Blodeuedd's Monday Review: Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry

Format: 416 pages, Paperback

Published: April 23, 2025 by Penguin Australia

Fiction

Library

Seriously, what do people categorize this one as? Because it certainly is not a romance. Yes there is romance, but is more romantic fiction  if that even. I enjoyed it, but this is my second Henry book and neither has been romance, and still...oh I do not know.

This is a book about two journalist competing about who can write the tell it all book about a famous socialite. And see that is the story, Margarets story. She tells about her family, and her life. Alice is a side character who gets to listen, and when she is not listening she runs into Hayden and sparks does fly in the end. Byt yes to me this is truly The Ives family story.

Romance, well I would say there is as much romance between these two as there are between others in the book. Margaret does tell about a lot of people.

The book was good, I really enjoyed learning the Ives tragic story. Did I agree with some choices they made, no, but that was life.

Alice Scott is an eternal optimist still dreaming of her big writing break. Hayden Anderson is a Pulitzer-prize winning human thundercloud. And they’re both on balmy Little Crescent Island for the same reason: To write the biography of a woman no one has seen in years—or at least to meet with the octogenarian who claims to be the Margaret Ives. Tragic heiress, former tabloid princess, and daughter of one of the most storied (and scandalous) families of the 20th Century.

When Margaret invites them both for a one-month trial period, after which she’ll choose the person who’ll tell her story, there are three things keeping Alice’s head in the game.

One: Alice genuinely likes people, which means people usually like Alice—and she has a whole month to win the legendary woman over.

Two: She’s ready for this job and the chance to impress her perennially unimpressed family with a Serious Publication.

Three: Hayden Anderson, who should have no reason to be concerned about losing this book, is glowering at her in a shaken-to-the core way that suggests he sees her as competition.

But the problem is, Margaret is only giving each of them pieces of her story. Pieces they can’t swap to put together because of an ironclad NDA and an inconvenient yearning pulsing between them every time they’re in the same room.

And it’s becoming abundantly clear that their story—just like the tale Margaret’s spinning—could be a mystery, tragedy, or love ballad…depending on who’s telling it.

Book Review: The Cinnamon Bun Book Store by Laurie Gilmore

Author: Laurie Gilmore

Title: The Cinnamon Bun Book Store

Series: Dream Harbor #2

Genre: Romance, Cozy Mystery

Format: paperback

Pages: 384

Published: August 29, 2024

Where I got It: My shelf (Xmas gift)

Summary: 

When a secret message turns up hidden in a book in the Cinnamon Bun Bookstore, Hazel can't understand it. As more secret codes appear between the pages, she decides to follow the trail of clues… she just need someone to help her out.

Gorgeous and outgoing fisherman, Noah, is always up for an adventure. And a scavenger hunt sounds like a lot of fun. Even better that the cute bookseller he's been crushing on for months is the one who wants his help!

Hazel didn’t go looking for romance, but as the treasure hunt leads her and Noah around Dream Harbor, their undeniable chemistry might be just as hot as the fresh-out-of-the-oven cinnamon buns the bookstore sells…

Review:

Weee! Back in this little town!

Here we follow Hazel and Noah. The two couldn't be more different. Hazel is a nearly 30 year-old book store owner who never does anything reckless or fun. Noah who is in his mid 20s and does countless reckless stuff. He doesn't want responsibility because he doesn't think he is smart enough. The two join forces to solve the clues left in books at Hazel's shop. Who doesn't love a fun scavenger hunt!!

These two were adorable. Noah is helping her out of her shell and she is helping him realize he is much more than fun-time-one-night-stand guy. They were simply perfect for each other and you can tell they fell hard, but they are not good at sharing their emotions. Adorable beans. 

The scavenger hunt was sweet, but I wanted more. More clues. More adventures. I sometimes forgot what they were up to lol. 

Annie....>_> ugh. She is getting a book eventually, but I was not impressed with her in this one. She just rubbed me the wrong way and I just wanted Hazel to SCREAM at her. GAH. 

But yes, overall, I enjoyed this much more than book one. I did want more clues for the scavenger hunt, but oh well. Hazel and Noah are such sweeties and I loved watching them come together. This town is adorable. I can't wait to start the next one. 4 stars from me. 

 

Favorite Character(s): Hazel

Least Favorite Character(s): Annie 

 Challenge(s):

- Romance Reading #19 (Food on cover - cinnamon rolls in the window)

- Cloak & Dagger #15

Audiobook Review: Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman

Author: Matt Dinniman

Narrator: Jeff Hays

Title: Dungeon Crawler Carl

Series: Dungeon Crawler Carl #1

Genre: Fantasy, SciFi

Format: Audiobook 

Published: September 21, 2020

Where I Got It: Borrowed from friend

Summary: 

The apocalypse will be televised!

A man. His ex-girlfriend's cat. A sadistic game show unlike anything in the universe: a dungeon crawl where survival depends on killing your prey in the most entertaining way possible.

In a flash, every human-erected construction on Earth—from Buckingham Palace to the tiniest of sheds—collapses in a heap, sinking into the ground.

The buildings and all the people inside have all been atomized and transformed into the dungeon: an 18-level labyrinth filled with traps, monsters, and loot. A dungeon so enormous, it circles the entire globe.

Only a few dare venture inside. But once you're in, you can't get out. And what's worse, each level has a time limit. You have but days to find a staircase to the next level down, or it's game over. In this game, it's not about your strength or your dexterity. It's about your followers, your views. Your clout. It's about building an audience and killing those goblins with style.

You can't just survive here. You gotta survive big.

You gotta fight with vigor, with excitement. You gotta make them stand up and cheer. And if you do have that "it" factor, you may just find yourself with a following. That's the only way to truly survive in this game—with the help of the loot boxes dropped upon you by the generous benefactors watching from across the galaxy.

They call it Dungeon Crawler World. But for Carl, it's anything but a game.

Review:

Starting July off with a bang! This was picked for book club. For sure a very different type of story but I was excited that it was picked. 

Here we follow Carl and his ex's cat. The world literally was crashed upon itself and they have been entered into a game show for the universe. 18 levels of a dungeon that they will need to crawl through. They call it Dungeon Crawler World. Carl and his cat companion will need to battle hideous monsters, other crawlers, and fight for viewers so they can get better stuff. Like pants. Will they be able to make through the "tutorial" levels?

This was a lot of fun. Crazy to say that such a dark world is fun, but it was. This was fresh and unique and just wild.

I loved Carl and that cat of his. Had me in stitches when she was able to talk and was given a higher stats. Hilarious. 

The monsters are scary and tough. 

No one is safe. 

Lots of trials and rules. 

We had some humor, but there were real emotional moments. 

The narrator did a fabulous job. I'm glad I went with the narrator because I feel like this story needs the acting and some sound effects. There were a couple but I hope we get some more in the future. 

Issues? Mmmmm.....nothing really. Some lulls but they felt right and needed. Lots and lots of action, but we got a lull at the right spot. 

I'll stamp this with 5 stars. 

Favorite Character(s): Donut and Carl

Least Favorite Character(s): There is a couple (don't wanna spoil it) that are bad. Booo

 Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #29

Best of June

Here are the best of the bests for June. 

Best Book of the Month:

Blodeuedd - The Frozen People by Elly Griffiths

"I like her books and this was a new series with a twist to it!"

Carole - The Ruins in Which We Bleed by Steve N Lee

"So good. All the feels. 100% recommend"

Best Movie of the Month:

Carole -  Clue (1985)

"Entertaining and funny!"

Blodeuedd - A Minecraft Movie (2025)

"Best movie. It was funny."

Best TV show of the Month:

Blodeuedd - Love, Death, & Robots

"I watched a new season of Love sex and robots. I liked the cat one."

Carole - The Daily Show

"Been nonstop watching. Funny but informative."

Best Cover of the Month:

C's pick: Adorable!!!

B's pick: Cute, all those holiday feels!!

Blodeuedd's Tuesday Review: By a Silver Thread by Rachel Aaron

Series: DFZ Changeling (#1)

Format: 380 pages, Paperback

Published: May 2, 2023 by Aaron Bach LLC

Own/urban fantasy

What can I say, in the end nothing compare to Heartstrikers. I know, I lost my heart and soul to that series.

This is DFC many years after what happened there. Now more beings have come to light, or are still hiding. Among them fairies, and Lola is a changeling. A magical thing brought in to existence. One that should have faded but she is still alive thanks to a bloodmage named Victor that uses her for his own good.

And so Victor goes missing. She needs him to stay alive. She meets new friends and foes and something sinister is growing in the DFC.

There was danger and intrigues. It was good, but alas nothing compares....

In the world’s most magical metropolis where spirits run noodle shops and cash-strapped dragons stage photo-ops for tourists, people still think fairies are nothing but stories, and that’s exactly how the fairies like it. It’s a lot easier to feast on humanity’s dreams when no one believes you exist. But while this arrangement works splendidly for most fair folk, Lola isn’t one of the lucky ones.

She’s a changeling, a fairy monster made just human enough to dupe unsuspecting parents while fairies steal their real child. The magic that sustains her was never meant to last past the initial theft, leaving Lola without a future. But thanks to Victor Conrath, a very powerful--and very illegal--blood mage, she was given the means to cheat death.

For a price.

Now the only changeling ever to make it to adulthood, Lola has served the blood mage faithfully, if reluctantly, for twenty years. Her unique ability to slip through wards and change her shape to look like anyone has helped make Victor a legend in the DFZ’s illegal-magic underground. It’s not a great life, but at least the work is stable… until her master vanishes without a trace.

With only a handful left of the pills that keep her human, Lola must find Victor before she turns back into the fairy monster she was always meant to be. But with a whole SWAT team of federal paladins hunting her as a blood-mage accomplice, an Urban Legend on a silent black motorcycle who won’t leave her alone, and a mysterious fairy king with the power to make the entire city dream, Lola’s chances of getting out of this alive are as slender as a silver thread.

2-in-1 Book review: Trick Shot and Puck Shy by Kayla Grosse

Author: Kayla Grosse

Title: Trick Shot

Series: Brother Puckers #1

Genre: LGBT, Romance, Novella

Format: ebook

Pages: 189

Published: November 1, 2023

Where I got It: My shelf (Amazon)

Summary: 

Leo McKnight, an identical twin to a famous hockey player, finds himself caught up in a case of mistaken identity on Christmas Eve.

When Leo unexpectedly bumps into the captivating Riley at the airport, he's both amused and intrigued by her assumption that he's his renowned brother. Embracing his mischievous side, Leo decides to play along, relishing in their flirty banter and clever exchanges.

But as fate would have it, their flight gets canceled, and Leo seizes the opportunity to spend more time with Riley. With a devilish glint in his eye, he invites her to spend the night at his penthouse. With an intriguing woman, his best friend Jace, and a whole night of possibilities ahead of them, Leo has all the ingredients for what promises to be a memorable Christmas Eve.

Review:

Who doesn't want a nice smutty Xmas story in June? Stumbled upon this while looking for something else and it seemed like a nice quick read. 

Leo finds himself being mistaken for his twin brother who is a famous hockey player. It happens enough, but he doesn't correct Riley because there is something about her and he wants to take her home. The further they go the harder it is to tell her the truth even though his partner, Jace, knows it is not a good idea to keep it from her. Things escalate and they will spend a holly, jolly Christmas with each other. Sometimes miracles happen. 

This was 90% smut and 10% story. Which was fine, but man...I think I needed another 10% to really enjoy it. Yes, I enjoyed the smut but I think I needed more talking especially after the reveal. No spoiler here but YOU KNOW it comes out eventually. Love an insta-love, but this needed more. 

Jace is a sweet bean. 

Leo was nice, but dumb dumb. 

Riley was an angel. 

Very smutty...very Christmas-y. Fun, but I needed just a smidge more story. 

3 stars. 

Favorite Character(s): Jace

Least Favorite Character(s): CHAD

 Challenge(s):

- Romance Reading #18 (LGBT)

Author: Kayla Grosse

Title: Puck Shy

Series: Brother Puckers #2

Genre: LGBT, Romance, Novella

Format: ebook

Pages: 206

Published: January 1, 2024

Where I got It: My shelf (Amazon)

Summary: 

LUCAS MCKNIGHT, is the center for the Seattle Stormbreakers hockey team, and a famous actor. You’d think his life would be made, but he’s going through a dry spell—in more ways than one.

One of his teammates is tired of watching Lucas suffer, and with a little convincing, entices him to attend a masked Valentine’s Day party for a night of distraction. Little does he know; this night will change the game.

Lucas meets a mysterious woman in a red mask, and their chemistry is both instant and undeniable. After one little taste of the lady in red, his dry spell is broken, and after a fresh win on the ice, Lucas wants more. He’ll stop at nothing to find her.

Only, he doesn’t have to look far. It turns out the woman behind the mask, is STEVIE HARPER. As in, the sister of his twin brother’s partner. Future sister-in-law or not, Lucas isn’t giving up that easily.

Determined to keep Stevie close, Lucas offers her a job, hoping to explore what’s between them. Stevie agrees but insists on a platonic arrangement, she doesn’t mix business with pleasure. Only, their pact to remain professional quickly becomes a complicated dance, as they skate the blurred lines between friendship and something more.

When it comes to the game of love… there’s more than meets the ice.

Review:

Okay - I had to read book 2 because I wanted to see more. We get to see our throple make an appearance here and there. PLUS Leo's brother is going to find love too? Yayyyyy.

Here we follow Stevie and Lucas. Stevie is Riley's sister and Lucas is Leo's twin. They meet at a masked Valetine's Day sex party. It is love and lust at the same time. They share an incredible night but it was one single night....but then they run into each other and realize who each other is. Stevie doesn't do relationships especially not with her boss. So when he offers her a job there can be nothing more than friendship. 

NOW this was fun. I feel like this had the perfect blend of story and smut. Still EXTREMELY SMUTTY but a story I can get behind. They get to know each other for a bit before they explore more and I was here for it. 

It was so nice seeing the gang from the last book and seeing them out and interacting. Loved seeing them with their HEA. It made me appreciate this one even more. 

But yes, this was a nice quick read. 4 stars from me. 

Favorite Character(s): Lucas *fans self*

Least Favorite Character(s): mmmmmm no one. 

Movie Review: Clue (1985)

Title: Clue

Length: 1h 34m

Released: 1985

Genre: Comedy, Mystery
Rating: PG
Where I Got It: Pluto TV

SUMMARY:

Six guests are anonymously invited to a strange mansion for dinner, but after their host is killed, they must cooperate with the staff to identify the murderer as the bodies pile up.

Trailer

REVIEW:

The blogging world may or may not know, but I'm (at the time of this post) in a play rendition of this movie. Weee. I play Yvette the maid. Last time I watched this film I was a teenager (maybe young adult like 18 or 19) since the final weekend of shows are happening I decided to make my hubby watch this film with me. 

When six guests are anonymously invited to dinner at a strange mansion...bad things start happening. The host is killed and with the butler leading the way they need to unmask the killer before they too join the body pile. 

Man it has been a LONG time since I watched this. It was strange seeing this cast so young. Such a fan cast they were!

The humor is there and still funny. Some jokes might be a little dated, but still fun. 

I love, love, LOVE the fact that they have multiple endings! How fun! From what I have been told, back in the day they would give different theaters different endings just to cause chaos and confusion. How hilarious. Why can't movies be a joke upon themselves like this anymore?!?!?!

The whodunnit is hilarious because these are all very bad people (even the staff) so it's hard to determine who is the murder(s). Hilarious. 

Not sure if I'm just being biased because our version is a little more fast paced, but some bits (especially the beginning) just feels soooo slow. Maybe I'll rewatch this in like a year when the memories of my play fades and see if I feel the same way. 

All-in-all, this was a nice blast from the past and it was great having my hubby experience this before he watched our version of the movie on stage. 4 stars from me. 

For funsies...here is a picture of me and the cast: 

Audiobook Review: Leprechauns and Lemon Bars by Danielle Garrett

Author: Danielle Garrett

Narrator: Amanda Ronconi

Title: Leprechauns and Lemon Bars

Series: Sugar Shack Witch Mysteries #3.5

Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Mystery, Cozy Mystery

Format: Audiobook 

Pages: 487 

Published: September 1, 2024

Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)

Summary: Shamrocks, rainbows, pots of gold, and … one irate leprechaun.

Spring has sprung, and I’m finally getting out of town with my monster-hunting boyfriend. However, our cozy little rental cabin in the woods turns out to have a serious problem—an angry leprechaun infestation.

Before we can get back to our romantic rendezvous, we have to prove we didn’t steal a magic hat.

Piece of cake, right?

Review:

Weeeee! I needed a nice short. This filled that need for sure. 

Our little couple is finally getting some alone time with a romantic rendezvous. Just when things are getting good, they are disrupted by a Leprechaun who's magical hat has been stolen. Will they find the hat? Will they get to save their vacation? Most importantly...will they get the door fixed so they get their deposit back?

You need to read the past books before reading this little number. There is a lot of backstory between Orion and Ella in order to truly appreciate this story. 

But yes, this is short. Super short. Maybe too short. 

There is romance and mystery. The mystery was a little cut and dry for my liking. I would've liked maybe a red herring or maybe a fun twist. Sadly, it was an easy mystery to solve for our epic duo. 

Honestly, I don't think we needed the mystery. I would've been completely A-OK with just a story of Ella and Orion exploring the woods and the town and each other (*waggles brows*). They rarely get alone time and they were apart for a while because of his work. Maybe the mystery could've been something even smaller than a missing hat. Maybe a mystery of the music playing or where to get their next meal. LOL. IDK but I do not think we needed a mystery in this short. 

Maybe I'm wrong......maybe this is a lead up to more especially with the gift they were given at the end there. We shall see. 

Narration? Amazing as per usual. I love Amanda Ronconi!

Overall, this was cute. The mystery was meh, but I loved seeing our epic duo together again after such a long time apart. Cuties!!!! 3 stars from me. 

Favorite Character(s): Ella and Orion of course

Least Favorite Character(s): n/a

 Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #28

- Cloak & Dagger #14

Book Review: Highland Flame by Mary Wine

Author: Mary Wine

Title: Highland Flame

Genre: Historical Romance

Format: ebook

Pages: 313

Published: September 5, 2017

Where I got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

Laird Diocail Gordon has just come into his title and inherited his father’s run down castle and rag-tag clan. He knows the sorry sight of the castle would send any woman running, but is determined to find a wife to help return his home to its former glory.

Widow Jane Stafford is on a mission—return to England even if it means trudging through the Scottish Highlands on foot. Her travels lead her straight to the path of danger until a mysterious, brawny man comes out of nowhere and saves her—and the spark between them is immediate. With a target on Jane’s back, she knows the only way to stay safe is to go with Diocail. But the real trouble will be guarding her heart from her newly ignited Highland flame…

Review:

Been meaning to push forward in this series for a while now, but you know life....things sometimes get forgotten or pushed back. But yayy. Finally back on track!

Here we follow Jane and Diocail. Jane is a newly made widow and she isn't sad about it. He was a bad husband in a lot of ways. She wants to go home one way or another even if that means walking the whole way. However, her plans are thwarted when she is saved by Diocail. He has just inherited his father's clan and it needs some serious work to get the clan back to it's former glory. First step...find a good and loyal wife to help. Jane is not that woman, but he can't help but be enchanted by the little English spitfire. 

This was a nice read. Loved Diocail and Jane. There is some drama, but nothing major. There are major trust issues they both have to work through...especially at the end. However, as every HR tells you......they work it out and they live happily ever after. 

I do wish we had more external drama that didn't involve someone trying to continuously kidnap Jane. Ugh. It got old. I would've liked a little more drama that might've brought Diocail and Jane together. I think it would've been nice to see them work on a problem together maybe. There is an external story going on at the same time, but it seemed to be slowed down to nearly a pause here. Hopefully we see more action in the next.

What else to say?

Loved Muir. 

Loved Jane and Diocail. You could see the lust and love bubbling there. They were perfect for each other even before they knew it. 

I can't wait to get to Brenda's book. She is my favorite but her book is last. We have one more tale to read before then. 

All-in-all, I have enjoyed the series so far. It is a cute and has some lovely steamy scenes. And the story is fun to watch unfold! This was a little slower for the external story, but still fun overall. I'll give this a 3. 

Favorite Character(s): Brenda is my girl

Least Favorite Character(s): The baddie(s) here

 Challenge(s):

- Library Love #13

- Romance Reading #17 (Highland in title)

Re-listen...Audiobook Review: One Good Dragon Deserves Another by Rachel Aaron

Author: Rachel Aaron 

Narrator: Vikas Adam

Title: One Good Dragon Deserves Another

(Heartstrikers #2)

Genre: Fantasy, Urban Fiction, Paranormal

Format: Audiobook 

Pages: 487 

Published: August 1st 2015

Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)

Summary: After barely escaping the machinations of his terrifying mother, two all knowing seers, and countless bloodthirsty siblings, the last thing Julius wants to see is another dragon. Unfortunately for him, the only thing more dangerous than being a useless Heartstriker is being a useful one, and now that he’s got an in with the Three Sisters, Julius has become a key pawn in Bethesda the Heartstriker’s gamble to put her clan on top.

Refusal to play along with his mother’s plans means death, but there’s more going on than even Bethesda knows, and with Estella back in the game with a vengeance, Heartstriker futures disappearing, and Algonquin’s dragon hunter closing in, the stakes are higher than even a seer can calculate. But when his most powerful family members start dropping like flies, it falls to Julius to defend the clan that never respected him and prove that, sometimes, the world’s worst dragon is the best one to have on your side.

Review:

Re-read book 1 for book club and I couldn't resist doing the rest of the series. Love this series so much!

Julius and Marci barely survived after the last book. Estella is back and is desperate to win at any cost. Julius and Marci will have to use every tool to survive and find a future that can work for everyone.

It was so fun going back to the beginning. Loved seeing everything with knowing eyes. Even though I knew what was going to happen I was still on the edge of my seat. Awwww. 

Julius is so sweet. Sometimes too much, but that is what makes him a bad dragon. 

Marci is adorbs. 

Amelia and Bob are still my favorite dragons. 

Again...I still feel for Estella but she went too far. I wanted more for her, but she made her bed. 

The ending is just so good. You need to read the next book to see if Julius' plan works. I know what happens but I'm itching to start it. 

The narrator is fabulous as always!!

Such a good series. Loved this book even more than when I last read it. 5 stars. 

Favorite Character(s): Bob and Amelia

Least Favorite Character(s): Bethesda

 Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #27

Blodeuedd's Monday: Finding Mr Write by Kelley Armstrong

Format: 368 pages, Paperback

Published: June 25, 2024 by Forever

Contemporary romance/own

I had some issues with this one because I had just finished Yellowface, and sure this is nothing like that. But Daphne decides to publish under a male penname and then she keeps up the lie and even finds a guy to play the part. There is just so much lying. It would have worked so much better if I had not recently read a book about the anger that any lying causes. Big or small.

But yes they get to know each other as Chris needs to know how to play the part of Zane. And the more they lie the closer they come to a big shown down. Because her book becomes a big hit and he is sent to bookfairs and talks in panels. And I kept thinking, people will be maaad.

There is also the romance bit as they get closer. Though to be fair, the romance lacked a bit. It would have made it even more about the romance. Now there was a lot of other things going on.

It was a good book, though do not read it after reading books where people lie about stuff and a trainwreck begins. LOL. Here there is not a trainwreck in that sense because this is in the end a romance.

A  fun romantic comedy about a woman writing under a male pseudonym and the man she hires to play the role in public.

Daphne McFadden is tired of rejection. After submitting her manuscript to dozens of agents, she's gotten rejection after rejection, and now it's time for something drastic. And so, Daphne submits her manuscript again… under a man's name.

Imagine her surprise when it sells for big money at an auction and soon becomes a publicity darling. Only she needs a man to play her super macho alter ego Zane Remington. Enter Chris Stanton, who absolutely looks the part of a survivalist and has a talent for pressing her piss‑me‑off‑I‑dare‑you buttons while somehow being endearing at the same time. But Chris has a few secrets of his own, including the fact that he’s really an accountant who has no idea how to chop wood or paddle a canoe. When Daphne's book becomes a bestselling sensation and they're forced to go on tour together, Daphne finds herself wondering if this city‑boy geek is exactly what she needs to push her to claim her dreams.

Book Review: English History

Author: Collins

Title: English History

Genre: Nonfiction

Format: Paperback

Pages: 224

Published: October 4, 2018

Where I got It: My shelf (Gift from friend) 

Summary: 

The perfect stocking filler for lovers of English History.

A concise guide to key events, people and places in English history and how England has come to be what it is today. From prehistoric England, Stonehenge and the Romans to modern times.

Review:

While I was over in the UK last month my lovely friend bought this for me while we were at a museum. She is so sweet!

This is a run down of some big events, people, and etc that influenced the English culture and history.

I'm a huge history nerd so it was fun going through this and seeing English history through an English historians POV. I loved that it was "simplified" so it wasn't overly wordy. We also got some pictures too so that was an added bonus. 

But yes, a quick read but I took my time. I enjoyed re-reading certain sections. I think I'm ready for my English History exam! ;) 

Informative and interesting. Plus pictures are fuuuuun!

5 stars. 

Book Review: The One Month Boyfriend by Roxie Noir

Author: Roxie Noir

Title: The One Month Boyfriend

Series: Wildwood Society #1

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Format: ebook

Pages: 430

Published: May 24, 2022

Where I got It: My shelf (Amazon)

Summary: 

Fake dating my sworn enemy to make my ex so jealous he can't see straight?

Worth it.

Silas and I agree on one thing, and one thing only: my ruthless, heartless, narcissistic jerk of an ex-fiance needs to be taken down a notch.

So we do what anyone would do: we pretend to be a couple.

Even though Silas and I are polar opposites. Silas is a loud, cheerful, over the top showboat. He’s his hometown’s golden boy, the Marine who came back to rescue kittens from trees and walk old ladies across the street.

And me? I'm the awkward new girl who freezes up around strangers and can’t make small talk to save my life.

It shouldn’t work. We can barely have a conversation without arguing. There's no way we should be friends, let alone dating, except... Everyone believes it.

Especially my ex.

Now I'm having way too many real fantasies about the man who gets on my last nerve. My fake boyfriend is starting to feel a whole lot like a real one.

The kisses feel real.

The way he protects me feels real.

The night we spend together in a hotel bed feels very real.

This was supposed to be fake, but I think I might have fooled myself most of all.

Review:

I stumbled up this a while back and was curious about it so when it was free on Amazon I grabbed it up. Weeee love a free book. 

Kat and Silas do not like each other, but they hate her ex more SO why not fake date to get even. However, as they spend time with each other they realize they have a lot in common and maybe they can at least be friends.....or more?

Honestly, this was a roller coaster and maybe not in the best of ways for me.

This started off okay for me....got meh....got better....got meh again. Better for a hot second and then ended with me yawning. 

The characters, esp Silas, seemed to be my alley. Silas was swoon-worthy at first, but I ended up feeling neutral. Luckily I didn't hate them, but I just didn't care. I didn't buy the chemistry. I didn't buy the witty convos. Nope. 

I would've DNFed but there were moments I enjoyed so I stuck it out. PLUS I needed this for a reading challenge. ;)

All-in-all, I wish I had liked this better. I didn't "hate" it, but I ultimately didn't care by the end. Not for me. BUUUUUT there were a couple of cute moments, so I'll give it 2 stars overall. 

Favorite Character(s): no one

Least Favorite Character(s): no one....I didn't even care about the ex. I don't even remember why we had to hate him. 

 Challenge(s):

- TBR (journey) #6