Three months of reading are now in the rearview and I read 49 new to me books from January – March, and 70 books total, so 21 rereads. Wow, that is so many rereads. Anyway, I’m here to tell you about my ten-ish favorite reads from the first three months.
The Kiss Countdown by Etta Easton is a great book to read right now if you’re in the mood for more space content, but since I find space terrifying, I’m here to tell you that I really enjoyed Easton’s writing style and was deeply invested in the romance in this book. I’m hoping I can get to her follow up book sooner than later, but first I need to gain access to it, so I’ve got a hold in at my library.
A Rake’s Vow by Stephanie Laurens is probably my favorite of the Cynster series so far, but my second favorite would be All About Love so you can consider A Rake’s Vow to stand in for them both. Or that it stands in for the Cynster series in general because I really was having so much fun speeding through those books. I have two books left for the main section of the family and then I’ll have to decide if I continue. But for now, I’ve pressed pause on the series.
The Odds of You by Kate Dramis was so beautifully written and I really loved the different settings within the book. I loved that this book was part grief novel, but not really, and that it was really about healing ones relationship with their job. It felt like a book about reuniting with oneself if that makes sense? All I know is that I really did love it a lot.
We Who Will Die by Stacia Stark was SO much fun. I had a blast with the romance in the book. Did I understand every bit of that world building? Absolutely not. I had no idea what was going on in so many ways, but I also didn’t care that I didn’t understand. Having also read books where I didn’t know what was happening and I did care, I can tell you that We Who Will Die was a feat. I can’t wait for the sequel, which I believe comes out later this year.
Silver & Blood was my other favorite romantasy book of the first quarter and I had so much fun with it. I absolutely cannot wait for the next book in the series. This one has a world that mostly, kind of makes sense, but mostly you just need to know that there are monsters in the woods and the woods are creepy. There are two fae kings that are in the mortal world and they don’t seem to necessarily want to be? I’m a little confused about that part, but I think that’s actually something that will be explored more in the sequel so I don’t think that’s on me. The romance is sort of reluctant, with neither of our love interests being immediately ready to hop into bed together, so I loved that so much.
The Night We Met by Abby Jimenez had me gasping because HOW COULD THERE POSSIBLY BE AN HEA? Seriously, the angst. Falling in love with your best friend’s significant other???? Absolutely not. But somehow Abby delivered an absolutely yes and I loved this one. I loved the writing as always. I loved the emotions. I went on the roller coaster of emotions with them and I was emotionally compromised at the end of it.
No Place Like You by Jillian Meadows was so charming, but also had me sobbing because it has a note of melancholy throughout a lot of it that just really resonated. I wouldn’t say the book was perfect, but I will say that I am obsessed with Meadows writing and I can’t wait to read everything she ever writes.
Anderson in Bloom by Jennifer Dugan was so angsty and full of yearning that I loved it so much. I liked the way this book explored the effects of fame, while being largely insulated from fame in the present. It was really well done and the audiobook really was so much fun.
And now for my three absolute favorite books of the quarter, books you should not be surprised if they ultimately show up on my favorites at the end of the year. So The Raven Scholar by Antonia Hodgson is a fantasy mystery genre blend that is perfect. I have no idea though how to really describe it to you? It’s just phenomenal. And while it is the start to a series, I did feel like it’s satisfying as is and you don’t necessarily need to continue immediately (which is good since I don’t even think book two has been announced). Then in February, I read the entire The Firebird Chronicles that is currently released and I loved it. If you love Ilona Andrews, pick this up. Just do it. Trust me. And then, continuing with the sci-fi vibes, Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. Like, what do you even mean that this book was a favorite? I also loved the movie. But this book is amaze, amaze, amaze and it is perfection. A million stars. All the stars.
Closing Thoughts
Tell me about your favorite reads below! I would absolutely love to know!
xx
firewhiskeyreader 