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Sunrise On The Reaping by Suzanne Collins
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
It’s been so hard for me to rate this one! I am so happy to have gotten this book and learn more about Haymitch’s back story. At the same time, there were some points that had me scratching my head. I do believe everything was tied together nicely at the end and overall I really enjoyed this book! I’d rank it above TBOSAS and behind the original trilogy.
We all thought we knew exactly what happened with Haymitch’s games— I mean Katniss and Peeta saw the videos in Catching Fire—but we actually knew nothing at all! The Capitol edited his Games to tell the story they saw fit. This book was a great commentary on propaganda and implicit submission. The book even has a few quotes before the opening page, one of which I’ll add below:
"Nothing appears more surprising to those, who consider human affairs with a philosophical eye, than the easiness with which the many are governed by the few; and the implicit submission, with which men resign their own sentiments and passions to those of their rulers. When we enquire by what means this wonder is effected, we shall find, that, as Force is always on the side of the governed, the governors have nothing to support them but opinion. It is therefore, on opinion only that government is founded; and this maxim extends to the most despotic and most military governments, as well as to the most free and most popular." - David Hume
I won’t go into further details as to not spoil, but essentially the Capitol is dead set on hiding what it can about the 50th Games. Further, they still seem to be trying to convince the Capitol citizens that the Games are needed.
“NO PEACE, NO PROSPERITY! NO HUNGER GAMES, NO PEACE!”
It’s so interesting to see how drastic the change was from the 10th (TBOSAS) to the 50th (SOTR) and then to the 74th (THG) Games. The district citizens are still seen as animals at this point, but the Tributes are now being fed and trained.
Maysilee Donner quickly became a favorite character of mine. She starts off seeming prissy and rude, but you quickly come to learn that she is unwilling to take shit from anyone. She will not be treated as less than simply because she’s from District 12.
Haymitch has been through so much, be prepared to sob with this one! The ties to the original trilogy will have you laughing and crying.
THE GEESE!!!
“I love you like all-fire”
We all thought we knew exactly what happened with Haymitch’s games— I mean Katniss and Peeta saw the videos in Catching Fire—but we actually knew nothing at all! The Capitol edited his Games to tell the story they saw fit. This book was a great commentary on propaganda and implicit submission. The book even has a few quotes before the opening page, one of which I’ll add below:
"Nothing appears more surprising to those, who consider human affairs with a philosophical eye, than the easiness with which the many are governed by the few; and the implicit submission, with which men resign their own sentiments and passions to those of their rulers. When we enquire by what means this wonder is effected, we shall find, that, as Force is always on the side of the governed, the governors have nothing to support them but opinion. It is therefore, on opinion only that government is founded; and this maxim extends to the most despotic and most military governments, as well as to the most free and most popular." - David Hume
I won’t go into further details as to not spoil, but essentially the Capitol is dead set on hiding what it can about the 50th Games. Further, they still seem to be trying to convince the Capitol citizens that the Games are needed.
“NO PEACE, NO PROSPERITY! NO HUNGER GAMES, NO PEACE!”
It’s so interesting to see how drastic the change was from the 10th (TBOSAS) to the 50th (SOTR) and then to the 74th (THG) Games. The district citizens are still seen as animals at this point, but the Tributes are now being fed and trained.
Maysilee Donner quickly became a favorite character of mine. She starts off seeming prissy and rude, but you quickly come to learn that she is unwilling to take shit from anyone. She will not be treated as less than simply because she’s from District 12.
Haymitch has been through so much, be prepared to sob with this one! The ties to the original trilogy will have you laughing and crying.
THE GEESE!!!
“I love you like all-fire”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Confinement, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Grief, and Murder
Stick With Me by Nikki Callan
4.0
I received a copy from Love Notes PR. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Hannah Clarke’s world crumbles when her fiancé announces their break up in an article— this is news to her. Hannah has given years to this relationship, losing herself and her passions along the way. When her best friend from college, Ryan Logan, is going to be in Texas for the NHL All Star weekend, the two reconnect. Hannah decides to move back to Chicago and open a non-profit animal rescue. Ryan just so happens to play in Chicago and offers her a place to stay while she gets her rescue off the ground.
Ryan has been in love with Hannah ever since they met in college, unfortunately his “best friend” swooped in before he had the chance. When Hannah is heartbroken, he realizes now is his chance. He just needs to give her time to heal.
When Hannah’s ex starts dating again, Hannah and Ryan come up with an idea to get back at him. The two pretend to be dating to show him she’s moving on too. Ryan just hopes he can show Hannah just how good they are together.
Read if you like:
• best friends to lovers
• fake dating
• hockey romance
• women finding themselves after a break up
• mutual pining
Hannah Clarke’s world crumbles when her fiancé announces their break up in an article— this is news to her. Hannah has given years to this relationship, losing herself and her passions along the way. When her best friend from college, Ryan Logan, is going to be in Texas for the NHL All Star weekend, the two reconnect. Hannah decides to move back to Chicago and open a non-profit animal rescue. Ryan just so happens to play in Chicago and offers her a place to stay while she gets her rescue off the ground.
Ryan has been in love with Hannah ever since they met in college, unfortunately his “best friend” swooped in before he had the chance. When Hannah is heartbroken, he realizes now is his chance. He just needs to give her time to heal.
When Hannah’s ex starts dating again, Hannah and Ryan come up with an idea to get back at him. The two pretend to be dating to show him she’s moving on too. Ryan just hopes he can show Hannah just how good they are together.
Read if you like:
• best friends to lovers
• fake dating
• hockey romance
• women finding themselves after a break up
• mutual pining
Perfectly Faked by Grace Worthington
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.0
I received an eARC from Booked With the Emily’s. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Victoria has spent her entire life working to get the National title, but has had a few setbacks. Things continue to spiral when her partner gets injured. Fortunately, her dad (a hockey coach) has a lead on a new partner. The downside? He’s her ex-boyfriend whose heart she broke… and an egotistical hockey player.
Leo is facing suspension from the team after a game gone wrong and the only way back on the ice is community service. His coach gives him one option— skate with his daughter Victoria while her partner heals. Leo has every intention of riling her up— after all, she did break his heart all those years ago. As the two spend time together, the ice separating them begins to melt.
The one thing that made it hard for me to stay in this read was the fact that this books premise depended on believing a hockey coach would make his player figure skate for community service (and that that would be helpful to her)?? Otherwise I really enjoyed it!
Read if you like:
• second chance romance
• hockey player/figure skater
• closed door romance
• coaches daughter
Victoria has spent her entire life working to get the National title, but has had a few setbacks. Things continue to spiral when her partner gets injured. Fortunately, her dad (a hockey coach) has a lead on a new partner. The downside? He’s her ex-boyfriend whose heart she broke… and an egotistical hockey player.
Leo is facing suspension from the team after a game gone wrong and the only way back on the ice is community service. His coach gives him one option— skate with his daughter Victoria while her partner heals. Leo has every intention of riling her up— after all, she did break his heart all those years ago. As the two spend time together, the ice separating them begins to melt.
The one thing that made it hard for me to stay in this read was the fact that this books premise depended on believing a hockey coach would make his player figure skate for community service (and that that would be helpful to her)?? Otherwise I really enjoyed it!
Read if you like:
• second chance romance
• hockey player/figure skater
• closed door romance
• coaches daughter
Wicked Serve by Grace Reilly
3.5
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Izzy and Nik <3
Izzy is the youngest Callahan kid and I was so happy we got her story!
I really enjoyed this one but it was a little long for my liking. This book did a great job of depicting your early 20s and not knowing what you want to do with your life— will you make the right choice? I loved seeing Izzy and Nik fight for each other and push each other to follow their dreams. It was also great to see Nik become so close with the Callahan family
Read if you like;
• volleyball
• hockey
• brothers rival
Izzy and Nik <3
Izzy is the youngest Callahan kid and I was so happy we got her story!
I really enjoyed this one but it was a little long for my liking. This book did a great job of depicting your early 20s and not knowing what you want to do with your life— will you make the right choice? I loved seeing Izzy and Nik fight for each other and push each other to follow their dreams. It was also great to see Nik become so close with the Callahan family
Read if you like;
• volleyball
• hockey
• brothers rival
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual content, and Vomit
Winning Brynn: A Single Dad, Sports Romance by Maisie Myers
Did not finish book. Stopped at 20%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 20%.
I received an eARC from Love Notes PR. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Unfortunately this just was not for me. I could not get into it and something about the MCs was just not doing it for me.
Read if you like:
• nanny x father
• single dad
• brothers best friend
Unfortunately this just was not for me. I could not get into it and something about the MCs was just not doing it for me.
Read if you like:
• nanny x father
• single dad
• brothers best friend
Wild Pitch by Mari Loyal
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
I received an eARC from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This was so cute!
I loved reading about a strong woman who struggles with feeling like she’s enough. Hope is the only woman physical therapist on the Wild, which unfortunately means she gets all the tasks no one else wants. When Hope gets left at a restaurant and stuck with an expensive bill, Cade Starr just so happens to be nearby and picks up the bill. Hope has a string of bad dates, but she’s determined to not give up. Especially since her ex boyfriend and ex best friend are now together. She cannot show up to next year’s Friendsgiving alone.
Hope gets an idea— Cade Starr seems to have women flock to him without even trying. He also kept his mouth shut after witnessing her failed date. So, Hope asks Cade to be her dating coach. Only, now she can’t get him out of her head.
Read if you like:
• baseball
• sports romance
• workplace romance
• closed door romance
• care taking while sick
• found family
This was so cute!
I loved reading about a strong woman who struggles with feeling like she’s enough. Hope is the only woman physical therapist on the Wild, which unfortunately means she gets all the tasks no one else wants. When Hope gets left at a restaurant and stuck with an expensive bill, Cade Starr just so happens to be nearby and picks up the bill. Hope has a string of bad dates, but she’s determined to not give up. Especially since her ex boyfriend and ex best friend are now together. She cannot show up to next year’s Friendsgiving alone.
Hope gets an idea— Cade Starr seems to have women flock to him without even trying. He also kept his mouth shut after witnessing her failed date. So, Hope asks Cade to be her dating coach. Only, now she can’t get him out of her head.
Read if you like:
• baseball
• sports romance
• workplace romance
• closed door romance
• care taking while sick
• found family
Spring Awakening by J.S. Jasper
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I received an eARC from Love Notes PR. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Mali grew up cheering for the Toulshire Titans rugby team. Her parents are super fans and have supported the team for over a decade. Now that the Titan’s have been promoted tot the regional leagues, Mali snags a job as the team’s public relations officer. On the first day, Mali runs into her favorite player, Zachariah Azan. Unfortunately, he seems to be a jerk.
Zach has a lot to deal with— a brother in and out of a jail, a father who left, a mother with memory issues, and he is about to be kicked out of his apartment. It doesn’t help that some comments of his were taken out of context and now his teammates hate him. Then, Zach meets Mali and he can’t seem to figure out how to talk to her.
Zach soon takes the spare room at Mali’s and the two form a tentative friendship to hide their mutual feelings behind. The two can’t believe the other would ever be into them. Plus, Mali seems to think Zach is into love with Ezra.
Man I kept screaming at them to finally do something!!! It was so heartbreaking to watch Zach do everything for everyone around him and expect to do it all alone. I loved how Mali showed him that she will be there to take care of him while he takes care of everyone else. I don’t know much about rugby, but I thoroughly enjoyed this one!
Read if you like:
• roommates
• mutual pining
• rugby/sports romance
• strangers to friends to lovers
• slow burn
Mali grew up cheering for the Toulshire Titans rugby team. Her parents are super fans and have supported the team for over a decade. Now that the Titan’s have been promoted tot the regional leagues, Mali snags a job as the team’s public relations officer. On the first day, Mali runs into her favorite player, Zachariah Azan. Unfortunately, he seems to be a jerk.
Zach has a lot to deal with— a brother in and out of a jail, a father who left, a mother with memory issues, and he is about to be kicked out of his apartment. It doesn’t help that some comments of his were taken out of context and now his teammates hate him. Then, Zach meets Mali and he can’t seem to figure out how to talk to her.
Zach soon takes the spare room at Mali’s and the two form a tentative friendship to hide their mutual feelings behind. The two can’t believe the other would ever be into them. Plus, Mali seems to think Zach is into love with Ezra.
Man I kept screaming at them to finally do something!!! It was so heartbreaking to watch Zach do everything for everyone around him and expect to do it all alone. I loved how Mali showed him that she will be there to take care of him while he takes care of everyone else. I don’t know much about rugby, but I thoroughly enjoyed this one!
Read if you like:
• roommates
• mutual pining
• rugby/sports romance
• strangers to friends to lovers
• slow burn
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Dementia, and Injury/Injury detail
When Alec Met Evie by Jenny Proctor
4.0
I received an eARC from Booked with the Emily’s. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I really enjoyed this one! This was my first book by this author, and while it was the end to an interconnected series, I didn’t feel lost! I will definitely have to go back and read the others though! I eat these kinds of series up— a group of friends each with their own story? SIGN ME UP!
I loved seeing Alec step up for Evie and Juno! Also it was so sweet to see him take care of the rookies and I am so happy with how this one ended up!
Read if you like:
• interconnected standalone series
• best friend’s older brother
• hockey
• single mom
• age gap
I really enjoyed this one! This was my first book by this author, and while it was the end to an interconnected series, I didn’t feel lost! I will definitely have to go back and read the others though! I eat these kinds of series up— a group of friends each with their own story? SIGN ME UP!
I loved seeing Alec step up for Evie and Juno! Also it was so sweet to see him take care of the rookies and I am so happy with how this one ended up!
Read if you like:
• interconnected standalone series
• best friend’s older brother
• hockey
• single mom
• age gap
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
2.75
I was so incredibly excited for this book, but unfortunately it fell flat for me. I had to force myself to read this book. I absolutely DEVOURED the first two books, but this was just so disappointing.
I still plan on reading the rest of the series, but I am leaving this book feeling underwhelmed and a little angry. Overall, I found the politics to be a bit confusing, the many side characters began to blur together, and some of the reasoning behind plot points to be a bit convenient.
The relationship between Violet and Xaden, as well as between Violet and her friends, was the saving grace of this book for me. I love this main cast of characters and how Rhi, Ridoc, Sawyer, and Jesinia would do anything for Violet.
Spoilers the rest of the way:
Things that didn’t work for me:
• Violet’s random prince ex? I totally get that Violet had exes prior to Xaden and they chose to not talk about it. But you mean to tell me when Aaric came into the picture it wasn’t mentioned even in passing?
• All the “marked ones” have second signets that they have managed to keep hidden? I love the idea that the dragons purposely chose riders within familial ties to their previous riders, thus giving them all second signets, but not one of them was found out for having two signets?
• General Aetos comes in and has a vendetta against Violet— even going as far as to keep her away from Xaden… then he just disappears???
• Andarna finds her kind, they deny her, and then when the team comes back after having defied a direct order, they conveniently are let off the hook all because of the king being happy Aaric has been found??
• Xaden’s mom’s random appearance. (I won’t even go into this one)
• Andarna just up and leaving and disconnecting her bond with Violet around like 85%?? But then randomly showing back up at the very end??
• I am so confused with wtf Violet’s father was up to before he died. I am hoping this is better explained in the next book because ???
Things I loved:
• Aaric’s signet being revealed and his sass
• Ridoc— he’s so funny and he cared so much about Violet.
• Jesinia and Sawyer <3
Oh goodness and the ending? Violet and Xaden married?? Violet’s mind wiped??? Xaden turned into a full on venin now and disappeared with Bohdi and Garrick?? I am excited to see what happens though and I have a theory that somehow Sloane will be the one who can save Xaden.
I still plan on reading the rest of the series, but I am leaving this book feeling underwhelmed and a little angry. Overall, I found the politics to be a bit confusing, the many side characters began to blur together, and some of the reasoning behind plot points to be a bit convenient.
The relationship between Violet and Xaden, as well as between Violet and her friends, was the saving grace of this book for me. I love this main cast of characters and how Rhi, Ridoc, Sawyer, and Jesinia would do anything for Violet.
Spoilers the rest of the way:
• Violet’s random prince ex? I totally get that Violet had exes prior to Xaden and they chose to not talk about it. But you mean to tell me when Aaric came into the picture it wasn’t mentioned even in passing?
• All the “marked ones” have second signets that they have managed to keep hidden? I love the idea that the dragons purposely chose riders within familial ties to their previous riders, thus giving them all second signets, but not one of them was found out for having two signets?
• General Aetos comes in and has a vendetta against Violet— even going as far as to keep her away from Xaden… then he just disappears???
• Andarna finds her kind, they deny her, and then when the team comes back after having defied a direct order, they conveniently are let off the hook all because of the king being happy Aaric has been found??
• Xaden’s mom’s random appearance. (I won’t even go into this one)
• Andarna just up and leaving and disconnecting her bond with Violet around like 85%?? But then randomly showing back up at the very end??
• I am so confused with wtf Violet’s father was up to before he died. I am hoping this is better explained in the next book because ???
Things I loved:
• Aaric’s signet being revealed and his sass
• Ridoc— he’s so funny and he cared so much about Violet.
• Jesinia and Sawyer <3
Oh goodness and the ending? Violet and Xaden married?? Violet’s mind wiped??? Xaden turned into a full on venin now and disappeared with Bohdi and Garrick?? I am excited to see what happens though and I have a theory that somehow Sloane will be the one who can save Xaden.