firewhiskeyreader

I put these books in this post in publication order, even though the first book I read was actually Ready or Not by Cara Bastone because I was so excited when I got the ARC that I read it immediately. I love Bastone’s writing and even though this wasn’t my favorite romance from her, I still adore her writing enough that I had a good time. Then I read Red String Theory by Lauren Kung Jessen with my ears via Spotify audiobooks in the middle of my eyeball reading Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands. Honestly, eyeball reading is not going well for me in 2024, which is why on release day, I promptly bought the audiobook of Emily Wilde and proceeded to finish the second half that way. I’ve read ten books so far this month and all ten have been via audio… Anyways. Shout out to Netgalley and the respective publishers for the e-ARCs! I did read two of them digitally, so that’s exciting for me!

Red String Theory
by Lauren Kung Jessen

As for what this book is about, Red String Theory follows Rooney, an artist, who was born to an artist mother and she has therefore decided to keep her art career anonymous as Red String Girl. There’s a Chinese myth about how everyone has a string mate and that has particularly stood out to her and shaped and directed her life and her art. She has this chance meeting with Jack, they separate, and then SURPRISE, they reconnect later that night at a party they’ve both been invited to. Jack meanwhile, is a scientist who doesn’t really believe in fate and the two of them wind up having these really lovely conversations throughout this book. 

I don’t want to spoil anything about how the plot unfolds so I’ll just say that it’s really lovely all of these conversations about fate versus free will and the ability to make your own choices. I love the friendships formed in here and I really enjoyed each of the side characters. The art conversations in here were honestly kind of fun, which was a pleasant surprise because I am the kind of person who doesn’t feel like she gets art. So Lauren Kung Jessen’s ability to translate art from the page to my brain was incredible and I really appreciated it. I also appreciated the cameo from Jessen’s Lunar Love characters, although I stand by, I really wanted her follow up to be Chloe’s estranged friend. Maybe next time. 

Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands by Heather Fawcett

let’s actually talk about Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands! This is a sequel and it picks up a few months after the events in book one. Emily is still just chugging along not paying too much attention to those outside of herself and Wendall, but her niece (Ariadne) is now in her life, whether Emily is pleased about that fact or not is another story. We also get to know this other guy, Rose, who is the… Chair? maybe? of her department. Anyway, essentially, Emily and Wendell have to go on a trip because Emily thinks maybe she’s figured out where to find Wendell’s door. Only, Wendell is, um, experiencing some issues because his step-mother may have decided to move forward with assassinating him. 

In a lot of ways, I liked the plot of this book better than the first one, but in some other ways, I… didn’t? I’m not sure how to explain what I mean, but I feel like book one was more cozy winter vibes and Map of the Otherlands felt like our characters were in mortal peril a little too often for what I was expecting. Also, I loved the side characters in book one and as lovely as Ariadne is, I didn’t care much for the side characters in this one. That said, I loved the romantic developments in this book and I really hope there will be a book three because I would like to see what happens after the way this book ends!! (There will be a book three, right??)

Ready or Not by Cara Bastone

It’s been months since I’ve finished Ready or Not which I wanted to fall madly in love with, but unfortunately landed a lot closer to lukewarm. It has the typical Bastone brilliant writing and it’s certainly a twist on the accidental pregnancy concept given that the father of the baby is not the love interest. Although, to be honest, despite that being made clear in the synopsis, I spent entirely too long in the book wondering if that was true. Basically, my overall thoughts of this book are that it’s a quick read and a well-written one, but if you’re going into it wanting a great romance, that part didn’t land for me personally. 

Essentially, our main character accidentally gets pregnant in this one night stand. She tells ONS man who is back together with his on-again, off-again partner. MC spends some time trying to figure out if she can have a kid, like, financially and space wise. Decides she’s going to do it. Her best friend has been having some fertility issues and there’s some tension there. And then the best friend has a brother and he is great and wants to be involved, to help MC. So… Yeah. It’s… interesting. If the plot appeals to you at all, if you’re in the mood for a bit of mess, then I would suggest this book could really work for you! But if those things don’t apply, maybe skip this one in favor of Bastone’s other works, which are all brilliant. 

Closing Thoughts

All three of these books are ones that I would recommend to the right reader so I hope that you are that right reader for at least one of these. 🙂 But if you’re not, I hope you find some books that give you joy! I’m still looking for my first five star that isn’t a re-read this year, but I have faith it’s coming any time now.

xx