Recent Reads: Wild Card by Elsie Silver

Wild Card by Elsie Silver  

Series: Rose Hill #4
Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group 
Publication Date:  September 9, 2025

 

Format: Audiobook
Source:  Bought/ Own

Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

Sebastian Rousseau is a grumpy, hot as hell fire pilot who is too damn good with his hands.

It’s the perfect combination. But unfortunately for me, he’s also my ex-boyfriend’s dad.

A chance meeting brought us together and a missed connection has kept us apart.

One year later, a stroke of fate has us living under the same roof—which makes everything between us downright messy.

Because even after all this time, he’s still the man I think about when I fall asleep. The one I can’t get over no matter how hard I try.

He’s working on mending a fragile relationship with his son and we both know acting on these urges would be the ultimate betrayal.

But I see the heat in his eyes. That look of need that never fails to send a shiver down my spine.

The mutual longing is borderline unbearable and the simmering heat between us is downright palpable.

We both know there are rules when it comes to situations like this.

But then again…following the rules never has been my strong suit.

In this series (Click on Covers for Reviews): 

    

Review: 

I adore this series and these books, every one has been a highlight in my day to listen to. Elsie has this way of making you fall for all her characters as chaotic, frustrating, and emotional as they are. It is also so cool to see them all interconnect and characters re-appear. 

All the books follow a dad falling hard... in this case Bash finds out that he has an adult son and on his way to meet him for the first time gets caught in the airport overnight while a storm passes. He meets this quirky memorizing woman, Gwen, and they hit it off. At the end of their laughter filled evening he gets her number but nothing comes of it. Fast-forward, he visits his son for a party and Gwen is his girlfriend. Immediately feeling start flying and readers are swept up into this beautiful will -they/ won't they banter and miserable attempts to give each other space. 

This book had me laughing so much. Between Bash and Gwen figuring things out and the awkward flirting and Clyde... OH CLYDE... our scheming, cranky, father-figure I kept giggling. I loved the emotional turmoil between the characters, and the uncomfortable tension was absolutely perfect. The slow burn felt a bit more prolonged than I expected, while the resolution came together fairly quickly, but I still loved the book overall.

If you like grumpy/ sunshine, forced proximity, an age gap and the 'ex-boyfriend's dad' tropes - you will really enjoy this one. 

Spotlight w/ Giveaway! Lake Life by Tanya Boteju

Today we have a GIVEAWAY for Lake Life by Tanya Boteju!  

Quick Tagline - What starts as a fake romance to fix their problems turns into a summer that challenges everything they thought they knew about love.

Lake Life by Tanya Boteju 
Publisher: Quill Tree Books
Publication Date:  May 26, 2026

 

About the Book: 

Perfect for fans of Becky Albertalli, this charming, chaotic romance follows two teens who agree to fake-date when stuck together one summer in a quirky, scenic lake town.

This is definitely not how Maya wanted to spend the summer—depressed at her once-beloved cabin in Spruce Lake, and unable to avoid seeing her lifelong best friend, Rashida, after confessing her woefully unrequited love to her last year. Maya can’t decide if she wants to escape, or convince Rashida they’re still meant to be.

Gabe is sent to Spruce Lake by her mom in hopes she stays out of trouble. Gabe is NOT excited to be here. She does NOT like nature. She does NOT want to spend her summer in a tiny town with outdoorsy environmentalist types.

Gabe is pretty sure she’ll be spending this entire summer bored and alone…until she meets Maya. Together, they hatch a fake-dating scheme to make Rashida jealous and convince Gabe’s mom that Gabe has turned a wholesome new leaf.  

But as the plan plays out, and Gabe and Maya contend with protests, a relentlessly concerned community, and romantic twists, they start to realize that their assumptions about friendship and love might have led them completely astray. Can they find their way through this mess without hurting each other in the process?

GIVEAWAY

Enter to Win!

US Only, 1 Copy of Lake Life

Copy of Lake Life by Tanya Boteju

About the Author 

Tanya Boteju (she/her) is an English teacher and writer living on stolen territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations (Vancouver, Canada). 

Her novel, Kings, Queens, and In-Betweens (Simon & Schuster, 2019), was named an Indie Top 10 Pick of the Summer by the American Booksellers Association and a Rainbow List selection for 2020.

Her next YA novel, Bruised (Simon & Schuster, 2021), was selected as a Gold Standard book by the Junior Library Guild.

Her latest YA novel, Messy Perfect (HarperCollins), is out in April 2025, along with a middle grade nonfiction book, Allyship As Action (Orca) in August 2025. 

When Tanya isn’t writing, she’s teaching and learning from brilliant high school students, riding her bike, drinking tea, reading good books, and trying to chill out at the cozy cabin her wife built for her.

In both her teaching and writing, Tanya hopes she’s bending the universe even the tiniest bit toward justice.

Find the Author

Website | Facebook | Instagram

 

Building the Book Pile #518

Welcome to Building the Book Pile!

Hi! Happy Memorial Day Weekend

Hope everyone had a great week and is having a good long weekend (in the US).

Weekly re-cap:

I took Monday off as a mental health day. While my partner was headed to Canada then to South Korea for the start of his trip, I went out to a place called the Sparkle Barn with my bestie. It was in a little town in Vermont and it is a gift shop on the first floor and an immersive art installation thing on the 2nd floor. It was very Alice in Wonderland meets Honey I Shrunk the Kids vibes. After shopping we headed to Chipotle for lunch and then grabbed ice cream on the drive back home. It was a beautiful day and we had a fun time just hanging out. 

 

Tuesday I was back to the grind with a bunch of meetings with my team and some students. I was able to draft up the weekly emails that I send regularly and then I had to pop home and let the dogs out and change before heading to softball practice. 

Wednesday - work wasn't as crazy and I had some time to myself in the afternoon, but I started the day with a migraine so it was a struggle to get up. It eventually went away and the day turned out pretty good overall.

Thursday I worked from home with the doggos and while they took naps in the sunny spots, I worked on a data/presentation for my team to talk about the events we hosted this year. I love pulling the data and dissecting it. In the evening, I met up with a friend to go watch Casablanca in the college theatre. I have never watched it so it was nice. 

Friday I worked from home again and my computer and programs were giving me issues from the start, but I had some chatty time with a friend on Zoom and then helped host a check in for my side-hustle/ business. After work I ran out to Tractor Supply for some things, the grocery store and Petsmart for dog food. 

 

Saturday I was excited because I invited friends over for a Cozy reading day with snacks. I made a big charcuterie board and got some outdoor furniture ready in case people wanted to sit outside. While I was bringing the hammock stand out... I rolled my ankle and fell on my foot - virtual appt thinks I have a mid-foot sprain, ankle is fine, I can walk on it... it just sucks. Friends came and we had a good time but I felt awful.

Today - I have been in bed most the day with my foot all swollen and bruised. I have done a bit of reading and Youtube watching

Linking up with Caffeinated Book Reviewer Sunday Post 

xo steph

Enter my Giveaways! Still Open!

  

Coming up on the Blog

THIS WEEK - 

Spotlight w/ Giveaway! Lake Life by Tanya Boteju (YA)

Recent Reads: Wild Card by Elise Silver (Adult)

Books Received Recently...  

  

For Review  

Pumpkin Apocalypse by M. D. Payne - from the Publisher

Alchemy of Souls by Adriana Mather- from the Publisher

For the Love of the Quest: A Novel by Alexandra Ammon Parthun -  from the Publisher

Reviews and Such

Recent Reads: The Amazing Generation: Your Guide to Fun and Freedom in a Screen- Filled World by Jonathan Haidt (MG) - ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Recent Reads: The Replacement: A Short Story by Liv Constantine (Adult) - ⭐⭐⭐.5

Recent Reads: Reach by Celesta Rimington (MG) - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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

What have you been reading?  How was your week? Feel free to leave a comment!

Happy Reading! 

Recent Reads: Reach by Celesta Rimington

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

Reach by Celesta Rimington 

Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books
Publication Date:  January 27, 2026

 

Format: Hardback


Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

Wishtree meets Song for a Whale , in this beautifully moving story about a boy whose wish for his family to return to the way it used to be, teaches him the real meaning of roots and the new ones that can grow if we let them.

Ever since getting a little stepbrother named Harlan, Denver hasn’t felt like he fits into his own family. Lots of people find Harlan charming, but not Denver. His pesky stepbrother tags along everywhere Denver goes, breaking things and wanting Denver’s attention every. single. second. After an especially disastrous morning, Denver escapes to the forest, experiencing a whiff of ancient magic when he meets an old and dignified but lonely tree named Spiro. When Spiro offers to turn Harlan into a tree for a few hours, Denver jumps at the chance—only to realize he’s made a mistake when nobody, including his mom and stepdad, seems to remember Harlan existed. And now Spiro isn’t certain he can reverse the transformation.

To save Harlan, Denver will need to find out what happened to Spiro to make him so disconnected from the other trees in the forest . . . but to do so the change he might have to make first is within himself.

Review: 

The story follows Denver a young boy who is learning how to be a part of a new family with his step-father and brother, and his dad and step-mom have a baby too, so everything has changed pretty suddenly for him.

This was such a magical and emotional middle grade read. Denver felt so relatable, especially as he struggled with suddenly having to adapt to new family dynamics without really getting the support or understanding he needed. The sibling and family relationships felt very realistic, and you could genuinely feel Denver’s frustration, jealousy, and loneliness through the story.

The fantasy elements were wonderful. I loved the idea of the trees being able to communicate with people, and Spiro was such an interesting tree. He was wise, lonely, and mysterious all at once... The magic in the forest felt enchanting, but there was also a tension that kept the anxiety building. 

One of the strongest parts of the book was how well the themes were handled. Denver’s journey toward understanding both himself and the people around him felt natural and meaningful, even though he figures it all out through helping Spiro and Harlan. It all felt very heartfelt.

The pacing was excellent and the tension built surprisingly well as Harlan became more tree-like and people stopped remembering him. For a middle grade story, there were moments that felt genuinely unsettling, which made the emotional payoff even stronger.

Overall, this was a beautifully written story with magic, heart, and real emotional depth. Definitely one of my favorite middle grade reads lately.

Early Reader Review: The Replacement: A Short Story by Liv Constantine

The Replacement: A Short Story by Liv Constantine
Publisher: Amazon Original Stories
Publication Date:   June 1, 2026

 

Format: Ebook
Source: From Amazon First Reads (May)

Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

A Hollywood icon struggling to revive her career befriends a gifted newcomer with a secret agenda in a twisty short story about the true price of fame by a New York Times bestselling author.

Once Hollywood royalty, Veronica Van Arden has been upstaged by box office flops and tabloid gossip. But when she lands a role in a promising film, a comeback finally seems possible, especially with the support of her young and adoring costar, Sienna Vale. As Veronica weathers a new scandal, Sienna stays firmly by her side, a bright spot in Veronica’s days. But as Veronica welcomes her protégé into every part of her life, they both might find that the brightest lights cast the darkest shadows.

Review: 

Short stories tend to be very hit or miss for me, so I was surprised that this one landed somewhere comfortably in the middle. It did not completely blow me away, but it also kept me invested enough to finish in one sitting.

The story follows Veronica Van Arden, an actress hoping her latest film will help rebuild her career after a string of flops and public scandals. She is excited to play the older sister to an up and coming actress named Sienna Vale. As they film, Veronica and Sienna become close.. while Veronica is unsure about her from the beginning and Veronica's closest people warn her about it. 

The book is a Hollywood drama mixed with a mystery. It is both a fast read but at times feels incredibly slowed down, which is very interesting to experience as a reader. Most short stories fly by and this one lingered in weird ways that attached to plot points really well. 

The writing also captures the fragile nature of fame well, especially through Veronica’s perspective. Her desperation to reclaim relevance and her growing attachment to Sienna make her an interesting, sometimes frustrating protagonist. That emotional vulnerability added depth beyond the mystery elements.

There is a twist near the end that I found intriguing, but it felt somewhat rushed once everything was revealed. I actually wanted more exploration of the final reveal and its consequences because it was more compelling than some of the buildup that came before it. The ending wraps things up quickly.

Overall, this was an entertaining and atmospheric read with effective tension and a solid mystery, even if the conclusion felt slightly underdeveloped.

Recent Reads: The Amazing Generation: Your Guide to Fun and Freedom in a Screen-Filled World by Jonathan Haidt

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

The Amazing Generation: Your Guide to Fun and Freedom in a Screen-Filled World by Jonathan Haidt
Publisher: Rocky Pond Books
Publication Date: December 30, 2025

 

Format: Hardback


Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

Inspired by The Anxious Generation, this new book for kids and tweens is a comprehensive guide for living a happy and exciting life that isn’t hijacked by a smartphone.

Whether or not kids already have smartphones or social media accounts, this guide is packed with surprising facts, a graphic novel, interactive challenges, secrets that tech leaders don’t want kids to know, and real-life anecdotes from young adults who regret getting smartphones at a young age and want to help the next generation avoid making the same mistakes.

But this isn’t just a book about what not to do. It’s a bold, optimistic, and practical guide to growing into your most authentic, confident, and adventurous self. Readers won’t just discover how to avoid becoming the next Anxious Generation. They’ll learn how to become amazing.

Review: 

This was an informative and engaging read that tackles smartphone and social media use in a way that feels both realistic and fantastical enough to keep younger readers interested. I thought the book did a great job explaining what social media and constant phone use can do to the brain, but in language that kids and t/weens can actually understand without feeling overwhelmed.

One of the strongest parts of the book was how practical the advice felt. Rather than simply telling kids that phones are “bad,” it focuses on helping them build confidence, independence, and healthier habits. The tone walks a good line between cautionary and empowering, but there are definitely some times where it comes off a bit preachy as well (at least that is how it felt to me).

The graphic novel elements were also a lot of fun and helped break up the more informational sections. I liked the storyline, which focused on kids feeling left out. I think it will resonate with readers on both sides: kids who already have phones and social media, and kids who don’t. It encourages empathy while also showing how complicated these experiences can feel at that age.

What stood out most to me was that the message didn’t just feel relevant for kids. Even as an adult, it made me reflect on my own phone habits, which feels like a strong sign that the book’s ideas are meaningful and well presented overall. 

Building the Book Pile #517

Welcome to Building the Book Pile!

Hi! Happy Sunday!

Hope everyone had a great week!

Weekly re-cap:

Monday - Wednesday were a bit of a blur, I had so many meetings and work was busy. We are in that time of year where we are wrapping one cycle and planning for the next in tandem - so there is just a lot of little things going on. 

On Tuesday, we went to the local pub for dinner after the crazy day.

On Wednesday, I worked from home for the pets. The Hubs is normally somewhat WFH on Wednesday to let them out midday, but he is going away today for 2 weeks so he had a lot of work to finish out before leaving. It was a bit rainy, which was good for the drought we are experiencing, but work was busy again.

Thursday I was working from home and it was really rainy. The vibe was really pulling me to stop working and just read a book or nap but I couldn't. I was able to get through a bunch of my to do list while the dogs napped under my desk. 

Friday I was work from home again and luckily the meetings were much lighter. I was able to get some laundry done in between work tasks and finally get to some data-clean up done that falls down the priority list when other things are going on. We ended up going out to eat because we didn't feel like cooking.

Saturday we spent the day just taking it easy, running some last minute errands, and packing up the Hubs for his trip. We watch the reboot of Anaconda... it was ok, I appreciate them making fun of the original a bit. 

Today -  I need to write some reviews for the upcoming week and I hope to finish the book that I am reading. I also need to prep for the week - so meal planning and going to the grocery store. I am bringing Hubs to the bus today to start his trip down to the airport, so there is more for me to do. 

Linking up with Caffeinated Book Reviewer Sunday Post 

xo steph

Enter my Giveaways! Still Open!

  

Coming up on the Blog

THIS WEEK - 

Recent Reads: The Amazing Generation: Your Guide to Fun and Freedom in a Screen- Filled World by Jonathan Haidt (MG)

Recent Reads: The Replacement: A Short Story by Liv Constantine (Adult)

Recent Reads: Reach by Celesta Rimington (MG)

Books Received Recently...  

  

For Review  

(Mostly) Human Resources by Grace Viall - from the publisher

Hellbound by Stephanie Binx - from the publisher

Reviews and Such

Recent Reads: Deathly Fates by Tesia Tsai (YA) - ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Recent Reads: Lift Me Up by Milly Johnson (Adult)⭐⭐⭐⭐

Recent Reads: The Thorn Queen by Sasha Peyton Smith (YA) - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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

What have you been reading?  How was your week? Feel free to leave a comment!

Happy Reading! 

Recent Reads: The Thorn Queen by Sasha Peyton Smith

The Thorn Queen by Sasha Peyton Smith 

Series: The Rose Bargain #2
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication Date:  April 14, 2026

 

Format: Hardback
Source: Bought/Own

Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

Wed to one brother.

In love with the other.

Bridgerton, The Selection, and The Cruel Prince collide in this Victorian-inspired romantasy; the sequel to the instant New York Times bestseller The Rose Bargain.

This limited collector’s edition features an exclusive alternate jacket, gilded holographic edges, an intricately foiled case design, and never-before-seen bonus content.

Having won the hand of the faerie King Bram, Ivy is now Queen of England.

But with his ascension to the throne, Bram unleashed the fae into the human world. After hundreds of years of being kept from their favorite playthings, the Others are looking to make up for lost time—and they do, with wicked revelry that sweeps through the country.

To survive, Ivy acts the sweet, devoted wife. Behind the smile, she plots to banish her husband, save her sister Lydia, and reunite with the love of her life, Emmett.

Yet Emmet and Lydia are trapped in the Otherworld, where fae games are deadlier than ever—and a queen must play most viciously of all. Or see herself dethroned.

Forbidden romance, deceptive bargains, and lethal court intrigue intertwine in this mesmerizing, fae romantasy sequel that will captivate fans of Once Upon a Broken Heart and Belladonna.

Click the cover to see my review of Book 1: The Rose Bargain 

Review: 

I loved The Rose Bargain and was a liiiiittle nervous about book 2. I was afraid that it wasn't going to be as good as the first one... this is my toxic trait. I almost always delay a book 2 read because I don't want to be disappointed. 

All that said, I was NOT disappointed by this one.

One of the things I loved most about the first book was the mix of dangerous fae bargains, political tension, and the angsty love triangle, and this sequel expands on all of those elements in such a satisfying way. The stakes feel even higher now as Ivy is both competing for survival and trying to rule through chaos, grief, and betrayal. The relationships carry so much more emotional weight this time around, especially with the lingering tension, shifting loyalties, and the constant uncertainty about who can truly be trusted.

❗❗❗SPOILERS ❗❗❗

The story jumps right into the chaos with Ivy now Queen of England while Bram unleashes complete havoc by allowing the Fae world into England after his mother, the former queen, is captured/ replaced. Meanwhile, Ivy is grieving and searching for her true love Emmett (Bram's brother), unsure if he is missing or dead, while also desperately also trying to find her sister. 

The pacing is intense from the start and the plot is dramatic, emotional, and torturous at times. I found myself crying at the horrible Fae a few times. They create absolute destruction through dangerous bargains and manipulation, while humans are eager to participate without understanding the true consequences of their actions. I loved the political intrigue woven throughout the story, and the emotional weight of everything happening felt very real even when in a fantastical world.

Ivy continues to be such a strong protagonist. She’s trying to survive a lethal fae world while balancing the weight of the crown, her grief, and the complicated relationships around her. The forbidden romance elements still hit hard, but I also loved how much the story centered sisterly love, loyalty, and trust amidst all the courtly intrigue and chaos. I really enjoyed Ivy’s character growth, and I thought the transition deeper into the Fae realm was done incredibly well.

Overall, this was a fantastic conclusion to the duology and such an engaging read from beginning to end.