Early Reader Review: Freshman Year by Sarah Mai

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

Freshman Year by Sarah Mai  Publisher: Christy Ottaviano Books
Publication Date:  February 13, 2024

 

Format: Ebook


Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

A stylish graphic novel about the unique angst, humor, and self-doubt universal to the experience of going away to college—from a promising debut talent—for fans of Heartstopper.Everyone gets a fresh start. Who do you want to be?  Sarah is leaving suburban Wisconsin for her freshman year in Minnesota. She has high hopes for the  impress her professors, meet interesting new people, stay close to her best friends and boyfriend back home, flourish as an artist, and shed her lingering high school anxieties. What seems manageable at first quickly unravels into a Sarah’s high-achieving roommate puts her to shame, her summer love dissolves, and she is quickly overwhelmed by the freedom, the isolation, and all the possibilities that await in this new environment.   Based on the author’s personal college journal and comics, Freshman Year navigates the inner workings of an 18-year-old girl in witty, honest, and heartfelt detail. Whether you’re anxiously looking forward or nostalgically looking back, this is the perfect read for anyone who loves realistic graphic novels about the laughable growing pains of almost-adulthood, like Check, Please! and Bloom.   

Review: 

This is a graphic novel about being a freshman in college, undecided, a new adult, and lots of self-doubt, angst, and a new-me attitude. In the case of the main character that means being vegetarian and artsy. That part hit close to home and I have to laugh out loud a bit. 

The main character is Sarah and the novel follows her interactions with her friends from high school and in college - sadly for me, the art made them all look really similar and that made it hard to differentiate.  I didn't love Sarah, she was kind of meh, but her issues and troubles were realistic and not too over the top, so they fit the time of her life and struggles that I also remember having in college. She deals with friends, lonliness, fitting in, regular long-distance boyfirend issues etc. 

The pacing overall was ok, it was a bit slot really. There was also no color in my Advanced copy - I am not sure if there will be in the final but it made it hard to tell some people apart. I found it a bit strange that the characters were pretty expressionless - sad and happy often just looked blank and while I understand new-adult angst, this made it hard to feel what the characters were feeling and made the text read as monotone. 

Overall it was an ok read. It wasn't the greated graphic novel, but it was very to the point and really felt realistic in its capture of the Freshman year experience.

Recent Reads: Bound by Knighthood by Nicki Chapelway

Bound by Knighthood by Nicki Chapelway  

Series: Starry Kingdoms of the Fae Collection
Publisher: Dragonflight Press
Publication Date: July 21, 2023 

 

Format: Ebook
Source: Kindle Unlimited

Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

An academy in the sky,

Two rival knights-to-be,

And the cursed princess who could destroy them all.

Willow is a fae born with a weak and muddled magic. In a world where magic can be bought…for the right price, she attends the Academy of the Gilded Knights. Her to swear her service to a high fae in return for powerful magic.

There is only one person standing in the way of her success, Byron Coalbiter, her childhood rival.

A blacksmith’s son born with a magic far more powerful than her own, Byron has always lived a seemingly charmed life. But apparently that isn’t enough, because now he’s looking to steal Willow’s knighthood.

However, there is something sinister taking place at the academy, and the princess they both rescued might be far more than a damsel in distress. She could very well be their undoing.

If Willow and Byron want to save their precious academy then they are going to have to put aside their rivalry, move past the strange attraction that they feel toward each other, and learn to work together before they both lose their dreams.

Because a dark magic threatens the academy and Willow and Byron might be the only ones capable of keeping the school from crumbling…right out of the sky.

Bound by Knighthood is the 8th 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: 

Set in the same world as Bound by Honey, this installment follows another group and an overall different plotline, but the high-fae still play an important role.

In this story we learn about low-fae that have limited magic and how some take action to gain more power. Willow, our main character is on her way to the knight academy. There she will earn a spot, hopefully, to be a knight for a high-fae that will share thie power. The only wrench in her plan is her rival Byron going too.

Willow was so stubborn and oblivious, that it was very cute. 

Byron swooned throughout the story and I felt for him, he was trying so hard to get Willow's attention.  I liked them together, it became a cozy romance with fantasy elements, which I was digging. I alsoliked that you can read these books in any order, I think this one is actually #8 or something like that but since they all read as stand-alones readers are good to go. The only piece that was overlapped was that in Bound in Honey we were just getting to know about the dragons and in this story they seem more established. There might also be some politics that I missed along the way too but the author did a good job keeping things prettty simple. 

Overall, this was cute. I liked the cahracters but didn't fully fall for them like I did with Bound in Honey. They were still great to follow though and I will certainly continue to pick these short reads up.

Recent Reads: Hark! A Homicide: A Cozy Mystery Christmas Novella by Tricia L. Sanders

Hark! A Homicide: A Cozy Mystery Christmas Novella by Tricia L. Sanders 

Publisher: Kindle
Publication Date:  December 17, 2020

 

Format: Ebook
Source:  Kindle Unlimited

Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

When a dead elf threatens to spoil Pine Grove’s Christmas, being on Santa’s naughty list is the least of Mattie’s worries. Mattie Modesky and her best friend are planning the 25th annual Christmas toy drive and charity dinner. Days away from the celebration, Mattie discovers a dead body—an elf—in the toy donation box. The elf is really a small-time hoodlum, and the killer is Santa Claus. Not the real Santa, obviously. Mattie’s husband, Mo, the chief of police, sustains a shoulder injury in a scuffle with the fake Santa. Now he’s out of commission, and the toys have been confiscated as evidence. Mo suspects Mattie’s stepfather, Lazy Lou, and it’s up to her to prove Lou’s innocence, figure out why the town councilwoman is railroading Mo into retirement, and solve the caper so she can get the celebration back on track.

Review:

This was a holiday themed novella from Kindle Unlimited. I picked it up to continue with my Goodreads reading goal that I was SO CLOSE to hitting. I was looking for something light and cozy. 

Mo and Mattie are older. Mo is the police chief but should be retiring soon. Mattie doesn't want to push him, but there is a new woman in town that thinks he is incapable and should give up the role. Before Christmas a murder occurs and in the process Mo gets hurt. Mo is stubborn, but now bed-ridden for a bit while the others on the force try to solve the crime. To try to alleviate some of Mo's complaining Mattie tries to help and insert herself to find out more for him. 

This was a good, short, cozy, mystery - I liked the small town. It brings everyone together and presents some interesting dynamics for the townspeople. The overall story was simple and a bit easy to deduce but overall it was a great read. I would like to read more from this author.

Building the Book Pile #439

Welcome to Building the Book Pile!

Hello Readers, Bloggers, and Awesome people! 

Sunday Funday! At least I am trying to make it a fun day... because tomorrow I am headed to Jury Duty... womp womp.  Wish me luck. 

I got a few more books in this week, which felt real good. I am now ahead of my goal by a few. 

Coming up on the Blog

Recent Reads: Hark! A Homicide: A Cozy Mystery Christmas Novella by Tricia L. Sanders (Adult)

Recent Reads: Bound by Knighthood by Nicki Chapelway (Adult)

Early Reader Review: Freshman Year by Sarah Mai (YA, GN)

Recent Reads: The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren (Adult)

Books Received Recently...  

  

 

The Someday Daughter by Ellen O'Clover - from Publisher for review

The Waltham Murders: One Woman’s Pursuit to Expose the Truth Behind a Murder and a National Tragedy by Susan Clare Zalkind - Amazon First Reads program

Have you missed anything lately?

2023 Wrap Up

Recent Reads: The Last Line by Stephen Ronson (Adult) - 4 stars

Recent Reads: The Christmas Letters by Jenny Proctor (Adult) -4 stars

Monthly Re-Cap and TBR Pile

Recent Reads: Spookily Yours by Jennifer Chipman (Adult) - 5 stars

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

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

Happy Reading!

Recent Reads: Spookily Yours by Jennifer Chipman

Spookily Yours by Jennifer Chipman 

Series: Witches of Pleasant Grove #1
Publisher: Kindle
Publication Date:  October 13, 2023

 

Format: Ebook
Source: Kindle Unlimited

Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

My cat is a demon.

No, that's not a joke. An actual, real life demon. And he needs my help to break a curse.

But what happens when that turns into more?

It can never be forever, and yet... I'm falling in love with him anyway.

Spookily Yours is a spicy, open-door Halloween themed novel, featuring a witch and the demon who falls in love with her. This book is a complete standalone with a HEA guaranteed.

Review: 

Willow is a mid-twenties witch living  in a small town. Her parents died and she and her sister Luna have been together ever since - living together until very recently, and running a cafe/bakery in town. 

But Willow is lost, her sister keeps telling her to DO seomthing. So she gets a cat from teh shelter to replace her lost familiar. However the cat is actually a demon stuck in cat form. She agrees to help him break teh curse and then falls for him. 

The book is told in alternating POV - Willow and Damien (the cat) and overall the story was pretty short but sweet. The spice level was good and not too over teh top.  I felt like there were some loose ends though - like who cursed him and why? And how did Damien's brother know about Luna but he didn't know about Willow? I also didn't like that Luna could just disappear from town and no one notices? that seems suspect. I am excited for book 2 though, because I believe it is the Luna/ Zain story so that might tie some things up.

All that said, I liked this book a lot. Willow and Damien were great and since it is a novella length I knew there would be some plot holes so they didn't bother me horribly. I love a witchy vibe and anything fall/Halloween themed makes me happy. 

I also ADORE this cover art!

Recent Reads: The Christmas Letters by Jenny Proctor

The Christmas Letters by Jenny Proctor

Publisher:  JPC Publishing
Publication Date:  November 28, 2023 

 

Format: Ebook
Source: Kindle Unlimited

Rating:

Goodreads Synopsis: 

Can an old letter spark a new flame?

When Tess Ravenel gets herself stuck inside a bathroom stall in one of Charleston’s most historic buildings, she isn’t exactly thinking about her dating life. But then the paramedic who comes to her rescue has a voice that sounds like butter and enough charm to make her forget she’s seconds from having a panic attack.

If only he were interested.

Andrew McKay has a mysterious Christmas pen pal, a woman who replied to a newly found letter he sent to Santa back when he was a kid. After weeks of correspondence, it’s clear she’s funny, smart, interesting...and an awful lot like Tess Ravanel—the woman he’s already blown off twice for good reason.

Tess and Andrew couldn’t be more different, but when their worlds collide, fate (and a little Christmas magic) set them on a crash course for love.

The Christmas Letters is a closed door sweet holiday romance with lots of chemistry but no spice. This book was first published in 2019 but has been heavily revised and updated.

Review: 

Tess is not having a good day - she agreed to volunteer with a Woman's Social Society so that her wealthy parents will support her while she goes back to school. Now back in Charleston to make this happen, she has to deal with her ex-fiance and his family... and to make matters worse, she find herself locked in a bathroom of a coffee shop. 

Andrew McKay is a medic called to help Tess out of the bathroom, there is a spark but after he learns she is a society girl, he falls back. 

As part of her volunteer work she is tasked with replying to christmas letters and finds a really old one in the box from a boy asking for his parents back - while the letter is really old Tess replies to it. Christmas magic then brings Andrew and Tess together. 

I liked this contemporary romance, it was clean and holiday themed with a HEA. It was pretty short - less than 200 pages. I liked Tess and Drew and LOVED Drew's grandmother, she was hilarious and perfect. The whole book was so swoonworthy and cutesy. It was You've got Mail - esq and even made that reference.

I will look for more by this author, it was super cute and very enjoyable.

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!