up others in this world. I really liked this one a lot.

Recent Reads: My Roommate is a Vampire by Jenna Levine

My Roommate is a Vampire by Jenna Levine  

Publisher: Berkley
Publication Date:  August 29, 2023

 

Format: Paperback
Source: Bought/Own

Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

True love is at stake in this charming, debut romantic comedy.

Cassie Greenberg loves being an artist, but it’s a tough way to make a living. On the brink of eviction, she’s desperate when she finds a too-good-to-be-true apartment in a beautiful Chicago neighborhood. Cassie knows there has to be a catch—only someone with a secret to hide would rent out a room for that price.

Of course, her new roommate Frederick J. Fitzwilliam is far from normal. He sleeps all day, is out at night on business, and talks like he walked out of a regency romance novel. He also leaves Cassie heart-melting notes around the apartment, cares about her art, and asks about her day. And he doesn’t look half bad shirtless, on the rare occasions they’re both home and awake. But when Cassie finds bags of blood in the fridge that definitely weren’t there earlier, Frederick has to come clean...

Cassie’s sexy new roommate is a vampire. And he has a proposition for her.

Review: 

This was adorable and I flew through it. Cassie is down on her luck, being evicted and finds a $200 room on Craigslist (random thought - is this already dated?). 

Anywho, she ends up moving in and falling for her roommate before fully realizing that he is a vampire. Fredrick has been asleep for the last century and needs a roommate to help him learn about this century. Fredrick is hilarious as he learns. Cassie is so good with the situation and agrees to assist him.

The book is told from alternating points of view and there are letters, text messages etc. throughout as well. I really liked them they were LOL a lot of the time and I smiled through the whole book. It made it more playful. 

Here is a quick love/ would have liked list:

• I loved the art elements pulled in by Cassie. 
• I would have liked more background on both characters.
• not much development overall.
• It was a good swoony, sexy, love -sloe build romance and the surprises along the way were well done. 
• Fredrick was sent gifts... what were they!? I wanted to know. 

Overall if you are looking for a light, swoony, in love with a vampire story this was not scary and very cutesy. Such a fun romance. 

Building the Book Pile #437

Welcome to Building the Book Pile!

Hello Readers, Bloggers, and Awesome people! 

Happy new year - thank you for sticking around for another year!

Reviews are scattered and BTBP has been MIA but I am hoping to get back on track... wish me luck. 

I am working on writing up reviews for the many Novellas I read to get to finish out my Goodreads goal. I also have a number of review books on the way and reviews written and on hold for those release dates. 

In other news, I have been playing Cozy Grove on my Switch- if you are looking for something kinda like Animal Crossing but more goal oriented, I am enjoying it. 

How is your 2024 going thus far?

Coming up on the Blog

Recent Reads: My Roommate is a Vampire by Jenna Levine (Adult)

Recent Reads: Bound in Honey by Jamie Dalton (Adult/ YA)

Recent Reads: Misadventures & Misletowe #1 & #2 (Adult, Novellas)

Books Received Recently...   

 

Atomic Habits by James Clear - Bought

A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid - Bought

Have you missed anything lately?

Happy Holidays Post

Early Reader Review: A Fragile Enchantment by Allison Saft (YA, Romance) - 4 stars

Recent Reads: Hunt on Dark Waters by Katee Robert (Adult, Spicy) -4 stars

Recent Reads: Zodiac Academy: The Awakening (#1) by Caroline Peckham and SusanneValenti (New Adult, Fantasy) -4 stars

Merry Christmas

Waiting on Wednesday: Rise and Divine by Lana Harper (adult)

Recent Reads: Six Scorched Roses by Carissa Broadbent (Adult, Novella) -5 stars

Early Reader Review: Always Together by Patricia Kreiser (Youth) -4 stars

Early Reader Review: Are you a Sleepy Monster? by Guilherme Karsten (youth) - 5 stars

Donating Caffeine is greatly appreciated ... Donate on Ko-fi

What have you been reading?  Leave a comment for me.

Happy Reading!

Early Reader Review: Are you a Sleepy Monster? by Guilherme Karsten

Source: From Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review.

Are you a Sleepy Monster? by Guilherme Karsten 

Publisher: Happy Yak
Publication Date: January 16, 2024

 

Format: Ebook


Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

Energetic little readers will be sent to the land of nod after reading this fun picture book by award-winning illustrator Guilherme Karsten.

Are you all set for SLEEPOVER TIME? Monster has your scary pajamas ready and UNDER the bed is looking perfectly yucky and monstrous. Wait, what do you mean you sleep ON THE BED? Are you not a monster? ALL monsters sleep under the bed! Can you persuade Monster to sleep on the horribly soft bed with a disgustingly fluffy teddy?

This soothing book helps little ones fall asleep.

   

Children will love playing along with the book as this lovable monster invites them to wear ragged pyjamas, crawl under the bed and act like a monster! Kids get to join in with this hilarious story and play their monstrous part, and by the end all little monsters will be feeling calm and sleepy! This is the perfect bedtime book for energetic kids to expel any last bursts of energy they have and settle in for the night as they tell the monster what to do.

Review: 

This is a cute, creative children's book that will be great for bedtime!

This one caught my eye with a bridge vibrant cover and art. It is all about bedtime. You and your monster companion are getting ready for bed. The monster talks directly to the reader and confirming that they are a monster too. Trying to get you into bed - well, under the bed, obviously, where monsters sleep. You convince them to sleep ON the bed. 

I liked that it makes monsters seem friendly and relatable, nothing to worry about. It is very cure and love the monster and me sleepover theme. I think that young readers and parents will really enjoy helping the monster go to sleep with fun directions like "close the book carefully" as the monster falls asleep. Great bedtime book.