August Wrap Up 2025

 

I read or listened to a total of 14 books across 2,821 pages 19.62  and hours . My average rating was 4 stars And my total of unread 92 . DNF'd  5

 

1.    The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong (owned)

2.    Death and the Librarian by Victoria Gilbert  

3.    A Fierce Devotion by Laura Frantzy (Kindle Unlimited, review book) 

4.    My Jesus From Heartache to Hope by Anne Wilson (audio)

5.    The Night Hawks by Elly Grittiths 

6.    Sounds like Home by Ashley Poston 

7.    Fantastic Four Vs Galacuts by Stan Lee

8.    Scarlet Witch Vol 3: Scarlet Witch and Quicksivler

9.    Rookie Season by Katie Bailey, Leah Brunner (Kindle Unlimited, review book) 

10.  If all Else Sails by Emma St Clair (Kindle Unlimited review book) 

11.  Scarlet Witch Queen of Chaos by Steve Orlando 

12.  Fantastic Four Vol 1: Fourever 

13.  Gelato at the Villa by Robin Jones Gunn

14.  The Blonde Who Came in From the Cold by Ally Carter

Rookie Season by Katie Bailey and Leah Brunner review

 Title: Rookie Season 

Author: Katie Bailey and Leah Brunner 

Ch: 43 plus epilogue 

Pg: 330

Series: 3b 

Genre: Rom com, Hockey Rom Com 

Rating: 5 stars 

Publisher: indie 

 

Grumpy sunshine has always been one of my favorite tropes and I love it even more when paired with hockey. Noah’s in his rookie season and is determined to not let anything distract him. Allegra or Ally is looking to start over. After watching Noah grow up a bit in the DC Eagles series 

 and meeting Ally in the Donovan family series I new that I needed to read about them as adults. I have to say I loved grumpy Noah. But even more so protective Noah. And  of course my heart broke for Ally. And just like both authors’ previous books I love that found family is so important in the one. The friendship between Fisher, Noah and Penn was like the friendship between the eagle’s teammates in the DC Eagles series.

And who can forget Harry Styles, the third who is indeed a typical cat. 

 

And while this one is the first of a new series, I would recommend reading both the DC Eagles series by Leah and  Katie’s books to get both Noah’s and Ally’s backstory as well as not be spoiled. But the book can easily be read on its own. One of my favorite scenes happened towards the end of the book and to me sums up Noah in a nutshell across two series. 

 

For those that have read Leah before this one has more language than previous books and is indeed more fade to black than earlier books. But it’s still a good read. I also recommend having tissues handy for some parts. 

I received a copy of this book from the author as part of a blog tour. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone. 

You and Me, For Real by Hayley Elliot review

 Title: You and Me, For Real

Author:  Hayley Elliott 

Ch: 42 plus epilogue 

Pg: 368

Series: Hollywood Hills series book 1 

Genre:  Rom Com 

Rating: 5 stars 

Publisher: Indie 

You and Me, For Real is the debut novel by Hayley Elliott and I loved it. I'm normally not a fan of the celebrity troupe in rom com but with this one the troupe worked. I loved Ashton from the start, I mean what's not to love about someone who wants to start an animal rescue. I wasn't a huge fan of Griffin at first but I quickly fell for him when he rescued a dog.  My heart broke for Ashton after learning the past she was running from. I loved the banter between Ashton and Griffin and of course the doggie side kicks. And secondary characters are great some of which I would love to see a book about them. This debut novel is indeed a sweet closed door rom com. I can't wait to see what Hayley gives readers next. 

Relasees August 14th 

 

 

I received a copy of this book from the author a part of a blog tour. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone. 

A Fierce Devotion by Laura Frantz Review

 

Title:  A Fierce Devotion

Author: Laura Frantz

Ch: 33 plus epilogue

Pg: 221

Series:

Genre: Christian Historical, Christian Historical Romance

Rating: 5 stars 

Publisher: story Architect

Bleu Galant

Brielle Farrow



I'm not going to lie. I have wanted Bleu's story since I finished The Seamstress of Acadie, he was only a secondary character in that one but I could tell he needed a story. And with A Fierce Devotion we get his story. And it was indeed worth the wait. I loved seeing Bleu's growth from the end of The Seamstress of Acadie and this one.  Without giving anything away Bleu became a favorite  hero because of a heroic choice he makes early in the novel. I have to say that Bleu might just be Laura's most Boaz-like character yet.   Brielle despite what she's lost she holds tight to her faith. Now Brielle gets a chance at a future she never thought possible and Bleu is also considering a different future than he once thought. Their adventure will take them from the Shenandoah Valley, to Virginia's Rivanna River and to France. Both Bleu's and Brielle's faith will be tested as the journey has the ability to change both their futures.



 Bleu and Brielle's story may be my favorite love story that Laura wrote. I love a good slow burn romance not something found often in historical romance and even more so when he falls first one.    This one touched my heart in ways that only a Laura Frantz novel can. I always know Laura's novels will make me cry and this one was no different. At least I wasn't crying by the end of the first line this time. 

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

July Wrap Up

 I read or listened to a total of 11 books across 2,165 pages  and 39.37 hours . My average rating was And my total of unread 96 . DNF'd  2

1. Goodbye Earl by Leesa Cross-Smith 

2. The Secret Life of a Cemetery: The Wild Nature and Enchanting Lore of Pere Lachaise by Benoit Gallot 

3. Seven Year Itch by Amy Daws (audio)

4. To Sir Phillip, With Love by Julia Quinn (audio)

5. You and Me, For Real by Hayley Elliott (ebook) (review book) 

6. A Tarnished Canvas by Anna Lee Huber (audio) 

7. To Love A Beast by Karen Witemeyer (Kindle Unlimited) (review Book) 

8. The Double Play by  Annah Conwell (audio) (Kindle Unlimited) 

9. The Veteran’s Valentine Helper by Lee Tobin McClain 

10. Roll for Romance by Lenora Woods 

11. Love is a War Song by Danica Nava 

Perfectly Grumpy by Grace Worthington review

Title: Perfectly Grumpy

Author: Grace Worthington

Genre: Hockey Romance

Publisher/Indie: Indie

Publication Date: June 17

 

I think Tate may be my favorite Carolina Crushers player. Apparently, I have a thing for fictional nerdy hockey players. But I have to say that Lauren was the character I related to the most. I could relate to her grief. I loved seeing the other crusher players. And Perfectly Grumpy was the perfect read for this time of year. A summer hockey rom com. 

 

 

I received a copy of this book from the author as part of a blog tour. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone. 

May wrap up

  I read or listened to a total of  15 books across 3,023  pages  and 41.62 hours . My average rating was 4.10 And my total of unread 99. DNF'd  4

1. Two Seconds Too Late by Dani Pettrey (review book)

2. So That Happened by Katie Bailey (audio) 

3. My  Next Breath: A Memoir by Jeremy Renner (audio) 

4. Shot Through the Book by Eva Gates (ebook) (review book) 

5. The Man who Died Twice by Richard Osman 

6. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins (reread) 

7. The One with the Kiss Cam by Cindy Steel (audio) 

8. Murder by Cheesecake by Rachel Estrom Courage 

9. Rockaway Bride by Pippa Grant (audio) 

10. The Hero and the Hacktivist by Pippa Grant (kindle) (auido) 

11. Attempted Mountain Abduction by Jessica R Patch (Review book) 

12. Kentucky’s Packhorse Librarians by  Nicki Jacobsmeyer 

13. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins (reread) 

14. As you Ice it by Emma St. Clair (kindle unlimited) 

15. The Love Haters by Katherine Center (owned)

Unfinished Series Update January- March 

Finished 2 series 

Made progress on  1 Serires

Started 1 series