Scan barcode
stephs_cozycorner's reviews
285 reviews
Phantasma by Kaylie Smith
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Sexual content, Violence, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Beartown by Fredrik Backman
5.0
I’ve had this book on my shelf and radar forever, but I was too nervous to pick it up due to the hype and how loved this one is. But boy am I ever glad I finally did.
I’ll admit the first half of the book I was a bit unsure and was trying to grapple with all the information and characters being thrown at me, but I completely understood by the end of the book why it’s written this way.
Emotions are raw and relationships are tested in this small hockey town and one single event shakes everything and everyone to its core.
Backman has such a gift with the way he writes. The characters are very complex and the descriptions are so vivid. And he tackles issues such as bullying, peer pressure, racism, homophobia, grief and really dives deep into human nature and makes you question everything.
In the end this book ripped my heart out and then put the pieces back together.
Benji, Maya, Ana, Amat, Bobo are all characters that will stay with me for a long time to come. As will this book and this community in Beartown.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Homophobia, Racism, Rape, and Grief
Out of the Woods by Hannah Bonam-Young
4.5
Hannah has done it again! She’s written another beautiful romance with such relatable characters.
I love that Hannah’s stories have substance and depth and that they tackle important life events, while also still having a light hearted feel.
I was very excited to learn we would be getting a book about Sarah and Caleb as I loved the glimpses we got of them in 𝐎𝐮𝐭 𝐎𝐧 𝐀 𝐋𝐢𝐦𝐛.
And note while you don’t have to read it to enjoy this one, I still recommend doing so.
Plus it’s another amazing book to enjoy written by Hannah. ☺️😉
Caleb is book husband perfection. If it’s even remotely possible to fall in love with a book character, then I definitely did here, lol! He is sweet, patient, loyal, funny and has a spicy side to him.
And don’t skip the authors note at the beginning. I love how vulnerable Hannah is when she writes these. I knew from those words alone this book would be special. “𝑂𝑢𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑊𝑜𝑜𝑑𝑠 𝑖𝑠 𝑚𝑦 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑡𝑜 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑜𝑓 𝑢𝑠 𝑤ℎ𝑜 𝑚𝑒𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 𝑠𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑦 ℎ𝑎𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑓𝑢𝑙𝑙𝑦 𝑚𝑒𝑒𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑚𝑠𝑒𝑙𝑣𝑒𝑠“
I love that Hannah’s stories have substance and depth and that they tackle important life events, while also still having a light hearted feel.
I was very excited to learn we would be getting a book about Sarah and Caleb as I loved the glimpses we got of them in 𝐎𝐮𝐭 𝐎𝐧 𝐀 𝐋𝐢𝐦𝐛.
And note while you don’t have to read it to enjoy this one, I still recommend doing so.
Plus it’s another amazing book to enjoy written by Hannah. ☺️😉
Caleb is book husband perfection. If it’s even remotely possible to fall in love with a book character, then I definitely did here, lol! He is sweet, patient, loyal, funny and has a spicy side to him.
And don’t skip the authors note at the beginning. I love how vulnerable Hannah is when she writes these. I knew from those words alone this book would be special. “𝑂𝑢𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑊𝑜𝑜𝑑𝑠 𝑖𝑠 𝑚𝑦 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑡𝑜 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑜𝑓 𝑢𝑠 𝑤ℎ𝑜 𝑚𝑒𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 𝑠𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑦 ℎ𝑎𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑓𝑢𝑙𝑙𝑦 𝑚𝑒𝑒𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑚𝑠𝑒𝑙𝑣𝑒𝑠“
Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
5.0
I. Am. Not. Well.
This book. Holy shit this book.
This was one of my most anticipated reads after reading the masterpiece that was 𝙁𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙩𝙝 𝙒𝙞𝙣𝙜 earlier this year. And it did 𝘯𝘰𝘵 disappoint.
And listen, I’m sure you’re probably sick of seeing posts about this one, but I’m posting anyways because I need to scream from the rooftops how good this book is!!
What can I say that hasn’t already been said?!
Clocking in at 623 pages, it’s a slow burn, but there’s still so much information and action mixed in that it never feels like it’s dragging. We meet some new characters, some I loved and some I absolutely 𝘓𝘖𝘈𝘛𝘏𝘌𝘋, Like Dolores Umbridge level loathing.
The spicy scenes were 𝒔𝒑𝒊𝒄𝒚 and the tension leading up to them were chefs kiss. Oh Xaden, how I love thee! If I couldn’t possibly love him more, this book really makes you fall in love with him.
And my beloved dragons, Tairn, Andarna and even Sgaeyl. I love them so much and their sassiness. I was laughing so hard at some of their interactions.
Rebecca has created this amazing world and characters. Her writing is so vivid I felt like I was immersed in every scene. And for a non fantasy reader she makes it very easy to keep up with the book and terms.
I LOVED this book and I LOVE this series and I cannot wait for book 3 to come out. (@rebeccayarros please don’t make us wait too long 🙏🏻🤞🏻🤣).
You are missing out if you haven’t read these books yet but just be prepared for the book hangover it may give you when you finish, lol!!
The Favorites by Layne Fargo
fast-paced
5.0
Figure skating was one of my favourite sports as a little girl. I dreamed of being a World class figure skater and looked up to the likes of Oksana Baiul, Katarina Witt, Kristi Yamaguchi, to name a few.
To say I was obsessed is an understatement. The Tonya and Nancy scandal, Oksana’s ‘94 Lillehammer Olympic championship, Torvill and Dean’s perfect score, to our very own Tessa and Scott. I couldn’t get enough of this sport.
This book brings me right back to my prepubescent days and all those feeling’s came flying back. It was hard at times to separate myself and realize I wasn’t reading a non fiction book.
Figure skating, in my opinion, is such an underrated sport. The athletes put so much time, sweat and tears into their performances.
The Favorites brings you right into the action and into the cutthroat world of amateur figure skating.
Katarina Shaw has a no holds barred attitude and will stop at nothing to reach her dreams. Her story with Heath was tragic and beautiful.
I was hooked from the beginning but was completely enthralled by the end. This book will no doubt be on my top 2025 list.
The audiobook narration was amazing and I loved the full cast. It worked especially well with the mix of first person POV and interviews. I totally see the comparison to the 𝘋𝘢𝘪𝘴𝘺 𝘑𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴 audiobook but it’s also very different in its own right.
Trust me when I say don’t sleep on this one!!
To say I was obsessed is an understatement. The Tonya and Nancy scandal, Oksana’s ‘94 Lillehammer Olympic championship, Torvill and Dean’s perfect score, to our very own Tessa and Scott. I couldn’t get enough of this sport.
This book brings me right back to my prepubescent days and all those feeling’s came flying back. It was hard at times to separate myself and realize I wasn’t reading a non fiction book.
Figure skating, in my opinion, is such an underrated sport. The athletes put so much time, sweat and tears into their performances.
The Favorites brings you right into the action and into the cutthroat world of amateur figure skating.
Katarina Shaw has a no holds barred attitude and will stop at nothing to reach her dreams. Her story with Heath was tragic and beautiful.
I was hooked from the beginning but was completely enthralled by the end. This book will no doubt be on my top 2025 list.
The audiobook narration was amazing and I loved the full cast. It worked especially well with the mix of first person POV and interviews. I totally see the comparison to the 𝘋𝘢𝘪𝘴𝘺 𝘑𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴 audiobook but it’s also very different in its own right.
Trust me when I say don’t sleep on this one!!
Evidence of the Affair by Taylor Jenkins Reid
4.0
I stumbled upon this little short story by Jenkins while browsing for something to read.
I have loved every book I’ve read by Jenkins so far so thought a nice quick short story would be perfect for my current mood.
Told entirely through letters between two strangers and the two lovers, this short story details the repercussions on an illicit affair and ultimately the complex nature of one’s heart.
This is a tough subject for me due to some personal history but I found it quite fascinating to read.
How TJR can write such a beautiful story that absolutely captivated me and had me completely invested in the characters in under hundred pages is nothing short of brilliant.
I loved that this book was written entirely in epistolary format and my only complain is that I wanted more.
If you haven’t read this one I would highly suggest picking it up for a quick, but heartfelt read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
She's Not Sorry by Mary Kubica
fast-paced
4.0
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this fast paced, page turning psychological thriller!
Meghan is a 40-year old ICU nurse who is taking care of a patient, Caitlin, who is in a coma suffering from a traumatic brain injury from falling off a bridge. Meghan finds herself emotionally connected to her patient, and soon becomes more involved then she plans too once the police start asking questions.
I was on the edge of my seat the entire book wondering how everything was connected. And it all came together so perfectly, with a few added twists.
I listened to this one on audio and it was so well done. Andi Arndt does an excellent job narrating.
This was my first book by Mary Kubica and I will definitely be reading more from her backlist!
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
5.0
Holy hell this book is INCREDIBLE.
Another book that I am struggling to articulate into words how much I loved it.
Fantasy is not a genre I normally go too, but this book blew me away. It was so easy to read and the characters were incredible.
The chemistry and passion between Violet and Xaden was off the charts.
And I absolutely LOVED the dragons. They were everything.
Ahem, Chapter 22……If you know, you know. 😉
And that cliffhanger…….
I am sad I won’t ever get to read this book for the first time again.
Honestly, nothing I say will give this book the justice it deserves. Seriously, just take my word for it and grab this book.
November cannot come soon enough for 𝙄𝙧𝙤𝙣 𝙁𝙡𝙖𝙢𝙚. I need to continue on this journey!
Rebel Witch by Kristen Ciccarelli
4.5
We dive right into the action from where we ended 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙃𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧 (𝘾𝙧𝙞𝙢𝙨𝙤𝙣 𝙈𝙤𝙩𝙝) and the twists and turns does not stop from beginning to end.
This was a quick page turning read and one heck of a sequel!
Gideon and Rune have vowed to end each other after the events of the first book. But the two are thrust back together as they must deal with not only each other, but many forces trying to bring both them and their respective worlds down.
I loved the enemies to lovers and the forced proximity, and couldn’t wait to see what would happen next between these two. The chemistry between our two MC’s was off the charts. I loved their banter and the tender moments. It was the perfect mix.
This world of witches and witch hunters is just so intriguing. The way in which the spells are cast is very unique. And I loved the different cast of characters, you were kept on your toes the entire time wondering who you could trust.
This is an amazing fantasy duology that I highly suggest reading. You can read 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙃𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧 now.
And you won’t have to wait long to get a copy of 𝙍𝙚𝙗𝙚𝙡 𝙒𝙞𝙩𝙘𝙝. It’s outs everywhere on 𝙁𝙚𝙗𝙧𝙪𝙖𝙧𝙮 𝟏𝟖𝙩𝙝.
Thank you @netgally, @stmartinspress, @wednesdaybooks and @kristinciccarelli. I am so thankful I was #gifted an eARC of 𝙍𝙚𝙗𝙚𝙡 𝙒𝙞𝙩𝙘𝙝 for an honest review.