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Nessavamusic

Nessavamusic

Joined January 2018

I love a wide variety of books but gravitate towards fantasy, thrillers and romance. 📚🐶
review
Nessavamusic
Zombie Bake-Off | Stephen Graham Jones
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Pickpick

This book is weird and wacky and in Stephen Graham Jones‘ trademark choppy and unique writing style. It has some moments of meandering, and at times doesn‘t age well with some of the language. If you look beyond that, it is still a fun silly horror. 3.5⭐️

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Nessavamusic
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Pickpick

Though I did predict the ending, there were some fun twists throughout. It also had solid pacing that kept me interested to the end. Domestic thrillers are not my favorite and there are some elements which may put off some readers. Also the men in this story are so clueless… Still, overall a fun time. 3.5⭐️

Nessavamusic There is cheating in this book, be warned if you are not a fan. 2d
36 likes1 comment
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Nessavamusic
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Pickpick

Another enjoyable mystery solved by Vera and friends, with returning characters and some new ones to add to Vera‘s found family. I really do love her, though this one was not quite as good as the first one. Still a great time. 4.5⭐️

46 likes1 stack add
blurb
Nessavamusic
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Here‘s my #bookspinbingo board for October!

My #bookspin pick is The Child Thief by Brom
My #doublespin pick is Night Watching by Tracy Sierra

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! Looks fantastic!! 5d
30 likes1 comment
review
Nessavamusic
Hemlock & Silver | T. Kingfisher
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Pickpick

A very different, unique take on the Snow White tale. Our protagonist is a healer who specializes in finding cures to poisons. She is hired by the King to figure out why his daughter is sick. A fun fantasy/mystery story unravels, with a touch of romance too. Very entertaining and original. 4.5⭐️

blurb
Nessavamusic
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Vera was my favorite read of the month. So much fun and lovable characters. I am looking forward to reading the next in the series in October!

Catsandbooks 👏🏼🎉❤️ 4d
38 likes1 comment
blurb
Nessavamusic
Untitled | Unknown
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Here are my #Septemberreadingstats

15 books read
4 DNF‘s
4 physical/ebook reads
11 Audiobooks
6 books off my physical TBR snack

5 star reads: The Light of All That Falls & Vera Wong‘s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers
I had a lot of good reads, just the 2 great reads.
⬇️

Nessavamusic DNFS: Beware the Woman by Megan Abbott, Arcana Academy by Elise Kova, When the Moon Hits Your Eye by John Scalzi & Sisters of a Lost Nation by Nick Medina

I have a bunch of anticipated horror/thriller books planned for October! What were your favorite reads of September?
1w
39 likes1 comment
review
Nessavamusic
The Snow Child | Eowyn Ivey
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Pickpick

This is a beautifully written bittersweet story of a middle aged couple trying to make their way in Alaska and the found family the find along the way. There are some possible fantastical elements, but overall it does a great job of demonstrating the harsh reality of early 20th century Alaska. It was not perfect for me though. The last third of the book really annoyed me and felt unnecessary.⬇️

Nessavamusic The ending felt appropriate though, even though it was sad. 3.75⭐️ #roll100 pick done and 2 #bookspinbingos! 1w
PuddleJumper 🎉🎉 1w
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 1w
42 likes3 comments
blurb
Nessavamusic
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My #OctoberTBR is all about the spooky books!
As always I‘m participating in #bookspin #doublespin #bookspinbingo & #roll100

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 1w
PuddleJumper Looks great! 1w
33 likes2 comments
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Nessavamusic
Lucky Day | Chuck Tingle
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Pickpick

This is a rather bonkers horror/sci-fi about a series of freak occurrences and a secret government agency. It is overall entertaining and I liked our main character. There was just something missing. Maybe it being a little longer would help. It just started and moved at full speed until the end. Still a big fan of this author, but not my favorite. 3.5⭐️
#bookspin pick done!

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 1w
45 likes1 comment
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Nessavamusic
The Light of All That Falls | James Islington
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Pickpick

Wow, what an ending to this very well crafted epic fantasy. I will definitely want to reread at some point to catch all the fine details leading the grand finale. If you are a fan of epic fantasy, and great world building, check this series out! 5⭐️

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Nessavamusic
Beware the Woman | Megan Abbott
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Bailedbailed

I‘m bailing on this one, it is really not for me. Pregnancy thriller, gaslighting, the main character being dumb. Yeah I‘m done. #hailthebail

#doublespin off the TBR

TheAromaofBooks Not every book is a match. On to something better!! 2w
44 likes1 comment
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Nessavamusic
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Panpan

This book is a mess. Strongly inspired by Japanese gangster horror, this does well with the brutal violent imagery. The story itself jumps around and does not quite work. It really is just too short and trying to fit too much story into a short novella. Let repeat this is brutally violent and includes a couple scenes of SA. I really only finished because it was short. 2⭐️

#bookspinbingo!

TheAromaofBooks At least it's off the list! 2w
39 likes1 comment
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Nessavamusic
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Pickpick

An action/horror manga that is very similar to Witcher, but our warrior is a woman. A good start to a series, I think I will continue! 4⭐️

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Nessavamusic
Roll the Dice | Wayne Avrashow
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Here are my #roll100 picks for my #OctoberTBR!

Night Watching by Tracy Sierra
The Lightning Bottles by Marissa Stapley
The Last Animal by Ramona Ausubel

Now time to build my October TBR!

PuddleJumper 🖤🧡🖤 2w
40 likes1 comment
review
Nessavamusic
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Bailedbailed

This premise is just too absurd and I‘m not feeling it. #dnf #hailthebail

BookmarkTavern On to better reads! 💕 2w
45 likes1 comment
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Nessavamusic
Framed in Death | J. D. Robb
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Pickpick

Another solid entry in the In Death series! 4⭐️

45 likes1 stack add
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Nessavamusic
The Second Ending: A Novel | Michelle Hoffman
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Pickpick

I‘m giving this a marginal pick. About two piano players, a middle aged child prodigy and a young celebrity. I liked the exploration of their struggles and their deep love and connection for music. There were just some odd choices in plot and one of the main characters Prudence is 48, but reads in her 60‘s and the timelines don‘t always make sense. If you love music, I recommend though. 3.5⭐️

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Nessavamusic
The Queen of Sorrow | Sarah Beth Durst
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Pickpick

A dizzying action packed finale to a truly unique and interesting fantasy trilogy! 4.5⭐️

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Nessavamusic
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Bailedbailed

Very quickly realized I was not going to love this one, so DNF. #hailthebail a book off my #roll100 & physical tbr! @PuddleJumper

PuddleJumper Boo! Better books ahead! 3w
47 likes1 comment
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Nessavamusic
City of Mirth and Malice | Alexis L Menard
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Pickpick

I really liked this fantasy duology, a very solid continuation of the story. This series has some very interesting world building and a unique magic system. There are some pacing issues, and the last act moves so fast it felt rushed. But overall I did enjoy this second book and the series overall. A great set for like more fantasy and world building in their Romantasy. 4⭐️

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Nessavamusic
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Pickpick

This was such a fun read! Our main character Vera Wong discovers a dead body in her tea shop, and decides she is the best person to solve the mystery. Vera is amazing, you will totally fall in love with her. There is also a delightful cast of supporting characters/suspects. I loved this and look forward to more madcap adventures with Vera & co. 5⭐️

53 likes1 stack add
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Nessavamusic
The Sirens: A Novel | Emilia Hart
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Pickpick

Overall, a good story but the pacing was a little slow. I also never felt the connection to any of the characters as I did in Weyward. Still an interesting story with multiple POV‘s. Historical fiction with some fantastical elements. 3.5⭐️

57 likes1 stack add
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Nessavamusic
How Bad Things Can Get | Darcy Coates
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Pickpick

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I am a fan of Darcy Coates, and with this books she brings us another quirky dark horror/thriller. This book is part reality tv nightmare a la Fyre Fest and part cult story - you could debate that some online celebrities have cult like followings too. This was entertaining, gruesome and a bit messy.⬇️

Nessavamusic There were maybe a few too many ideas, so it did not quite stick the landing. However, the journey was fun. 4⭐️ 1mo
52 likes1 comment
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Nessavamusic
First and Tension | Tara Sivec
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Pickpick

Another fun tropey rom-com in this athlete centered series. Book 5 (which I accidentally read first) is still my favorite. 4⭐️

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Nessavamusic
Natural Beauty: A Novel | Ling Ling Huang
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Pickpick

A very disturbing and frequently gross novel about the quite literal horrors of the beauty industry. This frequently made me feel icky, yet I kept going wanting to know the ending. Not for the faint of heart, there is some body horror and some additional eluded to elements to be wary of. 4⭐️

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Nessavamusic
Katabasis | R.F. Kuang
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Pickpick

I liked this, and like all of R. F. Huang‘s books it has beautiful writing. It just doesn‘t 100% hit, there are a few too many ideas. It definitely hits the pretentious hell that academia can be when it literally becomes hell. It also has a touch of romance which does not quite hit. There are also some other little elements that she squeezed in that I know had meaning to the author, but did not quite fit within the story.⬇️

Nessavamusic I do recommend if you are a fan of this author‘s writing or academia. 3.75⭐️ 1mo
52 likes1 comment
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Nessavamusic
Bingo! | Rosemary Wells
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Here is my #bookspinbingo board for my #SeptemberTBR

My #bookspin pick is Lucky Day by Chuck Tingle
My #doublespin pick is Beware the Woman by Megan Abbott

I am also continuing to work on my physical TBR with #roll100

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! Looks fantastic!! 1mo
39 likes1 comment
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Nessavamusic
The Inheritance | Ilona Andrews
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Tagged was my top read of the month, but When the Wolf Comes Home by Nat Cassidy was a close second so I added it as a Wild Card.

Catsandbooks 👏🏼🎉💖 1mo
41 likes1 comment
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Nessavamusic
The Inheritance | Ilona Andrews
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August reading stats:
17 books read
A super unfortunate 10 books I DNF‘d 😳
11 audiobooks
6 ebook/physical books
6 books off my physical tbr

Favorite read: The Inheritance by Ilona Andrews
Other 5⭐️ reads: Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid, When the Wolf Comes Home by Nat Cassidy

Nessavamusic DNF‘s not pictured: The Housemaid is Watching, Night Watcher, The Dollmakers, The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, Terror at the Gates, Arcana Academy, Neon Ghosts: A Witch‘s Sin, Hopeless & Sheine Linde 1mo
41 likes1 comment
review
Nessavamusic
Too Old for This | Samantha Downing
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Pickpick

It seems weird to type this, but this has the most likable serial killer I‘ve read. Our main character is just trying to enjoy her retirement, when a filmmaker visits her wanting to revisit her past. This was a very entertaining read, with humor and well written protagonist. I would have loved a little more development of the side characters, but definitely recommend this one! 4.5⭐️

50 likes3 stack adds
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Nessavamusic
Arcana Academy | Elise Kova
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Bailedbailed

I am sure this will be popular. However, even though the tarot based magic system is interesting, nothing else in this book feels original. Also, I‘m just bored. DNF‘d at 30%. Let me know if you feel this is genuinely worth continuing. #hailthebail

julesG I think it's the right decision. I finished because I had an audiobook ARC. Gave it a low pick, but a So-So would be more accurate. 1mo
emz711 Aw. Yeah I felt like it gained momentum as it went on 1w
45 likes2 comments
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Nessavamusic
Swing and a Mishap | Tara Sivec
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Pickpick

Another delightful romantic comedy by Tara Sivec. I enjoyed this one more than the first in the series. Both main characters are delightful and adorable. It also has a very satisfying ending and some very steamy scenes. 4.5⭐️

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Nessavamusic
Untitled | Untitled
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Here is my #SeptemberTBR for #bookspinbingo
I will continue #bookspin & #doublespin as well as #roll100

ShyBookOwl Just finished The Sirens and can't stop thinking about it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1mo
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 1mo
46 likes2 comments
review
Nessavamusic
Kiss My Putt | Tara Sivec
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Mehso-so

This started well and was cute overall, but the ridiculous lack of adult conversations was annoying. I still enjoy this author‘s humor so am continuing in the series. 3⭐️

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Nessavamusic
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Pickpick

This was a cute, if a little slow, fantasy romance. A mix of historical fiction and magical realism, this features a married couple in a marriage of convenience, that work together to solve a magical mystery. The relationship issues were a bit unnecessary as they were heavily built on miscommunication. When a simple conversation would solve most of the issues, it can be frustrating to leave. I still like the writing and the world. 3.5⭐️

42 likes2 comments
blurb
Nessavamusic
Untitled | Untitled
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Here are my #roll100 picks for my #SeptemberTBR

The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey
Ring by Koji Suzuki
Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie

PuddleJumper 🎉🎉 2mo
44 likes2 comments
review
Nessavamusic
Sheine Lende: A Prequel to Elatsoe | Darcie Little Badger
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Bailedbailed

This is a bummer as I LOVED Elatsoe, one of my favorite reads of last year. However, this is just boring. It should have been a short story. The first third was really interesting, but the middle of the book nothing was happening and there was just a lot of talking. So DNF. #hailthebail Another #bookspinbingo though!

Clare-Dragonfly I agree, it should have been a lot shorter. 😕 2mo
TheAromaofBooks At least it's off the list!! 1mo
38 likes2 comments
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Nessavamusic
Sheine Lende: A Prequel to Elatsoe | Darcie Little Badger
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Bailedbailed

This is a bummer as I LOVED Elatsoe, one of my favorite reads of last year. However, this is just boring. It should have been a short story. The first third was really interesting, but the middle of the book nothing was happening and there was just a lot of talking. So DNF. #hailthebail Another #bookspinbingo though!

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Nessavamusic
Terror at the Gates | Scarlett St. Clair
Bailedbailed

This had an interesting start, but I‘m just not enjoying the main character or the writing style. It has a YA tone but definitely adult content. Just not for me. #hailthebail

33 likes1 comment
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Nessavamusic
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Pickpick

A delightful & cozy English countryside mystery. I loved our main characters. I look forward to continuing this series! 4.5⭐️

48 likes1 stack add
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Nessavamusic
An Echo of Things to Come | James Islington
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Pickpick

Another solid installment in this epic fantasy series. Though full of action, it still has that middle book feel where nothing is fully resolved. Still enjoyable overall. 4⭐️

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Nessavamusic
A Witch's Sin | Daniel B. Greene
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Bailedbailed

I am not liking the writing style, just not for me.
Bummer as I supported this kickstarter. The book is very pretty, up for sale on my Pango store. #hailthebail a book off my #roll100 TBR too!
It also gave me a #bookspinbingo

PuddleJumper What a shame. It's a great looking book 2mo
TheAromaofBooks Always so disappointing!!! But at least it's off the list!! 2mo
41 likes3 comments
review
Nessavamusic
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Bailedbailed

I was hoping to like this more than the movie, but I just don‘t enjoy Snow‘s story. #hailthebail

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Nessavamusic
Inheritance | Ilona Andrews
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Absolutely fantastic! This writing team knows how to write an amazing heroine, and Ada may be my favorite. This new sci-fantasy features a near future where portals start to appear with invasions of monsters. Our main character Ada is part of a team on an expedition to mine/close one of these portals. Things go very wrong and will change Ada forever. There is also a very good dog. 5+⭐️
#bookspin done!

Leniverse Is this a rare standalone or the start of a new series? 2mo
Nessavamusic @Leniverse they said there will be at least one more. It started as a serial for their blog and developed into a full blown book. It has a solid ending-no cliffhanger-but I loved the MC so I definitely want more! 2mo
Leniverse Nice. Their books are so addictive, I've been holding off on the Kate Daniels series because I know once I start I'm going to want to binge 😅 2mo
See All 7 Comments
LiseWorks Oh go ahead and binge @Leniverse 2mo
Nessavamusic @Leniverse it‘s worth- do know that the first Kate Daniels book is by far the weakest, so really give it at least 2 books. They are fast reads too! 2mo
Leniverse I currently only have the first one plus the start books of several spin-offs that come much later in the series 😂 I collect their books randomly when I come across an offer, and then I binge, buying the rest as I get to them. Kate Daniels is going to cost me too much if I start reading now. 😬 2mo
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! I am super stoked about reading this one!!! And @Leniverse I totally second Vanessa on the Kate Daniels books getting better as they go. I felt really ambivalent towards the first book - it was okay, but didn't knock my socks off - but fell in love when I read book 2. But I also totally get not wanting to start another series right now. I seem to be in the middle of wayyy too many 😂 2mo
48 likes3 stack adds7 comments
review
Nessavamusic
With this Fling | Tara Sivec
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Pickpick

This was an absolute delight. A true romantic comedy that actually made me laugh. Also our main characters are in their 50‘s and feel like actual 50somethings. I haven‘t actually read any of this series but I have enjoyed this author in the past. If you enjoy a raunchy rom-com I definitely recommend. 4.5⭐️

CarolynM This sounds great! 2mo
45 likes1 comment
review
Nessavamusic
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Pickpick

This is a sweet, cozy fantasy with some romance. It has some very cute characters, and in the same world as the authors first book, but is a standalone novel. This story is a little melancholy however, and the ending is actually a bit sad. So a well written story, but not quite the tone I was looking for. 3.5⭐️

53 likes1 stack add
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Nessavamusic
Such a Pretty Smile: A Novel | Kristi DeMeester
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Mehso-so

This book had a good concept and I see the message of female rage, but it didn‘t quite work. There were a lot of ideas which just got muddled. I would try this author again though, as there was some great imagery. 3⭐️

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Nessavamusic
Hopeless | Elsie Silver
Bailedbailed

Just not enjoying this one so #hailthebail for now. I may come back to it later.

31 likes1 stack add
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Nessavamusic
The Enchanted Greenhouse | Sarah Beth Durst
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Pickpick

Cute and cozy, but a little bit repetitive. Not as entertaining as the first one but a sweet read. 3.5⭐️
First #bookspinbingo!

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 2mo
38 likes1 comment